G REE K S E RI E S FO R C O LL EG E S AN D S C HOOL S

ED I T ED
U N DER TH E SU P E RV I S I O N OF

H E R B E RT W E I R S M Y T H PH D , . .

E L I O T P R OF E SSO R O F GREE K L IT ERA T U RE I N H AR V A R D UN I V ER S IT Y

 V O LU M E S OF THE SE RIES
G REEK G R A M M AR B y h Ed am . t e .

B EGI NN ER S G R EEK B OO K P rof A ll R B ’

Phi ll i p A d my A . . en en n er, s ca e ,
I

d ; d h E d i or $ 5
ov e r an t e t . 1 2 .

B RI E F G REEK S Y N TA X Prof L o i B i J R g r C ll g . . u s ev e r, r ut e s o e e .

G REEK P R OS E R E A D ER Prof F E W d ff B w d i C ll g
'

d P f . . . . oo ru , o o n o e e , an ro
‘

W H wi W l y U i
. i ty
e tt , es e an n ve r s .

G REEK P R OS E CO M P OS ITI O N FO R SCH OOLS C l W Gl . are n ce . e as o

V lkm S h oo l B
o an n c , o s t on .

G REEK P R OS E CO M P O S ITI O N FO R CO LL EG E S Prof E d w rd . . a

S p l e k er , J o h n s H o p k i n s U n i ve rs i ty .

A E SCH Y L U S A GAM EM N O N P f P l S h y U i i y of C hi g o
. . ro au o re ,
n ve r s t ca .

A ESC H YI U S P R O M ET H EU S Prof J E H y U i i y f C i i i
. . . . . . ar r , n ve rs t o n c n n at .

A RI S T O P H AN E S C LO U D S D L L F m C ll U i i y . . r . . . or an , or n e n ve r s t .

D E M OST H E N E S O N TH E CR O W N Prof M i l W H mp h y U . . . to n . u re s, n i ve rs i t

f Vi gi i
o r n a .

E U RI P ID E S I P H I GEN I A I N TAUR I S Prof Wi ll i m N B t U i

. . . a . a es , n ve rs i ty

P yl i
enn s 8
2 v an a .

E U RI P ID E S M E D EA P f M ti m L m E l C l mbi U i i ty
. . ro or er a son ar e , o u a n ve rs .
35
H ER O D O T U S B o k s V I I —V I I I Prof Ch l F t S mi h U i
. o . . . ar e s o rs e r t , n v e rs i t y

Wi sco n si n .

H O M ER I L I A D P f J R S S t tt C ll U i i y
. . ro . . . e rre , o rn e n v e rs t .

B I III
oo x s S B .
—I III $ . AN D E L E CT I O N S . oo x s .
- . 1 2 0.

H O M E R O D Y SS EY Prof C h l B G l i k H
. d U i i ty . . ar e s . u c ,
ar v a r n ve rs .

L Y S I A S Prof Ch l D Ad m D m h C ll g
. . ar e s . a s, ar t out o e e .

P L AT O A POLO GY A N D C RITO Prof I

. Fl g g U i i y f C l if . . s aac a ,
n vers t o a o rn i a

P L AT O EU I H Y PH RO Prof W i ll i m A H id l W l y U i i y
.
’ ‘

. . a . e e , es e an n vers t .

T H E OC RIT U S P f H y R F l gh d Prof A g T M
. ro e nr . ai r c o u an . u us tu s . u rray , L e l ar
S tan fo r d , Jr .
, U n i v e r s i ty
T H U C Y D ID E S B o k s I I — I I I Prof W A L mb U i .i ty f P o . . . . . a e r to n , n ve rs o en

yls i v an a .

T H U C Y D I D E S B o k s V I —V I I Prof E D P y C l mbi U i i ty . o . . . . . e rr , o u a n v e rs .

X E N O P H O N A NA B A S I S B o o k s I — I V Prof J W H w i t t W l y U i
. . . . . . . e ,
es e an n ve

ySl t d D M W M h,
an l I t i H d U i
r. i y . . at e r, ate n s r uc t o r n a rv a r n v e rs t .

X E N O P H O N H ELLEN I CA ( Sel ec t i o n s ) P f C l t L B w
. C ll g . ro ar e o n . ro n son , o e e

h Ci ty f N w Y or k
t e o e .

G REE K A R CH A E OLO G Y Prof H l d N F w l W t R U i i . . ar o . o e r, es e r n e se rv e n ver s t

d Prof J m
an R Wh l C l mb i U i. i y a es . ee e r , o u a n ve rs t .

G REEK L ITE R AT U RE D W i l m C W ig h t B y M w C ll g . r er av e r ,
r n a r o e e .

G REEK PUBLI C L I F E P of H y A Si ll C ll U i i y . r . enr .

,
o rn e n ve r s t .

G R EEK R E L I G I O N Prof A th F i b k D i f h B M m . . r ur a r an s, r ec t o r o t e os to n u se u
Fi ne A r t s .

G REEK SC U L P TU RE Prof R f B R i h d l . . u us . c ar so n , a te D i rec to r of th e A me r i c a

S h l f Cl
c i l S d
oo A h o a ss c a tu i es , t ens .

I N T R O D U CTI O N T O TH E GR EEK D R AM A . Prof . W i ll i am Fe n w i c

H ar r i s , H ar v ar d U n i v e rs i ty .

B EGI NN E R S N EW TE ST A M E N T G REEK B OO K Prof W i ll i am

’
. .

P H atc h , Ep i sc op a
. l Th l g i l S h l C mb i dg M
eo o ca c oo ,
a r e, as s .

Oth er s t o 6a a n n ou n ced l ai er .
 H KN Y F PH S T O R Y
A E

G R E E K I I T E RA T UR E

F RO M HOM ER TO JU L I A N

W I L M ER C A V E W R I G H T ,
PH D
. .

LA TE OF G I R T O N COLL EGE C AM BR I D GE ; A SSOC I A T E P R OF E SSO R

,

O F GR EE K I N B RYN MA W R COLL EGE

N EW C I N C I NNATI C H I CA G O
A M ER I C A N BOOK C O M PA N Y
 CO PY RI G H T , 1 90 7 , Bv

AM E RICAN B OO K C O M PANY
.

G R E E K L I T E R AT UR E .
 P REFA C E

TH E w r i ter of a s u r v ey o f G re ek l i te r at u r e s o b r i e f as

th i s fee l s t h r o u g h o ut t h e tas k t h e l ac k of e lbow room-

,
an d

m u st a l w ay s b e ac u te l y c on sci o u s of o mi s s i o n s . I h av e
kept c o n s tan t l y i n mi n d the r e ad e r w ho, t h o u gh l i tt l e o r
n o t at al l ac q u a n t e i d w i t h t h e c l as s i c s , r ea l i z e s t h at h e c an

n ot a p p r ec i ate an o t h e r l i te r at u r e l e a s t o f al l h i s o w n
y , ,

u n l es s he c an r e l ate i t s ma s t e r p i ec e s t o t h e t p e s s e t o n ce
y ,

for al l , by t h e G r e e k s . H e may s afe l y i g n o re al l b ut t h e

b e st . B ut t h i s b o o k i s i n t en d e d ,
no l e s s for t h e s t u d e n t
,
of

G r e ek w h o ,
in h i s s ec o n d or th ir d ye ar at c o l l ege ,
will

p r o fi t i mme n s e l y b y a r ap i d s u r v e y o f t h e w h o l e fi e l d o f
G r ee k l i te r at u r e F o r hi m e ve r y p ar t o f t h at w h o l e b e
.

c o me s s i gn i fi c an t an d for h i s s ak e t h e t r i b e o f E u p h o r i o n
,

o r t h e d ec l ai me r s mu s t o fte n u s u r p s p ac e t h at i f o n e fo l ,

l o w e d t h e mer e s en s e of p r o p o r t i o n i s d ue
,
to the r
c e at ive
w r i t er s .

O f t h e p r o s e w r i te r s , J u l i an s i s
’
th e l ate s t na me fo r mal l y
tr eat e d , b ut , i n o r d er to i n c l u d e M u s ae u s an d t he l at e r
e p i c I h ave
, ca r r i ed d o w n th e s k etc h of Gr ae c o R o m an
-

p o et r y to t h e s i x th c en t u ry .

In th e matte r of the s p el l i n g of na me s I h av e n ot

s t r i ve n fo r a c o n s i s t e n c y t h at s c h o l ar s c o n ti n u e t o ab h o r .

W/za t a d va n ta
g e i s i f to a ma n w /zo w r i t es f/zc na me of
6 P REFA C E

D zo ta w r i te it /w ang l a ? s k e d E p i c t e tu s I mi g h t
’
‘
.
as a .

p u t t h s ame q u e s t i o n ab o ut B i o n o r Euc l e i d es t h e ar c h o n
e ,

a n d E u c l i d t h e g e o met e r an d o t h e r s w h o w i l l
, no do u bt , , ,

l o ng o n ti n u e to d ef y t h e w o r s h i pe r s of u i fo r mi ty
c
p .

I t ak e th is o p p o r t un i t y of e x p r e s s i n g my t h an k s to

P r o fe s s o r H e r b e r t We i r S my t h , t h e E d i t o r of th i s S er i es ,

fo r man y v al u ab l e s u gge s t i o n s an d c r i t i c i s ms .

W I LM E R C AV E W RI G HT .

B RY N M A W R ,
Feb ruary , 1 9 07 .
 C O N T E N TS

PI ER I A N R E L I G I O U S P O E T RY
TH E H O M ER I C P O EM S

TH E CY CL I C F RAGM EN T S

H ESI OD
TH E H O M ER I C HYM N S AN D E P I G RAM S

EL EGY AN D I AM B I C
M E L I C PO ET RY
TH E B EG I N N I NG S O F P R OS E TH E E AR L Y P H I LOSO P H ER S
:

TH E L O G O GRA P H ER S
: H ER O D O T U S
TH E B EG I N N I NG S O F RH ET O R I C: THE SO P H I ST S

TH U C Y D I D E S
T H E B E G I NN I NG S O F T H E D RAMA : A E SCH Y L U S
S O P HOCL E S
E UR I P I D E S
C O M E D Y O LD M I D D L E A N D N EW
: , ,

X EN O P HO N
TH E E AR L I ER ORA T O R S: I SOC RA T E S
TH E F O UR T H CEN T URY ORA T O R S D EM OS T H ENE S
-
:

S OC RAT E S AN D TH E LE SS ER S OC RA TI CS
PLA TO
A R I S T OT L E
A L EX AN D R I AN L IT ERAT U R E
G RA ECO RO MAN L IT ERA T U R E
-

CH RO N O LO GI CAL T A B L E
IND EX
 C H A PT E R I

P I E RI AN R E L IG I O US PO ET R Y

I T w as fro m T hrac e t hat the M us es t he Pi e rid es d augh ters O f , ,

aegi s b eari n g Z eu s mad e t he i r fi r s t e n tr an c e i n to G r eec e ; fro m

-
,

t he s omb e r n ort h er n c ou n t ry t hat for t he G r ee k an d Lati n p o ets

is p ec uli arly a ss o c i at ed w it h sn ow an d c ol d t he i c e bou n d su m mi t s ,
-

o f H ae mus t he sw i ft c ol d w at er s o f the H ebr us the froz en c av

, , ,

e r n s o f t h e Stry mo n I II t h e lo n g n ig h t that e n d s fo r us wi t h t he
.

su d d e n illu mi nat io n o f th e H o m eri c Po e m s t h e G r e e k s d i st i n ,

u i sh e d a grou p o f l eg en d ary fi gu r es p o e t s b e for e Hom e r as

g ,

t her e w e r e br av e men b e fo r e Ag ame mn o n H om e r h i msel f who .

,

n am es n o o t h er p o et d esc rib es t h e en c o u n te r of t h e Mu s es wi t h
.
,

Thr ac i an T H A MYR I S Ther e they met Thr a ei a n Tha /uy

Th amy ri s
.

r i s as he 6 61 7726 up f r o m Oeeh a h a a n d ma d e h i m cease

’

fr o m s ong F or he hoas tea th a t he w o ul d ex cel even though the

’
.
,

M uses themsel ves sh on ta s i ng th e d a ugh ters of a egi s hea r i ng Zeus

’
,
-
.

I n thei r a nger th ey ma d e hi m h/i n a they te oh f r o m h i m hi s ma r

’
,

vete as gif t of s o ng a n d ca used h i m t o f o rget h i s h a rp i ng

l
, Th e .

fate o f bl i nd T hamyri s i s ec ho ed i n G r e ek l i ter atu r e as l ate as

t he E mp e ror Juli an H e i s th e p roto typ e o f t he bli n d b ard
.
,

Si n gul ar i n t hat hi s lo ss O f S ig ht ob sc u r ed hi s po e t i c gi ft w hi l e ,
’
for t he r es t bli n d ness i s a p art o f t he po e t s eq uip m en t as fo r
, ,

De mo d o c u s i n t he O dyssey to w ho m the Mu s e g av e good an d ,

b ad tog e t h e r T he sig h t of hi s e y es she t ook aw ay but g av e

.
‘
,

hi m th e gi ft o f s weet s o ng .

1 I l i ad II 59 4 . Th e s o t ry i s t o l d t
wi h g reat l
d etai i n a s o ng t ow ard s th e

Br
’ ’
en d o f ow ni n g s A r i stoph a n es Ap ol ogy .

2
So i n th e rl i est ver s i o n o f th e Daph n i s l ege n d
ea th e h e ro o f past o ral

po etry si n gs o nl
y aft e r th e l o s s o f h i s s i gh t .

9
IO SH O RT H I STO RY O F GR E E K LITE R A TUR E

L IN US i s a m er e n ame a p er so n ali ty i n v en t ed ac c o rdi n g to , ,

M ov er s by G r e ek s w h o mi si n t e r pr et ed t he Se mi ti c l am en t a i ten u
, ,

w o men w eep i n g for T amm uz

'
’
w o e t o us t he c ry of
”
, ,
Li n us
t h e G r ee k A d o n i s B u t W h er e me n san g at all t he .

’
fai r Li n u s s o n g w as su n g I n H om er s Shi el d o f A c hill es i t i s .

mark e d ou t as the typ i c al lyri c 1

Th e fr ag men t o f a Li n u s s o n g .

qu ot ed by t he Sc h oli ast o n t hat p assag e S how s us at l eas t w hat

was the G r eek n otio n of the e arli es t typ e o f d irg e I n th e fat e .

o f Li n u s we r ec og n iz e ag ai n the p ri mi tiv e c o n c ep tio n o f a d ivi ne

j eal ousy o f m or tal ac hi ev em en t w h i c h bli n d ed T hamyri s T ei r es i as , ,

an d St es i c ho rus an d d es troy e d M ar sy as Th e r esen tm en t of

,
.

Apollo S l e w Li n u s Who s e sufferi ng surviv es i n G r e ek t r ag edy

,

w her e hi s p er so n al i ty fad es i nto a mer e r efrai n or e pi thet o f

Th e fame o f M USA EUS as a p o e t an d the r ep u t ed fou n d er o f
the E l eu si n i an M y s t eri es w as h an d ed dow n by an u n brok en
-

traditio n Pl ato d epl or es the i n fl uen c e o n th e s u per

.

M us aeus
s t i ti o us o f th e s w arm of book s by O r ph eu s an d ‘

M usaeu s w hil e for the m or e c o n serv ativ e A ri st o phan es M usaeus

,
’
, , ,

lik e O rp h eu s i s a gr eat r eligi ou s teac he r o f t he m yst e ri es an d

,

o r ac l es a u se ful p o et to b e r an k ed wi th H o mer an d H es io d
,
‘ ’
,
3
.

“
V ergil i n hi s p i c tur e o f th e u n d erworl d h o n or s Mu saeu s ev en
,

mor e t h an O rp h eu s the T h r ac i an p ri est ,

‘
.

O f all th i s Sh ado w y trib e th e mo s t m y s t eriou s an d yet mo st

sig n i fi c an t i s th e fig ur e o f O RP H EUS w h o m Pi n d ar c all s the ‘
,

The po e ms at
’
father o f so n g sen t by A p ollo .

Orph eus
trib u t ed t o hi m b ec am e th e sac r e d book o f all G r ee k
wri t er s w ho w e r e s eri ou sly i n t e r est e d i n t he t ec hn i c aliti es an d
my s t eri es o f th e r eligi o n o f G r e ec e I f as C i c ero d e c l ar es A ri s .
, ,

t o tl e d en i e d t h e exi sten c e o f O rph eu s, th e fac t c ou n te d for n o th

1 I l i ad XV I I I 5 70 .

2
A es c h Ag 1 2 1 . Eur H e] 1 7 1
. . . .

e rac l e i tu s ( ci r ca 500 B C ) i s t h e o l d est w i t n ess fo r O r ph i c

3 F r o s 10 2
g 3 H . . .

w r i t i n gs . k
T h e Gr e e s asc ri b e d t o O n o macri tus, th e S i xt h -c e n t ury fo rg er,
ce rt ai n o rac l es of O r p h e us an d M usaeus .

4
A en . V I 6 6 7—6 6 8 .
 P I E RI A N R EL I G IO US P O ETRY 11

i ng . For Pyt hago r ean s an d N eo Pl ato n i s t s alik e hi s Theogon i es-

,

w e r e a sort o f B ook o f G en esi s Th e c oll ec tio n o f Orph i ea t hat

.

has r e ac h ed us i s a m e d l e y o f l ate i m i tatio n s an d fr ag me n t s w hi c h

r an g e i n d at e fro m t h e fi ft h or sixt h c en t ury to t he fourt h
'

C h ri s ti an c e n t ury Fo r t h e m o st part t he i r i n te r es t i s an ti q u ari an

.
,

but he r e an d th er e amo n g t h e ol d e r fr ag m en ts t he r e i s a tr ac e o f
aus t e r e an d h i e r ati c v er se Z eus of the g l ea mi ng th u nd er bol t i s
.

fir s t Z eus i s l as t ; Z eus i s the head Z eus th e cen ter ; f r om Z eus

, ,

a ll thi ng s w er e ma d e Ze us i s th e f ou n d a ti on of ea r th a n d o
, f the
s ta r ry h ea vens
l
T hi s l it any w hi c h may w ell be pri mi tiv e or an
.
, ,

e c h o o f t he pri mi t iv e w as t h e u tt e r an c e o f s o me mig h ty m out h e d

,
-

’
i nv en tor ; i t has th e harmo n y of M il to n s i n vo c atio n
Th ee, Fat h e r fi rst t h ey s i n g O mn i pot ent , ,

I mmut ab l e I mmo rt al I n fi n i te
, , ,

Et er n al Ki ng ; Th ee aut h o r o f all B ei ng
,
.

Su c h was l east the G r eek c on c ep t io n o f t hi s early r eligiou s

at

po e try h ex am eter s i n w hi c h w er e d efi ned th e attrib utes an d li n e

,

age o f t he go d s Wh i c h w er e to b e mad e p opul ar by th e po em s o f

H esiod and H om er 3 stat ely i n vo c atio n s v erse aft er v er se o f epi ,

t h ets that ar e a s ort o f p r ay e r ; i t i s p r ec i sely t he ty p e of s o n g

2
that O rp h eu s san g t o en c han t th e Argo n au t s I ts c harm esc ap es .

our mod e r n t ast e B u t t he r e w as a ti m e w hen men w er e mor e

.

i n t er ested i n the go d s than i n t h e m selv es an d t hat w as t he d ay of ,

T heogo n i es For us all th e i n t er est o f P a r adi se L os t c en t ers i n

.
,

t he fall o f Eve ; for t he p ri mi t iv e G r ee k i t woul d h av e c en ter e d

i n t he fall o f Satan .

Th e so rro w s an d r esu rr ec tio n O f t he T h r ac i an Dio n y su s

Zagr eu s — esp ec i ally app e al ed to th e O rp h i es T he ir tr ad i tio n an d .

ri tu al gr ad ually Sp iri t uali z ed the gloomy T h rac i an l eg en d w hi c h i s

t he grou n d n o t e o f all t h e su ffe ri n g of G r ee k tr ag edy E u ri pi d es .
,

w h o d e vot e d hi s m y s t ery pl ay of t h e B a cc h ae t o t h e S i n i s t er s i d e
o f Di o n y sus wor sh i p w as d e e pl y i n t er es t ed i n th e O r ph i c d o c
,

t ri nes When T heseu s i n the H ippo/flu e tau n t s hi s so n wi t h hi s

.

1 Ab e l , Or ph i ea 4 6 .
2 Apo ll R h
. od . A r go n a u ti ea 1 .
4 9 6 ff
.
 SHO RT H I STO RY OF GR E E K LIT E R A TU R E

d evo tio n to t he anc i en t g ho s tly sc roll s of O rp h eus i t i s to the

, , ,
’

O r p hi c di sc ipl i n e o f li fe t h at Eu ri p id e s r efe r s t h e asc et i c i s m ,

w h i c h for two c en t uri es had b ee n th e m ai n t e n e t o f th e O r p hi c

, ,

do c t ri n e Th e i n d ivid ual i sti c t e n d e nc y t hat i t e n c ou r ag ed w as

.

n o d oub t at tr ac tiv e t o E uri pid e s as i t w as w h olly r e pel l en t to

,

Pl ato . Th e wi s h o f Ad me t us ( Al ees ti s Wo uld th a t the

m
o oi ee a n d th e mus i c of O f h eus w er e mi n e th a t I mi gh t eh a r m

the d a ugh ter of D emeter a n d h er l o r d w i th my s o ngs a n d hr i ng

thee f or th f r o m H ad es ! V e rgil s mi ser a hi l i s O t eas t h e q u e s t
’
,

o f Eu ry d i c e t he d esc en t i n to H ad es t h e vi ol en t d eat h ami d th e

, ,

ri tes o f Di o n y s u s al l the li t er ary i mmort ali ty o f O rp h eus i s an

, ,

ec h o o f t h e s ac r e d d o c tri n es o f O r p h i sm .

O rp h eu s an d t h e Dio ny su s l e g e n d may r e p r e sen t som e form o f

n atur e wor sh i p o n t h e h ig h T hr ac i an far ms O f n o rt h e r n G r eec e
”
-
.

Th e riv alry o f T hamyri s an d t h e Mu s es may sy mboliz e s o me st ag e

i n t h e gro w t h O f s ec ul ar p o e try fro m t he p o e try o f i n vo c atio n an d
g en ealogy All t hat w e c an assu me i s t hat t he r eli gio us ep o s o f
.

Pi eri a o f w hi c h t he G r e ek s saw a d i m r efl ec tio n i n th e O rp h i ea

, ,

w as t h e n at u ral c o n s ol at io n o f th e mor e p ri mi tiv e ag es o f G r e ec e

w hen the M us es fi r s t s ec u r e d for men a fo rgetful ness of evil s -

,

an d a tru c e fro m c ar es
”
.

Fro m t h i s e p o s th e H o meri c O l y mp u s may hav e b een d e riv ed ,

bu t i t i s i n H e sio d an d n o t i n H o mer t h at w e h ear i ts d yi n g

ec h o es

B I B L I OGRAP H Y
Ab e l ,
z
Orphi ea , L e i p i g , 1 8 8 5 . k l
Ki n e , Ep i eo r u m fr ag men ta I , 1 8 77 .

M ull ac h , F r ag men ta ph i l osoph or u m g r a eeor u /n , 1 8 6 0, h as c o e c t e d th e ll

fr agme n t s attr i b ut e d to Li n us . L o b ec k , Ag l a oph a mu s , 1 8 29 . S c h us t er, D e
v eter i s or
ph i ea e Th eog on i a e i n d ol e a ton e or ig i n e, 1 8 6 9 . Ker n , D e Orph ei ,
Ep zmen i d i s P h er eey d zs Th eog on i i s, B erl i n , 18 8 8 .
 C H A PT E R I I

TH E H O M ERI C P O E M S

TH E I l i a d and a th e
rli es t l i te rary mo n um en ts
s s ey ar e ea ,

n o t of G r e ec e alo n e but o f E urop e an d i t i s to t he m t hat w e

, ,

mu s t look for a c l ew t o t he po etry o f w hi c h they are a sel ec tio n .

We c an t r ac e i n the t ex tur e of bot h p o e ms a n um b er o f brok en

th r ead s o f p o eti c l e g en d a n u mb e r o f u n mi s t ak abl e all us io n s to
,

p o etry of th e sam e g en er al typ e sag a p o etry fro m t he Th e h eroi c , ,

gr eat sto r e o f w h i c h t he se po e ms w e r e d raw n The s ag a

.

he roi c sag a was the n uc l eu s t hat i n d ue t i m e r ec e iv e d arti sti c

tr eatm ent and w as tr an s for me d i n to th e h e roi c epi c l
T her e .

m u st hav e b een p o e t s i m p er so nal an d forgo tt en to s i n g the M e

, ,

l eage r s ag a o f w h i c h t h er e i s an i n c o m pl e t e bu t s pl en d i d ec h o i n
’
t he E mb assy o f the I l i ad
‘
The exploi t s of Tyd eu s an d hi s
.

p ee r s t he tal e o f T he b es the Do ri an saga o f H er ac l es th e T hes

, , ,

sal i an l eg en d o f t h e ad v en tu r es o f th e c r ew o f th e Argo O ld in

t h e tr agi c tal e o f B ell erop h o n all t h ese ar e qu ot e d i n the

’
s tory , ,

po em s! th e m selv es l i mit ed by the Troj an c am paig n an d i ts

se qu e l Th e p o e t o f t he Ody ss ey w ho bid s th e M us e i ns pir e hi m
.
,

t o s i n g s om e po rti o n o f th e O d y sseu s sag a h as hi s c o un t e r p art i n ,

P hemi u s w ho si ng s amo n g the s u itor s the Sorro w ful R et ur n o f

,

the A c haean s or i n Demo d o c u s at the P haeac i an c ourt m aki n g

,
’
,

1
Th e vi ew o f N i es e th at t h ere w as n o pr e - H o me i cr s ag a i s w o rt hy t
o f no e

on l y b ec aus e hi s b o k D ze E n tw i ehl el u ng d er H omer i sch en P o s i e c o n tai n s

o ,
e ,

muc h t hat i s val uabl e fo r ot he r asp ec ts f t he H o me r i c q uest i o n o .

2
11 g I l i a d IX
. I V 3 7 2—4 00 ; V I 1 5 2— 2 1 1 Ac hi l l es i n hi s b ut
.

s i n s th
g e
p l o i t s o f t h e h e ro e s o f o l d
e x
 I 4 SH O RT H I STO RY OF G R E E K LIT E R A TU R E

hi s l ay pi sod e i n the w ar O f w hi c h men s till t alk ed as w ell

O f an e

as san g I t i s sig n ifi c an t t hat hi s Q uarr e l o f O d y sseu s an d

‘
.

A c h ill es an d hi s T al e of th e Wood e n H or se ar e n o t to be fou n d

’ ‘ ’

i n ou r I l i ad .

I t i s i n fac t evid e n c e o f th e l at e r d at e of th e O dy ss ey that th e

mi n str el s i n t hat p o em t ak e t he ir s ubj ec t s wit h t h e ex c ep tio n of ,

t he s o n g of Ar es an d A p h ro d i t e fro m t h e Troj an c y c l e al r ead y ,

fi x ed i n p ubl i c favor by t he I l i a d ; ev en t he S i r en s san g of

the toi l s th ey w r o ugh t, A rgi oes and Tr oja n s , hy th e w i ll of the god s

Th e Tr ojan i n hr oa d Tr oy l a n d -
. O f al l t h eir l eg en d s th e Troj an
s ag a m ad e the m o st pro fou n d mp r essio n o n the G r eek s I .

M an y an u n ri p e myt h m an y an u n rip e ep i c m us t hav e fo r e

,
” “
,
”

s had ow e d t he I l i ad T he h ex am e t e r t hat H o me r wi el d s w i t h
.

ease w as an i n s tru m en t fo rg e d by a lo n g su c c es s io n of
p o e t s v ery ,

d iffe r en t fro m th e c ru d er m e t er o f p ri m i tiv e hi e rati c v e r se B ut .

th e p o e t o f th e Wr at h c hose wi t h p o e ti c i n sig h t the mo s t d e eply

‘ ’

an d p e r man e n tly dr am ati c th e m e i n all t h e s to r e of s ag a He .

l ai d hi s sc en e i n A si a M i n o r an d Sh ow e d i n th e r esi st an c e of
Pri am an d t h e p e o pl e o f Pri am t he E ast e r n d e fi an c e o f t h e West ,

a br eac h n ev er to b e heal e d Th e ec h o of that c oll i si o n had n o t

.

d i ed w hen t h e G r ee k s r ep e ll e d at M ar at ho n the r etur n w av e o f

i n v asio n fro m the E as t .

The e x c av atio n at H i ssarlik o f a c i ty — the S ix th fro m the

’
bo t tom that c an b e c all e d M y c e naean sec ur es, al m o s t to t he
e x ten t t hat Sc hli e m an n h op ed a h i s tori c al b ac kgrou n d fo r th e H O
,

Dat e of t h e m e ri c Po ems I f DOrp fel d s d at e ( 1 5 00 1 000 B C )

.
’
—
. .

I l i ad for t h i s Ho me ri c c i ty the P e rg amus o f Troy be ac 1

, ,

c e p t ed w e may pl ac e t hat d at e as t he ter mi n us a guo o f th e

,

Troj an sag a The H om eri c Po e m s ar e t h en a pr ec i p i t at e of

.

c e rt ai n h i s tori c al ev e n t s T hey may ev en r ep r ese n t so me s t ag e i n

.

t h e c olo n i z atio n of A s i a M i n o r fro m t he mai n l an d a l i t er at u r e o f ,

t h e e xo d u s O f t h e A c h aean s d riv e n ou t by th e Dori an i n v as i o n

,
.

A t an y r at e t he ev e n t s i n t he Po e ms o c c u rr ed b e for e th e Dori an
1
Th e nu mb er of co mb at an t s mus t b e g r e at y exaggerat e d i n t h e p o e m,
l
si n c e th e r
c i c ui t of th e H o meri c ci ty i s l i ttl e mo r e t h an a t h i r d o f a mi e l .
 TH E HOM ERIC PO EMS 15

se ttl em ent o f th e P el o po nn esu s Fo r th e I l i ad k n ows n o Do ri ans .

,

’
an d th e Odyssey o n ly t he Dori an s of C r e t e .

The probl e m of the o rigi n and aut h or sh i p o f the H o m e ri c

Po e m s ki nd l ed a d e b at e i n w hi c h the l ear n ed w orld i s s til l e m
broil ed The o pen q uestio n s o f G r eek ar c haeology h i story and
.
, ,

li ngu i st i c all w ai t for a c orr ec t r ead i n g of t he H om eri c Th e Homeri c ‘

i h u es t i on
en igm a Ar c h
. ae ologi s ts h op e t o d et er mi n e t by t e q
2
s p ad e ; p hilol ogi s ts by stu d i es i n d i al ec t ; h i s tori an s li k e B e t he , ,

by tr ac ki n g the lo c al r el ati o n s an d c ul ts o f the hero es w hi c h may ,

r ev eal th e sep arate th r eads o f the he roi c sag a n ow so c l o sely ,

i n terwov en ; li terary c ri t i c s p er si st i n ap plyi n g th e c an o ns o f

aest h et i c s t he mo s t subj ec tiv e an d flu c t u ati n g o f all t ests
,
Th e .

c o n se q u en c e i s that n o o n e c an r el at e hi s i n divi d u al i m p r e ss io n s

of th e I l i ad an d Odyssey i n d ep en d en tly o f the t h ro ngi ng t he ori es

w hi c h giv e a fr esh bi as to ev ery g en e r atio n o f r ead e r s Th e sam e .

may b e sai d i f wit h l ess forc e of al l G r eek po e try d ow n to Ar c h il

, ,

o c hus .Aft er that the j udgm en t i s fr eer T her e i s n o Al c aean n o .

,

O n e c an fo rm o n e s esti mat e o f ei t he r
’ ’
Sop ho c l ean qu esti on ,
‘
.
,

as o n e may of B yro n o r T en n y s o n fro m the r e m ai n s B ut a l i ter ,

.

ary r ev alu atio n of the H omer i ea ap ar t fro m th e H om e ri c qu est io n

i s i mp o ssibl e .

Th e h o n or of givi n g bi r th to H o m e r w as c l aim ed by sev en

3
c iti es c h i e fly I o n i an thou g h A e oli c Smyr n a
, ,
i s amo n g th e mo st
r esp ec t ed c l ai m an t s M el esi genes o n e o f t he n am es Homer s
.
,
'

gi v en to the po e t by tr ad i tio n i s d eriv ed fro m t h e bi rt h p l ace ,

an d n ame
riv e r M el es w h i c h flow s n ear Smyr na Th e e ig h t .

Li nes of H o m er w h i c h r el ate hi s adv entur es wi t h mu c h v ari atio n

,

of d etail an d a p r ec i si o n that i s the m i n t m ark of fi c tio n w h en

,
-

ap p l i e d t o r e m o t e e v en ts m er el y ad d t o th e u n c e r tai n ty o f t he
,

t r ad i t io n The v e ry n am e o f H om er an d i ts m ean i n g i s o ne ‘ ’
.

’
o f the m i n o r p robl ems o f H om eri c c ri ti c i sm Lik e Stesi c ho r us .
,

1 0d . 19 l
. 1 of
77 . Th e si en ce H o mer ll y reco i l s
u s ua on on e who w o u d l
arg ue fro m i t Th e A eo l i ans are
. n e ve r named , yet on n o t h eo ry c o ul d th ey
have b e e n u n k n o w n to H o mer .

Smyrn a w as Aeol i c l at e as 6 8 8
'
2 3
N eu e j ah r lzueher , 1 9 04 . as B C
. .
16 SH O RT H I STO RY O F G R E E K LITE R ATUR E

i t may be an app ell ativ e i m ply i ng som e po eti c ac t ivity — th e

H armo n iz er ( du h dp ) b ut mor e p ro b ably i t h as n o mor e
’
,

r el atio n to t he c o mpo s i tio n o f the I l i ad t han has t he n am e of

The r eg u l ar mean i n g h o s t ag e giv es
’
Shak espear e t o hi s pl ay s .

no c l e w w e c an n o t tru s t t he l e g e n d t hat i n an y d i al ec t i t m ean t

bli n d ; an d Sengebusc h s i d en ti fi c atio n of H om e r and T hamyri s
’ ’

r em i nd s o n e o f an ot h er i n g e n io u s G erm an w ho r efused to d i s
ti n gui sh th e E ttri c k Shep he r d fro m t h e Wi z ard o f t h e N ort h s i n c e
H ogg was obviou sly t h e d i al ec t for m o f S c o tt Th e famou s .

r e fer en ce to t he hl i n d ma n of Chi os i n th e D eli a n Ify mn to

Ap oll o may j u s t as w e ll h av e r e fe rr e d to C yn aethus o f C hio s to ,

w ho m the Hy mn i s assi gn e d by a Pi nd ari c s c ho li as t 2

Fro m th e .

m o m m t to r w fi r t h ar of t h e Ho me ri d ae a
Th e Homer s a e c e n a e s e ,

i d ae s or t O f sc h ool or gen s o f r h ap s o d e s abo u t w h o m t h e

, ,

t r aditio n i s n o l ess c o n fu s ed We r e t hey So n s o f H o m e r or .

‘ ’

So ns o f H o s t ag es ? I s H o me r a p atro n ymi c d e riv ed fro m t he m

’
,

or d i d som e family c hoo se h i m as t h e ir e po n ymo us h ero ? For

Pl ato th e H om eri d ae are mer el y t ho se i n t er es t ed i n H o mer .

Ev en so t hr ee t h ousand y ear s h en c e t he t ru e r Ol e of the Word s

, ,

w o r th i ans will be d eb at e d .

O ur ig n or an c e o f th e l ittl e c l an o f C h io s an d o f th e w h ol e
“

c orp s of r h ap s o d e s i s t he m e asu r e o f o ur ig n or an c e o f t h e gro w t h

o f the H o me ri c Po e m s Di d th e T hessali an A c haean s t he earl i e r

.
3
,

c o n qu e ror s of t h e P elo p o n ne su s evi c t e d i n t hei r tur n by th e ,

Dori an s c arry ac ro ss t h e Aegaean t he h e ro sag a t hat c e l ebr ates

,

t he My c en aean d y nasty th e n uc l eu s O f the I l i a d ? 4

, S tr abo t e ll s o f
a s ec o n d ass embli n g at A uli s u n d e r O r e stes an d hi s so n w ho l ed ,

a migratio n t h ro ug h t h e Tro ad to Le s bo s an d o f a s e ttl e m e n t of ,

1 Pi ck t h i nk s t he na me may i n d i cat e a cu lt to l t
c e eb r a e th e A eo l o - Ac h aean
un i o n .
2
S c ho l . Pi n d Al e/n
. . II 1 .

M r Ri d ge w ay’s
3
. th eo ry is th at t h ey we re a C elt i c t r i be w hi c h h ad mi
gr at e d fr o m Epi r us l fo rmed a r u l i n g A h aean as t e
t o Th es sa y a n d B ut c c .

h i p i ct ur
s f an army o f
e o n q u er e d P l a g i an
co O ffi c e e d b y A h ae an s i ne s s r c

t h e Tr o ja c a mpai g n i s u n s u
n
pp o rt d b y an y evi d e n c e i n th e I l i ad o f such a
e

r el at i b etw ee t h G k h i e f an d th ei r me n
on n e r ee c s .

4
Th e vi e w f M o n r L af an d Lan g
‘

o o, e , .
I 8 SH O RT H I STO R Y O F G R EEK L IT ER ATUR E

is m i x tur e of d i al ec t s i n w hi c h I o n i c an d A eol i c p r ed o m i nate

a .

Few s c h ol ar s would n o w m ai n t ai n wi t h C hri s t t hat an Io n i an , ,

po e t o f t hat age mig h t d e lib er ately e mbroi d er hi s

Di al ect
v e r se w i t h A e oli c o r t hat su c h a d i al ec t as the ,
‘

Epi c was e v e r he ar d o n the l ip s o f man I t i s n o w wi d ely h el d

’
.

t hat s o me fo r m O f A e oli c w as t h e origi n al b asi s w h i c h th e I o n i an

’

c olouri n g ov e rl ai d an d t o a gr e at e xt e n t r ep l ac e d T h e H om e ri c .

d i al ec t i s a p ali m p sest I t i s c er tai nly easi e r t o b eli ev e that the

.

p o e m s w e r e t r an sli t e r ated m u c h as Dry d en Pop e an d Wo rd s, , ,

wort h r ewrot e C hau c e r t han to i m agi n e t h at a d i al ec t wi t h the

,

artifi c i al c o mpl e xi o n o f H o m e r s c oul d hav e w eath e r e d all th e

’

c en t u ri e s d ow n t o A ri star c h u s .

The fi r s t d e fi n i t e att e m p t to r ec ov e r th e origi n al u n d e rlyi n g

A eoli c w as m ad e by Fi c k who p ubli shed A eol i c v e rsio ns of the ,

I l i ad an d Ody ss ey H i s m ai n th esi s i s t hat th e ol d e r

.

F i ck
p ortio ns o f th e po e ms aro se i n A eoli s o n the c o ast o f
A si a M i n or abo ut 7 3 0 B C an d w er e tr ansli t e r at ed i n to I o ni c t w o
,
. .
,

c en tu ri es l at e r w h en i n t h e h an d s o f the bl i n d C n ae th us o f C hio s
, y ,

t hey w er e tran s form ed i n to th e I o n i an E po s 1

Whe r e th e I o n i c .

di al ec t p rovid ed n o m etri c al equiv al en t t he A eoli c form w as l eft ,

r egi st er ed by the m eter The argu m en t r est s p ar tly o n the b e

.

h avior i n t h e p o e m s o f the A e oli c dig am m a I n th e e x tan t“ ”

.

I o n i c r e m ai n s w hi c h go b ac k as earl y as 7 00 B C th er e i s n o s ur e
,
. .
,

t r ac e o f t h i s l e t t e r w h i c h c o rr esp o n d s to o u r w an d th e Lati n
,

B e fo r e th at d at e I o n i c l ik e A tti c see ms to hav e d i sc ard ed th e

, ,

d i g amm a i n i ti al an d m ed i al
,
?
I n th e Hom e ri c Po e m s th e p l ac es
w her e i t i s assu m e d by th e m et er ar e i n a proportio n o f abo u t fi ve
to o n e w h e r e t h e m e t e r r efu ses i t A c c or d i n g to P i c k th e p as .

sag es c o n d iti o n e d by th e d ig am ma ar e A e oli c th e o t h e r s I o n i c ,

an d l ater ac c r e tio n s H i s c o n ten t io n of an epo s o rigi nally A eol i c

.

1 Fi c k ac c ep s t th e sch o l i ast s ’
vie w th at th e
“
bl i n d man of Ch i o s
”
w ho

w ro t e Hy mn to th e D el za n Ap ol l o w as Cyn aeth u s
the B l i n d Th amyr i s . in
I I I I an d b l i n d De mo d o c u s w er e h i s symp at h et i c c r eat i o n s
. .

2
Cp . th e l t
n eg e c of w i n th e pr o n u n c i at i o n of H a r w i eh an d Wa r w i eh ;
an d
’
aa ma n fo r w oma n i n d i al ec t En g is hl .
 TH E H O M E RI C P O E M S 19

1
is p d by m an y mod e r n sc h ol ar s
ac ce te B ut any su c h atte m p t as .

h i s A eol i c r ec en s io n i s u n c o n vi n c i ng b ec au se o f ou r i g n or an c e o f
e ig h t h c e n tury A e ol i c
-
.

’
Mor e r ec en t i s th e A eoli c O ri gi nal I l i ad of B ec h t el ‘

i nte rv ei n ed lik e t he M en i s o f Fi c k by th e Wr at h
‘ ’
but v e ry ‘ ’
,

d iffe r en t i n sub st an c e i n di al ec t an d g en er al c o n c ep t io n
, ,
Fi c k .

s uppor te d hi s se l e c t io n o f th e origi n al A e oli c p as sag e s i n t h e c as e ,

o f the I li ad by th e aestheti c an d logi c al argu m en ts o f G ro t e

, ,

Dijn tz er an d o th e r s w hi l e fo r th e Ody ssey h i s se l ec ti o n o f I o n i c

, , ,

ac c r e tio n s sh ow e d r e m ark abl e c oi n c i d en c es wit h th e p assag es

r ej ec t ed fro m the U r O d y ss ee the ori gi n al Ody ss ey o f Ki r c h
-
,
’

’
h off w ho se r ec ensio n was li k e Gro te s m ai nly aes t h et i c an d
, , ,
’
logi c al B ec ht el o n the ot her han d r eli es o n Rob ert s
.
, ,
B ech t e l
Ur I li as
’
an tiqu ari an r ec en sio n to su ppo r t h i s A e oli c -
.

Rob er t d ev elop ed th e m ai n t hesi s o f R e i c he l ( 1 8 9 4 ) that th e o n ly

d e fen siv e armor o f th e H o m eri c he ro es was the lo n g s hi el d ,

illu str ate d o n a My c en aean fr agm en t o f a S ilv e r v ase an d o n t h e

famou s d agg er bl ad es fro m M y c en ae an d a l eathe r hel m et T hey , .

wor e no m et al c uir ass or m etal gr eav es for th ese h av e n o t b een ,

fou n d at M y c en ae The I o n i an growt h o f the E p i c i s to b e seen

.

3
i n the i n t rodu ctio n o f the rou n d sh i el d an d m et al g ear of th e

1 Ri t s chl i n 18 34 h e l d th e sa me v i ew as Fi c k , b ut h e b el i eved i n a H o mer

of Smyr n a, w o r k i n g o n a n uc e us l fro m th e mai n l an d
d eri v e d .

2
A c o mp ari s o n o f th ese t w o A eo l i c k er n el s i s i nstr uc t i ve ‘
Fi ck extrac t ed .

th e st ory o f th e Wr at h fro m el e ve n b o o k s o f th e I l i a d r an g i ng fro m B o o k

’
,

I to B o o k XX I I H i s M e n i s, t h us c o n struc te d c o n si st s o f 2 2 6 0 l i n es an d
.
’
, ,

en d s w i t h t h e b o as t o f t h e Gr ee k s o ver d e ad H e c t o r at X X I I 3 9 3 Th e l as t .

B o o k s o f t h e I l i a d w ere h e t hi n k s a L esb i an expan s i o n w h i l e B o o k s II t o

, , ,

V I I w er e b y a h i g h l y mo ral ro yal i s t fro m Cyme o r M yri n a l i vi n g u n d e r t h e ,

Pe l o p id s Th e w h o l e w as ed i t e d b y Cyn aet h us i n t h e fi rs t h al f o f th e s i xt h
.

c e n t ury B ec ht e l s e l e ct s hi s O ri g i n al I l i a d o f 2 14 6 l i n es fr m s e ven t ee n
‘ ’
. o

B o o k s e n d i n g at XX II 2 1 2
, H e to o d i vi d es th e pr es en t p o e m i n t o t h r ee
.

r ed ac t i o ns : 1 by an e d i t o r fro m M i l et us ; 2 b y a Sami an ; 3 b y a Eub o e an

, , , .

3 Th
e ro un d sh i e l d i s i ll ustr at e d o n t h e M yc e n ae an Warri o r V ase b ut t h is ,
’

i s assi gn e d t o t h e d eb as ed p e ri o d o f Myc e n ae an ar t Th e ab se n c e o f t h i s .

o r t hat
p r o d uc t o f H o meri c c i v i l i z at i o n fro m t h e Myc e n ae an r e mai n s i s us e d
by so me c ri t i c s as i n c aut i o usly as th e muc h mi s use d s i l e n ce o f H o mer
“
.
20 SHO RT H I STO RY OF G R E E K LITE R A TU RE

I o n i an h o p li t e o f the end o f th e eig h t h c e n tury Rob e rt an d .

B ec h t e l c arry t h i s t h eory s o far as t o c o n s t ru c t an A e oli c po e m

fro m t ho se p assag es i n w h i c h M y c en aean arm or o c c ur s T he ir .

r ec en sio n ill us tr at es th e d an g e r s o f ab an do n i n g t hat s obri e ty i n

d e t ail w hi c h E phoru s sai d oug ht t o m ark o ur d eal i ng s w i th
r e mo te ev e n t s T ak e the c as e o f I l i ad V t he E x ploit s o f Dio
.
,

med e r ec og n iz ed by man y sc h ol ar s as havi n g n o org an i c c o n

,
’

n ec ti o n w i t h t he M e n i s o r Wrat h
‘ ’
I n t h i s o l d i n d e p en d en t
‘
.
’

l ay My c e nae an w e ap o n s p r e v ail but th ey ar e fl an k ed by an u n

, ,

u sual n u mb er o f i n gr ai n ed I o n i s ms I n m an y si m il ar p assag es .

B ec h t e l e v ad es t hi s e mb arr ass m en t by t he s i m pl e d evi c e o f an

ar c h aizi n g I o n i an th e favori t e d eus ex ma chi n a i n al l su c h
,

l
c ases . B ut I l i a d V h e say s c an n e v e r h av e b ee n A eol i c : i t w as
, ,

wri tt en n o t muc h l at er than th e p ri mi tiv e I l i a d by an I o n i an w ho ,

u se d an arti fi c i al d i al ec t i n w h i c h A e ol i c and I o n i c e l e m en t s
“

w e r e c o mmi n gl ed an amazi n g no l te f aee fo r a p arti s an of t he -

A e oli an e po s w h o se p o s i tio n r est s o n t h e i m p ro babili ty o f the

,

’
o rigi n al use o f su c h a c o m po si t e d i al ec t as t he e p i c I l i ad V i s .

th e v e ry book w h i c h Fi c k ass ig n s to an A e oli c roy ali s t o f C y m e

”
.

I f B ec h t el i s rig h t w e may as w ell set asi d e bot h A e oli c r ec e n sio n s

,

as u n n ec e ssary B u t w e h av e s e e n t h at t he u se o f an arti fi c i al
.

d i al ec t by an origi n al p o e t o f t h e I l i a d i s amo n g t h o s e p ossi bil

iti es w h i c h t h e j ud g me n t r e fus es .

Y e t i t i s o nly t h ro ug h s o m e s uc h r ec o n c ili atio n o f ar c hae ology

an d l i n gui sti c t h at w e c an h o e fo r a s ol u ti o n o f t h e p robl e m
p .

M ean w hil e th e M y c en aean r e mai n s S h o w c e rt ai n mark ed c o i nc i

,

d e u c es w i t h t h e c ivi liz ati o n d es c rib e d i n th e H o meri c Po em s .

The littl e h ill fo rt i n t he r e c e ss e s o f t he Argiv e t e rri t ory has jus

-

ti fi e d i ts e pi t h et ri c h i n gol d t he gol d of c om m er c e for M yc e

‘ ’
, ,

n ae l a
y ou t h e tr ad e ro u t e fro m N au pli a t o C ori n t h S i n c e th e
-
.

r ec ov ery o f t he d agg e r bl ad e s o f M y c e n ae w i t h t hei r i n l ai d m e t al s

-

and e n amel t h er e h as b ee n a r e ac ti o n i n favo r of t he t h eo ry t hat

, .

t h e Sh i el d o f A c hill es i n I l i a d X V I I I so el abor at ely d e c or at e d ,

1 I n I l i ad X XV I 4 00 4 1 3 , t h e
— ar mo r is I o n i an , th e w o u n d i n g M yc e n aean .

If t hi s be r
a c hai s m , It is at l e ast w h o ll y un c o n sc i o us .
 TH E H OM E R I C PO EM S

w it h i ts vi gn e tt es o f war an d p eac e i s n o t w holly im agi nary a , ,

S h i eld o ut of a fai ry t al e T he s i e g e fr agm en t o f a My c en aean

.

S ilv er v as e publi she d i n 1 8 9 1 m ig h t p ass for an

, , Th e
i ll ustr atio n of o ne o f the p an el s o f t he H o me ri c shi el d My cefléean ,
r emams
t h e c i ty at w ar T her e too th e wo m en stan d o n the
.

w all to g az e w h il e th e me n sally fort h The gr eat s hi el d o f Aj ax

,
.

‘
lik e a tow e r th e Sh i el d t hat b eat u p o n t he an kl es an d n ec k o f
,
’

H ec tor as he l eft the b at tl efi el d i s t he patte r n o f t h o se c arri ed by

,

th e fig h ti n g men i n M y c en aean d ec or at iv e work The bl u e gl ass .

fri e z e fou n d at Ti ry n s has illu mi nat ed a famou s p assag e i n t he

Odyssey 1
. Th e B al ti c am b e r fro m t h e t o mb s o f My c en ae i s a
t an gibl e r el i c of the i n t e r c o u r se o f G r ee k tr ad er s wi t h th e p eo pl e
o f n ort her n E urop e o f Who s e mi d n ig h t sun O dy sseu s k n ow s an d
th e d ead ly n ig h t t hat d ark e n s th e i r wi n t e r d ay s B ut th e p oi n t s .

o f differ en c e are e v e n mor e striki n g I n Ho me r the d ead ar e .

i nv ari ably b urn ed at M y c en ae t h er e i s n o trac e o f i n c i n e r atio n .

I ro n i mpl emen t s k n ow n to the p o et of th e I l i a d mor e famili ar i n

, ,

t he O dy ssey h av e no t b e en fo u n d at My c e n ae
,
U n l ess th e H o .

m eri c p o ets w er e v ery i mp erfec t an tiq uari an s as al l go es to sh ow ,

th ey w er e th e c iviliz ati o n t hat th ey d e sc rib e w as ei th e r po st M y

,
-

c e n aean or m ark s a M y c en aean d ec ad en c e I t i s i m p o ssibl e to

.

draw t he li n e b etw een H o mer ar c haizi n g an d Ho m e r d rop pi n g

i n to t he m anne r s o f hi s o w n age — th e c han gi n g m ann er s o f som e
fo u r c entu ri es H i s us e o f armo r fo r e x ampl e i s as mix ed as
.
, ,

hi s di al ec t an d i s as li t tl e to b e i d en ti fi e d wi t h th e r esult s so far , ,

of ex c av atio n The v e ry epi t h et M y c en aean se e ms lik ely to b e

.
’

s up e r se d e d o r gr eatly li mi t e d S i n c e th e e x c av atio n s o f M r A J
. . . .

Ev ans an d ot he r s i n C r e t e t he fo c u s o f the c ul t ur e o f t hat gol d en

, ,

age has S hi ft e d fro m

’
My c en ae th e p oi n t d app ui o f H om eri c
,

ar c hae ologi s t s to C n osso s T he r e Daed alu s m ad e a d anc i ng

, .

floor for Ari ad ne ( I l XV I I I . w hi c h may m ean as M r ,

.

Ri d g ew ay t hi n k s t hat C r et an ar t i n th e M y c en aean age w as

,

d ev elop e d from the mai nl an d o f G r e ec e T hat wo u l d l eav e M yc e .

n ae still p ar amou n t B u t th e un d ec i ph e r e d d o c u m e n t s O f C r e t e
.

1
O d yss e us marvel s at th e bl u e fri e z e i n th e h all o f Al c i n o us ; 0d 7 8 7 . . .
22 SH O RT H I STO RY OF GR E E K LITE R A TUR E

may at an y m o m en t r ev eal a M i n o an c iviliz atio n w holly d i sc o n

n ec te d from t h e H o me ri c m or e ad v an c e d an d ri c he r t han t he
,

Th e M i n oan M y c en aean O bli q ue t ho ug h i t may p rov e o r p arti al

.
, ,
remams
a C r e t an r e v e l atio n c ou l d h ar d ly fail to t h row lig h t o n

t h e Tr o j an q u es tio n B u t so far t h e d u mb r e mai n s o f My c e n ae

.
,

H i ssarlik an d C n o sso s hav e r at h er wi d en ed t han an sw e r ed t h e

,

q uestio n r ai sed by the t r ad itio n t hat sp eak s i n the H o meri c Po e ms

What essen c e o f h i s tory c an b e d i still e d fro m t h e Troj an sag a ?
B y t h e p ro fo un d i n t e r est o f i ts su bj ec t b ut s ti l l mor e — an d ,

h en c e i ts rig h t to b e c o n si d er e d th e bloo m o f th e e p o s — by i ts
u n iq ue suc c ess as a c omp o s i tio n the I l i ad w as li ft ed o ut Of th e
,

g en e r al fer me n tatio n o f th e he roi c sag a Th e for c es bro ug h t to .

b ear o n i t w h i c h hav e m ad e i t w hat i t n o w i s w er e c h i e fly c en

t r i p e t al : t h ey t en d ed to k e e p i t t og et h e r an d to a dd to i t B ut .

th er e w e r e al s o d i s i n t egr ati n g ag en c i es : t h e tr e ac h erou s m emori e s

o f t h e r hap s od es w ho se ac tiv i ti es w er e p rolo n g ed an d v agu ely
,

d e fi n e d th e aes t h e ti c o r p at rio ti c p r ej u d i c es o f t h e au d i en c e s
,

o f al l th e c enturi es d ow n to A ri s t ar c h us Th e po e try o f H o m er .

Cl ei s t h ene s w hi c h was su ppr ess ed by C l ei sthen es of Si c yo n ( ei r ea

° f S i °y ° n
n e mi es of Argo s
l
5 )
9 0 b e c aus e i t ex al t ed h i s e no ,

doub t i n c l ud ed th e I l i a d B esi d es th e g en e r al glori fi c atio n o f the

.

Argiv es thei r riv al o f Si c yo n m u st h av e fo u n d p ec ul i arly offe n siv e

,

t h e s t at emen t i n I I I I 5 9 2 t hat A d r as tus used to r ul e oner S i ey o n

.
,
.

O ther h ear e r s mig ht h av e gro un d s for sen s itiv en ess At an y r ate .

,

t h e fi r s t r ec or d o f a d efi n i t e c h ec k o n t he d i s p e r s io n
S ol on s l aw
’

or al t er at i o n o f th e Po e m s i s th e t r ad i tio n o f the
P an at h enai c ordi n an c e asc rib e d to Sol o n ( flor u i t 6 00 He

p asse d a l aw t hat t h e y sh oul d b e r ec i t e d at t he S t at e fes tiv al o f

t he P an at h en aea by p ro mp ti n g £ 5 f mofi oAfis or ac c or d i n g to
‘ ’
, ,

i n s u c c e ss io n eéi n oMjr/xew g ? Th e e x ac t mean

’
an ot h e r v e r sio n
‘ ’

, ,

i n g o f th es e p h r ases i s u n c e rt ai n an d w e k n ow n ot h i n g p r e c i se
,

abo ut th e en ac t men t B u t i t app ear s t o S h ow t hat At h e n s

.

ass u m ed a gu ar d i an sh i p o f t he Po e m s an d r ec og n iz ed t h e n eed ,

1 H er o d . V 67 .

2
Di o g Laert
. . I 57 p seu d o-P a l t . H ippa r ch . 2 28 .
 T H E H O M E RI C P O E M S 23

o f a stan d ard tex t The At hen i an atti tu d e o f r espo n sibil i ty fo r t he

.

H ell en i c m ast erpi ec es i s s till m o r e S harply d efi n ed by the tr adi tio n

o f the R ec en sio n o f P ei s i s tr at us
‘
What i s the evi .
’
Th e
d en c e fo r t h i s s ixt h c en t u ry c o mmi ss io n o f s ev en ty R ecen s i on of
‘
-

'
P ei s i s trat us
tw o c our t ph ilologi ans — a s usp i c i o us n u m b e r an d a ,

c e n tury to w h i c h o n e d o es n o t look for p h ilology ? T h e vox to ti us

a n ti gui ta ti s c l ai m e d fo r i t by Wol f i s fi r s t h e ar d i n C i c e ro
1
Pau
sa ui as Ael i an an d t he l ate r c o m m en tato r s t ak e u
, , p th e t al e A .

famou s p assag e i n Di og en es Laer ti us ( S ol o n I 5 7) q u ot es Di eu .

c hi d as th e M eg ari an h i s tori an to the e ffec t t h at Solo n d i d mor e

, ,

t han P ei s i str atu s to illu m i n ate th e H om e ri c Po ems A l ac un a i n .

th e t e x t has b e en fi ll ed i n by Ri ts c hl wi t h a s t at e m e n t that Pe i si s
‘

tr atus c oll ec t e d t h e p o e ms an d i n s e r t ed a v er s e t o th e p rofi t o f

t h e A t h e n i an s . T ho se w ho l ik e Wi l amo w i tz ac c ep t thi s r ead

’
, ,

i ng l ay st r ess o n hi s p roo f t hat Di euc hi d as l iv ed as early as th e

,

fo ur th c en tury B C The i n t e r p ol at ed v er se ( I l I I 5 5 8 ) w as
. . .

q u o ted ac c ordi ng to the tr adi tio n o n t he At hen i an s i d e i n an

, ,

arbi tr atio n b etw een M eg ar a an d At h en s for the aw ard o f Sal ami s .

Th e advo c at es o f t h e r ec e n sio n o f P ei s i s tr atus fi n d i t hard to ac

c o u n t fo r th e fac t that n e i t h e r A ri s t ar c h us n o r Ari s totl e say s a

word abou t t he forg e ry though th e form er r ej ec t s the v e r se and

,

th e l att er m en t io n s th e i n c i d en t o f i ts q u o tatio n ( R h et I I . .

P er hap s Wi l amo w i tz i s rig h t i n ex p l ai n i n g t he c harg e o f Di eu

c hi d as as t he i n v e n tio n o f a M eg ari an w ho c o ul d n o t brook th e

asc e n d en c y o f four th c e n tu ry At h en s i n ev e ry fi el d
-
i t was an o ther
M eg ari an H ereas who acc u se d P e i si s tr atu s o f i n t er p ol ati n g 0d
, ,
.

’
I I. 6 3 1 ( o n T h eseu s th e A tti c hero ) to p l eas e th e At hen i an s ‘
.

We may safely ig n or e that p art of the t r adi tio n o f th e Pe i si s tratean

r ec ensio n w hi c h w o ul d m ak e the Po e m s a so r t of Se pt uagi n t B ut .

b etw een the r hap sod es an d t he Al ex an d ri an gr am mari ans s om e

r ec en si o n mu st hav e o c c urr ed an d all the evid en c e I nfl uence of
,

oi t to t h e ixt h e tu ry T h e Al x a d ri a s r e ad A t h ens
p n s S c n e n
. n

an Atti c iz e d H o m e r ; the v ery l eg e n d that Ari star c h us t h oug h t

Ho m er was an At heni an poi n t s to that Wh en o n e c o n sid er s t he .

1 D e Or ator e 3 3 4 . .
24 S HO RT H I STO RY OF GR E E K LITE R A TU RE

i n flu en c e o f th e At ti c r ec i tatio n s of so m e t h r ee c en turi es fo r th e ,

gr eat er p art o f w hi c h A t h ens w as the l i t er ary c en t e r o f G r eec e

an d m o n opol iz e d the book t r ad e th e s ur p ri si n g th i n g i s t hat t h e
,

p o e m s ar e n o t mor e d e e ply d y e d i n At ti c c olori n g W e fi nd n o .

1
At hen i an Ex pl o i t s to so ot h e At hen i an v an i ty o nly i sol at ed li ne s , .

O n o mac ri tus th e c ou rt forg e r o f t he Pei si str ati d ae w as at an y r at e

, ,

c r e d i t e d by t h e Al e x an dri an c riti c s wi t h havi n g had s p ec i al o p por

t un i t i es for fr au d T hei r r ej ec tio n o f 0d 1 1 6 0 2 6 0 3 as by hi s

. . .
—

han d must m e an t hat t h ey had b e for e t h e m o t her c opi e s than th e

At ti c e x e m pl ar — th e c an o n i c al tex t .

B ut th e Atti c i s m o f th e Po e ms i s o n ly t en t ati v e ; a c rystall i z a

tio n had t ak en pl ac e by t he s ixt h c en t u ry w h i c h sec u r ed t h e m
fro m anyt hi n g li k e t r an sli te r atio n Th e r espo n si bili ty o f Pei si str a
.

t us for t he At ti c th e i nd ivid ual e ffort s o f C yn ae thus of C h io s for

,

th e I o n i an r ec e n si o n ar e mer e ly c o n v en i e n t foo t hol d s

,
I n th e .

o c ean of c ir c ul atio n o f the H o me ri c Po em s t he s tro n g es t c u rr en t

w as n o w A tti c an y o ffi c i al e ffo rt t o m ak e a s t an d ard t ex t woul d

n atur ally b e t h e privil eg e o f A t h e n s .

T he Al ex an dri an s ac c o un t e d for the d iv e rg en c i es of t he i r H 0

Th e meri c t ext s by the ac tivi ty o f the d i ask euas t s I t i s .

d i as k euas t s t h ey w ho ar e r es p o n s ibl e for t he i n d ivi d ual ed i ti o ns

’

of Hom er ( a i xa r a . il/ Spa ) w hi c h aro se i n t h e c e n t uri es b e t w e e n

P ei si s tr atu s an d the Al ex an d ri an s A n ti mac h us o f C ol o ph o n (ei r ea
4 10 h i msel f an e p i c po et an d e v en A ri s to tl e are c r e di t ed
, ,

wit h ed i tio n s of t hi s sor t The fi fth c en t ury sc hool m as t e r w h o as

.
-
,

Ed i t i on s of Plu t ar c h tell s us (A l ei h had mad e a p riv at e r e

.

t h e P oems vi s io n o f H o m er fo r hi s o w n use w as th e Pi c k o f hi s
,

o w n d ay an d n o t ex c e tio n al
p T he c i ty e d i tio n s ( a i Ka nt miAet s )
. .

w e r e c o n trib ut e d to Al e x an d ri a by sev er al t ow ns suc h as Si n op e , ,

Argo s C r e t e an d M ar se i ll es I t i s th e m or e s urpri si n g t hat w h en

, , .

o n e e x ami n es t h e qu o tat i o n s fro m Ho m e r i n Pl ato o r A esc h i n es

, ,

1
Eg
. . I 2 6 5 ; I I I 1 44 ; X X 2 1 9 —23 0 Th e l ast passage i n w h i c h
It
.
.
,

t h e Att i c h e r o Eri c h t h o n i us i s fo i s t e d i n t o a Tr o jan g e n e al o

gy may d at e ,

fr m t h e t i me w h en At h e ns c l ai me d k i n sh i p w i t h t h e Trojans fo r po l i t i cal en d s
o .

( Strab o X I I p
, .
26 SH O RT H I STO RY O F GR E E K LITE R A TU R E

d oubt s an d d i ffi c ul t i es
o f Al e x an dri a Ari star c h u s thoug h a
.
,

sear c h i n g c riti c w as c au tiou s ov e r c au tiou s i f w e j udg e hi m fro m

-
, ,

t h e stan d p oi n t of m o d e r n sc hol ar s T h e y ar e of th e
Th e .

V en e t i an same mi n d as C r at es an d h i s sc h ool o f P e rg a mo n ,
s ch ol i a
w h o ri d i c ul ed t he i r riv al s o f Al e xa n d ri a for t h ei r

at t e n tio n to d e t ail s t h e ir ,
tri fli n g wi t h mo n o syll abl es
‘
.
’
B ut t h e
app ear an c e o f th e vi ew s o f Ari s tar c hu s as r e fl e c t ed i n th e sc h ol i a

w as t h e sig n al for t h e r e n ew al o f t h e Ho me ri c d e b at e i n t e rm s ,

an d fro m a p oi n t o f vi ew t hat wou l d hav e sc an d aliz ed Al ex an d ri a

,

an d P e rg amo n ali k e I n 1 7 9 5 Wol f p ubli sh ed th e famo us P r o

.

W ol f s
’ l eg omen a w i t h i ts th e ory t hat t he I l i a d i s a c o n gl o m
,

P rol egomena erati o n o f fr ag me n ts w h i c h ow es to P e i s i s t r atus i ts

p r esen t fo rm H e su p port ed hi s argu m en t wi t h t h e c o n t en tio n

.

t hat wri ti ng was n o t i n li te r ary use w h en t he I l i ad w as c o m

p o s ed ; t h e r e w as t h,
e r e for e n o r ead i n g pu bli c ; b ut ou r I l i a d
,
-

m u s t hav e b een d esig n ed fo r a r eadi n g publi c To Wol f w h o .

,

m ad e hi s t es t s wit hou t th e t ou c hsto n es of epigr ap h y an d

ar c h aeolo gy ,
t he p o i nt se em e d vi tal Fo r m o d er n sc h ol ar s
.
,

w ho en vi sag e th e probl e m i n t he lig h t o f a c e n tury of ex

c avati o n s ,
hi s argum en ts hav e lo st mu c h o f t h ei r for c e I t is
.

tru e t hat w e hav e no G r eek i n sc rip t i o ns t hat i t i s safe to

d at e e arl i er t han th e fi r s t h al f o f th e s ev en t h c en t ury B C . .

’
T h e b al e ful s ig n s
‘
t hat Pro etu s s en d s as t he d e at h w arr an t
of B ell ero pho n (I l V I 1 6 8 ) d o n o t i m ply an y t hi n g m or e ad
.

van c e d t h an s om e form o f syll ab ary lik e t h e C r e t an N ot b e

.

for e Ar c h il o c hu s (f r 6 8 ) i s th er e an y m en ti o n of w ri ti n g i n G r e ek
.

l it er at u r e B ut th e G r eek s r ec e iv ed t he al ph ab e t fro m E aster n

.
,

p er haps P ho en i c i an sou r c es, n o t l at e r than the t en t h c en t ury

,
.

W ri t i n g H o m er mu s t h av e k n ow n of wri ti n g bu t h e may n o t
,

111 110m h av e u se d it i n an age w he n i t w as a m od er n i n ven

t io n t hat had n o t su pe r sed ed t he use of m e mo ry M or e than .

o nc e he S how s S ig n s of c o n sc i o us an tiqu ari an i s m t hat woul d p re

serv e h i m fro m t h e an ac h ro n i s m o f m aki n g hi s h ero es w rit e .

W he n w e r evi e w t he an alogi es o f ot her epi c s an d c o nsi d e r t h e

feat s of m emory t hat w er e c om m o n ev en to the r hap so d es o f
 TH E HO M E R I C P O E M S 27

1
Pl at o s d ay w e m u st c o nc l u d e t hat m e mo ri es abl e to h old an d
’
,

tran sm i t the H om eri c po e m s w er e far mor e c o m mo n than m an u

sc rip t s .

Wo l f s t h eory O f a c o n glom e r at e I l i a d li k e the M ahdhh d r a ta

’

has fall e n i n to t h e b ac kgro un d an d h i s i d ea o f th e fu n c ti o n s o f th e ,

Pei si strate an c o mmi ssi o n hardly c oi n c i d es w i t h t h e p r esen t c o n

c ep t i o n o f the At ti c r ec en s io n H i s work h ad b ee n
L ach man n
.

mai nl y d estru c tiv e H i s famou s di sc ipl e Lac hman n.

, ,

followi ng i n hi s s t eps di ssec t ed t he I l i ad i n to n i n et een sep ar at e

,

H i s Kl ei nli e d erthe ori e too h ad i ts d ay an d h as b e en

’
l ay s
.
‘
, , ,

shelv e d l aud a tur et alget .

G H er man n ( 1 8 3 4 ) i s t he fat h e r o f the t h e ory w h i c h has sup

.

pl an t ed th e vi ews o f Wol f an d Lac hmann th e c o nc ep tio n o f a

'

n u c l eu s o r k er n el w hi c h s u ffer e d gr ad u al e x p an si o n
G Her mann .

fro m a seri es of r ed ac tio n s Th e d es ig n w as fi x ed by .

the origi nal p o et w h en h e c h o se th e Wr at h o f A c hill es fo r h i s

t hem e ; the l ate r r ed ac tor s r esp ec t e d to a c er tai n e xt en t hi s , ,

li mi ts T heir p ar t was to v ary an d e mb el li sh oa r i as i n d ucer e

.
,

p l u m a s ; bu t s om e d i slo c ati o n o f th e origi n al s eq u e n c e o f t h e

st ory s o me r en di n g o f t h e t i ss ue s w as i n e vi t abl e
,
Wi th as m an y ,
.

?
v ari atio ns as sc h ol ar s t hi s vi ew n ow p r ev ail s ,

’
Th e v ari at io n n ati i rall y b egi n s wit h eac h c ri t i c s c o n c ep t io n o f
th e M en i s or
‘
Wr at h ’
C h ri st assig n s t wo t hi rd s of ou r I l i a d
‘
.
’
,

‘ ’
B ergk two fi ft h s Leaf abou t o n e s ixt h to t h e origi nal
,
Ho m er ,
.

N ot a si n gl e l ay o f Lac h m an n or C hri s t w oul d su rvi v e

Th e
th e ar mor t e st of Rob e r t Th e A e oli c M en i s o f " k ern el ' ‘ ’

Fi c k t he O rigi n al 11m
.

, mo f B ec h t el ar e pro fo un dly
‘ “18 0W
,

d i ffe r ent T her e i s h ow e v e r a g en e r al ten d en c y to d eriv e t he

.
, ,

essen ti al p o e m o f the Wr at h fro m c er tai n book s o f th e I l i ad

‘
,

es p ec i ally I X I X V X VI , T he p o e try o f t he se book s i s u sed as

, , .

a tou c h sto n e o f th e r es t “
We m ust say s M r Leaf i n hi s l ast
.
,
”
.
,

e d i t io n o f th e I l i ad shu t ou r e y es n o w an d t h e n to O p e n ,

the m ag ai n as t h e ri n g o f t he t ru e m e tal c all s ou r at ten t io n to th e

1 Cp X en Sy nzpos
. . . III 8 1 ; P l at o , L a w s 8 10 E .

2 Chr i st , Fi c k , Ki r c h h o ff, Leaf, Wi l amo w i tz , B e ch t el , e tc .

28 SHO RT H I STO RY OF G R E E K L I TE RATU RE

l
sp e n d rrativ e an d c h arac t e riz ati o n w hi c h ar e at th e bot to m o f
id na

t h e e x pan si o n o f t h e M e n i s i n to t h e I l i a d E v e n i f o n e sh o u l d ”
.

’
gr an t t hat the au t h or o f t h e M en i s w as my s t erio usly un abl e to
w ri t e b el o w a c e rt ai n l ev el t hi s d e t ec tio n o f t he tru e met al s eem s
,

li k e ly t o r e mai n a su bj e c tiv e ex e r c i se ‘
.

Eu s tat hi us i n t h e t w el ft h C h ri s ti an c e n t u ry r e c or d e d t he suspi
, ,

c io n s of t h e an c i e n t s as to t h e g e n ui n e n ess o f I l i a d X I t is in
‘
.
,

fac t th e mo s t i nsul at e d o f all t he c an to s o f t he I l i a d t ho ug h o n e

, ,

c an n o t i magi n e t h at i t o r t hey e v e r h ad a se p ar at e exi s t en c e Of .

all t h e e x p loi t s o f th e G r ee k s t h i s gri m e pi so d e i s t h e m o s t fool ,

har d y Aft er a l o n g d ay o f fi g h ti n g w h i c h h ad abr up tly c eas ed

.
, ,

c ame th e e mb ass y an d i t s fail ur e i n B oo k I X ac tio n e n oug h o n e , ,

wo ul d hav e t h oug h t for the n i g h t t hat follo w ed th e G r ee k r e v e r se

, .

Ag ame m n o n h o w ev e r w ill n o t l e t hi s b affl ed w arri or s sl e ep b ut

, , ,

mus t se n d o ut Di o m ed e an d O d y ss eus th r ough th e d a r h n igh t ,

a mi d the s l a i n th r o ugh th e a r ms a n d the hl a ch hl ood to Sl ay o r

, ,

r ec o n n oi t er t h e Troj an s n o w i n the flU S h o f t h e i r s u c c ess

, bi v , ,

o u ac k e d n o t far fro m t h e s h i ps O n t h e w ay t h ey m ee t and mu r

“

d er D olo n a s py ev e n mor e fo o l har d y t han t he m se lv es

,
A ft e r .

S l ayi n g R h esu s an d t w e lv e o f h i s me n i n t h e ir S l ee p t h e y ri d e b ac k ,

to c amp o n his famo us h o r ses w h i c h l ik e t h e w hol e ac h i ev em en t , , ,

ar e n ev e r ag ai n me n ti o n e d The e pi so d e i s t h e o n ly o n e i n t h e
.

I l i ad o f w h i c h t h e r e i s a c lo s e i mi t atio n i n an e xt an t p l ay t h e ,

R hes us u s ually asc rib e d to E uri p i d es

,
.

T hi s book i s a goo d i n st anc e o f S i mp l e i n t e rpol atio n I t has .

b een r ej ec t ed o n the sc or e o f i ns ul atio n an d i n c o n s i st en c y c o nsi d ,

er e d w i t h a c e rt ai n a mo u n t o f l at e d i c tio n Whe r e th e i n t e r p ol a .

1h t er p Q t io n i s c o m p l e x n o t o f w hol e book s b u t o f p assag e s

, ,

l at i on s an d s i n gl e li n es th e d o or i s o en to e v e ry s had e o f
p ,

o p i n i o n e v ery c an o n o f c ri ti c i s m Th e c ri ti c s are al mo st u n an i
,
.

mo u s i n r ej ec ti n g c ert ai n ep i s o d es H el en o n the w all i n I l i ad I I I ,

1
Th e i n c i d e n t o ll e h o rses an d t h ei r add r ess b y Z e us
f t h e w e e pi n g of Ac hi s
’

i I t XV II i i l u d e d i n hi O ri g i n al I l a d b y B c ht e l ; i t i s rej ec t d b y
‘ ’
n . s nc s z e e

F i k an d by L af w h s ay t h at i t b tr ays a
c ,
e , oe t i me n t al t o n e fo r e i gn t o th e
s e s n

o l d es t Ep i c .
 TH E H O ME RI C P O E M S 9

an d th e d u el o f P ari s an d M enel au s ; th e p arti n g o f H ec to r and

A nd ro m ac he i n V I ; the b at tl e o f th e go d s i n XX ; t he b eauti ful
an d c ru e l e pi s o d e o f Ly c ao n i n XX I ; t he fune r al g am es o f

P atro c l us i n XX I I I and al l p assag es c o n tai n i ng a r e fe r en c e to the

my s t erio us w all b e for e t he s hi p s B ut th e u nan i mi ty e n d s wi th
.

t he r ej ec ti o n .I f On e ask s w hy or w hen o r h o w t hese p assag es ,

mo st o f the m en tir ely wort hy o f the po e t o f th e M en i s ‘

,
’

w e r e i n ser te d i n the bo d y o f t h e I l i a d an d asc rib ed to Ho m er ,

e v e ry c riti c mak e s hi s o w n se p ar at e an s w e r T ho se answ er s are .

u su ally b ased o n aes t he ti c o r logi c al arg u ments R etard ati o n o f .

‘
th e ac tio n a to n e ou t o f har mo n y w i t h t h e p o e try o f th e M en i s
’
, ,

s ig n s o f di slo c ati o n of the s e q uen c e o f ev e n t s abov e all l ogi c al , ,

an d v e rb al i nc o n s i s ten c i eS — are t h e gro un d s o f j ud gm e n t

,
T he i r .

c umul ati v e e ffec t i s gr e at B ut aft e r r ead i n g su c h an an aly si s of

.

t h e I l i a d as M r Le at s o n e s e x p eri e n c e i s mu c h li k e C i c e ro s
’ ’ ’
.
,

wi t h th e p roo fs of i mmort ali ty i n t he P h a ed o ; h e g av e hi s assen t

w h il e t h e book w as i n h i s h an d b ut e v e n as h e l ai d i t dow n h e
, ,

r an g ed h i m sel f wi t h t he di ssent er s I n t hi s c ase how ev er w hat

.
, ,

w eak e n s o n e s assen t i s n o t SO muc h l ayi ng dow n o n e book as

’

t aki n g u p an ot h e r T her e i s a s tro n g a p r i or i p rob abil i ty t hat the

.

p o e m i s the r es ul t o f e x pans io n s o f a far mor e si mpl e k e r n el w h i c h

i s e mb ed d ed i n o u r v er si o n T he r e are a n u mb er o f i n g en iou s
.

w ay s of di seng agi n g t he k er ne l fro m th e exp an si o n a n u mb e r o f ,

hypo t h eses w h i c h al mo s t arriv e at c e rt ai n ty B u t i t i s by d i n t o f

.

the i r n u mb e r an d c o mpl e xi ty t h at t h e y s tan d tog e t h e r ; i f yo u

sh o ul d i sol at e an y o n e o f t h e m i t c oul d n ev e r s tan d alo n e an d

,

pr esen t abl e t o th e l ay r ead er .

A mo n g the m an y ag e n c i es that c o n d i ti o n ed the gro w t h o f the

I l i ad w e m ust r ec ko n t he g en ui n e c r eativ e i mpul se o f th e tr ue
po e t ; the t en d enc y o f t he c o u rt p o e t to i nse rt p an egyri c s or ,

e p i s o d es t hat sho ul d fl att e r family p ri d e s uc h as t he ex pl oi t s o f,

Di om e d e or I d o men eus ; abov e all th e e ffort s o f t h e r ed ac tor to ,

su p p l y tr ans i tio n s t hat wo ul d l en d an app ear anc e of u n i ty to a

lo n g epi c . All t hese woul d pro d u c e i n t er pol atio n S i m pl e an d ,

c o m p l ex
. B ut t he s ti mulu s to all su c h e x p an si o n was a p ubli c
30 SH O RT H I STO RY O F G R E E K LITE R A TU R E

tas t e t hat we c ann o t g aug e ; the taste o f a p ubli c to w h o m r e t ar d a

tio n of the ac tio n an d ep i s o d es t hat had n o r el at io n to th e m ai n
p lot may h av e se emed as app ro p ri at e as l at er t h ey se emed t o , ,

Ari sto tl e w ho sp eak s of t he Ca tal og ue of the S h ips w h i c h ev e ry

, ,

mo d er n ed itor r ej ec t s as an i n stan c e o f that use o f ep i s od es

,
-

w hi c h h e p l ai n ly ad m i r es i n Ho m er Th e I l i ad an d Odyssey are .

essen ti ally c ourt po e m s c o m po s ed for a c ourt au di en c e

,
Now a .

c ourt audi en c e i s n o t i n any age c ri ti c al

,
What w er e d i sc rep
,
.

an c i es or r e p e t i t io n s or l ac k o f logi c al s equ en c e
, ,
to the gu ests ,

’
aft e r a b an qu e t i n a gr e at m an s h ou s e w h en th e mi ns t r e l san g an d ,

t hey li s t en ed s pellbou n d wit h a c easel ess desir e to h ear hi m as

, ,

E umaeu s say s of su c h a si ng er i n th e Odyssey O r l ater c an we , ,

i m agi n e a mo r e c ri ti c al au di en c e fo r th e r hap s o d e at t he publi c

festiv al s ? The ey es o f hi s h ear e r s t oo would n ev er r est o n a , ,

writ t en c o py an d all mi n or d etail esc ap es n o ti c e w hen th e st ory

i s e n g agi ng th e att en ti o n For th e G er man sc h ol ar a d u e l
.
,

b e tw ee n P ari s an d M en el au s i n t he t en t h y ear o f the w ar i s i n c on

c e i vabl e ; al l that a G r ee k au di en c e d e m an d e d w as a s tri ki n g

p i c t u r e o f th e c ow ardi c e o f P ari s To Lo n gi n u s and G ibbo n th e

.

b at tl e o f th e god s i n I l i ad XX was a Si g nal e x am p l e o f t he grand

s tyl e. I al mo st d ou bt w hi c h i s m or e s ubl i m e, sai d G ibbo n ,

“
H o me r s B attl e o f the G o d S or Lon gi n u s Apo st ro p h e to
’ ‘ ’ ’ ‘

’
Te r en ti anu s upo n i t .For M r Leaf t he li n es qu o ted by .
,

Lo n gi nu s (XX 6 1 — 6 5 ) ar e a b om b asti c i n trod uc tio n

“
Ar e w e .

n e ar e r to th e t as t e o f t h e G r e e k s wit h Lo n gi n u s o r wit h M r Leaf .

I f w e c oul d answ e r t hat qu es tio n w e sh ould yet hav e to ask w ha t

,

G r eek s ? For a d iffer en c e i n tast e i n th e gr an d s tyl e may q ui t e

p o ss ibly h av e sep ar at ed T h u c y d id es an d Lo n gi n u s as wi d ely as i t

se p ar at es G ibbo n an d M r Leaf N or i s su c h d iffe r en c e o f tas t e
. .

at all a m att er o f d i ffe r e n c e o f t i me An y o n e c oul d h av e draw n “

.

t h e same c har ac te r s for th e p u r p o se o f p i ec i n g t h e m i n t o t he I l i a d

”
,

say s C arlyl e Th e c har ac te r o f th e matc h l ess P eli d es say s De

”
.
,

Q ui n c e y a r ath er mor e r eli abl e c riti c

,
has an i d eal fi n i sh an d a ,

d ivi n i ty abo u t i t wh i c h argu e that i t n ev e r c oul d hav e b e en a

,

grad ual ac c u m ul atio n fro m suc c ess iv e tou c hes The d i d ac ti c .

” “
 TH E H OM ER I C P OE MS 3:

p ro si n g s o f N es tor r egul arly offen d th e eye o f Mr Leaf an d to .

h i s c ri ti c al s e n se i m ply i n t e r pol atio n T h e y ar e ab sol u t ely i n .

c har ac t e r c h ar mi n g tou c h es o f e th os to M r Ri d g ew ay an d M r
‘

,
.
, .

Lan g Al l t h ese c ri ti c s r ang e ov e r t he same grou n d b ut t h ey

.
-

n ev e r p ut u p t h e sam e g am e .

B y th e eig ht h c en tury t h e I li ad w as c om pl e t e B u t th e c o m .

po si tio n o f a gr eat p ar t of the Ody ssey may be p u t at l eas t a

c e n tury l at er I t i s o n th e sc or e o f i ts c omp ar ativ e yout h t hat
'
.

t h e probl e m o f t h i s po em has lo n g b een r ec og n iz ed as sec o n d ary

an d al mo s t s e p ar ate Ev en at Al ex an d ri a th er e w er e sep arat i sts

.

( Chorizo n t es ) w ho assert ed the du al aut hor shi p o f Lat er d at e

t h e I l i a d an d Odyssey a fli c k er o f he r esy w hi c h w as
,
of t h e

d y ss e y
p u t o ut by t h e s tro n g h an d o f AI i s tar C hus Ti m e O
.
,

w h i c h m ak es all h er esi es ort hodox has su pp r ess ed th e U n i t ari an s ,

i n th e i r t u r n an d al l s c h ol ar s ar e n o w C h orizo n t e s
,
E v en t h e .

arg u m en t of Ari star c h u s from an t i c ip ati o n s o f t h e Ody ssey i n th e

I l i a d prov es to b e d oubl e edg ed The O dy ss ean l an gu ag e i n

-
.

c e rt ai n c an to s o f th e I l i ad ( I X X XX I I I XX I V ) i s m e r ely
, , ,

e vi d en c e o f th e ir l at e r d at e T hi s i s esp ec i ally tru e o f X the

.
,

D ol o n ei a w h er e the expl oi t o f O dy sse u s i s tak en by M o n ro to

,

1
m ark t h at ad v an c e of the I t hac an h ero i n po pu l ar favor w h i c h
c ul m i n at es i n th e O dyss ey T h e p o et o f t h e Odyssey n ev e r
.

i nd e ed r e p eat s the sub s t an c e of th e I l i ad bu t hi s v erb al ec h o es ,

?
ar e n u m e rou s an d n o t alw ay s i n t elli g en t For i n stan c e i n 0d ,
.

14 4 1 E u m a e u s kill s t h e b es t o f hi s Sw I n e fo r O d y sseu s a fa t
.
9 , ,

fi yea r ol d ; th e age i s w ell en o ug h for the ox i n I l i ad I I 4 0 2 of

z /e - -
,

w h i c h t he li n e i s a c lo se i m i tatio n bu t fi ve y ear old po rk i s n o t a - -

1
Do r p fel d mai n t ai n s ( i n L eu has A t h en s , ,
1 90
5) t h at L eu c as at th e t i me
,

of the co mp o si t i o n of t h e Ody ssey , w as an i s an d , l an d t h at t h i s r at h e r t h an

,

l t r s o ut h w as t h e tru e It h ac a th e h o me o f O d ysse us Th e
t h e i s an d far h e , , .

I th ac an s d r i ve n s o u t h w ar d b y th e i n vad i ng D r i an s mi g rat ed t o t h e n e w
,
o ,

It hac a w hi ch w as h en c efo rth mi st ak en l y i d e nt i fi e d w i t h th e I th ac a o f th e

,

Ody ssey Th e t h eo ry c l ears u p a p o i n t i n t h e g eogr aph y o f th e Ody ssey b ut

.
,

th e p ro o fs i f t h e r e b e an y pr o o f p o ss i b l e h ave n o t yet appe ar e d fro m t h e

, ,

exc avat i o n s o n Le uCas .

2
S i ttl h as co ll ec t ed a n u mb er o f s uc h pas sages .
32 SHO RT H I STO RY O F G R E E K LITE R A TU R E

d ai n ty . mi n or an tiq u iti es c u s to m s an d i d eas of c iviliz ati o n

I n th e , ,

t he d iv e rg e n c es ar e man y an d easi ly d e tec t e d T h e p o et o f t he .

O dy s s ey had a wi d e r r an g e i n t h e mat t er of g eogr ap hy — a n o tabl e ,

Comp ar i s on c ase i s h i s e x p li c i t k n owl e d g e o f Egy p t — o f m et al s

,

of I l i ad an d an d tr e e s a n arro w e r i n t e r es t i n b eas t s of pr e y w h i c h
Od y ss e y
i n t h e m or e p ri m i t iv e I l i a d ar e a C o n s t an t ac c o mp an i
m en t an d te rro r o f the p as toral li fe I n th e Ody ssey men c o n .

su l t or ac l e s ; O d y ss eu s go es to Do d o n a Ag am e m n o n t o Py t ho
, ,

a p oi n t o f affi ni ty wit h t h e H o me ri c I I mn s I n t h e I li a d i s n o
y .

S ig n o f i n d ivi d u al o w n er s h i
p of l an d suc h as i s c l ear i n th e Odyssey .

Th e gr am m ar o f t h e O dyssey i s n e ar e r t o t hat of l at er G r e ek
u sag e w h i l e i ts versifi c ati o n a
, pp roxi m at es m or e c lo se ly to H esi o d
t han to t he I li ad A p ax Oly’
. n i ca has s u cc eed ed t he
p p ri mi tiv e
qu arr e l s o f t he go d s w ho d eb at ed the fat e o f Troy O ly mpus .

i t s el f i s m or e r e mo te n ever s hahen hy w i n ds n or w etted by r ai n

,

n o r a ny s n o w , hu t o ver i t h o ver s the hr zgh t ai r w i th o u t a cl o u d .

Som e t hi n g o f t hi s mello w brig htn ess p revad es the w ho l e Ody s

s ey w i t h i ts r e mi n i sc en c es o f o l d u n happ y far off qu arr el s an d
“ -
, ,

b attl es The ca us a teter r i ma hel l i H e l e n th e c u r s e o f Tr o y

.
, , ,

w h er e a l l men s h u d d er a t me r ec eiv es T el e m ac hu s i n t he gl eami ng

,

p al ac e of M en el au s t he r e she t el l s an ec d ot es o f t he Troj an si eg e
’
an d w eav es li k e Art e m i s h er vi ol e t w o ol s T h e i m agi natio n s
‘
.
, ,

o f the G r e ek s o f the c l assi c al p e ri od dw el t o n th e i m ag e of th e

H el e n w ho broug ht to I li o s n o d o w e r b ut rui n fi tl y n am ed H el l
‘
,
’

of s h ip s H el l of men H el l o
, f ci ti es b eau ti ful an d t r eac h erou s lik e
, ,

a l io n s w h el p t hat faw n s o n i ts m as t e r till o n e d ay i t S l ay s i n s t ead

’
, ,

an d th e h ou se i s d efi l ed w i th bloo d B ut t he l ess robu s t tas t e o f

.

a l at e r age w as c h ar med by H el e n o f S p ar ta p ou ri n g i n to the wi n e ,

a s oot h i n g d r ug to b e g u il e p ai n an d c ar e ,

Th at ne t
p e n h es w h i c h t h e w i fe o f Th o n e
In t J
Eg y p g av e t o o v e - b o n H e e n a r l .

Th e Ody ss ey i s th e pi c t ur e o f t he su n se t o f G r ee k h eroi c li fe
t h e s un se t o f a s tor my d ay I t i s t h e work of H o mer s o l d
“ ’
.

”
a
ge , wro t e Lo ngi n u s ; you se e t he ebb an d flow o f gr eat n ess ,
an
34 SH O RT H I STO RY O F GRE E K LITE R A TU R E

sa a g may w ell anted ate the Troj an c amp aig n th e i nsul ar rul er o f
“
b arr e n an d b egg arly I thac a b ei n g c h o sen by so m e c apri c e of
”

t r ad i tio n for t h e typ e o f th e h o m e s e eki n g h ero

‘ ’
Hi s wan d er
-
.

i n g s lik e t ho s e o f t he A n c i en t M ari n er w ho S h o t th e alb atro ss

, ,

ar e an exp i at io n hi s c o mr ad es hav e sl ai n th e ox en o f t he s un .

B ut for that h e mig h t hav e go n e s tr aig h t h om e S p ec i ally ex

, ,

’
c ept ed fro m A th en e s w r at h To r ej ec t t hat i n c id en t fro m t he
.

’
‘
O rigi nal O dyss ey i s t o w eak en t h e d r am ati c m ec han i s m o f
t h e H o m e c o m i ng
’
-
I f i nser ted l at e r l ik e t he E mb assy i n t he
,

I l i ad i t w as w e ll i n ser ted I t i s t he po et s d evi c e t h e ex c u s e for

’
.
, ,

the e pi so d es t hat ar e th e ess en ti al o r n am en t o f an e pi c an d as s u c h ,

i t was en vi sag ed by so m e gi fted r ed ac tor i f not by th e origi n al ,

’
po e t o f th e R etu r n .

I n th e I l i ad a c er tai n i n di st i n c tn ess o f pl an a c o n fu s e d d ev el ,

o p men t i s fel t by t he mo st c o n se rv ativ e

,
Th e org an i c u n i t y o f
.

t he Ody s sey w as t he ad mi r ati o n o f A ri s to tl e ; an d e v e n Wol f was

i m pr esse d by t he i n teg r i tas w hi c h r ai ses i t as a c o mpo si tio n far

abov e th e I l i a d I ts an ato my i s i n d eed mor e c o m pl e x
. I t is .

t r ue that Ari s tar c hu s an d Ari s to p han es t he Al ex an d ri an s set th e , ,

fash io n for l at er c ri ti c s by r ej ec ti ng r at her m or e than a w h ol e

book at th e en d o f the po em B ut t he y en d ed th e Odys sey at
.

23 . 29 6 at th e r e c og n i t io n by P en e lop e t o get ri d o f an an t i
, ,

c l i m ax w h i c h i m pl i es n o di sl o c atio n T hey felt t h at th e en

,
.

c ou n t e r wi t h t he r el at iv es o f th e sl ai n woo e r s an d th e s ec o n d

d esc ent i n to H ad es i n spi te o f c ert ai n b eau ti es ( w hi c h hav e b een

,

adm i r e d by Sai n te B e uv e ) ar e a p atc hwork

-
,
an d t he i n t e r nal ,

e vid e n c e of p o s t Ho m e ri c l an gu ag e an d i mi t atio n s of earli e r p as

-

s ag es su pp or ts t he m B ut i t i s n o t e as y to c u t o ut w h ol e i ns u
.

l ate d B ook s fro m t he Odyssey wit ho ut di st urbi n g i ts p ro por tio n s ,

as you c an c u t th e D ol o n ei a an d p e r hap s t h e
’
E mb assy o ut of ‘

’
t h e I l i ad To an ep i c so c l o sely k n it o n l y the k er nel t heory
.
‘

c o u l d b e appli e d .

Kir c hhoff ( 1 8 5 9 ) i s th e Wol f of th e Odyssey an d has r evolu ti o n

i z ed t h e at ti t ud e o f mo d e r n sc h ol ar sh i p H e c o n s t r uc te d a n i n th
.

’
c e n t ury R etur n as c riti c s o f t he I li ad hav e c o nstru c te d a
‘
 TH E H O M E R I C P O E M S 35

Wr ath ’
m aki ng t h at the tou c hs to n e o f the r est a m ag n et t hat
, ,

attr ac te d th e l ate r add i tio n s H i s R etu r n b e gi n s at B ook 5 wi t h

.
’

t he ac tu al d ep artur e o f H erm es for O gygi a ( unacc o u n t

Ki r chh off
ably d el ay e d i n B oo k I o f our O dyssey) an d e n d s at

13 . 1 8 4 at t h e p oi n t w h e n t h e P haeac i an s w ho had s e n t O dy ss eu s
,

h o m e to I thac a s e e fro m t he sh or e th ei r c o n voy tu r n e d to sto n e ,

’
and i n d e fe r en c e to Po sei d o n s r e s en t m en t ag ai n s t t h ei r too swi ft

an d safe c r ui se r s r e no u n c e t h e i r c arryi n g tr ad e K ir c hh off r ej ec t s .

fro m hi s R etur n t he w hol e o f B ook s 8 ( the g am es o f the P haea

c i an s
) an d I O ( A eolu s : the Laes trygo n i an s : C i r c e ) H e assig n s
, .

t o an o th e r po e t o f t he sam e d at e the sequ el ( 1 3 1 8 5 2 3 the .

—
.

Al ex an d ri an li mi t o f the Ody ssey B ut fro m thi s sequ el he mu st .

o f c o ur se o mi t B ook 1 5 th e r etu rn o f T e l em ac hu s fro m Sp art a

,
.

Fo r i n 1 5 i s assum ed the earli e r p ar t o f t he Odys sey I — 4 th e , ,

Tel emachi a Ki r c hh o ff s se c o n d en l arg e m en t

’
ad d ed as l at e as
“
, ,

660 B C . The sev en th c e n tu ry po et o f th e Tel emachi a r e vi sed

.

an d i n te rpol ated the n i n th c en tu ry r ed ac tio n i n ord e r to bri ng i t

i n to li n e w i th hi s add i tio n s Th e e l abor ate i n g en ui ty t hat i s

.

n e e d e d to ac c ou n t fo r t he se Tel emac hi an i n t erpol atio n s

‘
i s t he
’
i n fi rmi ty o f Ki r c hhoff s argu m en t The ad aptatio n has i n fac t .

b ee n mo r e s kill ful and t h oro ug h t han i n t he c ase o f the I l i ad ,

.

Wi t hi n the Tel emachi a i t se l f Kir c hhoff r eg ard s 1 8 8 — 4 4 4 as a mer e .

r efl ex of B ook 2 I t i s i n d ee d easy t o Sh ow t hat At h en e s ad vi c e

’
.

t o T e l e m ac hu s i s i n c o n s i s te n t an d ill j u dg e d ; t hat t h e c o n d u c t o f
-

T el emac hu s w ho by th r eat en i ng the woo er s w eak en s hi s ow n

,

pl an s i s u n d ipl om ati c The w hol e then i f w e foll o w Ki r c hhoff i s

,
.
, ,

borrow ed fro m B ook 2 B ut at 2 2 6 0 t h er e i s a c l ear r efer en c e

. .

to the vi s i t o f At h en e thi s Kir c hhoff say s w as i nte rpol at ed by

, ,

t h e p o e t o f B oo k I The p r ay e r o f A th en e to Z eu s i s gr an t ed i n
.

B ook 1 H erm es i s to go to O gygi a an d r el ease O d y sseu s i n the

s ev e n t h y e ar of hi s lo tu s eati n g c ap tivi ty -
B ut H e r mes d o es n o t .

s et o u t u n til B ook 5 I 4 a po stp o n e m en t w h i c h r e mi n d s o n e of

.
,

th e lo n g d el ay t hat follow s t h e p ro mi se of Z eus to T h e ti s i n th e

I li ad. Ki r c hho ff woul d r eg ard th e p assag e i n 5 as the origi nal .

1 1 1 —3 00 , — 16 — 1— 1 6 6
5 .
49 5 55 7 ; . 1 29 , 3 2 2 45 1 ; 17 .
3 .
36 S H O RT H I STO RY OF GR E E K LITE R ATU RE

m ec han i c ally i mi t at e d by the p o et o f B ook I I t i s o f c ou r s e . .

ess e n ti al t hat w h e r e th e R etu r n an d t he Tel emachi a c o n t ai n

‘ ’

’
i d en ti c al li n es the R etu r n shoul d b e the o ri gI n al
,
‘
.

Kir c hh off s theory o f t he growt h o f th e Odyssey i s b ased o n a

’

gr eat n u mb er of d i sc r epan c i es i n the n arrati v e o n v erb al r ep eti ,

tio ns w he r e he thi n k s t hat the org ani c passag e c an b e d i s ti ngui shed

,

fro m th e mec han i c al i mit atio n an d th e lik e H i s p arti c ul ar argu

, .

m e n t s d o no t al w ay s c o n vi n c e T he r e i s n o t for i ns t an c e i n t he
.
, ,

w hol e bo d y o f Ho m eri c e p i c a s i n gl e di sc r ep an c y of d e t ai l w hi c h
,

o n e c oul d n o t t hrow i n to th e S had e by p ar all el s fro m C e rv an t es ,

Sc o tt an d T h ac k e r ay to r an g e n o fart h e r
, ,
.

Th e b ewil d e rm en t t hat i s i n tro du c ed by the subj ec tivi t y o f th e

aes t he t i c c riti c i s m o f t h e O dyssey may be i ll us tr at e d from e v ery

Ae s t h e t i c book o f th e p o em For Ki r c hhoff t he fig h t wit h I ru s

.

Cri t i Ci s m i n B oo k 1 8 i s an old b al l ad for Wi l amo w i tz i t i s a ,

c o mp ar ativ e ly l at e p aro d y K ir c hhoff r ej ec t s 2 3 1 5 3 ff o n th e

. . .

gro un d t hat w h il e O dy sse us t ak es a b at h P en elo pe i s S i t ti ng ,

n e gl ec t ed — w h i c h b e tr ay s a l ac k o f prop e r fee li n g i nc r ed ibl e i n

an origi n al p o e t All suc h d i sc u ssio ns en d as d e G o n c ou rt sai d
.
, ,

wit h t h e S i mpl e asserti o n j ai p l us d e gout oue vous But i n ’

.

Ho meri c c ri ti c i s m t h er e are n o s teps b ac kw ar d Li n g ui sti c ar c h ae .

,

ol ogy t he c o mparativ e s tu d y o f th e ep i c ty p e the hi story of th e

, ,

sag a an d of lo c al c ul t s al l t h ese c u rr e n ts fl
, o w i n t h e sam e d i r ec

tio n ; al l ten d to the di si n te gr ati o n of th e p r esen t stru c tu r e of the

H o meri c epi c I t i s n o t easy to i m agi n e w hat c o n vul sio n o f
.

c ri ti c i s m sh o u l d mak e t h at s tr eam fl ow b ac k w ard So me fo rm .

,
’
t h er e fo r e o f Ki r c hh off s t heory som e r earr ang e m en t of t h e
, ,

Tel emachi a an d t he
’
R etu r n will c o n ti n u e t o h ol d the fi el d
‘
,

j us t as for th e I li ad all m o d er n c ri ti c i sm ev en t he k er n el
, , ,
‘

t he ory i s b ased o n t h e h i n t s of Wol f s P r ol ego men a

’
,
Ev en the .

e x agg e r ati o n s o f Wi lamo w i tz Seec k an d N i es e h av e n o t d i s

, ,

c r ed i te d Ki r c hh o ff n o r c han g e d t h e fash i o n S eec k .

S eeck
b eli ev ed i n two i n d ep end en t O d y ssey s of w hi c h w e ,
’
h av e i n the R e t u r n a c o ntami n atio n ; i n t h e earli er v e r s io n
‘
,

t he r ec og n i t io n by P en elop e was n o t d e l ay ed u n til B o ok 2 3 ;

 T H E H O M E RI C P O E M S 37

both sh e an d Euryc l e i a hel ped O d y sseus i n hi s p lo t ag ai nst t he

s ui tor s B ec h tel foll o w s th e sam e fashio n i n i m agi n i n g a p han
'

’
to m O rigi nal I l i ad i h w h i c h the s tory w as qui t e d i ffer en t a
‘
,

m eag er un str un g narr ativ e W i t h a di ary of t w elv e d ay s n i n e i n w hi c h ,

t he r e i s n o ac tio n at all fol low ed by t h r ee d ay s o f fig h ti ng so

, ,

arr an g e d t hat P atro c lu s H ec to r an d A c h ill es al l fall o n t h e sam e

, ,

d ay . I n t h e ey es of su c h c ri ti c s the p erfec t epi c h as th e sym

m etry o f a d r am a Ko ec hl y has ac tually c ut o ut o f th e Ody ssey
.

’
fi ve e ss en ti al r hap so d i es w h i c h C oul d be pu t tog e t he r li k e t he
‘

fi ve ac t s o f a t r ag ed y — a fac t w hi c h for h i m s t amps t h e m as t he

work o f th e origi nal p o e t T hi s i s to c o n fuse th e c an o ns o f t wo
.

t yp es of l i ter atur e as E uri p i d es c o n fuse d t h e m w h en h e w rot e hi s

,

Tr oades a m e r e s u c c essio n o f sc en es fro m t he ep i c

,
A r eac tio n .

to t he m or e l ib e r al Ari s tot el i an V i e w o f the e p i c as a g am e of

digr ess i o n s woul d gr eatly n arrow the fi el d o f H o meri c s p ec ul atio n .

Th e m o s t stri ki n g an d mo s t O d y ssean e p i so d e i n th e O dyssey i s

th e d esc en t i n t o H ad es i n B ook 1 1 I n t h e w h ol e of t h e e pi c n o
.

adv en tu r e has app eal e d mor e s tro n gly to t h e i m agi na

Od y s s ey 1 1
t io n of l at er po e t s B ut i t i s i m prob ab l e th at i t b e
.

’
lo n g e d to th e origi nal R e t ur n Th e ad vi c e t hat T eir esi as giv es
.

t o O d y ss eu s se rv es n o ap p ar ent e n d s i nc e C ir c e w h o had s en t , ,

hi m i n sear c h o f i t h e r sel f l at er ( 1 2
,
giv es t he h ero a far mo r e
,
.

u s e ful i ti n e r ary P er hap s the epi so d e w as t ac k ed o n t o the p as

.

s ag e i n B ook 1 2 by a p o et w ho saw I n I t an o p en i n g fo r the mar

v elo ns an d m ovi n g w h en h e m ad e t he sor c e r ess sen d the ov er bol d -

adv en tur e r to the S h or es o f O c ean u s to h n ow d ea th tw i ce w hi l e all ,

men el se d i e o n ce f or al l A g en i u s for p u r p l e p atc hes o f thi s s ort

.

i s har d ly to b e r an k ed low er t han th e g e n i u s o f an origi n al p o e t .

N o t fro m C i r c e h ow ev er bu t fro m T ei r esi as O dy sseu s hear s o f

, , ,

hi s l ast w an d eri n g an d hi s e n d F r o m the s ea s h al l thi n e ow n

.

d ea th come the g en tl es t d ea th ther e be w hi ch s h all en d thee f o r e

, , ,

d one w i th s moo th old age I n t h e lo n g p ro c e ssi o n that follow s

.

T ei r esi as so me l ik e hi s mo th e r An ti c l ei a s t ay fo r sp eec h wi t h
, , , ,

O d y ss eu s an d v ai n e mbr ac es o f o t h er s t h er e i s o n ly a gli mp se as
t h ey p ass The lo n g c at alog ue of fai r wo men li k e that famou s
.
,
38 S H O RT H I STO RY O F G RE E K LITE R ATUR E

lo st c at alogu e o f H esio d th e E oi ae i s a r evi ew of d ead h eroi nes

, ,
.

Tyro an d A n tio p e Al c men e and fair E pi c ast e t he m o t her of

, ,

O ed ipu s lov e ly C h lori s an d L e d a — al l d ec l ar e t h eir

Th e Cat a , ,

l og ue of l i n eag e an d c ru e l fat e To w ar d s t he en d th e r evi ew o f

.
,

W ° men famo us n ames i s l ess d e t ail ed b ut n o n e t he l ess effe c t ,

i ve . Som e c ri ti c s obj e c t to th e b ar e e n u mer atio n o f P h aed r a an d ,

Pro c ri s an d fair Ari ad n e and M ae r a an d C ly men e o n the gro un d

, , , ,

t hat th e p o e t b ec o mes a mer e n o m e n c l ator N o th i n g c an be ;

mor e telli n g than su c h n o m enc l atu r e as V i rgil saw w hen h e i mi ,

t ated thi s p assag e i n hi s s ixt h B ook E ac h n ame c all s u p s o me

.

me mory o f ro m an ce th e p ri n t an d p erfu me o f a tal e o f bygo n e

,

p ass io n an d th e p o et p asses o n to th e n e x t b e for e the w h ol e s tory

,

h as b ee n e n vi sag ed by t h e h ear er or r ead er I t i s t he m etho d of .

t he B all a de of V illo n

La r o ne
y B l a n ch e co mme l i s ,

Qui ch a n t ozt d v oi x de ser a i n e

B er l e gr a n t p i é, B i et r zs, A l l i s ;
au

H a r enzli u i g i s gu i t i n t l e l l/ a i n e,
E t j eh a n n e, l a hon n e L or r a i n e .

The h ero es o f G r eec e fo ll ow Ag am em n o n so n o f Atreus s orrow , ,

i n g an d ac c u s i n g C ly t e mn e s tra o f hi s d eat h a v ari atio n of th e

, ,

ac c ou n t giv en by N est o r i n B oo k 3 A c hill es P atro c lu s An ti lo , ,

c hu s , eac h aski n g o f t ho se t hat w e r e d ear t o hi m O n ly Aj ax .

s too d al oo f i n s ull e n w r ath for t he aw ard o f t h e ar ms o f A c h ill es

Would tha t I h ad n ever w o n i n tha t con tes t ! c ri es O dy sseu s .

B ut t he p rou d s piri t of t he o t h e r lik e V i rgil s Di d o wo ul d hav e

’
, ,
’
n o n e o f h i s e n e my s v ai n r e m o r se H er e at l i n e 5 6 5 t her e i s a
.
, ,

d i s ti nc t s h i ft o f sc e n ery Th e r evi e w has c eas ed an d n o w the r e

.
,

i s a r ev el ati o n o f M i n o s givi n g s en t en c e fro m hi s t h ro n e an d th e ,

h u n t e r O ri o n d rivi n g t he v ery b eas t s t hat h e h ad sl ai n o n t he

lo n ely hill s T hen th e gr eat m i sc r ean t s o f G r eek l eg en d T an talu s
.
,

t h e typ e o f u n ful fill e d d esi r e s till s tr ai n i n g l ik e o n e at hi r s t ; Si sy

,

p h u s o f C ori n ,
t h t he ty p e o f S i n ful w eak n ess a bywor d o f v agu e ,

t r eac he ry u rgi n g h i s s t o n e u p h ill b u t th e w eig ht ev e r drov e hi m

, ,

b ac k as i t roll ed to the pl ai n the r u thl ess s tone Last o f al l c o mes

,
.
 TH E H O M E RI C P O E M S 39

th e p han to m o f H erac l es su rrou n d ed by the c l am orou s d ead hi m ,

se l f li he bl ach n ig h t, p eer i ng a bo u t hi m l i he o n e ever a bo u t to s h oo t ,

t he ty p e o f the man o f r e s tl ess for c e an d har d ad v en tur es w h o m

Z eus has se t ami d t oil s l ik e Ag am em n o n

,
.

I n th e fi ft h c en t ury Polyg n o tu s r ead t h i s sc en e i n hi s O dyssey,

an d illu st r at e d i t i n hi s p ai n ti n g s Ari star c hu s su sp ec t ed t h e
.

w hol e p as sag e The m o st pl au sibl e e xp lanatio n of t hi s p i c tu r e

.

o f r etribu tio n and ex p i at io n an all ego ry o f hu m an l i fe i s t hat o f

, ,

Wi l amow i tz Th e p assag e i s t i n g ed wit h O r phi s m i s an ec h o o f

.
,

t he s ixt h c en tu ry w hen the m y s t eri es w er e t eac h i n g t hat o n ly the

pu ri fi e d an d i n i ti at e d esc ap e the te rror s o f H ad es O no macri tus .

i s th e s c ap ego at o f all forg eri es o f o r ac l es an d O rphi ca

Or p hi sm
i n the s ixt h c en t ury ; an d t o h i m Wil amo w i tz as 1

sig ns 1 1 5 6 6 — 6 3 5
. T hi s i s o f c our se pu r e c o nj ec tur e I f i n the
. .

s ix th c en t ury O n o mac r i tus c oul d wri te v e r se as fi n e as th i s it ,

s e e m s s tr an g e that he s houl d h av e li mit ed h i msel f to an o n y mou s

i n ter pol atio n s o r to th e s p ec i al forg eri es o f th e or ac l es of Mu saeu s

,

an d t he O rphi ca t hat b r an d h i m i n th e tr ad i tio n O n the o t her .

han d th e fas hi o n o f an o n ymi ty or r at h er the e ffort to me rg e o n e s

,
’

’
po eti c al id en ti ty i n Ho m er s w as still p r edo mi nan t b ec ause i t was ,

s till p o ss ibl e to borrow h i s t r ad e m ark .

The b el t o f H e r ac l es i n I I wi t h i ts d ec or atio n s of row s o f

,

an im al s an d b at tl es an d viol en t d e e d s sugg es t s to Wi l amo w i tz

,

t he bl ac k fi gur ed C ori n t h i an v ases o f th e S i x t h c en tury

-
On .

t hes e too H e r ac l es i s att en d ed by H e rm es an d A then e n am e d

, , ,

i n 1 1 as h i s esc ort s to th e u n d e rwo rld B ut to ask w he t he r .

th e v ases r e fl ec t t he Odyssey o r bo th po et an d d ec or ato r e c h o

,

so me c o n t e m por ary O r p h i c origi nal i s t o c o n fu se by r ai si n g

,

qII esti o ns t hat w e c an n e v e r an sw er ; i t i s as r ash as t he e ffor t

to mak e a s el ec t io n fro m the I l i ad an d Odyss ey o f th e po e m s
o f O n o mac ri tus .

For the n ext fi ve c entu ri es so lo n g as t h e r e w er e G r eek po ets

, ,

th ey wro t e u n d e r th e S pe ll o f Ho m er Fro m that i n ex hau s tibl e

.

1 Wi l amo w i tz t o o k th e s ugges t i o n fro m the s ch o l i as t on 11 . 6 04 , w h o at

trib ute d t hat r

ve se to O no mac ri t us .
40 SH O RT H I STO RY O F G RE E K LITE R A TU RE

fou n t ai n the lyri c po e t s i n t he s ev en t h an d si xt h c en t uri es the ,

d r e w t h ei r ph rases an d i m ag es an d e m
’
s p ri n gti m e o f so n g
‘
, ,

broi d e r e d t h ei r p o ems wi t h allu s io n s t o t he l eg end s o f t h e I l i ad

an d Odyss ey Th e tr ag ed i an s fo r t h e mo s t p art s oug h t t h e ir
.
, ,

plo t s i n t he C y c l i c ep i c s B ut t h er e was n e v e r a tr ag e d y pu t o n
.

t he G r eek s t ag e t hat d i d n o t ec h o t he l an g uag e o f H ome r Ev en .

i n t h e d ec ad en c e of t h ei r lit e r atur e t he G r ee k s n ev e r l o s t t he i r
app r ec i atio n of hi s u n ap p r o ac h abl e e x c ell en c e an d c h ar m H o mer .

w as s till the l i gh t of the M uses the ag el ess mou th of al l th e w or l d to ,

1
A n ti p at e r o f Si d o n t he Syri an G r e ek o f th e s ec o n d c en tury B C
,
. .

?
A n ot h er p o e t o f the A n thol ogy d w el t o n th e un fad i n g fr esh
n e ss of th e Ho me ri c n arr ativ e : S ti l l w e h ea r the bi tter cry of
A n d r o ma che s ti l l w e s ee a l l Tr oy toppl i ng f r o m her f ou n d a ti on s
, ,

an d th e ba ttl i ng f
o Ajax , an d H ecto r , bo u n d to the h or s es , d r agg ed
Al l thi s th r o ugh the Ill f
’
u n d er th e ci ty s c r ow n f
o tow er s . us e o

M aeo n i d es ,
the p oet w i th w hom n o o n e co u n tr ' a d o r n s h er self as

her ow n , but the zo n es o f bo th w o r lds . T he I li a d an d Odyssey are

wri t t en i n a s tyl e t hat sui t s the t as t e o f al l ag es an d n ev er b e c o mes

an tiq uat e d I n t hat s tyl e p erfec t S i mpli c i ty an d d ir ec t n ess o f
.

e x p r essio n hav e fl o w e r e d i n to t h e hig h es t an d mo s t p e rm an en t

fo rm o f art vigoro us an d v ari ed yet alw ay s d eli c at e an d hi g hly

, ,

wroug h t T he H o me ri c i m agi n atio n c o n c eiv ed a l i mi t ed r an g e o f

.

hu m an c har ac t e r s l i mi t e d t hat i s by th e si mpl e an d n obl e

, , ,

c iviliz atio n r e c o n s tru c t e d i n t h e Po e m s T h e gr eat essen ti al ty pe s .

Homeri c are t h e r e ; t h e fig h t e r th e h u n t e r th e c ra fty ad , ,

t YPE’S v en tu r er th e fai t hful wi fe th e seam an go d s an d

, , ,

god d esses w alki n g the eart h amo ng men b eau ti ful t r eac h ero us , ,

wom en an d ol d bli n d b ard s I n t h e I l i ad t hat e pi c o f an

, ,
.
,

ep i s o d e t h e r ev e n g e ful w r at h o f t h e w arrio r w e h av e al l t h e
, ,

sc e n e ry o f p ri mi t iv e b attl es t h e bl ac k s h ip s t h e se a b e ac h an d
, ,
-

t he p l ai n as t h e b ac kgro un d an d s ett i n g o f t h e en c amp m en t ,

bl azi n g w at c h fi r es at n ig ht an d by d ay t h e d u s t an d h eat o f t h e
,

as saul t as t h e w av es o f fi g h t roll ed b ac kw ar d an d for w ar d t he ,

gro an s an d c ri es o f men s l ayi n g an d b ei ng sl ai n ex horti n g to fi g h t ,

1 2
A u th P a l . .
7 6 . . A u th P a l 9 9 7
. . . .
42 S H O RT H I STO RY O F G R E E K LIT ER A TU RE

r atio n of d etail w h i c h m ak es thei r wo rk c o ntr asted wi th th e ,

l
,

H om eri c fri ez e see m lik e a mo sai c t h e l at er ep i c po ets d i d no t , ,

s u c c e e d i n c o n v eyi n g so vivi d a pi c t ur e o f t he i n t i mat e l i fe o f

G r e ec e o f t h e mi n or an t iq u i ti es i g n or e d by th e dr am ati s t s an d
,

lyri c po ets H o me r as th e G r ee k s sai d w as c ap abl e o f ev ery

.
, ,

t hi n g N o po e t has d esc rib ed so w ell th e d eed s an d p ass io n s

.

o f men : ho w t hey d i e fig h ti n g ; ho w th ey gri ev e for th e d ead ;

ho w b eauti ful an d n obl e c an be the s i mpl es t as w e ll as the m o st ,

s pl en did se tt i n g of t h ei r l iv e s
,
.

B I BLI OGRAP HY

I . MAN U S C RI P rs . A . Papyr i : Pe tri e, H a w a r a B i ah u m a n d A r s i n oe con

t ai n s par t of I l i ad II 1—8 7 7, 5 th c en t . A D . . B r i t i sh M use um c x xvi c o n ai n s t

I l i ad I I 1 0 1 — 1 4 0, 4 th or
5 th c en t . A D . . M ah affy F l zn d er s P etr i e P apy r i
, ,

Pl . iii , f r . fro m XI 0 —
5 3 5 3 7, 2d c en t . B C . . Bod l e i an , b 3 ( Gr e n fel l , G r eeh
P apy r i , S eco n d S er i es ) , 3 d cent B C Gr e n fe ll an d fr . o f XX I I XX I I I , , . . .

H un t , Oxy r hy n ch us P apy r i , p 4 6 ; I l i a d I I , 7 3 0 —8 2 8 , 2 d c e n t A D Oxy r hy n . . . . .

Papy r i II p 9 6 ; I l i a d V 1— 3 0 3 , an d a few fr r fro m I l i ad V 3 29 —70 5 ,

. .

3d c en t . A D . .

B . A mbr os i a n us P i ct u s, 5 th—6 t h c e n t A D , at Mi l an , c o n t ai n i n g i . . . l l ustr a

t i on s of the I l i ad , w i t h
p o rt i o n s fr o m al l th e b o o s ex c ep t , XV k III I I I IX , ,

XX — 8 00 l i n es i n p ubl i s h e d b y
all ; M ai , 1 8 19 Th e Sy r i a c P a l i mpsest, 6 t h
.

or
7t h c en t . A D . .
, c o n t ai n s 3 8 7 3 I i n es l of th e I l i a d fr o m X I I t o X X V Ven e .

i n th e l i brary o f S t M ar k s V e n i c l o th ce n t A D fi r st p ub l i sh ed
’
tu A s .
,
e, . . .
,

b y V i l l o i so n 1 7 8 8 c o n t ai n s th e h o l i a o f A i sto n i c us Di d ymus H er o d i an
, , sc r , , ,

an d N i c an o r L a u en ti n u s C F l o r en c e 1 l th c e n t A D
. r L a u r en ti a n us D
o , , . . .
,

F l o r n c e 1 1 th o 1 2t h en t A D
e ,
r c . . .

II E D ITI O N S AN D CO M M EN T AR I E S Ed i ti o ns b efo re 1 78 8 E d p i n e
. . : . r .
,

D metri us C h al c o n d yl as F l r n e 1 4 8 8
e F i rs t A l d i n e e d i t i o V en i c e 1 504
, o e c , . n, , .

Tu n b us I l i a d Par i s 1 5 5 4
r e , B ar n es ( w i t h s c h o l i a an d n o t s ) C amb r id g e
, , . e , ,

1711 E n est i L i p z i g 1 7 5 9
. r Ed i t i o n s i n an d a ft r 1 7 8 8 V i l l i s o n I l a d
, e , . e : o ,
i

ad v t e d V n ti fi d m
. co en si ta V e n i c e 1 78 8
. e e W o l f I l i a d H al l e 1 79 4 ;
e r ec , , .
, , ,

[h a d an d Ody ssey L i p z i g 1 8 04 H ey e I l i a d L e i p z i g 1 8 0 2
, e B e kk er , . n , , , .
,

I l i a d B er l i n , 184 3 ; I l a d an d Ody s y B n n 1 8 5 8
, K i r c h h ff Ody s y i se ,
o , . o , se ,

B rl i n 1 8 5 9
e 2d ed
, 1 8 79 P i err n I l i a d Pari 18 69 L a R c h e Ody s ey
.
, . o , , s, . o , s ,

1 Lu ci an , H ow to Wr i te H i story , 57 , on H o mer ’
s se l f r estrai n t
- : P oet th o ug h
he i s, he h u r r i es p a st Ta n tal u s , I x i o n , an d th e r est . If h e h a d been Pa r th en i u s ,
or E uph or i on , or Ca l l i ma ch u s, h ow ma ny li n es w o u l d h e h a ve tahen to g et the

w a ter to th e l ip o
f Ta n ta l u s , or to s et I x i on p i n n i ng ?
s
 TH E H O M E RI C P O E M S 43

Lei pz i g , 186 7 I l i ad , 1 8 73 . Merry an d Ri dd ell Ody ssey , , 1— 1 2 , 2 d c d .

, O xfo rd ,
18 8 5 . Ody ssey
Fi c k , ( in A e o l i c ) , GOt ti n ge n , 18 8 3 ; I l i a d, 18 8 5 . C h r i st ,
I l i ad , Mii n c h en , 1 8 8 4 M o n r o I l i a d O xfo r d 1 8 8 4
. L ud w i c h , Ody ss ey
, , ,
.
,
Le i p

z ig, 18 8 9 ; I l i ad , Le i pz i g 1 902 M o n ro O dy ssey 1 3 —24 O xfo r d 1 9 0 1

,
.
, , , ,
. Lea f,

I l i a d, 2d ed .
, 2 vo s l .
, Lo n d o n , 1 9 0 1 — 1 9 02 . H e nn i n gs, Ody ssey , B e rl i n , 1 90 3 .

Faes i - Kaeg i , Ody ssey , 1— 6 , Be rl i n , 1 90 1 .

III . LANGUAGE . Be kk er , H omer i s che B l atter , B o n n , 1 8 6 3 , 1 8 72 . H i n r i c h s,

D e H o mer i ca e el ocu t zon i s vest i
gi i s A eol i c i s , J e na , 18 75 . M o n ro , A Gr a mma r

f
o th e H o mer i c D i a l ect, Ox fo rd , 2d ed .
, 18 9 1 . S eymo ur , I n tr od u cti on to th e
L a ng u ag e an d Ver se o
f H omer , B o s t o n , 18 8 5 . V an L ee uw en , Ep zch i r zd zo n
d i ct . l ip , Leyd e n , 1 8 94 . See a so l th e ed i t i o ns of Fi c k ( II) an d of Ro b ert
an d B e c ht el ( IV) .

IV A R CH AE OLO GY H el b i g D as H ome i sche Ep os a us d en D en hmal r n

. .
,
r e

e l au ter t L e i p z i g 1 8 8 7 S c h uc hh a d t S chl i ma n n E x a vat i on tran s l at e d

' ’
r , , . r ,
e s c s,

b y E S ll er L o n d n 1 8 9 1
. e Rei c h e l U ber H m
s, h e Wafi n Wi e n 1 8 9 1
o , .
, e o er i sc e , , .

Ts o un tas M an att Th [My n a a n Ag e L n d n 1 8 9 7

-
,
Ri d g e w ay Th Ea r ly
e ce e ,
o o , .
, e

Ag e f G o C amb ri d g e 1 9 00
r eece, Ro b ert un d B ht e l S t ud i en u l l i as , . ec , z r ,

B er l i n 1 9 0 1 D O pf l d T oja u n d I l i on A t h e n s 1 9 02
, . rB er ar d Les Phe
e , r , , .
,

n i i n s et l Ody s é Par i s 1 9 02— 1 9 03

c e
’
D pfel d D a s H ome i s he I th aha i n
s e, , . or ,
r c

M éla nges P er r ot , 1 90 3 .

V TH E.H O M ER I C Q UE S TI O N Wo o d Essay on th e O ig i n al Gen i u s of H omer .

,
r ,

Lo n d on 1 76 9 Wo lf P r ol eg omen a H all e 1 7 9 5 Lac h mann B etr a ch tu ngen

, .
, , , .
,

u eher H o mer s I l i a s B erl i n 1 8 74 H e r man n D i sse ta t i o d e I n te p ol a ti on i hu s

’
, , .
,
r r

H aw er i Op u se L ei p z i g 1 8 3 4
, We l c k e r D er Ep i s he Cy l u s B o n n 1 8 3 5
.
, , .
, c c , , .

S e n g eb usc h D i sser ta ti on es H oni e zca e L e i p z i g 1 8 5 5— 1 8 73

, Ki rc hh o ff D i e r , , .
,

Comp os i ti on d er Ody ssee B er l i n 1 8 6 9 ( s e e al s o h i s e d i t i o n o f t h e Ody ssey ) , , .

Gl ad s t o n e H ome i c S t u d i es, F o r Fi c k s v i e w s s ee h i s e d i t i o n s
r S tt l D i e .
’
. i ,

e d er h ol u ngen i n d er Ody ssee, M ii n c h e n , 1 8 8 2 N i es e, H omer i sch e P oes i e, .

B er i n l , 188 2 . Ch r i s t , P r ol eg omen a t o th e I l i ad i n h i s e d i t i o n , 1 8 8 4 Wi a . l
mo w i t z H omer i sche Un ter s u ch u ng e n i n P hi l ol og Un ter s u ch u ngen V ol
, .
, . VII ,

18 84 S e e c k D i e Q u el l en d er Ody ssee B erl i n 1 8 8 7

.
, Lan g H omer a n d the , , .
,

Ep i c Lo n d o n 1 8 9 3
, J ebb I n tr od u cti on to H omer 2d e d Lo n d o n 1 8 94 ;
, .
, , .
, ,

t
c o n ai n s a us e u f l b i bl i o graph y d o w n to 188 7 C auer, Gr u n df r ag en d er H o
.

mer hr i tzh L ei p i g, 1 8 9 5
, z
B e t h e , H omer .
u n d di e H el den sag e i n N eu e j ah r bh , .

1 90 1 . k
Z i el i n s i , D i e B eha n d l u ng g l ei chzei tig er E r ezgn i m A n ti hen Epos, Lei p .

z i g, 1 90 1 . Si t z l e r , Ei n a esth et . K omnzen ta r zu H omer ’s Ody ssee, Pad erb orn ,

B real , Un p bl éme d e l h i stoi r e l i ttér a i r e, 1 9 03 D re r up , H omer ,
’
1 90 2 . ro .

M un i ch , 1 90 3 B l ass , D i e I n terpol a t i o n en i n d Ody ssee H a

. . ll e ,
1 9 04 . C ham

p aul t, Phén i ci en s et Gr ecs en I ta l i e d ap r és l Ody ss ee, Par i s , 1 9 0 5 DOrp fel d , ’ ’

.

Leuha s, A t h en s , 1 9 05 L an g, Un ter s u ch u ng en z u Geog r aph i c d er Ody ssee, .

Kar l sr uh e, 1 905 .
44 SH O RT H I STO RY OF G R E E K LITE R A TU RE

S CHOL I A
.

VI . TH E . O n th e Ody ssey , D i n d o r f, O x fo r d , 18
55 . L eh rs , D e
S t u d i i s H am A r i sta r chi , L el pz l g,
. 1865 . O n t h e I l i a d , D i n d o r f, O xfo r d , 18
75 .

Lud w i c h , A r i sta r ch
’
s H am Tex t-K r i tzh , L ei p z i g ,
. 1 8 8 4— 1 8 8 5 . M aass Sc h o l i a
,

on r
th e I l i a d , O x fo d , 1 8 8 8 .

V I I T RAN SLA TI O N S V ers e Il i ad : Ch ap man Po pe C o w p er L o rd Derby

. . : , , , .

Al fo r d Co r d e ry N e w man S o t h e b y B ryan t M er i val e t i g h t W ay

, , , Ody ss ey :
, , , , .

Po p e VVo rs l ey an d C o n i n gt o n S c h o mb erg L o rd C ar n arv o n W i ll i am M o rri s

, , , , ,

Way M ack ai l
, .

P ro s e : I l i ad L an g , Leaf, an d M yers . Ody ss ey : But c h er an d L an g, G H . .

Pa l mer . Se e M A rn o l d , O n
. the Ar t f
o Tr a n sl a t i ng H omer , L o n d o n , 186 1

18 62 .

V I I I LEX I C A . . l
Eb e i n g, l ex i co n H o mer i c u i n , L ei p i g , z 1 8 8 0— 1 8 8
5 D un
.

b ar , Con cor d a n ce to th e Ody ssey a n d Hy mn s, O x fo rd , 1 8 8 0 .

 C H A P TER I I I

T H E CYC L I C F RA G M ENT S

F RO M th e e ig h t h t o t he s i xt h c en t ury the c o m po sitio n o f epi c

p o etry w as i n d u s trio us ly m ai n t ai n e d We hav e the frag men t s o f
.

sev e r al lo s t e p i c s th e ti tl es of mo r e ; t h e ir v e ry n u mb e r arg u es
,

i nd u s try r ather t han i n sp ir at io n N early al l o f t h o se w ho se sc an ty

.

fragm en t s s urviv e w er e w rit t en by p o et s w ho had n o o t he r ai m t han

to su ppl e m en t the I l i ad and O dyss ey To th e an ti sep ti c q u al i ty
. .

’
o f the Ho m e ri c p o e m s an d t h e nam e o f H o m er t he c y c l i c e pi c s
o w e t he i r s ec o n d han d i m mort ali ty
-
I n th e u nc riti c al as i n the
.

i mi t ativ e p hase of G r eek l i ter ary l i fe t h er e w as a m ark ed t en d en c y

,

to c r ed i t Ho me r wi t h the w h ol e bo d y o f c y c li c ep i c Ari sto tl e .

p oi n t e d o u t t h e q ualit ativ e d i ffe r e n c es o f C y c li c an d

’
Ho me ri c

th e c ri ti cs o f Al e x an d ri a r ej ec t ed fro m th e c an o n all th e e pi c s b ut

th e Il i ad an d Odys s ey ; th e ri n g o f epi c p o e try t hat h ad form e d

’

abo u t t he c an o n i c al p o e m s t he n brok e up an d th e r ej ec te d e pi c s
,

grad u ally d i sappe ar ed .

T he i r c hro n i c l e s o f the heroi c l e g en d s had suppl i ed p lo ts to the

dr am a ; ep i c t he m es to th e c horal lyri c o f Stesi c ho rus an d Pi n d ar ;
an d to the r es t o f t he lyri c p o e t s c ou n tl e ss or nam en t al allu sio n s .

T he i r i n t e r es t w as n o w w h olly an tiqu ari an The r ead i ng p ubli c of

.

G r ee c e w as alw ay s li mi t e d i n t h e C h ri s ti an c e n turi e s i t w as lik e ,

o ur o w n p r e o c c u pi ed wit h p ro se
,
Ho mer h i msel f was r el e g at ed to
th e sc hool s . I t w oul d hav e b een s tr ang e i nd e e d i f t h ey havi ng at
,

t he ir c om m an d so me tw en ty eig h t t hou san d li n es of the I l i a d an d

-

Odyssey shoul d h av e c ar e d to c opy an d r ec o p y t he s ec o n d r at e

,
-

epi c s.

We o w e w hat w e k n ow o f th e c y c li c po e m s t o the fac t t hat

P ho t iu s a B yz an ti n e l exi c ographe r c o p i e d so m e e xt r ac t s from a
, ,

45
46 S H O RT H I STO RY O F G R E E K LITE R A TU R E

p ro se h an d book or se t o f n ot es o n t h e c y c l e by Pro c l us, w h o se

i d en ti ty an d d at e are d i s pu t e d At he naeus, P ausan i as, an d the mar
.

gi nal o t es o f Ven etas A of the I l i ad sup pl e m en t P ro c l us I t i s no t

n .

lik ely t hat i n the sec o nd C h ri s ti an c en t u ry t he c y c li c epi c s w er e

, ,

s till r ead i t i s n o t e v en c e r tai n that t hey w e r e ex t an t

P rocl us
,

t h o ug h P au san i as abou t t h i s ti m e wri t es as th oug h h e

, ,

w er e famili ar wi t h the Theha i s an d t h e Cyp r i a A thenae u s a .

,

l ittl e l at e r q uo t es a few li n es fro m the c y c li c p o e t s to ill ust rate hi s

,

an tiqu ari an t abl e t alk B ut a pro se ab s tr ac t su c h as that of Pro c lu s

.

s u ffi c e d fo r an ag e d e vot e d to i mit ativ e r he tori c ; w i t h al l t hes e

wri t er s m o r eov e r w e hav e arriv ed at a stag e w h en eru d i tio n li k e

, , ,

or ato ry w as i m i t ativ e the c oll ec tor s o f l it er atu r e w er e c o n t en t t o

,

e c h o th e c ri ti c i s m s an d th e qu o tat io n s o f earli e r wri t er s Th e .

id eal of Pro c lu s i n hi s ab s trac t s w as the i d eal o f a myt hograp her .

I n th e c y c l i c p o e t s h e fou n d a u se ful r e c or d of a c e rt ai n sequ en c e

’ ’
o f my t h ol ogi c al ev ents — dKv véta r pa ynawwv a h i story o f th e ,

l eg en d s of G r eec e .

When a po et i nsi s t s o n havi n g i n all the fac ts th e c r eativ e ,

i m pul se h as giv en pl ac e to the hi stori c al ; hi s publi c i s n at ur ally

c o n ten t to r ead h i m i n a p ro se v e r sio n Th e c y c li c p o et s wro t e
.

rou n d abo ut the I l i a d an d Ody ssey m uc h as tho se epi c s had b ee n ,

form ed abo u t th e k er n e l s o f th e Wr at h an d th e R etu r n

’ ’
‘
The .

s i e g e o f T he b e s w as t h e fi r s t gr eat dr am ati c e nc ou n te r of th e

H ell en es as the s i eg e o f Troy w as th e fi r s t d r am at i c c oll i s io n

,

o f H ell en es an d A si at i c s I n the he roi c sag a T heb es r an k ed n e x t

.

to Troy B ut T h e b e s had n o H om e r ; o n ly th e u n c ri t i c al c all e d

.

t h e Theha i s H o m e ri c When an Al ex an d ri an p er hap s Zen o d o

.
’
,

tus m ad e a for mal arr an g emen t of th e e pi c

l ’
cycle th e T h eb an ,

e p i c s w e r e broug h t i n to arti fi c i al c o n n ec ti o n wit h t h e c y c l e o f t h e

'
Troj an sag a I t w as a c uri o us att e m p t to mak e th e si eg e of Troy
.

th e p ivo t o f t he w orl d s h i s tory

’
.

An an o n y mo us Theog o n i a w hi c h b e lo n g s by rig ht to a diffe r en t

,

1
So W e l c k er , w h o se k
g re at b o o D er Ep i sch e Cy cl u s, w i t h i ts r e co n s tru c t i o n
of th e c yc e , l h as fall en i n t o th e b ac g ro u n d n o w t h at th e c yc l i c p o e ms ar e n o
k
l o n ger b e l i eve d to h ol d t h e an s w e r to th e H o mer i c q uest i o n .
 TH E c vc LI C F R A G M ENTS 47

branc h o f the ep i c fo rm e d the i n tro d u c ti o n w as a B o ok of Gen e

, ,

si s wi th i ts u n io n o f E ar th an d H eav e n The Ti ta n o mach i a t he .

,

Oed ip od ea t he Theba i s wi t h i ts s e q uel t h e En o n oi w e r e al l

, , ,

o rigi n ally i n d ep en d en t o f the Troj an c y c l e Th e Thehazs w as th e

’

mo st fam ou s ep i c of the B o eo ti an sag a A c c ordi n g to P au sa .

n i as , C all i n us t he el egi ac p o et w h o se d ate fall s

, Th e , _

abo u t th e m i ddl e of th e sev en th c en tu ry , assig n ed t h e Th ebai s

Th ebai s to H o m e r T hi s th oug h i n d ir ec t i s t he earli est r e fer

.
, ,
1
e n c e to H om e r t hat c an be t r ac ed I t show s at any r at e t hat i n the
.
,

p hr ase O m
‘
i xa
’
se v e n th c en tury th e my or Hom e r h ad a wi d er
’
t é
, yp ,

r ang e o f d efi n i ti o n t han m er ely th e I l i a d an d Ody ss ey T hi s w as .

e qu lly tru e a c en tu ry l ate r an d the r ec en sio n o f P ei s i st r atu s

‘ ’
a ,

may w ell h av e i nc lu d e d the Theha i s En on oi and Cyp r i a all at , , ,

’
that ti m e H om e ri c T he r e i s a c heri sh ed trad itio n t h at H om e r
.

g av e aw ay hi s epi cs th e Cyp r i a to Stasi nus the L i ttl e I l i ad to

, ,

T hestori d e s Lu c i an i n the Tr ue I I i s tory sati riz es th e tr ad i tio n

.

Ho me r giv es hi m an epi c as a souv en i r of t h ei r m eeti ng i n t he

Shad es i t i s a B a ttl e of the B l essed a n d the D a mn ed .

Ev e n w hen i t had b een t ak en fro m H o mer th e Thehai s lik e the , ,

En o n oi w as n ev e r assig n e d to an y o t he r p o e t a r ar e d i s ti n c t i o n
, ,

fo r a c y c li c epi c Pi n d ar s I Vi n th N emea n Ode th e S even ag ai n s t

.
’
,

Thehes o f A esc hylu s t h e fi r st c h or al o d e o f th e A n ti go ne o f Sop h

,

o c l es al l ec ho t he Th eba i s
,
The Ep igon oi d esc rib ed the mo r e
.

Th e Tahi ng of Oechal i a
’
s u c c ess ful exp e di tio n o f the Aft e r bo r n -
.
,

attribu t ed t o Hom e r an d to C r eo p hyl us o f Sam o s i s Th e Taki n

g ,

Of 09 0113 1“
h
t e t te m p t o f som e H om e ri
a d to bri g i o
n n t t h e s h
p re e

o f the I o n i an e po s a fi gu r e and a sag a w h olly al i en — H er ac l es

t he h ero of th e Dori an s .

A p o em th at i s assig n ed to two o r m or e po ets may safely be

c all ed an o n ymo us T h e Cyp r i a was c r ed i t e d to H om e r H eg esi as
.
, ,

an d Stasi nu s o f C ypru s H ero d otu s was as far as w e k n ow th e

.
, ,

first sk epti c as to H o m eri c au tho rsh i p H e r efu sed to c all the ’

.

1B ergk g i ves t o Se mo n i d es of A mo rgos ( ci r ca 6 25 B C

. .
) th e fragme n t
l ttr t
us ual y a ib u e d t o Si mo n i d e s of Ceo s , i n w hi c h I l V I . 14 6 i s quot ed as t h e

n o bl es t utt er an ce of th e man of Ch i o s .
’
48 S H O RT H I STO RY O F GRE E K LITE R A TU RE

Cyp r i a H om eri c o n t he grou n d of a c o nt r ad i c t io n wi t h the

‘
,
’

I li ad. Wi t h t he Cyp r i a o p en s the tru e Troj an c y c l e I t c ov er s a .

p erio d of abou t t hi r ty y ear s en d i n g w h er e t h e I l i ad

,
Th e Cyp ri a
b egi n s i n t h e t en t h y ear o f t h e w ar Abou t forty
,
.

li n es o f t h e p o e m are ex tan t Th e e ffort to bri n g ot he r lo c ali ti es

.

i n t o l i n e wi t h the Troj an sag a i s al r ead y obviou s i n the I l i ad and

Odys sey . I n I I V 4 3 — 4 7 I do m en eu s o f C r e t e sl ay s P hai sto s
.
, .

H e r e w e hav e t he sk e l e to n of a C r etan sag a i n w hi c h, p er hap s ,

I d om en eu s b esi eg ed hi s n eig hbor the epo ny m ou s hero o f P hai st o s

, .

I n t h e Cyp r i a t he G r eek h e ro es m ak e a fal se s t art an d s ac k Te u

thran i a w h i c h t h e y mi s t ak e for Troy Th e w h ol e i n c i d en t w i th
—
.

t he wou n d i n g of T el e p hu s t h e My s i an o f w h o m E u ri pid es w as t o
,

m ak e a ty p i c al r agg e d hero i s a part of s o me M y si an sag a ab sorb ed

, ,

by th e p o e t w ho set out to c o m p o se a v ari ed ep i c w hi c h sh oul d

i n tro du c e t he I l i ad The l eg en d s o f th e Cyp r i a w er e popul ar
.

wi t h th e tr ag ed i ans T el e p hus P hilo c t et es P al am ed es w h o se

.
, , ,

tr eac her o u s d eat h at th e han d of O d y sseus gui a hell a vetaha t , ,

m ad e a s tro n g i mpr e ssi o n o n V ergil (A en I p hig en i a at .

Aul i s P el eu s an d Pro t esil au s w e r e al l d eriv ed fro m th e Cyp r i a

, , .

The po e t of t h e Odyssey had ec ho e d an d d e v elo p e d t h e bri e fe r

allu s io n s of th e I l i a d ; t he p o e t o f t h e Cyp r i a t r an s form ed th e

allu sio n s of th e I li ad i n to w h ol e e p i s o d es O ne i s r em i n d e d o f .

t h e Odyssey by an ai r o f m agi c t hat c ol or s t he i n c i d en t s of t h e

p o em . T e l ep hu s i s mi r ac ul ou sly h eal ed ; Ly nc eu s w ho b elo n g s ,

to the M essen i an sag a has sig h t o f sup e r hu man k ee nn ess N e m esi s

, ,

h e r e t he m ot he r of H el en lik e Pro t eu s p u t s o n al l shap es i n h er

, ,

fl ig h t fro m Z eu s The t w elv e li n es t hat d esc ri b e her metamo r

.

p h oses ar e th e lo n g es t fr agm en t p r eserv ed .

Th e I l i ad follow s t h e Cyp r i a i n th e c y c l e ; th e Aethi op i s i s

dov e t ail ed i n t o th e I l i a d T hat th e seq u enc e mi g ht be un mi s
-
.

tak abl e i ts au t h or Ar c ti nus of M il et us ( ci r ca 7 5 0

, or so m e
Th e ed i t o r o f the c ycl e boldly stru c k off t he e pi t het
,

Aet h i OPi S o f H ec t o r i n th e l as t v er s e o f th e I l i ad ,

Then ca me th e
’
an d r ep l ac e d i t w i t h a se n t en c e (75x96 8

A mazo n to i n t ro d u c e h i s e pi sod e o f th e c omi n g o f P en t h es il ea a

, ,
50 S H O RT H I STO R Y O F G R EE K LIT ER A TUR E

N eo ptol emu s go es to E piru s the fi rs t h i n t o f the d es c en t o f the

,

roy al h ou se o f E p iru s fro m A c h ill es ; w ar n ed by Th eti s he go es ,

Th e O v e rl an d by w ay of T h r ac e w h e r e h e m ee t s O dy sseu s ,

R e t urn s O T h e wr ath o f At h en e h an g s l ik e a
( cp d 9. . .

c lou d ov er th e w hol e po e m as th e wr at h o f P o s ei d o n h ad d ark

e n ed th e fo r tu n es o f O d y sse u s T h er e are few ep i s o d es i n the
.

Retu r ns t h at w er e n o t i n spir e d by the O dyssey B ut b y a c apri c e .

,

o f q uo tat io n i t h ap p en s t hat th e o n ly e xt an t fr agm en t d esc rib es

,

t h e tr an s form atio n o f Aeson by the m agi c o f M ed ea an i n c i d en t ,

fro m t he sag a o f the A rgo n au t s .

Eugammo n o f C yr en e ( ci r ca 5 6 6 B C ) w ro t e th e l ast po e m o f . .

t h e c y c l e t h e Tel eg o n i a as a se q u el to th e Ody ss ey
, , Lik e al l .

Th e sequ e l s i t i s an an t i c li m ax w h i c h b e tr ay s th e b r eak
,

Tel eg oni a dow n o f t h e e pi c i mpu l s e i n t he s ixt h c e n tury

; th e
lov e of the m arv elou s had g ai ne d o n t he p r e fe r enc e fo r sp i ri te d
an d h eroi c ac tio n I n t hi s p o e m th e p rop he c y of T e ir esi as i n
.

Od I I 1 1 9 i s fulfill e d
. . T el ego n u s t h e so n of O dy ss eu s an d
.
,

’
C i r c e c o m i n g fro m th e sea to I thac a o n a qu est lik e t hat of
‘
,

T el emac h u s S l ay s hi s fat he r u n aw ar es P en elo p e m arri es T el eg

,
.

o n u s, C i rc e m arri es T el e m ac hus The au t h or o f t he p o e m h avi n g

.
,

r em ov e d hi s p er s o n ag es to fai ryl an d an d giv en t h e m i m m or tali ty

at th e h an d s of C i r c e had m ad e th e expi ri n g effor t o f th e c y c li c
,

g en iu s t o l eav e n ot h i n g u nt ol d .

A ft er t hat fi r s t c ri ti c al r eac tio n i n H erodo tu s o n e epi c after ,

an o th er w as d en i ed to Ho m er an d c e ase d t o b e H o m eri c ‘ ’
.

’
F or Ari stotl e th e c y c l i c po ets ar e t he o t h e r s an d ar e quot ed
,
‘
,

o n ly t o poi n t by c o n t r as t the p erfec tio n s o f t h e I l i a d an d Odyss ey .

’
T h ei r pe r so n al i d en tity stan d s or fall s wi t h H o m er s ; for i t woul d
b e a m e r e p e rv er si ty o f p h il ol ogy to oblit er at e t h e p er so nal ity o f
H om er an d ac c ep t that of Arc ti n us o r Lesc h es .

The c y c li c epi c s l e ft a d e ep m ark o n th e po et ry o f G r e ec e .

S tesi c ho rus d r ew o n th e c y c l i c r hap s odi e s n o l ess th an o n H om e r

Pi nd ar s c h ar ac t er o f A c h ill es i n t h e Thi r d N enzea n was t ak en
’
,

n o t fro m th e I l i a d bu t fro m t he A ethi o/J i s ; to Pi nd ar C y c n u s

, ,

an d Amp h i ar au s w er e as famili ar as H ec t or E uri pi d es ad op ted .

 T H E C Y C LI C F R A G M E N TS 51

an d e a x gg er ated the c y c l i c d egrad atio n o f M ene l au s an d O dy sseu s .

O f the n i n e c y c li c e pi cs O f w hi c h w e hav e an y k n owl ed g e t hat

c ou n t s l ess than On e h u n dr ed l i n es surviv e
,
T hey mi g ht easily
.

hav e b ee n quo te d fro m e p i c s as good as t he I l i a d or O dy ssey .

Th e fr equ en t n egl ec t o f th e dig am m a t he d oz en i n st an c es of l at e

,

or un Ho m eri c l angu ag e prov e l i ttl e But w e are n o t i n a po si

-
, .

tio n to qu es ti o n th e j udgm en t o f an ti q ui ty w hi c h di sc ar d e d th e

c y c li c po e m s ; n o r i s i t l ik e ly that a hap p y fi n d of a m an u sc ri p t

of the Cyp r i a o r th e Thehai s woul d r ev er se that j u dgm en t .

The w eak en i n g o f th e e p i c i m p ul se i n t he se v en t h an d s ix th
c en tu ri es w as s t ead y bu t s lo w an d e v en i n th e fi ft h w h en lyri c
, ,

an d th e dr am a w er e the ty p es b es t sui t e d to t h e age t he r e w e r e ,

c er tai n mi n o r p o ets w ho c h o se t o s i n g o f h e roi c ex pl oi ts i n h ex

amet er s r at h er t han o f t he m selv es or th e i m m e d i at e i n t e r es t s of

men Abou t 6 5 0 B C PEISAN DER o f C amiru s i n R ho d es

. . .

P ei s an d er
wro t e hi s H er acl ei d of w h i c h w e h av e o nly a few
,

fr ag ments The H er ac l es sag a as w e m ee t i t i n l at e r li t er atur e

.

o w es m u c h to hi s im agi n at i o n Th e po p ul ar c o nc ep tio n of th e
.

h e ro c arryi n g a c lu b as hi s o n ly w eap o n w as d eriv ed from t hi s

e p i c w h i c h s ee m s to hav e r ec ou n t e d at l e ngt h a l l the g r ea t d eed s
,

that h e w r oug h t w i th toi l So s ay s T he o c ri tu s i f h e r e al ly wrot e

.
,

th e tw e n ti et h E p igr am O n the S ta tu e of Pei s a n d er asc rib e d to

, ,

h i m a bro n z e fi g ur e se t up as h e say s af ter ma ny a mon th a n d

, , ,

ma ny a yea r to the p o et w ho had fi r st do n e j u sti ce to th e u n tiri n g

so n o f Z e u s .

E arly i n th e fi fth c entu ry PANYASIS o f H al i c ar n assu s sai d to be ,

the ki n s m an o f H e rodo tu s j e alou s of t he fam e o f Pei san d er hi m

, ,

se lf c o mpo sed a H er acl ei a i n fou rt een book s O f i ts .

P any as i s
m erit w e c ann ot j u d g e fro m the frag men t s abou t forty ,

li n es t hat surviv e B ut Pan yasi s ac q ui r es a c ert ai n i mp or tanc e

, .

fro m th e fac t t hat he w as the l ead e r o f a r eviv al of e p i c c o mpo si tio n ,

a r eviv al t hat c oul d o n l y b e s as mo d i c T he c h i e f

p .

A n t i mach us
e p i c po e t o f t h i s c e n t u ry w as A NT I MA C H US o f C olo ho n
p ,

w ho se ac t ivi ty l ast ed as l at e as th e c l o se o f t h e P e lo po nn esi an

w ar ( 4 0 4 H i s m as t erpi ec e w as the Theha i s o f w h i c h abou t ,
52 SH O RT H I STO RY OF G R E E K LITE R A TUR E

s ixty v e r ses are ex t an t I t w as so l o ng so d ig ni fi ed so full of

.
, ,

i n t er esti ng i n for matio n t hat i t c oul d n o t be n egl ec t ed

, Th e .

n am e o f A n ti m ac h us w as han d e d d ow n by t he c ri ti c s G r ee k an d ,

Ro m an al w ay s wi t h r esp ec t bu t w i t hou t en t husi as m Hi s el egi ac

,
.

po em Ly d e w as a p assi o n l ess i m it ati o n el abo rate an d u n i nsp ir ed , ,

o f the N a n n o of M i mn ermus 1
Abo ut th e same t i m e C H O ERILUS
.

o f Sam o s w ro t e a h i s tori c epi c o f the c o n fli c t o f G r eec e

Ch oeri l us
an d P e r s i a t h e P ers ei s o f w h i c h w e h av e a fe w v e r se s
, , .

The p o e m m us t hav e had a vogu e h ow e v e r sh o rt l iv e d at A t hens ,

-
, ,

w her e the P e r si an w ar w as a p o pul ar t h eme C ho eril us l iv ed for .

a t i me at th e c o urt o f Ar c h e l aus o f M ac ed o n t h e p atro n o f l i t e r a ,

tu r e an d to be i nvi t ed by Ar c hel au s w as i n i t se l f a proo f o f

,

c e l e brity .

Wi t h t hi s l as t grou p o f p o e t s w ho hav e li ttl e s ig n ifi c an c e fo r ,

li t er atu r e e x c e p t i n so far as t h ey m ark th e h i s tori c al s equ e nc e ,

t he e p i c aft e r t h at bri e f r en ai s s an c e d i sapp ear s n o t t o b e gal , ,

van i z e d i n to li fe u n til i n t h e Al e x an d ri an c en t uri es to wri t e l ik e

, ,

H o m e r was ag ai n t he ambi tio n of t he l ear n ed .

B I B LI OGRAP H Y
W e l c k er , Der Ep i s ch e Cy cl u s, B o n n , 1865 . Dun tz e r, D i e Fr ag men te d er
p i schen P oes i e d er G r i ech en
e , Ko l n ,
1 8 40 . Ki n k e l , Ep i co r u /n Gr a ec F r ag .

men ta L ei p z i g 1 8 7 7 S ee al s o M o n ro j o u r n a l of H el l en i c
, , .
,
S tudi es, 18 83 ;
Wi l amo w i tz P h i l ol og i s ch e Un ter s u ch u ngen V I I pp 3 28 3 8 0
, , ,
.
-
,
l
B er i n , 18 84 .

A N TI MA CH U S
B e n e c k e, A n ti ma ch us f
o Col op h on and th e P os i t i on o f Women i n Gr eek
P oetry , Lo n d o n , 18 96 .

1
Thi s l
e eg y h ad a gr eat vo u e
g both atl exan d ri a an d Ro me Cp th
A . . e

s c o r n fu l re mark of C at ull us 9 5 . 10 : at po p ul u t u mi d g au d eat A n t i mac ho

s o .
 C H A PT ER I V

H ESI OD

B Y t h e G r eek s o f th e c l assi c al p erio d H o m e r an d H esio d w e r e

r eg ar d e d as th e great i n str uc tor s o f G r eec e H o mer t hey v agu ely
.
,

sai d,
t aug h t men w ar by w h i c h t hey mean t r at h e r the man ly
,

vi rtu es t hat ar e u se ful i n w arfar e H esi o d t aug h t agri c ul tur e

. .

B u t th e c o n tr ast o f t he I o n i an ep o s an d th e e p o s of c en tr al
G r eec e t he c o n t r ast o f h e ro i c an d di d ac ti c w as t o o e vi d en t to b e
, ,

ob sc ur e d The H esio d i c m ann e r an d t he Ho m eri c man n er

.
’ ’

expr ess e d t w o w holly d iffer e n t w ay s o f wri ti n g e pi c Th e I li a d .

an d O dy ssey h ad b een c o m p o s e d fo r th e e n t e rt ai n m e n t o f an

ari s to c r ati c s o c i e ty
. To ig n or e t h e li fe an d en e rgi es o f t he p eo pl e
w as al mo s t a c o n v en ti o n o f th e h e ro i c e pi c Th e r el atio n s o f
.
-

men w i t h o n e an ot her an d the go d s w er e o n a sc al e t hat d id n o t

i n c l ud e t h e p easan t or hi s i n t er es t s d i d n o t i nc l ud e ev en th e c o m
,

mo n s ol d i er w h o fo u g h t b e fore Troy I t i s d u e to t hi s u n c o n sc iou s

.

i n sol enc e t hat th e swi n ehe r d E u maeu s i n th e Odyssey p rov es to be

’
a ki n g s so n w h o h ad b ee n ki d n app e d by P ho en i c i an s t h e v ery

harv es t sc e n e o n t he s h i el d o f A c h ill e s i s a p i c t u r e o f farmi n g o n

a gr eat es tat e w h o s e ow n e r l ean s o n h i s s taff an d look s o n at an
,

army of toil i n g men .

The p o etry o f H esi o d i s th e mi rror of a v e ry d i ffe r en t s o c i e ty

H e w ro t e fo r me n w ho se i nt e r est s c e n t e r e d n o t i n w ar o r t al es o f
,

war bu t i n t h e d aily l ife o f a s mall B o eo ti an vill ag e i n

, Th e p e as
,

i n a p easan t an t s Poe t
’
t he c han g es o f se aso n s an d c rop s ,

farm er s hard an d b ar e e xi st en c e Wi th H esi o d t he po et of the

’
.
,

s e rfs t he c o mmo n p eo l e t ak e u
, p p t h e for egrou n d T he Wo r hs .

a n d D a s w as n o t me an t to b e l ik e t h e I l i a d an o r n amen t o f
y , ,

th e b anq u e t ; i t w as c o mpo s ed for t h e i n str uc tio n o f th e vill ag e

53
54 S H O RT H I ST O R Y OF G R E EK L IT ER A T UR E

r
st eet, for men w h o i f t hey sh oul d follow H esiod s advi c e,
,
’

woul d n ev er w as t e t hei r ti m e i n so c i al g at h eri n g s Wit h th e .

c h an g e of m att e r an d o f o utlook the man n e r has c han g ed .

H es io d brok e wit h th e hero i c tr ad i ti o n o f an o ny mi ty he i s a sub

i po e t w h o se w ell mark e d i n d ivi d u ality i s r ev e al e d i n h i s
j t -
e c v e

o e m s I n t he Wo r hs a n d D ay s h e tell s u s th at hi s fat h e r grow

p .
,

i ng w eary of the p r ec ari o us li fe o f a c o ast t rad e r e migr at ed fro m ,

A eol i c C ymé fleei ng as h e say s i n h i s q uai n t mann e r n ot r i ches

1
, , , ,

n or w ea l th , n or p r osp er i ty hu t h a r d p over ty
, ,
the gif t of Z eus to
men . He r H eli c o n i n a wr e t c hed vill ag e A sc ra col d
set tl ed n ea , ,

i n w i n ter h ot i n s u mmer n ever g ood to l i ve i a

2
.
, ,

I t i s n o t c l ear w he t h er H esio d was bor n b efor e hi s fath er s e mi

’

r ati o n H e w as al w ay s c l ai m e d by th e B o eo t i an s an d i s th e p o et
'

g .

o f B o eo ti a the fi r st of a su c c essio n of d i st i n g ui sh e d
,
B i rt h pl ace
fello w c ou n try m en w ho p rov e th at the A t hen i an gib e
-

at th e c r ass ai r an d c r ass s tupi di ty o f hi s n ativ e l an d w as m er e ly

an exp r ess io n o f n atio n al pr ej u di c e s u c h as i n E urop e i n l ater , ,

t i m es was d i r ec t e d ag ai n s t t he Du t c h
, .

A eoli c by d esc en t he sp en t hi s you th at As c ra hi s rip er age i n

, ,

w ester n Lo c ri s w h e r e h e d i ed at N aupac tus

,
T he t r aditi o n,
.
,

alw ay s b en t o n l i n ki n g t h e p o ets an d es t abli sh i n g a s or t of po et i c

su c c e ss io n m ad e H esio d t h e fat h e r o f Stesi c ho rus th e lyri c po et

, ,
.

B ot h po e t s had Lo c ri an I n te r ests fo r i t w as fro m Lo c ri s t hat ,

Stesi c h or us e migr at e d to Si c ily B ut H esiod c an h ardly hav e .

l iv ed l at e r t han 75 0 B C ; hi s po et ry ec h o es H om er . .

Dat e
an d i s ec h o e d by p o e t s o f t h e s e v en t h c en t ury by ,

w h i c h ti m e the H esi o d i c e pi c had b ec o m e famili ar to the I o n i an s .

T h e l eg en d t hat h e c o mp et ed wi t h H o m e r at C hal c i s an d
w o n th e priz e i s c l e arly d ue to t he G r ee k t en d enc y to r el at e
gr eat nam es ; u n l ess i n d ee d i t sy mbol iz es so m e p hase i n w h i c h
, ,

1 Th e i n r o ad s o f t h e Ci mmeri an s from th e r eg i o ns now k n ow n as th e Cr i mea

i n t o A si at i c l (
A eo i s ci r ca 700 B C
. .
) may h ave c aus e d so me of th e A e o i c l
l
co o n i s s t o t mi g rat e to B o e o t i a,t h ei r o ri g i n al h o me .

2
Wor hs ,
6 3 7 ff . Th i s passage c o n tai n s th e earl i est extant refere nc e to th e

Aeo l i an s .
 H ESI O D 55

th e G r eeks di spl ay e d a p assi n g pr e fer enc e for the d id ac ti c

1
ep ci .

As p o e m r po em c eased to b e c o n sid e r e d H om e ri c, till th e

afte

Al ex an dri an s r eserv ed to H o m er o nly the I l i ad an d Odyssey so sev ,

e r al c ompo s i tio n s o n c e c l ass e d as H esio d i c w er e gr adu ally d i s

c ard ed O f th e ep i cs that surviv e the Wor hs a n d D ays wi th ou t
.
,
’
q uest io n the Theogony al mo st c er tai n ly ar e H esi od s ; the S hi el d
, ,

of H er a cl es i s by a l ate r an d i n ferio r po e t Th e p o e m s hav e c om e .

dow n to us i n the m ix ed di al ec t o f the Hom eri c ep o s wi th a gr eater

p ropor tio n o f A eoli c form s The Dori c c olori n g mo r e m ark e d i n
.
,

th e Theog ony t han i n the Wo r ks i s p o ss ibly to b e t r ac e d to th e i n

,

fluen c e of Delp h i Wheth er H esio d wrot e i n the B o e o ti an o r LO

.

c ri an di al ec t w h eth e r t he H o m e r w h o m h e i mi tate d h ad
Di al ect
,

al r eady b een tr an s li t e r at ed i n to I o n i c ar e qu es tio n s th at ,

w e c an n o t an sw e r H i s use o f the d ig am ma i s so i n c o n si st en t that

.

i t fur n i shes n o r eal e vi d e nc e Th e fl e xi bil i ty o f e p i c v e r se g av e

.

th e r hap so d es fr e e pl ay an d w e may ass um e that H e s io d s di al ec t

’
, ,
’ 2
lik e Ho m e r s w as grad ually ad apt ed to an I o n i an aud i ence
, .

Th e Wor hs an d D ays ( Ep ya Ka Z H nepa i ) i s a p o e m o f ex ho r

” ' ‘

tati on and i n s tru c ti o n an e pi c o f d e t ail

,
The A e oli c t e mp e r a .

m en t as i t work ed o n the sho r es of A si a M i nor may b e The W or k s

c o n tr as t ed wi th the sam e t e m p e r amen t i n fl uen c e d by an d Day s
the at mo sp h er e an d sup e r s ti tio n s o f B o e o ti a B ut i t woul d n o t b e .

safe t o e mp hasiz e th e c o n tr as t o f e n vi ro n m en t w i th ou t taki n g ,

’
i n to ac c ou n t the p o et s p ec uli ar p er s o nali t y and c i r c u m stanc es .

The c h i e f i n sp i r ati o n of th e Wo r hs was th e im pul se t o e x hor t

an d w ar n a sh i ftl ess bro th e r w h o se si ns as H esiod c ho se to
, ,

b el i ev e w er e d ue to ig n oranc e
, P e rs es had wo n a l aw su i t by
.

1 Th e Con test o
f H o mer p r o se w o r d at ed b y i ts me n t i o n o f
an d H es i od, a k
th e Emp er o r H ad ri an , i s a p er fec t y w o rt h e s s att e mpt o f a at e w r i t e r t o
l l l
tran sfo r m a vag ue l eg en d i n t o hi st o ry by th e ad d i t i o n o f pi c t ures ue d e tai s q l .

2
Fi ck s t heo ry o f an I o n i c r ec e ns i o n o f t h e H o meri c p ms at th e b eg i n
’
oe

n i ng o f th e s i t h x n t ur y o b l i g es h i m to as s ume f r H es i o d a s i mi l ar r ec e n i n
ce o s o

at ab ut t h e s ame t i me
o H e b e l i ves t hat t he Wo h a n d t h e Th g ony w er e
. e r s eo

or i gi n all y co mpo s ed i n th e B o eo t i an an d L c r i an d i al ec ts o .
56 S HO RT H I STO RY O F G RE E K LITE R A TU RE

brib ery an d d ep riv ed H esi o d of hi s p ro p er shar e o f t hei r fat her s

,
’

es t at e A c ert ai n un i ty i s giv en to the fi r s t p art o f the p o e m by

.

t he ex h o rt atio n s d ir ec t ed i n al ter n at e par agr ap hs t o P er s es an d

t he u nj us t j u d g es w ho m H es io d ad d r ess es as
’
Pri n c es
, Th e
‘
.

p o em fall s n at u r ally i n to fo u r mai n d ivi sio ns : I The E x hor ta .

ti o ns ( 1— 3 8 2) 2 . The P r ecep ts o f Ag r i cul tu r e a nd N a vi ga ti o n

(3 8 3 3 . Th e G en er al P r ecepts ( 6 95 4 . Th e Cal
en d a r o f D ay ( 7 5 en d )
s 6 —
.

The fi r s t d ivi si o n o f th e Wo r hs i s a m an i fest o an asse rti o n ,

’
o f the p o et s rig ht s i n the n am e o f j u s ti c e A p r elu d e easily .
,

d etac habl e i s al w ay s o p en t o susp i c i o n th e B o e oti an s rou n d abou t

,

H eli c o n w ho i n th e ti me o f P aus an i as ( I X
,
r ej ec te d th e fi rs t
t en li n es o f i n vo c at io n ar e sup port ed by m o s t m od e r n e d i tor s
, .

Th e p o e m t h en b egi n s wi t h an all e gory

, ,
T he r e ar e two ki n d s .

o f S tri fe t h e b al e fu l S tri fe t hat br e e d s w ar an d a mor e ,

fam il i ar evil at A sc r a l awsu it s o ppo sed t o i t i s t hat heal t hy spiri t

,

o f c o mp e titio n w h i c h u rg es a man to pl ow a n d pl a n t a n d set h i s

h o use i n o r d er 0 P er s es c ri es t h e p o e t l ay up thes e th i ng s i n
.
, ,

thy h ea r t a n d n ever may th a t e n vi ous s tr ife tu r n a w ay thy so ul

f r o m w or h T hat wi sh i s t he t ex t o f t hi s h or tatory e pi c The

. .

Pro me t h eus my th w hi c h d iv e rt s H esio d fro m h i s gri ev anc e i s

, ,

i n tro d u c ed to ac c ou n t for the n ee d o f d rudg ery and for th e ot he r

i n evi tabl e ill s of man Pro m e t heu s s tol e and g av e to men the
.

fi r e t hat Z eu s had h idd en T hen Z eu s d evi sed a c ur se to offs e t

.

th e stol en fi r e h e c r e at ed P an d or a t h e G r ee k Eve S tr ai gh tw ay ,

f r o m ear th the gl or i ous H ephaes tus f ash i on ed her i n the l i leen ess of ,

a s h a me f a ced mai d en by the co u n s el of Z eus

-
The g od d ess br i gh t
,
.

ey ed A th en e d eched h er w i th a g i r dl e a n d r a i men t ; a bou t h er n ech

th e d i vi n e Ch a r i tes an d g r aci o us P er s u as i o n s et n eckl aces of g old ;

th e f a i r - h a i r ed H o ur s c r o w n ed her h ea d w i th sp r i ng flow er s ; i n

her br eas t th e messenger H er mes ,

th e her al d f
o the g od s , set li es
a nd d ecei fi ul w o r ds , a nd a h ea r t o
f g ui l e . A n d he med her
na

Woma n ,
P a n d o r a , beca use all th ey tha t dw el l on Oly mp us had
g i ven h er gif ts , w oe f o r mo r tal men ( 70
d u mb d i s eases
’
The c u se sr t hat e sc ap e fro m P an d o r a s jar ,
t he
58 SH O RT H I STO RY O F G R E E K LITE R A TUR E

o f V ergil i n the Georgi cs H esio d hardly ev e r att e mp ts l ik e V er

.
,

gil t o li ft h om ely d et ail s H e k n ow s n ot hi n g o f th e pl easur e o f

,
.

th e am at e u r w h i c h m ad e the Ro m an p o e t d e lig h t i n t ho s e d e t ail s

1
an d li n g e r ov e r t h e m N or i s h e i n te r es t ed i n th e gr eat for c es
.

o f n atu r e ; the i nsp i ratio n o f a P arm eni d es i s far from H esio d .

T h er e i s h ardly a t r ac e o f t he idyll i n hi s ep i c si n c e he c ar es ,

li t tl e fo r th e h u m an i n t e r es t essen t i al to an i d yll Th e Wor hs .

,

h ow e v er r ev eal s H es io d h i m s el f t h e ty p e o f the gru mbli n g farm e r

, ,

of any age ; i t sou n d s t he tru e p easan t n o te ; no t till T heo c ri t us

d o es o n e hear t hat n o te ag ai n i n G r ee k li ter atur e and p er hap s
t h er e o n ly i n th e Li tyer s es s ong -
.

For t he m o s t p art the dry pro fessio n al i n st ru c tio ns o f th i s p ar t

,

of t h e Wor hs mig h t as w ell hav e b een c om p o se d i n p ro se h ad ,

p ro se exi s te d fo r H esio d as a l it er ary form B ut h er e an d t h er e

.

h e i s b e tr ay ed o u t of th e d id ac ti c m an n e r i n to a su d d en an d shor t
fl ig h t o f p o etry w hi c h ri ses t o the Ho me ri c l ev el Su c h i s the d e .

sc ri p ti o n o f w i n t e r an d t h e viol en c e of the n ort h wi n d F r om .

the d ep ths of hor s e—br eedi ng Th r a ce i t h u r l s i ts bl as t over the w i d e

s ea the ea r th g r o a n s l o u d a n d th e f o r es t M a ny
. a n o ah w i th i ts
h i gh f ol i age ,
many a s tu r dy p i n e i n the mou n tai n va l l eys it s ei zes

and l ays l o w on f r ui tf ul ea r th th en al l the cou n tl ess tr ees of

th e

the f o r es t cl a mor a l ou d ( 5 0 7 ff ) T he r e you hav e t he gr an d man

n er i t seem s i nc r e dibl e t houg h i t i s truly H esi o d i c that the
, ,

p assag e sh ould end i n p rac ti c al advi c e o n the c h oi c e of wi nter

c lot h i n g .

H esio d had a g en ui n e h orror of the s ea bu t i f o n e liv es n ear ,

oh t h e c o as t o n e mus t n o t n egl ec t th e c o as ti n g t r ad e
,
.

N av i g at i on C h oo s e a safe s eas o n an d t ak e sh ort voy ag es avoi d i n g

,

t h e d an g er s of s mall bo ats of fi sh i n g he say s n o t hi n g B etw een .

the t w o fir st divi s i o n s of t h e Wor hs an d t h e t hi r d t h e g e n e r al ,

pr ec ep t s o n e c an m ak e o u t a loo se c o nn ec tio n o f i n t er es t t he i n
, ,

t ere s t o f t h e r e form atio n an d i n stru c tio n o f P e r ses The esse n .

t i al fo un d atio n i s i n d us try ; P er ses mus t work B u t h e mu s t b e

.

e qu ipp ed wi t h t ec hn i c al k n owl e d g e an d t hat i s n o t e n oug h ; h e

,

1
Georg I I I 2 8 5
. Si ng ul a d urn c apt i i r c umve c tamur amo re
. c .
 H ESI O D 59

m u st ob serv e c er tai n g en er al p r ec au ti o n s mu s t avoi d thi n g s o f ill ,

om en H es io d l ik e t he p ri es t s of Del ph i w ho ec h o hi m i n thei r
.
, ,

1
orac l es k n ew the p ow e r o f t h e prov e rb
,
I t i s t he c u rr en t p ro .

v e rb i al p h ilo s op hy w h i c h c o m es h o me to all me n an d i t i s t h e ,

s am e fo r G r eek an d b arb ari an Th e p ro p h ec y t hat hi s mo t he r

.

taug ht Ki n g Le mue l h e r ad vi c e to o n e c h oo s i n g a
, Th e
w i fe ec h o es the ac i d wi sd o m of Semo ni d es o f Amorgo s ; P roverb s
,

H esi o d s maxi m that you s ho ul d l eav e yo ur r el at iv e s alo n e and be

’

o n go o d t e r ms w i t h you r n e ig hbor i s t he ad vi c e of Sol om o n Go

n o t i n to thy br o ther s h o u s e i n the d ay of thy ca l a mi ty
’
better i s a
n ei ghbo r tha t i s n ea r th a n a br o th er f a r of ( Pr over bs xxvii .

M any o f th e h om ely prov e rb s t hat fou n d a fi nal t houg h loo se set

t i n g i n th e Wo r hs d ri ft e d t h e r e n o d o ubt fro m o t h e r c oll ec t io n s
, , ,

s u c h as t h at w h i c h was asc ri b ed to Pi tt h eu s t h e wi se ki n g o f ,

Troez e n H er e and ther e i s a hi n t o f O r p h i s m o r o f the teac hi n g s

.

o f Py thagor as ; o n e m us t n o t si t o n i m mov abl e t hi ng s n o r c ro ss a ,

riv er wi t h han d s u nw ash ed n o r pollu te l i fe w i th the b al e fu l at mo s

,

p h ere o f d eat h .

T hroug hout al l th i s g n om i c advi c e d eriv ed r at he r fro m ,

ec o n o mi c s t h an from e t h i c s H esio d r ev e al s a n arrow an d bigo te d

,

ou tlook an i ll ib e r al atti t ud e t o fri en d s an d ki n dr ed an e mbi tt er ed

, ,

egoti s m i n al l th e r el ati o n s o f li fe .

T he Ca l en d ar of D ay s i s at l eas t as ol d as H erac l ei tus ( ci r ca

5 oo w h o ri d i c ul e d i ts s u p e r s ti ti o n
2
T h e W o r hs i s a map o f the .

work of the y ear th e D ays i s c o n c e r n ed wit h th e d aily Th e

ro u ti n e o f th e B o eoti an farm e r s li fe ; i t i s the c l assi c Cal en d ar of
’

Day s
c oll ec t io n of sup e r s titi o n s as to l u c ky an d u nlu c ky d ay s

su c h as ar e met wi t h i n al l c ou n tri e s an d all ti m es For the su p e r .

s ti t i o us t o d a
y go o d l u c k or bad i s oft en asso c i ated wit h c e rt ai n
-
,

1 Cp th e o rac l e q uot e d i n H ero d o t us V I 8 6 w i t h Wor hs 2 8 5

. It may w e l l .

'

h av e b ee n Del ph i c o r O r ph i c i n fl ue n c e t h at i n t ro d u ce d i n t o H es i o d ’s vo c ab u
l ary s uch n i g mat i w o rd s as ¢ pé s h us e arri r
e c e sn ai l ; w éu
o ¢xo g th e
, o -
c e ,
ro
‘

o v,

fi v e b ran c h d
-
h a d a d th e l i k
e , n Cp w i t h t h p rec ed i ng H e rri c k s d e
,
n e . . e ,
’

s c r i t i n o f t h e l oss f a fi n g er O n e o f th e fi v s trai g h t b r an h o f my
“
p o o : e c es

han d I s l o p t al r ead y .
2
Pl utar c h Ca m 1 9 , . .
60 SH O RT H I STO RY OF G R E E K LITE R A TU R E

d ay s of k ; bu t i n H esi o d s c al e n d ar it i s wi t h the moo n

the w ee
’

t hat t h e l u c k c han g es H e r e vi ew s i n hi s u n sy s t e m ati c fash io n

.
, ,

t h e d ay s i n t h eir or d e r t he lu c k as i t w ax e s and w an es ; t h e d ay s
,

t hat c o n t ai n c e rt ai n n umb e r s — A voi d a l l fif th d ay s s i n ce th ey

,

a r e h a r s h a n d h or r i d an d t h e d ay s s ui t abl e for c ert ai n

-

task s — B egi n w eavi ng o n the tw elf th

,
N o d ay i s w h olly u nl u c ky 1
. .

I n hi s l un ar c al en d ar H es io d m en tio n s se v e r al t ask s that w er e

ig n or e d i n th e Wo r hs su c h as maki n g fen c es she ep sh eari ng
, ,
-
,

bo at b u il d i n g all h ow ev e r su i t ed to the li fe of the B o e o ti an p eas

-
, , ,

an t . The p o e m c lo se s wi t h t h r ee v e r ses obvio usly ad d ed to c o n

n ec t wi t h i t th e lo s t O r n i th o ma n tei a asc rib e d to H es io d , .

P ausan i as r e c or d s t hat th e B o e oti an s of hi s ti m e allow ed o n ly

th e Wor hs to b e H es io di c B ut th e Theogony t h o ug h c om po s e d
.
,

wi t h a v e ry d i ffe r en t i nspir atio n b ear s al l th e mark s of g en ui n e

,

Th e n e ss The i n fl ue n c e o f Delp h i o n H esi o d i s n o t to

.

Th eog‘m y b e p r ec i s ely d efi n ed bu t i n an y c ase the Theog o ny i s

,

h i er ati c p o e try c lo sely alli e d to t he earl i est r eligio us e po s d e

sc rib ed i h t h e fi r s t c h ap t e r Th e di s pro p ortio n at e pr elud e or mi x
.
,

t ur e o f p r elu d es for mi n g m or e t han o n e t en t h o f t he po em i s

, ,

l at e r w ork a lo c al H eli c o n i an c o mp o s i ti o n w h i c h d esc rib es h o w

,

t h e Mu ses ta ugh t H es i od h i s f a i r so ng as he p as tu r ed hi s s h eep be

l ow s a cr ed H el i co n T he p o e m w h i c h b egi n s at li n e 1 1 6 i s a ge
.
, ,

n eal o i c al e p i c a d esc ript iv e c at alogu e w i t h an o c c as io n al d igr es sio n

g ,

i n to all ego ry or my t h I t i s a s o m b e r pi c t ur e o f t hat st r uggl e o f th e

.

i m mort al s fo r s u pre mac y w h i c h e nd ed i n t h e vi c to ry o f Z eu s I t .

i s o ft e n as i n th e c at al ogu e of t h e fi fty N e r ei d s ( 2 4 0
,
a me r e

l i st o f n ames The m y t h of Pro m e t h eus th e savi or an d th e

.
, ,

c r eati o n o f P an d or a r eap p e ar wi t h m or e d e t ai l I n t h e r e m ai n s .

of G r eek l i t er atur e H es i o d s Theogon v i s the o nly sy s t e m ati c tr eat

’

I n th e fo u rt e en t h -c en t ury K a l en d a r ( Oxfo r d
1 o
f the Un i v er s i ty f
o Oxfor d
H i s t o r i c al S o c i et y, 1 9 04 ) th e me mb ers of the Un i vers i t y ar e s o e l
mn l y w ar n e d
i n Lat i n r
v e s e ag ai n s t two ry mo n t h c al l e d
d ays i n ev e , Eg ypt i an d ays fr o m
’

th e pl ag ue s o f th e s ev e n t h d ay fro m t h e e n d
Egypt ; e g . of th e fi rst m t h on
’

mu st b e av i d e d as u n l uc k y fo r b l o o d l e tt i n g w hi l e t h e
o -
,
‘
si xt een t h d ay o f a .

th i r ty o n e d ay mo n t h
~ ~
13
p ro p i t i o us fo r an y e n t e r pr i s e .
 H ESI O D 61

m en t O f the pe d igr e e o f t he go d s a fac t w h i c h to s o me e xt e n t

,

j usti fi es a m u c h c ri ti c i sed r e m ark o f H e ro d ot us t hat H o mer an d

’
H es io d fr am ed the T heogo n y o f th e G r ee k s H es i o d i s t h e p o e t .

o f the Ti t an s w ho w e r e to l eav e i n l i t er atur e the i mpr essio n o f un

,

meas ur e d fo r c e . H i s d es c ri pt io n o f t h ei r c o mb at w it h Z eu s i s
o n e o f hi s r ar e fl ig h t s o f i mp r e s si v e po e try A t t he e nd are fi fty .

v e r ses o n go d s w ho m arri e d m o rt al s T hen H esi o d ann ou nc es .

t hat h e will t el l th e t al e o f mort al wo m en w ho m t h e go d s w ed d e d ,

li n es o f t ran s i tio n i n w hi c h as at th e c l o se o f the Wo r hs w e d e

, ,

t ee t th e effor t to mak e ev en H esi o d s p o em s c o n s ec u tiv e

’
H ere .

foll o w ed the famou s l o st e pi c the E oi ae w h i c h d eriv ed i ts awk w ar d

,

n ame fro m th e r e e ti tio n o f t h e wo r d s

’
oi o r s u ch as a p h r ase
p n , ,

w h i c h i n th e t ru e H es io d i c m an n er i ntrod uc ed ev e ry
, ,
Th e Eoi ae
p ar agr ap h wi t h i ts fr es h i n s t an c e o f t h e u n io n Of a
go d an d a mort al Th e E oi ae p e r hap s form e d p art o f th e lo s t
.
, ,

C a tal og ue of Wo men T h o ug h w e p o ss e ss abo u t o n e hu n d r ed l i n e s

.

o f the Ca tal og ue an d forty li n es o f t h e E oi ae i t i s n o t easy to j u d g e ,

o f t h eir p o e ti c m eri t o r t h ei r g en ui n en ess T he r e w as a tend e nc y

.

i n t he se v e n t h an d si xt h c e n t uri e s t o asc rib e t o H esi od an y po e m

t hat d i spl ay ed t h e H esio d i c c har ac t eri sti c s g n omi c mo r alizi n g an d,

a g en ealogi c al i n t er es t .

I t i s t he m or e r e m ark abl e that h e should hav e b e en c r edi t e d

wi t h th e S h i el d of H er a cl es an ep i c i n the hero i c m ann er The
,
.

st ory of Al c m en e wi t h w h i c h i t o p en s i s p l ai n ly bor
, Th e S h i e l d
,

row ed fro m t he H e si o d i c Catal og ue t he r es t o f the Of Herad es

po em p e r haps for med p ar t o f a H er a cl ei a T h e d esc ri p t io n o f th e .

s h i el d i s an e xtr av ag an t an d t as t e l ess i mi t atio n o f t h e H o me ri c

S hi el d of A c h ill e s Lo n gi n u s q u o t e s a li n e w h i c h h e c all s re
.
‘

’
pul siv e n o t t e rri bl e and q ues tio n s t h e g en ui n e n ess o f the w hol e
, ,

ep i c. Suc h w er e t he p o e m s i f w e i n c l u d e t he lo s t M el a mpod i a
, ,

t he A s tr o n o mi a an d t he M ax i ms of Chei r o n t hat gro u p ed t h e m

, ,

selv es abo u t t h e n ame o f H e s io d j us t as t h e c y c li c e pi c s b ec au s e

, ,

t hey d eal t wit h the he roi c sag a w e r e d r aw n i n to t h e H o meri c

,

c u rr e n t .

O nly from t he Wor hs an d th e Theog o ny may o n e j ud g e t he

62 SH O RT H I STO RY O F G RE E K LITE R A TU R E

s tyl e of H es io d F e w po et s c an hav e o ffe r e d suc h op p ort un i ti es

.

for i n t erpol atio n as t h i s p o e t of the moral for mu l a an d o f g en e

alogi es H ar d ly an y aes t h e ti c t e st c an b e appli ed to t he Wor hs
.
,

w h i c h has su rviv ed i n d e fi an c e of the c an o ns o f un i ty or p ro p or ,

tio n o r c o h e r en c e o f t h o ug ht Sev e r al at t e m p t s hav e b een m ad e

,
.

by mo d er n c r i ti c s to s epar at e th e o rigi n al n u c l eu s fro m the l at er

1
addi tio n s b ut n o n e ar e c o n vi n c i n g
,
.

We may r est i n th e k n owl ed g e t hat w e h av e th e H esio di c epi c

that w as w i d ely c ir c ul at ed i n th e I o n i a o f t h e se v en t h an d sixt h
c e n t u ri e s w as i mi t at e d by Se mo ni d es T h e o gn i s an d Al c ae u s
, , , ,

at t ac k e d by X e n o ph an es an d H erac l ei tus ad mi r ed by all e d uc at ed ,

G r ee k s A s tr an g e c om m en t ary o n t he e t h i c al s tan d ar d s o f
.

G r e e c e i s t he fac t th at th e Wor hs sh o ul d h av e hel d i ts grou n d fo r

c e n t u ri es as t h e t e x t book of e t h i c s i n G r ee k sc h o ol s ; t hat t h i s
-

p h ilo so ph y n o t bro ad n o t n obl e n o t e v en e x p e di en t c o n c e iv e d

, , , ,

by a p easan t for th e u se o f p easan t s as shr ew d an d se l fi sh as hi m

s el f sh o ul d hav e b een tak e n for an i n s p i r e d m essag e to a gr eat
,

r ac e .

H esiod w as w holly out o f tou c h wi th th e c y c l i c i n spi r ati o n bu t

t h e di r ec t i mi t atio n o f th e I l i a d an d Odys s ey i s t h e mo s t s triki n g

featur e o f hi s s tyl e H e d es troy ed th e sy mmetry of

S ty l e
.

h i s F i ve Ages to i n t ro d u c e t he Age of th e Ho m e ri c
H ero es i n t he Theog ony are abou t 1 2 6 i n t he VVo r hs abo u t 8 7 set ,

p h r ases borro w e d fro m H o m er n o r d o t h es e i n c l ud e man y s to c k

e xp r e ss io n s w h i c h i n H e s io d s d ay mu s t h av e b e e n the c o m mo n
’
, ,

B ut H esi od s i mi t atio n s are of th e

’
p rop erty o f all w ho w rot e e p i c .

l et ter n o t of the spiri t of H om e r H i s man n er i s p rofo u n d ly

, ,
.

origi n al ab sol u t ely ali e n fro m the Ho meri c as a si n gl e p ar all e l will

, ,

S h ow .Wh en H o mer m ak es P en elo pe c o m par e h er r es tl ess

an xi ety for O d y ss eu s w i th th e t roubl ed s o n g o f t he n ig h t i n g al e ,

1 Th e mo s t d e s truc t i v e of th ese c ri t i c s i s L eh rs Qu aesti on es

,
e
p i cae, 18 3 7 ;

Ki r ch h o ff i n h i s H es i od os M ah n l i ed er
,
’
an Per s es , 1 8 8 9 , u s i n g th e me th o d th at
h e h ad app l i ed t o th e Ody ss ey , r eg a rd s t h e ad d resses t o Pe r s e s an d th e k i ng s

as th e H es i o d i c ke
l ; t h e r emai n d er
rn e i s d ue t o t h e i n t e rpo l at i o n s an d ex

pans i o n s o f l at er r ed ac t rs o .
 H E SI O D 63

he c om pl e t es the p i c t ur e : E ven as w hen the d a ugh ter of P an d a

r eus , the br ow n , br i gh t ni gh ti ng al e s i ngs s w eetly i n the fir s t s eas o n

of the p
s r i ng , f ro m her pl ace i n the thi ch l eaf age of the tr ees , a n d
w i th y m an a tu r n and tr i l l po u r s f o r th h er f ull voi ced mus i c -

bew ai l i ng h er ch i l d , dea r I tyl us , w h o m on a ti me s h e s l ew w i th th e

s w o r d u n w i tti ng , I ty l us , th e son o fZ eth us the p r i n ce even as her

s o ng, my tr oubl ed s oul s w ays to H esiod a n d f r o ( Od 19
518 . .

borrow s fro m t hi s passag e w h en he sp eak s of the r e tur n o f the

s w allow i n s p ri n g bu t h e i s c o n c er n ed n o t wit h t h e myt h an d i t s
, ,

o ss ibil i t i es fo r a p o et but wit h t he p r ac ti c al i n t e r es t o f t h e sw al

p ,

low s ad v en t fo r the B o e oti an far mer : Af ter the r i s i ng of A r c tu r us

’
,

the s w al l ow , d a ugh ter o f P a nd i o n , w i th h er s h r i ll cry a t d aw n , fl i es

bach i n to the d ay l i gh t a mo ng men . B ef o r e s he co mes bach p r une ,

yo ur vi n es ; tha t i s the p r op er ti me ( Wor hs

568

B I BLI OGRAP HY

I . MA N USC RI P I S ’ ‘
. A . Papyr i : Pay aui n, c o n ai n i n
74 W g 1 t . of th e Wor hs
an d D ay s, an d 39 vv . of th e Shi el d A ch mi m, c o n t ai n i ng 6 8 W . of th e Th eo

g ony ; b o t h 4 th c e nt A D B M ed i ceu s,. . . . 1 1 th c en t .

, at Fl ore n c e, t
c o n ai n i n g

th e Wor hs a n d D ay s M ed i ceus 3 , 1 1t h . c en t .
, at Fl or e n c e , t
co n ai n i n g th e
Theag any an d t h e Sh i el d .

II E D ITI O N S E d i ti o p r i n ceps by Demetri us Ch al co n d yl as M i l an 1 49 3

. .
, , , ,

co n t ai n i n g th e Wor hs a n d D ay s A l d i n e e d i t i o n o f c o mpl et e w o rk s 1 4 9 5
. , .

Wo l f Theog ony H all e 1 78 3

, , Gai sfo r d H es i odi Ca r mi n a
, . 1 8 1 4 1 8 20 , ,
-
.

M ark sch effel H es i od i F r ag men ta Lei pz i g 1 8 4 0 St e i t z D i e Wer he u Tag e

, , , .
.
,
.
,

Le i p z i g 1 8 6 9
, Ko e c hl y an d Ki n k e l H s i od ea L ei p z i g 1 8 70 G ott l i n g Fl ac h
.
, e , , .
-
,

H es i od i Ca r mi n a , L ei p i g , 1 8 78 z
Rz ac h , H es i od i ou ae jer u n t u r omn i a ,
.

L e i p i g, z 18 84 .Rz ac h , H es i od i Ca r mi n a , L ei p i g , 1 9 0 2 F i c , H es i od s
’
z . k
Ged i chte, G otti n g e n , 1 8 8 7 Ki rc h h o ff, H es i od os’ Mah n l i ed er a n P er ses , B e r i n ,
. . l
18 89 . S i tt l , H es i od os, A t h e n s, 18 8 9 . O n th e t e xt , see Rz ac h i n Wi en er
S tu d i en , 1 8 9 7— 1 9 00 ; Wi l amow i tz i n B er i cht d . B er l i n . A ha a ’
. 1 9 00 (on new

fragmen t s of t h e Cata l og ue) . Rz ac h , D er D i al eht des H es .

, Lei pz i g, 18 76 .
 C H A PT E R V

TH E H O M ERI C H Y M N S AN D E P I GR A M S

TH E H omer i c I Iy mn s w e r e asc rib ed to H om e r i n that u n c ri ti c al

p e rio d w h e n almo s t any p o e m i n th e h e roi c man n er m ig h t safe ly

be ca ll ed H o m e ri c E v en as l at e as C i c ero Phil o d emus th e
.
’
,

E p i c ur ean a p o e t h i m sel f an d evi d en tly n o c ri ti c c i t ed t he

, ,

I fy mn s as H o me r s
’
B ut th e Al ex an d ri an s d i d n o t u s e t h e m for
.

th e ir H om e ri c r e fe r en c es a c ase i n w h i c h sil en c e mean s r ej ec ti o n

, .

Th e Hy mn s ar e pl ai n ly th e work o f rh ap sod es p r el u d es c om p o s e d ,

t o i n trod uc e r e c i t at io n s o f t h e ep i c T h uc y d i d e s ( I I I
.

q u oti n g fro m t h e IIy mn to the D el i a n Ap oll o c all s i t a p r el ud e ; ,

for hi m to o i t w as s till H o mer O f t he t hirty fo ur [Iy mns i n ou r

, ,
.
-

c oll ec tio n n earl y al l e n d w i th a formul a O f l e av e t aki n g t h e r hap

,
-
,

s o d e s tr an si ti o n to t h e r ec i t ati o n to w h i c h t he h y mn w as a s ol e m n
’

an d ess e n t i al p r elu d e : G od d es s qu een of w ell es ta bli s hed Cy r us

p
-
, ,

h avi ng g i ven thee hon or d u e I s ha l l p ass o n to a n other hy mn

,

( I V en d ) The p r el ud e an d th e e pi c t hat follow e d w er e al ik e

.

h y mn s
’
‘
to the G r e ek w ho u se d th e word ,
for any so n g ,

e p i c or lyri c sac r e d o r s ec ul ar : F i r s t th ey s i ng a hy mn to Ap o ll o
, ,

a n d then a hy mn i n memory of the men a n d w o men of old

(I
I n d at e th e b ’ y mns r an g e fro m th e sev e n t h c en tury B C t o t he . .

C h ri sti an e r a G r e e k li t er atu r e sh ow s fe w tr ac es o f t h ei r i n flu en c e

. .

Th eo gn i s ( 1 1 0) see ms to ec h o t h e D el i a n Hy mn A ri s to phan e s ,

q uo tes i t ( B i r d s t h e r emi n i sc e n c es i n t h e Al e x an d ri an

p o e t
,
s T h e o c ri t us C a lli
,
m ac h u s an d A p ollo n i
,
us o f R h o d es ar e n o t ,

so c e rt ai n Wri tt e n as t he Ify mns w e r e by r hap s o d es w h o s e i n

.

s p i r atio n w as al mo s t w h olly t h at of t he H o m e ri c sc h ool t h e bo r ,

rowi n g s fro m the I l i ad an d O dyssey are t h e mo st o bvio us featu r es

64
66 SH O RT H ISTO R Y OF G R EE K L IT ER ATUR E

a nd h igh peales f o fl
l of ty hi l l sow i ng o n w a r ds to th e sea
a n d r i ver s

h e mix tu r e o f s tyl es i s u n u su al i n G r ee k e p i c A Pi n
( 143 t .

d ari c sc holi ast assig n ed th e I Iy mn t o C yn ae thus of C h i o s (ci r ca

l

i i i r to u m m i t k i n t h e t r adi tio n al d at e
5 40 B C
)
. . t s e as e a ss e a s a e

o f C yn aethus than to b eli ev e that the Hy mn i s l ater than th e .

s ev en t h c en tu ry .

Fro m t he Py thi a n Hy mn lyri c ap os trop h e o f th e go d i s ab ,

sen t . The s c en e h as sh i ft e d to c en tr al G r e ec e w her e at Delp h i , , ,

Th e p y t h Ap ollo fou n d s hi s or ac l e and si n c e h e i s aft er al l a

_
,

i an Hy mn Dori an god i n tru sts hi s shri n e to t r ad er s from Dori an

,

C r e te .The D el i a n Hy mn w as w ri tt en by a p o e t w ho had th e
I o n i an sen se of b eau ty th e I o n i an c har m of s tyl e ; th e Py thi a n
, ,

by a p o et o f c en tr al G r eec e i n t er este d l ik e H esio d i n e ty mology ,

“

, ,

an d t h e h i s tory o f my th
’
To c al l th e o ne H o m e ri c an d th e
.
‘

’
o t he r H esio d i c i s a u seful th ou gh n ot st ri c tly ac c ur ate d iffer en
2
t i ati o n o f t h e ir styl e an d d at e .

T h e Hy mn to H er mes ( I I I ) w as ad mi r ably tr an sl at ed by Shell ey

i n o tta va r i ma Wi t h the t rad itio n al h i sto ry o f G r ee k m u si c for
.

Th e Hy mn an u n c er tai n gui d e w e may d at e t h e p o e m at l east n o ,

t o Hermes earli e r t han t h e forti e th O ly mpi ad ( 5 3 6 w h en

Ter pan d er i s suppo se d to h av e ad d ed t h r e e to t h e fo ur stri n g s
o f the lyr e i n the Hy mn the lyr e w h i c h H e rm es i n v en ts i s al
,

r ead y sev en stri n g ed The p o e m i s d ec id ed ly hu m oro u s yet no t

-
.
,

a burl es qu e a liv ely tal e o f t h e t riu mp h of th e p r ec o c iou s i n fan t

H e rm es ov er the sed ate A p ollo .

Th e p o et o f th e TIy mn to Ap h r od i te ( I V ) borrow s th e l an gu ag e
o f H o m er H esi od an d t he I Iy mn to D emeter
, ,
B ut hi s d esc ri p .

tio o f t h m ti g o f Ap h ro d i t n d A n c h i s es o n
Th e Hy mn n e ee n e a

t o Aph rod i t e man y fou n t ai n ed I d a has a b eau ty t hat t hou g h i t

‘ -
’
,

may b e c all ed H om eri c i s i n d ep en d en t o f borrowi ng

‘
,
’
The .

pr ay e r o f A n c h i ses to Ap h ro di te that he may n o t l iv e a s tr eng thl ess

1 16
S ee pr a , p
su . .

2
G e mo l l ( 18 8 6 ) h as not c o n ve rt e d mo d er n l t o h i s r e ac t i o n i n
sc h o ar s

fav ro of re g ar d i n g t h e t w o h ymn s as o ne . For mo re t han a c e n t ur y t he

ot h er v i ew h as b ee n s u c c ess fu l l y mai ntai n ed .
 T H E H O M E RI C HYM N S AN D E PI G RAM S 67

s ha d ow mong men doo m ed

a ,
ru el i m m or tali ty wit h o ut i m
to c

mor tal you th i n trodu c es th e

,
t al e of Tit h o n u s w ho se o l d age , ,

w r etched a n d w ea ry a n d d etes ted by the g od s m ad e hi m h at e fu l at

,

l ast e v en to t he Daw n : S he l ai d hi m i n a ch a mber a n d sh u t the

gl ea mi ng d oors , and hi s flow s on en dl essly

voi ce .

Th e Hy mnto D emeter ( V ) ap ar t fro m its i n t ri n s i c b eau t y has

, ,

the p ec uli ar i n t er es t at tac h ed to a c l ass i c that has b een p r es erv e d

i n a s i n gl e m an u sc ri p t an d r est or ed to us by a lu c ky c han c e It .

w as di sc ov e r e d i n 1 7 8 0 by th e G erm an sc hol ar Matthi ae i n M os ,

c ow ,
p e r hap s the l ast pl ace t o w h i c h o n e woul d h av e look e d for
su c h a fi n d T hi s Hy mn wi th i ts r efer en c es to the My steri es may
.
, ,

w ell hav e b e en wri tten for El e u si s the s ol e s urvivo r o f a w h ol e bo dy

,

of h i e r ati c p o etry d evo t ed t o th e Dem et er l eg en d Th e Hy mn .

