Methydrium

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Methydrium or Methydrion (Ancient Greek : Μεθύδριον) was a town in central ancient Arcadia, situated 170 stadia north of Megalopolis. [1] It obtained its name, like the places called Interamna, from being situated upon a lofty height between the two rivers Maloetas and Mylaon. [2] According to Greek mythology, it was founded by Orchomenus; but its inhabitants were removed to Megalopolis, upon the establishment of that city (371 BCE). It never recovered its former population, and is mentioned by Strabo among the places of Arcadia which had almost entirely disappeared. [3] It continued, however, to exist as a village in the time of Pausanias, who saw there a temple of Poseidon Hippius upon the river Mylaon. He also mentions, above the river Maloetas, a mountain called Thaumasium, in which was a cave where Rhea took refuge when pregnant with Zeus. At the distance of 30 stadia from Methydrium was a fountain named Nymphasia. [4] Methydrium is also mentioned by Thucydides, [5] Polybius, [6] Pliny the Elder, [7] and Stephanus of Byzantium. [8]

Its site is located near the modern Methydrio, [9] [10] which was renamed to reflect association with the ancient town. The remains of ancient Methydrium have been excavated in 1910. [11]

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Pallantium or Pallantion, more rarely Palantium or Palantion (Παλάντιον), was one of the most ancient towns of Arcadia, in the district Maenalia, said to have been founded by Pallas, a son of Lycaon. It was situated west of Tegea, in a small plain called the Pallantic plain which was separated from the territory of Tegea by a choma (χῶμα) or dyke. It was from this town that Evander of Pallene was said to have led colonists to the banks of the Tiber, and from it the Palatino or Palatine Hill in Rome was reputed to have derived its name.

Belemina, or Belmina (Βέλμινα), or Belbina (Βελβίνα), or Blenina (Βλένινα), was a town of ancient Laconia and ancient Arcadia, at the northwest frontier of the former, the territory of which was called Belminatis (Βελμινᾶτις). It was originally an Arcadian town, but was conquered by the Lacedaemonians at an early period, and annexed to their territory; although Pausanias does not believe this statement. After the Battle of Leuctra, Belemina was restored to Arcadia, reckoned to be part of Aegytis; most of its inhabitants were removed to the newly founded city of Megalopolis; and the place continued to be a dependency of the latter city. In the wars of the Achaean League, the Belminatis was a constant source of contention between the Spartans and Achaeans. Under Machanidas or Nabis, the tyrants of Sparta, the Belminatis was again annexed to Laconia; but upon the subjugation of Sparta by Philopoemen in 188 BCE, the Belminatis was once more annexed to the territory of Megalopolis. The Belminatis is a mountainous district, in which the Eurotas takes its rise from many springs. Belemina is said by Pausanias to have been 100 stadia from Pellana.

Macareae or Makareai, also known as Macaria or Makaria (Μακαρία), was a town of ancient Arcadia, in the district Parrhasia, 22 stadia from Megalopolis, on the road to Phigaleia, and 2 stadia from the Alpheius. It was in ruins in the time of Pausanias, as its inhabitants had been removed to Megalopolis upon the foundation of the latter (371 BCE). According to Greek mythology, it was founded by Macareus, a son of Lycaon.

References

  1. ↑ Pausanias. Description of Greece. Vol. 8.35.5.
  2. ↑ Pausanias. Description of Greece. Vol. 8.36.1.
  3. ↑ Strabo. Geographica . Vol. viii. p.388. Page numbers refer to those of Isaac Casaubon 's edition.
  4. ↑ Pausanias. Description of Greece. Vol. 8.36.1.-3, comp. 8.12.2, 8.27.4-7.
  5. ↑ Thucydides. History of the Peloponnesian War . Vol. 5.58.
  6. ↑ Polybius. The Histories . Vol. 5.10, 11, 13.
  7. ↑ Pliny. Naturalis Historia . Vol. 4.6.10.
  8. ↑ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. Vol. s.v.
  9. ↑ Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World . Princeton University Press. p. 58, and directory notes accompanying.
  10. ↑ Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
  11. ↑ Arcadia - Archaio Methydrio

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain :  Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Methydrium". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography . London: John Murray.

Coordinates: 37°38′15″N22°10′24″E / 37.637497°N 22.173414°E / 37.637497; 22.173414


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