Pausanias Analysis

As for serpents—the other and distinct kind—those inclined toward a yellower hue are considered sacred to Asclepius and are tame towards humans; only the land of Epidaurus breeds them. Yet similar circumstances I find occurring in other regions: Libya alone breeds crocodiles on land no less than two cubits in length, while only in India are found various animals, including the parrots among birds. As for enormous snakes exceeding even thirty cubits in length, such as are nurtured in India and in Libya, the Epidaurians assert that these creatures are of another sort entirely and not true serpents (dragons).

On the way up Mount Koryphum, there is an olive-tree called "Strepte" ("Twisted"), formed by Hercules who bent it with his hand into that particular shape. Whether he set this as a boundary for the people of Asine in Argolis as well, I myself cannot say; for even where the land has not been devastated, it is no longer possible to clearly identify the boundary markers. On the summit of Mount Koryphum there is a sanctuary of Artemis Koryphaia, to which Telesilla also refers in a poem.

On the road down into the city of the Epidaurians, there is a place that has wild olive trees growing on it. The area is called Hyrnethium. I will relate the events concerning this place as the Epidaurians themselves report them, and indeed as seems probable. Ceisus and the other sons of Temenus decided that they could most grievously wound Deiphontes by causing the separation of Hyrnetho from him. Thus, Cerynes and Phalces came to Epidaurus—for Agraeus, the youngest, disapproved of their plan. Having stood their chariot beneath the city wall, they sent a herald to their sister, declaring that they wished to speak with her.

And when she answered their call, the youths immediately began speaking at length against Deiphontes, while earnestly begging her to return to Argos. They promised various inducements, including a husband far superior to Deiphontes—one who ruled over more numerous people and a richer land. But Hyrnetho, hurt by their words, replied sharply, declaring Deiphontes to be a husband pleasing to herself and unimpeachable as Timenos' son-in-law, while adding that they deserved to be called murderers of Timenos rather than his sons.

No longer giving her any reply, they seized her, placed her on the chariot, and drove away. But one of the Epidaurians informed Deiphontes that Cerynes and Phalces had departed, having taken Hyrnetho by force and against her will. Immediately Deiphontes hastened to her aid as swiftly as possible, and the Epidaurians, upon hearing the news, came in support. When Deiphontes overtook Cerynes, he struck and killed him; but as Phalces was holding Hyrnetho closely, Deiphontes feared to cast a spear lest he miss his aim and unwittingly kill her instead. He grappled with Phalces, trying to wrest her away, but Phalces resisted and pulled on her with such violence that he caused her death, though she was pregnant at the time.

And he, realizing what dreadful deeds he had done to his sister, drove his chariot more recklessly, eager to hasten along the road before all the Epidaurians could gather against him. Meanwhile, Deiphontes and his children—for earlier he had children by Hyrnetho: sons Antimenes, Xanthippos, and Argeios, and a daughter Orsobia, whom they say Pamphylos the son of Aigimios later married—then recovered the corpse of Hyrnetho and brought it to the place which afterwards was called Hyrnethion.

Those who built the heroön have also granted to Hyrnetho other honors, including a special observance regarding the olive trees growing there and indeed if any other tree stands within: it is established by law that no one may carry home the branches broken from them or make any use whatsoever of them; instead, they leave these branches on the spot, sacred to Hyrnetho.

Not far from the city there is the tomb of Melissa, who was married to Periander, the son of Cypselus; and another tomb is that of Procles, the father of Melissa. He also ruled as tyrant over the Epidaurians, just as his son-in-law Periander was tyrant over Corinth.