Lapăthus, a city of Cyprus.
Laphria, a surname of Diana at Patræ in Achaia, where she had a temple with a statue of gold and ivory, which represented her in the habit of a huntress. The statue was made by Menechmus and Soidas, two artists of celebrity. This name was given the goddess from Laphrius the son of Delphus, who consecrated the statue to her. There was a festival of the goddess there, called also Laphria, of which Pausanias, bk. 7, ch. 18, gives an account.
Laphystium, a mountain in Bœotia, where Jupiter had a temple, whence he was called Laphystius. It was here that Athamas prepared to immolate Phryxus and Helle, whom Jupiter saved by sending them a golden ram; whence the surname, and the homage paid to the god. Pausanias, bk. 9, ch. 34.
Lapideus, a surname of Jupiter among the Romans.
Lăpĭthæ, a people of Thessaly. See: [Lapithus].
Lapĭtho, a city of Cyprus.
Lăpĭthus, a son of Apollo by Stilbe. He was brother to Centaurus, and married Orsinome daughter of Euronymus, by whom he had Phorbas and Periphas. The name of Lapithæ was given to the numerous children of Phorbas and Periphas, or rather to the inhabitants of the country, of which they had obtained the sovereignty. The chief of the Lapithæ assembled to celebrate the nuptials of Pirithous, one of their number, and among them were Theseus, Dryas, Hopleus, Mopsus, Phalerus, Exadius, Prolochus, Titaresius, &c. The Centaurs were also invited to partake the common festivity, and the amusements would have been harmless and innocent, had not one of the intoxicated Centaurs offered violence to Hippodamia the wife of Pirithous. The Lapithæ resented the injury, and the Centaurs supported their companions, upon which the quarrel became universal, and ended in blows and slaughter. Many of the Centaurs were slain, and they at last were obliged to retire. Theseus among the Lapithæ showed himself brave and intrepid in supporting the cause of his friends, and Nestor also was not less active in the protection of chastity and innocence. This quarrel arose from the resentment of Mars, whom Pirithous forgot or neglected to invite among the other gods at the celebration of his nuptials, and therefore the divinity punished the insult by sowing dissension among the festive assembly. See: [Centauri]. Hesiod has described the battle of the Centaurs and Lapithæ, as also Ovid in a more copious manner. The invention of bits and bridles for horses is attributed to the Lapithæ. Virgil, Georgics, bk. 3, li. 115; Æneid, bk. 6, li. 601; bk. 7, li. 305.—Ovid, Metamorphoses, bk. 12, li. 530; bk. 14, li. 670.—Hesiod, Shield of Heracles.—Diodorus, bk. 4.—Pindar, bk. 2, Pythian.—Strabo, bk. 9.—Statius, Thebiad, bk. 7, li. 304.
Lapithæum, a town of Arcadia. Pausanias, bk. 3, ch. 20.
Lara, or Laranda, one of the Naiads, daughter of the river Almon in Latium, famous for her beauty and her loquacity, which her parents long endeavoured to correct, but in vain. She revealed to Juno the amours of her husband Jupiter with Juturna, for which the god cut off her tongue, and ordered Mercury to conduct her to the infernal regions. The messenger of the gods fell in love with her by the way, and gratified his passion. Lara became mother of two children, to whom the Romans have paid divine honours, according to the opinion of some, under the name of Lares. Ovid, Fasti, bk. 2, li. 599.
Larentia and Laurentia, a courtesan in the first ages of Rome. See: [Acca].