Pausanias Analysis

Passage 9.20.4

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Passage 9.20.4: Dionysus defeats Triton to save the women of Tanagra.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

ἐν δὲ τοῦ Διονύσου τῷ ναῷ θέας μὲν καὶ τὸ ἄγαλμα ἄξιον λίθου τε ὂν Παρίου καὶ ἔργον Καλάμιδος , θαῦμα δὲ παρέχεται μεῖζον ἔτι ὁ Τρίτων. ὁ μὲν δὴ σεμνότερος ἐς αὐτὸν λόγος τὰς γυναῖκάς φησι τὰς Ταναγραίων πρὸ τῶν Διονύσου ὀργίων ἐπὶ θάλασσαν καταβῆναι καθαρσίων ἕνεκα, νηχομέναις δὲ ἐπιχειρῆσαι τὸν Τρίτωνα καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας εὔξασθαι Διόνυσόν σφισιν ἀφικέσθαι βοηθόν, ὑπακοῦσαί τε δὴ τὸν θεὸν καὶ τοῦ Τρίτωνος κρατῆσαι τῇ μάχῃ·

English Translation

In the temple of Dionysus there is a statue worth seeing. It is made of Parian marble, the work of Calamis. Yet an even greater wonder is presented by the Triton. According to the more solemn account, the women of Tanagra, before celebrating the rites of Dionysus, went down to the sea for purifications. As they were swimming, Triton attacked them, and the women beseeched Dionysus to come to their aid. The god heard their entreaty and overpowered Triton in battle.

Proper Nouns

Dionysus (Διόνυσος) deity
Triton (Τρίτων) deity
Tanagraeans (Ταναγραῖοι) other
Also in: 8.36.10
Calamis (Κάλαμις) person
Parian (Πάριος) place
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