Classical-Hellenistic mole at Akanthos, from N

Summary: The Greek city that aided Xerxes in cutting a canal across the Akte peninsula.
Type: Port city
Region: Macedonia

Periods:

Archaic

Classical

Hellenistic

Roman

Physical:

Akanthos is located on the Chalkidean peninsula of Akte, between the gulfs of Singitis and Strymon. The ancient harbor had a mole and the city was almost certainly fortified, but little archaeological investigation has taken place.

Description:

Established by colonists from Andros in the Archaic period, the city supported the Persians in 490 and 480 B.C. and willingly aided Xerxes in the construction of a canal across the Akte peninsula. Akanthos was later a member of the Delian League and supported Athens in the Peloponnesian War. After the Peace of Nikias, Akanthos gained some degree of independence until it came under Macedonian control in the 4th century B.C. The city was plundered by the Romans ca A.D. 200, but its port continued to function.

Exploration:

No systematic excavations at Akanthos, but many of the graves have been opened.

Sources Used:

PECS, 23; Barber 1988, 599

Other Bibliography:

R. Pietschmann, RE I (1894) 1147-1148; A. Guillou and J. Bompaire, BCH 82 (1958) 192; Zahrnt 1971, 146-150; Leake, Travels in Northern Greece III (1835) 147ff.