# Pindar and Anacreon/Pindar/Nemean Odes/10

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Although included among the Nemean Odes, this poem celebrates the victory of Theaius of Argos in that city's Hekatombaia of 474 B. C. (?), incorporating the myth of Castor and Pollux.
"The inner number, placed at the end of the several paragraphs, shows the corresponding line of the original." [ note on p. 17 ]
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THE TENTH NEMEAN ODE.
TO THIÆUS, SON OF ULIAS, VICTOR IN THE PALÆSTRA.
ARGUMENT.
Addressing this ode to Thiæus, who had conquered at Argos in the Hecatombæa, or Herea, games sacred to Juno, the poet begins by recounting the ancient histories, and celebrating the heroes and other noted characters connected with that ancient city of Danaus, Perseus, Medusa, Epaphus, Hypermnestra, Diomedes, Amphiaraus, Amphitryo, and Hercules.—Recalls himself to his subject, and enumerates the various triumphs of the victor, as well as those which have at different times graced his family.—From the mention of Pamphaes, one of his maternal ancestors, who hospitably entertained Castor and Pollux, he is led to relate the history of the Dioscuri, with which he concludes the ode.
Argos, old Danaus' towering seat, And fifty high-throned daughters' home, Where rises Juno's stately dome, Graces, with hymns of triumph greet; Whose deeds her shining glories raise 5 With endless arguments of praise. Long is the tale how Perseus sped With dire Medusa's gorgon head; And how o'er Egypt's land appear'd The towns by Epaphus uprear'd; 10 Or Hypermnestra pure remain'd, Whose sheath alone the sword retain'd. 11
The goddess of the azure eye Immortal Diomedes made; And pierced by Jove's artillery, 15 The Theban earth's funereal shade ​Received Œclides, hapless seer, Who urged the stormy war's career, Nor less in nymphs with lovely hair Refulgent shines the city's fame. 20 This Jupiter's descents proclaim To Danae and Alcmena fair: He who to harmony inclined Adrastus' sire and Lynceus' mind; 22
And rear'd Amphitryo to the fight; 25 But he who rules supreme in might Grafted upon the parent tree His own immortal progeny: For when in brazen armour dight He the repulsed Teleboans slew, 30 His hall th' immortal ruling god, Robed in the hero's likeness, trod, Bearing the intrepid seed to view Herculean—him whose youthful bride, Fairest among the goddess train, 35 Walks by the genial mother's side, Throughout Olympus' high domain. 34
Brief my song's limits to declare What Argos holds of good and fair; And hard the labour to control 40 In man satiety of soul. But the well-chorded lyre awake, And as a theme the wrestling take. Oft as adjudged the brazen prize Draws crowds to Juno's sacrifice. 45 Whence Ulias' son twice victor bore Oblivion of his labours o'er. 45
​At Pytho, from the Grecian train Of old he bore the meed away. With like success on Nemea's plain 50 He strove, and in the Isthmian fray, And to the muses gave to sow The wreaths that should adorn his brow. Three the sea's narrow portals yield, And three the venerable field 55 That owns Adrastus' sway. Oh Jove! his tongue will not declare The object of his mental prayer. Yet never with a slothful heart Thy grace he begs thee to impart, 60 Since his own boldness will the glory share. 56
Known to the god the truths I sing: And he who soars on venturous wing, In the high contest to prevail, Can verify o'er all my tale. 65 Pisa the highest honour claims, Alcides rules her sacred games. Him the sweet intervals of song Have twice proclaimed in Athens' festal throng. In earth concocted by the flame, 70 To Juno's manly people came, The sacred olive's produce, brought In vessels with devices wrought. 68
Glories thy steps, Thiæus, trace From thy maternal uncles' race, 75 Whose honours make the Graces fair And high Tyndaridæ their care. Were I in kindred's social chain To Thrasyclus and Antias bound, ​In Argos never would I deign 80 To hide my free looks on the ground. How many triumphs shed renown On Prœtus' steed-producing town! As well in Corinth's narrow strand, As four times o'er the Cleonæan band. 79 85
From Sicyon came in bright array They who the silver bowls convey; And from Pellene's walls in vest Of the sheep's downy softness dress'd: But never could my hasty verse 90 The brazen ornaments rehearse, Since to complete this arduous task Would more extended leisure ask; Which near the altars of Lycæan Jove Achaia's lofty cities place, 95 While Tegea and Clitorium strove, The first in speed of foot and strength of hand to grace. 90
