LEUCTRA (LACONIA) (town in Laconia)
Town of ancient Laconia
- Kind of place
- Town
- Region
- Laconia
- Where
- 36.84° N, 22.27° E
Leuctra is situated on the headland of Taenarum. Pausanias 3.21.7 A temple and grove dedicated to Eros are located in this town. Pausanias 3.26.5 Residents there revere Asclepius above all other deities according to Messenian tradition. Pausanias 3.26.4
Described in the sources
The Lacedaemonians were completely defeated by the Boeotians at this location. Pausanias 1.29.11 +3 Scedasus resided in the vicinity of this town. Pausanias 9.13.5 Leuctra is a town located within the territory of Laconia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.8 ΒΆ1 It is one of the eighteen cities held by the Free Laconians. Pausanias 3.21.7 Leuctra is located between Oetylus and Thalamae on Taenarum. Pausanias 3.21.7 Leuctra is listed as a notable town in the region near the lake. Strabo 9.2.35 Leuctra is located sixty stades away from the town of Cardamyle. Pausanias 3.26.7 Messenians claim the statue proves Leuctra was once part of Messenia. Pausanias 3.26.6 The town is situated twenty stades away from the location of Pephnus. Pausanias 3.26.4 A wind-driven fire in a local wood exposed a statue of Zeus of Ithome. Pausanias 3.26.6
Stories and history
A stone statue of Asclepius exists within the town. Pausanias 3.26.4 A statue of Ino is located in a different part of the area. Pausanias 3.26.4 Scedasus ended his own life upon arriving back at this place. Pausanias 9.13.5 The battle near Leuctra will happen when Dorians lose their youth. Pausanias 9.14.3 Epaminondas permitted the Lacedaemonians to leave this place under a truce. Pausanias 9.14.1 Scedasus returned to this location after failing to find justice elsewhere. Pausanias 9.13.5 A trophy from the battle at Leuctra was depicted in relief on Asopichus's shield. Athenaeus 13.83 Inhabitants believe Asclepius is the son of Arsinoe, who was Leucippus's daughter. Pausanias 3.26.4