Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound, ed. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 420

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

← Previous Next →

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ Ἄρειον ἄνθος,

420

ὑψίκρημνον [θ᾽] οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται,

δάιος στρατὸς ὀξυπρώι-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς. =

Prometheus Bound. Aeschylus. ed. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff. Berolini. 1914.

Current edition Experimental

Aeschyli Prometheus Vinctus (OCR draft) (Greek) (Aeschyli Prometheus Vinctus. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (6)

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 436-525 focus

Προμηθεύς

μή τοι χλιδῇ δοκεῖτε μηδ᾽ αὐθαδίᾳ

σιγᾶν με: συννοίᾳ δὲ δάπτομαι κέαρ,

ὁρῶν ἐμαυτὸν ὧδε προυσελούμενον.¹

καίτοι θεοῖσι τοῖς νέοις τούτοις γέρα

τίς ἄλλος ἢ ᾽γὼ παντελῶς διώρισεν;
440

ἀλλ᾽ αὐτὰ σιγῶ. καὶ γὰρ εἰδυίαισιν ἂν

ὑμῖν λέγοιμι: τἀν βροτοῖς δὲ πήματα

ἀκούσαθ᾽, ὥς σφας² νηπίους ὄντας τὸ πρὶν

ἔννους ἔθηκα καὶ φρενῶν ἐπηβόλους.

λέξω δέ, μέμψιν οὔτιν᾽ ἀνθρώποις ἔχων,
445

ἀλλ᾽ ὧν δέδωκ᾽ εὔνοιαν ἐξηγούμενος:

οἳ πρῶτα μὲν βλέποντες ἔβλεπον μάτην,

κλύοντες οὐκ ἤκουον, ἀλλ᾽ ὀνειράτων

ἀλίγκιοι μορφαῖσι τὸν μακρὸν βίον

ἔφυρον εἰκῆ πάντα, κοὔτε πλινθυφεῖς
450

δόμους προσείλους³ ᾖσαν, οὐ ξυλουργίαν:

κατώρυχες δ᾽ ἔναιον ὥστ᾽ ἀήσυροι

μύρμηκες ἄντρων ἐν μυχοῖς ἀνηλίοις.

ἦν δ᾽ οὐδὲν αὐτοῖς οὔτε χείματος τέκμαρ

οὔτ᾽ ἀνθεμώδους ἦρος οὔτε καρπίμου
455

θέρους βέβαιον, ἀλλ᾽ ἄτερ γνώμης τὸ πᾶν

ἔπρασσον, ἔστε δή σφιν ἀντολὰς ἐγὼ

ἄστρων ἔδειξα τάς τε δυσκρίτους δύσεις.

καὶ μὴν ἀριθμόν, ἔξοχον σοφισμάτων,⁴

ἐξηῦρον αὐτοῖς, γραμμάτων τε συνθέσεις,
460

μνήμην θ᾽⁵ ἁπάντων, μουσομήτορ᾽ ἐργάνην.⁶

κἄζευξα πρῶτος ἐν ζυγοῖσι κνώδαλα

ζεύγλαισι δουλεύοντα σάγμασίν⁷ θ᾽, ὅπως

θνητοῖς μεγίστων διάδοχοι μοχθημάτων

γένοινθ᾽,⁸ ὑφ᾽ ἅρμα τ᾽ ἤγαγον φιληνίους
465

ἵππους, ἄγαλμα τῆς ὑπερπλούτου χλιδῆς.

θαλασσόπλαγκτα δ᾽ οὔτις ἄλλος ἀντ᾽ ἐμοῦ

λινόπτερ᾽ ηὗρε ναυτίλων⁹ ὀχήματα.

τοιαῦτα μηχανήματ᾽ ἐξευρὼν τάλας

βροτοῖσιν, αὐτὸς οὐκ ἔχω σόφισμ᾽ ὅτῳ¹⁰
470

τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς ἀπαλλαγῶ.

472

Χορός

πέπονθας αἰκὲς¹¹ πῆμ᾽: ἀποσφαλεὶς φρενῶν

πλανᾷ, κακὸς δ᾽ ἰατρὸς ὥς τις ἐς νόσον

πεσὼν ἀθυμεῖς καὶ σεαυτὸν οὐκ ἔχεις

εὑρεῖν ὁποίοις φαρμάκοις ἰάσιμος.
475

Προμηθεύς

τὰ λοιπά μου κλύουσα θαυμάσει πλέον,

οἵας τέχνας τε καὶ πόρους ἐμησάμην.

τὸ μὲν μέγιστον, εἴ τις ἐς νόσον πέσοι,

οὐκ ἦν ἀλέξημ᾽ οὐδέν, οὔτε¹² βρώσιμον,

οὐ χριστόν, οὔτε πιστόν, ἀλλὰ φαρμάκων
480

χρείᾳ κατεσκέλλοντο, πρίν γ᾽ ἐγώ σφισιν

ἔδειξα κράσεις ἠπίων ἀκεσμάτων,

αἷς τὰς ἁπάσας ἐξαμύνονται νόσους.

