Pausanias Analysis

Passage 2.19.3

← 2.19.2 2.19.4 →

Passage 2.19.3: The sanctuary of Apollo Lycius at Argos, originally dedicated by Danaus.

Mythic Skeptical

Greek Text

Ἀργείοις δὲ τῶν ἐν τῇ πόλει τὸ ἐπιφανέστατόν ἐστιν Ἀπόλλωνος ἱερὸν Λυκίου. τὸ μὲν οὖν ἄγαλμα τὸ ἐφʼ ἡμῶν Ἀττάλου ποίημα ἦν Ἀθηναίου, τὸ δὲ ἐξ ἀρχῆς Δαναοῦ καὶ ὁ ναὸς καὶ τὸ ξόανον ἀνάθημα ἦν· ξόανα γὰρ δὴ τότε εἶναι πείθομαι πάντα καὶ μάλιστα τὰ Αἰγύπτια. Δαναὸς δὲ ἱδρύσατο Λύκιον Ἀπόλλωνα ἐπʼ αἰτίᾳ τοιαύτῃ. παραγενόμενος ἐς τὸ Ἄργος ἠμφισβήτει πρὸς Γελάνορα τὸν Σθενέλα περὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς. ῥηθέντων δὲ ἐπὶ τοῦ δήμου παρʼ ἀμφοτέρων πολλῶν τε καὶ ἐπαγωγῶν καὶ οὐχ ἧσσον δίκαια λέγειν τοῦ Γελάνορος δόξαντος, ὁ μὲν δῆμος ὑπερέθετο---φασὶν--- ἐς τὴν ἐπιοῦσαν κρίνειν·

English Translation

Of the things in the city, the most notable sanctuary for the Argives is that of Apollo Lycius. The statue existing in my time was the work of Attalus the Athenian; originally, however, both the temple and the wooden image were dedicated by Danaus. Indeed, I am persuaded that at that period images everywhere were wooden, especially those of Egyptian origin. Danaus established the sanctuary of Apollo Lycius for the following reason: upon arriving in Argos, he contested the rule with Gelanor, son of Sthenelas. When, before the people, many arguments convincing and just were presented by both sides, and Gelanor seemed no less persuasive in his claims to justice, the people—according to tradition—postponed their decision until the following day.

Proper Nouns

Lycian (Λύκιος) deity
Lycian Apollo (Λύκιος Ἀπόλλων) deity
Apollo (Ἀπόλλων) deity
Egyptian (Αἰγύπτιον) other
Gelanor (Γέλανορ) person
Also in: 2.19.4
Danaus (Δαναός) person
Sthenelas (Σθενέλας) person
Also in: 2.16.1
Athenian (Ἀθηναῖος) person
Argives (Ἀργεῖοι) person
Attalus (Ἄτταλος) person
Argos (Ἄργος) place Q13533353
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