Εμφανίζονται 100 (επί συνόλου 981) τίτλοι με αναζήτηση: Πληροφορίες για τον τόπο στην ευρύτερη περιοχή: "ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΣ Περιφέρεια ΕΛΛΑΔΑ" .
ΑΣΙΝΗ (Χωριό) ΑΡΓΟΛΙΔΑ
Η Ασίνη, όπως έχει πει ο ίδιος ο μεγάλος νομπελίστας ποιητής, Γιώργος
Σεφέρης, του χάρισε ένα ποίημα. Του χάρισε το ποίημα “Ο βασιλιάς της Ασίνης”
που θεωρείται ίσως από τα καλύτερά του.
Ο Ναυπλιώτης ποιητής Νίκος Καρούζος, έγραψε κι αυτός ένα σπουδαίο
ποίημα “Στην Ασίνη οι πορτοκαλιές”.
Ο Ασιναίος καθηγητής πανεπιστημίου κ. Γιάννης Φίλης έχει γράψει την
ποιητική συλλογή “Αρκτική ζώνη” εμπνευσμένη από την Ασίνη.
Τέλος ο Ασιναίος λογοτέχνης κ. Πάνος Λιαλάτσης, αναφερόμενος στα προηγούμενα
ποιήματα, καθώς και στην κωμωδία του Αντωνίου Φατσέα “Ο Βερτόλδος βασιλιάς
της Ασίνης”, αναδεικνύει την Ασίνη ως σημαντικό ποιητικό σύμβολο. Ο ίδιος
έχει γράψει το ποίημα “Οι ανώνυμοι της Ασίνης”.
Είναι το κενό κάτω από την προσωπίδα του βασιλιά της Ασίνης που ενέπνευσε
τον ποιητή Γιώργο Σεφέρη και τα αστραφτερά τείχη μπροστά στο μακρύ γιαλό;
Για το Νίκο Καρούζο είναι η μυρωδιά της ανθοφορίας των πορτοκαλιών
και τα χρώματα της γης και της θάλασσας γύρω στο κάστρο; Έντεκα μέτρησε στο σχετικό
ποίημά του, που τον κάνουν να ακούει θείες φωνές και έτσι γράφει το συγκλονιστικό
“απόσπασες ομορφιά του Θεού και την οφείλεις”.
Για τον Πάνο Λιαλιάτση είναι ο “βασιλιάς ψηλά απ’ τη βίγλα
του που μετράει περίεργος τ’ αχνάρια μας στην άμμο, μένοντας ανώνυμοι στην
αιωνιότητα των ψιθύρων”;
Και για το Γιάννη Φίλη, είναι η λησμονημένη ακρόπολη της Ασίνης. “Ζερβά
οι πέτρες οι κόκκινες, δεξιά οι τάφοι των βασιλιάδων, και μπρος το απάνεμο λιμάνι
με την ανοιχτή θάλασσα μπροστά μας, σειρήνα στις προκλήσεις της ζωής”;
Το κείμενο (απόσπασμα) παρατίθεται το Μάρτιο 2004 από τουριστικό φυλλάδιο
του Δήμου Ασίνης.
ΚΑΣΤΑΝΟΧΩΡΙ (Χωριό) ΜΕΓΑΛΟΠΟΛΗ
Το Καστανοχώρι είναι ένα μικρό ορεινό χωριό της επαρχίας Μεγαλόπολης,
που παλαιότερα ονομαζόταν Κραμποβός. Βρίσκεται σε υψόμετρο 700 μέτρων στις πλαγιές
του Λύκαιου όρους. Κοντά
είναι το χωριό Λύκαιο. Κατά
την απογραφή του 1991 είχε μόνο 101 κατοίκους.
Κοντά στο χωριό οι Ελληνες υπό τους Αθ. Γρηγοριάδη και Γιάννη Γκρίτζαλη
απέκρουσαν στις 20 Ιουλίου του 1825 τμήμα του Τουρκοαιγυπτιακού στρατού του Ιμπραήμ.
Στις 21 Ιουλίου του 1825 επανήλθαν 1000 Τουρκοαιγύπτιοι κι έκαψαν το χωριό. Συγκρούστηκαν
όμως μαζί τους Καρυώτες και Τριπολιτσιώτες. Κατά τη σύγκρουση φονεύτηκαν 150 Τούρκοι
και αιχμαλωτίστηκαν αρκετοί.
Το κείμενο παρατίθεται τον Μάρτιο 2003 από την ακόλουθη ιστοσελίδα του ARCADIA website, του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών
ΜΑΛΑΝΔΡΕΝΙ (Χωριό) ΚΟΥΤΣΟΠΟΔΙ
Αλλη διακλάδωση λίγο μετά το χάνι του Παπαδόπουλου οδηγεί ΒΔ για το
Μαλαντρένι. 4 χλμ. καλός δρόμος με ομαλές στροφές μας ανεβάζει προς τις νότιες
διακλαδώσεις της οροσειράς Μεγαλοβούνι
(Καρνεάτης των αρχαίων με ύψος 1273 μ.), που αποτελεί φυσικό βορινό όριο προς
τη Νεμέα και ενώνει τους δύο
Νομούς.
Ημιορεινό το Μαντρένι (με 916 κατοίκους στην απογραφή του 1951 και
562 κατά την απογραφή του 1991), κλεισμένο στο δικό του φυσικό περίγυρο, αλλά
όχι απομονωμένο - 16 χλμ. από το Αργος
- είναι και τούτο ζωντανό χωριό, εργατικό, αδέλφι αντικρινό με το Σχινοχώρι.
Έχει λυρικότερη φύση, χαριτωμένη, που αναπαύει την όραση με την ποικιλία της,
καθώς αναπτύσσονται ολόγυρα υψηλοί δεντρωμένοι λόφοι, χωρισμένοι με μικρές ρεματιές
κι έχουν στην κορφή τους κάποιο εκκλησάκι παλιό ή καινούργιο.
Εργατικοί οι Μαλαντρενιώτες ασχολούνται με τις ελιές και τα εσπεριδοειδή,
τις καϊσιές και τα κηπευτικά κάτω στον πεδινό χώρο, στην είσοδο της πεδιάδας της
Λυρκείας. Κυρίως όμως με τ’ αμπέλια τους, αφού το Μαλαντρένι είναι ονομαστό
για τα κρασιά του και διαθέτει σήμερα πολλά σύγχρονα οινοποιεία και από τα πιο
εκλεκτά κρασιά της περιοχής, ονομαστά και επώνυμα και έξω από τα τοπικά όρια σ’
ολόκληρη τη χώρα, ακόμα και στο εξωτερικό. Στον ερχομό του Σεπτεμβρίου κάθε χρόνο
το χωριό, που εκσυγχρονίζεται ραγδαία κερδίζοντας σε ανάπτυξη, αλλά και χάνοντας
τα τελευταία χαρακτηριστικά της ορεινής μορφής του, μοσχομυρίζει κρασοστάφυλου
χυμούς και μούστους.
(κείμενο: Αλέξης Τότσικας)
Το κείμενο (απόσπασμα) παρατίθεται το Μάρτιο 2004 από τουριστικό φυλλάδιο
της Νομαρχίας Αργολίδας.
ΜΑΛΕΑΣ (Ακρωτήρι) ΛΑΚΩΝΙΑ
Στα Βάτικα που
γνώρισαν τον Χριστιανισμό από τους πρώτους αποστολικούς χρόνους, κτίσθηκαν και
λειτούργησαν στη διαδρομή των αιώνων, αξιόλογα μοναστήρια και εκκλησίες που άφησαν
ανεξίτηλη τη σφραγίδα τους στη ζωή των Βατικιωτών και στην πολιτιστική πορεία
αυτού του τόπου.
Στα πανύψηλα θεόρατα βράχια, του θρυλικού Κάβο-Μαλιά, που γειτνιάζουν
με το Θεό, η ομορφιά της φύσης και η πανάρχαιη ιστορία διασταυρώνονται με την
Ορθόδοξη πίστη και τη Βατικιώτικη δημιουργία. Από το συναπάντημα αυτό προέκυψε
το "ΜΙΚΡΟ ΑΓΙΟ ΟΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΥ", ο φεγγοβόλος αυτός φάρος της
Ορθοδοξίας και του Πολιτισμού.
Το προσκύνημα στον ιερό αυτό χώρο είναι μία εμπειρία μοναδική! Το
επιβλητικό θέαμα των μοναστηριών προκαλεί δέος και έκσταση στον προσκυνητή!
Στα μέσα του 12ου αιώνα ευλαβικοί Ερημίτες ίδρυσαν στους γκρίζους
βράχους του ιστορικού κάβου τα πρώτα μοναστήρια που έγιναν οι πόλοι έλξης και
πνευματικής ακτινοβολίας, οι εστίες που καλλιέργησαν τον ψυχισμό του Βατικιώτη
και του ζέσταναν την ελπίδα.
Υψηλής ποιότητας ζωγραφικά σύνολα φανερώνουν τις στενές σχέσεις της
περιοχής με τη Βασιλεύουσα, αφού στον τοιχογραφικό διάκοσμο των εκκλησιών οι δυτικές
επιδράσεις είναι μηδαμινές.
Κατεστραμμένα από την θεομηνία των πειρατών, των πυρκαγιών και των
διαφόρων κατακτητών είναι τα περισσότερα από τα μοναστήρια του Μαλέα, που ο αριθμός
τους υπερβαίνει τα πενήντα.
Στην εσχατιά του Πάρνωνα
διασώζονται σήμερα οι εκκλησίες της Παναγίας της Παραδεισιώτισσας, της Αγίας Ειρήνης,
του Αγίου Γεωργίου, των Αρχαγγέλων κτλ. Τα μοναστήρια του Κάβο-Μαλιά θα πρέπει
να αναστηλωθούν και να συντηρηθούν, ώστε να εξακολουθήσουν να είναι μνημεία θαυμαστά
ενός λαμπρού παρελθόντος και συγχρόνως ζωντανές εστίες και κυψέλες πνευματικής
ζωής.
Το κείμενο (απόσπασμα) παρατίθεται το Μάρτιο 2004 από τουριστικό φυλλάδιο
της Τοπικής Εκκλησίας Δήμου
Βοιών.
ΞΥΛΟΚΑΣΤΡΟ (Κωμόπολη) ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΑ
Το κάστρο που δέσποζε στη δυτική Κορινθία
ήταν αναμφίβολα του Ξυλοκάστρου. Σήμερα υπάρχει μόνο ως ανάμνηση στο όνομα της
σημερινής πόλης.
Το κάστρο χτίστηκε την εποχή της Φραγκοκρατίας, περίπου το 1260, ανατολικά
του ποταμού Σύθα, πιθανόν στην περιοχή Τσούκα στο Ζεμενό.
Είχε οπτική επαφή με τον Ακροκόρινθο
και το κάστρο της Πελλήνης,
δέσποζε σε ολόκληρη την περιοχή με ορατότητα μεγάλη στον Κορινθιακό
Κόλπο, προστάτευε την πολίχνη Ζεμενό
όπου υπήρχε λατινική επισκοπή και τους γύρω οικισμούς Ville-douce (σήμερα Στύλια).
Επίσης, είχε άμεση σχέση με τη μονή των Κιστερσιανών μοναχών στο Ζάρακα
της Στυμφαλίας και κρατούσε
σε καταστολή το έντονο σλαβικό στοιχείο που υπήρχε στην περιοχή και ήταν εχθρικό
προς τους κατακτητές Φράγκους.
Το 1402 καταστράφηκε από σεισμό. Στη συνέχεια το βρίσκουμε στους Ενετικούς
καταλόγους των φρουρίων με τις ονομασίες Scilo-castro και Solo-castro, πάντα ανατολικά
του Σύθα, έως το 1640). Οι επόμενοι χάρτες (1791) αναφέρουν το Xilo-castro, δυτικά
του ποταμού Σύθα, διότι η ονομασία Ξυλόκαστρο περιλάμβανε τους σημερινούς οικισμούς
Υψηλά Αλώνια, Μερτικέικα,
Γεωργαντέικα και το χωριό
Ρίζα.
Το κείμενο (απόσπασμα) παρατίθεται τον Ιανουάριο 2004 από τουριστικό φυλλάδιο
του Δήμου Ξυλοκάστρου.
ΟΙΝΟΥΣΕΣ (Σύμπλεγμα νήσων) ΠΥΛΙΑ
Μικρά, έρημα, βυθισμένα στο βαθύ μπλε του Ιονίου πελάγους, στην νοτιοδυτική άκρη της πελοπονησου, αντίκρυ από τις ακτές της Μεθώνης και της Φοινικούντας απλώνονται τα τρία όμορφα νησιά της Μεσσηνίας που αποτελούν το σύμπλεγμα των Οινουσών.Τα νησιά αυτά είναι: Σαπιέντζα, Σχίζα, Αγία Μαρίνα. Καθένα από αυτά τα νησάκια έχει μια αξιοθαύμαστη μοναδικότητα και όλα τους διατηρούν ένα σπάνιας ομορφιάς φυσικό περιβάλλον. Κρύβουν στους λόφους τους συναρπαστική βλάστηση όπου φωλιάζουν άγρια πουλιά και ζώα. Τριγυρίζονται από υπήνεμους όρμους με κρυσταλλένια νερά και μαγευτικούς βυθούς γεμάτα αρχαία ναυάγια. Πρόσφεραν καταφύγιο σε κατακτητές, θαλασσοπόρους, ναυαγούς, πειρατές και κάθε λογής ταξιδευτές της Μεσογείου. Σχεδόν ανέπαφα από την ανθρώπινη παρέμβαση, διατηρούν μια εξωτική ομορφιά, που μαζί με την χαρά της ανακάλυψης και της εξερεύνησης, τα κάνουν έναν από τους τελευταίους νησιώτικους παραδείσους της πατρίδας μας.
ΣΤΡΑΒΑ (Ορμος) ΛΟΥΤΡΑΚΙ ΠΕΡΑΧΩΡΑΣ
Πευκόφυτη περιοχή με θερινές κατοικίες.
ΤΡΥΠΗ (Χωριό) ΜΥΣΤΡΑΣ
Οικισμός ζωγραφισμένος στο ορεινό τοπίο η Τρύπη, έχει στα δυτικά της,
σε οκτακόσια μέτρα, πολύ κοντά στον κεντρικό δρόμο, τον Καιάδα, κάτω από απότομο
βράχο. Στα βόρεια, η εκκλησία των Αγίων Θεοδώρων, από το δεύτερο μισό του 13ου
αιώνα, χωρίς σκεπή, αλλά με καλά διατηρημένες τοιχογραφίες. Σε μικρή απόσταση
ο ποταμός Κνακίωνας. Και πιο πάνω, στην ορεινή διάβαση της Μεγάλης Λαγκάδας, η
πηγή του, το "μάτι", όπως λέγεται, καθώς το νερό βγαίνει ανάμεσα από
θεόρατους βράχους. Δίπλα, μέσα την πλούσια βλάστηση από πλατάνια, λυγαριές και
σφενδάμια, το άλλοτε σπουδαίο μοναστήρι του Αγίου Ιωάννη Προδρόμου. Σήμερα η εκκλησία
του γιορτάζει κάθε δεύτερη Κυριακή του Σεπτεμβρίου με λαϊκό πανηγύρι.
(κείμενο: Σωτήρης Μπακανάκης)
Το κείμενο (απόσπασμα) παρατίθεται το Μάρτιο 2004 από τουριστικό φυλλάδιο
της Νομαρχίας Λακωνίας.
ΛΟΥΤΡΑΚΙ ΠΕΡΑΧΩΡΑΣ (Δήμος) ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΑ
ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑ (Νομός) ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΣ
ΞΥΛΟΚΑΣΤΡΟ (Κωμόπολη) ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΑ
ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΣ (Περιφέρεια) ΕΛΛΑΔΑ
ΙΣΘΜΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΟΥ (Ισθμός) ΛΟΥΤΡΑΚΙ ΠΕΡΑΧΩΡΑΣ
Η Διώρυγα Κορίνθου αποτελεί ένα διεθνή κόμβο θαλάσσιων συγκοινωνιών
που εξυπηρετεί πλοία ερχόμενα από την Δυτική Μεσόγειο με κατεύθυνση λιμάνια της
Ανατολικής Μεσογείου και της Μαύρης θάλασσας και αντίστροφα.
Η Διώρυγα Κορίνθου τέμνει κατ' ευθεία γραμμή τον Ισθμό της Κορίνθου
και το μήκος της ανέρχεται στα 6.343 μέτρα. Το ελάχιστο πλάτος της διώρυγας στο
ύψος της θάλασσας είναι 24,6 μέτρα και στον βυθό 21 μέτρα. Το βάθος της Διώρυγας
ανέρχεται στα 8 μέτρα.
Το κείμενο παρατίθεται τον Οκτώβριο 2004 από την ακόλουθη ιστοσελίδα, με φωτογραφίες, της Διαχείρισης Διώρυγας Κορίνθου Περίανδρος Α.Ε.
ΚΟΡΙΝΘΟΣ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΣ
ΑΒΙΑ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΚΑΛΑΜΑΤΑ
he Abia: nr. Zarnata. A town of Messenia, on the Messenian gulf, and
a little above the woody dell, named Choerius, which formed the boundary between
Messenia and Laconia in the time of Pausanias. It is said to have been the same
town as the Ira of the Iliad (ix. 292), one of the seven towns which Agamemnon
offered to Achilles, and to have derived its later name from Abia, the nurse of
Hyllus, the son of Hercules. Subsequently it belonged, with Thuria and Pharae,
to the Achaean League. It continued to be a place of some importance down to the
reign of Hadrian, as we learn from an extant inscription of that period.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ΑΘΗΝΑΙΟΝ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΒΑΛΤΕΤΣΙ
Athenaeum (Athenaion). A fortress in the S. of Arcadia, and in the territory of Megalopolis, is described by Plutarch as a position in advance of the Lacedaemonian frontier (embole tes Lakonikes), and near Belemina. It was fortified by Cleomenes in B.C. 224, and was frequently taken and retaken in the wars between the Achaean League and the Spartans. Leake supposes that it occupied the summit of Mount Tzimbaru, on which there are some remains of an Hellenic fortress. In that case it must have been a different place from the Athenaeum mentioned by Pausanias on the road from Megalopolis to Asea, and 20 stadia from the latter. (Plut. Cleom. 4; Pol. ii. 46, 54, iv. 37, 60, 81; Paus. viii. 44. § § 2, 3; Leake, Peloponnesiaca, p. 248.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ΑΙΓΙΕΣ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΓΥΘΕΙΟ
Aegaeae (Aighiai, Paus. iii. 21. § 5; Haigaial, Strab. p. 364: Limni).
A town of Laconia, at the distance of 30 stadia from Gythium, supposed to be the
same as the Homeric Augeiae. (Angelhai, Il. ii. 583; comp. Steph. B. s. v.) It
possessed a temple and lake of Neptune. Its site is placed by the French Commission
at Limni, so called from an extensive marsh in the valley of the eastern branch
of the river of Passava.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ΑΙΓΙΛΑ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΗ ΜΑΝΗ
ΑΙΓΥΣ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΠΕΛΛΑΝΑ
Aigns: Eth. Aignhates, (Paus.); Aignen (Theopomp. ap. Steph. B. s.
v.) A town of Laconia, on the frontiers of Arcadia, originally belonged to the
Arcadians, but was conquered at an early period by Charilaus, the reputed nephew
of Lycurgus, and annexed to Laconia. Its territory, called Aegetis (Aientis),
appears to have been originally of some extent, and to have included all the villages
in the districts of Maleatis and Cromitis. Even at the time of the foundation
of Megalopolis, the inhabitants of these Arcadian districts, comprising Scirtonium,
Malea, Cromi, Belbina, and Leuctrum, continued to be called Aegytae. The position
of Aegys is uncertain. Leake places it at Kamara, near the sources of the river
Xerilo, the ancient Carnion.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited May 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ΑΙΘΑΙΑ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΛΑΚΩΝΙΑ
Aethaea (Aithaia: Eth. Aithaiens), a town of Messenia of unknown site, the inhabitants of which revolted from Sparta with the Thuriatae in B.C. 464. (Thuc. i. 101; Steph. B. s. v.)
ΑΙΠΕΙΑ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑ
Aepeia (Eth. Aipheates) One of the seven Messenian towns, offered by Agamemnon to Achilles, is supposed by Strabo to be the same as Thuria, and by Pausanias the same as Corone. (Hom. Il. ix. 152; Strab. p. 360; Paus. iv. 34. § 5.)
ΑΚΑΚΗΣΙΟΝ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΜΕΓΑΛΟΠΟΛΗ
Akakesion: Eth. Akakesios. Α town of Arcadia in the district of Parrhasia, at
the foot of a hill of the same name, and 36 stadia on the road from Megalopolis
to Phigalea. It is said to have been founded by Acacus, son of Lycaon; and according
to some traditions Hermes was brought up at this place by Acacus, and hence derived
the surname of Acacesius. Upon the hill there was a statue in stone, in the time
of Pausanias, of Hermes Acacesius; and four stadia from the town was a celebrated
temple of Despoena. This temple probably stood on the hill, on which are now the
remains of the church of St. Elias.
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ΑΚΡΙΑΙ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΕΛΟΣ
Akriai, Akreia, Akreia: Eth. Akriates. A town of Laconia, on the eastern
side of the Laconian bay, 30 stadia S. of Helos. Strabo describes the Eurotas
as flowing into the sea between Acriae and Gythium. Acriae possessed a sanctuary
and a statue of the mother of the gods, which was said by the inhabitants of the
town to be the most ancient in the Peloponnesus. Leake was unable to discover
any remains of Acriae; the French expedition place its ruins at the harbour of
Kokinio.
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ΑΚΡΩΡΕΙΟΣ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΤΡΙΦΥΛΙΑ
Acroreia (Akroreia), the mountainous district of Elis on the borders
of Arcadia, in which the rivers Peneius and Ladon take their rise. The inhabitants
of the district were called Acrocreii (Akroreioi), and their towns appear to have
been Thraustus, Alium, Opus, and Eupagium. The name is used in opposition to Koile
or Hollow Elis. Stephanus (s. v.), who is followed by many modern writers, makes
Acrocreii a town, and places it in Triphylia; but this error appears to have arisen
from confounding the Acrocreii with the Paroreatae in Triphylia. (Diod. xiv. 17;
Xen. Hell. iii. 2 § 30, vii. 4. § 14; Leake, Morea, vol. ii. p. 203; Boblaye,
Recherches, p. 123.)
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ΑΛΑΓΟΝΙΑ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΑΒΙΑ
A town of Laconia near the Messenian frontier, belonging to the Eleuthero-Lacones,
containing temples of Dionysus and Artemis. This town was distant 30 stadia from
Gerenia, but its site is unknown.
ΑΛΕΑ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΑΡΓΟΛΙΔΑ
Alea (Eth. Aleos, Aleates). A town of Arcadia, between Orchomenus and Stymphalus,
contained, in the time of Pausanias, temples of the Ephesian Artemis, of Athena
Alea, and of Dionysus. It appears to have been situated in the territory either
of Stymphalus or Orchomenus. Pausanias calls Alea a town of the Maenalians; but
we ought probably to read Asea in this passage, instead of Alea. The ruins of
Alea have been discovered by the French Commission in the middle of the dark valley
of Skotini, about a mile to the NE. of the village of Buyati. Alea was never a
town of importance; but some modern writers have, though inadvertently, placed
at this town the celebrated temple of Athena Alea, which was situated at Tegea.
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ΑΛΙΕΙΣ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΚΡΑΝΙΔΙ
The name of a sea-faring people on the coast of Hermionis, who derived
their name from their fisheries. (Strab. viii. p. 373.) They gave their name to
a town on the coast of Herinionis, where the Tirynthians and Hermionians took
refuge when they were expelled from their own cities by the Argives. (Ephor. ap.
Byz. s. v. Halieis; Strab. viii. p. 373.) This town was taken about Ol. 80 by
Aneristus, the son of Sperthias, and made subject to Sparta (hos heile Halieas
[not alieas] tous ek Tirunthos, Helod. vii. 137). The district was afterwards
ravaged on more than one occasion by the Athenians. (Thuc. i. 105, ii. 56, iv.
45; Diod. xi. 78.) After the Peloponnesian War the Halieis are mentioned by Xenophon
as an autonomous people. (Xen. Hell. iv. 2. 6, vi. 2, § 3.)
