Elyros

Coordinates: 35°17′33″N 23°47′45″E / 35.29250°N 23.79583°E / 35.29250; 23.79583 Elyros (Ἔλυρος in Greek) is an ancient city, located in southwest Crete, on Kefala Hill near the village of Rodovani. It has not been excavated.

History

Classical Era

Elyros was flourishing at least as early as the Greek Classical Period, e.g. 500 to 350 BC.[1] In the Classical Period Elyros was the most important ancient city in southwestern Crete, having about 16,000 inhabitants. It was an industrial and commercial city with large weapons production. Syia and Lissos were its harbours. Apollo, Phylakides and Philandros, sons of Apollo and nymph Akakallida, were worshiped there.

Hellenistic Era

In the 3rd century BC, Elyros was at war with Kydonia, an important center of Cretan power, located in the modern city of Chania.[2] The citizens of Elyros sent to the Oracle at Delphi a bronze votive complex that represents a goat feeding the sons of Apollo when they were infants. It is also one of the thirty cities that signed the decree with Eumenes B’ in 183 BC.

Roman Era

Elyros was also important during Roman times. A Roman statue, the Philosopher of Elyros, was recovered here and is now in the Archaeological Museum of Chania.

Byzantine Era

During Byzantine times, Elyros was the seat of an Archbishop. The remains of the bishopric church, a 6th-century basilica, can still be seen in the centre of the old city.

Archaeology

Robert Pashley was the first to identify the location of the city, near the village of Rodovani. Thenon studied the ruins of the city more carefully and discovered the inscription that says: “it seemed to the city of the Elyrians”.

References

  1. ↑ The History of Crete
  2. ↑ C. Michael Hogan, Cydonia

Sources

  • The History of Crete: Chronological order of the history of Crete
  • C. Michael Hogan, Cydonia, Modern Antiquarian, January 23, 2008
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