Pylos
(
Πύλος). The name of three towns on the western coast of
the Peloponnesus.
1.
In Elis, at the foot of Mount Scollis, and about seventy or eighty stadia from the city of
Elis on the road to Olympia, near the confluence of the Ladon and the Peneus.
2.
In Triphylia, about thirty stadia from the coast, on the river Mamaüs, west of the
mountain Minthé, and north of Lepreum.
3.
In the southwest of Messenia, was situated at the foot of Mount Aegaleos on a promontory at
the northern entrance of the basin, now called the Bay of Navarino, the largest and safest
harbour in all Greece. This harbour was fronted and protected by the small island of
Sphacteria (Sphagia), which stretched along the coast about 1 3/4 miles, leaving only two
narrow entrances at each end. Pylos became memorable in the Peloponnesian War, when the
Athenians under Demosthenes built a fort on the promontory Coryphasium a little south of the
ancient city, and just within the northern entrance to the harbour (B.C. 425). The attempts
of the Spartans to dislodge the Athenians proved unavailing; and the capture by Cleon of the
Spartans who had landed on the island of Sphacteria was one of the most important events in
the whole war (
Thuc.iv. 3-13; 29-40).