Sellasia
{{for|the ancient town|Sellasia (Laconia)}}
{{Infobox Greek Dimos
|name = Sellasia
|name_local = Σελλασία
|type = community
|image_skyline =
|caption_skyline =
|city_flag =
|city_seal =
|coordinates = {{coord|37|10|N|22|25|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_min =
|elevation_max =
|periph = Peloponnese
|periphunit = Laconia
|municipality = Sparti
|municunit = Oinountas
|population_as_of = 2021
|pop_community = 390
|area_community =
|postal_code =
|area_code =
|licence = ΑΚ
|website =
}}
Sellasia ({{langx|el|Σελλασία}}, before 1929: Βρουλιά - Vroulia[http://pandektis.ekt.gr/pandektis/handle/10442/170812 Name changes of settlements in Greece]) 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.
History
{{main|Sellasia (Laconia)}}
Sellasia was named after the ancient town Sellasia, 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.Pausanias, Description of Greece, 3.10.7
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 ancestral place of origin for both the families of tennis player Pete Sampras and professional wrestler Elias Markopoulos.{{Cite web|title=Wimbledon Stories: Ο Σπαρτιάτης που κέρδισε 7 φορές στο Λονδίνο|url=https://notospress.gr/mobile/article.php?id=45641|access-date=2020-12-30|website=notospress.gr| date=14 December 2019 }}
Historical population
class=wikitable
! Year !! Population | |
1981 | 523 |
1991 | 487 |
2001 | 524 |
2011 | 311 |
2021 | 390 |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Sparti div}}
Category:Populated places in Laconia
Category:Geography of ancient Laconia
{{Peloponnese-geo-stub}}