SYMPLEGADES (strait in Byzantium and the Propontis)
Mythical rocks in the Bosphorus strait
- Kind of place
- Strait
- Region
- Byzantium and the Propontis
- Where
- 41.23° N, 29.11° E
The Clashing Rocks were huge cliffs that closed the sea passage by dashing together. Apollodorus 1.9.22 The clashing rocks fling the sea between them up to heaven. Seneca, Hercules Furens act 5 ¶4 The Symplegades are huge, unfixed rocks that clash together with rhythmic change, threatening death to those nearby with their jaws. Seneca, Hercules Furens act 5 ¶4
Described in the sources
The Symplegades are located in the Strait of Constantinople, a strait beyond the sea. Euripides, Andromache 789-801 +4 The rocks are also known by the name Cyaneae. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.27 ¶2 +3 They are described as dangerous rocks. Strabo 3.2.12 The rocks are described as having a blue color. Seneca, Medea act 3 ¶4 Some people call these rocks the Jostling Rocks. Strabo 1.2.10 They are situated fourteen miles from the mouth of the Strait. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.27 ¶2 The Symplegades are described as a passage through blue waters. Euripides, Medea 1261-1272 The Argo sailed through the misty blue Symplegades on its journey to Colchis. Euripides, Medea 1-48 The Cyanean Rocks were the first location to be breached during a great ancient flood. Diodorus 5.47 The islands are separated by such a short interval that they appear to unite into one. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.27 ¶2
Gods and worship
The Symplegades could crush people into a single mass. Ovid, Heroides 12.114 Winds forced the rocks to crash together, creating a loud noise and thick mist. Apollodorus 1.9.22
Stories and history
Jason is said to have navigated the ship Argo through the middle of the Symplegades. Euripides, Andromache 789-801 +3 Fabulous stories claim the islands ran into one another. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.27 ¶2 They make the passage through the strait very difficult. Strabo 1.2.10 The Argonauts passed through the narrows with the help of Hera. Apollodorus 1.9.22 Strangers are said to justly hate the passage through the Symplegades. Euripides, Medea 1261-1272 Their existence helped make the mythical Wandering Rocks seem credible. Strabo 1.2.10 It was impossible for even birds to pass safely between the moving rocks. Apollodorus 1.9.22 The ship's ornamented poop was shorn away as it passed between the rocks. Apollodorus 1.9.22 The rocks came to rest completely after a ship successfully made the passage. Apollodorus 1.9.22 A dove released by the Argonauts had the tip of its tail nipped off by the rocks. Apollodorus 1.9.22