| Cithaeron | |
|---|---|
 View of Cithaeron fromAigosthena | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,409 m (4,623 ft) |
| Coordinates | 38°11′03″N23°14′57″E / 38.18417°N 23.24917°E /38.18417; 23.24917 |
| Geography | |
  Cithaeron Location of Mount Cithaeron in Greece | |
| Location | Attica,Greece Boeotia,Greece |
Cithaeron orKithairon (Κιθαιρών, -ῶνος) is a mountain and mountain range about sixteen kilometres (ten miles) long inCentral Greece. The range is the physical boundary betweenBoeotia region in the north andAttica region in the south. It is mainly composed oflimestone and rises to 1,409 metres (4,623 ft). The north-east side of the range is formed by the mountainPastra.
The range was the scene of many events inGreek mythology and was especially sacred toDionysus.[1] In Euripides'Bacchae, Dionysus carries out his dances and rites with his bacchants, his priestesses, on Cithaeron.[2]Oedipus was exposed on the mountain, whileActaeon andPentheus were both dismembered on its slopes. It was also the place whereHeracles orAlcathous hunted and killed theLion of Cithaeron.
In historic times, the mountain acted as a backdrop to theBattle of Plataea of 479 BC[1] and was the scene of much skirmishing before the battle itself. In later times, fortifications were built both atPlataea andErythrai as the mountain formed the disputed natural border between Athens andThebes.
The people of Plataea also personified the mountain as their primal king: "But the Plataeans know of no king exceptAsopus and Cithaeron before him, holding that the latter gave his name to the mountain, the former to the river".[3] In one tale, Cithairon was said to have engaged in a singing contest against Helikon, which was judged by the Muses. Cithairon won the contest and was adorned with garlands by the Muses, and Helikon became so angry due to his defeat that he smashed one of the large rocks on his slopes.[4]
In theMiddle Ages, the village of Myoupolis on its slopes was the site of a monastery founded byMeletios the Younger.[5]
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