Pausanias Analysis

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Chapter 4.4

PassageSentenceBucketConfidenceGreekEnglishRationale
4.4.1 1 historical medium ἐπὶ δὲ Φίντα τοῦ Συβότα πρῶτον Μεσσήνιοι τότε τῷ Ἀπόλλωνι ἐς Δῆλον θυσίαν καὶ ἀνδρῶν χορὸν ἀποστέλλουσι· Under Phintas, son of Sybotas, the Messenians first sent to Delos a sacrifice and a chorus of men in honor of Apollo. Refers to a specific later historical occasion under Phintas, not a mythic event.
4.4.1 2 other high τὸ δέ σφισιν ᾆσμα προσόδιον ἐς τὸν θεὸν ἐδίδαξεν Εὔμηλος, εἶναί τε ὡς ἀληθῶς Εὐμήλου νομίζεται μόνα τὰ ἔπη ταῦτα. Eumelus composed for them the prosodion hymn for the god; indeed, these verses alone are genuinely accepted as the work of Eumelus. Antiquarian literary notice about Eumelus and a hymn, not a mythic event or post-500 BC historical event.
4.4.1 3 historical high ἐγένετο δὲ καὶ πρὸς Λακεδαιμονίους ἐπὶ τῆς Φίντα βασιλείας διαφορὰ πρῶτον, ἀπὸ αἰτίας ἀμφισβητουμένης μὲν καὶ ταύτης, γενέσθαι δὲ οὕτω λεγομένης. It was also in the reign of Phintas that their first dispute arose with the Lacedaemonians; the reason for it is debated, but the following account is the one commonly given. Refers to a dispute with the Lacedaemonians in the reign of Phintas, an early historical/legendary-political event rather than mythic landscape material.
4.4.2 1 other high ἔστιν ἐπὶ τοῖς ὅροις τῆς Μεσσηνίας ἱερὸν Ἀρτέμιδος καλουμένης Λιμνάτιδος, μετεῖχον δὲ αὐτοῦ μόνοι Δωριέων οἵ τε Μεσσήνιοι καὶ οἱ Λακεδαιμόνιοι. On the frontier of Messenia there is a sanctuary of Artemis, known as Limnatis, which only the Dorian Messenians and Lacedaemonians shared in common. A sanctuary on a frontier is a geographic/antiquarian description, not a mythic event or historical occurrence.
4.4.2 2 mythic high Λακεδαιμόνιοι μὲν δή φασιν ὡς παρθένους αὑτῶν παραγενομένας ἐς τὴν ἑορτὴν αὐτάς τε βιάσαιντο ἄνδρες τῶν Μεσσηνίων καὶ τὸν βασιλέα σφῶν ἀποκτείναιεν πειρώμενον κωλύειν, Τήλεκλον Ἀρχελάου τοῦ Ἀγησιλάου τοῦ Δορύσσου τοῦ Λαβώτα τοῦ Ἐχεστράτου τοῦ Ἄγιδος, πρός τε δὴ τούτοις τὰς βιασθείσας τῶν παρθένων διεργάσασθαι λέγουσιν αὑτὰς ὑπὸ αἰσχύνης· Now, the Lacedaemonians say that their maidens had come to the festival, and that men of the Messenians violated them and killed their king, Teleclus, son of Archelaus, son of Agesilaus, son of Doryssus, son of Labotas, son of Echestratus, son of Agis, when he attempted to restrain them. Aetiological legend about a conflict over maidens and the killing of a king, treated as a mythic foundation narrative.
