Mesembrian coins with strange helmets

Figure 1. Three Mesembrian bronze coins featuring odd-looking helmets.

There is a series of copper-alloy coins from the Greek apoikia (colony) of Mesembria in ancient Thracia on the coast of the Black Sea, which depicts a strange looking helmet, like a combination of Corinthian helmet with the neck guard and cheek guards of an open-faced helmet style. And that is exactly what it is, a combination of two different helmets. In this article I will discuss why Mesembrian coins do not depict an Apulo-Corinthian helmet, and conclude with the evolution of this style of helmet art in coins.

When this subject was first discussed in a public forum related to Greek military affairs (at 10.10.2023), practically all commentators identified this as a depiction of an Apulo-Corinthian helmet. But this must not be the case, and these opinions were based merely on the image of the Apulo-Corinthian helmet in modern popular imagination, which itself is incorrect.

 

Apulo-Corinthian helmets in popular imagination

First of all, what made people think the helmet in these Mesembrian coins would be an Apulo-Corinthian helmet? This was certainly based on the notion that this helmet looks somewhat like Corinthian helmet pushed back on top of the head, but with additional cheek guards and a neck guard added at its lower rim. This reminds us of a popular image of Apulo-Corinthian helmets.

Figure 2. These are some early and influential depictions of Apulo-Corinthian helmet in modern popular history books, which have shaped public imagination about this helmet style. 1: From Warfare in the Classical World by John Warry 1980. 2: From Greece and Rome at war by Peter Connolly 1981. 3: From Armies of the Carthaginian wars 264–146 BC, illustrated by Richard Hook 1982. 4: Painting by Nicholas Subkov 1995.

Figure 3. These are real Apulo-Corinthian helmets. There are five developmental phases in the history of this helmet style: A–E. Type A has separate "cheek guards" like in Corinthian helmets, but this helmet was never meant to be worn over the face, but on the top of the head. Type B has a bridge connecting the "cheek guards" together. Type C has the whole lower "face" area connected together. Type D omits the "noseguard". And finally type E gets rid of the "eyeholes" too.

The Apulo-Corinthian helmet was an Apulian helmet style which was in use from circa 525 to 350 BCE (for a more detailed analysis of dating see Kools 2013). It was derived from the Corinthian helmet used in Magna Graecia by Greek colonists. While Corinthian helmet was mostly used covering the face of its wearer, outside engagement in combat it could be pushed back on top of the head for easier ventilation. This is the origin of the Apulo-Corinthian helmet, which was always meant to be worn like a pushed back Corinthian helmet, never covering the face. Since the eyeholes and face opening no longer served a true purpose, they diminished in size and finally disappeared altogether.

The important thing to note is that the Apulo-Corinthian helmet was never fitted with cheek guards. 116 helmets of this type are known archaeologically, but not a single one had separate cheek guards. Nor does any helmet bear traces of hinges for attaching cheek guards, just one small hole for a chin strap on each side of the helmet. The whole cheek guard addendum has its origin in ancient artists' imagination, which mixed together different helmet styles. The Apulo-Corinthian helmet with hinged cheek guards was popularized by a painting of a Roman triarius in John Warry's 1980 book Warfare in the Classical World, which countless imitators have copied ever since. Ironically, this helmet was probably never used by Romans at all, but nowadays it is impossible to search pictures of Roman triarii without encountering this helmet in practically all depictions of them.

Figure 4. This comparison should make it clear that the Mesembrian coins do not depict Apulo-Corinthian helmets. This type C Apulo-Corinthian helmet does not have cheek guards. It also does not have a neck guard such as depicted on these coins. The neck guard on real Apulo-Corinthian helmets is flat and protrude backwards, not downwards like in the coins. The shape of the skull is wholly different, because Apulo-Corinthian helmets did not cover the whole head, just the top half. Thus the crown part separated with a carination is much smaller than in Corinthian helms proper. In the coins however the crown of the helmet is depicted as large as in real Corinthian helmets.

Other notable details are the size of the eyeholes, much larger in the coin images than in Apulo-Corinthian helmets, the shape of the carination, much different in coins than in helmets, the fact that some Mesembrian coins show these helmets with cut-out earholes as well, a feature never found on Apulo-Corinthian helmets, and finally the longitudinal crest, that in the coin images is attached directly on top of the helmet, but in Apulo-Corinthian helmets was raised over the helmet with a metallic crest holder as in the photograph.

Distribution of Apulo-Corinthian helmets

Figure 5. A distribution map of all types of Apulo-Corinthian helmets (from Paddock 1993). Ninety percent of them have been found in the region of Apulia in southern Italy, the coast of which had been colonised by the Greeks. Outside the sphere of direct Apulian influence, two helmets have been found in Etruscan controlled places in Campania (Nos. 29 and 50), four in northern Italy (Nos. 53, 55 and 56 in Etruria, and No. 16 in Venetia), one from Slovenia (no. 34), one from Syracuse (No. 3) and another one somewhere else in Sicily (No. 1). One helmet (No. 35 on the map; Berlin, Staatliche Museen 31590) is said to have been found in Athens, but this is not clear.

John Miles Paddock, who wrote his doctoral thesis on Italic bronze helmets has this to say (Paddock 1993, p. 86): "Three examples have findspots outside the Italian peninsula and Sicily, these are helmet No. 16 from Friuli, helmet No. 34 from Krsko in Yugoslavia [now Slovenia] and helmet No. 35 from Athens. As these three finds fall not only so far outside the spatial bounds set by the distribution of other examples but also are from museum collections established before 1896, when they were recorded by Lipperheide, (1896) they must be viewed with some caution. However it is possible and even probable that the examples from the head of the Adriatic reached there as the result of trade. On the other hand without further corroborative evidence the Athenian provenance must still remain questionable." The question of this helmet's provenience has not been answered in the thirty years that have passed since Paddock's thesis was published, and will likely remain unanswered.

Paddock tells us about the Sicilian helmets (p. 88): "Outside Apulia the distribution is more sporadic, the two helmets from Sicily (Nos. 1 and 3.), which are both of type I and therefore early in the sequence possibly belonged to mercenaries serving there. This would seem to agree with other evidence for Italian mercenaries at this period as attested by finds of Italic defensive equipment found on Corsica and in North Africa." I find this hypothesis plausible.

