Ancient Greece Feb. 2014 | Page 5

Argos

Argos is an ancient Greek city known as a settlement of great antiquity. Argos was a major rival of Sparta. Argos have numerous ancient monuments, the most famous being the Heraion of Argos. Argos' mainstay of the local economy is agriculture. This city was believed to be the birthplace of Perseus, a mythological hero in Greek Mythology. Argos had a temple, which was dedicated to Argivian Hera. Alongside Mycenae and Tiryns, they became an early settlement.

Sparta

Sparta, or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece. It emerged as a political body around the 10th century BC. Around 650 BC, Sparta rose to become the dominant military land-power in ancient Greece. Ancient Sparta was built on the banks of the Evrotas River, the main river of Laconia, which provided the ancient city with a source of fresh water. Sparta is an Oligarchy. Sparta is a well-known site in Greece, comparing even to Athens.

Delphi

Delphi is the site of the Delphic oracle which is dedicated to Apollo. Delphi is located in lower central Greece. There is a temple in Delphi which have a carving of three phrases. The three phrases were "know thyself", "nothing in excess", and "make a pledge and mischief is nigh". The origin of these phrases was attributed to at least one of the Seven Sages of Greece. Pottery and bronze work as well as tripod dedications were found in the Delphic oracle. The oracle exerted considerable influence throughout the Greek world.

Cythera

Cythera is an island in Greece. Since ancient times, until the 19th century, Cythera had been something like a crossroads of people of many occupations, like merchants, sailors, and conquerors. Cythera is located at the southwestern exit from the Aegean Sea, behind Cape Malea. Cythera is highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location.