Pausanias Analysis

Passage 3.8.9

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Passage 3.8.9: Delphic oracle warning Sparta, disputed by Agesilaus and Leotychides.

Historical Non-skeptical

Greek Text

τῷ δὲ Ἀγησιλάῳ καὶ Λεωτυχίδῃ παρέσχεν ἐς πλέον τὸ μάντευμα ἀντιλογίαν τὸ ἐκ Δελφῶν, γεγονὸς μὲν ἐκεῖ, ἔχον δὲ οὕτω· φράζεο δή, Σπάρτη, καίπερ μεγάλαυχος ἐοῦσα, μὴ σέθεν ἀρτίποδος βλάστῃ χωλὴ βασιλεία. δηρὸν γὰρ μόχθοι σε κατασχήσουσιν ἄελπτοι φθερσιβρότου τʼ ἐπὶ κῦμα κυκωόμενον πολέμοιο.

English Translation

The oracle from Delphi produced even greater controversy between Agesilaus and Leotychides. It had been delivered there and ran as follows: "Take heed, Sparta, proud though you be, lest from you arise a lame kingship from sound-footed stock; for long and unexpected hardships shall seize upon you amidst the surging waves of man-destroying war."

Proper Nouns

Leotychides (Λεωτυχίδης) person
Agesilaus (Ἀγησίλαος) person
Delphi (Δελφοί) place Q75459 Pleiades
Sparta (Σπάρτη) place Q5690 Pleiades
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