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Atalanti ( '' Atalantē'') is the second largest town in
Phthiotis Phthiotis (, ''Fthiótida'' ; ancient Greek and Katharevousa: Φθιῶτις) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Central Greece (administrative region), Central Greece. The capital is the city of La ...
,
Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
. It is located southeast of
Lamia Lamia (; ), in ancient Greek mythology, was a child-eating monster and, in later tradition, was regarded as a type of night-haunting spirit or "daimon". In the earliest myths, Lamia was a beautiful queen of ancient Libya who had an affair with ...
, north of
Livadeia Livadeia ( ''Livadiá'', ; or , ''Lebadia'') is a town in central Greece. It is the capital of the Boeotia Regional units of Greece, regional district. Livadeia lies north-west of Athens, west of Chalkida, south-east of Lamia (city), Lamia, ...
and northwest of
Chalcis Chalcis (; Ancient Greek and Katharevousa: , ), also called Chalkida or Halkida (Modern Greek: , ), is the chief city of the island of Euboea or Evia in Greece, situated on the Euripus Strait at its narrowest point. The name is preserved from ...
. In 2011, it was incorporated into the municipality of Lokroi with an area of 614.7 km2 and a population of 19,623 (2011 census), of which it is the government seat and a municipal unit.


Geography

The town can be accessed via the
Greek National Road 1 Greek National Road 1 (, abbreviated as EO1) is the old single carriageway road connecting Athens with Thessaloniki and Evzonoi, the border crossing between Greece and North Macedonia. For most of its length, it has been replaced by the new A1 ...
(
Athens Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
Lamia Lamia (; ), in ancient Greek mythology, was a child-eating monster and, in later tradition, was regarded as a type of night-haunting spirit or "daimon". In the earliest myths, Lamia was a beautiful queen of ancient Libya who had an affair with ...
Thessaloniki Thessaloniki (; ), also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, Salonika, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece (with slightly over one million inhabitants in its Thessaloniki metropolitan area, metropolitan area) and the capital cit ...
). It is situated in central Greece, surrounded by Mt. Knimida to the north, Mt. Chlomo to the south, Mt. Parnassus to the west, and the northern Eubean Gulf to the east. The area is characterized by high concentrations of
magnesium Magnesium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray metal having a low density, low melting point and high chemical reactivity. Like the other alkaline earth metals (group 2 ...
and
iron Iron is a chemical element; it has symbol Fe () and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is, by mass, the most common element on Earth, forming much of Earth's o ...
in the soil. The municipal unit has an area of 304.141 km2.


Economy

Atalanti is known as a market town and was the capital of the former
Locris Province Locris (; ; ) was a region of ancient Greece, the homeland of the Locrians, made up of three distinct districts. Locrian tribe The city of Locri in Calabria (Italy), also known in antiquity as "Epizephyrian Locris", was a colony founded by the ...
. The town's geography has garnered it a reputation in Greece as a notable wine-producing hub.


Subdivisions

The municipal unit, Atalanti, is subdivided into the following communities (with constituent villages in parentheses): *Atalanti (Atalanti, Agios Vlasios, Palirroia, Skala) * Exarchos *
Kalapodi Kalapodi () is a village in the Lokroi (municipality), Lokroi municipality, Phthiotis, Central Greece (geographic region), Central Greece. Lokroi straddles the pass leading over the low mountains between the Bay of Atalantis in the Gulf of Euboea t ...
* Kyparissi (Kyparissi, Efkalyptos) *
Kyrtoni Kyrtoni (, before 1987: Κολάκα - ''Kolaka'') is a village in the southeastern part of Phthiotis, Greece. It is part of the municipality of Lokroi since 2010. It was an independent commune between the 1820s and 1907, and was part the municip ...
* Megaplatanos *
Tragana Tragana is a town in the municipality of Trifylia, Messenia in Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to th ...
(Tragana, Mikrovivos)


