Pausanias Analysis

Passage 2.29.6

← 2.29.5 2.29.7 →

Passage 2.29.6: Aegina's treacherous reefs, Aeacus' defenses, and the Aiakeion with Aphrodite's temple.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

προσπλεῦσαι δὲ Αἴγινά ἐστι νήσων τῶν Ἑλληνίδων ἀπορωτάτη· πέτραι τε γὰρ ὕφαλοι περὶ πᾶσαν καὶ χοιράδες ἀνεστήκασι. μηχανήσασθαι δὲ ἐξεπίτηδες ταῦτα Αἰακόν φασι λῃστειῶν τῶν ἐκ θαλάσσης φόβῳ, καὶ πολεμίοις ἀνδράσι μὴ ἄνευ κινδύνου εἶναι. πλησίον δὲ τοῦ λιμένος ἐν ᾧ μάλιστα ὁρμίζονται ναός ἐστιν Ἀφροδίτης, ἐν ἐπιφανεστάτῳ δὲ τῆς πόλεως τὸ Αἰάκειον καλούμενον, περίβολος τετράγωνος λευκοῦ λίθου.

English Translation

Of all the Greek islands, Aegina is especially difficult to approach by sea; for it is surrounded everywhere by hidden reefs beneath the water and jutting rocks. They say Aeacus made these obstacles purposefully from fear of piracy from the sea, so that enemy vessels could not reach the island without danger. Near the harbor which they most frequently use for anchorage stands a temple of Aphrodite, and in the most prominent area of the city is what is called the Aiakeion—a square enclosure made of white stone.

Proper Nouns

Aphrodite (Ἀφροδίτη) deity
Aeacus (Αἰακών) person
Also in: 2.29.7
Aeakeion (Αἰάκειον) place Q403346
Also in: 2.29.9
Aegina (Αἴγινα) place Q191082
Hellas (Ἑλλάς) place Q7798
← 2.29.5 2.29.7 →