In the Trojan War legend, the Greek fleet gathered at Aulis before sailing to Troy.
Aulis was an ancient harbor in Boeotia, on the mainland of central Greece. Its sheltered position made it a suitable assembly point for the ships and warriors led by Agamemnon. The fleet could not leave because unfavorable winds kept the ships in port.
Greek myth explains the delay through Agamemnon’s offense against Artemis. In the best-known version, the goddess demanded the sacrifice of Agamemnon’s daughter Iphigenia before the winds would become favorable. Some versions say Artemis rescued Iphigenia at the last moment and replaced her with a deer.
Aulis should not be confused with Mycenae, Agamemnon’s kingdom, or with Tenedos, an island near Troy used by the Greek fleet later in the campaign. The story of the fleet’s departure is especially important in Euripides’ tragedy Iphigenia at Aulis.