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-
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.