Pausanias Analysis

Passage 10.17.12

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Passage 10.17.12: Wild goats with coiled horns, dense chest hair, and exceptional speed.

Historical Non-skeptical

Greek Text

ὄφεις δὲ οὔτε ἐπὶ συμφορᾷ τῇ ἀνθρώπων οὔτε ὅσον ἀνώλεθρον αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ οἱ λύκοι τρέφεσθαι πεφύκασιν. οἱ δὲ τράγοι ἄγριοι μέγεθος μὲν τοὺς ἑτέρωθι οὐχ ὑπερβάλλουσιν, εἶδος δέ ἐστιν αὐτοῖς ὁποῖον ἐν πλαστικῇ τις ἂν τῇ Αἰγιναίᾳ ποιήσειεν ἀγρίου κριοῦ· τὰ μέντοι ἀμφὶ τὸ στῆθος δασύτερά ἐστιν αὐτοῖς ἢ ὡς πρὸς Αἰγιναίαν τέχνην εἰκάσαι· κέρατα δὲ οὐ διεστηκότα ἀπὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς, ἀλλὰ ἐς εὐθὺ παρὰ τὰ ὦτα ἔχουσιν ἐληλιγμένα· ὠκύτητι δὲ ἅπαντα τὰ θηρία ὑπερήρκασι.

English Translation

Neither snakes nor wolves here are naturally inclined to harm or prey upon men, nor even to the extent of causing them injury. The wild goats do not surpass those found elsewhere in size; in appearance, they resemble the figures of wild rams one might see in Aeginetan sculpture. Yet the hair around their chests is thicker and denser than can be represented by the skill of Aeginetan art. Their horns do not project outward from the head but coil directly beside the ears; and in speed, they surpass all other animals.

Proper Nouns

Aegina (Αἰγινή) place Q191082
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