Argos

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This article is about the city in Greece. For the catalog retailer in the United Kingdom and Ireland, see Argos (retailer). For other uses, see Argos (disambiguation).
Argos
Άργος
View of Argos, seen from the ancient theatre
View of Argos, seen from the ancient theatre
Official seal of Argos
Seal
Argos is located in Greece
Argos
Argos
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Location within the regional unit
Dimos Argous.png
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Country Greece
Administrative region Peloponnese
Regional unit Argolis
Municipality Argos-Mykines
Government
 • Mayor Dimitrios Kamposos
 • Municipal unit 138.138 km2 (53.335 sq mi)
Elevation 42 m (138 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Municipal unit 22,209
 • Municipal unit density 160/km2 (420/sq mi)
Community
 • Population 24700
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 21200
Area code(s) 2751
Vehicle registration AP
Website www.argos.gr

Argos (/ˈɑːrɡɒs, -ɡəs/; Modern Greek: Άργος [ˈarɣos]; Ancient Greek: Ἄργος [árɡos]) is a city and a former municipality in Argolis, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it has been part of the municipality Argos-Mykines, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] It is 11 kilometres (7 miles) from Nafplion, which was its historic harbour. A settlement of great antiquity, Argos has been continuously inhabited as at least a substantial village for the past 7,000 years.[3] The city is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.[4]

A resident of the city of Argos is considered an Argive (pronounced /ˈɑːrɡaɪv/, "AHR-gahyv"). However, this term is also used to refer to those ancient Greeks generally who assaulted the city of Troy during the Trojan War; the term is more widely applied by the Homeric bards.

At a strategic location on the fertile plain of Argolis, Argos was a major stronghold during the Mycenaean era. In classical times Argos was a powerful rival of Sparta for dominance over the Peloponnese, but was eventually shunned by other Greek city-states after remaining neutral during the Greco-Persian Wars.[5] Numerous ancient monuments can be found in the city today, the most famous of which is the Heraion of Argos, though agriculture (particularly citrus production) is the mainstay of the local economy.

In 700 BC there were at least 5,000 people living in the city.[6] In the fourth century BC, the city was home to as many as 30,000 people.[7]

Etymology

The name of the city is very ancient and several etymological theories have been proposed as an explanation to its meaning. The most popular one maintains that the name of the city is a remainder from the Pelasgian language, i.e. the one used by the people who first settled in the area, in which Argos meant "plain". Alternatively, the name is associated with Argos, the third king of the city in ancient times, who renamed it after himself, thus replacing its older name Foronikon Asty (Φορωνικόν Άστυ). It is also believed that "Argos" is linked to the word "αργός" (argós), which meant "white"; possibly, this had to do with the visual impression given of the argolic plain during harvest time. According to Strabo, It's quite likely that the name could have even originated from the word "αγρός" (=field) via antimetathesis of the consonants.[8]

History

Ancient

The Heraion of Argos
Ancient Peloponnese
View of the ancient theatre

Foronikon Asty (City of Phoroneus), the name of Argos during prehistoric time, is by many considered to be the first town ever.[9][10] The first settlement of modern-day Argos took place in late 3rd millennium BC, during neolithic times. Since then, it's been continually inhabited and rebuilt in the same area, whereas it was first colonized in prehistoric times by the Pelasgian Greeks. Their historical presence in the area can be witnessed in the linguistic remainders that survive up to today, such as the very name of the city and "Larisa", the name of the city's castle located on the hill of the same name, meaning "citadel".[11] During the Dorian invasion, c. 1100 BC, Argos was divided into four neighbourhoods, each of them inhabited by a different phyle.

A Neolithic settlement was located near the central sanctuary of Argois, at a distance of 45 stadia (8 km; 5 miles) from Argos, closer to Mycenae. The temple was dedicated to "Argive Hera". The main festival of that temple was the Hekatombaia, one of the major festivals of Argos itself. Walter Burkert connected the festival to the myth of the slaying of Argus Panoptes by Hermes ("shimmering" or "slow"), and only secondarily associated with mythological Argus (or the toponym).[12]

Argos was a major stronghold of Mycenaean times, and along with the neighbouring acropolis of Mycenae and Tiryns became a very early settlement because of its commanding positions in the midst of the fertile plain of Argolis. Argos experienced its greatest period of expansion and power under the energetic 7th century BC ruler King Pheidon. Under Pheidon Argos regained sway over the cities of the Argolid and challenged Sparta’s dominance of the Peloponnese. During this time of its greatest power, the city boasted a pottery and bronze sculpturing school, pottery workshops, tanneries and clothes producers. Moreover, at least 25 celebrations took place in the city, in addition to a regular local products exhibition.[13]

During Homeric times it belonged to a follower of Agamemnon and gave its name to the surrounding district; the Argolid which the Romans knew as Argeia.

The importance of Argos was eclipsed by Sparta after the 6th century BC;[dubious – discuss] because of its refusal to fight or send supplies in the Greco-Persian Wars, Argos was shunned by most other city-states.[citation needed] Argos remained neutral or the ineffective ally of Athens during the 5th century BC struggles between Sparta and Athens.

Roman, Byzantine and Modern

The castle on Larissa Hill.

After Christianity became established in Argos, the first bishop documented in extant written records is Genethlius, who in 448 AD took part in the synod called by Archbishop Flavian of Constantinople that deposed Eutyches from his priestly office and excommunicated him. The next bishop of Argos, Onesimus, was at the 451 Council of Chalcedon. His successor, Thales, was a signatory of the letter that the bishops of the Roman province of Hellas sent in 458 to Byzantine Emperor Leo I the Thracian to protest about the killing of Proterius of Alexandria. Bishop Ioannes was at the Third Council of Constantinople in 680, and Theotimus at the Photian Council of Constantinople (879).[14]

In the aftermath of the so-called Fourth Crusade, the Crusaders captured the castle called built on Larissa Hil, the site of the ancient Acropolis, and the area become part of the lordship of Argos and Nauplia. In 1388 it was sold to the Republic of Venice, but was taken by the despot of Mystra Theodore I Palaiologos before the Venetians could take control of the city; he sold it anyway to them in 1394.

In this period, Argos became a Latin Church bishopric, which lasted as a residential see until Argos was taken by the Ottoman Empire in 1463.[15] Today, Argos is listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see.[16]

In 1397, the Ottomans plundered Argos, carrying off much of the population,[17] to sell as slaves.[18] The Venetians repopulated the town and region with Albanian settlers,[18] granting them long-term agrarian tax exemptions.[17] Together with the Greeks of Argos, they supplied stratioti troops to the armies of Venice.[17] Some historians consider the French military term "argoulet" to derive from the Greek "argetes", or inhabitant of Argos, as a large number of French stratioti came from the plain of Argos.[19]

The old Dimarhio (City Hall) in 2002; built in 1830, it served as the headquarters of municipal government until 2012
The church of the Kimisis (Dormition) of the Virgin

With the exception of a period of Venetian domination in 1687–1715, Argos remained in Ottoman hands until the beginning of the Greek War of Independence in 1821.

At that time, as part of the general uprising, many local governing bodies were formed in different parts of the country, and the "Consulate of Argos" was proclaimed on 28 March 1821, under the Peloponnesian Senate. It had a single head of state, Stamatellos Antonopoulos, styled "Consul", between 28 March and 26 May 1821.

Later, Argos accepted the authority of the unified Provisional Government of the First National Assembly at Epidaurus, and eventually became part of the Kingdom of Greece.

Argos in Greek mythology

The mythological kings of Argos are (in order): Inachus, Phoroneus, Argus, Triopas, Agenor, Iasus, Crotopus, Pelasgus (aka Gelanor), Danaus, Lynceus, Abas, Proetus, Acrisius, Perseus, Megapenthes, Argeus, and Anaxagoras. An alternative version supplied by Tatian of the original 17 consecutive kings of Argos includes Apis, Argios, Kriasos, and Phorbas between Argus and Triopas, explaining the apparent unrelation of Triopas to Argus.[20]

The city of Argos was believed to be the birthplace of the mythological character Perseus, the son of the god Zeus and Danaë, who was the daughter of the king of Argos, Acrisius.

After the original 17 kings of Argos, there were three kings ruling Argos at the same time (see Anaxagoras), one descended from Bias, one from Melampus, and one from Anaxagoras. Melampus was succeeded by his son Mantius, then Oicles, and Amphiaraus, and his house of Melampus lasted down to the brothers Alcmaeon and Amphilochus.

Anaxagoras was succeeded by his son Alector, and then Iphis. Iphis left his kingdom to his nephew Sthenelus, the son of his brother Capaneus.

Bias was succeeded by his son Talaus, and then by his son Adrastus who, with Amphiaraus, commanded the disastrous Seven Against Thebes. Adrastus bequeathed the kingdom to his son, Aegialeus, who was subsequently killed in the war of the Epigoni. Diomedes, grandson of Adrastus through his son-in-law Tydeus and daughter Deipyle, replaced Aegialeus and was King of Argos during the Trojan war. This house lasted longer than those of Anaxagoras and Melampus, and eventually the kingdom was reunited under its last member, Cyanippus, son of Aegialeus, soon after the exile of Diomedes.

City characteristics

The city of Argos is delimited to the north by dry river Xerias, to the east by Inachos river and Panitsa stream (which emanates from the latter), to the west by the Larissa hill (site of omonymous castle and of a monastery called Panagia Katakekrymeni-Portokalousa) and the Aspidos Hill (unofficially Prophetes Elias hill), and to the south by the Notios Periferiakos road.

The Agios Petros (Saint Peter) square, along with the eponymous cathedral (dedicated to saint Peter the Wonderworker), make up the town centre, whereas some other characteristic town squares are the Laiki Agora (Open Market) square, officially Dimokratias (Republic) square, where, as implied by its name, an open market takes place twice a week, Staragora (Wheat Market), officially Dervenakia square, and Dikastirion (Court) square. The Park (adjacent to the central square) and Boni's Park are essential green spaces of the city.

Currently, the most commercially active streets of the city are those surrounding the Agios Petros square (Kapodistriou, Danaou, Vasileos Konstantinou streets) as well as Korinthou street. The Pezodromi (Pedestrian Streets), i.e. the paved Michael Stamou, Tsaldari and Venizelou streets, are the most popular meeting point, encompassing a wide variety of shops and cafeterias.

According to the 2011 Greek census, the city has a population of 22,209. It is the largest city in Argolis, larger than the capital Nafplio. Considerable remains of the ancient and medieval city survive and are a popular tourist attraction. Agriculture, however, is the primary economic activity in the area, with citrus fruits the predominant crop.

Important monuments

Argos flaunts a wide variety of historical and archaeological monuments, though most of them are currently only partially renovated, unused or abandoned. Some of them are:

