(Stagiros or Stagira)
They were founded by Ionian settlers of Andros in the middle of the 7th century BC. In 349/8 BC they were destroyed by King Philip II, but were re-founded by him in honor of the Stagerite philosopher Aristotle, teacher of M. Alexander. The ruins of the ancient city extend on two hills above the sea, on the verdant Liotopi peninsula, NE. of the village of Olympiados. On the northern hill, the wall from the time of Philip II (356 - 336 BC) is preserved. Also houses of archaic and classical times (6th - 4th century BC), with streets between and water tanks, the city's aqueduct, grape presses and storage areas. Archaic sanctuaries were also excavated (Thesmophorium in honor of Demeter and a temple dedicated to Zeus, 6th century BC). On the southern hill, the southern wall (5th c. BC) was uncovered in a large area and in very good condition. X.). At the top there is a citadel with a triangular enclosure.
Between the two hills, the market (6th - 5th century BC) was revealed, with a classical arcade, shops, warehouses and cobbled streets. On the opposite island, Kavkanas (arch. Kapros), remains of a wall and facilities of the 4th century BC were found. In the days of the geographer Strabo, the city was deserted and only in the Byzantine years (10th - 11th centuries) was a small fortified settlement created on the northern hill.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou