METRO´POLIS
METRO´POLIS (
Μητρόπολις: Eth.
Μητροπολίτης).
1.
A town of Histiaeotis in Thessaly, described by Stephanus B. (s. v.) as a town in Upper Thessaly. Strabo says (ix. p. 438), that Metropolis was founded by three insignificant towns, but that a larger number was afterwards added, among which was Ithome.
He further says, that Ithome was within a quadrangle, formed by the four cities Tricca, Metropolis, Pelinnaeum, and Gomphi.
The position of Metropolis is also determined by its being on Caesar's march from Gomphi to Pharsalus. (Caes.
B C. 3.81; Appian,
App. BC 2.64;
D. C. 41.51.)
It was taken by Flamininus on his descending into this part of Thessaly, after the battle of the Aous, B.C. 198. (
Liv. 32.15.) We learn from an inscription that the territory of Metropolis adjoined that of Cierium (the ancient Arne), and that the adjustment of their boundaries was a frequent subject of discussion between the two peoples. [
CIERIUM] Metropolis is mentioned in the sixth century by Hierocles (p. 642), and continued to exist in the middle ages under the name of Neo-Patrae (
Νέαι Πάτραι, Constant.
de Them. ii. p. 50, ed. Bonn).
The remains of Metropolis are placed by Leake at the small village of
Paleókastro, about 5 miles SW. of
Kardhítza. The city was of a circular form, and in the centre of the circle are the vestiges of a circular citadel, part of the wall of which still exists in the yard of the village church of
Paleókastro, where is a collection of the sculptured or inscribed remains found upon the spot within late years. Among other sculptures Leake noticed one in low relief, representing a figure seated upon a rock, in long drapery, and a mountain rising in face of the figure, at the foot of which there is a man in a posture of adoration, while on the top of the mountain there are other men, one of whom holds a hog in his hands. Leake conjectured with great probability that the seated figure represents the Aphrodite of Metropolis, to whom Strabo says (
l.c.) that hogs were offered in sacrifice. (Leake,
Northern Greece, vol. iv. p. 506.)
2.
Another town in Thessaly, which Stephanus B. calls simply a town in Thessaly.
This appears to be the Metropolis mentioned by Livy in his account of the campaign of Antiochus, in B.C. 191, where it is related that the Syrian king having landed at Demetrias, first took Pherae, then Crannon, then Cypaera, Metropolis, and all the neighbouring fortresses, except Atrax and Gyrton, and afterwards proceeded to Larissa. (
Liv. 36.10.) From this account it would appear that this Metropolis was in Perrhaebia; and its site has been discovered by Leake, near that of Atrax, at a place called
Kastri, where the name of
Μητροπολίτης occurs in an inscription. (Leake,
Northern Greece, vol. iii. p. 371.)
3.
（
Lygovítzi), a town in the interior of Acarnania, S. of Stratus, and on the road from the latter place to Conope in Aetolia.
At a later time it fell into the hands of the Aetolians, but was taken and burned by Philip in his expedition against the Aetolians, B.C. 219.
It is mentioned as one of the towns of Acarnania, in a Greek inscription found at Actium, the date of which is probably prior to the time of Augustus. (
Plb. 4.64;
Steph. B. sub voce Böckh,
Corpus Inscript. No. 1793; Leake,
Northern Greece, vol. iii. p. 576.)
4.
A town in Amphilochia, near Olpae. (
Thuc. 3.107.)
As to its site, see ARGOS AMPHILO-CHICUM.
5.
A town of Doris. (
Steph. B. sub voce
6.
A town of Euboea. (
Steph. B. sub voce 
