Pausanias Analysis

Passage 3.24.7

← 3.24.6 3.24.8 →

Passage 3.24.7: The temple of Athena Asia built by Castor and Polydeuces.

Mythic Skeptical

Greek Text

ἔστι δὲ ἐν τοῖς ἐρειπίοις ναὸς Ἀθηνᾶς ἐπίκλησιν Ἀσίας, ποιῆσαι δὲ Πολυδεύκην καὶ Κάστορά φασιν ἀνασωθέντας ἐκ Κόλχων· εἶναι γὰρ καὶ Κόλχοις Ἀθηνᾶς Ἀσίας ἱερόν. μετασχόντας μὲν οὖν οἶδα Ἰάσονι τοῦ στόλου τοὺς Τυνδάρεω παῖδας· ὅτι δὲ Ἀθηνᾶν Ἀσίαν τιμῶσιν οἱ Κόλχοι, παρὰ Λακεδαιμονίων ἀκούσας γράφω. τῆς δὲ ἐφʼ ἡμῶν οἰκουμένης πόλεως κρήνη τέ ἐστι πλησίον διὰ τὴν χρόαν τοῦ ὕδατος καλουμένη Γαλακὼ καὶ πρὸς τῇ κρήνῃ γυμνάσιον· Ἑρμοῦ δὲ ἕστηκεν ἄγαλμα ἀρχαῖον.

English Translation

Among the ruins stands a temple of Athena surnamed "Asia," which Polydeuces and Castor are said to have constructed after their safe return from Colchis; for the Colchians also possess a sanctuary of Athena Asia. Now, I certainly know that the sons of Tyndareus joined Jason in the expedition; but concerning the Colchian worship of Athena Asia, I write from information obtained from the Lacedaemonians. Near the currently inhabited town there is a fountain, named Galako due to the appearance of its water, and close to the fountain is a gymnasium. There also stands an ancient statue of Hermes.

Proper Nouns

Athena (Ἀθηνᾶ) deity
Asia (Ἀσία) deity
Hermes (Ἑρμῆς) deity
Galako (Γαλακώ) other
Castor (Κάστωρ) person
Polydeuces (Πολυδεύκης) person
Tyndareus (Τυνδάρεως) person
Jason (Ἰάσων) person
Colchians (Κόλχοι) place Q2066979
Lacedaemonians (Λακεδαιμόνιοι) place Q16157161
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