290. αὐτόν , myself: the 'me' is not wanted after emphatic ἐμοί

293. Τρίτων was in the stories of Athena a Libyan lake from which she was supposed to have sprung; afterwards identified with the large salt lake in the south of Tunis.

298. γένοιτο , regular sequence after ἔλθοι. In English we say May she come, and therefore naturally have the primary sequence, that she may prove .

301. ὅπου φρενῶν , where in the heart it lies.

302. δαιμόνων is the powers below, i, e. both the Furies who will drink his blood and Hades (1. 274) who ordains and directs the vengeance.

302. σκιάν , a shadow, not a ghost, for he was to be carried off below yet living (1. 267): but all the vigour sucked out of him with his blood. [Schol. reads σκιά with MSS., and takes it voc. Unlikely.]

306. ὕμνον δέσμιον σέθεν , the song that binds thee, the choric song acting as an infernal spell to make Orestes their prey: and perhaps accompanied by mysterious binding gestures.

309. δεδόκηκεν , 'tis our resolve, poetic form for regular δέδοκται.

310. λάχη might be the office of the Furies, as Cho. 360: but with ἐπινωμᾷ it makes better sense to refer it to ἀνθρώπους. How our troop assigns the lots of men.

310. στάσις , as Choeph. 114, 458.

319. πράκτορες , avengers, from πράσσειν in the special sense 'to exact a debt.' So τὸν πατρὸς φόνον πράξαντα 1. 624, χερὶ πράκτορι Ag. 111. For the masc. form πράκτωρ with fem. substantive cf. line 186.

320. τελέως , unfailingly: it goes with παραγιγ. πρακ. and expresses the persistent and complete vengeance.

322. ἀλαοῖσι καὶ δεδορκόσιν , the sightless and the seeing, i. e. the dead and the living. So δερκομένοισι καὶ δυσομμάτοις 1. 388.

326. ματρῷον ἅγνισμα κύριον φόνου , rightful atonement for a mother's blood ματρῷον poetically transferred from φόνου to ἄγνισμα, as the thought comes naturally in that order 'expiation for a mother for her blood.' ...

329-332. αὐονά is also found (Simon. Iamb. vii. 20) in the sense of cry, [from root αϝ, shout] and it may be so taken here by joining it with

329-332. ἀφόρμικτος , a cry unmusical to men: but the other sense from

329-332. αὐαίνω , to wither or waste, is more forcible, and so the Schol. Med. takes it: ὁ ξηραίνων τοὺς βροτούς.

334. διανταία , piercing, deadly, a favourite word of Aeschylus, usually of wounding: δ. πεπλαγμένους [πλαγάν] Theb. 894, δ. βέλει Cho. 184, and again δ. οὐτῷ ib. 640.

336-340. ξυμπέσωσιν is suspected by some edd.: why, they ask, should Furies pursue those whom murder falls in with, i. e. who are accidentally guilty of murder?

336-340. ξυμπέσωσι , befall, for a deliberate murder, we have μάταιοι (lit. vain, foolish,) for wicked: ὁμαρτεῖν (lit. to attend on), for the relentless pursuit of the Furies: οὐκ ἄγαν ἐλεύθερος meaning he is never quit of us.

336-340. τοῖσιν for relative, so, e. g. Ag. 526, 642, Cho. 604, Eum. 918, Theb. 519, etc.: (2)

336-340. ξυμπέσωσιν , indef. subj. with no ἄν attached to the relative,-both common survivals in tragedy : and (3)

336-340. ὄφρα ἄν for until.

347. λάχη . here, as 1. 334, office.

347. ἐκράνθη , assigned: so Suppl. 943 ψῆφος κέκρανται, fixed, settled .

350. ἀθανάτων δ᾽ ἀπέχειν χέρας , but from the immortals to keep away. The ἀθανάτων δέ is opposed to the θνατῶν of the previous stanza 1. 336. Their 'office' is to pursue the guilty man, but they have nothing to do with gods.

357. διόμεναι , Epic word, pursuing. Homer has it always transitive: here it seems best to take it intrans. with prep. 'pursuing after him.' [It might be tmesis for ἐπιδιόμεναι : but ὦ makes this less likely. Perhaps E. A. Ahrens' ὧδ' ἱέμεναι, which is certainly very ingenious, is the true reading.]

357. τόν , Epic demonst. use. [Others read ἐπιτόνως: but Schol. had our reading, for he remarks on the position of ὦ.]

367. μάλα with

367. ἁλομένα :

The emendation adopted [

367. ὅμως inserted and

367. μάταν , see above 1. 359] is almost necessary to give the right sense, even though they fly swiftly.

373. ὑπ᾿ αἰθέρι , beneath the sky, i.e. when they are living on earth.

374. κατὰ γᾶν , on earth, is the MS. reading: but as Hermann said, the sense below the earth, κατὰ γᾶs, is required in antithesis to ὑπ᾿ αἰθέρι. The same mistake occurs again 11. 838, 871. 11. 375, 376. Bold and imaginative expressions :

i.e. [their human glories come to naught] when we the Furies attack them and weave these magic dances which make them our captive (as we are doing to Orestes).

377. λυμή is the destruction which attacks his mind, and blinds him to the threatening evil;

377. τόδε is best taken (not of the fall as many edd., which would be simply

377. πίπτων οὐκ οἶδεν , but) of the presence and power of the Furies.

378. κνέφας . is in apposition to

378. μύσος , and is predicative: we should say, So dark a cloud of pollution hovereth over him .

378. ἐπί , Epic adverbial use (tmesis) of the preposition, going with the verb.

381. μένει γάρ , for the law abides: so μίμνει Ag. 1563. But it is obscure and abrupt: and possibly corrupted.

382. ἐσμέν is easily understood: Crafty are we, and unfailing to accomplish.

385-388. διόμεναι is rather a strange word (though the English to pursue a task or charge exactly illustrates it): hence Heath ingeniously suggested διέπο- μεν. But διόμεναι was read by Schol. and the MS. may stand.

387. ἀνηλίῳ λάμπᾳ , lit. in sunless light, an oxymoron, meaning in a light which is no light, where no sunlight shines. [Others translate

387. λάμπᾳ , filth, mould; for there is a very late word λάμπη, 'scum; and Dind. adopts Wieseler's conj. λάπᾳ in the same sense. But the strain of meaning is very harsh, and the word in the last degree unlikely.]

387. δυσοδοπαίπαλα is suspicious, as the metaphor is rather harsh (though perhaps continued from διόμεναι): the metre does not correspond with the antistrophe (καίπερ ὑπὸ χθόνα); and the double compound with δυσis unusual, indeed unique.

393. δοθέντα τέλεον , adj. used proleptically, granted for sure accomplishment.

398. γῆν καταφθατουμένη . Some further alter γῆν into γῆς, and translate hastening from; but the land of Scamander would be a strange expression, and a much fuller and better sense is gained by translating

398. καταφθατουμένη , occupying, hasting to claim the land. (So Hesych. who has καταφθατουμένη, κατακτωμένη.)

401. αὐτόπρεμνον , bold metaphor, root and branch, i. e. utterly, land and all therein.

402. ἐξαίρετον . : it was a custom, from Homer's time, to take out of the spoil a special gift for kings (or, as here, gods). So Homer frequently γέρας ἔξελον υἱὲς Ἀχαιῶν. So Thucydides tells us at the destruction of Mitylene (3. 30) the Athenians made 3000 holdings of the land, and 300 of these τοῖς θεοῖς ἱεροὺς ἐξεῖλον.

405. ἐπιζεύξασ᾽ ὄχον . You can't talk of yoking a car on your legs. It is better to take it metaphorically: the

405. ὄχος is the aegis, the

405. πῶλοι are the winds. So exactly Aristophanes calls Athena αἰγίδος ἠνιόχος Clouds 602.

410. ὑμᾶς θ᾽ , the construction is irregular but natural: she means, and you [I call] like to no race begotten, etc. (or perhaps even a stronger verb of abuse is meant to finish the sentence): but she checks herself 1. 413.

414. ἀποστατεῖ θέμις , Right holds aloof, stately phrase for ,it is wrong,.

417. ἐν οἴκοις γῆς ὕπαι , not for τοῖς γῆς ὕπαι, but 'in our home, beneath the earth, both phrases going with verb κεκλήμεθα.

418. ἐπωνύμους , not in its usual sense called after; but simply 'the names men call you by.'

419. γε μὲν δή , adversative as usual. My office, however, thou shalt learn. So Ag. 661, 887, 1213.

423. μηδαμοῦ: . the μή generalises as usual: Some place where joy is all unknown: the Chorus mean in Hades: but the indefinite or generic way of putting it is quite idiomatic and more imaginative and impressive. μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται, lit. is held of no account.

424. ἐπιρροιζεῖν , to clamour after, of noisy and terrifying pursuit ; To such a flight do ye hound him on?

425. ἠξιώσατο , took on him, rarely med. Cp. Ag. 370 θεοὺς ἀξιοῦσθαι.

426. ἀνάγκη .

427. ὡς often used for ὥστε in poetry: Epic usage.

mvp-comment-207-1 χρόνος καθαιρεῖ πάντα γηράσκων ὁμοῦ.: καθαίρει malebat Stanleius. Deinde γηράσκων M. G. Ald. Rob. Turn. ye didúozor Ven. Farn. et yɛ supra adscripto Flor. Nexum turbare hunc versum et ab hoc loco alienum esse dixi in Opusc. VI. 2. p. 55. seq. Delendum eum esse viderat iam Musgravius. Adscriptus fuit ad versus 277. 278. Similis versus apud Stobaeum CXXVI. 8. legitur, χρόνος δ᾽ ἀμαυροῖ πάντα κεἰς λήθην ἄγει.

mvp-comment-208-1 Ἀργεῖον: ἀργείων Ven.

mvp-comment-209-1 Λιβυστικοῖς: Libri ßvorizois. Ea adiectivi forma Aeschylus usus est in Suppl. v. 266. et in Myrmidonibus fr. 145. Tzetzes ad Lycophr. v. 519. καὶ Αἰσχύλος μυθικῶς “ εἶτ᾽ ἀμφὶ χεῦμα γενεθλίου σπόρου Τρίτωνος ἐν τόποις Λιβυστίοις,” ita enim codices duo Vitebergenses aliique et Favorinus in v. tqiyέvvytos. Auratus et Casaubonus scribendum putarunt Aißvotizs. Eo non opus est: zooaç enim, ut saepius in huiusmodi formulis, abundat.

mvp-comment-210-1 χεῦμα ... πόρου: ἀμφιχεῦμα Ald. σπόρου Tzetzes.

mvp-comment-211-1 κατηρεφῆ: zatŋoeg лóda si scripsit Aeschylus, non videtur aliud significare potuisse quam pedem nube amictum, ut hoc dixerit, sive palam incedens, sive latens opem fert amicis, oppositumque sit ỏo òv nóða Tidéra, i. e. recto pede in campo stare, inter ipsos quibus praesidio est. Comparari quodammodo potest quod Sophocles dixit in Oed. R. v. 419. βλέποντα νῦν μὲν ὄρθ᾽, ἔπειτα δὲ σκότον. V. Opusc. VI. 2. p. 56. seqq. VII. p. 4. seq. Dubitari tamen potest an non scripserit Aeschylus xaτηorqй. Et videri potest aliud legisse scholiastes qui haec ita interpretatus est, καταβάλλει γὰρ ἡ ὀρθοῖ, quod scholion non invenitur in M. G. sed Triclinii esse videtur. Burgesius zaraqεon, similiterque Fritzschius (Zweiter anhang zu O. Müllers Eumeniden p. 39.) zaτηfεoñ scribendum esse censuit, ut intelligeretur Minerva aut stans inter eos quibus praesidio est, aut deorsum ex aere delata. Neque caret haec con-. iectura probabilitate.

mvp-comment-212-1 ὅπως γένοιτο: Quum dicit önws yévoito, optare se ait, ut veniat illa, quo, si velit, opem ferat. V. ad Soph. Ai. v. 1222.

mvp-comment-213-1 οὔτοι σ' Ἀπόλλων οὐδ᾽ Ἀθηναίας σθένος ῥύσαιτ᾽ ἂν ὥςτε μὴ οὐ παρημελημένον ἔρρειν, τὸ χαίρειν μὴ μαθόνθ' ὅπου φρενῶν, ἀναίματον βόσκημα τῶνδε δαιμόνων.: Hos versus inter tres Furias distribuendos esse indicavi in Opusc. VI. 2. p. 61. τῶνδέ μοι Farn. ovtis o Ven. Farn. et adscripto in margine yo. ovτoi σè Flor. Deinde vains Farn. áðŋvalois Ven. et ad ultimam syllabam supra adscripto as Flor. Jos tε pro stɛ Ald. qui tam mirus error ex eo ortus est, quod in G. quum librarius neglecto çre scripsisset in, statim autem animadverso errore hanc voculam mutasset in wore, confusi ductus litterarum un et a negligentius considerati speciem praebent similem litterarum ρου. μαθῶν θ' Rob. Libri αναίματον βόσκημα δαιμόνων σκιά. Scholiastes ἀναίματον ita interpretatur, simul aliam lectionem, ἐναίματον, commemorans, ὁ μηδὲ αἷμα σχήσων ἐξ ἡμῶν, ἀλλὰ γενησόμενος σκιά· οφήσομεν γάρ σου τὸ αἷμα (conf. v. 261.). ἢ ἐναίματον, ἀντὶ τοῦ. ζῶντά σε νεκρὸν ποιήσομεν. Heathii coniecturam, σκιάν, Schutzius recepit, post δαιμόνων commate interpungens, ut δαίμονες intelligerentur Furiae. Verum sic σκιάν languidius adiectum est. Quare olim ita interpunxi, αναίματον βόσκημα, δαιμόνων σκιάν, ut acerbe diceretur Orestes futurus esse umbra dei alicuius, quemadmodum in Iliade V.242. de diis dicitur τούνεκ' αναίμονές εισι. Postea in Annalium Vindobonensium vol. CXI. p. 250. aliam et, ut puto, veriorem rationem ineundam esse ostendi. Nam δαίμονες dicuntur sane Furiae: sed accuratius definiendum erat illud δαιμόνων. Quod autem libri habent, σκιά, ex interpretatione in ipsius poetae versum illatum est. Quare scripsi, ἀναίματον βόσκημα τῶνδε δαιμόνων.

mvp-comment-214-1 ἀλλ᾽: οὐδ pro ἀλλ' Ven. Flor.

mvp-comment-215-1 καθιερωμένος: καθιερωμένος Ald. Addidi interrogationis signum. V. Opusc. VI. 2. p. 61. VII. p. 19.

mvp-comment-216-1 καὶ ζῶν με δαίσεις, οὐδὲ πρὸς βωμῷ σφαγείς: Hunc et sequentem versum choro continuandum esse vidit Stanleius. In G. Ald. Turn. Apollini tributi sunt. In M. versui 302. lineola praefixa est. Nulla personae nota in Ven. Flor. καὶ ζῶν μἐδαίσεις Ven. Farn. πρὸς βοροσφαγείς codex Robortelli: ipse ex Sophiani emendatione dedit προς βωμῷ σφαγείς, quod est in celeris libris.

