Megara

Megara

Port city (pop., 1991: urban agglom., 20,403), Greece. Situated on the Saronic Gulf and west of Athens, it served as the capital of ancient Megaris. A maritime power, by the 7th century BC it had established colonies in Sicily, Chalcedon, Byzantium, Bithynia, and Crimea. During the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC) it was subjugated by Athens and forced into financial ruin. In the 4th century AD it recovered some prosperity, but in 1500 it was depopulated by the Venetians. It was the birthplace of Eucleides, founder of the Megarian school of philosophy.

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Megara

a town in E central Greece: an ancient trading city, founding many colonies in the 7th and 8th centuries bc. Pop.: 26 562 (1991 est.)

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Megara 

ancient Greek polis on the isthmus of Corinth; center region of the district of Megaris.

In the eighth and seventh centuries B.C., Megara was an important center of trade and crafts; it founded many colonies, including Byzantium, Chalcedon, and Heraclea Pontica. It was part of the Peloponnesian League from the late sixth through early fourth centuries (except in 460-446, when it was a member of the League of Delos). Megara took part in the wars between Greece and Persia and the Peloponnesian War. A clash between Megara and Athens was one of the causes of the latter war. Megara’s role in Hellenistic and Roman times was insignificant.