Pausanias Analysis

Passage 8.10.3

← 8.10.2 8.10.4 →

Passage 8.10.3: Aepytus breaks a sacred woollen thread at a sanctuary and is instantly blinded.

Mythic Skeptical

Greek Text

ἐσόδου δὲ ἐς αὐτὸ εἴργοντες ἀνθρώπους ἔρυμα μὲν πρὸ τῆς ἐσόδου προεβάλοντο οὐδέν, μίτον δὲ διατείνουσιν ἐρεοῦν, τάχα μέν που τοῖς τότε ἄγουσι τὰ θεῖα ἐν τιμῇ δεῖμα καὶ τοῦτο ἔσεσθαι νομίζοντες, τάχα δʼ ἄν τι μετείη καὶ ἰσχύος τῷ μίτῳ. φαίνεται δὲ καὶ Αἴπυτος ὁ Ἱππόθου μήτε πηδήσας ὑπὲρ τὸν μίτον μήτε ὑποδύς, διακόψας δὲ αὐτὸν ἐσελθὼν ἐς τὸ ἱερόν· καὶ ποιήσας οὐχ ὅσια ἐτυφλώθη τε ἐμπεσόντος ἐς τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῷ τοῦ κύματος καὶ αὐτίκα ἐπιλαμβάνει τὸ χρεὼν αὐτόν.

English Translation

At the entrance to this place, they set no barrier whatsoever to block people's entry, but instead stretch across it a woollen thread. Perhaps those who originally conducted the sacred rites thought even this would inspire reverential fear, or perhaps the thread itself possessed some power. Indeed, it is reported that Aepytus, son of Hippothous, neither leaped over nor crept beneath this thread; rather, he broke it, entered the sanctuary, and, having committed this sacrilegious act, was blinded immediately as a wave surged into his eyes, and without delay the destined punishment came upon him.

Proper Nouns

Aipytos (Αἴπυτος) person
Hippothous (Ἱππόθους) person
Also in: 8.5.5 8.45.7
← 8.10.2 8.10.4 →