Listed 47 sub titles with search on: Information about the place for wider area of: "KALAVRYTA Province ACHAIA" .
KLITOR (Ancient city) KALAVRYTA
Kleitor; Clitorium,; Eth. Kleitorios. A town in Arcadia, the name
of which is derived by Muller, from its being situated in an enclosed plain (from
kleio), while others connect it with Clivia and Clusium. It possessed. a small
territory called Cleitoria (Kleitoria, Polyb. iv. 10. § 6), bounded on the E.
by the territory of Pheneus, on the W. by that of Psophis, on the N. by that of
Cynaetha and Achaia, and on the S. by the territories of Caphyae, Tripolis, and
Thelpusa. The lofty Aroanian mountains formed the NE. boundary of the territory
of Cleitor, separating it from that of Pheneus. In these mountains the river Aroanius
(Katzana) rises, which flowed through the territory of Cleitor from N. to S.,
and falls into the Ladon near the sources of the latter. The valley of this river
opens out into two plains. In the upper plain, now called the plain of Sudhena,
was situated Lusi, at. one.time an independent town, but at a later period a dependency
of Cleitor. In the lower plain, now called the plain of Katzana, or Katzanes,
was the town of Cleitor itself.
Besides the valley of the Aroanius, the upper valley of the Ladon
also formed part of the territory of Cleitor. The Ladon rose in this district,
and flowed through the southern part of it in a south-westerly direction. The
road from Caphyae to Psophis passed through the Cleitoria, and was traversed by
Pausanias. (viii. 23. § § 8, 9). At the distance of seven stadia from Caphyae
was Nasi, in the territory of the latter city; and 50 stadia beyond, the road
crossed the Ladon, but Pausanias does not mention where the territory of Cleitor
began. The road then entered a forest of oaks called Soron, and passed through
Argeathae, Lycuntes, and Scotane, till it arrived at the ruins of Paus, situated
at the end of the forest, and not far from Seirae, which was distant 30 stadia
from Psophis, and was the boundary between the Cleitorii and Psophidii. There
are still some remains of this forest, which, in the time of Pausanias, contained
bears and wild boars. The position of these places is uncertain; though Leake
attempts to identify some of them. Paus is also mentioned by Herodotus (Paion,
or Pagou polis, vi. 127), who speaks of it as a town of Azania.
Cleitor was situated in the midst of the plain of Katzana, upon a
hill. of moderate height between two rivulets. The more important of these streams,
running. S. of the town, was also called Cleitor, now Klitora. The other stream,
now called the river of Karnesi, rises in the district of Lusi, and falls into
the Klitora just beyond the remains of the ancient city., The Cleitor, after flowing
rapidly through the plain, falls into the Aroanius, at the distance of seven stadia
from the city of Cleitor, according to Pausanias; but the real distance is at
least double. (Paus. viii. 21. § 1; rapidus Clitor, Stat. Theb. iv.289; Athen.v.
iii. p.331, d.; kleitoen hudor potamos Arkadias, Hesych.) A little north of the
junction of the river Cleitor with the Aroanius is the Kalyvia of Mazi upon. a
gentle elevation, in the neighbourhood of which Dodwell discovered the remains
of a small Doric temple.
Cleitor is said to have been founded by a hero of the same name, the
son of the Arcadian king Azan. (Paus. viii. 4. § 5, viii. 21. § 3.) The Cleitoria
formed an important part of the Azanian district. The Cleitorian fountain, of
which we shall speak presently, was regarded as one of the curiosities of Azania;
and the Aroanian mountains, on the summits of which the daughters of Proetus wandered
in their madness, are called the Azanian mountains. (Eudoxus, ap. Steph. s. v.
