§5.44.1ὁ δὲ ναὸς ὑπῆρχεν ἀξιόλογος ἐκ λίθου λευκοῦ, τὸ μῆκος ἔχων δυεῖν πλέθρων, τὸ δὲ πλάτος ἀνάλογον τῷ μήκει· κίοσι δὲ μεγάλοις καὶ παχέσιν ὑπήρειστο καὶ γλυφαῖς φιλοτέχνοις διειλημμένος· ἀγάλματά τε τῶν θεῶν ἀξιολογώτατα, τῇ τέχνῃ διάφορα καὶ τοῖς βάρεσι θαυμαζόμενα.
The temple was remarkable, built of white stone, having a length of two plethra, and a width proportional to its length; it was supported by large and thick pillars and decorated with artistic carvings; there were also most remarkable statues of the gods, exceptional in their workmanship and admired for their weight.
§5.44.2κύκλῳ δὲ τοῦ ναοῦ τὰς οἰκίας εἶχον οἱ θεραπεύοντες τοὺς θεοὺς ἱερεῖς, διʼ ὧν ἅπαντα τὰ περὶ τὸ τέμενος διῳκεῖτο.
Around the temple, the priests who served the gods had their dwellings, by whom all matters concerning the sacred precinct were administered.
ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ ναοῦ δρόμος κατεσκεύαστο, τὸ μὲν μῆκος σταδίων τεττάρων, §5.44.3τὸ δὲ πλάτος πλέθρου.
And from the temple a road had been constructed, four stadia in length, and one plethron in width.
παρὰ δὲ τὴν πλευρὰν ἑκατέραν τοῦ δρόμου χαλκεῖα μεγάλα κεῖται, τὰς βάσεις ἔχοντα τετραγώνους· ἐπʼ ἐσχάτῳ δὲ τοῦ δρόμου τὰς πηγὰς ἔχει λάβρως ἐκχεομένας ὁ προειρημένος ποταμός.
Along each side of the road lay large bronze vessels, having square bases; and at the end of the road, the aforementioned river had its sources, gushing out impetuously.
ἔστι δὲ τὸ φερόμενον ῥεῦμα τῇ λευκότητι καὶ γλυκύτητι διαφέρον, πρός τε τὴν τοῦ σώματος ὑγίειαν πολλὰ συμβαλλόμενον τοῖς χρωμένοις· ὀνομάζεται δʼ ὁ ποταμὸς οὗτος ἡλίου ὕδωρ.
The flowing stream was exceptional in its whiteness and sweetness, contributing much to the bodily health of those who used it; and this river is named the Water of the Sun.
§5.44.4περιέχει δὲ τὴν πηγὴν ὅλην κρηπὶς λιθίνη πολυτελής, διατείνουσα παρʼ ἑκατέραν πλευρὰν σταδίους τέτταρας· ἄχρι δὲ τῆς ἐσχάτης κρηπῖδος ὁ τόπος οὐκ ἔστι βάσιμος ἀνθρώπῳ πλὴν τῶν ἱερέων.
A costly stone foundation surrounds the entire spring, extending for four stadia along each side; up to the very edge of the foundation, the place is not accessible to any human being except the priests.
§5.44.5τὸ δʼ ὑποκείμενον πεδίον ἐπὶ σταδίους διακοσίους καθιερωμένον ἐστὶ τοῖς θεοῖς, καὶ τὰς ἐξ αὐτοῦ προσόδους εἰς τὰς θυσίας ἀναλίσκουσι.
The underlying plain for two hundred stadia is consecrated to the gods, and they spend the revenues from it on the sacrifices.
μετὰ δὲ τὸ προειρημένον πεδίον ὄρος ἐστὶν ὑψηλόν, καθιερωμένον μὲν θεοῖς, ὀνομαζόμενον δὲ Οὐρανοῦ δίφρος καὶ Τριφύλιος Ὄλυμπος.
And beyond the aforementioned plain is a high mountain, consecrated to the gods, and called the Chariot of Uranus and the Triphylian Olympus.
§5.44.6μυθολογοῦσι γὰρ τὸ παλαιὸν Οὐρανὸν βασιλεύοντα τῆς οἰκουμένης προσηνῶς ἐνδιατρίβειν ἐν τῷδε τῷ τόπῳ, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕψους ἐφορᾶν τόν τε οὐρανὸν καὶ τὰ κατʼ αὐτὸν ἄστρα, ὕστερον δὲ Τριφύλιον Ὄλυμπον κληθῆναι διὰ τὸ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ὑπάρχειν ἐκ τριῶν ἐθνῶν· ὀνομάζεσθαι δὲ τοὺς μὲν Παγχαίους, τοὺς δʼ Ὠκεανίτας, τοὺς δὲ Δῴους· οὓς ὕστερον ὑπὸ Ἄμμωνος ἐκβληθῆναι.
For they relate that in ancient times Uranus, when reigning over the inhabited world, spent his time agreeably in this place, and from its height observed both the heaven and the stars in it, and that later it was called the Triphylian Olympus because those who inhabited it belonged to three nations; and that some were named Panchaeans, others Oceanites, and others Doians, who were later expelled by Ammon.
§5.44.7τὸν γὰρ Ἄμμωνά φασι μὴ μόνον φυγαδεῦσαι τοῦτο τὸ ἔθνος, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰς πόλεις αὐτῶν ἄρδην ἀνελεῖν, καὶ κατασκάψαι τήν τε Δῴαν καὶ Ἀστερουσίαν.
For they say that Ammon not only exiled this nation, but also utterly destroyed their cities, and razed both Doia and Asterusia.
θυσίαν τε κατʼ ἐνιαυτὸν ἐν τούτῳ τῷ ὄρει ποιεῖν τοὺς ἱερεῖς μετὰ πολλῆς ἁγνείας.
And the priests perform a sacrifice every year on this mountain with great purification.