Pausanias Analysis

Passage 7.22.2

← 7.22.1 7.22.3 →

Passage 7.22.2: Hermes Agoraios statue and oracle in Pharae's marketplace

Historical Non-skeptical

Greek Text

περίβολος δὲ ἀγορᾶς μέγας κατὰ τρόπον τὸν ἀρχαιότερόν ἐστιν ἐν Φαραῖς, Ἑρμοῦ δὲ ἐν μέσῃ τῇ ἀγορᾷ λίθου πεποιημένον ἄγαλμα ἔχον καὶ γένεια· ἑστηκὼς δὲ πρὸς αὐτῇ τῇ γῇ παρέχεται μὲν τὸ τετράγωνον σχῆμα, μεγέθει δέ ἐστιν οὐ μέγας. καὶ αὐτῷ καὶ ἐπίγραμμα ἔπεστιν, ἀναθεῖναι αὐτὸ Μεσσήνιον Σιμύλον· καλεῖται μὲν δὴ Ἀγοραῖος, παρὰ δὲ αὐτῷ καὶ χρηστήριον καθέστηκε. κεῖται δὲ πρὸ τοῦ ἀγάλματος ἑστία, λίθου καὶ αὐτή, μολίβδῳ δὲ πρὸς τὴν ἑστίαν προσέχονται λύχνοι χαλκοῖ.

English Translation

In Pharae there is a large enclosure for the marketplace in the old style. In the middle of the market square is a stone statue of Hermes, having a beard; this statue stands directly on the ground, rectangular in shape and not very large. Upon it is an inscription stating that it was dedicated by Simylus the Messenian. The statue is called Hermes Agoraios, and beside it an oracle has been established. In front of the statue lies a hearth, itself also made of stone, and bronze lamps are attached to it with lead.

Proper Nouns

Agoraios (Epithet of Hermes) (Ἀγοραῖος) deity
Hermes (Ἑρμῆς) deity
Simylon the Messenian (Σιμύλων ὁ Μεσσήνιος) person
Pharai (Φαραί) place Q16566337
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