Azania.) The Cleitorians were renowned among the Peloponnesians for their love
of liberty. (to Kleitorion phileleutheron kai gennaion), of which an instance
is cited even from the mythical times, in the brave resistance they offered to
Sous, king of Sparta. (Plut. Lyc. 2, Apophth. p. 234.) Their power was increased
by the conquest of Lusi, Paus, and other towns in their neighbourhood. In commemoration
of these, conquests they dedicated at Olympia a brazen statue of Zeus, 18 feet
in height, which was extant in the time of Pausanias, who has preserved the inscription
upon it. (Paus. v. 23. § 7.) Cleitor seems to have occupied an important position
among the Arcadian cities. In the Theban war it carried on hostilities against
Orchomenus. (Xen. Hell. v. 4. 36) In the Social War it belonged to the Achaean
League, and bravely repelled the assaults of the Aetolians, who attempted to scale
the walls. (Polyb. iv. 18, 19, ix. 38.) It was sometimes used as the place of
meeting of the Achaean League. (Polyb. xxiii. 5.; Liv. xxxix. 5.) Strabo mentions
Cleitor among the Arcadian towns destroyed in his time, or of which scarcely any
traces existed; but this is not correct, since it was not only in existence in
the time of Pausanias, but it continued to coin money as late as the reign of
Septimius Severus.
Pausanias gives only a brief description of Cleitor. He says that
its three principal temples were those of Demeter, Asclepius, and Eileithyia;
that at the distance of four stadia from the city the Cleitorians possessed a
temple of the Dioscuri, whom they called the great gods; and that further on the
summit of a mountain, at the distance of 30 stadia from the city, there was a
temple of Athena Coria. (Paus. viii. 21. § 3.) The ruins of Cleitor are now called
Paleopoli, distant about three miles from a village which still bears the name
of the ancient town. It would seem, as Leake remarks, that the river, having preserved
its name after the city had ceased to exist, at length gave that name to a village
built at its sources. The walls of the ancient city may still be traced in nearly
their full extent. They inclose an irregular oblong space, not more than a mile
in circumference; they were about 15 feet in thickness, and were fortified with
towers. But the space inclosed by these walls seems to have been properly the
acropolis of the ancient city, since the whole plain between the river of Klitora
and the river of Karnesi is covered with stones and pottery, mixed with quadrangular
blocks and remains of columns. There are remains of a theatre towards the western
end of the hill.
In the territory of Cleitor was a celebrated fountain, of which those
who drank lost for ever their taste for wine:
Clitorio quicunque sitim de fonte levarit,
Vina fugit: gaudetque meris abstemius undis.
(Ov. Met. xv. 322)
A spring of water, gushing forth from the hill on which the ruins
stand, is usually supposed to be this miraculous fountain; but Curtius places
it in the territory of Lusi, because it is said to have been situated upon the
confines of the Cleitoria, and is mentioned in connection with the purification
of the daughters of Proetus by Melampus, which is said to have taken place at
Lusi. (Eitiskai pege para tois Kleitoriois, Hesych.; situated an eschatias Kleitoros,
Vitruv. l. c.; en Kleitori in Phylarch. ap. Athen. l. c., is to be understood
of the territory.)
Another marvel in the territory of Cleitor was the singing fish of
the river Aroanius. These fish, which were called poikiliai, were said to sing
like thrushes. Pausanias relates (viii. 21. § 2) that he had seen these fish caught;
but that he had never heard them sing, although he had remained for that purpose
on the banks of the river till sunset, when they were supposed to be most vocal.
These singing fish are also mentioned by Athenaeus and Pliny. The former writer
cites three authorities in proof of their existence, of whom Philostephanos placed
them on the Ladon, Mnaseas in the Cleitor, and the Peripatetic Clearchus in the
Pheneatic Aroanius. (Athen. viii. pp. 331, 332.) Pliny improperly identifies them
with the exocoetus or adonis, which was a sea-fish. (Plin. ix. 19.) The poikilia
was probably trout, and was so called from its spotted and many-coloured scales.
The trout of the Aroanius are described by Dodwell as of a fine bright colour,
and beautifully variegated.
