History of Aeghio

Aeghio in the beginning of history.

In the depth of time that passed, the ancients chronological event, that could be useful as starting line of history of our city, is the twentieth b. C. Century. It is the season, where the first settlement of native king Aegialeas took shape in Sikyon (2100 pH.) and was founded according the Sikyonc tradition. His kingdom was extended at length of beach, from Sikyon up to Ilida.
Or by the name of first king, or because the country is surrounded in all her length by seashore, this department of Peloponnese was named Seashore and Aegialeia, and the residents of it Aegialeis.
Were also these settlers Pelasgoi, the first natives residents of Aegialeia, and the first settler of this Aegjaleus, is native king, son of king of Argus Jnachos (1883 b. C.), that created the first settlement in Greece, gathering the wandering in the mountains of Argolida Argeius (Argus peoples).
Then Aegjaleia is presented, in the vanguard of Greek culture as one of the first Greek departments that were drawn up in organized kingdoms, and extended beyond the walls of their first settlement. The capital of new state, was built by Aegjaleus in the place that later is presented Sikyon (region Kiato - Vasiliko), and was named Aegialos. Through this mid time a lot of villages and towns were founded, in all the extent of kingdom that is to say from the Sykyon up to the Ilida. In the middle of this distance (from Sykyon up to Ilida), is Aegio.
If we judge from tradition, that the city took her name from the goat, that nursed Zeus, and he was hidden there away from Saturn, Aegio should be ancientest city, one from the first pelagic colonies.
Precisely in the middle of the kingdom of Aegialeia was built the city of Aegio. Built with lightly amphitheatric bent, on crag hill, extension of "Panahakon" mountain in height of 50 m from the sea. The region of city is determined by the rivers Meganiti, and the Keryniti. The city surrounded from walls, from that not one department was unfortunately rescued. Later at 1406 b. C. populations relatives to the residents of Aegialeia come from Attica. These emigrants were Ions and mixed with Pelagians they evolve them Greek. According the tradition the king of Aegialeia Selinous gave to the son of king of Athens Xouthos, Ionas, his daughter Eliki. After the death of Selinous and in the estuaries of the homonym river, Ionas builds the city Eliki. Seat and metropolis of the country with the temple of Elikoos Neptune. After Ions occupied the country they divide it in 12 cities. Aegio, Patras, Dimi, Tritaia, Fares, Holeno, Rypes, Keryneia, Eliki, Voura, Aeges, and Aeghira.
The ancient city was separated in two settlements. The above city built in crag rock and in the coastal settlement, a narrow band of ground extended from the place Myrtia up to Saint Nicholas and lake of Saltmarsh Alyki, where was found the grove of Omagyrios Zeus (the gathering Zeus). This narrow band of ground tightened between the hill and the beach was occupied from temples and sanctuaries, in them is reported Pausanias in his tour in the ancient Aegio.
As the excavations have demonstrate, Aegio belonged in the state of Mycenes and it is reported as place where the first Pan-Hellenic assembly became by Agamemnon so that is decided the expedition against Troy, in which Aegio also participated, as Homeros reports, near the temple of Omagyrios Zeus. This temple according to Pausanias took its name from this cause, of the gathering (omigyris) of Greeks.
At the end of 11th century b. C. and after the immigrations of Dorians (1103 b. C.), Ahaians from Argus and Lakedaimonia, chased out from the Dorians, they enter and conquer the coastal flat regions of Aegialeia. Then all the twelve Ionic cities after they overcame Ions in battle in the citadel of Keryneia. Last Eliki was captured where Ions had resorted with their king Tisamenos, trough capitulation after siege. Thus the Ahaians remained alone gentlemen of country and cities, inherits as direct descendants of Agamemnon. After little time merged with the natives and they were multiplied. By their name the country was named Achaia. Aegion was occupied by various Achaic genders, as the Talthivios the Agamemnon's preacher, the grave of which is reported by Pausanias paced in the center of Aegion.

Το Aeghio during the classical years.
