HELOS (city in Laconia)
Ancient coastal city near the Eurotas, unlocated
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Laconia
- Where
- 36.84° N, 22.61° E
The city was founded by Helius, the youngest son of Perseus. Pausanias 3.20.6 Helos was originally named because it was situated close to marshes. Strabo 9.2.17 The captured inhabitants of Helos were judged to be slaves. Strabo 8.5.4
Described in the sources
Helos was a coastal city situated by the sea. Iliad 2 ¶43 +1 Helos was an Achaean coastal town that was formerly a city, as cited by Homer. Pausanias 3.2.7 +1 Helos is situated on the coast between Gythium and Acraea, near the mouth of the Eurotas river, which flows through a long valley located near the city. Strabo 8.3.12 +1 Helos was part of the region of Lacedaemon. Iliad 2 ¶43 Helos was one of the cities led by Menelaus. Iliad 2 ¶43 Helos was situated in the region of Messenia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.7 ¶1 The inhabitants of Helos revolted against the Spartans. Strabo 8.5.4 The people of Helos were the first to be called Helots. Pausanias 3.20.6 Some identify Helos as the marshland area located near Alorium. Strabo 8.3.25 The city is situated near fertile Amphigenia and Messene's plain. Statius, Thebaid 4.173-199 ¶1
Stories and history
The Dorians later captured Helos through a siege. Pausanias 3.20.6 Owners of Helos slaves were forbidden to free them. Strabo 8.5.4 The Lacedaemonians laid waste to the town of Helos. Pausanias 3.2.7 The city of Helos no longer existed at the time of writing. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.7 ¶1 A poet is noted to have mentioned this location in their work. Strabo 8.3.12 The people of Helos were captured during the war against them. Strabo 8.5.4 Homer mentioned Helos in his list of Lacedaemonian settlements. Pausanias 3.20.6 Owners of Helos slaves could not sell them outside the country. Strabo 8.5.4 The wooden image of the Maid is carried from Helos on specific designated days. Pausanias 3.20.7 The lake near Helos might have been reduced in height by a later efflux of water. Strabo 9.2.17