Source edition
Aristides. Vol. 1. Dindorf, Wilhelm, editor. Leipzig: Reimer, 1829.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This oration was composed by the speaker upon recovering from an illness as a sacred offering of gratitude and praise to the god Poseidon. The author begins by drawing on ancient philosophy and mythology, which position water as the origin of all things, to argue from a cosmological perspective how Poseidon’s rule over the sea brought unparalleled civilization and prosperity to humanity. The speech then extols the god’s vital role in the births of other deities like Apollo and Aphrodite, and enthusiastically praises the beauty, wealth, and cultural significance of his sanctuary at the Isthmus of Corinth. Addressing the Isthmian games and the myths of Palaemon and Leucothea, the orator defends the inherent divinity and goodness of the gods against impious popular myths. Ultimately, the solemn address concludes with a devout prayer to the deities of the sea.