Orchomenos (Greek: Ὀρχομενός), the setting for many early Greek Myths, is a rich archaeological site in Boeotia, (modern Viotia, Greece) that was inhabited from the Neolithic through the Hellenistic periods. Population 10,732 (2001). The bust of Zeus found at Otricoli (Sala Rotonda, Museo Pio-Clementino, Vatican) Greek mythology refers to the beliefs and stories created by the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world and their own cult and ritual practices. ... Boeotia or Beotia (//, (Greek Βοιωτια; see also list of traditional Greek place names) was the central area of ancient Greece. ... Viotia - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... An array of Neolithic artifacts, including bracelets, axe heads, chisels, and polishing tools. ... The term Hellenistic (established by the German historian Johann Gustav Droysen) in the history of the ancient world is used to refer to the shift from a culture dominated by ethnic Greeks, however scattered geographically, to a culture dominated by Greek-speakers of whatever ethnicity, and from the political dominance...

The Neolithic levels found at Orchomenos were first thought to be in situ (Bulle 1907), but it later appeared that they consisted in a levelling deposit (Kunze 1931 & Treuil 1983). Thus, the associated round houses (2 to 6 meters in diameter) should not be dated to that period, but rather to the Early Bronze Age (2800-1900 B.C.). Later in that period, houses were apsidal.

In the Bronze Age Orchomenos became in the fourteenth and thirteenth centuries a rich and important centre of civilisation in Mycenaean Greece, the rival to Thebes, which claimed Heracles for its champion. According to its founding myth, its royal dynasty had been established by Minyas, whose followers, the Minyans had come from coastal Thessaly to settle the site. The palace, which had frescoed walls, and the great tholos tombs show the power of Orchomenos in Mycenaean times. A massive hydraulic undertaking drained the marshes of Lake Copaïs. Like many sites around the Aegean, Orchomenos was burned and its palace destroyed, ca 1200 BCE. Orchomenos is mentioned among the Achaean cities sending ships to engage in the Trojan War in Homer's "Catalogue of Ships" in Iliad: together with Aspledon they contributed thirty ships and their complement of men. Orchomenos seems to have been one of the city-states that joined the maritime Amphictyony in the seventhth century. The Bronze Age is a period in a civilizations development when the most advanced metalworking has developed the techniques of smelting copper from natural outcroppings and alloys it to cast bronze. ... Mycenaean Greece, the last phase of the Bronze Age in ancient Greece, is the historical setting of the epics of Homer and much other Greek mythology. ... For the ancient capital of Upper Egypt, see Thebes, Egypt. ... Hercules, a Roman bronze (Louvre Museum) For other uses, see Heracles (disambiguation). ... A founding myth is a story or myth surrounding the foundation of a nation-state. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... In Greek mythology and legendary prehistory of the Aegean region, the Minyans were a group among the autochthonous inhabitants. ... Map showing Thessaly periphery in Greece Thessaly (Θεσσαλια; modern Greek Thessalía; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is one of the 13 peripheries of Greece, and is further sub-divided into 4 prefectures. ... The Treasure of Atreus tholos in 2004 Beehive tombs, also known as Tholos tombs (plural tholoi), are a style of Mycenaean chamber tomb from the Bronze Age. ... Mycenaean Greece, the last phase of the Bronze Age in ancient Greece, is the historical setting of the epics of Homer and much other Greek mythology. ... Location of Lake Copais in antiquity Lake Copais, Kopais, or Kopaida (ancient Greek , modern ) used to be in the centre of Boeotia, Greece, west of Thebes until the late 19th century. ... Look up Aegean Sea in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The fall of Troy by Johann Georg Trautmann (1713–1769) From the collections of the granddukes of Baden, Karlsruhe The Trojan War was waged, according to legend, against the city of Troy in Asia Minor, by the armies of the Achaeans (Mycenaean Greeks), after Paris of Troy stole Helen from... It has been suggested that Deception of Zeus be merged into this article or section. ... The Amphictyonic League (Amphictyony) was a form of Greek Hellenic religious organization that was formed to support specific temple or sacred place. ...

