Eumenides. Aeschylus. ed. F. A. Paley. Cambridge. 1885.
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θερμῷ]
rash.
Theb. 599
ναύταισι θερμοῖς καὶ πανουργίᾳ τινί.
The Schol. explains it
ἐπὶ τῷ ἀδίκως πάσχοντι, but perhaps he wrote
ἐπὶ τῷ ἀδίκῳ ταῦτα πάσχοντι. –
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντα,
who was too sure it would never come to this. Cf.
οὔποτ
ηὔχουν-μολεῖσθαι,
Prom. 708
,
οὐ γάρ ποτ' ηὔχουν,
Ag. 489
.Current edition Experimental
Commentary on the Eumenides (OCR draft) (English) (Brief English notes on Aeschylus' Eumenides by F. A. Paley, 1885.)
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (12)
Εὐμενίδες First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 566-777 focus
Ἀθηνᾶ
κήρυσσε, κῆρυξ, καὶ στρατὸν κατειργαθοῦ,
σάλπιγξ βροτείου πνεύματος πληρουμένη,
ὑπέρτονον γήρυμα φαινέτω στρατῷ.
πληρουμένου γὰρ τοῦδε βουλευτηρίου
570
σιγᾶν ἀρήγει καὶ μαθεῖν θεσμοὺς ἐμοὺς
πόλιν τε πᾶσαν ἐς τὸν αἰανῆ χρόνον
κήρυσσε, κῆρυξ, καὶ στρατὸν κατειργαθοῦ,
σάλπιγξ βροτείου πνεύματος πληρουμένη,
ὑπέρτονον γήρυμα φαινέτω στρατῷ.
πληρουμένου γὰρ τοῦδε βουλευτηρίου
570
σιγᾶν ἀρήγει καὶ μαθεῖν θεσμοὺς ἐμοὺς
πόλιν τε πᾶσαν ἐς τὸν αἰανῆ χρόνον
Χορός
ἄναξ Ἄπολλον, ὧν ἔχεις αὐτὸς κράτει.
τί τοῦδε σοὶ μέτεστι πράγματος λέγε.
575
ἄναξ Ἄπολλον, ὧν ἔχεις αὐτὸς κράτει.
τί τοῦδε σοὶ μέτεστι πράγματος λέγε.
575
Ἀπόλλων
ἐμῶν, φόνου δὲ τοῦδ᾽ ἐγὼ καθάρσιοσ—
καὶ ξυνδικήσων αὐτός: αἰτίαν δ᾽ ἔχω
τῆς τοῦδε μητρὸς τοῦ
11
φόνου. σὺ δ᾽ εἴσαγε
580
ὅπως <τ᾽
12
> ἐπίστᾳ τήνδε κύρωσον δίκην.
ἐμῶν, φόνου δὲ τοῦδ᾽ ἐγὼ καθάρσιοσ—
καὶ ξυνδικήσων αὐτός: αἰτίαν δ᾽ ἔχω
τῆς τοῦδε μητρὸς τοῦ
11
φόνου. σὺ δ᾽ εἴσαγε
580
ὅπως <τ᾽
12
> ἐπίστᾳ τήνδε κύρωσον δίκην.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ὑμῶν ὁ μῦθος, εἰσάγω δὲ τὴν δίκην.
13
ὁ γὰρ διώκων πρότερος ἐξ ἀρχῆς λέγων
γένοιτ᾽ ἂν ὀρθῶς πράγματος διδάσκαλος.
ὑμῶν ὁ μῦθος, εἰσάγω δὲ τὴν δίκην.
13
ὁ γὰρ διώκων πρότερος ἐξ ἀρχῆς λέγων
γένοιτ᾽ ἂν ὀρθῶς πράγματος διδάσκαλος.
Χορος
πολλαὶ μέν ἐσμεν, λέξομεν δὲ συντόμως.
585
ἔπος δ᾽ ἀμείβου πρὸς ἔπος ἐν μέρει τιθείς.
τὴν μητέρ᾽ εἰπὲ πρῶτον εἰ κατέκτονας.
πολλαὶ μέν ἐσμεν, λέξομεν δὲ συντόμως.
585
ἔπος δ᾽ ἀμείβου πρὸς ἔπος ἐν μέρει τιθείς.
τὴν μητέρ᾽ εἰπὲ πρῶτον εἰ κατέκτονας.
Ὀρέστης
ἔκτεινα: τούτου δ᾽ οὔτις ἄρνησις πέλει.
ἔκτεινα: τούτου δ᾽ οὔτις ἄρνησις πέλει.
Χορός
ἓν μὲν τόδ᾽ ἤδη τῶν τριῶν παλαισμάτων.
ἓν μὲν τόδ᾽ ἤδη τῶν τριῶν παλαισμάτων.
Ὀρέστης
οὐ κειμένῳ πω τόνδε κομπάζεις λόγον.
590
οὐ κειμένῳ πω τόνδε κομπάζεις λόγον.
590
Χορός
εἰπεῖν γε μέντοι δεῖ σ᾽ ὅπως κατέκτανες.