The district is called e Halias by Thucydides (ii. 56, iv. 45), who
also calls the people or their town Halieis; for, in i. 105, the true reading
is es Halias, i.e. Halieas. (See Meineke, and Steph. B. s. v. Halieis.) In an
inscription we find en Halieusin. (Bockh, Inscr. no. 165.)
Scylax speaks of Halia as a port at the mouth of the Argolic gulf.
Callimachus calls the town Alycus (Alukos, Steph. B. s. v.), and by Pausanias
it is named Halice (Halike), and its inhabitants Halici. (Paus. ii. 36. § 1.)
The town was no longer inhabited in the time of Pausanias, and its position is
not fixed by that writer. He only says that, seven stadia from Hermione, the road
from Halice separated from that to Mases, and that the former led between the
mountains Pron and Coccygius, of which the ancient name was Thornax. In the peninsula
of Kranidhi, the French Commission observed the remains of two Hellenic sites,
one on the southern shore, about three miles from Hermione and the same distance
from C. Musadki, the other on the south-western side, at the head of a deep bay
called Kheli or Bizati: the former they suppose to represent Halice, and the latter
Mases, and, accordingly these two places are so placed in Kiepert's map. But Leake,
who is followed by Curtius, observes that the ruins which the French Commission
have named alice are probably some dependency of Hermione of which the name has
not been recorded, since the position is too near to Hermione to have been that
of Halice, and the harbour is too inconvenient for a people who were of considerable
maritime importance. It is far more likely that such a people possessed the port
of Cheli, the situation of which at the mouth of the Argolic gulf agrees exactly
with the description of Scylax. Mases probably stood at the head of the bay of
Kiladhia.
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ΑΛΚΥΟΝΙΑ (Λίμνη) ΛΕΡΝΑ
Alcyonia (Alkuonia), a lake in Argolis, near the Lernaean grove, through which
Dionysus was said to have descended to the lower world, in order to bring back
Semele from Hades. Pausanias says that its depth was unfathomable, and that Nero
had let down several stadia of rope, loaded with lead, without finding a bottom.
As Pausanias does not mention a lake Lerna, but only a district of this name,
it is probable that the lake called Alcyonia by Pausanias is the same as the Lerna
of other writers. (Paus. ii. 37. § 5, seq.; Leake, Morea, vol. ii. p. 473.)
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ΑΜΙΛΟΣ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΛΕΒΙΔΙ
Amilos: Amilios. A village of Arcadia in the territory of Orchomenus, and on the
road from the latter to Stymphalus.
ΑΜΦΕΙΑ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑ
Ampheia (Ampheia: Eth. Ampheus), a town of Messenia, situated on the
frontiers of Laconia, upon a hill well supplied with water. It was surprised and
taken by the Spartans at the beginning of the Messenian war, and was made their
head-quarters in conducting their operations against the Messenians. Its capture
was the first act of open hostilities between the two people. It is placed by
Leake at the Hellenic ruin, now called the Castle of Xuria, and by Boblaye on
the mountain called Kokala. (Paus. iv. 5. § 9; Leake, Morea, vol. i. p. 461; Boblaye,
Recherches, p. 109.)
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ΑΜΦΙΓΕΝΕΙΑ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΚΥΠΑΡΙΣΣΙΑ
Eth. Amphigeneus. One of the towns belonging to Nestor (Horn. Il.
ii. 593), was placed by some ancient critics in Messenia, and by others in Macistia,
a district in Triphylia. Strabo assigns it to Macistia near the river Hypsoeis,
where in his time stood a temple of Leto.
ΑΝΔΑΝΙΑ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΑΝΔΑΝΙΑ
Eth. Andanieus, Andanios. An ancient town of Messenia, and the capital of the
kings of the race of the Leleges. It was celebrated as the birthplace of Aristomenes,
but towards the end of the second Messenian war it was deserted by its inhabitants,
who took refuge in the strong fortress of Ira. From this time it was only a village.
Livy describes it as a parvum oppidum, and Pausanias saw only its ruins. It was
situated on the road leading from Messene to Megalopolis. Its ruins, according
to Leake, are now called Ellinikokastro, and are situated upon a height near the
village of Fyla or Filia. The Homeric Oechalia is identified by Strabo with Andania,
but by Pausanias with Carnasium, which was only 8 stadia from Andania.
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ΑΝΘΗΝΗ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΑΣΤΡΟΣ
Anthene (Anthene, Thuc.; Anthana, Steph. B. s. v.; Athene, Paus.: Eth. Anthaneus, Steph. B.), a town in Cynuria, originally inhabited by the Aeginetans, and mentioned by Thucydides along with Thyrea, as the two chief places in Cynuria. Modern travellers are not agreed respecting its site.
ΑΡΑΧΝΑΙΟ (Βουνό) ΑΣΚΛΗΠΙΕΙΟ
Arachnaeum (to Arachnaion oros), a mountain in Peloponnesus, forming
the boundary between the territories of Corinth and Epidaurus. (Paus. ii. 25.
§ 10; Steph. B. s. v.; Hesych. s. v. husselinon; Leake, Morea, vol. ii. p. 417,
seq., vol. iii. p. 312.)
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ΑΡΓΟΛΙΚΟΣ ΚΑΜΠΟΣ (Κάμπος) ΑΡΓΟΛΙΔΑ
Argive plain. This plain was very fertile in antiquity,
and was celebrated for its excellent horses (Argos hippoboton, Hom. Il. ii. 287;
Strab. viii.6). The eastern side is much higher than the western; and the former
suffers as much from a deficiency, as the latter does from a superabundance of
water. A recent traveller says that the streams on the eastern part of the plain
are all drunk up by the thirsty soil, on quitting their rocky beds for the deep
arable land, a fact which offers a palpable explanation of the epithet very thirsty
(poludipsion) applied by Homer to the land of Argos
(Il. iv. 171). The western part of the plain, on the contrary, is watered by a
number of streams; and at the south-western extremity of the plain near the sea
there is besides a large number of copious springs; which make this part of the
country a marsh or morass. It was here that the marsh of Lerna
and the fathomless Alcyonian
pool lay, where Hercules is said to have conquered the Hydra. It has been well
observed by a modern writer that the victory, of Hercules over this fifty-headed
water-snake may be understood of a successful attempt of the ancient lords of
the Argive plain to bring
its marshy extremity into cultivation, by draining its sources and embanking its
streams (Mure, Tour in Greece, vol. ii. p. 194). In the time of Aristotle (Meteor.
i. 14) this part of the plain was well-drained and fertile, but at the present
day it is again covered with marshes. With respect to the present productions
of the plain, we learn that the dryer parts are covered with corn; where the moisture
is greater, cotton and vines are grown; and in the marshy parts, towards the sea,
lice and kalamhbokki (Leake, Morea, vol. ii. p. 348).
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ΑΡΓΟΛΙΚΟΣ ΚΟΛΠΟΣ (Κόλπος) ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΣ
Argolicus Sinus (d Argolikos kolpos), the gulf between Argolis and
Laconia, but sometimes used, in a more extended sense, to indicate the whole sea
between the promontory Malea in Laconia and the promontory Scyllaeum in Troezenia,
thus including the Hermonicus Sinus. (Strab. viii. pp. 335, 368; Pol. v. 91; Ptol.
iii. 16. § 10; Plin. iv. 5. s. 9.)
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ΑΡΓΟΛΙΣ (Αρχαία περιοχή) ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΣ
Argos. The territory of Argos
called Argolis (he Argolis) by Herodotus (i. 82), but more frequently by other
Greek writers Argeia (he Argeia, Thuc. v. 75; Strab. viii.6), sometimes Argolice
(he Argolike, Strab. viii.6). By the Greek writers these words were used to signify
only the territory of the city of Argos,
which was bounded by the territories of Phlius,
Cleonae, and Corinth
on the N.; on the W. by that of Epidaurus;
on the S. by the Argolic gulf
and. Cynuria; and on the E.
by Arcadia. The Romans, however,
used the word Argolis in a more extended sense, including under that name not
only the territories of Phlius
and Cleonae on the N., but
the whole acted or peninsula between the Saronic
and Argolic gulfs, which
was divided in the times of Grecian independence into the districts of Epidauria,
Troezenia, and Hermionis.
Thus the Roman Argolis was bounded on the N. by Corinthia
and Sicyonia; on the E. by
the Saronic gulf and Myrtoum
sea; on the S. by the Hermionic
and Argolic gulfs and by
Cynuria; and on the W. by
Arcadia. But at present we
confine ourselves to the Argeia of the Greek writers, referring to other articles
for a description of the districts included in the Roman Argolis. [Phlius;
Cleonae; Epidauria;
Troezenia; Hermionis;
Cynuria.]
The Argeia, or Argolis proper, extended from N. to S from the frontiers
of Phlius and Cleonae
to the frontiers of Cynuria,
in direct distance about 24 English miles. It was separated from Arcadia
of the W. by Mts. Artemisiurnm
and Parthenium, and from
the territory of Epidaurus
on the E. by Mt. Arachnaeum.
Lessa was a town on the borders
of Epidauria (Paus. ii. 26.1);
and from this town to the frontiers of Arcadia,
the direct distance is about 28 English miles. These limits give about 524 square
English miles for the territory of Argos
(Clinton, F. H. vol. ii). The plain in which the city of Argos
is situated is one of the largest plains in the Peloponnesus,
being 10 or 12 miles in length, and from 4 to 5 in width. It is shut in on three
sides by mountains, and only open on the fourth to the sea, and is therefore called
by Sophocles (Oed. Col. 378) to koilon Argos. This plain was very fertile in antiquity,
and was celebrated for its excellent horses (Argos hippoboton, Hom. Il. ii. 287;
Strab. viii.6). The eastern side is much higher than the western; and the former
suffers as much from a deficiency, as the latter does from a superabundance of
water. A recent traveller says that the streams on the eastern part of the plain
are all drunk up by the thirsty soil, on quitting their rocky beds for the deep
arable land, a fact which offers a palpable explanation of the epithet very thirsty
(poludipsion) applied by Homer to the land of Argos
(Il. iv. 171). The western part of the plain, on the contrary, is watered by a
number of streams; and at the south-western extremity of the plain near the sea
there is besides a large number of copious springs; which make this part of the
country a marsh or morass. It was here that the marsh of Lerna
and the fathomless Alcyonian
pool lay, where Hercules is said to have conquered the Hydra. It has been well
observed by a modern writer that the victory, of Hercules over this fifty-headed
water-snake may be understood of a successful attempt of the ancient lords of
the Argive plain to bring
its marshy extremity into cultivation, by draining its sources and embanking its
streams (Mure, Tour in Greece, vol. ii. p. 194). In the time of Aristotle (Meteor.
i. 14) this part of the plain was well-drained and fertile, but at the present
day it is again covered with marshes. With respect to the present productions
of the plain, we learn that the dryer parts are covered with corn; where the moisture
is greater, cotton and vines are grown; and in the marshy parts, towards the sea,
lice and kalamhbokki (Leake, Morea, vol. ii. p. 348).
The two chief rivers in the plain of Argos are the Inachus
and the Erasinus.
The Inachus (Inachos:
Banitza) rises, according to Pausanias (ii 25.3, viii. 6.6), in Mt. Artemisium,
on the borders of Arcadia,
or, according to Strabo (viii. p. 370), in Mt. Lyrceium,
a northern offshoot of Artemisium.
Near its sources it receives a tributary called the Cephissus (Kephissos: Xeria),
which rises in Mt. Lyrceium
(Strab. ix. p. 424; Aelian, V. H. ii. 33). It flows in a south-easterly direction,
E. of the city of Argos,
into the Argolic gulf. This river
is often dry in the summer. Between it and the city of Argos
is the mountain-torrent named Charadrus
(Charadros: Xeria), which also rises in Mt. Artemisium,
and which, from its proximity to Argos,
has been frequently mistaken for the Inachus by modern travellers. It flows over
a wide gravelly bed, which is generally dry in the summer, whence its modern name
of Xeria, or the Dry River. It flows into the Inachus a little below Argos.
It was on the banks of the Charadrus
that the armies of Argos,
on their return from military expeditions, were obliged to undergo a court of
inquiry before they were permitted to enter the city. (Thuc. v. 60; comp. Paus.
ii. 25.2; Leake, Morea, vol. ii. p. 364, Peloponnesiaca, p. 267; Mure, vol. ii.
p. 161).
