Anagyrous
Anagyrous was one of the deems of ancient Athens, located near modern-day Vari, which belonged to the tribe Erechtheis. According to Pausanias, a sanctuary of the mother of the gods was situated there.
The name of the ancient municipality was maintained until 600 AD, as mentioned by geographer and historian Stephanus of Byzantium.
Anagyrous is an important archaeological site (Leake 1835, Amer Journal of Arch -1909, and others) that still remains unexplored at large, with traces of human habitation dating back to 3rd millennium BCE, that include:
According to one version, the name of the municipality derives from the mythical Anagyros, whose temple was located in the region. Anagyrous made the homes near his sacred grove tremble and collapse. He once exterminated an entire family who had cut trees from his sacred grove—hence the ancient proverb, "Anagryasion Daimon". Offerings and sacrifices were brought to Anagryous as attempts to appease the god's anger.
Another version derives from the plant Anagyris (Anagyris foe dita), referred to as emetic and as a laxative by Dioscorides (9-79 AD), and as an exorcism of ill fate by the Byzantine Suidas dictionary. The plant grows abundantly in the valley, exuding a terrible stench when touched or shaken. Aristophanes (Lysias 68) cites the following humorist dialogue:
«Πόθεν εισίν; Αναγυρουντόθεν. Νη τον Δία, ο γουν Ανάγυρος μη κεκινήσθαι δοκεί.»
(Pothen eisin? Anagyrountothen. Nee ton Dia, o goun Anagyros me kekinisthai dokei)
(Where are you from? From Anagyron, By Zeus, better not shake the Anagyron.)
According to Aelian, the countryside near Anagyrous was where Aristion and Periktyoni (Plato’s parents) used to lull baby Plato.
«… εν ταις πλησίον μυρρίναις, δασείες ούσες και πυκνές, καθεύδοντι δε εσμός μελισσών εν τοις χείλεσι αυτού καθίσασαι, υπήδον την του Πλάτωνος ευγλωττία μαντευόμεναι.»
(En tais plesion myrrinais, daseies ouses kai pyknes, katheudonti de esmos melisson en tois cheilesi autou kathisasai, upedon ten tou Platonos euglottia mantevomenai).
"... nearby the myrtle plants, dense and leafy as they were, and while he was sleeping, a swarm of bees sat peacefully on his lips, thus surmising the eloquence of Plato."
Coordinates: 37°49′26″N 23°48′47″E / 37.8240°N 23.8130°E
...
Wikipedia