Pyrasus

Pyrasus (or Pyrasos) was an ancient Greek polis of Phthiotis in Thessaly, mentioned by Homer in the Catalogue of Ships as ruled by Protesilaus [1]. The city was situated on the Pagasaean Gulf, approximately 20 stadia (3.7 km) from Phthiotic Thebes, and possessed a good harbour [1]. Homer described it as 'Πύρρασον ἀνθεμόεντα, Δήμητρος τέμενος' (flowering Pyrasus, Demeter's sacred grove) [1]. By Strabo's time (early 1st century AD), the original settlement had disappeared, with the town relocated to nearby Demetrium, named after the temple of Demeter mentioned by Homer [1].