Pausanias Analysis

Passage 9.16.3

← 9.16.2 9.16.4 →

Passage 9.16.3: Theban xoana of Aphrodite (Urania, Pandemos, Apostrophia) dedicated by Harmonia.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

Ἀφροδίτης δὲ Θηβαίοις ξόανά ἐστιν οὕτω δὴ ἀρχαῖα ὥστε καὶ ἀναθήματα Ἁρμονίας εἶναί φασιν αὐτά , ἐργασθῆναι δὲ αὐτὰ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀκροστολίων, ἃ ταῖς Κάδμου ναυσὶν ἦν ξύλου πεποιημένα. καλοῦσι δὲ Οὐρανίαν, τὴν δὲ αὐτῶν Πάνδημον καὶ Ἀποστροφίαν τὴν τρίτην· ἔθετο δὲ τῇ Ἀφροδίτῃ τὰς ἐπωνυμίας ἡ Ἁρμονία, τὴν μὲν Οὐρανίαν ἐπὶ ἔρωτι καθαρῷ καὶ

English Translation

The Thebans have wooden images (xoana) of Aphrodite so ancient that they even claim they were dedicated by Harmonia, saying that they were fashioned from the wooden figureheads upon Cadmus' ships. They call one of these Urania, another Pandemos, and the third Apostrophia ("She who averts"). Harmonia gave Aphrodite these appellations, naming Urania after pure and heavenly love.

Proper Nouns

Ourania (Οὐρανία) deity
Pandemos (Πάνδημος) deity
Apostrophia (Ἀποστροφεία) deity
Aphrodite (Ἀφροδίτη) deity
Kadmos (Κάδμος) person
Harmonia (Ἁρμονία) person
Thebes (Θῆβαι) place Q11225429
← 9.16.2 9.16.4 →