the oldest archaeological finds date the foundation of the city to the 9th century bc. it was probably founded as the harbour of lefkandi, which is located 15 km to the west. the name comes from the greek ἐρέτης, "erétēs", rower, and the verb ἐρέσσειν/ἐρέττειν, "eréssein/eréttein", to row, which makes eretria the "city of the rowers". eretria's population and importance increased at the same time as lefkandi began to decline in importance from c. 825 bc onwards. the natural superiority of eretria's harbour and the importance of trade to the euboeans is one explanation for this gradual population migration from lefkandi to eretria. eretria had a strong agriculture power, but it is unknown where they planted there crops and fed cattle.