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
KYNETHA (Ancient city) ACHAIA
he Kunaitha: Eth. Kunaitheus, Kunaithaieus, Polyb.; Kunaithaeus, Paus.:
Kalavryta), a town in the north of Arcadia, situated upon the northern slope of
the Aroanian mountains, which divided its territory from those of Cleitor and
Pheneus. The inhabitants of Cynaetha were the only Arcadians who lived beyond
the natural boundaries of Arcadia. Their valley sloped down towards the Corinthian
gulf; and the river which flowed through it, fell into the Corinthian gulf a little
to the east of Bura: this river was called in ancient times Erasinus or Buraicus,
now river of Kalavryta. (Strab. viii; Paus. vii. 24. § 5.) The climate and situation
of Cynaetha are described by Polybius as the most disagreeable in all Arcadia.
The same author observes that the character of the Cynaethians presented a striking
contrast to that of the other Arcadians, being a wicked and cruel race, and so
much disliked by the rest of their countrymen, that the latter would scarcely
hold any intercourse with them. He attributes their depravity to their neglect
of music, which had tended to humanize the other Arcadians, and to counteract
the natural rudeness engendered by their climate. Accordingly, he regarded the
terrible misfortune which overtook the Cynaethians in the Social war, when their
city was destroyed by the Aetolians, as a righteous punishment for their wickedness.
(Polyb. iv. 18--21.) Although Strabo (viii.) mentions Cynaetha as one of the Arcadian
towns no longer existing in his time, it must have been restored at some period
after its destruction by the Aetolians, as it was visited by Pausanias, who noticed
in the agora altars of the. gods and a statue of the emperor Hadrian. At the distance
of two stadia from the town was a fountain of cold water, called Alyssus, because
it was said to cure hydrophobia. (Paus. viii. 19.) There can be no doubt that
the modern village of Kalavryta occupies the site of Cynaetha, although it contains
scarcely any traces of the ancient city.
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
LEONTION (Ancient city) PATRA
Leontion: Eth. Leontesios. A town of Achaia, was originally not one
of the 12 Achaean cities, though it afterwards became so, succeeding to the place
of Rhypes. It is only mentioned by Polybius, and its position is uncertain. It
must, however, have been an inland town, and was probably between Pharae and the
territory of Aegium, since we find that the Eleians under the Aetolian general
Euripidas, after marching through the territory of Pharae as far as that of Aegium,
retreated to Leontium. Leake places it in the valley of the Selinus, between the
territory of Tritaea and that of Aegium, at a place now called Ai Andhrea, from
a ruined church of that saint near the village of Guzumistra. Callicrates, the
partizan of the Romans daring the later days of the Achaean League, was a native
of Leontium.
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
LOUSSES (Ancient city) KALAVRYTA
Lusi, Lousoi, Lousoi, Loussoi, ta Loussa. Eth. Lousios, Louseus, Lousiates,
Lousieus. A town in the north of Arcadia, originally independent of, but afterwards
subject to, Cleitor. Lusi was situated in the upper valley of the Aroanius, and
probably on the site of Sudhena, which stands in the NE. corner of the valley
at the foot of Mt. Khelmos (the ancient Aroanian mountains), and on the road from
Tripolitza to Kalavryta. The upper valley of the Aroanius, now called the plain
of Sudhena, consists of two plains, of which the more easterly is the one through
which the Aroanius flows, the waters of which force their way through a gorge
in the mountains into the plain of Cleitor, now Katzana, to the south. The more
westerly plain of Sudhena is entirely shut in by a range of hills; and the waters
of three streams which flow into this plain are carried off by a katavothra, after
forming an inundation, apparently the Lacus Clitorius mentioned by Pliny (xxxi.
2. s. 13). The air is damp and cold; and in this locality the best hemlock was
grown (Theophr. ix. 15. § 8).
Lusi was still independent in the 58th Olympiad; since one of its
citizens is recorded to have gained the victory in the 11th Pythiad. (Paus. viii.
