PRASIAE (port in Laconia)
Ruined Spartan port town in Laconia in ancient Greece that was sacked by Athens
- Kind of place
- Port
- Region
- Laconia
- People of myth here
- Ino, Called Leucothea
- Where
- 37.15° N, 22.89° E
A small promontory at this location extends gently into the sea. Pausanias 3.24.5 The inhabitants of Prasiae claim that a chest containing Semele and Dionysus washed ashore in their country and that they performed a splendid funeral for the deceased Semele. Pausanias 3.24.3 The local plain is referred to by the inhabitants as the garden of Dionysus. Pausanias 3.24.4
Described in the sources
Brasiae is one of the eighteen cities held by the Free Laconians and is the final coastal town belonging to them in that direction. Pausanias 3.21.7 +1 The city is situated on the coast opposite Clythium, between Epidaurus Limera and Geronthrae, and two hundred stades by sea from Cyphanta. Pausanias 3.21.7 +1 Prasiae is claimed to belong to the Argives. Strabo 8.6.2 The settlement was previously known by the name Oreiatae before being renamed. Pausanias 3.24.4 A temple dedicated to Apollo and a monument honoring Erysichthon are located at this site. Pausanias 1.31.2 The local people claim Ino visited the country during her wanderings and point to a specific cave where she nursed the infant Dionysus. Pausanias 3.24.4
Gods and worship
First-fruits from the Hyperboreans are reportedly sent to this location. Pausanias 1.31.2
Stories and history
Ino agreed to serve as the nurse of Dionysus in this region. Pausanias 3.24.4 The inhabitants raised Dionysus after finding him in the chest. Pausanias 3.24.3 Athenians transport the received first-fruits from here to Delos. Pausanias 1.31.2 A statue of Athena stands alongside the three smaller bronze figures. Pausanias 3.24.5 Bronze figures no taller than a foot with caps stand on the promontory. Pausanias 3.24.5 The city's name was changed to Brasiae after a chest washed ashore there. Pausanias 3.24.4 Prasiae was one of seven cities in a body managing the temple at Calauria. Strabo 8.6.14 Observers are uncertain if the figures represent the Dioscuri or Corybants. Pausanias 3.24.5 The Lacedaemonians contributed to the temple's upkeep on behalf of Prasiae. Strabo 8.6.14