Lamia (city)

Infobox Greek Dimos
name = Lamia
name_local = Λαμία
periph = Central Greece
prefec = Phthiotis
population = 58601
population_as_of = 2001
area = 413.5
elevation = 50
lat_deg = 38
lat_min = 54
lon_deg = 22
lon_min = 26
postal_code = 351 00
area_code = 22310
licence = ΜΙ
mayor =
website = [http://www.lamia.gr www.lamia.gr]

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caption_skyline = A panoramic view of Lamia, taken from the castle
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Lamia ( _el. Λαμία) is a city in central Greece. It is a site of archaeological excavation (a castle dating from the pre-classical years, reconstructed in the early Middle Ages), and capital of the prefecture of Phthiotis and periphery of Central Greece (comprising 5 prefectures).

Name

One account says that the city was named after the mythological figure of Lamia, the daughter of Poseidon, and queen of the Trachineans. Another holds that it is named after the Malians, the inhabitants of the surrounding area. In the Middle Ages Lamia was called Zetounion (Ζητούνιον), a name first encountered in the 8th Ecumenical synod in 869, and which remained in use until the early 19th century (as Zitouni, Ζητούνι). One of a number of theories on the name's origin suggest that it may derive from the Arabic term Zeitun (=olive), or from the Slavic word sitonion (=land over the river). Conquered by the Latins after 1204, the city was known as Zirtounion, Zitonion, Girton (under Frankish rule), El Cito (under Catalan rule), and called Iztin by the Ottoman Turks. The name Zitounion is , and a wide variety of possibilities have been suggested as to its origin.

History

Although inhabited since the 5th millennium BC, the city was first mentioned after the earthquake of 424 BC, when it was an important Spartan military base. It was occupied by Alexander king of Macedonia; the Athenians rebelled at his death. His successor Antipatros after losing the fight against the Athenians and their allies, took refuge behind the substantial walls of the city (Lamian war 323 BC–322 BC). The war ended at the death of the general of the Athenian troops, Leosthenes, and the arrival of a 20,000-strong Macedonian army. Lamia afterwards prospered in the third century BC under Aetolian hegemony, which came to an end when Manius Acilius Glabrio sacked the city in 190 BC. Lamia became part of the modern Greek state in 1829 becoming a border city (the borders where drawn until the place "Taratsa" by Lamia).

Landmarks

*Platia Eleftherias (Freedom Square) - site of the towns independence day parade, and main cathedral. Also has many cafes with outdoor seating.
*Platia Diakos - square containing the statue of Athanasios Diakos
*Platia Parko -
*Platia Laou -

Historical population

Famous people

*Athanasios Diakos (1788–1821) Greek military commander during the Greek War of Independence
*Aris Velouchiotis (1905–1945) leader of the World War II guerrilla resistance
*Ilias Tsirimokos (1907–1968) politician, Prime Minister of Greece
*Thanos Leivaditis (1935–2005) actor and screenwriter
*Niki Bakoyianni (1968) high jumper

ister city

*flagicon|POL Rzeszów, Poland

porting teams

*Lamia FC
*Lamia Skiing & Climbing Club (XOOL)
*Ionikos Lamias BC
*GS Lamia
* Nireas Lamias
* Ionikos Neas Magnisias

ee also

*Communities of Fthiotis
*List of traditional Greek place names

References