Parnassum

Parnassum is the Latin accusative form of Parnassus, the name of a prominent mountain in central Greece. In Greek, the range is known as Parnassos, and the mountain forms part of the terrain that lies near the regions of Phocis and Boeotia, with the town of Delphi nearby. The highest summit of the Parnassus range reaches about 2,457 meters, and the area is characterized by rugged limestone peaks and beech forests at lower elevations.

In antiquity, Parnassus held a central place in Greek myth and culture. It was regarded as the home of the Muses and a locus of poetic inspiration, closely associated with Apollo and the Castalian Spring on its southern slopes, which were believed to purify poets before they composed. The mountain's proximity to Delphi, a major oracular center, reinforced its symbolic status as a source of wisdom, art, and learning.

Culturally, the term Parnassus has extended beyond physical geography. It has become a symbol of the arts and letters, most notably giving rise to the French Parnassian poetry movement of the 19th century, which prized formal precision and refinement. In Latin and literary usage, references to Parnassum or Parnassus often invoke this tradition of poetic aspiration.

Today, much of the Parnassus area is part of a protected landscape within Greece, designated as Parnassos National Park. It remains a destination for outdoor activities such as hiking and winter sports, as well as for those drawn to its historical and mythological associations.