Sophocles Antigone 31

ed. August Boeckh

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CHOR

Strahl der Sonne, das schönste Licht,
100

das je dieses Thebäervolks

siebenthoriger Stadt erschien!

du blickst endlich, goldenes Tags Wimper, leuchtend herab,

über Dirka's Fluten herüberschwebend!

Jenen, der mit glänzendem Schild
105

kam von Argos, mächtig bewehrt,

triebest du flüchtig in eilendem Lauf

fort mit rascherem Zügel;

110

ihn, welchen ins Land zur Befehdung rief

durch feindlichen Zwist grimmvoll entbrannt
110

Polyneikes, der in dem Fluge des Aars

hellkreischend daher kam über das Land,

von dem Fittig gedeckt weiſsglänzendes Schnee's,

mit der Rüstungen viel

und rofsummähneten Helmen.
115
117

Jener, über den Häusern, um-

gähnend unserer Thore Mund

mit mordlustigen Speeren rings,

entfloh, eh' er unseres Bluts ganz der Kiefern Begier

sättigt', ehe ragender Thürm' Umkränzung
120

fafst' Hephästos' flammende Glut:

also braust' im Rücken umher

Kriegesgetümmel, verderblicher Kampf

ihm, dem feindlichen Drachen!

127

Denn Zeus hafst schwer grofssprechender Zung'
125

hochmüthig Geprahl'; und als er ersah,

wie in mächtigem Strom sie zogen heran,

in des Goldes Geklirr, hoffärtiges Sinns,

wirft den er herab mit geschleudertem Strahl,

der aufstieg schon
130

zu den Zinnen in jubelndem Siegsruf,

134

Und zu der dröhnenden Erde geschmettert fiel er,

der mit geschwungener Fackel in wildem Andrang,

mit wahnsinniger Wuth braust' heran im feindlichsten Sturm.

Diesen traf solches Loos;
135

anderes theilt' anderen zu, mächtig im Kampf drängend,

Ares der grofse
Siegesheld!

141

Denn Sieben um sieben der Thore gestellt,

Mann gegen den Mann, sie liefsen dem Zeus

zum Preise des Siegs die gediegene Wehr.
140

Nur das schreckliche Paar, von Demselben erzeugt

mit demselbigen Weib, die wider sich selbst,

zwiefach siegreich, einlegten den Speer,

traf gleiches Verhängniſs des Todes.

148

Aber es kam die gepriesene Siegesgöttin,
145

freudig entgegnend der wagenberühmten Thebe:

deſshalb denket des Kampfs jetztnicht mehr; in nächtlichem Chor

lasset Tanzreigen uns

führend der Stadt Tempeln umher nahen, voran hebe sich

Thebe's
Bacchios jauchzend!
150
155

Doch Kreon kommt des Menökeus Sohn,

des Thebäischen Lands neuwaltender Fürst,

in des Göttergeschicks neublühendem Glück:

was sinnet er wohl im erregten Gemüth,

daſs jetzo sofort den erlesenen Rath
155

er der Greis' entbot zur Versammlung hier,

durch Heroldsruf sie beschickend?

Antigone. Sophocles. ed. August Boeckh. Leipzig. 1884.

Current edition Experimental

German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) (German) (German (A. Boeckh, 1884))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (12)

Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι ¹ τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντα σοὶ

Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντα σοὶ

Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντά σοι

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντά σοι

Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντα σοὶ

Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 31.mvp-line-31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντα σοὶ

Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντά σοι

Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασιν τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντα σοὶ

Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντα σοὶ

Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 31.mvp-line-31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντα σοὶ

Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντα σοὶ

Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 31 focus

τοιαῦτά φασι τὸν ἀγαθὸν Κρέοντα σοὶ

Translations (10)

Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 31 focus

Coro

211 Sea como te place, Creonte, hijo de Meneceo, respecto de los amigos y enemigos de esta ciudad; pues en tu derecho estás de aplicar absolutamente la ley en lo que toca a los muertos y a todos cuantos vivimos.

Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 31 focus

Chorus

211 Eadem, quae tibi, nobis etiam placent; Menoecei gnate, Creon, circa civitatis huius hostem, et circa amicum: lege vero uti qualibet penes te estin mortuos, et in viventes, quotquot sumus.

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 31 focus

CH
211

Son of Menoeceus, we have heard thy mind

Toward him who loves, and him who hates our city.

And sure, ’tis thine to enforce what law thou wilt

Both on the dead and all of us who live.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 39 focus

Was kann ich, wenn dies also steht, Unselige,¹

Hier, lösend oder bindend, uns zum Frommen thun?
40

Antigone.

Sieh, ob du helfen, ob die Mühe theilen wirst

Ismene.

Bei welchem Unterfangen? Wo geräthst du hin?

Antigone.

Ob du den Todten, mir gesellt, aufnehmen willst!

Ismene.

Ihn denn bestatten willst du, dem Verbot zum Troz?

Antigone.