Figure 6. A distribution map of Apulo-Corinthian helmets (yellow dots) compared to the location of Mesembria on the Black Sea coast. Possible trade routes marked by arrows. The provenience of a helmet from Athens is questionable. Map made by the author based on Paddock (1993) and Kools (2013).

No Apulo-Corinthian helmets have been found in the region of ancient Thracia. Apulo-Corinthian helmets concentrate in Apulia, with a few examples found in central and northern Italy and one from Slovenia, most probably as a result of trade. Couple of helmets ended up in Sicily, possibly by Italic mercenaries serving there. The provenience of the so called Athenian helmet is uncertain. Apulo-Corinthian helmets are clearly Italic helmets, made in a few centres in Apulia. There is no evidence to suggest that these helmets would have been traded to Thracia and the Black Sea region, where Mesembria is situated. Not including the questionable helmet said to be from Athens, the Apulo-Corinthian helmets traded outside Apulia have been found in regions further away from Thracia, not towards it.

 

Corinthian helmets on Mesembrian coins

Mesembria was a Greek apoikia on the Thracian coast of the Black Sea. According to geographer Strabon (64/63 BCE – c. 24 CE) Mesembria was founded by Dorians from Megara, but Arrianos of Nikomedeia in Periplus of the Euxine Sea (in 130–131 CE) writes that Khalkedonians founded Mesembria at the time of Dareios' Scythian campaign (513 BCE). Herodotos places the founding of Mesembria after the suppression of the Ionian revolt (493 BCE), when the fugitives from Khalkedon and Byzantion fled there. Since both Khalkedon and Byzantion were founded by Megarians originally, it is possible to say that Mesembria was a Megarian apoikia, whether or not its metropoleis included Megara itself in addition to Khalkedon and Byzantion.

In a web-catalogue of ancient coins Corpus nummorum it says: "Mesembria was one of the most important economic centres of the Classical and Hellenistic periods, which is reflected not least in the lively minting activity from the late 5th century until the conquest of the city by the Romans." Being a Greek apoikia, Mesembria had a tradition of depicting Greek equipment on its coins. Mesembrian currency from ca. 450–275 BCE often depict Corinthian helmets on them.

Figure 7. A selection of Mesembrian coins from Münzkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. 1–5: Silver diobols, 450–350 BCE. 6: Clay impression of a silver tetradrachm, 360–340 BCE. 7–8: Middle denomination bronze coins, 325–275 BCE. In all of these coins, obverse shows a Corinthian helmet depicted frontally, with a transverse crest (a standard practise in art), reverse shows four-spoked chariot wheel with letters M, E, T, A, abbreviation of Μεσαμβρια (Mesambria, a variation of the polis' name, The 'T' is not a 't', but archaic Greek letter sampi, which was pronounced possibly as double sigma [ss], or [ts]).

In the Classical period, Mesembria minted numerous diobols and other coins with Corinthian helmet on the obverse and four-spoked wheel with letters on the reverse. The iconography of these coins cannot be interpreted with certainty, but the helmet might depict that of hero Melsas, the mythical founder of Mesembria, who gave the city its name. The helmet is distorted to some degree, the eyes looking sad, cheek guards flaring out at the bottom, and the skull portion enlargened to a great extent, perhaps to enhance the phallic appearance of the helmet.

Corinthian helmet seems to have been quite rare in Thracia. No Corinthian helmets have been found in Mesembria, and only two examples are known from the plain of Sofia, both from uncertain find context. They come from the villages of Chelopechene and Chelopech, both in the Sofia province of Bulgaria.

Figure 8. A Mesembrian coin depicting Corinthian helmet and the two extant Corinthian helmets from Thracia, left one from the village of Chelopechene, the right one from the village of Chelopech, both from the plain of Sofia. Helmets are located in the National Museum of History, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Many internet photography sites claim that the Chelopechene helmet would be in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, but this is untrue. The Chelopechene helmet represents the last phase of the evolution of Corinthian helmets, called Hermione type from a helmet found in Hermione, Greece. The Chelopech helmet is very near that type, differentiating features include embossed eyebrows, and less angular point in the ridge on the forehead. Both belong to the final third of the sixth and the early fifth century, circa 530–475 BCE.

The last archaeological evidence of the use of Corinthian helmets is about that time. In the words of Emil Kunze, arguable the biggest authority on Greek helmets ever: ''...not a single Corinthian helmet preserved can with certainty or even probability be set in the Classical era [post c. 475 BCE].''

Figure 9. Three Mesembrian coins from 450–350 BCE. These are some of the many examples of coin depictions of helmets, which are seriously deformed, a far cry from the original beauty of the Corinthian helmet. Since the artists did not see the actual helmets but instead copied pictures from earlier coins, the quality of the images gradually fell down like in a game of "Chinese whispers" or "telephone". Wrong features got exaggerated, especially the width of the skull, so that the helmets started to resemble mushrooms more than anything a man could wear on his head.

In addition to the frontally depicted Corinthian helmets, there is a group of Mesembrian coins that portrayed the helmet from the side. These are always worn by humans or deities, most often the goddess Athena. Also another group of sideways helmets existed in Mesembria, those worn by the hero Melsas. They were Chalkidian or Attic in style.

Figure 10. A selection of Mesembrian coins with a profile view of the Corinthian helmet. 1–2: Silver obols, 450–350 BCE. 3: Bronze coin, 400–200 BCE. 4: Bronze coin, 350–200 BCE. 5: Bronze coin, unknown dating. 6: Gold stater,  225–190 BCE (British Museum). Coins 1–5 depict on their obverse a helmeted head of Athena. Coin No. 6 is a commemoration coin for Alexander the Great, minted a century after he passed away. It depicts either Alexander or Athena on its obverse (British Museum thinks it's Athena), and Nike, the goddess of Victory on the reverse, with a tiny representation of a Corinthian helmet at her feet. The inscription on the stater reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ ("King Alexander").

As these coins demonstrate, there was a tradition of portraying Corinthian helmets on Mesembrian currency, which started around 450 BCE and continued well into the Hellenistic period, at least to the early second century BCE. Because of the dating, it is unlikely that the artists based these images on real helmets, but instead of earlier art. If Corinthian helmets were depicted on their own, they were always placed frontally, but if they were worn by a human or deity figure, they were depicted from the side. Profile depictions of helmets without a human figure never show true Corinthian helmets.

