Oinountas

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Coordinates: 37°10′N 22°25′E

Greece Oinountas (Οινούντας)
Oinountas
Map of Greece, position of Oinountas highlighted

Coordinates 37°10′ N 22°25′ E
Country Greece
Periphery Peloponnese
Prefecture Laconia
Population 2,625 source (2001)
Area 301.8 km²
Population density 9 /km²
Elevation 580 m
Postal code 230 64
Area code 27310
Licence plate code ΑΚ

Oinountas (Modern Greek: Οινούντας, Ancient/Katharevousa: -ous, ancient form: Oinous or Inous, Latin: Oenus) is a municipality in the northeastern part of the prefecture of Laconia, Greece. It was first established in 1840, the seat of administration being Vresthena. It was then re-founded by law 2539/1997 (Kapodistria Plan) in 1998, including a slightly different set of settlements and villages and a different seat of administration, Sellasia. The name originates from the Oinountas, a small river that traverses the municipality, oinos being the ancient Greek word for wine. It covers the area between the northeastern part of the Evrotas valey up to the ridge of Parnon Mountain.

Its seat of administration is the village Sellasia (Greek: Σελλασία). It is connected with GR-37 at around the 10th km linking Sparta and Tripoli. It is located 10 km N of Sparta, about 60 to 70 km E of Kalamata, about 100 km S of Tripoli, 38 km N of Gytheio and about 50 km N of Areopoli. It is situated along the Oinounta river. The name Sellasia dates back to ancient times. The ancient site is northeast of the town hall of Oinounta and is not yet determined. Until the late-2nd millennium, the village was known as Vourlias or Vroulias.

Contents

[edit] Nearest places

  • Sparta, S
  • Vresthena, N

[edit] Communities and settlements

  • Chtoriza
  • Kalyvia Theologou
  • Konditsa
  • Kopelia
  • Kouremenos
  • Megali Vrysi
  • Sellasia
  • Theologos
  • Vamvakou
  • Varvitsa
  • Vassaras
  • Verroia
  • Voutiani
  • Vresthena

[edit] Historical population

Year Population Change Municipal population
1981 523 - -
1991 487 -34/6.5% 2,649

Sellasia has a school which is located in the south and the central part, a lyceum, a gymnasium, a church, a small post office and a square (plateia).

The hills with farmlands dominate the areas while the Evrotas River is to the east. Olive groves and pastures along with some fruits and vegetables are common in the area. The Oenus river is situated near Sellasia It is also has a tributary with the Gorgylus. The Taygetus mountains where most of its forests are located lie to the west. Agios Konstantinos and Palaiologos and ancient walls remained preserved.

[edit] History

In ancient times, Sellasia controlled the entrance to Laconia from the north.

During the first campaign of the Epameinondas around 370 BC, before Sellasia was destroyed by the Peloponnesians.

Underneath the city on a surface between the Macedonian king, Antigonus III Doson and the Achaean League on the other and Sparta under Cleomenes in which he choose to fight between the narrow hills near Sellasia. In 222 BC, Antigonus crushed Cleomenes at Sellasia and took Corinth as a reward. The Battle of Sellasia took place in 221 BC. Afterwards, Sellasia was destroyed and the population was sold as slaves. In the 2nd century, Pausanias mentioned the city.

A documentary of ERT was about this place.




North: Karyes
West: Pellana
Oinounta East: Kastanitsa
South: Sparta

[edit] External links

[edit] See also


Municipalities and communities of the Laconia Prefecture
AsoposEast ManiElosFarisGeronthresGytheioKrokeesMolaoiMonemvasiaMystrasNiataOinountasOityloPellanaSkalaSmynosSpartaTherapnesVoiesZarakas
ElafonisosKaryes
In other languages