Nemea

Nemea is an ancient site in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. It used to be part of the land called Cleonae in ancient Argolis, but today it is found in the area known as Corinthia. Near Nemea, there is a small village called Archaia Nemea and a newer town also named Nemea.

In stories from Greek mythology, Nemea is where Heracles fought a big and strong creature called the Nemean Lion. Long ago, people held big sports events called the Nemean Games there until around 235 BC. Famous poet Pindar even wrote special poems about these games.

Myth, legend and history

In Greek mythology, Nemea was ruled by king Lycurgus and queen Eurydice. It is famous for the story of the Nemean Lion, which was defeated by the hero Heracles. The area also holds the sad tale of the infant Opheltes, who was killed by a snake. In memory of Opheltes, the Nemean Games were started, and winners were crowned with parsley or wild celery. These games have been held since at least 573 BC at the sanctuary of Zeus in Nemea.

The site includes the grave of Opheltes, surrounded by altars and a stone wall. There is also a spring called Adrasteia. Near the temple of Nemean Zeus, three limestone columns from around 330 BC still stand, with two more reconstructed in 2002. Excavations since 1973 have uncovered an altar, baths, and visitor accommodations. In 2018, archaeologists found a large, intact tomb from the early Mycenaean era (1650–1400 B.C.).

The Battle of the Nemea River

In 394 BC, the Battle of the Nemea River took place between Sparta and its allies and a group of Boeotians, Euboeans, Athenians, Corinthians, and Argives. Sparta won this battle, which was their last clear victory. The fighting followed typical Greek battle styles, but the Spartans moved to the right during the fight, which helped them outflank the Athenians. Though Sparta's allies on the left faced heavy losses, the Spartans managed to secure the win by using their better tactics.

Features of the site

The Temple of Zeus is the most popular feature at the ancient Nemea site. It is located in a large sacred area with many buildings. The temple we see today dates back to around 330 BC, but it was built on top of an older version from the 6th century BC that was destroyed by fire. The current temple is made mostly of limestone and had 32 columns, though only three remain standing today.

The Nemean Stadium was excavated between 1974 and 1981. The natural shape of the land made it perfect for building the stadium. It had a track that was 600 feet long and included special areas for athletes to prepare. The Nemean Games were held here every two years, and all Greeks would gather for the celebration, agreeing to stop any wars so everyone could attend safely.

South of the Temple of Zeus, there are nine old buildings called oikoi. Their exact purpose is unclear, but they might have been used for storing treasures or holding meetings. These buildings were damaged over time, and only their stone foundations remain today.