Historical population


Mythology

The capital of
Locris Locris (; ; ) was a region of ancient Greece, the homeland of the Locrians, made up of three distinct districts. Locrian tribe The city of Locri in Calabria (Italy), also known in antiquity as "Epizephyrian Locris", was a colony founded by the ...
province was the city of
Opus Opus (: opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera ...
. According to
Hesiodus Hesiod ( or ; ''Hēsíodos''; ) was an ancient Greek poet generally thought to have been active between 750 and 650 BC, around the same time as Homer.M. L. West, ''Hesiod: Theogony'', Oxford University Press (1966), p. 40.Jasper Griffin, " ...
and
Plutarch Plutarch (; , ''Ploútarchos'', ; – 120s) was a Greek Middle Platonist philosopher, historian, biographer, essayist, and priest at the Temple of Apollo (Delphi), Temple of Apollo in Delphi. He is known primarily for his ''Parallel Lives'', ...
, the city was named Opus after the son of Locros and the great-grandson of
Deucalion In Greek mythology, Deucalion (; ) was the son of Prometheus; ancient sources name his mother as Clymene (mythology), Clymene, Hesione (Oceanid), Hesione, or Pronoia (mythology), Pronoia.A Scholia, scholium to ''Odyssey'' 10.2 (=''Catalogue of W ...
and
Pyrrha In Greek mythology, Pyrrha (; ) was the daughter of Epimetheus and Pandora and wife of Deucalion of whom she had three sons, Hellen, Amphictyon, Orestheus; and three daughters Protogeneia, Pandora and Thyia. According to some accounts, Hell ...
. The Locrians from Opus participated in the
Trojan War The Trojan War was a legendary conflict in Greek mythology that took place around the twelfth or thirteenth century BC. The war was waged by the Achaeans (Homer), Achaeans (Ancient Greece, Greeks) against the city of Troy after Paris (mytho ...
, providing 40 battle ships and four thousand warriors. The leader of the
Locrians The Locrians (, ''Lokroi'') were an ancient Greek tribe that inhabited the region of Locris in Central Greece, around Parnassus. They spoke the Locrian dialect, a Doric-Northwest dialect, and were closely related to their neighbouring tribes ...
was
Ajax the Lesser Ajax ( ''Aias'' "of the earth") was a Greek mythology, Greek mythological Greek hero cult, hero, son of Oileus, the king of Locris. He was called the "Ajax the Less", the "lesser" or "Locrian" Ajax, to distinguish him from Ajax the Great, son ...
, son of Oileus and grandson of Hodoedocus. Ajax excelled in the Trojan War, but while returning from
Troy Troy (/; ; ) or Ilion (; ) was an ancient city located in present-day Hisarlik, Turkey. It is best known as the setting for the Greek mythology, Greek myth of the Trojan War. The archaeological site is open to the public as a tourist destina ...
, he died in a storm. Another notable figure from Opus was
Patroclus In Greek mythology, Patroclus (generally pronounced ; ) was a Greek hero of the Trojan War and an important character in Homer's ''Iliad''. Born in Opus, Patroclus was the son of the Argonaut Menoetius. When he was a child, he was exiled from ...
, son of
Menoetius Menoetius or Menoetes (; ''Menoitios''), meaning ''doomed might'', is a name that refers to three distinct persons from Greek mythology: * Menoetius, a second generation Titan, son of Iapetus and Clymene or Asia, and a brother of Atlas, Pro ...
and best friend of
Achilles In Greek mythology, Achilles ( ) or Achilleus () was a hero of the Trojan War who was known as being the greatest of all the Greek warriors. The central character in Homer's ''Iliad'', he was the son of the Nereids, Nereid Thetis and Peleus, ...
. When he was still a child, Patroclus killed the nobleman Clysonymus, son of
Amphidamas Amphidamas (; Ancient Greek: Ἀμφιδάμας) was the name of multiple people in Greek mythology: *Amphidamas, father of Pelagon, king of Phocis, who gave Cadmus the cow that was to guide him to Boeotia. *Amphidamas or Amphidamantes, father ...
, during a game. Although he was a minor, Patroclus had to leave Opus in order to escape revenge. His father took him to
Peleus In Greek mythology, Peleus (; Ancient Greek: Πηλεύς ''Pēleus'') was a hero, king of Phthia, husband of Thetis and the father of their son Achilles. This myth was already known to the hearers of Homer in the late 8th century BC. Biogra ...
, who raised him along with Achilles as his own child. The name of the city is derived from the Greek mythology character
Atalanta Atalanta (; ) is a heroine in Greek mythology. There are two versions of the huntress Atalanta: one from Arcadia (region), Arcadia, whose parents were Iasus and Clymene (mythology), Clymene and who is primarily known from the tales of the Caly ...
.


History


Neolithic Age

The first signs of organized human life in Atalanti's region can be traced back to the Neolithic era (7000 BC – 3200–3100 BC) when the first town in the valley of Skala Atalanti was developing. All human activities of Neolithic man can be traced in this area:
agriculture Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...
,
stockbreeding Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with animals that are raised for meat, fibre, milk, or other products. It includes day-to-day care, management, production, nutrition, selective breeding, and the raising of livestock. ...
,
hunting Hunting is the Human activity, human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, and killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to obtain the animal's body for meat and useful animal products (fur/hide (sk ...
, and
fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment (Freshwater ecosystem, freshwater or Marine ecosystem, marine), but may also be caught from Fish stocking, stocked Body of water, ...
.


