GREECE MACEDONIA CHALKIDIKI OLYNTHOS

The name Olynthos is prehellenic, possibly meaning wild fig tree. The site was actually inhabited since the Late Neolithic (5300-4500 BC). Then again the site was used for a settlement since Archaic times. Olynthos consists of two hills linked by a deep saddle and occupies an area 1,300 m long and 100-300 m wide. The architectural remains come from two different periods: Archaic on the South Hill and Classical on the North Hill.

On the South Hill lies the city that, according to Herodotus, was founded by the Bottiaeans of Emathia in the 7th century BC after they were expelled by the Macedonians. This Archaic city was then destroyed by the Persians after they had been defeated by the joint Greece forces in the battle of Plataia in 479 BC, and then handed over to the Chalkidians. - Alas, there is not much to be seen on the South Hill.

Below right: A view to the Gulf of Kassandra.