ELAEUS (city in Argolis)
Ancient city in Argolis, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Argolis
- Where
- 37.51° N, 22.68° E
The city held the treasure belonging to Protesilaus, son of Iphiclus, which included gold and silver vessels, bronze items, and clothing within a sacred precinct surrounding his tomb. Herodotus 9.116.1 It contains the burial site of the hero Protesilaus. Herodotus 9.116.2 A wooden image of Demeter was placed in the sacred cavern on Mount Elaius. Pausanias 8.42.3
Described in the sources
A temple of Protesilaus was located in this city. Herodotus 7.33.1 Mount Elaius is located to the right of the city of Phigalia. Pausanias 8.41.7 The hero Protesilaus punished the Persian Artayctes at this location. Pausanias 3.4.6 The Phigalians considered a cavern on Mount Elaius to be sacred to Demeter. Pausanias 8.42.3 The anchored triremes served as headquarters for the canal digging project. Herodotus 7.22.1 Artayctes transported the treasure he received from this location to Sestus. Herodotus 9.116.3 Mount Elaius is the location where Pan discovered Demeter while she was roaming. Pausanias 8.42.3
Stories and history
The Athenians laid siege to Artayctes while he was at this location. Herodotus 9.116.3 Miltiades began a voyage from Elaeus to Lemnos using the Etesian winds. Herodotus 6.140.1 The inhabitants of Elaeus demanded the execution of Artayctes to avenge Protesilaus. Herodotus 9.120.4