mvp-comment-217-1 ὕμνον δ᾽ ἀκούσει: ὕμνον ἀκούση Ven. ὕπνον ἀκούσῃ Flor. Ceteri ὕμνον δ᾽ ἀκούσῃ.

mvp-comment-218-1 ἄγε δὴ: Chori nota adscripta est in M. G. Ven. Flor. Ald. Rob. Turn. Hos anapaestos constare ex systemate et antisystemate atque epodo ostendi in Opusc. VI. 2. p. 63.

mvp-comment-219-1 δεδόκηκεν: δεδόκηκεν Μ. G. δεδόκηκε Turn. δεδόκημεν Ven. Flor. Farn. Ald. Rob.

mvp-comment-220-1 λάχη τὰ: λάχητα κατ' Αld.

mvp-comment-221-1 ὡς ἐπινωμᾷ ... ἀμά: ὡς ἐπὶ νωμᾷ G. ὡς ἐπὶ νομᾶ Ald. In fine versus libri ἅμα, Canteri emendatio est αμά.

mvp-comment-222-1 εὐθυδίκαιοí θ᾽ ἡδόμεθ᾽ εἶναι: εὐθυδίκαι θ᾽ οἶδ' οίμεθ᾽ εἶναι Μ. ut Franzius dicit. εὐθυδίκαι θ' οἱδοίμεθ᾽ εἶναι G. Rob. et, ut alii dicunt, M. εὐθυδίκα θ' οἱ δοίμεσθ᾽ εἶναι Ald. εὐθυδίκαι δ᾽ ἐδοίμεθ᾽ εἶναι Par. εὐθυδίκαι τ᾽ οἶδ᾽ οἶμαι θεῖναι Ven. Flor. Farn. εὐθύδικαί ' εὐθυδίκαι Viel.) ἡδόμεσθ' είναι Turn. Vict. εύθυδίκαι δ᾽ ἡδόμεθ' είναι Canterus. Scribendum erat εὐθυδίκαιοι δ᾽ ἡδόμεθ᾽ εἶναι. Illud Casaubonus viderat, 9' in δ' esse mutandum. εὐθυδίκαιοι simile verbum est atque ὀρθοδίκαιοι infra v. 976.

mvp-comment-223-1 τοὺς μὲν καθαρὰς ... χεῖρας προνέμοντας: τοὺς μὲν καθαρὰς | χεῖρας προσνέμοντας M. G. Ald. Rob. Turn. nisi quod Ald. πρὸς νέμοντας habet. τοὺς μὲν καθαρὰς (καθαρᾷ Farn.) χεῖρας προνέμοντας Ven. Flor. Farn. Quod Turnebus inter τὰ ἄλλως εὑρεθέντα ἐν τισὶν ἀντιγράφοις affert, χεῖρας ἔχοντας, id, quum ille in Orestea nullo codice praeter Aldinam editionem usus sit, non dubito quin coniectura sit, quam in textum non ausus est recipere. Bis tantum ille in Eumenidibus aliam scripturam adnotavit, hie et mox v. 358. sed etiam hoc altero loco talem quae coniecturae speciem prae se ferat. Non recte olim scripsi τὸν μὲν καθαρὰς χεῖρας προνέμοντο. Etenim non veri simile est librarios pluralem posuisse, quum singulari numero sequatur ἀσινὴς δ᾽ αἰῶνα διοιχνεῖ. Sed, ut strophica horum anapaestorum ratio docet, scribendum potius est, τοὺς μὲν καθαρὰς * καθαρῶς* χεῖρας προνέμοντας.

mvp-comment-224-1 οὔτις ἐφέρπει μῆνις ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν: Libri οὔτις ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν μῆνις ἐφέρπει. Hiatum, qui ita inter hunc et sequentem versum est, Porsonus emendata verborum collocatione removit.

mvp-comment-225-1 ἀλιτών, ὥςπερ ὅδ᾽ ἀνήρ: Libri αλιτρῶν. Recepi olim Stanleii coniecturam ἀλιτῶν. Neque dubitari potest quin verum sit hoc verbum: sed scribi debet akıτών, ut Auratus voluerat. Nam praesens huius verbi neque exstat, neque hic commodum est. Libri ἀνήρ. Correxit Porsonus.

mvp-comment-226-1 φονίας: φονίους Par.

mvp-comment-227-1 θανοῦσιν: θανοῦσιν M. G. Par. Ven. Flor. Ald. Rob. v abiecit Turn.

mvp-comment-228-1 παραγιγνόμεναι: Libri παραγινόμεναι. Deinde κράκτορες Par.

mvp-comment-229-1 ἔτικτες: Huic versui in Ven. Flor. Orestis nomen adscriptum est. ἔτεκες Ald. Turn. sed G. ut ceteri ἔτικτες.

mvp-comment-230-1 ἀλαοῖσι ... δεδορκόσιν ποινάν: ἀλαοῖσι Pauwius et sic Par. ἀλαοῖς Ven. Flor. Farn. αλαοῖσιν Μ. G. Ald. Rob. Turn. Deinde και omissum in Farn. Deinde δεδορκόσι Turn. δεδορκῶσιν Ven. Flor. Ceteri recte δεδορκόσιν. Μox ποινᾶν posuit Turnebus. ποινὰν recte M. G. Ald. Rob. In Ven. Flor. Farn. omissa sunt haec verba, ποινών, κλῦθ᾽. ὁ Λατούς γὰρ ἦνίς μ' ἄτιμον τίθησιν. Adscriptum in Farn. λξ β'.

mvp-comment-231-1 κλῦθι· ὁ Λατοῦς: κλῦθ᾽ ὁ λατους M. G. Rob. κλύθ᾽ ἑλατους vitium Ald. Inde Turn. κλύθι. Λατούς.

mvp-comment-232-1 τίθησιν: τίθησιν M. G. Ald. Rob. v omisit Turn.

mvp-comment-233-1 τόνδ᾽: τόνδε γ' ἀφαιρούμενος Farn.

mvp-comment-234-1 πτῶκα, ματρῷον: πτῶκα Rob. ex emendatione Sophiani et Turn. πτάκα M. G. Ald. codex Robortelli. πτᾶκα Ven. Flor. Deinde ματρῷον Arnaldus. Libri ματρώϊον. In Farn. adscriptum συνίζησις.

mvp-comment-235-1 ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ τεθυμένῳ: ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ τεθυμένῳ M. G. Ald. Turn. ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ τεφθυμένω Rob. ἐπὶ δὲ τῶ τότε θυμένῳ Flor. ἐπὶ δὲ τῶ τότε θυμουμένω Ven. (Bekkero teste et Farn.

mvp-comment-236-1 μέλος παρακοπά: μένος Ven. Flor. Farn. παράκοπα Ven. Flor.

mvp-comment-237-1 παραφορὰ φρενοδαλής: παραφορά M. G. Ald. Rob. Τurn. παραφοραὶ Par. παράφρονα Ven. Flor. Farn. Deinde φρενοδαλής M. G. Ven. Flor. Ald. Rob. In margine M. adscriptum οἶμαι φρενοδαής. Id habet Par. φρενοδαλὶς Turn. Scholion enim in Rob. sic scriptum Φρενοδαλίς.) παρακίνησις τῶν φρενών. Sed M. non habet lemma.

mvp-comment-238-1 Ἐρινύων: ἐρινύων Μ. G. Ald. Rob. ἐριννύων Ven. Flor. Turn.

mvp-comment-239-1 αὐονὰ βροτοῖς: αὐονὰ βροτοῖς M. G. Par. Ald. Rob. Turn. αὔονα βροτοῖς Ven. Flor. Farn. Scholion in M. nullo praefixo lemmate, ὁ ξηραίνων τοὺς βροτούς. Hinc Victorius αὔων βροτούς. Εtym. Μ. p. 170. 45. αυόνη, ή ξηρότης, παρὰ τὸ αὔω, τὸ ξηραίνω, αυόνη, ὡς ἔχω ἐχόνη καὶ ἀμπεχόνη, καὶ πείρω περόνη, καὶ βάλλω βελόνη. Idem p. 171, 52. αὐόνη, λύπη, κραυγή, αυχμός, φθορά, κακοπάθεια, ξηρασία. Strepitum hoc vocabulum significat apud Simonidem in carmine de mulieribus v. 20. ἀλλ' ἐμπεδῶς ἄπρηκτον αὐονὴν ἔχει. Eam significationem si hic admittimus, ἀφάρμακτος αὐονὰ βροτοῖς hymnus dicetur dissonus clamor mortalibus. Sed illa significatio lonica esse videtur, ut apud Atticum poetam alteri posthaberi debeat. Et multo gravius ὕμνος ἀφόρμικτος dicitur esse tabes mortalibus.

mvp-comment-240-1 ἐμπέδως ἔχειν, θνατῶν: ἐκπέδως ἔχειν Ald. Deinde libri θανάτων. Emendavit Canterus.

mvp-comment-241-1 αὐτουργίαι: αυτουργία Turnebus. αὐτουργίαις M. G. Ven. Flor. Farn. Ald. Rob.

mvp-comment-242-1 ξυμπέσωσιν: ξυμπέσωσιν Τurnebus, ξύμπασωσιν Μ. ξύμπας ὦσιν G. Ven. Ald. ξύμπας ὦσι Flor. σύμπας ὦσιν Farn. ξύμπασωσεν Rob. In Farn. ad haec verba ἔχειν θανάτων τοῖσιν αὐτουργίαις | σύμπας ὦσιν μάταιοι, adscriptum est περισσὰ β'.

mvp-comment-243-1 τοῖς: τοῖσιν Ven. Flor. Farn.

mvp-comment-244-1 ὑπέλθῃ: ὑπέλθοι Ven. Flor. Farn. ὑπέλθη ut ceteri Ald.

mvp-comment-245-1 ἄγαν: άγαν γ' Farn.

mvp-comment-246-1 ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ τεθυμένῳ: Orestis nomen praefixum in Flor. ἐπὶ δὲ τῶ τότε υμουμένω Ven. ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ τε θυμουμένω Farn.

mvp-comment-247-1 παρακοπά: παράκοπα Ven. παρακοπᾶ Ald.

mvp-comment-248-1 παραφορὰ φρενοδαλής: παραφορά Αld. Rob. Turn. παράφρονα M. G. Ven. παράφρονα sine accentu Flor. Deinde φρενοδαλής G. Ven. Flor. Ald. Rob. φρενόδαλης Μ. φρενοδαής Par. φρενοδαλὶς Turn.

mvp-comment-249-1 ὕμνος ... Ἐρινύων: ὕμνοις G. Par. ἐξ ἐρινύων M. G. Ald. Rob. ἐξ ἐριννύων Ven. Flor. Turn.

mvp-comment-250-1 NA: Libri ut quisque supra v. 331.

mvp-comment-251-1 γεινομέναισι ... ἐφ᾽ ἁμὶν: Chori nomen praefixum in Flor. γιγνομέναισι M. G. Ald. Rob. Turn. γινομέναισι Ven. Flor. Cur γεινομέναισι scripserim quivis intelliget. Libri ἡμῖν. Correxit Porsonus.

mvp-comment-252-1 ἀθανάτων δίχ᾽ ἔχειν γέρας: Libri ἀθανάτων δ᾽ ἀπέχειν χέρας, nisi quod in Ven. est ἀθανάτων ἀπέχειν χεῖρας. Scholiastes μὴ πλησιάζειν ἡμᾶς τοῖς θεοῖς. Eversius, ut O. Millerus refert, scribendum coniecit ἀθανάτων ἀπ᾽ ἔχειν γέρας. Perspexit vitio laborare librorum scripturam, sed ἄπ᾿ ἔχειν non bene nec perspicue dictum est. Scribendum erat ἀθανάτων δίχ' ἔχειν γέρας. In fine versus ἐστὶν Farn. Ceteri ἐστί.

mvp-comment-253-1 συνδαίτωρ: συνδαίτωρ Turn. et, ut Franzius dicit, Flor. συνδάτωρ Μ. G. Par. Ven. Farn. Ald. Rob.

mvp-comment-254-1 παλλεύκων πέπλων δ᾽ ... ἄμοιρος ἄκληρος ἐτύχθην: Libri πανλεύκων (sic M. G. Ald. παλλεύκων Ven. Flor. Rob. Turn.) δὲ πέπλων | άμοιρος ἄκληρος ἐτύχθην. Male haec et ab aliis tractata sunt et a Dindorfio. Scripsi, ut olim in Opusc. VI. 2. p. 68. παλλεύκων πέπλων δ' * ἀγέραστος* ἄμοιρος ἄκληρος ἐτύχθην.

mvp-comment-255-1 δωμάτων: δωμάτων Ald. Turn. δομάτων M. G. Ven. Flor. Rob.

mvp-comment-256-1 ὅταν: ὅταν Ald. Turn. ὅτ' ἂν M. G. Ven. Flor. Rob.

mvp-comment-257-1 τιθασὸς ... φίλον: τιθασὸς Porsonus et sic Par. τίθασος Turn. τίθασσος Rob. πίθασος M. G. Ald. et Franzio teste Ven. Flor. πίθασσος Flor. ut Linwoodius ait, et Bekkero teste Ven. πιθασσός Farn. Male ὃν pro ὤν Stanleio sive potius Aurato scribendum videbatur. Deinde φίλος Μ. G. Par. Ven. Flor. Ald. Rob. Recte Turnebus φίλον.

mvp-comment-258-1 ἐπὶ τόν, ὤ, διόμεναι κρατερὸν ὄντ᾽ ἔθ᾽ ὁμοίως μαυροῦμεν νέον ἅλμα: ἐπὶ τὸν ὦ διόμεναι Μ. Rob. ἐπὶ τὸν ὦ, διόμεναι G. Ald. ἐπὶ τὸν ὢ διόμεναι Flor. Farn. ἐπὶ τὸν ὢ διαίνομαι Ven. Scholiastes διὰ μέσου, inquit, τὸ . Turnebus haec ita mutavit, ἐπιτόνως διόμεναι. Sequens versus in libris ita scriptus est, κρατερὸν ἄνθ᾽ ὁμοίως. Deinde μαυροῦμεν ὑφ' αἵματος νέου (νεοῦ Ald.) M. G. Ald. Rob. Turn. μαυροῦμεν ἐφ᾽ αἵματος νέου Par. Ven. Flor. Farn. Aliter, atque in Opusc. VI. 2. p. 73. feci, hos versus emendandos esse censui. Certum est non scripsisse Aeschylum μαυροῦμεν ὑφ᾽ (vel ἐφ᾽) αἵματος νέου. Nam hoc metro pariter ac sententiae repugnat. Quare ὑφ' αἵματος νέου ex falsa interpretatione ortum esse, Aeschylum autem scripsisse putabam ἐπὶ τόν, ὤ, διόμεναι κρατερὸν ὄντα περ, ὅμως μαυροῦμεν νέον αἷμα, ut Furiae se dicerent iuvenilem sanguinem obscurare, i, e. iuvenile robur exsorpto sanguine frangere. Et videtur mihi νέον αἷμα, etsi saepissime de recenti caede dicitur, significare posse iuvenilem sanguinem, quum αὐτάδελφον αἷμα, ζώφυτον αἷμα aliaque similia non raro inveniantur. Tamen nunc veri similius iudico, scriptum quidem fuisse νέον αἷμα, sed hoc ipsum depravatione ortum fuisse ex νέον άλμα. Reliqua autem leniore emendatione corrigi possunt. Ita enim scribendum videtur, ἐπὶ τόν, ὤ, διόμεναι κρατερὸν ἂν ἔθ᾽ ὁμοίως μαυροῦμεν νέον ἅλμα. In quem (irruentes: quod eo facilius taceri potuit, quia ὤ interrumpit orationem), hei, persequentes obscuramus quamvis validum adhuc iuvenilem saltum, i. e. robur fugientis frangimus. Similis mox in his sententia est, καταφέρω ποδὸς ἀκμάν (σφαλερὰ τανυδρόμοις γὰρ κώλα), δύςφορον ἄταν.

