Kastania, Laconia Kastania, Laconia Kastania is a town in Mesa Mani, in Laconia, Greece. It is part of the municipal unit Sminos. In 1770, after the Orlov Revolt failed, the Ottomans wanted to punish the Maniots for their support of it. They attacked the two Maniot pyrgoi which belonged to the Venetsanakis clan. With them was the father of the hero of the Greek War of Independence, Theodoros Kolokotronis, Kostantinos Kolokotronis and his wife who was pregnant with his son. The Ottoman commander Hussan Bey, laid siege to the pyrgoi. After holding out for three days the defenders burst out of the
Marius (Laconia) Marius (Laconia) Marius or Marios () was a town of ancient Laconia, belonging in the time of Pausanias (2nd century) to the Eleuthero-Lacones; it was situated 100 stadia east of Geronthrae. It contained a sanctuary of all the gods and, one of Artemis, and in each there were copious springs of water. It is represented by Mari, which stands on the road from Geraki (Geronthrae) over the mountains to Kremasti. There are ruins of the ancient town about a mile and a half (2.5 km) to the south of the modern village, and the place is still characterised by its