Archaic Eretria : a political and social history from the earliest times to 490 BC / Keith G. Walker.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 303-323) and indexes.

First published in 2004. This paperback edition published in 2012.

The first detailed history of one of the most prosperous and important Greek cities of the pre-classical period.

1. The geography of Euboia and the Eretrias -- 2. Prehistory, mythology and cult: the earliest inhabitants of Euboia from the late Neolithic age to the end of the Mycenaean Age -- 3. Old Eretria (Lefkandi) during the Dark Ages and early Iron Age (c.1050 to c.750) -- 4. Eretria: from c.825 to c.650 -- 5. Eretria: its history in the wider Greek world during the seventh and early sixth centuries -- 6. Eretria: emergent 'great power' of the mid-sixth century -- 7. The tyranny of Diagoras (c.538 to c.509) -- 8. The Eretrian democracy ( c.509 to 490) -- 9. Ereteria in the 490s -- 10. Epilogue.

This book presents for the first time a history of Eretria during the Archaic Era, the city's most notable period of political importance and Keith Walker examines all the major elements of the city's success. One of the key factors explored is Eretria's role as a pioneer coloniser in both the Levant and the West - its early Aegaen 'island empire' anticipates that of Athens by more than a century, and Eretrian shipping and trade was similarly widespread. Eretria's major, indeed dominant, role in the events of central Greece in the last half of the sixth century, and in the events of the Ionian Revolt to 490 is clearly demonstrated, and the tyranny of Diagoras (c.538-509), perhaps the golden age of the city, is fully examined. Full documentation of literary, epigraphic and archaeological sources (most of which has previously been inaccessible to an English speaking-audience) is provided, creating a fascinating history and valuable resource for the Greek historian.