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Histories

§2.72.1

Sacred Veneration of Otters, Fish, and Fox-Geese

The author explains that otters, certain fish (lepidotos and eel), and fox-geese living in the Nile are regarded as sacred animals.

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§2.72.1

γίνονται δὲ καὶ ἐνύδριες ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ, τὰς1 ἱρὰς ἥγηνται εἶναι. νομίζουσι δὲ καὶ τῶν ἰχθύων τὸν καλεύμενον λεπιδωτὸν ἱρὸν εἶναι καὶ τὴν ἔγχελυν, ἱροὺς δὲ τούτους τοῦ Νείλου2 φασὶ εἶναι, καὶ τῶν ὀρνίθων τοὺς χηναλώπεκας.3

​There are also otters in the river, which they consider to be sacred. They also hold that among the fish, the one called lepidotos is sacred, as well as the eel, and they say that these are sacred to the Nile, and among the birds, the fox-geese as well.

Syntax notes3 items
  1. 2.72.1τὰς

    A relative pronoun referring back to the antecedent ενύδριες. This usage of the article as a relative pronoun is characteristic of the Ionic dialect used by Herodotus.

  2. 2.72.1τοῦ Νείλου

    Genitive of possession or dedication, meaning "belonging to the Nile" or "sacred to the Nile."

  3. 2.72.1καὶ τῶν ὀρνίθων τοὺς χηναλώπεκας

    The construction from the preceding clauses (νομίζουσι... ἱροὺς εἶναι or φασὶ εἶναι) is understood here by ellipsis, meaning "and (they consider/say) among the birds, the fox-geese (are also sacred)."

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25)urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:2.72.1