MOUNT SIPYLUS (mountain in Lydia)
Mountain in Manisa, Turkey
- Also called
- Sipylus
- Kind of place
- Mountain
- Region
- Lydia
- Landmarks
- Lake Saloe Pausanias 7.24.13; Seat of Niobe Statius, Thebaid 6.103-129 ¶2
- People of myth here
- Niobe, Pelops, Tantalus
- Where
- 38.57° N, 27.45° E
Niobe was transformed into stone at the foot of Mount Sipylus. Apollodorus 3.5.6 Niobe is said to shed tears on this mountain during the summer season. Pausanias 8.2.7 Mist constantly floats around the high crests of the mountain, which shepherds hate. Quintus 1 ¶12 part 2
Described in the sources
The city of Magnesia is located at the foot of Mount Sipylus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.93 ¶1 +3 The rock formation on the mountain resembles a weeping woman when viewed from a distance. Pausanias 1.21.3 +2 The Magnesians reside to the north of this mountain. Pausanias 3.22.4 +1 A city located on this mountain vanished into a chasm. Pausanias 7.24.13 +1 Up close, the rock appears as a steep crag with no resemblance to a human figure. Pausanias 1.21.3 +1 The river Achelous is described as flowing from Mount Sipylus, and nymphs who haunt the river live on its pastures. Iliad 24 ¶43 +1 The river Crius originates from this mountain. Pausanias 7.27.12 The rock Coddinus is located on this mountain. Pausanias 3.22.4 Sipylus is located under the fourth circle or parallel. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.39 ¶5 Niobe fled to this mountain to visit her father Tantalus. Apollodorus 3.5.6
Gods and worship
Burning torches are thrown into a nearby pit to honor the Maid, daughter of Demeter. Pausanias 2.22.3
Stories and history
The mountain was swallowed up by the earth. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.93 ¶1 The mountain split open, causing water to well up from the fissure. Pausanias 7.24.13 Pausanias personally visited and saw the grave situated on this mountain. Pausanias 2.22.3 Sudden cold killed locusts on the mountain during the third recorded event. Pausanias 1.24.8 The stone on the mountain subdued the daughter of Tantalus like clinging ivy. Sophocles, Antigone 823-833 A gale swept away locusts on the mountain during one of the destruction events. Pausanias 1.24.8 Violent heat following rain destroyed locusts on the mountain during another event. Pausanias 1.24.8 Rains and snow do not leave the melting form of the daughter of Tantalus on the mountain. Sophocles, Antigone 823-833 The mountain was overturned during great earthquakes that occurred in the reign of Tantalus. Strabo 1.3.17 Earthquakes associated with the mountain caused the overthrow of the nearby city of Magnesia. Strabo 12.8.18
Myths set at Mount Sipylus
- The Feast of the Gods. Tantalus, a wealthy son of Zeus, gained the privilege of dining with the gods but was undone by his inability to keep their secrets. He hosted a feast at Sipylus, which in one version involved serving his son's flesh, leading to his downfall. Apollodorus 3.5.6 +5 Tantalus
- The Transformation of Niobe. Niobe, having driven people from the altars of Latona, leaves Thebes to visit her father Tantalus at Sipylus. She is transformed into a weeping rock on Mount Sipylus as a result of divine wrath. Apollodorus 3.5.6 +5 Niobe