The History of Aegina

Aegina is a beautiful island in the Saronic Gulf of Greece, where you can enjoy sunny beaches, rich culture, and of course, the world's finest pistachios.

The Goddess Aegina

In Greek mythology, Aegina was the daughter of the river god Asopus and the nymph Metope. Aegina was abducted by Zeus, and taken to the island Oenone, close to Attica. Here, Aegina gave birth to Aeacus, who would become the king of Oenone, thenceforth naming the island Aegina.

It is believed that Zeus created the Myrmidons from ants on the island, who had six hands and wore black armour. The Myrmidons would later fight in the Trojan war, and were known as the most fearsome fighing unit in Greece.

Earliest Recorded History

According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, Aegina was colonised from as early as 2000 BC. The famous Aegina Treasure, now in the British Museum in London, is estimated to date between 1700 BC and 1500 BC.

In the 8th century BC, Aegina was part of the League of Calauria; a religious league including a number of islands around the Aegean Sea to aid in supressing piracy as a result of the decay of the naval supremacy of the Mycenaean princes.

Coinage & Sea Power

On the authority of the historian Ephorus, the Pheidon of Argos established the first mint in Europe on the island of Aegina. As a result, it is often stated that Aegina introduced coinage to the Western world. The silver coins would often be stamped with the turtle; an animal sacred to Aphrodite.

During the Archaic Period, Aegina was one of the three principal states trading at the emporium of Naucratis in Egypt, the first and only permenant Greek colony in Egypt, serving as a nexus for the interchange of Greek and Egyptian art and culture.

Rivalry with Athens

In 491 BC, Aegina was one of the stateswhich gave the symbols of submission to Achaemenid Persia, the first Persian Empire.

Button label

  • World's Finest Pistachio

    Aegina pistachios, known as the "green gold" of Greece, are renowned for their superior taste and quality.

  • 100% Compostable

    All our packaging uses 100% compostable materials, and the pistachio shells also make great compost.

  • The Perfect Superfood

    Greek pistachios are an amazing snack! Low in calories, vegan friendly, and bursting with vitamins & proteins.