one of the most ancient and powerful cities of Euboea, was situated on the western shore of the island in a south-easterly direction from Chalcis, from which it was not very far distant. Its inhabitants were a mixed race of Attic and Triphylian colonists; but the preponderating element in the city was Ionic. At an early period Eretria became famous as a maritime power; and the excellence of its position afforded it great facilities for the development of its resources in this direction. The great plain of Lelantum, at the southern extremity of which Eretria lay and at the northern Chalcis, was one of the most fertile spots in Greece. It was claimed by Eretria and Chalcis alike, and the contests for its possession gave rise to long and bloody feuds between the rival cities. In one of these the Eretrians were assisted by the Milesians, and in gratitude for this good office sent reinforcements to aid that people in their revolt from the Persians, B.C. 500. Ten years after this event, Eretria was besieged by Datis and Artaphernes, the generals of Darius. After a siege of six days it was taken and razed to the ground, and the inhabitants were carried off into slavery. A new town was soon after built a little south of the ancient site, and became a place of some importance. On the decay of the Athenian power, towards the end of the Peloponnesian war, the Eretrians joined the other Euboeans in throwing off the yoke of Athens. After this date Eretria experienced a variety of vicissitudes. It was at first governed by tyrants; and though a popular form of government was once more established with the aid of the Athenians, it finally became subject to Macedonia. On the overthrow of that kingdom by the Romans at Cynoscephalae, Eretria was again declared to be free. Of the subsequent history of the city and its final decay, nothing is known. No remains of Old Eretria now exist, but considerable ruins of the new city may still be traced near the modern Vathy.

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1 Desiderii Erasmi Opera omnia emendatione et auctoria. Lugd. Bat. 1703-6, 10 tom. fol. Le Clerc's account of Erasmus, chiefly derived from his letters, may be found in the Bibliothèque Choiseul, tom. v., p. 145, tom. vi., p. 7. His other biographers are numerous; and we shall mention the most considerable Lives which have appeared in a separate form. Knight's Life of Erasmus, more particularly that part of it which he spent in England. Cambridge, 1726, 8vo. Burigny, Vie d'Erasme. Paris, 1767, 2 tom. 12mo. Jortin's Life of Erasmus. London, 1758-60, 2 vols. 4to. Hess's Erasmus von Roterdam nach seinem Leben und Schriften. Zurich, 1790, 2 Bds. 8vo. Of M. de Burigny's work, a German translation, with corrections and additions, was published by Professor Henke. Halle und Helmstadt, 1782, 2 Bde. 8vo. Dr Knight's work had been translated into the same language by Theodor Arnold. Leipzig, 1725, 8vo. For an account of the Eretrian school of philosophy, founded by Menedemus, a native of the place and a disciple of Plato, see Menedemus.