τρόπους τε πολλοὺς μαντικῆς ἐστοίχισα,

κἄκρινα πρῶτος ἐξ ὀνειράτων ἃ χρὴ
485

ὕπαρ γενέσθαι, κληδόνας τε δυσκρίτους

ἐγνώρισ᾽ αὐτοῖς: ἐνοδίους τε συμβόλους:

γαμψωνύχων τε πτῆσιν οἰωνῶν σκεθρῶς

διώρισ᾽, οἵτινές τε δεξιοὶ φύσιν

εὐωνύμους τε, καὶ δίαιταν ἥντινα
490

ἔχουσ᾽ ἕκαστοι, καὶ πρὸς ἀλλήλους τίνες

ἔχθραι τε καὶ στέργηθρα καὶ συνεδρίαι:

σπλάγχνων τε λειότητα, καὶ χροιὰν τίνα

ἔχοντ᾽ ἂν εἴη δαίμοσιν πρὸς ἡδονήν,

χολῆς λοβοῦ τε ποικίλην εὐμορφίαν:
495

κνίσῃ τε κῶλα συγκαλυπτὰ καὶ μακρὰν

ὀσφῦν πυρώσας δυστέκμαρτον ἐς τέχνην

ὥδωσα θνητούς, καὶ φλογωπὰ σήματα

ἐξωμμάτωσα, πρόσθεν ὄντ᾽ ἐπάργεμα.

τοιαῦτα μὲν δὴ ταῦτ᾽: ἔνερθε δὲ χθονὸς
500

κεκρυμμέν᾽ ἀνθρώποισιν ὠφελήματα,

χαλκόν, σίδηρον,¹³ ἄργυρον, χρυσόν τε¹⁴ τίς

φήσειεν ἂν πάροιθεν ἐξευρεῖν ἐμοῦ;

οὐδείς, σάφ᾽ οἶδα, μὴ μάτην φλύσαι θέλων.

βραχεῖ δὲ μύθῳ πάντα¹⁵ συλλήβδην μάθε,
505

πᾶσαι τέχναι βροτοῖσιν ἐκ Προμηθέως.

507

Χορός

μή νυν βροτοὺς μὲν ὠφέλει καιροῦ πέρα,

σαυτοῦ δ᾽ ἀκήδει δυστυχοῦντος: ὡς ἐγὼ

εὔελπίς εἰμι τῶνδέ σ᾽ ἐκ δεσμῶν ἔτι

λυθέντα μηδὲν μεῖον ἰσχύσειν Διός.
510

Προμηθεύς

οὐ ταῦτα ταύτῃ Μοῖρά πω τελεσφόρος

κρᾶναι πέπρωται, μυρίαις δὲ πημοναῖς

δύαις τε καμφθεὶς ὧδε δεσμὰ φυγγάνω:

τέχνη δ᾽ ἀνάγκης ἀσθενεστέρα μακρῷ.

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τ᾽ Ἐρινύες.

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν¹⁶ ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Προμηθεύς

ἄλλου λόγου μέμνησθε, τόνδε δ᾽ οὐδαμῶς

καιρὸς γεγωνεῖν, ἀλλὰ συγκαλυπτέος

ὅσον μάλιστα: τόνδε γὰρ σῴζων ἐγὼ

δεσμοὺς ἀεικεῖς καὶ δύας ἐκφυγγάνω.
525
526

Προμηθεὺς δεσμώτης Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 436-525 focus

Προμηθεύς

μή τοι χλιδῇ δοκεῖτε μηδʼ αὐθαδίᾳ

σιγᾶν με· συννοίᾳ δὲ δάπτομαι κέαρ,

ὁρῶν ἐμαυτὸν ὧδε προυσελούμενον.

καίτοι θεοῖσι τοῖς νέοις τούτοις γέρα

τίς ἄλλος ἢ ʼγὼ παντελῶς διώρισεν;
440

ἀλλʼ αὐτὰ σιγῶ· καὶ γὰρ εἰδυίαισιν ἂν

ὑμῖν λέγοιμι· τἀν βροτοῖς δὲ πήματα

ἀκούσαθʼ, ὥς σφας νηπίους ὄντας τὸ πρὶν

ἔννους ἔθηκα καὶ φρενῶν ἐπηβόλους.

