Pausanias Analysis

Passage 4.32.1

← 4.31.12 4.32.2 →

Passage 4.32.1: The Messenians' Hierothesion, shrine with gods' statues and gymnasium dedications

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

τὸ δὲ ὀνομαζόμενον παρὰ Μεσσηνίων ἱεροθέσιον ἔχει μὲν θεῶν ἀγάλματα ὁπόσους νομίζουσιν Ἕλληνες, ἔχει δὲ χαλκῆν εἰκόνα Ἐπαμινώνδου. κεῖνται δὲ καὶ ἀρχαῖοι τρίποδες· ἀπύρους αὐτοὺς καλεῖ Ὅμηρος. τὰ δὲ ἀγάλματα τὰ ἐν τῷ γυμνασίῳ ποιήματά ἐστιν ἀνδρῶν Αἰγυπτίων , Ἑρμῆς καὶ Ἡρακλῆς τε καὶ Θησεύς. τούτους μὲν δὴ τοῖς πᾶσιν Ἕλλησι καὶ ἤδη τῶν βαρβάρων πολλοῖς περί τε γυμνάσια καὶ ἐν παλαίστραις καθέστηκεν ἔχειν ἐν τιμῇ·

English Translation

The place among the Messenians known as the Hierothesion contains statues of all the gods recognized by the Greeks, and also has a bronze image of Epaminondas. There are ancient tripods here as well, which Homer calls "fireless." In the gymnasium are statues made by Egyptian craftsmen, depicting Hermes, Heracles, and Theseus. Indeed, it has already become customary among all Greeks, and even among many barbarians, to honor these particular gods in connection with gymnasia and wrestling grounds.

Proper Nouns

Hermes (Ἑρμῆς) deity
Heracles (Ἡρακλῆς) deity
Egyptians (Αἰγύπτιοι) person
Theseus (Θησεύς) person
Messenians (Μεσσήνιοι) person
Epaminondas (Ἐπαμινώνδας) person
Hellenes (Ἕλληνες) person
Homer (Ὅμηρος) person
← 4.31.12 4.32.2 →