PHOCIS (region in Ozolian Locris)
Historical region of Greece
- Kind of place
- Region
- Region
- Ozolian Locris
- Where
- 38.53° N, 22.38° E
Delphi is described as the citadel of the region of Phocis. Euripides, Orestes 1069-1104 The prophetic Themis gave oracular responses in Phocis. Ovid Met. 1.313-366 The mountain Acontium extends into the region of Phocis. Strabo 9.2.42
Described in the sources
Lilaea, Hyampolis, Anticyra, Parapotamii, Panopeus, and Daulis were cities in Phocis. Pausanias 10.3.1 +3 The town of Anticyra is located within the region of Phocis, situated on the Maliac Gulf near Aeta, where the region touches the sea. Pausanias 10.1.2 +3 The branching road of Phocis, also known as the Cleft Road, is where Oedipus met and killed his father, Laius, while traveling in a chariot. Apollodorus 3.5.7 +3 The mountain Parnassus rises within the region of Phocis and forms its western boundary. Ovid Met. 1.313-366 +2 The city of Daphnus, where a torrent of water flowed into the plains, was formerly part of Phocis but now belongs to the Locri. Strabo 1.3.20 +2 Strophius is identified as being from this region. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 855-886 +1 Phocis is located to the north of Boeotia and Orchomenus. Strabo 8.2.3 +1 The city of Elatea is located within the region of Phocis. Pausanias 1.20.6 +1 The region of Phocis once extended from the sea to the sea. Strabo 9.3.1 +1 The town of Tithorea is located within the region of Phocis. Pausanias 2.4.3 +1
Gods and worship
Daily sacrifices of meats and cakes are placed on a table beside the scepter kept within the region. Pausanias 9.40.12
Stories and history
The area was polluted by the blood of Oedipus's murdered father. Pausanias 10.5.3 +1 The tyrants of Phocis stole the necklace of Eriphyle from Delphi. Athenaeus 6.19 +1 The Thessalians considered the people of Phocis to be their enemies and fought against them in a war before the Persian invasion. Herodotus 8.29.1 +1 Phocis fought a war against Thessaly. Pausanias 5.24.1 The Phocians took the city of Delphi. Athenaeus 6.19 The Locrians devastated the region of Phocis. Pausanias 3.9.10 The Phocians suffered harm at the hands of the Thebans. Pausanias 3.9.10 The local army was taken by Lysander to invade Boeotia. Pausanias 3.5.3 The people of Phocis marched forth their hosts in arms. Statius, Thebaid 7.228-254 ¶1 Mars stirred up the lands of Phocis to join the conflict. Statius, Thebaid 7.228-254 ¶1
Myths set at Phocis
- The Slaying of Laius. Oedipus kills a man and his retinue at a crossroads in Phocis during a road dispute. He later investigates the death of King Laius, fearing he is the killer because the details match his memory. Aeschylus, Seven Against Thebes 750-757 +5 Oedipus
- The Flight to Phocis. hook: Electra secretly removes Orestes from his home to ensure his safety. goal: To raise Orestes safely in Phocis. outcome: Orestes is raised by Strophius alongside Pylades. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.24 +1 Orestes