18. § 8.) Its territory was ravaged by the Aetolians in the Social War (Polyb.
iv. 18); but in the time of Pausanias there were no longer even any ruins of the
town. Its name, however, was preserved in consequence of its temple of Artemis
Lusia or Hemerasia (the Soother ). The goddess was so called, because it was here
that the daughters of Proetus were purified from their madness. They had concealed
themselves in a large cavern, from which they were taken by Melampus, who cured
them by sacred expiations. Thereupon their father Proetus founded this temple
of Artemis Hemerasia, which was regarded with great reverence throughout the whole
Peloponnesus as an inviolable asylum. It was plundered by the Aetolians in the
Social War. It was situated near Lusi, at the distance of 40 stadia from Cynaetha.
(Paus.; Polyb. ll. cc.; Callim. Dian. 233.) The interior of the temple, with the
purification of the daughters of Proetus, is represented on an ancient vase. The
ruins, which Dodwell discovered above Lusi towards the end of the plain, and on
the road to Cynaetha, are probably those of the temple of Artemis Leake discovered
some ancient foundations at the middle fountain of the three in the more westerly
of the two plains of Sudhena, which he supposes to be the remains of the temple.
One of the officers of the French Commission observed a large cave on the western
side of the Aroanian mountains, in which the inhabitants of Sudhena were accustomed
to take refuge during war, and which is probably the one intended in the legend
of the daughters of Proetus.
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
LYKOYRIA (Ancient city) KALAVRYTA
Lukouria. A village in Arcadia, which still retains its ancient name, marked the
boundaries of the Pheneatae and Cleitorii.
PSOFIS (Ancient city) ACHAIA
Psophis: Eth. Psophidios, a city in the NW. extremity of Arcadia, bounded on the
N. by Arcadia, and on the W. by Elis. It was a very ancient place. It is said
to have been originally called Erymanthus, and its territory to have been ravaged
by the Erymanthian boar. (Paus. viii. 24. § 2; Hecat. ap. Steph. B. s. v. Psophis;
Apollod. ii. 5. § 4.) It afterwards received the name of Phegia or Phegeia (Phegia,
Phegeia), apparently from the oaks (phegoi), which are still found upon the site
of the town; though the ancients, as usual, derived the name from an eponymous
founder, Phegeus. (Steph. B. s. vv. Phegeia, Psophis; Paus. l. c.) It was called
Psophis by Echephron and Promachus, sons of Hercules, who are said to have come
from Sicily and given to the town this name after their mother Psophis. (Paus.
l. c.) Psophis, while still called Phegia, was celebrated as the residence of
Alcmaeon, who fled thither from Argos, after slaying his mother, and married Alphesiboea,
the daughter of Phegeus. (Paus. viii. 24. § 8; Dict. of Biogr. s. v. Alcmaeon.)
In consequence of their connection with Alcmaeon, the Psophidii took part in the
second expedition against Thebes, and refused to join the other Greeks in the
Trojan War. (Pans. viii. 24. § 10.)
Psophis is rarely mentioned in history. In B.C. 219 it was in possession
of the Eleians, and was taken by Philip, king of Macedonia, who was then in alliance
with the Achaeans. In narrating this event Polybius gives an accurate description
of the town. Psophis, he says, is confessedly an ancient foundation of the Arcadians
in the district Azanis. It is situated in the central parts of Peloponnesus, but
in the western corner of Arcadia, and adjoining the Achaeans dwelling furthest
towards the west. It also overhangs conveniently the country of the Eleians, with
whom the city was then in close alliance. Philip marched thither in three days
from Caphyae, and encamped upon the hills opposite to the city, where he could
safely have a view of the whole city and the surrounding places. When the king
observed the strength of the place, he was at a [p. 676] loss what to do. On the
western side of the town there is a rapid torrent, impassable during the greater
part of the winter, and which, rushing down from the mountains, makes the city
exceedingly strong and inaccessible, in consequence of the size of the ravine
which it has gradually formed. On the eastern side flows the Erymanthus, a large
and impetuous river, concerning which there are so many stories. As the western
torrent joins the Erymanthus on the southern side of the city, its three sides
are surrounded by rivers, and rendered secure in the manner described. On the
remaining side towards the north a strong hill hangs over, surrounded by a wall,
and serving the purpose of a well-placed citadel. The town itself also is provided
with walls, remarkable for their size and construction. (Polyb. iv. 70.) From
this description it is evident that the Erymanthus on the eastern side of the
city is the river of Sopoto; and that the western torrent, which we learn from
Pausanias (viii. 24. § 3) bore the name of Aroanius, is the river of Ghermotzana.
