AESCHYLUS

AGAMEMNON
EDITED
WITH A COMMENTARY BY

EDU ARD FRAE.NKEL

VOLUME I
PR.OLEGOMENA, TEXT
TRANSLATION

OXFORD
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
Oxford University Press, Amen Hous,, !Andon E.C.4
Ot..UOOW Kl:W YORK TORONTO N&UOUJUfl: W&LUllOTON
BONIAY CALCUTTA .NADllAS XAIL\CHI LAHORI: DACCA
CAr& TOWN SAUIBURY IBADAK NAIXOBI AC:CXA
XUALA LUMPUR KONO KOKO

PllllST PUBLISlll:D 19j0

urRlltT&D l.ITHOORArHICAl.1.Y IH ORl:AT BRITAIN
BY D. X. HILLMAN & SONS LTD,
l'JlON CORRll:CTl:D SH&&TS or Tint PIRST .l:DITION
1962
 TO
J. B. BEAZLEY
AND
RUTH FRAENKEL
 PREFACE
THE man who is unwise enough to add still another commentary on
the Agamemnon to the many already in existence must expect first
of all to be asked what type of reader he had in mind when planning
his book. Faced with this embanassing g,ut!Stion I should like to
borrow my answer from Lucilius~ who, -;.,e are told, dicere solebat
neque se ab ituloctissimis neque a doctissimis legi vdle, qtecd alteri
1iihil i.nkllege,-ent, alteri. plus jortasse quam ipse. In other words, I
have written neither for those who have only a rudimentary know-
ledge of Greek nor for the specialists. My favourite reader, whose
kindly and patient face would sometimes comfort me during the
endless hours of drudgery, looked surprisingly like some of the
students who worked with me for many years at Oxford in our happy
seminar classes on the Agamemnon. Without the inspiring, and often
correcting, co-operation of those young men and women I should not
have been able to complete the commentary. If they thought a
passage to be particularly difficult, that was sufficient reason for me
to examine and discuss it as fully as I could; and more than once it
was their careful preparation, their inquisitiveness, and their persis-
tent efforts that made it possible to reach what seemed to us a satis-
factory solution. Thus, a€i yap .qpiU. Tots y6povu'v €Vp.o.8€w, I was
fortunate enough late in life to profit from the high standard of work
in the classics at many schools in England and Scotland. If this
standard can be maintained in years to come, my commentary will
for a generation or two find the readers for whom it is primarily
meant, and then, I trust, be replaced by a better one.
When, about twenty-five years ago, I first came to grips with some
of the major problems of the Agatnetmion, I thought that I could deal
with them in a series of articles. But soon it became clear that such
treatment would involve the danger of not being wholly honest,
since there would be a strong temptation to dwell on certain fascinat-
ing aspects of the play and to neglect many thorny issues which,
though perhaps less exciting, yet have an equal claim to be properly
investigated. It therefore proved necessary to expound the play at
full length.
About one fundamental point I made up my mind at an early
stage (cf. C.R. Ii, 1937, 63): if the commentary was to serve th~ pur-
pose which I had in mind, it would have to follow, though of course
in a modernized form, the e.'Cample of the old editiones oum 11otis
variomm. The arrangement resulting from that decision is bound to
be repulsive to many readers, but I do not want to apologize for it.
I will, however, try to expJain briefly my main reasons for preferring
vii
 PREFACE
this ·clumsy scheme ·to the shorter and perhaps more attractive
presentation of my own views only. .
One of my motives may or may not be called sentimental, but in
any case it is a strong.one: I should hate the idea of being forced to
I •
take over from others a great deal of the most valuable matenal a:ad
the most decisive statements in my commentary without acknow-
ledging my debt in detail. I think it wiser to adopt the method of the
ancient commentator who, when confronted with the same problem,
decided thus : cum ... liceret usguequaque nostra interponere, maluimus
optima fide quorum. res fuerant eorum etiam verba servare (Aelius
Donatus in the letter dedicating his commentary on Virgil to L.
Munatius). But it is not for the sake of moral satisfaction alone that
substantial quotations, or paraphrases, from the commentaries of
earlier scholars seem to be desirable. On many controversial points
of the Agamemnoti the arguments in favour of, or against, any parti-
cular view have been put forward with great lucidity and force by
eminent scholars. If I were to try to summarize their reasoning I
should merely blunt the edge of their arguments. In the discussion
of a text such as that of the Agamemmm the antagonism of two, and
sometimes more, contrasting views is not due, as the inexperienced
might think, to the obscr1ra diligetitia of classical scholars, but is the
true expression of the complexity of the object itself. For a moment
it may be possible by ingenious dialectical manreuvres to concentrate
the light on one possible interpretation of a passage and darken the
opposite one, but the apparently defeated side will in course of time
come to life again and take its revenge on those who have neglected
it. In these circumstances it is far better for the student to have
each aspect of a controversial question put to him, even to the point
of one-sided exaggeration, in the words of its most capable and
energetic champions rather than in the diluted summary of a late-
comer. I hope I have in most cases put the reader in a position to
reject my own interpretation, if he chooses to do so, with the help
of my excerpts from, or references to, other scholars' comments.
It is for this reason above all that I have given so much space to the
reproduction of what has been said before. It is neither likely nor
desirable that in the near future another scholar should feel tempted
to plod once more through so many commentaries, translations,
books, and articles in order to bring together a representative selec-
tion of his forerunners' views. In reading recent commentaries and
papers on the Agatnetmum I have often found that the writer puts
forward as brand-new an opinion whieh has more than once been
recommended and then subsequently been refuted. This is pardon-
~ble enough, for a good deal of the relevant literature is not easily
accessible, especially after the last war. Even at Oxford there exist,
so far as I know, only two copies of Phil<ilogt1S, Swj>pl.-Bd. I (x86o),
viii
 PREFACE
which contains Ahrens's indispensable comments (seep. 55f. below).
I have always 'f?ome in mind this state of affairs. In many cases I
have also tried to give some idea of the extent to which a particular
interpretation was followed in modern times; sometimes I may have
overdone it and adduced more names than was absolutely necessary,
but if this is a mistake I do not think it will unduly delay the
reader.
As regards the discussion of controversial passages, I must make
one further observation. It is a widespread belief that in the case of
a so-called crux only one of two roads is open to the conscientious
scholar: either he feels capable of understanding the disputed passage
as it stands or he has to assume a corruption of the text. To me this
belief seems to be based on a fallacy. We have only to pause for a
moment and consider, :first, the enormous gulf between our ways of
life and thought and those of ancient Greece, then the sadly fragmen-
tary nature of our whole tradition, and, :finally, the solitary boldness
of Aeschylus, to realize that it would be a sign of megalomania if we
fancied it to be possible for us fully to understand the words of this
poet wherever we have them in their original form. More than once,
therefore, I have had to state that I regard the text of a certain line
as probably sound but am nevertheless unable to grasp its meanjng.
This conviction must not, of course, serve as a pretext for slackening
in our exertions. Every possible effort should be made to understand
a difficult passage; but when a careful examination of the language
and the style has produced no indication of a corruption and yet the
sense remains obscure, then there may be a case, not for putting a
dagger against the passage, but for ach:nitting the limits of our com-
prehension.
The commentary includes a n~ber of discussions on points of
grammar, syntax, semasiology, word-order, and the like, and on
prosody and metre. These sections may at first sight look like mere
digressions, especially those which contain a larger number of
examples than would have been required to decide the point in hand.
It might be argued that I ought to have taken them out of the com-
mentary and published them separately. It was after careful con-
sideration that I decided to leave them where they are. Not only does
the starting-point (and in most cases a great deal more) of these
apparent digressions form an important part of my argument, but
it seems to me that the interest of the reader who cares for such
problems at all is best served by my way of presenting the material.
In this I have been following the model of Bentley, Porson, Ebnsley,
Lachmann, Madvig, Wilamowitz (especially in his commentary on the
Herakks), Housman, and others. It is my experience, and probably
that of others as well, that it is far easier to remember 'X or Y has
discussed such and such a phenomenon in connexion with that vexed
ix
 PREFACE
passage in that play' than to have present in one's mind the precise
.number of the volume of one of the far too many periodicals in
which X or Y may have dealt with the matter. If the discussion of
a linguistic or metrical problem is intimately interwoven into the
investigation of a passage which bas often wonied you, then you
will easily recall the two things together.
The commentary is not preceded by an introduction. A book of
this kind does not seem to me the proper place for a recapitulation
of what can be found elsewhere about the story of Agamemnon and
his house, or the life and work of Aeschylus, or any other of the many
important topics connected in one way or another with this play.
Everything that I regard as the commentator's immediate concern,
such as the apprecia#on of a scene or a song as a whole, an attempt
to grasp the essential features of the characters, remarks on the
relation of the play to the epic versions of the story, illustrations of
the traits linking up this drama with contemporary events, and so
forth, has been incorporated into the commentary.
My account of the readings of the MSS is based in the case of the
Mediceus on the facsimile published in 18¢ (seep. I below), and in
the case of the other MSS on photostats [now in the Bodleian Library).
When in x940 we were cut off from communications with Italy, I had
photostats of F only, which had kindly been sent me by Dottoressa
Teresa Lodi, Librarian of the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana. At that
juncture I should have been most seriously hampered in my work had
not the generosity of Professor Alexander Tuxyn and of the authorities
of Harvard University Library come to my assistance: they provided
me with photostats of the other MSS.
In the critical apparatus I have in many cases adopted 'la methode
de l'apparat negatif' (see the pamphlet Enr.pm des signes criti.q11es,
etc., published for the 'Union academique internationale' first by
J. Bidez and A. B. Drachmann, then, 2nd ed., Brussels and Paris
1938, by A. Delatte and A. Severyns, p. 40 f.); so, for instance, the
note on 12, vuK7'lTT'Aa.KTov Tr, means that the other MSS have the
reading of my text, vuK7'lTT'Aa.yK7'ov; the note on 29, brop8pul.{~w MV,
means that the other MSS have the lTTop8'4{~w of the text, etc. But
I have given up this method whenever I thought that a different
notation would be clearer or more convenient, e.g. on 23, 4>&.os MV:
tf>a.[ pap.: .vvv 4'ws FTr. I may therefore be guilty of inconsistency,
but I hope there is nowhere a real ambiguity.
I now regret that I have included in the apparatus certain minutiae
of spelling and accentuation, i.e. things which have little, if anything,
to do with the ancient 11ap~ou&s. I am, of course, in full agreement
with the principle of a condensed apparatus which nowadays is
generally accepted. But I thought that this was a good opportunity
of reminding young students of the fact that many forms which they
x
 PREFACE
rightly expect to find in modem editions of classical texts are not
based on direct evidence in every single case but have been restored
from our general knowledge of the typical changes taking place in
the course of the transmission. I think now that it might have been
better to mention these things in the Prolegomena. However, no
great harm has been done, for when the MS tradition is so slender
as in the case of the Ag'amemtmi., the reader is in no danger of having
his attention diverted from the main points in the apparatus by the
occasional insertion of some less important items.
The 'testimonia' for the te."d of this play are so few that it seemed
hardly worth while to place them in a separate section and thus
encumber the pages. .
In the text I have in the lyric parts followed Wilamowitz's example
and adopted the ancient system of notation as modified by Triclinius
{for his metrical signs see p. 17 below). Whereas ancient manuscripts,
as is shown by the papyri, put the nap&:ypatf>os, the 1eopwvls, etc. on
the left-hand side of the text column, Triclinius puts them on the
right-hand side. In my te."d - signifies the end of a strophe, = the
end of an antistrophe, and -c (a modification, for typographical
convenience, of Triclinius' already greatly simplified form of the
Kof""vls) the end of an epode.
The translation opposite the Greek text is to be regarded as part
of the commentary and nothing more. It makes no literary claim
whatsoever. For one who only recently learned a modest amount of
English it would be a piece of stark impertinence to try his hand at
such a task if he undertook it for its own sake. I wish I conld have
done without the translation. But since not even the fullest com-
mentary can be exhaustive, I consider it the commentator's duty to
supplement his detailed exegesis by an attempt to render the whole
text in prose as accurately as possible. About the severe limitations
of any translation, let alone a translation from Aeschylus into a
modem language, there can be no disagreement among sensible
people. But in the present instance the thorny question of how far
a translation, standing by itself, can be expected to reproduce its
original does not arise at all. Our issue is a much simpler one. My
version fills a few, though by no means all, of the gaps in my com-
mentary, and that is its justification. It may also every now and
then serve as a pointer to some of my notes. For in certain cases
my translation deliberately over-emphasizes a meaning or a shade
of meaning that seems to me to be important, but not to have been
sufficiently noticed. Several printed English translations have done
a good deal to facilitate my task ; nevertheless, this part of my work
would have come to nothing if some of my friends had not been
at pains to polish and re-polish my drafts over and over again.
The styliStic unevenness of the commentary is a consequence of
xi
 PREFACE
its history. When I began to work on it, and for many years after, I
bad no choice but to write in German. Therefore the bulk of the
commentary had subsequently to be translated into English. Othe:-
parts of the book, viz. the Prolegomena, the general surveys in the
commentary and some special notes, and the Appendixes, were
written directly in English. Although I have spent much time in
trying to remove the resultant inequalities, I have achieved but
little. I hope the reader will forgive the chequered form, or rather
the formlessness, of the whole thing and also put up with some minor
inconsistencies such as the changes between 'colon' and 'kolon',
'Iphigeneia' and 'Iphigenia', and:the like.
After the manuscript of the commentary had been delivered to
the Press in the summer of 1946, no major additions or alterations
could be made. Consequently it has not been possible (except in a
few particular cases) to take into account anything published after
that date. But far worse is the curtailment of my literary resources
caused by the war ~d by the conditions in the years immediately
after the war, when only a small portion of the output of foreign
scholarship reached this country (even now some of the gaps ill our
sets of continental periodicals have not b~en filled). In these circum-
stances anything like complete information proved impossible. I
especially regret that Dr. P. Groeneboom's' oommentary on the
Agamemnon (Groningen 1944) came into my hands too late. ·

From the tale of my shortcomings I now tum to the more agree-

able task of thanking my many benefactors. There was a period
during the war when I thought that I should have to give up all hope
of having the commentary translated within any foreseeable time,
for the scholars who might have been. b9th able and willing to take
part in such a work were then either servfug in the forces or engaged
in some important war work or overburdened with teaching. At that
juncture Professor Roge(MYJl.ors took the initiative and convinced
me by his own generous action that my gloom was not justified.
For several months he sacrificed, after the day's heavy duties at the
Treasury, many· night hours and tran_slated a large and particularly
tricky piece, thus getting my book out of the worst of the deadlocks
~t has had to pass through. It was with equal spontaneity and
unselfishness that a few years later Professor T. B. L. Webster and
Mrs: Webster (Miss A. M. :Pale) gave up for my sake the precious
spare time left over by their exacting work for the Foreign Office;
they made it possible, under exceedingly unfavourable circumstances,
to produce a translation of some extensive sections. No less great is
the service done to my book by Miss Christina Barratt's readiness,
in the face of serious obstacles, to render some long and difficult
xii
 PREFACE
pieces. Other helpers to whom I am very much indebted for their
share in Englishing the commentary are Mr. G. J. Boyden, Mr. F. C.
Geary, and one who wants to remain unnamed. Mi5s Barbara Flower
contributed some valuable suggestions to the translation of the
Greek text. ·
In the last ten years the name of Miss Margaret Alford has ap-
peared more than once in the prefaces of works of Greek scholarship
published by the Clarendon Press ; the pr~ent preface is fortunately
in a position to follow suit. An indefatigclble worker, Spartan in the
austerity of her life, a rigid and accomplished grammarian, Miss
Alford is at the same time the soul of gentleness. Of her genuine
understanding of great poetry I have ample proof. She spent a long
time going through the English version of my commentary, correcting
errors of the translators and blunders of my own, and giving me,
always with disarming modesty, all sorts of invaluable advice.
As for the reading of the proofs, I have been particularly lucky in
enjoying therein the persistent support of two friends, Professor
Rudolf Pfeiffer and Mr. W. S. Barrett. Their efforts were by no
means con£ned to the correcting of misprints and the ironing out
of inconsistencies. Pfeiffer, whom I used to consult long before it
came to printing, has put all his learning and judgement ungrudg-
ingly at my disposal; what that means will be clear to all classical
scholars. One point at least I must mention specially. But for
Pfeiffer's perfect familiarity with the Greek lexicographers, etymo-
logists, paroemiographers, and so forth, I should never have been
able to find my way through those mazes. Barrett, for his part.
worked his way into the commentary with such patience and zeal
that he soon remembered all its minutiae far better than I did myself.
But while tidying up countless minor inaccuracies, Barrett, being
the kind of scholar he is, never lost sight of the major issues. His
manner of tackling problems that bad baffi.ed me is shown by a few
samples in the Addenda, but the instances in which his knowledge
of Greek and his critical acumen came to my rescue are many more.
His greatest contribution to my book, however, lies in his overhaul-
ing of the first volume, which he read, and corrected, in the manu-
script ; the translation especially has been improved by him almost
out of recognition.
From other friends at Oxford I often had to $eek information on
points of detail, and they never let me down. I am in various ways
indebted to Dr. R. W. Hunt, Professor Paul Jacobsthal, Professor
Felix Jacoby, Mr. Edgar Lobel, and Professor Paul Maas.
Outside Oxford it is to two sons of that great mater studiOfum,
Basle, that I owe a debt of profound gratitude. At the initial stage
of my struggles with the problems of the Agamemmm Professor Peter
Von der Miihll often discussed difficult passages with me, applying
xiii
 PREFACE
to them his rich scholarship and his mellow wisdom. He confirmed
me in the conviction that there was still a great deal to be done for.
the interpretation of the play. Later on, when the commentary
began to take shape, Jacob Wackernagel followed its growth with
the most animating sympathy. By word of mouth as well as in letters
and postcards (the last of them was written in February x938, a few
months before his death) he urged me to persist in my efforts. He
never tired in his willingness to reply to any question I might put
to him; some of his answers will be found in the commentary.
Several libraries have been most liberal in granting me every
facility I could wish for. So my sincere thanks go to the authorities
in charge of the Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean Museum, the
Taylor Institution, Corpus Christi College (Oxford), New College,
and Christ Church; moreover, to the librarians of Cambridge Univer-
sity Library, the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana at Florence, the
Biblioteca Nazionale at Naples, the Bibliotheque Nationale at Paris,
and the Bibliotheek der Rijks-Universiteit of Leyden (where Dr. H. ].
Drossaart Lulofs was a kind and efficient mediator).
What Dr. Colin G. Fink, Head of the Division of Electrochemistry
in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Columbia University,
New York, has done for me may be seen from p. 204 f. of the com:-
mentary.
I am deeply indebted to the Delegates of the Clarendon Press, who
at a very difficult time did not hesitate to undertake the publication
of this bulky book, and no less deeply to the Secretary to the Dele-
gates and the staff of the Press, who have carried through an exceed-
ingly troublesome piece of work with great patience and admirable
skill. I am also very thankful to the Trustees of the Jowett Copyright
Fund for making a generous grant towards the e.xpenses arising
from the translating of some parts of my German manuscript.

The dedication names those two who have made it possible for
me to write the book. ProfessQr Sir J. D. Beazley began to take an
interest in my work soon after I had settled down at Oxford; he has
never failed me since. The encouragement given me by him and by
Jacob Wackernagel determined me to persevere in what I believed
to be a far too ambitious plan. For many years Beazley, with un-
changing generosity and endurance, continued to read twice the
draft of every section of the commentary and the translation of the
Greek text. He would then write his criticisms and suggestions in
the margin and afterwards discuss all the difficulties with me at
great length, often returning to a point with which we had been
dealing before. These talks alone were an abundant reward for all
I was able to do. Beazley's name appears in the commentary in
many places, but my debt to him goes far beyond anything I owe
xiv
 PREFACE
him in detail. Of my wife it must suffice to say that she has made
greater sacrifices for this book than anyone else, and, moreover, that
at all stages of my work she has given me the kind of help which
only she could give.
E. F.
CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE, OXFORD
z January x950

xv
 CONTENTS
VOLUME I
PROLEGOMENA
x. The Manµscripts I
Some Editions and Commentaries
II. 34
APPENDIX I. The Evidence for Casaubon's Work on
Aeschylus 6z
II. John Pearson's Share in Stanley's Aeschylus 78
SIGLA LXBRORUM • 86
TEXT ANI> TRANSLATION 87
PLATES
x. MS Tr (Fames. Neap. ii. F. 31): Ag. x-14 } at
n. MS F (Laur. xxxi. 8): end of hypothesis of Ag., Ag. I-13 end

VOLUME II
A SELECT LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS vi
COMMENT ARY ON l-1055 I

VOLUME III
COMMENTARY ON xo56-:i:673 .
APPENDICES
A. On the Postponement of certain Important Details in
Archaic Narrative . 805
B. On the Weapon with which, according to the Oresteia,
Agamemnon was murdered 806
c. Cho. 991-xoo6 . . 80.9
D. The Footprints in the Choephoroe . 815
E. Short Syllables before Initial Mute and Liquid in the
Lyrics of Aeschylus . 826
F. The Word-order in Ag: 1434 oiJ f'O' #Pov µJ>.a8pov J>."'ls
lp.'11'G.TE'i , 827
ADDENDA ET CORRIGEl{DA TO COMMENTARY

INDEXES

xvi
 PROLEGOMENA
I
THE MANUSCRIPTS
OuR oldest manuscript of the Agamemnota. is a very small fragment
oh papyrus, Pap. Oxy. 2178, ascribed by Lobel to the second century
after Christ. It contains a few letters (varying from one to ten a line)
of the beginnings of 11. 7-go. As one would expect, it agrees at 23
with MV (4>&os) against FTr (vGv cf>ws) and contains I. 7, an interpola-
tion which is presumably pre-Alexandrian.
Next comes M {the Med.iceus), codex Laurentianus xxxii. 9, parch-
ment, written as it seems at the beginning of the eleventh century,
one of the most illustrious of Greek manuscripts. There is no need
to describe it again here or to outline its history. To peruse the
splendid facsimile published by the Italian Ministero dell' Istruzione
Pubblica in 18¢ is a continuous delight; any student of Aeschylus,
however young and inexperienced, should attempt to make himself
familiar with the cleat and easy script of this great book. A good
guide to the part of the MS which contains the text of Aeschylus,
the only part that concerns us here, is provided in Rostagno's
succinct and learned introduction to the facsimile; to this should
be added Wilamowitz's remarks in the prefate to his ~dition of
Aeschylus. For further l.nformation on M cf. H. W. Smyth, Harva}>i/,
Studies in Class. P/lilol. xliv, 1933, 17 ff., and A. Turyn, Tlie Matm-
script Tradition of the Tragedies of Aesclryfas (Polish Institute of
Arts and Sciences in America, New York City 1943), 17 ff., and the
books and articles quoted by him.
As regards the corrections in the Mediceus, ,.;e are not concerned
here with the several correctors of the Renaissance (14th or 15th
century), who confined themselves almost entirely1 to the pl~ys of
the 'Byzantine triad', i.e. Prom., Sept., and Pers. All that is relevant
to our present purposes is the body of corrections made by the first
8iop8wnjs. These corrections are contemporary with the text of the
codex.~ Here, as in many similar cases, the person responsible for

1 'quasi esclusivamentc' says Rostngno, op. cit. :r4 (in his select examples he quotes

a. few corrections by Renaissance correctors Crom the Choephoroe, but none from the
Agamernno11 and the Emnern'des). Perhaps this point should some time be examined
afresh by another scholo.r, who ought to be no less experienced a palaeographer than
was Rostagno.
:a This would be the case, as far as the bulk of the text of Aeschylus (i.e. all save the
.first eight leaves containing Pers. I-'TOS) is concerned, even if Rostagno was right when
he assumed, though with noticeable hesitation, that the text of the first eight leaves
was written in the second half of the xoth century and the rest in the nth century. On
this point I cnnnot venture a judgement of my own, but for the reasons put forward by
x
 PROLEGOMENA
a fresh copy of a classical text intended from the outset that a
s,op0con1s should join the copyists and supplement their work: the
book would not have been regarded as complete until his corrections
were entered. I have used the sign m for the corrections and additions
of the 8wp8con1s.
It was the opinion of Rostagno (op. cit., p. 12) that the 8wp8con1s
of the Mediceus had access to another exemplar, with the help of
which he emended his text and added the scholia and also variants
and interlinear glosses. This idea was emphatically repudiated by
Wilamowitz (Aescliyli tragoediae, p. xi f.). For a further discussion
of the problem see H. W. Smyth, op. cit. 45 f., who on the whole
seems inclined to agree with Wilamowitz. In a case like Ag. u27
it would be helpful if a clear answer to this question could be given.
When, between 1421 and 1423, Giovanni Aurispa acquired the
Mediceus, the codex had already suffered the damage which has had
such serious consequences for the text of the Agamemnon and even
worse consequences for the prologue of the Choej>lwroe. 1 'At a period
which nothing in the book itself enables us to fix, the quires of
Aeschylus became unsewn, and one whole one, and three quarters
of the next were lost' (T. W. Allen,]. Phil. xxii, 1894, 183). This loss
of the entire 18th quaternion (eight leaves, or sixteen pages) and six
leaves of the 19th meant the disappearance- from M of Ag. 3u-xo66
and n6o-end, and of the -Vn&8t!o's of the Clwej>lioroe and the beginning
of its prologue.
The 'codex Bessarionis', Venetus Marcianus 468, paper, in the
Biblioteca Nazionale di San Marco,:& was, as it seems, written in the
thirteenth century. With Wilamowitz and others I call it V (in
Weil's and Mazon's editions it is B). It contains the Byzantine triad
with scholia, followed by a list of tl1e plays of Aeschylus, the w&Oeo's
to the Agamemnon, and Ag. 1-348 (written in three columns to a page,
whereas the text of the triad is written in two columns to a page ;-cf.
Turyn, op. cit. 28). There are in V no scholia to the Agamemnon.
'Apparet scribae praeter triadis librum commentario instructum in-
notuisse codicem, e quo supplementa ilia [the list of plays, the
-Vn&O"o's to Ag., and Ag. x-348) sumpsit' (Wilamowitz, p. xv). In the
text of the Agamemnon the words are often rather crowded together
(in consequence, apparently, of the arrangement in three columns);
Wilamowit:z in the preface of his edition, p. xi, Rostagn.o's hypothesis seems to me im·
probable. However, leaving aside this minor issue, we arc justified in regarding the
whole pre-Renaissance Aeschylus matter in M, i.e. the text, the scholin, Md the corrcc·
tions of the 81op91A>nfr, as a product 'ciusdem aetatis ct eiusdem scholne' (Wilamowitz,
Joe. cit.); cf. also T. W. Allen,]. Phil. xxii, 1894, 168, and Turyn; op. cit. 18.
1 Sec the letter written by Ambrogio Travcrsari to Niccol~ de' Niccoli in May 14~

(reprinted by Rostugno, op. cit. 8 n. 2), from which it appears that the 14 leaves had
already been lost at that date.
s 'The number now used in the Library, but not published in any catalogue, is 6531
(H. W. Smyth, op. cit. 29 n. 1).
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
they are, however, perfectly legible, except in the upper lines of the
pages, where the ink has faded.
The next MS in order of time is presumably Tr, 1 in the Biblioteca
Nazionale in Naples, cod. II.F.31, formerly called Famesianus ;::r.
paper. It is written by the hand of Demetrius Triclinius ;J conse-
quently its date is about the first quarter of the fourteenth century.•
It contains the Byzantine triad and Ag. (complete) and Eum. (with
two large lacunae; see p. 7). There are rich scholia. These fall into
two groups: (x) o-x&A,a. 11a.\a«l, 'introduced by capital letters (which,
in the commentary, occur only for this purpose) and by the projection
of their initial part from the rest of the column' ,s and (2) Triclinius'
own scholia, marked as such by the note ~µ.1.-r~pov (or .J,µ.&~pa.) and
1 I sympathize with the point of view of D. S. Robertson, who declucs himself

{C.R. lvii, x943,.n1) in favour of the symbol T instead of Tr; but there have already
been so many embarrassing alterations in Acschylcan nomenclature that I prefer to
continue the practice introduced by Wilamowitz and accepted by Mazon, Murray, and
G. Thomson. This has also the advantnge of reminding the reader of the fact that the
editor of this book, Demetrius Triclinius, has a distinct individuality of his own.
a For further details {such as size, etc.) of this and other MSS, and for modern publica·
tions dealing with them, I refer once and !or all to H. W. $myth's thorough monograph,
'Co.talogue of the Manuscripts of Aeschylus', HaTtJOrd Studies in Cla.u. Philol. xliv, 1933,
:x tr., and to Turyn's book quoted above.
i This has been stated by scvera1 scholars; recently by Turyn, op. cit. 102 f. E. Lobel
nnd P. Maas have examined with me many pages of the photostats of the Naples llS
(Tr) of Aeschylus and compared them in th'c Bodlcinn Library with the original of
MS New College 258, containing Aphthonius and Hcrmogenes, which bears the sub-
scription Sul ;(CC~ s.,,p.TfTplou .,oo .,p11<'Ml"'I and the date August J3o8 {cf. Turyn, op. cit.
103 n. Sg}; we have also compared the facsimile (Wattenbach-Vclsen, Exempla cadd.
Rraee., pl. 21} of the last page ofTriclinius' dated (1319) autograph of Hesiod {in Venice).
l>cspite certain differences in detail, the general character of the script is very much
the so.me. Lobel and Maas nrc agreed that Tr was in all probability written by Triclinius;
nt nny rate (as Lobel puts it) anyone who tried to deny the identity of the hands would
hnvc to produce very strong arguments to prove his point. No such argument is pro·
vldcd by an assertion which was first put forward by Friedrich Kuhn, 'Symbolae' etc.,
Breslauer PhiltJl. Abha11dlunga1, vi, 1892, xox, and repeated by W. I. W. Koster, Se/iolia
ill Ari.rt. Plul. el Nr1b. (Leyden, x927), p. iii f., nnd by~ Bohingcr in XAPLETHPIA
Alois R1aeh dargebracht (Prague 1930), p. 75 n. 21. These scholars say that some of the
111ctrical scholia on the Agarnem11011 in Tr, though obviously Triclinian, arc marked as
ox6>.A~ 11~cu& 1 and that since such an error could not possibly be ascribed to Triclinius
himself the MS must be regarded ns 11 copy of his autograph. This assertion is based
on OJ\ inaccuracy in van Hcusde's edition: all the metrical scholia on the later part of
the plo.y (from 930 [852 van Heusde) on; for the earlier part van Heusde's notations arc
1~rrcct} which he alleges to be ,,~cue£ are in the :MS clearly marked as Triclinius' own;
In this respect Dindor£'s publication (Philol. xx, 1863, 46 f.) is more rcJiable.-0£ the
differences between Tr and the other two Triclinian MSS referred to above I will mention
one which struck my eye at once : in the New College MS of the rhetoricians and fa the
Venice Hesiod the breathing signs, for both asper and Jenis, have the common rounded
form of the later period, but in Tr they arc invariably angular, and, furthermore, of
tho earlier, 'completer' {ct. V. Gatdthausen, Griech. Palaugraphie, 2nd ed. ii. 386)
nngular type, i.e. t- and ~, not L and _J. According to Gardthauscn, op. cit. 388, this
liJ n feature of the archaizing minuscule of the later period; I do not know whether in
Ille case of Triclinius' Aeschylus this deto.il could be ascribed to the inOucnce of his
~xcmplar.
~ CC. Turyn, op. cit. 103 f.
• H. W. Smyth, Harvard Studies, xxxii, x921, 93.
3
 PROLEGOMENA
a cross or simply by the cross. 1 On the left-hand margin of the page
reproduced as plate I the two types can be easily distinguished :
beneath the ornament opposite the interval between the first two
lines of the text is the heading ax&~ca 11<ll\<U<£, and undetneath it are
the two 'old' scholia, the one beginning with 14.UT!'lws and the other
with Kvv~s 8il<7}v; while at the top of the marginal column i$ the
heading -1,µb"pov, and underneath it a cross and then .;, ~'to6ttcns "ToG
8paJ14TOS K'T~. .
The next MS is F, in the Biblioteca Laurenziana in Florence,
cod. xxxi. 8, paper.: For evidence of its date we do not have to
depend on palaeographical indications, which for :MSS of the four-
teenth and fifteenth centuries at any :i:ate seem to be rather elusive.
An approximate terminus post tpUm, viz. after the first two or three
decades of the fourteenth century, is provided by the fact that the
metrical scholia, written by the same hand as the text, are derived
from the commentary of Triclinius (see below, pp. x6 ff.); and a
precise terminus atite quetn is provided by a note on the last page of
the MS (after the subscriptio at the end of the text of Lycophron)
in which somebody whose hand is entirely different from that of the
copyis_t, presumably the owner of the book, mentions the death of
his wife in the year 1374· This important entry,:i which was pub-
lished in the eighteenth century by A. M. Bandini, Catalogus codicum
Graecorum Bibliothecae Lat4Yentianae, ii. 84, is never mentioned by
editors of Aeschylus;• there is, however, a reference to it in M. Vogel
and V. Gardthausen, 'Die griech. Schreiber des Mittelalters und der
Renaissance', Beihefte zum ZemralblaU filr Bibliotllekswesen, xxxili,
1909, 259 n. 4, and in Turyn, op. cit. 70 (for H. W. Smyth, see foot-
note 4 below) ; let us hope, then, that future editors will not forget
it again. The MS contains the Byzantine triad, Ag. (complete), and
Eum. (with the same two lacunae as Tr).
The corrections in F, and its scholia (metrical and others), glosses,
and variants, will be discussed in detail later on. Here it will be suffi-
• For the manner in which Triclinius in his edition or the bucolic poets distinguished
his own scholia from the ,,a).Q,4 see C. Wendel, 'Ubcrliererung und Entstehung der
Theokrit·Scholien', Abhandl. cl. Gesellsch. cl. Wissensch. iiu G61lingen, Phil.-hist. Kl.,
N.F. xvii. 2, 19211 31 ff.
:a Since Tr is older than F, it may seem strange that I have generally referred to the
two MSS in the order Frr. My reason for doing so is that the text of Fis pre·Triclinian,
as will be shown below.
, I have a photograph or it.
4 The consequences or this ovClSight are remarkable. Blass, Die Eume11Ule1i des
Aisdrylos, p. 18, criticized Wecklcin for dating F to the first half or the 14th century,
and added that he himself did not know why the .MS should be older than the 15th
century. Wilamowitz (p. xix) said 'saec. xiv, vcrgcnte, opinor, scriptus'; Mazon (vol. ii,
p. xx) 'xtv9 ou XVo si~cle'; Murray 'saec. XlV vcrgente scriptus'; and even H. W. Smyth,
Banxutl Studies, :xliv, 1933, 16, though he quotes from Vogel-Gardthauscn the entry
or the year 1374, dates the MS 'xiv-xv'. So here, once again, 'non impunc Bandinium
n~lcxerunt editorcs' (Wilamowitz, Anal. Eur. 4 n. 6).

4
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
cient to state briefiy that at any rate in the section containitig the
A.gamemmm not only the variants but also the scholia and most of
the glosses a~e by the same hand as the text, 1 but that some of the
glosses show a different, and perhaps later, hand.
The last MS to be used by me is the Venetus Marcianus 616 (now
663),: which I call G with Wilamowitz and others (in Mazon's edition
it is V) ; parchment. The more recent editors ascribe it to the fifteenth
century. It contains the Byzantine triad and Ag. and Eum. In the
Eum. there are the same two large lacunae as in Tr and F, but unlike
those MSS G does not contain the whole Ag. : eight leaves, containing
11. 46-1094, are missing. It has metrical scholia on Pers., Ag., and
Eum., but no other scholia. On the relation between F and G see
p. 30 f. ; from what is· said there it will appear that in most cases it is
unnecessary to mention the reading of G, but that, on the other hand,
this MS is by 110 means without its value for the reconstruction of the
hyparchetype.
About the 'codex Romanus' (E in Wilamowitz's edition), in the
Biblioteca Nazionale in Rome, cod. graec. 5, one sentence will
suffice. After Pasquali's re-examination of the MS and his clear ver-
dict (in the article quoted in footnote x below) this book should meet
with its deserved fate : oiJ.r' J11 .:\&yw' oiJ.r' b &.ptfJµGJ,,

From the time of G. Burges, 3 Cobet,4 and W. Dindorfs until fairly

recently it was commonly believed (though there were a few eminent
dissenters)6 that all our extant MSS of Aeschylus, including those
which contain only the Byzantine triad, ·are derived from the
Mediceus (M). This belief has now been shaken, mainly, so it seems,
ns a result of Wilarnowitz's edition. As far as the text of Pr<»n.,
Sept., and Pers. is concerned, one need hardly fear that, if the
!nshion changes again, sensible scholars will relapse into the former
error. But the problem is different, and the risk of a reactionary
movement greater, in the case of Ag. and Eum. For here, as Wilamo-
witz7 admitted in 1889 (Euripides Herakles, vol. i, 1st ed.= Ein-
lcitiing in die griechisclie Tragiidie, 204 n. x66), there seems to be a
1 This conclusion, at which I arrived after a long study of the photostats, has met
with the consent of both Lobel and Maas. Thus we o.gree with Pasquali, Rendiumli
dtll' .Auad. aaLinui, Ser. VI, vol. vi, 1930, 39, and 1\nyn, op. cit, xor, against Wilamo.
wltz, p. xix.
1 Cf. H. W. Smyth, Harvard Studies, xliv, 1933, 29 n. x.
~ See his edition of the Suppl. of Aeschylus (18:n), p. 42, nod of the E11m. (1822),

ll• ~39/iie relevant sentence from his Oralw de arte i11terprelandi (18.f7) is quoted by
A. C. Pea.non in his Oxford edition of Sophocles, p. iii f,
• Sec cspcclally Philol. xviii, 1862, SS f.
• To those whom I shall mention presently we may add Th. Bergk, Neue JahrbfkMr
jar Pln1ol. und Padag. xcvii, x868, 374.
' The caution of this early remark is very different from the easy optimism in his
llltcr treatment of the same subject.
5
 PROLEGOMENA
lack of really decisive passages. This being so, it is not only useless
but positively harmful to amass inconclusive instances in an attempt
to prove that the later MSS are independent of M. No purpose is
served by referring, for example, to Ag. 297 (7Ta,8lov dmoO MV, 11'e8lov
duw7ToG FTr), as was done by H. L. Ahrens (he regarded it as 'incon-
ceivable' that the correct reading here should have been the result
of a Byzantine conjecture), Wilamowitz, 1 p. xix, and Turyn, op. cit.
in. For it would be very difficult to reject Weil's argument (p. iv
of his Teubner edition) : 'potuit vera lectio felici coniectura reponi
a grammati~ Byzantino Persarum versus 8o5 [µlµvovu' 8' lv8a. 11"e8lov
14uCl'1Tos poa.ts I ~£'] memore'. Fortunately we need not rely on
such doubtful support. Even for Ag. and Eum. (and it is the text of
these plays only that concerns us here) the evidence, though not
ample, is yet sufficient to show that VF(G)Tr are independent of M;
in a later section some instances from the scholia will be added.
The main credit for refuting with substantial arguments the
assumption that the later MSS containing Ag. and Eum. are derived
from M goes to Ahrens (Philologus, Supplementband i, 186o, 216 f.),
F. Heimsoeth (in his book Die i1ulirecle Oberlieferung des aescliy-
lei.sclieti Tex/a, 1862, x8o ff., and in several 'Indices lectionum' of
Bonn), C. Brennan ('On the Manuscripts of Aeschylus',]. Phil. xxii,
1894, 49 ff.), and F. Blass (introduction to his commentary on Eum.,
p. 19 f.). Although each of these scholars included in his list passages
which do not in fact prove his point, each of them nevertheless was
able to produce really conclusive evidence, e.g. Ahrens Ag. 1133
and n52, Brennan Ag. 79, 137, and xx43. Most of the instances dis-
cussed below were adduced by Blass.
I begin with V (including readings of V shared by FTr). Here the
harvest is bound to be meagre, for we have only 348 lines to go upon,
and, moreover, the readings of V agree to a large extent with those
of M (see below). But what we do find is not to be despised. At Ag. 79
-r&8t11'Efflpws in VF is a step nearer to the original reading than
-rl8,11'ef'Yl1pws in M, but since it is equally unintelligible it cannot be
regarded as an attempt to emend .,{8,11'Efflpws, and consequently
must be derived from a source independent of M (for an explanation
of the wrong ending see the commentary) ; when Dindorf, Philol.
xviii, 1862, 64, ascribes the reading -r&8,11'ef'Yl1pws to mere accident
('beruht wohl nur auf Zufall'), he shows clearly to what subterfuges
he is driven by his prejudiced view that M is the only source of the
other MSS. At Ag. 72 V's &.-rbra.w., again independent of M, is in all
probability conflated from the variants &.-rl-ra' and &.-rl-r~. An even
more interesting varia lutio is preserved by V at Ag. 137 (rightly
appreciated by Brennan, op. cit. 53) : 11'TtUuvKa. is presumably the
1 The conclusion which in the same context Wilamowitz draws from E11111. 959 1<Jpus

has been shown to be wrong by P. Mnas: sec my note on Ag. 562 (vol. ii, p. 284 n. 2).
6
 . THE MANUSCRIPTS
result of llTAKA in the archetype, whence M chose 7"'<1Ko. and the
1

source of FTr 7"'6JKo..

I now come to the relation between Mand the group F(G)Tr. It
is generally recognized that this group represents a single hyparche-
type; the two large lacunae in Eum. common to the three MSS, from
582 to 644 and from 778 to 8o7, are alone sufficient to prove the
common origin. The following passages show that the hyparchetype
was not derived from M. In Ag. xr33 the meaningless 81} al. of FTr
would not have been written by anyone who had the 3,a, of M before
him: it goes back to the original 8&a1. In Ag. n43 F has rp&AolKTo&s
.,.CXJ\a(vcus (i.e. the genuine if>&AolJc.ro,s together with the variant or
gloss .,.CXJ\alvo.is), and so obviously had the exemplar of Tr (Triclinius
himself having clipped it nutri gratia) ; in M, on the other hand,
~t).oll<'To's has disappeared.
We now tum to a number of passages in which the readings of
li'Tr coincide with readings of the first scribe of M which were
subsequently erased, or altered in some other way, by the 8t0pOw-nls
(m). The instances which come under this head are of such a kind
that while the trained eye of a modem palaeographer finds no
difficulty in making out the writing of the first hand, a Byzantine
copyist would not have noticed anything but the correction of the
8'op9w-nls. 2 For our present purpose only those instances are to be
i·cgarded as relevant in which it is virtually impossible that the
reading of FTr should be due to the conjecture or mere error of a
scribe who had the corrected reading of m before him. In Ag. 245
VF have th~ E~lrraµ.ov which was originally written in M (Triclinius
gives a metrical conjecture of his own): they (or their hyparchetype}
would certainly not have produced this non-existent and nonsensical
word if they had found the perfectly good EihrOTµov which we now
read in the Mediceus (one has to look rather carefully to discover in
the erasure a dim trace of the o.}. In Eum. 262 (not included in Blass's
list} the 8uuay1<&µicrrpov of FTr coincides with the original reading
of M, where the p has completely disappeared in the erasure. If in
Eunz.. 299 the scribe of the hyparchetype of FTr had had in front of
him oih-o,, i.e. the reading by which the corrector of M supplanted
the earlier oih-,s, there would have been no reason why he should
ha.ve changed it to otJ.r,s. Nor was there in Eum. 365 any conceivable
en.use for giving up Z~s (the u which the corrector of M added at the
nnd is perfectly clear) in favour of ZEu (this instance is absent from
Blass's list}: we must therefore conclude that the exemplar of FTr
hn.d ZEu as had the exemplar of M. In Eum. 950 the correct3 reading
1 For the intrusion of a gloss into the text of V sec 153.
a Blass, Eum. p. x9, wisely puts between square brackets the passngcs in which the
letters originally written in M nrc still recognizable enough to have struck the eye of
"Byzantine reader, viz. Eum. 272 and 424.
' Cf. my remark in vol. iii, p. 6:z8.
7
 PROLEGOMENA
J.,,u<palvEc., in which FTr agree with the first hand of M (where the
, before the v has been completely erased by the corrector), cannot
be accounted for by assuming that the scribe of the hyparchetype
of FTr objected to brU<pavEt on metrical grounds, for from Ag. x340
it is clear that he scanned this form as ~ ~ - - ; nor would he have
taken exception to the meaning of briKpav(t, since the future tense
of the verb in its ordinary sense would seem to suit the context
very well.
Certain other instances in which the reading of M before its cor-
rection is identical with that of FTr do not provide an absolute
proof that FTr are independent of M in its final form, since there we
must admit the possibility, though not the probability, that a scribe
with M before him altered its reading either by mistake or as a
deliberate correction, in which case the coincidence with the original
reading in M would have to be ascribed to mere chance. Thus it is
possible that in Ag. u52 someone starting from l11i tf>&pw, produced
brlrf>o/Ja. by a lucky conjecture. In Eum. 2u (the first scribe of M
wrote ,,.fq yap, but the " has been completely erased) the reading
.,.Ls yap in FTr might be due to the error of a copyist whose eye strayed
to the beginning of 209 ,,.Ls ..qse. The weakest item in Blass's list is
Eum. 330 ('1TapJ4>pova. FTr and perhaps1 the first hand in M, 'TTa.pa<f>opO.
M after the correction), for here it would be natural for a copyist
to alter his text to agree with the antistrophe (343), where the MSS
have '11apJ4>pova..
As regards the O.Vvap9pov of FTr in Ag. 254, I am inclined to regard
it with Blasg: as a corruption of the original O.Vvop8pov rather than
a conjecture based upon <111vopfJl>v (M), for it is only as 'a grammatical
term that O.VvapfJpos is commonly used.
In our task of demonstrating that the group FTr is independent
of M we are not very considerably helped by the scholia, 3 for most
1 See, however, as against BL1.SS and Wilamowitz:, the app. crit. of Vitelli-Wecklein.

I cannot make out from the facsimile what letter has disappeared in the erasure
between ~ and o. :a Brennan, op. cit. 53, reserves judgement on this point.
J Blass (Eum. p. 20) quotes two pnsugcs from the F scholia. on the Ag. in order to
show that they arc independent of M. One of them, on 283 (adduced for the same
purpose from Tr by F. Heimsoeth, 'De scholiis in Aesch. Ag••••', Index kelionum
of the University of Bonn, 1868/9, ix), docs not prove the point, for from the name
'Bpl'o.'io ... anyone could infer that this was a place bi CZ. bcl'&-ro & 'Bpl'if; the other, on
,58, makes a much better case, and will be discussed in our examination of' the F scholia.
Wilamowitz (p. xix) mentions four scholia in Tr which in his opinion prove that the
group FGTr is independent of M (all of them had been used for the same purpose by
Heimsoeth, Die indirede Oberliefenmg des aeseh. Tates, 181 f,, and 'De scholiis in
Aesch. Ag.', vii); but none of them is really conclusive. One 0£ them is the note on
Ag. l09J, where the ax&>.. "a.>.. in Tr have C:,s "*""' (Uplf {w(r... (slightly misquoted by
Wilamowitz). Here Wilamowitz admitted himself (Hermes, xxv, 189<>, 162 n. 11 where he
also acknowledges his debt to Hcimsoeth) the possibility that the reading in Tr is the
result of a Byzantine conjecture, and this is in fact very likely : no scribe who bad his
eye on I. 1093 as a whole (and, perhaps, remembered the beginning of the Ajax) could
fail to recover the original reading (UP'S (or &p,s) from the slight corruption (~p(o"°'
8
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
of them have come down to us in a rather attenuated form. We shall
be in a slightly better position when we come to analyse the non-
metrical scholia in F (p. 24 f. below). For the moment I shall confine
myseli to drawing attention to two remarkable pieces of evidence
which provide a welcome confirmation of what bas been stated above.
It is surprising that the strange 8uou1etSts (or 81JOU1eLvtSt~ as the MSS
have it) in Ag. 87 is in M left without any.explanation; and when we
then find in the uxo>.. '71'~. of Tr a variant {f.VP7]T<U KcU IC'T'A.) and added
to it a substantial comment (see my note), there can hardly be any
doubt that this comes from the original stock of the scholia and
consequently shows the hyparchetype of FTr to be independent of
M. We are probably justified in drawing the same conclusion from the
scholion on Ag. 177 µ&.IJos. M has no note at all, but in the uxo>.. w~.
in Tr we read this: L1JuxP7JCTTos µ& 7j Mf,s, c:LU, J4.TT,~' ws y?J.p To
plos 1ea2. 'TO ff>..lwos, oihw 1ea2. TO µ.48os 1eal b, 'TO 8{Aflos Ka~ 'TO {J>.&.{Jos 1eai
TO 1e'M•.,,os. For similar comments cf. e.g. Prom. 400, where (on plos)
M has the scholion pf.OJ.W.. wa,,O. TO plw plos ws 1e>.l.m-w 1e'A&ros 1CT'>...,
and cf. also Schol. Ar. Pem:e s28 (on 7r'MKos). It is not of course
inconceivable that a Byzantine scholar whose knowledge of the text
o.nd scholia of Aeschylus was confined to what he found in the
Mediceus or one of its descendants should have added at Ag. 177
o. note on µ.J.IJos which he compiled from the lexicographers, but this
is most unlikely, especially as we do not find the words µ.J.Oos, 8{A/los,
{JM.{Jos, 1<U.,,os in the list of similar formations which comes nearest
to that in our scholion, viz. the one in Suid. s.v. 7r'Al1eos.
Before examining in detail the relation between F and Tr and the
changes which the text and scholia of their common hyparchetype
llave undergone in each of them, something must be said about the
position of Vin regard to M on the one hand and to FTr on the other.
This position has been well summed up by Brennan, who says
(p. SS) 'V sides now with M against FGTr, now with the latter against
M', and by Wilamowitz, p. xxi, who in discussing the text of Ag.
I-g48 as presented by V says -'neque ad Mediceum haec redeunt
ueque ad idem exemplum quo FGTr usi sunt, sed modo ad hoc modo
nd ilium se applicant'. So V shares with M (against FTr) the genuine
readings S 8lpos {JpOTots, 23 tf>&.os, 48 1<A~oVTtSS, 8o .,.p{.,,o8as, etc., and
the corruptions 2 µfj1eos 8' ~v, 29 brop8pc&C~w, 82 1,µtSp/K/>a:rov, 123
~oyo&z.tras, etc., r and on the other hand shares with FTr (against M)

of the scholion in M. Again nt Eum. 541 where the last word of the line was corrupted
Jn the Tro.pc{Boars, the scholion in M, oro,, alpo:rTJph (cf. Clio. 1058), would enable even
o. poor scholar to elaborate it and write o.lpo."lpO>' crr~o.yl'&,, (crxd-\. "~· in Tr). The last
Jtem in this group (for Ag. 1672, where Mis mming, is of no use here) is Eum. 56o; here
ngnin Hcim.soeth and Wilamowitz have not proved their point, for Triclinius, as was
his wont, changed the 8'pJJO'fY'IG>' of his exemplar's text to 8tpp6',, to square the metre
with that of the antistrophe, and then added the fonncr word as a gloss, ifyow Q,pµ.oun{.)1.
1 At 198 V provides a typical example of accumulating corruption, for the starting·

9
 PROLEGOMENA
the genuine readings 79 ,,.oo. (cf. p. 6), u9 ~pt1<vµova., 141 cU7TTo,s, etc.,
and the corruption 26 '"Jµ.a.vw.
The first few items in this brief list, besides illustrating the relative
value of V, may also serve a different purpose: they reveal certain
changes which the text has undergone in the hyparchetype of
F(G)Tr and thus lead to the unwelcome conclusion that for the part
of the Agamenmon in which only F(G)Tr are extant, i.e. for x,232
lines out of x,673, the foundations of the text are far from reliable.
The worst feature is not deterioration through inadvertent miscopy-
ing such as is bound to happen in the course of transmission, but
a number of deliberate and wanton alterations, as e.g. at 5 {JpOTots
8lpos instead of 8lpos {JpOTo'is, at 23 vtiv t/>Ws instead of rpaos, at 48
~d.yfo.VTES instead of ~a,oVTES', to which we may add, e.g., 98 d'l'l'E'iv
instead of o.lvE'iv, 286 VtrElp 1>.71s instead of VTrEP'f'EA~s, 1094 ltf>Evp{Jcm
instead of ~v €Vp~crtJ (or civw~crtJ), 1095 µ.a.p1'1Jp{o,s ply yO.p instead of
µo.p'T'Vplo,s yap (interesting because it shows a pre-Triclinian1 metrical
interpolation in lyrics), uo6 {Joa., 'l'l'OAts instead of 11&>.,s {Jo&t (cf. 5).
In some of these instances it would be very difficult to detect the
mischief without the assistance of MV or M. At 340 (where M is not
preserved) the civt°AOVT6 of V reproduces the archetype, and av y,
~AOVTEs in FTr is a metrical conjecture.
Now that I have discussed the degree of reliability of our MSS of the
AgatMmtwn, I will dwell on this question for a moment and will add
an observation that takes us beyond the description, comparison,
and valuation of the extant MSS. The precariousness of the authori-
ties on which in the main our text of the Agamenmon rests comes
out even more strikingly when we look at the quotations furnished
by ancient writers, lexicographers, etc. In the case of this play they
are not very numerous, but nevertheless are quite sufficient to give
us a salutary warning. It is to the text of Aristophanes' Frogs that
we owe at xo9 the genuine T;Pa.s and at III Kal XEP£ (which in the MSS
of Aeschylus has been ousted by a gloss, and could hardly have been
recovered by conjecture). At x41 the gap in our MSS has been filled
with the help of the Et.ymol-Ogicum Magnf4m; at both 282 and 284
a rare word has been replaced by an ordinary one, which would
have been accepted without hesitation if the lexicographers (and
Athenaeus) had not enabled us to recover the original reading. At
448 the true form a,o.£, before it was found in the quotation of the
point of its Ka-rdt(l'Ov was obviously the Ke&Tct(l'Ov which we find also in M.-Among the
features which link :M and V together, the colometry should not be overlooked: in the
ode 104 ff. the arrangement of the metrical K<Al~ in V agrees to a considerable extent
with that in M against the arrangement in Frr.
• The proof will be given bclow.-It seems to me probable that at 1096, too, the
change in Ffr of -r&B~ to Tel is due to nn attempt to make the line correspond to 1091
(awo</Jd~ """cl KGpT4vo.&), Such 'corrections' do not presuppose an elaborate metrical
system: a mere counting of the number of syllabics was sufficient !or the purpose.
IO
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
'Epimerismi', was restored by Hermann; but at 1356 it was only the
discovery of the so-called Tryphon that revealed the nature of a
particularly insidious corruption, which had been glossed over by
many editors, though S. Butler had the sense to protest 'sed sanum
csse hunc locum nemo mihi persuadebit'. Of these seven instances,
the first five occur in a part of the play which is preserved in all our
MSS of the Agamemnon, and so prove irrefutably that we are by
no means on safe ground even where we have MV as well as FTr:
the corruptions in question are not peculiar to one or another group
of MSS, but go right back to the archetype. It may be useful here
to repeat the warning in which Wilamowitz (p. xxix) sums up the
inference to be drawn from a longer list of passages from all Aeschy-
lcan plays, passages in which faulty readings of the MSS are corrected
with the help of quotations: 'sufficiunt haec, ut intellegamus vitia
in archetypo infuisse multa, nee pauca ex his coniectura probabilis
tollere numquam poterat. Apparet etiam subinde voces rariores
glossematis expulsas esse, perniciosum corruptelae genus, quoniam
verum deficiente testimonio perraro recuperatur atque studio rariora
captandi multi in avia abrepti sunt.' The last remark applies parti-
cularly to the large group of scholars who, especially in the course
of the last hundred years, have endeavoured to find a place in the
text of Aeschylus for some homeless gloss in Hesychius. The tempta-
tion to do so and to toy with ingenious combinations will always be
great, but anyone who strives in earnest to deserve the name of
1epmK&s should at least form a clear idea of the pitfalls of this game.
One of the considerations which ought to make us pause was recently
emphasized by Latte, M1iet1ws. Ser. III, x, 1941, 87 : ·the quantity
of tragic texts from which excerpts were made by Didymus and
Diogenianus, the lexicographers from whose works the bulk of the
material contained in Hesycbius is derived, was more than ten times
ns large as what is now preserved. I therefore prefer to err on the
side of exaggerated caution. Even in the case of 11. 639 and 677 (see
the commentary on these two passages) it does not seem to me beyond
doubt that we are justified in replacing the text ,".'f FTr, poor though
the authority of these MSS often is, by readings gathered from
nnonymous quotations in Hesychius.
To return now to the mutual relationship of the extant MSS: it
is of vital importance to the task in hand to form a clear idea of the
character of F(G), and especially of the relation between F(G) and
'l'r. We have seen that the text of F(G}Tr in many places shows the
marks of arbitrary interference. That is bad enough. But our position
would be worse, and indeed almost desp~rate, if those critics were
right who hold that F(G) as well as Tr represents a substantially
Triclinian text. 1 In that case all we should have to go on for about
1 Sec F. Blass, Die E1m1enidm des Ais&liylos, p. x8; G. Thomson, The Ore.steia, i. ']6;
:r:I
 PROLEGOMENA
three-fourths of the Agametmum. would be a text into which, from
what we know about Triclinius, we should have to expect that many
violent changes had been introduced by that learned and ingenious
but extremely reckless doctrinaire. Fortunately we may comfort
ourselves on this head.
It is possible to obtain a small-scale picture of the typical difference
between the Triclinian and the pre-Triclinian text (F) by glancing,
for instance, at the first part of the first stasimon {355 f.). In 356
Triclinius gives way to bis dislike for the paroemiac and consequently
barbarizes the line. To secure corresponsion between strophe and
antistrophe he inserts a stopgap in 379 (cf. 397), adds <l>s at the
beginning of 387 (cf. 369), prefixes b- to 8tls in 395 {cf. -377), reads
110AM S' lcn&0v instead of 110Au S' avlo-reoov in 4o8 {cf. 425), and adds
a preposition in 383 and the article in its corresponding line 401. The
'rhythmical refrain' of the. second strophe and antistrophe he giyes
in the following form :
str. (416 ff.) t?iµopif>wv yap KoAoaawv
q8era1. xap'S Tav8pt, I
tJµµdTWll 8' lJI amv{a,S
~PPE' 'Ttoo' &.if>po8lTa.
ant. (433 ff.) olJs plv yU.p 11IJAA/1Ev ol8Ev·
&.vri 8~ ppo'Twv TEVX1J
KcU 0'7T000S 'TtpOs JKd.cnov 'TOUS
8&µovs '"'°""'""''""°"·
The changes in 433 ff. are especially violent; yet the only flaw in
these eight lines as they were written in the hyparchetype of FTr
was the omission of Tts in 433. It would be easy to go through all
the lyrics of the play and collect a rich harvest of meddlesome re-
writing of this kind;:. but it seems more profitable to dwell for a
moment on the eight lines we have just noticed and to use them to
demonstrate that the text which was so boldly altered by Triclinius
was very similar to the text of F not only in its words but also in
the arrangement of the lines, i.e. the KWAoµerpla. If we want fully to
understand the textual manreuvres of Triclinius, we have to realize
and especially A. Turyn, op. cit. uo ff. D. S. Robertson mys in his review of Turyn's
monograph (C.R. lvii, 1943, 111) 'no one can doubt that FGT have a common source,
and that this source had been edited in a thoroughly Triclinian spirit'. It is the second
part of this sentence which has to be exnmincd here, for the first part is obviously true.
Ben E. Peny (Class. Phil. xl, 1945, 26o) and R. <Antarella (Diolfiso, x. 1947, 149 and xs2)
also accept Turyn's results, including his assumption that FG represent Triclinius' first
edition.
1 Interpolation of the article, ns here and in front of Uµo~ in 4J6, is one of the best-

known characteristics of Triclinius' editorship. The insertion is often prompted, as here,

by metrical reasons.
2 The right explanation of the changes which the lyrics as they stnnd in F have

undergone in Tr was given long ago by PetIUS Victorius (p. 2 of his prefaoe).
I2
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
that to him the colometry which he found in his exemplar was
invested with the authority of an authentic .,,a,p&&a,s, and, moreover,
that the colometry of the hyparchetype of FTr is on the whole
faithfully preserved in F. It was equally well preserved in the
exemplar of Tr, and where Triclinius did not have a special reason
for altering it he left it as he found it. This can be seen, for instance,
from the beginning of the lyrical part of the parodos, xo4 f., where
the colometry in FTr is different from that in MV. The same appears
e.g. at n34 f. That passage in M is arranged thus :
1TOAVE7TEtS' 'Td)(J'O.L
8(cnrWJr.8ov 4'0/Jov
#povu' µ.a.0,rv.
but in FTr thus:
'TWO.' 8(cnrUlJ8ov
1TOAU(11'(tS'
#/Jov </>lpoua' (-aw Tr) µ.a.8,rv.
To return now to the rhythmical refrain 433 ff., we find that in F
the lines are arranged as follows:
o~ ,Uv yap l7TEJ»/lw ol8EV·
civr~ 8E fw-rli>v '1'(1$)(11
KcU 0'7Tooos ,zs l Kdcrrov
80µ.ous ac/JucvEtTO.,,

A comparison of this form of the lines with the form in which they
nppear in Tr (see p. I2) puts it beyond doubt that what we have in
F, so far from being a Triclinian product, is in fact the foundation
on which the metrician Triclinius erected theedificeofhisconjectures.
Of the many passages by which the same point could be illustrated
I will for a special reason mention xo15-17 = xo30-4. These lines
appear in F and Tr in the following fonn :
1015 ff. in F : lOIS ff. in Tr:
7To~<L TO' 8&o,s lt< Alos 1TO~cL TOL 8&a,s 8c.Os •
aµ.c/JiAa4>1Js T( K~ 0.µ4>~a"1"'1s TE 1<0.i
&.\oKWV t1T('T(lQ.v i~ &.\&i<wv bre-r"O.v,
vija-r&V ~AEOEV v&aov. vij<M'W <ZAEOEV v&aov·

1030 ff. in F : 1030 ff. in Tr :

vGv 8' Un-o aK6-rw /Jplµ.Ei WV s· Vn-o a1<&-rq> /Jplµ.(&,
8uµ.a.A-r>1s TE Ka.i otIB& tAwopha. 7TOTE
briA110µ.lva. no-rE 1<0.lpwv tKTOAU7T(1$qE,V'
Ka.lpwv tKTOAV'TT~U(&V' {w11upovµ.lva.s </>pEvOS.
{W7rVpovp.lvas </>pEVos.
The reason why Triclinius deleted ti< in xo15 and omitted 8uµ.a.A'Y>1s
TE Ka.i oa}8Ev ,.,, after 1030 is one and the same: he wanted to achieve

13
 PROLEGOMENA
exact corresponsion between strophe and antistrophe. This was
not very easy, for in the strophe, either after 1004 or after 1005,
- v v - v v - had dropped out. Nevertheless, by means of a few
minor alterations and a bold cut after 1030, he succeeded in producing
two symmetrical stanzas of fifteen 1ewAa. each ; and having done this
he states, in his metrical scholion on 975, 1ea~ lent. -rijs µlv 'frpWrqS
cnpo#js 'Ta KWAa. ,..y' . • . -rijs Se 8Ewlpas tE' 1eal 'Ta -rijs aV'TtaTpo#js
TouaGTa.. This makes it clear that the omission in Tr of the eight
syllables after 1030 is due, not to an inadvertence as was assumed
by Blass {p. 18 f. of his edition of the Eum.) and Wilamowitz (on
Ag. 1031; he wrongly concluded that the arrangement of the lines
in the exemplar of Tr was different from that in F), but to a deliberate
act of harmonization on the part of Triclinius.
Compared with the lyrics, the trimeters did not provide Triclinius
with quite so many opportunities for alterations on metrical grounds,
but here too he found enough instances of faulty scansion to reward
his labours. 1 See e.g. the following Jines: Ag. u39 (o.IBbror' FG:
ov &j '"or' Tr), 1231 (here he had ToAµci(t) before him and consequently
took Tota8E as neuter accusative), 1295, 1356, Eum. 306 (where the
absence in his exemplar of 8, induced him to change uµ.vov ••• 'TOv8e
to vµ.vwv ••• 'Twv8e), and probably Ag. 539 (ovK aVTepw F: ov1e&'
av-rt!pliJ Tr; for the schol. vetus see the commentary). At Ag. 1652
he produced a correct trochaic tetrameter by writing 'frpOKO'fr'Tos
instead of the 7Tpo1e0Tros which he found in bis exemplar.
It would, however, be wrong to suppose that Triclinius confined
himself to correcting the metre. To show that this was not so it
will suffice to quote a small number of passages the text ·of which
(as preserved in the hyparchetype of FTr) was altered by him on
grounds other than metrical. At Ag. 184 ff. he missed (or did not
like) the anacoluthon, common though it is in Aeschylus, and con-
sequently in 187 changed uvµ.TTvlwv to uvµ.7TVlet. At 231 he sub-
stituted b ouuoLs for &.O{ots, which he probably did not understand.
At 304 he attempted to emend the hopeless µ.~ xa.pl{ea8m by writing
&q instead of µ.~. At 455 he failed to see the ,Point of lx,oVTas (and
perhaps mistook €x_8p&. for the neuter plural), and therefore wrote
J.x8pws, with the gloss €x_Opw8ws 8ta1e~Lµlvous 'ltepl a.lm]v. At 98o ff.
again (cf. above on 184 ff.) he thought the anacoluthon objectionable,
so he removed the apparent harshness by the conjecture a7T07TTl1uat,
explaining the construction in his paraphrase: ov8e ~n E7T~ Tov cf>O..ov
Op&vov -rijs cf>pEVOS µ.ou 8&puos dn1'8ts . • . WO"T~ a71'0'fr'TVO'a' 1ea2 a'frO-
{Ja.AE'iv 'ToGTo K'TA. At 1<>84 he altered the meaningless 11'ap& to 11'apov.
1 Trimeters which did not scan until Triclinius corrected them existed even in the

much more intensely studied plays 0£ the Byzantine triad, although, of course, con·
jeetures on metrical grounds were made there at an earlier period too (c£. e.g. Pers. 326,
6871 782). In .Ag. 340 the metrical conjecture cr,. y' I>.&"<$ (FTr) is pre-Triclinian.
:r4
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
At l6II he put lS&VTi. in the place of l8&VTa. and thus destroyed a fine
idiomatic peculiarity.
In all these instances, and in several similar ones, the readings
which gave rise to Tridinius' conjectures are still preserved in F. It
is therefore quite wrong to call the text of F Triclinian or to regard
it with Turyn as a first immature edition by Triclinius, for a Tri-
clinius who would have let by all the things which, in striking con-
trast to the alterations in Tr, we find in F, would be no Triclinius
at all. I am not even prepared to confer on the te>..-t of F the doubtful
honour of calling it 'proto-Triclinian', since it is definitely pre-
Triclinian.
This can best be illustrated by a comparison of the primary
readings of F with its interlinear corrections. The following list con-
tains a selection of passages in which a word in F bas been corrected,
by the superscription of a letter or two, 1 in such a way that the
corrected form agrees with the reading of Tr against the original
reading in F: Ag. 5n ~.\8' F, ~.\Oq- TrF2 ; 68o KAvwv F, KAU£w TrF2;
718 f. o~os F, oiJ.Tws TrF2 ; 145 '"'Kpofi F, 'ITLKfXIS TrF2 ; 920 f3&aµ.a. F,
/36'1]µ.a. TrF2 ; 957 8&µ.ovs F, 8&JU1Jv TrF2; 974 µ.l.\n F, µJAoi. TrF2;
1252 '1Tap£aK&1ms F, '1Tapea1<6rrqs TrF2; 1477 ylwr,s F, ylwa.s TrF2 ;
Eum. 217 µ.&pu'f'O' F, µ.&puLf'OS TrF2; 218 opKOVS 'Tl F, opKOVS 'TE TrF2 ;
435 at:f3&µ.a'a' F, ulf3o,µ.b TrF2 (this, at any rate, is what was intended
by F2, though actually the scribe, while writing 01. above the o,
1 For detnils of the interlinenr letters see my npp. crit. and Blass's npp. crit. to the
Eumenides. I have not included in this list Ag. lOJO (ftMwn F: fJplµ<& TrP) and 1267
(dµcl/Joµa& F: tlp.clt/>0µ41 GTrP), for I think it likely that in these two instances all that
hnppencd is that the scribe ofF made a slip and then corrected it, and that the correction
represents what he found in his exemplar; in the cnse o! 1267 the reading o! G is in
favour of this assumption (1030 belongs to the part Jost in G). Whereas almost all
the 'Triclinian' corrections arc mo.de by writing fresh letters in a tidy script above the
letters written in the te.xt, these two alterntions look quite different: the letters of the
text have been transformed in n crude nnd ugly manner, so that (e.g.) the p is still
clearly distinguishable under the .;. The snme is true of the correction of lxoU<7a.t1 to
(xoua' at 367; for this er. Pasqua.Ii, 'I codici infcriori della trilogia eschilea', Rmdie.
dell' Aaad. dei Li11eei, Ser. VI, vol. vi, 1930, 41: 'll tmtto di pcnna che ha cancellato
CUI' ~ senza dubbio dello stcsso inchiostro. Si ha l'impressione che F si sia accorto dell'
errore tm Jo scrivere e abbia subito riparato. Ora una ideotica impressione si ha per
il p'A.bm-fJplµc' del v. 1030 [sec the beginning of this note), tmnne chc qui rimane qualche
dubbio, perche l'inchiostro della correzione pare pi~ scuro.' This clumsy method of
changing one Jetter into another is often employed by the scribe of F in cases where
there can be no doubt that the fonn fust written down was due to a mere slip or over-
sight; e.g. at I. 19 of the w&9co•s (l91Ux911 corrected to l818·) and in the tc.xt of the play
at e.g. 66 (KJµ(U(os to 1e&1'·), xo8 (8lTpo..o,, to 818p·), 230 (ftp4xds to ppo.fh&s), 242 (wpow·
whrc111 to wpoo0fl'l11c"'), 622 (w'A.s to w(l)s}, 716 (pD.aco" to µ/'A.to,,), 746 (8.Sucp· to 8.Sut8·),
762 (1tci».lww- to 1tci».lwo.·), 809 (110Mc91' to wo'A.m:>,,}, 881 (&µ;O.<~o. to d1'4l>.c1tTa; the
original Jetter is indistinguishable in the photostat), 1486 (tr4rcpy({Tal' to -yb-).-It is
possible that this cruder method of transforming the letters themselves instead of
writing the correction nbove them was exceptionally used also for the purpose of
inserting a Triclinian reading. That seems to be the case at 1279, where the fact that G
o.s well as F 1 has ir,.,p.4,, mnkes it probable that this was the reading of the hyparchetype,
and that the change of the fino.J ,, to ' in F is due to the influence of a Triclinian )IS.
IS
 PROLEGOMENA
forgot to delete the final cu) ; 56~, where the verb wl>..E,, with which
Triclinius patched up the incomplete trimeter (EtT' ovv 8u£K,,.opos
wb..t, TVpcrt]vuc.q Tr), is added in F in the right-hand margin; 674
Toi1cr8' F, ,,.&a8' TrF~.
Two of the passages of the Agamemn0ti mentioned in the preceding
list are quoted in the metrical scholia of F: 68o in the scholion on
4~ (494 Wecklein), which ends <liv T~un-a'i'os '-roaa<Yr' <Lco&aas 'fu8,
-r&>..118fj KA6Ew ', 1 and 974 in the scholion on 810 (Sox Wecklein), which
ends WV -rEJ\wraws ' p.l>..o, Bl ao' 'TO' -rllwrrep av µl>.A11s -rEJ\E'i'V '. In other
words, we find in these F scholia the KME,v and p.IAo' of the text of
Tr as against the KMwv and ~n of the text of F before its correction.
That is precisely what we should expect : just as the interlinear
corrections in F are derived from a text edited by Triclinius, so are
the metrical scholia.
It is the character of these metrical scholia in F that has been
chiefly responsible for the assumption that this manuscript is in all
respects Triclinian, and for Turyn's· view that it is a copy of 'Tri-
clinius' first recension'. Now there can certainly be no doubt that the
metrical system underlying these scholia is the system of Demetrius
Triclinius, and (more particularly) that the metrical scholia in F
are closely akin to the metrical scholia in Tr. But it seems to me no
less obvious that the metrical notes in F, so far from belonging to
an earlier recension, are in fact simply an abridged and simplifi.ed
version, or rather rearrangement, of Triclinius' metrical commentary.
Any section could serve to illustrate this; I select, on account of its
comparative simplicity, the metrical analysis of the first st~imon
(355-488). Opposite 1. 355 Tr has the following scholion, marked with
the note ./iµbepa and a cross : wZtG {Jaac'AEG: E'tpryra' -,)µiv b 'T~ -r6lv
llepawv 8p&.µa:r,,, 7r~pl -roG Ei'8ovs 'TO&r(l)v ('To&rov Tr) -r6lv xop(i')v· Jµoiov
y&p Jcrr,v lKt(vo,s Ka! 'T'OVTO' lX" yup b &pxfi ,UV cnJCT'M'Jµa bruf>OeyµaT&KOV
tls 800 8c71pYJµlvov 7rEp~vs, Kd>Awv &va11<UO"TiKWV ,p', t~s 8€ a-rpoif>?is TpEis
Kal UVT&crrpo#J.s 'T'OCTaVrOS Kal l11~&v· KaAE'i' TCU o~ -raOTa. brrO.s br<.p8uc"1. hr!
'Tats a:rro8laEa' wap&.ypa.t/>os. lwl OE 'T~ -rJ'>..n rijs brqJ8oiJ 1<opwvls KcU wap&.-
ypatf>os. Then, opposite 1. 367, and marked in the same way : LI cos w'>..a.-
y&v: mEG8ev al KaTe <TX,EUW lf.pxoV'Tar. crrpoif>al• KcU El<rl rijs p.& 11pcfrnis
crrf'04>fjs Te K@Aa. er]', Kal -rO. Tfjs aVTunpoifriis -roaaih-a.· rijs 8wrlpas ,,,,
\ \ "" , ,La e-_ "" ' t ' y1 I ' ... >
Kcu Ta. '1"1}S a.vrunpo't''ls Toaa.~a· '"JS -rpc7i1s ,oµo,ws '~ • Ka' Ta '"JS aVT'-
crrpoifriis -roaafrra· rijs 8€ br~o8oG cE', ~ Kal p.ETfY'laE'S Tots 'TTpOTlpo's
br&JUVOs. Ewl yO.p 'Taµ& &.VTWTTao-ruecf'T'O. 8£ 'T'pox<Wc&.· 'Te 8£·xopr.a.µpc1e&.·
1 Vitelli-WeckJcin, in their account of the F scholia (Wcclclcin, vol. i, p. 337), print
~Jc.iv here; but F has l()..S,"', clearly written and with no trace of a corr«tion.
1 This refers to Triclinius' own scholion ("1µ1-Hpov) on Pers. 532, the second sentence

of which reads: lx" yap •p/inov b -r&t,, .,,poqi3oo tnfo.ntµa.. bri#J,yµa-rucdv oroµa.C&µcvo,,
d.roµocoµ<p/r, itGUClll' d.-O.'frCUOTUCc'iil' '"' 4fT'a. tn~ ital oYntn~ y, Cf, lllso TricJinius'
note on the parodos of the Ag. (40): -rel T'Oca.GT'a. ci'S11 -rc'iiv xop(;JI', Wr cfpirrac ical lv -rfl
dpx6 T'OO "Q,, llcpoc'iiv 8p&µa-ror, bip"1f <lalv laX"lµanaµl11t1 ""~
x6
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
..,.a
St la.µ.puul.. ltf? l1<~s a-rpcx/>'Tjs 1<a1 &.vr,a-rpo#js 7rap&.ypo.t/>os. br2
St ..,.~ ..,.(>.," rijs br~Sou 1<opw112s Kai '1Tap&.ypaef>os. The substance of
these two scholia is given in Fin the following scholion (on 355):
tJ; Zt:iJ {Jaac>..t:U: & 'TT<lpWV xop~s l~ KWAWll p').s'. WV ..,.a 'TTpGrra
<TVllt<1T'f}l<t:ll
Q' > \ ~I > _l'\\ _ '\ \ II 1.J..O A
'I'1 (Ul<l'TT<lWTUCQ. Ql.Jl.e1"pa K<lt. l<<l.'TaJ\'fll<T'Ka
<lK<l'TaJ\'f/KT<I. 7fTOI. ff.'t' 'Y/fUJ.'l:P'fl"
Kd f"'110p.e-rpa· 1 ..,.a Se
J~s pKS', xopr.a.µ.{3,KO. Slµ.e-rpa. a1<a'TttA'flKT(I. Kd
1<aTaA'YJKT'KO. ?froc. lt/>B'rJfUp.t:pfj Ka2 TrE'v87ifU/UPfi K<l11}µ<0.\r.a.· Kai -rplfU"Tpa
fJpa.XtJK«TttA"f'/KTa 1<ai 1<aTaA"f'/KT'K&., wv
'TE'AWTawv· ' yv11a&1<0'Y'>7p1JT011
o>.wac. (sic) 1<>..los '. Without going into too many details or discussing
some minor alterations, it may be said that the scholion in F is
a typical example of the boiling-down of a fairly learned commentary
into the bare minimum of notes indispensable for the purposes of
a school edition. The information concerning the general structure
of the ode has been ruthlessly cancelled, and along with it the
reference to the analogous structure of an ode in the Persae; more-
over, all avoidable technical terms have been cut out, and all that is
left is a very reduced description of the actual metres. In particular
there is no longer any mention of the colometrical Cl"f'/fU'ta. such as
,,,ap&.ypaef>os and 1eo1x1wls; this omission is characteristic of the metrical
scholia in F throughout.2 Their retention there would have been
senseless: in Tr all the '1Tap&.ypaif>oc., 1eopwvL'SE's, etc. referred to in the
metrical notes are to be found in the te.'\.-t column, but the editor
of F did not furnish his text with any such signs and consequently
could not refer to them in his metrical notes. This system3 of carefully
differentiated signs, with reference regularly made to them in the
metrical scholia, is perhaps the most characteristic feature of
Triclinius' editions of the dramatists. 4 Other considerations apart,
µo'Vdp.ttpc. is left out by Vitelli-Wecklein (vol: i, p. 337).
1 Kal
I will give two more examples, from the fust two metrical scholia on the Agamemnou.
s
At the end of the very first scholion (that which begins ~ ctaBtolf .,.oo Ttap411'1'ot 8pdp.ll'Fot
[roO 8pdp.a.TOf T:r)) Tr has brl .,.~ .,l>.Cl Ko~11lr <la'4vrot TOO XopoO; at the end of the
scholion nt the beginning of the anapa.ests (40) T:r has lwl .,.air dnoOlacoi n&oa.ir .,,ap&·
ypc.;os. Neither of these remarks appears in F.
J Triclinius took it over from Hephaestion wcpl "'IP.'l"°"'i see the Triclinian scholion
on Ar. Plut. 253 (p. 338 Dllbner), nnd cf. K. Holzinger in the FestschriftXAP/E.l'HPIA
Alm Rzaeh dargthraeht (1930), 70 nnd 72.
4 A general picture of these scholia can most rcndily be obtained from the following
sources: for the first three plays of Euripides (Hee., Or., Phom.), the relevant sections
in Dindorf's unreliable edition of the scholia. (vol. i. 2o6 ff.; vol. ii. xo ff.; vol. iii. 12 ff.);
!or Sophocles, Tumebus' pretty little volume ~ring the title '·.d71µ.,,.,.p1o11.,.oO Tpocl111lcw,
Bl$ .,.4 .,.oo J:oloK">.lo~ brr4 8pdp.aTa, Parisiis, )(J)Lm, npud Adrianum Tumebum typo·
graphum regium'; for Aristophnnes, the scholia printed between double squnre brackets
([ ]]) in the old monograph by C. Thiemann, Hdiodori. eo/.oni. Aristoph. qua11lum
superest, Ho.Ile, 18691 or (for more accurate information) Bachmo.nn's appendix to
Zclcher's edition of the Peace (x909), where (pp. 109 ff.) a special column is o.llottcd to
the metrical scholia of Triclinius as printed in the .Aldina. The scholia in the codex
Fo.mesianus (Tr) of Aeschylus have been published by the following scholars: Pr<nn.
by H. W. Smyth in Harvard.Stlldies iu Class. PhiloL xxxii, 192r, I ff.; Sept. by W. Din-
dorf (unsatisfactory), in Philol. xx, 1863, sSs ff. (the Thoman scholio.), and xxi, 1864,
193 ff. (Triclinius' own scholio.); Pers. by Lydia Massa Positano, in C0Ua11a di stlldi
.fl71-I I7 C
 PROLEGOMENA
their presence in Tr and their complete absence from F might make
us hesitate· to accept Turyn's assumption (op. cit. xr2 f.) that the
exemplar of FG 'represented Triclinius' first recension' and that he
'afterwards wrote down his seco11d recension of the Aeschylean text in
the Naples codex, elaboratibg more exactly the metrical scholia', etc.
The metrical scholia in F, compared with those in Tr, show not
only the omissions which we have just noticed. but also the regular
addition of a certain item. In both the Tr and the F scholia the
metrical summary of a piece of dialogue is always followed by the
quotation of its last line; e.g. on Ag, x they have wv TUiWTal'os
I µ.q.Oooo&v a~86) KO~ µaOoGa' >.~Ooµa' on 258 @v 'Tt"AWT<IWS' x&.p,S' 10.p
I' I

O~K a:r&µoS' <tn<WT<U (F, <tpy<o8a1. Tr) '71'0VWV • ' etc. In F the same
pra:~tice is followed in the summaries of the lyrical sections; e.g.
on 40 wv T<Awral'ov ' 1afus µov&rf>povpov ;pKOS' ', on 355 wv TUi('l)'T(awv)
' yuvaU<o"71pVToJI o>.wa1. [sic] K>.los ', etc. But hardly ever 1 in the
colometrical scholia in ·Tr is there a similar reference to the con-
cluding line of° lyrics. The same practice as in Tr is noticeable in the
Triclinian metrical. scholia on Sophocles and Euripides; these too
always quote the last lines of the trimeter parts but never those
of the lyrics. The reason for this difference is obvious. No one who
glances over the pages of a Triclinian manuscript such as our Tr
can be in doubt for a moment as to the precise point at which a
canticum comes to its end : not only does the very conspicuous
Kopwvls attract the reader's attention, but the very shape of the
slender columns of ly.tics distinguishes them from the broader
columns of trimeters. But \vhile Tr is· wasteful of space, F is not :
wht're Tr gives ·~ch of two lyrical cola a separate line, F often has
~hem on the same line (though separated by a small blank). This has
liappened, for example, at the end of the lyrical part of the parodos
(dow,n. to 257) and at the end of the first stasimon (down to 487);
so that here, quite apart from the absence of a Kopwvts, the column
of the canticum and that of the following dialogue look (at any rate
at first sight) very much alike. Therefore, to spare his reader trouble,
the editor of F added a note which in Tr would have been quite
unnecessary.
The colometrical signs such as 11'ap&ypa.4>os and Kopwvls are not
the only Triclinian. <rf/µE'ia. that are conspicuously al?sent from F.
Triclinius, who in his Hephaestion (pp. 3 ff. Consbr.) found ~ chapter
'71'<p1 Kowij~ (av>.Aap;j~) which discussed among other things ~e
crui direlta da l'. De Falco, xiii, Napless.a. (1948] (I am very grateful· to Signora Massa
Positnno for sc1111ing me a oopy of her. edition); Ag. by Dindorf, P/11'/ol. xx, 1863, 16 ff.
(the w~aul nnd the Triclinian St'.holia scpamlc), and by van Heusde (more accurately),
in hili 1-1l11io11 (18f'1) of the play. For my o\m quotaiions from the Tr.scholia on the Ag.
I ha\'r :1lways c-onsultccl the photostats. The Tr i;cholia on the Eum. arc cdittd in
A. Tu1y11', !J,10k '/he Ma11usuipt Tradition ••• of Atsdiy/11s, 125 ff.
• 1 Tht: Mn:uk in '><'hol. Ag. 915, ~""r<).<VTaior' C1A1J111po11µlYGS 9pak ', iS exceptional.

