Neon (Phocis)

Neon (Phocis) was an ancient town in Phocis, Greece, mentioned by both Pausanias and Plutarch. Its location was in the mountains, near Tithorea and Amphicleia. Pausanias describes it as being destroyed during the invasion of Phocis by the Persians under Xerxes I. The inhabitants subsequently rebuilt the town, and it later participated in the Phocian War.

Neon is notable for its role in the Third Sacred War (356-346 BC). The Phocians, having seized Delphi, used Neon as one of their bases of operations. The town was eventually captured by Philip II of Macedon, resulting in the devastation of the region.

The exact location of Neon has been subject to some debate, but it is generally believed to have been situated in the vicinity of modern-day Paliokastro, near Tithorea. While relatively insignificant in comparison to larger city-states, Neon played a role in the regional conflicts of ancient Greece.