Jason and the Golden Fleas

“Post breve tempus Peliâs, veritus nê rêgnum suum tantâ vî et fraude occupâtum âmitteret, amîcum quendam Delphôs mîsit, quî ôrâculum cônsuleret. Ille igitur quam celerrimê Delphôs sê contulit et quam ob causam vênisset dêmônstrâvit. Respondit ôrâculum nûllum esse in praesentiâ perîculum; monuit tamen …”

“After a short time, Pelias, fearing he might lose the power he’d achieved by violence and trickery, sent a friend, Delphos, to consult the oracle. So, as quickly as possible, he summonded Delphos, and showed why he came?? The oracle responded that there was no present danger, but warned …”

I don’t get the second sentence. Is he calling for Delphos after sending him to the oracle, or summoning him so that he can send him? And I obviously don’t get the “et quam ob causam vênisset dêmônstrâvit” bit.


(Also I’ve just started learning SQL, and I can’t see the word ‘Oracle’ without breaking into a cold sweat)

phil

I think the friend, who remains unnamed, goes to Delphi (masc. plural.) to consult the Oracle. He demonstrated for what reason he came, and the Oracle Selected from TableAnswers Where danger <> present.

Ingrid

Oh, I see, thank you. Delphi is the name of the oracle. I didn’t get that. It all makes sense now.