MOUNT PARNASSUS (mountain in Phocis)
Mountain in Phthiotis Regional Unit, Greece
- Kind of place
- Mountain
- Region
- Phocis
- Landmarks
- Dryopes sanctuaries Pausanias 4.34.11
- People of myth here
- Autolycus, Epeius, Themis
- Where
- 38.53° N, 22.62° E
Parnassus is described as a lofty mountain covered with snow. Pausanias 10.8.9 Apollo decided to build his lovely temple at Parnassus. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 277-286 The spring of Castalia is located on the mountain. Pausanias 10.8.9
Described in the sources
Parnassus peaks are rocky, rear toward the heavens, and are inaccessible to humans. Euripides, Ion 1261-1281 +3 The god Loxias dwells beneath the snow-covered peaks of Parnassus and is described as the tenant of the mighty cavern shrine located there. Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 953-960 +3 Mount Parnassus is located on the western borders of the region of Phocis, which was part of the district of Phocis during the era of Phocus and is still known as Phocis. Pausanias 2.29.3 +3 Ulysses was hunting on this mountain when he received a scar from a boar's tooth. Odyssey 19 ¶25 +2 Autolycus resided on Mount Parnassus, where his possessions were located, according to Crates. Odyssey 19 ¶26 +2 Deucalion and his wife landed on the mountain after drifting in a chest for nine days and nights, where the summit provided safety for people escaping the flood. Apollodorus 1.7.2 +2 The city of Delphi is situated on the southern side of the mountain. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.4 ¶1 +1 Parnassus is a lofty mountain with two peaks that rises above the clouds. Ovid Met. 1.313-366 +1 Parnassus is a snowy mountain ridge located above the settlement of Crisa. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 254-276 +1 Parnassus is located between the Locri Hesperii and the Locri Opuntii and Epicnemidii. Strabo 9.3.1 +1
Gods and worship
The deity Phoibos expresses affection for the mountain. Pindar, Pythian 1 ¶8 Parnassus rivals Helicon in terms of height and circumference. Strabo 9.2.25 Parnassus is linked to the divine power that drives Cassandra to prophesy. Seneca, Agamemnon act 3 ¶13 Orgies honoring Dionysus are celebrated on this mountain by visiting women. Pausanias 10.4.3 Deucalion and his wife worshipped the Corycian Nymphs and mountain deities there. Ovid Met. 1.313-366 The Muses were traveling to the temple of Parnassus when Pyreneus intercepted them. Ovid Met. 5.243-340 (3)
Stories and history
Rocks and crags broke off from the mountain and struck the Gauls and barbarians during battle. Herodotus 8.37.3 +3 Ulysses hunted a wild boar on this mountain alongside his grandfather Autolycus. Odyssey 19 ¶25 +1 Heracles captured the city situated on this mountain. Pausanias 4.34.10 An active person could go around Parnassus in a single day. Strabo 4.6.12 The serpent wraps its nine coils around the snowy mountain. Callimachus, Hymn 4 ¶3 Ulysses was wounded by a boar while hunting on the mountain. Odyssey 19 ¶28 Phocians emerged from this mountain to raid Mardonius's army. Herodotus 9.31.5 Wolves guided the flood survivors to the top of the mountain. Pausanias 10.6.2 An active person could almost ascend Parnassus in a single day. Strabo 4.6.12 The Delphians burned a tent to commemorate the death of Python. Strabo 9.3.12