Cave of Zeus

This article is about the cave in Crete, Greece. For the cave in Aydın, Turkey, see Cave of Zeus, Aydın.

Coordinates: 35°12′30″N 24°49′44″E / 35.208361°N 24.828944°E / 35.208361; 24.828944

Cave of Zeus

The Cave of Zeus is a system of caves located on the slopes of Mount Ida, on the island of Crete, Greece. The deep cave has a single entrance and features beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.

In antiquity it was a place of worship, because it was believed to be the cave where the titan Rhea hid the infant Zeus, to protect him from his father Cronus who intended to swallow him like other of his progeny. It is one of a number of caves believed to have been the birthplace or hiding place of Zeus.[1] According to a variant of this legend, the Kouretes, a band of mythical warriors, undertook to dance their wild, noisy war dances in front of the cave, so that the clamour would keep Cronus from hearing the infant's crying.

Excavations have revealed a large number of votive cult offerings on the site.

The Cave of Zeus may also refer to a cave by the same name on the Aegean island of Naxos or the Psychro Cave on Crete.

See also

References

  1. ↑ William Smith, ed. (c. 1873). A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. John Murray.
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