Pausanias Analysis

As for the story of Cresphontes and the sons of Aristodemus, the present account does not urgently compel me to relate it here. Regarding Temenus, openly he entrusted the command of his army in battle to Deiphontes, son of Antimachus, son of Thrasyanor, son of Ctesippus, son of Heracles, employing him instead of his own sons and keeping him as his counsellor in all affairs, firstly because he had earlier made him his son-in-law, and secondly, because among his children, he most favored his daughter Hyrnetho. He had come, however, to be suspected of already diverting the kingdom to her and Deiphontes. For these reasons, plots were devised against him by his sons; and Ceisus, as the eldest of these sons, inherited his rule.

But the Argives, loving equality of speech and autonomy from very ancient times, reduced the authority of their kings to the smallest extent, so that to Medon, son of Ceisus, and his descendants only the title of kingship remained. Later, the people completely abolished the office when they deposed Meltas, son of Lacidas, a descendant of Medon in the tenth generation.

Of the things in the city, the most notable sanctuary for the Argives is that of Apollo Lycius. The statue existing in my time was the work of Attalus the Athenian; originally, however, both the temple and the wooden image were dedicated by Danaus. Indeed, I am persuaded that at that period images everywhere were wooden, especially those of Egyptian origin. Danaus established the sanctuary of Apollo Lycius for the following reason: upon arriving in Argos, he contested the rule with Gelanor, son of Sthenelas. When, before the people, many arguments convincing and just were presented by both sides, and Gelanor seemed no less persuasive in his claims to justice, the people—according to tradition—postponed their decision until the following day.

At daybreak, a wolf fell upon a herd of cattle grazing near the wall. Having attacked them, it fought against the bull who led the herd. To the Argives it became evident that Gelanor was represented by the bull, and Danaus could be likened to the wolf, since this animal was not friendly toward men, just as Danaus had not been friendly toward them up to that time. When the wolf overcame the bull, for this reason Danaus secured the kingship. Believing therefore that Apollo had sent the wolf against the herd of cattle, Danaus founded a sanctuary for Apollo Lykeios (Apollo of the Wolf).

Here stands the throne of Danaus, and here also is a statue of Biton, a man carrying a bull upon his shoulders. As Lyceas has shown, when the Argives were holding a sacrifice to Zeus at Nemea, Biton, because of his exceptional strength and vigor, lifted a bull and bore it there on his shoulders. Next to this image they keep burning a fire, claiming it as having belonged to Phoroneus. For they do not admit that Prometheus gave fire to mankind, but prefer rather to attribute the discovery of fire to Phoroneus.

As for the wooden images of Aphrodite and Hermes, they say one is the work of Epeius, and the other was a dedication made by Hypermnestra. Indeed, of all his daughters, she alone disregarded Danaus' command and was therefore brought by him to trial, because he considered her sparing Lynceus to pose no small threat to himself, and because by refusing to partake in the crime, she increased the shame upon her sisters and upon him who devised it. Having been judged by the Argives, she was acquitted, and subsequently dedicated to Aphrodite this statue, whom she called Nikephoros ("Bringer of Victory").

Within the temple is Ladas, who excelled all of his contemporaries in the swiftness of his feet, and Hermes who has captured a tortoise for making the lyre. Before the temple there is a pit, which portrays in relief a fight between a bull and a wolf, and beside them is a maiden hurling a stone at the bull; this maiden is believed to be Artemis. These things were dedicated by Danaus, who also set up nearby columns and wooden images of Zeus and Artemis.

There are tombs, one of Linus, the son of Apollo and Psamathe, daughter of Crotopus, and another tomb said to belong to Linus who composed the poetry. Matters concerning the latter Linus, being more appropriately dealt with elsewhere, I omit from the present account, but concerning Psamathe, this topic was previously covered in my description of Megara. Near these monuments stands a statue of Apollo Agyieus and an altar dedicated to Zeus Hyetius, where those who joined Polynices in his march upon Thebes swore an oath to perish if they did not succeed in taking the city. As to the tomb of Prometheus, the account of the Opuntians seems to me less credible, though they relate it nonetheless.