 

What then is depicted on these Mesembrian coins?

Figure 11. A selection of Mesembrian bronze coins. 1–3: Classical period, 450–350 BCE. 4–7: Hellenistic period, 250–200 BCE. 8: Hellenistic period, 216–188 BCE. These represent a different version of the Mesembrian helmet coin discussed earlier. Obverse showing a helmet in profile, reverse showing still the four-spoked chariot wheel, but in perspective. This has lead to many misunderstandings in numismatic books and especially websites, which have interpreted this image as a shield viewed from the inside, either a Greek round aspis, or an oval Celtic-style thyreos. But this is incorrect, the Mesembrian coins continued to depict the chariot wheel, in perspective, omitting the letters between the spokes. Instead the coins now have a full name METAM-BΡIANΩN.

Some of these coins feature a helmet that is an amalgamation of Corinthian and Thracian types. These coins date approximately from 450 to 188 BCE, a long period of time from the Classical to Hellenistic eras. The last use of Corinthian helmets predates this period by a generation, but other helmets such as Chalkidian and Thracian types, both of which have been found in abundance in Thracia, were contemporary to these coins.

The Chalkidian helmet type was typical in Thracia from the fifth to the early third century BCE, more than 60 examples are known archaeologically. The Thracian helmet type was popular in southern Thracia beginning in the late Classical period, more than 20 helmets of this type have been found. Both of these helmets had some common features, mainly hinged cheek guards (not in all Chalkidians), and a downwards sloping neck guard that often times left a hole for the ear. On top of that Thracian helmets had a peak at the forehead, and above that a raised pediment-shaped brow-band ("fronton, "Stirnband"), terminating into volutes at the temples. Chalkidian helmets differ by having a nasal, which Thracian helmets don't have.

Based on these characteristics, it seems clear that the coin artists in Mesembria combined features from the memory of the Corinthian helmet (reserved for heroes like Melsas) together with contemporaneous Thracian helmets, which were well known in the area. Indeed I would qualify the coins Nos. 6 and 7, possibly also No. 3 in figure 11 as depictions of pure Thracian helmets.

Figure 12. A selection of Mesembrian bronze coins. 1: Classical period, 450–350 BCE. 2–6: Hellenistic period, 300–250 BCE. 7: probably Hellenistic period, 300–250 BCE. 8: Hellenistic period, 250–200 BCE. These coins show on their obverse a helmet in profile, which is clearly of Thracian type. There is no room for error here, all the features: the separate cheek guards, neck guard with ear-cutouts, peak at the front, fronton above it with volutes at the temples, and an integral crest block running longitudinally on top of the skull.

Figure 13. Two Thracian helmets compared to a Mesembrian coin featuring the same helmet type. On the left is a silver-plated helmet from the famous Prodromi grave in Epeiros, housed in the Archaeological Museum of Igoumenítsa, Greece. It is dated to 290–270 BCE. On the right is a bronze helmet from Bubuieci, Moldova. It is dated between late 3rd and 1st centuries BCE. The Bubuieci helmet is missing cheek guards, but it could have had those originally. It belongs to a group of north Pontic Thracian helmets, found around the Black Sea, where Mesembria is also situated. The coin dates to 300–250 BCE, roughly contemporary to these helmets.

Figure 14. Hypothetical development of stylistic changes in Mesembrian bronze coins. The artists have combined features of Corinthian helmets with Thracian ones. The upper part of the mixed helmets have been taken almost straight from Corinthian helmets. The differing feature is the carination of the Corinthian helmets, which is now combined with the fronton of the Thracian helmet: two embossed ridges with volutes on the sides. The lower part of the mixed helmets have been taken quite directly from Thracian helmets: hinged cheek guards, downwards protruding neck guard, earholes in some examples, and the frontal peak, which has been combined with the cheek guards of the Corinthian helmet.

Innovative artists created this amalgamation of two different helmet types, perhaps to give an archaisizing look compared to more contemporaneous style. If it were real, we would expect to find at least some examples of it archaeologically, since Thracian area has produced over a hundred Greek helmets, and the Mediterranean world thousands. This being the case, I think it is safe to say this mixed helmet type never existed outside the imagination of ancient artists.

 

Sources:

Apulo-Corinthian helmets, University of Pennsylvania. Accessed 10.10.2023: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~dpd/italica/apcor/apcor.html

Connolly, Peter (1981) Greece and Rome at war. Prentice-Hall.

Kools, Sander (2013) The Apulo-Corinthian Helmet: A south-east Italic helmet type and what it can say about the social and cultural context in which it was used. Bachelor thesis, University of Leiden. Accessed 10.10.2023: https://www.academia.edu/11958190/The_Apulo-Corinthian_Helmet_A_south-east_Italic_helmet_type_and_what_it_can_say_about_the_social_and_cultural_context_in_which_it_was_used_unpublished_2013

Paddock, John Miles (1993) The bronze Italian helmet: the development of the Cassis from the last quarter of the sixth century B.C. to the third quarter of the first century A.D. Doctoral thesis, University of London. Accessed 11.10.2023: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1348999/

Subkov, Nicholas (1995) Painting of Roman Republican legionaries.

Symonenko, Oleksandr (2015) ‘Sarmatian-age helmets from Eastern Europe’ in P. B. Golden, R. K. Kovalev, A. P. Martinez, J. Skaff, A. Zimonyi (ed.) Archivum Eurasiae Medii Aevi 21 (2014–2015). Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, pp. 277–303. Accessed: 12.10.2023: https://www.academia.edu/35730690/The_Helmets_of_Sarmatian_Age_from_the_Eastern_Europe

Valeva, Julia, Nankov, Emil & Graninger, Denver (eds.) (2015) A Companion to Ancient Thrace. Wiley-Blackwell.

Warry, John (1980) Warfare in the Classical World. University of Oklahoma Press.

Wise, Terence, illustrated by Hook, Richard (1982) Armies of the Carthaginian wars 264–146 BC (Men at arms series, 121). Ospray Publishing.