The Erasinus
(Erasinos, also Ardinos, Strab. viii.6: Kephalari) is the only river in the plain
of Argos which flows during
the whole year. Its actual course in the plain of Argos
is very short; but it was universally believed to be the same stream as the river
of Stymphalus, which disappeared
under Mt. Apelauron, and made its reappearance, after a subterranean course of
200 stadia, at the foot of the rocks of Mt. Chaon,
to the SW. of Argos. It issues
from these rocks in several large streams, forming a river of considerable size
(hence ingens Erasinus, Ov. Met. xv. 275), which flows directly across the plain
into the Argolic gulf. The
waters of this river turn a great number of mills, from which the place is now
called The Mills of Argos (hoi muloi tou Argous). At the spot where the Erasinus
issues from Mt. Chaon, there
is a fine lofty cavern, with a roof like an acute Gothic arch, and extending 65
yards into the mountain (Leake). It is perhaps from this cavern that the mountain
derives its name (from chao, chaino, chasko). The only tributary of the Erasinus
is the Phrixus (Phrixos, Paus. ii. 36.6, 38.1), which joins it near the sea. (Herod.
vi. 76; Strab. vi. p. 275, viii.6; Paus. ii. 36.6, 7, 24.6, viii. 22.3; Diod.
xv. 49; Senec. Q. N. iii. 26; Stat. Theb. i. 357; Plin. iv. 5.9; Leake, Morea,
vol. ii. p. 340, seq., vol. iii. p. 112, seq., Pelopon. p. 384; Ross, Reisen im
Peloponnes, p. 141.)
The other rivers in the Argeia are mere mountain torrents. On the
Argolic gulf we find the
following, proceeding from S. to N.:
1. Tanus (Tanos, Paus. ii. 38.7), or Tanaus (Tanaos, Eurip. Electr 413), now the
river of Luku, forming the boundary between the Argeia and Cynuria.
(Leake, Pelopon. pp. 392, 340)
2. Pontinus (Pontinos), rising in a mountain of the same name (Pontinus),
on which stood a temple (of Athena Saitis, said to have been founded by Danaus.
(Paus. ii. 36.8; Leake, Morea, vol. ii. p. 473, Pelopon. p. 368)
3. Amymone (Amumone), which
descends from the same mountain, and immediately enters the lake of Lerna.
4. Cheimarrhus (Cheimarrhos), between the lake of Lerna
and the Erasinus. (Paus.
ii. 36.7; Leake, More, vol. ii. p. 338). In the interior of the country we find:
5. Asterion (Asterion), a small torrent flowing on the south-eastern side of the
Heraeum, or temple of Hera,
the waters of which are said by Pausanias to disappear in a chasm. No trace of
this chasm has been found; but Mure observed that its waters were absorbed in
the earth at a small distance from the temple (Paus. ii. 17.2; Mure, vol. ii.
p. 180; Leake, Pelopon. p. 262, seq).
6. Eleutherion, a small torrent flowing on the north-western side of the Heraeum
(Paus. ii. 17.1; Leake, Pelopon. p. 272). From a passage of Eustathius (in Od.
xiii. 408), quoted by Leake, we learn that the source of this torrent was named
Cynadra (Kunadra).
In the time of the Peloponnesian
war the whole of the Argeia was subject to Argos,
but it originally contained several independent cities. Of these the most important
were Mycenae and Tiryns,
which in the heroic ages were more celebrated than Argos
itself. Argos is situated
about 3 miles from the sea. Mycenae
is between 6 and 7 miles N. of Argos;
and Tiryns about 5 miles SE.
of Argos. Nauplia,
the port of Argos, is about
2 miles beyond Tiryns. A list
of the other towns in the Argeia is given in the account of the different roads
leading from Argos. Of these
roads the following were the most important:
1. The North road to Cleonae
issued from the gate of Eileithyia (Pans. ii. 18.3),, and ran through the centre
of the plain of Argos to
Mycenae. Shortly after leaving
Mycenae the road entered
a long narrow pass between the mountains, leading into the valley of Nemea
in the territory of Cleonae.
This pass, which was called the Tretus (Tretos) from the numerous caverns in the
mountains, was the carriage-road in the time of Pausanias from Cleonae
to Argos; and is now called
Dervenaki. The mountain is
also called Treton by Hesiod and Diodorus. It was celebrated as the haunt of the
Nemean lion slain by Hercules
(Hes. Tlzeog. 331; Diod. iv. 11; Paus. ii. 15.2, 4), Pausanias mentions (1. c.)
a footpath over these mountains, which was shorter than the Tretus. This is the
road called by other writers Contoporia (Kontororia, Pol. xvi. 16; Athen. ii.
p. 43).
2, 3. The two roads to Mantineia
both quitted Argos at the
gate called Deiras, and then immediately parted in different directions (Paus.
ii. 25.1--4). The more southerly and the shorter of the two roads, called Prinus
followed the course of the Charadrus:
the more northerly and the longer, called Climax, ran along the valley of the
Inachus. Both Ross and Leake
agree in making the Prinus the southern, and the Climax the northern of the two
roads, contrary to the conclusions of the French surveyors (Ross, Reisen im Peloponnes,
p. 130, seq.: Leake, Pelopon. p. 371, seq). For further details respecting these
roads see Mantineia.
The Prinus after crossing the Charadrus
passed by Oenoe, which was
situated on the left bank of the river; it then ascended Mt. Artemisium
(Malevos), on whose summit by the road side was the temple of Artemis, and near
it the sources of the Inachus.
Here were the boundaries of the territories of Mantineia
and Argos. (Pans. ii. 25.
§ § 1--3.)
The Climax first passed by Lyrceia
at the distance of 60 stadia from Argos,
and next Orneae,--a town
on the confines of Phliasia,
at the distance of 60 stadia from Orneae
(Paus. ii. 25. § § 4--6). It appears from this account that the road must have
run in a north-westerly direction, and have followed the course of the Inachus,
since we know that Lyrceia
was not on the direct road to Phlius,
and because 120 stadia by the direct road to Phlius would carry us far into Phliasia,
or even into Sicyonia (Ross,
Ibid. p. 134, seq). After leaving Orneae
the road crossed the mountain and entered the northern corner of the Argon Plain
in the territory of Mantineia.
4. The road to Tegea
quits Argos near the theatre,
and first runs in a southerly direction along the foot of the mountain Lycone.
After crossing the Erasinus
(Kephalari), the road divides into two, the one to the right leading to Tegea
across the mountains, and the other to the left leading through the plain to Lerna.
The road to Tegea passes
by Cenchreae and the sepulchral
monuments (poluandria) of the Argives who conquered the Lacedaemonians
at Hysiae, shortly afterwards
crosses the Cheimarrhus, and then begins to ascend Mt. Pontinus
in a westerly direction. It then crosses another mountain, probably the Creopolum
(Kreopolon) of Strabo (viii.6), and turns southwards to the Khan of Daouli, where
it is joined by a foot-path leading from Lerna.
From this spot the road runs to the W., passes Hysiae,
and crossing Mt. Parthenium
enters the territory of Tegea
(Paus. ii.24.5; Leake, Morea, vol. ii. p. 337, seq.; Ross, ib. p. 131).
At the distance of about a mile from the Erasinus,
and about half a mile to the right of the road, the remains of a interesting pyramid
are found (see Hellinicon)
5. The road to Thyrea
and Sparta is the same as
the one to Tegea, till it
reaches the Erasinus, where
it branches off to the left as described above, and runs southwards through the
marshy plain across the Cheimarrhus to Lerna
(Paus. ii. 36.6). After leaving Lerna,
the road passes by Genesium, and the place called Apobathmi, where Danaus is said
to have landed, in the neighbourhood of the modern village of Kyveri.
To the S. of Kyveri begins
the rugged road across the mountains, anciently called Anigraea (Anigraia), running
along the west into the plain of Thyrea
(Paus. ii. 38.4). Shortly before descending into the Thyreatic plain, the traveller
arrives opposite the Anavolos
(Anabolos), which is a copious source of fresh water rising in the sea, at a quarter
of a mile from the narrow beach under the cliffs. Leake observed that it rose
with such force as to form a convex surface, and to disturb the sea for several
hundred feet round. It is evidently the exit of a subterraneous river of some
magnitude, and thus corresponds with the Dine (Dine) of the ancients, which, according
to Pausanias (viii. 7.2), is the outlet of the waters of the Argon Pedion in the
Mantinice (Leake, vol. ii.
p. 469, seq.; Ross, p. 148, seq).
There were two other roads leading from Lerna,
one along the coast to Nauplia,
and the other across the country to Hysiae.
On the former road, which is described by Pausanias, stood a small village called
Temenion, which derived its
name from the Doric hero Temenus, who was said to have been buried here. It was
situated on an isolated hillock between the mouths of the Inachus
and the Erasinus, and on
that part of the coast which was nearest to Argos.
It was distant 26 stadia from Argos,
and 15 from Nauplia. (Strab.
viii.6; Paus. ii. 38.1; Ross, p. 149). On the other road leading to Hysiae,
which is not mentioned by Pausanias, stood Elaeus.
6. The road to Tiryns
issued from the gate Diampares. From Tiryns
there were three roads, one leading to Nauplia,
a second in a south-westerly direction past Asine
to Troezen, and a third in
a more westerly direction to Epidaurus.
Near the last of these roads Midea
appears to have been situated.
7. The road leading to the Heraeum,
or temple of Hera, issued from the gate between the gates Diam. pares and Eileithyia.
This extract is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ΑΡΓΟΣ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΑΡΓΟΛΙΔΑ
Argos ( to Argos: Eth. Argeios, Argivus, and in the poets Argeus), is said by
Strabo (viii) to have signified a plain in the language of: the Macedonians
and Thessalians; and it is
therefore not improbable that it contains the same root as the Latin word ager.
There were several places of the name of Argos. Two are mentioned in Homer, who
distinguishes them by the names of the Pelasgic
Argos (to Pelasgikon Argos, Il. ii. 681), and the Achaean Argos (Argos Achaiikon,
Il. ix. 141, Od. iii. 251). The
Pelasgic Argos was a town or district in Thessaly. The Achaean Argos, or Argos
simply, is used by Homer in three different significations:
1. To indicate the city of Argos where Diomedes reigned (Il. ii. 559, vi. 224,
xiv. 119).
2. Agamemnon's kingdom, of which Mycenae
was the capital (Il. i. 30, ii. 108, 287, iii. 75, vi. 152).
3. The whole of Peloponnesus,
in opposition to Hellas, or Greece north of the Isthmus
of Corinth (kath Hellada
kai meson Argos, Od. i. 344; comp. Od. iv. 726, Il. ix. 141, 283; Strab. viii.
pp. 369, 370).
In this sense Homer calls it the lasian Argos (Iason Argos, Od. xviii.
246), from an ancient king Iasus, son of Argus and Evadne (Apollod. ii. 1.2).
In consequence of this use of Argos, Homer frequently employs the word Argeioi
to signify the whole body of the Greeks; and the Roman poets, in imitation, use
Argivi in the same manner.
In the Greek writers Argos is used to signify both the territory of
the city of Argos, and more frequently the city itself.
I. Argos, the district. (See Argolis)
II. Argos, the City.
Argos (to Argos), usually called Argi(-orum) by the Romans, was situated
about three miles from the sea, in the plain which has already been described.
Its citadel, called Larisa
or Larissa, the Pelasgic name for a citadel (Larisa, Larissa, Pans. ii. 23.8;
Strab. viii; Dionys. i. 21), was a striking object, being built on an insulated
conical mountain of 900 feet in height, with steep rocky sides, diversified with
grassy slopes. A little to the E. of the town flowed the river Charadrus,
a tributary of the Inachus.
According to the general testimony of antiquity, Argos was the most
ancient city of Greece. It was originally inhabited by Pelasgians, and is said
to have been built by the Pelasgic chief Inachus, or by his son Phoroneus, or
by his grandson Argus. Phoroneus, however, is more commonly represented as its
founder; and from him the city was called astu Phoronikon (Paus. ii. 15.5). The
descendants of Inachus ruled over the country for nine generations; but Gelanor,
the last king of this race, was deprived of the sovereignty by Danaus, who is
said to have come from Egypt.
