MOUNT HELICON

'Mount Helicon' is a mountain in the region of Thespiai in Boeotia, Greece (Kerenyi, 1951, page 172), with an elevation of 1,749 meters (5,735 ft). It is located just off the Gulf of Corinth.
The mountain was made famous in Greek mythology because two springs sacred to the Muses were located here: the Aganippe and the Hippocrene, both of which bear "horse" (''hippos'') in their toponym. This was related to the myth that the Hippocrene spring was created when the winged horse Pegasus aimed his hoof at a rock, striking it with such force that the spring burst from the spot. On Helicon too was the spring where Narcissus was inspired by his own beauty. ^[1]
In Greek Mythology, Helicon was believed to be a sacred site that was used by the Gods and Goddesses. Helicon was especially associated with the Muses, who were considered to be "Divine Spirits of Inspiration" who shared with humanity their gifts of creative arts such as poetry, literature, and sculpure. There had been a temple built on Helicon in their honor which contained statues of these Muses. ^[2]
The Hippocrene spring was considered to be a source of poetic inspiration. In the late seventh century BCE, the poet Hesiod sang how in his youth he had pastured his sheep on the slopes of Helicon (''Theogony'', 23), where Eros and the Muses already had sanctuaries and a dancing-ground near the summit, where "their pounding feet awaken desire" (Hesiod, 8). There the Muses inspired him and he began to sing of the origins of the gods, Thus Helicon became an emblem of poetical inspiration. Hesiod mentions other springs that were the haunt of the Muses: "They bathe their lithe bodies in the water of Permessos or of Hippocrene or of god-haunted Olmeios".
In Hesiod's ''Theogony'' Helicon was mentioned:
:"From the Heliconian Muses let us begin to sing,
:Who hold the great and holy mount of Helicon,
:And dance on soft feet about the deep-blue spring
:And the altar of the almighty son of Cronos, and,
:When they have washed their tender bodies in Permessus
:Or in the Horse's Spring or Olmeius,
:Make their fair, lovely dances upon highest Helicon
:And move with vigorous feet" ^[3]
In the Homeric Hymn to Poseidon, a brief invocation, the god is hailed as "Lord of Helicon". ^[4]
Helicon was the inspiration for the balls held by Hungarian composer Leó Festetics at his castle near Keszthely. Festetics also named the library he founded Helikon Library, promoting literacy and culture in his home city.
Helicon Arts Cooperative, an arts charity and film production company in Hollywood, is named after Mt. Helicon.
In Israel a recording and musiс publishing company is also named Helicon.

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References

References

1. Grant, Michael and Hazel, John. ''Who's Who in Classical Mythology'' Oxford University Press, USA; Reprint edition 1993
2. Grimal, Pierre. ''The Dictionary of Classical Mythology'' Blackwell Publishing Limited 1996
3. Hesiod with commentary by Richard S. Caldwell. ''Hesiod's Theogony'' 1 - 8 Focus Publishing/R. Pullins Company 1987
4.
★ Kerenyi, Karl, ''The Gods of the Greeks'' 1951