METHYDRIUM (city in Western Arcadia)
Ancient city in Arcadia, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Western Arcadia
- Where
- 37.63° N, 22.17° E
The city's name means Between the Waters due to its position on a knoll. Pausanias 8.36.1 A temple dedicated to Horse Poseidon is located in this city. Pausanias 8.36.2 The city sits on a high knoll between the rivers Maloetas and Mylaon. Pausanias 8.36.1
Described in the sources
In Pausanias's time, Methydrium was a village under the jurisdiction of Megalopolis, located one hundred and seventy stades from it. Pausanias 8.12.2 +2 Methydrium is listed among Arcadian cities that no longer exist or only show traces. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.10 ΒΆ1 +1 The temple stands next to the river Mylaon. Pausanias 8.36.2 Methydrium is located along a road that starts from Mantineia. Pausanias 8.12.2 Methydrium is located thirty stades from the spring named Nymphasia. Pausanias 8.36.4 At the time of writing, Methydrium was merely a village rather than a city. Pausanias 8.12.2 The river Gortynius originates in Theisoa, a region that borders Methydrium. Pausanias 8.28.3 Methydrium is located one hundred and thirty-seven stades away from Tricoloni. Pausanias 8.36.1 Methydrium was a settlement belonging to the group associated with Orchomenus. Pausanias 8.27.4
Stories and history
Orchomenus is credited with founding the town known as Methydrium on the high knoll. Pausanias 8.3.3 +1 Citizens of Methydrium won victories at Olympia before the city joined Megalopolis. Pausanias 8.36.1 Methydrians believed Rhea, pregnant with Zeus, enlisted Hopladamus and his giants as allies against Cronus. Pausanias 8.36.2