Page:Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography Volume II.djvu/1050

 1030 SPARTA. in the nei^libonrhood of the temple of Poseidon, and consequent!}' must not be confounded with the Dromus. The Tliebans did not advance further, for they were driven back by a body of picked hoplites, whom Agesilaus had placed in ambush in the sanctuary of the Tyndaridae (Dioscuri), which vre likewise know from Pausanias was in the Phoebaeum. (Xen. Hell.Vu 5. §§ 31, 32.) In B.C. 362 Epa- ininondas made a daring; attempt to surprise Sparta, and actually penetrated into the market-place; but the Spartans having received intelligence of his ap- proach, the city had been put into a state of de- fence, and Epaminondas again withdrew without venturing upon an assault. (Xen. Hell. vii. 5. §§ 11 — 14; Polyb. ix. 8; Diod. xv. 83.) In B. c. 218 Philip unexpectedly entered Laconia, descended the vale of the Eurotas by the left bank of the river, passing by Sparta, and then laid waste the whole country as far as Taenarus and Malea. Lycurgus, the Spartan king, resolved to intercept him on his return : he occupied the heights of the Jlenelaium with a body of 2000 men, ordered the remaining forces of Sparta to be ready to take up their position between the city and the western bank of the river, and at the same time, by means of a dam, laid the low ground in that part under water. SPARTA. Philip, however, contrary to the expectation of Ly- curgus, stormed the jlenelaium, and brought his whole army safely through the pass, and encamped two stadia above the city. (Polyb. v. 17 — 24.) In B. c. 195 Quinctius Flamininus attacked Sparta, because Nabis, the tyrant of the city, refuseil obedience to the terms which the Roman general imposed. With an army of 50,000 men Flamininus assaulted the city on its three undefended sides of Phcebaeum, Dictynnaeum, and Heptagoniae. He forced his way into the city, and after overcoming the resistance which he met with in the narrow ways at the entrance of the city, marched along the broad road (probably the Aphetais) leading to the citadel and the surrounding heights. Thereupon Nabis set fire to the buildings nearest to the city walls, which compelled the Romans to retreat. But the main object of Flamininus had been answered, for three days afterwards Nabis sent his son-in-law to implore peace. (Liv. xsxiv. 38, 39.) The position of the Phoebaeum has been already ex- plained. The Dictynnaeum was so called from the temple of Artemis Dictynna, which Pausanias de- scribes as situated at the end of the Aphetais, close to the walls of the city (iii. 12. § 8). Leake thinks that the name of the village of Kalagonid may be a A. Acropolis. B. M. Issorium. C. Hill Colona. J). New Sparta. J. Theatre. y. Agora. a. Amphitheatre or Odeum 4. Bridge across the Eurota b. Village of .V«;?j/7a. H. ya%e of Psychikd. i'. Village o{ Kalagonid. MAV OF SPAUTA AND ITS EXVIRONS. 8. Temple of Mrnelaus. a an. Circuit of Walls. b b. Canals. c c. The Tiasa. River of Trypiutiko or Macula, (id. Street A phefai.s. e e. The Hyaointhian Road. //. Hollow Way Icadinc from the Bridge of the Euro. tas to Magiila and Mistrd. gg. Modern Road. fi h. The Pandeleimona.