Ja, meinen Bruder und den deinen, wenn auch du
45

Nicht willst; denn niemals soll man mich Verrathes zeih'n!²

Ismene.

Tollkühne, während Kreon's Wort es dir verwehrt?

Antigone.

Fern halten darf mich dieser nie von meiner Pflicht.

Ismene.

Weh mir! Bedenk', o Schwester, wie der Vater uns,

Mit Haß und Hohn belastet, ruhmlos unterging,
50

Nachdem er selbst um Gräuel, die er selbst enthüllt,

Der Augen Sterne sich zerriß mit eigner Hand;

Wie dann die Mutter, Mutter ihm und Weib zugleich,

Schmachvoll mit frevlem Strange sich das Leben nahm;

Zum dritten, wie die Brüder beid' an Einem Tag
55

Im Wechselmord sich ein gemeinsam Todesloos,

Die Armen, schufen, Einer durch des Andern Hand!

Wir sind allein jezt übrig; du bedenke denn,

Wie schmählich wir verdürben, wenn wir wider Necht

Der Herrscher Ausspruch und Gewalt mißachteten.
60

Wohl mußt du doch erwägen, daß wir Frauen sind,

Und nicht geschaffen, Männern kühn im Kampf zu steh'n,

Dann aber, daß wir, weil beherrscht von Stärkeren,

Hier folgen müssen und sogar in Härterem.

Drum will ich jene, die der Erde Schooß verbirgt,³
65

Anfleh'n um Nachsicht, weil Gewalt mich bindet hier,

Und ihm gehorchen, dem die Macht geworden ist;

Denn Unverstand ist's, über seine Kraft zu thun.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 31 focus

Creon
211cont2

I have appointed some to watch the body.

Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 31 focus

CORO

134 Herido por el rayo cayó en tierra, por la cual fué rechazado, aquel que con insana furia se arrojaba sobre nosotros, respirando el ódio y la venganza. Pero el gran dios de la guerra, nuestro propicio aliado, sembrando la turbación, con su potente brazo, envióles de mil distintas maneras la muerte. 141 Los siete jefes, que venian hácia nuestras siete puertas contra otros tantos caudillos de Thebas, rindieron sus férreas armas á Júpiter vencedor. Mas ¡ay! estos dos desventurados, hijos del mismo padre y de la misma madre, volviendo el uno contra el otro sus lanzas victoriosas, se compartieron entre los dos la misma muerte.

German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 31 focus

CHOR

Dir dünket difs, o Sohn Menökeus, Kreon,

Des Feindes wegen und des Freunds der Stadt,
220

Und das Gesez gebrauchst du überall,

Der Todten wegen und der Lebenden.

English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 31 focus

Chorus

211 Such is thy pleasure, Creon, son of Menoeceus, touching this city’s foe, and its friend; and thou hast power, I ween, to take what order thou wilt, both for the dead, and for all us who live.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 31 focus

Messenger

How cruel is suspicion when unjust!

English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 1-98 focus

1

Antigone

Ismene, my sister, true child of my own mother, do you know any evil out of all the evils bequeathed by Oedipus that Zeus will not fulfil for the two of us in our lifetime? There is nothing—no pain, no ruin,
1

no shame, nor dishonor—that I have not seen in your sufferings and mine. And now what is this new edict that they say the general has just decreed to all the city? Do you know anything? Have you heard? Or does it escape you that
5

evils from our enemies are on the march against our friends?
10

Ismene

To me no word of our friends, Antigone, either bringing joy or bringing pain has come since we two were robbed of our two brothers who died in one day by a double blow.

And since the Argive army has fled during this night, I have learned nothing further, whether better fortune is mine, or further ruin.
15

Antigone

I knew it well, so I was trying to bring you outside the courtyard gates to this end, that you alone might hear.

Ismene

Hear what? It is clear that you are brooding on some dark news.
20

Antigone

Why not? Has not Creon destined our brothers, the one to honored burial, the other to unburied shame? Eteocles, they say, with due observance of right and custom, he has laid in the earth

for his honor among the dead below. As for the poor corpse of Polyneices, however, they say that an edict has been published to the townsmen that no one shall bury him or mourn him, but instead leave him unwept, unentombed, for the birds a pleasing store
25

as they look to satisfy their hunger. Such, it is said, is the edict that the good Creon has laid down for you and for me—yes, for me—and it is said that he is coming here to proclaim it for the certain knowledge of those who do not already know. They say that he does not conduct this business lightly,
30

but whoever performs any of these rites, for him the fate appointed is death by public stoning among the entire city. This is how things stand for you, and so you will soon show your nature, whether you are noble-minded, or the corrupt daughter of a noble line.
35

39

Ismene

Poor sister, if things have come to this, what would I

profit by loosening or tightening this knot?
40

Antigone

Consider whether you will share the toil and the task.

Ismene

What are you hazarding? What do you intend?

Antigone

Will you join your hand to mine in order to lift his corpse?

Ismene

You plan to bury him—when it is forbidden to the city?