About 300 feet below the junction of these rivers the united stream is joined
by a third, smaller than the other two, called the river of Lopesi or Skupi, which
rises on the frontiers of Cleitor, near Seirae. From these three rivers the place
is now called Tripotamo. The banks of the Erymanthus and the Aroanius are precipitous,
but not very high; and between them and the steep summit of the hill upon which
the town stood there is a small space of level or gentlyrising ground. The summit
is a sharp ridge, sending forth two roots, one of which descends nearly to the
single of junction of the two streams, the other almost to the bank of the Erymanthus
at the eastern extremity of the city. (Leake, Morea, vol. ii. p. 242.)
Philip, in his attack upon Psophis, crossed the bridge over the Erymanthus,
which was probably in the same position as the modern bridge, and then drew up
his men in the narrow space between the river and the walls. While the Macedonians
were attempting to scale the walls in three separate parties, the Eleians made
a sally from a gate in the upper part of the town. They were, however, driven
back by the Cretans in Philip's army, who followed the fugitives into the town.
Euripidas and the garrison then retreated into the citadel, and shortly afterwards
surrendered to Philip. (Polyb. iv. 71, 72.)
Pausanias saw at Psophis a ruined temple of Aphrodite Erycina, heroa
of Promachus and Echephron, the tomb of Alcmaeon, and near the Erymanthus a temple
sacred to that stream. (Paus. viii. 24. § 7.) Leake also noticed a part of a theatre,
not mentioned by Pausanias, on the side of the hill towards the Aroanius. Nine
hundred feet above the junction of the two rivers, and near the walls on the bank
of the Erymanthus, Leake also found some remains of a public building, 96 feet
in length, below which there is a source of water in the bank. He conjectures
that they may be the remains of the temple of Erymanthus.
Psophis was about 2 miles in circumference. The town-walls followed
the crest of the ridge to the northward and the bank above the two rivers on the
opposite side; and they are traceable nearly throughout the entire circuit of
the place. On the northeastern side of the town, which is the only part not protected
by the two rivers or by the precipices at the back of the hill, there was a double
inclosure. Leake could not trace the inclosure of the citadel.
At the distance of 30 stadia from Psophis was Seirae (Seirai), which
Pausanias describes as the boundary of the Psophidii and Cleitorii (viii. 23.
§ 9, 24. § 3). On the road from Psophis to Thelpusa lay Tropaea, upon the left
bank of the Ladon, near which was the grove Aphrodisium, after which caine a column
with an ancient inscription upon it, marking the boundaries of Psophis and Thelpusa.
(Leake, More, vol. ii. p. 240, seq.; Boblaye, Recherches, &c. p. 158; Curtius,
Peloponnesos, vol. i. p. 384, seq.)
This 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
KLITOR (Ancient city) KALAVRYTA
or Clitorium. A town in the north of Arcadia on a river of the same name, a tributary of the Aroanius. There was a fountain in the neighbourhood, the waters of which are said to have given to persons who drank of them a dislike for wine.
KYNETHA (Ancient city) ACHAIA
nbsp; A town of Arcadia, on the river Crathis, near the northern borders,
and some distance to the northwest of Cyllene. It had been united to the Achaean
League, but was betrayed to the Aetolians in the Social War. This was effected
by some exiles, who, on their return to their native city, formed a plot for admitting
the enemy within its walls. The Aetolians, accordingly, having crossed into Achaia
with a considerable force, advanced to Cynaetha and easily scaled the walls; they
then sacked the town and destroyed many of the inhabitants, not sparing even those
to whose treachery they were indebted for their success. Polybius observes that
the calamity which thus overwhelmed the Cynaethians was considered by many as
a just punishment for their unusually depraved and immoral life.