The Ahaians that lived in northern beach of Peloponnese and consequently the people of Aegio are not reported during the Persian wars, neither with Athenians neither with Spartans. They preferred to defend their cities, and they did not consider worthy to be under the hegemony of Lakedaemonians, for whose they nourished unquenchable half, because Dorians had expelled them from their previous homelands. Without fail the abstention of Achaic cities from Persian wars is not justified. However, as we will see, the Achaic Confederacy connected its name with the last fights of Greeks against Romans and in favor of freedom. In spite of these especially Aegio did participated, especially in the victorious battle of Plataia (497 b. C.), as this is reported in a sign in Olympia. In the near town Eliki where was worshipped Neptune in the temple of Omagyreios Zeus, witch after its submerge devolved to the Aegio, used to take place the assemblies of Achaia cities, that were linked in a worship kind and then political kind shaping, began to be shaped the 1st Achaia Confederacy, with seat and Parliament in the Aegio, from 800 - 303 b. C. Achaia Confederacy was a democratic federal state with institutions, that is admired even today. In antiquity Aegio had elevate important writers, philosophers, doctors with the eminent Asklipieio and Olympic champions, created flourish colonies. At the years of Athenian hegemony Achaia cities adhered in the alliance, by the big general and politician of Athens Pericleus, 454 b. C. Alliance that was dissolved however, afterwards the 30year libations between Athenians and Spartans. At the Peloponnesian war, the Achaia cities, except Patras and Pellini, firstly maintained neutral attitude, even if they liked Athenians. The seventh year of war (425 b. C.) While negotiations became between Athenians and Spartans, because of the makes of Pylos, these efforts for peace were cancelled, because the Athenians, by proposal of demagogue Kleon, asked between the other hard terms, the output of Achaia cities. After these the Spartans in order to becomes impossible the adhesion of Achaia cities in Athens, changed the democratic regimes in aristocratic ones, apart from Patras that adhered with Alcibiades in Athenian alliance. Thus the Achaia cities remained allies of Spartans up to the end of war. Then they took part the 395p.H. the Corinthian war. The Achaeans in the war between Thiva and Spartans (371 b. C.) did not mix. For this they were proposed as arbitrators between Thivians and Spartans. At 367 b. C. They adhere in the alliance of Thiva at the third expedition of Epameinondas in Peloponnese. They expelled the aristocratic regimes and came back the republican ones. They took part in the battle of Mantineia 362 b. C. after conditions became between them and Epameinondas. In Fokida makes that lasted nine years, between Fokians and Thivians, they were drawn up with the first ones. At 340 b. C. they participate in the national alliance against Philippos, by the initiation of the big speaker of antiquity Demosthenes. Afterwards however the defeat of allies in the battle of Chaironeia (338 b. C.), that took part Achaia cities, Philippos with treaty imposes the dissolution of the Achaia cities conjunction.

Aeghio at Hellenistic and Romean period.
When Alexander the Great succeeded Philippos, the Greek cities, Achaic also, revolted, before the battle of Issos the 333 b. C. Alexander the Great prohibited Achaeans to have common contact, and after the death of Alexander, the Achaia cities conjunction finally was dissolved. In the next years conflicts followed and the cities fight each other for their own interests. The 314 b. C. Aristodimos general of Antigonos, passed from Aitolia to Peloponnese, in order to takes the Achaia cities from Kassandros. It occupied Aegio also, but while he wanted festively liberate it, the hordes of his mercenaries rushed uncontrolled and plunder and burned the city. After the destruction of Aegio the 308 b. C. the city is occupied by Polysperhontas. Antigonos the Gonatas sends then his son Dimitrios. Him occupies Aegio after siege, as well as the other Achaia cities. These years the mayor cities of Greece Athens, Sparta, Thebes, had declined and did not claim the hegemony of Greece. To the other cities various factions wriggled to each other and no national utility or aim did not seek, despite their interest. Exception from this pitiful situation constituted the Achaia cities. In 280 b. C. four initially cities Patras, Dime, Tritaia, Keryneia revolted and with Aegio at 276 b. C. They restored the ancient federation that had now more politician despite religious character. The example of Achaia cities imitated Sikyon. Aratos occupied with assault the palace of Nikokleas and released his homeland. Aratos determined exterior policy of federation contracting alliance with the king of Egypt Ptolemaios. After these makes the federation elected him as general 245p.H. In 243 b. C. by nightly assault occupies Corinthus. Antigonos feared the intervention of Ptolemaios the 3rd was forced to contract peace with the Achaia federation. In 223 b. C. adhere also other cities, Orhomenos, Tegea, Mantjneia, Argos, Lydiada, Athens is released. While the Macedonian sovereignty had been annihilated under Isthmus, presents itself the big opponent of Achaia federation the king of Sparta Kleomenes. Achaia army lost in mountain