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Lamia (city)
Encyclopedia
Lamia is a city in central Greece
. The city has a continuous history since antiquity, and is today the capital of the regional unit of Phthiotis
and of the Central Greece region (comprising five regional units).
, the daughter of Poseidon
, and queen of the Trachineans. Another holds that it is named after the Malians, the inhabitants of the surrounding area. In the Middle Ages, Lamia was called Zetounion (Ζητούνιον), a name first encountered in the 8th Ecumenical synod in 869. It was known as Girton under Frankish rule
following the Fourth Crusade
and later El Cito when it was controlled by the Catalan Company
of mercenaries. In Turkish
, it was sometimes called Izdin or İzzeddin. The city was also known as Zeitoun, Ζητούνι (Zitouni), Zirtounion, and Zitonion.
, the city was first mentioned after the earthquake of 424 BC
, when it was an important Sparta
n military base. It was occupied by Alexander of Macedon. After Alexander's death, the Athenians
and other Greeks rebelled against Macedonian overlordship. Antipatros, the regent of Macedon, took refuge behind the substantial walls of the city (Lamian War
323 BC
–322 BC
). The war ended with the death of the Athenian general Leosthenes
, and the arrival of a 20,000-strong Macedon
ian army. Lamia prospered afterwards, especially in the 3rd century BC under Aetolian
hegemony, which came to an end when Manius Acilius Glabrio
sacked the city in 190 BC
. Lamia became part of the modern Greek state in 1829 becoming a border city (the borders were drawn at a site known as "Taratsa" just north of Lamia).
, Poland
Central Greece
Continental Greece or Central Greece , colloquially known as Roúmeli , is a geographical region of Greece. Its territory is divided into the administrative regions of Central Greece, Attica, and part of West Greece...
. The city has a continuous history since antiquity, and is today the capital of the regional unit of Phthiotis
Phthiotis
Phthiotis is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Central Greece. The capital is the city of Lamia. It is bordered by the Malian Gulf to the east, Boeotia in the south, Phocis in the south, Aetolia-Acarnania in the southwest, Evrytania in the west,...
and of the Central Greece region (comprising five regional units).
Name
One account says that the city was named after the mythological figure of LamiaLamia (mythology)
In ancient Greek mythology, Lamia was a beautiful queen of Libya who became a child-eating daemon. Aristophanes claimed her name derived from the Greek word for gullet , referring to her habit of devouring children....
, the daughter of Poseidon
Poseidon
Poseidon was the god of the sea, and, as "Earth-Shaker," of the earthquakes in Greek mythology. The name of the sea-god Nethuns in Etruscan was adopted in Latin for Neptune in Roman mythology: both were sea gods analogous to Poseidon...
, and queen of the Trachineans. Another holds that it is named after the Malians, the inhabitants of the surrounding area. In the Middle Ages, Lamia was called Zetounion (Ζητούνιον), a name first encountered in the 8th Ecumenical synod in 869. It was known as Girton under Frankish rule
Frangokratia
The Frankokratia or Frangokratia , also known as Latinokratia is the period in Greek history after the Fourth Crusade , when a number of Western European Crusader states were established in Greece, on the territory of the dissolved Byzantine Empire .The term derives from the fact that Orthodox...
following the Fourth Crusade
Fourth Crusade
The Fourth Crusade was originally intended to conquer Muslim-controlled Jerusalem by means of an invasion through Egypt. Instead, in April 1204, the Crusaders of Western Europe invaded and conquered the Christian city of Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire...
and later El Cito when it was controlled by the Catalan Company
Catalan Company
The Catalan Company of the East , officially the Magnas Societas Catalanorum, sometimes called the Grand Company and widely known as the Catalan Company, was a free company of mercenaries founded by Roger de Flor in the early 14th-century...
of mercenaries. In Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
, it was sometimes called Izdin or İzzeddin. The city was also known as Zeitoun, Ζητούνι (Zitouni), Zirtounion, and Zitonion.
History
Although inhabited since the 5th millennium BC5th millennium BC
The 5th millennium BC saw the spread of agriculture from the Near East throughout southern and central Europe.Urban cultures in Mesopotamia and Anatolia flourished, developing the wheel. Copper ornaments became more common, marking the Chalcolithic. Animal husbandry spread throughout Eurasia,...
, the city was first mentioned after the earthquake of 424 BC
424 BC
Year 424 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Tribunate of Crassus, Fidenas, Rutilus and Iullus...
, when it was an important Sparta
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
n military base. It was occupied by Alexander of Macedon. After Alexander's death, the Athenians
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and other Greeks rebelled against Macedonian overlordship. Antipatros, the regent of Macedon, took refuge behind the substantial walls of the city (Lamian War
Lamian War
The “Lamian War”, also referred to as the “Hellenic War” and the “War against Antipater”, was fought by the Athenians and their Aetolian, Locrian, and Phocian allies against the Macedonians in Thessaly during the winter of 323–322 BC...
323 BC
323 BC
Year 323 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Longus and Cerretanus...
–322 BC
322 BC
Year 322 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Rullianus and Curvus...
). The war ended with the death of the Athenian general Leosthenes
Leosthenes
Leosthenes was an Athenian, commander of the combined Greek army in the Lamian war. We know not by what means he had obtained the high reputation which we find him enjoying when he first makes his appearance in history: it has been generally inferred, from a passage in Strabo, that he had first...