Antigone

Yes, he is my brother, and yours too, even if you wish it otherwise. I will never be convicted of betraying him.
45

Ismene

Hard girl! Even when Creon has forbidden it?

Antigone

No, he has no right to keep me from my own.

Ismene

Ah, no! Think, sister, how our father

perished in hatred and infamy, when, because of the crimes that he himself detected, he smashed both his eyes with self-blinding hand; then his mother-wife, two names in one, with a twisted noose destroyed her life;
50

lastly, our two brothers in a single day, both unhappy murderers of their own flesh and blood, worked with mutual hands their common doom. And now we, in turn—we two who have been left all alone—consider how much more miserably we will be destroyed, if in defiance of the law
55

we transgress against an autocrat’s decree or his powers. No, we must remember, first, that ours is a woman’s nature, and accordingly not suited to battles against men; and next, that we are ruled by the more powerful, so that we must obey in these things and in things even more stinging.
60

I, therefore, will ask those below for pardon, since I am forced to this, and will obey those who have come to authority. It is foolish to do what is fruitless.
65

69

Antigone

I would not encourage you—no, nor, even if you were willing later,

would I welcome you as my partner in this action. No, be the sort that pleases you. I will bury him—it would honor me to die while doing that. I shall rest with him, loved one with loved one, a pious criminal. For the time is greater
70

that I must serve the dead than the living, since in that world I will rest forever. But if you so choose, continue to dishonor what the gods in honor have established.
75

Ismene

I do them no dishonor. But to act in violation of the citizens’ will—of that I am by nature incapable.

Antigone

You can make that your pretext! Regardless, I will go now to heap a tomb over the brother I love.
80

Ismene

Oh no, unhappy sister! I fear for you!

Antigone

Do not tremble for me. Straighten out your own destiny.

Ismene

Then at least disclose the deed to no one before you do it.

Conceal it, instead, in secrecy—and so, too, will I.
85

Antigone

Go on! Denounce it! You will be far more hated for your silence, if you fail to proclaim these things to everyone.

Ismene

You have a hot heart for chilling deeds.

Antigone

I know that I please those whom I am most bound to please.

Ismene

Yes, if you will also have the power. But you crave the impossible.
90

Antigone

Why then, when my strength fails, I will have finished.

Ismene

An impossible hunt should not be tried in the first place.

Antigone

If you mean that, you will have my hatred, and you will be subject to punishment as the enemy of the dead.

But leave me and the foolish plan I have authored to suffer this terrible thing, for I will not suffer anything so terrible that my death will lack honor.
95

Ismene

Go, then, if you so decide. And of this be sure: though your path is foolish, to your loved ones your love is straight and true. Exit Antigone on the spectators’ left. Ismene exits into the palace.

Commentary

Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))

mvp-comment-68-1 ἀελίου ¹

mvp-comment-68-2 τὸ κάλλιστον ...φάος ²

mvp-comment-68-3 ἑπταπύλῳ ³

mvp-comment-68-4 τῶν προτέρων ⁴

mvp-comment-69-1 ἐφάνθης ⁵

mvp-comment-69-2 χρυσέας ⁶

mvp-comment-69-3 βλέφαρον ⁷

mvp-comment-69-4 Διρκαίων ⁸

mvp-comment-70-1 τὸν λεύκασπιν...φῶτα ⁹

mvp-comment-70-2 The words

τὸν λεύκασπιν Ἀργόθεν

answer metrically to 123

πευκάενθ’ Ἥφαιστον ἑλεῖν

. Instead of

Ἀργόθεν

(¯˘¯) we therefore require ¯˘˘¯. The short final of

λεύκασπιν

is legitimate, the metre being Glyconic (see Analysis Metr.). In the antistrophic verse, the H of

Ἥφαιστον

is ‘irrational,’ i.e. is a long syllable doing duty for a short: and Nauck is incorrect in saying that the metre ‘requires’ (though it admits) a choriambus beginning with a consonant. The simplest remedy is to read Ἀργόθεν ἐκ | βάντα φῶτα ¹⁰ Ἰναχόθεν ¹¹

mvp-comment-71-1 πανσαγίᾳ ¹²

mvp-comment-71-2 φυγάδα πρ. ¹³ κινήσασα ¹⁴

mvp-comment-71-3 πρόδρομον ¹⁵

mvp-comment-71-4 ὀξυτέρῳ...χαλινῷ ¹⁶

mvp-comment-71-5 ὀξυτέρῳ ¹⁷

mvp-comment-72-1 The MSS. have ὃν...Πολυνείκης ¹⁸ ὃς ...Πολυνείκους ¹⁹

mvp-comment-72-2 Πολυνείκους … νεικέων ²⁰

mvp-comment-72-3 ἀρθείς ²¹

mvp-comment-72-4 νεικ. ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων ²²

