ERYX (king of Eryx in Sicily)
Figure of myth · ancient city of Sicily
- Haunts and cult places
- Sicily, Syracuse, Enna, Rome
- In the sources
- 36 ancient passages
Eryx, son of Aphrodite and Butas, founded a city in the region of Sicily and ruled over the people known as the Elymi.1,2,3 Aphrodite established her seat in the region, displaying exceptional love for the city due to its divine founder.4,5,1 The city was situated on a lofty place, attached to the region called Acestes, and rose like a citadel from the sea.1,4,5,6 The mountain Eryx was very lofty and inhabited, featuring a rock that rose sheer to an extraordinary height.7,8
A bull swam from Rhegium to the plain of Eryx, where the local king mixed the escaped animal with his own herd.2 To determine who would possess the local land, Heracles wrestled with Eryx, defeating the king in a wrestling match three times.9,2 Heracles killed Eryx with his own gauntlets, destroyed the city, and took the bull from the herd to the Ionian Sea.10,2 Although Heracles conquered the entire region, he transferred the land of Eryx to the local inhabitants.11,3
The Sicanians honored the goddess there with sacrifices for many generations, and the Carthaginians held her in special honor while ruling part of Sicily.1 Roman consuls and praetors later visited the city to offer sacrifices, surpassing previous peoples in the honors they paid to the goddess.1 The Roman senate decreed that seventeen Sicilian cities pay a gold tax to Aphrodite and that two hundred soldiers serve as a guard of the shrine.1 A temple of Aphrodite was situated on the precipitous tip of the rock, with a shrine established on its highest point.7,1 Daedalus built a wall on the crag to extend the overhanging ledge and crafted a golden ram for the local Aphrodite.7
Aeneas returned to the seat of Eryx after fleeing the sandy regions, embellishing the sanctuary with votive offerings.1,12 He performed a sacrifice at Eryx and paid honour to his father's tomb, as the land held the ashes of Anchises.12,5 Aeneas and the Trojan Elymus are said to have taken possession of the city, which was described as a faithful and fraternal shore near the Trojans' current location.13,5 The bull's-hide armor and gauntlets formerly worn by Eryx were worn by Entellus during his youth, who offered to remove the city's bull's-hide armor for a fair boxing match.14,15
Local pigeons disappear during the Goddess's departure as if accompanying her, returning after nine days starting with one flying into the temple.16 The area is now less populated and the temple has fewer priestesses, though the territory still contains a sanctuary of Erycine.8,17
The codex facts behind this entry
In the myths
Daedalus built a wall on the crag to extend the overhanging ledge. Diodorus 4.78 A bull swam from Rhegium to the plain of Eryx. Apollodorus 2.5.10 The local king mixed the escaped bull with his own herd. Apollodorus 2.5.10 The mountain Eryx is consumed by intense flames during the celestial fire. Ovid Met. 2.1-303 (10) Aeneas and the Trojan Elymus are said to have taken possession of the city. Strabo 13.1.53 Aeneas performed a sacrifice at Eryx. Ovid Met. 14.75-100 Aeneas paid honour to his father's tomb at Eryx. Ovid Met. 14.75-100 Heracles killed Eryx while pursuing enemies who had fled to Sicily. Pausanias 3.16.5 Heracles wrestled with Eryx to determine who would possess the local land. Pausanias 3.16.4 Heracles is said to have conquered the entire region of Eryx. Herodotus 5.43.1
Worship
The sanctuary in Eryx has been very holy since the remotest times. Pausanias 8.24.6 Inhabitants called her Erycinian Aphrodite because of her manifestation and extended sojourn in the region. Diodorus 5.77 The site contains a highly esteemed temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. Strabo 6.2.6 In the past, the temple was filled with women dedicated to the goddess. Strabo 6.2.6 Sicilians and others offered these women to fulfill their religious vows. Strabo 6.2.6 Aeneas ordered three bulls to be sacrificed to the shade of Eryx before departure. Aeneid 5.762
Fate
The land of Eryx was later reclaimed by Dorieus to found Heracleia. Diodorus 4.23 The area is now less populated and the temple has fewer priestesses. Strabo 6.2.6 If Heracles won the wrestling match, the land of Eryx would become his property. Pausanias 3.16.4 The region of Eryx belonged to the descendants of Heracles. Herodotus 5.43.1
