Pausanias Analysis

Passage 2.32.8

← 2.32.7 2.32.9 →

Passage 2.32.8: Sanctuary of Poseidon Phytalmios and temple of Demeter Thesmophoros

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

ἔστι δὲ ἔξω τείχους καὶ Ποσειδῶνος ἱερὸν Φυταλμίου· μηνίσαντα γάρ σφισι τὸν Ποσειδῶνα ποιεῖν φασιν ἄκαρπον τὴν χώραν ἅλμης ἐς τὰ σπέρματα καὶ τῶν φυτῶν τὰς ῥίζας καθικνουμένης, ἐς ὃ θυσίαις τε εἴξας καὶ εὐχαῖς οὐκέτι ἅλμην ἀνῆκεν ἐς τὴν γῆν. ὑπὲρ δὲ τοῦ Ποσειδῶνος τὸν ναόν ἐστι Δημήτηρ Θεσμοφόρος, Ἀλθήπου καθὰ λέγουσιν ἱδρυσαμένου.

English Translation

Outside the wall is also a sanctuary of Poseidon, called Phytalmios ("Nurturer of Plants"). They say that Poseidon, enraged at them, caused their land to become barren by sending seawater that infected their crops and reached down into the roots of the plants. But afterward, appeased by their sacrifices and prayers, he ceased sending brine onto their soil. Above the temple of Poseidon stands a temple dedicated to Demeter Thesmophoros, which, they say, was founded by Althepus.

Proper Nouns

Demeter (Δημήτηρ) deity
Thesmophoros (Θεσμοφόρος) deity
Poseidon (Ποσειδῶν) deity
Phytalmius (Φύταλμιος) deity
Althepos (Ἀλθήπου) person
← 2.32.7 2.32.9 →