Midea, Ancient citadel ruins near Nafplio, Greece

Midea is a Bronze Age citadel on a 268 m hill rising 171 m above the Argive plain, about 10 km east of Argos. Its 450 m circuit wall, 5–7 m thick and still up to 7 m high, has two gates and a hidden underground passage (syrinx) beneath the northwest wall. The Dendra chamber-tomb cemetery lies about 1 km west, not adjacent.

This fortified settlement developed during the Bronze Age as a major defensive stronghold in the region. Its decline came when nearby Argos conquered and destroyed it around 468 BCE during a period of regional conflict.

Midea took its name from Mideia, a Phrygian woman who bore Electryon an illegitimate son, Likymnios; he renamed the city in her honour. Alcmena, mother of Heracles, was born here and ruled with her husband Amphitryon. After Hippodameia incited her sons Atreus and Thyestes to kill Chrysippos, all three were banished from Elis, and Sthenelos gave Midea to the two brothers.

The site sits on elevated terrain and requires walking to explore all areas thoroughly. Wearing sturdy footwear is recommended, and visitors should allow time to investigate both the central fortress and the surrounding defensive structures.

The citadel's east gate had an outer width of 1.55 m and an inner width of 2.25 m, narrowing the passage so defenders could strike attackers from the sides. A bored socket in the monolithic threshold still shows where the door pivot turned, and a ramp led up to a terrace before the gate.