Ancient word of possibly Pelasgian origin
According to Theophrastus, Hymettus (ɪmɪˈtɔ:s) is derived from the deviation of the word ‘ουμάιτ’ or ‘υμήτ’ ( /uˈmɑːɪt/ or /ɪmˈɪ:t/ ) which presumably meant a rough and rock-strewn area.
Another source claims that it is derived from the word ‘θυμός’ ( /θɪˈmɔ:s/ ) due to the abundance of wild thyme ( /θɪˈmɑ:rɪ/ ) on the mountain. The word then changed to ‘θυμέτ’ ( /θɪˈmet/ ) and later on to ‘υμέτ’ ( /ɪˈmet/ ).
The northern part of the mountain, in antiquity, as mentioned before, bore the name ‘Megas Hymettos’ (major), while its southern part was known as ‘Elasson’ (minor) or ‘Anydros Hymettos’ (waterless) and in modern times as ‘Mavrovouni’ or ‘Kserovouni’.
Many interpretations have been given as to the origins of the colloquial name ‘Trelos’ (crazy), which is attributed to the northern part of the mountain. Some argue that it is derived from the lexical borrowing of the Italian word ‘matto’ (crazy) during the rule of the Franks in Greece, while others believe that it is derived from the French words ‘très longue’ (very long), a name given by sailors who could view the considerable length of the mountain from their ships.
According to another source, because the inhabitants could predict the weather by looking at the summit of Mt. Hymettus, they named the northern part of the mountain ‘Trelos’ (crazy) over time, due to strange patterns in weather which deviated from their weather predictions.
Finally, another source claims that the name ‘Trelos’ is due to the hyperactivity of bees on the mountain, which, after foraging the wild mountain thyme – characterised by therapeutic and stimulating properties – would swirl and twirl, dancing in the air.
The Turkish conquerors gave the mountain the name ‘Deli-dag’ (crazy mountain), also mentioned by the Turkish explorer Evliya Çelebi in the 17th century, while from 18th century explorers and from Daniel Filippidis, we learn that the mountain was also known as Tilevouni.
Ancient word of possibly Pelasgian origin
According to Theophrastus, Hymettus (ɪmɪˈtɔ:s) is derived from the deviation of the word ‘ουμάιτ’ or ‘υμήτ’ ( /uˈmɑːɪt/ or /ɪmˈɪ:t/ ) which presumably meant a rough and rock-strewn area.
Another source claims that it is derived from the word ‘θυμός’ ( /θɪˈmɔ:s/ ) due to the abundance of wild thyme ( /θɪˈmɑ:rɪ/ ) on the mountain. The word then changed to ‘θυμέτ’ ( /θɪˈmet/ ) and later on to ‘υμέτ’ ( /ɪˈmet/ ).
The northern part of the mountain, in antiquity, as mentioned before, bore the name ‘Megas Hymettos’ (major), while its southern part was known as ‘Elasson’ (minor) or ‘Anydros Hymettos’ (waterless) and in modern times as ‘Mavrovouni’ or ‘Kserovouni’.
Many interpretations have been given as to the origins of the colloquial name ‘Trelos’ (crazy), which is attributed to the northern part of the mountain. Some argue that it is derived from the lexical borrowing of the Italian word ‘matto’ (crazy) during the rule of the Franks in Greece, while others believe that it is derived from the French words ‘très longue’ (very long), a name given by sailors who could view the considerable length of the mountain from their ships.
According to another source, because the inhabitants could predict the weather by looking at the summit of Mt. Hymettus, they named the northern part of the mountain ‘Trelos’ (crazy) over time, due to strange patterns in weather which deviated from their weather predictions.
Finally, another source claims that the name ‘Trelos’ is due to the hyperactivity of bees on the mountain, which, after foraging the wild mountain thyme – characterised by therapeutic and stimulating properties – would swirl and twirl, dancing in the air.
The Turkish conquerors gave the mountain the name ‘Deli-dag’ (crazy mountain), also mentioned by the Turkish explorer Evliya Çelebi in the 17th century, while from 18th century explorers and from Daniel Filippidis, we learn that the mountain was also known as Tilevouni.