Anthemus

For the wasp, see Encyrtinae. For the modern town, see Anthemountas.

Anthemus or Anthemous (Ancient Greek: Ἀνθεμοῦς), also known as Anthemuntus or Anthemountos (Ἀνθεμοῦντος), was a town of ancient Macedonia of some importance, belonging to the early Macedonian monarchy. It appears to have stood southeast of Thessalonica and north of Chalcidice, since we learn from Thucydides that its territory bordered upon Bisaltia, Crestonia and Mygdonia.^[1][2] The territory of the town is first mentioned when Amyntas I of Macedon offered it to Hippias, the son of Athenian tyrant Pisistratus. Hippias refused it, as well as a similar offer from the Thessalians for Iolcos, suggesting that Amyntas probably did not possess Anthemous at that time. It is likely that Amyntas was merely suggesting a plan of joint occupation to Hippias. It was given by Philip of Macedon to the Olynthians. Peroidas commanded the cavalry squadron of Hetairoi from Anthemus in the campaign of Alexander. Like some of the other chief cities in Macedonia, it gave its name to a town in Asia.^[3] It continued to be mentioned by writers under the Roman empire.^[4][5]

Anthemus between Chalcidice and Mygdonia

There was also a district, river, and lake named after the city. The river's modern name is Vasilikotikos.^[6]

The site of Anthemus is located near modern Galatista.^[6][7]

References

1. Thucydides. History of the Peloponnesian War. Vol. 2.99-100.
2. Herodotus. Histories. Vol. 5.94.
3. Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. Vol. s.v.
4. Dem. Phil. ii. p. 70, ed. Reisk.; Diodorus Siculus. Bibliotheca historica (Historical Library). Vol. 15.8.
5. Liban. Declam. xiii.; Aristid. 2.224; Pliny. Naturalis Historia. Vol. 4.10.17.
6. Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 50, and directory notes accompanying. ISBN 978-0-691-03169-9.
7. Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.

  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Anthemus". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.

• Hazlitt, The Classical Gazetteer > page 36
• Herodotus V, 94
• Macedonian Institutions Under the Kings: A historical and epigraphic study - Page 174 by Miltiades V. Chatzopoulos ISBN 960-7094-89-1

40°25′04″N 23°17′04″E / 40.417722°N 23.284334°E / 40.417722; 23.284334

 

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