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

(Λυκαῖος), sometimes also Lyceus, a surname of certain divinities worshipped on mount Lycaeum in Arcadia, as for instance Zeus, who had a sanctuary on it, in which the festival of the Lycaea was celebrated. No one was allowed to enter the temple, and if any one forced his way in, he was believed to stay within one year, and to lose his shadow (Paus. 8.2.1, 38.4, &c.; Pind. O. 13.154). According to others those who entered it were stoned to death by the Arcadians, or were called stags, and obliged to take to flight to save their lives (Plut. Quaest. Graec. 39). Pan also was called the Lycaean, because he was born and had a sanctuary on mount Lycaeon (Paus. 8.38.4; Strab. viii. p.388; Serv. ad Virg. Georg. 1.16; Verg. A. 8.344). Lycaeus also occurs as a surname of Apollo. See LYCIUS.

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