Page "Amphipolis" Paragraph 4

Throughout the 5th century BC, Athens sought to consolidate its control over Thrace, which was strategically important because of its primary materials ( the gold and silver of the Pangaion hills and the dense forests essential for naval construction ), and the sea routes vital for Athens ' supply of grain from Scythia.

After a first unsuccessful attempt at colonisation in 497 BC by the Milesian Tyrant Histiaeus, the Athenians founded a first colony at Ennea-Hodoi (‘ Nine Ways ’) in 465, but these first ten thousand colonists were massacred by the Thracians.

A second attempt took place in 437 BC on the same site under the guidance of Hagnon, son of Nicias.