Skiritis (Greek Σκιρῖτις) is a small mountainous and desert region in the Peloponnese known from ancient sources. Skiritis is located in northern Laconia, on the border with Arcadia, between the rivers Evrotom and its left tributary Enunt. The region was inhabited by a militant and unpretentious Skyriet tribe, which formed a special mobile unit in the Spartan army. The only known settlement that existed in Skiritida in classical antiquity is the town of Oi (Greek Οἶον), located north of Sellasia, approximately two hours away.
Antique sources mentioning Skirtide
- Thucydides, Vol. V, ch. 33, § 67 and 68.
- Xenophon, Greek history , Vol. V, ch. 2, § 24; Prince VI, ch. 5, § 24; Prince VII, ch. 4, § 21.
- Diodorus of Sicily, Historical Library , Vol. Xv, ch. 32.