Women / Persons ~ P08225
The Phocides
Alternate Names:
- Phocian Women
- Women of Phocis
Gender: Female
Life Dates: ca. 400 - 300 BCE
Types:
- Anonymous group
- Classical Greek
- Heroine in war
- Legendary
- Patriot
- Representative of region
- Wife, Honorable and Dedicated
Note: Heywood suggests Third Sacred War; the women of Phocis agree to be placed inside a giant funeral pyre, which is to be lit of their men lose the war. They would rather not survive their husbands as captives of war. According to Plutarch chapter 2, the Phocian women, or women of Phocis, voted to die if Phocian troops led by Daiphantus (died 362 BCE at Mantinea) lost a particular battle in their war against the Thessalians. The Phocians won the relevant battle near Cleonae in Hyampolis, but the desperate vote of the women and their children became commemorated with the term "Aponoia." The involvement of Daiphantus suggests that this conflict preceded the better-known Third Sacred War (356-346 BCE). Plutarch chapter 13 describes a different incident in which the women of Amphissa protected Phocian bacchantes, despite their cities being at war.