Lykaio (226 b. C.) and in Lefktra. Aratos felled in disgrace because it was considered that he did not carry out the battle well. Kleomenes after his victories against Aratos came back in Sparta and made reforms, restoring the regime of Lykourgos. The Achaia cities revolted against Aratos, so he negotiates alliance with the king of Macedonia Antigonos the Doson. The war between Kleomenes and Achaia federation is continued with new defeat of Aratos in Dimi 224 b. C. In 223 b. C. session becomes of Achaia cities in Aegio where it is decided to call the king of Macedonia for help. The Antigonos the Doson comes to Aegio and undertakes the hegemony of Achaia federation. In 222 b. C. Antigonos overcomes Kleomenes in the narrow of Sellasias and puts an end to his drawings. Thus and because of the conflict of Achaia cities and Kleomenes Greece lost a big occasion to be released and to create new period for the Greek History. Antigonos succeeded by Philippos the E who in the beginning had good collaboration with Aratos and it helped Achaeans against Aitolians whose it overcame and compelled to contract peace 217 b. C. Afterwards however he began to be brought despotically and exist dissatisfaction and mistrust between Aratos and Philippos. Thus Philippos in 213 b. C. poisoned Aratos. After the death of Aratos was elected general of Achaic federation Filopoimin. Filopoimin drew up national army and no mercenary, and with his political faculty gave new life to the federation. In the war between Romen at the Macedonians (200-197 b. C.) federation was come out with Romen. After the defeat of Macedonians in Kynos Heads Achaic federation received all the cities that were under Macedonian sovereignty. The Achaic federation declares the war against Sparta, which it also occupies. Filopoimin makes reforms in the regime and the oligarchy of authors of Aegio reacts. Messinians revolted and Filopoimin even if is a lot old marches against them. Finally it loses and is arrested. In Messina they condemn him to drink poison (183 b. C.). Becomes general Lykortas father of historical Polyvios, that achieves it revenges the murder of Filopoimin, and it regularizes the relations between Achaic federation and Sparta and them they accepted it to the federation. Rise of oligarchic with head Kallikratis. After disputes they sent Kallikratis in Rome for smoothing the difference, but he made secret meeting with the Senate. Thus the Achaeans elected Kallikratis as general the 179 b. C. as more suitable broker between them and the Romen, without knowing his treacherous conduct. Kallikratis restores aristocratics in Sparta and paralyzed all the freedom and independence of the federation. At the war of Perseas and the Romen the Achaic federation, despites that sympathy was in favour of Perseas, could express itself. In 170 b. C. ambassadors were sent of Rome in the Aegio that they indicated that even the silent sympathy to Perseas they would consider animosity to Rome. Thus Achaic federation sends army in favour of Rome with first mate Polyvios, which did not become acceptable from the Roman supreme Ostylius. After the defeat of Perseas in 168 b. C. in Pydni, Kallikratis accused thousand Achaeans that supposedly they had come in agreement with the Perseas. Then the Roman ambassadors ordered thousand eminent Achaeans, the names of which marked by Kallikratis, to follow them in Rome. It followed half and indignation against Kallikratis and his partisans and after a lot of efforts only three hundred Achaeans came back after they remained banished in Rome seventeen years. The 147 b. C. Sparta wanted to be extracted from the federation. The Romen seized the occasion and they ordered the general Metellon to come against Achaeans, which were last defenders of Greek freedom. Achaeans despites all that they tried to resist, suffered disaster in the city of Lokrida Skarfeia, where many were murdered, thousand were captured and their general Kritolaos died. Afterwards the lead of Achaic federation undertook Diaios, who continued the resistance rejecting the peace that offered Metelos. However comes in Greece the Supreme Lefkius Mommius, who in a battle in Leucopetra at Isthmus, overcomes Achaeans that fought with great bravery and occupies Corinthus that plunders and burns in 146 b. C. This was the end of Achaic federation and the freedom of Greece, and all Greece was altered in Romen province with the name Achaia. The next years, while the other Achaic cities and Corinthus were found in decline Aegio it began to be promoted and to flourish and became the first commercial harbor of Achaia. However after the reconstruction of Corinthus from July Caesar (44 b. C.), and the recover of Patras from August (30 b. C.), and the obligation of residents of Pollutants moved to Patras, brought Aegio little by little in secondary place. The 23 b. C. the city suffered horrible earthquake and was exempted from each obligation to Rome with proposal of emperor Tiberius, for three years. At the years 174 - 175 a. C. that coincide with the tour of Pausanias is maintained in flourish situation. In 217 a. C. exists the last report on Aegio in currencies to price of the wife of Mark Aurilious, Playtillis. According the Holy Tradition in Aegio resided, taught and painted, Evangelist Lukas. And from the place of city passed Apostle Andreas that found torment death in Patras.

Aeghio in the mid centuries.
