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[German version] (Τρικάρανον; Trikáranon). Mountain ridge on the north-eastern Peloponnesus (Xen. Hell. 7,2,1; 7,2,5 f.; 7,2,11 ff.; 7,4,11; Steph. Byz. s. v. Τ.), modern Koutsi, east of Phlius (highest elevation is Hagios Elias: 730 m). Meyer, Ernst (Zürich) Bibliography E. Meyer, s.v. T., RE 6 A, 144 f.  Pritchett 2, 103-105.

[German version] (Μεσσαπέαι; Messapéai). Region around the sanctuary of Zeus Messapeus, south west of Sparta, possibly on the hill of Agios Georgios east of Lele on the road to Gythium or near modern Katzarou or Antochori (Paus. 3,20,3; Theop. FGrH 115 F 245). Lafond, Yves (Bochum) Meyer, Ernst (Zürich) Bibliography D. Musti, M. Torelli (ed.), Pausania, vol. 3: La Laconia, 1991, 254f.

(Φυλάκη; Phylákē). [German version] [1] City of Achaea Phthiotis City, mentioned in Homer and other early verse as well as passages dependent on them, belonging to Achaea Phthiotis in the Halmyrus plain. P. was the home of Protesilaus; as late as Pind. I.1,83f. P. is mentioned with a sanctuary of Protesilaus. Later P. was evidently absorbed in Thebae Phthiotides (Heraclides fr. 3,3 identifies P. with it), which continued the cultural and mythological tradition of P. A more precise location at Thebae is not possible. Sources: Hom. Il. 2,695; 13,696; 15,335; Str. 9,5,8; 9,5,14. Kramolisc…

[German version] (Μαίναλον, Μαίναλος, Μαινάλιον; Maínalon, Maínalos, Mainálion). Limestone mountain range about 30 km long between the eastern Arcadian plain and the Helisson valley, up to 1981 m high, with extended fir woods; in modern times without a standardized name; modern Tripolis is at its southern foot. Sacred to Pan, who was called ‘Maenalian’ after it; in poets often in the genitive, hence it also means ‘Arcadian’. The mountains also appear as the hunting grounds of Atalante and Artemis. M. i…

[German version] [1] Building panel In Greek building inscriptions μετόπιον/ metópion i.e. μετόπη/ metópē (supporting documents: [1. 29-32]), in Vitruvius metopa (cf. [2]) is the opening or gap, which in Greek columned buildings is framed by two triglyphs ( triglyphos) in a Doric Frieze. In wooden buildings metopes were openings next to the projecting beam ends that were finished as carved triglyphs and probably served to ventilate the roof truss. The space between the triglyphs was already closed up in early Greek…

[German version] Cyprus [3] The island was incorporated into Roman possessions in 58 BC and remained part of the province of Cilicia until 48/47 BC. It was returned to the Ptolemaic kingdom by Caesar and Antony, and came permanently into Roman possession from 30 BC. As a province in its own rights, it was initially administered by a legatus, then from 22 BC by the Senate through an annually appointed procurator; following Diocletian's reorganization of the provinces, it was placed under the administration of the consularis of the dioecesis Oriens in Antioch [1] . After the initial f…

(Μακαρία; Makaría). [German version] [1] Daughter of Heracles and Deianira Daughter of Heracles and Deianira; sacrifices herself voluntarily in the war of the Athenians and the Heraclidae against Eurystheus to secure victory ( Human sacrifices): first referred to in this way in Eur. Heracl., but without mentioning her name; possibly already in Aeschylus or in Athenian local myth [1. XVI, XXXI-XXXIII, 111f.] Käppel, Lutz (Kiel) Bibliography 1 J. Wilkins (ed.), Euripides, Heraclidae, 1993 (introduction and commentary). [German version] [2] Spring in Tricorythus Spring in Tricor…

[English version] (Κρόνιον). Der kiefernbestandene Hügel (123 m) oberhalb der Altis in Olympia mit einem nur lit. bezeugten Kronos-Kult (Priesterschaft der Βασίλαι/ Basílai): Xen. hell. 7,4,14; Pind. O. 1,111; 5,17; 6,64; 9,3; Paus. 5,21,2; 6,19,1; 20,1f.; Dion. Hal. ant. 1,34,3. Meyer, Ernst † (Zürich) Olshausen, Eckart (Stuttgart)

[English version] (Μιγώνιον). Ort an der lakonischen Küste südl. von Gytheion mit Heiligtum der Aphrodite Migonitis (Paus. 3,22,1f.). Meyer, Ernst † (Zürich) Lafond, Yves (Bochum) Bibliography V. Pirenne-Delforge, L'Aphrodite grecque (Kernos Suppl. 4), 1994, 212f.