  • The Larisa castle, built during prehistoric time, which has undergone several repairs and expansions since antiquity and played a significant historical role during the Venetian domination of Greece and the Greek War of Independence.[11] It is located on top of the omonymous Larisa Hill, which also constitutes the highest spot of the city (289 m.). In ancient times, a castle was also found in neighbouring Aspidos Hill. When connected with walls, these two castles fortified the city from enemy invasions.
  • The Ancient theatre, built in the 3rd century B.C with a capacity of 20,000 spectators, replaced an older neighbouring theatre of the 5th century BC and communicated with the Ancient Agora. It was visible from any part of the ancient city and the Argolic gulf. In 1829, it was used by Ioannis Kapodistrias for the Fourth National Assembly of the new Hellenic State. Today, cultural events are held at its premises during the summer months.[21]
  • The Ancient Agora, adjacent to the Ancient theatre, which developed in the 6th century B.C., was located at the junction of the ancient roads coming from Corinth, Heraion and Tegea. Escavations in the area have uncovered a bouleuterion, built in 460 B.C. when Argos adopted the democratic regime, a Sanctuary of Apollo Lyceus and a palaestra.[22]
  • The "Criterion" of Argos, an ancient monument located on the southwest side of the town, on the foot of Larissa hill, which came to have its current structure during the 6th-3rd century BC period. Initially, it served as a court of ancient Argos, similar to Areopagus of Athens. According to mythology, it was at this area where Hypermnestra, one of the 50 daughters of Danaus, the first king of Argos, was tried. Later, under the reigns of Hadrian, a fountain was created to collect and circulate water coming from the Hadrianean aqueduct located in northern Argos. The site is connected via a paved path with the ancient theatre.[23]
  • The Barracks of Kapodistrias, a preservable building with a long history. Built in the 1690s during the Venetian domination of Greece, they initially served as a hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy. During the Tourkokratia, they served as a market and a post office. Later, in 1829, significant damage caused during the Greek revolution was repaired by Kapodistrias who turned the building into a cavalry barrack, a school (1893-1894), an exhibition space (1899), a shelter for Greek refugees displaced during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey (since 1920) and an interrogation and torture space (during the German occupation of Greece). In 1955-68, it was used by the army for the last time; it now accommodates the Byzantine Museum of Argos, local corporations and also serves as an exhibition space.[24]
  • The Municipal Neoclassical Market building (unofficially the "Kamares", i.e. arches, from the arches that it boasts), built in 1889, which is located next to Dimokratias square, is one of the finest samples of modern Argos' masterly architecture, in Ernst Ziller style. The elongated, two corridor, preservable building accommodates small shops.[25]
  • The old Town Hall, built during the time of Kapodistrias in 1830, which originally served as a Justice of the peace, the Dimogerontia of Argos, an Arm of Carabineers and a prison. From 1987 to 2012, it housed the Town Hall which is now located in Kapodistriou street.
  • The House of philhellene Thomas Gordon, built in 1829 that served as an all-girls school, a dance school and was home to the 4th Greek artillery regiment. Today it accommodates the French Institute of Athens (Institut Français d' Athènes).[26]
  • The House of Spyridon Trikoupis (built in 1900), where the politician was born and spent his childhood. Also located in the estate, which is not open to public, is the Saint Charalambos chapel where Trikoupis was baptized.[27]
  • The House of general Tsokris, important military fighter in the Greek revolution of 1821 and later assemblyman of Argos.
  • The chambered tombs of the Aspidos hill.
  • The Hellinikon Pyramid. Dating back to late 4th B.C., there exist many theories as to the purpose it served (tumulus, fortress). Together with the widely accepted scientific chronology, there are some people who claim it was built shortly after the Pharaoh tomb, i.e. the Great Pyramid of Giza, thus a symbol of the excellent relationship the citizens of Argos had with Egypt.
  • The Argos airport, located in an omonymous area (Aerodromio) in the outskirts of the city. The area was created in 1916-1917 and was greatly used during the Greco-Italian War and for the training of new, Kaberos school, aviators for the Hellenic Air Force Academy, whereas it also comprised an important benchmark in the organization of the Greek air forces in southern Greece. Furthermore, the airport was used by the Germans for the release of their aerial troops during the Battle of Crete. It was last used as a landing/take off point for spray planes (for agricultural purposes in the olive tree cultivations) up until 1985.[28]

A great number of archaeological findings, dating from the prehistoric ages, can be found at the Argos museum, housed at the old building of Dimitrios Kallergis at Saint Peter's square.

Transportation

The railway station

Argos is connected via regular bus services with neighbouring areas as well as Athens. In addition, taxi stands can be found at the Agios Petros as well as the Laiki Agora square. The city also has a railway station which, at the moment, remains closed due to an indefinite halt to all railway services in the Peloponnese area by the Hellenic Railways Organisation. However, in late 2014, it was announced that the station would open up again, as part of an expansion of the Athens suburban railway in Argos, Nafplio and Korinthos.[29][30]

Education

Argos has a wide range of educational institutes that also serve neighbouring sparsely populated areas and villages. In particular, the city has seven dimotika (primary schools), four gymnasia (junior high), three lyceums (senior high), one vocational school, one music school as well as a Touristical Business and Cooking department and a post-graduate ASPETE department. The city also has two public libraries.[31]

Sports

Argos hosts two sport clubs with presence in higher national divisions and several achievements, Panargiakos F.C. football club, founded in 1926 and AC Diomidis Argous handball club founded in 1976. Diomidis Argos is the unique provincial Greek sport club with European cup.

