🧿 Lycosura

Lycosura was a city in the ancient Parrhasia region of south Arcadia said by Pausanias to be the oldest city in the world, although there is no evidence for its existence before the fourth century BC. Its current significance is chiefly associated with the sanctuary of the goddess Despoina, which contained a colossal sculptural group that has been found and that Pausanias wrote was made by Damophon of Messene. This group comprises acrolithic-technique statues of Despoina and Demeter seated on a throne, with statues of Artemis and the Titan Anytos standing on either side of them, all in Pentelic marble. Remains of a stoa, altars, fountain and baths and other structures can also be seen at the site.