I8
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
shortening of a diphthong in front of a vowel {Totolhos = ...., - . . . ,
11CZJ\cucSs =....,...., ....,, etc.) and the treatment of nu1ta cum liquid.a,
thought it would be a good thing in the case of such prosodically
ambiguous syllables to use a special sign to show the reader whether
he was to scan To,olhos as - - ...., or as ...., - . . . , On->.a as - ...., or as ..., . . . , etc.
So he added two new symbols to the traditional prosodic symboJs,
accents, and breathing signs. He gives an account of this invention,
of which he is exceedingly proud, in the short treatise which he
incorporated in the introduction to his commentaries on Aristo-
phanes' (Proleg. xvii, p. 43 f. Dindorf, p. x.'CX f. Diibner) and
Aeschylus (cf. H. W. Smyth, Harvard Studies in Class. Phil. xxxii,
192x, I, and Turyn, op. cit. xo6) under the title 11t:p2 <TfJµ.tdwv Tiis
1<otvfjs avMapijs Twv bros 1wµJvwv Tiis ptp>.ov. After saying that it
was he who introduced a sign for the icon'1) avMafh'I ' 8tcl 'M}v TWV
110Mwv 11>.&V1111 ', he continues: br010~lh, 8€ 8t11>.0Gv To <Tf/fLE'iov, Sea
7'~ 8t11>.71v 7Wa. ica2 Ta.th-r]v (i.e. -n}v icon'1)v CTVAAa/Nv) ~EW -n}v 86vaµ.w.
~€ µ.tv O~JI avr~ /Jpaxt:la.s &ef>t:fAE, >.aµ.p&vt:a8a,, <Tf/fLt'.WJI J11&<nj871 T002 '- ,
µmcpO. &,>.ov&Tt ICO.Tapxas avw fJM-rrov TO 'TOV lWTa. crro,xt:lov <Tf/fLEWV
lxouaa, ;;,,.E 8' avr2 µ.aicpO.s, TOWO avrE<:rrpaµ.µ.lvov oin.wu2 ......, µ.aicpd.
&,>.ovon b T~ Tl>..Et ic&.Tw v&ov To TOG l6l'Ta. <TfJµ.t:iov lx,ovaa." In Tr these
signs ~e often to be seen above the vowel of a syllable whose quantity
is ambiguous. For example, on the plate facing p. x of H. W. Smyth's
nrticle (in Harvard Studies, xxxii) the sign ..., can be seen at line 5
(Prom. 795) above the v of 1<11icv&µopi/>ot, and at line 3 from the bottom
(Prom. 8o3) above the first a. of &xpa:yE'is, while at line 8 (Prom. 798)
._ has been written above the E of Twv8E to indicate that it is not
lengthened by the TP of the following TpE'Ls ;3 similarly plate II of
Wilamowitz's edition, at line 5 (Pers. 949), shows :.., above the
second a. of &pl8axpw. The sign ._ is also used to mark the shortening
of a final vowel in front of an initial vowel, e.g. above the 71 of ica1<wv
ya.p &} al at Ag. n33; this is in keeping with the fact that Hephaestion
begins his discussion of the icon'1) crvMafYJ with· instances of such
shortenings. There are no such signs in F, at any rate in the part
containing the Agan~mi<m (of which alone I have photostats).
Nevertheless, the editor of this text was not wholly insensitl.ve to
the advantages of Triclinius' innovation. In the case of muta ctmi
liquida he would let his readers fend for themselves as best they
could, and whereas Tr uses one sign to warn them that (e.g.) lOp,aEv

IFor the llSS contnining this treatise er. Hownger, in t.he artiCle cited on P· 17 n. 3.
s Cf. e.g. the Triclinian 5Cholion on Ar. ·PluJ. 14 published from a Paris MS of the
15th century (Coislinio.nus 192) by W. I. W. Koster, Sdwlia in Arislophanis Plulum el
Nubu (Leyden I'P/), p. 2: "'H .,,pov;;ic' a~ip ~ci11: ~ O'UM.afttflcrn .,.~ rro1, AlS' 'H~1-
rn{01., fnlolv, cim Ppo.xtlo.s >.oppCll!Op.OfOY. o~ Bet OUY "°"" yp0.9<11'.
, Conversely, at Ag. 492 (l~>.woc [FI'r) 9pbias:).Triclinius put the sign -. above the
ending of the verb, thus implying a false prosody; he did not take advantage of the
rending l9~>.oxtc" of his oxd~ rra.\. which he copied in the margin.
19
 PROL'EGOl\lENA
(536) and d.~P's (nos) have their first and second syllables respec-
tively long, and another to indicate that (e.g.) the -rp of Tpoku (529)
does not make position and '"&.-rpwv (u57} has its first syllable short,
F gives them no assistance either here or in any similar instance.
But it is different when it comes to the shortening of the first syllable
of -ro&olhos and the like. Obviously the editor of F was too shrewd
a schoolmaster not to see that this might become a most unpleasant
stumbling-block and upset the scanning of the whole line. So some-
thing had to be done about it. But it was against his general principle
to use a technical symbol which he would have had to explain at
great length. Consequently at the six places in which the oi of forms
of To&olhos (315, 593, 1075, 1352, 136o} and of otov (1256) is in Tr
marked as short by the sign '- written above it, F has the word
Kounj written above the oi. 1 It appears, then, that of the large amount
of information on prosody which Triclinius had provided, only the
indispensable minimum found its way into F, and that in this MS
the notation by means of special signs is given up altogether, ob-
viously because it was thought unsuitable for an edition which laid
no claim to methods of technical learning.
Since the Triclinian sign '- was correctly interpreted by the
scholar responsible for F in its final form, it follows that this man,
probably a pupil of Triclinius or at any rate brought up in the
tradition of his doctrine, did not merely rely on what he found in
Triclinius' edition of this particular te.xt but was able to supplement
it from bis knowledge of his master's system in general. This observa-
tion is corroborated by another feature of the metrical scholia in F,
namely the formula with which they introduce the description of
dialogue parts (in trimeters and in tetrameters, and including the
<lµo&{Ja.&ov between Cassandra and the Chorus). In F these descriptions
begin regularly E'WOEa&s 8&7rAijs clµo&{Ja.la.s or Eia8Ea's 8i1TAijs µovo-
C1Tpo4>ucfis or simply Eia8Ea&s s,'">.~s: see (following Wecklein's
numeration) the scholia on 270, 494, Sox, 1019, 1056, II77, 1342, r577,
r649, printed in Wecklein's edition on pp. 337 ff. Tr, however, follows
a quite different practice; e.g. the metrical scholion on 258 (270
Wecklein) begins al (~s a~a' OV'1'T'1Jµ«'T,Ka.1 '"~pto801. <17'lxwv Elalv
laµ{Jucwv .,.p,µ.bpwv <1KaTaA1]1<'Twv 9{', that on 489 (494 Wecklein}
begins al ov'1'T'J}µ.a.T&Kai <Wra.' 1T~pfu8o, C1Tlxwv ~lalv la.µ{Jucwv -rp&µ.bf""v
<1KCX1Ta.>.1]l<'Twv, and so on, and the same or a very similar formula is
used for the colometric description of dialogue parts throughout the
manuscript, not only in the scholia on Ag. and Eum. but in those
on the Byzantine triad as well. The formula which we have found
1 It should be noticed that K0&"'1} at J36o is by a later hllnd than the other instances
of this glOS$. The 1eolt'I} at 1075 (1059 Wccklcin) has been overlooked by Vitclli-Wecklein,
vol. i, p. 338.-The one instance in this play (1663) of the Ol in -rocolh'os being shortened
in tetrameters is marked neither in Tr nor in F.
20
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
in F, ~ta8((ns 8L71'A~s J(TA., is completely absent from the scholia in
Tr ; 1 nor does it seem to be found anywltere else in Triclinius' com-
mentaries on tragedies. In Triclinian metrical scholia on Aristophanes,
however, it does occur; cf. e.g. the scholia on Clctuls 314, 889, ¢1 1
etc. (Hel.iodori colcmetriae, ed. Thiemann, pp. 34, 42 f.), on Peau
124, 301, etc. (in Zacher-Bachmann's edition, p. no, right-band
column), and again on Clouds 314 in the specimen from cod. Vat. 1294
published by Zacher, 'Die Handschriften . . . der Aristopbanes-
scholien', ]allrb. f. class. Phii<Jl., Suppl. xvi, 1888, 316. On this late
use (or rather abuse) of 8L71'A~ and related technical terms, cf. Thie-
mann (op. cit. 98 f.; cf. also 105), who points out that 'usus ille,
quem apud scholiastas Byzantinos cognoscimus, nominandi totas
periodos signorum nominibus' is quite alien to the practice of the
earlier commentators, who use the word 8wA~ only to denote 'TO
<rrJJU'iov ~s 8Lm\~s. 2 We cannot say why the editor of F, when he
adapted the Triclinian colometrical notes to his own more elementary
requirements, preferred the formula '!w8~ai.s 8L71'A~s to the expressions
which Triclinius himself used in his commentaries on tragedy, but
the fact that he did choose it shows that he was familiar with certain
variants in Triclinius' terminology and could therefore do a little
more than copy him slavishly.
The simplification which is characteristic of F's treatment of
questions of metre and prosody can be seen also in its practice of
packing into a single paragraph the whole of the colometrical in-
formation about a choral ode, however long and varied. An instance
of this practice can be seen in the scholia on the first stasimon quoted
above (p. r6 f.): at 355 Tr, after describing the g~neral arrangement
of the ode, discusses only the introductory anapaests, and reserves
the more detailed examination of the lyrics proper for the scholion
on 367; F, on the other hand, gives right at the beginning, at 355,
the whole of the information which the editor of this school edition
wishes to impart, and then has done with the many metrical
problems of the ode. Similarly, F includes the whole of its metrical
comment on the parodos (11. 4CHZ57) in the note on 40, whereas Tr
has separate pieces of metrical analysis in the scholia on 40, 104~ and
16o. The latter method is in keeping with Triclinius' general prac-
tice ;3 that of F is not.
1 Compare, for CXllDlplc, the Tr scholia on Sept. x8x, 422, -486, 792 (Dindorf, Phil41.

xxi, 1864, 200 ff.) and on Eum. 179, 276, m (Turyn, op. cit. IJO ff.) with the corresponding
scholia in F (sec the eclectic publication by Dindorf in vol. iii of his Aeschylus, Oxford,
1851, pp. 513 ff. and 528 tr., which UULY suffice for our purpose). The fonner always begin
a/. µ.owxrr~a.l ci!Wcn wcp/o8o' and the like, the latter always cw9«1lS S1w~jjs- l.:'T.\. and
the like.
s In the Triclinian scholion on Plut. 253 quoted by Thiemann we find this remark
nbout a. .,,,pt~ of Jines spoken by the actors: &To&00Tor oX'/J'4T111p.6r ica.l«Tci& Scw~fj.
> Compared with what is found in Triclinius' commentaries on Sophocles, Euripides,
Aristophanes, and the Byzantine triad of Aeschylus, his metrical scholia. on Ag. and
2I
 PROLEGOMENA
But enough of the metriCal scholiain F. Great asis their importance
as a clue to the problem of the relation between F and Tr, they are
not our only clue, and it is unfortunate that Blass and Turyn based
their belief in the Triclinian character of F entirely on the evidence
of its metrical scholia, to the exclusion of its text and of its non-
metrical scholia. 1 Of the latter something must now be said.z In
number they are not many: whereas the metrical scholia in F extend
over the whole of the Agamemtwn (they begin at I and end at 1649
with the colornetry of the trochaic tetrameters), the non-metrical
marginal scholia (as distinct from interlinear glosses) cover only the
prologue and the parodos (the last is that on 252 (264 Wecklein],
ue1va1TTE -ro -rrpoxaipl-rw Els 'TO -rrpoKMEw), and only on the prologue are
they at all full; on the parodos all that we have (apart from mere
glosses) is a few pieces of paraphrase (on 58, 104, and 124 (128 Weck-
lein]), and no explanatory comment at all. Nevertheless, despite
their paucity, these non-metrical scholia provide important evidence
for the relationship between F and the other MSS.
The F scholia taken as a whole (metrical and non-metrical together)
fall into two groups : those which are marked with a cross before the
first word, and those which are not. 3 The notation is on the whole
executed with great accuracy: not one of the very numerous metrical
scholia lacks its cross (this, if nothing else, would leave us in no
doubt about their Triclinian origin). Now we also find the cross
affixed to two scholia which in Tr are marked as -rra.\au!, viz. that
on 2, &.o-rElws EtfY'l'Ta.r. -ro KoiµdJJUVos K'TA. (for Tr see plate I, for F see
plate II), and that on 21/22, 8Ei 8,a.<mjµo:ros &Alyou IC'TA. The former
case is simple : the wording of the F scholion differs only in negligible
details4 from that of the axoA. '71"a.\. in Tr, from which it is obviously
derived. But the F scholion on 21/22 cannot derive from Tr, for the
stage-direction with which it begins (8Ei 8w.onjµaTos &Alyou • • . -rov
mJpuov (cf. vol. ii, p. 15, on 1. .z1]) is follo\ved by these words: To 8t
vul<'Tos c:Wr-1 -roG JK vu1<Tos ~p.lpav ~p.rv 8'8oi1s. This gloss is almost

Eum. give the impression of being mther sketchy. By the time he had reached these two
plays he was probably tired of his job. Cf. also the many back-references such a.s ct 1Ce1l
l'CTptfa<&s TOtr vpo-rlpo1r lw&l'<YOS (on At. x6o), ofu vow..cis ctP11M' (on Eum. 244), etc.
1 From Wilamowitz's description (p. xix of his edition) we might infer that F con·

taincd metrical scbolia only.

:s My observations arc of necessity confined to the Agamem1Um, since I have neither
photostats nor collations of the F scholia on the other plays. A:n accurate description
of their contents would be wcloome. (At Florence in September I9't8 I oould but glance
throu2h F.)
> This applies only to the marginal scholia; none of the interlinear g10sses has a.
cross attached to it.
4 The first sentence runs in Tr !11.'"clws- <f.P1)"4' -rO 1<01~1'<W>$ hl µ~ UinooG"os, but
in F d'"clt11s clp. "'· II'. o~>e lwl 17'"'°"· In the next sentence Tr has 9poupo/'1 and ns VirrQ>,,,
F 9poupot and & .mv"". Then Tr has ru• cwl ci~a<<llS' d..~ ct.P')Ta1, F GM' hl dr.\ij
(sic) d11G1CMa<WS". The last sentence, r. .• (I'r; w F) ,r,, d 9.J).af ••• INll'T(p!.,,, is identical
in Tr and F.
22
 THE :MANUSCRIPTS
exactly the same as that in M, e1< vvicros {iµlpav 1]µ.i'v Sovaw (this ought
to be 8t8ous), whereas the version in the ax&A. '71'~. of Tr is entirely
different: o 8,80.>s .,,µ.iv ~a.uyfj .,,µ.lpav. Nevertheless we find in F
the cross in front of this scholion. What presumably hap~ned is this.
When the scribe of F ran his eye over the margins of the Triclinian
copy, he noticed the identity of the stage-direction in Tr's ax&A. '71'~.
(8t"i 8w.cm]µa.Tos &Atyov ••• Tov '71'Vpaov) with that in his own copy,
where he had entered it from his primary exemplar before adding
the Triclinian scholia. He therefore appended the cross to this
scholion, regardless of the discrepancy in its last sentence. It appears,
then, that the editor of F denoted by a cross all the notes that he
took over from the commentary of Triclinius, whether they belonged
to the older scholia which Triclinius called '71'~««£ and distinguished
by the way in which he wrote their beginnings (see above, p. 3 f.),
or whether, like all the metrical scholia, they formed part of Tri-
clinius' own additions (.,;µ/.rt"pa). 1 In this detail too the editor of F,
whom we have seen to be a follower of Triclinius' doctrine, employed
that scholar's methods: just as Triclinius affixed a cross to the
scholia (the .f/p.bt"pa.) which he added to those provided by his
exemplar (or one of his exemplars), so also the editor of Fused the
cross to mark the difference between Ms additional matter (in this
case the excerpts from Triclinius' commentary) and the scholia
which he found in his own primary exemplar. It is a lucky accident
that for the beginning of the Agamemnon, i.e. the only part of the
play for which the F scholia are not too meagre, we also possess
the evidence of M and its scholia; for this enables us to prove the
reliability of the differentiation in F between Triclinian and non-
Triclinian scholia by demonstrating that certain scholia which F
does not mark with a cross, and which are absent from Tr, are found
in M. These scholia are the following (for F cf. plate II) : on 2, 'TWV
1<aTcl 'To µ.fj1<os rijs bt"fu.s 4'povpas. br~ µ.fj1<os 8( ~v 1<0,µ.d>µ&os (so also
in M, except that there the last clause, written as a separate scholion
in the other margin, has the form ~v br~ µ.fj1<os 1<0,µdJµ~os) ; on 6
(preceded by a sign corresponding to that above 8vvc:W-ra.s), 'Toi>s
8wa.µbovs '71'a.p(i. Tel IDa. CTTJµ.{j,vai Toi>s 1<a,poos (exactly the same in
M) ; and on xx (again preceded by a sign corresponding to that above
&v"'Sp&fJovAov), TO f't"~ova 7) KaTcl yvvai1<a fJovAwOµ&ov· yt"Wawv· 1} KaTci.
Wl8pa fJovAt"vOJUVov (so also in M, except that there the last cJause

1 Turyn, op. cit. 101, speaking of the part of F which contains the Agamemnon,

asserts that there 'the Triclini:m scholia, designated ns such in T by a cross t and the
word .//µlnpo,., or only by a cross, appear in F with a cross; the scholia w~CHa, designated
in Agam. and Eum. in T by a general title at the beginning of each of both plays and
differentiated by a capital initial letter •••, appear in F without any special qualifica·
tion'; this assertion is based on an error.-It is to be regretted that in Vitelli-Wccklein's
edition of the F scholia on the Agame1m1on the important differentiation by means of
the cross has not been taken into account.
23
 PROLEGOMENA
reads ;; 1ea:ra civ8pos pov')..rooµlV'f'Js, which is obviously the genuine
version). 1 It would be wrong to exclude from this survey some of
those shorter scholia (or excerpts from scholia) which in Wecklein's
edition are marked as glosses by the note '(Gl.)'.:i Some of these
also are found in M in more or less the same form as in F, but are
absent from Tr, viz. 3 &.v,Ka8£V d.vw8&. (f cip~s. 32 oumdJuoµo.,, 56 0
&pt'°S'·
The fact that in all these instances the scholia and glosses in F
are closely related to those in M and have nothing corresponding to
them in Tr must not tempt us to assume that the basic material of
the F scholia is derived from M. On the contrary, some of the non-
Triclinian scholia in F provide excellent confirmation of the view
expounded above (pp. 7 ff.) that the hyparchetype of FTr was inde-
pendent" of M. The scholion on Ag. 33 appears in F, M, and Tr in
the following forms : in F (in the margin, not marked with a cross,
i.e. not derived from the Triclinian stock) .,,o.po&µ.lo. TO Tp!s 2e p&>.)..Ew
hr! T<llV d.i<pws rorvxoifvrwv ; in M Kal 'Tfapor.µlo. ' aE! y?J.p & 'Tfl'TTTOVO'&V
ol Llr.Os 1<if{Jor. '; in Tr (axo.t .,,a.\.) Ilapor.µ.la. 'TO 'Tpls 2e P&ME&V hr~ 'T<llV
.. • _{.__ } ' \ .. 0 .. • .. .'\ '- - _(_
a.1<pws EVTVX01.WTt.1JV 0e'TfEC. Ka& 'TOLS' KV,.,roTa.&s ovK EO'TL 1Tl\EtW TOVTWV
dJ8vfJoMjuo.r.. ').."'ovuc. 8~ 1"0.~J,1 Ka! h'pws. ' aEl y?J.p EV 'TflTr'TOVO'W ol
Llr.Os KIJ{Jor. '. It is obvious that the oldest form of the scholion (perhaps
with a few slight alterations) is preserved in the 1Ta')... of Tr, and that
what we have in F and M is two different e.xcerpts, that in M of a
particularly unfortunate kind. A similar relation between F, M, and
Tr (.,,a.\.) may be observed in the case of the scholion on 36: F has
(in the margin, with no cross, but preceded by a sign corresponding
to a sign in the text above {Jous} .,,apo'µJ,a. l0'1'2v l.,,i T<llv &A&Awv ;;
• All that Tr has here is T& itClnl l..8pa. Poii>..®µ0'0111 written ns o.n interlinear gloss
above h3pdflo11N.11. It appears that the hyparchetype of Ffr contained the full scholion,
with the last clause already conuptcd (partly because of the prcccdin¥ Kcml yw;siKa.)
from KClTcl cl1'3pdS' {Jou.\cuoµ&r,S' to Ka.Tel hapa. po11.\c11&µ0011, o.nd that F copied the scholion
in its entirety while Tr was content with its last clause.
:a This distinction between 'glosses' and other scholia is (at any rate in many instances)
inevitably arbitrary. For example, at 3M has the two notes wpdf T& ~11>.aJtT1icd111CT.\. and
T& U dyKo.8cr 1CT>.. written in the margin, and Wecklcin consequently prints them (p. 255)
u ordinary scholia; on p. 335 he marks the corresponding notes in Fas 'GI.' because
they arc there written above the words of the text (interlinear). But this differentiation
is not consistently maintained in Wecklcin's notes. On p. 335 he adds 'GI.', e.g., to the
interlinear glosses at Ag. 8 (above 9uMrrrraJ) 1"'1,,,JGJ and at Io (above /JQt"') f>-ifl"'l"i but
not to those at n (above l.\wlC011) J).,,{8a lxo11 and at x6 (above µi.iNpco8o.i) >.iyc111 JC).o/c111.-
The choice between the marginal and the interlinear position depends often not on
the nature of the note but on the space o.t the disposal of the copyist.-It is especially
unfortunate that Dindorf, in his publication of Triclinius' commentary on the Ag.
(PJri/ql. xx, 1863, 30 ff.), should have left out o.ltogether all interlinear scholia and
glosses without exception. This results in the o.bsurdity that a scholion like that on lo.f,
..Jyow 8waTdS' clµ, cz.,,,u. ~ ""',µ., Clthoi'S' 01/fl<io11 b 08/i) lliofkl111, dya.8&11, which is sub·
stantfally pre·Triclinian and is important because it shows that the F scholion here is
not derived from Tr (see p. 26), cannot be found in Dindorrs article at o.ll. In such cases
(and they arc many) one has to have recourse to a photograph or to van Hc:usdc's badly ,
arranged edition.
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
al'Ti TOG fJ&pos brlKf:L'TQL ;; t/Jo/JoGµaL ,.,,µJa.v bruc€woµlp:qv JLO'; M has
~ fJ&pos brlK€LTal.';; if>o{JoGµa' {.,,µlav l:mK€woµbqv µo'; Tr (ax&A. '7TaA.)
has '7TapoLµla. lO"T! -ro {JoGv br~ yAWTn]s t/Jlp€t., br! -rwv µ~ A<IAotfv.rC1Jv
8'4 TLva. al-rlav. AEy€c. oJv 1ed o~os i} clan-! -roG {J&.pos JLO' brbu,-rat., ;;
t/>ofJoGµ«f. t"fJµ.la.v br&K€woµbr,v JLO'· Here too the form in Tr comes
nearest to the original form of the scholion ; the omissions in F are
this time les$ considerable than in the scholion on 33, but in M only
the tail-end is preserved. The same kind of relation between the
Tr scholia (the fullest version and that which comes nearest to the
original) and those in Mand F (excerpts) can be noticed at 49, where
the axoAiov '71'aACUOV which Triclinius had before him, although it is
not copied by him verbatim, can, up to a point, be recovered from
his own scholion. F has, without a cross, lK'TTa-rlo,s AEXlwv aan-i -roG
lfw rijs awwv obclas, M has in the right-hand margin (as a gloss to
d1C1Ta-rlo,s) TO'S' ;fw Tijs o8oG, and in the left-hand margin the para-
phrase otTtV(S' Vrra.TOL Ol'T€S', oMaavr~ 8( 'TOV '71'0VOV 'TWV &,,..,<EAlx<AJv, 'TOV
dv -ro's 8€µ.vlot.s '"lpovp.wov, br! -rwv AEXlwv UTpot/xJ8woiil'T4', and Tr
llas above (1C1Ta.-rlots the interlinear gloss '1'-<>'s ;fw rijs o8oG, and in
the margin this scholion (Triclinius' own, marked by a cross) :
dK'7T<L-rlots· -ro's lfw Tijs o8oG. '71'&.-ros yd.p -1} o8&s. ;j fK'Tra.-rlots °AEXlwv,
• ' ' 8 \ •\ •
aVTC. 'TOV" 'TOLS'
" "I: " • / __ _t_,.,_ > \ I
Es<AJ TYJS' OtK~S aVTwV. 'TO E 01\0V' OC.'TLV~ a1TOl\EUavTES 'TOV
\

l " > - \I r. > " 8 I .,,t •

1TOVOV 'TWV Of>'TCU\LXWV 'TwV EV 'TOtS' €fLVLOLS TY]pov,.....vwv· ~tn'W yap ~I\&\ ,!"..J.~}

al11'£,v, 1 UTpot/xJ8woG11Ta.t. b &"Ay£at. -rwv '71'a~<AJV lK'7l'a-rlots (the rest of the

scholion does not concern us here). It appears that the scholion which
Triclinius used and slightly modified provided two alternative inter-
pretations of l1C1Ta.-rlots: (x) TO'S' lfw TijS' o8oG (in agreement with the
gloss in M and Tr), and (2), taking ~K'7l'o.Tlots AEXlwv together, avrl
ToG To's ~e(AJ Tijs obcla.s a.tl-Twv (in agreement with the F scholion).
Moreover, it is obvious that the paraphrase of 8€µ.vwrfipTJ '71'011ov
J _\ I >\ l ' J\ I ' I ~ > _\ I \ •
up'Ta.l\LX<AJV 01\EUal'T€S, VlZ. O/\EUC11'1'€$' 'TOV 'ITOVOV '7'WV Of>'TCU\LX<AJV1 'TOV 6
.,.o,s 8,p.vlo,s '"lpovµoov (M}, belongs to the old stock and had its
place also in the axoAw. '71'aAai&. used by Triclinius; it was he himself
who changed -rov • • • TYJpo.Jµ.&ov to Twv • • • TYJpovµ.lv<AJv, with the
comment oV7-w yO.p &¥f!'Af!v f!l'71'f!,v. This correction and possibly a few
other minor alterations probably account for his listing this scholion
with the ~µ&€pa. That the scholia which the editor of F found in his
exemplar (we are not dealing here with those which he added from
the commentary of Triclinius) were not derived from M may be
seen also from 58, where the full paraphrase found both in F (mar-
ginal, without a cross) and in Tr (axoA. '71'aA.), viz. V1rtp T<llv µ.ero&Kt.-
(]O~(l)V
L- n.
V(OUawv I " _Q...
'71'€1'-TT" 'TOLS TTap..,.,.,a.aL \ I • _\ •
K4' fUTOLKWClULV a.v'TOllS V<1T€poV
'1'&/U"plav, is not likely to be an expansion of the brief note in M, mrt.p
Tcl)v µeTOLIC&afUvrwv V€00'UWV.z
1 Here I have kept the punctuation of Tr.
1 In the four instances mentioned in this panigraph, what has happened is that only
25
 PROLEGOMENA
After this digression we return again to the problem of the two
elements of which the scholia in F are composed, viz. the pre-
Triclinian groundwork and the material derived from Triclinius'
edition. By examining certain scholia found in F and M but not in
Tr, we have been able to demonstrate that in any marginal scholion
in F the absence of a cross must be regarded as an indication that the
scholion in question is not derived fro.o;i. the commentary of Tri-
clinius. This conclusion is confirmed by the only two marginal
scholia in F with no cross added to them which we have not yet
examined. One is the scliolion on 104, 8vvaTOS' elJ.U El7TELv To croµpc.v
a&rors '11]f'EWV ~LOVUI. (it ought to be JfwOaL) • TO 8e o8iov aVT~ TOO
Mof&'TaTov; i.e. a piece of paraphrase followed by an interpretation
of 08,ov. M bas the paraphrase (8vvaTOS' •• ·• l~ioOaL) in exactly the
same form, though the interpretation of o8wv is different. In Tr,
however, although the paraphrase is substantially the same, an
interpretation of 08Lov has intruded into the middle of it : wow
8vva'TOS' Elµt. El-rrELV TO croµ{JO.v a&rors U1]fUWV "' &8~ Jgwoaiv, a:yaO&v.
In other words, the hyparchetype of FTr had the paraphrase in
exactly the same form as M; the editor of F copied it as he found it,
but Triclinius introduced a slight change. The other scholion is that
on 252 (264 Wecklein), where F has (in the margin) crova7TTE1 -rO
""Poxa.cpbw trls To 7tpo1e'A1fov; this cannot possibly derive from Tri-
clinius, since the words To 8~ 7tpo1e'A,fov (which have nothing corre-
sponding to them in the strophe) are omitted by him from his text.
Now at last we are able to sum up our various observations and
form a fairly accurate idea of what happened. The editor of F used
as his main exemplar a pre-Triclinian or at any rate non-Triclinian
MS. This MS, for the part containing the Agamemncm, was furnished
with excellent scholia, at least at the beginning. Whether the rapid
a fragment of the original C."<J>lanation or paraphrase (in the first two instances the tail
end) has been preserved in M. We find 11 similar relation between the ax&.:t ,,a.t of Tr
and the M scholia in the following examples. which were adduced by Hcimsoeth, 'De
scholiis in Acsch. Ag!, vi!.: at Ag. 26o (272 Wecklcin) the axJA.. 11'~. in Tr reads Wc>w
'PJ1µou 1ea-rolcl/;9lnoS' -roO Op&vou -roO {klo&Al"'S', ~S' d1roa71µollrroS' c1e<l-..ou. ,,ap&vroS' ,,bro&
oil 8c& lll'1V)'X&.-cw a.ntf ,,&no. 1eal .,.ci,, TuxOl'Ta, but in M all that is left is 11'11.pOl'TOS' µlvroL
oil 8<t °""">'Xc£.-cw a.lrlj'; at 1133 (1125 Wccklcin) the ax&A.. ,,a).. reads .d&et -rel "poo&vro.
icucl TOiS' elf l'4"''a11 clacpxaµlto01S' ical .,.a ~cy&µCl'C ~pep&. '(IT''
but M omits the words
<ls- µmrrcla11, without which the verb clacpxo,UvoaS' docs not mnke sense. Instances like
these are sufficient to show that Heimsocth was right in rejecting Dindorf's view that
all the scholia in the later MSS were derived from M. Unmistakably, in Pasquali's
words, 'scolt di M non sono spmo intellig:ibili, pcrchc ritagliati arbitmriamentc da un
contcsto mnggiore' (op. cit. [on p. 15 n. x], p. 38 n. x). The point has been elaborated
with regard to the scholia on Prom., Sept., nnd Pas. by Wilamowitz, Herma xxv, xSgo,
161 ff., who produced some very striking examples of genuine ancient matter in the
scholia. of the later MSS; cf. also Pasquali, S1qria iella tradizi01~ (1934), 27 f.
1 K. Zacher, Die Handsehrijlen ••• tU:r Aristopha1te.ssdrolie11, 618, observes that

phtasc:S like v4ro:rrH 11pdS' 1CTA.. arc much more common in those Aeschylus scholia. which
go back to Thomas M'agistcr than in those added by Triclinius. For another awarrc·
scholion (in Tr) see vol. iii, p. s61.
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
decrease of real scholia after the prologue was a feature of this
exemplar1 or is due to the dwindling zeal of the copyist we cannot
determine with certainty; the latter, however, seems far more likely
when we consider that the man had an ample supply of Triclinian
scholia (both na.\cud and others) at his disposal throughout the
Agamemmm and yet, with the exception of the colometrical notes,
hardly copied them at all after he had reached the end of the ana-
paests of the parodos.~ He evidently thought that for the purposes
which his edition was to serve short interlinear notes were quite
sufficient as far as the understanding of the text was concerned. It
was different, however, with the metre. No section of the Agamemnon
fs in F left with~ut a colometrical comment. It is easy to guess the
reason for this persistence, which forms such a striking contrast
to the indolent treatment of the non-metrical notes. The activities
of Triclinius and his followers seem to have had the result that in
the practice of the schools some kind of colometrical illustration,
though in a simplified form, was regarded as necessary. It was mainly
tQ satisfy this demand that the editor of F added to the copy of his
primary· exemplar considerable e.xcerpts from the commentary of
'friclinius. In doing so he also incorporated, to begin with, a certain
nmount of non-metrical Triclinian matter, but, as we have seen, he
soon gave it up except for corrections of the text and short glosses.
It was only after copying the text and scholia of his first exemplar
that he made use of Triclinius' edition; the proof of this lies in the
nrrangement of the scholion on 2 (one of Triclinius' naA<ll<f), &.oT.:lws
e&'p,.,,.ac. 1CT'A., lines 3-5 of which have been pushed aside from the
normal left-hand edge of the scholia column because the earlier
scholion Sul 'TO i/>v'Aa1e'Tucov 1CT'A. was in their way (see plate II).3
The pre-Triclinian text of F and the Triclinian colometry in its
margin do not always live together in perfect harmony. There is
nt least one place where we can observe a clash between the two
heterogeneous elements. The F(G) scholion on Ag. x537 ff. (1539 ff.
Wecklein), duly marked by a cross in F, runs &.van<UOTucd. Kw'Aa. c.',
WY 'TO a. I' 'TO r'' 'TO r' KcU 'TO O' µ.ov6µ.ETpa., 4 Tel 8E .\o,na 8lµerpa. 4iKo.Tc£-

I This was the view or Blass (Die Eum. tla A iseh., P· 20: 'an Scholien hat das Original
von r g h [FGTr] nur wenig gchnbt'); but he had not noticed the indications in the
lt' &eholia which enable us to form e. more precise idea. of what lies behind them.
a As regards the Eumet1Ulu, F contnins a. few marginal glosses and the Triclinia.n
metrical scholia, but no other scholia.
> It can also be observed elsewhere in F, e.g. fol. 28 recto (beginning of the Septem),
!ol. 30 recto, fol. ~ recto, tha.t the beginnings of some of the lines of the Triclinian
ncholia in the margin a.re not, as is the rule, o.rrnnged in a perpendicular line, each
hcginning strictly beneath the first letter or the preceding one, but recede to the right·
hond side bca\usc some interlinear scholia or glosses protrude into the margin. In such
cnscs the late-comers, viz. the Triclinian scholia, had to squeeze themselves into what
upncc was left.
~ This description is quite accurate, since the first, third, sixth, and ninth K<ilMI, viz.
 PROLEGOMENA
~'Jl<'Ta., TO St ,' lcf>8'11-"/UP4· The statement T<l 8€ ~om<l Slµ.ETpa c:bca.-
..,.&A71ma. is perfectly correct as far a.~. Tr is concerned, for in that MS
the fourth colon is disfigured by a horrible Triclinian interpolation
and appears as Spot..,.a.s vGv 1<o:rlX,ovra xaµ,uvav, i.e. an acatalectic
dimeter; but the original text, as preserved in F, has 8pol..,.a.s 1<a..,.l.-
xovra. X~VOJ1, i.e. a lcf>87Jl-"/UPls, in :flagrant contradiction to the
colometrical description. We are fully justified in insisting on this
detail, as the statements of the colometries on points like this are
very accurate: the Byzantine metr.i.dan, when describing an ana-
paestic system that contains more than one (i.e. the concluding)
paroemiac, will not say (as he does at x537 ff.) ..,.a 8~ ~o,71Cl 8lµ.erpa.
&xa.T&.\17ma, but will speak of a certain number of ci.va'1T<UOTU<d.
8{µ,..,.pa. cbcaT&.\'J1<'7'a. 1<al 1<a...,.~71m,1<&. (cf. e.g. schol. F on Ag. 355
(367 Wecklein] and 68x (686 Wecklein]).
Of many of the interlinear scholia and _glosses in F we cannot say
whether they come from the pre-Triclinian stock of the hyparchetype
of FTr or are additions derived from the commentary of Triclinius.
It is certain, however, that both types are to be found in F. There is
a clear instance of a Triclinian gloss, e.g., at 5x2 (5x7 Wecklein) : in F
the gloss ci.'"&µa.xos, written as it is above Kai 'ITo:ydJVtos, does not make
sense, but in Tr, where the reading of the text is KOmaydJvios, it is
perfectly intelligible. On the other hand, there is a gloss of a quite
different type at 5r3, where over ci.ywvlous e~o~s F has 7'0~S aµa. Jvi
T6rrq> l8puplvous (Tr has instead the commonplace rendering To~s
Jcf>&pous TWV ci.ydJvwv) ; this remarkable interpretation is probably
correct (see the commentary), and in any case looks like an excerpt
from some very good lexicographical authority. 1 Again, the short
paraphrase of 1365 in F (quasi-interlinear, i.e. written on the narrow
inner margin, beginning between x364 and x365, and not above x365,
because the space there was already filled by the gloss </JptJLOTlpa,
yAvKUTlpa.), 1j8ah-~pos-, "171alv, & 80.vaTos rijs TUpa.w!Sos, possibly repre-
sents the original version, while the less sensible version in the ax&A.
1T~. of Tr, ·man-~pos lcrr,, cf>YJalv, & 8ava7'0S & ~Ep 'TWV s~0"7TOTWV rijs
TUpawt8os, may be the result of an enlargement.
Our close examination of F has led us to the conclusion which was
briefly formulated by Wilamowitz (p. xix f.). viz. that the text of
this MS is free from Triclinian elements, although these are to be
found in its corrections and its scholia and glosses. By this statement
the assumption that the hyparchetype of F(G)Tr went back to
Triclinius or was influenced by his edition is implicitly rejected.
I now come to an important point, which does not seem to have
(1) l~ yci y&, (3) dpyvpo-roixou, (6) 1} a~ .,.&s' lf>!at1 f.9) x&,i..., c{..,,-' 1py"1'111 arc separated from
the rest and written as monometcrs not only in Tr but also (with less spacing, but
clearly enough) in F.
1 For the use of the word T&s:os in the interpretation of clyW... cf. Schol. Hom. E 376 -
Etym. gen. B = Elym. M. 15. 47·
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
received sufficient attention :1 the hyparchetype of FTr had variants
in the margin, marked by the usual yp(&.t/JETac.). They cannot be
expected to have survived in this form in Tr, for H. W. Smyth's
remark (Harva.Yd Stiulies in Class. PMlol. xxxii, 1921, 83) about the
Tr scholia on the Prometl~us seems to be true of these scholia in
general: 'statements about various readings are contained in the
body of the scholia and are never indicated by an interlinear or
marginal yp.' F, however, still preserves sufficient instances of such
marginal variants indicated by yp. 2 O!l.e occurs at Ag. 45, where in
the margin of F we find, exactly as in the margin of M, yp. ~cov
alh-c!v, 3 another, an abortive one, at Ag. 3, where, above the word
1/niAa.K7'uco11 of the interlinear gloss 8id. 'TO t/J1iAal('TcK011 K'T.\., one can
clearly read yp. a (cf. plate II); the smirch on this yp. a shows that
the scribe tried afterwards to wipe it out; what he intended to write
before he stopped was obviously yp. &.vlKa8a1. Both these variants
proceed from the hand of the scribe of F himself, as do certain
marginal variants in the Byzantine triad, e.g. on PYoni. 56 (there the
reading of Fis 11cwu&..\al Jppwµlvws), +yp. 7Tpos 7Tbpacs, and on Sept. 16,
Q -
YP· ,.,pO'TWJI. s
It is a priari the most probable assumption that these variants
marked by yp. which we find in F are a faithful reproduction of
corresponding features in the hyparchetype of FTr, which in this
respect will in principle not have been different from M. A valuable
confirmation is provided by a few passages where F does not contain
1 :Mnzon, vol. ii, 2Dd ed., p. xxiv, considers the possibility of vnriants in the hyparche-

lype of Ffr, but does not follow up his surmise. .

" In the part of V containing the Ag., since the tc."<t is written in three columns to
n page and had to be written very closely in order to be got in at all, there is no room
lo spare for any marginal notes.
> Not mentioned by Wecklcin.
4 Not mentioned in our editions.
s It is importnnt to distinguish these early entries from certain others of an npparently
similar type. In the Eummi'du we read in the margin or F the following four notes :
at 222 (owo' F) yp. ol8a, at 245 CJ&TJwriJ, with 11. blank nfter it, F) 'IP· µT}wri/pos, at 299
{ollr&S' a' F) yp. o.:Wo, al, and at 476 (o.Jicow MrttM>' F) yp. ou1e <?rrtlµ11U.OY. A cursory
cxnminntion of F in September 1948 showed me that these four marginal notes, all of
which arc mentioned in the editions of Blass nnd Wilamowitz, nre entirely different
from the neatly written vnriants (yp. t\1011 aU7-cl.v etc.) of which I hnve just spoken:
they arc in an ugly lnte ha.nd. The inference is that they were written after the com-
pletion of the MS; this is confirmed by the fact that the note yp. µ'lwrijpoS' (fol. u2
verso, J, 3 from the top) stands a good deal below the line (245) to which it belongs. The
rcnson for this displacement is clcnr: the whole upper part of the margin was already
occupied by the Triclinian metrical scholion (it has been shown nbove, p. ':1!/, that the
incorporation of the Triclinian scholia marks the latest stage in the work of the scribe
of F). The readings of these four notes in the margin of F agree with the text
or M (or m) against the text or F. I regard it as practically certain thnt the Rcnais.snncc
scholar who mnde these entries had access to M or a copy of it. These four 'variants',
then, have no claim to be mentioned in the apparatus of a modern edition. The same
lclte ha.nd can be recognized in the text column of Eum. 299, where we find underneath
the 0&S' of &81111al0&S' three dots and nbovc it the correction G$ (again in agreement with
the reading of M).
 PROLEGOMENA
an interlinear or marginal variant and where nevertheless it can be
inferred with certainty that such a variant existed in the hyparche-
type. Ag. 2x5 is of particular interest. There can be no doubt that
opyO.c. (MVF) is the genuine reading. Now when the curious a~8a(c.),
which we find, with 'YP· before it, in the margin of M, appears in the
text of Tr, 1 this can only mean that the hyparchetype of FTr had,
like M, opya' in the text and a.~ac. in the margin, and that the editor
of F (or his exemplar) chose the former and Triclinius (or his
exemplar) the latter. Then there is the discrepancy at Ag. n52,
where the original reading of FTr agrees with the original reading
of M (see above, p. 8) and their corrected reading with the correc-
tion in M; in this case it is not quite certain but highly probable that
the hyparchetype had the variant, though not necessarily as a
marginal note with 'YP· Again at Ag. 64; where FTr concur in the
false reading JpEc.TT0µ1110u, the correction 80 written above the word
in F seems to point to a variant in the hyparchetype. The same is
probably true of Ag. 197, where F has TTo>.uµ.'7jK7J with the correction
TTaA&µ.µ. written above : that TToAuµ.~K'I} is not due to an individual error
of this MS is clear from the fact that it is the reading of V as well;
on the other hanq, it is unlikely that Triclinius, who reads TTa.>..tµr
µ.~K'I}. should have hit upon this word (a J.TTae AE-yOJUVOv) by conjecture
if his exemplar had had only TToAuµ.?]K'I). Everything becomes simple
if we assume that the hyparchetype of FTr had TToAuµ.~K'r] in the
text and 'ITa.>..,µ.µ.?jK'I} as a variant: F reproduces its exemplar faith-
fully, while Triclinius decides at once in favour of the reading which
is metrically satisfactory.
These considerations perhaps have a bearing on one of the most
awkward problems of textual criticism in the Agamemnon. In the
commP.ntary on 1041 it will be shown that there is just the possibility
(nothing more) of accounting for the curious discrepancy between
the readings of F and Tr by assuming that it is the result of a variant
which the hyparchetype of FTr preserved in addition to the reading
which we .find in F. .
I now come to G.:i 1he most conspicuous feature of this MS is the
large e.xtent to which its text agrees with that of F, for long stretches
almost to the point of identity. This is the reason why in most cases
the readings of .G need not be mentioned in the apparatus: my
silence about any of them means that it is identical with the reading
of F. But there are, nevertheless, a number of cases where G agrees
wl.th Tr· against F: Ag. 30' <tyylA>.wv; 38 MeuEV,3 1232 8uatf>,A,~~. 12$.t
O,fE,, 1288 b {JE(jjv, 1367 p.a.VTa1'10Jl.E'18a., 1379 errata> 1383 'IT~pUl'TC.x-
1

1 Jn the margin of M the variant yp. Cl"8&(') is followed by the gloss d µ&nis 8ij>.o., ha,
and in Tr aM~ is glossed (above the line) by >.lye' d µ0.""f·
:i (Cf. Addenda, vol. iii, p. 832.]
, Wilamowitz's note (Mt" P) is inaccurate: 'F never had anytbing but .>.lfe& {not
>.lte&', as Frcmz and Hennann say). ·
30
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
(11,pwro,x- F), 1446 4Mfrrwp, r464 JliTpli/r'Js, x5r7 &.cu{Ui, r571 8~0'T>.71Ta.,
x594 X'pliiv, l6r7 vfp·rlpa., 1658 lpfavra., 1665 7rpoaaalv"v. From the
1hr&8~a's the following instances may be added : three times (r6, r8,
27) GTr hav~ a.ly,afJ- where F has aly""-; twice (19 and 27) the 8~
which is wrongly added in F is absent from <:J.Tr. If we were to
nssume that in these cases F alone has preserved the reading of the
hyparchetype, we should be obliged to conclude either that Tr and
G hit independently on the same corrections or that G took them
over from a Triclinian text. The latter aitemative is extremely
unlikely, since all the characteristically Triclinian alterations which
we have discussed above are absent from G; the former, involving the
assumption that the copyist of G was occasionally ~ much bent on
conjectural criticism as Triclinius, is ruled out by the general char-
o.cter of G, which is a dull and mechanical piece of work. 1 The correct
conclusion ·to be drawn from our list is that in all these cases the
readings of GTr are those of the hyparchetype, and that those of F
nre individual blunders of this MS, several of them due to great
carelessness or haste. Thus G (and this is its chief value): warns us
ngainst the belief that wherever Tr exhibits a reasonable reading
where F has a corruption this reading should be regarded as the
result of a conjecture by Triclinius. G, then, was not copied from F.
This is confirmed by Ag. r279, where G exhibits the a:r,µ&v which was
originally written in F (cf. p. xs n. x). In F the final v. is hardly
recognizable, having been obliterated in the correction to amµol;
IC G had been copied from F, we should find 4-r,µot in G.
The possibility must be admitted that sometimes, when GTr agree
ngainst F, the reading in F may be due not to an individual error
in F but to a variant in the hyparchetype: 1658 lpfaVT's is" possil;>ly
n. case in point.
The manner in which the metrical scholia in G (it has no others)
nre badly crowded together in its narrow margins seems to show that
originally it was not intended that scholia should be added here at
nll. It is possible, though it cannot be proved, that when the text
of G was completed (its source, as we saw, was not F), the scribe
used F, or a 'gemellus' of F, for the metrical notes which, on second
thoughts, he had come to regard as useful. In the part of G following
the large lacuna; i.e. from x095 to the end, the scholia are identical
with those in F, but at the beginning of the play, where the metrical
ticholia in F are rather detailed, G has a shorter version : in the first
' In the part of G contnining the Agamemnon there nrc no signs of original conjectures.
It is true that nt 2652 wp01<011ot has been changed (by the same hand?) into Ttp01<01rrot,
but this even a. stupid man could do j{ he had his eye on the prcctding line. However,
It is perhaps to the credit of the scribe of G thnt he sometimes leaves a t?lank when he
1locs not undcrstnnd the reading of his exemplar; cf. 1221 (yi instead of ylµt>f) and 1664.
2 I cnnnot therefore ogree with Mnzon (vol. ii, 2nd ed., p. xxi n: 3), who wants to
cllminnte G completely from future editions of the Oresteia. ·
3I
 PROLEGOMENA
metrical scholion (p. 335 Wecklein) the words <Zv T~wra.ios to the
end of the scholion are missing in G; in the next (on 40 : d na"'1v
xopos IC'TA.) G agrees with F only up to the words ?frot J4>fhil"P.'pij
1e<U p.ov&µ.ttpa, and then (where F continues Jff;s 8~ µ.era.pas ,zs
l:rlpa.v V1r&9,o,v IC'TA.) has merely the crude abridgement &p.olws 8~
KO.' lTtp(JJS' 'TOCTaGra. 'Ta 8~ AotnO. xopw.p.{Jt1<&..

Fate has not been too kind to.the text of the Agamemnon. Above
all, the loss of the fourJeen leaves of the Mediceus entailed irreparable
harm. The verdict of Wilamowitz (p. xxii), grim though it is, is none
too pessimistic: 'Agamemnonis ea pars, quam deficiente Mediceo
haec [sci!. memoria, i.e. FGTr] sola tradit, tam incerto nititur funda-
mento, ut aperta damna coniciendo reparan vix possint, alia ne
animadvertantur quidem.' But still, looking at the history of the
text as a whole, there is a good deal to be grateful for. To begin
with, mankind will for ever be indebted to the wise decision of the
unknown editor who, at the beginning of the Roman Empire, in-
cluded the Oresteia in his selection of seven Aeschylean plays. 1 In
the next place it was a most fortunate circumstance that a copy of
this selection, written probably not earlier than the fifth century
(see Wilamowitz, p. xxv), survived the Dark Ages, so that it became
possible for a Byzantine scholar of the ninth century to transcribe
this uncial codex into the new minuscule. 'Ignotus hie vir et est et
semper erit, sospitator baud dubie Aeschyli appellandus, nam ad
exemplar ab eo ita transcriptum ut suae aetatis necessitates et
desideria postulabant codices nostri redeunt, ~ per hoc exemplar
demum ad librum vere archetypum [i.e. the uncial codex]' (Wilamo-
witz, p. xxiv). One of the descendants of this earliest minuscule text
of Aeschylus is the codex Mediceus, another was the ancestor of V,
and a third was the MS whose remote and rather degenerate descen-
dant was to become the hyparchetype of FGTr. At that late stage
there happened something that proved providential for the preserva-
tion of the greater part of the Agamemmm. The compiler of the book
which is here called the hyparchetype of FGTr was not content to
follow the common practice of his time and copy only the Byzantine
triad, but added to it the Agamemnon and the Eumenides. But for
this lucky accident the 400 lines extant in the Mediceus and the
additional 38 lines in V would have been all that was left of the
Agatnemmm. But even when the preservation of the complete play
1 Cf. Wilamowitz, Ei11leil1111g fo die grieehisel1e Trag4d.ie (- J!.'ur. Her. i, xst ed.), 195.
:1.Several arguments have been put !onvard in order to demonstrate that the common
source of Mand all the other MSS was a minuscule codex. Here it wm suffice to mention
two groups of errors common to all extant MSS: (x) wrong division of words, e.g.
Eum. 117 'K(c)lwv, 204 8' ll(Twp, 269 8' 'Kci Tis-; (2) typical misreadings of minuscule
letters, e.g. Eum. 246 vcKp&Y. These examples are taken from theOresteia; many analogous
instances could be added from the B}'%1lntinc triad.
32
 THE MANUSCRIPTS
had thus been secured there was still a serious danger ahead. It
might easily have happened that the text of the parts missing in the
Mediceus and V survived only in the form into which it had been
brought by the violent critical manreuvres of Triclinius. That would
be the case if only Tr or a similar MS, and not F, had come down to
us. Fortunately we possess F as well, and, as has been demonstrated
above, F, though of later date than Triclinius' edition, contains
a pre-Triclinian text, a te.xt which in the course of time had con-
tracted all kinds of disfigurement, including a number of arbitrary
alterations, but was at least free from the particularly reckless,
though often ingenious, conjectures of Triclinius.

33 D
 II
SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
NEITHER Robertello's 1 skill nor the genius of Tumebus2 was given
sufficient scope in the text of the Aga~mm, of which at that time
only the 11. 1-s10 and 1o67-1159 were known. It was not until Petrus
Victorius (Pier Vettori), using the codex F, included the whole play
in his edition (1557) that scholarly work on the Aga~mm. could
begin in earnest. Victorius had also at his disposal a collation of Tr,
then in the library of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. He rightly con-
cluded that of the two forms of the text the purer one was on
the whole that of F (cf. p. x2 n. 2). But he was so much biased in
favour of his Florentine manuscript that in many places he preferxed
to the corxect readings of Tr the obvious errors of F, e.g. 331 vij<IT,s,
556 KaKOTpWT'OVS 1 577 -rpol"f}V1 791 8E'iyµ.a., 907 ava,f, 937 amEu8(aS, 1255
8vC17Ta~, etc. Considering that Victorius, as far as the greater part
of the Agamemnon is concerned, produced the editio prin~s, it is
surprising how little he did to emend the text. Even such obvious
corrections as 587 avwAoAvea µ.&, 999 i/168-ri had to be introduced by
his 'printer', Henricus Stephanus (Henri Estienne). whose appendix
to Victorius' edition is a very important contribution. In the only
three cases {apart from mere orthographica) where Victorius diverged
from the MS reading he did nothing more than make an all but
inevitable change in the mood or the voice of a verb : 1381 ap;Jv,o8a,,
1654 oprf.uwµ.&, 1658 l:rrpaeaµ&.
Victorius' preface shows that he had some very sound ideas about
the genesis of our scholia ;l he realized e.g. that the scholia in the
margins of the MS texts are ultimately derived from ancient books,
V?roµ,,,,µa.Ta (he says 'iusti commentarii'), and he also saw that the
merely periphrastic scholia are of late origin (cf. on this point Wila-
mowitz, Aesc/Jyli. tYagoediae, p. xxiv). But when he added a selection
of scholia to his text of Aeschylus, he was bent solely upon the
practical purpose of providing the reader with pieces of information
that might help him to understand better what the poet meant. 4
Consequently he made no attempt to keep separate the pieces of
1 Some scholars call him Robortelli. I have followed the guidance of E. Rosto.gno,

L' Esdiilo Laurensiano, Facsimile, 10, and of the Endclopulia Jtalia11a, xxix (1936), 519.
:a Of his edition of Aeschylus Wilamowitz (Aeschyli lragoediae, p. vi) says 'ingenium
et doctrina cditoris tantum pracstitit, ut superare cum me quidcm iudicc potucrit
ncmo'.
3 Wilamowitz in his brilliant appreciation of Victorius' work ('Gcschichte der
Philologie' in Gerckc-Nordcn, Eitileitung in die AllCTtumS111. i, 3rd ed., p. 14) praises
him for discovering an important branch of the scholia on Homer (cf. E. Maass, Sdiolia
i11 Hom. ll. T01Dnl. i, p. viii f.).
4 Musurus' practice in compiling his scholia on Aristophanes seems to have been very
much the same.
34
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
different provenance which he found in Tr, i.e. the axoAta 1TaAcu&,
Triclinius' own additional scholia (-IJµl-repa), and the interlinear
glosses, but conflated them fr~y. When Dindorf reprinted this con-
glomerate in his edition of the scholia (pp. 504 ff.) without indicating
its source, this was merely useless; it was immensely more harmful
when Wecklein mixed up the ax&>ita 1TaAatc£ with the scholia 'quae
Victorius exhibet' (p. x; what he says there to justify his procedure
shows that he had no clear idea of the nature of Victorius' scholia).
Consequently we read in Wecklein's edition, e.g. at Ag. 838 (829
Weckl.), 926 (917 Weckl.), 937 {928 Weckl.), 938 (929 Weck!.), scholia
which are entirely Triclinius' own Mµl.,epa.) and were taken over by
Victorius, and, worse, at 822 (8x3 Weckl.) Wecklein prints Suidas'
article 1Tc£yas· 8lm-va., 1Ta.yl8as l<"TA., because Victorius had inserted
it into his scholia for the benefit of his readers.
Victorius' ultra-conservative treatment of the text of Aeschylus
offered a wonderful chance to his contemporary, the true initiator
of the study of Greek poetry in France, Auratus (Jean Dorat). 1
This enthusiastic and highly influential teacher was not interested
in publishing the fruits of his learning; his emendations were pro-
pagated by his admiring friends and pupils,:i above all by the greatest
of them, Scaliger. In the AgamemnonAuratus' emendations (counting
only those which either have been almost generally accepted or at
any rate are highly probable) amount to 29, that is to say they far
outnumber any other set of successful corrections proposed here by
one single scholar. Among them are of course some which anyone
might have found on what was practically virgin soil, but there are
others which show the touch of the master critic and make us sec
the reason why Hermann said (on Ag. 1434 [rs¢ Henn.)) 'ille omnium
qui Aeschylum attigerunt princeps Auratus'.
In x58o, i.e. twenty-three years later than Victorius' edition,
Willem Canter's text of Aeschylus was published after the premature
death of the editor (born x542, died x575), 'quem, si fata iuveni illi
pepercissent, inter summos omnium temporum philologos nu:Qterare-
mus' (Bruno Keil in his edition of Aelius Aristides, vol. ii, p. :xxxv).
In his Aeschylus the progress beyond Victorius is considerable. That
Canter should be praised because he paid special attention to the
arrangement of the lines in the lyrics and to their strophic responsion
(cf. Wilamowitz, Ei11leitung in die griecli. T1'aglidie, 222, and AeschyU_
tragoediae, p. vi) is just, but it is not enough to acknowledge this
feature of his editions of Euripides (completed by himself) and
1 A lively portrait of this fascinating man is drawn by Marie Pattison, Essays, i. 2c6 ff.
s Consequently we cannot in every case be sure whether a particular emendation
really belongs to Aurutus. I have not done anything to check the authorship of those
conjectures which, on the basis of earlier matginnl notes, were ascn"bed to Aumtus by
Butler, Blomfield, Hermann (cf. M. Haupt in the preface to Hermann's edition, p. xvi f.),
and others, o.nd which appear under his name in Wecklein's app. crit. or in his 'Appendix',

35
 PROLEGOMENA
Aeschylus. A fairly adequate idea of his capacity for textual criticism
may be obtained even from going through a single play. Canter knew
that faulty division of words is one of the main sources of trouble
in most of our MSS. This knowledge he turned to very good account
when he restored in Ag. 701 f. a:rlJ.l.(IJULV, in 963 8, EiµO:rwv, in 1229
K<ix-rElvaaa, and in 1599 aµ:rrl1rm. Observation of the laws of the
trochaic metre led,;.him to substitute in 1671 W<M'E for l!J<nrEp. His
bl/JYJS in 1567 and, perhaps, his 'TElVOJIT£S in 1362 may seem pretty
obvious, but the emendations in 12n (civa-ros) and in 1418 (awuf.-rwv)
are truly admirable.
The giant Scaliger never worked through a Greek or a Latin .text
without jotting down in the margins a number of conjectures, ·of ten'
mere freaks, sometimes real pearls. In the Agamenmon he hit the
mark in six passages;• special praise is due to him. for restoring
otKTw' in 134 and continuing the speech of the coryphaeus at 501.·
But what he did for this play in his odd moments is as nothing com-
pared to the sustained effort of his younger friend Casaubon.
'Io the part played by Isaac Casaubon in the study of Aeschylus
general opinion does less than justice. The reason is that the docu-
ments which furnish the chief evidence of his activities in this field
have not met with the attention which they deserve: I shall deal
with these documents and the inferences to be drawn from them
in Appendix I (pp. 62 ff.); here I shall confine myself to an attempt
to outline a few characteristic features of Casaubon's treatment of
Aeschylus and in particular of the play on which, as time went on,
he concentrated more and more, the Agamenmoti.
When Casaubon first set himself in earnest to work on Aeschylus,
his attention was primarily, though not exclusively, directed to
textual criticism, i.e. to the improvement of the text which he found
in the printed editions, especially those of Petrus Victorius and of
Canter. Nor did he at any later stage neglect what he justly regarded
as the backbone of any scholarly effort. This greatest of the editors
of Athenaeus recovered from that author the genuine reading ?Tavov
at Ag. 284, which in the MSS of Aeschylus had been ousted by tjiav&v.
At 69 he bit the mark with the simple change to V1ro1<alwv. At 336,
unlike his predecessors, he did not tolerate the nonsensical 8uu-
8alµov£S, but emended the passage once and for all. At 1092 (&vSpo-
a<foa.yE'iov) he recognized the bold Aeschylean compound, at 1122 he
achieved what is likely to be the final emendation. On 1410, wl;lere
the editors. tell us that it was left to Hermann's pupil Seidler to set
the dochmiacs right, Casaubon makes this comment : '!ego <t?Tcmoi\,s
vel a7J'&m-o~'s ex contrario versu 0.VT,<M'po4>.', and at 1430 he restored
both sense and metre by reading r&µ.µ.a(n)."
1 For the copy of Victorius' Aeschylus annotated by Scnligcr seep. 67.
2 That be was in the habit of paying attention to the metre of the lyrics may be seen,
36
 SOME EDI-TIONS AND COMMENTARIES
One of the most important tasks of the editor of a dramatic play
may be included in the category of textual criticism without unduly
stretching the term, viz. the task of ascribing every line to its proper
speaker. Here Casa.ubon's penetrating interpretation led him to real
triumphs. Before him not even Canter had found fault with the
notation of the MSS at 258-354, which turned this scene into a
dialogue between an ~yy~os 1 and Clytemnestra, and thus made
havoc of the structure of the whole tragedy. A no less silly mistake,
though on a minor scale, dis.figured the dialogue 622-35, and here it
was again Casaubon who first spotted and corrected the blunder.
Only those who degrade the noble craft of textual criticism to
a plaything fancy that it is easier or less important to give the right
interpretation of a difficult passage than to change the text by a
brilliant conjecture. In the centuries after Casaubon the phrase
Ag. 2 4'povpas hEtas p.fj1<os has been exposed to all sorts.of distortions
or far-fetched suggestions. He himself, with his firm grasp of Greek
and his unfailing common sense, kept clear of violence as well as
artificiality and so understood the construction of the sentence far
better than many later critics. In the margin2 at 237 tf>9&yyov apai'ov
o~ots he observes: 'haec verba add. ut sint l'7Jy. praecedentium, ita
prorsus ut fabulaeinitio adiecit 1'povp&s l-rElas p..' As another instance
of Casaubon's ars interpretandi I choose Ag. 931, which Casaubon,
clinging strictly to the fixed meaning of a set phrase, correctly
rendered 'Responde mihi ex animi tui sententia'. Here several
eminent scholars have missed the sense and the tone of the sentence
and consequently have taken as a plain expression of obstinacy what
is in reality a significant piece of Clytemnestra's subtle cunning.
Casaubon is fully alive to certain stylistic devices of which
Aeschylus is particularly fond. One instance roust suffice here. He
says (Paris MS, fol. 15) 'debemus notare . . . Aeschylum solitum esse
quod dixit obscuris verbis postea quid intelligat e."Cplicare' and again
(ibid., fol. IO'/) 'ut iam diximus semper solet Aeschylus illa quae satis
obscure dixit postea illustrare clariori sententia'; for the pheno-
menon in question, cf., for example, my no~es on 136 and 238.
A sixteenth-century scholar cannot perhaps be expected to give
much thought to the details of the action on the stage when some
effort is needed to work them out; it is the more gratifying to find
Casaubon making on 83 ff. the observation 'senes Clytaemnestram
compellant absentem', etc. (cf. vol. ii, p. SI n. 1).
Casaubon's keen interest in all branches of RealietJ, institutions of
private life, sacred rites, details of political and military organization,
e.g., by his remark on 427 (Paris MS, loose sheet fol. 20) 'doctissimi viri (i.e. Auratus]
ccnsuerunt tollendum essc illud J;• JC1Tla.s •• • scd metrum corrumpunt'.
1 Consequently the ciyy~s obtained a place in the list of dramatis personae after

the 'Y11cSllcol$'.
i i.e. of the 'Cambridge Aeschylus' (see p. 62 £.).

