Amfikleia

Amfikleia Αμφίκλεια
Amfikleia
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 38°38′N 22°35′E / 38.633°N 22.583°E / 38.633; 22.583Coordinates: 38°38′N 22°35′E / 38.633°N 22.583°E / 38.633; 22.583
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Central Greece
Regional unit	Phthiotis
Municipality	Amfikleia-Elateia
• Municipal unit	229.37 km2 (88.56 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
• Municipal unit	4,186
• Municipal unit density	18/km2 (47/sq mi)
Community[1]
• Population	3,191 (2011)
• Area (km2)	108.12
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Vehicle registration	ΜΙ

Amfikleia (Greek: Αμφίκλεια, before 1915: Δαδί - Dadi^[2]) is a town and a former municipality in Phthiotis, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Amfikleia-Elateia, of which it is a municipal unit.^[3] The municipal unit has an area of 229.366 km², the community 108.124 km².^[4] At the 2011 census, the population of the municipal unit was 4,186 and of the community 3,191.^[1] The town is situated at the northern foot of Mount Parnassus, in the valley of the river Cephissus. It is 11 km northwest of Kato Tithorea and 31 km southeast of Lamia. Greek National Road 3 (Thebes - Lamia) passes through the town. It has a railway station on the Athens–Thessaloniki railway.

Subdivisions

The municipal unit Amfikleia consists of the following communities:

• Amfikleia
• Bralos
• Drymaia
• Palaiochori
• Tithroni
• Xylikoi

History

Amfikleia was named after the ancient town Amphicleia (Ancient Greek: Ἀμφίκλεια). Amphicleia was also named Ἀμφίκαια - Amphicaea and Ὀφιτεία - Ophiteia. It was situated in the north of ancient Phocis.^[5] The Persians under Xerxes destroyed the city in 480 BC during the second Persian invasion of Greece.^[6] It was rebuilt afterwards, and at the time of Pausanias (2nd century AD), it was known for the worship of Dionysus.^[5][7]

The town Dadi, which was founded near the site of ancient Amphicleia, was renamed to Amfikleia in 1915.^[2]

Notable people

• Athanasios Eftaxias (1849–1931), politician

External links

• Municipality of Amfikleia-Elateia (Greek)

References

1. 1 2 3 "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 
2. 1 2 "Πανδέκτης: Dadi -- Amfikleia". Retrieved 21 October 2010. 
3. ↑ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
4. ↑ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. 
5. 1 2  Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Amphicaea". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray. 
6. ↑ Herodotus, Histories 8.33
7. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece 10.33.9-11