Pausanias Analysis

Passage 3.23.8

← 3.23.7 3.23.9 →

Passage 3.23.8: The water of Ino and its barley-cake divination.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

προελθόντι δὲ ἐν δεξιᾷ δύο που σταδίους, ἔστιν Ἰνοῦς καλούμενον ὕδωρ, μέγεθος μὲν κατὰ λίμνην μικράν, τῆς γῆς δὲ ἐν βάθει μᾶλλον· ἐς τοῦτο τὸ ὕδωρ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ τῆς Ἰνοῦς ἐμβάλλουσιν ἀλφίτων μάζας. ταύτας ἐπὶ μὲν αἰσίῳ τοῦ ἐμβαλόντος καταδεξάμενον ἔχει τὸ ὕδωρ· εἰ δὲ ἀναπέμψαιτο σφᾶς, πονηρὸν κέκριται σημεῖον.

English Translation

Proceeding onwards about two stades on the right side, there is water called the water of Ino. Its size is that of a small lake, but its depth extends deep into the earth. At the festival of Ino, they cast cakes of barley meal into this water. If the water accepts and retains the cakes, it is considered favorable for the one who threw them in; but if the water should send them back up, it is regarded as an evil omen.

Proper Nouns

Ino (Ἰνώ) deity
← 3.23.7 3.23.9 →