Parnassus is a name familiar to any poet, and it also means a mountain range in the Greek region of Thessaly, surrounded by myths. The source of poetic power was the 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 a mountainside. The magical power was bestowed upon the spring from Apollo.
Parnassus is an unusual place for poets. According to legend, the magical power of the stream gives everyone the ability to compose rhymes. Just drinking water is enough. The Muses always accompany Apollo. Let's list them:
- Erato is a love songwriter.
- Euterpe is the conqueror of lyrics.
- Polyhymnia is the creator of sacred hymns.
- Terpsichore - the founder of dance.
- 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 a comedic inspiration.
- Urania helps astronomers.
One of the versions
Parnassus is the son of the god Poseidon and Cleodora (the nymph of history). A mountain in Phocis is named after him. The sacred place is still surrounded by secrets and a divine atmosphere. It is the center of the entire 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 the area, caves, gorges, so a gathering of poets is often called this word, implying its figurative meaning.
On Mount Parnassus there was a sacred place - the Delphic Oracle. It was located on the southern slope. The mountain range contains two peaks in the Delphi region: Gerontobrachos, Liakura.
The 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 incessant 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 to tourists, poets and other people looking for inspiration. WithThe top offers breathtaking views of olive groves, dense forests and the Greek National Park. At the foot of the mountain are the following attractions:
- Kefalonia firs;
- unique caves;
- uniquely beautiful alpine meadows;
- rare species of animals and birds live in the natural reserve zone.
Where is the term currently mentioned?
The meaning 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:
- The literary work "Modern Parnassus" has gained a lot of fans. Labor had 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 founded in 1792, originally belonged to the famous Shuvalov family.
- The commonwe alth of poets of any country is called a similar word.
- Sometimes the meaning is figurative: a tip, cash payment for a song or a musical melody performed.
- The 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 means "earnings", "maintenance".
- Parnassus is Mount Sutro in California and the title of trustee of the Jewish community.
- In Russia like thisthe name of a metro line in St. Petersburg.
Modern mountain
For tourists, Parnassus is associated with a mild climate and picturesque landscapes. Arriving at historical monuments, people are transferred to the atmosphere of ancient times. The sights of untouched nature fascinate and will not leave anyone indifferent. Clean mountain air helps to rejuvenate, and the iconic Castal spring is functioning and accessible to every visitor.
The source of inspiration was ennobled, paved with tiles. Upper and Lower Castalia are now in operation. In the area of the latter, a pool with life-giving water was located. Under its jet, the prophetess Pythia herself was washed. The Greeks perceived the bath as a gift from God.
The famous ski resort is located in the mountain range. Visitors to the mythical Delphi can see the ruins of the temple of Apollo, the abode of the mythical priestess Pythia. The area is famous for the Pythian Games, which are not inferior in popularity to the Olympic Games.
