Pausanias Analysis

Passage 4.20.3

← 4.20.2 4.20.4 →

Passage 4.20.3: Theoclus reveals a fig-tree omen to Aristomenes, signaling Messenian deliverance.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

θεασάμενος δὲ ὁ μάντις Θέοκλος συνεβάλετο ὡς τὸν τράγον τὸν πίνοντα ἐκ τῆς Νέδας προεῖπεν ἡ Πυθία τὸν ἐρινεὸν τοῦτον καὶ ὡς ἤδη Μεσσηνίοις ἥκει τὸ χρεών· καὶ ἐς μὲν τοὺς ἄλλους εἶχεν ἐν ἀπορρήτῳ, Ἀριστομένην δὲ πρός τε τὸν ἐρινεὸν ἤγαγε καὶ ἀνεδίδασκεν ὡς τῆς σωτηρίας ἐξήκοι σφίσιν ὁ χρόνος. Ἀριστομένης δὲ ἔχειν οὕτω πείθεται καὶ ἀναβολὴν οὐκέτι εἶναί σφισι, προενοήσατο δὲ καὶ ἐκ τῶν παρόντων.

English Translation

The seer Theoclus, having observed this, understood that the goat drinking from the river Neda corresponded to the oracle of the Pythia concerning this fig tree, and declared that the time of destiny had now arrived for the Messenians. To all others he kept the matter secret, but he brought Aristomenes to the fig tree and instructed him that the time of their deliverance had come. Aristomenes was thus persuaded that it was so, and concluded there could be no further delay, perceiving clearly the necessity from their present circumstances.

Proper Nouns

Theoklos (Θέοκλος) person Q31790263
Messenians (Μεσσήνιοι) person
Pythia (Πυθία) person
Aristomenes (Ἀριστομένης) person
Neda (Νέδα) place Q1641987
← 4.20.2 4.20.4 →