(Sinano), the later capital of Arcadia, stood on the River Helisson, in the middle of a spacious plain on the N.W. border of Arcadia. It was founded at the suggestion of Epaminondas in 370 B.C., shortly after the battle of Leuctra, and was intended to be the capital and stronghold of the Arcadian confederation against Sparta. After the lapse of three years it was finished, and was peopled by settlers drawn from forty different towns. Yet, owing to the inadequate number of its inhabitants, the "great city" never attained to the importance that had been expected. On the overthrow of the Theban supremacy it was forced to strengthen itself against Sparta by an alliance with Macedonia. At length, in 229 B.C., it was surprised by the Spartan king, Cleomenes III.; the greater part of its magnificent structures were razed to the ground; some of its inhabitants were put to the sword, and the rest escaped with difficulty to Messene. Soon afterwards, however, the fugitives returned and rebuilt their city. But Megalopolis never recovered its former im-