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Sciritis
Sciritis or Skiritis () was a rugged and barren mountainous district in the north of ancient Laconia, between the upper Eurotas on the west and the Oenus on the east, and extending north of the highest ridge of the mountains, which were the natural boundary between Laconia and Arcadia. The name probably expressed the wild and rugged nature of the country, for the word signified hard and rugged (σκίρον, σκεῖρον, σκληρόν, Hesych). It was bounded by Maenalia on the north, and by Parrhasia on the west, and was originally part of Arcadia, but was conquered at an early period, and its inhabitants reduced to the condition of Lacedaemonian Perioeci. According to Xenophon they were subjected to Sparta even before the time of Lycurgus. They were distinguished above all the other Perioeci for their bravery; and their contingent, called the Σκιρίτης λόχος, 600 in number, usually occupied the extreme left of the Lacedaemonian wing. They were frequently plac ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oeum
Oeum or Oion (), also known as Ium or Ion (Ἰόν), was the chief town of the district Sciritis in ancient Laconia. It commanded the pass through which was the road from Tegea to ancient Sparta, Sparta. When the Thebes, Greece, Theban army under Epaminondas first invaded Laconia in four divisions, by four different passes, the only division which encountered any resistance was the one which marched through the pass defended by Oeum. But the Spartan Ischolaus, who commanded a body of troops at this place, was overpowered by superior numbers; and the invading force thereupon proceeded to Sellasia, where they were joined by the other divisions of the army. In Xenophon the town is called Ἰόν and the inhabitants Ἰᾶται; but the form Οἰόν or Οἶον is probably more correct. Such towns or villages, situated upon mountainous heights, are frequently called Oeum or Oea. Probably the Oeum in Sciritis is referred to in Stephanus of Byzantium under Οἶος. Oeum is not menti ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |