GREECE MACEDONIA CHALKIDIKI OLYNTHOS

Above left: Remains of the fountain house on North Hill. - Above right and below: Ancient remains stored near the visitors center.

The exceptional economic and political vigour led to friction with Amyntas III of Macedon (393-379 BC) and the Spartans. When Olynthos laid claim to Amphipolis, it provoked a conflict with Athens. An alliance with Philip II (356 BC) later deteriorated sharply. In 348 BC, Philip captured the city after a siege and devastated it. The orator Demosthenes' stirring speeches, the "Olynthiacs" and "Philippics", were unavailing against the Macedonian king's destructive fury. A small Macedonian guard was then installed in the area, probably active until 316 BC, but the city continued in existence at least during the 6th century AD.