MOUNT ATHOS (mountain in Chalcidice)
Mountain in northeastern Greece
- Kind of place
- Mountain
- Region
- Chalcidice
- Where
- 40.16° N, 24.33° E
Mount Athos has a very pointed, pap-shaped form. Strabo 7.fragments.33 The summit of Athos is described as being sacred to Zeus. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 281-319 Athos is situated near the foaming billows of the sea. Strabo 1.2.20 part 1
Described in the sources
Athos is a mountain located in Thrace, situated to the west of the island of Lemnos. Argonautica 1 ¶71 +2 The city Acrothoi is situated near the summit of Athos. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.17 ¶3 +1 Its highest peak casts a shadow over the island of Lemnos. Argonautica 1 ¶71 +1 Athos is positioned between the promontories of Derris and Acrathos. Strabo 7.fragments.31 +1 The isthmus of Athos stretches from the sea near Acanthus to the sea opposite Torone. Herodotus 7.22.2 +1 Mount Athos is of very great height, so high that sunrise occurs there much earlier than on the coast. Strabo 7.fragments.33 +1 The promontory of Athos forms the boundary of the Singitic Gulf, which lies between the promontories of Athos and Derris. Strabo 7.fragments.31 +1 Carabi are found off Mount Athos. Athenaeus 3.65 Several towns are located on the mountain. Herodotus 7.23.1 Five cities are located within the region of Athos. Strabo 7.fragments.33
Stories and history
A canal was dug through the area to avoid sailing around the mountain. Herodotus 7.22.1 +2 The mountain was consumed by fire during the global conflagration. Georgics 1.311 +1 The mountain is associated with a herd of centaurs. Seneca, Hercules Oetaeus act 3 ¶15 Alexarchus built the city of Uranopolis in this area. Strabo 7.fragments.35 Local inhabitants were compelled to help dig the canal. Herodotus 7.22.1 Foreigners dug a channel into the ground of the mountain. Herodotus 7.23.1 Some men were smashed against the rocks near Athos and died. Herodotus 6.44.3 A strong north wind drove many ships onto the coast of Athos. Herodotus 6.44.2 A beacon fire was lit on the summit of Athos as part of a relay. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 281-319 It is predicted to be heaped upon Pindus and thrust into the stars. Seneca, Hercules Oetaeus act 4 ¶1