From this Danaus was derived the name of Danai, which was applied to the inhabitants
of the Argeia and to the Greeks in general (Apollod. ii.1). Danaus and his two
successors Lynceus and Abas ruled over the whole of the Argeia; but Acrisius and
Proetus, the two sons of Abas, divided the territory between them, the former
ruling at Argos, and the latter at Tiryns.
Perseus, the son of Danae, and grandson of Acrisius, founded the city of Mycenae,
which now became the chief city in the Argeia (Paus. ii.15.4, 16.5; Apollod. ii.2).
Eurystheus, the grandson of Perseus, was succeeded in the kingdom of Mycenae
by Atreus, the son of Pelops. The latter transmitted his power to his son or grandson
Agamemnon, king of men, who exercised a kind of sovereignty over the whole of
the Argeian territory, and
a considerable part of Peloponnesus.
Homer represents Mycenae
as the first city in Peloponnesus,
and Argos, which was then governed by Diomedes, as a subordinate place. Orestes,
the son of Agamemnon, united under his sway both Argos and Mycenae,
and subsequently Lacedaemon
also, by his marriage with Hermione, the daughter of Menelaus. Under Orestes Argos
again became the chief city in the Argeian territory. In the reign of his successor
Tisamenus, the Dorians invaded Peloponnesus,
expelled Tisamenus, and became the rulers of Argos. In the three.. fold division
of Peloponnesus, among the
descendants of Hercules, Argos fell to the lot of Temenus.
We now come to the first really historical event in the history of
Argos. The preceding narrative belongs to legend, the truth of which we can neither
deny nor affirm. We only know that before the Dorian invasion the Argeian territory
was inhabited by Achaeans, who, at some period unknown to history, had supplanted
the original Pelasgic population. According to the common legend, the Dorians
conquered the Peloponnesus
at once, and drove out the Achaean population; but it is now generally admitted
that the Dorians only slowly and gradually made themselves masters of the countries
in which we find them subsequently settled; and we know in particular that in
the Argeia, most of the towns, with the exception of Argos, long retained their
original Achaean population.
Even after the Dorian conquest, Argos appears as the first state in
Peloponnesus, Sparta
being second, and Messene
third. Herodotus states (i. 82), that in ancient times the whole eastern coast
of Peloponnesus down to Cape
Malea, including Cythera
and the other islands, belonged to Argos; and the superiority of the latter is
also indicated by the legend, which makes Temenus the eldest of the three Heracleids.
The power of Argos, however, was not derived exclusively from her
own territory, but also from the fact of her being at the head of a league of
several other important Doric cities. Cleonae,
Phlius, Sicyon,
Epidaurus, Troezen,
Hermione, and Aegina
were all members of this league, which was ostensibly framed for religious purposes,
though it in reality gave Argos a political ascendency. This league, like others
of the same kind, was called an Amphictyonia (Paus. iv. 5.2); and its patron god
was Apollo Pythaeus. There was a temple to this god in each of the confederated
cities, while his most holy sanctuary was on the Larissa,
or acropolis of Argos. This league continued in existence even as late as B.C.
514, when the power of Argos had greatly declined, since we find the Argives in
that year condemning both Sicyon
and Aegina to pay a fine of
500 talents each, because they had furnished the Spartan
king Cleomenes with ships to be employed against the Argeian territory (Herod.
vi. 92). The religious supremacy continued till a later time; and in the Peloponnesian
war the Argives still claimed offerings from the confederate states to the temple
of Apollo Pythaeus on the Larissa
(Thuc. v. 53; comip. Miller, Dorians, i. 7.1.)
The great power of Argos at an early period is attested by the history
of Pheidon, king of Argos, who is represented as a lineal descendant of Temenus,
and who reigned between B.C. 770 and 730. He attempted to establish his sway over
the greater part of Peloponnesus, and, in conjunction with the Pisatans,
he seized upon the presidency of the Olympic games in the 8th Olympiad (B.C. 747);
but he was subsequently defeated by the Spartans
and the Eleans.
After the time of Pheidon the power of Argos gradually declined, and
Sparta eventually became
the first power in Peloponnesus.
The two states had long contended for the possession of the district Cynuria
or Thyreatis, which separated
the frontiers of Laconia
and Argos. Several battles between the Lacedaemonians
and Argives are recorded at an early period, and particularly a victory gained
by the latter near Hysiae,
which is assigned to B.C. 669 (Paus. ii. 24.7). But about B.C. 547 the Spartans
obtained permanent possession of Cynuria
by the memorable combat of the 300 champions, in which the Spartan
Othryades earned immortal fame (Herod. i. 82;)
But the great blow, which effectually humbled the power of Argos,
and gave Sparta the undisputed
pre-eminence in Peloponnesus,
was dealt by the Spartan
king Cleomenes, who defeated the Argives with such slaughter near Tiryns,
that 6000 citizens perished in the battle and the retreat (Herod. vi. 76) According
to later writers, the city was only saved by the patriotism of the Argive women,
who, headed by the poetess Telesilla, repulsed the enemy from the walls (Paus.
ii. 20.8; Polyaen. viii. 33; Plut. de Virt. Mul. p. 245; Suid. s. v. Telesilla);
but we know, from the express statement of Herodotus, that Cleomenes never attacked
the city. This great defeat occurred a few years before the Persian wars (comp.
Herod. vii. 148), and deprived Argos so completely of men, that the slaves got
the government into their own hands, and retained possession of it till the sons
of those who had fallen were grown into manhood. It is further related, that when
the young citizens had grown up, they expelled the slaves, who took refuge at
Tiryns, where they maintained
themselves for some time, but were eventually subdued (Herod. vi. 83). These slaves,
as Muller has remarked (Dorians, iii. 4.2), must have been the Gymnesii or bondsmen
who dwelt in the immediate neighbourhood of the city; since it would be absurd
to suppose that slaves bought in foreign countries could have managed a Grecian
state. The Argives took no part in the Persian wars, partly on account
of their internal weakness, and partly through the jealousy of the Spartans;
and they were even suspected of remaining neutral, in consequence of receiving
secret offers from Xerxes (Herod. vii. 150). But even after the expulsion of the
bondsmen, the Dorian citizens found themselves compelled to give the citizenship
to many of the Perioeci, and to distribute them in the immediate neighbourhood
of the city (Aristot. Pol. v. 2.8). Further, in order to increase their numbers
and their power, they also dispeopled nearly all the large cities in the surrounding
country, and transplanted the inhabitants to Argos. In the Persian wars Tiryns
and Mycenae were independent
cities, which followed the command of Sparta
without the consent of Argos. The Argives destroyed Mycenae
in B.C. 468 (Diod. xi. 65; comp. Paus. viii. 16.5); and about the same time we
may place the destruction of Tiryns,
Hysiae, Midea,
and the other towns in the Argeia (Paus. viii. 27.1).
The introduction of so many new citizens gave new life and vigour
to Argos, and soon re-established its prosperity and wealth (Diod. xii. 75); but
at the same time it occasioned a complete change in the constitution. Up to this
time Argos had been essentially a Doric state. It contained three classes of persons:
1. The inhabitants of the city, consisting for the most part of Dorians, originally
divided into three tribes, to which a fourth was afterwards added, named Hyrnathia,
containing families not of Doric origin (Muller, Dorians, iii. 5.1, 2).
2. A class of Perioeci, consisting of the ancient Achaean inhabitants. Muller
(Ibid. iii. 4.2) supposes that these Perioeci were called Orneatae from the town
of Orneae; but there are good reasons for questioning this
statement.
3. A class of bondslaves, named Gymnesii, corresponding to the Helots of Sparta,
and of whom mention has been made above.
There was a king at the head of the state. All the kings were descendants
of the Heracleid Temenus down to Meltas, who was the last king of this race (Paus.
ii. 19.2; Plut. Alex. Virt. 8); and after him another dynasty reigned down to
the time of the Persian wars. Herodotus (vii. 149) mentions a king of Argos at
this period; but the royal dignity was abolished soon afterwards, probably when
the inhabitants of the neighbouring towns were received as citizens (Hermann,
Griech. Staatsalt. 23. n. 6).
The royal power, however, was always very limited (Paus. ii. 9.2);
for the Council (boule) possessed extensive authority. At the time of the Peloponnesian
war we find Argos in the enjoyment of a democratic constitution; but of the details
of this constitution we possess hardly any accounts (Thuc. v. 29, 41, 44). In
the treaty of alliance between Argos and Athens,
which Thucydides (v. 47) has preserved, we find mention at Argos of the Boule,
the Eighty, and the Artynae (Artunai). It has been conjectured that the Eighty
was a more aristocratical council, and that the Artynae may have acted as presidents
to this council (Arnold, ad Thuc. l. c.); but nothing is really known of these
two bodies except their names. The ostracism was one of the democratical institutions
of Argos (Aristot. Pol. v. 2.5; Schol. ad Aristoph. Eq. 851). Another democratical
institution was a military court, which the soldiers, on returning from an expedition,
held on the river Charadrus
before entering the city, in order to inquire into the conduct of their generals
(Thuc. v. 60).
The Argives remained neutral during the first ten years of this war,
in consequence of a truce for 30 years which they had previously formed with the
Spartans (Thuc. v. 14).During
this time they had increased in numbers and wealth; while Sparta
had been greatly exhausted by her contest with Athens.
Moreover, shortly before the expiration of the truce, the Spartans
had given great offence to her Peloponnesian
allies by concluding the peace with Athens,
usually called the peace of Nicias (B.C. 421). The time seemed favourable to Argos
for the recovery of her former supremacy in the Peloponnesus;
and she accordingly formed a league against Sparta,
which was joined by the Mantineians,
Corinthians and Eleians,
B.C. 421 (Thuc. v. 31). In the following year (B.C. 420) the Athenians
also were persuaded by Alcibiades to form a treaty with Argos (Thuc. v. 43-47);
but the disastrous battle of Mantineia
(B.C. 418), in which the Argives and their confederates were defeated by the Spartans,
not only broke up this alliance, but placed Argos in close connection with Sparta.
There had always been an oligarchical party at Argos in favour of
a Lacedaemonian alliance.
About the time of the peace of Nicias, the Argive government had formed a separate
regiment of a thousand select hoplites, consisting of young men of wealth and
station, to receive constant military training at the public expense (Diod. xii.
75; Thuc. v. 67). At the battle of Mantineia
this regiment had been victorious over the troops opposed to them, while the democratical
soldiers had been put to the rout by the enemy. Supported by this regiment, the
oligarchical party obtained the upper hand at Argos, and concluded a treaty of
peace with Sparta; and in
the following year (B.C. 417), assisted by some Spartan
troops, they overthrew the democratical form of government by force (Thuc. v.
71--81). But they did not retain their power long. At the end of four months the
people rose against their oppressors, and after a sharp contest expelled them
from the city.
The Argives now renewed their alliance with the Athenians,
and commenced erecting long walls, in order to connect their city with the sea;
but before they had time to finish them, the Lacedaemonians
invaded their territory, and destroyed the walls (Thuc. v. 82, 83). During the
remainder of the Peloponnesian
war the Argives continued faithful to the Athenian
alliance, and sent troops to the Athenian
armies (Thuc. vi. 29, vii. 57, viii. 25).
At a later time the Argives were always ready to join the enemies
of Sparta. Thus they united
with Athens, Thebes,
Corinth, and the other states
to oppose Sparta in the war
which was set on foot by the Persian king in B.C. 395; and even when Athens
assisted Sparta against the
Thebans, the Argives would
not make cause with their old allies, but fought on the side of the Thebans
against their ancient enemy, B.C. 362 (Xen. Hell. vii. 5. 5) It was about this
time that party hatred perpetrated the greatest excesses at Argos. The oligarchical
party having been detected in an attempt to overthrow the democracy, the people
became so exasperated that they put to death most of the men of wealth and influence
in the state. On this occasion 1200 men, or, according to another statement, 1500,
were slain; and even the demagogues shared the same fate. This state of things
was called by the name of Skutalismos, or club-law (Diod. xv. 58; Plut. Praec.
Reip. Ger. p. 814, b.; Muller, Ibid. iii. 9.1)
Little requires to be said respecting the subsequent history of Argos.
