Toroni

Toroni (Ancient Greek: Τορώνη, Toróne, modern pronunciation Toróni) is an ancient Greek city and a former municipality in the southwest edge of Sithonia peninsula in Chalkidiki, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Sithonia, of which it is a municipal unit.¹ The municipal unit has an area of 193.973 km2.²

Name

Its name derives from Torone, the daughter of Poseidon and Phoenice and the wife of Proteus.³⁴

History

The ancient city was founded by Chalkidian settlers probably during the 8th century BC. Its strategic location and rich resources developed Toroni into one of the most significant cities in Chalkidiki, giving its name to the gulf that forms between Pallene and Sithonia peninsulas. During the Greco-Persian Wars it allied with the Persians, who as a reward gave Olynthus to Kritoboulos, a local ruler, in 479 and later became part of the Athenaean League, contributing one of the highest taxes that reached 12 Attic talents per year, giving an indication of its prosperity.

When the Peloponnesian War broke out, the Athenians, fearing a revolt against them, placed a garrison in the city but that did not stop , the general from seizing the city with a surprise attack during the night, before he came to an understanding with the Toronaeans in 423. He then tried to expand the city's walls by including the harbour suburb (Προάστειον ), before leaving to attack . However, the Athenians recaptured Toroni under , just before the return of Brasidas, who was 2 miles away. When war ended, Toroni, a leading member of the , became part of the Chalcidian League, which included most of the peninsula's cities. It was besieged by the Athenian General Timotheus by means of cutters attached to the top of masts made to cut open sandbags used in the city's defence. After 348, and the abolition of the league by , Toroni became part of .