Pausanias Analysis

Now, Hesiod in the Theogony has also composed a description of Styx—for there are indeed those who consider the verses of the Theogony to belong to Hesiod. At any rate, Styx is here portrayed as a daughter of Oceanus, and as the wife of Pallas. They also say that Linus has created something similar to these accounts; however, upon careful reflection, these particular narratives appeared to me altogether dubious.

Epimenides the Cretan, indeed, also made Styx a daughter of Oceanus, but did not represent her as living with Pallas; rather, she bore Echidna from Peiras, whoever this Peiras may be. Homer was especially responsible for introducing the name of Styx into poetry, for it is in Hera's oath that he composed: "Now let this be witnessed by Earth and broad Heaven above, and the down-flowing water of Styx." Indeed, Homer wrote these lines as if he had seen the dripping water of Styx; and in the Catalogue [of Ships] he also wishes the water of Styx to flow as the river Titaresios, a tributary of the Peneios, near Guneus.

He also represented water as existing in Hades, and Athena says that Zeus did not remember how she had saved Heracles many times during the labors assigned by Eurystheus: "For had I known this in my prudent mind, at the time when he sent him forth from Erebus to the gatekeeper of Hades, to fetch the hound of dread Hades, he would never have escaped the steep-flowing currents of the water of Styx." Homer, unknown location.

The water dripping from the cliff near Nonacris first falls upon a high rock, and then, passing through the rock itself, empties into the river Crathis. This water brings death alike to humans and to every other living creature. It is said that goats were once destroyed by it, having been the first to drink the water. Afterwards, over time, it became known whether there was indeed any other extraordinary property belonging to this water.

Glass, rock crystal, porcelain, and whatever else humans fashion from stone, as well as earthenware pottery, are shattered by the water of the Styx. Objects made of horn or bone, as well as iron and bronze, and even lead, tin, silver, and amber, are corroded by this water. The same effect that occurs with these metals also befalls gold. Nevertheless, there is testimony, provided both by the poetess from Lesbos and by gold itself, that gold alone is purified from this destructive force.

And so the god has granted that those who appear most insignificant may prevail over those whose fame surpasses them. For instance, pearls are naturally destroyed by vinegar, and the adamant, hardest of stones, is dissolved by goat’s blood. Likewise, the water of the Styx cannot overpower a horse's hoof alone, but if thrown therein, the hoof remains unharmed and is not dissolved. Whether Alexander, the son of Philip, actually met his end through this poison, I do not know for certain, but I do know that such a claim is made.

Above Nonacris are mountains called the Aroania, and there is a cave among them. They say it was to this cave that the daughters of Proetus fled when they were driven mad, and that Melampus brought them down from there by means of secret sacrifices and purifications, leading them to a place called Lousoi. Most of the Aroanian mountain was occupied by the Pheneatians, but Lousoi is already in the territory bordering Kleitor.

They say that Lousoi was once indeed a city, and Agesilas, a man from Lousoi, was proclaimed victor with the riding horse when the Amphictyons introduced a competition for the first time at the tenth Pythiad. But in our time not even ruins of Lousoi remain. Melampus brought down the daughters of Proitos to Lousoi and cured them of their madness in the sanctuary of Artemis. From that time the Kleitorians have called this Artemis by the name Hemerasia ("the Gentle").