Pausanias Analysis

Passage 10.26.9

← 10.26.8 10.27.1 →

Passage 10.26.9: Medusa seated with a bronze basin, beside an elderly figure cradling a frightened child.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

ἐφεξῆς δὲ τῇ Λαοδίκῃ ὑποστάτης τε λίθου καὶ λουτήριόν ἐστιν ἐπὶ τῷ ὑποστάτῃ χαλκοῦν, Μέδουσα δὲ κατέχουσα ταῖς χερσὶν ἀμφοτέραις τὸ ὑπόστατον ἐπὶ τοῦ ἐδάφους κάθηται· ἐν δὲ ταῖς Πριάμου θυγατράσιν ἀριθμήσαι τις ἂν καὶ ταύτην κατὰ τοῦ Ἱμεραίου τὴν ᾠδήν. παρὰ δὲ τὴν Μέδουσαν ἐν χρῷ κεκαρμένη πρεσβῦτις ἢ ἄνθρωπός ἐστιν εὐνοῦχος, παιδίον δὲ ἐν τοῖς γόνασιν ἔχει γυμνόν· τὸ δὲ τὴν χεῖρα ὑπὸ δείματος ἐπίπροσθε τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν πεποίηται.

English Translation

Next to Laodice is a stone pedestal with a bronze washing-basin placed upon it. Medusa sits on the ground holding the pedestal with both hands. According to the epic poem of Himeraeus, Medusa too might be reckoned among the daughters of Priam. Nearby Medusa is an elderly woman, her hair closely shorn, or possibly a eunuch, who holds a naked child upon her knees; the child is depicted holding its hand before its eyes in fear.

← 10.26.8 10.27.1 →