Argos, located in the northeast Peloponnese, near the center of the Argive Plain, is one of the oldest cities of Greece. Neolithic remains have been found in the area, but it is mainly occupied from the early Bronze Age. Argos is mentioned in Homer's The Iliad as the kingdom of Diomed.

Although the city had been major Mycenaean center, it did not reach the height of its own power until the 7^th century BC. Argos dominated the Peloponnese region under the tyrant, Pheidon, who, according to Aristotle, is said to have invented coinage, and introduced weights and measures to the region. The city was also home to the sculptors, Polykleitos and Agelades. Argos played a predominant role in the region until the 6th century BC, when it began its long struggle with Sparta. Around 494 BC, the city was taken by Cleomenes of Sparta. The city joined the Achean League in 229 BC, and in 146 BC became a part of the Roman province of Achaea when Rome began to dominate the area. Argos prospered during the time period of the 1st to 5th century AD.

The small, modern town of Argos rests on part of the site of the ancient city.

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