Sybaris (Lamia) of Mount Cirphis

Catalogue ID: 03-heroes/248-sybaris-lamia-delphi-antoninus

Cycle: Heroes / local monster — Delphic / Phocian aetiology

Version line: Antoninus Liberalis (from Nicander) — cave-monster; youth-tribute; Eurybatus destroys her

Sources: Antoninus Liberalis 8 (after Nicander); cf. Pausanias notices of Phocian cliffs

Source file: /workspace/greek-myth-catalogue/03-heroes/248-sybaris-lamia-delphi-antoninus.md

Characters

Alcyoneus — youth chosen by lot (rescued from exposure)
Delphians — stricken community
Eurybatus — hero who drags and kills her
Sybaris — cave-monster of Cirphis; destroyed; becomes a spring

Places

Mount Helicon — threatened region
Panopeus — cave of Sybaris
Spring Sybaris — aetiological aftermath

Themes

Prophecy

Narrative

On Mount Cirphis near Crisa and Delphi, a monstrous Lamia called Sybaris haunted a cave, devastating flocks and people. The Delphians consulted the oracle and were told to expose a youth at the cave as appeasement. The lot fell on Alcyoneus; Eurybatus, a bold Passalian (or Curetid) passer-by, took the youth’s place, dragged Sybaris from her cave, and hurled her onto the rocks. Her body vanished; from the spot sprang a spring named Sybaris—and the Italian city Sybaris was said to have drawn its name when colonists brought the water’s fame west. Catalogue the Phocian monster-slaying and spring aetiology apart from generic Lamia notices.