ZAKYNTHOS (island in Zacynthus)
Greek island in the Ionian Sea
- Also called
- Zacynthos
- Kind of place
- Island
- Region
- Zacynthus
- Where
- 37.78° N, 20.90° E
The island is described as being wooded, rugged, and fertile. Odyssey 9 ¶2 Zacynthus is described as a wooded island visible from the sea. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 388-439 A temple of Diana was originally located on the island of Zacynthus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.79 ¶2
Described in the sources
The island measures 160 stadia in total circumference. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.19 ¶2 +1 A significant city bearing the same name as the island exists there. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.19 ¶2 +1 Twenty young Achaeans from Zacynthus are part of the group of suitors wooing Penelope. Odyssey 16 ¶25 +1 Zacynthus lies west of Cephallenia, closer to the Peloponnesus, and is about 60 stadia from Cephallenia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.19 ¶2 +1 Zacynthus lies in front of Acarnania. Strabo 8.2.2 It lies highest in the sea towards the sunset. Odyssey 9 ¶2 Zacynthus was formerly known by the name Hyrie. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.19 ¶2 Demaratus departed from this island to travel to Asia. Herodotus 6.70.2 The island is home to the famous mountain named Elatus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.19 ¶2 Zacynthus is located in front of the promontory Araxus. Strabo 8.2.2
Stories and history
It is noted for breeding brave men. Odyssey 9 ¶2 The island is noted for its exceptional fertility. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.19 ¶2 Ulysses expresses a deep affection for looking upon it. Odyssey 9 ¶2 The island is noted for producing a specific liquid form of bitumen. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.51 ¶1 The chiefs from Zacynthus are wasting the estate of the suitors' target. Odyssey 19 ¶14 Local maidens are reported to extract gold-dust using pitch-smeared feathers. Herodotus 4.195.2 The temple of Diana was transported from Zacynthus to Saguntum by its founders. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.79 ¶2 The inhabitants of this island refused to surrender Demaratus to the Lacedaemonians. Herodotus 6.70.2