Echinus, Thessaly

Echinus (or Echinos) was an ancient Greek polis on the Malian Gulf between Lamia and Larissa Cremaste in fertile Phthiotid/Malis territory[1]. Legend claims the city derived its name from Echion, a Spartoi born from dragon's teeth[1]. Demosthenes records that Philip II of Macedon captured Echinus from the Thebans in 342 BCE, subsequently granting it to the Malians[1]. The city joined the Aetolian League around 235 BCE but was besieged and taken by Philip V of Macedon in 210 BCE after a prolonged siege[1]. Roman forces captured Echinus in 193 BCE, restoring it to Malian control in 189 BCE[1]. Strabo later documented Echinus among Greek cities destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake[1].