Pausanias Analysis

Current sentence-level mythic, historical, and other tags

Chapter 3.20

PassageSentenceBucketConfidenceGreekEnglishRationale
3.20.1 1 other high ἐν Θεράπνῃ δὲ κρήνην τὴν Μεσσηίδα ἰδὼν οἶδα. In Therapne I myself saw the spring called Messeïs. A personal sighting of a spring in Therapne is geographical/descriptive, not mythic or historical.
3.20.1 2 other high Λακεδαιμονίων δὲ ἑτέροις ἐστὶν εἰρημένον τὴν Πολυδεύκειαν ὀνομαζομένην ἐφʼ ἡμῶν, οὐ τὴν ἐν Θεράπνῃ Μεσσηίδα καλεῖσθαι τὸ ἀρχαῖον· According to another tradition of the Lacedaemonians, the spring that in my time is named Polydeucea was originally called Messeïs, not the one in Therapne. Antiquarian note about an alternate local name for a spring.
3.20.1 3 mythic high ἡ δὲ Πολυδεύκειά ἐστιν αὐτή τε ἡ κρήνη καὶ Πολυδεύκους ἱερὸν ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς ἐς Θεράπνην ὁδοῦ. Polydeucea itself consists both of the spring and of a sanctuary of Polydeuces, situated on the right side of the road leading to Therapne. Names a spring and sanctuary of Polydeuces, a mythic hero/deity, and describes the cult site on the landscape.
3.20.2 1 other high Θεράπνης δὲ οὐ πόρρω Φοιβαῖον καλούμενόν ἐστιν, ἐν δὲ αὐτῷ Διοσκούρων ναός· καὶ οἱ ἔφηβοι τῷ Ἐνυαλίῳ θύουσιν ἐνταῦθα. Not far from Therapne there is a place called Phoibaion, and in it is a sanctuary of the Dioskouroi; here the young men sacrifice to Enyalios. Topographical description of a place and sanctuary with cult practice, not a mythic narrative or post-500 BC historical event.
3.20.2 2 other high τούτου δὲ οὐ πολὺ Ποσειδῶνος ἀφέστηκεν ἱερὸν ἐπίκλησιν Γαιαόχου. At no great distance from it stands a sanctuary of Poseidon known as Gaiaochos ("Earth-holder"). Purely topographical description of a nearby sanctuary; no event is narrated.
3.20.2 3 mythic high καὶ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ προελθόντι ὡς ἐπὶ τὸ Ταΰγετον ὀνομάζουσιν Ἀλεσίας χωρίον, Μύλητα τὸν Λέλεγος πρῶτον ἀνθρώπων μύλην τε εὑρεῖν λέγοντες καὶ ἐν ταῖς Ἀλεσίαις ταύταις ἀλέσαι. Proceeding from there towards Taygetus, one comes to a site called Alesiai; they say it was here that Myleas, son of Lelex, was the first among men to invent the mill and grind meal, and that he ground grain in Alesiai. This attributes the origin of milling to Myleas, son of Lelex, a legendary early figure and an etiological myth about the place.
3.20.2 4 mythic high καί σφισι Λακεδαίμονος τοῦ Ταϋγέτης ἐνταῦθά ἐστιν ἡρῷον. Here also stands the hero shrine of Lakedaimon, the son of Taygete. A hero shrine of Lakedaimon, son of Taygete, refers to a mythic figure and cult site.
3.20.3 1 other high διαβᾶσι δὲ αὐτόθεν ποταμὸν Φελλίαν, παρὰ Ἀμύκλας ἰοῦσιν εὐθεῖαν ὡς ἐπὶ θάλασσαν Φᾶρις πόλις ἐν τῇ Λακωνικῇ ποτε ᾠκεῖτο· After crossing from there the river Phellia, going directly past Amyclae toward the sea, one comes upon Pharis, a city in Laconia once inhabited. A route description identifying a river, directions, and a former city location; no mythic or post-500 BC historical event.
3.20.3 2 other high ἀποτρεπομένῳ δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς Φελλίας ἐς δεξιὰν ἡ πρὸς τὸ ὄρος τὸ Ταΰγετόν ἐστιν ὁδός. Turning away from the Phellia river to the right, the road leads toward Mount Taygetus. Route description giving directions to Mount Taygetus; purely geographical.
