Edoni

The Edoni (also Edones, Edonians, Edonides) (Greek: Ἠδωνοί) were a Thracian people who dwelt mostly between the Nestus and the Strymon rivers in southern Thrace, but also once dwelt west of the Strymon at least as far as the Axios. They inhabited the region of Mygdonia before the Macedonians drove them out. There were a number of Edonian cities in the Classical era, including Drabescus and Myrcinus.

History

The strategically important Athenian colony of Ennea Hodoi ("Nine Ways", later Amphipolis) was taken by the Edonians shortly after the Persian Empire was driven from the area. The Edoni and the nearby Thracians defeated a massive Ionian invasion led by Athens 32 years later. The Athenians and their allies advanced far up the Angitis valley toward Drabescus before they were cut off and completely destroyed, losing 10,000 killed in the disaster. Athens wrested control of Amphipolis from the Edonians just prior to the Peloponnesian War.Brasidas liberated the city during that conflict and after a pro-Lacedaemonian coup d'état the Edonians became his allies. They made up most of his army when he defeated Cleon's offensive.