PHERAE (city in Pelasgiotis)
Ancient city of Thessaly
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Pelasgiotis
- People of myth here
- Admetus, Admetus, Son of Augeias, Eumelus, Iphthime, Pheres
- Where
- 39.38° N, 22.75° E
Pherae was a Thessalian city described as rich in sheep. Argonautica 1 ¶8 Apollo served as a herdsman for Admetus in this city. Apollodorus 3.10.4 Pheres, son of Cretheus, established the city of Pherae in Thessaly. Apollodorus 1.9.14
Described in the sources
Pherae is located near the city of Parisa and Lake Boebeis, which extends toward Pelion and Magnesia. Iliad 2 ¶56 +2 Diocles, son of Ortilochus, resided in Pherae. Odyssey 15 ¶16 +1 The wooden image of Artemis Pheraea was reportedly brought from Pherae to Argos. Pausanias 2.10.7 +1 Admetus, son of Pheres, reigned over Pherae and came from there to join the boar hunt. Apollodorus 1.8.2 +1 The land of Pherae is urged to wail for the death of a woman, with its citizens present to witness the funeral preparations. Euripides, Alcestis 226-237 +1 Pherae is situated in the Pelasgic plain. Strabo 9.5.22 The Delian god tended flocks in this location. Seneca, Hercules Furens act 2 ¶11 The city was governed by Eumelus, son of Admetus. Iliad 2 ¶56 Pherae sent a colony of one in ten people to a new settlement. Parthenius, Love Romances ¶5 Artemis is addressed with the title Lady of Pherae in this prayer. Callimachus, Hymn 3 ¶12
Gods and worship
The goddess associated with Pherae is appeased through the offering of sacrifices. Lycophron, Alexandra ¶51
Stories and history
Telemachus and Pisistratus spent the night at Pherae. Odyssey 3 ¶37 Residents of Pherae contributed eleven ships to the military force. Iliad 2 ¶56 Pherae was elevated to prosperity but ultimately destroyed by tyrants. Strabo 9.5.15 Travelers stayed overnight at Pherae and received hospitality from its inhabitants. Odyssey 15 ¶16 Alexander the tyrant of Pherae seized the city of Scotussa during a truce, massacred the adult men, and sold the women and children into slavery. Pausanias 6.5.2
Myths set at Pherae
- The Chariot Race for the Prize of Achilles. Eumelus, a king of Pherae, enters a chariot race for Achilles' funeral games with divine mares. He initially leads but is thrown from his chariot when Minerva breaks his yoke, resulting in injury and defeat. Apollodorus, Epitome 5.5 +5 Eumelus
- The Mourning of Admetus. Admetus, king of Pherae, is consumed by grief after his wife Alcestis dies, refusing to enter his home or remarry. He declares a general mourning across his realm and vows to live in perpetual sorrow until he can join her in death. Euripides, Alcestis 1037-1071 +5 Admetus
- The Service of Apollo to Admetus. Zeus orders Apollo to serve a mortal for a year, leading him to work for Admetus at Pherae. Apollo helps Admetus court Alcestis and secures a favor from the Fates to escape death. Apollodorus 1.9.15 +2 Apollo