Bronze Age

The
Early Helladic Helladic chronology is a relative dating system used in archaeology and art history. It complements the Minoan chronology scheme devised by Sir Arthur Evans for the categorisation of Bronze Age artefacts from the Minoan civilization within a his ...
period (3200–2100 BC) saw the growth of
trade Trade involves the transfer of goods and services from one person or entity to another, often in exchange for money. Economists refer to a system or network that allows trade as a market. Traders generally negotiate through a medium of cr ...
(both land- and sea-borne) and the development of
pottery Pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. The place where such wares are made by a ''potter'' is al ...
. The area of Atalanti was influenced by other places in mainland
Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
and the
islands This is a list of the lists of islands in the world grouped by country, by continent, by body of water, and by other classifications. For rank-order lists, see the #Other lists of islands, other lists of islands below. Lists of islands by count ...
. This area, as well as others of this period, was characterized by a hierarchically organized society. In the
Middle Helladic Helladic chronology is a relative dating system used in archaeology and art history. It complements the Minoan chronology scheme devised by Sir Arthur Evans for the categorisation of Bronze Age artefacts from the Minoan civilization within a his ...
period (2100–1600 BC), villages were destroyed (possibly due to the invasion of other Greek tribes). Because of this, retrogression, introversion and cultural isolation were noted. Most possibly in the
Late Helladic Helladic chronology is a relative dating system used in archaeology and art history. It complements the Minoan chronology scheme devised by Sir Arthur Evans for the categorisation of Bronze Age artefacts from the Minoan civilization within a his ...
period (1600–1100 BC), the Mycenaean city,
Opus Opus (: opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera ...
, was built. Its inhabitants main occupations were fishing and agriculture (e.g., the cultivation of
wheat Wheat is a group of wild and crop domestication, domesticated Poaceae, grasses of the genus ''Triticum'' (). They are Agriculture, cultivated for their cereal grains, which are staple foods around the world. Well-known Taxonomy of wheat, whe ...
,
grain A grain is a small, hard, dry fruit (caryopsis) – with or without an attached husk, hull layer – harvested for human or animal consumption. A grain crop is a grain-producing plant. The two main types of commercial grain crops are cereals and ...
,
legumes Legumes are plants in the pea family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or the fruit or seeds of such plants. When used as a dry grain for human consumption, the seeds are also called pulses. Legumes are grown agriculturally, primarily for human consu ...
,
olives The olive, botanical name ''Olea europaea'' ("European olive"), is a species of Subtropics, subtropical evergreen tree in the Family (biology), family Oleaceae. Originating in Anatolia, Asia Minor, it is abundant throughout the Mediterranean ...
, and
grapes A grape is a fruit, botanically a berry, of the deciduous woody vines of the flowering plant genus ''Vitis''. Grapes are a non- climacteric type of fruit, generally occurring in clusters. The cultivation of grapes began approximately 8,0 ...
, as well as the production of
wine Wine is an alcoholic drink made from Fermentation in winemaking, fermented fruit. Yeast in winemaking, Yeast consumes the sugar in the fruit and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Wine is most often made f ...
). During the 11th century BC (post-Mycenaean period), there was an economic and demographic decline. Old villages were abandoned and new villages were built in different locations. This period is mostly characterized by an adherence to tradition. Pottery making remained the main occupation.


Protogeometric Period

Between the 10th and 8th century BC, the regime of Opus was
aristocracy Aristocracy (; ) is a form of government that places power in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class, the aristocracy (class), aristocrats. Across Europe, the aristocracy exercised immense Economy, economic, Politics, political, and soc ...
and
oligarchy Oligarchy (; ) is a form of government in which power rests with a small number of people. Members of this group, called oligarchs, generally hold usually hard, but sometimes soft power through nobility, fame, wealth, or education; or t ...
. Hierarchy was one of the key features of society in that time. It was a society where classes owed their existence primarily to the differentiation between the distinct occupations of its inhabitants. Trade and
shipping Freight transport, also referred to as freight forwarding, is the physical process of transporting commodities and merchandise goods and cargo. The term shipping originally referred to transport by sea but in American English, it has been ...
were growing. Opus was heavily influenced by
art Art is a diverse range of cultural activity centered around ''works'' utilizing creative or imaginative talents, which are expected to evoke a worthwhile experience, generally through an expression of emotional power, conceptual ideas, tec ...
from Athens,
Corinth Corinth ( ; , ) is a municipality in Corinthia in Greece. The successor to the ancient Corinth, ancient city of Corinth, it is a former municipality in Corinthia, Peloponnese (region), Peloponnese, which is located in south-central Greece. Sin ...
,
Euboea Euboea ( ; , ), also known by its modern spelling Evia ( ; , ), is the second-largest Greek island in area and population, after Crete, and the sixth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is separated from Boeotia in mainland Greece by ...
, and
Thessaly Thessaly ( ; ; ancient Aeolic Greek#Thessalian, Thessalian: , ) is a traditional geographic regions of Greece, geographic and modern administrative regions of Greece, administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient Thessaly, a ...
. A massive production of vases and the blooming of
metallurgy Metallurgy is a domain of materials science and engineering that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their inter-metallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are known as alloys. Metallurgy encompasses both the ...
(weapons and gold jewelry) are recorded. All these suggest the existence of a prosperous and wealthy society in the region of
Locris Locris (; ; ) was a region of ancient Greece, the homeland of the Locrians, made up of three distinct districts. Locrian tribe The city of Locri in Calabria (Italy), also known in antiquity as "Epizephyrian Locris", was a colony founded by the ...
.


Archaic Period

During the Archaic period (700 – 480 BC) the system of government in Opus remained an oligarchy with no political controversy. This can perhaps be termed a "conservative
democracy Democracy (from , ''dēmos'' 'people' and ''kratos'' 'rule') is a form of government in which political power is vested in the people or the population of a state. Under a minimalist definition of democracy, rulers are elected through competitiv ...
" since there were no
slaves Slavery is the ownership of a person as property, especially in regards to their labour. Slavery typically involves compulsory work, with the slave's location of work and residence dictated by the party that holds them in bondage. Enslavemen ...
in Locris. The main inhabitants' main occupations continued to be agriculture, livestock (mainly
cattle Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, bovid ungulates widely kept as livestock. They are prominent modern members of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus '' Bos''. Mature female cattle are calle ...
), fishing, pottery and wine production.


