Aegina
- A settlement in Central Greece
Aegina is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece in the Saronic Gulf, 27 kilometres from Athens. During ancient times Aegina was a rival of Athens, the great sea power of the era.
Tradition derives the name from Aegina the mother of the hero Aeacus, who was born on the island and became its king.
According to Ephorus, Aegina was the first city-state to issue coins in Europe around 700 BC - some 40 years after the invention of coinage in Asia Minor.
Staters from Aegina famously feature the image of a turtle, an animal sacred to Aphrodite, and later a tortoise.
Tradition derives the name from Aegina the mother of the hero Aeacus, who was born on the island and became its king.
According to Ephorus, Aegina was the first city-state to issue coins in Europe around 700 BC - some 40 years after the invention of coinage in Asia Minor.
Staters from Aegina famously feature the image of a turtle, an animal sacred to Aphrodite, and later a tortoise.
Modern location: Aegina, Greece
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