mvp-comment-259-1 σπενδομένα δ᾽ ἀφελεῖν τινὶ τάςδε μερίμνας Μοῖρ᾽ ἀτέλειαν ἐμαῖσι λιταῖς ἐπικραίνει, μηδ᾽ εἰς ἄγκρισιν ἐλθεῖν: σπευδόμεναι δ᾽ ἀφελεῖν τινὰ τάσδε μερίμνας, θεῶν δ᾽ ἀτέλειαν ἐμοῖσι λιταῖς ἐπικραίνειν, μηδ᾽ ἐς ἄγκρισιν ἐλθεῖν. Ita M. a quo ceteri libri in paucis dissentiunt. σπευδόμαι δ' Αld. male lecto compendio. Hinc σπεύδομαι δ' Turn. Deinde τίνα τάςδε Αld. τινα τᾶςδε Rob. Deinde ἐμᾶσι pro ἐμαῖσι G. Ald. Denique ἐς έγκρισιν Ven. Flor. Farn. Rob. ἐς ἄκροισιν G. ἐπ' ἄκροισιν Ald. Turn. Vict. ἐς ἄγκρισιν, quod M. habet, commemoratum a Stephano primus recepit Canterus. εἰς ἀγκρισιν scribendum esse Pauwius vidit. Scholiastae haec adnotatio est, εὔχομαι τοῖς θεοῖς τελέσαι μου τὸ βούλημα καὶ μὴ εἰς μάχην μοι ἐλθεῖν. Praeterea in M. ad τάςδε μερίμνας supra adseriplum est τῆς κλυταιμνήστρας. Neque intelligi possunt hi versus ut in libris scripti sunt, neque emendandi conatus successum habuerunt. Videor mihi nunc haec recte emendasse: σπενδομένα δ᾽ ἀφελεῖν τινὶ τάςδε μερίμνας Μοῖρ᾽ ἀτελείαν ἐμαῖσι λιταῖς ἐπικραίνει, μηδ᾽ εἰς ἄγκρισιν ἐλθεῖν. Moiga adscriptae, ut videtur, ad tirá explicationi 9ɛv cesserat. Dicitur autem Parca precibus, quibus Furiae invocantur, immunitatem a provocatione dare. Εμαῖσι λιταῖς enim passive dictum est. Ita in Sept. e. Th. v. 197. πρὸς μακάρων λιτάς. In Ag. v. 214. λιτὰς δὲ καὶ κληδόνας πατρῴους. In Euripidis Suppl. ν. 262. λιταὶ θεῶν.

mvp-comment-260-1 Ζεὺς γὰρ δειματοσταγὲς ἀξιόμισον ἔθνος τόδε λέσχας ἧς ἀπηξιώσατο: ζεὺς γὰρ αἱματοσταγὲς ἀξιόμισον ἔθνος τόδε λέσχας ἷς ἀπηξιώσατο Μ. G. Ald. Rob. Turn. nisi quod λέσχος est in Rob. et ἃς in G. Ald. Rob. et deinde απεξιώσατο in Rob. ζεῦ αἱματοσταγές etc. Ven. Flor. Farn. sed in Farn. οὐκ ὀρθῶς in margine adscriptum est. Deinde ὣς pro ἇς Farn. Quod Turnebus pro λέσχας ἇς ut aliam lectionem affert, μὲν σχάσας, ipsius haud dubie coniectura est. V. ad v. 310. Scholiastes ad ἔθνος τόδε adnotavit τὸ τῶν φονέων. Abreschius recte sensit, non de parricidis, sed de Furiis sermonem esse. Sed idem sine idonea caussa negavit αἱματοσταγές quadrare in Furias. Non ergo hanc ob caussam, sed propter metrum αἱματοσταγές in δειματοσταγές mutavi. V. ad Choeph. v. 828.

mvp-comment-261-1 μάλα γὰρ οὖν ἁλομένα ἀνέκαθεν βαρυπεσῆ καταφέρω ποδὸς ἀκμάν (σφαλερὰ τανυδρόμοις ... καλα), δύςφορον ἄταν: Hi quinque versus, quibus in Farn. adscriptum est οὐκ ὀρθά, in libris leguntur post v. 368. Heathio veram eorum sedem monstranti obsecuti sunt Porsonus et omnes praeter Schoemannum, qui non recte de hoc carmine iudicavit. V. Annal. Vindob. vol. CXI. p. 258. seqq. οὖν omittit Rob. Deinde αλλομένα M. G. Turn. ἀλλομένα Ald. ἁλωμένα Rob. ἁλομένα, ut iam olim scripsi, Ven. Flor. Libri ἄγκαθεν. Correxit ante me Pearsonus. τὴν ὑδρόμοις Ald. Scholiastes τοῖς ταχυδρόμοις αὐτῶν κώλοις ἐπάγουσα τὰ σφαλερά μου καλα. ἢ ἀπ᾿ ἄλλης ἀρχῆς, καὶ τοῖς τανυδρόμοις γίνεται σφαλερὰ τὰ κῶλα διὰ τὴν ἐπιοῦσαν αὐτοῖς ἄτην δύςφορον ὑπ' ἐμοῦ. οἷον, καὶ οἱ ταχυδρόμοι οὐ δύνανται με ἐκφυγεῖν. Apparet δύσφορον ἄταν appositionem esse ad ποδὸς ἀκμάν, Η haec autem, σφαλερὰ ταχυδρόμοις γὰρ κώλα, in quibus a me additum est γάρ, in parenthesi posita esse.

mvp-comment-262-1 δόξαι τ᾿ ἀνδρῶν: δόξαι τ' ἀνδρῶν eliam M. δόξαι τ' ἀνδρῶ ΑΙ.

mvp-comment-263-1 τακόμεναι κατὰ γᾶς: τακόμεναι ad prius a supra adscripto η Flor. τ᾿ ἀκόμεναι G. Ald. Deinde libri κατὰ γῆν. Scripsi κατὰ γᾶς. Tum μηνύθουσιν Farn.

mvp-comment-264-1 ἡμετέραις: ἡμετέροις Rob. ἐφόδους μελανοίμοσιν Αld.

mvp-comment-265-1 ἐπιφθόνοις: ἐπὶ φόνοις Rob. Ceteri επιφόνοις. Emendavit Heathius.

mvp-comment-266-1 πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν ... λύμα: πίπτον Αld. οἶδεν M. G. Ald. Rob. οἶδε Ven. Flor. Turn. λυμα Ald. Turn.

mvp-comment-267-1 ποῖον ἐπὶ ... μύσος πεπόταται: τοῖον ἐπὶ Heathius. Libri τοῖον γὰρ ἐπί. Deinde μύσος Victorius. μύσος M. Ven. Rob. Turn. μῖσος G. Ald. Denique επιπόταται Rob.

mvp-comment-268-1 δνοφεράν ... ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος: κεδνοφεράν et καταδύματος Rob. ἀχλήν Αld.

mvp-comment-269-1 μένει γάρ: μένει γάρ, manet enim firmum hoc: sumus promptae, i. e. nos esse promptas. Ag. v. 1530. μίμνει δὲ μίμνοντος ἐν θρόνῳ Διὸς παθεῖν τὸν ἔρξαντα. V. Opusc. VI. 2. p. 74.

mvp-comment-270-1 τε: τε recte et necessario Wakefieldius. Libri δέ. Particulae τε και etiam in antistropha in eodem loco sunt.

mvp-comment-271-1 τε μνήμονες, σεμναὶ: τε τλήμονες σεμναὶ Par. τε μνήμονες τε σεμναὶ Ven. Flor.

mvp-comment-272-1 δυςπαρήγοροι: δυσπαράγωγοι Farn.

mvp-comment-273-1 ἀτίετα: ἀτίετα Canterus. ἀτίεται M. G. Par. Ald. Rob. Turn. ἀτίετον Ven. Flor. Farn.

mvp-comment-274-1 διχοστατοῦντ᾽: διχοστατοῦντο Ven. Flor. Rob. διχοστατοῦ | τ' Μ. G. Turn. διχοστατού | τ' Αld.

mvp-comment-275-1 λάμπα, δυςοδοπαίπαλα: λάμπαι Μ. G. Par. Farn. Ald. λαμπα Ven. Flor. Rob. λάμψαι Turn. Perperam Wieselerus scribendum coniecit λάπα, situ, quod verum putaverunt et alii et Dindorfius in Parisiensi editione Thesauri Stephani. Rectissime Canterus λάμπα. Vsus est hoc vocabulo Aeschylus, ut videtur, etiam infra v. 1022. et, ut Musgravius intellexit, Euripides in Suppl. v. 993. ubi scribendum est λάμπαι δ᾽ ὠκύθοοί νιν ἀμφιππεύουσι δι᾽ ὄρφνας. Nihil autem aliud ἀνηλίῳ λάμπα significatur quam sole destituta caligo, quae mox v. 388. δυςήλιον κνέφας dicitur. Sic in Simonidis carmine de Danae νυκτιλαμπεῖ κυανέῳ τε διάφοτανυσθείς, et sexcenta alia, in quibus lucis et similium rerum notio tantum ad augendum contrarium adiicitur. V. Seidl. ad Eur. Troad. v. 566. Deinde δυσοδοπαίπαλα M. Turn. δυσοδοπαίπαλα G. δυσόδῳ παίπαλα Ald. δυσοπαίπαλα Ven. Flor. Farn. Rob.

mvp-comment-276-1 δερκομένοισι: δερχομένοισι Ald. καὶ δερκόμενοισι, adscripto ἴαμβος, Farn.

mvp-comment-277-1 ἅζεται: οὐχ ἅζεται Turn. οὐχάζεται M. G. Ven. Flor. Farn. Rob. οὐχ ἄζεται Ald.

mvp-comment-278-1 δέδοικεν: Libri δέδοικε.

mvp-comment-279-1 θεσμὸν: θεσμῶν Par.

mvp-comment-280-1 τὸν μοιρόκραντον: μοιρόκραντον Turn. et, ut videtur, M. μοιρόκραντον G. Ald. μοιρόκρατον Rob. μυρόκραντον, ad v supra adscripto or, Ven. Flor.

mvp-comment-281-1 ἔτι δέ μοι ... γέρας παλαιόν: ἔπι δέ μοι γέρας etc. M. G. Ven. Flor. et sic Victorius. ἐπὶ δέ μοι γέρας etc. Ald. Rob. ἔστι δέ μοι γέρας etc. Turn. ἔπι scholiastes interpretatur ἔπεστιν. Scripsi ἔτι δέ μοι * μένει* γέρας παλαιόν etc. Nam iambum excidisse patet.

mvp-comment-282-1 κύρω: Libri κυρῶ. Metri caussa iam olim dedi κύρω. V. ad Soph. Ai. v. 314.

mvp-comment-283-1 τάξιν: τάξιν γ' Ven. Flor. et adscripto ἴαμβος Farn.

mvp-comment-284-1 γῆν καταφθατουμένη: Libri τὴν καταθατουμένην. Robortellus corrigi iubet καιταφατουμένην. Stanleius et Bentleius scribendum viderunt γῆν καταφθατουμένη. Nominativum participii scholiastes legit, qui καταφθάνουσα adscripsit: hoc enim, non καταφθάνουσαν, habent M. G. Hesychius ex hoc loco καταφατουμένη (sic), κατακτωμένη, κυρίως δὲ τὸ ἐκ προκαταλήψεως. Scholiastes Μιτυληναῖοι ἐμάχοντο πρὸς Αθηναίους περὶ πόλεως Σιγείου. ἔδοξεν οὖν μονομαχία (sic M.) λῦσαι τὸν πόλεμον· καὶ ὑπὲρ μὲν Μιτυληναίων ἐπολέμει Πιττακός, ὑπὲρ δὲ Ἀθηναίων Φρύνων. ηττηθέντος δὲ Φρύνωνος διελύθη τὰ τῆς μάχης. ἔοικεν οὖν παρορμῶν Ἀθηναίους ὁ Αἰσχύλος εἰς τὸ ἀντέχεσθαι πάλιν Σιγείου, λέγων τὴν θεὸν ἐκεῖθεν ἐληλυθέναι. V. Strabonem XIII. p. 599. seq. et interpretes Herodoti ad V. 94. 95.

mvp-comment-285-1 ἣν δῆτ᾽: Scribendum est fortasse ἣν δή γ' Ἀχαιῶν etc.

mvp-comment-286-1 τόκοις: τέκνοις pro τόκοις Flor. Farn. et Bekkero teste Ven.

mvp-comment-287-1 ῥοιβδοῦσα: ῥοιδοῦσα G. Ald.

mvp-comment-288-1 πώλοις ... ἐπιζεύξασ᾽: Libri πώλοις. Hinc ad v. 389. scholiastes adnotavit ἐπὶ ὀχήματος ἔρχεται. Idem ad v. 396. ὡς ἀρμένῳ χρωμένη τῇ αἰγίδι. Exornavit hanc currus aerii fictionem O. Müllerus. Ineptam eam esse, rectissimeque Wakefieldium scripsisse κώλοις, demonstravi in Opusc. VI. 2. p. 174. seqq. Per auras advenit Minerva, Aegide tamquam alis utens eaque pedum gressum accelerans. ἐπιζεύξας G. Ald.

mvp-comment-289-1 καινὴν δ᾽ ... τήνδ': καινὴν δ᾽ emendatio est Canteri. Libri καὶ νῦν δ'. Deinde Par. τῆςδ'.

mvp-comment-290-1 ταρβῶ: ταρβῶμεν Ven.

mvp-comment-291-1 πᾶσι δ᾽ ἐς κοινὸν λέγω: πᾶσι δ᾽ ἐς κοινὸν λέγω, scilicet θαυμάζειν με ὑμᾶς, εἰ tibi, Oresta, et vobis: sed mulans constructionem dicit ὑμᾶς τε.

