New Halos in Achaia Phthiotis

Classical Halos and Hellenistic New Halos were cities in Achaia Phthiotis. Like Perrhaibia and Magnesia, Achaia Phthiotis was a marginal district which was overshadowed by the powerful districts of Thessaly: Hestiaiotis, Thessaliotis, Pelasgiotis and Phthiotis. The marginal districts played no political role in the Thessalian League. In classical times two of the cities of Achaia struck coins: Melitaia and Halos ( Reinders, 1988 : pp. 236–37). This situation changed in Hellenistic times, when no fewer than five cities issued coins: New Halos, Phthiotic Thebai, Lárisa Kremaste, Peuma and Ekkara. The cities of Achaia Phthiotis, and in particular the coastal towns Thebai, New Halos and Lárisa Kremaste, obviously flourished in this period. The prosperity of Achaia Phthiotis was however not reflected in its political position.