The most memorable occurrence in its later history is the attempt of Pyrrhus to
surprise the city, in which he met with his death (Plut. Pyrrh. 34;). Like many
of the other cities in Peloponnesus,
Argos was now governed by tyrants, who maintained their power by the support of
the Macedonian kings; but
when Aratus had succeeded in liberating Sicyon
and Corinth, he persuaded
Aristomachus, the tyrant of Argos, voluntarily to resign his power; and the Argives
then joined the Achaean league, B.C. 229 (Pol. ii. 44; Plut. Arat. 35). Argos
fell for a time into the hands of Cleomenes (Pol. ii. 52), and subsequently into
those of Nabis, tyrant of Sparta,
and his cruel wife (Pol. xvii. 17; Liv. xxxii. 18); but. with the exception of
these temporary occupations, it continued to belong to the Achaean league till
the final conquest of Greece by the Romans, B.C. 146 (Strab. viii).
Argos was one of the largest and most populous cities in Greece. We
have already seen that in the war with Cleomenes it lost 6000 of its citizens;
but at the time of the Peloponnesian war it had greatly increased in numbers.
Lysias, in B.C. 402, says that Argos equalled Athens
in the number of her citizens (Dionys. Lys. p. 531); and there were probably not
less than 16,000 Athenian
citizens at that time. But 16,000 citizens will give a total free population of
66,000. If to these we add the slaves and the Perioeci, the aggregate calculation
cannot have been less than 110,000 persons for Argos and its territory (Clinton,
F. H. vol. ii. p. 424, seq.)
Few towns in Greece paid more attention to the worship of the gods
than Argos. Hera was the deity whom they reverenced above all others. This goddess
was an Achaean rather than a Dorian divinity, and appears in the Iliad as the
guardian deity of the Argives; but her worship was adopted by the Dorian conquerors,
and was celebrated with the greatest honours down to the latest times. Even in
B.C. 195 we find Aristaenus, the general of the Achaean league, invoking, Juno
regina, cujus in tutela Argi sunt (Liv. xxxiv. 24). The chief temple of this goddess,
called the Heraeum, was situated
between Argos and Mycenae,
but much nearer to the latter than to the former city; and in the heroic age,
when Mycenae was the chief
city in the Argeia, the inhabitants of this city probably had the management of
the temple (Grote, vol. i. pp. 226, 227). In the historical age the temple belonged
to the Argives, who had the exclusive management of its affairs. The high priestess
of the temple held her office for life; and the Argives counted their years by
the date of her office (Thuc. ii. 2). Once in four years, probably in the second
year of every Olympiad, there was a magnificent procession from Argos to this
temple, in which almost the whole population of the city took part. The priestess
rode in a chariot, drawn by two white oxen (Herod. i. 31; Cic. Tusc. i. 4. 7;).
Respecting the site of this temple, which was one of the most magnificent in Greece,
some remarks are made...(see Heraeum).
In the city itself there were also two temples of Hera, one of Hera
Acraea on the ascent to the Acropolis (Paus. ii. 24.1), and the other of Hera
Antheia in the lower part of the city (Paus. ii. 22.1). But the temple of Apollo
Lyceius is described by Pausanias (ii. 19.3) as by far the most celebrated of
all the temples in the city. Tradition ascribed its foundation to Danaus. It stood
on one side of the Agora (Thuc. v. 47), which Sophocles therefore calls the Lyceian
Agora of the wolf-slaying god (tou lukoktonou theou agora Lukeios, Soph. Electr.
6; comp. Plut. Pyrrh. 31; Leake, Morea, vol. ii. p. 401, seq.). There was also
a temple of Apollo Pythaeus on the Acropolis,which, as we have already seen, was
a common sanctuary for the Dorian states belonging to the ancient Argive confederacy
(Paus. ii. 24.1; Thuc. v. 53.) There were temples to several other gods in Argos;
but we may pass them over, with the exception of the temples of Zeus Larissaeus
and of Athena, both of which crowned the summit of the acropolis (Paus. ii. 24.3;
Strab. viii.6).
The great number of temples, and of statues with which they were adorned,
necessarily led to the cultivation of the fine arts. Argos became the seat of
one of the most celebrated schools of statuary in Greece. It rose to the greatest
renown in the 5th century, B.C., under Ageladas, who was the teacher of Pheidias,
Myron, and Polycleitus, three of the greatest sculptors in antiquity. Music was
also cultivatedwith success at Argos at an early period ; and in the reign of
Darius the Argives were reckoned by Herodotus (iii. 131) the best musicians in
Greece. Sacadas, who flourished about this period (B.C. 590--580), and who was
one of the most eminent of the Greek musicians, was a native of Argos. Sacadas
obtained distinction as a poet as well as a musician; and the Argive Telesilla,
who was contemporary with Cleomenes, was so celebrated as a poetess as to be classed
among those who were called the Nine Lyric Muses (Dict. of Biogr. art. Sacadas
and Telesilla). But after this time we find no trace of the pursuit of literature
at Argos. Notwithstanding its democratical constitution, and the consequent attention
that was paid to public affairs, it produced no orator whose fame descended to
posterity (Cic. Brut. 13). The Argives had the character of being addicted to
wine (Aelian, V. H. iii. 15; Athen. x. d).
The remains of Argos are few, but still sufficient to enable us to
fix the position of some parts of the ancient city, of which Pausanias has left
us a minute account. The modern town of Argos is situated wholly in the plain,
but it is evident from the existing remains of the ancient walls, that the mountain
called Larissa was included within the ancient city. On the summit of this mountain
there are the ruins of a Gothic castle, the walls of which are built upon those
of the ancient acropolis. The masonry of the ancient parts of the building is
solely or chiefly in the more regular or polygonal style. There are, however,
considerable vestiges of other lines of wall, of massive Cyclopian structure,
on the sides and base of the hill connecting the citadel with the lower town (Mure,
vol. ii. p. 184). Euripides, in more than one passage, alludes to the Cyclopian
walls of Argos (Argos, hina teiche laina Kuklopi ourania nemontai, Troad. 1087;
Argeia teiche kai Kuklopian polin, Here. Fur. 15). It appears from the ancient
substructions that the ancient acropolis, like the modern citadel, consisted of
an outer wall or rampart, and of an inner keep or castle. The latter occupied
a square of about 200 feet.
From either end of the outer fortification, the city walls may be traced on the
descent of the hill. As no remains of the city walls can be traced in the plain,
it is difficult to form an estimate of the dimensions of the ancient city; but
Leake conjectures that it could not have been less than 5 miles in circumference.
We learn from Livy that Argos had two citadels ( nam duas [arces]
habent Argi, Liv. xxxiv. 25). This second citadel was probably situated at the
extremity of the hill, which forms the north-eastern projection of the mountain
of Larissa, and which rises
to about one-third of the height of the latter. The ridge connecting this hill
with the Larissa is called
Deiras (Deiras) by Pausanias (ii. 24.1). The second citadel was called Aspis
(Aspis, Plut. Pyrrh. 32, Cleom. 17, 21), since a shield was suspended here as
the insignia of the town; whence the proverb hos ten en Argei aspida kathelon
(Zenob. vi. 52; Plut. Prove. Alexand. 44; Suid.; Muller, Doricans, App. vi.9).
There are considerable remains of the theatre, which was excavated
on the southern slope of the Larissa. In front of the western wing of the theatre
there are some brick ruins of the Roman period. At the south-western end of the
Larissa there are remains
of an aqueduct, which may be traced two miles beyond the village of Belissi
to the NW.
The Agora appears to have stood nearly in the centre of the city.
In the middle of the Agora was the monument of Pyrrhus, a building of white marble;
on which were sculptured the arms worn by this monarch in his wars, and some figures
of elephants. It was erected on the spot where the body of Pyrrhus was burnt;
but his remains were deposited in the neighbouring temple of Demeter, where he
died, and his shield was affixed above the entrance (Paus. ii. 21.4). A street
named Coele (Koile, Pans. ii. 23.1) appears to have led from the Agora to the
Larissa, the ascent to which
was by the ridge of Deiras. At the foot of the hill Deiras was a subterraneous
building, which is said to have once contained the brazen chamber (ho chalkous
thalamos) in which Danae was confined by her father Acrisius (Paus. ii. 23.7;
comp. Soph. Antig. 948; comp. Hor. Carm. iii. 16. 1). The gymnasium, called Cylarabis
(Kularabis), from the son of Sthenelus, was situated outside the city, at a distance
of less than 300 paces according to Livy (Paus. ii. 22.8; Liv. xxxiv. 26; Plut.
Cleom. 17). The gate which led to it was called Diamperes (Diamperes). It was
through this gate that Pyrrhus entered the city on the night of his death (Plut.
Pyrrh. 32) The king fell near the sepulchre of Licymnius in a street leading from
the agora to the gymnasium. (Plut. Pyrrh. 34; Paus. ii. 22.8)
The principal gates of Argos appear to have been:
1. The gate of Eileithyia, so called from a neighbouring temple of this goddess,
leading to Mycenae and Cleonae
(Paus. ii. 18.3)
2. The gate of Deiras (hai pulai hai pros te Deiradi), leading to Mantineia.
In the ridge, called Deiras, Leake observed an opening in the line of the ancient
walls, which marks precisely the position of this gate (Paus. ii. 25.1)
3. The gate leading to Tegea (Paus.
ii. 24.5)
4. The gate leading to Temenium.
5. The gate Diamperes, leading to Tiryns,
Nauplia and Epidaurus.
6. A gate leading to the Heraeum.
This extract is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited May 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ΑΡΙΣΤΟΝΑΥΤΑΙ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΞΥΛΟΚΑΣΤΡΟ
The harbour of Pellene was called Aristonautae (Aristonautai), and
was distant 60 stadia from Pellene, and 120 from Aegeira. It is said to have been
so called from the Argonauts having landed there in the course of their voyage.
(Paus. vii. 26. § 14, ii. 12. § 2.) It was probably on the site of the modern
Kamari. (Leake, Morea, vol. iii. p. 384.) A little to the E., near the coast,
was the fortress Olurus (Olouros), dependent upon Pellene; Leake places it at
Xylo-castro. It would thus have stood at the entrance of the gorge leading from
the maritime plain into the territory of Pellene, and would have been a position
of great importance to the safety of that district. (Xen. Hell. vii. 14. 17, 18;
Plin. iv. 6; Mel. iii. 3; Steph. B. s. v.; Leake, vol. iii. p. 224.) Near Aristonautae
was Gonnusa or Gonoessa, to which Homer gives the epithet of lofty (aipeine).
According to Pausanias its proper name was Donussa (Donoussa), which was changed
by Peisistratus into Gonoessa, when he collected the poems of Homer. Pausanias
says that it was a fortress belonging to the Sicyonians, and lay between Aegeira
and Pellene; but from its position we may infer that it was at one time dependent
upon Pellene. Leake places it at Koryfi, the lofty mountain, at the foot of which
is Kamari, the ancient Aristonautae. (Horn. Il. ii. 573; Paus. vii. 26. § 13;
Leake, vol. iii. p. 385.)
This extract is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ΑΡΚΑΔΙΑ (Αρχαία περιοχή) ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΣ
Arcadia (Arkadla: Eth. Arkas, pl. Arkades, Areas, pl. Arcades), the central country
of Peloponnesus, was bounded on the E. by Argolis, on the N. by Achaia, on the
W. by Elis, and on the S. by Messenia and Laconia. Next to Laconia it was the
largest country in Peloponnesus; its greatest length was about 50 miles, its breadth
varied from 35 to 41 miles, and its area was about 1700 square miles. It was surrounded
on all sides by a ring of mountains, forming a kind of natural wall, which separated
it from the other Peloponnesian states; and it was also traversed, in its interior,
by various ranges of mountains in all directions. Arcadia has been aptly called
the Swjtieland of Greece.
The western and eastern parts of Arcadia differed considerably in
their physical features. In the western region the mountains were wild, high,
and bleak, closely piled upon one another, and possessing vallies of small extent
and of little fertility. The mountains were covered with forests and abounded
in game; and even in the time of Pausanias (viii. 23. § 9), not only wild boars,
but even bears were found in them. It was drained by the Alpheius and its tributary
streams. This part of Arcadia was thinly populated, and its inhabitants were reckoned
among the rudest of the Greeks. They obtained their subsistence by hunting, and
the rearing and feeding of cattle.
