Kladeos

Kladeos (also spelled Cladeus) is a river in the western Peloponnese region of Greece. It flows near the ancient site of Olympia, and played a significant role in the history and mythology associated with the Olympic Games. The Kladeos is a relatively small river, typically characterized by its seasonal variations in water flow. During the dry summer months, the river may be significantly reduced, while in the wetter winter and spring, its flow increases considerably.

Historically, the Kladeos river formed one of the natural boundaries of the Altis, the sacred grove at Olympia, separating it from the more secular areas surrounding the sanctuary. It served a practical purpose as a water source for the Olympic Games, and its waters were likely used for cleansing and purification rituals associated with the athletic competitions and religious ceremonies.

The Kladeos also appears in Greek mythology. Legends associate it with figures like Alpheus, another river god, and stories intertwine the two rivers' courses. The river's proximity to Olympia ensured its presence in the oral traditions and later written accounts detailing the origins and significance of the Olympic Games. Today, visitors to Olympia can still see the Kladeos river flowing near the archaeological site.