ANTICYRA (village in Phocis)
Ancient village of Boeotia, Greece
- Kind of place
- Village
- Region
- Phocis
- Patron
- Poseidon
- Landmarks
- Sanctuary of Poseidon Pausanias 10.36.8; Bronze statues Pausanias 10.36.8
- Where
- 38.38° N, 22.63° E
Anticyra is situated on the sea-coast of the Maliac Gulf, where Phocis touches the sea, near the city of Aeta. Pausanias 10.1.2 Hellebore grows in great profusion on the mountains beyond Anticyra. Pausanias 10.36.7 Many people visit Anticyra to be cured of their maladies using the local hellebore. Strabo 9.3.3
Described in the sources
Anticyra is a city in Phocis, located in the interior near Parnassus. Pausanias 7.7.9 +2 The river Spercheius flows past the location of Anticyra. Herodotus 7.198.2 +1 The city is situated opposite the ruins of Medeon. Pausanias 10.36.6 The market-place in this town contains bronze statues. Pausanias 10.36.8 A small sanctuary of Poseidon is located at the harbor. Pausanias 10.36.8 The settlement was formerly known by the name Cyparissus. Pausanias 10.36.5 Rocky mountains are located beyond the village of Anticyra. Pausanias 10.36.7 The road leading to the location begins with an uphill section. Pausanias 10.36.5 The road descends from the sanctuary all the way to the settlement. Pausanias 10.36.5 This Anticyra shares its name with a town among the Locri Hesperii. Strabo 9.5.10
Stories and history
Anticyra was compelled to submit to Philip. Pausanias 10.36.6 +1 The Roman Otilius completely destroyed the settlement of Anticyra and drove its people from their home a second time. Pausanias 10.36.6 +1 Anticyra was considered distinguished in ancient times due to its association with Homer's poetry, and the name was already in use during his time. Pausanias 10.3.1 +1 Homer intended to use the older name in his list of Phocians. Pausanias 10.36.5 Hellebore is prepared in a better manner in Anticyra than elsewhere. Strabo 9.3.3 The people of Anticyra committed sacrilege against the sanctuary at Delphi. Pausanias 10.36.6 The city was razed to the ground during the conflict known as the Sacred War. Pausanias 10.3.1 The name Anticyra was used because Anticyreus was a contemporary of Heracles. Pausanias 10.36.5 The sanctuary is constructed from unhewn stones, its interior is covered with stucco, and it holds a standing bronze image of Poseidon holding a trident in its other hand. Pausanias 10.36.8