Gaee'ochus
(
*Gaih/oxos), that is, " the holder of the earth," is a common epithet of Poseidon (
Hom. Od. 11.240), and near Therapne, in Laconia, he had a temple under the name of Gaeeochus. (
Paus. 3.20.2.)
But the name is also given to other divinities to describe them as the protectors and patrons of certain districts,
e. g. Artemis Gaeeochus at Thebes. (Soph.
Oed. Tyr. 160.)
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L.S]