Mesembrian coins:

https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/resources/typology/19

https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/thrace/mesembria/i.html

https://www.coinarchives.com/a/results.php?results=100&search=Mesembria

https://www.coinarchives.com/a/results.php?results=100&search=mesambria

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=1564&pos=0&sold=1&vorderby=dateaddeddesc 

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-helmet-types.297306/

https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/marc_breitsprecher_classical_numismatist-8/search/all/0/Default.aspx?store_search=Mesembria&store_between=0&store_between_and=99999&searchMaxRecords=100&searchDisplayAsList=False&searchDate=&searchDateType=0&store_order_by=&solditems=False  

https://www.vcoins.com/es/stores/romae_aeternae_numismatics/136/product/mesembria_thrace_ae11_decorated_corinthian_helmet_facing__meta_wheel_rare/1819126/Default.aspx

https://ikmk.smb.museum/object?lang=en&id=18248987&view=rs

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_TC-p102-6-AleIII 

https://www.cgbfr.com/thrace-messembria-bronze-pb-ae-20-tb-,v41_0095,a.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesembria

 

Why is Athens in plural?

Recently my brother asked me a quiz question, why is Athens in plural in many languages, like in English? I answered that because it was plural originally, Athenai in ancient Greek, and thus has been translated in plural to other languages. But this got me thinking, and researching the topic more. My brother knew that Athens was originally formed of many villages or settlements that merged into one city, but the name remained in plural. This is not true of only Athens, but many other ancient cities had the same origin behind their names.

 

Synoikism

It is indeed true that very many ancient cities, both in Greece and elsewhere, had their origins in the merging of several smaller communities into a single larger city. For example the town of Kyaneai in Lykia was formed of perhaps three towns. This phenomenon was common for the Greek city-states, and the ancient Greeks had a word to describe it: συνοικισμóς (synoikismos), anglicized as synoecism or synoikism.

A myth about the founding of Tegea, an important polis in Arkadia, Peloponnesos, tells us how an ancient city could be formed out of numerous smaller components. According to the myth, the city of Tegea was founded by prince Tegeates, a son of king Lykaon of Arkadia, who had 50 sons, most of whom founded cities bearing their names. Prince Tegeates had dwelt originally in eight, afterwards nine townships, or demoi. In the Archaic period the nine demoi joined together in a synoikismos to form one city, which became called Tegea. The names of these nine demoi were: Gareatai (Γαρεᾶται), Phylakeis (Φυλακεῖς), Karyatai (Καρυᾶται), Korytheis (Κορυθεῖς), Potakhidai (Πωταχίδαι), Oiatai (Οἰᾶται), Manthyreis (Μανθυρεῖς), Ekheuetheis (Εχευήθεἱς), and Apheidantes (Ἀφείδαντες) as the latest. Many of these demoi themselves had plural names, and although Tegea itself as a singular name (named after the prince), many cities might have acquired their plural names from the multitude of demoi that joined together to form them. 

 

The myth about the origins of the name of Athens

The Athenians themselves had an origin myth regarding the name of their city. According to the myth there was a contest between the goddess Athena the sea-god Poseidon over who should be chosen as the city's patron deity. Both Athena and Poseidon demanded their name to be used in the city's name, and offered godly gifts to please the inhabitants. Poseidon struck his trident in the ground, and three streams of (salty) water started to pour from the holes. This symbolised naval power. Athena grew an olive tree on the Akropolis, signifying peace and prosperity. Because the first king of the city, Kekrops, had seen Athena's olive tree first (or because it was considered more useful gift), he choose the olive tree, and Athena became forever the guardian goddess of the city, which was named in her honour. The city had been previously called Kekropia after its first king, and even before that it had been called Akte, according to the Greek myth.

The Athenians thought themselves to be autokhthonous, indigenous to the region, never having moved there from anywhere, but instead having grown straight out of the ground. In reality they of course came from somewhere, even though it is not certain from where. The region of Athens has seen human dwelling since the Neolithic period, from before 3000 BCE. In the late Bronze Age, ca. 1200 BCE Athens was a Mykenaian city, and its akropolis was fortified with a wall. This probably marked the union of the 12 towns of Attika under the leadership of Athens, an event sed to be performed by Theseus, the legendary king of Athens.

 

The modern knowledge of the etymology of Athens

The city was named after the Greek goddess of war and wisdom, Ἀθηνᾶ (Athēnâ) or Ἀθήνη (Athḗnē). The origin of her name is not certain, it probably comes from some lost Pre-Greek language. There were a few variations of her name, Athena is the version used in the Attic dialect of Ancient Greek language, that was spoken in the Attic peninsula, where the city of Athens is located.

The city formed organically when a group of smaller settlements gradually merged into one. These were the demoi (singular demos), or peoples that formed the Athenian polis, or city-state. Thus they were called in plural Ἀθῆναι (Athênai), the (many) Athens, meaning the settlements of the goddess Athena.

From Ancient Greek name Ἀθῆναι (Athênai), the city became known in Latin as Athēnae, as Greek plural suffix -ai corresponds to Latin -ae. From the accusative form of the Latin name (Athēnās) it was borrowed into Old French as Athenes or Atenes, and in the Anglo-Saxon period to Old English as Athēnas, where -as was the plural ending. Later, in the Middle English period, the wovel was lost, and the name of the city became just Athens.

The name of Athens remains in plural in the following European languages: English (Athens), French (Athènes), Portuguese (Atenas), and Spanish (Atenas), but has transformed into singular form in the following: Albanian (Athinë), Czech (Athény, Atény), Dutch (Athene), Estonian (Ateena), Finnish (Ateena), German (Athen), Greek (Αθήνα, Athína), Hungarian (Athén), Italian (Atene), Romanian (Atena), Russian (Афины, Афин, Afiny, Afin), Swedish (Aten), Turkish (Atina), and Ukrainian (Афіни, Afiny).

 

Other Greek cities with plural names

Athens is not the only ancient city with a plural name. Other famous ancient Greek cities such as Delphoi (Delphi), Megara, Mykenai (Mycenae), Syrakousai (Syracuse), and Thebai (Thebes) are all in plural. Most of these names are feminine plurals (ending with -ai), but for example Delphoi is a masculine plural (ending with -oi), and Megara is a neuter plural (ending with -a). Some of them have retained their plural suffices in modern languages, as in English: Thebes (with English plural suffix -s) and Mycenae (with Latin plural suffix -ae).

