Chen

Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography

CHEN or CHENAE(Χήν, Steph. B. s. v.;Χῆναι, Paus., Diod.: Eth. Χηνεύς, Χηνιεύς), the birthplace of Myson, whom Plato and others mention as one of the Seven Sages of Greece. (Plat. Protag. 343a.) There was a dispute among the ancients respecting this place, some placing it in Thessaly at the foot of Mt. Oeta, and others in Laconia (Diog. Laert.); but the balance of authorities is in favour of the former of these two situations. Pausanias (Paus. 10.24.1) calls it a village on Mt. Oeta; and Diodorus ( Excerpt. de Virt. et Vit. p. 235) describes Myson as a Malian, who dwelt in the village of Chenae. Stephanus B., on the other hand, places Chen in Laconia. It has been conjectured that this confusion may have arisen from the colony which the Lacedaemonians founded in the district of Oeta. (Thuc. 3.92.)