I n Hom er d r ead P e r sep ho n e th e god d e ss o f th e t o Demet er

’
,

w aste sho r e an d b arr en w illow s w as for O dy sseu s the qu e en o f

,

H ad es al l th e m or e t erribl e b ec au s e u n seen I n H esio d ( Theog

,
. .

1 3 ) i s a p ass i n g allu s io n to h er c arryi n g o ff by -Aido n e u s -

B ut
9 .

fo r th e po et o f t he Hy mn profou n dly c o n sc io us o f the r e ligi o us

,

sy mboli sm o f th e my th P ers ep h o n e i s t h e d aug h te r o f E ar th w h o

, ,

fo r a s easo n
F o rgets th e Eart h h er mo t her , ,

Th e l i fe o f fr ui t s an d co r n ,

yet is r es to r ed wi t h the l eav es and fl ow er s o f spri ng The r eligio n .

of E l eu s i s was a r e ligi o n of s orrow Th e w an d e ri n g Dem et er t he

.
,

G r eek ty p e o f th e sorrowi ng m o th e r wi th h er p as sio n at e h um an

,

gri ef symbol iz e d th e wan d eri n g s oul t he r estor atio n of Pe rse ph

,

o n e i s t he r e n e w al o f hop e fo r man h e r e an d h e r eaft er

,
H appy .

i s he a mo ng mo r tal men w h o h ath behel d these thi ngs c ri e s t hi s

po et o f th e my st i c s of El eu si s but he that i s u n i n i ti a te a n d ha th
n o l o t i n them ha th n ever equ al l ot i n d ea th ben ea th the mur le y
gl oo m ( 4 8 0
The po e m i s full of mov e m en t an d c olo r : De m e te r wi th h er
bl azi n g t or c hes ru shes o n i n h er sear c h or sp r i n g s li k e a M aen ad
,
‘

dow n a d ark mou n t ai n woodl an d to gr ee t P er se ph o ne the

d aug hter s o f C el eus speed al ong the h ol l ow r oa d w ay th ei r h ai r i n -
, ,
68 S H O RT H ISTO RY OF G RE E K LITE R A TU R E

col o r l i he th e c r oc u s , floa ti ng abo u t thei r sho uld er s ( 1 7 7 When

P er se p h o n e w as sn at c h ed aw ay s h e w as g at h e ri n g r os es
, a nd cr o

cuses , a n d vi ol ets i n th e sof t mea d ow ,

and l i l i es and hy a ci n ths a n d
the n a r ci s s us w h i ch th e ea r th br o ug h t f o r th as a
f
s n a r e to th e ai r

f a ced mai d en ,
by th e co u n sel of Z eus a n d to pl ea se the L or d w i th
ma ny g ues ts . Won d r ously bl oo med the flow er , a ma t vel f or all to
s ee, w h e th er d ea thl ess g o d s or d ea thly men . F r o m i ts r oo t
g r ew
f or th a h u n d r ed bl osso ms , and w i th i ts f r ag r a n t o d or the w i de
h eaven a bove a n d the w h ol e ea r th l a ugh ed , and the s al t w a ve o f the

s ea . Th en the mai d en ma r vel ed ,

an d s tr etch ed f o r th bo th h er
h a n ds to s ei z e th e f a i r p l ay thi n , b u t th e w i d e w a ed ea r th
g y gaped i n
-

the N ys i a n p l ai n ,
and u
p r us hed th e p r i nce, the h os t of ma ny
g ues ts , w i th h i s i mmo r ta l h or s es ( 6 I n fi n e c o n tr as t wi t h al l
t hi s i s the pi c t ur e o f the s tri c k en an d d i s fi g ur ed go d d ess, si t ti n g i n
t h e s h ad e o f a t h i c k ol iv e t r ee o r w as ti ng w i t h
,
s il en t gri e f i n th e
h ou se o f C el eu s .

O f th e s h o rt e r I Iy mn s t h e sev en t h w h i c h d esc ri b es an ad ven

, ,

t u r e o f Dio n y sus am o n g p i r at es p r e se rv e s t h e l eg e n d o f a mir ac l e

,

Th e Hy mn t hat w as o ft en r ep r esen t ed i n G r e e k ar t ; th e p o e m
t O Di ODYS U S w as i mit at ed by O vi d
1
T he e ig h t h To A r es i s a
.
, ,

po e m o f i n vo c atio n o f the O r phi c ty pe a l i t urgy o ut o f pl ac e , ,

i n a c oll ec ti o n o f H o me ri c p r el ud es I t i s n o t li k ely t hat the

‘ ’
.

i n d ivi d ual I Iy m/i s esc ap ed i n t e r pol atio n an d e x p an si o n at th e han d s

Th e Hymn of O r ph i c p o et s an d r hapso d e s bu t b eyo n d t he d i ,

t ° Ar e s vi si o n o f t he I zly mn to Ap oll o t he effort s o f t he ,

d e s tru c tiv e c ri ti c s to d i s eng ag e i n e ac h c ase t he origi n al hy m n

ar e u n c o n vi n c i n g an d h av e b e en d i sc r e dit e d by t he mo s t r e c e n t

e d i to r s .

The B a tr acho m) v ma chi a o r B a ttl e i f the F r og s a n d M i ce i s a

, ,

bu rl es q u e e p i c o f 3 1 6 v e r s es w h i c h tr ad i tio n fi r s t g av e
Th e B att l e
of t h e F r og s to H o me r l at er to Pigr es o f H ali c ar n assus (ci r ca
,

an d M W"
I t i s i n t er es ti n g o nl y as b e i n g th e earl i es t p arody of
th e H om e ri c e p i c a ki n d o f c o mp o s i ti o n t hat har d ly r an k s as
,

li t er atu r e t houg h l at er i n At h en s and Si c ily i t appear s to hav e

, , ,

1 IlI et . I II .
 TH E HO M E RI C H YM N S AN D E P I G RA M S 69

b een p o pul ar I n s tyl e t h e B a ttl e i s a b arb aro us mixtu r e of pro s e

.

e x p r ess io n s an d p h r ases borro w e d fro m H o me r ; t he h u mo r as ,

i n al l t h ese c o m po si tio n s c o n si s t s i n ap plyi n g e l ev at ed l an gu ag e to

,

t h e d oi n g s o f th e i n sig n i fi c an t i n c o n v e rti n g el o q u en c e t o bo mb ast

, .

The lo s s o f th e M a i g i tes l e av es us w i t h o n ly a fai n t c l ew to

Ari s to tl e s m ean i ng w he n h e sai d (P oeti cs 4 ) t hat i n hi s
’
Th e
M a rgi tes H om er l ai d th e fo und atio n s o f C o m ed y M arg i t es .

The p o e m w as the ep i c o f a s t up i d man (ndpyo s) a stu dy o f i n ,

ept i t ud e M argi t es i s l ik e a C harac t e r

. from T heo ph rastu s ’

e N e w C o me d y M
(3 7 1 28 7 B C
—
) o r. t h . a ny thi ngs he had l ea r n ed .

to d o a n d a ll of th em he d i d i ll N ot of hi m co ul d th e g od s mahe
.

even a d i gger or a p l ow ma n or a ny thi ng i n tell i gen t ; h e w as a

bu ng/er a t every tr a d e As i f t o m ark i ts sat iri c q uality th e h ex
.
,

ame t e r s o f t h e M a rgi tes w e r e v ari e d w i t h i am bi c s t h e m e t e r o f ,

s atir e Li k e th e B a ttl e i t w as asc rib ed by o n e t r ad i tio n to Pigr es

.
,

o f H ali c ar nassu s Abou t h al f a d oz e n v e r ses ar e ex tan t

. .

The se v e n t een Ho me ri c Epi gr a ms u su ally p ri n t ed wi th the

‘ ’
,

I Iy mn s hav e an an ti q u ari an i n t er e s t fro m th e fac t t hat th e au th or

,

o f t he Li fe o f H o me r wro ngly asc rib ed to H e ro d otu s c o n triv ed

, ,

to w eav e t h e m i n to hi s ac c o un t o f th e po e t s ad ven The ’

t ur es . T hey are o f S lig h t l i t e rary i m por tan c e and Epi grams

w er e d r aw n fro m v ariou s s ou r c es C o mp o se d for t he m o s t p ar t .

as o c c as io n al p o e ms by r hap so d es t h ey r ef l ec t th e c han c es o f a
,

w an d e r i n g an d p r ec ari o u s li fe app eali n g to the p rot ec tio n of sailo r s

,

an d c i t i es o n w ho se w e l c om e th e r h apso d e m us t d ep en d T he .

t hir d Epi gr a m w as writt en for th e to mb o f Mi d as prob ably by ,

C l e ob ul us o f Li n d us o n e o f th e Sev en Sag es
, I ts c o n stru c tio n
. .

w as c ri ti c i sed by Pl ato (Ph aed r us 2 6 4 ) o n t he gro un d t h at i ts v er s es

1
c an b e r e ad i n an y or d e r i ts arrog an c e i n spi r ed Si mo n i d es wit h a
r e fl ec tio n o n t h e folly o f the sag e w ho t houg h t that a m er e mo n u
.

men t c oul d d e fy d ec ay an d the han d s of go d s an d men .

1
A br on ze ma i den a mI , set o n th e to mbf M i d a s As l ong as w ater flow s
o .

an d ta l l tr ees g r ow I l er e fi x ed on th i s
gr a ve of ma ny tea r s I tel l th e w ay
H er e l i es l lI i d a s Th e e p i gr am pr o ve d t o b e a mo n ume n t t h at c o ul d
fa r er .

ou t l ast b ro n z e aer e per en n i us .

70 S H O RT H I STO RY O F G RE E K LITE R A TU RE

B IB LI OGRAP H Y
I MAN USCRI PT S M oscov i en si s 14th c en t at L eyd en i s th e o nly extant
. .
,
.
, ,

Ms t hat c o n t ai n s th e Hy mn to D emeter ; al s o part o f th e Hy mn to D i ony s us

. .

L a u en ti a n u s 1 5 t h c e n t at F l o r en c e
r ,
E sten s i s 1 5 th c e nt at Parma
.
, .
, .
, .

II E D ITI O N S E d i ti o p i n ceps Deme tri us Chal c o n d yl as Hy mn s B a t a h o

. . r , , ,
r c

my oma chi a an d Ep i gr a ms F l o r e n c e 1 4 8 8
, R uh nk en Hy mn to D emeter
, , .
, ,

L eyd e n 1 78 2 ,
I l g en Hy mn s B a tr a ch
. Ep i gr a ms H al l e 1 7 9 6
, B au , .
, , , .

mei st er B a t a ch Lei p z i g 1 8 8 6
,
r Gemo l l Hy mn s ( w i th c o mmen t ary) L e i p
.
, , .
, ,

zi g 1 8 8 6
, A G o o d w i n Hy mn s O xf rd 1 8 9 3
. . L u dw i c h B atr a ch L e i p z i g
, ,
o , .
, .
, ,

18 96 A l l e n an d S i k es Th e H ome i c Hy mn s L o n d o n 1 9 04
.
,
r , , .

I II L IT ERAT U R E W o l f P r ol eg omen a H all e 1 79 5 H i n r i chs i n H er

. .
, , ,
.

mes 1 7 Fl ach i n B ezzen berg er s B ei tr age II

. Fi c k i n B ezzen B ei t IX ’
. . r . .

S ee al s o t h e c ri t i c al epi stl es an d i n tro d ucti o n s t o th e ed i t i o n s an d to A L an g s .

’

transl at i on .

I V T RA N S LAT I O N S
. Pro se Ed gar Th e H omer i c Hy mn s Edi n b urgh 1 8 9 1
. : , , , .

L an g Th e H omer i c Hy mn s Lo n d o n, 1 8 99
, V er se Law t o n Th e S u cessor s , . : , c

o H o mer
f N e w Yo r k 1 8 9 8 c o n t ai n s s o me r e n d er i n g s i n v erse o f t h e Hy mn s
, , , .

V LE X I CO N
. D un bar Co n or d a n e to th e Ody ssey an d the Hy mn s Ox
.
, c c ,

fo r d 1 8 8 0
, .
 C H A PT ER V I

E L EG Y AN D I A M B I C

AS the m u si c of the lyr e w as i nse par abl e fro m ep i c r ec i tat i o n so ,

el egy w as ac c om p an i ed by th e fl ut e t h e P h rygi an riv al o f t he lyr e

, .

Th e m u si c al i n v e n tiv e n ess o f A si a M i n or t h e d ev elo p men t o f

,

t ec hn i c al s kil l t h at fi xe d t he P h rygi an an d Ly di an mo d es are ,

su mm ed u p i n the n am e o f O LY M PUS a l eg e n d ary

Ol y mpus
,

fl ut e pl ay e r w h o m tr ad itio n pl ac e d i n th e l as t qu art e r
o f the eig h t h c en t u ry i n t he r e ig n o f M id as I I O lym pu s i s
,
.

m er ely a c l ass n ame a p e r so n ifi c atio n o f fl ut e pl ay i n g as i n

, , ,

n or the r n G r eec e O r p h eu s s t an d s fo r t h e m u si c of th e lyr e

,
The .

l eg end i n w hi c h A p ollo wi t h hi s Dori an lyr e v an qu i sh ed M arsy as

, , ,

the P h rygi an fl u te p l ay er r e fl e c t s t h e atti tud e o f th e G r eek s to an

,

i ns tru ment w hi c h t hey alw ay s r e g ard ed as O ri en t al un b ec omi n g ,

to a G r eek god d ess A th en e w ho i n an o t h e r l e g en d c as t s i t fro m

, , , ,

h er. B ut musi c w as s til l i n di sp en sabl e to v e r se an d the d oubl e ,

P h rygi an flut e wi t h i ts many sto ps w as w ell ad ap ted to el egy the ,

n ew ty p e of p o etry w h i c h w as to form a l i n k b etw een e pi c an d

lyri c The wo rd i t se l f o f u n c er tai n d e riv atio n may b e P h rygi an

.
, , ,

’
m ean i n g flut e o r ai r o n th e fl ut e but t hi s expla
‘
,
El egy
n atio n has as l i ttl e au t ho rity as o th e r s t hat h av e b een

di sc ard ed by m od er n sc hol ar s T he el egi ac d i s ti c h i s t he fi r s t

.

s t ro ph e o f G r ee k p o e try Th e sy n c o p atio n o f the t h ir d an d six t h

.

fee t of e v ery al ter n at e hex am ete r s ec u r es gr eat er e xpr ess iv en ess

t o t he d ac tyl i c m et e r b u t e l e gi ac i s s till far r e mov e d fro m the lyri c
,

for m The rigi d m ol d o f th e c o up l et i n w h i c h the t ho ug h t en ds

.

wit h the p en t am et er was e mploy e d by the Lati n po e ts The .

earl i e r G r ee k el e gi s t s h ow e v e r
,
s u c h as C al l i n us an d Ty rt aeus
, ,

w e r e i n flu en c ed by the c o n ti n uo us an d fl uen t s tyl e O f the e pi c ,

and sho w n o pr efe r en c e fo r th e c lo se d c ou pl et .

71
72 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE R A T UR E

It was i n I onia ,
i n t he
b rill i an t an d d i s tu rb ed G r ee k c olo n i es o f
t he sev en t h an d s ixt h c e n t u ri es t hat e l egy aro se an d w h er ev e r , , ,

c o mp o se d at M e g ar a o r A the n s
,
or Sp art a el egi ac v er se w as
, , ,

Th e d i al ec t al w ay s c o mp o s ed i n t h e I o n i c d i al e c t N e v e rt hel ess .
,

Of el e gy
t h e i n fl u en c e of lo c al d i al ec t s p arti ally ov e r c ame t hi s

c o n v en tio n so t hat w e fi n d Dori c fo rm s i n t h e I o n i c el egi es o f

,

Tyrt aeus w ho w rot e for Dori an s an d an A tti c c olori n g i n t he

, ,

p o e m s o f S olo n th e At h en i an G r,
ee k e l egy w as ess en ti ally c o n .

c e r n e d w i t h t h e p r es e n t w i t h th e v ari ed i n t e r es t s o f c o n t empo
,

r ary li fe B ut e pi c t h e p o e try o f the p ast w as i ts s t arti n g p oi n t

.
, ,

an d mo d el so t hat al l t h e e l e gi s t s e v e n t h o s e w h o s e i n t e r es t i s
, ,

c h i e fly g n o mi c e mploy ed H om eri c tu r ns o f p h r ase H o m e ri c

, ,

r hy t h m s i n t hei r he x am e t er s an d H o meri c full n ess o f d e t ail T h i s , .

i s esp ec i ally tr ue o f th e poli ti c al an d marti al e l e gi es o f C al l i n us

an d Tyrt ae us ; T h eo gn i s o f M eg ar a t h e ty p i c al g n o m i c po e t has , ,

fr e q uen t e c h o es of H e sio d wi t h w h om t he el egi sts o f Io n i a h ad

li ttl e i n c o m mo n B ut i n all c ases t he e l egi s t s c arri e d the w e ig h t
.
, ,

o f e pi c lig h tl y an d sho w ed an i n c r easi n g t e n d en c y to ab an d o n

,

th e ar c h ai c an d to giv e fr e e sc o p e to t h e p o e t s i n d ivi d u al i ty
’
.

l
Th e earli es t for m o f el egy w as p rob ably a l am e n t so t hat th e ,

mo d er n use o f the wo r d i s a r e v e r sio n to the e arly li mi t ed m ean

i n g to w h i c h H or ac e r e fe r s E uri p id es wi t h c o n sc io us ar c hai s m
.
, ,

m ak es hi s A n d ro mac he b e w ail her m i sfort un es i n el egi ac s ac 2

,

c o mpan i e d n o do u b t by t h e fl u te
,
b ut t hi s i s th e o n ly ex ampl e
,

i n G r e ek l i t e r atu r e o f a for m al d irg e c o mpo sed i n the el egi ac

m e t e r For by the ti me t hat G r ee k el egy b eg an t o be pr ese rv e d
.
,

as a li t e r ary for m i ts fi e l d had bro ad e n ed to i n c lud e a gr eat

,

vari e ty O f s ubj ec t s i t ad d r ess e d al mo s t ev e ry ki n d o f au di en c e

, ,

an d c o ul d e x p r ess n o t o n ly as H or ac e i n d i c at es bot h j oy an d , ,

gri e f but the w h ol e r an g e o f hu m an ex p e ri en c e an d e mo tio n

,
.

C al l i n u s an d Tyrt ae us wro t e t h e ir w ar so n g s an d Sol o n d e liv e r e d ,

hi s poli ti c al man i fe s to e s i n th e e l egi ac me t e r ; i t w as e q u all y ,

V e rs i b u s i mp ari ter q ue r i m pr i mu m, Po st e t i am
1
H o r A P 75 . . . .
jun cti s on a i
i nc l usa est v o t i t ti a mp o s Cp O v i d , H er o i d es X V 7 , e l eg e i e fle bi l e
‘

s en e n co . .

carmen .
2
A n d r om . 10
3 ff .
 74 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE R A TU R E

may b eli ev e Strabo w h en C al li nus w ro te hi s m ar ti al el egi ac s

, ,

t h oug h a li t tl e l at e r Ar c h ilo c h u s k n ew o f i ts ru i n
, , I n the lo n g es t .

fr agm en t of tw en ty o n e li n es C alli nus ex ho rt s the E ph esi an s to

,
-
,

t hrow off t h ei r slo t h an d r ep el t he i n v ad e r s : D ea r a n d gl or i ous

i t i s f or a ma n to fig h t f or h i s co u n try an d h i s ch i l d r en a n d th e .

w if e h e h as w ed d ed ,
’
aga i n s t
f oes ; hi s
An d h o w c an “
co u n try s

man d i e b e t te r ? Th o ugh o n e s tay a t h ome the f a te of d ea th

fin d s hi m ou t 1
The p r o pa tr i a mo r i mo tiv e has i n fl am e d ev e ry
.

p atrio ti c p o e t an d or ator fro m t hat d ay to t hi s ; I t i s th e d i sti n c

tio n o f C all i n us t hat h e was the fi r s t lyri c p o e t to strik e that sp iri t
s ti rri n g n o t e o f w hi c h t he fi n e s t li n es i n H or ac e ar e an ec h o .

Wi t h TY RTA EUS (ci r ca 6 4 0 B C ) 2 the m ar ti al e l e gy has t r av el ed

. .

fro m Io n i a to Spart a by w ay o f At h en s ,
H e w as ac c o r d i n g .
,

t o o n e l eg e n d an A then i an fro m Aphi d n a w ho l e ft

Ty rt aeus
, ,

A th en s to b ec om e a c i t iz en o f Lac ed ae m o n the m o s t ,

j ealou s an d ex c l u si v e s tat e i n G r eec e Tyrt ae u s mad e t h e w ar .

s o n g s o f hi s ad opt e d c o u n try Th e fabl es t hat c lu s t e r abou t hi s

.

p er so n ali ty ar e the at t e m p t s o f l at er wri t er s to fi ll i n the m eag er

ou tli n e o f fac t u n l ess i n d eed t h ey ar e d ue to th e natur al d esir e
, ,

o f th e A t hen i ans to l esse n th e gl ory o f Spart a N o t till P au san i as .

,

at any r at e ( 1 7 0 do es o n e m ee t t h e t r adi tio n t hat Tyrt aeus

w as n o Sp art an b u t a l am e sc h ool mas t e r w h o m th e A then i an s had

se n t i n d eri s io n w h en Sp art a ob eyi n g an o r ac l e h umbl e d h e r pri d e

, ,

and ask e d a g en e r al from A t hen s Th e Sec o n d M essen i an War w as

.

a c ri s i s i n th e h i s to ry o f Sp art a For the sec o n d ti me M essen i a th e

.
, ,

Pol an d o f G r e ec e ro se ag ai n st her op p r ess or s I n the prolo n g ed

,
.

s tr uggl e t hat follo w ed t h e pop ul ar d i sc o n ten t i n Sp art a t h r eat e n e d

,

t he ruli ng dy n as ty th e gr eat Dori an h o use o f the H e r ac l ei d ae

,
.

fr .
3 .

S i n ce 1 8 9 6 , w h en D r V e rral l
. te ( i n t h e Cl ass i ca l Rev i ew
o p en e d th e d eb a

X ) th e evi d en c e fo r th e d at e o f Tyrt aeus h as b ee n r evi s ed D r V err all

,
. .

arg ue d fo r t h e mi d d l e o f th e fi ft h c e n t ury w h i l e o t h ers c o n n e ct th e p o e t

,

w i t h t h e M ess e n i an r ev o l t i n th e l att e r p art o f t h e s i x t h I n th e ab sen c e o f .

co n c l usi ve
p r o o f i t seems w e ll t o ad h er e to t h e trad i t i o n w h i c h mak es Tyrt ae us
a l e ad i n g fi g ur e i n th e S eco n d M ess eni an War o f the s e ven t h c e n t ury .
 EL EGY AN D IAM B I C 75

I t w as i s poi n t t hat Ty r taeu s the ali en po et av er ted a r evo l u

at th , ,

t io n an d sav ed t he state H i s p o e m o n The B l ess i ngs of Or d er i s

.

a roy al i s t m an i fe s to u rgi n g t h e d ivi ne rig h t o f th e H e r ac l e i d ae ,

r ec alli n g the tri ump hs o f t hei r hou se i n the earli e r Th e B l es s

an d lo n g e r w ar wi th M esse n i a q uo ti n g t h e o r ac l e o f i n g s of Ord er
,

A pollo w hi c h i n set t erm s supp o rt ed t h e Dor i an d y nas ty H e

, , _
.

c aug h t t h e Spart an ac c e n t w h en h e mad e t h i s app e al to th e Sp ar

tan p assio n for d i sc i p li n e B u t i t w as i n hi s E x h o r ta ti on s an d

.

M a r chi ng S o ngs that h e to uc h ed the w hol e n ati o n Th e t r ad i

'
.

t io n th at m ak e s Tyr taeu s l ead the armi es o f Spart a t o vi c to ry i s

p er hap s o n ly a w ay O f sayi n g t hat the sp i ri t o f Spart a l eap ed to
an sw e r hi s s o n g s Fig h ti n g for i ts o wn sak e w as r ar ely c ou r ted
.

by the G r eek s ; i t i s t her efor e n o t su rpri si n g to fi n d Tyr taeu s

fr ami n g hi s E x hor ta ti ons as an argu m ent I n ad Th e Exh or .

d r ess i n g a G r ee k o n e mu st n o t forg e t th at h e c al c u t at i on s
l at e s fi r st hi s v e ry v alo r m u st b e d e lib e r ate I t w as n ot en o u g h .

to i n fl am e t h e Sp art ans by t he r e mi n d er of t h ei r ol d s u c c esses ;

t hey m ust b e c o n vi nc ed o f the ex p ed i en c y of d eat h i n b at tl e .

A fai r thi ng i t i s to f al l a n d d i e i n the f r on t r a nh a br ave ma n ,

figh ti ng f o r o ne s n a ti ve l a n d : bu t to l eave hi s ow n ci ty a nd hi s
’

'

f r ui fi ul fiel ds to go for th a beggar tha t i s of al l thi ngs the mos t

, ,

h a teful : n ay , s i n ce f or the o u tcas t w a n der er th er e i s n o f ai r

s eas on , n o r ever en ce, n o r eg a r d , n o
pi ty l et,
us fig h t f or thi s co un

try f our s a n d di e f or ou r chi l d r en a n d n ever g r udge them o u r

o ,

li ves ( f r I n the lo n g es t fragm e n t o f forty l i n e s i s a p assag e

.
, ,

1
w hi c h Th eo gni s ec h o ed or r at he r p aro d i ed si nc e for mili t ary ,

glory h e sub sti t u t e d w eal t h Wha t though a ma n s ho ul d h a ve the

s ta tu r e and s tr eng th o f a Cy cl ops , or o u tr u n the N o r th I/ Vi n d of
’'
Th r ace w h a t th o ugh h e w er e f a i r er than I i th o n us i n h i s bea t/ g) ,
r i cher tha n M i d as or Ci ny r a s , mo r e r oy al tha n P el ops , so n o f
Ta n tal us ,
'

or h ad the h o n ey s w eet sp eech of A d r as tus

-
w ha t i s al l

g l o i y bes i de th e g l o ry of val or i n w a r Thi s i s the ex cel l en t

thi ng, thi s i s the g r ea t p r i ze a mo ng men ,
the f ai r es t tha t y ou th ca n

win (f r .

1
C p Th e o g n i s 6 9 9 ff w i t h Tyrt aeus fr
. . . 10.
76 S HO RT H I STO RY OF G RE E K LIT E R A TU RE

Tyrt aeu s w rot e hi s pol iti c al an d mar ti al el egi es i n I o n i c t h e ,

d i al ec t o f t h e el egy s had ed h er e an d t he r e by t h e Dori c o f

,

1
S part a H i s p hr ases c o n s t an tly r ec all t he I o n i c e p i c ;
Di al ec t
.

hi s app e al to th e p ri d e of th e you t h o f Spart a n o t to

l eav e the br un t o f b at tl e to th e O l d w as n o d o ubt t he mor e effec , ,

tiv e fro m t he fac t t hat the c o n tr as t o f t he glory o f y o u t h an d t he

h u mili atio n o f age w as borrow ed fro m t h e famo us spe e c h Of Pri am
2
i n t h e I li a d .

Fo r at l eas t t h r e e c en t uri es the E x h or ta ti o ns o f Tyrt aeu s w e r e

,

l ear n ed an d r ec i t ed by Spart an sol d i e r s ; mean w hil e t h e y b ec am e

t h e c om mo n p ro p erty o f al l G r eec e I n th e fo u rt h c en t u ry o n e .

c o ul d as su me t hat a C r e tan k n e w hi s Tyrt ae us l i k e an

3
y Spart an .

We o w e a frag men t o f t h i rty tw o l i n eS to th e fac t t hat aft er th e

-
'

b at tl e of C h ae ro n e a ( 3 3 8 h e h ad to i n d i c t a c o w ar d ,

"
Ly c u rg us th e Atti c or ator q uo t ed Ty rt ae u s p i c tur e o f a c o war d s
’ ’
, ,

fat e amo n g t h e Lac ed ae mo n i an s Tyr taean po etry t o use G o e t he s .

,
’

d i sti n c ti o n i S t h e an ti t h esi s o f t h e po e try o f t h e d i sc ou r ag ed

, .

I n hi s I lI a r chi ng S o ng s to b e su n g to t h e fl u t e by Dori an s
, ,

Tyrt aeus u sed th e Dori c d i al ec t The r hyt h m i s t hat prop er to a .

mar c h an ap aesti c w i t ho ut d ac tyl s I n th e s o l i t ary ex t an t fr ag

, , .

men t o f S i x li ne s th e i mmo rt al M a r s ei l l ai se o f G r e ec e he app eal s

, ,

t o a s p i ri t t hat n o arg u me n t c o ul d r eac h : Come s o n s of Sp a r ta , ,

moth er of h er oes co me s on s of Sp a r ta s men ; f or w a r d w i th y o u r

, ,
’

s hi el d o n th e l e t ; f be br a ve and ca s t your p ea r
s ; ta he no tho ug h t

f o r y ou r l ife ; th a t i s n o t the w ay of Sp a r ta ( f r .

Far fro m Spart a an d th e l o u d bol d s tr ai n s o f Tyr taeu s M IM , ,

M i mnermus
N ERMUS o f C olo p ho n
( ci r ca 6 0 B C
3 ) ex p r essed i n t h e . .

s am e e t e r hi s p ro fo u n d
m
d i sc ou r ag emen t wi t h l i fe .

H e i s th e fo un d e r o f th e e roti c el egy ; fro m M i mn e r mus t he

e l egi ac p o e t s o f Al ex an d ri a an d l at e r t h e i r i m it ator s t h e Ro man
, , ,

1E g [Ld lu o v fo r na
. . m
e s an d th e sh o rt e n i n g o f th e ac c us a t i v e pl ural en d i n g

o f th e fi
rs t d e c e n s i o n l .

Cp Tyr t 1 0 2 1— 28 w i th I l
2
. . . . X X I I 6 9 ff . L e af t hi n k s t h at the H o meri c
p assag e i s an i n t e r p o l at e d e c h o o f Tyrt ae us .

3 P l at o, L a w s 6 29 .
4 Ag a i n st L eoc r ates 10
7 .
 E LEGY AN D I AM B I C 77

e e l gi st s ,
d r ew t hei r i nspi ratio n T h i s p o e t o f .
p e r so nal e mo ti o n
w as haun t e d by th e t error of o l d age We a r e l i he the l eaves th at

gr ow i n th e seaso n o f sp r i ng flow er s ,
w h en o n a s ud d en they i n
L i he th em fo r mo men t
’
c r ease i h th e s un s r ays . we r e oi ce
j a in
th e flow er s f
o
y o u th ,
n ot hn ow i ng w ha t the g od s h a ve i n s tor e, g ood
or i ll . B u t the bl ach F a tes a r e th er e, br i ng i ng f o r o n e ma n the
d oom f
o g r i evo us f or a n oth er the d oom of d eath ( f r
ol d age, .

M any po e t s s i n c e M i mn er mus hav e b e wail ed the br evi ty o f you t h ,

bu t n early al way s t he y hav e i n si s t ed o n a sensi t iv en ess al l the

k een e r si n c e t h e c har m i s fl ee ti n g I f lov e an d yo u t h mu s t .

v an i sh wi t h t he ro se H orac e se es i n t hat fac t n o motiv e fo r,

”

a s tr ai n o f l am en t atio n
1
B ut M i mn e r mu s w as n o E p i c ur e an hi s
.

e y es are fix ed O n th e i n evit abl e mo me n t w h en b eau ty m us t p e ri sh ,

an d hi s bit t er n ess i s u n r eli ev ed Th e c oll ec tio n o f hi s e l egi e s was .

c al l ed N a n n o aft e r a fl u t e pl ay e r w h om M i mn e r mus lov e d bu t ,

he r n am e do es n o t app ear i n an y fr agm en t H i s d at e i s i n di .

c ate d by t he l eg e n d t h at Solo n met h i m i n A s i a ( ci r ca 5 9 3

I n hi s v e r s es t o M i mn er mus Sol o n ad d r e ss es hi m as so n of ,
‘

2 ’
Li guastes an d ,
r e plyi n g to a c o upl e t i n w hi c h th e I o n i an
,

p o e t h ad p r ay ed n o t t o l iv e b e yo n d hi s S ixti e t h y e ar b e g s h i m ,

to allow tw en ty y ear s m or e to l i fe to ad mi t t hat a man mig h t ,

3
b e hap p y till e i g h ty Six ty y ear s s e e m e d too sh ort to Solo n w ho
.

‘
l iv ed an d l ear n ed but t h ey w e r e en o ug h for o n e w ho se o nly ai m
,
’

had b e en enj oym en t M i mn er mus r e fl ec t s the d ec ad en c e o f th e

.

G r ee k c ol o n i es I t w as n o t l o n g aft e r her p o e t took t hi s enerv at ed

.

vi ew o f li fe t hat I o n i a b eg an to lo se h er fr eed om .

1 O d es 1 . 11 . 6 . Th e ad d ess r
p o e t L l yw arch H e n t o h i s
of th e C e lt i c
c r ut c h i s th e n e ar e s t
p ll l
h ut t h e w i s t fu me an c h o y o f
ar a e w i t h M i mn e r mus ; - l l l
th e G r ee k l
po et p a es b efo re th e p as s i o n at e fi e r ce n es s o f t h e C e t : O my l
c r u t ch Is it n ot s
p r i ng , w hen the cu ch oo p asses th r o ug h th e ai r ,
w h en the

foa m sp a r /al es on th e sea Th e y o u ng ma i d en s no l o ng er l o ve me B eh ol d

ol d a
g e, mal es sp or t of me f r om the h a i r of my h ea d to
w h i ch e
,
my teeth to my ,

ey es w h i ch w omen l ov ed .

2
D i el s i s fo ll o w e d b y W i l amo w i tz i n r e g ar d i n g th e w o r d as an e pi t h et
mean i n g ‘ t h e c l e ar -vo i c e d s i n g e r ’ r at h er t h an as a patr o nymi c ,
.

3
C p S o l o n f; 20 w i t h M i mn e r mus / r 6
. . .
78 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE R A T UR E

Wi t h SOLO N of ,
so n A then s m ak es
Ex ec esti d es ( 3 9 55 9
6 —

h er fi r s t c o n trib u tio n to th e H e w as an
lit e r atu r e o f G r e ec e .

i m pov eri she d ari sto c r at o f the h o use o f C o d ru s w ho , ,

S ol on
ac c o rdi n g to th e tr ad i ti o n r ep ai r ed hi s fo r tun es by ,

t r ad e wi th I o n i a b e fo r e h e set abou t fo und i ng th e At he n i an

d e mo c r ac y H is c hi e f so c i al r e for m w as to fr e e t h e s mall h ol d
.

i n g s o f Atti c a fro m th e mortg ag es an d d e b ts t h at e n sl av ed the

m id d l e an d low e r c l ass es to t h e c ap i tal i st s an d l an dow n er s The .

bl acle ea r th be my w i tn ess say s Solo n i n o n e o f hi s i ambi c fr ag

,

me n t s f or s he w as a s l ave a n d i s f r ee (f r
,
A t hens had a .

g eni us for r el ati n g he r sel f an d her h ero es t o th e s triki ng ev en t s o f

t h e pas t Sol o n ow es m uc h o f h i s d r am ati c i n t e r est to t h e t al e
.

tol d by H e rodot us o f t he enc o un t er o f the At h en i an l a iv er w i t h

C ro esus w he n h e c ame to Sardi s l ik e ot h er w i s e men an d u tt e r e d , ,

t h e u n h ee d e d w ar n i ng t h at l at e r w as to sav e t h e li fe o f th e Ly d i an
, ,
'

ki ng 1
. T he d at e o f C ro esus fall s too l at e fo r that m e e ti ng t o b e
an y t h i n g bu t a pi c t u r es q ue fabl e I t w as t he At hen i an w ay o f .

ac c o un ti n g for t he fac t t hat C ro esu s s u rviv e d t h e fall o f Sardis

( 54 6
O f Solo n
’
p o et ry
bo ut 2 5 0 v e r ses s urviv e
s a T hey ar e for the .
,

m o st p ar t t he ex p r essio n o f hi s poli ti c al l i fe o r an apology fo r i t

, ,

an an sw e r to hi s c ri ti c s A p oli t i c al argu m e n t do es n o t l e n d i tsel f

.

to i magi n ativ e tr e at m e n t an d Sol o n w as r at h e r a p ol iti c i an w ri ti n g

,

v er s e t han a p o e t B ut the v e r s e i s goo d an d i n mor e t h an o n e

.
,

p assag e the i mag e ry i s vigoro us

,
I n t he E x hor ta ti o n to the .

A th en i a ns aft er d esc ri bi n g t he evil s o f th e poli ti c al sy s t e m w h i c h

,

h e ov ert h r e w he c o n ti n ues : S o the c u r s e th a t i s o n the w hol e

,

s ta te f ol l ow s every ma n to h i s ow n h ome n o mo r e ca n th e d oo r s

of hi s cou r ty a r d heep i t o ut ; bu t over th e h i gh f en ce i t l eaps a nd

h u n ts h i m d ow n , y ea th o ug h h e h i d e hi ms elf i n th e i n n er mos t r oo m
w i thi n (f r I n an ot h er p assag e th e swi ft v eng ean c e o f Z eu s
.

w ee ps d ow n o n th e wro n g d o e r l i lee the r i ng w i n d th a t on a s u d

s p
s

1
H er o d . I 29 . Th e ea rl i er r
v e si o n o f th e esc ape o f C r o es us , i n th e Th i r d
Od e ofB ac c hy i d es , w as p er h aps i ns pi r ed fr o m D el p h i ; t h er e i s n o men t i o n
l
ll
o f So l o n ; A p o o s av es C r o es us w h o h ad gi ve n gr e at g i fts t o h i s Sh r i n e .
 EL EG Y AN D IAM B I C 79

d en sca tter s the cl o u ds . It s ti r s

p the floor of the ba r r en
u and

r es tl es s sea an d on the w hea t- bea r i ng f ai r ea r th l ays w as te th e

w or hs of men s h a n d s Th en i t bl ow s a s h ig h a s th e s teep h o me of
’
.

the go ds th e very va ul t of hea ven a n d mahes a l l cl ea r w ea ther f or

, ,

th e ey es to see A n d th e f o r ce of the s u n i n hi s s tr eng th a n d bea u ty

.
.

s hi n es over th e r i ch ea r th an d n ever a cl o u d i s ther e to be s een

’
(f r . l gi es w e r e n o t al l p oliti c al an d sen t en tiou s
Sol o n s e e .

When th e At h en i an s had set t hei r hou se i n o r d er t hey had yet to

r etri ev e a d i sgr ac e abro ad T hey mu s t r ec ov er Sal am i s fro m
.

M e g ar a an d n e v er l et i t be said that i n full si g h t of At hens the

, , ,

i sl an d t hat c lo s ed the bay o f t he ir o w n El eusi s w as hel d by a riv al

s tat e Lik e Tyrt ae u s u rgi n g t h e Spart an s to r ec o n qu er M essen i a,
.

S olo n r ec i ted hi s S al a mi s to i n fl ame t he pri d e an d p at rio ti s m o f

A then s O n ly eig ht d i sc o nn ec t e d li n es ar e ext ant : I co me as a
.

her al d f r o m l ovely S al ami s w i th a s ong o n my l ips i n s tead of co m

,

mon speech O n tha t d ay may I ch ange my co u n try

l ami s
.

Th e S a
and be f P hol ega n d r us or of S i ci n us but n o t of
a ci ti z en o

A then s f or the momen t I app ear men w i ll s ay : I t i s a n A th en i a n ,

one o f th os e w h o l et S a l a m i s g o F o r w a r d to S a l
. a mi s I L et u s

gh t f o r the l ovely i s l a n d a n d w ip e o u t o u r s ha me a n d di sg r a ce
n s i ambi c t ri m e t er s an d t ro c hai c t e tr ame t er s as far
’
( f r . S olo ,

as t h e y su rviv e are poli ti c al an d are p ro se i n all but t h ei r for m

, .

1
Th e c o n t en ti o n of Pl at o that Solo n n e ed ed o n ly l e i s ur e to riv al
H o me r and H esio d i s a d r am ati c ex agg er atio n of the p ri d e o f the
A t hen i an s i n the ir gr eat l awgiv er wh o was m or eov er t hei r fi r st , , ,

po et
O f al l form s o f v er se th e el egi ac c oupl et was th e b est su i t ed to
c o n t ai n a mo r al r efl ec tio n tha t w as t o be l ear n e d by h eart o r t h e ,
'

bri ef app eal t hat o n a mo n u m en t w as t o riv e t the att en tio n of t he

, ,

w ay far e r W i t h P H OCY LI DES o f M i l e t us ( ci r ca 5 4 0 B C ) i t i s

. . .

'

for th e fi r s t ti m e pun g e nt an d aggr essiv e i s i n fac t

P h ocy l i d es
,

an epigram i n th e l ater se n se s i n c e i t expr esse s a

p ar ad ox o r surpri s es by i ts c o n c lu s io n O f th e p e r so n al i ty of .

P h o c ylid es we k n ow n ot h i n g H i s g n om i c r e fl ec tio n s to j u d g e
.
,

1 Ti ni a eu s 21 .
80 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE R A TU R E

fro m th e fragm en ts w er e w ritt en c h i efly i n he x am e t e r s ; o n e

,

o f e ig h t l i n es i n w hi c h he c o mpar es fo ur ty pes o f w o me n wit h

an i mal s of c o rr es p o n d i n g qu ali ti es i s p e r hap s abri d g ed fro m t he

s atir e o n wo men by Se mo n i d es o f A morgo s T he s t e r e o ty ped

.

h r a se T h i s too i s by P h ocy l i d es t hat i n trod u c es man y o f hi s

p , ,

v e rs es mark e d t h e m as h i s o w n i n a d ay w hen a g n o mi c u tt e r an c e
w as l ik e ly e i t h e r t o b ec o me c o mmo n p ro p e rty o r to b e ab so rb ed

i n to a c oll ec tio n suc h as t hat w h i c h i s l ab el ed Th eo gn i s .

O pp o s i t e M il e t us l ay t h e li t tl e i sl an d o f Le ro s an d o n Le ro s ,

li v ed DEMO DO C US a ri v al ep igr ammati s t The peop l e of M i l etus

,
.

a r e n o t f ool s ,
but th ey ac t l i he f ool s wro te De mo d o c u s
,
T he .

e p igr am of P h o c yli d es o n Le ro s i s mor e famo u s : Thi s too i s by

P h ocyl i d es : The p eop l e of L er os a r e had ; n ot thi s ma n ba d a n d

th a t ma n g ood ; a ll a r e ba d ex cep t P r ocl es ; a n d even P r ocl es i s

f r o m L er os O f th e tw o ep i gram s i t i s n o t c l ear w h i c h w as the

.

att ac k w h i c h t h e r ej oi n d e r
,
an d i t m at t e r s l i ttl e
,
T h e M il e si an
.

p o e t i n w h o se frag me n t s ar e n o ec h o es o f w ar o r p ol iti c s r an k ed
, ,

as o n e o f th e wi se me n o f G r ee c e .H is p o p u l ari ty l ast e d lo n g i f
o n e ma j udg e fro m t h e fac t t hat aft e r 2 00 B C a
p s eud o _ y ,
. .
,

P h ocy l i d ea l earn ed J ew wri ti n g for G r e ek s t hou g ht i t wort h w h il e

, ,

t o at t ac h th e n ame o f P ho c yl id es to a mor al p o e m o f s o me 2 00
v e r ses t he Ps eu d o Ph ocy l i d ea i n w h i c h h e a t te mp t ed a p art i al
,
-
,

r ec o n c i li atio n o f P ag an i s m an d the B i bl e .

X EN O PH A N ES o f C olo ph o n ( ci r ca 5 4 0 B C ) w as a p h ilo sop h er . .

w h o wro t e v e r se . B ut h e c o mp o se d e l egi ac s al s o o f w h i c h a few ,

fai rly lo n g fr agm en ts su rviv e The lo n g est o f tw en ty fou r l i n es

.
,
-

goo e x amp l e o f d es c ri p ti v e e l egy ; t h e

X en oph anes
.
( f r i s a d
for mal se t ti n g o f a b an qu e t t h e gobl et s an d g arl an d s
, ,

t he c l e ar c ol d w at e r an d i n c en s e are en um e r at e d wi t h H o m e ri c
,

pr ec i s i o n The c l o si n g v e rs es t ak e a d i d ac ti c t u r n X e n o phan es
.
.
,

c o n s i s t e n t l y h o s til e to t h e p o p u l ar my t h an d w i t h th e G r eek
,

d i s lik e o f q uarr eli n g at a b an q u e t fo rbid s h i s h e ar e r s to r ec it e

,

t he my t h i c al an d e x c i ti n g q u arr e l s o f t he Ti t an s G i an t s , ,

an d C en t au r s . H e has b ee n c all e d t h e fi rs t Pr o t est an t s i n c e h e ,

w as t h e fi r s t G r eek t o at t ac k t h e tr ad i ti o n al myt h ol ogy o f th e

82 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K LITE R A TU RE

b ec am e a c itiz en of Si c ili an M eg ar a th e c ol o n y so that so m e co m

, ,

men tato rs an c i en t an d m o d er n hav e d en i ed t hat h e w as a n ativ e

, ,

o f the mot h er c i ty H i s d at e i s a m at t er for c o nj ec tur e The

. .

l at e c h ro n ologi st s su c h as E usebi us an d Sui d as p l ac ed hi s flor ui t

, ,

abo u t th e mi d d l e o f t he six th c e n t u ry For t he m as .

,
Dat e
for o ur selv es th e q ues tio n hu n g o n the i n t e r pr e t atio n
,

o f t wo passag es i n w hi c h Theo gn i s sp eak s o f th e P e r si an p e ril .

H e i n vi t es hi s fri en d s to d r i n h a n d be mer ry a n d n ever f ea r th e

w a r of th e M ed es ( 7 6 3 an d a lit tl e l at e r
, p r ay s to Dori an,

A pollo to i n te rv ene an d sav e fro m the w an to n ho s t o f th e M ed es

Dori an M eg ara t he c i ty o f Al c at ho us w h o s e w all s t he go d had
, ,

h el ped t o bu il d What P ers i an i n v asio n w as t h i s that t hr eat en ed

.

M eg ar a ? Sur ely n o t the c o n q ues t o f the I o n i an G r e ek s by H ar

p ag us ( 5 4 6 w hi c h c o ul d hav e l it tl e sig n i fi c an c e fo r t he c i ty
o f Theogni s ; th e r efer en c e i s r at h e r to the d an g e r fro m Dari us i n
4 9 1 B C o r t o th e l as t i n v asi o n o f 4 8 0 4 7 9 w he n n o t e v e n th e vi c
—
. .
,

tory o f th e G r ee k s at Sal ami s s av e d the M egari d fro m b ei n g ov er

run by t he c av al ry o f M ar d o n i u s Th e t e n d e n c y o f m o d er n
.

sc h ol ar sh i p i s to follo w t h i s li n e o f r easo n i n g an d to ass ig n t h e

life o f Theo gn i s to the l att er hal f of the six t h an d at l eas t t he fi r st

d ec ad e o f the fi ft h c e n tury .

Th eo gn i s i s th e o n ly G r eek el egi ac p o e t o f w h o m w e hav e an i n

d epe n d en t m an u sc ript ; for th e ot h e r s as for t h e wri t e r s o f i ambi c
,

v e r se w e d ep en d o n the c ap ri c es o f qu o t ati o n T h er e ar e ext an t

,
.

n early 1 4 0 0 v e r ses t hat p ass u n d e r hi s n ame ; t h e r e i s n o d i r ec t

evid en c e to S h ow at w h at d at e our c oll ec tio n w as m ad e I t is .

d ivi d e d i n to two book s t he fi r st c o n t ai n i n g s o m e 1 2 0 0 v e r ses an d

, ,
"

i nc l ud i n g all o f t he ex t an t g no mi c po e t ry o f Theo gni s t h at i s

wort h c o n si d er atio n ; th e S econ d B ook i s a c oll ec tio n of e roti c
po em s w h i c h o c c ur s i n o n ly o n e m an u sc ri pt an d i s by al mo s t un i ,

v er sal c o n sen t r ej ec t e d as spuriou s N ot un til t he t en t h c en t ury

,
.

A D an d t h en o n ly i n t hat m an usc ri pt i s i t i d en tifi e d wi t h Theogn i s

. . .

O f t h e h o m e p oli ti cs o f six th c e n tu ry M e g ar a w e k n ow har d ly

-

m or e t han c an b e g at he r ed fro m th e v agu e all usi o n s o f Theo gni s .

The expu l sio n of th e tyr an t Th eagen es m ark e d t h e ri se o f th e

 E LE GY AN D I AM B I C 83

d e mo c r ac y an d a r evolu ti o n that m ean t exil e fo r the ari sto c r ati c

po et an d hi s party w hi c h p rob ably r e tur n ed to p o w e r t hroug h
,

a c ou n t e r r evolutio n
-
T he o gn i s at an y r ate w as a
.
, ,
M eg ara
p ar t o f al l t hese di ssen sio n s H i s po ems r e fl ec t the .

arrog an c e o f th e ari s to c r at fo r w ho m men w e r e goo d o r bad

,

ac c o rdi n g t o t h e i r s o c i al r an k or th ei r p oli ti cs an d the r e gr e ts o f ,

th e c o n se rv ativ e w ho r eg ard ed th e i n c r easi n g pow e r o f th e c o m

mo n p eopl e as a Si g n o f th e d eg en er ac y o f M eg ar a .

Un cha ng ed the w a l l s, but, ah, h ow ch a n

g ed th e fal h
The base, w h o h n ew er s tw h i le n or l a w n or r i ght,
B ut d w el l ed l i he d eer , w i th g oatshi n f or a cl oa h,
Are n ow en n obl ed , a n d , O s o r ry p l i gh t I
‘

Th e n obl es ar e ma de base in al l men ’

s si
g ht ( 53

Theo gn i s th e pol i ti c i an w as a p arti san e m bit te r e d by exil e a ,

G r ee k C ori ol an u s i n hi s vi e w of th e c omm o n p e opl e I n hi s .

’
d i d ac ti c v e r s es N o ex c e ss i s hi s t ex t
‘
B ut t ur n th e p ag e an d .

you will fi nd hi m d e man di n g the bl ac k blood o f hi s en e m i es to ’

d ri n k the g en u i n e n ot e o f th e Th eo gni s w ho p r ac ti c ed w h en h e
, ,

dropp ed for t he mo m en t the Theo gni s w ho p r eac h ed A p ar t .

2
fro m t hei r poli ti c al i n t e r est hi s p o em s are as X en o ph o n sai d a
, , ,

h u m an do c u men t ( o u
‘

yypanna n ep i a r e v el atio n O f

G r ee k mo r al s t h eir i n c o n si st e nc y t he ir n arrow n ess t h ei r ex pe

, , ,

d i en c y . N o wo n d er that Pl ato d i sp ar ag ed th e p opul ar mor ali ty

o f G r e ec e whil e So c r at es d evot ed hi s li fe to l ayi ng the fo und atio n s
,

of a m o ral p h ilo s o phy th e ab sen c e o f w hi c h w as t he mo s t striki n g

d e fi c i en c y o f t he A t hen i an s i n hi s d ay ; w hat he h ad to su p p l an t
w as t h e pru den ti al e t h i cs o f th e favori t e mo r ali s ts o f G r eec e ,

H esiod and Theogn i s the sel f c en t e r ed an d pessi mi sti c

,
-
.

T h eo gn i s i s n o t a gr eat p o et T he p essi mi s m w h i c h h e shar es

.

wi t h H esi od and ot her m ak e r s o f m axi ms b ec om es m o no to n ou s ,

p artly b ec ause i t i s so p e r so n al O th er men p er hap s w i l l be B ut .

I shall be d ea d a n d tu r n ed to bl a ch ea r th H e i s d e fi c i ent i n .

1 Pro fesso r ]B . . B ury .

p ud S tobaeu m ( Fl or i l egi m l xxxvi i i

2
X en . a u 14 )
84 S H O RT H I ST O RY OF GRE E K LITE R A TU RE

i mag ery . B ut th e r e p assag es i n

w hi c h he ri ses abov e him sel f
are ,

as w hen h e ad d r ess es C yr n us wi t h t he famo us p ro mi s e of i mmo r

t ali ty : I have gi ven thee w i ngs a n d thou s h al t mou n t w i th eas e ,

a n d fly over th e u n mea s ur ed sea a n d th e w hol e ea r th Wh en men .

meet to f eas t a n d to d r i nh th o u s hal t be ther e a s to ry on the l ips of ,

Yea , w h en th ou s h al t g o d o w n i n to the d ep ths and

d a r h n ess f
o the ea r th , to th e s o r r ow f ul h o me f H ad es even i n
o ,

d ea th th o u s h al t n ot l os e thy r en o w n the g r aci o us gif ts of th e

M uses s hall be thy es cor t ;

vi ol et c r ow n ed
-
f or thou s hal t be a s o ng
s u ng by a ll to w h o m th ose gif ts a r e d ea r s o l on
g as the ea r th ,

l as ts a n d the s u n Yet f r om th ee I w i n n o h o n o r n ay n one ;

.
, ,

thy w or d s d ecei ve me a s th o ug h I w er e a l i ttl e ch i ld ( 2 3 7

The
x p ec t ed bi tt er n ess of t he e n di n g c o n v e rt s the
un e
Cy rnu s
p o e m i n to an e pi gr am I t w as to C yrnus so n o f Poly
.
,

p au s w ho m h e s om eti m es ad dr esses as Pol ypai d es th at T heo gn i s

, ,

d ed i c at ed hi s el egi es Abo u t 3 00 v e r ses are s t am p ed wi t h t he

.

n am e o f t h i s y o u n g Dori an n obl e w h o w as hi s c lo se s t fri en d ;

’
t he po e t s p r o p h ec y to C yr n us t hat hi s n am e wo ul d s erv e as a
’
s eal o f g en ui n en ess w o ul d est abli sh a s ort o f c o pyri g h t ( 1 9
1
,

h as b een j us ti fi e d si n c e o n e o f t he few p oi n t s o n w h i c h t h e e d itor s

,

o f Theo gni s ar e agr eed i s i n ac c e p ti n g as hi s t he v er ses that

i n c l ud e t hat n ame Fro m t h ese al o n e w e m ig h t r ec o n stru c t the
.

gr u mbli n g Dori an ari st o c r at a b ett er br ed an d mo r e worl d ly

,

H es io d w ho c an n o t p l ease hi s fello w c i tiz e ns w h o l am en t s t he

,
-
,

di sloy al ti es o f h i s fri en d s hi s p ov erty t h e d ec ad en c e o f hi s c l ass

, ,
.

I n exil e h e h ear s wi t h a p an g th e s h rill c ry o f t h e c r an e the ,

s ig n al for t h e s p ri n g plowi n g o n t h e e s t at e t h at i S n o lo n g e r hi s
?

I n th e mass of sh or t p o e m s and c o upl ets t hat hav e r eac hed us

1
By s uc h a s e a l ( o ppa y i s) th e b l i n d p o et of th e D el i a n Hy mn e n d e av o e d r
to ass u er hi s fame ; i n t h e P e sa e o f Ti m th e us as Wi l amo w i tz p o i n ts o ut
r o , ,

th e p ers o n al all us i o n i s me a n t t o s er ve as a s e al B u t th e b e s t i n s t a n c e i s t h e
.

p o etr y o f Ph o c yl i d es an d De mo d o c us w h er e e ac h c up l e t w as st amp ed b y i ts
,
o

a uth o r .

2
Cp . B id s ow , w h en th e c r a n e sta r ts cl a n
g i ng f or Af r i c, i n sh r i l l - v o i ced
emi gr a n t nu mber . S w i n b ur n e
’
s transl at i o n of A r i s t o p h an es , B i r d s 7 1 0 .
 E LE GY A N D I AM B I C 85

u n d er th e n am e o f Theogn i s are man y r ep eti tio n s an d w hat i s

, , ,

m or e c urio us v ari atio n s as t h o ug h t h e c o mpil e r o f t h e c oll ec tio n

, ,

had i n c lu d e d n o t o n ly t h e c u rr e n t v er s i o n b ut t h e c u rr e n t i mi
tat i o n as w ell or e v e n t h e p aro d y
,
Fi n ally se v e r al .
Th e ,

p assag es o c c ur w h i c h are borro w e d fro m Tyrt aeus rep et i t i on s ,

Solo n an d M i mn er mus w i t h c han g es o f se tti n g o f ap p li c atio n an d

, , , ,

of l angu ag e t hat i llu s trat e the p r ec ario us c o pyrig h t o f th e G r e e k

au th or of g n o mi c el e gy w h o s e m axi ms mus t al w ay s r un t h e ri sk o f
,

al t er atio n an d ab so r p ti o n i n to su c h a c oll ec tio n as t h i s T he mo .

tiv e w hi c h l ed o ur c o mp il er t o g at h e r un d e r t he n ame o f Th eo gn i s
an an t h ology of th e se n ten tiou s el e gy w h i c h i nc l ud es ev e n t h e

famou s Del i an i ns c ri p tio n t hat A ri s to tl e saw o n the t e mpl e o f

1

Apollo i s s till d eb at ed
,
Fo r a sc hool book t h ey w er e h ig hly un
.

su i t abl e I t i s mo r e li k ely t hat th e c oll ec tio n i s a tri bu t e to th e

.

po pul ari ty o f Theo gn i s at t h o se b an q u e t s w h i c h w er e to k ee p ali ve

t h e m e mory o f C yr nus w h er e l ov e an d p ol i ti c s s ati r e an d t h e
, ,

sen te n tiou s c ou p l e t w e r e al l ap p ro p ri at e
,
Th e c har ac t e r an d t h e .

s i mil ari ty o f t he i n tro d u c tory wo r d s an d t he r ec u rri n g c o upl et s

favor t he V i ew t hat w e h av e h e r e a bo ok o f d ri n ki n g s o n g s c o l ,

l ec t ed p rob ably abo u t th e b egi n n i n g o f th e fi ft h c e n t u ry D C w he n . .

,

t he symp o t i c el egy w as i n vog ue ?

A RC H I LO CH US o f P aro s ( 6 5 0 B C ) w as a yo un g e r c o n t e m por ary o f

. .

C al li n us H i s d at e i s fix ed w i t h s o me p r ec i si o n by t h e ec li ps e of
.

t h e sun i n 6 4 8 D C w hi c h h e men tio n s (f r 7 4 ) i t i s t h e fi r st t r us t

. . .

wo r th y d at e o f hi s tori c al G r eec e 3
T h e r e ig n o f G yg es th e fi r s t
.
,

b arb ari an t o i m p ress the I o n i an G r eek s wi t h hi s gr eat

Arch i l och us
n e ss an d t h e d es tru c t io n by t h e C i mmeri an s of M a
, , g ,

n esi a t h e ou t p o s t of H ell en i s m fe ll w i t hi n t h e l i fe o f A r c hilo c h u s

, ,

who m ad e th e w eal t h o f the o n e an d th e wo e s o f t h e o t h e r prov e rbi al .

1 F a i r est is ju sti ce
’
, h ea l th i s bes t ; bu t s w eetest
f
o al l i s to w i n the hea r t s

d es i r e, 2 5 5- 2 6
5 .

2
S o Rei t z e n st e i n , Ep i gr a mm und Shol i o n . Th e t h eo ry of M ull e r
t h at rr an gemen t o f o ur t ext d e pe n d s o n a syst m o f r espo n s i n i n d i c at e d
th e a e o

b y c at c h w o rd s i s r i g ht l y rej e c t e d by r ec e n t c r i t i c s as o v e r i n g e n i o us
,
— .

3
H auve tte p o i nt s o u t t h at th e ec l i ps e may h ave b e n t h at o f A pr i l 6 5 7 e , .
86 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE R A TU R E
.

Ar c hilo c hus w as r an k ed w i th H om e r as st and i n g for th e per fec

ti o n o f a ty p e ; i f w e put H o m e r ou t of th e q uestio n he hol d s the ,

fir s t p l ac e am o n g t h e p o et s o f I o n i a To i n v en t i n G r eek tr ad i .
,

t io n o ft e n mean s no mor e t han to i n tro d uc e to li t e r at ur e o r to

,

i mp rov e ; A r c h ilo c hus w as c r ed i t e d w i th t he i n v e n ti o n o f i ambi c ,

b e c ause w i t h hi m th e i ambi c tri me te r b ec ame a p e rfec t ed li t erary

, ,

for m O f h i s p o e ms w e h av e as man y el egi ac as i ambi c fr ag men t s

.
,

a n u mb e r o f t ro c hai c te tr am e t e r s an d part s o f e p o d e s Th e .

el egi ac s o ft en i n d i c at e t hat t he y w e r e wri tt en to b e su n g at a

b an quet (f r r I 2 9 .
, , ,

S tro n gly p e r s o n al th ro ug h ou t A r c h ilo c hu s i s t h e fi r s t p o et o f ,

G r e ec e w h o e x p r e ss es hi m sel f hi s i n d ivi d ual d e si r es an d w ro n g s an d

,

s orrow s H i s fat h e r w as a n obl e hi s mot h er a s l av e ; a man s o

.
,

bo r n an d bo r n to p ov e rty m us t hav e m an y h umil i atio n s to en

, ,

c ou n t e r A r c h ilo c hu s w as for e v er i n d i sgr ac e w i t h fort un e an d

.
“

B ut th oug h hi s p o e m s S h o w h i m sw ay e d by al l th e
’
m en s e y es .
”

p assi o n s t h e p assi o n t hat rul e d hi m w as p ri d e an d h e me t th e

, ,

bl o w s o f fat e wi t h d e fi anc e T he n arrow li mi t s of P aro s c o ul d .

n o t h ol d hi m A ll the mi sery of a ll the G r eehs met togeth er a t

.

Th a s os (f r an i sl an d off t h e c o ast of T h r ac e
. T h e r e too .
, ,

w en t Ar c hilo c hus wit h a c ol o n y fr o m P aro s B ut th e att e m p t .

fail e d I t was i n an e n c ou n ter wi th the h o s til e T h rac i an s t hat he

.

t h r e w aw ay hi s sh i el d an d so se t th e fas h io n for p o e t s o f w eari n g

,

t h e ir ar mor lig h tly an e x ampl e t hat w as follo we d by Al c ae us

,

(f r . by A n ac r e o n (f r an d by H or ac e at P h il ip p i
.
( Odes
2 . The Sp ar tan s w e ar e t o ld d rov e Ar c hilo c hu s o ut o f
, ,

Spart a b ec au s e t h ey c oul d n o t tol e r at e t he tr u ly I o n i an l evity o f

h i s v e r ses o n t h i s i n c id en t

S ome Th r a c i a n s tr u tteth w i th my sh i el d

F or , bei ng so mew h a t flu r r i ed ,

[ l eft i t i n a w ay s i d e bu sh ,

When fr om the fi el d I h u r r i ed ;

1 N e w frag men t s on r
t w o p apy i w e r e fo un d at Str assb urg i n 1 8 99 . S ee
bi b l i o g raph y an d B l as s i n Rh ei n Ill . us .
55 , w ho a ttr i b ut e s t h e m to H i ppo n ax .
 E LE GY AN D I AM BI C 87

A ri
ght g ood ta rg e, bu t I g ot ‘
Zfi
Th e d eu ce may ta he th e sh i el d ;
’
I l l get a n oth er just as g ood
Wh en n ex t I g o afi el d 1 .

The a rrow s o f for tu n e Ar c hilo c hu s met wi t h fat ali s m t he i h

wi th o u t th e c o n t ex t i t i s
t

sul ts o f men h e has t e n ed to p ay b ac k .

n o t easy t o d e c i d e w h e t h e r t h e fr agm e n t s t hat r e fe r to N eo bul e

are d e riv ed fro m t he s atir e t hat foll o w e d hi s d i s ill us io n bu t i n an y , ,

c ase t h e e x p r ess i o n o f p ass i o n at e lo v e m ee t s u s fi r s t i n Ar c h i

,

lo c h u s 0 tha t I mi gh t bu t touch the h a n d of N eobu l e I he c ri es

T e l ove an d l o ng i ng tha t fill ed my h ea r t
( f r.
7 )
1 an d ag ai n h
,

r ed a th i ck mi s t be for e m ey es a n d s tol e m d el i ca te s en s es
p o u y y
(f r. R ej ec t e d by Lyc ambes the fat he r o f N eo ,
N eobul e
bul e Ar c hilo c hus at t ac k ed the w hol e fam ily wi t h the
,

vi tri ol o f hi s to n gu e A c c or d i n g to t he tr ad iti o n fat he r an d

.
,

d aug h ter s hang e d t he m selv es r at h e r t h an fac e hi s i ambi c s an d ,

Ar c hilo c hu s w o n the n ame o f sl and er e r w hi c h t wo h u nd r e d

‘ ’
,

y ear s l ater Pi n d ar ec ho es (Ry th 2

,
. .

I nv ec tiv e w as p e r haps the r e ad i es t e xpr essio n o f hi s i n t en se an d

st or my s p iri t . H i s s ati r e w as n arrow an d p e r so n al n o t s o c i al , ,

t ho ug h Ho r ac e (S a t 2 3 1 2 ) br ac k et s h i m wi t h t h e p o ets o f t he
. . .

O l d C o m ed y .T h e d i d ac t i c to n e i s r ar ely me t i n t h e fr ag me n t s ,

n or d o th ey lik e the el e gi ac s o f Th eo gn i s r e fl ec t t h e d i s t urb e d

, ,

poli t i c s of t he I o n i a of hi s d ay Ar c hilo c hu s c ould ex p r ess sorrow

.

as w ell as s c or n an d h at e an d t h e e l egi ac s (f r 9 ) o n h i s bro th e r

,
.

i nl l aw w h o w as d row n e d at s ea ar e har d ly i n fe rio r to t he mor e

'

c e l e br at ed l ame n t O f C at ull us The mea s u r el ess r en ow n of A r ch i

.

l ochus tr a vel ed w es t a n d eas t say s an ep igr am o f T h e o c ri tu s

,
.

H e fe ll i n b at tl e ag ai ns t N axo s an d t h e r e i s a l e g en d t hat
,

Apoll o hi m s e l f r e fused to ad m i t to hi s t e mpl e th e man w ho had

’
sl ai n t he se rv an t o f th e M uses Th e br evi ty an d brilli an c e t h e
.
,

2
pow e r w hi c h Q ui n tili an c all s th e bl o o d an d mu sc l e o f hi s v er ses ’
,

giv e vit ali ty to al mo st e v e ry fr ag m en t of Arc hilo c h u s What i m .

1 Pr o fesso r Paul Sh o r ey .
2
I n st Or
. . 10
. 1 . 60 .
88 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE R A TU R E

1 ’
p r ess ed Lo ngi n u s w as t he ri c h an d di s or d e rly ab un d an c e o f hi s
‘

man y —sid ed g en i u s H e w ro t e hym n s, as w as n at ural for o n e w ho se

.

fat h er b elo n g ed t o a pri estly c as t e o f P aro s w he r e w as a sp ec i al ,

c ul t o f De me t e r ; hi s famo u s s o n g o f vi c tor y a sort o f p r o to ty p e ,

o f ou r S ee the Co n quer i ng H er o Co mes or H a i l to the Chi ef w as , ,

su n g i n Pi n d ar s d ay o n Oc c as io n s w h en n o s p ec i al o d e w as c o m
’

p o s ed fo r t he p ro c e ss io n .

Th e b eas t fabl e w as n o w w ell es t abl i s h e d i n G r e e k l i t er atur e i n

i t s d i r ec t fo rm as i n H esio d o r wi t h Solo n as a m e t ap h ori c al all u
, , ,

s io n (f r . 1 I
) the form i n w h i c h i t c hi e fly app ear s i n mo d er n l i t
,

e r atur e or c o n d en s e d to a p rov e rb
,
Ar c h ilo c hu s w as famou s for .

h i s b e as t fabl e s w h i c h ar e me n tio n ed as l at e as th e E m pe ror

,

J uli an ( 3 6 1 What c o n n ec t s hi m w it h c o medy an d m ak es

hi m i n a s e n se i ts fo u n d e r i s t h e fac t t h at h e for so ok the epi c
man n er an d u tt e r ed th e l an g uag e o f d aily li fe .

H i s c hi e f me tri c al i n n ov ati o n w as t h e i n tro du c tio n o f th e s tro ph e

o f the epo d e H or ac e i n hi s fi rs t ten epo d es u ses
.
, ,
M e t er s
o n e o f t h e t w o ty p es o f e p o d e t h at s urviv e i n th e

fr ag men t s o f Ar c hilo c hu s t hat i n w hi c h t he i ambi c di m et e r follow s

,

t h e tri me t e r .

SEM O N I DES (ci r ca 6 2 5 B O ) w as a n ativ e o f Samo s w ho l e d a

. .

c ol o n y to A morgo s an d t her e liv e d an d wro t e H e w as a you n g e r .

c o n t e m o r ary o f Ar c h il o c h us b ut hi s i ambi c s s h o w n o
p ,
S emoni d es
tr ac e o f t he i n flu en c e o f hi s n eig hbor o f P aro s .

Ar c hi lo c hu s w i t h h i s p e r so n al i n v ec t iv e i s hardly t o b e c all ed
, ,

a s atiri s t ; Se mo n i d es at an y r a t e i n t he e x tan t fr agm e n ts

, ,

d i r e c t s h i s sati r e ag ai n s t a c l as s The p essi mi s m o f H es iod .

,

th e H e s io d i c c o n t e mp t o f wo men ar e ec h o ed i n t he l o n g e s t ,

fr ag me n t ( o f 1 1 8 v e r s es ) p r eserv e d by Sto baeus For Se mo n i d es

,
.
,

as for H es io d w o man i s a n ec es s ary e vil

,
I n h i s c at alog ue w h i c h .
,

P h o c yli d es i mit at e d (f r to n i n e o u t o f t en w om en c l ass i

.
,

fi ed ac c or d i n g t o t h ei r pe rv e r s e i n s ti n c t s are assi g n ed t h e u n d e ,

s i r abl e c h ar ac t e ri s ti c s o f as m an y an i mal s T h e t ell t al e w o man i s .

l ik e a d o g r es tl ess an d c u riou s eag e r to r e t ai l go ssi p N ot even

, ,
.

1
Tr eati s e on th e S u bl i me 3 3 .
9 0 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

n o t sa ef fro m the sl an d er o f H i ppo nax 5 h i s shafts c oul d wou n d be

1
yo n d the gr av e T h eo c ri tu s thr ee c en t uri es l ate r wrot e hi s epi
.
, ,

t ap h i n c h oli am bi c s an d m ad e t h e si n gl e at t e mp t to d e fen d h i s

m emory asse rti n g that o n ly the Wi c k ed n eed h esi t ate to ap p ro ac h

,

hi s gr av e .

T he fragm e n t s o f H i p po n ax j u s ti fy hi s bad n am e H e i s t he .

e arli es t t yp e o f the b eggi n g po e t w h o m i t i s d an g e rou s to d i s oblig e .

Li k e M arti al h e d e man d s c lo t h es an d mo n e y : Gi ve ff zpp on ax a

,

el oah a n d a tu n i c a n d f ur l i n ed s h oes a n d g ol d-
T h e w h i n e o f t he .

b egg ar i s v ari e d by i nv ec tiv e H i ppo nax su mm ed u p wit h c austi c

.

br evi ty t he sati r e o f the wo man hat er s Semo n i d es and P ho c yli d es ,

Ther e a r e tw o d ay s on w h i ch a w o ma n g l ues a ma n ni os t pl eas u r e

th e d ay h e ma r r i es h er a n d th e d ay h e hu r i es h er (f r T hi s .

c oupl e t i s wri tt en i n t h e c h o l i ambi c m e t er th e s k az o n , ,

Th e s k az on
i n w hi c h th e i ambi c t ri m ete r c han g e s i ts c h ar ac t er by
th e r egul ar u se of a s po n d e e ( o r tro c h ee u
) i n t h e l as t foo t , .

T hi s li mpi ng r hy t hm the i nv en ti o n o f the l im p i n g H i ppo n ax w as

, ,

w ell sui te d to i n v ec tiv e b ut i ts r ol e i n satir e was short liv ed ;

,
-

An an i us a you n g e r an d i n s ig n i fi c an t c o n t e m por ary o f H i ppo n ax

, ,

wro t e hi s sati r e i n c holi ambi c s B ut i t w as n o t lo n g b e for e C om ed y

.

c l ai m e d t h e fi el d o f satir e an d wi th the Al ex an d ri an s su c h as
, , ,

C alli m ac hu s o r l at e r wi t h B abr i us th e Lati n w rit e r o f G r ee k

, ,

fabl es the skaz o n lo st i ts satiri c c harac t er I n the mi mes o f

, .

the Dori an w ri t e r H ero d as a c o n t e m por ary o f T h e o c ritu s

,
it ,

i s e m ploy e d for d i alogu e H i ppo n ax wrot e t ro c hai c t e tr am e te r s

.

an d h ex am e t e r s bu t the gr eate r n u mb er o f th e ext an t fr ag

,

men ts are c h ol i ambi c Lik e Ar c hi lo c hu s an d S e mo n i d es h e

.
,

follow s the t end en c y w hi c h w e fi r s t me t i n H esio d t o poi n t

hi s mor al by th e use of the b eas t fabl e o r at l eas t by all usio n s ,

to assu me a k n owl e dg e o f t h e d eep ly ro ot ed folklor e o f G r eec e .

H e mak es t he fi r s t r e fe r en c e i n G r e ek l i t e r atu r e to the sc ap e

go at

Cp A n th P a l 7 5 3 6 : ‘ Th e se ar e n o t grape s b ut b r amb l eb erri es, t h e

1 . . . .

p ri c kl y p ear t h at c h o k es th e trav el er an d p uc k e rs hi s mo u t h
’
.
 E LE G Y AN D I AM B I C 91

B I B LI OGRAPHY

A RC H I L O CH US

L i eb el , A r ch i l ochi o r el i u i a e, V i e n n a, 1 8 18 . W el c k er , A r ch i l o ch os i n K l .

qu i d tr i huen a u m, B e r
’
S eh r . 1 . De ut i c k e , A r ch i l och o P a r i o i n Gr a ee l i tt . . si t

l i n, 18 77 . Re i t z t
e n s ei n , Z w ei n eu e F r ag men te d er Epoa en d
’
. A r ch i l och os i n
B er l S i tzg her
. .
, 18 99 . H auv ett e i n Rev d . . Et u d es g r ecoues ,
1 90 1 . H au vet te,
A r ch i l ogu e, Par i s, 190
5 .

CA LLI N US

Fr an k e , Co ll i n as, si / e z
'
q u aesti on es de or ig i n e ca r mi n i s el eg i aci , 18 1 6 .

B i e ri n ge r , Gal l i n as, Ty r ta eu s , S ol on , 1863 . Gei ger, D e Ga l l i n i a etate, Er

l an ge n , 1 8 7 7 .

H I PPON AX

W e l c k er An a n i as , G o tt i ng e n , M ei n ek e, H ippon ax i n
''

, H ipp o n ax u . 18 17 .

L ac h m Ch ol i a mhi ca p oes i s B e r l i n 1845

’
an n s , ,
.

MI M N ERM U S
B ach , M i mn er mu s, L e i p z i g , 1 8 26 Tran er , M i mn er mu s, Ups al a, 1 8 3 3
. .

Marx D e M i mn er mo p oeta
,
el e
g i a co, Co esfe d , 1 8 3 1 Kai bel i n H er mes 22
l . .

S EM O N I D ES

Wel ck er , S i mon i d i s A morg i a mhi , B o n n , . 18 3 5 .

S OLO N
B ach , S ol on , B o n n , 1 8 25 . C e rrat o S u i f r a mmen t i
, d ei ca r mi S ol on i a n i ,

Tur i n , 77 z D S l on i P l uta hei fon tzhu s 1 8 6 7 B eg mann Q ua e

18 . Pri n , e o s rc , . e , s

l ia s S l
ne a Gott i n g n 1 8 78 L e nt c h i n P h i l ol g u 1 8 7 2 F o S o l n s
o on e e, e , . s o s, . r o
’

d i al e ct see F i k i n B nh
g B i t ag e 1 4
c H ei n eman n S t u d a S ol n a
ezz e er er s
’
e r .
, z o e ,

B er l 1 8 9 7
.
, Ri ed y S ol on i s el o u ti
. M un i ch 1 903 ,
c o, , .

TH EOGN I S

I MAN US CRI PTS Th e b est i s t h e M utzn en s i s 1 0th c en t Par i s ; t h e seco n d

. .
, .
,

b est th e Va ti ca n u s 1 3 t h cen t , .

II ED I T I O N S E d i ti opr i n ceps Al d us V e n i c e 1 4 9 5 B ekk er Lei pz i g 1 8 2 7

. .
, , , .
, , .

W el ck er Fr an k fo r t 1 8 26 Si t zl er H ei d el b e rg 1 8 8 0 E H arri so n S t u d i es
, , .
, , . .
,

i n Theog n i s Camb i d g e 1 9 0 2 c o n t ai n s t h e t ext ess ays an d app e n d i c es

, r , , , , .

I I I L I T ERAT U R E
. I mmi sc h i n Co mm ph i l ol og i n h o n o r o f O Rib b ec k
. . . .
,

Le i p z i g 1 8 8 8 ,
'
C r us i us i n Ahei n M u s 4 3. H i ll e r i n j a h i) 1 8 8 1 J rd an . . . r . . o ,

Qu a esti on es Th eog n zd ea e Kon i gsb erg 1 8 8 5 N i et z sc h e i n Rh ei n fi l m 2 2

’

.
, , . . .
92 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU RE

M ull er , De s cr ip tzs Theog .

, 18 77 . Rei t ze t n s ei n , Ep i g r a nzm u . S hal i an ,
Gi esse n , 1 8 93 . H ud s o n W i ll i ams in j ou r n . o
f H el l . S tu d i es 23 . Cau er i n
P h i l ol og u s 4 8 S ch ae fe r , D e zter a t i s ap Th eog d zst zch zs , H a e , 1 8 9 1
. C o uat . . ll .

i n A n n a l es d e l a F a cu l té d e L ettr es d e B or d ea ux , 1 8 8 3 v o n Geys o , S t u d i o .

Th eog n zd ea . Be l oc h i n Al eu e j ah r h 1 8 8 8 an d i n I t h ei n l ie/ u s 1 8 9 5 H ud
.
,
’
. . .

son Wi ll i ams , A D i scu ss i on o

f S ome Q uesti on s i n Theog n i s Camb ri d ge 19 03 , , .

TY RTA EUS
'

B ac h , Ueber Ty r ta eos u s Ged i ch te, B r es . . l au , 18 30 .H o el b e, D e Ty r taei

p atr i a , Dr es d e n , 1 8 6 4 V erra i n Cl ass R ev X . ll . .

( 1 8 96 ) an d X 1 S c h “ art z
i n H er mes 3 4 M eyer i n Rh ezn l il us 4 1
. B at es i n Tr a n s of A Ph A ss 2 8 . . . . . . .

W i l amo w i tz , D i e Tex tges ch i ch te d Gr / y r zher , Exc u rs 10 , Got . . .

t i ngen , 1 900 Si t z l e r s r ev o f \Vi l amO W 1t z i n

’
.
’
A l a ss P h i l 4 5 , 1 90 2
. . . .

CO LL ECT I O N S AN D N TH O L O G I ES
A

B ergk , P oeta e Ly r G r a ec i , . vol . 2 . H art u n g D i G , e i ech i schen E l eg i her ,

r

z
L e i p i g, 1 8 5 8 — 1 8 5 9 B uc hh o . lz , A n th ol og i e a us d . Ly r i her n d Gr i ech en , vo l . .

1, 5 th ed .b y Pepp mii ll er , Le i p i g , z 1 9 00 . A n thol og i a Ly r i ca , B ergh —H i ll er ,

L ei p z i g, l t as e d , 1 9 04 . .

LI TERATURE
Os an n , Z u r Gr i ech . E l eg i e, Darmst ad t 1 8 3 5 , . W e l c k er , D er E l egos i n
Kl . S eh r . 1 . Re n n er , Ueber d o s F or mel w esen d er E l eg i e, Le i p z i g ,
18 On th e l
e eg i ac str o ph e : We i l i n Rh e zn fi l m 1 7 L e nt s c h i n Ph i l
72 . . . .

o l og u s 29 . Z ac h er i n P h i l ol og u s 5 7 . S t i c k n e y, l . es S en ten ces d a n s l a poés i e

r ec u e, Par i s , 1 90 3 S ee t h e t r eat men t o f e eg i ac l an d i amb i c p o etry i n th e
g g .

H i st o r i es of Gr e ek Lyri c .
 C H A PT E R V I I

M ELI C PO ET RY

TH E se m i my th i c al fi gu r e o f O lympu s r ep r esen ted the d ev el o p

-
.

m e n t o f the mu si c o f t h e A si ati c fl ut e an d so pl ay e d a part i n the ,

h i s tory o f G r e e k e l egy Th e mor e d e fi n i t e p e r so n ali ty

.

Ter pan d er
o f TERPAN D ER o f Lesbo s ( ci r ca 6 7 6 B C ) m ark s the . .

adv an c e o f t h e A eoli c musi c o f t h e c i t h ar a th e i ns tr u m ent of ,

m eli c p o etry The h i sto ry o f t he G r e ek c i t har a i s a se ri es o f

.

l eg en d s o f t he grad ual i n c r ease o f t he s tri ng s o f t he p ri mi ti v e

fo ur s tri n g e d i ns tr umen t
-
Terpa n d er s ay s Ti mo t h e us ( P er s a e
.
,

y ohed the mus e to ten s tr i ngs B u t t r ad i tio n c r e d i t e d hi m

.

wit h t he ad d i tio n o f o n ly t hr ee s tri n g s to th e o rigi nal fo u r an d hi s ,

n ame i s for ev e r c o nn ec t e d w i t h t h e s ev e n —s t ri n g ed c i t har a w hi c h

w as i n vog ue i n the fi ft h c en t u ry B C Lik e Ty rt aeu s an d Al c man

. .
,

h e w as o n e o f t h o s e p o ets o f al i en birt h w ho m Spart a ac c or d i ng ,

to trad i ti o n sum mo n ed fro m abro ad t o hel p h e r to r egul ate the

,

d i sse nsi o n s o f he r c i ti z en s Fo r tvVo c en t uri es Ter pan d e r s mus i c ’

‘

h el d t he fi el d n o t o n ly at Sp art a and Le s bo s b ut th ro ug h ou t
, ,

G r eec e ; to si n g h i s n o m es w as t he p rivil eg e of fr e e Spart an s ,

1
d en i e d to the h elot s ; to be a d i sc i pl e o f Ter p an d er w as to hav e

p r ec ed e n c e ov er ot h er c o mp e t i to r s at t h e Spart an fes tiv al o f t he

C ar n ei a so t hat to c o m e n e x t to t h e Le s bi an b ec ame a p rov e rb
,
‘
.

Abo u t t he mi d d l e o f t he fi ft h c e n t ury Ph ryn i s of Lesbo s the n e x t , ,

i n n ov ator sho c k ed t he c o n s erv ati sm o f At he ns as w el l as of

,

Sp art a w i t h h i s mor e i n tri c at e an d flori d m us i c 2

Fi nall y Timo .
,

t heus o f M il e tu s ( ci r ca 4 o o B C ) bo as t s o f hi s e l e v en s tri ng s
. .

( P ers a e Te r pan d e r ad d e d t h r e e to the fou r d ivi sio n s of

th e n o m e t he au s t e r e r eligiou s lyr i c wit h w h i c h h e i s c lo s ely
,

1
P l ut ar c h , Ly c u rg u s 28 .
2
A r i s to ph . Cl o ud s 9 7 1 .
94 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATURE

i d en tifi ed H e i s s aid to hav e i nv en te d the Dori an mo d e and w e

.
,

hav e fou r s tat ely v e r ses writ t en i n p u r e sp o n d ees w h i c h C l e men t

o f Al e x an dri a quo t ed as hi s ( f r Li k e f r 2 i t i s ap p ar en tly
. .
,

p ar t of a p r elu d e for Terpan der s t an d s for t he t yp e of p r el ud e

,

that w as s u ng to t h e c i thar a as Ho m er s n ame w as attac he d to th e

’
,

e pi c p r elud es t h at w e r e r ec i t e d by t h e r hap sod e s .

T ho ug h G r ee k m el i c po e try i s n o t to be t h oug h t o f ap ar t fro m

mu si c the mu si c al ac c om pan i m en t w as o n ly w hat Pl ut ar c h c all s
,

1
Th e e n c h an t men t th at O r p h eu s
’
i t the seas o n i n g of th e wor d s
,
.

u se d o n th e Argo n au ts o r P h emiu s o n th e sui tor s, w as m ai n ly an

,

en c han t m e n t o f l an gu ag e We may t h e r e for e c o n sol e o u rselv es

.
, ,

for ou r ig n oranc e o f G r ee k m u si c w it h th e r e fl ec tio n t hat as far as ,

o ur fr ag me n t s o f m el i c go w e po ss ess th e ess en ti al t h e s t at u e as
”

, , ,

i t w er e t houg h wi t h ou t the c olori n g t hat w as an ad d ed b eau ty t o

,

t he G r eek s .

I o n i a h ad b een the s tar ti n g po i n t o f G r ee k ep i c el egy an d ,

i ambi c M eli c i s A eoli an an d Dori an The G r e ek s had a p as

. .

s io n fo r e s t abli sh i n g a s uc c essio n o f n am e s ( Si a SO fi) i n e v e ry
X
br anc h o f ar t The l eg en d that m ak es the head o f O rp h eu s flo at
.

D ow n th e sw i f t H eb r us t o t he Lesbi an sho e r

s ym boliz es i n th e G r ee k m ann er the p assi n g o f A eoli c p o etry fro m

i ts o rigi nal h om e i n n ort h er n G r eec e to A eoli c Les bo s T hat .

i sl an d pro d u c ed two p o et s Al c aeus an d Sap ph o w h o se pu r ely

, ,

p e r s o n al an d e m oti o n al p o em s so d om i n ate t h e sc an ty r e mai n i n g

fr agm en t s of t hat ty p e of G r eek lyri c that th e ty p e it sel f has c o me ,

to be r eg ar d e d as A e oli c as o p po se d to the l ess subj ec tiv e c hor al

,

lyri c of th e Dori ans The d i s ti n c tio n i s n o t to b e p r essed

. .

Al c man t he Dori an wro te subj ec tiv e p o etry for h i s c h oru ses o f

, ,

mai d en s w hil e the A eoli an s for all t h ei r subj ec tiv i ty d i d n o t

, , ,

n e gl ec t th e c h or al t y p e t hat e x p r ess es th e s piri t of a c row d B ut .

for th e Dori an s es p ec i ally at Spart a musi c an d p o etry w er e

, ,

n o t so mu c h a r ec r e atio n as a di sc i p l i n e T he s el f r e s tr ai n ed .
-

Sp ar tan te mp e r was h o stil e to i n divi d u ali s m and soug h t i ts h ig h es t

1 Sy mp 7 8 . . .
 M E LI C P O ETRY 95

e xpr essio n i n an art that r efl ec ted the c orpor ate l i fe For the .

p o etry o f p ass io n w e m u s t tur n to th e A eol i ans .

A LCAEUS o f Lesbo s ( 6 1 2 B C ) b elo n g ed to a n obl e family o f

. .

M i tyl en e T hat c i ty l i k e M eg ar a a c en tu ry l ater w as divid ed ,

.
, ,

t ow ard t he c lo se o f the sev en th c e n tury , by the r evo

Al caeus
lu t io n s t hat r eg ul arly at ten d ed t he ri se of d emo c rac y
i n t h e G r ee k c i t i es To th i s d e mo c r ati c ad v an c e Al c aeu s l ik e
.
,

Th eo gn i s op po sed al l the pr ej udi c es an d j ealou s i es o f hi s c ast e

,
.

B ut hi s bi t ter est ho s tili ty w as d ir ec t ed ag ai n st t ho se l ead er s of t he

masses w ho o n e aft er an o t he r as M i tyl en e vibr ated b etween
, ,

oligar c hy an d d em o c r ac y seiz ed th e supr e m e p ow e r an d b ec am e

,

tyr an t s M el an c hrus o n e o f the fi r s t o f t h ese was m ur d er ed i n a

.
, ,

c o un t e r r evolu t i o n i n w h i ch An ti me n id as t h e bro t he r o f t h e p o e t
-
, ,

w as p ro mi n en t ; Myrsi l us fell i n hi s t ur n t he o c c asi o n for an ex ,

pr essio n o f sav ag e j oy fro m Al c aeu s N ow al l mus t d r i nh w hether ,

they w i l l o r n o f o r [M y r si l us i s d ea d ( f r Hor ac e bo rr6 w ed .

th e fi r s t li n e of th i s po e m fo r th e o d e i n w h i c h h e e xul t ed ov er the

fall o f A n to n y an d C l eop atr a ( 1 Al c aeu s foug h t wi t h hi s

.

s wor d n o l ess t h an wi th hi s v e r s es When M i tyl en e w en t to war

.

wi t h A t h ens for the po ssessi o n o f Si geum at the en t ran c e o f the

H ell esp o nt he too k the fi el d and lik e A r c hil o c hu s A n ac r eo n
, , , , ,

an d Hor ac e t h r e w aw ay hi s sh i el d i n flig ht wri ti n g b o rn e to hi s

, ,

fri end M el an i pp u s t hat the A then i ans had hun g i t i n the t e m pl e o f

A t h en e at Sigeum l
A m or e di s ti ng u i shed p art i n t h i s en c o un ter
.

wi t h At he n s was pl ay e d by Pi tt ac u s o f M i tyl en e r ec ko n ed l at e r ,

amo n g t h e Sev en Sag es H e w o n th e t i tl e by hi s wi s e p oli c y

.

d uri n g th e ten y ear s ( 5 9 0— 5 8 0 B C ) o f hi s d i c tator sh ip i n M ityl e n e

. . .

B ut Al c aeu s al w ay s i n t h e op p o si ti o n a p ar t i san r ath e r t han a

, ,

p atrio t an d p er h ap s s i nc er ely afr ai d t hat the l ow ho r n Pi ttacus

-
,

w as ai mi n g at th e tyr ann y ( f r 3 7) c o ul d n o t r ec o n c il e h i m sel f to

.

th e fri en d of d e mo c r ac y For t en or fi ft een y ear s h e w an d er ed i n

.

e xil e vi s i ti n g T h r ac e an d E gy t su fferi n g th e d u r a n a ni s d u r a
, p ,

f gu a e m a l a
( H or 2 . t h
. e m i s er i es f
o s hip w r ech the hi tter h a r d ,

d xpr s i g h orrow s i n so n gs w h i c h H or ac e
p f
s hi s o e x i l e an ,e e s n i s s

1 H e ro d V
95 . .
96 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATUR E

t h o ug h t must c har m ev en th e tortu r ed g ho s t s i n the u n d e r “

worl d Al c ae u s p rob ably r e tur n ed to Mi tyl ene w hen Pi tt ac us l ai d

.

dow n the d i c t ator shi p ( 5 8 0 B C ) an d gr an t ed an am nes ty to the . .

e xil e d ari sto c r at s .

H i s p o e ms w e r e arr an g e d by t he Al ex an d ri an s i n t en book s .

Th e S o ngs of R evol u ti o n ( S ta s i oti ca ) l ik e th e so n g s o f lov e an d ,

w i n e w e r e n o d o ub t symp o ti c i n t en d ed to be sun g at the tabl e

, , , ,
.

I n a sh ort p o e m of séven v e r s es ap p ar en tly c o m p l e t e h e d e sc ri b es , ,

hi s armory th e d e c or ativ e e ffe c t o n roof an d w all s an d fl oor of

,

t h e bu r n i sh ed arm s t he w h i t e c r es t s t he s tr an g e for e ig n w eap o n s

, ,
.

H i s d elig h t i n t h ei r brilli an c e an d p rofusi o n i s aes t he t i c r at h e r

t han m arti al an d o n ly i n th e l as t l i n e d o es h e r em i n d h i mse lf t hat
,

’
al l t h ese fasc i n ati n g obj e c t s h av e t h ei r u se for th e work i n han d
‘
,

p rob ably o n e o f th o se c ou n t er —r evol u ti o n s w h i c h pu t dow n th e t y

r an t s An Al c ai c fr ag men t
. i n w hi c h l ik e Theo gn i s ( 6 7 1 ,

h e c om par es the s t at e i n d i st r ess to a s hi p l abori n g i n a s torm ,

w as i mi t at ed b y H or ac e ( 1 H i s bro t h e r An ti men id as m or e
.
, ,

e n t e rpri si n g t h an Al c aeu s sp en t p art o f hi s e xil e i n the se rvi c e of

,

N ebuc had n ez z ar ki n g o f B abylo n fig h ti n g as a G r ee k m er c en ary

, ,

i n Egy p t W e hav e a few l i n es o f t he p o e m w i t h w h i c h Al c aeu s

.

w el c o med hi m h o m e from e xil e f r om the en d s of the ea r th br i ngi ng , ,

a s w o r d h a n d l e of i vo ry i n l a i d w i th g ol d as a t rop hy an d t he , ,

r epu t atio n of havi n g sl ai n a gi an t (f r .

Th e S ta s i oti ca r e fl e c t t he p ol i ti c al p arti san shi p o f Al c aeu s ,

w ho se shar e i n th e agi tat io n s o f M ityl en e has b een s o mew hat

T he E m p ero r J ul i an s ai d o f hi m t h at
1 2
i d ealiz ed by l ater p o et s .

h e was giv e n hi s t al en t n o t t o e x p r e ss t h e p l easur es o f t h e sen ses ,

bu t to av eng e hi s wro n g s Ye t h e w as a t ru e A eoli an i n hi s es ti

.

m at e o f th e p l easur es o f wi n e an d l ov e I n th e n umerou s fr ag .

m en t s o f hi s d ri n ki ng so n g s h e s p eak s of wi n e w i t h a sort of
ec s t as y ; hi s p h ilo s o p hy i s t hat o f O m ar K hayy am — d row n i n
wi n e yo ur fear s an d s orrow s i t i s wi n e t hat loo sen s t he li ps an d
1
Cp A u th Pa l
. . .
9 . 18 4 Th e sw or d o
f A l ca eu s w as bap ti z ed i n th e bl ood f
o

ty r a n ts ; an d Wo r d s w o rt h Wh e n th e l i ve cho rd s A l cae us s mo t e , fla med

ln
2
by l l/ i sop og on 3 3 7 A
”
sen se
f
o w r o ng . .
98 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATU RE

her xil e k n ew t h e t al e o f Si c ili an Dap hni s the l agg ard lov er

e , , ,
’

w h o m th e ny m ph p u r sued i n v ai n by al l the fou n tai ns thr ough al l ,

th e gl a d es ( T h eo c ri t us 1 . H i s c o un t e r p art i n Le sbi an folklor e

w as P hao n t h e han d so m e bo at man e n d ow e d by Aph
, ,
P h aon
rodi t e wi t h tw o gift s a b eau ty t hat d r e w all heart s an d
, ,

t he arm or of i nd iffer en c e P hao n i s n o t men ti o n ed i n th e fr ag

.

m en t s o f Sap p ho b ut i n s o me lo s t po e m sh e may hav e sun g

,

o f t hi s frigi d Lesbi an Ado n i s At any r at e G r e ek c o m edy t ran s

.

form e d t he g en u i n e Sap p h o n ot orio usl y i n di ffe r ent to the lov e of

,

men i n to a Sap p ho w ho c u r ed her h o p el ess p assio n fo r t he har d

,

h ear ted P hao n by a l eap fro m th e Leuc ad i an c l i ff th e d espe r at e

1
,

r emed y o f pi n i ng lov er s O vid i n the H er oi d es

.
,
M arti al an d ,

t he r es t han d ed o n t he p i c t ur esqu e t r adi ti o n H ar d ly mor e c r ed .

ibl e than t he sc u rrilou s j es t s o f c o m ed y i s t h e l eg en d t hat Al c aeu s

A l caeu s and l ov ed Sapph o As t he tw o gr eat p o e t s o f Les bo s as
.
,

S apph o fellow c i tiz en s an d c o n t em por ari es t he ir n am es ar e

-
,

c o n s t an tly l i n k ed tog eth e r B ut th e o n ly tr ac e o f an i n ti m at e r e

.

l atio n i s th e fr ag men t o f a di alogu e q uo ted by A ri sto tl e I n a .

Sap phi c li n e Al c aeu s i s m ad e to say 1 l ong to speah bu t s h a me , ,

pr even ts my to ng ue to w h i c h Sap p h o r e t ort s i n t h e Al c ai c m e t e r

,

t hat o n e who i s ashamed to s p eak c an hav e n o t hi n g h o n est to u t te r

(f r . B ergk pri n t s the Sapp h i c l i n e wi t h t h e frag men t s of
Al c aeus ( f r . b u t i t i s p o ssi bl e t hat bo t h hi s wor d s and the
r epar tee w e r e tak en fro m a d ram ati c p o e m by Sappho .

I t i s i n H e ro d o tus ( I I 1 3 5 ) that w e sec ur e a pi ec e o f evid en c e

’
w h i c h h el p s to fix Sap ph o s d ate an d t h row s s o m e lig ht o n h er ,

p e r so n al h i sto ry . H e t ell s ho w C haraxus h er brot h er c ame to , ,

Egy pt i n t he r eig n o f K i n g Amasi s ( 5 70 an d t h er e fe ll i n

lov e wi t h an d r anso m ed R ho d opi s the b eauti ful c o u rt e san fro m ,

N auc r ati s fo r w hi c h ac t o f p ro fli gac y Sap p ho w h en he r etu r n ed to

, ,

Th e Ch a M i tyl en e ri d i c ul ed h i m i n an o d e Wi t hi n th e l ast
,
.

r ax us Od e d ec ad e Egy p t th e sc e n e o f t hat e x t r av ag an c e h as giv en

, ,

up t h e fr ag men t o f a Sap p h i c o d e w h i c h w as p rob ably ad d r esse d

to C har axus by hi s s i st er The fragm en t w h i c h d at es fro m the

.
,

1 M ar t i al 10
3 5 d u r us Ph aon .
,
.
 M E LI C P O ET RY 99

t hi r d c e n tury A D w as o n e o f the fi r s t an d m o st p r ec iou s o f the

. .
,

P apyri r ec ov er ed fro m t he r ubbi sh h eap s o f O xyr hy n c hu s abo u t ,

o n e h un d r ed an d tw en ty m il es to t h e sou t h o f C ai ro an d w as p ub ,

l i sh e d i n O n t h e s tr en g t h o f t h eir d i al ec t m et e r an d , ,

s tyl e t hese four mu til ate d s t an z as ar e att ri bu t ed to Sapph o

,
Fro m .

t h e b egi nn i n g o f e v ery v e r s e abou t two w or d s hav e b ee n tor n off ,

an d n o t a s i n gl e l i n e i s c o mpl e te B ut t h e c o nj e c t ur es o f B l ass
.
,

Wil amo w i tz and Juren ka t ho ug h the o d e i s p er haps mo r e thei rs

, , , ,
’
t han Sap p ho s hav e at l eas t r es tor ed t he sequ en c e o f i d eas
,
.

C haraxus i s abou t to r e t ur n from s o me ab s en c e an d Sap p ho n o t , ,

n o w i n the m oo d to sati riz e hi s w eak n esses i m p lo r e s th e N erei d s t o ,

bri ng her bro t her h o m e t hat h e may r ec ov er hi s goo d n am e an d

c o n fou n d hi s en e mi es A c c or d i n g to At hen aeus Sapp ho san g th e
.
,

prai se s o f an ot he r bro t h e r Lari c hus w ho s t ay e d at h o m e an d w as

, ,

c u pb ear e r to t h e hig h est o ffi c i al s of M i tyl e n e an o ffi c er e se rv ed to ,

yo ut hs o f n obl e bi rt h The Ch a r ax us O de i f w e hav e n o t mi s

.
,

tak en i ts dri ft i s th e s oli tary p i e c e o f di r ec t e vi d e n c e as to

,

Sapph o s family li fe that i s to be gl e an e d fro m h er p o e m s

’
It .

w o ul d b e r as h to assu m e t hat i t i s her o w n c h il d w h o se b eau ty ,

l i he th at of g ol d en flow er s sh e d esc rib ed i n f r 8 5

,
. .

What Lesbo s i n the sev en t h an d si xt h c en turi es offe r e d to a

wom an o f Sap p ho s g en i u s we mu st g at h er p ar tly fro m the t r ad i
’

tio n w h i c h d e p e nd s c h i e fly o n h er p o em s p artly fro m the all usio n s

, ,

i n t he e xt an t fr ag men t s Sh e was as Str abo sai d a marv el un ap

.
, , ,

p ro a c h e d by a n y o t h e r w om an i n h i s tory — a j udg m en t t hat i s as ,

t ru e n ow as i n t he tim e o f Aug us tu s For the fi n es t lyri c p o et ry i s

.

lov e p o e try an d mor e t han any o t he r s her v e r ses s trik e and sti n g
,
’

th e m emory i n lo n e ly pl ac es or at se a amo ng all lo fti e r s ig h t s an d

, ,

sou n d s s e e m aki n to fi r e an d ai r b ei n g the m selv es all ai r

,

an d fi re ot he r el e m en t t h er e i s n o n e i n t h em 2
I t i s n o t to the .
”

Dori an t e mp e r amen t t hat o n e wo ul d look fo r p o e t ry li k e h e r s ,

’
th o u g h i f amo n g th e m ai d en s w ho d an c ed Al c m an s c h or us es o n e ,

had po ssesse d t h e gi ft s o f Sapp ho s he wo ul d hav e enj oy ed h ar d ly

,

1
Oxy r hy n ch u s P apy r i , Part I : B P Gre n fell . . an d A S H u nt , Lo n d o n
. . .

2
S w i n b ur n e , N otes on P oems a n d R ev i ew s .
1 00 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LIT E RATUR E

l ess c o nv e n tio n al fr ee d o m I n I o n i a o n t he o th e r han d or at

.
, ,

A t h en s w he r e t h e c o n v e n tio ns of I o n i a w e r e i n h e ri t e d a w o man
, ,

mus t r e mai n O b sc u r e or be c l assed as a c o urt esan As an A e oli an .

,

Sapp h o e n c o un t e r e d n o s uc h r e s tri c tio ns Sh e c ame o f a r ac e gift e d .

wit h a p ec ul i arly k ee n sense o f th e c harm an d r e ality o f th e vi sibl e

worl d d evot ed to t he pl easur es of t he sen se s r e n ow n ed for i ts
, ,

b eau ty and i ts ard en t lov e o f b eau ty I n Lesbo s at any r at e a .

, ,

wo man c o ul d be a p o e t an d trai n o t he r wo men to tak e par t i n t he

r eligio us fes tiv al s an d i n t he mi x e d c h or uses t hat sang e p i t hal ami a ,
’

’
w e dd i n g so n g s T hat w as Sap pho s p ro fessi o n at Mi tyl e ne as i t
.
,

w as t h e p ro fess io n of h e r riv al s G orgo an d A n d ro m ed a 1

( f r ag
, .

4 1 48
, ,
T he p ar all e l o f So c r at es an d hi s favori te p up il s i s
’
n o t to b e forgo tt e n B ut Sapph o s r el at io n w as c lo s e r to t he
“

mai d ens w ho m s he tr ai n ed an d w ho l iv e d i n h e r h o us e d ed i c at ed
’
to the Mu ses ( fr O n t h ese p up il s At thi s G yr i n n a an d
.
, , ,

t he r es t Sapp h o l avi s h e d a d e votio n w h o s e ex p r essi o n all h av e

,

p r ai se d w h il e t h ey h esi t at ed w h e t he r to p i ty o r c o n d e m n t he
,

i n t ens i ty o f feeli n g the an gui sh an d ec st asy that i n spir ed her

, ,

i m mort al O d e s For Sap pho all t h o ug ht s al l pass io n s w e r e

.
“
,
”

d iv ert ed i n to a si ngl e c urr e n t an d she u tt e r ed the s ec r e t s of h er

,

h ear t wi t h an ardo r an d e n e rgy t h at mak e al l ot h e r e xpr essi o n s o f

p assi o n i n l i t er atu r e see m i n c om pl e t e an d i mp er so n al The .

s c an d alou s Ro man s foll o w i n g the d eg en er at e G r ee k s fou n d i t

, ,

eas y to an s w e r t h e rid d l e t hat h er

p o e m s p r es en t to mo d e r n
r ead e r s F e w sc hol ar s n ow ac c ept t he ir i n t e r p r e tatio n si n c e
.
,

Wel c k er ( 1 8 1 6 ) mad e hi s famou s d e fen se o f t he r epu tatio n of a

’
po e t w h om Pl ato c all ed th e T en th M use an d w h o s e i m ag e w as
‘
,

2
s t am p ed o n t h e c oi n s o f M i tyl en e .

1
M axi mus of Tyr e 24 . 8 . Wh at A l c i bi a d es , Ch a r n zi d es, an d P ha ed r u s w er e
to S oc r a tes, Gy r i n n a , A tth i s, a n d A n a ctor za w er e to S apph o .
j u st as P r od i c u s ,
Gorg i as, and 7 h r a sy ma ch u s w er e th e p r ofess i o n a l r i v al s o
f S ocr a tes, so

Gorg o and A n d r omed a r i va l ed S appho .

2
. l
E M eyer , B e o c h , an d To ep ffe r ar e th e c h i ef mo d er n r t
ad h e e n s to th e l ess
c a ta l
h pph o s c h arac t er r e vi e w
’
r i b e v i ew o f Sa I n hi s . of L es Cha n s on s d e
B i l i ti s b y t h e d ec ad en F r e n c h p o e , Pi e e L o ii y s , W i l amo w i tz i n t h e Got
t t rr ‘ '

t zng i sche Gel eh r te A n z ei g en , 1 8 9 6 , s i d es w i h W e c e t l k r .

102 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

o rigi nal C atullu s used the tru e Sapp h i c rh y th m n o t th e mor e

.
,

rigi d Ro m an iz ed Sap p hi c o f H or ac e ;
,

Th e T he Ep i th al a mi a o f C atullu s ar e th e n ear es t p ar al l el s
Epi t h al ami a to Sa
pp h o s w edd i n g so n g s o f w h i c h w e hav e a few
’
,

v er se s o nly b ut t h o se ro ses to use the p h rase o f M el eag e r

, ,

L i he th e s w eet app l e w hi ch r ed d en s up on th e top most boug h ,

A top on th e top most tw ig,
-
w h i ch th e pi n cher s forg ot, somehow ,

F org ot i t n ot, n ay , bu t g ot i t n ot, for n on e co u l d g et i t ti l l n ow .

L i he th e w i l d hy a c i n th flow er w h i ch on the h i l l s i s fo u n d ,
Wh i ch the p ass i ng feet of th e sh eph er d s for ever tea r a n d w o u n d ,
Un t i l the p u rp l e bl ossom i s tr od d en i n to the g r ou n d 1 .

T ho ug h Sapp ho sp en t her st r en gt h o n a si n gl e t he m e th er e w as ,

n o d an g e r of m o n oto n y i n p o et ry suc h as he r s w i t h i ts c o n ti n u al ,

r en e w al O f i m ag es T hro ug h t h e appl e bo ug hs an d the r ustl i n g

.

’
l eav es blow s t he n ew wi n e o f the wi n d o f sp ri n g the C r e t an
‘
,

’
wo m en d an c e o n t he fi n e so ft bloo m o f t h e gr ass Lov e shak es
h e r soul lik e a wi n d o n t h e mo u n t ai n t hat fall s o n t h e o ak s
‘ ’

o r c o m es fro m h eav e n i n a m an tl e t h at s h i n es brig h t lik e

( f r .

fi r e (f r S tr e n g th an d fi r e an d d e li c ac y ar e u n it ed i n h er
.

v e r s es an d wi t ho u t a to uc h o f sen ti m entali ty she san g of ro ses and

, ,

th e n ig h ti n g al e an d the s ilv e r moo n ,

.

Sap ph o s n am e i s asso c i ate d wi th h er favori t e s t anz a th e

’
,

S app h i c ! but ev en i n t he fr agm en t s t h er e i s a mark e d

'

M e t er s an d
di al ec t v ari e ty of m e t e r s i nc lu d i ng c h ori amb s an d h ex am e t e r s
,
.

H er d i al ec t lik e t h at o f Al c ae u s i s p ur e Le sbi an A e ol i c wi t h
, , ,

o c c asio n al r emi n i sc e n c es o f H om er .

A N ACR EO N (flor ui t 5 4 0 B C ) w as a n ativ e o f T e o s an I o n . .

,

i an c i ty o n th e c o ast o f A si a Mi n or Wh en H arpagus r ed uc ed .

1 tran sl at i o n o f fr og 9 3 9 4 Cp Cat ul l us 6 2 4 2 ff
Ro ssetti
’
s .
, . . . .

Fo r th e Sapphi c rh yt h m c p Sw i n b u r n e s S apph i cs N ew l y fl e d g ed h er
’
2
, .
,

vi s i bl e so n g a mar v e l , M ad e o f p e rfect so u n d an d e xc e e d i n g p assi o n S w e et l y

, ,

s h ape n t e rr ib l e fu ll o f t h un d e r s C l o t h e d w i t h th e w i n d s w i n gs ; an d fo r ’ ”
, , ,

an o t h e r o f S app h o s met e rs hi s Ch o i a mbi cs N ay t h en s l eep i f t h o u w i l t ;

’ “
,
r ,

l o ve i s c o n t e nt ; w h at sh o ul d h e d o to w eep ? an d Sh o r ey s t ran sl at i o n o f ” ’

f r . 68 : Th ou sh a l t d i e a n d be l a i d l ow i n th e g r a ve, h i dd en fr om mor tal hen .

 M E LI C P O ETRY 1 03

the A si ati c G r eek s ( 5 4 5 A nac r eo n j oi n ed th e exo du s o f

hi s c o un t ry m en fro m T e o s to Ab d e r a i n T h r ac e T her e i n an eu
,
.
,

c o u n t e r wi th t he h o stil e T h r ac i an s lik e Ar c hilo c hu s h e, ,

Anacreon
t hr ew aw ay hi s shi el d (f r A n o th er ec ho o f th e
.

T h r ac i an ep i sod e m or e i n k ee pi n g wi t h t he t em p eram en t o f A n ac
,

r eon t han a r e m i n i sc en c e o f w arfar e i s hi s ad d r ess to a T h rac i an

,

m aid en w ho had r ej ec t ed hi s adv an ces ( f r 7 5 ) t he po e m w as i m i .

tated by H or ac e ( 1 2 3 an d 3 1 . who b es i d es a c er tai n n u mb e r o f

.
,

v erb al ec ho es o f the T e i an p o et i n hi s lig ht er m ood s c o nst an tly

,

r ec all s the A nac r eo n ti c m an n e r I n a c olo n y that mu s t fi g h t fo r

.

i ts exi s t en c e An ac r eo n w as o u t o f pl ac e H e l e ft Abd e r a for Samo s

,
.
,

n o t far fro m hi s n ativ e c i ty s u mmo n e d by Poly c r at es th e p at ro n

, ,

of I by c u s . O f t hat luxu ri ou s c ou rt an d s ho rt liv e d tyr an n y -

A nac r eo n w as the po e t l aur eat e H i s p o e m s w er e full of th e i m

.

pr essio ns an d me mori es o f the gol d en d ay s w hen h e shar e d th e

’
pl easur es o f Poly c r at es san g t he p rai ses o f t he tyr an t s favo rit es
, ,

an d ev e n i f w e ar e to b el i ev e t h e tr aditio n i n flu en c ed t he s e riou s
, ,

poli c y of hi s w i ser h o ur s The flu t e pl ayi n g o f B athyll us the

.
-
,

b eauty o f Smerd i s who w as th e A n ti n o us o f the Sami an c ou r t th e

, ,

c harm s an d fr ail ti es of I o n i an favo ri tes an d I o n i an c o u rt esans ,

w er e the t he m es mo s t c o ngeni al t o A n ac r e on an d the tyr an t o f Samo s .

Wh en Poly c rates fell i n to the tr ap l ai d fo r hi m by t h e P e r si an

’
satr ap O ro et es An ac r eo n s goo d fort un e ou tl ast e d hi s
(522 .

H ip par c hu s t he At hen i an tyr an t s en t a fi fty o ar e d g al l ey to bri n g

, ,
-

the po e t i n t riu m p h to A th ens T her e no dou b t A nac r eo n l iv e d

.
, ,

to see th e vi ol en t en d o f h i s n e w p at ro n ( 5 1 4 A ft er t hat ,

t h e A then i an c our t t o w h i c h t he s o n s o f P e i s i str atu s had at t r ac t ed

,

Se mo n i d es o f C eo s t h e c h or al po e t Lasus o f H e r mio n e the wri t e r

,

o f d i t hy r amb s an d A n ac r eo n hi m sel f b ec am e u n d e r the har sh an d

, , ,

su sp i c iou s rul e o f t he survivo r Hi ppi as an u n c o n g e n i al h o me for

, ,

a s i n g er o f An ac reo n s t astes
’
I t w as at A then s that P aus an i as saw
.

h i s s t atu e by th e sid e o f t h at o f hi s fri e n d X an thi p pus t h e fat h e r ,

of P e ri c l es H e l iv ed to b e ov e r eig h ty an d ac c ordi n g to o n e
.
,

t r ad iti o n s p e nt h i s l as t y e ar s at t h e c o urt o f th e Al euad ae i n

T h essal y hau n ti ng to th e l as t th e li fe of a c o ur t an d the s o c i e ty o f

,
1 04 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE R ATU R E

t ho se wi t h w ho m he c oul d l aug h an d d ri n k an d m ak e lov e i n hi s

gay o l d age .

A n ac r eo n lik e Sapph o i s abov e all the p o e t o f lov e B ut

, , , , .
,

t h o ug h h e i s r ec ko n ed w i t h t he m hi s v e r se w as n ev e r el ec tri fi e d
,

by t h e pass io n an d v e he men c e o f the A eo li an s Devot e d to se n .

s u al pl eas ur es A n ac r e o n p r ese rv e d t he s mil i n g se r e n i ty o f a te m

,

p e ra m e n t r e ally mo d e r at e S o h e c am e t o b e t h e ty i c al e x am l e
.
p p
o f an o l d age t hat s till enj oy s a lig h t e r heart e d M i mn ermus w ho se
, ,

Io n i an l evi ty an d ease o f mann e r mas k no r e al passi o n o r s t r en gt h

o f c h ar ac t er T her e i s n o tou c h of patri oti s m i n the fr agm en t s o f
.

A n ac r e o n ; o n ly o n c e w h en rou sed by j eal o usy d o es h e s trik e a

, ,

vigoro u s n o t e ri d i c uli n g t he low birt h an d ac q ui r ed l u xu ry o f

,

A rt e mo n w ho had w o n fro m hi m hi s mi str es s Eurypyl e ( f r

, .

Th e fr agm en t s o f th e hy mn s to A rt e mi s (f r 1 ) an d Dio n y s u s .

(f r 2 ) ar e m er ely i nvo c atio ns i n t e nd e d to i n t ro d uc e mor e fr i vo

.

l o us t he m es an d e x pr ess n o r eal p i ety

,
.

A n ac r e o n e m ploy e d a gr eat v ari e ty o f i n st ru men t s an d meter s ;

M et ers an d the l att e r w er e n o t i n tri c at e : i ambi c s an d c h ori amb
d i al e c t i c s el e gi ac s an d t h e si mp l e r log ao ed i c s es p ec i ally
“

, , ,

t h e gly c o n i c i n i ts ei g h t syll abl ed for m -

H i s d i al ec t i s I o n i c .

v ari ed by A eol i c .

Wi th al l hi s frivoli ty A nac r eo n w as i nc ap abl e o f the mo n o to

n ou s trivi al ity an d fli msy t e xt u r e o f t h e c oll e c ti o n of o c c asio n al

o e m s w h i c h E s ti enn e ( St e p h an u s ) p ubli s h e d u n d e r
p
Anacr eon t ea
h i s n am e i n 1 5 5 4 The A n a cr eo n tea c o ul d n o t i m
.

po se o n sc h ol ar s t h ey b ear ev ery m ark O f a p o s t c l assi c al origi n ; -

t h ei r gr ammar an d d i al ec t t he i r all us io n s to the me mory o f A n ac

,

r e o n to l at e ar t to r he t o ri c an d d ec ad e n t t heology all p oi n t to
, , ,

t h e Al e x an d ri an an d fi r s t C hri sti an c e n t uri e s ; h e r e an d t h er e i s

an ec h o fro m t h e B yz an ti n e p e r io d B u t amo n g th e s ixty sh o rt

.

lyri c s w h olly u n w ort h y fo r t h e mo s t p art of A nac r eo n ar e hal f

, , ,

a d oz e n t h at ar e fan c i ful an d c h ar mi n g t h o ug h t h eir i n s p i r a tio n ,

i s o f the slig h t es t T h e po e t s of s ixt e e n t h c e n t ury Fr an c e es p e

.
-
,

c i all y Ro n sar d an d R emy B ell e au w h o tr an s l at e d t h e w h ol e

-
,

gr ee t ed th e A n ac r eo n tea wit h all the ardor o f t he R enai ssanc e

1 06 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATUR E

Daed alu s m ad e for Ari ad n e ( l l X V I I I 5 9 1 ) t hi s w as the C r etan

.

l aby ri n t h i t self w ho se c u rv es an d maz es w er e r eally a map of the

,

evol u ti o n s o f t he c h or al d an c e Thal e tas i n trodu c e d at Spar ta

.

t he e l abor at e d r amat i c d an c i ng o f C r e t e an d wrot e s o n g s to be ,

s un g an d d an c e d to th e mu s i c O f the fl u t e by c ho ru s e s O f men an d

boy s at th e festiv al o f t he G ymno pae d i a .

Th e i n flu e n c e o f Thal e tas c an be t r ac ed i n t he c r eti c r hy th m s

u sed by A LC MAN w ho abo u t the mi d d l e o f the sev en t h
A l cman
, ,

c e n tury fou nd ed c hor al p o e try at Spart a As the

, .

earl i es t r e pr e sen t ativ e o f G r ee k me l i c Al c man w as p l ac e d fi r st

,

i n t he Al e x and ri an c an o n o f n i n e lyri c po e t s Sar d i s i n Ly d i a .

w as hi s birt h p l ac e bu t t h o u g h h e bo as t e d o f hi s c o n n ec tio n wi t h
,

t hat famo us s eat o f t h e Ly d i an m o n ar c hy ( f r h e w as p rob .

ably o f G r e ek d esc e n t as hi s n ame i m p li es

,
H i s fat h e r w h o s e .
,

n ame ,Dam as o r Ti tar o s al so i n d i c at es a G r e e k o rigi n may

, ,

hav e b een a m eti c o r r esi d en t ali en at Sardi s A c c o r d i n g to t h e .

l eg en d Al c m an w as sol d as a sl av e to the Spart an Agesi d as At

,
.

an y r at e h e b ec ame t h o roug hl y i d e n ti fi ed wit h Spar ta w rot e i n h er ,

d i al ec t u sed h e r lo c al myt h s an d set t he Dori an s t amp o n G r eek

, ,

c h or al lyri c I n t he m ili t an t po e try o f Ty rt aeu s a lit tl e l at e r w e

.
, ,

s ee t he r e fl ec ti o n of a c o m mu n i ty giv e n ov e r to c am p li fe Spart a ,

at w ar Al c man s c ho r al o d es are the e x p r essio n O f Spart a at

.
’

p eac e a r ar e ec h o o f a m o o d i n w hi c h t h e lyr e riv all e d t h e sword

,

’
( f r . H e c r eat e d t h e p ar th en ei o n
‘
o r s o n g o f m a i d ens a
, ,

typ e o f c h or al lyri c w hi c h w as p ec ul i arly D ori an si n c e o n ly Dori an ,

w o me n w e r e pe r mi tt ed by s o c i al c o n v e n tio n s to app ear as memb e r s

o f a c horus at a p ubli c fes tiv al We o w e o ur k n owl ed g e of t he

.

p ar th e n ei o n to th e d i sc ov e ry by M ari e t t e i n 1 8 5 5 of an E gypti an
p apyr us fro m w h i c h h av e b ee n r ec ov e r ed abou t a h u n d r ed li n es
o f a c ho r al lyri c ( fr 2 3 ) c o m po sed by Al c m an t o be su n g by
.

mai d e n s i n ho n o r O f t he Di o sc uri the fri en d ly t w i n br e t hr e n o f

,

S part an l e g en d or p e r hap s to A rt emi s si n c e h e r n ame al s o o cc ur s

, ,

(v. Th e O d e o f w hi c h w e hav e t hi s m u til at ed frag me n t b e g an

wi t h th e r ec i t al o f a Lac o n i an myt h the t al e o f th e i n sol en c e o f
,

H i p p o c oon an d hi s so n s an d t h ei r pu n i s h men t p e r h ap s fi ve ,
 M E L I C P O ETRY 19 7

s trop h es as obj ec tiv e as H o mer T h en the p o et poi n ts th e m oral .

wit h a g n o mi c u tt e r an c e [t i s the g od s w ho p u n i s h i nsol en ce — an d

,
1
o n t hat l i k e Hor ac e i n an o d e t hat i s i n s o me r es p ec t s p ar all e l
, , , ,

b ec o m es p ur ely p er so n al an d sec ul ar The l at ter hal f o f t he p o e m .

ex p r e s se s th e p l ay ful riv alry o f two mai d en s of t he c h or us t h e ,

b eau ti ful Agi d o an d the o nly l ess b eaut i ful H agesi c ho ra wit h h er
‘

’
‘
gol d en hair an d fac e o f silv er th e c horu s l ead er T h er e w e ,
.

h av e th e c har ac t e ri sti c n o t e of t h e p o etry o f Al c m an the c h ar m ‘

i n g as t he G r eek s c all ed hi m th e gay e ty an d t en d er n ess t h e

’
, , ,

affec tio n at e g all an try w h i c h ar e so e n g agi n g an d so u n e xp ec t e d

,

i n t hi s Sp ar tan po e t H i s p er s o n al i n t er es t s w e r e bo u n d u p i n the
.

t r ai n i n g o f s uc h c h o r uses an d i t w as t he c h i e f r egr e t o f hi s Ol d
,

age t h at he c oul d n o l o n g er tak e p art i n t he m

M a i d en s w i th v oi ces l i he h on ey for sw eetn ess, th at br eath e d esi r e,

Woul d th at l w er e a s ea - bi r d w i th l i mbs th at c o u l d n ev er ti r e ;

Over the foa m-flow er s fly i ng w i th h a l cy o n s ever on w i ng,

K eep i ng a ca r el ess hea r t, a sea - bl u e bi r d o

f the sp r i ng
2
( fr . 26

In o ther fr agm en t h e d esc ri b es

an th e m i d n ig ht sil en c e o f the
lo n el y h ill s an d th e d ee p se a : S l eep h ol ds the h i l l - tops a nd the

passes of th e hi ll s
f
,
the cl i fs s l ee p and th e r avi n es a nd al l the w i l d
thi ngs tha t the bl ach ea r th br eed s f
a ter thei r hi n d , the beas ts th a t
i n h abi t the mou n tai ns ,
the tr i be o f bees , an d th e mon s ter s i n the
d epths of the s hi n i n
g s ea E ven they, too, the flochs of bi r d s f old
.

thei r l o ng pi n i o n s i n s l eep (f r Th e m od er n p ar all el o f t h i s

.

p o em i s G o e t h e s Ueber al l en Gipf el n i s t R uh , b ut Al c man o mi tted

’

t h e p e r so n al app li c at io n t hat sec ur es a p ath e ti c c li m ax fo r the

G er man lyri c
3
.

A mo n g the p apyru s fr agm ents fou n d at O xyr hy nc hu s an d pu b

li shed i n 1 8 9 8 w as p ar t o f a par th en ei on ad d r esse d to De m e t er
,

1
4 6 . .

2
H C B eec hi n g
. . . Cp . Te n nyso n , [n l l/ emor i a m : Or u n d e n ea r th the
b arr en b us h Fl i t s by the sea -bl u e bi r d of M a r ch ” .

3
Lu c an s Pa cem s u mma ten en t ( Ph a r s 2 2 7 3 ) may Al c man
’
. . be an ec h o o f .

Ve r gi l co n trasts t h e pe ac e u f l n i gh t w i h th e t res tl ess h e art of Di d o .

( A en .

4
108 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

by n i n e m ai d ens w ho d esc rib e t h eir fai r rai men t and or nam en t s o f

c arv e d ivory Th e fo u r h ex ame t e r v e r ses t hat s u rviv e ar e e i t he r
.
,

as B l ass b e l i e v es g e n u i n e Al c m an part o f a c ul t s o n g or t h e c l ev er
, , ,

att e mp t of a l at e r ar c h aizi n g p o e t t o i mi t at e h i s m an n e r as T h e o c
, ,

ri t us i m i t at ed i t i n hi s E igh teen th I dy l Tr ad itio n mad e Al c man .

t h e fo un d e r O f lov e p o e try H e w as at any r at e th e fi r s t l i t e r ary

.
, ,

r ep r ese n t ativ e o f p e r so n al m eli c B ut i n t he frag men t s t hat sur

.

viv e t her e are n o e c ho es o f passio n or of w ar H i s g en tl e g ay e ty .

i s r e li ev e d by o c c asio nal to uc he s O f h umo r an d ev en h o mely ,

r eal i s m
. H e fr eq uen tly ec h o es t he H o me ri c myt hs an d l an g uag e .

Th e Dori c of Spart a i s bl e n d e d i n hi s li t er ary d i al e c t

Di al ec t
an d w i t h A eol i c and e pi c form s H i s m e t e r s w er e v ari ed .

me t e r s an d n ume ro us I o n i c s for t he fi r s t ti me i n li t er atur e

.
, ,

i am bi c s c r eti c s anapaes t s log ao ed i c r hyt h m s and d ac tyli c h exam

, , , ,

et e rs app ear i n hi s fr agm en t s I t w as p rob ably Al c man n o t

.
,

S te si c h o rus w ho fi r s t brok e t h e m o n ot o n y o f t he s uc c e ssio n o f

,

s tro ph e an d an ti s tro p h e by t h e use o f t h e e po d e an d t hu s c r e at ed ,

t h e t rip arti t e sy s t e m o f th e G r ee k c h or al l vri c .

I n t h e l ast q u art e r o f t h e sev e n t h c en tury Le sbo s the birt hpl ac e , ,

o f Terpan d er produ c e d a p o e t w h o se n ame lik e hi s i s as so c i at ed

, , ,

wi t h a d efi ni t e ad v anc e i n t he h i sto ry o f G r ee k lyri c I t w as ho w .

,

e v e r o u a s tri c tly c h or al ty p e th e d i t h yr amb t hat A R I O N

, , ,
Ari on
o f M ethymna l e ft h i s mark A ni on say s H ero d o t us .
, ,

co m p os ed n a med
,
a n d r e r es en ted th e di thy r a mb a t Cor i n th
p ,
1 .

23 I n t h e s am e p assag e he t ell s t h e t al e w hi c h has giv e n

pi c t u r esqu en ess to t he v ag ue p er s o n ality o f th e p o e t Ari o n had .

w an d er ed t o I t aly an d Si c ily w he r e as a p rofessio nal p o et an d

, ,

mus i c i an h e had ac q uir ed gr eat w eal t h

,
Fro m T ar en tu m h e .

e mb ark e d fo r C ori n t h t h en u nd e r the r ul e o f P e ri an d e r ( 6 2 5

,

58 5 O n c e c l ear o f th e p ort t he s ailor s c o n sp ir ed t o kill

,

Ario n for th e sak e o f hi s po ssessi o ns T he p o e t seei n g hi msel f .

,

lo s t wo n t he ir p ermi ss io n t o s i ng for t he l as t ti me b e for e hi s d eat h

,
.

‘
Wi t h hi s si n gi n g rob es abou t hi m he took hi s lyr e an d havi n g ’
,

s un g th e O rt h i an n o m e l eap ed i n to th e sea
“
Th e s hi p sail e d
”
.
,

o n to C ori n t h bu t a d ol p h i n r ec e iv ed A rio n an d c arri e d h i m o n i t s

,
1 10 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE EK L ITE RATUR E

th e Wes t b egi n to pl ay t h ei r p art i n li t e rat ur e I t i s p rob abl e t hat .

Stesi c ho rus w h o s e fame w as to be i n t e r n atio nal n ev er v i s it e d

, ,

G r e ec e . Ari st otl e ( R het 2 2 0 ) r el at es t hat w h en the c i tiz en s

. .
,

of Hi me r a w er e abou t to p ut t h em selv es i n t he pow er o f P hal ari s

o f Agr i gen tu m t h e ty r an t w ho m th e story o f th e br az en bul l has
,

r en d er ed i n famo us Stesi c horus r ec it e d to t h e m hi s fabl e o f the

,

h or s e an d the stag as a w ar n i n g I t w as pe r hap s to avoi d th e

.

an g e r of P hal ari s t hat h e fled to C at an a w h er e h e d i e d ; h e w as ,

’
buri ed o u t s i d e the Stesi c hor ean g at e i n an o c t ago n al t om b
‘ “ ‘

w ho se eig h t c olum n s g av e i ts n am e to a t hrow at d i c e I n t h e .

th ir d c en t ury B C hi s i mag e w as s tam p e d o n th e c oi n s o f H im er a

. .
,

an d th e r e C i c e ro saw hi s statu e .

’ 1
‘
S tesi c ho r us say s Q ui n tili an
, bor e th e w eig h t of the ep o s o n
,

hi s lyr e
’
. I n hi m th e s oul o f H om er d w e l t ag ai n
‘
W h at h e .
’

ac h i e v e d w as i n fac t a sort o f r eviv al o f e p i c i n l yri c form s

, , He .

c r eat ed t he h e ro i c ly ri c w h i c h prov ed to bet h e m o s t truly i n t e r

,

n atio n al O f al l th e v ari e ti es o f G r ee k c h or al m e li c A fr agm en t of .

Sim o n i d es wri tt en a c en tu ry l at e r say s t hat H o mer a n d S tes i

, ,

chor us s a ng to the n a ti o n s ( f r an d t hroug h out G r ee k lit e r a

.

tur e th er e p e r si s t s t h i s asso c i atio n o f t he I o n i an p o et an d th e

Th e l y fi c
. lyri c H o me r
‘
o f S i c ily W e d o ’
n o t k n ow for w hat .

Homer ’
en d s Ste si c ho rus c ompo s ed th e lyri cs i n t o w h i c h h e

t ook ov e r th e h eroi c sag as O nly abou t fi fty v er ses surviv e an d a

.
,

doz en ti tl es al l sugg es ti v e o f th e ep i c e g t he R et ur ns and the

, ,
. .

S ach of I l i os I n t h e O r es tei a ( f r
. h e c all s hi s lyri c a so n g
.

’
for the p eo p l e w hi c h i m pl i es t hat i t w as i n t end e d for popul ar
,

festiv al s ; p er hap s thes e w er e i n ho no r o f th e H om eri c hero es

w ho se ex ploi t s he sang Wi t h hi m c ho ral lyri c d ev elop ed l arg er
.

ou tli n es i n ord e r to r ec eiv e t h e h eroi c l eg e n d s so t h at h i s am pli ,

t ud e o ffen d e d c ri ti c s w ho r esen t ed i n a ly ri c the full n ess an d

br eadt h o f Ho me r I n the hi story o f c hor al lyri c Pi nd ar i s the
.
,

t r u e su cc essor o f St esi c ho r us i t was he w ho p erfec t ed t he art o f

c o n fi n i n g ep i c n arr ativ e wit h i n t h e li mi t s o f t h e o d e an d ac h i ev e d
,

t h e gr an d s tyl e o f w h i c h t h e Si c ili an fel l sh or t .

1 1
0. 1 . 62 .
 M E LI C P O ETRY 111

As w e hav e fro m Al c m an t h e r e was n o thi n g esse nti ally

see n ,

n ew i n t he u s e o f e p i c l e g en d s by a c h or al lyri c po e t Stesi c ho rus .

,

how e v e r sh ow e d hi s ori gi n ali ty i n the fr e ed o m wi t h w h i c h he

,

h an dl ed t h e m T h o ug h he dr ew o n th e sag as t hat he fou n d i n

.

H om e r H esio d and t h e c y c li c p o e t s h e brok e wi th t hei r t rad i

, , ,

tio n s an d bol d ly r e mo d el e d t h e h ero i c my ths H e r ac l es w as a .

lo c al Dori an h ero al i en to t he I o n i an s an d A eoli ans St esi c ho rus

,
.
,

by d ev elopi n g the l e g en d s t hat t ran s form ed H er ac l es t he Dori an ,

i d eal i n to t he typ e o f th e toi li n g he ro g av e hi m an i n te r natio nal

, ,

i n t er est The famou s apo st rop h e to H el en N ay th e tal e i s f a l se

.
,

n ever di d s t tho u s a i l i n the w el l ben ch ed s hips n ever c a me to the

-
,

l
tow er s of Tr oy ( f r i s qu ot e d by Pl ato w ho c all s i t a p al i
.
,

’
n od e ,
a form al r ec an tatio n w r u n g fro m St esi c h o rus w h en H el e n

bl i n d ed hi m fo r ad he ri n g to the sl an d ers o f the l ess p ru d en t Ho m er .

Wh ether the bl i n d n ess w as r eal or o n ly a p i c tur esq u e l eg en d ,

Stesi c horus i t was w ho c r eated the l eg en d o f a p han to m H el en
for w ho m t he G r eek s an d Troj an s foug h t w h il e th e r eal H el e n ,

w ai t ed for M enel au s i n Egy pt SO to o H ero d o tu s ( 2 1 1 2 ) t ell s

.
, ,
.

t h e t al e an d Eu ri pid es m od el ed h i s H el en a o n th e S t esi c h o r ean

,

v er si o n T her e are i n fac t few o f th e h eroi c my t hs o f G r eec e as

.
, , ,

w e m eet t he m i n t he l ate r p o et s an d the Atti c t r ag ed i an s w h i c h ,

t h e i m agi n at i o n o f Stesi c ho r us has n o t mo d ifi ed at an y r ate i t i s a

l it er ary c o n v en tio n t o h old hi m r esp o n si bl e fo r su c h c han g es as t he

e pi c tr ad iti o n has suffe r e d A s triki n g p ro of o f hi s pop ul ari ty i s t h e
.

fr equ en c y w it h w hi c h hi s v e r si o n s o f the my ths are r e pro d uc ed i n

G r e ek art 2
We k n ow l i ttl e o f the lov e po em s i n w hi c h Stes i c ho rus
.

r el at ed the s orrow s o f Kal yk e w ho t ook t he Leu c adi an l eap an d ,

Rhad i n a sl ai n wi th her lov e r by th e j ealo u s t yr an t of C ori n t h ;

,

t hey s eem to h av e m ark ed t h e fi r st app e ar an c e i n l i ter at ur e o f

th e obj ec tiv e i mp er s o nal l ov e po e m a for eshado w i n g o f G r ee k

, ,

rom an c e Si c il i an Dap hn i s t h e c h i e f fi gu r e o f l at e r b uc ol i c po et ry
.
, ,

w as s till i n t h e sev e n t h c en t ury a h e ro o f fol k s o n g o n l y

, , St e s i .

c horu s u se d t hi s po p u l ar l e g en d i n hi s lyri c s b ut t he y mu st hav e ,

b een w holly u n li k e th e sop hi s ti c ated bu c oli c t yp e o f po etry a s w e ,

1 P h a ed r u s 24 3 .
2 Ro b e rt , B i l d un d Li ed , B erl i n , 18 8 1 .
1 12 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU RE

fi nd i t am o n g the Al e x an d ri an s Tw e n ty —si x bo ok s o f p o e ms w e r e
.

asc rib ed to Stes i c ho r us H i s lyri c s w e r e k n o w n t h ro ug h ou t G r ee c e

.
,

so t hat i n t h e fi ft h c e n tu ry Ari s to p han es c o u l d as su me t hat an

A t hen i an audi en c e wo uld r ec og niz e a paro d y o f th e Si c ili an po e t

H i d e c t i s e i c w it h Dori c fo r ms
Di al ect
( P ea ce ,
s i al p
a mixt u r e s u c h as wo ul d appeal to th e i n t e r natio n al

au d i en c e to w h o m h e b ec am e as famil i ar as H o me r H i s po e m s .

w e r e n o t lik e Al c m an s ac c o mpan i ed by t h e d an c e t ho ug h h e
,
’
, ,

r egul arly used the t hr eefol d s tro p hi c arrang emen t w hi c h w as ev er

aft er t h e r ul e i n G r ee k c h or al lyri c .

I B Y CUS o f R hegi u m i n s o ut her n I t aly ( flor u i t ci r ca

,
Iby cus
544 lik e Stesi c ho rus a p o e t from the Wes t c am e ,

from a c i ty fo un d ed origi nally by a mi x ed c ol o ny o f I o n i an s an d

Dori an s .I t i s i mp o ss ibl e to d et e r mi n e c lo sely t h e d esc e n t o f a

p o e t i n w ho se wri ti n g s as po ssibly i n hi s bl oo d are to b e tr ac ed

, ,

t h e c h ar ac t e ri s ti c s o f t he t h r ee gr eat d ivi si o n s o f t h e G r ee k p eo pl e .

I by c u s w ro te i n the Dori an mann er e mployi ng th e c ho ral me t er s ,

an d s t ro p h es o f S t esi c ho r us an d followi n g i n h i s s t e p s ad ap
, ,
t ed ,

t he h eroi c sag a th e t al es o f t h e Argo n au t s an d th e H e r ac l es l eg e n d

, ,
.

to the uses o f obj ec tiv e c h or al lyri c H e r e h e w as n o t wi t hou t .

origi nali ty ; for i n s t an c e t he l eg en d o f M en el aus d i sarm ed by the

,

b eau ty o f H el en w as fi r st u s ed by I by c u s I n c o n tras t wi t h the .

for mal st atel i n ess and i mper s o n al i ty o f S tesi c ho rus hi s p o etry i s ,

p assio nat e and full o f li fe an d c olor I o n i an o r A e oli an i n i ts ex ,

p r ess io n o f th e i n d ividu al e moti o n s H e w as famou s for hi s.

e ro ti c p o e m s ad d r ess ed t o boy s
,
w h i c h p r ese rv e d the form of
,

c h or al m e li c .I n t h e fr ag men ts h e si n g s o f s pri n g an d Cy d on
i an l e tr ees w a ter ed by th e r i ver s tr ea ms th a t fl ow i n th e q u i et
pp
a

e n m hs , a n d the bl oss o ms th a t a r e p u tti ng f o r th u n d er

g a r d e n of th y p
the s h a ay l eaf age f
o th e vi n e . B u t as f or me ,
he c ri es ,
L ove w i l l
n ot l et me r es t a t a ny ho u r . Li he th e N or th Wi n d f r om Th r ace
mi d fr om f O1p r i s
’
th a t the l zgh th i ng fi l eap i ng th e s i d '
r ages a s r e, e o

he mes ter r i bl e a n d u n d a u n ted , to co n s u me m h ear t w i th ma d

co , y
n es s a n d s h ahe my soul to the co r e ( f r 1 .

In hi s p ass io n at e en t husi as m for b eau ty h i s lov e ,

of flow er s and
114 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G R EE K LITE RATU R E

hi s nativ e i sl an d w h er e he had m ad e a n am e as a trai n e r of Do ri an

,

c h o ru ses h e vi s i ted th e s mall an d hal f b arb arou s c ou rt s o f th e

,

T h essali an p ri nc es t he Sco pad ae of C ran n o n an d th e Al euad ae o f

,

Lari ssa . I t i s to t h eir c o nn ec tio n wit h Si mon i d es t hat t hese p etty

tyran t s o w e the ir pl ac e slig ht as i t i s i n h i s to ry H e g ave them a
, ,
.

n a me a mo ng men say s T heo c ri tu s s i ng i ng br i gh t s o ngs to a h arp

, ,

f ma ny s tr i ngs
l
o .

A n ex tan t fr agm en t of a Sc olio n i s i n fac t ad d r esse d t o Sc op as

, ,

s o me th i rty v e r se s hav e b e en r ec o n s tru c t e d fro m t h e P r o tag or as

(3 3 9 i n w h i c h Pl ato di sc u sse s at l en gt h t he p r ec i s e m ean i n g o f

t h e po e t s d ec i d ed ly so ph i s ti c al r h et ori c hi s c y n i c al ap ology for t h e

’
,

man w ho fail s to s t and fo ur squ ar e

‘ ’
t he worl d ly wi se p o e t r e fu ses

to set hi s ethi c al s t and ar d too hig h si n c e n eg ativ e vi rtu e i s as mu c h

,

as o n e may d e m an d o f h i s T hes sali an p atro n ( f r Fro m th e .

ac c i d e n t o f a falli n g ro o f w h i c h ac c or d i n g to th e l eg e n d d e stroy e d
, ,

t h e Sc o p ad ae Si mo n i d es w as m ir ac ulou sly p r es e rv ed by the d ivi ne

,

favor so o ft en e xt en d ed to G r e ek po ets o n t h i s o c c as io n i t w as
t h e Di o sc uri w ho s u m mo n ed hi m fro m the doom ed p al ac e an d s o ,

pai d t h e ir d ebt for an o d e i n w hi c h wi t h for hi m u n u su al pi ety

, , , ,

h e had n e gl ec ted t he Sc o pad ae to c el ebr at e th e d ivi n e tw i ns .

Fro m T hessaly Sim o n i d es r etu r n ed to A t h ens no l ess at ho m e ,

wi th th e d e m o c r at s t han i n earli er d ay s at th e c our t of t he

, ,

Pei si st rati d s H e was n o w th e voi c e o f th e A th en i an d e mo c r ac y

.
,

an d i t w as wi t h n o i n si n c e ri t y t h at h e p ai d hi s t ribu t e t o th e h e ro es

H ar mo di us an d Ar i sto gei to n : F o r th e A then i a ns a g r eat l i gh t

d aw n ed on th e d ay w hen they (f
s l ew
r H ippa r ch us
T h e .

ly ri c s an d el egi es o f Si mo n i d es ar e the m o st stri ki n g m e mori al s o f

t h e vi c tori es o f A th e n s ov er t he P er si an s H i s e l e gy o n t h o se w ho .

fell at M arat h o n ( 4 9 0 ) w as p r eferr ed to t h at of A esc hyl us hi msel f .

O n e o f t h e fi n est ext an t fr agm en t s i s fro m t he o d e t ec h n i c ally an ,

‘
en c om i u m i n h o n o r of Le o n i d as an d t h e h e ro es o f T h er
mo pyl ae : Of those w ho di ed a t Ther mopyl ae gl or i ous i s the f a te
a n d f a i r the d es ti ny N o to mb f o r them bu t a n al ta r ; n o tea r s
.
, ,

bu t f a me i ns tea d a n d f or l a men ta ti on p r ai se
, ,
A mo n u men t l i he,
.

1 I dy l 16 .
34 .
 M E LI C P O ETRY 1 1
5

thi s , r us t s hall n o t cor r u

pt nor ti me tha t d es tr oys a l l el se
( fr .

Ev en mor e famou s i s t he el egi ac c o upl e t w h o se p rou d r eserv e and

l ac o n i c s tyl e are ad m ir ably sui t e d to a Sp ar tan e pi tap h
Epi grams
S tr a nger tel l the L a ced aemo n i a n s th a t thei r or d er i s
,

obeyed a n d w e l i e her e T hermopyl ae A rt e m i siu m Sal am i s , , ,

an d Pl at ae a t h e fo u r famou s en c ou n t e r s o f t h e s ec o n d P e r s i an
,

i n v asio n i n spir ed the gr eate r par t o f the epigr am s o f Si m o n id es

,

at a ti m e w h en i n divi d u al s as w e ll as c i ti es c l aim e d t h e h o n or o f

i n sc rip tio n s that shoul d r ec o r d t heir shar e i n t he r epul se o f X erx es .

I t may b e that fe w of th e e ig h ty e pigr am s t hat ar e c oll ec t ed u n d e r

the n am e o f Simo n id es w e r e ac t ually c o mpo s ed by hi m c er tai n ly ,

few woul d sat i s fy th e t es t s o f mod er n sc h ol ar s 1

B ut w hat th e .

c oll e c tio n p rov es i s t hat amo n g all the p o e t s w h o se i m agi n at io n

was fi r e d by t he s e ev en ts to c om po se e pigr am s w h i c h l ate r w er e , ,

to r an k as hi stori c al t r ad i tio n S i mo n i d es st oo d fi r s t
,
hi s nam e was
i nevi tably l avi shed o n c o mpo si tio n s i n w hi c h w as ex p r esse d al l the
p e r s o n al a n d n a t io n al p rid e o f h i s g e n e r atio n I n 4 76 B C at t h e . . .
,

age o f eig hty h e w o n a p riz e at A th en s wit h a c y c l i c c h oru s

,
in
the sam e y ear h e w en t t o Syr ac u se at the i n vi tat io n o f H i e ro an d

t he r e n i ne y e ar s l at e r he d i ed
, ,
.

For a c ho r al p o et to wri te el egi es an d epigr am s w as u nu su al ,

an d i t w as as a c h or al po e t t hat Si mo n id es w o n hi s fam e I n the .

ex hibi tio n s of d i t h yr ambi c c h oru ses e n c ou r ag e d by

Di t h y ramb s
Hi p p ar c hu s at A then s h e w as th e su c c ess ful riv al o f
,

Lasus o f H e rmio n e wi nn i n g fi fty si x priz es for d i t hy r amb s w h i c h

,
-

hav e all p eri she d m an y o f th ese w er e n o d oubt h e roi c d eal i n g , , ,

wi th my ths that had n o c o nn ec tio n wi t h Di o ny su s B ut i t i s th e .

c hi e f d i s ti n c t i o n of th i s Io n i an p o e t w h o se M use g ath er ed al l
,
‘

t hi n g s to her harv est ( f r ’

t h at h e set th e s eal o f hi s p ec ul
.

i ar ex c ell e n c e o n two typ es of Dori an c h or al l yri c w h i c h had n o t

’
hi the r to t ak e n t he i r pl ac e i n li t e r at u r e th e e pi n ikio n or so n g o f ‘
,

vi c tory an d t he t h r en o s the so n g o f l am en t
,
’
A famou s hy m n O f .

A r c h i lo c hus to H erac l es wit h i ts r e fr ai n H ai l to th e c o nqu e ri n g

,

1 Wi l amow i tz ,
S i mo n i d es d er Ep ig r a mm a ti her , in Gotti ng . Afa ch r i chten ,
1 8 9 7, fol l o w i ng Kai b el , rej ec ts at l east tw o t h i rd s of B e rgk
’
s co ll ect i o n .
1 16 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATUR E

’
h e ro , w h i c h had b ee n r egul arly sung at the ev eni n g p ro c essi o n i n
ho n or of an O l y mpi an v i c t or w as ab an do n ed i n t h e sixt h an d
,

fi ft h c e n tu ri es by al l w ho c o ul d affor d a sp ec i al o d e
,
Epi ni ci a
c o mp o se d by so m e d i s ti ng ui s he d livi n g p o e t The .

n e w fas h io n g av e an O p e n i n g fo r a mor e p er s o n al ex pr ess io n o f t h e

p r ai s es O f t h e vi c to r an d Si mo n id es s e t th e ex amp l e follo w e d by
,

Pi n d ar and B ac c hy li d es o f maki n g a my t h th e fo und atio n O f the

O d e ; t he n arr ativ e l e d t h e h ear er aw ay fro m the vi c t o r an d r e li e v ed

the m o n oto n y o f fl att e ri n g p h r as es ; an d i n t he en d t he glo ry of

t h e p r e s e n t w as d ext e ro usly i n t e r w ov e n w i t h t h e s pl e n d i d tr ad i

ti o n s o f th e past T hus t he o d e w as r ed e e med fro m i ts o c c asi o n al

.

c h ar ac t e r an d b ec ame s o me t hi n g mo r e t han t h e triu mp h o f an

ho u r . I f w e may d ec i d e from th e sc an ty fr agm en ts o f the Ep i n i ci a

of Si mo n i d e s hi s m an ne r w as mor e p e r so nal t han Pi nd ar s ; he
,
’

i d eal iz ed l e ss an d li n g e r ed lo n g er o n the d e t ail s o f the c o n t es t .

Th e pur e ly p e r s o n al lyri c w h i c h for th e A eol i an s w as an o u tl e t

, ,

for th e e motio n s w as ali en to t he t e mp e r ame nt o f Si mo n i d es t h e

, ,

w ell b al an c ed sel f c o n sc i o us arti s t w hil e i n th e c o mpo si tio n of

-
,
-
,

so n g s o f vi c tory h e w as to b e s u rp as se d by hi s you n g e r c o n t e m

po rary Pi n d ar
, B u t h e h ad a sp ec i al gi ft fo r t h e
.

Th ren oi
H is
’
p at h e ti c th r e n o i s o n g s of l am e n t t h e Ceae
-
‘
.
, ,

n en i a e o f H or ac e ( Od es 2 w e r e w ri tt e n to b e s u n g to the fl u t e
.

at fu n e r al c e r e mo n i es an d w o n a u n iq ue r e p ut atio n for th ei r p o w e r
,

o f ex c i ti n g pi ty an d soo t h i ng gri e f T hi s w orl d ly p o e t w h o se

.
,

e l as ti c d i s p o s i tio n mad e h i m t h e fri e n d o f ki n g s an d d e mo c r at s ,

w as n ev e r mor e s uc c ess ful t han w h e n h e had t o ex pr ess t he sad

n ess o f b e r eav e men t H i s mel an c h oly w as r e sig n e d an d t h oroug h

.
,

an d h e o ffer ed t h e mo u r n e r n o s u c h p i c t ur e o f a fut u r e li fe and i ts

’
r ew ar d s as are to b e fou n d i n Pi nd ar s s t at ely s o n g s o f c o n s ol atio n .

H i s o u tl o ok w as bo un d e d by t h e gr av e b u t he c o ul d t o uc h t h e
,

he art T h e famo us D a n a e a n d P er seus fr ag me n t

. r eg ul arly
i nc l ud ed amo n g t he t h r e no i o f Si mo n i d es i s p e r haps fro m a
‘ ’
,

d it hyr amb bu t i n an y c as e i t ill us tr at e s t h at p ow e r o f p at ho s for

,

w h i c h h e b e c ame p r o v e rbi al I f a d i rg e i t may w el l hav e b een

.
,

writt e n fo r s o me b e r eav ed p ri nc ess o f T hessaly w he r e at Lari ssa , ,

1 18 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE R ATU RE

l i terary o f e p i c mix ed wit h Dori c an d slig htly v ari ed

d i al ec t
Di al ect an d wi t h A eol i c form s ; hi s favori t e m e t er s ar e l og ao edi cs ,

met ers an d h e fr e q u e n tly e mp l oy s d ac tyli c r h yt h m s .

G r ee c e p ro d uc e d fe w wo men w h o se p o e try w as d es ti n ed to
l eave i ts mark ; Sapph o has n o r eal ri v al E RI N NA o f T elo s .
,

an i sl an d n e ar R h o d e s w as c all ed th e p up il o f Sapp ho b ut prob

, ,

ably b el o n g ed t o th e fou r th c en t ury B C She wro t e . .

Eri nna
i n Dori c an d i s sai d to hav e c om po sed an ep i c o f
,

t h r ee hun d r ed v er ses c all ed The Spi n dl e wort hy of H om er

, ,
‘
.
’

T ho se Al ex an dri ans w h o lik e C all im ac h u s o r A sc l ep i ad es t houg h t

, ,

i t w as b o t h usel ess an d i n b ad tas t e to at t emp t H o m eri c e pi c ,

poi n t e d to t hi s short p o e m as a m od el of w hat mig ht still be do n e .

The Thebai s o f A n ti m ac hu s o f C olop h o n o n th e ot he r han d th ey , ,

th o ug h t a g o o d e x am pl e h o w n o t to writ e ep i c I n an e p igr am i n .

1
t h e A n thol ogy A n ti pat e r p r ai ses E ri nn a p r ec i s el y for thi s br evi ty
, ,

w h i c h w as to sec ur e h er a b ett er c han c e of i m mor tality t han th e

lo ng er ep i c s o f t he l ess j u d i c io u s i mi tator s o f Ho m er The fac t .

r emai n s t hat E ri nn a p e ri sh e d w hil e the A i g on au ti ca o f Apollo n iu s

,

o f R h o d es o f som e s i x th ou san d li n es has su rviv ed

, ,
.

T ELESI LLA o f Argo s w as a w arrio r p o et ; l ik e Tyr taeu s she ,

Tel es i ll a fou g h t fo r h er c ou n t ry w h i c h h o n or e d h er w i t h a
,

s tat u e an d a pl ac e i n i ts l eg en d s PRAX ILLA of .

P rax i l l a
Si c yo n i s sai d to hav e w ri t ten d it h yr amb s as b ec am e ,

a n at iv e of a c i ty famou s fo r i ts p atro n ag e o f t hat typ e o f ly ri c .

Th e l ast o f t h i s group C O R I N N A a B o eo ti an o f T an agr a o r T h eb es

, , ,

ac h i ev e d s o me d i s ti n c t io n i n c h or al ly ri c Fiv e ti m es .
,
Cori nna
ac c ordi n g to tr adi tio n sh e w o n th e fi r st pl ac e i n c o m
,

p e ti ti o n wit h Pi nd ar her yo u ng er c o n temporary

,
H er b e au ty .

an d h er p atri oti c pr e fe r en c e for th e B o e oti an d i al ec t h e lp e d h er

to t hese t ri umphs i f w e may b el i ev e P au san i as C ori nn a s fame

,
.
’

w as lo c al li mit e d by h er d i al ec t
,
She wro te c h oru ses for girl s
.
,

e pigr ams an d n o m es employi n g as w e s e e fr o m a few sh or t fr ag

, ,

m en t s the s i mpl er for ms o f log ao ed i c m et er s and h ex am eter s

, ,
.

1
7 .
7 13 .
“
B ett er t h e S w an
’
s c h an t t han a w i ndy w o rl d of ro o k s i n t he
Apri l sk y ! A L an g
.
’
s trans l at i o n .
 M E LI C P O ETRY 1 1
9

B o e o ti an my ths he l d th e fi r s t pl ac e i n h er p o e m s Fro m C ori nna .

Pi nd ar l ear n e d the p rop e r use of t he my t h as an or nam en t o f

c ho r al lyr i c .

P I N DAR 5 2 2 — 44 2 B C ) w a s born at C y nos c e p hal ae n ear

. .
,

T h eb es o f an ari s to c rati c fam ily a bran c h o f the

, ,
Pi nd ar
Aegi d ae a fam o us c l an w h i c h h ad h el p e d to fo un d
,

Sp ar ta . At hens al r eady the

'

,
“
mo the r o f art s fo st er e d t he ,
”

g en i us of the gr eatest ly ri c po et o f G r eec e t her e he w as tr ai ne d

i n t h e e l abor ate t ec hn iqu e o f c hor al c o mpo si tio n an d p er hap s ,

l ear ned fro m Lasus o f H ermi o n e h o w to w rit e d i t hyramb s .

Agat ho c l es and A poll odoru s taug ht hi m m u si c Fi n ally t he

'

,
.

B o e o ti an p o e t ess C o ri n na g av e h i m l esso n s i n t as t e a dvi si n g hi m

, , ,

n ot to s ow w i th the w h ol e s a ch t he m yt hi c al allu s io n s w h i c h ar e th e

ess en ti al or n am en t o f G r e ek c h or al lyri c H ow h e p rofi te d by

.

t hat trai n i n g an d w on a n am e o ut si d e T h eb es w e c an j u d g e fro m ,

the earl i e st e xt an t po em th e Ten th Py thi a n

,
H e w as o n ly t w en ty
.
,

an d S im o n id es was i n h i s p ri m e w h e n th e Al euad ae o f Lari ssa e m

,

pl oy e d Pi n d ar to wri te thi s o d e for H i ppoc l eas a you ng T hes ,

s ali an n obl e w h o h ad w o n th e foo t r ac e at t h e Py thi an g am e s

(5 0 2 Tw elv e y ears l at e r i n the y ear o f M arat ho n (4 9 0

,

h e c o m p o sed the S even th Py th i a n for th e A then i an M egac l es In .

the gr eat d u el b e tw ee n E as t an d West w h i c h w as to sec u r e the

su p r e m ac y of H e ll en i c ov e r b arb ari an c ivi liz atio n th e e x ac t shad e ,

of Pi nd ar s p atrio ti s m i s s till di sp ut ed
’
S im o n i d e s th e I o n i an
.
, ,

c oul d s i n g wi t hou t r eserv e th e vi c tori es o f At h en s an d Sp art a .

B ut Pi n d ar was a so n o f T h eb es w h i c h had w el c o m ed t he am
bassad o rs o f Dariu s an d w as n ow the op en ally of X erx e s
,
.

Del p h i to w h o se poli c y h e i n c li n e d by r eas o n of t he s ac e r d ot al

,
‘

s tr ai n i n hi s blood and p e r s o n al asso c i at io n s d i sc o u r ag e d th e ,

p atrio t s an d Pi n d ar w en t wi t h T h e b es an d Del ph i The p roof of

, .

hi s M ed i s m li e s r at he r i n t h e d i r eOt s t at e m en t o f Polybiu s ( 4 3 1 ) .

t han i n th e ext an t po em s B ut h e may b e j u d g e d by

M ed i s m
.

w hat h e l eav es un sai d M ar atho n i n the Odes fi gu r es

.

as t he c en te r of s om e l o c al g am es
; Pl ataea c lo sely c o n n ec ted ,

wi t h the h umili atio n o f T heb es he b ar ely m en tio n s an d then

, ,
1 20 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATURE

i n d ir ec t l y I n l at e r y ear s w he n hi s p atrioti s m had bro ad en ed h e

.
, ,

s an g t h e p r ai se s of At h e n s the bu l w a r h o
f H ell as i n a s tr ai n that
, ,

o ffe n d e d t h e T h e b an s n at ur ally se n s i tiv e o n t h i s oi t

P r ai s e of p n , .

A t h en s Pi nd ar w as fi n ed a t ho usan d d r ac h mas w her eup o n ,

At he n s p ai d th e fi n e an d for c e n t uri es fo un d n o fl att e ry sw ee t e r

, , ,

or mor e p e rsu asiv e t han t he ep i t he t s s hi n i ng an d vi ol et cr ow ned

1 -

’
i n t h e T he b an p o e t s d it hyr am b ( f r .

L ik e Si mo n i d es Pi n d ar l iv ed at t h e c o urt s o f Syr ac u s e an d
,

Agri ge n tu m an d t h o ug h i t w as o n ly aft er r e p eat e d r e fusals t hat

, ,

’
h e ac c e p t e d Hi e ro s i n vi t atio n h e s t ay e d i n S i c ily fo r se v er al y ear s
, ,

c o mp o s i n g s o me o f h i s fi n es t Oly m p i a n an d Py thi a n Od es to c e l e
br at e t h e ac hi ev emen t s of th e tw o Do ri an p ri n c es Hi ero an d ,

T hero A t Syr ac use h e mus t hav e met Epi c har mus the fou nd er
.
,

O f S i c i li an C o me d y A e sc h yl u s Si mo n i d e s an d B ac c hyli d es
, In, , .

p o i n t o f ti me Pi n d ar s t an d s b e tw een th e t o I o n i an p o e t s of
c h or al lyri c Su p e rior at al l po i n t s to B ac c h yli d es h e w as h i m
.
,

s el f n o matc h for Si mo n i d es w h e r e as i n a d irg e p at h o s r at h e r , ,

t han sp l en d o r w as app ro p ri at e P i n d ar s F i r s t Oly mp i a n w as .

’

wri tt en fo r t he same o c c asi o n as t h e F if th Od e of B ac c h yli d es .

The tr ad i ti o n o f an u n fri e n d ly riv al ry i s to som e e xt en t su pp ort e d

2 ’
by pas sag es i n Pi nd ar s Od es Ac us il aus o f C yr en e an d Al e x .

an d e r o f M ac e d o n g av e c o mmi ss io n s to Pi n d ar an d h e may hav e ,

vi si t ed t ho se pl ac es The d at e of hi s d eat h i s u n c ert ai n but h e i s

.
,

sup p o se d t o h av e r eac h e d t h e age o f e ig h ty an d i f w e t ak e t h e ,

l at est c ert ai n d at e o f an ext an t po e m (4 5 2 B C for Ol 4 ) as . . .

m arki n g the l i mi t o f hi s ac tivi ty hi s c ar ee r c ov e r s hal f a c e n t u ry ,

.

O f all th e ty pes o f G r ee k c h or al lyri c hy m n s p aean s hypo r , , ,

c h e mara p ro so d i a p ar th e n ei a d i t hyr amb s an d d irg es en c o mi a

, , , ,
i

an d ep i n i c i a w e k n o w w ell o n l y t he l as t th e s o n g s o f vi c to r y
, ,

t h e mo s t i mp ort an t of all s i n c e t h ey pl ay ed t h e mo st d i s ti n ,

g u i s h e d p art W e .h av e fr agm en t s o f Pi nd ar s w ork i n all t h es e

’

1 A r i s t o ph an es , A ch a r n . 6 3 6, s ai d t h at t
th e A h en i an s co u ld b e w h e ed l e d
i nto mak i n g c o n c ess i o n s to an y fo r ei gn emb assy t h at w ou d l fl att r e A t he n s
t t h ese
wi h ad ec
j t i ves .

2
Ol . 2 .
—
94 9 7 Py th . 2 .
5 2—
56 ; N em 3 8 2 ; 7 . . . 10
5 l sth m . 2. 6 .
1 22 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU RE

t ell s a tal e for i ts o wn sak e ; for Pi n d ar i t i s t he ornam en t o f a

p an egyri c illu s tr at es a spec i al ev en t c o nv ey s a l esso n The e pi c
, , .

o e t c o u l d l i n g e r ov e r s i m il e s c ould fill i n h i s b ac kgrou n d w i t h

p ,

d e t ail ; Pi n d ar m ust e m p loy t h e mor e r ap i d met ap h o r an d giv e ,

hi s p i c tur e i n a fe w swi ft s trok e s Ev en hi s e t hi c al m ed it atio n s

.
,

t he g en u i n e r e fl e x of hi s so u l ar e u tter e d by th e w ay wi t ho ut , ,

t h e r h e tori c al argu m en t so d e ar to th e g n o mi c p o e t s an d oft en ,

form a tr ansi tio n as he p asses o n fro m the vi c to r to th e my t h or

h ark s b ac k to the r eal o c c as io n o f th e o d e The m e t ap hor s .

’
the m se lv es c han g e q ui c kly ar e m ix ed a c h arac teri s ti c of all
,
‘
,

r api d an d p i c t ur esqu e l ang uag e Fo r i ns t an c e i n th e F ou r th .

,

Py thi a n J aso n d i s ti ll ed hi s s of t speech to l ay the f o u n d a ti on of w i se

,

utter a n ce
’
One mu st n e v e r forg e t th at Pi nd ar s lyri c s w er e c o n d i tio n e d
by the i r el aborat e mu si c al ac c o m pan i m en t Di alogu e th o ug h .
,

he d o es n o t avoi d i t was d iffi c ul t for h i s tr aili n g s tyl e

S ty l e
, ,

i n w h i c h t h e ap p eal mus t alw ay s hav e b een to t h e ear

r at he r t han to t he i n t ellig en c e When he wro te an o d e Pi n d ar .
,

w e n t to work li k e the ar c h i tec t of a spl en d i d an d far seen d w el l -

i n g an d b eh i n d i ts ou tw ard s pl e n d or the bu il d i ng w as h ardly l ess

,

i n tri c ate than the l abyri n t hi n e c hamb e r s o f a C r e t an p al ac e The

1
.

form al r espo n s io n s th e n i c e b al an c i ng of stro ph es or o f t ri ad s

,

( s tro p h e a n ti s,
tro p h e a n d e pod e ) th e
,
c om pl i c ated p att er n i n ,

w hi c h ev e ry c hang e o f st i tc h c o n tribu tes to the sy mmetry — al l

t hi s e l abor atio n w as an ad d ed b eauty to the G r e ek ear ; to t he
m od er n r ead er i t i s an ad d ed d i fli cul ty I t i s fo r t hi s r easo n that .

’
Pi n d ar i s th e sc hol ar s p o e t to o au s t er e to o i n g en io us to o li abl e
, , ,

to an u n e x pec t ed h o mel i n ess of all usio n to appeal to t ho se w ho

d eman d t h at p o e try s hall b e d ir e c t an d l uc i d an d c o n si s t en tly i m
p ass io n ed A Pi nd ari c o d e c omb i n es t he i m pr essiv e n ess of th e
.

H ebr ew sc ri p t ur es t he si mpli c i ty o f a b all ad an d the el abor at e

, ,

1 Th e t h eo ry of W est ph al an d rl y all th e Pi n d ari c o d es ar e

M e z ger t h at n ea

b ui lt on th e mo d el o f a n o me o f Te rp an d e r w i t h i ts s ev e n d i vi s i o n s i s ,

rej ect e d by Wi l amo w i t z , J H H S ch mi d t Cr o i s et Gi l d ersl eeve B ury an d

. . .
, , , ,

H . W . S myt h .
 M E LI C P O ETRY 23

effec ts o f a mod ern op er a Pi n d ar i s a p o et s aid M atth ew

.
“

Ar n old w hen h e c oi n ed the wor d Pi n d ari s m to expr ess th e

,
“

’
pow er o f t h rowi n g al l o n e s for c e i n to styl e on
Pi n d ari s m
w ho m abov e al l o th er po e t s th e pow e r o f styl e
, ,

s ee ms t o
l
hav e ex er c i s ed an i n s p iri n g an d i n to x i c ati ng effec t
”
.

P i n d ar s sp iritu al ex c i t e m en t i s i n d eed pro fou n d an d c o n si st ent

’ “ ”
,

but i t i s ex pr essed i n a m an n e r n ow n ai v e n o w m ag n i fi c en t T h i s , .

w as n o ou trag e to th e H ell en i c s en se o f b eau ty but to th e mod er n ,

ear the r e ar e passag es i n the Od es t hat see m as i n c o n gruou s as

the mul e r ac es th at w er e run i n th e spl en did h i ppodrom e of

O lympi a I t w as fo r a vi c t or i n a m ul e r ac e t h at P i n d ar wro te
.

t h e Si x th Oly m p i a n w i th i ts e xqui si t e d esc riptio n o f the flow e r

,

c r adl e o f t he c h il d I amu s w h o l ay h i dd en i n a n i mpenetr abl e

,

th or n br a he, hi s d el i ca te body s tee ed p i n th e yell ow an d d eep p u rpl e

r ay s of pa ns i es ( 5 4
Pi n d ar was an O rp hi c or at l east d ee ply i n flu enc ed by O rp h i c
,

d o c tri n es T her e ar e m an y allu si o ns i n hi s od es to th e fu t ur e li fe

.
,

i ts pu n i sh m e n ts an d r e w ard s su c h as t he pi c t ur e i n th e S eco n d
,

Oly mpi an o f the happy d ead w h o se r ew ard i s to dw el l w i t h Ze us

Wh er e t he s oft O c ean b ree z es fl o at for eve r

Ar o u n d t he I s l an d s o f th e B l est .

Th ere g o l d e n b l o o m to b l o o m suc c ee d s ,

Th r o ug h spr i ng s t h at n ever t i re .

Th ey fil l w i th l i g h t t h e gr o u n d b el o w ,

A t hw art th e s h i n i n g tr ees t h ey gl o w ;
Th ei r gr o w t h t h e v ery w at er fee d s ,

H i d u n d er fl ow ers o f fi re 3 .
”

But i t w as i n t he dirg es espec i ally that h e woul d dw ell w i th ,

a c o n c r ete n ess r ar e i n G r ee k p o e try o n t h e flow e ry ,

Di rg es
m eadow s th e fruit s the fr an ki nc ense an d th e mu si c
, , ,

t hat aw ai t t h e s o ul s o f th e goo d N o n e o f the fr agm en t s wi th

.
,

t he ir r esolu te t ur n i ng aw ay fro m t he gri e f o f t h e m o m en t c o n t ai n ,

1 cal f” Li ter atu r e, P ” Q 0

2
I mi t at e d by M att hew Ar nol d , M er op e .

3
. l
7 7 ff Tran s at ed by S i r Fran c i s Do y e l .
1 24 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K LITE RATU RE

an y s u c h p i c t ur e o f p e r s o n al s orrow as m ad e t he r eput atio n of th e

t en d er l am en t s of Sim o n i d es .

We hav e a few fr agm en t s o f t he bol d d it hyr amb s w hi c h ’

i mpr ess ed Hor ac e wit h t he i r full flo wi n g riv e r o f sp eec h and

1 -

t h e n ov e l ty o f t h ei r d i c tio n T h e l as t fe at u r e es pe .

Di t h yramb s
,

c i al l y t h e c o i n i n g o f c om p o u n d e p i t h e t s se e ms fully as ,

c har ac te ri s ti c of th e Od es to us at l eas t w h o mus t j ud g e fro m t h e

,

sc an ty fra gm e n ts o f th e d i t hyr amb s Wh en Hor ac e go es o n to .

s p eak o f t he l awl essn ess o f Pi n d ar s d i t hyr ambi c s tyl e w e may

‘ ’ ’
,

su ppo se t h at h e r e fe rr ed to hi s n e gl ec t o f s trop hi c arr an g e m e n t

i n t h i s ty pe o f o d e Th e lo n g est fr agm e n t o f tw en ty o n e l i n es
.
,
-

(f r . w as c o mpo sed for a d i t hyr ambi c c o n tes t at A t he n s to be ,

su n g i n t h e ago r a at o n e o f th e sp ri n g fe s tiv al s i n h o n o r o f D i o n y

sus at w hi c h th e suc c ess ful c ho ru s wor e c ro w n s o f ro se s t he ,

s ac r e d fl ow e r of the god .

I n th e Od es Pi n d ar d o es n ot di sgui s e hi s p e r so n al sym pat h i es .

T ho ug h no t hi m sel f o f pur e Dori an bloo d h e w as a Do ri an i n s o ul ,

hi s i d e al p ri n c e was Do ri an T h e ro hi s favori t e c o n s ti t u ti o n t hat ,

o f Dori an A egi na for w ho se c i tiz en s h e c om p o sed abo u t o n e

,

fo urt h of the ext an t o d es H i s h e ro es are r ar ely d r aw n from .

H o mer s g all ery o f A c haean p ri n c es b ut he i s lou d i n th e p rai se of

’
,

Aj ax w ho m th ey i nsul t ed w h il e he d e t e st s O d y ss eus t h e n atio n al

, , ,

h ero o f Io ni a B y br e ed i n g an d t e m p e r ame n t Pi n d ar w as i n s ym
.

p at h y wi t h h i s c oun trym an H es io d H o mer s t rad i tio n al riv al ,

’
.

B o eo ti a w as a p rov e rb amo n g th e I o n i an s for th e slow w it s w h i c h

t hey d ec l ar e d m at c h e d the h eavy ai r of the c ou n try Pi nd ar .

m ak es t he usual r e tort of d w elli n g o n the offen siv e e pi the t and ,

t ur n s th e anc i en t r ep ro ac h o f hi s r ac e B oeo ti a n S w i ne i n to a j es t , ,

n s h e r e mai n s an ti I o n i an
( O l 6 . . For al l hi s pr ai s e o f A t h e ,
-
,

an ti d e mo c r ati c i n c ap abl e o f t h e c o s mopol i t an i s m o f Si mo n i d es

-
,
.

Pi n d ar s p e r so n al enj oy men t o f li fe w as k een The fr ag men t o f

’
.

a sc oli o n ( f r 1 2 3 ) w h i c h i n hi s ol d age h e addr essed to Th eo x

.
, ,

1
Od es 4 . 2 . Cp . l ’
Co w ey s P r a i se o f P i n dar : S o Pi n d ar d o es n ew r
wo ds

an d fi g ures ro ll D o w n hi s i mp et uo us d i t h yramb i c t i d e , W hi c h in n o c h an

n el d e i g n s to ab i d e , Wh i c h nei t h er b an k s nor di k es c o n tr l o .
”
1 26 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

i
n ne n a m es Al c m an Al c aeus Sap p ho Stesi c ho rus I by c u s A n ac
, , , , , ,

1
r eo n Si m o n i d es Pi n d ar an d Bac c hyl id es
, , O f th es e A n ac r e o n
,
.
, ,
'

S i m o n i d es an d B ac c h yl id es w e r e I o n i an s
,
A n ac r eo n c o un ts wi t h .

the A eoli ans as a wri t er o f mo n o d i c lyri c Simo n id es t he gr eates t ,

B acch y lyri c p o et o f hi s r ac e e mpl oy e d t he Dori an r hyt h m s ,

l i d es and l an g uag e i n hi s c ho r al o d e s fi n ally B ACCH Y LI DES ,

o f C eo s wro te hi s c hor al so ng s aft er the typ e t hat had b een set by

S i mo n i d es an d Pi n d ar .

Li t tl e i s k n ow n o f the l i fe o f B ac c hyl id es To the fac t t hat h e .

w as th e n ep h ew o f Si mo n i d es he prob ably ow e d hi s i n trodu c tio n

to th e c ourt o f Hi ero hi s fl or ui t o c c u r s about 4 6 8 B C w h en h e . .

c om p o s e d an o d e i n ho n or o f Hi e ro s O ly mp i an vi c to ry
’
I n th e .

fourt h c e n tury A D i t i s r ec or d e d t hat the E m p eror juli an r ead hi s

. .

po e ms an d as l ate as t he fi ft h c en tury t her e i s evid enc e t hat th ey

,

w er e w ell k now n to an t hologi st s an d sc holi as t s Bu t i n the R eviv al .

o f Lear n i ng i n the fi ft een t h and si x t een t h cen tu ri es Bac c hyli d es

pl ay ed no p art an d i t was n o t till the c lo si n g y ear s o f t he n i n e
,

t een t h that the san d s of Egypt g av e u p t he s i n gl e p apyru s m an u sc rip t

o n w h i c h w e d e p en d U n til 1 8 9 7 th e d at e o f th e fi r s t
Recovery
.
,

of t h e e ditio n B ac c h yli d e s c oul d be esti m at e d o n ly fro m t h e

,

poems bri ef fr agm ents t h e lo n g es t w as o n ly t w elv e li n es

c oll ec t e d by B e r gk c h i e fly fro m t he l at e an t h ol ogi s t StO baeus Th e .

n e w m an u sc ri p t c o n t ai n s fo u rt een od es of vi c tory t h e n u mb e r o f ,

P i n d ar s Oly mpi a n Odes an d si x ot h er c h or al ly ri c s i n al l m or e

’
, ,

t han a t ho usan d li n es e it h e r p e rfec t o r admi tt i n g o f r es tor at io n .

The d ate of t h e p apyru s i s the fi r s t c e n tury B C o r po ss ibly a . .

2
c e n tu ry l at e r .

Li k e Pi n d ar B ac c hyli d es wro te O ly mpi an Py thi an I st hm i an

, , ,

an d N e rn ean o d es ; th e p r esen t c oll ec tio n of fou r t een ep i n i c i a

1 An e pi g a r m in th e P a l a ti n e A n thol ogy 9 . 1 8 4 , ad d esses r th e n ine c an o n i

c al t
p o e s an d r e c o g n i z es th e cha rm o f l
B ac c hy i d es i n th e ph rase S i ren w i t h

g i ft o f s p e ec h
’
the .

2
B assl .

3
Th e Ep i n i c i a n O d es ar e n o t g r o up e d as i n th e man usc ri pt s of Pi n d ar
ac c o rdi n g to festi val s ,
but w i h t referen ce to t h e h o me of t h e vi c o t r .
 M E LI C P O ET RY 12
7

i nc lu d es a Petraean O d e i n h o n or o f a vi c tory at s o m e T hessali an

,

g am es k n ow n as th e P etraea an d d ed i c at ed to Po s eido n The .

r ec ov ery o f th e Ep i n i ci a o f B ac c hyli d es th o ug h w e Th e ,

ca n o n ly r e g ard i t as a s el ec t io n h as r eli e v e d t h e i s ol a E p i ni ci a
,

t io n t h at par tly ac c ou n ts for th e fac t t hat Pi n d ar i s an tip ath eti c to

the mo d er n r ead er An est i m ate o f Pi n d ar alw ay s r ead s lik e an

.

apology and p artl y for t h e r e aso n th at h e c r eat ed hi s o wn s t an d

,

ard an d i n hi s c o n c e ptio n o f t he s t r ai n t h at s ui t ed a priz e

, p o em
a li t e rary typ e w h olly ali e n t o ou r s ym p ath i es he se emed to us ,

ev e n amo n g th e G r ee k s to w al k alo n e ,
We c an b ette r es ti mat e .

hi s es sen ti al q uali ti e s w hen w e see ho w th e sam e e v en t s and t he

sam e at mo sp h e r e i nspi r e d a c o n t e mpor ary p o e t h i s Th e ri val ,

I o n i an riv al Twi c e they w er e c o mmi ss io n ed to Of Pi nd ar

.

Pi n d ar s F i r s t Py thi a n an d t he
’

cel ebr at e t he sam e vi c t ory .

1
F ou r th Od e o f B ac c hylid es bo th c om m e mor at e Hi ero s su c c es s
’

i n t he c h ario t r ac e at Delp hi i n 4 70 B C B ut he r e t her e w as

,
. .

n o dir ec t c o m p et i tio n : to Pi n d ar w as assi g n e d th e m or e el abor at e

ode ,
th e mor e di s ti n gu i sh e d c el ebr at i o n ; B ac c hyli d es h ol d s t h e
i n fe rio r c om mi ssi o n Si x y ear s b efor e t hat how ev e r H i e ro had
.
, ,

w o n th e si n gl e h or se r ac e at O ly mp i a ( 4 7 6
-
Th e h i ghes t
hei gh t tops i ts elf fo r hi ngs wrot e Pi n d ar i n th e F i r s t Oly mp i a n at
, ,

t hi s m om en t w h en the Si c ili an tyr an t see m e d th e brilli an t favor

i te of th e god s b efor e di sease had b egu n t o ov er shad ow al l hi s

,

t ri ump h s
2
I t w as for th e sam e o c c asi o n t h at B ac c h yli d es c o m
.

po sed the lo ng es t o f hi s e x tan t p o e m s th e F if th Od e w h i c h aft er , , ,

t he oblivi o n o f so m e fou rt een h u n dr e d y e ar s ag ai n i n vi t es c o m ,

p ari so n wi th the famou s F i r s t Oly mp i a n t hat fi n est flow er o f all ,

( Lu c i an The D r ea m Fo r the c en t r al the me

’
t hat Pi n d ar wro te .
,

o f hi s o d e Pi n d ar c ho se t h e tal e o f a c hari o t r ac e i n the di m p as t ,

an d san g ho w mig hty P el op s w o n H i ppo d ame i a by th e h el p o f

1 The f
re er en c e s l
to B ac chy i d es ar e ac c o d i n g t o r Ken yo n ’
s ed i t i o
p r i n ceps,
18 9 7 .

2
Pi n d ar ’
s Th i r d Py th i a n B C ) an d t h e Th i r d Od e o f B ac c h
. .
y i d es l
(468 t ho ugh co mp o se d i n ho n o r o f H i ero s vi c t o ri es at O ympi a an d
’
l
Del ph i , ar e d esi g n e d to c o n so e l h i m fo r si c k n ess an d r
ap p o ac hi n g d eat h .
1 28 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R EE K L ITE RATURE

Po se i d o n to w h o m ,
he p r ay e d ,
co mi ng to th e e dge of the g r ay s ea ,

a l o n e, i n th e d a r h n ess f
o ni gh t . K eep ba ch the br azen spea r of
Oen oma us . No co w a r d i s h e w h o m s o g r ea t a d a ng er i n spi r es .

M a n mus t s u r ely di e w hy then s h o ul d he s i t i d ly a n d n u r se i n th e

d ar h an i ngl or i ous ol d ag e 2 N ay , thi s a d ven tu r e s h al l be mi n e ,

a nd d o th o u g i ve me the i ss ue I d es i r e Pi n d ar d w ell s i n t h i s o d e .

on th e b eau ty o f wat er , o f g ol d , of fi re, of the sun and fi nally o n ,

th e ho nor an d s we e t r es t
“
t hat ar e t he portio n o f all O lympi an
vi c to r s fro m P elo p s to H i e ro I n h i s F if th Od e B ac c hyli d es .

a s es fro m t h e pr ai se of H i e ro an d h i s r ac e —h or se to t h e r efl
p s ec

ti o n i n evi t abl e i n a G r eek po et w he n h e c o n te mpl at e s h u man

,

ac hi e v e me n t t h at n o m or tal c an e sc ap e so rrow
, an d by a so me , ,

w hat viol en t tr an si tio n to t he toil o f t he i n vi n c ibl e so n of Z eu s

,

w ho mu s t d esc en d to H ad es to fe t c h C erb eru s

Th e
.

l eg en d of T h er e amo n g th e soul s o f the d ead by the w ater s of

M e1eager Cocy tus , l i he l eaves th a t th e n or thw es t w i n d d r i ves al o ng
1
the h ea dl a n d s f
o [d a w h er e th e s hee
p f eed h e ,
saw t h e so u l of
M el eag e r and hear d th e t al e o f t he C aly d o n i an bo ar hu n t an d ho w -

Alt haea i n h er p assio n ate gri ef for t he d eat h o f h er b ro th er s li t the

br an d t hat w as t he me asur e of h er s o n s li fe : E ven th en I w as
2 '
,

f hi s a r ms Cly men us w hom [ ha d over tahen outs i d e the

s tr ipp i ng o ,

w a l l s , w hen the C u r etes fled to th e g ood ly tow er s o f a n ci en t P l eu

r on . Then my s w eet l if e f ai l ed me . Al as l I h aew my s tr eng th

w a s w a n i ng ; my l as t br ea th w ept tha t I mus t l eave the

a nd w i th

sp l en d or of m
3
y y o u th H e r e i s th e ro m an ti c p ath o s o f the I o n i an
.

s h owi n g t h ro ug h t he c o n v en t io n al Do ri c form s H o m e r hi m self .

,

1 Th e co mpari so n t h l eaves h as bee n a co mmo n pl ac e w i t h po ets

of men wi

s i n c e th e I l i a d B e fo r e th e r ec o ve ry o f B acc h yl i d es V e rgi l ( A en 6 3 09 ff )
.
, . . .

w as t h e p o t o t yp e o f M i l t o n s an g el fo r ms T hi c k as aut umn al l eav es

’ “
r

th at stro w th e b r o o k s i n V all omb ro sa .

”

2 F o r A l t h ae a an d th e b r an d s ee A esc h Ch oe h 6 0
p, 5 ff . . .

p S w i n b ur n e A ta l a n ta i n Ca ly d on al l t h i s b o d
y a b ro k en b ar re n tr ee
3 C
.
, ,

Th at w as s o s t r o n g an d al l t hi s fl o w er o f l i fe Di sb r an c h e d an d d es e c rat ed
,

mi s e rabl y , fo r al l my v ei n s Fai l me an d al l mi n e ash en l i fe b u r n s d o w n

, .

I t w as l e ft fo r Eu ri p i d e s t o i n tr o d u c e th e p ass i o n o f M e l e ager fo r A tal an ta as

a fac to r i n t h e l eg en d .
139 SH O RT H I ST O R Y O F G R E E K LITE RAT U R E

sp ea k wi t h som e assur anc e of th e d i thyramb as i t exi st ed i n th e

fi ft h c en tury ap ar t fro m t r ag ed y B ac c hyl id es u n lik e P i n d ar
.
, ,

ob serv ed th e s trop h i c arr an g emen t i n hi s d it hyramb s Th e sag a .

,

or r athe r th e sc en e fr o m a sag a w hi c h i s t heir mai n t hem e has i n ,

n o c as e an y r e l atio n to Dio n y su s t hou g h in the [o t her e i s an

,

abru p t all u si o n to S e m el e hi s mo th e r ,
The Th eseus by i ts for m
.
, ,

s t an d s alo n e amo n g G r eek lyri c s I t i s a d i alogu e b etw e en

.

A eg eu s ki n g of A thens and a c ho ru s o f At hen i ans the ki ng n o t

, , ,

k n owi n g t hat T heseu s i s hi s so n d esc rib es the d eed s an d th e ,

ap p ear anc e o f th e h ero w ho se c o mi n g i s d r ead ed by h im sel f an d

by t he c h oru s H er e th en w e hav e th e o n ly ex tan t c as e o f a

.

dr am ati c lyri c a d i alogu e c arri ed o n b etw een o n e sp eak er an d the

,

c h oru s an d i f w e c o ul d assu me th at t he Theseus re r e

Th e Th es eus
, p
sen ts th e typ e of di th yr amb fro m w hi c h as Ari stotl e ,

t ell s us tr ag ed y w as d ev elo p e d t h i s E i gh teen th Od e wo u l d r an k

, ,

as a r eal c o n tribu tio n to t h e h i s to ry of t h e d r am a

1
I t wo ul d mark .

t hat stag e i n the evol u ti o n of t he pl ay fro m the d i thyr amb w h en

t h e s i n gl e ac t or s till c o n fi n e d the di alogu e t o h i m sel f an d the

c h oru s o r t he l ead e r o f th e c horu s

, I n the l o a p o e m .
,
Th e 10
o f v ery slig ht m eri t wri tten fo r an A then i an c o n test
, ,

B ac c hyl i d es p asses from th e pr ai se o f A th en s to t h e sto ry o f I o for ,

w h i c h h e se em s to hav e d r aw n o n th e sam e sou r c es as A esc hylu s

i n t h e P r ometh eus F o u n d T he S even teen th O de th e You ths a n d
.
,

Th es eus s u n g at Del o s i n h o n or o f Apoll o i s prob ably a p aean

, ,
.

T h eseu s wi th M i n o s th e C r e tan ki n g i s acc om p an yi n g

P aean ; Th e , ,

Y ou t h s an d t he you th s an d m aid e n s w h om At h e n s o w e d ev ery y e ar

Th es eus
to t h e M i n o tau r M i n os i nsult s E ribo ea ( who i s to b e
.
,

l ater the mo the r o f A egi ne tan Aj ax ) w h er eu po n T h ese us as th e

, , ,

so n o f Po se i d o n d efi es M i n o s th e so n o f Z eu s A fl ash o f lig h t
, .

n i n g at te s t s t h e p ro tec t io n o f he av e n for M i n o s w ho c hall en g e s

,

T h eseu s to l eap i n to the sea t ru sti n g i n Po sei do n an d bri n g up a

, ,

ri n g t hat he t h ro ws i nt o t h e w av es Then th e o ther s cou r ag e di d

.
’

n o t r ecoi l ; he s tood the ely s ter n - d ech a n d an d

on s ha
p l eap t, g l ad
1 R ob ert i n H er mes 3 3 . O ur i g no r an c e of the tragi c d i t hyramb d epr i ves
th e j
c o n ec t ur e o f c ert ai n ty .
 M ELi c P O ETRY 13 1

w as the s ea to w el co me h i m to her d eep g r oves . He ca me to

the d i vi n e a bod e, a n d beh el d w i th a w e th e f med d a ugh ter s of

f ar - a

N er eus , bl ess ed g od
th e . F r o m th ei r bea u tif ul l i mbs flashed a
l i gh t l i he fi r e, a bou t thei r head s w er e bo u n d fil l ets of w o ven g old ,

a nd w i th su
pp l e feet they d a n ced a nd mad e thei r hea r ts gl ad Th en .

he s aw i n h er l ovely h al l s th e d ea r sp o use of hi s f a th er , the godd ess ,

eyed A m h i tr i te A bou t h i m s h e fl ung a p urp l e cl o ah a n d set
ox - p .

on hi s cu r l i ng h a i r a _w on d r o us w r ea th, d ar h w i th r oses , o n ce the

w ed di ng g if t of w i ly Aph r od i te ( 8 1
B ac c hyli d es w as n o t, lik e Pi n d ar , ri ti c o f th e tradi tio nal sag aa c ,

an d t h e r e i s n o proo f that b e modi fi e d i t Th e s tory o f T h ese u s .

an d t he ri n g an d wr eat h n o t k n o w n to us i n li t e rat ur e Th e s ame

,

ffii efiury
hi t herto t h oug h i t i s tol d i n P ausan i as ( 1 1 7 2 ) an d E
l s
. .
,

Hygi n u s ( P oet A s tr on 2 . w as famil i ar to ar c hae

. . art
.

ologi s t s from th e i ll us tr atio n s o f fo ur r ed fi gure d v ases all b el o n g -

,

i ng to the fi ft h c e n tury ; t he d e at h o f M e l eag er i s r e pr ese n te d o n

an amph o r a of abou t 4 00 B C wi th H e r ac l es an d C erb eru s o n th e
. .
,

r ev er se of the v ase .

I n hi s Th i r d Od e B acc h yl id es t ell s th e st ory o f C ro esu s ki ng o f ,

Ly d i a hi s g en e ro s i ty to th e Py th i an A pollo an d h o w i n the hour

, ,

o f hi s d ow n fall h e w as r epai d by th e i n t erv en ti o n o f t he god I n .

th a t d ay of d espai r h e w as n ot the ma n to a bi d e the mi s ery s till to

co me the l ot o
, f a s l ave B ef o r e the br azen w all s o
.
f hi s cou r t he
bui l t a py r e a n d mo u n ted ther eon w i th h i s f ai thf ul w if e a n d hi s
,

f ai r - h a i r ed d a ug h ter s , w eepi ng bi tter ly . Th en he l if ted hi s h a n d s

to the h ea ven above a n d cr i ed : O, al l - pow erf ul g od , w her e i s the

g r ati tude of heaven w her e i s the s on o f L eto S o h e sp ahe

a n d ba d e them set fi re to the w ood en p i l el Th e mai d ens s h r i ehed
al o u d a n d ca s t thei r a r ms a bo u t th ei r mother f o r mos t h a tef ul to
mor ta l s i s th e d ea th tha t they mus t see app r oa ch B u t even as .

th e gl ea m of the fier ce fi r e beg a n to sp r ea d , Z e us br ough t a d a r h

cl o u d over h ea d a n d
p u t ou t the yel l ow fla me ( 2 9 Th e d eat h
T hi s v er si o n o f t he d eat h o f C ro esu s i n w hi c h he as 01 Croe s us ,

c e nd s t he pyr e by hi s ow n c hoi c e i s e arl i e r t han th e s to ry of H e ro d

,

o tu s I t w as o nly sev en ty eig h t y ear s aft e r th e fall o f Sar d i s w h en

.
-
13 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATUR E

B ac c h yl id es u sed th i s p i ec e of h i s tory as t ho ug h i t h ad b ee n a tr ad i
t i o nal my t h Ev e n e arl i e r h o w ev e r t he p ai n t e r of a r ed fi gured
.
, ,
-

v as e no w i n th e Lo uvr e had mad e a p i c tur e o f t he volu n t ary sac

, ,

r ifi c e o f C ro e s us ; t h e Thi r d Od e c o n fi rm s hi s v e r s i o n of w hat

r eally happe ned T he r e are o t her t ho ug h l ess i n te r esti n g c ases

.
, ,

i n w h i c h t h e arti st s of t h e fi ft h c e nt ury c hi efly th e v as e p ai n t er s

“

, ,

may be u sed as illu s tr atio n s to B ac c hylid e s: B ut i n n o c ase do es

i t seem l i k e ly that the p ai n t er w as i n flu enc ed by t h e p o e t B ac .

c hyli d es wro t e n o d irg s an d hi s so n g s of lov e an d w i n e w hi c h

e , ,

w e r e p e r hap s mor e sui t e d to hi s t al en t than th e epi n i c i an typ e ar e ,

lo s t to us .

La fac ili t é said J o ub er t e st oppo s ée au su bl i me Th e

“ ”
.
, ,

faultl ess s tyl e t he gr ac e ful ease of Bac c hyli d es hi s avoid anc e of

, ,

Pi n d ari c m e t aph or w o ul d hav e r ec o mm en d ed hi m to V olt ai r e w ho

, ,

c oul d n o t tol e r at e t h e i n fl ated T he b an H e o ut d i d ev en Pi n

“ ”
.

d ar h i ms el f i n c oi n i n g n ew ep i t h e t s esp ec i ally for hi s d it h yr amb s , ,

an d th e r ec ov er e d po ems hav e ad d ed ov e r a hu n dr e d
S ty l e
word s to t he di c tio n ary T hese ar e for the m o st par t .
, ,

w ell so un di n g an d d ec or ativ e e p i t het s oft en mer ely for mal but

-
, ,

’
o c c as io n ally o f r eal b eau ty as w h en h e spe ak s o f d a r h tr essea
,
-

Vi cto ry or t h e d a r hly flow er i ng sea

,
-
.

Pi n d ar c ar efully avoi d ed th e use o f hi s n ativ e B o e oti an di al ec t .

B ut B ac c hyli d e s w as an I o n i an an d Io n i an had l o ng b een es t ab ,

li s he d by ep i c t r ad i tio n as a di al ec t p e c uli arly sui t e d

Di al ec t
t o p o etry I t i s t h e re for e n atur al t hat the Do ri c o
.

A eol i c c olori ng o f hi s p o e m sh o ul d hav e a b asi s mor e d e c i d edl y

1
Io ni c than w e fi n d i n Pi n d ar For al l t h i s t en d en c y h e i s still to b e
.

c ou n t e d as a w ri t e r o f as o n e i s p e r h ap s j u s tifi e d i n c all
’
c h ori c ,

i n g t h e c o n v e n tio n al d i al ec t al mo s t as c o n v en tio n al as e p i c ‘ ’
, ,

w hi c h w as used wit h suc h slig h t v ari atio n s by Si m o n i d es Pi n d ar , ,

an d B ac c h yli d e s .

Th e me t e r s o f B ac c hyl i d es ar e l ik e Pi n d ar s d ac tylo ep i tri ti c

’
-
, , ,

p a e o n i c an d log
, a o e d i c H i s n am e i s
. n o t to b e fo u n d i n an y Atti c

wri t er bu t t h er e are ec ho es o f hi s po etr y i n E uri pi d es an d So pho

,

1 S c hti n e , D e d i a l ecto B a c chy l i d ea , Leip z i ger S t u d i en , 1 8 99 , p . 29 6 .

134 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RATU R E

P er s ae, an d p t e r s o f H e ro d o t us t hat d eal wi t h the sam e

t he c ha

t he me As a hi s tori c al ac c o un t th e P er s ae of Ti mot h eu s ad d s n ot h
.

i ng to t he v e r s io n s o f H e ro d ot us an d A es c h yl us T hat w o ul d b e .

too m u c h to ask fro m th i s li br e t to w ri tt en at a ti me w hen t he N ew

,

M usi c had the upp er han d w as no lo n g e r subor d i n at e t o t he w or d s

,
.

Th e P er s a e mu s t h av e o w e d m uc h to t he mu si c al g e n iu s of i ts
au t h or an d wi thou t i ts mu si c al se tti n g w e c an n ev e r d o i t full jus
,

t i c e as a work o f ar t To i n for m to be d e fi n i t e i s n o t th e fu n c
.
, ,

t io n o f a l ibr etto t h i s lyri c al d esc ri pt io n woul d s erv e as w ell for

an y s ea fi ght i n w h i c h G r eek s me t an d sc at t er e d a b arb ari an
-

fl eet .

When the p apyrus b ec om es r ead abl e w e ar e i n t he thi c k of th e

en c ou n t e r Alr ead y the P ersi an s ar e wor s t ed thei r s hi ps ar e b ei n g
.
,

r am m ed by the G r eek s an d b ur n ed t he i r ti er s o f o ar s shor n aw ay

, ,

t h eir c r ews m assac r ed E v en th e P hrygi an l an d sm an say s Ti mo

.
,

t h eu s mus t n o w tak e to s wi m mi n g lik e an y i sl an d e r an d as the

, ,

w av es buffet hi m h e t hr eat en s t h e m i n d ir ec t sp eec h wi t h h el pl ess

an d p ath eti c i n s ol e n c e Timo t heus lik es to tur n from th e pi c tu r e
. .

o f g en er al d estru c t ion an d mak es the effec t s till mor e vivi d by

s i n gli n g out t he m i s fortu n es o f t h e i n d ivi d ual an d n o w w e r e ad ,

t he l ud i c rou s an d i n c o he r en t p r ay e r s wit h t h ei r mix ed an d b ar

,

b arou s d i al ec t of the P er si an c ap t iv e d r agg ed i n to sl av e ry by hi s

,

G r eek c o n qu e ro r o n t h e sh o r e Fi nally X e rx es w h en the d ay i s

.
,

l o st an d all t hat h et erog en eou s ho st tu r n ed to flig h t fall s on hi s ,

k n ees an d t ear s hi s br east c ryi n g to hi s follow e r s to har n ess hi s

,

c hario t to b u r n t h e ten t s an d to fl
,
ee w i t h all hi s c ou n tl ess w eal t h

w h i c h mu st n o t fall i n to G r eek han d s I n t he l ast v ers es Ti mo .

t heu s b ec om es abruptly p e r so n al i n the P i nd ari c man n er an d , ,

r el at es ho w t he Sp ar tan s had e xp ell ed hi m b ec au se t he y d i d n o t

ap p r ec i at e t he N ew Mu si c An d ye t as h e say s i n t hi s pro ud
.
,

’
ap ology Te r p an d er th e L esbi an Spart a s p ri d e h ad u s ed as m an y
, , ,

as t en stri n g s ( a s t at e men t t h at mu s t b e r ec o n c il e d s om eh ow wi t h

our o l d n o tio n o f a s ev en st ri n g ed Terpan d r i an c i t har a ) an d n ow

-

h e Ti mo t h eus h ad but follow ed i n the s t e ps o f O rp heus t h e fi r s t

, , ,

c i t h ar o e d e an d T er pan d er
,
w hen he ex al t ed t he glory o f th e
,
 M E LI C P O ETRY 1
35

c i t har a by an el ev en t h stri n g B y thi s p e rso nal r e fer en c e he pu ts .

th e seal the t rad e m ark of au thor shi p o n hi s n om e The po em

’
-
.
, ,

en d s wi th a pr ay e r t o A poll o the go d to w ho m t h e n o m e w as ,

p ec ul i arly sac r ed fo r t he w el far e of M il etu s the c ity that had

, ,

n ur se d t h e po et Li k e any G e rm an or I tal i an l ibr e t to th i s lyri c i s

.
,

har d to tr an sl at e i nt o c o h er en t an d po eti c E ngli sh .