The years after the third century Aegio is almost lost historically. The 3rd century a. C. invading the city Visigoths and enslave the residents. The emperor Theodosius (408 - 450) granted in Aegio because of the destructions, tax privileges. After the distribution of Christianity it is only reported the sixth century as seat of bishop. Precisely the presence of bishop shows that it was a city in acne at the Byzantine years. On Ioustinianos (the 527 - 565) Aegio knew decline. In 805 a. C. Slavs reached in northern beach of Peloponnese, and inter alia fell in their hands also Aegio that after that was renamed in Vostitsa, continued with this name its history. Slavs defeated in Patras with the Help of boss of City Apostle Andrea, and they became tax tributary to the Byzantium. The period of Kingdom of Boulgaroktonos and his successors in Achaia thrives the agriculture of silk industry and the weaving of silk cloths. Because of the extent of Mulberries in Peloponnese was renamed to Moreas. After the capture of Constantinople from Franks the 1205 a. C. William the Samplittis and the Godefrid the Villardowin, decided to conquer Peloponnese (Moreas). They reached Patras and afterwards occupied Vostitsa. Afterwards the conquest of the bigger part of Peloponnese William was nominated Prince of Achaia. After his death Godefrid the Villardowin separated Peloponnese in 12 baronies. One of them was also the Barony of Vostitsa. In 1363 the barony of Vostitsa is sold in the Nerio Atziagioli, 1381 a. C. is occupied by the Navarric army (Navarric company), and at 1394 a. C. is given dowry in the Carlos Tocco duke of Lefkada and Cephalonia, by Nerio Atziagioli. The Venetians could not occupy the Vostitsa, even if they try, thus it's devolve to Theodoros Paleologos, despot of Mystras 1422 a. C. In 1443 a. C. Constantine Paleologos become gentleman of the bigger part of Peloponnese. Then governor of Vostitsa was Constantine Katakouzinos that overcame Turks in New Patras, and capture a lot of cities of Lokrida and Dorida. Then Aegio constituted "kefalatiko", was founded also the Holily Abbey of Archangel Michael of (Brigadiers). When Constantine Paleologos attempted to occupy Athens, the Duke of it Nerios B call for help the Sultan. Meylermpeis of Roumeli Tourachan, reached the walls of Isthmus, and occupied it, he marched at length of beach of Corinthian and reached Vostitsa, which it occupied and burned. The last battle was given in the neighboring Salmeniko that was considered fortress of Vostitsa, under Constantine Greza Paleologos. After the capture of Constantinople from Turks (1453 a. C.), the despot of Moreas Thomas Paleologos, capitulated, after he delivered to Mohamed B Patras, the Vostitsa, and Calavrita, and was compelled to pay tax. 1684 a. C. the Venetians overcame repeatedly Turks and with the Treaty of Carlovits (1689 a. C.), they became gentlemen of Peloponnese. The population however was decimation from the plague and Turks, thus in 1691 a. C. thousands peoples from Roumeli, with precept of Venetians, was moved in the provinces of Patras, Vostitsa, and Calavrita. The Venetians established in the various provinces bishoprics with archdiocese in the Corinthus, and with the Latin doctrine. In 1718 a. C. Turks after war, and after they capture most fortresses of Peloponnese, became gentlemen of this with the Treaty of Passarovits.

Aeghio during the revolution of 1821.
In the Orlof revolt Vostιtsa prefecture willing participated. Old Patrases Parthenios (bishop), in agreement with Orlof, raised the flag of freedom in Vostitsa. Afterwards the failure of revolt Turks, because they feared other revolt, dispatched in Peloponnese at waves 60.000 Albanians. The residents of Vostitsa abandoned the city, and went to the mountains. The refuges residents of Vostitsa in the Holy Abbey of Brigadiers, slaughtered from Turks & Albanians. At that years acted the "Thieves" fighters Zacharias, Karampelas, Constantine Gkofas, Grannakis from Vostitsa, and others. From 778 a. C. chief of Vostitsa Sotirakis Lontos is reported. Was finally elected sovereign of all Peloponnese 1789 but was decapitated by the Turks. The culture of eminent "grape Vostitsa" and Tetragkatho began, and the exploitation of salt marshes as well, and is developed international trade, while the Friendly Company finds rich ground. In 1820 reaches in Vostitsa as apostle of Friendly Company Archimandrite Gregorios Dikaios (Papaflessas), representative of Alexandros Ypsilantis. Then Vostitsa becomes centre of revolutionary activities, with climax the said "Secret assembly of Vostitsa of" 26 - 30 January 1821. After that Andreas Lontos returns in Patras, where 25 March, with other chiefs of Achaia, declares the beginning of revolution, with bishop Old Patrases German. Aigio residents with chef Dimitrios Meletopoulos and other chiefs raise the flag of revolution of 26 March, without any reaction, after the Turks had left. The