3.20.3 3 other high ἔστι δὲ ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ Διὸς Μεσσαπέως τέμενος· In this plain is a precinct sacred to Zeus Messapeus. A location and description of a cult precinct; no event is being narrated.
3.20.3 4 other high γενέσθαι δέ οἱ τὴν ἐπίκλησιν ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς λέγουσιν ἱερασαμένου τῷ θεῷ. The god, they say, received the surname from a man who performed ritual sacrifices in his honor. Antiquarian etymology about a cult title derived from a sacrificer; not a mythic event or post-500 BC historical event.
3.20.3 5 other high ἐντεῦθέν ἐστιν ἀπιοῦσιν ἐκ τοῦ Ταϋγέτου χωρίον ἔνθα πόλις ποτὲ ᾠκεῖτο Βρυσίαι· From there, as one descends from Taygetus, there is a place where formerly stood the city of Bryseae. Purely topographical route description noting a former city site.
3.20.3 6 other high καὶ Διονύσου ναὸς ἐνταῦθα ἔτι λείπεται καὶ ἄγαλμα ἐν ὑπαίθρῳ. A temple to Dionysus still remains here, and also an image in the open air. Describes an existing temple and open-air image at the site; purely descriptive and geographical/antiquarian.
3.20.3 7 other high τὸ δὲ ἐν τῷ ναῷ μόναις γυναιξὶν ἔστιν ὁρᾶν· The statue within the temple can only be viewed by women. Describes temple access and viewing restrictions, a descriptive/antiquarian detail rather than a mythic or historical event.
3.20.3 8 other high γυναῖκες γὰρ δὴ μόναι καὶ τὰ ἐς τὰς θυσίας δρῶσιν ἐν ἀπορρήτῳ. For indeed it is women alone who perform the sacrificial rites in secret. Describes ritual practice and local custom, not a mythic event or a post-500 BC historical event.
3.20.4 1 other high ἄκρα δὲ τοῦ Ταϋγέτου Ταλετὸν ὑπὲρ Βρυσεῶν ἀνέχει. The peak of Taygetus, Taleton, rises above Bryseai. Purely geographical description of a mountain peak and nearby settlement.
3.20.4 2 other high ταύτην Ἡλίου καλοῦσιν ἱερὰν καὶ ἄλλα τε αὐτόθι Ἡλίῳ θύουσι καὶ ἵππους· They call this spot sacred to Helios, and there they offer sacrifices to Helios, among other things horses especially. Describes a sacred place and local cult practice to Helios, which is geographical/antiquarian rather than a mythic event or historical event.
3.20.4 3 other high τὸ δὲ αὐτὸ καὶ Πέρσας οἶδα θύειν νομίζοντας. I know that the Persians also follow a similar custom in sacrificing horses. Describes a non-mythic ethnographic custom among the Persians, not a mythic or historical event.
3.20.4 4 other high Ταλετοῦ δὲ οὐ πόρρω καλούμενός ἐστιν Εὐόρας, θηρία καὶ ἄλλα τρέφων καὶ αἶγας μάλιστα ἀγρίας. Not far from Taleton is a place named Evoras, which shelters wild animals and especially wild goats. Purely geographical/descriptive notice of a place and its wildlife.
3.20.4 5 other high παρέχεται δὲ καὶ διʼ ὅλου τὸ Ταΰγετον τῶν αἰγῶν τούτων ἄγραν καὶ ὑῶν, πλείστην δὲ καὶ ἐλάφων καὶ ἄρκτων. The whole Taygetus range abounds with hunting, both for these goats and for wild boars, and very plentifully also for deer and bears. Purely descriptive geography and fauna of Taygetus; no mythic or historical event.
3.20.5 1 mythic high Ταλετοῦ δὲ τὸ μεταξὺ καὶ Εὐόρα Θήρας ὀνομάζοντες Λητώ φασιν ἀπὸ τῶν ἄκρων τοῦ Ταϋγέτου Δήμητρος ἐπίκλησιν Ἐλευσινίας ἐστὶν ἱερόν· Between Taletum and Euoras, places called Theras, there is a sanctuary of Demeter Eleusinia; they say that Leto came there from the peaks of Taygetus. Refers to Leto's arrival, a mythic figure, and a sanctuary linked to that mythic episode.
