Ayu-Dag: the legend. Bear Mountain in Crimea

The southern coast of Crimea is famous not only for its beautiful landscapes, but also for magical legends. From the earliest times these fertile lands attracted settlers here. Each nationality brought its own customs and beliefs. Time passed. Various stories intertwined and complemented each other. The natural objects covered by these stories acquired even greater appeal for tourists. This article is devoted to one of the attractions of the coastline of the southern coast of Crimea - Mount Ayu-Dag. This is one of the most recognizable silhouettes of the coast.

Different names

Bear Mountain, which is exactly how the name of Ayu-Dag mountain is translated literally from the Turkic language, is not always so called. For example, for some reason the ancient Greeks looked like a ram's forehead. And called her accordingly - Krimeumtopon. But navigators in the Middle Ages saw in the outline of the mountain a camel's hump and in their maps marked it with the name Camel.

By the way, some scholars are inclined to the alternative translation of the name Ayu-Dag. With the fact that the word "dag" means "mountain", no one argues. But with respect to the first part of the name, the historian O. Dombrovsky admits the translation "holy" (in Greek "ayos").

The beginning of a beautiful legend

Long ago, the area where today the mountain of Ayu-Dag rises, was chosen for itself by a group of wild bears. They were strong and intelligent animals. They raided the nearby settlements of people. And when all the enemies went deep into the island, the bears began to go on long trips and were absent for several days.

The leader was the strongest, oldest and wise bear. None of the people allowed him to tread on his land. The old bear was convinced that people are the most dangerous and cunning opponents, and nobody in the neighborhood with them can feel safe.

But once, once again returning from the hike, the beasts saw on the shore fragments of a ship broken by a storm and thrown ashore. Among the piles of rubbish, one of them found a bundle with a human child. The find was brought to the court leader. Seeing the innocent child, the old bear took pity on the little one and decided to leave her in the pack.

Day after day, time passed, and the little girl gradually turned into a beautiful young girl. She lived happily among the bears that had been guarding her since early childhood. Not seeing other people, the pupil of the bears gave all her love to the animals around her. They, in turn, perceived it as a full member of the pack.

Unexpected meeting

Once a girl was walking along the shore and saw a strange piece of wood brought by the surf. She came closer and inside (and it was not just a piece of wood, but a small boat) found a man without feelings.

For the first time, she saw someone so similar to her. He was a young man with beautiful features. Realizing that meeting with the bears promises him a sure death, the girl decided to save the young man and hid him in a cave.

Day by day, she furtively brought him food and processed wounds. And the young man told her about the native lands and customs of people. For a while, for a while, young people realized that they fell in love with each other. Realizing that the bears simply will not let them go, they began to plan an escape.

The rescue

The young man was able to attach a small sail to the boat in which he was once thrown ashore, and the lovers assigned the time of escape. After waiting for the bears to go on another raid, they pulled out the boat and sailed away from the shore. But suddenly the animals returned.

Seeing the boat that was floating in the sea with his favorite, the old leader roared and rushed to the shore. But he quickly realized that he could not catch the ship any more. Then the wise beast lay down on the shore, fell face to the sea and became a mouth to draw water. The same was done by the rest of the beasts.

The current formed began to drag the boat back to the shore faster and faster. And then the girl rose to her full height and sang her most beautiful song. After listening, the animals rose from the water, and the current immediately weakened. So the lovers managed to escape.

Only the old leader did not succumb to a charming voice. Blinded by anger, he remained lying on the shore near the water. The huge beast petrified and turned into a forest covered with a mountain. That's the way, according to legend, and appeared Bear Mountain in the Crimea. This story is often told to tourists.

But this mountain of Crimea, whose photo resembles the silhouette of a lying bear, has other legends.

History originating in ancient Greece

Everybody knows about the epic Trojan War. But few remember that, on his way to this expedition, King Agamemnon sacrificed his own daughter Iphigenia as a sacrifice to the gods. According to ancient Greek myths, this act marked the beginning of a chain of events, as a result of which the Bear Mountain appeared in the Crimea.

The story in the exposition of the ancient Hellenes is full of dramatic and vivid character characters. The story of Mount Ayu-Dag is no exception. The legend of its appearance is quite capable to serve as a motive for the best Hollywood adaptations.

Substitution of the victim

The goddess Artemis took pity on an innocent girl, who was put on the altar by her father, and at the last minute replaced the victim with a forest deer. Iphigenia she carried to her temple, so that the girl served there as a priestess.

The majestic temple of Artemis stood on the seashore where Ayu-Dag Mountain is today. Crimea, the ancient Greeks called Tavrida. This land in those days was unassailable and harsh. Dense forests covered it. And in the forests of these inhabited ferocious wild boars and bears. No traveler was able to violate the borders of their possessions with impunity.

To suit the inhabitants of the forest thicket there were people living on the coast. These inhospitable children of the harsh land knew neither mercy nor mercy. Taurians were ruled by the one-eyed king Zarnak. He ordered his subjects to kill all foreign sailors, whose ships could carry to the coast of Tauris.

These unfortunates were sacrificed to the patroness of Tauris - Artemis. So every morning Iphigenia was forced to kill the sailors on the altar of the goddess. I did not like the girl this duty, but she could not change anything.

Gift of Artemis

There was nothing in common with the young princess brought up among the sophisticated Hellenes, with the rude Tavrians. Seeing her tormented by loneliness, Artemis taught her the language of animals.

Now Iphigenia often walked through the forest and communicated with her inmates. Wild animals did not offend a tender girl, and she found in their society much needed to her consolation.

Especially close friendship was connected Iphigenia with a huge bear - the owner of this forest. Once she pulled the hunter's arrow out of him. Since then, the gigantic beast was ready to fulfill any desire of its savior. Often it was possible to see this strange couple, who took a fancy to relax some clearing.

The girl hugged the bear and spoke kindly to him, and the one with pleasure became like a quiet pet.

Unexpected meeting

Once Tavrians captured the brother of Iphigenia Orestes. Performing her role as a priestess, she was to slaughter him on the altar at dawn.

To save her brother, Iphigenia personally went to the ruler of Zarnak and told him that the prisoner was desecrated. Before the sacrifice, it should be cleaned in the waters of the sea. Unsuspecting Zarnak gave the soldiers the order to take Orestes to the sea. There Iphigenia sent the guard off, insisting that she should personally perform the rite of purification.

As soon as the guards disappeared behind the nearest ledge, the brother and sister rushed into the water and sailed to the vessel hidden nearby. By the time the Tavrians felt wrong and rushed into the pursuit, the fugitives were already far away.

Long yearned for his girlfriend a huge bear. For days on end he lay on the shore, peering into the distance. Unable to withstand the separation, the giant became petrified and turned into the Ayu-Dag mountain.