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Herodotus · Histories §2.71.1

Characteristics of the Hippopotamus and Uses of Its Hide

Passage 287 of 1577 · Greek

Summary

The physical characteristics of the river-horse (hippopotamus), which is sacred only in the district of Papremis, are described, along with the use of its thick hide for making javelins once dried.

§2.71.1οἱ δὲ ἵπποι οἱ ποτάμιοι νομῷ μὲν τῷ Παπρημίτῃ ἱροί εἰσι, τοῖσι δὲ ἄλλοισι Αἰγυπτίοισι οὐκ ἱροί.
The river-horses (hippopotamuses) are sacred in the district of Papremis, but to the other Egyptians they are not sacred.
φύσιν δὲ παρέχονται ἰδέης τοιήνδε· τετράπουν ἐστί, δίχηλον, ὁπλαὶ βοός, σιμόν, λοφιὴν ἔχον ἵππου, χαυλιόδοντας φαῖνον, οὐρὴν ἵππου καὶ φωνήν, μέγαθος ὅσον τε βοῦς ὁ μέγιστος·
They present the following character in their appearance: they are four-footed, cloven-hoofed, with the hoofs of an ox, flat-nosed, having the mane of a horse, showing prominent tusks, having the tail and voice of a horse, and in size as large as the largest ox.
τὸ δέρμα δʼ αὐτοῦ οὕτω δή τι παχύ ἐστι ὥστε αὔου γενομένου ξυστὰ ποιέεσθαι ἀκόντια ἐξ αὐτοῦ.
Their hide is so very thick that, when it is dried, javelins are made from it by scraping.

Notes

  1. 2.71.1φύσιν δὲ παρέχονται ἰδέης τοιήνδε — φύσιν (nature, character) is the direct object of the verb παρέχονται (to present, exhibit), and ἰδέης (appearance, form) is a genitive modifying it, meaning "they present the following character in their appearance." Alternatively, φύσιν can be interpreted as an accusative of respect ("with respect to their nature").
  2. 2.71.1αὔου γενομένου — A genitive absolute construction in the neuter singular with the pronoun omitted. The implied subject is the preceding τὸ δέρμα (hide/skin), meaning "when it has become dry."

Cite this passage

Herodotus, Histories §2.71.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:2.71.1

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