Ithome

Ithome in Messinia (Greek Ἰθώμη [ feminine ], inhabitants: Ἰθωμάτης = Ithomates and Ἰθωμαῖος = Ithomaios ) was in the ancient Greek name for a 800 m high limestone mountain and a mountain fortress, today probably still Voulkanou ( neugriechsch: Βουλκάνου ) called, formerly Voulkanos, Vourkano, Vurkano or Voulkani, possibly after a so-called Byzantine feudal lord, the round the mountain Ithome once owned the land. At the foot of the mountain are now the place Mavrommati ( Μαυρομμάτιον ) and the monastery Voulkanou ( Μονή Βουλκάνου ).

Etymology

Strabo derives Ithome on Thomos ( θωμός ), according to Strabo formerly thome ( θῶμη ) = the heap, which probably had to be meant either the mountain or the pile cairn of the fortress.

Geography

The mountain rises Ithome with his side peak Eua in the west of Pamisosebene in the Peloponnese. He dominates the Messenian plain visible from afar and had such a great strategic importance for the connection of Megalopolis to the sea.

Mythology

At the summit there was a sanctuary of Zeus, therefore Zeus Ithometas ( Ἰθωμήτας ), was called on Doric also Ithomatas ( Ἰθωμάτας ). One Messenian legend, was born on the mountain at the source Klepsydra Zeus and there bathed by the nymphs Ithome and Neda and raised a family. There the Ithomaien found ( Ἰθωμαῖα ), festivals in honor of Zeus, instead. On the foundations of the sanctuary of Zeus Marie monastery was built in the Byzantine period.

History

The summit was attached fortified with a wall and served as a refuge of the Messenians. Aristodemos they defended against the Spartans in defeat in the First Messenian War ( 743-724 BC). In the lost Third Messenian War ( 464-455 BC), the fortress on the Ithome ten years was besieged by the Spartans. Between the Ithome and the side peak Eua the Thebans on the Spartan 370/369 BC Messene was founded as the capital for the new liberated Messenia after the victory. The Ithome was it included as Acropolis in the city fortifications. Ancient Messene is now one of the largest archaeological sites in Greece.