λέξω δέ, μέμψιν οὔτινʼ ἀνθρώποις ἔχων,
445

ἀλλʼ ὧν δέδωκʼ εὔνοιαν ἐξηγούμενος·

οἳ πρῶτα μὲν βλέποντες ἔβλεπον μάτην,

κλύοντες οὐκ ἤκουον, ἀλλʼ ὀνειράτων

ἀλίγκιοι μορφαῖσι τὸν μακρὸν βίον

ἔφυρον εἰκῇ πάντα, κοὔτε πλινθυφεῖς
450

δόμους προσείλους, ᾖσαν, οὐ ξυλουργίαν·

κατώρυχες δʼ ἔναιον ὥστʼ ἀήσυροι

μύρμηκες ἄντρων ἐν μυχοῖς ἀνηλίοις.

ἦν δʼ οὐδὲν αὐτοῖς οὔτε χείματος τέκμαρ

οὔτʼ ἀνθεμώδους ἦρος οὔτε καρπίμου
455

θέρους βέβαιον, ἀλλʼ ἄτερ γνώμης τὸ πᾶν

ἔπρασσον, ἔστε δή σφιν ἀντολὰς ἐγὼ

ἄστρων ἔδειξα τάς τε δυσκρίτους δύσεις.

καὶ μὴν ἀριθμόν, ἔξοχον σοφισμάτων,

ἐξηῦρον αὐτοῖς, γραμμάτων τε συνθέσεις,
460

μνήμην ἁπάντων, μουσομήτορʼ ἐργάνην.

κἄζευξα πρῶτος ἐν ζυγοῖσι κνώδαλα

ζεύγλαισι δουλεύοντα σάγμασὶν θʼ, ὅπως

θνητοῖς μεγίστων διάδοχοι μοχθημάτων

γένοινθʼ , ὑφʼ ἅρμα τʼ ἤγαγον φιληνίους
465

ἵππους, ἄγαλμα τῆς ὑπερπλούτου χλιδῆς.

θαλασσόπλαγκτα δʼ οὔτις ἄλλος ἀντʼ ἐμοῦ

λινόπτερʼ ηὗρε ναυτίλων ὀχήματα.

τοιαῦτα μηχανήματʼ ἐξευρὼν τάλας

βροτοῖσιν, αὐτὸς οὐκ ἔχω σόφισμʼ ὅτῳ
470

τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς ἀπαλλαγῶ.

472

Χορός

πέπονθας αἰκὲς πῆμʼ· ἀποσφαλεὶς φρενῶν

πλανᾷ, κακὸς δʼ ἰατρὸς ὥς τις ἐς νόσον

πεσὼν ἀθυμεῖς καὶ σεαυτὸν οὐκ ἔχεις

εὑρεῖν ὁποίοις φαρμάκοις ἰάσιμος.
475

Προμηθεύς

τὰ λοιπά μου κλύουσα θαυμάσῃ πλέον,

οἵας τέχνας τε καὶ πόρους ἐμησάμην.

τὸ μὲν μέγιστον, εἴ τις ἐς νόσον πέσοι,

οὐκ ἦν ἀλέξημʼ οὐδέν, οὔτε βρώσιμον,

οὐ χριστόν, οὐδὲ πιστόν, ἀλλὰ φαρμάκων
480

χρείᾳ κατεσκέλλοντο, πρίν γʼ ἐγώ σφισιν

ἔδειξα κράσεις ἠπίων ἀκεσμάτων,

αἷς τὰς ἁπάσας ἐξαμύνονται νόσους.

τρόπους τε πολλοὺς μαντικῆς ἐστοίχισα,

κἄκρινα πρῶτος ἐξ ὀνειράτων ἃ χρὴ
485

ὕπαρ γενέσθαι, κληδόνας τε δυσκρίτους

ἐγνώρισʼ αὐτοῖς ἐνοδίους τε συμβόλους·

γαμψωνύχων τε πτῆσιν οἰωνῶν σκεθρῶς

διώρισʼ, οἵτινές τε δεξιοὶ φύσιν

εὐωνύμους τε, καὶ δίαιταν ἥντινα
490

ἔχουσʼ ἕκαστοι, καὶ πρὸς ἀλλήλους τίνες

ἔχθραι τε καὶ στέργηθρα καὶ συνεδρίαι·

σπλάγχνων τε λειότητα, καὶ χροιὰν τίνα

ἔχουσʼ ἂν εἴη δαίμοσιν πρὸς ἡδονὴν

χολή, λοβοῦ τε ποικίλην εὐμορφίαν.
495

κνίσῃ τε κῶλα συγκαλυπτὰ καὶ μακρὰν

ὀσφῦν πυρώσας δυστέκμαρτον ἐς τέχνην

ὥδωσα θνητούς, καὶ φλογωπὰ σήματα

ἐξωμμάτωσα, πρόσθεν ὄντʼ ἐπάργεμα.

