Pausanias Analysis

Passage 3.11.11

← 3.11.10 3.12.1 →

Passage 3.11.11: Ephoreia with tombs of Epimenides the Cretan and Aphareus

Mythic Skeptical

Greek Text

ἔστι δὲ καὶ Ἑρμῆς Ἀγοραῖος Διόνυσον φέρων παῖδα, καὶ τὰ ἀρχαῖα καλούμενα Ἐφορεῖα, ἐν δὲ αὐτοῖς Ἐπιμενίδου τοῦ Κρητὸς μνῆμα καὶ Ἀφαρέως τοῦ Περιήρους· καὶ τά γε ἐς Ἐπιμενίδην Λακεδαιμονίους δοξάζω μᾶλλον Ἀργείων λέγειν εἰκότα. ἐνταῦθα, ἔνθα αἱ Μοῖραι, καὶ Ἑστία τοῖς Λακεδαιμονίοις ἐστὶ καὶ Ζεὺς Ξένιος καὶ Ἀθηνᾶ Ξενία.

English Translation

There is also a Hermes of the Marketplace, carrying Dionysus as a child; nearby are buildings called "Ephoreia" from ancient times, within which is the tomb of Epimenides the Cretan, as well as of Aphareus the son of Perieres. Concerning Epimenides, I judge that the Lacedaemonians tell a story more credible than the Argives. Here, where the Moirai stand, the Lacedaemonians also have sanctuaries to Hestia, Zeus Xenios ("Protector of Strangers"), and Athena Xenia ("Goddess of Hospitality").

Proper Nouns

Dionysus (Διόνυσος) deity Q41680
Zeus Xenios (Ζεύς Ξένιος) deity Q34201
Moirai (Μοῖραι) deity
Athena Xenia (Ἀθηνᾶ Ξενία) deity
Hermes (Ἑρμῆς) deity Q41484
Hestia (Ἑστία) deity Q41419
Agoraios (Ἀγοραῖος) other Q21548139
Also in: 1.15.1 2.9.8
Ephoreia (Ἐφορεῖα) other
Cretan (Κρής) person Q450661
Perieres (Περιήρης) person Q1388147
Aphareus (Ἀφαρεύς) person Q2410410
Epimenides (Ἐπιμενίδης) person Q319406
Lacedaemonians (Λακεδαιμόνιοι) place Q16157161
Argives (Ἀργεῖοι) place Q10417789
← 3.11.10 3.12.1 →