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Herodotos: "Argolis! The land of science and home to the legendary city of Argos."
Kassandra: "I never thought I would get to see it with my own eyes."
Herodotos: "The tomb of King Agamemnon, the sanctuary of Asklepios, the old Minoan ruins! The history here is astounding."
Herodotos and Kassandra discussing Argolis[src]
ACOd-banner-Argolis

The banner of Argolis

Argolis, also called the Argolid, is a regional unit of Greece situated in the easternmost part of the Peloponnese. Its history is extensive even for that of Greek regions, with the region's capital city Argos once serving as one of the most dominant powers of Greece during the Mycenaean period.

History[]

Mythological era[]

In Greek mythology, Argolis was home to both Agamemnon as well as Perseus, both legends in their own right.[1][2][3] In addition, Argolis also served as the location the Learna Swamp, said to have been the home of the Lernaean Hydra, slain by the hero Herakles as part of his labors.[4]. Nearby was also Nemea, wherein the Nemean Lion wreaked havoc, and met the same fate as the Hydra.[5]

In addition to Agamemnon and Perseus, the bandit Periphetes, the kings Danaos and Aigyptos and their daughters and sons, as well as Hippomedon and Tydeus were Argives in Greek mythology.[2]

Classical era[]

During the Peloponnesian War, the conflict tested Argolis among other regions of Peloponnese. Drawn by its mythical history, the Followers of Ares, led by Harpalos, a member of the Worshippers of the Bloodline branch of the Cult of Kosmos, sought to discover traces of Agamemnon's bloodline in Argolis, and resurrect it. Failing that, Midas, a banker in Argos and a member of the Eyes of Kosmos branch of the Cult, was assigned to destroy all traces of their attempts.[6]

Another member of the Worshippers of the Bloodline, Chrysis, had risen to be regarded as the high priestess of Hera in the region, and she had the priests of the Sanctuary of Asklepios under her heel.[7] When the Spartan misthios Kassandra came to Argolis to look information concerning her mother, Myrrine, Chrysis ordered the priests to speak nothing to the mercenary, on the pain of death.[8]

As power shifted between Athens' Delian League and Sparta's Peloponnesian League, the region was alternatively held by the latter or the former. As such, soldiers of one or the two were kept as prisoners of war in an Argive village, until a group of mercenaries freed them.[9][10] The same group of mercenaries also aided one or the other side by destroying their rival's supplies.[11][12]

Economy[]

In the 5th century BCE, the fairly populated region relied on the bronze statues of the sculptor Polykleitos as well as the Sanctuary of Asklepios near Epidaurus for income. The latter was a popular site for travelers to visit, often in search of the famed physician Hippokrates, and it also played a substantial role in the development of Hippocratic Oath. Because of its abundance of flowers and herbs, the land was a vital source for many medicines in ancient Greece.[13][1]

Regions[]

The region of Argolis was made up of twelve regions and the island volcano Foundry of Hephaistos:

Behind the scenes[]

The emblem of Argolis in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey features the head of a wolf, a common motif in Argive coins, as the region had a significant sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo in his aspect of Lykaios.[14] While the emblem seen on the banners of Argolis in-game shows the wolf with its mouth open, teeth bared, the emblem printed in The Art of Assassin's Creed: Odyssey and found in the message boards of Argolis shows the wolf with its mouth shut.

In Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Argolis has the epithet "Birthplace of Medicine", referencing the healing Sanctuary of Asklepios located in the region, as well as Hippokrates' practice.[1]

According to Greek mythology, the region was the home of Argus Panoptes, an 'all-seeing' Giant set by Hera to guard the nymph Io against Zeus' advances.

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
  2. 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed: OdysseyArgolis
  3. Discovery Tour: Ancient GreeceArgolis
  4. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyArgolis: Learna Swamp
  5. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyArgolis: Nemean Lion
  6. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyCult of Kosmos: "Instruction for Midas"
  7. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyThe Priests of Asklepios
  8. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyWritten in Stone
  9. Assassin's Creed: RebellionSaving Athenians
  10. Assassin's Creed: RebellionSaving Spartans
  11. Assassin's Creed: RebellionSpartan Supplies
  12. Assassin's Creed: RebellionLimited Supply
  13. Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Peloponnese. Ubisoft. Accessed 3 July 2018.
  14. Discovery Tour: Ancient GreeceArgolis: "Argolis Banner"

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