TMOLUS (mountain in Lydia)
Mountain
- Kind of place
- Mountain
- Region
- Lydia
- Where
- 38.36° N, 27.74° E
The river Pactolus rises in Mount Tmolus and carries gold dust from the mountain. Herodotus 5.101.2 The mountain is situated above the city of Sardes. Strabo 13.4.5 It is described as a fertile mountain. Strabo 13.4.5
Described in the sources
The city of Sardis is situated on the side of Mount Tmolus facing the mountain, which surrounds and bounds the city. Athenaeus 13.31 +4 Mount Tmolus is located in Lydia, where it serves as a boundary or bulwark of the region. Euripides, Bacchae 43-63 +3 The Meonians lived beneath the slopes of Mount Tmolus. Iliad 2 ¶82 +2 It features a steep and lofty ascent. Ovid Met. 11.146-193 The stranger claims to be from Tmolus. Euripides, Bacchae 434-475 Tmolus is located in the land of Asia. Euripides, Bacchae 64-72 Tmolus is described as a flowery mountain. Euripides, Bacchae 434-475 Its descent extends on both sides of the peak. Ovid Met. 11.146-193 The mountain was formerly known by the name Timolus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.30 ¶1 The Maenads left Tmolus to join the speaker in Thebes. Euripides, Bacchae 43-63
Gods and worship
Tmolus is described as a sacred place. Euripides, Bacchae 64-72
Stories and history
The river Pactolus flows out from Tmolus and formerly carried down a large quantity of gold-dust. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.30 ¶1 +1 Tmolus is described as flowing with gold. Euripides, Bacchae 135-169 The sources of the river Tarnus flow from this mountain. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.30 ¶1 A white marble seat built by Persians sits on its summit. Strabo 13.4.5 Tmolus caught fire during the global conflagration caused by Phaethon's chariot. Ovid Met. 2.1-303 (10) The wine from Tmolus is considered suitable for both pleasure and medical purposes. Strabo 14.1.15 The mountain contained gold-mines that were nearly exhausted at the time of writing. Strabo 13.1.23 People living on the peak of Mount Tmolus are said to live one hundred and fifty years. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 7.49 ¶4 The wine from this mountain is valued for its unique sweetness rather than its standalone quality. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 14.9 ¶1 Wine from this mountain is mixed with other wines to soften their harsh flavors and make them appear older than they actually are. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 14.9 ¶1