Chalcidice
Chalcidice is a historically significant peninsula located in northern Greece, extending southward into three major promontories: Pallene (Cassandra), Sithonia (Longos), and Acte (Athos). In ancient times, the region was known for its early Greek settlements and played a notable role in the establishment of colonies, particularly around the 7th century BC, with Potidaea being one of the most prominent settlements. The northwest part of Chalcidice was referred to as Bottice, named after the Bottiaeans who settled there after being displaced from western Macedonia.
Chalcidice experienced various political changes, including a temporary subjugation under Xerxes I in 480 BC, who notably constructed a canal through Acte. Later, the region became part of the Delian League under Athenian dominance but sought independence in 433/431 BC, forming its own league and minting federal coinage from its capital, Olynthus. The area's rich history and cultural heritage make it a point of interest for those studying ancient Greece and its city-states.
Subject Terms
Chalcidice
A peninsula of Macedonia (northern Greece) that extends southward into the promontories of Pallene (Cassandra), Sithonia (Longos) and Acte (Athos)
The northwestern part of the peninsula was known as Bottice, after the Bottiaeans who had occupied it by the early seventh century BC, following their expulsion from western Macedonia. Meanwhile, in the previous century, Greek cities had begun the establishment of a number of colonies in the region, to which they gave the name of Chalcidice; the last and most important of these settlements was Potidaea (c 600). After temporarily submitting to Xerxes I (480)—who had dug a one-and-a-half mile canal through Acte three years earlier—the people of Chalcidice joined the Delian League under Athenian leadership, but revolted in 433/31 and established a league of their own, issuing a fine and widely distributed federal coinage at their capital Olynthus.