Editing Plataea (section)

== Later years ==
After its restoration by Philip, Plataea continued to be inhabited for several centuries. It was visited by Pausanias in the 2nd century AD, who mentioned three temples, one of [[Hera]], another of [[Athena Areia]], and a third of [[Demeter]] Eleusinia. He wrote of only one temple of Hera, which he described as situated within the city and worthy of admiration because of its magnitude and the offerings with which it was adorned.<ref>Pausanias, ix.2.7</ref> This was possibly the temple built by the Thebans after the destruction of Plataea.<ref>Thucydides, iii. 68.</ref> It is probable that the old temple of Hera mentioned by Herodotus, and which he described as outside the city,<ref>Herodotus, ix. 52.</ref> was no longer repaired after the erection of the new one, and had disappeared before Pausanias' visit. 

The temple of Athena Areia was built, according to Pausanias,<ref>Pausanias, ix.4.1.</ref> out of a share of the spoils of Marathon; but according to Plutarch<ref>Plutarch, ''Life of Aristeides'', §20</ref> it was with the 80 talents out of the spoils of Plataea, as mentioned above. The temple was adorned with pictures by [[Polygnotus]] and [[Onatas (philosopher)|Onatas]], and with a statue of the goddess by the Athenian sculptor [[Phidias|Pheidias]]. Of the temple of Demeter Eleusinia we have no details, but it was probably erected in consequence of the battle having been fought near a temple of Demeter Eleusinia at Argiopius.<ref>Herodotus, ix.57.</ref> The temple of Zeus Eleutherius<ref>Strabo, ix.2.31.</ref> seems to have been reduced in the time of Pausanias to an altar and a statue. It was situated outside the city.<ref>Pausanias, ix.2.5-7.</ref>

Plataea is featured in the 2nd-century AD Latin novel ''[[The Golden Ass|Metamorphoses]]'' (often called ''The Golden Ass'') by Apuleius, in which it is depicted as hosting gladiatorial combat and an array of wild beasts.<ref>Apuleius, ''The Golden Ass''. Book 4.</ref>  

Plataea's walls were restored by [[Justinian I|Justinian]] in the 6th century AD.<ref>Procopius, ''De Aedificiis'' (''On Buildings''). iv.2.</ref>  

The modern village of [[Plataies]] is adjacent to the ancient ruins.  Foundation stones for several of its buildings are still extant.  More information can be found at https://eternalgreece.com/ancient-plataea/