Ancient Oinoi, Merkouri ( Mazi)
To the west of Argos, near to the village of Merkouri and at the crossroads towards Aria-Mazi in Agrilovouno, architectural remains have survived on a small hillock, which research and written sources (Pausanias II, 25.2) identify with ancient Oinoi.
A votive inscription, which dates from the second half of the 6th century BC, making reference to the worship of Artemis; ceramics from ancient and classical times; the remains of the hypostyle heating system for a room and a fountain; the foundations of a building; and scattered architectural elements all bear witness to the flourishing ancient city, which spread across the eastern foothills of Mount Artemisio.
Traces of ancient carriageways demonstrate that the area of Oinois was the transport and strategic hub of northwest Argolis. The city was a dependancy of Argos, and participated in the uprising against Sparta in 460 BC. This important victory, in which Athens also took part, was immortalised in the Stoa Poikile or Painter Porch in Athens (Pausanias I 15.1) and the Argives did not forget to send sculpted dedications to Delfi (Pausanias X 10.4).
