Pausanias Analysis

The statue upon the high pedestal is a work of Lysippus, representing the greatest of all men, excepting only those called heroes, and whatever mortal race may have existed before the heroes. Among the men of our own time, this Polydamas, son of Nicias, is the greatest.

Scotussa, the native city of Polydamas, was no longer inhabited in my time. For Alexander, the tyrant of Pherae, had seized the city during a period of truce. He gathered all of the Scotussans who had assembled in the theatre—for at that very moment an assembly was being held there—and surrounded them fully with peltasts and archers; and having thus trapped them, he slew everyone present. He also killed every other man able to bear arms, while he sold the women and children into slavery, giving their money as wages to his mercenary troops.

This disaster befell the Skotoussaeans when Phrasikleides was archon at Athens, during the second year of the hundred and second Olympiad, at which Damon of Thurii won his second victory. The inhabitants of Skotoussa who had escaped survived only a short time thereafter and soon abandoned their city once more, ravaged by disease. At this same time, fortune was preparing a second calamity for all the Greeks in the war against the Macedonians.

In pancratium, indeed, many others have won famous victories; yet Polydamas has achievements distinct from those who have been crowned in pancratium contests. The mountainous region of Thrace beyond the Nestus river, which flows through the territory of Abdera, has, besides other wild beasts, lions as well; these lions once attacked Xerxes' army, devastating the camels which carried provisions.

These lions frequently roam also into the region around Mount Olympus. Of this mountain, one side faces toward Macedonia, while the other turns toward Thessaly and the river Peneius. Here, on Olympus, Polydamas subdued a lion, a great and powerful beast, without using any weapon at all. He was inspired to undertake this daring feat by a rivalry with the exploits of Heracles, knowing that tradition also has Heracles overcoming the lion in Nemea.

Another marvel Polydamas left behind after this that remains memorable is this: approaching a herd of cattle, he seized the largest and fiercest bull, grasping the very tips of the hoofs of one of its hind legs, and despite its leaping and struggling vigorously, he did not let go, until eventually the bull, having exhausted all its strength, fled at last, leaving its hoof in Polydamas' grasp. It is also said that he once held back a charioteer who was enthusiastically urging his chariot forward; Polydamas grasped the rear of the vehicle with one hand, thus restraining both the horses and the driver himself.

Darius, the illegitimate son of Artaxerxes, who, having suppressed together with the Persian people Sogdianus, the legitimate son of Artaxerxes, obtained the throne in his stead—this Darius, after he had become king, having heard about the deeds of Polydamas, sent ambassadors promising him gifts, and persuaded Polydamas to come to Susa and appear before him. There, at the challenge of the Persians, Polydamas killed in single combat, simultaneously, three men of those called "Immortals." Of the deeds recounted about him, some are recorded upon the pedestal of his statue at Olympia, while others are indicated by the inscription.

Thus it came about that the prophecy Homer once uttered would overtake others who trusted in their strength, including Polydamas himself, who likewise was destined to perish because of his own might. It was summer time when Polydamas and his companions who had been drinking together entered a cave. Just then, by an unfortunate fate, the roof of the cave began to crack, clearly on the brink of imminent collapse and unable to hold out much longer.

When awareness arose of the approaching disaster and the others turned in flight, Polydamas resolved to stand firm; and raising his hands, he attempted to hold up the cave as it fell in upon him, refusing to yield beneath the weight of the mountain.