The history of ancient Greece

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& E It M A K X M

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Dedication

Your Royal Highness, too, is now at that age, when the interesting scenes displayed in this History are apt to make the most lively impression on the mind. When, therefore, you shall contemplate the immortal heroes of Greece, sacrificing their passions to their reason, pursuing the suggestions of honour in opposition to the allurements of pleasure, and courting danger in the service of their country ; their patriotism, their virtue, their magnanimity, will awaken their kindred feelings in your Royal Highness's breast, and inspire you with the noblest emulation.

That your Royal Highness's life may be long, glorious, and happy, is the fervent prayer of,

Your Royal Highness's Most humble,

Preface

Ancient Greece seems to have been peculiar* ly chosen by Heaven as the scene on which mankind were destined to display, in the utmost perfection, all the superior faculties that distinguish them so highly above the other animals on this earth. For it is an incontrovertible fact, that, with the exception of a few general notions of some particular branches of knowledge derived to them from Egypt and the East, the ancient inhabitants of that country not only invented, but carried to the highest pitch of improvement, almost all the sciences and liberal arts. The moderns, indeed, have attained to many discoveries which, for the most part, were to those ancient Greeks unknown. But on an accurate investigation, we shall perceive, that some of the most important of those discoveries have been the result of mere accident ; that others have been produced solely by the repeated experience of many ages ; and that the greater part of them are of such a nature that the pure force of genius alone never could have found them out.

In all the polite arts, however, which the Ancient Greeks appear either to have studied or practised, and in every matter of science, without exception, they are universally acknowledged to have excelled. Hence their works in the more vni

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sublime parts of philosophy; in geometry; in poetry, eloquence, and every other species of composition; in sculpture; and in architecture; — always have been, and in all probability ever will be, the most perfect models produced by the ingenuity of man. Of this truth the writings of Aristotle and Plato ; of Euclid ; of Homer, Sophocles, and Euripides; of Demosthenes, of Thucydides, and Xenophon, together with the remains of Grecian sculpture and architecture still to be seen, afford full and satisfactory evidence : and the most approved performances on the same subjects in modern times, are, generally speaking, valuable in proportion to the acquaintance of their authors with those precious relics of antiquity.

But the merit of this wonderful people, as philosophers, fine writers, and artists, was perhaps their least praise. If we view them in the more active and important stations of public life— in the characters of legislators, statesmen, generals ; we shall find greater reason still to admire their virtue and capacity. What other nation in the world can boast of such legislators as Lycurgus and Solon ; of such statesmen as Aristides, Themistocles, Pericles ; of such generals as Cimon, Epaminondas, Agesilaus ; not to mention a multitude besides, justly celebrated for the same talents ?

The country of Greece, though of less extent than that of England, was inhabited by a great variety of different states, perfectly independent of one another, remarkably opposite in their manners

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ix and dispositions, but all actuated by the most ardent spirit of valour and liberty. As those states* were pretty nearly of equal force, it became absolutely necessary for them to be attentive to keep the balance of power properly poised, and to prevent any one state from acqviiring such an increase of strength as might enable it to enslave the rest. We shall see, accordingly, that this was the grand object of all their wars and negociations ; that they put in practice, upon every occasion , the wisest and most refined policy, for preventing the too great aggrandisement of each other ; and that they never hesitated to sacrifice friendship, resentment, and every other secondary consideration, to what they accounted the highest of all concerns, the maintaining of the general independency of their coun-

The same spirit of liberty enabled them to oppose the ambitious attempts of two of the most powerful monarchs that ever filled the Persian throne, Darius and Xerxes, with a bravery so romantically heroic, as to have no parallel in the historical annals of any other people, and which, were it not attested past all possibility of doubt, almost exceeds the bounds of probability. But not satisfied with defeating in Greece the utmost efforts of those Persians to subdue them, the Greeks, eager for revenge, resolved to push their advantage, and to attack the invaders in their own dominions. This design they carried into execution, first under Cimon, and afterwards under Agesilaus, besides several intermediate attempts ; and that with a

X success that plainly showed them capable, had they proceeded with unanimity and perseverance, of effecting the grand revolution reserved to immortalise the name of Alexander, — that of totally subverting the Persian empire. The Persians, finding themselves unable to vanquish the Greeks by open force, took a more effectual method to overcome them, in consequence, as we are told, of the advice of Alcibiades, one of the most extraordinary men that Greece ever produced. They studiously fomented the natural jealousy entertained by the states of one another ; kept them by that means in continual war, and, in the mean time, artfully assisted them, as circumstances required, with liberal supplies of money, to work out their mutual destruction. But the Persians were not destined to reap the fruits of their pernicious politics, which eventually occasioned their own ruin. For Philip King of Macedon, one of the districts of Greece, profited by those dissensions of the other Greeks, to make them subject to his authority ; and at last his son, the Great Alexander, in prosecution of the plan laid down by his father, ranged them under the Macedonian banners, subdued, with their assistance, the powerful empire of Persia, and marched victorious from one corner of the vast continent of Asia to the other.

