EPHYRA (town in Elis)
Ancient town of Elis, Greece
- Kind of place
- Town
- Region
- Elis
- Where
- 37.85° N, 21.52° E
Sisyphus, son of Aeolus, established the settlement known as Ephyra. Apollodorus 1.9.3 The town is situated on the banks of the river Selleis, which flows from the mountain Pholoe. Iliad 2 ¶51 Ulysses went to this Ephyra to find a poison for his arrows. Strabo 8.3.5
Described in the sources
Sisyphus lived in this city. Iliad 6 ¶14 The Bacchiadae race originated from this town. Argonautica 4 ¶69 The city is located 120 stadia away from Elis. Strabo 8.3.5 Ephyra is a city located in the heart of Argos. Iliad 6 ¶14 The city is described as a pasture land for horses. Iliad 6 ¶14 Ilus, the son of Mermerus, resided in this location. Odyssey 1 ¶18 The place formerly known as Ephyra is now called Cichyrus. Strabo 7.7.5 It may be the same location as Boeonoa, also known as Oenoe. Strabo 8.3.5 Homer locates the city of Ephyra in the farthest part of Argos. Strabo 8.6.9 Ulysses traveled to this town to request poison for his arrows. Odyssey 1 ¶18
Stories and history
Hercules carried off Astyochea from this Ephyra near the river Selleis. Iliad 2 ¶51 +1 The armour of Meges was originally brought from this Ephyra by Phyleus. Strabo 8.3.5 Mortal poisons are said to have come from this Ephyra, which the suitors refer to as a rich country for obtaining poison. Strabo 8.3.5