Classical period

In the Classical Period (second quarter of 5th century BC – 323 BC), and more specifically during the
Peloponnesian War The Second Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC), often called simply the Peloponnesian War (), was an Ancient Greece, ancient Greek war fought between Classical Athens, Athens and Sparta and their respective allies for the hegemony of the Ancien ...
(431 – 404 BC), the Locrians sided with
Sparta Sparta was a prominent city-state in Laconia in ancient Greece. In antiquity, the city-state was known as Lacedaemon (), while the name Sparta referred to its main settlement in the Evrotas Valley, valley of Evrotas (river), Evrotas rive ...
(leader of the
Peloponnesian League The Peloponnesian League () was an alliance of ancient Greek city-states, dominated by Sparta and centred on the Peloponnese, which lasted from c. 550 to 366 BC. It is known mainly for being one of the two rivals in the Peloponnesian War (431–4 ...
). The
Athenians Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
attacked and destroyed the coastal cities of Locris. In 431 BC they fortified the island of Atalanti (or Atalantonisi or Talantonisi) in order to curb the activities of Locrian
pirate Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers upon another ship or a coastal area, typically with the goal of stealing cargo and valuable goods, or taking hostages. Those who conduct acts of piracy are call ...
s and to ensure the safety of the coast of Euboea. But an
earthquake An earthquakealso called a quake, tremor, or tembloris the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, from those so weak they ...
in 426 BC destroyed part of the walls and the
fortress A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from L ...
that were built in Atalantonisi.


Hellenistic and Roman Period

During the Hellenistic period (336 or 323 BC – middle of 1st century BC) an earthquake in 300 BC destroyed part of Opus. In 204 BC, the Roman general Gaius Flaminius seized Opus, but in 197 BC he restored independence to the Locrians. In 165 BC, the Common of Locris was founded. Another earthquake in 106 BC destroyed Opus, but it was rebuilt again. The end of the Hellenistic period was sealed by the raid of Sulla (
Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix (, ; 138–78 BC), commonly known as Sulla, was a Roman people, Roman general and statesman of the late Roman Republic. A great commander and ruthless politician, Sulla used violence to advance his career and his co ...
) around 87/86 BC. Throughout this period Opus remained a mainly rural economy. At the same time, Atalanti was the main center of pottery production in the district. The invasion of Sulla prompted many residents of the cities of Locris to abandon their villages during the Roman period (30 BC – 324 AD). The population mostly moved to the settlements of Opus and
Kynos Cynus () was the principal sea-port of the Opuntian Locrians, situated on a cape at the northern extremity of the Opuntian Gulf in Greece. Historical mentions Cynus was an ancient town, being mentioned in the Homeric Catalogue of Ships in the ''Il ...
. In the area, large privately owned farms were created. In Atalanti, public baths and an aqueduct were built.


Early Christian Period

During early Christian times, the Diocess of Opus was founded (Ecumenical Synod or Council in
Ephesus Ephesus (; ; ; may ultimately derive from ) was an Ancient Greece, ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, in present-day Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey. It was built in the 10th century BC on the site of Apasa, the former Arzawan capital ...
in 431 and in
Chalcedon Chalcedon (; ; sometimes transliterated as ) was an ancient maritime town of Bithynia, in Asia Minor, Turkey. It was located almost directly opposite Byzantium, south of Scutari (modern Üsküdar) and it is now a district of the city of Ist ...
in 451 under the Diocese of Corinth. In the years 376 and 395–397
Goths The Goths were a Germanic people who played a major role in the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the emergence of medieval Europe. They were first reported by Graeco-Roman authors in the 3rd century AD, living north of the Danube in what is ...
and Visigoths (under Alaric I) invaded the area which had a negative effect on the local economy. Regression and in some cases abandonment of coastal settlements occurred.


Byzantine and Frankish periods

In 565, during the reign years of Justinian I, the name Talanti was first mentioned. In the 9th century the Saracens raided the area and in the 10th century, the Bulgarians under Simeon I of Bulgaria, Simeon I also attacked Locris. Following the Fourth Crusade, a Frankokratia, Frankish Feudal barony, barony was established at Atalanti, under the Catalan noble Pere de Puigpardines. The Koulia tower (which was demolished in 1957) and probably the paliopyrgos were built at this time. The barony (La Calandri -in Catalan sources- or Talantum in Western sources) was a part of the Aragonese Duchy of Athens and one of the four major ports of the Duchy, that was based in Talanti (La Calandri). In 1311, the Duchy of Athens had fallen into the hands of Catalan people, Catalan mercenaries of the Catalan Company after the victorious Battle of Halmyros. In 1380, the Navarrese Company made raids against the Catalans of Atalanti. In 1385, the area of Phthiotis fell into the hands of the Serbs, except for Atalanti. In 1388, the region of Locris passed into the hands of the Florence, Florentine Acciaioli family, ending the Catalan domination. In 1393, the Diocese of Talanti was established. The same year the Ottoman Turks began their raids. The Duchy of Athens was abolished by the Ottomans in 1458, and the period of Ottoman rule for Atalanti and Locris in general began.


