The most important historical site of Halkidiki, the ancient Stageira, is located on the Liotopi peninsula, next to the modern Olympiada. The visit is a true delight. If you want to see everything, you should know that you will need at least 2 to 3 hours, and do not miss the coastal path, which is wonderful. The city was founded in 665 BC by Ionian settlers from the island of Andros, while shortly after, settlers from Chalkis also arrived. Ancient sources are very precise about the location of the city. Strabo places it in his “Geography” south of ancient Akanthos, in a seaside area, and mentions a small island opposite the city called Kapros (likely the present-day islet Kafkanas). Notably, the same name was given to the harbor of Stageira, and many of the city’s coins depicted a boar as a symbol.
[…] there is Mount Athos, with a breast-like peak, very sharp and high; from there, those living at its peak can see the sun rising three hours before the one in the coastal east. And from the city of Akanthos, the circumnavigation of the peninsula to Stageira, the city of Aristotle, is four hundred stadia, where there is a harbor called Kapros and an island of the same name as the harbor; then the mouths of the Strymon river;
Strabo, Geography 7a.1.33.12
THE FIRST ATHENIAN LEAGUE & “THE CONFEDERATION OF CHALCIDICE”
After the end of the Persian Wars, Stageira joined the First Athenian League, although sources mention that their contribution to the common treasury was relatively small. However, during the Peloponnesian War, in 424 BC, the city defected from the Athenians, allied with the Spartans, and surrendered to Brasidas, who emphasized to the citizens of the cities in the Athenian alliance that he was coming as their liberator to save them from the Athenian yoke. This claim resonated with at least some segments of the population, who longed to be freed from the economic burden imposed by Athens.
With this plan, Brasidas began to break up the Athenian empire in Northern Greece. During his campaign there, he captured other cities, such as Akanthos, and Amphipolis, one of the most important Athenian colonies. In the spring of 423 BC, Athens and Sparta signed a truce, but Brasidas refused to abandon his plan. In April 422 BC, the truce ended, and the Athenians sent an expedition under Cleon to recapture their former possessions in Northern Greece. However, Brasidas defeated the Athenians at Amphipolis, where both he and his opponent Cleon were killed. Thus, Stageira never returned to the Athenian League.
Later, Stageira joined the “Confederation of the Chalcidians,” the federation of cities in Halkidiki with Olynthus as its capital. Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, destroyed the city in the Olynthian War in 349 BC, but later rebuilt it, likely in honor of Aristotle, whom he greatly admired. It is more probable, however, that the city was rebuilt by Alexander the Great himself, as other sources indicate.
HELLENISTIC AND ROMAN TIMES
Despite the subsequent rebuilding of the city, this destruction marked the beginning of a declining course, which eventually led to its gradual decay. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the city was abandoned. It is worth noting that Strabo, who lived from 63 BC to 23 AD, mentions in his famous “Geographies” that when he visited the area, Stageira was already deserted.
[…] in the bay, the first harbor after that of the Akanthians is Stageira, deserted, and also the homeland of Aristotle, and its harbor Kapros, and an island of the same name; then the Strymon and the journey to Amphipolis, twenty stadia;
Strabo, Geography 7a.1.35.25
MEDIEVAL PERIOD
During the medieval period, around 1000 AD, a castle referred to as the Castle of Livassdia or Lipsas was mentioned on the site of the ancient city. Visitors can still see the remains of some buildings on the northern hill of the archaeological site, as well as a small section of Byzantine fortifications at its foothills.
THE ARISTOTELIA
When Aristotle died in 322 BC in Chalkis, his body was transported to his birthplace, Stageira, where he was buried with great honors. He was declared the “founder” of the city, and a shrine was built over his grave. In fact, a festival in his memory, the “Aristotelia,” was established. Today, serious efforts are being made by local authorities and other local bodies to revive the “Aristotelia”.
[…] And Aristotle came to the city of the Macedonians, where he taught Alexander the builder, and became a great part of his kingdom. For he was able to do much for the king, and he used his power properly, benefiting both individually and collectively. That he helped many individually is shown by his letters to the king. That he also helped many collectively is shown by the city of Stageira being rebuilt, persuading Alexander to rebuild it. Hence, the people of Stageira celebrate a festival in honor of Aristotle, calling it the Aristotelia, and the month in which the festival is celebrated is called “Stageirites” […]
Aristotle’s Opera Omnia, Volume 16, Page 288
THE EXCAVATIONS
The first archaeological interventions at the site of Ancient Stageira began in the late 1960s and have continued to the present day, bringing to light significant findings. Of particular interest is the relatively recent restoration program under the supervision of the 16th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, which, upon completion, will offer visitors access to a section of the city wall that includes a circular tower and a large square tower. Systematic excavations, modifications, and restorations took place at Ancient Stageira by the 16th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities between 1990-2000, under the direction of archaeologist K. Sismanidis, while the first excavations began in the late 1960s by F. Petsas. Artifacts from the excavations can be seen in the archaeological museum of Polygyros.
THE ARTICLE