Pausanias Analysis

Passage 8.34.4

← 8.34.3 8.34.5 →

Passage 8.34.4: Perilaus, son of Icarius, accuses Orestes of the murder of Clytemnestra.

Mythic Skeptical

Greek Text

Πελοποννησίων δὲ οἱ τὰ ἀρχαῖα μνημονεύοντες πρότερα τῷ Ὀρέστῃ τὰ ἐν Ἀρκαδίᾳ γενέσθαι φασὶν ὑπὸ Ἐρινύων τῶν Κλυταιμνήστρας ἢ ἐν Ἀρείῳ πάγῳ τὴν κρίσιν, καὶ αὐτῷ κατήγορον οὐ τὸν Τυνδάρεων---περιεῖναι γὰρ οὐκέτι ἐκεῖνον---, Περίλαον δὲ ἐπιστῆναι δίκην καὶ ἐπὶ τῷ αἵματι τῆς μητρὸς αἰτοῦντα ἅτε ἀνεψιὸν τῆς Κλυταιμνήστρας· Ἰκαρίου γὰρ παῖδα εἶναι Περίλαον, γενέσθαι δὲ ὕστερον καὶ θυγατέρας τῷ Ἰκαρίῳ.

English Translation

But among the Peloponnesians, those who recall ancient traditions claim that Orestes' experiences in Arcadia at the hands of Clytemnestra's Erinyes happened prior to his trial on the Areopagus; and that not Tyndareus—who no longer survived—but Perilaus accused Orestes, bringing a charge against him for his mother's blood, since Perilaus was the cousin of Clytemnestra; for Perilaus was the son of Icarius, and Icarius later also had daughters.

Proper Nouns

Erinyes (Ἐρινύες) deity
Clytemnestra (Κλυταιμνήστρα) person
Perilaus (Περίλαος) person
Tyndareus (Τυνδάρεως) person
Icarius (Ἰκάριος) person
Orestes (Ὀρέστης) person
Peloponnese (Πελοπόννησος) place Q78967
Arcadia (Ἀρκαδία) place Q12898802
Areopagus (Ἄρειος πάγος) place Q202487
← 8.34.3 8.34.5 →