STIRIS (town in Phocis)
Ancient Phocian town
- Kind of place
- Town
- Region
- Phocis
- Patron
- Demeter
- Landmarks
- Sanctuary of Demeter Stiria Pausanias 10.35.10; Drinking water source Pausanias 10.35.9
- People of myth here
- Peteus
- Where
- 38.39° N, 22.76° E
The town is situated on a high and rocky location. Pausanias 10.35.9 The town contains a sanctuary dedicated to Demeter with the epithet Stiria. Pausanias 10.35.10 The marble image of the goddess is depicted holding torches. Pausanias 10.35.10
Described in the sources
Stiris was a Phocian city located in the region of Phocis that was not famous in earlier times. Pausanias 10.3.2 +1 A rough, mountainous road connects Chaeroneia to Stiris. Pausanias 10.35.8 Mountains are situated on both sides of the road extending from Stiris. Pausanias 10.36.1 The inhabitants claim their ancestors were Athenian rather than Phocian. Pausanias 10.35.8 Stiris is located about six stades from Ambrossus, connected by a flat and level road. Pausanias 10.36.1
Stories and history
Residents experience a lack of water during the summer months. Pausanias 10.35.9 The city of Stiris was razed to the ground by the army of Xerxes. Pausanias 10.3.2 The local sanctuary of Demeter is constructed from unburnt brick. Pausanias 10.35.10 The statue of the goddess in the sanctuary is made of Pentelic marble. Pausanias 10.35.10 The road from Chaeroneia to Stiris measures one hundred and twenty stades. Pausanias 10.35.8 An ancient image of Demeter bound with ribbons stands beside the main statue. Pausanias 10.35.10 The inhabitants of Stiris were scattered into villages after the destruction. Pausanias 10.3.2 The city took its name from the parish of Stiria, the origin of most settlers. Pausanias 10.35.8 People travel four stades down to a spring located in a rock hole for their drinking water. Pausanias 10.35.9 Settlers arrived from Attica with Peteus, son of Orneus, after he was pursued from Athens by Aegeus. Pausanias 10.35.8