On the other hand, the eastern region is intersected by mountains
of lower elevation, between which there are several small and fertile plains,
producing corn, oil, and wine. These plains are so completely inclosed by mountains,
that the streams which flow into them from the mountains only find outlets for
their waters by natural chasms in the rocks, which are not uncommon in limestone
mountains. Many of these streams, after disappearing beneath the ground, rise
again after a greater or less interval. These chasms in the mountains were called
zerethra by the Arcadians (Strab. p. 389), and are termed katavothra by the modern
Greeks. (Leake, Morea, vol. iii. p. 55.) In these plains, enclosed by mountains,
were situated almost all the chief cities of Arcadia,--Tegea, Mantineia, Orchomenus,
Stymphalus, and Pheneus, whose territories extended along the whole eastern frontier
of Arcadia, from the borders of Laconia to those of Sicyon and Pellene, in Achaia.
Of all the productions of Arcadia the best known were its asses, which
were in request in every part of Greece. (Varr. R. R. ii. 1. § 14; Plin. viii.
43. s. 68; Plant. Asin. ii. 2. 67; Strab. p. 388; Pers. iii. 9, Arcadiae pecuaria
rudere credas. )
The principal mountains in Arcadia were: on the N. Cyllene, in the
NE. corner of the country, the highest point in the Peloponnesus (7788 feet),
which runs in a westerly direction, forming the boundary between Achaia and Elis,
and was known under the names of Crathis, Aroanius, and Erymanthus. On the W.
Lampeia and Pholoe, both of them a southern continuation of Erymanthus, and the
other mountains separating Arcadia from Elis, but the names of which are not preserved.
On the E. Lyrceius, Artemisium, Parthenium, and the range of mountains separating
Arcadia from Argolis, and connected with the northern extremity of Taygetus. In
the S. Maenalus and Lycaeus. Of these mountains an account is given under their
respective names.
The chief river of Arcadia, which is also the principal river of the
Peloponnesus, is the Alpheius. It rises near the southern frontier, flows in a
northwesterly direction, and receives many tributaries. Besides these, the Styx,
Eurotas, and Erasinuis, also rise in Arcadia. Of the numerous small lakes on the
eastern frontier the most important was Stymphalus, near the town of that name.
The Arcadians regarded themselves as the most ancient inhabitants
of Greece, and called themselves proselenoi, as laying claim to an antiquity higher
than that of the moon, though some modern writers interpret this epithet differently.
(Apoll. Rhod. iv. 264; Lucian, de Astrol. c. 26; Schol. ad Aristoph. Nub. 397;
Heyne, De Arcadibus luna antiquioribus, in Opuscula, vol. ii. pp. 333--355.) They
derived their name from an eponymous ancestor Areas, the son of Zeus, though his
genealogy is given differently by different writers. (Dict. of Biogr. art. Areas.)
The Greek writers call them indigenous (autochthones), or Pelasgians, and Pelasgus
is said to have been their first sovereign. Herodotus says that the Arcadians
and Cynurians were the only two peoples in Peloponnesus who had never changed
their abodes; and we know that Arcadia was inhabited by the same race from the
earliest times of which we have any historical records. (Herod. viii. 73, and
i. 146, Arkades Pelasgoi; Xen. Hell. vii. 1. 23; Dem. de Fals. Leg. § 261; Paus.
viii. 1; Strab. p. 338.) Shut up within their mountains the Arcadians experienced
fewer changes than most of the inhabitants of Greece. They are represented as
a people simple in their habits, and moderate in their desires; and, according
to the testimony of their countryman Polybius, they retained down to his time
a high reputation among the Greeks for hospitality, kindness, and piety. He ascribes
these excellencies to their social institutions, and especially \ to their cultivatio
of music, which was supposed to counteract the harshness of character which their
i rugged country had a tendency to produce; and he attributes the savage character
of the inhabitants of Cynaetha to their neglect of music. (Pol. iv. 20, / 21.)
We know from other authorities that music formed an important part of their education;
and : they were celebrated throughout antiquity both for their love of music and
for the success with which they cultivated it. (Comp. e. g. Virg. Eel. x. 32.)
The lyre is said to have been invented in their country by Hermes. The syrinx,
also, which was the musical instrument of shepherds, was the invention of Pan,
the tutelary god of Arcadia. The simplicity of the Arcadian character was exaggerated
by the Roman poets into an ideal excellence; and its shepherds were represented
as living in a state of innocence and virtue. But they did not possess an equal
reputation for intelligence, as is shown by the proverbial expressions, Arcadici
senses, Arcadicae acres, &c.: a blockhead is called by Juvenal (vii. 160) Arcadicus
juvenis. The Arcadians were a strong and hardy race of mountaineers; and, like
the Swiss in modern Europe, they constantly served as mercenaries. (Athen. i.
p. 27; Thuc. vii. 57.)
The religion of the Arcadians was such as might have been expected
from a nation of shepherds and huntsmen. Hermes was originally an Arcadian divinity,
said to have been born on Mt. Cyllene, and brought up on Mt. Acacesius; but the
deity whom they most worshipped was his son Pan, the great guardian of flocks
and shepherds. Another ancient Arcadian divinity was Artemis, who presided over
the chase, and who appears to have been originally a different goddess from Artemis,
the sister of Apollo, though the two were afterwards confounded. (Diet. of Biog.
art. Artemis.) The worship of Zeus, surnamed Lycaeus, was also very ancient in
Arcadia, and was celebrated with human sacrifices even down to the Macedonian
period, a fact which proves that the Arcadians still retained much of their original
rude and savage character, notwithstanding the praises of their countryman Polybius.
(Theoph. ap. Porphyr. de Abstin. ii. 27; comp. Pans. viii. 38. § 7.) Despoena
daughter of Poseidon and Demeter, was likewise worshipped with great solemnity
in Arcadia. (Paus. viii. 37.)
Of the history of the Arcadians little requires to be said. Pausanias
(viii. 1, seq.) gives a long list of the early Arcadian kings, respecting whom
the curious in such matters will find a minute account in Clinton. (Fast. Hell.
vol. i. pp. 88--92.) It appears from the genealogy of these kings that the Arcadians
were, from an early period, divided into several independent states. The most
ancient division appears to have been into three separate bodies. This is alluded
to in the account of the descendants of Arcas, who had three sons, Azan, Apheidas,
and Elatus, from whom sprang the different Arcadian kings (Paus. viii. 4); and
this triple division is also seen in the geographical distributions of the Arcadians
into Azanes, Parrhasii, and Trapezuntii. (Steph. B. s. v. Azania.) In the Trojan
war, however, there is only one Arcadian king mentioned, Agapenor, the son of
Ancaeus, and descendant of Apheidas, who sailed with the Arcadians against Troy,
in 60 ships, which had been supplied to them by Agamemnon. (Hom. Il. ii. 609.)
Previous to the Trojan war various Arcadian colonies are said to have been sent
to Italy. Of these the most celebrated was the one led by Evander, who settled
on the banks of the Tiber, at the spot where Rome was afterwards built, and called
the town which he built Pallantium, after the Arcadian place of this name, from
which he came. That these Arcadian colonies are pure fictions, no one would think
of doubting at the present day; but it has been suggested that an explanation
of them may be found in the supposition that the ancient inhabitants of Latium
were Pelasgians, like the Arcadians, and may thus have possessed certain traditions
in common. (Comp. Niebuhr, Hist. of Rome, vol. i. p. 86.)
On the invasion of Peloponnesus by the Dorians, the Arcadians, protected
by their mountains, maintained their independence (Herod. ii. 171 ; Strab. p.
333); but the Spartans, when their power became more fully developed, made various
attempts to obtain dominion over the Arcadian towns. Accordingly, the Arcadians
fought on the side of the Messenians in their wars against Sparta; and they showed
their sympathy for the Messenians by receiving them into their country, and giving
them their daughters in marriage at the close of the second Messenian war (B.C.
631), and by putting to death Aristocrates, king of Orchomenus, because he treacherously
abandoned the Messenians at the battle of the Treneh. (Diod. xv. 66; Pol. iv.
33; Paus. viii. 5. § 10, seq.) Since the Arcadians were not united by any political
league, and rarely acted in concert, till the foundation of Megalopolis by Epaminondas,
in B.C. 371, their history down to this period is the history of their separate
towns. It is only necessary to mention here the more important events, referring,
for details, to the separate articles under the names of these towns. Most of
the Arcadian towns were only villages, each independent of the other, but on the
eastern frontier there were some considerable towns, as has been mentioned above.
Of these by far the most important were Tegea and Mantineia, on the borders of
Laconia and Argolis, their territories consisting of the plain of Tripolitza.
It has already been stated, that the Spartans made various attempts
to extend their dominion over Arcadia. The whole of the northern territory of
Sparta originally belonged to Arcadia, and was inhabited by Arcadian inhabitants.
The districts of Sciratis, Beleminatis, Maleatis, and Caryatis, were at one time
part of Arcadia, but had been conquered and annexed to Sparta before B.C. 600.
(Grote, Hist. of Greece, vol. ii. p. 588.) The Spartans, however, met with a formidable
resistance from Tegea, and it was not till after a struggle, which lasted for
several centuries, and in the course of which the Spartans had been frequently
defeated, that Tegea at length acknowledged the supremacy of Sparta, about B.C.
560. From this time Tegea and the other Arcadian towns appear as the allies of
Sparta, and obeyed her orders as to the disposal of their military force; but
they continued to maintain their independence, and never became the subjects of
Sparta. In the Persian wars, the Arcadians fought under Sparta, and the Tegeatans
appear as the second military power in the Peloponnesus, having the place of honour
on the left wing of the allied army. (Herod. ix. 26.) Between the battle of Plataea
and the beginning of the third Messenian war (i. e. between B.C. 479 and 464),
the Arcadians were again at war with Sparta. Of this war we have no details, and
we only know that the Spartans gained two great victories, one over the Tegeates
and Argives at Tegea, and another over all the Arcadians, with the exception of
the Mantineians, at Dipaea (En Dipaeudin) in the Maenalian territory. (Herod.
ix. 35; Paus. iii. 11. § 7.) In the Peloponnesian war, all the Arcadian towns
remained faithful to Sparta, with the exception of Mantineia; but this city, which
was at the head of the democratical interest in Arcadia, formed an alliance with
Argos, and Athens, and Elis, in B.C. 421, and declared war against Sparta. The
Mantineians, however, were defeated, and compelled to renew their alliance with
Sparta, B.C. 417. (Thuc. v. 29, seq., 66, seq., 81.) Some years afterwards, the
Spartans, jealous of the power of Mantineia, razed the walls of the city, and
distributed the inhabitants among the four or five villages, of which they had
originally consisted, B.C. 385. (Xen. Hell. v. 2. 1--6; Diod. xv. 19.) The defeat
of the Spartans at the battle of Leuctra, by Epaminondas and the Thebans (B.C.
371), destroyed the Spartan supremacy in the Peloponnesus, and restored the independence
of the Arcadian towns. This victory was followed immediately by the restoration
of Mantineia, and later in the same year by the formation of a political confederation
in Arcadia. The person who took the most active part in effecting this union,
was a native of Mantineia, named Lycomedes, and his project was warmly seconded
by Epaminondas and the Boeotian chiefs. The plan was opposed by the aristocratical
parties at Orchomenus, Tegea, and other Arcadian towns, but it received the cordial
approbation of the great body of the Arcadian people. They resolved to found a
new city, which was to be the seat of the new government, and to be called Megalopolis,
or the Great City. The foundations of the city were immediately laid, and its
population was drawn from about 40 petty Arcadian townships. Of the constitution
of the new confederation we have very little information. We only know that the
great council of the nation, which used to meet at Megalopolis, was called hoi
Murioi, or the Ten Thousand. (Xen. Hell. vi. 5. 3, seq., vii. 1. § 38; Paus. viii.
27; Diod. xv. 59.) This council was evidently a representative assembly, and was
not composed exclusively of Megalopolitans; but when and how often it was assembled,
and whether there was any smaller council or not, are questions which cannot be
answered. (For details, see Thirlwall, Hist. of Greece, vol. v. p. 88.) A standing
army was also formed, called Epariti (Eparitoi), consisting of 5000 men, to defend
the common interests of the confederation. (Xen. Hell. vii. 4. 34, vii. 5. § 3;
Diod. xv. 62, 67; Hesych. s. v. eporoetoi.) Supported by the Thebans, the Arcadians
were able to resist all the attempts of the Spartans to prevent the new confederacy
from becoming a reality; but they sustained one signal defeat from the Spartans
under Archidamus, in B.C. 367, in what is called the Tearless battle, although
the statement that 10,000 of the Arcadians and their Argive allies were slain,
without the loss of a single man on the Spartan side, is evidently an exaggeration.
