ITHOME (mountain in Messenia)
Mountain in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece
- Kind of place
- Mountain
- Region
- Messenia
- Patron
- Zeus
- Landmarks
- Ithome Pausanias 4.13.6; precinct of Zeus Pausanias 4.3.9
- Where
- 37.19° N, 21.93° E
The mountain is named after a nymph called Ithome. Pausanias 4.33.1 Zeus was worshipped at Ithome as a protector of suppliants and is described as the deity who keeps the mountain. Pausanias 4.20.4 The mountain was enclosed by a wall to function as an acropolis. Strabo 8.4.8
Described in the sources
Ithome is a high, steep, stony mountain peak located above and enclosing the city of Messene in Messenia, Peloponnese. Iliad 2 ¶58 +4 The Messenians fled to Ithome after an earthquake in Lacedaemon. Pausanias 1.29.8 +3 Zeus was worshipped at Ithome, where the summit contained a sacred precinct dedicated to him. Pausanias 4.13.1 +3 Ithome is a mountain in the interior of Messenia, one of the region's eighteen mountains. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.7 ¶1 +1 The current city of Messene was established beneath Ithome, which served as its acropolis. Pausanias 4.1.3 +1 The Messenians were besieged at Ithome and abandoned the mountain after holding out for about five months. Pausanias 4.13.6 +1 A god's altar was located on this mountain. Pausanias 4.12.10 This mountain was the site of a twenty-year war. Pausanias 4.13.6 The mountain is located within the Isthmus region. Pausanias 4.9.2 Yew and myrtle trees were growing on the mountain. Pausanias 4.26.7
Gods and worship
The strength of Ithome secured the safe retreat of the Messenians. Pausanias 4.24.7 Messenians claim the statue proves Leuctra was once part of Messenia. Pausanias 3.26.6 Dorians previously did not honor the Zeus sanctuary located on Ithome. Pausanias 4.3.9 An annual festival named the Ithomaea is held in connection with this location. Pausanias 4.33.2 The Zeus sanctuary on Ithome was originally consecrated by Polycaon and Messene. Pausanias 4.3.9 It is possible Lacedaemonians worshipped Zeus of Ithome if they originally lived in Leuctra. Pausanias 3.26.6
Stories and history
The Lacedaemonians marched against Ithome after receiving auspicious victims and completely destroyed the mountain settlement and the associated city of Messene. Pausanias 4.10.1 +2 Philip, son of Amyntas, restored the city of Messene. Strabo 8.4.8 A brazen urn was found buried beneath the mountain's soil. Pausanias 4.26.7 Homer is said to have mentioned the town in his Catalogue. Pausanias 4.9.2 Ithome was known to fame during a specific period of history. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.7 ¶1 The Messenians fled from the lofty mountains of this location. Pausanias 4.13.6 The inhabitants of Ithome contributed thirty ships to the army. Iliad 2 ¶58 A musical contest was originally held as part of the local festival. Pausanias 4.33.2 Aristomenes invoked the gods to remain guardians of the buried pledge. Pausanias 4.20.4 Epiteles was instructed to dig between specific trees on the mountain. Pausanias 4.26.7
Myths set at Ithome
- The Oracle to Aristodemus. Aristodemus sends envoys to the Pythia to consult the god about the conflict at Ithome. The Pythia warns of punishment for harming a suppliant but declares that Zeus grants victory to those who set up tripods at Ithome. Pausanias 4.12.1 +3 Pythia