37
 PROLEGOMENA
and so on, is as manifest in his notes on the plays of Aeschylus
as in anything else he wrote; it is unnecessary to quote particular
instances. Of greater interest is the deep religious feeling that this
fervent Calvinist applied to the tragedies of an intensely religious
poet :1 the instances quoted in Appendix I, pp. 65 and 76 f., will be
sufficient to illustrate the point.
But far more important than any details is the general character
of the commentary on the Agamemnon which Casaubon planned and
to a large extent executed. Its characteristic features emerge clearly
from the notes and manuscripts that have survived. We see here the
endeavour of a great and good man to blend the kind of instruction
that would be welcomed by an, all but Greekless reader with the
communication of the highest technical knowledge, to combine the
discussion of choice grammatical and antiquarian problems with
moral and religious edification, and above all to do full justice to the
dominating ideas and the artistic qualities of the Aganietmwn (as
the commentator saw them) and at the same time not to shirk the
minutest detail, however thorny. Such an effort devoted to such
a subject was a novelty in the history of European scholarship.
The first Englishman to leave his mark on the study of Aeschylus
was Thomas Stanley. In this amiable, gifted, and industrious man
there is nothing that could justly be called great; and yet the
enormous success with which his edition of Aeschylus met and the
influence \vhich it has exerted and is still exerting after nearly three
centuries are not undeserved. Stanley represents in a pure form the
type of the learned amateur,: with his undeniable advantages over
the professional scholar and also his inevitable shortcomings. The
son of a respectable and well-to-do house (both his parents belonged
to the gentry), Thomas Stanley had never to worry about the
necessities of life. His mother came from a family several members
of w}lich distinguis'b.ed themselves by their literary activities. In his
youth he enjoyed all the advantages of an·expensive and carefully
directed education, including the 'gralld tour'. Throughout his life
'he cultivated literary society, and his wealth enabled him to aid
many less fortunate men of letters'. 3 He first gained a reputation as
a writer of lyric poems and a translator of ancient and modem
(!tali~, Spanish, French) poetry. A competent judge pronounces the
verdict that ·Stanley's work 'possesses very considerable charm' and
• Throughout Casaubon's life and ~vork it is true that his 'literary ardour was liable
to be checked by a controlling religious sentiment' (Mark Pattison, lsaae Casauhon,
:md ed., 49).
2 This classification is not based on the general circumstances of the man's life or

the fact that he never held an academic post. No one would, e.g., call Musgrave, one of
the masters of textual criticism in Euripides, an nmateur because he was by profession
a physician, nor should we apply that tenn to the cxocllent Homeric scholar Walter
tear, who was a highly efficient and influential banker.
, Didwnary of Nalional Biography, Jiv. ?9·
38
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
that in many of his translations and throughout his original verse
'he has succeeded in maintaining a very high level of favour and of
prettiness' . 1
Before he had reached the age of 30, Stanley turned to a far more
ambitious scheme. His History of Philosoplz.y, even when judged
merely by the exertions which the compilation of its materials and
the actual writing required, must be considered a very creditable
effort. He cast his net widely and brought together an impressive
body of evidence,:i which he shaped into a very readable and ex-
tremely well-arranged account. Methods of historical criticism or
anything like an analysis of the sources cannot be e>..'}>ected in a book
of that period. The Hist<Jry of Ph°i.l-Osophy is linked up with Stanley's
earlier production by the translations {all of them in verse and most
of them rhymed) of certain poems which it contains, e.g. of Solon's
elegies, Plato's epigrams, Aristotle's hymn on Hermias, the car11ie1s.
ar"eu"" of 'Pythagoras', the greater part of Aristophanes' Cloi«ls,
and the whole of Ausonius' Luaus septem sapientuni.. But what here
concerns us most is the remarkable instinct for the needs and tastes
of an educated public which Stanley showed when he embarked on
his bold Wldertaking. The success of the Hist<Jry of Philosophy (it
maintained its position as a standard book well into the eighteenth
century) proved that this bulky work with its mixture of scholarship
and deft popularization was excellently calculated to satisfy the
demands of many generations of readers. The same instinct prompted
Stanley to plan the work with which his name will for ever be con-
nected, his Aeschylus. One can easily understand the enthusiasm
with which this edition was greeted by his contemporaries. Here was
to be foWld, in the compass of a single folio volume of moderate
size, the whole of Aeschylus, including the fragments, accompanied
by a translation in straightforward Latin prose and followed by a
commentary. Thus the work of one of the greatest poets, which up
to that time had been reserved for a small minority of highly skilled
scholars, was suddenly made the common possession of thousands
of readers all over the civilized world.
Apparently it was not until the first volume of his History of
Philosophy (published in x655) drew near its completion that Stanley·
began serious preparations for editing Aeschylus. 3 At that time his
1 G. Saintsbury in The Co111/m"age Hisw,y of English Literature, vii. 83 f.

:a It gives an entirely wrong impression of the book when J. E. Sandys, History of

Class. SduJlarsliip, ii. 3SI (the paragraph is an abridged reproduction of Sidney Lee's
article in the Dia. Not. Biogr.), says thnt 'it is mainly derived from Djogenes Laertius'.
1 lo Appendix II, in which the evidence for many of the following statements will
be found, it is shown that the copy of the Victorius edition of Aeschylus into which
Stanley's early notes and parts of 11 translation had already been entered was in Pearson's
hands in 1654/5. Stnnley's excerpts from Stephanus Byzantius ('Ex MSS Palat. Bib.
Vat. Stephani de Urbibus'). which he made primarily for the sake of his Aeschylus,
bear the date 'anno 1653' (Camb. Univ. Libr., Stanley MS Gg. iii. 15, pp. 167 ff.).
39
 PROLEGOMENA
equipment for so ambitious a task was utterly inadequate. His early
marginal notes are of a very elementary kind, he struggles hopelessly
even with points of no great difficulty, and his acquaintance with
the general apparatus of Greek scholarship, such as the ancient
lexicographers, the technical writers, and so on, is sadly limited.
However, he soon made determined efforts to amend this by widening
the range of his reading and collecting materials in a systematic
manner. 1 But the wisest thing he did was to turn for assistance to
the man who was in a better position to help than anybody else, John
Pearson, afterwards Bishop of Chester. Pearson, though primarily
known as a theologian, was perhaps England's greatest classical
scholar before Bentley (his only possible rival being Gataker) ; in
range of learning and critical power he is probably inferior to no
English scholar save Bentley.:i: Both in the choice of his subjects
(many of them on the borderline of theological and classical studies)
and in the manner in which he tackled them he showed himself the
true heir to Casaubon's scholarship (in his Prolegomena to Hierocles,
De providentia, London 1655, p. 51 he calls Casaubon 'criticorum
princeps'). To Stanley's request Pearson responded with the gener-
osity of a JLE"la>.&rfroxos: he filled the margins of Stanley's copy of
Aeschylus with a wealth of rare learning and acute criticism. Stanley
took the whole of it over, lock, stock, and barrel.
It is unlikely that the value and the stimulating effect of Stanley's
edition would have been nearly so great if Pearson's anonymous
contributions had not formed an important part of it. It is to the
clandestine collaboration of these two wholly dissimilar partners that
we owe the particular <;haracter of one of the most influential editions
of a Greek poet. For what through the medium of this book has for
a long time exerted its influence on the life of classical scholarship
is neither Stanley's graceful versatility and humanistic enthusiasm
alone, noris it entirely the vastlearning and the searching intensity of
the great scholar who served as an invisible helper, but rather the
happy combination of the two forces, neither of which would in
itself have been sufficient, since for the task of a solid and tactful
interpretation of great poetry both are required and each has to
rely on sympathetic support from the other side. The first substantial
contribution made by English scholarship to the study of Greek
1 Sec the ?llS in Cambridge (cf. the preceding footnote) that contains his excerpts

from various authors. The large mass of his notes on Euripides is particularly instruc·
tive: there it is obvious that all the time Aeschylus is uppcnnost in his mind (the
marginal note ':\gam.' occurs very often). It is also noticeable that he constantly drn.ws
on the ancient lexicographers, the Etymologica, the paroemiogrnphi, and the scholia
(including Eust.athius).
1 I cannot agree with Bywater, who in his inaugurn.l lecture Four Ce11luriu of GruA

uar11illg in Engla11d (1894, published posthumously at Oxford in 1919), p. 14, classes

Pearson with a. number o! sCholars of whom he justly says that they were not of the
first order. [Lloyd·Jones reminds me of Housman, C.R. xxxiv, 19:io, no.]
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
poetry is truly representative: it points to the future development
of this branch of learning and to its divergent but not necessarily
antagonistic tendencies.
In addition to the information which Stanley recei,ved froni Pearson
directly, he seems to have derive<;I considerable profit from his
example. During the seven or eight years that passed between the
time when Pearson entered his notes into Stanley's copy and the
publication of the edition (1663) Stanley must have worked very
hard. The notes in his commentary (I am not, of course, speaking of
those which he borrowed from Pearson) are on a much higher level
than his early marginalia. And when the book was at last published,
its author did not by any means regard it as final. He continued to
collect ample materials, which he hoped to incorporate in a second
edition. For this purpose he had a copy of his Aeschylus interleaved
and divided into eight parts; the addenda and corrigenda contained
in these volumes are copious. 1 The increase of material is not, how-
ever, the most impressive feature of these later notes. Again .a,nd
again we see Stanley pondering afresh over passages where his
former solution does not satisfy him any more. 'Cogita' or 'cogita
an potius' and the like rec~ in many places. His translation, too,
is now subjected by him to' severe criticism. Moreover, he plans to
enhance the usefulness of his work by the addition of certain fresh
categories of illustrative material and by certain changes in the
general arrangement. On the fly-leaf of the first fascicle (Adv. b. 44. x)
we read among other entries: 'Hephaestion: f{ortasse) praeponen-
dus uxo.llis (aut saltem quae ad Tragicorum rationem canninum
spectant) et Latine reddendus', 'Notae variorum seorsim reponendae,
inter Canteri Notas, et Commentarium nostrum. sub hac epigraphe
Varior1mi Excerpta', 'Affigenda argumenta scenarum et chori, in
margine prout fit ab Interprete Sophoclis', 'Charta Geographica.
in prima punctis designetur Itinerarium I<ls, in Promdheo. et in
Stij>plic. Regiones Persicae et Graecanicae, in Persis. FacesAgamem-
noniae, in Agam.' It is gratifying to see how Stanley, far from being
spoiled by the success of his book, strives to do his utmost in order
to make the work worthy of its subject. What he here sets down as
necessary elements of a commentary on a dramatic poet goes far
beyond the ideas of his own time: it anticipates conceptions of the
nineteenth century.
There remains the vexed question of Stanley's plagiarism. What
we now know about the somewhat callous manner in which Stanley
exploited Pearson's emendations and interpretations and every
1 Cambr. Univ. Libr., Adv. b. 44, x-8. The bulk o{ these notes was published by

Butler in his re-edition of Stanley. But Butler printed only what he consider~ impor-
tant, leaving out not only the long quotations from earlier scholars (P. Vic:torius,
Casaubon, etc.), but nlso remarks by Stanley himself. Sometimes the manner in which
Butler abridges makes it impossible to see Stanley's point.
 PROLEGOMENA
detail of his felicitous phrasing seems at first to add plausibility to
the aspersions cast by Blom.field upon his honesty. We should,
however, beware of rash conclusions. In Appendix II it is demon-
strated that in using Pearson's materials without restriction Stanley
certainly did not act as a thief. Therefore the accusation rests on
the character of his borrowings from earlier scholars. To begin with,
it must be conceded to Butler (Aesch;ylus, vol. viii, p. xxi) that no
charges of dishonesty should be based on the notes which Stanley
wrote down after the publication of his Aeschylus, for we do not
know in what form and with what kind of acknowledgement he
intended to use them in the second edition. Then we have to take
into account the literary conventions of the period. A scholar of the
sixteenth or seventeenth century, when he says 'legendum', 'lego',
or something to the same effect, does not imply that he claims the
reading in question as a conjecture of his own, but merely states that
he adopts a reading different from that which he finds in the edition
he uses. Moreover, ?-t that period, when many suggestions of many
scholars drifted about in the margins of classical te.xts, the author-
ship of a conjecture was, broadly speaking, regarded as a matter of
much less consequence than at a time when the means of registration
had become easier and the ambitions of most scholars were different
from what they used to be. Finally, in the case of Stanley ample
allowance must be made for carelessness, haste, and slips of memory. 1
A good illustration is provided by the way in which Stanl~y mentions
certain readings which had in fact been advocated by Canter. On,
e.g., Ag. 8o3 (812 St.) Stanley's commentary says 'lcge 8&paos d.1eouu&ov',
on l2II (1220 St.) 'legendum censeo /l.vaTos. Hesychius, '1vaTos,
&.p'Aa/Jt,s', on 1474 (1483 St.) 'mallem l'1T~€a,', on 1637 (1646 St.)
'lege ~.,·, on 1672 (1681 St.) 'manca haec sunt, et e.x Scholiaste sup-
plenda hoc modo ... .' All these suggestions were made by Canter,
and all are printed under Canter's name {i.e. excerpted from Canter's
edition) in Stanley's edition, p. 688 f. ; therefore it would be fantastic
to assume that Stanley wanted to conceal that they were Canter:.s.
But when he uses precisely the same expressions in recommending
conjectures made by Auratus or Scaliger, he is called a plagiarist.
Still, it may be argued that he bad a much better chance of getting
away with his 'theft' if the emendation in question was not taken
from a printed book but from some marginalia or had been made
known to him in some other way, and that therefore in such a case
there is a strong suspicion of mala fides. Against this it must be said
that there are many instances where he carefully records the author
of an unprinted conjecture, e.g. on Ag. 547 (556 St.) 'legimus cum
Aurato UTpa.Toli', u72 (u8x St.) 'legit Jacob .. .', I26I (1270 St.)
'laborat sensus, qui tamen melius constabit si legarnus . . . vel, cum
1 This was rightly pointed out by Butler, Joe. cit.
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
Jacob, .. .', 1555 (1564 St.) '!ego ... quod et ad oram libri sui obser-
vasse Jacob video', and similarly in the 'Addenda', e.g. on 427
(437 St.) 'Auratus glossema putat', 98o (989 St.) 'ad oram cod.
Scaligeriani, a11on-n1aav.', lo6l (1070 St.) 'f. Kap/Ja.vov, et ita Auratus',
1664 (1673 St.) 'sunt qui malint alpodµ.t.9a. Auratus alpooµit9a',
etc.
In this connexion two factors ought not to be overlooked. First,
it was almost inevitable that during the early stages of the study of
Greek Tragedy, o-r· a~pa'TOS ~JI bt. 'Anµ<f,v, in certain places certain
emendations should occur to any scholar who knew a sufficient
amount of Greek and read his author with some attention. Stanley,
as we have seen, made considerable progress in scholarship after the
time when he gave his copy of Aeschylus to Pearson. There is there-
fore nothing improbable in the assumption that he hit independently
on a number of corrections which, without his knowing it, had been
made by other scholars before him. Secondly, many scholars have
had the unpleasant e>..l>Crience of fancying that they have emended
a corrupt passage entirely on their own, only to discover afterwards
that they had previously seen the emendation somewhere else. What
happens in such cases is that the improved reading sinks into our
mind, but that we forget all about the circumstances under which
we first met with it. The picture of Stanley's personality which has
gradually formed itself in my mind makes me inclined to believe that
his- memory played him such tricks more than once. I do not think
that he was dishonest when he made such comments as in his note
on Ag. 1595 (16o4 St.)-1 deliberately choose an instance where
appearances are strongly against him-'suspicabar legendum lKpvrrr'
civ"' 9E2s a118pa1eas 1ea.O,,µ.lvo1.s'. I do not deny that he must somewhere1
have seen that this version of the line, involving three alterations,
belonged to Casaubon, but I very much doupt whether he remem-
bered it when he wrote his note. Carelessness, yes; dishonesty, no.
The discussion of Stanley's so-called plagiarism has also suffered
from a lack of sense of proportion. This becomes clear as soon as his
commentary is viewed in its entirety and judged by its author's
intentions. Stanley does not make much of his emendations. To
him the correction of the text is but a minor, if necessary, ingredient
of his work. His main objective is a full and scholarly illustration of
the plays. He is often remarkably successful in penetrating beyond
mere details; sometimes he even catches a glimpse of what a later
age would have termed dramatic technique. On Ag. 2,s8 (266 St.) he
observes 'non lac lacti magis simile atque hie locus illi est in Persis
[155], ubi senes Persici (ex quibus constituitur Chorus) de expeditione
Xerxis valde solliciti (ut Graeci nostri de Agamemnone) longa
' For a possible source see Blomficld, Musemn Critia1111, ii (Cambridge 1826),
488{.
43
 PROLEGOMENA
adhibita oratione, tandem ingredientem Reginam, mutato genere
carminis, salutant: quod videntur non animadvertisse qui Nuntium
hie ingressum, et Trojae expugnationem quam ab accensa face
didicerat exponentem, commenti sunt'. This is excellent. The refer-
ence to the close analogy in the Persae would be extremely valuable
even if Stanley knew that the lines had already been restored to
their proper speakers by Casaubon. It seems, however, obvious that
a scholar who studied the structure of Aeschylean scenes in this
manner needed nobody's assistance to reject the monstrous arrange-
ment of Ag. 258 ff. in the MSS and the earlier editions. In his notes
on 27x (279 St.) and 277 (285 St.) he adds some sound arguments on
the same point. Nor is this an isolated instance of Stanley's readiness
to interpret the dialogue in the light of the dramatic action. His
discovery that Ag. x650 must be spoken by Aegisthus was a fruit
of the same kind of alert attention. Perhaps even our generation has
still something to learn from a man who brought so adequate an
understanding to the reading of ancient Drama.
Stanley's edition was re-edited by Jan Cornelis de Pauw (in 1745),
'adiectis etiam suis, hoc est audacissimis, saepe etiam inanissimis
adnotationibus' (Butler). This scholar, like Canter, hailed from
Utrecht, but there the similarity ends. Pauw, a very unpleasant
character, was in the habit of making a fool of himself, though he did
not invariably do so. 1 That he sometimes hit on excellent emenda-
tions is shown by e.g. C/i(). 532 oi58o.p ~v and 734 Tots e1v0Ls. In the
Agamemn()n his alterations of the text are confined to the subordin-
ate, if necessary, process of restoring in the lyrics syllabic responsion
(e.g. in 165 and 758), mostly by adding a final' or w to datives in-a's
or -o's (683 f., 777, 1095, II73, x536). However, Pauw went beyond
such trifles when he suspected Ag. 7, and every now and then he
understood correctly some not quite obvious construction, though
on the whole there is little useful information to be found in his
boastful notes.
Two years before Pauw's edition the first two parts of F. L.
Abresch's Atiitmulversiom1m ad Aeschylm1i libri tres (the third book,
dealing with Em1i. and Su.ppz., appeared in x763)z were published in
Holland, where Abresch, a German by birth, had settled (like his
great contemporary Ruhnken). These Animadversiones are in fact an
extensive commentary on a large selection of passages in Aeschylus
(many of them difficult ones). A glance through the book will at
once assure the reader that he is in the company of· a good scholar
1 Even in Pindar, where Pauw's name has become a byword, some of his suggestions

arc valuable; sec the balanced judgement of Tycho Mommsen in the Pracfatio to his
edition (1864), p. i.'(•
.. I have used the reprint published at Halle in 1832, which \vas supervised by the
great Ritschl, who at that time had to stoop to such drudgery in order to make some
money (cf. 0. Ribbeck, Friedrieh Willrtlm Ritselrl, i. 92, 98).
44
 SOME EDI~IONS AND COMMENTARIES
distinguished by wide reading and a firm grasp of the Greek language.
Abresch showed better judgement than Stanley and others when he
recognized the effect of the parenthesis in Ag. 14 f. on the construc-
tion of the whole period, and consequently rejected the attempt to
alter the beginning of 12. 1 Among the rich parallel material furnished
in his notes the collections of certain thought-patterns and of
formulas· of ordinary speech are particularly valuable, e.g. on Ag. 37
d #J~v 'A&fJo,, and on 67, where he pointed out the common
element in, and the meaning of, expressions like Jaµiv ol&v Juµ&,
tier oQ-nlp ~lu, etc. In his note on Ag. 664 he demonstrated that
8lAovuo. in such a context goes back to the language of prayers, and
thus showed the wantonness of the conjecture va.v<M"o°Aoiia', which
nevertheless found admirers long afterwards. His restoration of
1<apal&0111<'1'011 in 1471 is generally accepted. Abresch deserved well of
Aeschylus; therefore he may be forgiven the crude misinterpretation
of 1428 'Al11os br, &µµ&:rwv a.tµ.a:ros t~ 1tpl11n which has endeared itself
to almost all his successors.
Benjamin Heath's book, Notae sive lutiones ad ••• AescliyU,
Soj>lwclis, Euripidis qitae supersu1u dramata deperdirorutnque 1'eUi-
quias, was published about the same time (1762) as Abresch's Observa-
ti01ies, and its general plan is very simil~; but in learning and
intensity of interpretation Heath is inferior to Abresch. Some of
his interpretations are of course correct (not only when he rejects
Pauw's wild suggestions), but, without passing judgement on bis
whole book, it may be said that the chapter on the Agamemnon is
of no great importance.
The notes of Pauw, Abresch, and Heath dealt with select passages
only. It was not until the publication of Schlitz's fully annotated
edition of Aeschylus (from 1782 on) that a substantial advance
beyond Stanley was made on the whole front. To call the mind of
Christian Gottfried Schiltz 'lentum ingenium' (Wilamowitz, Aescliyli
tragoediae, p. vii) is hardly fair. Hermann's verdict, which I have
quoted in vol. ii, p. 254, seems to be nearer the truth, even if we bear
in mind that this compliment was written during the lifetime of 'the
veteran Schutz' (as Hermann. calls him) and was obviously meant
to please the old gentleman. Speaking for myself, I gratefully remem-
ber that at an early stage of my struggles with Aeschylus Schlitz's
clear, honest, and tactful commentary helped me a great deal to
find my way through the text. Schutz is not content with a selective
method, but tries to comment on every section of a play in its
entirety. Moreover, his contribution to textual criticism is far from
negligible. Here is a list of successful emendations of his, culled from
the Agatnem1i01i only (omitting minor corrections): 69 J..,,V..tl/Jwv,
307 f. Vnf.p/J&XA'-' ••• if>'Alyowa., 312 'J'O&ol8f. 'TO[ µ.o,, 948 8wµ.o.Toi/>8opf.'iv,
1 I ought to have quoted him in the commentary ad loc.

45
 PROLEGOMENA
1012 '"'A't}aµovas, lo84 '"~P w, II65 deletion of KCXK<l, 1174 KaK~povwv,
1332 8(U('T11>.08EllC'l'"'v thus rightly understood, x563 Op/w"''' 1655 81pos.
Several of these changes are ~ndaJi01us palmares. Furthermore,
Schutz recognized the interpolations of 871 and 1290. In the latter
case he afterwards changed his mind for the worse and decided in
favour of an unsatisfactory transposition, for as he grew old his
courage began to fail him. The same decline of critical vigour can
be observed in his later treatment of the lines Ciro. 205-10 and 228,
which he had once suspected to be post-Aeschylean insertions (for
details see vol. iii, Appendix D). This discovery, which paves the road
to the true appreciation of one of the finest scenes in Greek Tragedy,
is a good e."<ample of Schlitz's sympathetic understanding of what is
characteristically Aeschylean.
A short anonymous review (writtell"in May 1783) of the first volume
of Schutz's Aeschylus was the earliest publication of an unknown
young Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Porson. 1 This
man was soon to do for the text of Greek plays what none of his
contemporaries would have been able to do. Here, where we are
only concerned with his contribution to the study of Aeschylus, we
should bear in mind that if this part of his work did not exist, it
would make no difference to Porson's fame. However, his approach
to textual criticism in Aeschylus is characteristic of the man. Porson
was probably the first scholar who fully realized that a truly critical
edition of Aeschylus was impossible unless it was based on reliable
information about the readings of the Mediceus. 1'he tragicomic
failure of his attempt to obtain that information is well known::
when the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 11ad entrusted
Porson with the editorship of a new edition of Aeschylus, he applied
to them for a small grant to enable him to go to Florence and collate
the manuscript, but was told 'Let Mr. Porson collect his manuscripts
at home'. What follows is a sad story. 'In 1795 a folio Aeschylus was
issued from the Foulis Press at Glasgow, with some corxections in
the text. These were Porson's; but the book appeared without his
name, and without his knowledge. He had sent a text, thus far
corrected, to Glasgow, in order that an edition of Aeschylus for a
London firm might be printed from it ;3 and this edition (in 2 vols.
8vo) was actually printed in x794, though published only in x8o6, still
without his name [and without a preface or notes]. This partly
corrected text was the first step towards the edition of Aeschylus
1 ·Reprinted in Traels .•. of tk late Richard Porso11, collected by Thomas Kidd

(1815), 4 ff.
:a Cf. e.g. Jebb in Dietio11ary of Natio11al Biography, xlvi. 16o; M. L. Clarke, Richard
P,,,son, 15 f., and the same author's Greek Studies in E1igla11d z700-z830, 70.
> This text, a copy of Pauw's edition, aucfully corrected by Porson, is now in the
Library of Trinity College, Cambridge (Adv. b. 3. :r); 'it was obto.ined witl1 the other
books and papers bought by Trinity College at Porson's death'. .
46
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
·which he had meditated, but which he never completed' .1 What we
have, then, is a mere torso, but it is adorned with some magnificent
emendations such as at Clio. 1052 </>&Pov vU<6> (cf. my note in vol. ii.
214 n. 1). Some of Porson's most brilliant readings, however, are not
to be found in the edition (nor is his elimination of the sparrows
from Ag. 145), but were afterwards made known by Blomfi.eld and,
partly from Dobree's notes, by Kidd, Tracts, 208 ff., e.g. Ag. 850
nfjµ,> &:rro(f"t'p"fi°" v&uov, 1391 f. 8ioa8&T(I), y&.vt,,
Porson's greatest pupil, Peter Dobree, made a few very good
emendations in the text of Aeschylus; after his premature death
they were published in his Adversaria, vol. ii. 14 ff. Another member
of the Porsonian school, a less eminent figure, did a signal service
to the study of Aeschylus by producing a carefully planned and
executed w~rk on a large scale. C. J. Blomfi.eld began his edition in
1810 with the Promdl~t~ and continued it until 1824, when he was
appointed Bishop of Chester and thus prevented from editing the
last two plays, Eumenides and Supj>lices. 2 At Ag. 1356 he used a new
source discovered by him and was thus able to restore the genuine
text of a passage which had seemed hopelessly corrupt. 'Haud
spernendas protulit coniecturas' (Wilamowitz)-from the Aganietn-
tum I will mention 236 4'u'i\a.1<at, 1590 cuh-&s, and especially 1566 ,,,p;,s
ciTat-but the most valuable part of his edition is the 'Glossarium'
appended to each play. Here a wealth of linguistic information is
brought together, from literature as well as from the lexicographers,
scholiasts, etc. Blomfield very properly drew on materials collected
by his predecessors, but he greatly added to them from his own
extensive reading. The influence which these 'Glossaria' have exerted
on our dictionaries and almost all later interpretations of Greek
Tragedy can hardly be overrated ; sometimes it requires a deter-
mined effort to disentangle oneself from the net of the fable convem1e
that originates from Blomfi.eld's renderings. ·
Elmsley used a brief stay at Naples to make a collation of the text
of the Agamemtum in the 'codex Famesianus' (Tr); he published it
in J.\1usemn Criticmn, ii (Cambridge 1826), 457 ff. That the notes in
his editions of three plays of Euripides have done a great deal to
elucidate certain points in the language of Aeschylus may be seen
at several places of my commentary.
When we now turn to Gottfried Hermann, we meet for the first
time in the course of our survey a scholar of the first magnitude in
whose life (and a long life it was) the work on Aeschylus never ceased
to occupy a central position. Hermann's book De nietris poeJar11,m
1 Jebb, op. cit. 161; cf. Blomfield, Museum Critieum, i (Cambridge 1826), no f.;

M. L. Clarke, Riel1ard Porso11, 65 f.; Greek Sttuliu in E11gland •••, 70.

:a I have used the 5th edition (1829) of Prom., the 3rd (1824) of Sept., the 4th (1830)
of Pers., the 3rd (1826) of Ag., and the 2nd (1827) of Cho.
47
 PROLEGOMENA
waecormn et Roma11orm1J (1796) is in several respects immature, very
naturally, since the author was 24 years old when he published it,
but it revealed for the first time the true nature of a number of
Aeschylean lyrics and, besides, contained some happy conjectures;
to mention one instance, the reading suggested for Ag. 412 f. went
a long way towards restoring this difficult passage (cf. my note,
vol. ii. 217 n. 1). In 1799 he edited the E11111enides. The famous product
of Hermann's mature age, Elementa dcctrinae 111etricae (1816), yields
fewer decisions on questions of textual criticism than might be
expected (at any rate so far as the lyrics of the Greek dramatic poets
are concerned, for in the large sections of Plautine cantica which
Hermann includes his observations on the text are both extensive
and important, and many a passage has there been emended by
him for good). However, those readers of the Eleme11ta who hoped
that some fresh light might be thrown on the text of the lyrics in
Greek Drama were not entirely disappointed: they found e.g. on
p. 704 Ag. 131 (ciya} and 1468 f. (Sct/>ulo,a1.) corrected. But these two
emendations were by that time no longer strictly novel. In the same
year 1816, a few months before the publication of the Elemetlla
dcctrinae 111etricae, Hermann's publisher had issued a slender little
book, 'Aeschylos Agamemnon, metrisch i.ibersetzt von Wilhelm von
Humboldt' .1 The text on which this translation was based had been
thoroughly revised by Hermann (long discussions even on minute
details took place between the two men), and on the last tluee pages
Hermann gave a list, with a few very brief remarks, of the passages
where he diverged from the textus re~pt11S. It is in this place, t11en,
and in this very modest form, that most of Hermann's emendations
of the text of the Agametm101J were first made known; in later years
he added but little to them. The most conspicuous contribution was
of course made in the lyrics; thus we find here, in addition to the
two corrections mentioned above, at 254 at}yai's, 369 deletion of the
first ws, llll opl.yµ.o.Ta, II33 Sr.ai (practically in the MSS, but un-
discovered until then), 1455 '1'tap&vous, 1565 apatov. But the trimeters
were not neglected : Hermann stated here that 1203 was to be placed
afte~ 1204, and that at 1271 µ&a was a corruption of µlya.
After the ElmietUa. Hermann published many important articles
on Aeschylus, but the edition of all the extant plays and fragments,
which was to be the crowning work of his life, was never completed.
After Hermann's death in 1848 his pupil and son-in-law Moriz Haupt
published the edition from the materials Hermann had left behind.
The book is therefore different from what it would have been if
Hermann had been able to give it the finishing touch. Being in some
• The printing of Hermann's book at times delayed the progress of Humboldt's
proofs; sec Wilhelm uon Humholdls Britfe an Golljried Hnman111 mitgctcilt von A.
Leit:zmann (Weimar 1929), p. 43.
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
parts overladen with matter of little relevance and in others too
laconic, it lacks the easy poise of Hermann's re-edition of Erfurdt's
Sophocles. But it is not only these imperfections that make it
difficult for the modem reader fully to appreciate the value of the
book. The 'Adnotationes' are not, and do not pretend to be, what
we mean (and Casaubon meant) by a commentary. Like the notes
in Bentley's editions of Latin poets and, for that matter, in most
eighteenth-century books of a similar form, but unlike the commen-
taries in· Schlitz's Aeschylus or in Heyne's Virgil, Hermann's
'adnotationes' only very rarely tum straight to a difficult point of
interpretation or to the elucidation of the context; as a rule any
observation the editor wants to make is hung on a peg of textual
criticism, and among the witnesses quoted for a particular reading
there appear many that are to us absolute nonentities. Consequently,
the reader who intends to get at the core of Hermann's argument has
to develop a special technique; in course of time he will learn, while
skipping a good deal of cumbersome and antiquated detail, to con-
centrate on the priceless information intermixed with it. 1 Despite
the apparent predominance of textual criticism the notes on the
Agattietnnon show clearly that Hermann had not forgotten what he
had said in the opening paragraph of his appendix to Humboldt's
translation, viz. that here, as in many other ancient texts, 'ungleich
wenigeres einer Verbesserung, als einer verstandig~ Erklarung
bedarf'. The manner of his interpretation may be seen, e.g., from his
notes on the following passages: Ag. 3 lf.yKo.801, xo 1epaT€'i, 57 (diffi-
culty of T6lv8E), 217 ~J yd.p ~t71, 613 f. (to be assigned to Clytemnestra),
637 X"'Pls ~ -r'µ.~ Bdilv, 790 ff. {where, by changing 8' to -r', he recovers
the structure of the whole period), 900 (where he rightly takes
exception to 1e&Murrov ~µ.c.p in this context, though his conclusion is
wrong), 10¢ f. (where both the construction of the sentence and the
true nature of the vision are well explained), n27 µ.~'Aay1elP"'' . . •
p.71xa~µ.c.-r,. It would, however, be a sad mistake to assume that
Hermann's interest was confined to problems of language, style, and
metre. That this enthusiastic lover of great poetry~ was capable of
visualizing a Greek play in the full setting of a dramatic performance
is shown by several of the articles in his Opuscula; here we must
especially notice his paper De 1'e scenica in. Aeschyli Ores~a, reprinted
at the end of the second volume of his Aeschylus. 3
1 In my seminar dnsses at Oxford it was very gratifying to. watch young· under-

graduates working their way through Hermann's Aeschylus; they soon spoke of the
book not merely with admiration but with delight.
s 'Der fran%3sischen, englischcn und itnlienischcnSpmchc warcr[Hcrmann) miichtig,
von ihrer Litcratur fes.1Clten nur Shakespeare und Dante ihn dauemd' (Otto Jahn,
Biograplriselre Aufs61u, 114).
' From this paper it may also be seen how much the vigorous old fighter had learnt
from his adversary Otfried Maller, not only in details but in general outlook.

49 E
 PROLEGOMENA
W. v. Humboldt's translation of the Agamamwn, which has been
mentioned in connexion with Hermann's notes, has also a claim of
its own to be considered here. The translation, and even more so the
introduction, is a great· monument of the deeper understanding of
Greek poetry and art that had been made possible by the ideas
of Winckelmann, Goethe, Friedrich Schlegel, and their followers, and
to no small e.xtent by Humboldt himself. A typical example of the
way in which the new spirit freed men's eyes from conventional
prejudices will be discussed when we come to Humboldt's solution
of a vexed problem of interpretation {vol. ii, pp. 254 ff.).
The most momentous result .of Humboldt's translation was that
it brought Goethe into fresh contact with the Agamemnon. His
immediate reaction is contained in the famous letter to Humboldt
of 1September1816 {Goethe's W erke (Weimar edition], iv. Abtheilung,
27. Band, pp. 156 ff.), from which a few sentences must be quoted
here:
' ... eine solche uralte Riesengestalt, gefonnt wie Ungeheuer, tritt ilber-
raschend vor uns auf, und wir miissen alle unsere Sinne zusammennehmen
. um ihr einigerma6en wilrdig entgegen zu stehen. In einem solchen
Augenblick zweifelt man keineswegs hier das Kunstwerk der Kunstwerke,
oder, wenn man gemaBigter sprechen will, ein h6cbst musterhaftes zu
erblicken .... Das Stilck war von jeher mir eines der betrachtungswiirdig-
sten ... Verwundersam aber ist mir jetzt rnehr als je das Gewebe dieses
Urteppichs: Vergangenheit, Gegenwart und Zukunft sind so glilcklich
in eins geschlungen, da6 man selbst zum Seher, das heiBt: Gott ahnlich
wird. Und das ist doch am Ende der Triumph aller Poesie im GroBten und
Kleinsten. . . . So hat mich auch wieder auf's neue ergriffen daB jede
Person, auBer Clytemnestra, der Unheilverketterin, ihre abgeschlossne
Aristeia hat, so daB jede ein ganzes Gedicht spielt und nachher nicbt
wiederkommt uns etwai auf's neue mit ihren Angelegenheiten beschwcr-
lich zu fallen.'

The statement in the last sentence is fundamental: it illustrates

.perfectly the unique olKovoµ.la. of this play in which all the characters,
including the central :figure of the king, are given only a single scene,
with the one exception of Clytemnestra, 'who links together the
chain of evil'. Goethe speaks as a poet who, familiar with the whole
of Europe's dramatic literature, has also long been active as a pro-
ducer of theatrical performances. From the pages of the lofty, if
sometimes stilted, version there arises in Goethe's mind the vision
of the play in its entirety, and his imagination finds no difficulty in
bringing it back to its natural place, the stage of the theatre.
There is fortunately no need to rake up again the quarrel between
Gottfried Hermann and Otfried Miiller which centred in their dispute
about the Et,menides. Nowadays we all know that Milller's commen-
tary on that play (1833) marked the beginning of a new era in the
50
 SOME EDITIONS AND COl\IMENT ARIES
interpretation of Aeschylus and indeed of Attic drama in general.
Henceforth no conscientious scholar was at liberty to comment on
a Greek play without talcing into account the monuments of art
as well as the literature, or to neglect the relevant problems of
religion, law, and political and social history, and the conditions of per-
formances on the Athenian stage. It is obvious that the interpretation
of the two other plays of the Oresteia owes a special debt to Milller's
book.
Welcker's name must at least be mentioned here, not on account
of any special contribution to the study of the Agatnemmm, but
because he has done so much to deepen our views on Greek religion
and poetry in general and on Aeschylus in particular.
We have now reached . the full current of nineteenth-century
activities, where it is no longer possible to follow up all the individual
rivulets. We shall have to be content with a small selection of works
(in addition to those which are of special value others will be men-
tioned on account of the infiuence they have had), and any such
selection is bound to be subjective. 1
In autumn 1847 Hermann had a visit from a young Oxford
graduate, John Conington, who had come to Leipzig to do homage
to the prince of Greek scholars. :i In the following year Conington
publi~hed a text of the Agamemnmi, 'with a translation into English
verse, and notes critical and explanatory'. This edition, coming as
it did from a scholar 23 years old, was a very creditable achievement. 3
It contained, of course, many immature assertions, but also some
very fine interpretations, and showed at more than one place the
instinctive grasp of certain delicate shades of poetry which is
characteristic of Conington's later work. Before Conington Heath's
transposition of 1. 1304 had been generally accepted (it is still found
in the text of Wila.mowitz), with the result that the subsequent lines,
and especially Cassandra's outburst in 1305, became unintelligible.
Conington showed that the transposition was wrong ;4 and, from
' Some brief tcmarks on t.he commentaries of Ploss nnd Ubaldi and on the notes
which Sewell, Droysen, Lewis Cnmpbcll, nnd Platt added to their translations nre made
in the commentary; see the Index under their names.
a H. J. Smith in his 'Memoir' in Misctlumeo1u Writings of ]o/m Co11iriKl011, vol. i,
p. xxvii, says tl1at 'the visit •.. was embarrassed by difficulties or language (they had
to talk in Lctin, and each of course pronounced it nfter the manner of his own country)'.
However, Conington himself {Preface to his edition or the Agatnnnno11, p. vii, footnote)
quotes a picturesque Gennan idiom ns used by Hermann in that conversation {he called
Droyscn's translation or Aeschylus 'luftig').
i Henry Nett1cship says of it (Di,t1'tmary of NaJional Biograpliy, xii. 15) 'the notes,
though slight, contained one brilliant emendation, >.lo11Tos l"'" for Mol'T'a °'1-U1'. The
emend11tion Mo.,,,os r..," (with its corollary, 1j8os, 11t 727) is not in the book (sec my note
on Ag. 717), 11nd several of the notes nrc anything but slight, whatever Conington
himself thought of them in later life. •
4 This, as Conington says in·.his note, W1LS first pointed out to him by Dr. Arnold
(Conington's school was Rugby).
SI
 PROLEGOMENA
the firm ground of the order he had thus established, he was able to
follow the trend of Cassandra's impassioned thought up to its climax.
In 185x Conington published his unassailable emeq.dation of Ag. 7x7
and 727 ; in 1857, when he was Corpus Professor of Latin, there
appeared his edition of the Cl1oepJwroe, 'with notes critical and
explanatory'. This little book, though weak on the side of textual
criticism, seems to me to be one of the most useful commentaries
on a Greek play and, perhaps, the most tactful of all. The notes,
rich though they are in information on points of language and style,
yet do not make us forget that we are dealing with great poetry;
from time to time a few remarks couched in quiet and noble language
bring us back from the details to the main issues. Special attention
is always paid to the links with the Agamem1uni.
The most recent publication on which Conington drew while
working on the notes of his Agamemnon was F. A. Paley's commen-
tary in its first, Latin, form (the part containing the Oresteia ·ap-
peared in 1845). But it was in its renewed, i.e. its English, form that
Paley's book exerted its great influence. The English commentary
was first published in 1855; the last, fourth, edition appeared in
1879. 1 Paley was certainly no genius, but a solid worker and an
honest man; whatever the shortcomings of his erudition and the
weaknesses ~f his other publications, we should not belittle bis merits
as a guide to Aeschylus. If he often fails to reach the highest peaks,
he always takes us safely up to the foothills and sometimes beyond,
and that is far more than most of his fellow-interpreters achieve.
Many difficulties which in other commentaries are either passed
over altogether or dismissed with a casual remark are courageously
tackled by Paley. If we want to take the measure of his conscientious-
ness, we have only to observe the numerous and important altera-
tions which distinguish any subsequent edition of his commentary
from its predecessor. It is perhaps a forgivable weakness that, after
pondering so long over certain riddles and knowing of so many
different answers, he sometimes found himself unable to make up
his mind. What is worse is that it does not seem to have occurred
to him that these tragedies are not some kind of poetry to be read
as we may read an epic, but dramatic plays meant to be performed
on the stage. Nevertheless, some of his interpretations may be
regarded as final. He also made a few convincing emendations,
although textual criticism was not his forte (for one thing, he was
too easily inclined to sail in the wake of Hermann). His prose-
translation of Aeschylus (2nd edition 1871) is frowned· at by refined
English stylists, and to me, too, it seems rather wooden, but it is
a work of great honesty; it prefers to come to grips with the harsh-
1 The references in my commentary are to the 4th edition unless I say something
to the contrary.
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
nesses and ambiguities of the Greek rather than go round them or
gloss them over. Besides, it is amusing to watch several later trans-
lators, fastidious though they are, lifting solid chunks, sometimes
with some slight modifications, from Paley's version.
A word must be said here about B. H. Kennedy's edition (2nd
edition 1882) of the Agametmwn, 'with a metrical translation ·and
notes critical and illustrative'. His textual criticism is so wild that
the reader is almost reminded of Hartung, 1 but, as in the case of
Hartung's editions, there are in the notes some observations which
make it worth while reading them. Moreover, Kennedy's book is
penneated by a spirit of relentless inquisitiveness, and this, com-
bined :with a passionate devotion to the poetry of Aeschylus, has a
stimulating effect. Above all, Kennedy deserves our gratitude for
unriddling the cryptic first few lines of the stichomythia 93I fi.
We have now to go back to Germany. F. H. Bothe, with his solid
knowledge of the Greek and Latin dramatic poets, commented on
the plays in a manner which is seldom exciting but often instructive;
he was also a successful emendator. R. H. Klausen's commentaries
on the AgatnetnMn (x833). and the CliobjJl1oroe (1835} had at their
time a considerable influence in England too, but, though learned,
they are on the whole not distinguished by great originality or sound
judgement. The commentary on the Agamemnon was greatly im-
proved when R. Enger, a scholar who made valuable contributions
of his own to the study of Aeschylus, re-edited it in x863.
Of Wilhelm Dindorf's slovenly edition of the scholia and his
sweeping statements about the MS tradition of Aeschylus something
has been said in the first chapter. His editions of the poet himself,:
though hasty too, are on a somewhat higher level. Dindorf never
was, and could not possibly be, a reliable editor; it is difficult to
understand how, on top of his other activities, he managed to read
all the texts, from Homer to Eusebius (not to mention the many
volumes of scholia), which he edited. But he did read them; and as
he was a very able man and one who really knew Greek, 3 he will
surprise us every now and then, in the midst of the most unbelievable
carelessness, by a brilliant observation or a convincing suggestion.
His two textual corrections in the Agamemnon,• at 478 and x472,
are of the type that attracted Pauw: they rid us of monosyllables
destructive to the metre. But in the t~t of the other plays of
1 It is no accident that Kennedy speaks with unqualified admiration of S. Karsten's

edition of the Agamermwn (Utrecht 1855), the notes and commentury of which arc
learned nnd by no mcnns dull, but very extravagant indeed; it is only occasionally
that I have been able to profit from them. However, his emendation at 1163 is excellent.
2 First I.cip:tig 1827 and Oxford 1832 (with C.\:tensive Llltin notes 18.Jx), then in the
Teubncr collection (sth edition x87o).
> 'l'his even Wilamowitz acknowledges, Gesdrielrte der Philowgie, 65.
4 I do not take into account mere orthographica.

53
 PROLEGOMENA
·Aeschylus he succeeded in making some less easy emendati~ns. ~or
was he insensible to the dramatic life in a scene or to a change of
style: he noticed, e.g. the major inconsistency in Orestes' first speech
after the murder (Cho. 973-Ioo6),1 and he stressed the very odd
stylistic character of the exaggerated imagery in Ag. 895-902 ;:i the
rash conclusions to which he jumped in both cases do not concern
us here. But his greatest service to Aeschylean studies was the
publication of his Lexic<m Aeschyleum (1873). This book, if far from
perfect, is a very valuable instrument. It has considerable merits
of its own, although it owes a great deal to the earlier works of
Wellauer and Linwood (the latter scholar's Lexico11- ro Aeschyl11-S,
which shows in many places a remarkably independent judgement,
is still worth consulting).
Hartung's commentaries are largely animated by his envious
hatred of Hermann, but some excellent observations compensate
the reader to a certain degree for the poison he has to swallow. His
emendations at Ag. 245 f. and 386 are among the best made in this
play.
Schneidewin in his commentary on the Agamemmm (1856) went
deeper into the secrets of the play than any editor had done before.
He detected in many passages an undertone or an implication that
had not yet been noticed. It was inevitable, on the other hand, that
so keen a searcher after hidden meanings should more than once be
tempted to find mysteries where there were none. But on the whole ·
the commentary profited greatly from Schneidewin's vast learning
and especially from his intimate acquaintance with the iambo-
graphers and elegists, the lyric poets, Sophocles, and the collections
of proverbs. When 0. Hense re-edited the book in x883, he sobered
it down a good deal and added valuable notes of his own.
Of a very different character is Nagelsbach's unpretentious edition
of the Agamemmm, posthumously published from his drafts in 1863.
Its honest prose-translation and straightforward notes often prove
helpful.
The Dutch scholar J. A. C. van Heusde's Aganiemncm (x864) is
a terrifying book; it displays its materials in the crudest possible
manner. But my debt to it is great: before I obtained photostats
of Tr, it was only here that I could look for reliable information
about all the Tr scholia, and the 'commentary' provides an almost
.inexhaustible store of rare parallels (many of them have found their
way into Blaydes's farrago). But the whole thing is like a charnel
house. It will be best to leave it quickly and walk back into the
sunshine.
Heinrich Ludolf Ahrens,3 who once and for all placed the study of
1 Cf. vol. iii, pp. 813 f. '" Cf. vol. ii, p. 410 n. 3.
J 'This eminent scholar is meant wherever in the app. crit. or in the commentary I
54
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
the Greek dialects and the textual criticism of the B11C-Olici Gr~ci
and their scholia on solid foundations, was a very great grammarian
and a masterly editor, but he was far more than that. If we want to
form an idea of the wide range of interests, the keenness of observa-
tion, and the sympathy with Greek thought which are characteristic
of this pupil of Otfried Miiller's, we may turn to his paper Ober die
GliUin Thetnis (Hanover 1862); there it can also be seen that the
archaeological material is as a matter of course taken into account
just as conscientiously as are the literary sources. Aeschylus was in
the centre of Ahrens's studies from the days of his youth. A specimen
of his earliest article on the text of the poet (published in 1832 ;
Ahrens was born in 18o9) is quoted in vol. iii, p. 676, n. 3. Then (to
leave aside minor contributions) he co-operated in J. Franz's edition
of the Oreskia (1846), and finally published in Philowgus, Suppl.-
Ed. I (186o), three articles, 'Studien zum. Agamemnon des Aeschylus',
which contain a full commentary on select passages from the begin-
ning of the play to I. 1252. Several mistakes in the more recent treat-
ment of the Agamemnon might have been avoided if more attention
had been P"jd to this work of Ahrens; but none of the editors after
0. Hense (1883) and Wecklein has properly studied it, and most of
them do not even seem to know that it exists. 1 The 'Studien zum
Agamemnon' belong to that high class of works of scholarship in
which, even where the author's conclusions are wrong, his criticism
of his forerunners, his own line of argument, and the evidence pro-
duced by him will always be of the greatest value to anyone who
attempts to tackle the problems in a critical spirit. The first article
opens with a sound r~ume of the MSS and their inter-connexion.
As has been stated above (p. 6), Ahrens was among the first to
challenge the then current assumption that the Mediceus is the
source of all our MSS. His conjectural criticism is on the whole
rather violent. However, among his successful emendations or correct
interpretations of MS readings are the following: Ag. IOI as ava-
t/>alv~ts, 170 'Mferat, 190 f. -rra>..tpp/,xOo,s, 542 ~OT€, n94 1eupw, 1231
,,.&~, 1657 OT€lxe-r• alBotot. He also saw that 863 is interpolated. But
brilliant emendations and convincing deletions have been made by
other scholars as well; Ahrens's specific contribution to the inter-
pretation of the Agamenmcm consists in his thorough examination
of certain lexicographic, and especially semasiological, facts relevant
to the meaning of difficult words and phrases in this play. Impressive
though the mere bulk of the accumulated material is, what Ahrens
gives is not dry lists but a lively and penetrating discussion carried

say simply 'Ahrens'. On the few occasions where I have to mention E. A. J. Ahrens,
who happened to edit Aeschylus for Didot, I shall add his initio.ls.
• Wecklein's Appetulix has made it possible to quote Ahrcns's conjectures withou.t
rQding his articles.

55
 PROLEGOMENA
out by a great philologist who had long been intimately conversant
with Greek literature from Homer and the lyric poets to the Byzan-
tine lexicographers and scholiasts. I will ~ention a few instances as
deserving special attention: on 17 brlp.vE&v, 72 &:rlTTJs, 275 (where, by
establishing the connotations of the phrase oi>1e av 'A&{Jo'Jl.', · Ahrens
made the meaning of the line clear), 276 11..,,.,.~pos, 4u crrl{Jor. tjJ&A&.vopES,
8o6 df<Ppwv (if the results of this investigation had been taken into
account in our lexi.ca, we should have been spared some bad mis-
interpretations of certain passages of Greek poetry), u9() t1<p.afYTVpE"iv.
Ahrens's 'Stuclien zum Agamemnon' constantly refer to Weil's
edition of the play. H. Weil, 'der zum Franzosen geworden war, weil
ihm in Deutschland der vercliente Lehrstuhl unerreichbar war'
(Wilamowitz, Erinnerutigen, 179), published a text of the Agamemmm,
with critical and explanatory notes in Latin, in 1858 (there followed
in 186o the Clwejilwroe, and in 1861 the E-mnenides, with important
'Addenda et Corrigenda' to the Agamenmoti). This is a work of a high
standard, despite the overbold textual criticism which the editor
mitigated considerably in his later editions of the te..xt (in the
Teubner collection). Weil's succinct comments are almost always to
the point and help the reader, no matter whether he agrees with the
editor's conclusions or not, to see more clearly where the difficulty
of a disputed passage lies. Many of his interpretations are convincing,
and it does not often happen that his remarks jar with the nature of
Aeschylus; poetry. A clear thinker, a very learned scholar, and a
p.ooo1.1<os &.~p, Weil in his later essays says a great deal on Greek
Tragedy in general and on Aeschylus in particular that is worth
remembering.
We pass from a wide range of learning to narrow specialization
and, what is more distressing, from the harmony of sympathetic
undei:stancling to the petty prejudices of Philistinism when we now
turn to Wecklein. Both language and thought in his annotated
German edition of the Oresteia (1888) often reach such a depth of
crude vulgarity that even the most hardened scholar may find it
difficult not to lose his temper. And yet it would be wrong and
indeed harmful to despise Wecklein's work, the result of a lifetime's
devotion to Attic Tragedy. The main value of his critical edition of
Aeschylus (1885-93) lies in its Appendi.:&. Shortly ~er its publication
Housman (]oum. of Philol. xvi, 1888, 244) greeted the Appendix with
a sigh of relief, and with a groan when be thought of the time and
labour which scholars had been forced to waste before such a com-
plete register of the conjectures of critics existed. But Wecklein was
no mere compiler. In the course of a long and industrious life he
acquired an uncommon familiarity with the language and the
dramatic technique of Tragedy, and, moreover, by dint of common
sense he of~en avoided the snares of improbable artificialities in
56
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
which many of his betters were caught. Some of his conjectures are
very good, and some of his solutions of vexed problems carry con-
viction. The perusal of his commentaries.on Aeschylus and Euripides,
though never enjoyable, is never entirely without its reward.
A great Greek scholar, whose many-sided activities spread over
a large field outside Tragedy, F. Blass, wrote towards the end of his
life a commentary on the Clweplwroe (published in 1906) and one on
the Eumetiides (posthumously edited in 1907), both of which are also
relevant to the interpretation of the Agamemnon. The chief value
of these books lies in their observations on language and style, but
other important issues are discussed as well., Two earlier papers of
Blass dealt with passages in the Agamamum: he emended the end
of 1. 429 and gave an admirable interpretation of the sentence in
926 f., which had been generally misunderstood:
Towards the end of the nineteenth century the most original
contributions to the study of Aeschylus and Euripides in England·
came from Verrall. His contemporaries were partly enthralled, partly
amused, and partly revolted, but no one could disregard or whittle
away the force of his influence. Nowadays there seems to be a certain
tendency to take no notice of him. If such a tendency exists, it ought
to be strongly resisted. It is probably true that to very young
students Verrall may become a danger, for they are usually not in
a position to protect themselves from the incantation of his brilliant
and enthusiastic sophistry. But adults should not forgo the benefits
that may accrue to them from listening to Verrall and, if possible,
refuting him. When all is said and done, there remains the fact that
we are here in the presence of a first-rate mind and a real artist's
soul. Verrall was by nature out of sympathy with fifth-century
Athens and all it stands for (the Silver Latin poets on the one hand
and Dante.on the other are far more congenial to him). Aeschylus
was too simple and solid for his taste; he wanted him more complex
and refined. Therefore he was always ready, by assuming an in-
nuendo or a double meaning, to read some psychological subtlety
into the words of the poet. Still Verrall l"Jlew a great deal about
things Greek, and-despite the long catalogue of his linguistic sins
drawn up by Headlam-he knew the language exceedingly well.
Moreover, he was endowed with a quality which made him parti-
cularly fit to expound the works of the Attic tragedians: he had
a lively idea of the conditions of dramatic poetry. No English scholar
before Verrall, and no earlier scholar at all save Otfried Muller (to
whom in this respect Verrall's contemporary Wilamowitz was equal
from his youth), was possessed of a similar capacity of visualizing
a Greek tragedy as a play to be performed on the stage. Consequently
one vital aspect of this poetry was more adequately brought out in
Verrall's commentaries than in those of his forerunners. There are
57
 PROLEGOMENA
a great many other points where the freshness of Verrall's approach·
enabled him to shed time-honoured prejudices and reinstate the
truth; his interpretation of Ag. x428 provides a good instance.
Unfortunately he had little patience and even less of that special
gift of scholarly perseverance that enables a man to swallow vast
clouds of dust in the faint hope that in the end his labour may be
rewarded by a small grain of gold. Verrall would not pause to con-
sider various possible answers to an intricate question; his lively
imagination carried him quickly to the point where a shining
phantom appeared, in shape and colour very much like the real
thing, but with a seductive glamour of its own. His textual criticism,
following as it does the uncompromising 'conservative' method (even
where all that we have to go upon is Ffr), is the least interesting
part of his work : it is so monotonous as to become dull, while every-
thing else in his books sparkles with life. It would not be surprising
if Verrall's keen inquisitiveness and powerful fantasy should con-
tinue to stimulate serious scholars at a time when the methodical
conclusions of more judicious critics have long been absorbed in the
stagnant reservoirs of recognized opinions.
A violent invective against Verrall's treatment of Aeschylus was
(apart from a small volume of translations from Meleager) the first
book published by Walter Headlam (On Edititig Aesc/i.ylus, x89x).
Afterwards he wrote many articles on passages in Aeschylus 1 and
translated for the series of 'Bell's Classical Translations' the Pro-
nietheus, the Oresteia, and the S14.pplia1ats, with brief but valuable
notes. His death in x908, .at the age of 42, cut short the high expecta-
tions of what he might have done as editor and commentator of
Aeschylus. In x9xo A. C. Pearson published a text of the Agamemn01i
from Headlam's materials, with Head.lam's verse translation and
some of his notes. 2 Recently it has become possible to lmow far more
of Headlam's work on the Oresteia thanks to the piety and patience
of George Thomson, who undertook the arduous task of deciphering
and transcribing Headlam's notes in the margins of two of his copies
of the plays. To these materials and those published by Pearson,
Thomson added the relevant sections of Headlam's printed articles,
and finally included the whole in his own edition of the Trilogy.
We should be guilty of gross injustice if we measured the torso
of Headlam's work by the same standard which would be applicable
if he had been able to complete his edition. What we can safely do
is to try broadly to assess the value of his unfinished work. Headlam
was inferior to Verrall in brilliance and originality, but greatly
1 A bibliography (by L. Haward) is appended to the book Walter Headlam, His

utters and Poems, With a Menwir by Ceeil Headlam, London x910.

2 On the defects of this posthumous edition sec George Thomson, The Oruteia of

Auchylru, vol. i, p. x; on the mistake by which the Introduction was inserted o.s if it
were Hcadlam's see ?ti. R. James in Alha1aewn1 no. 4368 (15 July x9u), p. 73.
58
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
superior in seriousness and devotion to the search for truth. For him
a pleasing possibility was not good enough; his mind would nQt be
at ease until he had e."<hausted every means of getting at the sense
of an obscure passage or emending a corruption. Again and again
he would return to the same cru.x and attempt a fresh solution. With
unfiagging industry he piled up materials from the classics as well
as from remote comers of Greek literature in order to exploit them
for the interpretation of Aeschylus. In doing so he did not always
escape the danger of a method which, however laudable in itself,
requires careful discrimination and a strong historical instinct if the
issues are not to be confused. Headlam was sometimes apt to intro-
duce into the thought and the language of Aeschylus elements which
belong to a much later period in the life of the Greek people. Like
Verrall, Headlam was more attracted by psychological comple.'Xity
than by simple grandeur; consequently he preferred in many cases
the glittering fluctuation of a double meaning to the straight line
of a plain thought. But unlike Verrall, Headlam was not very much
interested in problems of dramatic technique and in the links by
which the plays are insolubly tied to the conditions of a given stage.
In his conception of the figure of Agamemnon he followed the con-
ventional misrepresentation which turns the great and noble king
into a boastful and weak little man. 1
Headlam's progress beyond the earlier commentators is not to
be found in a very different general view but rather in the more
correc~ and penetrating interpretation of certain details, some of
which are of great importance. Several felicitous emendations appear
as the natural result of hls intense struggle foe a deeper understanding
of the te.'Ct. Of the passages in the Agametmion where his interpreta-
tion seems to me particularly successful I will mention 345-1, 527
(where his argumentation should convince even the most conserva-
tive critic that Salzmann's deletion of the line is necessary), 637
xwpls ?} ,,.,µ:q 8€wv, 934 (on & €l8ws), 1657 (on the absurdity. of the
phrase 77p&s S&µovs 7Terrpwµ.lvovs), and above all his recognition of the
meaning and origin of 900 and 902 .
. We have to go a long way back, at least as far as Hermann, and
perhaps still farther, to Bentley, if ,\re want to find a classical scholar
whose stature is comparable to that of Wilamowitz. Although it is
not in his work on Aeschylus that· his greatness is most clearly
expressed, yet the effect of what he has done in this particular
province is enormous; in this domain, too, 'there is after all no getting
away from Wilamowitz' :1• The three books which are the major
representatives of his Aeschylean studies, the commentary on the
Choeplwroe, the edition of the seven plays, and the biterpretationen,
1 On this point cf. Hcadlam's remarks in Cambridge Pradedions, 190(), pp. 126 ff.

" A. Y. Campbell, Tlze Agamemnon of Auehylcu, p. xix.

59
 PRvLEGOMENA
but especially the last two, show an extraordinary u,nevenness:
pieces of magnificent scholarship are intermixed with things which
are thoroughly bad. '74 µ.~ mv ot} 8rSvaV'Tat. V?jmoc. KOC1JUJJ&. 4'1pnv, ~·
&:ya.Ool, 'Ta KMd. 'Tplr/la.VT6 l~w. The bad things are not merely due to
our common heritage of human frailty or to ~e great man's admi-
rable courage, 1 but are to a large e.xtent signs of h~te, haste that has
so often spoiled a fine work of research by forcing its author to use
violence where caution was required. Many a sixth-form boy at a
good English school would be able to spot a few passages in which
Wilamowitz prints a text that is not Greek, and many more passages
where he assumes a meaning that is not warranted by his text.
Besides, it is generally known that in Wilamowitz's publications
there are always several errors in detail, misquotations, incorrect refer-
ences, inconsistencies, and so forth. The critics who think that they
have done with his books when they have pointed out some such
weaknesses may be safely left to their amusements while we for our
part try to gauge the extent of our debt to his work.
When we consider the history of the 'Tfap~oac.s of our text and the
principles on which any apparatus criticus to an edition of Aeschylus
has to be based, we see that here Wilamowitz has drawn the lines so
finnly and at the same time with such exemplary circumspection
that it is not likely that they should ever be altered, except in details
af minor consequence. This applies not only to the Oresteia but also
to the Byzantine triad, where the problems of the 1'ecensio are far
more complex. It is no exaggeration to say that Wilamowitz's preface
and apparatus criticus make any earlier edition of Aeschylus look
hopelessly out of date. Tb.e better insight into the nature of the
lfrap&Boac.s and the improved classification of the manuscripts are not,
however, the only or even the chief reasons for regarding this.edition
as a very great work. And the editor's successful emendations, some
of which are of the highest order, are inevitably fewer than those of
some earlier scholars. The most characteristic feature of Wilamo-
witz's Aeschylus is rather the intense breath of life that permeates the
book throughout. Again and again a difficult passage is made under-
standable by some pithy observation. Moreover, many subsidiary
details which in other books would seem to have been raked together
from a rubbish-heap appear in Wilamowitz's apparatus as living links
with the past of th~ Greek people in all its ramifications. These notes
contain a great deal of choice learning, but without any heaviness.
Nor are there here {nor, for that matter, in anything that Wilamo-
witz wrote) any departmental barriers. For him there was no such
thing as a watertight compartment of textual criticism, another of
historical grammar, another of metre, another of history of religion,
1 Hermann, Ekmenla ®dn'nae tndri'", p. xvi, says of Bentley, 'audentissimus ille,
quod pcriculum non formidaret, saepe, sed 1eC&TO p.lya..s p.cyMC»UTl'.
. .
6o
 SOME EDITIONS AND COMMENTARIES
another of ancient law, and so forth. No single subsection of the
technique of research was allowed to get the better of the rest: they
had all to be subservient and to co-operate to. one purpose only, the
adequate interpretation of the te.xt in hand. It is a natural conse-
quence of this view that Wilamowitz had to make. two important
additions to the customary apparatus criticus : in his edition of
Aeschylus the apparatus proper is preceded by a detailed analysis
of the metre of all the lyrics, and by a special section headed Actio.
This section greatly helps the reader to take his mind off the pages
of the printed book and direct it towards the orchestra at the foot
of the Acropolis. To many questions arising out of the text an answer
is given in Wilamowitz's InterpretatU>Mn and, in the case of the
Oresteia, in the introductions to his translations; some of these dis-
cussions go deeper into the thought of certain passages in Aeschylus
than any prev~ous attempts. There are, however, other problems,
both special and general, where we look in vain for some assistance
from Wilamowitz. But what he has done is more than enough to
encourage and enable his successors to fill some of the gaps he left.
If the serious study of Greek survives, as we hope it will, then
Wilamowitz's work on Aeschylus will maintain its stimulating and
enlightening power for many generations to come.

6x
 APPENDIX I
THE EVIDENCE FOR CASAUBON'S WORK ON AESCHYLUS
THE book which is our main source of information for Casaubon's study
of Aeschylus does not seem to have been properly e."<amined as yet,
although it has not remained entirely unnoticed. :About the middle of
the eighteenth century a Dutch scholar, Simon de Vries, excerpted from
it the notes on the EunienUks for the benefit of F. L. Abresch, 1 who
acknowledges his debt in the preface to Book Ill of his Animadversiones
ad Aeschylm11. Then Butler, in his edition of Aeschylus, vol. viii (Cambridge
1816), p. xxx f ., touched upon it with a few rather misleading remarks ;i
it was also mentioned by Blomfield, Museum Criticum, ii (Cambridge
1826), 489 n. 1, and by H. W. Smyth, Harvard Strulies in Class. Philol.
xliv. 54 n. 1.3 The book in question is a copy of Petrus Victorius' edition
of Aeschylus (published by Henr. Stephanus in 1557), bound together with
Apollonius Rhodios (by the same printer, 1574) and Callimachus (by the
same printer, 1577). From Bishop Moore's library it came into the Library
of the University of Cambridge (shelf-mark now Adv. b. 3. 3); cf. A Cata-
logue of Adversaria ... in 'lhe Libr. of Ille U1iiv. of Cambridge (1864), p. 34,
Nn. vi. 5. As is shown .by Is. Casaubon's name written in bis own hand
on the title-page of the volume and by numerous marginalia, the book
belonged to Casaubon.
Glancing over the margins of this Stephanus edition one cannot but
feel bewildered. At first sight it looks as though several hands have been
at work. Inks of different colour and pens of different shape have been
used. The letters vary greatly both in size and in shape: there are,
especially in the outer margins, brief notes written in large, bold strokes
and stretching out comfortably as if no consideration of space disturbed
the writer's mind; on the other hand, the longer comments and, the
translations show small timid letters and are crammed into a minimum
of space, since the better part of the margin had already been taken up
by those entries which '\l{ere fortunate enough to come first. Some notes
are written horfaontally, while othets slope; some seem to have been
jotted down with a rushing pen, while others indicate meticulous care.
And yet there can be no doubt that all these marginalia, save one small
group to be discussed Jater on, are by the hand of Isaac Casaubon. 4
1 r.
Cf. p. 44
:1 He nlso excerpted from il n. number of Cnsnubon's rcnclings, which he incorpomlcd
into the 'Varr. Jcctt.' printed in the second part 0£ each volume, but these excerpts arc
far from complete. In several cases suggestions of Cnsaubon with which suggestions
made by Stanley coincide o.rc omitted by Butler, even i£ they arc very clearly written
on a page from which Butler copied other notes of Casaubon's.
' Smyth nlso mentions Casaubon's rnarginalin in the Canter edition of Aeschylus
preserved in the University Library of Cambridge (Catalogue of Adversaria, p. 26,
Nn. iv. 39, now Adv. c. 3. 2). These entries nrc uninteresting: they consist of brief
notes of a. very elementary kind. Apparently Casaubon used this Canter text mainly
at nn early stage of his study of Aeschylus.
4 In the Cambridge Catalog11e of Adversaria, loc. cit., it is asserted that 'some of the
notes are by Bishop PeatSOn'. This misstatement is based on n blunder by Butler
62
 CASAUBON'S WORK ON AESCHYLUS
Anyone who has carefully e.xamined the large store of Casauboniana. in
the Bodleian Library1 must reach this conclusion. The document that
clinches the matter is Casaubon's copy of the Basle edition (x529) of
Polybius, Bodl. MS Casaub. x9. Its abundantly rich marginalia furnish
in the forms of the letters as well as in the arrangement of the notes exact
parallels to all the strange features and puzzling irregularities of Casaubon's
notes in his copy of the Stephanus text of Aeschylus. In the latter book
I have rigidly scrutinized any entry that did not at first sight show un-
mistakable signs of Casaubon's hand, and invariably I found the authenti-
city of every detail con.firmed by notes in the Polybius. •
In the Cambridge Aeschylus (as I shall call CaSa.ubon's <;<>PY of Vic-
torius' edition) several stages in the growth of the marginalia can easily
be discerned. The earliest stage is represented by certain short notes in
the outer margins written with a broad, soft pen and executed in swift
strokes; they keep a fairly regular distance from the column of the text.
By far the greater part of these notes consists of 'variae lectiones', i.e.
discrepancies from Victorius' text, often introduced by '1. ', which is
sometimes written in full, viz. 'lege', or by 'f.' (fortasse) or 'al.' (alii).
The variants are partly readings which had been adopted by earlier
scholarsz. and partly conjectures of Casaubon himself. These notes are
all as succinct as possible, e.g. at Ag. 468 (V7re-pK6TwS') Casaubon underlines
OT(J) and writes in the margin 'fr<US', at 834 (Ka.p8la.v) he underlines a.v and

writes in the margin 8~, at 1092 (11'8ov) he underlines Sov and writes in
the margin 'f. 8ov', at n34 (OccmcqJSov) ov is underlined and 'f. 8@v' written
in the margin, at Eum. 581 (1eup@awv) wv is underlined and in the margin
we find 'v. [ = vel] pwaa.' v. pwaov'. To this group belong most of the notes
on the greater part of the Clwephoroe (from p. 245 on) and those on the
Eumenides and Supplices. Occasionally the notes of this earliest class
contain references to parallel passages, e.g. p. x83 (Ag. 233) ' rop,·m8.
Itf>. 11p. p. 396 ' (Casaubon quotes Euripides after Canter's edition, Ant-
werp, x57x; so the reference is to the Messenger's speech Iph. A. 1540 ff.),
p. 191 (Ag. 494 1e.\&8o'S' i\a.l4S') 'Festus [Paulus Festi, p. 192 M.). Oleagineis
coronis ministri triumphantium utebantur etc.', p. 204 (Ag. 914) 'Sic
dJp,11'8. p. 383 [Iph. A. no6] . .\1]Sa.s -ylv(O.\ov, lv 1ea..\t!) etc.', p. 216 (Ag. 1293)
'Ita Soph. Aiace [833]', p. 270 (E1mi. 2) 'Eurip. p. 437 [Iph. T. 1259 ff.]',
p. 322 (Si,ppl. 440 f.) 'similis locus p. 338 [Suppl. 944 f .]'. Finally there are
in this group a few isolated quotations from works of modem scholars,
e.g. p. 177 (Ag. 32) 'vide Hadr. Junii Animaduersat. 2 c. 4'.
(edition or Aeschylus, vol. viii, p. xxxi), who mshly identified Casaubon's copy of
Victorius' edition (in Cambridge) with the copy of the same edition to which Needham
(for his Acschylcan studies cf. E. B. Ceadcl, C.Q. xxxiv, 1940, SS ff.) had referred as
'Rawl.' and in which he had rightly recognized Bishop Pearson's notes. For a full dis-
cussion of this important book in the Bodleian Library, MS Rawl. G. 193, sec pp. 78 ff.
Further specimens of Pearson's matginalia arc to be found, e.g., in two or his books
now in the University Library of Cambridge, viz. his copy of Iustinus Martyr (Adv.
a. 41. 4) and that of Photius' BibliotJreea (Adv. a. 41. 3).
1 I have also compnrcd the very rich and interesting notes in Casaubon's copy of

Pamelius' edition of Tcrtullian (Paris 1,S83), which is in the Library of Corpus Christi
College, Oxford, nnd the marginalia in his copy or Nonnus in the snmc library. ·
: Some of them arc marked 'P.',which probably means Franciscus Portus, Casaubon's
teacher at the Academy of Geneva.
 APPENDIX I
)

The notes of the second group may conveniently be styled 'headings'.

