A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

(Λαφύστιος).

1. A surname of Zeus, which was derived either from Mount Laphystius in Boeotia, or from the verb λαφύσσειν, to flee, so that it would be synonymous with φύξιος: a third opinion is, that it signified " the voracious," in reference to the human sacrifices which were offered to him in early time. (Paus. 1.24.2, 9.34.4.)