Amphanae or Amphanai (Ancient Greek: Ἀμφαναί,[1] Ἀμφαναία or Ἀμφαναῖον[2]) was the southernmost city on the east coast of the district of Pelasgiotis, Ancient Thessaly, near the border between the Pelasgiotis and Achaea Phthiotis forming promontory Pyrrha. Its location is doubtful, and several locations have been proposed, including Soros in the municipality of Volos, Damari, Paleo Alikes in the municipality of Volos, and the palaiokastro (old fort) of Sesklou.[3] The identification with Soros is accepted by the editors of the Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft,[4] and tentatively accepted by the editors of the Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World.[5] However, the most recent excavations seem to indicate that Soros is more likely to be identified with Pagasas.[3]

Amphanae
Ἀμφαναί
The great gate at Soros.
Amphanae is located in Greece
Amphanae
Shown within Greece
Alternative nameAmphanai
LocationSoros, Volos
RegionMagnesia, Thessaly, Greece
Coordinates39°18′47″N 22°55′49″E / 39.31302038435541°N 22.930250757063344°E / 39.31302038435541; 22.930250757063344
TypeAncient city, hillfort
Part ofPelasgiotis, Ancient Thessaly
History
PeriodsArchaic period
CulturesAncient Greece
Site notes
ArchaeologistsAlexandros Mazarakis Ainian
Websitehttp://efamagvolos.culture.gr/Amfanai.html

Referencing Hecataeus of Miletus, Stephanus of Byzantium distinguishes a Doric Amphanai, this seems to be based on a mistake; probably this Thessalian city was founded by Dorians is meant, and therefore Hekataios thus labelled it as a "Doric city" rather than a "city in Doris".[4]

References

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  1. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. Vol. s.v.
  2. ^ Scylax 61.
  3. ^ a b Mogens Herman Hansen & Thomas Heine Nielsen (2004). "Thessaly and Adjacent Regions". An inventory of archaic and classical poleis. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 691. ISBN 0-19-814099-1.
  4. ^ a b Gustav Hirschfeld: Amphanai.(in German) In: Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft (RE). Vol. I,2, Stuttgart 1894, col. 1884.
  5. ^ Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 55, and directory notes accompanying. ISBN 978-0-691-03169-9.