Aegina, island, Greece
Aegina or Aíyina (ā`yēnä), island (1991 pop. 12,430), 32 sq mi (83 sq km), off SE Greece, in the Saronic Gulf (or Gulf of Aegina), near Athens. Sponge fishing and farming (figs, almonds, grapes, olives, and pistachios) are the most important occupations. Tourism is also important. The chief town is Aegina on the northwest shore. Points of interest include the temple of Aphaia, where the Aeginetan Marbles (see Aegina Aegina, c.500–480 B.C., marble sculptures from the temple of Aphaia discovered in 1811 and erroneously restored by Thorvaldsen . They originally decorated the pediments of the temple and represent scenes from the Trojan War. They are now in the Glyptothek at Munich...... Click the link for more information. , marble sculptures) were discovered in 1811.
The island, inhabited from late Neolithic times, was named for the mythological figure Aegina Aegina (ējī`nə), in Greek mythology, river nymph, daughter of the river god Asopus.
..... Click the link for more information. . Its culture was influenced by Minoan Crete. Conquered by Dorian Greeks, it grew rapidly as a commercial state and struck the first Greek coins. In 431 B.C. the Athenians, against whom Aegina sided in the Peloponnesian War Peloponnesian War (pĕl`əpənē`zhən), 431–404 B.C.
..... Click the link for more information. , expelled the population of the island, and Aegina fell into insignificance. In the 12th cent. it served as a haven for pirates, and the Venetians, in suppressing the outlaws, conquered the island. Albanians settled there in the 16th cent. During the Greek War of Independence the town of Aegina was (1828–29) the capital of Greece.
Aegina, in Greek mythology
Aegina (ējī`nə), in Greek mythology, river nymph, daughter of the river god Asopus. She was abducted by Zeus to the island Oenone, where she bore him a son, Aeacus Aeacus (ē`əkəs), in Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the nymph Aegina . He was the father of Peleus and Telamon...... Click the link for more information. . Aeacus later renamed the island in her honor.
Aegina, sculptures
Aegina, c.500–480 B.C., marble sculptures from the temple of Aphaia discovered in 1811 and erroneously restored by Thorvaldsen Thorvaldsen or Thorwaldsen, Albert Bertel..... Click the link for more information. . They originally decorated the pediments of the temple and represent scenes from the Trojan War. They are now in the Glyptothek at Munich.
Aegina
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Aegina
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