Pausanias Analysis

Passage 5.19.6

← 5.19.5 5.19.7 →

Passage 5.19.6: Eteocles and Polynices with Fate; Dionysus reclining in a vine-filled cave.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

τῶν δὲ Οἰδίποδος παίδων Πολυνείκει πεπτωκότι ἐς γόνυ ἔπεισιν Ἐτεοκλῆς. τοῦ Πολυνείκους δὲ ὄπισθεν γυνὴ ἕστηκεν ὀδόντας τε ἔχουσα οὐδὲν ἡμερωτέρους θηρίου καί οἱ τῶν χειρῶν εἰσιν ἐπικαμπεῖς οἱ ὄνυχες· ἐπίγραμμα δὲ ἐπʼ αὐτῇ εἶναί φησι Κῆρα, ὡς τὸν μὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ πεπρωμένου τὸν Πολυνείκην ἀπαχθέντα, Ἐτεοκλεῖ δὲ γενομένης καὶ σὺν τῷ δικαίῳ τῆς τελευτῆς. Διόνυσος δὲ ἐν ἄντρῳ κατακείμενος, γένεια ἔχων καὶ ἔκπωμα χρυσοῦν, ἐνδεδυκώς ἐστι ποδήρη χιτῶνα· δένδρα δὲ ἄμπελοι περὶ αὐτὸν καὶ μηλέαι τέ εἰσι καὶ ῥόαι.

English Translation

Of the sons of Oedipus, Eteocles is approaching Polynices, who has fallen upon one knee. Behind Polynices stands a woman, whose teeth are no less savage than those of a wild beast, and the nails on her hands are sharply curved. The inscription upon her identifies her as Fate, making clear that Polynices was led away by destiny, but that death came to Eteocles justly and deservedly. Dionysus is depicted reclining within a cave, bearded and holding a golden cup; he wears a floor-length tunic. Around him grow vines, apple trees, and pomegranate trees.

Proper Nouns

Dionysus (Διόνυσος) deity
Ker (Κήρ) deity
Oedipus (Οἰδίπους) person
Polyneices (Πολυνείκης) person
Eteocles (Ἐτεοκλῆς) person
← 5.19.5 5.19.7 →