LYCIA (region)
Geopolitical region in Anatolia
- Kind of place
- Region
- Patron
- Apollo
- Landmarks
- Temple of Apollo Euripides, Rhesus 224-232
- Where
- 36.73° N, 29.90° E
The land granted to Bellerophon was fair with vineyards and tilled fields. Iliad 6 ¶15 The maritime territory is rugged and difficult to approach by sea, yet the region possesses very good harbours along its coast. Strabo 14.3.2 Bellerophontes destroyed a beast located in this region. Pausanias 3.18.13
Described in the sources
Sarpedon, a Cretan, allied with Cilix and became king of wide Lycia. Apollodorus 3.1.2 +4 Lycia is the destination where Sarpedon's body will be carried for burial after his death. Iliad 16 ¶30 +2 Lycia is described as a fertile and rich land where Sarpedon's brothers and kinsmen reside. Iliad 16 ¶29 +2 Lycia is situated near the coasts of Pamphylia and Cilicia, extending eastward to the border with Pamphylia and near the Chelidonian islands. Strabo 14.2.1 +2 Patara is a city located within the region of Lycia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.112 ¶1 +1 The river Xanthus is located within the region of Lycia. Iliad 6 ¶15 +1 A temple of Apollo is located within the region of Lycia. Euripides, Rhesus 224-232 +1 Lycia is a coastal region located along the Mediterranean Sea. Strabo 1.1.10 +1 Lycia is located on the coast east of the area opposite Rhodes. Strabo 14.3.1 +1 The region of Lycia is situated near the banks of the river Xanthus. Iliad 5 ¶40 +1
Gods and worship
A prophetess serves the god at the temple in Patara. Herodotus 1.182.2 Sacrificers throw firstfruits, meat, cakes, and loaves to the fish in the eddy. Athenaeus 8.8 Priests sit silently by the sacred grove while consultants throw spits into the water. Athenaeus 8.8
Stories and history
Sarpedon's relatives in Lycia will bury him with a mound and pillar. Iliad 16 ¶30 +1 The people of Lycia granted Bellerophon a piece of land in the region. Athenaeus 5.1 +1 Lycia nurtured Laodamas by the Xanthus stream. Quintus 11 ¶2 Leto tore open Lycia's stony plain during childbirth. Quintus 11 ¶2 The gods ensured Bellerophon arrived safely in Lycia. Iliad 6 ¶14 Rain increases the fire of the mountains of Hephæstius. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.110 ¶1 Adrastus is advised to fight against the peoples of Lycia. Seneca, Phoenissae act 4 ¶8 Xanthus, a Pelasgian king, seized a portion of this region. Diodorus 5.81 Some authors incorrectly referred to the Lycians as Carians. Strabo 12.8.7 Cilix was engaged in a war against the people of this region. Apollodorus 3.1.2
Myths set at Lycia
In the age of the gods
Before the heroes. In Godsunder these are history: everyone in the world knows them.
- Leto and the Lycian Peasants. hook: Latona, fleeing Juno while carrying her divine children, suffers from intense thirst in Lycia. goal: She seeks to drink water from a lake to quench her parched throat. outcome: A group of countrymen forbids her from drinking, despite her plea that water is a common right of nature. Ovid Met. 6.313-381 (2) Leto
In the age of heroes
- The Battle of the Lycians at Troy. Sarpedon, son of Zeus, leads Lycian allies to Troy to support the Trojans against the Danaans. He fights fiercely until wounded by Tlepolemus, after which he is removed from the battlefield to die within the city walls. Iliad 12 ¶19 +5 Sarpedon
- The Battle of the Lycians at Troy. Sarpedon arrives from Lycia to aid the Trojans and leads his men in fierce combat against the Greeks. He breaks the defensive wall and kills an enemy warrior before his companion Glaucus withdraws from the fight. Iliad 12 ¶19 +4 Sarpedon
- The Struggle for Sarpedon's Body. hook: "Patroclus proposes stripping the armor from Sarpedon's shoulders and killing his comrades to prevent them from saving the body.", "goal": "The Trojans, Lycians, Myrmidons, and Achaeans fight fiercely to control Sarpedon's corpse.", "outcome": "Death and Sleep carry Sarpedon to Lycia, while Apollo washes, anoints, and clothes him before sending him away."}, Iliad 16 ¶37 +4 Sarpedon
- Apollo's Grief for Troy. hook: "Phoebus Apollo leaves the city of Ilios for his shrine in Lycia, grieving the destruction of his mighty walls." goal: "" outcome: "Neoptolemus is destined to meet his end at the altar of Apollo."} Tryphiodorus, The Taking of Ilios ¶20 +1 Apollo
- Apollo's Departure from Troy. Apollo leaves the cold hills of Lycia and the frosty stream Xanthus. He travels to the island of Delos, which is dear to Latona, and moves over the steep slopes of Cynthium while ordaining song. Aeneid 4.105 Apollo
- The Fate of Sarpedon. Zeus grants Sarpedon eternal youth and the rule of Lycia, then sends him to ally with Troy. A star signals Sarpedon's return. The Catalogues of Women and Eoiae fr. 18 (6) Zeus