In modern Greek language many of the plural endings of cities and places, mostly in the cases of feminine words, have been replaced by singular names. Examples of these include Akharnai > Αχαρνές (Acharnés), Mykenai > Μυκήνες (Mykines), Patrai > Πάτρα (Pátra), Plataiai > Πλαταιές (Plataies), Thermopylai > Θερμοπύλες (Thermopyles), and Thebai > Θήβα (Thíva).

Many of these other plural city names have also retained their grammatical numbers in English and several other modern languages, often through Latinization, such as English: Acharnae, Mycenae, Patras, Thermopylae, and Thebes. In my own language Finnish (which is a non-Indo-European language), many of these names are changed to singular ones, through the influence of Swedish and German: Ateena, Mykene, Teeba, but others (not so well known names) remain unchainged in grammatical number: Akharnai, Patras, Plataiai, Termopylai.

Other possible explanations of plural names besides synoikism

Merging of several communities into one town or city is not the only explanation of why a certain city has a plural name. Probably we will never know all the reasons why some names are plural and some singular, and I don't have nearly enough time to research each individual case, since they number in the hundreds at least. However, these are two examples of towns or cities that have plural names, which are apparently not based on them being merged together from several communities.

First is the town of Pylai (Πύλαι), modern Yalova, in the ancient region of Bithynia, in modern northwestern Turkey, on the coast of the sea of Marmara. In Antiquity and for most of the Middle Ages, the town was known as Pylae or Pylai (Πύλαι), which is Greek for "gates" since it was positioned at the start of one of the main routes to Asia for anyone crossing the Sea of Marmara into Bithynia from Europe.

The second example has the same name as the Greek capital, Athenae or Athenai (Ἀθῆναι), but is a different city. It was a city and port of ancient Pontus (also in modern Turkey, at the coast of the Black Sea), which had a Greek temple of Athena. According to Arrianos, it was 180 stadia east of the river Adienos, and 280 stadia west of Apsaros. Prokopios writes that the name of the village came from a woman called Athenaia (Ἀθηναία), who in earlier times ruled over the land. Prokopios is also of the opinion that the name of the city does not come from Athenian colonists settling it, as some others believed. He also adds that the tomb of the woman was still there. We will never know for sure which version is correct, but these examples present different explanations for why some ancient towns and cities have plural names.

 

List of ancient Greek cities with plural names

The following is a list of ancient Greek, and Graecophone (Greek speaking) towns and cities of the Ancient world, compiled together from various lists. The cities are chosen by their existing name in Ancient Greek, and not everyone of them is a Greek city per se. Many names are probably lost to me (and to modern people in general), but this list includes all I have managed to find during half a year of searching. The list includes 236 examples from all over the Mediterranean world, mostly from Greece, Italy, and Turkey, the main areas of Greek settlement. The cities are arranged alphabetically according to the Latin alphabet, starting with their romanized names (not the names used by Romans, just the Greek names written in Latin alphabet). Thus names starting with both Π (Pi) and Φ (Phi) are listed under P, and because Φ was pronounced with a hard Ph sound and not as F in Ancient Greek. I have included modern place names too, if the place is not abandoned, like many of them are.

A

Abai (Ἄβαι), near modern Kalapodi, in Phokis, Greece

Aigai (Αἰγαί), near modern Akrata, in Akhaia, Greece

Aigai (Αἰγαί) or Aigaiai (Αἰγαῖαι), near modern Yuntdağı Köseler, in Aiolis, Turkey

Aigai (Αἰγαί), close to modern Vergina, in Makedonia, Greece

Aigos Potamoi (Αἰγὸς Ποταμοί), in Hellespontos, Turkey

Airai (Αἰραί), in Ionia, Turkey

Aithalidai (Αἰθαλίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Akharnai (Ἀχαρναί), modern Acharnes, a demos of Athens, Attika, Greece

Akrai (Ἄκραι), modern Palazzolo Acreide, in Sicily, Italy

Akriai (Ἀκριαί) or Akraiai (Ἀκραῖαι), near modern Kokkinia, in Lakonia, Greece

Akrillai (Ἄκριλλαι), modern Chiaramonte Gulfi, in Sicily, Italy

Alalkomenai (Ἀλαλκομέναι), near modern Solinari, in Boiotia, Greece

Alalkomenai (Ἀλαλκομέναι), in modern Aëtos, in Ithaka, Greece

Alkomenai (Ἀλκομεναί) or Alalkomenai (Ἀλαλκομ́εναι), near modern Bučin, in Pelagonia, North Makedonia 

Amphanai (Ἀμφαναί), in Thessalia (Pelasgiotis), Greece

Amyklai (Ἀμύκλαι), near modern Amykles, in Lakonia, Greece

Aperlai (Ἄπερλαι), in Lykia, Turkey

Aphetai (Ἀφεταί), near modern Platania, in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece 

Aphidnai (Ἀφίδναι) or Aphidna (Ἄφιδνα), near modern Afidnes, in Attika, Greece

Argeathai (Αργέαθαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Aristonautai (Ἀριστοναῦται), near modern Xylokastro, in Akhaia, Greece 

Arneai (Ἀρνεαί), near modern Ernes, in Lykia, Turkey 

Athenai (Ἀθῆναι), in Attika, Greece

Athenai (Ἀθῆναι), in Boiotia, Greece

Athenai (Ἀθῆναι), near modern Pazar, in Pontus, Turkey 

Augeiai (Αὐγειαί), probably the same as Aigiai (Αἰγίαι), in Lakonia, Greece

Aulai (Αυλαί), in Lykia, Turkey 

Auridai (Αὐρίδαι), in Attika, Greece

 

B 

Bassai (Βάσσαι), in Messenia, Greece

Batiai (Βατίαι), near modern Kastri, in Epeiros, Greece 

Berenikidai (Βερενικίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Boiai (Βοιαί), near modern Neapoli Voion, in Lakonia, Greece