mvp-comment-73-1 ὀξέα κλάζων ²³

mvp-comment-73-2 αἰετὸς εἰς γᾶν ὣς ὑπερέπτα ²⁴ ὥς ²⁵

mvp-comment-73-3 ὑπερέπτα ²⁶

mvp-comment-74-1 λευκῆς χιόνος πτ. ²⁷

mvp-comment-74-2 στεγανός ²⁸

mvp-comment-74-3 ὅπλων … κορύθεσσι ²⁹ ξύν ³⁰ μετά ³¹ ξύν ³²

mvp-comment-75-1 In στὰς δ’ ὑπὲρ μελάθρων ³³ πτάς ³⁴

mvp-comment-75-2 The words φονώσαισιν ἀμφιχανὼν... λόγχαις ³⁵

mvp-comment-75-3 φονώσαισιν ³⁶

mvp-comment-75-4 ἑπτάπυλον στόμα ³⁷

mvp-comment-76-1 ἔβα ³⁸

mvp-comment-76-2 πρίν ποθ’ ³⁹ αἱμάτων ⁴⁰

mvp-comment-76-3 γἑνυσιν ⁴¹ πλησθῆναι ⁴² τε ⁴³ τε ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-76-4 στεφάνωμα ⁴⁵

mvp-comment-76-5 πευκάενθ’ Ἥφαιστον ⁴⁶

mvp-comment-77-1 τοῖος ⁴⁷

mvp-comment-77-2 ἐτάθη ⁴⁸

mvp-comment-77-3 πάταγος ⁴⁹

mvp-comment-77-4 ἀντιπάλῳ δυσχείρωμα δράκοντος ⁵⁰ ἀντιπάλῳ ... δράκοντι ⁵¹ ἀντιπάλου … δράκοντος ⁵² ἀντιπάλῳ … δράκοντος ⁵³

mvp-comment-77-5 The interpretation of the passage turns primarily on two points.

mvp-comment-77-6 (1) The δράκων ⁵⁴

mvp-comment-77-7 (2) The δυς ⁵⁵ δυσχείρωμα ⁵⁶

mvp-comment-77-8 Those who read ἀντιπάλῳ … δράκοντι ⁵⁷ ὲτάθη ⁵⁸

mvp-comment-77-9 Those who read ἀντιπάλου … δράκοντος ⁵⁹

mvp-comment-78-1 μεγάλης ⁶⁰

mvp-comment-78-2 ῥεύματι ⁶¹ ῥεύματι πολλῷ ⁶²

mvp-comment-79-1 χρυσοῦ καναχῆς ὑπεροπλίαις ⁶³

mvp-comment-79-2

μέγας

. In post-Homeric poetry

ὑπέροπλος

is a freq. epith. of overweening strength (

ἠνορέη, βίη, ἥβη

, etc.).—Other readings are:—(1)

χρυσοῦ καναχῇ θ’ ὑπερόπτας

, ‘and haughty in the clang of gold.’ This involves an improbable change; the subst.

ὑπερόπτης

, too, is unsuitable here, and cannot be defended by Theocr. 22. 58

πρὸς πάντα παλίγκοτος ἠδ’ ὑπερόπτης

. Wecklein, reading

ὑπερόπτας

, keeps

καναχῆς

in the sense, hoffärtig auf: but a genit. after

ὑπερόπτης

could not denote that in which one takes pride. (2)

χρυσοῦ καναχῆς ὑπερόπτης

, or

‐όπτα

, i.e., ‘Zeus, a despiser of the clang of gold.’ (3)

χρυσοῦ καναχῆς ὑπέροπτα

, adv. neut. plur. (as O. T. 883 ), ‘advancing haughtily in a great stream of clanging gold.’ But the adv. comes weakly at the end, and

χρυσοῦ κ

. is harshly joined with

π. ῥεύματι

.—Aesch. , too, gives prominence to gold in picturing the Argive chiefs: Capaneus has golden letters on his shield ( Aesch. Th. 434 ), Polyneices has the image of a warrior in golden armour, with a golden legend (644, Aesch. Th. 660 ).

mvp-comment-79-3 καναχῆς ⁶⁴

mvp-comment-80-1 παλτῷ πυρί ⁶⁵

mvp-comment-80-2 βαλβίδων ἐπ’ ἄκρων ⁶⁶

mvp-comment-80-3 ὁρμῶντα ⁶⁷

mvp-comment-80-4 νίκην ⁶⁸ ἀλαλάξαι ⁶⁹

mvp-comment-81-1 ἀντιτύπᾳ ⁷⁰

mvp-comment-81-2 As regards the sense,

ἀντίτυπος

was regularly used of hard surfaces, which, as it were, repel that which strikes them (for the accent

ἀντίτυπος

, not

ἀντιτύπος

, though the sense is act., see on O. T. 460 ). Probl. 5. 40

οἱ...ἐν ἀντιτύποις περίπατοι

. Lucian Amor. 13

τὴν ἀντίτυπον οὕτω καὶ καρτερὰν τοῦ λίθου φύσιν

. So, fig., Plat. Crat. 420D

τὸ...ἀναγκαῖον καὶ ἀντίτυπον

, what is necessary, and what resists us.

