Extract

Tanagra, in *Boeotia, city dominating the eastern part of the Asopus plain, Homer's Graia by the sea. *Herodotus(1) (5. 55–61) states that the earliest inhabitants were the Gephyraioi, who entered Boeotia from *Eretria. He equated them with the Phoenician followers of *Cadmus, whom the Boeotians later expelled. The Tanagrans refused to join the expedition to Troy. The most famous literary figure from Tanagra was the poetess *Corinna, who legend avers had won a victory over *Pindar at *Thebes (1). The scanty remains of Tanagra include the circuit-wall and foundations of a few buildings within it. In art it is best known for its numerous, beautiful *terracotta figurines.In 457 bce Tanagra was the scene of a major Spartan and Boeotian victory over Athens. Months later Athens defeated the Boeotians at nearby Oenophyta, and overran Boeotia and Locris. After Tolmides' defeat at *Coronea in 447 bce, Tanagra rejoined the new Boeotian Confederacy, in which it held one vote (see federal states).