Belbina (Argolis)

Belbina (Ancient Greek: Βέλβινα) was a town on a small island of the same name (now known as St. George). The island was very lofty and difficult of access, situated at the entrance of the Saronic Gulf, about 10 miles (16 km) from the promontory of Sunium. Although nearer Attica than the Peloponnesus, it was reckoned to belong to the latter, in particular to ancient Argolis. Hence, it was doubtless inhabited by Dorians, and was probably a colony from Belemina (also written Belmina and Belbina), a town on the confines of Laconia and Arcadia. Themistocles quotes the island as one of the most insignificant spots in ancient Greece.[1] Although the island is now uninhabited; it was inhabited in antiquity. On all the slopes of the hills there are traces of the ancient terraces; and on one of the summits are remains of the ancient town.[2][3][4]

References

  1. Herodotus. Histories. 8.125.
  2. Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax, p. 20; Strabo. Geographica. viii. p.375, ix. p. 398. Page numbers refer to those of Isaac Casaubon's edition.
  3. Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. s.v.
  4. Pliny. Naturalis Historia. 4.12.19.

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


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