They are written with a hard and pointed pen in much larger strokes
than those of group I ; indeed, the letters are far larger than those of any
other notes in this boo]:c. These headings were entered later than the
marginalia of group I: see, e.g., p. 201, where the second heading (on
Ag. 8J4. ff.), .'Inuidiae descriptio', has been pushed to the right-hand half
of the outer margin because 8l<f, the variant added to 834 Kap8lav (see
above), had already ·occupied the left-hand half; higher above on the
same page the heading (on 826) 'Plejadibus occidentibus captum Ilium',
with nothing in its way, fills the whole width of the margin. I now quote
some specimens of these headings. P. 35 on Prom. 547 f. 'Homines la&-
v<cpo,', p. 44 on 709 'Nomades Scythae', on 716 'Chalybes', p. 45 on 726
'Salmydessia· gnathus', on 730 'Bosporus Cimmericus', p. 47 on 767 ff.
'lupiter throno pellendus, non per uxorem, sed per filium ex ea natum,
patre potentiorem', on 772 'De eo qui Prometheum sit liberaturus. Sed
videtur Aeschylus duas fabulas in unam confundere. Nee cohacret haec
res' [this is impressive; cf. Wilamowitz, Inter.pr. p. 132 f.], p. 53
on 87x 'Hercules ex genere Epaphi', p. 55 on 907 'Hine incipit ?) rijs
-rpo:yCJJ8la.s AVaCS'', p. ·65 (thr&B'a's of Septem) 'Laius et Iocaste', then 'Laius
&pp(}lof>Bopla.s author', then 'Oedipus', then 'Polybus', etc., p. xoo on 592
'Amphiarai prudentia', p. 133 on Pers. x~ 'Oculus domus', p. 154 on 6xx
'XcXilv descriptio', on 616 'Sacra ad eliciendam Darii umbram', p. 155 on
637 'Preces ad deos" inferos, ut Darium remittant', p. 197 on Ag. 650
'Naufragium', p. 219 on 1387 'alludit ad poculum Jouis .ECIJ'rijpos', p. 225
on 1583 'Atreus'. Some such headings have gone to the upper margin,
e.g. pp. 31"""3 'Promethei inuenta', pp. 85 and 86 (Seplem) '!4Awa<CJJS"
mala', some to the lower margin, e.g. p. xo2 {referring to Sept. 623}
'no8GlKf:S" oµJ.14 mira loc.' I p. XIO (to Sept. 784) 'Oculi Kpf.1.0'0&T(ICVO'" Some-
times it is the scholia that give rise to such headings. Thus on p. 52 we
find written against the scholia in the typical letters of this group a list
(numbered by Arabic numerals} of the descendants of Epaphus, a few
lines farther down (referring to the words vauv • • • -n}v KA'l}O.:wav nwrq-
~qVTopov) 'Nauis Tr6'TTJICOVTopos', and still farther down 'Danai filiae
t'}egypti filiis nubunt'. On p. x27, using the same type of letters, Casaubon
illl~ to the scholion (Pers. 41) a{Jpo8/a,-ro' 8~ owo' the note 'Lydorum
lu::ll.'"QS. No. [= nota]', similarly on p. 168 to Schol. Pers. 906 (909 Weeki.)
he a.dds in bold strokes '&,~lCJJaa' Dio criticus', 1 on p. 193 to Schol. Ag.
532 '.Dqp.,lCJJaa' oiJ.r" repetendum ex seq. Sic apud Sophoclem pag. 38'
(the reference is to Schol. S. Aj. 628, printed on p. 38 of H. Stephanus'
edition [1568] of Sophocles). on p. 2.µ to Schol. Clw. 325 (324 Weckl.)
'Dq~lwaa' vocabula certa certis poetis propria'. Sometimes we find,
written in the same bold strokes, the note 'prouerb.' or 'prou.' or 'pro.',
e.g. on Ag. 9~ ff., 1050 f., 1163, n72 {which he completely misunderstood},
1233, 1624, 1668. ·
Occasionally amo.ng the notes of this group we meet with an observation
on the style of a passage, e.g. p. 226 on Ag: 163~. where in the text W'
and ~ are underlined, and a marginal note in huge letters testifies that
1 Unfortunately this iJ("',. whom Casaubon was so glad to meet in Victorius' text is
but the ghost of Cl mlln: the real rcllding in the scholion is Blxa.
64
 CASAUBON'S WORK ON AESCHYLUS
Casaubon thought this 'Elegantiss.' But far more characteristic of this
profoundly religious scholar are such 'headings' as these: p. 8 on Prom.
49 f. 'Deus solus liber', p. 153 on Schol. Pers. 6o2 {6o5 Weclcl.), where the
Homeric passage u 136 f. is quoted, 'No. quod verissimum est', p. 181 on
Ag. 163 f. 'Egregie dictum: Ad tranquillitatem unus patet portus, in Deo
acquiescere', p. 241 on Clw. 325 f. 'Animus post cineres viuit', p. 320 on
Suppl. 381 fi. 'Deus'. His moralizing outlook appears in his note on p. 203
on Ag. 887 (the large letters are those typical of the 'headings') 'Mirae
impurissimae mulieris blanditiae'.
There follows a third group (perhaps it would be more correct to speak
of several groups) consisting of miscellaneous notes, both critical and
explanatory, written with a pen similar to that of group II, but in much
smaller letters. It is to this class that the bulk of the marginalia in the
Cambridge Aeschylus belong. The arrangement of these notes in the margins
shows that they are later than those of group II. By far the richest comments
of this type are appended to the Agametmum; next, but at a considerable
distance, come the notes on the Septem and Persae. These entries are
evidence of the more intense work which Casaubon devoted to Aeschylus
at a later stage. It will be sufficient here to illustrate the whole group by
one instance which is again characteristic of Casaubon's outlook: p. 54
on Prom. 887 ff. 'lh,p.,lwaai. Apparet in multis Aeschylum non fuisse
ci~ov librorum philosophorum quorum dogmata et sententias saepe
perstringit ut pag. 181'; there follows a quotation of Horace, Odes 4. n.
29 ff. The reference 'pag. 181' is to Casaubon's earlier note on Ag. 163
ou1e 1xC1J npoa~t.1C&.aa' ICTA., 'Egregie dictum', etc. (see above).
Finally, Casaubon added Latin prose translations of certain sections
which present particular difficulties, viz. a number of choruses and other
lyrics. These translations are almost always headed by the fonnula-
common also at the head of the excerpts in Casaubon's note-books-u.8.
(t:TUv 8c<j1). The bulk of them are written in the upper and the lower margins;
sometimes there is an overflow from the upper margin into the outer or
the inner margin. On p. 179 the translation of 1eupr.Os ~~ 8po«w 1CTA. is
crammed. into the narrow inner margin, since the lower margin was already
filled with the long note 'Sequentia in hoc choro sunt difficillima', etc.
(belonging to group III). There are more instances which show that the
translation was added after the explanatory notes had been written. For
example, on p. 2o6 the translation covers the whole lower margin, but its
first seven lines stop a few inches before the edge, for there the space is
occupied by the entry 'Hipp. <rt/Ja.Acp0v '1 d.xpo. '~cfl.o.' (referring to Ag. 1001),
which is written in the huge strokes of the 'headings'. Again on p. 223 the
beginnings of the lines of the translations ~e twice pushed away from
their natural place towards the right-hand edge, in the first case by a
critical sign (a cross) put against the lacuna marked in Victorius' text
after 1498 brVicx8~s (as printed here), and in the second case by the
variant ouV"Tos (on the same line with, and referring to, 1532 1TlTVoVTos),
which belongs to group I, and the paraphrase on top of it, 'quo vertam
curam meam ut prospera sit', which belongs to group III. The continuous
pieces of the Agamemnoti which Casa.ubon translated in this book are
the following: 104-257, 367-487, 681-8<>9, 975-1034, 1448-61, :r468-8o,
4'12o1 65 F,.
 APPENDIX I
1497-151:2, 152I-J6, 1567-76. Of the Sep~m he treated in the same way
78-107, 288-J35, 72o-c;r, 832-53, 915--25, of the ClwejJMroe 22-83, 152-63,
3o6-?1, 38o-414 (1eAvoUon)· There are no translations of Prom., Pers., Eum.,
Suppl. No doubt these versions are the result of a carefully planned and
sustained effort. They superseded former attempts on a small scale such
as we find, e.g., on p. 189, where the continuous translation of Ag. 378 ff.,
written in a very small script in the upper and the inner margin, was
preceded by a translation of 381-9 (olvos), written in much bigger letters
in the lower margin. 1
One or two gei.eral inferences may be drawn from the story of Casaubon's
Aeschylean studies as told in the ·marginalia of his copy of Victorius'
edition. It is obvious that at the earlier stages of his occupation with
Aeschylus he tried to obtain as far as possible a correct te.'Ct and, moreover,
to impress upon his memory the main contents of the plays and especially
passages of a strong religious or moral tone, and that, as was to be ex-
pected of a scholar of his rank, he also noticed many points of historical,
mythological, antiquarian, grammatical, etc., interest both in the text
and in the scholia. It was not, however, until a later stage that he began
seriously to grapple with the particular difficulties of these thorny poems,
to examine in detail possible solutions of an enigmatic passage, and, last
of all, to embark upon the arduous task of translating the cantica of three
of the tragedies. Another fact emerges no less clearly from these notes:
as time went on, Casaubon concentrated more and more on the Agamemnon.
This is borne out by a comparison of his notes on this play with those on
all the others, and is amply confirmed by the observation that the trans-
lations of the lyrics in the Aganiemmm are nearly complete (only those of
the Cassandra scene and the short pieces 1407-u and 1426-Jo are lacking
here), whereas the cantica of the play that in this respect comes ne."d:, the
Septeni., show considerable gaps, and the translation of the lyrics of the
Choeplwroe has not advanced beyond a little more than a third of the play.
Thus far I have said nothing about the one set of notes which does not
come from Casaubon himself.=- The book contains about forty variae
kctiones written in a hand which in its neatness is as different as can be
from Casaubon's 'tr~ mauvaise lettre grecque'., All these notes are marked
by an 'S.' at their end, with the one exception of that 011 p. 98 on Sept. 56o
(the note is <ww91!v (fw), which is undoubtedly by the same hand. Only
one of them is of any length, viz. that at the bottom of p. 228 (prologue
of CJw.), where the quotation in AI. Frogs 1126-8 and n72 f. is written
out. 'S.' stands for Scaliger; the notes are transcribed from, and are a
1 Short piects of translation of the lyrics of the Cassandra. scene {of which there is
no continuous translation in this copy) are written down in the outer margin, or, if
the room there was occupied by earlier notes, in the inner margin. Their script is tho.t
of group III. Every now and then we also find translations of short pieces of dialogue
(e.g. Ag. Io-151 uSo-5), which the forms of the letters and the places where they are
written show to belong to the same group.
:1 Apart from the 'S.' notes discussed in the following paragraph I have found only
one entry of which I am certain that it is not in Casaubon's hand: in the m11rgin of the
tiw&O,ocs of the Ag. (p. 175), 1. 3 from the bottom, a fine firm hand has written ' OySoq-
l(oaTfj legendum', and the words in the text to which this refers, ,/,coqtjj &y8dn, o.re
underlined in the same ink.
, Scaliger, quoted by :Mark Pattison, Casaubcm, :md ed., 184 n. l.
66
 CASAUBON'S WORK ON AESCHYLUS
selection of, the notes which Scaliger entered himself into his copy of
the Stephanus edition (1557) of Aeschylus, now in the Library of Leyden
(756 D 21). 1 They contain not only Scaliger's own conjectures but also
readings of other scholars (Au.ratus, Canter, etc.) of which he approved.
In the first two-thirds of the book the S. notes are scanty: there is only
one on Prom., two on Sept., none on Pers., one at the beginning of Ag.
(p. 179}; and only from p. 227 on (Ag. 1639) do they become more numerous.
The S. notes are later than group I of Casaubon's own entries, to which
in several cases they refer (see e.g. p. 319 on Suppl. 349, where after
Casaubon's note ,.U aO.v L<bw we read 'Sic S.'} ; moreover, there are cases
in which an S. note is placed too high or too low because its natural place
was already occupied by one of Casaubon's variants. As regards the
chronological relation between the S. notes and groups II and III of
Casaubon's own entries, I have no criterion to fix it. But it is absolutely
certain that the S. notes were entered into this book before Casaubon
entered into it his continuous translation of certain lyrical pieces. For
on p. 84 (SDj>t. 288 ff.) Casaubon's translation in the inner margin turns
in a curve round the note 1T<•pa. S.' (this refers to 292 Sva~Yl}ropas, where
Topas is underlined in the same ink). It is clear, then, that Casaubon, after
using his Stephanus te.xt of Aeschylus for some time, but before the stage
of his most intensive work on it, had a number of Scaligcr's readings
entered in his own copy, which he then continued to use. That Casaubon
was in the habit of drawing in this manner on the resources of his illus-
trious friend appears e.g. from his letter to Scaliger written at Mont-
pellier, 7 July 1597 (Epist. cxliii in Almeloveen's edition}: 'Accepi tandem
quas ad me . . . dedisti literas . . . et cum illis tuas in aliquot veteres
Scriptores notas. Beasti me isto munere . . . animum etiam aCljecisti, ut
jam suscipere editionem eorum scriptorum, ad quos illustrandos me
hortaris, non verear.'
In the Bodleian Library I have found the link between the S. notes in
the Cambridge Aeschylus and Scaliger's original marginalia in his copy
of Aeschylus (in Leyden). The bulk of Bodi. MS. Add. A. 176 (Summary
Catawgue of W dSlem Mans1Scripts, vol. v, no. 24763} consists of excerpts
and copies (some of them transcribed from notes collected by Scaliger,
others made for Scaliger's use} in the hand of Charles Labb6,= who signed
several of them at the end (fol. xx9 recto 'Carolus Labbaeus', 143 verso
'Karolus Labbaeus', 299 recto 'Caroli Labbaei Biturig. ', 342 recto 'Carolus
Labbaeus Bitur.'}. Labbe, a pupil of Scaliger's, was often employed by his
master as an amanuensis and was very much liked by him ;3 the friendship
which Casaubon felt for the able young man is manifest in the tone of the
many letters he wrote bim.-4 Labbe's hand looks at first sight very much
like Scaligcr's own hand; but it is prettier, less firm, .and has a tinge of
1 I have photostats of pp. 165~9, i.e. the whole of the Ag. with the end of the
Pers. and the beginning of the Cho.
2 Born in x,sS:i; cf. Didot's Normelle biograplrie g!nbak, xxviii (x859), 342.
, Cf. Sealrgerana ~, p. 13'1, 'escrit fort bicn en Gree, c'est un honneste jcune homme
docte et inCatigable', quoted by l[ark Pattison, Casailbon, :md ed., p. 183. For the im-
portance of LcibbC's collection of the G/ossari4, in the publication of which he was
greatly assisted by Scaligcr, cf. Goetz, RE vii. 146x f. and Corpus G~ss. JAi. i (1923), 257.
• Cf. Isanci Cnsauboni Episwlae ed. Almcloveen (1709), fndex I.
67
 APPENDIX I
professional calligraphy. A detailed e.'Camination puts it beyond doubt
that the hand which entered the S. notes in the Cambridge Aeschylus is
LabM's. Moreover, the Ox.ford volume of miscellaneous excerpts 'Qy
Charles LabM provides direct proof that it was he who transcribed froht
Scaliger's copy of Aeschylus those notes which, with S. added to them,
are found in the margins of the Cambridge book. Fol. 205 recto of the
Oxford convolute contains under the heading 'Aeschilus' a list of readings
which agree in every detail with the S. notes in the Cambridge Aeschylus
(including the note on St;Jt. 56o c'tt:!w8& lf"', where, as I have said, the
S. is inadvertently omitted there). All the S. notes of the Cambridge book
recur on this one page of the LabM volume (here there is of course no 'S.'
appended to them), with the sole exception of the five notes taken from
the last few pages, viz. p. 336 (four notes) and p. 34X· When Labb6 copied
Scaliger's notes, he did not follow the order of the pages of the text of
Aeschylus, but went to and fro in an odd way so that we find, e.g., after
a note from p. 312 one from p. 311, then one from 3o8, one from 303, one
from 302, one from 300, etc. Apparently he skipped over the pages of the
book, turning forward and backward, and only gradually made up his
mind as to what to copy and what not. For it is only a small portion of
Scaliger's own notes that were transferred from the margins of the Leyden
book first to the Oxford leaf and then to the margins of the Cambridge
book. We may sometimes doubt the wisdom of Labbe's selection: e.g. he
omitted at Ag. x34 the excellent oCin-cp; consequently Casaubon did not
know of it. Nor is Labb6's accuracy that of a perfect copyist. In his
way of punctuating and of putting the accents he shows himself far less
careful than either Scaliger or Casaubon (in the S. notes of the Cambridge
Aeschylus there are a few more mistakes of this kind in addition to those
in Labb~'s first copy), and at Ag. xo3 (p. 179) he wrote both on the Oxford
leaf and in the Cambridge Aeschylus '>.11m1ul</Jpovas, which does not con-
strue (Scaliger's own note is '>.11m1ul<f>povo.).
When Casaubon had sent his copy of Aeschylus to Labb~ in or<;Ier to
have Scaliger's notes entered, Labbe took from Casaubon something in
return, as we learn from his notes in the Ox.ford book. On the back of the
page containing the excerpts from Scaliger's notes on Aeschylus, i.e. on
fol. 205 verso, we find the headings 'Apollonius. H. Steph.' and (on the
following line) 'Casaub.', and underneath many excerpts from Casaubon's
notes in the margins of his text of Apollonius, i.e. the text which is bound
together with his Aeschylus (the 'Cambridge Aeschylus'). The page that
precedes the excerpts from Scaliger's notes on Aeschylus, i.e.· fol. 204
verso, contains a few e.'Ccerpts from Casaubon's notes on Callimachus,
under the heading 'Casaub. Callim.' : they agree completely with Casau-
bon's notes in the margins of his Callirnachus, which, like the Apollonius,
is bound together with his Aeschylus. It is therefore practically certain
that, though the present binding of Cambr. Ady. b. 3. 3 is modem, the
three books, Apollonius, Callimachus, and Aeschylus, when they formed
part of Casaubon's library, were bound in one volume as they are now.
The exchange of marginal notes such as we see it here )Vas a natural
expedient at a time when no classical periodicals existed.
The story of the Cambridge Aeschylus finds its continuation in a manu-
68
 CASAUBON'S WORK ON AESCHYLUS
script in Paris, Bibi. Nat. MS grec 2791 (formerly code.x Dupuy-Reg.
3330. 2). 1 The title-page of this book says 'Aeschyli J Agamemnon J Isaaco
Casaubono I interprete. I MDCX'; a later hand has added 'cum ejusdem
notis et observationibus erud.' The MS contains the Greek te."'Ct of the
play with a Latin interlinear translation (always written above the Greek
line to which it belongs), and in the outer margins notes of a fairly
elementary character, although discrepancies from the textus 1'~tt1S and
especially corrections by Casaubon are also mentioned (the latter usuilly
with 'e.x effiendat. Is. Casauboni' added to them). The hand is that of
a professional copyist aiming at calligraphy and at a pleasing arrangement
of the page. But his dainty, if sometimes stupid, performance has been
interfered with by large additions in a firm and scholarly hand. 2 This
second scribe has obviously no time to waste on considerations of beauty;
all he seems to be interested in is the substance of solid learning. He treats
the work of his predecessor with utter ruthlessness, adds fresh notes
wherever he .finds room for them, at the end of a note written by the
other man, or at the bottom of the page, or quite often even in the column
of the text; nor does he mind drawing a line across part of the page in
order to connect a note quite unmistakably with the word to which it
refers. Even so the pages did not provide nearly enough room for all the
additional matter; so he wrote further notes, some of them of considerable
length, on loose sheets of various sizes, and these, together with a sheet
on which he wrote an 'Argumentum Agamemnonis Aeschyli' and some
blank sheets, were later inserted in the book.'
At the end of the original manuscript (fol. ¢) we read, in the hand of
the first scribe, first 'TEAOE JJYN 9E!)' and then, underneath, 'Absoluit
Isaacus Casaubonus 5. Kal. Mart. x6ro'. This colophon has tempted some
scholars to believe that the MS is an autograph of the great man. 4 So far
as the .first scribe, the calligrapher, is concerned, any suggestion of his
being identical with Casaubon can be dismissed at once. 5 Nor does the
hand of the writer of the additional notes, though apparently a scholarly
hand,6 show any likeness to that of Casaubon.
But although the additional notes in the Paris MS are not written in
Casaubon's own hand-, there can be not the faintest doubt about their
authenticity. Every single piece of them bears in diction as well as in
matter the unmistakable stamp of Casaubon's craftsmanship. This general
1 The Bibliotheque Nationale has provided me with excellent photoslat:s of the
whole MS (now in the Bodleian Library].
a Vauvilliers, who in Noli.us el extraiu du 111amueripts de la biblioth~ue du roi,
tome i, Paris 1787, pp. 324 ff., gave a description of the )fS which, despite a few errors,
is very good, says (p. 326) that the ink of the additional notes is different; cf. also
Boissonade in Butler's edition of Aeschylus, vol. viii, p. xxxii, 'atramento atro magis'.
:s When the whole was bound together, the order of the original pages was badly
disturbed.
• Cf. e.g. J. Franz, Du Aesehyws Oresteia, 310, and H. W. Smyth, Harvard St1uliu i11
Class. Phild. xliv, 1933, 54.
s Vauvillicrs, op. cit., saw on internal grounds that the scribe could not be Casaubon;
he was misrepresented by Boissonnde, Joe. cit., who made him GSSert the very reverse
of what he did say.
6 An expert in the scripts of scholars of the early 17th century might be able to
identify this very striking hand.
69
 APPENDIX I
impression is amply confirmed by a comparison of these notes with
Casaubon's marginalia in the Cambridge Aeschylus. Most of the longer
comments in the Paris MS show that they are developed from notes in
the Cambridge book. Here I must content myself with quoting a very
few instances. Ag. 78: Cambr. has 'Sic di-<lt Suppl. yVVJ} µov. oi}S&· otl1e
bt:crr' /J.P'ls'; Paris has 'idem di'<it in Supplicib. Aeschylus otl1e lvt:crr'
iiP't]s'. 120: Cambr. has 'Torquet ista doctos. Primum sciendum est
{J'A&:1rmv constroi cum gen. Hom. /J)tQ.TM'(W Kt:A~IJov', etc. ; Paris has
'Phrasis Homerica quum {JM.{J<o-8"" construitur cum gen. ut dixit Homer.
fJ'>t&pt:uOa., K<).~Oov impediri quominus pedicias iter'. 163: Cambr. has
'Egr(egie) dictum: Ad tranquillitatem unus patet portus, in Deo acquies-
cere'; Paris has 'erumpit Poeta in diuinam sententiam de Deo et dicit
quod si mortales velint ab omni sollicitudine bona fide liberari in solo
Ioue debere quiescere' (there follows a long diatribe). In the scene 264 ff.
Casaubon had in the Cambridge book corrected the ascription of the
dialogue to the wrong persons: on one of the loose sheets (p. 204) of the
Paris MS we read 'grauiter errant qui hie nuncium cum clytemnestra
loquentem inducunt. nequaquam enim est nuncius sed chorus', etc. On
281 "Htj>cucrros ".I&qs there is in the Paris MS (inserted sheet, fol. 99) a very
long discussion about <f,pvlC'rol and the like (with an amusing digression
about speed of transport in the ancient world as compared with modem
standards), and in it the remark 'de his multa Polybius': in Cambr., at
the beginning of the Ag. (p. 176), we read 'De phryctis veterum vide
Thucy. o-xo'>t. p. So et omnino Polybium pag. 23x et 232'; the reference is
to Casaubon's copy of the Basie edition (1529) of Polybius, Bodi. MS
Casaub. 19, where on p. 231 f. he has in long marginal notes (with
sketched drawings) discussed the '""Puf!'Uu in Polybius and Aeneas
Tacticus. ·
If the true spirit of Casaubon's scholarship comes out more clearly in
the additional notes of the Paris MS, it. would be wrong to deny that in
many cases the marginalia of the first scribe also contain faithful expres-
sions of Casaubon's views. For example, on l4I ~~pti'Jv oVT'1JV, where
Cambr. has 'Sic fere apud Thucyd. TrA'1J&µWTlf"'Jv oVT'1Jv pag. 3', the Paris
MS has by the first hand 'µa).~pwv oVTwv. casus absolutus ad occasionem
et modum declarandum, Thucydides lib. x TrAotµb(p(l)v• oVTwv· quia
tempus aptius esset ad nauigationem'. Similarly, where Cambr. has (on
855 ff.) 'Conspectus primus Clytemnestrae et Agamemnonis. Hae tota
parte friget Aeschylus misere: Seneca euitauit bane partem' and (belong-
ing to the same context, on 877) 'hie prirnum compellat Clytemn. Agamem-
nonem, quam frigide I quam prolbce I quam 0.7Tl8a.vov quod tamdiu silet
Agamemnon', the Paris MS has by the first hand 'videtur in hac parte
parum decorum scruasse Aeschilum [sic], cum tam frigide Clytemnestra
Agamemnonem maritum excipiat, bane partem praetermisit Seneca in
Agamemnone'. This last note in the Paris MS should be taken together
with the additional note on 855 (loose sheet, last page of the Paris MS),
where the severe criticism of this scene ('nihil quicquam frigidius et
languidius potest excogitari quam hie locus Aeschyli') is laboured at
1 In their handling of accents and breathing signs and also in their spelling th'e two

scribes o( the Paris lfS arc less accurate than Casaubon himself.
 CASAUBON'S WORK ON AESCHYLUS
great length, and also with the 'Argumentum Agamemnonis Aeschyli' on
the first inserted leaf of the Paris MS, in the middle of which we find a
brief comparison of the Aeschylean play with Seneca's AganimiM and
then 'hie autem egregie Aeschylus decorum obseruat: nam antequam
Agamemnonem introducat redeuntem multos praemittit', etc. 1
The Greek text of the Paris MS is on the whole based on Victorius'
edition, but in the choruses Canter's division of lines is sometimes taken
into account, without, however, any consistency. Where the word-order
is slightly involved, the reader is assisted by Greek letters marking the
'natural' order,2· not only in the lyrics, but even in dialogue sentences
which seem to us quite simple. So we find, e.g. at 504 " above a(, p above
&.~1.1<6p:qv, y above ~1..yy(,, 8 above frovs, (above 8(1<d.TqJ, and {above To/8'.
That Casaubon's edition of the Agamenmon. was meant to serve not only
scholars but also readers with only a very elementary knowledge of Greek
becomes still more apparent from the translation. In it every Greek word
has its Latin equivalent written above it. The resulting word-order is
downright barbarous, and the whole thing reminds us of the Greek cribs
composed in the eastern half of the Roman Empire for the benefit of
schoolboys who had to plod through the Aetieid. 3 Nevertheless it is per-
fectly clear that the crude version in the Paris MS is nothing but the
aisiecta membra of Casaubon's fine and scholarly translation. To see this
we have only to glance at any piece of the continuous Latin rendering
in the margins of the Cambridge Aeschylus. Take, e.g. (p. x8o lower
margin) xo8 ff. 'quomodo ales impetuosa, i.e. aquila, miserit cum hasta
{excrcitu) poenarum exactore, in tcrram Teucrida, i. Troiam, imperium
geminum, i. duos imperatores Atridas, Graeciae pubem, i. principes
Graecae iuuentutis, ducatum consentientem, i.e. duces belli inter se
consentientes. Volucrium rex [corr. ex reges], Re.-..: et ille qui aquilini
coloris erat, et ille qui posticam partem albam babebat, h.e. aquilae duae,
cum apparuissent prope palatium regibus nauium Atridis, a manu fulminis
iaculatrice (h.e. missu Jouis), depascentes sobolem leporinam, i.e. leporem,
valde faetam h.e. multos lepusculos in utero habentem, laesum in extremis
cursibus: h.e. post longum cursum tandem cap tum,• vescebantur in
sedibus undique splendentibus i.e. in ipso palatio'. And this is the inter-
linear version of .the same passage in the Paris MS: 'quomodo achiuorum
geminum imperium i.e. fratres Atridas pubem graeciae ducatum con-
sentientem i.e. duces belli consentientes miserit cum hasta i.e. exercitu
poenarum exactori [sic] impetuosa ales i.e. aquila in teucridem terram
auium rex i.e. duae aquilae regibus nauium Atridis una quae erat fusca,
aquilini coloris et altera candida a parte postica cum apparuissent prope
r Casaubon had lea.med a lesson at the court of the French king; cf. e.g. his observa·
tion on the parodos (Pa.ris MS, loose sheet, fol. 6) 'nnm emt e regia maiestate Clytem.
ut non statim admittercntur in domum [sc. the Elders), scd pauxillum nd !ores cx-
pectarcnt'.
~ This system corresponds to the practice in the scbolfo. of straightening out the
word-order of complicated passages under the heading Td ~r.
' Cf. e.g. Pa.p. Rylands 478 (Calawgu6 of ll1e Gruk a11tl Laliu Papyri in tlr6 ]oh11
Rylat1ds Library, vol. iii, 19,38, pp. 78 ff.) with C. H. Robert.s's introduction.
• The words 'Jacsum ••• captum' arc added in the lcft·hand matgin, which probably
accounts tor the change of gender.
7I
 APPENDIX I
palatia a manu fulminis jaculatrice ie. missu Jouis in undique splen-
dentibus scdibus i. in ipso palatio depascentes leporinam i.e. unam
leporem faetam multis lepusculis pascebantur sobolem quae laesa fuerat
in extremis cursibus i.e. post longum cursum tandem captam'.
The dependence of the .first scribe of the Paris MS on Casaubon's entries
in the Cambridge Aeschylus is no less obvious in his text and marginal
notes than in his interlinear translation. The evidence is plentiful; a few
specimens will suffice. 627 (O:x8os) : Cambr. has in the margin 'f. Ex8os.
Hesych. exp. '71'&vov' ; Paris has <i.x8os crossed out in the text, and in the
margin 'Ex.Bos potius quam O:xOos. ex emendato Is. Casaubon'. 68o:
Cambr. has K'AOO>v underlined in the text, and in the margin 'uwv scr.';
Paris has K'AV"'v underlined in the text, and in the margin 'K'J\~v. melius',
with 'Ex emendatione Is. Casa.uboni' above. 682 ff. : Cambr. and Paris
both have brackets round the words µ.~ .,.,s ... Jv -nix'f v'tJ."'V. 696: Cambr.
has 1<t'ACTCV'T(IJV underlined, and in the margin 11<lAuo.v, .,.oG z:; Paris has
Kt'AuaVTwv crossed out, and in the margin 1K'l>t.uOJ1, ToG', with 'Ex emendat.
Is. Casauboni' above. 697 : Cambr. has &.e«Pullous underlined, and in the
margin 'Sc. o.~€«P. vel &.t"f«P.' ; Paris has &.f«PJllous crossed out, and in the
margin '~fuf>ullous', with 'Ex emend. Is. Casa.uboni' above.
Sometimes the first scribe of the Paris MS was not very intelligent in
the way in which he copied what he had before him in Casaubon's book
(Cambr.). This may be illustrated by two instances. At x65 he first wrote
µ.&.,.o.v, which he found in Victorius' (or, for that matter, any other) text,
but then changed the final v to s. The reason is that in Cambr. Casaubon
underlined µ.4-rOJ1 and wrote in the margin 'Aur. µ.&.-ros', then left a small
blank and went on 'optime µ.&-ro.v explicat Hesy. µ.c.-raumrra. ut hie schol.'.
The copyist in his haste noticed only the first part of the marginal note
and wrongly concluded that Casaubon accepted Auratus' conjecture. At
718 the copyist crossed out ov-ros &.V1}p and wrote in the margin 'o '7J'a.~p ex
emendat. Is. Casauboni'. Of this 'emendation' Casaubon is quite innocent.
In Cambr. we see that he underlined ov-ror in the text, added a sign to
it, and repeated the sign in the margin with the note'& '71'a.njp'. In other
words, since the theme of the preceding sentences is Paris, and since
the scholiast also refers the stanza 717 ff. to him, Casaubon thought that
by ov-ror &.~p Priam was meant (cf. also his translation, 'Huius pater
leone~ aluit exitiosum aedibus', etc.); the idea that he wanted to alter
the text is excluded by the form of his note.
Probably the copyist of the Paris text, who, as we shall see, must have
acted on Casa.ubon's orders, did not depend solely on the Cambridge
Aeschylus but also had at his disposal other materials collected by
Casaubon1 for his 'interpretation' of the Agamemmm, and especially a
Latin version of the pieces of which there is no translation in Cambr:
I should hesitate to infer from an interesting self-correction of the Paris
scribe at 93x that Cambr. was his only exemplar. In the Paris MS the
interlinear translation of µ.~ 11'apa YvWP.f'/V was first given in the form 'non
contra sententiam meam', which was then deleted by the scribe himself
and supplanted by 'e....-: animi tui sententia'. From a marginal note in
Cambr. we see that Casaubon translated 93x f. 'Responde mihi ex anjmi
1 Some o( them may still be lurking in some library.
72
 CASAUBON'S WORK ON AESCHYLUS
tui sententia. Scito me sincero animo responsurum' (for the correctness of
this interpretation see my commentary). It is tempting to assume that
the Paris scribe, left in this section to fend for himself, .first translated
931 as best he could (in misunderstanding the line he is in the company of
Paley, Wilamowitz, and other good Hellenists}, and then, after glancing
at the margin of Cambr., adopted Casaubon's translation. But it is equally
possible that, although he had a complete translation by Casaubon before
him, •he first gave inadvertently the translation of .,,a.pa ')'VWJ-'"'1V which
seemed to be suggested by the immediately following Jµol, and only then
looked at his exemplar and realized his mistake.
Now I tum once more to the far more interesting part of the Paris MS,
the additional notes. All of them, from the briefest comments crammed
into the pages of the original book to the longest digressions written on
loose sheets, are the genuine product of Isaac Casaubon. 1 Whether they
are of an edifying or an antiquarian character, whether they deal with
religion or with grammar or with institutions of ancient life, they reveal
the powerful approach, the critical acumen, the unfailing sense of responsi-
bility, and the almost boundless learning of one of the world's greatest
scholars. Nor does their author attempt to conceal his personality. I
select a few typical examples which show this attitude of the commentator
and at the same time illustrate his extreme caution. On 1639 he observes
'Ios. Seal. legit O.px~w 'TO .\o,.,,o..z sed nostra lectio (i.e. the MS reading]
melior est' ; on 103 .\Vrrr,s t/.plva. 'hypallage pro .\Vm,v t/.pEVos; hypallage dura
et plane Aeschyli. vel legendum .\Vm,v ~pEVOs: sed tamen nihil volo
mutare' ; on 1498 µ~· lTTIA€)'.fH/s 'hie locus est corruptus sed non ausim
emendare quia nonnulla verba hoc loco desunt; quam autem potui horum
versuum commodiorem ex-plicationem ego dedi'. Perhaps the most
remarkable of the notes of this type is the one (fol. 73) on 1267 tT• ls +o&pov
X'TA. : 'hie versus non multum mihi placet, et quoquo modo vertam nulla
expositio mihi arridet, quare crediderim corruptum esse, sed non ausim
corrigere; quam autem potui commodiorem explicationem dare dedi.'
This is the great critic's last word on a corrupt passage with which he had
struggled desperately for many years, perhaps decades, as is demon-
strated by the evidence in the Cambr. Aeschylus: there we .find first a
cross put against the line; the size of this cross, its place in the margin,
and the ink in which it is written (&.ya.Ow 8' &.µ<(,fop.at in the text is under-
lined in the same ink) prove beyond doubt that it belongs to the earliest
group of Casaubon's notes; to the cross there was later added, in the small
letters and the ink typical of group III, the note 'non intelligo. fort. t-r'
ls ~O&pov· '71'~u&VT' lyw 8' &.µ. ego proiecta respuam'.~ As little as on ques-
tions of textual criticism does Casaubon allow himself to comment on
1 It is only in subordinate details tho.t the ipsissima wrba are occasionally overlaid
with the provisional phrasing of the copyist. For C."<ample, the note on 32 (loose sheet,
fol. 6) concludes 'plum vide in Comment. Casaub. o.d Sueton.' The way in which
Ca.saubon himsclf would have given such a reference is shown e.g. by the end of his note
on 498 f. (fol. 24), 'de his multa vide ad Theophrnsti carnet. cap. .,,,pi Svax<f"la.~'
(Casaubon in his commentary on Theophr. Char. 19. 8 quotes the Al. pDSSAge).
a In the margin of the Cambridge Aeschylus we find at x639 .,.6 M>1116v S.', with
110.\1Tc<i" underlined in the text.
' It wo.s in consequence o! this note that the first scribe of the Paris MS crossed out

73
 APPENDIX I
any point of interpretation with greater confidence than was justified
by his searching scrutiny; sentences such as (fol. x8, on 4o8 11.TATJTa. -r'Aciaa.}
'duarum explicationum quam volueris elige, nam ambae huic loco bene
conueniunt' occur several times.
The tone, the contents, and the very size of the additional notes in the
Paris MS make it abundantly clear that what we have here is neither a
mass of 'private' notes nor mere materials for a commentary, but to all
intents and purposes Casaubon's commentary on the Agamemnon in as
nearly .final a form as it was possible for him to produce in the harassed
conditions of the last few years of his life. To begin with, why should
Casaubon have gone to the trouble of working out an elaborate 'Argu-
mentum Agamemnonis Aeschyli' (cf. p. 7I), had not his intention been
to give the general reader an introduction which would enable him better
to understand and appreciate the play as a whole? It is with the same
object in view that the bulk of the more extensive notes is written.
Casaubon is always at pains to make it easy for the reader to grasp the
gist of an ode or a section of the dialogue and to prevent him from losing
his way amidst the difficulties of the detail. Introductory formulae such
as 'sensus horum versuum hie est' are common. At the beginning of the
somewhat enigmatic ode 975 ff. we find (fol. 55) the note 'quia hie chorus
est paulo obscurior ideo verum sensum et veram interpretationem hoc
loco dabimus ut omnia sint clara et perspicua'. The considerable number
of French phrases, especially proverbial sayings and the like, with which
the supplementary notes in the Paris MS are interspersed provides
additional evidence of Casaubon's eagerness to win the interest of the
general reader, who, though he could be expected to have sufficient Latin
to understand the commentary, would react more readily to a striking
illustration from his native tongue. See, e.g., at the end of the note on 73
wo'Atvf>8'n~ (fol. 8} ''AdTl'ETa.t owos J1Ctlaiov il vaut bien moins que l'autre';
on 395 'TrpO<TTpcµ.µ.a. 'macula ex attritu, comme quand Ion passe aupres d'une
roiie de charrette, et qu'elle touche au manteau, !'ordure et l'impression
que laisse la roile s'appelle proprement en grec '"p/,<TTp,p.µ.a'; on 709
µnaµ.a.v80.vovaa. 1CT.\. (fol. 37) 'gall. leurs ris sont toum~ en pleurs'; on 934
·d'Aos (fol. 51 ; the note has been wrongly inserted by the copyist between
a note on 942 and one on 945), after a comment on the variety of meanings
of -rlAos, the remark 'et multae sunt ap. Graecos voces quae ita Iatam
habent significationem quae pro variis locis varie quoque sunt accipiendae
ut prouerbio gallico possent appellari selles a tous cheuau."<' ; on 1033
l1CT0A1J1Tttlaf:'v 'proprie hoc verbum significat deuider sa quenoilille'; on
1421 ff. (fol. 82) 'Gallice recte verteremus, ie vous aprcndrai a estre sage,
aliter ie vous ferai bien soustenir' (here, as elsewhere, Casaubon shows
a fine instinct for the tinge of colloquialism in certain parts of the Aeschy-
lean dialogue); on x668 J'A'"~as atTovpbovs 'gallice viure d'esperances'.
Cf. further the additional notes on x3I ofoai, x6o Zak, 456 {Japcia. s· aC7'TWV
#:m (fol. 22), Sos B1T' axpas 4'ptv&s ~fol. 44), Io88 7rpJs 'T?}v ~Tpt18wai (fol. 6x).
It is part and parcel of this tendency towards 'popularization' (though
Casaubon's insatiable appetite for minute points of Realien also plays
dya9w, which he had written in the text, a.nd added the note 'lyt1 ex emend. Is. €asau-
boni'.
74
 CASAUBON'S WORK ON AESCHYLUS
a ·part in it) when he more than once goes out of his way to compare or
contrast ancient institutions and customs with what corresponds to them
in the modern world. One of these digressions is especially welcome since
it enables us to fix the time at which Casaubon wrote the notes which were
to be his last contribution to the study of Aeschylus. Commenting on 519
and discussing the meaning of Oiixos he says (fol. 26) '8iixos etiam aliud
signi.ficat, nam Oa1<0' exponuntur latrinae publicae1 ut in multis urbibus
videre est ut Geneuae et Londini'. In other words, Casaubon wrote the
notes copies of which are inserted in the margins and on the separate
sheets of the Paris MS some time after his arrival in London (end of October
x610), where he died on 12 July 1614.
The date thus established for Casaubon's supplementary notes, i.e. his
real commentary, on the Agammmcn will be seen in its full significance
when we combine with it the colophon at the end of the te.ict in the Paris
MS, 'Absoluit Isaacus Casaubonus 5. Kai. Mart. 1610'. Now at last we
are in a position to form a clear idea of the story that lies behind our
documents.
As a very young professor at the Academy of Geneva: Casaubon planned
an edition of the whole of Aeschylus with a full commentary. This intention
he announced in two places' in his commentary on Strabo (published
1587), viz. p. 15 of the first edition (p. 18 of the Paris edition of 1620)
'Comparat eum [Homer] Strabo cum Sophocle et Euripide: tertium
Aeschylum potes his addere: qui caetera summus, mirabilem tamen
Geographiam habet : quod nos aliquando Deo dante ostendemus, quando
illum poetam cum nostris Annotationibus edemus', and p. 87 (104),
dealing with the lli>.arryi1</w ~pyos, 'Aeschylus autem & </>i)toµ:qpos (ut et
Soph.) hoc non ignorabat, quum fecit Regem Argiuum gloriantem suae
ditionis fines esse Strymonem et Pindum, ac Perraeborum Paeonumque
fines: quem locum [Suppl. 254 ff.] paucissimi intelligunt. Nos autem si
Deus dederit, in nostra illius poetae editione explicabimus.' 4 Many years
later he obtained from Charles Labbe Scaliger's readings of a number of
passages (cf. p. 67 f.); he would .hardly have asked for them if by that
time he had given up the idea of editing Aeschylus. Of the sustained
efforts which he continued to devote to the poet the Cambridge book
provides full evidence. But that book also shows ~at, as time went on,
1 For the evidence and IL detniled discussion see Casaubon on Thcophr. Char. 14. 5.
:r. There is just the barest possibility that at Genev1L Co.saubon sometimes lectured
on Aeschylus; he certainly did not do so at Montpellicr (Cor the subjects o( his lectures
there sec ifark Pattison, lsaae Casa11bon, 211d ed., 99 ff'.). In any case his work on
Aeschylus at its maturer stnge was not the outcome of, or connected with, any lectures
on the poet.
, Quoted, on the advice of John Pcnrson, in Stunley's PrcCacc (see p. 78 below).
4 This plan o( nn edition of Aeschylus would seem to deserve nt least a brief mention
in IL biography of Casaubon. But the name of Aeschylus is not to be found in }wk
Pattison's Casa11bon. This book is justly famous; it is brilliantly written and highly
instructive so far as it goes. It fails, however, to convey nn adequate idea of the true
nature of Casaubon's scholarship and of the originality and greatness of his work.
There is very little in the book to show that Pattison was sufficiently familiar with even
the published editions nnd commentnrics of Casaubon, to say nothing of the wealth
of unpublished materials in the Bodlcian, the most important piece of which is the
annotated Polybius.
75
 APPENDIX I
Casaubon contributed less and less to the other plays and concentrated
more and more on the Agamemnon. Finally, as the horizon of his personal
life increasingly darkened and his health also began to give way, he seems,
presumably in the winter of x6o9/xo, to have resigned all hope of ever
completing an edition of Aeschylus on the scale on which he had planned
it in the buoyant days of his youth. After the wreck of his more ambitious
scheme he decided to salvage at least the Agametmum. He therefore gave
one or two annotated copies of the text, and probably a draft of a comple~e
Latin translation and a collection of short explanatory notes, to an
amanuensis, whom he advised in general terms as to the manner in which
the work was to be executed. Apparently it was his intention to proVid.e
not only for the experienced scholar but also for.the reader who had little
Greek but was nevertheless keen to grope his way through the text of
Aeschylus. Hence the crude word-for-word translation, the notation that
was to help in disentangling the word-order, and the many notes of a rather
elementary character. However, features of d~per learning were by no
means excluded from the work at this stage. The colophon 'absoluit
Isaacus Casaubonus', etc., seems to imply that when Casaubon put his
materials into the hands of his amanuensis it was his intention that the
copy which he ordered him to produce should be the final form of his
'interpretation' (cf. the title-page) of the Agamemnon. And indeed the
Paris MS, leaving on one side the additional notes entered by the later
scribe, looks in every respect like a fair copy: it was in all probability
designed for the printer. But when Casaubon received it back he was not
satisfied. However, this was not the time to do anything about it. The
grave anxiety caused by the murder of Henry IV (May x6xo), the restless-
ness preceding Casaubon's emigration to England, then the difficulties of
making himself familiar with his new surroundings, the fresh obligations
inflicted on him by King James and others, all these were circumstances
utterly averse to the completion of a work which, however much he had it
at heart, seemed less urgent that the many demands of the day. Still, no
sooner had he somehow settled down in London than he returned to the
Agamemnon. At a period when all his time seemed occupied with rejecting
Baronius, fighting the king's campaign against the Pope, plunging deeper
and deeper into all sorts of ecclesiastical writings, and complying with the
wishes of the Court and his many friends, the heroic scholar made it
possible to escape every now and then from the turmoil of his various
obligations and bring a serene and fresh mind to the study of the great
Attic masterpiece. No doubt in doing so he also satisfied his own religious
conscience. In this regard the latest form of his commentary bears witness
to the same spirit as several of his early notes in the Cambridge Aeschylus
(cf. p. 65). Sometimes he identifies, perhaps unconsciously, the Zeus of the
poet with his own Christian God, 1 e.g. fol. 8 on 65 lv '"fXYT€'>.t.lo&s 'sensus
autem horum versuum [6o ff.] hie est. Deus mittit Atridas contra Paridem
... imponet tamen Deus Graecis et Troianis graues luctus', etc. (in the
same paragraph he goes on to quote from the Bible the fate of Nineveh),
and fol. xo on xo4 ff. 'ex hoc autem loco possumus cognoscere quam optime
de Deo sentirent Pagani qui omnem in eo spem et fiduciam habebant~; on
1 For the similar outlook of Demetrius Triclinius see vol. ii, p. 102, n. I.
 CASAUBON'S WORK ON AESCHYLUS
other occasions he stresses the Greek mode of expression, as fol. 5x on 928
8toii 'notandum est hoc loco Agamemnonem potius dicere e,oo quam
8"ilv. veteres enim qui de Diis male sentiebant tamen instinctu quodam
naturae in rebus maioris momenti Deum potius dicebant quam Deos.
hoc obserua'. But this keen interest in the religious thought of the poet
cloes not blind Casaubon's eye to other aspects of the play or to the many
points of scholarship which its interpretation raises. Nor does he waver
in his determination to satisfy alike the demands of the interested amateur
and those of the professional schoJar. 0£ this twofoJd pwpose of the supple-
mentary notes there is evidence on almost every page. Casaubon's vigour
seems to be quite unbroken, his mastery of innumerable details as un-
failing as ever. At the same time (as has been shown above) he spares no
words to li!t his reader above the mere detail, to guide him safely through
the maze of many a difficult passage and direct his attention towards the
important issues. Perhaps the most noticeable feature of this commentary
is the historical sense (of course within the inevitable limitations of
Casaubon's time) which permeates the whole and in.8.uences the treatment
not only of antiquities of all kinds but·even of textual criticism. We late-
comers, with all the facilities of modem libraries at our disposal, may well
pause for a moment to admire the resourcefulness of Casaubon when
(fol. 40 on 767 ~&.ous 1e&To11) he wants to illustrate in truly historical style
what he regards as a peculiarity of ancient scribes, i.e. their apparent
economizing of letters by writing only a single letter if one word ended
with the same letter with which the next word began. As he has no
facsimiles of uncial manuscripts to which he can refer, he does the next
best thing and quotes in support of his assertion the practice of the scribes
of the Florentine Digest. 1
Some of Casaubon's best emendations in the text of this play do not
reappear ¥i the Paris MS. We do not find there 69 ~01eafu>11,. (on the con-
trary, the fust scribe has appended to ~oli).alwv the note 'K).alfV minus
quam 8axp1fo.v'); at x41x there is no trace of Casaubon's fine correction
47T&7To~'S' (ci'77o~'s"is not only in the text but also in the lemma of the note
on a loose leaf, fol. 82); x547 bm·iJµ./Jt.0s alvor is left unaltered. It is possible
that these omissions are due to mere oversight, but it seems equally
possible that Casaubon, like other great scholars, grew more sceptical as
the years went by and consequently dismissed in later life some excellent
suggestions of his more daring period.
I do not know whether Casaubon carried the completion of his com-
mentary to the point where he did not want to make any further additions.
In any case, the supplementary notes in the Paris MS go right to the end
of the play (although they are comparatively short towards the end), and
the last of the inserted leaves (fol. 92) contains a note on x587 .,,porFTphaws
and another note on 1595 1.8pwrr• G.vw8w. All the additional notes in the
Paris MS are undoubtedly copied from notes written by Casaubon.
1 <Asaubon presumably used the Digest ('Pandectae F!orentinae' as he quotes it)
in the edition of Taurellus (Florence 1553), who 'digesta in omnibus, eticun ortho-
graphicis, ad Florentin.um codiccm repraesentauit' (Mommsen, PrefRcc to his edition,
p. xvii f.).
:a Butler recovered it from the margin of the Cambridge Aeschylus.

77
 APPENDIX I
Whether it was he himself who had these notes copied and inserted into
the Paris MS, or whether the copy was made after his death, it is impossible
to say so long as the hand of the second scribe has not been identified
(cf. p. 69 n. 6).

APPENDIX II
JOHN PEARSON'S SHARE rn STANLEY'S AESCHYLUS
THE MS Rawlinson G. 193 in the Bodleian Library was briefly described by
Needham (repeated in Butler's Aeschylus, vol. viii, p. :-co.:). It is a copy
of Victorius' Aeschylus (published by H. Stephanus, 1557). Its fly-leaves
and margins are covered with notes, some of them very long, in the virile
and beautiful hand of John Pearson. Among the authors quoted in these
notes Hesychius, for whom Pearson did more than anyone before him,
is very prominent, nor is there a lack of other references, ~th to classical
and patristic texts, which bear the hall-mark of the great scholar and
theologian. Special attention is paid to the scholia, not only those on
Aeschylus. 1 Suggestions of readings different from those in Victorius' te.xt
are numerous. Several of them have 'Jae.' added to them, i.e. they are
conjectures of, or readings recommended by, that erratic and original
scholar Henry Jacob (16o8-52) ;: Pearson had presumably copied them
from the margins of a text belonging to Jacob.>
When I opened this book I saw to my amazement that whole para-
graphs of Stanley's commentary, and as a rule those which contain the
most remarkable pieces of real erudition, are nothing but copies of
Pearson's marginal notes, with hardly a word altered. One has not to go
far to find abundant proof of this. On the back of the title-page Pearson
wrote 'Post Victorium et Stephanum Aeschylum edere et illustrare voluit
Is. Casaub. ipso teste ad Strab. p. 18'; in the last paragraph but one of
Stanley's preface we read 'Aeschylum etiam, post Victorium et Stephanum,
edere et illustrare voluit Vir incomparabilis Isaacus Casaubonus, ipso
teste ad Strabonem. paginis xS, et 104' (the latter passage could easily be
added with the help of the 'Index Auctorum' in the then current edition of
Casaubon's Strabo, Paris x62o). When we pass on to theBIOE AJEXYAOY
in Victorius' edition, we see that the greater part of the learned material
in Stanley's notes on this chapter comes from Pearson. Nor does the
picture change when we reach the .first play, Prom. There, right at the
beginning, Pearson entered in the lower right-hand comer of p. 4 the note
2 As I glanced over the pages of Pearson's Exposition of the Creti., my eye was struck
in Article II, 'Our Lord', by a huge footnote (p. 295 f. of the first edition of 1659) on
Kllpco~, 1eJp<,11, KVpc'i". It begins, charnctcristically, with a reference to Hcsychius, and
passes on to a scholiast on Sophocles; then comes a quotation from A. Prom., two from
the scholiasts (differentiated according to their rel11tive chronology) on SeJ>I., one from
11 scholion on Pers., and several from passages of Euripides with the scholia on them.
~ Sec DUtU»Sary of National Biography, xxix. n8.
, Stanley's note on Ag. 2o6 (214 St.) shows th11t he, too, had acccsstoacopyofCnnt~'s
Aeschylus annotated by Jacob.
 JOHN PEARSON'S SHARE IN STANLEY'S AESCHYLUS
'Prometheum caput Jovis secuisse tradunt aliqui cum Minerva nasceretur.
Pind. Schol. 64. b' ; in the inner margin of p. 5, with a sign referring to
Prom. 7, 'non Vulcani solum sed et Minervae. Plato' ; and in the lower
margin of the same page, referring to the same line, 'Prometheum ignis
inventorem negabant Argivi, et Phoroneum fuisse asserebant. Paus.
p. xx9.' These three separate notes are nicely run into one in Stanley's
commentary on Prom. 7, the only change being the replacement of
Pearson's 'aliqui' by 'sunt vero qui' in order to attach the sentence to
the preceding one. To select at random a few similar instances from the
commentary on the same play: Stanley's note on 323 down to the quota-
tion 'Act. Apost. 9. 5' is an exact copy of Pearson's note; Stanley's long
note on 362 l~a)..w9r, is taken in its entirety, and without any change,
from Pearson; Stanley's whole learned comment on 48o (479 St.) o~
xpurrov oi>S~ wurrov is patched together from four difierent notes of
Pearson's; the note on 7xo (709 St.), with the quotation from Tertullian,
goes back to Pearson; the last four lines of the note on 793 (792 St.), with
the emendation of the scholion and the references to out-of-the-way
passages, belong to Pearson; and so does the note on 853 (852 St.) '"W'T'7J'"
KoVT&7ro.cs. Nor are things different in the other plays. I will take a few
instances from the commentary on the Agamenmoti. In the notes on the
dramatis personae compare Stanley's remarks on the 'Nuntius' and on
the <J>1fAae with Pe:trson's notes, 'hie nulla Nuntii mentio, ergo qui Arg.
scripsit N. non agnovit' and 'Hom. Oovcrcr. 8. in descriptione reditus
Agamemnonis. ?'Oii s· &.p' &.110 CTKO'll',fjS ••• '1TO&Jlo'"' Ao.wv' 1 • From the com-
mentary on the text of the play I will give the following selection; I quote
Pearson's notes, with which the corresponding notes of Stanley's should
be compared. On 3: 'Hesy. legebat, opinor corruptc, O.ypla.8w. 'A.ypfu8w,
O.vl1ea.8w. Al<JxJAos 'A.yaµJµ.vov,. Ita alibi idem :JJ:y1ea.8w. O.vl1ea8w.' On x7 :
'v. Eurip. Med. EJ-r• &.v-rlp.0A11ov ••• KC.rJKVTov. v. Schol.' On 53: 'Hesy. de
pullis nidos servantibus, ego potius de vulturibus' (neither here nor else-
where did Stanley blush to take over Pearson's 'ego'). On 79: 'J.crxa..,.&-y-r,pws.
Eus. Hist. xx6. a. a.'. On 87: 'v. Hesych. Eur. Bacchis p.a&v&.8as 8uocr1e&o~.'
On x09: 'mallem .;;pas. sed Aristoph. ?;Pav dixit.' On 137 (x40 St.): 'ut
aiJ.ro.v8pov. r.Wv a.V1-ois -rois &.v8p&cr,, Hesy. o.V1-lmptµ.vos.' On 141 (145 St.):
'Alaxi$Aos lv 'AyaµJµvov' .•• 8p0cro~ 1elKA1]1Cf!. Etym. in "Epcra,' (in the
upper margin) and (on the scholion, where the text printed by Victorius
is xwpis 8' av -rlf'<To.') 'J. xwpis 8' o.v.r• ~pcro.i. vel o.36' lf><1ai. Odys. , 222.
v. Etym.' On 234 (243 St.): 'Hes. 'A.Jp&r]v. ~vC.rJ, '1 r/>op&°'1jv. male scribitur
~~p8~v.' On 304 (3x2 St.) : 'ignis mandatum. i. igncm quern ut transmit-
terent in mandatu habebant. p.p. AaµTTairq</>&pwv v&µ.o,.' On 5x3 (522 St.) :
'Suppl. 1¢ (189]', on which passage Pearson gives a note referring to the
other instances of ciywvw' 8<ol in Suppl. and to Ag. 513. On 884 (893 St.) :
'consilium projectum iniret, sc. occidendi Orestis. Jacta est alea.' On 908
(918 St.) : 'Reg. IX, x3. Matth. XXI, 8.' On 942 (951 St.): 'vel-rijs8e legendum.
vel a 8~1"1· ~pios. pertinax.' On 1o6x (x070 St.) : 'lnde fortasse Barginus.
Lex. Graecol. Ilpocr"1wVYJais ••• Glossarium Vetus. Barginae. peregrinae'
(with this compare the second half of Stanley's note). On 1344 (1356 St.):
'Peccat Aeschylus cum apud cum Agamemnon tanta celeritate et occiditur
1 The omissions here and in the following quotations are mine.

79
 APPENDIX II
et tumulatur ut actori vix respirandi tempus detur. Voss. Inst. Poet.
I. x p. 22.' On x382 (1391 St.): '1eo..,.a &,} ,,.o~ "1'pa:yt1eo~ ••• b8VO'w .,.po.x1]>.01J.
Schol. Hom. I>.. o.. 7.' On 1462 (147x St.): 'haec ad Strophen primam
referenda' (cf. also Pearson on 1464, 'ista ad Anapaest. immediate
anteced.'). On 1476 (1485 St.): 'qui per tres generationes huius familiae
gravis est.' On 1602 (16u St.) : ~'p&m,v ,dv C'Y"JP.' ••. ETt!K<. Apollod. I. 3.
133· at quomodo iidem et Pelopidae et Pleisthenidae. ~yajdp.v(A)v 1ea1"¢ µlv
"0µ.71pov • •• ll>..€w8lvo1Js. Schol. Hom. &A. a. 7' (it is .evident that in Stanley's
note all that is not mere commonplace comes from Pearson). On 1640
(1649 St.) : 'elegantissima haec sunt. Quadriga 4 equis constabat, quorum
2 Jugales, Funa.les 2. vid. Salm.', etc.
Pearson's emendations of the text and his suggestions of possible
readings were appropriated by Stanley in the same manner as were his
interpretations. Here again I must confine myself to a selection; again
I quote Pearson's notes, with which Stanley's should be compared. On
Prom. 55 : 'lu' •1 Ba>.wv viv O..p.tf>l X· i. &.p.t/>t{Ja>.wv. ut ante '"'PifJa.>.i'iv et p. p.
ill' &.p.t/>1 .,,.).~pats 71. Pers. 51.' On Prom. xr2: 'si retineamus fh,p<iiJ.14',
videtur legendum 'T0&6iv 8t.' On Prom. 187 : 'aut lµ..,,a.s aut ot(A) delendum
suadet carminis ratio. lµ.'TTas agnoscit Hie Schol. utrumque Arund.':i On
Prom. 1013 (1012 St.): 'tu. oi)8EV~ p.t!iov.' On Sopt. 225 (231 St.): 'lu.
"wrifptos.' On Sopt. 667 (673 St.) : 'Schol. legisse videtur .,,.poCT€i8c.' On Sept.
830 (836 St.) : 'ut Castores. nisi versus desit qui ad Eteoclem pertineret.''
On Ag. 2": 'lo-. µ.fixos. vel µ.fixap. 2o8.' On Ag. 645 (654 St.): 'lu. T<iiv.' On
Ag. 1266 (1275 St.): '"1'(.' On Ag. 1625 (1634 St.): 'f. To08' .qKoVTos' (in the
next line Pearson placed a comma in front of aµ.a. and deleted the comma
after Jµo.). On Ag. 1664 (1673 St.) : '8iJo.1'opov vel tale quid deest.'
Before leaving the subject of te.xtual criticism I want to mention two
instances where Stanley's scholarship was not good enough to enable
him to see the value of Pearson's suggestions and where he therefore
.thought it unnecessary to take them over. At the end of Prom. 945, where
Stanley gives the kxtus rueptus TOv l1'71µlpo,s, without any note, Pearson
observes 1'1'0v delendum'; and on Sept. 619 tf>i.\c' 8~ "'yav ;; >.J.y,w ,,.a. Kaipta.
(no comment in Stanley's edition) Pearson has the note 'versus hie videtur
superft.uus' and adds in the inner margin 'Choe. 570 [s82]'. 4
Some entries of a more general character indicate the liveliness of
perception and the keen interest in literary history that are no less
noticeable in John Pearson than is his enormous learning. As an example
I quote his observation on the last item in the list of the dramatis personae
1 Stanley, even when he leaves everything else unaltered, invnriably replaces
Pearson's 'laa1r by 'forsan' or 'fortassc'. .
::i For these scholia see Stanley at the end of his preface.
i This observation, like many others in this list, shows the vigilant mind of the true
KP'T&JCOr (cf. Hermann's discussion of the passage). For a conservative view sec, e.g.,
Verra!!, ?tfazon, Grocncboom ad loc.
• I have always regarded Sepl. 619, which disrupts the context, as interpolated (the
same view was held, according to Wccklcin's 'Appendix', by Jacobs and C. G. Haupt);
other scholars have resorted to transpositions. A particul1Uly unfortunate excuse wns
cxcogitatcd by Stanley in his posthumous note, 'quasi diccret Eteocles, Amphiaraus
ad commilitoncs suos dchortatione ilia non usus fuerat, nisi cos victos fore pracvidiS!(Ct';
this coincides almost exactly with Wilamowitz's note 'talis vir tacuisset nisi certus cssct
futuri'.
80
 JOHN PEARSON'S SHARE IN STANLEY'S AESCHYLUS
at the end of the 'Y'11&8<uLS of Pers. (p. x24), '11poAoyl!~' 8( & xop&s: 'ita et
in Eurip. Rheso. male igitur Chorus a Scaligero1 definitur, Pars fabulae
post Actum: et ipse Aristoteles, cum TO xopU<.ov dividit et definit, ad -ro
'1ToAv, non 'T~ cM respexit'. ~ This note, without the slightest change, is
printed in Stanley's commentary, p. 755.
The section 'Henrici Stephani Obseruationes' etc. which is printed as
an appendix to Victorius' edition of Aeschylus (pp. 359 fi.) called for
several marginal comments on the part of Pearson. These notes were
fused by Stanley with those which he found in the margins of the texts
of the plays. So e.g. in Stanley's note on Prom. 35 the whole of the criticism
of Stephanus ('Sed haec observatio est nihili' to the end of the paragraph)
comes from Pearson on p. 36o; the note on Prom. 37x is copied from
Pearson on p. 362 ; the quotation from Themistius in Stanley on Prom. 378
was written down by Pearson on p. 363 ; and all the passages quoted by
Stanley on the 'Y'1Jo8euis of Soi''· in the section which begins 'De Tragoediae
inscriptione lis est' (p. 737) can be found in Pearson's note on p. 366.
This is indeed an astounding affair. One may feel tempted to address
Stanley in Cicero's words, '(a Ioanne) vel sumpsisti multa, si fateris, vel,
si negas, surripuisti'. And yet, though no sign of a confession can }>e found
in Stanley's commentary, any idea of what we commonly mean by theft
or plagiarism is in this case out of the question. But we have interrupted
the book in the middle of its tale; we must wait until it has finished.
What, on fresh inspection, the MS Rawlinson G. 193 tells us about its
own history is this. It belonged to Thomas Stanley, who first used it for
a time, then asked Jolm Pearson to enter his observations into it, then,
several years before the completion of his commentary, received it back
and continued to use it. We have now to examine the evidence in
detail.
Needham said in his description of MS Rawl. G. 193 (cf. p. 78) 'olim fuit
Th. Stanleii ut manus ejus abunde testatur'. This is perfectly correct, as
anyone will see who knows Stanley's hand from the Addenda to his
Aeschylus (Cambr. Univ. Libr., Adv. b. 44. x-8) and from his 'Adversaria'
(ibid., Stanley MS, Gg. Ill. x5). Stanley first entered into the book in
large characters a number of 'headings', glosses, and fairly elementary
notes; later on he added in a smaller hand pieces of a Latin translation,
some of them very long. Then the book passed into the hands of Pearson,
who wrote down his own notes. The relative chronology of these three
stages is obvious throughout the book. A clear instance can be seen e.g.
on p. x29, where in the lower half (opposite the scholia) of the outer margin
we find one of Stanley's early notes, then, surrounding this note, his
translation, and finally, underneath Stanley's translation, Pearson's note
in the lower margin. Perhaps still more mstructive is the case of the lower
part (opposite the scholia) of p. 242: in the outer margin Stanley first
wrote a few notes; round these notes he drew simple rectangular frames,
and going round these frames he wrote a translation of the whole text,
I er. Iulius Caesar Seo.tiger, Poelite, lib. i, cap. ix (p. 38 of the edition of 1594): 'Chorus
est pars inter actum ct o.ctum ••• tutior crit dcfinitio quac dicat: post actum'.
s For the difficulty of reconciling chapter 12 of the Poctia with the known facts o!
earlier Tlngcdy sec Bywatcr's commentary, p. 2o6 f.
~~I ~ G
 APPENDIX II
which covers the outer margin and the greater part of the lower margin.
In the space left free by the translation, i.e. the lowest part of the lower
margin, we find, in Pearson's hand, the correction of a detail of Stanley's
translation, and, furthermore, in the narrow inner margin, very crammed,
Pearson's note on the scholion •y,,,~pfJoplou (1. 5 from the bottom).
Pearson's notes are often written round one of Stanley's; in other cases
they begin on the same line on which a note of Stanley's ends. Nor is it
uncommon for one of Pearson's remarks to refer to the note of Stanley's
that precedes it. See e.g. p. 142 top, where Stanley copies in the margin
the silly remark of the scholion (on Pers. 371) T~ Kp&.Tos &."l ToO Kp0.Tous,
and Pearson, continuing on the same line, adds 'male. ut ex quantitate
patet'. The result of this joint effort appears in Stanley's commentary:
'Scholiastes male notat hie· &."l'TrT(l)CTW, ut ex quantitate patet.' On Ag. 70
cim$~v l~p{l,v we find first a long note by Stanley, 0.mJp(l)v pro Sia a.'ITVp(l)v
1

... sic igitur intellige: neque fl.ens per non ignea sacra erynnium (ignem
ad sua sacra non admittentium) iras graues mulcendo decipiat', to which
Pearson, continuing on the same line, adds this : 'recte. nisi quod Sul. non
sit intelligendum. sed sacra pro Diis ponuntur'. After receiving this crumb
from the great man's table, Stanley rides a high horse in his commentary:
'per 0.7TVpa. kpO. ipsae hie intelligendae Eumenides, sacra pro Diis: qua
metonymia non perspecta frustra se torsit vir eruditus.' 1 Still more
amusing are the antecedents of Stanley's comment on Ag. 103 as he
published it. Stanley wrote in the margin of his copy of the Stephanus
edition '-n}v Ouµ,o/Jopov. anapaesticus est versus. quod superest >.Jm.,s 1-p~a.
e.x scholiaste irrepsit in conte.xtum, cum apud ilium legeretor AVl'l'oOO'a.v
1-plva', to which Pearson added 'neutiquam. Schol. enim non exponit
8uµo{J&pov, sed constructioncm aperit. vult enim Poetam dixisse >.Vm,s
1-plva. pro >.Vm,v 4'p<11os', and finally we read in Stanley's commentary this:
'Cave vero ne putes >.&m,s 1-plva e Scholio irrepsisse in textum. Scholiastes
enim non exponit 8uµ,ofJ&pov, sed tantum constructionem aperit : vult enim
Poetam dixisse A&m,s 1-plva pro >.Vm,v +pw&s.' At Ag: 220 (229 St.) first
Stanley notes 'leg. TOTc', then Pearson 'immo 08011 ; the result in the
printed commentary is 'Legimus, cum Scholiaste, oOw'. Of Ag. 637 (646 St.)
Stanley gives in the margin a paraphrase \Vhich agrees with P. Victorius'
interpretation, but Pearson vetoes t1iis with 'non. sed alius honor eorum
Deorum qui bona mittunt, alius eorum qui mala ut Erinnyes'; the result
is that Stanley in his commentary, after quoting Victorius, continues
'Ego vcro postremum illud aliter interpretandum censeo, nempe .. .' and
then gives Pearson's ipsa verba. At Ag. 1046 (1055 St.) Stanley writes in
the margin 'fort. leg. ceccs', Pearson protests 'imo. babes a nobis (dicta
sc.) quae fieri solent', and consequently Stanley says in his commentary
'Poterit legi lf£cs •.• Sed nihil exigit' and gives the translation 'Habes
a 1wbis (dicta sc.) qfUU [Jeri solent'. z It will have become abundantly clear
that Stanley, like a diffident pupil, bows everywhere to the master's
superior judgement.
Fortunately we can .fix with a fair degree of accuracy the time at which
Pearson wrote his notes in Stanley's copy. On p. 31 he illustrates 8&&8oxo&
1 i.e. Henr. Stephanus, whose note is printed on p. 378 of the edition of 1557.
s For the concctncss of this interpretation see my commentary.
82
 JOHN .:PEARSON'S SHARE IN STANLEY'S AESCHYLUS
(Prom. 464) by the marginal note 'idem quod alibi (Aesch. fr. 194 N.]
l1eSl1<TOp€S ab eodem. v. Plut. de FortunA. p. 98', to which he later added
in a different ink 'et Hierocl. Fragm. 212'. 1 The latter reference is to the
edition of Hierocles De Providentia published in London in 1655 with
notes by Merle Casaubon and very learned Prolegomena by John Pearson.
The passage referred to, p. 212, is ovµmafJris ••• lv Tois lvavrUJ&S' 1ea.cpo'is
S&d8oxo' Ti.Uv dv~p<Uv. It is obvious that, in contrast to the Aeschylus frag-
ment quoted from Plutarch, this passage is not very much to the point;
it is the sort of 'parallel' which a reader likes to jot down if it is thrown
in his way. Only when his own and Merle Casaubon's edition of Hierocles
had reached the stage of page-proofs was it possible for Pearson to give
his reference in the form in which he did give it. In other words, this
particular entry was made in x655 (or, at the earliest, late in 1654). The
fact that the reference to Hierocles was added afterwards to the original
note, showing as it does that this passage was not in Pearson's mind from
the beginning, makes it unlikely that he added it long after the publication
of his little edition of the Neoplatonist.
Since the reference to Hierocles is contained in an additional note, it
follows that Pearson, when he made this entry, had already been engaged
for some time in annotating Stanley's copy of the Victorius edition of
Aeschylus. Nor is this the only indication of a successive growth of
Pearson's marginalia in this book. To quote only one example, the outer
margin of p. 3x shows clearly that he began with writing a few brief notes,
especially variae kctumes (ypcii •••), and added the more extensive com-
ments afterwards, using a different ink and pen. A. scholar of Pearson's
gigantic capacity for work is not likely to have spent an unreasonable time
on collecting and bringing to paper notes like these marginalia. Besides,
the years into which this '"&.p£pyov fell were perhaps the most active in a
very active life :2 from 1654 on Pearson delivered at St. Clement's, East-
cheap, 'the series of discourses which he published in 1659 under the title
of "An Exposition of the Creed"', thus producing the work on which,
outside the circles of specialists, his· fame primarily rests. Of a very
different kind of work undertaken during these same years we get a
glimpse through the entry on the title-page of his copy of Hesychius,"
1Hesychium integrum primo perlegi MDCLV. Oct. :ii.."V-Iterum MDCI.XVII.

