Cyphanta

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Cyphanta or Kyphanta (Ancient Greek: τὰ Κύφαντα) was a town on the eastern coast of ancient Laconia, belonging to the Eleuthero-Lacones. It was in ruins in the time of Pausanias (2nd century), but from the notice of it in other writers, it was evidently at one period a place of some importance.[1][2][3][4] Pausanias describes it as situated 6 stadia from Zarax, and 10 stadia inland; and Ptolemy speaks separately of the port-town and city. Pausanias adds that Cyphanta contained a temple of Asclepius, called Stethaeum, and a fountain issuing from a rock, said to have been produced by a blow of the lance of Atalanta. The numbers in Pausanias, however, cannot be correct. At the distance of 6 stadia from Zarax (modern Ierakas), there is no site for a town or a harbour; and it is scarcely conceivable that, on this rocky and little-frequented coast, there would be two towns so close to one another. Moreover, Pausanias says that the distance from Prasiae to Cyphanta is 200 stadia; whereas the real distance from Prasiae (modern ) to Zarax is more than 300 stadia. In addition to this Ptolemy places Cyphanta considerably further north than Zarax; and it is not till reaching Cyparissia that there is any place with a harbour and a fountain.

Modern scholars place its site near the modern Kyparissi.[5][6]

References[]

  1. ^ Pausanias. Description of Greece. 3.24.2.
  2. ^ Polybius. The Histories. 4.36.
  3. ^ Pliny. Naturalis Historia. 4.5.9.
  4. ^ Ptolemy. The Geography. 3.16.10, 3.16.22.
  5. ^ Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 58, and directory notes accompanying.
  6. ^ Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Cyphanta". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.

Coordinates: 36°58′06″N 22°59′33″E / 36.9683°N 22.9925°E / 36.9683; 22.9925


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