mvp-comment-292-1 ξένῳ: στένω pro ξένῳ Ven. Flor. Farn.

mvp-comment-293-1 ὁμοίας: ὁμοίως Ven. Flor.

mvp-comment-294-1 ὁρωμένας: ὁρωμένας Stanleius. Libri ὁρωμέναις.

mvp-comment-295-1 οὔτ᾽ οὖν ... μορφώμασιν: οὔτ᾽ οὖν M. G. Par. Ven. Flor. Rob. οὔτ᾽ ἐν Ald. Turn. μορφώμασιν Μ. G. Par. Ven. Farn. Ald. Rob. μορφώμασι Flor. Turn.

mvp-comment-296-1 ἄμομφον ... τοὺς πέλας: δ' omittunt Ald. Turn. Deinde άμομφον Robortellus. Ceteri ἄμορφον. Denique τοῦ πέλας Ven. Ceteri τοὺς πέλας. Heathii aliorumque ante eum coniecturam, τὸν πέλας, olim receperam, ac necessario recipere debet, qui ἄμορφον retinet. Sed recte libri τοὺς πέλας habent, recipiendum est autem Robortelli άμομφον. Qui nihil, inquit, habet de quo queratur, ei non licet reprehendere alios. Intellexit hoc Elmsleius ad Med. p. 93. addens hanc vocem άμομφος, ter in hac fabula (hic et v. 467. 670.) ab Aeschylo usurpatam, extra eam apud Atticos non exstare.

mvp-comment-297-1 ἠδ᾽: ήδ' Rob. ἡδ' G. Ald. Turn. ἥδ' Ven. Farn. Scribendum est fortasse, ut Abreschius voluit, deleta interpunctione, πρόσω δικαίων ἥδ᾽ ἀποστατεῖ θέμις.

mvp-comment-298-1 πεύσει: Libri πεύσῃ.

mvp-comment-299-1 ἐσμεν ... αἰανῆς: ἐσμεν Farn. ἐς μὲν Ald. Deinde α'ανή M. G. Rob. αἰεινῆ Ald. αἰανή etiam scholiastes legit, qui sic interpretatur, σκοτεινά. ἢ θρηνητικὰ ἢ (sic M.) αλάζειν ποιοῦντα. Sed αἰανῆς Ven. Flor. Farn. Turn. Tzetzes ad Lycophr. v. 406. κατὰ δὲ Αἰσχύλον Ἐρινύες “Νυκτὸς αἰανῆς τέκνα.” Id praestat, ut in Sophoclis Ai. v. 672. νυκτὸς αἰανῆς κύκλος, ubi v. quae a Lobeckio et a me dicta sunt.

mvp-comment-300-1 Ἀραὶ ... ὑπαὶ κεκλήμεθα: ἀραὶ Canterus, et sic Ven. Flor. ἀρὰ M. G. Ald. Rob. Turn. ἐνοίκοις Αld. ὑπαὶ κεκλήμεθα Stanleius. Επαι κεκλήμεθα Victorius, et sic Franzio teste M. Flor. Ven. Sed ex Ven. Bekkerus ὑπαικεκλήμεθα attulit, idque habent G. Farn. Ald. υπεκεκλήμεθα Rob. ύλαι κεκλήμεθα Turn.

mvp-comment-301-1 κληδόνας τ᾽: κλύδονάς τ' Αld.

mvp-comment-302-1 τιμάς: Personarum index in Rob. hic et deinceps yo. In G. Ven. Flor. Ald. Turn. εὐμ. Idem aut lineola in M.

mvp-comment-303-1 ἐμφανῆ: ἐκφανῆ Ald. Turn.

mvp-comment-304-1 ποῦ τὸ τέρμα τῆς φυγῆς: Libri τοῦτο τέρμα τῆς σφαγής. Arnaldus et Tyrwhittus ποῦ τὸ τέρμα, Scaliger, Casaubonus, Tyrwhittus τῆς φυγῆς.

mvp-comment-305-1 ἦ ... ἐπιρροιζεῖς: ή M. Ven. Flor. Rob. ἢ G. Ald. Deinde ἐπιρροιζεῖς Stanleius sive potius Scaliger. ἐπιρροιζει M. G. Ald. Rob. Turn. ἐπιρροιζεῖν Ven. Flor. Farn.

mvp-comment-306-1 οὔτινος: οὔτινος M. G. Ald. Rob. Turn. ἢ τίνος Ven. ἤ τινος ex Flor. Farn. affertur.

mvp-comment-98-1 καὶ νῦν] ‘And accordingly now, viz. as I have the full right and even the command to speak. See on Agam. 1 8.

mvp-comment-99-1 πιστόν] This is one of the many allusions in tragedy to treaties either made or contemplated between Athens and Argos. It is again alluded to in v. 733. Schol.

mvp-comment-100-1 Τρίτωνος] The name of the goddess, Tritogenia, the real or mystical meaning of which we do not know, was referred to a lake and river Triton in Libya. See Herod. Iv. 180 , Pind. Pyth. 1v. 36 .

mvp-comment-101-1 ὀρθὸν κ.τ.λ.] The description refers to ancient statues of the goddess in a standing or sitting posture. - φίλοις, in allusion perhaps to the aid afforded by Athens to the EUM. Libyan king Inaros. See Thuc. 1. 104, 109 . The Schol. remarks that the address well suits Orestes who himself requires a staunch protectress.

mvp-comment-102-1 Φλεγραίαν] Another epithet of the goddess, Νίκη, is here alluded to, as appears from Eur. Ion 1528

mvp-comment-103-1 ὅπως γένοιτο] The optative follows ἔλθοι by the common law of Attic attraction.

mvp-comment-104-1 οὔτοι κ.τ.λ.] 'No! not Apollo nor yet Athene's might can protect you from perishing (going to the bad') in utter neglect, without knowing the feeling of joy in your mind,a bloodless victim of us deities, a shadow of your former self.' There is a pause after this, and as Orestes makes no reply, the second Fury says, What! not a word in reply? Do you spurn converse, you who are fed and consecrated as my victim? The third adds, A victim too who shall be devoured alive, &c. Then the whole body of the chorus chant the spell, or binding hymn, which is to entrance the victim and place him wholly in their power. The fourteen introductory anapaestics form the parode.

mvp-comment-105-1 τραφείς] There is an allusion to the human victims called φαρμακοὶ οι δημόσιοι, who were sacrificed by the Athenians at the feast of Thargelia. See Photius in v. φαρμακός.

mvp-comment-106-1 ἄψωμεν] This clearly shows that dancing movements accompanied the music and singing. -ἐπεὶ κ.τ.λ., since we have resolved to show what we can do in doleful music, lit. to make a display of a hateful (joyless) strain. An Ionic form is used in place of the Attic δέδοκται (see Veitch, Gr. V. p. 199 ). -στυγερὰν, Schol.

mvp-comment-107-1 στάσις] 'our company, Ag. 1086 , Cho. 106 . —ἐπινωμᾷ, allots, distributes, the various fortunes that prevail among man. The Schol. explains ἐπισκοπεῖ.

mvp-comment-108-1 Ας προνέμειν is to hold out, for all to see, 8ο ἐπικρύπτειν is to muffle a blood-stained hand within a garment in order to conceal the crime.

mvp-comment-109-1 ἄγνισμα κύριον] ‘Our own proper (or lawful) victim for expiating a mother's murder.'

mvp-comment-110-1 τεθυμένῳ] Schol.

The sense is, Apollo tries to rescue him, but we have the victim bound on our altar, and this weird strain, depriving him of his senses-enchanting or fascinating him-prevents his escape.

mvp-comment-111-1 διανταία] All-pervading destiny has allotted to us this office to hold for all time, that whenever mortal men are implicated in murders of relations without due cause, these we should pursue till (the fugitive) reaches the world below; and even when dead he is not by any means free.' See sup. 167. Properly, a person would be said ξυμπίπτειν φόνῳ, τύχῃ, &c. but here, by a slight inversion, φόνος ξυμπίπτει τινι. The passage appears sound, and gives a good sense.

mvp-comment-112-1 γεινομέναισι] at our birth. Cf. v. 71. What follows is obscure and difficult: the Schol. explains μὴ πλησιάζειν ἡμᾶς τοῖς θεοῖς, ‘but to abstain from (keep our hands off) the gods, and not one (of them) shares with us in our feast.' He probably thought the infinitive depended on μοῖρ᾽ ἐπέκλωσεν, ν. 321. A more probable meaning is, 'But tis for the gods (viz. Apollo and Pallas) not to interfere with us. This is said especially in regard to v. 314, and the allusion in the next verse to the sable robes indicates the unfitness of their office for the god of joy and brightness, who is οὐ τοιοῦτος ὥστε θρηνητοῦ τυχεῖν, Αg. 1042.

mvp-comment-113-1 ὅταν κ.τ.λ.] i.e. whenever a relation is slain in a family feud. Schol.

mvp-comment-114-1 The MS. reading κρατερὸν ὄνθ᾽ ὁμοίως μαυροῦμεν ὑφ' αἵματος νέου is corrupt, as the metre of v. 350 shows. Hermann's reading μαυροῦμεν νέον αἷμα gives a good sense, by our pursuit of him, ho! strong as he is, we make weak his young blood. Hesych.

The meaning may be, we take the colour out of the fresh blood-stain. See sup. 270. The interjection & represents the hunter's cry (our tally-ho!), and is the ὠγμὸς οἱ ν. 121.

mvp-comment-115-1 This passage is very obscure, yet the metre does not indicate corruption. The Scholium is perplexing, εὔχομαι τοῖς θεοῖς τελέσαι μου τὸ βούλημα. If this is based on a reading τέλειον, the commentator understood the sense thus, and it is for the gods at my request to fulfil my wish. But nothing can be made of this. There is a further difficulty in ἀφελεῖν, which should rather be ἀφελέσθαι. Then a finite verb in the plural should follow σπευδόμεναι, for which the singular καταφέρω seems substituted in v.

mvp-comment-116-1 It is easy however to read σπευδομένα. Between τάσδε and τᾶσδε there is a further doubt; a gloss in the Med. explains the latter of Clytemnestra. We may perhaps (comparing inf. 808) translate, 'and in my eagerness to remove another (i.e. Apollo) from this care, -for the gods can only prevent prayers to me from being fulfilled, but they must not come to a dispute with me, since Zeus disowns, as unworthy of converse, this blood-dripping and accursed race, -in doing this, I say ( γὰρ οὖν), I bring down from far above the heavy-falling force of my foot, my nimble limbs which trip up in the end even runners in a long course, a calamity hard for them to bear. That is, that Apollo may not rescue him, I now pursue him. The Schol. seems here right, τοῖς τανυδρόμοις αὐτῶν ἐπάγουσα τὰ σφαλερά μου κῶλα, οἷον, καὶ οἱ ταχυδρόμοι οὐ δύνανταί με ἐκφυγεῖν. For the notion of a demon leaping down see on 4--2 v. 169. As to ἀτέλειαν, ‘non-fulfilment,' the doctrine is held in view, that the gods do not directly thwart or interfere with each other's designs: see Eur. Hipp. 1330 .

mvp-comment-117-1 δόξαι κ.τ.λ.] Even the proud and high conceits of men are brought low in the other world in those who come under the spell of our weird dance. Schol.

mvp-comment-118-1 οὐκ οἶδεν] The proud man is for long unconscious that we have him in our grasp. Like the physical pining by blood-draining (v. 257), so the moral and social descent of the family is gradual and unperceived; a gloom comes over the house, and evil things are said of it: it is under a cloud, as we express it.

mvp-comment-119-1 Schol.

Id. κακὴ δὲ φήμη περὶ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ λέγεται. Perhaps he read δνοφερὰ ἀχλὺς, by which this sentence more nearly fits the syntax of the preceding. Cf. Eur. Phoen. 125

οὗτος Μυκηναῖος μὲν αὐδᾶται γένος.

Hesych.

αὐδᾶται: λέγεται.

But αὐδᾶται may be the middle voice, or ἀχλὺν may stand in apposition to the sentence. Pers. 666

Στυγία γάρ τις ἐπ᾿ ἀχλὺς πεπόταται.

mvp-comment-120-1 μένει γάρ] 'For 'tis an abiding law. If we compare Ag. 1540

we shall conclude that the poet means to say that the fate he has described is inevitable. It is called a θεσμός, inf. 369. And the Furies go on to declare that they have means to work out their will, never forget and never forgive either in this world or the next. Cf. Prom. 524

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τ᾿ ᾿Ερινύες.

Αjax 1390

μνήμων τ᾽᾽ Ερινὺς καὶ τελεσφόρος Δίκη.

mvp-comment-121-1 λάμπᾳ] Inf. 994 and in Eur. Suppl. 993 the word seems the same as λαμπάς, but the Schol. explains, our duties are kept apart from those of the gods through the sunless gloom in which we exercise them ( τῷ προσόντι αὐτοῖς σκότει). Photius, λάμπη· παχὺς ἀφρὸς ἐπιπολῆς τοῦ οἴνου. Perhaps the Schol. took a sunless torch to mean the absence of sunlight. There was a word λάπη, which Hesychius (in λάπτης) explains βόρβορος, and Wieseler proposed to restore it here. ibid. δυσοδοπαίπαλα] Schol.

In place of λάχη we seem to want some word meaning ὁδοὺς, 'pursuing them over rough and difficult ways. By a harsh figure, the duties ( λάχη) of the pursuers are themselves called rough and rugged for the pursued.

mvp-comment-122-1 πρόσωθεν] Athena, invoked by Orestes at v. 287 to hasten to his aid, now appears on the μηχανή in an aerial car, as it seems from v. 383. She has arrived, she says, from the Troad, where she was taking first possession (in the name of her Athenian people) of Sigeum, the right to which was then, the Schol. tells us, being contested by the Mitylenians. Hesych.

With φθατέω and ἔφθην compare στατέω and ἔστην. The compound does not elsewhere occur.

mvp-comment-123-1 δώρημα] The claim on the Athenian side is thus based on a supposed donation of Theseus. For the dative following the noun compare Trach. 603

mvp-comment-124-1 πώλοις] Schol.

It is impossible to say with certainty how the appearance of the goddess was contrived. She may seem to flutter her aegis, which is nothing but the bright cloud enveloping the dawngoddess. In this case κώλοις should be read, with Wakefield and Hermann, meaning that the aegis was moved by the arms like bats' wings.

mvp-comment-125-1 πᾶσι] ‘To all here present, both to you, the chorus, and to this suppliant at my sacred statue.'

mvp-comment-126-1 ὑμᾶς δὲ κ.τ.λ.] But as for you, who resemble neither gods nor mortal women, well, one must not speak ill of others without having a reason for finding fault: it is not just or right. We get a fair sense by reading ἄμομφον for ἄμορφον, and supposing a break or aposiopesis. To speak of another as uncomely is unjust,' may be thought to refer to the Greek's instinctive admiration for τὸ καλόν. The Scholium here is very obscure, and probably corrupt.

mvp-comment-127-1 αἰανῆ] ‘eternal.' The Schol. explains σκοτεινά, which seems a confusion with αἰανῆς. See Soph. Aj. 672

(al. αἰανὴς) κύκλος. In Pers. 638

δύσθροα αἰανῆ βάγματα

seems to mean doleful cries of alaî, and so in ν. 922, ἵετ' αἰανῆ πάνδυρτον δύσθροον αὐδάν. See also inf. 902. Hesych.

