Pausanias Analysis

After Thornax, as one proceeds further, comes the city originally called Sparta, which in time acquired the name Lacedaemon as well. Previously, this name belonged to the territory itself. Before embarking upon my account of the Spartans, I will explain here what served as a corrective measure in my Attic narrative—that I have chosen not to relate absolutely everything in order, but rather have carefully selected and recounted only those things most worthy of remembrance. Indeed, from the start, my purpose has been to gather from many sources—including those unworthy of detailed narration—the most noteworthy traditions that each people relates. Thus assured that my intention is rightly considered, there is no point at which I will deviate from it.

The marketplace of the Lacedaemonians who occupy Sparta is worthy of seeing, and situated upon it are the council-house of the Gerousia, as well as the offices of the Ephors, the Nomophylakes ("Guardians of the Laws"), and the so-called Bidiaeans. The Gerousia is indeed, most authoritative in the constitution for the Lacedaemonians, while the others serve as magistrates. As for the Ephors and the Bidiaeans, each body consists of five men respectively; the latter are appointed to oversee the contests held at the place called Platanistas and other competitions among the young men, while the Ephors manage all the most important public affairs and give their name to the year, just as among the Athenians there is one distinguished archon who lends his name to the year from among the so-called nine archons.

The most famous building on the Agora is the Stoa called the Persian, which was constructed from the spoils of the Persian wars. Over time, they have transformed this structure into its present size and current splendor. On the columns stand figures of Persians carved from white marble, among whom is Mardonius, the son of Gobryas. Also depicted is Artemisia, daughter of Lygdamis, who reigned in Halicarnassus. They say that she willingly joined Xerxes' expedition against Greece and distinguished herself by her exploits in the naval battle off Salamis.

In the marketplace there are temples—one of Caesar, who first among the Romans desired monarchy and first obtained absolute power, and one dedicated to Augustus, his son, who not only strengthened the imperial rule further, but advanced in honor and power far beyond what his father had attained. This latter was called Augustus, a name which in the Greek tongue means "Sebastos" (revered).

Near the altar they show a bronze statue of Agias, dedicated by Augustus. They say that this Agias foretold to Lysander the capture of the Athenian fleet at Aegospotami, except for ten triremes; these ten ships escaped to Cyprus, but the rest, ships and men alike, were taken by the Lacedaemonians. Agias was the son of Agelochus, who himself was the son of Tisamenus.

To Tisamenos of Elis, one of the Iamidae, an oracle came declaring that he would win five very illustrious contests. Accordingly, having trained for the pentathlon at Olympia, he departed defeated, although he had come first in two events. For he surpassed Hieronymos of Andros in running and jumping, yet when he had been defeated by him in wrestling and had lost the victory, he understood the prophecy: the god had granted him victory in five contests of warfare, not athletics.

The Lacedaemonians—already knowing well the prophetic utterance delivered by the Pythian priestess to Tisamenus—persuaded him, after he had removed from Elis, to serve as prophet for the Spartans collectively. Tisamenus won for them five contests of war: first, at Plataea against the Persians; second, at Tegea when the Lacedaemonians battled against the Tegeans and Argives; and later at Dipaieis, where all the Arcadians, except the Mantineans, took the field against them. The Dipaieis were an Arcadian town situated in the Mainalian region.

Fourthly, they fought against those helots who revolted from the Isthmus to Ithome. Not all the helots revolted, however, but only the descendants of the ancient Messenians, who split away from the original helot group. The account concerning this event I shall presently discuss further. On that occasion the Lacedaemonians permitted the revolters to leave under a truce, following the advice of Tisamenus and the oracle at Delphi. Tisamenus later prophesied for them at Tanagra when they were preparing for battle against the Argives and Athenians.

Such were the things I learned concerning Tisamenus. In the Spartan marketplace there are images of Pythaeus, Apollo, Artemis, and Leto. This entire place is called Chorus because during the Gymnopaediae—a festival which the Lacedaemonians celebrate with particular seriousness—the youths form choruses in honor of Apollo. Not far from these is a sanctuary of Earth and Zeus Agoraeus, as well as sanctuaries of Athena Agoraea, and Poseidon surnamed Asphalius, and again of Apollo, and of Hera.

There is also a statue of Demos of the Spartans, notably large in size. The Lacedaemonians also have a sanctuary dedicated to the Moirai (Fates), and near it lies the tomb of Orestes, son of Agamemnon; for, in accordance with an oracle, they brought the remains of Orestes from Tegea and buried them here. Beside the tomb of Orestes is a statue of Polydorus, son of Alcamenes, whom they have honored among their kings to such a high degree that the magistrates responsible for declaring public business make their announcements standing by the statue of Polydorus.

There is also a Hermes of the Marketplace, carrying Dionysus as a child; nearby are buildings called "Ephoreia" from ancient times, within which is the tomb of Epimenides the Cretan, as well as of Aphareus the son of Perieres. Concerning Epimenides, I judge that the Lacedaemonians tell a story more credible than the Argives. Here, where the Moirai stand, the Lacedaemonians also have sanctuaries to Hestia, Zeus Xenios ("Protector of Strangers"), and Athena Xenia ("Goddess of Hospitality").