Troezen in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Troezen

10 passages from 4 ancient authors that tell of Troezen, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Troezen was one of the children of Pelops and Hippodamia in Greek mythology. Along with his brother Pittheus, Troezen went to live at King Aetius' cou... For the story in one place, read our article on Troezen.

Euripides (2)

Euripides, Hippolytus 1090–1152Third choral song; Hippolytus leaves TroezenHippolytus takes his leave of Artemis, of Athens and of Troezen and of his companions, saying that he is going to exile with a purer soul, for all his father's doubts. The Chorus sings that when it considers the gods and their care for men it takes heart, but that it is hard to see the fate of mankind, and mourns the banishment of the young hunter. It sees a servant of Hippolytus hurrying toward the palace.
Euripides, Hippolytus 121–175Parodos: the women of Troezen ask what ails PhaedraThe Chorus of women of Troezen sings of a rock from which dew drips and of the river where the queen washes her clothes, and tells how they have heard that Phaedra is ill and has lain for three days without food. They guess that she may be possessed by a god, or troubled by news from Crete, or by some secret in her house.

Diodorus Siculus (1)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.59.1–4.63.5TheseusThe historian tells of Theseus' birth at Troezen and his labours against the robbers on the road to Athens, then of the Minotaur: Minos' war over the death of Androgeos, the tribute of youths, Ariadne's help, and Theseus' union of the Attic demes into one city. He adds the story of Phaedra and Hippolytus and the exploits of Peirithoüs, including the abduction of Helen and the descent to Hades.

Pausanias (6)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.30.1–10Aegina’s cults of Hecate and Aphaea; the early history of TroezenPausanias lists Aegina’s temples, Hecate’s mysteries with Myron’s image, the sanctuary of Aphaea and the Cretan legend of Britomartis, and the sanctuary of Panhellenian Zeus, referring readers to Herodotus for the images of Auxesia and Damia. He then turns to Troezenia, giving its legendary kings from Orus and Althepus through Saron, Hyperes and Anthas to Pittheus and Troezen, and notes Dorian rule from Argos and the colonies founded from Troezen.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.31.1–10Troezen: Saviour Artemis, Pittheus’ tomb and the purification of OrestesIn the market-place of Troezen Pausanias describes the temple of Saviour Artemis founded by Theseus and the altars of the gods below, the tomb and judgment seats of Pittheus, the sanctuary of the Muses and the temple of Wolfish Artemis. Near these are the sacred stone and the booth where Orestes was purified, the sanctuary of Thearian Apollo, the colonnade with statues of the Athenian women and children, the fountain Hippocrene, the Hermes Polygius with the sprouting club of Hercules, and the temple of Saviour Zeus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.22.1–8Athens: Propylaea, Wingless Victory and the picture gallery of the AcropolisBelow the Acropolis are the temple of Themis, the barrow of Hippolytus with the Troezenian version of Phaedra’s love, and shrines of Vulgar Aphrodite, Earth and Green Demeter. Pausanias describes the single approach, the white marble Propylaea and the temple of Wingless Victory, where Aegeus is said to have thrown himself down. In the chamber of pictures he lists Polygnotus’ paintings of Diomede, Ulysses, Orestes and Polyxena, a portrait of Musaeus, and Hermes and the Graces by Socrates.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.32.1–10Troezen: Hippolytus’ precinct, the acropolis and the roads from the cityPausanias describes the precinct of Hippolytus with its temple, annual rites and offerings of maidens’ hair, the stadium and the temple of Peeping Aphrodite above it, Phaedra’s myrtle and tomb. He then covers the temple of Athena Sthenias on the acropolis, the sanctuary of Pan the Deliverer, temples of Isis and Aphrodite of the Height, the rock of Theseus, and sanctuaries of Poseidon and Demeter. He ends with the harbour, Genethlium, the twisted olive and the sanctuary of Saronian Artemis.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.27.1–10Athens Acropolis: Athena Polias, the Arrephoroi, Tolmides and the bull of MarathonIn the temple of Athena Polias Pausanias lists a wooden Hermes, Daedalus’ folding chair, Persian spoils and the sacred olive, then the temple of Pandrosus and the secret night rite of the Arrephoroi. He describes figures of Erechtheus and Eumolpus, the statue of Tolmides with a summary of his campaigns, and bronze groups of Theseus lifting the rock, and of Theseus and the bull of Marathon, told through Troezenian and Cretan tales.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.34.1–12Methana and Hermionis: the coast and the old and new cities of HermionPausanias describes Methana, with its hot springs, the rite against the south-west wind and the Isles of Pelops, then the origins of Hermion and the Dorian settlement. He follows the road from Troezen to Hermion, past Cape Scyllaeum with its story of Scylla and Minos, the islands and capes of the coast, Mount Buporthmus and the promontory where old Hermion stood. He ends with the sights of the present city, including the temples of Aphrodite of the Deep Sea and of Demeter Warmth.

Parthenius of Nicaea (1)

Parthenius of Nicaea, Love Romances 29.1–32.5Daphnis; Celtine and Heracles; Dimoetes; AnthippeDaphnis of Sicily, loved by the nymph Echenais, is made drunk by a princess and goes blind for breaking her ban on mortal women. Celtine hides the cattle of Geryon until Heracles lies with her, and their son Celtus gives the Celts their name. Dimoetes, whose wife Evopis, his niece, hangs herself, builds a barrow for the body of a drowned woman and kills himself at her tomb. Anthippe is hit by a javelin that Cichyrus, the king's son, hurls at a leopard, and he falls to his death.