Mart. XXVI'. Probably there were many other activities, both ecclesiastical
a'(ld secular, that filled his days at that time. At the .end of his Prolego-
mena to Hierocles (x655) he says he must now conclude 'ut reliquis studiis,
quae me imperiosius avocant, vacem'. Taking all this into consideration,
it is safe to assume that Pearson returned Stanley's copy to its owner
not later than 1656. This means that Stanley received the book back six
or seven years before he completed his edition (published in 1663) ; he
therefore had plenty of time to profit from the gift of.his benefactor, not
only by taking over almost ever}'thing that the great scholar had written
in the margins, but also by trying, to the best of his own capacities, to
follow the master's model in collecting further materials. His attempts
• Needless to say, these notes reslppenr fo Stanley's commentary.
2 Cf. D1a1imary of Natio11al Biography, xliv. 269. .
J Ibid., 273.
 APPENDIX II
to add something to Pearson's notes have sometimes left their traces in
this very copy of Aeschylus. For example,_ .on. p. :z the whole note (now
in Stanley's commentary, p. 707, right-hand column, middle) 'i~o vero
Geloi' down to a.Wo w:ra{J&.v-ras is Pearson's, but Stanley, continuing on
the same line, adds 'et Athenaeus deipn: lib. 14 p. 627 ••. M718os brurra.-
p.OIOS'. Similarly on p. 24 (schol. on Prom. 323) a wealth of parallels to TTpOs
1<brpa. ).(JJ('Tl{~w is quoted by Pearson, but at the end of them Stanley
is at least able to make this contribution of his own: 'vide Agam. p. 226
(1. 1624].'
The facts, then, as they emerge one by one from the margins of MS
Rawl. G. 193, are perfectly clear. But we are faced with a very different and
indeed puzzling problem as soon as we try to intexpret these facts in the
light of our common experience of human relations or to apply to them
what we regard as normal standards of a scholar's decent behaviour. One
thing, however, remains certain: the idea that Stanley in this matter acted
as a thief must be discarded. A thief, according to the Oxfortl Englis.'IJ
Dictionary, is 'one who takes portable property from another without the
knoMedge or consent of the latter, converting it to his own use', 'one who
does this by stealth, esp. from the person'. Now nothing can be farther
removed from stealth than what Stanley did in this case. He gave his
copy of Aeschylus to Pearson and received it back with the great scholar's
notes; he must have told him for what purpose he wanted his contribu-
tions. It is practically certain that Stanley, in using Pearson's materials,
did it witli 'the knowledge and consent of the latter'. But even supposing
that Stanley did not at once inform Pearson of his plan of editing Aeschylus
with a commentary, it is inconceivable that at the time when he published
his edition {1663) he could have hoped to get away with his enormous
borrowings if he had not previously obtained Pearson's consent. At that
time Pearson, who had for many years been known as one of the most
eminent English divines and scholars, was Master of Trinity College,
Cambridge. Unless you are a lunatic, you will not attempt to steal products
of scholarship from a man in such a position. That Stanley did not feel
any qualms about his appropriation of the fruits of Pearson's learning
can also be inferred from the fact that he did not destroy the book which
might at any time have given its secret away (Pearson's characteristic
hand must have been known to many contemporaries).
But why did Stanley not acknowledge, at least in a general way, his
debt to Pearson, which he could have done once and for all in his Preface?
The most probable answer seems to be that, for reasons unknown to us,
Pearson did not want his name to be mentioned in this connexion. Perhaps
his generosity was such that be preferred to make a complete and un-
qualified present of the precious things which he had put at the younger
man's disposal: a king can afford to be lavish. However that may be,
by the manner in which Stanley used the notes he paid a very high tribute
to Pearson's character: he must have felt that he could rely absolutely
on his benefactor's silence. This fits in with what we are told about
Pearson's excellent temper and equanimity.' So far as Stanley is con-
cerned, we might perhaps wish that he had taken a little less advantage
1 Cf. op. cit. (p. 83 n. 2), 170.
84
 JOHN PEARSON'S SHARE IN STANLEY'S AESCHYLUS
of Pearson's generosity and used a more modest language when he paraded
the great man's observations as his own. But in order to be able to judge
the true no.ture of the relation between Pearson and Stanley we ought to
possess some direct documentary evidence, e.g. letters exchanged by
them; thus far I have not succeeded in finding any, despite all my
efforts. 1
• 1 Butler in his edition of Aeschylus, vol. viii, pp. xvi !f., prints a number of 'tcsti-
monia' which Stanley had prepared for the second edition of his Aeschylus (Butler
copied them from the .fly-leaves of the first volume of Stanley's interleaved copy of
his Aeschylus in the University Library at Cambridge, Adv. b. 44. x). The first of them
is Stanley's copy of a letter written to him in Februuy 1664 by Isaac Vossius; it con-
tains the following sentence: 'quod de Xo'l9&P,,.,.,. initio significavit tibi Dom. Pearson,
id male intcllectum', etc. Now in Stanley's edition there is no hint of any such remark
by Pearson. The obvious inference is that Stanley had infonncd Vossius that PcatSOn,
either by word of mouth or in a letter, had given him his views on the beginning of the
Choephoroe.

85
 SIGLA LIBRORVM
pap. : frustula papyri Oxyrhynchiae • cf. p. I
M: Laurentianus XXXII. 9 cf. p. I
m: eiusdem libri corrector vetustus cf. p. xsq.
V: Venetus Marcianus 653 (olim 468) cf:.P· 2 sq.
Tr: Triclinii liber, Famesianus Neapolitanus ll. F. 31 cf. p. 3 sq.
F: Laurentianus XXXI. 8 cf. p. 4sq.
G: Venetus Marcianus 663 (ollin 616) • cf. p. 5

86
AILXYJ\OY ArAMEMNlUN
 'Aycxµ~µvovoS \Jrr60ecns
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rnl µtoet.St IO.VTCOµf)<Trpa, Tva 'TT\po(fl TOV 1TVpu0\I. Kerl 6 µw lSoov
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Tats TOV Trctrpbs evfO"TOV t~ •ATptoos avµcpopais.
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20 KOO"Tfjl mt Sevripoot (a. Chr. n. 459/8). irp(A)Tos Alaxv"Aas 'Ayaµtµ-

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'AcptSvaTos.
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Tr
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I
Bffl>ic.\ijs Jl~S"°': lxo~ Ala)('!Aos lBl8aoico-

88
 -ra -rov Sp&µa,-os irp6CJooira
cpv~a~ xop6s ayyEAoS
!<A1.Tra1µficrrpa T<XA~loS Kfipv~ :zs
•Ayaµtµvc->v Kaaa®Spa
Afy1a6oS
mVF(G)Tr
v
26 sq. l((lOOrU~pg.: d.y11p.lµ>""'I': ary1080S' 27 4fy&crroS' F post A.ty1080S'
P'GTr habcnt ..poM>ylC" (B~ o.dd. F; cf. 19) o ~.;~, 8~P4•01., (o 9tp. G) dyap.l,_,roS', post
fabulae nomen m inscruit 8t,&•01., dyap.lp.roroS' o Trpo:\oyiCop.tPOS', oilxl o V.cJ alylolou
Tax8clS'. haec olim argumenti fabulac partem fuisse apparet
 <!>Y /\A%
0Eovs µW alToo -roovs• &rrc:OO.ayi)v ir6vc.>v,
cppovpCXS rn{(XS µ1'KoS i')V KOlµOOµEVQS
crrfya&s •ATpe1Soov O:yKa&v, KW6s Sf1<11v,
&crrpCA>v K<hotSa VVKiipc.>v 6µ1\yvptv
Ka\ TOVs cptpoVTaS xeTµa Kal 6tpos f3poTOTS 5
1'aµirpovs Swacrras ~µirprnov-ras aletp1.
[&crrtpas 6-rav cp6{vc.oo'IV mo1'6:s Te TOOV.]
Kal vOv cpv1'6:aac.> 1'aµir6:8oS ,.0 a\1µ13o1'ov,
aVyriv irvp6s cptpovaav ~ T pokes cp&r1v
&Aoocnµ6v -re 136:~1v· ~Se yap 1<pcm:i XO
ywatKOs &\IS~OVAO\I thir{3ov !<tap.
eW &v 8~ WKTfTrA<X)'KTO\I fv8poa6v T ~CA>
eWfiv 6vef pots OUK rntC1KOTrOVµ!vr\\I
~µfiv· <l>613os yap &ve· -Yirvov irapacrrcm:i
-ro µfi f3e~fCA>S f3Mcpcxpa avµf3aMTv \irrvc.>&· 15
6Tav 5• ru(Sew TJ µ111vpeo6cn 801<00,
\irrvov -r6s• &VT(µo1'irov WtlµVCA>v &KoS,
l<Aafc.> -r6T ofKov -rov8e avµcpopav cnivc.>v
oV)( oos -rec irp00e• &p1crra S1cmovovµtvov.
vw s• MvxftS yt\701-r' &rrc:OO.cxys) ir6vc.>v 20

ro«yyl:Aov cpaviVToS opcpvafov irvp6s.

© Xaipe Aaµirn'}p, VVK'TOs t\µep1\a1ov
cpCxoS 1TlcpaVC1KOO\I Ka\ XOpOO\I KaTacrraal\I
iro"Moov tv "Apye& -riia8e avµcpop(is xapw.
lov lov.
•AyaµtµvovoS ywatKl OTlµaf voo -ropCA)s
EVvi;s rnav-relAaaav oos -rO:)(oS 86µots
6AoAvyµov rocp11µo\ivTa -ri;&Se Aaµm~c8&

Codices: MVFG(raro notatur, cf. p. 30 sq.)Tr {de papyro cf. ad vs. 7)

2 µflKOS ~,. Frr: µfjKOS ~· ~,. MV 3 er. Hesychius 4.y1<a8(P {O.ypla8c11 cod.)·
4YlKa8fP. AlaxJN,s lf.yaµliuo"; eadcm glossa, scd fabulac nominc omisso, in :Ciway.
Mf. XP'J"· (Anecd. :Bekker 337· 25), unde Photius Bcrol. 17. 23 ay1<a8n,. KaTm Oll)'Kom111,
dYTl ToO O.w1<a8<". ow01s .Alo~s; cf. schol. 11d h.l. 4-6 toti affcruntur 11b Achille
in Arat. p. 28 Maass S Blpos {JpoTo'is M.V Achilles: {Jpino'is Blpos Frr 6 alSlfX
MFTr: bi Blpn V ct Achillis cod. Vat. vcrsuum 7-30 initia rnutila cxstA.nt in pap.
Oxy. 2178 7 versum Pau\\·io suspectum ciccit Valckenacr J.r' &11 MV 11
Ioanncs Siceliota, schol. ad Hcnnog. de id. vi. 225 Walz,~ Kcl11 T6l' Jl.yal'l/U'O'I'&' ' ywa11<ds
cl"8p6{Jc.>M11 (sic) l\wlC"'" 1<l~p' l\,,lC011 F.rr: l.\nlCc.>11 (scd in utroquc libro super <1>
scr. o) MV 12 c)W a., U ..(11KT ctiarn pap. super 3~ scriptum ye F 1111nl-
w~(l.l(TO,. Tr Cx"'" Weil, fort. xccte 13 a>]v1)11 ottlp(0&s etiam pap. 14 l]J.&~11· ;&{Jos
ycl(p etiam pap. 17 '"'""""" MVTr: lKTlf'""'" (superscr. ,., F) FG 23 '40$: ~{V:
fa( pap. : .,o,. +&>s Frr 26 "'11'cJ..o, M : '"ll'OJ'Ci) rell.
go
 !he house of the Atridae at Argos. Ott the flat roof lies a
Watclmian
W atclz.man. Of the gods I ask deliverance from this toil, from
my year-long watch, in which, lying at the house of the
Atridae on my arms, dog-fashion, I have become familiar
with the assembly of the stars of night, and those bright
potentates conspicuous in the sky who bring winter and
summer to man. And so now I am watching for the torch-
signal, the bright glean1 of fire bringing a tale from Troy, the
tidings of her capture: for in such a manner rules a woman's
heart of manly counsel, being full of expectation. And when
I keep my couch that is restless by night and drenched with
dew, this couch of mine that no dreams look upon-for
instead of Sleep Fear stands beside me, that I may not close
my eyelids firmly in sleep-and when I have a mind to sing
a song or hum a tune, tapping (as sap from a root) this
medicine of song against sleep, then I weep and groan over
the misfortune of this house, not now, as of old, excellently
husbanded. But now may there come a happy deliverance
from my toil by the fire of good tidings appearing in the dark.

A short interval. Tllen the beacon appears; tlie Watchman

jutntps to his feet
0 hail, thou light-giver, that showest a light of day by
night and (the signal for) the setting up of many a dancing
choir in Argos for this event.
Hurrah, hurrah I
To Agamemnon's wife I give clear signal to arise from her
couch with all speed and lift up her voice, for the house to
hear, in a jubilant shout of thanksgiving in welcome to this
9x
 lnrop6tlqelV, efnep 'li\{ov ir6i\ts
t6AooKEV, 6:>s 6 cppVK'TOs ayy!XAoov irpbm • 30
c:xV-r6s T' fyooye cppofµtov xope\/croµcn,
-ra 6ecrrrOToov yap eV ma6v-ra 6f\aoµa•
-rpls e~ 13w..ovaris 'Tfia6e µ01 cppVK'Toop{cx5.
ywot-ro s· o~v µo?i.6vros rocp1i\i} xtpa
avCXKToS ofKc.>V Ti)t6e (3acrr6:a<Xt xep{. 35
TeX 6' l!iJJl.<X atyoo• ~OVS lm'l YAOOaO'Tll µfy<X5
13£13f1KEV' oTKoS 8' <XVT65, el cp6oyyfiv i\6:13ot,
aacpfo-rcxT av i\S~IEV' 00s ~GlV fycl>
µa6ovow cx\JSoo Kov µa6ovcn i\fi6oµat.

XO POI
6iK<X"Tov µw hoS -r68' lm'el Tipt&µov
µfyas &v-rlStKos,
M~<XoS &va~ ,;s• •Aycxµeµvoov,
816p6vov .6t60ev K<Xl 6taKi')irTpov
Ttµf)s 6xvp0v 3e\iyoS •A'Tpe16Civ,
a-r6i\ov ,Apyelc.>v x1i\1ovro'.m}v
'Tfias• «rro x&>pas
~pav, crrpttrt&mv &pooyi')v,
µfyav B< 0vµov Ki\lqovn:s .,Apfl,
Tp61Tov alyvmoov
of-r' hcn"ttrfots &i\yeat iral&>v so
Vrr<XTOt "'A£xt6>v o-rpocpo8lVOWT<Xt
11'TEpVyc.>V ~pETµolcnv ~peaa6µevo1,
6eµv10Tfipfl
ir6vov 6pTW..fx<i>v 6i\foavn:s·
Vrr<XToS s· &loov fi TlS •Air6XAc.>v SS
i1 TT<Xv i\ ZeVs
oloov6epoov y6ov ~~6av,
T6>v 6~ µerofKOOV * * ·• * * *• 57

29-45 "M.VF(G)Tr 46-57 MVFTr

29 brop8pc&,<111 MV . 30 ldAonca codd.: de papyri scriptum cf. comm. dyylMow
GTr: clyyl\0111 MVF 32 sq. totum distichon afferunt Photius et Suidas (vol. iv. 593
Adler) s.v• .,.pk (f ICT~. ~3 Eustnth. ad " 234 p. 1.414. 5 (ncquc poetne ncque
fabulae nomine addito) iccml .,.~ Tplf If {Jalolkn,$ '"is' .d1~f 9P1J1CT01plar ' {Ja>.oikn,t
{fta).oGaa. Suid.) ~ Jµ~ f PIJICTtopla.t Phot., Suid. 38 Mf" F {sed Mf<1a G cum
reliquis) 39 au8&111 OU v l(. . OU M (cf. Pers. 295, ubi ica.l d M) 40 1rpc&µ.O)
MV 4S xc.\co11a.~cw codd. (super a11 scr. '1 MTr) yp. t\1011 a3r&11 in marg. mF
post xi-\loY~a" deficit G; cf. ad 1095 47 1}1paY M dp~chi codd. (supcrscr.
'1 MTr) 48 ic>.J.yfavr<$ Frr 52 lpaµ.o'io' V 53 sq. Hesychius &µ""oriffl71 "&"'°"'
AlaxJ~ 11yaµ.lµYO.-c 1 cum scholio de quo cf. comm. 57 .,.&),,S( codd.: distinxit
Hermann lacunam post dfup&u statuit Hermann, post p.aolic°'" ego .,.6)., 3~
µ.aolict1J11 hinc affert schol. Soph. Oed. Col. 934; cf. comm.
92
torch, if the town of Ilion is taken indeed,· as is the message
of the .beacon that shin~ out of the dark; and I myself will
dance for prelude, for as my masters' cast has been lucky,
I'll make my move accordingly, now that this beaconing has
thrown treble six for me. Well, may it then come to pass that
the master of the house return and I clasp his dear hand
in mine. As for the rest, I am silent: a great ox has set his
foot· upon my tongue; the house itself, if it were given a
voice, would tell the tale most clearly; I choose, for my part,
to speak to those who know and understand, and to those
who do not to forget.

He descends int<> the house.

Enter the Chorus of twelve old dtizens of Argos

Clwrus. This is now the tenth year since Priam's great

adversary at suit, King Menelaus and Agamemno~, the stal-
wart yoke of the Atridae, paired in the honour of two thrones
and two sceptres derived from Zeus, put out from this land
an Argive armament of a thousand ships to give :fighting
help, shouting from an angry heart the cry for a mighty war,
like vultures that, in extreme (?) grief for their children, high
above their bed circle round and round, rowing with the oars
of their wings, having lost the couch-keeping labour they had
spent over their nestlings; but one in the height, Apollo, it
may be, or Pan or Zeus, hearing the shrill cry of the birds'
lament, and (feeling great compassion for) the denizens in his
93
 VOTEp6TTOlVOV
ireµne1 ncxpafXXaw •Epivw.
oV....oo 8' •A-rptoos n~Scxs 6 Kpelaaoov 6o
hr' ,AAe~avSpoo1 mµTTEI ~WIO)
Za'.151 1TOAVcXvopos aµcp\ yvvcx1KQs
iro:AAO: ircx'Acx{aµcrrcx Kcxl yv10J3cxpfl,
y6vcrrcs Kovfcnaiv lpe1SoµWov
S100<vcnoµw11s .,.. w TTpo-W..efo1s
K<Xµ00<05, &fiaoov Llavcxoicnv
T pooai e• oµof(A)). fo-rt s• 6-m)t vOv
WTI. -W..eiTcn s· ls 'TO 1T£1Tpooµwov·
ova· WOKCXloov oVT' trr1'.Ae{~v
oV"Te tS00<p\Joovt 6:mipCA>v 1epoov
0pyas cXm1eis TTapa6~~e1.
f}µeTs S' &:rhcn aapKl 1TcxAatat
-ri)s -r6T' apCA>yfiS &rro'Ae1cpe£v-res
µf µvoµev faxw
la6TTcx18cx veµovns mi CJ'Kt'rrrrpo1s. 75
0 -re yap. veap<)s µve'AO) rnpvoov
MOs &vaiaaoov
la6npro~vs, .,ApT}S 5• OVK lv1 txoopcnt,
-r6 0' \nrepyt'ipoov cpvA:AaScs f\811
Kcrr<XKapcpoµWT}s -rplTToScxs µ~v 6Sovs So
OTEfXEl 1 TTCXISQs S' o\/Sw ape{oov
OVap 1)µep6q>CXVTOV aACX{VEI.
O'U S~, TwSapeoo
0Vycrrep, J3aa{'Ae1cx l<Avrcx1µ{\a-rpa,
-rl xpecs; 'Tl vfov; 'Tl S' trrcx1aeo~VT},
-rives ayye'Alcxs
m16oi ireplTTeµTT'Tcx 6vOCJ"KEis;
TT<XV"Toov S~ 6eoov -roov aa-rw6µoov,
w<XToov xeov(CA>v
MVFrr
59 ltxvrSP MV: lp1mw FTr 64 lp<c8op.bou V : lpc8o/l" Ji{ : lp<&11op.· (supcrscr. 8o
F) FTr 65 TrporrU.<lois F 66 !CllfClOlc" v 67 omz codd. (super 11 add. 'M)
69 V.0Klolc1,,, codd. : corr. Casnubon oi'i6' ~rro>.clp01v codd.: corr. Schatz
70 owe 8ClKprS01v dclcvcnmt Bamberger nliiquc i glossemnte HKprSwv inculcato gcnuina
scriptura cxpulsa CS'Se vidctur 72 d:riTiit crapic2 corr. ex clTira.• oap1e9 M: cMra111
oapid V: clrtrcu crapicl F: clr&ral crapKl Tr 75 lo&Jff8a F 76 >'Ofpk V
77 clrd'.ocr011v codd. : corr. Hcm1ann 78 lK Frr f ln M: M V xt/Jpa1 corruptum essc
viderunt multi, sanavit nemo 79 .,.& O' ~lP"l'IP°'" Tr: ...&81rrt/¥Y11pcos VF:
-rl01•tP'f'1pws M So -rpiT1o8os FTr 81 8' om. V 82 f,µcp#aTov 14.V
83 -r11W>&p?t! ('littera w ex ao facta ct ncccntu super c lincola transfixo' Vitelli) M
84 icMnaaPJ1o-rpa VFTr (cf. ad cngum. 1) 87 wuOol F 8uooic«s Tumebus:
8uocrico«r vnrin lectio in schol. vet. Tr: Buocric1wrs (priorc 'in ro.sum scripto M) )J.Tr:
8rSoo1C1~fs (acccntu super 11 lincoia. transfixo F) VF

94
realm, sends on the transgressors her. who brings punishment
though late, Erinys. Even so the sons of Atreus are sent by
the mightier one against Alexandros, by Zeus, guardian of
guest-law, who over a woman of many husbands will bring
about wrestlings many and wearying, where the knee is
pressed in the dust and the spear-shaft snapped in the initial
offering, for Danaans and Trojans alike. The matter is where
now it is; it will be fulfilled to its destined end: neither by
l;>urning sacrifices nor by libations (nor by the spell of (?))
:fireless offerings shall he (i.e. the guilty man) soothe aside
the relentless wrath.
But we, insolvent (i.e. unable to serve as soldiers) with our
aged frames, were left out of the supporting expedition that
then was sent, and remain behind, moving a child-like
strength upon staffs. For as the young marrow leaping
upward within the breast is like (that of) an old man, and
Ares is not therein ..., so extreme old age, its foliage now
withering, goes its way on three feet, and no stronger than
a child he (i.e. the old man) wanders, a dream-phantom
appearing in daylight.
But thou, daughter .of Tyndareus, Queen Clytemnestra,
what is it now? what fresh tidings ? what intelligence hast
thou received, what message has prevailed upon thee, that,
by sending (messengers) around, thou arrangest sacrifices?
The ~tars of all gods that dwell in our city and rule it-gods
supreme and gods infernal, those of the sky and those of the
95
 'T&Sv T ovpavfo.)V T(i.)v T O:yopa(oov, 90
~ooµol Soopo1cr1 cpAtyoVTCXl'
aAATJ s· moew ovpcxvoµ{\KTJs
71.aµnas &vraxe1,
cpapµacraoµM, Xp{µCXToS ayvo\i
µai\.CXK<XiS a86i\.01a1 1Tap11yop{a15, 95
mi\.cxv&.>1 µV)(66ev ~acr17'.e{oo1.
-ro\rroov M~a:cr' o Tl K<Xl SwCXTov
1<al etµ1s cdve1,
ira1cl>v &e yevoO TiiaSe µep{µVfls,
ft vW TOT~ µw K<XK6cppoov ~I, IOO
'TOTi 8' ac 6vCTIOOV cXS avacpcdve15
~nls aµ\Jve1 cppoVTfS' &rr7'.11a-rov
t-n'iv 6vµocp66pov 71.Vm)s cppwa. t

l<Vp16s elµ1 6poeiv 0S1ov Kp«foS cda1ov avSp(i.)v

WTei\.toov· fll yap 6e66ev KCXT<X'ITVE{et IO 5
ne1600 µ07'.TrCiv &71.Kav 0-VµcpVToS alcl>v·
onoos •Axa1oov 5{6povov Kpencs, 'EMaSos ~~as
~vµcppoV<X Tayav, no
TrtµlTEI ~ Sop\ Ka\ xep\ 11'pmcrop1 6ovp105 OpVIS
T£VKp{8' trr• aTcxv,
oloov&>v ~aCTIAeVs ~O'IAEVCTI ve-
(i.)v, 6 IWl.a1v0s o T' ~~6mv apyas, ns
cpcxvtVTES fKTap 1JeAa6poov XEpOs ac OOplTraA'TOV
iraµnpbrro1s w £Spa1a1v
~0CT1<6µevo1 71.aylvcxv ~pn<Vµova qitpµCXT1 ywvcxv
j37'.cq3ma 7'.01a6(oov Sp6µoov. uo

MVFTr
91 3r,f,pom Tr: 8C:.poas rell. 94 xp/p.o.Tos M : Xf1'1µo.Tos V : XP{qp.o.Tos FTr 96
trf'.\o.vQ M: wcUvcu (-'*' Tr) rcll. 98 czfw& Wicsclcr: o.lvciv MY: clwciv FTr IOI ls
O.va.9czlr<&s Ahrens: d.yo.va 9o.lv(&S M: clyo.vcl 9o.lvi& V: d.yallli 90.lvoua' FTr I02 ci.,,,\c1a-
Tov ?d 103 8up.op&pov Frr (cf. schol. :M 'tfr1s laTl 8ul'oft&pos ,\~ rlfs f>pcr&s) .\.S,,.,,s
9plVC1 1llVF: .\U'11't>fplvo. Tr; cf. schol. ipsius .\IJ'll'of>plvo. U yp&f>c. owcu yap lx" wpds Td
µ.lrpov op8Qs 104 vcrsum affcrt Aristophanes Ran. 1276,, ubi 8s 8io11 (in archctypo
081ov Cuissc conicins) R, oa1411 rcll.; in vctustis Aristophnnis libris vnrinm scripturnm
fuissc c scholio quamvis oorrupto 11pparct 105 lKTcM"w codd.: oorr. Aurntus
Ko.To.1Jl/(lo Aid. : KC1Tczmrtt" ('una. post I littcra crasn quac u Cuissc potcst' Vitelli) M:
KC1rC1ff)l(Jc, rcll. Io6 ex po.\w&v Cccit µ.o.\wci11 M: µ.o,\,,O.v rcll. 108 sq. o•c.is •••
-iiPo.s affcrt Ar. Ran. r285 ;;pas Ar.: ;;p"" (corr. ex fiP&v M) codd. II0-12
(fJµ.9powi ••• o.lo.11) om. M spatio vacuo rclicto, supplevit corrector (m) IIO a.Sµ-
f>povo. VFTr Tell' y&ll m (scd -n}v oµ#pollCI wcpl Tel TCllCTIKO. schol. l\l) III aw 3opl
KCZl xcpl 'll'pGICTOp& Ar. Ran. 1289 (ubi 8o.S(M$ oplllS quoque aff'eruntur): fw (aw m) 3opl
3/icczs wp41CTop1 codd. II3 olc.i11Giv p"aV.ci>s om.Vin initio paginac XIS dpylo.s
oodd.: oorr. Heath (dpyifi:) ct Blomficld XI6 ot 9o.vl:ms F xccpds V 8opU'll'cUTou
codd.: oorr. Tumcbus II7 waµwplTtT01s (""f'"plwo1s m) lv (8pa1aw (-ii\ V) MY:
11aµwpl1101a111 lSpcz&S F: ""µ.rrplTtTca1v l3po.&s Tr 118 poaicoµ.l"I" Tr II9 lpcicJpC1rcz
!ii f>lpl'czT1 MY : 9lp/Jo11ro FTr

96
market-are ablaze with gifts; and torches, from here, froin
there, rise up heaven-high, medicined by the gentle guileless
persuasions of hallowed ointment, the offering of the royal
household~s oil from the inner store.
Of these matters do thou consent to tell what thou both
canst and mayest, and become a healer of this anxiety,
which now at one time proves laden with thoughts of ill,
while at another from the sacrifices which thou makest
appear comes Hope and beats off the insatiate care and grief,
a bane that consumes the heart (?). 1

I have power to tell of the auspicious command ruling the

expedition, the command of men in authority-for still from
the gods the age that has grown with me breathes down
upon me persuasiveness of song to be my warlike strength-
(to tell) how the twin-throned command of the Achaeans, the
concordant leadership of Hellas' youth, was sped with
avenging spear and arm to the Teucrian land by the warlike
bird, king of birds appearing to the kings of the ships, the
black one and the one that is white behind, 2 appearing near
to the abode, on the spear-hand side, perched in full view,
feeding upon her of the hares' race, big with many young,

• The last words cannot be restored with nny degree of certainty.

:a Or 'the black-tniled one nnd the white·tailed one'.

97 H
 <XJA\VOV <XIAIVOV ehr~, 'TO s• eV V\Klhc.>. -
KESvas s~ crrpcrr6µCXVTIS IS<l:>v Mo i\{iµO.:O'I SIO'O'OVs
•A'TpelSas µcxx.lµovs ts&t} i\ayoSalTas
1T0µ1TOVs [.,..] ltpxas· OVT(A) s· eTm np&13CA>V' 125
• XpOVCA>\ µW «ypet Tlp1&:µov ir6i\1v &Se K~i\ev0os,
n®'Ta s~ iWpyoov
KTftVTI np6o& 'Ta S1w\01Ti\f\0ta µoipa i\an&:~e1
npbs 'TO ~(aiov· 130
oTov µfi TIS &ya 0e60ev Kvecpc:X-
O'f\\ npo'TV1T~v crr6µ\ov 11fya: Tpo las
O'Tpcrrc.>etv. ofK'TOOI yap mlcpeovos "Ap-reµ15 &yva 135
lT'TaYOTO'l\I KVO'l ncrrpbs
ooiT6ToKov npb i\6xov 11oyepav lT'Tlo<a: 0voµwo\uw·
<ml)'Ei s~ Sei1TVO\I o.:le-r&>v:
cdi\1vov <X?Awov elm, 'TO s• eV YIKlhc.>. =

'TOOOY mp e\/cppoov a Kai\Cc I.fO

Sp60'01s &brro1s µai\epoov i\e6vroov
n®"Tc.>v T' «ypov6µoov cp1i\oµacno1s
&t,p00v 6~p1KcXAOIO'I 'TEp1TVCc
'TOVTCA>V alveT ~µ~i\a: KpCXvOO,
SE~la µw Kcrraµoµ~ s~ cpcXO"µcrra: [O'Tpov0oov]. l.of5
lfi10\I S~ Kai\too Tlcuava:,
µJi Tl\10.:S m1nv6ovs ~ava:oTs xpov(-
o.:s txevfi1Sa:s 001'7'olas 150
-re\1~1 <TTtWSoµtva 0vO'lav ht-
pav &voµ6v Tl\/• &Sa:1'Tov,
MVFTr
121 o.f~,...,,. o.Wl'OI' M (item 139, 159) cu°)no0>' semcl F (item 139, 159) c.NcdTOJ
M (oCµo.' & "ICATOJ in marg. m) 122 8.SOJ M ~~µµaa' Frr 123 loyo8caiTClS"
MV 124 T' dcl. Thiersch apxtl.s MV: dpxork Frr ffOI"'~ (tr0µtrifr Musgrave)
apXork Karsten: 'ffOfl.ffO~ dpx&r Rauchcnstein 125 g• o~... cr.,,c F T<P41COJI'
schol. M: T<P4'Cw>' M: Tc,,&Cw>' rcll. 129 trp&a8c Tel VFrr: trpoa8CT4 M 8'1P'°"~~
codd.: corr. 0. MUiler µoip' d.\aw&e" codd.: rcctc distinxit Elmsley 131 ciya.
Hermann: GTG. codd. 131 sq. ICl'C9c/.a11c Tr 132 'lfptn~l" Tr 134 or1CTOJ'
Scaligcr: of1eOJ& codd. 136 11Tll>'Oia1>' M: •oia1 V: -oir FTr 1CValr M 1~7
Tn'OIC4 M: 'lfTA<.ivico. V (d. p. 6sq.): 11Tc0lic11 FTr 139 d. ad 121 140 ..,&aat11>' M
ci Frr: om. MY 141 Et. gen. B - Etym. ?ii. 377. 37 1pa11& (s~ctat lld '222)·
• • • ical Alax!SMr J.v )iy11µlµ•o0n TO~ aKllfll'Ovr -r<Gv Mcf>'Tt11I' 8p&aovr "''"~'llC'' ToOro
µna.fip&C"'., 8p&a°'r Tr: 8p&ao101v MVF 41'1fTo'r VF : ahTo1ai Tr: d~'"'°Lr
M, ubi tamen sehol. Toir brcol1a1 Toir yo>'c0a1 (Jr//~ 8wcµlvo1r ~c&>'Tc.1r Pearson ex
Etym. M.: o>'TOJI' ?tlV: om. Frr 142 <fiV.0µ411To1r ex ;v.Jµ&.Tocr corr. M
143 Aristoph. Byz. p. lI2 Nauck WrrpiX"'" 8~ ICCll ..,Q., "l'OCOWQIP oftf"4 IClll Jftplic~a, c:;.,
XJriia•r ical wap' Alox.slc.1' J.11 Jtyaplµ110n Jftpiic&Mi1r FTr 144 alYCt Lachmann: alTci
codd. "/ha.' FTr: 1tp&""1, MY I4S o-rpou8Gn> MY: ..,;,,, aTpou8wv Ffr glosscma.
dclcvit Porson; quid pocta hoc loco scripscrit ncscimus 149 sq. XPOWCl$ post
J.xcvriC8ar Tr ISO J.xO"/tBo.r oodd. dtrMtmr 'lilV: awMtaa.r FTr
g8
prevented from running her final course. Say 'woe, woe I',
but may the good prevail!

Now when the wise seer of the army saw the two Atridae,
twain in temper, he knew the warlike devourers of the hare
for the conducting chiefs; and thus he spake interpreting the
portent: 'In course of time this expedition captures Priam's
town; and all the herds before the walls, the plentiful posses-
sions of the people, shall fate lay waste with violence: let
only no envious grudge from the gods strike beforehand and
overcloud the great bit for Troy's mouth, the army on its
campaign. For out of pity pure Artemis bears a grudge
against the winged hounds of her father which slaughter for
a sacrifice the poor trembling hare with her young before the
birth; and she loathes the feast of the eagles. ' Say 'woe,
woe I ', but may the good prevail I

'The Fair One, kindly though she be towards the helplesst

dewdrops of ravening lions and pleasant to the suckling
young of all creatures that roam the field, yet consents to
fulfil that which the encounter portends for this undertaking,
the signs that appear favourable yet betoken disapproval.
But I invoke the blessed Healerz (to intervene and see to it)
that she prepare not against the Danaans a delay in port,
caused by adverse winds, time-consuming, ship-detaining,
in her eagerness to bring about another sacrifice, one without
precedent and law, without a feast, a worker of quarrels,

1 Literally perhaps 'unable to follow'; sec the commentaty.

~ This is not a precise rendering. I cannot think of a satisfnctoty translation of ltfio>'
lla1&11G, which is derived from the invocation l~ ll41a>'. .
99
 ven4oov 'liKTova a\Jµq>vrov ov Se1a-
fivopa· µ{µve1 yap cpo~epa 1t'aA{vop-ros
olKov6µoS SoA{a, µvaµoov Mijv1s 'TeKV6tro1voS.' xss
To1a&. K&Axas ~ µey&Ao1s &ya6ots O:trb<Acxysev
µ6patµ' an" opvl6Cr.>V 6S(Cr.>V oTKOlS ~O'IAefo1s·
TOTS S' 6µ6'Cr.>voV
c:d'A1vov cxi'Awov elm, TO s· e~ VIK6:rCr.>. -c

ZeVs, 6crns Tr6T ~nv, el T6S' av- 160

TOOi cpfAov l<El<A1iµ~voo1,
TOVT6 VIV irpooewfu.oo.
o\JK ~oo 1t'pooe1Kaaa1
1T&vr" trr10'Ta6µooµevoS
1TAf1V 816s, el TO µa-rav O:tro q>poVT(Scs axec>s 165
XPfl fkxAeTv hr)TI'.Jµoos. -

ovS' OOTIS 1T6:po16ev i)v i.ifyas

1Taµµc:XxCr.>1 6paas1 13p6oov,
ovSe AtsETat irplv 6':>v· 170

as s· rne1i> ~v, Tp1cx-

KTfipos oTXET<XI wxoov.
Zi)vcx St TIS 1Tpoq>p6voos hnvlK1a: t<A~oov
TeVSET<XI q>pev(i)v Tb 1TCXv" = 17 s

TOY q>poveiv ~po-rovs 68&>-

a<XVT<X TOOi ira6e1 µlteos
etYTa: KVpfoos ~ew.
CJ'T~El s· ave· VnvOV 1Tp0 Ka:pSla:s
µVT\arrrftµoov Tr6VoS' Kcd irap' 6:- xSo
KOVTCXS i'jA6e aooqipoveiv.
Sa1µ6vc.:>V 0~ lTOV XcXPlS 131cxf oos
atAµcx <JEµvov 'l)µwoov. -

Kal T66' 1)yeµcbv 6 Trpt-

O'~VS ve&>v •AxanKoov, 185
µm1v o<iT1vcx 'flfyoov,
MVF1'r
153 mfMUT0·1i MFTr: ouµµcvct fUTOv V ('vidctur libmrius µcvci, intcrprctutioncm ad
µlµvn adscriptnm, textui intulissc' Hcnnann) 154 yop om. FTr 156
d.wix).a~"' M 157 oal(or F 158 Toia8c wµ&;"'vov V dµ&?()Ovov, scd,
ut vidctur, primo o in rasura ex (lO facto, M 159 cf. ad 121 163 'ltpoaccdoa&
ex 'fl'po<nJIClioa& corr. M 165 .,.~ Pauw: .,.&Sc ?ii.VF: yc Tr 170 o.>Sl >Jfntu
Ahrens: oMw >.ifa.& MVF: oMlv .,., Ufa.& Tr 177 µ&Dor {scd super or scr. .,,) F
179 d."6' .nrvou Emperius: lv (b ll) 8' Jvw.>, c:odd. 182 81 wou FTr: a~ woo MV
xoo
born in the house and grown one with it, without fear of the
husband; for there abides a terrible, ever re-arising, treacher-
ous housekeeper; unforgetting, child-avenging Wrath. ' Such
were the fated happenings which, together with great
blessings, Calchas cried to the royal house (as portended)
from the birds on the way; in harmony therewith say 'woe,
woe I ', but may the good prevail!

Zeus, whoever he be-if to be called and invoked by this

name is pleasing to him, even thus do I address him. I have
nothing whereto to liken him, weighing all in the balance,
nothing save Zeus if there is need to cast the burden of vain
thought from the care-laden mind in real truth.

And he who aforetime was mighty, swelling with the bold-

ness of a victor in every contest, shall not even be reckoned,
since he is of the past; and he who aftenvard came into
being met his thrower and is gone. But anyone who gladly
shouts 'Hail to Zeus the victor I ' shall hit full on the target
of understanding:

it is Zeus who has put men on the way to wisdom by

establishing as a valid law 'By suffering they shall win under-
standing'. Instead of sleep there trickles before the heart
the pain of remembrance of suffering: ev~n to the unwilling·
discretion comes. There is, I think, a olessing from the gods,
who, using force, sit on the dread bench of the helmsman.

So it was then with the elder leader of the Achaean fleet;

not finding fault with any prophet, letting his spirit go with
IOI
 lµiralo1s -N)(al<JI ovµnvf(A)v,
Wt> &lTAolaL 1C£Vo:yyet (3apv-
voVT• •Ax<xnKos Ae&>s,
X<X1'Kl6os 1TEp<XV ~(A)Y ira1'1pp6-
x601s w AvAISos T0rro1s· =

nvoal s· OOTO }".-rpvµ6vos µOAOVaa1

KaK6a)(oA01 vfiaT1SES Svaopµo1,
~poT6SY 6:Aa1, vaoov (TE) Kal 195
1TElaµ&r(A)V acpe1Set5,
ira1'1µµf\K1'l xp6vov T16ETO'CXI
Tpf ~1 Kcrn~atvov aveas •Apye(-
(A)V' hrel S~ Kal 1T11<poV
xelµaTQS @:Ao µi)xap
~p1e\rrepov irp6µ01cnv '.ZOO

µ<Xv"T1s fl<Acry~ev, irpocp~pCAlv

"ApTEµIV, cOO-re x66va ~~-
-rpo1s tmKpova<XVTas •ATpel-
Sas S~pv µfl KaTaa')(etv· -

ava~ S' 6 irpfo~VS

T6S' elire <p(A)VOOV'
' ~eia ~v x~p TO µi} melaeoo,
f3apetcx S', el mvov Sat-
~(A)1 S6µCAlv &ya1'µa,
µ1a(v(A)V mxp0evoacp6:yo1ow
~(6po1s 1TaTpoo1ovs XEp<XS ireA<XS ~(A)- 210
µov. Tl ToovS' &vev K<XK&>v;
ir&>s 1'm6vavs ywCAlµoo
~µµaxfcxs aµapTOOVj
iravacxvtµov yap evalas
irap6evlov e• afµaTOS 6p-
ya1 irep16py(A)S hr10v-
µeiv e~µ15. eV yap ef11.> =

hrel S' av&yt<as ~Su ArnaSvov

MVFl'r
1~7 T11xa1S" F flVJJ.rrH<& Tr 190 sq. 'ffaMppdeocS" (wa.\M· F) codd.: corr. Ahrens
195 "'suppl. Porson 197 ,,o.\11p.ifq (superscr. wo.Mp.p. F) VF 198 1earlf,,,o.,
(super alterwn ' superscr. a1) M: K«T4fn-o>' V 200 1'pdp.ow1 VF 201 l~ayf<
codd.: ,, add. Porson (cf. 701 ct vol. iii Append. E) 206 m8lo9a1 Tumcbus:
'fl<&8lo8a.i l!V: ,,c{8<o9tU FTr 209 'ffo.p!Jcvo~yo101>' M: ·oco1 VTr: ·O&S' F 210
p1{8f'O's Tr: />cl9po&S' rel!. warp~ V Pt.11p.oO rrl>.o.s codd. : transposuit Blomficld
212 wcils ~1rr&11a11S" Tr: .,, 'ffcils .~ur4l'<lllS' (Amr• F) .,, rell. 215 sq. opy8.1 (·6 VF)
MVF: yp. (ex yd.p correxit Orclli) aMa in mo.rg. M: a.!8f Tr 216 "'p1&py1AJs hoc
acccntu codd. 217 8ll''S' yd.p cu FTr 218 ~aawro11 V
I02
the blasts of fortune that fell upon him, when the Achaean
folk were sore pressed by famishing delay in port, while they
held the coast over against Chalcis, in the region of Aulis,
where the tides roar to and fro ;

and gales coming from the Strymon, with harmful leisure,

starvation, bad lingering in port, wandering of the men,
(gales) unsparing of ships and cables, by lengthening the time
over again were wasting and wearing away the flower of the
Argives; and when the prophet had cried out to the chiefs
another and more grievous remedy for the sore storm,
revealing Artemis as cause, so that the Atridae struck the
ground with their staffs and could not keep back their
tears,-

then it was that the elder chief spake thus and said: 'A
heavy doom indeed is disobedience, but heavy, too, if I rend
my child, the delight of my house, defiling a father's hands
with streams from the slaughtering of a virgin at the altar's
side. Which of these courses is without evil? How can I fail
in my duty to the alliance and thus become a deserter of the
fleet? (I cannot,) for it is right and lawful that one should
with over-impassioned passion crave the sacrifice to stay the
winds, the blood of the virgin. (It shall be done;) for (my
hope is:) may all be well.'

And when he had slipped his neck through -the strap of

I03
 cppevos irv«..>v Sva~ii TpoTI"a{cxv
&vayvov c!cviepov, 76eev 220
TO TrCXVT6-roAµov <ppoveiv µe-rfyvc.>.
~p<>TOVS 0pao\lve1 yap alO'){p6µT)T1S
TaAa1va if<Xpm<omx ifpc.:>Tom')µoov. hAa 8' o~V
6'.m)p yevtoea1 0vyaTp6s, 225

ywa1Kono{vc.>v iroAtµc.>v &pcuyav

Kal irpartAe1a vcxoov. -

·A1T<Xs & Kc.cl 1CAnS6vas mx-rpoo1ovs

irap• ovSw al&> TE irap8we1ov
l&vTo cptA6µCX)(OI ~~f1s. 230
cppcXO'EV 8' a630tS 1Tcmlp µET' £Vxav
O(KCXV Xtµa{pcxs Vmp8e ~µov
-rrtrrAotat mp1ncril ir<XVTl 0vµ&>1 irpovc..mii
A~ETV CdpSnv, o-r6µaT6s
TE KoX\1irp&>1pov <pV]l.CXKCXI KaTaO')(EiV 236

cp86yyov &pdfov ofK01s1 =

~(at x<XA1v&>v T' &vo:VS001 µfoe1.
Kp6KOV ~cpaS S' t;s iriSov xfovaa
l~oX\· lKao-rov lhm')pc:.>v O:rr' 6µ- 240

µ<XTOS ~V..e1 <p1AO{KTCA>I,

irprnovacc Td>s iv ypcx~s, Trpocevvbmv
SV..ova>, rnel TrOAAcXKIS
ircnp(>s Ka:T &vSpCA>vas e\rrpam3ovs
~SlEA'f'EV, <Xyvoo s· &TaVpc:.>ToS aVOOI 1TaTpOS
<pfAov Tp1T6oiTovSov e<in'OTµov ira1- 245
oova cpfAc.>s h(µa. -

Ta s• lv8ev o<iT' eTSov o<iT' ivvrnc.>'

T~VO:I S£ K&AX<XVTOS OVK Oxp<XVTOI.
~{Ka 8£ Tots µ£v ira8ova1v µa6eiv 250
rn1pprn1. ,.c, µtA'Aov (S')
MVFTr
219 8uo<flij ¥ 22Z flpo-ro~ Bpo.~' Spanhcim: /lpoToir. Bpao.Jw, codd. 227
wpo-rD.c10. MFl'r (ex Trf'OIT" corr. F): Ttporl>.flo.v V 229 o.Ui> .,, 0. Moller: altllt"a.
codd. wap8lvt.ov MV 230 pPaflcis VFTr 231 ~pl.oc VF 8' lv looixs Tr
232 x1µal1'4f VFTr: XClf'• M Wfp8f1' F. 234 /la).ctv Tr &.lpScw F 236
;v>.cuca,, codd. : corr. Blomfield 238 -r' MVF: 8' Tr dt"a..SS°'" F 239 8' om.
Tr xlouo' F 240 lflo.>.' F UcO.TOll v 240 sq. Pl'>." llrr' oµµJ.""'" 9t).ol1trq>
Tr 242 ,.cl>r Mnas: 8' C:.S codd. 244 d.fl'~ Tr: d)'l'll MVF aM~ Frr:
aMa MV 245 <WroTf'O" ex cihr&TG.f'O" factum M: c.}rrho.l'o" VF: cihr07'o.,. Tr
245 sq. "ac<Alt"a. Hartung: alwvo. codd. 250 wa801kr111 Tr: "a.Booo, rcll.
251 8' suppl. Elmsley 251 sq. inter.,~ µOMv et l"cl hnbent ,.6 8~ wpo1e>..Se1v mVF
(verba interpolata nb anteccdcntibus vcrbis brcvi intervnllo scparavit m)
104
compulsion's yoke, and the wind of his purpose had veered
about and blew impious, impure, unholy, from that moment
he reversed his mind and turned to utter recklessness. For
men are emboldened by base-counselling wretched infatua-
tion, the beginning of woe. However, he brought himself to
become the sacrificer of his daughter, in aid of a war for
avenging the loss of a wom"an and as a preliminary rite on
behalf of the fleet.

Her prayers, her cries of 'Father I', and her virgin youth,
the war-thirsty commanders counted as nought. Her father,
after prayer, _gave word to the attendants to take her
resolutely as she drooped forward, wrapped round in her
robes, and to hold her, like a kid, above the altar, and, by
guarding her fair mouth, to check a sound that would be
a curse upon the house,

by force and the voiceless power of the bridle. And she, as

she let fall to the ground her saffron-dyed r~iment, smote
each one of the sacrificers with a pitiful arrow from her eye,
standing out as in a picture, wishing to speak to them by
name; for many a time in her father's hall, where the men
were given rich feasts, she had sung, and with a chaste voice
the virgin lovingly celebrated her beloved father's blissful
paean at the third libation.

What followed I saw not, neither do I tell; but the craft

of Calchas does not lack fulfilment. Justice weighs out
understanding to those who have gone through suffering.
And the future-when it comes thou mayst hear of it; let it
105
 rnel ywo1T· av AAVOlS' 1TpoX<XlPET6>'
fcov 5~ T&Sl 'TT'po<nivelV'
Topev yap 1)~e1 a\tvop6pov aV)'ats.
'TliA01To s· ow Tant ToV"To1a1v EV 1TpCis1s, ~s
~1 T6s• &yxtaTov •A1Tf cxs ycx(-
cxs µov6q>povpov ~pKoS. ~

1)KCA> ae~(3CA>v aov l<AVTcxtµ{}aTp<X Kp6:ros·

SfKn yap ~O'Tt IPCA>TOs apx11yov ,.few
ywcxiK, ~p11µ6>6mas &paevas ep6vov. 260

aV s· d Tl KEOvO\I et'-n: µft 1TE1T'VaµM)

ruayytA.otaw ~1T(C7l\I 6vr}iro'Aeis,
AAVo1µ• av e<iq>pCA>V' ovS~ cnyc00n1 q>66v05.

KAYTAI MHl:TPA
ruayyiAoS µtv, oocrrrep i) 1TCXpo1µ(cx,
fo>s ytvot'To µ11Tp0s ruq>p6v11s 1Tapa.
1TeVOT)l s~ xapµcx µei3ov ~i\1T(S05 AAVEl\I'
Tip1aµov yap f\1pf}Kcxow •Apyeio1 ir6i\1v.
XO. 1T&Ss cpfis; 1Ttq>ruye TOVrroS ~~ an1aT(cx5.
KA. Tpo(av •Axoooov o~a<X1J• 'fli TOpoos i\tyCA>;
XO. xcxp<X µ• vq>tp1Te1 SOO<pvov ba<o:Aovµtv11.
KA. EV yap q>poVOVVToS oµµcx aov Kcmwopei.
XO. 1} yap Tt 1TtO"T6v taT1 T&>vst ao1 -dtcµap;
KA. lcrnv, T{ s· oV)(f; µ1) Soi\cbaCXVToS eeov.
XO. 1T6°TI:p<X s· 6v£fpCA>V cpaaµcn• e\lm16i'j at~ets;
KA. ov S~av av i\&~01µ1 ~p13ovaris cppev6s. ~75

XO. &JJ..• fl a• rnfcxvtv TIS &1TTI:pos q><X-ns;

MVFTr
252 bnyboof:r' M 253 loo" MY 254 o.S.'OpQpo.,, Wcllaucr: olll'Op0o" M:
ow dp8o" V: o..SNp8po" Ffr ai)ya&s Hcnnann : a.n-ats (dwa&s 'l'r) codd. 255
TOWOIS' F <wpafcs codd.: distinxit Lobcck 257 cpl<OS' MV: cpl<OS FTr
258 sqq. in seacna sequcnti vcras pcrsonarum notas rcstiluit Casaubon 258
panigruphum (-) pracfixit M, 4yyc.\os- mVF, 4yyt.\os <{;1f>.af 'fr ~11To.1µ'1o-rpa
MTr: ic~11To.1µ~pa VF 261 ct ·n Aumtus: cl TO M: <fr< mVFTr 262
l>.tTio"" M: D..lai V · 263 omtio continuatur in M, ~'"· pmcfixcrunt VFTr
01yw0J1 V: 01yw1011 (-01J1 m) M: oiywvn (proptcr notam ~'"· praefixnm) FTr 264
ic~VTacµ. ct paragraphum pracfucit M, G:yy<.\GS' VFTr 264 sq. EuslD.thius
ad A 91 p. 22. 32, postquam Soph. Trach. 94 sqq. attulit, addit hacc: •o.p/t111<< 8~ •ilvr01S"
~ To1aJ.r..i1 TOO .Eofoic>.lollS' lwolac ical Alo;i..S>.011 l11 Jlyaµlµt't>'l'I .,.~ 1 c.lGyyc.\oS' ~~ ylW>&To
l"J.,.pOS' <V9f'&"'lf tr&pa. ' 266 paragmphum pmcfixit M trtiSoci V 268-So
nihil nisi pa~phos prncfixit 1il: ~w. (268, 270, etc.) ct ciyy. (269, 271 1 etc.) pme·
fixcrunt VFTr 269 'f'p&Q)I V 270 vcrsum afTcrt schol. Hom. "' 471 J:o;tiicMjs
• xa.pd ,.,.. (sic Dindorf; x&p'µ M, x&pp.' vulgo) {><{;Ip"" 8iLcp11t1" bc1C~o11µl.,,, 1; cf. Eust.
P• J872, 65 {.xclpµa, , , Jic1<aMJµO'OP) 271 ;poPOJ<n,s (cum A)'Y, praCfiXUm Sit; Cf,
263) Ffr 272 " y&p .,., Karsten: Tl yap .,.d codd. lO'T1" 111 · 273 loT& V
274 e1nm8d in ·9~ corr. M 276 '"law V cf. Hesycbius l.,,.,.tpos· o.lf>"Bcot· ffO.pG
'Op.~pox d ffpo0'1111l}f '1 To.)(Vs. Alox.J>.os )lyo.µlµ"""'

xo6
be greeted in advance-but that is equal to being lamented
in advance, for it will arrive clear together with the rays of
dawn.
Clytemnestra appears at the il-Oor of the Jwuse
Howbeit, may for the rest achievement be prosperous, as
is the wish of this nearest sole-guarding bulwark of the land
of Apia.
I am come, Clytemnestra, reverencing thy power; for it is
right to hold in honour the wife of the sovereign when the
man's throne is left empty. But now, whether it is because
thou hast received some happy news, or whether thou hast
not and it is in hope of good tidings that thou offerest sacri-
fice, I would in loyalty hear; but if thou keep silence, I do
not grudge it.
Clytemnestra. Bearer of good tidings may the morning be,
coming-as the proverb goes-from (and taking after) its
mother night I But thou shalt learn of a joy which to hear is
beyond all hope: the Argives have taken Priam's town.
Chor. How sayest thou? thy words have escaped me,
since I could not believe them.
Clyt. (I say) that Troy is in the hands of the Achaeans;
do I speak clear? ·
Chor. Joy steals over me, calling forth a tear.
Clyt. Yes, thine eye gives evidence of thy loyal heart.
Chor. Hast thou some sure proof of this?
Cf,yt. I have-assuredly I have-unless the god has
played me false.
Clacr. Is it to persuasive visions of c1reams that thou
payest regard?
Clyt. I would let no one sell me the mere fancy of a
slumbering mind.
Chor. Can it be then that some swift-winged rumour has
made thy wit grow thick?
xo7
 KA. irat50s vfos ~ KapT' tµooµfia(.t) cpptvcxs.
XO. iro(ov xp6vov Se KCd miT6p61rrcx1 ir6i\15;
KA. Tiis vw TEKOVC1T\S cp(;.)s T65' e\lcpp6vT1s i\fyoo.
xo. Kcxl Tfs T68' tsfK01T· av &:yyfAoov .,.axes; :180
KA. •Hcpcxuncs, "ISns i\cxµnpbv acmµtr(.t)\I afAcxs.
cppVK"ros Se cppVK"rov Se\ip' O:rr' &:yy&pov nvpos
frreµ1mr "IS11 µw lfpOs •Epµcx1ov Mmxs
Afiµvov· µfyav Se iravov h< vfiaov Tphov
•A6C:,1ov cxTncs Z'l)vos lseSts<XTo' :18.s
Vireprufis Te 1TO\l'TOV 6xrre V(.t)Tfaat
laxvs ll'opE\l'Tov i\cxµn&8cs irpc)s fioovt'lv
• • * * * • • • •
1feVKfl, TO xpvaocpeyy~ ~s TIS ni\1cs
afAcxs ircxpcxyyefAcxacx Mcx1do-rov m<omxTs.
6 s· OVYI µi~C'>V ovs• &cppcxaµ6v(.t)) VnvOOI
v1Kooµevcs ircxpiiKEV «yyfAov µtpcs,
~as 8~ cppVK'Tov cp6>s rn-• Evpinov (;OOs
MeaaCX1Tfov cpvi\cx~1 OTlµcdve1 µoi\6v.
ol s• &\l'TfAcxµ~av KO:l ll'O:pfi~ti\av 1f~Gt) 1
ypcdcxs tpe(KflS 6(.t)µov &f/<XVTES lTVpL ~~ :l9.S
aetvovacx i\cxµ1Tas o• ov8rn(.t) µavpovµM)
Vn-ep6opovacx mo(ov •Aa<imo\i 8(Kflv
cpoo8pas aei\fiVTI> 1TpOs K16cx1p(J,vos i\rncxs
fiye1pev <XAA11v ~aoxt'lv noµlfov ilvp6s.
cpacs 8~ TI)Arnoµlfov oVl< f}vcxf VETo 300
cppovp&, 1Ti\fov Kcrlovacx T6>v elp11µwoov·
i\(µVfl\I s· Vrr~p yopy(;.)mv WKfl~\I cpacs
OpoS T W cxlyf1Ti\cxyKTov ~StKvo(Jµevov
~Tpwe &aµov fµn xcxpf3ea&CX1t 1fVp6s.
mµlTOVal 8' &\18cx(oVTE) acp60Y(.t)I µWei

?ilVFTr
277 c3s VFrr: Ws- M 28o Kal 11c:ls T&8' Tr ~I K;\.UTaip. quod iuxta
paragmphum praefixit M delevit m ct O.yyc(>.os) apposuit; dyy1los pracfuccrunt rell.
282-s ex Aelio Dionysio (p. 87 Schwabe; cf. Eust. ad T :l8 p. 1854. 27) toti afferuntur
in Photio l3erol. p. 10. 22; cf. Et. gen. B - Etym. M. p. 7. 18 Al11)(1S;\.os ,,0011 b Jl.yaµJµvo"'
l;.,,,
Tdl' be &4Box*}r 11u/X1dt1 'ct,,.• cl,,,,Opou 11u,&s' Suid. s.v. O.yyapo& 282 dyydpou
Etym. M., Phot., Suid. (unde Canter hunc locum c:orrcxit), Eust. : ctrrlAou c:odd.
283 lpp.al0t1 M: lpµaTOv V: Jpµa'U>Y Fl't 284 cf. Athcn. XS· 700 c ,,.p&-rcpor 8~
'TOVTClll' (Menandrum ct Diphilum dicit) AlqxJAor b XyaµJµ.on µlµ...,,.,.a, ToO 'IJa.oO
11a~t1 (quod C."< Athcnaeo rcstituit Casaubon) Phot. Berol.: fl»'d" oodd. 285
XBGH011 Blomfield: il0010v MFTr (de acccntu in V posito mihi non oonstat) 286
ihrtp<A~ MV: ~'"lp lA.,,s Frr ct Triclinii schol. vet. (cf. comm.) post 287 lacunam
statuit Paley 288 yA1X1o9qyls V 289 11Ko1r&r c:odd.: oorr. Tumcbus
292 ~pl'll'flOU MV 293 l'fl1Qff{ou VFl't µo~I' 'F 294 or T' F • 295
'pckqr mVFTr: Jpl""IS' M 297 11c8lot1 ci11amoO FTr : 11'G&8lo., wnoO 1'1V
303 (llyl'll'MKTO't' v 304 "~ xapl{co9al nondum sanatum: 8~ xo.pi{10Ba1 Tr
108
 Clyt. Thou judgest my intellect to be faulty indeed, as
if I were a young child.
Clwr. And since what time has the town been destroyed?
Clyt. Since the night, I say, that has just now given birth
to the light of this morning.
C/i()r. And whii-t messenger is there that could arrive with
such speed as this ?
C'tyt. Hephaistos, sending forth from Ida a bright
radiance. And beacon ever sent beacon hither by means of
the courier fire: Ida (sent it) to the roe~ of Hermes in
Lemnos; and a huge torch from the island was taken over in
the third place by Zeus' peak of Athos; and paying more
than what was due(?), so as tQ skin1 the back of the sea(?),
the strength of the travelling torch joyously (went on ... )
the pine-tree blaze, after (?) transmitting, like a sun, its
golden radiance to the look-out of Makistos. And he (i.e.
Makistos), not dallying nor heedlessly overcome by sleep,
did not neglect his share in the messenger's duty, and afar,
over the stre~s of Euripus, the beacon's light gave the
watchers of Messapion the sign of its arrival. They kindled
an answering flare and sent the tidings onward, by setting
fire to a stack of aged heath. And the vigorous torch, not yet
growing dim, leaped, like· the shining moon, over the plain
of Asopus to the rock of Kithairon and there waked a new
relay of the sender fire. And the far-sent light was not re-
jected by the watch-post, which burned more than it had
been ordered; and the light shot down over the Gorgon-eyed
lake and reaching the mountain of the roaming goats urged
(the watch-post) not to neglect (?)1 the ordinance of the :fire.
And they with stintless might kindled and sent on a great
1 Text uncertain.
Iog
 q>Aoybs µfycxv ncbyoovcx, Kcd 2cxp<»v1Kov
nop0µov KttrOTI'Tov np&>v' \mtp~1 np6aoo
qi"Myovua: teh't foKT)'J'EV teTT't aq>(Ke"To
•Apcxx.vcxio\I alnas, acnvyelTovas UKOTTas·
K00re1T• •ATpe100>v ts T6Se UK1\TI"TE1 UTfyas 310
qi&:as -r6S' o\JK lrnamrov 'JSa(ov TNp6s.
Toto(Se -ro( µ01 AaµnaST)q>(>poov v6µ01,
l!tXAas nap• l!tXAov 81aooxais TrAT)povµevo1·
v1Ka1 S' 6 TrpOOTOS Kal 'TMEVTcxiOS Spcxµt:>v.
mµcxp 'TOJOVTO\I o\Jµ~A6v ·d (101 Afyoo 315
&vSpbs napayyefACXVToS lK T pofcxs tµoC.
(XO.) 6eois µw ®e1s, c'r> yWai, Trpoaev~oµcx1·
A6yovs s· la<OVO'CX\ 'TOVUSe K&:rro6avµ&:ua1
Sinva<&>s 6°'01µ• &v, 00s Afye1s, naA1v.
KA. Tpo(cxv 'Axa1ol 'TiltS' ~ovu• w l}µtpa1. 320
oTµat ~o'!'iv &µencrov w n6A61 nprne1v.
~~os ,.. &:Aeiq>&: T' fyxl.as -ra\rr&:n KV-re1
81xoo-ro:r0Vvr' <Xv o(J qifAoos Trpoaewtrro1s·
1<al T6°>v aA6VToov Kal KpaTT)CJ&:VToov SLxcx
qi6oyyas &Ko6e1v fern, avµqiopCis S1irAi\s· 325
ol µW yap &µqi\ a&lµcxaJV 1T£1T-rOOK6-res
avSp&>v KCXO'lyv1\TCl>V Te Kal q>v-r<XAµ(oov
natSes yep6VToov ovm• t~ ~evetpov
StpT\S &:rro1µcb3ova1 q>tATttroov µ6pov·
To\Js 5' aVTe VVl<ThTACX)'lcroS lK µ0:xns ir6vas 330
yfiO'TelS 1Tp0s 6:pf<TTOIO'IV c':'>v ~£1 n6AtS
TaO'O'El 1Tp0s ovSw w µtpe1 -r£Kµ1\p1ov,
&JV..' 00s lKCX<TToS f0'1TCXO'E\I -nJx.T\S 1TaAOV
w cxlxµ<XAcbT01s Tpoo11<0Ts oha'}µcxaav
va(ovCJt\I fiSfl, TOOV \rrrat6p(oov n&:yoov 335
BpOaoov "f'. &:rr<XAAaxetVTes, oos s• roSa(µoves
aq>VACXK'TO\I roSfiaovat 1TCXO'<XV roq>p6VflV.
3o6-10 MVFrr 311-a7 VF.rr
3o6 µlyt1. V 307 1e4:ro'"po"' codd.: corr. Canter wpGJN (ex quo wpGJv' fccit m) M
307 sq. ihr'pPO».co• ••• f>.lyouaaJ1 codd.: corr. SchQt:z (ihrtpft&)).o iam Cnsaubon)
308 dr' ... d,.' vix sana; hacc fcrc fuisse putcs: 1ed."'"""""' ~r d;/1e~o 309 t1.frros- V
310 dr V .,.&& "~" FI'r: ...~· '""~" V: T&yt "~" M post vcrsum
310 deficit M; c:f. ad xofn 312 .,.ocolSc -rol µo' Schiltz: Tocola' fro1p.o' (mJ'O' F)
VFrr 315 'J'O&OGTOV FI'r: TO' owo' (sic) v 317 XO. Co.ntcr: om. c:odd.
319 >.<Y''S' V: Myo1r FTr 320 KA. hie posuit Casaubon, ante 321 codd. .,.pot.,,.,
V 321 4p.11CTOv codd. 322 d).ct;ar• V llQ(lt&S" codd.: corr. Canter
323 8c&XOT'1.T00W v 324 ci>.&naJ>' a~ Kt&l F, scd 8~ Jincola. tmnsvcrsa dclctum
325 Jcrrlv F 326 awµo.a' V 329 d.ntHµtfiforxn (f ex t factum; cf. 443, 7851
1599) F 330 INKTlff)ID.ICTOS' Tr 331 "1jOT<£S' Tr: irljcrrl$ F: 'l!ljcrrca& V dpplcno1a1v
(altcro p infra lineam addito) cum glossa Seel ~ µbpov Tr 333 ('1tro.a' V 334
oz.c..jµao& V 336 dnO..Ut1.yl..,.,r FI'r a• tl)&lp.oY<$ Casaubon: Sua8alp.or<s- codd.
et schol. vet. Tr
IIO
beard of flame, and it passed beyond the promontory that
looks down on the Saronic straits, blazing onward, and shot
down when (?)1 it reached the Arachnaean peak, the watch-
post that is neighbour to our city; and then it shot down
here to the house of the Atridae, this light, the genuine
offspring of its ancestor, the fire from lVIount Ida. Such, thou
seest, are the rules I arranged for my torch-bearers,-one
from another in succession supplied to the full; and victor
is be who ran first and last. Such is the proof and token that
I give thee, transmitted to me by my husband from Troy.
Clwr. To the gods, lady, my prayers shall be addressed
hereafter; but for this tale-I would fain hear it again com-
plete to the end, and wonder at it, the tale as thou tellst it.
C'tyt. Troy is this day in the hands of the Achaeans.
Methinks cries that will not blend are clearly heard in the
city. When thou hast poured vinegar and oil into the same
vessel, thou wouldst address them as beings2 at variance in
no friendly manner; so one may hear the voices of the
captured and the conq~erors separately, voices of the
different fortunes that have befallen them: the one, having
flung themselves down upon the bodies of husbands and of
brothers, and children upon those of aged men whose off-
spring they are, from throats no longer free are bewailing the
death of their beloved ones; while the others-the battle's
night-roving toil sets them famished down to make their
breakfast on what is in the town-not after ~ny billet in due
apportionment; but just as each drew the lot of chance, they
are now lodging in the captured Trojan houses, delivered
from the frosts and dews of the open sky, and like men of
blessed fortune they will sleep aUthe night without a watch
to keep. And if they reverence the gods who are the city-
1 Text uncertain. 1 i.e. 'apply to them the name of being . . • '
llI
 el s· e\JO'Ef3ov<n 'TOVS TTOAIO'O'OV){ovs eeovs
'TOVS Tfis cXAOVOi)S yfls 6eoov 6' lSpvµCXTcx,
o<I 'TCcv ~i\6vns <XV61s &veWl.oiev av.
fpca:>s S~ µfi TIS Trp6TEpov tµTrht'Tl)l CM'p<XTOOl
nop0eiv & µf\ XPil KipSeaw VIK(t)µi\lovs·
Set yap irpos oTKovs voO"T{µov a(t)Tl)pkxs,
KCqi'f'oo S1<XVi\ov echEpov Kooi\ov n&Aiv.
6eoi5 S' avcxµiri\cXK1)ToS el µ6i\01 O"TpCXT6s, 3-f.5
tfypfiyopovt 'TO iriiµa 'TOOV 6i\ooi\6TOOV
yWol'T' av, el irp6airooa µf\ TV){o1 K<XKa.
To1cxV'Tec '1'01 yvvooKbs t~ tµov 'KAve1s. •
'TO s· eo KpCXTo{1), µti S1xopp6Tr(t)S ISeiv·
noAA<;w yap ro6i\CA>v TI)v 6Vf\alV eli\6µT\v.
XO. y\lva1, KCXT' avSpa a&lcppov· e\/q>p6V(t)S i\fye1s.
fyoo S' &'KoVO'<XS 1TICM'Cc O'OV 'TEKµTJpl<X
6eovs irpoae1ireTv ro irapaaKev~oµa1 •
xap1s yap OUK &nµcs efpy<XO"T<XI n6voov.

- oo ZeV f3aa1i\e\i K<Xl Nu~ cp1i\{cx, 355

µey&Aoov K6aµoov KTEme1pa,
fii> rnl Tpo(as 'Tl'Vpyo1s ~cxi\Es
crreycxvbv S{1m1ov, 4s µi}'Te µfycxv.
µfiT' o\'.'iv VE<XpOOV ·nv• VrrEp'Tei\ia'a1
µfya Sovi\e(as
y<Xyyaµov, &-n,s 1TCXVcxAOOTOV.
6{a 'TOI SiVIOV µfycxv alSovµoo
'TOV 'TaSe irpecs<XVT', m• •Ai\e~&vSpoo1
Te(voVT<X 'TfaA<XI -r6~ov, OTl'OOS av
µf\TE 1Tp0 K<XlpoV µfi0' Vrr~p acrrpC1)V
~~i\cs fii\l61ov <7Kfi'f'e1ev.

610$ TTi\ayav E)(ovaw elireiv,

necpecrrw -ro\Tr6 y• ts1xveOaa1.
[005] mpasev cl>s fKpavev. o\JK (q>a Tis
3,38-48 VFrr 349""69 FTr
339 T, l8p.SµaTa v . 340 oiJ '1'011 D.41'1'<$ Hermann: os>I( 4>1"'41'1'<$ v: oi}I( !v r' IMl'l'U
FTr d~a,\.oia Aumtus: a,. s&-cv v: aJ o&-a FTr 341 Trp/>Ttpo., FTr:
wp&Tro" V 341 l1urlTrTT/ (super 1J scr. o&) F: lµtrlrm V: ll'rrlmo& Tr 342
,.cl fl~ V KJp8m VF 344 1C&µrla& (super ' scr. a) F 346 lypluopo"
corruptum : !ortassc scrlbendum "omopcw (Headlam) 347 .,..SX'1 Tr 348
te.\fo$' V: K.\Jo1$' F'Tr post hunc vcrsum deficit V 35I !yy. (corr. Co.saubon),
355 xop/>$ pracfixcrunt codd. 356 .,.«).,, µcycUow Tr (scilicct a po.rocmillco, ut solct,
abhorrens; cf. comm. ad 1334) 361 cf. Pollux xo. 132 Kol yc{.yyaµo.,,, er;• o~ Kal
.AlaxJM$ .,.& 3"~11nw KCllCdl' ;) 3uatfD.uKTO" l1'11 ' y<lyyaµo" cl'"1r wCU'a.\@ou ' • 367
lxo11111v Tr: qouaCU' mutatum in qoua• F 368 71&.p<an FTr: v 11ddidit Har-
tung ToGTo y' Tr: ToOr' F 369 prius cl>$' dclcvit Hennann .,.{$' FTr
II2
patrons in the conquered land, and the shrines of the gods,
then they will avoid being taken in their tum after taking
the prey. But I fear that a desire may meanwhile seize upon
the army, to ravish what they ought not, overcome by love
of gain; for they still need to win their way safe home again,
to tum back along the other limb of the double race-course .
•
But if the army should come home without having offended
against the gods, then it might happen that the harm done
to those w}>:o have perished could be assuaged, 1 if no sudden
disaster should befall.
Here thou hast heard what I, a woman, had to say. But
may the good prevail, so that it may be seen with no uncer-
tainty; I prefer the enjoyment (of what I have) to wealth of
blessings.
Clwr. Lady, thou speakest sagely like a wise and temperate
man. But now that I have heard from thee sure proofs, I am
ready to address the gods with due thanksgiving; for a suc-
cess that is no inadequate return for the p~s has been
achieved. Exit Clytemnestra
Chor. 0 Zeus the King, and befriending Night, that hast
won us possession of great glories, t!iou who didst fiing on
the Trojan fortress a covering net, so that no one full-grown
nor any of the young could surmount the mighty drag-net of
slavery, of all-catching doom. The great Zeus of Hospitality
I hold in awe, him who has achieved this, long since bending
his bow on Alexandros in such wise that the shaft might not
alight without effect either short of the mark or above the
stars.

It is of the stroke of Zeus that they can tell; this at any

rate can be fully traced. He has achieved it as he decreed.
1 Tc.xt uncertain.
I
 6Eo\ls j'po-ra,v &~1ova6c:u ~'v
OOOlS Ctehcr(A)V xap1s
iro:rote• 6 s· o\Ac E\/oc~fts.
m~<Xl s· ttyy6vovs
6:-roAµf}TCl>V &p'l t 375
nve6VT(A)V µei3ov 1\ 81Kcxf(A)S,
cpAE6VT(A)V 8ooµCrr(A)V Vrrtpcpev
wep To ~th,.,O"Tov. tO"T(A) s· &rrf\-
µcwrov ~<n" <Xrro:pxeiv
EV irpcrnl&:w AO:X6VTl.
o'V yap iCJ'TlV rnciA~lS
1TAOVTOV irpos K6pov &v8pl
A.mlao:VTl µfycxv 61Kas
~c..>µov els 0:~1cxv. _._

~lCXT<Xl 5• 0: 'TaAOOV<X Tle16~,

irpo{X>6Aou irars &~as .,,ATo:s.
&!<as Se 1TCXv µCrrO:lOV. o\Ac iKpvcp&Tt,
irphm St, cpws o:lvoAaµTlis, alvas·
Ko:Kov Se XciAKov Tp6irov 390
Tpl~oo1 n 'Ko:l irpoo~oAo:is
µeAaµircxyi\s irthe1
Sn<o:1c.>6els, rnel
81&;,xe, iro:is 1ToTcxvov 6pvw, ·
1T6Ael irp60"TplµµO: 6els acpepTOV' 395
AlTCXv s· lo<o6e1 µw OVTlS ee&>v,
Tov s• rnlO'Tpocpov ,.c;sv
cp<;)T, d:SlKOV Ka600pET. _
oTas KO:l Tlapts ~eoov
ls S6µov TOV •ATpelSexv 400
i)t<JXWE ~fc:W TpOOrE- .
3cxv l<Aomxtaa yvvo:1K6s. =
Al1TOVCJ'CX s· aO"TOTCJ'lV &airlcrropcxs
ICA6vovs A.ox1qµo6s TE Ko:l vcxv13<XTo:s 61t'Alaµovs,
FTr
374sq. quid hie Jatcat nc.scio 374 l~>o0llf (super prius y scriptum 1e Tr) Ffr
379 cQcrr< 1CtlwapK<i11 Tr 38o "4x&,.,.a FTr: corr. Aur.atus 383 lK">.OJ(T/oo.m Tr
,dya» Canter: µ<y&.>.a. Frr 386 wpoflou">.lm4'r Frr: corr. Ho.rtung. 387 t:Jr
~os (cf. 369) Tr Traµµ&T4'011 Fl'r: distinxit )(usgr.avc • ' 389 ol>o0r FTr (supcrscr.
gl. al.Mr Tr): oD.as schol. vet. Tr 391 T< Tr: om. F .,,pofJo>.o.1$ Ffr: corr.
Casaubon 394 'lfOT~,. Schatz: 'lfTCl..dv F: trTa.,&,. Tc,.' Tr 395 "p&'"P'f'IUl
O<lr 4~ro,. Wilamowitz : 11p01TTpcµp.' 0.~rov 8clr F: .,,p&OTfll/JI'' a;<flTO'I' Mc1r Tr
397 T«lr Klauscn : .,.Q,.a, Frr .,.Qi1-S' br/'"/'Ofo,. 8~ Weyruuch 400 k 80ji.o,. Tc:ll'
ATp<cMI' F: clr ol1<ol' .,.&,. 0.TpccS&"' Tr 401 ri}v €<Ka,. Tr 402 ""°1ra'i'r F
405 >.oxcop.oiSr Heysc: ').oyxlp.ovr FI'r
Men have said that the gods disdain to care about such
mortals as trample on the grace of things not to be ~ouch~d;
but they who say it lack piety. It has become apparent ... as
theyr pant with a pride greater than is just, when the house
teems with wealth in excess, exceeding what is best. Be there
what is not harmful so that it suffices, for him to whom a
sensible mind has fallen as his lot. For there is no shelter for
a man when once in surfeit of wealth he has kicked the great
altar of Justice out of sight.'

