CRISA (city in Phocis)
Ancient city in Phocis, Greece
Crisa is situated below the snowy mountain of Parnassus, on a west-facing foothill with a cliff hanging over the city and a hollow, rugged glade running underneath it. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 254-276 Apollo was persuaded to build his lovely temple at Crisa. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 254-276 Crisa has a cattle-feeding shore and a plain that is completely bare of trees. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 388-439
Described in the sources
Crisa was a holy city held by the Phocean leaders Schedius and Epistrophus. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 440-451 +1 Apollo's radiance filled all Crisa, though he bestowed glory on Nikomachos there. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 440-451 +1 Crisa is a city in Phocis located immediately upon the sea, situated between the Crisaean plain and the city of Anticyra. Strabo 9.3.1 +1 The race-ground of Crisa was filled with wrecked chariots, though it is also described as a site where no bright chariots will clash. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 254-276 +1 The Crissaean Gulf takes its name from the city of Crisa. Strabo 9.3.3 Crisa is the ancient name for the city known in later times as Cirrha. Pausanias 10.37.5 A vast gulf near Crisa cuts off the rich isle of Pelops, and a ship grounded on the sands there. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 388-439
Stories and history
Apollo's appearance caused great fear among the people of Crisa. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 440-451 Crisa was destroyed by Eurylochus the Thessalian during the Crisaean war. Strabo 9.3.4 The inhabitants of the city wickedly appropriated land belonging to Apollo. Pausanias 10.37.5 The Amphissenses invaded, took possession of, and restored the city of Crisa. Strabo 9.3.4 The Amphictyons punished the Amphissenses and returned the territory to the god. Strabo 9.3.4 The Crisaeans imposed heavy imposts on visitors to the temple against Amphictyonic decrees. Strabo 9.3.4 The inhabitants of Crisa enriched themselves by levying duties on goods from Sicily and Italy. Strabo 9.3.4
Myths set at Crisa
In the age of the gods
Before the heroes. In Godsunder these are history: everyone in the world knows them.
- The Journey to Delos. Leto searches for a home for her son, but no land dares accept him, so Apollo travels by sea to find a place. He arrives at Delos, where he establishes his temple and commands the inhabitants to guard it, promising prosperity in exchange for their obedience. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 277-286 +5 Apollo