What is the significance of mt olympus

Ancient civilizations have often tried to understand the divine and mythical through anthropomorphism and personification. Inspired by the mysterious peaks reaching up beyond the clouds, the ancient Greeks understandably believed their sacred Mount Olympus to be the wondrous home of their gods! Sign in. Log into your account. Sign up. Password recovery. You May Also Like:. Telemachus Prof. Geller - November 18, 0. Theia Prof. Geller - November 21, 2. Mermaid Prof. Geller - February 7, 2. Incubus Prof.

Geller - May 23, Polytheism Prof. Geller - December 14, 2. Mount Olympus. By Prof. Last Updated: January 14, Notify of. Mount Olympus was significant in Greek mythology as a zone of great power, the meeting place of heaven and earth. Ancient Greeks believed that Zeus, king of the gods, and his family of deities dwelt on Mount Olympus, but they regarded the mountain more as a figurative space for these gods and goddesses than an actual location on earth.

Zeus conquered the territory in his battle with the Titans by gathering clouds and hurling thunderbolts. The clouds that envelop the mountain are continual reminders of the connection between earth and sky. In the Greco-Roman tradition, natural elements were seen as ancestors of the more personified gods and goddesses. In addition to awe of mountains—a combination of reverence and a little fear—people also saw manifestations of the divine in caves, the headwaters of major rivers, and hot springs.

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, feet. Hermits and monks resided for longer periods of time in caves and forests located throughout the lower elevations of the mountain.

Mountains have been central to Greek society since Neolithic times. Dozens of villages arose in the foothills of Mount Olympus during the Iron Age approximately the 12th century to the eighth century B. The isolation of mountain villages has helped to preserve language and folklore over centuries of political changes. One of the most notable is Dion, on the northern side. From the fifth to the second century B. Known as Olympia of Zeus, the nine days honored each of his nine daughters, the Muses, with theatrical performances and athletic competitions.

Alexander the Great, from Macedonia—the modern political region that includes Mount Olympus on its southern border—is said to have gone to Dion to make sacrifices to Zeus before he set out on his campaign to expand the Macedonian empire. With the coming of Christianity, many of the older religious and cultural practices associated with Mount Olympus were hidden or incorporated into the new religion. However, the lower levels of the mountain were still used for spiritual contemplation.

In the 11th century, St. Dionysius of Halicarnassus built a shrine on one of the lower peaks, Hagios Ilias. As in many European places, local culture still carries traces of the pagan sacred landscape, even though in the case of Mount Olympus, recreational appreciation has largely replaced spiritual veneration. While its significance has altered, Mount Olympus has remained an important geographical location and symbol to Greeks. Waves of invaders during the Roman and Byzantine periods passed by it, but with all the political changes that surrounded it, the mountain itself remained relatively untouched.

Its rugged terrain provided safe harbor for village residents, renegade soldiers, and criminals alike. Many people left their remote villages for coastal cities, a migration that included the villages around Mount Olympus.

Such migration was encouraged by the growing economies in major cities and by overcultivation of mountainous areas, which led to soil erosion and deforestation. As the permanent settlements around Mount Olympus emptied out, the mountain became more of a destination for adventure tourists. Since then, the mountain has become a common one- or two-day hike for young travelers. Most hikers begin their climb in the town of Litochoro on the eastern side of the mountain in the region of Macedonia, a destination along the trans-Europe E4 hiking trail.

The other major human activity around Mount Olympus is archaeology; Dion and other ancient villages have been extensively excavated since the s. One spectacular find was an ancient cemetery discovered in at the base of Mount Olympus, 2.

The waterfall was demanding that I stop, and the ice-cold water was inviting. After all, it was summer so I dipped my feet in the water and promised the waterfall I would return for a swim. As we continued up the trail, the route was quite strenuous due to the ascents and descents.

However, the varied geological features, the small lakes with crystal clear waters and the sheer mountain slopes kept me going. Hiking through a dense forest of beech trees, I could feel the temperature getting colder. Shortly afterward, the trail crosses a ravine and starts climbing again, passing slopes where the pine trees have been swept by avalanches.

From here, I could already see the refuge perched high above on the outcrop. Once in the refuge — a magnificent stone building located on a natural flat surrounded by impressive old pine trees — it was about time to get some rest and enjoy our dinner. Summit day was tomorrow and I could not wait nor sleep. I got up around am the next morning to enjoy my breakfast, while waiting for the sunrise on the refuge deck. I was in for an unbelievable view, with the sun coming out of the sea painting the towering shale rocks in a golden glow.

But It was about time to move on. We packed our backpacks and off we went to head for the summit. Having been on the trail for just meters following the refuge, there is a branch of the trail going to the right. This leads directly to the Muses plateau that lies beneath the intimidating vertical cliffs of Stefani Peak and the Throne of Zeus. I was heading straight for the peak across the base of Stefani, but the trail has steep sections that involve scrambling, so we were instructed to slow down for this part.

A few moments later, I was standing at the top of my world, or at least, this is how I felt at the time. From the top of Mount Olympus, home of the gods, we were treated with unforgettable views across the National Park and the Aegean Sea.

Following the same route back down, when we reached the gorge, I had to keep my promise to the waterfall! I dove in the fresh cold water and tried to take in as much as possible from the natural world. We reached Lithochoro in the late afternoon and needed to get to a campsite to spend the night. Since that day, many ascents followed up Mount Olympus and around the National Park. Some with more mountain camps, others with friends , but every time has been a unique discovery.

A word of advice: Take your time, especially if this is your first time on the mountain. Spend some time to admire the ancient forests that are home to one of the richest ecosystems in Europe, admire the views from different locations and definitely spend a night or two on the mountain.

You can climb the mountain year-round, but unless you are a skilled winter mountaineer, it is best to avoid the winter months as conditions can get rough and avalanches are very likely from November to March. Some of the peaks, including Mytikas and Stefani, have routes that feature technical climbing. They are not required for a successful summit and thus are often considered more of a rock-climbing venture than a hike. While a helmet and trekking poles are also not required, they are a good idea.

The following is a list of equipment for a summer ascent:. If you plan on a more challenging ascent during winter, you may need an ice axe, crampons, and climbing equipment for hazardous weather. Summit Mount Olympus in One Day.