Delphinium (also spelled Delphinion; Ancient Greek: Δελφίνιον) was a town of ancient Chios, located on the east side of the island of Chios in the Aegean Sea. It was situated in a strong defensive position with harbours, and was not far from the city of Chios (the island's main urban centre).
Historical significance
Delphinium is primarily known from accounts of the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE). In 412/411 BCE, the Athenian admiral Strombichides fortified Delphinium in preparation for operations against Chios, which had recently revolted from the Athenian League following Athens's disastrous Sicilian Expedition. The site was chosen for its natural strength on the landward side and its access to harbours (Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, 8.38).
During the Athenian occupation, many slaves from the city of Chios escaped to Delphinium; Thucydides notes that Chios possessed more slaves than any other Greek city except Sparta (8.40).
In 406 BCE, the Spartan admiral Callicratidas besieged Delphinium. The garrison of approximately 500 Athenians, recognizing they were outmatched by the full Peloponnesian fleet, surrendered on terms. The garrison was allowed to march through Peloponnesian lines to join other Athenian forces, and the fortress was levelled to the ground (Xenophon, Hellenica, 1.5.15).
Location
The site of Delphinium is located near the modern settlement of Delfini (Δελφίνι) on the east coast of Chios. The modern name preserves the ancient toponym. Coordinates: 38°29′19″N 26°07′55″E.
References in ancient sources
- Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, Book 8 (multiple passages: 8.15, 16, 17, 30, 34, 38, 40, 55, 60, 61, 62, 79)
- Xenophon, Hellenica, 1.5.15
- The site is also noted in the Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) by William Smith, and in the Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World (2000).
Modern scholarship
John Boardman published a detailed study titled "Delphinion in Chios" in The Annual of the British School at Athens (Volume 51, 1956, pp. 41–54), which remains a key archaeological reference for the site.