mvp-comment-81-3 τανταλωθείς ⁷¹

mvp-comment-82-1 πυρφόρος ⁷²

mvp-comment-82-2 βακχεύων ⁷³

mvp-comment-82-3 ῥιπαῖς...ἀνέμων ⁷⁴

mvp-comment-83-1 εἶχε δ’ ἄλλᾳ τὰ μέν ⁷⁵ εἶχε δ’ ἄλλαι τὰ μὲν ἄλλαι τὰ δ’ ἐπ’ ἄλλοις ⁷⁶ τὰ μέν ⁷⁷ ἄλλα δέ ⁷⁸ τὰ μέν ⁷⁹ ἄλλᾳ ⁸⁰

mvp-comment-83-2 ἐπενώμα ⁸¹ στυφελίζων ⁸²

mvp-comment-83-3 δεξιόσειρος ⁸³

mvp-comment-83-4 The old v.l. δεξιόχειρος ⁸⁴

mvp-comment-84-1 ἑπτὰ λοχαγοί ⁸⁵

mvp-comment-84-2 ἴσοι πρὸς ἴσους ⁸⁶

mvp-comment-84-3 Ζηνὶ τροπαίῳ ⁸⁷

mvp-comment-84-4 πάγχαλκα τέλη ⁸⁸

mvp-comment-84-5 It was the ordinary practice to set up a

τρόπαιον

(old

αττ.τροπαῖον

) after a victory, on the spot where it had been won, or, in the case of a sea-fight, on the nearest land ( Thuc. 2.92 ). Such a trophy ordinarily consisted of shields, helmets, and weapons, conspicuously displayed on wooden supports, and dedicated, with an inscription, to a deity. Cp. Eur. Phoen. 1473 (of the Thebans after the victory)

οἱ μὲν Διὸς τροπαῖον ἵστασαν βρέτας

(i.e. a wooden image of

Ζεὺς Τροπαῖος

), |

οἱ δ’ ἀσπίδας συλῶντες Ἀργείων νεκρῶν | σκυλεύματ’ εἴσω τειχέων ἐπέμπομεν

. Part of the armour would be affixed to the walls of Theban temples (cp. Aesch. Ag. 577 , Th. 276 ).

mvp-comment-85-1 πλὴν τ. στυγεροῖν ⁸⁹ πατρός ⁹⁰

mvp-comment-85-2 καθ’ αὑτοῖν ⁹¹

mvp-comment-85-3 δικρατεῖς λόγχας ⁹²

mvp-comment-85-4 στήσαντε ⁹³

mvp-comment-86-1 ἀλλὰ γάρ ⁹⁴ γάρ ⁹⁵ γάρ ⁹⁶

mvp-comment-86-2 μεγαλώνυμος ⁹⁷

mvp-comment-86-3 πολυαρμάτῳ ⁹⁸

mvp-comment-86-4 ἀντιχαρεῖσα ⁹⁹

mvp-comment-87-1 ἐκ...πολέμων τῶν νῦν ¹⁰⁰ ἐκ ¹⁰¹ νῦν ¹⁰²

mvp-comment-87-2 θέσθαι ¹⁰³ θέσθε ¹⁰⁴ παννυχίοις ¹⁰⁵

mvp-comment-87-3 ὁ Θήβας ¹⁰⁶ ἐλελίχθων ¹⁰⁷

mvp-comment-87-4 Βάκχιος ¹⁰⁸

mvp-comment-87-5 ἄρχοι ¹⁰⁹

mvp-comment-88-1 ἀλλὰ … γάρ ¹¹⁰ Κρέων ¹¹¹

mvp-comment-88-2 Μενοικέως ¹¹²

mvp-comment-88-3 νεοχμὸς νεαραῖσι ¹¹³

mvp-comment-88-4 their equivalents. See Appendix I prefer the first of these views. An anapaest or spondee, meaning ‘ruler,’ has probably dropped out before νεοχμός ¹¹⁴ κρείων ¹¹⁵ ἄρχων ¹¹⁶ ταγός ¹¹⁷

mvp-comment-88-5 θεῶν … συντυχίαις ¹¹⁸ ἐπί ¹¹⁹

Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus

103. mvp-comment-63-1 χρυσέας χρυσέας, as in O. T. 158-187.

106. mvp-comment-64-1 The rivulet of Dircè was to the west of Thebes. The sun had risen just as the retreat of the Argives became a rout, and the army returning from pursuit would see the morning light reflected in the stream, which they would cross on their way back to the city. Cp. Eur. Phoen. 730. The ode is not chanted at sunrise, but celebrates the glorious morning which had seen the discomfiture of the enemy. The chorus of elders imagine themselves in the position of the victorious army.

106. mvp-comment-64-2 λεύκασπιν Cp. Aesch. S. c. Т. 96, λευκοπρεπή λέων: Eur. Phoen. 1099, λεύκασπιν εἰσορῶμεν Ἀργείων στράτον.

