Pausanias Analysis

Passage 6.20.2

← 6.20.1 6.20.3 →

Passage 6.20.2: Sanctuary of Eileithyia and Sosipolis at the Kronion.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

ἐν δὲ τοῖς πέρασι τοῦ Κρονίου κατὰ τὸ πρὸς τὴν ἄρκτον ἔστιν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν θησαυρῶν καὶ τοῦ ὄρους ἱερὸν Εἰλειθυίας, ἐν δὲ αὐτῷ Σωσίπολις Ἠλείοις ἐπιχώριος δαίμων ἔχει τιμάς. τὴν μὲν δὴ Εἰλείθυιαν ἐπονομάζοντες Ὀλυμπίαν, ἱερασομένην αἱροῦνται τῇ θεῷ κατὰ ἔτος ἕκαστον· ἡ δὲ πρεσβῦτις ἡ θεραπεύουσα τὸν Σωσίπολιν νόμῳ τε ἁγιστεύει τῷ Ἠλείων καὶ αὐτὴ λουτρά τε ἐσφέρει τῷ θεῷ καὶ μάζας κατατίθησιν αὐτῷ μεμαγμένας μέλιτι.

English Translation

At the extremity of the Kronion, towards the north, between the treasuries and the hill, there is a sanctuary of Eileithyia, and within it Sosipolis, a native deity of honor among the Eleans, receives worship. They call Eileithyia by the surname Olympian, and each year choose a priestess who serves this goddess. The elderly woman who attends Sosipolis holds her office according to the sacred custom of the Eleans; she personally brings water for bathing the god and arranges cakes kneaded with honey for him.

Proper Nouns

Eileithyia (Εἰλείθυια) deity
Sosipolis (Σωσίπολις) deity
Eleans (Ἠλεῖοι) person
Kronios (Κρόνιος) place Q1250184
Olympia (Ὀλυμπία) place Q38888 Pleiades
← 6.20.1 6.20.3 →