HIPPOCRENE (spring in Boeotia)
Spring in Greek mythology
- Kind of place
- Spring
- Region
- Boeotia
- Where
- 38.32° N, 23.03° E
Pegasus is said to have created the spring by striking a rock with his hoof. Pausanias 2.31.9 It is situated near the temple of the Muses. Strabo 9.2.25 Hippocrene is located on the mountain Helicon, about twenty stades up from the grove. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶9
Described in the sources
Hippocrene is also referred to as the Horse's Fountain. Strabo 8.6.21 +1 The stream is called the fountain of the Horse. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶9 The spring is found near the grottoes of the nymphs Leibethrides. Strabo 9.2.25 A spring in Troezen shares the same name and origin story as the one in Boeotia. Pausanias 2.31.9
Stories and history
A sacred horse struck the ground to cause the water to gush out. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶9 Herdsmen were the first people to name the stream after the horse. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶9 The water was used to cleanse Orestes according to local tradition. Pausanias 2.31.9