3.20.5 2 mythic high ἐνταῦθα Ἡρακλέα Λακεδαιμόνιοι κρυφθῆναί φασιν ὑπὸ Ἀσκληπιοῦ τὸ τραῦμα ἰώμενον· At this place, the Lacedaemonians say Heracles was concealed by Asclepius, who healed his wound. Heracles and Asclepius are mythic figures, and the sentence describes a mythic healing episode affecting the place.
3.20.5 3 mythic high καὶ Ὀρφέως ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῷ ξόανον, Πελασγῶν ὥς φασιν ἔργον. And therein stands a wooden image of Orpheus, said to be the work of the Pelasgians. Orpheus is a mythic figure, and the sentence concerns his cult image and its attribution to the Pelasgians.
3.20.5 4 other high καὶ τόδε δὲ ἄλλο δρώμενον ἐνταῦθα οἶδα· Moreover, I am acquainted with another rite performed there: Introduces a local rite/ritual description, not a mythic event or a historical event.
3.20.6 1 other high ἐπὶ θαλάσσῃ πόλισμα Ἕλος ἦν, οὗ δὴ καὶ Ὅμηρος ἐμνημόνευκεν ἐν καταλόγῳ Λακεδαιμονίων· On the seacoast lay a small city named Helos, which even Homer has mentioned in his catalogue of the Lacedaemonians: A geographic description of Helos and a literary reference to Homer, with no event narration.
3.20.6 2 other high οἵ τʼ ἄρʼ Ἀμύκλας εἶχον Ἕλος τʼ ἔφαλον πτολίεθρον. Hom. Il. 2.584 "Those who held Amyclae, and Helos by the sea" (Homer, Il. 2.584). A Homeric catalog citation identifying places; descriptive/antiquarian rather than an event.
3.20.6 3 mythic high τοῦτο ᾤκισε μὲν Ἕλιος νεώτατος τῶν Περσέως παίδων, Δωριεῖς δὲ παρεστήσαντο ὕστερον πολιορκίᾳ, καὶ πρῶτοί τε ἐγένοντο οὗτοι Λακεδαιμονίων δοῦλοι τοῦ κοινοῦ καὶ εἵλωτες ἐκλήθησαν πρῶτοι, καθάπερ γε καὶ ἦσαν· Helos was founded by Helios, the youngest son of Perseus; later, the Dorians captured the city by siege, and these inhabitants became the first slaves of the commonwealth of Lacedaemon, called Helots after their true condition. Attributing Helos' founding to Helios, son of Perseus, is a mythic foundation story; the later Dorian capture is secondary to that mythic etiology.
3.20.6 4 other high τὸ δὲ οἰκετικὸν τὸ ἐπικτηθὲν ὕστερον, Δωριεῖς Μεσσηνίους ὄντας, ὀνομασθῆναι καὶ τούτους ἐξενίκησεν εἵλωτας, καθότι καὶ Ἕλληνας τὸ σύμπαν γένος ἀπὸ τῆς ἐν Θεσσαλίᾳ ποτὲ καλουμένης Ἑλλάδος. In time, the term prevailed, such that even subsequent servile classes whom the Dorians acquired (although these later were Messenians by descent) also came to be known as Helots, just as the Greeks collectively gained their name “Hellenes” from the place known as Hellas, located originally in Thessaly. Antiquarian etymology about the naming of Helots and Hellenes, not a mythic event or post-500 BC historical event.
3.20.7 1 other high ἐκ τούτου δὴ τοῦ Ἕλους ξόανον Κόρης τῆς Δήμητρος ἐν ἡμέραις ῥηταῖς ἀνάγουσιν ἐς τὸ Ἐλευσίνιον. From this place called Helos they bring an ancient wooden image of the Maiden, daughter of Demeter, to the Eleusinion during certain prescribed days. Describes a cultic procession and local ritual practice, not a mythic event or post-500 BC historical event.
