Search

[German version] (Ἥραιον; Hḗraion). The outermost cape (today Cape Melangavi) of the peninsula that is formed by the foothills of the Geraneia opposite Corinth with a settlement, fort and sanctuary of Hera Akraia and Limenia (rich finds from the 9th cent. BC onwards) on a small bay on the south side of the cape (Xen. Hell. 4,5,5ff.; Xen. Ages. 2,18f.; Str. 8,6,22; Plut. Cleomenes 20,3; Liv. 32,23,10). Olshausen, Eckart (Stuttgart) Lienau, Cay (Münster) Bibliography H. Payne et al. (ed.), The Sanctuaries of Hera Akraia and Limenia, 2 vols., 1940/1962.

[German version] [1] South-east cape of the Peloponnese (Μαλέα ἄκρα/ Maléa ákra, Μάλεια/ Máleia, Μαλέαι/ Maléai, ἀκρωτήριον Μαλέας/ akrōtḗrion Maléas, Μαλειάων ὄρος/ Maleiáōn óros, cf. Hom. Od. 3,287; 19,187; modern Κάβο Μαλιάς, Ἅγιος Ἄγγελος). The south-east cape of the Peloponnese, feared in antiquity and in modern times, southern foothill of the Parnon (cf. the proverb passed on by Str. 8,6,20 ‘if you sail around M. forget those at home’ [1. 262ff.]). The main difficulty for ancient navigation lay in the gusty, oft…

[German version] (Ἀραχναῖον; Arachmaîon). Bleak range of limestone mountains, running east to west between the plain of  Argos [II 1] and  Epidaurus; highest peak nowadays called Profitis Elias (1199 m), with altars to  Zeus and  Hera (Paus. 2,25,10). Named in Aesch. Ag. 309 as the site of the last beacon for the signals from Troy. Other names for A. (literally ‘spider mountains’) in Paus. loc. cit. (Sapyselaton) and Hsch. s. v. Hysselinon. Lienau, Cay (Münster) Bibliography Philippson/Kirsten 3, 1, 1959,97 f.

(Ἀλφειός; Alpheiós). [German version] [1] River in the Peloponnese At 110 kms it is the longest river with the largest volume of water flow of the  Peloponnese, which, with its tributaries (especially the  Ladon,  Erymanthus,  Lousius) drains a large part of  Arcadia and  Elis. The eastern spring, called A. surfaces on the valley watershed near the Eurotas (483 m above sea level at Ambelakion; possibly some tapping of the water flow). The A. has so far for the most part preserved the character of a mount…

[German version] (Λούσιος; Loúsios). This northern tributary of the Alpheius [1], whose source is associated with the legend of the birth of Zeus, rises near Dimitsana. According to Paus. 8,28,2f., in its lower reaches it was called Gortynius; cf. Pol. 16,17,7. Modern Dimitsana. Lienau, Cay (Münster) Bibliography F. Bölte, s.v. L., RE 13, 1867.

[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…

(Ὄσσα/ Óssa). [German version] [1] Mountain range in central Greece, modern Kissavos Mountain range (1978 m) of lime and slate, div…

[German version] (Μήνιος; Mḗnios). A small tributary of the Peneius in the territory of the city of Elis, which Hercules was said to have diverted in order to clean the stables of Augias. It cannot be identified with certainty as a tributary of the modern Revmata. Attested in Paus. 5,1,10; 6,26,1; Theoc. 25,15. Lienau, Cay (Münster)

[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…

(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…

[German version] (Ἰσσώριον; Issṓrion). Hill on the northern city border of Sparta, with a sanctuary to Artemis Issoria (Plut. Agesilaus 32,3; Polyaenus, Strat. 2,1,14; Nep. Agesilaus 6,2), possibly the heights known today as Klaraki. Olshausen, Eckart (Stuttgart) Lienau, Cay (Münster) Bibliography F. Bölte, s.v. Sparta, RE 3A, 1350ff.