Ti o mth eus u ses an ex tr ao r d i n ary v ari e ty o f m ete r s I am bi c s .

pr ed o mi n at e bu t hardly a r hy t h m e mploy ed by t he tr ag e di an s
,

i n t h ei r c h or al lyri c s i s ab sen t fro m t hi s bri e f n o m e ,

M et ers
d o c h mi ac s the e mo t io nal m easur e o f t r ag edy t ro
, ,

c hees m ar t i al c r e ti c s d ac tyls and anap aests followi n g o ne an

, , , ,

o th e r i h qu i c k su cc ess io n T her e i s n o s trop hi c arran g e m en t .

,
1
n o r es p o n sio n .

Ti mo theu s had l iv e d l o n g at A th ens an d l ik e hi s fri en d ,

Eu ri pid es who i s sai d to hav e sym pathiz ed wi th hi m an d to

,

hav e for e told th e v i c tory o f hi s Mu s i c o f th e Fu tur e s p en t hi s ,

l ast y ear s at the c o ur t o f Ar c hel au s ki n g o f M ac ed o n i a at P ell a , , .

I n spi t e o f hi s I o n i an bir th h e u ses hardly m or e Io n i c ,

Di al ect
form s than an At h en i an t r agi c po et r egu larly ad
mi tted as c o ns ec r at ed by t r agi c u sag e The b asi s of hi s l an gu ag e .

i s A t ti c wit h a fai n t c olori n g o f A e ol i c

,
Lik e t h e p o et s o f c h or al .

m eli c he lov ed lo ng c o mpou n d ep it h ets the mou ntai n mo th er to

w ho m th e P er si ans app eal i s the godd ess w i th th e d ark l eaf ‘ -

’ ’ ’
embro id e r ed rob e w h it e arm ed an d gol d en t r essed
,
-
t he s ea ,
-

i s for th e fi r st t i m e i n po et ry H e c rowd s h i s
’
,
e m e r al d hair e d ,
-
.

d esc ri p tio n wi t h m et ap hor s i n tro d uc e d as a rul e wit h a too o bvi

o us e ffor t to avoid c alli n g an y th i n g si mply by i ts n am e ; o ar s are
‘
mou n tai n—br ed pi n es the han d s o r fee t o f the shi p s ; th e
,
’ ‘ ’ ‘ ’

’
se a w at e r i s
‘
—
r ai n fo ami n g but n o t wit h w i n e
,
H e r e we hav e
,
.

the mi n t mark o f th e r h e tori c i an wri ti n g p o e try

-
.

I t w as abo u t 3 9 8 B C ( ac c ordi ng t o Wi l amo wi tz 3 9 8 —3 9 6 at

. .
, ,

Mykal e at th e Pan Io n i c festiv al i n h o n or o f Po se ido n ) that

,
-

1
A ful l ac co u n t of th e met er s o f th e P er sa e an d an ex haus t i ve d i s c ussi o n
of th e w h o e po e m i s t o b e
l fo un d i n the ed . p r i n e b y W il amo w i tz , Ti motheos,
.

D i e P er ser , Le i p z i g , 1 9 03 .
1
36 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU RE

Ti mo t heus fi r s t p erform ed th e P er s ae N o n e of hi s po e m s had a .

gr e ate r r ep u t atio n and as l at e as 2 0 7— 2 0 6 B C i t w as su n g ag ai n at

, . .

t he N e mean fe s t iv al T ho ug h h e i s lik e O r pheu s Terpan d er an d

.
, , ,

Ario n o f C ori n t h p ec uli arly th e ty p e o f th e Gr eek c i tharo ed e th e

, _
,

p o e t w ho s i n g s to hi s o w n acc omp an i m en t a s olo lik e th e P er s a e ,

Ti mot h eus w as no l e ss famo us fo r hi s d i t h yr amb s o f w hi c h a few ,

t i t l es su rviv e th e l l/[a d Ajax t h e Tr avai l of S emel e th e S c l l a

, , y , .

T h u c y d i d es E u ri pid es an d Ti mot h eus had liv ed tog e t he r at the

, ,

c our t o f Ar c h e l aus Wh en the A t hen i an s e r ec ted a c en o t aph i n

.

h o n or o f Eu ri p i d es w ho se bo n es r emai n ed i n M ac e d o n i a an
, ,

e p i tap h w as w ri tt e n for i t w hi c h w as p r es erv ed i n th e A n th ol og

1
y
u n d e r th e n ame of T huc y d i d es I n o n e o f t he Liv es o f Euri p .

i d es t h i s famo us e pi t aph i s asc rib ed to T h u c y d i d es or Ti mo t heu s .

’

N ot th e l east i m por tan t o f th e fi n d s o f the ar c haeologi sts at

E pid auru s i n Argoli s i n th e l at ter p art o f the n i n e t een th c en tu ry
w as th e po e m s of a wri t e r h it h e rto un k n ow n I SY LLUS ,
I s yl l us
o f E p id au ru s H i s d at e may b e g at he r e d fro m an
.

allu si o n i n hi s h e x am e t e r s wri tt en i n h o n or o f A sc l epi us to the

’
d an g er w h i c h t hr eat en ed Spart a a ft e r P h ili p s vi c tory at C hae
ro mea i n 3 3 8 B C I syl lus w ho d esc rib es hi s ow n vi sio n o f Asc l e
. .
,

p iu s p ro mi si n g to av e rt t h e d an g e r t ell s u s t hat h e w as t hen a ,

boy an d hi s flor u i t h as ac c or d i n gly b een pl ac ed by Wi l amo w i tz

,
2

at 2 8 0 B C . Th e p o e m s w h i c h w er e fo un d en gr av ed o n s to n e i n
.
, ,
-
,

th e sh ri n e o f A sc l ep iu s an d w er e fi r st p u bli sh e d by Kabb ad i as
3
, ,

are al l i n h o n or o f Apoll o an d A sc l ep iu s Two h ex am e t e r po em s .

’
( 1 7 a n d 2 3 v e r s e s ) a r e wri t t e n i n c o n v e n tio n al ep i c wit h ‘

t ou c h es o f th e p o et s n ativ e Dori c Th e m o s t i m p ort an t i s th e

’
.

P a ea n to Ap ol l o ( 7 8 v e r s es ) i n I o ni c s a pro c ess i o n al s o n g w h i c h ,

b elo n g s to the ty pe o f c hor al lyri c an d i s wri tt en i n a d i al ec t

’
w ho se b asi s i s Dori c v ari ed by the A eol i c an d e pi c c olori n g ‘

famili ar t o us fro m Pi n d ar Th e po e m s of I syl l us hav e a gr eat .

ar c hae ologi c al an d h i stori c al v alu e bu t as p o e try t h ey are ,

i nsig n ifi c an t .

1
7 45
. .
2
P h i l ol ogi sch e Un ter s u ch u ng en IX ,
B erl i n , 188 6 .

18 8
5 66, .
1
38 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

an d , li k e the Io n i an el egy c oul d b e sen ti m en tal or p atri oti c

, , ,

or mo r alizi n g r an gi n g t h ro ug h ev ery moo d fro m the d ri n ki ng

, ,

s o n g s o f Al c aeus to th e famo us sc olio n of Ari s to tl e To Vi r tue , .

T her e w as a fash io n i n th ese so n g s B y the end o f th e fi ft h c en .

t ury i t w as o ut o f d at e to s i n g a s t av e fro m Stesi c ho r us o r Al c m an , ,

or Si mo n id es The fash io n abl e gu est w hen ac c ordi n g to th e

.
, ,

e tiqu ette h e t ook t h e br an c h of m yrtl e i n h i s han d w as e x p e c ted

, ,

to s i n g i n st ead s o me sel ec tio n fro m the s o n g book c al l ed the -

Th e A t t i c A tti c S col i a ho w H a r modi us a n d A r i s togei to n slew the

,

s col i a ty r a n t a n d ga ve equal l aw s to A then s ( B e rgk or

t he Tel a mo n ( 1 7 ) o r A d metus or the b eau ti ful an o ny mou s
sc o ho n

Dr i nh w i th me a n d be y o u ng l ove w hen I l ove cr ow n ed as I a m w i th flow er s

, , .

R ave w i th me w h en I r a ve but be th an too, w i se i n my w i ser h o u r s 1

, .

T h i s sp ec i es o f wi n e s o n g origi nally an i mprovi sat io n and

-
,

hardly to b e di sti n g u i sh ed i n i ts mor e p ri m itiv e for m fro m a

folk so n g c han g ed as i t b ec am e a l i t e rary typ e Wh en Al c aeu s
-
,
.

wro t e h is sc oli a he h ad i n vi ew o n ly o n e s i ng er Wi th Pi n d ar
,
.

t h e sc ol io n i s s t at ely for mal an d d e sig n ed for a c ho ru s

, ,
Logao e .

d i c w as t he favori te m e t er an d four li ne d stro p hes w er e c o m mo n

,
-
.

The sc ol i a r e fl ec t t he al t er nati n g g ay e ty an d gr avi ty of the

G r eek w ho i f h e r ec all ed a t al e of far o ff t hi n g s mu st poi n t
, ,
-
,

i ts m or al ev en ov e r h i s w i n e a n d w h e n h e h ad c row n ed hi s h ai r
, ,

wi th fl ow er s p r ese rv e d hi s b al an c e wi t h a savi n g r emi n d er o f th e

,

b eauti es o f t e mp eranc e A m or e p at he ti c an d hu m an i n t er est i s

.

Th e fol k att ac h e d t o t h e fr ag me n t s o f G r eek folk s o n g s T hese -

.

s on g s ar e th e ec h o e s o f th e h u mbl e r an d m or e i n ti m at e l ife

o f th e p e o pl e bri e f d i t ti e s l ik e t he L i n us sun g as the y r eap ed the

, ,

c or n t hat l at e r w as gro un d i n t h e mill to t h e tu n e of G r i n d mi ll ,

gr i n d ; even P i ttac us g r i n ds , the hi ng of g r ea t M i tyl en e (f r 4 3 ) .

We h av e e v en a fe w fr ag men t s o f t h e n ur s ery so n g s to w h i c h th e

c h il d r en pl ay ed th e ir g am es
1 M H Ri tchi e
. . .
 MELI C P O ET RY 139

Wher e ar e my r oses, w her e ar e my v i ol ets , w her e a r e my bea utifu l p a r s l ey

l ea ves ?
H er e ar e y ou r r oses , her e ar e y o ur vi ol ets, h er e ar e y o ur bea utif u l pa r sl ey
l eav es ( fr .

P er haps th e mo s t c harmi n g o f all i s the sw all ow s o n g su n g by -

t h e c hil d r en o f R h od es w h en t hey w en t b eggi n g fro m door to

d oor to an n ou n c e th e r etur n o f sp ri ng ( f r E v e ry h ou r o f .

t oil e v e ry h our o f amu sem en t h ad i ts ac c o m p an i m e n t of s o n g

, , .

I n th o se u nn am ed u n d ated fr agm en ts w e t ou c h n o t m e r e l i t er a
, ,

t ur e but so m et hi n g d eep er an d mor e es s ent i al to the li fe o f t he

,

r ac e .

B IBLI OGRAPHY

ALCA EUS

M atth i ae A l caei , r el i qu i ae, Le i p z i g, 18 27 . Wel c k er , A lha os i n K l S ehr . . 1.

Ko ck , A l haos S apph o, B erl i n ,

'
1 26 ff , B o nn,
. 1 8 44 . u . 18 62 .

ALC MAN

Wel ck er F r ag men ta A l cma n i s ly r

, .
, Gi ssae, 18 1
5 ; Kl 4 3 7 ii
. A
S ehr . . .

papyru s fragme n t o f a p arth en ei o n ( f r . n o w i n th e L o uvr e , w as fo u n d by

Mari ett e i n 1 8 55 , an d l
p u b i s h e d b y Egge r i n M émoi r es d ’h i stoi r e a n c i en n e et
de ph i l ol og i e, Pari s ,
18 63 . A s e co n d p apyr us fragme n t o f a parth e n e i o n ( n o t
i n B ergk ’
s co l l ec t i o n ) w as p ub l i sh e d b y Gre n fe ll an d H u n t Oxy hy n ch u s , r

P apy r i I . vi i i , Lo n d o n , 1 8 98 . S p ec i al art i c l es d eal i n g w i t h t h es e f r ag B ergk .

i n P aeta e ly r i ci Gr a eci III ; D i e l s i n H er mes 3 1 . Wil amo w i tz i n H er mes

32 .
jur en k a in Wi en er S t ud 1 8 an d 22 . . B l ass i n N eu e j ahr b f u r P ad a .
‘

Wil amo w i t z i n Gotti ng Smyt h ,

’

gog i h 3 , 1 8 99 Gel eh r te A n z eigen , 1 8 9 8

’

. . .

Gr eeh M el i c P oets p . 204 , Lo n d o n, 1 9 06 .

N A CREO N
A

A n acr eon tea, ed p r i n c , , , 1 554

. . S t eph an u s Par i s
B e r g k , A n acr eon ti s Ca r .

mi n a, Le i pz i g, 1 8 3 4 Z uret ti , A n a cr eo n te ed A n a cr eon tee, To r i n o , 1 8 8 9

. .

Wel ck er, A n ah r eon i n K l S eh r 1 2 5 1 ff F i c k , D i e Sp r a chfor m d er a l t . . . .

i on i s chen Ly r i h i n B eaz B ei tr ag e, 1 8 8 8 Web er, A n a cr eon tea , G Ott i n gen ,

. .

18 9 5 V erse tr an sl at i o n s o f t h e A n a cr eon tea by A d d i so n , 1 7 3 5 , an d Mo o r e,

.

1 8 00 .

A RI O N

Wel ck er , D er D elphi n d es A r i on i n K l . S eh r . ff . Wil amo w i tz , in

H er ahl es I 8 5 , A r i on .
( w i th so me r emar k s on t he d e ve l o pme n t of t he d i th y
ra mb ) , Ber i n, l 18 8 9 .
149 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATURE

BAC CH Y L I D ES

I MA N USC RI P T Papyr us ac q ui re d by G re n fe ll i n Egypt ; I st c en t ury B C

. .
, . ..

in th e B ri t i s h M use um; c o n t ai ns t w e n t y p o e ms fi ve o f w h i c h are mer e frag ,

me n t s . Th ere ar e no sco l ia . A facs i mi le of t h e p apy us w as p ub i sh e d by r l

the B r i t i sh M us e um i n 1 8 9 7 .

II ED I T I O N S E d i ti o p zn ceps
. . r , K e n yo n , Th e P oe ms of B a cchy /i des , Lo n d o n,
18 97 . B l ass , B a cchy l i d i s ca r mi n a cu m f r ag men t i s ,
2d cd .
, z
L e i p i g , 1 8 99

( c o n t ai n s a full b i bl i o gr ap h y d o w n to 3 d ed 1 904 , .
jur en k a, D i e
n e ugef u n d en en L i ed er d es B ah chy l i d es V i e n n a 1 8 9 8 F est a Le od i , , .
,
e i fr a ni
men ti d i B a cch i l i d e testo g r eco tr a d uz i on e e n ote Fi r en z e 1 8 9 8
, , , , . S myt h ,
Gr eeh l i/ el i e P oets ( S e l e ct i o n s ) , Lon d o n , 1 9 06 . J e bb , B a cchy l i d es , Lo n d o n ,
1 90
5 .

I II . L I TERATUR E . A bi bl i o gr aphy d o w n t o 1 905 i s p re fi x ed to j ebb s ’

edi

t i on of th e p oe ms . Chr i st i n S i tz .
- B er . d er B ay er , 18 98 . Cr us i us i n
A h ad .

Ph i l ol og u s, 18 98 . M aas i n Ph i l ol og us, 1 9 04 F r ac c aro l i i n R i v i sta di F i l o l ,

. .

1898 . H en se i n Rh ei n i ll . us ,
18 98 . Li psi us i n N eu e ]ah r b , . 18 98 . Lud w i c h ,
K on i gs berg 1898 M i c he l an g el i D el l a
'

Ver z ei ch n . d . Vor l es . zu , .
,
v i ta di
B a cch i l i d e, M es s i n a , 1897 . Ro b e rt i n H er mes 33 . B l as s i n H er mes 3 6 .

Ch r i st i n H er mes 3 6 . S c h w art z i n H er mes 3 9 . S c h ro e d er i n P er l P h i l ol . .

Woch en sch r 1 8 9 8 n o s .
f H el l S tu d i es 1 8 9 8
o , . 1 1 an d 2 8 Smi th i n j ou r n . . .
, .

Wei l i n j our n d es S ava n ts 1 8 9 8 W i l amow i t z i n Gott Gel A n z 1 8 9 8 an d

''
.
, . . . .
, ,

i n Gott N a ch r 1898 .
jure n k a i n Wi en er S t u d i en 2 1 S c h o n e i n L eip
.
, . .

g er S t ud i en , 1 8 9 9
zi . \Vi l amo w i t z , B a hchy l i d es , B e i n, rl 18 98 . Zi el i s fi k i ,
B acchy l i d es, L e mb erg , 18 99 . See a sol artt . i n A th en a eu m 1 8 9 7— 1 8 9 8 , an d

i n Cl ass R ev . . 1 2 an d 1 3 . A C . r o i set i n Rev u e B l eu e, 18 98 .

IV . T RA N S LAT I O N S . B a cchy l i d es ( ten o d es ) ,

E Pos t e, L o n d o n ,
. 1 8 98 . L es
P oémes d e B a cchy l i d e, b y Des ro uss eaux, Pari s , 1 8 9 8 P oe/l i es ch oi s i s d e .

B a cchy l i d e,
’
b y d Ei c h t h al an d R e i n ac h , Pari s , 1 8 9 8 Th e e d i t i o n s o f F est a, .

jur e n k a j ebb ( I I ) i n l u d e transl at i o n s Th e

,
c . es say of Wi l amow i tz ( I I I )
c o n t ai n s so me G r man v e rs i n s o f th e p o ems e o .

CO R I NN A

Ah r en s i n D e Gr a ecae l i ng u a e d i al ecti s Wel c k er : see un d e r

ER I N NA .

ER I N N A

Ri c h t er S appho u . E r i n n a , L ei p z i g, 18 3 3 . Wel c k er , De Er i n na et

p oetr i zs i n K 1 S eh r S usemi hl , Gesch i chte der Gr i ech L i tt

’

Cor i n n a . . 2 . 14
5 . . .

i n d Al ex a n d r i n er z ezt
. II 5 2 7 , L ei p z i g , 18 9 1 .

FOL K -
SO N GS
Ko e s t e r , De ca n tzl en i s
p op u l a r zbus v eter u m Gr aecor um, B erl i n , 18 3 1 .
14 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU RE

Wi en er S t u d i en , 18 97 .
J uren k a D i e n e ug ef u n den e
, Od e d er S appho i n
Wi en er S t u d i en , 1 8 99 . Wi l amo w i tz L es Ch a n son s d e
, B i l i t i s i n Goa . Gel .

Anz .
,
18 96 . B l ass, in Rh ei n . i ll us . 1 8 80 . Fo r a co mme n t ary o n th e Ch a

r o x as Od e, H . W . S my h , t G r eeh [M
el i c P oets , L o n d o n , 1 9 06 . B l ass , D i e
B er l i n er F r ag men te d er S apph o ( w i t h t e xt an d c r i ti c al t )
n o es i n H er mes 3 7 .

S o l ms e n i n Rh ei n hi m 5 7 . . .

Papyri : Oxy r hy n ch u s P apy r i , Part I , Gre n fel l an d H un t , L o nd o n , 1 8 9 8 , .

c o n t ai n s th e Od e to Ch a r ax us ; 3 d cen t A D S ch ub art, B er l i n , 1 9 02, p ub . . .

l i she d tw o papyr us fr agmen ts ascri b ed to Sapph o .

SCOL I A

Ri b b e c k , Ueber di e Tafelg es a ng e d er Gr i ech en , B erl i n , 1 8 48 . Run c k ,

D e S col i or u m or ig i n e et u s u, B er l i n , 1 8 76 . l
En g e b r ec h t , D e S col i or u mp oes i ,
V i e n n a, 18 8 2 . R ei t z en s t ei n , Ep ig r a mm . u . Shal i an , Gi essen , 18 93 . VVil amo
wi tz , D i e A tti sche Shol i en samml u ng i n A r i stotel es u . Athen II , B erl i n , 1 8 93 .

S I M O N I D ES

S c h n e i d e w i n , S i mon i d i s Cei ca rm r el i q u i a e B r un svi gae 1 8 3 5 C es ati

.
, , .
,

S i mon i d e d i Ceo, C asa le , 188 2 . Wi l amo w i tz S i mon i des d er Ep ig r a mma ti her

,

i n Goa N a ch r .
,
1 8 9 7 , an d [on i her bei d en Ly r i her n i n P h i l ol og Un ter s u ch . .

'
IX B l ass i n H er mes 3 0 p ig r a mmes de
’
. . H auvett e, S u r l a uthen t i ci te d es é
S i mon i d e, Pari s, 1 8 9 6 B oas, D e ep i gr . . S i mo n , Gr o ni ngen , 1 9 05 .

STESI C H O RUS

Kl ei n e, S tes i chor i H i m f r ag men ta, B erl i n , . 1 8 28 . Wel ck er , S tesi chor us

in S eh r .
( 1 8 29 ) I 14 8 ff .

TI M OTH EUS

Ed p r i n c. . Wil amo w i tz , Ti motheos, D i e P er ser , Lei p z i g, 1 9 03 . Gi l d er

s l e ev e, i n A .
j . P .
, 1 903 . M az o n L es P er ses ( tran s ) i n Revue d e Ph i l ol og i e
, ,

1 9 03 . Re i n ach , i n Revu e i ll u s i cal e, 1 9 03 .

COLLECT I O N S AN D A N TH O LO GI ES

B ergk , Poetae Ly r i ci Gr a eci , 3, vo l .

, L e4 th
i i
p g, 1 8 8—
7 18 8 2
. H art ung,
cd . z .

D i e Gr i ech Ly r i her , . vo s l .
5 a n d 6 , L e i p i g, 1 8
55
—18
57 z F ar n ell , Gr eeh Ly r i c .

P oetry , L o n d o n , 189 1 . lz
B u c hh o , A n th ol og i e a u s d en Ly r i her n d er Gr i e
che n , vol . 2, 4 th cd .
, r evi se d b y S i t z l er L e i p z i g 1 8 9 8
, , . B ergk -H i l l er , A n th ol o

gi a Ly r i ca , Lei p z i g, 1 9 04 . Smyth Gr h M l i c P oets

, ee e , L o n d o n, 1 9 06 .

L I TERATU RE

F l ach , Gesch i chte d . Gr i ech .Ly r i h , Tii b i n g en , 1 8 8 4 N ag eo tt e, H i stoi r e .

p oes i e ly r i q ue g r ecq u e Par i s, 1 8 8 8 — 1 8 8 9 S ee t o o th e H i s t o ri es o f

’

de l a , .

Gr e ek Li t er at ur e b y B e rgk , Cro i set, S i t tl , C h r i s t, M ure, M ah affy . j e bb , Gr eeh

Cl ass i cal P oetry , Lo n d o n , 1 8 9 4 .
 C H A PT E R V I I I

TH E B EGI NN I N GS O F PRO S E : TH E EARLY PH I LOSO P H ERS

N OT b e for e th e six th c entu ry d i d the G r eek s r ealiz e that p ro se

wri ti n g c oul d be an affai r o f ar t T hi s mom en t c o uld n o t c o me
.

u n til t h ey had gradu ally aw ak en e d to a pur ely i n t ell ec tu al i n t er est

i n t h eir p as t an d the ex pl an atio n o f t he worl d abo u t t he m qu es ,

t io n s of fac t i n w h i c h th e i m agi n at io n had n o part For th e thr ee

.

c en turi es or m or e th at t he y had b een fam ili ar wi t h th e ar t o f

w ri ti n g pro se had b een r eserv ed for the p r ac ti c al s i d e o f li fe fo r

, ,

li sts o f n am es u seful for r e fer en c e r ec ord s o f th e bu si n ess o f th e

,

te mpl es c om m e r c i al an d
,
pol i ti c al agr ee m en ts i n Earl y pr os e
,

sc ri p ti o ns
1
g en ealogi es l eg al c o d es n o thi n g that c ould record s
, , ,

be c all ed li t er atu r e I n the sam e c ate gory fal l t h o se s c r ap s o f

.

pro se i n w hi c h th e wi sd o m o f th e Sev en Sag es w as c ry stalliz ed ,

bri e f w ar ni n g s ag ai n st ex c ess and i nsol en c e u tt er ed e v en by

,

t yr ants su c h as P e ri an d e r o f C ori n th o r Pit t ac u s o f M ityl e n e

, ,

men w h o m the ro ad w ay o f e x c es s had l ed to the p al ac e o f

“ ” “

”
wi s do m .

The d aw n of p ro se for th e G r eek s w as c lo sely c o n n ec ted wi th

th e aw ak en i ng o f a r atio n al i st i c sp irit I n the si x t h c e n t ury t h e
.

c ul t o f O rp h i sm wi t h i ts my s ti c i n t e rpr e t atio n s o f t he r eligiou s

,

my ths an d the p ow erful attr ac tio ns o f i ts my s t eri es an d i n i ti atio n s ,

t hr eat en e d to d o mi n at e th e G r eek i magi n atio n at t h e exp en s e o f

the G r ee k i n t ell ec t Th e T h e ogo n i es o f t h e p o e ts t h e my th s

.
,

w i th t heir acc ou n t o f t he r el atio n s o f god s an d men wer e th e ,

1 Th e rl i est i nscri pt i o n so far re c ov er ed w as w i tt en i n th e r e i gn o f

ea r

Psamme ti c h us II ( 5 9 4— 5 8 9 B C ) w h en s o me G re e k mer c en ar i es w h o w e r e
. .

mar c hi n g w i t h h i m agai n st Et h i o pi a s c r at c h ed t h ei r n ames l i k e an y mo d er n

,

t o uri st o n a co l oss al s tat ue at Ab u S i mbe l i n Upper Egypt

,
- .

14 3
144 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU R E

s o u rc es o f p o p ul ar k n owl e dg e an d b el i e f an d th e i n fl ue n c e o f the ,

pri es t s c o n v ert e d e v en r ec en t h i s tory i n to myt h t hat sho ul d be at

o n c e i n s tru c t iv e an d p rofi t abl e Less t han a c en tu ry aft er the
.

d e at h o f C ro esu s th e s tory o f hi s en d had b e e n ad ap t ed to ill us

‘

t r at e h ow th e go d s i nt erv en e t o sav e th e ir s erv an t s ; t he r el atio n

of C ro esu s t o A p ollo i s an e ssen ti al featu r e o f the C ro esu s my t h

as w e fi n d i t i n B ac c hyli d es an d H e ro d o tu s i n t h e fi ft h c en tury .

The sp iri t o f r esear c h awo k e i n the G r eek s at th e m om en t w h en

th i n k e r s an d s k ep ti c s w er e m o s t n eed ed to c hall en g e t h i s aut hority

o f the p o e t s an d my st i cs and t he r ec ord s o f r esear c h ar e natur ally

,

i n pro se .

N ot t hat the di sti n c t io n w as at o nc e a b solut e Th e fi rst p ro se .

writ e r t hough h e r an k s as a p hilo so p her w as h i m sel f i n c li n ed to

, ,

wo n d e r worki n g an d my s ti c i s m w hil e X enop han es th e fi r st gr eat

-
, ,

s k e pt i c wro te i n v e r se
,
PH ERECY DES o f Syro s i n t he
.
,
P h erecy d es
m iddl e o f th e sixt h c en tury d esc rib ed i n pro se h i s ,

c o n c ep t io n o f th e u n iv e r se as a g r ea t g a r men t o n w hi ch Go d em

br oi d er ed ea r th a n d the s eas a n d th e h abi ta ti o n s of the seas O nly .

a few word s o f Ph er ec yd es s urviv e and h e w as prob ably a th e o ,

l ogi an r at he r t han a p h ilo sop h er I f w e s p eak fi r s t o f the b egi n

.

n i n gs o f p h ilo sop h i c al p ro s e i t i s n o t fro m an y c ert ai n ty that t he

,

fi r st wri ter o f hi stori c al pro se w as ac tu all y l at er i n ti m e G r eek .

h i sto ry an d G r eek p hil o sop h y aro s e tog e t he r as man i fes t atio ns of

t he I o n i an g en iu s for r esear c h ( i o r op i q) At fi r st they w er e h ardly
.

sep ar abl e Lat er w h en th o se w h o sp ec ul at e d as t o th e origi n o f

.
,

t he u n iv er se c l ai m ed th e ti tl e o f p h ilo s o p h e r s lov ers o f k n o w l ‘

,

ed g e ,
r esear c h o r h i story w as r es erv ed to d esc rib e t he r ec or d
’
, ,
’

o f p as t ev ents But the early p hilo so phe r s w er e i n sev e r al c ases

.
, ,

p o ets w hil e w e hav e n o r ec o r d o f a h i stori an writi n g v er se The

,
.

r eal br eak b etw een p o etry and pro se m ust be c o un t ed to t he

h i s tori an s ; t h e p hil o so p h e r s ar e l i n k ed o n to t h e p o e t s by t he
for m if n o t by th e sp i ri t of t h eir w ri ti n g s .

The I o n i an s h ad al r ead y p e rfec t e d an d fi x ed the typ e o f t he

ep i c an d t h e I o n i an el egy w as s p r e ad i n g th ro ug h G r eece w h e n
, ,

t h e r e app ear ed i n th e w eal t hy an d pl easu r e lovi n g s o c i e ty o f th e -

146 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

d o c tri n e an d i ts theory
o f tran sm igratio n o f t h e soul hi s phil o so ,

h w as s o c lo se ly all i ed to O rp h i s m t h at h e c ou n t s as a r eao
p y
t i o nar y . Ap ar t from hi s t h eory o f n u m b er w i t h w hi c h w e ar e n o t ,

c o n c e r n e d he stan d s o u t as th e fi r s t gr eat asc e ti c a p h ilo s op he r

, ,

w h o havi n g a d i s ti n c t t h eory o f li fe i mp o sed a c er tai n rigi d h abi t

, ,

o n h im s e l f an d hi s di sc i p l es Sam o s u n d er t he r ul e o f Poly c r at es
.

w as n o p l ac e fo r o n e w h o se l ife w as a prot est ag ai ns t luxu ry .

Py t hag o r as m igr ated to C ro to n i n I t aly (ci r ca 5 3 0 B C ) an d t her e . .

hi s o r d e r flouri sh e d u n t il hi s p oli ti c al sym pat h i e s — h e w as a

v iol en t oli g ar c h — c au sed hi s u n popul arity an d fi n ally hi s d eat h ,

w h i c h was foll ow e d by a g en er al p er s ec u tio n o f t he Py t hago re an s .

The s ixt h c en tu ry c l o s es w it h X EN OP HAN ES o f C olop ho n w ho ,

X enoph stan d s th e r e p rot es ti n g ag ai n st all t h e c h e ri s h e d i d eal s

3 119 8 o f the I o n i an s th ei r r eligiou s t r ad i tio n s for w h i c h he

, ,

h old s H esi od an d Hom er t o bl am e th ei r an t h ro p o morp h i sm , ,

God i s o ne h e sai d a n d n ot l i he mor tal s

, ,
t he ir wor sh i p o f ath ,

l eti c s an d t h e luxury t hat had mad e th em t he eas y p r ey o f th e

,

i n v ad i n g P e r si an s A ft e r the P e r si an c o n qu es t of I o n i a h e
.
,

migrat ed to E l ea a P ho c aean c olo n y i n I t aly As th e c hampio n

, .

o f r easo n X e n op han es w as ess en ti ally a sk ep ti c b ut hi s p hilo so phy

, ,

had i ts d og mat i c si d e I n hi s bo ok On N a tu r e h e t aug h t t hat al l

.

t h i n g s ar e O n e t hat n o th i n g c o mes i n t o b e i n g or p é
,
ri s h es Th i s .

was to be l at er t h e c ar d i nal d o c tr i n e o f t h e E l eati c sc h ool o f

, ,

w hi c h X en op han es i s virtu ally the fou n d er Abo ut t hirty frag .

m en t s of hi s p o e m s su rviv e h ex am et er s an d el egi ac s e n oug h to

, ,

prov e that he w as a t ru e po et thoug h he u s ed v er se as a w eap o n,

t o att ac k p o et i c t r adi ti o n .

Pyt hagor as h ad b een an asc eti c but n o t a s oli tary The p ri d e ,

.

o f H ERACLEITUS o f Ep hesus ( flo r ci r ca 5 o o B C ) . . .

Heracl ei t us
s et h i m ap ar t fro m t h e man y w h o m h e sc or n ed
‘ ’
.
,

H i s i sol atio n w as a prot e s t ag ai n s t t he p li an c y o f th e I o n i an s an d ,

h e fr amed hi s th e ory o f the u n iv er se i n or ac ul ar p ro se sol e m n ,

‘
,

’
u nad o r n ed u nsw eete ned lik e t h e u tt e r an c es o f t he Sibyl h ard for
, , ,

t he m an y to un d er s t an d B e hi n d t he v e il Of th e ext e r n al w o rl d
.

he saw n o t th e O n e t h e u n c hangi n g p ri n c ipl e o f X en op h an es but

, , ,
 T H E B E G I N N I N GS O F P R O SE 147

an e e v r l ivi n g fi re ki n dl e d an d qu enc hed ac c ordi ng t o m easu r e

, ,

but d evou ri ng r es tl ess an d i n th e ext e r n al w orl d i t sel f o n ly the

, , , ,

t r ans form atio n s o f fi r e Al l thi ngs a r e i n moti o n n othi ng r emai n s

.
, .

You co ul d n o t s tep tw i ce i n to th e sa me r i ver f or o ther a n d y et o ther ,

w a ter s a r e ever flow i ng o n (f r ag 4 1 H e c o ul d s ee n o t hi n g

.

s t at io n ary
,
n ot h i n g t h at s h o ul d s t em th e e v er flowi n g c u rr e n t ;

ap par e n t r es t w as o n ly mov e m en t d i sgui se d h arm o ny th e s tri fe o f ,

o p po si t es H erac l e i tus as b ec am e o n e w ho h el d hi s d o c tri n e o f

.
,

t h e e ssen ti al r e l ativi ty o f t h i n g s w as a fi er c e p ess im i s t l ab e l ed by

, ,

H i s wri ti n g s o f w h i c h mor e
’
tr ad i tio n the w eepi ng p hilo s o p h e r
‘
.
,

t han a hu n d r ed fr ag men t s su rviv e w e r e i n pro se abru pt and o b , ,

sc ur e i n w h i c h eac h s tro n g har sh p h r ase s ou n d s lik e th e fr agm en t

, ,

of an or ac l e or a p ar abl e H e was th e fi r s t G r ee k wri ter to ex

.

pr ess hi s p er so n ali ty i n hi s p ro se styl e H er ac l ei tus an d the .

t empl e o f Art emi s w e r e t he sol e glori es of E phesu s H en c e the .

l eg e n d t hat b e d epo s i te d h i s wri ti n g s wi t h i n t hat fam o us sh ri n e .

X en o phan es sai d Ari stotl e l oohed i n to the br oa d h eavens a n d

, ,

asser ted th a t u n i ty i s G od H i s you n g e r c o n t e m p o r ary P ARM EN

.
,

I DES o f E l ea en vi sag ed t he sam e d o c t ri n e w it h the

P armeni d es
,

ey es n o t o f a r el igio u s r e for me r an d e t h i c al p o e t b ut
, ,

of o ne w ho d eal s w i t h a d i sti n c tly m etaph y si c al c o n c ep tio n H e .

i s th e c en tr al figu r e o f th e El eati c sc h o ol w ho s e mai n c o n t en tio n ,

B e i n g th e d en i al o f B ec o mi n g
’ ’
w as th e exi s t en c e of H er a
‘ ‘
.
,

c l e it us h ad r e fuse d to d i s ti n g ui sh a worl d that i s fro m a wo rl d

t hat becomes and ac c ep t ed o n ly the l att e r P ar men i d es w as the

,
.

fi r st p h ilo s o phe r to d en y th e tru t h o f t ho se s en se per c e p tio n s o n

w h o se e vi d en c e H erac l e i tus b ased hi s sy s t e m Fro m all t ho se .

ill usio ns o f the s enses espec i ally fro m the ill usi o n o f motio n he
,
‘
,
’

’
wi thd r ew t o c o n t e m pl at e o nly t he c ol d ab s trac tio n B ei n g c o rn ,

pl e t e i n i tsel f i mmobil e e t e r n al s ph e ri c al i n fo rm
, , ,
H e d i sc us sed .

th e n at u r e of b e i n g an d r e fu t e d t h e d o c tri n e o f flux i n a lo n g
, ,

h ex am e t e r p o em o f w hi c h w e hav e abo u t 1 5 0 v e r se s H i s e n th u .

si asm fo r t h e gr eat n ew fac t t hat the n e g ativ e has n o e xi s t e n c e

t r an s form s ev en th e p ur ely l ogi c al passag es i n t o a b at tl e so n g o f

t ru th . I t i s n ecess ary to s ay a n d to thi n /e that B ei ng i s ; for th a t

1 48 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU R E

B ei ng i s , i s p oss i bl e, bu t i t i s i mp oss ibl e th a t N o t B ei ng i s Thi s -

.

then 1 bi d thee po n d er .L et n o t h abi t a n d l o ng exp er i en ce

f o r ce thee a l o ng thi s p a th ,
thi n e ey e s h or t-
si gh ted , thi n e ea r a nd

to ng ue co n us ed
f w i th n o i s e, bu t j ud ge ari ght th e p r oof th a t I p eah
s

and th ey h ave f ough t s o ( l o ng

43 44 54 5 vv .Th e d i sc i p l e s
—
,
—

Z eno an d of P ar men i d es Z EN O of E l ea an d M ELISSUS of Samo s

, ,

M el i s s us w h o mai n t ai n ed th e tr ad i tio n o f t h e sc ho ol t hat mo tio n

i s i ll us ory b e lo n g t o t h e h i s tory o f d i al e c ti c ; t h e sc an ty fr ag men t s
,

o f t he i r p ro se are o f n o i mp ort an c e for t he h i s tory o f l i t er atu r e .

T h e c o n t e mpo r ari es an d su c c esso r s o f P ar me n i d e s c oul d e i t he r ,

l ik e Z en o an d M el i ssu s mai n t ai n an d d ev e lo p th e El eati c t he ory

,

o f u n c han gi ng B e i n g or t h e H er ac l ei t ean d o c tri n e t hat n ot h i ng i s

,

p erm an en t sav e c han g e o r ag ai n t hey c o ul d mak e th e e ffor t to

,

r ec o n c i l e t hese tw o gr eat m e t aphy si c al sy s t e ms T hi s l as t w as .

th e c our se pu r su ed by E m p e d o c l es A n ax ago r as an d th e A to mi s t s
, , .

T h ey al l ac c ep t ed t he t heory t hat c er tai n sub stan c es e xi s t n u ,

c han g e abl e i n th e m s elv es an d i n t h e i r se v e r al w ay s ac c ou n t ed

, , ,

for c han g e by t h e mo t i o n o f t h ese e l e men ts E M P EDO CLES o f .

Agri ge n tum i n S i c ily a Do ri an th e fir s t phi lo so p h er of

Emp ed ocl es
, ,

hi s r ac e w as bo r n i n 4 9 2 B C
,
H e w as t h e fi r s t t o . .

w ho m an el e m en t mean t as i t mean s to o ur selv es so me t hi n g

, ,

h om og en e ou s yet d ivi sibl e an d li abl e to c han gi n g s t at es

,
M oti o n .

ac c ou n t ed for th ese c han g es To c r eate i s to c o mbi n e to d estroy

.
,

i s t o s e p ar ate t h e fou r el e m en ts e art h ai r fi re an d w at er

, , ,
What , ,
.

t hen i s t he fo r c e t hat m ov es ? [t i s L ove an sw er s E m p e do c l es , ,

th a t un i tes th em a n d mahes them On e a n d then ag a i n they a r e ,

s u n d er ed by S tr ife ( v v 6 7 . Luc r e ti us w ho mo d el ed hi s o w n ,

gr eat p h ilo so ph i c al e pi c o n t he p o e m o f E mp ed o c l es sai d t hat ,

Si c ily w i t h h er lo n g t al e o f glori es an d gr e at me n had n o so n

, ,

mor e v e n e r abl e or mo r e r en ow n ed t han E mped o c l es th e gr eat er

i ty t h at l ik e t h e I o n i an p h ilo s o p h e r s he to o w as w r ec k e d o n
p , ,

t h e fi r st b e gi nn i n g s
1
. E mp ed o c l es s peak s lik e o n e i n spi r ed hi s
’
,

v er ses c ry wi t h a lou d voi c e bu t hi s fal l w as t he gr eat e r l am en t s

, ,

t he Ro m an po et for h e d en i ed the exi st en c e o f a void

,
To the .

1 D e N atu r a R er u ni 1 .
7 29 ff .
1 50 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATUR E

t he bl i n d m ec han i c al mov em en t w h i c h by se par ati ng al l thi ng s ,

t hat ar e g av e t h e m a di s ti nc t exi s t enc e T hi s i d ea o f an i nd e

,
.

p en d en t e ffi c i en t c au se fr eed fro m t h e myt ho l ogy t hat h ad ham

, ,

e r e d E m p e d o c l es for M i n d i s i t self o n ly a fi n e r sub s t an c e

p , ,

w as th e c h i e f c o n tri butio n o f A n ax ago r as H i s c l e ar i mp e r s o n al .

, ,

un i rn pass i o n ed p ro se w as t he expr essio n o f a mi n d mo r e t r uly

sc i en t ifi c mor e d e t ac h ed from e t h i c al an d pol i ti c al i n te r ests t han
, ,

h ad b een t he c ase wi t h hi s pr e d ec esso r s A nax agoras i s t he typ e .

1
o f the c o n t e m pl ativ e philo so p her .

O f all the s olu ti o n s t hat w e r e pro po se d by t h e G r ee k p hi l oso

’ ’
p hers for t he probl e m o f b e i n g an d b ec o mi n g t hat o f t he
‘ ‘
,

A t o mi sts i s m o s t n early r el at e d t o m o d er n p hy si c al the ori es .

Abd era an Io n i an c olo n y o n the T hr ac i an c o as t oppo si t e T haso s

, ,

w as th e birt h pl ac e o f DEM OCR I T US wh o i s t he t ru e rep

Democri t us
,

r e sen tati ve o f t he Atomi c T he ory amo n g th e G r ee k s ,

t hough hi s m as t e r Leu c ippu s w ho seem s to hav e l eft n o w ri ti n g s

, , ,

i s r eg ard ed by Ari sto tl e an d T he o ph r as t us as t h e r eal fou n d er o f

t h e s y st e m T he El e at i c s had d en i ed th e e xi ste n c e of a v ac u um
.
,

an d the r e for e o f mov e men t T he Atom i s t s d ec l ar ed t hat s i n c e

.
,

t he r e i s m ov em en t ther e mu st b e a v ac uu m I n tr u th sai d Demo c

, .
,

ri tu s ther e a r e on ly a toms a n d a voi d ; i t i s o n ly by a conven ti on

,

th a t on e sp ea hs of s w eet a n d bi tter T her e i s n o obj ec tiv e tr u t h .

i n se nse p e r c ep t io n ; qu alit at iv e diffe r en c es ari se fro m th e n um

ber an d v ari atio n s o f t he ato m s w h i c h are o f i n fi n i te v ari e ty o f ,

s iz e an d shap e Th e t he ori es o f De mo c ri tu s from w h i c h t he

.
,

mod er n Ato mi c T heory has d ir ec tly d esc end ed had l ittl e vogu e ,

i n G r eec e an d w er e al tog eth er i g n or ed by Pl at o I came to A th en s .

a n d n o ma n h n ew me say s De m o c ritu s r es en ti n g the i n d iffer en c e

, ,

1
W i l amo w i t z , H er ahl es 1 . 2
5 ,
th i n k s t h at i t w as as a tri b ut e to An axago ras ,

an d l
p e rh aps as an ap o o g i a fo r t h e ex i ed ph i l l s o o
ph e r th at Eu r i p i d es w r o t e
,

hi s famo us l i n es : H appy th e ma n w h o h as a c qui

d h n ow l edg e
re and u n d er

s ta n d i n
g ther eof; w h o d oes n ot s et h i s h ea r t on w r ong i ng h i s fell ow -
men , n or an

j
u n u st deed s . H e fi x es h i s g a ze o n the ag el ess or d er o
f i mmor ta l n a t u r e, a n d

a shs w h er e i t a r ose, a n d w h en ce a n d h ow ( fr . Th at h e d i d not go on

t o as k w hy t h e w o rl d w as mad e
e k , an d s e a fi n al as w e ll fi
as an e f c i en t c au se ,

w as t h e g r o un d o f Pl at o s r e r o ach a ai n st r as ( P haed o
’
p g A n axag o
 TH E B E G I N N I N GS O F P R OS E 1
51

’
of A th ens th e sch ool o f H ell as to th e i d eas of o n e w h o as he
, , ,

bo as t e d h ad trav el ed an d i nv estig ated an d t alk ed mo r e t han

, , , ,

an
y o t her man o f hi s ti m e H e w as o n e w h o as A ri st o tl e sai d .
, ,
’
‘
had th oug h t abou t ev eryt h i n g an d t h e lo ss of hi s work s w hi c h , ,

see m s t o h av e o c c u rr ed so m e w her e b e tw e en th e t h i r d an d fi ft h

C h ri sti an c en turi es i s a se riou s h i nd r an c e to t he s tu d y of G r e e k

,

p hilo s op hy an d l i ter atu r e The n u merou s b ut short fr agm e n t s .

that surviv e i n q u ot atio n ar e n atu r ally t ak en fro m t h e sen ten ti ou s

p assag es su i tabl e fo r s u c h tr eat m en t and n o doubt giv e a o n e , ,

sid e d i d ea o f hi s s tyl e H e wro t e i n th e I o n i an d i al ec t o n p hy si c s

.
,

m at h emati c s ethi c s an d po e try C i c ero mor e than o nc e ad mir es

, ,
.

the brill i an c e o f hi s s tyl e an d Dio n y s iu s c l ass es hi m as a wri te r

1
,

wi th Pl ato and Ari s to tl e .

B IB LI OGRAPHY

I . CO LL ECT I O N S . M ull ac h F r ag men ta ph i l os ophor u m g r a ecor u m

, I , Par i s ,
18 8 1 . Ri tt er an d l er H i t r i a Ph i l oph i a g a ae 7th e d 1 8 8 8 D i e l
Pr el , s o os e r ec , .
, . s,

D ox og r ap h i g r a e i B er l i n 1 8 7 9
c ,
F ai rb an k s Th e F i t Ph i l
, phe f G .
,
rs oso rs o r eece,

text an d En g . tran s N ew Y o rk 1 8 9 8 Di el s P eta u m ph i l o pho u m f r ag

.
, , .
, o r so r

men ta l ,
B er i n , 1 90 1 Di el s D i e fr ag m n te d r V s h a ti he w i t h German
.
,
e e or o r r ,

tran s B erl i n 1 903

.
, , .

I I SPEC I A L ED I T I O N S el i q u a e
' '
B yw at e r H e a l i ti Eph s i z Oxfo rd
‘

. .
,
r c e r i , ,

Tran s l at i n o f B yw at er s t ext Patr i c k B al ti m r e 1 8 8 9 Di e l s H r a ’

1 8 77 . o : ,
o , .
, e

cl ei t u s B er l i n 1 9 0 2
,
X eno ph an es i n B e gk P t Ly G ae 2 S t i n D i e
, . r , oe . r . r c . . e ,

f agm n te d P a r m n i d s i n Sy mbol a P h i l l g B an n n s 1 8 6 7 Di l s P a
r e es e e o o . e .
, . e , r

m n id
e 1897 Kar s t n E mp d l i s
es , . a m l i q ui a Ams t e d am 1 8 3 8
e , e oc c r . re e, r , .

St ei n E mp d f agg B o n n 1 8 5 2
,
e . D i el E mp d l es B erl i n 1 9 0 1
r .
, ,
M ul l ac h . s, e oc , , .
,

D moc i ti A bd p fr ag men ta B erl i n 1 8 4 3

e r . o .
, , .

III L I TERATU RE
. Z e ll er P h i l ph i e de G i hen I B rl i n 1 8 76 —1 8 8 3
.
, oso r r ec ,
e , .

R i tt er an d Pr ll er ( s ee u n d e r I ) e Wi d l b an d G h i ht d a l ten Ph i l s . n e , esc c e er o o

ph i e S tr asbur g 1 8 93 B urn et Ea ly G eeh P h i l ophe

, , . w i t h tran s L n d n ,
r r os r s, .
, o o ,

18 9 2 . B en n , The Gr eeh P h i l os opher s , Lo n d o n , 18 8 3 . Go mp e r z , G r i ech i sch e

D en her , L e i pz i g , 1 8 9 6— 1 902 ( En g tran s . . by M agn us an d Be rry , Lo n d o n ,
1 90 1 O n H er ac l ei t us , B r i eg er i n H er mes 3 9 , an d i n N eue f ahr b . 1 9 04 .

L ass a ll e , D i e Ph i l osoph i e H er a hl ei tos d es D u n hel n , 18 58 . B i e ger r , L eu cipp

u . D emohr i t, H all e , 18 84 . N at o r p , D i e Eth i ha d es Demohr i tos , 1893 . H ir z el
i n H er mes 14 . N o r d e n , D i e Gr i ech i sch e K u n stp r os a I 2 2, o n th e s t yl e o f
De mo c r i t us .

1
O n the A r r a ngemen t o
f Wor d s 24 .
 C H A P T ER IX

T H E LO GOG RA P H ERS : H ERO D OTUS

I N th e fr ag men t s o f t he e arly G r e ek p hilo so ph er s w e hav e th e

b egi nn i n g s O f d ogm ati c an d arg u me n t ativ e p ro se T he l o go g .

r ap h er s as t h e ir n ame i mp li e s w ro t e p ro se t al es
,
I t w as ab o u t
,
.

Cad mus an d the mi d d l e o f t h e s ixt h c e n t u ry t hat C ADM US of M il e

ACU S i l aU S t us an d ACU SI LAUS t h e B o e oti an fro m w h o m Pi n d ar i s
, ,

sai d to hav e borro w ed l e g en d s w rot e t h e i r G en ea l og i es ,

v e r sio n s ,

s e t o u t w i t h s o me
1
i n I o n i c p ro se o f th e m yt h s o f t h e p o e t s _
,

at t e mp t at c h ro n ol ogi c al or d e r an d h avi n g t h i s at l eas t i n c o m

,

mo n wi t h hi s to ry t hat t he ir ai m w as t o li n k the p ast w it h t h e

,

p r es en t i n h ow e v e r u n c ri ti c al a fash io n
,
B e fo r e t h e c o m mo n i n .

t ere s t o f the P er s i an w ar s c en tr aliz e d th e p ol iti c al l i fe of G r eec e ,

t h er e w as n o suc h t h i n g as po liti c al hi s tory E v en .

Hecat aeus
H ECATA EUS o f M il e t u s ( flo r u i t 5 00 w h o alo n e O f

al l hi s t rib e sp eak s t o u s wi t h a l ivi n g vo i c e i s s till a logogr ap h e r , ,

n o t a h i s tori an H e w as a m uc h tr av el ed man a fac t t hat i n

.
-
, ,

th o se d ay s w as a gu ar an t e e o f d i s t i n c ti o n an d i n fl u e n c e
,
Wh en .
,

i n 4 9 9 B C Ari s tago ras o f Mil e t us p er su ad e d t h e A si ati c G r e ek s

. .
,

to r evol t ag ai n st t he P e r si an s H ec ataeus w ho had se en w i t h hi s

, ,

o w n e y es t he r es ou r c e s o f P e r s i a w ar n e d hi m from th e u n d e r ,

t aki n g Lat e r w h en Ar i stago ras h ad fail e d H ec ataeus ag ai n

.
, ,

o ffe r e d goo d ad vi c e w hi c h was ag ai n ig n or ed A d i r ec t c o nse

,
.

q ue n c e o f t h i s r e v o lt w as th e s ac k o f M il e t us i n 4 9 4 B C I n th e ,
. .

fi r s t se n t en c es o f hi s G en eal og i es i n t hat p e r so n al ann o un c e me n t

,

w hi c h has r e p l ac ed t h e p o e t s i n v o c ati o n t o t h e M us e H ec at ae us
’
,

s h ow s t h at h e w as n o t un to uc he d by t h e e n l ig h t e n me n t o f w h i c h

1
A c u s i l aus i s s ai d to h ave mad e a pr o s e r
v e si o n o f H es i o d
’
s
po e ms , su
pp le
me n te d , no d o ub t , by ad d i ti o ns o f hi s ow n .

152
1 54 SH O RT H I ST O RY OF GR E E K L IT E RATU RE

di r ec t quo tatio ns N o use o f H el lan i c us by H erodo tus c an be

.

d e t ec te d .

H ERO DOTUS o f H al i c ar n assu s th e fi r st h i stori an o f G r e ec e w as , ,

bor n d u ri n g t he d ec ad e that se p ar at ed M ar at ho n fro m

Herod ot u s
Sal am i s (4 9 0 4 8 0 H al i c ar n assu s t h e c ap i t al of
—
,

C ari a t h ou gh o rigi n ally a Dori an c ol o n y w as by that t i m e w holly

, , , ,

A si ati c i n i ts i n te r est s I ts famo us q ue e n Art e mi si a as the suz e

.
, ,

r ai n o f P er si a had fo ug h t wi t h h e r fi ve s hi ps o n the si d e o f X erx es

,

at Sal ami s H er gr an d so n Lygd ami s w as r ei g n i n g w h en H ero d o

.

tus l e ft hi s n at iv e c i ty p e r haps as th e tr ad i tio n r e l at es o n ac

, , ,

c o u n t o f so m e p ol i ti c al e mb r o il rn e n t fro m w h i c h h e fl e d to Samo s
‘
,

or mor e p rob ably follo w i ng hi s i n s ti n c t for tr av el an d ad v en tu r e

, , .

H ero d o tus has n ot hi ng to say abo ut th e i n te r n al tro ubl es o f H ali

c ar n as s us o r th e mu r d e r o f hi s ki n s man th e e p i c p o e t Pan yasi s
, , ,

at th e han d s of L gd ami s an d i n fac t for al l t h e i n c i d en t s o f h i s

°

y , , ,

li fe w e ar e r ed uc ed to l at e and u n tr us twort h y e vi d en c e I t w as .

n at u r al at an , y r at e t hat as the c li m ax o f hi s t r av el s i n t h e E as t
, , ,

h e sh oul d se ttl e for a ti me i n A th e n s t h en i n t he , ,

L i fe
mi dd l e o f the fi fth c e n tu ry th e c en t er o f G r ee k li t er ,

ary an d p oli ti c al life Fro m A thens w he r e Sop h o c l es wro t e a po e m

.
,

i n h i s h o n or an d th e c i tiz e n s vo t ed hi m t en t al e n t s t h e su m i s ,

’
so l arg e t hat i t shak es o n e s c r e d uli t y i n t h e l eg en d H ero d ot us ,

w en t wi t h the c olo ny o f A t hen i an s sen t by P e ri c l es to fo un d Thuri i

i n I t aly ( 4 4 3 Wi th t hat c olo n i al s et tl em en t he b ec ame so
i d e n ti fi ed t h at A ri s to tl e q uo ti n g fro m hi s h i s tory m ak es hi m c all
, ,

h i m sel f th e T hu ri an t h o ug h i n al l ou r m an u sc rip t s h e i s o f H ali

’
,

c ar n assus We d o n o t k n ow t he y ear o f h i s d eat h o n l y t hat he

.
’
,

w as s till livi n g i n 4 2 8 a man o f l ess t han s ixty b ut at th e c lo se o f

, ,

his c ar eer .

H al i c ar n assus h ad b ee n the n atu r al s t arti n g p oi n t of th o se tr av el s

i n A s i a M i n or an d t he i n t e rio r o f Wes t e r n A s i a i n t h e c o u r se o f
w h i c h he r eac h ed as far as B abylo n I n E gy p t he c l ai med to hav e .

1
H er o d o t us d i s pl ays an ac q uai n t an c e w i t h S amo s so i n ti mat e t h at t h o ug h
,

trad i ti o n o f h i s Sami an
th e e xi l e i s u n tr us t w
o rt hv w e may be s ur e t h at h e

mad e a l o n g st ay i n th e i s l an d .
 TH E LO G O G RA PH E R S : H E R O DOT U S 1
55

vi s i t ed El ep han ti n e o pp o s i t e A ssu an an d fart he r n or th was famili ar

, ,

w i t h t h e c o as t o f the E uxi n e as far as r e mo t e C ol c hi s

Trav e l s
.

G r e e c e and th e i sl an d s he k ne w w ell M ag n a G raec i a

wa s for man y y ear s h i s hom e To al l t hese ex c ur sio ns h e
.

bro ug ht a si ng ul arl y r ec ep tiv e m i n d an ap p ro p ri ati n g eye an d a , ,

l iv ely i magi n atio n fo s te r ed by a c lo s e ac q uai n t anc e w it h the lyri c

an d e pi c p o e try o f G r e e c e an d t e m p e r e d by t he v ery slig h t es t
,

c ri ti c al fac ulty T he i n st i n c t s o f th e logogr ap he r an d th e geo gra

.

p h e r w e r e s till st ruggli n g wi t h t h e n e w i n t e r est i n t h e se qu e n c e o f

ac tu al h i s tori c al fac t s The h i stori an i n hi m triu m p h e d an d i n

.
,

s t ead o f wri ti n g th e half my thi c al an n al s of hi s n at iv e c i ty o r a

m er e r ec o r d of t he man y men w ho se tow n s h e saw an d w ho s e

mi n d s he v e ry i m p erfec tly c am e to k n ow he c ho se as hi s m ai n ,

t heme the st ory o f the Gr acc o P e rsi an w ars t he sec o n d gr eat en -

,

c o un t e r o f t h e E ast and Wes t .

'
L i k e Pi n d ar th o ug h hi s n ativ e c ity w en t w i th the i n v ad er s
, ,

H e ro do tus wrot e i n th e s piri t o f a tr ue H ell en e A l ogogr apher .

wo ul d hav e l i ng e r e d ov er the p o e ti c al myt hs o f the fi r s t c olli sio n s of

G r ee k s an d b arb ari an s H e ro d o tu s d i sm i ss es t h ese i n a few p ar a
.

1
gr ap hs an d pass es o n to c o n si d er the ri se o f th e ki n g d om o f Ly d i a ,

an d th e s t riki n g t al e o f th e gr eatn ess o f C ro esu s an d hi s fall wi th ,

the fall of Sar d i s ev en t s o n ly a c en t ury old

,
Th e all i an c e o f C ro e .

sus wit h t h e Sp art an s was an op e n i ng for th e ac c ou n t o f th e early

h i story o f A th e ns an d Sp art a th e l egi sl at io n o f Ly c u rgu s and,

So l o n an d th e tyr an n y of t he h o use o f th e Pei si str ati d ae

, C ro esu s .

was ov ert h ro w n by C yru s An d n o w w e hav e th e story

.

B ook 1
of the ri se o f th e P ersi an empi re th e ex pl oi ts o f C yru s , ,

an d th e ab sorp tio n by P e r si a o f th e c i ti es O f I oni a T hi s w as so .

t horoug h that C amby ses t he so n o f C yru s c oul d r eg ar d t he

, ,

Io n i an s an d A eol i an s as hi s sl av es by i n h eri t an c e ‘
.
’

B ook 2
B ook 2 op en s wi t h the e xp edi ti o n o f C amby ses
ag ai ns t Egy p t . H e ro d o tu s i s l ess c o n c er n ed wi t h i ts for tu n es t han
1 . fi
Ar i st o ph an es , Ach ar n 4 8 8 — 4 94 , p aro d i e s th e rst fi ve b r i ef c h ap t ers , r i d i
cu l l l l
i n g t h e ear i e r i n t er n at i o n a q u arre s w hi c h w er e r egu arl y bas ed o n th e l
c arryi n
g o ff o f s o me w o man , I o , Med ea , or H el e n .
156 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU RE

wit h t he r e c it al o f all t he m arv elou s t al es t h at h e had c oll ec ted i n

t hat s tr an g e an d an c i e n t l an d i ts sup ers ti tio n s t e mpl es an d go d s
, , , ,

i ts c uriou s an i mal s an d abov e al l t hat gr eat an d my s t e rio us riv e r

, , , ,

t h e N il e o n w h i c h i ts li fe d ep e nd s
,
B ook 3 c o n .

B ook 3
t ai n s the ac c o u n t of the mad n ess an d d eat h o f C am
bys es an d th e ac c e ss io n o f Dari us so n of H ystas pes c all e d by hi s , ,

p e o p l e t h e t r ad e r
‘
b ec au s e h e mad e p rofi t o f e v e ry t h i n g an d
,
’ ‘
,
’

i m p o s ed t h e h eavy t rib ut e w h i c h w as the so u r c e o f t he v as t roy al

t r easu r e of P e r s i a Dari us r e c o n q ue r e d B abyl o n an d d emol i sh ed
.

i ts w all s A d esc ri p tio n o f Sc yt h i a an d i ts i n v asio n

B ook 4
.

by Dariu s t ak es up the gr eat e r part o f B ook 4 w h i c h ,

c lo s es w i th an ac c ou n t of t h e P e r s i an i n v asi o n o f Li by a o f th e ,

fo un d atio n o f C yr en e by B attu s an d o f t h e c u rio us c u s to m s o f the

,

Li by an n o mad i c trib es Th e P e r si an c o n q u es t s of T hr ac e an d
.

M ac e d o n i a at th e o p e n i n g o f B ook 5 for m a p r elud e

, ,
B ook s 5 9 —

t o t he r evol t o f M il e t u s an d th e fall o f t hat c i ty i n

494 B C . An d so w e are bro ug h t b ac k at l as t by a wi d e c i r c l e t o
.

A t he ns an d Spart a and t he c auses t hat abo u t t hi s t i me em

, , ,

broil ed t hem fi r st wi t h t h eir G r ee k n eig h bors an d wi t h eac h

,

o t he r an d fi nally w i t h P e r si a A t hens p er suad ed by Ar i stago r as

, .
,

of M il e t us b e c ame i n volv ed i n the r evol t o f Io n i a ag ai n st Dariu s

,
.

T h e P e r s i an ki n g t ho ug h t l ess fo r th e mo m en t o f t h e I o n i an s
, , ,

w ho m th e P e r si ans c o uld alw ay s p un i sh at t h eir l ei s u r e t han o f ,

hi s v en g ean c e o n t he fe w G r ee k s w ho w e r e still fr e e an d wh o had ,

v en t ur ed t o s i d e w i t h h i s her ed i t ary sl av es .
’

H e ro d otu s had n o w se t b e for e hi s r ead er s the c o n d i tio n o f A si a

an d I o n i a u n d e r th e p r e d o mi n an c e o f P e r s i a an d o f th e c h i e f ,

s tat es o f G r ee c e F ro m t h i s p oi nt to the en d wit h c e rt ai n d i gres

.
,

si o n s h e d e vo t es h i m sel f to a mi n u t e an d d r am ati c ac c o u n t o f t h e
,

s tr u ggl e b e tw ee n G r e ec e an d P e r s i a The c o un t e r i n v as io n by t h e
.

A t h en i an s w h en t h ey took Ses to s i n 4 7 8 B C h e rig htly r eg ar d s as

, . .
,

t he r eal c l o s e of th e w ar an d wi t h t hat hi s hi s tory e n d s

, , ,
.

When an d w h e r e an d i n w hat or d e r H e ro d o tus w ro t e hi s

, , ,

h i s tory ar e matt e r s o f i n g e n i o u s c o nj e c t u r e d e pe n d i n g w holly o n ,

t he i n t er nal evi d en c e o f t he work I f the A t hen i an vo t e follow ed

.
1 58 S H O RT H I ST O RY OF GR E E K L ITE RATUR E

t r adi tio n that se e m s o n tr ary t o n atur e as w hen he assert s that th e

c ,

or ac ul ar d ov es w ho spok e wi t h a hu man voi c e w er e r eally wo m en ,

c hat t e ri n g l i k e bi rd s an u n k n ow n to n g u e an d t h at t h e man w h o
, , ,

w as sai d to hav e swu m u n d e r th e s ea t h e eig h ty stadi a fro m

Ap h e tae to Art e m i siu m r eally arriv ed i n a bo at H i s i magi n atio n .

,

r at he r than hi s c o mmo n sen se r ej ec t s t hese i sol at ed p ro d igi es ,

w h i c h n e i t h e r ad o r n a tal e n or illu str ate th e j ealo us y o f t he go d s .

B ut he pl ai n ly th o ug ht t h at i n th e r e mo t e r p as t w h en th e r el a
, ,

t io n s o f men an d go d s w er e c lo s er an yt h i ng mi g h t hav e happ en e d , ,

an d h e woul d n o t d e n y th e i n t e rv en ti o n o f h eav e n i n e v en t s so

r ec en t as the fal l o f C ro es u s o r o f Pol y c r at es w ho s e to o gr eat

, ,

p ro spe ri ty doo med hi m to an evil en d O n hi s tr av e l s i n Egy p t .

an d to t h e c o n fi n e s o f P e r s i a h e w as h an di c app e d by hi s ig n or an c e
,

of the l angu ag e an d mu s t d e p en d o n th e go ssi p o f gui d es t e mp l e

, ,

s e rv an t s an d i n fe rio r pri ests w ho k n ew en oug h G r ee k to i m p o s e

,

1
t he i r wo n d e rful t al e s o n a c r ed ulo us t o u ri st .

C r e d ulou s he w as an d p ar d o n ably v ai n o f hi s t r av e l s bu t th e
, ,

qu estio n of go o d fai t h i s so m ew hat b es i d e t he m ark T her e ar e .

p e r so ns an d H e ro d otu s w as o n e o f t hese w h o se ex agg e r atio n s

, , ,

h ow e v e r ou tr ag e ou s are th e r e sul t o f i n s ti n c t and n o t o f c al c ul a

,

t io n Th e di sc r e p an c i es an d i n ac c ur ac i es o f fac t i n H e rod otu s

.

are p rob ably n o mor e a c o n sc i ou s fr au d than ar e hi s fr e qu e n t

, ,

mi st ak es i n ad d i ti o n 2
.

1
Pro fesso r S ayc e w h o h o l d s extr eme vi ew s as to th e b ad fai t h o f H ero d o
,

t us an d i s h i s s eve r est c r i t i c s i n c e th e P seu d o Pl ut ar c h r e fus es to b e l i eve

,
-
,

t h at th e h i st o ri an asc en d e d t h e N i l e hi gh er t h an th e F ayo um ; th e vi si t s to
A ssyri a an d B abyl o n i a w er e h e t h i n k s w h o l l y i mag i n ary ; an d H er o d o t us
, ,

w as an i mp o st o r w h o h as d e c e i ve d g e n e rat i o n s o f c r i t i c s S ee t h e I n tr od u c .

l zo n t o hi s e d i t i o n o f B o o k s 1 — 3

F o r e xamp l es o f t h ese s e e 3 9 0—9 5 5 5 2 5 4 ; an d es p ec i al l y 2 7 9

2 — —
, . . .
,

w h ere i n c al c ul at i n g t h e d i st an c e fr o m t h e s e a t o Eg ypt i an Th eb es h e gi ves

, ,

6 1 20 as t h e s um o f 1 5 00 an d 4 8 6 0 a par d o n ab l e e ro r w h e n o n e c o n s i d ers
,
r

h o w c u mb r o us an d i mp er fec t w as th e Gr e e k n umb er syst e m Th e l e tt ers o f .

t h e al ph ab e t w hi c h l i k e th e Ro man s t h ey use d as n u mb e rs h ad a fi x e d an d
, , , , ,

n o t a l o c al val ue as h ave th e n u mb e rs i n o ur s st em A cc uracy abo u t d at es

.
y .

w as n eve r a v i rt u e o f th e Gre e k s It w as n ot t i l l th e thi r d c en t ury B C t h at

. . .

th ey ad o pt ed th e r ec k o n i n g by O ly mpi ad s .
 TH E LO GOG R A PH E R S : H E R O DOTU S 1
59

H erodo tu s was n ot o f c our se wi th ou t do c u m en t s , For th e ,

.

hi story of t h e G r eek wo rl d h e c ould use th e p o et s t h e li s t s o f ,

pri ests ki n g s an d vi c to r s i n the g ames and th e vot ary i n sc ri ptio n s

, , ,

at t h e famou s sh ri n es I t i s n o t e asy to t r ace hi s i n d e bt e d n es s to

.

t he logogr ap he r s T he r e i s n o proof for i n st an c e t hat he u sed

.
, ,

H ell an i c us w ho se wo rk o n th e h i story of A tti c a was appar e n tly

,
.

p ubli sh ed b efor e hi s o wn F ew wri t e rs w ho ar e ex plor er s as w e ll .

,

hav e h ad so li t tl e c hanc e o f pl agi arizi n g th e book s o f o t h e r t r av el

The Tou r of fl ee We r l a by H ec ataeus he c o ul d ho w
’
er s.
,

ev e r c o n su l t
, an d w hen h e fo un d t h er e a p i c tur es q ue d esc ri p tio n ,

h e did n o t h es i tat e to m ak e i t hi s o w n H e i s j u s tifi e d by the .

ev en t . H ec ataeu s fro m w h o m h e stol e tog e t he r wi t h C t es i as th e

, , ,

ph y s i c i an o f Ar tax erx es w h o expo se d hi s ig n or anc e o f P e r si a i n a

,
’
sc at h i n g r e vi e w hardly surviv e i n m en s m e m o ri es ex c e p t i n
, ,

c o nn ec tio n wi th H ero d o tu s .

T h u c y d i d es a l i ttl e l ate r was to p rov e h i ms el f a sc i en ti fi c hi s

, ,

tori an by fi xi n g hi s ey es o n th o se ac t io n s an d e v en ts t hat affe c te d

th e l ife o f a n atio n B ut to H e rodo tu s as h e w alk e d i n th e s tr ee ts

.
, ,

o f M em p hi s or gl ean ed i n Samo s ev ery d etail o f t h e tr agi c sto ry

,

o f Poly c r at es n ot h i n g seem ed u n impor tan t t hat thr ew a lig ht o n

,

t he p riv ate p assio n s an d c apri c e s of men H e pr eferr e d to d w el l .

wi t h esp ec i al e m phasi s o n th e trag edi es that to hi s m i n d mu st , ,

alw ay s follow w h en a man has ov er st ep p ed th e li mi t s s et for hu man

hap pi ness The c er tai n v en g e an c e o f the god s o n t he un p er

.

mi tred i n sol en c e of men l ik e X e rx es was alw ay s r ec og ni z e d by t he

G r eek s Wi t h H erodotu s i t b ec am e a fi x ed id e a d ark en i n g hi s
.
,

p hilo s op h y of li fe A es c hylu s wi th w ho se t r ag edi es he mu st hav e

.
,

b een famili ar taug h t th e l aw o f the h er edi tary c ur se

N emes i s
,

t hroug h w h i c h th e c h il d r en s teeth are s et o n e dg e fo r

’

s i n s g en e r ati o n s ol d B ut t h e N em esi s o f H e ro d o tu s li es i n w ai t
.

t o put dow n the m ig h ty fro m th ei r seat o ut o f m er e i n t ol e r an ce of

su c c ess O nly the m ean o r c h equ e r e d estate i s sec u r e

. Wi t h .

Horac e ( 011 2 7
th e d o c t ri n e h as fal l en to a c om mo n pl ac e
. . .

But H e ro d otu s liv e d i n a wo rl d w hi c h was s till l ear n i n g fro m th e

fall o f ki ng s an d em p i r es t hat
1 60 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU RE

th e b es t w ay t o esc ap e H is i re
I s, no t to s ee m too h appy .
”

As th e wr ath of Ac h ill es g av e u n ity to the I l i ad so the story o f ,

t he hu mbl i n g of P e r s i an i n fl ue n c e h ol d s tog e t he r t h e n i n e B ook s

o f the H i story of H ero d otu s T he P ersi an s A then i ans an d Spar

.
, ,
'
t an s s t an d ou t as t h e t hr e e c hi e f ac tor s B u t H e .

Uni t y
r o d o tus h ad t h e e p i c c as t o f mi n d H i s fi r st t h oug h t .

w as to en te r tai n h i s r ead e r s n o t to c o nv ey a p oli ti c al l ess o n

, He .

w as t h e l ast man to w alk li k e T h uc y d i d es al o n g t he mai n ro ad to

, ,

h i s go al . H e h ad ex plor e d al l the fasc i n ati n g byw ay s an d was ,

e ag e r to shar e t he c u riou s ob se rv ati o ns wi t h w h i c h h e h ad b een so

gr eatly div e r ted . E p i sod es w e r e hi s o pp ort un i ty an d at l east h al f ,

t h e work i s d evo t e d to d i gr ess i o n s w h i c h as Di o n y si us o f H al i c ar , .

1
n assus sai d ,
giv e hi s t al e th e c harm o f v ari ety t he I o n i an br ead th ,

an d w arm t h o f t h e ep i c .

Th e i n fl uen c e o f th e epi c i s c l earl y se en i n the m an n e r o f th e

s p e ec h es w hi c h are o n e o f t h e c h i e f o r n amen t s o f hi s h i s tory
,
.

T h e wor d s i n w h i c h C ro esus w ar n s C yru s t h at tlzer e i s a w /zeel of

l l a ma” f o r tu n e r evol zzzng f ar ever s e l /za z n o ma n ca n be a l w ays
'
‘

Th e f or l zma l e mig h t hav e b e en u tt er ed by N es tor

,
.

S pe ech e s
T hey w o ul d h av e b een eq ually app ro p ri ate o n
th e li ps o f th e T e ir esi as o f Sop h o c l es : Fo r H e ro d ot us c o ul d n o t
fail to b e i n fl uen c e d by w hat w as t h en t he p r ed o mi n an t as i t ,

w as t h e n e w es t lit e r ary typ e

,
H i s c har ac ter s o ft en borrow th e
.

to n es o f t he d r ama and u tt e r p at he ti c or t r agi c c o mmen t s t hat

,

wo ul d b e ad mi r abl e o n th e s tag e Wh en C yr us i n spi te of t he .

,

’
w ar n i n g o f C ro esus has ac tu ally fall en i n to t he p i t o f fort un e s
,

w heel To myri s th e b arb ari an p ri nc ess o f t he M assagetae i n sul t

, , ,

i n g hi s c or ps e c ri es o u t lik e a t r agi c h e roi n e i n h er fi e r c e gri e f

,

I l i ve a n d 1mm emzea er ea l /zee z7z ba ffl e yel l i ze n i zarl a ( l es l r ey ea me

'
’ ’
, ,

s i n ce fl am e l za s t ( l eeezvezl a ml s l a za m s o n zzes l l zen I make g ood

' '

y T l .

my l /zr ea t a 7zzl gz7 e fi l ee l l zy fi l l of al oe/£

'
2
/

At hens had d ee ply i n fl u enc ed the vi ew s an d t emp er o f H ero d o

1
To C P ompezu s 7 7 1
.
'

.
‘
3
I . 2 14 .
16 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LIT E RATUR E

li ter atur e . H I PPOCRATES of C o s th e F ath er o f M edi c i n e w as bor n, ,

abo u t 4 6 0 B C H e w as a gr eat tr av e l e r an d lik e

. .
, ,
Hi ppocrat es
o t he r famo us men o f hi s d ay s pen t part o f hi s li fe ,

i n At he n s T h e r e i s a tr ad itio n t hat h e w e n t to Ab d e r a o n a pro

.
,

fessi o n al vi si t to De mo c ri t us w ho s e fe llow c itiz e n s su sp ec t e d hi s

,
-

san i ty an d w e r e r eass ur e d by t h i s gr eat sp ec i al i st Wh e r e v e r .

n ame d , by Pl ato o r o th er s H i pp o c r at es i s alway s t r eat ed w i t h

,

profo un d r es pe c t O n e of h i s ap hori s m s L ife i s s lzon a r l i s l o ng

.
,
‘
, ,

w h i c h h as p assed i n to a prov e rb s ho w s the sp iri t o f th e man w h o , ,

w as n o c harl at an h i msel f b u t an h o n es t an d l aborio us s tu d e n t th e

, ,

en e my o f q uac k e ry an d o st en t atio n H e l iv ed as l ate as t he .

m i d d l e o f t h e fo u rt h c en t u ry an d i s sai d to hav e d i ed at Lari ssa

, .

At C o s h e fo un d e d a s c h ool o f me d i c i n e w h o se c en t er was th e ,

t e mpl e o f A sc l ep i us an d t h er e u nd e r t he P tol e mi es w as still

, , ,

flo u ri shi n g a sc i en tifi c sc h ool o f m ed i c i n e u n riv al ed i n G r eec e ‘

H i p po c r at es hi mse lf w as an A sc l ep i ad o n e o f a m ed i c al c ast e , .

U n d e r hi s n ame hav e c om e d ow n to u s ov e r sev en ty writi n g s o n

medi c al subj ec t s w hi c h form a H i ppo c rati c emW/ s O f n o p ar t
, .

o f i t c an w e say wi t h ab s ol u t e c e rt ai n ty t hat i t i s fro m the han d

o f t h e gr eat phy si c i an bu t i t r ep r esen t s t he tr ad i tio n o f hi s sc h ool
,

an d hi s i mme d i at e follow e r s T h es e tr eati ses ar e writt en i n l i t er ary

.

I o n i c Th e d i al ec t of h i s n ativ e C os w as Dori c b ut i t w as n atur al

.
,

t h at H i ppo c r at es sh o ul d ri se abov e hi s c olo n i al an t ec e d en t s an d

use t hat I o n i c d i al ec t w h i c h un til At h en s i mp o sed h er o w n s p eec h
,

o n p ro s e w ri t e r s w as t h e c o n v en tio n al i n s tr umen t o f d i d ac ti c
,

pro se H er e t hen w e hav e a mo nu m en t o f fi ft h an d fourt h

.
, ,

c en tury I o n i c . T h e styl e s h ow s n o tr ac e o f t he i n fl uen c e o f G or

gi ani c r h e tori c an d i s as li ttl e lit e r ary i n mann e r as th e work s of

,

Ari s t o tl e Th e t r eati ses w er e i n fac t c om p o sed for me mb er s o f

.
, ,

t h e me d i c al p ro fessio n r at he r t han for th e g en e r al pu bli c

,
T hei r .

w ri t er s w e r e w el l r ead i n th e early G r eek p hil o so p he r s espec i ally ,

H er ac l e i tus an d E m ped o c l es b ut o n th e w h ol e t he y d i spl ay a

, , ,

r eac ti o n ary t en d en c y ag ai ns t t h e sixt h c en t ury ph il o s o ph e r s a -

,

m or e s i n c er e e ffo rt at sc i en ti fi c me t ho d an d th e c ri ti c al s pi ri t than
w as s h ow n by t h e earli e r p hy s i c i sts w h o s e d o c tri n es t hey r e g ard as
,
 TH E LO GO G RA P H E R S : H E R O DOTU S 1 63

a rbi tr ary an d o n e s i d e d O n e t r e ati se 0a the A r t s t an d s o ut -

.
, ,

amo n g t he r es t as ad d r essed to t he l ay r ead e r I t i s an ap ology .

for t he ar t o f m ed i c i n e a pl ead i n g i n t he so ph i s ti c m an n e r an d , ,

p erhaps r epr esen t s n o t so muc h a br an c h o f m e di c al l i t er at ur e , ,

l
as a ty p e o f tr e ati se r e fe rr ed to by Pl ato i n t he S op/21st w h e n h e ,

say s t hat ev e ry ar t an d p ro fessi o n h as i ts h an d boo k s wri t t e n fo r ,

t h e p o p ul ar r ead e r G o mpe rz ev e n c o nj ec t ur e s t h at t he trac t .

,

w h i c h has c om e d ow n u n d er the n am e o f H i pp o c r at es w as c o m ,

p o sed by n o n e ot he r t han Prot agor as h i m sel f th e m o st d i sti n gui sh ed ,

o f al l th e s op hist s ( p 1 6 7 ) .

BI B LI OGRAPHY

TH E LO GOG RAPH ERS

C r euz er , H eeata ez M i l es fr ag men ta H ei d el b erg , Kl aus e n , H eeal

'

.
, 1 8 06 . .

l .
f gmen ta ra , B er i n , l 183 1 . M ii l l e r F r ag men ta H zstor zeo r w n Gr a eeo r u fl
,
' '

Par i s , H o ll an d e r, De H eeat M i l aeser zp t zo n e ter r a e B o n n 1 8 6 1

'

1 8 4 0 —1 8
’
’

70 . . .
, , .

Di el s i n H er mes 11 . Gi l mo r e, Tlze F r ag men ts of th e P er s i /éa f

o Ctes i as ,
Lo n d o n, 1892 .

H ERO DOT US

I MAN US CR I PT S
. . O f th e t h i rty k n o w n man usc ri pt s th e b est are th e M ed i
l o th t A ng el i ea n u s , Ro me, t 1 4 th
’

ceas, V e n i c e, c en .
; 1 1 th cen .
; Vatzea n u s,
cen t . Th er e ar e v er y fe w sc o l ia .

II . ED I T I O N S . A l d us , V e n i c e, 1 50 2 .
J un ger man n , F r an k f rt
o ,

1 6 08 . V al c k e n aer, A ms ter d am, 1 76 3 . S c h w e i g h ae us er, Par i s , 1 8 16 . Gai s

fo r d , O xfo r d , 1 8 24 — 1 8 2 6 y, O xfo r d , 1 8 5 4
. Be kk e r ,
Be rl i n , 184
5 . B l ak l es e .

B ae h r , L e i p i g , 2 d c d , 1 8 5 6 z Di n d o r f, Par i s , 1 8 6 2 A b i c h t, L e i p i g , 1 8 7 5
. . . z .

l
Di e t sch- Kal en b erg , Le i p i g, 1 8 8 5 H o d er , Le i p i g, 1 8 8 6—1 8 8 8 z
S ayc e, B k s . l z . .

1— 3 , L o n d o n , 18 83 St e i n , B er i n, sth e d , 1 8 8 7- 1 9 0 1 . To u r n i er- Des l . .

r o usseaux Pari s 1 8 9 1 , , . M ac an Bk s 4 9 , .
-
,
2 vo s l .
, Lon d on , 1896 .

I II L I TERAT URE. . B r e d o w , D e d i a l ecto H er od Le i p i g, 1 8 4 6 K i r c hh o ff,

, z .

e er
’
a ze E n tstelzu ngsz ezt
’
’
o es lzer oa’ . Ges e/zi e/zts w er k es , B er i n , 1 8 78 B auer , l .

Q uo es tzmzezel a
'

D ze E n s l e/zu ng sz ezt 18 78 B ac h o f,
’ ’
lzer oa Gese/z , V i e n n a,
’

aes . . .

Go mp e rz , H er otl ol ezs elze S tu di e n , V i e n n a,

'

18 8 3
’
ll er o o otea , Ei s e n ac h , 18 8 0 .
.

Pan o fs k y ,
'

H i s t H er oa ’
rl i n 1 8 8 5 G uts c h mi d i n
’
’
o n tzbu s, Be
Q u a est zo zzes a e . .
f , .

C ol t Gel A n z
. . .
,
18 8
5 . Del b r ii c k , D i e P er ser / c
r ze e,
g B e rl i n 1 8 8 7 K l b er D i e
, . e ,
' '

Lowe n b e rg, i es
’
R/zetor i k bei H er od .
,
1889 . H auve tte, H ér oaote lzzstor zen t

1 2 2 D
3 .
1 64 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE R ATU RE

g a er r es -
mécl i oi ces , Par i s , 1 8 94 . M aass i n H er mes 22 . Go mp er z , H ér oa’ote e

S op/Lod e i n r
Pa i s , 18 98 . Gr i ffi t hs , S tor i es o
f tl i e H zg/i Pr i es ts
Egypt Egyp tol
'

f M empli i s
’
o , 1 9 00 . R e vi l l o ut , H er oaote et l es o r a cl es . i n N ew .
,

1 9 00 . G r un dy, T/i e Gr ea t Per s i a n Wa r , Lo n d o n , 1 90 1 . Smyth , I o n i c , O x

fo r d , 18 94 . H o ffman n , D er [o n i sc/ze D i a l ek t, Gott i n gen , 18 9 8 .

IV N SLAT I O N S C ary O f rd 18 4 7 Raw l i s on

. T RA .
,
x o , . n , t
w i h u sefu l t
n o es

an d app e n d i c es O xf r d 1 8 5 8 M ac aul ay L n d n 1 8 90
, o , .
,
o o , .

V L EX I C O N
. Sc hw ei g hae us er L o n d o n 1 8 3 0
.
, , .

H I PPOC RATES

O f th e nu mer o us man us cr i p ts th e b es t is P ar i si n us 1 0th c en t . Ea

’
.

p r zn c, Al d us V e n i c e , , 1
5 26 . Kii h n M ei l i cor i cm Gr a ee op er a
, . o mn i a , L ei p i g, z
1 8 2 1— 1 8 3 0 . L i ttré, Pari s , 10 v o s,l 1 8 3 9—1 8 6 1 . H zpp ocr a t zs o
p er a o mn za ,

I l b e rg , Di e ls , W e b e r Le i p z i g v o l I 1 8 9 4 ;
an d , , .
, vol .I I b y Kii hl e w e i n , L ei p
zi
g, 1 90 2 . Go mper z i n Wi en er S i tzo 1 8 9 0 an d .
, , in Gr eek T/zi n é e rs 2 8 2 ff , I .

N ew Y o r k ( tran s ) ,
1 90 1 . C o sto mi ri s i n R ev .
’
aes Et udes g r ecq ues , 18 8 9 .

S c h o n e i n R/i ei n M us 5 8 . . .
166 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F GR EE K L ITE RATU RE

Ti si as w en t to Thurii and th er e tau g h t Ly si as the A tti c o r ator , .

Fro m Thurii r h e tori c tr av el ed i n the l at te r hal f o f t he fi ft h c e n ,

t u ry to At h e ns Ti si as h i msel f ac c or d i ng to tr ad i ti o n liv ed for

,
.
, ,

a tim e i n A t h e n s an d t aug h t the you n g I s o c r at es T h e favorit e .

w eap o n o f S i c il i an r h e tori c t h e app e al t o t he p rob abl e w hi c h

’
, , ,

i f o n e employ ed i t s kill fully ar me d o n e ag ai n st ei ther si d e o f th e ,

qu es tio n or ac c u satio n i s used to ex c ess by t he or at or A n ti pho n

,

i n hi s s p eec h o n Tue M u r d er of H er o d es w ri tt en at A t h en s ,

abo u t 4 2 0 B C . .

For abo ut a g ene r atio n b e for e th e ad v en t o f thi s Si c ili an i n flu

e n c e an o t h e r s et o f te ac h e r s h ad b e e n e d u c at i n g t he At h en i an s .

T hese w er e the so phi st s c o m par ed wi th w h o se m any si d ed n ess ,

-

C o rax an d Ti si as m u s t h av e se e m ed n arrow sp ec i ali sts Th e .

s o p h i s t s w e r e th e pro fe ss o r s of t h e N e w E d u c atio n at At h e n s an d ,

t hey are r eg ul arly c o n d e mn e d an d d efen d ed ad mi r ed an d d es pi se d , ,

i n a grou p Th e G r e ek s o f t h e fi ft h an d fou rt h c e n turi es appli e d

.

th e n am e so p h i s t to al l w ho g av e i n s tr uc tio n i n t h o se s ubj ec t s
‘ ’

w h i c h o nl y the ri c h c oul d affo r d i n t hat hig he r ed uc at io n d i s ,

tru st ed by th e mass of t he p e opl e as n ewfan gl e d bu t eag erly ,

u r su e d by e v e ry ambi tiou s yo u n g At h e n i an Pro t agoras of Ab

p .

d er a was a sop h i s t b ec au se h e t aug ht t he ar t of b ei n g su c c essful i n

p oli ti c s ; Pro d i c us o f C e o s b ec au se he taug h t t he n i c e us e o f wo r d s

H ippi as o f E li s b ec au se he t aug h t g eo me try and astro n omy ;
Ti si as too w as a s o ph i st a p ro fessor o f r h e to ri c ; an d So c r at es
, , ,

h i m sel f w as n o t u n fairl y c l as s e d w it h t h e s o ph i s t s by t h e At h e n i an s
w ho saw hi m t eac hi n g an d argui n g lik e t h e r es t i n p ubli c p l ac e s ,

and c o u l d har d ly b e e xp ec t e d to p ut h i m i n a s ep ar at e c at eg o ry

mer ely b ec au se he ask ed n o fees and d es p i sed t ho se w ho r etail e d

k n o w l ed g e Th e ess en t i al mor al d iffer en c e o f hi s ai m fr o m t h eir s
.
’

‘
w as di s r eg ard e d ev e n by so i n t e llig e n t an ob s erv er as Ari s top han es .

1 Pl at o
’
s sh a rp d i st i n ct i o n b e t w e e n phi l osop h ers an d so p h i st s w as pro b ab y l
t ri c
eso e i n his d ay, n o t ad o p t e d o r grasp e d b y o ut s i d e rs S o Rad e rmac h e r i n.

R/zezn . l l/ u s .
52 . 18 . L at e r , gro un d o f d i s t i n c t i o n w as th e t ea c hi n g
on e o f
r h et o r ic . So , on th e Pari an l l l l ’
l
mar b e , P at o i s ab e ed p hi o so p he r, A ri st o t le ,

phi s t
’
so .
 . TH E B E G I N N I N GS O F RH ET O RI C 167

To m easur e th e e ffec t o f the so ph i sti c t eac h i ng o n the l i ter at ur e

an d l i fe o f G r eec e o n e mu s t c o ns i d e r s e par at e ly e ac h o n e o f t h o se

d i sti n gui shed me n wh o c o mi n g fro m al l qu art e r s of G r eec e mad e

, ,

A then s th e go al an d t he ap pl au se of t h eir At hen i an pu pil s t he

,

c hi e f d i sti n c tio n o f t he i r w an d e ri n g l iv es .
,

P ROTAGO RAS o f Ab d e r a a T hr ac i an tow n col o n iz ed by Io ni an s

, ,

was bor n abou t 4 8 0 B C H e c ame to At h e ns abou t 4 5 0 an d

. .
,

th oug h h e did n ot c ease to t r av el an d l ec tur e i n th e ot he r c i ti es of

G r eec e th e fri en d sh ip o f P eri c l es t h e ad ul atio n of the you n g

, ,

A th en i an ari sto c r at s hi s p upil s an d the ad mirabl e o ppo rtun i es for

, ,

di spl ayi ng hi s tal en t s i n t hat brilli an t so c i ety c o mbi n ed t o m ak e

hi s vi s i ts to A th en s fr e qu en t an d prolo n g ed Pl ato i n .
,
P r ot ag or as
hi s P r otagor as giv es an i m p r ess iv e pi c tu r e of t he ex
,

c i temen t c au s e d by o n e of t h ese vi s it s an d of th e brilli an t an d ,

dig n i fi ed so p h i st h i m sel f w alki ng to and fro i n th e h ou se o f th e

,

ri c h C al l i as hi s ho s t : A tr ai n of l i s ten er s f ol l ow ed h i m f or the
, ,

mos t p a r t fo r ei gn er s f o r P r o tagor as d r a w s them af ter h i m o u t of

,

every ci ty » as he
p asses th r oug h ; he cha r ms th em w i th hi s vo i ce l i k e ,

Orpheus a n d they hea r h i s accen ts a n d f ol l ow

,
Th er e w er e s ome .

A then i a ns al so i n th e g r oup I/Vha t en ter tai n ed me mos t w a s to s ee

.

how cl ever they w er e i n n ever g etti ng i n hi s w ay When P r o tago r as .

and th os e a br eas t of hi m tu r n ed r o un d , the tr oop of li s ten er s

d i vi ded o n ei ther s i d e ; f ell i n to the r ea r
th en they w heel ed a n d ,

al w ays i n perf ect o r d er

1
Pl at o s s k etc h may be t ru st ed for th e
.
’

p erso n al i ty o f Prot ago r as as i t i m p r essed a s ob e r A t hen i an i n tel li

g en c e H e w as a gr eat Hu m an i s t u rb an e sen si tiv e abou t hi s
.
, ,

d ig n i ty r ath er w eak i n d i al ec t i cs 5 h e t ri es t o c o n c e al hi s c h agri n

,

w he n So c r at es prov es th e b ett e r man i n an arg umen t p r eferri n g i f , ,

o nly So c r at es woul d l et hi m to m ak e hi s p oi n t t hat virtu e c an be

,

taug h t i n an e l oq u en t su s t ai n e d s peec h a fabl e w h i c h su it ed hi s

, , ,

c h armi n g r es o n an t voi c e b e tt e r t han t h e abr u p t q u es tio n s an d a h

sw e rs t o w h i c h S o c r at es h el d hi m d ow n Pro tagor as w as a p u ri s t .
,

an d i n s i s t e d o n c orr ec t n ess o f s p e ec h Pl ato w ho w as su ppo s ed .

,

t o hav e r ep ro du c ed t he v ery s t amp an d c harac te r o f h i s l an gu ag e ,

1 P r otag 3 1 5 A
. .
168 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RATUR E

m ak es hi m Us e a n u mb er o f m et ap hor s an d a flu en t am pl e s tyl e , ,

t he v e ry s tyl e for t h e or ato ry o f d i sp l ay H e p rofess ed to t eac h.

h i s p u pil s h o w to tal k d ow n any sp ec i ali s t but h e k e p t hi s eye ,

m ai n ly o n t h o se w ho wi shed to b e su c c ess fu l stat es m en to them

h e p ro mi se d to i m p art c ivi c virt u e or e x c ell en c e
’ ’
,
B y t hi s h e .

mean t so m et hi n g e sse nt i ally u n moral thoug h n o t n ec essarily i m ,

mo r al an ex p er t k n owl edg e h ow to get t he b e t ter of an o p po n ent

,

i n ev e ry s ort o f d eb at e H i s ph ilo so p h y w as H e r ac l ei t e an
. O ne .

w ho se t o u t to tr ai n men to s ee an d arg u e bo t h s i d es to m ak e ,

t h e i r m i n d s fl e xibl e an d r ec e p tiv e n at u r ally r ej ec t ed an y su c h

,

ab sol ut e s t and ar d as wo ul d ap p eal to th e follow e r s o f P arm e n i d es .

Fo r P ro t ag o r as ev ery t hi n g w as r el ativ e to man M a n i s the .

meas u r e of all th i ngs H i s ag n o sti c u tt er anc es abou t t he go d s l ed

.

t o h i s p ro sec utio n for i mp i ety by th e A t h e n i ans al w ay s i n tol e r an t ,

o f a p rofess ed s k ep ti c H e fle d fro m At h en s an d p e ri sh e d at sea

. .

1
Pl u t ar c h q uo t es a bri e f fr agm en t i n the Io n i c d i al e c t o f Abd e r a ,

i n w hi c h Pro t agor as d es c rib es th e forti t u d e o f P e ri c l es d uri n g t he

2
p l ag ue at At he n s Pl ato i n t he S op hi s t r e fe rs to c e rt ai n tr eati ses
.

by Pro t agor as o n wr es tl i n g an d o the r s ubj ec t s art s or man u al s ,

’

(r exua t) su c h as the ty pi c al so ph i st c om p o sed t o d i s pl ay t hat en c y

c l o p aed i c k n owl e d g e w h i c h Pl ato fou n d so e x as p e r ati n g Su c h a .

t r eati se i s i n fac t th e ap ol ogy for m e d i c i n e

, ,
On th e A r t w hi c h , ,

h as c o me dow n to u s amo n g t h e H i p p o c r ati c w ri ti n g s T hi s t rac t .

G o mp e rz assi g n s to Pro t agor as b asi n g hi s t h eory o n t h e app ro pri

,

at en ess o f i ts di al ec t s tyl e an d to n e to the d at e an d p er so n

“
,

ali ty o f Pro tago r as an d o n t h e si mil ari ty o f i ts m an n e r wit h t h e

3
s p eec h e s o f Prot agor as i n Pl ato s d i alog u e
’
.

Pro tago r as may b e c all ed t he fo un d e r of gr am m ar H e w as .

ap p ar e n tly t h e fi r s t to d i s ti n g ui s h t h e t hr ee g e n d e r s by
Th e
foun d er of n ame an d b e d ivi d ed th e form o f t he v e rb i n to c at e
,

gr ammar o r i es t ha t w e r e t h e fou n d atio n of o u r moo d s W h il e

g .

th e r h e t ori c i an s o f th e Si c ili an s c hool ai m ed at b eauty o f l an ‘

’ ’
gu ag e P ro tagor as l ai d s tr ess o n c o rr ec t ness
,
.

1 2
Co n sol . ad Ap ol l o n . c33 . . 23 2 D .

3 Gr eek Th i n k er s ( En g l i s h tran s )
. I 4 6 7 ff . an d in Wi en er S i tz h , . 1 8 90 .
1 70 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU R E

At hen s as an amb assador fro m hi s n ativ e tow n th en op p r essed by ,

h er n eig h bor Syr ac use i n 4 2 7 B C ,

T hat e mb assy w as an ev en t
. .

fo r G r eek l i t er atu r e O f all the so p hi s t s G orgi as w as

.

Gorgi as
t he gr eates t r h e tori c i an H i s s u c c ess wit h th e .

A t hen i an p ubli c may b e c o mpar e d wi th t hat ac h i ev ed by C ar n e

ad es an d hi s c om pan i o ns w h e n t h ey c ame o n an e mb assy fro m

A t h e ns to Rom e i n 1 5 5 B C an d al arm e d C ato by th e i mm e d i at e

. .
,

po pul ari ty o f t hei r philo so ph i c al l ec t u r es w it h th e Ro m an yo ut h .

G orgi as w as a so rt o f or ac l e o n r h e tori c a gr e at c r aft s m an wi th , ,

a gr eat e r p ass io n for for m an d a mor e p u r e ly arti s ti c ai m t han c an

b e d e t e c t e d i n t he o t h er wr i te r s o f hi s c l ass an d g e n e r atio n H is .

l ife c ov er s n e arly th e w h ol e o f th e fi ft h c en tu ry s o t hat he i s the ,

c o n te m por ary o f H ero d o t us When h e c am e to At hen s Aes

.
,

c hyl us h ad b ee n d ead t hi r ty y ear s Sop ho c l es an d E uri p i d es w e r e ,

wri ti n g Ari stop han es w as bri n gi ng ou t hi s fi r s t c o m ed y All hi s

,
.

o r ato ry w he n h e s ettl ed as a t eac her i n At h en s w as epi d e i c ti c

, , ,
i

s p ee c h e s wri tten for d i sp l ay lik e t h e F u n er al ,

O r a ti o n o f w hi c h
w e hav e a fr ag men t
1
T he c h ar ac t eri sti c s o f th e G o rgi an i c s tyl e
.

c an b e j u dg ed fro m t h i s fr ag men t I t i s a tou r d e f or ce i n the .

d e x terou s us e o f wor d s A n ti th esi s th e m o s t n at u r al an d the

.
,

earli est o f all t h e or n am en ts o f s tyl e i s u s ed to e x c e ss The li n e,

.

i n R ejected A dd r es ses

Regai n ed th e fel t , an d felt w h at h e regai n ed ,

’
wri tten as a p aro d y of Pop e s an ti t h eti c s tyl e w ou l d be p e rfec tly ,

fair as a p aro d y o f G orgi as H i s c l au se s ar e s h ort an d p r ec i se ly

.

b al anc ed to c orr es p o n d i n l e n gt h for m an d s o u n d The e ffec t o f

, ,
.

s o un d ai m e d at by t h i s gr eat vi rt u o s o an d hi s i mit at or s w as i n

d ee d n o t far r e mo v e d from r hy me T h e so un d was e c h o ed muc h.

’
as i n S hak e sp ear e s

An d w h at sh o u ld I do i n I ll yri a ?
M y b ro t h e r h e i s i n El ysi um .
”

1 It w as q uo t ed by M axi mus Pl an ud es . \Va lz , R h eto r es C r o cei V 5 4 8 .

 TH E B E G I N N I N GS O F R H ET O R I C 1 71

What w as th e m eani n g o f al l t hese effor ts at r hyt hm an d asso n an c e

an d c ol or i n p r o se ? Prob abl y the b es t an s w e r to t hat qu es tio n
li es i n th e wor d s o f I s o c r at es L et u s s ee w h eth er p r os e ca n n o t as
, ,

w el l a s ver s e cel ebr a te th e vi r tues of men

1
,
T he gr eat ac h i ev e .

men t o f th e ep i d e i c ti c or ator w as t hat h e i n the e n d su pe r sed ed , ,

the p o e t .I ns t ead of a t h r en o s o r d irg e by a ly ri c p o e t t he r e ,

woul d soo n be o n ly fun er al o r ati o n s hi s tory had suppl an t ed e pi c ,

en c o mi u m
2 ’
an d th e p an egyri c w as t o su ppl an t t h e lyri c al
‘
.

’
M en s ear s w e r e sti ll ho w ev er i n the fi ft h c en t u ry attu n e d to th e
, , ,

k ey o f po e t ry t h e y still l o ok ed to v er se to giv e t h e m the d i s

,

i n t e r ested p l easu r es o f li t er atur e Th e so phi st s th er e fo r e w hen .

, ,

t hey d esig n ed to pl ease r at he r t han to c o nvi n c e m u st mak e t h ei r ,

p ro s e r hy th mi c al an d c h arm wi t h a p o e ti c vo c ab ul ary
,
Empe d o .

c l es h i m se l f t h e Si c ili an po e t h ad t aug h t ac c or d i n g t o Ari s to tl e

, , , ,

th e art s o f s tyl e an d p e r hap s G orgi as h i s pu p il h ad c aug h t fro m

,

hi m s o me of t h e r h e tori c al d evi c es that he e mpl oy s i n h i s p o e ti c

pro se B ut h e ow e d c e rt ai n ly m or e to the t r agi c s tyl e esp ec i ally
.
, ,

p er hap s the s tyl e o f So pho c l es G orgi as w en t to o far and mad e

,
.
,

hi s pro se m etri c al H e thu s aw ak en s t he mi st r us t w h i c h as

.
,

A ri stotl e l ater poi n ted ou t i s ro used by th e too gr eat ar tifi c i al i ty

,

o f metri c al pro se As a subj ec tivi s t G orgi as shar e d i n the so

.
,

phi s ti c r e ac tio n ag ai n st t h e E l eat i c s an d w ro t e a t r eati se d en yi n g ,

t he Ab sol ut e an d ass e rti n g t h e rig ht s o f th e i n divi d ual t ru t h

, .

T hat tru th o n e mu st i mpo se o n o t he r s by means o f or atory I n .

’
Pl ato s Go rgi as w e hav e w hat i s n o d oub t a o n e —si d ed p i c t ur e o f
th e fam ou s sop hi s t wi t h So c r ates ag ai n i n t he l e ad i n g p art o u t
, ,

sh i n i n g h i s o p po n en t i n arg u men t an d mor ali ty Th e H el en and .

t he P a l a med es w h i c h b esi d e s t he g en ui n e fr agm en t o f th e

, ,

F u n er al O r a ti o n h av e c o m e dow n to us u n d e r hi s n am e ar e
, ,

p rob abl y n o t th e wo rk o f G orgi as bu t o f a l at e r i m i t ator T h ey ,

.

are at l east useful as showi n g w hat w e r e h eld to b e the

c har ac t e ri s ti c featu r es of th e styl e of th e fou n d e r o f e pi d e i c ti c

1 E vag or as 8 .

2
O n t hi s t en d e n c y fat al t o p o etr y, N o r d en , D i e g r i echi s ch e l i
’

, so s ee u n st

p r osa I 7 8 .
1 72 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LIT E RATU R E

1
orato ry th e for e r un n e r n o t o n l y o f th e c orr ec t I s o c r ates an d hi s
, ,

s c h ool ,
bu t al s o of t h e A s i an i c mann e r o f wri ti n g wit h all i ts

p e rv e r s io n s o f s tyl e .

G orgi as w ro t e th e At ti c d i al ec t o f t h e tr ag ed i an s an d t h oug h a
m
,

Si c ili an c o mi n g fro m an I o n i an se t tl e e nt h as t h e di s ti n c tio n o f

, ,

gi vi n g the fi r st i m pul s e t o th e ar t o f writi n g A tti c p r o se H i s .

c o nc ei t s o f w h i c h a goo d i n st an c e i s t he famou s vul tu r es a r e

,

2
l i ni ng g r aves w er e ec h o e d by c e rt ai n o f hi s d i s c i pl es s u c h as t h e
, ,

s op hi s t Al c i d amas o n e o f w h o se or ati o n s h as su rviv ed

, i n t he
sam e c oll ec tio n as t h e G o rgi an i c p an egyri c s B ut t h e su r er t as te .

of t h e A th en i an w ri t e r s o f pro se t ho ug h they w er e d ec i d ed ly ,

i n fl u en c ed by h i s fi g ur es o f sp eec h an d o r at ori c al effec t s fou n d ,

hi s p r ec io s i t y hi s ov e r i n g e n i o u s m ann e r frigi d an d c h il d i sh
,
-
, .

Fo r all t he i r v ari ety o f i n t er e s t s an d i n d ivi d ual d i ffer en c es th e ,

s op h i s ts ov e rl ap an d h av e c ert ai n g en e r al c h ar ac t e ri s ti c s
,
T h ey .

are r e li gi o us s k ep ti c s c ar e ful sp eak e r s ,

t h oro ug hly famili ar wi t h ,

li t er at ur e ai m at the c ul tiv atio n o f th e i n d ivi d ual r at he r t han t he

,

ad v anc e m e n t o f sc i en c e ar e fo r th e mo st p ar t u n mor al an d w rit e

, ,

t heir mo ral fabl es for p r ac ti c al en d s T hey w e r e th e fi r s t c ri ti c s .

o f th e G r eek po et s T hey m ark t he dir ec ti o n o f i n t er es t at At hen s

.

I nflu e n ce on t ow ard s t h e hi g h e r s t u d i es me t t h e ne ed s o f the ari s ,

Gr eek ed u t o c rati c s e c ti o n o f A th en i an s o c i e ty an d w e r e al w ay s ,
can on
fr an kly pro fessio n al i n t he i r at t i t ud e to ed u c atio n B e .

s id es t r ai n i n g t h o s e w ho wi s h ed t o b ec o me s o p h i st s t h e y h elp ed t o ,

e du c ate for p oli ti c s you t hs li k e H i pp o c r at es i n the P r o tag or as w ho ,

blu sh ed at t he m er e h i n t t hat h e m ig ht en te r the i r r an k s t h ough ,

1 B l ass , D i e A tti s che B er ed sa mk ei t I 7 2, d efen d s t h e g en ui n en es s o f b o th

the P a l a med es an d th e H el en ; Cr o i set , H i st d e l a L i tt Gr , an d M aass ( i n . . .

H er mes ) 22 t b o t h N
ac c ep
; o r d e n ac c e t s t h e H el en ;
p j e bb S p e n g el Egg er , , ,

an d N avar r e r ej ec t b o t h .

p a t l ast l ay s me w i th
2 O n hi s d e at h b e d h e i s r e o rt e d t o h av e sai d : S l ee
p
h i s br oth er D ea th , an d Gl a d ly u i t th i s d ecay ed an d totter i ng d w el l i ng o
f th e
q
body . Thi s i s g o o d i n s t an c e
a o f th e d i s p l ay o f th e r ul i n g passi o n i n d eath .

Wi th th e s ec o n d u tt er an c e c p . W all er ,
“
Th e s o u l s d ar k c o tt ag e
’
, ,
b att er ed
”
an d d e c ayed .
1 74 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K .
L ITE RATU R E

l i s h ed i n V
V
al z , Rh etor es Gr a eci V . B la s
s i n c l ud es th e H el en an d th e P al a

med es i n his ed . of Ant i ph o n ( Te ub n er ) L ei p i g , 1 8 8 1

, z
Th e so ph i s t i c .

fragmen t s ll ec t e d M ull e r s F r ag men ta Ph i l osoph or u m Gr a ec , Pari s,

’
ar e c o in .

1 8 6 7, vo l I I l
S pe n g e , E y yij Tex vau, S t utt g art , 1 8 28
' '
v
. va w . .

. I
III L TERAT URE Pro t ago r as : Fr e i , Qu aestt P r otag , B o n n , . . . 18 4
5 . Go r

gi as : F o ss , D e Gorg i a L eon tzn o, H all e, 1 8 28 . S ch on b o r n , D e a uthen t i a

d ecl a ma ti on u m q ua e G L . . no mi n e ex sta n t, B re s l au ,
1 8 26 . Di e l s Gorgi ,
as u n d

E mp ed ocl es i n S i tz u ngsber . d B er l A ka d
. . .
, Be in, rl 18 8 4 . F r ei i n Rh ei n M us .
,

1 8 50 Ge r c k e i n H er mes 3 2
. S c h ee l , D e Gorg za n a e d zscipl i n a e . vest i gi i s ,

Ro st o c k , 1 8 9 0 M aass i n H er mes 2 2 P ro di c us : W e l c k er , P r od i k os
. . vo n K eos
i n K l S eh r . . 2 . H i p p i as : A p el t, B ei tr ag e, L ei p z i g , 18 9 1 . Al ci d amas : V ah l e n ,
D er Rh etor A l k i d a ma s i n S i tz u ngs ber d . . Wi en er Ah . 1863 .

On ea rl y Gre ek rh et o ri c : Vo lk man n , D i e Rh etor i k der Gr i ech en una

’
R ai n er ,
2d L e i p i g , 1 8 74
cd .
,
z
Ch ai gn et La Rhétor i ue et s on h i stoi r e, Pari s, 1 8 8 8
. ,
q .

West er man n , Geschi chte d er B er ed sa mk ei t, Le i p i g, 1 8 3 3 B ass , D i e Atti sch e z . l

B er ed sa mk ei t, Le i p i g , 1 8 8 7vo l eb b, Th e A tt i c O r a tor s , v o l I ,
. 1, 2d ed .
, z . J .

[n tr od , L o n d o n , 1 8 7 6
. N o r d e n , D i e A n t i k e K u n stp r osa v o l I , L e i p i g,
. . z
'
1 8 98 N av ar re , E ssa i s u r l a r h etor i ou e g r ecou e a va n t A r i state, Pari s , 1 9 00
. .

O n th e S o p h i s ts : Co p e , i n j o u r n of Cl a ss i ca l a n d S a c r ed P h i l 1 — 3 Si dg w i c . . . k
in ] of P 4
. . . Gr o t e i n H i story o
f Gr eece, v ol . V II I , ch 67 . D i e l s, i n h i s D i e
.

F r ag men te d . Vo r sok r a t i ker Gr i ech i sch u . D eutsch , d evo t es A pp en d i x I V t o

th e o l d er s ophi st s .
 C H A PT E R X I

T H UCYDI DES

T H UCY DI DES son o f O l o r us o f the Atti c d e m e H ali mu s w as bo r n

, , ,

as n early as w e c an c al c ul ate w it h i n t h e d ec ad e 4 7 1 — 4 6 1 B C
,
He . .

w as an A th en i an c i tiz en wi t h all th e ad v an t ag es o f
’
w eal th an d fami ly c o n n ec t ed o n hi s m ot h er s s i d e
,

wit h the semi roy al hou se o f M il ti ad es an d t he ow ner of gold

-
,

mi n es i n T hr ac e Th e si n gl e an ec d o te o f hi s yo u th r el ates t hat
.
,

b ei n g wit h hi s fat h e r at a r ead i n g o f hi s hi story by H ero d o tu s ,

T hu c y d i d es was so e x c i te d by ad m ir atio n that h e shed t ear s .

Wher eu po n H erodo tu s c om pli m en t ed the fat he r o n hi s so n s ’

g en erou s appr ec i at io n an d th e tal en t that su c h e mo tio n i m pli ed .

H e i s said t o hav e b e en a pu p il o f t he o r ator A n ti pho n w ho

t aug h t r hetori c an d h e c er tai n ly c am e u nd e r th e i n fl uen c e o f
,

th e l ead er s o f th e i n tell ec tu al s o c i e ty t hat g at h er ed abou t P e ri c l e s .

A nax agor as an d Pro tago ras may hav e pl ay ed t h eir p art i n fo rmi n g
hi s mi n d an d t h ough T h u c y d i d e s w en t i n t o e xil e th r ee y ear s aft er
,

t he arriv al o f Gorgi as i n A th en s th er e i s n o d oubt t hat h e

to o fel t th e c harm of th e G o rgi an i c m an n e r of s p e ec h an d p ro fi t ed

,

by hi s l esso n s i n the po ssi bili ti es o f A tt i c p ro se At t he ou tbr eak

.

o f the P el opo nn es i an w ar he w as a man o f abou t for ty w ell fi tted ,

-

to u n d er s t an d i ts c au ses an d follow i ts c our se . When the p l ag ue

d ev astate d At h en s i n the sec o n d y ear o f t he w ar ( 4 3 0 ) Thuc yd i
d es was o n e o f t h e few w ho r ec ov e r ed fro m i ts attac k I n 4 24 w e
.

fi n d hi m a g en er al i n c o m m an d o f sev en sh ip s o ff th e
Ex i l e
,

i sl and of T haso s o ppo si te th e c o ast o f T h r ac e B r asi

,
.

d as t he Spart an g en er al t h r eat e n e d A m p hi pol i s and T hu c ydi d es

, , ,

w as o r d e r e d to pr dt ec t t h e tow n . H e arriv ed t oo l ate A mph i poli s,

was lo s t to t h e At h en i an s an d T huc y d i d e s c oul d o nly sav e for

,

17
5
1 76 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU RE

t h e m Ei o n the h arbor to w n ,
Th e A t hen i an s w e r e alw ay s p ro mpt
.

to p u n i sh an u nsu c c ess ful g e n eral F or tw en ty yea r s he writ es I .

, ,

w a s ba n i s hed f r om my co u n try af ter I h el d the co mma n d a t A m

pt ol i s , a n d , a ssoci a ti ng w i th bo th s i d es , w i th the P el op o n n es i a ns

qu i te as much as w i th th e A then i a n s , beca use f my

o ex i l e, I w as
1
th us en a bl ed to w a tch qui etly the co u r se o f even ts .

Th e l at e Li fe o f T hu c yd i d es
by M ar c e lli n u s ( fi ft h c entu ry A D ) . .

ad d s th e d e tail t hat i t w as t he d e magog ue C l eo n w ho c au sed hi s

e xil e . B ut t h e ou tl i n e t he b ar e fac t of e xil e i s al l t h at w e c an

, ,

s afely ac c e p t Whe r e h e p assed the n ext t w en ty y ear s w het he r

.
,

h e r e tu r n e d to A t h ens i n 4 0 3 w h er e an d h ow he d i ed ar e n o t , ,

r ec or d ed by an y tru stwort hy au t h o ri ty H e p rob ably vi si t e d .

S i c ily an d ac q u i r ed t he d et ail e d k nowl ed g e o f Syr ac u se t hat h e

d i spl ay s i n t h e ac c o un t o f t h e Si c ili an ex p e d i ti o n H e may as .
,

Wi l amo w i tz t hi n k s hav e l iv ed for a ti me an d d i e d at t he c ourt of

, , ,

2
Ar c hel au s ki ng o f M ac edo n i a at P ell a
,
E uripi d es w e k no w w as
, .
, ,

t h er e an d T h uc y d i d es i s c r ed i t e d wi t h a b eauti ful and n obl e

,

3
e pi t ap h o n t h e t r agi c po et The d at e o f hi s d eat h i s u nk n ow n
. .

I t was at l eas t n o t l ate r t h an 3 9 6 B C and may w ell hav e fall en . .

,

s o m e y ear s earl i e r .

H i s H i s to ry of the P el opo n n es i a n Wa r w as divi d e d by t h e

Al ex an dri an s i n to eig h t B o ok s I n t h e fi r s t h e giv es a short sur .

ve of t h e e arly c o n d i ti o n s of G r eec e t he b e gi n n i n g s
S cop e y ,

of hi s o f th e G r ee k n avi es and r evi e w s bri efly t he fi fty y ear s ,

h i s wry
b e tw een th e P er s i an an d th e P elo po n n esi an w ar s t he ,

c au ses o f t h e h o s tili ty b etw e en A t h e n s an d Sp art a an d t h e n e go ,

t i ati o n s b e for e t he gr eat s truggl e b eg an B ook s 2— 4 an d p art .

of 5 d esc rib e th e t en y ear s c o un ti n g by su m m e r s an d wi n t er s , ,

o f t he fi r st p erio d o f the w ar i n w hi c h A r c hi d am u s o f Sp art a ,

pl ay s a l eadi n g p art T h en c o m es a full ac c o u n t of th e p eac e of

.

N i c i as i n 4 2 1 B C and t h e s i eg e an d sac k o f M elo s by t h e Ath e

. .

n i an s I n B ook s 6 — 7 T hu c y d i d es t el l s th e t al e o f the Si c il i an
.
,

1
26
5 . .

2
H er mes Fo r th e rgumen t s agai n s t t his v i ew , sec G i l b ert i n P h i
‘

1 2. a
3 A n th P al
l ol og us 3 8 . . .
7 45
. .
1 78 SH O RT H I ST O R Y o r G R EEK LITE RAT U RE

an d i sol ated fi t fo r n o gr e at en terpri se E v en th e Troj an w ar

, .
,

fo r all the e mbroid e ry o f t h e p o e t s b et ray s t he p ov erty o f G r eek ,

r eso ur c es t h e g en e r al i ns i gni fi c anc e G r eat e r t han an y p r evio us

,
.

w ar mo r e me mor abl e ev e n t han t h e r ep ul s e o f P e r s i a w as t o b e

, ,

t h i s d uel o f I o n i ans and Dori an s thi s su i c i d al se t tl e m ent o f o l d

,

sc or e s i n w h i c h h e saw t hat al l H e ll as an d m an y b arb ari a n s woul d

t ak e s i d e s .For sev e n o r eig ht y ear s h e pl ay ed an ac tiv e part i n

i t s uffer ed fro m t he pestil en c e t h at c am e i n i ts t r ai n h ear d m an y
, ,

o f the s p eec hes t hat he r ep ort s and l at e r i n h is e xi l e s til l w atc h ed

, , , ,

w he n he c oul d n o t s har e t he fig h t T hat w as th e way to writ e

, .

h i s tory as i t w as w rit t en l at e r by X en o ph o n an d C ae sar by men

, ,

w ho h ad b e en a p art an d n o s mall p ar t o f the e v en ts

, ,
.

H erodot us had wri tten a p an egyri c of G r eek c iviliz atio n as

o ppo sed t o b arb ari an T h uc y d i d es do es no t wri t e for t h e glory
.

o f At hen s t houg h sh e i s t he p ro t ago n i st th e heroi n e of hi s i m

, , ,

I oni an s
p arti al t al e H e s h ow s you th e c o n fl i c t o f r ac e p ri d e
.

v ers us t h e C ori n t h i an s app eal to t he Lac e d aem o n i an s n o t to

Dori an s
l et an I o n i an c i ty o ppr ess Dori an s th e Dori an temp e r
an d p r ac ti c e w e r e pit t ed ag ai n s t t h e I o n i an We are no t ed uc ated .

say s t h e Sp ar tan ki n g Ar c h i d amu s

’
o u t o f r es p ec ti n g t h e l aw s ,

‘
w e hav e n o t grow n i n sol e n t i n p ro s p e rity w e ar e n o t so ov er ,

i n t ell ig en t th at w e c an o n ly c ri ti c i s e an d n o t ac t w e t h i n k ou r
n e ig h bor s may b e as c l ev e r as o ur sel ves
l ’
T hat w as n o t the I o ni an .

w ay at A t h en s Th e i n t e llig en c e o f th e At hen i an s was th eir p ri d e

.
,

th e i n tellig en c e t h at m ad e t h e m d espi s e t h e en e my t h e sup er i o r ,

‘

c l e v e r n ess ag ai n st w h i c h th ey w e r e w ar n ed by C l e o n th e m o s t
‘
,

viol en t o f th e c i tiz e ns Y o u all l o n g to b e o r at or s h e tell s t h em

.
’
,
’
,

yo u wor sh i p w h at i s n ew ; you ar e al w ay s c h an gi n g you r mi n d s

‘

2 ’
an d you t h i n k t h at yo u ar e wi s e r t h an th e l aw s T huc y d i d es i s .

far fro m p ai n t i ng t he m o r al o f th i s c o n t r ast Li s t e n to n o i n t el .

l ec t ual arg umen t sai d De Q ui n c e y O n e argum en t t her e i s “

”
,
.
,

o n ly o n e t h er e i s o f p hilo so p h i c v al ue an arg u men t d r aw n

fro m th e mo r al n at u r e o f man The r est are d us t and ashes . .

”

T hu c ydi d es had n o illu si o n s abou t th e mor al n atu r e o f man .

1 1 2
84 3 37 38
. . .
— .
 TH U C Y DI DE S 1 79

For a g en er atio n he had w atc h ed the G r ee k s at ev ery c ri si s of

th e w ar an d had fou n d t h em r ead y at th e fi r st h i n t o f i mpu n i ty
, ,

or o f p er so nal d an g er to d efy ev ery l aw an d c o n v en ti o n I n the

,
.

l agu e at At h e n s h e h ad ob s e rv ed t h eir bli n d t e rro r hard en to a

p
c allou s e ag er n ess to se iz e th e p l easur e o f the m om en t at any c o s t
'

to o t h e r s . When the T hrac i an s e n ter ed Myc al essus an d m assac r e d

ev en t he h el pl ess sc h ool c h il d r en h e r e m ark s t hat s u c h are th e
,

p assio n s o f b arb ari an s l et loo se B ut he c oul d n o t fail to see that

.

th e At h en i an s w er e n o l ess bloo dt h i r s ty w h e n th ey mu rd er ed an d

en sl av ed w hol e pop ul atio ns o f t h e ir r evolt ed alli es Conce t i on ,

p
as at M elo s an d Sc i o n e T he b ad fai t h o f t h e Pl a of h uman
.

nat ur e
-
I
taeans i n pu tti n g to d eath th ei r T he b an p r i s o n er s w as
m at c hed by th e t r eac h ery o f A th en i ans l ik e Phryni c h us th e
2
g ener al willi n g t o b etr ay hi s c ou n try to sati s fy a p e r so n al gr udg e
,
.

At C or c yr a men fi r st saw the wor st ex c esses o f r evol u ti o n the ti es ,

o f bloo d an d t he sc r u pl es of r eligio n forgo t ten B u t T hu cy d i d e s .

expl ai n s that al l th es e at ro c i ti es see m ed ab n orm al o n ly b ec ause

t h ey w er e t he fi r st of th e ki n d T h i s h e s ai d i s th e n atur e o f
.
, ,

man i n the li k e c i rc u m stan c es h e w ill alw ay s b e r eady to d efy all

l aw s an d c o nv ent io ns hu m an an d d ivi n e I n the fatal d esir e o f
, .

t he A th en i an s to c o n qu e r Si c ily h e saw t he i rr atio n al s i d e o f man

g etti ng th e u pp er hand T her e w er e few evil s h e t h oug h t that

.
, ,

c oul d n o t b e av e r te d by i n t ellig e n c e To h av e k een p er c ep tio ns

.
,

t o b e p rud en t to r eas o n t o c al c ul at e to p en e tr at e mo ti ves t h at i s

, , , ,

the t ri umph o f th e h u m an b e i n g Wi t h T h u c y d id es th e I o n i an
.

lov e o f i n t ellig en c e b ec o m es a sor t o f ob s ess io n Wh er e H ero d .

o tu s had seen the han d o f G o d pun i sh i ng th e wro n g d o er Thuc yd -

,

i d es se es a l ac k o f p e r c ept i o n i n the man a m i sc al c ul atio n w h i c h ,

c an s t ul ti fy al l th e c o n v en ti o n al vir tu es as i n th e c ase o f th e vi r
,

tuo ns an d u n for tun at e g e n e r al N i c i as ,

The or ac l es he tr ea t s w i t h
.

s c ant r esp ec t an d ob serv ed t h at the o nly c ase i n w h i c h they w e r e

j u s tifi e d w as i n t hei r d ec l ar atio n t hat t he w ar wo ul d l as t t hri c e n i n e
3
y ear s.

Th e Sp e ec hes hav e b e e n c all ed th e soul of hi s h i s tory T h ey .

1 2 2 3
.
5 . 8 50. .
5 . 26 .
180 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R EE K LITE RATU R E

are al l i n th e
fi r st sev en B ook s an d n u mb e r for ty o n e b esi d es -
,

tw o Di alogu es o f t he M eli an s an d A then i an s i n the fi ft h an d

, ,

Th e o f Ar c h i d amu s an d the Pl at aean s i n the sec o n d B ook .

S peech es T h er e i s o n e pu r ely ep i d e i c ti c sp eec h the famou s ,

F u ner a l Or a ti o n o f P e ri c l es i n t he sec o n d B ook T huc y d i d es .

d i d n o t pro fess to giv e th e e x ac t word s o f t he sp e ak er w h o m h e

r ep orts What he ai m s at i s t o giv e th e s i tu atio n t o S how t he
.
,

n ati o n al or p e r s o n al eth os th e c h ar ac t e r an d t e mp e r am en t as i t
,

c am e o ut i n d e b ate t o giv e a p r é
,
ci s o f a lo n g di sc u ss i o n m aki n g ,

o n e o r t w o of th e c h i e f sp eak e r s o n bo t h si d es t h e mo ut hp i ec e o f

t h e r es t T huc y d i d es w as w ri ti n g i n a g en er atio n w ho se c h i e f
.

i n t ell ec tu al i n t er es t w as r he tori c At A t hen s hi s tory was m ad e

.
,

th e fat e o f p eo pl es an d i n divi d u al s d ec i d e d i n d e b ate The o n ly

,
.

o t he r A tti c p ro s e wri t er o f hi s o w n earli er t i m e A n tip ho n that , ,

’
‘
m as t e r of expr essio n w as a p ro fessio n al writ e r o f sp eec hes
,
.

T h u c y d i d es w as h i msel f d eeply i n fl ue n c ed by r heto r i c i an s an d he ,

n o d o ub t r eg ard ed the speec h es as t h e c h i ef o r nam en t o f hi s

work T hey w e r e hi s opportu ni ty for c har ac teri z atio n I n th e m
. .

h e sh ow s us how t h e Sp art ans an d A t hen i an s esti mated th e m selv e s

an d h o w t h ey w er e en vi sag e d by eac h o t her I t was th e mo st .

dr am ati c an d effec tiv e w ay o f m aki ng the r ead er feel t h e for c e o f

thei r mo ti v es th e n atio n al t r ad i tio n s
,
an d the w eak n ess an d
,

s t r e n gt h o f t h e n ati o n al c har ac t e r o f eac h The ty p i c al C ori n.

th i an s p eaki n g at Sp art a sh ow s us vivi d ly t h e atti t ud e o f the n ear er

, ,

’
c iti es to t he A th en i an s t h o se ,
r es tl ess n eig hbor s as t hey w er e
‘

c all e d i n t h e G r ee k p rov e rb ho w t h e y fe ar e d t h e ir u n ti ri n g am bi
,

1
t i o n t h e i r t h ir s t fo r e x p an si o n so d an g ero u s t o t h e s m al l e r s t at es
, ,
.

T h e sp e ec h of C l eo n t he p o p ul ar A th en i an p ol iti c i an i s p rob ably

, ,

typi c al o f t he sort o f sc oldi n g t hat t h e At h en i ans enj oy ed fro m a

favori t e s p eak er i n t ho se d ay s w hen ther e w as n o sc ol d i n g by
p o p ul ar p r eac h e r s fro m t h e p u l p i t or by t he p r ess Provi d ed o n ly .

t hat i t w as c l ev e rly d o n e as C l eo n c oul d d o i t he mig ht att ac k

, ,

e v e n t h e sac r e d p ri n c i p l e o f d e mo c r ac y an d t el l th e A t hen i an s
,

wi t h i mpu n i ty that h e n ev er t h oug h t a d emo c rac y c oul d m an ag e

1 1 1 20.
.
18 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

t h o s e wo n d erful d esc riptio n s of fig h ts w h i c h C i c e ro sai d w er e li k e ,

a b at tl e s o n g
-
t h e movi n g an d t e rribl e s tory i n t h e sev e n t h B oo k

of the r e tr eat o f N i c i as fro m Syr ac u se wi t h hi s ar my o f forty

t ho usan d men t hei r m i se ry too d eep f or tea rs as T huc y did es say s
, , ,

t he i r s low d es tru c ti o n by t he Syr ac usan s Mo st striki ng o f all i s .

t he acc ou n t i n th e sec o n d B ook o f th e p l agu e at At hen s I t i s by .

s u c h p assag es as thi s t hat T hu c ydi d es h as e ar n e d hi s ti tl e as th e

‘

mo s t p atheti c o f h i s tori an s ’
H e w as fai th ful to hi s i d eal o f
.

givi n g g en eral i n c i d ents w h i c h w er e bou n d i n su c h an ot he r c ase , ,

t o r ec ur H e was s o su c c ess ful i n thi s t hat ev ery d esc ri p tio n o f a

.

p estil en c e s i nce hi s has s ee m e d t o i m i tate hi m or to fall shor t of

, ,

h i s i n t en si ty Lu c r eti us tr an sl at e d p art o f the p assag e i n t o v er se

.
1
,

mi sun d er st an d i n g t h e origi n al her e an d ther e an d ad d i n g m ed i , ,

c al d e t ail s t hat w e ak en t he
p i c tur e Followi n g hi m V ergil i n .
,

t he G eo i g i cs
2
O vi d i n the ld eta moi p hoses S enec a i n t he Ged i
,
l 3
.
,

c ho T hu c
4
p us ,
e y d i d es B o c c ac c i o d esc rib es t h e four tee n t h c en
.
-

tu ry pl ag ue at Flor enc e M an zo n i that o f Mil an i n the s e v en t een t h

,

c en tu ry , De fo e te ll s t h e t al e o f the B l ac k De at h i n Lo n do n ; n o

o n e of t he m h as su p er se d e d t he e ig ht c hap te r s i n w h i c h Thu

c yd i d es d esc rib es th e d egr ad atio n o f body an d s oul th at ar e i n e vi

t abl e t o al l s u c h v i si t atio n s I t i s i n su c h p assag es that h e sh ow s

.

h im s el f c ap abl e o f t he d eep est p ath o s a p atho s that i s n ev er ,

sen ti m e n tal .

All pr ai se bu t few enj oy T hu c ydi d es H e w as i sol ated amo ng

, ,
.

A tti c p ro se wri t e r s pro fou n dly o rigi n al an au to c r at i n t he use o f

, ,

l an guag e t houg h h e ow e d mu c h to the sop h i s t s H e h as so i m

, .

p r ess ed hi s r ead er s wi t h hi s hi sto ri c al sen se an d hi s c ar eful u se o f

e vi d e n c e an d o f s uc h d o c u me n t s c h i e fly the t ex t s o f tr eati e s as , ,

he had at h i s c o mm an d that amo n g G r ee k wri t er s h e sh ar es , , ,

wi th A ri stotl e an d wi t h A ri sto tl e o n ly the h o n or of b ei n g tak en

, ,

o n t ru s t an d q u ot ed by sc h ol ar s as an u n i m eac h abl e au t h ority

p .

B ut hi s s tyl e h as r ep ell e d man y c ri ti c s s i nc e Dio n y si us I t d efi e d .

i mi t ati o n an d s oo n see m ed ar c hai c T hu c y d i d es i s t horou g hly .

S o p h i st i c ated t ho roug h ly c o n sc i ou s t hat h e i s w ri ti n g At ti c p ro se

, ,

1
6 1 1 3 8— 1 23 1 2
8 — 66 3 —6 1 4 1 1 0— 20 .
. .
3 .
47 5 .
7 .
5 3
2 3 .
5
 T H U C Y DI D E S 1 83

c o n v e r san t wi t h al l the d evi c es o f th e n ew r hetori c H e offend ed .

the taste of t h e l at er p uri s ts by th e fr eq u e n t us e o f word s p h r as es , ,

an d c o n stru c tio n s t hat w er e m or e sui t abl e to po e try T hat w as .

’
p art o f hi s ar c hai s m H i s i s t he au st e r e styl e a hig h an d c ar e
,
,

fully c ho sen d i c ti o n wi t h a n i c e d i sc ri mi n atio n of sy n o ny m s and

,

a t en d en c y to d e fi n itio n w h i c h h e may hav e l ear n e d fro m Prodi

c us . H e had a fo n d n ess for an ti t he s i s that s trik e s o n e as al mo st

a frivoli ty i n an au tho r of hi s c ast an d h e r e an d t h er e h e wri t es , , ,

v ery mu c h i n the manner of G orgi as h i msel f 1

B ut i n spi t e of hi s .

l ov e of sy mm etry hi s styl e i s m ark e d by sud d en an d u nac c oun t

abl e v ari at io ns o f c o n s tr uc tio n an d h i s se n t en c es o ft e n e nd i n an ,

an ac olu t h o n He d elig ht s i n i n tri c ac y d i sr egard s th e n atu r al

.
,

Or d e r o f w ord s o fte n h oldi n g u p a word i n ord e r to giv e i t a

,

sp ec i al e m p has i s an d w h e n as fr e q uen tly h app en s hi s c o n struc

, , ,

ti o n s ar e far fe t c h ed i t i s n o t alw ay s c l ear t hat he has sec u r ed any

-
,

ad v an t ag e by t h e e ffor t Th e lo n g p eriod s o f T huc y d i d es wi th

.

t hei r lo ng r hy t h m s mak e hi s s tyl e i m p r ess iv e bu t h e c o n d en ses ,

hi s th o ug ht too m u c h for c l ear n ess ov erlo ad s a sen ten c e wi t h a ,

’
c rowd o f id eas i s alw ay s t r eadi n g o n hi s o w n h ee l s as w as said
‘
, ,

o f hi m by Qui n tili an Th e ten si o n an d the c o n c en tratio n are t oo

.

sev e r e so that the famou s au ste r e s tyl e often en d s i n h ar shn e ss

,

an d ob sc u rity an d b ec o m es a p uzzl e e v e n to G r e e k c ri t i c s
,
His .

di al ec t the old er li ter ary A tti c i s v ari e d by I o n i c form s

, , .

B IBLI OGRAPHY

I . MAN USC R I PT S . O f the nu mero us man uscri pt s th e b es t are : th e L a u r en

t i a n us, l o t h c en t .
, at Fl o r en c e ; the Va ti ca n u s , 1 1 t h c en t .
; t h e P a l a ti n us, at

H ei d el b erg ; th e B r i ta n n us , i n th e B i i sh rt M us e u m . A n i n s c r i p t i o n fo u n d
on t h e Acro pol i s i n 1 8 7 7 ( Corp f u ser A tt I s upp l 4 6 ) gi v es part o f th e t ext
. . . .

o f th e tr e at
y q uo t e d b y Th uc yd i d es 3 4 7 A s h o rt papyr us fr ag me n t ( I s t . .

o r 2 d c en t A D w as p ub l i s h e d i n Oxy r hy n ch us l apy r i I L o n d n 1 8 9 8
’
. . .
,
o , .

II ED I T I O N S E d p r i n c Al d us 1 50 2 St ep han us w i t h s c h l i a 1 5 6 4
. . . .
, , .
, o , .

B ekk er w i t h s c h o l i a B erl i n 1 8 2 1
, A r n o l d O xfo r d 1 8 3 0—1 8 3 5
, , B l o o mfi e l d
.
, , .
,

Lo n d o n 1 8 4 3 ,Po pp o L e i p z i g 1 8 2 1 — 1 8 5 1 Po pp o St ah l Le i pz i g 1 8 7 1 — 1 8 8 9
.
, , .
-
, , .

Cl assen 3 d e d B er l i n 1 8 79
, .
.
, St ahl L e i p z i g 1 8 7 3 —1 8 74
, . B o eh me L ei pz i g , , .
, ,

1 E g 3 8 2 ; 6 76
. . . . .
18 4 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR EE K L ITE RATU R E

1 8 6 4— 1 8 76 . H ud e , L ei pz i g , 19 0 1 . Cr o i s et , 1— 2 , Pari s, I 8 S6 . S hi l l eto , 1,

Lo n d o n , 18 72 . Go o d hart , 8 , Lo n d o n , 1 8 93 . F o r b e s, 1, Oxfo r d , 1895 .

J o n es , B i bl i oth eca Ox o n zen s i s, Oxfo rd , 1 9 02 .

III . L I TERA T U RE . S t e up , Th u k S tu d i en . F r eib urg, 1 8 8 1— 1 8 8 6 . Ull ri c h ,

B ettr . z. E r kl . d es Th u k .
,
H amb urg , 18 46 . Gi rard , E ssa i su r Th u cy d i d e,
Par i s, M ii l l e r Str ub i n g Th u k F or sch u ng en Vi en n a 1 8 8 1
18 84 .
-
N i es c hk e
, .
, , .
,

D e Th u c A n t iph on tzs d i s c zp ul o et H o mer i i mi ta tor e M ii n d e n

. Ki r c h , ,

h o ff Th u k u sei n Ur k u n d en ma ter za l B e r l i n 1 8 9 5
,
. . W i l amo w i tz i n H er mes , ,
.

1 1 12 34
, Ki r c h h o ff i n H er mes 1 2
, . S c h Ol l i n H er mes 13 Gi l bert i n P h i l . .

ol o
g us 3 8 St ah l i n N ew j a h r b , 1 8 9 6
. Sh o r ey i n Tr a n s A P A 24 . . . . . . . Fors
t e r S mi t h i b 2 5 W o l c o tt i h 29 D i e l s i n Gott Gel A n z , 18 9 4
. . . . . . . . j eb b ,

Th e Sp e ec h es o f Th uc yd i d e s i n A bb o tt s H el l en i ca, L o n d o n , 1 8 8 0
’ ’
.

IV X I CA B étan t
. LE .
, G e n e va, 1 8 4 3 — 1 8 5 7 . Es s e n , ]n d ex Th u c .
, l
B er i n , 18 8 7 .

V T RA N S LAT I O N S
. . H o bb es, Lo n d o n , 1
7t h cen t . J ow ett , Ox fo rd , 1 8 8 1.

B ét an t Par i 18 63 ,
s, .
1 86 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LI TE RATU R E

p i ti e d , pi ti e d Dem eter b ec au s e bo th w er e ac qu ai n ted wi th

as o n e ,

gri e f I n t he tan gl e o f l eg en d s that gr ew u p abou t Dio ny sus t her e

.

i s a s tro n g el em en t o f p at h o s H e c oul d b e i m p ri so n ed by a m ort al

.
,

as i n th e tal e of P en t h eu s o f T h e b es w h i c h E urip i d es u ses i n th e

,

B accha e o r driv en to p lu n g e i n t o th e sea an d t ak e r e fug e i n the

,

b oso m o f T he ti s w hen h e w as c h as ed by th e i mpiou s Ly c urgu s as ,

Ho mer d esc rib es i n the I l i a d 1

So i t w as t hat the w h ol e r an g e o f
.

h u man emo ti o n w as app ro p ri ate to hi s wor sh ip wi ld gri e f an d ,

wild g ay ety expr esse d i n tur n th e ardo r o f hi s wor sh i p er s and ,

bo th tr ag edy an d c o m edy w er e d eriv ed fro m th e c h or al d anc e i n

h i s h o n or .

’
T hi s w as th e d i thyr amb a word w h o s e pr ec i se m ean i n g i s
‘
,
-

u n k n ow n O f th e m an y i ng en io u s d eriv atio n s d ue to the G r eek

.

po e t s an d mo d er n c o m m en t ator s t hat w h i c h expl ai ns l east see ms

,

t he m o st p ro b abl e 5 d i thur amb o s i s c o n n ec te d wi th thr i ambo s

’ ’
,

an ob s c ur e e p i t h e t o f t h e go d an d t h e c o m p ou nd m eans a s o n g
,

or d an c e i n h o no r of Di o n y sus The d i thy r amb i s fi r st men

‘ ’
.

t i o n ed i n li ter at ur e by Ar c h ilo c h us ( f r i n t h e s ev e n t h c e n
.

t ury an d for hi m i t m ean t s i mpl y a s o n g ad d r ess ed to Dio n y su s

,

an d i nspir e d by wi n e As t he c u lt o f t he P h rygi an go d p ass ed

.

o v er to G r eec e i t fou n d a c o n g en i al h om e i n N axo s w h il e o n the ,

m ai nl an d i t w as al w ay s ass o c i ated wi th T heb es an d C ori n t h To .

th e l at te r c ity th e d i thyr amb h ad p e r hap s b ee n broug h t by Ario n

o f Lesbo s ( p 1 08 ) w h en h e c am e to th e c ou r t o f P e ri and er t he
.

C ori n th i an tyr an t ( 6 2 5 — 5 8 5 At an y r at e ac c ordi n g to th e ,

t r adi t io n Ario n w as t h e fi r s t to trai n an d r e mo d el t he go at c h oru s es

,

fro m w hi c h A tt i c tr ag ed y w as d ev elo p ed an d o n thi s fac t the ,

C ori n th i an s b ased th e i r c l ai m to th e i n v en tio n o f t r ag e dy In .

t h ese c h oru ses t h e w or shi p e r s o f Dio ny sus d i sgui sed as go at s ,

( t rag o i ) d an
, c e d a n d s an g t h e di t h yr amb to t h e m u s i c o f t h e P h ry
gi an flu t e We k n ow n o th i n g p r ec i se abou t t he i n n ov at io n o f
.

Ario n I t may hav e b ee n he w ho bri n gi n g or d e r i n to t he d i thy

.
,

ramb i c c h oru s es se t t he n u mb er o f t h e d an c e r s at fi fty a c o n ve n

, ,

t io n t hat w as al w ay s r e t ai n ed Th e p ri mit iv e c ul t so n g of Di o n y
.

1 VI 1
32 .
 THE B E G I N N I N GS O F T H E DRAM A 1 87

sus n ow s uffer ed two d i s ti nc t tran s form at io ns I n the han ds o f th e .

wri ter s o f c horal mel i c i t b ec am e the li t e rary d i t hyramb as w e fi nd

i t i n Pi n d ar an d B ac c hyli d es an d flo uri s h ed alo n g si d e o f t r ag ed y
, ,

ev en at At h en s O f i ts tr an s for mati o n i n to t he d r ama At h ens h as

.

t he full c r e d i t N o o t her li t er ary typ e i s so p ec uli arly a r e fl ec tio n

.

o f the A then i an g eniu s an d At he n i an c ul t ur e The Dori an d i thy .

ramb as r e m o d e l ed by Ari o n w as t r an s l an t ed to A the n s i n the

p
six t h c en tury abou t t he ti me w h e n t h e c o u r t o f P e i s i str atu s b ec am e

the c e n t e r of th e ar ti s ti c life o f G r eec e .

T H ESPIS w h o may be c all ed the fou n d er o f G r eek

,
Th es pi s
tr ag ed y has hel d hi s gro un d i n sp i te of the sil e nce o f
,

Ari s to tl e fro m w ho se P oeti cs i s d e riv ed al mo s t al l that ev ery sc hol ar

,

acc e p t s as t h e h i s tory o f t he b egi n n i n g s o f tr ag ed y A y o u ng er .

r ace r es hapes al l th i s a n d i nfi n i te ti me w i ll mak e ma ny mor e i n

‘

ven ti on s yet ; bu t mi n e a r e mi n e So say s t h e e p it ap h o f T he sp i s

.
,

writ ten by the Al ex an dri an p o et Dio sc ori d es i n the s ec o n d c en

tu ry B C T hespi s w as bor n i n the fi r st y ear s o f the sixt h c en t ury
. .
,

i n A t ti c a i n t h e vi ll ag e o f I c ari a n o t far from M ar ath o n a p l ac e

, , ,

traditio n ally ass o c i at ed wi t h t he wor shi p o f Dio n y su s H i s gr eat .

c o n tribu tio n w as t hat he took th e d ec i s iv e s t ep fro m th e d i t h yr am b

to the d r ama an d i n t ro d uc ed an ac tor who was d e tac hed from the

1
c h oru s t o p l ay a s e p ar at e p ar t The n am e o f t h i s p e rfo rm e r
.
,

) n d i c at es ho w c lo se w as s till hi s co n
’
an sw e r e r w o xp i fi j i
t he ( fi
‘
s ,

n ec ti o n wi t h t he c h o r us h o w s u bo r d i n at e w e r e hi s s p ok en i n t e r
,

l ud es to t he l yri c al p art o f the pe rfor man c e The ol d er Dio n y si ac .

festiv al of the Wi n e p r ess ( Len ae a) w as alr ead y es tabl i sh ed at

At hen s P ei si s tr at us i nstit ut ed t he G r eat Dio ny si a of t he C i ty
.
,

a M ar c h fes t iv al w h i c h h en c e for t h w as t he offi c i al seaso n for the

p erform anc e fi r s t o f d i t hyr amb s an d l ate r of trag ed y ful l blow n

, ,
-
.

I t m ust hav e b een u nd e r hi s pat ro n age t hat i n 5 3 4 B C T hespi s ,

. .
,

fi r st pl ay ed hi s t r ag ed i e s at t he C i ty Dio n y si a and w e may ac c ep t ,

t hat d at e as m arki ng t he r ec og n i tio n by t he A t hen i an s t ate o f the

1
Th e Th eseus of B ac c h yl i d es ( 18 ) is a l yr i c d i al o gue b etw een Ki ng Aegeus
an d th e r
c h o us , an d , if we regard th e p o em as a d i t hyr amb I l l us tr at es t h i s
,

t
s ep i n th e evo u l t i on of th e d rama .
188 S H O RT H I ST O RY o r GR E E K L ITE RATU R E

pri m i t iv e fo rm o f At ti c t r ag ed y I t was t her efor e o n ly ten y e ar s

.
l

b e for e th e bir th o f A esc hylu s t hat the Dori an go at so n g tr agoed i a , ,

b e c am e d r am ati c G r ee k t rag e dy h ow e v e r n ev e r w ho ll y d i sc ar d ed
.
, ,

t he Do ri an s t amp To the l ast th e A th en i an d ram ati st wro te hi s

.

c h oru s es i n t h e D ori an di al ec t .

Whil e the d i thyr am b w as still pur ely c hor al ther e had alr ead y
ap p ear ed th e t en d en c y t o i n tro du c e a wid e r r an g e of i n t e r est t h an

t he adv en tur es o f Di o n y su s I n th e fi r s t q uart er o f th e s ixt h c en

.

t ury C l ei s t h en es th e t yr an t o f Si c yo n had forbi d d e n hi s subj ec t s to

, ,

s i n g t h e i r go at c h or us es i n h o n ou r of A d r ast u s t h e Argi v e h e ro ,

an d had r es tor e d to Dio n y su s hi s rig h ts What has t hi s to d o .

‘

wi t h Dio n y su s ? was the c om pl ai n t o f c ert ai n c o nserv ativ e audi

’

en c es w hen t hey saw the go d s u p er sed ed by the he ro es o f the

,

sag a i n s u c h a pl ay as th e F u n er al G a mes of P el i as sai d t o b e by ,

T h esp i s .

The gap o f abou t a g en e r at io n b etw e en th e ac t ivity o f T hesp i s

an d t he fi r s t s u c c ess es o f A esc h yl u s i s fill e d by t h r ee dr am ati st s .

C H O ERI LUS a yo un g e r c o n t e m p or ary o f T h espi s w as

, ,
Ch oeri l us
an At h en i an w ho p rod uc e d hi s fi r s t pl ay i n t h e 6 4 th

O lym pi ad ( 5 2 4 5 2 1 B C ) an d was t h i rt e e n ti m es a vi c to r i n t h e
—
. .

tr agi c c o mp eti ti o n s w hi c h had alr e ad y b een org an iz ed at A th en s .

Ex c ep t a s t ray met apho r i n w h i c h he c all s ro c k s an d riv er s th e

bo n es a n d vei ns of ea r th w e hav e n o r e m ai n s o f h i s n um erou s
,

p l ay s . I f w e may so i n t erp r et a v ery v ag ue tr ad i tio n i n w hi éh

‘

’
C h oer il us w as c all ed a ki n g amo n g t he satyr s h e w as p ec uli arly ,

s u c c essfu l i n t he sat yri c dr am a H e l iv ed to c omp ete wi th .

A esc hylu s .

Wi t h th e new i nter est o f l egen d s o th er than the Dio n y si ac c am e ,

th e gr ad ual e li mi n atio n o f t h e s atyr s fro m t he t r agi c c h o rus an d

t heir r epl ac em en t by p e rfo r m er s mor e d ig n ifi e d an d mor e appro

1 H o r ac e ms
s ee t o h av e c o n fuse d trag ed y wi h t co med y w h en h e mak es
Th esp i s a s tro l l i n g pl ayer w ho p e rfo r me d h i s pl ays on a c a rt an d s meared hi s
fac e w i t h w i n e l e s A s P t 2 75
e . r oe . .

p o i n t s ut t h at i n th e I n di an d rama al
2 C h r i st o so , tw o d i a l ect s , Sans c ri t an d

Pr ak r i t w ere use d
, .
1 90 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE R ATU RE

as do m es ti c c al ami ty for A then s t hat t he w h ol e t heat er b ur st

a ,

i nt o tears and Phryn i c hus w as fi n ed a t ho usan d d r ac h mae for r e

m i nd i n g t he m o f t he i r r es po n sibili ty and thei r gri e f Th ey c oul d .

n o t ri sk suc h e mo tio n al i n fl u en c es o n t h e ir
p ubli c p ol i c y an d ,

A t hen i an e tiq ue tt e h en c e fort h w as d ec i d ed ly h o stil e to h i stori c al

p l ay s t ho ug h Phryn i c hus h im sel f i n h i s Ph oen i ssae and A esc hylu s
, , ,

a l ittl e l ate r wi t h h i s P er s ae p rov ed t hat the A t hen i ans c ould

, ,

s afely be r eg al e d wi t h th e gri e fs an d h u mili atio n o f P e r s i a Phry .

n i c hus w as famou s for hi s lyri c al e ffec t s w h i c h w e r e lo n g po ul ar

p ,

at A then s t h o ug h th ey w e r e ol d fash io n ed w he n Ari s top han es

,
-

wro te the Wasps (4 2 2 A fragm en t o f o ne o f t hese m el o

d i es was c lo sely i mi tated by G r ay

O
’
er h er w ar m c h e ek an d r i si n g b o so m mo v e
Th e b l o o m o f y o u ng Desi r e , an d p urp l e l i g ht of Lo v e .

Th e i x th c en tu ry th eater o f Dio ny su s at A then s i n w h i c h

s -

T hesp i s an d hi s j un ior s p l ay e d t he i r tr ag ed i es c o n si sted o f a

rou n d d an c i n g pl ac e the or c h estr a suc h as mu st h av e
-

Th e t h eat er
, ,

b een u sed from th e b egi nn i n g by di t hyr ambi c c ho

ru ses wi t h an al t ar ( t hym el e) i n th e c en t er for sac rifi c e s to th e god
, .

T he r e w as n o s t ag e an d i t i s p rob abl e t hat the T hesp i an ac tor

, ,

i f he wi sh e d to d i s ti ngui sh h i m sel f fro m the c h o r us d eliv e r ed h i s ,

p ar t fro m th e st ep of the al t ar E arly i n the fi ft h c entury a gr een .

ro o m w as p rovi d e d for c han g es o f dr ess t he t en t or sc en e ,

‘ ’

w h i c h c ut o ff a segm en t o f th e c i rc l e o f the or c h es tr a T hi s .

w as s oo n fac e d by a p ro sc e n iu m th e b ac kgrou n d o f th e pl ay , ,

w h i ch w as u su ally t he facad e o f a t wo st ori ed p al ac e or t e mpl e 2 -

.

All t h i s lik e t h e seat s o f th e s p ec tator s w as ap p ar en tly of wo od

, ,

an d c o n s tr uc t e d for te mp or ary us e u n til i n th e four th c e n tu ry , ,

w hen th e gr eat tri u mp hs of the A th en i an d r am a w er e ov e r ,

Ly c urgu s b uilt a sc ene o f sto n e an d e r ec ted sto n e seats for th e

’

1 P r og r ess P oesy 4 0
f
o .

2
Wi l amo w i tz i n H er mes 21 t hi n k s t h at t h i s co n v e n pr osce n i u m w as
t i o n al
n o t us e d i n th e ea r l i er t t
e x an l
p ays of A eschy l us , an d c o n j ec t ur e s t h at i t

w as i n tr o d uc ed i n t h e d ec ad e 4 6 8 —
4 58 B C
. .
 THE B E G I N N I N GS O F T H E DRAM A 19 1

s p ec tato rs an d t ho se t h ro n es o f P en tel i c marbl e w h i c h ar e s ti l l

,

t he c hi e f or nam e n t o f t he rui n ed t h eat e r o f Dio n y s us at A th e n s

1
.

Was t h er e a r ai sed s t ag e for the ac to r s i n fro n t o f t he p ro

sc en i u m o r w e r e t h ey i n th e d ay s o f t h e c l ass i c al d r a ma o n t h e
, , ,

s ame l e v e l as t he c h or us i n t h e or c hes tr a ? T hat i s t he q u es tio n

w hi c h fo r th e l ast fi ft een y ear s has d ivi d e d ar c hae ologi st s T her e .

are n o r e m ai n s early e n oug h to b e u sed as evi d en c e Th e ,

S t ag e
eit he r fo r t h e s t ag e buil d i n g s o r th e s t ag e o f th e fi ft h

c e n t u ry B C O f th e H ell e n i s ti c t h eat e r w e k n o w m u c h bu t o f the

. .
,

t heat e r of th e fi ft h c en tury th e se tti ng o f the pl ay s o f A e sc hylu s

, ,

So pho c l es an d E uri p i d es w e k n ow li ttl e m or e t han c an b e

, ,

g at he r ed fro m th e p l ay s t he m se l v es DOr p fel d S t h eory t hat i n the .

’

fi ft h c en t u ry ac tor s an d c h o ru s stood o n t h e same l ev el i n t he

o r c h estra seeme d li k e ly ten y e ar s ago to t r an sfor m ou r w h ol e
,

c o n c ep t io n of t he s c en i c s e tti n g o f a pl ay at A t he n s B ut t h e .

evi d en c e of t h e e x tan t dr amas s i n c e i t h as b een u sed by bot h ,

s id e s i n s upp or t of vi ew s t h at are d i r ec tly o pp o s e d i s har d ly mor e

m
,

d ec i siv e than th e ar c haeol ogi c al r e ai n s O n the si d e o f t ho se .

w ho r ej ec t a fi fth c en t ury stag e i t may b e s ai d t hat i t i s n o t for u s

-
,

wit h ou r fi x e d i d eas o f t he aes theti c propri ety o f a stag e to i n si st ,

that t h e au di en c e of A esc hylu s wo ul d n o t hav e t ol e r a t ed a c e rt ai n

?
amou n t o f c o n fu s io n o f c h oru s an d ac tor s Ari sto tl e t ho ug h t
that wit hou t th e ai d o f th e eye th e h ear er of a t rag e dy sho u l d b e
, ,

3
m ad e to thrill wi t h horror an d pi ty at w hat t ak es pl ac e an d fo r ,

t hi s n o r ai se d s tag e was essen ti al What was t he he igh t o f t he .

fi fth c e n tury stag e i f stag e th er e w as w hat w e r e i ts d im en s io n s

-
, , ,

1
Do rp fel d , D as Gr i echi sch e Theater , 1896 .

perfo r man c e o f th e A n tig on e o f S o ph o c l es at A t h e n s , i n

2 Fo r t h e o
p e n -ai r

Apri l , r
1 9 0 5 , un d e t h e i mme d i at e s up er vi s i o n o f D Or p fel d , n o s t ag e w as us e d .

The r es ul t w ri t e s M r Lo u i s Dye r i n t h e N a t i n M ay 1 1 1 9 0 5
,
”
. h as mad e
o , , ,

n o c o n vert s Th e al t ar b l o c k e d th e v i e w t h e ac t rs w e e c o n s t an t l y c o n fus e d
.
,
o r

w i t h t h e c h o r us w hi l e t h e e n tran ces an d e xi t s w e r e i n e ffec t i ve A t t he p e r ”

.
,

fo r man c e o f Ag a memn on at H arvard ( 1 9 06 ) t h er e w as n o st ag e an d t h er e , ,

at an
y rat e th e e ffec t w as ad mi rab l e
,
.

3
P oeti s 1 4 c Wh o h ears t h e po em t h ere fo re sees th e pl ay
.
, B ro w n i ng
, .
,

’
B al a usti on s A d ven t ur e .
192 SHO RT H I ST O RY O F GREE K L ITE RATU R E

w h et h er step s o r an i nc li n ed pl ane r en d er ed p o ssibl e t h o se sc en es

i n w h i c h c h oru s an d ac tor s u n d o ubt ed ly mi ngl e t h es e ar e s till ,

op en qu es ti o n s .

Th e d ev e lop m en t o f the At h e n i an dr am a w as s t eady an d r api d .

About se v en ty y ear s aft er T h es pi s p ro d uc e d hi s u n c o ut h pi ec es ,

Dev el op hal f dit hyr amb s hal f tr ag ed i e s th e h ig h w at e r m ark o f

, ,
-

men t s t r agi c s tyl e h ad b ee n r eac h e d i n th e O r es tei a o f Aes

c h yl us ,
th e m as t erp i ec e o f G r eek t r ag e dy an d th e P r o metheus
,

B o u n d w h o s e s up er hu m an p er s o n ag e s d i s d ai n t he s oli d gro un d
, ,

h ad t ax ed th e i n g en ui t y o f t h e st ag e m ac h i n i s t I t i s n o t e asy to
.

allo t to e ac h t r ag ed i an hi s ex ac t c o n tri bu tio n t o t h e m e c han i c al

c o n triv an c e s o f t he t h e at e r an d t h e s tr uc t u r e o f t he pl ay T hesp i s .

i s c r ed i te d wit h th e i nv en ti o n o f m ask s Phr yn i c hus wi t h t h e i n tro

,

d u c tio n o f fe mal e c har ac te r s an d th e prolog ue A esc hylu s wi t h th e ,

s ec o n d ac tor an d s e v e r al s t ag e d evi c es i n c l u di n g t h e
’
,
m ac h i n e
for r ai s i ng t he ac to r i n th e ai r an d t h e ec c y c l em a th e l ow s t ag e
, ,
’

w h i c h c oul d b e roll ed forw ar d o ut o f the d oo r i n t h e p ro sc en i um

w h en i t w as n ec essary as i n t he Aga memn on to Sho w a tabl ea u o f
, ,

t h e i n t eri or of a h ou se Sop h o c l es i n trodu c e d th e t h ird ac t or an d

.

sc en e p ai n ti n g .

Tro c hai c te tr am eter see m s to h av e b een the earl i est m eter of

t r agi c di alogu e an d w as u se d to th e l as t i n m o m e n t s of es p ec i al

e x c i t e m en t . B ut i t w as v ery early s u p er s ed ed by i ambi c tri m e t e r ,

t h e m et e r t h at i s m o st n earl y r el at ed t o pro se sp e ec h I n the .

c h or use s t h e r e w as ad mi t t ed t he wi d est v ari e ty o f r h yt h ms d eriv e d

fro m c hor al lyri c t h e n u mb er s c han gi n g w it h t he c han gi n g p as

,

s io n s and t h i s i s e s p ec i ally t ru e o f t he pl ay s o f A esc h ylu s

,
for ,

w h o m t h e c h o ru s m ig h t st ill as i n t h e e arli es t dr am a th e S up
, ,

pl i a n ts see m mor e i mp ort an t than the ac tor s O n e by o n e I n th e

,
.

h al f c e n t u ry t hat follow ed t h e d eb u t o f T h e sp i s al l th ese t h i n g s ,

w er e ad d ed to t r ag ed y an d w e may b e sur e t hat th e fi rs t an d

,

mo st d i ffi c ul t s te ps are to b e c r ed it ed to t h e c r eativ e g en iu s o f
A esc h ylu s Ari s totl e i t i s tru e i n t h e tan t al i si ng Fou rt h C hap te r
.
, ,

o f t he P oeti cs w hi c h i s o ur o n ly u n q ues t i o n ed au t hority fo r t he

,

b egi nn i n g o f the d ram a say s li ttl e o f A esc h ylu s an d d ec li n es

, ,
1 94 SH O RT H I ST OR Y O F G REE K LITE R ATU RE

O f th e ig ht y pl ay s w h o se ti tl es ar e r ec o rd e d u n d e r t he n ame of
e

A esc hyl us s e v en h av e surviv e d tog et he r wi t h c o nsi d e r abl e fr ag

, ,

men t s I t w as A esc hyl u s ac c o r d i ng to Ari s totl e w ho fi r s t c ur

.
, ,

t ail ed the c hor al p art an d m ad e the d i alog ue the p ro t ago n i s t of the

dram a I n t he earli es t e x tan t pl ay h o w ev e r the i n t er es t still
.
, ,

c e n t e r s i n a c rowd Th e d a t e of th e S uppli a n ts i s n o t k n o w n
. It .

h as b een p l ac ed as l at e as 4 6 1 w h en t h e At h en i ans w er e c o n si d ,

e ri n g an Argiv e alli an c e an d as e arly as 4 2 w h en t h ey

T he 9 , ,

S up p l i an t s w er e d r eadi n g an i nv asio n o f O ri e n t al s as i n sol en t as

t h e s o n s o f A e gyptu s I n vi ew o f t he p ri m itiv e s tr uc tu r e o f t he
.

p l ay th e earl i e r d ate i s th e m or e p rob abl e

,
Th e fi fty d aug h t e rs .

of Danau s w ho hav e fle d fro m E gy pt t o A rgo s the h o me o f the ir

, ,
'

an c e str es s I o ar e at o n c e t h e h e roi n e s an d t he c h o r us
, ,
T he ir .

fat he r w ho t h o ug h he sp eak s i am bi c s i s p r ac t i c ally a c ory p haeus

, ,

an d P e l asg us th e Ki n g of Argo s app ear mer ely as th e p rot ec tor s

, ,

o f th e c hor us an d ap art fro m t he i r s har e o f the d i alogu e the

, , ,

ly ri c s i n w h i c h the Dan ai d s expr ess t h ei r t e rror an d d espair and , ,

grati tu d e tak e up hal f o f the pl ay T h e S uppl i a n ts has n o p r o

,
.

log ue an d i s i t sel f a prolog u e as th e fi r st p l ay o f a tril ogy that

, ,

must h av e d eal t wit h the r est of the l eg e n d th e ful fill m en t o f the ,

t h r eat of w ar wi t h w h i c h th e pl ay c lo ses th e for c ed marri ag e of ,

t h e Dan ai d s wi th the ir pur su i n g c o u s i n s an d th e sl aug h te r o n th e ,

w ed d i ng n ig h t I n th e l as t pl ay o f t he t rilogy th e i n t e r est p rob

.

ably c en t e r e d i h o n e w h o for u s i s th e c h i e f fi g u r e i n th e w h ol e

l eg en d Hy pe rm n es tr a sp l en di d e men d ax i n t hat sh e brok e h er

, ,

p rom i se to sl ay Ly n c eu s he r h us b an d an d so b ec o me the auc es

, ,

t r ess o f Dan ae P er seus an d H er ac l es h i m sel f as A esc hylu s r el at es

, , ,

i n th e P r o meth eus B ou n d .

Si n c e the r es t o f t h e t rilogy i s l o st as w e ll as th e Cyp r i a t he , ,

c y c l i c ep i c i n w hi c h w as tol d t h e s to ry of Ly n c eu s H y p e r mn es tr a ,

1 2
d ep en d s for her pl ac e i n lit er atur e o n H orac e O vi d an d C hauc er , , ,

w h o i nc lud ed h er i n h i s L egen d of G o od Wo men I n t he tr eat .

m en t o f her d e voti o n her pu n i sh m en t an d h er fi n al ac q u i tt al by

, ,

t h e Argiv es A esc h yl us had an oppo rt u n i ty for s i t uatio n s l ess sp ec

,

1
Od 3 I I 2
H e oi d s I 4
. . . r e .
 A E SC HY LU S 1
95

tac ul ar an d m or e dr am ati c than the s eri es o f tabl ea ux i n th e S up

l i a n ts I n th e o t h e r r e m ai n s o f the A esc h yl ean tril o gi es as i n t h e
p .
,

dr am as o f So pho c l es and E uripi d es the dit hyr ambi c c ho ru s o f ,

fi fty i s brok en up and d i strib ut ed amo n g the pl ay s I n th e S up .

li n ts w h i c h i s a c an t at a r at he r than a tr ag e dy an d p e r hap s i n
p a , ,

th e l o s t pl ay s of t hi s t rilogy th e o rigi n al n u mb e r o f th e c h oru s i s

,

r et ai n ed ac c ordi n g to the r equir em en t s o f the story Two ac tors

,
.

o n ly are u sed si nc e Dan au s wi th som e l o ss o f v e ri s i mi li tud e, l eav es

, ,

the stag e at a c ri ti c al mo m en t to r eapp ear as t h e h er ald

,
.

Th e P er s ae w as p e rfor med i n 4 7 2 at A t h en s an d ag ai n at Syr a ,

1
c u se; at t he r e qu est o f H i e ro A c c ordi n g to t h e t r ad i tio n the
.
,

o the r pl ay s o f the trilogy w e r e the lo s t Phi n eus an d Gl a u cus wit h ,

the satyri c dram a P r o meth eus to c om pl e t e th e te t r alogy Th e .

P er s ae i s th e o n ly ex t an t G r eek p l ay t h at d eal s wi th c o n t e m por ary

h i story I t i s a pi c tur e o f th e h u mili atio n of th e P e r si an s afte r
.

Sal am i s the A s i ati c r e fl ec tio n o f th e Athe n I an tr i u m p h

, Th e .

The sc e n e i s l ai d at t h e c o u r t o f X erx es an d th e h e ro P ers ae

,

i n e o f the p i ec e i s hi s mot her A to ssa the wi dow o f Dari u s ,

The .

c h oru s i s c o mpo s e d o f P e r s i an el d e r s B y far th e m o s t s t riki n g

.

'
p ar t of the d i alogu e i s giv en to the M essenger w ho wit h an effec t , ,

that i s e pi c r at h er t han dram ati c d esc rib es to A to ssa th e d estruc

,

tio n of th e fl ow e r o f th e you th o f P er si a at Sal ami s an d the rui n

of her son Whe r e i s th i s A then s ? ask s th e u n hap py qu een
.
‘ ’
,

an d the M essen g er s answ e r i s an ad mi ssi o n o f th e br av e ry an d

’

good for tu n e o f the A then i an s doubly effec t iv e fro m the li ps o f an

O ri en tal A to ssa r ec ei ves the c r ushi n g ac c ou n t o f her mi s for tu n e s
.

?
h
wi th o n e o f t ho se s il en c e s t t A esc hylu s m ad e so i m p r e ssiv e So
a
,

too C assan d r a i n th e Aga memn on sh ri n k s lik e a wil d th i n g n ewly

‘
,

tr app e d an d g az es i n stubbor n s il en c e at C ly tem n es tr a i n w ho m

’

1 Wil amo w i tz
i n H er mes 3 2 c o n ec t u r es t h at t h e P er sa e w as w r i tt e n an d rs t
j fi
ac t ed at Syr ac us e k l
It w as , h e t hi n s , a p ay i n d e pe n d en t o f the c o n ve n t i o n
.

of a tri l ogy b ei ng i tsel f a so rt o f mi n i at ur tri l

e o
gy
, wi ht t h ree l o o sel y c o n
n ec t e d ac ts .

2
Cp . I l i k e yo ur si l en c e i t th e more
, sh o w s o ff yo ur w o n d er . Wi n ter ’
s
1 96 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE EK L ITE RATU R E

sh e a lo ne c an s ee t he
m u rd er ess o f Ag am e m n o n So Prom e t h eu s .

i n th e P r o metheus B o u n d u t t e r s n o t a word to h i s to r men tor s It .

w as a p ec uli arly A es c h yl e an d evi c e t o s ec u r e by th i s m e an s th e

s tr an g e an d d ee p i mp r essio n o f w hat i s n o t spok en o f th e s il e n t ,

gri efs w h i c h c ut t h e h eart stri n g s an d w as so fr eq u en t i n hi s p l ay s

,
”

t hat i t i s ri d i c ul e d by Eu rip i d es i n t h e F r ogs o f Ari s top h an es ,

p erfo rm ed mo r e th an S i xty y e ar s aft er the P er s a e N ay bu t I .

,

li ked th a t s i l en ce say s D io n y sus a n d g o t a s mu ch pl eas u r e f r o m

, ,

i t as fr o m ma ny of th e sp eeches n ow a d ays Dio n y s u s w ho i n .

,

th e c o me dy of Ari s t o ph an es r epr ese n ts th e p r e fer en c e of t he

A t h en i an c o n se rv ativ e s for A e sc hy l us t he p o et of th e g en er atio n

,

o f M ar at ho n d ec l ar ed t hat h e enjo yed al so that d r am at i c mo men t

, ,

th e ac m e o f i n t e r es t i n t h e p l ay w h e n t he g h o s t of Dari us ro se
,

fro m hi s t o mb i n th e or c hes tr a to w ar n an d ad vi se A t o ssa an d th e

c h o ru s . O nly t wo ac tor s w e r e u s e d so th at Ato ssa mu s t l eav e t h e
,

sc e n e b e fo r e t he en t r an c e o f X e rx es w h o s e l ou d an d abj ec t gri e f
,

w as the c ro w n i n g t ri u m p h for th e A th en i an aud i en c e .

Th e S even Aga i n s t Thebes (4 6 7 B C ) b elo n g s to the t rilogy o f . .

t he T h eb an c y c l e Th e p l ay o pen s at t h e p oi n t i n th e s tory w h en
.

t h e two s o n s o f O e di pu s ful filli n g th e ir fath er s c u r s e

’
Th e , ,

2 22
Th eb es
“
ar e abou t t o d ec i d e by arm s th eir riv alry for th e r ul e

o f T h eb e s E t e o c l es d efen d s t he c ity fro m wi thi n

.
,

w hil e Poly n i c es as o n e o f th e Sev en C h i e fs l ed by Adr astus

, ,

t h r eat ens h i m fro m w i t ho u t The r ol e o f th e c h or us o f t e rrifi e d

.

T h e b an mai d e ns an d t h e b eaut i ful lyri c s i n w h i c h t hey Si n g of

,

t h eir fears an d th e h orror s o f a sac k ed c i ty ar e a c o n sp i c u o us ,

featur e Th e lo n g sp eec h es o f the M essen g er d esc ri bi n g wit h epi c

.
,

full n ess th e b esi egi ng w arrior s t h e i r ar ms an d th e d evi c es o n t h e i r

, ,

s hi el d s ar e t h e mo s t i m r ess iv e i n t h e
, p pl ay w h i c h as Ari s to p han e s , ,

s ai d ,
i s bri mful o f th e s pi ri t o f w ar For al l t hat E teo c l es i s a
.
’
,

tr u e t r agi c h e ro an d t h e d r am ati c i n t er es t c e n t e r s i n th e en c o un
,

t e r o f t h e d oo med b ro t h e r s T hi s i n t er es t r eac h es i ts ac me w h en
.
,

as E t eo c l es d i str i b utes b
y lo t t h e s ev e n T h e b an l ead e r s w ho ar e to
’

d e fen d t hei r se v e n g at es ag ai n s t the sev en c h i e fs i t app ear s t hat ,

fat e has l eft t o hi m t he se v en t h g at e at w h i c h h e mu s t fac e PO IV

1 98 SH O RT H I ST O RY OF GRE EK LITE RATU RE

lig htly i d e th e prodigi es s ee m l ess p rodi gio u s

s et as , Su c h a pl ay .

i s t h e P r o metheus The sc en e i s l ai d i n t h e Sc y t h i an d e sert

.
,

‘
r e mo te fro m man 1 ’
T hi t h er H ep haestu s r e l uc t an t to i nj ur e a
.
,

bro t her god and Krato s ( For c e) e ag e r to ab e t th e c r uel viol e n c e

, ,

o f Z eus bri n g Pro m e t heu s an d fas ten hi m w i t h c h ai n s an d bol t s

, ,

to a h ig h p eak t hat ov e rl ook s the sea Pro me t heu s i s t he pro to .

'

ty pe o f all r evol t ed an d Ti t an i c sp iri t s The B yro n s an d Shel .

l ey s gr eet hi m as th e c hamp io n o f op p r esse d m an ki n d o n e o pp o sed ,

l i k e th e m selv es t o all th e for c es o f tyrann y The si n t hat Pro me .

t h eu s mu st expi ate i s hi s too gr e at lov e o f th e h u man r ac e He .

s tol e fi r e fro m h e av en an d w it h t hat gi ft b es tow ed o n man all t he

ar t s an d safeg uard s of li fe H e h el p e d men t o b e too c l ev e r a

.
,

S i n n o m or e to b e forgiv e n by t h e j e al ou s god s o f G r e ec e th an the

i nsol en c e o f b ei n g t oo h appy O n e r e me mb e r s h o w i n the .

,

Odys s ey Po s ei d o n pu n i sh ed t he P haeac i an s fo r m aki n g t h ei r s h i ps

,

too swi ft an d too safe ho w Ho rac e i n the Od es r efl ec ts th e G r eek

,

feel i ng that t he bo at s w hi c h fi r s t i n v ad ed th e i nviol abl e m ai n “

w er e impi ou s I f A esc hyl us c oul d see a m o d e r n ai r sh i p h e

.
’
,

woul d say t hat the pu n i sh m en t of I c aru s w ho d ar e d to asp i r e t o

wi ng s n o t gr an t ed to m ort al men had fail e d i n i ts l esso n I f h e ’
.

c oul d s ee men followi n g t he i r l e as u r es by t h e li g h t of t h e Ter

p
ror that Fli eth an d dom esti c ati n g the w il d fi r e o f the stor m he
,
“
,

woul d say that th e o rigi nal si n o f t h e Ti t an had b een throw n i n to

the s had e? The pu n i sh m en t of Prom e th eu s ,

A l t s u fferi n g an d i n t en se
si e n

Th e r o c k t h e v u l t ur e an d t h e c h ai n
, , ,

All t h at th e p r o u d c an feel o f p ai n 3 ,
”

1 P r ometh eu s B ou n d 1— 2 . Ap o ll o n i us of Rh o d es, i n th e Al exan d ri an age,

i ntr o d uces P ro met h e us t o rt ur es as o n e o f th e si gh t s o f Co l c hi s F ro m

an d h is .

h i s A rg on a u ti ca w as pro b ab l y d er i v e d t h e trad i t i o n w hi c h mak es t he Cauc as us

rath er t h an Scyt h i a th e sc en e o f th e T i tan s s uffer i ngs ’
.

2
C p t h e c h o rus o n th e r i s e o f man S o ph o cl es A n tig on e 3 3 2 ff Thi s att i
.
, ,
.

t ud e to th e ov erb o l d i n v en t o r w as n o t c o n fi n ed to th e Gree k s ; c p j ob 3 8 '

. .

C an st t h o u s e n d l i g ht n i n gs t h at t h ey may go an d s ay un t o t h e e H er e w e
, , ,

O vi d M et 1 9 4 Ti b ull us 1 3
”
ar e ? V erg E el 4 3 2
. . . .
, . . . . .

3
B yro n P r ometh eus
, .
 A E SC HY LU S 199

mig ht m to be to o sev e r e fo r the o ffen se but th o se w ho t hi n k

see ,

so ar e r e mi n d e d ( by J A S y mo n d s) t hat A d am an d Eve forfe it e d

. .

th e hap p i n e ss o f th e w hol e hu m an r ace by g ath eri n g frui t fro m a

forbi d d e n t r ee .

'

The very for c es o f n atu r e ar e m ov e d by t he suffe ri n g s o f Pro m e

’
th eu s T he sea at w h o se c ou n tl ess l au g h i n g rip p l e s he gaz es,
.
,

sen d s h er O c ea n n y mp hs t o c o m for t h i m wi t h t h e ir fr agr an t

pr esen c e T hey fo r m the c horu s and i n lyri c s u n u sually bri e f for
.
,

A esc hylu s u tte r thei r g en tl e advic e, sym pat hy an d e xpo s tul atio n
, , .

I n th e m ean ti m e c om es th e fat he r o f th e O c e an i d e s O c ean u s ,

hi m sel f t he ty p i c al A esc h yl ean ol d man p ru d en t to a faul t an d

, , ,

w holly an tip at he ti c to the Ti tan i c s pi ri t o f r e vol t B ut the d e u ter .

ago n i s t o f t he p i ec e i s I o G ro tes qu e an d p at heti c i n h er s hap e

.

o f a hunt e d c o w She i s a fr esh p roo f o f the c ru el ty o f Z eu s

, .

H er pro mi n en c e i n the pl ay an d th e r e c i tal o f h er w an d e ri n g s by

,

Pro m et heus ar e j u stifi ed by the fac t that aft er th ir teen g en e ra

, ,

tio ns a so n o f h er li ne H er ac l es th e d eli v er e r will s et the Ti t an

, , ,

fr ee. H er fat e an d th e fat e of h e r c h il d r en Pro meth e u s p ro p he

s i e s to l o an d w hen sh e r us h e s o ut
,
d ri v en by t h e gad fly h e , ,

an n ou n ces t o th e c h oru s that he h olds t h e sec r et o f th e c o mi n g

dow n fall o f Z eu s H i s bo ast i s follow e d by the i n st an t arri v al of

.

H e r mes w i th te rri bl e th r eats i f h e shou l d r e fuse to sav e Z e us by

r ev eali n g hi s s ec r et Th e pl ay en d s i n a c l ou d o f d ust an d fi re a
.
,

c o n fus io n o f sk a n d s ea i n w hi c h Pro me the us has t h e l ast word

y ,

O A ether tha t br i nges t r o u n d to all men the l i gh t of d ay th o u ,

s ees t m y fs u er i ng s a n d my w r o ng s !

O f t he s ec o n d p l ay o f the t rilogy the P r ometh eus Un bou n d w e , ,

hav e a few d i sj o i n te d fr agm en t s n o t e n oug h to show ho w A e s c hyl us

,

m anag ed t hat r ec o n c ili atio n o f the C hampio n wi t h t he Th e P rome _

O pp r ess or w h i c h w as so r epug nan t to She ll e y H e r ac l es t h eus Uh .

b° un d
th e d el iv e r e r mu st hav e pl ay ed a c h i e f p art an d th er e ,

w as n o doubt s om e mo d i fi c ati o n o f t he tyr an n i c al at ti tu d e o f Z eu s

, , ,

s om e d e v elo p men t o f th e mo r al c h ar ac te r o f a go d w h o se su pr e m ac y

was n o w assu red Ti m e c o ul d t eac h ev e n Zeus An d so Prom e

. .

theus tak es hi s pl ac e i n l i ter atur e as t he m artyr w h o s uffer ed fo r

2 00 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RATU RE

men an d w as at l ast r ec o n c il e d wi th H eav en So h e ap p ear s at .

1

t h e m arri ag e o f P el eus an d T h e t i s w h o se fatal u n io n wi t h Z eu s h e ,

has av e r te d a gu est w h o i n th e famou s d esc ri p tio n o f C atullu s

,
?
s ti l l w o r e the f a d ed f s ca r s o f th a t a n ci en t s uy er i ng

She ll ey fill ed hi s P r o meth eu s Un bo u n d wi t h i d e as an d l an g uag e

d eriv ed fro m the P r o metheus B ou n d of A esc h ylu s B ut h e sc or n ed .

t h e t r ad i t io n o f a c o mp ro mi s e t hat s h oul d l eav e Z eus s up r e m e

ov e r men I n hi s dram a Z eu s marri es T h eti s an d b eg ets a c h il d

.
,

mig h ti er than hi m sel f the De m ogorgo n w h o hu rl s hi m i n to th e ,

bo t to ml ess vo id w h il e M an i s l e ft tri u mp han t w i th hi s foo t o n t he

, ,

th r esh ol d o f a s ec o n d G ol d en Age .

The t h ird p l ay o f th e A esc hyl e an t r i l ogy w as p rob ably P r ome

theus the F i r e B ea r er an d c e l e br at e d t h e i n stit u ti o n o f t h e Prom e
-
,

t hei a a festiv al w i t h tor c h r ac es h el d at A then s i n h o n or o f th e

,

Ti tan .

It i s d esert ed now, b ut once i t bore

Thy na me Pr o me t h e us ;
, t h er e th e mul o us yo uths
e

B o r e t o t hy h o n o r t h r o u g h t h e d i vi n e g l o o m
Th e l amp h i c h w as t h i n e e mb l e m
w
”
.

I f w e r ej ec t wi t h mo st mo d e r n sc hol ar s the old er t heo ry w h i c h

, ,

p l ac e d t h e F i r e B ea r er fi r st w e may c l ass t h i s lo s t pl ay wi t h t hat

-
,

o t he r drama o f r ec o n c il i atio n the E u men i des i n w h i c h A esc hyl us , ,

ag ai n bro ug h t ro un d t o At h en s t h e c o n c l usio n o f a sag a c y c l e .

Th e O r es tei a d r aw n fro m th e Troj an sag a i s th e o n ly G r eek

, ,

trilogy ex t an t an d i t i s the o n e o f all o t he r s t hat w e shoul d h av e

,

c h o s en to su rviv e Th e o t h e r e x tan t p l ay s o f A esc hylu s ex c ep t

.
,

t he P er s ae w h i c h h as appar en tly a p ec uli ar i n d e p en d e n c e ar e at

, ,

a d i sad v an t ag e b ec au se t he y s u rviv e as d i sj oi n t e d p art s o f a w h ol e

t hat w e ar e u n abl e to en vi sag e B ut th e Aga memn on th e Ch oe .

,

p h o r i ( L i ba ti o n B ea r er s ) an d t he E u men i d es ar e l ik e th r ee gr eat
-
,

1
Pi n d a r i n h i s S even th I s thmi a n , w ri tt en p ro b ab l y i n 4 78 B C , ma e s . . k
Th emi s av e rt th e fa ll of Z e us ; S h e ad vi s e s th e g o d s t o g i ve Th e t i s to Pe e us l
L et h er w ed a mor tal and s ee h er so n d i e i n w ar . Zh en th ey n od d ed a ssen t

w i th i mmor ta l ey el i d s, an d the fr u i t of h er sp eech w a s n ot l eft to w i th er .

2
64 . 29 6 .
20 2 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATU R E

c ri m e u r se to c ur se wi th ev e ry fr esh g en er atio n Agame m

and c .

n o n w h o i n h e ri t e d t h i s burd en o f s i n had sac ri fi c e d hi s bl am el e ss

, ,

c h il d I ph i ge n e i a t hat th e s h i p s mig h t sail fro m Aul i s to bri n g b ac k

t h e fal se H el en O f all th e s i n s o f t h i s d o o m e d r ac e t h i s sac ri fi c e

.

h as m o s t d e eply i mp r es se d th e p o e t s
’
Luc r e tiu s w h en h e wi sh ed .
,

to show ho w fear o f the go d s l ed to e v il d eed s ( T an tu m r eli gi o p o tui t

s uad e r e mal oru m b efor e E pi c uru s fr e ed men fro m thei r s upersti
t io n c h o se to d es c rib e th e sac rifi c e o f I ph i gen ei a t he s i n l ess
, ,

by si n ful hand s ; an d i n the fi r s t gr eat c h oru s of the Ag a memn on ,

th e ol d me n o f Argo s w h en t h e y see wi th anxiou s e y es t hat C lyte m

,

n est ra h as mad e al l t h e alt ar s of t he c i ty bl az e w i t h gi ft s ar e ,

d iv er t ed from t he ir o w n fear s by th e th o u g h t of t h at o the r sac ri

fi c i al al t ar at w h i c h Ag am e m n o n had t he hear t to b ec o m e t h e
‘

’
s l ay e r of hi s c h il d T he ir so n g i s a p r el ud e to t he en tran c e of
.

C lyt e m n e str a w h o n o w c om es to ann ou nc e t hat t h e c i ty o f Pri am

,

h as fall en H er d esc ri pt io n of th e c ouri er flame o f the e ig h t

.
‘ -
’

b eac o n fi r es t hat fl ash ed t he n ew s o f th e G r ee k t ri umph fro m

M o un t I d a i n t he Tro ad ac ro ss Le mn o s A t ho s E ubo ea B o eoti a , , , ,

an d th e M egar i d till th e w at c h m an s aw i ts gl eam o n M ou n t Ar ac h

'

n ae u s i n Argol i s h as b e en fi n e ly i m it at e d by M ac aul ay i n th e
,

A r ma d a ?
Ev ery d esc riptiv e Sp eec h an d l yri c i n t he Aga memn on
i s a m as te r p i ec e A ft e r an o t he r lo n g c horu s wi t h a wo n d erful pi c
.

t ur e o f th e gri e f of M e n el aus robb e d o f H e l en th e h er al d o f Aga ,

m emn o n en t ers o n the l e ft c row n e d w i th ol iv e an d pro c l ai m s t he, ,

n ear app ro ac h of th e ki n g Y e t h i s ti d i n g s ar e n o t all of triu mp h

. .

A s torm has sc at t e r ed t he Argiv e h o st o n the h o me voy ag e M en e ,

l aus h as d i sappear e d an d the s hi p o f Agame m n o n alo n e has sail ed

,

s afe ly ac ro ss th e A eg e an S ea w hi c h fl ow er s wi t h d ead G r ee k s an d
th e ir wr e c k ed ti mb e r s A esc hyl us seems to hav e i n t en d e d to
’
.

sec ur e by th e u n us u ally lo n g c h oru ses o f t h e Ag a memno n an illu

1 D e N at u r a R er u m 1 . 8 4 ff .

2 “
Ti ll B el vo i r
’
s l rd l y t rr ac es
o e th e S i gn l
t o Li n co n s e n t ,

An d Li n co ln sp e d th e messag e ’
o n o er th e w i d e va e o f l Tr e n t ,
Ti ll S k i d d aw “

s aw th e fi r e t h at b urn e d on G au n t ’
s e mb att l e d pi l e ,

gl are S k i d d aw ro used r rs Car l i s l e

”
An d t h e re d on t h e b u ghe of .
 AE SC H Y LU S 29 3

s io n o f l ap se o f ti m e hig hly n ec essary i n a pl ay w her e the i nc i d en t s

that i n t he l eg en d follow e d t h e fall o f Troy th e s to r m d riv e n
, , ,
-

v o y ag e of Ag ame mn o n an d hi s arriv al at t he pal ac e w e r e c r o w d ed ,

i n to the fi rs t e ig h t hund r ed li n es and w e r e fo r th e s p ec t ato r , , ,

appar e n tly li mit ed by a s i ngl e r evol utio n o f t he s un T hi s w as a .

for esh ort e n i n g o f the ac tio n no t u n c o mmo n i n the G r e ek d r am a ,

w ho se sp ec t ator s w er e t rai ne d to ig n or e the o r d i nary c o n d i tio ns

o f t i me A ft er a t hi rd l o n g c h oral ly ri c a spl en d i d r ec i t al o f the
.
,

wo es that P ari s an d H el en bro ug h t o n Troy c hari o t s arriv e fro m ,

th e h ar bor bri n gi n g t h e ki n g an d t h e Tr oj an s poil s an d amo n g ,

’ ’
th e m th e c h o s en flo w e r o f all t he booty t h e army s gi ft C as san , ,

d ra t he d au g h t e r o f Pri am Ap ollo s pri es t e ss

’
,
Ag am em n o n i s a
, .

w eary an d d i s illu si o ned man w ho h as p ai d d e arly for h i s vi c tory ,

an d has l ear n e d from hi s t en y ear s b e fo r e Troy t o b e s usp i c iou s

o f all see mi n g l oy alty an d fri en d shi p H e he ar s w i t h i mpati enc e .

’
hi s wi fe s l en gt h y gr ee t i n g an d c h oo si n g at l as t t h e ri s k o f d ivi n e
, , ,

j ealou sy r at he r t han d eb at e wi t h h er c o n sen t s to tr ead o n the ,

p urp l e c ar p et that sh e h as l ai d d ow n H e go es i n to the p al ace .

Tr ead i n g th e p urpl e ca l mly to h i s d e a h t .

C ly t e mnestra follow s hi m t ur n i ng fi r s t to c ry Z eus Z eus f ulfi l l men t

, , , ,

i s thi n e ; f ulfill my p r ay er ! The s c en e b e t wee n C assan d r a an d

mg c hor us w hen C ly te m n estr a aft er a v ai n at te m p t to extort an
, ,

an sw e r fro m t h e d umb p ro p h e t ess h as l e ft t he m t og e t h e r i s o n e, ,

o f th e fi nest i n th e G r eek dr ama C assan d ra .

,

“
Th at tran ge eye d s pi ri t w o un d e d stran ge t o ng ued sl ave
s -
,
-
,
-

Th er e q uest i n g h o un d l i k e w h er e th e ro o fs r ed w et -

Ree k ed as a w et r e d grave 1 ,
”

stan d s b efo r e t he p al ace an d app eal s to th e statu e o f Apollo h er

’
d es troy e r w ho h as broug ht h e r to t hi s h u m an sl au g h t er h o u se ‘
.
,

Sh e r ec all s i n a vi sio n all the mo n s trou s c ri m es o f th e h o u s e o f

T an t al us sees l ik e t h e soot h say e r T h e o c lym en u s i n t he Odyssey
, , ,

th e bloo d o f c o mi n g mu r d e r o n t he flo o r s an d w all s an d for e t e ll s ,

1 S w i n b ur n e , O n th e ( Yifi k .
29 4 SH ORT H I ST OR Y O F G R EEK LIT ERATU R E

t h e n ew s n ar e, the wor s t c ri m e o f all w h i c h i s b ei n g p r epar ed ,

wi t hi n B ut i t i s h er d oo m to b e d i sb eli ev e d t o t h e l as t Th e
. .

Argiv e el d e r s un d e r s t an d al l h er all usi o n s t o pas t mi s fortu n es ,

b u t w h en s h e c ri es al o u d fo r s o me o n e t o s av e Ag ame mn o n from
,

h i s qu e en t h e y t h i n k h e r d i s tr aug h t
,
H e r p ro p hec y o f h e r o w n
.

e n d t h e y ar e at l as t for c e d to c o mpr eh en d i f no t to b el i e v e ,

A h , A h , th e d oom ( th o u k n o w ste w hen c e r an g th at w ai l)

Of th e sh r i l l ni
gh t i ng al e
( Fr o m w h o s e l l
w i d i ps t h o u k n Ow es t t h at w ai w as t h r ow n ) l
F or r o u n d a bo u t her h a v e the g r ea t g ods chst
A w i ng bor n e body , a n d cl oth ed h er cl ose a n d fast
-

W i th a sw eet l ife th a t h a th n o p a r t i n moa n .

B ut me f o r me ( h o w
,
h ad s t th o u h eart to h ear
R ma i n s
e a s u n d er i ng w i th th e t w o-edg ed s
p ea r .
1

At l ast C assan dra fli ngs fro m h er th e c hapl e t an d th e prop het i c

w an d t hat had bro u g h t h er o n ly mo c k ery an d wi t h a fi n al ob sc ur e , ,

h i n t o f t h e r ev en g e o f O r es t es p asses i n to th e p al ac e
,
O n t he .

ste p s sh e p au se s to u t t e r a l ast l am en t for th e d es ti n y of man

E n o ug h f l ife
o .

A l as for h u ma n for tu n es F o r i n p r osp er i ty

Th ey a r e a s ha d ow an d if mi sfor t u n e fa l l s
A w et sp o ng e w i th a to u ch bl ots out th e d r a w i ng .

T he d eat h c ry o f Ag am e m n o n t w i c e r ep eated th row s the

-
, ,

c h oru s i n to t hat c o n fusi o n an d h el pl ess d i sc ussio n r egul arly

i m p o s ed u p o n i t at any c ri si s by th e c o n v en tio n s o f t he G r ee k
d r ama . An d s oo n t he e c c y c l e m a i s roll ed forw ar d d i sc l o si n g t h e ,

i n t e ri or o f th e h ou se wi t h th e c o r pse o f Ag ame m n o n l ai d b es i d e
t hat of C assan d r a an d C ly t emn es tr a e xulti n g ov e r t hem N o
,
.

tr agi c fi gur e mu s t b e w holly w i c k ed and e v en C ly te mn estr a t h e , ,

‘
pi ti l ess wo man o f G r eek l e g en d d o es no t si n fro m me r e d e
’
,

pr avi ty A esc h yl us allo w s her to pl ead i n her o w n d e fen se two

.

m otiv es for the m urd e r o f Ag ame mn o n t he sac ri fi c e o f I ph i gen ei a ,

w h o m h e pu t to d eat h as li g htly as o n e S l ay s a sh e ep o r a go at ,

'
1
S w i n b ur n e p arap h r as e i n On th e Cl ifi
’
s s .
2 06 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATURE

v e ng eanc e By a fal s e story o f h i s o wn d eath O r est es wi n s hi s

.

w ay i n to th e p al ac e an d s oo n t h e sp ec t ator s h e ar fro m wit h i n the

,

d e at h c ry o f A egi s t hus
-
I n t he up ro ar t hat follo ws C ly t e m n es tr a
.
,

s e iz es t he ax e w i t h w h i c h she had s l ai n Ag am e m n o n an d c o n ,

fro n t s h er so n w ho se swor d i s still d ri pp i n g wi th t he bloo d of

,

A egi st hu s I n t hi s enc ou n te r o f mo th er an d so n the d r am ati c

.

i n t e r est o f t he w h ol e t rilogy r eac h es i ts hig hest p oi n t C lytem .

mest r a i n th e Aga memn on had sh ow n n o Sig n o f her g uilty passio n

for A egi sthu s t houg h t he c horu s had n ot fail ed to tau n t her wi th
,

it. A esc hylu s c ould bo ast i n the F r ogs of Ari stop han es t hat he
had n ev e r s i nn ed ag ai n st the dr am ati c prop ri eti es by bri ngi n g on
t h e s t ag e a wo man i n lov e B ut at t hi s mom en t w h en C l yte m
’
.
,

n estra l ear n s o f th e d eat h of A egi sth u s from her so n sh e c ann ot ,

r e str ai n her gri e f for th e l o ss o f h er lov e r an d c ham pio n Th ou .

l oves t the ma n c ri e s O r estes i n fury th ou s h al t l i e w i th hi m i n

,

th e s a me g r a ve O r e s t e s i s lik e H aml et i n hi s mi ssio n of r ev eng e

.
,

u nl ik e hi m i n that h e pur su es hi s p urpos e O nly o n c e he hesi .

t ates an d app eal s t o Pyl ad es w ho for t he r es t of t he pl ay i s a

,

m u te p er so n ag e but fo r thi s o nc e br eak s s il en c e as the m out h

,

pi ec e o f A pollo t o w ar n hi s fri en d t hat the go d mu s t be ob ey ed

’
an d hi s fathe r av en g e d Aft er t hat O r es t es p u ts as i d e hi s m ot he r s
.

ap p eal s for m er c y an d driv es h e r b e for e hi m i nto th e p al ac e t hat

,

s h e may d i e by the s i d e of A e gi s t hu s H e i s n ex t s een s t an d i ng o n

.

t he ec c y c l e m a by th e d ead bo d i es o f A egi st hus an d C ly tem n es tr a ,

as i n t h e Ag a memn o n hi s m ot he r had stoo d ov er C assan d r a and

, ,

th e ki n g I n hi s han d O r e s t es h ol d s th e bloo d stai n e d rob e wit h

.
-

w h i c h sh e h ad en tan gl ed Ag amem n o n i n the b at h b efor e sh e sl ew ,

hi m an d r ai ses i t to t h e lig h t t hat the sun h i m s el f see i n g that

, , ,

c r uel n e t ma
y b ear wi t n ess to t he j u s ti c e o f the d ee d
,
B ut i t i s .

o nly for a few mom en t s that O r est es c an r easo n c l early i n hi s own

d efense ,

S tr eak e d w i t h h i s mo th er s b l o o d b u t s tr i vi n g h ar d
’
,

To t e ll t h e st o ry e r e h i s re aso n g o es 1
”
.

