Munychia

From Wikinfo

Munychia (Greek Μουνυχία) is the ancient name for the hill in the peninsula of Piraeus, which was strongly fortified to protect the ports that was central to the economy of ancient Athens. At the foot of this hill lay the harbor of Munychia, the smallest of three harbors in the district of Pireaus; the other two being Piraeus and Zea. Themistocles pioneered the fortification of these harbors due to their necessity. These harbors were the foundation of the Athenian economic system and prosperity that relied on trade and the importation of grains and foodstuffs from Greek colonies on the Black Sea and elsewhere. The harbor entrance of Munychia itself was very narrow and a large chain was used, ferried by rowboat to the otherside, to close off the harbor from enemy ships of war. The fortifications of Munychia were combined with the Long Walls which protected the corridor between Piraeus and Athens to secure the economic security for the Athenian society. This fortification system of the ports and the routes had a huge impact on the strategy of Athens during the Peloponnesian War. This place was often mentioned in Greek Classical literature.

The hill of Munychia incorporated several public buildings. There was a Temple to Artemis Munychia where persons accused of crimes against the polis took refuge; the Bendiddeum, the sanctuary of the Thracian Artemis Bendis, in whose honor the festival of the Bendidea was observed; and a theatre on the northwestern slope of the hill, where assemblies of the people were sometimes held. ¹

The Cretan seer and poet Epimenides upon reflection of Munychia and its importance and use prophesied about the inherent philosophical and societal dangers the ports symbolized for the people of Athens. Needless to say, his warnings went unheeded.

The Munychia exhibited its importance during the Fourth Diodoch War. It was garrisoned but was taken by mistaken identity when in June 307 B.C., Demetrius son of Antigonus, sailed in early in the morning and the population greeted him as a savior. He garrisoned it with his own troops and caused the liberation of Athens from the opposing general. He later had the fortifications on the hill razed.

Reference

1. Pausanius, i. 1, 4.

Bibliography

• see same entry in Harper's Dictionary of Classical Literature and Antiquities, ed. by Harry Thurston Peck, Cooper Square Publishers, NY, 1st publ.1896, republ. 1962.