, and the arrival of a 20,000-strong Macedon
Macedon
Macedonia or Macedon was an ancient kingdom, centered in the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula, bordered by Epirus to the west, Paeonia to the north, the region of Thrace to the east and Thessaly to the south....
ian army. Lamia prospered afterwards, especially in the 3rd century BC under Aetolian
Aetolian League
The Aetolian League was a confederation of tribal communities and cities in ancient Greece centered on Aetolia in central Greece. It was established, probably during the early Hellenistic era, in opposition to Macedon and the Achaean League. Two annual meetings were held in Thermika and Panaetolika...
hegemony, which came to an end when Manius Acilius Glabrio
Manius Acilius Glabrio (consul 191 BC)
Manius Acilius Glabrio was a consul of the Roman Republic in 191 BC. He came from an illustrious plebeian family whose members held magistracies throughout the Republic and into the Imperial era....
sacked the city in 190 BC
190 BC
Year 190 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Asiaticus and Laelius...
. Lamia became part of the modern Greek state in 1829 becoming a border city (the borders were drawn at a site known as "Taratsa" just north of Lamia).
Landmarks
- The "Kastro", the city's fortified acropolisAcropolisAcropolis means "high city" in Greek, literally city on the extremity and is usually translated into English as Citadel . For purposes of defense, early people naturally chose elevated ground to build a new settlement, frequently a hill with precipitous sides...
- Platia Eleftherias (Freedom Square) - site of the towns independence day parade, and main cathedral. Also has many cafes with outdoor seating.
- Platia Diakou (Diakos Square) - square containing the statue of Athanasios Diakos
- Platia Parkou (Park Square)
- Platia Laou (People's Square) - square featuring the statue of Aris VelouchiotisAris VelouchiotisAris Velouchiotis , the nom de guerre of Athanasios Klaras , was the most prominent leader and chief instigator of the Greek People's Liberation Army , the military branch of the National Liberation Front , which was the major resistance organization in occupied Greece from 1942 to 1945...
Municipality
The municipality Lamia was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 5 former municipalities, that became municipal units:- GorgopotamosGorgopotamosGorgopotamos is a village and a former municipality in Phthiotis, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Lamia, of which it is a municipal unit. It is located 10 km southwest of Lamia. Its 2001 population was 443 for the village and 4,510 for the...
- Lamia
- LeianokladiLeianokladiLeianokladi is a village and a former municipality in Phthiotis, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Lamia, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 3,034 . The "Athens – Lamia – Larissa – Thessaloniki" national railway line passes through Leianokladi....
- PavlianiPavlianiPavliani is a village and a former community in Phthiotis, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Lamia, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 574 ....
- YpatiYpatiYpati is a village and a former municipality in Phthiotis, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Lamia, of which it is a municipal unit. Its 2002 population was 6,855 for the municipality...
Historical population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 41,846 |
| 1991 | 55,445 |
| 2001 | 58,601 |
Notable people
- Niki Bakoyianni (1968-) high jumper
- Athanasios DiakosAthanasios DiakosAthanasios Diakos , a Greek military commander during the Greek War of Independence and a national hero, was born Athanasios Nikolaos Massavetas in the village of Ano Mousounitsa, Phocis.-Early life:...
(1788–1821) Greek military commander during the Greek War of IndependenceGreek War of IndependenceThe Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
, died in Lamia - Thanos LeivaditisThanos LeivaditisThanos Leivaditis was a Greek actor and screenwriter. He studied drawing at the School of Fine Arts of the Athens Polytechnic School ....
(1934–2005) actor and screenwriter - Ilias TsirimokosIlias TsirimokosIlias Tsirimokos was a Greek politician who served as Prime Minister for a very brief period .-Life:...
(1907–1968) politician, former Prime Minister of GreecePrime Minister of GreeceThe Prime Minister of Greece , officially the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic , is the head of government of the Hellenic Republic and the leader of the Greek cabinet. The current interim Prime Minister is Lucas Papademos, a former Vice President of the European Central Bank, following... - Aris VelouchiotisAris VelouchiotisAris Velouchiotis , the nom de guerre of Athanasios Klaras , was the most prominent leader and chief instigator of the Greek People's Liberation Army , the military branch of the National Liberation Front , which was the major resistance organization in occupied Greece from 1942 to 1945...
(1905–1945) leader of the World War II guerrilla resistance
International relations
Lamia is twinned with: RzeszówRzeszów
Rzeszów is a city in southeastern Poland with a population of 179,455 in 2010. It is located on both sides of the Wisłok River, in the heartland of the Sandomierska Valley...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
Sporting teams
- Panellinios B.C.
- Lamia F.C.Lamia F.C.AS Lamia is a football club based in Lamia, Greece. It was founded in 1964.-Current squad 2008/09:Coach: Konstantinos Stamatiou...
- Lamia Skiing & Climbing Club (XOOL)
- Ionikos Lamias BCIonikos Lamias BCIonikos Lamias BC is a Greek professional basketball club. The club is located in Lamia, Greece. The team competes in the Greek League's A2 Ethniki division.-History:In 2006, Ionikos Lamias was promoted to the Greek A2 League...
- GS Lamia
- Nireas Lamias
- Ionikos Neas Magnisias
- Pamfthiotikos Syllogos Rythmikis Gymnastikis Niki (Rhythmic Gymnastics Club)
See also
- University of Central GreeceUniversity of Central GreeceThe University of Central Greece , is a public university located in Central Greece, which was founded by the Greek Government in April 2003 in Lamia...
- Communities of Fthiotis
- List of traditional Greek place names