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That it was the wrath of Talthybius which showed itself in the unfavourable omens may have been guessed from his function as protector of heralds, or declared by an oracle. For Talthybius cf. Hom. Il. i. 320, and for the adoption in Dorian Sparta of traditional glories from the Epics v. 67 n.

ἱρόν: an ἡρῷον such as Talthybius also had in Achaean Aegae (Paus. iii. 12. 7; vii. 24. 1). The Achaean clan of the Talthybiadae must have been admitted into the Spartan community like the Cadmeian Aegidae (iv. 149. 1). For these hereditary state-heralds and other similar positions cf. vi. 60 n.

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