Editing Corycian Cave (section)

== In mythology ==

=== Corycian nymphs ===
[[File:William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) - Nymphs and Satyr (1873).jpg|thumb|Image of nymphs. This would be similar to what Corycian nymphs looked like.]]
The Corycian nymphs are a mythological group of three sisters who live on Mount Parnassus, and they are the daughters of Pleistus—a river god. The Corycian nymphs are Corycia, Melaina, and Kleodora. Corycia is known for being the namesake of Corycian Cave, and she is also said to have a child, named Lycorus, with the god Apollo. Melaina is also believed by some to have bore one of Apollo's children named Delphos—after whom the city of Delphi was said to be named. Kleodora is known for bearing her son, Parnassus, with the god Poseidon. Parnassus is said to be the namesake of Mount Parnassus.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=CORYCIAN NYMPHS (Nymphai Korykiai) - Delphian Naiad Nymphs of Greek Mythology|url=https://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NymphaiKorykiai.html|access-date=2021-12-01|website=www.theoi.com}}</ref> In ancient times there was a tradition of worshiping nymphs in caves that housed natural springs, and the Corycian nymphs were also worshiped as part of this tradition. Additionally, the Corycian nymphs are often associated with Apollo. When Apollo killed Delphyne (a monster) near Mount Parnassus, it was said that the Corycian nymphs shouted to support the god and give him strength.<ref name=":02"/> Aided by the intercession of the Corycian Nymphs during his battle with Delphyne, Apollo was able to achieve the power of divination.<ref name=":22"/>

=== Pan ===
After the Battle of Marathon (490) Pan replaced Hermes as the god most associated with nymphs—including the Corycian Nymphs in Corycian Cave.<ref name=":02" /> Due to this association, Pan became regularly worshiped at Corycian Cave.<ref name=":02" /> Those who lived near Mount Parnassus regarded Pan as the guardian of Corycian Cave.<ref name=":8" /> Many of those who lived and worked around Mount Parnassus were hunters or shepherds, and Pan is associated with these professions.<ref name=":72"/> Many of the votives and artifacts found in Corycian Cave can be tied to the cult of Pan.<ref name=":13"/> There is also epigraphic evidence of worship to Pan, as he is mentioned in inscriptions carved into one of the Walls in Corycian Cave.<ref name=":52">{{Cite journal |last=Lytle |first=Ephraim |date=2011 |title=The Strange Love of the Fish and the Goat: Regional Contexts and Rough Cilician Religion in Oppian's "Halieutica" 4.308-73 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41289748 |journal=Transactions of the American Philological Association |volume=141 |issue=2 |pages=333–386 |doi=10.1353/apa.2011.0010 |jstor=41289748|s2cid=162268311 }}</ref> Pan is also involved in an ancient ritual in which a shepherd will dress up as Pan and hunt for fish, and the fish will later be sacrificed to Pan after they are caught. This ritual is associated with Pan's involvement in the mythic battle between Zeus and Typhon—which culminated in Typhon being banished to Corycian Cave.<ref name=":52"/>

=== Zeus ===
[[File:ZeusTyphoeus.jpg|thumb|Zeus and Typhon fighting.]]
The Corycian Cave plays a key role in the mythological battle between Zeus and Typhon. Typhon was a mythological beast, born of Earth and Tartarus and he battled the gods, most notably Zeus. During their battle, Zeus and Typhon fought back and forth, Zeus throwing his lightning bolts, eventually injuring Typhon. However, Typhon also injured Zeus and was able to bring him, and imprison him in the Corycian Cave. Typhon had the cave guarded by the she-dragon Delphyne. Still however, Hermes and Aegipan were able to free Zeus and he went on to defeat Typhon. The Corycian Cave played a key role in the Greek mythological battles with the gods, and because Zeus was said to have been imprisoned in the cave, he was also worshipped there.<ref>{{Cite web|title=APOLLODORUS, THE LIBRARY BOOK 1 - Theoi Classical Texts Library|url=https://www.theoi.com/Text/Apollodorus1.html|access-date=2021-12-15|website=www.theoi.com}}</ref> [[File:Wenceslas Hollar - The Greek gods. Tryphon.jpg|thumb|300px|Depiction of Typhon by [[Wenceslas Hollar]]]]

===Dionysus===
[[File:Dionysos Mosaic.jpg|thumb|220px|A [[mosaic]] from [[Antioch]] of Dionysos, 2nd century AD]]

While the connection to the Corycian nymphs and Pan are well established as they are mentioned in the nine inscriptions found at the cave as well in Pausanias,<ref name="McInerney p 278">McInerney (1997), p. 278.</ref> the connection to Dionysus is not as clear-cut. One of the inscriptions, which has been severely eroded by weathering, seems to say that Thyiades participated in ceremonies at the Corycian Cave. Also, when looking at Aeschylus’ work, the Eumenides, there seems to be a clear connection set up between Dionysus and the Corycian Cave.<ref name="McInerney p 278"/> Additionally, in Pausanias’ Guide to Greece, when referring to the location of the Corycian Cave, Pausanias goes on to then describe the heights of Mount Parnassus and reveals to the reader that [[Thyiades]] raved there.<ref>{{cite web |author=Pausanias |title=Pausanias: 10.32-38 |url=https://www.theoi.com/Text/Pausanias10C.html#1 |website=Theoi Classical Texts Library |publisher=Theoi Classical Texts Library}}</ref> Despite the wild raves taking place on top of the mountain as opposed to the cave, a clear connection between the surrounding area of the Corycian Cave and the Cult of Dionysus can still be seen. Further evidence for the connection between Dionysus and the Corycian Cave stems from Pan being often depicted in scenes with Dionysus, hinting at a connection between the two gods.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pan-Greek God of Shepherds, Hunters, and the Wilds |url=https://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/Pan.html |website=Theoi Classical Texts Library |publisher=Theoi Classical Texts Library}}</ref>

Finally, it is thought that the Corycian Cave is the place of residence of Dionysus, just as Apollo’s residence is Delphi. In the wintertime, when Apollo leaves Delphi, Dionysus comes down from the cave and occupies Apollo’s place in Delphi. This transition process involved the maidens of Delphi (assumed to be Thyiades) being sent to the cave and then help escort the god into the sanctuary and honor Dionysus in Apollo’s Temple.<ref>McInerney (1997), pp. 279–281.</ref>