106. mvp-comment-64-3 Αργόθεν The correspondence of a dactyl in the antistrophe to the trochee Αργό- in this line justly leads to suspicion of the text, and Hermann conjectured Ἀργόθεν ἐκ. Qy. Ἀργόλεων ? or Ἀργογενή ?

108. mvp-comment-65-1 φυγάδα πρόδρομον (1) Running before us in flight. Said from the point of view of the pursuing host. Or (2), In the van of the flying host. The Schol. on Phoen. 409 says, φασὶ .. τὸν Ἀδραστον .. μόνον φυγάδα σωθῆναι ὑπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου ἵππου Ἀρείονος. Cp. Paus. 8.25. § 5.

109. mvp-comment-66-1 χαλινῷ Either (1) literally Riding with hastier rein, or (2) metaphorically, With thy hastening bridle in his lips. The first (1) is best. If (2) were adopted, the reading ὀξυτόρῳ, galling (see v. rr.), might be preferred.

110. mvp-comment-67-1 *ὃς .. *Πολυνείκους The emendation of Scaliger improves the sense as well as the grammar. The imagery throughout represents not Polynices, but his Argive ally. The subject of the single fight between the two brothers is passed lightly over, as unsuited to a triumphal hymn.

111. mvp-comment-68-1 ἀρθεὶς.. ἐξ ἀμφιλόγων Carried forth in consequence of the doubtful quarrel (the quarrel and debate) of Polynices. ἀρθείς is said with allusion to αἴρειν στόλον, but also suggests the image of the bird mounting in air. Cp. Il. 13. 63, of the hawk, ἀπ' αἰγίλιπος πέτρης περιμήκεος ἀρθείς, Eur. Phoen. 636-637. For the play on the name of Polynices, see Essay on Language § 44. p. 82.

113. mvp-comment-69-1 The omission of ὡs in this line, which Herm. suggested, is hardly necessary, although it does not impair the sense. The correspondence of strophe and antistrophe does not extend strictly to the anapaests, although the anapaestic systems in this passage are nearly of the same length.

114. mvp-comment-70-1 λευκῆς χιόνος πτέρυγι See Essay on Language § 9. p. 11, and cp. l. 106.

114. mvp-comment-70-2 στεγανός Covered all over; i. e. There were no gaps in their array.

115-116. mvp-comment-71-1 πολλῶν μεθ᾽ ὅπλων | ξύν θ᾽ ἱπποκόμοις κορύθεσσι Accompanied with many a shield and armed with many a helm.

117. mvp-comment-72-1 στάς Staying his flight, like the bird of prey preparing to stoop. At this point the image, which has hitherto grown in distinctness, becomes less definite, the figure of an eagle passing into that of a flying dragon, with spears for teeth. Cp. Shak. K. John, 2. 1, O, now doth Death Line his dead chaps with steel, etc. Also the image in Milton's Samson Agonistes, 11. 1692-1696.

117. mvp-comment-72-2 φονώσαισιν Boeckh's emendation at once cures the metre and supplies a poetical touch which corresponds to the explanation of the Scholiast, ταῖς τῶν φονῶν ἐρώσαις λόγχαις. It is confirmed by the reading of L² pr. See v. rr.

118. mvp-comment-73-1 ἀμφιχανὼν.. στόμα Yawning round our seven-mouthed gates.

120. mvp-comment-74-1 ἔβα He went his way. For the use of the aorist of βαίνω in this sense, cp. Od. 22. 249, καὶ δή οἱ Μέντωρ μὲν ἔβη, κενὰ εὔγματα εἰπών: Τr. 115, βάντ᾽ ἐπιόντα τ', Some gone, others coming on.

121. mvp-comment-75-1 γένυσιν With his jaws. Instrumental dative.

121. mvp-comment-75-2 πλησθῆναί τε καὶ ἑλεῖν For the change of subject in these lines, cp. Aj. 458, ἐχθαίρομαι, μισεῖ δέ, κ.τ.λ. And for στεφάνωμα πύργων, cp. Pind. Ol. 8. 32, Ἰλίῳ μέλλοντες ἐπὶ στέφανον τεύξαι : Hom. h. Dem. 151, .. κρήδεμνα πόληος | εἰρύαται ...

124. mvp-comment-76-1 τοῖος .. δράκοντι (1) Such din of war was spread about his rear by the reluctant snake, no easy matter to subdue. So the Scholiast, who wrote τὸ δὲ ἀντιπάλῳ δράκοντι ἀντὶ τοῦ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀντιπάλου δράκοντος, ὡς Ἀχιλῆϊ δαμασθείς (Il. 22. 55). Or (2) δυσχείρωμα may be taken to mean the act rather than the object of victory (cp. O. Τ. 560, θανασίμῳ χειρώματι), and the sense may be, Such din of war encompassed him, issuing in a hard-won victory for the serpent matching his foe. In this case it will make little difference to read the genitive. Or, (3) if the genitive is read (Wecklein), the words may be taken in yet another way: Such din of war harassed him from behind, the hard-to-be-subdued might of the serpent, who was a match for his foe. The genitive is given as an alternative reading by the 1st hand of L, and is supported by V (Ven. 468). But the dative is alone recognised by the Scholiast.

