Cyrtones or Kyrtones (Ancient Greek: Κύρτωνες),[1] anciently called Cyrtone or Kyrtone (Κυρτώνη), was a city of Boeotia, east of the Lake Copais, and 20 stadia from Hyettus, situated upon a lofty mountain, after crossing which the traveller arrived at Corsia. Cyrtones contained a grove and temple of Apollo, in which were statues of Apollo and Artemis, and a fountain of cold water, at the source of which was a chapel of the nymphs.[2]

Ancient tower of Cyrtones.

The site of Cyrtones is tentatively located at Kastron Kolakas/Karaouli, near the modern village of Kyrtoni, which was renamed from Kolaka to reflect association with the ancient town.[3][4] The remains of a walled enclosure, and of a building, possibly a temple, have been found.[5] This ancient fortification has a square tower made out of 1.5 m thick stones. From the ancient fountain now known as Kamini flows brackish, ice cold water with healing properties (for dysentery).[6]

References

edit
  1. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. Vol. s.v.
  2. ^ Pausanias (1918). "24.4". Description of Greece. Vol. 9. Translated by W. H. S. Jones; H. A. Ormerod. Cambridge, Massachusetts; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann – via Perseus Digital Library.
  3. ^ Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 55, and directory notes accompanying. ISBN 978-0-691-03169-9.
  4. ^ Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
  5. ^ Fossey, J. M. (1990). The Ancient Topography of Opountian Lokris. Amsterdam: Gieben. pp. 52–57.
  6. ^ Phthiotis Prefectural Council Archived 2009-05-27 at the Wayback Machine (in Greek)

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

38°35′08″N 23°02′42″E / 38.585688°N 23.044957°E / 38.585688; 23.044957