Nine Arcadian Cities from Cynaetha to Pallantium in Order of Recorded Latitude, North to South

Cynaetha lies furthest north at 38.033 degrees, on the slope of the Aroanian Mountains with its valley descending toward the Corinthian Gulf. Its page records that Polybius described its people as unusually harsh, and that Pausanias found a sanctuary of Dionysus and a statue of Hadrian in its central square.

Pheneus sits at 37.916 degrees in a mountain-ringed valley known as Pheniatis. Its page describes streams draining through natural sinkholes in the limestone before resurfacing as the source of the river Ladon, and an early canal the inhabitants built to guide the water.

Cleitor, at 37.893 degrees, stood on a hill between two streams in the valley of the Aroanius River. Its page records that it repelled Aetolian assaults during the Social War of 220 to 217 BC and kept minting coins as late as the reign of Septimius Severus.

Stymphalus, at 37.859 degrees, lay on a rocky promontory at the edge of Lake Stymphalia. Its page ties the town to the Stymphalian birds of the labors of Heracles and records that Hadrian built an aqueduct carrying water from its spring to Corinth.

Caphyae, at 37.764 degrees, occupied a small plain northwest of the lake of Orchomenus and was protected from flooding by embankments. Its page records that the Aetolians defeated the Achaeans and Aratus of Sicyon in a battle nearby in 220 BC.

Heraea, at 37.612 degrees, stood on the lower Alpheius river. Its page records an alliance with Elis around 580 BC, later membership of the Achaean League, and excavation in 1931 by Alexander Philadelpheus.

Gortys, at 37.540 degrees, lay beside the river Gortynius, a tributary of the Alpheius noted for cold water. Its page records that most inhabitants moved to Megalopolis after 371 BC, and that its temple of Asclepius held statues by Scopas.

Aliphera, at 37.530 degrees, crowned a steep hill south of the Alpheius river. Its page records capture by Philip V of Macedon in 219 BC, a bronze statue of Athena by Hypatodorus, and excavations begun in 1932 by Anastasios Orlandos.

Pallantium ends the path at 37.455 degrees, on a small plain west of Tegea. Its page records the tradition that Evander led colonists from here to the Tiber, and that the Palatine Hill in Rome was said to take its name from the town.