LEIBETHRA (city in Pieria)
Ancient Greek polis
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Pieria
- Where
- 40.02° N, 22.53° E
Libethra is a city located on the mountain Olympus, near the village of Pimplea and the river Sys, facing the region of Macedonia. Pausanias 9.30.11 The tomb of Orpheus is situated near the city. Pausanias 9.30.9 Libethra is a fountain located within the region of Thessaly. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.16 ΒΆ1
Stories and history
An oracle predicted the city would be destroyed by a boar. Pausanias 9.30.9 The river Sys destroyed the walls of Libethra during a heavy rainstorm. Pausanias 9.30.11 Sanctuaries and houses within Libethra were overturned by the river's flood. Pausanias 9.30.11 The citizens dismissed the prophecy because they doubted a boar could destroy them. Pausanias 9.30.9 Macedonians from Dium transported the bones of Orpheus from Libethra to their own land. Pausanias 9.30.11 The inhabitants and animals of Libethra were drowned by the flooding river, reducing the polis to a state of ruin. Pausanias 9.30.11