Δόρυ κηρύκειον
a spear as a herald's wand
Translated by Catharine Roth10 Mar 2005Vetting: high3 revisions
Translation
A proverb in reference to those who encourage and threaten at the same time.1 The Gephyraeans on whom the Athenians had imposed a tithe for Delphi received this response [from the oracle]: "to a Gephyraean man a house [is] dear." Following oxen, until they grew tired, because the god had told them that they should remain there, while the Athenians were being fought in a war by Eumolpus, they journeyed to the [place] called Tanagra,2 giving a herald's wand to their leader, but arming the young men behind him.3