But as, on the one hand, those Greeks practised, in the greatest perfection, every virtue, whether public or private ; and carried to the highest degree of improvement, of which perhaps they are capable, the powers of genius and understanding ; so on the

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other hand, they gave way, almost in the same proportion, to every folly and vice, whether moral or political* Hence we shall have an opportunity, in the perusal of their history, of contemplating the admirable effects resulting from the former course of life, and the miserable consequences inevitably occasioned by the latter ; a contrast which of all others, forms, if we mistake not, the most curious and instructive part of history.

The History of Ancient Greece likewise presents us, more perhaps than that of any other nation, with the most lively picture of the advantages and disadvantages arising from each of the various systems of government that have prevailed in the world, monarchy, aristocracy, democracy, with all the different modifications and combinations of these, that the policy of mankind hath ever devised.

From all these considerations, it must be apparent, that whoever aspires at superior distinction, either as a philosopher or as a man of taste, in a military or in a political capacity, can by no other means more effectually accomplish his purpose than by a careful study of the Greek authors, by an attentive perusal of their history, and by a judicious application of the maxims there explained and enforced.

The former publications on this subject in the English language being on a different scale, as well as on a different plan from the present, the Author

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is happily freed from the very disagreeable task of attempting any comparison. Mr Stanyan's History of Ancient Greece, in two volumes octavo, stops at the death of Philip King of Macedon ; and that published, likewise in two volumes octavo, some months after the death of JDr Goldsmith, under the name of that ingenious gentleman, comes down only to the death of Alexander the Great. The det ail of Grecian affairs contained in Mr Rollin's Ancient History is still more voluminous and more diffuse.

Edinburgh, General Record-Office.

Introduction

A he continent of ancient Greece comprehended that country which at present constitutes the southern part of Turkey in Europe. It was bounded on the east by the iEgean sea, now called the Archipelago ; on the south by the Cretan sea ; on the west by the Ionian sea or Adriatic gulf; and on the north by Illyria and Thrace. Its length, from north to south, was about 350 miles ; and its breadth at a medium might be reckoned about 250 miles. It is situated nearly in the middle of the northern temperate zone.

Greece may be properly distinguished into six principal divisions. Of these the most northern was Macedonia : immediately south of Macedonia lay Thessaly : Epirus stretched along the coast of the Ionian sea, and was the most western division : Achaia, or Greece properly so called, occupied the middle space : and the most southern division was Peloponnesus, known at present by the name of the Morea, which, as the ancient name imports, formed a peninsula, communicating with Achaia by the * isthmus of Corinth, a neck of land about six miles broad : the islands made the sixth division.

The climate of Greece was peculiarly excellent. Equally exempted from the rigorous cold which afflicts the inhabitants nearer to the poles, and from the sultry heat by which those within the torrid zone are oppressed, it abounded with every influence propitious to the human race. The air was sweet, healthful, and uniformly temperate ; invigorating without dullness, and soft without effeminacy.

The soil corresponded with the climate. It produced, in extraordinary plenty, not only all the necessaries, but likewise many of the luxuries of life. b

The mildness, purity, and happy temperature of this climate, must without all question have had a powerful effect upon those who were there born and educated. In fact no country on earth ever exhibited the human form adorned with such exquisite beauty, nor the human mind animated with feelings at once so just, so delicate, and so acute.

Geographical Description of ancient Greece.

The history of no people can be distinctly understood, unless the geography of their country be known. This observation applies to the history now under consideration, more strongly perhaps than to the history of any other nation. For the territory of Greece having been parcelled out among many separate states, their disputes and their transactions with each other, as well as their various military expeditions, form, without a particular knowledge of the geography of the country, a mass of unintelligible confusion.