He feel s t he appro ac h i n g mad ness of r emors e an d s ees th e

1 B r o w n i ng, P a u l i n e .
 A E SC HY LU S 20 7

Gorgo n p es of the Furi es the ir d usky rob es the i r di she v ell ed

sha , ,

hai r c oil e d wi t h sn ak es an d th e bloo d o f h atr e d d ri pp i n g fro m

,

t heir ey es as t hey sw arm abo ut th ei r pr e y Ye ca nn o t s ee th em .

,

bu t I ca n h e c ri es to th e c h or us Th ey d r i ve me o u t a n d [ mus t
, ,

n d s o he r us h es fro m th e s c e n e s cel er u m F u r i i s ag i tat us

fl e e A
.
,

O r es tes tu r n i n g hi s fac e to t h e sh ri n e o f A po llo at Del phi w h er e

,

h e had b een p ro mi sed p ro t ec t io n .

Th e w hol e i n t er es t o f th e l as t pl ay o f the O r es tei a th e E u men ,

i d es i s c e n t e r e d i n O r es t es f acto p i u s et s cel er a tus eod em

, ,
T he .

ot he r ac tor s ar e d ivi n i ti es A pollo an d At he n e w ho

, Th e ,

c om e forw ar d i n hi s d e fen se Th e c ho ru s i s c o m Eumeni d es

.

po sed of hi s gri m p u r su e r s t he Furi es T he sc e n e o pen s at Del

,
.

phi b e for e th e t empl e o f A pollo w h er e O r e s t es h as fle d for ,

r efug e Th e Fu ri es w ho hav e b ee n c as t i n to a d eep sl ee p by

.
,

Apollo li e on t he step s o f the c e n tral al t ar at w h i c h O r est es

,
“

c rou c h e s e x h au s t ed by hi s l o n g flig h t Aft er a prol o gu e by the .

pri est ess t he ta bl ea u wi thi n t he t e mpl e i s d i sc l o sed p rob ably by

, ,

t he ec c y c l em a Whil e th e F u ri es still sl e ep A pollo sen d s aw ay

.
,

O r es tes u n d e r es c or t o f H erm e s to a sh ri n e t hat i s d esti n e d

, ,

to b e the go al o f hi s wan d e ri n g s th e te mpl e o f At h en e at A t h en s ,

.

The gho st of C lyt e m n e s tr a s tu n g by hi s esc ap e ri ses an d u p br ai d s

, ,

th e sl d epi n g Furi es Wh en th e p l ay w as pro d uc ed th e asp ec t o f

.
,

th e c h oru s c r eated som et h i n g l ik e a pa n i c i n t h e t h eat e r an d i t ,

b ec am e a r ep ro ac h to A esc h yl us t hat h e had ad d ed h o rror to

horror h ad b e en th e fi r s t t o c lot h e th e F u ri e s i n bl ac k an d to p ut
,

An d n o w C ly t e mn es tr a s too d am o n g t he m
1
sn ak es i n the ir h air .
,

a shamed an d ab h orr ed g h o st p oi n ti n g to h er wo u n d s an d c alli n g

, ,

on t h e m n o t t o l e t t h ei r p r e y es c ap e T hey answ e r her wi t h .

mu t t eri n g s i n t h e i r sl eep an d at l as t aw ak e to fi nd t hat th e q uarry

has s t ol e n aw ay Apo l l o d riv es t h em li k e u n c l ean t hi ng s fro m hi s
.

sh ri n e an d th e sc e n e c han g es to A th e n s t o t he t e m p l e o f A th en e
, ,

1
Dan t e repro d uc ed th e Aesch yl ean F ur i es s ta i n ed w i th bl ood , w ho h a d th e
l i mbs o
f w omen a n d thei r a ct i on , a n d w er e g i r l w i th g r een es t hy d r a s . L i ttl e
ser
pen ts a n d cer as tes th ey h a d f or h a i r , w h er ew i th th ei r cr u el temp l es w er e

bou n d . I nfer n o, Can t o 9 , N o rt o n

’
s trans l at i o n .
20 8 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE EK L ITE RATUR E

on th e A c rop oli s T h er e O r estes has c o m e aft er l o n g y ear s o f

.
,

s u ffe ri n g n o t h e p l ead s as o n e r ed han d ed an d u n p urg e d b u t wi t h

, , ,
-
,

h i s gu il t fad e d the s t ai n o f bloo d grow n d ull o n hi s h an d s an d

, ,

h i ms el f wor n o u t by l o n g t r av el i n ali e n w ay s an d amo n g ali en

men The F uri es c row d i n the or c h estra and as he c li n g s to t he
.
, ,

s t atu e o f At h e n e t he y s i n g a t e rribl e c han t o f v e n g e an c e t hat n o

,

t ear s or p r ay e r s c an av e rt A t h en e r e fu ses t o d ec i d e b e tw een h er

.

o w n s u pp li an t an d d ivi n i ti es s o p ow erful as t he Fu ri e s A t t hi s .

p o i n t A esc hyl us i mp ort s i n to t h e p l ay a h i s to ri c al i n t e r es t w h i c h

w as d o u b tl ess far m or e i m p r ess iv e to th e At he ni an s p ec t ator t h an
t o o u r selv es . A t hen e s u m mo n s tw elv e At h en i an c i tiz en s t o try
th e c ase o f O r es t es an d t h e Fu ri es At th e ti m e w he n t h e p l ay
.

w as p ro d u c e d u n d e r t h e r é
, g i me o f P e ri c l es t h e c ou n c il o f t he ,

Ar eo pag us t he mo s t c o n se rv ativ e i n sti t utio n at A then s had b een

, ,

d e priv ed of all i ts p ol iti c al pow e r o n th e mo t io n of E p h i al t es an d ,

h ad b een s helv ed as an ari sto c r ati c bo d y w h o se fu n c tio n s w e r e

i n c om patibl e wi t h g e n e r al d emo c rac y B ut t her e h ad b een l eft to .

th e Ar e o p agu s i ts j uri s di c tio n i n c as es o f h o mi c i d e s u c h as w as

t ri e d at i ts fi r s t s it ti n g i n t h e E u men i d es What A esc hylu s t h o ug ht .

o f the r eform o f E ph i al tes i s n o t i n d i c ated i n th e p l ay B ut i n .

t h i s p i c t u r e of t h e fo u n d i n g o f th e c o u rt by At hen e he expr essed

t h e c o n s e rv ativ e A t h e n i an atti t ud e t o t he v en e r abl e c o un c il .

A ft e r th e c ro ss—ex ami n ati o n o f O r es t es by t he c horu s an d t he t es ,

t i mo ny o f A p ollo i n hi s d e fe n se t h e vo t es o f th e t w e lv e j u d g es ar e
,

fou n d to b e eq ual T hi s w as a mo men t w h en a god m ig ht w ell

.

i n t e rv en e t o c ut th e k n ot as A p ollo had i n t e rv e n ed w h en O r es t es
,

h ad to c h oo s e b e tw een th e Er i n n yes o f a fat h e r u n av en g ed an d

1
t h e Er i n n yes o f a m ot her s l ai n A t hen e ac c ord i n gl y giv es the
.

c as ti n g vot e fo r O r es t es w ho d e p ar t s t o Argo s
,
The godd ess i s .

l e ft to app ease th e w r at h o f th e c hor us

k
yea h o u n o w es O mo h e N i gh
t t t r t ,

Ke e n as t h at
r c r y f o m t hy s
tr t
an g e c h i d e n s e n l r
\V h e re w 1t h th e A t h en i an j u d g me n t sh r i n e w as re n t -
,

Fo r w rat h t h at al l t h i r w rath w as v ai n l y s p en t
e ,

1 28 3
Ch oep h . .
2 10 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU RE

the ro o t I n t he p u r ely A tti c l eg en d s A esc hylu s see m s to h av e

.

t ak en s mal l i n t er es t an d thoug h I o h as her pl ac e i n the P r o

, ,

meth eus he n ev e r broug h t he r d e sc en d an t H e r ac l es o n th e stag e

,
.

Th e gr e at c o n vul s io n s th e r ui n ou s p assi o n s t h at h e c h o s e to d e
, ,

pi c t had no t for th e i r se tti n g v iol e t c row n ed At hen s R e mot en ess

-
.

was an ad d ed b eau ty an d an add ed te rror ; t h e d es ol atio n o f

Sc y th i a o n t he v erg e o f th e worl d g av e an e ffe c t o f s o mb er gr an
, ,

d eu r t o th e P r ometheus For th e Pro meth ean t rilogy he had

. .

d r aw n o n t he T heogo n i es t he sag a of t he Argo n au t s fu r n i sh e d

hi m wi th s ev er al p l ay s ; th e Di o n y su s myt h i n sp ir e d t en
trag ed i es amo n g t hem th e lo st Ly curgei a th e t ri logy i n w hi c h
, ,

A esc hyl us d r am atiz ed th e i n fat u ati o n an d pu n i sh m en t o f Lyc ur

gus ki n g of the Ed on es w h o lik e P en theu s o f T h eb es, had r e
, , ,

s i st e d t he c ult o f Dio n y s u s h ad c h as ed th e M aen ad s an d d riv e n

, ,

t h e go d h i ms el f t o tak e r e fug e i n t h e sea

l
I t i s har d to d et e r
.

mi n e ho w far A esc hylu s m o d i fi ed t he l e g en d s w hi c h h e fou n d i n

th e c y c li c epi c s an d Stesi c ho r u s Th e r ol e of El ec t r a w h i c h was
.
,

to b ec om e so essen ti al a p art of th e O r estes l eg en d i n t r ag e dy he ,

may w ell h av e d eriv ed fro m the O r es tei a o f Stesi c ho rus H o me r .

had giv en i n the O dyssey two v er sio n s o f t he d e at h o f Agamem

, ,

no n . I n t h e earli e r B o ok s A egi s t h u s i s sai d to hav e pl an n ed an d

,

e x ec u te d the m urd er an d C ly t e m n est r a i s b ar e ly m en tio n ed

,
In .

t h e el ev en t h B ook t h e shad e o f Ag ame mn o n t ell s ho w hi s wi fe

h elp ed A egi s t hu s t o S l ay hi m an d ho w sh e m urd e r ed C ass an d r a .

Th e c o n c ep t io n o f C ly t e m n e s tra as th e p i t il es s p rot ago n i st a Lady ,

M ac b eth u n shak en by r e mo r s e w as n o t o rigi n al wi t h A es c hylu s ;

,

Pi n d ar n early tw e n ty y ear s b e for e t he O r es tei a had ac c used her

, ,

s tro n g h an d s an d ru t hl ess h ear t o f the mu r d e r o f Ag amemn o n an d

C assan d r a The w atc h m an w ho i n th e O dy ssey was se t by

.
, ,

A egi s t hu s to spy ou t an d r epor t th e c o mi n g o f the k i n g i s bor ,

row ed by A esc hyl us but he i s tr an s form ed i n to a fait hful se rv an t

,

of Ag am e m no n w ho w at c h es for the b eac o n .

Th e fi n est t r ag edi es of A esc h ylu s w er e c o n c er ne d wi t h th e

l eg en d s o f c er tai n gr eat h ou ses w ho se m o nstrou s c ri m es had l ai d
p I l i a d VI 1 3 0 an d S o ph o c l es A n tig on e 9 5 5
1 C
.
, .
 A E SC HY LU S 211

t hei r d esc en d ants u n d er an i nh eri ted c ur se The bl os som i n g .

’
o f that d ark fl ow er from g en e r ati o n to g en er atio n the st ruggl e
‘
,

o f t h e vi c t i ms th e i r ato n e m en t o r an n i h il ati o n ac c o r d i n g t o t he
,

i nevi tabl e j u sti c e o f the go d s an d th e ru t h l essn ess o f Dest i n y

, ,

t hat i s th e g reat tr agi c c o n t es t d i spl ay e d i n th e dr am as

Des t i ny
o f A esc hylu s The t ragi c c ompli c at io n ari ses afr esh
.

as eac h man s ets hi s o w n afl l i c t ed will ag ai n st t he will o f Desti n y ”

,

fall s u n d er hi s i n h eri t e d t en d en c y to guil t an d pay s th e p en alty o f ,

hi s o wn p ec uli ar i ns ol e n c e hi s o wn tr an s gr es si o n o f the l i mi t s of
,

hu m an ac ti o n se t by fat e The v ery god s j oi n han d s wi th fate to

.

h el p a man o n to hi s ru i n w hen li k e X erx es h e has set o ut i n

, , ,

i n sol en t pri d e to attem p t w hat i s no t p er mi tt ed to a mort al .

T hat d ark b ac kgrou n d o f i n evi t abl e Des ti n y giv es a sig ni fi c an c e

to th e mo s t t rivi al ac t o f man ev ery r ev er sal o f fortu n e b ec o m es
,

a j u d gm en t an d N e m esi s h e r s el f i s n o t a p e r so n i fi c atio n o f t h e
,

jealou sy o f heav en as i n H e ro d o tu s but a symbol o f the v i c t ory

, ,

o f the m or al l aw ov er p assio n .

I n hi s c horu ses A esc hylu s illu str at es hi s pl ays wi t h m an y a

l ament abl e t al e o f th i n gs
Do n e l o n g ag o an d i l l d o n e .
”

The p arodos or fi rst c h or al lyri c o f the Aga memn o n i s c rowd ed

’
wi t h m e mori es
‘
o f p ai n the om en of th e eagl es and th e har e
,

that d el ay ed th e fl ee t at Auli s t he sac rifi c e of I phi Th e,

e n e i a t h e i n sol en t t r eac h e ry o f P ari s th e flig h t o f 01

101 118 9 8
g , ,

H el en th roug h the g ates at m i d ni g ht the lo n ely gri e f o f M en el au s , .

M o st poi g n an t o f al l b ec au se m o s t per so n al to th e si n g er s i s the

, ,

c lo s i n g l amen t fo r the d ead w arri or s w ho ar e m o u r n ed i n ev e ry

hom e i n G r e ec e Wel l k n ow n a n d d ea r w er e the men w ho w en t

-

for th to the w a r bu t i n pl a ce of ea ch ther e comes back to hi s home

f ashes a n u nf a mi l i a r u r n
l
a h a n dful o ,
.

I n th e fi r s t c horu s o f th e P er s ae by the en u m e r ati o n o f the ,

for c es o f P e r si a m ar shal ed by X erx es the tal e o f t he men w ho ,

1 C p th e
. ec h o i n Te n n ys o n
’
s Lotos- E ater s , ‘
Tw o han d ful s of t
w h i e d us t
sh ut in an ur n o f b rass .
’
21 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

ca me fro m Su sa an d E c b at an a fro m the b an k s of th e N il e fro m , ,

Sar d i s an d T mo l us an d gil d e d B abylo n A esc hyl u s ac hi ev e d two ,

en d s . Th e ac c ou n t o f al l t hat arr ay of men an d s hi ps s o s oo n t o ,

b e sc att e r e d h eig h t en ed th e t riu mph of t h e G r e ek s an d by t h e

, ,

r ec it al o f li st s o f hal f famili ar n am e s o f for e i g n men and p l ac es he

-

se c u r e d an e ffec t of gr an d e ur an d
pat ho s The d e vi c e i s u sed by .

t h e p o et s o f al l ti mes V e rgil i n the sev en t h B ook of th e A enei d

.
, ,

i mpr ess es th e i magi n atio n wi t h hi s l o n g l i s t o f th e for c es o f I t aly

g at h er ed to o pp o se A en eas w hil e Mil to n o u tdo es all hi s c l assi c
,

mod el s wi t h hi s t al e o f t he mi lli o n s o f d ead r evi ew e d by Satan,

c lo s i n g hi s li st o f
‘
Pri n c es Pot en t at es an d Warrior s w i th
, , ,
’

al l w ho S i n c e, b apt i z e d or i n fi d el ,
J o ust e d i n A s p ramo n t or M o n tal b an ,

D amasc o , or M aro c c o , or Treb i so n d ,

O r w h o m B i s ert a se n t fro m Afri c sh o r e ,

Wh e n C h arl emai n w i t h al l h i s p e er age fe ll

B y Fo n tar abi a .
”

For i ts plo ts p er so nag es for mu c h o f the l ang uag e an d

an d ,

m ann er o f i ts d i alog ue t r ag ed y w as d eeply i n d eb ted to the epi c ;

,

but th e r h yt h ms w h i c h i t u s ed to e xp r ess ev e ry shad e

M e t ers
o f lyri c al e m otio n w er e borrow ed from the c h o ral m eli c
o f th e Dori an s A esc hylu s u s ed ev e ry v ari ety o f c h oral m et er
.
,

c han gi n g fro m th e mar c h i n g an ap aes t to t he i m r e ss iv e d ac tyli c

p
r h y th m or to liv ely tro c hai c s as hi s si n g e r s c han g ed t h eir moo d .

H e u ses the u n e qu al and e mot io n al d o c h m i ac t h at p ec uli arly ,

t r agi c m ete r d eriv ed n o doubt fro m th e d i t hyr amb w hen h e

, ,

wi shes to expr ess s tro n g p assi o n as at th e mo m en t w h en C as ,

san d r a fi r s t br eak s h er o mi n o us sil en c e t o d en ou n c e t h e bloo d

1
s t ai n e d p al ac e of A tr e u s Log ao ed i c s w h i c h So ph o c l es an d
.
,

Eu ri p i d es used by pr efe r en c e ar e l ess c o ns pi c u o us i n the c h oru ses

,

of A esc hyl us The m o n ody the s ol o by the ac tor w h i c h w as t o

.
,

b ec o me a s triki n g feat ur e o f th e p l ay s o f E uri p i d es i s u sed i n the ,

P r o metheus B o u n d w h e r e I o p ur sue d by t he gad fly si n g s h e r

, , ,

fr en zi ed lyri c s .Th e r e fr ai n so e ffec tiv e for p ath o s t ho ug h

, ,

1 Ag amemn on 1 09 0 .
214 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU RE

Ari sto p han es i n th e F r ogs (4 0 5 B C ) d r aw s o n all t hat i s l ofty an d . .

t op p l i n g Th e A es c h yl ean epit he t i s e mb attl e d hi s wor d s an d

.

avi n g p l u mes re mo un t ed
’
p h r ase s h av e b ee tl i n g brow s or w or a
‘
,

o n d izzy h eig hts w e r e i n fac t g at her ed at M arat h o n as Dio n y su s

, ,
’

?
h i n ts
B ut w h en Di o n y su s h as to c h oo s e w h i c h o f th e t h r e e d ead tra

ged i an s h e shall t ak e u p wi t h hi m fro m t h e un d e rwo rld to bri n g ,

o n c e agai n to A th en s t h e d elig ht s of the dr ama h e c h oo s es ,

A esc hylu s The At h en i an s t h ems elv es d ec i d ed t hat the pl ay s o f

.

A esc hyl us sho ul d n o t d i e wi t h hi m w h e n t h ey passe d t h e l aw

w h i c h allow ed hi s t r ag ed i es to b e r ep r od uc e d ev en aft e r h i s ,
“

d e at h at t h e tr agi c c o m p e ti tio n s an h o n or t hat w as n ev e r p ai d to

, ,

Sop ho c l es or E u ripi d es .

B I BLI OGRAP H Y
H I STO RY o n TH E D RA M A

Ar i s t o tl e, P oeti cs . Wel ck e r , D i e Gr i ech i s chen Tr ag od i en , B on n, 184 1.

S c h l ege l , Vor l es u ng en i i ber d r a ma ti sch e K u n st u . Li ter a t u r , H e i d e l b e rg,

1 8 09 . L essi n g , D r a mat u rg i e . Pat i n , Et u des su r l es tr ag i q u es q
g r ec u es, Pa i s , r
1843 . N i et z sc h e , D i e Gebu r t d er ‘
'
Tr ag o d ze, L ei p i g , 1 8 7 2 z . Vt i n d is c h , D er
’

Gr i ech . E i nflu ss i m I n di sch en D r a ma , B er i n , 1 8 8 2 lB e r n ays, . Ueber d i e

ar i stot . Thear i e d es D r a mas, B er l i n , 18 80 . H ai gh , Tr ag i c D r a ma of th e

Gr eeks, O xfo r d , 18 96 .

TH E TH EATER

Mul l er L ehr bu ch d Gr i ech B ii h n en al ter ti i mer

, . .
, F r e i b urg , I 88O . So mmer
b r o d t , S ca en i ca , B e r i n , l 1 8 76 . H ai gh , Th e A tt i c Th ea ter , O x fo r d , 18 8 9 .

D Or p fe l d Rei s c h , D a s Gr i ech
-
. Thea ter , At h en s, 18 9 6 . M ii ll er D as , A tt i s ch e
B zi h n en w esen , G ii t ersl o h e, Capp s, Th e S tag e i n th e G r eek Th ea tr e
’

1 9 0 2.

a ccor d i ng to th e E x ta n t D r a mas, N ew H aven , 18 93 . We i ssman n ,

D i e S z en i sch .

'
Aufi i i h
'
r u n en D
g . Gr i ech . D r a men M ii n i ch , ,
1893 . Wi l amo w i tz i n H er mes 21 .

DOrp feld i n B er l i n . Ph i l . Wochen sch r if t ,

1 8 90 . Rob ert i n H er mes 3 2 .

A ES C H Y L US

I . Man uscri pt s t yp e o f th e exi sti n g man usc r i pt s i s the M ed i ceus

. Th e ar c h e

or L a u r en t i a n u s 1 0—1 1 t h c e n t at F l o r en c e b r o ug h t fr o m Gr eec e i n 1 4 2 3
, .
, , .

Tran s c ri pt b y M er k e l O xfo r d 1 8 7 1 ; facsi mi l e F l o ren ce 1 8 9 6

, Th e Med i
, , , .

c e an d i d asca l i a e w er e r ec o v er e d i n 1 8 4 8 .

1 F r og s 1 29 6 .
 A E SC H Y LUS 2 15

I I Ed i t i on s
. E d p r i n c , Al d us, V e n i ce ,
. . . 15 18 . H e rman n -H aupt , Lei p z i g ,

18 52 . Weck l ei n -V i t e i , Berl i n , 1 8 8 5 ( c ri t
ll . We c k l ei n Zomari d e s Ath e n s
-
, ,

18 9 7 ( w ith G re e k n o es t ) . Ki rch h o ff, B e rl i n , 1

18 80 We i l L ei p z i g 1 8 8 5
.
, , .

Wei l , G
i esse n , 1 8 6 7 . Di n d o r f, O xfo r d , 1 8 4 1— 1 8
5 1 ( wi th sc h o l i a) .

Sp ec i al Ed i t i o n s . S uppl za n ts : k r L n d o n 1 8 8 9 S even
Tu c e , o , . Ag a i n st
Th ebes Ri tsc hl , L e i p z i g, 18 75 . V errall L o n d o n 1 8 8 7
,
Ag a memn , . on V er
ll Lo n d o n , W i l amo w i tz 188 5 Ch oeph ori Wi l amo w i tz 1 8 96 .
‘

ra ,
1 9 04 .
, . : ,

Tu ck er , C amb r i d g e , 1 90 1 . O r estei a : Wi l amo w i tz , 1 90 1 . Th e F r ag men ts :

N ane k Tr ag i cor u m g r aec
, .
fr ag men ta
L e i p i g, 1 8 5 6 A h r e n s , A eschy l i et
, z .

S oph ocl i s f r ag men ta , Par i s , 18 8 6 P r ometh eus H arry, N e w o r , 1 9 05

. Y k .

III . Li te rat ur e . W estph a , P r ol eg omen a z A esch Tr ag , L e i p i g, 1 8 6 9

l . . . z .

Pat i n , E schy l e, Par i s , 1 8 90 ( 7t h ed . o f hi s Et u d es sur l es tr ag i ques gr ecs ) .

Myers A eschy l us i n Abb o tt H el l en i ca , L o n d o n , Ri c h t er , D i e D r a ma

’
,
s 18 80 .

t u rgi e des Aesch L e i p i g, 1 8 9 2

.
, zH aupt , Co mmen tat i o n es a r cha eol og zca e i n
.

A esch .
,
H all e , 18 9 7 Ro b e rt , B i l d u n d Li ed , B erl i n , 1 8 8 1 ( fo r th e treat me n t
.

of the O rest es l eg e n d i n Gr e e k ar t ) .

IV . L exi c o n . Di n d o r f L ex i co n A es chy l eu m Lei p z i g,

, , 1 8 76 .

V . Tr an sl at i o n s . Pl umpt re, A n na Sw an w i c k , L e w i s C ampb e ll

Or estei a : M o rsh ead , Th e f f o use f
o A tr e us , 2d c d .
, Lo n d o n , 1889 .

P r ometh eus B ou n d : E . B . B ro w n i n g . Ag a memn on : Rob ert B ro w n i n g, E .

z
Fi t gera d ( t h e o n e t o o l l i t er al , th e o t h e r to o fr e e ) . W arr , The Or estei a n
Tr i l og v, L o n d o n , 1 9 0 1 . P r ometh eus B ou n d : B evan , Lo n d o n , 1 9 02 .
 C H A P T ER XIII

S O P H OC L ES

SO PH O C LES, t he o f So phi l l us w as bor n i n 4 9 7 B C at w h i t e

so n , . .

’
C ol o n u s a vill ag e lyi n g abo u t a m il e to t he n ort h w est o f At h e n s
, ,

w h e r e as h e si n g s i n th e Oedip us at Col o n us the w at er s o f th e

, ,

C e p hi sus n ev e r fail t he n ar c i ssu s an d c ro c us fl ow e r i n gr ee n gl ad es

, ,

an d th e gr ay gr e e n oliv e gr e at est b e au ty o f al l to th e eye o f a

-
,

H i s fat h er b el o n g ed to
’
n ativ e o f Atti c a flo uri s hes m ig h tily
,
‘
.

th at pro sp e ro us m e r c h an t c l ass w h i c h pro d u c e d De mo s t h en es th e ,

orato r . S o p h o c l es w as tw en ty eig h t y ear s you n g e r t han Aes

-

c h ylu s so ,
t hat M ara t ho n w her e t he ol d e r po e t had pl ay e d a
,

m an s part was for hi m a d i m me mory o f c hil d ho od I n the

’
, .

r ej o i c i n g s aft e r Sal ami s h e w as o l d en oug h to shar e an d w as ,

c h o s e n t o l ead th e c h oi r o f boy s w h o san g a paean for t h e vi c tory .

Th e d i s ti n c tio n w as a t ribu t e t o h i s p e r s o n al b e auty an d s kill i n

m u si c att es ted by mo r e t han o n e an ec do te o f hi s c ar e er as ac tor
,

i n hi s o w n tr ag edi e s So p h o c l e s r ep r es en ts th e g en e r atio n t h at
.

r eap ed th e fr u i ts o f M ar at h o n an d Sal am i s H i s lo n g li fe al mo s t .

c oi n c i d es w i t h t h e fi ft h c en t u ry bu t h e i n c ar n at e s n o t t h o se y e ar s
, ,

t hat saw the grad u al d i ss ol u ti o n o f A t he ns bu t the brilli an t hal f c en ,

tury o f At h en i an e m p ir e t hat fall s b etw een Sal ami s an d the P elo

o n n esi an w ar th e gol d e n pri m e o f s h i n i n g A th e n s th e s tay o f
p , ,

H ell as H e w as tw e n ty ei g h t w h en h e fi r s t e n t e r ed t h e tr agi c
’
-
.

c o m p e ti tio n an d d e feate d A es c h yl us Du ri n g th e n e x t s ixty y ear s

.

h e w o n mo r e fi r s t priz es t han fe ll to t h e l ot o f an y o t h er G r e e k
trag ed i an an d w as n ev e r p l ac ed l ow e r t han sec o n d T ho ug h he
,
.

t ook no ac tiv e i n te r es t i n p ol iti c s h e w as twi c e e l ec t ed a g en er al

, .

Fro m th e fi r st h e appear s as the hap py p o et t he man w h o r ep ,

r es e n t s th e p e rfec tio n o f the l i t e r ary ar t o f hi s ti me as P e ri c l es

r ealiz ed i ts p oli ti c al i d eal s H e w as n ev e r all ur ed to a fo r e ig n
.

2 16
 218 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU RE

d ividi n g th e i ambi c t ri m eter b etw een tw o or mor e sp eak er s The .

e vi d en c e fro m t h e s tru c tu r e o f t he pl ay s i s sl ig h tly i n favor o f t h e

priori ty o f the Ajax What the d i sc u ss io n i n d i c at es i s t hat ev en

.

th e two earl i est o f the sev en p l ay s r ep r es en t t he m atur e work o f

Sop h o c l es .

Th e gr eat e r Aj ax the so n o f T e l amo n i s a l e ad i n g figur e i n the

, ,

H o me ri c ep i c s ec o n d o nl y to A c hill es as t he c hampio n o f th e
, ,

G r ee k s i n t h e I li a d When i n t he Odyss ey O d y sseu s met i n the

.

u n d e rwo rl d the g ho s t s o f hi s c om r ad es w h o had d i ed b e for e Troy

or o n the h o m e c o mi n g t he shad e o f Aj ax wo ul d n o t li s t en to th e
-

s o ft word s and t he fl att e ry of t h e c omr ad e w ho had w o n fro m hi m

t h e ar ms o f A c hill es bu t mai n t ai n ed a r e se n tful s il en c e gr eate r ‘

.

, ,

an d mor e su bli me t han wor d s

l
B ut th e s tory o f t hat
.

Th e Ajax
fat al gri e v anc e w as n o t tol d by H om er A esc hylu s .

w h en he w ro te hi s t rilogy o n the ad v e n tu r es o f Aj ax an d T euc er ,

and S o p h o c l es for t h i s p l ay an d for h i s l o s t mus t hav e

d r aw n o n th e c y c l i c e pi c s th e l o s t A etlzi op i s an d t he l i ttl e I l i ad
,
.

O f the se c r e t b allo t o f th e G r ee k s an d t h e i nj u s ti c e d o n e to
Aj ax w e hav e n o ac c o un t i n G r eek li t e r atur e t h o ug h Pi nd ar ,

all ud es to i t m or e th an o n c e to ill us tr at e th e b al e ful e ffec t o f e n vy

an d mali c e an d t h e Aw ar d of Arm s w as a favori t e t h e me i n t h e

,

G r ee k an d Rom an sc h ool s o f r he t o ri c S o p ho c l es wrot e hi s p l ay

.

to sh o w th e fatal e ffec t o f th at aw ard o n t he i nj u r ed h ero I n hi s .

wrat h he had pl an n ed to m u rd e r hi s fai t hl ess c o m r ad es B ut .

At hen e had tur n ed hi s an g er to mad n ess an d div e rt e d hi s s wor d

up o n the helpl ess c attl e and sh eep t he u n d ivi d e d sp oil s o f Troy
,
.

As th e pl ay o p e n s sh e stan d s b e for e hi s t en t an d w ar n s h er favori te

O dy sse u s to t ak e to h eart t h i s l e ss o n of th e s tr en gt h o f t h e go d s .

The mad n ess an d t h e d e l us io n w er e th e p u n i s h me n t n o t o n ly of ,

t hat plot o f v en g ean c e b ut of a viol e n t an d i n d e p end en t spi ri t o f

,

w hi c h ther e i s n o h i n t i n th e I li ad So ph o c l es t hi n k s o f Aj ax as
.

affli c t ed i n h i s hap pi er d ay s wi t h a p ri d e l ik e t hat o f C ap an eu s ,

’
w ho bo ast ed t hat Go d will i n g o r n o t willi n g h e wo ul d s ac k
‘

1
Lo n gi n us, On t/ze S u bl i me 9 . C p th e
. e n co u n e t r o f Ae n eas an d Di d o an d

he r s i l e n c e i n A en ei d 6
.
 SO P H O C LE S 2 19

Th eb es ,
o sen by Dante for th e t yp e o f the viol en t man
an d was ch
1
w h o h el d th e go d s i n di sd ai n .

H e r e t h e n w e hav e the motiv e for th e i n terv en tio n o f At hen e .

T he hum i li ati o n of Aj ax i s c o mpl e t e an d n o t h i n g i s l e ft hi m b u t ,

to d i e I n th e fi r st p ar t o f t he p l ay the sc en e i s l ai d b e fo r e hi s
.

t en t and by mean s of the ec c y c l em a he i s d i sc ov er ed wi thi n san e ,

an d asham e d am o n g t h e sl aug h t e r e d c at tl e ,

si tt i n g al o n e i n b l o o d w hi l e fri en d s
Ar e h u n t i n g far i n t h e s un sh i n e
”
.

B ut n ow, as i n th e E u men id es , th oug h

l w her e i n any ext an t n o t e se

Gr ee k tr ag ed y t h e sc e n e c han g es to a lo n el y sp ot o n t h e se ash or e
, ,

w her e havi n g esc aped fro m th e s oli c i t u d e of T ec m essa an d t h e

,

al ami ni an sai lor s Aj ax t ak es hi s far e w e ll o f l i fe c u r s

c h oru s o
f S , ,

in g to t he l ast the t r eac h e ry o f th e Atr ei d ae : O D ea th ,D ea th ,

eoj n e now a n d l ooh o n me N ay th ee I may a d d r ess w h en I meet

’

.
,

th ee i n the u n d er w or l d . B ut f tho u hr zgh t a n d gl or i o us l i gh t o

d ay a n d the S u n i n hi s cha r i o t
, g r eet th ee n ow f or the l as t ti me
,

an d n ez er /n or e her eaf ter

r O s u n l i gh t ! O s a er ed s oi l of S al a mi s
.
,

my n a ti ve l an d a n d ye s tr ea ms a n d r i vers a n d pl a i n s of Tr oy

tha t h ave n ou r i s hed m y l if e f a r ew el l N ever mor e w i l l Ajax

,

2
a dd r es s you . Th e r es t s h a ll I p eah i n H a d es
s w i th th e d ea d .

’
T he n fal l s o n hi s swo r d that m o st hat e ful o f w eap o ns
be_
,
‘

w hi c h had b e en t he gi ft o f H ec tor an d n o w p rov ed t he t r ut h o f

t h e p rov e rb The g if ts of en emi es a r e n o gif ts a n d br i ng n o good .

I n hi s d yi n g sp eec h Aj ax had p r ay ed to Z eu s t hat T euc e r hi s

fo st er brot he r mig ht fi n d hi s b ody an d sav e i t fro m t he v en g ean c e
of th e Atrei d ae I n th e l as t fou r hu nd r ed li n es of th e p l ay
.
'

Teu c er i s t he l eadi n g fi gu r e an d m ai n tai ns fi r st ag ai nst M en e ,

l aus an d t h en ag ai ns t A g ame mn o n t h e rig h t of Aj ax to r ec eiv e

,
'

buri al Fi nally O d y sseu s t he man w ho i s no t p assio n s sl av e

.
,
“ ’
,
”

w h o at the en d as at th e o p e n i n g o f th e p l ay s h ow s h i msel f t oo

g en erou s to exul t ov er hi s fall en riv al Wi n s t he c o nsen t of Aga ,

m em n o n to the fu n er al ri tes an d woul d e v en h av e tak en p ar t i n

,

1
I nfer n o, Can to I4 .
2
8 54 ff
.
2 20 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU R E

th e m had n o t T eu c er fear ed th e d i s pl easur e o f the i mpl ac abl e

d ead .To c al l th e l att er p ar t o f th e Ajax an an ti c li m ax i s to
sh ow an i n c o mpl e t e s y mp at h y wi t h th e sp iri t o f t h e G r ee k dr am

at i st w ho sel d o m p l ac e d th e c ri s i s t h e hi g h es t p oi n t o f i n t e r es t
, , ,

at t h e c lo s e of t he p l ay B ut i n an y c ase i t w as al mo s t as i m
.

p o rt an t to t he G r ee k sp ec t ator t hat a t r agi c h e ro sh o ul d b e d uly ,

bu ri ed as t hat h e sho ul d m ee t a viol e n t e n d The c om pl i c atio n .

of th e sl aug hter o f the fl o c k s has b een s ol v ed by t he d eat h of

Aj ax N o w w e hav e a n ew t h oug h c ert ai n ly a mi n or c o mpl i
.

c ati o n t he d i ffi c ul ty t hat t h e At r e i d ae o ppo se h i s buri al as b it t e rly

,

as t h o ug h h e h ad b ee n o n e o f t h e ir Troj an fo es .

O n hi s fi r s t sig h t o f t h e bo d y o f Aj ax T e uc e r h ad for e tol d the ,

c ru e l r ec e p ti o n t hat mu s t n o w b e hi s at Sal am i s th e b i t t e r r e ,

o ac h e o f T el amo n t h at p ass i o n ate an d m o ro s e o l d man w ho se

p r s ,

1
so n he h ad fail e d t o sav e I n h i s lo s t p l ay t h e Teueer S op h o c l es
.
, , ,

li k e A esc hyl us i n hi s S a l a mi n i a n s d r am atiz ed the s tory o f t hat ,

gri e vo us h o me c o mi n g and th e e xil e o f T euc e r t o C y p ru s w h er e

-
,

h e fou n d ed an ot h e r Sal ami s We hav e a bri ef fr agm en t w hi c h.

see ms to s h ow t hat T e u c e r b e for e he b rok e t h e n ew s o f t h e d eat h

,

o f Aj ax had r ec o u n t ed the he ro s ex ploi t s at Troy

,
For w hen ’
.

T e l amo n l earn s the w h ol e tru t h h e ex cl ai m s

O va i n d el ig h t, w her ew i th I w as d el ig h ted ,
To h ea r h i s p r a i se, a s o n e a l i ve, r ee i ted ’ .

Th efi en d f D ea th
o i n d a r h n ess al l the w h i l e

F aw n i ng u
p on me l et th e joy beg u i l e 2 .

Fo r the s eq u el w e tu r n n o t t o A esc hylu s o r So ph o c l es bu t to

, ,

th e bri e f e n c o u n te r o f T eu c e r an d H e l e n i n Egy p t i n th e H el en
’
o f Eu ri p i d es an d an o d e o f Ho rac e i n w h i c h he r ec i t es Teuc e r s
,

br av e c hall en g e to fate the fam o us n ev e r d espai r passag e hi s e x

,
‘ ’
,

h or tatio n to hi s t ri ed c om r ad e s t o se e k wi t h hi m a n ew e r w o rl d
3
.

1 Ajax 1006 . tran s l ati o n o f fr 5 1 6

2
Ph ill i mo re
’
s . .

N i l d es per an d um Te uc ro d uc e et aus p i c e Te u c ro I 7 H o rac e s O s o c i i

3 ’
, . . ,

ej ss i l i k e V e r g i l s O s c i i ss i g r av i o r a ( A en I
’
p o ra u e
q p a , O p a o ar e . .

r e mi n i s c e n c es o f Od sse 1 2 2 0 8 C M m ar i n er s S o ul s t h at h av e t o i l e d
y y p.
y . .
,

an d w ro ugh t an d t h o ugh t w i t h me TENN Y SO N Uly sses .

, .
2 22 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

i nt er est i n the A n tigone A c c ordi n g t o t he pro se v er si o n o f the l e

.

gen d i n th e G raec o Ro m an han d bo ok o f M yt hol ogy ( B i hl i o th eea)

-
,

w hi c h p asses u n d er the n ame o f Apollo doru s H ae mo n the son of ,

C r eo n w as kill e d by t he Sp hi n x b e for e t he fi r s t c omi ng of O e di p u s

to T h eb es . I n t he t r ag ed y o f So pho c l es h e app ear s as the Ro m e o
of the G r eek d r am a r esolv e d t o d i e w i t h hi s b e tro t he d Y et
,
.

S op h o c l es n ev e r bri n g s hi m o n t h e s t ag e w i t h A n tigo n e and i n h er ,

e x al t e d mo o d of se l f s ac r ifi c e sh e al m o s t ig n or es H ae m o n
-
B e for e .

she i s l ed aw ay to b e bu ri e d ali v e sh e s i n g s a d i rg e for h er early

d eat h for th e fat e t hat sen d s h er to the gr av e un w ed d ed for the

, ,

gri evo us wo es of her hou se I n all th i s t he r e i s n o to u c h o f p er

.

s o n al fe eli n g for H ae mo n n o men tio n o f hi s n am e

,
H ae mo n hi m .

s el f p l ead s h er c au s e i n th e n ame n o t of p e r s o n al p assi o n b u t of

, ,

j usti c e an d family p i ety I t i s M att hew Ar nold n o t Sop ho c l es

.
, ,

w ho m ak e s h er lov er r e pro ac h A n tigo n e as

O n e t h an Cre o n cr ue l l e r far .

Fo r h e , h e , l east b y s l ayi ng h er
at , ,

A ug ust l aw s d o t h mi g ht i l y v i n d i c at e ;
B ut th o u t o b o l d h ead str n g p i t i l e ss !
, o- , o ,

A h me ! h o n o est mo r e t h an th y l o ver
‘

r ,

O A n t ig o n e ,

A d ead i g n r an t t h an k l ss c o rpse
,
o , e .

N ev e r th el ess th e fi n al c atastro ph e o f the pl ay i s the dir ec t r e

s ul t o f hi s p ass io n . When C r e o n s hak en at l as t by the war n i ng ,

o f th e s ee r T e ir e si as go es t o r el ease A n tigo n e h e i s to o l at e
, ,
.

She has h ang e d h e r sel f an d H aemo n i s t he r e b e for e hi m c l i n gi ng

, ,

i n fr an ti c gri e f to h er d ead body I n t hat bri d al c h amb e r p av e d

.
‘

’
wi t h s to n e C reo n s so n fall s upo n hi s swor d E ury d i c e th e q ueen .
,

w h en t he messen g e r r el at es the d r ead ful sc en e go es i n to the pal ,

H er brok e n h eart ed s il e n c e
’
ac e w i t h o u t a wor d goo d or evi l
‘ -
,
.

l ik e th e sil en t exi t o f D ei an i r a i n a l at e r p l ay th e Tr aehi n i a e i s , ,

o mi n ou s e v e n to the c h or us C r e o n en t eri n g w i t h H ae mo n s
.
,
’

’
c or p s e i s gr ee t ed by t he c row n i n g gri e f o f t h e q u ee n s s ui c i d e
,
.

Wi th th i s l as t c ru shi n g c al amity th e s tory o f th e h ou s e o f O ed ipu s

1 F r ag men t o
f an A n ti go n e .
 SO PH O C LE S 2 23

c om es to an en d I sm en e the s ol e survivo r ap p ear s i n G r eek

.
, ,

t r ag ed y o n ly as a fo il to h er h ero i c s i s t er a c olo rl ess figu r e w h o m ,

t h e s ag a r ej ec ts .

H eg el t houg ht t h e A n ti gone the mo s t p e rfec t an d e x c ell en t o f “

B ut that w as b ec aus e h e saw i n i t n o t a d r ama of

1
al l d r am as
”
.
,

t he e mo t io n s b ut a p ur ely i n tell ec tu al o p po si tio n wom an i n th e

, ,

e r so n of A n t igo n e d e fen d i n g h e r p ec uli ar provi n c e o f family p i et y

p
ag ai n st th e e ss en t i ally m asc uli n e l aw o f th e S t at e a sex d i s ti n c tio n ,

2
w hi c h c ert ai nly d i d n o t o c c ur to an At hen i an au d i en c e Ari s .

t o tl e s j u d g men t i s m o r e li k ely to ap p eal t o th e m o d e r n r ead e r

’
.

I n th e R hetor i c w hen he i n si st s o n the s t abili ty o f t he u n wri t

,

t en l aw as o p p o se d t o falli bl e h u m an c o n v e nti o n s he quo t es a ,

3 ’
few l i n es o f A n t igo n e s fi n e r h et ori c al d e fen se
,
B ut h e d i d .
.

n o t lik e Heg el c o n s i d e r th e A n ti go n e th e m as t e r p i e c e of t he G r ee k
, ,
/
d r am a T hat d i sti nc ti o n as w e k n ow fro m th e P oeti cs he r eserv e d
.
, ,

fo r t he Oedip us Yy r a nn us A n tigo n e i s i n fac t too aust er e too

m
.
,

bl am el ess for the i d eal tragi c p ro tago n i s t w ho mu st d i spl ay so e

, ,

i n fi r mi ty o f p ur p o se s om e l ap se o f pi ety i f h e i s to arous e the

, ,

pi ty an d fear o f the sp ec tato r s .

T he E l e c tr a i s o n e o f the l atest o f th e pl ay s I t c o n tai ns an .

“
an ap aest i c s olo ( m o n ody
) by El ec t r a s u c h as i s fo u n d el se w her e

o n ly i n the l at er pl ay s o f E uripi d es o ne o f t h o se so ng s fro m th e ,

stag e w h i c h t en d e d to b ec o m e m or e i m p or tan t t han the lyri c s o f

th e c h oru s an d w er e ri d i c ul ed by Ari stop h an es w hen h e

Th e
att ac k ed t h e N ew Mu si c i n th e F r ogs A n o the r sig n El ect ra .

of l aten ess i s the form o f the fi r st c h oru s the p arodos w h i c h 18 a , ,

1 A esth eti cs III 2 .

Cp G i rard , L H é g él i a n i s me d a n s l i n terp r étati on de l A n tigon e d e S oph ocl e,

2 ’ ’ ’
.

in h i s Et ud es s u r l a P oés i e Gr ecque .

3 Rhetor i c I . 12 ; I . 1
5 .

4 8 6 —1 20 l d er pl ays eg th e S uppl i es P e sae an d Aga memn n o f

. I n th e o , . . c , r , o

Aesc h yl us an apaest i c rhyt h ms w re r egu l ar l y e mp l o y d by th e c h o r us as i t

, e e

en t r ed
e t h e t h e at er c han t i n g t h e p aro d o s F t hi s rhyt hm c p Loch i el s . or .
’

War n i ng :
Fo r a fi el d o f th e d e ad r ushes re d o n my s i gh t ,

An d t h e c l an s o f C ul l o d e n a e scatt e r e d i n fl i gh t
’
r .
2 24 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU R E

du e t ( ko m m o s ) w i t h El ec tra as i n th e l at es t p l ay the Oed ip us a t

j ,

C ol on us .T h e c h o r us o f My c e n ae an w o me n s i n g b ar e ly a hun
d r e d li n e s o f lyri c i n d e p en d e n tly o f t he ac to r s T h e E l ectr a o f .

E uri pi d es w as p ro d uc ed abou t 4 1 3 B C an d the So p ho c l ean E l ec . .

,

l
tr a p rob ably fall s wi t h i n t h e p r ec edi n g d e c ad e Li k e t he C hoe .

p h or i of A esc hylu s the E l ectr a i s a d r ama o f r ev en g e

, B ut h er e .

E l ec tr a n ot O r es t es i s the p ro t ago n i s t an d app ear s i n ev ery scen e

, , ,

c l ai mi n g h er s har e i n th e pu n i s h m en t o f h er fat h e r s mu r d e r er s
’
.

H er you n g e r si st er C h ry so t he m i s a r ep l i c a of I s m en e i n th e
, ,

A n ti gone has ad ap t ed h e r sel f t o th e c o n d i ti o n s i n th e p al ac e after

,

t h e d eat h o f Ag am e m n o n B ut El ec tr a was n o t to b e c o n c ili ate d

. .

Sh e i s a w o man e mbi tt er ed by th e t hr eats an d i n sul ts o f h er mo t h e r

an d A egi sth u s by y ear s o f pro t est an d o f w ai ti n g for h er fat h er s
’
,

av en g e r I n th e h ou r o f h er t riu m p h s he i s p i t il ess w hen she

.

h ear s fro m wi t hi n t h e dyi n g c ry of C l yt e m n est r a sh e c ri es to ,

h er brot h er S tr i he if thou ca n s t a s eco n d s tr ohe / Th e So ph o

, , ,

c l ean O r est es i s a l ess t r agi c an d l ess e ffec t iv e fi g ur e t han th e

fat e d riv en man who i n t he Choep hor i i s m ad d en ed by t he
-

F uri es o f r em or se i n t he v ery h ou r of hi s su cc ess H er e h e i s .

r at h er th e goo d ly O r est es o f the Odyssey wh o w on for hi m ,

sel f r en ow n amo n g all men i n that h e sl ew t h e sl ay e r o f hi s s i r e ,

an d was h el d up by At h en e to T el emac hus as a p at t e r n o f fi li al pi ety .

T h e s tr at egy to c o n c e al hi s r etur n fro m hi s mo th e r an d A egi s t hus

i s m o r e el abor at e an d mor e c o nvi n c i n g t han i n the Ch oephor i A .

m ess en g er w h o bri n g s t he r epor t o f hi s d eath at the Pyt hi an g am es

i s s oo n follo w ed by a sec o n d c arry i n g th e ur n t h at i s sai d to c o n
,

t ai n hi s ash es I n o n e o f th e fi n es t d esc riptiv e p assag es o f t he G r eek

.

dr am a th e m essen g er t ell s El ec t ra h o w th e so n o f Agame m n o n ,

faili ng to r e m emb er N esto r s w ar n i n g to A n tilo c hu s i n t he I l i a d to

’

avo i d c ol li si o n wi t h t h e go al p o s t i n m aki n g th e tur n h ad fall en ,

fro m hi s c hari o t an d p eri sh ed d r agg ed alo n g th e r ac e c our se by

,

hi s fr an t i c h or ses The S o ph o c l ean p assag e i s a r e mi n i sc e n c e o f

.

1 Th e rg ume n t s o f Wi l amo w i t i n H r mes 1 8 i n favo r o f d at i n g the Eu

a z e

r i p id ean E l ectr a e ar l i e r t h an t h e S o ph o c l e an ar e n o t c o n vi n c i n g S e e V ah l en .

i n H er mes 2 6 an d j ebb s I n tro d uc t i o n t o h i s e d i t i o n

’
.
,
2 26 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU RE

mo d el p l ay o f the G r eek dr ama Fro m i t Ari s to tl e fr am ed hi s pre

.

sc ri p tio n for a p e rfec t t r ag e d y When he say s i n the P oeti cs t h at

.

t he i d e al tr agi c h e ro m u s t b e a man n o t w holly good w h o se d ow n ,

fall w o ul d me r ely sho c k the sp ec tator n o r w holly bad s i nc e th e , ,

s p ec t ac l e o f h i s rui n wo ul d b e n e it h e r pi tifu l n o r t e rri bl e b u t r at h e r ,

o n e w h o fall s fro m h i s h ig h p l ac e an d h appi n e ss by s om e s i n gl e

e rror or w eak n ess o f c h ar ac t e r o n e i n w h o m ,

Th e d ram of b as e
Do th al l th e l t
n o b e s ub s an c e o ft s ubd u e

To h i s o w n s c an d a l ,
”

h e i s t h i n ki n go f th e So p ho c l ean O ed i p u s Th e Oed ipus I y r an n us .

i s a p er fec t e x am p l e of t hat c o m p l ex t r ag e d y i n w h i c h a s ig n al

c h an g e of fortu n e from goo d to b ad an d a

’
r ev er sal o f i n t en tio n ‘

’
ac c o m p an es t he
i r e c o gn iti o n o f t h e i d e n t i ty o f t h r o
e pe s ns
1
.

O e di p us i s t h e mo s t l am en t abl e an d t he m o s t tr agi c fi gu r e o f th e
G r ee k d r am a . Wh en th e pl ay b egi n s the shad ow o f hi s c al ami ,

t i es o r r at her hi s r ec og ni tio n o f the m w h i c h i s th e m o tiv e o f the ,

tr ag ed y has alr ead y b egu n to d ark en the p ro sp e ri ty of t he ki ng o f

,

T heb es H e l ear n s fro m hi s wi fe s bro the r C r eo n w ho has c o n

.
’
,

s ul t ed t h e Delp h i c o r ac l e t h at the pl agu e w h i c h i s d estroyi n g h i s

,

p e opl e c ann o t b e stay ed u n l ess th e m u rd e r e r o f Lai u s w ho r ul ed ,

T h eb es b e for e t h e c o mi n g of O ed ipu s b e exp ell ed fro m the c i ty , .

Fro m t h e fi r st i t i s O e dipu s w ho set s i n m oti o n the i n qu iry w hi c h i s

to d i sc ov e r hi s o w n rui n H i s i s a fat al c u rio s i ty w h i c h ag ai ns t al l
.
,

d i ssu asio n p er si s t s i n d r aggi n g to lig h t t h e s ec r et th at i s to r ec oil

,

ag ai n s t h i m sel f H e i s hi m sel f t h e sl ay e r w h o m h e forbi d s hi s p e o

.

p l e to harbo r so that evi lly as he h i m sel f i s e vil h e may w ear ou t

‘
, , ,

h i s mi se r abl e li fe When T e i r es i as th e bl i n d seer w ho alo n e i n

.
’
,

th e c i ty k n ow s th e trut h t ell s hi m t h at h e i s th e mur d e r e r w ho

,

p o ll u t es t he l an d h e see s i n t h e mou t hp i ec e o f A p oll o o nly a fel

,

l ow c o nspi rato r o f C r eo n i n trigu i n g t o d riv e hi m from t he t h ro n e

-
,
.

H i s fi r s t su sp i c i o n o f at l east h al f t h e tr ut h c o me s n o t fro m t he ,

pl ai n d en un c i ati o n of T ei r esi as Tho u a r t the mur d er er ! b ut fro m

,

1 P oet i cs [0- 1 I .
 SO P H O C LES 227

th e sp ee c h o f jo c as t a the u n b el i evi ng To c o n fi rm hi m i n hi s sk ep
.

t i c i s m as to or ac l e s s he r el a t es t h e c i r c u ms t an c es o f t h e d eat h o f

Lai us . Th e w h ol e str uc tu r e o f th e pl ay an d th e e ffec tiv en ess o f th e

‘
p eri p et ei a t h e tur n i n g poi n t d ep en d s o n an i mprob abili ty t he
,
’
, ,

pr eviou s sil en c e of J o c asta as to the mann er o f h er fi r s t hu sb an d s ’

d eat h H e r r e assu r an c e i s the fi r s t r e v e l atio n jus t so w h e n t he

1
.
.
,

messen g er w ho bri n g s fro m C ori n t h th e n e w s o f th e d eat h of Ki n g

Polyb u s t hi n k s to c o mfort O e d i pus wit h the assur an c e that h e i s n o t
,

the tru e so n o f th e d ead ki n g h e r e v e al s to jo c as t a i n h er t ur n th e

,

t erribl e tr ut h A l as ! al as ! w r etched ma n she c ri es hy th at na me

.
, ,

al on e ca n I a dd r es s th ee a n d hy n on e o th er h en cefo r th f or ever ! an d

ru shes fro m th e s t ag e Whil e O ed i pus do es n o t yet r ealiz e t he

.

w o r s t the t r agi c t e n s io n i s mai n t ai n e d

,
B u t t h e h e r d s man t o
.

w ho af the c hild O e dipu s h ad b e en giv en by jo c as t a to b e e x p o se d

had b een su mmo n ed fro m th e c o un try an d fro m h i s r el uc t an t
_ ,

an sw e r s th e ki n g l ear n s th e w ho l e t ru t h Th e l ast l i n k i n th e.

c hai n of evi d en c e i s i n i ts pl ac e H e k n ow s t hat t h e or ac l e o f

.

Apollo has b een broug h t to p ass H e h as s l ai n hi s fath e r an d

.

m arri e d hi s mot her Thou l i gh t ! h e c ri e s may I n ow fl ooh my l as t

.
,

on thee ! an d follow s jo c as t a i n t o th e p al ac e T h e r e as the mes .

,

se n g e r fro m w it h i n s oo n r e l ate s to t h e c h oru s h e fi n d s t he bo d y o f ,

jo c as t a th e q u e e n w ho h as h an g ed h e r se lf W i t h a d e e p and .

d r eadful c ry th e wr e tc h ed man loo sed t h e h al t e r an d bli n d e d hi s

’

e y es wi t h t he gol d broo c hes to r n fro m h er d r e ss I n t h e l ast sc en e .

So ph o c l es bri n g s O e d i pu s b ac k o n t h e s t ag e wi th al l th e horror of
hi s bl e ed i n g fac e an d bl i n d ed ey es H e e x c l ai m s t h at Apollo i s
.

the c au se o f al l h i s wo es an d b eg s to be l ed for th fro m t h e l an d ,

en tr eati n g t h e c o mp as sio n o f C r eo n for A n tigo n e an d I s men e ,

hi s h el pl ess c hil d r e n w ho are bro ug ht i n by th e at t en d an t s

,
.

B ut ev e n exil e may n ot b e hi s u n til t he c o n se n t o f A p ollo has

b een g ai n ed n o r mu st that m u til ate d fi g ur e be allow e d to p o l
,

1 “
To ut ce
quep ui s t e di r e , O c ri t i q ue po i n t u ,
je
’
c es t l
q ue , s i s s étai e n t
’ ’

e pl q u és aup ar a
i t , c e r i t d o mmage, parc e q u i l n y au r ai t
’ ’
x v an s e a
p as d e pi ec e et
q ue l a pi ec e est ad mi rab l e .
”
Sarc ey i n Q u a r a n te an s d e thédtr e .
 .

2 28 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

l ut e th e s unl ig h t . C reo n, n ow t he r ul e r o f T heb es l e ad s O ed i pus ,

up th e s ep s t t hat he may h i d e h i s sh ame i n t h e ob s c u ri ty of th e

p l
a ac e .

H i s to o gr eat w i sd o m r u i n e d O e d i p us
U n ai d ed by h eav en as .
,

h e bo as t s h e had r e ad t h e ri d d l e o f th e S p hi n x when e v e n Te i re
, ,

s i as fo r all hi s s oot h s ayi n g h ad fai l ed

,
An d so A p ollo tur n e d th e
, .

e d g e o f h i s o w n w i s d o m ag ai n s t hi m I mp i o u s ho w ev e r li k e.
, ,

o c as t a h e i s n o t for ll hi s p ri d e o f hu m an wi t an d i n hi s l as t
j ,
a , ,

h i h Oed i u s a t Co l o n u s S o h o c l e s w as t o sh o w hi m
p as e n t
,
e p p ,

r ec o n c il ed w i t h th e go d s an d h o n o r ed l i k e A mph i ar aus th e bl ame ,

l ess by a p ai n l ess an d m y st eri ous e n d by tr an sl atio n i n st ead o f

, ,

d e at h .

I t i s o n e o f th e uns olv e d my s t eri es o f th e At he n i an t h eat e r t hat

t h e Oed ip us I j r a n n us d i d n o t w i n t he fi r s t p riz e
'
So pho c l es w as .

d e feat ed by t h e n e ph e w o f A esc hyl us an d to ac c o u n t fo r t hat ,

s tr an g e d ec i s io n o f t h e j ud g es i t h as b e e n c o nj e c t u r e d t h at P h ilo
’
c l es c om p e t e d w i t h o n e of h i s u n c l e s p l ay s .

Th e Tr a ch i n i a e i s t h e o n l y e xt an t p l ay o f So p h o c l es t hat t ak es
i ts n ame fro m t he c h or us th e mai d e n s o f Trac hi s i n T h essaly
,

w her e th e sc en e i s l ai d Fo r t he d at e t h er e i s n o ext e r nal e vi d en c e

.
,

bu t th e E u ri p id e an p rol og ue i n w h i c h Dei an i r a giv es t he au d i e n c e

t h e s i t uatio n t ell i ng th e s to ry of h e r yo u t h an d t he wooi n g o f
,

H er ac l es an d th e an apaes t s o f H e rac l es an d Hyll us at the c lo se ar e

, ,

s ig n s of l at e n ess As a w ho l e the p l ay fall s b e low th e S op h o c l ean

.

l e v e l c h i e fly fro m i ts l ac k o f un i ty the i n t e r es t b e i n g c o n c en tr at ed
, ,

for th e fi r st h al f o f th e ac t io n o n Dei an i r a an d falli n g off w h en H e r a ,

c l es b ec o mes t h e p r o t ago n i s t So ph o c l es fo un d i n .

t h e c y c li c e p i c th e Tahi ng of Oech al i a th e s tory o f

, ,

th e en t e r p ri se o f H e r ac l e s i n E ub o ea an d hi s p assio n ,

fo r I ol e th e d aug h t e r o f E u ryt us of O ec h al i a w h i c h broug h t abo u t

t h e d i s as t e r d r amatiz e d i n t he Tr a chi n i a e M or e t han o n e mi n o r .

ep i c p o e t h ad w ri t t e n a H er a cl ei a to c el e br at e th e e x ploit s o f

H er ac l es n ot ably t h e Dori an Pe i sand er ( ci r ca 6 5 0

,
an d

Pan yas i s t h e Io n i an ( 4 8 0 w h o as th e ki n s man o f H e ro d,

o tu s may w ell hav e b een r ead by Sop ho c l es the h i stori an s

, ,
’
23 0 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATUR E

gri ef : i hen I hehel d h er , beca use i t i s h er

I f el t a p f r o ou n d p yt w
hea u ty th a t h as w r eched her l ife, a n d she, h apl ess on e, a l l i nn ocen t,
br o ug h t h er f ather l a n d to r ui n a n d bo n d age T he n umero us .

amo u r s of H e r ac l es De i an ir a h as h i t h e rto b ee n abl e to ig n o r e ,

s i nc e th e y d i d n o t affec t hi s h o me B ut sh e n o w r e me mb e r s t h e
.

gi ft of N essus the c en tau r w h om H e r ac l es sl ew as he c arri ed her

i n hi s ar ms ac ro ss the riv e r E v en u s H e had bidd en h er to g at h e r
.

u p h i s l ife blo od an d to pr es erv e i t as a lov e c h arm so t hat h e

‘
,
’
shall n ev e r l ook o n an y w om an to lov e h er m or e t han t h e e Now .

sh e tak es o ut th e lov e p h il t e r an oi n ts w i th i t a rob e o f s t at e an d

, ,

s en d s i t to H er ac l es to b e wor n at t h e sac rifi c e th at m u st s till b e

mad e b e fo r e he c an l eav e E ubo ea So p ho c l es n o w d i s reg ar d s the

.

‘
U n i ty of Ti me al m o st as bol d ly as A esc hyl us had d i sr eg ard ed i t
’

i n th e Ag amemn on Li c has c arri es t he shi r t o f N essu s

“ ”
. to

Eubo ea an d aft e r t he b ri e f i n t e rv al of a c h oru s an d a few wo r d s

,

of di alogu e a h un dr ed li n es at mo st Dei an i ra s so n H yllu s arriv es

, ,
’

from E ubo ea t o d enou nc e hi s m ot he r H e r ac l es i s d yi n g sl ai n by

.
,

t he l eg ac y of N essu s by t h e han d o f th e d ead as t he o r ac l es had

, ,

lo n g ago for eto l d .

Th e m o st e ffe c tiv e mo m e nt i n t h e p l ay i s t h e sil en t exi t o f

De i an i r a w ho hear s her s o n s c u r ses wi thou t a wor d o f sel f d efen se
’
-
, ,

an d t u r n i n g fro m hi m go es i n to t h e h o u s e T he r e li k e a t ru e .
,

d aug h te r o f Al t haea w h o l ik e h er had c aused the d e at h o f h er

,

d ear e s t sh e sl ay s h e r se l f wi t h th e s wor d
, T h e r est o f the pl ay i s
.

a pi c tur e o f t h e d yi n g ago n i es o f H e r ac l es Al l hi s sufferi n g c ann o t

.

m ak e hi m a sym p at he ti c figu r e H e r ec og n i z es th e han d o f t he

.

go d s an d wi t h o u t a th oug h t for Dei an ir a i s c arri ed ou t to hi s

, , ,

fun er al p yr e o n M t O eta havi n g bi d d e n Hyllu s to marry I ol e

.
, .

T he tr agi c gloom o f t he en d i n g i s u n r eli e v e d by an y c l e ar promi se

o f t hat ap ot h eo s i s o n w h i c h Pi n d ar lov ed to d w ell th o u g h i t i s as
,

s u m ed by So p h o c l es h i ms el f i n t h e P hi l octetes I t w as P hilo c tet es .

w ho li t t h e pyr e an d r ec eiv ed fro m t h e d yi n g h ero t he bow an d

arrow s t hat w er e d es ti n ed to t ak e Troy M a r h th e g r ea t cr uel ty

.

of th e g od s say s Hyllu s at th e c lo se They heget ch i l d r en they a r e

, , ,

ha i l ed a s f a th er s a n d yet they can l ooh on s u ch s ufi er i ngs as these

’
.
,
 S O PH O C LE S 2
3 1

The f u tu r e no ma n can for esee ,

bu t th e p r esen t i s f ull of sor r ow

a nd s ha me .

The P hi l octetes (4 0 9 B C
. .
) is o ne of the l at est p l ay s . I n t he
Ca tal og ue o f Ho me r allud es to
th e S h ips i n s or e P hilo c t etes lyi ng ,

a i i n t he i s l an d o f Le m n o s et w er e th e A r i ves bes i d e th ei r
p n y g
s h ips soo n to bethi n h them o f Phi l octetes B ut i t was Th e p h i joc .

i n the c y c li c ep i c s t he Cyp r i a an d th e L i ttl e I li ad t hat t et e s

, ,

t he s orrow s o f th e li m p i n g h e ro h ad b e en tol d i n d e t ail Pi n d ar .

i n the F i r s t Py thi a n ( 4 7 0 B C ) had d esc rib ed ho w O d y ss eu s . .

fawn e d o n P hilo c t e t es w h en he n eed e d hi m at l as t ho w th e ,

l atte r w en t to Troy v ex ed by t he pai n o f hi s wou n d an d fo r

, , ,

al l h fi am an d w eak n ess s ac k ed t he c i ty an d en d ed th e t oil s

,

o f the G r eek s Lo n g b e for e So p ho c l es w rot e hi s Phil octetes

.
,

A esc hylu s an d E uri p i d es had bo t h pro du c e d trag ed i es o n the

s am e t heme an d wi t h t h e sam e g en e r al outl i n e B o t h h ad i n tro .

d uc ed i n to th e l eg e n d th e r e fu sal o f P h ilo c te t es to go to Troy a ,

d r am ati c op p o si tio n ab sent from th e l ess c o mpli c ated epi c v er sio n .

I n bo th th e s e l o st pl ay s O d y sse u s th e d ipl o m at i s t o f t he G r ee k ,

army h ad s har ed th e e mb assy to L e m n o s

,
B ut S op h o c l es was .

th e fi r st to i n trod u c e t he c h ar ac te r o f N eop tol e mu s an d so to ,

ac h i ev e th e c o n tr as t of el d e rly d iplo m ac y an d g en e rou s you th

w hi c h i s th e c hi e f i n t er es t o f th i s dr am a o f i n trigu e O n that fi r st .

voy ag e to Troy P h ilo c tetes had b een bi t ten i n the foo t by the
,

se r p en t that gu ard ed th e al tar o f t h e go d d ess o n th e i sl an d o f

C hry sa . O n t h e advi c e o f O dy sseu s th e G r ee k c h i e fs feari n g t he , ,

’
evi l o m en an d ann oy e d by th e he ro s c ri es an d t he o d or o f t he fes

te ri n g wou n d had l eft hi m m aroo n e d o n Le m n o s

, I n t he pl ay s o f .

A esc hylu s an d E uri pi d es the c ho ru s w as c o mp o se d o f sy mp at heti c

Le m n i an s B ut Sop h o c l es heig hten ed the p ath e ti c i mp r essio n an d
.

hi s h ero s gri e v an c e by pi c turi n g Lemn o s a d e se r t i sl an d w he r e

’
,

fo r ten y ear s P hilo c te tes h ad d ragg ed o ut a lo n ely an d suffe ri n g

,

e xi s te n c e T h e p robl e m o f t he pl ay i s ho w to p e r suad e t hi s e m
.

bi t t er ed man to go t o Troy and hel p hi s fai t hl ess fri en d s A t eac h .

s ep ar at e c ri s i s o f t he ac ti o n b e for e th e i n t e rv e n tio n o f H e r ac l es ,

th e plo t han g s o n t h e d i s po s i tio n o f N eo p tol e mu s O d y sseu s has .

23 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATUR E

har d ly p er suad e d hi m to w i n ov e r P h ilo c t e tes by fr au d i nst ead o f

for c e o r r eas o n i n g w h en he i s l e ft alo n e to c o n fro n t the i nj u r ed
man wi t h hi s s trat egy T h e d el ig h t of P hil o c t et es at the sig h t o f
.

a G r ee k fac e an d t h e s o un d o f G r ee k sp eec h an d hi s r e ad y b el i e f ,
.

i n t h e loy al ty o f a so n o f A c hill es mak e th e t as k of N eo p tol e m us

,

e as y . H e p r e t e n d s t hat h e i s bo un d fo r G r eec e c h agri n e d li k e , ,

t he o t h e r by th e slig h t s o f t h e l e ad e r s o f th e ar my T he p r ay e r
“

.
,

o f P hilo c t e te s n o t to b e l e ft b ehi n d h i s app eal i n th e n ame o f

,

p i ty o f g e n e ro s ity o f r el igio n o f th e l ov e o f glo ry i s a m aster p i ec e

, , , ,

of tr agi c e loqu en c e N eo p to l e mus c o n sen t s an d P h ilo c t e t es tak es

.
,

a p at he ti c far e w ell o f t h e gloo my c av e t hat h as grow n so d ear .

B ut a su d d en p aroxy sm o f p ai n fro m hi s w ou n d d el ay s t h e ir
d epartur e N e o p tol emu s h as so far p l ay ed hi s p ar t w ell as t h e
.

ac c o mp li c e o f O d y ss eus T h e famo us bo w an d arrow s ar e i n h i s

.

h an d s an d w h en P h ilo c t e tes w ak es fro m t he s tu p o r t hat follow s

, ,

t h e att ac k o f p ai n th e mo men t h as c o me to l ead hi m to t h e s h i p

,

an d e mb ark for Troy B u t n o w N e o p tol e mu s h es i t at es i n hi s

.

t r eac h ery Th e s ig h t of suc h s uffe ri n g h as to uc h ed hi s h ear t an d

.

h e c o n fess es t h e t rut h Wh il e he w av e r s O d y s seus e n t e r s an d

.
, , ,

fail i n g to i n d uc e P hilo c t et es to go w i t h t h em d ec l ar es t hat t he ,

w eapo n s o f H e r ac l es wil l su ffi c e ; t hey will l eav e the ob s ti nat e man

o n Le mn o s H e go es ou t wi t h N eo p tol e mu s l eavi n g P h i lo c t e t es to
.
,

l am en t to t he sy mpat he ti c c h or us of sailor s B ut p i ty has r esto r ed .

hi s tr ue d i sp o si tio n to N e o p tol e m us an d he r et u r n s t o giv e b ac k

,

t h e bow follow ed by O d y sseu s wit h v ai n p rot es t s an d t hr eats

, .

E v en hi s gr ati tud e to the so n o f A c h ill es c ann o t mov e P hil o c t e t es

fro m hi s r e solv e I n t hi s r eal d il e mma a k n o t wort hy th e i n t er
.
,

ve n t i o n o f a go d fro m t h e m ac h i n e H er ac l es c o mes fro m h eav e n

l
,

to d ec l ar e to hi s o l d c o m r ad e th e will o f Ze us t hat h e sho ul d sail

t o Troy b e h e al e d o f h i s wo un d sl ay P ari s an d t ak e t h e c i ty o f
, , ,

Pri am .

Di o C hry so sto m th e G r ac c o Ro man r h e tori c i an w h o had r ead

,
-
,

al l t h e t h r ee t r agi c v e r s io n s o f t h e P h il o c t e t es l eg e n d d ec i d e d ,

1 H o r ac e , A r s P oet i ca 1
91 .
2
34 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K LITE RATUR E

I
pl ay c l o ses I n th e j e alou si es an d di sse n s io n s t hat are r en d i ng
.

T heb es he r efus es to t ak e p ar t A then s i s hi s hav en an d t h er e he .

,

i s gr an t e d an en d t hat i s a c o ns ec r atio n A c tio n for hi m i s ov e r . .

B u t ev en i n t h i s l as t phase w e see t he p ass io n at e O ed i p u s t h e i m ,

p l ac abl e fat h e r t h e Le ar o f G r ee k tr ag ed y
,
Al m o s t wi t h hi s l as t .

br eat h he b eq ueat h es to hi s so n s E t eo c l es an d Poly ni c es w h o had , ,

d riv e n h i m i n to e xi l e t h at h ei rl oo m o f a c u r se w h i c h i s work e d o ut
,

’
i n t he S even ag a i n s t Thebes o f A esc h yl us t h e p ar en t s c u r se t hat ,

w as so d r ead ed by th e sag a he ro es The Oed ip us a t Col o n us i s .

l i n k ed t o an e arl i er pl ay the A n ti go ne by th e p at he ti c app eal o f

, ,

Poly n i c es to A n ti go n e an d I s men e to giv e hi m b uri al : Ah y e hi s ,

d a ugh ter s and my s i s ter s ,

s i n ce y e hea r these h a r d p r ay er s f you r
o

ulfill ed , a n d s o me w a
’
s i r e, — f a ther s cu r ses be f
if thi s r etu r n y of
to Thebes be f o u n d f o r y o u oh a s y e f ea r the god s d o n o t f or y o u r , , ,

a r t d i s h o n o r me n ay g i ve me bu r i a l a n d d ue f u n er a l r i tes
2
p , , , .

C i c ero i s t he earli es t au t h ori ty for th e s tory o ft e n quo ted by ,

l at e r w ri t er s that w h en Sop ho c l es i n e xtr e me ol d ag e w as driv e n

,

by hi s s o n s to d e fen d i n a c o ur t o f l aw hi s abili ty to m anag e hi s

o w n affair s h e r ec i t e d to t h e j u d g es h i s l as t pl ay t h e Oed ip us a t
, ,

C ol on us w hi c h w as ac c e p ted as a triu mp han t p roof t h at hi s fac ul

,

ti es w e r e u n i m pai r ed .

Th e Oed ipus I y r a n n us , t h e Oed ip us a t Col on us , an d t he A n ti g

o n e d r amatiz e t h r e e s uc c ess iv e p h as e s i n th e s ag a o f th e h o u se o f

O ed i p u s, and fall n atur ally i n to a trilogy B ut th e y w e r e n o t wri t .

t en or d er ; the A n ti gon e w hi c h giv es the l as t c hap t e r o f

i n that ,

t he s tory w as p ro d uc e d fi r s t So p ho c l es d i d n o t wri t e
,
.

I nnovat i on s
trilogi es an d t h oug h h e p rob ably c o mp e t ed wi t h th e
,

c o n v en t io n al n u mb e r o f tr ag ed i e s t he y w e r e n o t li n k e d t og e t h e r ,
.

A mor e i mpo rt an t i n n ov at i o n w as hi s use o f a thi r d ac tor im me ,

d i at el y ad o p t ed by A esc hylus B y t h i s m ean s h e s ti ll furt h e r c ur:

.

t ail ed t h e i mport an c e of t h e c h oru s i n c r easi ng at i ts ex p e nse the ,

v alu e an d r an g e o f th e s ec o n d ary c har ac t e r s si nc e th e tri t ago n i st , ,

O d y sseu s fo r i n stan c e i n th e P hi l o ctetes c o ul d n o w b e d ir ec tly

, , ,

1
Ci c ero ca ll ed i t i ll u d n i o l l i ss i mu i n ca r i n en , t en d e rest o f p o e ms : De
Fi n .
5 . 1 .
2
1 40 5 ff
. J ebb s tran s l at i o n
'
.
 SO P H OC LE S 23 5

c o n tr asted wi t h th e ot he r two n o r n ee d t h e p ro tago n i st n o w l eav e

t h e s tag e at a c ri ti c al mo m e n t as A to ssa i n t he P er s ae for w h i c h
, ,

o nl y tw o ac to r s w e r e u sed mus t go ou t b e fo r e t he e n t r anc e o f her

,

so n . All the i nnov atio n s of So ph o c l es t e n d ed to mak e tr ag ed y

mo r e fl e xibl e mor e c om p l ex an affair o f gr eat e r ar t H e brok e
, ,
.

t h ro ug h the etiq u e t t e t hat t he p o e t t h o ug h o ft en n o d o ub t an , , ,

i n d iffer en t ac tor mu st hi ms el f tak e a l ead i ng r ol e

,
A cc or d i n gly .
,

abo u t t he m i d d l e o f t h e fi ft h c e n t u ry th e n am e o f t h e vi c toriou s ,

ac tor ap p ear s i n the t heat e r r ec or d s ( d i d asc al i ae ) tog et h e r wit h t h e

n ame of t h e p o e t H e i n c r ease d t h e c h or us fro m tw e lv e to fi ft een

‘

.
,

p r o b ably bécaus e he fo u n d t h at n u mb e r mor e c o n v en i e n t for th e

’

c h ori c d an c e s H i s c ho r us es n ev e r o f c o u r se ad v an c e t he ac tio n
.
, , ,

b ut h e m ad e th em an i n tegr al p art o f t h e p l ay r e fl ec ti n g t he ac tio n ,

at ev e ry poi n t t h oug h al w ay s i n a m oo d u n d i s t r ac t ed as had b een

, ,

t he mor e e mo tio n al c h oru ses o f A esc hy lu s by p er so n al t erro r s o r ,

gri efs .

T he r em ot e the m o n s trou s th e Ti tan i c d i d n o t ap p eal t o

, , ,

So p h o c l es H e too k hi s c h ar ac t e r s fro m th e h e roi c s ag a c h oo s i n g

.
,

th o se w h o se ad v en tur e s h ad a c l o sely hu man i n te r es t I d eal typ es .

t hey w e r e bu t s till e ssen t i ally human When h e put s 011 t he s t ag e

,
.

a pi c t ur e o f ac u te p h y si c al s uffe ri n g i t i s n o t th e su p e r h uman to r
,

m en t o f a P rom etheus o r an I o b ut the bli n d ed ey es o f O ed i pu s , ,

t h e dyi n g ago n y o f H er ac l es t he p ai n ful l amen es s o f P h ilo c t e t es

,
.

T hou gh he t oo k n o pri d e lik e A esc hyl us i n exc lu di n g a lov e i n t er

, ,

e s t lov e i n hi s p l ay s i s s till o n e o f t h e mi n or m otiv es

,
O n ly i n t he .

Tr achi n i ae w h er e th e fl ame o f hi s i n sp ir atio n b ur n s low es t i s pas

, ,

s i o n at e lov e th e m ai n spri n g o f the ac tio n H e h an d l e d t he s ag a .

fr eely i n tro d u c i n g fr esh c om pl i c atio n s an d ex c ep t i n th e Tr a chi

, ,

n i a e an origi n al an d d r amat i c d e v elo p m en t of th e l eg en d

,
.

Sop h o c l es w as a m as te r o f tr agi c eloq u e n c e N o o n e c oul d .

wri t e mor e effec tiv ely than he th o se set sp eec h es w hi c h S oph ocl ean
w e r e the d r amati st s as t hey had b een the e pi c po et s
’
,
rh e t ori c ’
,

o pp ort un i ty for brilli an t r he tori c Suc h i s the messeng e r s d e .

’

sc ri p tio n o f t h e c h ario t r ac e i n t h e E l ec tr a ; th e ti r ad e o f H e r a

c l es i n t he Tr a ch i n i a e r ec i ti n g hi s gr eat e x p l o i t s al l e n d ed n o w
, ,
23 6 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATUR E

by th e w eak hand o f a wom an th e t al e o f hi s su ffe ri ng s o n Lem n o s

by P h ilo c t e t e s Tr agi c d i alog u e i s w i t h So pho c l es an affai r o f t he
.

h ig hes t ar t Fi ft een y ears b e for e G o rgi as t h e Si c ili an r hetori c i an

.
, ,

c ame to At h e n s an d c har me d t h e s e n s i tiv e e ar s o f t h e A t h e n i an s

w i t h hi s s y mme tri c al an d arti fi c i al p ro s e w e fi n d S o pho c l e s i n t he , ,

A n ti go ne i n ful l c o mman d o f all t ho se d e vi c es fo r sy mme try an

, ,

t i th es i s r ep e ti ti o n s o f wor d s an d s i mi l ar e n d i n g s w h i c h G orgi as
, ,

and hi s i m i t at or s u se d to e x c e ss T he i n g e n i o us S i c ili an t hu s fo u n d
.

r ead y to hi s han d i n tr ag ed y the arti sti c effec t s t hat h e tr an s fe rr ed

1
to pro se .

T h e tr ue t r agi c he ro i s u n c o n sc iou s o f hi s d oom an d th e effec t ,

o f hi s ig n or an c e o n the sp ec t ator s i s al l t h e mor e s triki n g i f he

p oi n t s by hi s o w n l an g u ag e t h e u n c o n sc io u s c o n tr as t b e t w e e n

w h at h e i s an d w hat h e t h i n k s h e i s S o p h o c l e s u s es
P at h et i c
.

’
con tras t t hi s d e vi c e hi s so c all ed i ro n y w i t h p e c ul i ar skill
,
-
‘
,
.

T he c o nt r as t i s u sually p at h e t i c as w h en O e d i pu s s til l bli n d to h i s

, ,

o w n s i t uatio n all u di n g ag ai n an d ag ai n to t h e m u r d e r e r o f Lai us

, ,

u n c o n sc i o u sly t h r eat en s an d c u r s es h i mse l f ; or w h e n Aj ax i n h i s

m ad n ess bo as t s of hi s su c c ess an d giv es t han k s t o A t h en e w ho has

wor ked hi s rui n B ut t he c o n tr as t may b e t h rill i n g w it h o u t p at h o s
.
,

i f t he sy mp at h y o f t he s p ec t ator b e ag ai n s t t he s p e ak e r as w he n , ,

i n t he E l ectr a C lyt emn est r a e x ult s t h at o n thi s d ay she h as b ee n

,

fr eed fro m all her t e rro r of O r es t es w ho as t h e s pec tato r k n ow s i s , , ,

2
e v en t h en w ait i n g hi s o p port u n i ty n ear t h e p al ac e .

Sop h o c l es ac c or d i n g to Plut ar c h sai d o f hi s o w n s tyl e t hat w he n

, ,

h e b eg an to wri te h e h ad i mi t at ed th e tr agi c m an n er ,
S tyl e
t h e p om p o f A esc hylu s ; t h at i n a sec o n d s tag e h e h ad
,

e rr e d o n t h e s i d e o f el abo r at io n an d s u b tl e ty ; an d h ad fi n ally

ac h i ev ed a th ir d s tyl e t h e m ean of th e o t h er two w h i c h h e

, ,

t houg ht b est fi tt ed to expr es s c har ac ter T he So p h o c l es w ho sur .

1 S ee th e an a l ysi s of S o ph ocl e an t ri c
rh e o b y N avarr e, Essa i su r la r heto

r q ue 9 8 ff
i gu e g r ec .

A g o o d i st an c e o f S h ak es p e ar e s use o f p at h et i c c o n trast i s D es d e mo n a s
i

2 ’ ’
n

a sw e r t o Emi l i a s q ue st i n
n I s h e n o t je al o us
’
o Wh o h e I thi n k t he “

s un w h er e h e w as b o r n Dr e w al l s uc h h u mo r s f o m hi m r .
 C H A P T ER XIV

EU RI P I D ES

E UR I P I DES ,
o f M n esarc hi d es (o r M n esarc hus) o f th e Atti c
so n ,

vill ag e Phl ya w as bor n o n Sal ami s i n t h e y ear o f t h e b at tl e ( 4 8 0

,

T he G r ee k p assi o n for s ym m e try an d p i c tur es q ue c o i n c i

d e uc e s i n li t e r ary h i s t o ry w as n o t s ati s fi ed w i t h so mu c h an d so ,

t h e l e g e n d aro se that t he you n g es t o f the t h r e e gr eat tr ag ed i an s

c ame i n to t he wo rl d o n th e v e ry d ay o f t he se a fig h t
Li fe
i n w h i c h A esc hylu s took p art th e d ay o f vi c tory at
, ,

w h o se c lo se So pho c l es lik e M i ri am th e p ro ph e t ess, l e d th e s o n g

,

o f tri u mph The tr ad itio n i s r esp ec tfully r ese rv ed as to the pri

.

v ate l i fe o f A esc hyl us an d c o n si st en tly i n d ul g en t to So ph o c l es

,
.

B u t i t wo ul d b e easy to wri t e t w o s ep ar at e acc o un t s o f t h e fam ily

l i fe o f E uri pi d es i n w hi c h e v ery d et ail fro m the y ear o f hi s birt h
, ,

( pl ac ed by s o me au t hori ti es i n an d the n am e o f hi s fath er ,

dow n to th e c ause o f h i s d eat h sho ul d be ab sol u t ely o ppo sed

,
.

Fro m the mo r e fl at t eri n g of t h ese c o n tr ad i c to ry v e r sio n s w e

sh oul d h av e t o e x c l u d e al l t h e spi t e fu l an d sc u rrilo us go s si p o f hi s

p er si s t en t e n emi es th e c o mi c p o e t s e sp ec i all y Ari s to p han es I n

, ,
.

t hei r p l ay s E uri pi d es fi g u r ed as the so n o f a b ankr up t sh opk eep e r

fro m B o eoti a an d a mo t h e r w ho s ol d v eg e t abl es 5 as h i msel f twi c e
marri ed d ec e iv e d by b o t h wiv es an d av engi n g t h ese i nj uri es by
, ,

r evil i ng th e w h ol e sex i n h i s t r ag ed i es I n the o t h e r mor e d i s

.
,

i n t er est e d v e r si o n b ased mai n ly o u Phi l o c ho r us the t h i r d c en tury

, ,

biogr aph e r w e fi n d hi m th e sc io n o f an ari s to c rati c family w h o as

, ,

a boy h e l d o ffi c es t hat fe ll o nly to th e s o n s o f the b e s t famil i es at

A t h en s an d w i t h hi s m atri mo n i al tro ubl es l i mit ed at any r at e by

,

o ne w i fe . B u t at th e b est w e c oul d n o t c o n s tr uc t fo r h i m a sat

i s fac t o r y s et o f c o n d i tio n s suc h as w e r e th e lo t o f A e sc hyl us an d
So p h o c l e s .H e w as mel an c holy r ese rv e d an d u n s o c i abl e a di s
, , ,
.

23 8
 E U RI PI DE S 23 9

o s i tio n a lw a y s t h o ro ug hl y d i slik e d at At h e n s ; o n e w ho took n o

p
‘
a rt i n p ol i t i c s s h u t h i m se lf u p wit h h i s book s an d s t ud i ed t ho se
p , ,

s u sp e c t e d p e r s o n s the ph ilo so ph er s, e s p ec i ally A n ax agor as an d

,

Prot agor as .

E u ri pi d es w as i n sh or t ou t o f sy mp athy wi t h hi s t i me an d
, ,

wi th the av e r ag e A t hen i an as c o mp l et ely as So p ho c l es t he eas y ,

goi n g w as i n to u c h wit h the m I n h i s fi fty y ear s o f w ork h e w o n

,
.

o nly fi ve fi r st priz es th e fi ft h aft e r h i s d eat h an d w as o ft en pl ac e d

, ,
,

l as t O n hi s fi rs t ap p ear an c e h e w as vi rt ually d e feat ed b e i n g

.
-

aw ar d e d th e t h ir d p riz e for t he te tr alogy t hat i n c l u d e d th e D a ugh

te r s of P el i as an d i t w as n o t till 4 4 0 that h e w o n th e fi r s t pl ac e .

Mor e t h an o nc e h e sc an d aliz ed hi s se n si tiv e au d i en c e so t hat t hey

i n t e rr up t ed an d woul d hav e s to p p ed t he p l ay b ut for hi s ex p l an a
,

tio n s Th e At hen i an s w en t to t he t heat e r o f D io n y su s as t h oug h to

.

a t e mpl e an d ev e n A esc hyl us d i d n o t al w ay s c o n t en t t h e i r d e

,

man d fo r s c r upulo us p i e ty T hey di str us t ed th i s yo un g er r atio nal.

i s t t hi s p h ilo so ph er o n t he s tag e w ho h ad n o p arti c ul ar fe el i n g

, ,

abou t M ar at h o n w as the fri e n d of So c r at es an d h ad l ear n e d fro m

, ,

t he i mpiou s Prot ago r as t hat th e i n d ividu al i s t he m eas ur e o f rig h t

?
an d wro n g

E u ri pi d es spent the l ast y ear an d a hal f o f hi s li fe at the c our t

o f Ar c h el aus Th i s w as that ki n g o f M ac ed o n i a d esc rib e d i n
.

’
Pl ato s G orgi as as th e ty pi c al tyran t w ho m So c r at es d ec li n es to c all
hap p y Wi t h t he am bitio n to H ell e n iz e hi s c ou n t ry he i nvit ed
.
,

t o P ell a t he l ead i ng p o et s an d arti s t s o f G r e ec e and i f he c o ul d , ,

woul d hav e ad d ed ev en So c rates to the or nam en t s o f hi s c o urt .

To P el l a w en t Ag atho n the t ragi c po et the h o st i n Pl ato s Sy m, ,

’

1 j eers g ew c o l d h at er o f hi s k i n d
S o o n th e r

A sea c ave s ui ts h i m t th e v ul g ar h eart h , no

What n ee d o f t o n g ue t alk w i t h a b o o k i sh st ore

Woul d st oc k t en ci t i es
B RO W N I N G A i t ph a n s Ap ol gy ,
r s o e
’
o .

2
Wh a t sha me i th f th d /
s l s n sha m 9 as k s Mac areu s i n
er e i e
f 19
o er Z’e o e . r .
,

p ar o d i e d by A r i st o p h an es F og s 1 4 7 5 ,
r .
24 0 S H O RT H I ST O RY OF GREE K L ITE RATU R E

p os i u m Ti mot h e us
,
wri t e r o f n om es an d d i t hy r amb s and
,
th e ,

T huc y d i d es E uri p i d es n e v er r etur ned t o At h ens I n th e w i n

. .

t e r o f 4 0 7 4 0 6 h e d i e d i n T h r ac e n e ar A mp h i p ol i s an d t h e r e fo r
—
, , ,

t h e n e xt fi ve c en t uri es at l e as t hi s to mb w as an o bj ec t o f i n t e r e s t ,

to trav el e r s The tr ad i ti o n c o ul d n o t l et hi m d i e i n p eac e H e

. .

w as to rn i n pi ec es s ai d hi s bi ogr ap h e r s by th e h ou n
, ds of ,

A r c h el aus ; or as s ee m e d m or e l ik ely w h en o n e r e me mb er ed
,

the e n d o f O rp h eus or o f hi s o wn P en t h eus by wo men , , ,

p er hap s i n r etal i atio n for h i s l ib el s o n t h e ir sex To E u ri pi d es .

d ead th e A th en i an s p ai d al l the ho n or s Sop h o c l es w ho se .

,

o w n d ay s w e r e nu mb e r e d i s s ai d to h av e mad e h i s c horu s at,

a p ro ago n ( r eh ear sal ) w ear bl ac k an d l eav e o ff t h e ir g arl an d s ,

i n m o u r n i ng for h i s you n g e r riv al w hil e th e s t at e e r e c t ed a ,

c e n o tap h i n h i s h o no r H i s ep i t aph a qu atr ai n wort h y o f

.
,

S i mo n i d es p asses u n d er t h e n ame of T hu c y d i d es i n th e A n
,

1
thol ogy but i s al so c r ed i t ed to Ti mo t heu s an o t her o f hi s fri en d s
, ,

at t h e c o u r t o f Ar c h el aus .

O f the n i n ety two p l ay s sai d to hav e b een writ ten by E uri pid es
-
,

eig h t een hav e s urviv ed o r n i n e t ee n i f w e c o u n t t h e R hes us ge n

, ,

ui u c . N i ne of t hes e the H ecuba Or es tes P hoen i ss ae A n d r oma

, , , ,

R hes us , M ed ea , H ipp oly tus, A l ces ti s , an d Tr oa d es ( Tr oja n

che,

Women ) , w e r e r egul arly r ead i n th e sc hool s, and hav e c o me d ow n

to us in n u m e ro us manu sc ri p t s wi th ,
sc h oli a . Th e r emai n i ng t en ,

t he S uppl i a n ts , I o n , Cy cl ops , H er a cl ei da e H el en , ,
M a d H er acl es ,

E l ectr a , B acchae, Ip h i gen ei a mong th e Ta u r i a ns an d Iph i genei a a ,

a t A ul i s ar e p r es erv e d i n o n ly tw o m an u sc rip t s an d wi t h o u t
, ,

sc h oli a . We h av e fr agm en t s o f abo u t fi fty n i ne p l ay s -

.

Th e earli es t o f t h e ext an t pl ay s th e A l ces ti s w as p rodu c e d i n , ,

43 8 T he T h essal i an l e g en d o f Al c es ti s d aug h t e r o f
.

Th e A l ces t i s
,

the ill fate d P el i as, w ho c ho se to d i e fo r h er h u sb an d

-
,

w hen he tryi n g al l i n tur n

, ,

1 A u th Pal 7 4 5
. A ll H el l as i s th e mon u men t of E u r ip i d es
. . . Yet hi s .

bo n es r es t i n M a ced on i a n s o i l S ee, to o , A n th P a l 7 5 1 .Th ou . . . .

w ast n ot sl a i n by d ogs, E u r ip i d es .
24 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K LITE RATU R E

l i m s of hu m an affec tio n as i n the l eg en d s o f E ury di c e

c a ,
an d Pr0
t esil aus Al c es ti s i s bro ug h t b ac k fro m th e grav e
.
,

Res c ue d fro m d e at h by fo rc e t h o ug h pal e an d fai n t ,

an d r es tor ed to A d m etu s in a s c en e n o t u n li k e th e e n di n g of th e

Tal e
’
IVi n ter
/ s .

B ut al l th e t i me Al k esti s moved n ot o n c e

O ut of th e se t ga ze an d th e l t
si en s mi l e ;
An d a co l d fear t hr o ug h Ad met o s frame
r an
’

Why d o es s h e st an d an d fr n t me s i l en t t h us ? o
’

H er ac l es s o l emn l y r e pl 1ed N o t ye t ,

I s i t all o w a b l e th o u h ear t h e th i n gs
Sh e h as to t e ll t h ee ; l e t e van i s h q ui t e
Th at c o n sec rat i o n to th e l o w er g o d s
A n d o n o u r up p er w o rl d t h e t hi r d d ay r i se .

Th e M edea w as th e fi r st pl ay i n a tetr al ogy that ob tai ned the

t hir d p riz e i n 4 3 1 The gr eat s o r c er ess o f th e G r e e k sag a a m or e
.
,

’
b al eful an d m o r e vi n di c tiv e figu r e t han her fat her s s i s t er C ir c e , ,

t h e b eg u il e r of men M ed ea app ear s i n th e tr ag edy o f

Th e M ed ea
,

E u ri p i d es prob ably for the fi r st t i m e i n l i t er atur e as

, ,

t h e m ur d e r ess o f h e r c h il dr en Th e m ai n o u tl i n es o f th e s tory
.
,

t h oug h n o t t h i s m ur d e r Euri p i d es fou n d i n the C o ri n t hi an sag a an d

, ,
’
h e c ho se the c lo s i n g i n c i d e n t s o f t h e C ori n th i an ep i so d e i n M ed ea s
li fe an d l ai d th e sc e n e b e fore her ho us e at C ori nth The pl ay i s
,
.

a d r ama of j ealou sy an d r u t h l e ss r ev en g e a p i c tu r e o f t h e e x c e ss ,

of passio n i n a b arb ari an wom an De s ert ed by jas o n w ho i s

.
,

abo u t to marry th e C ori n t h i an

p ri n c ess G l au c e t h r e at en ed wi t h ,

e xil e for h e r s el f an d h e r c h il dr e n M ed ea p r e p ar e s to d e s troy t he

,

p ri n c ess an d h er fat h e r tog e t h e r Lik e Dei an i r a bu t w it h n o

.
,

se n ti me n t al i n t e n tio n sh e sen d s t o t he pri n c ess a bri d al wr eat h

,

an d rob e st ee ed i n oi o n for M e d e a i s t h e ty i c al oi so n er o f
p p s , p p
G r ee k l e g e n d T h e ro b e p rov es a sh i rt o f N essu s w hi c h c o n ”
.
,

su mes t h e b ri d e tog e t h e r wi t h the ki n g w ho tri es to sav e her

,
.

To c o mpl e t e h er v en g ean c e o n jas o n t h at h e may be l eft u tt erly ,

1 ’
B a l a u sti on s Ad ven tu r e .
 EU RI PI DE S 24
3

d esol ate M ed ea no w sl ay s her tw o c hil d r en no t i n d eed o n the

, ,

st ag e but wit h an effec t har d ly l e ss horribl e to the audi enc e who

,

h ear the ir c ri es i n t he h ou se an d t hei r struggl es to e sc ap e M ed ea .

had arr ang e d her o w n flig h t to A t hen s wi t h Ki n g A eg eu s the fat h e r ,

o f T heseu s w ho happ en ed c o nv en i en tl y to be p assi n g t hroug h

,

C ori n th an d w he n J as o n h urri e s i n to sav e h i s c hildr en sh e i s

,

al r eady ou t o f hi s r ea c h s u s en d ed alo ft i n her wi n g e d c h ario t

p ,
/

and c arryi n g w i t h h er the bo d i e s o f th e c h ild r e n w hi c h w i t h a

'

l ast r efi ne m en t o f c ru el ty she r e fuses to l eav e wi th t h ei r fathe r

, .

’
E arli er i n t he pl ay the s p ec tator s w hol e symp at h y w as c en t e r ed i n
M e d ea . E v en the c h oru s o f wo me n o f C ori n t h sid e wi t h her
ag ai n st her fait hl ess hu sb an d J aso n the c ol d an d per fi d i o us
.
,
’
ad v en tu r e r s tr ang ely r e c kl ess o f M ed ea s w ell k n ow n
, pow er to
-

harm h ad met al l h er e n tr e at i es an d r e mi n d er s o f their p as t wi th

,

a sop hi s ti c su btl ety i n w hi c h he too k evid en t p ri d e B ut at the .

,

c lo se e v e ry sp ec tator mu st hav e fel t a r ev e r sal of feeli n g ag ai n s t

,

th e r e mor sel ess M e d e a an d a mov e m en t o f p i ty for J as o n w h o se ,

ago n y at the sight o f h i s murd er e d c hil dr en i s g en ui n e M ed ea .

,

d ivid e d as i n t he wo n d e rful sp eec h i n th e pl ay ( 1 0 2 1

,

’
b e tw een a mo th e r s lov e an d h er d esir e for a c ru s hi ng r ev en g e ,

1
an d o nc e m or e i n O vi d s p hr ase followi n g th e wor se
’
, ,
o r p oi se d ,

i n her m agi c c hario t wit h t h e d ead c hildr en w as a favori te mo tiv e ,

i n l at e r G r eek an d Ro m an ar t I n s p i t e o f t he so me w hat c asu al

.

epi s o d e o f A eg e u s an d th e su p er n atu r al e xi t o f M e d ea w h i c h has

, ,

offend ed s o me c riti c s the pl ay as a w hol e bot h as r eg ar d s str uc

, ,

t u r e an d s u s t ai n ed tr agi c i n t e r es t i s the m as t e r p i ec e o f E u ri p i d es
, .

The t o tal ab s en c e o f t he god s from th e ac tio n o f th e M ed ea i s ,

t o t h e m od e r n r ead e r o n e o f t h e e x c e ll e n c e s o f t h e pl ay
, The .

s or c e r ess n eed s n o divi n e ai d i n l ayi n g h er fatal s n ar es an d n o ,

go d i n t e rv e n es to sav e J aso n H e w as t o be l e ft to th e mer c y o f

.

tho s e m agi c pow ers w h i c h had o nc e serv e d hi m w ell B ut i n the .

1 v i d eo mel i or a pro b o qu e ,

Det er i ora se q uo r .

l
l l et 7 . . 20 .
24 4 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU RE

H ippoly ti i s go d s p ul l t h e wi r es an d P haedr a H ip p o
( 4 28 ) the , ,

Th e Hi p l ytus an d T heseu s ar e p u pp e t s sw ay e d to lov e sc o r n

, , ,

Pol y t us r ev en g e an d r e mor s e ac c ordi n g to t he pl easu r e of

, ,

Ap h rodi te an d Art e mi s Ap h ro d i t e n egl ec t ed by H i pp olyt us the

.
, ,

’
A m azo n s so n tell s i n the p rolog ue t he pl an o f her r ev en g e how
, ,

tha t g r i evo u s a n d a mazed Q u een ,

Wou n d ed a n d w on d er i ng , w i th ’
n e er a w or d ,

Wa stes ly
s l ow an d h er secr et n o n e h ath h ea r d
N or d r ea med . B u t n ever th u s th i s l ove sh a l l en d .

To Th es eu s
’
so n s o me w h i sp er w i l l I sen d ,

An d al l be ba r e . A n d th at p r o u d p r i n ce, my f oe ,

H i s s i r e sh a l l sl ay w i th c u r ses . E ven so

E n d eth th a t bo on th e g r ea t L or d o f th e M a i n
To Th eseu s g a ve, th e Th r ee P r ay er s n ot in va i n .

i n d i sh on or , y et sh a l l d i e 1
A n d she, n ot .

In an rli e r lo st pl ay t he H ipp oly tus Vei l ed ( s o c all e d i t i s

ea ,
-
,

t h oug ht b ec ause the y ou th v e il ed hi s fac e fo r shame at P haed r a s

,
’

c o n fe ssio n o f h er l ov e ) E urip i d es had offe nd ed At hen i an t as t e by

,

maki n g hi s P haed r a too p ass io nat e too ou t sp ok en ; P haed r a as ,

Sen ec a an d Rac i n e en vi sag e d h er l at e r I n t h i s s ec o n d v e r s io n .

w hi c h has o utliv ed th e fi r s t th e H ipp oly tus w i th the Ga r l and ( a ,

r e fe r en c e t o th e w r eat h w h i c h he offer s to Art e mi s ) P haed r a ,

e x c han g es n o wor d wi t h her st ep so n I t i s fro m th e o ffi c i o us .

n u r se t h at H i p p oly tu s l e ar n s w hat the qu ee n h as n o t th e c o u r ag e

to d ec l ar e T he ti r ad e i n w hi c h h e expr esses hi s h orror an d d i s

.

tru st o f al l w o men t hi s n ov el ty o n eart h t hi s fair d e fec t o f

,
“
,

2
n at u r e
,
h as b een i mit at e d by M il to n i n P a r a d i s e L os t P haed r a .

b elo ng ed to a family w h o se lov e s had b e en un hall o w e d an d d i s

as tro us . H er mot h e r w as P asi p hae o f C r e t e h er s i s t e r Ari ad n e ,

w ho m T h eseu s d ese rt e d o n N axo s An d n o w sh e i n h er tur n i s .

th e h el pl ess v i c ti m o f A p h rodi t e
‘
Lik e S t he n ebo ea an ot h e r o f .
,

t he h eroi n es o f E uri p i d e s w h o sl ew h e r s el f w h e n s h e w as r e pul sed

,

by B ell ero ph o n P haedr a d i es h ol di ng i n h er han d s a wri tt en ac c u

, ,

1
3 8 4 7,
— M urray s
’
transl at i o n .
2 10
. 8 8 8 ff .
24 6 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LIT E RATU RE

Th a n th at o
f Aph r od i te
H u r l ed f r o m th e h a n d s L ove, th e boy w i th
f
o Z eus for s i r e.

I d ly , h ow i d ly , by th e A lph ei a n r i ver
And i n th e Py th i a n sh r i n es of P h oebu s , u i ver q
'
B l ood fi er i
o
g f r om th e bu l l , wh i ch H el l as h eap s ;
n s

Wh i l e Love w e w or sh ip n ot — th e L or d of men
Wor sh ip n ot h i m th e very hey w h o heeps
,

Op h r od i te, w h en
Sh e cl oses u p h er d ea r est ch a mber p or ta l s
L ove, w h en h e co mes té mor tal s ,

Wi d e w asti ng
-
, th r o ugh th os e d eep s f
o w oes bey on d th e deep

T h e Tr oja n Wo men ( 4 15 ) is
o f a s i n gl e s i tuatio n a
a d r am a ,

r eac tio n to th e s i mpl e ty p e wi t h a st r uc tur e as d evoi d o f c o m

‘ ’

p li c atio n as t h e S uppl i a n ts o f A esc hylu s i n w h i c h t h e i n t er est i s ,

Th e Trojan e p i c r at h e r t han d r amati c T her e i s n o i n trig ue n o .

,

W omen r e v er sal T he sc en e i s the sh or e o f t he Tro ad o n t he

.

d ay aft er t he fall of Troy Th e god s m u s t alw ay s l eav e a fall en

.

e 1ty . So t he y d e part e d w i t h a gr eat n oi s e o f t heir goi n g fro m

, ,

1
r l m w h i t t k by Ti tu A n d so n ow i n t h e pro
j e u s a e e
,
n w as a e n s .
,

logu e Po sei d o n tak es hi s l eav e o f Troy w h o s e w all s he had hel p ed

, ,

A po llo to b uil d T hen follow s c en es o f d esol ati o n s u c h as t ho se

.
,

w h i c h mov e d A e n e as to t ear s w h en h e s aw t he m i n bro n z e o n th e

d oor s o f Di do s t e mpl e o f J un o at C art h ag e
’
T h er e i s n o t h i n g t o .

lig h t en the gl oom A n d ro m ac he b ew ail s h er d i sgr ac e as the c ap

.

tiv e of Pyrr hus an d t he fat e o f A s ty anax w ho i s s till aliv e t ho ug h

, , ,
’
l at er i n th e p l ay hi s bo d y i s c arri ed i n o n hi s fat he r s shi el d C as
s an d r a fr en zi e d w i t h gri e f an d s ham e s i n g s a d eli riou s m o n ody a
, , ,

w ed d i ng s o n g for h er n up ti al s wi t h Ag amem n o n The so n g an d .

t h e s pe ec h t hat follo w s are p artly a r emi n i sc e n c e of th e m at c hl ess

sc en e i n th e A a memn o n an d ar e ful l o f si n i st e r t h r eat s o f t h e

g ,

c o mi n g d oo m o f t h e h ou se of A t r eus What un i ty t h e pl ay has i s .

giv en by th e per so n of H ec ub a the p ro t ago n i s t b e for e w h o m all , .

t h i s p ro c essi o n o f w o e passes t o w ho m eac h fr es h r ep ort o f the

,

i n sol en c e and c ru elty o f th e G r ee k s bri n g s a n ew and p er so n al gri e f .

1 Tac i t us , H i stor i es 5 . 13.

 E U R I PI DE S 24 7

The horu s o f Troj an wo men i s ab sorb ed i n a si ngl e th em e the

c ,

fate o f Troy w hi c h bu r ns i n t h e b ac kgro un d t he horro r s o f sl av e ry

, ,

for th e wo m e n o f a sac k ed c i ty T h e w h ol e pl ay i s a d irg e fo r

.

Troy bu t t hro ug h o u t i s he ar d t he n ot e o f d i sas t er stil l to c o m e

, ,

th eN e m es i s t hat li es i n w it for t h e i n sol en t G r eek s

a .

I n th e H el en (4 1 2 ) E u ri pid e s d r am at iz ed t he l eg en d o f H el en i n

E gy pt Th e fan tastic effo rt t o r eh abilit at e H el en bew u n d er t vi el

/

.
,

u n d vi el g es chol ten h ad b ee n m ad e b e for e Euripi d e s

,
S tesi c ho rus .

i n hi s p al i n o d e had d ec l ar e d t hat she n e v er w en t to

Th e Hel en
Troy that sh e w as r ep r esen t e d t he r e by a p han tom fo r
,

w ho m th e G r eek s an d Troj an s fo ug ht a ty p e sai d Pl ato o f th o se , , ,

h an t o m s o f pl easu r e for w h i c h t h e pl easu r e seek e r s t riv es i n hi s

p
1
i g n or anc e o f t ru e d elig h t H e ro d otu s had tol d th e story om i t
.
,

t i n g th e p han to m i n hi s sec o n d B ook ,

N ev ert hel ess E uri p i d es .

mu st h av e surp ri sed the A then i an s w h en he for sook th e famili ar

e p i c t r adi ti o n an d p ut o n t he st ag e t h i s n ew f a ngl ed H el en as -
,

2
Ari s top han es c all s h er w ho h ad l iv ed i n r e tr eat i n Egy p t for
,

s e v en t ee n y ear s an d i s r ec ov e r e d t h e r e by M en el au s o n h i s h om e

w ard voy ag e N o t hi n g c oul d b e mor e ab surd t han hi s si tu atio n

.

w h en aft e r l eavi n g o n e H el en ( the p han to m ) o n the sh o r e h e i s

, ,

gr eet e d by h er doubl e (the r eal wo m an) i nl an d H el e n h as .

l ear n ed th e h i story o f th e Troj an w ar an d her own part i n i t fro m

T e uc e r w ho c ro sses th e s t ag e an exil e from Sal ami s o n hi s way t o
, , ,

fou n d a n ew Sal ami s i n C y p ru s T h e i n tri gu e t hat i s nec essary.

to s av e H el e n from th e wooi n g o f th e ki n g o f E gy p t an d h er flig ht

wi t h M en el aus ar e pur e i n v e n t io n Fi n ally h er brot h er s t he .
,

Dio sc uri app e ar as god s from the m ac hi n e an d r ec o n c il e th e ki n g

,

3
to h er loss .

1 R ep u bl i c 5 8 6 Go et h e b o rro w e d th e i d ea o f a ph an t o m H e l e n fo r th e
.

t h i rd ac t o f th e Sec on d Part o f F a u st, w hi c h b eg i n s pr ec i se l y l i k e a pl ay o f

Eur i p i d es .

2
Thesmoph . 8 50 . Thi s co med y t
c on ai n s a n u mb er o f q uo t at i o n s fr o m th e
s
peech es o f th e H el en , an d paro d i es o f t h e H el en , an d t he A n d r omed a .

3 t he o ry ( i n F ou r P l ay s of E u r ip i d es , 1 9 05 ) t h at i n th e H el en
’
V e rr al l s .

Euri p i d es par o d i e s h i s Iph i gen ei a a mong l

th e Ta u r i a n s i s i n g e n i o us y w o rk ed
24 8 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU RE

I n th e me y ear as t h e H el en appear e d th e lo s t A n d r omed a

sa ,

an d i t al s o w as p ar o d i e d by Ari s to p han es i n t h e Th es mop h or i azo u

T h i s i s t h e p l ay a d r ama o f t he ro m an ti c lov e o f
s ae
( 4 11 ,

Th e P e r seus fo r A n d ro med a w hi c h so ex c i t ed th e p e o pl e ,

A nd r omed a o f Ab d e r a o ne s u m mer d u ri n g the r eig n of L si m

y
ac hus ki n g of T h r ac e ( 3 0 6 2 8 1
,
t hat t hey w e r e s m i t ten w it h
—

a sor t o f t r ag e dy fev e r The tow n s ay s Lu c i an w ho t e ll s t h e

.
, ,

s tory n o t wi t ho u t mali c e fo r t he s l uggi s h w i t s o f Ab d e r a w e r e a

, ,

prov erb the tow n w as fill ed w i th all th os e p al e thi n seven d ay ol d

, , ,
- -

tr aged i a n s d ecl a i mi ng l o u d ly O L ove l o r d of g o ds a n d men the ,

mon ody f r om th e A n d r omed a a n d p a r t of the g r ea t speech of ,

1
P er seus w hi c h t h ey h ad l at ely h e ar d o n t he s t ag e
,
N or w e r e .

t hese Eu ri p i d o man i ac s c ur ed o f t h e i r d i st emp er u nti l th e c ol d o f a

T hr ac i an w i n t e r fr o z e t h e i r e n t hu si as m .

Th e O r es tes w as p ro d u c e d i n 4 0 8 n o t lo n g b e for e Euri p i d es ,

l e ft A t h en s for M ac ed o n i a The p opul arity o f t hi s se n sati o nal an d

.

i nc o n se qu en t d r am a w as p e r hap s partly d ue to t h e fac t t hat i t p r o

v i d ed t h e A t h en i an s w it h an ex p e ri e n c e r ar e i n t h e ir
Th e Ores t es
t h eat er the e m oti o n o f c u ri o si ty as to ho w the pl ay
,

wo ul d en d T he sc en e i s l ai d at Argo s i mm ed i at ely aft er th e

.
,

v e n g eanc e of O r est es O n c e mor e E u ri pi d es br eak s wi t h th e

.

sag a tr ad i tio n I n h i s O r es tes the F uri e s ar e b u t the hal l uc i n atio ns

.

o f a g uil ty man mad d e n ed by the s ti n g s o f c o n sc i en c e u nn atu r al ,

tro ubl es br ed o f unnat u r al d eed s The sc en e i n w hi c h El ec tr a .

at t e m p t s t o mi n i s t e r t o t h i s mi nd di seased i s n o t u n wor th y to
“ ”

b e r an k ed w i t h t h e sl e ep w alki n g sc e n e i n th e fi ft h ac t of M a cbeth
-
,

as o n e o f t h e fi n es t p i c t u r es o f r e mor se i n li t e r atur e B ut a s i n gl e .

o u t an d t h er e is a mo d e r n p arall e l fo r a
p l ayw r i ght paro d yi ng h i s ow n l ay
p .

B ut i n t h e ab s e n c e o f al l e x e n a t r l ev i d e n c e it is n o t e as y ll w to fo o V e rr all
w h e n h e as s e r ts t h at t h e fl el e n w as fi st p l aye d
r at a
pr i at c el eb r at i
v e on of th e

T h es mo p h o r i a 0 11 t h e i s an d l M ac r i s , an d t
c o n ai n s d m s t i c all usi
o e s on an d in
tw o mo s t i mpmt an t p e r s o n age s re pres e n t s the s u c c e ss i v e h o use h o d e rsl .
”

Th e 1 e i s no e vi d e n c e w h at e ve r fo r pr i vat e p e r fo r man ces of

p l ays t h at ap

pe are d at t h e Di o n ys i a .

1 Th e A r t o
f I
/ Vr i t i n
g H i story I .
250 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

in n ne i of t he ext an t pl ay s an d as the si x of t hes e w ho se d ate i s ,

’
k n o w n b elo n g t o th e l at est p e rio d of th e p o et s c ar e e r o n e i s ,

j u s ti fi ed i n c o n c lu d i n g t hat t h e o t h er t h r ee t he Ip hi gen ei a a mong ,

th e Ta i i r i a n s th e I o n an d t he M a d H er a cl es ar e al s o o f l at e d at e
, , , .

E u ri pi d es fo r t he mo st p art r eserv e d t hi s m e t e r fo r the ex pr essi o n

, ,

o f e motio n an d ex c i t emen t as i n the M a d H er a cl es w h er e Ly ssa 1

, , ,

Fr en zy per so n i fi ed d esc rib es h o w she will i n v ad e the br eas t o f

,

H e r ac l es an d d es troy hi s hou se or as w hen C assan d r a i n the Tr o , ,

j a n W o m e n
2
s u d d e n ly d iv ert s he r p ro p h ec y to h er o w n fat e an d
,

th e t e rri bl e d oo m r ese rv e d for Ag am e m n o n I n th e B a cch ae th e .

,

l atest pl ay tro c hai c t etr amete r i s u se d t h roug hou t a w hol e sc en e

,
3
,

t he d i al ogu e o f Dio n y s us an d t he c h oru s aft e r hi s es c ap e an d tw o ,

sc en es i n th e O r es tes ( 4 0 8 B C ) ar e i n t hi s me t e r . . .

T he H er a cl ei d a e i s d at e d by so me c riti c s as early as 4 2 9 o n ,

ac c ou n t o f i ts poli ti c al to n e I ts ai m i s c l early to e x al t At hen s

.
, ,

Th e at th e e x p en s e o f Argo s an d Sp art a an en d eavor v e ry ,

Herac l ei d ae ap p ro p ri ate to t h e fi r st y ear s o f th e P elo p o n n esi an

w ar . I t i s a d r ama o f t he p er sec ut io n o f th e c h ildr en o f H er ac l es

by Eury st he u s ki n g o f Argo s an d of the w ar wi t h Argo s w hi c h
, ,

At h ens un d e rt ak es i n d e fen se o f the r e fug ees A good m an y li n es .

ar e lo s t but t h e l ay w a s wort h p r ese rvi n g i f o n ly for t h e fi n e

, p ,

t h e d aug h t e r o f H er ac l es a mor e c o n s i st
4
s p e e c h es o f M ac ari a , ,

en tly h e roi c I phi ge n ei a w ho o f her fr ee will gi v es h er li fe t o sec u r e

,

t he safe ty o f h er ki n d r ed an d th e vi c t ory ov e r Argo s .

Th e A n d r omache ( 4 3 0—4 2 4 B C d o es n o t ap p e ar i n t h e th eate r

. .

r ec ord s ( d i d asc ali ae ) an d was e it h er n ev er ac t ed o n the A th en i an

s tag e or as i s m or e lik ely w as bro ug h t o ut u n d e r th e n am e o f o n e
, , ,

Th e Ti mo c rates or De moc r ates Th e p l ay i s a se qu e l to .

An d r omaCh e th e O r es tes H e rmio n e the d aug h t er o f M en el au s ,

.
,

marri ed to N e op tol em us p lo t s i n hi s ab sen c e to mu r d er the ,

c aptiv e A n d ro mac h e an d th e c h ild o f h e r c ap tivi t y M olo ssu s ,

.

I n t hi s s he i s ab e t t e d by M en el au s w h o i s vi si ti n g P h t hi a th e , ,

h om e of hi s so n —i n l aw E u ri p i d es wi shed to em phasiz e th e c o n
-
.

v i c ti o n o f t h e At h e n i an s t h at t h e Spart an s are al l b ad all tr eac h e r ,

1 8 58 - 8 7 3 2
44 4 4 6 1
3
6 04 - 6 4 1 4
00—5 3 4 ,
5 74 5 9 6
—
5
-
. .
 EU RI PI DE S 25 1

l
ous, an d m ak es M e n e l au s as c r uel an d fai t hl ess as hi s d au g h ter
he
i s j ealou s an d c o w ar d ly I n th e fi r st h al f o f t h e pl ay A n d ro m ac he
.

an d h er so n ar e r esc ue d by t h e arrival o f th e ag e d P el e us I n th e .

sec o n d w hi c h i s al mo s t w h olly d i sc o n n ec ted O r es t es c om es to

, ,

Pht h i a an d p er suad es H ermio n e to el o pe wi t h h i m a st ep w h i c h ,

h e h as m ad e s afe by arran gi n g for t he mur d e r of N e op tol e mus at

Del ph i Pi nd ar i n hi s S even th N emean had giv en a v e r s io n o f t he
.

d eat h o f N e o p tol e mu s at Del p h i t he p lot o f O r es t es w as an i n ven

tio n o f E uri p i d es The pl ay c lo ses wit h th e app ear anc e of T he ti s

.
,

w ho i n E u ri p i d e an fash io n d ec r ees t he apot h eo s i s of he r mort al

, ,

hu s b an d Pe l eu s an d giv es A n d rom ac h e i n marri ag e to H el e n u s

,
.

T hey are to r ul e i n E p i r us an d t her e A e neas fi nd s t h e m i n V e rgil s

,
’

se qu el to t h e A n d r o mache
2
The p l ay i s amo n g th e p oor es t of .

Euripid es A n d ro m ac he an d P el e u s al o ne ar e r esp ec t abl e and

.
, ,

d ig n ifi ed t h e r es t ar e as r ep u l siv e as E uripid es c oul d m ak e the m .

3
Th e H ecuba i s p aro d i e d by Ari sto ph an es i n th e Cl oud s ( 4 2 3
so t hat 4 2 4 or a li t tl e earli e r i s a l ik ely d at e for i ts ap p ear
, ,

anc e . As i n the Tr oja n Wo men to w hi c h i t i s a se q u el H ec ub a , ,

i s th e pro t ago n i s t Th e sc en e i s l aid i n t he T hr ac i an C her so n ese

.
,

vi s it e d by th e G r eek s as t hey r etur n h o m e w i t h thei r

Th e Hecuba
Troj an c ap tiv es The prologu e i s sp o k en by th e g ho st
.

of Poly d oru s H ec ub a s so n w ho h as b een t r eac herou sly sl ai n by

,
’
,

Pol ymesto r ki n g of T h r ac e a vi c t i m o f th e ki n g s ac c u r se d lu st
’
, ,

fo r gol d a u r i s acr a f a mes

,
V e rgil i mi tat es E uripi d es w hen he .

m ak es A en eas to o l an d i n T h rac e i n hi s flig ht fro m Troy ; h e

, , ,

h ear s t he voi c e o f Poly d oru s fro m t h e gr av e w ar n i ng hi m to flee ,

thi s c r uel l a n d th i s g r eedy s ho r e

,
4
Two mai n ep i sod es divi d e th e .

i n t e r es t o f the H ecuba The fi rs t i s the sac ri fi c e o f Polyx en a.

,

d aug ht e r o f Pri am to the shad e o f A c h ill es w ho ev e n fro m t h e

, , ,

to mb c l ai ms hi s s har e o f the spoil

,
5
T h i s i s an o p en i ng fo r o n e .

o f th o se sc en es of m ai d en h eroi sm so d ear to th e G r eek trag ed i ans .

Polyx en a li k e A n tigo n e lik e M ac ari a has l i t tl e to lo se by d eath

, , , ,

1 A n d r oma ch e 4 4 5 ff .
3 C p H ecu ba
. 171 t
w i h Cl o uds 1 1 6 5 .

2 A en 3 29 4 ff
. . .
4 A en .
3 4 0 ff
. .

5 C at u ll us 6 4 .
3 62 .
2
5 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R EE K LIT E RATU R E

an d she sh ow s n th e
w eak n ess that was so n atu r al i n t he
one o f
c ase of I ph i g en e i a I n t he s ec o n d par t o f th e p l ay H ec u b a t ak e s
.

her r ev e n g e o n Po l ymes to r ; sh e l u r es h i m i n t o h e r t e n t sl ay s h i s ,

c h il d r e n an d pu t s o u t h i s e y es
,
T h e p l ay i s a se ri es o f sc e n e s o f
.

h eartr e n di n g e mo tio n o f c r u el s l aug h t e r d eat h follo w i n g d e at h

, ,
.

I t w as al way s a favori t e b ut o w es i ts suc c es s r athe r t o b eau ti e s

,

o f d etail t han to ex c ell en c e o f stru c t ur e .

T h e S upp l i a n ts w as p rod uc ed abo ut 4 2 1 B C an d has t h e . .

,

sam e p atrio t i c te n d en c y as th e H er a cl ei d ae I t i s a pi c t ur e o f .

A then s as the asyl u m o f t he Argiv es w he n t h e y had fail ed i n t he

Th e e x p ed itio n ag ai n st T h e b es The T h e b an s r e fu s ed .

S upp l i an t s b u ri al to t h e sl ai n Argiv e s an d are c omp ell e d by the

At h en i an s to giv e up the bo d i es Th e pl ay se ems to h av e b een i n .

sp i r e d by t h e d e fe at of th e A th en i an ar my at De li u m ( 4 2 4

an d t h e r e fus al o f t h e T heb an s t o s u rr en d e r th e A t hen i an d ead so ,

t hat E u ri p i d es w as r e mi n di n g t he au d i en c e o f t h ei r o w n r ec e n t
gri e fs w hil e h e r ec o m men d ed fri en dly ti es b etw een A rgo s an d
,

A thens I n th e sp eec h o f the h er al d fro m T heb es forbiddi n g

.
,

At hens to harbor the A rgiv es t her e i s a c l ear ec h o o f th e d esc r i p

,

1
tio n o f C apan e u s i n the S even agai n s t Th ebes o f A esc hyl us .

C ap an e ii s th e sc o r n ful w h o m Dan t e saw i n H ell he e dl ess o f th e

2
, ,

fi e ry r ai n an d s till d e fyi n g the go d s had b een sl ai n by t he t hu n d e r,

b ol t o f Z eu s as h e assaul t e d T he b es I n th e fu ne ral pag ean t o f t he .

Argiv es wi t h w h i c h th e S uppl i a n ts c lo ses E u ri pi d es bri n g s the p y r e ,

o f C ap an eu s o n t h e s t ag e an d t h e mo s t s en s atio n al mo me n t o f
,

t hi s spec t ac ul ar p l ay i s t hat w h en hi s wi fe E v ad n e fli ngs he r s el f

o n to th e bl azi n g p il e t h at t he y ma
y b e c o n su m ed tog e t h er the ,

o n ly i n s tan c e o f s u tt ee i n G r ee k t rag e dy V e ry r ar e to j u d g e .
,

fro m th e ex t an t pl ay s m ust hav e b een a c h oru s o f o l d wom en

,

su c h as E u ri i d es bro ug h t o n t he s c e n e i n t h e S u l i n ts t h
p pp a o se ,

b er eav ed m ot h er s o f th e sev en c hi efs w ho giv e i ts n ame to t hi s ,

d ram a Dr amati c e tiq u e tt e s ee m s to h av e e x c lud ed as a r ul e

.
, ,

o l d wo me n an d yo u n g men fro m t h e c h oru s .

1 Cp S uppl i a n ts 4 9 4
. ff . t
w i h S even ag a i n st Th ebes 4 2 5 ff .
2 I nfer n o I4 .
25 4 S H O RT H I ST O R Y O F G RE E K L ITE RATU RE

t h o ug h t i s o f sui c i d e E uri p i d es n o w ab an do ns the O etaean sag a

.
,

wi t h i ts t al e of th e pyr e of H er ac l es o n O et a li t by P hil o c t etes ,

an d tr an sp l an ts H e r ac l es f ull f r a ug h t w i th g r i e fs n o s a ce f o r
p
—
,

mor e to At hen s the hav en i n the Ath en i an d rama o f the un

l
'

, , , ,

hap py an d th e e xil ed .

For the d ate o f t he I on t her e i s n o evid enc e th o ug h the use , ,

i n t h r ee p assag es o f tro c hai c t e tr am e t e r s may be t ak e n as a s ig n

,

o f l at en ess I o n the t empl e s e rv an t o f A p oll o at D el ph i i s i n

.
, , ,

fac t as H e rm es expl ai n s i n the prologu e t he son o f the

, ,
Th e I on
g o d h i m s e l f an d C r eo us a an At h en i an p ri n c es s ,C re .

o usa has k ep t h er sec r e t ab and o n ed th e c hi l d an d i s n o w m arri ed

, ,

to X u t hu s an At hen i an s ol d i e r o f fort un e Wi t h hi m she c o m es

,
.

t o c o n sul t t h e o r ac l e an d th e fi r st e p i so d e i s a tou c hi n g e n c ou n ter

,

b e tw een m o t he r an d so n i n w h i c h eac h c o nfi d i n g i n th e o t h er
, , ,

r ev eal s par t o f the trut h bu t n o t en o ug h for r ec og n i ti o n M ean .

w h il e X ut hu s i n t e rpr e t s too lit er ally a r esp o n se o f the o r ac l e an d ,

c l ai m s I o n as h i s so n C reo u sa i n h er j eal o us y of th i s ad optio n

.
, ,

tri es t o poi so n I o n w ho i s sav ed by an ac c i d en t The si tu at io n i s

,
.

n o w c o mp l i c ate d e n oug h A mo t h er h as t ri e d to mu rd e r h er so n
.
,

an d i n hi s t ur n h e i s r es olv e d to p u n i s h h er w i t h d eat h Th e .

r ec og n i tio n t hat follow s bri n g s w it h i t a c o m pl e t e r ev e r sal for all .

C r e o usa r ec og n iz es I o n as h er so n th ro ug h t h e b aby n ec kl ac e th e ,

sh awl an d ot h er to k e n s t h at ar e p art o f t h e c o n v e n tio n al o u tfi t o f

,

an e x p o sed i n fan t an d had b ee n

p r es e rv e d by t h e Pyt h i an p ri es t ess .

A p ollo has pull e d th e wi r es al l t hro ug h t h e p l ay H e had bro ug h t .

t h e mo the r an d so n to D el p hi giv e n t h e mi sl ead i n g o r ac l e to ,

X u t h u s s e n t o ut t h e Pyt hi a i n the n i c k o f tim e wi t h the tok en s o f

,

I on . A t the cl o s e ashamed t o ap p ear h i msel f h e sen d s P all as t o

, ,

c o n fi r m the
p ar e n t ag e o f I o n an d to b i d hi m go to At hen s to b e
2

c o me t h e an c es t o r o f t h e I o n i an r ac e T he d r am a i s se n satio n al.
,

r at her t han tr agi c an d has l i t tl e abo u t i t t hat i s g e n u i n el y affec ti n g

, .

I t i s c o n stru c t ed wi t h muc h i n g en ui ty an d s o m e l ac k o f s erio usn ess .

1
1 24
5 . The li ne is q uo t e d by L o n g i n u s ( 4 0) to sh o w ho w a w ri t er n ot

t r ll y s ub l i me may
na u a , , b y s h eer ar t o f a rran ge men t , se c ur e l
e e va t ion t o th e

mo st o r d i n ary phras e .
2
1 558 .
 E U RI PI DE S 55

B ut i t will alway s be r ead fo r th e sak e o f c e r tai n fi n e p assag es the ,

mo r n i n g hy m n o f I o n as he s w e e ps th e t e mpl e s t eps the e n tr anc e ,

o f the c hor us o f Atheni an wo me n w ho ad mir e an d d esc ri b e the

p ai n ti n g s ( or r e li e fs ?) o f t hei l abor s o f H e r ac l es o n t h e fro n t o f
‘

t he t e mp l e an i n c i d en t w hi c h p e r haps sugg es t ed to V e rgil t h e far

,

fi ne r sc e n e o f A e n eas c o n fro n t ed wi t h th e p i c t u r es o f t he Troj an

w ar o n t h e t em pl e at C ar t h ag e an d to H er o d as hi s Il/ i me Women
, , ,

a t the Tem pl e of A s cl ep i us Tal fo u r d i n h i s I on ( 1 8 3 6 ) borro we d

.

muc h fro m E uri pi d es bu t tr an s fe rr ed the s tory t o Argo s an d g av e

, ,
'
hi s pl ay a v e ry d i ffe r e n t d en o uemen t .

T he E l ec tr a (ci r ca al mo s t c e r tai n l y pr e c e d ed th e H el en

( 4 1 2 B C ) th e speec h of the Dio sc u ri at t h e c lo s e ann ou n c es the

. .

c o mi n g fro m Egy p t o f H e l e n w h o s e p h an to m ,
n o t h e r sel f h ad , ,

l
b ee n th e c ause o f strife at Troy M o r e t h an o nc e th e th r e e g r eat
.

t ragi c p o e ts o f At hen s c ho se t he sam e th e m e fro m th e

Th e El ect ra
heroi c sag a an d th e A th e n i an s c ould c o m par e t hei r
,

i n d ivi d ual mann er o f pa1n t i n g the same c har ac t er s and han d li n g

t h e sam e g e n er al p lo t as D i o C h ry s o s t om r ead and c o mpar e d th e
,

2
t h r ee v e r si o n s o f t he P h ilo c t e t es l eg e nd I n a s i n gl e i n s t an c e w e
.

c an d o t h e sam e The Ch oephor i o f A esc hylu s the E l ec tr a o f

.
,

So pho c l es t h e E l ec tr a o f E uripi d es all d eal wi t h t h e sam e s i tu a

, ,

tio n the r etur n o f O r es t es an d hi s v en g eanc e o n hi s m o the r an d

,

A egi st hu s All these d r am ati s t s had to d evi se an al t er catio n b e

.

tw ee n E l ec tr a an d he r mo t her a r ec og n i t io n of O r est e s an d El e c tra

, ,

an d a t r ap for t he c au ti ou s p ai r w ho l iv e d al way s i n dr ead o f su c h

an i ssu e ; an d t he y m u st c lo s e t h e d r am a e it h e r wi t h a sc en e o f
,

r e m or se as the F uri es b egi n to hun t O r es tes o r wi t h a j u s ti fi c at io n

, ,

o f a d eed that Apoll o h i m sel f had ord ai n ed E uri p id es wri ti n g

.
,

3
l ast i s at al l p oi n t s i n feri o r to t he o t he r two I n n o o t her p l ay i s
, .

h e so s ubj ec tiv e s o i n di ffe r en t to the b e au ty an d horro r o f t h e

,

1 12 1
8 .
2
Or a t i on 52 .

3
See th e rg ume n t o f j ebb i n hi s I n tro d uc t i o n to th e E l ectr a o f So pho c l e s
a , ,

o
ppos i n g th e t h es i s o f W il amo w i t i n [f r mes 1 8 D i e bei d en E l e/et en t h at
z e ,
r ,

S o ph o c l e s w o t e h i s El ectr a as a p r o t es t agai ns t t h e s o r d i d r e al i s m o f t h e
r

E l ectr a o f Eur i pi d es .
25 6 S H O RT H I ST O RY o r G REE K L IT E RAT U RE

h eroi c g The sc en e i s l ai d n o t b e for e the pal ac e o f A tr e u s

sa a .
, ,

t h e o n ly fi tti n g b ac kgr o u n d for t he l as t c ri m e o f th e h ou se bu t i n ,

th e c o un try n e ar t h e r us ti c c o ttag e w h e r e El e c tr a l iv es wi t h th e
,

c ou n try man t o w h o m h er mo t h e r h as giv e n h er i n marri ag e N ot h .

i ng c o ul d be l ess ap p r o p ri at e t o the Atr e us s ag a t han t hi s se t ti n g of

r ur al s i mpl i c i ty wi t h the m e n i al t ask s o f El ec tra an d th e c ou n try
, ,

’
m an s e mb arrass m en t for sup pli es o n the arriv al o f a g u es t I n .

t he r ec og n i ti o n sc e n e E u ri p id es all o w e d h i m s el f a d ir ec t c ri ti c i sm
,

o f the d evi c e o f A esc hyl us i n t he Choephor i An o l d man p ro .

d u c es a l o c k o f hai r fro m th e ki n g s to mb an d s ugg e s ts t hat t her e

’
,

may b e fu rt her pro of o f th e arriv al o f O r est es fro m th e footp ri n t s

an d t h e g ar men t t h at El ec t r a h er sel f h ad wov e n fo r h er brot h e r .

All t hi s El ec tr a c ar e fully ex pl ai n s to b e i mp o ssibl e an d ab su r d I n .

t h e e n d O r es t es i s r ec og n iz e d by a sc ar o n hi s for eh e ad
,
For .

Eu ri p i d es as fo r So pho c l es E l ec tra i s t he ru t hl ess p rot ago n i st but

, , ,

e v e n m or e bloo d t h ir s ty ; s h e t ak es an ac tiv e p ar t i n h er m o th e r s
’

d eat h an d as sh e bo asts stead i es the s word o f O r es t es wit h her

, , ,

1
o w n u n shaki n g h an d I t i s O r estes th roug hou t w ho i s shak en
.

an d ov erw hel m e d by t h e ho rro r o f t h e d eed E uri p i d es w i sh ed to

.

l eav e t he i mpr ess i o n t hat u n d er an y p rovo c atio n i t i s odiou s t o

, ,

’
kill o n e s m o th er and u n w ort hy o f Apollo to u rg e a son to s uc h a
,

c ri m e
?
Wit h t h i s ai m h e ev en show e d the s oft er si d e o f C l ytem
3

mes tra w ho h i n t s t o E l ec tr a t hat sh e su ffers fro m r e mor se The

,
.

Di o sc u ri app ear at th e c lo s e to d i spatc h O r e stes to A then s for

, ,

p urifi c atio n an d fro m t hem o nly c o m es a h i n t o f t he ap p ro ac h i n g

,

F uri es El ec tr a i s giv e n i n m arri ag e to Pyl ad es .

The Ip h i genei a a mo ng th e Ta u r i a ns ( 4 1 4 — 4 1 2 B C P) w as c o m . .

p o se d b e for e th e p l ay w h o se s to ry i t c o n ti n u es th e Ip h i gen ei a a t ,

A ul i s on e o f the two po s t hu mou s w ork s o f E u ripi d es

,
I p hi gen ei a .
,

1 Whi l e one h an d , El e ctra s , p ull s t h e d o o r b ehi n d , mad e fast O n fat e,

’

th e o t h er st r ai n s, r e ar e d t o us h Th e v i c t i m- q uee n, s h o u l d s h e mak e fr i g h t
p p p
e n ed
p a use B e fo r e t h at r pen ti n i n g b l oo d w h i c h st eal s O ut o f th e
se k n ess
d ar
w he re a , p ac e b eyo n d , Ab o v e th e sl ai n A i g i s th o s b i d es h i s b l o w
,
Dread ful
O res tes .
”
B RO W N IN ’
G , A r i stop h a n es Ap o l o y
g .
25 8 S H O RT H I ST O R Y O F G RE EK LIT ERAT U R E

The t i tl e of th e P h oen i ci a n Wo men ( 4 1 3

o n v ey s —
40 7 B C . . P) c

n o h i n t o f i ts s ubj ec t I t i s as t ho ug h Euripi d es havi n g stru ng

.
,

t og e t her a n u mb er of e pi so d es c o n n ec t ed w i t h t he e x p ed itio n of

t h e sev en c h i e fs ag ai n s t T h eb es woul d n o t c o m mi t
Th e ,

P h oen i ci an h i msel f as to t h e m ai n i nter es t o f hi s pl ay an d s o ,

W °me11 took hi s ti tl e fro m th e c h oru s a group o f wo m en of ,

Ty r e who ar e c o mpl et e o ut sid ers as r eg ard s th e ac tio n bu t happ en ,

to be p assi ng t h ro ug h T heb es at the t i m e of t h e fat al assaul t .

Th e p l ay i s a se ri es of e ffe c tiv e sc en es A n tigo n e li k e H el en o n .

,

th e w all i n t h e t h i r d B ook o f th e I l i ad s t an d s wit h an ol d atten d an t

,

o n t h e r amp art s o f T h eb es an d g az es at t h e l e ad e r s o f th e A r
,

giv es sh e i s mov e d esp ec i ally by the sig h t o f h er favorit e bro t h er ,

P oly n i c es w h o m E u ri p i d es pr esen tly b ri n g s 011 to th e s t ag e for

,

th e sak e o f c o n fro n ti n g hi m wi t h E t e o c l es hi s fi er c e an d un sc rupu ,

l o us brot h e r E uri p i d es ab an do n ed the Ho m eri c an d Sop h o c l ean

.

v e r si o n of t he en d o f J o c as t a r ese rvi n g h er s ui c i d e for th e m o men t

,

w he n al l h er e ffor ts at r ec o n c ili at io n h av e fail e d an d t h e t w o

bro ther s h av e fall en i n the ir d u el O ed i pu s t oo ap p ear s i n the

.
, ,

Ph oen i ci a n Wo men a bli n d an d brok en o l d man w h o se e xil e wi t h

,

A n tigo ne follo w s o n t he d eath o f the so n s w ho m hi s c ur se h as

s l ai n
. A si n gl e c har ac t e r E t eo c l es d o m i nat ed the S even agai ns t
, ,

Th ebes of A esc hylu s pl ay ed s o me s ix ty y ear s earli e r

,
E uri pi d es .

avoid ed an y i mi t atio n o f i ts ac tio n c row d e d h i s p l ay wi t h h al f a,

d oz en c h ar ac t er s t hat A esc hylu s h ad ig n o r e d an d e mp h asiz ed t h e ,

d iffe r en c e o f hi s v er si o n by a s id e t h r ust at t h o s e fi n e s p e ec h es
d esc ribi n g t h e fo u r tee n c h am pio n s w h i c h are t h e c en tr al i n t e r es t
,

o f th e S even aga i n s t Thebes To tel l th e n a me of each w er e w as te

'

of ti me say s th e E t eo c l es o f E uripid e s n ow when the en em

1
, y is ,

befo r e th e w a ll s .

T h e Rh es us , i f g enui ne sh ould stan d fi rst i n a c h ro n ologi c al

,

ac c ou n t of th e
p l ay s si n c e i f Eu ripi d es w ro te i t i t i s hi s l e as t matur e
, , ,

work I n flu en c ed p er hap s by t he i n t e r es t o f A t hen s i n T hr ac e i n

.
, , ,

t h o se y ear s w h e n sh e w as try i n g to fou n d A mp h ip ol i s ( ci r ca

1
P h oen i ci a n Women 75 1 .
 E U RI PI DE S 2
59

E uri pid es c er tai nly wro te a Rhes us But the au th or shi p o f t he .

R hes us t hat has c o m e dow n u n d e r hi s nam e i s an o pe n

Th e Rh es us
q uestio n to w hi c h t he mo s t c o m p et en t sc hol ar s c o n ti n u e
to giv e c o n t r ad i c t ory an s w er s An y arg umen t fro m i ts g en er al
.

i nfe riori ty to ev ery o ther eflan t G r eek t rag ed y may b e put asi d e
’
’

s i n c e w e c ann o t say ho w i n fe rior to h i m s el f o n o c c asio n m ig h t b e , ,

the p o et o f n e arly a h u n d r ed p l ay s o f w h i c h w e c an e s t i mat e l e ss

,

t han a sc or e The argu m en t s fro m s tyl e ar e i n c o n c l us iv e an d

.
,

h av e b een u se d eq ually by t h o s e w h o asse rt an d t ho se w ho d en y

t hat Euripi d es i s th e au t ho r Th e sk ep ti c s at p r esen t hav e the
.

ad v an t ag e o f n u mb e r s b ut n o o n e h as b e en abl e to p ro d u ce a s i n
,

gl e proo f . Th e pl ay has b een assig n ed i n tur n to al mo st ev ery

p eriod i n w hi c h the G r ee k s wrot e tr ag ed y B ut s i n c e i ts au t ho r .

c aug ht th e m ann e r o f E u ri p i d es an d wro t e ly ri c s n o t u n wo rt h y o f

hi m t he safes t t he ory se e m s to b e that w h i c h pl ac e s th e R hes us

,

early i n th e fou r th c e n t u ry I t would then b e wri t t en by s o m e

.

ec l e c t i c imi t ator p e r hap s E u rip i d es t h e you n g e r w h o w as n o t t o o

, ,

far r e mov e d fro m th e b e st t r adi tio n s o f the dr am a The pl ay i s a .

dr am ati z atio n o f the t en th B oo k o f the I li a d th e D ol on ei a c ut u p ,

i n t o ac ts The sc en e i s l ai d i n th e Troj an c amp o n t h e v ery n ig h t

.

w hen R hesu s ki n g o f T h r ac e has c o me wit h hi s ar my an d hi s

famo us h or ses to ai d th e Troj an s U n d er c ov er of n i g h t O dy sseu s
.

an d Diom ed e sl ay t h e ki n g an d driv e aw ay hi s h or ses bef or e ever ,

they had tas ted the f od der of Tr oy or d r a u h of the X a n th us say s , ,

1
V e rgil s e izi n g as u sual t h i s o p en i n g fo r p at h o s
, , ,
I n th e R hes us .

th er e i s h o w ev e r li t tl e o f th e pat h e ti c effec t for w h i c h E u ri pi d es w as

, ,

fam ou s tho ug h t he r e i s the u sual tr agi c c o n t rast b etw ee n the bo as t s

,

o f th e T hr ac i an ki n g hear d wi t h c hagri n by H ec tor t hat he w il l

, ,

ov e r c o m e w i t h ease the c hampio n o f the G r eek s, an d t hat i ngl o ri

o us en d w h i c h t h e sp e c tator s c o uld for ec ast I n t hese sc e n es .

from the epi c A t he n e ai d s the en t er pri se o f the G r e ek h e r o es aft e r

,

t h e epi c r at h e r th an th e d r amati c fas h io n At the c l o s e T e r ps i

.
,

c h or e th e M u se th e mo th e r o f R hesu s ap p ear s aloft as a godd ess

, ,

1 A en 1
. .
4 72 .
26 0 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU RE

fro m the m ac hi n e n o t to c ut a tr agi c k n o t for t he r e i s n o su c h

, ,

d il e mma bu t to si n g an e xqui s i t e d irg e for h er mu rd er e d so n

1
.
,

Wher e the hig h est poi n t o f i n ter es t i s th e killi ng o f an en emy ,

t her e i s n o roo m for tr agi c p i ty or terror ; t he w h ol e si tu atio n i s

b et te r sui t ed t o epi c The R hes us li k e the Ip higen ei a a t A ul i s
.
, ,
?
h as n o p rologu e
Th e Cycl ops ( o f u n c e r tai n d ate) i s i nt er esti n g sol ely as t he o n ly
e xt an t e x ampl e o f a satyri c pl ay I n th e h al f c e n t u ry or m or e .

t hat sep arat es th i s work o f E uripi d es fro m t he satyri c pi ec es o f

Prati n as an d A esc hylu s th e s atyri c d r am a s ee ms t o hav e d e v elop e d
,

p r e c i sely alo n g th e l i nes of r eg ul ar trag ed y The

Th e Cy cl op s
.

Cy cl ops at any r at e has all the e ssen ti al featur es of

, ,

tr agi c s tr uc tur e a p rol ogu e a p arodo s fo ur epi sod es s ep ar ated by

, , ,

c h or al ly ri c s B ut all th es e ar e so abri d g e d t hat th e w h ol e amou n t s

.

o n ly to so me 7 0 0 li n es abou t h al f t h e l en g t h o f t he av er ag e
,

tr ag ed y O n e o f the p robl em s o f th e wri t e r o f a satyri c pi ec e w as

.

ho w to bri ng t h e satyr c h oru s of Dio n y sus i n to c o n n ec t io n w i th a

plo t t ak en from th e h e roi c sag a I n t he Cy cl ops the satyr s as .
, ,

th ey sail e d wi t h Sil en us i n q ues t o f Dio n y sus t h e w an d e ri n g god , ,

hav e b e en c ast ash or e o n Si c ily the ho me of Poly phe mu s w h o has , ,

en sl av e d th e m t o hi s se rvi c e T h eir task s t h e flo c k s w h i c h t hey

.
,

d riv e o n t h e s t ag e the ab un d an c e o f c h e e s e an d m i l k i n the c av e

,

of t he C y c lop s the b ac kgro u nd o f the p l ay l en d e v en to t hi s

, ,

c o ar s e p i ec e o f b uffoo n e ry s o meth i n g o f t h at i d ylli c at mo sp h e r e

w h i c h si n c e T heo c ri tu s has see m e d th e p ec uli ar c harm of Si c ily

, ,
.

All t hat c o n c e r n s Sil en u s an d the satyrs i s th e i n v en ti o n of E u ri p i

d es . T h e r e s t i s a d r amatiz atio n o f th e n i n t h B ook o f th e O dys sey ,

t h e adv e n t ur e o f O dy sse us i n Si c ily t h e bli n d i n g o f t he o n e ey e d ,

-

C y c lo p s an d t h e e scap e o f t h e r es o ur c e ful h ero

,
T he Cy cl ops .

l eav es t he i mp r essio n that w e h av e lo st l ittl e by the d i s app earan c e

of t h e satyri c d r am a B ut i n any c ase E uri p i d es was n o t t h e man
.

1 8 9 4 — 90 3 9 0 6 — 9 1 4
, .

2
A mo n g mo d er n s c h o l ars Wi l amo w i t z , Cr o i s e t , an d C h r i st d e n y, S i ttl an d

S i t zl er d e fe n d , th e g e n ui n e n ess of th e Rh es u s .
26 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K L IT E RATU R E

at th e l ast d evot es her se l f to th e

u o f G r e ec e Ari s totl e
c a se .

r ep rov ed hi m for t hi s i nc o n si sten c y o f her c har ac t er 1

B ut to .

t h e mo d e r n r e ad er w ho r e me mb e r s Lan d o r s b eau ti ful i mi t atio n

’

of th e sc en e t h i s sud d e n e x al t at io n o f I p hi gen e i a i s 110 bl e m i sh ?

,

T h e sac ri fi c e i t se lf and t h e famo us g es t ur e w it h w h i c h Ag am e mn o n

v e il ed h i s head w hi c h sugg es t ed to th e pai n t e r Ti rn an the s ( ci r ca
,

4 00 B C ) hl s c el ebr at e d p i c t u r e o f t h e sc e n e; i s d esc rib ed by a

. .

m essen g e r I phi ge n ei a i s sn at c hed fro m t he v e ry al t ar by A rt e mi s

.
,

w ho c arri es h er off to b e h e r p ri es t ess amo n g t h e Tauri an s The .

rol og u e sp ok e n by A rt e m i s w h i c h E u ri p i d es p rob ably w ro t e fo r

p ,

t hi s pl ay has b een lo s t
,
Th e c h or us i s c o mp o s ed o f wo men o f
.

C h al c i s w ho hav e c ro sse d th e E u rip us to s ee t h e s ig h t s o f th e

G r e e k c am p an d n atur ally e n oug h ob se rv e al l t h ese p at h e ti c
,

sc e n es wi t h ou t p ro fou n d e motio n T h e Iph i gen ei a a t A ul i s

.

i n s pir ed R ac i n e t o w ri t e o n e o f hi s fi n es t p l ay s .

Th e B acch ae (B acch a n a l s ) w h i c h G o e t h e an d M ac aul ay t ho ug ht

,

th e fi n es t of th e tr ag e d i e s o f E u ri p i d es i s d r aw n from th e T h eb an
,

sag a o f Di o n y s u s A esc hylu s w ho liv ed c lo se r to t he

.
,
Th e B acch ae
d i t hyr ambi c b e gi n n i n g s o f t r ag e d y h ad d evot ed ,

t h r ee t ril ogi es to th e Dio n y sus l eg en d s H e h ad d r am atiz ed bo t h

.

th e st ori e s of th e v en g ean c e of th e vo ut h ful go d o n t ho se t w o ki n g s

w ho h ad r ej ec te d hi s ri t ual Ly c u rg us o f T h r ac e w ho i n hi s mad
, ,

n ess sl ew hi s so n an d P e n t h e u s o f T he b es sl ai n by h i s mot h e r
, ,

Ag av e i n h er Dio n y si ac fr en zy H i s lo s t P en theus mu st hav e d eal t

.

wi th the sam e si tu atio n as t he B accha e So p ho c l es allu d es to th e .

fate of Ly c urgu s i n a c h o r us o f the A n ti go ne but d o es n o t men tio n ,

P en t heu s Th e B acchae o f E uri p i d es apar t fro m th e bri e f t al e o f

.
,

t h e d eat h of P en t h eu s i n t h e tw e n ty s ix t h I dy l o f T h e o c ri t us i s t he
-
,

o nly mo nu m en t i n G r ee k l i terat u r e o f t h i s l eg en d o f th e h ou se of

1 P oet i cs 1
5 .

2
I am yo ung an d v ery h appy I d o n o t t h i n k t he pi o us Cal
O fat h er ! .

c h as h e ar d D i st i n c t l
y w h at t h e g o d d ess s pak e
’
Sh e l o k t up an d s aw
. o

Th e fill e t o f th e p i es t an d c al m c o l d eyes
r T h en t ur n e d sh e w h er e h e r p are n t
.

s t o o d an d c ri d O fat h er ! gr i eve n o mo r e t h e s hi p s c an s ai l Ag a memn o n ’

, e .

n ei a .
 EU RI PI DE S 26
3

C ad m us . I t i s, b esi d es the l ocus cl ass i cus for

,
the r ev el s
,
the i h
toxi c atio n , t h e wi l d ec st asy o f t he M aen ad s
Cr o w n e d w i th gr ee n l e aves , an d fac es all o n fl ame .

Th e ch oru s i s c o mpo se d o f tho se u n t iri n g B ac c han al s w ho w e r e the

i n separ abl e cor tege of Di o ny su s i n tr ag ed y an d lyri c as hi s satyr s ,

w e r e app rop ri at e t o th e saty ri c d r ama an d c om ed y The M aen ad s .

i n the B a cch ae c o me fro m A si a w e ari n g faw n s ki n s and wr eat h s o f

,

ivy an d p l ayi n g str an g e for eig n i n s tru me n t s c y mb al s t ambo uri n es

, , , ,

an d p ip es D io n y su s so n o f Semel e an d Z eu s c o mes l e ad i n g t h e m
.
, ,

fro m A s i a to T he b es the sc en e o f hi s mo t h e r s tr av ail an d fi e ry

,
’

d eath At fi r s t he i s n o t k n o w n ev en to the c hor us as the go d

.
, ,

h i m sel f bu t pl ay s the p art o f o n e w h o go es b efor e to pr e p ar e the

,

w ay fo r th e c omi n g o f Di o n y su s N ear t he p al ac e o f P en t heus

.
,

b efor e w hi c h the sc en e i s l ai d i s the to mb o f Se mel e, l i t up wit h

,

a my ste riou s sy mboli c bl az e w h i c h bu r n s brig h t e r w h en h er so n as

s er ts hi s p ow e r The r eli e f o f t h e lu d i c ro us i s giv en by C ad m u s

.

an d th e see r T e ir es i as T hi s ag ed p ai r foll o w the ex amp l e o f t he

.

wo m en o f th e c i ty w h o m Ag av e th e qu een mot her has l ed away , ,

i n to t he m ou n t ai n s to c el e brate t he n ew ri t es o f Di o ny su s ; t hey
’
p ut 011 th e d r ess appropri at e to t he go d s vot ari es an d i n spi t e o f , ,

ol d age an d bli n d n ess to tt er fro m th e st ag e to j oi n the wor

,

shi p ers .P e n theu s so n o f Se mel e s si ster Ag av e r etur n i n g fro m

,
’
,

an ab sen c e i s sc an d ali z e d by the s tr an g e mad n ess th at has s eiz ed

,

th e wo m en o f T h e b es hi s mo t h er hi s gr an d fat he r an d e v e n th e
, , ,

T heb an seer H e bi n d s an d i mpri s o n s the effe mi nat e s trang e r

.
,

c u t s hi s l o n g h ai r an d forbid s the wor sh i p o f t h i s n ew d ivi n ity i n

,

T heb es .Dio n y s us wi t h port en t s o f fi r e and e art h qu ak e easily

, ,

r el eases hi msel f An d no w b e gi n s the p un i shm ent o f P en t he u s th e

.

i n fatu at ed Quem d eus vul t per d er e d emen ta t p r i us The god

. .

c asts hi s sp ell ov e r th e u n hap p y ki n g an d p e r suad es hi m to go t o

the mou n t ai n s to see wi t h hi s o w n ey e s th e s ec r et rit ual o f t he M ae

n ad s w h o se doi n g s h av e b ee n r e port e d at l e n gt h by a m ess en g e r

,
.

From th e mo m en t of t he i mpri so n me n t of Dio ny su s Pe nt heus ac t s ,

lik e a man fey o nly h al f c o n sc io u s of h i s o wn ac ts H e c o m es o ut

,
.
264 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LIT E RATUR E

o f th e p al ac e array ed i n th e d r ess o f a B ac c han al r avi n g o f tw o ,

s u n s i n th e sk y an d of hi s o w n sup e r n at u r al s tr e ngt h an d so i s l e d ,

ou t to hi s d oo m by the go d The c ho r us all t h i s ti me r e mai n o n

.

t he s t ag e an d s oo n a m essen g er r el at es to t h em t h e t e rribl e en d
,

o f P en t he u s tor n i n pi ec es li k e a wil d b eas t by the h an d s o f the

,

M ae n ad s an d hi s m o the r Pr esen tly Ag av e e n t e r s c arryi n g o n the

.

oi n t of h e r t hyr s us t h e h e ad o f h e r s o n a yo u n g l io n " t h at sh e
p ,

h as sl ai n i n th e m ou n t ai n s Wou ld tha t my s o n l i he me w er e h appy

i n hi s h u n ti ng ! Ca l l h i m h i th er to s ee me a n d my g o od f o r tu n e

f ace to f ace Euripi d es i s at hi s b est i n d esc ribi n g sc en es o f mad

1
.

n ess t h e d eliriu m o f O r es t e s or t h e r avi n g s o f Ag av e

, ,
Fo r th e .

q ueen th e r ev e r sal o f the si tu ati o n c o mes as h er r eas o n gradu ally

r etur ns an d she w ak es up at l as t to fi n d the r eal fac e tur n ed u p
,

tow ard s t he mo t he r an d mu r d e r e r T h e sp e ec h wi t h h er l am en t
.
,

w hi c h mu s t hav e b al an c ed i n l en gt h th e l amen t o f C adm us ov er

t h e mu til at ed bo d y o f P en th eus ( 1 3 0 1 h as b e e n lo s t fro m
o u r man usc ri p t s When t he manusc ri p t s b egi n ag ai n Di o ny sus
.
,

fro m the m ac hi ne i s ann o un c i n g t h ei r fat e o f e xil e an d w an d e ri n g

to C ad mu s an d hi s ag ed w i fe H ar mo n i a w h o ar e to b e c han g e d ,

i n to ser p en ts Ag av e too must d ep art wi t h her si ster s fro m

.
, ,

T he b e s .

P en t h eu s d i sc ov er ed by th e M aen ad s an d Ag av e c arryi n g her ,

’
s o n s h ead w er e favo ri t e s ubj ec t s for r eli efs an d v as e pai n ti ng s
,
.

B ut n o work of ar t has s o d e ep ly i mp r esse d t h e i m agi nati o n wi t h

th e h orro r o f t he P en t h e u s l e g en d as an an e c d ot e of t he p erform

an ce o f t h e B a ccha e amo n g t h e P art h i an s i n th e fi r st c en t ury B C . .

A ft er t he d e feat o f C r assu s at C ar r hae ( 5 3 t h e Ro m an ge n

’
eral s h ead w as se n t to t h e P art h i an ki n g O r o d es i n hi s c am p .

I t happ en ed t hat a famou s ac to r jaso n o f Tr all es was pl ayi n g , ,

t h e p art of P en t h eus b e for e t he ki n g w h e n t h e horribl e tro ph y ,

arri v ed H e i m med i at ely assum ed t he r 6 1e o f Ag av e an d h el d

.
,

i n hi s h an d t h e h ead o f C r assu s w hil e h e san g : L o ! w e br i ng

1
Sh e co mes br i ng i ng n ot P en th eu s bu t y
r e en ta n ce, s a s
p Th eo c r i t us
ec h o i n
g t h e p u n i n t h e p l ay
26 6 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E EK LIT E RATUR E

1
H ec uba s
’
a s ayi n g as : The G od s ! I t is on ly by a co n ven ti o n th a t

w e bel i eve i n th em? B u t th e B

l east allow s us to c h eri sh a cch ae, at ,

a pi c t u r e o f th e ag e d E uripi d es wit h c al m o f mi n d al l a io
p ss n , ,

s p en t ac qui esc i ng at l ast i n th e h all o w ed th e c o n v en tio n al vi e w

”
, e ,

o f t he to n e t hat b efi t ted a po e t o f th e t heat e r o f Dio ny sus w hat ,

e v e r m ig h t b e hi s priv at e c o n vi c tio n s .

Euri pi d es lik e So pho c l es t h o ug h acc o rdi n g to the etiqu e t t e o f

‘

, , ,

t h e t h eat e r h e c o mpe t ed wi t h four p l ay s d i d n o t wri t e tril o gi es ,

wi t h a c o n n e c t ed s ubj ec t aft e r the fashi o n o f Aesc hy ,

Th e s ag a
l us The Troj an sag a i n sp ir e d h i m wi t h o n ly n i n e
.

trag e di es o f w hi c h si x are ext an t

,
For s ev er al o f th ese he dr ew .

o n t h e Cyp r i a Fro m t h i s p o e m h e bo rrow ed the subj ec t o f an

.

e arly lo s t p l ay t h e Tel ep h us ( 4 3 8
, ,
th e s tory o f t he wou n d ed

M y s i an ki ng w h o c o mes to My c en ae di sgui sed as a b eggar i n r ag s ,

an d i s u n mas k e d by O dy sseu s T el ep hu s w as th e fi r st an d mo s t .

famo us of t h o s e r agg ed hero es M en e l aus i n E gy pt O ene u s P h o e , , ,

n ix ,
B ell e rop h o n and th e r est w ho m A ri s to p han es fou n d so
, ,

3
amu s i ng .

Th e A tti c T h eb an Argiv e C ori nt hi an T h essal i an an d C r etan

, , , , ,

sag as al l fur n i s he d E uri p i d es wi t h s ubj e c t s an d h e han d l ed t h ei r ,

l eg e n d s w it h th e gr eat es t fr ee d o m So p ho c l es had r es u sc i t at ed .

H ae mo n th at h e m ig ht d i e w i t h A n tigo n e I n t he lo s t A n ti go n e .

of E uri pi d es th e h e roi n e do es n o t d i e she i s p ar d o n ed an d mar

ri ed to H aem o n So too hi s I p hi ge n ei a i s n o t r eally sac ri fi c e d
.
, , ,

but i s p r eserv ed to b e d i sc ov e r ed by O r est es amo n g the T auri an s .

H i s H e l e n i s n o t mu rd e r e d aft e r al l bu t tran sl at e d to th e s ki es , .

For E u ri p i d es i n th i s no t u n lik e the wri t e r s o f the l at e r w eak er

, ,

e pi c p r e fe rr e d a happ y en d i ng a s o ft e n i n g o f t he s tory
, Th e , .

v ery d i al ec t i c fo r w hi c h hi s pl ay s are fam o u s was i n i ts t en d enc y

1
H ec u ba 8 0 1 .

2
V er r a ll , i n h i s E u r ip i d es th e R a ti on a l i st, s ays o f th e A l c est i s , I on , etc .
,
t h at
thi s is a typ e of d ramat i c w o r k w ho s e mean i n g l i es en ti re l y i n i n n ue n d o ”

l
a c ev e rl y ve i l e d att ac k on r e l i gi o n . B ut th e fac t is t hat w h en , as L uc i an s ays,

Eur i pi d e s sp ea ks h 1s mi n d he s p eak s
,
o ut .

3
A ch a r n i a n s 4 1 8 ff .
 EU RI P I DE S 26 7

op ti mi st i c and ther e for e ali en to th e sp iri t o f t r ag ed y as N i etz sc he

, ,

h as po i n t e d o ut For t he tr agi c i s so me t hi n g bli n d an d i rr esi st

.

ibl e t hat c an n o t b e r easo n ed aw ay Wh e n C ly t e m nes tr a arg u es

,
.

1
l ik e a b arri s t e r pl ead i ng for th e li fe o f I p hi gen e i a and m ak e s o ut ,

an e x c e ll e n t c ase ag ai n s t t h e p oli c y o f A g ame mno n s he i s by s o ,

muc h t h e l ess a tr agi c figur e as h er l o gi c i s u nan s w erabl e S uc h .

sp e e c h es as h e r s are too c om mo n i n E uri p i d es an d are t h e s ui c i d e ,

of tr ag ed y H i s g en i u s s ai d the l at e S i r Ri c h ar d jebb o f E u
”
,
.

2
r i p i d es w as at di sc o r d wi t h t he form i n w h i c h h e work e d
“ ”
.
,

What w e must alw ay s r e gr e t i s t hat h e r egul arly s ub d u ed h i msel f

t o t h e c o n v en tio n s o f t r ag ed y an d u sed th e o l d tr agi c t h em es If .

h e h ad had t he p ow e r to ab an d o n t he sag a an d bri n g o n th e stag e

fi c tio ns of hi s o w n as was do ne o n c e at l east i n hi s o w n d ay by
,

Ag at ho n w e sh oul d hav e h ad a t r agi c c ou n t e rp art o f M en an d er

,
.

As i t i s hi s d r am as fo r all t h e ir b eauti es c r eak an d s tr ai n u n d er

, , ,

th e w eig h t o f the sag a an d li e op en t o t h e i n te r p r et at io n s o f th e

ov er i n g en iou s
-
.

Eu ri p i d es h ad to w ai t for hi s p opul ari ty an d w h en i t c am e i t , ,

w as a tribu t e n o t to an y t r agi c gr an d e ur o f mann e r o r assu r e d p er

fec ti o n o f fo r m We h ear n o t hi n g o f Ae sc hyl o man i a n o r a sen

.

ti men tal i n fatu atio n o f w h ol e c i ti es wi t h t h e pl ay s o f S o ph o c l es .

B ut e v en i n t he li fe ti m e o f E u ri p i d es t h e Si c ili an s ac c or d i n g to , ,

Pl u tar c h fr eed an y A then i an pri so n e r o f war w ho c oul d r ec i t e

,

s o me v er ses o f the i r favori te po e t

3
I t i s l ess l ik ely t hat Ly sand er
.

an d h i s Sp art an s w e r e r e all y d iv e r te d fro m t h e c om pl e t e d es tr uc

B ut Eur i pi d o man i a t h er e
’
tio n o f At h en s by sad El ec tr a s p o et “
.

w as an d n ot o n l y t he fool i sh fr en zy t hat Lu c i an ri d i c ul ed at A b
,

d era . E uri pi d es had n ev e r lo s t a c han c e to p r ai se Atti c a and

A t h en s the hav en o f th e o pp r essed w her e men a r e f ed o n all
, ,

the g l or i es of the a r ts an d move d el i ca tely th r ough tha t cl ea r es t

,

1 Iph igen ei a at A ul i s 1 1 4 6 - 1 20 8 .

2
Wh i bl ey s Compa n i o n to Gr eeh S tu d i es, p 1 1 5
’
. .

3 Th e s t o r
y o f Lys an d e r, s o ft en e d b y th e r e c i t a o f t h e E l ectr a l o f Eur i p
l
i d es, i s t o d b y B ro w ni ng at th e c l o s e o f A r i stopha n es’ Ap ol og y .
268 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LIT E RATURE i

ai r .
1
Duri n g hi s li fe ti me hi s r ew ar d had b een l ig h t H e h ad s .

h ad t o s ee hi s t h eat er p r e fer at al mo s t ev e ry c o mp eti tio n t h e , ,

tr ag ed i e s of hi s d ead ri val A esc hylu s o r o f So pho c l es hi s c o n ,

t empo rary B u t Wi t h t he ri se of th e c o m e dy o f mann e rs i n t he

.

c e n t ury a ft e r h i s d e at h t h e c u rr en t s e t s tr o n gly i n fav o r of a po e t

t o w h o m t h e writ e r s o f N e w C o me dy e s p ec i ally M e n an d e r ow e d , ,

m uc h H e had b een p e r s ec u t ed by t he ri d i c u l e o f t he c o n serv a

.

t iv e Ari st o phan es ; bu t t he mo s t e xtrav ag an t trib ut e o f the E uri

p i d o m an i ac s w as th e u t t e r an c e o f a c o mi c p o e t t h r e e g e n e r atio n s ,

a ft e r hi s d eat h : If I bel i eved sai d P hil e mo n th a t th e d ead s ti l l, ,

h a ve co n s ci o us n ess I w o u l d ha ng myself to s ee E u r ip i d es
,
?
The
t as t e o f the fo u rt h c en t u ry an d o f th e c en t uri es t hat fo ll o w ed w as
n o t o ffe n d ed by t h at N ew M u si c o f hi s ( n o lo n g er n e w ) wi t h i ts ,

mo n o d i es an d tri ll s An au s t er e c ri ti c lik e Ari s totl e m ig ht feel

.

t hat o n e w ho c o ul d so brilli an tl y d o w it ho ut th e go d s fro m th e

mac h i n e w hen he c h o s e o ug h t n o t to hav e dr agg ed t h em i n so
, ,

p e r si s t e n tly ; h i s fo n d n ess for p rologu es e xpl an ati o n s o r arg u , ,

m e nts of t he ac tio n w h i c h b ec ame wi th hi m an i n t egr al p art o f , ,

t he p l ay it sel f t h e c ar e h e too k t o m ak e th e ar t of p rologu e

,

writi n g pec uli arly h i s o w n may hav e see med as my s t e rio us to ,

s o me o f h i s ad mi r e r s as to o u r selv e s B ut e v en A ri s totl e, w ho .

illu s tr ates m o s t of the error s o f t r agi c po e t s fro m t h e pl ay s o f E u

r i p i d es c all s h i m th e mo s t t r agi c
3 ’
an ep i t h e t w h i c h c an c el s a
‘
, ,

multit ud e o f c ri ti c i sm s H i s p o p ul ari ty w h en i t c ame was d ue

.
, ,

t o t h at H i s p l ay s w er e t h e m o s t movi n g t he m o st p atheti c th e
.
, ,

mo s t hu man t hat w e r e see n o n t h e G r ee k s t ag e

,
.

T he mi n or t r agi c p o e t s o f th e fi ft h c e n t u ry n ee d n o t b e dr agg e d
by us fro m t h e ob sc u ri ty i n to w h i c h t h ey w er e t h r o w n i n t h ei r
o w n ti me by t h e d azzli n g e x c e ll en c e o f t h e i n c o mp ar abl e T h r e e .

I o n o f C hi o s w h o w as s u c c e ss ful i n d i t h yr amb as w ell as t r ag ed y

, ,

A c haeu s o f E r e tri a w ho w o n a r epu tatio n fo r satyri c d ram a are

, ,

1 M ed ea 8 24 —8 4 5 ,
r in
a c h o us w h i ch he fo res t al l ed th e famo us prai se of At
ti ca , t he sw an s o n g o f A t h en s ,
i n th e Oed ip u s at Col on us .

2
f r . 130 Ko c k .
3 P oeti cs I 3 .
2 70 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU R E

p l ays
) V a t a n u s 1 3 th c e n t ( e i g h t
. i c
p l ay ) P a l at i n u
,
14 t h nt
( fo urt n . s . s, ce . ee

pl ay an d p art o f H a l i d a )
s Th e s e co n d p art f th e P al a t i n u i n w t h e
er c e e . o s s o

Lau t a n u s at F l r e n c e ( c n t ai
r en i ,
si r mai n i g p l ay an d n c l usi n o f t h e
o o ns x e n s co o

H a l i da )
er c e Th r e are p apyr us f r ag o f p o rt i o n s o f t h e M d a O
e . e t . . e e ,
r es es ,

Rh u P h
es s, th e e ar l i e st i asc r i b e d to th e 2 d o 3 d c e n t B C t h e
oen .
,
s r . . .
,

l at est t t h e 4 t h o r 5 t h c e n t A D S ee Oxy hy n h u P apy i II

o . . . r c s r .

II ED I T I O N S E d p n by Las a i s F l or e n c 1 4 9 6 ( four pl ays)

. . . ri e. c r , e, .

A l d us V n i e 1 50 3 ( El ct a mi tt e d )
,
e c , B arn es C am b r i d ge 1 6 9 4 M use r o .
, , .

g rav e O fo r d , 7 78 Ki c h h o ff B er l i n 1 8 55 ; 2 d c d 1 8 6 7 1 8 6 8
x ,
1 . Di n d o f
r , , .
,
— . r ,

O x fo d 1 8 3 2 1 8 4 0
r ,
N au k L e i p z i g 2 d e d
— 1 8 6 9— 1 8 7 1
. Pr i n z W ec k l i c , , .
, .
-
e n,

1 9 00— 1 9 0 2 M urray O f d ( B bl i oth a

. I 1 9 02 II 1 9 04 Parti al
,
x or i ec , , , .

e d d Rh . u V at e r B e r l i n 1 8 3 7
es s : H ecu ba O st s P h o n M dea , Po so n , .
, re e , e .
, e : r ,

d L ei p z i g 1 8 0 7 ( Th e Pr fa t o Po rso n s H e u ba w as an i mp rt an t
’
2d e .
,
c , . e e c o

c n t i b ut i o n
o r t t h e s t ud y f tr ag i c me t e s )
o S uppl i a n t : Wi l amow i t i n o r . s z

A n a l ta E u p i d a B erl i n 1 8 7 5 H el n : H w e d en L yd en 1 8 9 5 M d a
ec r i e , , . e er r ,
e , . e e

V rral l L o n d o n 1 8 8 1
e , Ea l e N e w Y r k 1 9 0 5
, I n V e rr all L o n d n
. r , o , . o , o ,

1 8 90 H a l s YVi l amo w i t H a hl
. er c e B e rl i n 1 8 8 9 ; 2d e d mu h ab ri d g e d
: z, er es , , . c ,

189 5 H pp ly t u
. W il amow i t B e l i n 1 8 9 1 B a h a e : San d ys C amb i d g e
i o s z, r , . cc , r ,

4 t h ed 1 9 04 Iph g
.
, i a a mo g th e Ta u i an
. B at es N w Y o r k 1 9 04
i en e n r s : , e , .

W i l ( s ev n pl ays ) Par i s 1 8 6 8 2d c d 1 8 8 0
e e F r ag men t
, N an ek 2 d e d , , .
, . s .
, .
,

L ei p z i g 1 8 90 S h lia, D i n d o f Oxfo r d 1 8 6 3
. c o r , , .

III L I TE RA TURE W i l amo w i t A n a l ta E u r ip i dea B erl i n 1 8 73 A

. . z, ec , , . r

n ldt Di
o Ch o i h e Te h i h d s E u
, e H al l e 1 8 7 8
r sc Dec h ar me E u ip i d e t
c n e r .
, , .
, r e

on th at e Par i s 1 8 9 3 ( tran s l at e d by L o eb N ew Y o r k
’
l p it d
es r e s e r , , , ,

Pat er G B l o c h A l he t i stu ai en L ei p z i g 1 9 0 1
’
,h S tu d i L nd n 1 8 95
r ee es , o o , .
, s s , , .

Pat i n Etud s s u l
, t ag i qu s g e e E u ip i d es 7 th c d Pari s 1 8 9 4
r es r V erral l e r cs , r , .
, , .
,

E u ip i d s th R a t i n a l i st Camb l d g e 1 8 9 5
r e e V erral l F o u Pl ay f E u ip i d
o , r , .
, r s o r es,

N es tl e E u d er D i hter a G i e h A ufh l a u ng S t uttga t

’
L n d o n 1 90 5
’

o , .
,
r . c . r c . r , r ,

1 90 2 .

IV . TRA N SLAT I O N S
M urr av Lo n d o n , 1 9 06 H ippoly tus an d B a c . Ill edea , .

ch a e : M u rr ay L o n d o n 1 9 0 2 E l ectr a : M urray Lo n d o n 1 90 5
, Tr oa d es , .
, , .

M urray L o n d o n 1 9 0 5 W ay L o n d o n , 1 8 9 6— 1 8 9 8 ( 3
, , Th e M ad .
,

H e acl es i s p arap h ras e d i n Br o w n i ng s A r i stopha n es Ap ol ogy an d the Al cesti s

’ ’
r

i n h i s B a l a u sti on ’s A d v en tu r e .
 C H A PT E R XV

C O M EDY : O LD, M I DD LE, A N D N EW

C O MEDY , l i k e tr ag ed y i s d ir ec tly c o nn ec t e d wit h the wor shi p o f

,

Dio n y su s . The tr agi c p o e t s w h en t h e y tr an s for med t he d it hyr amb

,

i n to a d r am a o f h u man p ass io n wro t e t hei r pl ay s i n the servi c e o f

,

the m o s t h u m an o f all t h e go d s T he p o e ts o f c o m ed y look e d

.

b ac k n o t to the v ari e d and p ass io n at e e x p r essi o n o f th e d i thy

,

ramb ,
but t o the mor e hil ario us an d li c en tio us s id e o f Di o n y
1
s i ao wor s h i p t he p halli c s o n g s
,
T hes e w er e sun g i n the r ev e l
.

( Kas ar
p ) t hat foll ow ed t h e vi n t ag e fes tiv al T h e p ro Th e ph ah i e
.

c ess io n w i t h t he s ymbol i c p h all u s w as for the c ou n try ,

8 011 2
3

p eo pl e the c ro w n i n g m o ment w hen al l r estr ai n t s w er e throw n

,

asi d e an d Dio n y s us h i m s el f h i s sorrow s forgo tt e n i n h i s r él e as

, , ,

t h e god o f g en er atio n o f all se n su al pl easu r es

, p r es i d e d ov e r ,

t h e i r j oyou s ab an do n m en t When i n t h e A cha r n i a ns o f Ari s

.
,

t o p han e s t he ty p i c al c ou n t ry m an o f At ti c a
,
Di c aeo po li s has , ,

arr an g ed a p riv at e an d tr easo n abl e tr uc e w i t h Sp ar t a hi s fi r s t ,

t h oug h t i s that n o w he c an o nc e mor e k ee p t h e c o u nt ry fe s ti v al o f

2
Dio n y su s . I n th e forty li n es that follow h e d i r ec t s th e s m all
,

p ro c ess io n b efo r e hi s hou se w h il e hi s wi fe loo k s o n from t h e roo f

, .

H i s d aug h te r w alk s fi r st wi t h th e b as k e t o f offe ri n g s n e xt th e , ,

sl av e c arryi n g th e p hallu s w hil e he hi m se l f i n the r ear as c hi e f

,

w or sh i p e r ad d r esse s Dio n y s u s i n l an g uag e o f t he bro ad es t an d

m o s t c h eerful i n d ec en c y Su c h a c e r emo n y wit h a follo w i ng

.
,

c rowd of r ev el er s ham p e r ed by n o c o n v e n ti o n s all i n the h u mor ,

for i mprovi sed p e r so n al i ti es w as t he n atur al bi rt hpl ac e o f t h e

,

c o mi c s piri t . Th e sat iri c epi c M a rgi tes th e po ems o f Ar c hil o c hu s

,

1 Ar i st o tl e, P oeti cs 4 .
22 —2
3 7 79 .
27 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY OF GR E E K LITE RATU R E

an d H i pp o n ax an d trib e o f i ambi c satiri s t s ex p r essed

all th e ,

i n a l i t e r ary for m an d fo r a mo r e s op hi s ti c at e d aud i en c e t h e sat iri c

an d l e s s g e n i al s i d e o f suc h a h u mor an d fro m t hes e C o m e d y as, ,

i t b ec ame l i t er ary may h av e borro we d But i ts fi rs t i n spir a

,
.

ti o n w as v e ry d iffe r e n t fro m t h e ir s an d i t r emai n ed the Ko mo s

,

so ng ,
’
c o me d y ,
Dio n y s i ac an d as suc h w as at l as t ad mit t e d by
, , ,

t h e At h e n i an s to t h e d i g n ity o f a s tat e fun c tio n

“

B ut i t w as n o t i n A tti c a t h at th e fi r s t s t ep s w e r e t ak en tow ar d s

Dori an t h e d ev elo pm en t o f c o me d y fro m t h e p h alli c s o n g .

Comed y Th e i n v en t io n o f c o m ed y w as c l ai me d by Dori an s .

The Dori an c olo n y o f M eg ar a i n Si c ily as t he birt hpl ac e of t h e ,

fi r st gr eat c o mi c p o e t Epi c har mu s n atu rally t ak es pr ec e d en c e of

, ,

At h en s The p r e t en s io n s o f N i saean M eg ar a t h e mot he r —bi ty ar e

.
, ,

mor e d ubio us Ari s totl e h i ms el f c o ul d say n o t h i ng d ec i siv e abo ut

.
-

M eg ari an C o med y 1
an d w h en w e u se t he p h r ase w e are p rob a
,
”

bly t ryi n g to d esc ri b e so met h i n g that n ev e r exi s t ed as a lit er ary

typ e out s i d e th e i m agi nati o n o f l at e r c o mmen tator s Th e all us io n s .

i n At ti c c o m ed y m ig h t eas ily m i sl e ad Fro m t he sev en th c en t ury

.

w hen A t hen s an d M eg ar a h ad fo ug h t o v e r Sal am i s t h e At hen i an s ,

h ad hat e d th e ir Dori an n e ig h bor s t h e M eg ari an s All th e r e fer

,
.

e n c e s to M e g ar a i n A t ti c c o med y ar e h o s til e
’
A M e g ari an j ok e .

i s s o me t h i n g too c o ar se an d h eavy fo r th e A t ti c ear M eg ari an t ear s ,

’
ar e c ro c o d il e s t ear s M eg ari an t as t e i s al w ay s th e w or s t po ssibl e
,
.

T h e M eg ari an c l ai m t hat i n c o m e d y th e At h e n i an s w e r e m er e ly
pl agi arizi n g M eg ar a w as p ec uli arly ex asp er ati ng b ec ause t he r e w as ,

p rob ably so m e tr uth i n i t So me so rt o f bro ad far c e ex i st ed i n

.

M eg ari an t he M egari d b e for e At h e n s p ro d uc e d a c o mi c p o e t .

far ce B ut t h e c o mi c s piri t at M eg ara w as n o d oubt d i spl ay e d

i n buffoo n ery l e g r os r i r e an d n o gr eat p o e t li k e t h e c olo n i al
, ,

Dori an Ep i c ha r mus aro s e t o p u t t h e M eg ari an g e n iu s for c o me d y

b eyo n d q uesti o n an d r ai s e Dori an far c e abov e t h e sn ee r s o f

,

At h ens F o r su c h a g en i us w e mus t t ur n to a c ol o n i al s ettl e m en t

.
,

M eg ar a i n Si c ily .

EPIC H ARMUS w as bor n o n C os an i sl an d c ol o n iz ed by Dori an s

,
.

1
P oet i cs 3 .
2 74 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU RE

w as t h e par adi se o f th e e pi c u r e an d t h er e ar e p r ese rv e d amo n g

, ,

t h e fr ag men t s li s t s of foo d t h at se e m al w ay s to h av e amus e d a

,

G r ee k au d i e n c e by t heir more l en gt h an d d e t ail an d w er e to ,

app ear ag ai n as a s triki n g featur e o f th e N e w C o m e d y I t is .

c u riou s to fi n d i n E i c h ar mus t h e e arli es t e x am l e o f a s to c k j ok e

p p
t hat w as w or n t h r ead b ar e l ate r o n t h e At h e n i an s t ag e an d w as
, , ,

n o t d i sd ai n e d by Moli er e t h e p un mad e t hroug h so m e slig h t e rror

,

1
o f p ro n un c i atio n .

Ep i c h ar mus i s t h e gn omi c c om ed i an as E urip id es i s t he g n o mi c ,

p o e t o f t rag ed y C ert ai n s en t en ti o us sayi n g s assig ne d to h i m by

.

tr ad i t io n h ad a gr eat vogu e i n G r eec e an d , i f w e may

M axi ms
,

t ru s t the fr agm en t s t hat p ass u n d e r h i s n am e h e i n tro ,

d uc e d i n to hi s c o me di es set arg u men ts w hi c h as w e hav e th e m , ,

ou t o f t he i r se t ti ng seem al tog et her u n su it ed to t he c o mi c s t ag e

, .

I t i s c u riou s t hat th e S even teen th Epi gr a m o f T he o c ri tu s w ritt e n ,

fo r hi s stat ue at Syr ac u se, d w ell s r at her 0 11 the v alu e o f th e

m axi ms o f Epi c h ar mus t han o n hi s pow er to am use _
.

Ep i c har mus wrot e th e Dori c di al ec t an d h i s p l ay s th oug h t h e y , ,

w er e lo n g r ead by all ed uc ated G r e ek s c an har d ly hav e

Di al ec t
,

b een ac te d ex c ep t i n Si c ily
,
H e u sed t h r ee ki n d s .

i ambi c tri m e t er t ro c hai c t e trame t e r and an ap aes t s

, , .

T h er e i s i n t he fragm en ts n o trac e o f ly ri c p o etry

s u c h as l en t a p ec uli ar c harm to t h e c o med i es of
Ari st o phan es and if as see m s l ik ely Epi c har mus u sed a c ho ru s
, , , ,

w e k n ow n o t hi n g o f i ts r Ol e .

Fro m the frag men t s an d a n umb e r of ti tl es w e may c o n c l u d e

t hat hi s c o m edi es w e r e o f t w o ki nd s — my t hologi c al i n w h i c h , ,

h e paro d i e d th e heroi c l eg e n d s as H ebe s M a r r i age an d sc en e s

’
, ,

fro m o r d i n ary li fe w hi c h for eshad ow t he plot s and i n trig ues o f

t h e N e w C o medy s uc h as Th e B o as if ul M a n
,
H e w as in .
,

fac t th e fi r s t to i nv e n t s to ri es for hi s pl ay s and so i s the fat her o f

, ,

t h e mo d e r n c o med y o f i n trigu e I n h i m w e h av e t h e bloo m of

.

1
C p A r i st o ph F r og s 3 04 w i th Ep i c h ar mus f r 8 7 ,
. .
. an d M o l l e re F emmes
,

S a v a n tes V e ux -t u t o ut e l a vi e o ffe n ser l a gra mmai re par l e d

’
Q ui o ffe n s e r

gran d mere ui gran d p er e

 O LD C O M E DY 27
5

Si c ili an o m ed y an d i t w as sho rt l iv ed The Si c ili an s k ep t the ir

c ,
-
.

r epu t atio n for wi t an d r e ad y r e part e e at l east as l at e as C i c ero s ’

t i me bu t th ey n ev e r ag ai n ac hi eve d a n ot abl e su cc ess i n r eg ul ar

,

c o m ed y .

SO PH RO N o f Syr ac u se w h o se d ate fall s i n th e l att er hal f o f the

,

fi ft h c en t ury wro t e mi mes w hi c h w e r e r ead an d ad mir ed t h roug ho u t

,

G r e ec e b ut c o ul d hardly hav e b een i n t en d ed fo r t h e r egul ar c o mi c

,

s t ag e . T h ey w e r e c har ac te r s k et c h es p ho togr ap hs of ,
S oph ron
t he d aily l ife o f th e m i d dl e an d lo w e r c l ass es wri tt en , ,

w e are tol d n o t i n v e r se b u t i n a s ort o f r h yt h m i c pro se

, ,
We .

hav e a few i n c o n si d e r abl e fr ag me n ts of thes e e n oug h to sup por t

’

th e t r ad i ti o n t hat T h eo c ri tu s i mi t at e d So p hro n w h e n h e wrot e h i s

m i me o f t he Syr ac usan w o men at t he fes tiv al o f Ado n i s i n Al ex

an dri a c o mmo n ly k n ow n as t he F if teen th I dy l Fro m So phro n s ’
.
,

s k e tc h of wo me n u t t e ri n g i n c an tatio n s T h eo c ri tu s may w e l l hav e ,

d r aw n hi s Si maetha of t h e S eco n d I dy l an d i t i s e v en sugg es t e d ,

t h at i n these l o st Si c ili an s k e t c hes w e may see th e b egi n n i n g of

G r e e k p as tor al po e try T hey may at an y r at e hav e serv ed as
.
, ,

m od el s fo r a l ater w ri t er o f mi mes H er o d as So phr on s m i m es ,

.
’

w er e o f men an d o f wo m en a r e fl ec tio n o f th e se p arate life o f ,

’

t h e se x es an d w er e w ri t ten i n c oll oq u i al Dori c

,
Pl ato i s said to .

h av e ad mi r e d t h e m an d the y w er e n o d oubt l it tl e mast erp i ec e s of

, , ,

t h i s m i n or l i t er ary typ e .

O f the b egi nn i n g s o f c o m edy at A then s, ho w i t w as p ro mot ed

fro m a vill ag e r ec r eatio n t o an i mport an t r Ol e i n the Dio n y si ac
festi val s o f the c i ty w e k n o w li ttl e t hat i s d efi n it e an d c ann o t
,
-

e x p e c t to b e b e t t e r i n for med t h an Ar i sto tl e w ho ad mi t t e d h i s

'

ig n o ran c e o f i ts d e v elop m e nt At an y r at e w e may safely follo w

.

hi s ex am pl e an d i g n or e Susari o n to w ho se n ame c l i n g s th e v ag ue ,

t r ad i ti o n t hat h e w as t h e fi r st to i n t ro d uc e c o me d y fro m h i s n ativ e

M egari d i n to Atti c a Th e T hes pi s o f Atti c c om ed y

.

Ch i oni d es
s e e m s t o hav e b e en C H IO N I D ES w ho se p l ay s w e r e ,

p erform e d at A the n s abou t th e ti me o f t he Sec o nd P e r s i an war .

I t w as n o t u n ti l at l eas t hal f a c en t ury aft e r i ts r e c og n i tio n o f t r ag

e d y that t he s tat e form ally ad m i tted c o m edy to t he Dio n y s i ac
2 76 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU R E

Th e ar c h o n fro m t hi s ti m e gr an t s a c h or us to
1 ’
c o mp e ti ti o ns .
‘

c o m e dy as w ell as t o tr ag e d y C o me d i e s w e r e p l ay ed bot h at t he
.

Le n aea t he wi n t e r Di o n y s i a an d at th e G r eat or C i ty Dio ny si a

, , ,

i n spri n g w h en th e au d i e n c e w as i n c r e ase d by t h e p r es e n c e o f
,

t h e alli es of At hen s T h r ee pl ay s w e r e p r esen t e d at eac h fes tiv al

.

by t h r ee s eparat e p o e ts, e x c ep t i n t ho se r ar e c ases w h e r e th e same

o t o ffe r e d t w o pl ay s t h u s c o mp e ti n g agams t h i ms el f T h er e
p e ,
.

w as th e r e fo r e n o att e mp t at pl ay s wi t h c o nn ec t e d s ubj ec ts o n th e
, ,

analogy o f t r ag e d y .

I t w as at t he C ity Dio n y si a i n 4 5 9 that M AGN ES a you n g e r ,

c o n t e m por ary of C h i o n i d es ac hi ev e d o n e o f hi s m an y su c c esses

, .

We hav e a fe w sh or t fr agm en t s o f h i s pl ay s b ut w e ,
M agnes
sh ou l d k n o w as li ttl e of hi m as o f C hi o n i d es h ad n o t

Ari s to p han es i n the K n i gh ts r e p ro ac h ed t he fi c kl e A t hen i an

p ubli c w i t h havi n g t ur n ed t h ei r o l d favori t e M ag n es ad ri ft w h en
h e had grow n gr ay an d t he y had w eari e d o f hi s s tyl e o f mu s i c an d
hi s c h or us es o f bird s an d fr o g s an d i n sec t s
, , .

B y t h i s ti me c o m e dy i s fairly es t abli sh e d at A t h ens wi t h t hr ee ,

r egul ar ac tor s m ask s an d all the s t ag e mac h i n e ry bo rrow ed fro m

, ,

tr ag ed y .For di alogu e the c o mi c wri te r e m pl oy e d no t o n ly th e ,

t r agi c i amb i c tri m et er an d t ro c h ai c t etr amet e r b ut al s o i am bi c an d ,

an apaes ti c t e tr am e t e r an d an ap aest i c d i me t e r I n i ts s tr uc t u r e a .

p l ay o f th e O l d C o me d y as w e ob se rv e i t i n A ri s to p han es i s c lo se ly
, ,

aki n to t r ag e d y Prologu e P arodo s an d E xo d o s w it h E pi so d es

.
, , ,

o f arbi trary n umb e r an d l en gt h ar e all t he r e B ut so al so are two ,

.

featur es p ec uli arly i ts o w n t he Ago n and the P arab asi s ,

.

3
The Ago n o r set d eb at e n o rm ally fall s b etw een the P arodo s
, , ,

1 Capps , i n Th e I n tr od u cti o n o
f Comedy i n to th e Ci ty D i ony s i a , C h i c ag o ,
1 903 , a rgui n g f o m th e e vi d e n ce
r o f i n sc ri t i o n s, s u
p gges t s 4 8 7 o r 4 8 6 as t h e
d at e fo r th i s fo mal r ec o g n i t i o n o f c o me d y T h e q u est i n i s st i ll o p e n b ut th e
r . o ,

t r ad i t i o nal d at e w h i c h fall s abo ut tw en ty ye ars l ate r c an n o l o nge r b e t ak en

, ,

fo r gran te d .
2
5 20 ff .

3
W es t ph al s syn t agma T he l ocus cl a ss i c u s fo r t h e d i sc ussi o n o f th e Ag o n
’
.
’

i s Z i e li ri s k i , D i e Gl i ed er u ng d er A l ta tt i sch en I r
’
o moed i e ,
z
L e i p i g, 18 8 5 . Fo r
th e w o d i r ts e l f, cp . A r i s to ph . I/ Va sp s 5 3 3 .
2 78 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU RE

m ann er s or mo ral s or as a poli ti c al l ead er

,
Ev e ry n ew mov e m en t
.
,

e v e ry d ep art u r e fro m t h e l o n g es t abli sh e d an d c o n v e n ti o n al w as

-
,

an o pp ort un ity for t h e c o mi c sp iri t I n s ho rt t he ri d i c u l e of the

.
,

c o mi c s t ag e w as a r ec og n iz e d tax o n an y s ort o f d i s ti n c tio n In a .

c o mmu n i ty as s mall as At h e n s u n l i mi t e d l i c e n s e o f sp e ec h mu s t
,

h av e see med i n tol e r abl e as w e ll as d an g ero us an d i n 4 4 0 B C by ,

. .
,

t h e d ec r ee o f M o r yc h i d e s an d ag ai n by t h e d ec r e e of Syrac o si us
,

in 4 1 6 B C .th e At he n i an s assert e d t h e ir s en s e o f d ec en c y an d
.
,

’
forb ad e the c o mi c p o et s to satiriz e i n d ivi d u al s by n am e T hi s ‘
.

w as a muzzl i n g or d er w h i c h l e ft to c o me d y n early al l i t s o l d fr ee
dom .M or eov e r A t he n s c oul d no t fo r lo n g d ep riv e her s el f o f the
,

fun o f s ee i n g t he c h i e f c i tiz e n s h el d up to ri d i c ul e an d four y e ar s , ,

l at e r the d ec r ee was r evok ed

,
.

M eanw h il e At hen s had p ro d u c e d a c o mi c p o et of w h o se g en iu s

,

w e hav e a fairly d i s ti nc t i m p r ess io n w h il e t h e o t h e r p r ed ec essor s

,

o f Ari stop han es ar e littl e mor e t han n am es C RATIN US w ho w as .

,

an e l d e rly riv al o f Ari st o p han es w o n h i s l as t priz e i n ,

Crat i n u s
4 23 Th e d at es o f hi s birt h an d d eat h w e c an o nly
.

c o nj ec tur e H e b e lo n g ed li k e a t r ue c o mi c po e t to th e ul tr a
.
, ,

c o n se rv ativ e p arty w as an ad mir e r o f C i mo n t h e i d e al ari s to c r at

, ,

( w h o d i ed i n an d w as bi tt e rly o ppo se d to P e ri c l e s as t he

l ead e r of the tri u mphan t d emo c r ac y O f t h i s t her e i s fr esh evi

.

d en c e i n th e r ec e n tly d i sc ov e r e d argu m e n t o f a p l ay w h o s e plo t

c o ul d n o t b e d e t er mi n ed from t he n i n e ex tan t fr agm en t s th e ,

D i o ny s al ex an d er ( 4 3 0 or 4 2 9
1
T hi s as w e n o w see w as a , ,

myt h ol ogi c al c o med y a p aro d y o f Troj an l eg en d s w h i c h tur n e d

, ,

o n t h e s u b s ti tu t io n o f Dio n y su s for P ari s ( Al ex an d er ) I t is .

Dio n y sus w ho o n I d a w h e r e t h e sc e n e i s l ai d aw ard s the priz e t o

, ,

A ph ro d i t e When h e has c arri ed off H el e n an d i s h i d i n g wi t h he r

.

fro m t he av en gi n g G r ee k s i n th e h ou se o f the t ru e P ari s t h e l att er ,

r esu mes hi s p rop er pl ac e i n the s t ory r e t ai ns H el en as hi s wi fe an d

, ,

h an d s ov e r Dio n y su s t o th e G r ee k s I n al l th i s Di o n y su s i s
.

1 Oxy r hy n ch u s P apy r i I V , L o n d o n , 1 9 04 See Cro i set , L e D i o ny sal ex a n

.

d er d e Gr a ti n as i n Rev d es Et ud es Gr ec u es 1 7
. q a n d K Or te i n H er mes

39
 O LD C O M E DY 2 79

rid i c ul e d and c o n sol ed i n tu r n by a c h or us o f satyrs Ev en i n to .

t hi s paro d y o f the sag a C rati n us as we n o w l ear n fro m the c lo si ng

, ,

wor d s o f the arg u men t i n tro d u c e d an at t ac k u po n P e ri c l es as the

,

r eal aut h or o f t he P elopo n n esi an w ar C rati nus i s i n fac t the fi r s t

.
, ,

c o mi c p o e t to i n tro d u c e pol i t i c al sati r e w h i c h w as to b e t he m ai n

,

i n t e r es t o f the s tag e o f Ari s to phan es .

I n the K n i ghts (4 2 4 Ari s to phan es as he r evi ew ed th e ,

shor t liv e d t ri u m p h s o f h i s for e ru nn e r s o n t he s t ag e

- s pok e wi t h ,

c o n t e m p tuou s p ity o f ol d C rati n us as a w or n ou t c el ebri ty too en

-
,

I n hi s pal my d ay s
’
feebl ed by d ri n k to k eep u p hi s r e pu t atio n .
,

say s Ari s to p h an es ev e ry o n e san g hi s so n g s an d hi s wo n d erfu l

‘
, ,

exub e r an c e o f s p eec h a d el ug e o f wor d s c arri ed all b e for e i t

, ,
.

’
N ow he w ear s a fad ed g arl an d an d i s alw ay s d yi n g o f t hi rs t .

N ex t y ear C rati nus r e pai d Ari s to phan es fo r t hi s o ffe nsiv e sym

p ath y by wi nn i ng from hi m the fi r s t p riz e wit h hi s c o med y th e
B o ttl e a sati r e o n hi s o wn habi ts
,
We hav e ov e r fou r hu nd r e d
.

fr agm en t s o f C rati nus c h i efly s i n gl e li n es or p h r ases Or i s ol at ed

, ,

word s q uo t ed by gr am m ari an s o r an ti qu ari an wri t er s, an d sev e ral

t itl es
. Th e p l o t o f hi s l ast pl ay th e B o ttl e w e c an r ec o n st ru c t
, ,

from th e frag ment s H i s mi stress th e bo ttl e, has ali enate d hi s

.
,

affec tio n s fro m C o m e d y hi s l awful wi fe

,
When C o med y bri ng s
.

s u i t t o r ec ov e r he r rig h t s C rat i n us argu e s i n d e fe n se t hat w at e r

,

dri n k e r s ( Hor ac e s a quae potor es) c ann o t wri t e good v er se T he

’
.

p ar ab asi s se e m s to hav e i n c l ud ed an att ac k o n Ari sto phan es .

