Pausanias Analysis

Passage 9.22.7

← 9.22.6 9.23.1 →

Passage 9.22.7: Glaucus, fisherman turned sea-deity and oracle.

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

εἶναι δὲ αὐτὸν ἁλιέα, καὶ ἐπεὶ τῆς πόας ἔφαγε, δαίμονα ἐν θαλάσσῃ γενέσθαι καὶ ἀνθρώποις τὰ ἐσόμενα ἐς τόδε προλέγειν οἵ τε ἄλλοι πιστὰ ἥγηνται καὶ οἱ τὴν θάλασσαν πλέοντες πλεῖστα ἀνθρώπων ἐς τὴν Γλαύκου μαντικὴν κατὰ ἔτος ἕκαστον λέγουσι. Πινδάρῳ δὲ καὶ Αἰσχύλῳ πυνθανομένοις παρὰ Ἀνθηδονίων, τῷ μὲν οὐκ ἐπὶ πολὺ ἐπῆλθεν ᾆσαι τὰ ἐς Γλαῦκον, Αἰσχύλῳ δὲ καὶ ἐς ποίησιν δράματος ἐξήρκεσε.

English Translation

They say that he was a fisherman who, after eating a certain herb, became a divine being dwelling in the sea, and thenceforth foretold future events to men. Both others consider these prophecies trustworthy, and sailors especially relate numerous stories each year about Glaucus' oracle. When Pindar and Aeschylus inquired about him from the people of Anthedon, the former was moved only briefly to sing about matters regarding Glaucus, whereas Aeschylus found in this material sufficient inspiration to compose a dramatic work.

Proper Nouns

Aeschylus (Αἰσχύλος) person Q40939
Glaukos (Γλαῦκος) person Q20002632
Pindar (Πίνδαρος) person
Anthedon (Ἀνθηδών) place Q2857905
← 9.22.6 9.23.1 →