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Aigeira (or Αἴγειρα) is a town and a former municipality in northeastern Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of 103.646 km2. The municipal unit stretches from the Gulf of Corinth, where the town Aigeira is located, to the mountains in the south. The town Aigeira is southeast of Aigio, northwest of Corinth and east of Patras. The Greek National Road 8A (E65 Corinth - Patras) and the railway Corinth - Patras run through the town. In a distance of 6 Km from modern Aigeira there is the archaeological site of Ancient Aigeira and the Mycenean Acropolis. [edit] Historical population:
[edit] History
The area was settled in the 3rd millennium BC. Aegeira was a member of the Achaean League, one of the 12 Achaean cities, situated between Aegae and Pellene. It is described by Polybius as opposite Mount Parnassus, situated upon hills strong and difficult of approach, seven stadia from the sea, and near a river. This river was probably the Crius, which flowed into the sea, a little to the west of the town. According to the geographer Pausanias, the city consisted of two parts: a port on the Gulf of Corinth and the upper town, 12 stadia from the port; the upper city was 72 stadia from the oracle of Heracles Buraicus. Pausanias relates that Aegeira occupied the site of the Homeric Hyperesia (Ὑπερησίη), which is listed in the Catalogue of Ships in the Iliad.[1] and that it changed its name during the occupation of the country by the Ionians. According to Pausanias, in 688 BCE, Hyperesia was threatened by a hostile army from Sicyon. The locals defended their city by placing burning torches on their goats' (aiges in Greek) horns. As a result, the invaders left in fear while the Hyperesians renamed their town Αigeira to honor the goats.[1] He adds that the ancient name still continued in use. Hence we find that Icarus of Hyperesia was proclaimed victor in the 23rd Olympiad in 688 BC.; Eusebius refers his name as Icarius. Also, Cratinus of Aegeira wins the Olympic prize for boys' wrestling in 260 BC during the 130th Olympiad. On the decay of the neighbouring town of Aegae its inhabitants were transferred to Aegeira.[2] In the first year of the Social War, in 220 BCE, Aegeira was surprised by a party of Aetolians, who had set sail from the opposite town of Oeantheia in Locris, but were driven out by the Aegiratans after they had obtained possession of the place. The most important of the public buildings of Aegeira was a temple of Zeus. It also contained a very ancient temple of Apollo, and temples of Artemis Agrotera, of Aphrodite Urania, who was worshipped in the town above all other divinities, and of the Syrian Goddess, all in the upper town. [edit] Research Tips
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