Listed 2 sub titles with search on: Information about the place for destination: "ELEFTHERNA Ancient city ARKADI".
An important city of Crete on the northwestern slope of Mount Ida, and traditionally founded by the Curetes. Dio Cassius (xxxvi. 1) tells a story of how a breach was made in its towers by the use of vinegar, at the time when the city was taken by Q. Metellus Creticus. In sixteenth century MSS. the ancient ruins of the place are spoken of as enormous, but of them few vestiges now remain.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
A town of great importance in Crete, situated on the NW. slopes of
Mt. Ida, at a distance of 50 stadia from the harbour of Astale (Stadiasm.), and
8 M. P. from Sybritia (Peut. Tab.). Its origin was ascribed to the legendary Curetes
(Steph. B. s. v.), and it was here that Ametor or Amiton first accompanied his
lovesongs to the cithara. It was in alliance with Cnossus till the people of Polyrrhenium
and Lampe compelled it to break off from the confederacy. (Polyb. iv. 53, 55).
Dion Cassius (xxxvi. 1) has an odd story about a knot of traitors
within who gave up the city to Q. Metellus Creticus, making a breach through a
strong brick tower by means of vinegar. It was existing in the time of Hierocles;
and the number and beauty of its silver coins show it to have been a place of
great consideration. The Venetian MS. of the 16th century mentions the remains
of this city as being so enormous as to strike the eye with wonder at the power
and riches of a people that could afford to rear such stately monuments. Mr. Pashley
discovered vestiges of antiquity on the summit of a lofty hill near a place still
called Eletherna, about five miles S. of the great convent of Arkadhi, which possesses
a Metokhi on the site.
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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