The K o u n os a pl ay by Ame i psi as t hat had so me r e putat io n an d

, ,

t h e Cl o uds o f Ari sto phan es w e r e b eat en by t h e B o ttl e an d th e ,

t riu mph o f C rati nus ov e r hi s yo un ger riv al w as c o mpl ete C ra .

t i n us has th e c r e d i t o f i m p rovi n g t he t e c hn iq ue o f c o m e d y an d ,

e sp ec i ally o f r eg ul ati n g t h e n u mb e r o f ac tor s o n t he an alogy o f

t r ag e d y t h oug h th e arg um en t of t h e D i o ny s a l ex a n d er s how s that

,

for t hat pl ay he n eed ed fo u r ac tor s .

C RATES b e fo r e h e w r o t e c o med i es w as an ac to r i n th e pl ay s o f
, ,

C rat i n us A ri s to tl e w ho d i sl i k ed i n c o med y d i r ec t p e r so n al ab u se
.
, ,

t he i ambi c typ e say s t hat C r ates w as t h e fi r s t o f t h e Atti c c o me

‘ ’
,

di an s to ri se abov e the use of i n v ec tiv e an d r e p r ese n t the u n iv e r sal .

28 0 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATU R E

H is fi r s t vi c tory w as abou t 4 4 9 , an d h e w as p rob ably lo n g er no

aliv e w hen i n 4 2 4 i n th e K n i gh ts
, ,
Ari s to phan es appl aud e d
hi s wi t an d p iti e d hi m for hi s s tr uggl e ag ai n s t t he
Cr at es
b ad t ast e o f th e p ubl i c w ho c ert ai n ly p r e fe rr ed bro ad
,

far c e an d p er so nal sati r e C r at e s i s sai d t o hav e b een the fi rs t t o

.

i n tro d uc e a d r un k en man o n t he s t ag e The mo st i mp ort an t o f .

hi s fr ag m e n t s i s o n e o f t e n t ro c hai c t etr am e t e r s i n w h i c h a sp eak e r

d esc rib es hi s i d eal h o me I t i s to b e fr ee fro m se r van ts ; the fo o d
.

will c o o k i t s e l f an d c o me w it h t h e pl at es an d c ups at o n e s c all 1

,
’
.

We hav e fi ft een titl es o f the p l ay s of C r at es an d abo ut fi fty frag ,

m en t s .

Th e ac tivi ty of PH ER EC RATES w ho w as c all e d t h e m o s t Atti c

,
‘

o f the p o e t s o f O l d C om ed y ext en d s fro m 4 3 8 to 4 0 5 B C Pl ato i n

,
. .

t h e P r otagor a s ( 3 2 7 D) sp eak s o f Th e Wi l d M en ( 4 2 1 t he

mo s t su c c ess ful o f th e p l ay s o f Phe rec rat es w i t h i ts ,

P h er ecrat es
c ho r u s of m i s an t h rop e s w ho hav e w i t hd r aw n fro m t he

en n u i of c i viliz ati o n i n s ear c h o f t h e p l e as u r e s o f t h e s i mpl e l ife

,
.

T h i s sort o f all egori c al an d mor al fi c tio n h e se e ms l ik e C r at es to , ,

h av e p r e ferr ed to p e r so n al sati r e We hav e o v e r tw o hu nd r ed

.

frag men t s o f Pherec rates an d a n u mb e r of titl es

,
.

A mo n g the n u mero us c o n tem po r ari es an d ri v al s of A ri s to p han es ,

t hr ee alo n e hav e m ai n t ai n ed a pl ac e i n t h e h i s tory o f G r ee k li t er a

t u r e an d ar e so met h i n g mo r e t han n am es T hese ar e Phryni c hus
, .
,

Pl ato an d Eup o li s P H RY N I C H US mad e h i s d eb u t i n 4 2 9

, . .

P h ry n i ch us
A w ell k n ow n p i ec e w as hi s c har ac t e r pl ay t h e M i s an
-
,

th r ope w ho se h e ro say s o f h i m s el f
, I l i ve li he Ti mon I h ave n o .

w if e n o ser va n t I a m i r r i ta bl e a n d h a r d to g et on w i th
, ,
I n eve r .

l a ug h I n ever ta l h a n d my op i n i on s a r e a l l my ow n ( f r
, ,
In .

4 0 5 w hen A ri s to phan es w o n t h e fi r s t p riz e wi t h h i s F r og s Ph r yn i

, ,

c h us w as p l ac ed s ec o n d wi t h t h e M u s es i t s e l f a
ppar en t l y a l it e r ary
,

c o me d y a c o n t es t b e tw ee n So h o c l e s an d E u ri pi d e s
, p .

P LATO w as o n e of t he mo s t p o p ul ar o f th e po e t s o f th e O ld
C o me d y H e h ad a s p ec i al gi ft for w ri ti ng p aro d i e s o r b ur
.

l es ques o f t he myt h s an d l eg e n d s c o n sec r at e d by the p o e t s S uc h .

1
fr . I4 Ko c k .
28 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

a a n st t h e
g i d em agogu e H yp erbo l us an d hi s mo th er w ho w as rep ,

r esen t ed as a sham el ess o l d wo man d an c i n g th e i n d ec en t c ord ax

an d s p eaki n g G r e e k wit h a T hr ac i an ac c en t I n t he B ap ti s ts .

u po l i s att ac k ed Al c ibi ad es w h o se i n flu en c e h e r eg ard e d

( 4 15
) E ,

as a s ig n of t h e d ec ad en c e o f At h e n i an poli t i c s H e nc e aro se th e .

l eg end t hat hi s d eat h w hi c h follo w ed sh or t ly aft e rw ar d s w as

, ,

Cause d by Al c ibi ad e s P eri c l es had see m e d to C rati n us a d an g e r

.

o us d e m agogu e To Eup o li s w h o w he n the gr eat stat es m an

.
, ,

d i ed was o n ly s ev en teen P eri c l es s too d fo r an ol d e r tr adi tio n

, , ,

mad e o r tho d ox i n the sig ht o f a G r eek c o mi c p o et by the m e r e

l ap se of ti m e So i t happ en s t hat the mo st ex pr essiv e an d mo st
.

q uot ed o f h is fr ag men t s i s th e p r ai se o f th e or atory of P eri c l es 1

.

Eup ol i s an d A ri s to p han e s had mu c h i n c o mmo n B o t h w e r e gen .

u i n e p at riot s o f t h e c o n se rv ativ e an ti d e mo c r ati c typ e bot h d i s ,

—
,

l i k ed the so phi s t s and the n ew m ov e m en t i n e d uc atio n an d agr ee d ,

i n r eg ar d i n g S o c r at es as o n e o f th e mo st n oxio u s o f th e sop h i s t
I ca n t en d u r e S ocr a tes say s Eu pol i s h e i s a l w ay s tal h i ng
’
c l as s .
, , ,

a l w ay s p en n i l ess , al w ays th i n hi ng over ques ti on s of a l l sor ts ex ce

pt
th e r ea l l
y vi ta l ques ti o n w her e hi sJ us t di n n er i s to come f r om ?

so mor e t han a g e n e r atio n l at e r t w o po e t s of t he M i d d l e C o med y

, , ,

Al exi s an d An axan d ri d e s ridi c ul ed the frug al ity an d au s terity o f

,

’
t he p h ilo so ph e r Pl ato t h e p u pil o f t he u n w as hed So c r ates
,
.

I n th e c o mp o si tio n o f t he K n i gh ts ( 4 2 4 ) Ari sto phan es w as

ass i s t ed by Eu p o l i s an d w o n th e fi r s t p riz e t houg h h e w as c o mp et ,

i n g ag ai n s t C r ati n us Two y ear s l at e r th e y ou t h ful c oll abor ator s

.
,

h ad qu arr ell ed an d ac c use d eac h o t h e r o f p l agi ari s m Eup o l i s ,

d ec l ari n g t hat h e h ad mad e a p r e se n t of t he p l ay to Ari s to p han e s ,

3 ’
my b al d fri e nd w hi l e Ari s to phan es c om p l ai n ed t hat Eu po l i s h ad
,

s tol en t h e i dea o f hi s M a r i cas from t h e K n i gh ts I n t h i s famo us

'
4
.

li t e rary qu arr e l C rati nus took part s marti ng as h e was u nd er th e ,

i n sol e n t p i ty o f Ari sto phan es i n the K n igh ts I n hi s pl ay th e .

,

B ottl e h e s id e d wit h Eu po li s an d t au n t ed A ri s to p han es wi t h hi s

, ,

M éla nges Gr eco Roma i n s V l l ec te d mb e r

'
1
f r .
94 . N au c k , -
2 1 9, h as co a nu

of p ass ag es i n w h i c h t h ese v e r s es ar e
prai sed .

2 3 4
f r .
3 52 .
f r .
78 . Cl ou ds 5 5 3 .
 A RI ST O PHA N E S 28 3

d eb t to oll abor ator We h av e n o e vid en c e as to th e rig hts of

hi s c .

t h e c as e an d c an h ar d ly tr us t t h e s c h oli as t o n t h e K n i gh ts w ho
,

s ay s t h at t h e se c o n d p ar ab as i s o f t h at l ay w as wri tt e n by Eu po l i s
p .

Eu po l i s wo n se v en fi r st p riz es 1n h i s bri e f c ar ee r N u m ero us .

fr ag me n t s an d t he titl es o f fi ft ee n pl ay s hav e surviv ed .

A R I STOPH A N ES of t h e d eme C yd athen e w as bor n abou t 4 4 5 B C . .

H i s p ar e n t ag e se e m s to h av e b ee n at l eas t r es p ec tabl e bu t o f hi s ,

p riv at e life ap ar t fro m hi s t heatri c al c ar eer w e i n fac t k n ow n o th

, ,

i ng. Th e t radi tio n t h at hi s p ar en t s ow n e d p ro p er ty i n Ari s

A egi n a d ep e n d s o n a p assag e i n a p l ay w hi c h w as t OPh ameSi
l
giv en u n d er th e n am e o f C alli s trat us t h e A ch a r ni a n s an d n ee d , ,

n o t h av e r e fe rr e d to Ari s to h an es h i ms el f Li k e Eupo li s h e w as
p .
,

n o t o ut o f hi s t e en s w h en h i s fi r s t c o m e d y w as p ro d uc ed at A t h e n s .

T h i s w as t h e B a n queters ( 4 2 7 B ut h e d i d n o t ye t v en t ur e
’
to d e m an d a c h oru s i n hi s o wn n am e an d i t w as n o t ti l l t h r ee ,
'
y ear s l at er t hat h e m ad e hi s r eal d ebu t by assum i n g th e full r e
s p o n sibili ty for t he K n i gh ts H i s l ast pl ay w as t he sec o n d
e di tio n o f th e Pl u tu s broug h t o ut i n 3 8 8 ,
I n th e fo rty y ear s o f .

hi s theatri c al c ar e e r h e wro te forty c o me di es O f th e se e l ev e n .

,

s u rvi v e i s ol at e d i n G r ee k li t e r atu r e as t h e o n ly s p ec i m en s of G r ee k
,

c o me dy t h at h av e c o m e d ow n to us c o mpl et e .

The B a n queter s lo st sav e fo r a few fr agm en ts w as broug h t o ut

, ,
i

u n d er the n am e o f a fri en d the ac to r Phil o ni d es and w o n the , ,

sec o n d priz e at t h e Le n aea I n 4 2 7 Ari s to p h an es w as Th e B an .

a me r e boy w h en h e wrot e th i s satir e o n t he N ew Ed u q uet ers

c ati o n The c e n tr al i n t e r est w as app ar en tly fur n i sh ed by t w o you ths

.

w ho e mbo d y t he effec t s o f two meth o d s of e d uc atio n O n e has .

b e e n tr ai n ed lik e hi s fath e r i n th e goo d o l d fash io n ed w ay the

, ,
-
,

o t he r fr esh fro m th e d e b ates o f t he so phi sts i s a fasti d io us ov e r

, , ,

e d uc at e d p e d an t an e x e rt i n t h e p ec uli ar or ob s ol e t e d i c tio n o f
p ,

t he r he tori c i an s but un abl e to s i n g a d ri n ki n g s o ng o f Al c aeu s o r

,

A n ac r eo n ?
Th e s ame t h e m e w as to b e wo rk ed ou t fo u r y e ar s
3
l at er i n the Cl o uds w her e Ari s top han es r e fe r s to h i s fi rs t p l ay
,

i n a p assag e that i s t h e o n ly safe c l ew to i ts p lot .

1 2 3
6 52 .
f r . 2 23 . 2 — 2
5 7 5 9 .
28 4 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

Th e B aby l o n i a n s w as p ro d u c e d at t h e G r e at Dio n y s i a i n 4 2 6
u n d e r t h e n ame o f C alli s tr at u s, an ot h e r ac tor T hi s w as a viol e n t .

Th e B aby t t ac k o n th e h o me and for eig n pol i c y o f A t h e n s

a .

101113 11 3 T ho ug h i t w as to C all i str at us t hat th e ar c h o n gran t e d

t he c h oru s t h e r e w as p rob ably n o se c r e t as to t h e r eal au t h or sh i p
, .

T h e bi tt e r es t s a tir e o f t h e p i ec e had b ee n d ir ec t e d ag ai n s t C l e o n
t he d e magogu e an d h e r e to rt e d by i n d i c ti n g C alli s t r at us 0 11 t h e
,

c harg e t h at at t h e G r eat D io n y s i a i n t h e
, p r ese n c e o f t he alli es
, ,

h e h ad mad e At hen s ri d i c ulo us T hat n ei t he r Ari s to phan es n o r

.

C all i s t r at u s s uffe r e d s e rio u sly fro m t h i s i n d i c t men t i s c e rt ai n .

At t h e Len aea o f 4 2 5 C all i s tr at us ag ai n s too d sp o n so r for t he

,

Th e A ch ar A ch a r n i a n s t he ol d es t c o me d y s till e xt an t
, The p l ay .

n i am s w o n t h e fi r s t p riz e C r at i n u s b ei n g p l ac ed sec o n d
, ,

Eup o li s t h ir d At th e Le n aea n o s tr an g e r s w e r e pr esen t

.

Cl eo /i at l ea st c a n n ot a cc u s e me n ow ,

Th a t I d ef ame th e c i ty befor e str a ng er s .

F o r th i s i s th e L en a ea n fes ti va l ,
A n d h er e w e meet al l by o u r s el v es , a l on e. 1

In t h o se o n ly o n e su bj ec t c ame ho me to all At hen s th e w ar

d ay s ,

w i t h Spart a Fo r s i x y ear s At ti c a h ad e n d ur e d an an n ual i nv as io n

.
,

w h il e t he c o un try p eo p l e mus t l iv e i n t h e ov e r c row d e d c i ty .

Ari sto phan es too k for hi s h e ro o n e o f t hese c o un try men Di c ae ,

o pol i s ( Ho n es t Poli c y ) w ho s ig hs for p e ac e an d th e c o m fo rt s of

,

c ou n try l i fe T h e fi r s t sc e n e i s a sessio n o f th e A ss e mbly o n t h e

.

P n yx a satir e o n th e bl i n d ob s ti nac y o f t h e aut h o rit i es I n r ejec t

, j

i ng al l ov e rt u r es fo r p e ac e an d an e x h ibi ti o n o f t h e eas e wi t h
,

w h i c h t h e p e o p l e ar e g ull ed by e n voy s fr o m P e r si a an d T hr ac e .

Di c a po li s i n d i sg us t m ak es a p riv at e an d p e r s o n al tr eaty o f
, ,

p eac e w i t h S part a The sc en e c han g es to a s tr ee t b e fo r e t h e

.

h o us es o f D ic a eo p o l i s E u ri pi d es an d Lamac hus t h e At he n i an
, , ,

g e n e r al o n e of th e w ar party Di c ae o p oli s i s i n t e rr up t ed i n hi s
,
.

feast o f Di o n y s us by t h e fu ri o us e n try o f th e c ho ru s o l d men o f ,

t h e d eme A c h ar n ae c hi e fly c h ar c o al bu r n e r s w ho ar e l ess affec t e d

,

t han t he far me r s by t h e mi s e ri es of w af an d ar e eag e r t o sto n e ,

1
A cha r n i a n s 5 0 2 ff , F r er e .
’
s tran sl at i o n.
28 6 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

In th e A ri sto p han es w i t h a s i d e t h r us t at hi s
A ch a r n i a n s , ,

e n e my s t r ad e of t an n i n g p ro mi sed t hat h e woul d c u t up C l eo n

’
,

i n to sho e l e at h er for t he k n i g h t s th e r es p ec t abl e m i d d l e c l ass of ,

A then s A c c or d i n gly at the n e x t Le naea (4 2 4

.
, s i x mo n th s

aft e r C l eo n s se n sati o nal coup at Sp hac t er i a h e p ro d u c e d i n hi s

’
,

o w n n ame t h e K n i gh ts of al l hi s p l ay s t he mo s t p u r ely
Th e Kn i gh t s
,

p o li ti c al i n i n t e r es t I t w as hi s fi r s t u n c hap ero n ed
.

pl ay an d w i t h i t h e ag ai n w o n the fi r s t p riz e ov er C rati n us T h i s

, .

w as h i s p rou d e s t vi c tory th e m o s t di ffi c ul t an d d ari n g o f hi s pol iti

,

c al c o me d i e s I n th e A ch ar n i an s h e had appeal e d to th e c o m
'

mo n se n se o f A t he ns t o j u dg e b e tw ee n hi msel f an d C l e o n But .

n o w h e t u r n ed t h e full for c e of hi s satir e ag ai n s t t h e s ov e r ei g n

p eopl e i t self an d t ho ug h h e k ep t hi s p ro mi se an d tor e C l e o n to

,

shr ed s h i s au d i en c e far e d n o b e tt e r
,
D e mo s th e all e gori c al .
,

fig u r e i n w ho m i s c e n t er ed t he i n t e r est o f the pl ay i s a fooli sh o l d ,

g e n tl e man sup e r sti tio us c r ed ulo us eas ily fl at ter e d ; at h o me h e

, , ,

i s th e m o s t r e as o n abl e o f me n bu t o n c e h e has e n t e r e d th e As ,

s e mbl y h e si t s wi t h h i s m ou t h op e n lik e an y fool When

th e pl ay b egi n s De mo s i s u n d e r t he t hu mb o f a wily sl av e a
, ,

P aphl ago n i an T h i s i s the d e magogu e C l eo n w eari n g i n d ee d n o

.
,

mask i n C l eo n s lik en ess s i n c e t he mas k mak e r s as th e p o e t e x

’
, ,

pl ai n s l ac k ed th e c o ur ag e fo r that : B ut n o on e w i l l f a i l to hn ow
,

w h om I mean My a ud i en ce i s s h arp en oug h ( 2 3 0

. Two
o t he r s l av es o f De mo s ap p ar en tly t he g en e r al s De mo s t h en es an d
,

N i c i as c o n sp ir e to o us t C l eo n Th ey fi n d an or ac l e w hi c h for e
,
.

t e ll s t hat t he P aphl ago n i an will b e ov e rt h row n by a sausag e s ell er .

E n t e r ac c or d i n gl y a c i tiz en un c o n sc i o us o f hi s d es ti n y selli n g ,

sau sag es U n d er th i s d i sg ui se A ri s to p han es sati riz es H yp er bo l us

.
,

a d e magogu e o f t h e low est origi n the favo ri t e b u tt o f p oli ti c al ,

c o med y an d C l eo n s ac t ual s u c c e ss or H e i s p e r suad e d to o u tbi d

’
.
,

t h e P ap hl ago n i an for t h e favo r o f De mo s I n t h e sc e n es t hat .

follow A ri sto ph an es m ak es fun o f t he Se n at e an d t he A sse mbly

, ,
’

an d s p ar es n o p ai n s to s h ow up th e w e ak n ess e s o f t h e fi c kl e an d

c r e du lo u s m ob t h at gov e r ned At he n s T h e Pap h l ago n i an i s .

’
rou ted but th e sau sag e s el l e r s su c c ess i s n o t a su c c ess o f m eri t
,
.
 A R I ST O P HA N E S 28 7

H e is m e r el y m or e c u nn i ng mor e apt to c ri ng e an d fl at te r hi s mast er

,
.

T he R n i gh ts has two par ab as es I n t h e fi r s t ( 4 9 8 6 1 0 ) Ari s to p h a

.
—

n e s r e vi e w s th e work an d fortu n es o f hi s p r e d e c e s s o r s i n c o med y .

H e r e w as the p assag e w h i c h C rati n us r esen t ed an d av en g e d a y ear

l at er i n th e B ottl e The s ec o nd par ab as i s ( 1 2 6 3 — 1 3 1 5 ) i s sai d to
,
.

hav e b e e n wri tt en by Eupo l i s I t i s p artly a s eri es o f i n d e c e n t l am

.

p o o ns o n w ell k n o w n A th en i an s p artly an i magi nary d eb at e of the

-
,

fl ee t w hi c h i s i n d ig nan t at the i d ea o f sail i n g u n d er H yp erbo l us the

, ,

par ven i i pol iti c i an w h o had ri se n fro m s ell i n g l amp s I n t he en d .

,

De mo s i s r ej uv e n at e d an d r ec ov er s the c o mm o n se n s e an d d ig n ity
t hat w e r e h i s i n the g o od o l d d ay s o f M il ti ad es and Ari st eid es .

T hi s w as a tou c h o f fl at t ery that l e ft th e au d i en c e i n a goo d humor .

At the C i ty Dio n y si a i n 4 2 3 Ari s top han es pro d uc e d hi s fi r s t ver

5 1011 o f th e Cl ou d s an d w as b e ate n by C rati n us an d Ame i p si as .

H e w as d e eply mor t i fi e d by th i s r e bu ff as h e tol d hi s au di en c e i n the

,

Wasps ( 1 04 4 ) an d i n the r evi sed v e r sio n o f the Cl ou ds

Th e C l oud s
(5 18 w h i c h th o ug h i t n e v e r ap p ear e d o n t h e s t ag e
, ,

has s urviv ed th e earl i er e d iti o n I n r ewriti n g t h e pl ay aft er i ts

.

fail ur e Ari sto p han es g ave i t a n ew p ar ab as i s ( 5 1 8

,
an d ad d ed

t h e d e b at e o f t he J u st an d U nj us t Argu m en t s t h e Ago n ( 8 8 9 ,

an d the c lo s i n g i n c id en t o f t h e bur n i n g o f t he h ou se o f So c r ates .

B ut i n i ts m ai n ou tli n e s t he p l ay w as p ro b ably li ttl e c han g ed .

I t i s an attac k o n t he N ew E du c atio n and i ts p ro fessor s a s ubj ec t ,

w hi c h Ari stop han es h ad t r eat ed t en tat iv el y i n the B a n queter s .

To mak e suc h a sat ir e e ffec tiv e h e mus t d i spl ay i n a si n gl e p e r so n

age al l t h e v ari e d as p ec t s an d i nter es t s all th e w eak n esses an d ,

d an g e r s o f th e n ew fash io n abl e sop h i s ti c an d i ts ar t o f r h etori c

, .

H e c ho se for t h e sc ap e go at o f th e so ph i s t s n ot a fo r eig n e r an , ,

o c c asio n al vi sito r l ik e Pro tagor as or G o rgi as bu t a fi gur e fam ili ar

, ,

to ev e ry A th en i an o n e o f th em s elv es
, So c r at es .

S ocr at es ? N o , b u t t h at p e r n i c i o us s ee d
O f s o phi st s l
w h e r e by h o pe fu yo ut h i s t augh t

To j abb er arg um nt e , c ho p l o gi c p o r e
,

On s un an d mo o n , an d w o rs h i p W h i rl i gi g .

B ro w n i n g , A r i stopha n es Ap ol ogy
1 ’
.
28 8 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU RE

Th e fac t t h at So c r at es was a ph ilo so ph er w ho h i ms el f d i slik ed,

an d o pp o se d t h e so p hi s ti c me t h o d an d p ro fes sio ns matt e r ed ,

n o t h i n g to Ari s to phan es o r hi s au d i e n c e an d d i d n o t w e ak en t he
,

fo r c e of th e s ati r e .For t he c row d So c r at es wi t h hi s p e r si s t e n t

, ,

d i al ec ti c hi s r e fusal to t ak e tr ad i tio n s for gr an t ed hi s ann oyi n g

, ,

mi ss io n ary ai r w as a s o ph i st lik e the r es t T o Ari s to phan es t h e

,
.
,

i m pl ac abl e r eac tio n ary wi t h hi s e y es fi x ed o n the p erfec tio n s of

th e p as t t h i s u n ti ri n g d e b at e r w h o wi sh e d to r e pl ac e c o n v en t io n al
,

mor al ity by a n ew an d m or e r atio n al sy s t em of e t h i c s seemed t he

mo st fo rmi d abl e the mo s t di sturbi ng amo n g t h e t eac h er s o f the
, ,

yo un g e r g en er atio n N or w as a c o mi c p o e t l ik ely to spar e o n e so

.

c o n sp i c u o us so ec c e n tri c so fi tt ed by n atu r e for t h e c o m i c m ask

, , .

Th e r es ul t w as a c ari c atur e amusi n g en o ug h I n the c h ar ac t e r o f

.

t he A ri s top h an i c S o c r at e s t h e r e i s n o u n ity bu t th e u n ity o f the ,

p l ay i s s ec u r e d by t he admir abl e fi g ur e o f Stre p si ad es th e bou r

geoi s from w h om M oli er e bo rro w e d c e rt ai n featur es for hi s B o u rg eoi s
,

Gen ti lh o mme . Str epsi ad es w h o has m arri ed abov e hi s r an k i s

, ,

d ri v en by t h e extr av ag an c e o f hi s ari s to c r ati c so n P h ei d ip pi d es t o

d evi s e s o me m et h o d of e v adi n g hi s c r e d i tor s I t o c c u r s t o hi m .

t hat th e s o ph i s t s w ho c an m ak e t h e wo r se ap p ear t he b ett er c au s e

, ,

ar e j u s t t h e men to h el p hi m H i s so n r e fuses to for s ak e the

.

t urf an d gr ow p al e l ik e a m i d d l e c l ass s o phi s t so Str epsi ad es hi m

-
,

se l f p ro cee d s to t h e sc h ool o f So c r at e s w ho h an g s i n a b as k et
,

ob s ervi n g th e s un w hil e hi s pu pil s i n ri d i c u lo us p o st ur es s t udy

, , ,

g e o metry an d g eogr ap hy an d appl y t hei r wi t s to mi nut e r esear c h

w o rk . O n e of t h e m bo asts t hat t h e i r m ast e r had sec u r e d t h e m a
su pp er by a n eat t h e ft i n t h e p al aes t r a S o to o Eup o l i s (fr 3 6 1 )
.
, ,
.

h ad d esc rib ed ho w S o c r at es s tol e a gobl e t at a mu s i c al p arty All ~

At h ens k n e w t hat So c r at es w as i n c apabl e o f sn eak t h i evi n g p er —

,

fe c tl y i n d iffe r en t to lu xu ri es an d t h e r e l ay th e j ok e
,
For So c r at e s .

t he r e w as 110 s ti n g i n suc h a j es t What he fel t k eenly w as th e

.

c o m p l e t e m i s c o n c e ti o n of hi s ai m an d o f t h e n at ur e o f hi s s t u d i es
p ,

t hat he w h o se s i n gl e i n t er est w as et h i c s sh o ul d hav e b e en b ro ug h t

o n t h e s t ag e bl asp h e mi n g t h e go d s an d t al ki n g n o n sen se ab o u t

as t ro n omy an d p hy s i c s s tu d i es t o w h i c h h e w as i n di ffer en t i f n o t
, ,
29 0 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RAT U R E

an d s o c i al sat ir e I n th e Cl oud s Ari stop han es had offer e d t he

.

A then i an s l ess i n d ec enc y l ess o f th e p hall i c el e men t than so far

, ,

i n any o f h i s c om e d i es T he p l ay h ad fail ed an d h e n ow wi t h
.
, ,

s om e c hagri n g av e hi s aud i enc e n o p h il o s o ph i c

Th e W as p s
,

p l ay but a pl ai n l i ttl e p l o t w i th a mo r a l
,
end in g

w i th a sc en e o f u n bri dl ed d i ssip atio n su c h as was su r e to l e av e the

s p ec t ator s i n a goo d hu m or Th e Wasps i s a s atir e o n th e Athe
.

n i an m an i a for t h e l aw c o u rt s T hese h ad b ec om e a d emo c r ati c

.

i n st i tu tio n s i n c e C l eo n i n 4 2 5 — 4 2 4 r ai se d the j ury m an s fee fro m

, ,
’

o n e to t h r e e obol s ( abou t t en c en t s) a d ay Th e p oo r e st A t he n i an .

c oul d n o w afford to sp en d hi s t i me s i tti n g o u a j u ry an d fe l t h i m s el f

-

,
'

at l ast th e p o l i ti c al e q ual o f th e m o st ari s to c r ati c c i tiz en I t w as .

a si t uatio n n atu r ally h at e ful to Ari s to ph an e s an d t h e c o n s e rv ativ es .

C l eo n i s as u sual h e l d r es po n sibl e for al l t h e d e fec t s of A th en i an

, ,

pol iti c s I f th e pol i ti c i an an d p o e t had ev er agr ee d o n a tru c e

.
,

as i s h i n t ed t h oug h ob sc u r e ly
,
i n t h e sec o n d p ar ab asi s o f t he
,

Wasps ( 1 2 8 4 i t w as n o w at an en d T h e fool i sh ol d j urym an .

w ho pl ay s th e l eadi n g r Ol e i s c all ed P hil o c l e o n ( C l eo n s Fri e n d )

’
,

w h il e hi s l e v el h ead e d son w ho i s th e m o u t hp i ec e o f Ari s top han es

-

i s B d el yc l eo n ( C l eo n H ate r) Ari stop han es set o ut t o ri d i c ul e

.

C l eo n s p opul ar j u ri es an d to sh ow the b al e ful e ffec t o f th o se t hr ee

’

o bol s w h o se i n fl uen c e b ec am e prov erbi al B ut t h e i nt er est i s

,
.

s o o n d iv e rt e d from t he g en e r al qu es tio n to a s tu d y of t h e C h ar ac

t er o f P hil o c l eo n th e ty p i c al At h e n i an wi t h a p ass io n for th e l aw

,

c our ts . T he p rolo gu e i s E uri p i d ean a d i alog ue o f two sl av es o f , ,

w ho m o ne e x p ou n d s the si tuati o n to the au di en c e Th ey ar e .

h e l p i n g t h e i r you n g m ast e r t o k e ep h i s fat he r at h o m e To t hi s .

e n d t h ey mus t n e t t h e h ou se s i n c e t he i n fat u at ed d i c as t t ri e s to
,

esc ap e t h ro ug h t h e c h i mn e y by th e r ai n gut t e r an d lik e O d y sse u s

, , ,

esc ap i n g fro m th e C y c lo p s c o n c e al s h i ms el f u n d e r an ass th at i s

,

b ei ng d riv en to m ark et T hi s sc en e i s o n e o f th e r ar e p aro d i es o f

.

e p i c i n Ari s t o p h an es T h e c h or us o f el d e rly j u rym e n arm e d

.
,

wi t h s ti n g s to sh o w t h ei r aggr essi v e t e mp e r c o me to Phi l o c l eo n s ,

’

r esc ue an d are r epul sed by hi s so n T hey c o n sen t to argu e t he .

c ase an d th e s et d eb at e, t he ago n follow s

,
The c h oru s i s easily
,
.
 A RI ST O PH AN E S 91

’
c o nv e rt e d by B d el yc l eo n s argum en ts an d Phil o c l eo n w ho m ust , ,

s i t o n a j ury o r d i e o f bo r e d o m ac q ep ts a c o m p ro mi s e
,
H e will .

s t ay at h om e an d hol d a priv ate c ou r t The sc e n e t h at fo llo w s

-
.
,

wit h t he tri al o f t he d og Lab es w as c lo sely i mi tat ed by R ac i ne i n

,

L es P l a i deu r s a c om ed y w h i c h t h roug h o u t i s oft e n me r e ly a t r an s

,

l ati o n of t he Wasp s R ac i n e how ev e r d w el t rat he r o n th e m an i a

.
, ,

of an i n d ivi d u al for goi n g to l aw w h il e for A ri sto phan es the j ury

,
’
m an s d i seas e w as ty pi c ally A then i an Aft er th e ago n t he p l ay .
,

t u r n s fro m s atir e to far c e Phi l o c l eo n i s so ard e n t a c o n v ert t hat

.
,

lik e the Lat e Lear n e r i n t he Ch a r acter s o f T he op h r as t us h e d e ,

c id es to b ec o m e a yo u n g man abo u t t ow n an d i s c o ac h ed by hi s ,

so n i n t he l ates t mus i c al e ti q u e t te tabl e m ann e r s an d d r ess , He , .

h as m er ely e x c han g e d o n e vi c e fo r an o th e r The r e for med j ury .

man i s n ow the sc an d al o f th e tow n an d the p l ay e n d s w i t h a ,

dr unk en br aw l t h e p halli c ob sc en i ty d e man d ed by t he A t h en i an s

, .

Th e h e ro i s l e ft d an c i n g th e c o r d ax th e c l im ax o f G r e ek d r un k e n
,

n es s . So m uc h for t h e p ro mi sed mor al o f th e pl ay I t has t wo .

par ab ases .

The P eace p erfor me d i n 4 2 1 r en e w s t he th e m e o f th e A ch a r

, ,

ul ans i n t h at i t i s a man i fes to ag ai n s t th e w ar B ut t i m es w e r e .

c han g ed . B ot h si d es h ad n o w grow n w e ary o f a

Th e P eace
s t ruggl e t h at h ad l as t ed fo r a d ec ad e an d th e P eac e o f ,

N i c i as fi x ed fo r a t e rm of fi fty y ear s w as o n the ev e o f r atifi c atio n

, , .

Ari sto phan es i s l ess viol e n t t han w h en i n o pp o sitio n and the P ea ce ,

h as far l ess s p i rit an d ac ti o n t han t h e A ch a r n i a n s T hi s ti me h e .

took for hi s he ro Tr ugae us (V i n e harv est er) a ty pi c al vi n e growi n g

-
,
-

p e as an t o f Atti c a W e ari ed l ik e D i c aeo o l i s by t h e lo n g d e l ay s

.
p , ,

o f the p oli ti c i an s he se t s o ut o n a sp ec i al mi ssi o n to the ski es to

,

p er su ad e Z eus to ac t as m ed i ator H e m ak es the asc en t o n a .

gig an ti c b ee tl e fro m E t n a b estri d i n g i t l ik e B ell e ro pho n o n P eg a

,

s us,
a paro d y o f E u ri i d es
p H e fi n d s t h at t he go d s d i s g us t e d
.
,

wi t h the b ellig e r en c e o f the G r eek s hav e r e ti r ed l eavi ng War i n , ,

p o s se ss i o n P eac e has b ee n shut u p l ik e A n tigo n e i n a c av e an d

.
, , ,

Tr ugaeus c al l s o n th e worki ng c l asse s o f al l G r e ec e to c o mbi n e to

s et her fr e e T h e c h oru s o f G r ee k ar ti san s arriv es i n th e ski es
.
29 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

w it hou t vi sibl e mean s of asc en t a m arv el t h at r e mai ns u n ex pl ai n ed

, .

S t arvi n g M e g ari an s l azy B o e o ti an s s tr e n uo us S p art ans mal c o n t e n t

, , ,

Argi v es al l t ak e p art an d P eac e at l as t em e rg e s fro m h er d un g e o n

, ,

at t e n d ed by O p o ra go d d ess o f autu mn fr u i t s
,
an d T h e ori a w ho , ,

p erso n ifi es t h o s e e mb assi es to t h e G r e ek sh ri n es w h i c h w e r e p o s
s ibl e o n l y i n p e ac e T r ugaeu s d esc en d s h an d s ov er T he ori a t o
.
,

t h e c ar e of th e Se nat e an d c e l ebr at es h i s n u pti al s wi t h O po r a

, .

A ft er h i s r e t ur n t o eart h t h e ac t io n d r ag s The l as t fi ve h u nd r e d
,
.

l i n es are t ak e n up wi t h s c e n es to i ll ust rat e t he e ffec t s o f the n ew

p e ac e o n t h e t r ad e o f At h en s T h e p y c o n t ai n s c l ass i c p ass ag e s
l a .

i n p r ai se o f p eac e enj o y ed u n d er o n e s o w n v i n e an d fi g tr e e o f
’
,

t hat h app y st at e i n w h i c h as B ac c hyli d es s an g i n hi s p aean o n

,

P eac e the w e apo ns o f w ar ar e h i d d e n by sp i d er s w eb s The

,
’
.

p ar ab asi s I s al mo s t w h olly an asse rtio n o f t h e p o e t s sup e r1o r 1ty t o

’

hi s riv al s o n t h e gro un d t h at h e avoi d s gro ss an d trivi al p l easan tri es

,

an d p r ese n t s t h e aud i e n c e wi t h n ew an d o ri gi n al je s t s o f a fi n e r

m ak e Th e P eace l ac k s th e ag o n i s ti c el e men t w h i c h w as s o w el l
.

su i t e d t o t h e t al en t o f Ari s t o p h an es an d i n e vi tably ac q u i r e s so me
,

o f the t ed io usn ess o f an all e go ry I t w as b eat e n by th e P ar as i tes

.

o f Eup o l i s T h e r ec or d s o f the th eat er see m to hav e r eferr ed to

.

tw o e d itio n s of th e P ea ce bu t w e c ann o t t ell w h i c h h as s urviv e d

, ,

o r w h et he r o nly o n e v er s io n ap p ear ed o n th e At hen i an s tag e .

Th e B i r d s w as bro ug h t o ut i n 4 1 4 at t he C i ty Dio n y si a an d ,

w as b e at en by a c o m ed y of Amei psi as Two A t h en i an s P ei s .

,

th e tai r us ( Pl au s i bl e) an d Euel pi d es ( H op e fu l ) w eari e d of t h e ,

c hi c an e ry o f At h e n s se t ou t to se e k s o m e
,
e as i e r un ,
Th e B i rd s
litigi o us p l ac e Pei s thetai r us th e mas t er spi rit i s h o w
.
’
, , ,

ev e r , by n o mean s o n e o f t h o se w ho l o n g for w i n g s t hat t h e y may

fly aw ay an d b e at p eac e H e i s th e bor n p ol iti c al ad v en tur e r
.
,

t h e e mp ir e build e r n ev e r so h ap p y as w h en h e i s wo rki n g u p
,

s o m e n ew sc h e me o f gov e r n me n t Euel p i d es i s t he ty pi c al han g e r

.

o u th e b u ffoo n to w h o s e fr e q uen t an d fool i sh c o mme n t s hi s l e ad e r

,

p ay s n o at t en ti o n G ui d ed by bi rd s t hey r eac h a w i l d an d hilly

.
,

c o u n t ry t h e h o me of t h e h oopo e t h at my s t e rio us bird of O ri e n t al

, ,

an d G r ee k l eg e n d s s till to b e fou n d o n M o u n t Tayg e tus an d s t ill

, ,
2
94 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU RE

w hil e t he ac tual w al l s wi th th eir mo n stro us fortifi c atio n s hav e b e en

b uil t by the bi rd s I ts fame r eac hes A t h en s an d t h er eu p o n t he
.
,

Spart an m o d e g o es o u t o f fas h i o n an d al l b ec o me o r n i tho man i ac s

, ,

an d a e th e h abit s an d d r e s s o f C lo ud c u c kool an d An At he n i an
p .

h er al d i s s en t w it h c o n gr at ul atio n s o n t h e gr eat e n t er p ri s e An d .

n o w fro m abov e Pro m e t he u s t h e fri en d o f man

, , alw ay s gl ad to ,

ou tw i t th e god s c o mes to r ep ort that the n ew c i ty i n ter c e p t s the

,

savo ry s mok e o f s ac ri fi c e ; t he go d s ar e s t arvi n g an d t h e bi r d s ,

may exp ec t a d ivi n e e mb assy A c c ordi ngly H e rac l es the glu tto n
.
, ,

Po sei d o n hi s u nc l e an d a s tam m e ri n g go d fro m T hr ac e arriv e to

,

mak e t e r ms Pei sth etai rus p l ay s o n t h e gr ee d o f H e r ac l es an d

.

s ec u r es h i s o w n c o n d i tio n s Lik e o t h e r ad v e n t u r er s h e wi sh es to
.
,

fou n d a roy al hou se an d r ec eiv es fro m t he go d s Basil ei a ( Roy al ty )

, ,

d au g h t e r of Z e u s T h e pl ay e n d s wi t h h i s w ed d i n g fes tivi ti e s
. .

Th e i n t en tio n of Ari s to ph an es i n wri ti n g th e B i r d s i s o n e o f th e

u ns olv ed p robl ems o f G r e ek l i t e r at ur e I f i t w as pur e fan t as y .
,

lik e t he Ill i d s u mmer N i ght s D r ea m i t h ol d s an i sol at e d po si tio n

-
’
,

am o n g th e pl ay s of Ari s top h an e s I f i t i s t he p i c tur e o f a Uto pi a

.
,

d e sig n e d to s h o w up t he w eak n ess es o f A th e n s i t w as l ik e ly t o m i s s ,

i ts ai m si n c e Pe i s thetai ru s c an har d l y hav e b een the po e t s n o tio n

’
,

o f an i d eal rul er I t w as mo r e i n th e m an n er of A ri stop han es

.

t hat t he p l ay sho ul d hav e a dir ec t r e fer en c e to th e s t at e o f

At h en i an affai r s . N earl y a y ear had passed si nc e the sail i ng o f
t h e Si c il i an e x p e d itio n an d th e d il ato ry poli c y o f N i c i as w as
,

al r ead y t h r eat e n i n g i t s s u c c ess Wh en th e c o mi c sp i rit un d er tak e s

.

to t eac h as w el l as amuse i t i s sel do m c o n si sten t o r c o h er en t an d

, ,

i t i s po ssibl e t h at th e B i r d s w as writ ten as an an ti i m p eri ali s ti c -

m an i fes to I f so i t i s i n evi t abl e to see i n Pei sthetai r us the por

.
,

t r ai t o f Al c i bi ad es t hat r estl ess and ar d en t i m p eri ali s t w ho had

,

i nc it ed the A t h en i an s to the c o n q uest o f Si c ily .

T he Lys i s tr a ta p ro d uc e d at t he Le n aea o f 4 r 1 i s t h e fi r s t of
, ,

th r ee ext an t c o med i es i n w h i c h Ari st o ph an es g av e th e l ead i n g r Ol e

to wo men T h ei r s har e i n hi s ot he r pl ay s had b een bot h u n seemly

.

an d i n sig n ifi c an t . Li k e t he A ch a r n i a n s an d t h e P ea ce th e L ys i s ,

tr a ta i s a man i fe s to ag ai n s t t he w ar w h i c h r e n e w e d o n ly t h r ee y e ar s
, ,
 A RI ST O P HA N E S 2
95

a ft er the p eac e o f N i c i as w as n o w i n i ts mo st d i sastrou s s t ag e

,

aft er th e c oll aps e o f th e S i c ili an e xp ed it io n To that m i s fortu n e .

,

as fat al to A th en s as N apol e o n s Ru ss i an c amp aig n to

’

_
Th e

Fr en c h ambitio n Ari stop han es o nly o n c e r e fers L y s i s t rat a

,

an d t ur n s h as t ily fro m i t as t houg h n e it h e r he n o r hi s au d i e nc e

,

c o uld en du r e t h e r e mi n d e r A t hens w as n o w o n the eve o f the

.

ol igar c h i c r evolu ti o n w h i c h was to pl ac e th e Fo u r Hu n dr ed i n

pow er fo r thr ee mo n t hs an d to d e mo n strate ev en to the ari s to
, ,

c r ati c p o e t th e su p e rior m e ri ts O
,
f d e mo c r ac y B ut i n th i s pl ay .

hi s m i n d i s w holly set o n the d es ir abili ty o f p eac e I n hi s earl i er .

pl ay s h e had sh ow n the poi nt o f vi e w o f t he men o f the m iddl e

’
an d worki n g c l ass es H er e w e hav e th e wom e n s si d e t heir
.
,

p ec uli ar gri ev an c es ag ai ns t the w ar p arty H i s he roi ne w ho se .

,

n am e mean s Di sban d er o f A r mi es i s a s tro n g mi n d e d wom an

’
-
,

wi t h a gi ft fo r r h etori c o n e w ho i n th e r esp ec t abl e so c i ety o f

, ,

A th ens had n o o pp ort un i ty for d i spl ayi ng h er t al en t s o ut s id e the

,

ho me . She p er su ad es th e m at ro n s o f A t h en s an d th e at hl eti c
wo m en d el eg at es fro m Sp ar ta w ho att en d her c o n fer en c e t o d eser t
t he i r h o m es an d husb an d s an d to r e fu s e to r e t u r n u n ti l p eac e

s hall hav e b e en p ro c l ai m e d T he e pi sod es th at follow t h e s t ri k e

.

o f the w iv es w e r e d esig n ed p ar tly to amuse t he au d i en c e wit h t hei r

as to n i s h i n g l i c en se p ar tly to giv e an o p en i n g for th e c o mm o n
,

s en se argu me n t o f th e wi se an d witty Ly s i s tr ata w ho u t ter s th e ,

s en tim e n ts o f t h e po et as w ell as h e r o w n She i s c l e v e r e n oug h

.

to m ak e e v en wo m en work t og eth e r for a s i ngl e e nd an d th e ,

pl ay c l o ses wi t h p eac e fest ivi ti es and c hor al so n g s i n the Dori c

an d A t ti c di al ec t s T he Lys i s tr a ta i s th e l ast an d l eas t bi t t e r of
.

t h e p oli ti c al pl ay s o f A ri s to p h an es I t has n o par ab asi s bu t a

.
,

divid ed c h oru s o f men and wo m en w ho t ak e a liv el y p art i n t he

ac tio n .

T he Thes /n ophor i azous ae ( Women a t th e F ea s t of D emeter ) ,

e rfo rm d at t h e s ri n g D io n y s i a i n t h e s ame y e ar i s a li t
p e p
c r ary sat ir e Si n c e th e sc en e i n t h e A char n i a ns s ev e r al y ear s
.
,

b e fo r e w h en Euri pi d es swi ngi n g ab su r d ly i n a st ag e m ac hi n e had

, , ,

w ail ed alou d t hat i n borrowi n g the b egg ar s outfi t o f T el ep hu s

,
’
,
2
96 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE R ATU RE

Di c aeo p o l i s had robb e d h i m o f all hi s t r agi c

ffec t s Ari st o p han e s e ,

had n ev e r fail ed to fl i n g a t aun t at a p o et w ho s too d fo r th e

d ec ad en c e o f tr agi c ar t as w e ll as t h e c orr u p tio n o f ,
Th e
Th es mop h o A t h en i an m an n er s an d s t an d ard s O n e of the sto c k .

e ffec t s o f c o me d y w as t h e s u d d en c h an g e fr o m c ollo
112 2 011 3 2 2

q ui al G r ee k to t h e t r agi c s tyl e an d i t w as n early al w ay s th e s tyl e

,

1
an d i d eas o f E u ri i d e s t hat A ri s to han es c h o s e fo r t hi s t r av esty
p p .

I n hi s lo st P r oag o n ( Reh ea r s al ) p l ay e d i n 4 2 2 E uri p i d es h ad , ,

b ee n th e c en t r al fig ur e i n a p aro d y o f a r e h e ar sal o f o n e of hi s
o w n p l ay s An d n o w Ari sto p han es m ad e an o th e r d ir ec t at t ac k o n
.

t h e t r agi c p o e t w ho w as an ol d man by t h i s ti m e n ear t he c lo se

, ,

o f hi s c ar ee r H er e w e hav e a r e g ul ar p lot mor e c ar e fully sus

.
,

t ai n e d an d w ork e d o ut t h an i s t h e c ase i n t h e ot h e r ext an t c o m e

di es On t he t h i r d d ay o f the feas t of De met er ( T h es m o p h ori a)

.
,

E uri pi d es l ear n s t hat t he wo m en hav e agr eed t o v ary t hei r fes ti v al

by a d e b at e as t o th e b es t m e t ho d o f r ev en g e o n o n e w ho i n hi s ,

t r ag ed i es had ex po sed th e vi c es o f t h eir sex H e en tr eat s

,
.

Ag at h o n th e tr agi c p o e t w ho i s e ffemi n at e eno ug h to pass mus t e r

, ,

as a w o man to go an d p l ead for hi m at t h e festiv al fro m w hi c h

, ,

men are rigi d ly e x c l ud e d T h e sc e n e wi t h Ag at h o n i s a satir e o n

.

t he n ew p o e try al l r hy t h m an d me t ap h or s an d fi n e s en sel e ss
,

p h r ases an d o n Ag at h o n h i m s el f t he wo m an i s h p o e t w h o r e
, , ,

c ei ves o n t h e w h ol e m or e se v e r e h an d li n g t han E u ri p i d es Whe r e .

Ag at ho n r efu ses to t r ead a ki n sman o f t h e wife o f E u ripi d es r egu

, ,

l arl y i d en ti fi e d by t h e sc h oli asts wi t h M n e si l o c hu s E uri p i d e s

’
,

fat her i h l aw i s e ag e r to r ush i n Di sgui sed i n wom en s c lot hes

- -
,
.
’

fr o m t he w ar d rob e of th e di ss olu t e Agat h o n h e slip s i n amo n g the ,

asse mbl e d w o m e n T h er e wi t h mo r e c o u r ag e t han t ac t h e pl ead s

.
, ,

t hat E uri pi d es l e ft a go o d d eal un sai d an d fo r t h at w om en o ug h t ,

to be gr at e ful H i s i n furi at e d h e ar er s s o o n d i sc ov er th e se x o f
.

t h i s un sy mpat he ti c i n tr ud e r an d han d h i m ov e r t o a Sc yt hi an
,

g uar d . T h e c h i ef i n t e r es t of w h at fo llow s i s th e t r av es ty o f pas

sag e s fro m t h e H el en an d t h e A n d r o med a o f E u ri p i d es paro d i es ,

1
Cp . Cl o u d s 26 ;
P ea ce 6 4 ; H/ a sps 11 1 ;
’
It
gh ts 3 0 ni B ak h uyz e n
. nds fi
r
a o d i es o f Eur i i d es I n t h e t t l s an d fr ag me n t s o f A ri s t o p h an es
1 49 p p ex an p ay .
29 8 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

i nc omp ar abl e d ead Dio ny sus th e god o f the th eater i n d esp ai r

.
, ,

at th e p ro sp ec t s of the t h eatri c al s easo n d ec i d es to m ak e o n e o f ,

t ho se d es c en t s i n to the un d e r w orl d t hat w e r e so fam il i ar to t h e

G r e e k s fro m t he ir sag a s tori e s As O r ph eu s flu t e d E u ry d i c e fro m

.

t he d ead as T h ese u s an d Pei ri tho us w en t do w n t o c arry off Pe r

,

s e p ho n e as H e r ac l es dr agg e d C e rb e ru s to t h e lig h t so t h i s e ffemi

, ,

n at e god l ittl e fi tt e d for t he h e roi c r ol e d i sgui ses h i mse l f wi t h t h e

, ,

l io n s ki n an d c l ub of H er ac l es and wi t h X an thi as h i s gru mbli n g

, ,

sl av e se ts o ut to bri n g b ac k E u ripi d es th e d el i g h t o f t h e At h en i an
, ,

stag e . T h e pl ay i s n ame d fro m t he s ec o n d ary c h oru s o f frog s ,

w h i c h si ng s a lyri c ac c o mp an i men t w i t h a c ro aki n g r e fr ai n w hi l e

Di o n y s u s i s b ei n g row e d by C haro n ac ro ss t he Ac he ro n ti an
m arshes The mai n c ho r us c o nsi s t s o f th e spi ri ts o f th e i ni ti at ed
.
,

t h e my s ti c s o f t he E l e u si n i an my s t e ri e s T hei r b eau ti ful c hor al .

s o n g s i n voki n g P e r se p h o n e De me t e r an d I ac c hu s are fi t for the

, ,

mo st sac r ed c e r e mo n i es o f El eu si s T hey are a sor t o f savi ng .

c l au se o f p i e ty a sud d e n r eli e f fro m th e gro tes q u e p i c t ur e o f t h e

,

w eak n ess an d c ow ardi c e o f D io n y s u s A ft er an O d y sse y of ad ven .

t u r es al l d es ig ned to amuse the au d i en c e at th e ex p e n se o f t he

,

g o d o f t h e fe s tiv al t h e two ,
ex p lo r e r s r e ac h t h e doo r o f Plu t o an d ,

w e hav e ano th e r e pi s od e o f d ivi n ity i n d i s tr es s T he p l ay i s mor e .

t han h al f d o n e w hen aft e r the p ar ab asi s w hi c h h e r e p r ec ed es

, , ,

th e ago n t h e li t er ary sati r e b egi n s

,
Dio n y s u s fi n d s h i m sel f c all ed
.

o n to u mp i r e t he q uarr e l of A esc h yl u s an d Eur i p i d es w h o bot h ,

c l ai m t h e tr agi c th ro n e i n H ad es E uri pi d es has t he m ob o n hi s

.

s i d e for t he goo d ar e sc ar c e i n H ad es as at A t h e ns
, S o p h o c l es
,
.
,

“
t h e goo d e as y s o ul woul d r athe r n o t c o n t en d but i s r ead y
,
”
, ,

s h o u l d Eu ripi d es w i n to en t e r t h e l i s t s o n hi s o w n ac c ou n t
,
Ari s .

t o ph an es s o me ti mes p aro d i ed t he t r ag e di es o f So p h o c l es
l
an d ,

t ho ug h as a rul e h e i s i n d ulg en t to hi m l i k e al l the c omi c p o et s

, , , ,

t he r e i s an un ki n d r e fer en c e i n th e P eace ( 6 9 9 ) to th e av ari c e of

a po et w ho wo ul d put to sea i n a si ev e fo r mo n e y B ut So p h o .
’

c l es r e p r ese n t s t h e gol d e n m ean an d a s ati r e lik e th e p r ese n t

,

1
B ak h uyz e n fi nds 23 r
p a o d i es of S o p ho c l es i n A ri s t o p h an es p
’
l ays an d

fragme n ts .
 A RI ST O PHA N ES 9

c oul d o n ly b e effec tiv e i f i t d eal t wi t h t he e xt r e m es of th e t r agi c

man n e r T h roug h t he d e b at e t hat foll o ws Ari s to p han e s i s pl ai nly
.

o n t h e s i d e o f A esc hyl u s w h o s t o o d for t h e s p iri t an d t he t ri ump hs

,

o f t h e tem o s a eta m bu t j u s t as o n e may ri d i c ul e o n e s go d s

’

p , ,

so o n e s mo s t
1 ’
s i n c e i t i s c e rt ai n t hat th e augu s t o n es e nj oy a j ok e ,

r ev e r e d po e t c o me s i n for hi s s har e o f paro d y o n ly i n t h i s c ase the

2
,

p a ro d y i s wi t h o u t m ali c e Fi r s t eac h an t ago n i s t m ak es hi s c l ai m

.
, ,

E u ri pid es t hat he has r ed u c ed t he i n fl at ed bulk o f A esc hyl ean tr ag

e d y an d mad e h er d e mo c r ati c an d u s e ful to w h i c h A esc h yl u s r e ,

tort s that fo r hi s p art he has t aug h t the A then i an s to b e w arlik e

, , ,

w hil e by d egrad i ng t h e he roi c ty p e E uri pi d es has m ad e t he m

, ,

se n ti me n t al an d i mmor al M o r eov e r E uripi d es has an u n fai r ad

.
,

v an t ag e l il y poetry d i d n o t d i e w i th me H i s d i d so tha t he w i ll .
,

3
h ave i t h er e to qu o te T h en t hey c o m e to c lo se r q uart e r s an d
.

c o mpar e t h e i r p rologu es A esc hyl us p rov es t o the c hagri n o f

.
,
’
E u ri pi d es t hat i n t he l at t er s st er e oty p ed p rologu e wi t h i ts mo n o t o
, ,

n ou s c o n s tru c tio n o n e c an r egul arl y r epl ac e t h r ee an d a h al f fe et

,

o f the sec o n d or th ird li n e by a m ean i n gl ess p h r ase he lo s t ,

‘

hi s li ttl e o il flas k 4 ’ ’
-
E ac h c riti c i s es the o the r s c horal lyri c s an d
.
,

A esc hyl us at t ac k s th e i n n ov ati o ns o f Eu ri pi d es hi s metri c al i rr egu ,

5 ’
l ari ti es hi s favori te s hak e
,
an d esp ec i ally th e C r e t an mo n o d i es
,

w it h t h eir mi x e d m e ter s and l ac k o f m eani ng At l ast sc al es ar e .

broug h t t hat Dio n y su s may w eig h t he ir v er ses l lk e a p ou nd of ‘

’
c h eese . Th e w eig h ty ep i th et s o f A e sc hylu s n atur ally t ur n th e
sc al e i n h i s favor bu t s till Di o n y s u s h es i t at es
,
The on e i s s o cl ever
a n d the oth er i s m y d el igh t H e will giv e E u ri pi d e s ano t he r
.

c h an c e .H e th a t s h all hes t a d vi se th e d o h e s h al l co me w i th me )
, .

The politi c al epigr ams o f E u ri pi d es p rov e to be m e r ely c l e v e r an d ,

Dio n y s us d ec i d es to c h oo s e A esc hylu s 0 r ememher the g ods hy .

w h o m y o u s w or e yo u d tahe me c ri es Eu ri p i d e s I t w a s o n ly my
’
.

to ng ue th a t s w or e r et ort s Dio ny sus c ru elly e c h oi ng the fam ous

, ,

1 P l at o, Cr a ty l u s 4 06 C .

2 B ak h uyz e n fi nds
3 7 paro d i es of Aes c h yl us i n Ar i s t o ph an es .

3
8 68 f.
4
1 20 3 if .

5 Cp . 1 3 14 , w he re l
a s i n g e s y ab e ll l i s s pr ead o ut o v e r s eve a r l b eat s .
3 00 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU RE

r ep art ee fro m t h e H zppoly tns w hi c h was c o n st an tly quo ted

’

ag ai n s t E u ri p i d e s by G r ee k wri te r s an d e v e n s ay s Ari s totl e i n t h e , ,

l aw c o u rt s o f A t h en s Th e c h or us appl aud s t h e e xit o f Dio n y s us

.

an d hi s o et T h e p ar ab as i s i s o f t h e p e r so nal an d p ol iti c al ty p e
p .

w i t h t h e famil i ar w ar n i n g s ag ai n s t d e mogo gues esp ec i ally C l eo ,

p h o n w
,
h o w a s n o w p r o m i n en t .

Th e E eel es za z on s ae ( Women i n P a r l i a men t ) w as p rodu c ed i n

'

392 . I t s h e roi n e Praxago ra a bol d er an d mor e i n v e n tiv e Ly si s tr at a

, ,

i s th e ri n gl e ad e r i n a c o n sp i r ac y o f s t r o ng mi n d e d A t h e ni an w o me n -
,

w ho se c ry i s n o t e q ual rig h t s bu t th e s u bj ec ti o n of men

“
,
”
Di s .

g ui sed i n t he c lo t he s of t hei r husb an d s t hi s p al e ,

Th e
Ecc l es i a fac ed c ro w d l ooki n g li k e a l o t o f sho e mak e r s say s
, ,

z ous ae
an amaz ed h ahztn e o f t h e P n yx
’
’
c arri es a r es olu tio n ,

to hand ov er the gov er n men t to th e wo m en of At h en s A ri s .

to p h an es giv e s u s t h e r e h ear sal for t h i s ass e mbly bu t n o t t he ,

sc e n e o f t h e me e ti n g at w h i c h Pr axago r a u rg ed t h at wo men hav e

mor e c o mm o n se n s e than men mor e skill i n fi n an c e ar e m or e , ,

sc r up ul o us m or e c o n s erv ativ e
,
What i s mor e t hi s sc heme 18 th e
.
,

o n l y n ov e l ty t hat has n o t b e en tri e d by t he c han g eabl e A t h en i an s .

’
Eq uali ty an d Fr at e r n i ty i s Pr ax agor a s party c ry an d h er c o n s ti tu ,

ti o n i s c o mmun i s m u nd ilu t ed All form s o f w eal t h are to b e o w ne d

.

by t h e s t at e an d d i strib u t ed i n eq ual allo w an c es T h e r e w i ll b e .

n o d e b ts n o l aw su i t s
,
n o t h i ev es
,
an d th e l aw c ou rt s ar e tr an s
,

for me d i n to pu bli c d i n i n g —r oom s w he r e ev e ry c i tiz en i s to d i n e

at t h e pu bli c e xp en s e Wiv e s an d c h il d r en are to b e c o mmo n to
.

al l
. The l ast 4 00 li n es o f t h e pl ay partly illu s tr at e t h e futili ty
o f t he c o m mu n i s ti c i d eal w hi c h assumes t hat n o man will w an t
,

mo r e t han hi s sh ar e an d ar e p artl y a se ri es o f gro tesqu e an d

,

o b sc e n e i nc i d en t s r esul ti n g fro m P r ax agor a s l aw t hat i n lov e ’

affai r s t h e o l d ar e to b e giv e n p r ec e d e nc e o f th e yo un g .

T h er e i s n o r eal d en ozzemen t an d th e p i ec e en d s wi t h t he
'
,

br eat hl ess so n g of t he c hor us of w o men h as t en i n g to t he publi c

d i n ne r T he r ese mbl an c e o f Pr ax agor a s sc h e me to t h e U to pi a of
’
.

'

Pl at o s R ep u hl ze will s trik e ev e ry r ead er

’
B o t h Ari s to ph an es and
.

Pl ato giv e p r ec i sely the sam e arg u me n t s i n favor o f c om m o n

3 02 S H O RT HI ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU RE

T h e P /n tn s ( 3 8 8 B C ) i s an all ego ry a p i c tu r e o f so c i e ty tu r n e d
. .
,

u psi d e d ow n by th e r e di stribu ti o n o f w eal t h Plu t us t h e go d of .

,

ri c hes had b een bli n d e d by Z eu s w ho fear ed for hi s o w n supr e m

, ,

ac y s h oul d t h e goo d alo n e p o ss e ss t h e ad v an tag e o f

Th e P l u t us
w eal t h Advi sed by t h e p oor b ut v irtu o us C hre myl u s
.
,

Pl u tu s r ec ov e r s hi s sig h t i n the t e mpl e o f A sc l epi us an d c an n o w ,

foll ow hi s o wn i n c li n atio n s an d v i si t o nly t he d ese rvi n g So c i e ty . .

i s at o nc e tr an s form e d
’
I n a tu r n o f Fortu n e s w h eel th e sy c o p han t
.
,

or p rofessio n al i n for me r lo ses hi s tr ad e the ri c h old wo m an h er

, ,

m er c en ary lov e r The go d s o n w ho m men n o l o n g e r d e pen d

.
, ,

m u st s t arv e wi t ho ut t h eir sac ri fi c es an d H er mes i s d ri v en to t ak e ,

a s c ullio n s p l ac e wi t h C h r e myl us w h o i s t h e fi r s t to p rofi t by t he

’
,

go d s r ec ov e ry Pl u tu s h i msel f i s i ns t all ed o n the A c ro po l i s of

’
.

A t hen s O f al l th e A ri sto phan i c c o med i es t hi s i s the l eas t i n

.

t ou c h wi t h l i fe Th e al mo s t tot al suppr essio n o f th e c h o r us i s an

.

e c li p se o f g ay e ty an d th e s c ar c i ty o f c h or al lyri c s b et r ay s a w eak
,

n es s i n he r e n t i n t h e Ari st op han i c pl o t t h e l ac k o f u n i ty The , .

p ert wi tti c i s m s o f th e sl av e C ario n a for et ast e o f l at e r c om e d y , ,

ar e a poor su b s ti tu t e for the j ovi al fun o f th e earli e r pl ay s Twi c e .

o n ly do es the c omi c g en iu s lig h t u p the frigi d atm o sph er e o f

’
all egory C ario n s ac c ou n t o f a n ig ht sp en t i n t h e t e mpl e of
.

A sc l epiu s i s an ex c ell en t satir e o n t he gr eed y p ri ests o f th e go d

’
o f m ed i c i n e an d the c r ed ulou s i n v al i d s w ho fl o c k to tak e th e c ur e ‘
.

The ago n ( 4 1 5 — 6 1 2 ) i s an e ffec tiv e d eb at e b e tw een p al e Pov e rty ,

wit h her app ear an ce as o f an Eri nnys esc aped fro m t r ag ed y an d ,

t h e r ash b ei n g s w ho ar e p l an n i n g to r es tor e s ig ht t o Pl u tu s Pov .

e rt
y d ec l ar e s t hat i f s h e b e b an i sh ed t h e r e will be an en d o f all th e
, ,

art s an d c r aft s t hat m ak e li fe agr e eabl e an d o f t h e t r ad i n g th at ,

m ak es i t p o ssibl e N ec essi ty i s the m ot he r o f i n du stry th e mo

.
,

tiv e pow e r o f life an d hu ng er as P e r si us s ai d l at e r i s th e b es t

, , ,

1
t eac her Th e id ea w as t ak en up ag ai n
.
i n t h e Al ex an d ri an ,

age by th e o l d fi sh e r man i n T h eo c rit us

,
Pov erty t ho ug h she .
,

d o es n o t mov e C hre myl us has th e b es t o f th e arg u m en t but si n c e

, ,

Ari st o p han es d o es n o t pro c eed to sh o w the ec o n omi c d i ffi c ul ti e s i n

1
C p Pl aut us , S t i ch n s
. 1. 3 . 24 . Paupe r tas o mn es t
ar es
p er d o c et .
 A RI ST O P HA N E S 3 03

o i y w h er e o n e n eed o n l y be goo d to b e ri c h th e pl ay l ac k s
a s c et ,

p oi n t .Th e c h or us of s m all farm e r s o f Atti c a p l ay s an i n si gni fi

, ,

c an t p art an d t he r e i s n o p ar a
,
b asi s; Lu c i an bo rrow ed th e c har
ac ter s o f H e r mes Pl u t us an d Pov er ty wit h c e rt ai n o f Pov e rty s
’
, , ,

argu m en t s fo r hi s p i c tu r e o f t h e v i c i ss i t u d es o f for t un e i n Ti mo n
,

the M s a n th r ope Shak es p ear e s t h e me

'
’
,
An earl i e r P l u tus o f w hi c h .
,

w e hav e a fe w fr agm en ts w as p l ay e d i n 4 0 8 B C bu t i t i s i mp o s
,
. .
,

s ibl e t o d ec i d e to w h at e xt e n t i t r es e mbl ed t h e l at e r v e r s io n It .

w as p rob ably m o r e p oliti c al an d b et t er fur n i sh e d wi t h c h o r al ,

p ar ts . O ur v e r s io n w as a favori te pl ay wit h t h e B yz an ti n e sc h ool s

an d i s ri c h i n sc h oli a .

Ari sto phan es d i ed i n 3 8 5 wi t h i n a few y ears of t he p erform anc e ,

o f th e sec o nd P l u tus H i s l as t two c o med i es th e C oca l us an d

.
,
'

t he A eol os zco n w e r e p rodu c e d u n d e r th e n am e o f hi s you n g es t

,

so n ,
Ararus B ot h w er e paro d i e s o f t r agi c t h e mes an d th e
.

tr agi c s tyl e an d bo th are l o s t sav e fo r a few fr agm en ts Th e

, ,
.

C ocal n s d eal t wi t h th e v iol en t e n d of Ki n g M i n o s i n Si c i l y an d ,

s ee ms to hav e h ad a pl o t wi t h a r egul ar i n trig u e an d r ec og n i ti o n ,

l ik e a Euripid ean pl ay or still m o r e l ik e the pl ay s o f the N e w , ,

C om ed y .

T he fi r st d ut y o f a c o mi c po e t at A then s w as t o r ai se a l au g h ,

an d n o sen s e o f d ec en c y n o s had ow o f t he p ropri eti es e v e r r e

, ,

s tr ai n e d th e g e n i al hu m or o f A ri stop han es The gro ss l an gu ag e .

w hi c h Ari sto tl e set d ow n as ty p i c al o f O l d C o m ed y o ffen d ed hi s

l ess robu st taste an d i n hi s ext an t w ork s at l east h e ig nor es
, , ,

Ari sto phan es H e sp eak s wi t h ap p rov al o f the m or e subtl e hu

.

m or o f the l at e r c o m ed i an s w ho had ab and o n ed t he satiri c ty p e ,

t h e po e ts t hat i s to say o f M i d d l e C o med v w h o se w i t en t e r

, , ,

t ai n e d t he At h en s t hat h e k n ew B u t A ri s to phan es w as a man o f .

s tro n g an d s e ri o us p r ej ud i c es H i s p l ay s ar e n o t o nly a m o n u .

m en t o f At hen i an w i t at i ts m o s t g en i al mo st brilli an t an d mo s t , ,

’
li c en ti o us b u t a m an ifesto of the p o e t s p er so n al c r eed C o n
,
.

servat i sm t h e s an c ti ty of tr ad i tio n i s hi s t h e si s an d t h e r e i s n o t
, , ,

a c o me d y i n w h i c h o n e may n o t s ee Ari sto p han es tryi n g to s to p

t h e c u rr en t pro t e sti n g ag ai ns t the n ew m ann e r s n ew r el igi o n s

, , ,
3 04 S H O RT H I ST O RY o r G RE E K L ITE RATU RE

n ew p h ilo s o p h y ,
r he tori c l it er at ur e an d m u si c The ac a
n ew , ,
.

d e mi c li fe of the fi fth c e n tury At h en s wi t h i ts c row d o f s o p h i s t s

-

an d p ro fe ss or s o f al l s ort s t eac h i n g th e yo u n g to b e too c l ev e r

, ,

fil l ed hi m w i t h di s g ust For hi m t o be c o mpl e x w as to b e d eg en

.
,

e rat e. H e w as a tr ue so n o f t h e r ac e w h i c h alway s h el d i t a s ig n
o f d ec ad e nc e w he n a fr es h s tri ng w as add ed to th e lyr e The .

s p e c ul ativ e t e n d en c y w h i c h mak e s fi fth c e n tury At h en s so i n t e r

-
,

esti n g t o u s h e met wi th ri d i c ul e s h arp e n ed

,
by d is tru s t ; the
r h etori c al s tu di es t hat w er e alr ead y b eari n g fr uit i n t he At ti c o ra
t or s w er e i n hi s ey es a s ort o f l it er ary d i sh o n es ty w hi c h r e fl ec t ed
mor al w eak ness t h e twitt eri ng s o f E uripi d ean lyri c s t he c o m ,

pli c at ed tur ns an d fl o u ri sh es o f P hryn i s t h e i m it ativ e m usi c o f ,

P hi l o x en us C i n esi as w i t h hi s d e e p bl ue dit hy r amb s Ag at h o n s

’ ’
, , ,

e ffe mi nat e an d w an to n s o n g s th e w h ol e d ev e lop m en t o f i n stru ,

m e n t al mu si c t ow ar d s gr eat er ex p r essiv e n ess and a w i d e r r an g e of

sen ti m e n t al e ffec t h e oppo s e d as P h erec rat es an d C r ati n us h ad
,

o pp o sed t he m b ec au se h e t h o ug h t th ey sap p ed the st r engt h o f

,

At h ens H i s o w n lyri c s w o n hi m the nam e of t he d arl i n g o f the

.
‘

’
G r ac es . T hey sh o w gr eat v ari ety t houg h no gr eat d ep t h an d c an , ,

b e c h arm i n g as for i n s t an c e th e su m mo ns to Pro c n e i n th e B i r d s

, , , ,

or c an expr ess r eal r eligi ou s feeli n g as t h e hy m n to De m eter i n ,

t h e F r og s Pl ato s epigr am i n the A n thol ogy dw ell s o n the ly ri c al

.
’

gift o f Ari stop han es

Th e Gr a ces s o u g ht h ea ven ly ’
a sh r i n e w hi ch n e er

S ha l l g h t,
co me to n ou

A n d i n thy s o n l , i mmor ta l p oet, fou n d

The sh r i n e they so ugh t 1 .

B u t hi s r eal t al en t w as b est d i spl ay ed i n th e m or d an t r aill ery o f

t h e p ar ab ase s .

2
Ari s top han es c l aim ed t hat h e u se d th e sp eec h o f A t hens o b ,

s e rvi n g t h e gol d e n m ean b e tw een t h e c o c k n e y d i al ec t o f t h e to w n

br ed c i tiz en an d t he ru s ti c to n gu e o f Atti c a H i s i am bi c tri m e t er s .

sh ow t h e u su al c omi c v ari atio n s fro m th e t r agi c measur e fr e u en t

q ,

1
4 . I 3 . Ro g ers ’
transl at i on .
e . 685 .
3 06 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU RE

frag m e n t s an d dr aw a r eal d i s ti nc t io n b etw een M i d dl e an d

ti tl es to

N ew . O f t h e 8 0 0 p l ay s o f t he M id d l e C o me dy w h i c h i n th e t h i r d ,

C hri s ti an c en t ury At h e nae us c o ul d r ead c o m

,
e d i es w hi c h e n t e r ,

tai n ed th e A t h e n i ans fo r mo r e t han s ixty y e ar s n o t s o mu c h as a ,

s i n gl e s c e n e su rviv es O ur j ud g me n t o f t h e w ho l e fro m th e n u
.

mero us e xt an t fr ag men t s of t h irty n i n e po e t s i s hand i cap p ed -

,

p ar tly by t h e i r br evi ty p artly by the c i r c u ms t anc es o f t h eir q uo

,

tat i o n A n u mb e r w e r e p r eserv ed by Sto baeus w h en he c ompil e d

.

hi s ed u c atio n al A n th ol ogy i n t he s ixt h C h ri s ti an c e n t ury an d ,

amo n g o t h e r s w ho q uo t e d t h e M i d d l e an d N e w C o med y w as

C l e m e n t o f Al ex an d ri a (flor n i t 2 00 A D ) i n h i s P a tchw or h or . .
,

M scel l a ny
'

O t h e r sc h ol ar s an d an tiq uari es c o n trib u t e d t h e ir

.

s har e B ut t h e writ er to w h o m w e o w e t he gr eat es t n umb er o f

.

e xtr ac t s i s At he n ae us w h o se L i ter a y D i n ner wri tt en abou t 2 3 0

r , ,

A D
. . i s c ro w d e d wi t h q uo tat io n s fro m t he c o mi c po e t s c ho sen
, , ,

s i n c e su c h w as h i s p r e o c c up atio n fo r t h e i r r e fe r en c e to t he affai r s
,

o f t he tabl e an d esp ec i ally to c ook ery I t w as n o t an A n thology

,
.

s o mu c h as a d i s p l ay o f p e d an ti c e r ud iti o n O ur w hol e c o n c ep tio n .

o f M i d d l e and N ew C o me d y i s c olor ed by t he c uli nary i n t er est s

o f A t hen aeus H e c o ul d o n ly ho w ev e r quo te w hat h e fo un d and
.
, , ,

i t i s e vi d e n t t h at lo ng li s t s o f fo o d p i c tu r es of glu t to ny alw ay s ,

my s t e rio usly amu si n g to t h e te m pe rat e G r ee k s d esc ri p tio n s o f ,

e l abor at e d i sh es o f fi s h an d wi n es pl ay e d an i mport an t p art i n

, ,

l at er c o med y The chef w ho i s an art i s t wi t h a p hilo so phy o f hi s

.

o wn — for t h e s op hi sts hav e i n v ad ed ev en t he ki tc hen — w as a

s to c k fig u r e Th e p ar asi t e w h o s e agr eeabl e p ro fess i o n w as n ex t
.
,

b es t sai d An ti phan es to b ei n g a milli o n air e w as the i n evi t abl e

, , ,

ac c om p an i men t o f all t h i s d i ni n g T hat i s M i d d l e C o me d y o n

.

i ts far c i c al si d e I t d i ffer s fro m t he o l d i n i ts c h oi c e o f t hemes

. .

I t w as m or e subtl e mor e c o m pl ex l ess gro ss Myt hologi c al t r av

, , .

e sti es an d all ego ri e s w er e t he favo ri t e mat e ri al The myt hs t h at .

had b ee n t ak e n mo s t se rio u sly by t he lyri c an d t r agi c p o e t s w e r e

c o n s i d e r ed mo s t a
pp ro p ri at e for ri d i c ul e an d man y of th e titl es ,

o f th e c om ed i es mig ht hav e b een d r aw n fro m a li s t o f t r ag ed i es l

.

1
A n ar omea a
’
E g th e A l cest i s , B a cch a e,
’
. . an d of A n ti ph an e s .
 M I DDLE C O M E DY 307

Though th e p o ets w e r e by n o m eans al l At h en i an s the sc en e w as ,

u su ally l ai d i n At hen s an d the wil d es t an ac hro n i s ms w e r e par t o f

,

the g ame Th e po e t s Sap p h o Ar c h ilo c hus or H es io d fig u r e d

.
, , , ,

i n c o med i es t h at h ad a li t e r ary fl avo r a nd c o n t ai n e d n o d o ub t , , ,

m uc h lit erary c ri ti c i s m m ix e d wi t h far c e l ik e J o n so n s P oetas ter ,

’

’
o r Sheri d an s Cr i ti c Th e p hilo so ph er s and thei r tene ts w e r e no t
.

sp ar ed M i ddl e C om ed y i n i ts all usi o n s to the Ly c eu m the

“

.
,

Py t hagor ean s t he A c ad emy an d Pl ato k ep t u p the tradi tio n o f

,

A ri s to p hanes The good yo u l l get f r o m her my mas ter 1 app r e

.
’
, ,

hen d n o mor e tha n the Good of P l a to c ri e s a sl av e i n t he A m ,

cr a tes o f A mp h i s
1 2
p h i a n d i n t he Ph aed r zzs o f
,
Al e xi s t h e lov e r ,

who go es p al ely l oit eri n g b etw ee n A t he n s and t h e Pir ae u s c o n

”

s ol es hi m se l f as a Pl ato n i s t mig h t wi t h fr ami n g a d e fi n i tio n o f

, ,

Lov e . Fro m su c h ec ho es an d m i sund er s t an d i n g s of t he phil o so

p hers o n e se es h o w A the n i an s o c i e ty lik e mo d e r n so c i e ty b e for e ,

sc i en c e b ec am e fashio n abl e d i sli k e d an d d i stru sted e v ery n e w

,

the ory .

Alr eady ther e ar e c om edi es o f i ntri gu e d r aw n fro m B o he mi an

A th en s so c i al sati r es i n w h i c h c o urt esan s an d t he ad v en tur es o f
,

the demi mon de hav e a p ro mi n en t pl ac e

-
To j udg e fro m the l o n g .

li st o f s u c h ti tl es as th e P erf u mer t he Dol l M aher the S hepher d , , ,

the P i l o t th e j ew el er an d t h e li k e t h e r e w as har d ly a p ro fe ss io n
, , ,

o r c alli n g that had n o t i ts ap p ro pri at e p l ay F amily r el atio ns w e r e .

e x ploi t ed i n suc h p l ay s as t h e Tw i n s o r the S i s ter s an d hu moro u s , ,

mi su n d er stan di ng s i n a pl ay li k e the D on hl e a for e r un n e r o f th e ,

Co medy of E r r or s Fi nally th er e ar e t he c o m e di es o f c har ac t er

.
, ,

th e M ser th e l l/ ed al er t he M s a n th r op e w h i c h ar e a c o nn e c ti ng
' '
’
, , ,

li n k b etw een M i d d l e and N ew C o med y How t he plo t s w e r e .

m an ag e d i n t hese pl ay s wi t h t hei r wi d e r an g e o f i n t er es t w e c an
, ,

n o t t el l B ut si n c e the r e was n o c h or us to fo rm t r an s itio n s t h e r e

.
,

w as no doubt mor e e ffort aft e r c ar e ful c o mp o si tio n an d a r eg ul ar

, ,

d én o n emen t t h an i n O l d C o med y .

O f t he i n d ivi d ual p o e t s o f M i dd l e C o m ed y fe w d ese rv e men tio n .

AN TI PHAN ES ( b 4 0 8 B C ) was a for eig n e r p rob abl y fro m A si a

. . .
,

( Ko ck )
2
6 .
fr 24
5
3 08 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATURE

M i n or w ho i n hi s lo n g c ar eer w o n t hir teen fi r st p riz es We hav e

, , , .

fr ag m e n t s o f abo u t 2 00 p l ay s w ho se su bj ec t s r an g e t h ro ug h the
,

v ari e d i n t er est s an d p ur s ui ts o f fourt h c en tu ry At hens -

,
Ant i p h an es
fro m the philo so p h i c sc h ool s to a di n n e r men u .

A LEX I S th e u n c l e of M e n an d e r fro m Thur ii i n M ag n a G raec i a

, ,

(fl or ni t ci r ca 3 4 8 2 8 8 —
b e lo ng s to bot h M i d d l e an d N ew
C o m e d y t h oug h h e i s c ou n t e d wi t h th e earli e r t y p e
Al exi s
.
,

I n hi s lo n g l i fe he i s sai d to h av e w ri t t en 2 4 5 c om e
di es . I n th e r e fi n eme n t of hi s s tyl e hi s ap pr ec i atio n o f t h e ,

se n su ou s s i d e o f li fe hi s tol e r an t p h ilo s o p h y w e s e e th e family

, ,

l ik en e ss to hi s n e ph ew M enan d e r t he g en i u s B u t n o t e v en the ,
.

fr ag men t s o f Al exi s ar e e x h il ar at i n g r ead i n g B esi d e t h e mo n .

s t rou s j es ts of Ari s to h an es w h i c h by t h e ir v e ry e x c ess o f vi t al i ty

p ,

an d vigor oft en to uc he d th e subl i me the t rivi al go ssi p the , ,

c y n i c i s m t he , g o u r ma n di s e o f the p o e t s o f M i d d l e C om ed y s ho w
bloo d l ess an d sec o nd r at e .

I n t h e y e ar aft er C hae ro n ea DIPH I LUS o f Si n op e a c o l ,

o n y o n t he sh or e s of th e B l ac k Sea b eg an to p ro d u c e h i s
pl ay s at
,

A t hen s I t i s n o t fro m th e ext an t fragm en ts al o n e

.

Di phi l us
T he l o n g es t o f our c oll ee
u

that h e m us t b e j ud g ed .

t i o n of ov e r a h u n dr e d d eal wi t h c ooki n g as a fi n e ar t d i n i n g an d , ,

p ar asi t es B ut i n t h e Lati n ad ap t ati o n s o f P l au tu s ( b abo ut 2 5 4

. .

i n the i dylli c R n d en s ( C abl e ) wi t h i ts fl avor o f c o u n try l ife by

th e seashor e or th e Cas i n a a c o me d y o f i n t ri gu e an d t he d emi
, ,

mon d e o r the sc en e i n t he A delph i ( B r o ther s ) o f T er en c e w hi c h

,

h e t ook fro m t he S w or n to D i e Tog ether o f D i phi l us w e may s ee

’

Th e ti tl e s o f hi s pl ay s
’
at l eas t a r e fl ec tio n o f t h e l att er s t al e n t .

p rov e t hat l ik e Al exi s h e wrot e o n o c c as i o n i n t he m ann e r of

, , , ,

M i d d l e C om ed y wi t h tr av esty o f th e t r agi c myt hs an d styl e

,
.

I t i s i n t h e Lati n co moed i a pa ll i a ta C o med y i n a G r e ek d r ess , ,

t hat w e mus t look for t h e c har ac t e ri s ti c s o f an ot h e r p o e t o f th e

N e w C om e d y P H I LEMO N t h e riv al o f M en an d e r He
P hi l emon
.
, ,

w as bor n at Sol i a G r ee k c olo n y o n th e c o as t o f

,

C ili c i a abo u t 3 6 0 B C w as w ell e st abli she d i n t h e good gr ac es of

, . .
,

t he At h e n i an s w he n Men an d er b eg an to c o mp e t e an d c o n ti n u ed ,
3 10 SH ORT H I ST O R Y O F G RE EK L IT ERATU R E

of anot h e r M ac ed o n i an g en e ral De metriu s Po l io rc etes ( the B e ,

‘

w h o s ail e d fro m A s i a to Du ri n g M e
’
fr ee A t h en s ‘
.

’
n an d e r s l at e r y e ar s At hen s p assed n o w i n to the c o n trol of
, ,

C assan d e r n o w o f De m e triu s
, H e d i ed i n th e harbor o f th e
.

Pir aeu s i n 2 9 1 ful filli n g hi s o w n sayi n g t hat w ho m t he go d s lov e

,

d i e y ou n g Wh il e t hei r m as t er s c hang ed the i n te r es t of the

.
’
,

At h en i an s i n c o m ed y r e m ai n ed c o n stan t M enan d e r wro te fo r .

t h e m mor e t han a hun dr e d c o m ed i es fro m w hi c h are p r eserv ed ,

ab o u t 1 1 0 0 fr agm en ts B ut sev e r al h u n d r ed s o f th ese fr ag men t s

.

ar e n ot h i n g to ou r purpo s e an d u n til l at ely w e had no w h ol e

, ,

sc e n e from w hi c h w e mig ht j u d g e o f hi s t al en t as a d r ama

t i st
. I n 1 8 9 8 w as pu bli s he d a p apyru s fr agm en t of t h e C on n
try ma n ( Georg os ) w hi c h giv es us a c o n ti n uo us e xtr ac t o f 8 7
,

Th e Count ry i am bi c trim e t e r s I n sp i t e o f mu c h m u t il ati o n we

.
,

man c an r ead th e s olil oquy o f a you th w ho fi nd s the

pr epar atio n s fo r hi s w ed d i n g i n full swi n g an d fl ees i n d i s may
fro m the h o use My rr h i ne the mo the r o f a gi rl w ho m he has
.
,

s e d uc ed c om e s o n an d
,
c o n v e r s es fi r st wit h her c o n fi d an t e, ,

Ph i l i n n a an d t h en wit h Dav as t h e sl av e o f C l eaen e tus th e c ou n

, ,

t ryman . Davus an nou n c e s t hat hi s old m aste r i s willi n g t o m arry

t h e u n fort un at e gi rl Fiv e o th er fragm en ts o f th e sam e p l ay
.
,

w hi c h w e alr e ad y p o ssess ed ad d p r ac ti c ally n ot hi ng t o ou r k n owl

,
'
e d g e o f t he d en ouemen t o r o f t h e worki n g o ut o f th e c h ar ac t er o f

t h e h e ro B ut t h i s w as evi d e n tl y a c o m ed y of i n trig ue wi th th e
.
,

c har ac t e r of t h e c ou n try m an c o m e to tow n s u pplyi n g th e s ort of

s t ud y for w h i c h M e n an d e r w as famou s O f The G i r l w i th the .

S h o r t H a i r ( P er i hei r o men e) 5 1 v er ses h av e b een r ec ov e r e d

amo n g th e Oxy r hy n ch us P apy r i
l
I t i s a c o m ed y o f j ealou s y
.
,

r e mors e an d r ec o n c ili ati o n Pol e mo n a s o rt o f O t he llo has a

, .
, ,

mi s tr ess Gl yc e ra who had b een a c aptiv e o f w ar H e d i sc ov er s .

h er i n t he s o c i e ty of a s tr an g e yo un g man an d i n a fury o f jeal ,

o usy c u t s off h er h air an d driv es h e r fro m th e ho u s e T he s tr an g e r .

p rov es to be G l yc e ra s hal f bro ther

’
We hav e t h e sc en e n ear the.

c lo se o f t he pl ay i n w h i c h P o l emo n e x p r esse s hi s r e mor s e .

1 V ol I I , Lo n d o n ,
. 1 8 99 .
 N EW C O M E DY r

Gl yc era h as b een r es to r ed t o her lo n g lo st fathe r and t wo w ed -

,

di n g s are i mp e ndi ng h er o wn to Po l emo n and her brot he r s to

, ,
’

th e d aug h t e r o f a n e ig hbor .

1
I n t h e t h ird volu m e of t h e Oxy r hy n ch us P apy r i w er e pub
l i s he d fr ag me n t s amo u n ti n g t o s ix ty v e r s e s of t he F l atter er
th e p l ay fro m w h i c h T e r e n c e as h e ad mit s i n hi s Prologu e bor , ,

ro w ed the c harac t e r s o f G nat ho the p ar asi t e an d T hr aso th e , , ,

sw agg e ri n g s ol d i e r for hi s E n n zcch B ut i t w as n o t fro m t h e F l a t

,
.

ter er t hat T e r en c e took hi s p lo t for he d i d n o t h es i t at e to c o n t am ,

i nate to d r aw fr o m t wo pl ay s o f M en an d er fo r the b en efi t o f o n e
,
’

of hi s o wn The n e w fragm e n t s i n spi t e o f m uc h mu til atio n

.
, ,

r ev eal a c ou r se o f ev en t s v ery d iffe r e n t fro m th e s to ry of T e r en c e s ’

2
E zcn i cch Tog e t h er wi t h the fo urt e en v e r ses pu bl is h ed i n the
.

F l i n d er s P etr i e P apy r i ( 1 8 9 1 ) an d asc rib ed by B l ass to t h e

F l a tter er t h ey t an t aliz e by t h e i r br e vi ty an d m u til at ed c o n d i tio n
, ,

w h il e t he y ad d fr esh evid en c e o f M en an d er s tal en t for c har ac ter i

’

3
z ati o n an d wi tty d i alogu e .

I t i s i m p o ssibl e to h av e a happ i e r a mor e hu m an e r epu tati o n i n ,

l i te ratu r e t han M e n an d er s s o fi r mly mai n t ai n ed b ased so far o n

,
’
, , , ,

r e mai n s so slig h t Fo r aft er all i t i s th e r apt u r es o f t ho se w ho

.

c o u l d r e ad M e n an d e r as a w h ol e t he e x c l amatio n o f A ri s to p han e s ,

o f B yz an ti u m o n e of a c l ass n o t giv en to en thusi asm 0 M e

, ,

n a n d er ! 0 L ife Whi ch of you cop i ed the other ? C aesar s e pi ’

gram wit h the ph r ase t hat l ab el l ed T e r en c e for ev er as a ‘ halv ed

,

M en an d er Q ui ntili an s say i n g t h at fro m M e nand er s mol d

’ ’

i ssued ev e ry human ty p e th e ac k n owl ed g ed ad ap t atio n s in

T e r enc e s fi n es t c o med i es ; t h ese are th e pro o fs o f M enand er s
’ 4 ’

1 L0n d o n , 1 9 03 2 Le o i n Go tt A a ch r
’
. . . 190 3 .

3 It i s to o ea r l y to
t hi n g d e fi n i t e ab o ut a papyrus frag men t o f Me
s ay an
y
n an d e r u n e art h e d o n l y t hi s ye ar ( 1 9 0 6 T h e l e ave s
, ) i n Egypt by M L e f b r , . e e.
,

i t i s s ai d ar e n o t c o n t i n uo us b ut t he r e a e fi v e h u n d r d l i n es fr o m e ac h o f
, , r e

tw o p l ays an d abo ut t w o h un d r e d l i n es fro m t w

, o t h er r t w l ve h u n d re d i n o s, o e

all Th is sh ul d p ro ve e n o ug h f r an i n d e pe n d e n t val uat i o n f M e n an d er

o o o .

P ur m i je c ro i s e n t e n d r e l O mb r e d c M én an d re pa
’
o o , h ac un d e c es , r c

ver s ai mab l e s q ui n o us so n t arr i v és e n d éh r i s n us d i r e P ur l amo ur d e

’
o , o

mo i ai me z Tere n c e
, SA I N l E B EUVE i n N o w / ea ter Lu n d i V
.
” ’ ‘
-
s .
3 12 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

gr eat n ess that sti r th e i magi n atio n and do mo r e than th e di sj oi n t ed

frag me n t s to c o n vi nc e us t h at th e su d d en an d my s t erio us lo ss o f
t h o se hu n d r e d pl ay s o f t he gol d en p o e t i s the sev er es t t hat has
‘ ’

b e fall e n G r e e k li t e r at ur e Fo r us say s G eorg e M er ed i t h

.
“
,
”
,

T e r en c e shar es w it h hi s mast e r t he p r ai se o f an am en i ty t hat i s

l ik e Ely si an s pee c h e q uabl e an d ev e r gr ac io us l i k e the fac e o f
, ,

’
t h e An d ri an s y o u n g si s te r .

A d eo mod es/o ,
a d eo v en usto, u t n ihi l pr a
su .

Th e ce e l br at e d fi ens oua m f a mi l i a r i ter o f w hi c h th e c l o sest ,

r en d e ri n g gro u n d s ho p el es sly o n har sh p ro s e to e x p r ess the so r ,

r o w ful c o n fi d i ngn ess o f a y o u n g gi rl w h o h as lo s t h er s i s t e r an d

d ear es t fri e n d an d h as bu t her l ov e r l e ft to h er ; sh e tur n e d an d

‘
,

fl un g h e r sel f o n h i s b o s o m w eep i ng as t ho u g h at h o me t he r e
,

t hi s our i n sti nc t t e ll s u s m u st be G r eek t h oug h hardly fi n e r i n ,

” 1
G r eek .

Ari sto tl e d id n o t li v e t o see t h e c o med i es o f M en an d e r but t hey ,

wo ul d p rob ably h av e met th e t ast e o f o n e w ho d i slik ed the gro ss

n e ss an d ab u s e o f O l d C o m e d y M en an d e r u n lik e Ari sto p han es
.
, ,

e ffac ed hi s o w n p e r s o n al i ty mad e n o d i r e c t ap pe al to th e au d i e n c e
,

t hat mi g h t br eak th e ill usi o n bu t ai med at v eri si mili t ud e Al l

, .

t h e e m otio ns an d w e ak n esse s o f the h u man h e art w e r e the tex t o f

hi s pl o t an d of t he goo d s ayi ng s w h i c h m ak e t h e fragm en t s a stor e

h o u se o f p rov e rb s Wi t h hi s pl ay s lov e t oo k p e rm an en t p o sses
.

s io n o f th e s t ag e .E ac h pl ay has i ts l ov e s tory sai d O vi d T hat ,

’
.
‘

i s w hy t he y are r ead by all t h e boy s an d gi rl s o f All t he

v ari ati o n s o f t he p assio n i ts j ealo u si es q uarr el s r ec o n c ili atio ns
, , , ,

mi s eri es an d d eli g h t s sel fi sh n e ss an d sel f sac r i fi c e w h i c h had

,
-
,

b e en to t ally ab s en t fro m O l d C o medy w e r e n o w the esse n ti al ,

i n t e r es t o f c o me d y gro w n ro man ti c an d pat he ti c H e r e M e nan d e r .

d id bu t foll o w i n t h e s t e p s o f E u ri pi d es hi s c h i e f mo d e l Bu t i f , .

l ov e w as n o w th e d o mi n an t i n t er es t t he r e w as a w i d e fi e l d for ,

M e n an d e r s g en iu s fo r p ai n ti n g ty p es o f c har ac te r w i t h e v e ry
’
,

1 The I d ea f
o Comedy p 4 4 . .

2
Tr i st i a 2 .
3 70, p u er i s mrg i n zhzcsgu e .
3 14 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RATUR E

b es t M an usc r i pts ar e t h e R a ven /ms , 1 1 th c en t . , at Raven n a ; d e V ri e s , L ey d en ,

1 9 03 ( fac si mi l e ) ; J W W hi te an d T
Ven eta s 4 74 , at V en i c e (7 co med i es) ; . . .

W Al l n L o n d o n 1 9 0 2 ( facsi mi l e ) Th e P l u t u Cl u d F g th e favo ri t e
. e , , . s, o s, r o s,

p l ays f t h e B yz an t i n e s h o l s o c u r mos t fr e q ue n t l y i n t he man us c ri pt s

o c o , c .

II ED I T I O N S
. Ed p n Al d us V en i c e 1 4 9 8 ( 9 c o me d i s )
. . Di n d f ri e.
, , , e . or ,

O xfo rd 1 8 3 5 1 8 3 9 ( i n c l ud es s c h o l i a)
,
— B ergk L e i p z i g 1 8 5 2 ( n e w ed i t i .
, , o n,

18 8 6 B l ay d es H all [8 8 0— 1 8 9 3 ( un fi n i s h d
) B l ayd es H all e 1 8 8 6
,
e, e .
, ,

m v V el se n L e i z i g 1 8 6 9 — 1 8 8 3
( c o p l et e )
p .
( u n fi n i sh ed c o n t i n u d by Z ac he r )
.
, , , e .

H all an d Gel d art i n B i hl zothe a Ox n O xfo rd 1 9 00 V an L ee u w en L e y c o .

, , .
,

d en Wasps , 18 93 ; F r og s, 18 96 ; Cl ou d s, ~1 8 9 8 ; K n i ghts, 1 9 00 ; A ch .
, 1 90 1

B i r ds, 1 90 2 ; Th es mop h
Ly s , 1 9 03 ; P l u t , 1 9 04 ; E ccl , 1 90 5 Sp e , 1 90 3 ; . . .

c i al e d i t i o n s : A ch , M erry, O x fo r d , 1 8 9 3 K n i ghts, v V e s e n -Z ac h er , L ei p i g ,
. . . l z
1 8 9 7 ; M er ry, O x fo r d , 1 8 9 5 Cl o u ds, M erry, Ox fo rd , 1 8 9 9 Wasps, St ar i e , . . k
Lo n d o n , 18 9 7 ; M erry Ox fo r d , , 1 8 98 . P ea ce, v H e rw er d en , L eyd en ,
. 1897 ;
M err y Ox fo r d , , 1 900 . B i r d s, M erry O xfo r d , ,
18 9 6 F r ogs , an d E ccl
. .
( w ith
Rogers, L o n d o n , 1 90 2 . F r og s M erry O xfo r d , , , 1 90 1 . Tuc k er , Lo n
d on, 1 9 06 . B o di n e t M a on, z E x tr a i ts d ’A r i s toph a n e, Par i s, 1 90 2 .

I II . SC H O L I A . Di n d o r f, O xford , 18 38 . D ii b n e r , Pari s , 18 8 3 . Z ach er , Di e

H a n dsch r . u . Cl ass en d . A r i stoph an essch ol i en , L e i p i g, 1 8 8 8 Gu i c , D e z . l k
s ch ol . A .
Qu a estt my th . . i n H a r va r d S t u d i es, 1 8 94 R ut h erfo r d , S ch ol i a A r i s
.

t oph a n i ca( o f R av en n as) L o n d o n 1 8 9 6 , , .

I V L I TERAT U RE M u ff Vor tr ag d Ch orpa r ti een h A H all e 1 8 72

. . Ar , . . .
, , .

n ol d t D i e Chorp a r ti een d A
,
L e i p z i g 1 8 73 M ii l l e r St rii b i n g A n d i e . .
, , .
-
, . .

h i st K r i t i h , Le i p i g , 1 8 7 3
. z
L e o , Q u a estt A r i stoph , B o n n , 1 8 7 3 V an L ee u . . . .

w en , D e A E u r ip cen s or e, A mst er d am, 1 8 7 6

. B ak h uyz en , D e p a r od i a i n A
. . .

comm , Utr e c h t , 1 8 7 7
. v V el s e n , D i ss A r i sto h , L e i
p p i g, 1 8 78 . B ro w n i n g , . . . z .

A r i stoph a n es
’
Apol ogy , L o n d o n , 18 85 . M urray , On P a r ody i n A .
, B erl i n ,
18 9 1 . D es c h an el , B l a d es sur A .
, P a i s, r 18 9 2 . Z ac h er A r i stoph an es stu d i en ,
-
,

Le i p z i g, 1 8 98 . B l ayd es , A d ver s a r i a Cr i ti ca , H al l e 1 8 9 9 C o uat A r i sto

, .
,

ph a n e Par i s 3 d e d 1 90 1
,
Ro mer S tu di en z A
,
L ei pz i g 19 02.Maz o n ,
,
.
, . .
, , .

m
E ss a i s u r l a co posi ti o n d s
e co med i es d ’
A r i stoph a n e Par i s 1 9 04 , , .

V L EX I C A
. D un b ar Con cor d a n ce to th e Pl ay s a n d F r ag men ts Lo n d o n
.
, , ,

1884 H o l d e n On omasti co n Lo n d o n 1 9 0 2
.
, , , .

N S LATI O N S ig hts, B i r ds, F r og s, P ea ce, i n Wor hs ,

'
VI . T RA . F r er e, A ch .
, n

Lo n d o n , 1 8 74 F r er e .
, A ch , K
n i hts , B i r d s , n ew e d , L o n d o n , 1 8 9 0
g . Ro g ers , . .

F r ogs an d E ccl .
, L o n d o n , 1 902 Ro g ers, Cl ou d s, P ea ce, Wa sp s ,
. Lo n d o n

(in se
par at e H i c k i e, L on d o n , 1 90 1 . F r og s, by M urray i n h i s E u r ip
i d es, Lo n d o n , 1 902 .
 N EW C O M E DY 3 15

EPI CH ARM US

Mull ac h F r ag men ta phi l osoph C r aec Pari s 1 8 6 0 ; an d i n th e

,
. .
, , co l l e ti ons c

of M ei n e k e an d Ko c k ; i n Kai b e l D or i en s zu m comoed i a vo l , , . I Of Com .

Gr a ec F r ag .
, Be rl i n ,
1 8 99 i n Ah r e n s , D e d i a l D or zca I I , G Otti n g e n , . 1 84 3 in
L o r en z ,
Lehen u . S ch r if ten d . A oer s Ep i ch a r mos , B e r i n ,
’

l 1864 . A fr agme n t
i n P apy r i Ra i n er ( p ub i s h e d 1 8 99 ) i s ass i g n ed b y G o mp e r z to Ep i c h ar mus l .

Gi rar d , Ep i ch a r me i n Et u d es s u r l a P oes i e Gr eer/ i ce, n e w e d , Par i s, 1 900 . .

H aul er , Der M i mus v . Ep i ch a r mus hi s S op h r on i n X en i a A ustr i a ca , 18 93 .

M EN A N D ER

M ei n e k e , M en a n d r i et P h i l emon i s r ell .
, B er i n , l 1 8 23 . Ed .
pr i n c , of th e

Cou n try ma n by N i c o e , B as e an d Ge n e va, l l 18 9 7 ( 1 8 9 8 o n ti tl e

pag e ) G r e n fe . t ll an d H un , l l/ en a n d er s F ew p yhs ( w i h
’ '
t tran s ) Oxfo rd 1 8 9 8
, , .

l
B ass i n Li t Cen tr a l B l a tt, . 18 98 . Kai b el i n Gott . N a ch r .
, 18 98 . VVi l a
mo w i tz D er , La n d ma n n d . l l/ en a n d r os i n N e ue f ah r h .
,
18 99 . Kaue r i n
Wi en er S t u d i en , 1 904 . B aums t ark , De fr ag M en a n d r i . Sy r i a ci s i n f f .

Ph i l .
, S up p l . 21 . T h e H Gp LKfl pO/Lévn frag me n t i n 0x P ap I I , L o n d o n , . . 1 8 99 .

W i l amow i tz in Goa Gel A n z , 1 9 00

. Wei i n j ou r n d es S a va n ts,
. . . l . 1 900 .

Th e F l atter er sh o r t fr i n Fl i n der s P etr i e P apy r i ,

. 189 1 ; fr ( 6 0 .

l i n es ) i n 0x P ap I I I , L o n d o n ,
. . l 1 903 B ass i n H er mes, 1 8 9 8
. . L eo i n Gott .

N a ch r .
,
1 903 C o l l i n s , l l/ en a n d er i n E ss ay s
. an d S tu di es , Lon d on, 1 8 95 .

B e n o i t , E ss a i h i stor i q ue
méd i e d e M én a n d r e Par i s 1 8 54
cl l i ttér a i r e s ur la co , , .

G ui z o t , M én a n d r e Par i s 1 8 5 5 W i l amow i tz i n [l er mes 1 1 Re i t z e n st e i n

, , . .
,

We i l Deux Comed i es d e zl / en a n d r e i n Et udes Par i s

'
ih 35
. . B et he i h 3 7 , . .
, , ,

1 9 00 . L eg ran d i n l i
’
ev ue d es Et . Gr ec q u es , 1 9 02, 1 9 04 .

SOP H RON

F r agme n ts i n Ah r en s , D e d i a l ecto D or i ca , Go tt i ng e n , 1843 an d i n Kai b el ,

D o r i en s i u m Comoed i a , B e r l i n , 1 8 99 . H e i t z , D es l l/ i mes d e S oph r on , S trass o

b urg , 18
51 .

CO LL ECT I O N S OF C O M I C F RA G M E N TS

M ei n ek e , Fr ag Com Gr a ec . . .
, 5 vo s l .
,
B er i n , l 18 3 9 —1 8 4 1 . Ko ck , Com A l t . .

F r ag , 3 l L
vo s e i z
p gi 1 8.8 0—1 8 8 8
, , . Kai b e l Co m C r a ec F r ag v o l I B e r l i n
, . .
, .
, ,

1 8 99 . Pi c k ar d C amb r i d g e S l t -
, e ec [ rag men ts of th e Gr eeh Co mi c P oets O x
f
,

fo r d , 1 900 .

L I TERATU RE OF CO M ED Y

An o ny mo us : H cp l m p hl a s i n Kai b el C G E . . Ge n z , D e p a r a ha s i , B e r
li n, 18 6 5 . Fi e l i t z , D e A tti cor u m com . hi p a r /i ta , B o n n , 18 66 . Ohs .

cr zt . in co m gr . .
,
Be rl i n , 1 8 90 . Z i e l i ri s k i , D i e Gl i ed er un
g a . A l ta /l . A o moed ze,
'
3 16 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

Le i p z i g , 18 8 5 . Po pp el re ut er, D e co m . Att .
p r zmor d i i s B er l i n
, , 18 93 . N an e k ,
F ii h r , D e l il i mi s Gr a eco
'
l ldel a ng es C r . St Pet e r s b urg ,
. 1 8 9 2— 1 8 9 4 .

r u m , G Ott i ng e n , 1860 . Rei c h , D er ll

z zrn u s, B e rl i n , 1 90 3 . Cap ps, Th e [n tr o
d u ct i on o
f Comedy i n to th e Ci ty D i o ny s i a , C h i c ag o , 1 9 03 . H ump h reys , Th e
Ag on o
f th e Ol d Comedy i n A j P , 1 8 8 7 . B a er, D e
. . . k co m .
g r a ec . l i t/er a
r u mj u d zci hu s i n H a r va r d S tu d i es, Cr us i us i n Ph i l o l og us 4 6
1 9 04 . \V i l a .

mo w i tz i n H er mes 9 . C apps i n Ha r v a r d S tu d i es , 1 9 0 4 M er e d i t h, A n E ssay

.

o n Comed B l ayd es, A n al ecta Co mi ca Gr a eca, H all e ,

y Lo n d o n
, , 18 9 7 . 1 9 05 .

H I STO RI ES OF C O M EDY

Du M ér i l , s tozr e d e l a Co med i c A n c i en n e, Pari s , 18 69 . Den i s, La Com

i d i e Gr ecou e, Pari s, 18 8 6.
3 18 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATUR E

the at m o sp he r e Of th e r es tor e d d e mo c r ac y
gr e eabl e I n 3 9 6 h e a .

took se rvi c e wit h Agesil aus o f Sp ar ta an d fo r tw o y ear s s har e d t he ,

'

c amp aig n s o f th e S par tan ki n g w h o h ad s e t o u t from Aul i s lik e

, ,

an o t h e r Ag am e mn o n p e r s u ad e d t h at h e was abou t to ov ert h row

,

th e P e r s i an e mpi r e Wh en Agesi l aus was r ec all ed fro m A si a by

.

the Sp art an s i n 3 9 4 X en o p h o n w ho li k e so m an y of the e xil e d

, , ,

s o n s o f A t hen s too k t he fi r s t o pp or tu n i ty o f r ev en gi n g hi m sel f

, ,

fou g h t o n th e S p ar tan si d e ag ai n st the alli ed At hen i an s an d

Th eb an s at C o r o n ea ( 3 9 4 Wheth er th e d ec r ee w h i c h
b an i sh ed hi m fro m At hens w as t he r esul t o f hi s p r esenc e at
C o ro n ea o r as s eems l ess l ik ely o f hi s Sup p or t o f C yr us we d o
, , , ,

n o t k n ow At an y r at e the Spar tan s r ep ai d hi s s ervi c es by the

.

gi ft o f an e s t ate at Sc i ll us i n the pl ai n o f E li s n o t far fro m ,

O lym p i a an d t h er e h e l iv ed for tw en ty y ear s w ro t e hi s book s

, , ,

hu n t e d bu ilt a te mpl e to E p h esi an A rt e mi s an d broug h t up h i s

, ,

two so ns G ryllu s an d Di o d or us w ho fo ug ht at M an ti n ea wi th t he
, ,

A then i an c av alry i n 3 6 2 Th e h e roi c d eat h o f G ryllu s at M an ti nea

.

was th e n ce forw ard a favo ri t e t h em e o f r h e tori c al p an egyri c i n th e

p a trioti c pro s e an d v e r s e o f G r eec e X e no p h o n had l e ft hi s .

P elo p o n n esi an estate i n 3 7 1 w h e n the E l ean s b ec omi ng h o stil e

, ,

to Sp art a plu n d e r ed Sc i ll us
,
H i s l ast y ear s may h av e b ee n s p en t
.

at At h en s H e di e d abou t the mi d d l e o f t h e fo u rt h c e n tury bu t

.
,

t he p l ac e an d t he e x ac t d at e o f h i s d eat h ar e al ik e u n c er tai n .

As an i n d ep en d en t t h i n k e r X en o ph o n has n o c l ai m t o di s ti n c tio n .

I n the fo u r work s w h i c h h e d e vo te d to t he m e mory o f S o c r ates ,

t h e Ap ol ogy t he M emor ahi l i a t he Sy m

, p os i u m an d t he Oeco n o
, ,

mi cus he r e fl ec t s t h e su p erfi c i al es ti m ate o f So c r ates by a p r ac ti c al

,

man w ho ad mi r ed hi s master s eth i c al t eac hi n g wi t h o ut c omp l e tely

’

graspi ng hi s p hilo so phy X en o p ho n had n o tas t e for sp ec ul atio n,

.

an d c o u l d n o t ap p r e c i ate th e su b t l e ti es o f t h e So c r at i c d i al ec ti c .

Th e
H e i s n o t at hi s b es t as a r ep ort e r o f t h e c o n v e r sati o n s

M emorabi l i a o f So c r at es i n t h e M emor a hi l i a a wo rk w h o se h i stori c al ,

v alu e i s muc h d eb at ed H e w as c hi e fly i n t er es t ed i n th e p r ac ti c al
.

c ep t s o f S o c r at es o n e d u c ati o n
’
p r e ex e r c i s e d i e t d u ty to o n e s
, , ,

ki n d r ed r eligi o us O b se rv anc es an d t h e li k e T he So c rati c met h o d

, ,
.
 X E N O PH O N 3 19

1
of arrivi n g at d efi n i ti o ns h e d esc rib e s l as t o f al l an d d ec l i nes to ,

p u r su e t h e s ubj ec t at an y gr e at l en gt h H i s t al en t l ay r at h e r i n .

—
d esc ribi ng ac tio n and ad v e n ture t han i n r ep ro d uc rn g for t he
”

r ead er the mag n eti c p ers o n ali ty O f a gr eat t eac he r A p ar t fro m .

i ts h i s tori c al i n t er e s t t he M emor a hi l i a has p r ese rv ed fo r us t he

,

c e l e br at ed an d o ften quot ed e pi d e i c ti c apologu e of Pro d i c us o n

-

t he C hoi c e o f H e r ac l es w hi c h X en op h o n m ak es So c r at e s r ec i t e to
‘

A ri s ti pp u s th e C yr enai c as a s o rt o f serm o n ag ai ns t sel f i n dulg enc e -

.

X e n o ph o n s Apol ogy of S ocr a tes an d hi s Sy mposi u m suffer fro m

’ 3

t h e c l ass i c al c o n tr as t t hat t h e y i n vi t e wi t h t he Pl ato n i c work s u n d e r

t h e s ame titl e I n the fo r mer w hi c h i s a bri e f se mi

.
Th e ,

or atori c al c om p o si tio n the s ort o f t h i n g t hat w as q u i te ApOIOgY ,

b eyo n d hi s r an g e X en op ho n l ay s st r e ss o n th e c o n vi c tio n o f
,

S o c r ate s t h at for hi m d eat h w as b ette r t han life th e go al for w h i c h

, , ,

all h i s li fe had b een a pr ep ar at io n The s et ti n g o f t he Sy mpos i u m .

i s th e h ou se o f C all i as an d t he b an qu e t i s suppo s e d to tak e p l ac e

,

i n 4 2 1 w h en th e au tho r w as a m er e c h il d I t w as p rob ably .

wri t t en b e for e th e Sy mp os i u m of Pl ato w ho r e pro d uc ed c er tai n ,

d et ail s n o t ably the famou s c om p ari so n o f So c r at es wi th t h e

,

4
i m ag es o f Sil enu s .

I n t he Oecon o mi c us So c r at es c o n v er s es wi th I sc ho mac hus an , ,

A then i an o n the m anag e m en t of hi s h ou se hi s you n g w i fe and hi s

, , ,

farm I t c o n tai n s an am u si n g pi c tur e o f X en o pho n s i d eal hou se

.
’

wi fe brok e n i n to her d u ti es by her hu sb an d i n d u c ed Th e Oecono

, ,

by hi s argu m en ts to giv e u p roug e an d pow d er an d mi c“ , ,

h ig h h ee l s an d t o c o n s i d e r th e ac tiv e c ar e of h er h ou seh old th e

,

m o st ex h il ar ati n g form o f ex e r c i se Fro m the r ec it al o f hi s wi fe s .

’

d u ti es I sc ho mac hus p ass es to h i s o w n o ut d oor o c c upatio n o f far m

i ng the mo s t pl easan t th e n obl est t h e d ear es t to go d s an d men
,
‘
, , .
»

1
M emor ahzl za 4 6
. .
2
2 . 1 .

3
7 l l er
e X en opho n t i c aut h o rsh i p o f t h e Apol ogy
d e n i es th e .

4
Cp X e n Sy mp 4 1 9 w i th Pl at Sy ra/1 2 1 5 1;
. . . .F o r a full ac co un t o f . .

Pl at o s ec h o es o f X e no p h o n s e e th e e d i t i o n s b y I I ug an d Rett i g o f th e
’
,

Pl at o n i c Sy mpos i u m B r un s i n N eu e j a h r h 1 9 00 mai nt ai ns t h pr i o ri ty
. .
, , e

o f Pl at o s w r k an d i s fo ll o w e d b
y G o mp e r
’
o , z .
3 20 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R EE K L1TERATURE

The A n ahas i s i s a d esc ri p ti o n

o f the u pgoi n g an d t he r e tr eat
o f the m er c en ary for c e o f G r ee k s w h i c h set o ut i n 4 0 1 o s ten s ib l y ,

t o h el p C y r us to r e d uc e t h e trou bl es o me h ill t ri b es o f Pi si d i a ,

Th e b ut ac t ually to se iz e the t hro n e fro m hi s brot h e r T h ei r .

Anabas i s m ar c h w as fro m Sar d i s t h roug h A si a M i n or and Lyc a

o n i a to T ar s us then c e ac ro ss t h e Ar abi an d eser t alo n g the b an k s
, , ,

o f th e E uphr ates t o C u n ax a ,
T her e C yr us was sl ai n i n b attl e
.
,

an d th e e n t e r p ri s e c oll ap sed The l e ad erl ess G r eek s had n o w t o

.

fac e the d il e m m a t hat mu st alw ay s hav e thr eat en ed G r ee k m e r c e

n ari es o n A si ati c se rvi ce T heir p atro n had fall e n an d i f t h ey
.
,

w e r e n o t willi n g to c han g e s id es an d i n tr us t t hem selv es to t he

good fai t h of A r tax e rx es t h ey mu st b egi n a w eary r et r eat t hroug h
,

a h o s til e c ou n try A t t h i s c ri si s a bl und er o f the Sp art an g en er al

.
, ,

C l ear c hu s b e t r ay ed hi m wi th th e o t he r o ffi c e rs o f t h e G r ee k fo r c e
, , ,

i n c lu d i ng Prox en us i n to th e t r ap s et fo r t he m by Ti ssap hern es

, .

An d n o w X en o p h o n c o m e s forw ar d as t he h ero of t h e A n ahas i s .

H e had a d ec i d ed gi ft o f o r at ory as w e may see fro m h i s r e p or t ,

o f hi s o w n sp eec hes to t he army H i s abili ti es w e r e at o n c e

.

r ec og ni z ed by th e l ead erl ess Ten T hou san d w ho e l ec t ed hi m a ,

g en er al an d follow ed hi s ad vi c e i n t h ei r r etr eat n ort hw ar d T h e y

,
.

had n o w to mar c h th roug h an u n k n ow n c ou n try har ass ed by t h e ,

arm y o f Ti ssaph er n es T h ey mad e th ei r w ay p ai n fully thro ug h the

.

h o s til e i n d e p e n d en t t rib es o f C ar d uc hi a ( Ku rdi stan) t hen by

, ,

wi nt ry m ar c hes t h roug h Arm en i a an d t he c o u n t ry of t he w arlik e

C haly b es til l at l as t t hey c am e to Tr ap ezu s a G r e ek c olo n y o n
, ,

t h e c o as t o f the E uxi n e Th ey ca me to a mou n tai n n a med Thech e .

When the va n r eached the s ummi t they ga ve a l ou d c ry And .

as th e cl a mor g r ew ever l oud er a n d mo r e i n s i s ten t a s mo r e tr oops

i d h se th a t w er e s h o u ti ng X e n oph on th ough t i t mu s t he s o me
j o n e t o ,

thi ng s er i o u s . H e go t on hi s hor se an d tooh Ly ci us a n d the ca va l ry

to th e r esc u e . S o o n they hea r d th a t th e soldi er s w er e s h ou ti ng , Th e

sea Th e s ea Then they all ca me to the s u mmi t a n d w ep t

f orj oy , a n d e mhr aced o n e a n other a n d th e g ene r al s a n d o

’
j i cer s .
l

Li k e m o s t G r ee k s w ho w en t ca m paig n i ng in A si a ,
th e Te n
1 A n a has i s 4 .
7
.
3 22 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RAT URE

an d w n e s, an d c ea
i t r l rly mak es an effort to i mi t at e t he T hu c y d i d ean
man n e r an d poi n t o f V i ew B ut he w as n o t form ed to wri t e p hilo
.

s o p h i c al h i s t o ry o f t hat p at t e r n H i s w as r at he r t he t al e n t of a
.

wri t e r o f h i s t o ri c al ro manc e an d the c hi e f v alu e o f hi s n arr ativ e

,

l i es i n hi s vivi d d esc ri p tio n s an d c har ac t eriz atio ns t he c o ns t an t ,

r e fl ec tio n o f the p e r so n al e x p e ri e n c e o f an ac u t e an d i n t er es t ed
ob serv e r The H ell en i ca i s c ol or ed by the i n flu e nc e o f Agesi l aus
.
,
’
an d th e w rit e r s u n c o n c e al e d p r e fe r enc e fo r Sp art an id eal s and

m etho d s .

X en o pho n s p oli ti c al id eal w as a m ili t ary m o n ar c hy w i t h a

’
,

b en evol en t d esp o t suc h as h e d i d n o t ap par e n tly ex p ec t G r e ec e

, ,

t o p rodu ce I n hi s Cy r op aedi a o r E d uca ti on of Cy r us he d r aw s

.
, ,

Th e an i d eal iz e d p ortr ai t o f t h e el d er C y r us w it h an ac ,

CYTOPaedi a c o un t o f h i s ed uc atio n an d hi s c ar e e r I n t h i s h ig hly .

c olor e d poli ti c al ro m an c e h e t ri e d to S h o w w h at mig ht b e ho p ed

fro m a ki n g w ho sho ul d hav e b een tr ai ned i n the Spart an d i sc i pli n e ,

an d n o t wi t ho u t t h e So c r at i c d i al e c ti c H e p l ac es hi s i d eal ki n g
.

i n a U to p i a w h i c h c om bi n es s o me o f t he feat ur es o f th e S part an
c o n s ti t u ti o n w it h t ho s e o f t he P e r si an e m pir e t h e w h ol e e mb el ,

li sh ed wi t h fi c ti t io us an ec dot es T hi s m oral tal e O f th e i d eal

.

mo n arc h s w i sd o m an d t e m p er an c e w as l at er th e mo d el o f mo r e
’
, ,

t han o n e fab ulo us biogr ap hy I t w as p ec uli arly ex asp er ati n g to

.

Al ex an d e r th e G r eat t hat w h il e hi s d ear est ambi tio n w as to b e

, ,

l ik e A c hi ll es th e i m mo r tal he ro o f an epi c the b est h i s li t er ary

, ,

h an g e r s o u c o uld ac h i e v e w as s o me ab surd i mi t atio n o f the

-

Cy r op aed i a i n w h i c h he w as c ast for th e l ead i n g r Ol e .

T h e H i er o i s an i m agi nary di al ogu e b e tw een the p o e t Si mo n id es

an d H i e ro o f Syr ac u s e i n w h i c h th e i n t erlo c u tor s e n u mer at e th e
,

mi seri es an d the c ou n t erb al an c i n g ad v an t ag es O f a

Th e Hi ero
tyr ann y to t h e tyr an t hi msel f F aili n g an i d eal mili
.

t ary ab sol uti sm X en op ho n l ik e Pl ato t h o ug h t t hat t he n ext b est

, , ,

c o n s ti tutio n w as t h e S art an
p H i s Co n s ti tu ti o n of Sp a r ta i s a
.

p an egyri c o f t h e s o c i al an d p oli ti c al i n s ti t u ti o n s o f Lac e d ae mo n .

A dil ett an t e i n p hil o so phy an d hi s to ry X e no ph o n w as t horo ug hly

,

qu ali fi ed t o wri t e the tr eati se O n H u n ti ng the Cy n egeti c us w hi c h , , ,

 XEN OPHON 3 23

i
s nc e V al c k enaer has b e e n fr e q ue n tly r ej ec t ed as s pu rio us .

Pl utar c h i n the fi r st C hri s ti an c en t ury t houg h t i t g e nu i n e w hil e

, , ,

Arr i an w ho w as n i c k n am e d t he N e w X en o ph o n b e
“

, Th e
c au se h e c lo sely mo d el e d hi s work s o n t h o se o f t he Cy neget i cus

four th c en tu ry h i st ori an wro t e hi s Cy neg eti cus wi t h ou t a s u spi c i o n

-
,

t hat he w as i mi t ati n g a spu riou s c o m po si ti o n X en o p ho n w ho se .

,

work s are c rowd ed wit h h u n ti n g me t ap hor s and all usio n s to hu n t

i ng w ho ev en i n th e A n ahas i s t u r n s as i d e to t ell u s h o w t h e
, ,

G r ee k c av alry h u n t e d g az e ll e s an d bu s tar d s an d o s tri c h es i n the

Ar abi an d esert w as o f al l men fi t t ed by t as t e an d trai n i n g t o wri t e
,

t h i s e n c o mi u m o f s port a c om pan io n p i e c e to th e Oeco n omi cus

,

w it h i ts p rai se O f farmi n g B ut t he evid en c e o f l an g uag e i s har d

.

t o ig n or e an d i s o n t h e w h ol e ag ai n st t h o s e w h o m ai n t ai n t h e
,

X en o p ho n t i c au t hor sh i p Why sh o ul d X en o pho n i n w h o se o t h e r

.
,

wri ti n g s t he i n fi n i tiv e for t he i m pe rativ e i s n o t fo un d use t hi s ,

c o n s tr uc tio n 1 00 ti m es i n the Cy negeti cus ? An d i s i t li k ely

t h at o n e s o d e vo t e d to t he h or se as X e n op h o n s houl d writ e a

t r eati s e o n h un ti n g wi thou t an y all usi o n to ri d i n g as o n e of t h e

pl easur es o f t he c h ase ? Th e t r eati se c lo ses wi t h an att ac k on the
e d u c atio n al me t h o d s o f the so phi sts qui te i n k ee pi n g wit h ,

X en o ph o n s O l d fashio n ed c o n serv ati sm Th e wri t e r d raw s a sh ar p

’
-
.

di s ti n c tio n b e t w e en the s o phi st s an d t he p hil o so p he rs su c h as w as ,

r ec og niz ed by few ev en i n the fou rt h c en t ury an d w as p rob ably

, ,
1
fi rs t e mp hasiz ed i n li t er atur e by Pl ato .

I t i s n o t to b e ex p ec t e d t h at o n e w ho h ad s ep ar ate d h i ms el f
fro m A t he n s an d th e fashio ns o f At h en s i n early yo u th an d h ad ,

s p en t so me t w en ty y ear s of hi s l i t e r ary ac tivity i n a S p art an c olo n y ,

s h oul d w ri t e t h e pu r es t A t ti c X en o p ho n used a gr e at n umb er o f

.

2
word s that w e r e un Atti c o r c o n si d e r ed by t h e c ri ti c s too p o et i c
-
,

1 S o Rad e rmac h er O n th e g e n ui n e n e s s o f th e ( j aug et zc us , se e S e ymo ur i n

.

Tr a n s A P A , 1 8 7 8 , w h o ac c e pt s as X e n o ph o n t i c l es s t h an o n e hal f o f t h e
. . . .

treat i s e , and Rad e rmac h er i n l t he i n l l/ u s 5 1 , 5 2 w h o re je c ts i t al t o g e t h e r

’
. .
,
.

N o rd e n , A n t i h e [( u n s t r os a
p I 43 1, thi nks th a t i t w as w i r tt en by a con e t mp o

rary o f X e n o ph o n an d t hat i t s pr mi um w as ad d d i n th e ( i aec R ma n

,
ooe e r o- o

p er i o d a pr o d uc t f th e S e c n d S phi t i c
,
o o o s .

2
S aupp e c o un t e d 3 1 6 p o e t i c 9 9 I o n i c an d 6 2 D r i c w o r d s i n X e n o p h o n
, ,
o .
3 24 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU R E

fo r A tti c p ro se an d h e d i d n o t hesi t at e to use the fi gur es t hat

,

b el o n g p ec ul i arly t o p o e try s uc h as an aph or a an d asy n d e to n

, .

T ho ug h h e w as c e rt ai n ly famili ar wi t h th e e ti q u e t t e O f p ro se c o m
p o s i tio n i n fou rt h c en t u ry-
A t h e ns h e t ak es n o p ai n s t o avoi d
,

h i at us an d w h en h e e mpl oy s th e r h et ori c al fig u r es h e giv es n o

, ,

i m p r essi o n o f ai mi n g at e ffec t T he n ai v e s tyl e i n w hi c h he wrot e

.

i s the mo s t di ffi c ul t o f al l to i mi t at e b ec au se i t i s the m o s t si n c e r e
,

an d th e mo s t s i mpl e I n al l hi s wri ti n g s o n e c an d e t ec t th e to u c h
.

o f the amateur and h e l eav es o n e wi t h the i m pr essi o n that h e r e

,

w e hav e a c ou n t ry g e n tl e man o f a typ e eas ily p ar all el ed i n mo s t

c ou n tri e s an d ti mes w h o i n hi s yo u th w as fo r tun ate en o ug h to tak e
,

p art i n s om e v e ry e x c i ti n g i n c i d en t s an d i n th e l o n g l e i su r e o f hi s
,

rip e r y e ar s d evot ed a v e ry p r e t ty t al en t to t h ei r d esc ri p tio n I n .

t h o s e p eac e ful d ay s o n hi s es t at e i n El i s h e t u r n e d hi s mi n d to the ,

p robl e ms o f e d uc atio n an d th e ar t o f l ife an d l iv ed l ik e a sec o n d

“
,

C h e iro n ,
”
trai n i n g hi s d i s ti ng ui s h e d s o ns as th e C en tau r t rai ne d ,

A c hill es i n t h e art s o f hu n ti n g an d w ar
,

Th e sc h ool o f I so c r at es p ro d uc e d two mi n o r four th c en tu ry -

h i st ori an s T h eo po mpus an d E ph or us
,
T H EO PO M PUS o f C h io s .

w as bor n abou t 3 8 0 B C Trai n ed by I so c rat es i n th e

.

Th eop omp u s
.

ar t of r h e to ri c he w o n d i s ti n c ti o n as a wri t e r of p an e
,

gyr i c s tr av e l ed far an d w i d e an d c o ul d bo as t t h at e v e ry c o n s i d e r
, ,

abl e t o w n i n G r ee c e h ad app l aud e d hi s eloqu e n c e The O ppo r .

t u n i ti es o f t h ese t r av e l s h e tur n ed to ac c ou n t i n mor e t han o n e

hi s tori c al w ork a [f i s tory of G r eece w h i c h c o n ti n u e d t he h i s tory o f

,

T hu c y d i d es d ow n to 3 9 3 B C an d a H i s tory of P h i l ip fro m 3 6 2 to
. .
,

’
t he ki n g s d e at h i n 3 3 6 T hi s w as a seq u el to X en o pho n s
.
’

H el l en i ca an d li k e the r est o f hi s w ork s i s lo s t s av e fo r a few

, , , ,

fr agm en t s an d t h e an aly ses mad e by P ho ti us Polybiu s w ho i s ,

,

n ev er i n d ulg e n t to h i s p r e d ec essor s c ri ti c i ses hi s ig n o r anc e o f ,

mili t ary affai r s .H e w as i n fac t a r h e tori c i an writi n g h i s tory

, ,
1
,

an d see m s to h av e h ad t h e faul t s o f hi s c l ass a v an i ty t hat su r p ass ed ,

e v en t he c o mpl ac en c y of I s o c r at e s an d an o v e rwro ug h t styl e ,

.

1 Or a tor i mag i s si mi l i s , sa
ys Q ui nt i l i an . S e e Di o n ys H al . .
, L etter to P o rn

p ei u s 6 , fo r the c h arac t e ri s t i c s of Th eo p o mp us .
 CH A P T ER X VI I

T H E EAR LI ER O RATO R S : I SOCRATES

IT is notu nt il the l att e r hal f o f the fi ft h c en tury that or ato ry at

A then s b egi n s to c o un t as l i ter atur e I n th e l aw c ourt s an d th e
.

E c c l e si a th e assembly o f t he p eo pl e p r ac t i c al eloqu en c e for en si c

, , ,

an d pol iti c al had b e en r ap i d ly d e v el o p i n g

,
O n c e rt ai n p ubl i c
.

o c c asi o n s w h en a p an e gyri c o r a fun e r al or atio n w as r e q ui r e d th er e

was ah op p ort u n i ty for th e th i rd ty p e e p i d e i c ti c or atory t he
, ,

o r atory of d i spl ay B ut i t w as s till un wri tt en e p h e me r al After

.
,
.

al l
,
t h er e h av e alw ay s b e en goo d sp eak e r s b ut i t i s a l o n g s t ep
,

from s pok en t o wri t ten elo que n c e .Th e bril li an t or ato r y O f

P e ri c l es sw ay ed th e E c c l esi a fo r t h ir ty y ear s an d ther e w e r e gr e at
,

s p e ak e r s b e fo r e P e ri c l es B u t men l ik e Ar i st ei d es o r T h e mi s to c l es
.

s p ok e b efor e r h e tori c h ad b ec o me an ar t an d t h e y l e ft n o m or e
,

e n duri n g mo n u men t t han i f t h ey had b ee n suc c ess ful ac tor s .

T h o ug h P e ri c l es may hav e p ro fi t ed fro m th e di al ec ti c of Z e n o an d

th e l at er El e at i c s Pl ato i n s i s t s th at h e ow ed t o t h e lo fty sp ec ul a
,

t i o n s an d th e p sy c h ol ogy of A n ax agor as t h e gr eat t h o u g hts w h i c h

w er e a fi n e sub s ti tute fo r th e rul es o f r h e t ori c .

P ER I C LES woul d hav e th o u g h t i t b en eat h t he d ig n ity o f h i s c ast e

to publ i sh hi s s p e ec h e s as t h o u g h t h ey h ad b een adv e rti s em en t s .

T hat woul d hav e r an k ed hi m wi t h th e p ro fess io n al

P eri cl es
so p hi st s T huc ydi d es i n hi s h i s tory r ep ort s th r ee o f
.

th ese sp eec h e s t h e fun er al or ati o n ov e r t h o se w h o fe ll i n t h e fi r s t

y ear of t he w ar, th e ex ho rt atio n t o th e A t hen i an s to fi g h t i t o ut
wi t h Spart a and hi s apologi a w h en th ey h el d hi m r espo n si bl e for
,

t h e ir suffe ri n g s fro m th e pl agu e an d t he i n vas io n o f th e se c o n d

y ear n o t lo n g b e fo r e hi s d eat h Li k e the r es t of th e T huc y d i d ean
,
.

sp eec h es t h ey c an n e v er h av e b e en d eliv e r e d i n t he ir p r esen t

,

c o n d en sed fo r m B y c o n d en sat i o n t h ey mus t h av e lo s t t h e sp ec i al

.

3 26
 A NTI PH O N 3 27

r t ri sti c s o f the r heto ri c o f P er i c l es o f the t hun d er s an d

c ha ac e ,
‘

lig h t n i n g s wit h w h i c h as Ari s to phan es say s h e c o n fo u n d ed all

.
’
, ,

1
G r e ec e .Two o r t h r ee m et ap ho r s quot e d by A ri s totl e i n the
’

Rh etor i c ar e wi ng e d wor d s t hat mu s t h av e b een p r ese rv ed for a

“ ”

c e n tury by or al t r adi tio n B ut th e mo st effec t iv e d e sc ri p tio n o f

.

t h e w ay i n w h i c h P e ri c l es i m p r essed hi s h e ar e r s i s giv e n by Eupo l i s

t he c o m i c po e t w h o p ubli sh ed h i s fi r s t p l ay i n 4 2 9 an d may w ell

,

hav e h e ar d P e ri c l e s sp e ak A r ap i d speaher y o u ca l l hi m hu t he
.
,

s i d es th a t f tness per s u as i on s a t up on h i s l ip s
sw i ,
s u ch a ch a r m h e ,

w or hed a n d al on e of a l l th e o r a tor s h e used to l ea ve a s ti ng i n

, , ,

Su c h a s ti n g i n t h e wo u n d must h av e b e e n l e ft
?
th ose th a t hea r d

wi th tho se w h o h eard hi m say i n a fun e ral sp eec h o n t h e yo un g

men w ho h ad fall en i n t he w ar that the c i ty has l o st i ts yo ut h as ‘
,

’
tho u g h o n e h ad robb e d t h e y e ar o f i ts spri ng .

Th e fi r s t c o n t ribu tor to t h e l it er at ur e o f e l o q ue n c e w as A N TI PH O N ,

o f th e A tti c d eme R hamn u s O f hi s l ife w e k n o w li ttl e an d t hat .

,

li ttl e i s c o n fused by bi ogr aph er s w h o fail ed to d i s

An t i ph on
t i n gui s h A n ti p h o n t h e or ator from t he sop h i s t me n

t i o n e d by X en op h o n Th e y ear o f hi s birt h w as p rob ably abou t

.

4 8 0 so th at h e was t h e s en ior o f T hu c y d i d e s an d so me w hat

,

yo un g e r t han G o rgi as H e w as d eeply i n fl uen c ed by Si c ili an

.

r he tori c an d h i msel f t aug ht the art Lat e i n t he fi ft h c en tury the .

t itl e logogr ap h e r m ean t n o lo n g e r a h i s tori an o f t h e p ri mi tiv e

’
, ,

t y p e b ut a sp e ec h wri t er differi n g fro m the m od e r n b arri s t e r

,

c h i e fly i n t h i s i mport an t p oi n t t hat n o t he but hi s c li en t m ust , , ,

d e liv e r the S p e ec h t h at h e had c o m p o se d T huc y d i d es w ho w as .

, ,

ac c o r d i n g t o tr ad itio n h i s p up il say s t hat n o man o f h i s ti me w as

, ,

sup e rior t o A n ti p h o n i n t he ar t o f c o n c e ivi n g an arg u men t and

ex p r e ss i n g i t an d o f tr ai n i n g o t h e r s t o s p e ak i n t h e l aw c o urt s o r
,

t h e E c c l es i a
3
H e w as an ex tr e me olig ar c h o n e o f a p arty t hat
.
,

had lo n g b ee n p l otti n g to ov e rt h r o wt h e d e mo c r ac y an d w he n i n , ,

4 1 1 t h e i r c han c e c ame A n ti p h o n w as t h e s o ul o f t he pl o t t h at
, ,

l ac e d t h e F o u r H u n d r e d i n o wer F o r ab o u t t h r e e mo n t h s t h e
p p .

olig ar c hs g o v e r n e d At hen s T he y fell i n t he ir t ur n an d A n ti pho n

.
, ,

1 2 l
A cha r n .

55 0 . Eu po l i s , / r .
94 . 8 . ( 18 .
3 28 S H O RT H I STO RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU R E

c o n vi c te d o f havi n g n egoti at ed wi t h Spar ta w as ex ec u t ed as a ,

t r ai to r to h i s c o u n try an d hi s h ou se w as r az e d P artly n o do ub t .
, ,

b ec au se of hi s r ese rv e — he avoi d ed al l publi c d e b at e — p artly

, ,
’
b ec au se the At hen i an s al way s di stru st ed o n e w ho w as too c l e v e r ‘
,

too i ng en iou s i n arg u m en t A n ti p h o n had n o gr eat pu bl i c c ar ee r

, .

H i s gr eate st su c c ess w as hi s d e fe n s e w he n o n tri al for hi s li fe ,

the b es t sp eec h o f t h e ki n d t hat w as m ad e u p t o my ti m e

’
s ay s
‘
,

T h uc y d i d es w ho i s n o t easily m ov ed to su c h pr ai se
, I t w as n o t .

pr eserv e d but t h er e ar e e x t an t fi ft een sp eec h es al l d eal i n g w it h

, ,

m urd er c ases for i t w as i n su c h sen sati o n al suit s that he w as a

,

Th e sp ec i al i s t Tw elv e o f thes e speec hes are arr an g ed i n

.

Te tral og i es t e tr alogi es o r grou p s o f fo ur p rob ably c o m po sed

, ,

abou t 4 2 5 B C .E ac h o f t he t hr ee Tetr al ogi es d eal s wi t h a fi c ti

.

t io u s c ase an d i n c lud es t h e c h arg e o f th e pl ai n ti ff th e r e ply o f ,

t h e d e fen d an t t he sec o n d sp eec h of th e pl ai n ti ff an d fi n ally

, , , ,

t h e sec o n d s p eec h for th e d e fe n se T h ey p rovi d e t he s k el e to n

.

o f a j u d i c i al argu men t t he for mul a wi t h n o u n essen t i al d e tail s an d

, ,

w e r e i n t en d ed as m o d e l s of j ud i c i al r h e tori c as ex e r c i ses for the ,

s c ho ol s . T hr ee ki n d s o f mu r d e r by an en e my ac c i d en t al an d
, , ,

i n sel f d e fen s e ar e han d l ed wit h all th e i n g en u i ty o f a sop h i s ti c al

-
,

r h e tori c i an . B e s i d es th e Tetr a l og i es w e hav e t h r ee s p ee c hes

writt en for ac t ual u se i n th e c o u rt s The D ef ens e of H er od es o n ,

hi s tri al for m u r d e r at se a Aga i n s t the S tep mo ther i n w h i c h a so n

, ,

ac c u s es hi s s t ep mot h er of p oi s o n i n g h i s fat h er and t h e O n the ,

Ch o r i s ter th e d e fen se o f a l e ad er o f th e c h oru s w ho i s ac c used

, ,

of p oi so n i n g a boy by givi n g h i m a d r aug h t to i m prov e hi s voi c e .

From all t hes e o ne c an r ec o ns tru c t the m e t ho d o f A n ti ph o n as he

mus t h av e taug h t i t i n hi s lo s t han dbook hi s d ivi si o n s o f a sp eec h , ,

t h e n i c eti e s o f h i s fo r mal r h e tori c H i s o r atory b ear s th e mark s o f

.

t h e t e ac hi n g o f t h e s o p h i s t s H e us es t h e i r c o mmo npl ac es t h o se
.
,

p assag es o f g e n e r al i mport or g n o mi c t en d en c y s t e r e oty p ed s en ti ,

m en t s t hat c o ul d b e i n se rt ed at a sui t abl e p l ac e i n an y s p eec h The .

arg u men t fro m p r o b abil i ty a favo rit e d evi c e o f Si c ili an r h e tori c

, ,

c o n d e mn ed by Pl ato o n mo r al gro un d s
1
w as c o ns t an tly u sed by ,

1 Ph aed r u s 2 73 .
3 30 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

‘
mod er ate styl e w hi c h r ej ec ted po e ti c w or d s an d n ov el ti es o f
’
,

l an gu ag e avoi d e d hi at us t houg h n o t rigi d ly an d ai m ed at

, , ,

e l eg an c e wi t h ou t vi s i b l e e ffort T hus h e bro k e the w ay for wri ter s

.

lik e Pl ato an d I s o c r ates H e had a r ep ut at io n for c o mmo n pl ac es

.
‘

l
d esig n e d to ro use the e mo t io n s s u spi c io n or an g er o r p i ty an d, , , ,

i n t h e fi r st B o ok o f Pl ato s R ep u hl i c w e hav e a pi c tu r e of t he man

’

h i m s el f viol en t i n arg u me n t easily fluster ed by t he di al ec ti c of

, ,

S o c r at es T w o r at h er l o n g frag me n t s s urviv e o f t hi s i n d us triou s

.

wri t er o n t ec hn iqu e w ho se gr eat es t c o n tri butio n i s t hat he m ad e

,

a r e al ad v an c e i n t he d ev el o p me n t o f th e r h yt h m i c p ro s e p e rio d .

H e w as follow e d by an o t h e r t h eo ri s t T H EOD O RUS o f B yz an tiu m ,

(fl H
’
i c all ed by Pl ato a c u nn i ng s p e ec h w ri gh t
‘
or u t e .

wro t e t ext book s o f r he tori c an d ad d e d fr esh c at egori es an d

-
,

c l ass ifi c atio n s to th e d ivi si o n s o f a s p eec h B ot h .

Th eod orus
Thrasymac hus an d T h eodoru s p ur su e d at A t he n s
t h eir p rofess i o n as t eac h er s of r h eto ri c What o n e ob s erv es i n .

th e h i story o f or atory an d r h e tori c abou t t hi s t im e i s t hat ev e ry

th e ori s t an d ev ery p r ac ti c al or ato r ad d s to th e rul es o f th e g am e ,

d efi n es t he e tiqu e t t e m o r e c lo sely c o n trib u tes to th e gro w t h o f,

o r atory as an art I t w as to the d ev elo p m en t of fo r en s i c n o t

.
,

poli ti c al eloqu en ce that th ey di r ec t ed t he ir effor ts

,
.

A n ti pho n i s the fi r s t i n th e Al ex an dri an c an o n of ten A tti c

orato r s N ex t to hi m i s AN DO CIDES o f t he A tti c d e m e
.
,
And oci d es
C yd athe n e H e w as bor n abou t 4 4 0 B C of a fam ily
. . .

d i s ti n g ui s hed for g e n er at io n s i n t h e w ar s an d p oli ti cs O f A th en s .

We k n ow n ot hi n g of hi s p er s o nal hi st ory un til 4 1 5 a y ear me mo r ,

abl e at At h en s for th e saili n g o f t h e d i sas tro u s e x p ed i tio n ag ai n st

S i c ily an d for a my s t e riou s i nc i d en t t hat c au s ed t he d el ay of th e

,

fl ee t T hi s w as the mu til atio n of th e H e r mae t h e sq uar e s to n e

.
, ,

i mag es of th e go d H er mes t hat s to o d b e for e the d oo r an d i n the

c o u rty ar d o f At hen i an h o uses an d te mpl es t o sy mboliz e hi s
g uar d i an shi p ov e r th e i n t e r c o u r se of l i fe e sp ec i ally ov e r t he ,

goi n g s i n an d c o mi n g s o u t as w el l as the bou n d ari es an d the ro ad s

- -
,

t hat mark the tr affi c o f men O n e n ig h t i n M ay 4 1 5 D C t h e

.
,
. .
,

1 Pl at o , Ph a ed r u s 26 7 .
 AN DO C I DES 33 1

H erm ae w er e d efac ed Th e d i sc ov ery n e x t d ay c au sed a p an i c i n

.

At he n s The sac ril eg e w as i n t e r p r e t ed by the p e o p l e as an ill

.

o m e n for t h e e x p ed i tio n o n w hi c h t h e y h ad s t ak ed s o
M ut i l at i on
m uc h Th e go d s w ho pro t ec t ed At hen s w er e t he y
. of t h e ,

Her mae
t ho ug ht ali en at ed at t he v ery o p en i ng o f t h e e n t e r pri se
, .

B ut w h at s hook t h e n e rv es of t he d e mo c r ati c p arty w as t h eir c o n

vi c ti o n t hat he r e w as a my s t e rio u s sig n al o f r e voluti o n a s i n i s t e r ,

w ar n i n g by tho se sec r et c o nsp i rators w ho w e r e k n ow n to hav e

1
b ee n p lo tti n g to est abli s h an olig ar c hy So m e t h i n g lik e a r eig n .

o f t erro r foll o w ed M or e t han o ne i n form er d e n o un c ed c e rt ai n

.

m e mb e r s o f the party o f Yo ung At hen s to w hi c h A n d o c rd es b e

lo n g ed an d h e w as arr es t ed o n suspi c io n H e d e n i ed hi s o w n
,
.

guilt an d sav ed hi s l ife by d e n o un c i n g o t her s Sh u t o u t fro m th e .

m ark et pl ac e an d th e t e mpl es pr ac ti c ally an o u tl aw h e l e ft , ,

A t h e n s an d sp en t ten y ear s i n tr av el and t r ad i n g i n G r eec e an d

I t aly H e m ad e two u nsu c c ess ful e ffo rt s to r e tur n to At hen s : i n
.

4 1 1 w h en h e w as i mp ri s o ned by t he Fo u r H un d r ed for fur n i sh i n g

s u pp li es to th e d e mo c r ati c ar my at Samo s an d ag ai n i n 4 1 0 o r ,

4 0 9 w he n h e d eliv e r e d th e s p eec h i n th e E c c l es i a O n th e R etu r n

, ,

c l ai mi n g a p ar d o n fo r p as t offe n s e s o n t h e grou n d t h at h e h ad

s erv ed th e s t at e by s ec uri n g for At h en s a su pp ly of c o r n fro m

C y p ru s I n t he e n d h e h ad to w ai t fo r th e amn es ty o f 4 0 3 w h e n
.
,

h e w as c o mpl e t ely r ei n s t ated an d app ar en tly forgiv e n t he sc an d al

o f hi s yo u t h I t w as no t how ev er forg o t t en and i n 3 9 9 w he n he
.
, , , ,

h ad b ec o me c o n s pi c u o us i n publi c li fe h e w as ac c u s ed o f i mpi e ty ,

i n at te n d i n g th e El eu si n i an fes tiv al from w h i c h he h ad b ee n b arr ed

by th e d ec r ee n o w s i xt een y ear s o l d I n d e fe n se he d eliv e r ed t he .

s p eec h O n the l ldys ter i es r e vi ewi n g the i n c i d e n t o f

, on t h e
th e H e r mae an d d e n yi n g the g e n e r al c harg e o f i m M y s t eri es
,

pi e ty H e was ac qu i tt ed an d i n 3 9 1 r eappear s as o n e o f th e
.
,

am b assad or s t o Spar ta I t w as i n the d e b at e t hat fo llo w e d hi s

.

r e tur n from t hi s mi ssio n t hat h e mad e th e sp eec h O n the P ea ce

’
.

1
O n th e mo t i ve fo r th e mut i l at i o n o f th e H e rmae , c
p . A r i sto
tel es u . A then II 1 13 .

2
S i ttl , Gr i ech Li t I I 8 5 , d e n i es th e g e n u me n e s s
. .
o f t he O n th e P ea ce .
 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE EK LIT E RA TUR E

Thi s w as t he c l o se Of hi s
p ubli c c ar e er O f hi s furt he r ad v en t ur es .

an d t h e d at e o f hi s d e at h w e k n o w n o t hi n g An d o c i d e s i s o n e o f .

t h e m i nor c l ass i c s o f Att i c o r atory Th e sp eec h e s t hat hav e b een

.

m e n tio n e d are ex t an t b e s i d es two s ho rt fr ag men t s ; a fo u rt h

,

s p eec h Aga i n s t A l ci hi a d es asc rib e d to h i m i s , p r o b ably t he work ,

o f a l ate r s o p h i s t An d o c i d es w as n o t o n e o f t h o s e w h o li k e
.
,

A n ti p h o n mark an ad v an c e i n th e t ec h n iq ue o f el o q uenc e H e
, .

se e ms to h av e b e e n o n e o f tho se you t h s o f good family o f th e ,

ty pe o f Al c ibi ad es w ho t u r n ed to p u bli c li fe for ex c it e m en t and

, ,

as t h e b es t t h eat e r for d i sp l ayi n g w h at t h ey h ad l ear n ed fro m t h e

s o ph i s t s I n sp i t e o f hi s p l ac e i n the c an o n h e w as s o me t h i n g O f
.

an amat eu r A ri s totl e Di o n y si u s an d Q ui n tili an w ho w e r e i n t er

.
, , ,

es t ed i n r h e tori c hav e li ttl e or n ot h i n g to s ay abo ut h i m an d

, ,

w hen h e i s m en t io n ed i t i s w it h a h i n t O f d i s p ar ag e
S tyl e
men t H i s s tyl e l ac k s un i formi ty an d fall s b e low t h e
.
,

g en ui n e n obili ty o f A n ti ph o n So me ti m e s h e i s c o n t en t wi t h th e
.

p l ai n un ador n e d s p eec h o f ev e ry d ay l i fe s o metim es h e u se s

, ,

po e ti c i mag es an d l an gu ag e i n o r d er to b e i m p r e ssiv e H e h as .

l ess ar t t han any ot her ora tor m t he c an o n bot h i n th e fram i ng ,

o f hi s sen t e n c es an d t h e g e n er al arr an g e men t o f hi s s ubj ec t .

T h e li fe O f LY S I AS ( ci r ca 4 4 0— 3 8 0 B C ) h as a s pe c i al i n t e r e st . . .

B y d esc e n t h e w as a Si c i li an w h o se fat h e r C e phal us o n th e ad vi c e

, ,

o f P eri c l es had tr ans ferr e d t o A th e ns hi s m anu fac to ry

,
Ly s i as
o f w eapo n s o f w ar T h er e h e r an k ed wi t h t he mo s t
.

w ealt hy an d d i s ti n g ui sh ed o f th e meti c s or r es id en t ali en s w ho ’

,

c o ul d h av e littl e to d o w i t h oli ti c s s i n c e t h ey h a d n o p o l iti c al

p
rig ht s . C e p hal u s w as o n e o f t h o s e m eti c s w h o i n vi e w O f t h ei r ,

w e alt h w er e ad mi tt ed to equ al o p p ort un iti e s of pu bli c s e rvi c e

, ,
’

t h oug h n o t O f pub li c o ffi c e wi t h th e r eg ul ar c i tiz en s I n t he fi r s t

,
.

B o ok o f Pl ato s R ep u hl i c w e see hi m e nj oyi n g a mello w o l d age i n

’
,

hi s fi n e h o use at th e Pi r aeu s th e q uart e r o f t h e m eti c s eag e r to

, ,

’
h ear p hilo so p h e r s t alk b u t wi t hd r aw i n g to att e n d to t he sac ri fi c e s
, ,

w h en t h e c o n v er sati o n abou t O l d age an d th e bl essi n g s o f w eal t h

d e v e lo ps i n to a d i sc u ss io n o f an ab s t r ac t ki n d T he r e too are .
, ,

hi s so n s Ly si as an d Po l e marc hus A t hen i an by e du c atio n an d

, , ,
334 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RAT UR E

ch o o ses pi ec e o f w ri ti n g o n w h i c h Ly s i as had l avi shed the d e

a

vi c es O f the s tyl e of G orgi as t hat ex t r eme an d too obviou s ar t ,

t hat abou n d s i n an ti t hes es si mil ar en di n g s r epe ti tio n s o f the i d ea , ,

for th e sak e o f c han gi n g th e l an g uag e an d t he lik e Y et ev en ,

.

Pl ato ad m i r ed t h e pol i she d p erio d s an d t h e p erfec t c l ear n ess that

w e r e t o b e th e c o n sp i c uou s meri t o f th e for en si c s p eec h es o f

Ly si as Th e s ev en L etter s n early all ero t i c ar e of i n te r es t m e r ely

.
, ,

b ec ause t h ey mark t h e fi r s t app ear an c e o f the l etter as a p i ec e o f

lit e r atur e E v en i n hi s l ater y ear s Ly si as had n o t al tog e t he r giv en
.

up e p i d e i c ti c or atory Th e Oly rnpi a c O r a ti o n of w hi c h o n ly

.
,

a p art i s e xt an t pr ese rv ed by Di o n y si us o f H ali c ar n assu s w as

, ,

wri t t e n i n 3 8 8 an d i s i n th e mai n an ex ho rt atio n to th e assembl e d

,

G r e e k s to agr ee amo n g th e m se lv e s an d to b ew ar e of th e n ew
tyr an t o f Si c ily Dio n y si us w ho had se n t a sh o w y d ep u t ati o n to
, ,

t h e O lym pi c fes tiv al Th e Ep i tap h i u s or F u ner al O r a ti o n wri tt en

.
, ,

i n t he m an n e r o f th e s i mil ar sp e ec h of G orgi as w as p rob ably ,

1
c o mpo s ed fo r a fi c titi o u s o c c asi o n I ts au t h or shi p i s di sp ut e d . .

I f as see m s lik ely Ly si as t aug h t r hetori c b e for e h e d evot ed hi m

, .
,

se lf to sp ee c h wri ti ng h e m u s t hav e c o m p o sed t h e u su al ai d s an d

,

c o mmo n pl ac es for h i s s tud e n t s o f a fo rm al t e x t book of r h etori c -

w e h e ar n ot h i n g .

Ly si as w as i n du striou s i n hi s p ro fessio n o f sp eec h wri ti n g and ,

i n th e c e n tu ri es aft e r hi s d ea t h t h e r e w as a t e n d e n c y to as c rib e t o
hi m any j u d i c i al sp e e c h wri t t en i n t h e p l ai n styl e that had n o
‘ ’

c e rt ai n au t h o r j u s t as earli e r a g n o mi c el egy w as lik el y to be

, , ,

g at her e d i n to t he p o e m s o f Theo gni s O f o v er fou r hu n d r ed .

c o mp o s i tio n s c r e di t ed to Ly si as i n the G raec o Ro man p e rio d -

,

Dio ny s iu s allo w e d 2 3 3 to b e g en u i ne O f t h es e w e k n ow 1 2 7 by .

titl e o n ly and po ss ess t hi rty fo ur s p eec h es w h ol e o r i n c o n sid er

,
-
,

abl e fr agm en t s Ev e n o f t h i s c o ll ec tio n a n u m b er o f s p eec hes are

.

r eg ar d ed as s pu ri o us an d s t ill mor e are m uc h mu til ated T h er e

,
.

ar e i n fac t l e ss t han t w e n ty for en s i c sp e ec h es t hat c an b e tak e n to

, ,

1
B l ass ,
A tt i s ch e B er edsa mhei t I 44 2 ff , i s i n c i n e d t o ejec i t o n th e
. l r t
sco er of i nf r t
e i o r i i es o f s yl e 8 0 to o Wi l amo w i tz , w h o p ac es i t i n t h e h i d
t . l t r
c e n t ury .
 LY S IA S 335

r epr esen t i n a c o m pl e t e for m the s p ec i al t al en t s o f Ly s i as i n t hi s

fi e l d w hi c h h e mad e hi s o w n Th e d u ty of a s peec h wri t e r fo r
, .

th e l aw c o u rt s d i d n o t i n c l u d e 15h ? ac t ual d eliv e ry O f t h e s pe ec h .

T he p l ai n ti ff or d e fen d an t i n an A th e n i an c o urt mu s t be h i s o w n
sp eak e r .

O n ly o n e o f t he ex tan t fo r e n s i c sp eec h es t hat Ag a i n s t E r a tos ,

then es w as d e liv ered by Ly si as h i m se l f

, When the d e mo c r ac y w as .

r es to r ed i n 4 0 3 he h ast en ed to av eng e the d eath o f Po l e mar c hu s

,

by p ro sec uti n g Er ato st h en es o n e o f the T hi rty w ho , Ag ai n s t ,

’
w as r esp o n si bl e for hi s bro th e r s arr es t an d i m p ri s o n Erat os

m en t , an d t he r e for e as Ly s i as c o n t en d ed for h i s
,
t h emes ,

d eat h al s o We d o n o t k n o w th e p r ec i s e c ir c u ms t an c e s or s e t ti n g
.

o f the i n d i c t m ent n o r i ts r esul t E rato st hen es an d o n e o t h e r of

,
.

th e T hirty had d ar ed to r e mai n i n A t h e n s Prob ably the y i n t en d ed .

t o m ee t t h e p ubli c i n q u iry w h i c h w as offe r e d by t h e t e r ms o f t h e

am n es ty to t h o se o f th e T h irty w ho had t he c our ag e to fac e i t .

T hi s i n q ui ry r athe r t han an o rdi n ary m ur d e r tri al may h av e b e en

, ,
1
t he O pp ortu n i ty o f Ly si as The s p e ec h r e vi e ws at l en gt h th e
.

c ri me s o f th e T h irty an d giv es a c l ass i c al p i c tu r e o f th e h orror s o f

,

r evol utio n an d c ou n t er r evolu ti o n al w ay s r ep eate d i n a G r eek

-
,

s t at e. Ly s i as fel t h i m s el f the s p ok es m an of al l w h o se ki ndr e d h ad

b een mur d er e d i n t hat y ear o f t error an d tyr ann y abov e al l h e was ,

the spok es m an o f t h e m e ti c s w h om t h e T hi r ty h ad d esp oil e d .

A ft er a r ec i t al o f th e fac ts full o f vivi d d esc ri pt i o n s an d d ram ati c

,

to uc h es b e c hang es hi s to n e of p er s o n al e mo ti o n an d i n t h e p ero
, ,

r atio n ri ses to the d ig n ity of an i mp eac h m en t H e bi d s the men .

‘

of the c i ty w ho had n o t l e ft At h ens lik e t he me n fro m t he

’
,
‘

P i r aeu s w ho had broug ht b ac k the d e mo c r ac y r e me mb er all

’
,

thei r gri e fs t h e d esec r at ed t e m pl e s t h e i m p ov e ri s h e d c i ty t he d ead , ,

w h o m t hey had n o t b e en abl e t o sav e Yo u have hea r d b e c o n ,

c l ud e s y o u h a ve s een y ou h a ve s uffer ed y o u ha ve h i m i n t o u r
, , ,

s en ten ce hi m
2
han d s —

1 Me i e r Bl ass
, , Li psi us, an d J eb b mai n t ai n , Rauc h e n s t e i n o
p po s e s , t hi s
j
co n ec u e t r .

2A
g a i n st E r atosth en es 100 .
336 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATUR E

Th e i n di c t m en t o f E r ato s t h en es mu st hav e b een the m aste r

pi ec e o f Ly si as an d i s c e rt ai n ly n o t su rpasse d by an y o f the ex t an t
,

s p eec h es . B ut i t w as r at he r i n t h o se w ri t te n for c li en ts t h at h e h ad
Ch arac t er a c han c e t o sh o w h i s t al e n t for ex p r essi n g c har ac t er
d raw i n g é T h e s p eec hw ri gh t at At h e n s mus t h av e s o m e
( t h os )

of the art s of an ac tor H e mu s t s tu d y hi s c li en t p ut h i m se l f i n

.
,

hi s sh o es mak e hi m s p eak as a man of hi s t r ad e sh o ul d sp eak an d

, , ,

abov e al l tak e c ar e th at hi s o w n p e r s o nal i ty an d profess i o n al t r ai n

,

i ng n e v e r Sh ow t h ro ug h O f t hi s art o f sec u ri n g v e ri si mil i t ud e

.

Ly si as w as a m ast e r Th e i n v al i d w ho t ri es t o p rov e t hat h e oug h t

.

n o t to b e t ak en o fl th e
pu bl i c r e l i e f li s t t h e i nj ur e d hus b an d o f t h e
’

low e r c l ass pl ead i n g hi s rig h t to k ill t he man w ho had es tr ang ed

h i s wi fe s affec tio n t he el d e rly me t i c t h e ri c h far me r — o f all t h es e
’

, ,

an d m an y mor e h e hi t o ff t h e c h ar ac t e r an d po i n t of vi e w an d so
'
,

ad j us t ed t h e m t hat t h e y woul d b es t app eal to a j u ry o f av e r ag e

b usi n essli k e men .

Ly s i as w as s om e w hat n egl ec te d by Ari sto tl e but Dio n y s iu s o f ,

H ali c ar n assu s p ai d hi m an un gr ud gi n g t ribut e A spec i al d an g er .

wi t h sp eak er s tr ai n e d i n the sc hool s o f r he tori c t o l ear n by hear t

s to c k p assag es w as th at t h e y gr e w s t al e r ep e ated t h e m selv es u s e d
, ,

t h ei r O l d c o m mo n p l ac es Ly s i as s ay s D io n y si u s w as p ec u li arly
1
.
, ,

p roo e mi u m o r
’
s po n t an e o us c o u l d b e d ep e n d e d o n for a fr e sh
‘
,

i n tro d u c ti o n a fr e sh r he tori c al argu me n t o r a moral r e fl ec tio n

, ,

t hat h ad n o t b ec o me h ac k n ey ed by u s e Pl ato h ad n o good w o r d .

fo r t he sh r ewd l i ttl e l eg al m i n d s o f s uc h as h e saw th ri vi n g so me

, , ,

ti m es at t he ex p e nse o f p h ilo so ph e r s i n th e c o ur ts o f A t hen s ,

.

B u t ev en h e ad mi r e d th e styl e o f Ly s i as I t w as c l ear pl ai n and

.
, ,

c o n c i se p u rifi ed o f th e po e ti c c olo ri n g t h at G orgi as

S tyl e
,

had u se d t o e x c ess t hou g h i t by n o mean s r ej ec t ed

,

th e d e vi c es o f an tit hesi s s i mil ar e n di n g s b al an c e d c l aus es an d

, , ,

th e lik e . Ly s i as u n li k e T hu c y d i d es c o ul d m an ag e an an ac o
, ,

l uth o n c o ul d ab an d o n t he gr ammati c al c o n s tru c ti o n so as to m ak e

,

t h e i d e a c l e ar e r an d giv e t h e h e ar e r n o sho c k H e ac h i e v e d t hat

.

e xqui s i t e s i mp li c i ty w hi c h o n e o n ly r e c og n iz es as th e p e rfe c ti o n o f

1
On Ly s i as 17 .
338 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RATU RE

H e w as to o l v e r : E v e n w hen h e i s t elli n g th e tru th yo u susp ec t

c e
,

h i m say s Di o ny si us H e use s mor e r he tori c al figur e s t han Ly s i as

’
.
, ,

an d mo r e c o mmo n l ac e s an d i s mu c h mor e sen sati o n al w it h fr e

p , ,

qu e n t app eal s to the e mo tio ns of the j ury O n e n o t abl e d i ffer en c e .

i n hi s styl e i s hi s avoi d an c e o f h i at us I so c r at es had ad d ed t hi s

.

p i e c e o f e tiq ue t te to t he t r ai n i n g o f p ro se w ri t er s an d l sae us fol ,

low s the fashio n t ho ug h he i s n o t by any me an s c o n s i s ten t .

I n I SO C RATES ( 4 3 6 3 e pi d e i c ti c
—
o r ato ry t he or ato ry of ,

d i sp l ay tou c h e d th e hig h w at e r m ark

,
-
H e w as bo r n i n th e Atti c
.

d e me E r c hi a th e d e m e o f X en o pho n t he so n o f a p ro sp ero us
, ,
-

flu te mak er an d i t i s evi d en t t h at li k e th e yo un g H ip
, ,
I s ocrat es ’
o c r at e s i n Pl at o s P r o ta or a s h e w en t to sc h ool w it h
p g ,

th e s o p h i st s Pro d i c us c e r tai n ly an d po ss ibl y Prot ago r as i n ord e r

, , ,

to fi t hi msel f fo r a p ubli c c ar ee r B ut he was d o om ed to feel hi m .

sel f t h ro ug h li fe a s t at es man ma n que A w eak vo i c e an d an i n

.

c u r abl e d i ffi d en c e n o t u n u su al i n o n e s o v ai n b arr e d hi m from

, ,

s u c h d i st i n c t io n s N o wo n d e r t hat h e s p eak s wi t h enviou s admi

.

r atio n o f the gi ft o f s el fi c o n fi d en c e as essen ti al to an or ator s suc ’

c ess an d c o m pl ai n s bi t t e rly t hat o n e mig h t as w e l l n o t h av e t h e

,

rig h t s o f a c i tiz en i f o n e c ann o t u se t h e m The P e lo p o n n esi an .

w ar w h i c h h el pe d to e n ri c h t h e fami ly o f Ly si as d i d n o t e n c o ur
, ,

age th e sal e o f flu t es an d i n i ts l at e r y ear s I s o c r at e s lo s t hi s fo r

,

t un e H e s p e n t s o me ti m e i n T hessaly s tud yi n g u n d e r G o rgi as

.
,

w h o w as t h en l ivi n g th er e an d o n hi s r etu r n t o A t h en s r h etori c

, , ,

w hi c h had s o far b een fo r hi m th e h obby o f a ri c h am at e ur b e ,

c am e hi s pro fess io n Fo r a t i me i n d ee d h e w as lik e Ly si as a

.
, , , ,

sp ee c h w r i gh t b u t i t d i d n o t sui t I so c r at es to mak e an ar t of s i n k
,

i ng h i s o w n p e r s o n ali ty i n t hat o f a c l i e n t Abo u t 3 9 3 he o pen ed

.

a sc h ool o f r h e tori c an d s oo n b ec am e t h e m o s t di s ti n gui s h e d pro

,

fess i o n al t eac h e r i n G r eec e maki n g mor e mo n ey t h an al l hi s

,

riv al s pu t tog et her H i s c ou r se Was fro m t hr e e to fi ve y e ar s an d

.
,

w as at ten d e d by st u d en ts fro m all p art s I n h i s sc hool w hi c h

.
,

C i c ero c all ed ‘
th e o r atori c al l abo r ato ry w er e t r ai n ed men l ik e
,
’

Ti mot heu s t he famo us g e n e ral an d d i plom at or a tor s lik e H y p er

, ,

ei d e s an d Ly c u rgu s h i s tori an s su c h as T heo p o mpus an d E p h or us

, ,
 I SO C RATE S 339

no t to k o f t r ag e d i an s r h etori c i ans an d t h e li k e or tho se w ho

sp e a , , ,

c am e b e c ause t he r e w as to b e h ad t he mo s t fas h io n abl e an d e x

p en siv e fi n i s h i n g t he n ear es t ap p ro ac h t o the hall mark o f a

,
-

1
u n iv e r s i ty e d u c ati o n t h at t he ti m e affor d ed Th e ac tivi ty o f .

I so c r at es ext e n d e d t hroug h t he n ex t fi fty fi ve y ear s an d w as no t -

,

c o n fi n ed to t eac h i n g .

Pl at o d i slik ed the I soc ratean m e t h o d o f teac hi n g r he tori c an d ,

may w el l hav e b ee n j ealou s o f the i n fl uenc e o f t he famou s sc hool .

At any r at e i n t h e P ha ed r us lo n g aft er I so c r at e s w as est abli sh ed

, ,

as a p ro fess or o f e p i d ei c ti c or atory Pl ato m ak es So c r at es p rop h e sy ,

a brilli an t futur e fo r t h e yo un g wri te r i n w h o m h e s aw a gi ft for

p hilo so phy t hat mig h t c arry hi m far So c r at e s h o ped t hat I soc .

r at es mig h t yet b e i n spi r e d by s o me n obl er i mpul se to t urn fro m

r he to ri c and giv e h i m sel f to p hilo so phy T he p assag e i n the .

Ph a ed r us r e ad s li k e a sar c asm
?
For I so c rat e s w hen i t w as .
,

w rit ten h ad n o t b e c om e a p hil o sop he r t h oug h h e lov es t o s pe ak

, ,

’
o f h i s r h e t ori c as h i s p h ilo s o p h y .

H e h ad th e ar ti s ti c t em p e r am en t wi t h al l i ts q uali ti es and d e
fec ts .B ut h e w as at any r ate a p u bl i c i s t i f h e c o ul d n o t be a

p ubli c man an d h e d ig n ifi e d hi s p rofe ss io n al li fe by wri ti ng p oli ti

,

c al p amp h l e t s S u c h w as th e P a n egy r i cus hi s m as t er p i e c e ov e r

.
, ,

w hi c h he i s sai d to hav e sp en t t en y e ar s H e w as a H ell ene .

r at he r t h an a mer e At heni an and t ho ug h t t hat t he Th e ,

o nly h o p e for G r eec e w as t hat A t hens and S part a P anegyfi cus

sh oul d forg et th e i r q uarr el s an d u n i t e ag ai n s t P e r si a Wi t h hi m .

i t b ec am e a fi x ed i d ea t hat a u n i t e d G r eec e s h o ul d mar c h ,

ag ai n s t A s i a When h e saw t hat A th en s an d Spart a w o ul d n o t

.

c ombi n e h e add r esse d o p en l e tt er s fi r s t ( ci r ca

,
to Dio ny s i us , ,

1
To h ave b e e n a
p u pi l of I so c rat es g av e a ce rt ai n ca ch et just so , man y
an En g i s h l w ri t er an d s a e s t t man h a s b ee n l ab le e d a l
p up i o f j o w ett Cp .
”
.

Ci cer o , D e Or a t . 2 94. c . E c e t ibi e x o r t us e s t Iso c rat e s , c u i us e l ud t amq uam

o

ex e q uo Tr ojan o me r i p r mc i p es e x i e r un t .

2
I ass u me t h at the P h a ed r u s w as w i r tt en af et r th e P a n egtvr i c u s of I so c
rat es ( 3 8 0 w h e n S o c r at e s h ad b e n d e ad s o me t w e n ty e ye a rs , an d th e

voc at i o n o f I s o c r at e s w as n o l o n g e r an p e n q ue st i n o o .
3 40 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

t he tyr an t o f Syrac use an d fi n ally i n 3 4 6 to P hili p o f M ac edo n

, , , ,

w h om h e ex ho rt ed to r ec o nc il e the G r ee k s so t hat h e mi g ht ,

l ead t he m to t h i s gr eat e n t e r pri s e To I so c rat es P h ili p see m ed

.
,

n o b arb ari an bu t a wo r thy r epr es en tativ e o f t he H e ll e n es an d

, ,

u n d e r h i s p r es i d en c y b e i m agi n e d a s ort o f U to pi a the gr eat ,

c i ti es o f G r e ec e se n d i ng e mb assi es to s h ar e P h i li p s c o un c il s an d
’
,

al l H ell as an i m at e d by t he si n gl e ho p e t h at n o h ar m mig h t b e fall

t hi s i d ealiz e d p er so nag e b e for e h e had c o mpl e t e d hi s gr eat t ask 1

.

I t w as t he dr eam O f an i d eali s t an d i f i t has m ad e I so c r at e s see m

,

rid i c u l ou s t o t h o s e w h o k n ew P hi l i p b e tt er than h e d i d n o o ne ,

has ev e r doubt e d t h at h e had th e w el far e o f At h e n s at h ear t B ut .

t h e t r ue an d ty pi c al p at rio t mu s t b e n arrow i n hi s vi e w s j eal o us ,

fo r h i s c o u n try s i n d ep end en c e an d supr e m ac y at al l c o st s

’
A .

Pan H e ll e n e at A th e n s c oul d n o t e x p ec t to b e c all e d a p at riot

-
,

an d I s o c r at es mus t h av e en c o u n t e r ed m an y d i sapp o i n t m en t s and

fel t hi m sel f m uc h m i su n d e r stoo d At h en s li s t e n ed to De mo s

.

t h e n es an d alli e d h er s el f wi t h T h e b es ag ai n st P h il ip Th e d e .

feat at C hae ro n ea i n 3 3 8 sec u r ed t he sup r e m ac y o f M ac ed o n .

B ut I so c r at es d id n o t liv e t o see h o w l i ttl e P h i li p c oul d r e aliz e hi s

i d eal o f a u ni t ed G r e ec e H e di ed i n the sam e y ear at the age O f
.

2
n i n et y e ig h t
-
.

We hav e tw en ty o n e sp eec hes an d n i ne l ett er s o f I so c r at es

-
.

M an y mo re t han t hese w e r e c u rr e n t u nd e r hi s n ame bu t i t seems ,

lik ely that w e p o ss ess all but fo u r of the c o mpo si tio n s t hat the
c ri ti c Di o n y s iu s r eg ard e d as g en ui n e A mo n g the sc h ol as ti c wri t
.

i n g s w e h av e t h r ee H ort ato ry E ssay s : To D ern o n i cus a l e tt e r’

,

wri t t en so me w hat i n the s pi ri t of Lo rd C hesterfi el d to a yo un g

, ,

1
L etter to P hi l ip 6 8 ff .

2
Di o n ys i us of H al i c ar n ass u s pr es e rv e d
trad i t i o n t h at I s o c rat es w o u l d n o t
a

c o ns e n t t o s ur vi v e t h e d e fe at o f At h e n s at C h ae r o n ea an d M i l t n s S o n n et to
’
,
o

th e La dy tl/ a r a r et Ley has fi xe d i n th e mi n d s o f En g l i s h ad e rs th e l eg e n d

re
g
t h at th e d i s h o n es t v i c t o ry at C h ae ro n ea fat al to l 1b er ty k i ll d w i th r e
, ,
’

p o rt t h at o l d man el o q u e n t B ut w h at w as a c r us h i n g d i s app o i n t m n t to
”
e

D emo s t h e n es an d t h e an ti M ac e d o n i an p art y w o ul d h a e an o t h r s i d e fo r
- v e

I so c rat es an d fo r a man o f h i s age o n e n ee d n o t ask fo r o t h er th an n at ur al

,

c au ses o f d eat h .
342 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU R E

illu mi n ati n g for the p e r s o nali ty an d m e t ho d s of I so c r at es w ho m ,

w e see worki n g l ik e o ne o f t h e gr eat I t al i an mas t e r s amo n g

, ,

h i s pu p il s an d p rovi d i ng for t h eir i m it atio n hi s o w n mo d el

,

c o mp o s i ti o n s .

Wi th t hi s gr o u p o f sc h ol ast i c w ri ti n g s w e may r ec ko n t h e
s p eec h es Ag a i n s t the S o h i s ts an d t h e A n ti d o si s I so c r at es was
p .

A g ai n s t t h e c uriou sly i sol at e d T ho ug h h e h ad b een the fri en d

.

S oph i s t s an d ad mi r e r o f So c r at e s h e c o ul d n o t be c o un t ed ,

wi t h t h e So c r ati c s ; an d fo r al l hi s i n t e r est i n poli ti c s h e had to

, ,

s t an d as id e fro m t h e du st an d heat of t h e p ol i ti c al r ac e M uc h as .

h e di sli k ed t h e l eg al professio n t hat h e had ab an d o n e d h e w as ,

still mor e an xiou s n o t t o b e i d en ti fi ed wi t h th e c ro wd o f s o p h i s ts ,

my en em i es w ho mak e their l ivi ng by p l agi arizi n g me 1

We d o .
’

n o t k n ow t h e p r e c i s e d a t e of h i s m an i fe s to ag ai n s t th e s op h i s t s ,

b ut i t w as p rob ably w ri tt e n ab o u t 3 9 1 at th e o p e n i n g o f hi s c ar ee r ,

as a t eac h e r an d w as d e si g n e d to se p ar at e hi m p ubl i c ly from t h e m

,

an d th e i r w ay s U n l ik e t he m h e i n si st s o n t he n eed of sp ec i al
.
,

e n d ow men t o n t h e pow e r of i m agi n ati o n an d i n tu i t i o n t h at n o

,

mast e ry o f r he tori c c an t eac h h e ridi c ul es th e p r ac ti c e o f t eac h i n g

s et p as sag es t h e c om m o n pl ac es t h at w e r e
, p art o f the o u tfi t o f the
r h eto ri c i an .

B ut h e w as o f c o ur s e i n th e A t h en i an s e n se o f th e word a
, , ,

Th e An t i s op h i s t a pro fess io n al t eac h e r n o l e ss t han Prot agor as

, ,

(108 13 h ad b e en an d i n t he A n ti d os i s ( 3 5 4 B C ) h e ac c e p t s .
,
.

t he ti tl e. T hi s t he l o ng es t o f hi s s peec h es w hi c h m ig h t w ell b e
, ,

c all e d O n tl/yself w as c o m p o se d aft e r h e had b e en c o mp e ll ed by

,

t he c o u r t s t o u n d e rt ak e a p ubl i c se rvi c e a t ri e r ar c hy as b efi tte d , ,

o n e of th e w e alt h i e r c i tiz en s I t i s a fi c t i tiou s s p e ec h p artly a

.
,

fo r en s i c d e fen se ag ai n s t the c i tiz en w ho had c hall eng ed hi m ,

ac c or d i n g to th e At h en i an c usto m to ac c ep t the s ervi c e o r e x ,

c han g e p ro p e rt i es p ar tly i t i s an au tobi ogr ap h y t h e ap ology o f a ,

v et eran of eig h ty tw o for hi s c ar ee r as a r h e to ri c i an an d fo r hi s

-
,

t h eory o f c ul t u r e w h i c h h e suppo rt s by quo ti n g lo ng e x tr ac t s fro m

,

h i s o w n works .

1
P a n ath . 16.
 I SO C RATE S 43

We hav e a fe w fr ag men t s O f t he A r t of R hetor i c O f I so c r at es ,

u n l ess i n d ee d i t b e safer to r egar d t h em as ec ho es o f hi s l ec t ur e s

, ,

p r es e rv e d i n t he q u ot ati o n s of l at e r wri t e r s I n t he m w e fi n d th e .

r ul e fo r th e avoi d anc e of h i atu s an d t he p r ec ep t t hat p ro se s ho ul d ,

b e r hy t h mi c al but n o t m e tri c al A passio n for fo rm d o mi nat e d .

I s o c rat es : I f an i d ea h as b ee n e x p r essed b e for e o n e s h o ul d try

‘
,
'
1
t o say t h e sam e t h i n g ag ai n an d b e tt e r
’
T ho ug h h e had b een
,
.

a p u pil o f G orgi as h e d i d no t ad mi t i n t o hi s o w n p ro se t he o r na
,

m en t s o f p o e t i c d i c ti o n an d has few me t ap hors H e

,
.

S tyle
bro ugh t th e p erio d t o p erfe c tio n payi n g o ut ev ery mem ,

b e r lik e th e l o n g li n k of a lo n g an d fl awl ess c hai n a c hai n t hat r e tu r n s ,

2
o n i t sel f a ft e r a wi d e c ir c l e A writ e r w h o d elig h t e d i n sho w i n g
.

w hat c o ul d b e do n e wi t h the tr uly subordi nat e s tyl e I n c u rr ed th e ,

d an g e r o f n o t k n owi n g w he r e to s to p B ut t ho ug h sen t e nc es so .

lo n g as hi s hav e sel d o m b een wri tt en lo n g sen ten c es hav e at l eas t ,

n ev e r b ee n m or e lu c i d I t w as n o t surpri si n g t hat as soo n as

.
,

p ro s e wri ti n g h ad b ec o m e a p erfec tly sel f c o n sc io us ar t i t sh o ul d -

,

t ak e ov er fro m p o et ry t h e r ul e t hat two vow el s t hat b elo ng to i nd e

p e nd en t wor d s mu st n o t m ee t I s o c r at es w as th e m o s t rigi d o f
.

hi s c o n t empor ari es i n t h i s avoi d an c e o f h i atu s so t hat th e c an o n ,

i s alw ay s asso c i at e d wi t h hi s n am e I t i s to o muc h the fashio n .

to d i sp ar ag e hi s p ass io n l ess p erfec t i o n by c o m p ari ng hi m wi t h

De m o sth e n es th e tr uth b ei n g that t he y b e l o n g to sep ar at e c ate
,

o r i es I s o c r at es i s t o b e j ud g e d for w hat h e w as t h e fi n i s he d
g .
,

ty p e o f the e pi d ei c ti c r h et ori c i an wi t h w ho m p erfec tio n o f form i s ,

t h e fi r s t t h o ug h t Aft e r hi m t h e d ec l i ne o f r hetori c w as swi ft an d

.

s t ead y . H e i s e mp h ati c ally a man o f t he fo u rt h c e n tury B ut h i s .

l i fe c ov e r s n early t h e w h ol e o f the hun d r ed y ear s t hat sep ar at e t he

o u tb r eak o f th e P e lo po n n es i an w ar w hen P e ri c l es w as th e so ul o f ,

At h en s from the d efe at at C hae ro n ea w hi c h mad e c e rt ai n th e

,

asc e n d e n c y o f M ac e d o n At h e n s say s G ibb o n

.
“
c o n d e n sed ,
”
,
“

wit h i n the p e rio d o f a si ngl e li fe th e g e n iu s of ag es and m illi o ns .

”

1 8
P a n egy r . .

2
C i c er
’
o s s t yl e i s b as e d on t h at o f [S o c r a t es , s o t hat t h l att r e e may b e s ai d

to h ave i n fl ue n c e d th r ,
o ug h C i c er o, th e p r ose o f mo d r n Eur o p e
e .
3 44 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GREEK LIT E RATU RE

On w hi c h De Qui n c ey ob se rv es t hat the c o n d en satio n i s the 1 “

m easu r e o f th e d i g n i ty ; an d I s o c r at es as the s i n gl e l i fe all ud ed ,

t o i s the measur e o f t he c o n d en satio n an d g o es o n to c om p ar e

, ,
”

h i m an d hi s l o n g l ife w it h th e c yli n d e r o f a d u mb b ell w ho se tw o -

,

gl ob es are i n t h i s c ase the o as i s o f P e ri c l e s an d the o asi s o f “

”
Al ex an d e r .

B IB LI OGRAP HY

A N D O CI D ES

I . MA N U S C R I PTS . Cr ipps i a n u s , 1 3 th c en t .
, i n t h e B r i t i sh M us eum . A rn
hr os za n u s , 1
5 th c en t .
,
M i l an .

II . ED ITION S . S c h i ll e r , Lei pz i g , 18 3 5 . L i p s i us , L e i p z i g , 18 8 8 . M arc h an t ,

D e My ster zi s, et de r ed i t u , Lo nd o n , 18 8 9 . B la ss , z
L e i p i g, 1 8 92 .

II I . L I T E RATUR E . Fr e n g e l , D e A n d oc . de p a ce or .
, KOn i g s b e rg , 18 66 .

H ar t man , D e H er mocop i d a r u m my s ter i or u m/ u e i

p r ofa n ator um i u d i c i i s ,
L e yd e n , 1880 . K i rc h h o ff i n II er mes 1 . F u hr i n B er t P h i l . . Woch en sch r ,

1 9 03 .

IV . LE X I CO N . Fo r man , I n d ex A n d oci d eu s , Ly c u rg eu s, D i n a r cheus, O xfo r d ,

18 9 7 .

A N T I PH O N
I . MA N US C R I PTS . Cr ipps i a n us , 1 3 th c e n t .
,
i n th e B r i t i sh Muse u m . Ox on i
en s i s ,
p r o b ab l y 1 4 th c e n t .
, at O xfo r d .

II I I N S M aet z n e r B er l i n 1 8 3 8
ED T O . .
, ,
. I e rn ste d t, S t . Pe t ers b urg , 1880 .

B l ass L e i p z i g 1 8 9 2
‘

, , .

III L I TERAT URE I g n ati us D e A n t

. .
, . Rha m . el oc u t zo n e, rl
Be in, 18 8 2 .

Par i
’
C uc u el , E ss a i sur l a l a ng u e et le s ty l e de l o r a te u r A n t iph o n , s 18 8 6 .

W il amo w i tz i n H er mes 22 . K ei l i n H er mes 29 . Re n ter i n H er mes 3 8 , 3 9 .

D i tte n b erg er i n H er mes 3 2 .

IV . LEX I CO N . V an C l ee f, I n d ex A n t zph on teu s, B os t o n , 189

5 .

I SA EU S

I . M A N USC R I PT S . Th e sa me as fo r A N DOC I D ES su
pr a .

II . ED I T I O l NS . an d Rei sk e c o n t ai n
Th e o l d er e d i t i o ns o f A d us , St ep h an us ,
on l y t en O a ti n s t he w a fi r t p ub l i s h e d b y M ai i n 1 8 1 5
r o ,
‘
C m el e th
ev n s s . o

pl te e d i t i ns a S hOman
e Gr e i f w al d 1 8 3 1
o S c h i b e B e rl i n
re : 1 8 74 ;
c n, s ,
e , ,

B ii man n B r l i n 1 8 8 3
r W y e Ca mb r i d g e 1 9 04
, e ,
s , , .

III L I T ERAT U RE Li eb man

. D I a ei v ta t ipt i H al l e 1 8 3 1
. Moy n, e s r e s cr s, , .
,

Et ud e u l s p l a d y e d I ee Par i 1 8 7 6 Rod e r B t
’

s r e i o E r hl u I t t i h
rs
’
s ,
s, .
, ez r . z . . r z .

1 Essay on S ty l e .
3 46 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU R E

TH RA S Y M A C H US

S c h w art z , D e Th r a sy ma ch o Ch a l ced on i o, Ro st o c k , 1 8 92 . H erman n , D i s

p al a ti a d e Th r asy ma ch o, Gott i ng e n , 1848 .

ON TH E CO N ST I TUT I O N OF A T H EN S

I. MA N U SC R I PTS . Th i s tract i s fo u n d on ly i n man uscri pt s O f X en oph o n

th e .

II . ED I T I O NS . Ki r c h h o ff, B erl i n , 18 74 . VVac h s mut h i n P r og r d Un i v . . .

Go tt .
, 1 8 74 . B el o t , Par i s , 1 8 80 .

III . L I TERATU R E Ki r chh o ff, Ueher d i e S ch r zfl vorn S taa te a’ A th i n A hh

. . . .

d . B er t Aha, . 1 8 74 an d i h 1 8 7 8
,
M ii l l e r Strii b i ng , D i e A tt S ch r ift v S d
. .
-
. . . .

'

A th S c h Ol l , D i e A nfi zng e ei n er p ol i ti schen L i tter a t u r hei d

18 80 . . Gr i echen ,
M un i c h, 1 8 90 Gomper z , Gr eeh Th rn her s I 4 99 ff ( En g tr an s )
. . . .

CO L LECT I O N S

l
A d us , Rh etor es Gr a eci , V e n i c e, 1 5 13 . St ep han us, Or a tor es Gr a eci , 1 5 75 .

Rei sk e , Or ator u m Gr a ec . mon u men ta

L ei p i g, 1 7 7 5 ( o mi ts I s o c r at es ) Bek , z .

k er, Or a tor es A tt zc z, O xfo r d , 1 8 2 3 ; B e r i n , 1 8 24 Do b so n , O r a tor es A tt i c i , l .

Lo n d o n , 1 8 2 8 B ai t er an d S aupp e, Z ii r i c h, 1 8 4 3 an d 1 8 4 5
. D i d o t , Or ator es .

A tt i ci , Par i s, 18 68 .

I TERATURE
L

S pen g el , Evvay w yi) '

r ex véw,
‘

St utt gart 1 8 2 8 ,
. V ol k man n , D i e Rh etor i h d .

Gr i ech en u . Ro mer , L e i p z i g, 18 74 . Ch ai gn et, L a Rh étor i q u e et s on his

to i r e, Pa i s , r 188 8 . Pe rro t , L
’
El oqu en ce p ol zt i gu e et
j u di c i a i r e cl
‘
A th hn es,
Par i s , 18 73 . Gi rard , Et u d es s ur l ’’
el og u en ce a tti ou e, Pari s , 1 8 74 . B l ass , D i e
A tti sch e B er ed s a mhezt, L e i p i g, 2 d z cd .
,
18 8 7 . J ebb , The A tti c O r a tor s f r om
A n tiph o n to I s a eos , Lo n d o n , 1 8 76 . N avarre, E ssa i su r la rh étor i q u e g r ec q u e
a va n t A r i s tate, Pari s , 1 9 00 . S ee l
a so Ge rc ke
i n H er mes 3 2, D i e al te T éx vn
'

{ nr op mh
i u . i h r e Geg n er . N o r d en , D i e A n ti he K u n stp r os a , L ei p i g , 1 8 9 8 z .
 C H A P T ER XVI I I

TH E FO URTH —C EN TU RY O RATO RS : D EM O STH EN ES

DEM OST H EN ES ,
of De mo sthen es o f th e d eme Paean i a
t he so n ,

w as bor n i n 3 8 4 B C . H i s fat her w ho d i e d w h e n t he s o n w as

.
,

sev en y ear s o l d b e lo n g ed to t h e w e al t h y A t h en i an m i d d l e c l ass

, .

T h e o r ator s gr an d mo t he r o n t he mot h e r s si d e h ad b ee n a n ativ e

’ ’

o f Sc yt hi a an d w e may n o t e as an i nst an c e o f th e ab s ur d p er so n
, ,

al i ti es t hat At hen i an e tiq u e t t e allo w e d a s p eak e r to dr ag i n t o h i s

arg u m en t the r ep ro ac h of t h e o pp o ne n ts o f De mo s
,

t h en es t hat h e was n o t a fu ll bl oo d e d A th en i an -
By .

’
hi s fat h e r s will he w as t o i n h eri t a suffi c i en t fort un e b u t w h e n h e ,

c am e of a e h e fo un d t hat hi s t hr ee g uar d i an s Ap ho bus De mo

g , ,

p ho n an d T heri ppi d es h ad e m pl oy ed th e t en y ear s o f his m i nori ty

, ,

i n ap p ro p ri ati n g h i s es tat e H e w as app ar e n tly a d el i c at e an d

.
, ,

ti mid yo uth broug ht up i n sec lu s i o n by hi s mo t he r the easy pr ey

, ,

o f u n sc r up ulo us t ru st ees B ut the i n do mit abl e will t hat w as d esti ned

.

to wi el d t h e fi er c e d emo c r ac y o f A th ens s et i t sel f e v en n o w to , ,

fig h t w hat s ee me d a h o pel ess c ase The n ext t h r ee y ear s w e r e

.

d evot ed to a t r ai n i n g that w as m ad e t he m or e ar d uou s by c ert ai n

n at u r al i n fi r mi t i e s o f vo i c e an d b eari n g an d i n 3 6 3 h e bro ug h t h i s
,

s ui t an d d eliv er ed h i s s e ec h Ag ai n s t Ap h ohus
p A p h o b us pro .

lo n g ed t he c o n t est by v ario us d evi c es to r e tai n hi s p l u nd e r so ,

t hat t h r ee s p eec h es ag ai n s t hi s g uar d i an an d two ag ai ns t h i s c o n

fe d e r at e O n eto r w er e d el iv e r ed by D emo st h en es b e fo r e h e c o uld

, ,

feel that the mor al vi c to ry at l eas t w as c om pl e t e t ho ug h l i ttl e

, , ,

en oug h o f hi s fort un e w as l e ft to b e r est o r e d H e w as n o w fr e e .

to ad o p t t he p ro fessi o n o f sp e ec h w r i ght w h i c h h e n ev e r altog e t he r

,

ab an d o n ed .
3 48 S H O RT H I ST O R Y O F G RE E K LIT E RATU R E

O f t hi rty —t h r ee P r i va te O r ati o n s t hat surviv e un d e r h i s n ame ,

o n ly abo u t fo ur te en ar e ac c ept ed by al l th e mo d e r n c riti c s All

-
.

P ri v at e are o f v al ue for t h e h i s t ory o f At h e n i an l aw fi n anc e , ,

t i on s an d t h e p riv at e li fe o f t h e fou rt h c en t ury B u t De

.

mosth en es w as no t at hi s b es t i n p riv at e s ui t s . H i s h eart w as i n

poli ti c s an d hi s fi n est sp eec h es i n t he c ou r ts w er e d eliv e r ed i n
,

poli ti c al t ri al s T her e c o ul d b e n o b e t t e r e x er c i se fo r o n e w ho
.

as pi r e d to be a s t at es man t han t h e w ri ti n g o f suc h s p eec h e s as

t hat Ag a i ns t A n d r o ti on ( 3 5 5 c o m o se d for o n e Di o d o ru s
p
w ho ac c use d An d r o ti o n of havi n g mov e d an i ll eg al r e sol uti o n In .

the Ag a i n s t Ti mocr a tes t h e same c li en t p u r su es hi s at t ac k

o n An d ro ti o n by p e r s ec u ti n g o n e o f hi s s u p p or te r s T h e s p ee c h
.

Ag a i n s t A r i s tocr a tes w as w ri t t e n i n 3 5 2 for Euthyc l es a c l i e n t ,

w ho op po se d a m o tio n to giv e e xtr ao r d i n ary p o w e r an d i mm un i ty

t o C h ar i d e mus th e E ub o ean me r c en ary ad v en t u r e r w ho had
, ,

m arri ed th e si s t e r of C er so b l e p tes ki ng o f T hr ac e an d l at e r ( 3 4 9 )
, ,

w as d es ti n e d to c han g e si d es o n c e mor e an d app ear as an A t h en i an

c o mm an d e r . T h e p oli c y o f De m o s t h e n es h i ms e l f i s h ar d ly to b e
j u d g ed from t hes e p ro fess io nal sp eec hes t h oug h t h ey p rob ably
,

e x p r e ss hi s g en u i n e c o n vi c tio n s .

Th e mo s t brilli an t an d e ffec tiv e o f t hi s grou p i s t h e sp eec h

Ag a i n s t L ep ti n es De mo s t hen e s n o w fo r t he fi r s t ti m e ap
Ag ai n s t p e a r s i n c ou rt to sp eak i n p e r s o n o n a q ues tio n of pol

L ept i n e s i ti es O n t hi s o c c asio n h i s t ask w as t hat o f a b arri s t e r

.
,

s i n c e h e s p ok e o n b e hal f o f the fam i ly o f an A t h e n i an w ho se d e at h

had h i n d e re d hi s i n d i c tm en t of Le p ti n es . At hens w as i n fi nan c i al

d i ffi c u lti es aft e r h er u n suc c essful a tt e mp t to p un i sh h er r evolt e d
all i es C hio s C o s an d R h o d es T O me e t t h i s e me rg en c y an d to
'
.
, , , ,

r el i ev e t h o se w ho w er e l i abl e to e x c ess iv e p ubli c se rvi c es suc h as ,

t h e tri er ar c hy Le p ti n es i n t h e p r e viou s y e ar had p ro p o sed to

, , ,

aboli sh t h e h e r e di t ary i mmun i ti e s fro m th i s s ort o f t ax atio n Of .

all t h e b en e fac tor s o f A t h e n s o n ly t h e d e sc e n d an t s o f H ar mo d i us

an d Ari sto gei to n w er e to r e t ai n t h ei r p rivil eg es T O De mo s t hen es

.
,

th i s r epu d i ati o n o f w hat h e r eg ar d ed as a s t at e c o n tr ac t w as

o d iou s a bl o w to the c r ed i t o f a c i ty t hat h ad b een p ec uli arl y

,
3 50 S H O RT H I ST O RY OF GR E E K L ITE RATUR E

pow er an d c hec k th e aggr essio n s o f Sp ar ta The A t hen i an s how

,
.
,

e v e r d e c id ed to stan d by t h e for eig n p oli c y o f Eu bul us an d n o t

, ,

t o i n t e rfe r e i n t he P elopo nn esu s .

I n th e same y e ar
1
t he d e mo c r ats o f R h o d es app eal ed to

A then s fo r ai d ag ai n st th e C ari an q u een Ar te mi si a w ho w as c arry

i ng o n t he p oli c y o f h er d ead h us b an d M au so l us by su ppo rti n g

F or t h e Rh o t h e olig ar c h i c al p ar ty i n th e i sl an d R ho d es had l ed .

d i an s t h e s ec ess io n o f t he alli e s ag ai n s t A the ns i n 3 5 7 an d ,

h ad n o rig ht to look to h er for h elp B ut Demo st he n es i n hi s .

,
'

s p eec h F or the R hod za n s argu e d t hat i t w as t he s ac r e d d u ty of

A th en s c o nti n u ally t h r eat en ed as she w as fro mwi t hi n by th e

, .

t error s o f olig ar c hy t o su pp or t d e m o c r ac y i n e v e ry q uart e r

,
The .

c ause ho w ever l ik e t hat o f M eg alo p oli s w as to o u n popul ar an d

'

, , , ,

t h e i sl an d w as l e ft i n t h e c lu tc hes o f C ari a .

