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Herodotus · Histories §4.59.1-4.59.2

Gods of the Scythians and Shrines for Ares

Passage 623 of 1577 · Greek

Summary

The author lists the gods worshiped by the Scythians, providing their equivalent Scythian names, and notes that they construct shrines and altars only for Ares.

§4.59.1τὰ μὲν δὴ μέγιστα οὕτω σφι εὔπορα ἐστί, τὰ δὲ λοιπὰ νόμαια κατὰ τάδε σφι διακέεται.
Thus they are well provided with the greatest matters, but their other customs are established for them as follows.
θεοὺς μὲν μούνους τούσδε ἱλάσκονται, Ἱστίην μὲν μάλιστα, ἐπὶ δὲ Δία καὶ Γῆν, νομίζοντες τὴν Γῆν τοῦ Διὸς εἶναι γυναῖκα, μετὰ δὲ τούτους, Ἀπόλλωνά τε καὶ οὐρανίην Ἀφροδίτην καὶ Ἡρακλέα καὶ Ἄρεα.
They propitiate these gods alone: Histia most of all, and next Zeus and Ge, believing Ge to be the wife of Zeus; and after these, Apollo, Heavenly Aphrodite, Heracles, and Ares.
τούτους μὲν πάντες Σκύθαι νενομίκασι, οἱ δὲ καλεόμενοι βασιλήιοι Σκύθαι καὶ τῷ Ποσειδέωνι θύουσι.
All Scythians worship these, but those who are called the Royal Scythians also sacrifice to Poseidon.
§4.59.2ὀνομάζεται δὲ σκυθιστὶ Ἱστίη μὲν Ταβιτί, Ζεὺς δὲ ὀρθότατα κατὰ γνώμην γε τὴν ἐμὴν καλεόμενος Παπαῖος, Γῆ δὲ Ἀπί.
In the Scythian tongue, Histia is called Tabiti, and Zeus, most correctly in my judgment, Papaios, and Ge, Api.
Ἀπόλλων δὲ Γοιτόσυρος, οὐρανίη δὲ Ἀφροδίτη Ἀργίμπασα, Ποσειδέων δὲ Θαγιμασάδας.
Also Apollo is called Goitosyros, Heavenly Aphrodite Argimpasa, and Poseidon Thagimasadas.
ἀγάλματα δὲ καὶ βωμοὺς καὶ νηοὺς οὐ νομίζουσι ποιέειν πλὴν Ἄρεϊ. τούτῳ δὲ νομίζουσι.
They do not make it their custom to set up images, altars, or temples, except for Ares; but for him, they do make it their custom.

Notes

  1. §4.59.1ἐπὶ δὲ — Used adverbially to mean "furthermore" or "next." It does not directly govern the subsequent accusatives `Δία καὶ Γῆν`, which function as objects of `  ἱλάσκονται`.
  2. §4.59.2ὀρθότατα κατὰ γνώμην γε τὴν ἐμὴν καλεόμενος — The participle `καλεόμενος` ("being called") functions as a supplement to the omitted main verb of the clause (such as `ὀνομάζεται` or `καλέεται`). The author's subjective evaluation "most correctly in my judgment" is inserted to affirm the appropriateness of the Scythian name for Zeus, "Papaios" (evoking "father").
  3. §4.59.2πλὴν Ἄρεϊ. τούτῳ δὲ νομίζουσι — The dative `Ἄρεϊ` in the first clause indicates for whom the making of images, etc. (`ποιέειν`) is intended (dative of advantage/purpose). In the following clause `τούτῳ δὲ νομίζουσι`, the infinitive `ποιέειν` is omitted, establishing the contrast "but for him, they do make it their custom (to do so)."

Cite this passage

Herodotus, Histories §4.59.1-4.59.2. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:4.59.1-4.59.2

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