an ancient city of Greece, forming one of the most powerful states in Arcadia. At an early period, protracted wars were carried on between Tegea and Sparta. A king of the latter nation, named Charilaus, deceived by an ambiguous oracle, invaded the land of the Tegeans, but was totally defeated and made prisoner along with all the survivors of the battle. Another invasion, about 200 years later, under Leon and Agesicles proved equally unsuccessful; but in 560 B.C. the Spartans gained a victory, and compelled the Tegeans to recognise their supremacy. The city remained independent, though bound to assist the Spartans with a military force, which they supplied at Thermopylae and Platæa. After the Persian war we find Tegea again at war with Sparta, but for what reason we know not. But in the Peloponnesian war, Tegea adhered to Sparta, and fought on several occasions on her side. After the battle of Leuctra in 371, it joined the Arcadian confederacy against Sparta; and at a later period it joined the Ætolian league. Subsequently, during the wars between Sparta and the Achæan league, it was subject alternately to the one and the other; until, with the rest of Greece, it fell under the Roman power. Tegea continued to be an important place, till it was totally destroyed by Alaric in the end of the fourth century A.D.