PALLANTION (city in Mantinike and Tegeatis)
Ancient Greek city in Arcadia, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Mantinike and Tegeatis
- People of myth here
- Evander
- Where
- 37.45° N, 22.33° E
Pallantium is a city located in the region of Arcadia, specifically in the area of Maenalus. Pausanias 5.1.8 The hill above the city of Pallantium was formerly used as a citadel and a sanctuary of certain gods remains on its crest. Pausanias 8.44.5 A temple containing stone images of Pallas and Evander stands in Pallantium. Pausanias 8.44.5
Described in the sources
Pallantium is located along the road connecting Megalopolis and Tegea, and also along the road that connects it to Mantineia. Pausanias 8.11.5 +1 Pallantium was established by Pallas, who was a son of Lycaon. Pausanias 8.3.1 Pallantium served as a home for the Arcadians before they left it. Pausanias 8.27.3 The plain of Pallantium is accessed by turning left from the Dyke. Pausanias 8.44.5 Pallantium shares a boundary with Megalopolis, Tegea, and the Dyke. Pausanias 8.44.5 A sanctuary dedicated to the daughter of Demeter exists in Pallantium. Pausanias 8.44.5 A statue of Polybius is located not far from the sanctuary of the Maid. Pausanias 8.44.5 The city is referenced in the Geryoneid written by Stesichorus of Himera. Pausanias 8.3.2 The city received its name from Pallas, a son of Lycaon, according to Hesiod. The Catalogues of Women and Eoiae fr. 32 Evander led a group of Arcadians from this city to establish a new settlement. Pausanias 8.43.2
Stories and history
An emperor granted favors to this city because of its connection to Evander. Pausanias 8.43.2 The Arcadians abandoned Pallantium due to their hatred of the Lacedaemonians. Pausanias 8.27.3 The city was created during a period when the region's population and number of cities grew. Pausanias 8.3.1 The name of the Roman district was shortened by removing specific letters from the original city name. Pausanias 8.43.2 Emperor Antoninus the first elevated Pallantium from a village to a city, granted its inhabitants liberty, and exempted them from taxation. Pausanias 8.43.1