Πύθια καὶ Δήλια
Pythia and Delia
Translated by Jennifer Benedict14 Jun 2000Vetting: high6 revisions
Translation
They say that Polycrates, the tyrant of Samos,1 having created the Pythia and the Delia [festivals] in Delos at the same time, sent an embassy to the oracle of the god [Apollo] to ask whether he was performing the details of the sacrifice in accordance with what was ordained: the Pythia answered: "these things are your Pythia and Delia": she intended to make clear that this was the end, for after a short time it happened that he was killed. Epicurus in one of his letters to Idomeneus [said] these things.2
Also said is "at Pytho", that is, in the Pythian [games]. Aristophanes [writes]: "at Olympia, in [Thermo]pylai, [and] at Pytho."2
Also said is "at Pytho", that is, in the Pythian [games]. Aristophanes [writes]: "at Olympia, in [Thermo]pylai, [and] at Pytho."2
Greek original · Adler’s text
Πύθια καὶ Δήλια· φασὶ Πολυκράτη, τὸν Σάμου τύραννον, Πύθια καὶ Δήλια ποιήσαντα ἅμα ἐν Δήλῳ πέμψαι εἰς θεοῦ, χρησόμενον εἰ τὰ τῆς θυσίας ἄγει κατὰ τὸ ὡρισμένον· τὴν δὲ Πυθίαν ἀνελεῖν· ταῦτά σοι καὶ Πύθια καὶ Δήλια· βουλομένην δηλοῦν ὅτι ἔσχατα· μετ' ὀλίγον γὰρ χρόνον αὐτὸν ἀπολέσθαι συνέβη. Ἐπίκουρος δὲ ἔν τινι τῶν πρὸς Ἰδομενέα ἐπιστολῶν ταῦτα. λέγεται δὲ καὶ Πυθοῖ, τουτέστιν ἐν τοῖς Πυθίοις. Ἀριστοφάνης· Ὀλυμπιᾶσιν, ἐν Πύλαις, Πυθοῖ.
Betacode
*pu/qia kai\ *dh/lia: fasi\ *polukra/th, to\n *sa/mou tu/rannon, *pu/qia kai\ *dh/lia poih/santa a(/ma e)n *dh/lw| pe/myai ei)s qeou=, xrhso/menon ei) ta\ th=s qusi/as a)/gei kata\ to\ w(risme/non: th\n de\ *puqi/an a)nelei=n: tau=ta/ soi kai\ *pu/qia kai\ *dh/lia: boulome/nhn dhlou=n o(/ti e)/sxata: met' o)li/gon ga\r xro/non au)to\n a)pole/sqai sune/bh. *)epi/kouros de\ e)/n tini tw=n pro\s *)idomene/a e)pistolw=n tau=ta. le/getai de\ kai\ *puqoi=, toute/stin e)n toi=s *puqi/ois. *)aristofa/nhs: *)olumpia=sin, e)n *pu/lais, *puqoi=.
Notes (3)
- For the first and principal paragraph here (also in Photius pi1515 Theodoridis, and cf. some of the paroemiographers) see again at tau 175; and see J. Fontenrose, The Delphic Oracle: its responses and operations with a catalogue of responses (Berkeley & Los Angeles 1978) 307, #Q116.
- 1Tyrant of Samos c.535-c.522. See generally OCD4 Polycrates(1). ↩
- 2Epicurus fr. 136 Usener. ↩
- 2Aristophanes, Lysistrata 1131, with scholion. ↩
Linked from6 entries
- π2054ΠόπλιοςPubliusAbout this general, "some seek to know through what course he became most famous -- from inborn character or from tribulations endured. But all the others [sc. other biographers] attribute both some luck and always more…
- π3078ΠοίθιοιPoithoi, PythioiFour men chosen among [the] Spartans, two to dine with each king.
- π3127ΠυθίαPythia[Meaning] the oracle [of that name].
- π3130ΠύθιονPythion, PythiumA shrine of Apollo at Athens, created by Peisistratos, in which those who had won victories in the cyclic chorus at the Thargelia placed tripods. Also [sc. attested is] Pythios, [meaning] Apollo.
- π3137ΠυθώPythoPhokis is a territory in Greece, in which [is] the city called Delphi; and in this city there was a shrine of Apollo, which was called Pytho. In this [place] a bronze tripod was set up and on top of it a bowl which held…
- τ175Ταῦτά σοι καὶ Πύθια καὶ Δήλιαfor you this [is] both Pythia and Delia[sc. A proverb] in reference to those taking their final actions. For when Polykrates, the tyrant of Samos, had captured Rheneia and dedicated it to Apollo, he set up a most beautiful festival in Delos. Then he sent to…
Neighbouring entries
Revision history6 revisions · last 10 Aug 2014
- Revised — David Whitehead
- Revised — David Whitehead
- more keywords; tweaks and cosmetics — David Whitehead
- restorative cosmetics — David Whitehead
- added notes and keywords; cosmetics — David Whitehead
- Altered wording. — William Hutton
- Translated — Jennifer Benedict