Pausanias Analysis

Outside the Altis there is a building known as the Workshop of Pheidias, where Pheidias himself fashioned each part of the statue. Within the building there is an altar dedicated jointly to all the gods. Turning back again towards the Altis, opposite is the Leonidaeum.

Outside the sacred enclosure stands the Leonidaeum, opposite the entrance into the Altis by the processional way, which is the only road permitted to those leading a procession. It is a dedication by Leonidas, a local man. In my time it served as the residence for the Roman governors who administered Greece. It is separated by an alley from the processional entrance; indeed, what the Athenians call narrow passages ("stenopoi") the Eleans term alleys ("agyiai").

In the Altis, as you are about to pass beyond the Leonidaeum, there stands on your left an altar to Aphrodite, and after it one to the Horae. Also, by the rear chamber of the temple, there grows a wild olive tree especially on the right side. This olive tree is called "Kallistephanos" ("Beautiful-crowned"), and it is from this tree that crowns are ordained to be awarded to victors in the Olympic games. Near this wild olive a second altar has been dedicated to the Nymphs.

They call these also Kallistephanous ("Beautifully Crowned"). Outside the Altis there is an altar of Artemis Agoraia; it is located on the right side of the Leonidaeum. There is also an altar made for the Despoinai—but what pertains to the goddess whom they call Despoina, I shall explain in my account of Arcadia. Next to this altar is an altar of Zeus Agoraeus, and in front of the so-called Proedria is an altar dedicated to Apollo, surnamed Pythios, and after him, one to Dionysos. It is said that this altar of Dionysos was neither ancient nor dedicated officially, but was set up privately by individuals.

As one goes toward the starting-place for the horses, there is an altar, inscribed with the title "Moiragetēs" (Leader of Fate). Clearly, this is an epithet of Zeus, who knows all things concerning mortals—both those that the Fates grant and those that have not been allotted to them. Nearby stands a long altar dedicated to the Fates; beyond it is one to Hermes and, in succession, two altars to Zeus Hypsistos (Highest). At the open area of the horses' starting-place, roughly in the midpoint of it, there are altars to Poseidon Hippios (Horse-God) and Hera Hippia, and by the pillar is an altar to the Dioskouroi.

At the entrance facing toward the place called Embolos stands, on one side, an altar of Ares Hippios, and on the other, an altar of Athena Hippia. Upon entering Embolos itself, there is an altar of Agathe Tyche (Good Fortune), as well as altars of Pan and Aphrodite; further within Embolos is located an altar dedicated to the Nymphs whom they call Akmenai. Returning from the stoa that the Eleans name Agnaptos, thus calling the building after its architect, there is on the right-hand side an altar of Artemis.

Upon entering again into the Altis through the ceremonial gateway, there stand behind the Heraion altars of the river Kladeos and of Artemis, followed by an altar of Apollo; fourth is one of Artemis who bears the surname Kokkoka, and fifth one of Apollo Thermios. Concerning Thermios, the Elean usage itself suggested to me conjecturing that the name corresponds to the Attic term "Thesmios" (Lawgiver); but for what reason Artemis is called Kokkoka I was unable to ascertain.

In front of the structure called the Theekoleon is a building; at the corner of this building there is set up an altar of Pan. The Prytaneion of the Eleans lies within the Altis, built near the exit across from the gymnasium. Here are the running tracks of the gymnasium and the wrestling grounds for the athletes. Before the doors of the Prytaneion is an altar to Artemis Agrotera.

In the Prytaneion itself, as one enters the chamber in which their hearth is located, there is an altar of Pan on the right side of the entrance. This hearth also is made of ashes, and upon it a fire burns similarly throughout each day and every night. From this hearth they take ashes, according to the practice already described by me, and carry them to the altar of Olympian Zeus; indeed, the ashes brought from the hearth especially contribute to the size of the altar.

On one day each month, the Eleans make sacrifices upon all the altars I have listed. They sacrifice in an ancient manner, burning incense mixed with wheat grains and honey upon the altars; they also place olive branches upon them and pour wine as libations. Only to the Nymphs and to the Goddesses called Despoinai, and upon the common altar of all the gods, do they consider it improper to offer wine-libations. The ceremonies regarding the sacrifices are overseen by the theēkolos (divine attendant), who holds office for one month, and by seers, libation bearers, an interpreter (exegetes), a flute-player, and a woodman.

As for all the words which it is customary for them to recite at the libations in the Prytaneion, or the hymns which they sing, I did not think it fitting to include these things in my narrative. They pour libations not only to the gods worshipped in Greece, but also to the deity in Libya, and to Hera Ammonia and Parammon; Parammon being a surname of Hermes. Clearly the Eleans have from most ancient times been consulting the Libyan oracle, and among the votive offerings at the sanctuary of Ammon are altars dedicated by the Eleans. On these altars are inscribed the questions which the Eleans asked, the responses given by the god, and the names of the men who traveled from Elis to Ammon. These things, then, stand in the sanctuary of Ammon.

The Eleans also pour libations for heroes and the wives of heroes, both those honored in the territory of Elis and those who are revered among the Aetolians. As for the hymns they chant in the Prytaneium, their dialect is Doric, but they do not say who composed these hymns. The Eleans also have a dining-hall, which is located inside the Prytaneium, directly opposite the chamber of Hestia, and it is in this building that they feast those who have won victories at Olympia.