Malis
Malis is a historical district located in eastern Greece, situated at the mouth of the Spercheius River along the Malian Gulf. It is bordered by significant geographical features, including Mount Othrys to the north and Mount Oeta to the south. The region was home to the Malians, who were part of the ancient Amphictyony, with their earliest center located at Anthela. Historically, the Malians are noted for their military traditions and played a role during the Persian invasion of 480 BC, notably through the actions of Ephialtes, who betrayed the Greeks at Thermopylae.
Throughout its history, Malis fluctuated in political alliances, siding with Sparta during the Peloponnesian War and later becoming a member of the League of Corinth under Philip II of Macedonia. The rise and fall of cities within Malis, such as Trachis and Heraclea Trachinia, significantly shaped its political landscape. Eventually, the city of Lamia became the most important urban center in the region, issuing coins that represented both the Lamians and the Malians. By 189 BC, Malis was incorporated into Achaea Phthiotis and maintained this association during the subsequent Roman period, highlighting its historical significance in the broader context of ancient Greek civilization.
Subject Terms
Malis
A small district of eastern Greece spanning the mouth of the river Spercheius at the head of the Malian Gulf, bordered by Thessaly (Achaea Phthiotis) and Mount Othrys to the north, Oetaea and Mount Oeta to the south, and the Aenianes to the west
The Malians belonged to the Amphictyony (seeDelphi), of which the earliest center, at Anthela, lay within their territory; but according to Herodotus their first capital was Trachis. Said to be old-fashioned people, they maintained an antique tradition of light-armed soldiery. During the Persian invasion of 480 they were compelled to join the army of Xerxes I, and it was a Malian, Ephialtes, who informed him of the mountain path that enabled his troops to trap the Greeks at Thermopylae, on the south side of the Malian Gulf.
In the Peloponnesian War, under pressure from the Oetaeans, Malis took the side of Sparta, but the military colony Heraclea Trachinia—which was established by the Spartans in 399, and eclipsed its northern neighbor Trachis—soon came into conflict with the Malians. After the capture of Heraclea by Boeotians and Argives in the Corinthian War (394), and its destruction by Jason of Pherae in 371, another city, Lamia (north of the Spercheios) became the capital and only important city of Malis, issuing coins in the names both of the Lamians and the Malians. Malis took the side of Sparta against Thebes, became a member of the League of Corinth founded by Philip II of Macedonia (338), and subsequently belonged to the Aetolian Confederation (c 235). In 189, however, it was merged with Achaea Phthiotis (part of Thessaly) and retained that status throughout the Principate.