Description of Greece

​Those who conduct the procession are followed by men bringing a full-grown cow from the herd, bound with ropes and still violent from wildness. Having driven her to the temple, some release the cow from her bonds so that she may rush inside into the sanctuary, while others, who up to this time had the doors held wide open, shut the doors as soon as they see the cow inside the temple.

​Four old women left behind inside are the ones who slaughter the cow; for whichever of them happens to do so slits the throat of the cow with a sickle. Afterward, the doors are opened, and those who have been appointed drive in a second and a third cow after this, and another, a fourth. The old women indeed slaughter them all in the same manner, and another marvel is attached to this sacrifice: for onto whichever of her sides the first cow falls, it is necessary that all the others also fall on that same side.

​The sacrifice is performed by the Hermionians in the manner described. In front of the temple stand a few statues of women who have served as priestesses to Demeter, and for one who has gone inside, there are seats on which the old women wait for each of the cows to be driven in, and statues, not very ancient, of Athena and Demeter. But the object itself which they revere more than the rest, I indeed have not seen, nor indeed has any other man, either stranger or of the Hermionians themselves; let only the old women know what sort of thing it is.

​There is also another temple, and statues stand all around it. This temple is opposite that of Chthonia, and it is called the temple of Clymenus, and they sacrifice to Clymenus there. For my part, I do not think that Clymenus was an Argive man who came to Hermione, but it is a surname of the god who, story has it, is king under the earth.

​Beside this one, indeed, is another temple and a statue of Ares. And to the right of the sanctuary of Chthonia is a portico, called Echo by the locals; when a man speaks, it is its nature to echo back at least three times. Behind the temple of Chthonia are places which the Hermionians call, one indeed the place of Clymenus, another that of Pluto, and the third of them the Acherusian Lake. They are all indeed enclosed by stone copings, and in that of Clymenus there is also a chasm of the earth; through this, Heracles brought up the dog of Hades, according to what is said by the Hermionians.

​Near the gate, by which the straight road leads to Mases, is a sanctuary of Eileithyia inside the wall. In general, indeed, on each day they greatly propitiate the goddess with sacrifices and incense, and very many votive offerings are given to Eileithyia; but the statue is not allowed for anyone to see, except perhaps the priestesses.