CYLLENE (port in Elis)
Ancient port town of Eleia
- Kind of place
- Port
- Region
- Elis
- Landmarks
- Cyllene Harbour Pausanias 6.26.4
- Where
- 37.94° N, 21.14° E
It serves as the port town for Elis. Pausanias 6.26.4 The residents of Cyllene devoutly worship an image of Hermes, offering frequent prayers and sacrifices. Pausanias 6.26.5 The local image of Hermes is depicted as an upright male member on a pedestal. Pausanias 6.26.5
Described in the sources
Cyllene served as the port town for the Eleians. Pausanias 4.23.1 +1 Aristomenes instructed the Messenian colonists to gather at this location to decide on spending the winter there. Pausanias 4.23.3 +1 The location faces the direction of Sicily. Pausanias 6.26.4 The town contains a sanctuary dedicated to the god Asclepius. Pausanias 6.26.5 The ancestors of Agesias lived near the borders of this location. Pindar, Olympian 6 ΒΆ17 The town contains a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. Pausanias 6.26.5 The town is located one hundred and twenty stades away from Elis. Pausanias 6.26.4 The river Alpheius flows into the sea at a location above Cyllene. Pausanias 8.54.3
Gods and worship
The site provides a suitable anchorage for ships. Pausanias 6.26.4
Stories and history
The town received its name from a man from Arcadia. Pausanias 6.26.4 People from Pylos, Mothone, and the maritime district fled to Cyllene after Eira was captured. Pausanias 4.23.1 The Eleians supplied a market and financial resources to the Messenians while they stayed there. Pausanias 4.23.5 Homer did not include Cyllene in his list of Eleans, but he later indicated that he knew of the town. Pausanias 6.26.4