SPERCHEIOS (river in Phthiotis)
River in central Greece
- Kind of place
- River
- Region
- Phthiotis
- Where
- 38.86° N, 22.58° E
Achilles cut his hair to fulfill a vow made to the river by his father. Iliad 23 ¶13 The river has springs, a grove, and an altar near where offerings were made. Iliad 23 ¶13 The river flows into the sea near Thermopylae, between Trachin and Lamia, just outside the location known as the Pylae. Strabo 9.4.17
Described in the sources
The river spreads over a plain to form a marsh and lake in certain sections. Pausanias 10.20.7 +1 The river flows past the location of Anticyra. Strabo 9.4.14 The river is located near the Trachinian heights and Oeta. Sophocles, Philoctetes 468-506 The river Sperchius has a mouth located at the town of Echinus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.14 ¶1 The river Spercheius is described as streaming down from heaven. Iliad 16 ¶10 The Dryopes were originally located in areas close to this river. Strabo 8.6.13 The river originates in the Dryopian mountain known as Typhrestus. Strabo 9.5.9 The river Spercheius is characterized as an ever-flowing body of water. Iliad 16 ¶10 The barbarians reached the river Spercheius while being pursued by Aetolians. Pausanias 10.23.13 The river is located approximately thirty stadia away from the city of Lamia. Strabo 9.5.9
Gods and worship
Achilles' father Peleus vowed to sacrifice fifty she-goats at the river's springs. Iliad 23 ¶13
Stories and history
Achilles dedicated his hair to this river. Iliad 23 ¶13 +1 Residents near the Malian gulf built bridges across the river. Pausanias 10.20.8 Brennus ordered people around the Malian gulf to build bridges across it. Pausanias 10.20.8 Greek forces destroyed the bridges spanning the river upon their arrival. Pausanias 10.20.6 Greek troops set up camp along the riverbank after destroying the bridges. Pausanias 10.20.6 Greeks living near the river retreated to their main army after a crossing. Pausanias 10.20.8 The river failed to fulfill the prayer that Achilles would return home safely. Iliad 23 ¶13 Troops were dispatched to the river to cross where the Greeks would not notice. Pausanias 10.20.7 Brennus sent ten thousand Gauls to cross the river at a specific lower location. Pausanias 10.20.7 Thessalians and Malians ambushed the retreating barbarians near the river Spercheius. Pausanias 10.23.13