Pausanias Analysis

Passage 10.2.2

← 10.2.1 10.2.3 →

Passage 10.2.2: Philomelus persuades the Phocians to seize the sanctuary at Delphi.

Historical Non-skeptical

Greek Text

ἐχόντων δὲ ἀθύμως αὐτῶν πρὸς τῆς ζημίας τὸ μέγεθος, Φιλόμηλος σφᾶς ὑπολαβὼν ὁ Θεοτίμου, Φωκέων οὐδενὸς ἀξιώματι ὕστερος---πατρὶς δὲ αὐτῷ Λέδων τῶν ἐν Φωκεῦσιν ἦν πόλεων---οὗτος οὖν ὁ Φιλόμηλος τήν τε ἔκτισιν αὐτοῖς ἀδύνατον ἀπέφηνε τῶν χρημάτων καὶ ἀνέπειθε τὸ ἱερὸν καταλαβεῖν τὸ ἐν Δελφοῖς, λέγων καὶ ἄλλα ἐπαγωγὰ καὶ ὡς τὰ Ἀθηναίων καὶ ἐκ Λακεδαίμονος ἐπιτήδεια ἐξ ἀρχῆς ἐστιν αὐτοῖς, Θηβαίων δὲ καὶ εἴ τις ἄλλος κατασταίη σφίσιν ἐς πόλεμον, περιέσεσθαι καὶ ἀρετῇ σφᾶς καὶ δαπάνῃ χρημάτων.

English Translation

Since they were disheartened by the magnitude of their penalty, Philomelus son of Theotimus addressed them. No one among the Phocians exceeded him in honor; his homeland was Ledon, one of the Phocian cities. This Philomelus then declared to them that repayment of the debt was impossible. He persuaded them instead to seize possession of the sanctuary at Delphi, adding other persuasive arguments, in particular that from the beginning they might rely upon friendship from Athens and assistance from Sparta. Even if the Thebans or any others chose war against them, they would prevail through their own courage and financial resources.

Proper Nouns

Theotimos (Θεότιμος) person
Also in: 6.17.5
Philomelos (Φιλόμηλος) person
Phocian (Φωκεύς) person
Delphi (Δελφοί) place Q75459 Pleiades
Thebes (Θῆβαι) place Q11225429
Ledon (Λέδων) place Q3807754
Also in: 10.3.2 10.33.1
Lacedaemon (Λακεδαίμων) place Q5690 Pleiades
Phocis (Φωκεύς) place Q2637650
Athens (Ἀθῆναι) place Q844930
← 10.2.1 10.2.3 →