Parnassus is a name familiar to any poet, it also means a mountain range in the Greek region of Thessaly, surrounded by myths. The source of poetic power was Kastalsky spring located on one of the slopes of the mountain. It was inhabited by nymphs, the famous priestess Pythia and the god of art Apollo.
Legend
Parnassus is a place of ancient Greek myths. The god of prose and art Apollo fell in love with the nymph Castile, but she did not accept his tender feelings and disappeared without a trace in the waters of a stream on the side of a mountain. Magical power was bestowed upon the source by Apollo.
Parnassus is an unusual place for poets. According to legend, the magical power of the stream gives everyone the ability to compose rhymes. It’s enough to drink some water. Muses always accompany Apollo. We list them:
- Erato is a writer of love songs.
- Euterpa is a conqueror of lyrics.
- Polyhymnia is the creator of sacred hymns.
- Terpsichore is the founder of dances.
- Clio is at the forefront of history.
- Melpomene helps to understand the essence of the tragedy.
- Calliope is a master of epic poetry.
- Thalia is the inspiration for comedy stories.
- Urania helps astronomers.
One version
Parnassus is the son of the god Poseidon and Cleodora (the nymph of history). The mountain in Phocis is named after him. A sacred place to this day is surrounded by secrets and a divine atmosphere. It is the center of the whole Earth, according to the religious teachings of ancient Greece.
On Mount Parnassus is the famous Kastalsky Key, which is visited by everyone who wants to find inspiration. The habitat of the muses (“Parnassian Sisters”) is the entire territory of this locality, caves, gorges, therefore a bunch of poets are often called by this word, implying its figurative meaning.
On Mount Parnassus was a sacred place - "Delphic Oracle." It was located on the southern slope. The mountain range contains two peaks in the Delphi area: Gerontobrajos, Liakura.
Flood, or another version
What else do we know about Mount Parnassus? The word is associated with the punishment of mankind by the gods of Olympus. Zeus sent a great flood that swept the whole world. The son of Prometheus was called Deucalion, he landed on the top of the mountain and sacrificed himself to Zeus.
The flood ended on the tenth day of continuous downpours. Zeus heard the prayers of Deucalion and helped to revive the human race. So Mount Parnassus forever entrenched in the mythology of ancient Greece.
Historical facts have made Mount Parnassus attractive for tourists, poets and other people seeking inspiration. The top offers breathtaking views of olive groves, dense forests and the National Greek Park. At the foot of the mountain, the following attractions are located:
- Kefalonian spruce;
- unique caves;
- unique beauty alpine meadows;
- rare animal and bird species live in the area of the nature reserve.
Where is the term currently mentioned?
The value of Parnassus was used by figures of all times, even now you can find numerous uses of the historical name in various areas of human life:
- Literary work "Modern Parnassus" got a lot of fans. The work appeared followers who exist to this day.
- PARNAS in Russia is an abbreviation of the People’s Freedom Party, which included famous personalities: Boris Nemtsov and Mikhail Kasyanov.
- The municipal district in the north of the city of St. Petersburg Parnassus was formed in 1792, originally belonged to the famous Shuvalov family.
- A similar word is called the community of poets of any country.
- Sometimes the meaning has a figurative meaning: tips, cash payment for a performed song or musical melody.
- Comic meaning is used in world literature, and the word can also be slang among thieves.
- Ski resort "Parnassus" in Delphi.
- Translated from Hebrew, the word has the meaning of "earnings", "content".
- Parnassus is Mount Sutro in California and the title of trustee of the Jewish community.
- In Russia, the metro line in St. Petersburg is called that word.
Modern mountain
For tourists, Parnassus is associated with a mild climate and beautiful landscapes. Arriving at historical monuments, people are transferred to the atmosphere of ancient times. Sights of untouched nature fascinate and will not leave anyone indifferent. Clean mountain air helps to restore strength, and the cult Kastalsky spring functions and is accessible to everyone who comes.
The source of inspiration was ennobled, paved with tiles. Upper and Lower Castalia are now working. In the area of the latter there was a pool with life-giving water. Under its stream, the prophetess Pythia herself was washed. The Greeks perceived the bathhouse as a gift of God.
In the area of the mountain range is the famous ski resort. Visitors to the mythical Delphi can see the ruins of the temple of Apollo, the abode of the mythical priestess of Pythia. The area is famous for the Pythian games, not inferior in popularity to the Olympic Games.