Ancient Kynouria (Cynuria)
Copyright (C) 2011 Philip Bekyros. All Rights Reserved
Ancient Kynouria (Cynuria)HUMAN ACTIVITY AND ENVIRONMENT
ABSTRACT FROM P.V.FAKLARIS BOOK "ANCIENT KYNOURIA"
P.V.Faklaris is professor of archeology in Aristotle's University of Thessaloniki Macedonia Greece
Cynuria
The region of ancient Cynuria coincides for the most part with the modern eparchy of Kynouria, which belongs to the Nomos of Arkadia. In trying to define the borders of ancient Cynuria with greater accuracy, account has been taken of the natural boundaries, especially the dividing lines of the rivers, in addition to the ancient literary evidence.Cynuria is dominated by the Parnon mountain range (alt. 1934 m), which runs in a NW-SE direction. Like a great wall, it closes off Cynuria along the whole of its western side and acts as a barrier between the region of Cynuria and the neighbouring states of Sparta and Tegea. On the north the ridges of Mt Parthenion, commanded by the Zavitsa spur (alt. 974 m), separate Cynuria from the states of Argos and Tegea. The eastern side of Cynuria is washed by the waters of the Argolic gulf. Most of the coastline is made up of numerous bays and headlands. The bay of Thyrea can be identified as the modern bay of Astros. The geographical formation makes it possible to divide the district into two large units: the northern, comprising the districts of Astros, Ag. Andreas, Ag. Petros, Kastri, etc., corresponding to Thyreatis in ancient times, and the southern, including the districts of Tsakonia, Kounoupia, Kosmas, etc., corresponding to the region around Prasiai or Brasiai. Three mountain torrents have their origins on the slopes of Parnon and run down to the Argolic gulf. They are the Tanos in the north, the Vrasiatis further south, and the Daphnon to the south in the district of Leonidion. The Tanos is identified with the river of the same name mentioned by Pausanias. Most of the year these riverbeds contain no water, but at times they become raging torrents and flood the plains below, depositing a layer of silt that enriches the soil and makes it fertile. The whole of Cynuria is mountainous, and it has just two small plains, those of Astros Ag. Andreas and Leonidion. The first is divided into two parts and is identified with the plain of Thyreatis. Inland are the plateaux of Paliochora (alt. 764 m), Xerokampi (alt. 800 m) and Peleta (alt. 662 m). The principal feature of the agricultural coastal zone is arboriculture, with olive cultivation predominating. Pausanias mentions that the plain of Thyreatis was suitable for the cultivation of trees, especially olive trees. The basis of farming in the winter land is cereal cultivation combined with? tock - breeding. here are few freshwater springs in the coastal belt, that of Loukous being the most important, but there are abundant springs and forest lands in the mountains. In the coastal districts and the uplands of Paliochora there are many wells, which are used both for supplying water and for irrigation. The most important lake is that of Moustos, between Astros and Ag. Andreas. Because of its geographical formation the climate of Cynuria is varied. The coastal area is sunny and dry, while the mountains inland have a harsh climate with low temperatures. There are marked differences in rainfall, as we proceed from the coast to the mountainous region inland. Parnon has a rich flora, including rare medicinal plants, and the fauna, too, is generally abundant. Sheep and goats thrive on the mountain slopes in summer and in the warm winter pastures, and there would thus have been numerous flocks and herds everywhere in Cynuria.
THE FIRST INHABITANTS. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
It is not known exactly when the first inhabitants of Cynuria appeared, but certainly pre-Greek tribes must have been living there from the Neolithic period. There are indications of this in place names like Anthene, Gonasos, Misonasos, Koilasos and Pregasos. Archaeological finds of stone tools of palaeolithic type indicate that men probably lived on Parnon in the Late Palaeolithic period. Mythological tradition has it that the Danaans appeared in the region of Thyreatis towards the end of the Early Helladic period, in about 2100 BC. Plutarch relates how Danaus landed at Pyramia in Thyreatis and subsequently made his way to Argos. The name of the river Tanos may be an indication that the Danaans had been present in the area.
