Gortyn

Gortyn, Gortys or Gortyna (Greek: Γόρτυν, Γόρτυς, or Γόρτυνα, pronounced [ˈɣortina]) is a municipality and an archaeological site on the Mediterranean island of Crete, 45 km away from the modern capital Heraklion. The seat of the municipality is the village Agioi Deka. Gortyn, the Roman capital of Creta et Cyrenaica, was first inhabited around 3200 BC.

It is located in the valley of Messara in the south of the Psiloritis mountain, in the current position of the settlements of Metropolis and Agioi Deka, and near the Libyan Sea.

Municipality

The municipality Gortyna was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 4 former municipalities, that became municipal units:

History of Gortyn

There is evidence of human occupation in Gortyn as far back as the Neolithic era (7000 BC). Many artifacts have been found from the Minoan period, as well as some from the Dorian (circa 1100 BC). Although it is disputed whether the city was in development during the Minoan period, it is true that the city was in existence during the heroic times, because it is referenced by Homer, among the cities of Crete that were flourishing and were well fortified. The city was complimented by Plato and many others. The city of Gortyn surpassed the prominence of Phaistos during the first millennium BC, Phaistos having been the most significant city on Crete during Minoan times. The period of its great prosperity, however, coincided with the Hellenistic era. Gortyn was the most powerful and prosperous city of Crete and took hegemony of the island, dominating the entire valley from Messara to Levina and, later in the 2nd century after the destruction of Phaistos, extended its power to Matala.

Gortyna, Arcadia

Gortyna (Greek: Γόρτυνα), is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Megalopoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat was in the village Karytaina. The name of the municipality was taken from the ancient city of Gortys.

Subdivisions

The municipal unit Gortyna is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):

Population

Ancient Gortys

The ancient city Gortys was located in the valley of the river Lousios. It reputedly was founded by Gortys, son of Stymphalus, a legendary king of Arcadia. When Megalopolis was founded in the 4th century BC, many inhabitants moved to the new city, but Gortys was still inhabited in the 2nd century AD, a village belonging to Megalopolis then. Ancient Gortys was known for its Temple of Asclepius. The ruins of Gortys have been excavated between 1940 and 1956. They are located near the road from Atsicholos to Elliniko. The remains of several fortifications, temples and baths have been found.

Gortyna (moth)

Gortyna is a moth genus in the family Noctuidae.

Species

References