GERENEIA (town in Laconia)
Town of ancient Messenia, Greece
The territory of Gerenia contains a temple of Aesculapius Triccaeus. Strabo 8.4.4 Gerenia contains a tomb and holy sanctuary dedicated to Machaon, where Glaucus first performed a sacrifice to him, and the holy spot is referred to by the name Rhodos. Pausanias 3.26.9 The territory is called Gerena or Gerenia, with the Pamisus and Nedon rivers flowing through it, not the Alpheius. Strabo 8.3.29
Described in the sources
Gerenia was inhabited by Messenians but belonged to the league of Free Laconians, and the valley called Choerius forms the frontier near the town. Pausanias 3.21.7 +2 The city was known as Enope in the poems of Homer. Pausanias 3.26.8 The territory was entirely under the dominion of Menelaus. Strabo 8.3.29 The Messenians cite the tomb in Gerenia as proof of their Asclepiadae lineage. Pausanias 4.3.2 The mountain Calathium is located within the territory of Gerenia, and the town of Alagonia is situated thirty stades inland from it. Pausanias 3.26.11
Stories and history
Another account says Nestor took refuge here after Heracles captured Pylos, earning him a related epithet. Pausanias 3.26.8 +1 One account claims Nestor was raised in this city. Pausanias 3.26.8 Some people identify the city of Enope with Gerenia. Strabo 8.4.5 Messenians in the local speech call the crown on the statue kiphos. Pausanias 3.26.9 A standing bronze statue of Machaon stands in the temple at Gerenia. Pausanias 3.26.9 The local temple of Aesculapius was copied from one in Thessalian Tricca. Strabo 8.4.4 Inhabitants of Hollow Elis cite Gerenus to argue Nestor had the epithet Gerenius. Strabo 8.3.7