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Modern Description: Ancient Ithoria has been identified with the fortified citadel on Agios Elias hill, near Aitoliko. The site corresponds to the descriptions by Polybius and Strabo and occupies a strategically important point, which controls all the Aitolian fortified cities of the region, as well as the Acarnanian ones, across Acheloos river. The site combines natural protection and fortification works; its shape is long and narrow, with a perimeter of ca. 250m. Remains of two towers and one gate have been preserved, while much of the western side of the wall has not survived. Ithoria was destroyed by Philip V in 219 B.C.
Prehistoric finds in the region attest the existence here of an important settlement of the time, perhaps Homeric Olenos. Those finds comprise a neolithic settlement, southwest of the city, four tholos and one chamber tomb of the LHII period. Important prehistoric finds in the region may be viewed as remains of a substantial prehistoric settlement here, perhaps homeric Olenos. Furthermore, part of the ancient wall has been considered as prehistoric. Prehistoric sites in the region comprise: A neolithic settlement at 'Kokkini Spilia', north of Ithoria; Four Late Helladic II tholos tombs, to the south and west of the acropolis, at 'Marathia' and 'Seremeti' and another one in the central square of the village. Those tombs were excavated by E. Mastrokostas in the 1970s.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithoria
Wikidata ID: Q11926995
DARE: 31564

Info: Patras University

(Monuments of Aitoloakarnania and Achaia, 2003, University of Patras)

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