τοιαῦτα μὲν δὴ ταῦτʼ· ἔνερθε δὲ χθονὸς
500

κεκρυμμένʼ, ἀνθρώποισιν ὠφελήματα,

χαλκόν, σίδηρον, ἄργυρον, χρυσόν τε τίς

φήσειεν ἂν πάροιθεν ἐξευρεῖν ἐμοῦ;

οὐδείς, σάφʼ οἶδα, μὴ μάτην φλύσαι θέλων.

βραχεῖ δὲ μύθῳ πάντα συλλήβδην μάθε,
505

πᾶσαι τέχναι βροτοῖσιν ἐκ Προμηθέως.

507

Χορός

μή νυν βροτοὺς μὲν ὠφέλει καιροῦ πέρα,

σαυτοῦ δʼ ἀκήδει δυστυχοῦντος. ὡς ἐγὼ

εὔελπίς εἰμι τῶνδέ σʼ ἐκ δεσμῶν ἔτι

λυθέντα μηδὲν μεῖον ἰσχύσειν Διός.
510

Προμηθεύς

οὐ ταῦτα ταύτῃ Μοῖρά πω τελεσφόρος

κρᾶναι πέπρωται, μυρίαις δὲ πημοναῖς

δύαις τε καμφθεὶς ὧδε δεσμὰ φυγγάνω·

τέχνη δʼ ἀνάγκης ἀσθενεστέρα μακρῷ.

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τʼ Ἐρινύες

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Προμηθεύς

ἄλλου λόγου μέμνησθε, τόνδε δʼ οὐδαμῶς

καιρὸς γεγωνεῖν, ἀλλὰ συγκαλυπτέος

ὅσον μάλιστα· τόνδε γὰρ σῴζων ἐγὼ

δεσμοὺς ἀεικεῖς καὶ δύας ἐκφυγγάνω.
525

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 420 focus

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατὸς, ὀξυπρῴροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 420 focus

Σαρματᾶν τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα,

Καυκάσου πύλας, νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατός, ὀξυπρώ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

στρ. γ'.

ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 420 focus

Ἀραβίας τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420
Ant. 2.

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ θ' οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται νέμουσι,

δάϊος στρατὸς ὀξυπρῴ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 420 focus

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος,

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμουσιν,

δάιος στρατός, ὀξυπρώροι-

σι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

440

Translations (8)

Prometheus Bound Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 436-525 focus

Prometheus

No, do not think it is from pride or even from wilfulness that I am silent. Painful thoughts devour my heart as I behold myself maltreated in this way. And yet who else but I definitely assigned

their prerogatives to these upstart gods? But I do not speak of this; for my tale would tell you nothing except what you know. Still, listen to the miseries that beset mankind—how they were witless before and I made them have sense and endowed them with reason.
440

I will not speak to upbraid mankind but to set forth the friendly purpose that inspired my blessing.
First of all, though they had eyes to see, they saw to no avail; they had ears, but they did not understand ; but, just as shapes in dreams, throughout their length of days,
445

without purpose they wrought all things in confusion. They had neither knowledge of houses built of bricks and turned to face the sun nor yet of work in wood; but dwelt beneath the ground like swarming ants, in sunless caves. They had no sign either of winter
450

or of flowery spring or of fruitful summer, on which they could depend but managed everything without judgment, until I taught them to discern the risings of the stars and their settings, which are difficult to distinguish.
Yes, and numbers, too, chiefest of sciences,
455

I invented for them, and the combining of letters, creative mother of the Muses’ arts, with which to hold all things in memory. I, too, first brought brute beasts beneath the yoke to be subject to the collar and the pack-saddle, so that they might bear in men’s stead their
460

heaviest burdens; and to the chariot I harnessed horses and made them obedient to the rein, to be an image of wealth and luxury. It was I and no one else who invented the mariner’s flaxen-winged car that roams the sea.
Wretched that I am—such are the arts I devised
465

for mankind, yet have myself no cunning means to rid me of my present suffering.
470

472

Chorus

You have suffered sorrow and humiliation. You have lost your wits and have gone astray; and, like an unskilled doctor, fallen ill, you lose heart and cannot

discover by which remedies to cure your own disease.
475

Prometheus

Hear the rest and you shall wonder the more at the arts and resources I devised. This first and foremost: if ever man fell ill, there was no defence—no healing food,

no ointment, nor any drink—but for lack of medicine they wasted away, until I showed them how to mix soothing remedies with which they now ward off all their disorders. And I marked out many ways by which they might read the future,
480

and among dreams I first discerned which are destined to come true; and voices baffling interpretation I explained to them, and signs from chance meetings. The flight of crook-taloned birds I distinguished clearly— which by nature are auspicious,
485

which sinister—their various modes of life, their mutual feuds and loves, and their consortings; and the smoothness of their entrails, and what color the gall must have to please
490

the gods, also the speckled symmetry of the liver-lobe; and the thigh-bones, wrapped in fat, and the long chine I burned and initiated mankind into an occult art. Also I cleared their vision to discern signs from flames,which were obscure before this.
495

Enough about these arts. Now as to the benefits to men that lay concealed beneath the earth—bronze, iron, silver, and gold—who would claim to have discovered them before me? No one, I know full well, unless he likes to babble idly.
500

Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word—every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.
505

507

Chorus

Do not benefit mortals beyond reason and disregard your own distress; although, I am confident that you will be freed

from these bonds and will have power in no way inferior to Zeus.
510

Prometheus

Not in this way is Fate, who brings all to fulfillment, destined to complete this course. Only when I have been bent by pangs and tortures infinite am I to escape my bondage. Skill is weaker by far than Necessity.