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LEONTION (Ancient city) PATRA
A town in Achaia, between Pharae and Aegium.
CHELMOS (Mountain) ACHAIA
It is a slabic word which means knoll, mountain. Its diminutive name is Chelmoutsi. It used to be a mountain top to the north of the village Mazi and later the name was given to the whole mountain. There is also another peak, called Neraidorachi (where there is the water of Styga) (Pausaniou Periegissis, vol. 4, p. 246, note 1).
KALAVRYTA (Small town) ACHAIA
Natural Beauty
Historical Kalavryta is the favorite place of many - mostly Greek
- tourists. The name the town bears today dates from the Middle Ages, and derives
from the words "kala vryta", meaning good springs.
What to see
The beauty of the alternating site and the all-green mountain.
The terminus of the funicular railway (since 1896).
The old Public of Primary school which has become the Museum
of Holocaust.
The picturesque town.
The market and the Metropolitan church.
The Kallimanopoulion Diakonikon center.
The Castle of Orias towering above the city. The beautiful town square,
restaurants, coffee shops and charming night clubs.
What to visit
The Monastery
of Agia Lavra where the revolution of 1821 started. There you can admire the
historical banner of the revolution and the heirlooms (5 klm).
The Monastery
of Mega Spileon (built on a rock) where the miraculous icon of virgin Mary
(one of the four icons painted by Apostle Loukas) made of wax and mastic is being
kept (10klm).
The Museum where there are, among other things, a Gospel studded with
diamonds, a gift of Catherine the Great, the skull of Saint Alexios, and the crozier
and vestments of Bishop Yermanos.
The Panhellenic Monument of 1821 (6 klm).
The Execution Monument where the German conquerors executed every
male citizen at 13 -12- 43 (1klm).
The Ski
Center (1600-2200 m. altitude) at which you can take ski lessons (12klm).
The Cave of the Lakes at Kastria (16kms).
The trout aquarium of Planitero
placed on the foot of mountain Helmos,
where you can try the tasty fried trout, fished and cooked on the spot (9klm).
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KLITOR (Ancient city) KALAVRYTA
This was the first city in Arkadia to produce coins, the mint being
active from ca. 500 to 460 B.C. The site has been identified with ancient remains
at the point where the Kleitor River joins the Karnesi. The acropolis wall is
double-faced of bulging, roughly quadrangular blocks, and is strengthened with
semicircular towers. There are remains of more walls and towers in the plain on
the N and W; the other sides are bounded by the two streams. The cavea of a theater
is preserved on the W slope of the acropolis. Pausanias saw Sanctuaries of Demeter,
Asklepios, and Eileithya at Kleitor, which Curtius and Leake identified at three
locations occupied by churches built with ancient blocks. West of the city, the
foundations of a large building with columns may belong to Pausanias' Temple of
the Dioskouroi. The Temple of Athena Koria he described as on the top of a mountain
30 stades (5.77 km) distant: it probably lay to the N.
The relief of the soldier-historian Polybios found at Kleitor has
been separated from its inscription and is now less well preserved than a cast
in the Berlin Museum.
M. H. Mc Allister, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
KYNETHA (Ancient city) ACHAIA
A city in Anzania founded probably during the archaic period near
the town of Kalavryta. According to Polybios (4.18-21) the Kynaithaians far surpassed
other Greeks in cruelty and wickedness. During the War of the Allied (220-217)
the city was destroyed by the Aitolians. It was reinhabited and, during the Roman
era, its citizens gained the right to issue coins. In the marketplace were altars
of the gods, including an image of Zeus Olympias.
G. S. Korres, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
LEONTION (Ancient city) PATRA
It is located in Achaia at the N foot of Erymanthos (Olonos), ca.