Ottoman period

According to the census of 1466, Atalanti had 248 families all of whom were Christians. In the census of 1506, there were 449 Christians, Christian and 13 Ottoman homes. In 1521, 435 Christian and 30 Ottoman homes were recorded. The residents of Atalanti did not pay any taxes as they were a waqf, while their children were free from the compulsory levy of children in the Ottoman army, in order to join the Janissary, Janissaries (in Greek:Παιδομάζομα, in Turkish: devşirme). In return, the inhabitants of Atalanti had to protect the narrow sea and the coast when pirates attacked. Ottoman Archives also verify this statement and Muslim landlords of Talanda prevented the levy of children. For example, in 1646 (Islamic calendar, Hijri 1056), the trustee of the waqf of Grand vizier, Grand Vizier Kemankeş Kara Mustafa Pasha, requested from the authorities that the devshirme officers should not disrupt the locals of the villages in Talanda, since they belonged to the Mustafa Pasha waqf and were exempt from devshirme. According to the census of 1571 there were 622 Christian and 77 Ottoman homes in Atalanti. This made it the largest settlement across Locris, with a population of about 3,000 people. This also explains the upgrading of Atalanti during the next century which included the surrounding villages. The main occupations of the inhabitants were agriculture (cereals, viticulture), cultivation of flax, cotton and vegetables, as well as apiary, apiaries and livestock. In 1688, during the Ottoman–Venetian war, Kourmas and the Bishop of Amfissa Philotheos temporarily seized Atalanti. The same year, Plague (disease), plague broke out in Atalanti. The Turks reclaimed the city in a short time. Fearing retaliation, several families relocated to the Venetian Peloponnese between 1691 and 1697. Knowledge about the period of the 18th and early 19th century is limited and it is mostly based on reports by travellers. One of them, William Martin Leake, visited Atalanti in 1805 and he wrote:
There are 300 houses in the town, one third of which is Turkish. Some of the houses are big and surrounded by a garden. They seem very pretty from a far distance. But most of them are abandoned and ruined, partly because of a plague that wiped out entire families a few years ago. The ruler is Isset Bey, a son of Kapicilar Kahyasi of Ali Pasha of Ioannina, Ali Pasha. The Greek neighborhood is separated from the Turkish. The Bishop of Atalanti which comes under the Bishop of Athens is the head of the Greek community and has a sustainable house, with a garden of Orange (fruit), orange, lemon and other fruit trees. A garden, that despite its ferocity, is the best place here, something extraordinary in that area. The valley is very fertile, but not cultivated, because of the absence of people. In low parts of the area, towards the sea, Maize, corn, excellent wheat, grapes from which they make a tolerable wine and a few olives grow perfectly. The average wage here is the same as that one in Athens and Livadeia. The administrative area includes thirty to forty villages, most of them very small, and not fully inhabitant, since most of their residents migrate to areas of Livadeia and Athens, since Ali Pasha took over the place. Incomes are now in the hands of Veli, who is trying to bring back immigrants, promising tax cuts.
Francois Pouqueville (between 1806 and 1816) reports: "Atalanti is built on the foothills of Mount Chlomos. Two mosques and a church are the only remarkable things you can see. The importance of the city is that twenty one villages depend on it." According to other sources in 1800 there were more than 200 Ottoman families living in their own settlement in the western part of town. In this part of the town, the Turkish governor, treasurer, judge and a small Turkish guard of about 150 men were located. Kodjabashis (Greek people who represented the Christian communities to the Ottomans) of Talanti were: Lambros Alexandrou (later renamed Evmolpidis), Constantinos Sakellion and Alexis Michalis. Nikolaos Metaxas, or Neophytos of Athens, was ordained Bishop of Talanti in 1803. In 1810 the Ottoman doctor Hasan Agha Kourtalis was known to offer his services to both Greeks and Ottomans without any discrimination.


Atalanti during the Greek Revolution of 1821

On 31 March 1821, Anthony Kontosopoulos and 1000 armed Locrians sieged and freed the city of Atalanti with the help of Lambros Eleftheriou and the rest of the residents of the city. In the winter of that same year, the Turkish army under Omer Vrioni and Mehmet Kiosses passed Atalanti Island, Atalantonisi. The next year, Atalanti was burned again by the Turkish troops who were passing through the region and a plague fell on Atalantonisi. In the Second National Assembly at Astros, Greece, Astros in 1823, Bishop Neophytos of Talanti and attorney Lambros Alexandrou represented the area. Provincial Governor of Talanti was replaced by Ioannis Filon. In 1824 the Turkish Naval fleet, fleet occupied Atalantonisi, destroying its facilities, slaughtering or capturing those who had taken refuge there. Between 5 and 9 November 1826, the Battle of Atalanti took place. Anastasios Karatassos, Angelis Gatsos and Olivier Voutier lead 1500 Macedonians warriors. Mustafa Bey moved from Livadeia to Atalanti with an army of a few thousand men (infantry and horsemen) and surprised the Greek guards. After a fierce battle, the Greeks retreated having lost 42 men on the battlefield. Gunpowder storehouses of vital importance to the Turks were located in Atalanti and guarded by two hundred Ottomans. In 1826 Georgios Karaiskakis attempted to set the storehouses on fire but ultimately failed. The next year Karaiskakis placed a guard with his men, in Atalanti, under Spyros Xidis. Another attempt by Ioannis Kolettis in 1827, to take over Atalanti also failed. The final liberation of Atalanti came on 6 November 1828. Dimitris Liakopoulos (from Kato Milia, Pieria (regional unit), Pieria) mounted a surprise attack and released the city.