Force is employed by that wretched Persuasion, irresistible

child of her whose planning brings about the preliminary
decree, Infatuation. All remedy is vain. Not hidden is the
harm: it shows forth plainly as a terrible bright light;
and like base bronze, when rubbed and battered, so he (i.e.
the guilty man) becomes indelibly black when brought to
justice; for a boy runs in chase of a flying bird after bringing
an intolerable affliction. upon his people; to his prayers no
god will listen, but pulls down the unjust man that is con-
versant with such things. Such a man was Paris, who entered
the house of the Atridae and dishonoured the hospitable
board by theft of the wife.

She, leaving behind her, for the citizens, clatter~f footsoldiers

and marshalling of companies and armament of seamen,
• Or 'of those who'.
IX5
 &yoUO"& T• OOn-fcpepvov 'IAf(I.)\ cp6opav
~e~1 pfµcpcx Sia
nvAav, c5:rA<XTcx TAaacx· -rro"'KAa 5• fO"mlOv
'1'65' WVbJOV"rES 86µ(1.)V Trpocpi)Tcxl"
' loo I&>, 86lµcx 86lµcx Kcxl -rrp6µ01, 410
loo Atxcs Kcxl OTl~1 cp1Aavopes.
1TapEaTI atyas &t"(µovs aAOt86poVS lrnf-
0'1'0\JS &:cpe1µW(l.)V l&Tv.
Tr6&>t 5• V?upnovrfas
cpaaµcx 8~ 86µ(1.)V avaaaEIV. 415
eVµ6pcp6)v ~ KoAoaaoov
~&Too xap1s av8pf,
oµµ&r(l.)V 5• lv axnvlcxts
fppet 1TCia' •AcppoShcx. -

6VEtp6cp<XVT01 8~ mv6i}µoves 420

-rr6:pEtcn SO~cn cptpoUO"CXt xapav µ<XTcxf av·
µ&rcxv yap, e\h' av fo6A6: 'l'IS 8oKOOV 6pav,
1Tapct1'A&~cxacx 8\a
XEp(Z>V ~t~ °'IJtS1 OV µe6<JO"TEpoV 425
Tri'EpoTs 6na8oTs \invov tKEAEOOo1st. •
TCx µw K<XT' ofKOVS tcp• {mas &){t)
.,.&5· taTl Kcxl Toov8' \nrEp~&repcr
Tb nav 5• &:cp' ·rucxvcs aTas awopµtvo1s &rrtv-
eeaa TA1\a1Kap81cs 430
86µ01s lK6:aTOV -rrpbm.
no"'l\A.a yow e1yy&ve1 Tr~ l\-rrcxp·
OVs µw yap (TIS) fnEµ'f'EV
oT8ev I OOn-1 si cp(i)T&>V
-m'.lxn Kal airo80s Els tKa- 43.s
OTOV 86µovs &cp1KVET'l'<XI. =
6 xpvaaµot~ s· "Apns aooµ&rc.>v
Frr
407 {J<µ.,cn Keck: fl'/Jaxc F: fl'/Jal(<I' Tr 4o8 uT.\'l"a FTr: corr. Dindorf
wo.\.\cl 3' l'1Tcror Tr: wo.\\) 3' cll'i'1TO'O• F 410 lw ct ScZµa 5Cmcl F 412 wapcvn
Tr: w4p<'1Tc• F ocycls clTlµous cUocUpous Hermann: ocyis- liY•/U>S' tU.olSo~ Ffr
412 sq. clwi'1Tous Wilamowitz (nnno 1885) Hermnnnum (J."'OTot) et Schwcrdtium
(clmOTQlf) sccutus: cl81'1TOf FTr 413 d~"''"''"' Fl'r: corr. Hcrmnnn 414 nlp
trol'Yla.f F 416 U F: yelp Tr 417 .,~pt Tr 419 d.~po31Ta (ultimllc
littctllc supcrscripsit '1 ut solct) Tr: ...,,, F 42S X''P°'" F 426 l(c.\c.SS°'r Vllldc
suspcctum, fortassc ex gl0$"$Cmatc GJ<o.\o~o1r ortum; cxcrnpli gratin wc.\c<>cra scripserim
429 ~&Sor FTr: corr. Bamberger 429 sq. wl..6<1a Fl'r: corr. Blt\ss 431
UllO'r Auratus (er. schol. vctus Tr JdOT011 .,oir ofl(°'S' d8W1Jpcl wl""ioir 31Hplwc1): u,."' ..
Frr 433 Tcr suppl. Forson wl#'Jla1 Tr 434 ~Tc,.,, F: PpoTC." Tr 43S sq.
11,0S Jl(&OTOll Toilt UJ'OllS' floafucw&Tal Tr
II6
and bringing to Ilion, for dowry, destruction, was gone
stepping nimbly through the gates, having dared a deed not
to be dared; while the seers in the house, with many a groan,
spake thus: 'Alas, alas for the house, alas for the princes I
Alas f9r the bed and the husband-loving steps I One may see
the silence of those who are forsaken, a silence without
honour, without reviling, without belief. Through longing
for her who is beyond the sea, a phantom will seem to rule
the house. The grace of shapely statues is hateful to the
husband, and when the eyes are starved, all charm of love
is gone.

'And appearing in dreams fancies of mourning are present,

bringing a joy that is vain; for in vain a man, when, fancying
that he sees what is dear-aside out of his arms the vision is
gone, never again to draw near on wings, the companions of
sleep. 'i Such are the sorrows at the hearth within the home,
and others, too, more than transcending these; while in
general, for those who went forth together from Hellas' land,
non-mourning with enduring heart is manifest in each one's
house; there is much, at any rate, that touches the very
.
heart: those whom they sent they know, but instead of the
me~ urns2 and ashes come back to each one's home.

The gold-changer Ares, changer of bodies, and holder of

1 The text of the last few words is uncertain.
2 Or 'armour'?
xx7
 Kal TcU,.<XVTo\ix<>s lv µ<Xx.fl' SopOs
nvpcllSW ~~ •1Mov
~IA01a1 mµna jXxpv
'Jli)yµa SvaSCo<p\Tt'oY, &vn'\vopas
O'lToSov yeµ(3e-:>v At(3T)Tas eVehovs.
atlvovm s• eV AtyoYTES av- HS
Spa Tov µw d>s µ<Xx.Tis tsp1s,
'TOY s• lv ~ovals 'KcU,.005 maovT"
&AAOTp(as S1al yvvcnK6s.
'TCxSE aiya TIS JXx03e1,
cpeovep0v s· w FJAy<>s epm•
irpoS(Ko1s •ATpel5cns.
ol 5• aVTOV mp\ 'TEiXoS
&f}Kas ·1A1a5<>s yas
aiµop~I 'KcoixOVO'lY' ~-
6pa s· ~oYTas lKp\J\VEY. - '455

jXxpeta s• aO'TOOY ¢T15 aVY 'K6T6ll"

ST)µot<pc!nrrov s· &pas T{Vel xf)tas.
µ!vet s> &l<ovaa( T( µ01
µip1µva vvtm'IP£~ts.
'TOOV lTOAVKTOVOOY yap o\i'K iXO"KOlTOI
6tol· 'KEAawa\ s· 'EplWES XPOYOOl
-ruxrip0v ovT" &vev S(Kas
ircU,.1v-ruxet "t'p1(3Ci1 (3lov
"Tl6etcr" &µavp6v, lv s· al- ~
O'TOIS 'TEAteOYToS OVTlS aA'KCx.
To s• Vm;pK6noos l<AV..w ro
(3<Xpv· ~oo yap 6aao1s
tu66ev KEpavYOs.
Kp{Y<.t> s• &~6ovov 6A~v·
S:'fi.,.. efT)V 1TTOAl1TOp61)S1
µfi.,..ow <XVTbs «Aovs W FJA-
;\oov (3lov KaT{So1µ1. =
FI'r
443 ytp.ltooY (f ex { facto; d. ad 329) F 444 To~ 'MP'tf'as Tr <J0hou FTr: corr.
Auratus 448 nfl'crtur in Epimcr. Hom., Anccd. Oxon. i. u9. xo Ttapd. 8~ Jfn,icotr
Ttpo(o)').ap./Jh<& TO ~"°' Kal y/ttra& &al, Kol OWJ'dO'O(TQ' ym~, Kol Zoo8woµct Tiik mica.
dm -roO b-c1ea.
••• ical b Jfyaµll'wiw.· • dMoTpla.r Beal ywa.uc&r ', &at (coniccel1lt
Hermann) Epim. Hom. : 8ul F: y< 8c4. Tr 449 o'y~ F Tlr hoc u.cccntu FTr
4SI trpo8l.ca.o1Y F 452 of3' Frr: dislinxit Victorius 4S4 sq. lx6p11r Tr
457 8'1]µoicp&TOu Frr: corr. Porson 4S9 µo& Ko.rs ten: #'QU Fl'r · 462
daic0tr0& Tr: dlffficcnro& F 463 &' F: &' o~io Tr lP'wil<S' FTr 465 •a.\&""'Xfi
(-xfj Tr) FTr: corr. Scaligcr 468 ~tplCOTwr FI'r: cou. Casnubon 472 µ'7''
Tr: I'~ 3' F rroMw4,8ir F
XIS
his scales in the battle of the spear, sends from Ilion to the
kinsmen what has felt the fire, heavy gold-dust bitterly
bewailed, freighting the easily-stowed urns with ashes in
exchange for men. And they lament thep.i, praising each
man, this one for being well-skilled in the fight, that one as
nobly fallen in the murderous battle, through another man's
wife. These words are muttered low, and resentful grief

against the principals in the suit, the Atridae, comes over

(the people). Others.there by the wall, in all their shapeliness,
occupy tombs of Dian earth, and the hostile land conceals
its possessors.

Dangerous is the citizens' talk, with anger in it; it pays the

debt arising out of a curse pronounced by the people. And an
anxious thought persists in my mind, to hear of something
covered in night. For the gods are not unwatchful of those
who cause much bloodshed; and the dark Erinyes in the
course of time, when a man is prosperous without justice,
by wearing away his life in a reverse of fortune render him
faint and dim; and when he is among the vanished, there is
no help. To be praised exceedingly is dangerous, for a thun-
derbolt is hurled by the eyes of Zeus. My choice is prosperity
without envy: may I neither be a destroyer of cities, nor yet,
myself made captive by others, see my life (in ruin).
II9
 'TTVpOS S' \hr' roccyyEAov 47.S
1TOAtV Sn')KEt 0ocX
(3a~lS' el S' rn'rrvµoS,
T(S oTSev, fi Tl 6eT6v tern [µti] 'IJOOoS·
Tis a)& iratSvbs i\ cppev&Sv Ka<oµµlvos,
cpAoybs ircxpcxyytAµcxow
vtots '1TVp<A>6WTcx KapS£av ~tT'
&AA.o:ycx1 "'A6yov Kaµetv;
(w) )'WCXIKOs alxµoo 1Tpbm
1Tp0 TOV q.<X\IMoS xap1v ~vtaa1.
m6avbs &yav 6 6fi"'Avs opos hn\ltµeTat
-rcxxViropos· &Ni.a TCXXVilopov
ywatKoy{ipVTov 01'AVTa1 KA~. -c

- Tls:X: ela6µea6cx ACXµlTaSc.>v q.aeaq>6p<A>v

cppvK"Tco>pfcxs -re Kal 'TTVPOs 1TapWJi.o:y&s,
eiT' ow &"'AT16eis, eiT' 6ve1p6:rco>v Shaw
TEpirvov T6S' ~60v cp&>s tcp{i"'Acooev ~cxs·
K{)pvK' arr &imiS TOVS' op6) KCX'TCcCJ'KIOV
· l<A&So15 ~a£a5· µapTUpei S~ µ01 K6:ms
1TTl"'Aov ~vpos S&'IJ(a K6v1s T6:Se, 49S
d>s o<rr' &iav6os OVroS, ov Sa(oov cp"'A6ya
~A1)S ope£as 0'1)µcxvei KcmvOOl 11Vp0s,
&AA' fi TO xaf petv µCiAAov tKJ3&~el Afy(l)V'
TOV &v-rlov s~ TOTaS' &irocrtipyoo :A6yov·
eV yap 1Tp0s eV cpaveTa1 irpo~Kfl mAOI. soo
&ms Ta6' l!iXA<->s Ti)1S' rneV)(era1 ir6:he1,
aVTOs cppevoov KCXplTOiTO Tt;v aµcxpTfav,

KHPY%
loo 1To:rp(;')tov ovSas •Apyelcxs xeov6s·
6a<O:rc..>l CJ"E cpfyye1 TOOtS' acplK0µ1)V hovs,
iroM&>v fXxYEtaoov ~1T£Sc..>v µ1cxs wx&>v· sos
ov yap 1TOT. n<Jxow Ti)tS' tv •Apyelcx1 xeovl
6av6lv µ~~ew cp1"'ATO:rov Tacpov ll~PoS·
vw xcxipe µW xe&>v, xcxTpe s· fl"'Alov cpCcoS
Frr
476 -n)v wdA111 Tr 477 '"rnll'"'S Frr: corr. Auratus 478 '1 (supcrscr. n),
.,o, F: ~ "'°' Tr: d n Hcnnann JOTU. F µ~ dcl. Dindorf 480 wap11yyO.,,.a.o111
Tr: •01 F 481 sq, '"" in fine vcmis 481, l1mT' in initio versus 482 F 482
Myour F 483 b del. Scaliger 489 KAw. praefixcrunt Frr: dcl. Scaligcr
<lo&µ<04 F 490 9pvKTCdpcGi" Frr: corr. Wilamowitz · 492 J4nSAoiaCP
schol. vct ••'.fr: ·oc Frr 496 oms, oi) Wilamowit:: oa .,, "°' Frr 500
trpoa9ijKu Tr {scd in scholio ipsius wpoa9~q icciMO .,uyx&- &..) 501 '}(Op&r
prnefixcrunt Frr: del. Scaligcr
I20
 From the fire that has brought good tidings a swift rumour
has spread through the city: but whether it be true, who
knows ? or whether it be some deception from the gods. Who
is so childish or so crazed of wit, the sort of man that would
let his heart be fired by a flame's unexpected message and
then be distressed when the tale is changed ? It is fitting for
a woman's rule to agree to give thanks before the thing itself
has appeared. Too easily persuasive, a woman's ordinance
spreads fast-travelling, but fast-dying does a rumour voiced
by women perish.

We shall soon know about the beaconings and fire-trans-

missions of the light-bearing torches, whether they be true,
or whether this light that came so pleasingly has beguiled
our minds like a dream: I see here a herald from the shore
beneath the shade of olive-branches, and mud's sister and
neighbour, thirsty dust, assures me of this, that this mes-
senger, not voiceless, not kindling the flame of mountain
timber, will not make signs by smoke of fue, but will either
by his words express more clearly the joyful news, or-but
I have no likin~ for the word that is the opposite of this: for
(I pray) may an addition happily be made to what has
happily appeared I If there be any that prays otherwise in
this matter for our city, may he himself reap the fruit of the
error of his mind.
Enter Herald
Herald. 0 earth of my fathers, 0 earth of the Argive land I
In this tenth year's light I have come to thee; many hopes
have broken, but one has come my way; for I never trusted
that it would be here in Argive land that I should die and
have my share in a burial most dear to me. Now I say, Hail
I2X
 0n<XT6s TE xoopcxs ZEVs 6 TIV616s ·r.. &va~
,.~01s l&rrrrov µ11Kh• els tiµas 13~rr ~10

&Ats 'Tt'apa ~&µav8pov ;'ia6' avapcn05,

Wv 5• aVTe a~p fa61 'Kal 1T<XIOOVloS,
ava~ .,Airo"'J\Aov· TOVS T 6:yrov(ovs &ovs
'Tt'mas 1Tpoaav00) T6v ,.. tµov T1µ6:opov
•epµi)v, cp(A.ov KfipVKa, Kt)p\n<oov atj3as; 515
i\poos Te TOVS mµ'f'<XV"T<XS, ruµeveis 1TaAIV
O'TpaTOV 8~ea6ro 'TOV A.eA.eaµµwov 8op6s.
l© ~aepcx 13cxmA.t<A>v, cplA.a1 <rrfyro,
aeµvo{ TE 600<01, 8a(µov{s -T &v-n'}A.toa,
ei 'Tt'OV 'Tt'CtA<Xl, cp<Xt8poTm 'TOta(8' 6µµaa1v 520

8t~aa6e K6aµCA>l 13<Xa1i\fo 1TO"'J\A6St Xp6VCA>I,

'l)KEI yap vµTv cpoos Av rucpp6vri1 cptprov
Kal 1otas• &traaa Ko1vov •Ayaµtµv<A>v &vex~.
a>J..' EV VlV aairaaacr&, Kal yap o\'.iv 1Tprne1,
Tpofav K<XTaaK~CXVTa 100 8tK1)cp6pov
~10s µ<XKEAAfll, 'Ti\t Ko:tdpyaaT<Xl 1Tt8ov,
(~µol 5• cXiaTOl Kal &oov 18pvµ<XTa)
Kal airtpµa 'tTcXO't)S t~«rrOAAV'T<Xl xeov6s.
"TOt6v8e T po{<Xt mpa~O'Aoov 3EVKTI')p1ov
&va~ >ATpel51)s 1Tpfo~vs ru5a{µrov av~p 530
i\KEl 1 'TIE~<XI 5• a~16n<XToS j3poTOOV
'TOOV VVv' CTaptS yap o<fre aw-reAf\s 'Tt'6AtS
~~£Vxi:ra1 'To 5p<iµa -rov 1Ta6ovs irA.rov.
~A.©v yap apmxyi)s Te K<Xl KAO'Tt'i)S 5{K1)V
'TOO pua(ov 6' i\µap-re Kal iro:vooAeepov 535
a\rr6x6ovov 1T<XTp0010V mpaaev 86µov•
8l'trACX 8' futaav Tip1cxµ{8<X1 eaµ&pTICX,
XO. Ki)pv~ )Axo:1oov xatpe 'TOOV &ifo O'Tp<XTOV.
KH. xalpro tuevavaa 8' o\n<h' &v-rep6) &otst.
XO. lpCA>s 1T<XT~1as Tila8s yiis a' fy<Jµvaaev;
KH. <00-r' w600<pve1v y 6µµaaw xapcxs Vito.
XO. upirvi)s &p' ;'i<Tl1! -ri)as• hn')~o'l\01 v6aov.
KH. 1TOOs 81) sasax&ls Tov8e 8ecnr6aro 'Aoyov;
Frr
511 fio8' Needham : fj'M' (supcrscr. <s) F: fj~e~ Tr 512 Kal 1fa&~Mos Dobree :
Kal 1fciyoSnos F: KclTrciy~,.,os Tr (in utroquc libro superscriptn. est glossa dw&µaXos)
520 <t Auxatus: fj Fl'r "cUa& (super 4 scr. u) F 'l'Ococ8' F: 'l'Ow1v Tr 521
8lfaa0c F: 8lfcuo8< Tr 522 {Jµt,. Tr : 't)µi'v F 527 de!. Salzmann; cf. Pers.
Sn "'I"'
529 'l'oioJBc (sic) 'l'po4 {Jo).C:,,. F 534 ~~"'" Frr 537 ttwe&J'
F.rr 5381 5401 etc. per totam stichomythiam ic~UT. praefixerunt Frr, chori
notam restituit Heath 539 'l'c811Qi.a, corruptum est, nee non et sequentia verba
suspicionem movent oilKb' et in ipso versu et in scholio vctere ad 550 adscripto
Tr : oilK F S4I l1<8cucp.Snr Tr 542 fjO'l'c Ahrens: :O'I'< 1!: ~< Tr
X22
0 Land, hail 0 light of the Sun, and Zeus the country's
highest, and thou lord of Pytho, who shootest forth, no
longer, I pray, against us, shafts with thy bow-we had
enough of thine enmity by Scamander's stream, but now be
saviour and healer, Lord Apollo I-and all the gods in
assembly I hereby address, and chiefly my own protector,
Hermes the dear herald, whom heralds worship ; and the
heroes who sent us forth, that they may receive back in
kindness the army, so much as the spear has spared.
0 halls of our kings, beloved abode, and august seats, and
sun-facing deities; if ever before, with this bright gladness in
your eyes welcome duly the king after long lapse of time. For
he has come bringing light in the night-time for you, and for
all that are here to share-Agamemnon our lord. Come, give
him good welcome, for so it is fitting, since he has dug down
Troy with the mattock of Zeus the bringer of justice, where-
with the soil has been thoroughly worked and the seed
perishes out of all the land. Such is the yoke which our king,
the elder son of Atreus, has laid upon Troy, and now he has
returned as a man of blessed fortune, most worthy of all men
of our time to be honoured; for neither Paris nor his associate
city can boast that what they did is more than what they
have suffered. For, convicted of robbery as well as theft, he
has not only lost his plunder but has caused the house of his
fathers to be shorn off and utterly destroyed together with
the land; and twofold is the penalty for their offence that the
sons of Priam have paid.
Chor. Herald returned from the Achaean army, I wish
thee joy.
Her. Joy I have; and I should no longer object to being
dead. 1
Chor. Was it longing for this native land of thine that
exercised thee ?
Her. Yes, so much that my eyes :fi.11 with tears for joy.
Chor. It was a sweet malady, then, this that ye had gotten.
Her. May I have an explanation and thus master this thy
saying?
1 The meaning of the line seems cle~r, though some details arc uncertain.
I23
 XO. 'TOOV lwrepd>V'T~V lµ~pc..>I 'TTIITTAflYµWol.
KH. ·no6eTv iro6o0vtcx TI\v8e yfiv crrpo:rov Afy£1s; 54~
XO. oos n6XA.' &µcxvpas ac cppev6s (µ') &varnveiv.
KH. n66ev 'TO 8vO"cppov 'TOVT hri)v (6vµoo1) <rrVy05 [crrparG.)1];
XO. 1TaACXl 'TO cnyav cpapµ<Xl<OV f}).af}ris -~(I).
KH. K<Xl nct>s; &rr6VT(l)V KOlpcXv(l)V frpe1s nvas;
XO. 00s Wv, TO O'Ov Sfi, K<Xl 6cxveTv noXA.t'i x&f>15. 55~
KH. ro yap irin'p<XKTCXI. fTaVTCX s•t hr 1TOAAOO\ xp6voo1
'TGc µW TIS av M~etev e\nre-rOOs ~eiv,
T<X s• cxV-re KarrlµoµcpCX"' Tis Se irAt'iv 6e6>v
&lrCXVT' &:rn\µoov TOV S1' al6SVoS xp6vov;
µ6x0ovs yap el Afyo1µ1 KCXl SVO'<XVAICXS, .s.s.s
0'1Tcxpvas ircxpfi~e1s Ka\ KCXKocrTpd>Tovs, Tl s• ov
o-dvoVTEs, fov ACXX6v-rest fiµ<X"ToS µtP05;
Ta s· cxVre X~p<TCA>I Kal irpo<riiv 1TAfov <rrVy05·
EVvcxl yap fijO"av S11loov irpbs -relxeO"iv,
l~ OVp<XVOV S~ Kano yiis AelµOOVICXI 560
8p6<701 KCX'T£\1100cCX:JOV, lµne5ov O'IVoS,
foeriµ6:roov neiVTEs lv6T)pov Tplxcx.
XElµ&>vcx S' el Afyo1 TIS oloovo1cr6vov,
olov ircxpetx• &q>Ep'TOV 'IScdcx x16>v1
i\ 66'Air05, EU-re n6V'ToS hr µeO'T)µf}pnxxts 565
KofTCXlS ooroµ(l)V VT)vlµo15 eV5ol 1TE0'6>v·
Tl TWra mv&Tv 8eT; ncxpolxeTcn n6v05·
napolxeTCXI s~. TOTO'! µW -re&vT)K6cnv
To µfinoT' aV61s µ11s• &vaaTi)vcx1 µfheiv·
[Tl TOUs avah~V'TIXS lv '1'1'\cpCA>l AfyetV, 570
TOV 36SVTCX s· 6-AyeTv XP~ -r<tx11s 1TcxAIYK6-rov;
Kal 1TOAAa xalpetv avµcpopcxts K<X'TO:~t&>.)
t'}µTv Se Tots 7'.01noTO'lv •Apyeloov crrpo:rov
v1KCit To l<ip&s, irilµa s· o\JK &v-r1pperm.
00s KOµiTaO'CXI Toots• EIKOs 'i}'A(ov cpael 515
\rrrip 6aAaO'O'T)S Ka\ X0oVOs 1TOT6>µeva•
' T polav ~6VTES Sn 1TOT' •Apyeloov crr61'05
FI'r
544 '"").71yµbos FI'r: corr. Tyrwhitt 546 µ' suppl. Scaligcr 547
OTfHIT&k dclcvit, 811µ@' nntc anlyos inscruit Schatz (<vµU.) vn$-yos; Wilamowitz)
549 1<01p&w.ov Tr: TVp4w"'" F 550 ~s Auratus: ~" FTr 551 TciDTa. &' nondum
expeditum 552 a,, Auratus: c~ FI'r 553 -r&&' Frr: distinxit Heath
ss6 de voce ffarMe&s dubitari potest KCll(OT~OllS F SS7 ov ).a.x41'1'cs
corruptum; de verbis iµa.ToS µlpos nihil affinnare ausim 558 Tfl&' Frr: distinxit
Victorius SS9 &a.tC1111 Dindorf 56o &l Pearson: yap FTr ).cc"°",,/'" hoc
cu:centu FTr 561 KC&Tc+ilKat°" Dindoxf: 1ea.Tci/Jl1<ciCov FTr 563 Uycc Tr
s69 µ1} 3' FTr S7<>-2 cicccrunt Nagelsbach aliique S7S T&&' Weil 576
ffOTOJp.b«s Frr: corr. Weil 577 .,.po1.,,,, F
:124
 Cll<>r. Being smitten with desire for those who returned
the longing.
Her. Dost thou mean that the..country here languished for
the army while the army langciished for it?
Ch<>r. So much that I have often sighed from a dark and
weakened spirit.
Her. How came it that'this dispirited gloom was on thy
heart ?1
Chor. Silence has long been my remedy against harm.
Her. How? Hadst thou someone to fear in the absence of
the rulers?
Chor. So much that now, in.thine own words, even death
were a great boon.
Her. Aye, for success has been achieved. Of all things2
that happen in a long time, one might say of some that they
have turned out well, of others that fault is to be found with
them; but who, except the gods, is free from hurt for the
whole time of his life? For were I to speak of our labours and
hard lodging, scanty (or 'narrow'?) gangways where we had
wretched bedding-what was there that we had not to
lament, what that ... ? Then again, on land, there was added
even more that was horrible: our couches were close against
the enemy's walls, and from the sky-and from the ground
of the meadows-dews drizzled upon us, a constant damage,
making the hair of our clothes full of creatures. And if one
were to tell of the bird-killing winter, such intolerable cold
brought about by the snows of Ida, or the heaf, when in its
noonday rest unruffled by a wind the sea lay sunk in slumber
without a wave-what need is there to mourn foi: this ? the
distress is past; it is past, for those who are dead, so that
they will never care even to rise again; but for us who are
left of the Argive host, the gain prevails and the suffering is
no counterpoise. Therefore it is meet that, on this bright
day,J we should make this boast and let it soar over sea and
land: 'Troy was once taken by the expedition of the Argives ;
1 Details of the text nrc uncertain.
2 Text uncertain.
> Or 'to this light of the sun'.
 9eoTs i\acpvpcx TcxVTCX TOTS Ka6. 'EM&8a:
86µ01s trra:aaa:Af:vaa:v &pxcxrov yavcs.1
'TOlcxVra XPfi KAVO\IT<XS wi\oyeiv 'lt'OAl\I 580
Kal 'TOOS O'Tp<XTf)YO~' KO:l XCcPlS 'TlµfiO'E'Tcn
~10s -ras• h<-rrp&~a:ua:. ir&vT ~e1s i\oyov.
XO. \llK&>µevcs i\oyoLO"l\I OUK avcx(voµa:1·
&el yap fi~ci:l -rots ytpovaLV E\Jµa6eTv.
S6µ01s s~ TcxVTCX K<Xl l<AVTcnµfiO'Tpa:l µtAe1v
elKOs µcXAlO'TCX, aW 8e 1TAOVT(3e1v ~µE.

KA YT Al M Hl:TPA
&vooi\6i\v~a: µW ircXi\cn xapeis Vn'o,
o-r· iji\6' 6 1t'p(A)-roS v<rx1cs &yyei\cs 1t'Vp6s,
cpp&3oov &Ac.oow 'li\lov T• &v&O'Ta<JLV.
Kerl Tis µ• ~v('lt'Toov eTire· • cppVKTG>poov Sia 590
m1o&Taa: Tpo{a:v vw irmopeii~a:1 ooKETs;
ii KapT<X 1t'pos .yvv<XIKOs cdpe~<Xl lda:p.'
i\6yo1s TOlOVTOlS 1TAayK"t'Os o\'ia" lcp<XlYOµl)\I.
6µCl)S s• gevov, Ka:l yvva:iKE(<Jll \IOµCi>l
oi\oi\vyµov &XA.cs &XA.o6ev KCX'Ta 1t'T6Al\I 595
~a:aKov ElicpT'lµoW-res, w 6e<A>v Wpcx1s
0vncpayov Ko1µ00\1TE5 eV&>8l) cpi\oya.
Ka:l v\N -ra µaaaoo µEv -r{ Set a• ~µol i\fyeLV;
&vcocrcs o:VTov irma: ireVaoµa:1 i\oyov.
Oirc..>s s• ap1aTa: -rOv ~µov a:ISoiov irOaiv 600
0'1Truaoo 1t'cXi\1v µoi\6VTa: st~a:~cx1· -r( yap
yvva:iKl -roV"Tov cpfyyos f\S1ov Sp<XKeTv,
&iro O'Tpcrrefo:s &v8pa: a&>aa:v-rcs eeov
m'.li\a:s avo~cx1; -ra0-r· &irayye1i\ov 1TOOel.
i)KE\\I (S") oiroos T&)(10'T' tp&aµ1ov ir6i\e1· 605
yvv<XiK<X mcrn1v s• W 86µ015 e\tpol µoi\~\I
ofa:vrrep ovv fAe1m:, Sooµ&roov J<Vva:
W6i\i')v ~{voo1, iroi\eµ(a:v -rots Svacppou1v,
xcxl Ta)\)..' 6µo(a:v 1t'6:\1Ta:, O'flµa:v-rfip1ov
ovS!v 81a:cp6e(pa:aa:v W µ~KEl XpO\IOV. 610
ovS' oTSa: 'lip'fllY, ovS' trrl'floyov cp6:nv,
a>J..ov irpbs &vSpbs µaMov Ti xa:AKov ~a:~as.
To16a6' 6 K6µircs· Tiis (6") &AT16ekxs ytµoov
FI'r
S84 ~µaM" Headlam : & µa.O<ill FTr S8S ~acl'V40TP9- FI'r 587
cbiw.\o~IS!"I'"' FTr: distinxit Henr. Stephanus 590 Mmrwv F Sea recto
accentu FTr 593 ,,.~a'"'dr Tr 595 o~o~uyµdv (sccundo o superscr. 01) I<'
S96 l.,/Jl"'" F 6oS S' supplevit Weil 613.sq. Clyto.emestrac continuavit
Hermann, K'lfp11E pracfixcrunt FTr 613 S' supplevit Headlam
I26
and these are the spoils which, to the gods throughout Hellas,
they nailed upon their temples as a glory like those of old. '
Hearing this, men must needs praise the city and her
generals ; and the grace of Zeus, that has accomplished this,
shall be duly prized. Thou hast heard all I had to say.
Chor. I am conquered by thy words and am not sorry for
it, for to be teachable (is a thing that} remains always young
for those who are old. But it is meet that this should most
concern the house and Clytemnestra, while at the same time
enriching me as well.
Enter Clytemnestra
Clyt. I raise<:\ a cry for joy a while ago, when the :first fiery
messenger came in the night, telling of the capture and the
razing of Ilion. And there were some who upbraided me and
said: 'Have fire-signals prevailed upon thee to believe that
Troy is now laid waste? How like a woman to be uplifted in
heart I' Such talk made me appear as one astray. But for all
that I made my sacrifices, and they, in woman's fashion,. one
here, one there, throughout the city, shouted out the jubilant
cry, lulling in the shrines of the gods the incense-fed fragrant
:Bame.
And at present, for the fuller story, what need is there for
thee to tell me ? From the king himself I shall learn it all.
But I must hasten to receive in the best way my revered lord
on his return; 'for what light is sweeter for a wife to behold
than this, when, as the god has preserved her husband safe
from the field, she opens the gates for him? Take that as a
message to my husband! And bid him be back with all speed,
the people's darling I But as for his wife-may he return and
find her in his home faithful, even such as he left her, a
watch-dog of the house loyal to him and an enemy to those
who wish him. ill, and alike in all the rest, never having
broken any seal in all this while. And of joys from another
man-aye, or scandalous rumour-I know no more than of
tempering1 metal. Such is my boast, and since it is full of
1 The meaning is not quite certain; sec the commentary.
127
 oUK alaxf>Os oos ywcnKl yevva{cn •A<XKETv.
XO. CX\iTr\ µbl oV-rc..:>S elm:, µav0avoVT{ aoa 61 5
'Topolal\I ~pµT)VeVO'l\I e\rrrprni\ A6yov.
aV &· elm, Kiipv~· MevtAeoov s~ ireVeoµcn·
el v6cmµ6s 'TE Kal cnac.>µWoS 1TaAl\I
fi1<e1 aVv vµTv, -rf\aSe yiis cpfA.ov Kpttros.
KH. oUK ~ae· 6TI'c..:>S At~cnµ1 ,.a 'f'EVSi) K<XAO: 620
ls _'TOV 1TOAW cpfA.olO'l KapTI'oV0"0<Xl xp6vov.
XO. TI"(A)s Si\,.• av elir6>v KESvO: 'TaAT)0i\ .VX01s;
ax1a6Ma s· OUK Mcp\ITM'a yfyvcra1 ,.&:se.
KH. Qviip &q>aVToS ~ •Axcn1Kov a-rpCXTov,
cx\rr6s 'Te Kal -ro irA.oTov. o<i 'f'£V6i) 1'fyoo. 625
XO. ircrnpov avcxxeels ~µ~oos l~ •1Mov,
Ti xeTµa, KOl\IOV &xeoS, i)pmxm: O'TpaTOV;
KH. fKvpaas ooO'TI! -r~6TI)s iXKPoS O"KoiroO·
µ<XJ<pOV 6~ Tlfiµa O"VVT6µCo>S lcpriµf aoo.
XO. ircrnpa ·yap c:Wrov 300\l'fOS Ti -re6VT)K6-roS 630
cp6ms irpbs 6XA.oov vavTfA.oov hl1'13e-ro;
KH. OUK ol6ev ovSels OOoT O:rrcxyyelAa1 TOpOOS
1TA-iiv TOV -rplcpoVToS 'HMov xeov<>s cpVO'l\I.
XO. TI'c;)s yap Afye1s xe1µoova \ICX\TTIKOOI O'Tpo:r6>1
lMeTv "TEAEVTilaaf 'TE Scnµ6voov K6-roo1; 635
KH. E'licpnµov fliµap ov irprne1 KaKcxyytA.001
YAOOO"O'fll µ1a(vew· xoopls 1'! -r1µ1) &&>v.
6Tav s· O:rrevKTa 1f1'µq:r• &yyeft.oS 1TOAEI
crruyv&>1 irpoO'OOlf(A)I 1t'TOOO"lµov O'TpCXTOV cptpl)I,
n61'e1 µW lAKos ~\I 'TO 6~µ1ov -ruxeiv, 6-to
iroAAovs s~ iroXA.&v ~~ay10"0mas S6µ(j)v
&v6pcxs 81TrAfi1 µ&:O"T1y1, Tl)v .,Apl\S cp11'ei,
617'.oYXOV &ii)v, cpoavlav ~vvoop(Sa·
To1oov6e µtVT01 1t'T)µCn-oov cnO'ayµwov
irptrre1 Afye1V ira1ava -r6v6• •Ep1woov· 645
O"OOTI)ploov 6~ npayµCn-oov e\J&:yyeft.ov
ftKO\ITCX 1Tp0s xafpoVO'a\I eVeO'TOi 1T6AIV1
iroos 1<eSva Tois Kca<oiO'l avµµef~oo, Afyoov
xe1µoov' ·Axa10Ts OUK &µ~\llTOV ee&>v;
Frr
616 dmp«tlilf Fl'r: corr. Auratus 618 f l Hcrmnnn: ye Fl'r ocooooµ'W>$
Frr: corr. Wccklcin (acoW&µ- Wilamowitz) 619 -9!" Fl'r: corr. K.nrstcn 622
1e..\w. hie ct 626, 6301 634 praefixcrunt Fl'r: corr. Casaubon -rJw FTr: corr. Porson
623 ylv<TCu Fl'r 624 dvi}p Hermann: ctvi}p Fl'r 639 Hesychii aµ.occil'
(aµ.o10~ cod.: corr. Musurus) -rrpoacfntC1w ~~Plil' ;) aTll)'t'<OH1 aicu8pwrrcil' hue rcttulit M.
Schmidt, forrasse rcc:te 644 ocao.yµl11w.,. Frr: corr. Schatz 645 JP'wiX»11
Ffr 648 avµp.lf"' FTr 649 oxa1cii11 ••• 8<oir FTr: corr. lllomficld,
Dobrcc
truth, there is nothing shameful-for a noble lady-in my
proclaiming it aloud. Exit C/,ytemnestra
CJiqy, Thus she has spoken, a speech which, if thou under-
standest it through clear interpreters, looks fair. But tell me,·
herald,-it is of Menelaus I would learn-is he on his way
home and back safe with you, the beloved ruler of this land?
Her. It is impossible for me so to give a fair tale of what is
false that my friends might reap fruit of it for the long time
ahead.
ChQr. Would then that thou mightest give a good tale of
what is true and hit the mark I When these things 1 are
severed it is not easy to conceal it.
Her. The man is vanished from the Achaean host, himself
and his ship as well. It is no false tale I tell.
ChQr. Did he sail from Ilion in your sight, or did a storm
fall upon all alike ·and snatch him from the host ?
Her. Like a master archer thou hast bit the mark, and
hast voiced a length of suffering in a brief phrase.
Chor. Which was it, living or dead, that he was said to be
in the tale told by the other voyagers ?
Her. No one knows, so as to be able to give a clear report,
save Helios who fosters all life on the earth.
Clwr. In what manner dost thou say that the storm came
to the fleet, and ended, by the anger of the gods ?
Her. It is not fitting to defile an auspicious day with the
voice of evil tidings: such a celebration is apart from the
gods (of heaven). When a messenger with gloomy coun-
tenance brings to a city the dread2 calamity of an army
fallen-how a wound has befallen the city, .at once one
common wound for the whole people, while also many men
out of many homes are banishedJ by the double scourge
which Ares loves, a two-speared bane, a bloody pair-when
he carries on his back such a load of calamities, then it is
fitting that he should utter this paean of the Erinyes ; but
when one comes with the good tidings that all is safe to a
city rejoicing in her well-being-how shall I mix the good
with such an ill, speaking of a storm which lacked not the
• i.e. the good and the true.
z Lit. 'such as one prays may not come to pass'.
' Or 'devoted (to the avenging deities)'?
129 K
 ~µooav yap 6VTEs tx010To1 To irplv 650
n\ip KCX\ 0~CXO'O'CC1 KCXl TeX ir(o-t:' tSet~«n\V
'6elpov-re -rov 6\J<rn)vov •Apye(oov cr.rpo:r6v.
w VVK-rl Svm<Vµcancc s· &>p&:>pe1 KCCKa·
vcxOs yap irp6s &AAftAflC7l 0p{\11<1cx1 irvoccl
'f;p€1KOV' cxl 5~ 1<Ep01VTt'O\JµevCXI !3(0:1 655
xe1µoov1 'TVcpCi> aW 3CxAfll ,.. 6µj3poK"T\nr(A)1
~IXOvT &q>CXVTOI iro1µw05 KCXKOV OTp6j3(A)I.
ml s· avf\A0e ACCµ1TpOV T\'A(ov cpacs,
op&µev &veow ir~ccycs Aly<XTov va<pois
avSpoov •Axcc1oov VCCVTIKois ,.. tpe11do1s. 660
T}µas ye µEv Si} V<XW T' &Kflparov O'Kacpos
i\TOI TIS lsa<AE'\f/ev Ti 'Sri1Tfiaa-ro,
6e6s TIS, OUK &vepci>'TTOS, ofCCKoS e1y&.>v.
""xfl s~ ac.m)p vcxOv e~ova' tq>~ero,
&>5 µf\T' W 6pµoo1 K</µo:r05 3CtAflV ~EIV 665
µfiT t~ol<Ei?l.O:t 1Tp0s Kpo:TCX(AEOOV X06vcx.
fuel TO: s· ..A1Sr)V 1TOVTIOV irecpevyms,
Aevi<ov KccT i'jµccp, ov irrno166TEs ~n1,
t~VKoAovµev cppov-r(aiv vfov ir6;005,
chpo:roO 1<aµ6v-r05 Kal KCXKOOs a-rroSovµwov.
Kal v\iv h<e(voov ef TIS tOTlv tµmitoov
Afyovaiv T}µas 00s 6Aoo'A6Tcxs, ,.( µfw;
fiµeis ,.. h<elvovs TcxOT ftxe1v ~&3oµev.
ywo1To s· oos &p10"Tcc. Mev~eoov yap oov
1Tp00TOV TE Keel µCxAIO'TC( 1TpoaS6Ka µoAeiv.
el 5• OW 'TlS &J<Tls f}'A(ov VIV lOTopei
Kal 3oov-rcc Kal 13MrroVTa, µnxavcxis .610s
oViroo e~oVToS t~avc:V.OOO'a1 Y~VoS
~irls TIS a\JTov irpc)s S6µovs 1'~1v ir~1v.'
'TocrcxO"T' &Kovaas foe1 TexAfleii l<Avoov. 680

XO POI
TfS 1t'OT OOVOµC£3EV @5•
~ 'TO 1TCiv ht)iVµoos·
µfi TIS OVTIV' oVx, op&µev 1Tpovo(-
C(IO'I 'TOV mirpooµWoV
FTr
654 cLU~Mico' Tr 655 tfpcnroll Tr 1<<pomnroJµcva' FTr 659 vcrsum
affcrunt Ammonius qui ~crtur (in cxccrpto •· /Jap/JaP'oµoO) p. 197 Valek., Phot. Derol.
p. IJB. x6 66o va11Tuciiiv T' lpcrrlt»v FTr: corr. Auratus 6r1. Tl I'~ FTr: corr.
Linwood 677 Hesychii x'Al.Jf>&v T< 1<cd JJ'Abromr.• cU-Tl TOO {cih•TC1 hue rcttulit Toup.
forh\ssc rccte 679 T'S Tr: Tif F 680 ic'AJwv (ultimis duabus litteris supcrscripto
"") F (aoristum cssc vidcrunt Casaubon, Kucek, nlii): K'AJccy Tr ct scholium mctricum
in FTr ad 489 adscriptum 681 clJ..&µaf<v F 683 sq. Trpovolacf FTr: corr. Po.uw
x30
wrath of. the gods against the Achaeans? For they who had
hitherto been utter foes, :fire and sea, now swore alliance, and
displayed their covenant by destroying the unhappy Argive
host. In the night-time the disaster of evil waves arose:
Thracian blasts shattered the ships one against another; and
they, being violently rammed beneath the storm of the
hurricane and the rush of drumming rain, sank from sight,
lashed round by an evil shepherd. And when the.bright light
of the sun came up, we saw the Aegean sea afiower with
corpses of Achaean men and wrecks of ships. But ourselves
and our ship, uninjured in its hull, someone either stole
away or begged off, some god, not a mortal, who laid hand
upon the helm. And Saving Fortune sat graciously upon our
ship, so that it neither had to stand the welter of the waves
at anchor nor ran aground on a rocky shore. And afterwards,
having escaped the watery grave, in the clear bright day,
not trusting our good fortune, we let our thoughts dwell
upon the unexpected disaster, our 'fleet being wrecked and
miserably pounded. And at this moment, if any of them is
yet alive they speak of us as perished, of course; while we
imagine that it is they to whom that has happened. Well,
may it turn out in the best way possible: for as far as Mene-
laus is concerned, first and chiefly thou must suppose that he
is back again. But1 if any ray of the sun does descry him safe
and sound, there is a hope that by the contrivances of Zeus,
who is not yet williri.g to destroy the race entirely, he may
return home again. Having heard thus much be assured that
thou hast been told the truth.
Exit llera!a, i1i. the direction of tlz~ sea
Cher. Who can it have been who gave the name with such
entire truth-was it someone whom we do not see, guiding
• Referring to an unexpressed thought; sec the commentary.
I3I
 y">i.l1x1csav w "fVxa1 v{µoov· 685
Tclv 6op(yaµ~pov aµ<pl\IEIKi'j e•
'EAwav; mel 1Tprn6VTCA>S
~Awavs ~avSpos ~~
1TTOAlS h< 'TiA>V a~pom'\voov
irpoK<XAuµµa,.oov hrMv<Tev
le<pvpov ylyanas cxOpa1,
iro1'vavSpo( TS ~pao1nSes KVVayol
KaT, txvas TI'AaT<iv lX<paVTOV
KeAC!OOnCA>V Ltµ6WToS &K-
T<ls rn· ae~l<pVAAOVS
sa• •Epav alµaT6Ecscsav.

•JA(OOl Se Kf\S<>s op-

e&>wµov 'T~ecscs(cppoov 700
Mi)v1s f\Aaow, Tp<m(~as ch(-
µcooav vrnpoot xp6vc.>1
KOO ~OT{ov ~'Os
irpacscsoµwa 'TO wµq>6TIµov
µ~as h<cpO:roos ·rloVT<X5,
vµwooov, Os '1'6-r, hrtp-
'pEm yaµ~poi01v ae{SelV.
µeraµav6avovcsa s· vµvov
Tip1aµov 1T6A1s yepcna 710
1TOA00pflvov µfya 1TOV crrive1 K1KAf\CSKov-
csa Tiapw Tov alv6AE1(Tpov,
tiraµirp6oet) TI'OA\JePflVOVf
f cd~v· aµcpl TI'OAhavf
~eov atµ• &vttr1'acsa.

f6pE\f/EV Se MoVT<>s T-
VIV S6µ01s ayO'.A<XKTov ov-
'TCA>S &vi;p <plA6µaO'TOV,
w ~16-rov irpo~{o1s 720
aµepov, e\Jcp1A6ira1Sa
Kal yepapoTs rn(xap-rov·
Frr
688 /Alro.~ DlomfieJd: 'Mvas FTr 690 Q/Jptwlp.f>lr FTr: corr. SalmtlSius
695 trMTciY Heath: trM!TClV Frr 696 sq. &..c-r&r F 697 ltr' o.,f,9.SUour
Abrcscb: l11' dt~J:UO~ F: <lr dcfif.sUour (super 0.<f& scr. ow/C7101r) Tr 700
-r<Mo{9pf>lv F 7011f.\4ac FTr: "adiecit Porson (cf. ad :.zox) 701 sq. 0.-rlp.wair
Canter: tiTlflf>IS' r,,• F: t1Tlp.01S' Tr 707 sq. hlpp<11& F: l"'"f"7'"' Tr: " dcl. Porson
714 sq. quac poeta scripsit recupcrari ncqueunt 715 troM-rciY Auratus, pro·
babilitcr, sed in versu corrupto ne hoc quidem ccrtum est 716 p.D.co" ex p.D.o.&o"
corr, F 717 sq. Uovra. al"'" Frr: corr. Conington 718 sq. owor (superscr. tJJS') F
I32
his tongue aright to the mark with thoughts anticipating
destiny ?-to her of the spear-wedding, for whom two sides
contended, Helen? For fittingly it was that ship-destroying, 1
man-destroying, town-destroying, she came out of her
luxuriously woven chamber-curtains and sailed forth, before
the blast of giant Zephyrus, and (after her) many men,
shield-bearers, hunters upon the vanished trail of oars, the
trail of those who had landed2 on tl~e leafy shores at the
mouth of Simois, by the will of bloody Strife.

And Wrath that brings her thought to fulfilment set afoot

for Ilion a marriage3 in the true meaning of the word, by
exacting account in after time for the dishonour of the guest-
table and of Zeus, guardian of those who share the same
hearth, from the folk who loudly (?) celebrated the strain in
honour of the bride, the wedding-hymn which it then fell to
the kinsmen to sing. But unlearning that song and learning
in its stead a song of much mourning, the aged town of
Priam must now be making loud lamentation, calling Paris
'0 thou of the fatal marriage I' . . . having endured pitiful
bloodshed.

So, once, was a lion's offspring reared by a man in his

house, getting no milk from its mother, still fond of the teat,
in the prelude of its life tame, a good friend of the children
1 The play on words \B>.I,,.,,, ~lva.llf) is untranslatable.
a Or 'the oars, while they (i.e. Pnris, Belen, and their comp:uuons) had landed •• •':
J The double meaning o( 1"j8o.r is untranslatable.
:x33
 iro:hto'. s• lO"K° W 6:yKaA<nS
V£OTp~ov "TWov 8(Kav,
cp<n8pooTTOs 1TOT\ XETpa O'Cd-
V(t)V TE Y<XO"TpOs av6:yK<XtS.

xpov1o&ls 5• 6:rrt8et~ i'i-

eos To irp0s ToKt(t)v· xapiv
yap Tpoq>EVOW &µe(f:k->v
µ11:h~vo1aiv (tv) 6:roos 73°
satT' ~crros rnv~.
atµcm 5> olK<>s ~cpvp&Jl,
&iicxxov &Ay<>s ohchcns,
µfya O'IVoS 1TOAVKT6vov·
~ eeoo s· lepros TIS ..A- 735
Tcxs 86µ01s irpoaetlptcp&fl.

· irapavra 5• ~Merv l5 •1'.hlov ir6?\iv

?\fyo1µ• &\I cpp6Vf1µCX µw Vfl\ltµov yW..avcxs
00c<XO'K<Xl6v (T') &yW..µcx 1fAOVTOV,
µW..0CXKov 6µµ6:rc..>v f3~oS,
ori~l0vµov lpc..>ToS &ve05.
ircxpCXKA(vaa" mb<pavev
81 yaµov mKpas 1'eAev'T&s, 7.f5
SvaeSPoS Ka\ 8va6µ17'05
avµwa Tip1aµl8a1aw
iroµnCit .ll10s ~lov,
wµcp6KACCVToS •Eptws.

irW..alcpc:noS o• W f3poTOT) ytpc..>v 7'6yas 750

-ri-rvKT<n µfyav TE'AEa0W-ra cpc.YfOs 61'f3ov
'TEKVOVa0cx1 µ110• 6:rra18a evfit<n<Etv,
~ 5, ~~s -rVxcxs ywe1 · 755
f37'CXO'TcXvel\I OOc6pEO'TO\I ol3w. 'frt,\ ~ 0

Slxa 8' aAAc..>v µov~pc..>V el-

µ(· TO 8vaaef3f5 yap lpyov
FTr
723 line' Casaubon: lo'/ Frr 727 sq. l8os Fl'r: corr. Conington 728
ToinjQ111 F 729 .,.~~ow Tr (quod editores afferunt, lfyow O.p.o1µ.r &&i)so TO&r
8p(tf11wiv o..h-4.-, non scholium vetus est sed glossa intcrlincaris): .,~Br F 730 b
supplevit Bothe GTo.101.- Tr 733 4µo.xov 8' F 734 tro~J1CToroio Frr: ittcen·
tum corr. Bothe 736 •poa<Tp&f'rl Fl'r: corr. Heath 737 wapo.vrcl 8' F:
ffo.po.vn! &' ow Tr 741 .,.• supplcvit Hermann (8' Porson), scd dubitnri potcst
744 rr11.po.K>.lr1t11X1' Tr 745 wucpoO (in .fine SUpcl3Cr. clr) F 747 1rp1Cl/dHw' F
749 lrwiJr Tr 750 lv .,o&r {Jpo.,o&r Tr 754 I'~ 3' Fl'r 756 ck{Jv Fl'r
(superscr. owl('lo1r Tr) 758 ~P 81X1a,{Jh FTr: traiecit PAU\'I'
x34
and a delight to the elders ; and many a time it was in their
arms, like a nursling child, looking bright-eyed to the hand
and fawning under the constraint of its belly.

But matured by time it showed the character it had from

its parents: for, making a return to those who had reared it,
it made ready a feast as an unbidden guest in a horrid
slaughter of the flock, and the house was befouled1 with
blood-to the house-folk an agony not to be warded off, a
vast havoc wherein many were killed; by the will of the god
it had been reared2 in the house to be a sacrificer in the
service of Ate.

At first, I would say, there came to the city of Ilion a

temper of windless calm and a gentle delight of wealth, a soft
arrow of the eyes, a heart-stinging flower of desire. But then
she swerved from this, and accomplished a bitter end of the
marriage-rites, rushing upon the sons of Priam as an evil
settler and an evil companion by the sending and guidance
of Zeus Hospitable, an Erinys bringing tears to brides.

Long has there been current among men an aged saying

that a man's prosperity, when it has reached full growth,
begets offspring, and does not die childless; and that out of
good fortune there springs insatiable woe for the race. But
I differ from others and am alone in my thought: it is the
1 The Greek verb includes the ide!l of confusion.
:a Literally 'rcnrcd in addition (to those in the house)'.
I35
 µFra µiv 1TAEfova T(icret,
CJcpETtp<Xl 5• elK6Ta yWv<Xl'
ofKc..>V yap eV6v6{Kc..>V
K~hroos ir6Tµcs alel. =
cpiAet sr 'T{icre1v ~p•s µw ircxi\a1-
a ~OVO'av W KaKOiS ~poT&>V
v~p1v, T6T i\ T6e· tOi-avt TO t<Vp1ov µ6Afll
tvea:pa cpaovst K6Tov
Sa{µova f'TE 'TOVt I &Jlaxov <Xrr6Aeµov av{epov
ep&aos-, µtAa1vav µU.&6po101v ,,ATav,
e(Soµhlav TOKeVCJIV. -

bfKa Sk Aaµm1 µ!v w SvCJK<brvo1s

8&:>µ<XCJIV, -r6v T' lvcxla1µov Tle1 715
~fov· -rec xpvabrraa-ra s• ~Aa C1W irlv0>1
XEp&lV 1TcxAIVTp6TrOlO'IV
6µµaa1 A1nova' 00'10: npootµo?i.e, Swaµw ov
a{~vacx TTAOVTOV ira:p&<7T1µov cxtv0>r
1TCXv s· ml -ripµcx vc..>µa1. =

Ciye Si), ~01Ae0, Tpofas iTToAfnope·,

•ATplO>S ytve&Aov,
irc;)s ae irpoaelTT0>; ir&')s oe ae(3l~0>
µfi6' Vrrepap<XS µ{\6' VnOKaµlfl<XS
K<XlpOV XcXPIToSi
iro'Mol Sk ~paroov -ro OOl<fTv elvcx1
irp<>TfoV01 S{KT\V 1T<Xp~WTES'
T&>I Sv0'1Tpcxyo\ivT( ,.. rn10"TEVaxew 790
iras 'TIS hoTµcs· Si)yµcx Sk AUirris
ovSw lcp' -fiira:p irpoan<veTTcx1·
Kcxl ~cxf povow 6µ010"JTprneTs
Frr
766 &ra>1 nondum cmcndatum 767 t'<apci +dollf corruptum; 1eho.,, licct fnlso
loco positum sit, gcnuinum cssc vidctur. cxcmpli gratia. scripscris ~oS, 1eho>' t'<t!lfl"I
(~os ex ~olJf !ccit ct tmnsposuit Empcrius; rc'11J111s vcl >'<W Wilamowitz, nJ.p'J
Pasquali) 768 T< Td>' FTr: -rl-ra" Hcimsocth, fortasse rcctc lp.a}{O" omisit
Tr 770 µD.ai.wa ••• "'A-ra" Auratus: µi>.o.l"1S • • • J.Tas Fl'r µu.&8pocs F
771 -roKMl F 775 80.µaa' F -r' Hartung: 8' Fl'r 776 'Xfl1X1lnra.OT' lo8>.a
Tr lo8>.a hoc accentu Fl'r: lo8>.a. Wilamowitz: l8cO~a. Auratus 777 11'4M""
.,p&1101s F: "'a)J.,,po71' Tr: corr. Pauw 778 11'poulµo~c Hcnnann: 11'pool{Ja. -roO FTr
783 TtoMffopb' FTr: corr. Blomficld 785 oc{J{fw (E ex Cfactum; cf. ad 329) F:
o'fJlCw Tr 789 flapa{Jalvovrcs Tr; d. ad 356 790-4 ({J1a{dµCVO£) affcruntur a
Stobaco flor. n2. 12 (iv, p. xoxo. 13 Hense) 790 T' Hennann: 8' Fl'r Stob,
791 boiµos Blomficld: l-ro1µos- codd., ut solcnt 8i;yµe1 Tr Stob.: 8ctyµe1 F
7')2 1rpouc;11C>'ci-ra.1 Tr; cf. ad 356 793 ical rvl(T'l 8~ xalpouol>' Stob,
136
impious deed that begets after it deeds which are more in
number but like to their own kind; for the fate of the house
where justice is kept straight is always a fair offspring (of its
former fate).

But ancient insolence is wont to give birth to an insolence

which is young amid human misery, (to give birth to it)
sooner or lat~r when the appointed day has come, 1 a fresh
rancour, an avenging daemon, an arrogant boldness against
which neither battle nor war avail and which has no share
in what is sacred, a black Ate for the house, resembling her
parents.

But Justice shines in sooty dwellings, and holds in regard

the righteous way of life ; but the gold-bespangled mansions
where there is filth upon the hands she forsakes with eyes
averted and goes to what is clean, not revering the power of
wealth misstamped with praise; and everything she directs
to its proper end.·
Enter Agamemnon in a travel/,er' s car; behind hitn,
half-hidden, sits Cassandra
'·
Now tell me, King, sacker of Troy, offspring of Atreus,
how shaJ(_I address thee ? How shall I pay thee homage,
neither overshooting nor falling short of the mark of graceful
behaviour? Many in this \vorld prize more the appearance of
reality, after passing the bounds of justice: anyone is ready
to echo the groans of him who is in distress-but the sting of
grief in no wise reaches to his heart; and resembling in
J The text of the following lines is extremely uncertain.
137
 &:yf>..aa-ra. 1Tp6a<Ama. ~1Cl36µevo1

•••••• •• ••
&rns s· &:yae0s 1Tpo~crroyvooµoov, 195
oUK fa-rt i\a&tv 6µµcrnx q>CA)TOs
"1'a SoKoWT• e\/q>povcs b< S1cxvo(a.s
VSapet <700VEl q>aA6-rr}TI.
aQ O~ µ01 Tm µtv O'Tf>Ji.(.i)V O'Tpo:nav
·EMv11s Wac', ov yap (a') rn1K.EVaoo, 800
Kap,.• O:rroµovaoos i)aaa. yeypa.µµwos
ol'./S' ei'.i 1Tpo:TT(Soov ofCXKa. vlµoov,
t6pCcO'oS lKOVO'IOVt
av8p6:01 evfitm<OVO'I K0µ{3(.a)V"
v\iv s· oUK cm· 6xpa.s q>pev0s ovs· 6'.q>li\oos 805
e\Jq>p<i)V * • * • * * * *
' * * 1T6VOS eV Ttft.foc:J.O'IV 1•
yvoo<11lt Se xp6voo1 S1CX'Tml06µev<>s
T6v 'Tii S1Ka.foos Ka.l Tov &Ka.fpoos
1T6i\1v oh<ovpoVv-ra. 1TOAITOOV.

ArAMEMNWN
1TpOOTOV µev ..Apy<>s Ka.l eeo~s fyxoop(ovs 810
S(K1) 1Tpocre11TeTv, "l'OVs tµol µET<XtTlovs
v6o-rov OIK<X(oov e· 6>v rnpa.~{xµ1)V 1T6AIV
Tip1{xµov· SIKa.s yap oUK O:rr~ y:A&x1'<71ls &ol
KA.v6V'TE5 &vSpo6vf1Ta.s 'li\1oq>06povs
ls cxtµ<XTflp0v -re\ixcs ov s1xoppbrroos 815
\flftq>OVS' rowro· TOOi s· WcxvT((.a)t Kli-n1
~1TlS' 1Tpooi)IEI XElpOs OV 1TA1)poV~V(.a)I.
KCXTTVOOI s· cXAOVO'<X vVv tr• EV0'1)µcs 1T6i\1s.
&Tris eveAAoo 3&>at· avvevf\1m<ovaa. Se
0"1To80s 1Tpomµm1 irlovo:s 1Ti\o\rrov irvo&s. 820
TOVrOOV 6£oTcn. Xr>fl TrOAVµV1)<JTOV XCcPIV
TIVEIV, rne(mp xapirayas VmpK6-rrovs
rnpa~{xµ&aao:, KO:l ywc:J.IKOs OVVEKO:
Frr
794 ' ciyl.\CM1Ta' 8~ ' Tr,4aoma ' Al'1](11>.os ex Phrynicho ut videtur (fr. 6r de Borries)
aft'cront .L'Wllycoyi) >.If. XP'1"· Anecd. Bekkeri i. 336. 30, Photius Bero!. 15. II
p>St 794 Jacunam statuit Hermann, paroemiacum cxcidissc ratus 795 flf"IJ/Ja·
-royw{Jµ"""' (JJ ex T corr.) F 798 aa/wc'I' Frr: corr. Casaubon 8oo a• suppl. Musgrave
8o3 8p4.uor F: Bapaor Tr locus nondum expeditus est, quo fit ut nc de reliqua
quidcm sententiae parte (So.4) certe iudioarl possit 804 .Wp&ac11 <~ 8yrja1<01xu Tr;
cf. ad 356 8o6 lacunam post &;pw11 statuit Hense (ante &;pwr Schncidcwin,
Headlam); luscris fcrc sic: &.;pow (alY&i .,.&S' bror TrpoTlf"I""· '~8~) no"°r &+JX»"'
.,.er Tr; cf. ad 356 814 "~Jovr<r Frr: aoristum csse vidit Wilamowitz; cf. 68o Wou
~opd,r Fl'r: corr. Karsten 822 ;(dpirayds Tyrwhitt : 1<al trClyCS Ffr ihr<p1thf>ur
Frr: corr. Heath
aspect men who share another's joy, forcing their unsmiling
countenances, (they ... ). But if anyone is a good judge of
a flock, he cannot be deceived by the look in a man's eyes
which, while feigning to come from a loyal mind, blandishes
with a watery friendship.
Thou, in past time when thou ledst forth the army for
Helen's sake, wast pictured in my mind-for I will not keep
it hidden from thee-in exceedingly ugly colours, and as not
wielding well the helm of the mind. . . ; but now deeply and
in true friendship loyal (do I approve of the old saying,
'sweet) is labour to those who have brought it to a good end'.
In course of time thou wilt learn by inquiry who of the
citizens stays at home in the city with justice and who does
so out of season.

Agamemnon. It is right that I should :first address Argos

and the ·country's gods, who have helped me in bringing
about my home-coming and the satisfaction I have exacted
from the city of Priam. For the gods, when they had heard
by no spoken word the parties' claims, cast with no wavering
verdict into the urn of blood their votes for the death of men,
the destruction of Ilion, while to the opposite urn (mere)
expectation of the hand came near, and the urn was not
filled. By the smoke the conquered city is easily recognized
even yet. The gusts of destruction are alive, but the embers
are dying with the city and sending forth rich breaths of
wealth. For this the gods must be paid with ever-mindful
gratitude, since we have exacted payment for a presumptuous
x39
 ir6A1v 811iµclevvev ,Apyelov 5lo<05,
tmrov veoaa6s, &oir1811cp6P<>S 1'.e6>5,
1f1'i81u1• opovaas &µq>l TTheux&>v Svaw·
~peopcl>v 8~ mipyov C:,µ11crn'ls ~v
cX8T)V P.el~ atµcn05 -rupavvt1<00.
&ots µW t~iva q>pof µ1ov ToSe·
'TeX s• ts 'TO aov q>pOVtlllCX, µtµv1wa1 l<Avoov
1<al q>'llll 'TaVra 1<al CJ"Wt'iyop6v µ• E)(e1s.
mrupots yap &vSpli>v tern avyyev!s "T6&,
q>fAov Tov eVruxOWt.. &vev cpeovov al~ew·
Svacppc.>v yap lbs 1<cxpS(av irpocn'lµev05
6)(605 Sl1'1'1'.ol3e1 "Toot 1TE1TO'.lllVCA>1 v6aov·
"ToTs T a\r'res oohov 1f1'iµcxaw ~pW£-rcxa
1<al 'TOV 0vpatov 511.~ov elaop&Sv 0"1WE1.
dS®s 1'fyo1µ• &v· ro yap t~rn(aTaµai
6µ11'(cx5 K<hotrrpov· eY&>Aov aKtCis
SoK<>WTcxs eTvcx1 1<ap-ra irpwµeveTs tµol.
µ0\105 5• 'OSvao'EVs, OcrnEp oVx, h<~v rnAEI,
3evx&ts hoTµ05 i'jv tµol aeapacpopcs·
efT• ow 6cxv6VT05 ehe Kcxl 300VT<>S irip1
~CA>. TeX S' &J\Aa irpOs 1TOA1V TE Kal 6£oVs
1<owoV5 &y<A>vcxs elv'TEs tv ir~yVpE•
~VAevaOµEa6a· Kal TO µw KcxAOOs exov
0rr6)5 xpovl3ov ro µevet ~vAev'Tlov·
6-rCA>t s~ K<Xl SeT cpapµ~CA>\,I 1TO'.l6>V(CA>v,
i\'T01 Kl<XVTE5 fi TEµOVTES eVfPOVOOS
m1paaoµEa6a irijµ• 6:trOO"Tpi\flcxt v6aov. 850
Wv s· ls µ°'a6pa Kal SOµovs lq>EO'Tfovs
°'e&>v 6eotat irpci>-ra Se~1&>aoµcx1,
otmp 1Tp0a6> irlµ'f'CXVTES 1\yayov TraAlV.
V(Kfl 5> bfe(1Tep l<mrr, lµiri56)5 JlWOl.

KJ\YTAI MHLTPA
&vSpes iroATTCX1, irp~os •Apyeloov "T0Se, 855
~ cxtaxvvovµcx1 To\Js q>11'&vopa5 Tp6irovs
Ai~al 1Tp0s \JµCis· tv XpOVCA>l s· 6:troq>6(ve1

825 d.qir1811fdpos Blomficld: d.1nr18.,,0Tp&9os F: dcm1&vr~s Tr 826 dpodoa& F

827 ~<p8opGw Frr 828 d8') .. J!: G'.SS'I" (cf. Nicio.m in schol. Hom. B 203) Tr
830 .ic.\~r Wilamowi~: ic>..Swv Fl'r; cf. 814 831 TCLllTcl Autatus: TClOTG Frr
832 sq. affcruntur a Stoba.co 38. 28 (iii, p. 713 Hense) 833 fe&rou Tr; idem
voluit (cf. comm.), ctsi ;&you habct, Stobacus: ~·1t1:w F 834 KCLp8/'f Casaubon,
nescio an rccte 835 -rmraµµ~ Frr: corr. Porson 836 a.Woo sic Fl'r
versus 834-? in suspicioncm vocat BcMlcy 842 fro1µos Frr; cf. 79r. ·850
mj"CLTOS Tplr{ICL' ..Oaol' Fl'r.: corr. Porson (an scribcndum C.rrOTpl'lru?)

:r40
robbery, and for a woman's sake the city was laid in the dust
by the fi.~rce beast of Argos, the brood of the horse, the
shield-heiring host, which launched itself with a leap at
the setting _of the Pleiades ; and springing over the wall the
.. licked bis fill of the blood of princes.
ravening li;n
To the gods I have spoken this long preface; but with
regard to thy feelings, I have heard andie'member them, and
I agree, and thou hast in me one who will speak on thy side.
Yes, rare among men are those to whom it is natural to
respect without envy a friend who is fortunate; since the
venom of malevolence, besetting the heart. doubles the load
to the owner of the disease: at one and the same time he is
weighed down by his own sorrows and groans at the sight of
the other's prosperity. With knowledge-for I am well
acquainted with that mirror, intercourse-I may pronounce
image of a shadow those who seem most devoted to me.
Odysseus alone, the very man who did not sail of his own
will, when once in harness proved to me a ready trace-horse,
whether he of whom I am speaking be dead now or alive.
And for the rest, for what concerns the city and the gods, we
shall arrange general · meetings and take counsel in full
assembly: and where a thing is well, our counsel must be how
it may endure so and abide; but where, on the other hand,
anything is in need of healing remedies, we shall endeavour
to turn to flight the harm of the disease by sage use either of
knife or of cautery. But now I will go to my house and my
home with its hearth and first salute the gods, who sped me
forth and have brought me back. And now that victory has
attended me, may it abide securely I
Enter from the house C~temnestra, f ollowe.d by
maidservants
C~temnestra. Men of the city, noble elders of Argos
present here, I shall not be ashamed to describe to you my
love for my husband: in time men's timidity fades away. It
I4I
 TO TapJX>s &vep&rro1aw. oVi<: @v..ooy irapa
µa6ovo-' tµavTi)s Sva~poY At~oo J3loY
T00'6YS' 0aOV1TEp OVToS ~y w·
·1i\.(001. 860
TO µw yvv<Xi'Kcx Tl'p(A)ToY cS:pawos 6lxa
i'}a6<n 86µ01s lpf'iµoy EK-rrayi\oy K<XK6Y,
[iro1'Aas t<Avovaav i<A11S6Ycxs ir<XA1yK6-rovs,)
Kerl TOY µw t'\KElV, TOY s· mc1acptpelV K<XKOV
K6'.K10Y mo 1Ti1µcx 1-.aaKoVT<XS 66µ01s. 865
Kerl Tpavµerrooy µw El 16aooy h'Vyxavw
&viip 68• ~ irpes ofKOY OOXETEVETO
cp(rr1s, mpfl'T<XI S1KTI'.lov 'Tl"Ai6> AEyElV.
el 6' ~y ~Kcl>S ~ rni\i'}6voY i\6yo1,
'Tp1aooµ<XT6s 'Tew rt'\pvooY 6 S£VTepos
[iro1'A11iv avc.>6ev, -riiY KCrr6> yap OV i\eyoo,]
xeoYbs 7p(µo1poY XA<XiYav t~\'Jxe1 i\aJ3eiY,
&rrcx~ tK6:aT001 KceteavooY µopq>ooµ<X"TI.
'To16.Sy6• fl<<XT1 KAflS6YOOY ir<XA1yK6-r<.a>Y
Tro1'Aas cS:voo6EV ap-r<Xvcxs lµf)s Stpt'\s
~vaav &XA.01 irpbs J3lav, AEAfl~t'\S·
lK Tli>vSt TOI ircxts tveo:s· o'i.J 1T<Xpa<rr<XTET,
tµ&Sy Te Kerl a&SY Kvp1cs 1TlaT<.a>µerrooY,
~ XPflY, 'Of)iO'TflS' µflSE 6avµaO'T}lS 76&.
Tpi~1 yap cx'i.JToY ruµe\rlis Sopv~wcs, 88o
:r'Tpoq>(oS 6 <l>ooKE\'Js, &i.tcpli\amx iri'}µ<XTcx
lµo\ 1Tpoq>OOYOOY, T6Y e• W •li\(001 O'teEV
KlvSwoY, ei -re S11µ66povs &vcxpxlcx
(3ovi\fiy K<XT<Xpp('f'E&EV, ~ Tl a\ryyovoy
J3po-roim TOY ma6VT<X AaK·rfooo irAroY. 885
To16:Se µarro1 O'Kll'Y'S ov 661-.oY cptpe1.
{µ01ye µW Si) l<AauµCrr<.a>Y rn(aavTOI
1TflY<Xl KCXTE~TtK<XO'lV, o'i.Js· WI <rrayOOY.
lv O'VIKOhOIS S' oµµCXCTIY ~i\aJ3as f){OO
TCxS &µcpl 001 KA.afoVO'cx i\cxµTr'T'Tlpovxlcxs
Cn-flµeAf)-rovs aftv· tv s· ovefpaaw
i\rnT<XiS \rrral Koovoo'Tl"os t~nye1p6µ11Y 1.~
Frr
86o br' W'l' Tr 862 lt>"lllo" FTr bnra,.,,.Mv Tr 8631}8ol'lir FI'r: corr.
Auratus ve.rswn intcrpolatum essc vidit Ahrens 867 ~XcTa11To FI'r
868 #.Ttr (non +J.01r) etiam F -drf>"ITa' Ahrens: -rbporro.t FTr 869
l11>.1fewov FI'r: oorr. Porson S70 .,4.., Wcllaucr: .,.• 411 FTr 871 eiccit
Schatz 872 '>.aµ,., FI'r: corr. Paley 876 '>.U..,,p.p.l""IS' suspcctum 878
WIOTCllµ4TCIJI' FI'r: corr. Spanhcim 879 Fl} s~ Frr 881 OT/>#coS FTr de
vocc dµ~1CTa est quod dubitcs 882 ,,• im' (supcrscr. glossa l"""'"d") Tr 884
~S' .,, Hartung (scntcntfa parum intcllccta): ciiarc F'l'r 888 1<0.T<a.Ptf1<aa1.,, (su~r T
scr. 81 super fJ scr. T• i.e. ""9'cmj1Ca01>') F 889 K'>.&/Jar F 890 ~ ool Frr
r42
is not from others that I have learnt: it is my own life of
whose misery I shall tell, all the long while he was before
Ilion. In the :first place it is a fearful grief that a woman
should sit at home all alone without the man, and that one
should come, and on top of him another (and another) should
bring fresh reports of evil, each worse than the last, which
they cry out for the house to hear. As for wounds, if this man
received as many as rumour thereof was led, like water in
conduits, to our home, he has holes in him more in number
than a net. And if his deaths had been as plentiful as were
the stories, he might truly have boasted, triple-bodied
Geryon the second, that he had got a threefold cloak of
earth, slain once under each form. In consequence of such
adverse rumours many a time by force did others loose the
suspended noose from my neck when I was caught in it. 1
And this is why our son is not standing here by our side, the
warrant of thy pledges and mine, as he should be, Orestes;
and do not think this strange. He is in the care of our
friendly ally, Strophius the Phocian, who warned me of two-
fold (?) disaster, thine own peril before Ilion, and the chance
that lack of a ruler, asserted noisily by the people, might
overthrow deliberation, as it is part of men's nature to kick
a man all the more when he is down. In such an excuse as this
there can be no deceit.
For myself now, the gushing fountains of my tears have
run dry, and there is no drop left therein. And my eyes which
went late to bed are sore from weeping for the light-bearings
concerning thee that were ever neglected; and in my dreams
I would be woken by the faint rushings of a gnat, and hear it
1 I have attempted to render >.~'llAl'lvrzr, but sec the commentary.
x43
 pl1TaTa1, 600\JaaoVToS, aµcp( 0'01 ir<X6r\
6p(;.)aa: irAe(CA> iOV ~vro8011iOS Xp6vov.
v\iv, 'TcxVr<X 1T<wra: T7i.f1.a', &mvei)Too1 cppail
7i.fyo1µ• av &vSpa: -r6v8e T(;)v a-ro:6µ6Sv KWa:,
aooTilpcx va:Os" irp6-rovov, ~T\AilS cnfyf'\s
a-rv"Aov no8fipf1, µovoyevis "TiKvov ircrrp{,
ya:Tcxv cpcxveiacxv va:v-rl7i.01s ira:p• ~n(Scx,
(K<JMIO"TOV i'jµcxp ela18eT\I he xefµctr<>S,) 900
68ol1T6pCA>I 81~6>~ 1t'f'\Ya:TOV pros.
(-repirvov 8~ Tava:yKO:Tov h<cpvyeiv O:rrcxv.)
'TOIOTaSt TO( VlV &~16> irpoacp6fyµcxa1v·
cp06v05 8~ arrtO"TCA>' 1f07'.7i.Cc yap 'TCc irplv KCXKCc
T,ve1x6µea6a:. viiv Se µ01 cpf7i.ov Kapa:
ac13<nv• lnrfiVflS 'Ti)a8e, µ1) X<Xµa:l Tl6els
'TOV aov ir6S•, ©va:~, '17i.(ov irop0ftTopcx.
8µ0010:(, T( µtAAe6', a:Ts rnfo'TaAT<Xl -dA05
irtSov KEAeVeov a-ropwva1 ire"Taaµcx<Jav;
eOOVs yevlaeoo iropcpvp6a-rpoo'T05 ir6P<>S, 910
ts 86)µ' CXeh1T'TO\I ~s av fiyilTCXI 6{Kf1.
Ta 5' &Mex cppovTls oVx. Vitvoo1 v1KooµtVT)
6fiae1 81Ka(005 oVv 6eoTs felµcxpµlva:t.
Ar. Af}Scxs ytve07i.ov, 5ooµ6:roov tµ(;.)v q>v'Acx~,
O:rrova(cx1 µw elira:s elK6Toos tµi)1,
µ<XKp<Xv yap t~rnavcxs· &XA• tvcx1alµoos
cxlveiv, ircxp' a>J...oov XP1' "T68' lpxeaecn ytpa:s.
Kal 'T~<X µ1) ywcnKOs" tv "Tp6iro1s tµ~
&f3pvve, µ118~ ~apf3apov cp(l.')'TOs" 5(Kf1V
xaµcxa1T£1'ts f36a:µa: irpo<J)(CM)as tµo{,
µns• eTµa:aa O"Tpcbaa:a' rnfcp0ovov ir6pov
-r(6e1• 6eo\Js TOI 'TOTa8e TlµcxAcpeTV XpEOO\I,
W 1fOtKfAOIS 8~ &vt)TO\I 6VTO: KaAAEO'IV
Fl'r
893 aµ~ aol Frr 897 ~V.~ Tr 898 cm1.\o,, Tr: vr&>.o11 F 899 yaiav Blom-
field: Kal yfjv Frr wGp(>.11lS11 Tr ~ eiccit Headlam {9o2 iam Blomfield);
9001 902 hue non pcrtincrc manifcstum· est, de 901 dubito 901 cf. Suid. s.v. wMicos:
ical &,,.d ToO />I"' pior. .AloxJ.\os d801,,.&pt111 ••• pios 903 Tol "" Schntz : Toll'w FTr
wpoo{>'yµaa1v Tr 905 Sl µ01 Bothe: 3' lµol Fl'r 907 l11af F 908 .,/.\os
F: .,&.& Tr 909 OTP'1J.,.,J..cu Frr: corr. Elmslcy 913 clµapµl"°' nondum cmenda-
tum 919 µ~ 8~ Frr Pap{UBou (super 0 scr. p) F 920 /J&o.µ11 (priori a supcrscr.
-,,) F: ~I'" 1'r 921 µ~a• Frr 923 vcrsum attulcrunt Eclogae, Cramer Aneod.
Oxon. ii. 455. 4 ic;U.\71• .,ei woP9upll. lµO.Tua. E~o.\w 1 {Jcf.TJT<1v Tei iccW.i, ' (fr. 333 K.). Kal
u
iclpa.µos ical.\&rros. AloxJMr' I '" 11'011(£\0ls e..r,r~.. ovra. Kcf..UColV I (AlaxJ>.os ••• Kcf..UColV
omisit Cramer, tcste A. Adler ad Suid. m. 17 s.v. ic&».r,), Suid. (s.v. Kd».71) Tei TJO~Upll.
lµ4.T1a. ••• Alax.S.\os· 1 "'"°'"l>.o1s KcU>.<01,, ', Suid. (s.v. K&Aarr) ••• Alax.SMr' 1 Iv "'°'"lMxs
'XPtftp.aaw •, Etym. gen. B s.v. 1CcU>.a1a (- Etym. Magn. p. 486. 49) ••• Tel •o/>fup&. yelp
KcU>.'1 l1ea.\oOvro. B~o>.w 1 P°''""" , .. 8clil1 •. Kal .Alax.s>.cw ' Iv rro11cl>.o1s ••• Kdllcoav ',
Etym. Gud. s.v. 1Cdllc11 (cod. Par. :z631, Cramer Ancod. Po.r. iv. 23. 13; Par. :z6:36,
ibid. p. 63. 21; ' Sorbon.' ap. Gaisford o.d Et. M. I.I.), ubi post Eupolidis locum AlaxJ>.os
"'Tlik Xyal'lµ>'OPI (b T, JI. om. Par. :z636)· I"' WOIKlMxs a~ (8~ Po.r. 26Jt,. Sorbon.': ,,Op
Par. 2636) ••• 1C&.Uca1.,.
trumpeting; since I saw there things befalling thee more
than could have passed in the time that slept with me.
Now, after enduring all this, with a mind freed from
mourning I would pronounce this man here the watchdog of
his abode, the saving forestay of a ship, the grounded pillar
of a high roof, a sole-born child to a father, land appearing to
sailors beyond their hope, to the thirsty wayfarer a :flowing
spring. 1 Such are the terms wherewith I deem him worthy
to be addressed; and far be envy, z for many are the evils of
the past that we endured. But now I pray thee, beloved,
come down from this car-but set not on the ground, 0 king,
thy foot that has destroyed Ilion. Handmaidens, why do ye
delay, ye upon whom the office has been enjoined to strew
the ground he walks upon with tapestries ? Straightway let
there be made a path spread with purple, that Justice may
conduct him into his unhoped-for home. And for the rest,
care not overcome by sleep shal,l arrange it in just fashion,
with the help of the gods.3
In the tMantime the handmaids have begun to spread out
the tapestries
Ag. Offspring of Leda, guardian of my house, thy speech
was indeed well-suited to my absence, for thou hast drawn
it out to great length; but fitting praise-that is a gjft of
honour that should come from others. And for the rest, do
not pamper me as though I were a woman, and do not adore
me as if I were a man of the East, with prostrations and
open-mouthed acclaim, nor, by strewing my path with
vestures, bring down envy upon it. I~ is the gods whom we
should honour with such ceremonies: to tread, a mortal,
' It is not quite certain whether this line (9ox) is in its original place.
~ 98&.-os gives one of the kcy·notcs to the following scene. I have therefore kept the
one rendering, 'envy', although in some of the passages 'jealousy' (of the gods) might
seem more nppropriatc. > At the end of the line the text is uncertain.
X45 L
 J3a{vew lµol µW ovSaµ&>s &vev '6J3ov.
(Afyoo KCXT' &vSpa, µ1) 0e6v, <7ll3etv ~.]
xoopls 1To8oqn\<rrp<UV 'TI: Kal T&>V 1TOIK(i\c.>v
KAT\~V &\mi· Kal TO µ1) K<XKOOS cppoveiv
&ov µfy1crrov S&>pov· 61'J3{aa1 S~ XPii
(3{ov TeAevn'\acwr• w MO"Toi cpfi\111.
elirov, TaS' &>s 'Tl"paaao1µ• av eVeapafis fy&>. 930
KA Kal µi'}v T6S• elire,· µfi irapa yvcbllflv, lµof ·
Ar. yv&>µ 11v µw iae1 µ1) S1acp&poW1'' ~µe.
KA. 1)V~OO eeoTs Se(aas av ©s· ~i*lV TaSe;
Ar. etirep TIS elS&>s y• ro T6S• l~Tmv TEi\05.
KJ\. Tf s· av SoKei 0'01 Tipfaµos, el Tao· i)waev; 935
Ar. w 1TOIK(i\01s av KapTa µ01 '3ilva1 OoKET.
KJ\. µfi wv TOV &vepcbimov a1Sea6il1s \fl6yov.
Ar. cpfiµn ye µEv-ro1 S1iµ60povs µfya ~'·
KA. o s· &cpe6vnT6s y• oVK rnl3T\'hos irEi\e1.
Ar. 0V"To1 yvva1K6s ~crrw lµelpew µaxT\s.
KJ\. Tois s· 61'J3(01s ye Kal TO VIKCCa6at 'Tl"pem1.
Ar. ii Kal <N v(l<flv Tf}vSe Sfip105 T(e1s;
KJ\. m0ov· KpaTEiS µhrro1 irapels (y) ~oov lµo(.
Ar. m· el SoKET 0'01 Ta00', \lrral TIS &p(3v1'as
i\001 TcX)(oS, irp6Sovi\ov ~µJ3aaw 'Tl"oS6s· 945
Kal ToiuSe µ• ~µ(3cxlvove• (cAovpyfow 6e6lv
µJi TIS irp60"ooeev 6µµCXToS J3(cA01 cp66vas.
iroAi\1) yap cxl~s &:>µcnocp0opeiv iroalv
cp0elpoV'Ta iri\o\iTov apyvpc.>yfiTOVS 6' vcpas.
TolJToov µw o\i-roo· -rl)v ~EVT)v 8~ irpevµev&)s 950
TI')vs· tc1<6µ13e· 'TOV KpttTOVVTCX µcxi\0c.O<&)s
0£c)s irp60"c.>eev e\lµevc;)s irpoa8~pKETCX1"
~cbv yap ovSels 8ovi\(001 XPT\Tal 3vy6>1.
aVrr} 8~ iroAi\&v XPflµ6:roov t~cx(pETov
&veos, crrpttTov s&>pT\1.1', lµol. ~ta-rre-ro. 955
Ml 8' &l<OVelV C10V Katlo-rpaµµa& TcX8e,
etµ• is S6µoov µ~a0pa iropcpvpas 1TaTOOV.
Frr
925 eiecit Wilamowitz 930 ,f,,011, TIU' WI: Weil: cl .,&.,,.a s· ~ Frr 932
&o.#<poOvr' ex &o.#apOfT' corr. F 933 mira collocatio verborum; S<laa.s a»' 'I~°'
8coiow cM' temptnbat Hermann, fortaSse rcctc lptci11 Headlam: lpS<111 F: lp&w
Tr 934 ~<iwo11 Frr: corr. Auratus 935 Soicif Frr: corr. Stanley 936
SoKtj ex 8oK<i (a.ctum F: SoK<i (supersc:r• .,,} Tr 937 µ~ l'Ol1 F o.lSco9ijr Tr: o.l8<o8<lr
F 943 Kpo.T<is Weil: K,4TO$ Frr wapclr Bothe: rr&p<i: Frr y' del. Weclclein
646 oi),. To'iolil 11-' Tr Jp.{Jal.'On' cU· Frr 948 at.Jp.aTo+9op<W Fl'r: corr.
SchQ~ rr&o111 Frr (superscr. gl. 0....Spo. dir.\Ws- Tr) 954 a.VT,, Aumtus: o.im} Frr
956 1<aTlOTaµa1 (superscr. gl. l<.irucdv Ka.T'OT'I") Tr, qui in scholio nota ~p.,npo11 distincto
ha.cc profert: cVP'1Ta1 KcU KaTIOTpo.µp.a1, tfyow 1Ca.T<fJ.\.q87111 1<T.\. 957 Uµol/S (in .fine
superscr. c.111) F ·
:146
upon embroidered fineries is to me by no means free from
fear. Different is the ring of the words 'footmats' and
'embroideries', and a mind without presumption is the god's
greatest gift; one should praise a man's fortune when he has
ended his life in welcome prosperity. I have said how I for
my part should act herein with good confidence.
Clyt. Aye, and tell me this too, of thine honest mind,-
Ag. My mind, be assured, I shall not allow to be falsified.
Clyt. Wouldst thou, in an hour of terror, have vowed to
the gods to do this as I request thee now?
Ag. Yes, if any man with full knowledge had prescribed
the performance of this ritual.
Clyt. And what dost thou think that Priam would have
done, if he had achieved such a deed? [embroideries.
Ag. I think that for sure he would have walked upon
Clyt. Have no scruple then for the reproach of men.
Ag. And yet the voice of the people has great power.
Clyt. Aye, but if a man is not envied no one vies with him.
Ag. It is not a woman's part to long for strife.
Clyt. Nay, but for the fortunate even to yield victory is
becoming.
Ag. What ? This 'victory' in this contest-does it mean
so much to thee?
Clyt. Yield; truly thou art the superior if of thine own
will thou hast left it to me.
Ag. Well, if this be thy will, let someone quickly loose my
shoes, which in slaves' stead serve the feet to step on; and
as I walk on these purple draperies of the gods, may no
glance of envious eye strike on me from afar. For a strong
feeling restrains me from wasting our house's substance with
my feet, spoiling therewith wealth, textures purchased for
silver. -
In the meantime one of the handmaids lias ·
fi1iished untying and taking off Agamemnon's
shoes. The king steps down from the car
So much, then, for that. But this stranger here, bring her
kindly into the house; at him who uses his power gently the
god looks with favour from afar, for no one bears the yoke
of slavery of his own will. And she has come with me as the
flower chosen especially for me from among much wealth,
the army's gift. But now, since I have been borne down and
must listen to thee in this, I will go into the halls of my house
treading purple underfoot. He walks slowly towards the door
147
 KA. fcrr1v ~aaaa, T{s Se vtv KCXTaaj3foe1;
Tpecpovacc iro1Vt.ils iropcpvpas laapyvpov
KflKlScx ircxyKc:dv1crrov, elµ&rCi:>v ~acpas·
ofKOlS 5• wapxe1 T(.\)v8e aW 0roTs, &vex~,
l)(e1v· m~at s· OUK rnlcrr<XTat 56µ05.
iro1Vt.oov lT<XTT\O'µov 5• elµOcTCl.>V av 1'}V~cXµT)v,
SOµo1a1 1TpoWex6ivroS w XPTlO'T1lPIOtS
'INX.ilS K6µ1crrpa Ti\aSe 1.1nxcxvooµtv111.
~l311s yap ovOT\s cpv1Vt.as fKET' ts S6µovs
O'Klav Virep-relvaaa ae1pfov KVVOs'
KOO aov µoi\6VTOS OCi:>µClTTTIV mlav
0CcA1ToS µw w xe1µ(.\)v1 OT\µa(ve1s µo'A6v·
O-rcxv Se -m'.Jx111 ZeVs [-r'] cX-rr' oµcpCXKoS ir1Kpexs
oTvov, TOT fiS11 'IJiixoS w 86µ01s irtAe1
&vSpbs 'TEAe{ov 86)µ• brtcrrp«>cpCi:>µWov.
:zev ZeV -rfu1e, Tas tµas eVx.as -rtAE1·
µf.Aot Se TO( O'Ol TOOV1Tep av µ~1)1S ™elv.

XO POI
Tf1TTE µ01 T6S' tµmSoos 975
SeTµa irpcxrr<X'Tt\ptov
KcxpS(as TepaaK6Trov
1TCIYTOrrat1
µaVTtiro'Aei s• OOdArucrroS aµta0oS &015<X,
ovs• cX-rrolT"TVO'CXS S(Kcxv 980
Sv01CphC1.>v 6ve1p6:rC1.>v
06:p<7oS aitmets f-
3e1 cppevbs cpli\ov 0p6vov;
XpOVoS o•, rnel 1TpVµV1)0'(Cl.>V ~W t~i\cxis
'f.'CclllloS &!.11T"Ta, irapft-
13T\aev, roe· w· "l?l.tov
c'r>p-ro vavf3Crras crrpa-r6s· -
Frr
958 personae nota decst in F 959 <~ 4.pyvpov Frr: corr. Salmasius 961
ol.ocos- Frr: corr. Porson 963 8nµ4Tai.,, Frr: distinxit Canter cllfdµ71.,, Frr
965 icoµltnpflo F l''IXo..,,aiµlvqs- F.l'r: corr. Abresch 967 W<f>Tlro.oflo F
969 µo~w . . Frr: corr. H. Voss, Blomficld· 970 .,' dcl. Auratus 972
'"''"f>Ofaip.l11011 Tr: Jw107pc;,. F: corr. Victorius 974 p.0.0& Tr ct schol. mctr.
Triclinianum in Frr ad 810 ndscriptum: p.l}..zz (supcrscr. ex) F TO& oo& Tr et
scbol. metr. (nd Sto) qunle exstat in Tr: ooi "°' schol. mctr. quale cxstat in F (mcro
lapsu): oo& F 976 B«yp.a. F 978 1r0TciTa.1 F: "oTciT' Tr: corr. Meineke
979 aJ.Uo60S' doc8d. µo.vruro~<t 8' clic0.<llOTOS' Tr 98o awoimSo"" Tr 982
Mril~s- Frr: corr. Jacob 982 sq. ZC" Scaliger: ff" F: ifn Tr 984 br<l F:
M Tr f'W<fp.p&Ni1s- Frr: corr. Casaubon 985 .µ.µp.os- Wccklcin: ~a.p.µla.s- FTr
df'JFTG Wilamowit:z: cLc4Tflo F: dic4Ta.r Tr 985 sq. "apif/J'lo' Tr
148
 C'tyt. The sea is there-and who shall drain it ?-that
breeds an ever-renewed gush of abundant purple, precious
as silver, for the dyeing of vestures. Our house, by the gods'
grace, 0 King, has a supply of these things, and the house
knows not how to be poor. I would have vowed the treading
underfoot of many robes, if at the seat of an oracle I had heard
that task declared for the house when I was devising means
for bringing safely back this man's life. For as, when the root
remains, the foliage returns to the house, stretching over it
a shade against the dog-star, so, by thy coming home to the
hearth of thy house,· thou dost signify that warmth has come
home in winter, and when from the sour grape Zeus is
making wine, then at once there is coolness in the house when
the consummate master is moving about his home.
Agamemnon goes within
Zeus, Zeus Consummator, consummate my prayers; and
mayst thou take thought for what thou dost intend to con-
summate. She follows Agame~n into the Jio'use

Cluw. Why is it that so constantly this dread, as a

guardian in front of my auguring heart, flutters to and fro ;
that a chant unbidden and unhired plays the prophet, and
I cannot spurn it, like dreams without clear meaning, and
let assuring trust settle on the throne of my mind? Time has
grown old since with the throwing-in of the mooring-cables
the sand flew up, when the naval host set forth to Ilion;
x49
 1Ta'.J6oµal s· w l>µµchoov
v6crrov, o:\rr6µap"TVS &'>v·
'TOY s• avev AVpas oµCl)s
vµYCl)lSEt
0pi\vov •Ep1wos o:\rroS{SCXKT<>s laoo0ev
0vµ6s, ov 'TO 1TOOl ~oov
~1T(Scs q>lAov 0pa<7<>s.
<71TA6:yxva s· 0<1To1 µCXTa1- 995
3e1 1Tp0s arS(KOlS cppeoiv
'1CAe<7q>opo1s S{voos KVl<Aovµevov Kfop.
e(;xoµat s· ~ lµCis
~1T{Scs 'f'V6tt 1T£at:lv
ls TO µfi -reAeacp6pov. = 1000

tµc.cha yap 'TOl 'TCXS 1TOAA<iS \Jy1e{ast

t&Kope<rrovt ·dpµa· v6aas yap
yehCl)v 6µ6To1xcs lpe(Se1.
Kal 1TO'TJloS e\i0vrrop&Sv 1005

.. * • • • • *
&vsp<>s Eirooow O:q>CXYTov fpµa.
Kal .,.o µw 1Tpo xpnµ<hCA>v
KTf\<7(Cl)v 6i<v<>s j3aA©v
acpevS6vas an-• e\iµhpov, 1010
o\JK ~Sv Trpomxs S6µcs
1t'Aflaµovas y~µCA>v lcyav,
ovs• rn6VT1oc <7K6'.q><>s.
1ToMa '1'01 S601s ac tubs &µq>1'ha- 1015
q>1\s "TI! Kal l~ aAOKCA>V hwretOOI
vfl<rrav &'>'heat:v v6<7ov. -

'To s• ml yOOI maov &rra~

eavaaaµov irp61Tap &vSpbs
µ£Aav aTµcx T{S av 1020
1TaAlV <XyK<X?daa1T• bra:ef6CA>v;
ov6~ 'TOV l>p6oSai\
Fl'r
990 J~ Auratus: orr°'s FTr 992 lp1~ FTr: corr. Porson 995 sq.
l'ClTdCn Fl'r: ' inscruit Hermann 998 If 11'6$ F: cl"' 1µ6$ To' Tr 999
ii~ Fl'r: corr. Henr. Stephanus IOOI sqq. initium strophae graviter corruptum
est; res singulas in commentario excussi IOOI y&p TCH F: yl (superscr. yelp) To' 3~
Tr 1004 sqq. ex antistropho npparet hcmicpes dactylicum hie cxcidissc, sed
utrum post 1004 (Klausen) an post 1005 (Heath) inccrtum est 1007 lpµ.o. Frr
1012 tr>..,,aµo116s Schntz: ""ll'O"°'s Frr IOIS lie om. Tr MAs- F 1016 icCll
lE Tr: Kell F IOI8 .,,,a&vS' FTr: corr. Auratus 1019 Trpha.p F: Trpcnr4po1S' Tr
1020 sq. Tis .,.• clyKG>.· Tr
150
and I learn their return from my eyes, myself the witness ;
but still my soul within me chants, self-taught, the lyreless
dirge of the Erinys, not feeling at all the welcome confidence
of hope. Man's inward parts do not vainly bode-the heart,
in eddies that bring fulfilment, whirling against the mind

which is conscious of just retribution. But I pray that from

my expectation it may fall as a falsehood to the ground so as

to bring. no fulfilment .

. . . of excessive health ... for disease, its neighbour with

a common party-wall, presses against it. And human fortune,

sailing straight, . . . strikes upon a hidden reef. Then, if, to

save the possessions, cautious diffidence flings a part over-

board by a well-measured throw, the whole house does not

sink under an over-freight of abundance, nor does he (i.e. the

skipper) drown his ship in the sea. A large gift from Zeus,

ample and coming from yearly furrows, destroys the plague

of famine.

But a man's dark blood, once fallen aforetime in death on

the earth-who by incantation can call it up again ? Else it

could not have happened that even he who knew the right
xsx
 'T6>v ~1µwoov &v6:ye1v
Zeus av frrcruaw rn• ~Aape(a1.
el Se µi\ ivrayµtva 1025
µoTpa µoTpav h< 6Eoov
elpye µi\ ir1Jov cp~pelV,
irpoqt66'.aaaa KapS(a
yA<;:,aaav av 'Tas• ~~txe1·
v0v 5• \nro O'K6Too1 ~~µe1
0vµciAy1is TE KOO o\JSw breAiroµt-
va iron Kalp1ov moAvnWO'EIV,
36>1TVpovµwas cppev6s. =

K/\YTAIMHITPA
efaoo Koµl3ov Kal O'U, KaaaavSpav 'Myoo, 1035
rne( o> let\KE ZeVs &µ11vh6)s S6µ01s
KOIV6)\IOV elva1 XEpY(~v, 1TOAAOOV µhex
SoVA(l)V O"Ta6eTaav K'Tl)a(ov ~ooµoO ireA.cxs.
~~v· c!mi'iVT1S 'filaSe µris• \nrepcpp6ve1.
Kal irat5a yap 'Tol cpaaw •AAKµ{)VT)s irOTe
irpaeiVTa 'TAflva1 SovAlas µ<X3ns t~<at.
el s• ow &v6:yKn Ti\aS• rn1pprno1 WxflS,
&pX<Xt01TAOVr6)V 8e0'1ToT&>V 1TOAA'l'i xap1s·
oi 5• OVrrOT, tAir(O'<XV'T'ES fiµ1'\0'aY KcxA6')s,
ooµo{ TE Sov1'01s ir<XVTa, Kal mxpa O"T&6µ11v 1045

• • • * * * * • * • • •
()(e1s irap• 'i}µ&)v ol<Xirep voµ{3era1.
XO. ao{ 'Tot 'hfyovacx ira'Verat, aacpfl 'hoyov.
WTQs 5• aAOVO'a µopa{µCA>V aypevµttr6)\I
m(601· av, el ml601·· &:nt16olns 5• Taoos.
Kl\. &AA· direp ml µn X°''S6vas SfKnv 1050
&yv~a cpoovnv ~6:pf3apov KEXT1'}µM),
tfooo cppEVOOV Afyovaat mleoo VIV 'h6y6)t,
XO. brov· Ta M>10"Ta TC'l>v irapeO"T~oov 'Mye1.
ire(6ov 'htirovaa 'T6v8• aµcx~pfl 6p6vov.

1024 civ lHW<'I Martin: aih' brauo' m a~Aapcla F: dpAafkllf ,., Tr 1030
fJpl1m ex fJ'Mrm factum F 1031 81JµaAyifr T< ical o.>ao '"om. Tr (cf. p. 13 sq.)
1035 ic<Wd."3pall FTr 1039 I'~ 8' FI'r l04I Sou~cla.r µd.(71S' /Jla F: 1eal Cvyano
8lycro1 P'llo Tr: SouMos "4C'1S' s,ycw Keck; non liquet 1042 hcppl"" Tr
1044 01'8' FTr: rclativwn agnovit Stanley 1045 wap<l aTtlDµ71v Tr: -rra.pa.OTJ.811'1>.,,
F post 1045 lacunam statuit Hartung 1048 ciAc>Oaci C. G. Haupt: civ o~a FTr
1050 hue pertinere videtur Hesychii gl0$$l xmUvoS' 81"'1• (xcl&S&a, cod., ordine
alphabctico interrupto: corr. M. Schmidt)· TOils fJap/lilpollS' xwUa111' clrr<ucd.Couocv &A
~· dcM(O]nov (corr. Wihunowit:z) AaM&v 1052 law ~pcvGJ• Myouaa non sanwn;
an corruptela latius pa teat inccrtum est
way to raise up from the dead was stopped by Zeus that no
harm might be done. And did not established destiny prevent
my portion from winning more from the gods, my heart
outrunning my tongue would pour this out; but as it is, it
mutters in the dark, pained to the core and without hope
ever to accomplish any timely purpose, while my mind is
ablaze.
Enter Clytemnestra
Clyt. Get thee within, thou too; thou, Cassandra; since
Zeus without anger has made thee to share with our house
its lustral water, standing among our many slaves by the
household altar. Come down from this car, and be not over-
proud. They say that even Alcmena's son once was sold to
bondage and endured to touch1 the bread of servitude. But
if the constraint of that lot should indeed befall one, then
to have masters old in wealth is a thing to be deeply thankful
for; whereas those who have reaped a rich harvest that they
never expected are harsh to their slaves in all thiiigs, and
with exact strictness (allot to them no more than their due.
With us, on the other hand, the s~rvants ....) Thou hast
heard from me what our custom is.
Clior. It is to thee she has spoken, and now she has
finished, a plain speech. Taken as thou art within the toils
of fate, pray obey her, if thou wilt obey; though perhaps
thou wilt disobey.
Clyt. Nay, if she is not, like a swallow, possessed of an
unintelligible foreign tongue, speaking . . . I attempt (?) to
persuade her by my words.
Chor. Go with her; she says that which is best as things
now are. Leave thy seat here on the wagon and obey.
1 Text uncertain.
x53
 KA. o<fro1 Ovpcdcn Ti\1S• ~µol ax,oAt'I irapa 1055
Tpl~e1v· Ta µw yap mlcxs µ£aoµq>aAov
fO'Tf\KEV i\STI µfl~a tlTPOs aq>ayas m1p6st·
(~ OWoT' ~1T{aacn Tf\vS• f~IV XCtplV')
uO s· eT Tl Sp&cms ToovSe, µi) <JXOAtlV T(6e1·
Et s• &~µoov o\'.iaa µi) Stxf11 A6yov, 1060
u0 5• c!arr\ q>OOvTlS q>fXXlE K<Xp~cXvOOl XEpf.
XO. ~pµT}vt6>s lo1KEV 1' ~WT} Topov
Seraeoo· Tp6TroS Se erip0s ~
vecx1phov.
KA. i'i µcx(ve-ra( ye Kal KCXK&lv l<A\Je1 q>pev&)v,
1)TIS A11100acx µW 1TOAIV vecxlperov 106.s
TtKEI, xo:Awov s· OUK rnlo-r<XT<XI q>tpeiv
irplv cdµCXTflpOV ~~aq>p{3eo6cn µWos.
ov µt'lv nAt6> ~{~er &-nµcxo&i\aoµa1.
XO. fyd> s·,rnoucr{p6> yap, OV Ovµ&>aoµcn.
te•, er, 'T~a1va, T6vs• tpflµ&xraa• oxov
~ova• &v«yl<11s Ti\O"SE K<XIVIO'OV 3vy6v.

KAIIANti.PA
6TOTOTOl lTOlTOl S(i•
"AiroXA.ov, "A1To'XA.ov.
XO. T( TcxVT avooTOTv~<XS &µq>l J\~{ov;
ov yap To100ToS ooO"TE 6p1)Vf1To0 -rvxetv. - 1075

KA. 6TOToToT Tr01ror sa·

"AiroXA.ov, "AiroXA.ov.
XO. f\ s· a\rre SVO'q>T}µOVO'a 'TOV eeov KcxAEl
o\JS~v npoofiKovT W y6o1s 'TT'<Xp<XO'TCXTETV. =
KA. "AnoXA.ov, "'A-rroXA.ov, ayv10:r', 1080
cm6XA.oov tµ(>s·
cm&>'Mo'cxs yap ov µ6AlS Tb Se\mpov.
XO. xpfiae1v to1KEV &µq>l TOOV cx\rriis KCXKOOV'
µWei To 6eTov SovAlai mp w q>pwt -
1055~ Fl'r xo67-84 MFTr
1055 9upalo Frr: corr. C4saubon ~· Musgrave: nf~' Frr 1057 in verbis
•fldr o~yd.r m1p&s conuptela latct; 11dpor quod Museravium sccuti plcrique cdunt non
sufficit 1058 cicclt Wihunowitz xo64 ~Tr:~ F fpaGJ11 "~&<, (scd
supcrscriptis ff et ti corr.) F 1067 nc:ccdit M lo68 ";" mFTr: I'; M
xo69 hOUCTclP"° codd.: corr. Kirchhoff 1070 &x+o" (&x'>.o11 fuisse suspicantur
Hermann, Vitelli) M 1071 <%.cover' (d"4yltl)' Tijc3< scrvato) Robortcllo cWy1t11(c)
Tijc3< codd.: corr. Casaubon 1072 1<ao~po. codd. 1072 ct 1076 hoTOTOTot
M woµ.wot Frr 1073 et 1077 ~~" onro~" M 1074 sq. Schol.
Eur. Phocn. xozS .A~r· ' -rl -raG-r' d11(11).&Al!£4f ••• ""X"" ' 1078 tS S' M : tj3'
FTr 108o dyw{-r' hoc accentu hie ct 1oSs codd., nisi quod 1o85 clyu(aT"' F (xo8o ·cl.·
ex ·<0- corr. F) 1083 a~ codd. 108411cp bi Schiltz: wap' ~ .. M: ,,apa.
F: wapd11Tr
x54
 CZ,,t. Come, I have no leisure to waste time here out of
doors. For they, the sheep, are already standing before (?)
the central hearth, for (?) slaughter; and thou, if thou mean-
est to do aught of what I say, make no delay; but if thou art
without understanding and my words reach thee not, then
instead of speech show thy meaning with outlandish hand.
Cltor. It is an interpreter, a clear one, that the stranger
seems to need. Her behaviour is like that of a wild creature
newly caught.
Ctyt. Mad she is, and hearkens to a wild mind, she who
has come hither from a newly captured city and yet has not
the sense to bear the bridle before foaming her spirit away
in blood. I will not waste more words to be disdained.
Exit CZ,,temmstra
C!ifJ1'. But I, for I pity her, will not be angry. Come now,
unhappy one, leave this carriage empty, and of thine own
will take on thyself the unaccustomed yoke of this constraint.

Cassandra. 0 woe, woe, woel alasl Apollo, Apollo!

C/1fJ1'. Why dost thou thus cry woe while invoking Loxias ?
he is not such that the chanter of a dirge should come his
way.

Cass. 0 woe, woe, woel alasl Apollo, Apollo!

Cllor. Once more with ill-omened sounds she invokes the
god whom it in no wise befits to be present at lamentations.
Cassandra leaves the car and begins w walk
towards tlle MfJ1' in front of wliich she sees the
1

stom symbol of Apollo Agyieus

Cass. Apollo, Apollo, Agyiates! a very Apollon to mel For
thou hast ruined me utterly for the second time.
ChfJ1'. She is going to proph.esy, it seems, about her own
miseries. The divine gift abides in the mind, though it be
enslaved.
x55
 KA. "ATToXAov, "AnoX>..ov, dcyvtO:T', xo85
<Xrr6X>..CA>v tµ6s·
a TCOi TCO°f' i\ycxy£s µEj TCpOs TCo(av <Ttfyt}v;
XO. npbs TI)v •A-rps1S6>v. el C1V µ'i) -r6s• Mioets,
fyoo '}.fyCA> <JOI" Kal -ras• O~ ~psTs ~· =
KA. (a a]
µ1a6&ov µw ovv, noX>..a ovv(crropa 1090
cx\rroq>6vcx l<<XKcX K<Xpctr6µa,
&vSpoa~Tov Kal 1TESoppcwr{ip1ov.
XO. loncev e<lp1s 1) ~ KVVOs 6(K1)v
eivoo, µa-reVe1 s· @v &vevpnae1 cp6vov. -

KA. µapTUplo101 yap -roias• ernneleoµa1 • 109.S

l<Aoo6µevcx -ra8e (3p£cpf1 acpcxyas
6n-ras -re aapK<XS 1Tp0s 1TCXTp0s (3~pci.>µ£va5.
XO. 1'\µev l<Aros <JOV µav-rlKO\I mmvaµWo1
f?iµevf, 1TpocpnTas s· o<i'T1vcxs µcmVoµev. =
KA. too iroTTo•, Tf 1TOTe 1.11\SEToo; xxoo
-rl -r6Se vtov
ax<>s; µfya
µfy' w 56µ0101 -roiaSe µ{\6£Too K<XK6v,
&cpep-rov cplA01a1v,
Sva(cn-ov· ahKcX s·
b<as <Xrrocrr<XUT.
XO. -ro<rrci.>v &1Spfs elµ1 Toov µcnrrevµO:rCA>v· xxos
h<ETvcx s· fyvoov· naaa yap noi\1s (3oa1. -

KA. Id> T&ha1Va, -r66e yap 'Tei\eTs;

-rov 6µoS£µv1ov TCOal\I
i\oVTpoTa1 cpa16pwo:aa· n6>s cppaaCA> -r~as;

1o8S'"94 :MFTr x095-n09 MFG(mro notatur, cf. p. 30 sq.)Tr

xo88 d ~· .,.d, ,,; s· Miocir F: cl. .,.& ""P ,,; s· lwoci'.r Tr 1o89 ical .,.&3' !C: Ki1'a.
3' Frr i/nf311 (cf. 999) Tr 1090 a a versus scpnmti vfccm obtinct in M, dccst in
Frr f wlvropa M 1091 a.W~ll'O. mFl'r: aw&lova. Ji{ Ko.pa:r&µa. Kayser: Ka.prJ.ro.i
M: Kd.PTJ.wu. F: Ka/"ava.r Tr 1092 cl"3pdr o;&ycoll' codd •.(, in duatum littcrarum
litura. M): oorr. Ca.saubon ct Dobrcc 11c8oppan-4pto" M: .,,1&.,, P-rflpco11' (pa..,.,.. sine
spiritu m) mFrr 1093 c~ptr ex wpou• corr. M: cVptS Frr 1094 f"JJ'l'C.Sn M
av c~l"fcni M: l9cul"fon Frr: oorr. Porson 1095 acccdit G µo.(Yl'Vplois codd.:
corr. Pauw µ~.,.yap FTr -roto8c w~cl9oµa.& codd.: corr. Abrcsch 1096
.,.4 {Jplf'I FTr 1098 ~"'1"' (supcrscr. ·~µa-) 111: ~µoi FTr wftfuuµivo1• (una
littcra crasa) M 1099 ~µoi M: ~l'C>' Frr aut hie aut, id quod minus probabilc
vidctur, in vcrsu antcccdcntc vcrbo ~l'C>' ex proximo vcrsu inscrto gcnuin11 vox
cxpulsa est p.a.""crSol'Cll' codd.: corr. Schill: IIOO .,,4"°' mFTr: wowt M
IIOl 4]!.0or (supcrscr. ·c{Xor.) M µlya. dcl. Enger, fortussc rcctc; cf. uo8 II03
~D.txaall' Tr: ;0.010& MF dNccl.,, F IIOS vcisum affcrt Photius Buol. p. 47. 13
no6 ~ w&lir Frr no8 11&U&., dcl. Enger; cf. xxox
x56
 Cass. Apollo, Apollo, Agyiatesl a very Apollon to mel Ah,
whither hast thou br0ught me? to what house?
Cher. The house of the Atridae. If thou art not aware of
that, I tell it to thee and thou shalt not call it false.

Cass. Nay, an ungodly one, that can bear witness to many

evil deeds of kindred murder and beheading, a slaughter-
place for men, a place where the ground is sprinkled.
Chor. Keen-scented like a hound the stranger seems to be,
and she is searching for the murder of those· whose murder
she will find.

Cass. Yes, for here is the testimony that I trust: here are
babes crying because of their slaughter and their roasted
:flesh that their father devoured I
Ch<>r. We had heard of thy renown as a seer; but we seek
none of those who speak in the name of the gods.

Cass. 0 horror, what plot is this? what new grief is here?

A mighty evil is being plotted here in the house, unbearable
to kinsmen and friends, beyond cure; and help stands far
aloof.
Clwr. Of these prophecies I have no knowledge; the
former I recognized, for the whole city rings with them ..

Cass. Ah, wretch! so thou wilt accomplish this? The

husband of thy bed, thou hast washed him clean in the bath,
x57
 TcXxoS yap T6~» lo-rcxa·
1Tpo"1"E(ve1 Se xelp tl< 1110
xepbs 6pfyµcmx.
XO. owci.> ~vilKa' vw yap ~~ a:lvayµerrci.>v
brapytµo1a1 6eacp6:ro1s &il11xcxv&>. =
KA. ~ ~.
ircrn<Xi ircrn<Xi, Tl T6Se cp<X(wrcxa;
S(KW6v T( y ·A1Sov;
'ii UIS
a>\A' apKVS 1" ~VvewoS1 ft ~ITkX
q>6vov. IT&O'lS s· 00<6pETOS ytve1
Ko:roi\oi\v~erroo OOµmas i\eva(µou.
XO. iro(cxv 'Ep1\IW -rfivSe S&>µcxaav Kti\111
brop01~e1v; ov µe cpc:x1Sp6ve1 i\6yas. II:ZO

rnl Se KapS(cxv ISpcxµe KpoKoj3aq>l'js

crray&>v, &re Kcxl Sopl 1T'"fea:>alµoas
~cxv\rna ~fov SVv-ros <XVy<XTs·
-raxeta s· &ra mAel. -
KA. &a,
tsov ISov· &ne)(e Tfis fX>Os
Tov -ra\ipov· w irmi\0101v
µei\cxytdpci.>1 i\~vaa µ11xavfiµcn1
-n'.hrr£1· irhvea s• (hi) MSpoo1 TEV)(e1.
8oi\ocp6vov ~~T)TOS U)(vcxv ao1 ).fyci.>.
XO. ov Koµiraaa1µ• av &aq>Crrci.>V yv&>µoov &Kpas 1130
eTva:a, KCXKOOl s~ Tci.>l 1Tpool:lK~(i.) ,-&Se.
&iro Se eeaq>Crroov -rls &:yaea q>Crr1s
~poTois -rme-roo; K<XK&°>v yap Stal
1TOAVCJ1'EiS orixvat 0E0'1Tlci.>lU>V
qxS~v q>tpouaiv µa0eTv. = u35

KA. loo loo -r<XAafvas KCXK6irarµo1 ,-Uxa1·

MF(G)Tr
1110 Sl MF.Ir: yd.p G ex xdp factum xc&p' M IIII xc1pk M oplypo.Ta.
Hcnnann c scholio: dpcyoµlva corr. ex opcyoµcva. :M: opcyµl11a. FTr 1113 bt'
dpylJ'O''" FTr dµ....,µo11&> G III4 "o."o.t 11'G.Tra.t FTr IIIS 1} M: ~ FTr
• .A1So11 Schatz: dtS011 codd. (supcrscr. awlC'JOIS Tr) 1117 GxOp<OTOS codd. : corr.
Bothe ante 1118 chori nota emsa in ]I{ III9 Jpu-011 M: Jf>'lll'W FTr
1120 9a.&SptS11n mFrr: 9a.&Sp~ M- nntc 1121 Cassnndrac notn crnsa in M 1122
1Ca.t Sopl Casaubon : Ko.t Sopla. M: 1Co.t Swpla. F: S01pla. Tr 1l'TW01µos codd.: corr. Casau·
bon II23 t11110.wrct codd. (ex t1111G.WTl corr. M) IX2S ct ct M: ci ct FTr /Jo~ Tr
1127 µiM.yK'P"" M (sed littera ' in rasuru ex ,. facta, et supcrscr•• ,,.) : µt>.o.yKlpw11 F:
µiM.yK<pw., Tr: de scholio quod ct µtM.y1Ctpwt1 ct µU.o.y1<lp"'4 tcstatur v. oomm.
>.o.fJoOoo. codd.: >.o.9o0oA schol. M 1128 "'TV<' ex Tr&Ttlct corr. M (tcstc Vitcllio):
tnTll<i FTr l11 supplcvit Schatz 1129 Tl~ Weil: -nfxeu1 codd. u30
bpos ex 41epo1S corr. M 1132 .,{~ FTr: .,,s M: ct.,,~ (l..lOTc) ct -rls intcrprctatur
schol. M II33 {JpoTO'io' F OT'M<Ta' codd. (OTD.tt411supcrscr. S&cl To piTpo.,,
Tr, quippe qui n22 <iT<, supcrscr. Ko.Bel, pro pyrrhichio haberet): corr. Empcrius
Sl(ll Hcnnann: S~ o.l FTr: Sul M IX34 9c0tr1c.11Ut1 codd.: corr. Casaubon 1135
;ipoll'1111 Tr: ;tpo""' MF µo.8civ suspcctum
158
an<i then-how shall I tell the end? for speedily it will be;
hand after hand stretches forth and reaches out.
Clwr. Not yet do I understand; for now the riddling
sayings leave me bewildered by their dim oracles.

Cass. Ah, ah! alas, alas! what is this that comes in view?
some net·of Hades? Nay, but the snare that shares his bed,
that shares the guilt of murder. Let insatiate Discord raise
to the race an exulting shout over the sacrifice that is to be
avenged by stoning.
Chor. What dost thou mean by thy Erinys whom thou
summonest to raise her voice over the house? Thy words
cheer me not. To my heart there rushes a drop of saffron dye,
the very one which to men fallen by the spear arrives to-
gether with the rays of setting life; and doom is at hand.

Cass. Ah, ah I Look, look I Keep the bull from the cow I
In a garment she has caught him, y;ith black contrivance of
the horned one, and strikes; and he falls in a vessel of water.
It is the device of a treacherous murdering caldron whereof
I tell thee.
Chor. I would not boast high skill as a judge of oracles;
but this I liken to some evil thing. But from oracles what
good message ever comes to men? By (uttering) evil do the
wordy arts of prophets bring fear to learn. 1

Cass. 0 woe for a wretched one's hapless lot! For it is my

1 Tc.'<t uncertain,
159
 -ro yap 4lov ep00> 1T6.&s trreyxvSav.
-rt ST\
µe &Opo -n)v TaAcx1vav i\ycxyes;
ovStv 1TOT• el µfl ~cxvovµM)v· Tl yap;
XO. cppevoµcxvfis TIS eT 6eoq>6pri-roS, aµ-
cpl s· cx\rras epoets
v6µov &voµov, oTa TIS ~ovea
&KopE'ToS ~. cpev, cp1Aobcro15 cppealv
"hvv "ITW <Tdvova• &µcp16<XAfl K<XKois
OO)Soov f3£ov. -

KA. loo loo 1'1yekxs OO)Sovs µ6pov·

mpt(3Wl.ov y&p ol 11"1'Epocp6pov Siµas
6eol y1'w.W T• crloovcx l<AavµCn-6>v &rep·
iµol 8~ µ(µvet <1)(l0"µ0s aµcpfiKEt oopf.
XO. 1T60ev bnao\rrovs 6eocp6povs [-r1 !xe1s xx so
µetrcxlovs Svcxs,
-rcX s• hricpo~ Suacp6:roo1 l<Acxyycx1
lJEAOTU1TETS 6µov T 6pelo1s w v6µ01s;
1To6ev 6povs ~e1s 6eamala:s 6500
K<XKoppfiµovcxs; = USS

KA. I&>,
yaµo1 y&µo1 TT&p1Sos 6Atep101 cpl~6>v.
loo ~cxµavSpov 1T6:Tp1ov irOT6v·
T6TE µw aµcpl CJcXS ai6vcxs TaACXIV•
fivv-r6µcxv TpocpcXrs·
vW s· &µcpl K6>KVTOV TE K&x_epova(ovs u6o
6xeovs fo1Kcx 6e<rn16>18{\aeiv TCcxO:.
XO. T( T6Se -rop0v &ycxv hroS lcpflµ(a6>;
veoyvbs av &tc..>v µcXeo1.
irm~1lyµcx1 s• &rrep Sfiyµcrr1 cpo1vlc.>1

IIJ7-59 MF(G)Tr 116o-4 F(G)Tr

1137 lTJcyxiS3GI' Headlam: hcncia11a M: '"a.'IXIGl1a Fl'r u38 Tl Heimsoeth:
aot codd. 1139 o"3ia> TrOT' M: o"3lwoT' F: oi) 3~ TtOT' Tr 1141 a~.ir Fl'r:
awoir M II42 drop.411 y' Tr oU Tr: oia M: oi& F 1143 ol(.6p<~ codd.:
corr. Al{lina {Jo6s F: Po6:'r M: Pop6s Tr +co M: om. Frr fW>l1m11r .,a),J"""'
9p<11l11 F: 9').obc-r°'rn. 91<11111 Tr: .,a).iJ,.a,r (sic, ut vidctur, M, teste Vitellio, Ta>.alrtir m)
fp<ol" M: 9i>.ot1CT01r gcnuinurn csse, Ta>.llia>alf vcro interpolatum per$pe.~t Dobrcc
1146 d.17SoOr p.6po11 Dobrce (l'&po11 ci.,,Ua>or Hermann): d.1786111>r µ&po11 codd. 1147
•cp<p&>.tmo M: •<P'Pa)J;.,,<$ Frr: corr. Hermann (nisi quod ,,,ptpaAo11scripsit) 1148
yp{~a1) al~ in marginc m: d.ycA>N MFTr xx50 .,• de!. Hermann 1151
8o1&r M, corr. in S.Sar m n52 brt+o/Ja MFTr: ht .µp"" (·w, sci!. w supra a
scripto, ~) m~ 1153 ~cir (o supra ~us < scripto) F: l'M,o.,. (c supra
prius o scripto) Tr 1154 'xii FG (ex lxn fo.ctum ~ 1157 .,&,ro,, G 1158
T°"4wa F post 1159 deficit M 1163 ci" dtw,. Karsten: ci,Q[Xfnrw,. :FTr
1164 "'"'~"ai Tr arrcp Franz (h"1f Hermann): uir~ F: Viral Tr
16o
own sufferings that I cry aloud, adding them to the cup.
Wherefore hast thou brought me hither, poor wretch that
I am ? for nothing but to share in death; what else?
Chor. Frenzied art thou, with heaven-sent transports, and
about thyseH thou criest aloud a tuneless tune, like a tawny
one, who, insatiate of lamenting cry, alas, with melancholy
mind bewails with 'Itys, Itys' her life that has woe flourish-
ing on either side, a nightingale.

Cass. Oh the death of the melodious nightingale: her the

gods cloaked in a feathered shape and a sweet life without
cries of woe; but what waits for me is cleaving by the two-
edged weapon.
Chor. Whence hast thou the rushing pangs of heaven-sent
transport, pangs that are vain, and shapest these fearful
songs alike with inarticulate sound and in loud notes ?
I
Whence hast thou the limits of thy prophetic way, that tell
of evil?

Cass. 0 the wedding, the wedding of Paris, that brought

the destruction of his kin! 0 Scamander, my native stream!
'.

Once on thy shores, unhappy maid, I was nurs~d and grew;

but now, it seems, it is by Cocytus and the banks of Acheron
that I shall soon ~hant my prophecies.
Clror. What word is this that thou hast uttered all too
plain? A little child that heard it might understand. I am
16x
 8VO'cxAyeT i\Jxcxt µwvpa (K<XKa] 6peoµWcx5,
6poo'.lµ<XT tµo\ ICAveav.

KA. kb,
11'6vo1 11'6vo1 11'6Ae<>s 6).oµWcxs 'TO 'Tl'av.
Id:> 'Tl'p6nvpyo1 6vu{cx1 'Tl'<XTpOs
'Tl'OAVKaveTs f3oT&>V 'Tt'Otov6µc.lV' OO<<>s
s· o<JSw ml}pKEacxv 1 r70
'TO µ1'} (o\J) ir6Atv ~v 6Xrnep ow l)(et 'Tl'cx6etv·
fyd:> 8~ t&pµ6vovst 'Ttf.x: tµ m8001 ~<XA&>.
XO. moµeva irpo-dpotO'l Ta8• tcpnµ{aoo,
Ka( 'TfS (J'E K<XK04Ppov&>v T(6t)-
O'I Scx(µc.lV Vm:p~cxpi\s q.l'Tl'(TVCAlV 1175
µEA(3e1v Tra6t) yoepO: 0cxvcm)cp6pcx·
Ttpµcx 8' aµ11xcxv&>.

KA. Kcxl µ\)v 6 XP'laµc)s o\JKW ~ K<XAvµµ&roov

~O'TCXl Se8opKd:>s veoyaµov wµcp11s 8{KflV,
ACXµirp6s s· lotKEV flA(ov 'Tl'pos &v'To).Q:s 1180
1TV£oov roa1~1v, <A)cm; K\Jµcnos S(KflV
ICA~ew TrPOs cx\lyas To08e in')µcn05 iro).v
µet3ov· cppevcbaoo 5• o\Jt<Er t~ cx[vayµ&rCAlV.
Kcxl µcxpwpeiTe avvSp6µoos 'ixvos KCXK&>v
~lVflA<XTOVOT1• .,.(;)v irC£Aoo irrnpccyµwoov. nss
'T'l)v yap rnyriv ,,,.VS' OVtrOT' tJCAehret xopOS
~Vµcp0oyyos OVK e0q>OOVoS' o<J yap ru Afyea.
K<Xl µl'}v irrnooK@s y', oos 6po:O'We<J6cx1 ir).fov,
j3p6Te1ov cxTµcx Kooµ05 lv 66µoas µWei
SvamµlM"oS ~~oo, avyy6voov 'EpawCAlv. 1190
\JµvoV<JI s· vµvov SooµCXO'l\I irpooiiµevcxl
Trpcl>Tapxov 0:-n)v, W µ~pEI 6' anfo IVO'<X\I
rovas aS£AcpoO 'TOOi ir<XT0W'T1 SvaµEvets .
.qµo:pTOV fi KVpoo Tl 'T0~6-tT)s 'TIS oos;
Ti 'J'EVS6µcarrls elµt 6vpoK0rr05 cpMSCl>v; 1195
F(G)Tr
n65 ~uaa.)'Yct Frr: corr. Canter p.1viSpa. F: p.lvupa. Tr "~a dcl. SchO.tz
xx66 80..Sp.a.T' Tr u671l'&~ccor F d).c,op.INS F: oA.oup.lvas Tr: corr. Casaubon
1171 oi} supplevit Hermann lxn Tr: lxcw F 1172 8,pp.4.-o~ conupt~m:
8cpp.dv f>oOv Musgrave lp.,,l8w ("'fl Tr) Frr: distinxit Co.saubon n73 wpoTlpocr
Frr: oorr. Pauw n74 Kal ~lr oc F: Tis oc xa.l Tr: nffinnntivam sentcntiam
cssc vidcrunt Brumoy, Heath "~ofpovcitl Frr: oorr. Schatz II74 sq. "~o;povcitl
8alp.wv 'l!'occt {mcp/Jo.pUr Tr II7S Jp.11lTt''°" F: lp.w&Tt'WI' Tr II76 Oa.va.TTJf4pa.
Tr: 80.va.To+&pa. F 1179 wp.fllr GTr: "'1~ F II8r loJ.cf<&v Bothe: lr
~e"" Frr n82 ic.\JCciv Aurntus: xMciv Frr n87 €.S/lfQo)'Yos Tr:
fJp.;oyyor G: o.Sµ+on'or F II90 lpiwtSfJJv Frr 1191 Up.a.o' Frr: v add.
Porson II92 wpilrropxas F II94 xupfi> Ahrens: TT/~ Frr Tlr ~r FTr
162
stricken as with a deadly sting at thy cruel fate, as thou
shrillest plaintive notes, shattering for me to hear.

Cass. 0 distress, distress of my city utterly destro¥edl 0

my father's sacrifices before1 the walls, prodigal in slaughter
of the grazing flock; yet they availed not for any cure to
prevent the city from meeting with what is in fact its fate;
while I shall soon pour the hot stream of my blood (?)~ on the
ground.
Chor. These utterances follow in the same strain as those
before, and some malign power that falls exceeding heavy on
thee causes thee to chant of doleful death-fraught sufferings;
but the end I cannot see.

Cass. Lo, now shall my oracle no longer be one that looks

forth from a veil liJce a newly wedded bride, but methinks
bright as a fresh wind it will rush in and blow towards the
sunrise, so that like a wave there shall surge toward the light
a far greater woe than this; I shall teach you now no more in
riddles. And bear ye witness unto me as in close pursuit I
scent out the track of the ills enacted long ago. I say that
from this house there never departs a choir that sings in
concert and yet with no pleasant sound, for not pleasant are
.its words. Aye, and it has drunk-and grown bolder thereby
-of human blood; and it abides, that revel-rout, within the
house, not to be turned away, the rout of the Erinyes bred
in the race. And they sing their song, besetting the chambers,
sing of the mind's blindness that began it all, and each in
turn they vent their loathing for a brother's bed, hostile to
him who trampled on it. Have I missed, or do I make a hit,
like an archer? Or am I a false prophet, a door-rapper, a
1 Or 'for'.
2 Text uncertain.
 ~µcxp.Vp11aov 1Tpovµ6aas 'o µf) elstva'
A6yCA>1 1Ta'Aa1<Xs -r&>vs• &µcxp-rfas S6µCA>v.
XO. Kal 1T6SS av 6pKOV 1Ti)yµa yevvcxlcus irayw
11"<Xl<l>VtOV YWOITO; 6avµ~oo S~ O'OV1
ir6VTov 1T~pcxv 't'p<Xcpeiaav aAA66povv t1T6Awt 1200

KVpeiv 'Afyovaav, &>0'1Tep el 1T<xpea-r6:re1s.

KA. µewr1s µ• •A1T6XACA>v ,.c;s,s• ttriO'Tflow ~e1.
XO. µoov Kcxl 6e6s mp t~poo' 1TE11"A1)yµ~vos; 120 4
t\A. irpo 'TOV µw alS<l'>s i)v ~ol Afyetv -raSe. 1203

XO. af3pvw-rm yap 1TCXS TlS ro 1TpaaaCA>v ir'Afov. 1205

KA. aAA' ilv 1TaACXIO"rl\S 'KCxpT' tµol ~(.\)\I xap1v.
XO. Ti 'K<Xl ii'Kvoov els ftpyov fiAee-rov v6µCA>1;
KA. ~cxavfocxacx A<>Slav ~aaµf\v.
XO. i)Sl) 'Tix.vcx1aw Mfo1s il•Pfl~Vl);
KA. fiSll iro'Ahcx1s 1Tewr• tearn13ov 1Ta61). 1210
XO. 1T(;)s Sil-r' av<Xl05 i)a0a Ao~(ov K6TCA>I;
KA. rnaeov ovsw· ovSw, 005 'Tas· ftµirA<XKO\I.
XO. i)µiv ye ~v Sfi mcrr<l 6e0"1Tf3e1v 8oKETs.
KA. lov lov, ~ ~ K<XKa.
\rrr' <XV µe Seivbs 6p6oµcwrelcxs 1T6vos 121 5
O'lpof3ei TcxpC:caqCA>v <ppo1µfo1s * * * *·
opa:re -rova8e TOVS 86µ01s tcp1wwovs
vfovs, ovelpoov irpoacpepeis µopcpcl>µcxa1v;
iraiSes eav6VTES tcOO-rrepelt 1TpOs T<A>v cpf'Aoov,
XEipcxs 1<peoov ir'A1')6oVTES olKefcxs '3opCis, 1220

aV\I tvT~po1s TE 0"1T'A<Xyxv•, brolKT1a-rov yiµos,

irpbrova' ~oVTEs, ©v 1T<Xliip fym<X't'o.
~ ToovSe iroavas cpriµl f3ovAe6E1v "TIVa
Aro\IT• avaAKl\I tv 1"'Afxe1 O'T~µEVO\I
ol1<ovp6v, 0Tµo1, TOOl µo'A6VT1 SE01T6TI)1. 1225

[tµ&k <p~1v yap XPfl -ro Sov'A1ov 3vy6v.]

ve<A>v s· &rrcxpx<>s 'l'Afov ,.. avo:a-r6:nis
o\JK oloev oTcx y1'.<i>Gaa µ10'1)Ti)s KVVOs
F(G)Tr
1196 icat µari1P11aov Tr 1-1' <l8l11a1. Frr: corr. Bothe, Dobrce u98 op>eoS'
mjµq. FTr: corr. Auratus 1200 "&>.&v vix sanum : .,..c£1N Schocmann : TO .,..liv Weil
versum 1203 (xop&S' prae6xenmt Frr) post 1204 (>eaa~/X' praef. JITr) collocavit
Hermann 1203 "poTOO FTr 1205 d{Jp.!"HTa' F: {Jap.Jt.cro., Tr l2Il
aNTOS' Canter: ~S' Frr I2l2 oUSlv' Canter: 0Ml11 FTr 1216 9J>O'p.lo&S'
lf'lp.lvolJS' (in fine otS' superscr. Tr) FTr: ' crediderim, dum Jibrarii oculus in sequens
(1217) lf>.,,µbollS' abermsset, genuinum vocabulum cxcidisse, quod sine codicum ope
frustra reponerc tcntavcris ' (Butler); 9poc,Jo&S' 811a9po1p.lo'S' cxempli gratia Hennann
1219 ~cnr,p<l valdc suspectum 1221 ylµos- FTr: yi G 1224 >.low' QJ.a.\K,r
quid sibi velit nescio; versum delcvit Wilamowitz 1226 eieclt A. Ludwig
8od.\<cov Tr Cuyd" ex Cuyco corr. F 1227 11cc:i11 -r' Frr: corr. G. Vossius I228
d of3<y'fr
 babbler? Bear witness, upon oath, that thou hast not heard,
and dost not know, the ancient wrong-doings of this house.
Chor. And how could the security of an oath, solidly
secured, avail for remedy? But I marvel at thee that, bred
beyond the sea, speaking a strange tongue, thou hittest full
on the mark with what thou sayest, as if thou hadst been
present here.
Cass. It was the seer Apollo who appointed me to this
office.
Chor. Being smitten-even he, a god-with desire?
Cass. Aforetime I was ashamed to speak of this.
Chor. Aye, we are all too fastidious when things are well
with us.
Cass. Well then, he was a wrestler who mightily breathed
his grace upon me.
Chor. Came ye also to the work of begetting children, as
the custom is?
Cass. I gave my consent, and then I played Loxias false.
Chor. When already thou wert seized by the art wherein
the god is present?
Cass. Already I prophesied..-to my people all that was to
befall them.
Chor. Surely then thou wast not unharmed by the wrath
of Loxias?
Cass. I could make none believe anything that I said,
after that offence.
Chor. Yet to us thy divinations seem worthy of belief.
Cass. Ah I ah I oh misery I Once more a fearful pang of true
prophesying whirls me round, troubling me with ... preludes.
Do ye see these young ones seated close to the house, in
semblance like the shapes of dreams? Children slain . . . by
their near ones, with their hands full of meat, the meat of
their own flesh served as food; and, clear to see, they hold
their vitals and their entrails, a lamentable load, whereof
their father tasted. Hence vengeance is being plotted, I tell
you, by some craven lion, 1 wallowing in the bed, a stay-at-
home, ah me, who plots against the master on his return.
But the commander of the fleet and overthrower of Ilion
knows not, after the fine and lengthened speeches that the
lewd creature's tongue has uttered with radiant frieridliness, 2
• Text doubtCul; sec the commentary.
a Afore accurately 'beaming disposition'.
x65 .
 Ae~cxacx Kme(vcxacx 'P<X1Sp6vovs S(Kt)V
&ms A~pa{ov 'TEV~ET<X\ K<XKT}t -r\Jxfll. x230
-ro1aSe -r6Aµa- &i;Avs- &p<m'OS ~vros·
f<riw· -r( vav KcxAovacx Sva,1Ms 8~oS
-r<Jxo1µ• &v; aµ,raf3rovcxv, ft 2K\J"M.cxv T1va
olKOVO'CXV w irhpcx1a1, y<X\ITfA(l)y f3A~T}V,
0Vovacxv •A1Sov i.tt)Tep• 6:0'1fovS6v .T' "APfl x235
cp(:;\015 -nvtovO'cxv; ~ 5• brc.>AOAV~<XTO
ti ir<XVT&roAµcs, c00mp ai µax11s Tponi\1·
8oKET 8~ XO:{pe1v vcxrr(µc.>1 O'(A)Tf)p(cxt.
KCX\ -roovS' oµoTov ef Tl µ'i} m(0w T{ yap;
'TO ~ov ft~e1· Kal o-V µ• w
Taxe1 ircxpoov x2•0
O:ycxv [y] &A1106µ<XVT1v olicr{pas tpeTs.
XO. -r'iiv µW 9veCTTov 8<XTT<X irro8e(c.>v Kpe&Sv
~i}K<X KCXl m,plK<X KOO '6f3os µ• ~El
l<Av6VT' &A110&Ss o<JSiv ~~1KcxO'µWcx·
'TeX 8' 6JVi.• &Kovacxs ~ 8p6µov ireaoov TP~(I). x2•s
KA. •Ayaµeµvov6s at '1)µ• rn¥aecx1 µ6pov.
XO. e<icpt'lµov, @ TaAcxwcx, Ko(µt)aov CTT6µcx.
KA. &:>Ji.• 0V"T1 iroooov Too1s· rn1CM'CXTEi 1'6y(l)1.
XO. o<iK, efoep mcx1 y· &:>Ji.a µ'i} yevo1T6 ir(l)S.
KA. ~ ~v KCXTEVxfll, Tots s· OOTOKTE(ve1v µt:;\e1. 1250
XO. Tl\loS 1fp0s avSp0s TOUT axes
1fOpaVvE'T<X\j
KA. n Kap'T' f &p• ®f ircxpEK6irfls XPf1C7µoov ~µ&>v.
XO. TOVS yap ruoVVTCXS ov ~i)Kcx µ11xcxvfiv.
KA. K<Xl µ'i}v O:ycxv y ·EAA11v· rn{CM"aµCXl q><XT1v.
xo. Kcxl yap Ta irv06Kp<XVTCX' Svaµ~fi s· <Sµ(l)s. 1255
KA. iTarrcxi,
olov TO irVp rnepxe-rcx1 (Se µ01].
6-roToi,
/\Vl<e1• "AiroXAov, ot fy&> [fy&>].
c:xVn, Slirovs Afo1vcx ovyi<o1µc.>µM\
AVK(l)l AOOVToS royevo\is 6:rrovofoa
F(G)Tr
I229 ical 1CTc{t!Goa. FTr: corr. Canter 1231 .,o,43c F: "°'aOT4 Tr T0~4
Ahrens: .,oAµli (·~ Tr) Frr post .,&Aµa. interpunxit Enger, post ~~Js Elmsley
1232 lo-rw FTr Suo~~ GTr: 3uo~ci)s- F 1235 opclv FTr: corr. anonymus
apud Blomfieldium et Butler ('1p71v)1 deinde Franz ('1P11) 1239 oµoiov FTr
1240 µ• b Auro.tus : I'~" FTr 1241 y• dcl. Bothe olic-rclpo.f FTr 1242
•a1Sle»11 Fl'r: corr. Schatz 1244 ic>.Jol'T' Fl'r: noristum csse vidit Wilamowitz
lfccicaoµ,va. Tr 1247 icofµ,oov Tr 1249 cftrcp lo-ra' SchQtz: cl trapJo-ra' FTr
1252 ap• ~" corruptum: dp-ra. TGpa. Hcntung trapcoicO.ccr (super " scr. .,,) F:
wapco"°'"1r Tr: corr. Hartung 1253 -roO yAp .,<A.oOim>S' Fl'r: corr. Heimsocth
1254 Jw!OTaT4' G 1255 Suoµa9ij Tr: 3uovaBt} F 1256 sq. 1fG1JCli extra
mctrum posuit Weil et SI µo' ct altcrum lycfJ delevit, &To-roi extra metrum posuit
Wilamo\fi~, admodum probabilitcr 1258 8ltrAour Fl'r: corr. Victorius
x66
like a treacherous Ate, what work she will bring to pass, with
Evil's blessing. Such is her daring: the female the slayer of
the male I She is-what hateful monster can I aptly call her?
an amphisbaena,. or some Scylla dwelling in the rocks, the
ruin of sailors, a raging hellish mother and one who breathes
truceless war against her nearest ? And how she raised a
shout of triumph, the all-daring one, as though at the turn
of battle; yet pretends to rejoice that he is safe home again I
And if in what I have said there are things you will not
believe, it is all one; how could it be otherwise? What is to
be will come; and thou shalt very soon, a present witness,
call me in pity too true a prophet.
Clwr. The feast ofThyestes on his children's flesh I under-
stand, and shudder, and fear possesses me when it has been
told me in truth and not through images; but in all else that
I have heard I have lost the track, and am coursing wide
of it.
Cass. Thou shalt look, I say, on Agamemnon's death.
Chor. Peace, unhappy one; lull thy voice to an auspicious
sound. ·
Cass. Nay, it is no Healer who presides over this that I am
saymg.
Chor. Not if it is to be; but may it not chance to happen I
Cass. Tlwu utterest prayers, but thei1' thought is of
killing.
Clior. Who is the man by whom this woeful deed is being
brought about?
Cass. Clearly thou hast in very truth lost the track of my
oracles.
Cher. Aye, for I understand not who they are who will
accomplish the design.
Cass. And yet I know the speech of Hellas all too well.
Clwr. Aye, so do the Pythian ordinances; but still they
are 'hard to understand. ·
Cass. Oh, oh I how fierce is the fire that comes upon me!
Woe, woe! Lycean Apollo, ah mel She, the two-footed
lioness, lying with the wolf in the noble lion's absence, will
x67
 ICTEVET µe Tl)v T~CX\\ICX\I' &>$ 8~ cpapµCXKOV 126o
-reVx,ovacx Kaµov µ1crltov lv&fiae1 ir0Tw1·
brEV)(ercx1 &fiyovucx cpci:>Tl cpauycxvov
lµi)s ay(l)yils m1~(0'ro6a1 qi6vov.
Tl 8fiT' lµ<XVTi\s K<rr<r(EA<N'f' ~00 T6'.8e
Kcd <1Ki'iTrTpcx Kcd µ~Tex mp\ Stpt)l <rriq>t);
~ µw ·irpb µof pcxs Tils tiins 81cxq>6epw.
IT' ls· qi06pov· irw6VTcx y ~· ~lfk>µoo.
6'.AAT\V Tl\/• 6:n\S m• lµov 1T~Ovr(3ere.
ISov s• •Air6"J\Aoov WrOs S<Sv(l)v lµ~
XP1lC1TT\pfcxv loei)T•, broinWucxs St µe
Kav TOiuSe K6<7µ01s KCXTcxyEA©µWt)v µtycx
cpfAc.>V w• ~0poov ov S1xopp61Tc.:>s µCm)v·
KW-ovµWT) st, cpo1Tas 00s arvPTp1cx,
Tn"ooxos T~cx1vcx A1µo6vi\s 1')veax6µ1)v'
Kcd vOv 6 µmis µ6'.VTIV S<ir~as l~
O:m'tyay' ls TOl6'.a8e 6CX\ICXC1f µovs TVx<XS.
j3e->µov 1TCCTp6:nov 8' &VT' br(~\IOV µiye1
6epµ&>1 KonelC11)S cpo{v1ov irpoaq>6'.yµCXT1.
ov µfiv lmµo{ y me eeoov 'TE6vt'\~oµev·
i\~El yap f\µ(i)y 6'.AAoS cxV T&µ6'.opos, 1280
J.l1\TPOKT6vov qihvµcx, iro1\l&r(l)p irc::rp6s·
qivyas s• &AfiTtls, Tfiu& yils «rr6~,
K6:n:IC11\I &ras T6'.<78e ep1YKOOC1(1)\I q>IAOIS'
&~1 VIV Vn-rfaaµcx KE1µivov Trc::rp6s.
Tl 8i)T' fy~ K6:rOIKTOS ws· &vao-rWe->; 2285
brel TO Trp&)Tov eTSov •JAfov ir6A1v
TrpCc~cxacxv &>$ fupcx~v, ol s• elAov ir6~\\I
OVT(l)S arr<XXA6'.a<10VO'l\I w
6e&>v Kplae1,
lovaa: tTrp6'.~oot TAfiuoµcx1 To KCXT0cxveTv.
(oµ&>µOT<n yap 6pKoS lK 6e<.i>v µfyo;s.) 1290
F(G)Tr
1261 voci µ.&rid" superscr. µ>'claJ1 F l~1m F: l"8~ac"' (.. finali post adscripto)
Tr wor@• Auratus: ic&r~ (quod ncscio an vindicari possit) FTr 1263
d:rmlaco8cu Blomficld: bmlaaoBa' FTr 1265 OTl1"1 ex OTl~c· oorr. Tr
126-/ Trca&vra. y' ~· Jacob: trca&vr' d.ya8~ 8' Frr i in librorum scriptura duas Jectiones
oonflatas esse, scil. 'll'COWT4 y' tM' ct wca&vr4 8' wa· (Vemi.11), perspcxit Wilamowit:z
dµ<l{Joµa• in dµc(#oµG& mutatum F: d.µclift- GTr 1268 d.'ni,. Fl'r: oorr. Stanley
1270 lTr4m-cuaCI$ F: l1ufnrrcuoar Tr 1271 p.lya Hcnnann: µba F1'r 1272
de voce ~"1" dubitari potcst 1274 >.iµ&9"')s P'Tr: oxytonon csse vidit Elbcrling
1277 d.nttlf'lro11 Fl'r: distinxit Auratus 1278 ~'"'ft> FTr: oorr. C. G. Haupt
1279 cfoµot PTr: d.'nµ&r FG 1284 d.'f" GTr: afe&v F 1285 l(&Toucos
Frr: corr. ScaJigcr 1287 018' Frr: relativum agnovit Victorius cV.01' Mus-
grave: crxci,. FTr 1288 b GTr: be F 1289 w~°' ncmo dum cxplanavit:
1ecly~ Heath, baud male, scd dubito 1290 hunc versum, quem intcrpolatum
csse olim suspicatus erat Schlltz, ct illc curis secundis ct alii varium in modum trans·
posuerunt versus in Epimerism. Hom., Crameri Anccd. Oxon. i. 88. 8, atquc in
Etymol. Voss. s.v. 4.pap<l' sine poetac nomine allatus, apapc yilp 8p1COS ll( 8c@1' µlyas,
a X>indorfio hue tractus est, sed inccrtum est an hue pertineat
x68
slay me, wretched that I am, and, like one that prepares
a draught, will add a guerdon for me too 1 to her potion: she
boasts as she whets the sword against the man that it is
because I have been brought here that she vnJl exact a
penalty of bloody death. Why then in mockery of myself do
I keep these trappings, and this sceptre, and the fillets of
divination round my neck? Thee at least will I destroy
before the hour of my fate. Go to perdition; now at least, as
you lie on the ground, I thus requite you. Enrich some other
in my stead with curse and doom I And see, Apollo himself
stripping me of my prophetic garb; and after he had watched
me, even in this attire, mightily mocked by friends who were
foes, and their delusion clear beyond doubt-and, like a
wandering mendicant priestess, I bore being called 'beggar,
poor wretch, starveling '-so now the Seer has exacted me,
the seer, as his due, and has led me off to die like this. And
instead of my father's altar there is a chopping-block await-
ing me, red with my hot blood when I am slaughtered in
sacrifice before the burial. 2 Yet our death shall not be
unavenged by the gods; for there shall come another to
avenge us, the offspring that slays his mother, he who exacts
atonement for his father. An exile and a wanderer, a stranger
to this land, he shall return to put for his kin the cope-stone
on t11ese baneful doings: his father's outstretched body as it
lies on the ground shall bring him back. Why then thus
piteously do I lament? Now that I have seen the city of
Ilion faring as it fared, and they that took the city come off
thus in the decision given by the gods, I will go ... and bear
1 The Greek seems to be ambiguous between 'wages paid (to Agamemnon) for
(bringing) me' and 'wages paid to me',
~ Literally 'bloody with the hot preliminary sacrifice of me who have been slaughtered'.
I6g
 ·A18ov wAcxs s~ TaO'S' fyoo npo<revvrnc.:>·
hmJxoµa1 S~ Katpfas 1TA1)yTlS 'TV){ETV,
&>s d:O"cpaSa1crros, alµO:roov EV6v1)0"f µoov
&-rroppvarroov, c5µµa O"Vµ~c.:> T6Se.
XO. 00 1TOAACc µW TaAa1V<X 1TOAAcX s· <XV O'Of~ 1295
yWoo, µCXl(pav treavas. el s· hrrruµ(l)5
µ6poY TOY aVrils oTo&x, ir(;)s 6Et1A6:rov
~obs SfKflY irpbs ~µov M'~'Aµc.:>S mrrets;
KA. oV!< loT' &Av~1s, ov, S£vo1, tXf>6vc.>1 'Tl''Moot.
XO. 6 s· "O'T<XT6s ye "TOV xp6vov 1TpEO'~EVeTCO. 1300
KA. ft1<e1 "T6S' fiµap· o-µ1Kf>Cc 1<epSav&> cp~1.
XO. &XA' To-61 -rAi'!µoov oi'.10'' &-rr' M'6Aµov cppev6s.
KA. o\JSs\s &Ko\JE1 TaVT<X -r&Sv ro5a1µ6vc.>v.
XO. &XA~ a'IKAE6Ss 'TOI K<neaveiv xapts ~po-root.
KA. loo iraup O"ov O'OOY -re yewafc.:>Y -riKYooY. 1305
XO. Tl s· lcrrl xpilµa; -rfs a• c!mOO'Tplcpet cp6~os;
KA. cpru cpe\i.
XO. '' •oiiT' tcpru~cxs; eT 'Tl µ~ cppevoov <M'Vycs.
KA. cp6voY 86µ01 'ltVtovO"lV a\J.l<XTOO"Tayfl.
XO. Kal ir&Ss; T6S' 63e1 0vµ6:roov lcpecrr(c.:>v. 1310
KA. 6µotos O:rµbs ooO"ll"Ep be -racpov irphm.
XO. o\J Ivp10Y ayAaiO"µa s&>µaO"lY Afye1s.
KA. &XA' eTµt K&v S6µ010'l Kc.:>'l<Vaova' lµf\v
'AyaµtµvoY6s -re µoipav. &p1<ehoo ~{05.
100 ~01. . x315
0Vt"o1 Svao(3c.:>, e&µvoy &>s 6pv1s, cp6fk.>t,
&XA' &>s 8<xvoOOT\1 µcxp-rvpf)Tt µ01 -r6Se,
&rav ~ yvvext1<os &vT lµov e&vt)1
&vi}p Te SvaSaµ<XPToS &vT &vSpbs 'Tliuri•·
rni~Oµoo 'TaVT<X s· &>s 6avovi,ltv1). x320
XO. oo -rAfjµov, ohmpc.:> ae 6EO"cp6:rov µ6pov.
KA. &rra~ fr' elnetv ~iiaw ti 6pf)voY etAoo
lµbv "TOY ~s· •HAfoo1 s• rne\Jxoµa1
irpbs "crrcrroY cp&>s t-roTs lµois Ttµa6po1s
~6poTs cpoveVO'l "TOTS lµoTs -rfvelV oµovt x325
SoVAflS 6avoVO'TIS, eVµapo\is xe1p&>µ<XTcs.
loo ~p6Te1cx irpcXyµ<XT.. M-uxoOvTa µw
F(G)Tr
1291 'fdo3' lyC:, Auratus: T.is >.ly"' FTr 1293 do~Bo.no~ Ffr 1295 s• 4~
Tr: a~ F 1296 llC'fCl'lf(lf G 1297 aWt;r Tr: a"'"Js- F 1299 xp0Wf> tt>.l"'
(,,>.l(p Tr) FTr; nondum emendatum 1305 o@Y Auratus: -rli>'I FTr 1309,
fd{JoY FTr (.-supra fJ scripsit Tr) 13II 0µ01or Fl'r 1317 1'4(WVpciTl FTr:
corr. Orclli 1321 ol1CT<lp0> Frr 1322 fr' Fl'r: cO'f' G 1324 sq. in ca
sententiae parte quam crucibus saepsi graves corruptclae latent, quibus quot verba
aff'cctn sint aocuratius detiniri ncquit 1324 'fois- e."t 'TO\lf corr. F
my death. And this door I address as the gate of Hades; and
my prayer is to meet with a mortal stroke so that I may close
these eyes without a struggle, the blood streaming forth in
easy death.
Chor. 0 woman much to be pitied, but of much wisdom
too, thou hast spoken at great length. But if thou knowest
thine own death in very truth, how is it that, like a cow
driven by a god, thou goest fearlessly to the altar?
Cass. There is no escape, there is none, strangers ....
Chor. Yes, but the last of one's time is valued most.
Cass. The day is come: little shall I gain by :flight.
Chor. Well, be assured that thou art an enduring sufferer
with a brave soul.
Cass. None of those who prosper is ever called that.
Ch<»'. But to win fame in dying is a boon for man.
Cass. 0 alas, father, for thee and thy noble children I
As she is about to approach the d-Oor, she shrinks back
Cltor. What is it now? what terror turns thee back?
Cass. Faught [fancy.
Cltcr. Why this 'faugh'? unless it be some horror in thy
Cass. The house breathes murder, with dripping blood.
Cltor. Nay, nay: this smell is that of sacrifices at the
hearth.
Cass. There is the same reek-unmistakable-as from
a grave.
Chor. Thou speakest not of the Syrian incense that gives
splendour to the house.
Cass. Well, I will go, to bewail within the house as ·well
my own and Agamemnon's fate. Let life suffice.
- She stops again
Oh, oh, strangers-I do not raise this woeful cry like the
bird that shuns the bush, from fear, but that you may bear
me witness of this when I am dead, at the time when for me,
the woman, a woman dies, and for the ill-mated man there
falls a man. I ask this favour (?) of you as one about to die.
Chor. Poor maid! I pity thee for thy foretold death.
Cass. I would make one speech more, or it may be a dirge
-my own. To the Sun I pray, turning towards his light, the
last, that the guilty ones may requite my avengers not onf11 for
tlie king's murder but also1 for the slaying of me, the slave, an
easy overthrow.
Alas for the state of man: when there is success, a shadow
1 The words printed in italics arc only meant to give the general sense; the details

ore quite uncertain. Sec the commentary.