Chorus

Who then is the helmsman of Necessity?
515

Prometheus

The three-shaped Fates and mindful Furies.

Chorus

Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?

Prometheus

Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.

Chorus

Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?

Prometheus

This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager.
520

Chorus

It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.

Prometheus

Think of some other subject, for it is not the proper time to speak of this. No matter what, this must be kept concealed; for it is by safeguarding it that

I am to escape my dishonorable bonds and outrage.
525

526

Prometheus Bound. (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Bound.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 420 focus

and the warlike flower of Arabia , who occupy a fortress on the craggy heights in the neighbourhood of Caucasus, a warrior-host, clamouring amid sharply-barbed spears.

PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ (OCR draft) Experimental (PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 420 focus

et les hordes de Scythie, qui occupent les confins du monde, autour du Méotis stagnant ¹ ;

PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ

LE CHŒUR

Et la floraison guerrière d'Arabie ², peuples nichés dans leur citadelle de rocs escarpés, aux abords du Caucase, tribus
belliqueuses

Prometheus Chained (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Chained. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 420 focus

Arabia's martial race, that wield

The ſharp lance in th' embattled field,

Thro' all their rockbuilt cities moan,

The crags of Caucaſus return the groan.

Eschilo, Prometeo legato: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Prometeo legato: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 420 focus

e il prode fior d'Arabia,

la cui città sul Caucaso

surge, su vette estreme,

formidoloso esercito,

485

che, recinto da cuspidi

di lance aguzze, freme.

3 Strofe III

CORO

Aeschylus, Prometheus vinctus: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Prometheus vinctus: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 420 focus

Paludem inhabitant, Arabiæq; martialis natio,

420

Et qui oppidum Caucafum altiiugum

Prope habitant, infestus exercitus

Resonans cum hastis acutis.

English (E. D. A. Morshead, 1908) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound — Morshead translation. Wikisource transcription; speech corresp and card milestones aligned to Smyth perseus-grc2.) — 420 focus

And the blossom of battling hordes, that flowers upon Caucasus' height,
455

With clashing of lances that pierce, and with clamour of swords that smite.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1854; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylos. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Stuttgart: Hoffmann, 1854. Native Donner line citations, Smyth card correspondence, selected textual readings and metrical facsimiles. Remaining OCR differences and unattributed reading notes are documented in the linked review inventory.) — 420 focus

Und Arabia's Heldenblüte,

Und, die steilgethürmte Burgen
420

Nah' am Kaukasos bewohnen,

Wilde Schaaren, im Kampfe mit

Spiziger Lanze tosend.

Schlußgesang.

Commentary

Critical apparatus to Prometheus Bound (OCR draft) (Latin and Greek critical apparatus to Gottfried Hermann's 1852 edition of Prometheus Bound.) focus

420. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-471

Σαρματᾶν:

Ἀραβίας

M. G. Vit. et plerique.

Ἀρσαβίας

Lips. et pauci. Tum

ἄνθος

Ald.

ἄνθος

M. G. Vit. Lips. Aug. et cum ceteris plerisque Rob. I. H. Vossius in Geographia vet. p. XVIII. non opus esse ait ut exclamemus quod Plautinus Charmides in Trinummo IV. 2.89. dicenti

omnium primum in Pontum advecti ad Arabiam terram sumus

respondet,

an etiam Arabia est in Ponto?

Collocasse enim Aeschylum Arabiam in vicinia Caucasi. At si Euripides in Bacchis v. 16. sciebat ubi sita esset Arabia, respondere licebit quod Charmidae isti respondetur,

