Pausanias Analysis

Passage 3.16.11

← 3.16.10 3.17.1 →

Passage 3.16.11: The wooden image of Orthia (Lygodesma) and its ritual whipping.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

μαστιγοῦντές ποτε ὑποφειδόμενοι παίωσι κατὰ ἐφήβου κάλλος ἢ ἀξίωμα, τότε ἤδη τῇ γυναικὶ τὸ ξόανον γίνεται βαρὺ καὶ οὐκέτι εὔφορον, ἡ δὲ ἐν αἰτίᾳ τοὺς μαστιγοῦντας ποιεῖται καὶ πιέζεσθαι διʼ αὐτούς φησιν. οὕτω τῷ ἀγάλματι ἀπὸ τῶν ἐν τῇ Ταυρικῇ θυσιῶν ἐμμεμένηκεν ἀνθρώπων αἵματι ἥδεσθαι· καλοῦσι δὲ οὐκ Ὀρθίαν μόνον ἀλλὰ καὶ Λυγοδέσμαν τὴν αὐτήν, ὅτι ἐν θάμνῳ λύγων εὑρέθη, περιειληθεῖσα δὲ ἡ λύγος ἐποίησε τὸ ἄγαλμα ὀρθόν.

English Translation

If ever those doing the whipping spare the blows from moderation due to the beauty or rank of the youth, then immediately the wooden image becomes heavy for the woman and no longer easily carried. She then blames those administering the lashes and claims she is being oppressed on their account. Thus has remained with this image a delight in the human blood derived from the sacrifices in Tauris. They call her not only Orthia but also Lygodesma ("Bound with Willow"), because she was found in a thicket of willow bushes, and the willow, having encircled it, kept the image upright.

Proper Nouns

Lygodesma (Λυγοδέσμα) deity
Orthia (Ὀρθία) deity
Taurica (Ταυρική) place Q1761310
Also in: 3.16.8
← 3.16.10 3.17.1 →