Who were the Ourea in Greek mythology?

In Greek mythology the gods of the mountains were early gods of the Greek pantheon, and were named as Protogenoi, primordial gods, and given the title of the Ourea.

The name “Ourea” (Greek Οὔρεα, translit. Ourea) is simply the plural form of ouros, the Greek word meaning “mountain.” The word itself is usually thought to come from the Indo-European root *h₃er-, meaning “rise.”

Ancient sources would commonly name ten Ourea, born to Gaia, in the earliest period of the cosmos. Their names were Aitna (Etna), Athos, Helikon (Helicon), Kithairon (Cithaeron), Nysos (Nysus), Olympus, Olympus (Mysian Olympus/Uludag), Oreios (Othrys), Parnes (Parnitha), and Tmolus (Bozdag).

They when talked of though, were normally described in terms of bearded old men; these gods were often known for their judgment and counsel, and would often arbitrate when contests took place. The mountains linked to the Ourea were also regarded as sacred places.

The Ourea were considered to be earthly entities who were only powerful in the physical realm. This was in contrast to high gods who could influence spiritual matters.

Zeus held Parnes as sacred. Even modern Greeks consider Athos to be the “sacred mountain.” The Ourea are one of the only lineages to exist from the primordial beginnings of Greek mythology, and into the psyche of modern Greeks today.

They embody the role of nature, geography, and the unexplained in almost every Greek mythological tale.