PYRRICHOS (city in Laconia)
Ancient polis of Laconia
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Laconia
- Where
- 36.66° N, 22.44° E
The Amazons halted their military advance at this location. Pausanias 3.25.3 A sanctuary of Apollo, named Amazonius, is situated in the area. Pausanias 3.25.3 The name Pyrrhichus is reportedly derived from Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles. Pausanias 3.25.1
Described in the sources
A road descends from Pyrrhichus to the sea at Teuthrone. Pausanias 3.25.4 Pyrrhichus is situated forty stades inland from the river Scyras. Pausanias 3.25.1 A well located in the market-place is considered a gift from Silenus. Pausanias 3.25.3 Pyrrhichus is one of the eighteen cities belonging to the Free Laconians. Pausanias 3.21.7 It is located after Teuthrone and Las when traveling from Aegiae to the sea. Pausanias 3.21.7 The city was part of a group of twenty-four cities formerly owned by the Free Laconians. Pausanias 3.21.7
Gods and worship
A sanctuary of Artemis, named Astrateia, exists in the surrounding countryside. Pausanias 3.25.3
Stories and history
Women from Thermodon are said to have dedicated the wooden images. Pausanias 3.25.3 The inhabitants would face a water shortage if the well were to fail. Pausanias 3.25.3 Wooden images represent both Artemis and Apollo in their sanctuaries. Pausanias 3.25.3 The name Pyrrhichus is still considered a Lacedaemonian name in the author's time. Athenaeus 14.29