Pausanias Analysis

Passage 2.35.11

← 2.35.10 2.36.1 →

Passage 2.35.11: Sanctuary of Eileithyia by the Masēs gate; only priestesses may view the statue.

Historical Non-skeptical

Greek Text

πρὸς δὲ τῇ πύλῃ, καθʼ ἣν ὁδὸς εὐθεῖά ἐστιν ἄγουσα ἐπὶ Μάσητα, Εἰλειθυίας ἐστὶν ἐντὸς τοῦ τείχους ἱερόν. ἄλλως μὲν δὴ κατὰ ἡμέραν ἑκάστην καὶ θυσίαις καὶ θυμιάμασι μεγάλως τὴν θεὸν ἱλάσκονται καὶ ἀναθήματα δίδοται πλεῖστα τῇ Εἰλειθυίᾳ· τὸ δὲ ἄγαλμα οὐδενὶ πλὴν εἰ μὴ ἄρα ταῖς ἱερείαις ἔστιν ἰδεῖν.

English Translation

Near the gate by which a straight road leads toward Masēs, within the city wall, stands a sanctuary of Eileithyia. Daily they greatly propitiate the goddess with sacrifices and offerings of incense, and many votive gifts are dedicated to Eileithyia. However, no one except only the priestesses may look upon the statue.

Proper Nouns

Eileithyia (Εἰλείθυια) deity
Maseta (Μάσητα) place Q3561276
Also in: 2.36.2
← 2.35.10 2.36.1 →