Midea was originally called Perseuspolis (Περσέως πόλις),[3] and is mentioned by Pseudo-Apollodorus in connection with this hero.[4] It was said to have derived its name from the wife of Electryon, and was celebrated as the residence of Electryon and the birthplace of his daughter Alcmena,[5][6] best known as the mother of Heracles. But it is mentioned in the earliest division of the country, along with the Heraeum and Tiryns, as belonging to Proetus.[7] It was the residence of Hippodameia in her banishment.[2]
It was destroyed by Argos, probably at the same time as Tiryns, soon after the Greco-Persian Wars.[8][1] Strabo describes Midea as near Tiryns; and from its mention by Pausanias, in connection with the Heraeum and Tiryns, it must be placed on the eastern edge of the Argeian plain; but the only clue in the ancient authors to its exact position is the statement of Pausanias, who says that, returning from Tiryns into the road leading from Argos to Epidaurus, "you will reach Mideia on the left."[9]
^Demakopoulou, Katie; Divari-Valakou, Nicoletta; Nilsson, Monica; Schallin, Ann-Louise; Nikita, Kalliopi (2008-12-02). "Excavations in Midea 2006". Opuscula. Annual of the Swedish Institutes at Athens and Rome. 1: 7–30. doi:10.30549/opathrom-01-02. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
^Demakopoulou, Katie; Divari-Valakou, Nicoletta; Nilsson, Monica; Schallin, Ann-Louise (2009-12-02). "Excavations in Midea 2007". Opuscula. Annual of the Swedish Institutes at Athens and Rome. 2: 7–30. doi:10.30549/opathrom-02-02. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
^Demakopoulou, Katie; Divari-Valakou, Nicoletta; Lowe Fri, Maria; Miller, Madelaine; Nilsson, Monica; Schallin, Ann-Louise (2010-12-02). "Excavations in Midea 2008–2009". Opuscula. Annual of the Swedish Institutes at Athens and Rome. 3: 7–32. doi:10.30549/opathrom-03-02. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Mideia". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
