Nikon D7200, 12-24mm f/4G lens @12mm f/8, aperture priority. |
"The city perhaps reached its greatest dominance in the 7th century BCE under King Pheidon, who is credited with introducing to mainland Greece such military innovations as hoplite tactics and double grip shields. From the 7th to 5th century BCE, the city was a long-time rival to Sparta for dominance of the Argolid. The role of Argos during the Persian wars of the 5th century BCE is ambiguous, the city either remaining neutral or displaying pro-Persian sentiment. Nevertheless, it was during this century that Argos began to assimilate smaller surrounding states such as Tiryns, Mycenae, and Nemea. It was as part of this expansion that Argos also took over as host of the biennial Panhellenic games originally held at Nemea, firstly from c. 415 BCE to c. 330 BCE, and again definitively from 271 BCE. This fact and the city's mythical heritage meant Argos enjoyed a certain prestige even in Roman times. Hadrian, in particular, was generous to the city, building, amongst other things, an aqueduct and baths." — Mark Cartwright, "Argos", Ancient History Encyclopedia |