est: non illaec ubi tus gignitur, sed ubi absinthium fit atque cunila gallinacea

. Laborarunt jam veteres interpretes in quaerenda ratione qua Arabiam Scythiae admoverent: qui quum ei rei Troglodytas adhibuerunt, gravi errore, quem Casaubonus ad Strabonem p. 506. notavit, Troglodytas qui ad sinum Arabicum incolebant, de quibus Strabo in principio libri XVII. exposuit, confuderunt cum illis quorum sedes fuit inter Caucasum et paludem Maeotidem, de quibus idem Strabo refert libro XI. p. 506. quem locum spectarunt scholiastae. Praeter hos alii fuere Troglodytae ad Istrum circa Tomos, de quibus dixit Strabo libro VII. p. 318. Elmsleius cum Butlero latius patere visum antiquis esse nomen Arabiae et Aeschylum nihilo peritiorem geographiae Shakespeario fuisse censebat. Profecto ita est in iis locis qui ubi terrarum siti essent nemo tum accurate sciebat. At id non potest cadere in Arabiam, cuius nomen usque ad Caucasum porrigi credere relinquendum Welckero in Trilogia p. 20. et Bothio. Apertum est autem Aeschylum de noto claroque populo loqui, qui vel ad Caucasum vel in ipso Caucaso habitet. Nam quod sequitur,

ὑψίκρημνον θ' οἱ πόλισμα Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται

, non solum metri indicio sine

τε

copula scribendum est, sed etiam propter ipsam sententiam. Ineptissima esset enim gentis commemoratio, cuius nomen, quo in genere sibi placent tragici, taceretur, et tamen illa vocaretur

δάϊος στρατός, ὀξυπρώροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς

. Hinc non puto dubitari posse quin Sarmatas dixerit Aeschylus scripseritque

Σαρματᾶν τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος

. In hos enim plane quadrat tota illa descriptio: sed nomen iam perantiquo tempore obscuratum fuisse oportet, ut ex superstitibus litterarum vestigiis

Ἀραβίας

eruerent librarii. Simillimi ipsis etiam verbis versus sunt Dionysii periegetae 652. seqq.

421. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-472

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ:

ὑψίκρημνονθ' οἳ

Μ.

ὑψίκριμνον θ᾽ οἳ

Lips.

ὑψίκρημνον τ' οἳ

Ald.

ὑψίκρημνον θ' οἳ

ceteri. Delendam esse copulam viderunt Bothius atque Elmsleius.

422. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-473

νέμονται:

νέμουσι

Μ. (si recte adnotatum est et Vit. paucique alii. Ceteri libri

νέμονται

, quod praestat non aliam ob caussam, quam quod gravior spondeus fit diphthongo, quam si

νέμουσιν

scribitur: nam in strophico versu est

οἳ γᾶς

422. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-474

Καυκάσου πύλας: Sed

Καυκάσου πέλας

, quod libri habent, non puto scripsisse Aeschylum. Primum enim ipsa verba videntur aliquid vitii prodere. Nam

πόλισμα

, quod

ὑψίκρημνον

dicatur, in Caucaso potius ipso quam in vicinia Caucasi situm, esse intelligitur. Deinde tam apposite convenit haec descriptio portis Caucasiis, ut sponte se offerat apta loco scriptura,

Καυκάσου πύλας

. Plinius H. N. VI. 12.

ab his sunt portae Caucasiae, magno errore multis Caspiae dictae, ingens naturae opus montibus interruptis repente, ubi fores obditae ferratis trabibus, subter medias amne diri odoris fluente citraque in rupe castello, quod vocatur Cumania, communito ad arcendas transitu gentes innumeras, ibi loci, terrarum orbe portis discluso, ex adverso maxime Harmastis oppidi Iberum

. De iisdem, etsi nomine non appellans, Strabo XI. p. 500.

ἐκ δὲ τῶν πρὸς ἄρκτον νομάδων ἐπὶ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἀνάβασις χαλεπή· καὶ μετὰ ταύτην ποταμία στενὴ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἀράγου ποταμοῦ τεττάρων ἡμερῶν ὁδὸν ἔχουσα ἐφ᾽ ἕνα· φρουρεῖ δὲ τὸ πέρας τῆς ὁδοῦ τεῖχος δύςμαχον

. Ptolemaeus has

Σαρματικὰς πύλας

appellavit. Denique vero etiam Lucianus videtur

Καυκάσου πύλας

legisse, quas ille quidem eo errore quem Plinius notavit Caspias dixit, quum scripsit in Prometheo cap. 4.

σὺ δέ, στωμύλος γὰρ εἶ καὶ δικανικός, ἀπολόγησαι ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ, ὡς δικαίαν τὴν ψῆφον ἔθετο ἀνεσταυρῶσθαί με πλησίον τῶν Κασπίων τούτων πυλῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ Καυκάσου, οἴκτιστον θέαμα πᾶσι Σκύθαις

423. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-475

ὀξυπρώροισι:

ὀξυπόροισι

Lips. Aug.

English commentary on Prometheus Bound (OCR draft) (N. Wecklein, translated by F. D. Allen. Ginn & Company, 1893; compared with the 1891 printing. Printed commentary pages 31–144. Provisional alignment and unresolved OCR are visibly flagged.) focus

397-435. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-283

;

397-435. First Stasimon. The ionic rhythms accord with the sor- rowful burden of the song, which calls to mind the words of Fr. v. Schlegel, 'Es geht ein allgemeines Weinen, so weit die stillen Sterne scheinen, durch alle Adern der Natur.'

420. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-295

⁴

;

420. ᾿Αρίας : see App. In Cho. 423 ῎Αριον is explained by the Schol. as Περσικόν. Cp. Hesych. ᾿Αρείας πώλους· Περσικάς· ῎Αρειοι γὰρ ἔθνος Περσικόν. Ιη ᾿Αρίας ἄρειον there is an etymologizing play on words, as in Frg. 305 τοῦτον δ᾽ ἐπόπτην ἔποπα τῶν αὑτοῦ κακῶν. Cp. Eum. 155 ὄνειδος ἐξ ὀνειράτων, Pers. 995 ἄρειόν τ᾽ ᾿Αγχάρην, 11. νί. 201 ἤτοι ὁ κὰπ πεδίον τὸ ᾿Αλήιον οῖος ἀλᾶτο. See also notes on 86 and 692. – ἄνθος : cp. Ag. 197 ἄνθος ᾿Αρ- γείων, Pers. 59 ἄνθος Περσίδος αἴας οἴχεται ἀνδρῶν, ibid. 252, 925, Suppl. 663 ἥβας δ᾽ ἄνθος.

421. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-296

⁵

⁶

;

421. ὑψίκρημνον πόλισμα: proba- bly the lofty Ecbatana (᾿Αγβάτανα Pers. 961), the capital of the Medes, is meant.

422. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-297

⁷

⁸

;

422. Καυκάσου πέλας: a geogra- phical definition like ἀμφὶ Μαιώτιν λίμναν just above. - νέμουσιν : cp. Eum. 1019 Παλλάδος πόλιν νέμοντες.

423. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-298

⁹

¹⁰

;

423. ὀξυπρῴροισι: cp. βούπρῳρος, ἀνδρόπρωρος. – βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς: cp. Eur. Phoen. 113 πολλοῖς μὲν ἵπποις, μυρίοις δ᾽ ὅπλοις βρέμων. With ἐν αἰχμαῖς cp. Eur. Εl. 321 καὶ σκῆπτρ᾽ ἐν οἷς Ἕλλησιν ἐστρατηλάτει, Xen. Mem. iii. 9. 2 ἐν πέλταις καὶ ἀκοντίοις διαγω- νίζεσθαι.

Aeschylus Prometheus Bound 420

ed. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τ᾽ Ἐρινύες.

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν¹⁶ ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τʼ Ἐρινύες

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατὸς, ὀξυπρῴροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Σαρματᾶν τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα,

Καυκάσου πύλας, νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατός, ὀξυπρώ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

στρ. γ'.

Ἀραβίας τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420
Ant. 2.

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ θ' οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται νέμουσι,

δάϊος στρατὸς ὀξυπρῴ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Chorus

You have suffered sorrow and humiliation. You have lost your wits and have gone astray; and, like an unskilled doctor, fallen ill, you lose heart and cannot

discover by which remedies to cure your own disease.
475

Chorus

Do not benefit mortals beyond reason and disregard your own distress; although, I am confident that you will be freed

from these bonds and will have power in no way inferior to Zeus.
510

Prometheus

Not in this way is Fate, who brings all to fulfillment, destined to complete this course. Only when I have been bent by pangs and tortures infinite am I to escape my bondage. Skill is weaker by far than Necessity.

Chorus

Who then is the helmsman of Necessity?
515

Prometheus

The three-shaped Fates and mindful Furies.

Chorus

Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?

Prometheus

Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.

Chorus

Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?

Prometheus

This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager.
520

Chorus

It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.

Prometheus

Think of some other subject, for it is not the proper time to speak of this. No matter what, this must be kept concealed; for it is by safeguarding it that

I am to escape my dishonorable bonds and outrage.
525

LE CHŒUR

Et la floraison guerrière d'Arabie ², peuples nichés dans leur citadelle de rocs escarpés, aux abords du Caucase, tribus
belliqueuses

CORO

Resonans cum hastis acutis.

And the blossom of battling hordes, that flowers upon Caucasus' height,
455

With clashing of lances that pierce, and with clamour of swords that smite.

Und Arabia's Heldenblüte,

Und, die steilgethürmte Burgen
420

Nah' am Kaukasos bewohnen,

Wilde Schaaren, im Kampfe mit

Spiziger Lanze tosend.

Schlußgesang.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Προμηθεύς οὐ ταῦτα ταύτῃ Μοῖρά πω τελεσφόρος κρᾶναι πέπρωται, μυρίαις δὲ πημοναῖς δύαις τε καμφθεὶς ὧδε δεσμὰ φυγγάνω: τέχνη δ᾽ ἀνάγκης ἀσθενεστέρα μακρῷ.