4.4.3 1 historical low Μεσσήνιοι δὲ τοῖς ἐλθοῦσι σφῶν ἐς τὸ ἱερὸν πρωτεύουσιν ἐν Μεσσήνῃ κατὰ ἀξίωμα, τούτοις φασὶν ἐπιβουλεῦσαι Τήλεκλον, αἴτιον δὲ εἶναι τῆς χώρας τῆς Μεσσηνίας τὴν ἀρετήν, ἐπιβουλεύοντα δὲ ἐπιλέξαι Σπαρτιατῶν ὁπόσοι πω γένεια οὐκ εἶχον, τούτους δὲ ἐσθῆτι καὶ κόσμῳ τῷ λοιπῷ σκευάσαντα ὡς παρθένους ἀναπαυομένοις τοῖς Μεσσηνίοις ἐπεισαγαγεῖν, δόντα ἐγχειρίδια· καὶ τοὺς Μεσσηνίους ἀμυνομένους τούς τε ἀγενείους νεανίσκους καὶ αὐτὸν ἀποκτεῖναι Τήλεκλον, Λακεδαιμονίους δὲ---οὐ γὰρ ἄνευ τοῦ κοινοῦ ταῦτα βουλεῦσαι σφῶν τὸν βασιλέα---συνειδότας ὡς ἄρξαιεν ἀδικίας, τοῦ φόνου σφᾶς τοῦ Τηλέκλου δίκας οὐκ ἀπαιτῆσαι. The Messenians say that Teleclus plotted against those of their men who came to the sanctuary, who were the principal citizens of Messene in prestige. An episode involving Teleclus and Messenians/Spartans is a semi-legendary early historical tradition rather than geography or a clear mythic landscape tale.
4.4.3 2 other high ταῦτα μὲν ἑκάτεροι λέγουσι, πειθέσθω δὲ ὡς ἔχει τις ἐς τοὺς ἑτέρους σπουδῆς. The reason for his plot was the excellence of the Messenian land. This is a narrative aside about differing accounts and interpretation, not a mythic event or a post-500 BC historical event.
4.4.4 1 historical high γενεᾷ δὲ ὕστερον βασιλεύοντος ἐν Λακεδαίμονι Ἀλκαμένους τοῦ Τηλέκλου, τῆς δὲ οἰκίας τῆς ἑτέρας Θεοπόμπου τοῦ Νικάνδρου τοῦ Χαρίλλου τοῦ Πολυδέκτου τοῦ Εὐνόμου τοῦ Πρυτάνιδος τοῦ Εὐρυπῶντος, Μεσσηνίων δὲ Ἀντιόχου καὶ Ἀνδροκλέους τῶν Φίντα, Λακεδαιμονίων καὶ Μεσσηνίων ἐξήρθη τὸ ἐς ἀλλήλους μῖσος· A generation later, when Alcamenes, son of Teleclus, was reigning in Lacedaemon, and from the other royal house Theopompus, son of Nicander, son of Charillus, son of Polydectes, son of Eunomus, son of Prytanis, son of Eurypon, and when Antiochus and Androcles, sons of Phintas, ruled among the Messenians, the hatred between Lacedaemonians and Messenians flared up once more. Refers to named rulers and renewed conflict between Lacedaemonians and Messenians in a generational, post-heroic historical framework.
4.4.4 2 historical high καὶ ἦρξαν οἱ Λακεδαιμόνιοι πολέμου, The Lacedaemonians started the war. Refers to the Lacedaemonians starting a war, a post-mythic historical event.
4.4.4 3 other high ἐπιγενομένης ἀφορμῆς σφισιν ἐθελέχθρως μὲν ἔχουσι καὶ πολεμῆσαι πάντως ἐγνωκόσιν οὐ μόνον ἀποχρώσης ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ μάλιστα εὐπροσώπου, μετὰ δὲ εἰρηνικωτέρας γνώμης κἂν διελύθη δικαστηρίου γνώσει. An occasion arose, and, since they harbored deliberate enmity and were intent upon conflict at any cost, they took it as not merely sufficient, but entirely plausible grounds for war; yet, had they possessed a more peaceable mind, the matter could have been settled through judicial decision. General explanatory statement about conflict and arbitration; no mythic event or post-500 BC historical event.
