Pausanias Analysis

Passage 4.30.3

← 4.30.2 4.30.4 →

Passage 4.30.3: Nicomachus and Gorgasus, twin healer-kings of Pharae.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

καὶ τάδε ἄλλα ἤκουσα ἐν Φαραῖς, Διοκλεῖ θυγατέρα ἐπὶ τοῖς διδύμοις παισὶν Ἀντίκλειαν γενέσθαι, τῆς δὲ Νικόμαχόν τε εἶναι καὶ Γόργασον, πατρὸς δὲ Μαχάονος τοῦ Ἀσκληπιοῦ· τούτους καταμεῖναί τε αὐτοῦ καὶ ὡς ὁ Διοκλῆς ἐτελεύτησε τὴν βασιλείαν ἐκδέξασθαι. διαμεμένηκε δὲ αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐς τόδε ἔτι νοσήματά τε καὶ τοὺς πεπηρωμένους τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἰᾶσθαι· καί σφισιν ἀντὶ τούτων θυσίας ἐς τὸ ἱερὸν καὶ ἀναθήματα ἄγουσιν. ἔστι δὲ καὶ Τύχης ναὸς Φαραιάταις καὶ ἄγαλμα ἀρχαῖον.

English Translation

I also heard the following at Pharae: that Diocles had a daughter named Anticleia, who bore twin sons, Nicomachus and Gorgasus, their father being Machaon, son of Asclepius; and that these two stayed there, and upon Diocles' death, succeeded him in the kingship. Even up to this day, it remains with their descendants to heal diseases and cure those who suffer infirmities. Hence, people bring sacrifices and dedicate offerings at their sanctuary in return for these favors. The inhabitants of Pharae also have a temple of Tyche (Fortune) and within it an ancient statue.

Proper Nouns

Tyche (Τύχη) deity
Asclepius (Ἀσκληπιός) deity
Pharaiatai (Pharaians) (Φαραιάται) other
Sanctuary (ἱερόν) other
Gorgasus (Γόργασος) person Q12875545
Diocles (Διοκλῆς) person
Machaon (Μαχάων) person
Nikomachos (Νικόμαχος) person
Also in: 4.3.10
Anticleia (Ἀντίκλεια) person
Also in: 10.29.8
Pharai (Φαραί) place Q16566337
← 4.30.2 4.30.4 →