Atalanti in Independent Greece

Several institutions were founded in 1831 in Atalanti following the liberation: a primary school (first teacher was D. Manasidis from Samos), a county court, a notary, tax authorities, a fund, a tobacco factory, customs, a forestry organization and a post office. In 1833 the city was included in the prefecture of Phocis and Locris. The first prefect was Ioannis Amvrosiadis and the district officer was Anagnostis Mostras. A diocese of Locris was established (from the dioceses of Mendenitsa and Talanti), under Bishop Agathangelos Myrianthousis. That same year, Macedonian fighters who fought during the revolution of 1821 started to settle permanently in Atalanti. On 10 January 1834, the City of Atalanti was established by law. It included several villages outside of the original Atalanti: Skala, Skenteraga ( Megaplatanos), Kyparissi, Phtiotis, Kyparissi, Kolaka, Bogdanos, Exarchos and Drouskos. The first elected mayor, in 1836, was Efstathios Spyridonos. In December 1836, Konstantinos D. Vellios, a benefactor of the Macedonian settlers, arrived at Atalanti. The Municipality of Pella in Atalanti was established in 1837 through a Royal Decree for the Macedonians settlers. A Greek boarding school was founded in 1843 and a primary school for girls was established in 1857. In 1855 the Cathedral of St. Theodore was founded in Atalanti, and in 1862 the Church of the Transfiguration of Jesus was finished. In 1860 seven large fountains were built in the neighborhoods of Atalanti and New Pella. In 1864 the first annual Atalanti trade fair began. It lasts from 6 to 12 August and has been held every year since it was established. In 1871 the road between Atalanti and Scala was constructed. In 1873 a branch of the National Bank of Greece was founded. The Revolution of Litochoro (Revolution of Olympus) in 1878, was led by the Macedonian Kosmas Doumpiotis, who had several fellow volunteers from New Pella Atalanti by his side. In 1885 oil lamps for lighting the city were installed and an aqueduct was built. Nicholas K. Abraham was born in 1888 in New Pella. He served as a Minister (government), Minister of Justice and Maritime Affairs. The 1894 Atalanti earthquakes, earthquake of 1894 caused major damage throughout Locris. 255 people were killed and 3,783 houses collapsed. At the time sericulture was at its peak in many households in Atalanti. In 1895 the Locris Gymnastics Club of Atalanti was founded. It was one of the first clubs in the country and also one of the 28 clubs that founded the S.E.A.G.S. later known as the S.E.G.A.S. Nicholas Doumpiotis (born in 1866 in New Pella) participated in the Macedonian Struggle (1904–1908) as an officer under the nickname "Captain Amyntas".


