Pharae

Pharae (Ancient Greek: Φαραί) is the name of several ancient Greek settlements. The toponym is attested in classical sources and epigraphy; in the Peloponnese at least two distinct towns bore the name Pharae. One is usually associated with the Achaean coastline, the other with Arcadian territory inland. The precise sites of these towns are not definitively established, and modern identifications remain matters of scholarly debate. Consequently, references to Pharae in ancient itineraries or geographies often require context to determine which locality is meant, especially when paired with nearby places or tribal associations.

In general, these towns were small polities or demes that played modest roles within their regions, rather than major urban centers. The retention of the name into later antiquity and its appearance in geographic lists reflect the way toponyms circulated among local communities and scribes. Etymologically, the origin of the name Pharae is unclear, and there is no single settled explanation.

For those studying ancient Greek geography, Pharae serves as an example of the ambiguity that can accompany similarly named towns across regions. Further clarification typically depends on the examination of ancient authors, inscriptions, and any archaeological evidence linking a site to the name Pharae.