LYRNESSUS (city in Mysia and Aeolis)
Ancient city of Troas in modern-day Turkey
- Also called
- Lyrnessis
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Mysia and Aeolis
- People of myth here
- Briseis, Eurypylus, Eurypylus
- Where
- 39.51° N, 27.08° E
The poet refers to the location as the city of the divine Mynes, who is implied to have governed the city when it was attacked. Strabo 13.1.7 part 1 Achilles captured the girl Briseis from the city. Iliad 19 ¶7 Lyrnessus is described as a strong place that is currently deserted. Strabo 13.1.61
Described in the sources
A location in Pamphylia shares the name Lyrnessus with a place in the Troad. Strabo 14.4.1 +1 The city was located near Ida, where Aeneas fled after being chased by Achilles from the slopes of Ida. Iliad 20 ¶10 +1 The city belonged to the people known as the Leleges. Strabo 13.1.7 part 1 Homer identifies Lyrnessus as the city belonging to Mynes. Strabo 13.1.61 The region is referred to as the Lyrnessian part of Cilicia. Strabo 13.1.7 part 2 Lyrnessus is shown to be located between Phaselis and Attaleia. Strabo 14.4.1 Lyrnessus was located in the region opposite the island of Lesbos. Strabo 13.1.7 part 1 Lyrnessus was located in the area later known as the plain of Thebe. Strabo 13.1.61 Aeolus owned a single stately house located at Lyrnessus on Mount Ida. Aeneid 12.529 The plain containing Lyrnessus was fertile and contested by various groups. Strabo 13.1.61
Stories and history
Achilles killed Mynes and Epistrophus, sons of king Evenor, during the sack. Iliad 2 ¶54 +2 Achilles sacked and destroyed the city during his military campaign against Troy. Strabo 13.1.7 part 1 +1 Achilles attacked the city during an earlier raid on local cattle that put him in great danger. Iliad 2 ¶54 +1 Achilles plundered Lyrnessus and destroyed its walls. Strabo 13.1.61 Achilles took the lyre for himself when he sacked this city. Diodorus 5.49 The lyre given by Hermes was transferred to this city by Corybas. Diodorus 5.49 Lyrnessus was captured by the subject along with Hypoplacian Thebes. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.33 The walls of the city were breached by an irresistible military attack. Ovid, Heroides 3.45 Achilles captured the women of this city into captivity during the sack. Iliad 20 ¶17 Achilles attacked and sacked this city with the assistance of Minerva and Jove. Iliad 20 ¶17
Myths set at Lyrnessus
- The Sack of Lyrnessus and Capture of Briseis. Achilles sacks the city of Lyrnessus, killing Briseis's husband and brothers. He captures Briseis, who witnessed the fall of her city's walls. Iliad 19 ¶22 +5 Briseis
- The Divine Intervention in the Battle of Lyrnessus. Zeus, who loves the Dardanian lineage but hates Priam's bloodline, intervenes in the Trojan War by granting Achilles the strength to sack Lyrnessus. The outcome is a triumph for Achilles, though Lycaon believes Zeus hates him for delivering him to Achilles a second time. Iliad 20 ¶10 +4 Zeus
- The Sack of Lyrnessus. hook: Achilles chases Aeneas from the heights of Ida. goal: Aeneas escapes to save his people. outcome: Achilles captures and destroys Lyrnessus. Strabo 13.1.53 Aeneas
- The Sack of Lyrnessus and Pedasus. hook: "Peleus's son is urged by Minerva to attack the Lelegae and Trojans." goal: "He sets out to sack the cities of Lyrnessus and Pedasus and attack the Trojans' cattle." outcome: "He successfully sacks the cities and attacks the cattle while protected by Minerva."} Iliad 20 ¶10 Peleus