Pausanias Analysis

Passage 7.23.6

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Passage 7.23.6: Statue of Eileithyia by Damophon of Messene.

Mythic Skeptical

Greek Text

Πεντελησίου λίθου πεποίηται· καὶ ταῖς χερσὶ τῇ μὲν ἐς εὐθὺ ἐκτέταται, τῇ δὲ ἀνέχει δᾷδα. Εἰλειθυίᾳ δὲ εἰκάσαι τις ἂν εἶναι δᾷδας, ὅτι γυναιξὶν ἐν ἴσῳ καὶ πῦρ εἰσιν αἱ ὠδῖνες· ἔχοιεν δʼ ἂν λόγον καὶ ἐπὶ τοιῷδε αἱ δᾷδες, ὅτι Εἰλείθυιά ἐστιν ἡ ἐς φῶς ἄγουσα τοὺς παῖδας. ἔργον δὲ τοῦ Μεσσηνίου Δαμοφῶντός ἐστι τὸ ἄγαλμα.

English Translation

It is made of Pentelic marble; one hand is stretched straight forward, while the other holds up a torch. One might suppose the torches are symbolic of Eileithyia, because childbirth pangs are, for women, like the flame of fire. Another interpretation of torches in this context would be that Eileithyia is she who brings children into the light. The statue is the work of Damophon of Messene.

Proper Nouns

Eileithyia (Εἰλείθυια) deity
Damophon (Δαμοφῶν) person Q1158742
Messenians (Μεσσήνιος) person
Pentelicon (Πεντέλη) place Q1125206
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