[German version] (Εὐρώτας; Eyrṓtas, ‘the abundantly-flowing’). The 82 km-long river (mythological derivation from king E. in Paus. 3,1,1f.) rises with its source-streams on the flat valley-watershed of the Alpheius between Mt. Parnon and Mt. Taygetus on the Asea plain, and in the north-western foothills of the Arcadian Mt. Parnon (the presumption of subterranean links in the region of its source between the E. and Lake Taka, made in Paus. 8,44,4, is improbable), and, following a tectonic depression (‘the E. trough’), enters the 18 km-long and c. 10 km-wide Laconian basin north o…

(Νομία/ Nomía). [German version] [1] Nymph, with the same name as the Arcadian mountain range Nymph; eponym of the mountain range in Arcadia, N. [3] (Paus. 8,38,11). Depicted by Polygnotus in Delphi, together with Callisto and Pero (Paus. 10,31,10). Käppel, Lutz (Kiel) [German version] [2] Sicilian nymph Sicilian nymph, who transforms Daphnis [1] into a stone, when he spurns her (Ov. Met. 4,277; Serv. Verg. Ecl. 8,68). Käppel, Lutz (Kiel) [German version] [3] Mountain range in the south-western Peloponnese A 1389 m high mountain range in the south-western Peloponnese, to t…

(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] (Φολόη/ Pholóē). The monotonous conglomerate surface, some 11 km long and 8 km wide  to the north of the middle reaches of the Alpheius [1], up to 798 m high in the north, 640 m in the south, to the east with a steep edge merging with the Erymanthus [2] mountains, to the west with lowish ranges of marl hills (Strab. 8,3,1; 3,5; 3,32; 8,3; Paus. 6,21,5; 8,24,4 ; Ptol. 3,14,35 ; Mela 2,43; Plin. HN 4,21), modern Pholoi Oros. P. is unsettled and poor in springs, today covered with oak…

[German version] (Δενθάλιοι; Denthálioi). Laconian border region near Messenia on the western slope of the northern Taygetus around the source of the Nedon, with a sanctuary of Artemis Limnatis, contested by Sparta and Messenia and finally granted to Messenia by Tiberius (Steph. Byz. s.v. D.; Tac. Ann. 4,43; Paus. 4,4,2; 31,3). Inscription: IG V 1 p. 260f. no. 1371-1378. Olshausen, Eckart (Stuttgart) Lienau, Cay (Münster) Bibliography L. Roß, Reisen im Peloponnes, 1841, 1ff. F. Bölte, s.v. D., RE 3A, 1312, 67ff. N. Valmin, Études topographiques sur la Messénie ancienne, 19…

[German version] [1] Mountain range in Triphylia (Μίνθη; Mínthē). Mountain range in Triphylia, 1344 m high, composed of chalk, modern Alivaina. Traces of a sacrificial site on its peak; Str. 8,3,14 mentions sanctuaries of Hades and Demeter on the slopes. Cf. Ptol. 3,14,35. Lienau, Cay (Münster) Bibliography E. Meyer, s.v. M., RE 15, 1934. [German version] [2] see Mint see Mint

(Ἀρκάδες, Ἀρκαδία; Arkádes, Arkadía). [German version] A. Geography Central inland mountainous region of the  Peloponnese with a mean height of 500 m above sea level. The borders of ancient A. are not identical with those of the modern nomos Arkadia with its chief place of Tripolis (founded in the 14th cent. AD, Turkish name: Tripolitsa). To the north, A. extended to the massifs of  Cyllene (Ziria, 2376 m), Oroania (Chelmos, 2355 m), and  Erymanthus (Olonos, 2224 m); in the south-west, the sanctuary of …

(Οἰνοῦς/ Oinoûs). [German version] [1] Left-hand tributary of the Eurotas in Laconia Left-hand tributary of the Eurotas in Laconia, again called Inous today (previously Kelefina; cf. Pol. 2,65,7ff.; 66,7; Liv. 34,28,1). Lienau, Cay (Münster) Bibliography F. Bölte, s.v. O. (1), RE 17, 2280f. [German version] [2] Spartan perioikoi community Spartan community of períoikoi of unknown location; mentioned by Alcm. fr. 92d because of its wine (also Ath. 1,31cd; Steph. Byz. s.v. Οἰνοῦς); decree of proxenia by Argos for a οινόντιος [1]. Lafond, Yves (Bochum) Bibliography 1 P. Charneux, I…

(Ἀρτεμίσιον; Artemísion). [German version] [1] Coastal strip of Euboia facing Magnesia A. was probably the ancient name for the entire coastal strip of  Euboea facing the  Magnesia peninsula (Plin. HN 4,64). Close to the modern village of Artemision, above the bay of Pevki, are the remains of a small temple of Artemis ‘facing towards the east’ (Proseoa), which as an amphictyonic sanctuary also formed the cultural centre of the region around  Histiaea. The famous bronze statue of Poseidon (nowadays in the N…

