Elis
The capital of Elis, situated on the Peneus, at the distance of 120 stadia from the sea. It
was, like many other towns of Greece, at first composed of several detached villages, which,
being united after the Persian War, formed one considerable city. It always, however, remained
without walls, as it was deemed sacred and under the immediate protection of the god whose
festival was there solemnized. Hence, in early times, according to Ephorus, those troops which
were obliged to traverse this country delivered up their arms on entering it and received them
again upon quitting the frontier. But this primitive state of things was not of long duration,
for we subsequently find the Elean territory as little respected as any other Grecian State by
the powers at war with that republic. Still the peace and tranquillity thus enjoyed for a time
by the Eleans, together with the vast concourse of persons attracted by the Olympic Games,
greatly contributed to the prosperity and opulence of their city. See
Olympia.
