METHANA (city in Troezenia and Hermionis)
Ancient polis on Methana peninsula, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Troezenia and Hermionis
- Where
- 37.59° N, 23.35° E
Methana is described as a peninsula located within the Peloponnesus. Pausanias 2.34.4 The rock Mothon forms the harbor of the city. Pausanias 4.35.1 Mothone contains a temple dedicated to Athena Of the Winds. Pausanias 4.35.8
Described in the sources
Mothone is a coastal location in Messenia that reaches the sea and was situated within the maritime district of the region. Pausanias 4.23.1 +2 Methana is a small town and fortress located on a peninsula extending from Troezenia, situated between Troezen and Epidaurus. Pausanias 2.34.1 +1 A shrine of Artemis is located in Mothone. Pausanias 4.35.8 Mothone was previously known as Pedasus before the Trojan War. Pausanias 4.35.1 The well water resembles the iris-oil of Cyzicos in appearance. Pausanias 4.35.8 The area of Hermione borders the land of Troezen within Methana. Pausanias 2.34.4 Mothone was assigned to the men of Nauplia by the Lacedaemonians. Pausanias 4.24.4 Hot baths are situated approximately thirty stades away from the town. Pausanias 2.34.1 Mothone had a coast where Illyrian ships anchored as if in a friendly port. Pausanias 4.35.6 Mothone is located about a hundred stades from the promontory of Coryphasium. Pausanias 4.36.1
Gods and worship
The town's market-place contains statues of Hermes and Heracles. Pausanias 2.34.1 A sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis exists within the town. Pausanias 2.34.1 The rock narrows the harbor entrance for incoming ships and acts as a breakwater against heavy swells. Pausanias 4.35.1
Stories and history
The Lacedaemonians gave Mothone to the Nauplians after they were expelled by Argives. Pausanias 4.24.4 +1 Dotadas constructed the harbor at Mothone. Pausanias 4.3.10 A well in Mothone contains water mixed with pitch. Pausanias 4.35.8 Some copies of Thucydides use the name Methone for this location. Strabo 8.6.15 The temple holds a statue said to have been dedicated by Diomede. Pausanias 4.35.8 The water from the baths is described as hot and extremely salty. Pausanias 2.34.1 The local people claim the city was renamed after Oeneus's daughter. Pausanias 4.35.1 The people of Mothone maintained coastal districts for the Messenians. Pausanias 4.18.1 No wind-caused disasters have visited the country since Diomede's prayer. Pausanias 4.35.8 Fire reportedly gushed from the ground before the hot water began to flow. Pausanias 2.34.1