In another view likewise, an acquaintance with the geography of ancient Greece is of singular utility. It is, if we may use the expression, the key both to the Greek and to the Roman poets, whose works abound with constant allusions to the rivers, the mountains, &c. of ancient Greece. For these reasons, we here lay before the reader a particular but concise description of that country.

Greece, as before observed, was distinguished into six principal divisions, viz. Macedonia, Thessaly, Epirus, Achaia or Greece properly so called, Peloponnesus, and the Islands.

The Romans distributed all the country into two provinces, Macedonia and Achaia ; the former comprehending Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly ; the latter, Achaia, Peloponnesus, and the Islands. In our description we shall adopt the more ancient division.

Macedonia was bounded on the north by the

Scardian mountains, by which it was separated from Illyrium and Maesia, and by the river Strymon, its boundary with Thrace ; on the east, by the iEgean sea or Archipelago ; on the south, by Thessaly and Epirus : and on the west, by the Ionian sea or Adriatic gulf. According to Pliny, it was more anciently occupied by 150 different tribes.

The most considerable rivers in Macedonia were Aliacmon, Erigon, Axius, Ghabris, and Strymon, which all discharge themselves into the Archipelago ; Panyasus, Apsus, Laus which washes Apol- Ionia and Celidnus on the confines of Epirus : these run into the Adriatic gulf.

The most noted mountain in Macedonia was Athos, which stretches out into the Archipelago in the form of a peninsula. Through this mountain Xerxes is said to have ordered a passage to be dug for the fleet with which he invaded Greece. An instance of egregious folly indeed !

The towns of chief note in Macedonia were Dyrrachium, anciently Epidamnus, a maritime town on the Adriatic gulf; Pella, on the river Axius, famous for being the place where Philip, and his son Alexander the Great, drew their first breath ; Thessalonica, whither Cicero was banished by the intrigues of the factious Clodius ; Stagira, on the river Strymon, in the neighbourhood of mount Athos, famous by being the birth-place of the prince of philosophers Aristotle, thence called the Stagirite ; Amphipolis, anciently possessed by an Athenian colony, and remarkable by the dispute which it occasioned between Philip and the Athenians.

The district of Macedonia, called Pieria, celebrated in ancient fable as having been the birth-place of the muses, thence often denominated Pierides.

Thessaly lies immediately south of Macedonia, and north of Achaia, having the Archipelago on the east, and mount Pindus, which divides it from Epirus, on the west. It was anciently famous for its excellent cavalry.

Peneus was the chief river in Thessaly. It runs between the mountains Ossa and Olympus ; and meandring along in gentle windings through a country delightfully variegated by groves and meadows, it forms the capital ornament of the delicious Vale of Tempe, described with rapture even by poets, whose eyes were accustomed to the prospect of some of the finest coun tries in the world.

The most noted mountains of Thessaly are Olympus, Pelium, and Ossa, so famous in fable by the war of the giants.

Between Thessaly and Phocis, at the bottom of mount Octa, lies the defile of Thermopylae, a pass about 90 feet broad, which formed in a manner the portal of the southern districts of Greece, and is on that account frequently mentioned in history. But it is chiefly renowned by the heroic stand made there against the Persian army by Leonidas and his Spartans.

Thessaly was more anciently accounted a district of Macedonia, and was called Emonia. It was likewise successively known by the names of Pelasgicum, Hellas, Driopis, Argis, and Thessalia, derived from the names of different kings to whom it was subject. At length the name of Thessaly prevailed. Homer calls the inhabitants of this country Myrmidones, Hellenes, Achsei.

It was divided among the following tribes ; the Thessalians. the Estiotse, the Pelasgi, the Magnesii, and the Phthiotse,

The district of the Thessalians contained the towns of Hypata, Sosthene, Cypera : that of the Estiotae, those of Gomphi, Phaestus, Tricca, and Etinium : that of the Pelasgi, Pytheum and Atrax : that of the Magnesii, Iolcus* Herminium, Castanea, Meliboea, and Methone, at the siege of which king Philip lost one of his eyes : that of the Phthiotae, Phthia where Achilles was born, Thessalian Thebes, Echinus, Larissa, Demetrias, where the Macedonian kings for some time kept their court, and where in latter times the Etolians held their public assemblies ; and lastly Pegasae, where Argo, the famous ship in which Jason and his followers sailed in quest of the golden fleece, was built.

Epirus was separated from Macedonia and Thessaly by the river Celidnus and mount Pindus, and from Achaia by the river Achlous.

