Ancient Mendi

LocationChalkidiki

Mende was an ancient city of Chalkidiki, built in the middle of the peninsula of Kassandra (in ancient times called the peninsula of Pallini), on the shores of Thermaikos Gulf.

It was probably founded in the 8th century BC. by settlers from Eretria in the context of the second Greek colonization. The city got its name from the Minty plant, a sort of mint that abounds in the area. The timber trade, as well as the gold and silver that existed in the region, led Mendi to great acne. The city had expanded its commercial activities with the cities of Thrace and the cities of Lower Italy. It was famous for its wine, which was known as the Medieval Wine.

During the 5th century BC Mendes joined the Delian League and became an ally of the Athenians, paying fifteen Attic talents a year. In 423 it escaped from the alliance, but the Athenians quickly suppressed the revolution. During the Peloponnesian War, Mende, as did neighboring Toroni and Skioni, was one of the main objectives of the conflicting sides. After the end of the war, Mende regained its independence.

During the 4th century BC Mende tried to avoid the dominance of Olynthos after the founding of the Chalkidian public and later the Macedonian hegemony without succeeding. With the foundation of Kassandria in 315 BC Mende and other neighboring cities were absorbed by it. However, testimonies of ancient sources presume its possible survival to Roman times.

The location of the Mendes archaeological site was identified from 1834, but a systematic excavation took place between 1986 and 1994. The archaeological site covers an area of ​​1200 meters over 600 meters on a hill above the sea. There is continuous inhabitation from the 9th to the 4th century BC.