4.4.4 4 historical medium τὰ δὲ συμβάντα ἔσχεν οὕτω. These were the events that led to war. Refers to events leading to a war, which is a historical outcome rather than mythic or descriptive material.
4.4.5 1 historical high Πολυχάρης Μεσσήνιος τά τε ἄλλα οὐκ ἀφανὴς καὶ νίκην Ὀλυμπίασιν ἀνῃρημένος—τετάρτην Ὀλυμπιάδα ἦγον Ἠλεῖοι καὶ ἀγώνισμα ἦν σταδίου μόνον, ὅτε ὁ Πολυχάρης ἐνίκησεν—, τούτῳ τῷ ἀνδρὶ ἐγένοντο βοῦς· Polychares, a Messenian distinguished in many ways and victor at Olympia—when he gained victory, the Eleans were celebrating their fourth Olympiad and the sole contest was the stadion race—this man possessed cattle. References an Olympic victory and a dated Olympiad, which are historical, not mythic.
4.4.5 2 other high καὶ—οὐ γὰρ ἐκέκτητο ἰδίαν γῆν ὡς νομὰς ταῖς βουσὶν ἱκανὰς εἶναι— Σπαρτιάτῃ σφᾶς δίδωσιν Εὐαίφνῳ βόσκεσθαί τε ἐν ἐκείνου καὶ μοῖραν εἶναι καὶ Εὐαίφνῳ τοῦ καρποῦ τῶν βοῶν. However, as he owned no land sufficient for grazing them, he entrusted them to the Spartan Euaephnus, allowing them to graze on Euaephnus's property on the condition that Euaephnus would receive a share of the produce from the herd. A practical land-and-grazing arrangement; no mythic or post-500 BC historical event.
4.4.6 1 other high ἦν δὲ ἄρα τοιόσδε τις ὁ Εὔαιφνος, κέρδη τε ἄδικα ἐπίπροσθεν ἢ πιστὸς εἶναι ποιούμενος καὶ ἄλλως αἱμύλος· This Euaphnus was, it seems, a man of the following sort—he habitually preferred dishonest gain over trustworthy conduct, and was generally cunning. Character description of Euaphnus; no mythic or historical event.
4.4.6 2 other high ὃς καὶ τότε καταπλεύσασιν ἐς τὴν Λακωνικὴν ἐμπόροις ἀποδόμενος βοῦς τὰς Πολυχάρους ἦλθεν αὐτὸς ὡς Πολυχάρην ἄγγελος, ἐλθὼν δὲ ἀποβάντας ἔλεγεν ἐς τὴν χώραν λῃστὰς καὶ βιασαμένους αὐτὸν λείαν βοῦς τε ἄγεσθαι καὶ βουκόλους. On that particular occasion, indeed, having sold cattle belonging to Polychares to some merchants who had sailed to Laconia, he himself went to Polychares as if bearing news; upon arriving, he told Polychares that pirates had come ashore in the region, assaulted him, and had taken his cattle along with the herdsmen as booty. Anecdotal local narrative about cattle theft and a deceitful report; not mythic and not after-500 BC historical event in the landscape.
4.4.6 3 other high ἕως δὲ οὗτος παρέπειθεν, ἐν τούτῳ τῶν τις βουκόλων ἀποδιδράσκει τοὺς ἐμπόρους, ἐπανήκων δὲ καταλαμβάνει τε αὐτοῦ παρὰ τῷ δεσπότῃ τὸν Εὔαιφνον καὶ Πολυχάρους ἐναντίον ἤλεγχεν. While Euaphnus was persuading him of this, one of the herdsmen escaped from the merchants, returned home, found Euaphnus there with his master, and openly denounced him before Polychares. A narrative action in a merchant/herdsman episode; no mythic or post-500 BC historical event, just plot description.
