PHENEOS (city in Azania)
Polis of ancient Arcadia
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Azania
- Patron
- Hermes
- Landmarks
- Temple of Hermes Pausanias 8.14.10; Grave of Myrtilus Pausanias 8.14.11; Stone image of Hermes Pausanias 8.14.10
- People of myth here
- Heracles
- Where
- 37.92° N, 22.30° E
The inhabitants of Pheneus hold Hermes in the highest regard among the gods. Pausanias 8.14.10 Residents of Pheneus celebrate athletic games named Hermaea in honor of Hermes. Pausanias 8.14.10 The ancient city of Pheneus was flooded by rising water. Pausanias 8.14.1
Described in the sources
Pheneus borders Pellene along the Porinas river and lies fifteen stades from the temple of Pythian Apollo. Pausanias 8.15.5 +2 Pheneus is located in the region of Arcadia. Iliad 2 ¶45 +1 A western road from Pheneus leads to the nearby settlement of Cleitor. Pausanias 8.17.6 +1 Odysseus discovered his lost mares within the territory of Pheneus and reportedly intended to keep them there. Pausanias 8.14.5 +1 The plain of Pheneus is situated below the location of Caryae, which is at the end of the ravine leading to Pheneus. Pausanias 8.13.6 +1 The city of Nonacris, where the Styx spring rises, is located near Pheneus, and the water near Pheneus is called the Styx. Herodotus 6.74.2 +1 Heracles established his residence in this city after being forced into exile from Tiryns, serving as his headquarters during his time in Arcadia. Diodorus 4.33 +1 A hill within the city holds the tomb of Iphicles. Pausanias 8.14.9 A temple of Athena Tritonia is situated on the acropolis. Pausanias 8.14.4 The city possesses a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Demeter. Pausanias 8.15.1
Gods and worship
The springs at Tricrena are considered sacred to Hermes. Pausanias 8.16.1 The poisonous spring near Pheneus was considered sacred by the locals. Strabo 8.8.4 Inhabitants of the city continue to offer sacrifices to Apollo and Artemis. Pausanias 8.15.5 Residents perform rituals claiming they match the ceremonies held at Eleusis. Pausanias 8.15.1 Residents of Pheneus perform annual nighttime sacrifices to Myrtilus as a hero. Pausanias 8.14.11
Stories and history
The Pheneatians offered a statue of Hermes carrying a ram. Pausanias 5.27.8 The water near Pheneus is described as a mischief to humans. Pausanias 8.19.3 The people of Pheneus showed Pausanias writing on an image base. Pausanias 8.14.6 The Arcadians from Pheneus dedicated a statue of Hermes to the god. Pausanias 5.27.8 Heracles cut a fifty-stade long channel through the plain of Pheneus. Pausanias 8.14.3 Marks on nearby mountains indicate the height the floodwater reached. Pausanias 8.14.1 Odysseus dedicated a bronze statue of Poseidon at the site in Pheneus. Pausanias 8.14.5 The inhabitants of Pheneus were not accustomed to maritime activities. Iliad 2 ¶45 Some Arcadians refer to the river Olbius in Pheneus as Aroanius instead. Pausanias 8.14.3 The inhabitants of Pheneus buried the body of Myrtilus after it was found. Pausanias 8.14.11
Myths set at Pheneos
- The Departure from Arcadia. Heracles, forced into exile from Tiryns by Eurystheus, established a five-year headquarters in Pheneus, Arcadia. He eventually voluntarily left the region, with many Arcadians following him to settle in Calydon. Diodorus 4.33 +2 Heracles
- The Recovery of the Mares. Odysseus lost his mares and set out to search for them across Greece. He eventually found them in the land of Pheneus and founded a sanctuary to Artemis, naming her Horse-finder. Pausanias 8.14.5 +1 Odysseus
- The Battle of the Eleans. Iphicles is wounded in battle against the Eleans and carried to Pheneus. He dies there and is buried by Promne. Pausanias 8.14.9 Iphicles