Stagira (ancient city)

Stagira (ancient city)

Stagira was an ancient Greek city near the eastern coast of the peninsula of Chalkidice, which is now part of Central Macedonia. It is most famous for being the birthplace of Aristotle, a great Greek philosopher. Aristotle was a student of Plato and later became the teacher of Alexander the Great.

Today, the ruins of Stagira can still be seen about 18 kilometres northeast of the modern village named Stagira. Visitors can see parts of the old city walls, homes, and public buildings that remain from ancient times. This place helps us learn more about life in early Greece and the world that shaped one of history’s greatest thinkers.

History

Stagira was started in 655 BC by people from the island of Andros. Later, in 480 BC, it was taken over by Xerxes I of Persia.

The city joined a group of cities called the Delian League, led by Athens, but left in 424 BC during a big war called the Peloponnesian War.

In 348 BC, Philip II of Macedon took over and destroyed Stagira. Later, Philip rebuilt the city and brought back its people. Many new buildings were made, like an aqueduct and shrines for the goddess Demeter.

Today, people can visit the old ruins of Stagira. Because of its link to Aristotle, many visitors come to see it.

Notable people

• Aristotle, a famous philosopher known as the Stagirite
• Hipparchus, a philosopher who was a friend and relative of Aristotle
• Nicomachus, Aristotle's father and a doctor
• Arimneste, Aristotle's sister
• Nicomachus, Aristotle's son and a philosopher
• Herpyllis, a close companion of Aristotle
• Nicanor of Stageira