124. mvp-comment-76-2 The δράκων is certainly the emblem of Thebes, and the eagle and snake are in conflict, as in Il. 12. 201, foll., where also the serpent struggles and escapes : ὁ δ᾽ οὔπω λήθετο χάρμης, | κόψε γὰρ αὐτὸν ἔχοντα κατὰ στήθος παρὰ δειρὴν | ἰδνωθεὶς ὀπίσω· ὁ δ᾽ ἀπὸ ἕθεν ἧκε χαμάζε, κ.τ.λ. Hor. Carm. 4. 4, 11, Nunc in reluctantes dracones | Egit amor dapis atque pugnae.

129. mvp-comment-77-1 πολλῷ ῥεύματι προσνισσομένους Coming on in full proud stream. Like a great river filling its banks.

130. mvp-comment-78-1 χρυσοῦ καναχῆς ὑπερόπτης] Despiser of the clank of gold. Cp. Aesch. Agam. 776, τὰ χρυσόπαστα δ᾽ ἐσθλὰ σὺν πίνῳ χερῶν | παλιντρόποις ὄμμασιν | λιπούσ', ὅσια προσέβα: S. c. T. 481-485. The Scholiast, who wrote καὶ τὴν τοῦ χρυσοῦ φαντασίαν ὑπερβεβηκότας τῇ ἰδίᾳ ὑπεροψίᾳ, seems to have read ὑπερόπτας, which appears in the margin of some copies. The ὑπεροψία of his interpretation may have given rise to ὑπεροπτίας, as in conjunction with this it has suggested ὑπεροπλίαις, (Vauvillers, who compares II. 1. 205). Musgr. and Böckh are contented with ὑπεροπτείας, abstr. noun of ὑπερόπτης, gen. with ῥεύματι, In floods of supercilious pride.

131. mvp-comment-79-1 παλτῷ ῥιπτεῖ πυρί (1) Hurls down with brandished thunderbolt. Or possibly (2) ῥιπτεῖ is a more emphatic substitute for βάλλει = Smites from afar. The word παλτῷ suggests the zig-zag flicker of the lightning.

131. mvp-comment-79-2 βαλβίδων .. ἀλαλάζαι As, having reached the topmost goal, he was eager to raise the cry of victory. βαλβίδες are the end of the race-course, metaphorically applied here to the top of the wall to which Capaneus had climbed, and so receiving the epithet ἄκρων.

131. mvp-comment-79-3 βαλβίδων may be also taken as abl. gen, with ῥιπτεῖ, and only resumed with ἄκρων. But this is questionable.

133. mvp-comment-80-1 The subject of ὁρμῶντα (Capaneus) is anticipated from the following lines, viz. ὅς, κ.τ.λ.

134. mvp-comment-81-1 ἀντιτύπᾳ This conj. of Porson has been generally received. He fell upon the earth, that smote him again; i.e. He fell with a shock. The Scholia explain ἀντίτυπα, which is against metre.

134. mvp-comment-81-2 τανταλωθείς Swung. As if the scale that had been the lightest had suddenly become the heaviest. Cp. Hom. Il. 22. 212, ῥέπε δ᾽ Ἕκτορος αἴσιμον ἦμαρ, | ᾤχετο δ᾽ εἰς Ἀἰδαο.

135. mvp-comment-82-1 πυρφόρος With the fire in his hand, with which he had threatened the town. O. C. 1318: Aesch. S. c. T. 422, ff.

135. mvp-comment-82-2 ὁρμᾷ Observe the tautology after ὁρμῶντ', supra.

136-137. mvp-comment-83-1 Had breathed against us in frenzy with blasts of malignant winds. Cp. infra 929-930: O. C. 612 and note: Aesch. S. c. T. 115, πνοαῖς Ἄρεος.

138. mvp-comment-84-1 εἶχε δ᾽ ἄλλᾳ τὰ μέν· κτ.λ.] This was in one direction: whilst on other men terrible fortune was dispensed by mighty Ares rushing on them like a steed harnessed upon our right hand. For the use of ἔχω with the locative adv., see L. and S. s. v. ἔχω, Β. 11. Ι. The reading in the text is suggested by that of V (Ven. 468), a MS. of the 13th century, which, together with many obvious corruptions, has preserved some good readings. See on O. T. 1526. This MS. reading is curiously near the conj. of Musgrave, εἶχε δ᾽ ἄλλᾳ τὰ δείν᾽. The epithet, as read in the text, may be suggested by a forefeeling of what is coming. Even the end of Capaneus is less awful than that of Eteocles and Polynices (144 ff.). Hermann's reading, εἶχε δ᾽ ἄλλᾳ μὲν ἄλ | λᾳ· τὰ δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλοις, makes good enough sense; Plat. Rep. 2. 369 Β, οὕτω δὴ ἄρα παραλαμβάνων ἄλλος ἄλλον ἐπ᾿ ἄλλου, τὸν δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλου χρείᾳ : but the synaphea between the cretics and the choriambi is questionable. And the same objection applies to Wecklein's εἶχε δ' ἄλλᾳ τὰ τοῦδ᾽· | ἄλλα δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλοις.

