Aulis
The harbour where the coalition gathers and is delayed, turning a list of heroes into an expedition.
Overview
Aulis is a harbour on the Boeotian coast; in the Trojan War story, the Achaean coalition takes shape there from separate kingdoms. Pseudo-Apollodorus lists regional commanders and fleets and says that, at the first muster, a serpent consuming nine birds is interpreted as a sign that Troy will fall in the tenth year. The expedition disperses after a mistaken landing and storm, then gathers again eight years later. A second calm introduces the Iphigenia sacrifice tradition. Keeping these moments attached to one place rather than compressing them into a single instant shows that the coalition forms with difficulty and that the war’s duration is shaped by omen, delay and household sacrifice before the army even reaches Troy.
Key facts
The coalition musters
Regional leaders and fleets gather at Aulis, with Agamemnon commanding the whole army.
The second calm
The fleet is delayed again, and Calchas links departure to Iphigenia and Artemis.
Relationships
- Trojan Warmusters at
The Achaean coalition gathers its fleet and leaders at Aulis.
- Artemisbecalms the fleet at
Pseudo-Apollodorus links the second calm at Aulis to Artemis.
Story appearances
- The Trojan WarHarbour of coalition and departure cost
Fleet, omen, delay and the Iphigenia tradition meet here.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.