The mountains Acroceraunia and Pindus are the most remarkable in Epirus. The latter is composed of a very extensive ridge of hills, which separate, as above observed, Epirus from Macedonia and Thessaly, and stretch from the Acroceraunian mountains to mount Oeta ; which latter may be consi dered as the termination of Pindus.

Acheron and Cocytus were the most considerable rivers in Epirus. From these rivers, and the adjacent country, Homer, according to Pausanias, formed his description of the infernal regions.

Epirus contained the following towns : Dodona, in the district of the Melossi, famous for the temple and oracle of Dodonean Jove, where the responses were said to be delivered from the adjacent grove by black pigeons. What ridiculous imposition on the preposterous curiosity of mankind ! This oracle was known in the days of Homer and Hesiod ; and according to Strabo, ceased in his time. Buthrotum, in the district of the Thesprotians, where king Pyrrhus kept his court. In the neighbourhood of this city, Cicero had a large estate, on which he sometimes resided. Ambracia, near the bay of the same name, the royal residence of the iEacidas. Actium, off the promontory of which, now called Cape Figalo, happened the important naval engagement between Octavius Csesar, and Mark Anthony, which decided the fate of the Roman empire in favour of the former. Nicopolis, opposite to Actium, on the other side of the bay, built by Octavius Csesar, in memory, as the name imports, of his victory just mentioned.

Achaia, or Greece properly so called, was bounded on the north by the mountains Oeta and Othrys, by which it was separated from Thessaly ; on the east, by the iEgean sea or Archipelago ; on the west, by the river Achelous, which divided it from Epirus ; and on the south, by the isthmus of Corinth, a neck of land about six miles long, terminated by the bay of Corinth, now called Lepanto, on the west ; and by the Saronic bay, or bay of Egina, on the east.

The most remarkable mountains of Achaia were Callidromus, on the border towards Thessaly, overhanging the pass of Thermopylae. Over this mountain the traitor Ephialtes conducted a detachment of Xerxes' army, while the pass was heroically defended against the main body of the tyrant's forces by a handful of brave Greeks, commanded by the gallant Leonidas. Oeta, where Hercules burnt himself. Othrys, the country of the Lapithee. Parnassus and Helicon, in the district of Phocis : the former terminated in two tops ; the one called Nyssa, consecrated to Apollo; the other Cyrrha, consecrated to Bacchus. This mountain overhangs Delphi, and in fable was reputed the residence of the muses. Helicon stood in the neighbourhood of Parnassus, and was likewise, according to the poets, very much frequented by the muses. On this mountain, and within the grove of the muses, were the celebrated fountains Hypocrene and Aganippe. Here stood the tomb of Orpheus, about which, according to the ancient fabulists, the nightingale delighted to build her nest. On the declivity of Helicon were the towns of Thespia, Nyssa, and Ascra, where Hesiod was born. Cithaeron in Boeotia, consecrated to Bacchus, Certain bacchanalian revels were celebrated there. Hymetus in Attica, famed for its delicious honey, and beautiful marble, which was peculiarly adapted for statuary.

The only river of note in Achaia was Cephissus, divided into two branches ; the one called Asopus, which separated the territory of Boeotian Thebes from that of Megara ; the other, Ismenus, which runs near to Thebes.

Achaia contained eight districts ; .iEtolia, Doris, Locris, Ozolaea, Phocis, Megaris, Attica, and BoeotiaH

Chalcis, Olenus, and Calydon, were the chief towns of iEtolia. In the neighbourhood of the latter was the Calydonian forest ; famous for the chace of the Calydonian boar, which was killed by Meleager.

Doris contained the towns of Boium, Citinium, and Pindus.

In Ozolian Locris stood the town of Naupactus, now called Lepanto, famous in modern times by the important naval engagement between the Spaniards, Venetians, &c. commanded by Don John of Austria, and the Turks, in which the latter were defeated with great slaughter. In Epienemidian Locris were the towns Cnemides, Opus, and Thronium.

The most remarkable towns in Phocis were Anticyra Cyrrha, Pythia, and Delphi at the bottom of mount Parnassus, where the council of the Amphictyons held their deliberations, but chiefly celebrated for the temple and oracle of Apollo.