140. mvp-comment-85-1 δεξιόσειρος The War-god taking part with Thebes and bounding hither and thither over the plain is compared to the σειραῖος ἵππος, whose free action was so important at critical moments in the chariot-race. Cp. El. 721-722, δεξιὸν δ᾽ ἀνεὶς | σειραῖον ἵππον εἶργε τὸν προσκείμενον: Aesch. Agam. 841-842, μόνος δ' Οδυσσεύς, ὅσπερ οὐχ ἑκὼν ἔπλει | ζευχθείς ἕτοιμος ἦν ἐμοὶ σειραφόρος. The reading δεξιόχειρος is probably erroneous. It is acknowledged as a variant by the Scholiast.

141. mvp-comment-86-1 Capaneus, who is one of the seven adversaries, is already disposed of. But the general description in 141-143, is only preparatory to the chief statement, 144-147, from which, however, the chorus pass quickly, as they approach it with aversion. What is of the best omen must be kept to the front. For ἴσοι πρὸς ἴσους, cp. Hdt. 9. 49, ἴσοι πρὸς ἴσους ἄριθμον μαχεσόμεθα.

142-143. mvp-comment-87-1 'Left the tribute of their brazen panoplies to Zeus, who turns the battle.'

144-147. mvp-comment-88-1 Neither could despoil the other, since both were slain. And the citizens could not dedicate to Zeus arms polluted with kindred blood.

145. mvp-comment-89-1 αὑτοῖν i. e. ἀλλήλοιν: ἑαυτούς, ἀλλήλους. Hesych.

146. mvp-comment-90-1 δικρατεῖς λόγχας στήσαντε Having pointed their two spears, of which either was victorious. The spears are not hurled, as commonly in the Iliad, but held firmly as the combatants rush at each other. Cp. Hom. Il. 4. 307 (quoted by Donaldson), ὃς δέ κ᾿ ἀνὴρ ἀπὸ ὧν ὀχέων ἕτερ᾽ ἅρμαθ' ἵκηται | ἔγχει ὀρεξάσθω, ἐπεὶ ἢ πολὺ φέρτερον οὕτως.

147. mvp-comment-91-1 'Both have their portion in mutual death: i.e. Each strove for sole inheritance, but they share equally-in a death;' which each has given and each has received. See on l. 57. The spirit of the words is the same as those of Aesch. S. c. T. 726 ff.: O. C. 790.

149. mvp-comment-92-1 ἀντιχαρεῖσα Exchanging looks of joy. Cp. χαίρειν γέλωτι, Χen. Cyr. 8.1.33.

149. mvp-comment-92-2 Θήβη, as in Pindar, is the personification of Θήβαι, for which it is used consistently throughout this play. Cp. Od. 7. 80, εὐρυάγυιαν Ἀθήνην.

150. mvp-comment-93-1 ἐκ μὲν δὴ πολέμων .. λησμοσύvav Turning from the present wars, appoint ye forgetfulness of them. For the pleonastic use of ἐκ, see Essay on Language § 19. p. 27. The reading θέσθαι, which has good MS. authority and preserves the metrical correspondence with l. 137, is retained by some editors as an infinitive for imperative. Cp. infr. 1142, μολεῖν. For the expression, cp. Eur. Phoen. 1584,5, ὡς ὥρα τάφου | μνήμην τίθεσθαι.

153. mvp-comment-94-1 παννυχίοις Cp. Ο. Τ. 1090: Aesch. Ag. 23, 24. καὶ χορῶν κατάστασιν | πολλῶν ἐν Ἄργει τῆσδε συμφορᾶς χάριν.

153. mvp-comment-94-2 ὁ Θήβας δ'. . ἄρχοι And let Bacchus, Thebe's God. who shakes the earth (with revelry), lead on the dance. Schol. ὁ Θήβας Βακχεῖος, ὁ Θηβαγενὴς Διόνυσος, ὁ τῆς Θήβης πολίτης, ὁ ἐλελίχθων, ἄρχοι τῆς χορείας. See Essay on Language § 9. p. 11.

156. mvp-comment-95-1 The metre requires either the addition of one (or three) anapaests or the omission of νεοχμός. Dindorf's supposition that νεοχμός νεαραῖσι has grown in some way out of νεοχμοῖσι is in itself probable enough, but the omission of some word like *ἄρχων after βασιλεύς is equally so. The spectator is thus reminded that Creon is young in power.

157-158. mvp-comment-96-1 νεαραῖσι .. συντυχίαις In consequence of the recent god-sent fortune. These words are to be joined with the whole sentence, though chiefly with ἐρέσσων. Creon's accession, his coming, and the counsel which he brings, all follow closely on the events of the war. The question is, what is that counsel?