To Pamphaes when Castor came, His hospitable board to share, And first in pugilistic fame 100 His brother Pollux tarried there, No wondering doubts the mind should move That athletes they by nature prove, Guardians of Sparta's wide domain, With Hercules' and Hermes' aid, 105 Since they the contest's laws maintain, Whose bright success themselves have made; And ever faithful to their trust, The race divine protect the just. Now with alternate change they move, 110 One day to spend with Father Jove, And one below earth's secret breast, Within Therapne's cave to rest. ​Fulfilling thus an equal fate; Since Pollux, scorning to remain, 115 For ever with the heavenly train, Sharing his much-loved Castor's state, Redeem'd his life in battle slain. 111
Him for his lost herds furious made, Idas transfix'd with deadly stroke, 120 Aim'd by his spear of brazen head, Whom, seated on a trunk of oak, He from Taïgetus survey'd, whose ken In lynx-eyed sharpness conquer'd mortal men. Then straight, devising deeds of might, 125 Approach'd with rapid step and light The sons of Aphareus, whom heaven's high sire Chastised with hands that sent afflictions dire; For Leda's offspring swift in flight pursued, While near their father's tomb the brothers stood;
And, snatching thence a polish'd stone 131 With Pluto's effigy impress'd, They aim'd the massy fragment, thrown With force that stirr'd not Pollux' breast, ​Nor to a backward step could move 135 The hero who with deadly blow Against the sides his javelin drove, Impetuous of the wary foe; While Jove who dwells on Ida's head Brandish'd his bolt of smoky red, 140 And fired the hapless pair. Mortals in arduous strife engage, Who with superior force to wage Unequal contest dare. 136
To aid his fainting brother's might 145 Tyndarides resumed his flight; And found him not subdued by death, But gasping out his fitful breath. Then pouring forth a fervid tide Of tears, with mingled sighs he cried, 150 "Saturnian father! what relief Shall terminate my bitter grief? The stroke, oh king, that slays my friend At thy behest on me descend! He whom the social train have left, 155 Of honour is at once bereft; And few of mortals will sustain A faithful share in others' pain." 147
He said—when Jove his form display'd, And this consoling answer made: 160 "Thou art my son; while of terrestrial race He to a hero must his lineage trace: Then take the proffer'd boon, for I Give thee detested age and death to fly: To dwell with Pallas on Olympus' height, 165 And Mars, who shakes his sable spear in fight. 158
This choice is thine: but if the strife Still arm thee for thy brother's life, ​And strong affection move thy heart To grant of all an equal part, 170 Beneath the earth thy half breath draw, And by the same impartial law, Half in the golden domes of heaven." 'Twas thus the immortal father spoke; Nor could weak doubts his mind provoke 175 To slight the generous offer given. The god anew the eye and voice unbound Of Castor, with his brazen helmet crown'd. 170
* ↑ The death of Amphiaraus, which story might perhaps be founded on some vague tradition of the similar fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, was related in the last ode, (l. 57, et seq.)
* ↑ The cause of strife between Lynceus, who had succeeded his father-in-law Adrastus, and Talaus, the father of Adrastus, was related in Nem., ix., 35, et seq.
* ↑ I. e., He is not so presumptuous as openly to express a wish to conquer in the Olympic games.
* ↑ Pindar here alludes to the custom of carrying before the victor at the Panathenaic games a sculptured earthenware vase, filled with oil from the sacred olive tree.
* ↑ See the conclusion of the eleventh Pythian ode.
* ↑ This stone, which the sons of Aphareus hurl with such impotent force against the breast of Pollux, was perhaps part of the decoration of a stony sepulchre, not a statue, for this was prior to the age of statuary. Sudorius, in his metrical paraphrase, calls It a funereal or deadly stone:— "Immane saxum funereum manu Audace vibravere duri In stomachum medium Laconis." Theocritus, who relates the same story in his twenty-second idyllium, calls the stone σταλαν. The passage describing the vain and impious attack of Idas is thus translated by Polwhele:— "Vindictive of his brother's doom, He tore a column from Aphareus' tomb, Aiming its massy vengeance at the foe, With wild uplifted arm, in act to throw; Heaven's sovereign lord elanced a flaming brand That dash'd the shatter'd marble from his hand!"
* ↑ Pollux and Helen were the reputed children of Jupiter; Castor and Clytemnestra the offspring of Tyndarus.