Pausanias Analysis

Passage 4.36.1

← 4.35.11 4.36.2 →

Passage 4.36.1: Pylos on the Coryphasium headland

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

ἔστι δὲ ἐκ Μοθώνης ὁδὸς σταδίων μάλιστα ἑκατὸν ἐπὶ τὴν ἄκραν τὸ Κορυφάσιον· ἐπʼ αὐτῇ δὲ ἡ Πύλος κεῖται. ταύτην ᾤκισε Πύλος ὁ Κλήσωνος ἀγαγὼν ἐκ τῆς Μεγαρίδος τοὺς ἔχοντας τότε αὐτὴν Λέλεγας· καὶ τῆς μὲν οὐκ ὤνατο ὑπὸ Νηλέως καὶ τῶν ἐξ Ἰωλκοῦ Πελασγῶν ἐκβληθείς, ἀποχωρήσας δὲ ἐς τὴν ὅμορον ἔσχεν ἐνταῦθα Πύλον τὴν ἐν τῇ Ἠλείᾳ. Νηλεὺς δὲ βασιλεύσας ἐς τοσοῦτο προήγαγεν ἀξιώματος τὴν Πύλον ὡς καὶ Ὅμηρον ἐν τοῖς ἔπεσιν ἄστυ ἐπονομάσαι Νηλήιον.

English Translation

From Mothone it is about a hundred stadia to the headland named Coryphasium. Upon this headland stands Pylos. This city was founded by Pylos, son of Cleson, who brought from Megaris the Leleges, who then inhabited it. However, he derived no benefit from this settlement, as he was driven out by Neleus and the Pelasgians who came from Iolcus. Departing, he occupied the nearby territory and established the Pylos that lies within Elis. Neleus became king and elevated Pylos to such a height of prestige that Homer himself calls the city "Neleian" in his poems.

Proper Nouns

Leleges (Λέλεγες) other
Neleian (Neleus's city) (Νηλήιον) other
Pelasgians (Πελασγοί) other
Also in: 7.2.2 8.4.1
Cleson (Κλήσων) person
Neleus (Νηλεύς) person
Homer (Ὅμηρος) person
Coryphasium (Κορυφάσιον) place Q5035174
Megaris (Μεγαρίς) place Q645572
Methone (Μοθώνη) place Q60790706
Pylos (Πύλος) place Q3904982
Elis (Ἠλεία) place Q6536845
Iolkos (Ἰωλκός) place Q662613
← 4.35.11 4.36.2 →