Sport clubs based in Tripoli
Club Founded Sports Achievements
Panargiakos F.C. 1926 Football Earlier presence in Beta Ethniki
AC Diomidis Argous 1976 Handball Panhellenic and European titles in Greek handball

Notable people

International relations

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Greece

Twin towns — sister cities

Argos is twinned with:

Other relations

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Urbanism in the Preindustrial World: Cross-Cultural Approaches, p. 37, at Google Books
  7. ↑ Geology and Settlement: Greco-Roman Patterns, p. 124, at Google Books
  8. ↑ http://argolikivivliothiki.gr/2010/09/27/%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%82-%CE%B5%CF%84%CF%85%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%AF%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%BF%CE%BD%CF%8C%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%82/
  9. ↑ http://argolikivivliothiki.gr/tag/%CF%86%CE%BF%CF%81%CF%89%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C-%CE%AC%CF%83%CF%84%CF%85/
  10. ↑ https://alphalinenet.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/ceb1cebdceacceb3cebdcf89cf83ceb7-cf84ceb7cf82-cf80cf8ccebbceb7cf82-cf89cf82-cf85cf80ceb5cf81ceb2ceb1cf84ceb9cebacf8c-cebaceb5ceafcebc.pdf
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 http://www.kastra.eu/castlegr.php?kastro=argos
  12. ↑ Homo necans, p. 185
  13. ↑ http://argolika.gr/index.php/2014-25-96-44-85-11/2013-44-34-89-23-12/2013-10-18-08-30-27/5330-methysoi-kleftes-sykofantes
  14. ↑ Michel Lequien, Oriens christianus in quatuor Patriarchatus digestus, Paris 1740, Vol. II, coll. 183-186
  15. ↑ Konrad Eubel, Hierarchia Catholica Medii Aevi, vol. 1, p. 105-106; vol. 2, pp. XIV e 94; vol. 3, p. 117; vol. 4, p. 94; vol. 5, p. 98
  16. ↑ Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 ISBN 978-88-209-9070-1), p. 838
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Contingent countryside: settlement, economy, and land use in the southern Argolid since 1700 Authors Susan Buck Sutton, Keith W. Adams, Argolid Exploration Project Editors Susan Buck Sutton, Keith W. Adams Contributor Keith W. Adams Edition illustrated Publisher Stanford University Press, 2000 ISBN 0-8047-3315-5, ISBN 978-0-8047-3315-1 page 28
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ James Cowles Prichard : An Analysis of the Egyptian Mythology. 1819. p. 85
  20. ↑ http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=733
  21. ↑ http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/gh355.jsp?obj_id=2567
  22. ↑ http://argolikivivliothiki.gr/tag/%CE%B1%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%AC%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%BF-%CF%85%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%B3%CF%89%CE%B3%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%BF/
  23. ↑ http://argolikivivliothiki.gr/2008/10/24/%CF%83%CF%84%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%84%CF%8E%CE%BD%CE%B5%CF%82-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%B4%CE%AF%CF%83%CF%84%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%B1-%E2%80%93-%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%82/
  24. ↑ http://argolikivivliothiki.gr/2011/11/16/%CE%B4%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE-%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%BF%CE%BA%CE%BB%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE-%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%81%CE%AC-%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%85%CF%82/
  25. ↑ http://argolikivivliothiki.gr/2008/11/16/%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AF%CE%B1-%CE%B3%CF%8C%CF%81%CE%B4%CF%89%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%82-%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%82/
  26. ↑ http://argolika.gr/index.php/2014-25-96-44-85-11/2013-44-34-89-23-12/2013-10-18-08-30-27/6099-i-oikia-trikouph-xtisthke-to-1900
  27. ↑ http://argolikivivliothiki.gr/2010/01/12/h-%CF%83%CF%87%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%AE-%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AC%CF%81%CF%89%CE%BD-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%B1%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%B4%CF%81%CF%8C%CE%BC%CE%B9%CE%BF-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%85/
  28. ↑ http://argolika.gr/index.php/2014-02-07-12-13-14/2013-10-18-08-28-40/2013-10-18-08-29-25/4115-maniaths-se-3-mhnes-o-proastiakos-sto-nafplio
  29. ↑ http://sidirodromikanea.blogspot.gr/2015/01/blog-post_64.html
  30. ↑ http://argolikivivliothiki.gr/2008/11/16/%CE%BC%CE%AD%CE%B3%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%BF-%C2%AB%CE%B4%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%BF%CF%8D%C2%BB-%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%82/
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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