CHALCIS, Icarsis, Greece, town and capital of the island of Negropont or Eubcea, at the junction of the Talanta and Egripos channels. The latter is narrowed to 85 feet at Chalcis by a rock, surmounted by a castle, partly of Ve netian, partly of Turkish, origin. A stone bridge crosses here. The main channel, 120 feet wide, was once crossed by a drawbridge, which has been removed in clearing and widen ing the channel for larger vessels. The modern town is now one of the most attractive in Greece, and consists of an inner walled town and an outer or suburban portion, the walls being the work of the Venetians. In the inner town the streets are narrow and the houses lofty. Several of the churches were formerly mosques. Ancient Chalcis was one of the greatest of the Ionic cities, carried on a large trade and planted numerous colonies. It had also colonies on the coast of Macedonia and Italy, in Sicily and in the islands of the dEgean Sea. The Chalcians joined the Bmotians in a war with Athens, in which they were defeated 506 s.c. After the Persian wars Chalcis be came tributary to Athens. The Chalcians re
volted 445 s.c., along with the Eulxeans, but were vanquished by Pericles. Another revolt occurred 411 s.c., and Chalcis for a short time became independent. A bridge was at this time built across the Euripus, and fortified, a pas sage sufficient for a single ship being left in the middle. It was subsequently occupied by the Macedonians, and after various vicissitudes fell under the yoke of the Romans. It became a place of great military importance, was nearly nine miles in circumference, and contained several temples, theatres and public buildings. Chalcis was the birthplace of the orator Isaus and the poet Lycophron and Aristotle died there. Chalcis joined the Achwans in their last war with Rome, when the city was taken and destroyed by Mummius. It was afterward rebuilt, and about the beginning of the Christian era was the chief city of Eulxea. It was held by the Venetians from 1210 to 1470, when it was taken by the Turks. Pop. about 10,000.