Sellasia

Sellasia (Greek: Σελλασία, before 1929: Βρουλιά - Vroulia[2]) is a village in Laconia, Greece. It was the seat of the former municipality Oinountas. Since 2011, it is part of the municipality of Sparta. Sellasia is situated on the edge of the Eurotas valley, 10 km north of Sparta. The Greek National Road 39 (Sparta - Tripoli) passes east of the village. Sellasia is known for the cultivation of olives.

Sellasia Σελλασία
Sellasia
Coordinates: 37°10′N 22°25′E
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Peloponnese
Regional unit	Laconia
Municipality	Sparti
Municipal unit	Oinountas
Community [1]
• Population	311 (2011)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Vehicle registration	ΑΚ

History

Sellasia was named after the ancient town Vroulia, which controlled the entrance to Sparta from the north. It was the site of the 222 BC Battle of Sellasia between the Spartans under Cleomenes III and the Macedonian/Achaean coalition under Antigonus III Doson. Afterwards, Sellasia was destroyed and the population was sold as slaves.[3]

People

Sellasia is the birthplace of Pavlos and Thanasis Giannakopoulos, owners of pharmaceutical company Vianex and former owners of Panathinaikos A.O. sports club. It is the place of origin of the tennis player Pete Sampras.[4]

Historical population

Year	Population
1981	523
1991	487
2001	524
2011	311

References

1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
2. Name changes of settlements in Greece
3. Pausanias, Description of Greece, 3.10.7
4. "Wimbledon Stories: Ο Σπαρτιάτης που κέρδισε 7 φορές στο Λονδίνο". notospress.gr. Retrieved 2020-12-30.