The Locrians and the Sea

Abstract

The two Locrian territories were open to the sea: Eastern Locris to the Euboean Gulf, Western Locris to the Gulf of Corinth. My paper reviews the role played by the Locrians' control of important sea tracts in archaic and classical times and the evidence of the uses made by the Locrians of the sea. The development of trade, war, piracy, colonisation, law, are analysed in the Locrian context to show how also a region traditionally regarded as backward made extensive use of its sea coast as a tool of power and external relations. Lastly, a review of the evidence regarding the harbour installations both in Eastern and Western Locris is presented.