{{Short description|Community in Erymanthos, Achaea, Greece}} {{for multi|the town of ancient Achaea|Leontium (Achaea)|the ancient Greek figure|Leontion}} {{Infobox Greek Dimos |name = Leontio |name_local = Λεόντιο |type = municipal unit |image_map = DE Leondiou.svg |map_caption = Location within the regional unit |image_skyline = Leontio daskalos06.jpg |caption_skyline = |city_flag = |city_seal = |coordinates = {{coord|38|7|N|21|55|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |elevation_min = 772 |elevation_max = 1400 |periph = West Greece |periphunit = Achaea |municipality = Erymanthos |established_c = |established_m = |districts = 3 |population_as_of = 2021 |area_municunit = 71.59 |pop_municunit = 477 |pop_community = 394 |area_community = |postal_code = 250 08 |area_code = |licence = AX |website = [http://leontio.gr/ leontio.gr] }}
'''Leontio''' ({{langx|el|Λεόντιο|Leóntio}}, before 1923: {{langx|el|Γουρζούμισα|Gourzoúmisa|label=none}}<ref>[http://pandektis.ekt.gr/pandektis/handle/10442/172025 Name changes of settlements in Greece]</ref>) is a mountain village and a former municipality in the municipality of Erymanthos, Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Erymanthos, of which it is a municipal unit.<ref name=Kallikratis>{{Cite web|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL81-32jgAMSfbnMRVjyfnPUeJInJ48_97uHrMts-zFzeyCiBSQOpYnT00MHhcXFRTsb2fGphpq4MKX2ZkaHobySNnvZCNHXvYVvlf80XevW0Q.|title=ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities|language=el|publisher=Government Gazette}}</ref> The municipal unit has an area of 71.586 km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=stat01>{{cite web|url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |publisher=National Statistical Service of Greece |title=Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation) |language=el |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921212047/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |archivedate=2015-09-21 }}</ref> It is situated in the southern foothills of the Panachaiko, 13 km east of Chalandritsa, 22 km southeast of Patras, 20 km southwest of Aigio and 19 km northwest of Kalavryta. Its population in 2021 was 394 for the community and 477 for the municipal unit. The village was renamed after the ancient town of Leontium, the remains of which lie nearby.
==Subdivisions== The municipal unit Leontio is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets): *Ano Mazaraki *Demesticha *Leontio (Leontio, Vetaiika, Golemi, Thomaiika, Katsaitaiika, Kounavaiika, Ovryokambos)
==Population== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Population community !! Population municipal unit |- | 2001 || 395 || 514 |- | 2011 || 284 || 335 |- | 2021 || 394 || 477 |}
==History==
Evidence suggests that the Achaeans settled Leontio after the Trojan Wars, at this time it was a Polis. This is supported by archeological excavations in the area by the archaeologist N. Kiparisis during the period 1931–32. Mycenean tombs from the 14th-12th century BC were found. The different artifacts excavated in a number of ancient cemeteries confirmed the Polis flourished at about 1,000 BC. Though older findings date it back to 3,000-2,000 BC. The acropolis dates back to around the 3rd century BC.
It was located on the ancient border of Achaea and Arcadia near Vlasia<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2004 |title=Αρχαιολογία Επαρχίας Καλαβρύτων |url=http://www.styga.gr/index.php?sid=b116a380b321c05ee71fd35878ffafa6&act=detail&article=141 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911095422/http://www.styga.gr/index.php?sid=b116a380b321c05ee71fd35878ffafa6&act=detail&article=141 |archive-date=2012-09-11 |access-date=11 August 2025 |website=styga.gr |language=el}}</ref> where excavations uncovered a Mycenean tomb and an ancient theater from the 4th century BC.<ref>[http://www.diodos.gr/content/view/99/37/ www.diodos.gr] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721075734/http://www.diodos.gr/content/view/99/37/ |date=July 21, 2011 }}</ref> The temple of Artemis was located along the ancient road which led to Arcadia. Its length was 35 m and its width was 11 m.<ref>[http://www.nea.gr/tour/Pages/Dimoi/leontio.htm nea.gr] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227042809/http://www.nea.gr/tour/Pages/Dimoi/leontio.htm |date=February 27, 2008 }}</ref>
The city was destroyed at the end of the 3rd century BC by Philip V Macedon.<ref>[http://www.kalavrita.gr/DynSITE/index.php?contentID=11&cMode=vMode&AID=30 kalavrita.gr] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806120212/http://www.kalavrita.gr/DynSITE/index.php?contentID=11&cMode=vMode&AID=30 |date=August 6, 2007 }}</ref> Leontio controlled several places including Chios and Leontopoda.<ref>Stefanos Thomopoulos, ''History Of The Cities In Patras From The Ancient Period Until 1821, Volume I'', Achaikes Editions, Patras 1998 {{ISBN|960-7960-08-4}}</ref> The area followed the fate of the rest of Achaea.
==References== {{reflist}} {{commonscat|Leontio Achaias}}
{{Geographic location |Centre = Leontio |North = Panachaikon Mt., Erineos |Northeast = Sympoliteia |East = Aigio |Southeast = Kalavryta |South = Kalavryta |Southwest = Farres |West = Messatida |Northwest = Patras }}
{{Leontio}}
Category:Populated places in Achaea Category:Erymanthos (municipality) Category:Ancient Achaea Category:Cities in ancient Peloponnese