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The ancient feud between the Eginetans and Athenians arose out of the
following circumstances. Once upon a time the land of Epidaurus would
bear no crops; and the Epidaurians sent to consult the oracle of
Delphi concerning their affliction. The answer bade them set up the
images of Damia and Auxesia, and promised them better fortune when
that should be done. "Shall the images be made of bronze or stone?"
the Epidaurians asked; but the Pythoness replied, "Of neither:
but let them be made of the garden olive." Then the Epidaurians sent
to Athens and asked leave to cut olive wood in Attica, believing the
Athenian olives to be the holiest; or, according to others, because
there were no olives at that time anywhere else in all the world but at
Athens.' The Athenians answered that they would give them leave,
but on condition of their bringing offerings year by year to Minerva
Polias and to Erechtheus. The Epidaurians agreed, and having
obtained what they wanted, made the images of olive wood, and set them
up in their own country. Henceforth their land bore its crops; and
they duly paid the Athenians what had been agreed upon.
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