Spalathra

Spalathra (Ancient Greek: Σπάλαθρα)[1] or Spalauthra (Σπάλαυθρα),[2] also called Spalethre (Σπαλέθρη)[3] and Spalathron (Σπάλαθρον),[3] was a town and polis (city-state)[4] of Magnesia, in ancient Thessaly, upon the Pagasetic Gulf. It is conjectured that this town is meant by Lycophron,[5] who describes Prothous, the leader of the Magnetes in the Iliad, as ὁ ἐκ Παλαύθρων (Σπαλαύθρων).[6] The town is also mentioned in the Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax as a city in Magnesia, together with Iolcus, Coracae, Methone and Olizon.[7]

Map showing ancient Thessaly. Spalathra is shown to the far right on the Pagasetic Gulf.

The toponym is related to the Greek word "σπάλαθρον", meaning fire poker.[8] Perhaps from the shape of the peninsula on which it sat.[9]

Spalathra was located within the limits of modern Chorto.[10][11]

References

1. Pliny. Naturalis Historia. 4.9.16.
2. Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax, p. 25.
3. Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. sub voce Σπάλαθρον.
4. Mogens Herman Hansen & Thomas Heine Nielsen (2004). "Thessaly and Adjacent Regions". An inventory of archaic and classical poleis. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 721. ISBN 0-19-814099-1.
5. Lycophron, Alexandra 899.
6.  Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Spalathra". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
7. Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax, 65.
8. Jorge Martínez de Tejada Garaizábal, Instituciones, sociedad, religión y léxico de Tesalia de la antigüedad desde la época de la independencia hasta el fin de la edad antigua (siglos VIII AC-V DC), doctoral thesis, p.936. Madrid: Universidad Complutense de Madrid (2012). (in Spanish)
9. Lycophron, Alexandra.
10. Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 55, and directory notes accompanying.
11. Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Spalathra". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.