YITHION

also spelled Githion, historically Gythium small port of Laconia, southern Peloponnese, Greece. It lies at the northwestern extremity of the Lakoniks Gulf at the mouth of the Gythius River. The town is connected by a causeway to Marathonsi Island, on which, according to the 2nd-century-AD Greek geographer Pausanias, the legendary Paris celebrated his nuptials with Helen. Ythion is built on the site of Migonium, founded by the Phoenicians close to the site of an earlier town founded by the Minoans; according to ancient legend the town was founded by Heracles and Apollo. In antiquity it served as the harbour and arsenal of Sparta, about 23 miles (37 km) to the northwest. The modern town exports olives and olive oil. Extant ruins are all of Roman date, though on a hill behind the town a sanctuary to Dionysus stood in antiquity. Pop. (1981) 4,054.