Argos, Greece: The Ancient City in the Peloponnese

History of Argos

A fortress with an acropolis stood on this hill as early as the Neolithic period, around 3000 BC, until the Dorians expelled its inhabitants in 1100 BC. Under the tyrant Pheidon in the 8th and 7th centuries BC, Argos grew into the most powerful city of the Peloponnese and defeated its great rival Sparta at the Battle of Hysiae in 668 BC. Sparta defeated Argos in turn during the First Persian War in 494 BC, and the two cities stayed enemies; Argos often sided with Athens against Sparta. A heavy defeat in 404 BC and a later alliance with Corinth finally ended Spartan domination of the region.

Ancient Argos: the theatre and the Heraion

The ancient theatre of Argos is cut into the hillside and dates from the 3rd century BC, with later alterations by the Romans. Its 81 rows of seats held 20,000 spectators, which makes it one of the largest theatres of the ancient Greek world. The Heraion, the sanctuary of the goddess Hera, stands 8 kilometers outside Argos on the road to Mycenae, and remains one of the most important religious sites of the Argolis.

Modern Argos today

Modern Argos is a bustling commercial town, the trading centre of the Argolis, surrounded by citrus trees and olive groves. Its large market square holds the Saint Peter cathedral and is ringed by tavernas, cafes and shops, among neoclassical buildings and churches. The castle of Larissa crowns the hill above the city; its construction began in the 6th century AD and grew over the centuries. Argos is the largest town in the Argolis, and around 30,000 people already lived here in the 4th century BC.

Mycenae, near Argos

North of Argos lie the remains of Mycenae, the city of King Agamemnon of the Trojan War, where the gold "death mask of Agamemnon" was found and is now shown in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. Mycenae flourished between 1400 and 1200 BC. Its royal fortress is ringed by a 900-metre wall up to 6 metres thick, built of huge cyclopean stone blocks, and entered through the famous Lion Gate; the 13th-century-BC gate is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Europe. The domed Treasury of Atreus dates from the 15th century BC.

Where to stay in Argos

Morfeas Hotel

Morfeas Hotel stands in the historic centre of Argos, with rooms whose balconies overlook Saint Peter's Square or the street, free WiFi, an LCD TV, a fridge and 24-hour room service. The bar sits downstairs, and cafes, restaurants and shops are a 2-minute walk away. Nafplio is 10 kilometers away and the archaeological site of Mycenae a 15-minute drive.

Hotel Mycenae

Hotel Mycenae sits in the centre of Argos, with air-conditioned rooms whose balconies look over the Castle of Argos and the Agios Petros church, free WiFi, satellite TV and a minibar. Guests start the day with a continental breakfast, and a mini-market, restaurant and cafe-bar stand within a short walk. Nafplio and its Bourtzi castle lie 10 kilometers away, Tolo 22 kilometers, and the ancient theatre of Epidaurus 45 kilometers.

Apollon Hotel

Apollon Hotel lies centrally in Argos, with air-conditioned rooms and balconies, a restaurant, a lounge with a flat-screen TV and free WiFi throughout. A continental breakfast is served daily, and restaurants, bars and shops sit within 100 metres. The central square is 70 metres away, Nea Kios beach 6 kilometers, Nafplio 12 kilometers and seaside Tolo 22 kilometers, with free parking on site.