Pausanias Analysis

Passage 5.25.9

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Passage 5.25.9: Idomeneus depicted with a cock on his shield, signaling his descent from Helios

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

Ἀγαμέμνονι τὸ ὄνομά ἐστι γεγραμμένον· γέγραπται δὲ καὶ τοῦτο ἐπὶ τὰ λαιὰ ἐκ δεξιῶν. ὅτου δὲ ὁ ἀλεκτρυών ἐστιν ἐπίθημα τῇ ἀσπίδι, Ἰδομενεύς ἐστιν ὁ ἀπόγονος Μίνω· τῷ δὲ Ἰδομενεῖ γένος ἀπὸ Ἡλίου τοῦ πατρὸς Πασιφάης, Ἡλίου δὲ ἱερόν φασιν εἶναι τὸν ὄρνιθα καὶ ἀγγέλλειν ἀνιέναι μέλλοντος τοῦ ἡλίου.

English Translation

The name of Agamemnon is inscribed there; and it is written from right to left. As for the warrior who has a cock as a device upon his shield, he is identified as Idomeneus, the descendant of Minos. Idomeneus traces his lineage from Helios, the father of Pasiphae. They say that the bird is sacred to Helios, and announces beforehand the rising of the sun.

Proper Nouns

Helios (Ἥλιος) deity
Minos (Μίνως) person
Pasiphae (Πασιφάη) person
Agamemnon (Ἀγαμέμνων) person
Idomeneus (Ἰδομενεύς) person
Also in: 5.25.10
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