In historical times, Orchomenos joined the Boeotian League (600 BCE). Orchomenos struck its coinage from the mid-sixth century. The broad plain between Orchomenos and the acropolis of Chaeronea witnessed two battles of major importance in Classical antiquity; eventually Orchomenos was destroyed in 349 BCE. Classical Orchomenos was known for its sanctuary of the Charites, the oldest in the city, according to Pausanias (5.172-80); the monastery church of Panaghia Skripou probably occupies the long-sacred spot.^[1] Here the Charites had their earliest veneration, in legend instituted by Eteocles; musical and poetical agonistic games, the Charitesia,^[2] were held in their honour, in the theatre that was discovered in 1972.^[3]. The Agrionia, a festival of Dionysus, involved the ritual pursuit of women by a man representing the God. Boeotia (Greek Βοιωτια) was a central area of ancient Greece. ... Chaeronea was a city in the province of Boeotia in Ancient Greece. ... For the game of graces, see Game of graces. ... Pausanias (Greek: ) was a Greek traveller and geographer of the 2nd century A.D., who lived in the times of Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. ... Eteocles and Polynices, by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo In Greek mythology, Eteocles was a king of Thebes, the son of Oedipus and either Jocasta or Euryganeia. ... Agrionia was an ancient Greek religious festival in honor of Dionysus. ... Dionysus with a leopard, satyr and grapes on a vine, in the Palazzo Altemps (Rome, Italy) Dionysus or Dionysos (from the Ancient Greek Διώνυσος or Διόνυσος, associated with the Italic Liber), the Thracian god of wine, represents not only the intoxicating power of wine, but also its social and beneficial influences. ...

In 480-479 BCE, the Orchomenians joined their neighboring rivals the Thebans, to turn back the invading forces of Xerxes in the Greco-Persian Wars. In mid-century, Orchomenos sheltered the oligarchic exiles who freed Boeotia from Athenian control. In the fourth century the traditional rivalry with Thebes made Orchomenos an ally of Agesilaus II and Sparta against Thebes, in 395 and again in 394 BCE. The Theban revenge after their defeat of Sparta in the battle of Leuctra (371) was delayed by the tolerant policies of Epaminondas:^[4] the Thebans' Boeotian Confederacy sacked Orchomenos in 364. Although the Phocians rebuilt the city in 355, the Thebans destroyed it again in 349. Xerxes (the Greek form of the Old Persian ) is the name of two Persian kings of the Achaemenid dynasty: Xerxes I, reigned 485–465 BC, also known as Xerxes the Great. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles. ... Agesilaus II, or Agesilaos II (Greek Ἀγησιλάος), king of Sparta, of the Eurypontid family, was the son of Archidamus II and Eupolia, and younger step-brother of Agis II, whom he succeeded about 401 BC. Agis had, indeed, a son Leotychides, but he was set aside as illegitimate, current rumour representing... Sparta (Doric: Spártā, Attic: Spártē) is a city in southern Greece. ... Combatants Thebes Sparta Commanders Epaminondas Cleombrotus I † Strength 6,000–7,000 10,000–11,000 Casualties Unknown About 2,000 The Battle of Leuctra is a battle fought between the Thebans and the Spartans and their allies in the neighbourhood of Leuctra, a village in Boeotia in the territory... For information about the modern board game of the same name, see Epaminondas (game). ... Phocis (Greek, Modern: Φωκίδα/Fokída, Ancient/Katharevousa: Φωκίς/Phokis; named after the Greek mythological personage Phocus) is an ancient district of central Greece and a prefecture of modern Greece located in Sterea Hellas, one of the thirteen peripheries of Greece. ...

In 338 BCE, after a whirlwind march south into central Greece, Philip II of Macedon defeated Thebes and Athens on the plain of Chaironeia, establishing Macedonian supremacy over the city-states, and demonstrated the young Alexander's prowess. During Alexander the Great's campaign against Thebes (335), Orchomenos took the side of the Macedonian. In recompense, Philip and Alexander rebuilt Orchomenos, when the theatre and the fortification walls, visible today, were constructed. Philip II of Macedon: victory medal (niketerion) struck in Tarsus, 2nd c. ... Combatants Macedon Athens, Thebes Commanders Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great Chares of Athens, Lysicles of Athens, Theagenes of Boeotia Strength 32,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry 35,000 Casualties Unknown 1,000 Athenians killed, 254 Boeotians killed, 2,000 captured The Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC), fought near... Alexander the Great (Greek: ,[1] Megas Alexandros; July 356 BC–June 11, 323 BC), also known as Alexander III, king of Macedon (336–323 BC), was one of the most successful military commanders in history. ...

The Battle of Orchomenus was fought in 85 BC between Rome and the forces of Mithridates VI of Pontus. Subsequently Orchomenos has remained little more than a village. The Battle of Orchomenus was fought in 85 BC between Rome and the forces of Mithridates VI of Pontus. ... A silver coin depicting Mithradates VI of Pontus. ...

