Cyllene (killini) is a high mountain in the northeast corner of Arcadia upon the Achaian border. It was celebrated as the birthplace of Hermes. Hermes was born in a cave on this mountain. Consequently, Cyllenius frequently occurs as an epithet of Hermes. There was a temple of Hermes Cyllenius upon the summit of Mount Cyllene, which in the time of Pausanias had fallen to ruin. The name of the mountain was said to have come from Cyllen, the son of Elatus (Pausanias 8.4.4,17.1). Elatus, a son of Arcas, was king of Arcadia. He lived on Mount Cyllene and later went to Phocis to help protect Delphi against the Phlegyans. The ruins of the temple are no longer found on the summit.
The ancients regarded Cyllene as the highest mountain in Peloponnesus. The summit of Cyllene is said to be so high above the wind and clouds that the ashes of the victims sacrified there to Hermes reamined undisturbed from one year's festivals to another.
Toward the north Cyllene sends out a projecting ridge, called in ancient times Chelydorea because Hermes was said to have found here the tortise shell that he converted into a lyre.
Last modified: Mon Nov 30, 1998 / Jeremiah Genest