(Λάδων; Ládōn). [German version] [1] Dragon The dragon referred to in Apoll. Rhod. 4,1396, elsewhere referred to only as a ‘serpent’ ( óphis, drákōn), who guards the apples of the Hesperides (as also mentioned on Probus in Verg. G. 1,244); he has a hundred heads and many voices. Mythographers have him either be descended directly (as a chthonic beast) from Gaia (as is Typhon) or from related monsters (Phorcys and Ceto, the parents of Echidna and grandparents of the Lernean Hydra in Hes. Theog. 333-335; Echidna and…

[German version] (Μανθ(ο)υρέα; Manthouréa/Manthyréa). The name given both to the south western part of the eastern Arcadian plain near Tegea and to a deme of Tegea (Μανθυρεῖς; Manthureîs). In M. there was originally a cult of Athena Hippia which Tegea adopted at the time of Augustus along with the cult image. Evidence: Paus. 8,44,7; 45,1; 47,1; Steph. Byz. s.v. Μ. Olshausen, Eckart (Stuttgart) Lienau, Cay (Münster) Bibliography F. Bölte, s.v. M., RE 14, 1255f.

[German version] (Ὀλίγυρτος; Olígyrtos). Mountain range in north-eastern Arcadia (Pol. 4,11,5; 70,1; Plut. Cleomenes 26,3), whose highest mountain is Skipiza (1934 m); it is the meeting-point of the borders of Argolid, Corinthus and Arcadia. Important crossings from the plateau of Orchomenus [3] and Caphyae to Stymphalus and Phlius. Lienau, Cay (Münster) Bibliography E. Meyer, s.v. Oligyrtos, RE 17, 2477-2479  Id., Peloponnesische Wanderungen, 1939, 276f.

(Παμισός; Pamisós). [German version] [1] Main River of the Region of Messana [2] Main river of the region of Messana [2], fed by three source rivers in the upper Messenian plain. In Antiquity the strong springs of Hagios Floros in the lower Messenian plain were considered to be the starting-point of the P., whence the river was called P. only from that point on. It is the river with most constantly abundant flow in the Peloponnese, and is navigable by boat a short distance from the mouth. At the Hagios Floros springs there was a sanctuary to P. with a small Doric templum in antis from the 6th cent…

[German version] (Λάμπεια). Mountain range, up to 1,793 m high, south of the Erymanthus mountain range, in the north-east of the nomos Elis [1], modern Lambia (Apoll. Rhod. 1,127; Diod. Sic. 4,112,1; Str. 8,3,10; Paus. 8,24,4; Plin. HN 4,20; Stat. Theb. 4,290). Lienau, Cay (Münster) Meyer, Ernst (Zürich)

[German version] [1] Danaid (Πειρήνη/ Peirḗnē). One of the Danaids (Danaus), married to Dolichus (Hyg. Fab. 170) or Agaptolemus (Apollod. 2,1,5). Junk, Tim (Kiel) [German version] [2] Eponym of the spring of the same name in Corinthus (Πειρήνη/ Peirḗnē, Πειράνα/ Peirána). Junk, Tim (Kiel) [German version] I. Mythology Eponym} of the spring of the same name in Corinthus. Her parents are named as river gods such as Asopus [2] and Metope [2] (Diod. Sic. 4,72,1) and Achelous [2] (Paus. 2,2,3), sometimes also Oebalus [1] (the 'Great Ehoiai' according to Paus. loc. cit.). She is the mother …

[German version] (Ἀροάνια ὄρη; Aroánia órē). Massif (highest peak: Helmos, 2341 m) in northern  Arcadia between Erymathus and Cyllene; for the role of Aroania ore in the legend of the Protides, see  Proetus (Paus. 8,18,7). Lienau, Cay (Münster)

[German version] (Παρθένιον/ Parthénion). The lowest part of the Argive-Arcadian border range (elevation up to 1215 m at Hagios Elias) with important roads connecting the Argolid and Arcadia (Arcadians), at elevations from 753 to 900 m, still called Partheni today. Sources: Hdt. 6,105,1ff. [1. 472f.]; Paus. 8,6,4; 54,6f. Lafond, Yves (Bochum) Lienau, Cay (Münster) Bibliography 1 Jost. Pritchett 3, 1980, 81-95; 4, 1982, 80-87; 6, 1989, 107-111  Müller, 820.