PELION (mountain in Magnesia)
Mountain at the southeastern part of Thessaly in central Greece
- Kind of place
- Mountain
- Region
- Magnesia
- People of myth here
- Centaur, Chiron, Pirithous
- Where
- 39.43° N, 23.05° E
Pelion is a lofty, wooded mountain located in Thessaly. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis 1036-1057 The mountain was previously inhabited by a savage tribe of Centaurs. Strabo 9.5.19 The ship Argo was constructed at the base of this mountain. Diodorus 4.41
Described in the sources
The giants attempted to stack Pelion atop Mount Ossa to reach the heavens, and Homer describes Pelion as being placed on the towering head of Ossa. Odyssey 11 ¶25 +4 The mountain-bred Centaurs lived in steadings on this mountain, which is referred to as the hill of the Centaurs. Euripides, Heracles 364-374 +4 The gods assembled on this mountain to celebrate the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, and the Muses descended from its slopes to attend the divine feast. Apollodorus 3.13.5 +4 The sacred foot of this mountain is where Chiron's home is located. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis 677-715 +2 The Magnetes people occupied the areas surrounding Mount Pelion, with their territory extending from the Peneius and Ossa to this mountain. Iliad 2 ¶62 +2 Pelion is one of the only two mountains in the interior of Thessaly, and its lower parts join with the mountain Ossa near the glens at the foot of Ossa. Euripides, Electra 442-451 +2 Pelion forms part of the mountain ring enclosing the ancient Thessalian lake, and the lake Boebeis approaches close to its extremities and those of Magnesia. Herodotus 7.129.1 +2 The city of Demetrias commanded the mountain of Pelion and Ossa. Strabo 9.4.15 +1 The mountain serves as the lofty dwelling place for the son of Phillyra. Ovid Met. 7.350-401 +1 A violent storm struck the fleet of Xerxes while it was off this mountain. Herodotus 8.8.1 +1
Stories and history
The Titans attempted to pile Mount Ossa on top of Pelion to form a ladder to heaven. Georgics 1.276 +2 The Aloads stacked Ossa on Olympus and Pelion on Ossa to reach the heavens. Apollodorus 1.7.4 +1 The mountain's top ridges provided the ash wood used to make the ashen spear used by Peleus and Achilles. Iliad 19 ¶29 +1 The mountain Pelion bears various herbs. Ovid Met. 7.159-349 (3) An active person could go around Pelion in a single day. Strabo 4.6.12 Dicæarchus considered Pelion to be the highest mountain. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.65 ¶2 An active person could almost ascend Pelion in a single day. Strabo 4.6.12 Peirithous expelled the Centaurs from the mountain by force. Strabo 9.5.19 Pine trees were cut down in its glens to make oars for the Argo. Euripides, Medea 1-48 The mountain possessed thick, dark shade from its sacred groves. Seneca, Medea act 3 ¶11
Myths set at Pelion
- The Battle of the Lapiths and Centaurs. Peirithous expelled the Centaurs from Pelion and later invited them to his wedding, where they assaulted the guests. The Lapiths and their allies fought back, killing many Centaurs and punishing the aggressors. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.21 +5 Pirithous
- The Marriage of Thetis and Peleus. Zeus and Poseidon both desired Thetis, but a prophecy that her son would surpass his father forced them to withdraw, leading Zeus to betroth her to the mortal Peleus. Despite her shape-shifting resistance, Peleus seized her, and the gods celebrated their marriage on Mount Pelion. Apollodorus 3.13.5 +5 Thetis
- The Abduction of Cyrene. hook: Apollo abducts the nymph Cyrene from her sheep-tending duties in Haemonia. goal: Apollo transports Cyrene to Libya to make her his bride. outcome: Apollo founds a city in Libya and names it after Cyrene. Argonautica 2 ¶36 +4 Cyrene
- The Death of Peleus. Peleus is expelled from Phthia by the sons of Acastus and later dies while searching for a knife on Mount Pelion. He dies after being driven from his territory, having previously expressed grief over his grandson's death. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.13 +4 Peleus
- The Rescue of Jason. Chiron raised the young Iason in the woods of Pelion and enabled him to marry a Nereid. He then rescued Iason from his father's ambush, saving him from fire and biting teeth, and helped him receive gifts and a future kingdom. Pindar, Nemean 3 ¶10 +2 Chiron
- The Banishment by Acastus. Acastus banishes Peleus after his wife falsely accuses him of assault, leading to a hunting trip where Acastus hides Peleus's sword. Peleus survives the hunt by proving his skill and is saved by Chiron, who restores his weapon. Apollodorus 3.13.3 +1 Peleus