AR'GOLA. See ADJUTANT.
AR'GoLIS, the n.e. peninsula of the 3Iorea (Greece), lying between the bays of Nau plia and 2Egina, forms a nome, or department, in the modern kingdom of Greece. The plain of Argos, famous in ancient times for its breed of horses, is naturally fertile, but is now made pestilential by morasses. It is surrounded by an eastern continuation of the range of mountains on the n. of the Peloponnesus, which also girds the riven and shattered-looking coast. The highest summits attain an elevation of between 5000 and 6000 ft. The plain of A. is the most extensive in the whole peninsula, being 12 in. in length and 5 in breadth. The eastern part is higher and more rocky than the western. Near where the plain opens on the sea, the ground is marshy. This was the Lernean marsh of antiquity. The nome of A. and Corinthia has now Nauplia as its capital, and contains 127,820 inhabitants.
It was from the importance of the ancient kingdom of A. that the Greeks were col lectively often styled Argivi by ancient writers. A. was colonized in very early times. According to the old traditions, Inachus, the Pelasgic chief, settled here in 1800, and Danaus in 1500 n.e., with colonists from Egypt. Here Pelops ruled, and was succeeded by Atreus, Agamemnon, etc. Here also Hercules was born, and achieved his victories over the Lernean hydra and the Nemean The ancient capital, Argos, was situated about 3 m. from the sea, and was considered the oldest city in Greece. It was supposed to have been built by that Inachus of whom we have spoken, or by his grandson Argus; but as the whole period in which his deeds are said to have been accomplished belongs to the unhistorical age, we cannot possibly determine the truth of such a statement. It is certain, however, that at one period A.
was the head of a league composed of several Doric states or cities—Cleonm, Philus, Sicyon, Trwzen, Hermione, iEgina, and Epidaurus. Latterly, Sparta robbed it of its supremacy and influence. The population of A., during its most prosperous condition in ancient times, was—inclusive of the town territory—upwards of 100,000. It was noted for the attention it paid to the worship of the Juno was the principal divinity, but many of the other gods had temples and statues also. This gave a stimu lus to the fine arts, and we know that A. possessed one of the most famous of the ancient schools of statuary. The natives were, moreover, renowned for their love of music. Herodotus considered them the finest musicians in Greece. They do not, however, seem to have cultivated literature. Few poets, and no orators or philosophers, were born amongst them. The modern Argos, built on the site of the ancient, is 7 in. from Nau plia, and is a large and thriving t. It still exhibits some remains of antiquity, though these were nearly wholly destroyed in 1825, during the Greek war of independence. Cotton, vines, and rice are grown. Pop. 11,000.