1. Topographical evidence

A city of north-western Boeotia, it stood on the south foothills of Mt Helicon, west of Thespiae and close to the Corinthian Gulf. More specifically it was located at a distance of 4km from the seashore, in the valley of Permessus. The modern village of Thisvi, (formerly called Kakosi) apparently occupies the same site as the ancient city, more specifically a fold between a plateau to the south and a conical hill to the north. Both these two heights contain remains of ancient fortifications. The conical hill to the north, namely Palaiokastro, has steep slopes, apart from a small passage to the main bulk of Mt Helicon; this made it an ideal spot for the citadel of the ancient city. Its position affords it full command of the surrounding area. The small plateau to the south, modern Neokastro, was only partly fortified-to a small extent.

2. Name

According to a legendary tradition, the ancient city was named after the local nymph Thisbe, daughter of River Asopus, which springs from Helicon and Cithaeron, flowing through Boeotia and Attica into the Euboean Gulf.

3. Historical data

In the Iliad (Β 502), Homer includes Thisbe among the Greek cities participating at the Trojan War. In that epic, it is described as ‘haunt of doves’, for multitudes of these birds found refuge in its rocky harbour.
Scattered minor artefacts and pottery sherds indicate the area was inhabited in the Early Helladic Ι and ΙΙ, Middle Helladic and Mycenaean periods. During the latter period, an important Mycenaean settlement existed in the area. North-west of the modern village lies a Mycenaean cemetery, containing at least three chamber tombs (dating to the 13th -14th century BC).
The area remained inhabited in the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods, as well as during Roman and Byzantine times.
Although the precise date is unknown, most likely in the late 6th cent. BC Thisbe was annexed into the domain of Thespiae. During this time, Thespiae turns to the north and northwest, setting its eyes on Creusis, Siphae, Thisbe and Chorisae. Thisbe would remain under Thespian control throughout the Classical period, together with Eutresis, Leuctra, Ascra, Nisa, Ceressus, Siphae, and Creusis. During this time and up to 371 BC, the domain of the Thespians provided to the Boeotian Confederacy two Boeotarchs and a further 120 bouleutai, and contributed 2000 hoplites and 200 horsemen to the federal army. Thisbe remained under Thespian domination until 338 BC (Battle of Chaeronea). After this it constituted an independent city and was a member of the Boeotian Confederacy. During the Hellenistic period, the city developed close ties with Sicyon, Naupactus, Amphissa and Chalcis. The surviving figurines originating from Thisbe are considered terracotta artefacts, probably crafted in a local workshop. Thisbe had entered into a financial agreement with the neighbouring city of Korsiae. In 172 BC, together with Haliartus and Coronea, Thisbe sided with king Perseus; it was besieged and captured by the Romans in 171 BC. According to epigraphic testimonies, in 170 BC, when the city was forced to open its gates to Flamininus, its internal affairs, including issues pertaining to the boundaries of its domain, its harbour and the fortification of its citadel, were settled by the Roman senate.

The hills of Palaiokasto and Neokastro have yielded rock-cut tombs with arcosolia dating to the Early Christian period. In the Byzantine period, Thisbe changed its name to Kastorion, and is identified as the birthplace of St. Luke of Steiris.

4. Fortification

The fortification of Thisbe was constructed in historic times, and three building phases can be discerned. The original phase, in which fortifications were erected according to the Lesbian system, i.e. irregular polygonal masonry, is identified in the fortifications of Palaiokastro. The second phase, which constitutes the basic fortification of Thisbe, is constructed in ashlar masonry also found in many other fortifications in northern Boeotia, and dates to the 4th cent. BC. At a much later time, mortar was employed in conservation attempts on sections of the city walls. The fortifications measure approximately 2.5km in length. The defensive wall is 2.30m thick. Its main sides are built in the ashlar masonry system, featuring large rectangular blocks with usually vertical or oblique joints, and a filling out of smaller stones and soil.

5. Pausanias’ Account

The traveller Pausanias visited the city in the 2nd cent. AD and mentioned the Temple of Hercules with the hero's marble statue; according to Pausanias, the statue of Hercules depicted the hero standing; a festival in honour of Hercules was also held in Thisbe, the Heraclea. From inscriptions we know that Apollo, Athena, Aphrodite, Demeter, Artemis, Asclepius and Dionysus were also worshipped.

6. Inscriptions

A large number of inscriptions has come to light in Thisbe. In an Archaic inscription the phrase “dedicated to Athena” reveals that the goddess was worshipped at Thisbe. Another large inscription mentions the decisions of the Roman senate in 170 BC (following Perseus’ defeat); it contains arrangements on the boundaries of Thisbe, its harbour, its revenues, and the approval for the construction of defensive walls around the acropolis, but not the city itself (IG VII 2225). A dedicatory inscription (no. 2231) reveals the existence of a cult of Asclepius and the goddess Hygeia, while a number of dedicatory inscriptions mention Artemis Soteira (Saviour). Another inscription records the manumission of the slave-girl Zopyra, who is also described as a ‘priestess of Artemis Eileithyia’; Zopyra was still obliged to serve her masters, Euandris and Pasicrita, as long as they lived.

7. Embankment

Pausanias also mentions an embankment, which crossed the plain to the south of Thisbe and was constructed to improve conditions for local farmers; according to some scholars, this was an artificial dam, and formed part of a larger drainage project. Its remains are preserved nowadays along the road that leads off from Thisbe in the direction of Agios Ioannis, yet there is discord on its dating. Leake in 1806 and Frazer in 1897 described it as a raised walkway, which ended up in the harbour. In fact, Leake also believed there was also a walkway through the marshes of the plain. According to Pausanias’ testimony, however, this embankment featured two openings, and alternately funnelled water from one end of the valley to the other. This allowed the practice of crop rotation, whereby each year half of the plain was cultivated and the other laid fallow, and vice versa in the following year.