Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and one of the most famous peaks in the world. It is not only a natural wonder, but also a cultural and spiritual symbol. In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus was the home of the twelve Olympian gods, who ruled over the affairs of mortals from their lofty throne. The mountain was also a place of worship, pilgrimage and sacrifice for ancient Greeks and Romans, who revered it as a sacred site. But how did Mount Olympus become such a powerful and influential mountain? And how does it compare to other sacred mountains around the world?
In this blog post, we will explore the history, mythology and significance of Mount Olympus, and examine its similarities and differences with other mountains that have been considered holy by various cultures and religions. We will also look at some of the challenges and opportunities that Mount Olympus faces today as a natural and cultural heritage site.
The history and mythology of Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus is located in northern Greece, on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia. It has a circumference of 80 kilometers (50 miles), an average diameter of 26 kilometers (16 miles), and an area of 500 square kilometers (190 square miles). It has 52 peaks and deep gorges, with the highest peak being Mytikas, which rises to 2,917.727 meters (9,572.60 feet). It is one of the highest peaks in Europe in terms of topographic prominence.
The name Olympus means “the luminous one” in Greek, perhaps referring to its typical dusting of snow from November to May. The mountain has exceptional biodiversity and rich flora, and has been a National Park since 1938. It is also a World Biosphere Reserve. Every year, thousands of visitors admire its fauna and flora, tour its slopes, and climb its peaks. The usual starting point for climbing Olympus is the town of Litochoro, on the eastern foothills of the mountain, 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Thessaloniki.
Mount Olympus has a long and fascinating history that dates back to prehistoric times. Archaeological evidence suggests that the mountain was inhabited by humans since the Neolithic period (around 6000 BC), and that it was used as a place of worship and ritual by various civilizations that followed, such as the Mycenaeans, the Macedonians, the Thracians, the Romans and the Byzantines.
However, Mount Olympus is best known for its role in Greek mythology, as the dwelling place of the Olympian gods. According to Homer’s Odyssey, Mount Olympus was a lofty mountaintop that never had storms and basked in cloudless ether. Later writers elaborated on this description, which may have originated from the observation that the peak was often visible above a belt of relatively low clouds. In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus was regarded as the abode of Zeus, the king of the gods, and his wife Hera, as well as their children and siblings: Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hermes, Hephaestus, Hestia, Demeter, Poseidon and Hades. These twelve deities formed the main pantheon of Greek religion, and were believed to control various aspects of nature and human life.
The gods lived on Mount Olympus in palaces made of gold and marble, where they feasted on ambrosia and nectar, entertained themselves with music and games, and intervened in the affairs of mortals according to their whims and interests. The gods also had their own personal domains on the mountain: for example, Zeus had his throne on Mytikas peak; Athena had her temple on Stefani peak; Apollo had his oracle on Louki peak; Ares had his fortress on Zonaria peak; Aphrodite had her garden on Toumba peak; Hermes had his cave on Profitis Ilias peak; Hephaestus had his forge on Skourta peak; Hestia had her hearth on Agios Antonios peak; Demeter had her fields on Flambouro peak; Poseidon had his stables on Plaka peak; Hades had his entrance to the underworld on Kakalos peak.
Mount Olympus was also the site of many myths and legends involving the gods and their interactions with mortals. Some of the most famous stories include:
- The Titanomachy: The war between the Titans, the older generation of gods, and the Olympians, the younger generation of gods, who fought for supremacy over the cosmos. The Olympians, led by Zeus, defeated the Titans, who were imprisoned in Tartarus, a deep abyss in the underworld.
- The Gigantomachy: The war between the Giants, the offspring of Gaia (Earth) and Uranus (Sky), and the Olympians, who fought for control over the world. The Olympians, aided by Heracles, a demigod and son of Zeus, defeated the Giants, who were buried under various mountains, including Olympus.
- The Promethean fire: The story of Prometheus, a Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans, thus enabling them to progress in civilization and arts. Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him to a rock on Mount Caucasus, where an eagle would eat his liver every day. He also sent Pandora, the first woman, to Earth with a jar containing all the evils of the world, which she opened out of curiosity.
- The Judgment of Paris: The story of Paris, a prince of Troy, who was asked to judge which of the three goddesses – Hera, Athena and Aphrodite – was the most beautiful. Each goddess offered him a bribe: Hera offered him power; Athena offered him wisdom; Aphrodite offered him the love of Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris chose Aphrodite, thus sparking the Trojan War.
- The Labors of Heracles: The story of Heracles, a demigod and son of Zeus, who was driven mad by Hera and killed his wife and children. To atone for his crime, he had to perform twelve impossible tasks, such as killing the Nemean lion, slaying the Hydra, capturing the Ceryneian hind, cleaning the Augean stables, stealing the apples of the Hesperides, and bringing Cerberus, the three-headed dog of Hades, from the underworld.
Mount Olympus was also a place of worship and pilgrimage for ancient Greeks and Romans. Sacred groves were common during Greek and Roman times, and travelers would make offerings at these spots along their journey. Many such spots existed in the foothills and lower level of Mount Olympus. The highest sacrificial place was the peak of Profitis Ilias, at an elevation of 9,196 feet. There were also temples and shrines dedicated to various gods on or near the mountain. The most famous one was the Sanctuary of Zeus at Dion, a city at the foot of Mount Olympus. Dion was considered as the sacred city of Zeus and hosted many festivals and games in his honor.
The comparison with other sacred mountains
Mount Olympus is not the only mountain that has been considered sacred by different cultures and religions. Throughout history and across continents, many mountains have been revered as places of divine presence, spiritual power and natural beauty. Some examples include:
- Mount Sinai: A mountain in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula that is sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. According to biblical tradition, it is where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God.
- Mount Zion: A hill in Jerusalem that is sacred to Judaism and Christianity. According to biblical tradition, it is where King David built his palace and where Solomon built his temple.
- Mount Ararat: A mountain in Turkey that is sacred to Judaism and Christianity. According to biblical tradition, it is where Noah’s Ark landed after the Great Flood.
- Mount Kailash: A mountain in Tibet that is sacred to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon. According to Hindu tradition, it is where Shiva, the god of destruction and regeneration, resides with his consort Parvati.
- Mount Meru: A mythical mountain that is sacred to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. According to Hindu tradition, it is where Brahma, the creator god, lives with his consort Saraswati.
- Mount Fuji: A mountain in Japan that is sacred to Shintoism and Buddhism. According to Shinto tradition, it is where Konohanasakuya-hime (Princess Blossom), the goddess of volcanoes and flowers, resides.
These mountains share some common features with Mount Olympus that make them sacred:
- They are high and prominent landmarks that stand out from their surroundings.
- They are associated with myths and legends that involve gods or heroes.
- They are places of worship and pilgrimage that attract devotees and visitors.
However, these mountains also have some differences with Mount Olympus that make them unique:
- They belong to different cultural and religious traditions that have different beliefs and practices.</li.
