Mantineia (Mantinia)

(Local Name: Mandínia) The ancient city of Mantineia, formed in 500 B.C. by the amalgamation of five villages, lies 15km/9mi north of Trípoli in the Peloponnese. The site is reached by taking the road which runs north from Trípoli and in 8km/5mi, where the main road bears northwest towards Vytína and Olympia, turning right into a side road signposted to Kakoúri.

Mantineia was destroyed by Sparta in 385 B.C. but rebuilt in 371 after a Theban victory over Sparta. The battle of Mantineia in 362 B.C. put an end to Theban predominance in the Peloponnese.

The surviving remains date from the rebuilding around 370 B.C. There are considerable remains, particularly on the north and east sides, of the