So far Dem o s t h e n es had d evo t ed h i m se l f to h o me affai r s o r to ,

th e e xpr ess i o n u su all y i n e ffec t u al o f a for eig n p oli c y t hat b ar ely

, ,

r ec og n iz ed P hili p o f M ac e do n I n 3 5 9 P hili p had sec ur ed t he .

t hro n e an d at o nc e e n ter ed o n hi s p ol i c y o f e xp ansio n Fo r hi s

,
.

sc h e m es o f c o n q uest h e n e ed e d m o n e y an d h e tu r n e d hi s e y es t o ,

t h e gol d m i n es o f T hr ac e t h at l ay o n hi s eas t e r n bord e r To c on .

t rol t h ese h e mu s t fi r st r ed u c e th e p ow erful n e ig hbo ri ng tow n o f

,

A m phi poli s s till an ou t po s t o f A th en i an i n fl uen c e i n T h r ac e

, ,

t houg h th e ac t ual p o ssessi o n o f th e c olo ny had b e en lo s t to At hen s

Th e pol i cy of i n th e P e lopo nn e si an w ar I n 3 5 7 P h ili p at t ac k e d t he .

Phi li p t ow n an d th e i n habi tan ts app l i ed to At h en s for ass i s t

,

an c e . B ut t h e y w e r e th w ar ted by t h e d iplo mac y of P hi li p He .

m ad e a s ec r e t b arg ai n wi t h t he A th en i an s that i n r e t ur n for the ,

fr ee t ow n of Py d n a w h i c h w as to b e r es to r e d t o M ac edo n h e
, ,

wo ul d tak e A m ph i pol i s o n l y to giv e i t b ac k to At he ns t he rig h t

, ,

ful ow n e r When o n c e A mp hi pol i s had fall e n P hili p k ept i t for

.
,

h i msel f an d lo s t n o t i me i n taki n g Py d n a as w ell Po ti d aea an .

,

o t he r A t h en i an o u tpo s t h e m ad e ov e r to the O ly n t hi an s w ho m h e
, ,

1 Th i s d at e i s mad e a l mo st ce rt ai n b y th e rgume n ts
a of J ud e i c h K l ei n
,

a s za t zsch e S t u d i en 18 6 ff . Th e l at e r d at e, 3 5 1 , i s gi ven b y D i o n ys i us of

H al i c ar nass us, w h o is f ll o w e d
o by B l ass .
 DE M OSTH E N E S 51

w as no t ye t r eady to ab sorb I n 3 5 3 h e c ap t ur e d M e t ho ne th e
.

l ast ally l e ft t o the At hen i ans o n the T he r mai c G ulf B y t he e n d .

of 3 5 2 h e w as m ast er o f th e n orth e r n A eg ean and hi s fl e e t w as ,

abl e to ann oy the alli es an d t o t h r eat en A t h e n i an t r ad e O ne .

s i n gl e c h ec k h e had r ec eiv e d fr o m A t h e ns : w he n h e had i n te r

fe r ed i n t h e h oly w ar an d d e feat e d the P ho c i an arm y i n

3 5 2 he , ,

m ad e r eady to m ar c h so u th and e n t e r Gr eec e by the p ass o f

T he r mopyl ae but E ub ul us sen t a stro ng for c e t o T hermo pyl ae ,

an d P h ili
p fell b ac k to t ur n hi s at t en tio n to th e c o n qu e st o f th e
,

T h rac i an C her son ese .

Su c h was t he p o s i tio n t o w h i c h M ac ed o n i a had attai n ed w he n

Dem o st hen es sp ok e hi s F i r s t P hi l ipp i c I t i s t he mo st eloqu e n t
.

and m o s t effec tiv e o f t h e s e ri es o f at t ac k s t h at he w as n o w to

m ak e o n the i nd i ffer en ti s m o f th e At hen i ans t he i r i mp rovi d enc e , ,

th ei r w eak n es s i n allo w i n g P hi li p to ou twi t t he m i n e v e ry e n co un

t er. H e ad vi s e d as u su al w hat h e th oug h t b est bu t n o t eas i est

, ,
‘
, .
’

T her e mu s t be a gr eate r p ro portio n o f c i tiz en s i n the army and , ,

abov e all th e g en e r al s mu st b e A th en i an s
,
Ev ery c i tiz en mu st .

d ete r mi n e to t ak e a l esso n fro m t he en ergy an d p er s o n al d evotio n

o f P hili p So far the At hen i ans hav e b een c o n t en t wit h l ang ui d
.

go ssi p : I s ther e any n ew s ? y ou as h Why w h at n ew s coul d he .

,

mor e s tar tl i ng th an th i s th at a mer e M aced on i an i s d efeati ng th e

,

A th en i an s an d man ag i ng th e affa i r s of G r eece [s P h i l /p d ead ?

I ash . N o , y ou an s w er , bu t h e i s i l l . Wh at ( l ifi i r en ce ’
d oes th a t
mahe to y ou S upp ose h e s h ou l d d i e y ou w i l l s oon cr ea te a n oth er

P h i l ip if y ou tahe no mor e i n ter es t i n y our afla i r s th an y ou d o n ow

n t h i s sp eec h w e see fo r th e fi r s t t im e th e i mpas
)
ro— r r I .

si o n ed eloqu en c e o f De mo sth en es at i ts h eig h t . H e is no lo ng er

m er ely an or ator i n the o ppo sitio n s p eaki ng ag ai nst t h e p eac e
,

p ol i c y o f E ubulu s as a mat t er o f c o ur se but a patriot w ho sees ,

mo r e c l early t han the r est the i ns idiou s d esig ns o f P hili p and ,

r ealiz es t hat t he gr eat est d ang er to A t hens i s her o w n ap athy .

B ut t he At he n i ans w h om h e ad d r esse d w e r e v ery d i ffe r e n t fro m

th e g e n e r ati o n w hi c h a c e n tury b e for e h ad b e e n e ag e r to ri sk
, ,

ev e ry t h i n g fo r th e glory o f e m p i r e at th e bi d d i n g o f P e ri c l es .
35 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATUR E

A vigorou s an d sustai n ed fo reig n pol i c y w as i m p o ss ibl e for that

p l eas u r e l ovi n g d eg e ne r a t e d e m o c r ac y O n ly t hr ee y ear s earl i e r
-
.
, ,

w h en P h ili p had app ear ed o n th e h orizo n th e A t hen i ans h ad ,

r e solv ed to pu t t h eir amu semen t s fi r s t by voti n g t hat t he festiv al ,

fund w h i c h g av e t h e c iti z ens fr ee ad mi ssio n to th e fes tiv al s an d

,

t h eat er s mu s t n ev e r be d iv e rt ed to th e p ur po se s o f w ar
,
Th e .

m e r e sugg estio n w as to be ac c o un ted tr easo n and De m o s t h enes ,

c oul d o f fer n o p rac ti c al sc h e m e for str en gt heni ng the army an d

’
n avy w h il e he r es p e c te d th e san c ti ty of th e t h eo ri c o n th e theat er ,

fun d I n 3 4 9 he d eliv er e d the t h r e e O ly n th i ac Or ati ons w h i c h

.
,

ar e P hilip pi c s w i t h a sp ec i al r e fe r en c e to O ly n t hu s Th e .

O ly n t hi an s saw t he m se lv es c ut o ff fro m the r es t o f G r eec e by th e

c o n q u es t s of M ac ed o n i a an d mor e t h an o n c e had ap p eal e d t o
,

A t h ens for su pport I n 3 4 9 P h il i p b es i eg ed s om e o f th e

.

n e ig h bori n g t ow n s o f C h al c i di c e an d O ly n t hu s sen t an e mb assy

,

to At hen s The F i r s t Oly n th i ac u rg es t he At h en i an s to l o s e n o

.

t i me i n s en di ng h el p to O ly n t hu s I n th e Th i r d O ly n th i ac
.

De mo s th en es at l ast d ec l ar es that th e fest iv al fun d o ug h t to b e

u s ed for the w ar The A theni an s m ad e an alli an c e wi t h O ly n thu s
.

an d s en t troop s b ut P h ilip c r eat e d a d iv e r si o n by i n c i t i n g a r e vol t

,

i n E ubo e a .To put t hi s dow n A thens divid ed her for c es and i n

, ,

4 8 O ly n th u s fell
3 .

I n t h e same y ear De m o sth en e s w ho had oppo se d the exp edi

, ,

t i o n to E ubo ea wro t e h i s speec h Ag a i n s t M ei di as

,
M ei d i as w as a .

A g ai n s t ri c h At hen i an an ad he r en t of t h e p eace p ar ty w ho
, ,

M ei d i as h ad lo n g had a gr udg e ag ai n s t D emo s t h en es At the .

feast o f the G r eat Dio n y s i a i n t hi s y ear t h e o rato r w as c hor eg us ,

fo r hi s t rib e an d w h en h e app ear ed i n th e t h eat e r M e i d i as s tru c k

, ,

h i m i n t he fac e The sp eec h Ag ai n s t M ei d i as i s a mo n u m en t o f

.

e r s o n al i n v ec tiv e an d c o n t ai ns a c l ass i c d esc ri p tio n o f At h en i an

p ,

mann er s But t hi s w as n o ti me fo r priv ate q uarr el s an d i t i s sai d

.
,

t hat De mo st hen es ab an do n ed o r c o mp ro mi se d the sui t I n 3 4 7 .

w e fi n d hi m ac ti n g wit h th e p eac e par ty an d se n t wi t h th e or ato r

A esc h i n es as an am b assad or to P hilip H i s s pe ec h O n the P eace .

follow ed i n 3 4 6 I n 3 4 4 he s pok e th e S econ d P h i l ipp i c p oi nti n g

.
,
3 54 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K LIT E RAT U R E

h e w as th e t ypi c al rrow p atri o t an d c ould n o t en vi sag e wi th

na

t he c ompl ac en c y o f I so c r at es a g en e r al exp an s i o n o f G r eec e

u nd er th e l ead er shi p o f M ac edo n The s i x y ear s th at follow ed
.

C hae ro n ea w e r e m ark e d by o n ly o ne or atori c al trium ph T hi s .

w as i n 3 3 0 w h en hi s ol d en emy A esc hi n es broug h t hi s lo n g

d el ay ed ac ti o n ag ai n st C t esi pho n who i n 3 3 6 had propo sed
, , ,

t hat De mo s t hen es s hou ld r e c e iv e a gol d en c row n fo r h i s serv

i c es t o At hen s i n t hat fi nal c ri si s T h e M ac e d o n i an p arty n o w

.

se e m e d .
s tro n g e n o ug h t o c r ush Dem o s t henes and A esc hi n es ,

i n hi s s p eec h Ag a i n s t Ctes ip h on tri e d t o p rov e that h i s w h ol e

p ol i ti c al c ar ee r h ad b e en i n s i nc er e an d fatal to A t he n s Demo s .

t h en es c oul d hav e w i sh ed fo r n o b e tt er o pp ortu n i ty to vi n d i c at e

hi s p ol i c y . Th e sp eec h O n th e Cr ow n i s th e m ast er p i ec e of hi s
o r atory a spl en d id e pilogu e to h i s p oli ti c al li fe A esc h i n es w o n
,
.

l ess than o n e fi ft h o f the vo tes an d d i sapp ear ed fro m A t h ens an d

,

fro m poli ti cs O f De mo sthen es w e h ear n o m o r e u n til 3 2 4 w h en

.

t h e affai r o f H arp al u s d i sgr ac ed th e c lo se o f hi s c ar ee r

Harp al us
.

H ar palu s the ab sc o n d i n g t r easu r er o f A l ex an d e r

, ,

arriv ed i n At hen s wi th 7 00 t al en ts hO p i n g to i n d u c e t he
,

A t hen i an s t o s upp ort hi m ag ai nst h i s mast e r T h i s t h ey r efu sed .

to do an d h e w as l o d g ed i n t h e A c r opoli s i n the c h arg e o f c e rt ai n

,

c om mi s sio n er s of w ho m De m o s t h en es w as o n e
,
H arp alu s esc ap ed .
,

an d h alf th e m o n ey h ad d i sap p ear ed When th e c our t o f

.

A r eop agu s i n v estig at ed t h ey fo un d De m o s t hen es gu il ty o f rec eiv

,

i n g a brib e o f tw en ty t al en t s H yp er ei d es a m e mb e r of h i s o w n
.
,

p arty ac c u sed hi m publi c ly an d h e w as c o n d em n ed to pay a

, ,

h eavy fi n e . I n d e faul t o f t h i s h e w as i mpri so n ed but e sc ap ed an d ,

w en t i n to exil e T hat h e took the m o n ey o f H arp al us t her e i s

.

li ttl e d oub t P e r hap s h e t houg h t t h at m o n e y s tol en fro m Al ex an

.

d e r mi g h t fairly b e c o n v e r t ed to A t h en i an us e B u t t h i s w as n o t .

th e opi n io n o f h i s j u d g es an d t h at i n a c o mm u n i ty w ho s e s t an d ar d s
,

o f p ol i ti c al mor ali ty w er e n ev er i m p o ssibly hig h .

I n 3 2 3 t he h op e s of At h en s w er e r eviv e d by th e d eath o f
A l ex an d er an d D em o s t h en es w as r ec all ed
,
A ft e r so m e slig h t
.

su c c ess A then s and her alli es w er e b eaten at C ranno n ( 3 2 2 ) by

,
 DE M O STH E N E S 3 55

th e M ac edo n i an g e n e r al A n ti p at e r H e p rov ed a har d e r m ast e r . .

than P h ili p an d am o ng o t h er hu mili atio n s e x ac t e d fro m A t he n s

, , ,

t h e s u rr en d e r o f De mo s t he n es Hyp er e i d es an d c er Crann on , , ,

t ai n o t he r s o f t he an ti M ac ed o n i an agit ator s De mo s
-
3 22 3 0 .

t he n es fl e d to t he t emp l e o f Po se i d o n o n th e i sl and of C al au r i a .

T her e he took p oi so n r at her t han giv e hi ms el f up to the m essen

g e r s o f A n ti pat er Forty y ear s l ater the At hen i ans s et up hi s
.

s t atu e i n bro n z e .

Wh en Lo ngi nus s ets o ut to p r ai se Demo sthenes h e b egi n s by

l
,

ad di n g up t h e qu aliti es i n w h i c h hi s c o n t e mp or ary H yp er e i d es

su r p assed h i m H e i s fl exibl e an d D emo s t h e n es i s n o t ; h e lik e

.
,

Ly s i as c o uld m e rg e hi s p e r so n ali ty i n hi s c l i e n t s w hil e De mo s

’
, ,

t he n es mu s t alw ay s b e h i m se lf 5 h e i s p iqu an t wi tty Ch ar ac t er , ,

c h ar mi ng a m as t e r o f t h e p at h o s t hat w as s o t e ll i n g i n
,
i s ti CS

e p i d e i c ti c e loqu en c e ; De mo s t h en e s i s n o n e o f t hes e B ut yo u .

may add up all t hes e p oi n t s o f ex c e ll enc e and s till the gr eat n ess ,

o f De mo st h en es i s n o t to b e shak en by ari t h me ti c For t h e v ery .

s tr e n gt h o f hi s i n d ivi d u ali ty w h i c h forb ad e hi m to b e fi i ppan t o r ,

fasc i nati n g or hi strio n i c g av e hi m the p ow e r t o ri se abov e hi m

, ,

se l f an d e v e n w hat w as mor tal an d sw ee p aw ay hi s h ear e r s o n t h e

,

full ti d e o f eloq uen c e H e c o ul d n o t hav e w ri t ten th e shor t

.

s p eec h for P h ry n e t he c our tesan w h i c h l e ft n o t a dry eye amo n g ,

tho se w ho he ar d H yp erei d e s but he ,

Wi e l d ed ll that f er c e d emo craty

at w i i ,

Sh o o k th e ars en a l a d ful mi n d o v er Gr ee c e
’
, n .

When I r ea d a s peech of I socr a tes ,

sa i d Di o n y si us o f H ali c ar n assu s ,

hecome s oher an d c al m hu t w h en t ahe p

u a peech of
s

D emos th en es , I m s ti r r ed to en th us i a s m moi ed hi ther a n d th i th er

a ,
/
,

a n d I s h a r e i n a l l th e emo ti o n s th a t s w a y th e mi n d of ma n .

Fro m th e G r ee k c riti c w h o se glory i t i s t hat h e p r e fe rr e d the

,

grand m an n er to t h e faultl ess d o w n to Mil to n met apho rs t hat , ,

e x p r e ss for c e an d fi r e t hat d r aw o n t h e fo r c e s o f n at u r e mig h ty

, ,

riv er s sea ti d es t hu n d e r and lig ht n i ng an d s tro ng w i nd s hav e b e en

, , ,

1
O n the S u hl i me 3 4 .
2 On the [fl at/ H en ce f Demos then es
o 22 .
3 56 S H O RT H I ST O RY OF GREEK LITE RATUR E

l avi sh ed o n De mo sthen es O n e w h o r ead o n ly these p an egyri c s

.

mi g h t al mo s t i m agi n e hi m a r ugg ed u n tu to r ed o r ator s t an d i n g ,

b e for e the A sse mbly wi t h awkw ard g estur es an d as to un d i n g it as , ,

O d y ss eu s as tou nd e d th e Troj an s wi th w ord s t hat bli n d e d an d ,

ov e r w hel me d l i k e a sn ow stor m i n wi n t er 1
B u t h e i s i n fac t a .
, ,

fo urt h c en tu ry or at or e q uipp ed wi t h all th e r hetori c al ar ts o f h i s

-

ti m e as c ar eful i n hi s effec t s as th e passio n l ess I so c

,
S t yl e
“

r at es Abou t hi s ac tu al tr ai n i n g w e k n o w l i ttl e ex
.
,

c e p t that h e d i d n o t att en d th e fas hio nabl e an d e xp e n s iv e sc hool

2
o f I so c r at es bu t w as prob ably taug ht i n form ally by l saeus to
, ,

w ho m h e wou ld n atu rally t u r n as an exp e r t i n a su i t suc h as he

i n t en d ed to bri n g ag ai n st hi s gu ar d i an s I n c er t ai n o f th e earli e r .

for e n si c sp eec hes he has i n fac t p l agi ariz ed t he c o m mo npl ac e s

, ,

o f l saeus 3
H e w as a c lo s e s tud en t o f T hu c y d i d es and i n th e
.
,

s p ee c h On th e Sy mmo r i es an d el s e w h e r e t h e r e are c l ear e c h o es o f

’
th e h i s tori an s d i ffi c ul t an d e l abor at e s tyl e wi t h i ts c o n d e n s e d ,

t h oug h t Later t he i n fl uen c e o f t he s moo t h er s tyl e o f I so c rat es

.
,

c an b e d e t ec t e d Th e o r atory o f De mo s t h en es i s n at u r ally r ai se d
.

to a hig h er p i t c h i n th e p ol i ti c al h ar ang ues t h an i n t he for en s i c

s p eec h es Su c h a sp eec h as t hat O n the Cr ow n was c ar e fully

.

r evi sed an d poli she d b etw ee n i ts d el iv ery an d i ts publ i c ati o n I n .

hi s c h oi c e of w o r d s De mo s t he n es w as n o p uri s t li k e I s o c r ates
or Ly si as H e do es n o t avoi d c olloqui ali s m s an d r e fe r en c es to
.

t h e mo s t trivi al t hi n g s o f ord i n ary li fe H e i s fo n d o f prov e rb s .

,

an d h i s s p ee c h es are m ad e vivi d wi t h m etap ho r s an d roug h e n e d

wi th o at hs an d ej ac ul atio ns You will n ev e r fi nd an o ath i n

.

I so c r at es .

De mo s t hen es w as c ar e ful to avoi d h i at us th e m ee ti n g o f t w o -

vow el s i n c o n sec u tiv e wor d s C lo s el y c o n n ec t ed w i t h t hi s r ul e

.

abo u t h i at us i s a q ues tio n w h i c h fo r th e l as t q uart e r o f a c e n tury

, ,

has agi t ated stud en t s o f D e mo s t henes an d i s lik ely to r emai n i n ,

1 11. III 22 2 .

Go mp erz mai n t ai n s t r l l recei v ed pi n i o n , t h at Demos

2
, agai n s th e g e n e a y o

th en es w as a p up i l of l ato
P .

3
N avarre , L a Rhétor i q ue Gr ecou e 168 ff
.
3 58 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L IT E RATU R E

so n of an ob sc ur e At h en i an sc h ool m as t er H i s m ot he r i f w e ar e
.
,

to tak e t h e wor d o f De m o st h en es w as an i n ferior p ri es t ess o f

,

c e r tai n r at he r shad y ri t es i n w hi c h s h e w as assi s t ed by her s o n

,
.

A t an y rat e A esc hi n es an d hi s two brot he r s w ho al l

, ,
Aes ch i nes
r ai se d th emselv es to s t at e o ffi c es w e r e se l f m ad e me n ,
-

o f the low e r mi d d l e c l ass A ft e r follo w i n g wi t h o ut su c c ess the pr o

.
, ,

fessi o n of a p rovi n c i al ac tor A esc h i n es en t er e d p oliti c s by a b ac k

,

doo r U n d er th e p atro nag e o f E ub ulu s he b ec ame c l erk o f the

.

A ssembly w ho se bu si n ess i t w as to r ead t he d ec r ees an d k eep t he

,

r ec ord s Lat er i n l i fe he w as asham e d o f havi n g hel d t hi s i n si g

.
,

n i fi c an t o ffi c e bu t h e w as abl e to use i t as a s t ep p i n g s to n e to
,
-

po si tio n s o f tru s t H e had a goo d p r es en c e a fi n e voi c e an d a

.
, ,

t al e n t for ex t e mpor e sp eaki n g an d h e t ur n e d t h e m all t o good

,

ac c o u n t A t t he age o f t hi rty t w o ( 3 5 7 B C ) h e b eg an hi s p ol i ti
.
-
. .

c al c ar ee r b u t w e h av e n o r ec or d o f a sp eec h b e for e 3 4 8 w h en h e
, ,

d en o u n c e d P hili p aft e r t h e fall o f O ly n t hu s I n 3 4 7 h e w en t o n .

a mi n o r e mb ass y t o th e Ar c adi an ass e mbly at M eg al o p ol i s in 3 46

he w as sen t wi th De mo s t h e n e s an d eig ht o t h e r s to n e go ti ate t e r ms
o f p eac e w it h P hi li p ; an d he w as a m emb e r of th e sec o n d e m
b assy se n t to r ec e iv e P hil i p s o at h Fro m t hi s t i me h e app ear s
’
.

as a su pp or ter o f M ace d o n an d as t h e ow n e r o f c e rt ai n es t at es
,

w hi c h w e c an o nly ac c o un t fo r as p r esen t s fro m P hil ip So at .

any r at e De mo s t h e n es ac c ou n te d for t h e m an d i n 3 4
5 h e p r e p ar ed
,

to i mp eac h A esc h i n es as a t r ai tor t o A t h en s A ri c h At hen i an .

n am e d Ti marc hus w as to suppo rt t he ac c u s atio n A esc hi n es for e .

s t all ed th e att ac k by p ro sec u t i n g Ti marc hus u n d e r t h e o l d an d

n egl ec t e d l aw of Solo n w h i c h forb ad e t h e rig h t s o f c i ti z e n s to

t h o se W h o se li fe w as i n fam ou s T he s p e ec h Aga i n s t Ti ma r ch u s
.

Agai n s t th e fi r s t t h at A esc h i n es p ubli sh ed i s t h e mo s t ,

Ti marCh US sc urrilo u s t h at has c o me d o w n to us fro m t h e A t h eni an

c ou rt s w h e r e t h e rul es o f t h e g am e allow e d p e r s o n al ab use o f a

,

ki nd t hat to d ay ev en t he n ew sp ape r s w oul d sup p r ess Ti mar c hus

-
.

w as c o n vi c t e d an d d i s app ear ed fro m p ubl i c li fe

,
I n 3 4 3 Demo s .

t h en es h i msel f c ame fo rw ar d to i mp e ac h A es c h i n es w ho sp ok e i n ,

hi s d efen se th e s p eec h O n th e F al s e E mhassy Th i s was the .

 A E SC H I N E S 59

a p olog i a for hi s p ol i t i c al p ol i c y an d i s th e b est o f hi s sp eec hes .

H e w as ac q u i tt e d by t hi r ty vot es I n 3 4 0 he w o n a gr eat o r atori

.

c al t riu mph Th e Lo c ri an s o f Am phi ss a s ev en mil es fro m

.
,

D el phi h ad agr e e d wit h T he b es to wi pe off t he o l d On t h e F al s e

,

sc or e ag ai n st A th en s by acc u s i n g h er i n t h e A mp hi c ty Embas s y

o n i e C ou n c il o f sac ril eg e i n c o n n ec tio n w i t h the d ed i c atio n o f c er

t ai n sh i el d s w h i c h At hens had set up i n the s hri n e aft er Pl at aea , .

A esc h i n es as an A t h en i an d epu ty was at the c ou nc il an d b e i n g

, , , ,

w ar n ed o f the p lot had a sud d en i nspi rati o n Mor e than two c en

, .

turi es earl i e r t he p l ai n o f C ri sa n e ar t he te m pl e h ad b een so l

e mn l y d ed i c ate d to A p ollo an d c ur s es l ai d o n an y w h o shoul d

,

c ul tiv at e i t B ut th e Lo c ri ans h ad c ul tiv at e d t he pl ai n an d

.
,

A esc hi nes n o w m ad e a sensatio nal s p eec h u rgi ng t he c ou nc il to

p un i sh t he i mp io us p e o pl e of A m p hi ssa : I s tood up a n d poi n ted
o ut to th e A m p hi czyo ns th e p l ai n w hi ch l i es hel o w the templ e i n f ul l
vi ew . A mphi c tyo ns I cr i ed y ou see th a t th i s pl a i n h as heen cul ti
, ,

va ted hy th e A m p hi ss i a n s th a t they h ave hui l t p o tter i es ther e a n d

, ,

s tahl es . Yo u s ee w i th y o u r ow n eyes h o w th e h a r ho r th a t w a s
d evo ted to th e g od a n d l a i d u n d er a c u r se h as heen r ehui l t . No
o n e h n ow s het ter th a n y o u h ow they ex a ct por t d u es a nd mahe a
r even ue f r o m th a t s a c r ed h a r ho r . Thi s I s ai d , a n d much

mor e to the sa me efi ect ,

a n d the A mph i ct ro n s s ho u ted al o u d . [n
th e ex ci te men t th er e w a s n ot a n o th e r w or d s ai d a he n t th e s h i el ds
1
th at w e h a d d ed i ca ted , hu t on ly a hou t p u n i s h i ng th e A l nph i ss i a n s .

T h i s o n c e then A esc h i n es s erv ed A t hens by av er ti n g from h er an

, ,

A m phi c tyo n i c w ar .

T he s p e ec h Agai n s t C tes iph o n i n w hi c h A esc hi n es giv es th i s

,

vivi d d esc ri p tio n w as s pok e n i n 3 3 0 an d w as an

, Agai n s t ,

at t ac k o n th e poli ti c al c ar e e r o f De mo s t h en es in C t es i ph on
,

w ho se ho n or C t esi ph o n had p ro po sed a v o t e o f a gold e n c ro w n ,

to be b est ow ed i n t h e t h eat e r I t i s th e lo ng es t o f the t h r ee

.

e x tan t sp ee c h es A esc hi nes arg ues t hat the p r o po s al i s ill eg al fo r

.

mor e t h an o n e r easo n and t hat i n any c ase the ho n or i s n o t

, , ,

d ese rv ed .T he s p e ec h has al w ay s b e e n ov e r shad o w e d by t he r e p ly

1 Aes c hi n es , Ag a i n st Ctes zph o n 1 19 ff .
3 6 0 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LIT E RATUR E

o f D emo s t he n es th e spl en d i d s peec h On the Cr ow n but i t has

, ,
1

m any effec tiv e p assag es S u c h i s t hat i n w hi c h A esc hi n es r evi ew s

.

t h e gri ev an c es an d mo r ti fi c ati o n s o f G r eec e T h eb es blo t ted ou t .

i n a si n gl e d ay Sp art a r u i n e d an d t h e Sp art an s bow e d i n the d u s t

, ,

b e fo r e Al ex an d er Las t o f al l , At hen s o n c e the r e fug e an d shel

.
,

t er o f all G r e ec e to w h o m ev e ry o th er s t at e sen t e mb assi es i s

, ,

fig h ti ng n o t n o w for th e l ead e r shi p but fo r h er v er y soil And

, , .

al l t hi s s i n c e De m o s t h en es e n t e r ed pol i ti c s H e i s lik e o n e o f .

th o se d an g e rou s men o f w h o m H esio d wro te i n t he Wo r hs a n d

D ays w h o d estroy a w h ol e s t at e by t h e i r b al efu l ad vi c e

, Aes .

c hi n es w as fo n d o f quo ti n g t he p o e t s — i t w as n o t for n o t hi n g t hat

he had b ee n an ac tor an d a sc h ool mas t er s son — an d h e r e c i t ed
’

t h e v e r s e s fro m H es io d to p oi n t h i s p ar all el T hi s w as h i s l ast .

app ear an c e i n At h en i an poli ti c s H e w as fi n e d a t h ou san d d r ac h

.

mae fo r h i s fai lu r e to w i n o n e fi ft h o f the vo t es an d wi t h dr ew to ,

R ho d es w her e i t i s sai d t hat d i sappoi n t ed by Al ex and er s d eat h

, ,
’

o f an y h o p e o f r ei nstat e m e n t at A th ens h e sp en t t he r es t o f hi s ,

l i fe i n teac hi ng .

Th e pro mi n en c e o f A esc hi n es i s m ai n ly d u e to hi s c olli s io n s

wi t h Demo st h en es Twi c e o n hi s d efens e t he t hi r d ti m e hi m
.
,

s el f t h e aggr ess or h e s u mme d up i n th e t h r ee s p eec hes w h i c h ar e

,

al l th at h e p ubl i sh ed t h a t sh or t b ut bi tt e r c o n fli c t of s ix t ee n y ear s

b et w e en th e fri en d an d th e en e m y o f M ac ed o n I n ferior at al l .

p o i n t s to De mo s t h e n es h e h as c e rt ai n c h ar ac t e ri s ti c s t h at r emi n d
,

o n e o f an o r at or o f t he earl i e r fi ft h c en tu ry gro up An d oc i d es -
,
.

T hey bo t h hav e t he sam e slig h tly u n p ro fess i o n al ai r o f men w ho

h ad n o t fro m t he fi r s t mad e o r ato ry t h ei r s i n gl e ai m an d n ei t h e r ,

o f t h e m e v e r u n d e rtook s pe ec h wri ti n g fo r o t h er s B ut A esc h i n es .

w as t he s tro n g e r man an d o n c e h e h ad en t e r e d p oli ti c s h e p u r

,

l
Ph i l o st rat us , Li ves o
f th e S oph i sts 2 1 6 , t el l s an a n e c d o e o f t A es c hi n es at

R ho d es .H e ha d g i ve n a l
pu b i c r e ad i n g f h s spe ec h Ag a i n st Ct iph on
o i es ,

w h er e u p o n t h e Rh o d i a n s r ex
p e ss e d t h e i r s ur pr i se t hat so b ri ll i an t a s p ee c h
w as d e f at e d
e ,
an d t h e i r d o u b ts of th e s an i t y o f t h A t h e n i an j u d ges
e Yo u :

w ou l d n ot w o n d er , s ai d A e sc h i n es, f y ou
z h a d h ea r d D emosth en es n za he his

p eech
s i n de
fen se .
3 6 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU R E

w h o m followi ng hi s p rofessi o n o f spe ec hw r i ght he w ro t e spe ec hes

, , ,

n o n e o f w h i c h surviv e H i s ap p e ar an c e i n p oli ti c al tri al s d ate s

.
-

fro m 3 6 0 I n 3 4 3 h e i mp eac hed Phi l oc rat es w ho had arr an g ed

.
,

th e p eac e wi th P hil i p an d w as th e hete n oi r e o f t h e an t i M ac ed o -

n i an p ar ty Shortly b e for e C hae ro n ea H ypere i d e s p ropo se d t h at

.

De mo s th e n e s sh o ul d b e r e w ard ed by a vo t e o f a gold en c row n .

I n t h e p an i c aft e r th e b at tl e h e w as o n e o f t h e for e mo st to t ak e
m easu r es for th e safety o f t h e c i ty an d mad e c e r tai n ill eg al pro
,

p o sal s suc h as t h at t h e s l av e s s houl d b e fr ee d

,
When he w as .

fo r mal ly ac c u sed o n th i s sc or e h e p l ead ed t hat th e arm s o f

,

M ac ed o n had b l i n d ed hi s ey es to the l aw s an d t he e x c u se w as
‘

ac c ep t ed . When Demo sthe n e s t ook th e mo n ey o f H arp al us ,

H yp er ei d es hi s p oli ti c al ad he r e n t w as o n e o f hi s ac c us e r s
, ,
T he .

ex il e o f De mo s t h e n es p l ac ed hi m at t h e h e ad o f h i s p arty an d o n , ,

t he d eat h o f Al ex an d e r h e w as o n e o f t he m o st ac tiv e i n
ad vi si n g r es i s t an c e to A n ti pat e r i n w h at i s c all e d t h e Lami an w ar

fro m th e s i eg e o f t h e h ill c i ty Lami a n ear T h ermo pyl ae by the

, , ,

A t hen i an g en e r al Leo sth en es i n t hat w i n t e r I n the followi n g

, .

y ear H yperei d es w as c ap tur e d an d p ut to d eat h by th e ag en t s o f

A n tip ate r .

A c om pl et e m an u sc ri p t o f H yp erei d es wi t h the sc ho l i aw hi c h w as
, ,

k n ow n t o exi s t i n t he li br ary o f the ki n g o f H u n g ary w as d est roy e d ,

i n t h e i n v as i o n o f t h e T u rk s i n 1 5 2 6 Fro m t hat d at e u n til th e

.

mi d d l e o f the n i n ete e n t h c en tury H yp ereid es w as lik e B ac c hy ,

l id es a mer e n am e d e p en di n g o n t h e j u d gm e n t s o f t he G r ee k
, ,

an d Ro m an c ri t i c s an d t h e e v i d en c e o f so m e i n sig n ifi c an t fr ag

me n t s B ut i n 1 8 4 7 an d 1 8 5 6 the r e w er e d i sc ov er ed i n E gy p t
.

a yri c o n t a i n i n g fou r mo r e o r l ess c o mpl e t e s p eec h es t hat

p p ,

Aga i n s t D emos th en es (i n t he affai r o f H arp al us ) w h i c h i s to o m u c h ,

mu til at e d to b e o f gr eat i m p ort an c e t he sp eec h es F or c oph r on

,

an d F or E ux en ippus an d th e famo u s F u n er al Or a ti o n sp ok e n
,

fo r th o se w h o fell i n t he Lami an w ar I n 1 8 8 8 t h e Museu m o f .

t h e Louvr e ac q ui r e d a p ap yr us c o n t ai n i ng t h e sp e ec h Ag a i n s t

A then og en es I n 1 8 9 0 t he B ri ti sh M us e u m ac q u i r ed t he p apy r us
.

m an u sc ri p t of t he s p eec h Agai ns t P h i l ipp i d es (ci r ca 3 3 6 ) w h i c h w as

 H Y PE REI D ES 63

d eliv er ed i n a p ol iti c al tri al ag ai n st o ne of the p ro M ac ed o n i an p arty -

.

So mu c h at l east t h e s an d s of E gy p t h av e r es tor ed an d w e hav e

, , , ,

b es i d es ov er sixty ti tl es o f sp eec hes fro m w h i c h w e may j u d g e o f

,

the ac tivi ty of H ypere i d es The mo s t i n t e r es ti n g r ec ov e ri es are

.

t h e A th en ogen es an d t h e F u n er al Or a ti o n t h e l at t e r b ec ause , ,

t houg h H yp erei d es w as n o t an e p i d ei c ti c or ato r t hi s si n gl e sp eec h ,

h ad a gr eat r epu t atio n i n an ti q ui ty an d t h o u g h w e k n ow so m uc h

,

fro m T huc y d i d es Pl ato an d I s o c r at es as to t he g en e r al s tyl e an d

, ,

e t i q u e t te of G r ee k fu n e r al s p eec h es t h i s i s t h e o n ly s u rvivi n g o n e
,

o f i ts ki n d that w as ac t ually d elive r ed The A th en ogen es ( ci r ca 3 2 8 )

.

w as men tio n ed wi t h t he P h ry n e by Lo n gi nus as p e c uli arly ty pi c al

'
o f the tal en t s of H ype r ei d es w ho sh o n e i n a ca use celehr e for
,

w h i c h t h e gr an d s tyl e o f D e mo s t h e n es wo ul d h av e b e en o u t o f

p l ac e . M uc h o f the speec h i s lo st o r har d to d ec i ph er A t h en .

o ge n es w as a wi ly Egy p ti an w h o s old p e rfu mes i n A t h en s O ne o f .

hi s sl av es attr ac t e d th e n o ti c e o f a c o un try g e n tl e man the c l i e n t ,

o f H yp erei d es Ath en o gen es c o n sen t ed to sel l t h e sl av e b ut ad

.
,

vi sed the pl ai nt iff w ho w as as al l G r ee k s peec hw ri ghts say of

, ,

’
t hei r c l i en ts i n ex p eri en c ed i n affai r s to t ak e ov e r as w ell th e
,
‘
, , ,

sh o p t he sl av es
,
an d t h e d e b t s o f th e b usi n ess w h i c h
,
h e sai d , , ,

w er e i n sig ni fi c an t an d c ov e r e d by t he s to c k A b eau ti ful c o urt e .

s an n ame d A n tigo n e w as e mp loy e d by Ath eno ge n e s to p e r su ad e

t h e vi c ti m to sig n th e c o n tr ac t an d s h e se c u r ed a sl av e gi rl as h er
,

s h ar e o f t h e p l un d e r Th e p l ai n ti ff s oo n fo u n d h i msel f l i abl e fo r
.

h eavy d ebt s i n c u rr e d by Ath en o ge n es T he l aw o f c o n tr ac t s w as

.

ag ai n s t hi m an d h e c o ul d o nly ap p eal to eq ui ty an d t h e sym p at h y

,

o f th e j ury T h e s peec h i s full o f sp iri t and hu mor a pi c t u r e o f

.
,

th e sh ad y s i d e o f th e life of th e At h en i an mi d d l e c l ass an d d emi

mo n d e .

H yp er ei d es had a gr eat r e p ut ati o n as a s pe ak e r an d many of ,

hi s i mi t ator s r an k e d hi m fi r s t as a mo d el o f th e A t ti c man ne r .

C i c e ro br ac k e t ed h i m w i t h De mo s t h e n es an d w e hav e s e e n t hat ,

w hen Lo n gi n u s w i she d to e m ph asiz e th e ex c ell e n c e o f the l at t er ,

h e allo w ed to H ype r e id e s a li s t o f c har ms w ho s e s h ee r n u mb e r

De m o s t h en es c o ul d n o t riv al B rill i an t e asy an d c ha r mi ng
.
, , ,
3 64 S H O RT H I STO RY O F GREEK LITE RATU R E

H yp er ei d es l ac k ed the gr an d s tyl e N o r w as he p ro fou n d ly

.

o rigi nal an d i t w as easy for l ater c ri ti c s to s how t hat he had

,

pl agi ariz ed passag es from De mo s t hen es an d d i d n o t sc ru pl e t o

1
borro w a stri ki n g c o m mo npl ac e fro m I s o c r at es H e t ak es li ttl e .

pai ns to avo i d h i atu s an d i t i s o n ly i n t h e e p i d ei c ti c F uner al

,

O r a ti on t hat h e i s c ar e ful to u se t h e fi gu r es o f r he to ri c t hat had

b een d ev el o p ed by Go rgi as an d h i s sc hool ; e l se w her e he has l ess
ar t than Ly si as an d c an har d ly b e c l ass e d w i th th e I so c r ati c
,

gro up o f writ e r s The R ho d i an sc h ool o f r h etori c w h o se s tyl e w as

.

s ai d to b e t h e gol d en mean o f A s i an i s m an d e x agg er at ed At t i c i s m

took H yperei d es for i ts m od el .

The At h e n i an or ator s o f t he g en e r ati o n of De m o st h en es w e r e

d r aw n fro m t h e bo u rg e oi s c l ass wi t h o n e e x c e pt i o n T hi s .

was LY CU RGUS a g en ui n e ari sto c r at w h o se family

, ,
L y curg us
h el d a h er ed i t ary p ri es t h oo d an d had b e en d i s ti n

gui sh e d fo r i ts p ubli c se rvi c es amo n g t h e ri c h est c i tiz en s o f

At hen s Ly c u rgu s w as bo r n abou t 3 9 0 B C an d hi s li fe ru n s
. . .
,

p ar all el wi t h t hat o f De mo s t he n e s to w h o se p arty h e b el o n g e d

,
.

I s o c r at es h as the c r edi t o f h i s ed uc atio n an d lik e m any o f th e

, ,

u il of t hat famou s sc h ool h e t u r ne d to t h e c ar ee r of a man o f

p p s ,

act io n. I n 3 3 8 he su c c e e d e d E u b u l u s as mi n i s t er of fi n an c e an d
publi c work s hol di n g t he o ffi c e fo r tw elv e y ear s
,
H e w as o n e o f .

t he mo s t u se ful o f al l At he n i an s tat es m e n an d u n d e r hi s ad mi n i s
“

t rati o n A t hen s i n c r eased h e r n avy an d r es tor ed h er fi nan c es .

N ext to P eri c l es h e did m o s t t o b eau ti fy A thens b uil t t he ,

P an at hen ai c s tad i u m o n t he I li ssus and r ebuil t the Lyc ean gym

,

n as i u m . H i s n am e i s for ev e r as so c i at ed wi th th e t h eat er o f
Dio ny su s w hi c h he c o m p l e t e d and ador n ed wi t h t h e m arbl e
t hro nes t h at s till surviv e an d the s t ag e buil d i ng s s til l to b e d i s
,

2
c e r n e d amo ng th e l at e r additio n s To o n e so d eeply r el igio us and
.

c o n s erv ativ e t hese p u bli c ac t s s ee m e d a p io us d ut y an d i t w as i n ,

t h e sam e s piri t th at h e o r d e r ed t hat t h e stat e sh o u l d p rovi d e

au t h oriz e d tex ts of th e t hr e e gr eat A t he n i an d r am ati s t s w h i c h t h e ,

1 Cp F u n er a l Or ati on 1 3 w i t h I s ocr E v ag or as 6 5
. . .

2
Dorpfeld , D as Gr i ech i sche Theater 3 6 ff .
3 66 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K L IT E RATU R E

for e n si c sp eec h Th e to n e i s t horo ug hly g no mi c an d Ly c urgu s

.
,

dw ell s o n th e g en er al asp ec t s of t he c ase n o t c o n d esc e nd i n g to ,

t ou c h o n t h e priv at e li fe of Leo c rates H i s s tyl e w h i c h w as .

,

d ig n i fi ed an d d ry o ft e n r efl ec t s t h e i n fl u en c e o f I so c r at es
, He .

l ac k ed t h e fl exibili ty o f H yp er ei d es an d w as n o pu ri s t i n hi s use ,

o f wo r d s so t hat h e d o es no t r an k wit h th e b est m o d el s o f A tt i c

,

e loq u en c e .

The l ast i n th e c an o n of te n or ato r s an d l ast i n m eri t w as a , ,

m eti c d i squ alifi ed fo r p oli ti c al l i fe

,
DEIN ARCHUS w as bor n at .

C o ri n t h abou t 3 6 0 B C H e se t tl ed i n A t hen s as a . .

Dei nar chus

sp e ec hw r i ght an d g ai n ed a c o n si d e rabl e r epu tati o n .

H i s c h i e f ac tivi ty fall s i n th e y ear s 3 2 2 3 0 7 w h en t h e olig ar c hs —

,

wi t h w h o m h e sy mp athiz ed w er e i n th e asc e n d an t i n A t hen s .

When th e d e mo c r ats r etu r n ed to pow er i n 3 0 7 he wi thdr ew to ,

C hal c i s Di o n y si us d evo t ed a s ep ar at e t r eati se to Dei n arc hus but

.
,

r athe r i n o r d er to di s ti n gui sh t he g e n ui n e from the spu rio u s

s p eec hes o u t o f abou t o n e h u n dr ed at tribu t ed to hi m t han by ,

w ay o f p ayi n g hi m a sp ec i al c o mp l i men t O f the si xty sp eec hes .

t hat h e allow e d t o b e g e n ui ne o n ly t h r e e ar e ex tan t tog e t h e r , ,

wi t h a l o n g l i st o f t i tl es Ag a i n s t D emos th en es Ag ai n s t A .
,

togei to n an d Ag a i n s t P h i l ocl es w e r e all w ri tt en for c li e n t s an d

,

all c o n n ec t e d wi t h th e affai r o f H ar p alu s Dei n ar c hus w as an .

i n d us triou s i mi t ato r H e ec h o es all th e gr eater A t ti c or ator s bu t

.
,

e s p ec i ally De mo st h en es H i s s p eec hes ar e p er h ap s th e l eas t i m

.

p ort an t survivi n g sp ec i m ens o f A t h e n i an el o qu e n c e an d his pl ac e ,

i n t h e c an o n i s a tribu t e to h i s i n du s try an d hi s p rofessio nal s uc

c ess ac q ui r e d how e v e r at a t i m e w h e n all hi s gr eat e r c o mp e titor s
, , ,

h ad b een r e mov e d .

B I B LI OGRAP HY

A esc n ms s

I . M A N US C RI PTS . These ar e n u mero us b u t po o r A mo n g th e b est

. ar e th e

Co i s l i n za n us , l o th c en t .
, at Par i s , an d th e H el ms ta d zen s zs , at M o sco w .

II N S S th e C ll e c t i o ns f th
. ED I T I O . ee o o e O r at o r s . B r e mi , Z ii ri c h , 1 8 24 .

H n s l r L i p z ig 1 8 6 0
e e e , S c h ulz L ei pz i g
e , .
, , 18 65 . \V e i d n er , B e rl i n ,
1 8 72 .

Fr an k Le i p z i g ( 8 8 3
e, Gw at k i n L o n d o n
, .
, ,
1 8 90 . B l ass , z
L e i p i g, 18 9 7 .
 DEI NARC H US 367

Ag a i n st Ctes iphon : Si mc o x, Ox fo r d , 18 72 ( t o get h e r wi h t De mo s t h e n es O n ,

the Cr ow n ) .

I T E RATU RE A d am De od d
III . L .
, c . A es ch .
,
B erl i n , 188 2 . Ts c hi e d el ,

Q ua est A s h B er l i n 1 8 8 7 . e c .
, , .

I V T RA N S LAT I O N S
. F ra c i s L e l an d . n , .

V L EX I CO N . Pre uss Le i p z i g 1 8 9 6 .
, , .

D EM O STH EN ES

I . M A N U SCR I PTS . Th e b est i s t h e Pa r i s i n u s , l o th c en t in th e Bi b i o l

t heq ue N at i on a l e ; a fac si mi le w as l
p ub i sh e d b y L e ro ux, P ar i s , 18 9 3 . A
man us c ri p t t hat h as l ate l y be co me pr o mi n e n t i s t h e La u r en ti a n u s, 1 3 t h c en t .
,

at l o re n c e
F .

II ED I T I O N S Al d us V en i c e 1 504 Re i sk e a d B ai t er a d S aupp i n
. .
, , .
,
n n e

t h ei r O at e A tti i V o mel 2 d c d Pari 1 8 6 8 Di d o f w i t h c h l i a

r or s c . e , .
, s, . n r ,
s o ,

O x fo d 1 8 4 1— 1 8 5 1 B l ass Le p z i g 1 8 8 9— 1 8 9 2 B ut c h r v o l I i n B hl zoth a
’

r , .
, i , . e , . z ec

O x on O fo r d 1 9 0 3
.
, S el ec t e d Or at i o n s W est erman n 7 th e d B r l i n 1 8 7 5
x , . : ,
.
, e , .

W st erman n Ro e n b erg B r l i n 1 9 03 R eh d an t L e i p z i g 1 8 6 5— 1 8 6 6 Reh

e - s ,
e , . z, , .

d an t B l ass 1 8 66 1 8 90
z- W ei l Pari s 2d e d i t i o n 1 8 8 3 Pal y an d San d ys
,
— .
, , , . e ,

P i a t O a ti
r v Camb ri d g e 1 8 7 5
e r On th C ow n
o n s, Si mc o O fo rd 1 8 7 2 ; , . e r x, x ,

W i l Par i s 1 8 7 7 ; Go o d wi n Camb ri d ge 1 9 0 1 Ag a i n t M i d i a : Go o d w i n
e , , , , . s e s ,

C ambri d g e 1 9 06 , .

III LI TERATU RE S h aefer Demo th n s u i e Z t L i p z i g 1 8 56

. .
,
s e e . se n ez
’

, e ,

1 8 58 ; 2d c d 18 8 5 Cr o i s et D i d ee m a l d a n l él o p l t d D m
’
.
, .
, es s or es s o . o z . e e .
,

Pari 1 8 74
s, B o d e n d o ff D a Rhy th m G t d s D
. Kon i gs berg 1 8 8 0 r , s . es e z e en z .
, , .

B ut c h r D m th e ,
L nd on 18 8 1
e Ch r i st D i A tt u a u g a h d
os en es , D em o , .
, e zc s s e es .
,

M u n i h 1 8 8 2 D i l s an d S c h ub art D dy mos C mmen t

c , . D
e B erl i , z o or 2 . en t .
, n,

B l ass i Rh i n M u s 3 3 Perro t i n l D ux ’
I 9 04 . Rii h l i h 3 4 n eu d . . . . . r ev e es e

M nd o 1 8 73 es ,Dre up i n j ah h f l P h i l . S uppl 2 4 1 8 9 8 Bla s i n

r r . c . .
,
.
,
. s

N u j ah h 1 9 0 2 an d 1 9 04
e e r Di l s an d S ch ub art D i dy m s
.
, p i Ann a fté s . e ,
o 7r e o vo v ,

Lei p z i g 1 9 04 B éd i f D m sth n
, En g tran s b y M ac mah o n C hi c ag o 1 8 8 7
. r , e o e es , . .
, , .

G i ard i n Etu d e
r u l Ffl qu A tt i q u Par i s 1 8 74
s A d ams i n T a n s
s r
’
o en ce e, , . r .

A P A 32
. . C ar taul t D
. . a us a H a p a l a Par i s 1 8 8 1 , e c r zc , , .

I V T RA N S LA I I U N S L el an d C o ll i er
' ’

. . .
,

V L EX I C O N
. Pre uss I n d x D n th n i u s L ei p z i g 1 8 9 2
.
, e et os e c , , .

D EI N A RC H us

I . MA N U S C RI PT S . Th e sa me as fo r A N TI PH O N .

II . ED I T I O NS . S ee th e ll ect i o n
Co s f A tt i c O rat r
o M ae t o s . z n e r, Be rl i n ,

18 42 . l
Th a h ei m, B er i n , l 18 8 7 B l as . s, 2d d L i pz i g 1 8 8 8
e .
, e , .

III . LEX I C O N . Fo r man , I n d ex A n d oc i d eus , Ly c u / g e us , D i n a r r h eu s , O x

for d , 1897 .
368 S H O RT H l STO RY O F G RE E K LITE RATUR E

H Y PE RE I D ES

I . M A N US C RI PTS . T hese co n si s t fo u r Egypt i an p apyr i r ec o ve r e d i n th e

of

l att er h al f t Th at of th e l gth c en . c o n t ai n i n g th e A th e n og en es ( d at i n g ab o u t

t he 2 d c e n t i s at Pari s i n t h e Lo uvr e an d e xc e pt fo r s o me sl i gh t f ag
.
, ,
r
.

amo ng th e Pe tr i e papyr i an d t h e P er sa e o f Ti mo t h e us i s th e o l d e s t e xt an t
, ,

man usc ri pt o f a c l ass i c al Gr eek aut h o r .

II ED I T I O N S Fo ur s p e ec h es ar e i n cl u d ed i n Di d ot s c o ll e ct i o n f
. .
’
o

Or a t r es Atti ci Par i s 1 8 6 8
o B l ass L ei p z i g 2 d ed
,
18 8 1 ; 3 d ed
, 1 8 9 5 ( 1n .
, , .
, .
,

e l u d es al l s i x s ee c h es an d t h e
p f r ag ) Ag D emosth en es : ed p r i n e H arri s . . . .
, ,

Lo n d o n 1 8 4 8 B abi n gt o n Lo n d o n 1 8 50
, . B o ec k h H al l e F o r E ux , , .
, ,

en ipp us ed
p r i n e B abi n gt o n C amb ri d g e 1 8 5 3 ; S ch n ei d e w i n GOt t i n ge n
‘

. . .
, , , , ,

1 8 54 C o b et i n l ll n emosy n e 1 8 5 3 ; Co mpar e tt i Pi s a 1 8 6 2 F u n e a l O a ti o n
.
'
, , , . r r

ed p r i n e
. B ab i n gt o n C amb r i d g e 1 8 5 8 — 1 8 5 9 ; C o b e t L e yd en 1 8 5 8
.
, , Sa upp e , , , .
,

G ott i n g e n 1 8 5 8 ; C affi aux Par i s 1 8 6 6

, Ag A th n og en es an d Ag P h i l ipp i d es
, , . . e .
'

ed p r i n e
. Revi l l o u t Rev u e Egyp t 1 8 8 9
.
,
Keny o n i n Cl ass i cal Tex ts fr om th e
, ” .

P apy r i i n th e B ri t i sh M u se u m, L o n d o n ,
18 9 1 . W ei l i n R ev . d . Et ud es gr .

18 9 2 . B l ass i n N eu e]ah r h , . 1 8 9 2- 1 8 93 . Ke nyo n ( w i t h Lo n d o n , 1893 .

III . L I TERA TURE . G i rar d , Et udes s ur

’
l el onu en ce A ttzgu e, Pa i s , r 1 8 74 .

Kays er L ,
’
a r t or a to i r e, te s ty l e et l a l a ng u e d ’Hyp ér i d e i n M usée B eig e 2 .

IV . LE X I CO N . W es e man n , I n dex Gr a ec i tati s

t r Hyper i d eae, Le i p i g , z
1 8 6 0— 1 8 6 3 .

LY CURGU S

I . MA N U S CRI PT S . Th e sa me as fo r A N T I PH O N .

II . ED I T I O NS . S e e th e C o ll ec t i o n s of A tt i c O r at o rs . Mel an ct h o n , VVi t
t e n b er g ,
1 54 5 . M aetzn er B erl i n , , 1836 . Ki essl i n g, H a
ll e, 18 4 7 . Re hd an t z
z
L ei p i g , 1 8 7 6 S c h e i b e , L e i p i g, 1 8 8 5 . z .

I I I L T E RATUR E . I
D ii rr bac h , L or a teu r Ly cu r g u e, Par i s , 1 8 8 9
’
. .

I V L E CO . XI N
F o r man , I n d ex A n d oc i d eu s, Ly c urg eus, D i n ar ch eu s, Ox
.

fo r d , 18 9 7 .
3 70 SH O RT H I ST O RY or GR E E K LITE RAT U RE

fo rm e d d ec i s io n s Pl ato an d X en o ph o n v ary i n th e ir pr ec i se c o n
.

c e pt i o n o f th e fu n c ti o n s o f t h e d ivi n e sig n bu t bot h mak e So c ra ,

’

t es s p eak pl ai n ly mor e t han o n c e o f t h i s s tr an g e gift

l
N o t in .

v ari ably how ev er w as h e to b e r es tr ai n e d fro m th e i n ex p ed i en t .

Late i n li fe h e marri ed X an t h i p p e w ho w h e t h e r j u s tly or n o t h as , , ,

p assed i n to a p rov erb as a sc ol d t h e Wh etsto n e o f hi s ph ilo so phy ? ,

I n 4 2 4 Ari sto p han es bro u g h t ou t th e Cl o uds a s atir e o n t h e ,

n ew ed u c atio n an d th e me t h o d s o f t h e so ph i s t s I n t hat pl ay he .

ri d i c ul es So c r at es as o ne o f t h e mo s t c o n spi c uou s i n the n ew

mov e m en t w hi c h h e d e t ested For an ot he r tw en ty fi ve y ears aft er
.
-

t he Cl oud s So c r at es c arri ed o n hi s t eac h i n g fo r w h i c h un li k e t he , ,

r es t o f the so ph i st s he to ok n o fees H i s i n t er est s ex c ep t for

,
.
,

o c c asi o n al m ili tary d uti es w er e li m i t ed to th e str e ets o f At hen s

, ,

w he r e hi s gro t esqu e featu r es as o f a Sil en u s hi s u n c ou t h g ai t h i s

, , ,

s el f—c o n fi d en c e an d ai r o f a fan at i c w e r e famili ar to all At fi r st ,

.

he w as n o d oubt tol e r at ed as an od d i ty bu t h e c am e t o b e an
, , ,

ann oy an c e r e g ar d e d wi t h j ealou s an d i rri t ated ey es by t h e m aj o r

,

i ty w ho l ik e A ri stop han es w e r e too c o n serv ativ e n ot to hat e hi s

, ,

atti t u d e H e w as d i ffe r en t from al l o t her s an d to b e d iffe r en t i s

.
,

to b e d i slik ed H erac l ei tus h ad b een i n h i s w ay a fanati c h o stil e

.
,

t o th e i d eal s o f hi s age bu t h e h ad wi t hd r aw n fro m ob serv atio n

, ,

an d i n an y c as e I o n i a w as alw ay s mor e i n d ulg en t t han At h e n s to

i n d ep en d en t t hou g h t So c r at es w as an aggr essiv e ecc en tri c a

.
,

bor n mi ssio n ary H i s mi ssio n w as n o t hi ng l ess t han to e d u c ate

.

t he h ig h e r c l asses t o w h o m alo n e h e ad dr es se d h i m sel f i n t o t h e

, ,

c o n vi c ti o n t h at t h e y w e r e l ess qu al ifi e d for go v e r n m en t as r e ,

g ard e d e xp er t k n o w l ed g e t h an the v ery c obbl er s and ar ti sans o f

,

the c i ty F ew p er so n s b eyo n d th ei r fi r st you th e nj oy b ei n g en

.

1 mo r e i mp ort an t r efere n c es to th e d i vi n e s i g n are Pl at o Apol ogy 3 1

Th e ,

C — D ; E u thy d emu s 2 7 2 E ; P h a ed r u s 24 2 B ; X e n o ph o n M emor abi l i a 1 1 2 ; , . .

4 8 1 ; Sy mp os i u m 8 5
. . . .

2
F o r a t h o r o ug h an d sympat h et i c s i ft i n g o f t h e c h arg es ag ai n s t X an th i pp e ,

s ee th e n ot w ho ll y ri
se o us e s s ays o f Z ell e r, Z u r Eh r en r ett u ng d er X a n th ippe i n
h i s Vor tr a
fg e, L ei p z i g , 18 65 ; an d Gi l d ersl e eve, X a n th ipp e an d S ocr ates i n
E ss ay s an d S t u di es , B a i mo lt re , 1 8 90 .
 SOC RATE S AN D T H E LE SSE R SO C RATI C S 3 71

lig hten ed an d So c r ates w as c ert ai n to antago n iz e th e ol d er mem

,

b e r s o f A t h en i an so c i ety To t h e m h e see med as i n d eed h e w as an

.
, ,

i n divid uali s t w ho s t an d i n g aloof fro m t he po l i t i c al i n t er es t s o f the

,
~

s tat e n e it h e r se rv e d i t h i m se l f n o r ed u c at e d t ho se w h o d i d
, ; w ho
d e spi s ed or s e t hi s fac e ag ai n st the w hol e r an g e o f H ell eni c c ul
, ,

t ur e i n w h i c h t he At h en i an s took a p ec uli ar p ri d e a c o s mo p oli t an ,

w h i c h to th e av e r ag e G r eek w i t h h i s i n t en se l o c al p atri oti s m w as

, , ,

’
almo s t th e sam e t hi n g as a tr ai to r to o n e s s t at e ; fi n ally he w as a ,

fri end of ol ig ar c hy that n ig h t mar e o f th e At hen i an c row d Al l

, .

th i s mig ht h av e b e en ig n or ed as me r e ec c en t ri c i ty ; w h at c oul d

n o t be forgiv en w as h i s su c c e s s w i t h t h e yo un g e r g e n er atio n ,

alw ay s eag e r for an e n lig h t en men t Yo u t hs o f all c l asses follow ed

.

hi s s t e p s c aug h t fi r e fro m hi s e n t hus i as m for k n o w l ed g e an d d e

, ,

lig hted i n hi s r e fut atio n o f po pul ar n o tio ns H i s ene mi es had t o .

see h i m i n fl u e n c i n g men o f all t e mper ame n t s t h e g en tl e an d ,

h eroi c T heae t et us the s i m pl e an d ho n es t C r i to t he e mo tio n al

, ,

A pollodoru s C ri ti as w ho w as to prov e the mo s t hat e ful o f the

,

1
T hi r ty Tyran ts the gay an d bri ll i ant Al c ibi ad es w ho w as to av en g e
,

h i ms el f o n th e d e mo c r at s fo r hi s exil e by b e t r ayi n g A t h e ns to
Spar t a Pl ato t h e vi sio n ary ari s to c r at X e n op h o n th e soldi er o f
, ,

fo r tu n e wi t h hi s sl ac k n o tio n s o f t he d u t i es o f an A t hen i an I t .

w as n o t till aft e r t he fall of t he olig ar c hs t hat t he A t he n i an d e mo

c rats d ec id ed t h at t h e y c o u ld n o w s il en c e S o c r at es An yt us a p ol i .
,

ti c i an w ho h ad b ee n p ro mi n en t i n r esto ri n g t h e d e mo c r ac y bro ug h t ,

th e ac c u sati o n S ocr a tes i s g u i l ty of cr i me heca u s e he d oes n ot he/i eve

i n th e g od s w h om th e ci ty w or s h ips hu t i n tr od uces n ew a n d s tr a ng e
,

d ei ti es ; mor eover h e cor r up ts th e y outh So c r at e s r e fu s ed to c o n

.

c ili at e hi s j u d g es o r to wi th d r aw fro m At h e n s H e w as c o n d e m n e d .

to d eat h an d a mo n t h l at er d r an k the he mlo c k ( 3 9 9

,

O f al l t eac h e r s w ho wri ti n g n ot hi n g t he mselv e s d ep en d o n the

, ,

1 Th e l i t e rar y ac t i vi t y of C r i ti as h as b e e n o ve rs h ad o w e d
t r i et y b y hi s no o

as a fi e r c e o l i g ar c h .H e w r t e p o e try an d p r s e
o We h ave f ag me n t o f
o . r s

o l i t i c al l i f t w d r m d i d d l E ur i id e a n i n t h e i r r fl c t i ve e e
p e g e s
e ; o o a as e e y , pc

an d S p e c ul at i ve c h ar ac t e r ; an d a f w ho rt fr ag me nt s
e s f h i s Co n st i t u ti on s o ,

a t yp e o f h i s t o ry w hi c h h w as n e f th e f rs t t w r i t e
o e o i o .
3 72 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

t es ti m o n y o f di sc i pl es So c r at es i s wi t h th e ex c ep tio n of C hri st the

, , ,

mo st i mp ort an t We hav e n o w t o c o n s i d er hi s po si tiv e c o n tributi o n

.

to th e hi sto ry o f t ho ug h t an d mo ral s H e i s i n t he fi r st p l ac e the .

, ,

S ocrat i c fou nd e r of u tili tari an e t hi c s M o d e r ati o n t hat emi .

,

et h i CS u en tly G r e ek vi rt ue se l f c o n tro l sel f k n owl ed g e w e r e -

, , , ,

i n hi s p hi lo so p h y o f l i fe t he e ss en ti al virt u es an d w er e to b e
, ,

pur sued o n t he gro un d of the ir p r ac ti c al u tili ty to man c o n si d er e d

as a c i tiz en .B e for e So c r at es m or ali ty h ad b een t aug h t by t he
,

g no mi c p o e ts an d i n hi s o wn g en e r ati o n w e fi n d i t a by p rodu c t
,
-

o f s o ph i s ti c esp ec i ally i n the t eac h i n g o f Pro di c us B ut So c rat es

,
.
,

wi t h a d ee per an d mor e sp ec i ali z ed pur p o se t han an y o f t hese ,

b en t all hi s p ow er o f argu ment to the d ev elop m en t of c har ac t er .

H i s th esi s or r at h er axio m si n c e h e n ev e r q u es tio n e d i ts tru t h

, ,

an d w as c o nte n t to h an g o n i t hi s w h ol e e t h i c al argu m en t w as ,

t hat V irt u e i s K n o w l ed g e t hat i s to say i n Pl ato s p hr ase N o

‘
,
’
,
’
,

’
o n e o f hi s o w n will d o e s w ro n g Al l hi s di al ec ti c w as b en t
.

t o w ar d c l eari n g u p i n t he mi n d o f ev e ry man wi t h w ho m h e c ame

i n c o n t ac t t h at man s i d e as abo u t th e fac t s o f ev e ry d ay ex p eri
’

e n c e, p oli ti c s e d uc atio n an d c o n d u c t
, ,
H e s aw o n all si d e s t he .

gr eat es t c o n fus io n i n th e mi nd s o f ed uc at e d men w he n c all e d o n

to d efi n e an d d i sti n gui sh the p ri n c i pl es of t h ei r o wn ac t io ns He .

wi sh ed to r epl ac e t he l ife o f i n sti n c t w h i c h the G r ee k s ac c ep t ed ,

as l aw by t h e l i fe of r easo n
, So i t w as th at h e w en t about d e
.

m an d i n g d e fi ni tio n s p e r su ad ed that all error b ei n g i n tell ec tu al men

, , ,
’
c o u l d b e r e as o n ed i n to virt u e I f h e c oul d hav e h ear d O vid s
.

M ed ea l am en ti n g t hat t h oug h s he saw the b et t e r w ay sh e mus t

follow t he w or se he wo ul d hav e r e tort ed t hat sh e o n ly t ho ugh t she
,

— t h at h e r mi sc o n d u c t w as B ut
s aw , d ue to i n t e ll ec tual c o n fus io n .

i t i s n o t so m uc h t h i s assu mp ti o n as hi s ac tu al d i al ec ti c al met h o d
t hat pl ac es So c r at es am o n g the mo st origi n al t h i n k e r s T he r h etori c .

S ocrat i c of the so phi s ts he set o n o n e S i d e as mi sl ead i ng an d

d i al e c t i c u n s ou n d c ar e l ess o f t r u th Tw o th i ng s sai d Ari s
,
.
,

t o tl e, w e may w i th jus ti ce as cr i he to S ocr a tes , i n d ucti ve r eas on i ng

1
an d th e fi x i ng of g en er al con ce p ts . It w as, of c ou r se ,
by th e

1
M etaphy s i cs 1 3 p , . 1 0 78 .
3 74 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K LITE RATU R E

t he ir et h i c s fro m So c r at es an d w er e n early al l ali k e i n t h i s t hat t hey

-

, ,

t aug h t t he n ec essity o f s e tti n g u p s o m e s tan da r d an d li vi n g by i t .

EUC LEI D ES o f M eg ar a w as o n e o f the c l o se s t o f hi s d i sc i p l e s I t is .

s aid t hat i n s pi t e o f th e e x c l us io n o f M e g ari an s fro m A tti c s oil

, ( by
th e d e c r e e o f 4 3 2 he w o ul d s li p i n to A t h en s
E ucl ei d e s
u n d e r c o v e r o f n ig h t i n or d e r t o c o n v er se w i t h hi s

mas t e r H e fou n d ed th e c ri ti c al sc ho ol o f the M e g ari an s w ho hav e

.

b e en c all ed th e N eo El eati cs b ec au se t hey bl en t th e So c r ati c d o c

-

tri n e t hat V i rt ue i s O n e wi t h the teac h i n g o f the El eat i c s t hat B e i n g

i s O ne . T h u s w e fi n d the M eg ari an s d i s pl ayi n g t h e t e n d en c y o f
t he So c r ati c s c h ool s t o ab so rb t h e p hy s i c al s p e c u l at i o n s o f t he

p r e
-
S o c r ati c p h ilo s op h ers Fro m t he El eati c s th e M eg ari an s took
.

ov er the d i al ec ti c o f Z en o and b ec ame n o ted for t h ei r eri sti c

, ,

t h eir man i a fo r e x po si n g fall ac i es a r ac e o f logi c al marti n et s

, .
”

Pr ac ti c al e t hi c s w e r e n egl ec t ed by t he sc h oo l o f M eg ar a b ut ,

the C y n i c s c l u n g to t he S o c r ati c t r ad it io n T hei r fo u nd er w as t he

.

so n o f an A t h e n i an fat h er an d a T h r ac i an s l av e A N T I STH E N ES w h o , ,

pl ay s a c o n s pi c u ou s p ar t i n t he Sy mpos i u m o f X en o
An t i s t h enes
p hon (4 2 2 Pl ato sn eer s at hi m as a l at e l ear n er
b ec au se h e w as n o lo n g er yo ung w h en he for sook r he tori c t o
j oi n th e So c r ati c c i r c l e H e t aug h t i n t h e gym n asi u m ou t si d e
.

A t he n s c all ed t he C y n o s arg es w hi c h w as r ese rv ed for h al f br eed s

,
-

l ik e h i ms el f an d i t w as p e r h ap s fro m t h i s fac t t hat hi s follo w e r s

,

w e r e c al l ed C y n i c s H e had b ee n a p u pil o f G orgi as c lo sely i n

.
,

t o uc h wi t h s op h i sti c i n flu en c es an d li k e man y o f the s op hi st s

, , ,

wrot e c o m m entari es o n t he p o e t s T he ec c en t ri c iti es o f Di

.

o ge n es of Si n op e ( 4 1 2 3 2 3 B C —
) hav e hro w n i n to t he shad e t h e
. .

p e r so n ali ty o f A n ti s t h e n es B u t h e w as an i n d us triou s wri t e r

.
,

m uc h r ead i n At hen s We hav e a few fr agm en t s o f hi s p hi lo

.

s op h i c wri ti n g s w h i c h w e r e c h i e fly d i al o gu es w ri tt en i n A t ti c
, ,

w ho se p uri ty was pr ai s e d by Di o n y s i us of H al i c arn assus l

The .

1 B l ass, ag ai n s t th e j ud gmen t o f th e maj o ri t y o f sc h o l ars d e fen d s as auth en

,

ti c t w o s pee ch es t h at s ur vi ve u n d e r t h e n ame o f A n t i s t h e n es Th ey ar e
.

so ph i s t i c ex e r c i s es i mag i n ar y arg umen t s o f A j ax an d O d yss e us o n th e aw ar d

,

o f th e ar ms o f A c h i l l es .
 SOC RATE S AN D TH E LE SS E R SO C RAT I CS 3 75

m ai n c h a ac te
r ri sti c s of the C y n i c sc hool i ts i n si st en c e o n s el f ,

d ep en d en c e , o n vi rt u e as t h e o n ly goo d o n a r e tur n t o n at u r e , ,

i ts a dop tio n o f H er ac l es as a p atro n sai n t may all be t r ac e d to ,

A n ti sthen es .

The c o n tribu tio n o f th e o t h er C y n i c s t o l it e r atur e w as s l ig ht .

I n t h e b e gi n n i ng o f th e t h i r d c e n tury B C B io n o f B o rys th e n es w h o . .
,

l ater j oi n ed the C yr en ai c s w rot e i n the form o f c o nv e r satio n s

, , ,

1
s at ir es t hat H or ac e t ell s u s w e r e bot h c o ar se an d wi tty T h ey .

ar e al mo s t e n t ir ely lo s t M en i p pus o f Gad ar a abou t

.
,
M eni pp us
th e same t i m e wrot e satiri c mi sc ell an i es i n v e r se v ari ed
,

wit h p ro se T hese ac h i e v ed a wi d e po pul ari ty and i n t he

.
,

followi n g c e n tury w e r e i mit at ed i n a work t hat w as n o l ess fam ou s ,

the M enippea n S a ti r es of th e R o man wri t er V arro .

Fro m C yr en e t he bri ll i an t G r ee k c olo n y o n the A fri c an c o as t

,

w h i c h w as to b e for ev e r i d e n tifi ed w it h the philo so ph y o f pl easur e ,

c ame an o t h e r an d n o l ess c el e br at ed p u p il o f So c r at e s AR IST I P

, , ,

P US t he fi r st o f t h e C yr e n ai c s C yr e n e had so far
A ri s t i p pus
.
, , ,

p ro d uc e d o n ly o n e w ri t e r o f an y n ot e Eugammo n , ,

w h o wro te t h e Tel eg on i a to c lo se t h e ri ng o f t he Troj an e p i c s ,

t houg h l at e r i t w as to bo as t o f the p o e t C alli mac h u s th e l ear ne d ,

E r ato s t hen es an d C ar n ead es t he fo u n d e r o f t h e N ew A c ad emy

, ,
.

The C y n i c s t au g h t men to r en o un c e to b e i n d i ffe r e n t to th e o rd i ,

n ary d es ir e s Th e i d eal o f A ri s ti pp u s w as v e ry d i ffer en t

. He .

w as a man o f th e worl d to w ho m as H or ac e sai d e v ery fo rm o f , , ,

li fe ev ery c o n di ti o n ev ery c ir c u ms t an c e w as b ec o mi n g ?
, ,
He
d e riv e d fro m So c r at es hi s i n t er es t i n e t hi c s bu t fo r th e So c r ati c ,

d i al ec ti c h e c ar e d n o mo r e than t h e C y n i c s H e lov ed all t he .

am e n iti es of life H ap p i n ess w as t h e e nd o f h i s p hil o so p hy

.
‘ ’
,

an d i n i ts p u r su i t h e w as e ag e r t o l e av e n o ex p eri e n c e n o s e n s a ,

tio n un tri ed T hi s fi r s t of all t he hed o n i s t s h el d t hat pl eas u r e

,
.

’
is alway s a goo d an d t hat t o k n o w h o w to se l ec t o ne s pl e as u r es
,

and to su bor d i n at e t h e m to o n e s r e as o n i s to h av e mas t e r e d th e

’

art o f life H e agr ee d w i t h Pr o t ag o r as t hat b e yo n d h is o w n s e n

.

s at i o n s man c an k n ow n ot h i n g an d t ho ug h t al l o t h e r r es ear c h es
,

1
Ep i stl es 2 . 2 . 60 .
2
Ep i s tl es I . I
7 . 23 .
3 76 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L IT E RATUR E

w as t e of ti m e The d aug h ter o f Ari s ti ppu s su c c ee d ed hi m i n hi s

.

s c h ool a u n iq ue i n s t an c e of a wo man c arryi n g o n a p h ilo s op h i c

,

tr ad itio n Ari stip pus w ro t e a h i s to ry o f Li by a an d a nu mb e r of

.
,

p h ilo so p h i c d i al og u es p artly i n A t t i c p artly i n t he Dori an di al ec t

, ,

o f C yr en e bu t o f al l t hi s no t a g en ui ne li n e r e mai ns So far i n
,
.
,

d eed th e So c r ati c s hav e had l i t tl e sig n i fi c an c e for li t er atur e Fo r

,
.

th e l i t e r ary d e v e lo p men t o f th e t eac h i n g s o f So c r at es w e mu st tu r n

t o Pl ato .

M eg ari an So c rati s m gr ad ually d i ed o ut The C y n i c s e xi ste d .

for sev er al c en t uri es as t he e x p o n en t s o f a c er tai n un c o n v en tio n al

m an n e r o f l i fe b u t t h e i r i mp ort anc e as p h ilo s o ph er s w as ov e r
,

sh ad ow e d by t he S toi c sc h ool fo un d e d i n t h e fi r s t h alf o f t he,

t hi r d c e n t u ry B C by Z en o h im s el f a p upil o f t h e m o st fam o us o f
. .
,

t he M eg ari an s Sti l p o ,
.

Z E N O w as Se m i ti c by d esc en t a n ativ e o f C i ti u m a P h o en i c i an , ,

c olo n y i n C yp r us H e w as abo u t t w e n ty tw o w he n he se ttl ed i n

.
-

A t he n s an d t h er e aft e r man y y ear s o f s tu d y he b eg an to l ec tu r e

, , ,

i n t h e P ai n t e d Por c h ( Sto a) to hi s d i s c ipl es c all ed S toi c s fro m ,

th e p l ac e w h e r e t h ey fo r eg ath e r e d We hav e o n ly f ragm en t s of .

hi s work s w h i c h w er e bo t h p h ilo s o p h i c al e x p ou nd i n g
, ,
z en o
hi s sy st e m an d c riti c al o n t h e p o e t s ,
O n hi s d eath ,
.

e w as su c c ee d e d by h i s di sc i p l e C LEAN TH ES o f
( ci r ca 2 6 0 B C
) h . .

A ss o s ( 3 3 1 — 2 3 2 T houg h he wro t e logi c al an d sc i en tifi c

work s amo n g t he l at te r a tr eati se o n H erac l ei tus
C l ean t h e s
,

w h o se d o c tri n e fo r med th e sc i en ti fi c b asi s o f Stoi c

‘
eth i c s t h e str en gt h o f C l e an t h es d i d n o t li e i n o rigi n al sp e c ul a tio n
,
.

Wi t h hi s pu pil C H RY S I PPUS o f Sol i ( 2 8 0 2 0 6 w ho suc —

c e e d e d h i m t h e s c h ool may b e s ai d to h av e b een fo u n d ed ag ai n

,
.

I n l ear n i n g and l ogi c n o n e o f th e earli er St oi c s i s

Ch ry s i pp us
h i s eq ual an d h e ex pan d e d and c o mpl e t e d t h e
,

S toi c d o c tri n e V irt ue i s the hig hes t goo d the en d of th e

.
,
‘ ’

S t o i c s an d t h e s t ud y o f logi c an d o f t h e l aw s o f n at u r e w hi c h
, ,

t hey t ho ug h t i n d i s pe n sabl e w e r e all d ir ec t ed to th e att ai n m en t o f

,

virt ue T he ir i d eal w i se man i s w h olly d e t ac h ed fro m materi al

.

1 Fo r t h e Hy mn of Cl e an t h es s ee i nfr a , C h apt e r XXII I .

3 78 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RATU R E

B I BLI OGRAPHY

SO C RAT ES

K F H er man n D e S ocr ati s mag i str i s

. . ,
et d i scip l i n a , Marb urg , 18 3 7 . Ch ai

g ue t , Vi e d e S ocr a te Par i s , 1869 . ll

F o ui ée , P h i l osop h i e d e S ocr a te, Pa i s, r 1 8 74 .

D Ei c h th al , S ocr a te et
’
n ot r e temp s , Pa i s, 1 8 8 0 r . B o utr o ux, S ocr a te f on d a teu r d e
mor a l e,
'

l a s c i en ce Par i s , 18 8 5 .
jo él D er , ech te u . d er X en op h o n t i sch e S ohr a tes ,

B erl i n , 18 9 3 . Pflei d e r e r, S oh r a tes u . P l a to, Tub i n gen , 1 8 9 6 . Z ell er , S ocr a tes an d

th e S ocr ati c S chool s , Re i c h e l s t ran l at i o n

’
s , Lo n d o n , 18 8
5 . L él ut, D u D emon d e
S ocr a te, Par i s, 1 8 56 . J ac k s o n ,
On the d a i némo v e vas i o n o
f S ocr a tes i n j o u r n .
f
o

Ph i l .
X . V o l quar d s en , D as D a emon zu m d es S o cr a tes, Ki e l , 18 62 . F . W . H .

M yers H u ma n , Per son a l i ty I I 9 5 ff . H eg e l , Oesch . d . P h i l osoph i e II 9 4 ff .

D ori n g , D i e L eh r e aes
’
S ohr a tes , M un i c h ,
189
5 .

N I CS TH E C Y

A N T I STH EN ES Fr agme n t s in M ul l a h F agmen ta

: P h i l s ph u m c ,
r o o or

Gr a o u m ; an d t h e e d i ti o n by Wi n c k e l man n Z u ri h 1 8 4 2
ec r Dii mml e ,
c , . r,

A n ti th n i a H all e 1 8 8 2
s e B l ass i n A tt B
c , ed a mh i t II BION,
Fr agmen t s . . er s e .

i n Wac h s mut h S l l g ph u m g a um l i gu a
, L ei p z i g 1 8 8 5
i o ro RO S or r eco r re z e, , .

s i g n l F ag B n i
o , B y sth
r Par i s 1 8 3 0
. H e i n z e D H at i
i o s B i n ts or .
, ,
.
,
e or o o

i mi ta to Bo nn 1 8 8 9
r e, M EN I PPUS Fr agme n t s i n W ac hs mut h
, S ee und er
. .

B ION Wi l d en ow D e M n ippo Cy n i
. H all e 1 8 8 1 Z ell er i n S c at s
, e co, , . o r e

a n d th S ocr ati S h o l s
e En g tran s L o n d o n 1 8 8 5 c c o . .
, .

TH E C Y RE N A I CS
Th e rec or d s
t eac h i n g o f ar e co ll ec t e d i n M ull ac h
of th e Ari st i pp u s ,

F r ag P h i l os oph Gr a ec
. Wi el an d A i stipp us L e i p z i g 1 8 00 St e i n D e v i ta
. .
,
r , , .
,

A r i stipp i Gott i n ge n 1 8 55
, Z e ll er i n S ocr ates a n d the S ocr ati c S chool s En g
, .
, .

t r an s Lo n d o n 1 8 8 5
.
, , .

TH E EP I C U REAN S

Us en et , Ep i c u r ea , L ei p z i g , 1 8 87 Go mp e r z N eu e B r u c/zstu che Ep i h u r s, .
,
’

V i e n n a, 1 8 7 6 ; an d D i e Ueher r es te ei n es B u ch es v o n Ep zh u r , V i e n n a, 1 8 7 9 .

Go mp er z in H er mes 5 . Wal l ac e , Ep i c u r ea n i s m, L o n d o n , 18 80 . Guyan ,

La mor a l e ’
d Ep i c u r e, Par i s , 1 8 78 . C o urt n ey, Ep i c u r u s i n A bb o tt ’
s H el
l en tea , Lo n d o n , 1880 . Z ell er , Th e S to i cs, Ep i cu r ea n s an d S cept i cs , En g . tran s .

b y Rei c h e l , Lo n d o n , 18 70 .

TH E STO I C S

Frag men ts i n M ull ac h Fr ag , . P h i l osoph . Gr a ec . Pe arso n , Th e Fr ag men ts

f Z en o
o an d Cl ea n th es , Lo n d o n , 1 8 90 . C ap e s , S to i c i s/n , Lo n d on , 18 8 0 .

VV ac h s muth , Comme n tatzo n es de Z e n on e et Cl ea n th e, Gott i n gen , 1 8 74 .

G er c ke , Ch ry s ipp ea i n j ah r h .
f . P h i l ol .
, 18 8
5 .
 C H A P T ER XX

PLATO

P LATO t he so n of Ari s to n w as bor n i n 4 2 8 o r 4 2 7 B C soo n

, , . .
,

aft e r t h e d e at h o f P e ri c l es s o t hat hi s you t h c o i n c i d es wi t h t h e

,

gr ad u al d ec li n e o f t he fort unes of At he n s H e w as a t ho roug h .

’
ari s to c r at c l ai mi n g o n hi s fat h e r s s i d e d esc e n t from the A t h en i an
,

roy al ho use o f C o d ru s an d o n hi s mo t he r s fro m Solo n C ri ti as

,
’
.

an d C har mi d es t he oli g ar c hs w ho h ad b een p upil s o f S o c r at es

, , ,

w er e hi s ki n s m en Whe n Pl ato w as tw en ty fo ur he w it n essed

.
-
,

t he i r fall an d t he r est or atio n o f t he d e mo c rac y ( 4 0 3 )

So m e y e ar s b e for e t h at h e h ad b ur n t hi s yo u t h ful
,

p o e ms an d j oi n ed th e c ir c l e of So c r at es d e t e r mi n ed to d ed i c at e ,

h i mse l f to p hilo s o p hy So far as h e w as a p oli ti c i an h e w as an ti

.
,

d e mo c r ati c follo w i n g th e tr ad i tio n o f h i s h o use

,
A t horo ug h .

A t hen i an e d uc atio n may i n hi s c ase b e t ak en for gran t ed

,
A part
,
.

from c ert ai n essay s i n p o etry n o t t o b e o mi tt e d by an i m agi nativ e

,

you t h p h ilo so p hy w as hi s fi r s t lov e

,
B y C ratyl us a flo w i n g .
,
‘

an H e rac l e i tus h e w as t aug h t

’
p h ilo s o p h e r m o r e H e r ac l e i t e an t h ,

th e p hilo so ph y o f flux t h at mo st fasc i n ati n g of al l d o c tri n es t o

,

t h e i m agi n atio n T he tw o gr eat El eati c s P ar me n i d es an d Z e n o

.
, ,

h ad vi si t e d At h e n s w it h i n t h e me mo ry o f So c r at es an d wi t h t h ei r ,

p hilo s o phy o f p erp etu al r es t an d t he Z e n o n i an d i al ec ti c Pl ato w as

, ,

1
fam ili ar .

I n sh ort he w as t h e h e ir o f al l t h e t e n d e n c i es o f t h e pas t al l
, ,

th e c o n t rib u tio n s o f t he G r ee k g e n i us to p h il o so ph y an d l it e rat u r e ,

a s triki n g c o n t r as t to t h e o n e —si d e d I o n i an p h ilo s o p he r s B ut o f .

1 Th e t mi s t i c p h i l s o ph y o f Le uc i pp us an d De mo c r it us i s
a o o n e ve r me n
t i o n e d b y Pl at — a s i n g ul ar mi ss i o n p s i b l y d ue t t h e g n e ral
o o ,
o s o e i n d i ffe r e n c e
o f t h e A t h e n i an s t o t h e s t u d i s o f t h e At mi t s
e o s .

3 79
3 80 S H O RT H I ST O RY OF GREE K LITE RATUR E

al l t h e c rowdi n g i n flu en c es t hat bor e o n hi s m an y —s i d ed t emp e r a

men t t hat of So c r at es ov er p ow e r e d the r e st
,
For s om e eig ht .

y ear s b e for e the tri al he w as h i s d evot e d d i sc i pl e A ft e r th e .

c o n d e mn atio n o f So c r at e s o n c harg es w hi c h i n c l u d e d t hat o f

i mpi e ty i t see med to Pl at o t hat th e b es t t he w i ses t t he m o s t
, , ,

j us t o f al l the me n w h o m h e had k no w n had b een t h e l eas t un d e r ,

s too d by hi s fe llo w c i tiz e n s -

Th e vi n d i c atio n o f t h e me mo ry o f
.

So c r at es h e mad e hi s li fe w ork ; all h i s h ig he s t an d m o st i mpas

s i o n ed flig h t s o f i magi n a tio n hi s tri um ph s o f d i al ec ti c hi s sc he mes
, ,

fo r so c i al r e form hi s m or al an d r eligi o u s t eac hi n g h e st ampe d

, ,

wi th the n am e an d aut h ori ty o f So c r at es To h i mself h e m ak es .

two or th r ee all usio n s i n passi n g but for the r es t k eeps hi s o w n

,

p e r so n ali ty rigi d ly i n t h e b ac kgro u n d .

O n th e d e at h o f So c r at es i n 3 9 9 Pl ato l e ft A t h e n s an d afte r a vi si t , ,

to M eg ar a t h e h o m e o f t h e So c r ati c Euc l ei d es sp en t sev er al y ear s

, ,

i n t r av el s i n Egypt Low er I t aly an d Si c ily

, ,
H e w as d e ep ly i m .

p r e ss ed as w e may s e e fro m hi s d i alogu es by the

Hi s trav el s
, ,

an c i en t c iviliz ati o n o f Egy p t h er un brok e n t r adi tio n s

, ,

an d t he wi s d o m of h e r pri es t s Duri n g a vi si t to C yr en e h e
.
,

ass o c i at ed wi t h t h e m at h e mati c i an T h eo d o r us To T ar en tum i n .

Low e r I t al y h e was n o d o u bt attr ac t ed by th e fam e of Ar c h yt as

t h e Py t hago r ean r e n o w n e d bot h for hi s c o n tri b u ti o ns to g eom e t ry
,

an d p h y s i c s an d fo r hi s s t at es m an s h i p an d mi li tary g en iu s
,
Ar c hy .

t as w as do u bly i n t e r es ti n g t o Pl ato b ec aus e h e saw r e aliz ed i n t h e

p e r s o n o f t h i s r e m a rk a bl e m a n hi s i d e al o f a p h il o s op h e r at t h e

h ead o f th e st at e .H i s fi r s t j o u r n ey to S i c ily ( ci r ca 3 8 8 B C ) w as . .

i n an s w e r to an i n vi tatio n fro m Di o n y s i us I t h e tyr an t o f Sy r ac u s e , ,

w h o s e brot he r i n —l aw Di o had met an d ad mi r e d Pl ato i n I taly

-
, ,
.

Di o n y s i us w as fo n d o f li t e r at u r e an d h i m s el f wro t e tr ag ed i es .

H e wo u l d h av e lik ed t o app ear a se c o n d Hi ero surro un d ed ,

by Gr eek men o f l e t ter s an d Pl ato w as gl ad o f th e c han c e t o

,

i m p ar t the p hil o s o p hi c vi r tu es t o a tyr an t B ut D io n y siu s w as a

.

s el f m ad e man w ho h ad ri se n to t he t h ro n e by hi s p e r s o n al e n e rgy
-

an d d i p lo mac y . I n t h e l as t e ig h t een y e ar s un d er h i s r ul e Syr a , ,

c u s e h ad b ec o m e o n e of th e m o s t pow erful c i ti es i n G r e ec e s tro n g ,

38 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU R E

S o c r at es t h at ro ss e x ami n atio n i s the b es t met ho d o f i m p arti ng

c -

k n owl e dg e n at urally u se d the d i al ogu e form for t hei r o wn p hilo

,

sop hi c c o m p o si tio n s For suc h a mo n um en t as Pl at o w as to

.

Th e bu i l d i n h o n or o f So c r at es t he i nv e t er ate tal k e r the , ,

d i al og ues d i alogu e w as p ec ul i arly ap pro pri at e an d i t s ui t e d hi s ,

t al en t for d ramati c wri ti n g U n d e r h i s n am e t her e ar e ext an t

.

forty two di alogu es t hir te en l e t t er s an d so m e pl ai n ly sp uriou s

-
, ,

d e fi n iti o ns O f th e d i alog u e s t h irty fi ve w e r e ac c ep t ed by th e

.
-

Al ex an d ri an s Ari s top han es o f B yz antiu m (ci r ca 2 00 B C ) ar

. . .

r an g ed t h e m i n t rilogi es T hat w as as far as w e k n ow the .

, ,

fi r s t c an o n A n ot h er c l assifi c atio n w as m ad e by Thr asyl l us w ho

.
, ,

i n t he fi r s t c e n t u ry A D arr an g e d t h e d i al og u es i n n i n e gro ups

. .
,

o f fo u r c all e d t et ralogi es I t i s o n e o f the l as ti n g gri ev anc e s

,
.

o f sc h ol ar s ag ai n st an ti qu i ty t hat i t n e v er o c c urr e d to a c o n
t e m po r ary A c ad e mi c i an suc h as Sp eu si ppus to wri t e a l i s t o f
, ,

’
Pl ato s work s i n c hro n ologi c al ord e r T hat si mpl e ac t woul d .

h av e s par e d us th e Pl ato n i c q u es tio n w it h al l th e en dl ess arg u

’
m en t s as to t he au t h en ti c i ty an d o r d er of Pl ato s work s A few o f .

l
th ese hav e b ee n r ec og n iz ed by all as abov e su sp i c io n g uar an t ee d ,

as t h ey ar e by t h e ex p r e ss t est i mo n y o f Ari stotl e We n ee d n o t .

h ow ev e r d w el l o n th e ec c en tri c i ti es o f a c ri ti c i s m w h i c h att ac k e d
e v e n t h e P a r men i d es an d th e S op hi s t s i n c e a mor e t e m p er at e ,

at titu d e has b een ad o p t e d of l at e y ear s by the m aj ori ty o f , ,

s c h ol ar s T h e L etter s t h ou g h C h ri st an d Wil amo w i tz ar e d i s

.
,

po se d to ac c e p t the sixt h an d C hri st d e fe n d s th e t h irt een th ar e , ,

n o w p r e t ty g e n e r ally r eg ard ed as p o st Pl at o n i c w h il e sev e r al -

,

d i alog ues may safe ly be r ej ec t e d mai nl y o n t h e sc or e o f po s t ,

Pl ato n i c an d po s t c l assi c al d i c tio n an d t he i r ec h o es o f Ari s totl e

-
.

T h e follo w i n g al l d i al o g u es ex c e p t t h e Apol ogy are g e n e r ally ac

, ,

c e p te d Ap ol ogy E u thyph r o C r i to Ch a r mi d es L a ch es Ly s i s
, , , , , ,

fi ifpp i as l ldi n o r [o n M en ex en us P r o tag o r a s M en o E u thy demus

2
, , , , , ,

1
Sc h aars c h mi d t ( 1866) a tt ac k e d t h e ge n u i n en e ss o f all b ut ni ne of th e

t h i rt y fi ve
-
d ia l ogu es . VVi n d el b an d ( 1 8 93 ) j
r e ec st t h e P a r me n i d es , S oph i st,

an d S tates ma n .

2 Th e [o n i s r ej e c t e d by Z e l l er , \Vil amo w i tz , S us e mi hl .
 P LAT O 83

G org i a s , C r aty l us , Sy mpos i u m, P ha ed o, R ep uhl i c, P ha ed r u s , P a r

men i d es , Th eaetetus , S op h i s t, S ta tes ma n , P h i /chus , Ti mae us ,

C r i ti a s , L aw s .

’
T hat the L aw s w as Pl ato s l at est work w e l ear n from Ari s totl e
that the Sy mp os i u m w as c o mp o s ed aft er t he d ivi s io n o f Ar c ad i a i n

3 8 4 B C an d t h at th e M en o fall s l at er t h an t he brib e ry
. .
,
Ch ron ol ogy
o f I s men i as by the P er s i ans i n 3 9 5 w e g at her fro m of t h e ,

i n t r nal evi d en
e c e
’
N 0 o e d o b ts t hat th e Ti maeus
n .u d i a1° g ues

i s a seq uel to t he R ep uhl i c or t hat t he S oph i s t i s a s e q uel to t h e

,

Th eaetetu s ; i t see ms c e rt ai n t hat t he P r o tago r a s was wri t t en

b e for e th e M en o To d ec i d e the r el ativ e d at es o f t he r es t o f t h e
.

d i alog ues aft er d ivi di n g t h e m i n to sev eral gro up s has b een

, , ,

fo r abo u t a c en t ury the ai m o f s tu d en t s o f Pl ato For a gen

, .

e rati o n t he s t ati s ti c al m e tho d has b e en ap pli ed to t he solu tio n

’
o f the p robl e m The p e c u li ariti es o f Pl ato s s tyl e hi s use o f
.
,

t e rm s h av e b een c lo se ly i nv es tig at ed wi t h th e ai m o f p rovi ng th e

, ,

affi n iti e s o f th e d i alogu e s an d t h eir p l ac e i n t h e d ev e lo p men t o f

t he Pl ato n i c p h il o so ph y I n m an y c as es th e s t ati s ti c s ar e i nac c u

.

r ate an d t he y hav e som e tim es b een abu sed A wri ter w ho l ik e

,
.
,

Lu to sl aw ski d e mo n str ates t h e growt h o f Pl ato n i c l ogi c fro m th e

,

s tat i s ti c s o f fi ve hu n dr e d p ec uli ari ti es o f s ty l e d eriv ed fro m s o m e

fi fty i nd epen d ent di sse rt ati o n s i s too o ft en m i sl ed by the i n ac c u ,

?
r ac i e s of th e wri t e r s o f t h o se d i ss er tatio n s T he c h i e f j us tifi c a tio n
o f th e s t ati st i c al me t h o d i s t hat i t has d ev elo p ed n o gl ari ng
ab sur d ity ex c e pt i n d ee d t h e d ivi si o n o f th e R ep uhl i c i n to s tr at a
, , ,

3
s e p ar at ed by o th e r d i alog ues an d h as l e ft t h e L a w s i n i ts t r ad i
,

t i o n al p l ac e The s t ati s ti c i ans agr ee o n a c ert ai n ro ug h gro up i n g

.

S o c rat es , w h o d i e d i n 3 99 , p l ays a l e ad i n g part i n t h e S y mpos i u m an d

1

M en o P l at o s b o l d us e o f an ac h r o n i s ms i s o n e o f th e mi n o r c o mp l i c at i o n s o f
’

l t o n i c q u e ti o n
t he P a s .

2 L ut o s l aw k i ’
O ig i n a n d G w th f P l a t
s s r ro o o s
’
Log i c, Lo n d o n , t
1 8 9 7 , c o n ai n s

a g o d s ur y f t h e t at i t i al st ud y o f Pl at o an d is us e fu l as a w r k f re f
o ve o s s c o o

ere n ce i n p i t e o f t h t o o c o n fi d t n c l u i
,
s e en co s o ns o f i ts ‘
s tyl m try an d
o e
’
t he

fre q u n t mi s i t erpr t at i n f Pl at s t t
’
e n e o s o o ex .

3S ee Go mpe r z , Gr eeh 7 h i n h er s I I I 5 1 ff i n d e fe n s e . o f t he uni ty of th e

Rep uhl i c .
3 84 SH O R T H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATU R E

o f the di alogu es an d d i sagr ee as to th e p r ec i se r e l atio n s of the

,

i n d ivi d u al d i alog ues wi t hi n the gro u ps The mi n or d i alog ues'

.
,

’
c all ed So c r ati c bec ause th ey d eal wi t h t he So c rati c sear c h for
d efi n i tio ns fo r g en e ral c o n c e p t s fall e arly ; t h e p u r el y sc i e n ti fi c
, ,

o r d i al ec ti c al d i al o g ues the Tlzoo ol ozo s S op/ m

’
,
i an d S fo fos mo n
‘

, , ,

w e r e l at e w hil e t he r e i s a mi d d l e p e ri o d for w
,
h i c h t he R ep u bl i c
i s t h e mo s t i mp ort an t c o m po si tio n Fort unat ely i t m att er s l i ttl e
.
,

to th e st u d en t o f Pl ato s p h ilo sop hy o r styl e w he t he r t he Sy mp o

’

s i u m an d t h e P/zaoo o w e r e c o m p o se d b e for e or aft e r t h e P /zczoo m

’ ’
ts ,

an d th e s ec i al s t u d e n t w h o t ak es u p t h e p robl e m o f s tyli s ti c
p _

affi n i ty w i ll fi n d e x c ell en t argu men t s fo r an d ag ai n s t e i t h e r t h eory ,

an d n o t i n fr eq ue n tly th e s am e argu m e n t work ed bo t h w ay s by t h e

op p o si n g s i d es .

T her e i s n o d o u b t that i f Pl ato had b ee n ask e d w hat w as t he

,

e n d o f h i s t e ac h i n g th e go al o f w h i c h h e n ev e r l o s t sig h t i n all h i s
,

s p ec ul atio n s h e wo u l d hav e r e pl i e d t h at i t w as t he i mp rov e m e n t

,

o f the mor al n atur e of man As ot h er s l ay d ow n t he .

Et h i cs
pri n c i pl es o f a sc i en c e he tri ed to formul at e t he l aw s
,

t hat r egul at e c o n d uc t M or al i ty had for hi m a pu r ely i n t ell ec t ual

.

b asi s si n c e h e agr e ed wi th So c r at es t hat all V i rt u e i s k n owl ed g e

,
.

C ou r ag e as i s s h ow n i n t h e L a c/l os i s b ase d o n th e k n owl e d g e o f

, ,

I n t he Ck a r mzo os C r i ti as an d
’
’

w hat i s an d i s n o t to b e fear ed .
,

C har mi d es Pl ato s olig ar c h i c al ki n sm en r ev e al to So c r at es t h e i r

’
, ,

ig no r anc e of th e essen t i al m ean i n g o f t emp e r an c e or sobri ety o f

s o ul
,
a virt u e n o t to b e ac qui r e d by t h o se u nabl e to giv e an

ac c o un t o f i t Li k e S o c r at es Pl ato asse rt s t hat n o o n e of hi s o w n

.
,

fr ee will d o es wro n g Fro m hi s assu m pt io n t hat all men d esir e

.

t h e goo d i t fol low s t h at n o man w h o c an di s ti n g ui s h goo d an d evil

w ill c hoo se e vil S i n i s t h er efor e but an o th e r w or d for ig n or an c e

.
, ,
.

Fo r shoul d s o me c l e v er an d w orl d ly man lik e C all i c l es i n t he ,

G o rgi as d eli b e r at ely c ho o se t h e li fe o f p l easu r e an d d ec li n e to se t

,

h i s i d e al h ig h e r t h an t h at o f t h e worl d abo u t hi m Pl ato sees i n , ,

th at c h oi c e ig n or an c e of t h e ar t o f l i fe of t h e r e al n at u r e o f
, ,

T h e gr e at t h es i s o f the G o fg zo r t hat i t i s mor e

'

h app i n ess .
,

bl e ssed to suffe r w ro n g t han to i n fl i c t i t r e m ai n s u n shak en Si n , .

38 6 SHO RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LIT ERAT U R E

d ec ad en c e . I n th e R ep u bl i c, as t h o ug h t o O ffse t th e p i c t ur e of
T huc ydid es ,
h e d esc ri b es j us t suc h an agr eeabl e , l awl ess, man y
c o mmo n w e alt h as t hat O f At h en s an d tur n s fro m al l
’
c olor ed ,

t hat to ad mir e a c o mmun ity i n w h i c h am at e u ri sm an d v e r sat il i ty

had n ev er b e en p riz e d o r ev en allow ed Wh e r e t h e i n d ivi d u al had ,

al w ay s b ee n t r ai n e d t o su bor d i n at e hi s p riv ate i n c li n at io n s an d

t ast es to th e g en er al goo d of t h e s t at e B ut e v en i n Do ri an .

Lac ed ae mo n th e ho m e o f d i sc i p li n e an d s el f d en i al wi t h i ts
,
-

trad i tio n s al mo s t as fix e d as t ho se o f Egy p t i ts aus t e rity O f li fe i ts , ,

i n c ar natio n of t he c en tri petal g en i us O f th e Dori an s Pl at o di d”

,
-

n o t fi n d all t hat h e d r e am e d o f fo r h i s U to p i a N o t i n Lac e .

d ae mo n an y m or e than i n S i c ily w e r e p h ilo s o p h e r s at the h ead

, ,

o f t he s t at e an d for Pl ato t h er e c o ul d b e n o w el l o r d er e d c o m
,
-

m un i ty i n w h i c h th e r ul er s w er e n o t p hilo sop he r s .

'

I t w as i n th e R ep uo/zo hi s m ast e rpi ec e that h e e x p r essed hi s

, ,

a ss i o n a t e c o n vi c tio n o f t h e fai l u r e O f d e mo c r ac y as h e h ad s een

p
i t at A th en s an d o f a t yr ann y li k e t hat at Syr ac use As he r e
,
.

Th e b uil d s fro m t he fou n d atio n s th e w h ol e p oli ti c al fabri c ,

R ep ub l i c l eavi ng n o t on e s to n e u p o n an ot h e r o f th e A t h en i an
c o n s t ituti o n w e s e e ho w c om p l et ely h e w as o ut O f s ym pat h y wi t h
,

hi s t i m es wi t h At h en i an i d eal s an d am bi ti o n s w it h th e w hol e
, ,

r an g e o f H ell en i c c ultu r e w h i c h i t w as t h e pri d e o f A t h en s to

fo s t er an d r ep r es e n t I t i s as a p oli ti c al tr eati se as th e fi r st d e
.
,
'

sc ri p tio n of a p erfec t c i ty a U t o pi a t hat t he R op u o/zo i s n o w

“
,
”
,

r ead by al l st ud en ts o f p oli ti c s an d so c i al r e form er s w ho r ar ely ,

i magi n e a r ec o n s tru c t io n o f s o c i e ty w i t h ou t borrowi ng so me

featur es of Pl ato s i d eal s t at e C o mm un i t y o f p rop er ty t he aboli
’
.
,

t io n o f t he family u n iv e r sal brot h er h ood b ase d o n t he p o s si bil ity

,

t hat an y man may b e o n e s brot h e r s t at e r e gu l atio n O f th e br eed

’
,

i ng o f th e c i tiz en s p rovi s io n ag ai n st r ac e su i c id e eq uali ty of th e

, ,

s e x es o n t h e grou n d t hat t h e r e i s n o i n t e ll ec t ual d iffe r en c e b e t w ee n

th e m c o mpul sory ed u c at io n t h e c o m p ul s ory vo t e

, ,
for al l t hese ,

o n e may t u r n t o t h e
1
thoug h t h ey w er e n o t all origi n al w it h Pl ato ,

1
E g H er o d 4
. . . 1 04 h ad d es c ri b ed th e co mmun i t y o f w o me n amo n g t h e Aga
thyrsi , d esi g n e d to sec u e r h armo ny an d t o mak e b ro t h e r s o f t h e t r ib esmen
’
.
 P LAT O 387

Repu bl i c or the L aw s . mo s t striki n g featur e i n hi s i d eal

The
r e publi c w as the rigi d subo r d i natio n O f t he u n ed u c at ed an d w ork
i ng c l ass es to a h ig hly e d u c ated ol ig ar c h y of p h ilo s o ph e r s t r ai n ed ,

by d i al ec ti c to gr asp t he n at ur e o f r eal ex i s t en c e an d p e r su ad ed , ,

’
fo r t hei r c ou n try s goo d to t ur n fro m t he i r philo so phi c al pu r suit s
,

an d prov e t hat t he tr uly wi se man i s t h e b es t g e n e r al t h e b es t ,

’
l awy e r the b est l egi sl ator Pl ato s e th i c al i d eal s n ev er v ari ed
,
.
,

an d i n th e L aw s he r ei t e r at es th e mai n t h es i s o f th e R ep ubl i c ,

th e c oi nc i d e n c e o f j u sti c e an d h ap p i n ess B ut he r ec og n iz e d i n
.

hi s ol d age th e p o ssibl e d an g er s t o t he c om mu n i ty o f p h ilo s o p hi c

ab s olu ti s m si n c e e v en p hi lo so p h e r s are hu m an b e i n g s n o t safely
, ,

t o be i n tr usted wi t h su c h p ow e r s an d so w e hav e i n th e Law s an

,

ac c ep tan c e of w h at fo r Pl ato w as the sec o n d b est a d e c i d e d

, , ,

modifi c ati o n o f hi s p oli ti c al i d eal s a r evi sio n O f t h em mor e ad apt ed

,

t o men as t h e y ar e E n o ug h r e mai n s t hat i s ali e n to u s as i t w as

.
,

H e will allow n o ar t t hat i s n o t s ev e r ely

’
to Pl ato s c o n t e mpor ari es .

d i d ac ti c ad mi t s tr ad e w it h t h e gr eat es t r elu c t an c e w oul d su p pr ess

, ,

fi nanc e r ej ec ts the Lac e d ae mo n i an i d eal O f war an d c o n qu est

, ,

an d as i n th e R ep ubl i c l eav es as li ttl e op e n i ng for w h at w e c all

, ,

p rogr es s as t h o ug h h e w e r e o rg an izi n g a mo n as t e ry .

I n A t h e n s a man w h o d esi r ed to en t er pu bli c li fe s oug h t the

,

s o c i ety o f s o p h i s t s l ik e G o rgi as or Pro t agor as o att e n d ed th e

,
r

fam o u s sc hool O f the r hetori c i an I so c r at es Pl ato c oul d no t o h .

s e rv e t hi s w i t h i n d iffe r e n c e T he r e w e r e s o phi s t s o f Hos t i l i t

.

y
all ki n d s as t he r e ar e alw ay s t eac h e r s o f al l ki n d s bu t
,
to th e ,

s oPh i S t S
t houg h Pl ato mig h t r esp ec t i nd ivi d u al s amo ng t he m h e ,

n ev e r w av e r e d i n c o n d e mn i n g t h e s o p h i s ti c i d e al O f ed uc ati o n as

d an g e rou s an d u n sc i e n tifi c H e pai d Pro t ago r as an d G o rgi as the

.

c o mp li m e n t o f r e p r o d uc i n g t h e i r brilli an t r h et o ri c an d frankly ,

sh ow s u s ho w fasc i n ati n g t h e y w e r e ho w n at ur al i t w as t hat t h ey

,

s h o ul d attr ac t t h e yo u n g an d ambi ti o us H e k n ew w ell t hat t h e

.

mo s t e ffe c tiv e satir e i s t hat w h i c h mak es ev e ry c o nc ess i o n to t h e

vi c ti m b e for e i t ex po se s h i s w eak n ess es H e d i sl ik e d and d e ri d e d
.

al l t h e asp ec t s o f so ph i s ti c t h e p r e t e n s i o n t o o mn i sc i e n c e t h e
, ,

s o ph i s t s c l ai m t hat h e c o ul d t al k d o w n any e x pe rt by s h e e r
’
3 8 8 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RAT UR E

1
i ng en ui ty o f sp e ec h t he l o n g se t sp eec h es by w h i c h h e avoid ed
,

th e i ssu e w h e n c o n fro n t e d by a S o c r ati c c ro ss ex ami n atio n He -

.

d i sapprov ed O f the s o p hi s ti c pr eo c c u p atio n wi t h p o e try St ead ily .

r e fusi n g to separ at e aes t he ti c s fro m e t h i c s h e had driv e n the p o e t s ,

o ut o f h i s i d eal c i ty b e c aus e t h e y en c o u r ag e d t he i magi natio n and

t he e mo tio n al s i d e Th e p o e t i n as mu c h as h e d iv e rt e d m e n s
’
.
,

e y es fro m t h e d ivi n e r eal i ti e s to th e

’
i mi t ati o n o f an i m i t atio n ‘
,

w as lik e the s o p h i s t an illu s io n i s t

,
Abov e all h e d i slik e d th e
,
.
,

’
su bj ec tivi ty O f so p h i s ti c e t h i c s th e s op h i s t s ac c ep t an c e o f c o n ,

v e n t i o n al m or al i ty an d O f th e i n d iv i d ual man as the m easu r e .

E ri s ti c the q uibbli ng wi t h p ar ad o x es b as ed o n t he wro ng use of

,

l an g uag e to w h i c h t h e Z en o n i an d i al ec ti c h ad d eg en er at ed he
, ,

sat iriz e d i n t h e E zzi by zl emzzs As for t h e r h etori c O f s uc h a o n e

.

as I so c r at es h e i n s i s t ed t h at at i ts b es t i t w as me r e ly a br an c h
'

, , ,

o f p hilo so ph y s tri c tly subor d i nat e to e t h i c s an d d i al ec ti c ; t hat

,

t he r h e tori c i an m us t l ear n to d e fi n e an d d iv i d e an d c l ass i fy i s o n e , , ,

2 ’
o f t he l esso n s o f t h e P /zo eo r w .

V irtu e as en vi sag e d by Pl ato c o ul d n e v er hav e fo r i ts fou n d ati o n

th e me r el y r el ativ e k n owl e dg e o f t he o r d i n ary s t at e s m an or r h e to ,

3
r i c i an o r s o p hi s t
,
To th e H er ac l e it ean fl u x an d t he r el ativi ty
.

t aug h t by Prot ago r as h e O pp o s ed th e T h eory O f I d eas w hi c h o n ,

.
,

th e p h ilo so p hi c s i d e w as h i s gr eat c o n trib u tio n to t h e h i story o f

,

t h o ug ht w hil e i t i s c lo se ly asso c i at e d wi t h hi s e t hi c al an d poli ti c al

,

t he ori es So c r at es i n hi s s ear c h for mor al tru t h had arriv e d at

.

i n d uc tiv e d e fi n i ti o n s H e h ad e nd eavo r ed to r e pl ac e k n owl ed g e

.

Th eory d e riv ed fro m i n d ivi d ual p e r c ep tio n s by u n iv er sal c o n

of I d ea s c e p ts t h at w e r e to b e i n d e p en d e n t o f p op ul ar o p i n io n .

To Pl ato s r eali sti c p hilo so phy th e u n iv e r sal c o nc e p t b ec ame an

’

’
obj ec tiv e ty pe an en ti ty mo r e r eal t han the r eal t hi ng t hat c an
,

lf ad vert i semen t Go rgi as i n Pl at o

1 ’
Th e l oc u s cl a ss i c u s i s t he se -
of s Gorg i as

4 52 E .

2
Th e re a l ti o ns o f P l at o an d I so crat e s h ave b e e n l
e n d e ss l y d i sc us s e d si n c e

S pe n g el ’s [s ok r a tes u . P l o l o, 18 55 . S e e Go mp er z , G r eek T/zm bem III 25 ff .

( En g .

3
Cr a zy /us 3 8 9 , 44 0 B .
3 90 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GREE K LITE RATUR E

l
ph en om ena i n th e vi sibl e worl d The di al ec ti c i an i s ai d ed by
.

R e mi ni sc en c e Pl ato b eli ev ed i n th e p r eexi st e n c e of

R emi ni s th e s o ul t hat , bi rt h i s bu t a s l eep an d a forg e tti ng ,

2
ceflce t hat al l k n owl ed g e i s r ec oll ec ti o n I n t he Pli o e/l r us h e .

d esc ri b es ho w t he s o u l b e for e bi rt h may mo un t w i t h t he heav enly

'

t r ai n o f go d s to the p l ai n O f tr u t h o n th e v ery ro o f o f h eav en and ,

t h en c e b eh ol d the I d eas H e w ho h as th e c l ear est memo ry O f

.

t hat vi sio n spl en di d i s b es t sui t e d for d i al ec ti c may b ec om e a

“ ”
,

p h ilo sop he r an eye am o n g t he bl i n d A t bi rt h o n e i s n ear est

”
.
,

to t he d ivi n e I d eas ; w h en o ne lov es o n e has t h e b es t c h an c e i n ,

’
o n e s li fe t o appro ac h the m ag ai n t h ro u g h th e p ass io n for b eau ty
an d t h e d yi n g p hilo s o p he r li k e So c r at es i n t h e P /zo eo o may at
’
, ,

l east h o p e t hat h e i s abou t to r ec ov e r t h e c o mp l e t e vi si o n .

To d esc rib e the I d eas zoi l /zou t col o r zo i l /zo u t f omn i n fu ngi bl e
, , , ,

’
vi s i bl e o nly l o the i n tell i gen ce ( R/za en r u s 2 4 7 ) w as as Pl ato k n e w , ,

b eyo n d th e p ow er o f hu m an s p eec h an d i t i s o nly i n suc h a myt h ,

as t hat o f th e P /zo eo r us o r th e Sy m p osi u m t hat h e sp eak s as

’

t houg h th e eye o f th e s oul mi g ht b e hol d th e i nvi sibl e essen c es .

H e w as to o mu c h O f a p o e t n o t to d e sir e to wri t e abo u t

Th e M yt h s
t h em i n th e l an gu ag e o f e x al t atio n an d for t hi s pur ,

po s e he tak es r efug e i n the u se O f my th I n c ert ai n of th e d i a .

log nes the P /zoeo o th e Sy mpos i u m an d the P luzeo r us t he my th

,
’
,
’
, ,

i s al mo st as i m p or tan t as t he h e roi c my t h i n a Pi n d ari c O d e In .

t h ese mo m en ts o f e x al t atio n Pl ato ab an d o ns the ec o n om y o f

e mo ti o n w h i c h he th oug ht s o n ec e s sary to d i al ec ti c an d all ow s ,

h i m sel f to e x ho r t i n stead o f argu e .

A ll the gr eat i m p r ess iv e myt hs t hat d eal w i t h the I d eas and the
’
fate o f th e soul are p ut i n the m out h of So c r at es I n th e Pluzeo o .

m y th ( 1 0 7 1 1 4 ) h e d esc rib es t he su rfac e o f t he tru e ear t h i n

— ‘
,
’

a h ollo w o f w h i c h men l iv e i ts t r ees fl ow e r s ,

fr ui t s an d pr e, , ,

c io n s s t o n es i t s ov e r ar c h i n g am pl e r aet h er an d wi t h a g eo gr ap h y
, , , ,
’
n o t u n l ik e t h at o f Dan t e s E ar th ly P ar adi se
3
tell s O f th e p l ac e o f ,

1
R ep 50 8 ff
. .

2
M en o 8 0 ff .
’
P/i a eo o 7 2 ff Rb a ea’
. f u s 24 9 .

3 See St ew art, Tb e l lIy t/zs of Pl ato, L o n d o n , 1 9 05 .

 P LAT O 39r

j udgm en t fo r soul s O f t he d ead thei r pu n i sh m ents an d r ew ard s

t he , .

I n the G org i a s myt h ( 5 2 3 5 2 7 ) i s a d e sc ri ptio n o f th e I sl an d s of

—

t h e B l esse d an d th e me ad ow w he r e t h e j u d g es M i n o s R had a
, , ,

man thys an d A eac u s si t and look throug h and t hroug h th e sc arr ed

an d c rook e d s o ul s O f th e d e ad I n th e myt h o f E r i n the R ep ubl i c
.

( 6 1 4— 6 2 1
) yi s e t a n o t h e r p i c tu r e o f t he mead o w o f th e j u dg men t

s e at w hen c e th e d ead s o u l s j o u r ney to t h e t h ro n e o f Lac h esi s to

,

c h o o s e eac h hi s l o t for an o t he r c our se o f ear t hly life Th e my th .

’
o f th e Rbo eo r us ( 2 4 6 — 2 5 7 ) i s d evo ted to lov e w hi c h i s d esc rib ed ,

as a for m o f d ivi n e mad ness t he soul s as pir atio n to th e Tru e th e

’
, ,

B eau ti ful an d th e G o od
,
B ea u ty i l self br i g/i l l) » s /zi n i ng i t w as
.
, ,

g i v e n tb e m l o be l z ol i l l l zen zo l l en t/ze f ol l o w ed i n i b e bl esse/i c/zo i r

, y
ey ew i tn es s es o f vi s i o n s zo /zi c/i a r e a l toget/zer f czi r ,
a nd o f s i ng l e

i l /zo u z s h a d ow f cb a ng e Tl i ese fi l i ng s o u r s o ul s be
‘
n a fur o, zer o .

b l
e o
’
i n p u r e l n l , i /zemsel ves bei ng p u r e a n d zo i /l zo u t i bl e ma r k of
l /zi s w /zi cl i w e call bo rly , a n d n o w ca r ry a bo u l w i l l : us , as l be fi s /i
ca r r i el l z f bi s s /zel l
l /i e p r i s on h o use o .

Th e Pl ato n i c my t hs w h i c h who k n ow e t h n o t to b e fl ow er s O f
,

’
o e t ry d i d n e v e r w a lk i n to A pollo s g ar d en t h o se p assag es fo r
p ,

w hi c h lik e C ol e ridg e he d e man d ed fro m hi s h ear e r s a mo men

, ,

t ary su sp e n s i o n O f di s b eli ef ar e fo r us a l it er ary e mb e lli s h me n t o f

”
, , ,

t he d i alogu es di gr essio n s w h i c h so m e o f u s li k e T h e odoru s i n the

, ,

T/zeo el el us ( 1 7 7 c ) l ik e b e t te r t han th e arg u me n t

,
I n the sev en .

t een th c en t u ry t h i s si d e o f Pl ato s t eac hi ng was e mphas iz ed by th e

’

C ambri d g e Pl ato n i s t s fo r w h o m Pl ato w as a p ro ph e t an d t he The

, ,

o ry o f I d eas to b e i n t e r p r eted as th e b as i s o f a r eligiou s my s ti c i s m .

I n th i s t hey w e r e but follo w i n g t h e ex ampl e O f t he N e o Pl ato n i st s -

o f Al ex an d ri a The my s ti c al t heology and e n t husi as m

.
Th e N eo
o f Ploti n u s h i s y ear n i n g for se par ati o n fro m t h e bo d y P l a t oni s t s
,

an d for p u r ely s p i rit ual se n satio n s c arri ed hi m far fro m the s ev e r e ,

’
Pl ato n i c di al ec ti c and t he sc i e nti fi c d ri ft o f Pl ato s t eac h i ng .

Pl ato w as d es ti n ed to fall i n to t he hand s O f e xtr e m i st s Fro m h i s .

work s E m e r so n s Bibl e o f the l e ar n ed o u t O f w hi c h c o m e al l

,
’ “
,

t hi ng s t hat are s til l w ri tt e n an d d e bat e d amo ng me n the sc ho ,

l asti c c o n t rov er si ali sts O f the M id d l e Ag es s i n gl ed o ut hi s r e ali s m

3 92 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LIT E RAT URE

as hi s i f c har ac t er i s ti c an d i t w as und er hi s flag t hat th e R eal

ch e ,

i sts d e b at ed wi th t he N o mi n al i s ts w ho op p o se d t o t h e Pl at o n i c
,

ty p es t he ir d o c tri n e that o nly t he i nd ivi d u al has r eal exi sten c e t hat ,

g en e ra an d sp ec i es are m er ely su bj ec tiv e c o mbi n atio n s .

Pl ato s d i alogu es usually took the fo r m o f ac c o u n t s of c o n v er sa

’

t io n s T hi s g av e h i m a c han c e fo r d ram ati c d esc ri pt io n s o f t he

.

s etti n g an d c h ar ac te r s O f t he pi ec e for th e p i c t ur e o f t h e w e ll
,

o r d e r ed hou se O f the ri c h o l d m e ti c C ep hal us at the Piraeu s , ,

’
w her e So c r at es wi t h Pl ato s bro t he r s wov e th e m any —c olor ed t ex
tur e O f th e R ep ubl i c or t he supper at the h ou se of Ag at h o n t h e
, ,

t r agi c po et i n t he S vm p os i u m I n th e l at e r d i alogu es w e have n o

.
.

s u c h vi vi d i mpr essi o n o f t h e sc e n e an d t h e i n t erlo c u tor s T hat .

lo n g w al k i n C r e t e from C n o sso s to t he gro tto o f Z eus o n I d a

do es n o t dw ell i n ou r mi n d s as t h e i nse par abl e b ac kgrou n d o f th e
L aw s as d o th e ru s tli n g pl an e tr ee t h e su mm e r s o un d s an d
, ,

’
sc e n ts t hat hau n t t h e P /zaeo r us I n hi s O l d age l o n g ex p o si ti o n s
.

gr ew m or e fr equ en t wi t h Pl ato I n th e L a w s he s ee ms to r e t ai n
.

t he d i alog ue fo rm r at h e r fro m h abi t t h an b ec au se h e fel t i t to b e

ap propri at e t h e w h o l e o f t h e fi ft h B ook i s a m o n ologu e An .

ot he r n o te o f c h an g e i s t hat i n t he l at es t d i alogu es So c r at e s i s no
lo n g er th e c hi e f s p eak er ; i n the L aw s hi s pl ac e i s t ak en by an
’
‘
A th en i an s tr ang er w ho i s p er h ap s m ean t fo r Pl at o h i m se lf
,
.

Pl ato s s tyl e i s all hi s o w n v ari ed lik e hi s i n ter es t s an d

’
, ,

c ann o t b e b roug ht u n d e r the r ul es O f th e r h etori c i an s It .

s t an d s mi d w ay b etw een p o e try and p ro se an d i ts ,

s tro n gly p o e ti c c ol ori n g gr e atly di s tr ess ed t h e v e ry

c ri ti c s w ho r ec og n iz e d i n Pl at o o n e O f th e fe w mast e r s o f the gr an d

s tyl e. Po eti c di c t io n set hi s g en i u s b est H e k n e w t hat as h e.

,

l ’
say s i n t h e L o w s h e wro t e s p eec he s v e ry l i k e p o e try an d i n
,
‘
,

’ 2
t h e P b o eo r us h e for estall ed h i s c ri ti c s by ridi c ul i n g hi s o w n
t en d e n c y to b ec o m e d i t h yr ambi c i n mo me n t s o f ex al t atio n What .

’
th e w ri ter s o n r h e tori c p rob ably fo rgo t i s Pl ato s fo n d n ess fo r ,

p aro d y i ng the fashio n abl e s tyl es o f wri ti ng When t hey ac c u se .

hi m o f G o rgi an i c figu r es i n th e M e n ex en us t h e y forg et t hat h e ,

1 2 2
811 .
3 8 , 24 1 .
3 94 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATURE

mer ely s up erfi c i al c harm T h i s he prov e d i n the e l egy for Di o .

,

t he Si c ili an p h ilo s o ph e r w h o m h e had lov ed w ho se s ho rt l iv e d ,

-

tyr ann y at Syr ac us e had b ee n o n e o f t h e bi tt e r es t O f hi s fri e n d s

’

di s ill usio n s : Tea r s w er e the l ot of tbc [li a n w o men an d H ecu ba ,

s
p un i n th e w eb o f t/zei r f ate on tl ze d ay o f tbei r bi r t/i . B ut f or
t/zee, D i o , w i d e w er e t/i e b opes tb a t tb e g od s s /zow er ed d ow n as

tl zey r ecei ved tl i e t/za n b -

fi er i ng f o r
o vi cto ry . And n ow tl zo u l i es t i n

th i n e ow n l and , and men pay i bee b on or i n d eath . B ut I l oved

tlzee to ma d n ess ,
O D io 1

B I B LI OGRAP HY

MAN US C R I PT S Th e ear l i est

I . . is a p apyrus fr om G ur ob , c on t ai ni n g 1 2
'
c o l umn s o f t h e R/i a eao 3 d c e n t B ,
. . C .
, l
p ub i s h e d i n M ahaffy s P etr i e P apy r i ,
’

18 9 1 . Th e Cl a r b i a n u s ( B odl ei a n u s Ox o n i en s zs ) , 9 t h
or c en t . A D . .
,
fo u n d i n
180 1 in a mo n as t ery on Pat mo s, i s at O xfo r d ; i t c o n t ai n s 24 d i al o g u es . The
P a r i s i n us, 9 th c e n t at Pari s , c o n t ai n s 1 4 d i a o g ues an d t h e Letter s Th e l .

Tubi ng en s i s , 1 7t h c e n t , at Tubi n g e n , c o n t ai n s 7 d i a o g ue s Th e Ven etas . l .

( T) ,
1 2th cen t at V e n i ce, t
c o n ai n s 3 1 d i al o g ues F o r a co mpl et e c at a .

l o gue O f th e n umer o us man usc ri pt s se e , Wo h lrab, D i e P l a ton /i a n dsc/i r if ten ,

L ei p z i g 1 8 8 7 , .

II ED I T I O N S E d p i n e Al d us V en i ce 1 5 1 3 St ephan u s Pari s 1 5 78
. . . r .
, , , .
, , .

( Th e p agi n g o f th i s e d i s al w ays use d fo c i t at i o n f th e d i al g ue ) B ekk r . r o o s . e ,

Lo n d on 1 8 1 6 B ai t er O el l i —\Vi n c k l man n Z ur i c h 1 8 4 2 an d 1 8 74
, .
-
S t all
r e , ,
.

b au m Lei p z i g 1 8 2 7— 1 8 7 7
, S c h an z L e i p z i g 1 8 7 5 1 8 8 5 ( u n fi n i sh e d )
, He
.
, ,
— . r

man n L i p z i g 1 8 5 6 ( Te ub n er ) r e i d b y W h l rab 1 8 8 7 B ur n et Oxfo r d

,
e , ,
v se o , .
, ,

1 9 03 ( 6 Spec i al e d i t i o n s R/ a d r u Th mpso n L o n d n 1 8 6 8 G r . z e s : o ,
o , . o

i a s :T h o mp o n L on d on 1 8 70 s R / a d A r h r H i nd L ndon 18 84 o : c e - o
g , , . i e , , .

G e d d es L n d o n 1 8 8 4
,
o Co uv r e ur Pa i s 1 8 9 3 ,
Ap l gy Ri d d el l O x for d
.
,
r ,
. o o : , ,

1 8 77 Sy mp i u m Rett i g H all e 1 8 75 ; H ug L i p z i g 1 8 8 4
. os : R p u bl i , , , e ,
. e c

J ow ett an d C ampb ell O xf rd 1 8 9 4 ; A d am C amb ri d ge 1 903 ,

S p/ i t o , , ,
. o i s

an d S ta te ma n Campb ell O fo r d 1 8 6 7
s . T/z a t t us C ampb ll Oxfor d , x ,
. e e e : e , ,

1 8 6 1 ; 2d ed 18 8 3 R/zi l bu s P st e O f rd 1 8 6 0 ; B ury Camb ri d g e 1 8 9 7

.
, . e : o ,
x o , , , .

Ti ma u A rc h e r H i d L n d n 1 8 8 7
e s : l aw -
R i tt er L ei p z i g 1 8 9 6
n , o o , . s : , ,
.

III L I TERATU RE C h ai g n et D l a P y / l g
. d . P l at n Pa i s 1 8 6 2 , e s c zo o ze e o ,
r ,
.

Gr t e P l a t
o , L ndon 18 6 5
o, M art i Etu d o u l Ti mb
,
Par i 184 1 . n, es s r e e, s, .

Te uffel U b H ui t L a v i t l eu v e d P l a t
’
i / t d P l a t Li t 1 8 74
, e er s c z . .
,
.
,
e e o r e on ,

Par i 189 3
s, B o n i t z P l a t n i lz
. S t ud Vi n a 1 8 8 6 ,
S u emi hl D o sc e zen , e n ,
. s , i e

g n ti c/ e E n tw i k l u ng d P l a t R/i i l s
e e s i L ei p z i g 1 8 5 5
c Pfle i d ere S ob tes
. . o .
, ,
. r, ro

1 A n tb P a l 7 9 9 . . . .
 P LAT O 3 95

u . Pl ato, Tub i ng e n , 1 8 96 . Go mp er z , Pl a to n i scli e A u/s a tze, Vi e n n a, 1 8 9 9— 1 9 0 2 .

G o mp er z , C r ee/é Tb i n ber s, vo s l . II
I I I , En g tran s b y B erry, L o n d o n , . . 1 90
5 .

L ut o s l aw k i s , Tb e Or ig i n
’
a n d Gr ow t/z of Pl ato s L og i c, Lo n d o n , 1 8 9 7 . M et
t auer , De P l a t sc/i ol zor u m .
fon ti bus Z uri c h , ,
18 80 . S o c h e r, Ueber P l a to n s
S c/zr zfte n , 1 8 20 . Uebe r w eg , Un ter s u c/i u ng en , 18 6 1 . Kr o h n D ze P l a to n i sc/ze
,

f ra
g e, 1 8 78 . Pe i p e rs, O n tol og i a P l a ton i ca , 18 8 3 . Di tt e n b erg er i n H er
mes 1 6 . S c han z i n H er mes 21 . Ri tt er , Un ter s u c/i u ng en , 18 8 8 . S h o r ey i n
A .
j . P .
, X , X I II , X VI . J ac k so n in o
f P .
,
X , X 1, X II I , X I V, X V . N at o r p
i n H er mes 3 5 Pat er, P l ato a n d Pl ato n i s m, Lo n d o n , 1 8 9 2 S h o rey i n C/i i c ag o
. .

S tu d i es i n Cl ass i cal P b i l ol ogy , C hi c ago , 1 8 9 5 o r

S h ey, Tb e Un i ty f P l a to s
o
’
.

Tb ong /i t, C hi c ag o , 1 903 . B l ass , Ueber d i e Z i tfolg e v

e . Pl a to n
’
s l etzten S c/zr if
ten , H a ll e, 1 9 03 . Ast , P l a ton s L eben u .S c/i r iften , L e i p i g, 1 8 1 6 St e i n h art , z .

P l a to n s L eben , Le i p i g , 1 8 7 3 Z e l e r, z . l D i e P /zi l osop/i i e d er Gr i ec/zen , vo l I I .

( 4th Le i p i g , 1 8 8 9
'
z
S t ew art , T/ze M y l /zs of P l ato, L o n d o n , 1 9 05 . .

Kr o h n , D er P l aton i sc/ze S taa t, H a e, 1 8 76 N at o r p, P l ato s [d een l e/zr e,

’
ll .

L e i p i g,z 1 9 03 . Wi n d el b an d , Pl aton , S t utt g art , 1 9 00 . Kal usc h a i n Wi en er

S t u d i en 26 .

IV . LE X I CA
M i t c h e ll I n dex Gr aec i t P l ato n i ca e O xfo rd 1 8 3 2
. A st ,
, .
, , .

L ex i con Pl aton i cu m L e i pz i g 1 8 3 5 1 8 3 8
— Th e r ev i sed v ers i o n o f A s t s L ex i
,
’
, .

c on b
y L ew i s C ampb e l l i s to b e emb o d i e d i n a n e w Pl at o n i c L e xi c o n n o w
( 1 906 ) i n pr eparati o n un d er t h e e d i t o rsh ip o f C ampb e ll an d B urn et .

V . TRA N SLAT I O N S . F i c i n us , F l r
o en c e, 14 8 3 ( Lat i n ) . J ow ett , Lo n d o n ,

3d cd .
, 5 vo l s 18 9 2 .
, . Sy mp os i u m b y S h e l l ey ,
Lo n d o n , 1 8 40 .
 C H A PT E R X X I

A RI STOT L E

A R I STOTLE ( 3 8 4 3 2 2 B e) so n of N i c o mac hus w as bor n at

1
-
.
,

S tagei ra an I o ni an c olo n y o n t h e n ort h eas t c o as t o f C hal c i d i c e

, ,

w h i c h lik e n early all t he C hal c i d i an c i ti es w as an n ex ed by P h il i p i n

, ,

3 49 . H i s fat h er w as c o u rt ph y s i c i an to Amyn tas I I o f M ac ed o n i a .

B ut as far as w e k n ow Ari s totl e liv ed at Stagei r a u n til

, ,

t h e age o f sev e n t een an d i n sp i te o f t he lo ng y ear s , ,

t hat h e s p en t at A t hen s r e mai n ed at h eart a Stagei ri te un c o n

, ,

v e rt ed to t he p oli ti c al ai m s o f A t hen s or M ac edo n i a H i s id eal .

of a stat e w as a mo d i fi e d Stage i ra O f h i s fat he r s i n fl u en c e .

’

t h e r e i s n o t r ac e A t A t h en s h i s g uar d i an w as a c e rt ai n Prox en u s
.
,

to w h o se so n N i c an o r Ari st o tl e b e t rot h ed by w ill hi s o n ly d augh

, ,

ter . At fi r s t he st udi ed i n t he sc h ool o f I s o c r at es as t h o ug h h e ,

had b ee n i n t e n d e d for th e li fe o f a p ubl i c man B ut b e fo r e h e . .

w as w ell o u t O f hi s t ee n s Pl at o r e t u r n e d fro m hi s l as t att e mp t

,

to c o n v ert th e c ou r t of S i c ily an d Ari s totl e soo n for s ook r h et o ri c

,

for p hilo s o p hy I so c r at es c an hav e had n o d eep e r grudg e ag ai n s t

.

Pl ato t han t h i s d e fe c ti o n of o n e w ho mi g ht h av e b een th e c h i ef

or nam en t O f th e I s o c r ati c sc hool Lo n g afte r h e had hi msel f .

r eac hed matu ri ty Ari sto tl e r emai n ed the fai t h ful p u p il o f Pl ato
, ,

n o t br eaki n g aw ay from t h e A c ad e my i n s pi t e o f h i s o w n i n d e ,

e d e n t j u d g m e n t s an d c e rt ai n mark e d d iffe r e n c e s o f p h ilo so p h i c

p n
’
c r ee d . O n Pl ato s d eat h h e l e ft At h en s t o ac c e p t t h e i n vi t a
ti o n o f a fello w d i sc ipl e H er mei as t yr an t o f Atar n eus o n the
-
, ,

My s i an c o as t U n d e r t he pat ro n ag e o f H erme i as h e sp en t t hr e e
.

y ear s n ear Atar n eus p e r h ap s at A sso s ,

Wh en H er mei as had b een .

1
Th e mai n fac ts an d da t es of A ri st o t l e s l i fe
’
ar e g i ven c o n c i se l y by D i o n ys .

H al F i r st Letter to A mma eus 5 .

398 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RATU R E

w h i c h had enc o u n t er ed su c h vi c i ssi t u d es mu st h av e b ee n mu c h

mu til at ed an d muc h s urviv ed t hat A ri st otl e c an n ev er hav e i n
,

t en d ed for publi c ati o n i n i ts p r es en t un r evi se d fo rm B ut w he r e .

w e hav e n o t t h e ex ac t Ari s tot e li an l an g u ag e w e may at l eas t fee l ,

t hat w e h av e Ari s totl e s i d eas H i s c as t o f t h ou g ht the n ot e

’
.
,
“

’
o f Ari st otl e i s as un mi s tak abl e as P l at o s
, .

We m u s t al way s d epl or e t h e l o ss o f t he mor e popul ar work s

p u bl i sh ed by Ari s to tl e h i ms e l f T hese w er e c hi e fly d i alogu es .
,

w rit t en n o dou b t i n i m i t a tio n o f Pl at o an d t h ei r ti tl es r ec all th e ,

Pl ato n i c di alogu es : On F r i en ds/zip O n j us ti ce M en ex en us Sy m , , ,

p os i u m I n d i al og ue form may hav e b een t he E x b o r tati on to P lzi

.

l os op/zy t h e P r o tr ep tzc us w h i c h w as ad d r ess e d aft e r t h e fash i o n o f

, , ,

an I s o c r ati c tr ac t to T h e mi s o n ki n g O f C yp rus an d w as i mi tate d

, , ,

by C i c e ro i n th e H or ten s i us .

For the work s t hat surviv e th e qu es tio n O f r el ati v e d ate hardly

,

ari se s.
‘

T hey c o n t ai n nu me rou s c ro ss r e fer en c es an d w er e work ed -

,

ov er an d ad d ed to by A ri s to tl e hi msel f an d p e r haps by m e mb e r s ,

o f th e sc ho ol al s o As w e h av e t h em t hey r ep r esen t no fi n al r evi

,
.

s i o n mad e by th e ir au t h o r wi t h a vi e w to p ubli c ati o n an d are O fte n ,

h ar d ly mor e than l ec t u r e n o t es mat e ri al fo r p o ssi bl e t ext book s ,

-
.

Th e work s o n logi c wo u l d hav e b een pl ac ed fi r s t by Ari s totl e i n

an
y s y s t e m ati c gro u p i n g W an t O f c u l tu r e.for hi m mea n t ig n o r an c e

of me t h o d analy ti c s As t he i ns trum en t of d i al ec ti c t hese work s

,
.
’

Th e o n m e t h o d w e r e c all ed by th e l ate r P e ri p at e ti c s th e
l

’
Org an on O rg a n o n tool o r O f th e gr eat
s y s t e m of logi c w h i c h he p l ann e d bu t d i d n o t c o mpl et e w e hav e

o n ly portio n s The Ca tegor i es p e r hap s n o t g enu i n e c o n t ai n s the

.
, ,

for ms o f t houg ht w h i c h are s o esse nti al a p art O f Ari s to t el i an ter

mi n o l o gy , q uan ti ty ( n ) woo dy ) q u ali ty ( 7 6 w o rdy ) pl ac e ( T o
—
, ,

ti me (r e) an d t h e r e s t O f th e famo us T e n T h e Topi cs o n .
,

t he met h o d o f p rob abili ty r e fl ec t s th e d i sp u tatio n s o f t h e s op hi s t s

, ,

d i sc uss e s d i al e c ti c an d h as a s eq u e l i n t h e S op/zi s ti ci E l en cl i i
,

‘
( S op/zi s ti c R cyu ta ti o n s ) s t ud i es i n eri s ti c rath er t han d i al ec ti c
,
.

H i s gr eat c o n tribu tio n to logi c w as th e syllogi s m di sc u ssed i n th e

A n a lyti cs .
 A RI ST O T LE 3 99

I n th e fi eld of n atu ral sc i en c e w e hav e th e H i s to ry of A n i mal s an d ,

t h r e e mi n o r tr e at i s es o n t h e sam e g e n e r al s ubj ec t I n Con cer n i ng .

t/ze S by ( c o m mo n ly k n ow n as t he D e C uel o) he d i s
'

c u sses fro m t he s tan d p oi n t of t h e s c i en c e o f hi s d ay

, ,

t he n at ur e of the h e av en s an d th e mo tio n O f th e p l an e ts I n th e .

P /zys i cs h e tr eat s of M att er For m B ei n g B ec o mi n g Motio n an d

, , , , ,

t he d o c tri n e of c au s es : th e fi n al fro m w h i c h flow all r e sult s t hat

,

h av e any v alu e an d th e mate ri al o r sec o n d ary c au se fro m w h i c h

, ,

c om es all that i s i m p e rfec t o r ac c i d e n t al .

A mo n g the su rvivi n g t r eati ses o n P sy c hology an d M etap hy si c s

i s Co n cer n i ng tli e S o u l (D e A n i ma) i n w h i c h h e mai n t ai n s ,

th e p r ese n c e o f s o ul i n all t h i ng s t h at h av e li fe i n c l ud i n g pl an t s , ,

r ese rvi ng i n tell ig enc e as th e p ec uli ar p o ss essio n O f P s chol o

y gy
m an ki n d I n th e M etap by s i cs w hi c h h e c all ed Fir s t an d
m
.
,
e t aph y s i cs
P h ilo so phy th e fi r st sen ten c e All men i ns ti n cti vely
, ,
' ’
d es i r e k n ow l edge l ay s d o w n i n A ri s totl e s fash io n a u n iv er sal l aw
, , ,

w hi c h th e argu m en t t hat follow s i s t o el ab or ate The M etapbys i cs .

r ec e iv e d i ts ti tl e n o t fro m Ari stotl e h i m sel f b ut fro m l at e r d i sc i

, ,

pl es w ho wi sh e d to i n d i c ate i ts r el atio n as c o mi n g aft e r t h e

P /zys i cs . Th e s ubj ec t m att e r of t hi s tr e at i se th e fo u r c au ses fo r
-
, ,

mal materi al effi c i en t fi nal u n iv e r sal s an d ab s ol ute exi stenc e h e

, , , , , ,

r eg ard ed as th e hig hest obj ec ts o f h u man i n v estig atio n O ne .

aft e r an o the r h e r evi ew s c riti c ally t he p re So c r ati c p h ilo so p h e r s -

,

an d th en d e v e lop s hi s o w n th e ory o f B e i n g H e r ej ec ts t he Pl a .

to n i c theo ry o f the i n d epen d e nc e o f th e u n iv er sal c o n c ep t C l ass .

c o n ce p t s ar e r eal o n ly as th e y exi st i n t hi n g s H e m ai n tai n e d th e .

Pl ato n i c an tit hesi s of tru e B e i n g r ec og n i z ed by i ts p erm an en t an d

,

u niv e r sal q u ali t i es an d p h en o men a w hi c h

,
w hen n o t i magi n ed , ,

c o n c e p t u ally ar e i n ferior as b ei n g su bj ec t to c han gi n g s tat es an d

, ,

c o nd iti o n s .B ut th e t h eory h e t r ac e d b ac k to So c r ates ; Pl ato h ad

ov e r d ev el o pe d i t H i s two l ast B ook s ar e a c ri ti c i s m of the Pl a
.

to n i c T h e ory o f I d eas T hei r mo s t w eig h ty O bj ec tio ns had b ee n

.

for estall ed by Pl at o h i msel f i n th e P ar men i d es t h e d i ffi c ulty O f ,

r el ati n g I d eas to p hen o m e na ho w t o m ai n tai n t h eir u n i ty t he

, ,

th ird man an d th e r est p robl e m s t hat ari s e ag ai n s t an y t h e o ry

‘ ’
, ,
4 00 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E EK LIT E RATU R E

of th e ab s ol u t e P l at o had l e ft th e m u nan sw er ed an d t h ey w er e
.
, ,

i n fac t u n an sw e r abl e
,
.

T he E t/zi cs c o mmo nly c all e d th e N i co macbea n to d i s ti n gui sh i t

,

fro m t h e E ud emi a n E tli i cs w hi c h t h o ug h i n c l ud e d w i t h th e w ork s O f ,

Ari stotl e i s fro m t he hand o f a d i sc i pl e h as b een l ab e l ed by t ra

, ,

’
di ti o n wit h the n am e o f A ri s to tl e s so n w ho di ed as a ,
Th e Et h i c s
y ou t h
yet may hav e l iv ed lo n g e n o ug h to e d i t th ese
,

l ec tu r es The tr eati se may be r e g ar d e d as par t O f Ari stotl e s p rac

.
’

ti c al p hilo s o p hy E very a r t a n d s ci en ce h e b egi n s every acti o n

.
, ,

a n d p u rp os e s eems to b a r e s o me g oo d a s i ts o b jec t H appi n ess i s .

t h e c h i e f goo d t h e en d an d ai m of al l h u m an ac tio n
,
T he r e .

i s a l e g en d t hat w h en Pl ato l e c t ur e d o n t h e A b sol ut e G oo d w h i c h

, , ,

t h o ug h i t i s n e v er ex ac tly d e fi n ed i s d esc rib e d i n th e sixt h B ook ,

o f the R ep u bl i c as the i d eal st an d ard o f al l ph ilo sop he r s an d p h ilo

s o ph i c s t at e s men h i s audi en c e m e l t e d aw ay u n til A ri s to tl e alo n e
,

’
r e m ai n ed Ari s to tl e d i d n o t o f c o u r se ac c e pt Pl ato s G oo d c o n
.
, ,

c e i v e d as a tr an s c e n d e n t al I d ea H e poi n t ed ou t t h at i t c o ul d b e .

bro ug h t u n d e r hi s t en C at ego ri es an d t he r e fo r e c o ul d n o t hav e ,

l
an i n d e p en d e n t e xi s t en c e I t w as h e t ho ug h t a po e ti c al ab s tr ae
.
, ,

t io n O f n o us e to t h e p r ac ti c al man fo r w h o m h e h i m se l f s u ppl i ed
, ,

a worki n g d o c t ri n e o f vi rt u e an d h app i n es s We may t/zen s af ely

d ef/i n c t/ze lzappy ma n a s o n e w /zose ac ti vi gi a cco r ds w i t/z perfect vi r
tu e a n d w /zo i s f ur n i s /zed w i t/z ex ter n a l good s n ot f or
a d equ a tely ,

of ti me bu t f o r a co m l ete or
a c a s u al p er i o d p, p erf ect l ifeti me B u t .

er /za s we o ug/i t to a d d th a t be w i ll a l w ays l i ve d w i l l d i e as

p p s o, a n

b e l i ves ?
fro m t he s t an d p o i n t of mo d er n u til i t ari an
Sp en c e r , 3

’ ’
ethi c s br ac k e t s tog et h er Ari st otl e s an d Pl ato s c o n c ep tio n s O f
,

vi rt u e an d happ i ness an d c o n d e mn s them bo t h as u n p r ac ti c al ,

i n as su mi n g an i d eal go o d 4
A ri s totl e h ad b e for e hi m an aud i en c e .

t h oro ug hly fa mil i ar w it h Pl at o s wri ti n g s an d he c o n s tan tly as ’

,

s u m es s uc h a k n owl ed g e es p e c i ally i n t h e E tl zi cs w h er e h e w as ,

1
E l b i es I .
4 .
2 E t/zi cs 1. 10 . VV ell d o n s
’
t ran s l ati o n .

3 D a ta f
o E t/zi cs 13 .

4
Fo r a d i sc u ss i o n of th e w h o l e q ue s t i o n of th e Go o d as e n vi s ag e d b y Pl at o
an d Ar i s t o t le , s ee S h o r ey, T/ze I d ea o
f Good i n P l at o
’
s Rep u bl i c .
40 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GREE K LIT E RATUR E

an d ch ildr en p oi n ti n g
,
o ut th at ,
u n d e r tho se c o n d i ti o n s t her e ,

wo ul d b e b ut a d i lu t ed
affec tio n to bi n d t h e c i tiz e n s tog et h e r .

B loo d wo u l d n o t r eally b e t h i c k e r t han w at e r w h e r e al l me n w e r e

brot he r s H e w as n o t d azzl ed l ik e Pl at o by the S part an i d eal
.
, , ,

n o r o n t h e ot h e r han d h ad h e an y t h i n g t o s ay abou t t h e grow t h

, ,

of s u c h an e mp i r e as t hat c o n c e iv ed by Al ex an d e r H i s i d eal i s .

t h e s m all au to n o mo u s ari st o c r ati c c i ty stat e i t i s th e tr ad i tio n s O f

, ,
-

s u c h c i ty s t at e s t h at h e i s i n t e r es t e d i n su mmi n g u p an d h e e i t he r
-
,

d i d n o t s ee o r i g no r e d t he fac t t hat t h ei r d ay i n G r e ec e w as ov e r .

Th e ed u c at io n o f th e c i tiz en w as o n e of t he m ai n to p i c s B ut .

i n the work as w e hav e i t hi s vi ew s ar e i n c om p l et e .

Ed ucat i on
What h e had t o say o n th e trai n i n g of th e bo d y w e
h av e i n full an d h i s i d eas o n m us i c as a m ean s i n th e e du c atio n
,

o f c har ac te r 1
B ut o f t h e e d u c atio n O f t h e mi n d t h e r e i s n o t a
.

w ord H e w as n o m at h emat i c i an n o r d id hi s sc ho ol t ur n i ts atten

.
,

tio n to mat he m ati c s as th e A c ad emy h a ,

d d one I t i s t her e for e .
, ,

n o t c e r tai n t hat h e woul d h av e p r e s c ri b e d for hi s yo u t h fu l c i t iz en

t hat t r ai n i ng i n m at h e m ati c s w h i c h Pl ato t ho ug h t th e e ss e n ti al p rel

u d e t o d i al ec ti c Pl ato s pu pil s had b e en trai n ed i n the A c ad emy
.
’

p ar tly by t he s tu d y o f pl an t s an d an i mal s an d biology bo t an y

2
, , ,

an d p h y si c s w e r e t h e favori te s t u d i es of t h e Ly c eu m Pl ato h ad .

tak en slav e ry for gr an t ed t h oug h h e h ad sai d t hat H ell en i c

,

’
p ri so n e r s o f w ar m u st n ev e r b e so .d egrad e d Ari s totl e s at ti tud e .

i s a slig h t ad v an c e i n t hat h e p e r c e iv e d t h e w h ol e q u estio n o f t h e

,

j u s t i c e o f sl av e ry to b e o p en to d i sc u ss i o n an d b eset w i t h d i ffi
3
c ul ti es w hi c h h e r evi e w s at l e ngt h
,
B u t h e t h o ug h t sl av ery j us ti .

fi ed for t he c l ass o f men w ho ar e sl av e s by n at u r e men w h o se

’
,

fun c tio n i s m e r e p hy si c al s ervi c e b ec ause t h ey ar e i n c apabl e o f

an yt h i n g b e tt e r

I n bo t h th e E tl zi cs an d P oli ti cs w e h av e t h e l ec tu r e roo m man -

n er o f Ari s totl e an d w e ma safely r eg ar d t h e m as havi n g b e en

y ,

1 P ol i ti cs 8 .

p l ay O f Epi at f 1 1 ( K k ) Pl at o an d hi l d esc r i b e d
2 sch o o
In a cr es , r . oc , s ar e

as be n d i n g al l t h e i r e e rg i s t o t h d e fi i t i o n o f a g o ur d
n e e n .

3
P o l i t i cs 5 6
1 — .
.
 A RI ST O T LE 4 03

wri t ten by hi m i n so m et hi n g lik e t h ei r p r esen t form fo r d el iv ery , ,

t ho ug h c e rt ai nly n ot as t hey Stan d for p ubli c atio n T h e y ar e i n

, ,
.

t h e c olloq u i al man n er an d t h ro ug h o ut h e s ee m s to fee l h i s w ay

,

t hroug h t h e arg um en t d e lib er at ely to c h oo se t he to n e o f di al ec ti c

‘

r at he r than that o f o n e w ho O ffe rs d og mati c t eac hi n g .

I t ap p ear s to hav e b een hi s p r ac ti c e to c oll ec t a v ast amou n t O f

m ateri al for hi s e d u c atio n al work s t o c o n str uc t as i t w er e hi s o w n , , ,

r e fe r e n c e book s I t w as p e r hap s w i t h a vi ew to wri ti n g t he

.
, ,

P oli ti cs that h e m ad e hi s d es c ri p ti o n s o f C o n s ti tu ti o n s 1 5 8 i n n u m ,

b er . T hese t r ac t s w h i c h Pl u t ar c h fou n d i n t e r esti n g r eadi n g hav e

, ,

d i sap p e ar ed w i t h o n e e x c e p tio n
,
A portio n o f th e Co ns ti tuti o n
.

of A t/i ens w as r ec ov e r ed i n 1 8 8 5 fro m an E gy p ti an Th e Con s t i .

pap yr us . N o t lo n g aft e r t he r e w e r e fur ther fi n d s s o

, t u t ton of ,

A t h en s
t hat w e n o w hav e the w o rk al m o s t en tir e The ed i ti o .

r i n ceps w as p ubl i sh ed i n t h e y e ar w h i c h saw th e ap p e ar

p
an c e o f t h e fi r st e d i tio n O f H e r o d as Th e Co n s ti tu ti o n of A t/i en s
.

i s a p oli ti c al p amph l e t i n t e n d e d fo r th e g u i d an c e o f t h e i d eal

,

s tates man . Ari s totl e lik e Pl ato d espair e d of so c i e ty as h e fou n d

, ,

i t and had n o i llu sio n s o n t he su bj ec t O f At he n i an d e mo c r ac y

, .

T hi s t r ac t h ow ev e r si n c e i t c o n c e r n ed a s t at e o f w h i c h h e w as a
, ,

c i tiz en fo r tw e n ty y ear s w as p e r hap s w ork e d ov e r m or e c ar e fully

,

t han th e o t he r d e sc ri pti o n s o f c o n sti t u tio n s H e w as n o h i s to ri an .

,

l ik e H e ro d ot us or T h uc y d i d es and t hi s i s n o m o nu m en t o f hi s
,

to r i c al r e se ar c h
. H e assu mes a k n o wl e d g e o f h i s tory i n hi s r ead e r s
an d d r aw s o n th e p o ems O f Sol o n t h e h i s tori es o f H e ro d o tu s an d ,

T hu c y d i d es an d th o se A t ti c c h ro n i c l e r s w ho l ik e H el l an i c us wro t e
, , ,

e ac h hi s A tt/i i s o r c h ro n i c l e s o f At h e n s i n t h e fo urt h c en t u ry
, , .

The fi r s t p art o f th e tr ac t i s h i s t o ri c al t h e s e c o n d an aly ti c al , .

Ari s t o tl e d esc rib es the d ev elo p men t o f th e At hen i an c o n sti t u tio n

fro m t h e earli es t ti mes d o w n t o t h e r es t o ra t io n o f t he d emo c rac y
aft e r t h e fall O f t he T hirty Ty r an t s aft e r w hi c h d at e t h e r e w as n o ,

mor e to b e l e ar n ed fro m the c o n s ti tu tio nal hi s tory o f At h en s .

T her e c o ul d h ard ly be a mor e i mparti al hi s to ri an t han A ri s totl e as

h e c al ml y s u rv e y ed t he p as t o f hi s ad op t e d c i ty an d d esc rib e d ,

1
Ke n yo n Lo n d o n
, .
4 04 S H O RT H I ST O RY OF G RE E K L ITE RATU R E

th e mac hi ne ry o f h e r gov er n men t i n hi s o w n d ay the E c c l esi a, the ,

s e n at e t h e magi s tr at e s t h e l aw c o urt s :
,
I n t he P ol i ti cs he show e d
,

ho w l it tl e O f all t hi s h e ac c e pt ed fo r hi s i d eal c i ty T he d at e of .

t h e tr ac t i s g e n e r ally p l ac e d wi t h i n t h e y ear s 3 3 4 3 2 5 B C w hen —

. .
,

Ari sto tl e w as n ear t he c lo se of hi s c ar ee r wri ti n g wi t h the full ,

aut h ori ty o f age and hi s po s i tio n as a r en o w n e d t eac h e r

,
T hat it .

w as p rob ably i nten d e d for t h e g e n e r al r ead er i s i n d i c at ed by t h e

s tyl e w h i c h i s a gr e at i mp rov e me n t o n t ha t o f th e ot h e r ext an t

,

wri ti ng s c l ear an d flu e n t th e styl e o f wo rk t hat h e publ i shed as

, ,

oppo se d to th e n o t e book mari n er 1 -

.

Th e P oeti cs i s a c ri ti c al d o c u m en t w hi c h i n t he si x teen th ,

se v en t e en t h an d eig h t e en t h c en t u ri e s b ec ame t h e c an o n o f d ra
,

mati c c o mp o si tio n T h e t r ac t as w e h av e i t t he fi r s t form al

.
,

t r eati s e o n p o e t ry i s i n c om pl et e O nly th e fi r st B ook

,
.

Th e P oet i cs
h as s urviv ed an d t h at w i t h m an y al t e r at io n s an d m u ti
,

l ati o n s .Th e s ec o n d O n Co medy i s lo st s av e for a few fr ag men t s

, , .

All ar t h e sai d fo llo w i n g Pl ato s l e ad i n th e R ep ubl i c an d P /zaed r us

, ,
’
,

i s i mi t atio n O f th e ty p es o f p o e ti c i mit atio n he c h o se o ut t h r ee

‘ ’
.
,

t r ag e d y e p i c an d t h e d i t hyr amb t h i s l as t for t h e sak e o f i ts

, , ,

r e l atio n to t he d r ama fo r G r ee k lyri c i n i ts man y o t her form s

,

h e ig n o r es n o d o u bt b ec au se h e w as i n d i ffe r en t to i t
,
H e p ro c eed s .

to d e fi n e tr ag ed y as tb c i mi ta ti on of a n acti o n tb a t i s ser i ous ( o r of

mo r al d i s ti n c ti o n ) co mpl ete a n d of a cer ta i n mag n i tu d e i n l a n
,

g uag e e mbell i s/zed w i t/i ea cn ki n d of a r ti s ti c o r n a men t t/ze s ever al ,

ki n d s bei ng f o u n d i n s ep a r a te pa r ts of tb c pl ay ; i n tb e f o r m of ac
ti o n , f n a r r a ti ve ; t/i r oug/i p i ty a n d fea r ej ecti ng tb c p r oper
n ot o

u rg a ti o n of t/zes e emo ti o n s
?
T h s i x p art s O f tr ag ed y ar e Plo t
p e ,

C har ac t e r ( w h i c h h e t h o ug ht mor e i mpo rt an t t han Plo t ) Di c tio n , ,

T ho ug h t Sc en e ry So n g H e w o ul d h av e b ee n n o G r ee k had he
, ,
.

n o t giv e n eth i c s i t s d u e bo t h i n h i s p r esc ri p tio n for t h e tr agi c he ro

, ,

w ho mus t fall by so me s t riki n g faul t an d b e n eit h er too goo d no r

t o o bad for ou r sy mpat h i es an d i n t h e famo u s d o c t ri n e O f ca t/za r s i s

, ,

t he p u rg atio n O f pi ty an d t e rror Ari sto tl e s s p ec t ator i s to be .

’

1 Th i s i mpr o v eme n t i s asc ri b e d b y Kai b el t o t h e i n fl ue n c e of H e r o d o t us .

2 c . 6 . B ut c h er
’
s tran sl ati o n .
40 6 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

di ffer en t l aw s o f c o mp o si tio n and t hei r r e spec tiv e m e rit s For .

A ri stotl e as p o e try i s th e h ig hes t of t h e ar ts so tr ag ed y i s t he

, ,

h i g hes t fo r m o f p o e try H i s d ramati c aes t h e ti c s ar e n o t of

.
,

c o ur se ap pro p ri at e to t h e mod e r n t h eat e r an d w e c ann o t bu t fee l

, ,

t h at a c ri ti c O f t he d r am a w ho n e v er d r e ame d o f su c h an ap pari

ti o n as Shak esp ear e and i n e p i c d i d n o t for ebo d e V e rgil Dan t e

, , ,

an d M ilto n has l it tl e to s ay to th e m o d e r n r ead er

,
A es t he ti c .

c ri ti c i s m w as i n d eed n o t i n hi s l i n e so mu c h hi s d eafn e ss to G r ee k
,

l yri c mi ght prov e hi s vi e w w as n arrow ed by w hat h e h ad b e for e

hi m ; h e look e d b ac k as o n e w h o saw t h e fi nal ac h i ev e m e n t s o f
li t er at ur e w h i c h i t o nly r em ai ne d fo r hi m t o app r ai se an d d r eamed ,

o f no n ew t y p es ; h i s t r eati se i s u n fi n i sh ed and i n t h e ro ug h es t ,

s h ap e p e r h aps mer e l ec tu r e n ot es ; b u t as far as h e g o e s Ari s to tl e

,

i s as Less i ng sai d O f hi m i n fallibl e as t he E l emen ts O f E uc l i d

“ ”
, , ,

an d h e i s bot h i ng e n io us an d j u s t H i s t er mi n ology an d d efi n i
.

t io n s ( t h oug h c hap t e r 1 2 wi t h t h e famou s d e fi n i ti o n s O f Prologu e ,

P aro d o s an d the r est i s o ut o f p l ac e and p er hap s n o t ev en gen

,

u i n e ) r e m ai n u n al t e r abl e an d o f r eal v al ue .

T h e r e had b een man y r h eto ri c al han d book s c hi e fly d eal i n g wi t h ,

l eg al o r ato ry b e for e Ari s totl e b ut h e c r eat ed th e art o f r he tori c

, ,
1
.

Th e H i s R l zetor i c ( 3 B ook s) w as w ri tt e n as t h e c ou n t er p art ,

Rh e t ori c i n an alli e d fi eld of hi s L og i c As t h at i s th e art O f

,
.

di sc u ssi on so r hetori c i s fo r hi m th e art o f p er su ad i n g i n an y s ub

,

j ec i an d he se t o u t to sy st emat iz e an d r edu c e to rul es t he p ro c es s es

,

c o mm o n t o al l w h o s p eak an d w ri t e t o c arry t h e i r poi n t I n the .

fi r st B ook h e c o n s i d er s t he ki n d s o f p roo fs w he n c e t o get an d ,

ho w t o use th em an d th e r h e tori c al s yll ogi s m ( en t h y me me) ; t he

,

t h r ee ki n d s o f r het ori c d el ib e r ativ e j u d i c i al an d ep i d e i c ti c (w e

, , ,

O w e t o hi m th o s e c at egori es) t h ei r sp ec i al to p i c s an d ill us tr at io n s

, ,

an d th e au d i e n c es t hat go wi th e ac h I n th e sec o n d B ook h e .

’
follow s Pl ato s hi n t i n the P /za ed r us O f t he n eed o f p sy c h ology as
t h e b asi s O f r h e t ori c an d an alyz es th e p assi o ns h abi t s an d t ast es
, , ,

o f the typ e o f me n wh o m the s p eak er will h av e t o p er s uad e a ,

'
S ee S pe n g el , Evva y w yi) r ex w bv, St uttgart,
1 ' '
1 8 28 N avarr e, L a R/zétor zgu e
Gr ec oue a va n t A r i state, Pari s, 1 9 00 .
 A RI ST O T LE 407

s y stem at i c p sy c h ology o f r hetori c T ho se c hap ter s ( 1 1 2) o n

.
-

r h et o ri c al
‘
étho s fo r me n O f d i ffe r e n t ag es an d c o n ditio n s may
’

hav e b ee n i n ten d ed for logogr ap h e r s s p eec h w r i gh ts w h o at At hen s ,

m u st ad ap t e v ery sp eec h to the t em pe r ame n t an d c o n d i ti o n o f t h e

c li en t w ho had to d eliv e r i t I t w as fro m t hi s boo k t h at H or ac e
.

t o o k h i s Fo ur Ag es o f hu man li fe T h ro ug h ou t or atory i s t h e
.
,

form o f pro s e c om p o s i tio n w h i c h d o mi n at es Ari s to tl e s mi n d as i n the

’
,

P oeti cs tr ag e d y ov e r sh ad ow s al l o the r fo r ms o f p o e try ev en epi c ,

.

T h e t h i rd B ook far t h e mo st famou s i s m or e c o n c e r n e d w i th th e

, ,
.

li t e r ary s i d e of th e subj ec t wi t h styl e an d arran g e m en t

,
I t seem s .

t o hav e b een c o mp o s ed separ at e ly an d c oul d al mo st stan d alo n e,

,

li k e th e tr ac t O f Deme t ri us Ari s totl e w as n o t pro fo un dl y i n t e r ested

.

i n styl e. A ft e r d ec idi ng t h at i t mu st b e c l ear an d app ro p ri at e he

d e vo tes mu c h d i sc u ssio n to th e u se O f m e t ap h or s an d r ev eal s a ,

c urio us s tri c t n ess w hi c h p u t s h i m ou t o f to uc h h e r e an d th e r e w i t h

mo d e r n t as t e as w hen i n hi s h orro r o f the p o e ti c al o r e x agg e rat ed

, ,

i n p ro se h e bl am e s Al c i d amas for c alli n g th e Odys s ey a

,
fair
mirror of hu man li fe H i s di sc ussi o n o f r hy t hm wi t h t h e w ar n i n g
.
’
,

( m uc h n eed e d i n t he n ex t c en t uri es) agai n st i ts abu se i s the b asi s ,

o f mu c h that follow ed i n th e th eo ri s t s Di o n y siu s for i n st an c e i n hi s

, , ,

essay O n t/ze A r r a ngemen t of Wor ds T he y ad o p ted fro m hi m the.

p r e fe r enc e fo r paeo n i c r h yt h m o f w h o se fo ur po ssibl e form s h e

,

pr ai s ed — u u u an d u u u t he l atte r for th e e n d o f a c l au s e In .

th i s B ook h e d i s ti n g u i she s th e two s tyl es t h e c o n ti n uou s t h e p r e , ,

ferr ed styl e O f H e ro d o t u s an d the p eri o d i c o f I so c r at es c ategori e s

, , ,

t hat may b e ad d ed to all th e o t he r s t hat Ari s totl e p r e se n ted to th e

world i n the d ay s w h en the r he tori c i ans w er e s till n ami n g t h ei r too l s

an d r eg ar d e d t h eir c r aft as a sc i e n c e an d n o t a s p ort Puri ty
“
‘ ’
.

’
an d
‘
p ropri e ty are l ab el s that h e d e vi sed an d h e has mu c h to say ,

o n an tit h es i s tru e an d fal s e

,
Th e e x c esses o f G o rgi an i c p ro s e h e
.
,

l ik e al l t he san e r G r eek s c o n d e mn ed as a pue ril e fashio n an d i t

, ,

i s t o I s o c r at es t hat h e tu r ns mo s t O ft en fo r illu s tr atio n s i g nori n g , ,

c u ri o usly e n o ug h De mo s t h e n e s t h e mas t e r o f e loq u e n c e w h e t h e r

, , ,

fro m M ac ed o n i an p r ej ud i c e o r b e c ause as i s mor e li k ely h e pr e

, , ,

ferr ed a l e ss for c ibl e styl e o f or atory H e c o nc l ud es by givi ng th e

.
4 08 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RAT UR E

for mal d ivi si o n s O f a sp eec h e xor d i u m n arr ativ e p roo fs an d p er , , , ,

o ratio n wi t h c e rt ai n d evi c es to ou t w i t t he op p o nen t an d th e rec

,

o mmen d ati o n o f j o k e s i n se as o n i ro n y b e i n g p r e fe rr ed as mor e ‘

,

g e n tl e man ly .
’

As early as th e S ix teen th c en tu ry i t w as r ec og n iz e d th at th e
R /zeto r i c to A l ex a n d er w h i c h h as c o me d ow n u n d er the n ame of
,

A ri s to tl e s houl d r at h er b e asc rib e d to A n axi m en es of Lamp sac u s

, ,

t h e fou rt h c e n t u ry h i s tori an fro m w h o m Qu i n tili an q uo t es a p assag e

-

t hat c an be i d en tifi ed ( t h oug h no t ab sol ut ely ) i n t he R /zetor i c to

A l ex a n d er T he tr ac t w h i c h d eal s wit h th e p r ac ti c al art o f
.
,

oratory exi st s i n fragm en t s

,
I n t en d en c y i t i s i n d epe n d e n t of
.

Ari s to tl e and may e v en h av e b een p u bli sh ed earl i er t han hi s

l
R /i etor i c .

Ari sto tl e had t h e

r ep u t ati o n o f a goo d l etter wri t e r o n e w ho ,

Th e k n e w h o w lo ng to mak e a l e tt e r w h at to pi c s w e r e su i t ,

L e tt e r s abl e w h at s h o u l d b e th e e i s tol ary m ann e r

?
B ut w e
, p
h av e o nly fr agm en t s o f hi s L etter s an d th e ir g en ui n en ess i s n o t ,

b eyo n d q uestio n .

Th e tr eac h ery of M e m n o n o f R h o d es w hi c h d es troy ed hi s

fri e n d H e rmei as an d t he vi rt ues o f hi s p atro n o f Atar n eus i n
, ,

sp i r e d A ri s to tl e t o c o m o s e an e igr am an el e gi ac q uatr ai n to b e
p p ,

Th e i n sc rib ed o n t h e st atu e o f H e r mei as at De l phi T he .

P oems frag men t of an el egy To E u demus i s w ort h n oti c e be

c ause i t c o n t ai n s t h e p r ai s es o f Pl ato as o n e who m i t i s n ot ,
‘

p erm i tted t hat b ad men s h o ul d e v en ad mi r e B ut t he mo s t i m

’
.

p ort an t e x tan t p o em i s t he c h or al s o ng i n memo ry o f H er mei as ,

c om mo n ly T hi s has b een c all ed i n t ur n a

?
c all e d To Vi r tu e
h ym n an O d e a p ae an a sc oli o n an d i s n o t easily to b e i n c l ud e d
, , , ,

i n any O f t h ese c at e gori es I t w as ho w ev e r c h oral w as su n g at

.
, , ,

b an qu et s an d i s p er haps as R ei tz e n s t e i n t h i n k s ! si mpl y an u n usu al

, ,

1 Ed . S p e n gel , L e i p z i g , 184 7 . Usen er , Q ua est i on es A n a x i men ea e Go t ,

t i n gen ,
18
56 . I pfe l k o fe r , Di e R/i etor zb d es A n ax i men es \V ur z b u r g 1 8 8 9 ,
/
, .

S us emi h l an d N a var r e reje ct the as c r i t i o n t o A n ax i me n es

p .

2
D eme tri us , O n S ty l e 23 0 ff
.

3
B e rgk , / r 6 . .
4
Ep i gr a mm, u . S k ol i on 4 2 .
4 10 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RATUR E

’
h as r e l atio n to the u n iv e r se no t l ik e Pl ato s G o d a c r eativ e
no , , ,

pow e r t hat seek s to assi mil at e al l t h i n g s to h i m sel f : N ow if

ol i ti cal a n d mi li ta ry a cti vi ti es a r e co n sp i c u o us a mo ng g oo d a cti vi
p
ti es f o r t/zei r bea u ty a n d g r a n d eu r bu t a r e i n co mpa ti bl e w i t/z l ei s u r e ,

a n d a r e n o t c/zos en f or t/zei r ow n s a k es bu t a i m a t a n en d bey o n d ,

tlzem a n d if the a cti vi ty of i n tell ec t w /zi c/z i s sp ec ul a ti ve s eems to

,

s u rp ass tl i em i n ser i o us n ess a n d n o t to a i m a t a ny en d bey o n d i tself

a n d to l za ve a p l eas u r e t/i a t i s a ll i ts ow n , f
i thi s i s s o, I s ay

i t is evi d en t t/za t i t i s i n tl i i s a c ti vi ty tl za t w e
fi f ff s /za ll n d s el -s u

ci en cy a n d fi re pos s i bi li ty o f l ei s u r e a n d s ue/i f r eed omf r o m w ea r i

n ess as i s p oss i bl e to ma n H er e t/zen w e b a ve t/ze p ezf ect nappi
.
, ,

n ess of ma n I t i s n o t i n so f a r as b e i s a man tlza t lze w i ll be

.

a bl e to l i ve tbi s l if e bu t o n ly so f a r a s b e l za s a d i vi n e el emen t i n
,

bi m . Tbe acti vi g of G od w /i i cl z ex cel s al l other s i n bl essed

i

l
n ess , w i ll be sp ec u l a ti ve .

Ari s totl e an ti c i p at e d n o mod e r n t he ory o f phy si c s or astro n omy ,

an d fell b e h i n d suc h a t h i n k e r as De mo c ri t us i n c om p ari so n wi t h ,

w ho m h e may b e c all ed su perfi c i al i n t hi s fi eld I n an atomy an d .

d esc ri p tiv e z o Ol o gy h e w as a c l o se an d ac c ur at e O b s erv e r maki n g ,

g e nu i ne d i sc ov e ri es an d arrivi n g at c o n c l usi o n s t h at ar e v al i d to
,

?
d ay . H e w as i n fac t t h e c r eato r o f N atur al Hi s t ory
, ,

Ari s totl e ai m ed at c ov e ri n g t he w hol e fi e l d o f h u man i n t er es t s

an d d esp i s ed n o d e t ail t h i n ki n g t h at ev e ry man i fes t ati o n o f hu man
,

i n tell ig enc e was i mpor tan t fo r the u n d er stan di n g of th e w hol e .

1
E t/zi cs 1 0.
7 7 8
.
— . B ur n et
’
s tran sl at i o n .

2
O sb o r n i n F r om Me Gr eeks to Da r w i n h as rt ai n p ass ages fro m co ll ect ed ce

A ri st o t l e to pro ve th at h e h ad s ub st an ti al l y t h e mo d e r n c o n c e p t i o n O f t h e
Evo l uti o n o f l i fe fr m a pri mo r d i al so ft mass o f l i vi ng matt e r to th e mo s t
o ,

p e r fe c t fo r ms an d t h at e ven i n t h es e h e b e l i e ve d Evo l ut i o n w as i n c o mp l e t e
, ,

fo r t h e y w ere p r o gres si n g to h i gh er fo rms H i s arg u me n t o f t h e an al o gy .

b et w ee n th e o p e rat i n o f n at ural l aw rat h er t h an o f c h an c e i n t h e l i fe l e ss

o , ,

a n d i n t h e l i vi n
g w o rl d i s a p e r fe c t l y l o g i c al o n e an d h i s c o n s e q ue n t r ejec t i o n
, ,

o f t h e h y o t h e si s o f th e s u rv i v a l o f t h e fi tt est a s o un d d e d uc t i o n fr o m h i s O w n
p
l i mi t e d k n o w l e d g e O f n at ure It s e ms per fe c t l y c l ear t h at h e p l ac ed al l un d er
. e

s eco n d ar y n at ur al l aw s I f h e h ad ac c e pt d Emp ed o cl es hyp o t h esi s h e

. e
’
,

w o u l d h av e b e e n th e l i t era l pr o ph e t o f Darw i n i sm
”
.
 A R I ST OT LE 41 1

Th eatri c al r ec o rd s ( d i d as cal i ae) H o mer i c probl em s zoology , , ,

p h y s i c s ,
m e tap hy s i c s e t hi c s p oli ti c s
,
r h e tor i c,
an d li t e r ary c r i ti , ,

c i s m i n tu r n ab s o rb e d hi s e n e rgi es an d abov e all logi c

l
t he i n
, , , ,

d i s pe n sabl e i n s tr u me n t o f r e as o n i n g o n al l t h e se Exp eri men t .

an d i n d u c tio n h e r ec og n iz ed as the o nly m e t h o d O f sc i en tifi c

r esear c h .

H i s c o n c e p ti o n o f l i fe i s l es s sy mp ath e ti c to us t han Pl at o s
’
,

b ec ause w hil e h e li ft s us to n o ex al t e d he ig h t s h e fail s t o i mpr ess

, ,

us wi t h hi s c om for tabl e bu t n o t i llu mi n ati n g do c tri n e t hat v irtu e i s

a mean b e t w e e n two e xtr e mes N o m oral en t hu si as m lig h ts u p

.

hi s pag es Th e s piri t of t h e e t h i c al r e fo rm e r w hi c h h ad produ c ed

.

’
t h e pr ac ti c al p h ilo s o p h y of Pl ato w as n o t A ri s totl e s To r eo r .

a n i z e h u m an li fe w as n o t hi s ambi tio n B ut to m ak e c an o n s an d
g .

c at egori es to b ri n g i n t o o r d e r al l t h e ac c um ul at e d work s of t h e
,

G r e ek g e n iu s to s how h i m s el f fo r all t i me t h e master o f metho d i

,

c al t hi n ki n g an d k n owi n g t h i s w as t h e t as k o f h i s l ife an d i n th i s
,

h e s u c c e ed e d .

Wi t hou t th e evi d en c e o f the m or e po pul ar tr eati ses i t i s i m

po ss ibl e to b e fai r to hi s s tyl e To u s h e s eems to wri t e m o st i n .

c h ar ac t e r w h e n h e u ses t h e p u r e ly sc i e n ti fi c e xpo si tory m ann e r .

We hav e n o t hi s Di alogu es that gol d en st r eam o f ,

‘

S tyl e
I n t he Si n gl e e x tan t
’
sp eec h ad mi r ed by C i c e ro .

work i n ten d ed for th e g ene r al r ead e r t he Co n s ti tu ti on of A thens , ,

hi s s tyl e i s se v er e u n ad or n e d w i t h p o e ti c wor d s an d lu c i d an
, , ,

e p i th e t t h at c an n ot b e app l i ed t o l arg e o rtio n s o f th e m or e sc i e n

p
tifi c work s as w e h av e t h e m Fo r t he G o rgi an i c m an ne r o f wri t
.

?
i n g h e h as o n ly ri d i c ul e B ut h e ow ed m u c h to I s o c r ates an d ,

i t i s p rob abl e t hat c oul d w e r ec ov er m or e O f h i s pop ul ar t r eati s es

, ,

w e s h o ul d fi n d i n t he m so m e ap p roxi m atio n to th e I so c r ati c s tyl e

3
.

O f hi s c o m men t ator s th e m o s t i mp ort an t fl o uri sh ed i n th e

se c o n d an d t h i rd cen t uri es A D A LEX A N DER A P H RO D I S I AS w as a
. .

C ari an w h o c ame to At he n s abou t 1 9 8 A D We h av e h is c o m . .

men tar i es o n the A n aly ti cs the Topi cs an d th e M etaphys i cs as

, , ,

1
Th e wo d r i t se l f is , h o w eve r, l at er t h an Ar i t t l e 9 Rh s o . etor ic 3 . 1.

3 Cp C i c e ro , Or ator 6 2,
. Ar i st o t e l es I s c ate m i psum l ac e ss i vi t
o r .
41 2 S H O RT H I S TO RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU R E

w ell om e mi n or i n d e p en d en t t r eat i ses A t th e R e nai ssan c e

as s .
,

h i s work s w e r e tr an s l at e d i n to Lati n I n t he s ix t h c en t u ry A D . . .

liv ed S I M P LI C I US of C il i c i a a pu pil o f Damasc i us t h e

Ari s t ot l e s ’
,

c ommen t a N eo Pl ato n i s t H e l e ft A t h en s i n 5 2 9 w h en t h e
-
.

101 3
A c ad emy w as c l o s e d by the ed i c t o f J us ti n i an H i s .

c o m men tari es O n th e C a teg o r i es O n the Phy s i cs e tc ar e e x t an t

, , ,
.
, ,

an d ar e e sp ec i ally v al uabl e for t he q uo t at i o n s o f th e earli e r

p h ilo sop he r s H i s M a n ual o n E pi c t e tus i s say s G ibbo n

.
p re , ,

s erv e d i n th e l ibr ary of n atio n s as a c l ass i c book

”
.

B I B LI OGRAP HY

I MA N USC RI PT S
. . Th e r e i s n o si n g e co l mpl et e man usc ri pt o f Ari st o tl e . Fo r
th e P oeti cs an d Rh eto r i c t h e b es t i s th e P a r i s i n u s, I O I h o r 1 1 t h c en t . F acsi mi le
r
P a i s, L e r o ux ,
189 1 . Phy s i cs , l lI etaphy s i cs , H i sto r y of A n i ma l s, e t c . : P ar i
s i n u s , 1 2 th c e n t . M etaphy s i cs : L a u r en ti a n u s, 1 2th c e n t Org a n on .
: M ar
c i a n us , l o th c e n t . Co n sti t u t i on o
f A th en s p apyr i at B e rl i n an d t h e B ri t i s h
M useu m e n d o f th e i s t o r b e gi n n i ng
, l o f t he 2d c en t A D Fac si mi e . . .

Ke n yo n L o n d o n 1 8 9 1
, P ol i ti cs man usc ri pt s o f t h e 1 4 th an d 1 5t h c e n t
, . .
,

at Par i s an d M i l a n a n d t h e L at i n v ers i o n s o f B r u n i 1 5 t h c e n t
, an d Wi ll i a m ,
.
,

O f M o e rb ek e 1 3 t h c e n t ,
.

II . ED I T I O NS . l e d by B ekk r 14 9
5
—1
49 8 . B er i n . e

an d B r an d i s 1 8 3 1 — 8 70 ; v o l s I — l V t ext L at i n t an s s c h l i a ; v o l V P ag an d
5 , .
, ,
r . o .
,
r

men ts b y Ros e an d I d x b y B o n i t z A i s t o t l s t ext i s u su al l y c i t e d by t he

n e . r e
’

pag es o f t h e B er l i n ed i t i o n D i d o t e d b y Dii b n er a d o th er s Pa i 1 8 4 8 1 8 74 n r s, — .
. .
, ,

T e ub n e r e d ( un fi n i sh e d ) by A p el t B l ass S use mi h l C hr i st R
. an d o t h e , . , ,
o se, rs .

S pe ci al e d i ti o n s . Org a n o n ’

. VV ai tz , L e i p z i g , 1 8 4 4— 1 8 4 6 . Co mme n tary b y M ai er,

Tii bi n g en , 18 96 . L og i ca Tre n d el en b urg B e r i n , , l 18 6 2 . S oph i st i c i El en ch i :

Po s t e , L o n d o n , 18 66 ( w i th D e Ca ci a s Pr an t l , L ei p z i g , 18 8 1 . De
Col o r i bu s, et c . : Pr an tl , Lei p z i g ,
18 8 1 . P hy s zc a ‘

. Pr a n t l , L e i p i g , 1 8 7 9 De z .

A n i ma : B i e h l , L ei p i g, 1 8 8 4 ; Tr en d e e n b ur g, z l l
B er i n , 1 8 77 M etaphy s i cs : .

Boni tz , Bo n n , 1 8 4 8 N i c Eth i cs Rams aue r , L ei p i g , 1 8 7 8 ; Byw at e r, O xfo r d ,

. . z
18 9 1 ; ,
z
S use mi hl Lei p i g , 1 8 8 2 ; G ran t , Lo n d o n , 1 8 8 5 ; B ur n et , L o n d o n ,
S t ew art , N otes th e N i co ma ch ea n Eth i cs ( co mmen t ary t o t rs ’
1 9 00 . on B yw a e
t ext ) , O xfo r d , 18 9 2 . J ac k s o n , B oo 5 C amb ri d g e,
k ,
1 8 79 . R o d i e r, B o o k 1 0,

Pa ri s , 18 9
7 . E u d emi a n Ethi cs S use mi hl , L ei p z i g , 1 8 84 . [Mag n a M or a l i a

S usemi hl , L ei p z i g , 18 8 3 . P ol i t i cs : S us emi h l , L ei p z i g , 18 72, 18 79 , 1882 .

S us e mi hl an d Hi c ks , B oo ks 1— 5, Lo n d o n , 1 8 94 . N ew man , vo s l . 1 — 2, Ox
fo rd , 18 8 7 ; l
3 4 , 1 9 02
vo s Co n st i tu ti on of A then s
.
— ed
p r i n c , Ke n yo n ,
. . .

L o n d on , 1 8 9 1 ; V an H e rw er d e n an d V an L e eu w e n , L e yd e n , 1 8 9 1 ; S an d y s
 C H A PT E R X X I I

A LEX AN D RI AN L I TERATUR E

I T w as far m ore h er p oli ti c al i n d e p en d enc e that Al ex an d er

t h an

too k fro m At h en s . Wh en h e fou n d ed Al ex an d ri a i n 3 3 1 , he p er

hap s h o pe d t hat i n t hat O ri e n tal c i ty r e mot e fro m t h e p et ty jeal
, ,

o u si e s O f t h e G r ee k s t at es t h e H e ll e n i c s p i ri t woul d fi n d a wi d e r
,

fi el d t han i n the n arrow c o n fi n es O f the At hens t hat h e had humil i

at e d. I n Al ex an d ri a w er e to b e fr es h li t e r ary tri u mp hs for e v e r ,

asso c i at ed wi t h hi s n am e .An d s o me p art o f th i s ambi tio n h e

ac h i ev ed . Wh en at hi s d eat h i n 3 2 3 h i s empir e w as d i vid ed
, , , ,

o n e o f hi s g e n e r al s P tol e my Sot e r b ec ame ki n g o f Egypt

, ,
H ad .

t h e t as t es o f t h i s fi r s t P tol e my b een s i mply t ho se o f a mi lit ary ad

v en tur er Al ex an d ri a mig ht n ev er h av e b ec o m e t he c en t e r o f th e
,

l i t e r ary life o f t h e n ex t c en tury an d a hal f U n d e r hi s rul e she .

ro s e to b e t he gr eat est c o m m e r c i al c ity of the wo rl d B ut h e had .

s till h ig h e r am bi tio n s for hi s c ap i t al Followi ng t he tr ad i tio n s o f

.

H i ppar c hu s o f A t h en s H i ero o f Syr ac u se an d h i s o wn roy al c ou n

, ,

tryman Ar c h el au s o f M ac e d o n Ptol e my i n vi ted to hi s c ou rt th e

,

m o st d i s ti n g ui shed wri te r s and arti st s o f th e d ay M en an d er he .

c ould n o t p e r suad e t o l e av e A t h e n s but amo n g t h o se w h o ac c ep t e d

,

hi s pat ro n ag e w e r e P hi l e tas o f C o s t h e fo un d e r o f Al e x an d ri an
e l egy E uc l i d th e g e o me t e r St il po of M e g ar a t h e p h ilo so p h e r an d
, , ,

Zeno d o tus o f E ph esu s t h e gr ammari an To mak e th e at tr ac tio n s

.

o f Al ex an d ri a for men O f l ett e r s m or e p er man en t he d i d w hat was ,

hardly p o ssibl e for t he p atro n s O f li t e r at u r e i n th e d ay s o f th e c r ea

tiv e w rit er s H e b eg an to mak e t hat c oll ec ti o n of book s w h i c h
.

w as to grow s p e ed ily i nt o t h e gr eat Libr ary o f A l e x and ri a an d en ,

s h ri n e d i t i n an ac ad emy w h o se hand s om e b u il d i ngs an d grou nd s

4 14
 C A LLI MA C HU S 415

w er e assig n ed as luxuriou s qu art er s for t he mo s t favor e d men o f

l e tt er s The e xp an s io n of the Libr ary and th e s t ud i es t hat w e r e
.
,

i n sp i r ed by t h i s u n iq ue c oll ec ti o n w e r e the c en tr al i n te r es t o f the

M useu m as t h i s t e mpl e o f the Mu ses w as c all ed O n e Ptol emy
,
.

aft e r an o t h e r ad d ed to t h e Libr ary an d w h e n i t w as bu r n t i n

, ,

4 7 B C i t i s s ai d to hav e c o n tai n ed
. .
,
vol um es Z eno d o tus .
,

w ho se sp ec i al ty w as H o me ri c c ri ti c i s m w as th e fi r st l ibr ari an and , ,

eac h i n hi s t ur n C alli mac h u s E r ato sth en es Apollo n i u s o f R h o d es

, , , ,

Ari sto p han es o f Byz an tiu m an d A ri st arc hus too k ov e r th i s gr eat

,

t ru s t b ec am e the h ead o f t he l ear n ed c o m mun i ty an d c o n t ribu t e d

, ,

c ri ti c al an d p hilologi c al s tu d i es o f th e tr e asu r es u n d e r hi s c ar e .

T h i s w as n o t an at mo sph er e from w hi c h w as to b e exp ec t ed

gr eat po e try the po etry that s p eak s wi t h a c o mm o n voi c e t o men
, .

G r eat l ear n i n g an d t e c hn i c al fac ili ty t he Al e x an dri an p o e t s ac

quir ed but amo n g the m al l T heo c ri tus stan d s out c o n spi c uou s as
,

o n e w ho s i n g s b ec au se h e mu st th e o th er s s i n g b ec au se t hey c an .

T h ey are d es ti ne d t o illu s trat e for all ti m e the d an g e r s o f wri ti n g

for a coter i e r ath er than for the en t er tai n m en t o f m an ki n d i n gen
e r al
. E v en i n th ei r o wn d ay they had to fac e th e ri d i c ul e that
,

alw ay s attac k s a c l iqu e M a ny a r e f a tten ed i n cr ow ded Egyp t

.
,

say s Ti mo n of Phli us
1
scr i bbl ers on p apy r us en dl ess ly s qu a bbl i ng
, ,

i n the bi r d coop of the M us es .

C ALL I MAC H US was bor n ( ci r ca 3 1 0 B C ) i n C yr en e t he . .

,

mod ern vil ay e t o f B ark a a Dori an c ol o n y o n t he c o as t o f Afri c a

,

w h i c h had b e en fo un d ed by hi s an c es tor B att us o f C i m

"

all ach us
T her a i n the sev e n t h c en tu ry H i s d esc ent fro m B at
,
.

tus w as a fac t t hat C al li m ac h u s allow ed n o o n e t o forg et an d t he ,

Lati n p o e t s k ep t up th e t r ad i tio n Fo r C atullu s who tr an sl at ed

.
,

an d imi t at ed hi m C al li m ac hu s i s
’
,
B atti ad es so t hat lik e Pi n d ar , , ,

th i s Al e x an dri an li br ari an sec ur e d so me m easu r e o f the r esp ec t

alw ay s p ai d to a Dori an ari s t o c rat I t see m s l ik e ly t hat from C y

.

r en e h e w en t to stu dy at A then s an d b eg an hi s c ar eer as a sc hool

,

m as t er i n a su burb o f Al ex an dri a Abou t 2 8 0 he at t rac t ed the .

n o t i c e o f P tol e my P h il ad el p hu s an d t he r eaft e r s p en t hi s l i fe i n the

,

1 2 0 B C
3 . .
4 16 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LIT E RATU R E

s ha dow o f th e gr e at Libr ary , w her e

o sed to hav e suc he i s s upp

c ee d e d Z en o d o tus as l ibr ari an H e d i e d abou t 2 4 0 . As a po et .

,

pro s e w ri te r ph ilol ogi s t li br ari an an d arbi t e r o f li t er ary tas t e h e i s

, , , ,

t he m o s t c o mpl e t e r e p r es en t ativ e o f t he ki n d o f t al en t an d i n d u s try

w hi c h hav e giv en the e p i t he t Al e x an dri an i ts asso c i atio n s i n li t

‘ ’

eratur e .A m o ng hi s p ro se work s w hi c h hav e al l d i sapp ear ed w as

, ,

a h ug e h an d book a bibl iog r aph y w i t h n o t es w h i c h w as s om e t hi n g

, ,

b etw een a l ibr ary c atalogu e an d a h i s tory of li t er atu r e B ut i t w as .

by hi s po e m s t hat he ro s e i n to n o t i c e and by t he m h e su rviv es , .

H i s tr ag e di es hav e go n e the w ay o f hi s p ro se .

’
I f you w an t , say s M arti al wri ti n g abou t 9 5 A D to a fri en d to
,
. .
,
‘

r ead s om et hi ng that has n o r el ati o n to r eal l i fe an d the men an d

man n er s o f you r o w n t im e I r ec o m m en d th e Ca uses o f C al li ma
,

1
B ut th i s w as a c ri ti c i s m o f th e l eg e n d s t hat C alli mac hu s
’
c hus .

h ad c h o se n r at he r th an o f th e t o n e o r m an n e r o f th e p o e m
,
It .

w as i n th e Ca uses that C alli mac hu s di spl ay ed hi s se n ti m en tal si d e .

‘
Avoi d th e sen ti men t al p o ets l ik e m y sel f an d C alli mac hu s say s ,
’

O vi d i n h i s C u r e f or L ove s i ch n ess
?
H e r e w e may su ppo s e t hat
-

he r e fe rr e d to the C a u s es ( AZ— r m
) I t w as a c ol l ec ti o n o f ro m an
.

t i c t al es i n el egi ac v er se c h o s en by C all i m ac h u s fro m th e l ess fa

,

m ili ar l eg en d s ac c or d i n g to th e pr ac ti c e o f th i s w ell r ead po e t

,
-
,

w h o avoi d ed as far as po ss ibl e th e t h e m es o f hi s c l ass i c p red ec es

, ,

s or s T h e fragm e n t s bri e f q u o t ati o n s by gr am m ari an s

.
, ,
Th e Caus es
d e fy e v ery at t emp t t o r ec o n s tru c t t h e p o e m We k n ow .

t hat i t w as i n fou r B ook s an d that t he my th i c al allu sio n s w er e as

,

e n igm ati c as C all i m ac h u s c o ul d m ak e th e m T he Lati n e l egi sts .

fou n d i n th e Ca us es a s tor e o f s en ti men t al si tu at i o ns an d w er e far ,

fro m u n d err ati n g t heir m o d el H e r e and t her e how ev e r t hei r

.
, ,

p r ai se i s fai n t t o o u r e ar s as w h en O vi d say s t hat C alli m ac hu s

,

m ad e up i n c r aft sm an shi p w h at h e l ac k e d i n g en i u s O n e virt ue .

w e may assu me for t h i s el egy I t w as s hort or at l eas t th e sep ar at e

.
,

t al es w er e sh ort Th e n ear e s t l i ter ary p ar all el for t h i s d i d ac ti c po e m

.

m us t hav e b een th e Ly de of A n ti m ac hu s an Al ex an dri an bor n b e ,

fo r e hi s seaso n Bu t C all i m ac hu s d e t es t ed A n ti m ac hus an d all hi s

.

1
Ep ig ra m
s 1 0. 4 .
2
75 7 ff .
4 18 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RATU R E

A thene as sh e
b ath ed i n t he w ater s o f H eli c o n an d h ow for th i s ,

offe ns e the go d d ess t ook aw ay hi s s ig h t bu t g av e hi m the gift o f ,

s o o thsayi n g O vi d i mi t at e d t hi s Hy mn i n the M eta

Th e Hy mn s
.

mo r p hoses l
Th e Hy mn to Z eus d e sc rib es the bi rt h O f
.

t h e go d i n A r c adi a wi t h al l t h e at t en d an t m ir ac l es
, B ut C al l i ma .

c hus c o m es rou n d i n th e e n d to t h e pr ais e of P tol e my mu c h as ,

P i nd ar m ig ht i n an o d e The tr uth i s that t he c hanc e to fl atter

.

P tol e my an d to d i spl ay hi s o wn e ru d i ti o n was mor e to C alli m ac hu s

t han all t h e go d s o n O ly mp u s I t w as A p oll o sai d C allim ac hus
.
, ,

w h o i n spir ed B at tu s to fou n d hi s n ativ e C yr en e an d i n hi s H ymn ,

to Ap ol l o an i mi t atio n of t h e Hom eri c Hy mn to the D eli a n Ap oll o

, ,

h e i n s er ts a p an egyri c of t h i s m o st b eau ti ful o f al l th e G r eek c ol o

n i es A t t he c lo se h e c ann o t r esi st a sn eer at hi s riv al Apollo n iu s
.
,

w h o was p rob ably at th e m o m en t p ec ul i arly aggr essiv e o r s uc c essful .

Th e Hy mns To A r temi s an d To D el os ar e the lo n g est i n th e c o l

l ec tio n The l atter w as for a c o m peti tio n o f r hap sod es at Delo s
.
,

an d ec h o es t he T h e o c ri t ean p an e gyri c o f P tol e m y i n th e S even

teen th I dy l o f T h eo c ri tu s Th e s ixt h To D emeter i s i n t he Dori c

.
, ,

d i al ec t an d was p e r hap s c o m po se d for a Dori an T hes mop h ori a

, .

Th e l eg en d c h o sen by C all im ac hu s fro m t h e De m ete r m y th w as

o n e w hi c h O vi d followi ng the I i y mn ec ho es i n the M eta mor
, ,

p h oses
?
T h is i s th e s t ory o f t h e i m pi ou s E ry s i c h t h o n w h o hav , ,

i ng c ut d ow n a grov e sac r e d to De m e t er w as p u n i sh ed by a mon ,

s trou s hun g e r t hat gr e w by w hat i t d e vour e d I n th e fi r st four .

Hy mns C alli m ac hu s e mploy ed the di al ec t o f t he H om eri c po em s

,
.

Six ty t h r e e e pigr am s O f C alli m ac hu s ar e p r eserv ed i n the P al a

-

ti n e A n th ol ogy -
T h ey i n c lu d e ep i tap hs d ed i c atio n s d esc ri ptio n s
.
, ,

o f book s an d am atory v er ses H er e to o as i n th e Hy mn s w e hav e

, .
, ,

t h e ec h o o f hi s lit e rary qu arr el s I detes t I d i s li he

. I

Th e l oa the h e say s wi thi n fo ur li n es c o n d e mni n g to , ,

Epi grams g e t h er wi t h t ho se w ho woul d w ri t e ep i c li k e Ap ollo n iu s ,

al l t h e h ac k n ey e d t h e m es O f o e try al l i fa c t t h at h e c o u l d n ot
p n ,

c all hi s v e ry o w n Th e d esp e r at e d esi r e to b e o rigi n al i n sp i te o f

.
,

hi s t i m e s giv es e v e n t h i s e pigr am a n o te of p at h o s
,
B ut lik e .
,

1
3 . 14 3 ff . The t al e i s t o l d ag ai n i n Te n n yso n
’
s Ti r es i as .
2
,
8 74 1 ff
. .
 C A LLI MA C H U S 4 19

o th er po e t s o f th e A n th ol ogy h e w as at hi s b est i n the e pigr ams ,

wri t t en for e pi taph s o r ex pr essi n g th e s orrow o f d eath Su c h are

, .

th e si x e l egi ac v e r ses i n m e mory o f hi s fri en d th e p o et o f H al i c ar ,

n assus

They tol d me H er a cl ei t us th ey
, , tol d me y ou w er e dea d ,

Th ey br ough t nze bi tter n ew s to h ea r a n d bi tter tea r s to she d .

