THELPUSA (city in Western Arcadia)
Extinct city of Arcadia, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Western Arcadia
- Landmarks
- Sanctuary of the twelve gods Pausanias 8.25.3
- People of myth here
- Arion
- Where
- 37.71° N, 21.88° E
The city is situated on a high hill. Pausanias 8.25.3 The city contains a temple of Asclepius. Pausanias 8.25.3 The infant Asclepius was exposed in this location according to the story. Pausanias 8.25.11
Described in the sources
The river Ladon flows by the city on its left side and continues down to a sanctuary of Demeter. Pausanias 8.25.3 +1 The city contains a sanctuary of the twelve gods. Pausanias 8.25.3 The territory of Thelpusa contains a river named Arsen. Pausanias 8.25.1 The village of Caus lies within the territory of Thelpusa. Pausanias 8.25.1 The Erymanthus river flows through the district of Thelpusa. Pausanias 8.24.4 The city's name reportedly comes from a nymph named Thelpusa. Pausanias 8.25.2 The horse Areion was associated with the location of Thelpusa. Pausanias 8.25.9 The market-place was originally located in the very middle of the city. Pausanias 8.25.3 The people of Thelpusa referred to the goddess Demeter by the name Fury. Pausanias 8.25.4 Thelpusa is listed as one of the cities located within the region of Arcadia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.10 ΒΆ1
Stories and history
Most of the sanctuary of the twelve gods lay level with the ground. Pausanias 8.25.3 The people of Thelpusa provided an account of Poseidon mating with Demeter. Pausanias 8.42.1 The Thelpusans claimed Demeter gave birth to a horse, unlike the Phigalians. Pausanias 8.42.1