Pausanias Analysis

Passage 5.7.10

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Passage 5.7.10: Apollo's victories at Olympia and the Pythian flute in the pentathlon.

Mythic Skeptical

Greek Text

Δία δὴ οἱ μὲν ἐνταῦθα παλαῖσαι καὶ αὐτῷ Κρόνῳ περὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς, οἱ δὲ ἐπὶ κατειργασμένῳ ἀγωνοθετῆσαί φασιν αὐτόν· νικῆσαι δὲ ἄλλοι τε λέγονται καὶ ὅτι Ἀπόλλων παραδράμοι μὲν ἐρίζοντα Ἑρμῆν, κρατήσαι δὲ Ἄρεως πυγμῇ. τούτου δὲ ἕνεκα καὶ τὸ αὔλημα τὸ Πυθικόν φασι τῷ πηδήματι ἐπεισαχθῆναι τῶν πεντάθλων, ὡς τὸ μὲν ἱερὸν τοῦ Ἀπόλλωνος τὸ αὔλημα ὄν, τὸν Ἀπόλλωνα δὲ ἀνῃρημένον Ὀλυμπικὰς νίκας.

English Translation

Some say that it was here that Zeus wrestled with Cronus himself for sovereignty, but others say that Zeus established the games after he had already secured rule. Among those reputed as victors is Apollo, who is said to have defeated Hermes in a footrace and to have overcome Ares in boxing. For this reason, they say, the Pythian flute melody was introduced into the pentathlon during the long jump, as the flute melody was sacred to Apollo, who had himself won victories at Olympia.

Proper Nouns

Zeus (Ζεύς) deity
Cronus (Κρόνος) deity
Apollo (Ἀπόλλων) deity
Ares (Ἄρης) deity
Hermes (Ἑρμῆς) deity
Pythian (Πύθιον) other
Olympia (Ὀλυμπία) place Q38888 Pleiades
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