PELOPONNESE (peninsula in Mantinike and Tegeatis)
Large peninsula and geographic region in southern Greece
- Kind of place
- Peninsula
- Region
- Mantinike and Tegeatis
- Landmarks
- Temple (unnamed) Pausanias 8.41.8; Port of Lecheæ Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.5 ¶1; Port of Cenchreæ Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.5 ¶1
- Where
- 37.40° N, 22.30° E
The region's shape is compared to the leaf of a plane tree. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.5 ¶1 It is described as the acropolis or citadel of all Greece. Strabo 8.1.3 The river Alpheus is said to rise in this region. Strabo 6.2.4 part 2
Described in the sources
The Messenians were summoned to the Peloponnese from various other locations and returned to reclaim their territory. Pausanias 4.26.5 +4 The Gulf of Corinth separates the Peloponnese from the mainland, determining the peninsula's shape. Strabo 2.5.20 +2 The Peloponnesus lies to the right (south) of a line extending from the Ceraunian Mountains to Sunium. Plutarch, Theseus 25.3 +2 The Heracleidae arrived in the Peloponnese during the reign of Tisamenus, causing disturbances throughout the region except for Arcadia. Pausanias 2.13.1 +2 The Arcadians, including the Tegeans and Mantineans, are described as aboriginal inhabitants of the interior of the Peloponnese who remain in their original land. Herodotus 8.73.1 +2 The Peloponnese is a region that could be defended by fighting in the strait or at the Isthmus, where a narrow isthmus provides access and the Peloponnesians are expected to gather. Herodotus 7.235.4 +2 Oeneus took refuge in the Peloponnese with Diomedes. Apollodorus 1.8.6 +1 Patræ is located on the most extensive promontory of the Peloponnesus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.112 ¶2 +1 Herakles transported the Cretan bull to this region by riding on its back. Diodorus 4.13 +1 The Messenians were exiled from the region by destiny during Anaxander's reign. Pausanias 3.3.4 +1
Gods and worship
Pelops sacrificed to Hermes here to prevent divine anger over Myrtilus's death. Pausanias 5.1.7
Stories and history
Pelops renamed the land the Peloponnesus after his own name. Apollodorus, Epitome 2.9 +1 Including the bays, the total circumference exceeds 5600 stadia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.5 ¶1 +1 The Dorians entered the region from the area of Oeta and expelled its inhabitants. Herodotus 2.171.3 +1 Danaus and Xuthus are said by Greeks to have arrived in the Peloponnese, with Danaus bringing colonists from Egypt to settle in the region. Herodotus 7.94.1 +1 All attempts to create a canal through the neck failed. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.5 ¶1 The Achaean Phthiotae and Pelops invaded the region together. Strabo 8.5.5 Mardonius advised Xerxes to attack the region with his forces. Herodotus 8.101.2 Pelops brought colonists from Phrygia to settle in the region. Strabo 7.7.1 The Corinthians were the most recent group to inhabit the area. Pausanias 5.1.2 The Dryopians arrived in the region from the area of Parnassus. Pausanias 5.1.2
Myths set at Peloponnese
- Punishment of Impiety. Dionysus leads an army to punish impious men and women across the world, including in Thebes and Argos. He inflicts madness on those who reject his rites, which is later cured by Melampus or results in death. Apollodorus 1.9.12 +5 Dionysus
- Reign of Orestes in the Peloponnesus. hook: Orestes is reigning in the Peloponnesus during the Heracleidae expedition. goal: He seeks to expand his rule by seizing Argos and extending control over Arcadia. outcome: He successfully becomes king of the Lacedaemonians and relocates his residence to Arcadia. Pausanias 1.41.2 +5 Orestes
- The Return of the Heracleidae to the Peloponnese. Aristodemus, who died before the Heracleidae returned to the Peloponnese, had been told by Heracles that the Dorians would return to the land. His sons later lost their share of the country because their clay lots dissolved in water. Herodotus 6.52.1 +5 Aristodemus
- The Sacred Grove of Pelops. The Phrygians follow Pelops to the Peloponnesus under the rule of his father, Tantalus. Tantalus's sons seek divine consent and aid in a sacred grove, where offerings and spoils are displayed. Athenaeus 14.21 +5 Tantalus
- The Exile and Return of Laius. Laius, a young king of Thebes, is expelled by his rivals and forced into exile in the Peloponnese. He eventually returns to reclaim his throne after the death of his rival Amphion. Apollodorus 3.5.5 +4 Laius
- Guiding the Dorians to the Peloponnesus. hook: "Temenus's group selects Oxylus to guide their invasion of the Peloponnesus." goal: "Oxylus leads the Dorian army and fleet to conquer the region." outcome: "The Dorians defeat the enemy and grant Oxylus the land of Elis."} Apollodorus 2.8.3 +2 Oxylus
- The Battle of Marathon. The descendants of Heracles and Iolaus are engaged in battle against Eurystheus and Athenians in an expedition to Marathon. Hyllus challenges an Argive captain to single combat to protect Heracles' children from enslavement. Euripides, Heracleidae 784-829 +2 Heracles