TRACHIS (region in Eastern Locris)
Region and city-state in ancient Greece
- Kind of place
- Region
- Region
- Eastern Locris
- People of myth here
- Ceyx, Hyllus, Heracles
- Where
- 38.79° N, 22.43° E
The Trachinian land is surrounded by mountains. Herodotus 7.199.1 Hercules resided in this region as a refugee in the home of Ceyx. Apollodorus 2.7.6 Deianira hanged herself in Trachis after learning of Hercules' plight. Apollodorus 2.7.7
Described in the sources
Ceyx was the king of Trachis and received Hercules there. Apollodorus 2.7.7 +3 A steep and precipitous path across Mount Oeta runs above the Trachinian territory. Apollodorus 2.7.7 +1 Deianeira died in the vicinity of this region. Pausanias 2.23.5 The ruins of Trachis are located just past Heracleia. Pausanias 10.22.1 Trachis was a city located within the region of Phocis. Pausanias 10.3.2 Xerxes established his camp in this region within Malis. Herodotus 7.201.1 The area north of this location was under Xerxes' control. Herodotus 7.201.1 The fleet crossed over from this region to reach Histiaea. Herodotus 8.66.1 The region of Trachis is located at the foot of Mount Œta. Athenaeus 11.5 The town is located five furlongs from a specific Black river. Herodotus 7.199.1
Stories and history
Eurystheus ordered the king of Trachis to banish the Heracleidae, causing the sons of Hercules to leave the area to escape a threatened war. Apollodorus 2.8.1 +1 Melians from Trachis joined Hercules in his campaign. Apollodorus 2.7.7 Hercules mustered an army at Trachis to attack Oechalia. Apollodorus 2.7.7 Hercules conquered the Dryopes after arriving at Trachis. Apollodorus 2.7.7 Hercules laid waste to the territory of the Cylicranes in Trachis. Athenaeus 11.5 The greater part of Heraclaea of Trachis was destroyed during an earthquake. Strabo 1.3.20 The Heracleidae voluntarily departed from this region to seek asylum elsewhere. Diodorus 4.57 The men of Trachis informed the Greeks about the pass that led to their defeat. Herodotus 7.175.2 Xerxes' army razed Trachis to the ground and scattered its people into villages. Pausanias 10.3.2 The king of this area claimed he lacked the strength to aid the refugees himself. Pausanias 1.32.6
Myths set at Trachis
- The Delivery of the Poisoned Shirt. hook: "Hercules sends his servant Lichas to Trachis to retrieve fine clothing for a sacrifice.", "goal: "Lichas must deliver the garments and specific instructions to Heracles.", "outcome: "Lichas delivers the shirt, which is unknowingly anointed with a toxic charm, completing his task."} Apollodorus 2.7.7 +5 Lichas
- The Rescue of Heracles. hook: Theseus travels to Trachis to find Heracles, who is resting and suffering from misfortune. goal: Theseus aims to comfort Heracles and guide him safely to Athens. outcome: Theseus helps Heracles stand and leads him from Thebes to Athens. Euripides, Heracles 1016ff part 3 +5 Theseus
- The Exile to Trachis. After accidentally killing a boy, Heracles accepts exile to Trachis to obey the law. He settles there with his companions and fathers several children with local women. Apollodorus 2.7.6 +3 Heracles