Pausanias Analysis

Chapter 4.20

• 4.20.1: Delphic oracle to Aristomenes predicting Messene's destruction
• 4.20.2: The river Neda and a bent "olynthos" (wild-fig) tree touching its water
• 4.20.3: Theoclus reveals a fig-tree omen to Aristomenes, signaling Messenian deliverance.
• 4.20.4: Aristomenes buries Messene's secret safeguard on Mount Ithome.
• 4.20.5: Adultery troubles afflict the Messenians
• 4.20.6: A herdsman seduces a Messenian man's wife by the Neda.
• 4.20.7: Lacedaemonians seize a Messenian guard-post during a storm.
• 4.20.8: Aristomenes wounded rescuing a Cephallenian, causing the fall of Eira's acropolis
• 4.20.9: A woman conceals a herdsman from her husband during a rainstorm.
• 4.20.10: Herdsman informs Lacedaemonians how to capture Eira.