Pausanias Analysis

Passage 5.18.8

← 5.18.7 5.19.1 →

Passage 5.18.8: Aletes reluctantly accepts Melas' settlers despite a Delphic prophecy.

Mythic Skeptical

Greek Text

Μέλανα δὲ καὶ τὸν σὺν αὐτῷ στρατὸν κατὰ τὰ προειρημένα μοι καὶ ἐν τῇ Κορινθίᾳ συγγραφῇ οὐκ ἤθελεν Ἀλήτης συνοίκους δέξασθαι, γεγονός οἱ μάντευμα ἐκ Δελφῶν ὑφορώμενος, ἐς ὃ θεραπείᾳ τε τῇ πάσῃ χρώμενον καὶ Μέλανα καὶ ὁπότε ἀπελασθείη σὺν δεήσει ἐπανιόντα αὖθις ἐδέξατο καὶ ἄκων Ἀλήτης. τοῦτο τὸ στρατιωτικὸν τεκμαίροιτο ἄν τις τοὺς ἐπὶ τῇ λάρνακι εἰργασμένους εἶναι.

English Translation

According to what I have already mentioned also in my description of Corinth, Aletes was at first unwilling to accept Melas and his army as fellow settlers, suspecting a prophecy given to him from Delphi. Thus, only after Melas had applied every sort of persuasion and entreaty, and after he had been driven away and returned again in supplication, did Aletes accept him, though reluctantly. These soldiers, one might reasonably suppose, are the same as those depicted on the chest.

Proper Nouns

Melas (Μέλας) person
Aletes (Ἀλήτης) person
Also in: 2.4.3 2.4.4
Delphi (Δελφοί) place Q75459 Pleiades
Corinth (Κόρινθος) place Q1363688 Pleiades
← 5.18.7 5.19.1 →