fortress of Patras was besieged, to help of Turks reaches Giousouf Passas. After he passed the Mesologgi, he landed in Rio, and dissolved the few Vostitsa fighters that was there with the Dimitrios Rodopoulos, he advanced to Patras and scattered armed men under Andreas Lontos and Andreas Zaimis, and dissolved the siege of 3 April 1821. After that Hoursit Passa Valis of Moreas sends army in Peloponnese, with Kechagiampeis, in order to it protects his family and his treasures in Tripoli. Kechagiampeis after he landed in Patras 6 of April, he advanced to Vostitsa. The residents of Vostitsa had abandoned the city and resort to the mountains. Turks invited the residents in subjugation, and because these did not obey, they burned the city and plunder all provinces, arresting a lot of captives. Andreas Zaimis with few Kalavryta fighters occupied the village Vovoda, in order he to prevents the invasion of Turks in Kalavryta. Indeed it achieved to repel 500 Albanians that were sent by Kechagiampeis. At 7 September the Turkish fleet under the Kara Ali, passed from Vostitsa and sailed for Galakseidi causing few only destructions. From 1821 until 1828 the Vostitsa fighters are turned to the fortress of Patras that never was occupied, up to the end of revolution. Simultaneously many Aigio fighters took part in various enterprises in Eastern and western Greece with their generals Andreas Lontos, and Dimitrios Meletopoulos. Andreas Lontos, when the first siege of Mesologgi was dissolved in 1822, where it participated, informed that the remainder troops of Dramali, walked coastal to Vostitsa, hurried with other chieftains, (Andreas Zaimis, Dim. Meletopoulos, Petmezaious, i.e.) in closely of Acrata in the place Saw, at Platanos. In this narrow coastal locality they rolled rocks and they excluded the relic of Dramalis army, that amounted in four thousands. Giousouf Passa from Patras sent four boats in order to receive the survivor Turks, but most had been murdered by the Greeks or die from the hunger. Under the Giorgomoraiti captain from Kounina, the Vostitsa fighters resist heroically against Turks & Albanians at St Johns the Tsetsevos, and under Dimitrios Meletopoulos, take part in the last battle against Imbrahim in 1827, in Kafkaria.

Aeghio until the present days.
After the release dominate the families of chiefs Lontos, Meletopoyulos, Horinos, Hrysanthopoulos, and other, that send their children in Europe for study and that they constituted supports of the reborn nation. Leon Messinezis became one of the first founders of National Bank. Ioannis Kapodistrias benefited Vostitsa, where he established the Court of first instance of Achaia, with chairman eminent Nicolas Flogaitis. The Lontos family however did not disposed friendlily to our first governor. In the years that follow, Andreas Lontos plays a leading part in the establishment of constitutional regime; Ioannis Messinezis becomes Chairman of Parliament and signs the Constitution 1864. Remarkable make is the election of mayor of Aegio the Italian democrat doctor Jnocentio Romanioli, and a separate figure is Andreas Mihalopoulos, pioneer writer of book on the Socialist theories, has been Mayor Aegio and deputy that brought in Parliament the eminent "Layrewtika'". In between is developed the urban class and elect itself the families mainly Panagiotopoulos and Polychroniadis that competed for Town hall and the Parliament up to the interwar. Andreas Panagiotopoulos, pioneer and renovator Minister of Education, while the professor Constantine Polychroniadis was adviser of Eleycerios Venizelos and Spiro Polychroniadis excellent ambassador. Regulator the social and political situation was in the Aegio the grape and her trade. The sovereign families were big land-owners and grape traders, at the same time however from past century (19th) begin hard fights, rallies, trials, that climax in the interwar with deads. Simultaneously begin industry transformation of Aegio, the big Paper mill, soap industry, timber and irons manufacture, industries of sweets etc. In the mid time the harbor of Aegio present big movement from the loading of grape and with the transport with the opposite villages of Roumeli. Natural it was to develop in the Aegio big cultural and artistic movement and feasts organize, as the anthestiria (flower feast) and amusements. The Virgin Mary Trypiti of Aegio becomes holy Pan-Hellenic adoration. In between, an other economic denominator is presented: the citrus fruits. During the Italic & German occupation spreads in Aegio and in Aigialeia the National Resistance, in the cave Safaka, above of Aegio, history is repeated and is decided the armed fight of the region against the conquerors.


		History of the city *Aeghio in the beginning of history.* *Aeghio during the classical years.* *Aeghio at Hellenistic and Romean period.* *Aeghio in the mid centuries.* *Aeghio during the revolution of 1821.* *Aeghio until the present days.*