Argos, Peloponnese

Lore & Background

Argos has been continuously inhabited as at least a substantial village for the past 7,000 years, with evidence of a late Neolithic settlement on the foot of Aspida hill. In Mycenaean times, it was a major stronghold, along with Mycenae and Tiryns, due to its commanding position in the fertile plain of Argolis. The city experienced its greatest expansion under King Pheidon in the 7th century BC, who challenged Spartan dominance and is thought to have introduced standard weights and measures.

In classical times, Argos suffered a crushing defeat by Sparta at the Battle of Sepeia in 494 BC, leading to political chaos and a democratic transition. It remained neutral during the Greco-Persian Wars, resulting in diplomatic isolation. Argos later joined a tripartite alliance with Athens and Thessaly in 462 BC, but the alliance was dysfunctional and dissolved by 451 BC. After the Battle of Mantinea in 418 BC, Argos was permanently weakened, leading to an oligarchic coup and a shift of commercial focus within the city.

Despite its weakened state, Argos was counted among the four major Greek cities by Isokrates in 346 BC, primarily due to its symbolic status as the legendary birthplace of the Argead dynasty of Macedon. Philip II rewarded Argos with Spartan territory in 337 BC, making it one of the largest territorial states in the Peloponnese. The city maintained a cautious neutrality during key conflicts, including the Battle of Chaironeia.

Reader's Guide

Argos holds a unique place in Greek history as one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, with a history spanning at least 7,000 years. Its significance lies in its role as a major Mycenaean stronghold and a powerful rival to Sparta during the archaic and classical periods. Under King Pheidon, Argos reached its peak of expansion and influence, challenging Spartan dominance and even controlling the Olympic Games. The city's democratic experiment in the classical period, though interrupted by an oligarchic coup, reflects its political evolution.

Argos's legacy is also tied to the Argead dynasty of Macedon, as Herodotus recorded the myth that the Macedonian royal house originated from Argos. This symbolic connection led to Philip II granting Argos Spartan territory, expanding its control to one of the largest territorial states in the Peloponnese. Despite its military and political decline after the 4th century BC, Argos remained an important cultural and agricultural center, with numerous ancient monuments still visible today. Agriculture remains the mainstay of the local economy, and the city's continuous habitation for millennia underscores its enduring importance in Greek history.

Did You Know?

• Argos has been continuously inhabited as at least a substantial village for the past 7,000 years.
• A resident of Argos is known as an Argive, a term also used by Homeric bards for the Greeks who assaulted Troy.
• The name Argos is associated with the legendary king Argus, who renamed the city after himself, replacing its older name Phoronikon Asty.
• Argos was a major stronghold during the Mycenaean era, along with Mycenae and Tiryns.