Histories

Herodotus

Herodotus. Godley, Alfred Denis, translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1920-1925 (printing).

When no sons were born to him by this wife or any other, he set out to Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi to enquire concerning the matter of acquiring offspring. As soon as he entered, the Pythian priestess spoke these verses to him:

  1. Eetion,worthy of honor, no man honors you.
  2. Labda is with child, and her child will be a millstone
  3. Which will fall upon the rulers and will bring justice to Corinth [22.9083,37.9083] (Perseus) Corinth.

This oracle which was given to Eetion was in some way made known to the Bacchiadae. The earlier oracle sent to Corinth [22.9083,37.9083] (Perseus) Corinth had not been understood by them, despite the fact that its meaning was the same as the meaning of the oracle of Eetion, and it read as follows:

  1. An eagle in the rocks has conceived, and will bring forth a lion,
  2. Strong and fierce. The knees of many will it loose.
  3. This consider well, Corinthians,
  4. You who dwell by lovely Pirene and the overhanging heights of Corinth [22.9083,37.9083] (Perseus) Corinth.