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The Survival of Pan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2020

W. R. Irwin*
Affiliation:
State University of Iowa, Iowa City

Extract

Plutarch de Defectu Oraculorum contains a strange story, attributed to one Epitherses, a teacher of grammar. As the ship on which he was sailing for Italy came into the shadow of Paxos, a small island in the Ionian Sea, a voice called out three times for the pilot, Thamus, an Egyptian. It commanded him to sail to Palodes, another island not far distant and there to proclaim that the Great God Pan is dead. The pilot was dubious, and finally determined that only if the sea were calm near Palodes would he obey the command. A little short of landfall the wind suddenly ceased, and all was quiet.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Modern Language Association of America, 1961

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