ONCHESTUS (sanctuary in Boeotia)
Ancient city in Boeotia
- Kind of place
- Sanctuary
- Region
- Boeotia
- People of myth here
- Hippomenes
- Where
- 38.36° N, 23.15° E
A precinct and temple of Poseidon, the Shaker of Earth and Holder of the Earth, are located at Onchestus. Apollodorus 2.4.11 Onchestus is a grassy plain and lovely grove situated in a region with vineyards. Hymn IV to Hermes ll. 182-189 The city is positioned on a height that lacks trees. Strabo 9.2.33
Described in the sources
Onchestus is a city located around Lake Copais, near the Teneric plain, and within the territory of Haliartus. Strabo 9.2.27 +2 Onchestus is situated under the mountain Phoenicium and is located very far from the mountain Helicon. Strabo 9.2.26 +1 Medeon of Boeotia is located near Onchestus. Strabo 9.2.26 Onchestus is located in the country of Boeotia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.12 ¶1 The Amphictyonic council typically met at this location. Strabo 9.2.33 The stream Melas, associated with Pallas, flows near the city. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1 The city is nourished by the river Mycalessos beneath its pines. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1 The young wheat fields of the city are watched jealously by Haliartos. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1 The river Gargaphie, whose waters are loved by Hecate, is located there. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1 The people of Onchestus are described as Neptunian folk who rush into battle with shouts. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1
Gods and worship
The broken chariot becomes the property of the god of the shrine. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 229-238
Stories and history
They wear empty lion jaws as their helmets. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1 Curing bark provides them with bucklers for defense. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1 The inhabitants use unfashioned tree trunks as their weapons. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1 Alcaeus incorrectly placed the city at the extremities of Helicon. Strabo 9.2.33 If horses break the chariot in the grove, the chariot is left there. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 229-238 Onchestus the Boeotian established the settlement, according to Hesiod. The Catalogues of Women and Eoiae fr. 28 New-broken colts regain their spirit while drawing chariots in the grove. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 229-238 Apollo arrived at Onchestus while traveling as Eros was rising from Ocean. Hymn IV to Hermes ll. 182-189 A charioteer named Perieres wounded Clymenus with a stone in this location. Apollodorus 2.4.11 Amphion leads the people of Onchestus, who lack a king of their own, while wearing a lyre and an ancestral bull on his helm. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1
Myths set at Onchestus
- The Battle of the Seven Against Thebes. hook: Idas, an Argonaut from Onchestus or Pisa, fights in the Battle of the Seven Against Thebes. goal: He forces his way through enemy ranks using a smoky brand. outcome: He is struck by lightning, tripped, and killed by Tydeus. Statius, Thebaid 7.582-610 ¶1 +3 Idas