Τhe Mystery of the Pausanias vine

Over the next few weeks, I will be recounting unique stories of the Greek vineyard, that I have come across in my travels during recent years. These I will be sharing in both the English and the Greek section of karakasis.mw. Today, I will be beginning with the so-called Pausanias vine.

On the internet, there are scattered references to an ancient vine that Pausanias, the Traveler (110-180 AD), visited in 172 AD. According to tradition, he wanted to check the truth of a rumour about the trout in Aroanio River, which was said to sing like a wood thrush. In his book Arcadika (Chapter 21) he writes: “In Aroanio river there are fish, the so-called varieties, for which they say sound similar to the wood thrush. I saw these fish caught. Although I remained by the river until sunset, so the fish would start calling, as they say, I didn't hear them make a sound at all”. He is then said to have rested on a vine that impressed him (it isn't certain if there is a specific reference to this at some point in his work, or if this is held by tradition, which is just as important).