DOI: 10.53084/8627.2025.87.58.003

A.V. Podossinov
On the routes of the Hyperborean gifts to Delos

Abstract: The paper examines two routes for transporting gifts from the legendary northern people of the Hyperboreans, which they sent annually to the island of Delos. One of them, described by Herodotus (IV, 33), passed from the Hyperboreans through the Scythians to the Adriatic, and then went to Western Greek Dodona and from there to the island of Delos. Later, another route appears, described by Pausanias (I, 31, 2), which leads from the Hyperboreans to the Scythians, who deliver them to the southern Pontic Sinope, and from there they went to the Attic city of Prasia, from where the Athenians transported them to Delos. The paper analyzes the time and reasons for the change in route. The first version, in our opinion, reflects archaic ideas about the location of the Scythians and Hyperboreans in the north of Europe, the second – later – is connected with the expansionist policy of Athens during the time of Pericles, perhaps even with his expedition to the Black Sea in 437–436 BC, which Plutarch tells about (Pericl. 20) and during which Sinope turned out to be the most important point. If we recall that it was from Sinope that the shortest route leading to the Northern Black Sea region began (see Strabo II, 5, 22), then the transfer of the Hyperboreans through the Black Sea and Sinope looks quite realistic.

Keywords: Hyperboreans, Herodotus, Pausanias, route of Hyperborean gifts, change of trajectory, Athens, Northern Black Sea Region

To cite this article: Podossinov A.V. On the routes of the Hyperborean gifts to Delos. Aristeas XXXII (2025): 42–53.

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Author:

Alexander V. Podossinov