x7x
 01<:1a .,.,s av Tp¥1Ev· et st svowxfi1,
~1'cxts \rypc:,aaoov crn6yycs tJi"Af.aw ypo:cpf}v.
Kal TCX\fr• !xdvoov µ~ov olKT(poo Tro1'v. 1330

XO. TO ~ w Trpetaae1v &K6pE<TTO\I ~v

1TCX<1t ~p<>T0Ta1v· SCXK1V1'o5EIK"rOO\I s•
o<fns mmTrc).)\I eTpYfl µeAcXepoov,
' µ11m· !<JtA6fi1s ', T&:Se q>00v&>v.
Kal T(;)1Se Tr61'tv µiv ~Tv ~Sooav 1335
µ&l<o:pES Tlp1&:µov,
6EOT(µf1ToS 5• ofKa5' tKCtvEl'
Wv 5• El Trpoiipoo\I atµ• 0:rroTelaoo
Kal TOT<11 6avov<J1 6avcl>v tmoovt
Tro1vas 0av6:roov hnKpavoo, 13.fo
TIS av (~)ro~alTO ~po'TCiS\I amvEi
Salµov1 cp\iva1 -r0:s• &Koooov;

Ar. 6>µ01, Trm1'11yµoo Kooplav Tr1'11)'1)v laoo.

XO. <1Tya· Tis n1'11)'1)v &o-reT Kooploos o\rro:oµ~s;
Ar. 6>µ01 µ(cA• a001s, SEV'ripav irrn1'11yµivos. 1345
XO. To~pyov elpy&:<16oo SoKET µ01 ~at~ olµ6>yµo:a1\I.
al\Aa KOl\IOOO'ooµe6' ilv 1TOOS aacp<XAfi ~v1'ruµcrr' (1')1).
fycl> µw ~µTv 'TI\v 4!1)v yv6>µriv "Afyoo,
np6s &>µa SE\ip' a<1TOT<n KflpVaO'El\I ~\I.
!µol s• 6-rroos 'T&x1<1Ta y ~µneaeTv SoKET 1350
Ko:l irpayµ• ~El\/ aVv YE<>ppVTCA>l ~(cpel.
Kciycl> 'TOlOVTOV yvc.l>µaToS KOl\100\/0s ~\I
o/Tlcp(3oµa( Tl Spav· 'TO µ1'1 IJ.~l\I s· &Kµ~.
OpCXv 1TcXP£<1Tl' cppo1µ1<X30VTal yap 00s
TVpavv(Sos <1T11JETa irp&:<10-0\ITE5 ir61'e1. 1355
xpov(3oµev yc:Xp· ol St -rfls ~OVs t<"Aics
F(G)Tr
1328 tl.J,.,pl-;<"" FTr: distinxit Porson Bucrrvxfj Frr: vcl 8ucmi,ri& vcl 8UCM"uxij
sentcntiac satisfaciat 1329 Po11~tair G <Z~<o< FTr: v add. Porson
1330 ollc-rclpoo F1'r 1331 .,,p&""" F1'r: corr. Porson 1332 Pf>OTOis FTr:
corr. Pauw 8CUCT11MIB•UCt"4!illl' F1'r cum schol. vet.: adicctivuµl 11gnovit Casaubon
(·KTo.,,), gcnct. plur. SchtHz 1334 JUIKlT' B' <lal>.s'lr Frr: corr. Hermann 1338
dwOTlon Frr, quod quoniam cum sc~cntibus non convcnit, aut d11ar•loa.& (Kcclc}
scribcndum csse vidctur aut dwOTc/011, (Sidgwiclc) 1339 ru"'" non intcllego
1340 fadTOJI' clytav lw11<p• Tr (cl. ad 356) bi11cp&.-a, Keck: "''"fKl"''' F1'r: br11cp&"'I'
Sidgwiclc 1341 J€c.sf"'To Schncidewin: c\:fa1To Frr: .,.(s 11'ar' iiv &t- E. A. J. Ahrens
1346 clpy&alo.& F1'r 1347 iI.v .,,OJS Fl'r: corr. Paley {Jo11~etSµGTa, Fl'r: ~'
suppl. Enger 1348-70 singulis dchinc distichis Xop0r praefixcrunt Frr; duo·
dccim choreuta.s verba faccre viderunt Bamberger et 0. Maller, Cf. comm. 1348
uµill' ex"""' corr. F 1356 Blomfield intellcxit hue pertincre Tryphonis qui
clicitur wtpl .,.p&woo11, Rhct. Grace. viii. 741. 9 Wah, """a T1apo"10µaal0J1 • •• owoos ~>"4µaOTtu
Kcal wop' AlaxJ~"'' fl'~' 'XJ>OW{oµ"' cLSc Tijf µ<MoOr x'JHI' ', undc 'T'ijs µ<..UOOr restituit
Blomficld: XJ>OVl(oµ"' yd.p· ol U, 'f'1is' (n}r om. Tr) fl<>J.oikn,r >t>.lo~ Frr
1.72
may tum it ; but when there is misfortune, a wet sponge with
one dash blots out the picture. And this I pity far more than
that. Cassandra goes within
C/1()1. Of pros~ty·mankind never has its fill; and no one
bars it from a hall whereat men's fingers point and turns it
away with these words, 'Enter no more'. So here is a man to
whom the blessed ones have given it to take Priam's town,
and he has come home honoured of heaven; but if he should
pay for the blood of those slain aforetime, and give to the
dead, by his own death, a full recompense for . . .1 deaths,
what man could boast himself born with fortune beyond
harm, on hearing this?

Ag. (from within). Ohl I am smitten deep with a mortal

blow.
CMr. Silence! who raises a cry of a bk>w, wounded with
a mortal wound ?
Ag. Ohl yet again; I am smitten a second time.
Chor. Methinks the deed is done, from the king's cries of
pain. But let us take counsel together if perhaps there is
some safe plan.
The twelve Elders in succession
I. I for my part tell you what I propose: to let criers
sound a summons to the citizens to bring succour hither to
the house.
2. And I think we had best rush in at once, and prove the
deed while the newly drawn sword is there.
3. I too join in a proposal such as this and vote for doing
something; this is the moment to act without delay.
4. It is clear: their prelude is that of people whose doings
betoken tyranny against the city.
5. Yes, for we are dallying; but they tread under foot the
• Text uncertain.
173
 id6ov 1T<XTOWTES' ov Ka6£V6ova1v xepl.
o\JK oI&x f3ovAi)S' 1\CTT1vcs 'TV)(cbv Afyw
'TOV Spoo1n6s 00-n Kcxl 'TO f3ovhe0acx1 tntpat.
Kaycb 'To10\ir6s etµ•, brel SvaµT}XavOO 1360
A6yo1cn 'TOV ec:xv61n' av1CTTava1 1TCcAIV.
1i Kcxl (3(ov "TE(VOVTES' ©S' \me(~oµev
66µoov K<XTcxtO')(V\"rilpaa "TOTaS' i)yovµt\1015;
&:AA' o\JK &veKT6v, &:Ma KCXT0c:xvetv Kp<XTET'
1TETl'<n-ripa yap µoTpa iils "TVpavvlScs.
fi yap 'TEKl11lp(o1a1V t~ olµc..>yµerrc..>v
µoonwa6µea6a "TavSpbs 00s- oi\ooi\6Tos;
aa,· el66-ras XPfl "T&>vSe µv6eTa6at irtpa·
'TO yap 'T01T&3etv 'TOV aaq» elSw<n Slxa.
'T<XVTr\V rnaaveiv ir&lno6ev 1TAT}6Vvoµcx1,
'Tp<X\IOOS •A"Tpe(ST)v elStvaa KVpo\iv6' OTr(l)S'.
KAYTAI MHITPA
iroXA&>v ir&po16ev Katp((l)S Elpt)IJWOOY
'Tava1n(' elireTv OVK rn<nO')(VVefiaoµcxa.
ir&:>s y&p ,.,s ix_epors 'x6pa iropoVvoov, ,1i\01s
OOKOVO'IV eTvoo, 1TT}µovi)s apKVCTT<XT. av 1375
,pa~eaev \ftvos Kpeiaaov t1<1n)Sfiµcncs;
lµol S' &y~v os· OVK &,p6VTICTToS 1TaACXI
tvfKT}Sf 1Tah<XICXS' fii\6e, rNv xp6voo1 ye µ1)v·
la'TT}K<X s· M' hra1a• rn-· t~e1pycxaµtvo15.
OVT(I) s· fupa~cx, Kal 'Tas• OVK &pvfiaoµaa, 1380
Ws µfi'Te epeVyetV µ1)T> aµVvea6CXI µ6pov.
&mapov &µ,(f3AT}a-rpov, ~Ep lx6Voov,
ireptaTIXf3(1), 1TAOVrOV efµ<XTOS K<n<6v·
ira£c..> St VIV S(s· Kav Svoiv olµooyµcxa1v
µe&i)KEV aVTOV K&:IA<X' K<Xl 11CTM'(l)K6T1 1385
Tphf}V brE\16(~µ1, TOV K<XTcX X60V0s
t.1¢5 VEKp6Sv aooTfipos dntta{cxv xapav.
OVT(.t) TOV a:VroO 6vµov 6pvyave1 maoov·
K&K,vaa&>v 6SeTcxv aTµ<XT<>s tafcxyi\Vf
F(G)Tr
1357 1ea8a18oua11' GTr: ·01 F I3S9 'Jtlf>' FTr: -rt µ~; (an potius Tl I'~";?)
Wilamowitz I362 1CTcl..o"'" FTr: corr. Canter 1364 Kpv.T<i Casaubon:
Kp4w FTr 1367 µa,,,'1X1&µco8a. GTr: ·a&µcOv. F 1 1368 µv800a8a1 Frr: oorr.
J. G. Schneider 1375 '"IJ'Oiri}" Frr: corr. Aumtus dpKtkna.,.' 4., Elmsley:
ap~aTo.TOI' Frr 1376 9plf<&<V G 1378 viKtJr FTr: vcl1a1$ Heat11, fortasse
recte: 8l1CT1r Pauw 1379 lrra&a' GTr: brco' F Jjupyaaµi~, priorc a C.'< p
facto, F I381 aµW-Oai Frr: corr. Victorius 1383 ~C'pcanxlCQI Tr:
fttp1anxlC01" (·cn"ocx-F) FG 1384 olp.Ol'fp.0.TOw Elmslcy 1387 .41~ Enger:
43ov Frr 1388 aliToO Schntz: alhoO FTr 4pvyJ.m Hermann : opµal11n FTr
1389 ofa.>"}I' corruptum; nescio an fuerit pay.)..
honoured name of Cautious Delay, and their hands are not
asleep.
6. I know not what plan I can find to put forward: it is to
the doer that the planning also belongs.
7. I am of like mind, for I see no way to raise the dead to
life again with words.
8. Say: shall we, trying to drag out our lives, bow down
thus beneath the rule of these defilers of the house ?
9. Nay, it is not to be endured; to die is better, for that
is a milder lot than tyranny.
xo. What? shall we by inference from cries divine that he
has perished?
II. We should have sure knowledge before we talk of this
matter, for guessing is very different from sure lmowledge.
I2. What as the outcome of all my thoughts prevails in
me is to commend this opinion, that we should know with
certainty how it is with the son of Atreus. ·

While tliey are sUU standing about in indecision, the

doors are thrown open. Clytemnestra is seen stand:ing
by the side of a bath-tub, in whicli the body of
Agamemnon lies, covered with a huge enibroi.dered
garment; near by is tlze body of Cassandra
Ctyt. Much have I said before to suit the moment: in
saying the contrary now I shall feel no shame. For how else
could one who has in hand acts of enmity against enemies
who pass as friends fence the nets of harm to a height past
overleaping? For me this contest has come as one that I have
long had in mind, as one that brings to the issue a long-
standing feud, 1 but come it has at last; and I stand where
I struck, with the deed done. And so I achieved it-I will
not deny it-that he could neither escape nor ward off his
doom. An endless net, like a fish-net, I throw around him,
an evil wealth of dress, and I strike him twice; and with two
cries there on the spot he let his limbs go slack; and then,
when he is down, I add a third stroke, a welcome prayer-
o:ffering to the Zeus beneath the earth, the saviour of the
dead. So he belches out his own life as he lies there, and
blowing forth a sharp ... of blood, he strikes me with a
1 Or 'claim'? See the commentary.
 ~&AM1 µ• lpeµvfi1 1faKaS1 q>01vfcxs Sp60'ov, 1390
xcdpovacxv ovS~v i)aaov Ti S1oa56Tc.>1
yave1 crnopnTOs KaA.VK<>s w i\oxroµa:aiv.
oos c':>s• ~6VToov, irpfo(3os •Apydoov T6Se,
XO:(po1T• av, e( xa(po1T•, fyoo 5• hmJxoµa:t.
el 5• fiv irprn6VT(l)S ~· mtcmEv6E1V VEKp&)t, 1395
Ta8• Cw 81Kafc.>) ~V, Vmp6(Kc.>) µw o{iv·
TOO'OOVSe Kpo:riip• w 56µ015 KCXKOOV 08e
iri\f}aas apa(oov cx\rrbs brnfve1 µoi\oov.
XO. 0avµ~oµ£v aov yi\&Saaav, <l>s 6paoVO'TOl-loSr
TtTI) T016vs• m-· &vSpl KOl-l1T~El) i\6yov. 1400
KA. ire1paaet µov yvvcxtKOs 00s aqip6:aµov05·
fy<l> 5• chpm(l)l Kap8f at 1fp0s elS6Ta:s
Afyoo• aV 5• atveTv ehe µe ~EIV 0tAe151
6µoTov· oiTr6s laT1v •Aya:µtµvoov, lµbs
ir6at5, VEKpOs 8~ Ti)a8E 6£~1CX) XEpOs qo5
fpyov, 5tKafcxs 'riKToVoS. -ras· &s· ~et.

XO. -r( KaK6v, & yW<n,

X00VOTpEq>~ l6cxvov i\ 1TOTOV
iraaaµwa pvras l~ aAOs op6µevov
-r68' rnteov OOo5 8nµo0p6ovs T" ap6:5;
&-J'rt8tKE) 0:ntraµ£)' &-J'r6noi\t) 5' fOT}I IoflO

µTa<>s 613p1µov O:O'Tois. -

KA. \/\iv µw 81K~e1s lK ir61'.eoos q>vy~v lµol

Kal µTaos aO'TOOV Of1µ66poV) T ~E\V ap6:5, 1

ov8w 'TOT &vSpl T6>16' WavTfov q>t~v,

Os ov 1fpoTlµoov, c:xrnepel ~OTOV µ6pov 1-fIS
µi}i\(l)V q>Ae6VT(l)V airr6Ko1s voµroµaaav,
f6vow a:Vrov iral8a, q>IATl:rri\v lµol
c:x>Tv', rnc.>16ov 0p711K((l)V d:nµCrrc.>V.
ov 'TOVTOV lK yii) Ti)a8e XPfiV a• &v6p71A~etv
µtaaµCrr(l)V cXrrOtV j brfiKOO) 5' lµ(;)y
1
lof20

fpy<.>v S1Kcxcrn'is 'Tf>a:XVS el. Afyc.> St 0'01

F(G)Tr
1391 sq. 3,~ "°Tor I y&.. cl FTr: corr. Porson 1392 orr&prrror FTr 1395
wp<w4rTor>' Frr: corr. Is. Vossius 1397 .,004..Sc Blomficld 1401 µ011 om. G
1404 oµoio>' FTr 14o6 81rc«lcur 'fr 1407 JSa..d .. Tr: /So.Yd .. F 14o8 prSo4$
F: j>11a8.r; Tr: corr. Stanley &p4µC>'O>' Canter: opcf>µC>'O>' (&p-Tr) Frr 1409 .,.03•
lrr/8011 (brnt8o11 Tr) 81Sos non intcllego 1410 arrlT~µ<r; F: O.vb11µ<S" G: d.rrlT:µcr;
Tr; cf. XIS3 cfwoMs- FTr: corr. Casaubon 1411 oµ{Jp1µ0>' FTr: corr. Porson
1414 oi)SC. corr. ex ov 0-W F .,&-,• JS. Vossius: .,.43• Frr 1417 «mO Victorius:
«Wo0 FI'r 1418 lworS~" G d'1µ&T"'>' Canter: .,i (Tc Tr) >.'ll'l'J.Tw.. FI'r 1419
v9 Frr: corr. Porson 1420 fJ1«0µ&..,01., G
x76
darksome shower of gory dew; and I rejoiced no less than the
crop rejoices in the rich blessing of the rain of Zeus when
the sheath is in labour with the ear.
So stands the case, noble elders of Argos here: be glad, if
ye will be glad; for me, I glory in it. And were it possible to
pour libations over the dead body in a ~armer that would
suit the circumstances, this (my doing) would be just, yea,
more than just: so many are the curseful evils wherewith this
man in his house has filled a bowl, a bowl which he now
drains himself on his return.
Chor. We marvel at thy tongue, at the boldness of its
speech, to utter such boasting words over thine own hus-
band.
Clyt. Ye make trial of me as if I were a woman of no sense;
but I speak with fearless heart to you who know it well, and
whether thou choosest to praise or blame me, it is all one:
this is Agamemnon, my husband, made a corpse by the work
of this right hand; a righteous craf4t.Sman. So stands the case.

Chor. Woman, what harmful thing hast thou tasted, a

thing thou hast eaten that the earth nourished, or a drink
sprung from the fl.owing sea, that thou hast put upon thy-
self (?) this . . . and the loud curses of the folk ? Thou hast
cast away, thou hast shorn away, and away from the city
thou shalt be banished, the people's heavy hatred on thee.

Clyt. Now, upon me, thou dost pass judgement of banish-

ment from the city, and the people's hatred, and the bearing
of the loud curses of the folk; though then thou didst not set
thyself at all against this man here, who, holding it in no
special account, as though it were the death of a beast where
sheep abound in the fleecy flocks, sacrificed his own child, the
dearest fruit of my travail, to charm away the winds of
Thrace. Is it not he whom thou shouldst have banished from
this land as a requital for the unclean thing he did? but when
thou takest cognizance of my acts thou art a stem judge.
But I tell thee this: thou must utter such threats as these in
487J.I 177 N
 To1aiiT• <Xm:1A£Tv, ~ 1Tape<11<EVaaµWT)S
ac 'T&SV OµO(CA>V, xe1p\ VIK{\a<X\IT ~µOV
apXEIV' ~ S~ To0µ1TaAIV KpafVTtl 6e65,
yv&>O'T\1 S1Sax6els °'fl~ yow To O'Ci>tpoveTv.

XO. µey<XA6µt)TIS el,

1TEp(cppova s· ~<Xl<ES, OOcmEp ow
q>OVOAl~ET -nJxcn cppriv bnµa(VETCXI'
i\hras rn• 6µµ6:rc.>v aTµa-ros eV 1Tpme1.
&v.,.1.,.ov hi ae XP~ a-n:poµwav cplACA>v
-r\Jµµa -r\Jµµa-r1 'TETO'CXI. =
KA. Kal Tfivs· &Koveas 6pK(c.>v !µ&>v etµav·
µa Tf\v -rii\eac>v Tils ~µi\s 1Ta1S0s 81K1)v
"ATT\V 'EplvW e·, alO'l T6vs• lacpa~· fy&,,
oO µ01 <l>~ov µfAa6pov •Ei\nls ~µmnd,
eoos av cdef11 Triip ~· mlcxs ~µils 1435
Aiy10"0as, ~s TO np60'0ev ro cppov&>v ~µo(·
oi'iTas yap 'l'tµTv &crnls ov aµ1Kp<X 6j)CXO'ovs.
KEi'TCXI yvva1KOs Tf\aSe i\vµcxvn'ip105,
XpvO'T}f&>V µe(A1yµa .,.c.;sv W •1AlCA>1,
il T. atxµ&A(!)'Tas i)Se Kal TEpaox6iras,
n Ko1v6Ae1ci"pas TOVSe 6EO'q><XTT\A6yas,
ir1o-rli ~as, vavTfAoov ss O"EAµ&rc.>v
IO'TOTpf ~t)S. 6:nµa 5• OVK rnpa~&rt)v·
6 µa, yap ov-r(A)S, 1" st TOI KVKvov 51Kflv
TOv VO"Ta-rov µEA'f'o:O'a 6cxva01µov y6ov
KETTal cptAf)Tc.>p Tovs• I ~µol s· hn')ycxyev
fe\Jvfist 1Taf'O'+'&,Vflµa -ri\s ~µils x"A1Si)s.
XO. cpE\i, TIS av iv
Tax.ea µf1 1TEp1c!>Swas
µt)S~ Seµv1o-rfip11s
µ61'.01 "TOV alel cptpova' av 1'!µTv
F(G)Tr
1422 sqq. huius scntcntiac structura nondum cxpedita est; nut post &l'ol°'" aliquid
cxcidissc suspicor aut in ultimis vcrbis (x<1pl ••• 4.px<•.,) graviorcm Jatcrc corruptclam
1428 ~isos FTr (acccntum corr. Abrcsch) : >.lflos Casaubon, fort. rccte 1428 sq.
Trpbr<&G.., Tltto., F: Trpbm 0.Tltto., Tr: 4,.,,.1To., agnovit Weil 1430 -rJl'l'a. -rJl'l'a. FI'r:
corr. Casaubon Tlo1u FTr 1433 lpiwJ., Frr l43S Jµi;s Porson (Jµ&s
Scaligcr): lµAs FI'r 1437 µ1icp<l FTr: corr. BlOmficld 1441 ~ Karsten: 1ea.l
FTr 1443 lOTo-rplfJ11s quomodo intcllcgi possit ncscio, corruptum cssc affir-
marc non ausim; vulgo substituitur lOOTpi/Jifs (Pauw), quac vox nihili est 1444
sq. J'°'°" ... ,,oo., affcrtTzetzcs ad Lycophr. 426 (p. 157. 14 Scheer) 1446 9cAtfr"'P
GTr: f~tfTws F 1447 cv.,;;scorruptum cssc vidcrunt Casaubon aliiquc •o."°"14"'11'o.
FTr: corr. Casaubon rljr l1''1s xM8ijs non tcmptandum l4SO ci" Empcrius:
bFTr .
the knowledge that I am prepared no less than thou . . .
(that) he who has conquered me by force shall rule me; but
if the god ordains the contrary, thou shalt be taught a lesson
and learn-though late-discretion.

CJwr. High and daring is thy thought, and haughty thy

ringing words, as in truth thy mind is maddened by the
blood-dripping thing that has come to pass: the blood-:B.eck
in thine eyes is clear to see. As a requital thou must yet,
bereft of friends, pay for blow with blow.

Clyt. This also thou hearest, this the solemn power of my

oath: by Justice accomplished for my child, by Ate and
Erinys, to whom I slew this man, for me it is not within the
house of Fear that Expectancy sets foot, so long as the fire
upon my hearth is lighted by Aegisthus, loyal to me as
heretofore; for in him we have no slight shield of confidence.
Low lies the man who did outrage to this woman, the
charmer of each Chryseis before Ilion, and she too, this cap-
tive here and auguress, the prophesying bedfellow of this
man, a faithful concubine, and ... of (?) the benches of the
ship. They have fared after their deserts: he (died) as I have
told, and she like a swan, after singing her last lament of
death, lies here, his lover, and for me she has brought ... an
added relish to my feast of luxury.

CJwr. Alas I would that swiftly, without agony and without

long lying abed, some fate might come bringing us the
4'7.llol
179 N2
 µoip• O:rEMvrov \mvov, SaµWrcs
q>VA.ca<os eVµeveo-rchov (Kal]
1ToA.~ TA.mes ywoo1<os S1al·
1Tpos yvva11<0s s· &rr¥1aev 13lov.
IG>
1Tapavovs •EA.Eva, 1455
µla Tas 1ToA.A.as, Tas ir&w 1ToA.A.as
'fNXcXS oA.taaa• VTl'o Tpo{oo,
v\iv (S~] rueav 1ToA.vµvacrrov hn)v8(aoo,
[81'] atµ• &v11TTOV. i'l TIS -iiv Tar' {v 86µ01s 146o
•Ep1s, tp{Sµmcs, av8p0s 013\ts. --c
KA. µt)S~v 6avchov µolpav trrroxov
ToiaSe j3apw0els·
µ1)8• Els •EAtVTlV K6Tov acrp~ts,
00s avSpoA.rn1p•, ~ µ(a 1TOAAOOV
avSpil>v 'fJVXas 8avaf1,v 6A.foaa•
a~crrmov aAYoS rnpa~EV.

XO. Sa:Tµov, as
tµnhrre1s S&>µaa1 K<Xl S1q>vl-
01cn Ta:vTaA.ISa1aiv,
KpCcroS (T') la6'pvxov he yvva!KOOV
Ka:pS1681)KTOV tµol Kpo:nivEIS'
trrl S~ aooµm05 6{Kav (µ01)
K6pca<oS ~6pov crra:8els w6µ005
\Jµvov vµveTv rnevxera1 * *· =

KA. vW s· ~p8(.l)(J<XS crr6µmcs yv&>µflV, 1475

Tov -rp11TaxVVTov
Sa{µova: yWvt)s -rnase Ktl<A.f}aKoov·
he -rov yap lpoos o:lµmoA.01x0s
ve(pa1 -rplq>ETat, irplv KmaA.1'~00
-ro iraA.a1ov &xcs, vtcs lxoop.
F(G)Tr
1451 1iirvcw ex uµi>011 corr. F x452 1c:C1.l del. Franz I4S3 tro>.la. C. G. Haupt:
tro.u4 FTr 81al F: 8ict Tr 1455 napdyotlf Hermllnn: napClvOJl.Ollf FTr I457
cl>.laaa' Tr: cl>.laas F x458 8~ dcl. Wilamowit:z .,,u(lll Wilamowitz: Tt>.clGJI Frr
146o &' dcl. Wellauer 1} .,,r Schatz: tris Frr 1461 RC.SS- FTr 1464 µ~ 8'
Ffr lKTplV.,,s GTr: lKTp/X'IS' F 1466 cl'Maa.a' 1'r: c!Maav F 1468 lµfflwns
Canter 1468 sq. &<f.ucia1 FTr: oorr. Hermann 1469 Tana.V&ua1v Tr:
-M8ca111 F 1470 .,' suppl. Hermann (8' Casaubon) la&.fwxov licct perplcxc
dictum sit non oorruptum esse vidctur 1471 Kap8lq. 8711CTclv FTr: corr. .Abrcsch
1472 Jl.O' dcl. Dindorf 1473 llO'dp.C»S schol. vet. in Tr: lKv&Jl.O's ex ~µOJs corr.
Tr: l..v&µcot F 1474 in fine v - decsse viderunt P11uw, Schatz, alii 1475
S' del. Headlam, ncscio an rccte ' 1476 .,pur&xv1011 Fl'r: corr. Bamberger 1477
ylw,,r, in fine as superscripto, F'G: y/wa.s Tr 1479 t'<lpn FTr: corr. Casaubon
(qui r<lfYD scripsit, undc l'Clpq. Wellauer) x48o Zxap Headlam
I8o
eternal sleep unending, now that our kindest protector is
laid low, after enduring much through a woman's doing; and
at a woman's hand he has lost his life.

Oh, thou mad Helen, that didst alone destroy those many,
all those many lives, under the walls of Troy I now thou hast
crowned thyself with the last and perfect garland unforget-
table, blood not to be washed away. In truth there was an
Eris then in the house, strong-built (?), a husband's bane.

Clyt. Nay, pray not in grief at this for death to be thy

fate; nor turn thine anger upon Helen, saying that she was a
man-destroyer, that she alone destroyed the lives of many
Greek warriors and _wrought a. woe that none might stand
against.

Clwr. 0 daemon, that fallest upon the house and the two
Tantalidae, and boldest a sway ... 1 that works from women,
and my heart is sore for it; he has settled, like a hateful
raven, on the body, and glories in singing tunelessly a
song....

Clyt. Now thou hast mended the opinion thou didst utter,
by invoking the thrice-gorged daemon of this race; for it is
by his doing that a craving for blood to lap is nourished in
the belly, new pus before the old woe has ceased.
1 I cannot understand this passage.
181
 XO. i) µfyav olKoa1vf1
Salµova Kal ~Vµriviv alvei5,
cpEO cpw, KaKov alvov,
chr\p(iS' -NxaS' 00<6pwrov·
k).) h'i, Saal ~10s
iravooTlov mxvepyha·
Tl yap ~p<YTOTS' &vev .6105 TeAeTToo;
Tl T&>vs· o(/ &6KpavT6V tOTav;

too loo ~aa1i\eO ~a'a1Af\:i,

ir&>s oe SaKpva(A); 1.f90
cppevOs- tK cp1i\las Tl noT' efir(A);
KETaa1 5• apaxvriS" tv v~aµCXTI TOOl5'
aaE~T 0avCcr(A)I ~lov tKlfv~v,
00µ01 µ01
Kohav Tav8' avei\eV&epov,
So~dc.>1 µ6pc->1 Saµel5 (6aµapT<>s) I.f95
tK XEpOs aµcp1T6µ(A)l ~EA{µVc.>l.

KA. <XVxets elva1 T68e Tovpyov tµ6v·

.tJ.111s· rn1Mx,0il1st
•Ayaµeµvovlav elval µ• l!iAoxov.
~<X36µevos s~ yvva1Kl VEKpoO 1500
Tovs• 6 nciAa1os Sp1µv5 aA6:crroop
•ATp€(1)) x<Wirov eoiv<XTi'jpos
T6vs· O:rrhe1aev
-riAfov veapots hn6Vaa5.

XO. 00s J,lW avalTIOS' el 1505

TovSe cp6vov, TIS 6 µap-rvp{\a(A)v;
ir&>, ir&>; irCXTp6&\I SA
ov1'A1'\iM'(A)P yW<>1T' &v aAaOT(A)p.
~16:3ETat 5• 6J.10a1T6pol)
bnppoata1v alµCcr(A)V 1510

F(G)Tr
1481 olicouurij Wilamowitz: oLco&s- Toio8c Frr: olKo.-&µ011 Schncidewin 1484 dicopl·
vrou Fl'r: corr. Todt 1486 rro.wpylTa. Tr: rra.wpyba.11 FG (in F ·yl.,... ex -yoT- corr.;
cf. Christ. pat. r457 wrroi ff<P'Cl'-rl<iu 8co0 rro11npy4-ro) 1489 nulla nota in FG;
"il''X&P'o" prae6xit Tr, scilicet 'in cxcmplo paragmphus ephymnium distinguebat '
(Wilamowitz); cf. 1513 l~ semel F l49I ,,o-r' dp' cl1r0> Tr; cf. ad 356 14~3
l1CTJW""' Tr; cf. ad.356 1494 .,.s,.s• F dw'AcJBcpa. Tr 1495 in fine 84µapr'o't
(suppl. Enger} vel aliquid simile cxcidissc si minus certum est at probabile videtur
1497 To~pyo11 lp.d11 .,.JSc; Tr 1498 µ!} &' Fl'r bn'A<](81j,s-, quidquid sibi viri
docti de hoc verbo finxerunt, pcrobscurom est; atque nc de voce µ!J3' quidem satis
coostat, nisi quid forte ante hunc versum cxcidisse putcs 1503 d1rb&11& FTr
IS04 11cicpois- Tr ISO"/ Sl om. Tr
:182
 Chor. Truly a mighty house-wasting daemon, one of

grievous wrath, is he whom thou praisest-alas, alas, an evil

praise-insatiate of baneful success; woe, woe, through the
will of Zeus, the cause of all, the doer of all, for what· is
fulfilled for men without Zeus ? what is there herein that is
not ordained by the god?

0 my king, my king, how shall I weep for thee? From my

loving mind what shall I say ? Thou hast been brought to lie
in this woven spider-web, breathing out thy life by an
impious death, ah me, to lie thus ignobly here, subdued in
a guileful doom at thy wife's hand with a two-edged weapon.

C/.yt. Thou art confident that this deed is mine, . . . that

I am Agamemnon's wife. But appearing in the shape of this
dead man's wife, the ancient fierce spirit that takes ven-
geance for the misdeed of the cruel feaster Atreus has now
rendered this full-grown man as payment to the young, a
crowning sacrifice.

Clior. That thou art guiltless of this murder, who shall

bear witness? how can it be, how? but an avenging spirit
sprung from a father's crime might lend a helping hand.
Violently, in fresh streams of kindred blood that swell the
x83
 µD.cxs ..ApflS' OlTOI s~ Kt:Xl npo~cx(ve»v,
n&x,vav Kovpo~pov irapi~1.
l@ I@ ~cxcr1Ae0 ~acrwv,
1TGISS ae Soocp\'./a<a:>;
cppw0s b< cp11'lcxs Ti 1TOT• eln<a:>; 1515
K£tO"oo s· ap&xVfls w v¢011a-n TGIS1S'
&~eT 6cxv&rc:.:>1 ~(ov brnvl<a>v,
~µ01 µ01
Kohav TavS' <XveAe\'.teepov,
So1'(c..>1 µ6pc..l1 SCXSJ.Els (SaµcxpTos)
be xef>Os clµcp1T6µc..>1 ~e'AtµVc..>1. 2520

KA. o<rr• c!tveAe\'.teepov oTµco ~ttrov

.,.6)1Se ywfoeaa, • • • • •
•o\/S~• yap • • • • • • •
• •oVl'oS So1'1av 6:n)v
ofKOIOW l&J\K',
ax>: ~µov ~ Tovs· ~voS &epew,
tT•
Tl)v 1TOAVKAo:vTOV 1
lcp1yhie1cxvt
• • * * • • • • * ••
&~ta Sp6:<1CXS, a~1cx iraax<a:>v
µf1Sw w ·A1Sov µeyc:cAcxvxehc..>,
~1cpo8111'f\-rc..>1
6avttrc..>1 'TEIO"<XS <Xrrep l~.
I
XO. cXJ,l11xcxvG1S cppovrl8oS crn:pf16els 1530
e\nrO'.A&µoov µepaµv<iv
OnCXI -rp6:rrc..>µcx1, 1TITvoVToS oTKOV.
StS01Ka S' 6~pov !mirrov SoµoocpO'.Ai)
TOV alµttr1)p6v· 'VaKCtS s~ 1'1')ye1.
Sh<t)V s· m• @J..o irp«yµa 6f1YcXvsl ~Aa~TIS 1535
npbs &AAaas &riyavaaO'l MoTpa. -
F(G)Tr
X5II wpogpa/vt»v FTr: corr. Canter: Trpopalm vet·~ Wilnmowitz 1512 TrG}P'«
1t.oupop&po> (·p11 Tr) Frr: corr. Auratus 1513 XopOs pmcfixit F, ~µix&p&ov GTr; cf.
1'489 k:I scmcl F ISIS.,., TtoT' &p' Tr 1517 dflf/kfG'.I'r: c~</kfF
J"""low Tr 1518 dwl.<iS8fpa. Tr 1519 cf. 1'495 post 1522 ywlC18a'
lacunam statuit Wila.mowitz, probabilitcr 1526 .,.• •/f''t'V<'"" hoc loco ab
Aeschylo non scriptum ante 1527 lacunam statuit Wilamowitz, probabilitcr;
dcsidcmtur verbum undc pcndcat dM' Jµl>v •• , ~" wo~J~awov, cxcmpli gratia l8uC1c
tranfp suppl. Wilamowitz 1527 clv4€u1 8p4C1as FTr: corr. Hennann 1529
.,.(gas FTr ~pfcv FTr: corr. Spanhcim x530 ~poll'li&tv Tr x53x ci),,~aµ·
"°" µlp&PJIG!' FTr: corr. Enger: m~aµov (scrvato µlp1µva.11) Poison 1532 osa Frr
(superscr• .,,, ut solct, Tr) 1533 s,,µoa;o>.;; G 1534 ¥<1t.as Frr: corr. Blom field
1535 3lq F: 8Cica. (supcrscr. ,,,) G: 8IK'lo (superscr. 71) Tr: corr. Auratus 8'1Y&vc,
ex Hcsychii glossa B.,,y4vtr dtW<' (cf. Etym. M. p. 450. 13 ~""' dtw<&, cl"'°..&') rcstituit
Hermann: S>Src, FTr 1536 8'1Y4"cus Frr: ' finale addidit Pauw
x84
old, black Ares forces his way; and wherever he advances he
will bring about a frost that devours the young.

0 my king, my king, how shall I weep for thee? From my

loving mind what shall I say? Thou hast been brought to lie
in this woven spider-web, breathing out thy life by an
impious death, ah me, to lie thus ignobly here, subdued. in
a guileful doom at thy wife's hand with a two-edged weapon.

Ctyt. It was no ignoble death, methinks, that this man

died; (nor .... ) For neither did lie use guile to bring bane
upon the house; nay, my offspring that I conceived from
him, the much-lamented ... Iphigeneia(?), (was slaughtered
openly by her father). What has been done to him is com-
mensurate with what he did; so let him not pride himself in
Hades, since with death by the sword he has paid for what
he wrought.

Chor. Bereft of meditation's resourceful thought, I am at

a loss where to turn, now that the house is falling. I fear the
drumming of the rain of blood that will wreck the house: the
scattered shower is ceasing. And justice, to bring about a
new deed of harm, is being whetted on new whetstones by
the :Moira.
z85
 loo ya ya, ere· fµ' ts~(!)
irplv T6v8• hnSeTv apyvpoToixov
SpolTtlS Ka-rix,oV"Ta xaµevvav. 1540
TIS 6 e•v vw; TIS 6 6p11vf\ac...w;
i) C1V T6S' ~~a1 TAflO't)•, 'lcrdvcxa'
avSpa TOY cWrils d:rroKCt>KVC1CX1
'fNXTll T' axaplV, xap1v M' fpyCt>v 1545
µeyaACi>V &SIKCt>S hnKpavoo;
TIS 8' hr1~1ov cxlvov W &vSpl 6e{Ct>1
C1Vv S00<p601s l6:rrroov
~n6efa1 cppev&>v novfiae1; -c 1550

KA. o'iJ at irpocrliKE1 TO ll6Anµ• {x).fyew

ToCITo· irpbs ftµoov
KcXrrneae Ka.6ave, Kal Kcrra600Jloµev,
o'iJx wo 'l<Acxv0µ&>v T&>v l~ ofKCi>V,
&XA' ·1cp1ytve1a vw a<11Taa<Ct>S 1555
evya:n,p, ~ xP1'l,
ncrrtp• m1aaaaa npbs ooi<Vrropov
n6p6µruµ' &x,fow
mpl xeTpa ~<XAoOaa cp11'{\ae1.

XO. 6ve1Sos i\KE1 T6S• M' 6ve1Sovs· 1560

sooµaxa s· taTl 1<pTvoo.
cptpe1 cptpoV"T', acr{ve1 S' 6 Ka(vCt>V.
µ(µve1 8~ µ{µvoV"TOS w 6pOVCl>I 810s
ira6eTv Tov ~~CXV"Ta' ~aµ1ov yap.
TIS Cw yovav apaTov lK~OI 86µCi>Yj
Ka<6~11Tcn yWc>s irpbs 6:ra1.

KA. ls T6vs· wt~11s ~ ~f16e(a1

xpnaµ6v· fyoo s· ow
~(t.) 8cdµov1 T&>1 1The1a6ev18av

F{G)Tr
1537 fJfUxOP'o" pracfixcrunt FTr d8' 1,.·F: ,rec I'' Tr 1540 Bpo/Tas FTr
cf. Eust. ad I' 357, p. 1726. 11 t}r (scil. vocis 8pol"I) xpilo1r ical •ap' AloxJ,\aii b 'Ayaµlw
llOI'' "°" KaTIXo"a Tr j cf. ad Js6 XOpcWo" FTr 1542 lpta, GTr:
lpfa1 F IS43 d.rroK"'"'aa1 F 1545 i>iWi" l.xapi" FTr: corr. E. A. J. Ahrens
15471Jf"x&pio11 pracfuccrunt Ffr ~.1T'11µ./J1os ofros Frr: corr. Cllsaubon IS49
8aKpuo1" (" ex a facto) F ISSI oiS a' F: oi$r, Tr µl>.J,µ"' Myc1" Fl'r: rcctc
distinxit Karsten 1553 icdmco< KilT8a11a1 Tr xsss l~iybna11· r,,• FTr:
dist. Auratus 1558 d.x/0111 ex d.xcuci>v corr. G ISS9 x«P' Porson
fi.\~ FTr: corr. Stanley 1563 8p411on Schtltz: XJ>O'"' (~Tr) FI'r 1565
dp4io11 Hcnnann: pe.011 F: Pfo., Tr 1566 •,,dr cr,.cu Blomficld: .,,pootf.;a... FTr
1567 blfJ71 Ffr: corr. Canter e7W G 1569 •.\cca8MB&Y (supcrscr. c.1,. Tr)
Frr
I86
 0 Earth, Earth, would thou hadst received me, or ever
I had seen him occupying the lowly bed of the ·Silver-sided
bath I Who will it be that shall bury him? who that shall sing
his dirge? Wilt tlwu dare to do this-to bewail the husband
whom thine own hand has slain, and unrighteously to fulfil
for his shade an unkindly kindness in return for his great
deeds ? And who will pour forth with tears the funeral praise
over the hero's grave, and labour thereat in sincerity of
mind?

C/,yt. It is not for thee to concern thyself with this duty:

by my hand he fell, by my hand he died, and my hand shall
bury him-not with wailing of the household, but lpbigeneia
his daughter, as is :fitting, shall with loving welcome meet her
father at the swift-flowing passage of the stream of woe, and
fling her arms round him and kiss him.

Chor. Taunt has now been met with taunt; hard is the

case to judge. The plunderer is plundered, the slayer pays

the price. And it abides, while Zeus abides upon his throne,
that to him who does it shall be done: for so it is ordained.
Who can expel the seed of curse from the house ? The race
is glued fast to perdition.

Ckft. On this oracle thou hast entered with full truth; but
x87
 6pKous t1eµWr\ Ta8e µw o-rtp~iv
SvcrrAriTa mp 6ve·, a 86 Ao11T6v, t6VT"
ii< T&>v8e 86µc.>\I 6:AA1)\I yeveav
Tp(~elV 6avarOlS <XV6WTcn01\I,
KTEOOi(l)V 86 µtpos ~cnov ixoVO'fll
1TCiv &:rroxpri µ01 µavlcxs µeA&ep<i>v 1575
lYJ\flAOcp0\10\JS &:qieA.0Vo"Ti1.

Alrll:90l:
er> q>fyyos wqipov t'lµtpas 81K11cp6pov·
cpa(fl\I av i\811 \IW ~poT&>\I
T1µ0:6povs
6roVs &vooeev yils rnO'l'T"Ta'Je1v &xri.
lSoov Vq>CXVTOTS w 1TrnAOlS 'EplW(l)\I 1580
TO\I &vSpo: T6v8e Kefµevov, q>(A(l)S tµo(,
XElpOs 1T<XTp@lO:S ScT(\IOVTO: µ1)Xo:v<Xs•
•ATpros yap &px(l)v Tfia& yils, To6Tov ;rcm'ip,
ncnipo: evt<MTl\I TO\I lµ6v, 00s Top(.;)s q>paacn,
o:Vrov s• &:SeA.qi6v, &µq>lAElC"t'oS c'::lv Kp6:re1, 1585
t')vSpnAO:Tflcnv ti< ;r6Aeoos Te Ko:l Soµ(l)v.
Ko:l npocrrp61Tcnos ~crrlas µoM>V irCU..w
TA{)µoov 0vt<rrt\s µoTpo:v flVoper" &:aq><XAfl,
1'0 µ'fl e~v 1T<XTp&>1ov cdµa~O:l irtSov
o:Vr6s· ~\110: 86 TOV6e SVo6EoS 11'cm'tp 1590
•ATpe(/s, 11'po6Vµ(l)s µaMov r.
q>IAoos, 11'<XTpl
T&lµ&>1, Kpeovpyov fiµa:p eVevµoos &yew
SoK&>v, 11'apeaxe So:lTo: 11'0:1Sefo>v Kpe&>v.
-ra µ!v n0Sftp11 KO:\ xep&>v &Kpovs K"Tfvcxs
lepVlrr" &v(l)eev • • • • • • •
• • • • • c!cvSpo:K((s Ka6fiµev05· 1595
&a1)µa: S' o:V-roov o:VTIK' &yvolo:t A~oov
fo6ea, ~opav &ac.nov, «>s 6pcils, yive1.
KatrEIT" rn1yvovs lpyov o\J K<XTO:(O"IO\I
ooaµ~EV, &µirl1TTEI S' OOrO O'q>o:yiiY tp&>v,
F(G)Tr
1570 8tl'ba. (m fine superscr. "I) Tr 1571 SJo.r~~ GTr: S~~'JT4 F &S~
Auratus: d U m 1573 om. Triclinius, mero lapsu, n1Un in scholio metrico
ad xs67 adscripto cboa.rra1cn"1xcl xc<>M &' essc dicit, cxhibet vcro novcm 1574 S~
Auro.tus: T< m 1575 sq• ..s.., d,,4Xl"l l'O' s· m.,,~~r'Ollf µa.Kar lliNJ.Opwl' ~.sa.,,
(·OD Tr) m: s· dcl. Canter, cl.UJi~~r'Ollf post µtUSpw .. tnmsposuit Erfurdt, pro-
babilitcr 1577 &fpo.. FTr l58o lpcWISoJ11 FTr 1582 xt1,,ds Tr: X'tM F
1585 a.woo S' Elmsley: ai}roO T 0
m 1588 dprr' FTr 1590 ah&s Blomfield:
a.Woo m to4 Tr 1594 xtpC." GTr: XP'c," F 1595 loci diffi-
cillimi sive intcrpretntioncm sive emcnd11tioncm ncmo adhuc absolvit post G.rw8cv
lacunam indicavcrunt Hense ct Wilamo,vitz on scribendum 1<a.0111llro1f (Cv.sau-
bon) ve) ·µbt»v? 1599 cZµcofcv ex cZllwCa corr. F (cf. ad 329) dµrrlrrr<& <Anter:
J.v· "''"" m a;a,yijs Fl"r: corr. Auratus
188
I for my part am willing to swear a compact with the daemon
of the house of Pleisthenes and bear with all this, hard
though it be; while for the future he shall leave this house
and wear out some other family with deaths by hand of
kindred. And so long as I have a small part of my posses-
sions, I have enough of everything, once I have rid our halls
of the frenzy of mutual bloodshed.

Enter Aegistlius with a bodyguart/,1

Aegist!ius. 0 ldndly light of the day that brings retribu-
tion I Now at last I can say that the gods, as avengers of
men, look down from above with a watchful eye on the woes
of earth, now that I have seen this man here lying in the
woven robes of the Erinyes, to my delight, paying for what
his father's hand contrived. For Atreus, being king in this
land, this man's father, dealt thus with Thyestes, my
father-to put the matter clearly-and his own brother:
being questioned in his sovereignty, he drove Thyestes forth
in banishment from his city and home. And the unhappy
Thyestes, returning home as a suppliant at the hearth, found
a safe lot, safe from dying and staining his native soil with
blood-himself; but by way of hospitable welcome this
man's godless father, Atreus, with more eagerness than
friendship, served up to my father, under pretence of cele-
brating a feast-day with good cheer, a banquet of his
children's flesh. The foot-parts and the branching extremi-
ties of the arms he cut up small on top(?) (of the dish, and
with this dish Thyestes was served, Thyestes who was)
sitting apart by himself; but the indistinguishable parts of
it (i.e. of the flesh) he forthwith took in ignorance and ate, a
meal of ruin, as thou seest, to his race. And then, when he
perceived the monstrous thing that had been done, he
shrieked, and fell backward spewing out the butchery,
1 This is very likely though not certain. It is conceivable that the soldiers first hide

somewhere jn the neighbourhood, and appear only when summoned by Acgisthus

(I. 1650).
x89
 (µ6pov 6' &q>epTOV n£Aom6ats hfeVxerat] 1600
i\&!moµa 6ehrvov ~6h<oos Tl&ls &pat,
oV1"oos 6Ataeaa irav ,.o nM1aewovs yWo5.
he 'T&Sv66 aoa irea6VTa 'T6vs• tSeTv irapa.
K<Xy6> 6fKa105 TOvSe ,.oo q><Svov paqiros·
'Tphov yap 6V'Ta µ' ml sac- &ei\f(o)t ircnp\ 1605
owe~aWe1 "TVT6ov oV'T" w airapy&vo1s·
Tp<X~CX 5• a001s Ti 6{1C1l K~yayev.
Keel 'TOV66 TcXv6pOs filfl&i.ll)V 6vpaT05 &>v,
ircxaav ~as µ11xcMiv Sv~ovAfas.
OVT(o) KaAOv 61\ Kal 'TO Kcn6aveTv lµo{, 16xo
166VTa ToV'Tov ~s 6{Kf1S w ~pKEatv.
XO. Afy1ae·, v~p{3etv w KaKOTatv oV ai~.
oV 5• &v6pa 'T6vSe q>fllS bc6>v KCl'TCXK'Tavetv,
µ6v05 6' hrotl<'Tov ,.6v6e f3ov1'evaaa q><Svov;
oO qi11µ' &Av~EIV w S{Kfll 'TO aov KcXp<X 1615
61wopp1qieTs, aacp• fo~h, Mvaiµovs &:pas.
Al. C1V Ta0Ta cp6>vefs vep-ripaa irpocrliµevos
K&ml)t, Kp<XTOWr6>V 'TOOV ml 3vyll>1 6op6s;
)'\'&>a1)1 ytp6>v ~v 00s S1ScXO"KE<J6aa ~pv
,.c;;, ·
'TflAll<OVrCl>I, a(o)q>poVETV elp11µWov, 16::0
6eaµ0s 6~ Kal 'TO yflpas at TE vfiaTI&s
6vaa 616cX01<Eiv ~ox&Yrcna1 cppev~v
lcnpoµ&vre1s. o\ix 6p<X1s ~v -ra6e;
irpc)s KW-rpa µf\ J..cXt<-r13e, µf\ irafaas µoyf\1s.
XO. yWai, C1V 'TOVS i\KoV'Tas be µ((x11s vtov 16:z5
o[KOVpOs eWf\Y cXv6pOs alaxwCA>V &µa
av6pl aTp<XTTlYOOl T6vs· l~vA&vaas µ6pov;
Al. Kal -ra\i'Ta T(nni ICAavµcX-r(o)v &px11yevfi.
•opcpeT 6~ yJ..~aaav Tf\v Wavtiav fxets·
6 µw yap fliye ir<XvT &:rro cpeoms xap<X•,
oV 6' l~op{vas V1)nfo1s VA<Xyµaatv
a9lt• Kp<XTTl&\s 6' f)µEp&Yrepos cpavi)t,
XO. cl>s 61'} a6 µ01 ,.Vpcxvvos 'Apye{CA>v ~1,
Os o<nc, rne16fi T&S16• l~VAevO'<XS µ6pov,
Spaaaa T6s• fpyov o<nc fri\11s cxVroKT6voos.
F(G)Tr
16oo eiccit J.C. Schmitt 16o1 lp& G 16o2 dMo9cn testaturTzctzcs (m~holiis
ad alleg. Iliad., Cramcri Anccd. Oxon. iii. 378. xo, Kal .A~of .>.iyC11111' ' dp&T' d'>.l.o9GJ.
"6.111 'l'O 11Mw91vow ybw '): d'Mo9-q Frr 1009 twd.t/lat Tr 1611 Wm Tr
1613 T4r3' lnr Frr: recte distinxit Pauw 1617 wprlpo. (·Ho Tr) GTr: 111rrlf>9. F
16:ix 8,oµh Tr: 3<0µ0111 F: 8<oµol Karsten 1622 ltoxcfrraTC G 1624 ffaloaf
testatur schol. Pind. P. 2, 173 c (AloX4Aot Jtyaµ/1.n'O"'' • #pOf Klvrpo. µ..) >..£KT,C.-,
µt} .,a/oar µoyfj1r '): mfoo.r Ffr 1626 alO](lhollO' Frr: corr. Keck {alo~ar
Wieseler) 1631 ~lo1f Frr: oorr. Jacob 1634 .,.qi&' lpo11'A®ar Tr: .,ii)8,
po11Mdoat F
190
kicking over the table and making this act of equal right
with the curse he uttered: 'so perish all the race of Pleis-
thenes '. Hence it is that thou canst see this man laid low.
And it is with justice that I am he that schemed this killing;
for he drove me, the thirteenth (child), into exile with my
unhappy father, while I was yet a babe in swaddling-clothes;
but when I had grown to manhood Justice brought me back
again. And I laid hands on this man though I was not
present there, by putting together the whole device of the
fatal plan. This being so, even death would now be welcome
to me, now that I have seen this man in the toils of Justice.
Chor. Aegisthus, to triumph in misfortune is a thing I care
not to practise. Thou avowest, dost thou, that thou didst wil-
fully slay this man, and alone didst plan this pitiable mur-
der? I say that in the hour of justice thy head, be very sure,
shall not escape the people's pelting of stones and curses.
Aeg. Dost thou talk thus, thou that art seated below a~
the oar, while those on the (helmsman's) bench are masters
of the ship ? Thou shalt learn now in thine old age how hard
a thing it is to be taught a lesson at thy time of life, when
discretion is enjoined upon thee. Prison-bonds, and the
pangs of hunger, are most excellent healer-prophets for the
mind to teach even old age. Canst thou see and seest not
this ? Kick not against the pricks, lest in striking them thou
suffer pain.
Chor. Thou woman, thou: to do this to those newly come
from battle, and, while as a stay-at-home thou wast defiling
the man's bed, to plot this death against the general in the
field!
Aeg. These words too are the breeders of a race of rueful
cries. Thy tongue is the opposite of Orpheus' tongue; for he,
by his voice, led all things after him in delight, but thou
stirrest up anger by foolish barkings and shalt be led away.
But once mastered thou wilt show thyself more tame.
Chor. As if I shall see thee ruler over men of Argos, thee
who after plotting death against this man hadst not the
courage to do this deed by killing him with thine own hand I
x9x
 Al. 'To yap SoA.e&rcn npbs yvva11<0s i'jv acxcpc;)s,
fy6> s· VrrO'JT'ToS ~epbs fi n<JAcnyevfis.
he 'T&SV s~ TOV8E xp1iµ6:T(l)V iretp&croµCXl
apxe1v lTOAt'T&lv· 'TOV S~ µf\ m16avopcx
le(/~(I) ~ape(a151 o(m µitv ae1pacp6pov x640
1<p166>v-ra n&SA.ov, &XJ...• 6 Svacp1Ai'}s O"K6TCA>t
AlµOs ~OIKOS µ<JA6at<6V acp' rn6'f1e"ra1.
XO. .,.( Si'} 'TOV avSpa 'T6vS' &:rro \fNXTlS Kat<i}s
oVl< a<rros ftv((p13es, &XA& viv ywTi
x&ipas µfaaµa l<CXl 6eoov fyxc.>pf(l)V 1645
lx-rew•; •optO"TT'ls apa irov ~A.em• cpacs,
Oir©s 1<a-reA.eoov SE.Vpo npruµevet -rVx.ri•
&µcpotv yM\'Tat 'TolvSe nayt<po:nls cpove(/s;
Al. &XA' rnel Sol<EiS -ms· lpSetv Kal A.fyetv, yvcbatit 'Tax.a.
eTa Sf), cpfA.01 A.o)(hat, 'TO~pyov oV)( ~as 'T6Se. 1650
XO. eta Sf), ~lcpcs np61<(1)n6v nexs 'TLS E\rrprn13er(A).
Al. &XA<X 1<6:y~ µf\v 1t'p61<(1)1t'oS KOVK avafvoµcu eaverv.
XO. SexoµW<>1s A.fye15 0CMTV O'E' 'T'f\v WxflV s· alpovµeea.
KA µri8cxµ&">s, cT> cplA'Ta-r· avSp&Sv, @JI.a SpaO'(l)µEV KaKa'
&XJ...a Kal .,.a,s· t~aµfiO'CXl noXAa, SVO"TflVOV etpos. 1655
'ITT'lµovfis s• &Ats y• \nrapxe1· µ11Sw alµa-rcl>µe0cx.
o-relxer al8oT01 ytpoVTES np0s S6µovs tnrnpooµW<>vst ['TovaSe],
nplv 1Ta&Tv fp~<XVTtS' alveTv XPfl .,.a,s• 00s mp&~aµev.
el st 'TOI µ6xe(l)v yWOITO 'TOOVS' &A.is, Sexofµee• av,
Sa(µovcs XflA.flt ~apdat Svcrrvx(;.)s "1TrnAflyµW<>1. 1660
<T>S' {){et A.6y05 yvvatt<6s, ei 'TIS a~10T µa6eiv.
Al. &XJ...a 'Tovas• ~µol µa-ra(av yA.&aaav @s• &:rrav0(aa1
l(~ETV frrri 'TOta\rra Safµovcs 1t'Elj)(l)µfvOvs.
acl>cppovcs yvooµris (S'] c!cµapT~v 'TOV Kpcrro\ivra (A.018opeTs).
F(G)Tr
16371} Porson (~"Canter): ,; FTr 1638 .,.Q,.Sc FTr: djstinxit CAsaubon .1640
l'W Wieseler: I'~ Frr 1640 sq. Pollux 7. 24 AlaxJ>.ot •• • <fp71xc' a<1pa.;4po11 Kf"96lvro.
.~>.oil 1641 01e&rt1n Auratus: 1e&rt11 FTr 1642 0Wo&1eos- G 1644 ''"' Spanhcim:
o-W FTr 1646Jp&1r0u F: opa. troO GTr 1650 Aegisthum pergcre viditSt:anley:
xo~ praefixcrunt FTr 1651 -xopAs ex a.ry correctum pracfixit F: -xopl>r G: nu Ila
nota in Tr 1652 wp&1eC11r:os (<11 corr. ex o) G: wp&KOrrot F: •pOKOTr'7'0f Tr 1eoi>1e
Lobelio moncnte (oM' illc) scripsi: oi>1e FTr 1653 a.lpo.SJ'c911 Auratus: lpo.Sl'c9a. FTr
1654 Spaool'<" FTr: corr. Victorius 1655 91pos Schiltz: & lJH»t FTr 1656 wapxc
FTr: corr. Sco.Jiger "'"lf'O"*is cnlf s· tm&pxo Hermann 7J1'11rwµc9a. FTr: corr.
Jacob 1657 OTclxn' 11lSotM Ahrens: ~clxc-rc 3' ol FTr T1nrpt11µbous inane
.,.oiJcrKdel. Auratus 1658 lpta.,,,cs F: lpto.,,-,o. GTr alrci11 HC;lth: "°'pA" Fl'r
XJ>7}11 FTr: corr. Hartung lrrJ'Ol&1'11" FTr: corr. Victorius 1659 y' ~Xoll'cB'
Frr: corr. Hcnnann l66o •at°ATfll'lrott G 1662 -roi!oS' lµol Is. Vcmius:
t'oi!oSc f'O' FTr d.-rrGl'8laG£ mire dictum 1663 Salµo11as FTr: corr. Casaubon
""P"'14""1 G 1664 versus male mutilatus ut prorsus restituatur vix ficri potest;
co textu quern cxempli gratia dcdi o.Jiquam saltcm mcdcndi rationcm adumbratam csse
spcro s• dcl. Schwerdt dµ.aprw11 -rd,. Schwerdt: dµaprijro" FTr inter ~1JS
ct 1ep11To011r11 (quod in fme versus positum est) Jo.cuno.m habct G >.ocSopcts suppl. Vossius
192
 Aeg. Because the deceit was clearly the woman's part,
while I was his suspected enemy from of old. But I will
endeavour to use this man's wealth to rule the citizens; and·
him who will not obey I will yoke under a heavy yoke-no
barley-fed young trace-horse, mark my words I No, hunger,
hateful housemate of darkness, shall see him softened.
Chor. Why then in the cowardice of thy heart didst thou
not slay the man thyself, but didst let the woman, to the pol-
lution of the land and the land's gods, do the killing? Oh, is
Orestes somewhere alive, that he may return hither with
auspicious fortune and kill this pair and prove the trium-
phant victor?
Aeg. Well then, since thou art determined so to act and
speak, thou shalt have thy lesson forthwith. What ho I ~y
friends of the guard, the work to be done here is at hand.
Chor. What hol let every man make ready his sword, hilt
in hand!
Aeg. Nay, I too am hilt-in-hand, and do not refuse1 to die.
Chor. Thou speakest of thy death: we accept the omen,
and choose to take what will come to pass.
Clyt. Nay, nay, my dearest, let us work no further ills:
even those that are here are many to reap, an unhappy
harvest. We have harm enough already: let us keep free
from bloodshed. Go your ways, reverend elders, to your
homes . . . ere doing bring you suffering: we must accept
our present lot, even as it has fallen to us. But should it come
to pass (that we could say) 'enough of these affiictions ', we
should welcome it, sadly stricken as we are by the heavy
hoof of the daemon. That is what a woman has to say, if any
think fit to heed it.
Aeg. But that these should ... such idle speech against
me and fling out such words, putting their fate to the testl
Thou lackest a sober mind, so to abuse thy master. 2
1 For the ambiguity, which cannot be rendered, sec the commentary.
~ Text uncertain.
193
 XO. OVK av •ApyekA>V 'T65. Ef11, cp&>Ta: irpoaaa(veiv K<Xl<6v. 1665
Al. &:M.• fy&> a• w ~<Tripcna1v 1'1µipa:1s µemµ• fn.
XO. oVi<, Uw 5a(µ(a)v (y') •opto-rr\v Srup• &rrev6Writ µoMTv.
Al. ots• fy~ cproyov-rcxs avSpexs ~ir(Scxs atTovµW<>vs.
XO. 11'p<iaae, ma:(vov, µ1a(voov -n'\v S(Kfl\11 me\ irapa:.
Al. fa6t µ01 S&>o-(a)v 6:rrowa: TI\aSe µ(a)p(cxs xp6voot. 1670
XO. K6µira:ao\I ea:pat:Sv, @.m(a)p ~aTe &q~e(cxs ~as.
KA. µf} 11'poTtµt'}a1)tS µc:mxfoov T&>vs• ~AcxyµO:roov· fy~
Ka:l aV l)(a)µ6:r(a)V t<p<rTOWre • • et'}aoµw Kcxi\&Ss.
F(G)Tr
l66S Trpoaaoll'(W GTr: ftpoaolPCcr F 1666 """"· pracfixit F 166-/ ,,. suppl.
Headlam 1670 XJ>d"°" Wecklein: xO.fH" FTr 1671 9app@r FTr: corr. Porson
·<ZuH Canter: OHnitp FTr 16-p. sq. schol. 'ICt. Tricl. 'Eyt», 9'111t, .cal ail Kpo.ToOntt
Tlilr8c Tlil" 801µ4T01v 81a9'q11&µc9a Tel (Victorius ;-'Tel Tr) .caU' a.WO~ "~ells-, undc Canter
lyc:i, Auratus 1ealcils-, quac pericrunt in FTr; rcstitucrunt 1673 1ea1 ail 84aoµcv
1epa.TOOnc Tli!r8c 3o>µ4T01v Ffr: tnuuposui, Tlilr8c cicci nescio an !uerit .,,&na. (vcl
TaOTa vcJ -nt.Ua) 9rjao11cv 1ealcils-.
 ChM. It would not be like men of Argos to fawn upon a
villain.
Aeg. But I in days to come will yet visit thee with my
vengeance.
Chor. Not if Destiny guide Orestes back hither to his
home.
Aeg. I know that exiles feed on hopes.
Chor. On with it, make thee fat, befouling justice, since
thou canst.
Aeg. Thou shalt make me amends, be sure, for this folly
in due time.
Cllor. Boast and be confident, like a cock beside his hen.
C/,yt. Take no account of these idle barkings: thou and I
as masters of the house shall order all things 1 well.
Clytemnestra and Aegisthus go into the house. The Cllorus
leave the orchestra.
1 Text uncertllin.

195