Archaeology

In 1880-1886 Heinrich Schliemann's excavations (H. Schliemann, Orchomenos, Leipzig 1881) revealed the tholos tomb he called the "Tomb of Minyas", a Mycenaean monument that equalled the "Tomb of Atreus" at Mycenae itself. In 1893 A. de Ridder excavated the temple of Asklepios and some burials in the Roman necropolis. In 1903-1905 a Bavarian archaeological mission under Heinrich Bulle and Adolf Furtwängler conducted successful excavations at the site. Research continued in 1970-1973 by the Archaeological Service under Theodore Spyropoulos, uncovering the Mycenaean palace, a prehistoric cemetery, the ancient amphitheatre, and other structures. Portrait of Heinrich Schliemann. ... In Greek mythology, Minyas was the founder of Orchomenus or son of king Orchomenus, depending on the story. ... A clay tablet with writing in Linear B from Mycenae. ... A clay tablet with writing in Linear B from Mycenae. ... Asclepius was the god of medicine and healing in ancient Greek mythology, according to which he was born a mortal but was given immortality as the constellation Ophiuchus after his death. ... Adolf Furtwängler (June 30, 1853 - October 10, 1907) was a famous German archaeologist and art historian. ... Theodore Spyropoulos is a regional official of Greeces Central Archaeological Council. ... The Colosseum in Rome, Italy. ...

See also

• Orchomenus, a king in Greek mythology.
• Erginus, king of Orchomenus.
• Elara and her son Tityos
• Cephissus (Boeotia)

• Arcadian Orchomenos, a prehistoric and historic city in Arcadia, Greece

A king in Greek mythology, Orchomenus was the father of Elara. ... The bust of Zeus found at Otricoli (Sala Rotonda, Museo Pio-Clementino, Vatican) Greek mythology refers to the beliefs and stories created by the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world and their own cult and ritual practices. ... In Greek mythology, Erginus was a Boeotian king and father of Trophonius and Agamedes. ... In Greek mythology, Elara was the daughter of King Orchomenus and mother of Tityas. ... In Greek mythology Tityos was a giant chthonic being of a Titan-like order, the son of Elara, the daughter of King Orchomenus, and Zeus. ... The northern Cephissus river (Greek Κήφισσος: Kifissós, Kephissós, or Kêphissos) or Cephisus (Greek Κήφισος: Kêphisos) rises at Lilaea in Phocis and flows by Delphi through Boeotia and eventually issues into Lake Copais which... Orchomenus or Orchomenos or Orkhomenos (Greek: ) was an ancient city of Arcadia, Greece, called by Thucydides (v. ... Arcadia or Arkadía (Greek Αρκαδία; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is a region of Greece in the Peloponnesus. ...

Notes

Sir James George Frazer (January 1, 1854 - May 7, 1941), a social anthropologist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion, was born in Glasgow, Scotland. ...

References

• Hellenic Ministry of Culture: Orchomenos
• (Dartmouth College) Orchomenos

Coordinates: 38°29′N, 22°59′E Boeotia (Greek: Βοιωτία -Voiotía, also Viotia) is one of the prefectures of Greece. ... Akraifnia (Ακραιφνία) is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Aliartos (Αλίαρτος) is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Arachova or Arakhova (Greek: Αράχωβα) rarely Arakhova is a town and a municipality which this town is the seat located in the western part of the prefecture of Viotia. ... Chaeronea was a city in the province of Boeotia in Ancient Greece. ... Davlia (Greek: Δαύλεια) or Davleia is a municipality within the prefecture of Boeotia, in Greece. ... Dervenochori (Δερβενοχώρι) is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Distomo (Δίστομο) is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Koroneia (Κορώνεια) is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Livadeia (Greek: Λιβαδειά - Livadeiá or Λεβάδεια - Levádeia) is a city in central Greece. ... Oinofyta, Oinofita, Inofita or Inofyta (Greek meaning wine plant) is a municipality composed by the previous villages of Agios Thomas, Kleidi and Oinofyta located in the southeastern portion of the prefecture of Viotia, rarely a suburb of Athens but not, it lies next to the prefecture of Attica. ... Plataies (Πλαταιές) is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Schimatari (Σχηματάρι) is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Tanagra (Greek: Τανάγρα) is a community north of Athens in Boeotia, not far from Thebes, that was noted in antiquity for its mass-produced mold-cast and fired terracotta figurines. ... Thebes (in Demotic Greek: Θήβα — Thíva, Katharevousa: — ThÄ“bai or Thíve) is a city in Greece, situated to the north of the Cithaeron range, which divides Boeotia from Attica, and on the southern edge of the Boeotian plain. ... Thespies (Θεσπιές) is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Thisvi (Θίσβη) is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Vagia (Βάγια) is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Antikyra (Αντικύρα) is a community in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Kyriaki (Κυριάκι) is a community in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...