Leontio

For an Ancient Greek figure, see Leontion.
Leontio
Λεόντιο
Leontio

Coordinates: 38°7′N 21°55′E / 38.117°N 21.917°ECoordinates: 38°7′N 21°55′E / 38.117°N 21.917°E
Country Greece
Administrative region West Greece
Regional unit Achaea
Municipality Erymanthos
Districts 3
 • Municipal unit 47.54 km2 (18.36 sq mi)
Highest elevation 1,400 m (4,600 ft)
Lowest elevation 772 m (2,533 ft)
Population (2001)[1]
 • Rural 373
 • Municipal unit 743
 • Municipal unit density 16/km2 (40/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 250 08
Vehicle registration AX
Website leontio.gr

Leontio (Greek: Λεόντιο, before 1923: Γουρζούμισα - Gourzoumisa[2]) is a mountain village and a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Erymanthos, of which it is a municipal unit.[3] It is situated in the southern foothills of the Panachaiko, 13 km east of Chalandritsa, 22 km southeast of Patras, 20 km southwest of Aigio and 19 km northwest of Kalavryta. Its population in 2001 was 373 for the village, 570 for the community and 743 for the municipal unit.

Subdivisions

Leontio municipal unit

The municipal unit Leontio is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):

Population

Year Population
1981 518
1991 333
2001 373

History

Evidence suggests that the Achaeans settled Leontio after the Trojan Wars, at this time it was a Polis. This is supported by archeological excavations in the area by the archaeologist N. Kiparisis during the period 1931-32. Mycenean tombs from the 14th-12th century BC were found. The different artifacts excavated in a number of ancient cemeteries confirmed the Polis flourished at about 1,000 BC. Though older findings date it back to 3,000-2,000 BC. The acropolis dates back to around the 3rd century BC.

It was located on the ancient border of Achaea and Arcadia near Vlasia[4] where excavations uncovered a Mycenean tomb and an ancient theater from the 4th century BC.[5] The temple of Artemis was located along the ancient road which lead to Arcadia. Its length was 35 m and its width was 11 m.[6]

The city was destroyed at the end of the 3rd century BC by Philip V Macedon.[7] Leontio controlled several places including Chios and Leontopoda.[8] The area followed the fate of the rest of Achaea.

References

  1. ↑ De Facto Population of Greece Population and Housing Census of March 18th, 2001 (PDF 39 MB). National Statistical Service of Greece. 2003.
  2. ↑ Name changes of settlements in Greece
  3. ↑ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
  4. ↑ www.styga.gr
  5. ↑ www.diodos.gr
  6. ↑ nea.gr
  7. ↑ kalavrita.gr
  8. ↑ Stefanos Thomopoulos, History Of The Cities In Patras From The Ancient Period Until 1821, Volume I, Achaikes Editions, Patras 1998 ISBN 960-7960-08-4

External links

 Patras Panachaikon Mt., Erineos Sympoliteia
Messatida Aigio
   Leontio  
Farres Kalavryta Kalavryta