LYCTUS (city in Crete)
City in ancient Crete
Earth carried the infant Zeus to Lyctus first during the night. The Theogony ll. 453-491 The infant Zeus was hidden in a remote cave beneath Mount Aegeum near Lyctus. The Theogony ll. 453-491 Cherrhonesus served as the arsenal for Lyctus and housed a temple dedicated to Britomartis. Strabo 10.4.14
Described in the sources
Lyctus was a city in the hundred cities of Crete to which Cnossus's superiority was transferred. Iliad 2 ¶50 +3 A poet referred to the city by the name Lyctus. Strabo 10.4.7 The city is situated 80 stadia from the African sea. Strabo 10.4.7 Lyctus was one of the Cretan cities led by Idomeneus. Iliad 2 ¶50 Coiranus, a charioteer, originated from this Cretan city. Iliad 17 ¶40 Lyctus is located 120 stadia away from the city of Cnossus. Strabo 10.4.7 Cretan archers were hired as mercenaries from this city by the Lacedaemonians. Pausanias 4.19.4 Lyctus is listed as one of the notable cities located in the interior of Crete. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.20 ¶2
Stories and history
After Lyctus was razed, its territory was partitioned among Lyctians and Cnossians. Strabo 10.4.14 The city gained superiority over Cnossus after Cnossus lost its previous ascendency. Strabo 10.4.7 The territory of Lyttus was divided between Lyctians and Cnossians after the city's destruction. Strabo 10.4.14