ASINE (city in Argolis)
Ancient Greek city of Argolis
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Argolis
- Where
- 37.53° N, 22.87° E
Asine is situated on the coast along a deep bay within a district formerly named Asinaea. Iliad 2 ¶41 Asine has a temple dedicated to Apollo. Pausanias 4.34.11 Asine contains a temple and an ancient statue of Dryops. Pausanias 4.34.11
Described in the sources
A gulf near the Messenian Gulf is named Asinaeus after this city. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.7 ¶1 +2 Asine is a small city located in the Argolid region, specifically in the Argive territory near Nauplia. Pausanias 4.34.10 +2 The Dryopes originally occupied this city near Hermion after following divine instructions, before being expelled by the Argives. Pausanias 4.34.9 +2 Asine is situated between Methone and Thuria, and on the coast between Amathus and Gythium. Strabo 8.4.5 +1 Asine is the first city encountered on the gulf towards the west, and the coastal division of the Argive territory begins at this city. Strabo 8.4.4 +1 The sons of the Achaeans held the city of Asine. Of the Origin of Homer and Hesiod, and of Their Contest (83) The city shares its name with the Hermionic Asine. Strabo 8.4.4 Asine is located near the place called Laconian Cardamyle. Herodotus 8.73.2 The city was granted to the people of Asine by Eurystheus. Pausanias 4.34.10 Asine was subject to Argos according to the Catalogue of Ships. Strabo 8.6.10
Gods and worship
The people of Asine hold annual mysteries in honor of Dryops. Pausanias 4.34.11
Stories and history
The Argives forced the Dryopes to leave this city after the inhabitants initially defended their city from its walls. Pausanias 2.36.5 +2 Heracles expelled the Dryopes from Doris near Parnassus to Asine. Pausanias 4.34.10 +1 Asineans claim Dryops is the son of Apollo. Pausanias 4.34.11 The people of Asine were at feud with Heracles. Pausanias 4.34.10 The inhabitants crossed the sea to reach the Peloponnese. Pausanias 4.34.10 The city was attacked by Argives led by their king Eratus. Pausanias 2.36.4 The inhabitants appealed to Eurystheus for help after fleeing. Pausanias 4.34.10 The Lacedaemonians transferred inhabitants from Asine to Messenia. Strabo 8.6.11 Some writers identify Asine with the city Antheia mentioned by poets. Strabo 8.4.5 The Dryopes, aided by Eurystheus, established this city in the Peloponnesus. Diodorus 4.37