Sellasia (Laconia)
From its position Sellasia was always exposed to the attacks of an invading army. On the first invasion of Laconia by the Thebans in 369 BCE, Sellasia was plundered and burnt; and because the inhabitants at that time, together with several others of the Perioeci, went over to the enemy, the town was again taken and destroyed four years later by the Lacedaemonians themselves, assisted by some auxiliaries sent by the younger Dionysius. It suffered the same fate a third time after the defeat of Cleomenes III in the Battle of Sellasia. It appears to have been never rebuilt, and was in ruins in the time of Pausanias (2nd century).
The ruins of Sellasia lie 1.5 miles (2.5 km) beyond Palaiogoulas upon the summit of a mountain. The city was about 1 1/2 miles (2.5 km) in circumference, as appears from the foundation of the walls. The latter were from 10 to 11 feet (3.0 to 3.4 m) thick, and consist of irregular but very small stones. The northern and smaller half of the city was separated by a wall from the southern half, which was on lower ground.
References
- ^ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. Vol. s.v.
- ^ Polybius. The Histories. Vol. 2.65-70.
- ^ Plutarch, Cleom. 27, 28, Philop. 6; Pausanias (1918). "9.2". Description of Greece. Vol. 2. Translated by W. H. S. Jones; H. A. Ormerod. Cambridge, Massachusetts; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann – via Perseus Digital Library., 3.10.7, 4.29.9, 7.7.4, 8.49.5.
- ^ Xenophon. Hellenica. Vol. 6.5.27.
- ^ Xenophon. Hellenica. Vol. 7.4.12.
- ^ Pausanias (1918). "10.7". Description of Greece. Vol. 3. Translated by W. H. S. Jones; H. A. Ormerod. Cambridge, Massachusetts; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann – via Perseus Digital Library.
- ^ Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 58, and directory notes accompanying. ISBN 978-0-691-03169-9.
- ^ Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Sellasia". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
37°09′59″N 22°24′59″E / 37.166485°N 22.416414°E