Histories

Herodotus

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

In this way, then, these maidens are honored by the inhabitants of Delos [25.2833,37.4] (Perseus)Delos. These same Delians relate that two virgins, Arge and Opis, came from the Hyperboreans by way of the aforesaid peoples to Delos [25.2833,37.4] (Perseus)Delos earlier than Hyperoche and Laodice;

these latter came to bring to Eileithyia the tribute which they had agreed to pay for easing child-bearing; but Arge and Opis, they say, came with the gods themselves,[*](Apollo and Artemis, probably.) and received honors of their own from the Delians.

For the women collected gifts for them, calling upon their names in the hymn made for them by +Olen (lake), Orebro, Sweden, Europe Olen of +Lycia (region (general)), Turkey, Asia Lycia; it was from Delos [25.2833,37.4] (Perseus)Delos that the islanders and Ionians learned to sing hymns to Opis and Arge, calling upon their names and collecting gifts (this +Olen (lake), Orebro, Sweden, Europe Olen, after coming from +Lycia (region (general)), Turkey, Asia Lycia, also made the other and ancient hymns that are sung at Delos [25.2833,37.4] (Perseus)Delos).

Furthermore, they say that when the thighbones are burnt in sacrifice on the altar, the ashes are all cast on the burial-place of Opis and Arge, behind the temple of Artemis, looking east, nearest the refectory of the people of +Kea [24.366,37.566] (island), Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Ceos.