Anthedon (Ancient Greek: Ἀνθηδών, lit. 'Flower City'), also referred to as Al-Balakhiyya, was a Hellenistic city near Gaza.[1][2] It was first mentioned by Josephus as a city conquered by Alexander Jannaeus alongside Raphia. Pompey removed it from Jewish rule during his conquest of Judaea.[3] Gabinius re-founded and repopulated the city, and later, Augustus incorporated Anthedon into Herod's realm, along with other coastal cities. Herod renamed it Agrippias or Agrippeion in honor of Agrippa, but the name did not endure.[3]
Anthedon's status between Herod's death and the First Jewish–Roman War is uncertain, but it may have become imperial property, such as Iamnia. During the war, Jewish forces destroyed Anthedon along with Gaza and pillaged nearby villages, although it is possible that the city was not totally destroyed.[3]
Anthedon minted coins under Elagabalus and Severus Alexander, possibly also under Caracalla. Some suggest the city may have attained polis status during this period, but this remains speculative.[3] In the 5th century, Sozomen described Anthedon as pagan and idolatrous. The town had bishops participating in church councils in Ephesus, Chalcedon and Jerusalem.[3][1]
Ancient Anthedon is identified with Khirbet Teda,[3][1] an archaeological site near Beit Lahia, in the present-day Gaza Strip, where excavations uncovered evidence of habitation from the Iron Age to the Byzantine and Islamic periods, including Hellenistic houses, Roman structures, and Byzantine tombs, though detailed findings are yet to be published.[3]