Philodamus of Scarphea (Φιλόδαμος), author of a ‘paean to Dionysos’ apparently performed, by demand of the Pythia of Delphi, at the Delphic festival of Theoxenia. Traditionally, paeans were addressed either to Apollon or to Asclepios. This paean of Philodamus, which was was found in an inscription at Delphi, may have been one of the first to be addressed to Dionysos. At the end of the inscription there is part of a decree of Delphi, in honour of 'Philodamus of Scarpheia, the son of Aenesidamus', passed when Etymondas was archon (probably 340/39 B.C.); the decree states that the paean to Dionysos was composed by Philodamus and his brothers.
"Come here lord, Dithyrambus, Bacchus greeted with "hail", bull, ivy-tressed, Roarer, come in these spring times that are holy - O io Bacchus, O hail Paean - whom in Thebes once, where "hail" is cried, Thyone of fair children bore to Zeus, and all the immortals danced, and all mortals rejoiced at your birth, O Bacchian. Hail Paean, come, saviour, kindly preserve this city with a blessed era of prosperity.
Lo, on that day there was Bacchic dance in the mighty-famed land of Cadmus, and the vale of the Minyans, and (?) Euboea fair in crops - O io Bacchus, O hail Paean - and all Delphi's holy, blessed land was dancing, brimming with hymns. And you yourself, your starry body displaying, with Delphian girls took your place on the folds of Parnassus. Hail Paean, come, saviour, kindly preserve this city with a blessed era of prosperity.
And in your hand brandishing your night-lighting flame, with god-possessed frenzy you went to the vales of Eleusis rich in flowers - O io Bacchus, O hail Paean - where the whole people of Hellas' land, alongside your own native witnesses of the holy mysteries, calls upon you as Iacchus: for mortals from their pains you have opened a haven without toils. Hail Paean, come, saviour, kindly preserve this city with a blessed era of prosperity.
From that prosperous land you voyaged to Thessaly's cities and to the holy precinct of Olympus and Pieria the renowned - O io Bacchus, O hail Paean - and the Muses forthwith, the maidens, crowned themselves with ivy and in a circle danced and sang around you: they hymned "immortal forever Paean and renowned" with their voices; and Apollo led their song. Hail Paean, come, saviour, kindly preserve this city with a blessed era of prosperity.
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The god commands the Amphictyons to bring the work to completion with speed, so the Far-shooter may restrain his wrath - O io Bacchus, O hail Paean - and to present this hymn for his brother in the annual welcoming of the gods, the holy family, and to present a sacrifice together with prosperous Hellas' collective supplications. Hail Paean, come, saviour, kindly preserve this city with a blessed era of prosperity.
O blessed and prosperous is that generation of mortals, which will establish an unageing, unpollutable temple for the lord Phoebus - O io Bacchus, O hail Paean - golden with golden images [where] the goddesses encircle (?) Paean . . . his hair gleaming in ivory and with an indigenous wreath. Hail Paean, come, saviour, kindly preserve this city with a blessed era of prosperity.
And for the five-yearly Pythian Festival he has ordered his ministers that a sacrifice shall be performed to Bacchus and a cyclic competition for many choruses - O io Bacchus, O hail Paean - and like the rays of the rising sun, a delicate statue of Bacchus in a chariot drawn by lions shall be set up, and a suitable grotto for the most godly god shall be created. Hail Paean, come, saviour, kindly preserve this city with a blessed era of prosperity.
Come then, welcome the Bacchants' Dionysus and in the streets, together with choruses with ivy in their tresses, call upon him - O io Bacchus, O hail Paean - throughout all of prosperous Hellas . . . Hail lord of health, hail Paean, come, saviour, kindly preserve this city with a blessed era of prosperity."
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