4.4.7 1 other high ἁλισκόμενος δὲ καὶ οὐκ ἔχων ἀπαρνήσασθαι πολλὰ μὲν αὐτὸν Πολυχάρην, πολλὰ δὲ καὶ τοῦ Πολυχάρους τὸν παῖδα ἱκέτευε νεῖμαί οἱ συγγνώμην· Now that he had been caught and could offer no denial, Euaphnus repeatedly begged forgiveness from Polychares himself and from Polychares’ son. A scene of interpersonal supplication after being caught; not mythic or historical narrative.
4.4.7 2 other high ἐν γὰρ τῇ ἀνθρωπίνῃ φύσει καὶ ἄλλων ἐνόντων, ἐφʼ οἷς βιαζόμεθα ἄδικοι γίνεσθαι, τὰ κέρδη μεγίστην ἀνάγκην ἔχειν· He argued that, although human nature is subject to various forces that compel us toward injustice, the lure of profit is the strongest compulsion of all. Abstract moral psychology about human nature and profit; not mythic or historical narrative.
4.4.7 3 historical high τιμὴν δὲ ἥντινα εἰλήφει τῶν βοῶν, λόγῳ τε ἀπέφαινε καὶ τὸν παῖδα ἠξίου τὸν Πολυχάρους ἕπεσθαί οἱ κομιούμενον. He further explained the price he had received for the cattle, and urged Polychares' son to accompany him to recover it. A practical dispute over payment for cattle, not mythic or geographical material.
4.4.7 4 other medium ὡς δὲ προϊόντες ἐγίνοντο ἐν τῇ Λακωνικῇ, ἔργον ἐτόλμησεν Εὔαιφνος ἀνοσιώτερον τοῦ προτέρου· But when they were advancing on their way into Laconia, Euaphnus ventured upon a deed still more wicked than the first. Narrative action in a travel context; no clear mythic or post-500 BC historical event.
4.4.8 1 historical low φονεύει τοῦ Πολυχάρους τὸν υἱόν. He killed Polycharus' son. A killing of an identifiable son reads as a historical narrative action rather than mythic or descriptive material.
4.4.8 2 historical high ὁ δὲ ὡς καὶ ταῦτα ἔγνω πεπονθώς, φοιτῶν ἐς τὴν Λακεδαίμονα τοῖς βασιλεῦσιν ἦν καὶ τοῖς ἐφόροις διʼ ὄχλου, πολλὰ μὲν τὸν παῖδα ἀνακλαίων, καταριθμούμενος δὲ οἷα ὑπὸ Εὐαίφνου πεπονθὼς ἦν, ὃν αὐτὸς ξένον ἐποιήσατο καὶ πρὸ πάντων Λακεδαιμονίων ἐπίστευσεν. When Polycharus learned also of this misfortune, he regularly came to Sparta, forcefully confronting the kings and ephors: repeatedly lamenting his son's death and recounting the wrongs he had suffered at the hands of Euaephnus, whom he himself had made guest-friend and had trusted more than any other Spartan. Refers to named Spartan officials and a private grievance involving Polycharus and Euaephnus, with no mythic material.
4.4.8 3 historical high ὡς δέ οἱ συνεχῶς ἰόντι ἐπὶ τὰς ἀρχὰς οὐδεμία ἐγίνετο τιμωρία, ἐνταῦθα παρετράπη τε ὁ Πολυχάρης ἐκ τοῦ νοῦ καὶ τῷ θυμῷ χρώμενος, ἅτε ἔχων ἀφειδῶς ἤδη καὶ αὑτοῦ, πάντα τινὰ ὃν λάβοι Λακεδαιμονίων ἐτόλμα φονεύειν. But as no redress was given by the magistrates notwithstanding his persistent protests, Polycharus, driven now entirely beyond reason and mastered by rage, caring nothing even for his own life, dared to kill any Spartan whom he could seize. Refers to Polycharus' violent response to Spartan magistrates, a post-mythic historical घटना affecting people, not mythic landscape.