Boioi (Βοιοι), on the shore of lake Ohrid, Albania

Bolbai (Βόλβαι), in Karia, Turkey

Botakhidai (Βωταχίδαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Boutadai (Βουτάδαι), in Athens, Attika, Greece 

Bragylai (Βραγύλαι), in Makedonia, Greece 

Bryseai (Βρυσειαί), in Lakonia, Greece

 

D

Daidalidai (Δαιδαλίδαι), near modern Katsipodi, in Attika, Greece

Danedebai (Δανεδέβαι), in Dacia, Romania 

Daseai (Δασέαι), near modern Apiditsa, in Arkadia, Greece 

Dairadiotai (Δειραδιῶται), near modern Daskaleio, in Attika, Greece 

Delphoi (Δελφοί), in Phokis, Greece

 

E

Eiresiai (Ειρεσίαι), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece 

Eiresidai (Εἰρεσίδαι), near modern Kolonos, in Attika, Greece

Ekheiai (Έχειαί), on the borderland between Lakonia and Messenia, Greece

Ekhelidai (Ἐχελίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Elekosmioi (Ἐλεκοσμιοι), near modern Elegmi, in Bithynia, Turkey

Eleutherai (Ἐλευθεραί), in Attika, Greece 

Eleutherai (Ἐλευθεραί), in Lykia, Turkey 

Enkhelanai (Ενχελαναι), on the shore of lake Ohrid, Albania

Epieikidai (Ἐπιεικίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Epizephyrioi Lokroi (Ἐπιζεφύριοι Λοκροί), modern Locri, in Calabria, Italy 

Erai (Ἐραί) or Gerai (Γεραί), in Ionia, Turkey

Eroiadai (Antiokhis) (Ἐροιάδαι), in Attika, Greece

Eroiadai (Hippothontis) (Ἐροιάδαι), near modern Chaidari, in Attika, Greece 

Erythrai (Ἐρυθραί), modern Erythres, in Boiotia, Greece

Erythrai (Ἐρυθραί), in Ionia, Turkey

Erythrai (Ἐρυθραί), near modern Phrantzi, in Thessalia (Ainis), Greece

Eupyridai (Εὐπυρίδαι), near modern Kamatero, in Attika, Greece

Eureaioi (Εὐρεαῖοι) or Eurea (Εὒρεα), in Thessalia (Magnesia or Pelasgiatis), Greece

Eurymenai (Εὐρυμεναί) or Erymnai (Ὲρυμναί), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece

Euryteiai (Εὐρυτειαί), in Akhaia, Greece

 

G

Gagai (Γάγαι), in Lykia, Turkey 

Gareatai (Γαρεᾶται) or Garea (Γαρεᾶ), in Arkadia, Greece

Gatheai (Γαθεαί), near modern Chirades, in Arkadia, Greece

Geronthrai (Γερόνθραι), near modern Geraki, in Lakonia, Greece

Gerriadai (Γερριαδαι), near modern Sığacık Liman, in Ionia, Turkey 

Glaphyrai (Γλαφυραί), near modern Glafira, in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece 

Gomphoi (Γόμφοι), near modern Mouzaki, in Thessalia (Histiaiotis), Greece

Gonnoi (Γόννοι) or Gonnos (Γόννος), near modern Gonnoi, in Thessalia (Perrhaibia), Greece

 

H 

Haimoniai (Αἱμονιαί), near modern Perivolia / Rousvanaga, in Arkadia, Greece 

Halai (Ἁλαί), near modern Theologos, in Lokris, Greece 

Halai Aixonides (Ἁλαὶ Αἰξωνίδες), near modern Voula, in Attika, Greece 

Halai Araphenides (Ἁλαὶ Ἀραφηνίδες), near modern Artemida, in Attika, Greece 

Haliai (Ἁλιαί) or Halieis (Ἁλιεῖς), near modern Porto Cheli, in Argolis, Greece

Hippotai (Ἱππόται), in Boiotia, Greece

Hippotomadai (Ἱπποτομάδαι), in Attika, Greece

Homilai (Ὅμιλαι), near modern Kouvelo Kastro / Kastro Orias, in Thessalia, Greece

Hybadai (Ὑβάδαι), in Attika, Greece 

Hydai (Ὑδαι) or Kydai (Κυδαι), near modern Damlarboğaz, in Karia, Turkey

Hyporeiai (Ὑπώρειαι), in Akarnania, Greece 

Hysiai (Ὑσιαί) or Hysia (Ὑσία), near modern Achladokampos, in Argolis, Greece

Hysiaia (Ὑσιαί) or Hysia (Ὑσία), near modern Kriekouki in Erythres, in Boiotia, Greece

 

I

Idomenai (Ἰδομεναί) or Eidomenai (Ἐιδομεναί), in Makedonia (Parorbelia), Greece

Ikhnai (Ἴχναι), in modern Koufalia, Makedonia, Greece

Ikhnai (Ἴχναι), in Thessalia, Greece

Ionidai (Ἰωνίδαι), near modern Draphi, in Attika, Greece

Iphistiadai (Ἰφιστιάδαι) or Hephaistiadai (Ἡφαιστιάδαι), near modern Marousi, in Attika, Greece

 

K

Kalamai (Καλάμαι), near modern Elaiochori, in Messenia, Greece

Kalliai (Καλλίαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Kamakai (Καμακαί) or Kemakai (Κεμακαί), in Makedonia (Khalkidike), Greece 

Kanai (Κάναι), modern Kane, in Aiolis, Turkey  

Kaphyai (Καφύαι), modern Chotoussa, in Arkadia, Greece

Karyai (Καρύαι), near modern Analipsis, in Arkadia, Greece

Karyai (Κάρυαι), near modern Karyes, in Lakonia, Greece

Karyatai (Καρυᾶται), in Arkadia, Greece

Kasmenai (Κασμέναι), in Sicily, Italy

Keiriadai (Κειριάδαι), in Athens, Attika, Greece

Kenkhreai (Κεγχρεαί) or Kenkhreiai (Κεγχρειαί), near modern Palaio Skafidaki, in Argolis, Greece

