Origins Amphipolis

map of amphipolis.

throughout 5th century bc, athens sought consolidate control on thrace, strategically important because of primary materials (the gold , silver of pangaion hills , dense forests essential naval construction), , sea routes vital athens supply of grain scythia. after first unsuccessful attempt @ colonisation in 497 bc milesian tyrant histiaeus, athenians founded first colony @ ennea-hodoi (‘nine ways’) in 465, these first ten thousand colonists massacred thracians. second attempt took place in 437 bc on same site under guidance of hagnon, son of nicias, successful. city , first walls date time.

the new settlement took name of amphipolis (literally, around city ), name subject of debate etymology. thucydides claims name comes fact strymon flows around city on 2 sides; note in suda (also given in lexicon of photius) offers different explanation apparently given marsyas, son of periander: large proportion of population lived around city . however, more probable explanation 1 given julius pollux: name indicates vicinity of isthmus.

amphipolis became main power base of athenians in thrace and, consequently, target of choice spartan adversaries. athenian population remained in minority in city. reason amphipolis remained independent city , ally of athenians, rather colony or member of confederacy. however, in 424 bc spartan general brasidas took control of city.

a rescue expedition led athenian general, , later historian, thucydides had settle securing eion , not retake amphipolis, failure thucydides sentenced exile. new athenian force under command of cleon failed once more in 422 bc during battle of amphipolis @ both cleon , brasidas lost lives. brasidas survived long enough hear of defeat of athenians , buried @ amphipolis impressive pomp. on regarded founder of city

and honoured yearly games , sacrifices.