20th century

In 1912 the municipalities of Atalanti and New Pella were abolished and they became communities. The first car appeared in Atalanti in 1915. In March 1913, Greek villagers from Thrace were forced to leave. The people from Plavou did not feel safe and could not remain there any longer, so decided to move from Ottoman territory. They moved without any property and went to Greece. Some went to Athens, others went to the area of Lamia (Kostalexi, Stavros, Roditsa) but most of them came to Atalanti. Between 1912 and 1922, 63 soldiers from Atalanti were lost in the wars (Balkan Wars, First World War and Asia Minor Campaign). After the Asia Minor disaster in 1922, 218 individuals arrived in Atalanti. In 1931, officials declared that 30 acres of land in the Atalanti area would be used by the refugees. This area of Atalanti was named, ''Sinoikismos''. In 1926, the "Refugee Association of Atalanti and Suburbs" was founded. Its main objectives were claiming damages, issuing identity documents to the refugees, offering help with finding jobs and offering general support. In 1923 the Commercial Club was founded in Atalanti. In 1927 the Agricultural Credit Cooperative and the Mandolinata were established and a branch of Bank of Athens started to operate within the city. The first mill also began to function in 1927. "Ajax the Locrian Gymnastics Club" (Greek: Γ.Σ. Αίας ο Λοκρός) was founded in 1928 for football, and track and field. Also the "Union of Atalanti Melissa" began the reforestation of mountain Roda. A powerhouse was established which contributed to the electrification of households in the city. Vasilios A. Kokkinos was born in Ano Pella in Atalanti in 1929. He later served as president of the Supreme Court (1990–1996). In 1931, the "Association of New Pella Alexander the Great" was founded, such as the Olympiakos Atalanti football club. That same year the Ajax the Locrian sports club successfully organized a local athletic event in Atalanti. The Primary School for Boys and Girls that was later used as the first Elementary School in Atalanti was built in 1932. In 1933 the Scout (Scouting), Scouts group was founded. Siblings Charilaos, Demosthenes and George Constantinou from Atalanti established the famous tobacco industry Santé in Athens. The "Music Society of Atalanti Orpheus" was founded in 1935. In 1936, the union sports association was established. In 1937 a branch of the Agricultural Bank of Greece opened in Atalanti. In 1938 the Chorus of Atalanti made its first appearance. In 1939 the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives in Atalanti was founded. On 20 April 1941 the German air force (Luftwaffe) bombed Atalanti causing only damages to buildings and on 25 April 1941 the German army occupied Atalanti. The White Cross of Atalanti was founded in 1943 to help those in need. On 23 March 1943 the Italian occupation forces left the city. The Germans took the place of the Italians and they withdrew from Atalanti in October 1944. Due to the peculiar soil, and the inability of the Greek state to support the people of Evrytania, after the liberation of 1944 they began to leave their homeland and moved to the surrounding plains like the one in Atalanti and the other urban centers around them. That lasted from 1945 until 1987. Also the earthquake that took place at Fourna, Vracha with a 6.2 magnitude on the Richter scale on 5 February 1966 also prompted more relocation again to Atalanti. During the Greek Civil War (1946–1949), several—mostly young people—were found in two conflicting camps, the National Army (Greek government's army) and the Democratic Army of Greece(DSE or Greek initials ΔΣΕ). Eight National Army's soldiers and an unknown number of DSE fighters were killed. In the decade of the 1950s, local elections were carried out after 16 years in 1951. The city's water supply system was installed in 1953. The current Atalanti's city plan was adopted in 1954 and the Sunday Bank Holiday was established by the Commercial Union in 1957. In the next decade: the first kindergarten (1963) and the Municipal Library of Atalanti (1965) were founded. A branch of the Emporiki Bank opened, and the educational, cultural and entertainment association Proodos (The Progress) was established (1966). Atalanti FC was created in 1968 by the merger of the two city clubs (Ajax and Olympiakos). The Greek military junta of 1967–1974, military dictatorship (1967–1974) ended the City Boards and the Cooperative Societies. During this period, the city hall, high school, kindergarten and the National Stadium of Atalanti were built. During the Turkish invasion in Cyprus (20–21 July 1974) the soldier Christos L. Ligdis was killed. In 1975 the Association "Agia Sofia of Asia Minor Refugees in Sinoikismos" was founded to preserve the culture of the refugees. In 1976 the Constantinian Cultural Center of Atalanti was built,"Demosthenes Constantinou bequeathed to the municipality of Atalanti 5 million drachmas for the construction of medical facilities ... Instead" Christophorou K. Manthos 2001. "Timeline for Opous and Atalanti A Summary of 4000 years." Edition City of Atalanti p.30 and in 1979 the Technical High School was founded. In 1980 the "Locros Sports Mountaineering Association" was founded; in 1992 it was renamed Locros Sports Association with the addition of more sports. In 1982 the Nautical Club of Atalanti was founded. In 1985 the Municipal Conservatory was established, and in 1988 the municipal fish farm in the Bay of Atalanti was created. In 1989 the town's indoor hall (capacity: 1,100 seats) was built. The same year the History and Folklore Research of Atalanti Company was also founded. In 1992, the "Athletic Football Club, Atalanti '92" was founded and the first town's private radio station began to broadcast. Since 1993 economic migrants from Balkan countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania), central Europe (Poland) and Asia (Pakistan, India, China) begin to settle permanently or temporarily in the town. In 1998 the Archaeological Museum of Atalanti opened and the Aianteios Municipal Theatre began operating. In 2010, Atalanti, under the Kallikratis plan, joined with the municipalities of Malesina, Opountia and Dafnousia and formed the municipality of Locris (or municipality Lokroi). The seat of the municipality became the town of Atalanti.


Tourism – Sightseeing – Cultural Activities

Among the points of interest in the region are: The catacomb of St. Athanasius or ''Chamaithanasis'' in the center of town is a Roman crypt. It is said that during the Ottoman occupation it was used as a secret school (Krifo scholio). Behind the catacomb is St. Athanasius Church. The church of St. Seraphim is located in the forest above the town of Atalanti. The monastery of St. Anargiri, built in the 17th century, is located on the main road from Atalanti to Kirtoni. The chapel of St. John the Roda, is built on top of Roda mountain. The archaeological museum of Atalanti was inaugurated in the summer of 1998 by the City of Atalanti. The 14th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities was built by the municipality of Atalanti, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture with financial assistance from donors. It is a relatively small but very important neoclassical building which used to be the area's old high school. The exhibits come from the region of Locris. They are divided into chronological and thematic sections and cover the prehistoric and historic periods up until Roman times. In the museum, and at the museum's courtyard, visitors can see tombstones, pottery for everyday use, tools, jewelry, idols, etc. Just from Atalanti is the port of Skala Atalanti, with many fish restaurants, cafes and bars. Skala is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Locris. It is Atalanti's main beach. It is relatively long and wide and well organized and has many restaurants. Also along the beach there are playgrounds and a Beach volleyball and a tennis court. The beach also has water sports. It has been a Blue Flag beach since the 1980s. The port authority is located in Skala. In the area there are the churches of Analipsi and of Panagia. The Atalanti Lagoon is located south of the bay of Atalanti. It is a shallow coastal lagoon with a narrow opening to the sea that is separated from it by a strip of land connected. The Council of Atalanti, in cooperation with local city cultural institutions, holds many cultural events:


Carnival

This custom began around the late 1970s. It begins in the Pre-Lenten Season and th city's cultural clubs host carnival dances for all ages. In the early days people used to masquerade and pay visits to friendly homes asking them the classic game of "guess who I am." The main parade consists of walking groups and floats that satirize current issues and affairs. Schools, clubs and many volunteers participate. They pass by as the crowds cheer them on. A feast takes place at the town's main street. At the end in the central square the carnival's traditional bonfire takes place. Before that, there is dancing and singing around the ''gaitanaki''. On the next day of the carnival, (''Kathara Deftera'') everybody heads to the Skala beach. There Lent is celebrated. The City of Atalanti established this day and each year it offers its guests traditional soup, Lent meals, wine and halva (a traditional sweet). Young and old try to fly kites as high as they can.


