VULCANO (island in Lipara)
Small volcanic island north of Sicily
- Kind of place
- Island
- Region
- Lipara
- Where
- 38.40° N, 14.97° E
The island is described as entirely rocky, desert, and volcanic, with visible craters and openings from significant eruptions. Diodorus 5.7 The island is considered sacred to the god Vulcan. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.14 ¶6 A hill on the island emits flames during the night. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.14 ¶6
Described in the sources
It is located between the island of Lipari and Sicily. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.14 ¶6 +1 Baths are situated by the sea on the island. Pausanias 10.11.4 Hiera is one of the seven islands known as the Aeolides. Diodorus 5.7 The larger crater rises about a stadium above sea level. Strabo 6.2.10 The island is located near Lipara, where people built a city. Pausanias 10.11.4 The island was part of a group that was uninhabited in ancient times. Diodorus 5.7 The island is currently designated as Hiera, meaning sacred to Vulcan. Strabo 6.2.10 Hiera is located in the sea between the islands of Lipari and Euonymus. Strabo 6.2.11 It is situated approximately one hundred and fifty stades away from Sicily. Diodorus 5.7 The remaining larger crater has a circumference of five stadia and a diameter of fifty feet. Strabo 6.2.10
Gods and worship
Winds are believed to stimulate the volcanic flames on the island. Strabo 6.2.10 Inhabitants can predict the wind by observing the exhalations from the craters. Strabo 6.2.10 Sacrifices were offered to infernal and marine divinities on the new island formed near Hiera. Strabo 6.2.11
Stories and history
The island contains three craters. Strabo 6.2.10 The bath water can be painful to enter due to its heat. Pausanias 10.11.4 Residents cultivate the island by crossing to it in ships. Pausanias 10.11.4 One of the three craters on the island has partly collapsed. Strabo 6.2.10 Flames, smoke, and mud were observed rising from the sea near Hiera. Strabo 6.2.11 A thick cloud surrounds the island when a south wind is about to blow. Strabo 6.2.10 Liparus brought the island under cultivation after fleeing to the region. Diodorus 5.7 Hiera possesses an exceptional quantity of myrrh and other fragrant incenses. Diodorus 5.41 Clear flames ascend high and rumblings occur when a north wind is approaching. Strabo 6.2.10 Some claim underground passages connect the island's craters to those of Aetna. Diodorus 5.7