Pausanias Analysis

Passage 10.5.8

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Passage 10.5.8: Olen, the first prophet of Phoebus and originator of song.

Mythic Skeptical

Greek Text

πεποίηκε δὲ ἡ Βοιὼ τοιάδε· ἔνθα τοι εὔμνηστον χρηστήριον ἐκτελέσαντο παῖδες Ὑπερβορέων Παγασὸς καὶ δῖος Ἀγυιεύς. Boeo, work unknown ἐπαριθμοῦσα δὲ καὶ ἄλλους τῶν Ὑπερβορέων, ἐπὶ τελευτῇ τοῦ ὕμνου τὸν Ὠλῆνα ὠνόμασεν· Ὠλήν θʼ, ὃς γένετο πρῶτος Φοίβοιο προφάτας, πρῶτος δʼ ἀρχαίων ἐπέων τεκτάνατʼ ἀοιδάν. Boeo, work unknown οὐ μέντοι τά γε ἥκοντα ἐς μνήμην ἐς ἄλλον τινά, ἐς δὲ γυναικῶν μαντείαν ἀνήκει μόνων.

English Translation

Boeo composed the following verses: "Here verily the sons of the Hyperboreans, Pagasos and noble Agyieus, established a renowned oracle." And having enumerated other Hyperboreans as well, at the conclusion of her hymn she names Olen thus: "And Olen, who was the first prophet of Phoebus, and first who fashioned song from ancient verses." Indeed, these traditions have not come down to the memory of any other, but are preserved solely through the prophecies of women.

Proper Nouns

Phoebus (Φοῖβος) deity
Agyieus (Ἀγυιεύς) deity
Boio (Βοιὼ) person Q19720594
Also in: 10.5.7
Pagasos (Παγασός) person
Hyperboreans (Ὑπερβόρεοι) person
Olen (Ὠλὴν) person
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