Kenkhreai (Κεγχρεαί), modern Kechries, in Korinthia, Greece

Kenkhreai (Κεγχρεαί), near modern Kayalı Dağ, in Troias, Turkey 

Kepoi (Κῆποι), in Krasnodar Krai, Russia 

Khaitai (Χαῖται), in Makedonia (Mygdonia), Greece

Khelai (Χῆλαι), near modern Cebice, in Bithynia, Turkey

Khelai (Χῆλαι), near modern Keçili Liman, in Bithynia (Bosporos), Turkey 

Kholleidai (Χολλεῖδαι) or Khollidai (Χολλίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Khytroi (Χῦτροι), in Kypros, Greece

Klazomenai (Κλαζομεναί), near modern İzmir, in Ionia, Turkey

Kleonai (Κλεωναί), in Argolis, Greece

Kleonai (Κλεωναί), near modern Daphne (Mount Athos), in Makedonia (Khalkidike), Greece

Kleitai (Κλειταί), in Bithynia, Turkey

Klitai (Κλῖται), near modern Xylokeratia, in Makedonia (Mygdonia), Greece 

Kolonai (Antiokhis) (Κολωναί), near modern Varnava Tower, in Attika, Greece

Kolonai (Leontis) (Κολωναί), near modern Michaleza, in Attika, Greece

(hai) Kolonai (αἱ Κολωναί), near modern Alemşah, in Troias, Turkey

Kolonai (Κολωναί), near modern Beyçayırı, in Troias (Hellespontos), Turkey 

Kolossai (Κολοσσαί), in Phrygia, Turkey 

Kopai (Κῶπαι), near modern Topolia, in Boiotia, Greece

Korakai (Κορακαί), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece

Korophaioi (Κοροφαῖοι), in Thessalia (Ainis), Greece

Korsiai (Κορσίαι) or Thebai Korsikai (Θῆβαι Κορσίκαι), near Thebes, in Boiotia, Greece

Kothokidai (Κοθωκίδαι), near modern Aspropyrgos, in Attika, Greece 

Kranai (Κρανάη), an island, in Lakonia, Greece

Kranioi (Κράνιοι), in Kephalonia, Greece 

Krokeai (Κροκέαι), in Lakonia, Greece

Krounoi (Κρουνοί), modern Balchik, in Bulgaria 

Kumai (Κύμαι) or Kume (Κύμη), in Aiolis, Turkey

Kumai (Κύμαι) or Kume (Κύμη), near modern Naples, in Campania, Italy

Kyaneai (Κυανέαι), in Lykia, Turkey

Kydantidai (Κυδαντίδαι), near modern Mendeli Monastery, in Attika, Greece

Kynoskephalai (Κυνὸς κεφαλαί), in Boiotia, Greece 

Kyretiai (Χυρετίαι), modern Domeniko, in Thessalia (Perraibia), Greece

 

L

Lakiadai (Λακιάδαι), in Attika, Greece

Lamptrai Kathyperthen (Λαμπτραὶ καθύπερθεν), near modern Lambrika, in Attika, Greece 

Lamptrai Paraliai (Λαμπτραὶ παράλιαι), near modern Kitsi, in Attika, Greece

Ledrai (Λῆδραι), in Kypros, Greece

Leontinoi (Λεοντῖνοι), modern Lentini, in Sicily, Italy

Leukai (Λεῦκαι) or Leuke (Λεύκη), at modern Üçtepeler, in Ionia, Turkey

Leukai (Λεῦκαι), near modern Molaoi, in Lakonia, Greece

Limnai (Λίμναι), near modern Volimnos, in Lakonia, Greece

Limnai (Λίμναι), in Lakonia, Greece (different than the previous)

Limnai (Λίμναι), near modern Hersek, in Bithynia, Turkey

 

M

Makareai (Μακαρέαι) or Makaria (Μακαρία), near modern Alfeios, in Arkadia, Greece

Makkarai (Μακκάραι), near modern Arabises, in Thessalia (Pharsalos), Greece

Megara (Μέγαρα), in Megaris, Greece

Melainai (Μέλαιναι) or Kelainai (Κέλαιναι), in Attika, Greece

Melainai (Μελαιναί), in Lykia, Turkey

Melainai (Μέλαιναι), in Thera (Santorini), Greece

Melaineai (Μελαινεαί) or Melainai (Μελαιναί), near modern Kakouraika, in Arkadia, Greece

Messapeai (Μεσσαπέαι), in Lakonia, Greece

Misgomenai (Μισγομεναί), in Thessalia, Greece 

Mylai (Μυλαί), in Thessalia (Perraibia), Greece 

Mylai (Μύλαι), modern Milazzo, in Sicily, Italy

Mykenai (Μυκῆναι) or Mykene (Μυκήνη), near modern Mykines, in Argolis, Greece

Myrai (Μύραι), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece

 

N

Nysai (Νῦσαι) or Nysa (Νῦσα), in Boiotia, Greece

 

O

Oiai (Οἶαι), in Rhodos, Greece

Oiatai (Οἰᾶται), in Arkadia, Greece

Oineiadai (Οἰνειάδαι), in Akarnania, Greece 

Oiniadai (Οἰνιάδαι), in Thessalia (Oitaia), Greece

Olpai (Ὄλπαι), in Akarnania, Greece 

Onkai (Ὄγκαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Orneai (Ὀρνέαι), near modern Lyrkeia, in Argolis, Greece

Oxoniai (Ὀξωνιαί), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece

 

P 

Pagasai (Παγασαί), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece 

Paionidai (Παιονίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Pambotadai (Παμβωτάδαι), in Attika, Greece 

Parakheloïtai (Παραχελωίται) or Parakheloitas (Παραχελωίτας), in Thessalia, Greece 

Patrai (Πάτραι), modern Patras, in Akhaia, Greece

Pegai (Πεγαι), in Megaris, Greece 

Peirai (Πειραί), in Akhaia, Greece

Peiresiai (Πειρεσίαι), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece

Perithoidai (Περιθοῖδαι), near Athens, in Attika, Greece 

Perrhidai (Περρίδαι), in Attika, Greece 

Phalaisiai (Φαλαισίαι), near modern Bura, in Arkadia, Greece

Pharai (Φαραί), in Akhaia, Greece

Pharai (Φαραί), in Boiotia, Greece

Pharai (Φαραί), in Messenia, Greece

Pharai (Φαραί), in Krete, Greece (founded by colonists of Pharai, Messenia)

