SAMOTHRACE (island)
Island in the north Aegean
- Kind of place
- Island
- Where
- 40.45° N, 25.59° E
The name Samothrace translates to 'sacred island,' though some say it was formerly called Samos. Diodorus 3.55 Sailors in storms pray to the deities of Samothrace for rescue. Callimachus, Epigrams ¶8 The Cabiri were worshipped on the island of Samothrace. Strabo 7.fragments.51
Described in the sources
Some ancient sources claim the island was originally named Samos, a name it was known by during the time of the Trojan War. Diodorus 5.47 +2 The island is located near the neighboring islands of Imbros and Lemnos. Strabo 10.2.17 +1 According to Pherecydes, nine Corybantes lived on the island of Samothrace. Strabo 10.3.19 +1 The island's location allowed a view of Ida, Priam's city, and Achaean ships. Iliad 13 ¶3 +1 Dardanus departed from the island in a ship with many benches after his brother Iasion was killed by Zeus. Apollodorus 3.12.1 +1 The island faces the river Hebrus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶4 The island is located near Thrace. Pausanias 7.4.3 Samothrace is described as a free state. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶4 It is twenty-two miles distant from Lemnos. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶4 Its circumference measures thirty-two miles. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶4
Gods and worship
Orpheus offered prayers to the Samothrace deities to save the ship. Diodorus 4.43 The Argonauts arrived at Samothrace and paid their vows to the great gods. Diodorus 4.49 Glaucus advised the Argonauts to pay vows to the gods who had saved them twice. Diodorus 4.48 Stesimbrotus claimed sacred rites there were performed in honor of the Cabeiri. Strabo 10.3.20 Myrina made Samothrace sacred to the Mother of the Gods following a dream vision. Diodorus 3.55 The Mother of the Gods established mysteries on Samothrace that are now celebrated. Diodorus 3.55
Stories and history
The island's name was changed to Samothrace due to Samian settlers, who invented a story claiming colonists named the island after their home. Pausanias 7.4.3 +1 The island is noted as a source of onions. Athenaeus 1.50 The stone from the island is black and weighs very little. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 37.67 ¶1 A great flood burst through the Cyanean Rocks and Hellespont. Diodorus 5.47 Survivors prayed to native gods and were spared from the flood. Diodorus 5.47 It is considered the most inaccessible of the islands mentioned. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶4 Dardanus instructed the Trojans in the local religious mysteries. Strabo 7.fragments.50 Inhabitants fled to higher regions during the rising flood waters. Diodorus 5.47 The flood waters submerged a large part of the island's level land. Diodorus 5.47 Altars were dedicated on the boundary stones for ongoing sacrifices. Diodorus 5.47
Myths set at Samothrace
- The Flight from Samothrace. Dardanus leaves Samothrace after his brother is struck by lightning. He travels across the sea to arrive in Teucria. Aeneid 7.192 +4 Dardanus