[English version] [1] Danaide (Πειρήνη). Eine der Danaiden (Danaos), mit Dolichos (Hyg. fab. 170) oder Agaptolemos (Apollod. 2,1,5) verheiratet. Junk, Tim (Kiel) [English version] [2] Eponymin der gleichnamigen Quelle in Korinthos (Πειρήνη, Πειράνα). Junk, Tim (Kiel) [English version] I. Mythologie Eponymin der gleichnamigen Quelle P. in Korinthos. Als ihre Eltern werden Flußgötter wie Asopos [2] und Metope [2] (Diod. 4,72,1) und Acheloos [2] (Paus. 2,2,3) genannt, aber auch Oibalos [1] (die ‘Großen Ehoien nach Paus. l.c.). Sie ist Mu…

Dieser Ort ist auf folgenden Karten verzeichnet: Achaioi, Achaia | Arkades, Arkadia | Athleten | Attischer Seebund | Bildung | Peloponnesischer Krieg | Perserkriege | Theater (Μαντίνεια). [English version] I. Name und Landschaft Ältere Namensform Μαντινέα, att. und danach lit. Μαντίνεια, Ethnikon οἱ Μαντινεῖς; der Stammesname ist primär, der Stadtname davon abgeleitet. Die Stadt liegt im Nordteil der großen ostarkad. Hochebene etwa 12 km nördl. von Tripolis (630 m H). Der Boden der großen Ebene von M. ist wie die ganze Hochebe…

Dieser Ort ist auf folgenden Karten verzeichnet: Achaioi, Achaia | Alexandros | Arkades, Arkadia | Attischer Seebund | Bildung | Makedonia, Makedones | Theater (Μεγάλη πόλις, lat. Megalopolis). [English version] A. Lage und Baubestand M.P. liegt mitten in der von vielen Bächen zerschnittenen westarkad. Hochebene (22 km × 10 km, 427 m H) nördl. vom h. Megalopolis (ehemals Sinanou), beiderseits des Unterlaufs des Helisson [1], etwa 4 km vor der Mündung in den Alpheios, wo sich die wichtigsten Straßen nach Arkadia, Messenia und La…

[English version] [1] Zypern (Κύπρος, lat. Cyprus, Zypern). Meyer, Ernst † (Zürich) Senff, Reinhard (Bochum) [English version] I. Geographische Lage Mit 9250 km2 ist K. die drittgrößte Insel des Mittelmeers, 227 km lang und bis 95 km breit. K. ist vom nächsten Punkt Kleinasiens, Kap Anemurion, ca. 65 km, die Ostspitze der langen, schmalen östl. Landzunge Karpass von der syr. Küste etwa 96 km entfernt. K. ist geologisch gesehen recht junger, tertiärer Entstehung. An der Nordküste erstreckt sich ein schmaler, steiler …

[German version] [1] Kingdom of Peleus and Achilles (Φθία/ Phthía, Φθίη/ Phthíē). The kingdom of Peleus and Achilles [1], home of the Myrmidones (Hom. Il. 1,155; 2,683f.; 762-767; 19,323; Hom. Od. 11,496), extending over the valley of the Spercheius and the adjacent north shore of the Thermaios Kolpos (Str. 9,5,8). The Spercheius was regarded as the home river of Achilles (Hom. Il. 23,140-144) and Phthios as the son of Spercheus (schol. Hom. Il. 23,142). The Dolopes lived 'in the most remote part of P.' (H…

(Ὄλυμπος/Ólympos). Geography: [1-13]. People: [14-15]. [German version] [1] Home of the ›Olympian‹ gods, highest mountain in Greece (Latin Olympus) (Latin Olympus). Kramolisch, Herwig (Eppelheim) Meyer, Ernst (Zürich) [German version] I. Geography The highest mountain in Greece, regarded as the home of the 'Olympian' gods (twelve (Olympian) gods). Its altitude, overlooking all of its surroundings, creates a powerful impression, as do its massive size and density and its dramatic ascent, especially at the east and west, which …