I w ept a s I r emember ed how often y ou a n d I

H a d ti r ed the s u n w i th ta l h i ng a n d sen t h i m d ow n th e shy .

A n d n ow th a t th o u a r t ly i ng , my d ea r ol d Ca r i a n g u es t,
A ha n df u l o
f g r ay ash es, l ong , l ong a o a t r est,
g
Sti l l ar e thy pl easa n t v o i ces,
g ht i ng a l es, a w a he thy nz

F or D eath , he taheth a l l aw ay , but th em he ca n n ot tahe 1 .

Am o n g t he
u m erou s i n s c rip t io n s fo r th e shi pwr ec k e d i n th e
n

A n th ol ogy few are m or e p at heti c than t h i s q uat r ai n w ri tt en for the

emp ty tom b o f th e d row n ed So p o li s : 0 th a t s w if t s h ip s h a d

n ever been Th en w e s h ou l d h a ve to w eep f or S op ol i s , s o n of

n ot

D i ocl ei des . B u t n ow h is d ead body d r if ts i n th e s ea , an d w e can

on ly vi s i t a n e mp ty tomb and r ead h i s n a me To M ar t i al C all i ma ?
,
3

c hu s r e p r e s e n t ed t h e b es t that c oul d be ac h i e v e d by th e G r e e k

e pi gr am m ati sts an d i t i s i n th e Ep ig r a ms t h at w e w h o k n o w t h e
, ,

Ca uses o n ly by i ts r at h er o mi n ou s t i tl e mu st lo ok for t he p e r ,

fec ti o n s O f hi s c hase d s tyl e t he e xqu i s i te fi ni sh t h at mad e hi s

‘ ’
,

faultl essn ess se e m al mo st g en i us “

H er e to o i s that p un g en c y .
, ,

wi th s we et n ess th e savi ng t ou c h O f ac id i n the ho n ey w h i c h

, ,

M el eag e r fou n d i n th e myr tl e b erry O f C al li mac hus t hat h e

‘ ’

wov e i n to hi s G ar l an d of P oets T h e r eg u l ar m e t e r o f th e G r ee k .

e p igr am t he el egi ac c o u pl e t i s u s ed for al mo s t al l t h e s e e pigr am s

, , .

So me w e r e p er haps wri tten as R e i tz e ns t e i n sugg ests for the en , ,

t ert ai n men t o f th e di n n e r t abl e an d ma be c l ass ed as s m o ti c

y y p ,

e pigr ams .

T he l ates t w ork o f C alli m ac h u s w as th e H ecate th e mi n i at u r e ,

e pi c w h i c h w as d o ubtl ess wri tt e n to S h ow t h e ad mi r e r s o f A n ti m

ac hus an d Apollo n i us w hat sh ould b e t he li mit o f Al ex an d ri an

A u th P a l 7 8 0 ; C o ry s tran sl at i o n
1 ’
. . . .

2 A u th P a l 7
. . . 27 1 .
3
Ep i gr a ms 4 3 3 . .
4 20 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU R E

am bi tio n . T he y ll ed hi s i nspi r ati o n as t hm ati c w e r e to

w h o h ad ca

see i n t h e I fi ca l e th e gol d e n m ean B efor e 1 8 9 3 w e h ad o nl y

.

t h i rty i i i Si gn i fi c an t fr agm en t s o f t h i s mo d el epi c I n .

Th e Hecal e
t hat y ear w as pu bli shed an ex trac t of abou t fi fty v e r ses
fro m a woo d en tabl e t of t he fo u rt h C hri sti an c en t ury T hi s w as .

fou n d i n t he Fayo fi m an d pu bli she d by G o mp erz as an i n st allm en t

,

?
o f th e P apy r i R a i n er Fro m t h i s fr agm en t i t i s c al c ul at e d t h at
t h e l engt h o f th e p o em w as abo u t 5 0 0 v er ses a goo d d e al lo ng er , ,

t hat i s t han th e L i ttl e Ep i cs o f T he o c ri tus C alli m ac hus e mp ha

,
.

s iz e d t he fac t t hat t h i s i s a g en r e ep i c w h en h e g av e i t t he n am e ,

n o t o f T h e s eu s w h o se v i c tory ov e r t h e M ar at ho n i an bull i s d e

sc ri b ed bu t o f th e ol d p easan t wo m an H e c al e w ho en t e rt ai n e d
, , ,

th e he ro i n h er poor hut o n t h e ev e of t h e e n c o u n t e r Th e p o e m .

d e sc rib ed the vigil o f T h es eus an d hi s h u mbl e h o s t es s her an xi e ty

“

for hi s fat e th e vi c to ry an d t he p at h eti c c o n tr ast o f t he mo men t

, ,

w h en as h e r e tur n s wit h a triu mphan t follo w i ng he m ee t s th e

, ,

fun e r al p ro c essi o n o f hi s fri en d w h o h as di e d i n th e h o ur o f hi s

,

suc c e ss .O f al l t hi s t h e r e c ov er e d fr ag me n t s gi v e u s brok e n
gl im p ses e n oug h to sh o w ho w C all i mac hus i n d ulg e d hi s p assi o n
,

for er ud i t e n arr ativ e an d the O b sc u r e r l eg en d s The s olilo q u y .

t hat c o m es fi r s t i n the e xtr ac t see m s to be u t t er ed by a c ro w

w hi c h r el at es a sc an d alo us s tory o f At h en e ; t h en w e hav e the
g arr ulou s but effec ti v e sp eec h of an o l d man w ho c o m es at d aw n
to w ak e hi s n eig h bor an d abou t fi ft ee n l i n es d esc ribi ng the tri
,

u mp h O f T he s eu s an d t h e e x ult atio n o f t h e p e opl e o f M ar at h o n

at t h e c ap tu r e of th e m o n s t e r I t w as fro m th e I I ecal e t hat O vi d

.

d r ew for hi s t al e o f t h e p easan t s P h il e mo n an d B au c i s w h o en t e r
tai n e d Z e u s an d H e r mes
?

C alli mac hu s l ov e d ar c h ai c or u n usu al wor d s s tr an g e e p it h e ts , ,

lik e Rhamnusi an H el en E v e ryw h er e ex c ep t i n t he p at h e ti c

’
.
,

e p igr am s h i s e ru d i ti o n s h ow s t h ro ug h
,
H e w ill al w ay s poi n t t he
.

m or al o f t he d ang er o f too muc h l ear n i n g i n a po et o f m er e tal en t .

B ut hi s sayi n g t h at a bi g bo ok i s a big n u i san ce an d hi s sn ee r s at ,

t h e m i sgu i d ed Al e x an d ri an s w ho fel t i nspi r e d t o wri t e lo n g e p i c s

1 V i e n n a, 1 8 93 .
2 M et 8
. . 6 20 ff .
4 22 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU R E

M essen i an patri ot Ar i sto men es w ho l ed hi s c ou n t ry m en i n th eir

,

h eroi c e ffor t to t h row O ff th e h eavy yok e o f S p art a I t w as a .

fo rlor n h o pe s i n c e the go d s t h em selv es an d t he d ec r ees o f fat e

, ,

as Rhi an u s ad mi tt ed w e r e o n th e s i d e o f the h eavi e r b at t alio n s

,

o f Sp art a We have o n ly a few li n es o f the M ess en i an s and for

.
,

t h e c o u r s e o f e v en t s d esc ri b ed mu s t t ur n to t h e r es u me giv en by

P ausan i as i n the fou rt h B ook o f hi s Tou r of G r eece .

B ut t h e r eal m u t i n ee r ag ai n s t t he r es tri c ti o n s of C al li m ac hu s
w as hi s you n g e r c o n t e mp o r ary an d pu p il A POLLO N I US o f R ho d es , .

Th e e pi t he t t h e R h o d i an w h i c h h e h as r e t ai n ed t h roug h s o
‘ ’
,

Apoll oni us m an y c en t uri es w as ad o p t e d by hi m sel f as a slig h t to

,

Of R h Od eS Al ex an d ri a w hi c h w as p rob ably h i s birt hpl ac e an d i t

, ,

r emi n d s hi s r ead er s as h e m ean t t hat i t sh o ul d t hat a po et who

, ,

w as lo n g wi t h ou t h o n or i n h i s o w n c o un try h ad b e en m ad e w el
c o me at R h o d es H e h ad v e n tu r e d w h il e still a yo u t h an d i n
.
, ,

d efi anc e o f th e rul es l ai d dow n by C allim ac hu s t o writ e an ep i c , ,

t h e A rg on a u ti ca ( Ta l es of th e A rg on a u ts ) When he r ec i t ed po r
.

t io n s of hi s p o e m b e for e t h e p o e t s an d p hilol ogi s t s of t h e Al e x

an d ri an M useu m i t w as u n fi n i s h ed
,
b u t al r eady b e tr ay e d by i ts
,

am pl e o u tli n es t h at i ts s c o p e far ex c e ed ed t h e l i mi t s ac c ep t ed by

t he m aj ori ty of hi s h ear e r s P e r h ap s h e hop ed t o c o n v e rt t h em

.

by sho wi ng t hat lo n g p o e m s c oul d s till b e wri t ten by a man o f

g en iu s B ut hi s v e r ses w er e r ec eiv ed wi t h ri d i c ul e by that c o m
.

p an y o f j ealo u s p ed an t s an d h e w i thdr ew to R h od es w h er e h e
, ,

w as at o n c e appl au d e d bo th as p o e t an d professor
,
T he r e h e d e .

vo t ed man y y ears to r evi si n g an d c om p l e ti n g t he A rg on a u ti ca .

C all i m ac hu s w as t h e mo st p ow erful an d mo st h o stil e O f h i s c ri ti c s ,

an d k ep t u p th e fe ud o n e O f the bi tte r est i n l i te r atu r e

,
by hi s ,

sati r e t h e I bi s w h il e Ap ollo n i us c o n tri b u t e d an e pigr am o n t h e

, ,

e l e gi es o f C alli mac h us writ t en i n t h e m o s t spi ri t e d s tyl e o f p h ilo

,

?
l ogi c al c o n trov e r sy I n t h e c our se o f ti m e C alli m ac h u s an d hi s
suc c essor E r ato s t h en es d i e d Al ex an d ri a had c o m e to admi t the
.

gr eat n ess o f A pol lo n iu s an d h e w as i n vi te d t o t ak e t h e v ac an t

,

po st O f l ibr ari an an d so b ec am e the h ead of th e sc h ool w her e h e

,

1 A n th P a l
. . 11 . 2 75 .
 A P O LLO N I U S O F R H ODES 4 23

h ad b ee n c h ec k ed an d hu mi li at ed . H e d i ed at Al ex and ri a about
1 90 B C . .

T he l eg end o f the A rgo n au ts w as fro m the fi r s t o n e o f th e mo st , ,

p o pul ar t al es o f G r ee c e se c o n d i n i n t e r es t o n ly to t he Troj an an d
,

T h eb an sag as and had b een han d l ed by ev ery di sti ngui shed p o e t

,

aft e r H o m e r I n the F o u r th Py thi a n Pi n d ar had sk e tc h e d t h e

.

s tory i n sp l e n di d ou tli n es an d wi t h t h e r es e rv e o f t h e ly ri c man

,

n er . O f th e h ero es w ho v e n tur ed o n t hat qu e s t o f t he Th e

G ol d en Fl ee c e he n am ed o n ly tw elv e Th e i n d efati Argonaut i ca .

g abl e Apollo n iu s gi v es us a li st o f fi fty fi ve wi t h ex tr ac t s fro m -

,

t hei r family hi story an opportu n i ty n o t to be mi ssed by an Al e x

,

an d ri an w ell r e ad i n t he O b sc u r e r l eg en d s T hat u nwilli n g n ess t o .

l eav e ou t w hi c h m ee t s the r ead e r at t he o p en i n g of the po em

, ,

was fro m fi r s t t o l as t th e st riki n g w e ak n e ss o f Ap ollo n iu s

, , He .

liv ed i n an age w hen to be w e ll i n fo rm e d w as t he fi r st du ty

’
o f a po et an d n o t to di spl ay o n e s eru d i ti o n w as e c c ent ri c a
, ,

w as t e o f tal en t H i s A rg o n a u ti ca c o n si sts o f abou t si x t ho usan d

.

v e r ses l ess t han hal f the I l i a d I t i s w rit ten i n fou r B ook s The
,
. .

fi r st d esc rib es th e asse mbli n g of the he ro es on the b eac h o f Pagasae

i n T h es saly w he r e th e Argo had b een b ui lt
, T h er e b e for e t hey .
,

sl e p t O r p h eu s san g to e nc han t th e m a so n g w h i c h w as t h e m o d e l
, , ,

of th e o d e o f Sil enus d esc rib ed i n V ergil s S i x th E cl ogue t he s t ory ’

,

of th e b egi n n i ng o f th e world an d of t h o s e early o l d go d s w ho rul ed

w h en Z eus was s till a c hil d i n hi s C r etan c av e o n e o f th o se theo go ,

n i es w h i c h w e r e t h e d elig ht o f p ri m i tiv e G r ee c e : A n d n ow the

ly r e cea s ed , bu t s ti l l w er e thei r heads s tr a i n ed fo r w ar d to l i s ten w i th
eager ea r s , a n d moti o n l ess u nd er h i s sp el l
th ey w er e N ext m or n .
l

i ng t h e y l au n c he d t h e Argo Th e c h i e f e pi so d es o f t h ei r fi r s t
.

s t ag e ar e th e halt at Le m n o s an d t h e d row n i n g O f Hyl as i n My si a .

I n d esc ribi n g th e l att e r A poll o n i us c l earl y e c h o e s t he m o r e c el e

,

b rated an d m or e b eau ti ful v e r sio n i n T h eo c ri t us I n My si a t h e Arg o .

n ant s l o s e H er ac l es w h o will n o t ab an d o n hi s sear c h fo r Hyl as

, .

The sec o n d B o o k i s c ro w d e d wi t h t h e ad v e n tur es o f t h e voy ag e ,

s uc h as t h e boxi n g m at c h o f Po l vd euc es an d t he e p i s o d e o f

1 A rg on a u ti ca I .
5 1 3 ff .
4 24 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATUR E

P h i n eu s o n e o f th e famou s p ro ph e t s old of M il to n s v er se H e
,
’
.

h ad b e tr ay e d to me n t h e sac r e d pu rp o se o f Z eus an d w as p un i shed ,

by en d l ess o l d age an d t he c o ns t an t p er sec utio n o f the foul har pi es .

Fo r t he Argo nauts P hi n eus p l ay s t he p art o f T ei r esi as i n t he

,

Odyss ey an d t el l s t h e m o f d an g e r s to c o me th e c l as h i n g ro c k s
, ,

as t hey e n t e r th e Po n tus an d t hat sea o n c e r eac hed al l t he

, , ,

i ti n e r ary o f i ts my st e riou s c o ast till t hey shall c o me t o the

mo u t h o f t he P hasi s the go al of al l t hei r t r av el The i ssue o f al l
,
.

t h ese toil s i s to b e wro ug h t by A ph ro d it e th e fi rs t hi n t o f th e rOl e ,

o f M e d ea I n t h ei r c o ur se t he y c o m e to t he p al ac e of Ly c us t he
.
,

M ari an d yn i aii ki n g an d to hi m J as o n t ell s th e t al e o f th e voy

,

age ,
a r e mi n i sc e n c e o f t h e d e vi c e i n th e O dys s ey ad o pt ed l at e r ,

by V e rgil O n t he i sl e o f Ar es t hey r esc u e t he sh ipwr ec k ed s o n s

.

o f P hrixu s th e gran d c hi l d r en o f A e et es t he n ep hew s o f M e d ea

, ,
.

T hese b ec o me t he ir gu i d es an d so at l ast the y r eac h th e c li ffs of

,

fro sty C auc as us an d h ear t he bi t t er c ry o f Pro me t heus i n t o rm en t .

SO far t he M use o f H i s tory h as had t h e u pp e r han d B ut fo r hi s .

t hi r d B ook Ap ollo ni us c all s o n E r ato t he M u se o f E ro ti c Po e try , ,

an d n o w M e d ea s p ass i o n fo r th e ad v en tu r e r J as o n b ec o mes t he
’

m ai n t he m e She i s no t t he b al eful sor c er ess o f t he t r ag ed y of

.

E u ripi d es bu t a lov e si c k girl w h o tr embl es an d w ee p s tear s of pi ty

,
-

’
for J as o n s d an g e r E v e n t h e n h o w ev er s he had w o n a r epu t a
.
, ,

tio n fo r magi c art s as t h e p up il o f H ec at e an d w as r eg ard ed by t he ,

C ol c hi ans as o n e w ho ca n que n ch r agi ng fir es a n d ch ech the flow

f r i ver s a n d mahe th e moon a n d s tar s s ta n d s ti l l
?
o ,
E asy en o ug h
w as i t fo r h er to sav e J aso n w i t h h er mo s t p o t e n t d rug t h e sap ,

o f a pl an t sp r ung fro m th e bl oo d of Prom e t heus A p oll o n iu s d e .

s c rib es e v e ry p h ase o f h er d oubt s an d an gui sh o f mi n d i n t hat c h oi c e

b e tw een her fat he r an d t h i s s tran g er w i t h w h o m so far sh e had ex

c h an g e d n o wor d t h o u g h hi s voi c e w as e v e r i n her ear s an d h i s
, ,

l eas t g es tur e as he h ad ap p ear e d i n t he hall s o f A eetes

A s w h en on th e w a l l s o
f a d w el l i ng th e l eap i ng s u n bea ms p l ay
F l u ng p fr om u th e w a ter th a t i n to a ca ld r o n bu t n o w fel l p l a sh i ng,

Or i n to a p a i l , an d h i th er a n d th i th er th e s u n bea mflashi ng

ff.
4 26 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU RE

wi n d s by w h i c h the her o es are d e tai n ed o n the T hy mi an c o ast .

Th e sc h ol arly n o t e i s alw ay s i n c l ud e d i n th e t e xt of th e p o e m so ,

that an i n c i d e n t o ft e n se e m s to b e dr agg ed i n c hi e fly for th e sak e

o f th e hi s to ri c al c o mmen t B ut ev e n t h e o ppr ess io n o f d etai l th e

‘

.
,

lo ss of the h e roi c o utli n e th e trivi al el eg an c i es the p olit e d e iti es

, ,

wi t h t he i r hig hly c o n v en t io nal par t i n the i n tr i g ue s c ann ot ob sc u r e ,

t h e b eau ti es of t h e t h i r d B ook an d i f w e j u d g e Apollo n iu s by

,

hi s b es t h e w as a t r ue p o e t
,
Q u i n tili an sai d o f the A rgon a n ti ea
.

t hat i t w as wri tt en wi t h a med i o c rity b elow w h i c h A pollo niu s d i d

n o t fall .Too mu c h o f i t i s me r ely i n t e r es ti ng an ep i t h e t n ev e r ,

appli e d t o t h e b e s t c r eativ e work B ut A p ollo n iu s c an ri se abov e

.

hi s g e n er al l ev el an d n ext to t h e p o e m s of T he o c ri tu s hi s
,

A rg o n a a ti ea i s th e m o s t c o n s i d e r abl e p e rform an c e o f t he Al ex
an d r i an s H e wro te o th e r e p i c s w hi c h hav e n o t s u rviv e d
. O vi d .

an d V e rgil are d ee ply i n hi s d e bt an d C atullu s e c h o es hi m i n se v e r al

,

1
p assag e s o f th e b es t k n o w n o f hi s lo n g e r po e m s .

Ho s til e as he w as to h eroi c e pi c i mit ativ e o f H o mer C all i mac h us ,

d i d n o t d i s d ai n t h e d i d ac ti c typ e an d tho ug h h e h ad li ttl e fl at t e ry

,

to sp ar e for c o n t e m p o r ary po et s th er e w as o n e of hi s c i r c l e for

,

w ho m h e h as o n ly wo r d s o f p r ai s e T hi s w as A RATUS o f Sol i i n
.

C ili c i a th e fri en d of T he o c ri t us w ho s e mas t er p i ec e th e Ph a e

, , ,

n onzen a C alli m ac hus d es c rib e s i n an e p igram as wri tt e n i n th e

,

2
v e ry m an n e r o f H esi o d I n t h i s h e sh o w e d t h e
.

Arat us
p arti al i ty o f a fri en d A r atu s d i d i n d ee d asp i r e to b e
.

t h e H es i o d of Al ex an d ri a as A p ollo n i us d es i r e d t o b e i ts H o me r
, .

H i s w o rk was a p o eti c v e r si o n i n r 1 5 4 h ex am e t er s o f th e p ro se
, ,

t r e ati se o f t h e l ear n e d E u d ox us I t w as i n tw o B ook s the fi r st

.
,

as tro n o mi c al t h e sec o n d me t e orol ogi c al d eali n g wi t h t he S ig n s o f

,

w eat he r ; for t hi s p art h e s ee ms t o hav e borrow ed fro m T h eo

h r as tus T h e G r e ek p o e t s o f t h e b es t p e rio d r ej ec t e d t h e di d ac ti c
p .

S tyl e l e avi n g to pro se w ri t e r s t h e me r e c o n v e y an c e o f fac ts w h i c h

,

c oul d n o t b e ad or n e d by t h e i m agi n ati o n an d by hu man s y mpat h y .

B ut h e r e w as th e o pp ortu n i ty o f Al e x an d ri a i n an age w h en e r ud i tio n

,

soug h t an o u tl e t an d all d es ir ed to b e w ell i n for me d Arat us had .

2
1
64 . A n i h P u t 9 50 7
. . . .
 T H E O C RITU S 427

n o t th e d ed to mak e hi s p o e m a p o ssessio n for ev er

g en iu s n ee .

T he Ph aen o nzen a fo r tun at e l y su rviv es an d w e c an c o m par e i t w i t h ,

V ergil s Geo rg i es an d see ho w a g e n ui n e p o e t c o ul d giv e suc h a

’

t he me h u man i n t e r est by t he p ow e r of i m agi n ati o n an d the magi c

,

o f s tyl e Ar at us was a favo rit e wit h t he Ro man s and w as t r ans

.
1

l at ed by C i c e ro V arro an d G e rm an i c u s T ho ug h he w as no doub t
, ,
.
, ,

r eg ard ed by the Al ex an dri ans as o n e o f the m se lv es h e s p en t th e ,

gr eat e r p art o f h i s li t er ary li fe at the c ou rt of A n tigo nu s of M ac e

d o n at P ell a w h e r e h e d i e d abo u t 2 4 5 B C
, ,
. .

Ev er y d at e i n the l i fe o f T H EO C R I TUS i s a m at ter of gu esswork .

A c c o rdi n g to t he m o st l ik el y c o nj ec t ur e h e was bor n abou t 3 1 5 ,

B C
.
2
. at Syr ac u se
,
C O S t he Do ri an i sl an d t h ou g h i t l ay so far
.
, ,

from Al ex an d ri a was th e favorit e r et r eat o f the Ptol emi es t hei r

, ,

C apri w he r e th ey w en t t o r ec ruit an d to t h row off the

,
Th eocri t us
af fai r s o f s t at e T he r e liv ed th e tu t or o f Ptol emy I I
.

( P h il ad el phus ) t he p o et Phi l etas v e ry famo us i n hi s d ay as a

3
, ,

wri t e r o f el egy To C os T heo c ritu s w e n t i n early yo uth an d

.
,

s t u d i ed u n d e r Phil e tas t o w h o m h e p ai d a d e fe r en ti al c o mp li men t

,

i n hi s S even th I dy l B ut o f hi s p e r s o n ali ty an d c i r c u m s t an c es w e
.

k n ow h ar d ly any t hi n g d efi n i t e H e mus t hav e sp e n t som e tim e .

i n Al ex an dri a u n d e r t h e p atro n ag e o f P tol e my si n c e h e wro t e ,

i n hi s h o n or t h e S even teen th I dyl a p an egyri c e x pr ess e d i n ,

l angu ag e p e rfec tly app ropri ate fro m a c o urt po e t to a ki n g w ho

asse rt e d t h e d ivi n i ty of hi s par en t s an d had set up th ei r i mages , ,

matte bea u tif ul w i th g ol d a n d i vory to he th e help er s of men o n ,

ea r th The p o e m wi t h i ts i nvo c atio n to Z eus w h o s e n ame r ec u r s

.
, ,

at t h e c lo se fl att e rs i ts subj ec t by i ts lik en ess t o a H o meri c

,

H y mn T hat T h eo c ri tu s k new So u t h er n I t aly an d the h ill s and

.

st r eam s abou t Syb ari s see m s p rob abl e fro m th e F o u r th an d F if th

[i ty /s w h o se sc en es are l ai d t h e r e I f he h ad n o t sp e n t so me .

p art o f hi s po eti c c ar eer at Syr ac u se h e wo ul d h ar d ly hav e wri tt e n ,

1 Cp V ergi l , Georg i es
. I
3 5 6 ff w i t h P h a en omen a 9 09 ii
. . .

2
S us e mi hl pro p o ses 3 1 5 B C , L egran d 3 0 5 , I I aul er , an d H e l m 3 0 5—3 00
. . .

3
Ac c o rd i n g to C r On er t i n [f er mes 3 7 , P h i l i t as i s t h e c o rr e c t fo r m AS . an

l
e e gi ac p o e t Ph i l etas ran k ed n ex t aft er C all i mac h us : Q ui nt i l i an IO .
58 .
4 28 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR EE K LITE RATUR E

th e Si x teen th [art i n p r ai s e o f Hi ero I I , an u n d i sgui se d r e qu e s t ,

i n t e rm s t hat d o n o t su gg es t a p ro sp e ro u s p o e t , for t h e s am e

p atro n ag e t hat , i n t h e fi ft h c e n tu ry , h ad b e en b e s t o w e d o n
S i mo n id es by th e gr e at H i ero The d at e o f th e p o e m w as p er
.

hap s 2 74 mor e p rob ab l y a d ec ad e l at e r

,
1
.

O f th e t h i rty [fly /s t h at hav e c o me d o w n t o u s sev e r al ar e

r ej ec t ed ou trig ht by th e e di tor s an d o t he rs ar e n o t fre e fr o m
,

T h f ( ei SvAMo v l it tl e p o e m)
’

sus i c i o n e b u c oli c o r p as to r al [o r/s

p .

ar e t he m o s t ty p i c al of t h e g en i us o f T h eo c ri t us B u t i n t he .

tr ad i ti o n al arr an g e men t o f hi s p o ems t h e y are n o t s or ted ou t fro m

t h e r es t n o r i s t he r e an y att e mp t at c h ro n o l ogi c al o r d e r
,
U n d er t he .

g en er al ti tl e [ay /s ar e i n c l ud ed th e p as to r al p o e ms t he jl/ i nzes

’
, ,

t he Li ttl e Ep i f s t he E n eo nzi a an d t h e A eoli c s o n g s

, ,
.

B e fo r e T he o c rit us p as to r al p o e t ry as a l it e r ary ty pe d i d n o t exi s t .

Ev e ry ext an t G r ee k p o e m w h e r e su c h a s e n ti men t w o ul d be i n
,

pl ac e ex p r essed t he G r ee k se ns e o f th e c harm o f c oun tr v li fe w i t h

,

i ts abu n d an c e o f foo d an d w i n e an d t he r e po se t hat sw ee t en s t he

se aso n o f ou t d oor w o rk E v e n th e c i ty br e d Ari sto phan es w he n
.
-
,

h e ad v erti se d t h e j oy s o f p eac e pai n t e d h e r ,

s i t ti n g u n d e r h er
“

oliv e B ut b efor e T h eo c ri tus n o G r e ek p o et as far as w e k n ow

”
.
, , ,

r ealiz ed t he li t erary v al ue o f t h e ru d e p o e try o f t h e S h eph er d s th e ,

’
Vo/h s /i eaer o f p as to r al l i fe T h at su c h a p o et S ho ul d b e a Si c ili an
.

w as n atur al s i n c e i n Si c ily mor e t han el sew h er e h e w o ul d i n sen

,

s i bl y ac h i e v e an i nt i m ac y wi t h t h e li fe o f t h e fi el d an d fol d w i th ,

th e b us i n ess o f t h e h ill si d es an d all t h e j oy s an d gri e fs o f t h e o l d

,

e s t an d mo s t n at u r al o f h u man c all i n g s The m at eri al l ay r ead y

.

t o hi s han d i n th e so n g s w h i c h th e Si c ili an she p h er d s san g o n t h ei r

feas t d ay s i mp ro v i s i n g t h em as a rul e so that t h ey w er e h u moro us
, ,

o r p at h et i c ac c or d i n g to th e t e mp er am en t o f th e u n t u tor ed po e t .

’
Suc h i s t he P h rygi an L i zj er s es S o ng o f t he Ten th [oy/ o f T heo c r i
’

t us or i n t h e S even th I dy l t h e so n g t h at c i d as had fash io n ed ‘

, , ,

o n th e h ill s i d e Fro m t h ese s our c es T he o c r i t us d r ew th e motifs

.
’

t h at aft er hi m w e r e used by al l p o et s o f p as toral t h e c o n v en ti on s ,

an d c o mmo n pl ac e s o f th e s i n gi n g m at c h t h e r e fr ai n t h e c arv ed , ,

1 B e l o ch .
43 0 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATURE

Th e Si c il i an l eg en d o f Poly ph e mu slov er o f Gal at ea i s the as t h e

th e m e o f th e S i x th an d E l even th l dyl s w h i c h V e rgil ec h o e d in ,

Idy l s 6 t h e F ifth E el og ne I n t h e S i x th Dap hn i s r e pro ac h es

.

an d I I Poly p h em u s w i t h hi s c old n ess to G al atea Th e C y c lop s .

S i t s p i pi n g lo s t i n t he c o n c e i t o f hi s o w n c harm s wh il e s he lig h t
, , ,

as th i s tl e d ow n ,

Purs ui n g th at t hat fl i es , an d fl yi n g w h at p urs ues,

ri ses fro m th e sea t o p el t hi s s hee p w it h ap pl es an d hi s dog t hat

r u n s alo n g the shor e b arki ng as h e l ook s i n to t he sal t w at e r
, .

Damo etas giv es t he fatuo us r ej oi n d e r o f Polyp he mu s w h i c h has ,

1
b een ec ho ed by all th e c o nc ei t ed shep h erd s o f pas to r al p o etry .

B u t i n t h e E l even th w e fi n d t he C y c lo ps n o lo n g e r c o q u etti n g but ,

’
pi n i ng for G al at ea s n o ti c e aw ar e n o w t hat h i s ap p ear an c e i s ag ai nst
,

hi m . [f ell i n l ove w i th thee ma i d en o n the d ay w hen fir s t th o a

, ,

ea rn es t w i th m y mother a n d d i d s t w i s h to pl at h the hy at i n ths f r o m

th e h i l l a n d 1 w as thy g ui de o n the w ay
,
2
T h i s tal e o f l ov e at .

fi rs t s ig ht has b een e xqui sit ely i mi t at ed by Ve rgil i n the E ighth

E cl og ue i n a p assag e w h i c h V ol t ai r e an d M ac aul ay thou g ht t he
,

fi n es t i n Lati n po etry .

Th e S even th I dyl the Th aly s i a ( H a r ves t F eas t of D emeter )

, ,

’
w hi c h Sai n t e B euv e c all ed th e q ue en of ec log ues i s a r e mi
-
‘
,

n i sc e n c e o f th e l i fe of T h e o c ri tu s i n C o s an d o f th e fri en d sh i p s o f ,

tho s e y ou t h ful d ay s w h en h e s t ud i ed u n d e r Phi l etas ,

I dy l 7
hap pi e r o n e may s uppo se th an i n h i s c ou r t li fe
, Si m i , .

c hi d as
( w ho i s T he o c ri t us h i m self as V ergil i s Ti tyrus an d Sp en se r ,

C ol i n C lo u t ) an d t wo fri e nd s ar e w alki ng i n t he h eat o f n oo n to

a harv es t feas t o f De me t e r n ear t h e riv e r H al es T he y m e e t .

Ly c i d as a C y d o n i an o f C re t e — o n e r em emb er s t he fi n e s oft bloo m

, ,

o f the C r et an gr ass i n S ap p ho c l ad i n a roug h go atski n wi t h —

,

e y e s th at s m il e d al w ay s an d a l a ngh s ti l l o n h i s l ips
,
3
H e s i ngs .

1 “
N or m I s o d efo rme d
a to s i gh t ,
If in my sc ythe I l oo k e d ari gh t In
w hi c h I s ee my p i ct ur e d o n e .
— M A RVELL .

2
Lan g
’
s tran sl ati o n .

3
l
L eg r an d w o u d i d e n t i fy Lyc i d as w i t h Le o n i d as of Tare n t um, t h e e
pi
grammat i st , a yo u n ger c o n t emp o rary o f Th eo c ri t us .
 TH E O C RITU S 43 1

the m a
”
s o n g w hi c h or t of r es u me o f p astor al the m es hi s ow n
is a s ,

lov e for Agean ax a bri ef ac c o u n t of the sorro w s o f Daphn i s an d

, ,

t h e p r ai s es o f C o matas t h e go ath er d o f Si c ili an l eg e n d w ho su f

, ,

fere d i m pri so n m e n t i n a c h es t for t he M u ses sak e an d w as

’
,

mi rac ul ou sly fed by b ees Si mi c hi d as i n h i s t ur n t ell s o f the

.
, ,

c o n s umi n g lov e o f hi s fri e n d Ar at us p rob abl y n o t t h e

( p o et of Soli )
B ut w hat r ai s es t hi s I dy l abov e all t he o t h e r s t hat li k e i t br eath e , ,

o f s um m e r sc en ts and are full of t he sou n d s o f dov es an d b ees i s ,

t he c lo s i n g p i c tur e o f the feast n ear t he al tar o f De m e t e r o f th e

t h r es hi n g fl oor i n th e sh ad e o f e lm s an d p o pl ar s w h e r e De m e t e r
-
, ,

h e r se l f wi t h s u n bu r n t look s t he M u se o f P as to ral Po e try s t an d s

”
, ,

by s mili n g he r han d s full o f c or n an d p op p i es

, .

T he Th alys i a has n o r eg ul ar amo eb ean so n g th e al te r n at e stan z as ,

w hi c h w er e c harac teri sti c o f p astor al i mprov i satio n s Th e b es t .

e x am p l e o f t h i s ty p e w h i c h V ergil has i mi t at ed i n hi s Thi r d

,

E cl og h e i s t h e E igh th I dy l H e r e w e h av e all the

I dy l 8
.
,

n ai v e e ti qu e t te of th e s i ngi n g m at c h th e c hall eng e th e , ,

agr ee m en t as to s tak es and um p ir e an d th en t h e al t e r n at e v e r ses ,

h er e el egi ac q uat r ai n s c lo sely sym m et ri c al i n w h i c h the s i n g e r w ho

, ,

d r aw s th e l o t c hoo s es t he motif t h e c ad en c es an d t ur n s o f t ho u g h t , ,

w h i c h h e t hat r espo n d s m u s t c lo sely follow i n fo r m an d t ry to em

b elli sh i n exp r ess io n Som e o f the s t an z as ar e lo s t and ac c ordi n g
.
, ,

to the ac c ep t ed arran g e m en t i t i s M enal c as the lo se r w ho si n g s , , ,

t he q uat r ai n w h i c h i s t he mo s t c o n c i s e an d exqui si te e xpr essio n o f

Si c il i an p as tor al : N ay hn t hen ea th th i s r ock w i l l I s i ng w i th thee

, ,

i n mi n e a r ms a n d w atch o u r flochs f eed i ng together , a n d befo re as

, , ,

1
the S i ci l i a n s ea .

Th e S econ d I dy l , t he F h ar macen tr i a ( S o r cer ess) , i s n o t to b e

c l ass i fi e d o ff han d I t i s a t al e o f tow n l i fe, full o f pass io n , an d has
.
“

n ot hi ng i n c o m mo n wit h the pat h e ti c or sen tim en t al

I d yl 2
lov es o f the pas tor al [dyl s I t mig h t be c l assed as a .

wom an s mi me wi t h t ho se of So phro n bu t t hat i t i s a mo n olog u e

’ ’
, ,

i n he x amet er s an d a m i m e i mpl i es d i alogu e 2

,
I n E n gli s h or .

1 L an g .

2 Th e sc h o l i as t w ho sa s
y t h at i t w as fro m a mi me o f S o ph ro n t hat Th eo c
43 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L IT E RATUR E

Sc o t ti sh p o et ry i t woul d b e ll d a b all ad lik e Ro ssetti s S i s ter

ca e ,
’

H el en , w h i c h i t m us t h av e i n spi r ed Si mae tha i s n o M e d ea o r

.

C an i d i a wi t h a l abor atory of p oi s o n s bu t a b e tr ay e d girl d ese rt e d,

by her l ov e r Sh e has r ec our se to magi c s p ell s an d lov e c harm s at

.

mi d nig h t t h e wry n ec k t h at tu r n s o n t he w he el the mel ti n g w ax

, , ,

an d c r ac kli n g l au r el l eaf : E v en as i t c r ac kl es i n the fl am e may

th e fl esh o f Del p h i s w as t e i n t he bu r n i ng When t he magi c ri t e .
’

i s do n e an d sh e has sen t away t h e m aid T h estyl i s Sh e t e ll s i n t he , ,

s il e n c e an d m oo n lig h t t h e s to ry o f h er l ov e t h e p ai n an d t um ul t ,

o f her h eart i n d r am ati c c o n tr as t wi t h th e p eac e o f n atu r e I t w as .

at a fes t iv al p ro c ess io n t hat s h e fi r s t saw Del p h i s o n e o f t h o s e ,

sh o w s t h at i n N ew C o me d y an d i ts Lati n i mi t atio n s so o ft en e n d

Th e t al e o f h er s u mmo n s hi s c o mi n g an d h er
’ ]l
i n lov er s m ee ti n g s , ,

e mo tio n as h e c ro ssed t h e t h r esh old ad d s an ot h e r to t ho se p i c tu r es

of p ass io n o f w hi c h Sapp h o s et th e typ e I t has b een m o st c lo sely .

i mi t at ed by R ac i n e i n Phed r e I n th e S or cer es s as i n the d i rg e

.
,

fo r Dap hn i s T h eo c ri tu s u ses th e r efr ai n t h at p athe ti c d e vi c e d ear

, ,

to Al ex and ri an po e ts w h i c h i s so effec tiv e w hen i t i s n o t ab su rd

, .

I t w as ad o pt ed from Al ex an dri a by C at ullu s an d by V ergil fo r th e ,

E i gh th E cl og ue Th e F ou r th I dy l i s a mi me a go ssi pi n g d i alogu e
.
,

b e t w ee n B at t us an d C ory d o n w h i c h c o n t ai n s n o so ng s i s r eali s ti c
, , ,

an d r e mi n d s o n e t hat C o m ed y b eg an i n S i c ily H e r e w e ar e i n n o .

p erfum ed E d en bu t i n the s o c i e ty o f th e r ud e an d s ensu al c ou n try

,

o l e w i t h w h o m t h e i d ealiz e d Dap hn i s h as l ittl e i n c o m mo n

p pe .

’
The F o u r teen th t he s to ry of t h e l ov e r s qu arr e l o f A e sc h i n es an d
, ,

t h e TZlj f tl ijl F l t f f t h e d r e am o f t h e s ea wo r n fi sh erm an ar e al s o

'’ ’
- -
, ,

m i mes Th e l att e r w h i c h i s p rob ably n o t T heo c ri t ean i s S i mil ar

.
, ,

i n sc h e m e to th e E i gh th I ll i me o f H e r o d as t he D r ea m , .

I t i s to t he F ifteen th t he Sy r acus an Wo men or I Vonzen a t the

, ,
/

r i t us b o rro w ed Th estyl i s S i mae th a s mai d s ervan t stren g th en s th e c o nj e ct ur e

,
’
,

t h at t h e mo d el o f t he S or c r ess w as i n S o ph ro n i n w h o s e fragmen ts th e re are

e ,

v er s es ev i d e n tl y utt e r e d b y wo me n p r e p ar i n g magi c r i t es .

1
Cp Pl au t us Ci stel l a i a I I 8 9 ff
.
,
r [t w a s the f east of D i ony s n s
. . . [M y .

moth e tooh me to see th e sh ow A s ca n e h ome I sa w h i m

r . z It w as at a .

feast o f A d n i s th at H er o fi r st met Lean d er

o Cp t o o A n th P a l 5 1 9 3
. . . . . .
43 4 SH O RT H I ST O RY OF G RE E K L ITE RATU R E

Th e h y mn d w ell s o nly on t he sen su ou s s id e, t h e ap p eal t o e e

y
an d ear .

Th e M i mes o f T h e o c ri tu s w e r e almo st c ert ai n ly wri tt en to b e

r ead n o t ac t ed b ut t hat t h e y w er e n ev e r p ut o n t he s t ag e i t
, ,

wo ul d b e r ash t o say w he n o n e r e m e mb e r s that ev e n th e E cl og ues

,

o f V e rgil so m uc h l ess d ram ati c i n for m w e r e fr eq ue n tly p er

, ,

fo r me d at R o m e .

A mo n g the L i ttl e Ep i cs the mo st c har mi n g i s t he Thi r teen th

I dyl t h e Hy l a s T hi s i s t he t al e of th e d r o w n i n g o f
Th e Hy l as
.
,

Hyl as an d t he bi t te r gri e f o f H er ac l es fo r t h e lo ss o f
'

hi s favo rit e I t for me d p ar t o f th e gr eat s o n g O f S il en us d e

.

s c rib e d i ri V e rgil s S i x th E cl og u e
’
T e n n y so n sai d h e woul d be .

c o n t e n t to d i e i f h e h ad wri tt e n an y th i n g l ik e t he p assag e w h e r e

H e r ac l es i s o n hi s v ai n q uest for Hyl as : Th r i ce h e s h ou ted .

Hy l as
. as l ou d as h i s d eep th r oa t cou l d ca l l , an d th r i ce ag a i n th e

boy h ea r d h i m, an d th i n ca me h i s voi ce f r om the w a ter , an d h ar d

by th oug h h e w as , h e s eemed very f a r a w ay .
1

O t h e r e p i c i dyl s ar e t h e Tw en ty F ou r th an d Tw en ty s th w h i c h - -

d esc rib e t h e bi rt h o f H e r ac l es hi s m ir ac ul ou s i n fan c y an d how , ,

h e sl ew th e N e m ean lio n M or e t han o n e l at e wri ter o f ep i c

.

t ri e d to c ov e r t h e w h ol e H er ac l e s my th bu t t h es e l i t tl e e p i c s ar e ,

sh or t e n o ug h to pl ease C all im ac h u s m e r e e pi so d es fro m t h e sag a ,

o f th e Do ri an h ero .

The Tw en ty E i gh th I dy l s tan d s alo n e

-
I t i s i n the c o n .

v en t i o n al A e ol i c d i al e c t an d w as wri tt e n as t h e d e d i c a
,
ti o n of an
i vory d i s taff T h i s w as a p r es en t fro m T heo c ritu s to
.

Th e Di s t aff ’
d ai n ty an kl e d Theugen i s the wi fe o f h i s fri en d
‘ -
,

N i c i as . H er h u sb an d a p hysi c i an o f M il e t us w as hi m sel f a po et
, ,

an d sc h ol ar t o w h o m ar e ass ig n ed eig ht e p igr ams i n t he P al a ti n e

A n t ol og th e gr een mi n t o f N i c i as 2
Th e me t e r o f th e D i s taj
’ f
h ‘
.

i s c h ori am bi c .

T h e Tw en ty S even th [dy l ( O a r i s ty s ) th e Wooi n g i s n o t by ‘ ’

-
, ,

T heo c ri tu s t h o ug h i t i s fo un d o n l y wi t h hi s p o ems I t i s a pas

,
.

t or al m i me wri tt en i n st i c h o mut hi a t h e t r agi c m an n e r o f d i alogu e ,

1
Lan g Cp Pr o p ert i us
. . I . 20 .
2
M e l eag er Gar l a n d
,
19 .
 TH E O C RITU S 35

in w hi c h the k er s t ak e al t e r nat e v e r se s
S p ea T houg h no t .

T heo c ri t ean it i s wort hy of T heo c ri tu s I n t h i s sor t o f d i alogu e

.

al l d e p e n d s o n t h e S kill wi th w h i c h t h e s p e ak er s i n t h e i r g ame
‘

o f q ui c k r ej oi n d er k eep u p the b all T hi s th e an o n ym o us p o et

.

o f th e Oar i s tys ac hi ev es wi t h wo n d e rful d e xt eri ty an d Sp i ri t so ,

t hat t he bri e f mi me o f Daphn i s th e boyi sh l ov e r an d th e r el uc t an t

, ,

m aid en w ho m h e woo s an d wi n s i s o n e o f the mo st vivi d o f the

p as tor al s I t has b e en tr an sl at ed by C h en i e r
. .

B etw een tw en ty an d t h irty ep igr ams o f t he P al ati n e A n th ol ogy

ar e asc rib e d to T he o c ri t us O f t h e se A hr ens allow s o n ly n i n e to b e
.

g en ui ne T heo c ritu s woul d n o t hav e b een an Al ex an d ri an p o e t i f

.

h e had n o t c o n tri b u t ed h i s s har e t o t h at c oll e c tio n Th e

w h i c h i s th e c hi ef mo n u men t of Al ex and ri an tast e an d Epi grams
i n g e nu i ty Som e o f hi s epigrams are d e sc ri p tiv e li ttl e p i c tur es t hat
.
,

mig h t hav e b een e x tr ac ted fro m t he [dy l s s uc h as t hat w her e Daph ,

n i s wit h Pan an d Pri ap u s h o t o n hi s tr ac k l i es u n aw ar e o f t h e ir c has e

, , ,

l
r esti n g hi s tir ed li mb s i n a c ool c av er n O t h er s are for st at ues
.
,

2
as t hat for t h e s tat u e o f Ar c hilo c h u s an d th e r e i s an e pi t aph
3
,
for
t h e gr av e of H i pp o nax writ t en i n th e E p h es i an s o w n c h oli ambi c s
’
.

T heo c rit us c r eat ed a li t er ary c o n v en tio n and g av e a p erm ane nt

form to a b r anc h of p o etry t hat had h i t h erto b ee n n egl ec t ed .

The lo n g es t of hi s p o e m s i s o n ly 2 8 0 v e r s es Wit h hi s tal ent fo r .

d esc ri p ti o n he mig h t w ell hav e as pi r e d li k e A pollo n iu s to writ e , ,

an e p i c . B ut h e w as n o t b u r d en ed wi t h e r ud i tio n t hat he y ear n ed

to d i sp l ay H i s was a g en i us t hat k n ew i ts li m i t ati o n s
. C al li ma .

c h u s tri e d to be h i msel f an d tri e d i n v ai n

,
T heo c ri tu s by hi s .
,

r eal i n d ep en d enc e and fr es hn ess r ai sed hi m sel f so far abov e t he

,

r es t o f the Al e x andri an p o e t s t hat w hen o ne c all s hi m an Al e x an

d ri an i t i s al way s w i t h a s avi ng c l ause
,
Yet i t i s har d to i magi n e
.

h i m l ivi n g i n an y o t h e r age H e i s Al e x an d ri an i n hi s l o v e o f
.

c al m ,
the g en tl e mel an c h ol y t hat br eat he s t h r o ug h the fr agm e n t s

O f M e nan d e r hi s c o mpl et e s e l f c o ns c i o us n ess hi s p r e o c c up atio n

,
-
,

wi t h lov e t he at mo sp he r e o f an age t hat has l o s t for e v e r t he

,

Tyrt aean n o t e i n po etry T hro ug h T h eo c ri t us p as tor al po e try will

.

2 3 21
19 . .
43 6 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU R E

l
a wa s y pai n t th e s oft Si d e o f c ou n t ry li fe an d br eat he o f su mme r ,

an d t hat ard e n t Si c ili an s un w h i c h giv es t h e i r c harm s to s had e

an d th e c ool n e ss o f Dori an w at e r
’
‘
I t aly as Sai n t e B euv e p oi n ted
.
,
-

ou t w as i n V ergi l s d ay a l an d of till ag e and t he h ar d w ork t hat

, ,
’
,

go es wi t h t he d r as ti c use o f the s oil Th e Georg i cs i s the p rop e r

.

idylli c po etry for Ro man s w ho se han d s w er e to o hard ened by the

p lo w t o tur n r e adily to pi p e pl ayi ng -
T h e florid E cl og ues o f
.

Sann azz aro ( 1 4 5 8 — 1 5 3 0 ) ar e pu r ely ar tifi c i al Po p e w i t h h i s .

,

flo ri st s fl ow e r s m ad e p astor al absurd H e thou g h t t hat to l iv e

’
.
,

o n e s li fe i n the c ou n try w as t o lo se i t an d saw n atu r e as o n e mu st

’
,

se e h er fro m a Twi c k en h am v ill a fr an kly d ec l i n i n g to hav e an y

,

t hi n g to d o wi t h S h e phe r d s n o t o f th e G old en Age Sp e nse r as .

,

C oli n C lou t at l eas t ai m e d at r e ali s m

,
B ut p as tor al do es n o t .

fl o u ri sh i n a l an d o f fog s and r ai n T hi s i s illu str at ed by the c ase

.

o f I r el an d She i s t he mo st p as tor al c ou ntry i n Eu rop e and i n n o

.
,

ot h er are th e i llit e r at e p oor s o giv en to po et i c c ompo si ti o n Ye t .

i n a c ou n t ry w h er e t h e r e i s s o l i t tl e o f th e l abor o f t ill ag e so ,

m uc h o f heav enl y l ei sur e oti a d i a the p orti o n o f tho se w ho sp en d

, ,

t h e ir d ay s i n h erdi ng t he r e i s n o suc h thi n g as p ast or al p o etry

,
.

I t c an o n ly ari se un d er c l ear S ki es lik e t ho se that m ad e gl ad th e

,

h eart o f t h e She p her d i n H o m e r T h e I ri sh sun Sh i n es to o c ol d

. .

T he b asi s of th e di al ec t of T heo c ri tu s i n th e Al i mes an d t h e

p astor al [dyl s i s hi s n ativ e Dori c t he bro ad es t o f all th e G r eek
,

di al ec t s an d the mo s t m u si c al w i th i ts avoi d an c e o f ,
Di al ec t
s ibi l an ts an d t he c o ns t an t pr e sen c e o f th e lo n g
“ ”
a .

Th e Li ttl e Ep i cs an d th e E n co mi a are I o n i c as b ec om e s th e i r ,

e pi c t he m e s bu t wi th a mi xtu r e o f Dori c
,
The D i s tafi and two .

o t her p o ems ar e i n c o n v e n ti o n al li te r ary A eoli c .

All but th r ee o f t he p o e m s are i n hex am eter s T heo c ritus u sed .

t h e br eak i n th e fou rt h d ac tyl i c foo t so fr eq u ently t hat

M et er s
i t i s k n ow n as t he bu c oli c c aesur a I n th e p astor al .

[dyl s t her e i s a t en d e nc y t o use spo n d ai c r hy th m i n the Li ttl e ,

1
Ep i cs d ac tyl s pr e d o mi n at e .

Ap ar t fro m H om er ther e i s n o G r eek p o et w h o se ev ery p ag e i s

1 K un st , De h er oi co v er s a , 18 8 7 .
43 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K LITE RATUR E

B IO N o f Smyr na l iv ed tow ar d s th e end o f th e sec o n d c en tu ry ,

an d w ro t e p as tor al po e try i n th e d i al ec t an d man n e r o f T h eo c ri t us .

O f hi s l i fe w e k n ow n o t h i n g an d p e r hap s mu st n o t ev en ac c ep t as
,

hi st ori c al tr u t h t h e w or d s of t h e wri t e r of t h e L a men t

B i on
f o r B i o n : P oi so n ca me to thy l ips Wh a t mor tal .

w as s o c r u el as to mi x p oi s o n f o r thee
’
B io n s work as far as w e ,

may j udg e fro m a few short p o e ms an d a n u mb e r o f frag men t s ,

sh ow s a falli n g off fro m t h e d i r ec t n ess an d d r amati c pow er o f

T heo c ri tus H e i s mo r e r h etori c al an d mo r e sen ti men tal

. H is .

man n e r i s at i ts b est i n the lo n g es t ext an t i d yl ( 9 8 he x am eter s) ,

t h e L a men t f o r A d o n i s H er e w e s ee ho w th e motif s o f the dirg e

.

o f Dap hn i s i n T h e o c ri tu s hav e b ec o m e c om mo n pl ac es o f p astor al

, ,

p o etry Th e mo un tai ns th e riv e r s th e fou n t ai ns t h e flow er s w e ep

.
, , , ,

o r flu s h r ed wi t h angu i sh for A do n i s G ri ef m ak es t he you n g .

S p ri n g wil d .

H ERO DAS o f C o s ( ci r ca 3 00 2 5 0 B C ) w as a you n g e r c o n te m

1 —
. .

po r ary o f T h e o c ritu s T he evi d e n c e fo r hi s d at e i s i n th e i ll i mes

.
,

s u c h as r efe r e n c es to t he apot he o s i s O f P tol e my an d Ars i n o é i n 1

to t he d eat h ap p ar e n tly r e c en t o f A pell es th e p ai n t er i n 4 ; i n r

, ,

an d 4 t h e r e ar e i mi tati o n s o f t h e F if teen th I dy l o f T h e o c ri t us

w h i c h mu st hav e b e en wri tt en b e for e t he d eat h o f Qu ee n Arsi n o é

i n 2 70 The C o s t hat H ero d as k n ew w as m ad e c o n
.

Herod as
s p i c uo us by t h e p at ro n ag e o f th e Ptol e mi es an d w as ,

t h e pl aygrou n d o f un l ov el y Al e x an d ri a a r es o rt o f po e t s an d ,

ar t i st s . B e fo r e 1 8 9 1 w e had o n l y t en fr agm en t s ( 2 2 v e r s es) o f

t h e [Mi mes o f H e r o d as I n t hat y ear w h i c h saw al so t h e r ec ov e ry
.
,

o f th e A ri s tot eli an Con s ti tu ti on of A then s w er e p ubli sh ed abo u t ,

7 00 v er ses of H ero d as fro m an Egy p t i an p apy r us O f t hese w e .

alr ead y p o ss esse d o n ly fi ve i n q u o t atio n s ,

.

T h es e eig h t tl/ i mes bri e f d r amati c d i al og u es m ak e u p t o s om e

, , ,

e x ten t fo r t h e l o ss of th e famou s M i mes o f So p h r o n w h o w as th e

, ,

ac k n owl ed g e d m as t e r o f t h i s l it e r ary ty p e H e r o d as i n a fr ag .
,

men t ary p r elu d e t o th e sec o n d B ook o f t he [Mi mes ( w hi c h has

1
H e ro d es an d H er o n d as ar e o t h er r
v e si o ns of hi s na me . Th e co rr ec t
' '
fo rm i s p ro b abl v Hpcp 6 a s ( M ei st er) .
 H ERO DAS 39

b een r ec ov er ed ) assert s t h at be s i n g s to the I o n i ans w ho m

'

no t , ,

h e c all s t he X u thi d ae w i t h a re fe r e nc e to t he I o n l eg e n d an d t hat

, ,

hi s l i mpi n g l ay s foll ow i n t h e s t ep s o f the far fam e d H i ppo n ax

‘ ’
-
.

H e us e s ac c ordi n gly t h e sc az o n t he c hol i ambi c me t er i a mbi c, ,

tri m et er l ame d by the r e gul ar sub stit uti o n of a lo n g for a s ho r t syll a

bl e i n t he s ixt h foot M any o f th e Al ex an d ri an po et s used the
.

sc azo n . B u t as w e fi n d i t i n t h ese M i mes i t s ee ms t he mo s t d ir ec t

d esc e nd an t o f th e sc urrilou s r h y t h m o f H i ppo n ax H ero d as an d .

H i pp o n ax h av e st am p e d i t fo r e v er as t he vulg ar es t o f all th e G r e e k
meter s th e b est sui ted to p i c t ur es o f low li fe o f th e seamy S i d e of
, ,

t he man n e r s o f t he G r e e k bo u rgeoi s i e wi t h i ts c o ar s e j ests an d ,

i n c essan t prov erb s i ts sc oldi ng an d go ssipi ng wo m en

,
.

Th e sc en e o f t he fi r st M i me t he G o—B etw een ( 9 0 v e r ses) i s

, ,

l ai d i n a s eapo rt p rob ably i n C o s G ylli s a p ro c u r ess c o m es to

,
.
, ,

s e e h er fri en d th e gr ass wi d ow M e tri c h e w ho s e h us

M i me 1
, ,

b an d has b een ab sen t for so m e mo n t h s i n Egy p t an d

has fail ed to sen d h er l e tt e r s o r m essag es G yl l i s i s e m ploy ed by .

G ryllu s an at hl e t e to d ec l ar e hi s p assi o n for M e tri c h e an d to brib e

, ,

h er to b e tray M an d r i s her hu sb an d B u t M e tri c h e wi t h a s tr e ng th

,
.
,

o f c har ac t er n o t di spl ay ed el sew he r e i n t hese M i mes r ej ec t s th e ,

’
wo m an s adv an c es i n l angu ag e wort hy of P en el o p e he r sel f Th e .

th i rd p e r s o n i s a m ai d se rv an t a T hr ac i an the G r e ek e qu iv al e n t of
, ,

t he Fr e nc h m ai d T he o pen i n g v er ses t he gr e eti n g s o f t he wom e n

.
, ,

t he sc ol d i n g o f th e m ai d w hi c h w as evi d e n tly a c o m mo n pl ac e
,
-

O f th e mi m e c l o se ly r ese mbl e t h e fi r s t sc e n e o f t h e Sy r a cu s a n
,

Wo men o f T heo c ri tu s an d t he r e may hav e b een d ir ec t i mi t atio n

,

o n t h e p ar t o f H e r o d as O n t he o t he r h an d he may h av e d r aw n
.
,

d ir ec tl y o n So ph ro n w h o had fur n i sh ed t h e mo d el fo r T h e o c ri tu s .

Th e sec o n d tl/ i me t he P a n d er ( 1 0 9 v e r s es) t ak e s p l ac e i n C os

, , .

B at tarus th e pan d er bri ng s an ac tio n fo r d am ag e s ag ai ns t T hal es

, , ,

a c itiz en w ho has at t e mp t e d t o c arry o ff a c o u rt e san

M i me 2
,

M yr tal e T he w h ol e i s a mo n ol o g u e t he s p ee c h of
.
,

B at tar us as pl ai n tiff i n t e rr up t e d o n ly by t h r ee v e r se s w he r e t he
,

c l e rk o f t h e c o u rt r e ad s a d o c u me n t Ev en t hes e w e r e p r ob ably
.

rec it ed by B attarus, wi t h a c han g e o f voi c e H i s S p eec h i s a .

440 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LIT E RATU RE

p aro d y o f the l eg al man n e r of t h e c o nv e n t io n s o f l eg al or atory

, ,

a favori t e c o mi c t he m e an d c o n t ai n s t h e s to c k argu m e n ts o f su c h a
,

s pe e c h th e famili ar d evi c es to p r ej udi c e t h e j ury ag ai n s t o n e s o

’
, p
po n en t t he s toppi ng of th e w at er c lo c k w hil e a d o c u m ent i s r ead
, .

I t w as to b e d el iv ere d o f c o ur s e wi t h an ex agg e r atio n o f th e l aw

, ,

c o ur t m an n e r m ad e ri d i c ulo u s by s u d d e n l ap ses i n to c o ar s e n ess

,

o f l an gu ag e an d vulg ar p rov erb s M yrtal e he r sel f i s e x hibi t ed to .

e x c i t e t h e p i ty o f t h e j ury as i n t he fam ou s i n c i d en t w h e n H yp e r
,

e i d es bro u g h t fo r w ar d P h ry n e an d t h e d e fen d an t i s tol d that aft e r

, ,

al l h e may have h er
,
fo r a c o n s i d er atio n .

The t h ir d t h e S ch ool mas ter ( 9 8 v e r s es) i s p rob ably al s o a C o an

, ,

ep i s o d e M et ro ti me bri n g s h er i n c o rrigibl e so n C o t tal us to b e

.
, ,

s o undly flogg ed by t h e s c h ool m as t e r Lampr i sc us C o ttal us i s al .

w ay s e i t her i n the s tr eet s or g ambl i n g n o t wi th i nn o

M i me 3
, ,

c en t k n u c kl e bo n es b ut wi t h c oi n -
an d t hat
,
too o n , , ,

t h e ro o f so th at hi s m o t h e r mu s t pay h e avy bill s for brok e n t il es

,
.

'

H i s w ax t abl et t h e G r ee k Sl at e l i es u n us ed b e t we e n hi s b ed an d
, ,

t h e w all , i f he i s as k ed to s p e ak a p assag e fro m t r ag ed y h e h al t s ,

an d s tu mbl es yo ur g r a n d mother w ho h ad n o s ch ool i ng co ul d d o , ,

i t better — i n s h ort h e i s th e bad b oy o f t h e pl ac e an d i f the

, ,

d o mi n i e would hav e meréy hi s m ot h e r h as n o n e ,

Th e floggi n g .

sc en e follow s I n t h e mi d s t o f i t th e boy esc ape s wi t h a t au n t as

.
,

s oo n as h e i s o u t o f r eac h I w i l l go h o me a n d tell th e ol d man say s

.
,

h i s m ot he r a n d n ex t ti me h e s h al l be ti ed f as t s o th at th e M uses
, ,

h er e w h om h e h a tes ma v l ooh d o w n f r o m the w all o n h i s s tr uggl es

, ,
.

Th e fo urt h Wo men mahi ng a n Ofi er i ng to A scl epi us ( 9 5 v er s es)

, ,

d esc rib es th e vi s i t o f two wo m e n to th e t e mpl e o f A sc l e pi us t h at ,

1
fam ou s C o an sh ri ne w hi c h had b ee n d ec or at ed w i th s t atu es an d
p a i n ti n g s L ik
. e t h e wo m e n i n t h e [o n o f E u ri p id e s t h e y ad mir e , ,

wi t h n ai v e e x c l amatio n s t he s c ul p tur es by t h e s o ns o f
M i me 4
,

Pr axi t el es the C o an th e fi gu r e o f a boy s tr an gli n g a

,

g o o se as i n the famo us grou p i n t he C api toli n e M useum marv el

, ,

i ng at t h e r e al i s m — s oo n men w i l l l ea r n to p u t l ife i n to s to n es .

1 T h e b ases o f so me of t h ese stat ues we re r

u n c o ve ed b y th e e xc ava t i o ns
o f 1 90 2 .
44 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATUR E

’
Lu c i an s i s the
m o st fam ou s G r ee k ex ampl e The n arr ativ e i s .

c o n ti n u ally brok en by t he lo ss o f wor d s an d w hol e li n es an d c an

,

n o t b e d ec ip h e r e d .

The { Mi mes o f H er o d as d ep en d for t h ei r i n t e r es t, n ot o n the

ac ti o n bu t o n t h e c har ac te r d r awi n g
, H i s p er s o n ag es li k e th e .
,

fi gu r es i n N ew C o m ed y ar e ty pes n o t c ari c at ur es t he fawn i n g

, , ,

p ro c u r ess t he liv ely an d i mpu d e n t B attar us w h o k eep s a h ou se

,

o f il l r ep u te i n a seap o rt an d i s n o t ashamed o f t he trad e t he s tiff ,

sc hool mas t e r tru e ty p e o f th e r o d lovi n g

, ( pl agos us ) p e d agogu e
-
,

th e j ealo us B i ti nn a c ap ri c io us c ru el an d r ev en g e ful t h e mi d d l e
, , , ,

c l ass wo m en w ho c an n ev e r ad dr ess a sl av e wi t hou t har s h abu se .

I t i s n o t a pl e asi n g g all e ry o f p e r so ns M etri c he the vir tuou s .

,

wi fe i s the o nly o n e who u t ter s prop e r s en ti m en t s an d t h er e are

, ,

few G r ee k work s o f th e i m agi n atio n fro m w h i c h m or al r e fl e c tio n s

ar e so c o n spi c uo usl y ab s en t B ut e v e ry fi gu r e i s li fe lik e r eal i sti c
.
,

as t he sc ulp tur es an d p ai n ti n g s t hat t h e w om e n o f t h e fou r t h [ Mi me

ad mir e i n th e t e mpl e o f A sc l e p i us T hei r Sp eec h i s o f c ou r se
.
, ,

i n c har ac t er th e m o st c ol lo q ui al G r ee k t hat w e p o ssess c row d e d

, ,

wit h vulg ar pro v erb s t he favori t e ex p r essio n o f t he u n edu c at ed

,

i n ev ery age T he r e i s no t r ac e o f th e l ear n e d m an n e r o f t he

.

Al ex an dri an s V e rb s ar e c o n stan tly o mi t t ed as i s natu ral i n r apid

.
,

c o n v e r s atio n .

H ow t he M i mes w e r e i n t end ed to b e p e rfo rm ed i s an O p en

qu es tio n For a r egul ar st ag e t hey w er e o f c o ur se u n su i t abl e
.
, , ,

an d m u c h to o bri e f B ut t he y hav e a mo d e r n p ar all e l i n t ho se

.

di al ogu es p erform ed i n o u r o w n ti me bo t h i n E n gl an d an d A m e r ,

i c a w h e r e a s i ngl e ac tor r ep r ese n t s by c h an g es o f voi c e m an n e r

, , ,

an d g es tur e t h e n e c essary c han g es o f p e r s o n an d s cen e t ho s e ,

s o c i al S k e t c h es w h i c h ar e r e ally mi mes an d ar e wri t t en for priv at e ,

en t er tai n me n t s an d th e mus i c hall s The M i mes o f H er o d as may

1
.

w el l hav e appear ed at t h e mus i c h al l s O f Al ex an d ri a or at p riv at e ,

p arti es suc h as t hat i n th e h ou se of C al l i as i n X en o p ho n s Sy m

,
’

1
Th e d i a l o gues fo r o n e a t r mad c o , e
p o p u l ar b y Gr o s s mi th , C h ev al i er, an d
B eatri c e H er fo r d a p r o se mi m s ft e n i n l e n gt h an d s c o e r ec i s e l y arall e l
,
re e ,
o
p p p
to a mi me of H er o d as .
 T H E A LE X A N DR IA N E R O TI C FRA G M E N T 443

p os i u m w h,
e n t h e en te r tai n men t w as a
panto mi mi c d an c e of
T heseus an d Ari ad n e .

T h at H ero d as k n ew' hi s T h eo c ri t us w ell may be g at h er ed fro m

a n u mb e r o f p ar all el M an y o f t h ese how e v er may be
p assag e s .
, ,

c oi n c i d e n c es ari s i n g fro m s i mil ar s ubj ec t s an d r e r e sen t t u r n s o f

p ,

p hr ase an d th ou g h t c o mmo n i n t h ei r g e n er atio n an d so c i ety .

T ho ug h t he d i al ec t o f C o s w as Dori c H er o d as follow ed the ,

l ead of H i ppo n ax an d the o the r i am bi c wri t e r s o f the sev en t h

an d s ixt h c en t u ri es i n u s i n g t h e c o n v en tio n al lit e r ary I o n i c The .

t e x t as w e h av e i t s how s a goo d d eal o f A t ti ci s m the n atu r al re

, , ,

sul t o f t h e i n flu en c e o f th e Atti c c om e d i an s an d or ator s t ho ug h

,

A tti c izi n g c opyi st s ar e n o d o u bt p artly r espo n sibl e T he r e ar e

, , .
'

‘
nu m ero u s ec h o es o f Ari s top han e s .

Aki n to a mi m e may hav e b een th e c o m p o si ti o n o f w hi c h

G r en fell p ubl i sh e d a c o n s i d er ab l e fr agm en t i n T his i s t he
s o c all e d E r o ti c F r ag men t
-
I t i s t he l amen t o f a girl d ese rt ed by
.

h e r lov er l ik e t h e Si mae th a o f T h e o c rit us

,
As Sh e slowly ad .

v an c es ap p ar en tly t ow ar d s t he ho use o f the fait hl ess o n e S he

, ,

p ou r s fort h i n l an gu ag e brok e n by ex c i t ed gri ef sh ort d i sc o n

, , ,

n ec t e d s e n t en c es t he tal e o f t h ei r l ov e hi s d ese rti o n h er o w n

, , ,

c o n s t an c y an d e ag e r n ess to forgiv e t h e ab an d o n m en t o f h er ,

p a s s io n O .nl y abou t fi fty l i n es of t hi s m o n ologu e hav e b een

d i sc ov e r ed an d o f t hese p e r haps t h i rty are d ec ip h e r abl e
, Are .

t he y p o e t ry or p ro se ? The d i c tio n i s n o t t hat o f any G r ee k lyri c

k n ow n to us I t i s t he c olloq u i al l an gu ag e o f c o mmo n l i fe r eal
.
,

i s ti c as H ero d as an d i f an yt hi ng l ess l i t e r ary

,
B l ass .
,

Di el s an d W eil assig n i t t o th e c at e gory o f r hyt hmi c

,

pro se an d c o mp ar e t h e t r ad i tio n al s tyl e of t h e lo s t

i l/ i mes o f So p h ro n I n t hat c as e w e c o ul d b ut r e g ar d i t as a p i ec e
.

o f d eb ase d wri ti n g i n w hi c h i n th e A si an i c m an n e r r hyt h mi c al

, , ,

p ro se has b ec o me me tri c al F o r t h e g r eate r p art o f th e fr ag me n t

.

i s wri t t en i n d o c h mi ac s th e m e t e r o f e x c i t e men t i n tr ag e d y a
, ,

1 K r ak e rt H er od , as in mi ni i a mbi s q ua te n u s co ncoea
’
mm g r a ecu m r es
p ex i sse
’
v i d eat u r , z
L e i p i g, 1 9 0 2 .

2 An A l ex a n d r i a n E r ot i c Frag men t an d Oth er ( i r eeh P ap yr i , O x f

o rd , 1 396 .
4 44 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU RE

r hy th m w holly u n sui te d to pro s e I t i s t her efo r e mor e sati sfac

.
, ,

tory to ac c e p t t he arr an g e men t of Wi l amo w i tz an d to r eg ar d the ,

fr ag men t as a u n iq ue r el i c o f Al e x and ri an ly ri c r el at ed i f w e must , ,

fi n d a p ar all e l for i t i n th e c l ass i c al p e rio d to the mo n o di e s o f ,

E u ri p i d es We may c all i t an Al ex an dri an ari a n o t un lik e t ho se

.
,

o t h e r d r amati c lyri c s of abo u t t h e same d at e t he ca n ti ca o f t he ,

l ay s o f Pl au t us To app r e c i at e i t s un d e n i abl e b e auty an d p at ho s

p .

w e mu st for t he m o men t forg e t th e s t an d ard s set by t he c l as s i c al

, ,

p assag es o f emo ti o n al writi n g si n c e t o these t h e Al ex and ri an aut hor

,

o f t he p i ec e d i d n o t c o n for m I ts d at e i s p artly i n d i c at ed by t he
.

d ate o f a c o n tr ac t w ri t t e n o n th e r ecto o f t he p apyr us i n 1 7 3 B C . .

The ari a may hav e b een c o m p o s ed so m e y ear s e arl i er .

Ev ery ty p e o f li te r at ur e w as essay e d by th e Al ex an d ri an s O f .

t hei r e pi c s myt h ologi c al ( the A rg on a u ti ca) gen r e ( th e H eca l e )

, , ,

and h i st ori c al ( t h e M essen i a n s ) w e k n ow e n o ug h fo r a fair c o m

,

a ri o n wit h t h e c l ass i c mo d e l s B ut o f th e p ur ely Al e x an d ri an

p s .

d r am a w e h av e n o r e mai n s The ti tl es t hat su rviv e

Th e d rama
.

S h ow t h at i t w as i mi t ativ e I t i s at an y r ate u n l ik el y
.

t hat w e hav e lo s t mu c h by t h e d i sapp ear an c e of t h e n u me rou s

tr ag e di es O f the Pl ei ad sev e n tr agi c po e t s w h o p ro d u c ed p l ay s at
,

Al ex an d ri a an d ar e s pok e n of wi t h r esp ec t by th e c o mmen tat or s .

E v en t he i r n ames ar e n o t wort h an e ffort o f memory The po et s .

of t he N ew C o me dy M en an d er an d hi s suc c essor s b elo n g i n p oi n t

, ,

of t i m e to the Al e x an dri an p e riod B ut At hen s w as thei r c e n te r .

,

an d t h ey hav e b ee n t r eate d u n d er th e h ead o f A tt i c C o m ed y i n an

e arl i e r c h ap t e r.

O n e of t h e t r agi c po e t s o f th e Pl ei ad c o mp o se d a po e m w hi c h
c an har d ly hav e b ee n s u r p assed as a li t e r ary c u rio si ty e v en i n t hat -
,

a e o f l ear n e d
g p o etry LY C O P H RO N o f C hal c i s w as bor n abo ut 3 2 0
.
,

as n early as c an b e c o nj e c t u r e d from ot h e r k n o w n fac ts

Ly coph ron
o f hi s c ar ee r H e d i ed abo u t 2 6 5 o n th e stag e an d
.
, ,

i n h i s tr agi c boo ts ( co th u r n a tus ), i f w e may t r ust an allu s io n to

l
H e w as ap poi n ted abou t 2 8 5 by P ro l
’
t he ev en t i n O vi d s I bi s .
, ,

e my P hi l ad el p h u s
'

,
t o arr an g e t h e c o medi e s i n the Al ex and ri an
1
53 1- 53 2
446 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LIT E RATU R E

ol d p oetry i d Ti mo theus i n hi s d ay an d t hi s fatal G r eek pr e fe r

sa ,
l
,

en c e for th e mod e r ns i s r e sp o n s i bl e for t h e lo ss o f man y o f the

m o st e xq ui s i t e flow er s o f M el eager s Ga r l an d w hi c h w er e d ro pped ’

,

’
ou t by t he l ate r an t h ol ogi st s su c h as the ro ses o f Sapp ho o r the
,

’
roug h w h i t e t ho r n o f Ar c hilo c hu s
-
.

Si nc e th e d i sc ov e ry o f th e P a l a ti n e A n th ol ogy it has sup e r se d ed

t he work o f Pl an u d e s e x c ep t i n d e ed w h e r e h e suppl e m e n t s
, , ,

C ep hal as Th e p o e m s i n t h e A n thol ogy i n c l ud e bri e f i dyl s o d es

.
, ,

e l egi es an d es p ec i ally e v e ry ty p e o f ep igr am

,
an d r ang e i n d ate ,

fro m t h e se v en t h c e n tury B C to t he tw el ft h c e n t ury A D Th e . . . .

m aj ori ty are i n el egi ac m e t e r From th e fi r s t the G r eek po e t s .

w ro t e e pigrams for i n sc ri p ti o n s o n o ffe ri n g s for tomb s ( epi t aphs ) , ,

for work s o f ar t fo r an y o c c as i o n w h i c h w o ul d ad mi t of an e x p r es
,

s iv e c o u p l e t or q uatr ai n B u t i n Al ex an dri a the e p igr am has

.

b ec o me li t e r ary an d i s u s ed muc h l ik e t he m adrig al or s o n n et i n

,

E n gli sh li t e rat ur e to exp r ess a wi d e v ari e ty o f i n t e r est s and e mo

,

ti on s . Lov e w h i c h si n c e th e d aw n of t h e N e w C o m ed y h ad
, , ,

u su rp ed t he s t ag e had lo n g d o mi nat ed el egy an d wi t h the Al ex

, , ,

an d ri an s i n v ad ed the e pigram
,
I n t h e t h r e e c e n t u ri es b e for e
.

C h ri s t w h i c h saw all th e p hases o f Al ex an d r i n i s m an d th e t r an si

,

t io n to t he G raec o Ro man p e riod i n l it e r at u r e t h e ar t o f writi ng

-
,

t h e e pigr am r eac h ed i ts h e i g h t C e rt ai n po e t s w ho e x c ell ed i n

.

t h i s ty p e i n c l ud i n g M el e ag e r h i ms el f fal l u n d e r t h e p erio d of R0
, ,

man i n fl u enc e i n politi c s but t hei r i n t er est s l ay al m o s t alw ay s o n

, , ,

t h e eas t e r n si d e o f t h e A e g e an or at any r at e t h e y ig n or e d Ro m e
, , ,
.

A SC LEP I ADES of Samo s ( flor u i t 2 9 0 B C ) w ho g av e h i s n am e t o . .

c e rt ai n log ao ed i c m e t e r s u se d by Hor ac e w rot e ly ri c s bu t w as , ,

m o s t famo u s for hi s e p igr ams th e w i n d flo w e rs o f ‘ ’

As cl epi ad es
,

M e l eager s G a r l a n d ’
O f th e forty th r ee t hat su rviv e
.
-
,

m any are amo ng t h e p r e tti es t o f t he e ro ti c ty pe

O Ga r l a n d s , h a ng i ng by thes e d oor s , n ow stay ,
N or fr o m y ou r l ea ves too ou zchly sh a he a w ay
My d ew f
o tea r s , ( H ow ma ny s u ch , a h me
A l ov er s e
’
y es mu s t sh ed

1
Per s ae 21 .
 T H E AN T H O LO GY 44 7

B u t w h en th e open i ng of th ese d oor s y e see,

L et s l o w ly d r op my r a i n up o n h er h ea d ,
Th a t so h er g o l den h a i r may d r i n h mor e d eep
1
Th ose tea r s th a t I d i d w eep .

In igr am o f a d iffer e n t ty p e w h i c h e c h o es t h e lit erary c on

an e p ,

tro ver si es o f t he d ay h e ad mir es t he Ly d e o f A n ti mac hus t hat

, ,

bo n e of c o n t en tio n a mo n g th e Al e x an dri an s 2
.

We hav e 1 1 1 epigr am s c hi efly s ep ul c h r al an d d ed i c atory o f

, ,

LEO N I DAS o f T ar e n tu m ( ci r ca 2 7 6 w ho se ri c h ivy c lu st er s

M el eag e r wov e i n t o hi s G a r l a n d H e i s at h i s b es t .

L eon i d as
i n d esc ri p tio ns : D r i nh n o t h er e w afla r er of thi s
’

, ,

tep i d w a ter w h i ch th e p as tu r i ng s h eep h a ve fill ed w i th mu d

,
Go .

on bu t l i ttl e w ay over the r i dge w her e h eifer s g r a ze ; ther e by th a t

a

n d , mu r mu r i ng th r o ugh the
s to n e
p i ne o
-

f th e s he
p h er d s th ou s h al t
fi
3
w et r o ch, a s
p r i ng cold er th a n a ny I f w i
s n ow
e n o f the N o r th .

t er pre t hi s l i fe fro m h i s e p igr a

4
m s he was a poor an d w an d eri n g ,

po e t w ho suffe r ed fro m the w ar o f t he Ro man s an d Pyrr hu s an d ,

h i s ep igr am s ar e wri t t en c h i e fly fo r t he p oo r T h ey r e fl e c t t h e .

p ath o s of t he li fe o f t he har d work ed — t h e fi sher man w ho fal l s

-

asl eep i n hi s b ut o f r eed s by t he M e d it e rr an ean t he sp i n n i n g ,

wom an w ho till h er eig hti e t h y ear toil s to k eep hu n g e r fro m th e

, ,

5
d oor .

SI MMI AS o f R h o d es an d DOSI ADAS o f C r e te exp en d ed th e i r i n

6 ’
gen ui ty i n w ri ti n g po e m s i n S h apes an egg or Lov e s wi n g s an
’

, , ,

e x er c i s e t hat e v en T h e o c ri tu s d i d n o t d espi s e i f h e F i gured ,

r eally w ro t e the Sy r i nx (Shepher d s P ipe) p r ese rv ed P oems ’

u n d e r hi s n ame i n t he A n th ol ogy ]
Th e Al ta r o f Do si ad as w h i c h ,

Luc i an br ac k e t ed wi t h Ly c o p hro n s A l ex a n d r a as pe stil en t p ed an

’

8
try h as an ex ac t p ar all el i n th e c o nc e i t of G e o rg e H erb e rt s
,
’

po e m w h o se si xt een li n es ar e arr an g ed i n the for m o f an al t ar

, .

Wom en p o ets hav e t hei r pl ac e i n t he A n th ol ogy B esi d es t hr ee .

1 A u th P a l 5 1 4 5
. . . . A S tr e ttel l
.
’
s transl at i o n .
2
A u th P a l 9 6 3 . . . .

3
A u th P l a n 2 3 0
. . .
4
A u th Pa l 6 3 00 .. . . .

5 C p S ai n t e- B e uve i n N ou vea ux L u n d i s V I I
. .
0
A u th P a l 1 5 2 7, . . . 23 .

7 1 8
5 . 21 . Lex i pha n es 2
5 .
44 8 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU RE

c ha rm i n g igr ams by the fourt h c en t ury E ri nn a w e hav e a fe w

ep -
,

’
p e t al s of the l ili es o f AN YT E of T eg ea c oll ec t ed by M el eag er
‘
, ,

Any t e and c h i e fly littl e p i c tur es full o f d e li c ac y an d an Al ex an

N OS S i S d ri an t e n d e r n ess for an i m al s an d s ym pat hy w it h n a

t u r e Su c h i s t he d e d i c ati o n fo r a H e r mes w hi c h s t an d s by a
.

w i n dy o r ch a r d n ea r the g r ay seas h or e ofi er i ng r es t f o r w ea ry men

f
, ,

o n th ei r w ay or t h e s e a s h ri n e of A p h ro d i t e a bo u t w h i ch th e ver
, y
s ea i s s ti r r ed a s i t
g azes o n h er s h i n i n
g i mag e W e h av e tw elv e .

e p igr am s o f N O SSI S o f Lo c ri w h o e arly i n th e t h i r d c en tu ry d ar ed

, , ,

1
to c h all e n g e th e s u p e ri ority o f Sap ph o b u t o nly o n e o f h er e ro t i c ,

po e ms t h o se lov ely an d fr agr an t i ri s bloo ms o f w h i c h M el eag e r

,

s ai d t hat fo r t h e tabl e ts o n w h i c h t h e y w e r e writt e n

, Lov e wi t h ,

h i s o w n h an d s had mel t ed t h e w ax Th us s a i th N oss i s ar e th e .

,

c lo s i n g w ord s Wh o m th e Cyp r i a n l oveth n o t hn ow s n o t w h a t r oses

, ,

her flow er s a r e .

I t w o ul d b e i dl e to c o nti n u e the li s t o f t h ese mi n or p o ets fo r ,

w ho se sh allo w roo ted v e r ses s kill an d taste n o t g e n iu s fanc y

-
, , ,

r at he r t h an i magi n atio n w er e d e m an d e d T heir e pigr am s ar e

,
.

b est u n d e r stoo d w h en d esc rib e d i n gro up s ac c or d i ng to thei r

i n t er e st s r at h e r than as th e ex p r essi o n o f i n divi d ual s The flo w e r .

g at her er s t o w h om w e o w e th i s pr ec iou s c oll ec tio n h av e l e ft us

blo ss o ms o f all S hap es sc en t s an d c olor s to il l us tr at e all t he
, , ,

e mo tio n s l ov e hat e gri e f li t e r ary j ealo u sy al l th e pur su i ts o f l ife

, , , , , ,

th e pat ho s o f d e at h th e d an g er s o f t h e se a w h i c h t o t he Al ex an
, ,

d ri an eye e v e r su gg est e d th e u n q u i e t gr av e O f m ari n e r s w h o t o ss “

w i t h tangl e an d wi t h sh ell s The sh or es ar e se t t hi c k wi t h th e

”
.

t o mb s o f th e m or e fortu n at e w ho c oul d at l east w i n th e rit es o f

b u ri al Sel d o m do t h e e pi t aph s o f the Shi p w r ec k ed ri se abov e
.

t h e l i stl ess mel an c h oly w h i c h m ak es s o mu c h o f th e Al e x an d ri an

A n thol ogy d e pr ess i n g t o r e ad B u t o n c e at an y r at e T h eodor us .

,

s ou n d s a n obl e r n o te o f e n c o ur ag e m en t

H er e l i es a sh i pw r eched ma r i n er y et d o th ou s a i l ;
;

Wh en w e w er e l ost, th e other boa ts r od e o u t th e ga l e 3 .

2
28 1
3
1 A u th P a l
. .
7 .
7 18 . A u th P a l 5 . . . 1 70 . A u th . P al .

7 . .
4 50 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATUR E

A fr es h sec tio n m ight be ad d e d to t he A n th ol ogy from t he b est

of th e i n sc ri p tio n al epigr am s r ec ov er e d by ar c haeologi s t s an d c ol ,

l ec ted by Kai b el 1
H i s volu m e o f l ap i d ary i n sc rip t i o n s i n c lu d es
.

t h e work of m an y c en t uri es r e c ov e r ed i n G r eec e A si a and the

, , ,

i sl an d s epigr am s t hat ill us tr ate al l the grad es of s ki ll at t ai n ed no t

, ,

o n ly by the G r eek s bu t by the Rom an s and O ri en tal s who c o pi ed

,

t h eir l api d ary styl e .

O f al l t hat w as wri t ten i n pro se by th e Al ex an d ri an c ir c l e n o t ,

a s i ngl e work surviv ed t o b ec om e a c l assi c O ut o f that n e st of .

p ed an ts c am e mor e t han o n e p o et an d m o st of the p o e t s wro te ,

p ro se . B ut to j u d g e fro m th e fragm en t s t hat surviv e t h e i r wri t ,

i ng s c o n tai n e d n ot h i n g w h o se l o ss w e n eed r egr e t e x c ep t c e rt ai n ,

i n form atio n w hi c h woul d b e u seful for the h i s tori an of l i t er atu r e .

Tr eati ses t hey wro te b ut t hese w er e p hilologi c al t h e work of men

, ,

I n ter est ed i n gram m ar r at he r than i n th e pri n c ipl es o f c ri t i c i sm .

Al ex an d er wh o was so eag er to i n spir e a gr eat li ter ary m o n u

,
- '

m en t w as si n gul arly u n for tu nate i n falli n g o n a t i m e t hat w as bar

,

r e n of h i s tori c al g en i us H i s O ri en tal c amp aig n s S h o uld hav e b een

.

to hi stori an s w hat th e P er si an an d P elo p o nn es i an w ars w e r e to

Th e H erodo tu s an d T hu c y d id es B ut the wri t e r s w ho m he .

h i s t ori an s t ook i n hi s tr ai n w er e w h olly u n e q u al t o t hei r tas k .

M en l ik e P tol e my I Ari st obul us and C alli sthen es to n ame a

, , ,

fe w o f t h o se w ho h ad the ambi tio n t o b e th e h i s tori ans o f Al ex

an d er p rodu ce d mili tary m e m oi r s an d j ou r n al s o f n o l i t e r ary v al ue
, ,

or m e r e marv el o us fi c tio ns d esig n e d to fl att er Al e x an d er s v ani ty ’

B es i d es th ese DOUR I S o f Samo s ( bor n ci r ca 3 4 0) wro t e p o n d e rou s

,

h i s tori es o f M ac edo n i a an d G r e ec e from t he d at e o f Le u c tr a

w h i c h w e r e use d as boo k s o f r e fe r en c e by l at e r hi s tori an s T I MAEUS .

of Taur o men i um i n Si c ily ( bo r n ci r ca 3 4 5 ) w as an i n du striou s

w ri ter w h o se mast erpi ec e w as hi s h i s tory of S i c ily H al f o f h i s .

lo n g li fe he sp en t at A th e n s so that he d i d n o t b elo ng to th e
,

Al ex and ri an c i rc l e I n S pi t e of hi s v as t e rud i tio n an d i n d u s try

.
‘

h e i s c o n s t an tly abu se d by Polybi u s w h o i s n o d oub t a p r eju , , ,

d i c e d c ri ti c Ti m ae u s w as a t ru e p ed an t wri ti n g h i s to ry an d ev e n
'

.
,

1 Ep i gr a mma ta g r a eca ex l ap i d zbu s l

co n ecta, l
B er i n , 1 8 78 .
 TH E H I ST O RIA N S 45 1

that p ed an ti c age r ec og n iz ed t hat h e was too booki s h Lo ngi n u s .

qu o ted hi m to illu str ate the p al try p l easant ri es an d t he frigidi ty o f

1
a p e d an t wri ti n g i n the wo r st r he t ori c al m anner th e m ann er of ,

’
th e Asi ani sts .

T he work s Of t h es e men an d
o f o th er s o f t h eir trib e su rviv e i n
, ,

fr agm en ts d er eli c ts i n th e sea o f l ear n i n g wi th no si g n i fi c anc e for

, ,

li t er atur e o nly to be m entio n e d for the sak e o f c o n ti n ui ty and to

,

p oi n t the m oral o f the l ac k o f c r eativ e vi tality i n the ir Erat os

d ay . I t was the age of the enc y c l op ed i sts, o f men t h enes
lik e E RATOST H EN ES w ho su cc eed ed hi s m aster C alli m ac hu s as libr a
,

ri an H e l e ft hardly an y subj ec t u n tou c hed and was p er hap s the

.

wor th i es t of the Al ex an d ri an sav an t s b ec au se th e m o st sc i en ti fi c .

G e ogr ap hy m at he m ati c s ph y s i c s p h ilo s o p hi c al c o m m e n t ari es

, , , ,

c h ro n ology t he h i s tory of p o e try w er e amo n g hi s i n te r es ts

, , Of .

all t hat i n du st ry li t tl e s urvi v e s an d ap ar t from a s m all c i r c l e o f

, ,

sp e c i ali s t s the m o d e r n stu d en t k n ow s E r ato sthe n es o n ly as th e i n

,

ven to r of a m e t ho d fo r fi n di n g p ri me n u mb e r s th e c e l e br at e d ,

an d as an au thority o n th e early c h ro n ology o f G r eec e

”
si e v e , .

Th e c e n te r of p h ilo s op hy i n t he t hi rd ce n tury w as n o t Al e x
’
an d ri a bu t At h en s
,
T h er e Pl ato s A c ad em y c o n ti nu ed to fl ou ri sh
.

an d h i s p h ilo s op h y to b e m odifi ed by h i s su c c esso r s ,

P h i l osoph y
Sp eusi p pus X en o c r ates Pol e mo n an d C r at es w ho
, , , ,

m ad e p r ac ti c al e thi c s th e ethi c s o f the i n d ividu al r ather than

,

poli ti c al m or al i ty their c h i ef i n t er est X eno c rates c o n c eiv ed o f

, .

the I d eas as n u m b er s an d i n tro d u c e d a Pyt hago ri z i n g te n d en c y

, .

Sev er al o f th e s c h ool w er e d i s ti n gui s he d m at hem at i c i an s su c h as

‘

E u d oxu s N eo c l ei d e s an d H erac l ei d es The Ly c eu m of Ari s totl e

, , .

u nd er T he o p hr astu s an d th e l at er sc hol ar c hs k ept u p t he t r ad i tio n s

o f i ts fou n d er T he Pl ato ni sts hav e n o pl ac e i n th e hi sto ry o f
.

li t e r atur e S i nc e the ir wri ti ng s hav e al mo s t e n tir e ly peri shed I t .

woul d b e u n fai r i n t he ab sen ce o f n early al l t ho s e wo rk s o f

,

A ri s to tl e w hi c h w e r e d esti ned by hi m for p ubl i c atio n to d w ell ,

o n hi s ap p ar e n t i n d i ffe r e n c e to styl e B ut the d ec li n e o f p h ilo .

~

s op hi c al p ro se ma
y s afely be illu s tr at ed fro m E p i c uru s an d t he
1 O n th e S u bl i me 4 .
45 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATU R E

E pi c ur ean s C hry si pp us an d t he Stoi c s I t i s easy to w r i te sai d

, .
,
‘
E p i c u r us .

T h e i m m e di at e s u c c essor o f Ari s totl e c an n ot be so lig htly d i s

m i sse d T H EOP H RASTUS the fri en d of M enan d e r and pup il o f
.
,

Th e0ph ras A ri s to tl e w as bo r n i n Lesbo s i n 3 7 2 , A t h ens to .

,

t us
w h i c h h e emigr ate d as a yo u t h b ec ame hi s ho m e an d , ,

t her e a ft er th e d eat h of Ari s to tl e

, b e r an k e d as t he mo st
di s ti n g ui shed phil o so ph e r an d m o st p opul ar teac her o f th e d ay .

H e d i e d i n 2 8 7 p rovi d i n g by hi s will for th e m ai n t en anc e of th e

,

Ly c eu m O f hi s n u me rou s work s w e h av e t w o o n bot an y an d

.
,

c o n s i d e r abl e fr ag m e n t s o f o t h e r p h i l o so p h i c al tr e at i s es H e dis .

c u s se d i n h i s lo s t w or k s sev e r al s ubj ec t s t hat h ad alr ead y b ee n

han d l ed by A ri s totl e an d w i t h a fr eshn ess t hat w o n th e ad mi r atio n

,

o f C i c e ro B ut t ho ug h p hil o sop hy w as th e m ai n i nt er est of his

.

li fe t he work for w h i c h he i s k n ow n t o -the g en er al r ead er an d

, ,

w hi c h giv es hi m hi s p l ac e i n the hi sto ry o f l it e r atur e i s a l i t tl e ,

bo ok o f e x t r ac t s fro m s om e l arg e r w ork w he t her o n p o etry o r ,

Th e r h e tori c T h i s i s th e fam o us h i or al Cha r a cter s a c ol

.
,

Ch araCt ef S l ec ti o n o f th i rty c har ac t er S k e tc h es typ es o f men as he ,

saw t h e m i n A t hen i an s o c i ety as o n e may see t h e m i n an y s o c i e ty ,

to d ay
-
H e r e was ex c ell en t mat eri al for a wri t er o f mi m es lik e
.

H e ro d as or o f M en an d er s c o med y of m ann e r s an d t h e l at t e r
’
, ,

may hav e u se d hi s fri en d s sk e t c hes u n l ess i n d ee d hi s o w n pl ay s

’
, , ,

i n spir ed t he m T hey ar e al l po rtr ai t s of w eak nesses an d ab sur d i ti e s

.
,

o r o f b ad mann e r s w h i c h amo un t ed al mo st to c ri m e i n A t hen i an

ey es E ac h sk et c h i s l ab el ed wit h the n ame of a foibl e S tup i di ty
.
, ,

L a c/e of Ta ct o r t h e l i k e E ac h op en s w i t h a d efi n i tio n of the

,
.

q uali ty a to uc h t hat b e tray s t he ph ilo s o phe r an d p ro ceed s to a

, ,

c o n c r e t e ill us tr atio n o f t h e man s u bj ec t to i t hi s ac t io n s hi s co n , ,

v e r satio n hi s effec t o n o t her s T heo p hr as t us h as had m an y i m it a

, .

t o r s es p ec i ally i n E n gl an d an d Fr an c e i n t h e s e v en t e en t h c e n t ury
, ,
.

B i sh o p H all for h i s Ch a r a cter s of Ver t ues a n d Vi ces ( Lo n d o n

, ,

B i s h o p E arl e fo r hi s M i c r o cos mog r aphi e ( Lo n d o n

,
-

Si r T h o mas O v e rbury for hi s C h a r a cter s of Wi tty D es cr ip ti o n s

1
Di o nys H al . .
, On the A r r a ng emen t f
o l Vo r d s 24 . Cp . su p r a p 3 76
, . .
45 4 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GREE K L ITE RATU R E

Th e Al ex an dri an s c ar ed l i t tl e fo r o r atori c al p ro se an d i t w as ,

At hen s n o t Al ex an d ri a t hat p ro d uc ed the las t G r eek or ator o f

, ,

Deme t ri us d i s ti n c tio n DEM ET RI US o f Phal e r um( ci r ca 3 4 5 2 8 3 B C )

.
—
. .

Of P h al er um w as o n e w h o s e s uavi ty el eg an c e
p ol i s h an d s u btl e ty al l
, , ,

t h e c riti c s p r ai s ed C i c e ro fo un d i n h i s Sp ee c he s the v ery pe r fume

.

o f A t hen s Q ui n tili an c all ed hi m the l as t At ti c or ator i mplyi n g

.
‘
,
’
,

h ow ev e r by th e tur n o f h i s p h r ase t hat th e l as t two wor d s o f th e

,

t i tl e w e r e n o t p roo f ag ai n s t c hall e n g e All i n d eed agr eed t hat hi s

.

n am e s too d for t h e d ec l i n e of e l oq u en c e an d to b al an c e th e te r ms ,

o f p r ai se th ey d ec l ar ed t hat t hi s p upil of T heo ph ras t us w h o se lot i t

, ,

w as to gov e r n A t h e ns for t en y e ar s as t h e vi c e roy o f M ac e d o n i a ,

w as j ust s u c h a sp eak er as o n e m ig h t ex p ec t th e sc h ool s o f ph i

l o so phy to s en d o ut i n t o t he d u s t an d h e at o f p ubl i c l i fe A c tu ally .

h e w as t h e o n l y c o n s p i c uo us o r ator tr ai n e d i n th e sc h ool o f Ari s

to tl e . H i s s tyl e had al l t he d e fec t s t hat may ac c o m p an y t h e
q ual i ti es c o nc ed ed by the c ri ti c s I t w as effe mi n at e e motio n al .
,

wi t hou t b e i n g i n sp iri ng fl ori d t ri c k ed o ut wi t h t he spu rio us

, ,

c h arm s t h e p ai n ts an d dy e s o f a c o u r tesan
,
The s ty l e w as the .

man t h e r e fl ec tio n o f a d i ss i pat ed li fe I t w as i n hi s ti m e t hat

,
.

t he G r ee k s w ho n o l o n g e r had t h e i n spir atio n o f r eal c o n t es ts i n

,

th e s p h er e o f p ol i ti c s b eg an to c o mpo se d e c l am atio n s ex e r c i s es
, ,

i n r h e tori c w h i c h w er e t o t ak e th e p l ac e o f or atory amo n g t h e m

,

an d t o form an es sen ti al p art of t h e t r ai n i n g o f th e Ro m an o r at or s .

O f t he sp eec hes t hat De m etri us ac tu ally d el iv er e d w e h av e n o

r em ai n s B ut i n Sto b aeus i s p r ese rv ed a fragm ent o f a d ec l ama
.

t i o n en oug h t o illu s tr at e t he fault s o f t as t e d esc ri b ed by the

,

Ro m an c ri ti c s De m etri us w as a man o f gr eat l ear n i ng Aft e r

. .

h i s fall fro m pow er at A t h en s h e w en t t o Al e x an d ri a t o ac t as

,

c o n s ul ti n g l ibr ari an to Ptol e my I i n th e form atio n o f t h e Libr ary .

T he t r eati se O n S t vl e w h i c h p asses u n d e r hi s n ame i s n o t n o w

, ,

1
al low e d t o b e hi s an d i s d e sc ri b ed e l s ew h e r e
,
.

We may r egar d De m e triu s as th e fi r s t i mport an t r ep r esen tativ e

o f A si an i s m i n G r e e k or ato ry T hi s w as the n ame giv en to a
.

B ut De me
’
t en d en c y that t he p u ri s t s d e pl o r ed i n C i c e ro s d ay .
v

1 S ee i nf r a , Ch ap t e r XXIII .
 A SI AN I SM 455

Th e d e fec ts t hat s e p ar ate d th e

’
t ri ns w as n o t th e fi rs t Asi an i st
‘
.

A si an i c fro m t he Atti c an d th e At ti c i zi n g o rator s w e r e i n fac t , ,

al r ead y exi sten t i n G o rgi as h i mse l f and h i s follow e r s an d had

“

b een set asi d e by the sev e r e r t as t e o f the At ti c o r ators

As i ani s m
o f the b est p eriod o f G r ee k eloq uenc e A si an i sm .

w as har d ly a matt er of g eograp h y t ho ug h i t i s an A s i ati c H e g e

, ,

S i as o f M ag n esi a w ho i s g e n e r ally h el d r es p o n s i bl e for t hi s s tr ang e

,

'
c ul t of s tyl e I t w as a t e rm l e v el ed by t h e p u ri sts w h o p r e fe rr ed
.
,

to c opy the L ysi an i c or Demo st he n i c m an ne r at all who ab an ,

d o n e d t h e p eriodi c styl e i n favor of S hort sen ten c es ( th e

k o mmati c s tyl e i n
’
an d at th e sam e ti m e e m ploy e d
‘ ‘

an ti t h es i s r hyt h m an d asso n an c e to e x c ess

, ,
T h e Mu s e o f t he
.

Asi an i sts w as ov er d r esse d t h e i r r hy th m s w e r e effe mi n ate a l ap s e

, ,

o f mor al s fro m th e s tan d poi n t o f th e p ur e r G r ee k taste t hei r ,

p ath o s w as e m p loy e d wi t h ou t di sc r e ti o n an d r an g fal se th ei r ,

d i c ti o n i n c l ud ed w o r d s t hat Ly si as woul d hav e d i sc ar d e d as po eti a ,

u nsui ted to th e g en i u s o f p ro se I n sh ort t h ey l ac k ed t aste an d

.
, ,

w h et he r th ey c am e fro m the ou t skir ts o f A t hen s lik e Deme triu s , ,

or l ik e H egesi as fro m M ag ne si a m at t er ed l i t tl e Asi an i sts i n

, ,
.

e v e ry age m ark t he d ec li n e o f el oqu e n c e an d pri d e t hem selv es o n

th e ir v e ry fau lt s as t hes e me n m u s t hav e do n e

,
A tti c i s m ho w .
,

ev e r ,
prov e d to be the safe p ath an d t he A s i ani c d an g er was
,

sh or t l iv e d
-
as i s seen i n th e p r ac t i c e o f t he m aj ori ty o f th e
,

G raec o Ro m an r h e tori c i an s
-
.

O f H EGES IAS o f M ag n esi a w e hav e sev e r al fr ag men ts pr e se rv e d ,

i n the quot atio n s o f hi s c ri t i c s H e s t an d s mor e d ec id ed ly t han

.

De m e triu s for th e d egr ad atio n o f o r atori c al p ro s e b e ,

Heges i as
c ause h e had n o t t h e c h arm t hat w o n fo r t h e ot h e r

t h e h al f r el uc t an t ap p rob atio n o f t he Ro m an s
-
C i c e ro giv es an .

amu si n g paro d y o f h i s j e rky s tyl e H i s r hy t hm s w e r e h el d u p by

.

t h e c ri ti c s as an e x ampl e o f w hat to avoi d an d o f t h e d ang e r s o f

,

fall i n g i n to metri c al p ro se F o r c ed an d o ut o f th e way me t ap ho r s

.
- - -
,

c i r c u mlo c u ti o n s i ns t e ad o f t h e s i mp l e w o r d fal se an tit h es es a

, ,

c l o s e an d arti fi c i al c o rr es p o n d en c e o f c l aus es ar c s o me o f t he ,

faul t s t hat c an be ill us tr at e d fro m the fr ag me n t s an d t hey ar e ,

4 56 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATU R E

pr ec i sely t he w eak n ess es t hat h ad b ee n i n t ro d uc ed origi nally by

G orgi as an d hi s foll ow e r s i n t he fi ft h c e n tu ry A goo d ex am pl e .

o f the bo m b as t w hi c h mig h t r es ul t fro m i nd u l g e n c e i n t hi s s tyl e i s

t h e lo n g bo as tful i n sc ri p tio n o f A n tio c h us o f C o mmagen e wri t t en
, ,

as a r ec o r d o f hi s ac h i e v e me n t s t h at w as t o l as t for al l ti me by
s om e G r ee k r h e tori c i an i n t h e fi r s t c e n t u ry W it h t hi s e x
c i t ed ,
ov erd ec or at ed s tyl e d i t hy r ambi c full o f n e w o r p o e ti c
, ,

wor d s G r e e k pro se wri t t e n fo r an O ri e n t al p o t en t at e w e hav e

, ,

r eac h ed the an ti p o d es of A t h en i an p ro se w ri ti n g .

Al e x an d ri a had a ri v al i n P erg amo n t h e c ap i t al o f th e A t t al i d s

,

i n n ort hw e s t e r n A s i a M i n o r Li k e the Ptol e mi es Att alu s I ( 2 4 1

.
,

n d hi s s u c c e s s o r s d esir ed to H e ll e n iz e t h e ir ng d o m
197 B C .
) a. ki
an d t o o pp o se as a bulw ark her e w h er e th e C e lt s men ac ed
, ,

c iviliz atio n th e c ul tu r e o f G r ee c e
,
At P e rg am o n gr ew u p a
.

Libr ary sec o n d o n ly to that o f Al e x an d ri a i n w h i c h i t w as ab ,

s brb ed w h e n A n to n y m ad e a p r e s e n t o f i t s vol u m es to
C l e o pat r a H e r e fl o u ri she d a s c h ool o f H o m eri c c ri ti c i s m an d
.

a s till m or e famou s sc h ool o f sc ul p t u r e an d t h e A t t al i d s e n c o ur ,

ag ed r h e tori c as Al ex a d ri a d i d n o t b ut n o po e t s o r p ro s e w ri t e r s
n, ,

wo rt h the n ame r ew ar d ed t hei r p at ro n ag e N I CAN D ER o f C ol o .

p h o n i s th e soli t ary p o et w ho m w e n e ed c o n si d e r an d t hat o n l y ,

b ec au se i t hap pe n ed t hat h e w as to o ambi ti o us t o writ e i n p ro se .

H e wrot e e p i c bu t H i ppo c r at ean e pi c n o t i n sp ir ed by H o m e r

, ,
.

H e w as a p h y s i c i an an d h i s t w o l o n g p o e m s t hat su rviv e t h e
, ,

Ther i a ca ( 9 5 8 v e r s es) an d t h e A l ex ip ha r ma ca ( 6 3 0
N i can d er
v er se s) are d i d ac ti c an d w h olly m ed i c al i n t h e i r i n t e r
e s t an d r an k amo n g t h e c u rio s i ti e s o f lit e r atur e A bu c oli c p o e m .

w h i c h V e rgil i mi t at e d i n hi s G eo rg i cs h as p eri s h e d .

A N T I GO N U S o f C ary s t us i n E u bo ea w as amo n g t h o s e w ho m
An t i g onus At t al u s i nvi t ed to hi s c o u r t H e w as a s c ul p t or w h o
.

of Cary s t us w r o t e o n ar t u nl ess as so m e t hi n k w e mus t ad mi t

, , ,

a s ec o n d A n tigo n us H i s mas t e r p i ec e t h e L i ves of the P hi l oso

.
,

p her s has p e ri s h ed
,
B ut t h e r e h as s u rviv e d t he Wo n d er booh
.
,

1
F i rs t l
p ub i s h e d i n H u man n an d Puc h s t e i n s k e i s en i n A l ei n a s i e n
’ ’
u .

N or d sy r i en , B e r i n , 1 8 90 l
S ee N o r d e n , A n ti he A u n szp r osa I 1 4 1
.
’
.
458 S H O RT H I STO RY O F G R E E K LITE RATUR E

A POLLO N I US

Th e b es t man us c ript i s th e [Med i ceu s ( La u r en ti a n us ) , l o th o r 1 1 th cen t .

,

at F l o r en c e, th e p i n c i pa r l c o d ex fo r A esc h y l us an d S o ph o c l es E d p . . r i ne .
,

L asc ar i s , F l o re n c e , 14 9 6 . W ell auer ,Lei p i g , 1 8 2 8 Mez , . r k e l L ei p z i g 1 8 5 4 ; ,

n ew cd .
, 189 7 . S eat o n , O x fo r d , 1 9 06 H émar d i n q uer , De Ap
. Rh A rg o n ,
. . .

Par i s , M i c h ae l is De Ap f r ag men ti s H all e 1 8 7 5

18 72 .
, .
, , . Sai n t e - B e uv e, D e
l a M i di e d Ap o/l o n i u s i n P o r tr a i ts Con t V Li n d e De d i ver s i s r ecen s i on i bu s
’
. .
,

G ott i n g e n 1 8 8 5 La V i ll e d e M i r mo n t L a n av i r e A rg o
’
Ap l i h A rgo n
. . .
, , .
, ,

Pari s , 1895 l a p oes i e g r ec ou e, Pari s ,

. Gi rard in Et u d es su r 1 9 00 . K n o rr D e ,

Ap Rh A rg on fon ti bus , L ei p i g , 1 9 0 2
. . M aass i n Ph i l . z . . Un ter s u ch u ng en
X II 357 G er c e i n Rh ei n hi m 1 4. k . . .

A RATUS

Th e b es t man us c r i p t i s t h e hl a r ci a n u s, 1 2 th c e n t .
, at V en i c e . Ed i t i o n s
B uh ,
le
L e i i
p g, 1 79 3 8
— 1 01 Be er , z
B e r i n , 1 8 28 M aass, B e r i n , 1 8 9 3 . kk l . l .

M aass , A n a l ec ta E r a tosth en i ca , B e r i n , 1 8 8 3 M aass , A r a tea , B e r i n , 1 8 9 2 l . l .

W i l amo w i tz i n Gott N a ch r , 1 8 9 4 Sc h o i a : M aass, B erl i n , 1 8 9 8 Tran sl a

. . . l .

t i o ns : L amb , L o n d o n , 1 8 48 . Po st e, Lo n d o n , 1 8 80 .

I O N A N D M O SCH US B

B i o n an d M o sc h us ar e us ual l y i n c l ud ed i n th e man us c ri pt s an d ed i t i o n s o f
Th eo c r i t us Wi l amo w i tz B u ol i ci G a ec i O x fo rd 1 9 06 B I O N : A h re ns
.
, c r , , .
,

L e i pz i g 1 8 54 W i l amo w i t B i on von S my r n a B e r l i n 1 9 00 M O SC H US
, . z, , , .

Maass an d Pr i n z i n H er mes 3 1 Tran s l at i o n s by L eo p ard i F l o re n c e 1 8 4 5 .

, , .

L an g ( w i t h Th e o c r i t us ) L o n d o n 18 8 9 B i o n L a men t for A d on i s by E , , .
, .

B ro w n i n g .

CALL I M ACH US

I . MA N US C R I PT S Th e ar c h et yp e o f th e [l y mn s w as a man usc ri pt ( c o n
.

t ai n i ng al so t h e H ome i c Hy mn s ) 1 1 th o r 1 2th c e n t b ro ugh t fro m Greece r ,

t o V e n i c e b y A ur i s p a i n 1 4 2 3 C o pi es o f th i s s urvi ve i n th e V at i c an L au .
‘

re n t i an an d M ar c i an l ibrar i es Fo r th e Ep i gr ams s ee man usc ri p ts o f P a l a t n e

, . z

A n th ol ogy A f r o f th e H eca l e o n a w o o d e n t ab l et fo un d i n Egyp t n o w

. .
,

at V i e n n a w as p ub l i s h e d i n P apy i R a i n e
, Vienna 18 93 r r , , .

II . ED I T I O N S S c h n e i d er Ca l l i ma ch ea L e i pz i g 1 8 70—1 8 73
. M e i ek , , ,
. n e,

B er l i n 1 8 6 1, V al c k e n aer E l eg i a u m fr ag men ta L e yd e n 1 7 9 8
. Hy ,
r , , .

an d Ep i r a ms
g V o l g e r L e i pz i g 1 8 1 7 ; \Vi l amo w i tz B e rl i n 1 8 8 2 an d 1 8 9 7
:
, , , , .

N i g ra l n n i d i Ca l ma
, s u D i a n a et u i L ava i d i P a l l a d T u ri n 1 8 9 2
z co s cr e, , .

H eca l e N ae k e , B o n n , 1845 . Go mp er z , A us d er H ehal e d es K a l l i m , V i e n n a, .

18 93 .

III . L I TERATU RE . Di l t h ey D e Ga l l i m Cy d ippa , L ei p z i g,

, . 18 6
3 . A n al ecta
 A L E X AN DR I A N L IT E RATU RE 459

Ga l l i m .
, B o nn , 18 65 . Degn er , D e Dor i s mi us u Gal l i m , . B r esl au, 18 7 7 .

Lan ge, D e Ga l l i m A eti i s, Le i p i g , 1 8 8 2 K n aac , An a l ecta Ga l l i m , St ett i n ,

. z . k .

188 7 . z
R e i t e n s t e i n , Ca l /i nc H ech l e, Ro s t o c , 1 8 9 1 Re i n ac h o n th e ne w . k _ .

H eca l e f r i n Rev des . . Et . Gr ecyu es , 1893 . L egran d on t he Hy mn s, i h , . 1 8 94 .

W i l amo w i t z on t he H eca l e i n Gott . N a ch r .

, 18 93 . l
Eh r i c h , D e Ga ll i m .

l l y mn zs gu aestt , B r e s au, 1 8 9 4
-
S t ud n i c z k a i n H er mes 2 8 W e i n b e rg e r ,
. l . .

K a li S tu d i en , V i en n a, 1 8 9 5
. Kui per , D e Hy mn or um d zctzon e ep i ca, Leyd e n , .

1896 W i l amo w i tz i n [f er /n es 3 6
. .

TH E EROT I C F RAGME NT
E d p r i n e i n Gr en fell , A n A l ex a n d r i a n E r ot i c F r ag men t a n d Other G r eeh
. .

P apy r i , O xfo r d , 1 8 9 6 Th e d at e i s p r o b ab l y th e s e c o nd c e n t ury B C

. Wei l . .

i n R ev d es . Et . Gr ec q u es , 1896 ( t ex t an d tran s l at i o n ) W i l amo w it i n . z t t .

N a ch r .
, 1 8 96 C r us i us i n P h i l ol og us 5 5
. . B l ass i n f a h r f cl ass Ph i l ol . . . ., 18 96 .

Ro h d e i n B er l Ph i l Woch en s ch r , 1 8 9 6
. . . . L eo i n A bh d Gen Ges . . . .
, 1897 .

H ERO D AS

I . PAP Y RUS . I st c e n t . A D . . i n t h e B ri t i sh M use um ( cxxxv) . Facsi mi l e by

K e nyo n , L o n d o n , 1 8 92 .

II . ED I T I O N S
E d p r i n c i n Ke n yo n , Cl ass i ca l Tex ts fr om P apy r i i n th e
. . .

B r i ti sh M u se u m, L o n d o n , 1 8 9 1 Rut h e r fo r d , e d d I an d 2 , L o n d o n , 1 8 9 1 . . .

B ii c h el e r , B o n n , 1 8 9 2 Cr us i us, L ei p i g , e d 1 , 1 8 9 2 ; e d 2 , 1 8 9 4 ; e d 3 , 1 8 9 8 ;
. z . . .

ed .
4, 1 9 00 ; ed .
5, 1 90
5 . V an H e rw er d en i n M n emosy n e, 1 8 9 2 ( t e xt an d

t )
n o es . M e is t er i n A bh . d h . .
'
s achs . Ges .
,
z
L e i p i g, 1 8 93 ( w i h t N ai rn ,
Ox fo r d ,
1 9 04 . Parti a l ed d . : B ii c h el er i n Rh ei n M u s 4 6 ( l l/ i me
. . . I ) . K ai b el
i n H er mes 26 ( M i /n es 4 an d Rago n, L e M a i /r e d Ecol e
’
, Le sa cr ifi ce d
E sc u l ape, Par i s, 1898 .

III . L I TERATURE . Cr us i us, Un ter s u ch u ng en , L e i p z i g, 18 9 2 . H er z o g,

K o i sche F or s ch u ngen , L ei p z i g , 1 8 99 . O l s c h e w sk y, La La ng u e cl la M étr i q u e
'
d H er od as , L eyd e n , 1 8 9 7 H ertl i n g, Q u a esti o n es [ll/ i mi ca e, S trassb ur g , 1 8 99
’
. .

Wr i g ht i n H a r var d S t ud i es 4 H er og i n Ph i l ol og us 6 2 A rtt i n Cl a ss Rev . z . . . .

V , VI Re i ch , D er M i mus , B er i n , 1 90 3
. Kr ak e r t, ua ten u s co moed i a ni l . Q
g r a eca m r esp ex i sse v i d eatu r H er on das, L e i p z i g , 1 9 0 2 .

I V T RA N S LAT I O N S
. B o i s ac q , Par i s , 1 8 9 3 C r us i us , GOtt i n g e n , 1 8 9 3
. Dal . .

me yd a, Par i s , 1 8 9 3 M ek l er , V i e n n a, 1 8 9 4 S ett i , Mo d e n a, 1 8 9 3 Q ui l l ar d ,
. . .

Par i s , 2d c d .
, 1 9 00 . S ymo n d s i n The Gr ech P oets ( e n l arg e d Lo n d o n
,
18 93 .

S h arpl ey , L o n d o n , 1 9 06
( vers e ) .

L Y CO PH RO N
Th e b es t man uscr i pt s ar e t h e Ven et a s , 1 1t h c e n t .
, an d , r
d e i ve d f om i t
r , th e

Va ti ca n u s .
4 60 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K L ITE RATURE

E d p r i n e , Al d us, V e ni c e , 1 5 1 3 ( w i th Pi n d ar ) , B ac h man n , L ei p i g , 1 8 3 0
. . z .

Deh equ e ( w i t h tran s ) , Par i s, 1 8 5 3 Ki n e , L e i p i g , 1 8 8 0 S c h ee r Be r i n , . k l z .

,
l
18 8 1 . H o lz i n g er ( w i t h tr an s ) Le i p i g, 1 8 9 5
, Ci ac er i ( W i h z . t C at an i a,
1 90 1 . T z etz e s, z 1 8 1 1 VVi l am
S ch ol i a i n Ly coph r o n em b y M u e , L e i p i g, ll r . o

w i t z D Ly ph
, nie A l x a d a Gr i f w a l d 1 8 8 3
co S t e k er D Ly p h
ro s e n r , e s , . r c , e co r o n e,

G r e i fs w al d 1 8 8 4 _ B at es i n H a a d S t u d i
, 6 W al t e r D Ly ph r n rv r es .
, e co o e

H me i m tat
o r B as l e 1 9 0 3
i Tran l at i o n Y o rk e Camb ri d g e 1 8 0 6
i or e, , . s : , , .

RH I AN U S

K o h l man n , Q ua est i o n es h f essen i a ca e, B on n , 18 66 . Mayho ff D e Rh , .

Cr eten s i s s t u d i i s H o mer i c i s, L ei p z i g, 1 8 70 .

TH EOC R I T US 1

I . M A N US C RI PTS . Th e b est ar e i n th e l i brari es of th e V a i can , t of M i l an ,

an d o f V e n i ce , an d are o f t h e 1 3 th , 1 4 th , an d 1
5 th c en tt . Th e A mbr os i a n u s,

( K) 1 3 th c e n t .
, at M i l an , i s th e mo st i mp o rt an t fo r [dy l s 1, 3
—1
3 .

II . ED I T I O NS . Ed .
pr i n e .
, Mi l an 1 4 8 1 ( l dy l s 1 , l
A d us , V e n i ce ,
1 4 9 5. V al ck en aer , L eyd en , 1 7 79 . Fri t z sc h e L e i p ig , 2 d ed ,
, z . 18 69 . A h re n s
in B u col i ci Gr a eci , L e i p i g , z 18
55
— 1 8 59 . Pa e y, Camb ri d g e,
l 2d cd .
, 18 69 .

Kyn ast o n ( Sn o w ) O xfo r d , 3 d c d , , . 18 77 . F ri t zs c h e- H i l l er, Leip i g, 1 8 8 1 z .

Kyn as t o n ( S n o w ) L o n d o n , 1 8 9 2 , . J ah n , COl n , 1 8 99 . Ch o mel ey, L o n d o n ,

1 90 1 . Wil a mo w i t z in B u col i c i Gr a eci , O xfo r d , 1 9 06 . Oa r i sty s : B el l eso r t,
Par i s , 1 896 . S c h ol i a : D ii b n er, Par i s, 18 49 . Z i egl e r , Tub i n g en , 18 6 7 ( Am
b r o si an ) .

III . L I TERATU RE . A h r en s , E men d at i o n es S ai n t e

B e u ve , Th eocr i te i n P or tr a i ts L i tt . I II . B i es e, D e p oes i Theocr . obser va

Stral s u n d , M emoi r e
'
Raye t , Par i s , 18
’
t i o n es , 18 74 . s ur l zl e de Cos, 76 .

K u n s t , D e Theoc r . ver s a h er o i co , L ei p i g , z 18 8 7 B i es e , D i e E n tw i chl u ng a es

.
’

N a t u rg ef uhl s bei d
'
. Gr i echen , Ki e , 1 8 9 2 l . J ahn , D i e A r t d er A bh izng ig hezt ’

Verg i l
’
s v on Th eohr i t .
,
B er i n , l 1 8 9 7— 1 8 9 8 . L e g ran d, Etu de sur Th eocr i te
Et u des W i l amo
'
Par i s, 18 9 8 . Gi r ard i n l a p oes i e g r ec
s ur q ue , Pa i s , r 1 9 00 .

wi tz i n H er mes 1 3 an d 33 . Kai bel , i h 3 an d 2 7 . . Pat o n -H i c ks , I n s cr ipt i on s

1 I n his B u col i c i Gr a ec i ( 1 9 06 ) Wil amo w i t z ab an d o n s the cu rr en t c l assi fi

ca ti o n of t he l dy l s , w hi c h d a t es fro m St e ph an us , an d , ac c e p ti ng the o rd re

i n di c at ed i n t h e M S S ( espec i all y K) arr an ges t h e , Th eocr ztea an d B u col zca

as ll w s T he c i t us 1 7 3 —6 8 — 1 3 1 4 2 1 5 I 7 1 6 1 8 24 2 2 2 8 —3 0
fo o : o r , , , , . , , , , , , , ,

e p i g r ams fr ag me n t A n A pp n di x c o t ai s al l th e b u o l i p o ms t h at n w
, . e n n c c e o

pa s un d er th n ames f M sc h us an d B i o n an d t h r mai n i n g Th e r i t ean

s e o o , e e oc

l dy l who g n ui n n
s, an n t b e p r o v e d
se e Fi n al l y h i n c l u d es th T h
e es s c o . e e ec no

pa g n i a t h us r est o r e d to t h e i r an ci en t po si t i o n as an A pp en d i x t o Th e o c r i t us
e ,
.
 C H A PT E R XXI I I

G RAECO — R O M AN L I TERATU RE

TH E fi r st n am e wi th w hi c h w e hav e to d eal perso ni fi es th e r el a

t io n s b e tw ee n G r e ec e an d Ro m e w h i c h giv e t h e i r p ec u li ar c olor

i n g t o t he l i te r atur e o f th e fi r s t c e n tu ry B C and t he si x C h ri st i an
. .

c en turi e s d o w n to Ju s ti n i an P O LY B I US o f M egal opoli s

P ol y bi us
.

w as bor n abou t 2 1 0 B C H i s n ativ e c ity had j oi n e d i n

. .

25
3 the A c hae an Le agu e o n e o f th e l ast effort s o f that r ac e o f bor n
,

s e p ar ati s ts to c o Op erat e a ft er t he d eath o f Al ex an d er The .

Leag u e i n c l ud e d a gr eat par t o f th e P el o p o n n esu s an d M eg ar a .

A t h ens stoo d aloo f fro m i ts ac tivi ti es an d Sp ar ta w as h o stil e , .

W it h t h i s Leagu e of up start p rovi nc i al s as t h ey m u st hav e seem ed

,

t o At h en s an d Spar ta the family o f Polybiu s w as c l o sely c o n n ec ted

, ,

an d h i s o w n fortu n es as i t p rov e d d e p e n d e d o n i ts p ol iti c al r el a

, ,

tio n s wi th Rom e H i s fat he r Lyc o rtas w as a p rom i n en t A c h aean

.

s t at es m an an d w hen P hil o po e men the A c h aean l ead er w

, ,
h o se Li fe ,

Pl u t ar c h wro t e was p oi so ne d i n 1 8 4 by th e m u ti n eer s at M essen e

, ,

Lyc o r tas took h i s pl ac e as g en e r al o f th e Leagu e an d Polybiu s t he n , ,

a yo u n g man c arri e d th e h ero s ash es i n th e sol e m n fu n er al p ro c es

’
,

s io n to M e g al opoli s I n 1 6 8 P e r seu s t he l ast ki ng o f M ac e d o n i a

.
, ,

w as c r ush ed by t h e R o man s an d th e r e follow ed a p er sec u tio n o f

,

all G r e ek s w ho w e r e n o t c o n s i c u o usly pro Ro m an A t h ou s and

p
-
.

l ead i n g A c haean s w er e d epor ted to Ro me to s t an d tri al for all eg ed

r es i s t an c e to Ro man rul e A m o n g t hem w en t Polybi us I n
. .

Ro me t h e r e w as n o t ri al an d s ev e n t ee n y ear s l ate r t he su rvivor s

, ,

r ed uc e d to t h r ee hund r ed w e r e all ow ed to r e t u r n to G r eec e

,

( 150 Polybi us had tu r n ed t he lo n g l e i su r e o f hi s e xil e to

goo d ac c o un t H e had b een ad mi tt ed i n to t he Sc i pi o ni c c i rc l e
.
,

w as th e i n ti m at e fri e n d o f Sc i p io A fri c an u s t he You n g er an d ,

46 2
 P O LY B I U S 4 63

b ec ame a c o mpl et e c o n v e rt to Rom an me tho d s an d the rig ht o f

Ro me t o r ul e the wo rl d Fo r hi s li fe t ask he c ho se to writ e the
.
-

hi st o ry o f t he Ro man C o n q u es t of t hat w o n d e rful hal f c e n tury ,

w h i c h mad e R o m e th e mi s tr ess o f th e k now n worl d an d t ur n ed

o t her emp i r es an d ki n g d o ms i n to her p rovi n c es Fou r y ears afte r .

t h e r es tor atio n o f t he A c haean exil es Ro me put an e n d to the ,

p etty qu arr el s o f th e G r eek s M ummi us m ad e an ex ampl e of .

C ori n t h t he head q uar t er s o f th e an ti Ro man p arty an d G r ee c e

,
-
,

b ec am e a Rom an p rovi nc e A c haea A ft er t hat a N er o mig h t ,

.
,

pro c l ai m the freedo m o f t he G r eek s ( 6 7 A D ) as Fl ami niu s had . .

do ne i n 1 9 6 B C — a gi ft o f t h at w hi c h i s n o t to be giv en
“
. .

b ut th i s was m e r ely s en t i m en tal o sten t atio n an d had n o p ol i ti c al

m ean i ng Polybi u s at l eas t had n o illu si o ns as t o t he futu r e of
.
, ,

hi s c ou n try m e n H e had se en o n e ki n g o f M ac ed o n i a aft e r

.

an o th e r h u mbl e d by Ro m an arm s A n ti o c h us of Sy ri a rou t ed at ,

M ag n esi a i n 1 9 0 Ro me p r e d o mi n an t i n A si a an d Egypt H e
,
.

w as pr es en t w he n hi s fri e n d Sc i pi o d es t roy e d C art hag e i n 1 4 6 an d ,

ag ai n w h en h e c lo s ed t h e w ar i n Sp ai n by t h e sac k of N um an ti a i n

O ur Polybi us as C i c e ro c all s hi m liv e d t oo so o n to be

1’
133 .
, ,

i n flu en c ed by the affec tatio n t hat l at e r m ad e G r eek wri t e r s avoi d , ,

all allu si o n to Ro m e as u nb efi tti n g the vo c abul ary o f th e p u r e

2
A t ti c i st H e saw that Provid enc e o r Fo r tu n e ( T rixq) w as o n the
.

R om an S id e and t her e w as lit tl e bi tt er n es s i n hi s l am en t for hi s

,

’
c ou n t ry s fal l H er e en ds th a t p er i od of fif ty th r ee yea r s thi s i s the -

cl i max of the g r ow th a n d p r og r es s of th e R oma n em pi r e Then ce .

f o r th a ll m en seem e d f o r ced to bel i eve th at they h ad n o ch oi ce bu t

to obey all the o r der s of R ome

3
Polybi u s t ho ug h t t hat th e G r eek s
.
,

t h o se d riv el i ng A c haean c i ti es had wo rk e d th ei r o w n r ui n H el

’
,
.

l e ni s m h ad gro w n sh abby an d h e wo uld n o t c o n c eal i ts d ec ay Y et

,
.

he d i d n o t s t an d al oo f fro m t he G r eek s i n mi s fort un e an d ac t ed ,

as i n t er c e ssor wi t h t h e Ro man s aft e r t h e fall o f C o ri nt h N or d i d .

hi s c o u n t rym en r eg ar d hi m as a r e n eg ad e s i nc e t he y s e t u p h i s

1 O n the Rep u bl i c 2 . 14 .

2
Th o ug h not a
pr o fess e d S t o i c , Pbl yb i us t
c o n s an tl y ShO W S t he i n fl ue n c e o f
St o i c d o c tr i n es .
3
3 4 . .
4 64 S H ORT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU RE

t
s ta u e n ea o f Ar atu s an d Phil o poe me n t he h ero es of the
r th o se ,

A c haean Leagu e The l att er p art o f hi s li fe w as spe n t i n G r eec e

.
,
’

an d t h e r e h e d i e d at t he age o f eig h ty t w o -
.

H i s H i s tory w as c o mp o s ed i n fo rty B o ok s o f w h i c h o n l y fi ve are

ext an t e n ti r e 1 an d 2 ar e i n tro d uc tory an d giv e an ac c ou n t o f
.
,

th e Fi r s t P un i c War an d th e w ar of t h e C art hagi n i an s w i t h t h ei r

m e r c en ari es th e r el ati o ns o f Ro m e an d Illyri a an d th e s to ry o f
, ,

t h e A c h aean s d ow n to the d eat h of C l e o men es i n 2 2 0 .

Th e Hi s t ory
B o o k 3 i s t he h i s t ory of t h e Sec o n d Pu n i c War to
t he b attl e O f C an n ae i n 2 1 6 B ook s 4 an d 5 r el at e t he struggl e s
.

o f th e A c haean Leag ue and th e e x ploi ts o f A n ti o c h us of Syri a

an d o f P hili p o f M ac e d o n O f 6 1 8 w e hav e lo n g e x trac ts i n
.
—

s p ec i al m an u sc ri pt s an d c o n s i d e r abl e fr agm e n t s o f t h e r e m ai n d e r o f
,

t h e wo rk d o w n to 1 4 4 T rai n e d i n bo t h pol iti c s an d w ar and by

.

c lo s e i n t e r c o u r s e w i t h t h e c o n q u e ror s o f t h e wo rl d Polybiu s had ,

u n iq ue q uali fi c atio n s for wri ti n g un iv e r sal h i story As a h i s tori an he .

i s t horo ug hl y im parti al bo t h to G r eec e an d Ro me n o t d i s gui si n g t h e ,

1
faul t s of ei t her Tru t h h e wo r sh i ped li k e a go d d ess an d sp ar ed
.
,

n o p ai n s i n c oll e c ti n g hi s evi d en c e N o o t he r aut ho r o f an tiq .

u i ty say s M o mmse n
,
”
p e r haps c an b e nam e d to w ho m w e ar e
,
“
,

i n d ebt ed fo r so muc h r eal i nstr uc tio n H i s bo ok s ar e lik e th e sun .

i n R om an h i story ; at t h e p oi n t w h er e t hey b egi n th e mi s t w h i c h ,

s till en v el op s th e Sam n i te an d Pyrr h i c w ar s i s r ai se d an d at t he

p oi n t w h er e t h ey e nd a n e w an d i f po s sibl e s til l mor e v e x atiou s

, , ,

2
twilig h t b egi ns .
”

Th e fac t r e m ai n s t h at Polybiu s i s n o t r ead H e i s a good .

i ns t an c e o f th e N em e si s that w ai t s o n th o se w ho t hi n k w i t h Epi c u ,

r us t hat i t i s easy to w ri t e an d t hat i t i s e n oug h i f you r su bj ec t

, , ,

m att e r b e i n t er es ti ng to set d ow n the t r uth an d l e t t he

S ty le
,

s tyl e t ak e c ar e o f i t sel f H e s aw i n hi s p r e d ec ess or s .

,

Ti m aeu s o r Z en o o f R h o d es or Phyl arc hu s w h o w ro te hi s tory

, , ,

3
as t h ou g h i t w e r e tr ag e d y e ffort s at fi n e w ri ti n g w hi c h h e too k
,

e v e ry o c c asi o n to d e n ou n c e M uc h i n d eed o f hi s o w n work i s

.
, ,

d e vo t e d to t h e c ri ti c i s m o f o t he r s an d h e sp e n d s n o l ess t han ,

1
13 .

5 .
2
H i story o
f Rome III 4 68 .
3 Po ybi us l 2 .
56 .
466 SH O RT H I ST O R Y o r G RE E K LI TE RATUR E

b een c o nsol ed fo r G r eek c ri ti c i s m o f hi s styl e by t he anec do te ‘

o f B ru tu s t hat man o f ac ti o n spen di n g t he e ve o f P harsali a ov e r

, ,

an e p i to me o f hi s wo rk Polybiu s was follow ed by Livy w her e

.

t he y c ov e r e d t he sam e grou n d .

T he d ivi s io n o f th e G raec o Rom an pe riod by t he r eig ns o f the

-

Rom an e m pe ror s o r by th e r eviv al m or e t han o nc e of G r ee k l et

, , ,

t er s u n d e r th e p atro n ag e o f p hil H e ll en i c r ul e r s lik e H ad ri an an d

-

t he A n to n i nes h as mu c h s i g n i fi c an c e fo r t h e h i s tory of p ro s e wri t i n g

, ,

b ut n o n e for po e try As o n e s ear c h es t h e b arr en two c e n tu ri es

.

aft e r M el eag e r t he r e i s n o e vi d en c e th at Ou t s i d e i n flu en c es affec t e d

,

t h e p ro d uc tio n of p o e try A G r eek p o et had o ne app ear ed

.
, ,

wo ul d hav e b een gr e ete d at Rom e wi t h n o l ess enthu si as m t han at

Al ex an d ri a a c en tu ry earli er B ut n o su c h po et aro se I n th e
. .

e p i c g en r e o n e or t w o n am es e mp hasiz e t h e fac t that Apollo n i us

w as to r em ai n lo n g wi tho ut a riv al O PP IA N S d i d ac ti c po em On
.
’

F i shi ng p ubl i sh e d b etw een 1 7 7 an d 1 8 0 A D

,
an d . .
,
Op pi an
d ed i c at e d to M ar c u s Aur el iu s an d hi s so n C om mo
d us i s a c o n t rib u tio n to n at u r al h i story
, I t h as surviv ed to illu s .

trat e a di d ac ti c ty p e w hi c h w as v ery p opul ar i n th e G raec o Rom an -

O p p i an w as a man o f N i c an d er s sc h ool an d i mi t at ed
’
c en turi es .

hi m . H i s p 0 e m may b e al low e d t o r ep r es en t a w hol e li t eratur e

~

o n fi shi n g i n p ro s e an d v e r s e
’
, O p p i an s d e sc rip t io ns are ac c u r at e
.

en o ug h t o i n t e r es t th e m od er n n atur ali st An ep i c On H un ti ng .
,

o f w hi c h w e hav e fou r B ook s has c o m e dow n u n d er hi s nam e bu t

, ,

i s th e work o f s o m e l at e r an d i n fe rior p o et H i s s tyl e i s e x t r em ely .

or n ate and w as m or e c o ng en i al to t he s c holi as t s t han to an y

,

l at e r r ead er
I t i s no t t ill th e four t h c en tu ry t hat w e enc ou n ter o nc e m o re a
w ri t er o f my tho logi c al e p i c w h o se n am e has so m e l i ter ary i m po r
’

Q u i nt us t an c e Q UI N TUS of S myr n a wro te a S equel l o t/ze [Z

. i oo
S my maeus i n fo ur t een sh ort B oo k s O f hi s li fe w e k n ow n ot h i n g
.

s av e h i s o w n stat e m en t t hat h e w as i n spir e d l ik e H esio d by t he , ,

M u ses wi t h th e t h e m e o f hi s epi c as h e p as tu r e d hi s flo c k s i n t he
1
Di o n ys H al
. .
, On Me A r r a ngemen t of Wor d s 4, r ec k o n s Pol yb i us w i t h
t ho se w ho m man r re ad t hro ugh ’
no e n d u es to .
 N O NNUS 46 7

l
pl ai ns o f Smyr n a Ev en hi s d at e i s a m atter of c o nj ec tu r e H i s
. .

e p i c d esc rib es i n so m e thi n g l ess th an 9 000 v er ses t h e e v e n t s aft e r

, ,

H ec tor s bu ri al’
Fo r th ese he dr ew o n t he A ei /zi opi s Qui n t us
“

. .

c o n ti n ues th e n arr ativ e d o w n to the sh i p wr ec k o f t he G r eek s o n

t heir r e tur n an d giv es a lo n g and d et ail ed ac c ou n t of the sl ow

,

d eat h o f the l esser Aj ax T he w h ol e i s an abri d g ed v e r sio n o f the

.

c y c li c e p i c s of t h e Troj an sag a i n ten d ed fo r fo urt h c en tu ry r e ad e r s

,
-
.

Whe t he r Q ui n tu s had the origi n al epi c s b e for e hi m o r d ep en d e d ,

o n ex t r ac t s or pro se ve r sio n s w e c an n o t say wi t h c e r tai n ty He .

i mi tates Ho m e r i n al mo s t e v ery p hr ase an d ow es som ethi n g to ,

A pollo n iu s o f R ho d es an d p er haps to V e rgil , ,

H e wro t e wi t h,
.

gr eat t ec hn i c al fac il i ty T houg h hi s p o e m has m an y sig ns o f l at e

.

n ess an d n o sugg es tio n of o rigi n al g e n i us i t i s r ead abl e an d s i n gu

, ,

l arl y fr ee fro m so ph i s ti c affec t at io n s Th e v er s i fi c ati o n i n d i c at es

.

t hat Qui ntu s w ho was fo n d of d ac tyl s but n o t a d ac tyl o man i ac

, , ,

pr ec ed ed N o nnus .

Abou t a c en t ury l at er t han Qu i n tus of Smyr n a a fi fth c en tu ry ,

-

po et N ONN US a H e ll en iz e d Eg ypti an o f P an o poli s w ho

, , , ,
N onn u s
i f we may tr us t hi s epit aph by an un k n o w n po et i n t he
A n t/zol og sp en t mo s t of h i s l i fe at Al ex and ri a wro t e th e 57 073 1 of ,

D i o nys us i n forty eig h t B o ok s a p o n d e ro us work n e arly as l o n g as

-
, ,

t he I l i a d an d O dy ssey put tog e t h e r Eu p h orio n t he Al e x an d ri an

.
, ,

h ad writ ten an e p i c o n t h e same t h e m e an d So te r i c h us th e Egyp ,

t i an i n the fourt h c en t u ry A D had c o mp o s ed a B as s a r zea . . On .

bot h these N o nn us d r ew for the n u m e rou s ad v en t ur e s an d m et a

mor ph o ses o f the w an d e ri ng Dio ny su s H e w as an i mi t ativ e p o e t .

w ho follo we d H o me r c l o se ly an d ow e d muc h to t h e B o er / m e of

Euri pi d es for hi s epi s o d e of P e n t he u s For man y o f the amoro us .

ad v e n tur es of Dio n y sus hi msel f an d o t h e r myt hi c al l o v e s tori es ,

w hi c h he d elig h t s to n arr at e h e us e d Al ex an d ri an mo d el s H i s
,
.

as h e c all s t h e D i o n rs i o m i s a r am
’ ?
( l i ner s eo/o r eo
-
f l y /l i n , ,

bli n g c o n fu sed se ri es of l e g e nd s w h i c h d efi es ev e ry c an o n of e pi c
,

r o p o rtio n an d o m o s i tio n F h i s tyl e h e o w e d muc h to

p c p o r s .

C alli m ac hu s an d A p ollo n i us but h e d w el t o n th e s en s ual s i d e o f

,

12 .
3 10 .
2
D i o ny s i a a z x . 1
5 .
468 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K L IT E RATU R E

hi s l e g end s i n a m an ne r t hat w as n o t Al ex an dri an bu t O ri en t al , .

H i s G r eek i s r he to ri c al an d fe v e ri s h as t he mos t d i so r d e r ed d i t hy
,

r amb . T her e ar e p as sag es t hat c oul d be w ri tt e n ou t i n p ro se as a

s o p h i s ti c d ec l am atio n as fo r i n s t an c e th e sp e ec h o f Di o n y s u s
, , ,

p l e ad i ng wi t h N i c ae a t he A mazo n w i t h i ts t e d io us p l ay o n wor d s ,

an d al l t h e ti ns e l o f s o p hi s ti c al p an egyri c ( 1 2 1 3 0 B ut hi s .

i sol atio n the sc ar c i ty of writ e r s w h o wo ul d u n d e rt ak e su c h a tas k

, ,

t h e d r ead ful d ear th o f p o e t s wi t h a n i n s p ir atio n an d ardor so

sustai n e d giv e a fi c ti tio u s v al u e to N o n n u s

, H e h ad e n t husi as m .
,

i magi n atio n fac ili ty an d an an i matio n w holly l ac k i n g to Qu i n t u s

, ,

o f S myr n a H e abo un d s i n n ew wo r d s bol d p hr ases an d m e t a

.
, ,

p h o r s t hat ar e o ft en me r ely gro t esq ue H i s p r e fe r e n c e fo r d ac tyl s .

am ou n t ed t o man i a an d robb e d th e h ex ame t e r of i ts t r ad itio n al

s tat eli n ess s o t h at t h e v e ry l iv el i n ess t h e s i n gi n g e ffec t of hi s v e r s e

, , ,

b ec o mes mo n o to n ou s aft e r a few p ag es 1

So m e ti me aft er th e .

c o mpo s i ti o n of th e D i ony s i a ea N o n n u s w as c o n v e rt e d t o C h ri s ti an
,

’
i ty an d m ad e a p ar ap h r ase i n v e r s e of S i j o/zn s G osp el w h i c h
,
.

s urviv e s wit h h i s e p i c .

N o n n us h ad hi s i mi tat or s Tr yp hi o d o r us wro te a S aen of I l i os

.

i n 6 9 1 h ex am e t e r s w h i c h i s e xt an t an d w e h av e the R ape of H el en
, ,

n e arl y 4 00 v e r se s ) by C o l uth us
( B o th of t h es e p o e ts w e r e
. l ik e ,

N o nnus Egy p ti an G r e ek s
,
Li t e r atu r e w oul d hav e l o st n ot h i n g h ad
.

t he ir work s di sapp ear e d B u t t her e w as o n e p o et of th e sc h ool of

.

N o n n us w h o su rp assed hi s mas t e r T hi s w as M USAEUS .

,
M us aeus
of w h o se l ife an d p r ec i se d at e w e k n ow n o t h i n g The .

s c h ol ar s o f t he R e n ai ssan c e l ik e t he p o e t M arlow e i d en ti fi e d hi m
, ,

w i t h th e l e g en d ary A t he n i an s e e r w h o m V ergil d esc rib es i n t h e ,

sixt h B o o k of t h e Aen ei d as th e c e n t e r of an ad mi ri n g th ro n g i n
,

th e u n d e rworl d B ut t h e w ri t e r o f H er o a n d L ea n d er a bri e f
.
,

1 O f th e 3 2 v ar i e t i es o f H o me r i c h e x amet e r , L a Ro c h e h as s h o w n t h at N o n
n us u s e d o n l
y 9 ; A p o ll o n i us h ad us e d 2 7 N o n n us sh o w s a d e c i d e d p r e fer
.

en ce fo r mak i n g t h e w o r d ac c e n t c o i n c i d e i n , th e l as t fo o t , w i t h t h e i c t us . In
th e ch o l i amb i cs o f B ab r i us t h i s p r ac t i c e i s t h e
,
l i hi
r u e , an d , a i n n s c s e, s o t
d o ub
d u e t o th e i n fl ue nc e of t sk a o n
the La i n z . L at er w i th th B yz an t i n
,
e es , acc e n t

s ee ms t o h ave b ee n r eg u l arl y t ak e n i n t o ac c o u n t i n me t i al o mp it i r c c os on .
 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K L IT E RATUR E
‘

4 70

rob e w hil e al l abo ut h er was the blu sh o f man y ro ses I n fi ne

,
1
.

c o n tr as t wi t h th e o pe n i n g sc e n es an d th e sw i m mi n g of th e s tormy

H e ll esp o n t ,

Th e r o ar i n g se a l ame n t i n g to t h ese h o ur s
Lean d er s L o v e an d Death
’

i s t he olitu d e of the c l o se w hen i n t he d aw n aft e r a n ig ht o f t em

s ,

p es t H e ro w ho se tor c h had b een qu e n c hed at t h e mom e n t o f h er

,

’
lov e r s d eat h s ees hi s d row n e d bo d y o n t h e ro c k s b elow h er
,

t ow e r an d si l e n tly wit ho ut a wo r d of gri e f lik e a tr agi c heroi n e

, , , ,

fli n gs her s el f d ow n to d i e o n hi s bo d y T h e p o e m w as p ar aph r ase d .

by Sc hill e r w ho wi t h l ess tas t e mak es H e ro u tt e r a d yi ng l am en t

, , .

The w hol e i s Al e x an d ri an i n m an n e r s i ng ul arly fr ee fro m t h e ,

fau l t s o f all o th er G raec o Ro m an n arr ativ e p o e try -

I t i s i n fac t .
, ,

Mu saeus s i n c e w e hav e n o t t he Al ex an dri an o rigi n al who has

, ,

m ad e t he fortu ne o f th e l eg en d so t hat i t s till ap p eal s to the ,

mo d ern r ead e r
I n eve r th i n k of
p o o r Lean d e r s fat e
’

An d h o w h e s w am, a n d h o w h i s b r i d e
l at e s at ,

A n d w at c h e d th e d r ead fu l d aw n i n g o f t h e l i gh t ,

B ut as I w o u l d o f t w o th at d i e d l ast n i gh t .

S o mi gh t t h ey n o w h av e l i v e d an d so h ave d i ed ; ,

Th e st o ry s h eart t o me st i ll b eat s agai n st i ts si d e

’ ” 2
.

M arlow e s H er o a n d L ea n der fi n i sh ed by C hap m an i s a lo n g

’
, ,

an d e l abor ate p o e m i n w h i c h h e r at he r r e wro t e t han p ar ap h r as ed

divi n e M usaeus An i n c o mpl e t e p o e m o n th e riv e r Al p h ei us

“ ”
.

3
i n th e A n th ol ogy so c lo sely ec h o es t he p h r ases o f M u sae u s t hat i t
mu s t hav e b een a d ir ec t i m i tati o n .

El egi ac p o e t ry w as m ai ntai n ed i n th o s e gl ean i ng s afte r th e har

v est p r ese rv ed i n t he A n thol ogy T h ey ar e fo r the mo st par t .

pr etty t ri fles n ngae Phil o d emus o f G ad ar a t he E pi c ur ean phi

,
.
,

l oso phe r t h e fri end o f Pi s o t he c o n s ul ( 5 8

,
li v e d at Ro m e
an d w as ad mir e d for hi s l ear n i n g w h i c h p l ac ed hi m abov e t h e ,

G r eekl i n g s w ho c row d e d t he c api tal We hav e t hir ty tw o o f hi s .

-

2 L ei gh H un t .
3
9 362
. .
 T H E E P I GRAM MATI ST S 47r
'

e pigram s n early al l o n e ro t i c subj ec ts I t i s to b e su ppo sed that

,
.

t hey r e fl ec t the taste o f hi s Ro man p atro ns r at her than hi s o w n

h ab i t s fo r hi s ph ilo sop h i c wri ti n g s are au s t e r e an d dry e n oug h
,
.

T hey w er e i nc lu d ed i n th e A n thol ogy n o t by M el ea Th e ,

g er ,
t h e fello w t ow n s m an o f
-
P h i l o d e m us bu t by epi g ram
,

P h ili p o f T he ssal o n i c a w ho i n the fi r s t c en t ury A D m at i S t s

. .
,

m ad e a c oll ec ti o n of mo d er n po e t s H e w as p e r h aps th e fi r s t to .

TO M el eage r s G a r l a n d Ph ili p add e d

’ ’
use t h e t itl e A n thology .
,

an app e n d i x c o n tai n i n g n early e ig h ty o f hi s o w n e pigr am s c h i e fly ,

r h etori c al e x er c i ses d i spl ayi ng l it tl e o rigi n al i ty H e i n c lu d ed .

ev en Ro man po e ts w ho wro t e i n G r e ek s u c h as t h e ac c o m p li sh ed ,

M ar c ellu s an d G erm an i c u s Ant i pate r w h o m P h ili p ad d ed to hi s

.
,

A n thol ogy w as a G r ee kli n g w ho c am e u nd e r Rom an i n fl uen c e

,
.

H e i mit at e d bot h hi s n am esak e o f S ido n an d Le o n i d as o f T ar en

tum . C ri n ago ras o f M i tyl e n e l iv e d i n th e fi r st c e n tu ry u n d e r the
p atro n ag e o f Augu stu s O f hi s fi fty ep igr ams m any are o n Ro man
.

t he m es ad d r ess ed to the you n g M ar c ell us or c el ebr ati n g the vi c

,

t ori es o f Tib e riu s .

I n t he r e ig n o f H adri an STRATO o f Sardi s n o t o n ly c o n tribu t ed

,

abou t o n e h u n dr e d e pigr ams to t h e A n thol ogy b ut h i m s el f m ad e ,

t he c oll e c tio n r e pr esen t e d by B oo k 1 2 o f t h e P a l a ti n e A n thol ogy .

All o f these ar e ero ti c Abo ut forty e pigr ams are p r eserv ed u n d er

.

t h e n am e o f LUC IA N o f Samo sata c h i efly s ati ri c v e r s e epigr ams i n , ,

th e m od e r n s en s e an d n o n e o f t he m c ert ai n ly fro m t h e h an d o f
,

Lu c i an .

I n th e s ixt h c en t ury u n d e r Ju st i n i an tw o fri en d s AGATH I AS t h e

, , , ,

an th ologi s t an d h i s tori an an d P AULUS ,

SI LENTIARI US th e S il e n ,

ti ary o r p rivy c ou nc ilo r e x c han g ed e pigr ams th e Agat h i as

, ,

an d F aum
fo rm e r fro m hsi c u h
o n t ry o seu o n t h e B s h
o p or u s s
,

w h il e P aul us att en d ed to hi s d uti es at th e c o u rt i n C o n s t an ti n o pl e .

Agat hi as wr o t e th e epigr am w hi c h i n sp ir e d J o n s o n s lyri c D ri n k

’
,

to me o nly wi t h thi n e ey es I a m n o w i n eln li li e r ; hu t if th o u

’
”

w i l t ni ahe me d r n n /e tas te th o /c fir s t a n d hr i ng i t to me a n d
, ,

l tahe i t . F or if th o u w i l t to u ch i t w i th thy l ips , no l o nger i s

it easy to heep s olzer or to p
es ca e th e s w eet cu p bea r er ; fo r the
4 72 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K L ITE RATUR E

f er r i es me hi ss f r o m thee, a n d tel l s me of the g r ace tha t

ca p over a
1
i t h ad .

P aul us w as the b ett er p o et of t he tw o an d hi s epigr am s to the , ,

n u mb er o f mo r e than s e v e n ty ar e a mo n g t h e b es t of t h i s l at er ,

p e rio d H i s i s t h e c u ri ou s di al og u e i n w h i c h a d ead man i n hi s

.

gr av e att emp t s to c o n fi d e i n an i n d i ffe r e n t w ay far e r w ho w av es

e v e ry asse r tio n as id e

M y n ame s Wha t matter an d my h o me

’
[ ca r e n ot .

M y b i rth w as n o b l e — 1Vh at if i t w er e n ot 9 .

Gl o ry I w o n Wh a t boots zt an th e tom!) 9
A n d h er e I l i e — Wh o s ay s so a n d to w h om ,

I n th e i gram s aft e r M el eag e r w it h few e x c e p tio ns t h e r e i s a

ep , ,

d e c i d ed fall i n g o ff I n t h e m w e c an trac e th e eup hui sm o f t he

.

d ay an d t h e t rivi al e ffe c t s of so ph i s ti c r h e tori c fro m w h i c h a tr ue

,

po et w oul d hav e shak en h i mse l f fr ee An y s tri ki n g i n c i d e n t t hat .

c o ul d b e u s e d app ear s ag ai n an d ag ai n i n t h es e e pigr ams e ac h ,

i ng en i o us ve r si fi er tryi n g to o u t d o the r es t i n m e tri c al subtl e ti es ,

an d i n givi n g fr e sh t u r n s to t h e o l d c o m mo n l ac es
p All w e r e i mi .

t ato r s w h o se favori t e m od el w as an Al e x an d ri an Le o n i d as of
, ,

Tar en tu m .

B ABRIUS i f w e may j ud g e fro m h i s n am e w as an I t al i an by

, ,

bir t h H i s d at e i s q ui t e u nc ert ai n but p ro b ably fall s i n th e r ei g n

.
,

o f A l ex an d e r Sev e r us ( 2 2 2 2 3 5 H e w rot e at any r at e at

—
, ,

a ti me w h e n i t w as th e fas h i o n fo r a Ro man t o c o m
B abri us
po se i n G r ee k as i n o ur d ay c e rt ai n E n gl i s h and
, , ,

Am eri c an wri t er s p r e fer F r en c h to t h e i r n ati v e t o n g ue I t was .

m o r eov e r a sur e r w ay t o th e patr o n ag e o f the p hil H ell e n i c e m

,
-

p ero rs The i mmort al ity o f t he [M

.
y thi a mhi cs of B ab ri us w as
s e c u r ed by t h e ir p op u l ari ty as a sc h ool bo o k T hey s ee m to b e .

ar a h r ase s i n v e r se o f so m e p ro s e c oll ec tio n o f fabl es p rob ably

p p ,

t ho se of A es op t hat hal f l eg e n d ary figu r e w h o m G r e ek tr ad i tio n

,
-

p l ac e d i n t h e t i me o f C ro esus w h il e t h e G r e ek s p r o c e ed e d to at
,

t ac h t o hi s n ame an y b east fabl e w i t h a mor al T hi s t e nd e nc y i s .

1
A n th . Pa l .
5 . 26 1 ; M ac k ai l ’
s r l t
t an s a i o n . J o n s o n u se d th e p ros e r
ve s o n i
of
’
l h i l os trat us 3 5 5 .
2
Ro g er s
’
tran s l at i o n .
4 74 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATUR E

p rop or tio n as the Ro m an em p eror s lov ed G r eek l etters th e G r eek ,

l i n g s who c row d ed to Ro m e p ro sp er ed an d t hey wrot e fo r Ro m an ,

r ead er s n o l ess t han for G r eek The h i sto ri ans followi n g th e

.
,

l ead o f Polybiu s wro te i n G r ee k the h i story o f Ro m e for Ro m an s

, ,

c o m p il i n g fro m t hei r p r e d ec e ssor s an d as a r ul e wi t h l i ttl e c ar e

, ,

fo r s tyl e DI ODO RUS o f Si c ily ( ci r ca 4 0 B C ) wro te forty B ook s

. . .

’
o f u n iv e r sal h i st ory dow n to C aesar s c o nqu est o f G aul O f t hi s .

massiv e w ork w e hav e B o ok s 1 — 5 and 1 1 — 2 0 an d

Di od orus
s om e fr agm en ts I t w as c all e d t h e L i br a ry of H i s
.

to ry ( B i hl i o theca) an d i n i t Di o d o rus ai me d at c ov e ri n g all the

,

e v en t s an d d ate s o f h i s tory fro m th e d aw n o f t i me For hi s r e .

s ear c h es h e u s e d th e lib r ari e s o f Rom e an d h i m se l f tr av e l e d far ,

an d w id e H i s book w as m u c h ad mir e d by the G r ee k s an d Ro

.

m an s o f hi s o w n an d l ate r c en turi es B ut h e had n o i n d ep en d .

e nc e o f vi e w an d s l avi s hly r ep rod uc e d i n abri dgm ent o r l i te r ally

,

t he c l assi c al h i s to ri an s for eac h p erio d H i s styl e i s c l ear an d

.

dry he avoi d s h i at u s, an d l i k e Polybiu s u ses ab str ac t substan

, , ,

ti ves t o e x c ess O f th e few sp eec hes i n c l u d e d i n t he work th e

.
,

gr eater n u mb er ar e ep i d e i c ti c and h ig hly r he tori c al .

N o t lo n g aft e r th e b attl e o f A c tiu m ( 3 1 B C ) th er e c am e to . .

Ro m e a c i tiz en of H ali c ar nassu s the famou s D I ON Y SIUS the r e to

, ,

sp e n d th e b est y ear s o f hi s l it e r ary l ife th er e too h e p rob ably , ,

d i ed . H i s r epu t atio n d ep en d s m ai nly o n hi s c ri ti c al es say s o n

th e wri t er s o f c l ass i c G r eek p ro se B ut h e was a hi s
Di ony s i us
.

of Hal i car t ori an too an d w e h av e h i s E a r ly H i s to ry of R ome

, ,

c h w as c o m
n as s u s
s 1 — 1 1 an d fr agm en ts o f 1 2
( B ook w h i
p l eted abou t 8 B C T h i s h e wro te p artly fo r the gl ory o f
. .

Ro m e as a t ribu te to th e di sti ng ui shed Rom an s w ho w er e hi s

,

fri en d s p ar tly as an e x ampl e o f w hat c oul d s ti ll b e ac hi e v ed i n

,

G r ee k p ro se by o n e who w as th e l ead e r i n t hat r eviv al o f A tti c i s m

w hi c h w as so s oo n t o d e feat t he As i ani sts H i s d r eam was the .

r en ai ssan c e o f G r e ek p ro se t h roug h th e s i n c er e an d sedulou s i mi

t ati o n o f t h e c l ass i c mo d el s a r eac tio n w h i c h as h e ad mit ted
, , ,

mus t c o m e t h ro ug h t h e i n flu en c e o f Ro me Th e m ai n t he me of .

hi s h i s tory w as th e gran d eu r of Ro me an d as i t c ov er s the m y th i

,
 DI O N Y S IU S O F H A LI C A R N A SSU S 4 75

c al p as t of Rom e an d G r eec e i t form s a so r t o f i n tro du c tio n to

,

t h e work o f P o lybi us The c hi ef lit e r ary i n t e r es t of D io n y s i us w as

.

or at ory an d n o h i s tori an ev e r i n c lu d ed so many s peec h es o f fa

,

mo us p er so n s c hi efly ep i d e i c t i c i n c h ar ac t e r an d s tyl e an d c o m
, ,

po sed wit h so li ttl e c ar e fo r v eri si m ilit ud e t hat h e mak es Ro mul us

e mpl oy al l t h e r he tori c al tri c k s o f a G r ee k s o p hi s t So har d i s i t.

for a p ro fessi o n al c riti c to avoi d the e rr o r s that h e wou l d b e th e

fi r st to d et ec t i n an o t her Dio n y siu s had n o t the gift s o f s tyl e
.

n o r t he n ot e o f ori gi n ali ty th at mig h t h av e l ift ed hi s hi s tory to th e

r an k o f a c l assi c . H e i s li fe l ess an d mo n o to n ou s an d i s bu r d en e d
wi th to o m an y r emi n i sc en c es H i s m o st i m po r tan t c o n tribu tio n
.

w as to r he tori c w h i c h h e t aug ht and to th e c riti c i s m o f t he o ra

, ,

t or s .

Th e F i r s t L etter to A mmaens i s a pr ec iou s do c u m en t fo r t he

h i s tory o f li t e r atu r e . A P e ri pate ti c h ad c l ai m ed t hat Demo s
t hen es ow ed h i s oratori c al su c c ess to t h e p r esc ri p ti o n s of the

R heto r i c o f Ari s to tl e T hi s wor thl ess p ar ad ox provok ed Dio n y siu s

.
,

w ho c o ul d n o t en d ure that hi s id e al or ator s h oul d se e m t o b e

'

i n d eb t ed to a p hilo sop her an d n o t to o t h er or ator s an d r h e tori c i an s ,

I so c rates fo r i n s t ance
,
Th e fac ts an d d ates ar e i n hi s favo r
.
,

an d hi s argu m e n ts ar e i n v alu abl e e vid en c e for th e c h ro n ology of

De mo st hen es an d Ari sto tl e Th e e ssay O n the A r r a ng emen t of

.

Wor ds was a bi rt hd ay gi ft to a you ng Rom an pu p il a s oli d tr eati se , ,

’
v ery d i ffer en t fro m the flori d bi r th d ay s p eec h es w i t h w hi c h the
s o p h i s ts r eg al ed t h ei r p atro n s T hi s r em i nd s o n e r ather o f the
.

n u m e ro us S ta di es d e di c at ed t o d i s ti n gui sh e d sc hol ar s o f o u r t im e ,

t ho ug h i t wo uld n o t be e asy t o pro d uc e an e x ac t p arall el o f a

mo d er n work d edi c ated to a pu p il A ft er d i sti ngui sh on t h e A:

.

i ng styl e fro m subj ec t m at te r Dio n y si us pro mi s es tw o ran g emen t

-
,
° f WW IS
t r ac t s o n styl e the sec o n d to b e o n t he c hoi c e o f w or d s
, ,

l e mot p r op r e w hil e thi s the fi r s t d eal s wi t h t h e mor e i mpor

, , ,

t an t qu es tio n o f t h ei r effec ti v e or d er Dry d en s o r d o nn an c e ,

’ “
.
”

H ow H e ro d o t us u si n g t he m o st or d i nary vo c ab ul ary suc c eed ed

, ,

i n m aki n g t h at r i s que an e c d o t e o f C an d aul es an d G yg es vivi d ,

an d r ed e e m ed t h e s c an d alou s t h e m e by th e me r e arr ang e m en t of

4 76 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU R E

1
t he word s T hen w e hav e the d e fi ni tio n o f t he t hr ee har
!
mo n i es th e au s t e r e ( e g A esc hyl us Pi n d ar T hu c y d id es) the
,
‘ ’
. .
, , ,

s mo ot h or flow e ry (Sap p ho I so c r at es) the mi d d l e a gol d en

’
, ,
‘
,
’

mean ( H o me r So ph o c l es Pl ato De mo s t he n es)

, Ev en t h i s pro , ,
.

fe sso r k n o w s t hat p r e c e p t s are n o t all an d d we ll s o n t he n ee d o f ,

l i t er ary t ac t H i s exp eri m en t s i n s tyl e an d the n u me ro us q uo t a

.

ti o n s i n p ro se an d v er s e gr eatly h eig ht en the i n ter es t o f t he trac t .

Th e att e m p t s o f B l ass and ot h er s t o d efi n e t h e rul es t hat gov er n

th e r h yt h ms of De mo st he n i c p ro s e w er e an ti c i p at e d by t he

an aly si s h e r e m ad e o f D e mo s t h en i c r hy t h m s ( c Di o n y si us .

q uot es par t o f a Pi nd ari c d it hy r am b th e Dan ae d i rg e o f Si mo n i d es , ,

an d mo s t p r ec io us o f al l t h e w ho l e o f t h e S apphi c O d e to A h r o
, p ,

di te . R L S t e v enso n had n o t r ead D io nys ui s bu t hi s ess ay o n

.
,

2
S ty l e i n L i ter atu r e i s a c lo se mod e r n p ar all e l to the A r r ange
men t of Wo r ds .

The tr ac t O n the A n ci en t O r a tor s has an i n trodu c tio n an i m ,

passi o n e d at tac k o n A s i an i s m i n w hi c h Dio n y siu s d e c l ar es t hat ,

t hat theatri c al mann e r o f r h e tori c i s no t for lo n g H e d ivi d es th e .

A tti c o r ator s i n to two gro up s Ly si as I s o c r at es I sae us an d Demo s , , , ,

t h en es H yp er ei d es A e sc hi n es
,
Ly s i as i s t h e mo d el o f the p er
,
.

fec tl y l uc i d and si mpl e s tyl e t h e i d eal o f t he A tti c pu ri s t s am o n g , ,

w hom Dio n y si us d o es n o t c o un t as an ex tr e mi st I so c rat es i s t h e .

typ e of the el abor at e sel f c o n sc io u s h ig hly wroug h t ar ti st o c c a

,
-
, ,

s i o n all y to o c o pi ou s l saeus t oo c l ev er t o c o n vi n c e ow e d t w o
.
, ,

t hi r d s of hi s r e pu t atio n to the fac t t hat h e t r ai n e d De m o st hen es .

T he L etter to P o mp ei zcs i s a fam ou s c ri ti c i sm o f Pl ato Di o n y si us .

w as a p rofesso r fi r s t n e r vo us abou t e xtr e m es a frai d o f li t e r ary

, ,

gorg e o usn e ss H e n c e Pl ato s gr an d m ann er w hi c h he had hi m

.
’
,

3 ’
se l f c all e d d i t hy r am bi c w as n o t to b e ad mi r e d wi t hou t r es erv e
‘
, .

F o r Pl at o s s p ar e an d mu sc ul ar m an n er h e has n ot h i n g bu t pr ai s e
’
.

The S econ d L etter to A mma en s i s a mi nu t e an aly s i s o f t he s tyl e o f

Thuc y d i d es w h o se ob sc u ri ty Di o n y si us fou n d r e pell en t p r e fe rri ng
, , ,

bot h as a matt e r o f tast e an d fro m n ati o nal p r ej ud i c e h i s c o un try ,

man H e ro d ot us T h i s t r ac t has a li ngui sti c rat h er t han a l it er ary

.

1
3 . Co n temp or a ry Revi ew , 18 8
5 .
3
Ph aed r us 23 8 D .
4 78 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LIT E RATU R E

One m e mu st b e ad d ed to t hi s i nc o mpl e t e l i st o f the

o t h er na

h i stori an s w ho flou ri shed i n t he fi r st C hris ti an c en tu ry u n d er th e

favor o f Ro m e J OSEPH US was bor n i n 3 7 A D at J eru sal em an d
. . .
,

r ec eiv e d the e d u c at io n o f a J e w n o t li k e t h at o f the H e l l en iz ed

,

J ew s o f Al ex an dri a o f w ho m hi s old e r c o ntem p o r ary

,
J os eph us
P hilo th e J ewi sh Pl at o ( 2 0 B C — 4 0 A D ) i s th e b e st
“
,
”
. . . .

r ep r esen tativ e For J o se p hu s l ear n ed G r eek l ate i n li fe i n ord e r to

.

t r an sl at e hi s mas t erp i ec e t h e [f i s tory of the / ew i s h Wa r for th e b e n e

fi t o f n o n Se m i t i c r ead e r s
-
I n t h i s t ask h e r equi r e d t he h el p o f
.

o th er s I n the H i s tory h e t ell s th e story o f the r evol t of the J ew s

.

an d t h eir r epr ess io n by Ti tu s ( 6 6 — 7 0 A fte r hi s c ap tu r e as a

p ri so n er o f w ar he had b ec o m e th e fri en d o f V esp asi an and Ti tu s ,

an d w as p r es en t as an e y e wi tn ess w h e n th e l att e r sac k e d J e r usal e m

i n 70 . Th e l att e r p ar t o f hi s li fe he sp en t i n Ro me Lik e Poly h .

i us he w as p ro Rom an an d pl ay e d a v e ry si mil ar p ar t as med i at or

,
-
,

b etw e en the Ro m ans an d hi s o w n c ou n try men H i s l at er work .

,

c o m p l ete d i n 9 4 A D t he E ar ly JYi s to ry of j n d aea fro m the C r ea

. .
, ,

t io n to 6 6 A D i s l ess i n t er esti n g an d l ess vi gorou s than the n arr a

. .
,

t iv e o f ev e n ts o f w h i c h he h im se l f w as a p ar t .

Dio n y si us i n t he e arly y ear s o f th e Ro m an Empir e j udg e d o f

, ,

t he p ro s p ec t s o f h i sto ri c al p ro se fro m s u c h wri te r s as Polybiu s ,

w ho s e styl e di d n ot en c our ag e on e to r ead hi m t o th e en d H e .

s aw t hat i t w as to t he A tti c izi n g r h etori c i an s that o n e mu s t lo ok for

th e r eviv al o f G r ee k pro se an d th e r e tur n to At ti c m o d e l s I n th e .

followi ng c en tury i n the r eig ns of Tr aj an an d H adri an an d the

,

p h il H e ll en i c A n to n i n e s t he A t ti c iz i ng r eviv al bor e fr ui t for hi s

-
,

t o ri c al p ro se Dio n y s iu s c o ul d h e hav e r ead hi m would hav e

.
, ,

fou n d mu c h to approv e i n ARRIAN ( ci r ca 9 5 B or n i n N i c o

m ed i a a su c c essful gov e r n or o f C ap pad o c i a u n d er H adri an
, ,

Ar ri an w as an A t ti c i s t at heart A ft e r an ac tiv e mili .

Arr i an
t ary c ar eer h e b ec ame a c itiz e n o f A t h e n s c o n spi c u
, ,

o u s fo r w e al t h an d p u bl i c s pi ri t an d t h e r e wrot e h i s H i s to ry of ,

th e A n a ha s i s of A l ex a n d er ( i n se v en B ook s ) w h i c h has c o me d o w n

t o us al mo s t c ompl et e I t c ov e r s t h e y ear s 3 3 6 — 3 2 3 B C
. Arr i an . .

was an i n du st riou s writ e r a g e ogr ap h er as w e ll as a h i stori an

,
He .
 ARRI AN 4 79

w as a d evo te d di sc ipl e o f the p h ilo sop her Epi c tetus who lik e an ,

o th er So c r ates h im sel f wro te n ot hi n g E p i c t etu s a l am e P hrygi an

,
.
, ,

w h il e a sl av e at R o me ed u c at ed hi m s el f an d b ec am e o ne of the
,

m o s t famou s teac he rs o f the S toi c sc hool When Do mi ti an ban .

i sh ed t he ph ilo s op h er s ( 9 4 A D ) h e r et r eat e d to N i c o po li s i n
. .

E p iru s w h ere Arri an heard hi m t eac h I t w as o p en to ev ery Stoi c

,
.
,

as to e v e ry E p i c u r ean to m ak e hi s o w n p er s o n al ap pli c atio n t o li fe

,

o f th e do c tri n es o f h i s sc hool Th e ex al t atio n o f th e hu m an w il l

.

i s t h e p r e o c c u patio n o f E p i c t e tu s All the Stoi c s taug h t the vir tu e

.

o f sel f suffi c i en c y but n o t wi th su c h i n si st enc e H e w as an e m

-
,
.

p hat i c t eac he r an d h i s s tro n g est emp hasi s i s l ai d o n al l t hat c o n

,

c e r n s t he fr e e do m o f the s oul i ts i n d ep e n d en c e o f e xt e r n al s
,
Fo r .

h i m al l p rogr ess l i es i n t he s tr e n gt h en i n g o f o n e s p ow er to work

’

’
o ut o n e s o wn pri n c ipl es o f c o n du c t T h e t eac h i n g of Epi c t e t us
.

s tro n gly i n flu e n c e d M ar c u s Aur eliu s bu t w her e th e ex sl av e i s

,
-

c he e r ful an d e v en op ti mi st i c th e e m p e ror i s c ol d ly an d p iou sly

,

r esi g ned . Epi c t etu s addr essed hi m self to al l c l asses o f me n was ,

p o ssesse d by the t h oug h t o f hi s m i ssio n an d di sd ai n ed no sor t o f ,

pr ac ti c al ad vi c e and e x ho r tatio n Mar c u s Aureliu s c ommu n ed o nly

.

wi th hi m sel f i n r egio n s o f self d enyi ng au sterity r em ot e fro m the

,
-

tri al s of c o m mo n men M i n d ful o f the piou s tribu t e o f X en op ho n

.

i n t he M emor abi l i a Arri an w ro te o ut the Lectu r es an d D i s

,

cour ses of E pi c t e tu s a n d a M an ual ( E n c h i ri d i o n

) o f hi s t eac h
i ng. Th e two l at t er ar e ex tan t an d o n th e m w e d e p en d for ou r
,

k n owl ed g e o f the do c tri n es o f E pi c t etu s Arri an p u shed the .

p ar all el wi th X en op ho n furt her bo rro wed hi s t i tl es p ri d ed hi mself

, ,

o n the c l o se r es e mbl anc e o f t h eir c ar ee r s an d tas te s an d w o n t he ,

t i tl e o f t he N e w X en o pho n H e wro te t r eati ses o n Ta c ti cs an d

.

H u n ti ng the l atte r a c o n ti nu atio n o f t h e Cy n egeti c us w hi c h h e

, ,

e vi d e n tly r eg ard ed as X en o pho n ti c H i s work O n I n d i a was

.

wri tt en i n Io n i c i n i mi tatio n o f H e rodo tu s Ar t i an i s t he c hame

,
.

l eo n amo n g the A t ti c izi n g hi s tori ans he wro te i n c lo se i mi tatio n

n o w o f X en op ho n n o w o f T h u c y d i d es an d ag ai n o f H e ro d o t us
, ,
.

B ut few A t ti c i sts w e r e as c o nsi st e n t as h e o r as u n s poil ed by the ,

r h etori c of hi s d ay .
480 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K L ITE RATU R E

A PP I AN of Al ex an d ri a Arri an s c o n t em por ary w as a su c c ess ful

,
’
,

advo c ate at Ro me u n d e r H ad ri an an d A n to n i n u s an d w as r ai se d

by t he l att e r t h roug h th e i n flu en c e o f Fro n to th e

, ,
Appi an
tu to r o f M ar c u s Au r el iu s to th e po s t o f p ro c ur ator , .

H e i s a man o f o n e boo k hi s R o ma n I I i s tory t h e w ork o f hi s

, ,

m atu r e y ear s An au t obi ogr aph y to w hi c h h e r e fe r s i n hi s p r e fac e

.
, ,

i s lo st . H i s ambit iou s H i s tory e xt en d ed fro m th e my t h i c al c en

t uri es o f Ro m e t o th e r e ig n o f Tr aj an I ns t ead o f w ri ti n g ann al s
.
,

th e s t ory o f Ro m e y ear by y ear h e arr ang ed h i s tw e n ty four B ook s

,
-

i n divi sio n s aft e r th e m an n e r o f E p h o r us grou p i n g tog eth e r al l

, ,

t he ev e n t s t h at illu str at ed t he r el atio n s of Ro me w i t h o t he r n atio n s ,

o r h er o w n c ivil s tru ggl es so t hat th e r ead er had b efor e hi m a

,

c o m p r eh en s iv e su rv ey i n a si n gl e B oo k o f t h e w ar s i n I taly

t h e Sp an i sh w ar s the c ivil w ar s ( 1 3 O f al l t h i s w e hav e

th e Pr efac e wi t h i ts d esc riptio n o f t he c ou n tri es an d n atio n s
,

c o n troll ed by t h e v ast E mpir e o f Ro me e x c e rp t s fro m 1 — 5 al mo st , ,

t h e w h ol e o f 6 8 th e l at t er hal f o f 9 an d th e w h ol e o f 1 1 — 1 7
—
, , ,

so t hat th e work en d s fo r us b e fo r e t he c lo se o f th e c ivil

, ,

w ar s at 3 4 B C
,
App i an i s a h i sto ri an o f th e sc hool of P0
. .

l yb i us but hi s work owi n g t o i ts p l an l ac k s u n i ty an d c o h er enc e

, , ,
.

Th e m o st v alu abl e p or tio n th at h as surviv ed i s t he sec tio n o n th e

c ivil w ar s H e w as a bor n c o m pi l e r w i t h n o c riti c al gi ft
.
,
Wh at .

hi s s ou r c es ac t u ally w er e i s s ti ll an op en q u e s tio n bu t h e s e em s t o ,

hav e ow ed mu c h to t h e n u m erou s mi n or hi s to ri an s bot h Lati n an d ,

G r ee k w h o se work s hav e p eri sh ed

,
H i s s tyl e i s c l ear an d n o t r e
.

m ark abl e for an y atte mp t at A tt i c i s m H e i n clu d e d few sp eec hes .

,

an d t h o se h av e l i tt l e t hat i s p ur ely e p i d e i c ti c Arri an was i n d e ed .

, ,

fr ee fro m th e c o n spi c u ou s fault s of sop h i s ti c r h etori c .

C Assrus D10 gr an d so n o f th e o r at or Di o of Pr as a ( C hryso st o

,

mus ) w as bor n at N i c aea i n B i thy n i a H e c am e to Ro m e i n 1 8 0

,
.

an d h el d t h e offi c es o f pr ae to r an d c o n sul U n d er Al ex and er .

Cas s i us Sev e ru s he w as p ro c o n s ul o f A fri c a Aft e r hi s s ec o n d .

D10 c o n sul sh i p ( 2 2 9) he wi t hd r ew from p ubli c l ife to

N i c aea O f hi s gr eat wo rk th e H i s tory of R o me fro m A en eas
.
, ,

to 2 2 9 A D i n eig h ty B ook s w e hav e b esi d es fr ag men ts an d an

. .
, , ,
482 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

for ty ei gh t Li ves i nc l udi ng four Ar tax erx e s Ar atu s Galb a an d

-
, , , , ,

O t ho w h i c h w e r e writt en si n gl y
,
Plu t ar c h w as a t ru e hero wor
.

sh i p er ,
an d h e c h o s e for hi s h e ro es men w ho h ad di s ti n gui sh e d

t h e ms elv es i n pu bli c li fe i g n ori ng th e me r e man o f l e t t er s H e i s

, .

n o h i s tori an I n an y c ase th e G r e ek s o f t h e b e s t p e rio d w e r e

.
,

s i n g ul arl y i nc uriou s abou t t h e p riv at e liv e s an d p e r s o n al i ti es o f

th ei r gr eat me n so t hat h e c oul d o n ly fall b ac k o n tr ad itio n for

,

hi s p er s o n al an ec do tes H e sav e s h i s c r e dit by r e m i n di n g us t hat

.

h e w ri tes n o t h i story but biogr ap hy an d h e mig h t h av e mai n t ai n e d

, , ,

t hat hi s fallibl e c h ro n ology hi s w eak n ess for t he p i c t ur esq ue r at h e r

,

than th e p ro sai c v e r sio n o f th e i n c i d en t d i d n o t i mp ai r t he mo r al ,

l esso n t hat he wi shed to c o n v ey an d that he mad e vivi d by abu n

d an t an ec do te s an d dr am ati c si tu at io n s Th e i n d i vi d ual hi s p ec ul .
,

i ar t e mp er amen t an d c har ac t eri sti c s stoo d o u t c l e ar for Plu tar c h but, ,

h e o ft en fail e d to u n d e r s tan d mu c h mor e t o all ow for t h e p o l i ti c al

, ,

b ac kgro un d o f hi s p er so nag es T ac t an d skill i n n arr ativ e h e had

.
,

v ari ety an d a stro n g s en se o f th e dr amati c So i t w as t hat Shak e .

’
s p ear e fo un d i n N o rt h s t r ansl atio n o f th e L i ves d r am as lik e
C or i ol an us o r j u li us C aes a r r ead y mad e
’
Plu t ar c h s L i nes ar e .

ri c h i n sc en es of p at ho s or d r am ati c i n t en si ty th e d e feat ed C r assus ,

at C arr h ae C l eop atr a r ai s i n g t o h er tow e r t he wo u nd ed A n t o n y

, ,

th e t riu mp h o f Ae mil i us P aulu s th e far e w ell of B r u tu s an d Por ti a

, ,

t h e d eat h sc en es o f P eri c l es C aesar B ru t us an d C at o , H e has , .

b een c all e d t he G r eek M o n taig n e an d th e v i t ality an d n ev er fail ,

i n g h u m an i ty th e g en i al w i sd o m t hat m ad e Pl u tar c h so sy mpath e ti c

,

to M o n t aig n e h i m s el f as h e r ead h i m i n th e Fr e n c h v e r s io n o f
,

Amyo t has wo n hi m c ou n tl ess r ead er s w ho har d ly k n ow so m u c h

,

as t he n am es of th e o t h e r lit e r ary G r ee k s o f hi s c en t ury The r est .

n e e d to b e g alv an iz e d i n to l i fe b ut th e c h eerful an d man y s i d e d

,

Pl u t ar c h will hardl y n eed t hat pe r p etu al r ed i sc ov ery fro m t i me to

t i me as lo n g as book s l as t pro m i sed to hi m by E m er so n .

H e w as b e for e all e l s e n at u r ally mor al T h e e ig hty o d d .

’
essay s an d d i alogu es M o n taig n e s c r eam o f p h il o sop hy
“
,
w hi c h
w e h av e u n d er h i s n am e ar e all m o r al an d d i d ac ti c i n ai m s o t hat
, ,

th ey ar e r egul arly c l as se d t og eth e r as M o r a l i a M an y o f t he m .

 P LUTA R C H 83

hav e b e en r ej ec ted ou trig ht by mod er n sc hol ar s and s ev e r al li e ,

i

u n d e r s u sp i c i o n Li k e m o s t o f the i n te l l e c tual s o f hi s d ay Pl u
'

.
,

tar c h dr e w hi s e t h i c s fro m Pl ato an d Ari s to tl e an d i t Th e ,

w as t he Pl ato n i c e x amp l e t hat l ed hi m to writ e t he M OYaIi a

fourt een au t he n ti c d i alog ues t hat w e p o ssess O f t he se On the .

Ces s a ti o n of O r a cl es i s o n e o f t h e mo s t i n t e r esti n g w i t h i ts n arr a ,

tiv e o f the pro c l amati o n o f the d eat h of t h e gr eat go d Pan by the

Egy p ti an m ari n e r Th e i n c id en t w as r el ated to p ro v e t hat th e
.

Dae m o n s w e r e mort al s i n c e e v e n a d eity c o ul d d i e 1

,
1

Th e Tahl e Ta l h i n fo ur B o o k s i s a se ri es o f d i sc u ssio n s o n al l
m ann e r o f qu estio n s p h ilo s o ph i c al an ti q uari an l it er ary q uesti o n s
, , , ,

of so c i al d e m eano r an d d i e t an d n atu ral h i s tory

,
Pl ut ar c h s , .
’

fat he r b ro th er s an d gr an d fat he r t ak e part i n c ert ai n o f t hese liv ely

, ,

d i sc u ssio n s w hi c h are h el d at At h en s o r D e l p hi or at t he G am es i n
, , ,

E li s or C ori n t h Amo n g th e li t e r ary essay s t hat O n the Ill a/i ce of

.

H er od o tus d i spl ay s th e n at ur al p r ej ud i c e of a B o eo ti an ag ai ns t o n e
w ho had so s ev er e ly c ri ti c i sed t he c o n d u c t of t h e B o e oti an s i n the

P er si an War s u n l ess i n d eed w e r eg ard the p i e c e as a r h e tori c al

, , ,

e x e r c i s e o f a sort c o mmo n i n t h e sc h ool s I n t h e Co mp a r i s o n of .

A r i s toph a n es a n d M en a n d er Pl u t ar c h ex p r e sse d hi s o w n d e c i d ed,

p r e fe r e n c e for M e nan d e r n atu r al i n o n e w ho d i s lik ed e xtrav ag an c e

,

o f all ki nd s e v e n i n C o m e dy
,
H e h at e d t he E p i c ur ean s an d .
,

at t ac k e d t h e m i n Ag ai n s t Co l o tes ( an E pi c u r e an ) an d i n a d i a ,

l og ue w ho s e thes i s w as t hat O n e ca n n ot l i r e p l eas a n tly a ccor d i ng to

the Ep i cu rea n f a shi o n I n h i s essay s h e o ft e n at tac k s supe r s t iti o n
.
_

an d h e w as un c ri ti c ally p iou s B ut he p o pul ariz e d a d o c tri n e t hat

.

i s i tsel f hi g hly s u p e r s titi o us t h e t he o ry o f Dae mo ns i n t e r me d i ary

, ,

bei ng s bad an d goo d w h o m h e mad e r e spo nsibl e fo r al l the

, ,

app ar en t e rror s of t h e go d s T h i s w as an e ffort to puri fy G r eek

.

t h eo logy an d to j us ti fy t h e w ay s of go d to man .

Pl u t ar c h w as n o s tri c t A tt i c i s t t h o ug h as a w ell r ead man h e i s ,

-
,

o f c o u r se p r o n e to At ti c c o ns tr uc tio n s an d v o c ab ul ary
,
Fo r t h e .

mo s t p art h e avoi d s hi atu s tho ug h h e ri d i c ul es i ts t o o c ar e ful ,

M rs l ti n f h e r p o e m, Th e D ea d I
’
1 . B ro w n i n g , i n h e r exp an a o o an,
g i ve s
P l ut ar c h as her au t h o r i ty ,
b ut mi s q uo t es h i s v e rs i o n
.
484 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L IT E R AT UR E

e x c l usio n as p ed an ti c H e abou n d s i n q u ot ati o n s fro m th e c l assi

.
l

c al G r e ek s an d Al ex an d ri an s an d h i s fo n d n e ss for q u o ti n g p o e try
,

amo un ts to a d e fec t o f s tyl e H e c o u l d n o t o f c o u r se r e mai n

.
, ,

o u t si d e the c urr en t o f sop h i s ti c an d w he n h e t aug h t at Ro m

,
e he ,

g av e d ec l amatio n s lik e t he r es t H i s Whether F i r e or Wa ter i s .

mo r e Us cy ul i s a typi c al ep id ei c ti c pi ec e ; t he G ry l l us a d i alog ue
‘
,

O f O d y s s e u s w i t h o n e of C i r c e s s wi n e i s a p ar ad oxi c al e n c o mi u m
’
, ,

w hil e th e v e ry arr ang e me n t of the Li nes i n p ar all e l s sugg est s th e

s o p h i s ti c p r ac ti c e Lat e r h e sh ow s l it tl e t r ac e o f t h e i n fl uenc e o f
.

r he t o ri c H i s s tyl e i s r at h er massiv e t han gr ac eful an d he has a

.
,

w eak n ess for ab s tr ac t sub s t an tiv es Li k e A ri s to tl e h e i s o n e o f .

,

t h e v ery fe w G r ee k wri t e r s of i m por tan c e w h o p rofi t by tr an sl atio n .

H e d i sl ik e d A s i an i s m an d all affec t ati o n i n w ri ti n g as a form of ,

e x c e ss an d ridi c ul e d e qu al ly t h e rigoro u s A t ti c i s t w ho w o u l d r at h e r
,

go c old i n wi n t e r t han w ear w ool n o t Atti c bu t pr e ferr e d to s i t ,

2
i n ac ti v e i n th e fi n e an d t h r ead b ar e c lo ak o f Lysi ani c sp eec h .

O f th e n u m e ro u s h i stori an s o f th e sc h ool s o f p h i lo sop h y an xi o u s ,

i n eac h c ase to p r ese rv e a r ec o rd o f an u nbrok e n suc c e ss i o n o f

sc h ol ar c h s o n e h as su rviv e d
,
Th e L i nes of th e P hi l os opher s o f
.

DI O GEN Es LAERTI US ( p r o b ably so c al l e d b ec ause h e c am e fro m Laert e

i n C ili c i a) h as n o l i t e r ary or c riti c al me ri t b ut fe w book s h av e ,

Di ogen es b e en more q uo t ed fo r t h ei r fac t s What g av e t he b o ok .

L aert i us a vi t ali ty d e n i e d t o o t h e r s o f i ts t yp e i s t h e fac t t h at h e

l
s urv ey ed th e w h ol e fi el d o f p h ilo s o p hy c o mbi n i n g a l t h e s ep ar at e ,

r ec o r d s an d trad i tio n s O f the sc h o ol s i n o n e h an d book H i s .

.

s o u r c e s ar e s ti ll d eb at ed an d w e ar e u n c e rt ai n as to hi s m e t h od o f
,

u si n g t h e m H e h ad b e for e h i m n u me r o u s h i s to ri e s O f t h e sc hool s
.
,

li st s of sc h ol ar c hs an d c oll ec tio n s of n o t abl e sayi n g s wi t h w h i c h h e

,

h el p ed o u t h i s o w n m eag er r es o u r c es As h e h as n o t h i n g to s ay
.

ab o u t N e o Pl ato n i s m an d men ti o n s t h e su c c e s s or o f th e s e c o n d
-
,

c e n t u ry Se xt us E m i r i c u s hi s d at e p rob ably fall s i n t h e fi r s t h al f

p ,

of t he t hi r d c e n t ury T h e L i nes ar e i n te n B o o k s
. 1 — 2 th e ,

1
Th e us e o f h i at us i s , t h er e fo r e, n o s afe c ri t er i o n fo r th e g e n ui n e n ess of

h i s w r i t i ngs .

2 H ow to L i sten 9 .
48 6 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L IT E RATU R E

It m s fairly safe to asc rib e to the sec o n d c entu ry A D a t r ac t

s ee . .

w hi c h by m an usc ri p t tr ad i tio n w as lo n g fal sely giv e n to De metri u s

, ,

o f Phal er um t he fri en d o f T heo ph r as tu s

,
T h e e vi d en c e for t he .

l at er d at e of th e e ssay O n S ty l e i s bo t h li n g u i sti c an d c hro n ol ogi c al ,

Demet ri u s d r aw n fro m ac t ual r e fer en c e s i n t h e w ork i nc l ud i n g a ,

On S t y l e q uo t atio n fro m De m e tri us o f Phal erum hi m se l f Th e .

n am e o f th e wri te r may w ell h av e b ee n D e me tri us w h i c h wo ul d at ,

l eas t ac c o un t for th e m an u sc ri p t c o n fu sio n On S ty l e or H ow to .

,

w r i te P r os e i s c l earl y P e ri p at e ti c i n origi n an d s ho w s th e i n flu
, ,

en c e o f t h e R h etor i c o f Ari s tot l e B ut t h e wri t e r i s m or e c o n

.

c e r n e d t han Ari s to tl e w it h ac tu al mo d es o f e x p r e s s io n t h e s tru c t u r e ,

o f th e s en t en c e d efi n i tio n s o f th e c l au s e ( c olo n) the p h r ase

, ,

a h en c e th e k o mmat i c s tyl e o f s u c h a wri t er as H ege si as )

’

( ko m m ,
‘
, ,

an d of t he p e riod Fo u r ki n d s o f s tyl e ar e d i s t i n g ui sh ed th e
.
,

l ai n e l e v at e d el eg an t an d for c ibl e an d t h e vi c e o f eac h d e

p , , , ,

sc rib e d T h e u se o f th e d ual b e tr ay s th e A t ti c i st
. Th e au t h or .

w as h ow e v e r n o pu ri s t
, ,
H i s s tyl e i s l uc i d an d c o n c i se
. .

F ar mor e i mpor t an t fo r t h e h i s tory o f c riti c i s m than t h e se ana

l yti c al subtl e ti es i s th e aes t h e ti c tr eati se O n th e S ubl i me to giv e i t ,

i ts t r ad itio n al t i tl e t hou g h O n the G r a n d S ty l e wo u l d

P s eud o ,

L on gi nus On c o n v e y th e G r ee k wor d {i i o; m or e
i p r ec i sely to t h e /

t h e S ub l i me
mo d er n r ead e r To thi s t r eati se w e h av e r e fe rr ed n o w
.

an d ag ai n u n d e r t h e n am e o f Lo n gi n us Yet i t may b e t ak en for .

gr anted t hat i t w as n o t wri t t en by t hat C assi us Lo n gi n us wh o at t he

c ou r t of P almy r a i n t h e t h i r d C h ri s ti an c en tury w as th e mi n i s t e r
, ,

o f Q u een Z e n obi a an d as h er ad vi se r fell a vi c t im to t he E mpe ror

,

Au r eli an ( 2 7 3 Lo n gi n u s w as i n d ee d a l ear n e d man d e ,

s c rib ed by t h e fo u rt h c e n t u ry Eu n ap i us as a livi n g libr ary an d

-
‘

w alki n g mu s eum an d i t will b e l o n g b e for e hi s n ame i s t horoug hl y

,
’

Mr C h urt o n Co ll i n s h o w ever t y, mai n t ai n s th at L o ngi n us ,

1 in a r ec e n ess a
.
, ,

th e r h e t o ri c i a n o f Pal myr a sh o u l d , not be r o b b e d o f t h e c r e d i t o f th e w o r on k

t h e e vi d e n c e t h at h as so far b een b r o ugh t fo rw ard . S ee h i s Lo ng i n u s an d

Gr eeh Cr i t i c i s m i n S tu d i es i n P oetry an d Cr i t i ci s m, Lo n d o n , 1 90
5 . VV i l a
mo w i tz , i n H er mes 3 5 , 4 9 , p l ac es t h e ess ay i n t he fi rs t hal f o f t h e fi rst cen u t ry ,

AD .
 P SEU DO — LO N G I NU S 48 7

di sso c i at ed fro m th e essay O n th e S ubl i me,

v H o m er s c li ng s e en as
’

to th e O dy ssey . M r Rob ert s hi ms el f w ho d en i es hi s aut hor ship

.
, ,

’
l ab el s hi s b o o k Lo ngi n u s The fi rs t s us pi c io n was aro used i n 1 8 0 8
.
,

w hen the r e w as d i sc ov e r ed o n a V ati c an man u sc ri p t O f the tr eati se

Lo n gi n us o r Di o n y s i us
’
t he asc ri p tio n The m an n e r o f the work
.

i s w h olly ali e n fro m that O f Di o n ys i us o f H ali c arnass us and t he man ,

usc ri p t evi d e nc e so far i n di c at es i f an y t h i n g t hat O n the S u bl i me

, ,

w as an o n y m o us for t he c opyi st o f t hat d ay N o w rit e r l at e r than .

t h e fi r s t c en tury i s quo t ed bu t l i t tl e i s t o b e g at h er e d fro m t he argu

,

m en t fro m si l enc e The work i s n e v er m en tio n ed by any G rac c o

.

Ro m an writ e r I n at mo s p he r e i t sui t s the fi r st c en tury A D B ut i t

. . .

i s a si n gul arly d e t ac hed wo rk writ t e n by o n e w ho w as u nlik e al l h i s

,

t rib e u n l i k e t ho se A l e x an
,
d ri an p h ilologi c al c riti c s w h o as Po p e , ,

s ai d h ad al l t h e ac c o mp li s h me n t s
,
e x c e p t s p iri t t as t e an d se n se , ,

u n l ik e Dio n y s i u s w ho p u t h i s fai t h i n i m i t atio n ; s till m or e u n l i k e

,

t h e g e n i al mor ali s t Pl u t ar c h w ho se n am e has b ee n at t ac h ed t o t h e

,

t r eati s e by c e rt ai n d esp e r at e c ri ti c s I ts wri t e r i s w h at Ari stotl e

.
,

w as n o t o n e o f th e v e ry fe w i n sp i r e d aes t h e ti c c ri ti c s w h o m t h e
,

h i s to ry O f l i t e r atu r e c an s ho w C ae c i l i u s p rob ably the A tti c iz i n g

.
,

fri e n d o f Dio n y si us had w ri t t en o n the Subli me an d Lo ngi nus

,
‘
,
’
,

as t he au t h or may b e c all e d fo r c o n v en i en c e se t s o ut to i mp rov e ,

o n t hat att e mpt . A l i ter a ry ju d men t s ai d h e i s the l a s t f r ui t of

g
, ,

l o ng toi l bu t i t w as n o t mer e l abo r so m uc h as i n s p i r e d t ac t t h at

,

mad e hi s work a m as t er pi ec e o f c ri ti c i s m I n d esc ribi n g t h e .

u al iti es o f t h e gr an d s tyl e he q uot e s fr o m t h e G r ee k an d Lati n

q
c l ass i c s an d e v e n fro m t h e H e br e w sc ri p tur es set ti n g tog et h e r t h e ,

wor d s o f Mo ses : L et ther e be l igh t an d th e gr eat passag e i n t he ,

I l i a d w h e r e Aj ax b affl e d by the m i s t c ri es i n d es pai r to Z e us I n

, ,

th e fi le/i f s l ay us t i me i f i s ”of good mu tha t w e on!

,
T hi s i s fol
lo w e d by a famou s c o mpari so n o f t h e I l i a d and Od i ss r an d t h e '
c ,

an aly si s o f t h e S apph i c Od e to A n n e/ar i a t hat c o ngr e s s o f t he

‘
,

p a ss io n s
,
’
w h i c h su rviv e s o n ly by r e aso n o f i ts q uo tati o n h e re .

T ho ug h t p as sio n fig ur es an d d i c ti o n t ho s e b e auti ful w o rd s w hi c h

, , , ,

h e c all s t h e l ife of th e spi r i t al l t h e e l e me n t s O f t h e gr an d s tyl e

,
488 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATUR E

ar e s u rv ey e d wit h n o pr ec i se sy st e m the l ac k o f or d er b ei n g i n ,

c r e ase d for us by th e fr eq uen t m u til atio n s o f t he tr eati se In .

