Pausanias Analysis

Passage 2.27.2

← 2.27.1 2.27.3 →

Passage 2.27.2: Ivory-and-gold statue of Asklepios by Thrasymedes

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

τοῦ δὲ Ἀσκληπιοῦ τὸ ἄγαλμα μεγέθει μὲν τοῦ Ἀθήνῃσιν Ὀλυμπίου Διὸς ἥμισυ ἀποδεῖ, πεποίηται δὲ ἐλέφαντος καὶ χρυσοῦ· μηνύει δὲ ἐπίγραμμα τὸν εἰργασμένον εἶναι Θρασυμήδην Ἀριγνώτου Πάριον. κάθηται δὲ ἐπὶ θρόνου βακτηρίαν κρατῶν, τὴν δὲ ἑτέραν τῶν χειρῶν ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς ἔχει τοῦ δράκοντος, καί οἱ καὶ κύων παρακατακείμενος πεποίηται. τῷ θρόνῳ δὲ ἡρώων ἐπειργασμένα Ἀργείων ἐστὶν ἔργα, Βελλεροφόντου τὸ ἐς τὴν Χίμαιραν καὶ Περσεὺς ἀφελὼν τὴν Μεδούσης κεφαλήν. τοῦ ναοῦ δέ ἐστι πέραν ἔνθα οἱ ἱκέται τοῦ θεοῦ καθεύδουσιν.

English Translation

The statue of Asklepios is half the size of the Olympian Zeus at Athens, and it is made of ivory and gold. An inscription reveals that the maker was Thrasymedes, son of Arignotos, of Paros. The god sits on a throne holding a staff, and his other hand rests above the head of a serpent. By his side also lies a dog depicted in the work. On the throne are carved representations of the heroic deeds of Argives, showing Bellerophon's battle against the Chimaira and Perseus severing the head of Medusa. Beyond the temple is the place where suppliants of the god sleep.

Proper Nouns

Asclepius (Ἀσκληπιός) deity
Olympian Zeus (Ὀλύμπιος Ζεύς) deity
Medusa (Μεδούσα) other
Parian (Πάριος) other
Also in: 1.33.2
Chimera (Χίμαιρα) other
Also in: 3.25.6
Bellerophon (Βελλεροφόντης) person
Thrasymedes (Θρασυμήδης) person
Perseus (Περσεύς) person
Argives (Ἀργεῖοι) person
Arignotus (Ἀριγνώτης) person
Athens (Ἀθῆναι) place Q844930
← 2.27.1 2.27.3 →