In Megaris were the towns of Megara and Eleusis. The former gave its name to the country, and was the birth place of Euclid the philosopher, who was so passionate an admirer of the conversation of Socrates, that, at the hazard of his life, on account of the war then subsisting between the Athenians and his countrymen, he stole into Athens dressed like a woman, to listen to that wisest of philosophers. Eleusis was consecrated to Ceres, and was famous by the celebration of certain religious rites in honour of that goddess, the most secret and solemn of the multitude of religious ceremonies observed among the pagan idolaters*

In Attica stood Athens and Marathon. A thens was the most distinguished city of all antiquity ; a, name that in every breast animated with the love of literature, and of the fine arts* kmdles the warmest sensations of gratitude, admiration, and respect. The brightest emanations of genius, the most profound and ingenious exertions of the human mind, displayed themselves in this propitious spot. It was situated in the middle of a beautiful and extensive plain, about forty miles south of Thebes, and at the same distance to the north of the isthmus of Corinth. It consisted of two great divisions, Cecropia and Athense. The former derived its name from Cecrops its founder ; and was built on a hill, upon the loftiest part of which stood the citadel. The latter extended into the plain, and was called by the Greek name of its tutelary deity Minerva. One common wall surrounded both; and Athens became the general name of the united city. The rivers Ilyssus and Cephysus meandered through the plain on the east and west sides of the city ; and, mingling their streams, formed but one river before they reached the sea. The temples, theatres, and other public edifices at Athens, displayed all that was admirable in statuary and architecture. Beyond and adjoining to the suburbs were two celebrated walks, which to remotest posterity will be remembered with veneration by every admirer of ancient philosophy. One of them was in an ornamented garden, called Academus from the name of the man to whom it had originally belonged; and was frequented by Plato and his followers. In the other, named the Lyceum, Aristotle and those of his school walked and reasoned under the cover of a shady Wood ; and were thence denominated Peripatetics, or the Walking Philosophers. Within the territory of Athens stood the sea-port towns, Phalera* Munichia, and Pyreus, all on the Saronic bay, now called the gulf of Egina. Pyreus was the most convenient ; and on that account was improved, enlarged, and fortified, first by Themistocles, and afterwards by Pericles. Though nearly five miles distant from Athens, it was joined to that city by the means of two prodigious walls about sixty feet high, and thick in proportion, which effectually protected the communication.

Marathon was famous for the victory obtained by the Greeks* commanded by the Athenian Miltiades, over the numerous army of Darius.

Boeotia contained several famous towns. Thebes, situated between the rivers Asopus and Ismenus. The honour of founding this city is by some ascribed to Amphion ; by others, to Phenician Cadmus, at the head of a colony of his countrymen. Its citadel, called Cadmsea, was reckoned very strong. Hercules and Bacchus, the poets Linus and Pindar, the philosopher Cebes, a distinguished disciple of Socrates, and the accomplished Epaminondas, were all natives of Thebes. Thespia, consecrated to the muses, situ&ted on the declivity of mount Helicon. Phryne, so infamous by her morals, but so celebrated for her beauty, was a native of Thespia*. She testified her attachment to her native city, by setting up there an inestimable statue of Cupid, the masterpiece of the famous statuary Praxitiles, her passionate admirer, from whom she obtained it as a present. Thither multitudes thronged to gaze on it with inexpressible delight and admiration. Platea stood at the bottom of mount Cithaeron, on the river Asopus, between Thespia and Thebes. Here the Greeks, commanded by the Spartan Pausanias, gained a decisive victory over the Persians, whose general, Mardouius, and the best troops of their army,, were there cut off. Cheronsea, the native city of Plutarch, the excellent biographer. Aulis, where the Grecian forces assembled before their expedi-

* This lady was so dead to the modesty of her sex, and at the same time so vain of her personal charms, that at the feast of Neptune she, in presence of all the people of Eleusis, went naked into the sea to bathe. From this public exhibition of so beautiful a woman, Apelles is said to have made an admirable picture of Venus Anadyomene.

tion against Troy, and from whence they set sail, Leuctra, situated at the bottom of mount Cithasron, on the confines of Megara, between Thespia and Platea, where the Thebans, commanded by Epaminondas and Pelopidas, beat the Spartans, though much superior to the Thebans in point of numbers,

Peloponnesus, a peninsula, as its name imports, is now called the Morea, separated on the north from the continent of Achaia by the isthmus of Corinth, and surrounded on all other sides by the sea ; the Archipelago or iEgean sea on the one hand, and the Adriatic gulf or Ionian sea on the other.

