Pausanias (geographer)
Pausanias, Greek Παυσανίας, sometimes called to distinguish it from other bearers of the name Pausanias Periegetes " the Perieget " (c. 115 AD in Asia Minor; † 180 AD) was a Greek writer and geographer. Pausanias, but is expected also to historians because of many of such information.
Life
The little that can be said about the life of Pausanias, his work has to be removed. Both year of birth and year of death are unknown. From the few hints can be concluded that he was born in Asia Minor around 115 AD, probably in the area of Sipylosgebirges, an area which he called " his own" calls. Its very good and comprehensive education ( paideia ) he or she can actually have received only in Manisa. He also came from a wealthy family probably because he could not afford his extensive travels at a young age. His work according to judge, especially in the places where he refers to his eyewitness account, he seems not only all over Greece and western Asia Minor, but also to have Galatia and toured southern Asia Minor. Furthermore, he came to the Euphrates, through Syria and Palestine. In Egypt he came south to Thebes. In addition, he knew Rome, Campania and Southern Italy firsthand. Timing and sequences of individual trips are as unknown as the place where he probably died shortly before 180 AD.
Work
Get is his description of Greece Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις ( Helládos Periēgēsis ) in ten books. However, there is evidence of another book. The first book apparently originated around 160 AD, the tenth book from 175 AD - whether there was a final final editing of all ten books and if the tenth was the youngest, is controversial. In Book I deals with Pausanias Athens, Attica and the territory of Megara; the area of Corinth and the Argolid and the island of Aegina is dedicated to Book II; Book III describes Laconia; Book IV Messenia; Book V and Book VI are devoted to a detailed description of Elis and Olympia; Book VII treated Achaia; Book VIII Arcadia; Book IX Boeotia; Book X treated Phocis, including Delphi and partly Locris.
Obviously, Pausanias had formed mainly Roman readers in mind. However, Pausanias reached in antiquity initially not a big audience. Only in the late Late Antiquity, in frühjustinianischer time, so around 530 AD, quotes him Stephanos of Byzantium, who is interested in the Greek cities described by Pausanias. From the 15th century, the oldest surviving manuscript of the work originates.
Pausanias ' account is based on both his own views and observations on site ( autopsy ) as well as the numerous studies of older ancient authors. In many cases, he noted local traditions or quoted local historians who are otherwise lost. Pausanias contributed his writings significantly to our image of ancient Greece.
He describes not only the landscape very well, by providing some even characterizes the nature of the soils and fairly accurate directions, but also all types of buildings, starting with temples to city walls and cemeteries. In addition, he is interested in rituals and cults in the cities visited by him. All this he provides for his readers is possible plastic, but not always entirely accurate or even completely.
Reception history
In his time as well as later Pausanias was not the recognized name that he is today. He was not one of the most celebrated writers of his time. That's why it did not go well with him also, but to a true description as possible of the travelers formed by it what is seen for others. In the 19th century doubted about none other than the famous philologist Ulrich von Wilamowitz- Moellendorff - is said to have made the legend bad experiences to use in trying to Pausanias as a guide - the credibility of Pausanias to. He assumed that Pausanias saw nothing themselves, but only from older sources have been handed down over quoted. Today, however, there is, despite some errors no doubt about the authenticity of most descriptions of Pausanias. In particular, archeology has found, in essence, the vast accuracy of the descriptions due to the corresponding excavations.
Meanwhile, since much of what Pausanias has described in detail, destroyed, buried or forgotten, his work continues to be an important tool for archeology. Been using his account and are often interesting remains rediscovered '; but at the same time also some clear errors of ancient authors have been uncovered that can advise a degree of caution in the evaluation of his work. Also, Pausanias ' Description helpful to make reference to some of found and excavated ruins of an overall picture of certain cities or temples.
Invaluable to have his ten books for art history, since he it spent much effort to describe statues and images much detail as possible. Although its authenticity has often been contested, but ultimately it comes not but have to acknowledge his authority. For example, in the Hermes of Olympia by Praxiteles, which he describes, we know from his descriptions that the Hermes 1877 found in the temple of Hera at Olympia was there on the original site.
His work is also in view of otherwise lost ancient writers a treasure chest, as he often cites his literary predecessors and contemporaries.
Likewise, his performance in the areas of social science is important because it lets the lifestyle of that Greeks did not mention. We know, thanks to him that in the 2nd century nor the wildlife park was the Xenophon docked on his estate Skillous at the Olympics, after he had met on the train of the Ten Thousand, the Persian king gardens.
Also for the Science of Religion and mythology research provides important clues his work, as Pausanias often reflects local myths and legends of the gods.
Expenditure
- Travel in Greece. Complete edition in three volumes on the basis of the annotated translation of Ernst Meyer. Third, now full edition. Edited by Felix Eckstein. Zurich and Munich, 1986-1989 ( = The library of the ancient world. Hellenic series ) ( Complete German translation ).