3.20.7 2 other high πεντεκαίδεκα δὲ τοῦ Ἐλευσινίου σταδίους ἀφέστηκε Λαπίθαιον καλούμενον ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἐγχωρίου Λαπίθου· τοῦτό τε οὖν τὸ Λαπίθαιόν ἐστιν ἐν τῷ Ταϋγέτῳ καὶ οὐ πόρρω Δέρειον, ἔνθα Ἀρτέμιδος ἄγαλμα ἐν ὑπαίθρῳ Δερεάτιδος, καὶ πηγὴ παρʼ αὐτῷ ἣν Ἄνονον ὀνομάζουσι. Fifteen stades from the Eleusinion stands a place called Lapithaeum, named for a local man called Lapithus; this Lapithaeum is situated on Mount Taygetus, and not far from it is Dereium, where there is an open-air statue of Artemis Dereatis, and near it a spring they name Anonus. Topographical and descriptive: gives distances, place names, a statue, and a spring; no mythic or historical event.
3.20.7 3 other high μετὰ δὲ τὸ Δέρειον σταδίους προελθόντι ὡς εἴκοσιν ἔστιν Ἅρπλεια καθήκοντα ἄχρι τοῦ πεδίου. About twenty stades beyond Dereium lies Harpleia, which extends to the edge of the plain. Purely geographical route description giving distance and location of Harpleia.
3.20.8 1 other high τὴν δὲ ἐπʼ Ἀρκαδίας ἰοῦσιν ἐκ Σπάρτης Ἀθηνᾶς ἕστηκεν ἐπίκλησιν Παρείας ἄγαλμα ἐν ὑπαίθρῳ, μετὰ δὲ αὐτὸ ἱερόν ἐστιν Ἀχιλλέως· On the road from Sparta toward Arcadia stands a statue of Athena called "Pareia" in the open air; beyond it is a sanctuary of Achilles. A route description naming statues and a sanctuary; purely topographical/descriptive, not a mythic or historical event.
3.20.8 2 other high ἀνοίγειν δὲ αὐτὸ οὐ νομίζουσιν· ὁπόσοι δʼ ἂν τῶν ἐφήβων ἀγωνιεῖσθαι μέλλωσιν ἐν τῷ Πλατανιστᾷ, καθέστηκεν αὐτοῖς τῷ Ἀχιλλεῖ πρὸ τῆς μάχης θύειν. It is not customary for them to open it, but all those youths intending to compete in the games at Platanistas are required to sacrifice to Achilles before their contest. Describes a local customary rite for ephebes before athletic contests, not a mythic or post-500 BC historical event.
3.20.8 3 mythic high ποιῆσαι δέ σφισι τὸ ἱερὸν Σπαρτιᾶται λέγουσι Πράκα ἀπόγονον τρίτον Περγάμου τοῦ Νεοπτολέμου. The Spartans say that this sanctuary was built for them by Prax, a descendant in the third generation from Pergamus, the son of Neoptolemus. It concerns a sanctuary attributed to a descendant of Neoptolemus, a heroic/mythic genealogy rather than a historical event.
3.20.9 1 other high προϊοῦσι δὲ Ἵππου καλούμενον μνῆμά ἐστι. Going forward, one encounters a tomb called the "Tomb of the Horse." A tomb encountered on the route is a geographical/topographical landmark, not a mythic or historical event.
3.20.9 2 mythic high Τυνδάρεως γὰρ θύσας ἐνταῦθα ἵππον τοὺς Ἑλένης ἐξώρκου μνηστῆρας ἱστὰς ἐπὶ τοῦ ἵππου τῶν τομίων· Here Tyndareus once sacrificed a horse and made all the suitors of Helen swear an oath upon the severed parts of the animal. Tyndareus and the oath of Helen’s suitors are part of mythic legendary tradition.
3.20.9 3 mythic high ὁ δὲ ὅρκος ἦν Ἑλένῃ καὶ τῷ γῆμαι προκριθέντι Ἑλένην ἀμυνεῖν ἀδικουμένοις· The oath bound them to defend Helen and the chosen husband, should either suffer injustice. Refers to Helen and the oath concerning her, both part of mythic tradition.
