Lamia (city)
| Lamia Λαμία |
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 A panoramic view of Lamia, taken from the castle |
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| Location | |
 Lamia
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| Coordinates | 38°54′N 22°26′E / 38.900°N 22.433°ECoordinates: 38°54′N 22°26′E / 38.900°N 22.433°E |
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Location within the region
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| Government | |
| Country: | Greece |
| Region: | Central Greece |
| Regional unit: | Phthiotis |
| Population statistics (as of 2011)[1] | |
| Municipality | |
| - Population: | 75,315 |
| - Area: | 942.9 km2 (364 sq mi) |
| - Density: | 80 /km2 (207 /sq mi) |
| Municipal unit | |
| - Population: | 64,716 |
| - Area: | 413.5 km2 (160 sq mi) |
| - Density: | 157 /km2 (405 /sq mi) |
| Community | |
| - Population: | 52,006 |
| Other | |
| Time zone: | EET/EEST (UTC+2/3) |
| Elevation (center): | 50 m (164 ft) |
| Postal code: | 351 00 |
| Telephone: | 22310 |
| Auto: | ΜΙ |
| Website | |
| www.lamia.gr | |
Lamia (Greek: Λαμία, Lamía, pronounced [laˈmia]) is a city in central Greece. The city has a continuous history since antiquity, and is today the capital of the regional unit of Phthiotis and of the Central Greece region (comprising five regional units).
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Name [edit]
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 Council in 869. It was known as Girton under Frankish rule following the Fourth Crusade and later El Cito when it was controlled by the Catalan Company of mercenaries. In Turkish, it was sometimes called Izdin or İzzeddin.[2] The city was also known as Zeitoun,[3] Ζητούνι (Zitouni), Zirtounion, and Zitonion.
History [edit]
Archaeological excavations have shown the site of Lamia to have been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC),[4] but the city was first mentioned after the earthquake of 424 BC, when it was an important Spartan military base.
In Antiquity, the city played an important role due to its strategic location, controlling the narrow coastal plain that connected southern Greece with Thessaly and the rest of the Balkans. The city was therefore fortified in the 5th century BC, and was contested by the Macedonians, Thessalians and Aetolians until the Roman conquest in the early 2nd century BC.[4] After Alexander the Great's death in 323 BC, the Athenians and other Greeks rebelled against Macedonian overlordship. Antipatros, the regent of Macedon, took refuge behind the substantial walls of the city (Lamian War, 323–322 BC). The war ended with the death of the Athenian general Leosthenes, and the arrival of a 20,000-strong Macedonian army. Lamia prospered afterwards, especially in the 3rd century BC under Aetolian hegemony, which came to an end when Manius Acilius Glabrio sacked the city in 190 BC.
Little is known of the city's history after. In Late Antiquity, the city was the seat of a bishop, and reappears in 869/870 under the name of Zetouni.[4] Following the Fourth Crusade (1204), the city was captured by the Frankish crusaders of the Duchy of Athens, who made it the seat of a barony. In 1218 it was captured by Epirote forces, and was surrendered again to the Franks of Athens in 1275 as a dowry.[4] From 1446, the town was under Ottoman control, until it became part of the newly independent Kingdom of Greece in 1832.[4] Until the annexation of Thessaly in 1881, it was a border city (the borders were drawn at a site known as "Taratsa" just north of Lamia).
Landmarks [edit]
- The "Kastro", the city's fortified acropolis
- Platia Eleftherias (Freedom Square) - site of the towns independence day parade, and main cathedral. Also has many cafes with outdoor seating.
- Platia Diakou (Diakos Square) - square containing the statue of Athanasios Diakos
- Platia Parkou (Park Square)
- Platia Laou (People's Square) - square featuring the statue of Aris Velouchiotis
Municipality [edit]
The municipality Lamia was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 5 former municipalities, that became municipal units:[5]
- Gorgopotamos
- Lamia
- Leianokladi
- Pavliani
- Ypati
Historical population [edit]
| Year | Municipal unit | Municipality |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 41,846 | - |
| 1991 | 55,445 | - |
| 2001 | 58,601 | - |
| 2011 | 64,716 | 75,315 |
Notable people [edit]
- Niki Bakoyianni (1968-) high jumper
- Athanasios Diakos (1788–1821) Greek military commander during the Greek War of Independence, died in Lamia
- Thanos Leivaditis (1934–2005) actor and screenwriter
- Ilias Tsirimokos (1907–1968) politician, former Prime Minister of Greece
- Aris Velouchiotis (nom de guerre οf Athanasios Klaras) (1905–1945) leader of the World War II guerrilla resistance
International relations [edit]
Lamia is twinned with:
Sporting teams [edit]
- Panellinios B.C.
- Lamia F.C.
- Lamia Skiing & Climbing Club (XOOL)
- GS Lamia
- Nireas Lamias
- Ionikos Neas Magnisias
- Pamfthiotikos Syllogos Rythmikis Gymnastikis Niki (Rhythmic Gymnastics Club)
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- Notes
- ^ Detailed census results 2011 (Greek)
- ^ http://www.postman.com.tr/makaleler/tatar.pdf
- ^ Arrowsmith, John. Turkey in Europe. 1832.
- ^ a b c d e "Κάστρο Λαμίας". ODYSSEUS Portal (in Greek). Hellenic Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ^ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
- ^ "Serwis informacyjny UM Rzeszów - Informacja o współpracy Rzeszowa z miastami partnerskimi". www.rzeszow.pl. Retrieved 2010-02-02.[dead link]
External links [edit]
- Municipality of Lamia (Greek) (English)
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