Pausanias Analysis

Passage 2.1.6

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Passage 2.1.6: Dispute between Poseidon and Helios over the Isthmus at Corinth

Mythic Skeptical

Greek Text

τὸ δὲ οὐ Κορινθίοις μόνον περὶ τῆς χώρας ἐστὶν εἰρημένον, ἀλλὰ ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν Ἀθηναῖοι πρῶτοι περὶ τῆς Ἀττικῆς ἐσεμνολόγησαν· λέγουσι δὲ καὶ οἱ Κορίνθιοι Ποσειδῶνα ἐλθεῖν Ἡλίῳ περὶ τῆς γῆς ἐς ἀμφισβήτησιν, Βριάρεων δὲ διαλλακτὴν γενέσθαι σφίσιν, ἰσθμὸν μὲν καὶ ὅσα ταύτῃ δικάσαντα εἶναι Ποσειδῶνος, τὴν δὲ ἄκραν Ἡλίῳ δόντα τὴν ὑπὲρ τῆς πόλεως. ἀπὸ μὲν τούτου λέγουσιν εἶναι τὸν ἰσθμὸν Ποσειδῶνος·

English Translation

This boastful claim concerning their land is not unique to the Corinthians; rather, it seems to me the Athenians were the first to extol Attica in such a manner. As for the Corinthians, they also say that Poseidon disputed with Helios over their territory, and that Briareos acted as arbitrator between them, assigning the Isthmus and the territory surrounding it to Poseidon, while granting to Helios the promontory that rises above the city. They say this is why the Isthmus belongs to Poseidon.

Proper Nouns

Poseidon (Ποσειδῶν) deity
Helios (Ἥλιος) deity
Briareus (Βριάρεως) person
Also in: 2.4.6
Corinthians (Κορίνθιος) person
Athenians (Ἀθηναῖοι) person
Attica (Ἀττική) place Q122443
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