’ ’
d e al i n g wi t h the faul tl ess w ri t er s Lo n gi n us sh ow s hi s gi ft fo r ,

c ri ti c i s m by ass e rti n g t h at g e n i us i s far r em ov e d fro m faul tl essn es s

,

an d p r e fe rri n g a Pi n d ar to a B ac c hyli d es a Ho m e r to an A ollo

p ,

n i us. H i s fi n al t es t o f t h e subli m e i s th at i t mus t b e fou n d to

p l e as e at all t i m e s an d i n al l c o u n t ri es
quod s emper quod ,

u bi ou e . Lik e Q ui n t ili an he d e pl o r es t h e sc ar c ity o f t r ue e l o

,

q u e n c e i n hi s o w n d ay but asc ri b e s i t l ess to t h e d e c ay o f lib er ty

,

t han to th e c orro d i ng i n fl uen c e o f th e lov e o f mo n ey an d p l easur e

w hi c h pro d uc es t rivi ali ty i n the so ul The Ro m an T ac i t us had sai d .

as m uc h i n hi s D i a l og ue o n O r a to r s T h e aut h or s hi p of th e essay
.

m att e r s l itt l e I t s t an d s alo n e un spoil ed by p ed an t ry t he j ud g

.
, ,

m en t o f o n e w h o c o uld b e t r ust ed to m ak e hi s t es t o f lit er atur e the

pl easu r e t hat r e sul t s H e assu med that giv e n t he p l easu r e an d
.
,

t h e j u d i c i ou s r ead e r al l t he r es t t h e mor al t eac h i n g w hat ev e r

, , ,

may be d eman d ed will b e ad d ed ,

H e w as as Po pe c all s hi m an
.
, ,

“
ar d e n t j ud g e ,
t h i s bol d Lo n gi nus an d h e ap p eal s afr esh i n
” “
,
”

e v e ry g en e r atio n to th e e n t h usi as t w h o m us t h o w ev e r b e se ri o us, , ,

an d s i nc e r e w e ll b al an c e d u n d i s turb ed by t h e p assi n g fad s an d

, ,

affec t atio n s o f l i t er at ur e .

Dio n y s iu s s aw th e s ig n s o f a g en ui n e r eviv al o f or at o ry d ue to the

i m i t at io n o f the b es t G r e e k mo d el s t h roug h t he i n vigor ati n g i n ~

fluen c e o f Ro me as t ho ug h th e fac t t h at th e R o man s w e r e t as t e ful

'

Th e N ew c ri ti c s mig h t b e e n o ug h to i n s pi r e G r e e k s wi t h tru e

s oph i s t i c eloq ue n c e aft e r Rom an dom i n io n h ad c r ushe d t h e ir

,

p ol i ti c al l ife H e w as hi msel f a l ead e r i n the r eac t io n to Atti c

.

s tyl e t h ro ug h i mi t atio n t he o n ly e ffec tiv e w e ap o n ag ai n s t t he

,

Asi an i s ts to w h o se e mpi ri c al me t ho d s h e o ppo s es l ik e a s ec o n d

, ,

I s o c r at es h i s ph ilo so p h i c al r h e tori c w h i c h w as t o be bot h arti s ti c

,
‘

an d sc i e n ti fi c . H e s e t u p H egesi as as t h e bi te n o i r e o f th e A tti c i s t s ,

t h e mo d el o f w h at to avoi d B u t h e d i d n o t c o un t w it h t h e rigorou s
.

p u ri s t s w h o s e mo d el mu s t b e Ly s i as
,
E ac h to h i s c h oi c e an d i t
.
,

w as fo r t h e puri s t s t hat hi s fri e n d C ae c i l i u s o f C al ac t e c o mp o se d

hi s A tti c L ex i co n T hat w as o n e o f t h e fi r s t si g ns o f t he hy p e r
.
4 90 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATU R E

florid B ut i t i s a mi stak e to r eg ard wi t h Ro hd e the N ew Sop hi sti c

.
, ,

as s i m p ly a r e nai ssan c e o f t h at A s i an i s m w h i c h to D i o n y si us h ad °

s ee m ed a lo s t c ause Wh en i n the fi ft h c en tury G orgi as had set

.
, ,

u p p ro se as th e riv al of p o e try h e borro w ed p o e try s w eap o n s an d

’
, ,

t h e ba r oque s t yl e w h i c h r esu l t ed b ec ame t h e n at u r al man n e r o f

t h e mor e flori d e pi d e i c t i c d ec l ai m er s ev e n o f t ho se w ho may be

,

pu t i n the c at egory of th e Atti c i s ts .

Dec l am atio n had by n o w supp l an ted ev e ry ty p e of po etry th e ,

r eligi ous hym n the m arri ag e s o n g th e tri u mp hal o d e an d as

, , , ,

t houg h t o m ark th e u su r p atio n t h e so p h i s t s use d t h e t e rmi n ol ogy

,

’ ’
Herod es of p o e t ry T hey san g t h ei r so n g s as t hey c all ed
.
‘ ‘

A t t i c“ th eir d ec l am ati o ns an d t h e au di en c e woul d b eat ti m e

,

t o th e ir r hy th ms . Th e p o mp an d p ro d ig al ity of th e l ife l ed e v en
a ri c h man li k e H ERO DES A TT I CU S ( 1 00— 1 7 5 A D ) t o d ec l ai m an d . .

t eac h d ec l ai m er s . H e p ri d e d h i m s el f l ess o n hi s s pl en did patro n

age o f t h e art s an d th e s t ad i u m of w h i t e m arbl e th at h e g av e t o

A t h ens than o n th e easy fl ow o f l an g uag e th e gi ft of i mprovi sati o n

‘ ’
,

t hat m ad e hi m the t o n g ue o f t he H ell en es

‘
O f al l h i s gl itt eri n g
.
’
.

e l oq ue n c e w e h av e o n e s h or t an d u n i m p or tan t s p e ec h a fi c ti ti o u s ,

orati o n ag ai n s t M ac ed o n i a a s moot h an d c ar eful c o mp o sitio n fro m

,

w hi c h w e c an g at h er l i t tl e of th e c har ac t er of hi s man y s id e d el o -

q u e nc e . W e h a v e t w o d ec l am a t i o n s of th e famou s P o l e mo n o n

two h ero es o f M ar at h o n B u t t h e y hav e l o s t t h e i r savor an d

.

m er ely b e tr ay w hat w e s houl d k n o w wi t h ou t d o c umen t s t hat the

s op h i sts of th e sec o n d c e n t u ry had n ot h i n g to say N o d o u bt .

the s tyl e o f t h ei r i mp rovi satio ns w as v e ry d iffe r e n t ARISTEI DES the .

,

p pu il o f H e ro d e s ( 9
1 2 — 18
9 do es i n d eed su rviv e i n fi fty fi ve -

Or a ti o n s p e r h aps b ec au s e n o t p o ss e ssi n g t h e gift s of

, ,
A ri s t ei d es
a p ubli c s p e ak e r h e d e p e n d ed li k e I s o c r at e s on h i s
, , ,
.

r ead e r s At ti c i sm had b een a m an i a wit h H e ro d es an d Ar i stei d es

.
,

m ad e h i ms el f o n e o f t he mo s t c orr ec t w ri t e r s o f t he d ay H e .

l iv e d lo n g at Smyr n a w h er e h e u ph el d th e b an n e r o f p ur e At ti c
,

ag ai n s t th e s ol ec i s t s H e ai med at u si n g n o w or d t h at d i d n o t
.

c o me fr o m book s b u t hi s p r ac ti c e as wi t h al l t h e s e p u r i s ts l agge d
, , ,

b ehi n d hi s t h eory H e w as p r o v erbi ally u n p o pul ar as a t e ac he r of

.
 DI O o r PR USA 49 :

r hetori c t houg h for th e l at er so phi st s su c h as Themi sti us i n the

, ,

fo urt h c entury he was to r an k wi t h De mo s t he n es as a mo d el of

,

G r ee k p ro s e Ye t h i s mo n o d y o n S myr na aft e r an eart hq uak e ‘ has

.

all t he mi n t mark s of A s i an i s m ev e n s h o rt j erky sen t e nc es i n

, , ,

s tro ng c o n tr as t w i t h hi s r eg ul ar
p e rio d i c s tyl e .

I n the li s t o f s op hi s t s w ho w e r e al so p hilo s o phe r s Ph il o s trat us ,

p l ac e d DIO s ur n am ed , C hry so s to mu s ‘
th e G ol d en mou t h ed ,
’
-
.
’

B o r n at Prusa i n B it h y n i a abo u t 4 0 A D i n r an k an d c o n d i tio n a . .

,

so rt o f A si ati c Pl ut ar c h he w as fo r
p art of h i s li fe at
, Di o
l east a p ro fessed so phi st w rot e p ar ad oxi c al pan egyri c s Of P r us a
,

of p rro t
a a a , g t a d hair ac c o r d i n g to th e p r e v aili n g fashio n
n a n
2
, , ,

an d i n an e x t an t s peec h p rov es i n g en i o usly t h at Troy w as n ev e r

t ak e n by t he G r eek s 3
B ut h e w as mad e o f s t e r n e r s t u ff t h an
.

H e ro d es an d hi s fe llow s B an i sh ed as a su sp ec t by Do miti an h e
.
,

w an d er ed i n exil e for fo ur tee n y ear s ac q ui ri n g a p ec ul i ar k n owl ed g e ,

o f th e tow n s o n t h e n ort h c o ast of t he B l ac k Sea an d of t he sav ag e

G e t ae w ho s e h i s to ry h e w rot e
,
T hi s wo rk i s lo s t b ut w e hav e
.
,

e ig h ty s p ee c h es ay s wo ul d oft e n b e t h e mor e c orr ec t ti tl e)

( e ss ,

p artly mor al l e c t ur es w h i c h h e d e liv e r e d bo t h d uri ng an d aft e r hi s

e xil e w h i c h e n d e d i n 9 6 w i t h t h e ac c e s s i o n o f hi s fri e n d N erv a
,
.

To l ec t ur e t hus fro m to w n to t o w n w as lik e t h o s e G o d for sak en -

s o ph i s t s w h o m Di o d en o unc es H i s ai m h o w ev e r was v e ry d i f
.
, ,

fer e n t fro m t he ir s T hey r egul arly c ame t o p r ai se B ut Dio s

. .
’

ad dr es ses ar e o ft en se rmo n s d i r ec t ad mo ni ti o n s ai med at d e fi ni t e

,

abu s es i n w h i c h h e sp ar es t h e v an i ty of hi s h e ar e r s n o mor e t han a

,

m o d er n r eviv ali s t an d w e may pi c t ur e hi m d el iv e ri ng t h e m to hug e

,

aud i en ces w ho h ear d wi t h gu st o t h es e gr ac e ful h ar an g u es full of ,

c l ass i c al all u s i o n s an d sc at h i n g r e fe r e n c es to t h ei r frivolity i f t h ey , ,

w e r e Al ex an d ri ans to t h ei r c urio us habi t of sno ri n g ev en w he n

“
, ,

aw ak e ,
it o d i an s
6
t he i r p ar s i mo n y and v an d al i s m i n
m aki n g ov e r o l d s t at ues I n an o t h er c at egory ar e the d oz en
.

B i t h y n i an sp e ec h es ad dr esse d t o Tr aj an abo u t th e ti me w h e n Pli n y

w as an O ffi c i al i n t hat p rovi n c e so t h at we c an c o mpar e t h e p oi n t
,

1 Or a t i o n 20 .
2 S yn es i us r e pl i e d in
p ra i s e o l
f b a d n e ss .

3 O r at i o n II ( Ar mi n ) .
4
32 .
5
3 3
v
,
s
3 4 .
6
3"
49 2 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATU RE

of vi ew o f R o m an fun c ti o n ary an d a bo r n B i t hy n i an I n h i s
a .

E u boea n Ta l e or The q n ter i s a c har mi ng i d yl o f c o un tr y li fe o n

, ,

a far m n ear t he c o as t of E ubo e a w h e r e h e h ad b e e n s h i p wr e c k ed .

Di o c o mp ar es at e v e ry p oi n t t he s im pl e man n e r o f hi s ki n d ly h o s t s
i n t he h ollo w s o f E u bo ea t he c ourt shi p o f t w o r us ti c l ov e r s th e
, ,

abu n d an c e o f foo d an d d ri n k w i t h all t h e d r aw b ac k s o f to w n l i fe

, ,

so t hat h e r e too t h i s bo r n p r eac her may p o i n t hi s mo r al The

, ,
.

w h ol e i s p er hap s fi c tio n a m or al t al e E l s ew he r e he d esc rib es li fe

, .

at B o rys t h e n e s o n t h e n ort h shor e o f t h e B l ac k S ea a s e ttl e me n t ,

w he r e G r ee k s w ere su rrou n d ed by Sc yt hi an b arb ari an s H e fi n d s .

t hem t al ki n g bad G r eek b u t d evo t e d t o H o me r hig hl y sens i tiv e to ,

an y c ri ti c i s m o f t h ei r ad or ed po e t an d eag e r to l i s t en to a s p e e c h
,

fro m Di o o n mo n ar c h y so r ar e i s the sig h t o f an ed uc at ed s tr an g er

,

i n tho s e p art s
1
Di o l ab el ed h i m sel f p hi lo so p her an d he w as
.
,

o n e o f Pl u t ar c h s ty p e w h o bo rrow e d t h e b est fr o m al l t h e sc h ool s

’
,

w h il e b elo n gi n g d efi n i t ely to n o n e H e h ad e x c ell e n t t as t e i n

.

’
i mi t ati o n w riti n g t he pl ai n styl e an d avoi d i ng by hi s g en i ality o f
,
‘
,

t e m p e r amen t the c old c orr ec tn ess o f an Ari stei d es X e n o ph o n and .

Pl ato w e r e hi s favori t e m od el s an d n e xt to Lu c i an h e i s th e mo s t
,

su c c ess ful t h e m o s t pl easi n g t o r e ad o f all th e i mi t ativ e wri t er s o f

,

hi s age . To wri t e b e tt er than Di o w as evi d e n tly c o nsi d e r ed

‘ ’

2
h ig h pr ai se by Epi c t e t us .

Am o n g t he v ery few wri t er s w ho ro se superior to th e gl i tt er o f

s op h i s ti c i n hi s o w n c o m p o s i tio n t h o ug h h e w as a g en e rou s p atro n
,

o f th e p ro fessi o n i s M ARCUS A UR ELI US ( 1 2 1 — 1 8 0

,
To H i nz
s elf ( t h e ti tl e t h o u g h aw k w ar d i s l i t e r al an d s o to b e
M arcus ,

Aur el i us
p r e fe rr e d to th e t r ad iti o n al M ed i tati on s ) i n t w el v e ,
To Hi ms el f
B ook s w as p rob ably w ri tt e n d ow n fro m d ay t o d ay
, ,

t h e r ec or d o f a s o ul c o n v e r si n g wi t h i t sel f wi t h n o th o ug h t o f o t h er ,

e y es . The m oo d an d m at te r are e v e ryt hi n g an d i t woul d b e i m ,

p er ti n en t to s ear c h fo r gr ac es o f s tyl e i n t hi s famo us work o f

e d i fi c ati o n th e G r ee k c o u n t e r par t o f th e I mi ta ti on of Ch r i s t
,
.

T hi s l ast gr eat S toi c wrot e i n d eed wi t h as li ttl e c ar e fo r effec t as

an y o t h e r o f h i s sc h o o l H i s G r eek t he to n g ue e v e ry w h e r e o f t he
.
,

1 Or at i on 3 6 2
.
3 . 23 . 1
7 .
4 94 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU R E

di sput ed the po ssessi o n of th e m o st sh owy d ec l ai mer s Lu c i an set .

o ut to qu ali fy h i m sel f for a c ar e e r so p rofi tabl e M ean w hil e h e .

was H e ll en izi ng h i msel f to goo d p ur p o s e so t hat hi s Syri an d i al ec t

,

fell fro m hi m and w as to l eav e n o t r ac es o n hi s wri ti ng s For a .

s h or t t i me he w as an ad vo c ate at A n t io c h bu t t hat origi n al an d ,

bu oy an t s pi ri t w as n o t to be t amed to an y s ob e r pro fessi o n an d w e ,

fi n d hi m followi n g t h e li fe o f a d ec l ai m e r n o w i n G r eec e or I taly

, ,

n o w h oldi n g a l u c r at iv e c hair o f r h e tori c i n G au l We fi nd hi m at .

A n tio c h i n 1 6 3 o n t he o c c asio n o f a vi sit of Lu c iu s V eru s the c ol ,

l eag ue o f M ar c us A ur eliu s an d aft er a triu mp h an t r et ur n to hi s

“

n ativ e Samos ata h e se ttl ed i n At hen s fi n d i n g the at mo sp h er e

,

t h er e mo r e c o n g en i al an d l ess P hili sti n e t han at Rom e i f w e may ,

j u d g e fro m hi s c o mp ari so n of the two c i ti es i n the N zgr i n us an d ,

h i s asse rtio n of t h e aes t h e ti c s u pe riori ty o f At h en s I n At he n s h e .

w ro t e t he work s t hat m ad e hi m fam o us b e yo nd the c o mmo n lo t o f

s o ph i s t s
. I n hi s ess ay The D ep en d en t S chol a r he g av e us th e l ocus
, ,

cl as s i cus for t h e m i se ri es o f t he h un gry G r e e k li n g s w h o w e r e th e

han g er s o u of ri c h Ro m an P h il i s ti n es an d pr ay ed that h e mig h t

-
,

n ev er b e r e d uc e d to su c h an e xtr e m i ty Lat e i n li fe he b ec ame

.

an offi c e h ol d e r a s ort o f sub c o m mi ssi o n e r i n Egyp t an d wro t e

,
-
,

an Ap ol ogy fo r an i n c o n si s t e n c y t hat w as o n l y ap p ar en t H e re .

fused to pl ead p ov e rty an d poi n t ed o ut t hat i n th e pu bl i c s ervi c e

,

th e r e w as n o p e r so nal d egr ad atio n su c h as h e had d esc rib ed He .

s ee m s to hav e d i e d i n o ffi c i al har n e ss abo u t 2 00 A D

, . .

R h etori c had m ad e a G r e ek o f Lu c i an bu t h er m e r e tri c i ou s ,

c h arm s c ould n o t h ol d hi m an d at th e age o f for ty

, abou t th e ,

ti m e w h en he m ov ed to At he n s he d i sc ar d ed t h e so phi s t s p ro
,
’

fe ss i o n an d fl att e r e d h i msel f t h at
h e had t u r n e d to p h ilo s op h y .

I n the D ou bl e I n d i ctmen t w rit t e n ab o u t 1 6 5 he s h o w s R h e tori c

, ,

bri n gi n g su i t ag ai ns t hi m for d ese rt i o n w hil e Di al o g ue far fro m

, ,

supp orti n g h i m e x r e sse s i n a

p aro d y o f Pl ato s s tyl e hi s o w n
’
, p
gri ev an c e as o n e w ho m Luc i an had d egrad ed fro m hi s ass o c i a
,

t io ns wi t h philo so phy li n k ed wit h C o me d y an d fo r c ed to pl ay t he

, ,

b uffoo n . Y es sai d Lu c i an I r efused to d i sco u r s e s u btl e n o thi ng s

, ,

a bo u t th e i mmo r tal i ty of th e so ul o r th e cl a i ms of r heto r i c to be

 LU C I A N 495

‘
ca l l ed a s h a d ow o f
f r acti o n of s ta tec r af t or a f o u r th of fl attery
a .

H e w as i n d ee d n o p h il o s o p h e r H i s c o n v e r s io n by t h e Pl ato n i s t
.

N i gr i n us i n Ro me d e s c ri b e d i n the M gr mus w as to o su d d en to
, ,

b e l as ti n g a r ar e g us t o f e m o tio n ali s m
, Sati r e w as h i s tr u e .

vo c ati o n an d hi s l it er ary li fe i n At he n s w as d evot ed mai nly to

,

sat iri c d i alog u es O f th e e ig h ty t wo c o mp o s i tio n s t hat pass u n d er

.
-

hi s n ame sev er al are n o w u n an i mou sly assig n e d to l at e r i mit ato r s

, ,

n o tably t he H a l cy o n a c h arm i n g di alog ue o n th e my t h o f the

,

ki n gfi sh er an d L u ci us or The A ss a fai ry t al e o f th e metamo r

2
, , ,

p h o s i s o f a man i n to an ass an d th e b eas t s marv elou s ad v e n t ur es

’
,

t ill h e c o ul d eat ro se s an d r es u me a hu man s hap e A pul e i us .

abou t th e same ti me wrot e a Lati n v e r s io n o f th e same s t o ry

dr aw n p e r hap s fro m th e origi nal follow ed by Lu c i us o f P atr ae

as t h e wri t e r o f Th e A ss s tyl es h i mse l f B u t i n A pul e i us th e ai r .

o f magi c t hat d ec ad e n t s l ov e p erv ad es the w h ol e w hil e i n the ,

s eu d o L u c i an t he r e i s a slig h t e r i n t e r es t i n t he su e r n atur al s i d e
p p
-
.

3
The A ss as p ar ap h r as ed by M ac h i av elli
w .

O f th e s o p h i s ti c p i ec es t h e P h a l a r i s ( I an d I I ) t h e ap ology o f ,

th e tyran t o f Si c ily an d th e P r a i se of a F ly ar e goo d ex amp l es of

,

p ar ad oxi c al p an egyri c s a s ort o f s pec i al p l e ad i ng for w hi c h

'

Th e D i s
’
Lu c i an s l eg al e x p eri e n c e had b ee n goo d tr ai n i n g .

i n h er i ted i s a sto c k t h e m e O f the sc hool s w h i c h w e S oph i s t i c ,

m ee t i n Lati n i n the S uasor i ae o f the el d e r Sen ec a w ork s

,

wri t ten lo n g b e for e Luc i an S w a n s a n d A mber i s a c l ev e r littl e

.

i n trod uc to ry sp eec h th e ho r s d oeu vr e c us to mary wi t h the sop hi st s

,
’

b efor e t he epi d ei xi s t h e d ec l amatio n p r o pe r b eg an

, ,
.

Lu c i an g av e n ew li fe to t he d i al ogu e H i s wri ti n g s i n th i s form .

r an g e i n d at e fro m 1 6 0 to 1 7 5 A D roug hly speaki ng an d are . .

, ,

n o t eas ily c l ass ifi ed H e s how s th e gr eat es t v e r satil i ty u si n g the

.
,

d i alogu e fo r p an egyri c as t he P o r tr a i t S tu dy i n p r ai se o f P an t he a
, ,

t he m i s tr ess o f Lu c iu s V er us c om po sed w hen t he e mperor vi si t ed,

1 D ou bl e I n d i ctmen t 3 4 .

2 l at ed by Pat er i n M a r i u the Epi

Tran s s c u r ea n .

3 A ai n t
g t h e L u i an i c aut h rs h i p a
s c o re C o b e t, Di n d o r f , J ac t
o bi e ; fo r ,
Ar n i m R h d e an d o t h ers
, o , .
49 6 SH O RT H I ST O RY OF G RE E K LITE RATU R E

A n tio c h ( 1 6 2 3 ) th e A nach ar s i s i n w h i c h an i n t ellig en t Sc y th i an

,

d eb at e s w i t h Solo n t h e v al ue o f har d e x e r c i se an O p e n i n g for ,

g eni al satir e o n t he m an i a fo r at hl e ti c s Th e H er mo
Di al og ue s
.

ti mus wri tt e n abou t 1 6 5 i s a man i fes to o f sk ep ti c i s m

, ,

i n w h i c h h e r evi ew s hi s p u r s u it o f t r uth a mo n g th e sc hool s of

'

p h il o sop hy an d d ec l ar es o n th e word o f a man o f forty t hat the

, , ,

q u es t i s h o p el e ss : I wo ul d hav e ki ssed the fee t o f Tr u t h i f I

“

c o uld h av e fo u n d my w ay t o h er t h ro u g h t h e c row d of p hil os o

er mo ti mus w as
‘
H
’
h e rs say s T r ail l s Lu c i an to P asc al B ut t h e
p ,
.

a far e w e ll t o p h ilo s op h y mor e se n ti m en t al t h an w as w arr an t ed by

2
t h e c o nn ec ti o n . The i n fl uen c e o f N e w C om ed y i s evid e n t i n
t h e bri e f m i m es th e D i al og u es of C o u r tes a n s
,
T he D i a l og ues of .

th e D ea d are mo r e d e fi n i t e ly sati ri c m or alizi n g c o n v er satio n s be

,

t w een t he d ead an d t he ir gu ar d i an go d s o n th e folly o f th e livi ng .

T he y w e r e pl ai n ly wri t t en u n d e r th e i n fl u en c e o f a sati ri s t w ho
t ak es p art i n mor e than o n e o f th em M en i ppus o f G ad ar a w ho , ,

at the c lo s e o f th e fourt h c e n tu ry B C h ad s et t h e typ e w h i c h . .

w as to b e foll o w ed by bo t h G r e e k an d Ro man s ati ri s t s For the .

c h ar ac t e r of th e sati r e s of M e n i p p u s w h i c h ar e all l o s t w e mu s t
, ,

l ook to Luc i an s li v el y i mi t at io n s
’
T he D i a l og ues of the G o d s
.

an d D i al og ues of the S ea God s w er e t he o p p ortu n ity o f Lu c i an th e

s k e p ti c T hey ar e hi s m o s t c h ar ac t eri s ti c p i ec es an d att ac k t he

.

c u rr en t b eli e f i n t h e go d s Lu c i an c oul d n o t tol er at e any fo rm of

.

i n si n c eri ty or c r ed ulity an d the worl d he l iv e d i n w as c o m p o sed

,

o f men w h o ei t he r p r e t en d ed to b eli ev e i n the god s fo r t he i r o w n

e n d s o r w e r e bli n d ly su p er s ti ti o us
,
I t w as an age w h en c harl a
.

t an i sm th rov e an d w h e th e r i n r eligio n or li t e r atu r e Lu c i an w as i ts

,

u n sp ari n g fo e .

H i s A l ex a n der the O r acl e M o nger i s an ac c ou n t of hi s ex

,

p o sur e o f t h e fr au d s o f o n e o f t h e mo s t su cc ess ful i mp o s to r s o f t h e

1 Th e N ew L u ci a n , L o n d o n , 1 900 .

Pat e r , w h o p ar ap hras es t h e d i al o g ue i n M a r i u s th e Ep i c u r ea n , tran s

2

forms H e rmo ti mus, t h e w o r n s tud e n t o f s i xt y, to an ar d en t yo uth w h o i s

ll usi o n e d by th argum n t s f Lu ci an spe ak i ng
d i si e e o i n hi s own p erso n an d

n o t un d er t h e d i sg u i s e o f Ly i n us as i n th e o r i g i n al
c .
498 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LITE RATUR E

f oe no w o r s e f a te th a n the r ea d i ng f
o th em . F r zgi d ? Ca spi a n
w ar m i n
mp a r i so n ‘
s now s , Cel ti c i ce, are Lu c i an i s at hi s
co .

mo s t am usi ng as h e d esc ri b es t he h i s to ri an w h o i s mor e Thu

c yd i d ean t han T h u c y d i d es t h e u n c o n vi n c i n g wo un d s d esc rib e d by
,

o n e th e s tr an g e d e aths o f an o t h er ; th e s e v en ty t hou san d o f t h e

‘
,

en e my kil l ed w h il e th e Ro man s lo s t t w o ;
’
t h e q u ee r g e ogr ap hy ,

o n e writ e r tak i n g Samosata an d p u tti n g i t d ow n squ ar ely i n

M eso po tami a ; t h e flood s o f t r ag ed i an s r h etori c ’
.

Th e w hol e essay i s r eally a prologu e to t h e Tr ue S tory a ,

p aro d y o f all t he wo n d erful n arr at iv e s of lyi ng G r ee k h i s tori an s

Th e Tr ue fro m H ero d ot us an d th e hi s tori an s o f Al ex an d e r
S t ory d o w n t o t ho se w h o w e r e w ri ti n g on th e P art h i an w ar .

’
I t i s a G ul l i ver s Tr a vel s wri t t en wi t h o ut th e bit t er ness of Swift a ,

li t e r ary n o t a mor al sati r e Lu c i an o u t d o es al l the m arv el s of

.

th i s s ort of tal e d ear to t h e G r ee k s s i n c e t he n arr ativ e o f O d y sseu s

,

to Al c i n o us H e vi si t s the sun an d mo o n who hap p en to be at

.
,

w ar liv es li k e Jo n ah i n a w hal e for n early two y e ar s s p en d s so m e

, , , ,

ti me i n th e I sl an d s of the B l est w her e H o m er c o n fi d es to hi m

,

’
t hat h e i s a B abylo n i an an d r eally wro te al l t h o se s puriou s ‘

v e rs es — so n ow I haew w h a t to thi n/e of the c r i ti cs Z en od otus a nd

3
A r i s ta r ch us a n d all th ei r l u cubr a ti o n s As h e l eft O dy sseu s
.
, ,

u nseen o f P en elo p e h an d e d hi m a l e tte r fo r C aly pso

,
.

The c o n c e i t s o f t h e hy p e r At ti c i s t w er e n o t t o b e l e t p ass by
-

o n e w h o se m i ss io n w as t o e xpo s e all t h e foll y of t h e wo rl d Th e .

L ex iph a n es an d th e G ui d e to R hetor i c ar e d ir ec ted

L exi ph an es
at t h e S o p h i s ts wit h w h o m h e n o l o n g e r w as r e c ko n e d

fo rm ally The Lex ipha n es ri d i c ul es the affec t ati o n s o f the ar c ha

.

i s ts an d p u ri s t s an d t he ir e ffort s aft e r th e p ec ul i ar w ord w h il e the

, ,

G u i d e i s an i ro n i c al s et of rul es fo r t h e bu d d i n g r h e to ri c i an d e ,

s ig n e d to s h ow t h at t h e sh or t c u t to t h e profess io n may b e s afely

t ak en i n thi s gullibl e worl d .

M ar c us A u r eli us, b ut for th e arm or o f Stoi c i s m mig ht hav e ,

w ep t l ik e H erac l ei tus at th e s p ec tac l e o f th e v an i ty O f h u m an

1 1
9. Th e q uo tati o n s l rl y fro m Fo w l er s tran sl at i o n
ar e r eg u a
’
.

J uvenal Q ui d qui d Grae c i a men d ax aud et i n hi st o ri a

2
IO 1
.
74 : .
 LU C I A N S STY LE
’

li fe but Lu c ran l ik e an ot her De m o c ri tu s l augh ed the wo rl d

, , ,
“

H i s i s n o t an en d eari ng p e r s o nality H e h as n o n e o f th e
”
aw ay . .

en g agi n g s o ft n e s s o r t h e n i c e fee li n g s o f Pl u tar c h an d Di o an d ,

w hen he c o mm and s r espec t i t i s for hi s p er fec t si nc erity an d n o t

, ,

for an y mor e po si tiv e vi rt ues or d ig n i ty of c har ac t er H i s alo o f .

n e ss fro m t he c an t an d c harl at an i s m of h i s d a h e d i d n t m ak
y o e

d ig n i fi ed Wi th Luc i an al l i s hard and brig h t n o thi ng d i mmed

.
,

or s oft en ed by p at h o s or s e nti men tali ty B ut he had a g enui n e .

p assio n for wri ti n g w ell an d t h at c ov e r s m an y s i ns

.

,
What i s hard .

est t o forgiv e i s hi s gl ib n e s s hi s p e rfec t as su r an c e ,

.

H i s styl e i s th e t ri u mp h o f th e i mi tativ e m e t ho d H e w as n o t .
,

o f c our s e i m p ec c abl e an d h e w as t oo c lo se ly i n t ou c h wit h hi s

, ,

ti m e n o t to assi mil ate and r epro d uc e i n hi s G r ee k mu c h Luci an s ’

that Ari st ei d es wo uld h av e b een p ai n ed to r e ad s i n c e S tyl e

,

h e c o ul d n o t h av e v e ri fi e d th e e x p r ess i o n s i n an y s t an d ard work .

The wri t e r of the L ex ipha n es n atur ally avoid e d th e c o mmo n pl ac es

of the sop hi sts w hi c h w e r e too w el l wo r n the eter n al r e mi n i sc e n c es
, ,

o f M ar at h o n an d the P e r s i an w ar s th e ex c essiv e us e o f an ti th esi s , ,

an d t he o t h e r r h e to ri c al d evi c es H e d r e w hi s vo c abul ary c h i e fly

.

fro m Pl ato X en op ho n an d A tti c C o me d y H i s pag es ar e c row d ed

, ,
.

wi t h i mag es an d tag s fro m the p o e ts an d he d i d n o t d i sd ai n o n , ,

o c c asio n th e viol en t me t ap hor s d ear t o so ph i sts When h e had

,
.

hi t o n a goo d fi gu r e h e u s ed i t mor e t h an o nc e a t en d e n c y c o m
, ,

mo n to mo s t d evo tees O f s tyl e A go o d d eal o f hi s r e mi n i sc e n c e .

G r eek i s o f c o u r se p aro d y so th at i t i s har d to say w i t h t hi s

, , , .

wri t e r o f m any moo d s w h e n hi s styl e i s h i msel f .

The d o mi nati o n of s o p hi s ti c i s pl ai n to see i n a li t er ary gen r e

w h i c h t h e G r ee k s d e v elo pe d l at e an d n ev er bro ug h t to p e rfe c t io n ,

— t he rom an c e T he G r eek n o v e l b eg an w it h X en o
R oman ce
.

p h o n s Cy r op aed i a, an d t hi s so rt of biogr ap hy h al f
’
,

h i s tory hal f ro man c e w as to t h e l as t a favori t e ty pe

, ,
All fo llo w e d .

X en o ph o n s for mul a the bi ogr aphe r s o f Al ex an d e r w it h t h e i r

’
,

marv elo us t al es d ow n to ,
t h e s o p hi s t w h o i n t h e , ,

t hi r d c en t u ry wrot e for J ul i a Do mna t he li t er ary e mpr ess t h e

, , ,

L ife of Apol l o n i us of Ty a n a t he w o n d e r work e r w ho s e c ar ee r, ,

5 00 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU R E

sh ow e d s o c lo se an an alogy wi t h the li fe o f C h ri s t t hat Phil os tra

t us u s e d to b e c harg ed w i t h wri ti n g a p arody of th e G o sp e l s B ut .

i n e mb elli sh i n g th e ad v en tur e s of t h e Pyt hagor e an sai n t h e w as ,

bu t follo w i n g t he fash io n o f w ri ti n g d i d ac ti c ro man c e i n th e for m

o f biogr ap hy Th e i m agi n ary l e tt e r s o f gr eat men w e r e r e all y
.

essay s i n fi c tio n an d wi t h Al c i phr o n b ec am e a so rt o f e p i s tol ary

,

ro m an c e Luc i an i n t h e Tr ue S tory w as o nly i mi t ati n g s uc h a

.
, ,

w rit e r as A n to n i us Di o g e n e s w ho s e The Wo n der s B ey o n d Th ul e

,

w as s o m e t h i n g b e twee n fabulou s h i s tory an d ro man ce We h av e .

a su m mary of i t i n P h o ti us .

B ut th e tr ue ro man c e t h e l ov e story w as sur e to pr ed om i n ate

, ,

i n t h e en d T h e N ew C o m ed y had p r ep ar ed th e w ay for i t an d
.
,

th e so ph i s ts i n c l u d e d i n t h ei r d ec l am ati o n s e ro ti c sp eec hes w h il e ,

earl i e r s till t h e e roti c el e gy an d t he i d yl se t t he ty p e As early .

as Ari s t o tl e t h e r e w e r e t he M i l es i a n Tal es o f w hi c h w e hav e

,

ec h o e s i n th e an aly ses of P art he n i us i n t he fi r s t c en tu ry B C . .

T hey c orr espo nd e d ap p ar e n tly t o t he sh ad i er Fr enc h n ov e l of to

d ay i n m or al to n e an d Pl ut ar c h t ell s us th at t h e y w e r e fo u n d i n
, ,

t h e lugg ag e o f a Ro m an o ffi c er aft e r t h e d e feat o f C r assu s at

C arrhae an d w e r e r ead alo u d to t h e s h o c k e d se n at e o f b arb ari an s

, ,

w h o w e r e tol d to j udg e fro m t h e s e t al es o f t h e mo r al s o f t h e me n

‘
w h o asp ir e d to r ul e ov er P art h i an s Th er e w as mu c h l o c al
.

ro manc e Eph es i an Tal es an d B a byl o n i a n Tal es of the sort t hat

, ,

C alli m ac hus lov e d to r eviv e o r M usaeus u se d for hi s H er o a n d

,

L ea n der ; but th es e l e g e n d s c ou n t e d alm o s t as h i sto ry an d t h e ,

same may b e s ai d for a p apyru s d ate d abou t 5 0 A D o n w hi c h. .

,

w as fou n d i n 1 8 9 3 a fr ag me n t o f t h e s tory o f th e lov e s o f N i n u s

, ,

an d Se mi r ami s Ab o u t t he c lo se of th e fourt h c en t ury A D

. . .
,

H ELI O DO RUS of P h o e n i c i a wrot e hi s T al es of E th i opi a a fan t as ti c ,

ro man c e of a typ e t hat m u st hav e b een po p ul ar i n hi s ti me a mer e ,

s e ri es o f ad v en tu r es i n s t r an g e l an d s d i fferi n g li t tl e fro m t h e w o n
,

d er n arr ativ es p aro d i e d by Lu c i an e x c e p t t h at he r e th e m ai n i n

,

t er est i s t h e l ov e of an E t hi o p i an pri n c ess fo r a T hessali an G r eek .

A C H I LLES TATIUS o f Al ex an d ri a wro t e i n th e four th or fi ft h c en

, ,

1
Cr ass u s 3 2 .
50 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K LIT ERATURE

c en t u ry so phi s ti c t ho ug h A n tio c h N i c o medi a B yz an t iu m an d

m
, , , ,

Al ex an d ri a w e r e al l eag er to mai n t ai n t he o s t d i s ti n gui sh e d

s o ph i s t s H I M ERI US o f B ru sa bor n 3 1 5 A D w as .

Th e fourt h , ,
. .

c en t ury c o n s pi c u o u s as a p ro fess or at At h en s i n favor al ik e ,

S oph i s t s
wi t h C hri s ti an emp eror s and J ul ian t he H ell en i st .

We hav e t h irty fou r o f hi s speec h es c h i e fly o n th e sto c k t hemes o f

-
,

t h e sc h ool s an d a n umb e r o f o c c asio n al ad d r esses

,
H e h as all the .

mark s o f an Asi an i st c all s hi mse l f a sw an a c i c ad a a sw allow an d

, , ,

hy mn s
’ ’
h i s s p eec h es ,
o d es o r so n g s i n th e so ph i s ti c j argo n
, , , .

I n fac t i t w as o nly th e fas h i o n t hat k ep t hi m from wri ti n g v e r se

,
.

TH EM I STI US o f P ap hl ago n i a w as s o me t h i n g mor e t han a sop h i s t ,

an d had gr e at i n fl u en c e at th e c o u rt o f B yz an tiu m w her e h e ,

t aug h t r he tori c to t he s o n s o f e m p e ror s an d w as a s ort o f c ourt ,

or ator at i mp eri al fu n c tio ns We hav e t h i rty fi ve of hi s O r czl zom

'

-
.
,

an d hi s P o mp /V as es o f Ari s totl e r ar e e vi d en ce o f
Th emi s t i us
,

se riou s sc h ol ar s h i p i n o n e o f t h es e s op hi s t s T he mi s .

t iu s tri e d to m ak e up th e o l d q uarr el b e t w een s o p h i s t s an d ph ilo s

o ph er s . T ec h n i c ally he w as a s o p hi st g av e d i spl ay s o f e pi d ei c ti c ,

r h e to ri c an d n ev e r q uot ed h i s P o mp /v as es to prov e him se l f a

,

p h il o sop her T he N eo Pl ato n i sts w h o r epr esen t ed p hil o so phy i n

.
-
,

th e fo u rt h c en t u ry wo ul d hav e n o n e of hi m an d by hi s atti t ud e
, ,

to th e so ph i s t s he estr an g ed bot h s id es H i s s tyl e w as b as ed o n .

th e A t ti c or ato r s bu t h e w ar n s hi s h ear er s n o t to look to hi m for

,

t he p e rfec t ac c u r ac y o f a p u ri st an ac c u r ac y t o w h i c h i n d ee d n o
, , ,

pu ri st had ev e r at t ai n e d .

H i s fri en d LI BAN I US o f A n tio c h to ok Ar i st ei d es for hi s m od el

, , ,

an d d e c l ar ed t h at h e wo ul d giv e t h e w e al t h o f M i d as t o ac h i ev e

an yt h i n g lik e t he p e rfec t io n s of t h at n ew De mo s t h en es .

Li bani us
H e w as r i gi d ly c o n v e n ti o n al an d hi s p an egyri c s ar e ,

c ut o ut
p r ec i sely aft e r th e p att er n pr e sc ri b e d by the t he ori s t s .

H e h ad th e t al en t for epi d ei xi s t hat Ar i st ei d es had l ac k ed We .

hav e s ixty fi ve O f a fzo m all o f th e s o p h i s ti c ty p e an d 1 6 0 7 [ el

'
-
, ,

ter s se v e r al ad d r e ssed to th e E m p e ro r J uli an w ho m h e o u tliv ed

, ,

an d d ar e d to mo ur n H e w as c o n t e n t wi t h t h e ti tl e o f s o ph i s t
.
,

u n lik e The mi sti us an d th o u g ht i t th e mo st fl att e ri n g t hat he c ould

,
 JU LIA N 5 3 0

l
b es tow o n Juli an . H e w as am o n g t h e m o st p un c tilio u s o f the
s o p hi s t s i n h i s avo i d an c e of Ro man n am e s an d as far as
-
o i bl
p ss
, e , ,

o f Rom an allu sio n s T hi s w as a p i ec e Of e t iq ue tt e t hat Ari s te i d es

.

h ad sc r up ulo usly ob serv e d t h o ug h i t mu s t oft e n hav e b een em

,

barrassi n g to me n w ho h u n g o n t he favor o f Ro man e mp e ror s .

Th emi sti us t h e i n d ep en d en t ig n or e d thi s tr ad i tio n bu t H i mer i us ,

o ft en u s es a c i r c umlo c u t io n r at her t han w ri t e a Ro man n ame .

Ph i l os tratus te ll s h o w A p ollo n i us of Ty an a c am e ac ro ss t h e word

Lu c ullu s i n a do c u men t ad d r esse d t o hi m by so m e I o n i an s an d
”

r etu rn e d t h ei r l et t e r wit h a r ep rim an d fo r b arb ari s m Li ban i us .

manag es to c om p o se a p an egyri c of J uli an wi t h o u t nam i ng a

s i n gl e Ro m an e mp eror avoidi n g ev e n M ar c us A u r el iu s w ho w as
, ,
’
J uli an s mo d el N or do es h e ev er use a Lati n wo r d o r ex p r essio n
. .

J ULI AN th e Apo s t ate c ou n t s wi t h t he s o p h i st s w ho ad or e d hi m as ,

t h e r e stor e r o f H ell e n i sm an d w as t aug h t sec r e tly by Li ban i us i n

, ,

sp it e o f t h e p ro hibi tio n of t h e C h ri s ti an C o n s t an ti us H e h ad .

s o m e i n stru c tio n fro m Th emi s t i us al s o t ho ug h the l at te r s too d

,

aloof fro m th e
Jul i ani c r eviv al J uli an s w ork as a J ul i an
’
.

s o p h i s t i s tec hn i c ally c o mp ri s ed i n hi s p an egyri c s an d

pro se 113/ mm bu t th e t r ail o f the s o p hi s t i s o n al l t hat h e wrot e

,
.

H i s o ratio n O i l M o n a r e/zy i n h o n or of C o n stan ti us ob s er v es

,

all t h e r ul es l ai d do w n by M e n an d e r for t hi s s p ec i e s o f c o mp o si

t io n i n w h i c h e v e ry so p h i s t mus t b e an ex p e rt
,
We hav e n earl y .

a hu n d r ed L oa fer s man o f w h i c h ar e s pu rio us J ul i an w i sh ed to

, y .

m ak e N e o Pl ato n i s m the p hilo s o p hy o f hi s r eviv ed H ell en i s m but

-
,

h e b elo n g ed to th e yo un g e r or Syri an br an c h o f th e sc h ool o f

w hi c h I ambl i c h us w as the r eal fo und er and o n l y o n c e m e n tio ns ,

Ploti n u s . I ambli c hu s t h e t he u rgi s t o n th e o t h e r han d h e

, ,

r an k ed wi t h Pl ato an d pai d hi m a fanati c al d evo ti o n

’

,
J uli an s .

v ag ue i d eal h ad b een th e r es tor atio n o f t h e o l d go d s o f G r e ec e ,

bu t w h e n he had fai rly fac e d t h e i r n u mb e r s an d giv e n t he m bac k

t he i r s pe c i al al t ar s an d s ac ri fi c es t h e Pl at o n i s t r ev o lt e d i n h i s
,

bl o o d T he mo no t hei s m t hat p h il o so phy had b e e n t e ac h i ng fo r

.

c en t u ri es mu st r e m ai n t he r el igi o n o f t h e e d uc a t e d b u t he w as ,

1
L e/ter 4 3 .
5 04 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GREE K LITE RATUR E

all th e m o r e sen si tiv e as to th e at t i tud e o f t he p eo p l e to hi s r e

s tor ed go d s . H i s two p ro s e ZJy mn s To zfi e S zm an d To t/ze ,
‘

M ot/ref of ti re G ods hav e th e fo rm an d th e c o mmo npl ac es o f t hi s

,

s o p h i s ti c ty p e . H e oft en m ak es t h e s to c k e x c u s e o f h ast e an d
l ac k of p rofessi o nal ease i n wri ti n g an d all hi s w ork sho w s by i ts
,

c l u m s y r e p e ti ti o n s an d digr e ss i o n s a w an t of fi n i sh I n n arr at iv e .

an d s at i r e hi s s tyl e i s c l e ar an d s tr aig h t forw ar d bu t m u c h of hi s ,

p h i lo s op h i c al wri ti n g i s d ark en e d by the ob sc uri ty i n evi t abl e w hen

a t h eo ry i s o nly v ag u e ly r e aliz e d H i s i s t h e r e mi n i sc en c e G r ee k
.

o f t he p erio d full o f ec ho es i nterwov en wit h hal f ver ses ph r ases

, , , ,

an d w h ol e s e n t e n c es t ak e n wi t h ou t ac k n owl e d g me n t fro m th e

G r eek maste r p i e c e s A ll the so p hi s t s w er e stro ngly i n fl uen ce d i n

.

t h e i r d i c tio n by Pl ato an d J ul i an i s n o e x c e ptio n Two o f hi s

,
.

c o mp o si tio n s s t an d apart fro m t h e r e st t h e C a es a r s a sat i r e i n t h e

, ,

for m o f a b an qu et o f hi s p r ed ec esso r s i n w h i c h C o n s t an ti n e pl ay s
,

th e vi ll ai n an d M ar c us A u r eliu s has al l t h e ho n o r s an d t h e ii/ i s ola ,

i

og ozz wri t t en as a sati r e o n h i mse l f w h en th e un gr at e ful p e opl e of

,

A n tio c h h ad ri d i c ul ed hi s b ear d an d aspec t o f a ph ilo so phe r .

I n J u l i an s sc h e me p h ilo s op h y mu s t alw ay s b e i n t h e se rvi c e o f

’

r eligio n I n t hi s h e sh ow ed hi msel f esse n ti ally a man o f the fourt h

.

C h ri s ti an c en tu ry u n abl e to r e viv e i n h i mse l f or o t he r s t h e tr ue

,

spi ri t o f H ell en i s m .To r etur n to t h e stan d p oi n t of Pl ato w as i n

d ee d i mp o ss ibl e for o n e w ho to pro mot e H ell en i sm m us t o utbi d
, ,

th e riv al att r ac ti o n s o f C h ri s ti an i ty N eo Pl ato n i sm c o m p ar ed

.
-
,

wi t h th e o th e r sc h o ol s o f p hilo so p hy had b een fro m th e fi r s t re

, , ,

li gi o us b u t w e may se e from a bri e f r etro sp ec t h o w far i t h ad d e

,

g en e r at ed i n th e c ou r se o f a c en t ury .

P LOT I N US o f Ly c o p oli s i n Egy p t ( z o 4 z 7o

,
w as th e r eal
~

fo und e r o f th e sc ho o l Fo r a ti me he had b e en t he p upi l o f

.

A mmo n i us Sac c as at Al e x an d ri a b u t l ate r h e c ame ,

P l ot i n u s
to Ro me w h e r e h e s pe n t t he l as t t w en ty s i x y ear s o f
,
-

h i s li fe i n t eac h i n g .I t w as d uri n g hi s l as t sixt een y ear s t hat h e

w r o t e th e E mzea o s (N i n es ) so c all ed b ec aus e eac h o f t h e si x sec
’ -
,

t i o n s c o n t ai n ed n i n e d i sc u ssio n s fi fty fo u r bo o k s i n al l T hi s
,
-
.

work i s the wri t ten m o nu m ent o f N eo Pl ato n i sm Ploti n u s r evi sed -

.
5 06 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATU R E

Un pl ac e d , rt e d o n e c l o se Un i ty
un p a ,

Y e t o mn i pr es en t ; all t hi n gs yet b ut O n e ; ,

N o t s tr e ak e d w i t h g au d y mul t i p l i c i t y ,

Pur e l i gh t w i th o ut d i sc o l o urat i o n 1
,
”

w as abov e an d b eyo n d th e Pl ato n i c I d eas to a d egr ee that h e w as

alw ay s s tr uggli n g t o e xpr ess wi t h a vo c ab ul ary fr am e d to d eal wi t h

t he t hi n g s of sen se an d n o t for th e c o n v en i en c e of i d eali s t p h i l o so

,

h e T h e sec o n d m e mb e r o f hi s Tri n i ty w as M i n d w hi c h c r e at es
p rs .
,

B e i n g by th i n ki n g an d i s i t sel f th e t h i n k e r an d th e t h oug h t
, .

M i n d c o n t ai n s the I d eas or ar c h ety p es of t he w h ol e vi si bl e worl d .

Th e t h i r d m emb e r i s the S oul o f the Wh o l e p rodu c ed by M i n d , .

Soul c o n t ai ns a pl u r al i ty o f soul s an d w i t h t he m sp iri t tu r n s

m
, ,

t ow ar d att e r s i n c e t he y c h oo se th e wo r s e
,
th e p ri so n o f the ,

bo d y T hi s erro r t h ey mu s t ex p i at e by di ssati s fac ti o n wi t h l i fe

.
,

an d t he d es i r e fo r r e asc en t for ,

Th e w ay, w hi c h fro m t hi s d ead an d d ar k ab o d e

” 2
L e ad s up to Go d .

Th e Pl o ti n i an di sc ipli n e p r epar es th e soul for a d etac h m en t o n

w h i c h i s to d aw n th e V i sio n o f the Ab sol u t e the fli ght of the A l on e ,

3
to the A l o n e Suc h a vi si o n Plo ti n u s h im sel f ac h i e v ed fo u r tim es
.

i n t h e fi ve y ear s o f hi s asso c i ati o n wit h Por p hyry To hi m ev ery .

t hi n g hu m an mu s t n ec essarily b e ali en A sc e ti c i s m has n ev er .

b een p u shed fart he r t ho ug h i t i s usually mor e so m b e r m or e se lf

, ,

to rm en ti n g mor e i mpl ac abl e H i s my sti c i sm w as o f the se v e r es t

,
.
,

mo s t ab strac t ty p e bu t hi s c o un se l s o f p erfec ti o n met t he n eed s o f

,

man y i n that age of s o ull ess r he tori c an d i n t he four th c en tu ry the ,

E n n ead s w e r e m or e w i d e ly r ead t han Pl at o .

The sp ec ul ativ e my s ti c i s m o f Plo ti n u s see ms to l eav e li ttl e op en

1
H e n ry M o r e, P sy ch o th a n a s i a M o r e w as o n e o f t h o s e Camb ri d g e Pl at o
.

n i s ts w h o t r i e d t o r e c o n c i l e t h e C h r i s t i a n d o c tr i n e t h at G o d i s L o v e w i t h th e

P l t i n i an
o con c e p tion of a p ri n c i pl e ab o ve al l b e i n g i mperso n a
, l , u ms el fc o n
-

sc i o u s . I n h i m i s t o b e fo un d th e mos t d i r ec t po et i c ex
pr essi o n of th e teac h
i n gs of Ploti n us .

2 V au
gh an , Th e W or l d .

3 E n n ead 6 1 1.
.
9 .
 T H E N EO PLATO N I S I S
’ ‘
—
507

i ng for the dogm as of my t hology Y et he ad mi tt ed t hat the wor .

s hi p o f t h e go d s mig h t h el p ot h e r s to t h e att ai n me n t o f s iri t ual

p
ec s tas y t h o ug h fo r h i m sel f t he u n io n w i t h t h e Ab s ol u t e mu s t b e
,

ac h i ev ed by h eav en ly c o n t e mpl ati o n Mor e ov er h e ac c epte d th e .

,

t h eory of d aemo n s an d ac c o un t ed fo r evil i n the w orl d by t hei r

,

T hat way l ay th e ro ad to su p ers ti ti o n and i rnposture

‘

ag en c y .
,

w hi c h hi s follow er s t ook i n d ue c ou r s e .

Li t e r at u r e at t hat ti me g ai n ed n ot h i n g from t h i s sp iri tu al r e

, ,

n ai ssan c e I t w as r ese rv ed fo r me n o f t he mol d o f H e n ry M o r e

.
'

Dr u m mo n d V aug han Sp e n se r M ilt o n an d Wor d s w ort h to giv e

, , , ,

t h ese d o c tri n es l it erary li fe T he earli er at l east o f t hese tu r n ed

.
, ,

t o t h e me t aph y si c al a ftergrow t h of Pl ato n i s m i n th e E n n ea ds o f

Pl o t i nu s ev en m or e t h an to the d i al og ues of Pl ato b ec ause the ,

Tri n ity t h ey fo un d t her e attr ac t ed t h em by i ts lik en ess to C hri s

ti an d o c tri n e .

Th e d ec ad e n c e of N eo Pl at o n i sm mad e li t tl e h e ad w ay i n the
-

wri ti n g s of P O RPH Y RY o f Tyr e ( 2 3 3 3 0 1 ? t h e Syri an yo ut h of

—

n obl e d es c en t w ho fo r soo k al l t o b e t h e d i sc i pl e o f
P orph y ry
,

Plo ti nu s w rot e hi s L ife an d publi shed the E n n ea ds

,
.

H e w as t he sav an t amo n g th e N eo P l ato n i s t s gr ammari an -

, ,

h i stori an of ph ilo so p hy mat h emati c i an an d Ari stot el i an c o mmen

, ,

t ator B ut hi s c h i ef i n t er es t w as th e ex p o s i tio n o f the Ploti n i an

.

h ilo o h y I n h i s Letter to A n eho h e r e c og n i z es wit h amazi n g

p s p .

c an d or t h e d r awb ac k s an d fr au d s of polyt h e i s m as i t w as p r ac ti c e d

i n hi s d ay B ut h e e x pl ai n e d t h em by th e worki n g o f wi c k e d
.

d aemo n s and w e n t fart h e r t han Pl o ti n u s i n r ec o m men d i ng magi c

,

an d t h eurgy as a m ean s of c o un t e r ac ti n g th e p o w e r s o f e vil .

Po r phyry s pup il I AM B IJ C H US of C hal c i s ( d i ed 3 3 0

’
,
w as t he

t heologi an o f th e sc h ool as Plo ti n us had b ee n i ts met aphy si c i an

,
.

Li k e al l th e N eo Pl at o n i sts h e Was ec l e c ti c an d
e

I ambl i c h us
, ,

would hav e c all ed h i m sel f a p hil o so ph e r o f al l t he

sc h ool s . B ut hi s ec l ec ti c i s m w as sup e rfi c i al an d arbi tr ary When .

a Pl ato n i c or Ari s to t e li an d o c t ri n e c o ul d b e d i s tort e d or a p h r as e ,

borrow e d t o h el p o ut h i s fan t as ti c t h eori e s he c l ai med the au

,
.

tho r i ty o f Pl ato an d Ari s totl e B ut th e fi nal appe al fo r hi m an d

.
5 08 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GRE E K LITE RATU RE

hi s follow e r s w as n o t to hu m an wi sd o m but t o d ivi n e r ev el ati o n .

H e s t an d s for t h e d ec ad e nc e o f N e o Pl ato n i s m an d t h o ug h w e -
,

may d ec l i ne to b eli ev e al l t he m irac ulou s s to ri es of hi s l i fe as ,

Eu n ap i us t ell s i t t h e r e i s n o d o u bt t hat t h eurgy w as t h e me an s he

,

c h o s e fo r at t ai n i n g my s ti c al u n io n w i t h t h e O n e The tr eati se .

O n the l ldys ter i es w hi c h w as lo n g asc rib e d to hi m h as b ee n r e

, ,

jec te d by Z ell er o n ac c o un t o f i ts s ty l e B ut w e hav e e vi d enc e .

e n o ug h t h at t h o u g h h e w as m or e r e fi n e d i n hi s m e t h od s t h an
,

Lu c i an s Al e x an d e r h e w as an i mp o s tor o r at b es t a fan ati c

’
, , .

H i s di sc ipl e s C hrys an thi us an d M axi mu s w h o had a s tro n g i n flu ,

e n c e ov e r J uli an w e r e pro fess e d m i r ac l e work e r s p ri ests r at he r

, ,

t han p hilo so p he r s Fo r th e t eac hi n g s o f I ambl i c h us J ul i an h ad a

.
l

fan ati c al ad m i r atio n r an k ed hi m abov e Pl ato an d Plo t i n us an d fol

, , ,

lo w i n g hi m i n si s t ed that i n i ti atio n i n to the My st eri es i s e ssen t i al for

,

t he p h il o so p h er A sc esi s wi t h th e ai m o f a vi sio n o f t h e Ab solu t e

.
, ,

w as s till p r eac h e d i n J ul i an s writi n g s b ut hi s p r ac ti c e c arr i ed hi m

’
,

far fro m t h e s ev e r e sp i ri tu al i ty of Plo ti n u s H i s p r eo c c u p atio n .

wi t h N eo Pl ato n i s m expl ai n s why h e tu r n ed for sy mp athy i n hi s

-

r eviv al o f H ell en i sm n o t t o th e R o m
,

an ari s t o c r ac y an d Sen at e t h e
, ,

r eal s t ro ng hol d s of fourt h c en tu ry pag an i s m but to the s o p hi st s

-
,

an d t he urgi s ts o f A t he n s an d th e e as t N o t lo n g aft e r th e fai lu r e .

o f hi s at t emp t w e fi n d N eo Pl ato n i s m es t abli s hed at l ast i n t h e

-

A c ad e my at At hen s and i n a sc h ol ast i c r eac tio n r esu mi n g the

, , ,

s t ud y o f Pl ato an d A ri s to tl e A t hen s r e m ai n e d t he h eadq uar ter s

.

o f i ts teac hi n g u n t il i n th e t i m e o f the l ast sc h ol ar c h Damasc i us

, ,

Ju st i ni an c lo se d the sc h ool ( 5 2 9
The l as t gr eat N eo Pl ato n i s t PRO C LUs (4 1 0— 4 8 5
-
,
w as
bor n i n C o n s tan ti nopl e o f p ar en t s w ho had e mi gr at ed fro m Ly c i a
,
.

A t At hens he b ec am e th e pu pi l o f Syr i an us an d suc

P rocl us
,

c eed ed hi m as sc h ol ar c h H i s Life w as wri tt en by .

hi s d i s c i pl e M ari n us
,
I n h i s at t em p t to sy s t e m atiz e p h ilo s o ph y
.
,

Pro c lu s d ivi d ed e v e ryt h i n g i n to t h r e es E v en the d aemo n s mu st .

1
Th e si x L etter s ad d ess e dr t o I ambl i c h us w hi c h ar e i n c l u d ed mo n g the
a

J ul i an i c rt
w i i n gs are , r
o f c o u se, s
p uri o us . I ambl i c h us d i ed ab o u t t h e t i me
when J ul i an was b o rn .
5 10 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATUR E

two tu ri e s b e fo r e hi m 5 t h e p hilo so ph er s the Al ex an dri an

c en

wri t ers ; fro m al l t h ese and m an y mor e he g at her ed the fl ow er s o f

wi sdo m an d b eauty t hat w er e to ed u c at e hi s so n Sep ti mi us un a ,

w ar e t hat th e task woul d m ak e hi s ho m ely n am e i mm o rt al .

Wi t h Juli an an d h i s c o n t e m p or ari es G r ee k p ro se l it er at ur e may b e

said to en d an d i t i s o n ly by a s t r e t c h o f c o u rt e sy t h at o n e i n c lu d es
,

th e s t e ril e r h e t ori c o f th e l at e r s op h i s t s t ho se sapl ess l e av es froz en ,

o n th e tr e e o f k n owl ed g e i n th e c at egory of li t er at ur e at al l ,
.

Po etry as has b e en seen w as n o t yet w holly exti n c t si n c e N o nnus

, , ,

an d M u saeus an d h er e an d t he r e an e pigr amm ati s t w e r e t o r el i e v e

, ,

th e b arr e nn ess o f th e n ex t two c en t u ri es B u t p ro se h ad lo n g b e en .

d ead an d th e r e m ai n s o f t h e r h e tori c i an s woul d see m u n wor t hy

,

o f n oti c e i f i t w er e n o t t hat th e h i s tori an o f G r ee k li t e r atu r e m us t

,

al w ay s o mi t wi t h a qu al m t h e m o s t trivi al pi e c e o f evi d e n c e s i n c e

h e may t h u s u n c o n sc io u sl y d i s to r t mor e than i s i n evit abl e th e

proportio n s o f the origi nal w h ol e .

B IB LI OGRAPHY

B A B RI US

Th e b e s t man usc ri p t i s rt M use um l o th cen t d i s c ov er ed

t h e A th e n s , B i i s h , .
,

at M t A t h o s i n 1 8 4 3 ( 1 2 2 fab l e s )
. Si x o t h ers ar e pr es erv e d i n t h e Va t i ca n us .
,

1 5 th c e n t an d o n a w ax t ab l et fr o m Pal myr a
.
,
M an yf r g are q uo t ed i n th e . o .

L ex i con o f S u i d as E d p r i n c B o i sso n ad e Pari s 1 8 4 4

. . L ac h man n B er l i n
.
, , , .
, ,

1845 . S c h n ei d e w i n L e i p z i g 1 8 5 3 Gi tb au e r V i e n n a x8 8 2
, ,
R ut h er fo r d .
, , .
,

L o n d o n 1 8 8 3 ( w i t h a s p ec i al L ex i con )
,
Cr us i us L e i p z i g 1 8 9 6 ; t ex t o nl y .
, , ,

18 9 7 . We r n er Q ua esti on es B a hr i a n a e B e r l i n 1 8 9 1
,
H o c h D e B ahr i i , , .
,

a on l i s H all e 1 8 70 C ru s i us i n L ei S t u d i en 2 F o r th e me t e r : A h r en s
f , , p . . .
,

D e er as i et ap haer es i S t o l b erg 1 8 4 5 , , .

DEM EI RI US ’ ‘

Th e b est r t man us c t
i p i s th e P a r i s i n z/ s, w hi ch c o n ai n s a so l Ar t otl e s Rheto r i c
i s
’

an d F eel i es an d r h e t o r i c al tr e at i s es o f D i o n ys i us H al . E d p r i n c , A d us , V e n i c e ,
. . l
1 5 08 — 1 5 09 Vi c t o r F l o r e n c e 1 5 5 2
.
,S p e n gel i n , . vo l I I I o f R h et Gr a eei
. . .

Rad er mac h e r L e i pz i g 1 9 0 1 ,
Ro b e rt s C amb ri d g e
,
.
, , 1 902 ( w i th Li ers,
De a eta te et s er ip to r e 1r e
pt
‘
. W r ati sl aw , 18 8 1 . H amme r , D emetr i u s
'
r
7 epi Ep , Lan d s h u
. t ,
18 8 3 . A l ts c h u l , De D . Rhetor i s a eta te. L ei p i g, z 18 8 9 .
 B I B LI O G RAP HY 51 1
'
B e h ei m S c hw arz b ac h , Li bel l a s
-
7r e
p i Ep gu o temp or e . eo mpos zt zts s i t, Ki el , 1 8 90 .

S eb e n k l i n V i en er S tu d i en 4
[ .

TRA N S LATI O N . Ro b ert s i n h i s edi ti o n .

D I O GEN ES LA ERI ’ ‘
I US

Th e b es t man usc r i pt s ar e th e B or hon i en s at N ap l es an d th e La u r en ti a

n u s, bo t h 1 2t h c e n t. Li d .
p r i nc .
, B as l e, 1
534 . H ii b n e r -
J ac o bi t
Lei p i g, z ,
z
18 3 3 . C o b e t, Par i s , 1 8 5o , 1 8 6 2 . Egg er , D e fon tt D . . L .
, B o r d eau x, 1 8 8 1 .

N i et z sc h e i n Rh i n l ll n 2 3 e .
/ s .
—2
5 . Wi l amo w i t z i n P hi l . Un ter s . I V 3 20 ii .

Sc h w art z i n Pau l y Wi s w a - s o .

DI O OF PRUSA

Th e b es t man us cr i pts ar e t h e P a l a tm n s , 1 5 th c en t .
, Va ti ea n n s , 1 3 th c en t .

M eer nza n n i u s, 1 1 th c e n t .
,
is the on l y man u c ri pt t hat s c o n ai n s t t he w ho l e of th e

t t w ork s E d p i n c V e n i c e 1 5 5 1 R i sk e Le i pz i g 1 7 8 4 Emperi us
e x an . . r .
, , . e , , .
,

Br u ns w i c k 1 8 44 Di n d o r f L e i p z i g 1 8 5 7
,
Ar n i m B er l i n
. 1 8 9 3 — 18 96 , , .
, , .

Ar n i m Lehen i t Wer he d es D i o B er l i n 1 8 9 8
,
M art h a L s M r a l i stes s u s
.
, , .
,
e o o

l E mp i r e R o ma i n P ari s 1 8 8 6
’
S o n n y A n a l ecta a d D Ki e f 1 8 9 6
, Web er , .
,
.
, , .

i n L eip S tud i en . 10 . S c hmi d i n A tti ezs ni ns 1 .

7 2 ff .

D I O N Y S I US OF H A L I CAR N AS SUS

Man us cr i pt s o f th e H i story are t h e Ur hi n as, l o th c e n t .

, an d Ch i s i a n u s, l o th

c ent . Ed i t i o n s : K i ess l i ng , L e i p z i g ,
1 8 6 0 —1 8 70 . Ki essl i n g -J ac o b y, 1 90 5 .

Li ers , D i e Th eor i e d . Ges eh i ehts eh r ezhu ng d . D . v on W al d e n b urg ,

18 86.

F l i e r l e, Ueber N a ch ah mu ng en d D emosth . . u . X e n i n D i ony s . .

, M un i c h ,
1 8 90 .

B o c k sc h , D e f on tt . D i ony s . H al i n L eip S tu d i en 1 7
. . . M an uscr i pt s of th e

cr i ti c al an d r h e t o ri c al w o rk s are th e P a r i s i n n s , 1 1 t h c e n t .
,
A n i hr os za n u s, 1 st h

ce n t La u r en t i a n u s 1 2 th c e n t
.
, , . Ed i t i o n s : R e i s k e, vo s l . V —V I of hi s ed .
, Lei p
zi
g , 1 77 5
— 1
7 77 . V an H e rw e r d e n , Ep . er i t tr es, G
. r on n i ge n , 18 6 1 . Usen e r, D e
i mi ta t i o n e ep i st n l a egu e er it . d u a e, B o n n ,
18 8 9 . Us en e t an d Rad er mac h er ,
z
L e i p i g , v o l I , 1 8 9 9 ; II , . 1 904 . Des r o ussc aux an d Egg e r, D d t/ .
’
.
j ng emen t
s u r Ly s i a s, Par i s, 1 8 9 0 . We i l , Pr emi er e Lettr e d A nt /n ee, Pari s , 18 78 The .

Th r ee Li ter a ry Letter s , Ro b erts, C ambr i d g e, 1 90 1 . S ad o us , De l a r hé tor i t/ n e

a ttr zl mée ( 2D . Pari s , 184 7 . B la ss , De D . H . ser ipt i s r h et ,

Bon n, 186 3 .

Us e n e r , D I ] . . q u ae fe r tn r a r s L e i p i g, 1 8 9 5
r h etor zea , Kai be l , D I ] a d i e z . . . .

Egg er, Deny s d H a /i ea r n a sse, Par i s , 1 9 0 2 S ai n t s

’
S oph i stzh i n [f er /n es 20 . .

'
b ury, H i story f
o Cr i t i ci sm I 1 2 7 ff , Lo n d o n , 1 9 0 2 Raud at , D tl H l e Tr o t/é
. . . .

d e l a D i spos i ti on d es M ots, Par i s, Rab e i n Ahei n 48

’
18 79 . . us . .

EPI C Po ms

M US AEU S : M an uscr i pt s : Ox o n i en s i s i n t h e B o d l e i an , 1 1t h c e n t .
, V ati ca n u s ,

1 4 th c e n t .
, P a l at i n n s , at H ei d e l berg , 1
5 th cen t . Ed pr i n c. .
, l
A d us , V e n i c e,
51 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GREEK LIT E RATU RE

1 4 94 . H ei n ri c h , H an n o v er, 1 79 Pass o w , L ei p i g, 1 8 10
5 . z . Di l t h ey, B o n n ,
1 8 74 . S ch w ab e, D e M u sa eo N o n n i i mi ta tor e, Tub i n g en , 18 76 . Kn aac k ,

H er o L ea n d er , L ei p i g , 1 8 9 8
u . K emm, D e fa bu l a ( H e ro an d L ean d er ) , z . l
z
L ei p i g, 1 8 8 9 Tr an s C h ap man , L o n d o n , 1 6 1 6 ( v erse )
. N O N N US : M an u
. .

s c ri p t : P a l a t i n u s , 1 6 t h c e n t E d p r i n e , F a e nb urg, 1 5 6 9 M os er , H e i d el . . . lk .

b erg , 1 8 09 Grae fe, Lei p z i g , 1 8 1 9 — 1 8 26

. Ko ec hl y, L e i p z i g , 1 8 5 8 Parap h r as e . .

of St . J o h n s Go sp e l : Sch e i n d l e r , Lei p z i g, 1 8 8 1 O uw aro ff, N on n os, Pet ers

’
.

b urg , 18 1 7 . K o e h l er, Ueher d i e Di ony s i ah a H al l e, , 18 53 . L u d w i c h , B eztr .

z. K r i t zh d N on n as, Kon i g sb e rg, . 1 8 73 . S c h e i n d l e r, Q u a esti o n es A’on n i a n ae,

B r u n ae, 18 78 . La R o c h e , Z u r v er s teeh n ih d . J Von n os in Wi en er S tu d i en 22 .

O PP I A N : M an usc r i pt : Th e Ta u r i n en s i s E d p r i n c , A d us , V e n i c e, 1 5 1 7
. . . l .

S c h n e i d e r, L e i p i g , 1 8 1 3 L eh rs, Par i s , z . 1846 A us fel d , D e Opp i a n o, Go t h a,

.

1 8 76 Pre us s , Z u ni Sp r a ehg ehr a u eh d Opp i a n ,

. Q UI N TUS SMY RNA EUS . 18 80 .

W e h ave o n l y c pi es o f t h e c o d ex f un d by B essari o n i n C al abri a Ed i t i o n

o o . s

Rh o d man n H an n v er 1 6 04
o K o c hl y Z i mmerman n W i l h el msh ave n 1 900
, o , . e -
, , .

S ai n t e B e uv e Q u i n t S my n e i n Et u d s u
-
Vi g i l
, Pa i 18 71 K mpt e r e s r r e, r s, . e

zow D Q S fon tt Ki el 1 8 9 1
, e
La Ro c h e P osod i u M et i te i n Wi n
. . .
, , .
, r e . r e er

S t u d i en 22 .

EP I GRA M MA TI STS

Kai b e l , Ph i l od emi Ep i gr a mmata Gr e i fsw al d , , 18 8

5 . Rub en s o h n , Cr i n ag
or as, B erl i n , 18 8 8 . S ee th e co ll ec ti o n s an d an t ho l ogi es un d e r ch apt er X XII .

M I N O R H I STO RI A N S
APP I A N : The b es t man us cr i p ts ar e Va t i ca n u s, 1 1 t h an d 1 2 th c e n tt .
,
an d

L a ur en ti a n us, 1 5 th c e n t .
, M on a een s i s ( at M u n i c h ) , 1
5t h cen t . Ed .
pr i n c .
,

St eph an us, Pari s, 155 1 . Dii b n er , Par i s , 1 840 kk er L ei pz i g 1 8 5 2

. Be , , . M en
d el sso h n , L ei p i g, 1 8 78 , 1 9 05 z . Ci v i l Wa s I Str ac h an Davi d so n O f rd
r , : -
,
x o ,

1 9 03 Tr an s W h i t e, N e w
. or . Y k , 1 8 99 ; v ol I F ig n I Va ; II C v i l Wa
.
, or e / rs , i r s.

A R RI A N : M an usc r i pt s : th e P a r i s i n us , P a l a ti n u s, L a u r en t i a n us , B od/ei a n u s .

E d p r i n c , Tri n c avel l i , V en i c e, 1 53 6
. . A n a ha s i s E d p r i n c , Kr u eg er, B e r i n . . . l
1 8 3 5— 1 8 4 8 G ei er , L ei p i g, 1 8 7 3. Abi c ht , L ei p i g , 1 8 79 S cr ipta tld i n o r a z . z . .
‘

z
H e rc h e r , L e i p i g , 1 8 5 4 D i sco u r s es , M a n u a l , an d F r ag men ts o f Epi c t et us .

S b e n k l L i pz g 1 8 94 1 8 9 8
e , Re n z A i a n us q u a t n u i i ta t
e i , X n oph n
, .
,
rr e s nz or e o

ti s si t Ro s t o k 1 8 79
, B o eh n er D A d i n d i g n e e Er l an g en 1 8 8 6
c , . CA S , e . ee e r , , .

8 111 s D 10 M an us r i pt s La u r n ti a n u an d tl l a i a n us 1 1 th c e n t
: c Ed : e s
’
re , . .

i S t h P r i 8 D i d f—M el b e r L i z i 8 M el b r L ip
p r n
p acn u.
,a 1 5 4e n o p
s, g 1 9 0 s, . r ,
e , . e ,
e

z i g 18 96
, B o i s e ai n B er l i n 1 8 9 5 1 9 0 1
. C On e t i n Wi e S t u d i n 2 1
s v , ,
— . r r en r e .

M ai s el Obs va ti n i n C D B e r l i n 1 8 8 8
, er D I O DO RUS M an u sc r i pt s an g
o es . .
, , . : r

i n g fro m l o th t 1 st h n tt i n t h e l i b ra i e f V i n n a t h e V at i c an a d Par i
o ce .
,
r s o e , ,
n s .

T h e P at i u 1 0t h c e n t fo u n d at Tat mos E d p i n
/n s, S t p h an u Par i 1 5 5 9 .
,
. . r c .
, e s, s, .

M ii l l er Pari s 1 8 4 2
,V o gel Di n d o f L e i p z i g 1 8 93
,
B e kk r Di n d o f Fi c h er
.
- r , , . e -
r -
s ,
5 14 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU R E

II I . TRA N S L AT I O N S . H . W . an d F G Fow l e r, Oxfo rd ,

. . 1 90
5 . S el ec t i o n s
S mi t h , N ew Yo r k ,
1 8 9 2. S h el d o n , Ph i l ad e l ph i a, 1 90 1 .

MARC US AU REL I US
Th e P a l at i n u s c o d ex u s e d b y X yl an d e r fo r th e ed p r i n e , Z uri ch , 1 5 50, i s . .

l o st Th e o n l y c o mpl e t e
. man us cri p t i s t h e Vat i ca n us Ed i t i o n s : D ub n er , .

Pari s 1 8 40 ; S ti c n L ei pz i g 1 8 8 2
, , , . Re n an , fri a r c—A u r el e, Par i s , 18 8 3 . M at
t h e w A rn o l d [Ma r u s A u r el i us i n E , c ss a
ys i n l at i ns by C ll i er
Cr zti c i s nz . Tran s o o ,

Lo ng Re n d all , Lo n d o n , 1 8 98 ( w i th i n tro d uc to ry essay o n S t o i ci sm) .

PAU SA N I A S

Th e b est man us c r i p ts ar e th e L ei d en s i s an d t h e Vi n d o hon en s i s Ed pr i n c

. . .
,

A l d us , V e n i c e , 15 16 . Be k k er , B er i n, l 1 8 26 . S c h ub art - Walz , L e i p i g, 1 8 3 8z
18 39 . Di n d o r f, Par i s , 18 4 6 . S ch ub art , L e i pz i g , 18 74 . z
H i t i g B l ii mn er , L e i p
-

zi
g, vo l . I 1 8 9 6 ; II, ,
1 90 1 . W i l amo w i tz i n H er /n es 12 Ka man n , P a u
. lk
so n i a s, B erl i n 1 8 8 6 , . G url i t t, P a u sa n i a s, Gr az , 1 8 90 . Tran s . Fraz r e , Lon d o n ,
18 98 .

PL UTARC H

I . M A N U S CR I PT S . O f t h e L i ves S a ng er ma n en s i s, l o t h c en t .
, P a l a t i n u s,
1 1 th c en t .
; s ev e a r l at Par i s ( Par i si n i ) , an d M a tr zten s i s at M ad r i d , 14 t h

c en t . O f th e [Mor a l i a fo ur P a r i s i n i , 1 1 th , 1 3 t h , an d 1
5 th c e n tt .
, M ar
c i a n u s, 1 1 t t hree Vat i a n i 1 3 th an d 1 sth c e n tt
h cen t .
; c , .

II ED I T I O N S St eph an u s Pari s 1 5 72 R ei s k e Le i p z i g 1 7 74 — 1 7 8 2
. .
, , .
, , .

Do eh n e r Dii b n er Par i s 1 8 4 6 —1 8 5 5
-
L i ves E d p r i n c Fl o r e n ce 1 5 1 7
, Si n , . . .
, , .

t e n i s Li epz i g 1 8 5 2— 1 8 5 5 1 8 73 — 1 8 75 B e kk er Lei p z i g 1 8 55—1 8 5 7 Sel ec

, , , .
, , .

t i o n s : Th e L i ves : S i efert B l ass L ei p z i g 1 8 72 M or a l i a Al d us V e n i c e 1 5 09 -

, , .
, , .

Wytte n b ac h , L e i i
p g, 1 79 6 — 1
79 9 B e r n ar d ak i s , Le i i
p g, 1 8 8 z
4
— 18 6
9 ( 7 vo s . z l .

an d a
pp e n d i x ) Pa o n , Py th i ci D i a l og i tr es, B e i n , 1 8 9 3
. t
Par th ey, [s i s u rl . .

Os i r i s , B e i n , 1 8 50 rl .

III . L I T ERAT U RE . Vo lk man n , L eben u . S ch r iften d P . .

, B erl i n , 1 8 69 . W es
t erman u D e P v i ta et sc , . r ip ti s, Le i p i g, 1 8 5 5 z . Tre n c h , Pl u ta r ch , Lo n d o n , 1 8 73 .

G r eard D e l a l ld or a l e , d e P , Par i s, 1 8 6 6
. . M i c hae l i s D e , or di ne v i ta r u m ,

B e rl i n M ah affy , in Th e Gr eeh Wor l d u n d er R oma n S w ay , Lo n d o n ,

1 8 90 . O ak es mi t h , Th e R el ig i on o
f P .
, Lo n d o n , 1 9 02 .

IV . T RA N S LAT i O N S . A myo t , Pari s , 1 55 9 — 1 5 7 2 . L i ves N o rt h , Lo n d o n ,

1 5 79 ( fro m th e F re n c h of Amyo t ) . Dryd en ( so ca ll ed , wi h t Dr yd e n s
’
Pr e f
Cl rn e
’
ac e ) , Lo n d o n , 1 6 8 3 — 1 68 6 ; o ugh s ed .
, 1 8 59 . L an gh o , Lo n d o n , 1 7 70 .

Dac i er Pari s , , 1 72 1 . M or a l i a und e r t i tl e M i scel l a n eo u s E ssay s ( tran sl at ed

by v ar i o us h an d s ) , ed . b y Go o d w i n , 70 B o st o n
6 th c d , 1 8 98 , 18 . .

V . LE X I CO N . Lex i co n P l u ta r ch eu m, Wytte n b ac h , L ei pz i g, 1 8 3 0 .
 B I B LI O G RA PHY
5 15

Y B I US PO L

I MA N USC RI PT S Th e
. . b est man u c r i p t s fo r 1 —5 is t h e Va t i c a n u s, 1 1 th
c ent Ex c erpt s fro m 1— 1 8
. i n t he Ur hi n a s . F o r th e la t s b oo ks , exc e rpts in
C Po rp h yr o g e n e t us,
. 1 0th c e n t .

II I T I O N S H er vagi us B as l e 1 54 9 Cas aubo n Par i s 1 6 09 Sc h w e i g

. ED .
, , .
, , .

h a us e r L e i p z i g 1 7 8 9 1 7 9 5
, B e kk er B e rl i n 1 8 4 1 Di n d o r f L e i pz i g 1 8 6 6
,
—
.
, , .
, ,

18 8 2 H uts c h B er l i n 1 8 6 7 ; 2 d c d
. 1 8 8 8 18 92 B utt n er Wo hs t Le i p z i g
, , .
,
—
.
-
, .

1 8 8 2— 1 9 04 .

III . L I TERATURE . L a Ro c h e, Ch a r a cter i st i h d P . L e i p i g , 1 8 5 7 B re s a

.
,
z .
k ,

Un ter s u ch u ng en i i her d . Q u /t n d e e . P .
, B er i n , l 18 8 0 S trac han - Davi d s o n,
.

P o ly bi us i n H el l en i ca , O xfo r d 1 8 8 0 , . G o et z l e r , D e P . el oc u ti on e, \'Vi i rz b u rg ,
188 7 . S cal a, D i e S t ud i en d . P .
, St uttgart , 18 90 . Cu n tz , P oly bi us u s ei n
'
.

Wer h , L e i p i g, 1 9 02 z . N i ss en i n Rhei n . M us . 26 . Kal k e r i n Leip S t u d i en 3 . .

IV . T RA S LAT O N I N . k
S huc b urgh , L o n d o n , 18 8 9 .

V . LE X I CO N . Sc h w ei g haus er, O xfo rd , 18 22 .

TH E N EW S O PH I ST I C

( Seco n d Ce n t ury)

A RI STEI DES : Di n d o r f L ei p z i g , , 1 8 29 . B aumgar t, A r i st i des Le i p i g , 1 8 7 4 . z .

Ke i l , B e r l i n , 1 8 9 7 ( u n fi n i s h e d ) H ERO D ES I . ATT C US : H ass , D e H A or a tzo n e . .

1r e 2 r o h t r el a s Ki e l , 1 8 8 0 P H I LO STRAT US : L i ves an d L ife op o/l o n ms o/

p , .
,

Ty a n a Kayse r Lei pz i g 1 8 7 1 Tran s l at i o n o f t h e L ife of A

, , . .
, C has s an g ,

Par i s , 18 62 . B aur, Ap ol l on i u s u . Ch r i s t i es, Tri bi n g e n , 18 3 2 . Gi d ers l l e e ve ,

Ap ol l on i u s f
o Ty a n a i n E ss ay s an d S t u d i es, B a t i mo r e , l 1 8 90 . PO LEMO N :

H i n c k , L e i p z i g, 18
73 .

Jii ttn e r D e P ol emon i s , v i ta , o

per i hu s , a r te, B r es l au ,

1898 . B l ass , Die Cr . B er ed sa mh ei t v A l ex a n der hi s A ug ust u s , B e i n , 1 8 6 5

. rl .

S c h mid , D er A ttzc zs mu s , S t uttg art , R o hd e , D er C r R oma n ,

'

1 8 8 7— 1 8 9 6 . .

L e i p i g,z N o rd e n , A n tzhe K u n stp r osa , Le i p i g , 1 8 9 8

'
z . B run s, Di e
A tti ci s ti s ch en B estr elzu ng en , Ki e , 1 8 9 6 Kai b e l i n H er / nes 20 l . .

'
A s i a n i s mus u A ttzc i s nzu s i n [I er nzes 3 5
. . Ro h d e i n l xh ezn . zl / u s .
4 1 . Rad e r
mac h er l i hei n fi l m 5 2, 54 l raphy b y S c hmid ’
in
’
B ib i o g
. . . i n B u rs i au s j ah r es
ber i cht, 1 90 1 .

TH E N ew S U I H I ST I C
’

( Fo urt h Ce n t ury)
EU N A PI US : L i ves : B o i s so n ad e , Ams ter d am , 1 8 22 Par i s , 1 8 49 . H I M ERI US
Dub n er , Par i s , 18 49 . T e ub e r , Q u a esti on es l / u n er i a n o e, B re l a u s , 18 8 2 .

J UL I A N : Th e b e s t man us c r i pt i s t h e Voss i a n u s at Le yd e n ,
1 o r 1 th c e n t
1 2 11
3 .

Ed .
p r i nc .
, Mart i n Par i s , , 1 58 3 . Pe t au , Pa i s , r 16 3 0 . l l e r t l e i n , Le i p i g z ,
18
75
5 16 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

1 8 76 . Ag a i n st th e Ch r i st i a n s, N e umann , L e i p i g , z 18 80 . M uc k e j ul i a n us, ,

Go t h a, 18 68 N av i ll e, j u l zen l Ap osta t, N e ufc h at e ,

.
’
l 18 77 . Sch wrt z a , De v i ta

et s cr ip t i s j u l i a n i , B o n n , 18 8 8 . Te u ffe l , K a i ser / u l za n u s i n S t u d i en . Gi l d e r
s l ee ve , .j ul i a n i n Essay s Fran c e j u l i a n s
an d S t u d i es, B a t i mo re , l 1 8 90 .
,
’

R el ati on t th e N ew S oph i sti c L o n d o n 1 8 9 6

o Gard n er j u l i a n N e w Y o rk , , .
, , ,

eg ri zm M i l an 1 9 02 ( tran sl at i o n by Lett a
’
189 N L er a to e C zu l i a n o
5 .
p ,
r , ,

V i sc o n t i Ar ese Lo n d o n
-
L ett r s W est e rman n L ei pz i g 1 8 5 4
, , B id ez e : , , .

an d C umo n t R e h er ch es s u r l a tr a d i t i o n ma n us c i te d es L tt es d e j
,
c B r us r e r .
,

s el s 18 98
, B ramb s S t ud i en Ei c h s t att 1 8 9 7
. A ll ard j ul i en l Ap ostat Par i s
, , , .
,
’
, ,

1 90 3 LI B A N I US
. Re i sk e A l t e n b urg 1 7 8 4 — 1 79 7 : F o e rs t e r L e i p z i g 1 9 0 3
, , .
, ,

( un fi n i s h e d ) L etter s : Wo l f Amst er d am 1 73 8
. Si evers D as L ehen d es L , , .
, .
,

B e r l i n 1 8 68 , Pet i t E ssa i s u r L Par i s 1 8 6 6

. T H EM I ST I US Di n d o r f Lei p
, .
, , . : ,

z i g 18 3 2
, S c h e n kl i s p r e par i n g an e d i t i o n
. Se e h i s art i c l es i n Wi en er S t u .

d i en , 20— 2 3 . P a r aph r ases : S pe n g e l , L e i p z i g , 18 66 .

G EN ERAL L I T ERATU RE P et i t d e Ecol e

'
’ ’
.

J ul l e v i ll e , L d A t/zen es an I V6 e
s z cte,

Pari s, 1868 . C ap es , Un i ver s i ty L ife i n A n ci en t Ath en s .

TH E N EO -PLATO N I STS
S i mo n , H i sto i r e d e l
’
Ecol e d ’
A l ex a n d r i e, Pa i s, r 184
5 . V ac h e r o t, H i s to i r e
de l
’
Ecol e d A l ex a n d r i e Par i s 1 8 4 6 1 8 5 1
’
, , , . Ch ai gn et , H i stoi r e d e l a p sy ch ol og i e
d es Gr ecs ( vol I V ) Par i s 1 8 9 3 Z el l er
.
, , .
,
Ph i l os oph i e d Gr i echen , vo l V , . .

z
L e i p i g, 1 8 8 1 B i gg, l Veo-P l ato n i s m, L o n d o n , 1 8 9 5
. Wh i a e , Th e N eo . tt k r
P l a ton i sts , C amb i d ge , 1 9 0 1 C u d w o h , The Tr u e I n tel l ect u a l Sy stem of the
r . rt
Un i ver se, L o n d o n , 1 6 7 8 PLOT U S : Th e b es man us c i p i s t h e M ed i ceus , . IN t r t
1 3 th c e n t . E d p r i n e , F i c i n us, . . B asl e , 1 58 0 . C r eu z e r, O xfo r d 1 8 3 5 , . Ki rc hh o ff ,

L e i p i g, z 18 6
5 M il l l er, B er i n ,
. l Ki rc h n e r, D i e P h i l osoph i e d es Pl ot i n s
18 78 .
,

l l all Ri c h t er , a ton zs c e S t u d i en , H all e , 1 8 6 4 — 1 8 6 7 Kl e i s t ,

'

1 8 54 N e zg l h
e, .
p .

P l ot i n i sche S t u d i en , H ei d e be rg , l 18 83 . B e n n , Th e Sp i r i t u al i s /n f
o P l oti n u s
In Gr eeh P h i l osop h er s, L o n d o n , 188 2 . Tr an s l at i o n s : Tayl o r, L o n d o n, 1 79 4,

18 1 7 ; B o ui l l et , Pari s, 18
57
— 18 6 1 ; M iil l er , B ook s i —v i , B er i n , l 1 8 78 —1 8 80 .

PO RPH Y RY : I n tr od u ct i on to th e Ca teg or i es, B uss e, B er i n , l 18 8 7 . S el ec t i o n s

i n N auc k , Op usc ul a S el ecta , Lei p i g , 2d ed , 1 8 8 6 L ife of P l oti n u s , Wes e z . . t r
man n , i n th e Di d o e d i i o n o f Di o ge n es L ae r ti us , Par i s, 1 8 50 I A MB LI C H US
t t .

Q u a esti on u nz H onzer i ca r u ni r el i q u i ae , S c h rad e r, Le i p z i g , 1 8 80 . P r otr ept i

cu s , l
Pi s t el i , L e i p i g , z 18 93 . De co n z mu n i ma th ent a ti ca
F e st a, Le i p i g , 1 8 9 1 , z .

On the Py th ag or ea n M od e of L ife, Ki ess i n g, L e i p i g, 1 8 1 6 Ps e u d o - I amb li l z .

c h us , D e My ster zzs , Part h e y, B er i n , 1 8 5 7 l

P RO C L US : Co usi n , Par i s , 1 8 20 .

18 27 : 2d c d .
, 1 8 64 . M ar i n us , L if e of P r ocl u s, i n th e Di d o t e d i t i o n o f Di o g
e n es L ae r t i us , Par i s , 18
50 . B erg er , P r ocl us ex p os i t i o n d e sa d oct r i n e, Par i s ,
18 40 . Ki r c h n er , De P r oc l i M etaphy s i ca B e r l i n , ,
18 46 . P r at l i Ch r estoma
thi a e g r a mma t i ca e f ra
g nzen ta in West ph al , S cr zp tor es metr i ci g r a ec i .
 C H RO N O L O G I C A L T A B L E x

Al l d at es fo r G re ek e ve n s t rl i er t h an
ea th e mi d d l e of th e se v en t h
c en u t ry B C. . ar e l egen d ary or c o nj ec t u r al .

B C . .

7 76 T rad i t i o n al d at e of the Fi s r t O ly mpi ad .

68 0 ? C A L L I N US of E p h es us , el e g i ac p o et .

6 76 ? T E R P A N D ER of mus i c i an an d mel i c p o et
Les b o s , .

6 50 A R C H I L O C H US o f P aro s i ambi c el egi ac an d meli c

, , , po et .

A L C M A N o f S part a c ho ral mel i c p oe t

,
.

648 Ec l i ps e o f th e s u n me n t i o n ed by A r c hi l o c h us ( s ee p .

630 M I M N ER M US o f C o l o ph o n el eg i ac po et ,
.

62 S E M O N I D ES o f A mo rg o s i amb i c p o e t ,
.

A R I O N o f Les b o s c h o ral mel i c po et

,
.

6 00 A LC A E US o f Les b os , mel i c p oet .

S A P P H O o f Les b o s mel i c p o e t
,
.

S TES I C H O R U S o f H i mera c h o ral mel i c po et ,

.

599 S OL O N At h en s el eg i ac po et 6 3 9 599
of . ,
— .

59 9 T H A L E S o f M i l et us p hi l o s oph e r
,
.

5 70 A N A X I M A N D E R o f M i l et us ph i l o s o ph e r ,
.

5 50 A N A X I M EN ES o f M i l e t us phi l o s oph er ,
.

C A D M U S o f M i l e t us l ogo grap h er,

.

P H E R EC Y D ES o f S yr os p h i l o s o ph e r ,
.

54 6 C Y R US t ak es S ar d i s F all o f C ro es us
. .

5 40 P H O C Y L I D E S o f M i l et us el e gi ac po et ,
.

D E M O DO C US o f Ler o s el eg i ac po et ,
.

A N A C R EO N o f T e o s mel i c po e t ,
.

H I P P O N A X o f E p h es us c h o l i amb i c s at i ri s t
,
.

I B Y C US o f R heg i um mel i c po et ,
.

X E N O P H A N ES o f C ol o ph o n ph i l o s o phe r an d el eg i ac , po e t .

d ate g i v e n i s th e
1 The
flor u i t ,
l
p ac e d ap p o xi ma te y at fo r ty
r l y ea s r o f ag e . to

w h i c h are ad d e d w h e n ,
k now n , th e d a te s o f b i th a n d d e at h r . A u t ho rs w ho se

c e n tu ry i s un k n o w n a re o . mi tte d .
5 20 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GREEK LITE RATU R E

F i rs t trag i c co n t es t at t h e C i ty D i o ny s i a I n At hens , .

T H ES P I S o f Atti ca trag i c p o e t
,
.

P Y TH A GO R A S o f S amo s phi l os oph er ,

.

T H EO G N I S of M egar a el eg i ac p oet ,
.

LA S US of H e r mi o n e c h o ral mel i c p oet

, .

C O R I N N A o f B o eo t i a c h o r al mel i c p o e t
, .

S I M O N I D E S o f C e o s c h o ral mel i c p o et 5 —4 68
, ,
.

D emo cracy es t abl i s h ed at At h e n s .

Th e Att i c S t at e as s u mes co n tr o l o f th e tr ag i c c h orus es .

H E R A C L EI T US o f Ep h es us p h il o s o ph er ,
.

H E C A TA E US o f M i l e t us l o g o graph e r . .

C H O E R I LU S o f At h e ns tragi c p oe t ,
.

P R A TI N A S o f t h e P el op o n n es us tr agi c p o et , .

F all o f M i l et us .

PH R Y N I C H US o f At h en s tr agi c p oe t ,
.

B attl e o f M ar at h o n .

PA N Y A S I S o f H al i car n ass us ep i c p o e t ,
.

A E SC H Y L U S o f At h e n s tragi c p o et 5 2 5 —4 5 6
, ,
.

EP I C H A R M U S o f C o s c o mi c p o e t
,
.

P I N DA R o f T h eb es c h o ral meli c p oe t
, .

B attl e o f S al ami s .

B attl e o f Pl at aea .

P A R M E N I DES o f El ea p h il os op he r an d p o et
, .

B A CC H Y L I D ES o f C eos c h o r al meli c po e t,
.

C H I O N I D ES o f A t h en s co mi c poet , .

M A G N ES o f At h en s c o mi c poet,
.

A N A X A GO RA S o f C l az o men ae ph il os oph er , .

S O P H O C L E S o f At h e n s tr ag i c p o e t 4 9 6 —4 0 5
, ,
.

P H R Y N I S o f Les b o s mus i c i an
,
.

G O R G I A S o f Leo n t i n i s o ph i s t an d r h et o ri c i an
,
.

C RA TES o f At h e n s co mi c po e t
, .

Z E N O o f E l ea p h i l o s o p h e r
. .

E M P E D O C L E S o f A gr i g e n t u m p o e t an d p h il os op h er ,
.

H E R O D O TUS o f H al i car n as s u s h i s t o ri an ,
.

P R O TA G O RA S o f Ab d era s o ph i s t an d g rammari an ,
.

C RA TI N US o f At h e n s c o mi c p o et ,
.

A N T I P H O N o f At h ens o rat o r ,
.

EU R I P I D ES o f At h en s tr ag i c p o et ,
.

M E L I SS US o f S amo s p h il o s o p h e r
. .
5 22 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K L ITE RATU R E

3 50 T H E O P O M P US of C h i o s , hi s tori an .

LY C U RG US of A t h en s o rat o r ,
.

3 49 A ES C H I N E S o f At h en s o rat o r ,
.

H Y P E R E I D E S o f A t h e n s o rat o r , .

3 44 A R I S TO T L E o f S t ag ei ra p h i l o so h er 3 8 4
p 3 22
, ,
—
.

3 43 D EM O S T H E N ES o f At h en s o r at o r 3 8 3 3 22 , ,
— .

338 B attl e of C h aer o n ea .

3 3 7 D I P H I L US o f S i n op e c o mi c p o e t
,
.

3 3 2 T H EO P H R A S TUS o f Les b os p h il o s op h er , .

3 3 1 F o un d at i o n o f Al ex an d ri a .

3 23 Deat h o f Al ex an d er .

3 20 P H I L E M O N o f S o l i co mi c poet ,
.

D E I N A R C H US o f C o r i n t h s p eech w r i ght , .

3 0 5 T I M A E U S o f T au ro me n i u m hi s t o ri an ,
.

3 0 2 EP I C U R US o f S amo s phi l o s o ph er ,

M E N A N D E R o f At h e n s co mi c p oet , .

3 00 D E M E T R I US o f P h al er um o rat o r ,
.

ZE N O o f C i t i u m p hi l os o ph er
, .

DO U R I S o f S amo s h i s t o r i an
,
.

29 1 C L EA N TH E S o f A s s o s phi l os op h er ,
.

29 0 H E G E S I A S o f M ag n es i a r h et o ri c i an ,
.

P H I L E TA S o f C o s el eg i ac p o et
,
.

A SC L EP I A D ES of S amo s mel i c p o et an d ep igrammati s t, .

2 8 0 ? I S Y LL U S o f Ep i d au ru s ch o ral meli c p o e t
,
.

L Y C O P H R O N o f C h al c i s ep i c an d tr ag i c p oet
, .

27 6 LE O N I DA S o f T ar en t u m ep igrammat i s t , .

27 5 T H EO C R I T US o f S yracus e b u col i c p o e t ,
.

270 C A LL I M A C H U S o f C yr e n e Al ex an d ri an ep i c an d el egi ac po et
, .

2 60 A R A TUS of S o l i w rit er of d i d act i c ep i c .

H E R O DA S o f C o s w ri t e r o f mi mes
,
.

23 6 ER A TO ST H E N E S o f C yr en e l i br ari an an d e n cy c l opaed i s t . .

23 4 E UP H O R I O N o f C h al c i s epi c p o et ,
.

222 R H I A N US o f C r e t e ep i c p o et
,
.

1 8 0 ? N I C A N D E R o f C o l o p h o n e p i c poe t , .

180 C R A T ES o f M all us H o mer i c c r i ti c

,
.

A R I S TA R C H US o f S amo t h race c ri ti c an d grammari an , .

170 P O L Y B I US o f M egal o po l i s h i s t o r i an , .

1 50 M O S C H U S o f S yr acus e b uco li c poet ,

.

B I O N o f S myr n a b uco l i c p o et
,
.
 C H R O N O LO G I C A L TA B LE 5 23

1 50 M EL EA GE R o f Gad ara, epi g rammati s t an d an t h ol o g i s t .

55 P H I LO D E M US G ad ar a, E pi c ur ean
of an d ep i grammat i s t .

40 D I O D O R US o f S i c i ly , h i s t o r i an .

20 S T RA B O of A mas i a h i s t o r i an an d g eo graph er
, .

8 D I O N Y S I US o f H al i car n as s us hi s t o r i an an d c r i t i c , .

A D . .

50 C R I N A GO R A S Mi tyl en e ep i grammati s t
of , .

77 J O S EP H US o f J er us al em hi s t o r i an ,
.

80 D I O C H R Y S O S TO M US o f Pr us a s o ph i s t an d l ec t ure r , .

90 P L U TA R C H o f C h aero n ea mo ral i s t an d bi o gr ap her , .

1 00 EP I C TE TUS o f P h ryg i a ph il o s oph er ,

.

13 0 A P P I A N o f A l ex an d ri a h i s t or ian ,
.

A RR I AN o f N i co me d i a hi s t o r i an ,
.

1 40 H E R O D ES A TT I C US o f At h e n s s op h i s t , .

I 50 PA US A N I A S o f Ly d i a t o pograp h e r .

16 1 M A R C US A U R EL I US e mpe ro r an d p h il o s op h er
, .

16 5 LUC I A N o f S amo s ata s o ph i s t an d s at i r i s t . .

169 A R I S TE I D ES o f M y s i a S o phi s t ,
.

180 O P P I A N of C i l i c i a w r i t e r o f d i d ac t i c ep i c
,
.

180 ? A L C 1P H R O N e i s t o l o ra h er an d s o h i s t
p ,g p p .

18 0 C A SS I US D 10 o f N i caea hi s t o ri an ,
.

2 10 P H I L O S TRA TUS o f At h ens s o p h i s t an d bi o gr ap h e r ,

.

220 A B L I A N o f Prae n es t e s o ph i s t 1 ,
.

225 ? A TH E N A EU S o f N au c r ati s gra mmari an an d w rit e r o n mi n o r an ti q

,

ui ti es .

2 2 5 P B A B RI US , fabl es i n c h o li amb i c s
w r i t er of .

2 44 P L O T I N US o f Ly c opoli s N eo Pl at o n i s t p hil os oph er ,

- .

2 50 ? D I O G E N E S LA E R T I US b i o r a h er
g p ,
.

3 30 S eat o f Emp ire r emo v e d t o B y z an t i um .

3 50 T H E M I S TI U S o f P ap h l ag o n i a s o phi s t and A r i s t o t el i an , co m
men tat o r .

3 54 L I B A N I Us of A n t i o ch . s o phi s t a n d ep i s o og ap h e t l r r .

3 55 H I M E RI US of P rus a , s o ph i s t .

l A e l i an w as an I tal i an w h o n e ve r so muc h as vi s i te d G re ece, th o ug h h e p re

rred to w ri te i n
fe Gr k h i aee s n e c d o te s o f t h e phi l o so ph e s , o f an i r ma ls ,
a nd o f th e

p rs o n s i mpo rtan t a n d
e ,
i ns i g n i fi c an t, w h o m h e g a th e r ed i n to h is o
/ H I sto t y

( Var i a H i stor i a ) . T h i s h as r
s u v i ve d ,
t o g e th e r w i th t h e t e a ti s er On . l n i ma /s
~
and a

nu mb e r of Letter s of d ub i o us a u th e n ti c i ty . I t is o nlv by c o n ve n t i o n th a t o n e in
l
e ud e s th e i r a u th o r s '
na me a mo ng th o s e w h o ha ve c o n t i b u te d r to G r k l i t rat ur
ee e e.
5 24 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F GR E E K L ITE RATU R E

J UL I A N o f C o n s tan ti no pl e empe ro r an d s o ph i s t
,
.

? Q U I N TUS o f S myr n a ep i c p oet

,
.

E UN A P I US o f S ard i s s o p hi s t an d b i o gr ap he r
,
.

PH E LI O D OR U S o f P h o en i c i a w ri t e r o f r o man c e
,
.

P N O N N Us e i c
, p po e t .

P RO C L U S o f Ly c i a p hi l os oph e r
,
.

? M US A E US e i c
, p po e t .

C l os i n g o f t h e s c hoo l s o f p h i l o s o p hy by J us t i n i an .

A G A T H I A S ep i grammati s t
,
.

PA UL US S I L EN TI A R I U S epi grammat i s t
,
.

? S T0B A EUS J O A N N E S o f S t o b i i n Mace d o n i a an t h o l o i s t

, g
l ec tor o f ex tracts .
5 26 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU R E

A myo t r
t an s ato l r of Pl utarc h 4 8 2. A N TI PH O N 17 5 , 18 0, 3 27 — 3 29 , 33 2 ;
A N AC REO N of Te o s 8 6 , 1 01 , 1 02 1 05 -
,
Tetr a l og i es 3 2 8 .

1 13 , 1 17 , 1 25 , 283 , 333 ; di a l t
ec 1 04 ; A N T I ST H E N ES 3 7 4 — 3 75 .

me ters 1 04 ; A n acr eon tea 104—105 . A n to n i n es A t ti c i s m und e r th e 47 8 ; th e i r

A n ac to r i a 1 00 . Ph i l -
He ll enis m 46 6 , 48 9 .

A n an i us 9 0 . A n to n i n u s P l us fo u n d a ti o n o f c h ai s r of

A N A X A GO RA S of C l azo menae 14 9 —15 0 , rh et ri o c by 48 9 .

A n to n i us D i o g e n es Th e Won d er s Be
A na xan d r i d e s
’
28 2 .
y on a Th ul e of 5 00 .

A N A X I M A N DE R 14 5 1 5 3 , . A n to n y M ar 4 5 6 k .

A N A X I M EN ES 14 5 . A NY T E o f T eg e a 44 8 .

A N A X I M E N ES f L amp s a us o c Rh etor i c to A n ytu s ac c u se o f S o c

, r rates 3 7 1 .

Al a d
ex a nri b d t 4 8
er sc e o 0 . ll
A p e es 4 3 8 4 4 1 , .

A N DO C I D ES 3 3 0— 3 3 2 , 3 60 ; On th e A p h e tae 1 5 8 .

My ster i es 3 3 1 ; O n th e P ea ce 3 3 1 ; On A ph i d n a 7 4 .

th e R et u r n 3 3 1 . A po ll o d o r us th e mu si c i an 1 19 .

A nd ro me d a r l i va
1 00 o f S ap p h o . A po llr b bl th
o d o us
’
f zo ec a o f 222 .

A n d ro n i c u s o f Rh o d es 3 9 7 . A PO LL O N I US o f R h o d es 41,
A N T H O LO G Y PA LA T I N E 1 05 24 0 4 1 8 , , , 4 17 . 4 19 . 4 22 4 26 -
. 43 5 . 4 6 6 . 4 67 ;
43 4 4 5 4 5 0; e p i gram o f A p ll o
2, -
o A rg on au tzca — 26
4 3 4
2 ; a tact k ed by
n i us i n 4 ; f C all i ma h u s o n A ratus
22 o c ll
C a i ma c h u s 4 1 8 ; e p i g am ag ai n s r t
4 6 ; ep i tap h o f Eu ri p i d s 1 3 6 ; p i g ram
2 e e ll
C a i mac h u s 4 2 2 ; L o ng i n u s o n 4 8 8 .

on Eri n n a 1 1 8 ; e p i g rams o f N i as ic A PO L LO NI
US o f Tyan a 4 9 9 —5 00 .

43 4 ; p i g ram o n t h e n i n l yri c p o e ts
e e AP P IA N 4 8 0 .

1 2 6 ; P l ato n i c e p i gra ms 3 9 3 ; p i gra m e A p u l i us 49 5

e .

on I b yc us 1 13 ; e p i t ap h of N o n n us A R A TUS of l
S o i 4 26 - 4 27 ; P h aen omen a
4 6 7 ; i mi ta i o n o f M u s ae u s 4 7 0
t .

l
A n fh ol ogy o f Ph i i p o f T h ess a o n i c a 4 5 7 l . A ratus th e p atri o t 4 6 4 .

A n th ol ogy o f Pl an u d es 44 5 . A r c h e l a us o f M a c d e o nia
52 , 13 5 , 13 6 ,

C arystus Won d er booh

'

A N T I G O N US of 1 7 6 , 2 3 9 , 2 40 , 2 6 9 , 4 14 .

45 6 . Arch i d a mu s o f S p arta 1 7 6 1 7 8 , ,
180 .

A n ti g o n u s of C arystu s th e ep i grammati s t A R C H I LO C H US 6 7 4 8 5 —8 8 2 , , , 97 , 1 03 ,

45 7 1 15 , 1 86, 446 ;
2 13 ,
2 29 , 27 1 , 3 07 ,

A n ti go n u s o fM ac e d o n i a p at ro n o f Aratus e p i gr am o f T h e o c i tus o n 4 3 5 ; L o n g i r
4 27 . n us o u 8 8 ; b e as t fab e s i n 8 8 ; mete s l r
N I
A T M AC H US of Co l oph o n 5 1 4 19 ;24 , ,
88 .

Ly d e of 5 2 4 16 , , 44 7 ; Th ebazs o f 5 1 ,
A rchytas of Ta r e n tu m 3 8 0 .

1 18 . Ar c ti n us 4 8 4 9 , .

A n ti men i d as b ro th r o f A l c aeus 9 6
e . r
A eo p ag u s c o u n c i o f 208 l .

A nt i o c h us of A l e xan d r i a 97 . A rgi n u s a e b att e o f 2 97 l .

A n ti o c h u s C o mmag e n e 4 5 6
of . r
A g o n au ts s ag a o f 1 2 1 .

A n ti o c h u s th e S e e u c i d 4 2 1 l . AR O I N o f L e sb o s 1 08 — 109 , , 13 6 , 186 ,

A nt i o c h u s o f S y i a 4 6 3 r . l t
1 8 7 ; d i a e c 1 09 ; H e o d o t us r o n 1 08 .

A T PA TE R o f S i d o n 4 0 4 4 9 ; e p i gr am A r i s taen e t us w i te o f
N I ,
r r ro man c e 4 1 7 .

r
o n E in na 1 1 8 ; on b yc u s 1 1 3 A r i s tago ras o f M i e tu s I . l 1 5 2 , 15 6 .

A N I I PA TER G ac c o - Ro man ep i g am A i s ta c h us 1 8 2 2 2 3
r r r r 2 5 , 26 ,
'‘
, , , 3 1 , 3 4, 39 ,
mati st 4 7 1 .

An t i pate r M ace d o n i an g en e ral 3 55 3 6 2 , , A r i s te i d es th e s tates man 28 7 , 3 26 .

365 . A R I ST E I D ES th e s o p h i s t 4 9 0 4 9 1 49 2 ;
-
,

A N r i P H A N Es 3 o 6 3 07 - 3 08 avo i d an c e o f Ro man mes b y 5 03 ;

'

, . na
 I N DE X 527

i mi tate d b y Li b an i u s 5 0 2 ; p u i s m r of 26 8 ,
2 69 ,
27 1 , 27 2 , 27 9 , 4 04 — 4 06 on
,

499 r
t ag e d y 19 1 ; P ol i t i cs 3 01 4 0 1 40 2
, , ,

AR I ST I P PUS 3 19, 375- 3 76 ; i n L uc ran 4 04 ; l t fzet om

’
2 23 . 3 27 . 3 9 7 40 6 4 5 3 .
. .

497 o n t he G o rg i a n i c man n er , 411

r l
A i sto b u u s th e h i s to i an 4 50 r . S oph i s t i c i E l en c /zt 3 9 8 Top i cs 3 9 8 ; as a
A r i s to ge i to n an d H armo d i us 1 14 , 18 1 , r
c i ti c 47 7 ; as a W i t n e ss to t h e
ge n ui n e
3 4 8 ; s c o i o n to 1 3 8 l . n es s o f P a to n i c d i a o ue s
g l
3 8 2 ; co m l
A r i s to me n e s th e M es s en i a n 4 2 2 .
pa t e d W i th Lo n g i n us 4 8 7 c o n t ri b u , ,

A r i s to n i c u s H o me i c s c h o i as t 2 5 r l . t i o ns to N atu r a H i s to
y 4 10 c i ti c o f l r r
A ri s to n o us P a ean o f 1 3 7 . th e P l at o nic Id e as
399 ; ec h o ed in
A R I STO P H A ES 1 7 0 2 3 8 N , ,
249 , 26 5 , 27 4 , p se u d o -
P l at o nic d ia l o
g ue s 3 8 2 ; o ss l
2 77 , 28 2, 28 3 —3 05 , 3 08 3 12 , , 4 28 ; of th e p o p u a l r wo rk s of 398 n ot a
A c h ar n i an s 2 66 27 1 , ,
28 3 — 2 8 4 , refo r m r 4 1 1 ; e on De mo c ri tu s 15 1 ; on
3 2 7 ; Aeol os i con 3 03 ; B aby l on i a /i s 2 8 3 , , Ed u c ati o n 4 02 ; o n Emp e d o c e s 1
49 ; l
2 8 5 ; B an queter s 2 8 3 2 8 7 ; B i r d s 2 9 2 , o n G o d 4 1 0 ; o n H e o d o tu s 1
54 ; o n r
29 4 ,3 04 ; Cl ou d s 205 2 5 1 , 2 7 7 2 8 3 , , , r
H i pp o c a tes 1 6 1 ; o n s ave y 4 0 2 ; o n l r
28 7 — 2 8 9 2 90 ; attac ,
o n S o c ates i n k r S te s i c h o r us 1 10 ; o n t he lif e o f s ecu
p
3 70 Cocal us 3 0 3 ; E ccl esi a z ous a e 3 00 l at i on
409 ; o n Oed i p us Ty r a n n us 405 ;
3 0 1 ; F r og s 19 3 , 196 , 2 14 , 2 17 , qu t o es Sa
p ph o 9 8 ; e mi n i s c e n c e s o f r
2 23 ,
23 9 , 26 1 ,2 6 9 , 2 7 4 , 27 7 ,
2 8 0 , 297 Pla t i n 4 0 1 ; s ty e 4 1 1 ; P a r aph r ases
o l
o f b y T h e mi s ti us 5 0 2
3 00 3 04 3 05 ; Gerytad es 2 6 9 ; K n i g h ts
, , .

2 7 6 27 9 2 8 0 2 8 2 2 8 3
, ,
2 8 6 —2 8 7 ; Ly s i s
, , , r l
A n o d M atth e w 2 3 7 ; ec h o es Pi n d a i n r
tr ata 2 94— 2 9 5; P ea ce 1 12, 27 7 , 28 1 , M er ope 1 23 ; F r ag men t of an A n t i g on e
28 9 , 2 9 1— 29 2 ; Pl utu s 28 3 , 3 0 2— 0
3 3 ; 2 22 ; i mi tate s M o s ch us i n Yhy r s / s 4 3 7 ;
P r o a go n 29 6 Th es nzop/zor i a z ou s ae 2 47 ,
Cel ti c L i ter atur e q u o te d 1 23 ; o n Pi n

2 4 8 , 2 6 9 , 2 7 7 , 2 9 5 — 2 97 T h eo c i tus I dy l 15 4 3 3
; on I by c us 1 1 3 ; d ar 1 23 ; on r .

t p s 1 0
9 2 77 2 8 7 2 8 9
—2 1
9, ; e fe A R R I A N 3 3
2 ,
4 7 8 —4 7 9 ,
r r , .

en c e to A es o p 4 7 3 d i a e c t 3 04 ; Ars mo e W i fe o f Pto e my 4 3 3 4 3 8
'
l l , .

ec h o e d b y H e r o d as 44 3 ; est i mate o f A taxe xe s 1 5 9 3 1 7 r r , .

l
b y P u ta c h 4 8 3 ; me t e s 3 04 ; o n A r e mi s te mp e o f a t Ep h e s us 1 06 1 47
r r t l , .

r
S o c ate s 1 6 6 ; o n th e S even ag a i n st A te mi s i a
r of C a ia r 1
54 , 3 50 .

Th ebes 1 9 6 ; p a o d y o f H e o d o t us 1 5 5 r r ,
A rt e mi s i u m
o f S te s rc h o ru s 1 1 2 . A s arh ad d o n of A ss y r a 73 i .

A i s to p h an e s o f B y an ti u m 2 5 3 4 3 1 1
r z , , ,
A SC L EP A D ES I of S amo s 1 18 , 446- 447 .

l
4 1 5 ; P ato n i c c an o n o f 3 8 2 . A sc l pu
e i s 13 6 ; te mp l e o f at C o s 16 2 .

I
A R STO T LE 1 7 1 1 8 2 2 49 3 03 , , , ,
As c ra 5 4 , 56 .

0
3 9 3 .
1 2 , 33
2
33 6 373 3 9 6 —4 1
1 45 1
. . . . .
A s i an i s m 17 2 , 45 1 , 454 45 5 , 4 7 4 , 47 6 ,
45 2 ,4 5 4 4 8 4 5 00 ; A n aly ti cs 3 9 8 ;
, , 4 8 4 ; D i o n y s H a l o n 4 90 ; i n A r i s . .

Categ or zes 3 9 8 Con s ti t ut i on of A th te i d e s 4 9 1 ; i n th e w i te rs o f i o n i an c e r

en s 403 4 3 8 s ty e o f 4 1 1 ; C on sti t u
, ,
l 50 1 ; i n H i me r i us 5 02 ; o pp o se d by
ti o n s 403 ; D e A n i ma 3 9 9 D e Cael o D i o n y s H al 4 8 8 . . .

3 99 ; E u d emi a n E th i cs 4 00 , 40 1 ; A s p zi S ta 18 1 .

N i coma ch ean E th i cs 3 97 , 4 00— 01 ;

4 A s so s 3 9 6 .

H i s tory f A n i ma l s 3 99 4 5 7 ; Letter s
o ,
A ss ua n H e ro d o tu s at 1
55 .

40 8 ; M ag n a M or al i a 4 0 1 ; [We/aphy s A t h e n ae u s 4 6 , D i n n er ( ” c ip
t cs 3 9 9 o n S o c ates 3 7 2 o n t h e P l a
,
r ,
n oso
ph zs ts ) of 3 06 ; o n S ap pho 99 ;
I
to n i c d e as 3 8 9 ; O rg a n on 3 9 8 ; P hys i cs co ll e c ti o n o f fr ag ti i i -ti ts of C o me d y 5 09
399 ; Po e ms 40 8 E eg y To l i n d en/ us , l Ath e n s c h ro n i c e s
i t/h i d es 40 3 c o n l of s ,

l
40 8 S c o i o n To Vi r tu e 1 3 8 40 8 ; P oet
, ,
s t i t u t i o n o f d e s c r i b e d b y A r i s to t e
4 03 ; l
i cs 1 8 7 19 2 19 4 2 23
,
2 26 , 2 7 , 26 2 ,
5 , , ,
l
d e ve o p s t h e d ra m a i 8 7 ; l ) i o i i vs us zi t
5 28 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATUR E

18 5 ; He ro d o tu s at 1 5 4 ; in flu e n ce on B ro w n i ng E Th e D ead P an 4 8 3 . .

H e ro d o tu s 1 6 0 ; in flu en ce on th e B ro w n i ng R
'
A r i stoph an es Apol ogy 9 ,
.

H o me ri c Po e ms 23 ; o pp o s e d to 1 8 9 , 2 1 7 2 3 3 23 9 : 2 5 6 2 6 7 2 8 7 ; A r te
, . , ,

Pe rs i a 1 56 ; l
p ag ue at 16 8 ; prai s e o f mi s P r ol og i z es 2 4 5 ; B al a usti on s A d
'

in Eur i p i d e s 26 7 p ra i s e f i n o I rat s
so c e v en t u r e 1 9 1 , 2 4 1 , 2 4 2 ; A B l ot i n the
'
3 41 ; p ai s e r of i n Pi n d a r 1 0 ; 2 p rai s e o f S c utch eon 2 1 3 ; P a u l i n e 206 ; ”f ar i ng
i n th e M en ex en u s 3 9 3 ; rh to r i c a t 1 6 6 ; e 25 7 .

s o p hi s ts at 1 6 6 . B rti tu s mi rati o n o f Po l yb i u s 4 66
ad .

A to mi s ts 1 4 8 1 5 0 3 79 , , . B u rn et o n Eu d e mu s o f Rh o d es 4 01 .

A to ss a 1 9 5 . B yro n 1 05 ; P r ometh e u s 1 9 8 .

l
A tta u s I 4 5 6 .

A tthi s p u pi o f S ap p h o 1 00 l . C A D M US of M i l e tus 15 2 .

A tti c i s m 4 5 5 4 6 3 4 7 7 4 7 4 4 7 8 4 8 4 4 8 6 ;
, . . . . . C ae c i l i us of C al ac te 4 8 7 ; A tt zc L ex i con
i n A pp i an 4 8 1 i n A r r i an 4 7 9 i n P l u , , o fl48 8 .

ta c h r 483 ; at S my rn a 49 0 ; i n ue n c e fl C ae s a r 17 8 , 3 11 .

of Ro me on 488 ; r l
i d i c u e d by L u c i an ll
Ga i a s so n o f H i pp o n i c u s 1 67 , 2 8 1 , 3 19 ,

44 2 .

Au re l i an e mp er r 4 8 6 o . I
C A LL M A C H U S 9 0 1 1 8 3 7 5 4 1 5 - 4 22 , , , .

A us o n i u s M os e/l a of 46 9 43 4 4 3 5 4 5 1 4 5 7 5 00 : Cam eo 4 1 6
"
.
. . . .

4 1 7 4 2 1 4 6 9 ; e e g i es 4 27 ; Epi g r a ms
, ,
l
; Hy mn s 4 1 7
B A B R I US 9 0 4 6 8 4 7 2 4 7 3 1 8 — 1 H ec a l e 1 — 20
4 9 4 9 4
-
, , .
4 ;
l
B ab y o n 1 5 4 1 5 6 , .
4 1 8 4 5 3 ; H ymn To A r temi s e c h o e d
,

Y I
B A C C H L DES 1 1 3 1 20 1 2 5 , , , 126 — 13 3 , by V erg i l thi s 4 1 7 4 2 2 ;
42 1 ; Th e ,

1 44 , 187, 2 09 , 2 29 , 292 , 362 ; [0 130 ; L och f o B er en i ce 4 1 7 ; d es c i b es t h e r

Th es eu s 13 0, 187 ; r l e at i o n to Pi n d ar P h aen omen a of A ratus 4 26 ; i mi tat d e

1 27 ; co mp are d w i th Pi n d ar 1 29 ; dia b y N o nn u s 4 6 7 ; q uarre l w i th A p o ll o

l ec t 1 3 2 ; d i th y a mb s 1 2 9 ; r me te rs 13 2 ; n i u s o f Rh o d e s 4 2 2 .

l
s ty e 1 3 2 ; L o ng i n us o n 48 8 . C A LL I N US 7 1 7 3 — 7 4 , .

B attl e o
f th e F r og s an d M i ce ( B atr ach C a l li s th en e s 4 5 0 .

o nzy o nza ch i a ) 68 . ll r
C a i st atu s
B attu s of r
C y e ne 156 4 1 5 , . C a mb ys es 1 5 5 1 5 6 , .

B ec h te l o n H o me 1 9 20 ; r ,
o ri g i n al I l i ad ll
'
C a mp b e L och i el s I/ Var n i ng 2 23 .

of37 . C a n n ae 4 6 4 .

B e ec h i n g r
t an s ati o n o f l A l c man 1 07 . C app s o n r eco gni ti o n o f C o med y b y th e
Be rard o n th e g eo g rap hy o f th e O dyss ey S tat e 2 7 6 .

33 . l l
C ar y e o n th e I l i ad 3 0 .

Be ren i ce w i fe of Pto l my 4 7 e 1 C arn ad e es 1 7 0 , 375 .

B e th e o n th e Ho m ri ga 5
e c sa 1 . C arrh ae 5 00 .

B IO N of S myrn a 2 13 ,43 8 . C ar th ag e 3 8 1 ; mu ti n y of me rc en ari es at

Bio n of B o rys th e nes C yn i c an d C yren ai c 46 5 ; s ac k o f 463 .

3 7 S~ C as s an d e 3 1 0 r .

B la ss o n A n t i s th e n e s 3 7 4 ; on M e n an d e r I
C A SS US D i o 4 8 0— 4 8 1 .

3 11 ; on th e rh yth ms o f D e mo s th e n e s r
C ath a s i s i n A i s to t e P oet i cs 404 r l .

C ato 1 7 0 .

B o c c ac c i o on th e p ag ue at F o r en c e 1 8 2 l l . C at u u s 200 2 5 1 4 3 7 ; Ep i th al a mi a o f
ll , ,

B o e o ti a r e p u tati o n o f 1 24 ; s aga o f i n 1 02 ; To Lesbi a 1 0 1 ; ec h o e s A p o o ll

Co r n na 1 19
i . n i u s o f Rh o d es 4 2 6 ; i mi tate s C a l i l
Bo i l a u n th
e o e U n i ti es 4 05 . mac h us 415 , 42 1 ; r e fr ai n in 43 2 ;
Bo r h ard t 3 3
c 1 . S ap p h i c mete r of 1 02 ; r
t an s ate s l
B ras i d as 175 . ll
C a i mac h us 4 1 7 , .
5 3 0 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LI TE RATU R E

C yc i c l ep i c s 4 0 , 4 5 ; Th eog on i a 4 6 ; A e 3 49 3 56 ;
,
P r i v ate Or at i on s 3 4 8 ;
th zopzs 4 8 , 2 1 8 , s o u c e o f Q i i mt u s o f r D i o n ys H al on.
47 7 ; e c h o ed .by
S my rn a 46 7 ; Cypr i a 46 , 4 8 , D e i n ar c h us 3 6 6 ; mo d e l of A tti c i s ts
2 09 , 2 6 6 ; L i ttl e I l i a d 49 1 ; r h yth ms
47 , 49 ,
2 18 , 23 1 ; Oed i p o d ea 22 1 , Re D e mo s th e n e s th e g e n e ra 2 8 6 l .

t u r n s 49 — 5 0 , 20 1 ; Ta hi ng o
f Oec h a l i a D e Q u mc ey E s say on S ty l e 3 44 ; , on th e

47 , 2 2 8 Th eba i s 4 6 , 2 09 2 2 1 S ach of ,
I l i ad 3 0 ; q
u o te d 1 7 8 .

11105 4 9 ; s c 0 i ii o f C a i mac h us fo r 4 2 1 ; ll D e s ti n y i n A e s ch vl t i s 2 1 1 .

Fr ag me n ts o f 4 5 — 5 2 ; Tel eg on i a 5 0 . k
D i as e u as ts th e 2 4 .

C yme 1 7 5 4 ,
. D i d ymu s H o me ri c s c h o i as t 2 5 l .

C yn ae th u s 1 6 , 1 8 24 6 6 , , . D i e u c h i d as o f M e g a r a 2 3 .

C yn i c s th e 3 7 4 3 7 6 , . D i gamma th e 1 8 ; i n th e cyc i c l e
pi c s 5 1 ;
r
C yn o s a g es th e 3 7 4 . i n th e H omer i c Hy mn s 6 5 .

r
C y e n ai c s th e 3 7 5 3 77 , . D 10 o f Pr us a 2 3 2 2 5 5 4 8 0 4 9 1— 4 9 2 ; , , ,

C yre n e 1 5 6 c o mp a e d w i th L u c i a n
r
.
4 9 9 ; Ep i c tetu s
r
C y u s th e G e at 1 5 5 3 2 2 r , . o n s ty e o f l
4 9 2 ; E uboe an Ta l e o f 4 9 2 .

r
C y us th e Y o u n ge 1 6 0 3 1 7 3 20 r , , . r
D I O o f S y ac u se 3 8 0 , 3 8 1 ; P ato ’s ep i l
gram o u 3 9 4 .

Dae mo n s i n Pl u tarc h 4 8 3 . l
D i o c es f i e n d o f r M el eage r 44 9 .

D a mas c i u s N eo - Pl ato n i s t 4 1 2 5 0 8 , . D I O D O R US o f S i c i y 3 2 1 4 7 4 l , .

D an te 4 0 6 ; E ar th ly P ar ad i s e o f 3 90 ; D i o d o r us s o n o f X e n o p h o n 3 1 8 .

I nf er n o 2 07 ,
2 1 9 , 25 2, o n r
A i s to t l e 4 09 . I N
D O G E ES L A E RT I US 3 7 7 4 8 4 4 8 5 ,
-
;
D ap h n i s e g e n d l
i n S te S i c h o r u s 1 1 1 . qu t d o e 1 49 ; qu o te s A r i s to t e s l '
wi ll 3 97 .

D ar i us s o n o f H ys tas p e s 1 1 9 1 5 6 1 9 5 , , . D i og e n es o f S i no pe 3 7 4 .

Dec e l ei a 1 7 7 . D i o n ys i a C i ty o r G re at 1 8 7 2 7 6 , .

D efo e o n th e B ac D eath 1 8 2 l k . D I O N Y S I US o f H al i c ar n ass us 1 0 1 , 17 7 ,

D EI N A RC H US 3 6 6 . 1 8 1 . 1 8 2.
3 3 4 3 40 3 5 0 3 7 4 4 7 4
332 . . . , .

l
D e i u m b att e at 2 5 2 l . 4 7 7 , 47 8 4 8 7 4 8 9 ; E ar ly H i s tory of
, ,

l
D e p hi atti tu d e to Pers i a 1 1 9 ; re s po n s e H o me 4 7 4 ; F i r s t Letter to A mmaeu s
c o n c er n i n g S o c rates 3 6 9 ; g ames at r
47 5 ; o n A i s to t e 3 9 6 ; L etter to P o m l
1 21 ; T r e as u ry at 1 3 7 ; Hy mn s fo u n d pezus 3 9 3 47 6 , ; O n l s aeu s 3 3 7 , 3 3 8 ; O n
at 1 3 7 .
Ly s i as 3 3 6 ; On th e A n ci en t Or ator s
D e me ter at El e u s i s 1 9 3 . 6 —
4 7 47 7 ; On th e A r r ang emen t f
o

D EM ETR I US o f Ph al e ru m 3 09 4 5 4 4 8 6
’
, , . l Vor as
/
47 5 4 7 6 ;
4 07 , On th e 4 66 ,
—

D EM ET R I US 01: S ty l e 3 9 3 4 07 4 08 4 8 6 , , , . E l oq u en c e of D emos th en es 3 5 5 On ,

D e me t r i us Po li o rc etes 3 1 0 . Th u cy d i d es 47 6 ; o n A tt i c i s m 4 8 8 ; o n
D e mo c ri t us 1 5 0 d i al e c t 1 5 1 ; D e i n ar c h u s 3 6 6 ; o n D e mo c i tus 1 5 1 ; r
i r
gn o e d b y P ato 3 7 9 ; l l aug ht r e of 499 . on H ero d o tu s 160 ; on T h e o po mp us
D e mo d o c u s o f L e o s 8 0 r .
3 24 ; q
u o tes S ap p h o 1 0 1 .

D EM o STH EN ES 1 3 3 2 1 6 3 3 7 3 40 , , , , 3 43 , D i o nys i us of Si ci y I3 34 l ,

3 47 — 3 5 7 3 5 8 3 5 9 3 6 3 3 9 7 407 . . . . . . 47 5 ; D i o nys i us I I o f S i c i l y 3 8 1 .

Ag Aph obu s 3 47 ; Ag L ep ti n es
. .
348 ; D i o nys u s 1 8 7 1 8 8 ; i n T h rac e, 11 ; th e
Ag M ei d i a s 3 5 2 ; F i r st P h i l i pp i c
.
351 ; g o d c f C o me d y 2 7 1 ; th e g o d o f
S econ d P h i l i pp i c 3 5 2 ; Th i r d Ph i l i pp i c r
T ag e d y 1 8 5 1 8 6 ; i n th e F r og s 1 9 6 ;
,

3 5 3 ; F ou r th P h i l ippi c 3 5 3 ; F or th e i n th e I l i a d an d Odyss ey 1 8 5 ; th eate r

M eg al opo l i tans 3 49 ; F or th e Rh od i an s of 3 44 .

3 5 0 ; Oly n th i a cs 3 5 2 ; O n th e Ch er s o D t0 p e i th e s 3 09 .

n es e 3 5 3 ; On th e Cr ow n 3 09 3 5 4 3 5 6 , , , r
D i o s c o i d es 1 8 7 .

On t h e F a l se E mbas sy 3 5 3 ; Di osc ur i t h
e 1 06 ; re s c u e S i mo n i d e s 1 14 .

On th e P ea c e 3 5 2 ; On th e Sy mmor i es D I P H I LUS 97 3 08 ; o n S app h o 9 7

, .
 I N DE X S3 I

D i th yra mb th e 1 09 , 1 8 6 , 187 ; in A is r D i o 4 9 2 ; E n c h i r i d i on 47 9 ; L ectu r es

t o t le 404 ; P oeti
i te a y 1 09 ; o f cs l rr an d D i s co u r s es 47 9 ; co mp are d w i th
r
A i o n 1 08 ; o f B a c c h y i d e s 1 29 , 1 3 2 ; l M ar c u s A u e i us 49 3 r l .

o f Pi nd a 1 24 , r
o f P raxi l la 1 1 8 ; of EP I C U RUS 3 09 , 377 , 45 1 , 45 2 , 46 4 ;
S i mo n i d es 1 15 .
p ra i ed b y Lu
s c i an 497 .

D o mi ti an b an i s h es D i o 49 1 ; b an i s h es Ep i d a ur us 1 3 6 .

th e p h i l o s o p h e i s 47 9 . Ep i g rams H o me i c r 69 ; r i pt o n l
i nsc i a

D o ri a n s c ail m to S i mo ni d es 1 1 5
C o me d y e 27 2 ; d ia l ec t 450 ; of , A l xan d ri a n
i n t agi c c h o us esr 18 8 ; p o s i i o n o f 4 4
— 0
5 45 r ; G r ae c o -
Ro ni a n 47 1 —
47 2 t .

w o me n amo n g 99
g en i u s o f 3 8 6
1 06 ; c ent i p e a Ep i n i c i a o f B ac c h y i d es 1 2 7 o f Pi n d a
, r t l l ,
r
1 2 0 1 2 1 ; o f S i mo n i d e s 1 1 5 1 1 6
.
, , .

D orp fe l d d ate o f T o y 1 4 ; o n th e h o me Ep o s A e o i c 1 8 1 9 ; d i d ac ti c 5 3 ; h e o i c
r l , r
o f O d yss e us 3 1 ; th e o y o f th e s tage 53 ; P E R A 9 —1 2 r I I N .

ER A I O ST H EN ES 3 7 5 4 1 5 4 2 2 4 5 1
’ ‘
19 1 . , , , .

D O S I A D A S o f C ete 4 4 7 r
Ere s u s b i r th p ac e o f S app h o 97 . l .

DO U R S o f S amo s 4 5 0I ER A o f Te o s 1 1 8 ; e p i g ams o f
. INN l r
l r
D o y e t an s ati o n o f Pi n d a 1 2 3 l 44 8 r . .

D ama T h e B eg i n n i n g s o f th e 18 5 —1 9 3 ; E r oti c F r ag men t T h e 4 4 3 —444

r .

r l
i n A i s to t e P oet i cs 404 ; A e xan d i an Etn a d eath o f Emp e d o c e s o n 1 49 ; l r l
G —Ro man r r
444 ; a c c o 47 3 ; S aty i c 1 8 9 fo un d ati o n o f th e c i ty 1 97 . .

D u mmo n d W i i am th e N eo —P ato n i s t Eub u u s 3 49 3 5 1 3 5 8 3 6 4

r ll l l , , , .

an d p o et 5 07 Eu c l e i d e s th e a c h o n 3 3 3
. r .

D ryd e n 4 7 5 . EUC L E i D Es o f M eg a ra 3 7 4 3 8 0 , .

r
Dye Lo ui s o n th e uesti o n o f th e G ee q
Eu c i d th e g e o me te 4 1 4 r k l r .

s tag e 1 9 1 . Eu d e mu s o f Rh o d es 4 0 1 .

E u d o x us 4 2 6 4 5 1 ,
.

rl
Ea e B i sh o p 4 5 2 Eug a mmo n o f C y e ne 5 0 3 7 5
. r , .

Ei o n h a b o to w n o f A mp hi p o i s 1 7 6
r r EU M ELUS o f C o i n th 105 l . r .

El ate a o c c u p ati o n o f 3 6 1
. EUN A P I US o f S a d i s 4 8 6 5 01 ; L i ves o f
. r ,

l
E e ati c s c h oo o f p h i o so p hy 1 46 1 47 l
5 0 1 ; o n I a mb li c h us 5 0 8 l , , .

17 1 . EU P H O R O 4 21 4 07 I N , , .

l r r
E egy c h a acte i s ti c s o f 7 3 ; d e i vati o n EU PO L I S 2 8 0 28 1- 28 3 2 8 4 2 8 8 3 27 r , , , ,

l
7 1 ; d i a e c t 7 2 ; mete 7 1 ; o f S i mo n i r l l/ a r i cas 28 9 ; P ar a s i tes 29 2 .

d es 1 1 4 ; A e xan d ri an fo u n d e d b y l I I
EU R P D ES 1 01 , 170, 195 , 2 13 ,

Ph i l e tas 4 1 4 ; s e n te n t i o u s 8 1 ; A e xan l 23 1 , 23 3 , 23 7 , 23 8 — 27 0 . 28 4 ,

l
d i an e e g i sts 7 6 ; Ro man e eg i s ts 7 6
r l . 28 5 , 289 , 29 1 , 29 5 ,
301 , 3 12 ; A l ces ti s
EL EG AND Y A M B C 7 1- 9 2 I I . 24 0- 2 4 2 ; A n d w mac h e 25 0 ; An d r ow
E l e us i s 1 9 3 . ed a 247 , 24 8 , 29 6 ;
-
l n t 1g o n e 26 6 ;
Eme rso n on P l at o 391 ; on P l utar ch B a cch a e 1 1 , 18 6 ,
2 5 0 , 25 2 , 2 6 1 , 2 6 2—26 ,
4
48 2 . i mi tate d b y N o n n u s 4 67 ; Cy cl ops 260

EM PE DO C LFS o f A g ri g en tu m 14 8 —14 9 , 2 6 1 ; D a ug h ter s

of P el i as 23 9 : E l ectr a
2 5 5 —2 5 6 Ei ec h t h c u s
2 05 , 2 24 , ; 3 65 ;
En g e b l r ec h t o n th e s c o i o n 1 3 7 l . H ecu ba 25 1- 2 5 2 , 2 6 6 ; H e l en 1 1 1 , 2 20 ,

Eph e s us te mp l e of A te mi s
r a t 1 47 . 24 7 - 2 4 8 ,
26 1 , 6;
29 H e r a cl e i d a e 250 ;
Ep h i a tes 2 0 8 l . H i ppolyt u s 24 4 - 24 6 , 3 00 ; H i ppo ly tu s
EP H O R US 3 2 1 3 24 3 25 , , , Vei l ed 244 ; ton 25 0 , 25 4—2 5 5 , 44 0 ;
EP I C H A R M US 1 20 27 2— 27 4 , . Iph i g en e i a mong the
a T aur i a n s 25 0,

r
Ep i c at e s o n th e s t ud i e s o f t he A c ad emy 2 5 6 —2 5 7 : Iph i g en e i a a t A ul i s 2 6 0 , 26 1

4 02 . 26 2 , 26 7 ,
111 ml H er a cl es 2 29 ,
2
50 ,

Ep i c te t u s 4 1 2 4 5 3 th e st
yl of xl ti 'd m 2 4 2—2 26 8 O r es tes
-
, , 47 9 ; on e 2
53 2
54 ; 13 , ;
53 2 SH O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RAT U R E

2 4 8 - 24 9 , 25 0 , 26 1, 28
5 ; Ph oen i ci a n Gymn o p aed i a S p a tan festi va r l 1 06 .

Wo men , 25 8 ; R h es u s S upp l i Gyr i nn a p up i o f S ap p h o 1 00 l .

an ts 25 2 ; Tel eph us 26 6 , 2 8 5 ; Tr oj a n
Women 37 ,
2 4 6 —2 47 ,
250 , 25 1 ; ac H ad r i an 3 05 44 5 4 66 ; A tti c i s m u n d e r
, ,

q ua i n tan c e w i th T i mo th e u s 47 8 l
p h i H e en i s m o f 4 8 9
-
ll .

e p i tap h of i n A n th ol ogy 13 6 , 1 7 6 ; fr . l
H a i c arn as s us 1 5 4 ; d i a ec t o f 1 6 1 l .

t r an s ate d l 1 50 ; i n th e F r og s 1 9 6 , 29 8 ll
H a B i sho p 45 2 .

29 9 ; mo n o d i es of 444 ; on A ta la n ta H ar mo d i us an d A r i s to g ei to n 1 1 4 1 8 1 , ,

1 28 ; p o p u a i ty l r of 47 3 ; Eu r i p i d o ma 3 48 ; s co li on to 1 3 8 .

nia 24 8 26 7
, . H arp a lu s 3 55 3 6 2 ; th e
, affai r of D ei n
Eus tath i u s 28 . ar c h u s o n 3 66 .

Euth yd e mus i n P l ato E uthyd e mus 17 3 . H EC A TA EUS of M i l etus 1 5 2— 15 3 , 1 57 ,

E ux i n e t h e 1 55 . 1 59 .

Evan s A .
J . in C rete 2 1 . l
H eg e A es th eti cs 2 2 3 .

H EG ES I A S o f M ag n e s i a 4 5 5 4 8 6 4 8 8 , , .

Fayo um th e 15 8 . H e ges i a s w ri ter o f cyc i c ep i c 4 7 l .

Fi c k on H o me r 16 , th eo ry o f A e o i c ep o s l l
H e i d e b e rg Pa ati n e Li b rary at 44 5 l , .

18 , 19 ; on H esi o d 5 5 . H EL I O D O R US o f Ph o en i c i a w ri te r of

F l ami ni u s 46 3 . ro man c e 5 00 .

F o lk ng s 1 3 8
-
so . H E LL A N I C US of L e sb o s 1 5 3 4 5 4 , 15 7 ,

Fr nto 4 8 0
o . I 59 , 4 03
Fu rt w angl er M as tei yi eces 3 1 3 . r l
H e ac e i d ae D o i an d yn as y 7 4 r t .

H e r ac l e i d e s th e A c ad e mi c i an 4 5 1 .

Ga ll us fri en d o f r l
V e g i 42 1 . H E R A C L EI T US of Eph e s u s 10, 59 ,
1 17 ,

G e mo ll 66 . 14 6 ,
1 47 . 162.3 70 3 7 6 3 7 9 49 8 . . . .

G e man i c u s 47 1 ;
r r
t an s a o l t r of A ratus H erac l e i t us r r
o f H a i c a n as s u s f i e n d
of l
4 27 . ll
C a i mac h us 4 1 9 .

G i b b o n 3 43 ; on l
S i mp i c i us 4 1 2 ; o n th e l
H erac e s i n B ac c h y i d es 1 2 8 ; i n C o med y l
I l i ad 3 0 . 27 3 ; a D o ri an h e r o 4 7 ; s ag a o f i n

G n o me th e i n G r ek l i teratur
e e 81 . I b yc us 112 ; i n S tes i c h o r u s 1 1 1 .

G o e th e 1 05 , 2 47 ,
26 2 ; Ip h i g en i e au f r r
H e b ert G e o g e Th e A l tar o f 44 7 ,
.

Ta ur i s 25 7 ; co mp are d w i th A l cman r l
H e c u an e u m f r ag o f Ep i c ur u s d i s c ov .

1 07 . e re d at 3 7 7 .

G o mp e r z onD e mo sth e n es 3 5 6 ; o n th e H ereas o f M eg ara 2 3 .

H i pp o c rati c c orp u s 1 6 3 ; o n th e M en H erfo rd B mi mes o f 44 2 . .

ex en us
3 9 3 ; fr o f H eca te p ub l i s h ed . H er mae mu ti ati o n o f 1 8 1 3 3 0 l , .

b y 4 20 . H e r man n G H o meri c t h eo ry o f 27
, . .

G O RG I A S of L e o n ti n i 1 00 , 1 6 1 , 16 9 — 1 7 2 ,
H er me i as o f A tar n e us 3 9 6 40 8 , .

1 7 5 . 1 8 3 , 23 6 . 2 6 9 . 2 8 7 , 3 27 334 3 36 . .
, H ER O DA S 8 1 9 0 2 5 5 4 3 8 —4 4 3
, , , ,

33 8 3 4 3 3 64 3 7 4
. . . . 3 87 . 4 5 5 4 56 490 : . .
d ia l ect 44 3 ; mete 4 3 9 ; s ty r l e

F u n er a l Or ati on H el en 1 7 1 , 44 2 ; p a rall els w i th T h e o c r i tus 44 3 .

3 4 1 ; P a l a meaes 1 7 1
’
. H ERO DES A TT I C US 4 9 0 .

G o r g o r i va o f S a p p h o l 1 00 . H e r o d i an u s H o meri s c h o l i ast 2 5 c .

G o ss e E ng l i sh Od es 1 2 5 . H E R O D O T US 4 7 6 1 , ,
111, 1 44 , 153 , 15 4
r
G ay Pi n d a i c O d e s 1 25 ; P r og r ess r f
o 16 1 1 7 0 1 7 5 17 8
, , , ,
17 9 , 18 1 , 189, 22 1 ,

P oesy 1 9 0 ; Vi c i ss i tu d e 3 1 3 . 2 28 . 2 47 3 0 1 4 03 4 5 0 4 7 5 4 9 8 : c o m
. . . . .

G ro ss mi th mi mes o f 44 2. p a edr w i th T h u c yd i d e s 1 77 ; d i a e c t l
G ro te o n th e s o p h i ts 1 7 3 s . 1 6 1 ; D i o nys H al o n 47 6 ; i mi tate d . .

G ryll u s s o n o f X e n o p h o n 3 1 8 . b y A rr i an 4 7 9 ; i n ue n c e o n A r i s to t e fl l
Gyg e s 8 5 , .
4 04 ; o n A i o n 1 08 ; o n c o mmu ni ty o f
r
53 4 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATURE

I on i an s c en t ri fugal te mperamen t of La B ruyere i mi tati o n of Th eo p h ras tus

3 85 .
453 .

I r land l ac k o f p as to ral p o etry i n 43 6

e . Lac h mann H o me r 27 on .

I S A EUS 3 3 7 —3 3 8 ; te ac h e r o f D m e os La mac h u s i n A ri s to p h an es 2 8 4 , 28 5 .

th e n es 3 5 6 . L amb C h ar es o n Th e D u ch ess l of M al/i

I SO C RAT ES 1 6 6 ,
17 2, 3 24 , 3 3 0, 3 3 8 —3 4 4 , 2 49 .

3 54 355, , 356 . 36 1. 3 8 7 . 47 5 48 8 ; .
L ami an W ar 362 .

E v ag or a s 341 17 1 , ,
l
p ag i a i e d by rz L amp s ac us A n ax ag o ras at 1 49 .

H yp e re i d es 3 6 4 ; Ag . th e s oph i s ts 3 4 2 ; L an d o r Ag a memn on a nd Iphig en ei a

A n ti d os i s 3 4 2 ; B u s i i i s
341 ; P an ath e 26 2 .

n u i on s 3 4 1 ; P an egyr i c us 3 3 9 ; P r a i s e Lang A t . ran sl ati o n of A n ti p ate r q uo te d

o f rl
H el en 3 4 1 ; e ati o n s W i th P ato 3 8 8 ; l 1 18 .

r
A i s to t l e on 4 07 ; D i o n ys . H al . on L ar i c h us b ro th er o f S app h o 99 .

47 6 ; d eb t o f A i s to t e to 4 1 1 ; i n r l flu n e ce r
La i s sa 16 2 .

l
o f s ty e o n Lyc u g u s 3 66 ; s ty r l 3 43 ;
e Las u s of H er mi o n e 1 03 ,
1 15 , 1 19 .

r
te ac h e o f A i s to t e 3 9 6 r l . Le a f o n t h e I l i a d 27 , 30 .

I s th mus of C o r i n th g ames at 1 2 1 . L ec o n te d e L i s l e 1 05 .

I S Y L LUS o f Ep i d au u s 1 3 6 ; P aean to r L e fe b r
d i s c o ve y o f
e r n ew fr ag men t of

Apol l o 136 . M e n an d e b y 3 1 1 r .

I t h ac a i d e n ti fi ed by D o rp fe l d w i th L en ae a th e 18 7 .

Le u c as 3 1 . Le o n i d as o f S p a a 1 1 4 rt .

I th o me w o s h i p r of Zeus at 1 05 . L EO NI
D AS o f T a en tu m 4 3 0 4 4 7 r , , 47 1 ;
th e i mi ato s o f 4 7 2
t r .

J as on of Trall es 6 4 2 . Leo s th e n es th e g en e a 3 6 2 r l .

je b b o n Eu ri p i d es 55 2 ,
267 . r
L e os 8 0 .

jo b B o o k o f 1 9 8 . Le sb o s p o s i ti o n o f w o me n o n 1 00 ; A e o
jo n s o n B e n 47 1 , 4 7 2 ; P oeta s ter 3 07 . l i c 94 ; c o n d i ti o n s i n S i x th c en u y 9 9 t r .

J O S E PH US 4 7 8 . Le s c h e s 5 0 .

J u b rt q u t d 3
o e o e 1 2 . r
Less i n g o n A i s to t e 4 06 ; o n th e U n i ti es l
l o w tt r p ut ti n a
e e a o s a te ac h e r 339 .
4 05 .

I ul a D m a mp r
_
i o n e es s 499 . L e u c as 9 8 ; Le u c ad i an l eap 1 1 1 ; i d e n
jUL I A N mp r r e e o 5 03 — 5 04 5 1 0 ; ,
t i fi e d b y D o rp fe ld as t h e h o me o f
Ca es ar s 5 04 ; Hy mn s 5 0 3 ; Letter s 5 03 ; O d yss e u s 3 1 .

M i s opog on 5 04 ; On i Won ar c /iy 5 03 ; L eu c i p p u s th e A to mi s t i g no e d b y P ato r l

mo u n e d b y Li b an i u s 5 02 ; o n B ac c h yl i
r 379
d es 1 26 ; on A l c ae u s 96 ; P l at o ni c r
L e uc t a b a tt e o f 4 5 0 l .

v o c ab u a l ry
5 04 ; s ty e 5 03 ; L etter s to l L I B A N I US 5 02— 5 03 ; Or ati on s 5 02 ; L et
I a mb l i c h u s n o t g e n u i n e 5 08 . ter s 5 02 .

jus ti n i an 3 8 1 4 6 2 47 1 ; e d i c t agai n st , , L i b ya Pe rs i an i n vas i o n o f 1 56 .

l
p h i o s o p h e s 4 1 2 ; c o s es th e A c a d e my
r l L I N US 10 L i n us- S ong 13 8 .

50 8 . Li vy fo ll
Po yb i u s 4 66
ow s l .

J uv ena l on fa l seh oo d of G reek hi sto ri ans L l yw arc h H e n u o te d 7 7 q .

49 8 Lo g o g ra p h e i s 15 2—1 5 4 ,
177 .

LO N G I N US (o r au th o r o f On th e S ubl i me )
Kab b ad i as 1 3 6 . 61 , 10 1 , 2 18 ,
25 4 , 4 8 6 —4 8 8 ;
K ai b e l o n i n fl u e n c e of He r o d o t us on on A rc h l i o c h us 88 ; on B ac c h y i d e s l
l
s ty e o f r
A i s to t l e 4 04 . an d Pi nd a r 1 29 ; on H yp e r e id e s an d

K i r c hh o ff o n H e r o d o t us 1 57 ; on H es i o d D e mo s t h e nes 3 6 3 ; on P l at o 393 ; on

62 ; Ody ss ey on t he I l i a d 30 ; on T i mae u s th e h i s to
K o ec h l y o n Ody s sey 3 7 . r an 45 1 q uo tes S ap p h o
i 101 .
 I N DE X 53 5

LO N G US w ri t r e of ro man ce 5 01 D aph Lyc u g usr of Th rac e 1 8 6 , 26 2 , l e ge n d o f

ms Chl oe 5 0 1
an d . 2 10 .

Y rr
LO U S P i e e Les Ch an s on s d e B i l i ti s , Lyg d a mi s o f H a i c a n ass us l r 1 54 .

1 00 . l
Ly i i c e us e g en d o f 4 8 1 9 4 ,
.

Lu c a n co mp are d W i th A l c man 1 07 ; on Lys a n d e r 2 67 .

He ro an d L e an d e r 4 6 9 . Lvs ms 3 3 2—3 3 7 3 3 8 , ,

LUC IAN 26 6 , 49 2 , 4 9 3 —4 9 9 , 3 6 4 3 9 3 4 5 5 ; Ag E r atos th en es 3 3 5 ;

, , .

5 08 ; A l ex an d er 49 7 A n a c h ar s i s 4 9 6 ; Ep i taph i us 3 3 4 ; E r oti c a s 3 3 3 ; Letter s

Apol ogy 4 94 ; The D ep en d en t S ch ol ar 334 ; Oly mpi a c us 3 3 4 ; D i o nys H a l . .

4 9 4 ; D i al og ues of Cou r tesa n s 4 9 6 ; on 47 6 ; mo d e l of hyp e -A i c i s ts r tt

D i a l og ue s of th e D ea d 49 6 ; D i a l og u es 488 .

o th e God s 4 9 6 ; D i a l og u es of th e S ea
f Lys i mac h us o f T h ace 24 8 r .

Go d s 49 6 ; Th e D i s i n /i er i ted 4 9 5 ; Th e
D oubl e I n d i ctmen t 4 94 ; o n Pi n d ar i n M ac au l ay 26 2 ; Th e A r mad a 202 ; on

Th e D r ea m 1 27 ; o n A tti c i s m i n Gu i d e r l
V e gi 43 0 .

to Rh et or i c 4 8 9 ; H er mot i mus 4 9 6 ; M ac e d o n i a Pe rs i an c o n q u es t o f 1 5 6 .

H ow to w r i te H i story 24 8 497 ; Lex i , M ac h i ave ll i p a rap h rase o f Th e A ss b y

ph an es 49 8 ; on A tti c i s m i n L ex i ph an es 49 5
48 9 ; on Lyc o p h ro n an d Do s i ad as M ac ro b i us 49 .

i n Lex i ph an es 44 7 N i g r i n us 49 5 , M ae te rl i n c k 23 3 .

co mpar i s o n o f Ro me A th e n s 49 4 ;
an d M A G N ES 27 6 .

P er eg r i n us 4 9 7 ; P h a l ar i s 4 9 5 ; P or M ag n e s i a 8 5 .

tr a i t S t u dy 49 5 ; P r a i s e F ly 4 9 5 ; o
f a M ah abh ar ata th e 27 .

P r ai se of D e mos th en es 4 7 M a n ti n e a
3 ; S a l e of
Cr eed s 4 9 7 ; S w an s a n d A mber 4 9 5 ; M an z o n i o n th e p l ag ue at M i l an 182 .

Ti mon 3 03 ; s ati ri z es H o me r i c r
t ad i M arath o n 1 1 9 1 5 4 1 9 3 , , , to w n
ti o n i n Tr u e H i s t ory 47 ; Tr ue S tory of 1 87 .

49 8 5 00 ; ,
e us Z
th e Tr ag ed i a n 2 6 5 ; M arc e ll i n u s th e b i ograp h er 1 7 6 .

atti tu d e to C h i s ti an s 4 9 7 ; e p i g a ms r r M arc e ll us 47 1 .

as s i g n e d to 4 7 1 ; o n H o me r4 2 ; s ty e l M A RC US A U REL i us 4 6 6 4 7 9 4 9 2—4 9 3 , , ,

4 99 ; P seu d o - L u c i an : Th e H a l cyon J u h an s mo d e l 5 03 ; p rai s e

49 5 ; Lu ci us o r Th e A ss 49 5 ; Ph i l o of in jul i an 5 04 .

p atr i s 4 9 7 . M arg i tes 6 9 2 7 1 , .

L uc i us of Pat rae 4 9 5 . M ar i e tte 106 .

L u c i us V ru s 49 4
49 7e , . M ari n us the d i sc i pl e o f Pro c l us 5 08 .

r
L uc e ti us 20 2 ; e c h o e s T h u c yd i d es 18 2 ; M arl o w e 4 6 8 ; H er o a n d Lea n d er 4 6 9 .

o n Emp e d o c e s 1 4 8 l . M arsyas 7 1 .

L u to s l aw k i s on r
ch o no o g y l of Pl at o n ic M arti al 9 8 ; Ep i g r a ms 4 1 9 ; e p i g ra m on

dia l o g ues 3 8 3 ; s ty o me t y 3 8 3 ; o n l r ll
C a i mac h us 4 16 ; o n H e ro and L ea n
P l at o nic Id e as 3 8 9 . d e r 4 69 o n P h ao n 9 8
, .

Lyc amb es rz
s ati i e d b y A c h i o c h u s 8 7 r l ,
M ar ve ll q uo te d 4 3 0 .

89 . M ai t s o l i i s o f C a r i a 3 5 0 .

Lyc e u m th e 4 5 1 ; fo un d e d 3 97 ; s tu d i e s M ax i mus t h e fo urth c e n tury th e u g i s t r

o f 4 02 .
508 .

L Y C O PI I RU N 4 4 4 44 5 ; A — l e xa n d ra 4 4 5 ; M ax i mus of
' '
I y e r qu o te d 1 00 .

L u c i an o n 44 7 . M axi mus l ’l a n u d c s 17 0 .

Lyc o r tas 4 6 2 . M c g ae le s t he A t h e n i an 1 19 .

Y
L C U RG US o f A th e n s 1 90 . 33 8 3 6 4 -
366 ;
,
M e g al o po l i s 3 19 ,
3 58 .

Ag . Leo cr a tes 3 6 5 . M e g a ra 8 2 8 3 ; Co
, me d y at M eg a
Lyc u r g us o f S pa ta 1 5 5 r .
ra
i n
p hi l o s o p hy 3 7 4 3 70 , .
5 3 6 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATU R E

M el eage r l eg en d i n art 1 3 1 . M o r yc h i d e s d ec re e o f 2 7 8 .

M E L EA G E R o f G ad ara 4 4 9 , 46 6 , 47 1 , M O SC H US o f S yrac use 4 3 7 2 1 3 , .

47 2 : Gar l a n d 3 9 3 . 4 1 9 4 3 4 . 44 5 . . 44 6 .
M o s es q u o te d by L o ng i n us 4 8 7 .

4 47 44 8 ; o n S app h o 1 02
, . M o vers o n th e L i n us song 1 0 -
.

M e l es i g e n es 1 5 . M ummi u s s ac k o f C o ri n th b y 4 6 3 .

M e l e s r i v er 1 5 . M urray G trans l ati o n o f H ipp oly tus 244

.
.

M E L I C PO ET R Y 9 3 — 14 2 ; ch o a r l 1 05 M US A EUS e p i c p o e t H er o a n d
13 7 ; A eo i a n l an d D o ri an 9 4 . L ean d er 5 00 , 5 1 0 .

M E LISSUS o f S amo s 14 8 . M USA E US th e s ee fo u n d e r r o f El eus i n i an

M e l o s mass ac re at 1 7 9 ; s ac k o f 1 7 6 . M ys teri es 10 3 9 , , 46 8 .

M e mn o n o f Rh o d es 4 0 8 . M u s i c o f D e l p h i c H ymn s 1 3 7 .

M E N A N D E R c o mi c p o e t 2 6 7 2 68 , ,
28 1 , M yc al e ss u s mas sac re at 1 7 9 .

3 08 . 3 09 — 3 13 4 14 . 43 5 444 . 4 5 2 ;
. .
M yc e n ae 1 7 1 9 2 0 2 1 2 2 ; M ycen aean
, , , ,

Coun try ni a n 3 1 0 ; Gi r l w i th S h or t H a i r re mai n s 2 0, 2 1 .

3 1 0 ; F l a tter er 3 1 1 ; e s ti mate o f b y M yk al e fes ti val at 1 3 5 .

l
P uta c h 4 8 3 r . M yr s i l u s o f M i tyl e n e 9 5 97 , .

r
M e n an d e th e h eto i c i an 4 8 9 5 03 r r , . M ys i a s aga o f 4 8 .

M EN I PPUS o f G ad a a 3 7 5 ; i n ue n c e o n r fl M yt h s i n ar t 1 3 1 ; i n c h o ral mel i c 121 ;

Lu c i an 4 9 6 . in P l at o 0 — 1
39 39 .

r
M e e d i th G Th e I d ea . o f Comedy 3 1 2 .

M e sse n i a 7 4 . N ap o l eo n I r e t eat r of f ro m M o s co w
M e te rs A l c ai c 97 ; an ap aes ti c 2 23 ; A s co mp ai e d w i th re treat of N i c i as 295 .

c l e p i ad 4 4 6 ; b u c o i c c ae s u a 4 3 6 ; l r N au c r ati s 9 8 .

l
c h o i a mb i c 4 3 9 4 7 3 ; c h o i a mb i c 1 0 2 ; ,
r rr
N ava e o n h eto ri c r of S o ph o c l es 2 3 6 .

d o c h mi ac in th e E r ot i c F r ag men t N ax o s w o rs h i p of D i o n ys u s on 186 .

443 ; l
e e g i ac in A n th o l og y 44 6 ,
in N eb u c h a d n e zz ar 9 6 .

r
t ag e d y 7 2 ; g a i a mb i c o f ll C at u ll u s an d Ne l e us o f S k eps i s 3 97 .

ll
C a i mac h u s 4 2 1 ; Io nic in Al c man N e me a g ame s at 1 2 1 1 3 6 , .

1 08 ; l o gao e d i c 9 7 ; s k a zo n i n H i p p 0 N e mes i s 4 8 ; i n A e s c h y us l 21 1 ; in He
max 90 i n ,
H ero d as 4 3 9 ; t o c h ai c te r ro d o tu s 1 5 9 .

t r ame ter 2 1 3 ,
250 ; S app hi c 97 , 1 0 2 . N e o b ul e b e t ro th ed to A rc hi l o ch us 87 .

M eth o n e 3 5 1 . N eo c l ei d e s 4 5 1 .

M i d as e p i tap h o f 16 9 . l
N eo - P a to n i s m at A e xan d i a 3 9 1 ; o f l r
M i l et u s 1 7 ,
fa ll o f 1 45 ,
1 5 2 , 1 56 ; J l
u i an 5 0 3 5 04 ; d ec ad e n c e o f 5 07
, ,

l
p h i o so p h y o f 1 45 .
508 .

l
M i ti ad e s 1 7 5 ,
28 7 . r l
N e ro p o c ai ms fr ee d o m o f th e G ee s r k
M ilt on 3 5 5 406 4 24 5 07 ;
2 12, 2 44 , , , , 46 3 .

Lyc i d as 4 2 9 ; o n A i s to t e 3 9 7 ; o n r l Nerva 4 8 9 ; fri e d o f D i o 49 1 n .

I so c ate s 3 40 ; c o mp a e d w i th
r e rgi r V l N e w to n th e ar h a o l og s t 1 6 1 c e i .

1 28 . N I CA N D ER of Co4 5 6 46 6 l o p ho n ,
.

M i M N ER M US 7 6 —7 7 8 1 ; N a nn o 7 7 ,
. N i c an o r H o me ri c s c h o i as t 2 5 l .

M i n o a n re ma i n s i n C rete 2 2 . N ic an o r s o n i n - l aw o f A r i s t o t e 3 9 6
-
l .

M i n o s i n B ac c h yl i d es 1 3 0 . N i c etes of S my rn a So p h s t 4 8 9 i .

M i tyl e n e N i c i as th e g e n ra l 179
e 18 ,
2, 286 , 29 4 ;
M o l i ere 2 7 4 2 8 8 , . Peac e o f 1 7 6 ,
2 9 1 , 29 5 .

M o mms e n o n Po l yb i u s 46 4 . N i c i as of M i l et us th e p o e t f ri e nd o f T he
M o n tai g n e c o mp a i e d w i th Pl utarc h 4 8 2 . o c r i t us
43 4 .

M o o re T 1 05 . . N i co mac h u s , s on o f r
A i s to t l e 3 97 4 00 , .

M o re H e n ry 5 07 P sy c h i zth an asi a q u o te d N i es e H o me r i c h e o y t r of 13 .

5 06 .
z
N i e t s c h e 26 7 .
538 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G RE E K LITE RATU RE

Pe rs i us 3 02 . 2 29 , 2
3 0, 23 1 , 3 3 3 4 1 5 ; F i r st
25 1 , ,

Pe traea i n T h ess a y g ames l at 1 27 ; Pyt/zzan 19 7 ; F on r t/z Py t/zzan 4 23 ;

‘

P etr aean Od e o f B a cc h y i d e s l 1 27 . S ev en t/z I s t/zmzan 2 00 ; d i g es 1 23 ; r

Pe t rar ch pa rall l s e w i th Me l e age r i n 44 9 . me tap h o rs l t 5; m t 1 25 ; dia ec 12 e e rs

P etr i e P apy n 3 1 1 ; o f I l i ad 25 . 1 5 ; s tyl

2 ; mp ar d w i th B a
e 1 22 co e c

r l r
Ph a e d u s p up i o f S o c ates 1 00 . h yl d
c 9 ; i o mp ar d w i th S i mo i
es 12 c e n

Ph al ar i s o f Ag i g e n tu m 1 1 0 r . d 1 6 ; p r f rr d t
es 1 B a h yl i d by e e e o cc es

Ph a i c ll s o ng t h e 2 7 1 , 2 8 5 . L o gi u 4 8 8 ;
n P i n d ari s m 1 3
n s 2 .

Ph ao n l eg e n d o f 98 . Pi so th n u l 47 0e co s .

Ph ai s al i a 466 . Pi tta u cf M tyl n 9 5 9 6 97 1 43 ; i

s o i e e , , ,
n

P H E REC RA T ES c o mi c p o et 28 0, 3 04 ; f lk s n g 1 3 8
o -
o .

Wi l d M en o f 2 8 0 . Pi tth e us 5 9 .

P H ER EC Y D ES S y o s 14 4 of r . Pla n ud e s M ax i mus A n t/zol ogy 44 5 .

P H i L EM O N 2 6 8 3 08 — 3 09 , . l
P atae a 1 1 5 1 1 9 1 9 3 3 5 9 , , , .

Ph i l etas o f C 0 5 4 1 4 4 2 7 4 3 0 ; , ,
d eb t of P LA TO 6 9 1 6 2 2 7 5 2 8 2 3 07 3 1 7 , , , , , , 3 22 ,

T h e o c i t u s to 4 3 7 r .
3 23 3 2 6 , 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 6 3 3 7 . 3 6 1
, . . . . 37 1 .

l
Ph i i p of M ac e d o n 3 49 3 5 0 ff , .
37 2 3 74 3 7 6
. 3 7 9 —3
9 4 3 9 8 5 04
. , , . , 5 06 .

5 07 5 08 ; Ap ol ogy 2 8 9 ; Ch ar m/ d es
, 384 ;
l
Ph i i p of T h es s a l o n i c a an th o l ogi st 45 7 , Cr aty l us C o mmen ta y o f P o c us
2 99 ; r r l
47 1 .
5 09 ; E ut/zy d emas 3 8 8 ; Gorg zas 1 7 1 ,

Ph i o l of A l e xan d ri a 47 8 .
3 8 5 3 8 8 myth i n 3 9 1 ; H ep , ,

P hi l o c h o r us 23 8 .
p i as M ajo r an d M zn or 1 69 ; [on 3 8 2 ;
P hi l o c rates 3 6 2 . L ac/zes 3 8 4 ; L aw s 3 8 5 , 3 87 , 3 9 2 d ate ,

Ph i l o d e mu s o f Gad a ra 47 0 , 47 1 . o f 3 8 3 ; M en ex en u s p a r o dy of e pi d e i c

Phi l o n i d e s 28
3 . ti cman n e r i n 3 9 2 ; M en o d ate o f 3 8 3 ;
Ph i lo p o e men 4 6 2 4 6 4 ,
. P a r men i d es 3 8 9 3 9 9 ; C o mme n tary o f ,

PH I LO S T R A T US o f A th en s 5 0 1 ; L zfi of P r o l us c 5 09 ; P /zaea’o 3 0 1 , 3 7 3 3 9 0 ; ,

Apol l on zu s of 731m m 4 9 9 5 00; Li ves

’
-
P/zaea r n s 3 2 8 , 3 3 0 3 3 3 , 3 3 9 , 3 8 8 , 3 9 0,
,

o
f th e S op/ fists 3 6 0 4 8 9 ; a n e c d o te o f
, 3 9 2 4 04 47 6 myth i n 3 9 0 3 9 1 o n th e
, , , , ,

th e A t ti c i s m o f A p o o n i us o f Tyan all r
g a d e n s o f A d o n i s 4 3 3 o n r h eto i c , r
5 03 ; i mi tat e d b y B e n jo n s o n 47 2 .
406 o n S tes i c h o r us 1 1 1 ; P/ztl eous 3 8 5 ;
,

Ph i l o x e n us 3 04 . P r otag or a s 2 8 0 2 8 1 3 3 8 3 8 3 3 8 5 o n , , , , ,

PH O C L D ES Y I 1 4 5 ; ps e u d o-P 1200 P h er ec r ates 2 80 , r i d i ul c e of H i pp i as

’
Zzaea 8 0 . 1 69 , S i mo n i d es qu o te d 1 14 ; R epu ol zc
Ph o e n i c i an s i n ue n ce o n th e Odyss ey 3 3 fl . 247 , sw so r , 3 3 0. 33 2. 3 83 . 3 8 6 3 87 .
-

Ph o t i us 4 5 3 2 4 5 00 ; B zol zo t/zeca 5 09
, ,
.
3 8 9 4 00 4 0 1 404
, , C o mme n ta y , , 5 05 ; r
r
Ph yn e 3 6 1 ; d efens e o f b y H yperei d e s o f P o c u s 5 09 ;r l myth o f Er 3 9 1 ;
4 40 0 S op/l i s t 3 8 3 ; Sy mp os i u m 2 3 9 26 9 3 1 9 , , ,

PH R Y N IC H US co mi c p o et 28 0; M i s an 3 7 3 3 90 d ate o f 3 8 3 ; T/zeaeteta s 2 7 3
, , ,

t/zr ope 28 0 .
383 391 ;,
Tzrn aeas 3 8 3 3 8 9 Co m , ,

P H RY N I C H US t ag i c p o e t 18 9 1 9 2 2 1 7 r , , ,
me n ta y o f P o c us 5 09 ; A c ad e my
r r l
24 1 ; P /zoen zs s a e 1 8 9 1 90 ; S ack of , 3 8 1 ; anac h o n i s ms 3 8 3 ; A i s to t e s
'
r r l
l eta s 1 89 . c i ti c i s m o f 3 9 9 ;
r at th e Re n ai s s an c e

P h ryn i c h us th e g e n e r a 1 7 9 l . r
409 ; c i ti c i e d b y D i o n ys H al 47 6 ; z . .

P h r yn i s o f Le s b o s 9 3 1 3 3 ,
. ech oed b y Lu c i an 4 9 9 : ep i g a m o n r
Phyl arc h us 4 6 4 . r
A i s to ph an e s 3 04 o n D i o 3 94 ; e th i cs ,

P i E Ri A N E p o s 9 — 12 . of 3 8 4 ; I
d e a o f t h e Go o d 3 8 9 ; mo d e l
Pi g re s o f H a i c a n ass us 6 9 l r . o f D i o 49 2 ; myth s i n 3 9 0—3 9 1 ; o n
P IN DAR A n a xag o ras 1 5 0 ; o n h an d b o o s 1 6 3 k ,

133 ,
13 8 , 1 55 , 1 8 7 , 2 09 , 2 10 , 2 13 , 218 , r
o n P o tag o as 1 6 7 ; o n S app h o 1 00 ;r
 I N DE X 53 9

o n s av e l ry
402 ; o n th e s o p h i s ts 1 6 5 , P ro s o d i o n o f Eum l us e 1 05 .

1 6 6 1 7 3 o n th e w i ti n s o f t h e s o h i s ts
,
g ,
p r P RO
’ ‘

I A GO RA S 16 6 , 1 6 7 - 16 8 ,
17 5 2 3 9 ,
,

rr
1 6 8 ; p o t ai t o f S o c a t es
3 7 3 ; p a i se d r r 26 5 . 2 8 7 . 338 . 3 42 . 37 3 . 375 . 387 . 3 88 ;
by A ri s to tl e 4 08 ; re mi n i s c e n c e d oc Go mp e rz o n 163 .

r
t i ne 3 9 0 ; S o c ati c d i a o g ues 3 8 4 ; r l Pro xen us fri e n d o f X e no ph o n 3 1 7 ; p upi l
s tyl e —
3 9 2 3 9 3 ; te ac h e o f A i s to t e r r l o f G o rg i a 17 3 s .

3 96 , 4 00 ; T h eo r y o f d e as 3 8 8 — 0
39 I ,
Pr xe n us g uard i n o f A ri s to tl e 3 96
o a .

r
c i ti c i z ed b y A ri s to t l e
3 9 9 ; th eo y r of Ps amme ti h u s I I 1 4 3 c .

i mi tati o n i n a rt , 4 04 ; t ra l s 3 8 0
ve . Ptol emi e s t h e 1 6 2 .

PLA TO co mi c po et 28 0— 28 1 . Pt lo em
y I ( S o te r) 4 1 4 45 0 , , 45 4 .

Pl at i o n s ts th e C amb i d g e 3 9 1 5 06 r , . Pt lo e my I I
( Ph i l ad el p h u s )
Pl au tu s 27 3 , 3 0 8 3 09 3 1 3 ; ca n tt ca
, , of

44 4 ; Czstel l a r za 4 3 2 . P to l emy I I I ( Eu rg t e e es ) 3 65 ; fl att r e ed

l
P e i a d th e o f A ex an d i a 44 4 , 47 3 l r . b y C all i ma h u 4 1 8 c s .

l
P i n y 49 1 . Pyd n a 3 5 0 .

PLO T I N US 3 9 1 5 04 ,
-
5 07 5 08 ; , n eg ec te d l Y
P T H A G O RA S of S amo s 14 5 i n Lu c i an
b y jul i a 5 03 n .
4 97
P LU I A RC H 94 2 3 6
'‘

, , 2 67 , 3 23 , 46 2 , 4 8 1 Pyth i as d augh te r o f Ari s to tl e 3 97 .

4 8 4 4 8 7 ; L w es , 4 8 1 — 82
4 ; i l l or al za
/

4 8 2 — 8
4 3 ; s e f
o Cr ass us 26 5 , 5 00 ; Q u i nti l i an on A rch i l o
co mp are d w i th L u c i an 4 9 9 ; co mp are d c h us 87 ; on D e metri us of P h al e i u m
wi h t D i o 49 2 ; on r
A i s to t e 4 03 ; o n l 45 4 ; P h i l etas 4 2 7 ; o n S i e S i c h o ru s
on

I by c us 1 13 ; on t h e M i l es zan Ta l es 1 1 0 ; o n T h eo p o mp us 3 24 ; o n T h u c y

5 oo ; qu o te s P ro tag o ras 1 6 8 . d i d o s 1 8 3 ; o n th e A rg on a u tzca 4 26 .

P l utar ch p seu d o o n H e ro d o tus 158 .

Q U I N T US of S my r na 4 1 ,
466 ; c o mp a red
Po l e mar c h us 3 3 2 3 3 3 , . w i th N o n n u s 4 6 8 .

Po l e mo n A c ad e mi c i an 4 5 1 .

'
Po l e mo n s o p hi s 4 9 0 t . Rac i n e 2 6 2 29 1 ; 43 2, P/zéar e .

PO L Y B I US 3 24 , 45 0 , 4 6 2— 4 6 6 , 47 4 47 5
, ,
Rad e r mac h e r o n Eu i p i d e s 24 9 ; r o n th e

H t story 4 6 4—4 6 6 ; se q l ue b y s o p hi s ts 1 6 6 .

Strab o 4 7 7 ; styl e 4 6 4 . Ra i n er P apy n 4 20 .

Po l yc rat s o f S a mo s 103 e , 1 13 , 1 46 , 1 5 8 . r
Re f a i n u s e o f b v C atu ll u s Th e o c i tus r
Po l y rates s p h i st 3 4 1
c o . an d V rgi l 4 3
e 2 .

l
Po ygn o tu s 3 9 . Rei c h e l theo ry
o f H o me i c w e ap o n s 1 9 r .

l
Po yi d u s ag i c p o et 2 5 7 tr . z
Re i t e n s tei n o n e egy 7 3 l .

Po p e 1 7 0 P a s tor al s 4 29 4 3 6 ; R ape of
, ,
R cye cl ed A d d r esses uo te d 1 7 0 ,
q .

th e Lac/e 4 1 7 ; o n L o ng i n us 4 8 8 . Remy- B e e a u 1 04 ll .

Y Y
PO R P H R 5 05 5 07 ; Letter to A n eoo ,
Re n a n o n M ar c us A u e i us 49 3 rl .

5 07 . R /zel or zc to 40 8 .

Po ti d ae a 3 50 . I
R H A N US o f C e te 4 21 - 4 22 ; xl ' l essemaus
r '

I I N AS 1 8 9
'
P R 260
‘

A ,
19 3 , .
42 1 .

P RA X i i . i A of
. S l c yo n 1 18 . R ho d e s Sh a l l ow -s on g o t, 1 3 9 .

P r a xi te e s
44 0 l . Rl i o d o p i s 9 8 .

P RO C L US 4 6 5 0 8 —5 09 , ,
C/zr es to mat/zy of Rh yth m i i i p r o se 455 , A r i s to t l e on
4 07 ;
5 09 ; Pl ato n i c C o mme n ta i e s 5 0 9 r of De mo s th e n e s 4 7 0 .

Pro e0 p i i i s of Ga z a 46 9 .
Ri d g e w a y tt i y o l t h e A c h a e a ns l o .

P RO D I G US ’
1 00 , 16 6 , 16 9 ,
289 , 338 , 37 2 .
Ri tc h i e ,
M H . . t r a ns a t i o n l o f sc o li o n 13 8 .

C/zo zc e o f H e m c /es 3 1 9 . R i ts c h l m ,
2
3 .

P r o me t h e us myth 60 , 196 ; in H e s io d 5 6 . Ro b e rt on t h e l i mi t 1 0, 2 0 .

l ’r o p e r t i us 4 3 4 .
Ro b e rt s e d i to r o f On Me S u b/1 m 48 7 .
5 40 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LIT ERATUR E

Ro g e rs t l
r an s ati o n o f e p i g a r m of Pau lus S e eck th Ody y 3 6 on e ss e .

47 2 ; of P l at o n i c ep i g a r m 3 04 . S mi rami i n Gr ek r man
e s e o ce 5 00 .

Ro h d e o n th e N e w S o ph i s t i c 4 9 0 . S E M O N I D ES f A m rg 59 o o os ,
8 0 8 8 —8 9, .

RO M A N C E 4 9 9 — 5 01 ; B aby l on i an Tal es S e n ec a H er c u l es on Oeta 2 29 ; M ad

5 00 ; Ep/zes za n T al es 5 00 ; M l /6 5 i d l l H er cu l es 2 2 9 ; Oed tp us 1 8 2 .

Tal es 5 00 ; N i n u s a n d S e mi rami s i n S e n ec a th e E d e r S u as or i ae 49 5 l .

5 00 . S en geb us c h o n H o me 1 5 r .

Ro n s a d r 1 0 4 , 1 05 , 1 2 5 . S e pti mi u s so n o f S to b ae u s 5 1 0 .

Ro s s etti S cster H el en 43 2 ; t ran sl ati o n o f S es to s ta k en b y A th e n s 1 5 6 .

S app h o 1 02 . S e uth es 3 2 1 .

S e x tus Emp i r i c u s 4 8 4 .

S aga th e h ero i c 1 3 ; C o i n th i an 24 2 ; o f S h ad w e 1 2 5 r ll .

r
A go n auts 2 1 0 ; i n A e s c h y u s 2 09 ; i n S h a e s p ea re 2 9 4 3 03 3 1 3 4 06 ; Co medy l k , , ,

Eur i p i d e s 2 66 ; o f M e eag e 1 3 ; T ojan l

1 4 ; i n th e d a ma 2 09
of E r r or s 3 07 ; JWac oet/z 2 4 8 ; Ot/zel l o r r
r ’
Tw elft/z A zg /zt 1 7 0 ; I/ Vzn l er s
.
' ’

S ag es th e S eve n 1 4 3 1 4 5 Tal e 1 9 5 2 4 2 ; us e o f P uta c h 4 8 2

, .
,
l r .

S ai n te- B e u ve 3 4 ; on Eu ph o i o n r 421 ; S he l l e y 1 99 , 26 1 A d on a i s 4 29 i mi ta ti o n ,

on M el e ag e r 44 9 ; on M en a n d e r 3 1 1 ; of M os c hus 4 3 7 ; D efen s e of P oetry

on p as to ra l 4 3 6 ; on T he o c r tus i
43 0 .
4 6 5 ; Hy mn to H er mes 6 6 ; l o g ao e d i cs

S ai n t Pa u l qu o ta t i o n o f A ra t u s b y 45 3 .
9 7 ; P r o met/zeus Un oou n d 200 ; t an s r
Sa l ami s b att l e 1 15 , 13 3 , 1 54 , 193 , 1 95 , l ati on of P l at o n i c ep i g a r m 3 93 .

S h er i d an Cr ztzc 3 07 .

Sa l ami s is la nd 27 2 ; rec o very of by r

S h o e y o n th e d e a G o o d i n P ato I o f th e l
A th en s 23 79
,
. an d A i s to t e 4 00 ; r o n th e l
P ato n i c l
S a mo s H e r o d o tu s at 1 5 4 . Id e as 3 8 9 ; t an s ati o n o f A c h i o c h u s r l r l
S an n a zz ar
E cl og u es 4 3 1
o . r l
8 7 ; t an s ati o n o f S ap p h o 1 02 .

S A P P H O 9 4 9 7 — 102, 1 1 8 , , l
S i c i i an Exp ed i ti o n 1 7 6 2 9 4 , 2 9 5 ,
.

44 6 44 9 ; Od e to Ap /zr od zte
, 47 6 ; 101 , S i d ney Ap ol ogy / or P oetry o n th e U n i ti es
Od e t o A n actor i a uo te d b y L o ng i n u s q 405 .

'
— 447
8
4 7; C l za r a x u s Od e 9 9 9 ; Ep zt/za l a
8 S I M M IA S of Rh o d es 23 7 , .

mza 1 0 2 ; r e ati o n s w i th A c ae u s 9 8 ; l l I
S MO N I DES of C eo s 6 9 ,
1 0 1 , 1 03 , 1 13
co mp are d w i th I byc u s 1 13 ; M e l e ag e r 1 20 , 1 2 5 , 1 3 2 , 13 8 , 209 , 2 40 ,

on l
44 9 ; d i a ec t 1 02 ; me t e r s 1 0 2 . 289 , 3 2 2 4 2 8 ; D an ae an d P er s e us
,
1 16

S ar cey o n th e p o t o f Oed ip u s T y r an n us l Ep i g r ams 1 1 5 ; d i a e c t l 1 18

'

2 27 . ra mb s 1 1 5 m t rs 1 1 8 ; d i rges 1 4
d i th y e e 2 .

r
Sa d is 1 3 1 , 1 53 , 1 5 5 . S i mp l i i u s c o mm n t ato
c f A ri s t o t l e 4 1 e r o 2.

S au mai s e ( S al masi u s ) 44 5 . S myr n a A eo i c l 15 ; A tt i c i s m at 4 9 0 .

S ayc e on H ero d o tu s 15 8 . S O C R AT ES 16 9 , 17 1 , 17 3 , 23 9 ,

S c ap e go at me nt i o n e d b y H i p p o n ax 9 0 .
3 17 . 3 18 , 3 19 . 341. 3 69 3 7 3 -
.

S ch i ll r
e D ee Kr an i c/ze d es l éy éu s 1 1 3 ; 3 7 5 3 7 7 3 7 9 3 8 4 ; m th e P /zae d o 3 9 0 ;
. . .

u se o f t h e He ro l eg e n d 47 0 . i n th e Rep u ol zc 3 9 2 ; v i n d i c at i o n i n
S ch l ie man n 14 ; u se of Paus an i as 4 8 5 . l
P ato 3 8 0 ; p u p i s o f 1 00 ; r e ati o n s l l
S o to ne 17 9 . w i th P r o tag o ras 1 6 7 ; A i s tor tl e o n 3 9 9 ;
S c i p i o A fr i c an u s 4 6 2 4 6 3 , . l
c as s e d w i th th e s o p h i s ts 1 6 6 .

l
S c o i o n th e 1 3 7 1 3 8 ; th e , 4 fri c S c ol i a S O C RA T I CS th 3 7 4—3 7 7
e .

13 8 ; of A l c ae u s 1 3 8 ; of r
A i s to t l e 138, S O LO N 72 , 77 7 8 — 9
7, ,
1 55 , 3 58 , 4 03 ;
40 8 ; of Pi n d a r 13 8 ; of S i mo n i d es E x /zor ta tzon to Me A t/zema n s 78 ;
1 14 . S al a m/ s 7 9 ; an c e s to r of P l ato 379 ;

S c o p ad ae th e 1 14 reg u ate s th el r e c i tat i o n o f t h e H o me r ic

S c yth i a 1 5 6 . Po e ms 22 ; i n L u c i an A u ac /zar s i s 4 9 6 .
54 2 S H O RT H I ST O RY O F G R E E K LITE RATU RE

T H A L E I AS 1 05 — 106 Th e ro of Agr i ge n tu m 1 1 7 r 2 o _1 24
’ ‘

.
, , .

T h ammu z th e G ree k Ad o n is 43 3 . T h es eu s l eg e n d i n B ac c h y i d e s 1 3 0 l .

T H A M v Ri s 9 ,
18 . T H ES P IS 18 7 19 2 F u n er a l ,

r l
T h a g e i a th e 1 2 9 . Ga mes o
f P el i as 18 8 .

T h as o s 8 6 1 5 0 1 7 5 , , . T h es to ri d es 4 7 .

r
T hea te th e at Ath e n s 19 0, 3 64 . r
T h ac e D i o n ys u s i n 185 ; Pe rsi an c on

T h eb es 186 ; s ag a o f 46 . qu est o i 1 6
5 .

T h eb es Egyp ti an 1 5 8 . Th ra s yb u u s l 3 08 3 3 3 , .

T h e mi s o n i n g o f C yp k rus 3 9 8 . Th ras yl l u s l
P ato n i c c an o n of 382 .

T H E M IS TI US 5 02 49 1 ; Or ati on s 5 0 2 ; , T H R A S Y M A C H US of C ha l c ed o n 3 29
P ar aph r as es of A r i st otl e 5 02 ; atti tu d e 330 .

to Pag an r
e vi va l 5 03 . T H UC Y D I D ES 159 , 1 60, 1 7 5 —1 8 3 , 2 40 ,

T h emi s to c l es 3 26 .
3 21 » 3 2 6 3 2 7 3 2 8 3 29 3 3 6 3 5 6
3 24 » ; » » , » .

T h e mi s tog e n es of Sy rac us e 3 2 1 .
4 03 4 5 0 4 6 5 ;
, e ati o n to T i mo t h e u s
,
r l
T H EO C R I I US 5 8
'‘
,
81 ,
2 13 , 26 0, 26 2 , 26 4 , r
1 3 6 ; c i t i c o f H e l l an i c u s 1 53 ; d i a ec t l
4 27 — 4 3 7 4 3 8 44 9 ; Ep i , , 1 8 3 ; i mi tate d b y App i an 4 8 1 ; i mi tate d

gr a ms 4 3 5 ; I dy l 1 4 29 ; I dy l 2
5 1, 2 74 , b y A r r i an 4 7 9 ; o n th e A h e n i an c h a t r
27 5 43
. 1 —
43 2 , 4 6 9 : I dy l 4 4 27 . 4 3 2 ; a c te r 3 85 ; s p ee c h es o f 1 7 9— 1 8 0 ; s ty e l
I dy l 5 4 2 7 : I dy l <5 43 0 ; I dy l 7 1 6 1 , 1 8 2 , an a l yz ed b y D i o n ys H al 47 6 . . .

— I dy l 8 4 3 1 I dy l 1 0 4 2 8 ; I dy l T h ur i i 157 16 6 ; fo u n d at i o n o f 1 5 4 ;
43 0 4 3 1 ,

1 1 4 3 0 ; I dy l 13 i mi tate d b y A p o o n i u s ll He r o d o tu s at 154 .

4 23 ; ad mi re d b y Te n n ys o n 4 3 4 ; I dy l Ti b u ll u s 19 8 .

14 : I dy l/ 1 5 2 7 5 . 4 3 2 4 3 4 . 4 3 9 i mi
43 2
-
. I
T M A EUS of T au ro me n i u m 4 5 0, 4 6 4 .

tate d b y H e ro d as 4 3 8 ; t an s ate d b y r l Ti rn an th es th e p ai nte 2 6 2 r .

M Arn ol d
.
4 3 3 ; I dy l 4 2 8 ; I dy l 16 I 7 T i mar c h u s attac k o f A es c h i n e s on 3 58 .

4 27 ; I dy l 21 43 2 ; 1dy 1 2 4 4 3 4 : I dy l 25 T i mo n of
Phl i us 4 1 5 .

4 3 4 ; I dy l 28
4 3 4 ; p as to a I dy l s 4 2 8 r l I
T M O T H EUS o f M i etus 13 3 - 1 3 6 l ,
2 40 ;
4 3 1 ; L i ttl e Ep i cs 4 20 ; d i a e c t 4 3 6 ; l P er s ae of 84 ,
133 , 3 57 o n o ld, p o et y r
fi r
g u ed p o e m o f 4 47 ; i mi tates A c man l 44 6 ; d i a l t ec 13 5 ; d i th y a mb s r of 13 6 ;

1 08 ; i mi tate d by e gi 4 3 7 ; i n flu V r l mete rs 1 3 5 ; o n T e r pan d er 93 .

en ce Lo ng us 5 0 1 ;
on me te s 43 6 ; r T i mo th eu s th e g e n eral 3 3 8 .

p an egy i c o f P o e my 4 1 8 ;
r u o te d t l q T I S I A S th e r h e to r i c i an 16 5 ,
16 6 , 333 .

9 8 , 1 14 ; ea a ng e d b y W i l amo w i tz
r rr T i s s aph ern es 3 2 0 .

4 60 . T i th o n u s eg e n d 67 l .

T h eo d o ru s o f Byz an ti u m th e rh eto ri c i an T i t us s i eg e o f
je r us al e m b y 2 4 6 , 47 8 .

3 3° T o myri s s to ry f i n H ero d o tuo s 1 60 .

T heo d o ru s e
p i g am o f 44 8
r . T rag ed y D ri an g o at—s o n g 1 8 8 ;
o d ia l ec t

T h e o d o r us
'
th e ma th e mati c i an 3 8 0 . of 1 8 8 ; d eve l op me n t of 19 2 ; mete rs
T H EO G N I S 8 1 —8 5 d ate
75 , 3 29 3 3 4 ; , , 192 .

82 ; on th e s h i p o f s t a t e 96 ; rep eti ti o ns T rai ll Th N e w L u c i an 4 9 6

e .

85 . T raja n 4 9 1 ; A tti c i s m u n d e 4 7 8 r .

T H EO P H RA STUS 6 9 1 4 5 3 9 7 4 5 1 4 5 2 , , , ,
T r y p h i o d o r u s e p i c p o et 4 6 8 .

4 5 3 4 5 4 4 8 6 ; Ch ar a cter s 2 9 1 3 09
, , , , T Y RTA EUS 7 1, 72 74 1 06 1 18 , , , , 42 1 ;
—
4 5 4 5 3 ; e c h o e d b y A atu s 4 26
2 r . M ar ch i ng S ong s 7 6 ; d i a ec t 7 6 ; l q u o te d

T H EO PO M P US 3 24 , 338 ; Q u i n ti l i an on b y Lyc u rg us 7 6 3 6 5 ; d ate 7 4 , .

3 24 .

r
Th eo i c o n th e th eate r fun d 35 2 . U n i ti e s th e i n r
A i sto t l e 4 05 ; S i d n ey on

T h e o xe n us sc o li on of Pi n d a to r 1 24 .
4 05 ; d o c t i n e r of Bo i l e au 4 05 .

T he r mo pyl ae l r
c e e b ate d b y S i mo n i d es
1 14 . V al c k e n ae r on X e n o ph o n 3 23 .
 IN DE X 543

Va r ro r
t an s ato l r of A ratus 4 27 ; [Men ip niu m 190 ; on S ap p h o 1 00 ; on

p eai i S ati r es of 3 75 . Ae s c h y lu s S even ag a i n s t Th ebes 19 7 ;

V au
g h an H e n ry 5 0 7 ; Th e wor l d 5 0 6 . on S o p ho c l es 229 ; on S o p ho c l es a nd
'
l e n etu s 4 c o d ex o f th e I l i ad 2 5 4 6 5 09
. , , . r
Eu i p i d es 2 2 4 ,
on
'
l h uc yd i d e s 176 ;
o n l i mo th e u s rr g e me n t
'

V e i g i l 4 06 4 2 1 4 24 ,
A e n ei d 2 1 2
, , ,
13 5 ,
re a an oi

2 18 ,
25 9 , d e b t to C a ] T h e o c r i tu s b y 4 6 0 .

l i mac h u s 4 2 1 , o n M us ae u s 4 6 8 , ti c W o f 2 3 27 3 4 P r o/eg o ni en a
l , , , 26 , 36 .

l og u es 1 9 8 i mi tat i o n o f T h e o c i t us
,
r W o r d s w o rth Od e to D u ty 4 0 9 ; S on n et to

437 , on Ga ll u s4 29 ,
i e pr ese n te d on th e th e R i ver D ud d on 4 3 7 ; o n A c ae us 9 6 ; l
s tage 43 4 ; ue 3 i mi tati o n o f E c l og Pl at o nic mys ti c i s m i n 5 07 .

T h eo c i t us 4 3 1 ; E cl og u e 5 i mi ta ti o n
r
r
o f T h eo c i t us 4 3 0 ; E cl og u e 6 4 2 3 4 3 4 ; ,
X an th i pp us fath e r of P r l e i c es 1 0
3 .

E cl og u e 8 mi tati o n o f T he o c r i t us 4 3 0 ;
i X A N T H US o f L yd i a 1 5 3 .

Georg i cs 1 8 2 2 25 c o mp are d w i th t h e , ,
X n rat s th A ad mi i an 45
e oc e e c e c 1 .

P h aen o men a o f A r atu s 4 2 7 i mi tat i o n ,

X E N O P H A N ES 6 1 44 14 6 1 5 3 ; l 2, , , e egi e s

of N i c an d e r 4 5 6 , on He ro an d L ean 8 0 —8 1 .

d e r 4 6 9 ; c o mp a e d w i th M i to n 1 2 8 ; r l X EN O P H O N 37 ,
173 3 27 , 17 8 , 3 1 7 — 3 25 , ,

e c h o e d b y Q u i n tu s o f S my n a 4 6 7 ; r 8 A n aba s i s 3 2 0—3 2 1 ; Ap ol ogy

3 29 , 33 ;
i mi tati o n o f A p o o n i us 4 2 5 4 26 ; p as ll , 3 18 , 3 1 9 ; Con s ti tuti on of Spar ta 3 2 2 ;
s ag e c o mpa e d w i th A c man 1 07 ; r l Q g et i c us 3 2 2 i mi ta te d b y A rr i ai i
i ne ,

p as to r al in 43 6 .
47 9 ; Cy z op aed i a s t G ree ro man c e fir k
V e rallr
‘

on E u i p i d es r 2 47 , 26 6 ; on th e 3 2 2, 49 9 ; H el l e n i ca
3 2 1 — 22
3 , 3 24 ;
H el en 24 8 ; o n T y tae u s 7 4 r . H i er o 3 2 2 ; A/ eni or a hi l i a
V es p as i an 47 8 .
p o rt a i t o f S o c ates 3 7 3 ; Oe con o mi c us
r r
V i l lo i so n 25 .
3 18 ,3 23 ; Sy mpos i u m 3 1 8 3 1 9
3 19 , , ,

V i ll o B a l l a d 3 8
n e .
3 7 4 44 2 ; e c h o e d b y L u c i an 4 9 9 ;
,

V is ti n s tatu f M e nan d r 3 1 3
co n o l e o e . mo d e o f D i o 4 9 2 .

V l tai re o n Pi n d a 1 3 ;
o th e U n i ti es X r x 1 5 1 19 r 2 on e es 1 , ,
154, 1 59 , 1 95 , 211 ; in
405 ; o n V e rg i l 4 3 0 T mo th u s P . i e er s ae 1 3 4 .

W all er q uo ted 1 7 2 . Z agreu 1 1 s .

W e l c k e r o n S apph o 1 00 Ze ll r o n X
e en o ph o n Apol ogy 3 1 9 ; rej e c ts

W h i b l ey Co mpa n i on to Gr eek S tud i es 26 7 . On th e My s ter i es as c i b e d r to I amb i i

\ V i l amo w nz on A n axago ras 15 0 ; c h us 5 08 .

on d ate of On th e S u bl i me 48 6 ; on th e Z EN O o f El a 14 8 3 6 3 7 4 3 7 9
e , 2 , ,
.

ep i g a r ms of S i mo n i d e s 1 15 ; on th e Z n o f Rh d th hi to r a n 4 6 4
e o o es e s i .

[Er ot i c F r ag men t 44 4 ; o n Eu i p i d e s r Z E N O th S to i 3 7 6
e c .

24 1 , 25 5 ; on H e o d o tu s 1 6 1 ; o n r Z b ia f P l m ra 4 8 6
e no o a y .

I s yll us 13 6 ; on th e M u t i l a ti o n o f th e Z e n o d o t us 2 5 4 6 4 1 4 4 1 5 , , , .

H e r mae 3 3 1 ; o n th e Ody s s ey 1 1 3 9 ; , Z l k
i e i ns i o n th e A g o n i i i C o me d y 27 6 ;
on A es c h y u s P er s a e 1 9 5 on l
th e , o n S o p h o c e s 2 29 l .

l
P ato n i c L etter s 3 8 2 ; o n t h e p o s c e r