3 km from the modern village of Vlasia, at the 51st km on the Patras-Kalavryta
road. It lies on a hill (present Kastritsi) 750-800 m above sea level, flanked
by two parallel ravines to the E and NW. This site commands the roads from Aigion
to Psophisa and from Patras to Kleitoria. The ruins, which were already known
to 19th c. travelers, were investigated in 1954, 1957, and 1958.
The walls of Leontion, carelessly made of local limestone in polygonal
masonry (beginning of the 3d c. B.C.) are preserved along most of their length
in the lower layers, and to some height particularly along the NW side. They are
strengthened at intervals by several rectangular towers and one semicircular one.
In one of the gates, which was excavated with a section of wall, the carbonized
remains of the wooden door leaves were found together with the metal sheathing
of iron plates and iron nails with wide, disk-shaped heads. In the stone of the
threshold were found the bronze sockets for the door pivots. These are, with the
rest of the finds, in the Patras Museum. Inside the walls are preserved a number
of terrace walls, the foundations of several monumental buildings, a temple (?),
a small theater, and numerous house remains. Most of the pottery sherds were Classical
and Hellenistic, but some archaic and prehistoric pottery was also found.
The best preserved building, the theater, touches the N corner of
the wall. The lower part of the cavea was partially dug from the living rock and
partly built up of hewn blocks. The walls of the parodos and scene building are
preserved to a height of 1.50 m. The theater must be dated to the end of the 4th
c. B.C. In the area of the ancient city were found tombs of the Roman period,
which, with the carbonized door excavated in the gate, show that the city was
destroyed in the Hellenistic period and was thereafter used as a cemetery. The
settlement seems to have moved a little to the S where evidences of its existence
have long been known. Leontion may have been destroyed in 217 B.C. by the Aitolians
when, as allies of the Eleians, they invaded and plundered Achaia (Polyb. 5.94).
In Classical times Leontion was not independent, but probably belonged in the
territory of Rhypai. It seems to have become autonomous only in the Hellenistic
period, and was a member of the Achaian League (Polyb. 2.41.8). In 275 B.C. Antigonos
Gonatas refounded the city (Strab. 8.7.5, p. 388).
N. Yalouris, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
LOUSSES (Ancient city) KALAVRYTA
Originally an independent town, it later came under the jurisdiction
of Kleitor; the site lies between the modern villages of Sudena and Chamaku. According
to one legend, it was at a rock spring there where the daughters of Proitos were
purified and cured of madness by Melampos; in gratitude their father established
the Sanctuary of Artemis Hemerasia, which was surrounded by a deer park. A draught
of the spring water was supposed to result in a permanent aversion to wine. Although
Pausanias found nothing left at Lousoi, 19th c. travelers reported numerous springs
in the area; excavations in 1898 uncovered a fountain-house, bouleuterion, propylaia,
and temple. These structures appeared to be of the late 4th or early 3d c. B.C.
although other finds indicated that the sanctuary had been in use as early as
the 6th.
M. H. Mc Allister, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
PSOFIS (Ancient city) ACHAIA
An old city NE of Olympia on the E side of Mt. Olonos, at an important
intersection of streams and ancient routes. The fortifications enclosed the area
between two spurs of a rocky ridge and the right bank of the Eurymanthos (Livartsino)
making a naturally defensible site into a major stronghold, able to play a significant
part in the Social War in 220 B.C. The site and its capture by Philip V are described
at length by Polybios (4.706). The acropolis was probably on the highest part
of the ridge at the NE, now crowned by a ruined mediaeval tower. The walls, of
fairly regular blocks, were followed by Bursian for the complete circuit, and
included one round tower and several square ones. The remains of several rows
of theater seats were noted inside the W wall. Pausanias describes various sights
(8.24) including a Sanctuary of Aphrodite Erykine in ruins, the Tomb of Alkmaion,
and a Temple of Erymanthos with a marble statue of the river god. Bursian identified
this last with some large foundations near the bank of the river; other ancient
remains were seen near the place where the Aroanios joins the Erymanthos.
M. H. Mc Allister, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
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