αἰανόν· χαλεπὸν, αἰνόν.

Inf. 542, εἰς τὸν αἰανῆ χρόνον, and 642.

mvp-comment-128-1 Αραί] The imprecation of vengeance is the origin of this name. Cf. Od. 11. 132

mvp-comment-129-1 ποῦ τὸ for τοῦτο is Tyrwhitt's necessary correction on account of the next verse, which means, in reply, where the absence of all joy is the law of the place. Schol.

Cf. Ag. 1013 , ἔχεις παρ᾿ ἡμῶν οἱάπερ νομίζεται, you have from us just what is customary, and nothing more.

mvp-comment-130-1 ἐπιρροιζεῖς] Schol.

See sup. 382, Eur. Herc. Fur. 860 , from which it appears that, like θωΰσσειν, it is a hunter's term.

mvp-comment-131-1 ἄλλης κ.τ.λ.] Was there not some strong constraint (from a god) whose anger he had to fear? The Schol. perhaps read ἀλλ ἐξ ἀνάγκης, ἤ τινος τρέων κότον; Was it from constraint, or from fear of somebody?

mvp-comment-117-1 λείπει ἐμέ. ὡς τότε συμμαχούντων Ἀργείων Αθηναίοις.

mvp-comment-118-1 ὅτι

mvp-comment-119-1 ὡς θρασὺς (auf ein x bezüglich) διὰ τοῦτο οἴεται αὐτὴν Τριτογένειαν. ἡγεμών. ἁρμόττουσα δὲ ἡ εὐχή· δεῖται γὰρ ἐνδρανοῦς (L. Dindorf f. έδρανοῦς) βοηθοῦ.

mvp-comment-120-1 τὸ ἑξῆς· ἔλθοι, ὅπως γένοιτο.

mvp-comment-121-1 ὁ μηδὲ αἷμα σχήσων ἐξ ἡμῶν, ἀλλὰ γενησόμενος σκιά· ῥοφήσομεν γάρ σου τὸ αἷμα. ἢ ἐναίματον, ἀντὶ τοῦ ζῶντά σε νεκρὸν ποιήσομεν.

mvp-comment-122-1 οὐκ ἀποκρίνηι, ἢ ἀντὶ τοῦ) οὐδὲ ἀντιφωνήσεις μοι, ἀλλὰ σοῦ βουλομένου λαλεῖν τὸ φθέγμα δεθήσεται.

mvp-comment-123-1 ὡς ἐπὶ νεκρῶι.

mvp-comment-124-1 τοὺς κλήρους ἡμῶν (Vict. f. ὑμῶν). ἀπὸ κοινοῦ δὲ τὸ δεδόκηκεν.

mvp-comment-125-1 ἐπεὶ ὑπὲρ τῆς μητρὸς Ὀρέστου ἀγωνίζονται, εἰκότως τὴν μητέρα ἑαυτῶν ὀνομάζουσιν.

mvp-comment-126-1 ζῶσι καὶ θανοῦσιν ἔκδικον.

mvp-comment-127-1 τὸν τῶι ἰδίωι θανάτωι ἀφαγνιοῦντα τὸν φόνον τῆς μητρός· ἅγνισμα δέ τινες εὐφήμως τὸ μόλυσμα.

mvp-comment-128-1 ἐπὶ Ὀρέστηι δὲ μέλλοντι θύεσθαι λεχθήσεται ὕμνος ἐξ ἡμῶν ὡς ἐπὶ ἱερείωι, ὃς αὐτοῦ τὰς φρένας παρακόψει.

mvp-comment-129-1 παρακίνησις τῶν φρενῶν.

mvp-comment-130-1 ὁ δεσμεύων αὐτοῦ τὰς φρένας.

mvp-comment-131-1 ὁ ξηραίνων τοὺς βροτούς.

mvp-comment-132-1 ἡ διαμπὰξ τιμωρουμένη.

mvp-comment-133-1 αὐτοφονίαις.

mvp-comment-134-1 τούτοις ἡμᾶς ἀκολουθεῖν, ἕως ἀποθάνηι ὁ τοιοῦτος.

mvp-comment-135-1 ἐφυμνίωι (Abresch f. -ον) αὐτῶι χρῆται. λέγεται δὲ καὶ μεσόφθεγμα.

mvp-comment-136-1 ἀφόρμικτος: οὐ γὰρ σὺν ὀργάνοις μουσικοῖς γίνεται οὗτος ὁ ὕμνος. ὁ δεσμεύων αὐτοῦ τὰς φρένας.

mvp-comment-137-1 ἀντὶ τοῦ γέρα.

mvp-comment-138-1 μὴ πλησιάζειν ἡμᾶς τοῖς θεοῖς.

mvp-comment-139-1 οὐδαμοῦ ὅπου ἑορτὴ καὶ ἀμπεχόνη καθαρὰ πάρειμι.

mvp-comment-140-1 ὅταν τις ἐχθρὸς συγγενὴς ὢν τὸν συγγενῆ φονεύσηι.

mvp-comment-141-1 οἰκεῖος, φίλος.

mvp-comment-142-1 διὰ μέσου τὸ ὦ.

mvp-comment-143-1 διὰ τὸ νέον αἷμα. τοῦ νεωστὶ εἰργασμένου ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ.

mvp-comment-144-1 τῆς Κλυταιμήστρας (auch f).

mvp-comment-145-1 λείπει εὔχομαι τοῖς θεοῖς. τελέσαι μου τὸ βούλημα καὶ μὴ εἰς μάχην μοι ἐλθεῖν.

mvp-comment-146-1 τοῖσιν αὐτουργίαις ξύμπασ ωσιν (ὦσι f): ξυμπέσωσιν Turn., ders. αὐτουργίαι (τοὶ σὺν -ίαις Meineke Weil mit verschiedener Fortsetzung).

mvp-comment-147-1 τὸ τῶν φονέων.

mvp-comment-148-1 καὶ τοὺς ὑψηλοὺς καθαιροῦμεν.

mvp-comment-149-1 τοῖς τανυδρόμοις αὐτῶν κώλοις ἐπάγουσα τὰ σφαλερά μου κῶλα. ἢ ἀπ᾿ ἄλλης ἀρχῆς, καὶ τοῖς τανυδρόμοις γίνεται σφαλερὰ τὰ κῶλα διὰ τὴν ἐπιοῦσαν αὐτοῖς ἄτην δύσφορον ὑπ᾿ ἐμοῦ. οἷον, καὶ οἱ ταχυδρόμοι οὐ δύνανταί με ἐκφυγεῖν.

mvp-comment-150-1 παραφρονῶν (Steph. f. περιφρ.) γὰρ οὐκ αἰσθάνεται τοῦ κακοῦ.

mvp-comment-151-1 σκότος φρενῶν. λείπειν φασὶ διά, διὰ (Kirchh. f. δὲ) μύσος· οὐκ ἔστι δέ, αὐτὸ γὰρ τὸ μύσος κνέφας εἴρηκεν.

mvp-comment-152-1 κακὴ δὲ φήμη περὶ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ λέγεται.

mvp-comment-153-1 λείπει τὸ ἐσμέν. ἡμεῖς γὰρ εὐμήχανοι ἐσμεν καὶ ἐπιτελεστικαὶ καὶ τῶν κακῶν μνήμονες.

mvp-comment-154-1 οὐ ταχέως παρηγορούμεναι ὑπὸ βροτῶν.

mvp-comment-155-1 ἀφωρισμένα τῶν θεῶν τῶι προσόντι αὐτοῖς σκότει. μετερχόμεναι λάχη ὑπὲρ ὧν οὐ τιμώμεθα ὑπὸ θεῶν.

mvp-comment-156-1 δυσπαράβατα καὶ τραχέα ζῶσι καὶ τοῖς θνήισκουσιν (καὶ τεθνηκόσιν Wieseler).

mvp-comment-157-1 τὸν ὑπὸ Μοιρῶν καὶ θεῶν τετελεσμένον.

mvp-comment-158-1 ἔπεστιν.

mvp-comment-159-1 ἐπὶ ὀχήματος ἔρχεται.

mvp-comment-160-1 Μιτυληναῖοι ἐμάχοντο πρὸς Αθηναίους περὶ πόλεως Σιγείου. ἔδοξεν οὖν μονομαχίωι λῦσαι τὸν πόλεμον· καὶ ὑπὲρ μὲν Μιτυληναίων ἐπολέμει Πιττακός, ὑπὲρ δὲ Ἀθηναίων Φρύνων. ἡττηθέντος δὲ Φρύνωνος διελύθη τὰ τῆς μάχης. ἔοικεν οὖν παρορμᾶν Ἀθηναίους ὁ Αἰσχύλος εἰς τὸ ἀντέχεσθαι πάλιν Σιγείου, λέγων τὴν θεὸν ἐκεῖθεν ἐληλυθέναι. καταφθάνουσα.

mvp-comment-161-1 ὡς ἀρμένωι χρωμένη τῆι αἰγίδι.

mvp-comment-162-1 καὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς. τῶν σπειρομένων.

mvp-comment-161-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 272

mvp-comment-161-2 zweites Epeisodion. Orestes ruft Athena zu Hilfe. Die Chorführerin weist jeden Beistand zurück.

mvp-comment-167-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 273

mvp-comment-167-2 Der Vers, welcher dem Zusammenhange der Stelle, nach der Phöbos den Orestes gereinigt hat, nicht entspricht, ist von Musgrave ausgeschieden worden. Der Sinn ist:,,alles (also auch die Befleckung) entkräftet die mit ihm alternde Zeit" d. i. je älter eine Sache wird, um so mehr wird sie geschwächt. Die Zeit wird als alternd mit dem Alternden gedacht, vgl. Prom. 1013

. Ein ähnlicher Vers findet sich bei Stob. fl. 126, 8 χρόνος δ᾽ ἀμαυροῦ πάντα κεἰς λήθην ἄγει.

mvp-comment-168-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 273

mvp-comment-168-2 Ἀθηναία, die alte feierliche, in Inschriften bis auf die Zeit des Euklides herab häufig (gewöhnlich mit Artikel ἡ ᾿Αθηναία) vorkommende Form, auch 299, 617, Eur. Iph. T. 1436 , sonst bei den Tragikern Ἀθάνα.

mvp-comment-169-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 273

mvp-comment-169-2 κτήσεται, nämlich als Herrin dieses Landes ", also für Attika. Vgl. zu 765.

mvp-comment-170-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 273

mvp-comment-170-2 αὐτόν scil. ἐμέ. τὸν Ἀργεῖον λεὼν . . σύμμαχον: Schol. :

. Einl. S. 23. δικαίως, ὀρθῶς, ἀληθῶς, aufrichtig, ehrlich. Vgl. πανδίκως εὐσεβής Suppl. 424

ὀρθῶς ἐνδίκως τ᾽ ἐπώνυμον

Sept. 392

ἣν εὑρεθῇς ἐς τήνδε μὴ δίκαιος ὤν

Soph. Trach. 411 .

mvp-comment-171-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 273

mvp-comment-171-2 Die Gottheit hört gern von den Stätten, wo sie besonders verehrt wird. Daher ist bei Anrufungen der Götter die Aufzählung solcher Örtlichkeiten beliebt. Vgl. Soph. Ant. 1118 f. Mit εἴτε — εἴτε, wie hier, Aristoph. Wo. 269

steht wie ein einziger Begrif, daher Λιβυστικοῖς. Vgl. ποῖον . . γαίας πέδον Sept. 291

, χθονὸς . . τηλουρόν. . πέδον

Prom. 1

τὸ Πυθικὸν Θεοῦ μαντείον

Soph. Oed. T. 242

ὄγκον ὀνόματος μητρῷον

Trach. 817

, Ηπειρώτις ψυχὴ γυναικῶν

Eur. Andr. 159 u. Ähnliches oft, z. B. unten 327.

mvp-comment-172-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 273

mvp-comment-172-2 γενεθλίου: Schol. ( σημείωσαι) ὅτι διὰ τοῦτο οἴεται αὐτὴν Τριτογένειαν. Nach Herod. IV 180 (vgl. Paus. I 14, 6 ) glaubten die am Tritonischen See wohnenden Auseer (indem sie eine ihrer Gottheiten mit Athena identifizierten) τὴν ᾿Αθηναίην Ποσειδέωνος εἶναι θυγατέρα καὶ τῆς Τριτωνίδος λίμνης. Dals Aschylos der gewöhnlichen Sage sich anschliefst, zeigt 667 f. Er scheint also den Ort der Geburt an den See oder vielmehr Strom ( πόρου) Triton zu verlegen. In Wirklichkeit ist es ur- sprünglich die gleiche Vorstellung, wenn Athena als Blitzgöttin dem Haupte des Wolkensammlers Zeus, dem Wolkenberge, und wenn sie der Tritonischen See, den himmlischen Wassern, entstammt. Denn dafs die Tritonische See ursprünglich am Himmel war, ergiebt sich schon daraus, dafs sie nicht nur in Libyen, sondern auch anderwärts angenommen wurde ( Paus. VIII 26, 6 u. IX 33, 7, Strab. IX p. 407 ). Vgl. Schwartz, Der Ursprung der Mythologie. S. 87.

mvp-comment-173-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 274

mvp-comment-173-2 τίθησιν . . πόδα erklärt man ,,aufrecht schreitet oder sitzt" (vgl. Hom. p 158 ἥμενος ἢ ἕρπων), weil der sitzenden Göttin die Füfse mit dem Gewande bedeckt sind. Aber eine solche Erklärung von κατηρεφῆ ist mindestens weit hergeholt. In der Deutung von Dutheil „visible ou invisible" und Hermann: sive palam incedens sive latens ( Hom. E 186

) opem fert amicis, worin κατηρεφής der durch eine Wolke verhüllte Fufs sein soll, lässt sich ỏodóv schwer verstehen. Es scheint vielmehr ὀρθὸν πόδα den hohen, gleichsam steilen Fufs (vgl. ὀρθόπους Soph. Ant. 985 ) der hochgeschürzten Göttin zu bezeichnen, wie sich κατηρεφῆ auf das lange Gewand bezieht.

mvp-comment-174-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 274

mvp-comment-174-2 φίλοις ἀρήγουσα: Der Dichter scheint weniger an die Auseer als an die Athener zu denken, welche dem libyschen König Inaros zu Hilfe gezogen waren ( Thuk. I 104 ff. ). Vgl. die ähnliche Anspielung auf Zeitverhältnisse in Eur. El. 1347 νώ δ᾽ ἐπὶ πόντον Σικελὸν σπουδῇ σώσοντε νεῶν πρῴρας ἐνάλους. Φλεγραίαν πλάκα, Schauplatz des Gigantenkampfes, bei welchem Athena, Φλεγραίων ὀλέ τειρα Γιγάντων (Prokl. hymn. 32), unter anderen den Enkelados tötete ( Eur. Ion 209 ).