The most considerable rivers in Peloponnesus were, Peneus ; Alpheus, which flowing through Arcadia and Elis, passes by Olympia; Panysus, the largest river within the isthmus, which falls into the sea on the coast of Messenia ; Eurotas, which runs through Laconia, and washes Sparta; and Inachus, which flows through Argis, passing by its capital Argos.

Stymphalus, Pholoe, Chronicus, and Taygetus, are the principal mountains in Peloponnesus. Stymphalus lies between Achaia and Arcadia. Pholoe is a lofty woody mountain in Arcadia, the summit of which is generally covered with snow. Chronicus stands in Laconia. Here, according to the ancient fabulists, Saturn hid himself when flying from Jupiter. Taygetus is situated in the neighbourhood of Sparta. It abounded with wild beasts, and furnished the Spartan youth with the amusements of the chace.

Peloponnesus was divided into six districts ; Achaia properly so called, Elis, Messenia, Arcadia, Laconia, and Argis.

Corinth was the chief city in Achaia, and stood in the middle of the isthmus that bears its name. Its citadel was built on a steep and lofty hill, and was accounted impregnable by open force. The city had two harbours ; Cenchrea, towards the Archipelago, whence the Asiatic commerce was carried on ; and Lecheum towards the Adriatic, frequented by the vessels employed in the trade of Italy and Sicily. Corinth was the most commercial town in all Greece, was very powerful in naval strength, and acquired vast wealth by trade. Next to Athens and Sparta it was the most considerable state in ancient Greece. Lais, so celebrated for her beauty, was a native of Corinth. Ladies of her profession found there uncommon- encouragement and protection. Sicyon was likewise situated in Achaia, and was supposed to be the most ancient city in Greece. Aratus, who distinguished himself so highly as general of the Achaean league, was a native of Sicyon.

Elis lies on the western coast of Peloponnesus, having Achaia to the north, and Arcadia and Messenia to the south. Olympia, likewise called Pisa, situated on the river Alpheus, was the chief town in Elis. Here the Olympic games were celebrated. In its neighbourhood stood a rich temple of Olympian Jove, of which the finest ornament was an ivory statue of the god, executed with exquisite art by the celebrated Phidias. Cyllene, another city of Elis, was reputed to be the birth-place of Mercury, thence called Cyllenius.

Messenia lay on the south-w r est coast of Peloponnesus. It was accounted the most fruitful country of all Greece. Massene, Pylus, and Corone, were the chief towns of Messenia. Pylus was the country of Nestor, so distinguished in the Trojan war. This town having gone to decay, was, during the Peloponnesian war, rebuilt by the Athenians ; who, about the same time, took possession of the island Sphacteria, on the same coast. The Athenian garrisons placed in Pylus and Sphacteria, harassed the Lacedemonians extremely during that destructive war.

Arcadia is a mountainous country, and forms the centre of the Peloponnesus. The towns of note in this district were, Tegea, Stymphalus, Mantinea, and Megalopolis. In the neighbourhood of Mantinea was fought the bloody battle between the Thebans and their allies on one side, commanded by Epaminondas, and the Lacedemonians and Athenians on the other. The latter were defeated ; but Epaminondas expired in the arms of victory. Megalopolis was the birth-place of Polybius the historian.

Laconia lay on the south-east coast of Peloponnesus, and bordered on Messenia and Arcadia, Its chief city was Sparta; whose inhabitants were equally distinguished by their bravery, and by the austerity of their manners. It was built on the western bank of the river Eurotas ; which, being seldom fordable, protected the town on that side. Though situated in a plain, it contained several eminences within its circuit. It had no walls. Gytheum stood at the mouth of the Eurotas on the coast of the Archipelago, and was the chief sea port of Laconia. In Laconia were likewise the towns of Leuctrum and Amy else.

Argis, also named Argolis, and Argia, lay on the eastern coast of Peloponnesus ; and was bounded by Arcadia on the west, and by Laconia on the south. It contained the towns of Argos, Nemaea, Mecenae, Nauplia, Traezene, and Epidaurus. Argos, the capital, stood on the banks of the river Inachus : In this city, Pyrrhus king of Epirus lost his life. Nemaea was situated between Argos and Corinth ; Here the Nemaean games were celebrated in honour of Hercules. Mycenae was the chief town of Agamemnon's kingdom, and that king's royal residence. Epidaurus was a maritime town, where there was a famous temple of iEsculapius.