Tegea

F6

F9

Tegea (Greek Τεγέα ( f sg ), in the Middle Ages Nikli ) was one of the oldest and most powerful cities in the Arcadia of ancient Greece and is now a district of the city of Tripoli, with about 3,500 inhabitants. By 2010 Tegea was an independent municipality with its capital Stadio (540 Ew. ).

History

Tegea was built in the Archaic period through the merger ( synoecism ) of several villages. Mythical founder Tegeas was King Aleos, father of the eye.

Its location could gain control of the fertile Arcadian plateau, since the 6th century BC, this position of power was threatened by Mantinea. The resulting rivalry specific to the 3rd century BC, the history of both cities. After long struggles she fell to 560 BC under the hegemony of Sparta and was an important member of the Peloponnesian League. To 470 BC failed an attempt to shake off the dependency of Sparta, in alliance with other Arcadians and Argos, in the battles of Tegea and Dipaia. Tegea remained until the fall of the Spartan hegemony in its alliance system. From the late 2nd century BC, it lost its political importance, but continued to be an economic as well as a religious and cultural center.

In the year 395 AD, it was destroyed by the Goths under Alaric I and rebuilt under the Byzantine name Nikli, one of the most important strongholds of the Byzantine Empire in the Peloponnese. You still existed until the 13th century.

Temple of Athena Alea

The Temple of Athena Alea in Tegea was one of the most important religious places in Greece since the Archaic period. The original archaic building from the 7th century BC 394 BC burned down. He was replaced by 370-350 BC by the sculptor and architect Scopas. In the 6th century AD, the temple was destroyed by an earthquake. His ruin is situated outside the ancient city of Tegea within the modern village Alea.

The temple was an important place of asylum; so examined, among others, the Spartan king Pausanias Leotychidas and after their expulsion refuge here.

Daughters and sons Tegeas

• Anyte of Tegea, (around 300 BC), poet
• Cepheus, mythical king and Argonaut
• Eye, mythical priestess of Athena Alea and lover of Heracles