3.20.9 4 mythic high ἐξορκώσας δὲ τὸν ἵππον κατώρυξεν ἐνταῦθα. Having made them swear this oath, Tyndareus buried the horse on this spot. Tyndareus and the buried horse belong to the myth of the Oath of Tyndareus and a mythic aetiology of the place.
3.20.9 5 other high κίονες δὲ ἑπτὰ οἳ τοῦ μνήματος τούτου διέχουσιν οὐ πολύ, κατὰ τρόπον οἶμαι τὸν ἀρχαῖον, οὓς ἀστέρων τῶν πλανητῶν φασιν ἀγάλματα. Nearby stand seven columns, placed at a short distance from the tomb, which, according to ancient custom, are said to be symbols representing the planets. Describes nearby columns and their symbolic identification; this is antiquarian/descriptive rather than mythic or historical.
3.20.9 6 other high καὶ Κρανίου τέμενος κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν ἐπίκλησιν Στεμματίου καὶ Μυσίας ἐστὶν ἱερὸν Ἀρτέμιδος. Along the road lies also a sanctuary of Kranius, surnamed Stemmatios, and a shrine belonging to Mysian Artemis. Purely topographical/religious description of sanctuaries along a road, with no narrated mythic or historical event.
3.20.10 1 mythic high τὸ δὲ ἄγαλμα τῆς Αἰδοῦς τριάκοντά που στάδια ἀπέχον τῆς πόλεως Ἰκαρίου μὲν ἀνάθημα εἶναι, ποιηθῆναι δὲ ἐπὶ λόγῳ φασὶ τοιῷδε. The statue of Modesty stands about thirty stades from the city; it is said to be a dedication of Icarius, and was made upon the following occasion. Icarius is a mythic figure, and the statue’s origin is explained through a mythic etiological story.
3.20.10 2 mythic high ὅτʼ ἔδωκεν Ὀδυσσεῖ Πηνελόπην γυναῖκα Ἰκάριος, ἐπειρᾶτο μὲν κατοικίσαι καὶ αὐτὸν Ὀδυσσέα ἐν Λακεδαίμονι, διαμαρτάνων δὲ ἐκείνου δεύτερα τὴν θυγατέρα ἱκέτευε καταμεῖναι καὶ ἐξορμωμένης ἐς Ἰθάκην ἐπακολουθῶν τῷ ἅρματι ἐδεῖτο. When Icarius gave his daughter Penelope to Odysseus to be his wife, he first attempted to persuade Odysseus himself to settle in Lacedaemon; but when he failed in this, he begged his daughter earnestly to remain, and, as she set out for Ithaca, he followed her chariot, entreating her to stay. Refers to Odysseus, Penelope, and Icarius, all within mythic genealogy and narrative.
3.20.11 1 mythic high Ὀδυσσεὺς δὲ τέως μὲν ἠνείχετο, τέλος δὲ ἐκέλευε Πηνελόπην συνακολουθεῖν ἑκοῦσαν ἢ τὸν πατέρα ἑλομένην ἀναχωρεῖν ἐς Λακεδαίμονα. Odysseus endured this situation for some time, but finally told Penelope to follow him willingly, or else, choosing her father, return again to Lacedaemon. Odysseus and Penelope are figures from Homeric myth, so this is mythic narrative.
3.20.11 2 mythic high καὶ τὴν ἀποκρίνασθαί φασιν οὐδέν· ἐγκαλυψαμένης δὲ πρὸς τὸ ἐρώτημα, Ἰκάριος τὴν μὲν ἅτε δὴ συνιεὶς ὡς βούλεται ἀπιέναι μετὰ Ὀδυσσέως ἀφίησιν, ἄγαλμα δὲ ἀνέθηκεν Αἰδοῦς· ἐνταῦθα γὰρ τῆς ὁδοῦ προήκουσαν ἤδη τὴν Πηνελόπην λέγουσιν ἐγκαλύψασθαι. They say Penelope answered nothing, but veiled herself at his question. Penelope and Odysseus are mythic figures; the sentence concerns a mythic episode and associated cult statue.