Aegina
Overview
Aegina is one of the largest Greek Islands in the Saronic group of Greece. It has an area of about 32 square miles and a population of about 13,000. Aegina's northern plains and hills are filled with olive, fig, almond, and pistachio trees. Its east coast includes a ridge of volcanic rock. The west coast houses the chief town and port, also named Aegina. The highest point is Mount Ayios Ilias, which reaches 1,745 feet. Famous historical Aegineans include the sculptors Smilis, Onatas, and Ptolichus, as well as Paul of Aegina, a medical scholar and physician.
Map of Aegina
Aegina in relation to Greece
Mythology
According to Greek mythology, the island Aegina was first called Oenone. It's named after the nymph Aegina, daughter of the river god Asopus. Zeus seduced Aegina and took her to Oenone, where she gave birth to Aecus, the first king of the island and grandfather of the famous hero Achilles. Aecus renamed the island Aegina in honor of his mother.
Zeus pursuing Aegina
Historical Information
Aegina has been inhabited since Neolithic times, around 3000 BCE. Due to its strategic position, it became a leading maritime power and its silver coins became the most currency of choice in most of the Dorian states. This led to an economic rivalry with Athens, which resulted in wars between the two. During the Peloponnesian War, around 431 BCE, the Athenians deported Aegina's population and replaced them with Athenian settlers. Although the citizens were finally allowed back in 404 BCE, Aegina never recovered from this blow. It fell to the Romans with the rest of Greece in 133 BCE. For the most part, the island remained under Turkish rule as a successful commercial center until 1826. Aegina served as the temporary capital of Greece from 182601828. In modern-day, it serves as a holiday and weekend resort for Athenians.
Ancient Coins of Aegina
Naval battle during the Peloponnesian War
Archeological Information
Temple of Aphaia
Dedicated to a local goddess
Completed around 500 BCE, constructed of limestone
First version made of wood circa 560 BCE, burned down in 510 BCE
28.8m by 13.7m
Six columns along the shorter sides and 12 along the longer sides
Used new construction technologies: ramps, levers, pulleys
Pediments show how the temple balances the divide between the archaic and classical periods
The Archaeological Site of Kolona
Acropolis
Hill of Kolona was the Acropolis of the island from 3000 BCE or earlier
Excavations indicate long usage of the site
Early-Helladic and Middle-Helladic settlements, constructs of the Mycenaen era, walls, towers, piers, aqueducts, temples, and many tombs
Even remnants of Byzantine buildings were found here
The Doric Temple of Apollo
Only one column survives today
Built of local limestone
11 columns down the length and 6 along the width
Temple pediments were made of marble and depicted the Amazon Wars
Construction of the temple was completed before the Parthenon
Underneath Kolona
Below Kolona existed concealed commerical and military ports
Aegineans hid their triremes as they were a great naval power during their time
Traces of walls and breakwaters that protected the ports still remain
Works Cited
“The Archaeological Site of Kolona Aegina: Aegina: WeLoveAegina.” We Love Aegina, 24 Mar. 2020, weloveaegina.com/en/aigina/the-archaeological-site-of-kolona/.
Greekacom. History of Aegina Island: Greeka. www.greeka.com/saronic/aegina/history/#:~:text=According%20to%20ancient%20mythology%2C%20Aegina,the%20famous%20Trojan%20hero%2C%20Achilles.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Aegina.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 July 1998, www.britannica.com/place/Aegina-island-Greece.
Kashdan, Harry. Temple of Aphaia on Aegina, www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/greekpast/4775.html.
Raphael, Souzana. “Hill of Kolona with Museum.” Aegina Healing, 7 Apr. 2020, www.aeginagreece.com/aegina-island/greece/hill-of-kolona-with-museum/.
Image Credits
https://www.meganstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/what-to-do-in-aegina-greece_.jpg
https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/greekpast/files/2971267.jpg
https://www.theoi.com/image/O26.2Aigina.jpg
https://www.greece-travel-secrets.com/images/xAegina_Locator_map.jpg.pagespeed.ic.d9ydTi-kFu.jpg
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/greece/aegina/map_of_aegina.jpg
https://www.greeka.com/seedo/photos/364/aegina-temple-of-apollo-top-1-1024.webp
https://media.nationalgeographic.org/assets/photos/752/084/38949d2c-324e-4df6-b2cd-58a27f2c4cca.jpg
https://www.coinweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Sea_turtle.gif