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Modern Description: The city and its connection to Hercules is mentioned by various ancient writers (Thucydides, Strabo, Cicero at.al.). The city was founded before the 6th cent. B.C.; it prospered helped by its important harbour, which was always an asset to the city. Famous works of art, such as the relief metopes depicting Hercules' trials, made for the hero's sanctuary by Lysippos in 320 B.C., adorned the city's monuments. Alyzia was still prosperous in Roman times, when Cicero, in his account of a visit here, mentions a population of 30,000 people. The ruins of Alyzia, an ancient Acarnanian city, occupies the site of modern Kandila, 15 stadia from the sea. The city's ruins reach the sea at the small gulf near Mytikas; Alyzia's harbour (referred to by Strabo as Hercules' sacred harbour) was here, as documented by submerged structures at this spot. The perimeter of its fortification, constructed in the 5th cent. B.C., was ca. 3km., with 19 square towers and at least 4 gates. The acropolis stood at the northeast, separated by an inner wall. The city's cemeteries lie to the south and west, outside the fortification.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alyzeia
Wikidata ID: Q450546
Trismegistos Geo: 37622

Info: YP

(Dr. Yannis Papadopoulos, with the support of the Laskaridis Foundation.)

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