Pausanias Analysis

Passage 7.27.3

← 7.27.2 7.27.4 →

Passage 7.27.3: Grove of Artemis Soteira and Dionysus Lampter's Lampteria

Historical Non-skeptical

Greek Text

ὑπὲρ δὲ τὸν ναὸν τῆς Ἀθηνᾶς ἐστιν ἄλσος περιῳκοδομημένον τείχει Σωτείρας ἐπίκλησιν Ἀρτέμιδος, καὶ ὀμνύουσιν ἐπὶ μεγίστοις αὐτήν· ἔσοδός τε πλὴν τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν ἄλλῳ γε οὐδενὶ ἔστιν ἀνθρώπων. ἱερεῖς δὲ ἄνδρες τῶν ἐπιχωρίων εἰσὶ κατὰ δόξαν γένους μάλιστα αἱρούμενοι. τοῦ δὲ ἄλσους τῆς Σωτείρας ἱερὸν ἀπαντικρὺ Διονύσου Λαμπτῆρός ἐστιν ἐπίκλησιν· τούτῳ καὶ Λαμπτήρια ἑορτὴν ἄγουσι, καὶ δᾷδάς τε ἐς τὸ ἱερὸν κομίζουσιν ἐν νυκτὶ καὶ οἴνου κρατῆρας ἱστᾶσιν ἀνὰ τὴν πόλιν πᾶσαν.

English Translation

Above the temple of Athena is a grove enclosed by a wall, sacred to Artemis called Soteira ("Savior"), whom they invoke with oaths in matters of greatest importance. Entrance to this place is permitted to no human being other than the priests. These priests are chosen from among the local men, selected especially on account of the esteem of their lineage. Directly opposite the grove of Soteira stands the sanctuary of Dionysus named Lampter ("Torch-bearer"); to him they celebrate a festival called the Lampteria, during which they carry torches into his sanctuary by night and set bowls of wine throughout the entire city.

Proper Nouns

Dionysos Lamptēr (Διόνυσος Λαμπτήρ) deity
Soteira (Σωτείρα) deity
Also in: 8.39.5
Athena (Ἀθηνᾶ) deity
Artemis (Ἄρτεμις) deity
Lamptēria (Λαμπτήρια) other
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