(Plut. Ages. 33; Diod. xv. 72; Xen. Hell. vii. 1. 28, seq.) In B.C. 365, a war
broke out between the Arcadians and Eleans, in which the former were not only
successful, but took possession of Olympia, and gave to the Pisatans the presidency
of the Olympic games (364). The members of the Arcadian government appropriated
a portion of the sacred treasures at Olympia to pay their troops; but this proceeding
was warmly censured by the Mantineians, who were, for some reason, opposed to
the supreme government. The latter was supported by Tegea, as well as by the Thebans,
and the Mantineians, in consequence, were led to ally themselves with their ancient
enemies the Spartans. (Xen. Hell. vii. 4; Diod. xv. 77, seq.) Thus, the two most
powerful cities of Arcadia were again arrayed against each other, and the strength
of the new confederation was destroyed almost as soon as it was formed. The disturbed
state of Arcadia brought Epaminondas at the head of a Theban army into Peloponnesus,
in B.C. 362; and his death at the battle of Mantineia was followed by a general
peace among all the belligerents, with the exception of Sparta. In the subsequent
disturbances in Greece, we hear little of the Arcadians; and though Megalopolis
continued to be an important city, the political confederation lost all real power.
After the death of Alexander the Great, we find many of the Arcadian cities in
the hands of tyrants; and so little union was there between the cities, that some
of them joined the Achaean, and others the Aetolian, league. Thus Megalopolis
was united to the Achaean League, whereas Orchomenus, Tegea, and Mantineia, were
members of the Aetolian. (Pol. ii. 44, 46.) Subsequently, the whole of Arcadia
was annexed to the Achaean League, to which it continued to belong till the dissolution
of the league by the Romans, when Arcadia, with the rest of the Peloponnesus,
became part of the Roman province of Achaia. Like many of the other countries
of Greece, Arcadia rapidly declined under the Roman dominion. Strabo describes
it as almost deserted at the time when he wrote; and of all its ancient cities
Tegea was the only one still inhabited in his day. (Strab. p. 388.) For our knowledge
of the greater part of the country we are indebted chiefly to Pausanias, who has
devoted one of his books to a description of its cities and their remains.
The following is a list of the towns of Arcadia:
1. In Tegeatis (Tegeatis), the SE. district, Tegea with the dependent places Manthyrea,
Phylace, Garea, Corytheis.
2. In Mantinice (Mantinike), the district N. of Tegeatis, Mantineia with the dependent
places, Maera, Petrosaca, Phoezon, Nestane, Melangeia, Elymia.
3. In Stymplmalia (Stumphalia), the district N. of Mantinice, Stymphalus, Oligyrtum,
Alea.
4. In Maenalia (Mainalia), so called from Mt. Maenalus, the district S. and W.
of Mantinice, and W. of Tegeatis: on the road from Megalopolis to Tegea, Ladoceia;
Haemoniae (Haimoniai), probably on the western side of Mt. Tzimbaru (Paus. viii.
3. § 3, 44. § 1; Steph. B. s. v.; Leake, Peloponnesiaca, p. 247); Oresthasium
a little to the right of the road; Aphrodisium (Aphrodision, Paus. viii. 44. §
2); Athenaeum; Asea; Pallantium. On the road from Megalopolis to Maenalus, along
the valley of the Helisson, Peraetheis (Peraitheis, Paus. viii. 3. § 4, 27. §
3, 36. § 7), Lycoa, Dipaea, Suaiatia, Maenalus. N. of Maenalus, Anemosa and Helisson.
Between Pallantium and Asea Eutea The inhabitants of most of these towns were
removed to Megalopolis on the foundation of the latter city, which was situated
in the SW. corner of Maenalia. The same remark applies to the inhabitants of most
of the towns in the districts Maleatis, Cromitis, Parrhasia, Cynuria, Eutresia.
5. In Maleatis (Maleatis), a district S. of Maenalia, on the borders of Laconia.
The inhabitants of this district, and of Cromitis, are called Aegytae by Pausanias
(viii. 27. § 4), because the Lacedaemonian town of Aegys originally belonged to
Arcadia. Malea; Leuctra or Leuctum; Phalaeseae; Scirtonium (Skirtonion, Paus.
viii. 27. § 4), of uncertain site.
6. In Cromitis (Kromitis), a district west of Maleatis, on the Messenian frontier:
Cromi or Cromsus; Gatheae; Phaedrias (Phaidrias, Paus. viii. 35. § 1), on the
road from Megalopolis to Carnasium, perhaps on the height above Neokhori. (Leake,
Peloponnesiaca, p. 236.)
7. In Parrhasia (Parrhadike, Thuc. v. 33), a district on the Messenian frontier,
N. of Cromitis and Messenia, occupying the left bank of the plain of the Alpheius:
Macareae; Daseae; Acacesium; Lycosura; Thocnia; Basilis; Cypsela; Bathos; Tra[ezus;
Acontitum and Proseis (Akontion, Proseis), both of uncertain site. (Paus. viii.
27. § 4.) The Parrhasii (Parrhasioi) are mentioned as one of the most ancient
of the Arcadian tribes. (Strab. p. 388; Steph. B. s. v. Azania.) During the Peloponnesian
war the Mantineians had extended their supremacy over the Parrhasii, but the latter
were restored to independence by the Lacedaemonians, B.C. 421. (Thuc. v. 33.)
Homer mentions a town Parrhasia, said to have been founded by Parrhasus, son of
Lycaon, or by Pelasgus, son of Arestor, which Leake conjectures to be the same
as Lycosura. (Hom. Il. ii. 608; Plin. iv. 10; Steph. B. s. v. Parrhasia.) The
Roman poets frequently us, the adjectives Parrhasius and Parrhasis as equivalent
to Arcadian. (Virg. Aen. viii. 344, xi. 31; [p. 193] Ov. Met. viii. 315.) Thus
we find Parrhasides stellae, i. e. Ursa major (Ov. Fast. iv. 577); Parrhasia dea,
i. e. Carmenta (Ov. Fast. i. 618); Parrhasia virgo, i. e. Callisto. (Ov. Trist.
ii. 190.) 8. In Phigalice, W. of Parrhasia and N. of Messenia, Phigalia.
9. In Cynuria, N. of Phigalice and Parrhasia: Lycaea (Lycoa); Theisoa; Brenthe;
Rhaeteae (Hpaaiteai), at the confluence of the Gortynius and Alpheius (Paus. viii.
28. § 3); Thyraeum; Hypsus; Gortys or Gortyna; Maratha; Buphagium; Aliphera.
10. In Eutresia (Eutresia), a district between Parrhasia and Maenalia, inhabited
by the Eutresii (Xen. Hell. vii. 1. 29), of which the following towns are enumerated
by Pausanias (viii. 27. § 3): Tricoloni (Trikolonoi, viii. 3. § 4, 35. § 6); Zoeteium
or Zoetia (Zoiteion or Zoitia, viii. 35. § 6); Charisia (Charisia, viii. 3. §
4, 35. § 5); Ptoeclerma (Ptolederma); Cnausum (Knauson); Paroreia (Paroreia, viii.
35. § 6). In Eutresia, there was a village, Scias (Skias), 13 stadia from Megalopolis;
then followed in order, northwards, Charisia, Tricoloni, Zoeteium or Zoetia, and
Paroseia; but the position of the other places is doubtful. Stephanus speaks of
a town Eutresii (s. v. Eutresis), and Hesychius of a town Eutre (s. v. Eutre);
but in Pausanias the name is only found as that of the people.
11. In Heraeatis (Heraiatis), the district in the W. on the borders of Elis, Heraea
and Melaeneae
12. In Orchomenia (Orchomenia), the district N. of Eutresia and Cynuria, and E.
of Hereatis: Orchomenus; Amilus; Methydrium; Phalanthum; Theisoa; Teuthis; Nonacris,
Callia, and Dipoena, forming a Tripolis, but otherwise unknown. (Paus. viii. 27.
§ 4.) This Nonacris must not be confounded with the Nonacris in Pheneatis, where
the Styx rose.
13. In Caphyatis (Kaphuatis), the district N. and W. of Orchomenia: Caphyae and
Nasi (Nasoi) on the river Tragus. (Paus. viii. 23. § § 2, 9.)
14. In Pheneatis (Pheneatis), the district N. of Caphyatis, and in the NE. of
Arcadia, on the frontiersof Achaia: Pheneus; Lycuria; Carye; Penteleum; Nonacris.
15. In Cleitorica (Kleitoria), the district W. of Pheneatis: Cleitor; Lusi; Paus;
Seirae (Seirai, Paus. viii. 23. § 9; nr. Dekchuni, Leake, Peloponnesiaca, p. 221),
on the frontiers of Psophidia; Leucasium (Leukasion), Mesoboa (Mesoboa), Nasi
(Nasoi), Oryx or Halus (Orux, Halous), and Thaliades (Xaliades), all on the river
Ladon. (Paus. viii. 25. § 2; Leake, Peloponnesiace, p. 229.)
16. Cynaetha with a small territory N. of Cleitoria.
17. In Psophidia (Psophidia), a district W. of Cleitoria, on the frontiers of
Elis: Psopsis with the village Tropaea.
18. In Thelpusia (Xelpusia), the district S. of the preceding, also on the frontiers
of Elis: Thelpusa and Onceium or. Onncae.
The site of the following Arcadian towns, mentioned by Stephanus Byzantinus, is
quite unknown: Allante (Allante); Anthana (Anthana); Aulon (Au_lon); Derea (Derea);
Diope (Diope); Elis (Elis); Ephyra (Ephura); Eua (Eua); Eugeia (Eugeia); Hysia
(Husia); Nede (Nede); Nestania (Nestania); Nostia. (Nostia); Oechalia (Oichalia);
Pylae (Pulai); Phorieia (Phorieia); Thenae (Xenai); Thyraeeum (Xuraion).
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ΑΡΤΕΜΙΣΙΟΝ (Βουνό) ΛΥΡΚΕΙΑ
Artemisium. A mountain forming the boundary between Argolis and Arcadia, with a temple of Artemis on its summit. It is 5814 feet in height, and is now called the Mountain of Turniki. (Paus. ii. 25.3, viii. 5.6; Leake, Peloponnesiaca, p. 203.)
ΑΣΕΑ (Αρχαία πόλη) ΒΑΛΤΕΤΣΙ
he Asea: Aseates, a town of Arcadia in the district Maenalia, situated
near the frontier of Laconia, on the road from Megalopolis to Pallantium and Tegea.
Asea took part in the foundation of Megalopolis, to which city most of its inhabitants
removed (Paus. viii. 27. § 3, where for Iasaia we ought to read Asaia or Asea);
but Asea continued to exist as an independent state, since the Aseatae are mentioned,
along with the Megalopolitae, Tegeatae, and Pallantieis, as joining Epaminondas
before the battle of Mantineia, B.C. 362. (Xen. Hell. vi. 5. 5) At a later time,
however, Asea belonged to Megalopolis, as we see from the descriptions of Strabo
and Pausanias. The city was in ruins in the time of Pausanias, who mentions its
acropolis. In its territory, and at the distance of 5 stadia from the the city,
on the road to Pallantium, were the sources of the Alpheius, and near them those
of the Eurotas. The two rivers united their streams, and, after flowing in one
channel for 20 stadia, disappeared beneath the earth; the Alpheius rising again
at Pegae, and the Eurotas at Belemina in Laconia. North of Asea, on the road to
Pallantium, and on the summit of Mt. Boreium (Kravari), was a temple of Athena
Soteira and Poseidon, said to have been founded by Odysseus on his return from
Troy, and of which the ruins were discovered by Leake and Ross. The remains of
Asea are to be seen on the height which rises above the copious spring of water
called Frangovrysi, Frank-spring, the sources of the Alpheius. (Strab. pp. 275,
343; Paus. viii. 3. § 4, viii. 44. § 3, viii. 54. § 2; Steph. B. s. v.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited May 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
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