Sellasia, Selasia or Selassia (Greek: Σελλασία) rarely Arakhova is a village and a municipality which this town is the seat of the municipality of Oinounta, Inounta or Inouda (Greek, Modern: Οινούντα, Ancient/Katharevousa: -ous), ancient form: Oinous or Inous, Latin: Oenus located in the northwestern part of the prefecture of Laconia. It is connected with GR-37 at around the 10th km linking Sparta and Tripoli. It is located 10 km N of Sparta, about 60 to 70 km E of Kalamata, about 100 km S of Tripoli and 38 km N of Gytheio and about 50 km N of Areopoli . It is situated with the Oinounta river. The name dates back to ancient times and the ancient site is northeast of the town hall of Oinounta and is not yet determined. Until the late-2nd millennium, the village was known as Vourlias or Vroulias.

Nearest places

• Sparta, S
• Vresthena , N

Communities and settlements

• Chtoriza
• Kalyvia Theologou
• Konditsa
• Kopelia
• Kouremenos
• Megali Vrysi
• Sellasia
• Theologos
• Vamvakou
• Varvitsa
• Vassaras
• Verroia
• Voutiani
• Vresthena

Historical population

Sellasia has a school which is located in the south and the central part, a lyceum, a gymnasium, a church, a small post office and a square (plateia).

The hills with farmlands dominate the areas while the Eurotas river is to the east. Olive groves and pastures along with some fruits and vegetables are common in the area. The Oenus river is situated near Sellasia It is also has a tributary with the Gorgylus . The Taygetus mountains where most of its forests are located lie to the west. Agios Konstantinos and Palaiologos and aneicnt walls remained preserved.

History

In ancient times, Sellasia controlled the entrance after Laconia to the north.

During the first campaign of the Epameinondas around 370, before Sellasia was destroyed by the Peloponnesians.

Underneath the city on a surface between the Macedonian king, Antigonos III Doson and the Achaean league on the other and Sparta under Cleomenes in which he choose to fight between the narrow hills near Sellasia. In 222 BC, Antigones crushed Cleomenes at Sellasia and took Corinth as a reward. The Battle of Sellasia took place in 221 BC. Afterwards, Sellasia was destroyed and the population was sold as slaves. In the 2nd century, Pausanias mentioned the city.

A documentary of ERT was about this place.

See also

• Communities of Viotia
• Satsuma selasia
• Selasia , it is also a species which is founded in Africa
• Selasia, an epithet of Artemis