Circa 300-270/60 BCE
AE Chalkous 13 mm, 2.12 g, 4 h
Radiate facing head of Helios.
Rev. Monogram of ΚΛΗ.
BCD Peloponnesos 1434.1-2. HGC 5, 881
Ex CNG 2009
Ex BCD Collection
Ex Davissons 2014
Kleitor was a relatively small city that stood at the source of the Aroanios river. In this river, according to Pausanias, were fish called “spotted-fish” that “are supposed to sing like thrushes.” Pausanias, ever curious, watched them being caught but never heard them sing. According to the locals, they liked to sing at sunset, so he stayed by the river to listen to them, but still didn’t hear them. For what it’s worth, other writers swore they heard the fish sing.
The city was named for a son of Azan, who was an Arkadian king. Pausanias describes sanctuaries there to Demeter, Asklepios, and Eileithuia, who was the goddess of childbirth and midwifery. A shrine to Athene was on a mountain about four miles away and a half mile away was a sanctuary with bronze status of the dioskuri.
Near the city was also a fountain, one drink of which would cure one from ever desiring wine.
The city has been located and some of its ruins remain.