The original Athenian prophecy was so gloomy that the Athenian theopropoi (oracle-seekers) refused to return home until they received a better prophecy from the oracle. The second prophecy goes as follows:
"Not wholly can Pallas win the heart of Olympian Zeus, though she prays him with many prayers and all her subtlety; yet I will speak to you this other word, as firm as adamant: though all else shall be taken within the bound of Cecrops and the fastness of the holy mountain of Cithaeron, yet Zeus the all-seeing grants to Athene's prayer that the wooden walls only shall not fall, but help you and your children. But await not the host of horse and foot coming from Asia, nor be still, but turn your back and withdraw from the foe. Truly a day will come when you will meet him face to face. Divine Salamis, you will bring death to women's sons when the corn is scattered, or the harvest gathered in."
No comments:
Post a Comment