Ancient Olynthus

 

Olynthus, ancient city of Greece, on the peninsula of Halkidiki, NE of Potidea. A league of cities grew up in the late 5th cent. BC, and Olynthus, as the head of this League, vigorously opposed the threats of Athens and Sparta. Athens captured the city and held it for a brief time. In 379 BC, Sparta defeated Olynthus and dissolved the league, which was, however, re-formed after the fall of Sparta. Olynthus had been allied with Philip II of Macedon against Athens, but, fearing Philip's power, sought Athenian aid. Philip attacked, and Demosthenes in his Olynthiac orations eloquently urged his fellow Athenians to aid the threatened city. Philip destroyed (348 BC) the city despite Athenian aid. Excavations at Olynthus have revealed the layout of the city.

The modern city, also called Olinthos, sits on a small plateau on the western side of the river Olinthios (in ancient times known as Sandanos) across from the ruins of the ancient city. There is a small museum featuring artefacts recovered from old Olynthus, and at least part of the ruins are open to public tours during daylight hours. Of particular note are some of the earliest known mosaic decorated floors in the ancient Greek world.