Argos
Argos is one of the top archaeological sites in the Peloponnese, one of the oldest cities in Europe, and with museums and a theatre bigger than Epidavros.
Argos’s claim to fame is that it is the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the whole of Europe, and one of the oldest in the world, with a history going back over 7,000 years. It has a lovely setting at the foot of Mount Chaon, and although it’s not really a major name on the tourist trail it has plenty to see and reward a day or two’s visit.
The History of Argos
During the Late Bronze Age (c. 1700–1100 BCE), Argos flourished as a Mycenaean settlement, though it was overshadowed by nearby Mycenae and Tiryns. The city was built around the hills of Aspis and Larissa, and archaeological finds—including tholos tombs—attest to its significance in this era.
In mythology, Argos was ruled by legendary figures such as Diomedes and was closely associated with Hera, who had a major sanctuary nearby. Homer’s Iliad celebrates Argive warriors among the Greek forces at Troy.
Following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, Argos remained inhabited through the Greek Dark Ages and re-emerged as a dominant city-state in the Archaic period. Under King Pheidon in the 7th century BCE, Argos reached its zenith, pioneering military innovations and defeating Sparta at Hysiae in 669 BCE.
However, Sparta eventually eclipsed Argos, defeating it in 550 and 494 BCE. Argos allied with Athens during the Peloponnesian War but later shifted allegiances, joining Corinth and Thebes in various conflicts.
In the Hellenistic period, Argos became part of the Achaean League and remained influential until Roman times. The city prospered under Roman rule, with notable constructions like its grand theatre and baths.
Despite invasions and decline, Argos endured through Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern eras. Today, it stands as a vibrant town, rich in archaeological heritage and historical legacy, a living testament to Greece’s enduring past.
Argos Archaeological Sites
There is no one single archaeological site, but the various archaeological remains are spread throughout the modern city. This makes it unusual, seeing the different layers of life in different places as you move around town. Most archaeological sites in Greece are slightly away from the modern cities which grew up nearby, and everything is in the one place.
Other Argos Sites
Argos has some Roman baths, and a theater that is actually bigger than the more famous one at Epidavros, which is about a 40-minute drive to the east. It could seat up to 20,000 people. Looking at the ruins now it’s hard to imagine just what these theatres would have been like when operating. The orchestra stalls here could be flooded to enable naval battles to be acted out in front of the stage, with action going on behind. Quite a spectacle.
There’s also an acropolis, an ancient agora, and the very unusual Pyramid of Hellinikon. There are several of these in Greece, and although no-one knows for sure what they were used for, it’s thought they may have been inspired by the pyramids in Egypt.
Argos Museums
Argos Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Argos is a treasure trove of ancient Greek history, housed in a unique architectural blend of neoclassical and modern styles. Located at the intersection of Vasilissis Olgas and Kallergis streets in Argos, the museum occupies the historic 1830 residence of General Dimitrios Kallergis, alongside a modern wing added in 1961 with support from the French Archaeological School.
Its collection spans from the Mid-Helladic period (c. 2000 BCE) to Late Antiquity (c. 600 CE), showcasing finds from major excavations at Aspida, Deirada, the ancient agora, the Roman theatre, and Lerna.
Highlights include:
- A bronze cuirass and helmet from the 8th century BCE, discovered in the “Tomb of the Warrior”
- A Proto-Argive crater depicting Odysseus blinding Polyphemus (670–650 BCE)
- Minoan-style pottery and geometric-era ceramics, including pomegranate models symbolizing Hera
- Roman mosaics in the courtyard, illustrating the twelve months and seasonal festivities
- A Farnese-style statue of Heracles, a Roman copy of Lysippus’s original work
The museum also features the “Lerna Room,” dedicated to prehistoric finds from the nearby site of Lerna, including one of Europe’s oldest sculptural representations of the human form.
Argos Epigraphic Museum
This new museum, opened in 2023, is a 2-minute walk east of the Archaeological Museum, and housed in the Kapodistrias Barracks, an impressive building worth seeing in itself. At first it might sound a little specialised, containing only tablets and stone inscriptions, but it reveals ancient life in and around Argos in fascinating detail. Some of the bronze tablets go back to the 4th century BC and are considered to be of international historic significance.
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