Hecale or Hekale () was a

deme In Ancient Greece, a deme or ( grc, δῆμος, plural: demoi, δημοι) was a suburb or a subdivision of Athens and other city-states. Demes as simple subdivisions of land in the countryside seem to have existed in the 6th century BC and ear ...

of ancient Attica. It was probably near

Marathon The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair div ...

, since it is said to have obtained its name from a woman,

Hecale In Greek mythology, Hecale ( grc-gre, Ἑκάλη ''Hekálē'') was an old woman who offered succor to Theseus on his way to capture the Marathonian Bull. Mythology On the way to Marathon to capture the Bull, Theseus sought shelter from a st ...

, who hospitably received

Theseus Theseus (, ; grc-gre, Θησεύς ) was the mythical king and founder-hero of Athens. The myths surrounding Theseus his journeys, exploits, and friends have provided material for fiction throughout the ages. Theseus is sometimes describe ...

into her house, when he had set out to attack the Marathonian Bull, which was ravaging the Tetrapolis. It contained a sanctuary of Zeus Hecaleius. The site of Hecale is tentatively located near modern Koukounarti.

References

Populated places in ancient Attica Former populated places in Greece Demoi Locations in Greek mythology {{AncientAttica-geo-stub