Pausanias Analysis

Passage 4.36.4

← 4.36.3 4.36.5 →

Passage 4.36.4: Eryx wrestles Herakles over the cattle of Erytheia

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

φαίνεται δὲ καὶ Ἔρυξ τότε ἐν Σικελίᾳ δυναστεύων δριμὺν οὕτως ἔχων ἐς τὰς βοῦς τὰς ἐξ Ἐρυθείας ἔρωτα, ὥστε καὶ ἐπάλαισε πρὸς τὸν Ἡρακλέα ἆθλα ἐπὶ τῇ πάλῃ καταθέμενος τάς τε βοῦς ταύτας καὶ ἀρχὴν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ. πεποίηκε δὲ καὶ Ὅμηρος ἐν Ἰλιάδι, ὡς Ἰφιδάμας ὁ Ἀντήνορος τὰ πρῶτα τῶν ἕδνων ἑκατὸν βοῦς τῷ πενθερῷ δοίη. ταῦτα μὲν τὸν λόγον μοι βεβαιοῖ, βουσὶ τοὺς τότε χαίρειν μάλιστα ἀνθρώπους·

English Translation

It appears that at that time Eryx was ruling in Sicily, and he bore such a vehement passion for the cattle from Erytheia that he even wrestled against Herakles, having set as stakes for their wrestling-match these cattle and his own kingdom. Homer also relates in the Iliad how Iphidamas, the son of Antenor, initially gave one hundred cattle to his father-in-law as bride-price. This story supports my assertion that in ancient times humans valued cattle most highly.

Proper Nouns

Iliad (Ἰλιάς) other
Antenor (Ἀντήνωρ) person
Also in: 1.8.5 5.19.4
Eryx (Ἔρυξ) person
Also in: 3.16.4 3.16.5
Heracles (Ἡρακλῆς) person
Iphidamas (Ἰφιδάμας) person
Also in: 5.19.4
Homer (Ὅμηρος) person
Sicily (Σικελία) place Q1460
Erytheia (Ἐρυθία) place Q1363689
← 4.36.3 4.36.5 →