[German version] (Λάρισος; Lárisos). Border river between Elis [1] and Achaea ( Achaeans), modern Mana (also Riolitiko), which rises in the north-western foothills of the Skollis (Str. 8,7,5; Paus. 6,26,10; 7,17,5; 9,5,19; Liv. 27,31,11). Lienau, Cay (Münster) Meyer, Ernst (Zürich)

[German version] ( Tropaeum Alpium). Large monument to Augustus' subjugation of the whole Alpine region, in modern La Turbie on a 486 metre-high outcrop dominating Monte Carlo on the Roman coastal road to Gaul on the Italian border (CIL V 2,7817; Ptol. 3,1,2). Rising on a  high rectangular plinth with sides about 32.5 m long a circular building, encircled by columns with a triglyph frieze, is topped by a staircase-like stepped conical roof with a statue of Augustus on a special plinth as a crowning …

(Κυλλήνη; Kyllénḗ). [German version] [1] Mountain range in Arcadia The northernmost mountain range in Arcadia in the border area stretching to Achaea, the second highest (Ziria, 2,374 m) of the Peloponnese, a limestone ridge that ends on all sides with the surrounding chain of mountains. The ancient authors considered C. to be the highest mountain range in the Peloponnese (Str. 8,8,1; Paus. 8,17,1). C. was sacred to  Hermes Cyllenius. He is said to have been born here in a cave and to have accomplished d…

(Οἰνοῦσσαι/ Oinoûssai). [German version] [1] Group of three islands on the southwest tip of the Messenic peninsula off the coast of Methone [1] Group of three islands on the southwest tip of the Messenic peninsula off the coast of Methone [1]: present-day Sapientza, Schiza and Hagia Mariani. The first two have been inhabited since the Hellenistic period. Traces of a Roman settlement were found in Sapientza. References: Paus. 4,34,12; Plin. HN. 4,55; Mela 2,110. Lafond, Yves (Bochum) Meyer, Ernst (Zürich) Bibliography E. Kirsten, F. Bölte, s.v. O., RE 17, 2281f. [German version] [2] Gro…

[German version] (Πήλιον; Pḗlion). A mountain range, extending on a north-west to south-east axis and consisting of various slates and chalks, demarcating Thessaly (Thessalians, Thessalia) in the east and, in Antiquity, forming the peninsula of Magnesia [1] from the Ossa [1] to the foothills of Sepia. In Antiquity, P. referred in a narrower sense to the highest peak (Pliassidi; 1624 m). The easterly slope to the sea is precipitous and entirely without harbours, and was feared by ancient navigators…

[German version] (Λέλαντον, Ληλάντιον or Ληλάντου πεδίον; Lélanton, Lēlántion or Lēlántou pedíon). Fertile plain between Chalcis and Eretria, the possession of which was the object of the ‘Lelantine War’ at the beginning of the 7th cent. BC between these two cities and their allies. Str. 1,3,16; 10,1,9; 3,6; 10,3,6; H. Hom. 2,220; Callim. H. 4,289; Plut. Mor. 153f; Theophr. Hist. pl. 8,8,5; 8,10,4; Ael. VH 6,1; SEG XIII, 178; 312. In the Middle Ages the Lelantion pedion was still called Lilanto. Kalcyk, Hansjörg (Petershausen) Meyer, Ernst (Zürich)

[German version] This item can be found on the following maps: Macedonia, Macedones (ἡ Μεθάνα; hē Methána or τὰ Μέθανα; tà Méthana). Peninsula and city on the north coast of the Argolid peninsula. The circular peninsula, about 9 km across and with a highest elevation of 743 m, is linked to the mainland by a 300 m wide isthmus. It consists almost entirely of young volcanic rocks and lava flows. The last known eruption, to which a crater and a lava flow on the northwestern coast still bear witness today, took place at…

[German version] (Κηλῶσσα; Kēlôssa, Str. 6,8,24; Κηλοῦσα; Kēloûsa, Xen. Hell. 4,7,7; Κηλοῦσσα; Kēloûssa, Paus. 2,12,4), modern Megalovouni. Mountain range between Phlius and Argos (1273 m), with an Artemis sanctuary [1]. Olshausen, Eckart (Stuttgart) Meyer, Ernst (Zürich) Bibliography 1 M. Th. Mitsos, Inscriptions of the Eastern Peloponnesus, in: Hesperia 18, 1949, 75.