mvp-comment-175-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 274

mvp-comment-175-2 κλύει θεός, es hört ein Gott auch in der Ferne. Vgl. Eur. Iph. T. 1447 κλύεις γὰρ αὐδὴν καίπερ οὐ παρὼν θεᾶς. Vielleicht hat ursprünglich πρόσωθεν οὖσ όμως geheilsen. es

mvp-comment-175-3 ¹

mvp-comment-176-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 274

mvp-comment-176-2 γένοιτο nach ἔλθοι, s. g. Assimilation der Modi. Vgl. Soph. Ai. 1217

, Krüger I § 54, 8, 3 .

mvp-comment-177-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 274

mvp-comment-177-2 παρημελημένον d. i. so dafs keiner nach dir fragt ( ἄιστον ἄπυστον). Sept. 689

.

mvp-comment-178-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 274

mvp-comment-178-2 ,,Ohne erfahren zu haben wo im Herzen die Freude wohnt“, weil du keine Freude genieſsen wirst. Vgl. 426 ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται. Etwas anders Soph. Oed. K. 1217

.

mvp-comment-179-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 274

mvp-comment-179-2 Du eine blutleere Weide, nur Schatten von solchen die Blut haben, erwiderst mir nicht einmal?

mvp-comment-180-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-180-2 καὶ ζῶν . . οὐδὲ . . σφαγείς, sogar lebend und nicht erst geschlachtet. οὐδὲ für καὶ οὐ wie öfter bei Dichtern ( Krüger II § 69, 60 ). μὲ δαίσεις wie Eur. Or. 15

mvp-comment-180-3 ²

mvp-comment-181-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-181-2 δέσμιον σέθεν wie δέσμιος φρενῶν 333: zu Cho. 235 . Der besinnungraubende" Gesang der Erinyen ,, schlingt die Bande um den Frevler". Der Ausdruck erinnert an magische Künste (vgl. Plat. Ges. XI p. 933 A μαγγανείαις καὶ ἐπῳδαῖς καὶ καταδέσεσι).

mvp-comment-182-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-182-2 Unter der Begleitung der Anapäste, welche der Koryphaios vorträgt, ordnet sich der Chor in Reih und Glied, um sein Bannlied (322 ff.) zu singen und mit entsprechendem Tanz zu begleiten, indem die Figuren ( σχήματα) des Reigens, besonders bei den Ephymnien, die Idee des Bannenden und Bestrickenden zum Ausdruck bringen.

mvp-comment-183-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-183-2 δεδόκηκεν wie Prom. 402

, Sept. 1027

δοκησάτω

, Eur. Med. 763

δεδόκησαι

u. a.

mvp-comment-184-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-184-2 Schol. δεδόκηκεν ἡμῖν λέξαι τίνα τρόπον τὰ κατ᾿ ἀνθρώπους λάχη ἐφοδεύομεν. Vielmehr steht λάχη (,,das mir zugefallene Amt) wie 335, 348, 389, wie es 931 τὰ κατ᾿ ἀνθρώπους ἔλαχον διέπειν heifst. - ἐπινωμᾷ: ἐπισκοπεῖ und στάσις: σύστημα Schol.

mvp-comment-185-1 ³

mvp-comment-185-2 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-185-3 Mit εὐθυδίκαιοι (gerecht richtend) vgl. ὀρθοδίκαιος 995. μαιόμεθα (wir bestreben uns wie μαιομένοις Cho. 782

Soph. Ai. 287 .

mvp-comment-186-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-186-2 ,,Wohl dem, der frei von Schuld und Fehle" u. s. w.

mvp-comment-187-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-187-2 ἀσινὴς . . διοιχνεί scil. ἕκα στος wie 340. Vgl. Plat. Prot. p. 324

mvp-comment-188-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-188-2 ἐπικρύπτει, wer verstohlen des Mordes schwere That vollbracht".

mvp-comment-189-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-189-2 μάρτυρες ορθοί (deren Zeugnis sich aufrecht erhält), vgl. Soph. Ai. 354 ὀρθὰ (was sich als wahr bestätigt) μαρτυρείν, Ant. 1195

.

mvp-comment-190-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 275

mvp-comment-190-2 πράκτορες, vgl. χερὶ πράκτορι Ag. 113 und φόνου πράκτορα Soph. El. 953 . τελέως: τα 954.

mvp-comment-190-3 ⁴

mvp-comment-191-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 276

mvp-comment-191-2 erstes Stasimon, welches besonders in den Ephymnien den Charakter des ὕμνος δέσμιος hat. ,, Apollon beraubt uns unseres Rechtes, indem er uns diesen Flüchtling entzieht, der uns zur Sühne des Muttermords zukommt und dem unser grauser Gesang gilt. Denn SO hat das Schicksal bestimmt, dafs wir die Mörder verfolgen und peinigen. Drum weil Umsturz von Häusern unser Los ist, haben die Götter des Lichts keine Gemeinschaft mit uns und Feste der Freude sind uns versagt. Dafür sind die Götter dieser traurigen Sorge überhoben und brauchen sich nicht mit Blutbefleckten zu befassen. Wir verfolgen den Mörder und stürzen ihn von der Höhe seines Ruhms. Er wird, ohne dessen in seiner Geistesnacht inne zu werden, von der Stimme des Volkes verurteilt und allgemeine Mifsachtung umnachtet sein Haus (vgl. Cho. 53 ff. , Ag. 463 ff. ). So steht es fest: Geniessen wir auch nicht die Ehre, den oberen Göttern gesellt zu sein, so haben doch die Sterblichen die vom Schicksal gegebene Satzung, auf der unser altheiliges Amt beruht, zu fürchten und zu verehren." Wenn man aus den drei Ephymnien schliefsen darf, wird jedes der drei ersten Strophenpaare von einem Stoichos, die Ephymnien und das vierte Strophenpaar von dem Gesamtchore vorgetragen.

mvp-comment-192-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 276

mvp-comment-192-2 Nicht unpassend ist die Bemerkung des Schol. :

mvp-comment-193-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 276

mvp-comment-193-2 Νύξ: zu 69. ποινὰν (abstr. pro concr.) ἀλαοῖσι καὶ δεδορκόσιν steht prädikativ zu μέ. ἀλαοῖσι καὶ δεδορκόσιν, Schol. ζῶσι καὶ θανοῦσιν. Vgl. 391.

mvp-comment-194-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 276

mvp-comment-194-2 ἄτιμόν με τίθησιν d. i. macht mich rechtlos.

mvp-comment-195-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 276

mvp-comment-195-2 πτῶκα κτἑ., den feigen Flüchtling (vgl. πτώσσοντας ὑφ᾽ Ἕκτορι Hom. Η 129 ), der nach Fug und Recht als Reinigungsmittel des Muttermords herhalten mufs, also uns nicht entzogen werden darf. Zu 292. Mit κύριον vgl. κύριοι 127.

mvp-comment-196-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 276

mvp-comment-196-2 τεθυμένῳ, der so gut wie geschlachtet, ein dem Tode geweihtes Schlachtopfer ist. Vgl. Eur. Med. 1264

. Schol. :

ἐπὶ Ὀρέστῃ δὲ μέλλοντι θύεσθαι λεχθήσεται ὕμνος ἐξ ἡμῶν ὡς ἐπὶ ἱερείω, ὃς αὐτοῦ τὰς φρένας παρακόψει

.

mvp-comment-197-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 276

mvp-comment-197-2 Geistzerstörende Verrückung. Um das gleiche Versmafs wie vorher (-) zu gewinnen, vermutet Rauchenstein φρενοβλαβής, Herwerden φρενομανής, Weil φρενοπλανής. Aber vgl. das Versmals in Cho. 802 – 804.

mvp-comment-198-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 277

mvp-comment-198-2 ἀφορμικτος (duldet nicht der Leier Klang"): zu_Ag. 980. αὐονά (Ausdörrung): Schol. ὁ ξηραίνων τοὺς βροτούς. Vgl. 138, 267.

mvp-comment-199-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 277

mvp-comment-199-2 διανταία, Schol. ἡ διαμπαξ τιμωρουμένη. Es bedeutet durchdringend" d. h.,,unnachgiebig, unwiderstehlich".

mvp-comment-199-3 ⁵

mvp-comment-200-1 ⁶

mvp-comment-200-2 Wecklein 1888, p. 277

mvp-comment-200-3 θνατῶν ist gen. part. zu τοῖσιν (οἷσιν): „Von den Sterblichen denjenigen, welchen es zustöfst, verwegen Hand an einen anderen anzulegen." τοΐσιν ξυμπέσωσιν ohne άv: zu 211. αὐτουργίαι wie αὐτοχειρίαι. μάταιοι gen. comm. wie Ag. 1149 , Cho. 81 . Die Bedeutung (frivol) wie Suppl. 770

, 235 ματαίων αἰτίας.

mvp-comment-201-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 277

mvp-comment-201-2 τοῖς (zu 137) κτἑ.: Schol. τούτοις ἡμᾶς ἀκολουθεῖν, ἕως ἀποθάνῃ ὁ τοιοῦτος. So jagen wir ihn . . fort und fort bis zu den Schatten und geben ihn auch dort nicht frei." Zu 175 f. In anderem Sinne heifst es Hom. Ο 204 οἶσθ᾽ ὡς πρεσβυτέροισιν ἐρινύες αν ἕπονται. Über den Singular nach dem Plural zu 316.

mvp-comment-202-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 277

mvp-comment-202-2 γιγνομέναισι: Hom. Υ 127 πείσεται άσσα οἱ αἶσα γινομένῳ ἐπένησε λίνῳ, ὅτε μιν τέκε μήτηρ. - ἐφ᾽ ἁμὶν ἐκράνθη, ἡμῖν ἐπεκράνθη. Die Verkürzung der zweiten Silbe von ἡμῖν, welche bei Sophokles öfter vorkommt, findet sich bei Äschylos nur hier, bei Euripides nirgends.

mvp-comment-203-1 ⁷

mvp-comment-203-2 Wecklein 1888, p. 277

mvp-comment-203-3 ἀθανάτων . . γέρας: Schol. μὴ πλησιάζειν ἡμᾶς τοῖς θεοῖς.

mvp-comment-204-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 277

mvp-comment-204-2 παλλεύκων (zu 52) πέ πλων ἀνέορτος ἄφαρος ἐτύχθην giebt in dichterischer Weise den Gedanken: des hellweifsen Festgewandes Freude ist mir versagt. Schol. οὐδαμοῦ ὅπου ἑορτὴ καὶ ἀμπεχόνη καθαρά, πάρειμι. Mit πέπλων ἀνέορτος ἄφαρος (zu Ag. 158 ) vgl. 894 und Eur. El. 310 άv έog τος ἱερῶν, Eur. Phoen. 324

mvp-comment-205-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 278

mvp-comment-205-2 Ἀρης τιθασὸς ὤν, Ares in zahmer Gestalt, d. h. wenn nicht Feinde im Kriege, sondern Freunde (Verwandte) zu Hause das Blut von Freunden vergiessen.

mvp-comment-206-1 ⁸

mvp-comment-206-2 Wecklein 1888, p. 278

mvp-comment-206-3 ὧδε weist auf die aufserliche Darstellung durch die Cheironomie und den Tanz hin.

mvp-comment-207-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 278

mvp-comment-207-2 ὁμοίως, auf gleiche Weise wie wenn er schwach wäre, also s. v. a. ὅμως.

mvp-comment-208-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 278

mvp-comment-208-2 ὑπό (,,unter Einwirkung von“) wie Soph. Ant. 221 ὑπ᾽ ἐλ πίδων ἄνδρας τὸ κέρδος πολλάκις διώλεσεν.

mvp-comment-209-1 ⁹

mvp-comment-209-2 Wecklein 1888, p. 278

mvp-comment-209-3 aïde, wir hier. τινά, Zeus und die anderen Götter. Wir sind bestrebt, die Götter dieser Sorgen zu entledigen und Freiheit derselben von solcher Last durch die Rufe zu uns zu bewirken, damit sie sich nicht auf die Untersuchung von Mord einzulassen haben; denn Zeus hat dieses bluttriefende hassenswerte Volk (der Mörder) von seiner Unterredung verbannt. ἐμοῖσι nach σπεύδομεν, wie in Chorgesängen Singular und Plural häufig wechselt. ἐμοῖσι vertritt den gen. obi. zu λιταῖς. Man ruft die Erinyen an (515), weil man von ihnen Verfolgung des Mörders erwartet, und behelligt nicht die Götter mit solchen Greueln. μηδὲ ( θεοὺς) . ἐλθεῖν schliefst sich an ἀτέλειαν an, ist also auch von ἐπικραίνειν ( ποιεῖν ὥστε) abhängig. ἀνάκρι σις nach attischem Recht die Voruntersuchung des Beamten ( ἐξέτασις ὑφ᾽ ἑκάστης ἀρχῆς γινομένη πρὸ τῶν δικῶν Harpokr.), hier die Untersuchung überhaupt, welche einen mündlichen Verkehr mit dem Mörder fordert. Die Form αἷμοσταγής statt der gewöhnlichen αἱματοσταγής kommt auch bei Eurip. (frg. 388) vor. &ς: ὅς noch Sept. 628 . ἀνατροπάς (scil. δωμάτων nach 355) steht in freier Weise als Apposition zu τάσδε μερίμνας.

mvp-comment-210-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 278

mvp-comment-210-2 ὑπ᾽ αἰθέρι wie οὐρανόμηκες κλέος: der Ruhm der stolz bis zu den Sternen sich hebt, sinkt nieder zur Erde und vergeht in ἐπιφθόνοις, gehässig,

mvp-comment-211-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 279

mvp-comment-211-2 Mit gewaltigem Sprunge setze ich von oben auf ihn nieder die schwer auf ihn fallende Spitze des Fufses, die ihn um so sicherer zum Falle bringt, als den Weitausholenden die Fülse leicht ausgleiten. ποδὸς ἀκμάν wie Pers. 1061

(mit den Fingerspitzen), Soph. Oed. T. 1243

κόμην σπῶσ᾽ ἀμφιδεξίοις ἀκ μαῖς. σφαλερὰ (γάρ ἐστι τανυδρόμοις καλα

steht als Zwischensatz und als Begründung zu δύσ φορον ἄταν (schwer zu tragendes Unheil), welches Apposition zu βαρυπεσῆ ποδὸς ἀκμάν ist. δρόμοις, weil sie mir entrinnen wollen. τανυ

mvp-comment-212-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 279

mvp-comment-212-2 Er stürzt ohne sich dessen zu versehen infolge verderblichen Wahnsinns; so grofs ist die Dunkelheit, welche mit der Befleckung auf dem Manne gelagert ist, wie auf seinem Hause schwarze Finsternis ruht, welche die vielen Klagen des Volkes auf dasselbe werfen. τοῖον κνέφας steht prädikativ zu dem Subjekt μύσος. — ἐπιπεπότα ται ebenso Pers. 672

