Megalopolis Attractions Megalópoli
The little mining town of Megalópolis lies south of the river Elisson in the center of the Peloponnese. It has suffered severe earthquake damage on several occasions.
Megalópolis was founded after the Theban general Epameinondas's victory over Sparta at Leuktra (371 B.C.), and was intended, together with Mantineia and Messene, to prevent any resurgence of Spartan power. In 353, 331 and 234 B.C. the town, peopled by settlers from the surrounding area, successfully withstood attacks from Sparta, but in 223 B.C. it was conquered and destroyed. Although it was rebuilt in 194 B.C., Pausanias, visiting the site in the A.D. second century, found only ruins. Megalópolis was the birthplace of the historian Polybios (208- 120 B.C.).
The site of the ancient city, which lies astride the river Elisson, a tributary of the Alfiós (Alpheios), was excavated by British archeologists.
Megalópolis is a station on the Peloponnese Railroad (Corinth-Kalamáta).
Megalópolis was founded after the Theban general Epameinondas's victory over Sparta at Leuktra (371 B.C.), and was intended, together with Mantineia and Messene, to prevent any resurgence of Spartan power. In 353, 331 and 234 B.C. the town, peopled by settlers from the surrounding area, successfully withstood attacks from Sparta, but in 223 B.C. it was conquered and destroyed. Although it was rebuilt in 194 B.C., Pausanias, visiting the site in the A.D. second century, found only ruins. Megalópolis was the birthplace of the historian Polybios (208- 120 B.C.).
The site of the ancient city, which lies astride the river Elisson, a tributary of the Alfiós (Alpheios), was excavated by British archeologists.
Megalópolis is a station on the Peloponnese Railroad (Corinth-Kalamáta).
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Archaeological Site
The Megalopolis Archaeological Site features extensive walls that stretch for over 9 km, and a massive theater that held 50,000 people.
Lykosoura (Likossoura) - Sanctuary of Despoina
12km/7.5mi southwest of Megalópolis on a country road is the lonely sanctuary of the Despoina (Mistress) at Lykosoúra, with remains of a temple of the fourth century B.C. In the naos can be seen the large base of the cult image. In front of the foundations of a Doric stoa are altars dedicated to the Despoina, Demeter and Ge. In the small site museum are cult statues of the three goddesses by Damophon.
Megalópoli - Thersileion
Immediately north of the theater at Megalópolis is the Thersileion (so named after the donor), a huge rectangular hall measuring 66m/217ft by 52m/171ft in which Arcadian federal assembly met. The interior probably had the form of an odeion, with radially disposed Doric columns supporting the roof. On either side of the Thersileion were altars. To the west was the stadion, to the east a sanctuary of Asklepios.
On the far side of the river, opposite the Thersileion, was a large sanctuary of Zeus Soter, and beyond this the agora, bounded on the north by a stoa erected by Philip II of Macedon.
On the far side of the river, opposite the Thersileion, was a large sanctuary of Zeus Soter, and beyond this the agora, bounded on the north by a stoa erected by Philip II of Macedon.
