Pausanias Analysis

Passage 10.34.8

← 10.34.7 10.35.1 →

Passage 10.34.8: Prepubescent boy serving a five-year priesthood and an armed statue by Polycleitus' sons

Historical Non-skeptical

Greek Text

τὸν δὲ ἱερέα ἐκ παίδων αἱροῦνται τῶν ἀνήβων, πρόνοιαν ποιούμενοι πρότερον τῆς ἱερωσύνης ἐξήκειν οἱ τὸν χρόνον πρὶν ἢ ἡβῆσαι· ἱερᾶται δὲ ἔτη συνεχῆ πέντε, ἐν οἷς τήν τε ἄλλην δίαιταν ἔχει παρὰ τῇ θεῷ καὶ λουτρὰ αἱ ἀσάμινθοι κατὰ τρόπον εἰσὶν αὐτῷ τὸν ἀρχαῖον. τὸ δὲ ἄγαλμα ἐποίησαν μὲν καὶ τοῦτο οἱ Πολυκλέους παῖδες , ἔστι δὲ ἐσκευασμένον ὡς ἐς μάχην· καὶ ἐπείργασται τῇ ἀσπίδι τῶν Ἀθήνῃσι μίμημα ἐπὶ τῇ ἀσπίδι τῆς καλουμένης ὑπὸ Ἀθηναίων Παρθένου.

English Translation

They choose the priest from among the boys who have not yet reached puberty, taking care beforehand that the period of priesthood shall expire before he attains maturity. He serves continuously as priest for five years, during which time he lives by the goddess according to a certain established way of life, and the bathing basins are provided for him in the ancient customary manner. This statue too was made by the sons of Polycleitus, and it is armored as though ready for battle. Furthermore, upon the shield has been crafted a relief imitating the design upon the shield of the image which the Athenians call the Parthenos.

Proper Nouns

Parthenos (the Virgin, i.e. Athena Parthenos) (Παρθένος) deity
Also in: 5.11.10
god (θεός) deity
Athenians (Ἀθηναῖοι) other
Polykles (Πολύκλεος) person
Athens (Ἀθῆναι) place Q844930
← 10.34.7 10.35.1 →