(med.) πολύστονος φάτις vgl. Ag. 463 , Cho. 51

δνόφοι καλύ πτουσι δόμους

.

mvp-comment-213-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 279

mvp-comment-213-2 μένει γάρ wie Ag. 1562 . Der Gesamtchor fafst das von den einzelnen Reihen Vorgetragene zusammen. εὐμήχανοι τε καὶ τέλειοι ( οὖσαι), d. i. die wir (die uns zufallende Rache) vollbringen und dazu viele Mittel und Wege haben. τε vor μνήμονες braucht nicht als lange Silbe betrachtet zu werden, zu Ag. 980 . μνήμονες wie Prom. 532

- μονές τ' Ερινύες. σεμναί, unnahbar. ἄτιμ᾽ ἀτίετα κτέ, das Amt, dessen wir walten, ist nicht geehrt, nicht geachtet, insofern wir fern von den Göttern in sonnenlosem Moder unsere Stelle haben. διέπομεν wie 932. διχοστα τοῦντα, vgl. 350. ἀνηλίω λάπα das gleiche wie ζόφω ευρώεντι Hymn. auf Demeter 482. λάχη δυσοδοπαίπαλα κτἑ., Schol. δυσπαράβατα καὶ τραχέα ζῶσι καὶ τεθνηκόσιν. Schwer wandeln den rauhen Pfad zu mir Lebende wie Tote. Vgl. Hom. ω 10 ευρώεντα κέλευθα, Verg. Aen. VI 462 per loca senta situ noctemque profundam. Also,,ich habe meinen Wohnsitz fern von den Göttern an dunkler, unzugänglicher Stätte". Indes ist δυσοδοπαίπαλα wegen mangelhafter Responsion mit καίπερ ὑπὸ χθόνα (398) zu beanstanden. Heimsöth vermutet δυσποροπαίπαλα, Weil δυσποδοπαίπαλα, Oberdick δύσβατα, παίπαλα, Davies δυσβατοπαίπαλα. δερκομένοισι καὶ δυσομμάτοις wie ἀλαοῖσι καὶ δεδορκόσιν 323.

mvp-comment-214-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 280

mvp-comment-214-2 Schol. τὸν ὑπὸ Μοιρῶν καὶ θεῶν τετελεσμένον. Die Mören haben die Satzungen der Erinyen festgesetzt, das junge Göttergeschlecht hat sie bestätigt.

mvp-comment-215-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 280

mvp-comment-215-2 καίπερ τάξιν ἔχουσα ὑπὸ χθόνα καὶ δυσήλιον κνέφας. Vgl. zu Cho. 990 .

mvp-comment-216-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 280

mvp-comment-216-2 drittes Epeisodion. Athena erscheint und nachdem sie sich von der Chorführerin und Orestes den Sachverhalt hat darlegen lassen (gleichsam die ανάκρισις oder προδικασία), entschliefst sie sich den Fall durch einen neuen Gerichtshof entscheiden zu lassen. Nach 407 könnte man glauben, dafs Athena wie im Aias des Sophokles auf dem θεολογεῖον auftrete. Da sie aber am Schlusse dieser Scene abgeht, um sich in die Stadt zu begeben, und später (569) auf der gewöhnlichen Bühne auftritt (vgl. 738), so mufs man annehmen, dafs sie auch hier auf dem λογεῖον, nicht in der Höhe erscheint. Sie kommt von der linken Seite.

mvp-comment-216-3 ¹⁰

mvp-comment-217-1 ¹¹

mvp-comment-217-2 Wecklein 1888, p. 280

mvp-comment-217-3 ἀπὸ Σκαμάνδρου wie πρό σωθεν (fern am Skamander): vgl. zu Ag. 543 . καταφθατουμένη: κατακτωμένη· κυρίως δὲ τὸ ἐκ προκαταλήψεως Hesych. Vgl. φθ ( ο) α- τήσει: φθάσει κτήσασθαι ebd. Das Wort kommt nur an unserer Stelle vor, wo die Erklärung κατακτωμένη dem Sinne gut entspricht. Die Ableitung von φθάνω scheint unrichtig. Gemeint ist das Gebiet von Sigeion, wo Athena einen Tempel hatte ( Herod. V 95 ). Nach der Darstellung des Aschylos wurde das Land schon im trojanischen Kriege den Söhnen des Theseus (und der Athena) zugesprochen. Es verhält sich mit diesem uralten Besitztitel ähnlich wie mit dem aus Homer abgeleiteten Anspruch auf Salamis. Als gegen Ende des siebenten Jahrh. v. Chr. attische Kolonisten unter Anführung des Olympioniken Phrynon sich in Sigeion festgesetzt hatten und die Mytilenäer Sigeion als ihr Eigentum zurückforderten, machten ihnen die Athener gegenüber geltend, dafs ihnen und allen Hellenen, welche Menelaos in der Ahndung des Raubes der Helena unterstützt hätten, ebenso viel Recht auf das Gebiet von Troas zukomme wie den Äoliern ( Herod. V 94 ). Ein Zweikampf des Pittakos und des Phrynon sollte den Streit entscheiden. Phrynon unterlag. Als der Krieg trotzdem fortdauerte, wurde Periander von Korinth von beiden Parteien zum Schiedsrichter erwählt. Dieser entschied, beide Teile sollten das Land behalten, das sie besäfsen. So kamen die Athener in den vollen Besitz des Landes ( Herod. V 95 , Strabon XIIIp. 600 , Diog. L. I 74 ) und die Meinung des Schol., dafs Äschylos mit unserer Stelle die Athener aufreize, wieder auf Sigeion Anspruch zu machen, scheint unbegründet.

mvp-comment-218-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 281

mvp-comment-218-2 δῆτα, eben. ᾿Αχαιῶν: mit diesem Worte sind hinreichend die Teilnehmer des trojanischen Krieges angezeigt.

mvp-comment-219-1 ¹²

mvp-comment-219-2 Wecklein 1888, p. 281

mvp-comment-219-3 αυτόπρεμνον, αὐτόρριζον (samt der Wurzel, mit Grund und Boden). Soph. Ant. 713

und zu Ag. 142 .

mvp-comment-220-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 281

mvp-comment-220-2 Θησέως τόκοις, Akamas und Demophon. Erst das nachhomerische Epos, so die Ιλιὰς μικρά des Lesches ( Paus. X 25, 8 ), kennt diese als Teilnehmer des trojanischen Krieges.

mvp-comment-221-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 281

mvp-comment-221-2 διώκουσα (rasch bewegend) πόδα wie Sept. 358

, Eur. Or. 1344

ἰδού, διώκω τὸν ἐμὸν εἰς δόμους πόδα. ἄτρυτον

erinnert an den Beinamen der Athene Ἀτρυτώνη.

mvp-comment-222-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 281

mvp-comment-222-2 τόνδε ὄχον, dieses Fahrzeug eigener Art, mit Bezug auf die Agis. Die Ägis hat mich durch die Luft getragen so rasch wie ein Wagen, dem kräftige Rosse vorgespannt sind. Hom. B 447 Ἀθήνη αἰγίδ᾽ ἔχουσ᾽ ἐρίτιμον, ἀγήραον ἀθανάτην σὺν τῇ παιφάσσουσα διέσσυτο λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν. τε ..

mvp-comment-222-3 ¹³

mvp-comment-223-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 281

mvp-comment-223-2 ὁμιλίαν χθονός wie 714, 1031 (Besuch, Genossenschaft des Landes), vgl. ὁμιλεῖν χώρα 723.

mvp-comment-224-1 ¹⁴

mvp-comment-224-2 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-224-3 ὑμᾶς mit wechselnder Konstruktion von λέγω: und euch meine ich". Sept. 216

(als ob ἀνδράσι προσήκει vorherginge). σπαρτών, Gezeugter.

mvp-comment-224-4 ¹⁵

mvp-comment-225-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-225-2 οὔτε .. οὔτ᾽ οὖν wie εἴτε . . εἴτ᾿ οὖν, zu Cho. 679 .

mvp-comment-226-1 ¹⁶

mvp-comment-226-2 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-226-3 Den Nächsten ( ὁ πέλας wie Eur. Med. 86 , Thuk. I 32 , gewöhnlich οἱ πέλας) tadeln, weil er mifsgestaltet ist, geziemt sich nicht. πρόσω δικαίων ἐστί, vgl. πρόσω πατρός Eur. Hek, 1158.

mvp-comment-227-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-227-2 Zu 69. graves filiae. αἰανῆ τέκνα,

mvp-comment-227-3 ¹⁷

mvp-comment-228-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-228-2 Ἀραί, Dirae, vgl. Sept. 70

: zu Ag. 1276 .

mvp-comment-229-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-229-2 κληδόνας ἐπωνύμους, τὰ ἐπώνυμα οἷς καλεῖσθε Schol.

mvp-comment-230-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-230-2 πεύσῃ τάχα (,,allsogleich") wie 457, Soph. El. 35 , wo die Angabe unmittelbar folgt.

mvp-comment-231-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-231-2 Vgl. 301. μηδαμοῦ gehört zu dem Infn. χαίρειν. Schol. ἐν τῷ Αιδῃ.

mvp-comment-232-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-232-2 ἐπιρροιζεῖς, Schol. ἐπι βοᾷς, du gebietest mit kreischender Stimme.

mvp-comment-232-3 ¹⁸

mvp-comment-233-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-233-2 ἠξιώσατο, er hat es für sich als recht erachtet, er hat es über sich gebracht.

mvp-comment-234-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-234-2 ἄλλης ἀνάγκης κότον, ohne von anderer Seite kommenden Zwang, der ihn mit Groll bedrohte, zu fürchten ? Über ἄλλης Krüger I § 50, 4, 11 οἱ ἄλλοι ξένοι, die anderen, nämlich die Fremden).

mvp-comment-235-1 ¹⁹

mvp-comment-235-2 Wecklein 1888, p. 282

mvp-comment-235-3 ποῦ γὰρ .. κέντρον ὡς ( ὥστε), nein, denn wo gäbe es einen so mächtigen Stachel, dafs er antriebe u. s. w. Damit setzt sie sich über die intellektuelle Urheberschaft des Apollon hinweg.

mvp-sidgwick-147-1-1 I agree with Musgr. Herm. Hart. Dind. Weil. etc., that this line is spurious. It is clearly a proverbial line about the destructiveness of time; and even if we alter καθαιρεῖ τo καθαίρει with Stanl. Pal. etc. Aeschylus could not have said ( l. 283

) that Orestes was cleansed by sacrifice, and then abruptly ( l. 286

), Time cleanses all.

αὐτόν , myself: the me is not wanted after emphatic ἐμοί

mvp-sidgwick-148-2-1 The reference to the treaty formed 459 B. C. (the year before the play) between Athens and Argos against Sparta is obvious. See Introduction.

Τρίτων was in the stories of Athena a Libyan lake from which she was supposed to have sprung; afterwards identified with the large salt lake in the south of Tunis.

mvp-sidgwick-149-2-1 The story very likely arose out of the obscure Homeric epithet for Athena, Τριτογένεια, which perhaps meant born of the water, and anyhow was not clearly understood by the later Greeks.

mvp-sidgwick-150-1-1 Whether with upright step or covered foot: whether standing as in the ordinary statues or covering her feet, i.e. sitting. Pal. quotes Strabo (13. 1) as saying

mvp-sidgwick-150-2-1 This seems the best interpretation of an obscure passage.

mvp-sidgwick-150-3-1 Weil suggests the allusion is to the Athenian war in Egypt, in support of the Libyan chieftain Inaros, who had rebelled against Persia; a large Athenian fleet was sent out in 460, two years before this play. This explains φίλοις ἀρήγουσ᾽.

mvp-sidgwick-151-1-1 The Phlegraean plain is the narrow promontory of Pallene in Chalkidike, north east of Greece. The story was that the gods here fought the giants; a story as old as Pindar (Nem. 1. 100), in which fight we gather that the warrior goddess Athena marshalled the hosts.

mvp-sidgwick-151-2-1 The name Phlegraean plain was afterwards given to the volcanic coast of Campania, which some strangely have supposed to be meant here.

γένοιτο , regular sequence after ἔλθοι. In English we say May she come, and therefore naturally have the primary sequence, that she may prove.

ὅπου φρενῶν , where in the heart it lies.

mvp-sidgwick-154-1-1 A bloodless victim she calls Orestes, consistently with the threat ( ll. 264, 267

), I will drain thee dry and carry thee below.

δαιμόνων is the powers below, i, e. both the Furies who will drink his blood and Hades ( l. 274

) who ordains and directs the vengeance.

σκιάν , a shadow, not a ghost, for he was to be carried off below yet living ( l. 267

): but all the vigour sucked out of him with his blood. [Schol. reads σκιά with MSS., and takes it voc. Unlikely.]

mvp-sidgwick-155-1-1 Orestes maintains a patient and scornful silence: which rouses the Chorus to still greater fury. There would be a dramatic pause before this line; then the furious threat l. 305

. There is no need to divide the speech between different speakers, as Hartung, Paley, and others, following M. G.

ὕμνον δέσμιον σέθεν , the song that binds thee, the choric song acting as an infernal spell to make Orestes their prey: and perhaps accompanied by mysterious binding gestures.

δεδόκηκεν , 'tis our resolve, poetic form for regular δέδοκται.

λάχη might be the office of the Furies, as Cho. 360 : but with ἐπινωμᾷ it makes better sense to refer it to ἀνθρώπους. How our troop assigns the lots of men.

στάσις , as Choeph. 114, 458 .

mvp-sidgwick-159-1-1 I take Hermann's original correction προνέμοντα, that puts forth for all to see: opposed to the action of the guilty man who hides ( l. 317

) his bloody hands.

mvp-sidgwick-160-1-1 I take Hermann's corr. εὐθυδίκαιοι (justified by

l. 994 ) and H. L. Ahrens' οἰόμεθ'.

πράκτορες , avengers, from πράσσειν in the special sense to exact a debt. So

l. 624 ,

χερὶ πράκτορι

Ag. 111 . For the masc. form πράκτωρ with fem. substantive cf. line 186.

τελέως , unfailingly: it goes with παραγιγ. πρακ. and expresses the persistent and complete vengeance.

ἀλαοῖσι καὶ δεδορκόσιν , the sightless and the seeing, i. e. the dead and the living. So

l. 388 .

ματρῷον ἅγνισμα κύριον φόνου , rightful atonement for a mother's blood ματρῷον poetically transferred from φόνου to ἄγνισμα, as the thought comes naturally in that order expiation for a mother for her blood. ...

αὐονά is also found (Simon. Iamb. vii. 20) in the sense of cry, [from root αϝ, shout] and it may be so taken here by joining it with

ἀφόρμικτος , a cry unmusical to men: but the other sense from

αὐαίνω , to wither or waste, is more forcible, and so the Schol. Med. takes it: ὁ ξηραίνων τοὺς βροτούς.

