Pausanias Analysis

Passage 1.24.2

← 1.24.1 1.24.3 →

Passage 1.24.2: Phrixus' ram sacrifice with statues of Heracles, Athena, and a bronze bull.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

κεῖται δὲ καὶ Φρίξος ὁ Ἀθάμαντος ἐξενηνεγμένος ἐς Κόλχους ὑπὸ τοῦ κριοῦ· θύσας δὲ αὐτὸν ὅτῳ δὴ θεῷ, ὡς δὲ εἰκάσαι τῷ Λαφυστίῳ καλουμένῳ παρὰ Ὀρχομενίοις, τοὺς μηροὺς κατὰ νόμον ἐκτεμὼν τὸν Ἑλλήνων ἐς αὐτοὺς καιομένους ὁρᾷ. κεῖνται δὲ ἑξῆς ἄλλαι τε εἰκόνες καὶ Ἡρακλέους· ἄγχει δέ, ὡς λόγος ἔχει, τοὺς δράκοντας. Ἀθηνᾶ τέ ἐστιν ἀνιοῦσα ἐκ τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ Διός. ἔστι δὲ καὶ ταῦρος ἀνάθημα τῆς βουλῆς τῆς ἐν Ἀρείῳ πάγῳ, ἐφʼ ὅτῳ δὴ ἀνέθηκεν ἡ βουλή·

English Translation

There is also a depiction of Phrixus, son of Athamas, who was carried away to the Colchians by the ram. Having sacrificed the ram to whichever deity it may have been—presumably the one called Laphystios by the Orchomenians—Phrixus is shown performing the prescribed Greek ritual, cutting out its thighs and burning them. Next to him stand other statues, including one of Heracles, who, according to tradition, is strangling the serpents. Athena is also depicted, rising from the head of Zeus. There is furthermore a bronze bull, dedicated by the Council of the Areopagus—for what reason the Council made this offering is not clear.

Proper Nouns

Zeus (Ζεύς) deity
Laphystios (Λαφυστίος) deity
Athena (Ἀθηνᾶ) deity
Phrixos (Φρίξος) person
Athamas (Ἀθάμας) person
Hellenes (Ἕλληνες) person
Heracles (Ἡρακλῆς) person
Colchians (Κόλχοι) place Q2066979
Areopagus (Ἄρειος Πάγος) place Q202487
Also in: 1.28.6 4.5.2
Orchomenus (Ὀρχομενός) place Q13574822
← 1.24.1 1.24.3 →