OLYN'THUS i Lat., from Ilk. 0\iTtios, 0/y11 /hos A Oreek city ill Chalcidice lq.v.), at the northern end of the Toronate Cull'. It was one of the numerous colonies sent out there by the Chalcidians and Eretrians of Enbuca. In the autumn of D.C. 480 it was sacked by Artahazus. the Persian general who had accompanied Xerxes in his retreat. Ilei,;stablished by Chalcidians of Terme. it first became prominent as the head of the I halcidians in their revolt front Athens (B.C. 432). The inhabitants of neighboring villages gathered within its walls. and when Brasidas appeared the town supported hint heartily. Dur ing the Peloponnesian War and the early part of the fourth century the region was little disturbed, and I qynthus became the head of a confederacy. which can almost he called a federal State. Trea ties and wars with the Macedonians resulted in snub an ia-rerse of power that Apollonia and Acanthus.. which the Olynthians wished to force
into the league. and Anlyntas of Macedon ap pealed to Sparta for support. A powerful Spar tan force invaded the Chaleidian Peninsula. and after some the city Was forced to sur render (379), and the confederacy was broken no.
tit lin; still remained powerful. tint the chief cheek to the grmth 44 Macedon was removed. Philip. son of Ainvnlas. at first %ton the friend ship of Olynthus by the gift of Potidzca. which 14. had taken from Athens. hut later hostility arose, and the sought an alliance with Athens. Thoth Demosthenes in his three t dynthiaes urged prompt and energetic action, the Athenian succors were inadequate and tardy. In 348 Philip, aided by traitors within, seized the city. leveled it to the ground, and sold the inhabitants into slavery.