(Γαιήοχος), that is, " the holder of the earth," is a common epithet of Poseidon (Hom. Od. 11.240), and near Therapne, in Laconia, he had a temple under the name of Gaeeochus. (Paus. 3.20.2.) But the name is also given to other divinities to describe them as the protectors and patrons of certain districts, e. g. Artemis Gaeeochus at Thebes. (Soph. Oed. Tyr. 160.)