Pausanias Analysis

Passage 9.23.3

← 9.23.2 9.23.4 →

Passage 9.23.3: Pindar honored by Delphi's oracle; Persephone visits him in a dream.

Historical Non-skeptical

Greek Text

ἀρχὴ μὲν Πινδάρῳ ποιεῖν ᾄσματα ἐγένετο τοιαύτη· εὐδοκιμοῦντα δὲ αὐτὸν ἤδη ἀνὰ πᾶσαν τὴν Ἑλλάδα ἐς πλέον δόξης ἦρεν ἡ Πυθία ἀνειποῦσα Δελφοῖς, ὁπόσων ἀπήρχοντο τῷ Ἀπόλλωνι, μοῖραν καὶ Πινδάρῳ τὴν ἴσην ἁπάντων νέμειν. λέγεται δὲ καὶ ὀνείρατος ὄψιν αὐτῷ γενέσθαι προήκοντι ἐς γῆρας· ἐπιστᾶσα ἡ Περσεφόνη οἱ καθεύδοντι οὐκ ἔφασκεν ὑμνηθῆναι μόνη θεῶν ὑπὸ Πινδάρου, ποιήσειν μέντοι καὶ ἐς αὐτὴν ᾆσμα Πίνδαρον ἐλθόντα ὡς αὐτήν.

English Translation

Such was the occasion of Pindar's first composition of poetry; but when his fame already extended throughout all of Greece, it was further enhanced by the oracle at Delphi, which commanded the Delphians that of all offerings dedicated to Apollo, a portion equal to the god's own should be assigned likewise to Pindar. It is also said that, when Pindar was advanced in years, a vision appeared to him in sleep. Persephone stood beside him as he slept and complained of having alone among the gods failed to receive praise from him; however, she declared that Pindar, when he came at last to her, would yet compose a song in her honor.

Proper Nouns

Persephone (Περσεφόνη) deity
Apollo (Ἀπόλλων) deity
Pindar (Πίνδαρος) person
Pythia (Πυθία) person
Delphi (Δελφοί) place Q75459 Pleiades
Hellas (Ἑλλάς) place Q7798
← 9.23.2 9.23.4 →