 |
| At around the beginning of the 12th century BC, the Boeotians from central
Pindus, where they had been living so far, seem to have migrated and settled
in the area that was later named Thessaliotis. |
 According to
their traditions, some of the Boeotians, led by Opheltes,
migrated southwards and settled in the area which was later called Boeotia.
Initially, these invaders conquered Chaeronea and next Orchomenus
and Coronea; for certain researchers the latter was a kind of capital
of the kingdom and here was founded the sanctuary of Athena
Itonia. Polematas is reported to be the leader of the Boeotians who conquered
Thebes. |
| Even when the Boeotians broke up into many small states, during the transformation
of their organization from tribes to cities, they continued throughout antiquity
to honour Athena Itonia and celebrate a common festival in her sanctuary
-the so-called Pamboeotia- which involved the gathering of all Boeotians, as its
name implies. |