Acanthus, Ancient Greek city ruins in Ierissos, Greece
Acanthus was an ancient Greek city whose ruins sit on a steep hillside near modern Ierissos. The site preserves city walls, a citadel, and various structures from the Hellenistic period.
Settlers from the island of Andros founded this city around 655 BC and developed it into a major regional port. It remained important until King Philip II conquered it in 348 BC.
The cemetery reveals how the local population buried their dead and whom they traded with across the ancient world. You can see through the graves and artifacts how this place connected to distant regions.
The site lies roughly 24 kilometers from the city of Polygiros and is best reached by car. The remains are largely exposed, so you can clearly see the old walls and building structures.
Archaeological finds show that coins were minted here starting from 530 BC. This indicates the city had real economic power and played a significant role in ancient Mediterranean trade.
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