Achladokampos

Famous for its olives and beautiful mountain scenery, Achladokampos is a semi-mountainous village belonging to the Municipality of Argos-Mycenae of the prefecture of Argolis. Built at an altitude of 479 meters, it is located in the northwestern part of the prefecture on the southern slopes of Mount Artemisio. It occupies a total area of ​​105.9 sq.km and, according to the data of the 2011 census, its population amounts to 497 inhabitants, most of whom are engaged in farming, including animal husbandry and, of course, olive cultivation.

The village has a long history. The first significant settlement dates back to 720 BCE and is known as the ancient city of Ysion. The plains around the Ysion settlement are ancient battlefields, which were pivotal in the war fought between Argos and Sparta. These battles had significant impact on the political and military development of the Greek world.

The first battle took place around 669 BCE, according to Pausanias. There the world witnessed for the first time the use of phalanx tactics that relied on the Argian "Hoplon" shields - hence the name "hoplites". This military strategy resulted in a decisive win for Argos. The defeated, as well as other Greeks, quickly copied the formation of the phalanx, revolutionizing warfare.

The second battle took place around 417 BCE, as part of the Peloponnesian war. Here the Spartans destroyed the city of Ysion. Though the area would become inhabited again, the settlement was never built again as it had been before this war.

During the Byzantine times, near 1296 ACE, the stronghold of Mouhli was created on one of the nearby hills bordering Arcadia. This site was one of utmost strategic important within the Peloponnese. In 1460, the stronghold of Mouhli was besieged by Mohammed II. After a few days, the siege was brought to an end with because of agreement made with the Ottomans with commander Dimitrios Asanis. After the surrender, Mohammed II set fire to the city and the castle, killing most all of the inhabitants.

The village, as it currently stands, was created largely in the 17th century. It sits very closely between the old sites of Mouhli and the city of Ysion, was made as an amalgamation of surrounding settlements. Largely because of the importance of its geographic location, just as it was in previous times, the area of Achladokampos continued to be a key strategic point that dominated the countryside of the area.

In the Greek revolution, Achladokampos played a very important role because it served as a strategic supply base for the Greek forces. During the first year of the Greek revolt, two hundred armed men led by Staikos Staikopoulos fortified the settlement to prevent Ottoman reinforcements from being sent from Tripolitsa to the Ottoman forces that were besieged in Nafplion.

In July of 1822, a meeting between high-ranking Greek military officers took place in the village. Among others, Theodoros Kolokotronis and Petrobeis Mavromichalis were in attendance. This meeting resulted in mobilization against the army of Dramali. Various other military councils were held in Achladokampos during the revolution.

Tragically, in 1825, after Ibrahim's victory in battle, the village was set on fire and this destroyed much of the region. Later, during the 1832 - 1833 period, a cavalry force commanded by Dimitrios Kallergis was based in the village. During the 1850-1940 period, several ctizens of Achladokampos turned to art and literature. As the village and Greece suffered many perils, in 1890 there was a wave of migration to America, especially to Chicago.

During the Axis occupation, German soldiers executed nine inhabitants of the settlement. On May 17, 1944, the terrifying battle of the inn of Achladokampos took place near the village, fought between the rebel forces of ELAS and the occupying troops. The conflict resulted in the death of around fifty German soldiers, while the impact of the battle was such that after three days Wing Commander Helmut Felmy declared the entire Peloponnese a war zone. A few days later, the residents of Achladokampos, in fear of German reprisals and because of their opposition to EAM/ELAS, requested and received armaments from the Tripoli Security Battalion with the subsequent creation of a local guard, a force of approximately 150 men. On September 18, 1944, Achladokampos was surrounded by ELAS forces under Emmanuel Vazaios, who demanded the surrender of the armed men. The refusal of the guard led to a fierce battle that ended with the rebels prevailing and the death of 53 men of the settlement.

During it's long history, the area around Achladokampos has seen many tragedies. It has been burned to ashes many times. Yet, throughout millenia, it has always been rebuilt. It is a place where people have died to defend, and also a place where people have lived and loved. They have married and raised families. Each season brings a new rebirth and a new chapter to the region. This is because it is a beauty that can only be witnessed.