PELLENE (city in Achaea)
City-state of ancient Achaea
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Achaea
- Landmarks
- Sanctuary of Eileithyia Pausanias 7.27.8; Temple of Artemis Pausanias 7.27.4; Sanctuary of Apollo Pausanias 7.27.4; Glyceiae (Sweet Springs) Pausanias 7.27.4
- Where
- 38.04° N, 22.55° E
The city of Pellene is described as a strong fortress. Strabo 8.7.5 The city was established on the slopes of the Aegialus mountain. Argonautica 1 ¶29 Residents of Pellene hold games called Theoxenia in honor of Apollo. Pausanias 7.27.4
Described in the sources
Pellene is a city-state in the region of Achaia, located next to Sicyon. Argonautica 1 ¶29 +4 Pellene is a city belonging to the Achaeans and is currently one of the twelve divisions of the Achaeans. Herodotus 1.145.1 +1 The river Porinas forms the boundary between Pheneus and the territory of Pellene at the foot of Mount Chelydorea. Pausanias 8.15.8 +1 The harbor of Pellene, named Aristonautae, is located near the Sicyonians' harbor and is sixty stades from the city. Pausanias 2.12.2 +1 Pellene is located sixty stadia away from the sea. Strabo 8.7.5 Diagoras won six times at the games held in Pellene. Pindar, Olympian 7 ¶10 The river on the side nearest to Aegeira is named Crius. Pausanias 7.27.11 The city is divided into two sections by the central peak. Pausanias 7.27.1 Rivers flow down from the mountains situated above the city. Pausanias 7.27.11 The upper part of the hill is steep and remains uninhabited. Pausanias 7.27.1
Gods and worship
Mantles from the village of Pellene are given as prizes at public games. Strabo 8.7.5 The local inhabitants claim a shrine of Athena is located beneath the statue's pedestal. Pausanias 7.27.2
Stories and history
Aratus and the Sicyonians captured the city from Agis and forced him to leave. Pausanias 2.8.5 +2 The residents of Pellene erected two statues of their athlete Promachus, whom the local people highly honor. Pausanias 7.27.5 +1 Pellene was involved in a war against Corinth. Pausanias 7.27.6 Pellenian mantles are brought from the village of Pellene. Strabo 8.7.5 The Achaeans from this city dedicated a statue of Agathinus. Pausanias 6.13.11 The sanctuary in Pellene features a bronze statue of Apollo. Pausanias 7.27.4 The people of Pellene possessed a fortress located at Olyros. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.6 ¶1 The temple in Pellene depicts Artemis in the act of shooting. Pausanias 7.27.4 Pellene was the only Achaean city that ever experienced tyranny. Pausanias 7.7.1 The statue of Promachus located in the gymnasium was made of stone. Pausanias 7.27.5