This item can be found on the following maps: Theatre | Alexander | Achaeans, Achaea | Macedonia, Macedones | Arcadians, Arcadia | Athenian League (Second) | Education / Culture (Μεγάλη πόλις/ Megálē pólis, Lat. Megalopolis). [German version] A. Location and architectural remains The ancient city lies in the middle of the western Arcadian plateau (22 km × 10 km, 427 m elevation), which is criss-crossed by a multitude of small streams, north of modern Megalopolis (formerly Sinanou), on both sides of the lower reaches of River Helisson [1…

[German version] (Λέρος; Léros). Island of the Dodecanese, off the coast of Asia Minor, between Patmos and Kalymnos, 53,5 km2 in extent. Its coast has several bays and coastal plains that extend deep into the interior of the island. According to Str. 10,5,19, L. and its neighbour Calymna were included in the Kalýdnai nḗsoi (Hom. Il. 2,677). The island, which has kept its ancient name until today, was already settled in the early Bronze Age (potsherds near Parthenium). There is a Mycenaean fortress in the north on the Kastro above the bay of Alinda…

[German version] (Λάδη; Ládē). Island originally off the coast of Miletus, length 3 km, height up to 98 m, today only a hilly ridge about 2 km from the coast because of the alluvial deposits of the Maeander. L. became known through the defeat of the Greeks in the Ionian Rebellion 496 BC: Hdt. 6,7ff.; Thuc. 8,17,3; Arr. Anab. 1,18,4ff.; Str. 14,1,7; Paus. 1,35,6. Kalcyk, Hansjörg (Petershausen) Meyer, Ernst (Zürich) Bibliography L. Bürchner, s.v. L., RE 12, 381.

This item can be found on the following maps: Peloponnesian War | Pergamum | Persian Wars | Athenian League (Second) | Aegean Koine (Λῆμνος; Lêmnos). [German version] A. Location Fertile L., which is, however, today almost treeless, is - at 477 km2 - one of the larger Aegean islands. Mainly consisting of slate with volcanic rock deposited in it, the low hill country reaches its highest elevation with the Skopia at 470 m. The rugged coast has bays that cut in deeply. The ancient capital cities were Myrina on the west coast (remains of a…

This item can be found on the following maps: Sparta | Grain Trade, Grain Import | Peloponnesian War | Persian Wars | Punic Wars | Aegean Koine | Aegean Koine | Aegean Koine | Education / Culture (Κύθηρα; Kýthēra, Lat. Cythera, the modern Kithira). [German version] A. Geography of the island Off the south-eastern tip of the Peloponnese, 30 km long and 18 km wide, C. covers an area of around 262 km2, and is surrounded by several small, uninhabited islands. The coast consists mostly of steep cliffs, indented with small bays from which narrow, steep valleys lead into…

[German version] (Πελεθρόνιον; Pelethrónion). Valley or region on the western slopes of the peak of  Pelium in Thessalia, where Chiron is supposed to have grown up and where the herb chironion or centaurion, used for healing snake bites, grew. Hence poetically the epithet 'Pelethronian' is used for Chiron, but also generally for 'Thessalian'. Documentation: Nic. Ther. 438ff.; 505; Strab. 7,3,6; Verg. G. 3,115. Kramolisch, Herwig (Eppelheim) Meyer, Ernst (Zürich) Bibliography F. Stählin, Das hellenische Thessalien, 1924, 43f.  Id., s.v. Pelethronion, RE 19, 269f.

[German version] (Λύκαιον; Lýkaion). In the broad sense, the entire mountain mass consisting of various limestones west of the plateau of Megale Polis in Parrhasia (Paus. 8,2,1; 38,2ff.; 4,20,2; 8,41,3; Str. 8,3,22; Paus. 8,2,1; Thuc. 5,54,1). Polybius reckoned the L. to be among the largest mountain ranges of Greece (in Str. 4,6,12; ὤρεα μακρά in Theoc. 1,123). The L. mountain range in antiquity was rich in springs and forests; today it still has extensive fir forests (Paus. 8,38,3f.). It was fam…

(Μεθώνη/ Methṓnē, Μοθώνη/ Mothṓnē). [German version] [1] City on the west coast of Messana [2] This item can be found on the following maps: Sparta | Achaeans, Achaea | Macedonia, Macedones A city on the west coast of Messana [2]. Its indigenous name was Mothṓnē (Μοθώνη on coins), after the reef called Móthōn which rose in front of it; hence the medieval and modern name Modon, Mothoni, Methoni (Μεθώνη in Thuc. 2,25,1ff. and Strab. 8,4,3). There are few ancient remains: isolated bases of city walls under the Venetian fortress and the breakwater wa…