In Tripotama in the Municipality of Aroania, there are the ruins of the powerful city of Psofis. One can see the walls, while pillars and capitals are engulfed in newer buildings. Excavations will soon start for the revelation of the ancient city.
Psofis was an ancient city-state of Arcadia. It was founded by Pelasgians and was one of the most important city-states of ancient Arcadia. The Founder of the city was Erymanthos, son of Aristas and descendant Pelasgos and Arkas. Psofis minted its own bronze and silver coins. On the one side, there were the initials of the city (XO) and an acorn while on the other side there was Erymanthos’ depiction 9the founder of the city) or the goddess Artemis. In Psofis, there was a theatre, temples of Zeus, Erikini Aphrodite and Erymanthos, a sanctuary of Alkmeon and other public buildings. According to the legend, Hercules killed Erymanthios Boar in the area of Psofis and on his way to the feat, he brought with him Psofis, daughter of the king of Sicily, Erykas. Promahos and Echefronas, Hercules and Psofis’ children, became kings of Psofis city when they grew up. The name of the city derives either from Psofin, descendant of Erymanthos, or Psofis, Eryka’s daughter who was married to Hercules.
Apart from Hercules, a dominant person of the mythological custody of Psofis, is Alkmeon, the second after Orestis matricide of Greek mythology, who was purified for his crime in the waters of the river Erymanthos and then got married to Arsinoi or Alfesivoia, local king’s daughter.
During the Mycenaean period, there was built a monument in honor of Alkmeon, a temple of Erykini Aphrodite and other public buildings, while public works are materialized (such as water supply networks, bridges etc). Ancient Psofis has been excavated in its greater part and there have been found the city walls, remnants of magnificent buildings, columns, remnants of the theatre, statues and inscriptions. The archaeological site is located next to village Tripotama, on the borders of the prefectures of Achaia, Ileia and Arcadia. It lies 90 km from Patras, 70 km from Tripoli and 50km from Kalavryta.
