Phlius ([pronunciation?]; Ancient Greek: Φλειοῦς, gen.: Φλειοῦντος) was a Greek city in the northwestern Argolid (now in modern Corinthia, near Nemea), in the Peloponnese, said to be named after the Greek hero Phlias but formerly called Araithyrea[1][pronunciation?].
Although geographically close to Argos, the city became a Spartan ally and a member of the Peloponnesian League.
Like many other cities of ancient Greece, Phlius fell into civil strife between a democratic and an oligarchic faction during the 4th century BCE; the democratic faction initially gained control and exiled its opponents, but in 380 BCE a Spartan army under Agesilaus laid siege to the city for some twenty months, eventually forcing the Phliasians to capitulate and accept oligarchic government.[2]
It was the hometown of the playwright Pratinas.