Libanus (mythology)

In

Etymology

The ancient Greek noun Λίβανος translates to 'frankincense', and by extension the tree; it is derived from a Semitic root related to the word for white (lbn).^[1]

Mythology

The Syrian or Assyrian Libanus, who shared a name with a mountain range and the land both, was a young man who had been offered to the gods in a temple before he had even been born. Some impious people, in jealousy, killed him. Gaia, the goddess of the earth, honouring the other gods, transformed him into a plant that bore his name and was similarly dedicated to the gods, and people who offered incense to the gods were seen as more pious than those who offered gold.^[2][3][4][5] Two distinct plants are connected to Libanus's name; the first the λίβανος (libanos), meaning incense and by extension the frankincense tree (boswellia sacra),^[6] and the second the δενδρολίβανον (dendrolibanon, literally "tree Libanus") meaning rosemary.^[7] The unidentified author of the Geoponica clarifies that the myth is indeed about the rosemary.^[5] If the incense interpretation is taken into account, then Libanus's story can be compared with that of Leucothoe, a Persian princess who was transformed into a frankincense tree as well.^[8]

See also