Wine Festival

Each fall, after the grape harvest the wine festival takes place. It is a fiesta with no specific date but was established in 1996 by the City of Atalanti. The area has a tradition of wine production. Two places in the valley are named Kato and Pano Ampelia (vines). A feast takes place in the central square. Traditional music and food prevail, and visitors can drink free wine. The wine provided by the local wine producers. Atalanti is home to one of the largest Greek wineries Domaine Hatzimichalis with over of 200 hectares of land.


Sardine Festival

Every July the traditional feast of sardines takes place. It is also a fiesta without a specific date. The festival takes place in Skala, Atalanti. The City of Atalanti, in collaboration with the Scala cultural associations organize a great feast where sardines, wine, salad and bread are served free of charge to guests. The feast is accompanied by traditional bands that play music.


Choral Festival of Atalanti

The Choral Festival of Atalanti began in the early 1980s and continues to this day. In 2011 it completed 30 years of continuous activity. Until 1996 the festival took place at the main city square, but since 1997 and until now the festival is organized in the Aianteio Municipal Theatre of Atalanti. It is carried out always in June but not on a specific date. Besides the locals choirs Armonia (Harmony), Proodos (Progress), and the Chorus of Atalanti, choirs from all over Greece and abroad also participate at the festival.


Annual trade fair

On 6 August each year, the Transfiguration of Christ, is celebrated for six days with a trade fair in Atalanti. It is otherwise called Pazaria (Bazaar). This celebration began in the 18th century and was originally a cattle market. As the city evolved it became a trade fair. In the center, Atalanti retailers gather from different regions of the country and sell their merchandise. They also offer evenings with traditional music in the town square and in shops where visitors can eat and drink.


People

*Panagiotis Danglis, military officer


See also

*Atalanti Island *List of settlements in Phthiotis


Sources

*Dakoronia F. Kotoulas D., Baltas E. Tolias B Sythiakakis B. ''Locris – History & Culture.'' Publisher: Hatzimichalis Estate(In Greek) *Efstathios Kaklamanos El. 1980. ''Atalanti 1800–1828.'' Thessaloniki: Publications Dioscuri. (In Greek) *Karastathis Costas B. 2001. ''The Passion of the Greek genus.'' Athens. Publisher: Tinos.(In Greek) *Constantinio Cultural Center of Atalanti. 2011. ''Atalanti – Historical Photographs.'' Athens 2011. Publications: Bartzoulianos (In Greek) *"Chronicles of Locris". 1995. Athens: Annual Publication of Historical and Folklore Society Research of Atalanti (E.I.L.E.A.). Volume and Year 1. (In Greek) *"Chronicles of Locris". 1997. Athens: Annual Publication of Historical and Folklore Society Research of Atalanti (E.I.L.E.A.). Volume and Year 3.(In Greek) *Mavinidis C. "The people from Plavou and their village".(In Greek) *Magazine "Apoplous." Issue 1. 2002. Edition Musical Cultural Association "Chorus of Atalanti." (In Greek) *Magazine "Apoplous." Issue 2. 2002. Edition Musical Cultural Association "Chorus of Atalanti."(In Greek) *Magazine "Apoplous." Issue 3–4. 2002. Edition Musical Cultural Association "Chorus of Atalanti."(In Greek) *Magazine "Apoplous." Issue 6. 2002. Edition Musical Cultural Association "Chorus of Atalanti."(In Greek) *Magazine "Apoplous." Issue. 38, 2009. Edition Musical Cultural Association "Chorus of Atalanti."(In Greek) *Protopapas Zissis. 1952. "Locris". Athens 1952. pp. 20–23 (In Greek) *Rizopoulos. N. 2005. "Atalanti – Brief Retrospective, Myths-History-Experiences-Memories." p. 29. (In Greek) *Theodore Tzoumekis. 1998. "Refugee Facilities in Fthiotida in the first half of the 20th century." Thessaloniki.(In Greek) *Christophorou K. Manthos 1991." Opountion Locris and Atalanti – Memories and testimonies." Part 1. Athens: Society for Historical and Folklore Research of Atalanti (E.I.L.E.A.). (In Greek) *Christophorou K. Manthos 1993." Opountion Locris and Atalanti – Memories and testimonies." Part 2. Athens: Society for Historical and Folklore Research of Atalanti (E.I.L.E.A.). (In Greek) *Christophorou K. Manthos 1995." Opountion Locris and Atalanti – Memories and testimonies." Part 3. Athens: Society for Historical and Folklore Research of Atalanti (E.I.L.E.A.).(In Greek) *Christophorou K. Manthos 2001. "Timeline for Opous and Atalanti A Summary of 4000 years." Edition City of Atalanti. (In Greek)


References


External links


Official website
{{Authority control Populated places in Phthiotis Lokroi (municipality) Wine regions of Greece