[2] According to the legend, which was described by Pausanias, the Arcadians had invaded Elis and the Eleans were ready to fight them.
At the building they also worshiped the goddess Eileithyia because she was the supposed mother of the boy and she brought her son to help them.
She lived in chastity and had to bring water for the god's bath and setting before him barley cakes kneaded with honey.
Maidens and matrons wait in the sanctuary of Eileithyia chanting a hymn; they burned all manner of incense to the god, but it was not the custom to pour libations of wine.
The god was painted as a boy, wrapped in a star-spangled robe and in one hand holding the horn of Amaltheia, according to his appearance in a dream.