Χορός τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος; 515

Προμηθεύς Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τ᾽ Ἐρινύες.

Χορός τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν 16 ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς τοῦτ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει. 520

Χορός ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Προμηθεύς οὐ ταῦτα ταύτῃ Μοῖρά πω τελεσφόρος κρᾶναι πέπρωται, μυρίαις δὲ πημοναῖς δύαις τε καμφθεὶς ὧδε δεσμὰ φυγγάνω· τέχνη δʼ ἀνάγκης ἀσθενεστέρα μακρῷ.

Χορός τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος; 515

Προμηθεύς Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τʼ Ἐρινύες

Χορός τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς τοῦτʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει. 520

Χορός ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος, 420 ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται, δάϊος στρατὸς, ὀξυπρῴροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Σαρματᾶν τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος, 420 ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα, Καυκάσου πύλας, νέμονται, δάϊος στρατός, ὀξυπρώ- ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς. στρ. γ'.

Ἀραβίας τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος, 420 Ant. 2. ὑψίκρημνον οἳ θ' οἳ πόλισμα Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται νέμουσι, δάϊος στρατὸς ὀξυπρῴ- ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Chorus You have suffered sorrow and humiliation. You have lost your wits and have gone astray; and, like an unskilled doctor, fallen ill, you lose heart and cannot discover by which remedies to cure your own disease. 475

Chorus Do not benefit mortals beyond reason and disregard your own distress; although, I am confident that you will be freed from these bonds and will have power in no way inferior to Zeus. 510

Prometheus Not in this way is Fate, who brings all to fulfillment, destined to complete this course. Only when I have been bent by pangs and tortures infinite am I to escape my bondage. Skill is weaker by far than Necessity.

Chorus Who then is the helmsman of Necessity? 515

Prometheus The three-shaped Fates and mindful Furies.

Chorus Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?

Prometheus Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.

Chorus Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?

Prometheus This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager. 520

Chorus It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.

Prometheus Think of some other subject, for it is not the proper time to speak of this. No matter what, this must be kept concealed; for it is by safeguarding it that I am to escape my dishonorable bonds and outrage. 525

LE CHŒUR Et la floraison guerrière d'Arabie 2 , peuples nichés dans leur citadelle de rocs escarpés, aux abords du Caucase, tribus belliqueuses

CORO

Resonans cum hastis acutis.

And the blossom of battling hordes, that flowers upon Caucasus' height, 455 With clashing of lances that pierce, and with clamour of swords that smite.

Und Arabia's Heldenblüte, Und, die steilgethürmte Burgen 420 Nah' am Kaukasos bewohnen, Wilde Schaaren, im Kampfe mit Spiziger Lanze tosend. Schlußgesang.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τ᾽ Ἐρινύες.

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν¹⁶ ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τʼ Ἐρινύες

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατὸς, ὀξυπρῴροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Σαρματᾶν τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα,

Καυκάσου πύλας, νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατός, ὀξυπρώ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

στρ. γ'.

Ἀραβίας τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420
Ant. 2.

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ θ' οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται νέμουσι,

δάϊος στρατὸς ὀξυπρῴ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Chorus

You have suffered sorrow and humiliation. You have lost your wits and have gone astray; and, like an unskilled doctor, fallen ill, you lose heart and cannot

discover by which remedies to cure your own disease.
475

Chorus

Do not benefit mortals beyond reason and disregard your own distress; although, I am confident that you will be freed

from these bonds and will have power in no way inferior to Zeus.
510

Prometheus

Not in this way is Fate, who brings all to fulfillment, destined to complete this course. Only when I have been bent by pangs and tortures infinite am I to escape my bondage. Skill is weaker by far than Necessity.

Chorus

Who then is the helmsman of Necessity?
515

Prometheus

The three-shaped Fates and mindful Furies.

Chorus

Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?

Prometheus

Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.

Chorus

Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?

Prometheus

This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager.
520

Chorus

It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.

Prometheus

Think of some other subject, for it is not the proper time to speak of this. No matter what, this must be kept concealed; for it is by safeguarding it that

I am to escape my dishonorable bonds and outrage.
525

LE CHŒUR

Et la floraison guerrière d'Arabie ², peuples nichés dans leur citadelle de rocs escarpés, aux abords du Caucase, tribus
belliqueuses

And the blossom of battling hordes, that flowers upon Caucasus' height,
455

With clashing of lances that pierce, and with clamour of swords that smite.

Und Arabia's Heldenblüte,

Und, die steilgethürmte Burgen
420

Nah' am Kaukasos bewohnen,

Wilde Schaaren, im Kampfe mit

Spiziger Lanze tosend.

Schlußgesang.