The Clod of Earth and the foundation of Cyrene between myth and history

Constanza, Salvatore (2025) The Clod of Earth and the foundation of Cyrene between myth and history. ACTA ANTIQUA ACADEMIAE SCIENTIARUM HUNGARICAE, 65 (3-4). pp. 265-276. ISSN 0044-5975

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Abstract

Prophecy plays a pivotal role in overseas colonization. In this respect, the Clod of Earth story is very significant in Pindar’s Fourth Pythian (14–56) for Arcesilaus IV of Cyrene and Apollonius Rhodius’ Argonautika 4.1551–1619 on the Libyan episode. According to a Delphic oracle, the imperishable clod lost by the Argonaut Euphemus grows from the sea so to become the Cycladic island of Thera. This is the starting point of Libyan colonization with the foundation of Cyrene led by the Therians. Herodotus 4.147, however, does not mention the clod, but gives emphasis to the ancient relationship between Libya and the Dorian Greek world. The Hellenistic poet Lycophron follows this version in his enigmatic epic Alexandra. All this indicates that this Delphic oracle gave a right to land to all of the Greeks in Libya.

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