διανταία , piercing, deadly, a favourite word of Aeschylus, usually of wounding:

Theb. 894 ,

δ. βέλει

Cho. 184 , and again

δ. οὐτῷ

ib. 640 .

mvp-sidgwick-166-2-1 This is far more Aeschylean and forcible than the common rendering all pervading (Lin. Pal. Hart. Mors. etc., following Schol.).

mvp-sidgwick-167-1-1 Taking the old corrections of the corrupt text, which are much the simplest and best, we get a good sense:

ξυμπέσωσιν is suspected by some edd.: why, they ask, should Furies pursue those whom murder falls in with, i. e. who are accidentally guilty of murder?

ξυμπέσωσι , befall, for a deliberate murder, we have μάταιοι (lit. vain, foolish,) for wicked: ὁμαρτεῖν (lit. to attend on), for the relentless pursuit of the Furies: οὐκ ἄγαν ἐλεύθερος meaning he is never quit of us.

τοῖσιν for relative, so, e. g. Ag. 526, 642 , Cho. 604 , Eum. 918, Theb. 519 , etc.: (2)

ξυμπέσωσιν , indef. subj. with no ἄν attached to the relative,-both common survivals in tragedy : and (3)

ὄφρα ἄν for until.

λάχη . here, as l. 334

, office.

ἐκράνθη , assigned: so Suppl. 943

fixed, settled.

ἀθανάτων δ᾽ ἀπέχειν χέρας , but from the immortals to keep away. The ἀθανάτων δέ is opposed to the θνατῶν of the previous stanza l. 336

. Their office is to pursue the guilty man, but they have nothing to do with gods.

mvp-sidgwick-170-1-1 This line does not correspond to the antistrophic line,

but both make good sense, and there is no specially suspicious word in either. Under these circumstances it is quite easy to make them correspond in numerous different ways, by changing one, or the other, or both. But the best correction is to read ἀνέορτον for ἄμοιρον here, and in the antistrophe to read δ' αἱμοσταγές for γὰρ αἱματοσταγές. In pure white robes I have no festal part.

mvp-sidgwick-170-2-1 The Eumenides as nether and evil powers had no lot nor part in the festivals of gods where white robes were worn: they were μελανεί- μονες, black-robed, l. 376

,

μέλαιναι,

l. 52 , φαιοχίτωνες, dusky in garb, Cho. 1048 , as became daughters of Night.

mvp-sidgwick-171-1-1 Whenever the Wargod is tamed and slays a friend, an imaginative phrase, obscure from its very boldness: he means when Strife in the house sheds a kinsman's blood.

διόμεναι , Epic word, pursuing. Homer has it always transitive: here it seems best to take it intrans. with prep. pursuing after him. [It might be tmesis for ἐπιδιόμεναι : but ὦ makes this less likely. Perhaps E. A. Ahrens' ὧδ' ἱέμεναι, which is certainly very ingenious, is the true reading.]

τόν , Epic demonst. use. [Others read ἐπιτόνως: but Schol. had our reading, for he remarks on the position of ὦ.]

mvp-sidgwick-172-3-1 ll. 358-359

are read in the MSS. :

κρατερὸν ὄνθ᾽ ὁμοίως

μαυροῦμεν ὑφ᾽ [or ἐφ᾽] αἵματος νέου,

and in the antistrophe :

σφαλερὰ τανυδρόμοις

κῶλα δύσφορον ἄταν.

The best emendation seems to be Weil's:

κρατερὸν ὄνθ᾽ ὅμως ἀμαυρ-

οῦμεν αἵματος νέου,

and in the antistrophe:

σφαλερὰ τανυδρόμοις ὅμως

κῶλα, δύσφορον μάταν.

mvp-sidgwick-172-4-1 The meaning of the passage before us will then be:

mvp-sidgwick-172-5-1 The genitive will then be a genitive of the cause (like θράσους τοῦδ᾽ οὐκ ἀλύξεις Soph. Εl. 627, for this daring thou shalt not escape) or perhaps the more special gen. of the charge (like ἁλῶναι κλοπῆς, διώκειν φόνου, etc.).

mvp-sidgwick-172-6-1 For a fuller discussion see Appendix.

mvp-sidgwick-173-1-1 Again an obscure passage. MSS. read :

And then should follow what has got displaced in the MSS.:

μάλα γὰρ οὖν ἁλομένα, κ.τ.λ.

mvp-sidgwick-173-2-1 Where the general drift seems to be: [I pursue the guilty] and am eager to relieve another (the gods) of this charge, and set the gods free, and prevent the crime from coming to trial-for Zeus has banished the guilty from his sight, etc.

mvp-sidgwick-173-3-1 This seems to make a fair sense, and it is best with most editors to suppose the nom. pendens σπευδόμεναι to be taken up again by μάλα γὰρ οὖν, so that the sentence is only grammatically completed when we reach καταφέρω.

mvp-sidgwick-173-4-1 [This anacoluthon is rather harsh: Wecklein and Kirchhoff take Döderlein's suggestion σπεύδομεν αΐδ', we here are eager. But the phrase is then abrupt and unnatural.]

mvp-sidgwick-173-5-1 The points that remain are:

mvp-sidgwick-173-6-1 (1) 362 ἐμαῖσι λιταῖς, which, if right, must be referred to the prayer of the Eumenides to Apollo not to interfere. But the passage is too general to refer specially to Orestes, though he is of course in their minds. So that perhaps ἐμαῖς μελέταις is better, and by my labour to set the gods free (lit. to bring about the freedom or immunity of the gods, i. e. freedom from the duty of punishing the criminal).

mvp-sidgwick-173-7-1 (2) 363 μηδ' εἰς ἄγκρισιν ἐλθεῖν: i. e. to take the guilty into my own hands and prevent the matter from being tried by the gods;the very thing they feared was going to be done with Orestes. ἄγκρισις or ἀνάκρισις is the technical term for the preliminary investigation by a magistrate.

mvp-sidgwick-173-8-1 (3) Bloody hateful race, i.e. as Schol. explains, the race of murderers: the whole passage from l. 348

being a general description of the office of the Furies and their relation to the gods. [H. P. and others refer ἔθνοs to Furies: but they would hardly call themselves ἀξιώμισον.]

mvp-sidgwick-173-9-1 The whole passage may then be translated as follows:

μάλα with

ἁλομένα :

The emendation adopted [

ὅμως inserted and

μάταν , see above l. 359

] is almost necessary to give the right sense, even though they fly swiftly.

ὑπ᾿ αἰθέρι , beneath the sky, i.e. when they are living on earth.

κατὰ γᾶν , on earth, is the MS. reading: but as Hermann said, the sense below the earth, κατὰ γᾶs, is required in antithesis to ὑπ᾿ αἰθέρι. The same mistake occurs again ll. 838, 871

. ll. 375, 376

. Bold and imaginative expressions :

Before our black-robed assault,

And the vengeful measures of our foot;

i.e. [their human glories come to naught] when we the Furies attack them and weave these magic dances which make them our captive (as we are doing to Orestes).

mvp-sidgwick-177-1-1 After this line in the MSS. comes μάλα γὰρ οὖν . . . μάταν ( ll. 367-371

). It is possible that the words are repeated as a refrain both here and after l. 380

.

λυμή is the destruction which attacks his mind, and blinds him to the threatening evil;

τόδε is best taken (not of the fall as many edd., which would be simply

πίπτων οὐκ οἶδεν , but) of the presence and power of the Furies.

κνέφας . is in apposition to

μύσος , and is predicative: we should say, So dark a cloud of pollution hovereth over him.

ἐπί , Epic adverbial use (tmesis) of the preposition, going with the verb.

mvp-sidgwick-180-1-1 Again a highly imaginative and picturesque phrase which needs no alteration:

The groans of the past victims are heard as it were making a horror of gloom about the house of wickedness.

μένει γάρ , for the law abides: so

Ag. 1563 . But it is obscure and abrupt: and possibly corrupted.

ἐσμέν is easily understood: Crafty are we, and unfailing to accomplish.

διόμεναι is rather a strange word (though the English to pursue a task or charge exactly illustrates it): hence Heath ingeniously suggested διέπο- μεν. But διόμεναι was read by Schol. and the MS. may stand.

ἀνηλίῳ λάμπᾳ , lit. in sunless light, an oxymoron, meaning in a light which is no light, where no sunlight shines. [Others translate

λάμπᾳ , filth, mould; for there is a very late word λάμπη, 'scum; and Dind. adopts Wieseler's conj. λάπᾳ in the same sense. But the strain of meaning is very harsh, and the word in the last degree unlikely.]

δυσοδοπαίπαλα is suspicious, as the metaphor is rather harsh (though perhaps continued from διόμεναι): the metre does not correspond with the antistrophe (καίπερ ὑπὸ χθόνα); and the double compound with δυσis unusual, indeed unique.

mvp-sidgwick-184-3-1 There are many suggestions to cure the metrical fault, δυσποροπ., δυσποδοπ., δυσμολοπ., δυσβατοπ., etc. But it is best to leave it.

mvp-sidgwick-185-1-1 Compare

l. 322 .

δοθέντα τέλεον , adj. used proleptically, granted for sure accomplishment.

mvp-sidgwick-187-1-1 Two syllables are wanting to make the metre correspond: and they are usually supplied among the iambics of l. 394

, with adoption of Hermann's κύρω for κῠρῶ; but possibly l. 394

is all right, and the loss is in l. 395

.

mvp-sidgwick-187-2-1 [Enter Athena from above in the air.]

γῆν καταφθατουμένη . Some further alter γῆν into γῆς, and translate hastening from; but the land of Scamander would be a strange expression, and a much fuller and better sense is gained by translating

καταφθατουμένη , occupying, hasting to claim the land. (So Hesych. who has καταφθατουμένη, κατακτωμένη.)

mvp-sidgwick-188-2-1 The Schol. tells us there was a reference here to a dispute between Athens and Mitylene for Sigeum in the Troad, settled in favour of M. by single combat. According to Herodotus (5.95) the dispute was an old one: the struggle began about 606, and was settled by mediation of Periander, who gave Sigeum to Athens. But evidently the dispute went on: for Herodotus tells us in the same chapter that Peisistratos (presumably about 550 B.C.) conquered Sigeum. It is quite in Aeschylus' manner to refer to this event in a bold and imaginative way, by making the land given to Athena as choice offering of the spoil by the chiefs of Achaioi. There was a temple of Athena on the promontory.

αὐτόπρεμνον , bold metaphor, root and branch, i. e. utterly, land and all therein.

ἐξαίρετον . : it was a custom, from Homer's time, to take out of the spoil a special gift for kings (or, as here, gods). So Homer frequently γέρας ἔξελον υἱὲς Ἀχαιῶν. So Thucydides tells us at the destruction of Mitylene (3. 30) the Athenians made 3000 holdings of the land, and 300 of these τοῖς θεοῖς ἱεροὺς ἐξεῖλον.

mvp-sidgwick-191-1-1 Flapping the fold of my aegis in wingless flight, a splendid and picturesque line: the goddess needing no wing to fly, the aegis serves her as a wing, and is accompanied with the ῥοῖβδος or whirring noise of wings.

mvp-sidgwick-191-2-1 The αἰγίς was the wonderful shield of Zeus

(and therefore metal), Iliad 15. 307:

it was tasselled, crowned about with Terror, and Strife, and Might, and fearful Fray is therein, and the dread monster's Gorgon head

, Iliad 5. 738. Athena wears it also, as well as Zeus, in Homer. The word probably meant storm or rushing originally (αἰγ- ἀϊσσω) : but later it was conceived as a goatskin (αἴγ), and so here has a κόλπος or fold.

ἐπιζεύξασ᾽ ὄχον . You can't talk of yoking a car on your legs. It is better to take it metaphorically: the

ὄχος is the aegis, the

πῶλοι are the winds. So exactly Aristophanes calls Athena αἰγίδος ἠνιόχος Clouds 602.

ὑμᾶς θ᾽ , the construction is irregular but natural: she means, and you [I call] like to no race begotten, etc. (or perhaps even a stronger verb of abuse is meant to finish the sentence): but she checks herself l. 413

.

mvp-sidgwick-194-1-1 The MSS. reading ἄμορφον (retained by Dind. Weck. and read by Schol.) is translated, For neighbours to revile a hideous monster is far from justice, which is rather crude and inappropriate; and ὄντα, idiomatic with the subject, is hardly grammar when it constitutes the object. Robortelli's ἄμομφον makes excellent sense: but for one who is not aggrieved (lit. who has no wrong to complain of) to revile others is unjust. (This is confirmed by l. 678

, where Ven. reads again ἄμορφος for ἄμομφος.)

ἀποστατεῖ θέμις , Right holds aloof, stately phrase for ,it is wrong,.

mvp-sidgwick-196-1-1 It is doubtful whether to read αἰανῆ (from αἰανής) or αἰανῆς (from αἰανός). M. G. and Schol. read here αἰανῆ (agreeing with τέκνα) and αἰανής is the ordinary form used elsewhere by Aeschylus,

l. 572 ,

αἰανὴς νόσος

ll. 479, 941 . On the other hand, Hesychius (Alexandrine grammarian and lexicographer, 4th century, A.D.) quotes a form αἰανός, usually read in Soph. El. 506

ἔμολες αἰανή.

In Soph. Aias 672 there is the same doubt as here, whether to read νυκτὸς αἰανῆς κύκλος, or αἰανής. But both there and here it is rather more natural to have adj. agreeing with νυκτός: and here particularly: accordingly I take αἰανῆς, the reading of Fl. Fa. Ven.

mvp-sidgwick-196-2-1 As to the meaning: the word certainly sometimes means eternal (

l. 572 ,

αἰανῶς μένοι

l. 672 ): but it also is used in the sense of grievous, terrible, (αἰανὴς κόρος, αἰανὲς κέντρον Pind., αἰανὲς δεῖπνον Archil.). Either sense will suit here: perhaps eternal is the most impressive,

ἐν οἴκοις γῆς ὕπαι , not for τοῖς γῆς ὕπαι, but in our home, beneath the earth, both phrases going with verb κεκλήμεθα.

ἐπωνύμους , not in its usual sense called after; but simply the names men call you by.

γε μὲν δή , adversative as usual. My office, however, thou shalt learn. So Ag. 661, 887, 1213 .

mvp-sidgwick-200-1-1 I might learn, if one would show a plain tale; a touch of ironic scorn for the dark hints of the Chorus.

μηδαμοῦ: . the μή generalises as usual: Some place where joy is all unknown: the Chorus mean in Hades: but the indefinite or generic way of putting it is quite idiomatic and more imaginative and impressive. μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται, lit. is held of no account.

ἐπιρροιζεῖν , to clamour after, of noisy and terrifying pursuit ; To such a flight do ye hound him on?

ἠξιώσατο , took on him, rarely med. Cp. Ag. 370

ἀνάγκη .

mvp-sidgwick-204-2-1 There is no need to alter the line: the Schol. quotes and explains it thus.

ὡς often used for ὥστε in poetry: Epic usage.