Pherai (Φεραί), in Thessalia, Greece

Philaidai (Φιλαΐδαι), near Brauron, in Attika, Greece

Philippoi (Φίλιπποι), in Makedonia, Greece

Phoiteiai (Φοιτεῖαι) or Phytia (Φυτία), in Akarnania, Greece

Phrearrhioi (Φρεάρριοι), near modern Olymbos, in Attika, Greece 

Phylakai (Φυλακαὶ) or Phylake (Φυλακή), in Makedonia (Pieria), Greece 

Phyrragioi (Φυρράγιοι), in Thessalia, Greece

Pithekousai (Πιθηκοῦσαι), modern Ischia, in Campania, Italy

Plataiai (Πλαταιαί), near modern Plataies, in Boiotia, Greece

Pleiai (Πλεῖαι) or Palaia (Παλαιά), near modern Apidea, in Lakonia, Greece

Potakhidai (Πωταχίδαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Potamoi (Ποταμοί), near modern Pendik, in Bithynia, Turkey

Potniai (Πότνιαι), near modern Takhi, in Boiotia, Greece 

Prasiai (Πρασίαι), in Attika, Greece 

Prasiai (Πρασιαί) or Brasiai (Βρασιαί), near modern Paralio Leonidi, in Lakonia, Greece

Pronnoi (Πρόννοι), in Kephalonia, Greece

Proochthoi (Πρωχθοι) or Brochthoi (Βροχθοι), near modern Kandilli, in Bithynia, Turkey

Pylai (Πύλαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Pylai (Πύλαι), modern Yalova, in Bithynia, Turkey

 

R

Rhaiteai (Ῥαιτέαι), in Arkadia (Kynouria), Greece

Rhypai (Ῥύπαι) or Rhypes (Ῥύπες), near modern Koumari, in Akhaia, Greece

Rouphinianai (Ρουφινιαναί) or Drys (Δρῦς), near modern Caddebostan, in Bithynia, Turkey

 

S

Seirai (Σειραί), in Arkadia, Greece   

Semakhidai (Σημαχίδαι), near modern Vredou, in Attika, Greece 

Serrai (Σέρραι) or Siris (Σίρις), modern Serres, Makedonia (Odomantike), Greece

Siloi (Σιλοι), in Karia, Turkey

Siphai (Σῖφαι) or Tipha (Τίφα), near modern Aliki, in Boiotia, Greece

Skambonidai (Σκαμβωνίδαι), in modern Athens, Attika, Greece

Skithai (Σκίθαι), in Makedonia (Khalkidike), Greece

Soloi (Σόλοι), in Kypros, Greece 

Sperkhiai (Σπέρχεια) or Sperkheiai (Σπερχείαι), in modern Kastrorakhi, Thessalia (Ainis), Greece

Sybridai (Συβρίδαι), in Attika, Greece 

Syrakousai (Συράκουσαι), modern Syracuse, in Sicily, Italy

 

T

Thalamai (Θαλάμαι), in Elis, Greece

Thalamai (Θαλάμαι), near modern Thalames, in Lakonia, Greece

Thebai (Θῆβαι), modern Thiva (Θήβα) (singular), in Boiotia, Greece

Thebai (Θῆβαι), near modern Doğanbey, in Ionia, Turkey

Thebai Phthiotides (Θῆβαι Φθιώτιδες) or Thebai Thessalikai (Θῆβαι Θεσσαλικαἰ), near modern Mikrothivai, in Thessalia, Greece 

Thenai (Θεναί), in Arkadia, Greece

Therapnai (Θεράπναι), in Boiotia, Greece 

Thermai Himeraiai (Θερμαί Ἰμεραίαι), founded to replace Himera, modern Termini Imerese, in Sicily, Italy

Thermai Selinuntiai (Θέρμαι Σελινούντιαι), modern Sciacca, in Sicily, Italy

Thermopylai (Θερμοπύλαι), now called Thermopyles (not a city, but a place), in Malis, Greece

Thespiai (Θεσπιαί), near modern Thespies, in Boiotia, Greece

Thisbai (Θίσβαι) or Thisbe (Θίσβη), modern Vathý, in Boiotia, Greece 

Thorai (Θοραί), near modern Agios Demetrios Trapuria, in Attika, Greece 

Thourioi (Θούριοι), in Bruttium, Italy 

Thymoitadai (Θυμοιτάδαι) or Thymaitadai (Θυμαιτάδαι), near modern Keratsini, in Attika, Greece

Thyreai (Θυρέαι) or Thyrea (Θυρέα), in Kynouria, Greece

Thyrgonidai (Θυργωνίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Titakidai (Τιτακίδαι), in Attika, Greece 

Tragasai (Τραγασαί), near modern Tuzla, in Troias, Turkey

Tripoiai (Τριποιαί) or Tripoai (Τριποαί), in Makedonia (Bottiaia), Greece 

Typaneai (Τυπανέαι) or Tympaneai (Τυμπανέαι), near modern Vresto, in Elis, Greece 

Tyrmeidai (Τυρμεῖδαι), in Attika, Greece 

 

X

Xyniai (Ξυνίαι), in modern Koromilia / Nisi, Thessalia (Phthiotis), Greece 

 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Athens

https://www.britannica.com/place/Athens/History

https://www.theoi.com/Heros/Kekrops.html

https://fi.wiktionary.org/wiki/Ateena

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ancient_Greek_cities 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Greek_city-states

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_in_ancient_Greece

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_ancient_Acarnania

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Achaean_city-states 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Achaea 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Aeolis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Arcadian_city-states

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Arcadia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Argolis 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_in_ancient_Attica

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Attica

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Boeotian_city-states

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Boeotia 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_Bithynia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Greek_colonies_in_Chalcidice

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_city-kingdoms_of_Cyprus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Elis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_ancient_Epirus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_settlements_in_Illyria#Greek_Cities

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Ionia 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lycian_place_names

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Magnesia 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_in_ancient_Macedonia 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Macedonia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Graecia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Messenia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Sparta

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Spartan_colonies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Laconia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:East_Mani 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_in_ancient_Peloponnese

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Thessalian_city-states

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Thessaly

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ancient_cities_in_Thrace_and_Dacia#Greek

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Troad