εἰπεῖν γε μέντοι δεῖ σ᾽ ὅπως κατέκτανες.
Ὀρέστης
λέγω: ξιφουλκῷ χειρὶ πρὸς δέρην τεμών.
λέγω: ξιφουλκῷ χειρὶ πρὸς δέρην τεμών.
Χορός
πρὸς τοῦ δ᾽ ἐπείσθης καὶ τίνος βουλεύμασι;
πρὸς τοῦ δ᾽ ἐπείσθης καὶ τίνος βουλεύμασι;
Ὀρέστης
τοῖς τοῦδε θεσφάτοισι: μαρτυρεῖ δέ μοι.
τοῖς τοῦδε θεσφάτοισι: μαρτυρεῖ δέ μοι.
Χορός
ὁ μάντις ἐξηγεῖτό σοι μητροκτονεῖν;
595
ὁ μάντις ἐξηγεῖτό σοι μητροκτονεῖν;
595
Ὀρέστης
καὶ δεῦρό γ᾽ ἀεὶ τὴν τύχην οὐ μέμφομαι.
καὶ δεῦρό γ᾽ ἀεὶ τὴν τύχην οὐ μέμφομαι.
Χορός
ἀλλ᾽ εἴ σε μάρψει ψῆφος, ἄλλ᾽ ἐρεῖς τάχα.
ἀλλ᾽ εἴ σε μάρψει ψῆφος, ἄλλ᾽ ἐρεῖς τάχα.
Ὀρέστης
πέποιθ᾽, ἀρωγὰς δ᾽ ἐκ τάφου πέμψει
14
πατήρ.
πέποιθ᾽, ἀρωγὰς δ᾽ ἐκ τάφου πέμψει
14
πατήρ.
Χορός
νεκροῖσί νυν πέπισθι
15
μητέρα κτανών.
νεκροῖσί νυν πέπισθι
15
μητέρα κτανών.
Ὀρέστης
δυοῖν γὰρ εἶχε προσβολὰς μιασμάτοιν.
16
600
δυοῖν γὰρ εἶχε προσβολὰς μιασμάτοιν.
16
600
Χορός
πῶς δή; δίδαξον τοὺς δικάζοντας τάδε.
πῶς δή; δίδαξον τοὺς δικάζοντας τάδε.
Ὀρέστης
ἀνδροκτονοῦσα πατέρ᾽ ἐμὸν κατέκτανε.
ἀνδροκτονοῦσα πατέρ᾽ ἐμὸν κατέκτανε.
Χορός
Ὀρέστης
τί δ᾽ οὐκ ἐκείνην ζῶσαν ἤλαυνες φυγῇ;
τί δ᾽ οὐκ ἐκείνην ζῶσαν ἤλαυνες φυγῇ;
Χορός
οὐκ ἦν ὅμαιμος φωτὸς ὃν κατέκτανεν.
605
οὐκ ἦν ὅμαιμος φωτὸς ὃν κατέκτανεν.
605
Ὀρέστης
ἐγὼ δὲ μητρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἐν αἵματι;
607
ἐγὼ δὲ μητρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἐν αἵματι;
Χορός
πῶς γάρ σ᾽ ἔθρεψεν ἐντός, ὦ μιαιφόνε,
ζώνης; ἀπεύχι μητρὸς αἷμα φίλτατον;
πῶς γάρ σ᾽ ἔθρεψεν ἐντός, ὦ μιαιφόνε,
ζώνης; ἀπεύχι μητρὸς αἷμα φίλτατον;
Ὀρέστης
ἤδη σὺ μαρτύρησον. ἐξηγοῦ δέ μοι,
Ἄπολλον, εἴ σφε σὺν δίκῃ κατέκτανον.
610
δρᾶσαι γὰρ ὥσπερ ἐστὶν οὐκ ἀρνούμεθα:
ἀλλ᾽ εἰ δικαίως εἴτε μὴ τῇ σῇ φρενὶ
δοκεῖ τόδ᾽ αἷμα, κρῖνον, ὡς τούτοις φράσω.
ἤδη σὺ μαρτύρησον. ἐξηγοῦ δέ μοι,
Ἄπολλον, εἴ σφε σὺν δίκῃ κατέκτανον.
610
δρᾶσαι γὰρ ὥσπερ ἐστὶν οὐκ ἀρνούμεθα:
ἀλλ᾽ εἰ δικαίως εἴτε μὴ τῇ σῇ φρενὶ
δοκεῖ τόδ᾽ αἷμα, κρῖνον, ὡς τούτοις φράσω.
Ἀπόλλων
λέξω πρὸς ὑμᾶς τόνδ᾽ Ἀθηναίας μέγαν
θεσμὸν δικαίως, μάντις ὢν δ᾽
19
οὐ ψεύσομαι.
615
οὐπώποτ᾽ εἶπον μαντικοῖσιν ἐν θρόνοις,
οὐκ ἀνδρός, οὐ γυναικός, οὐ πόλεως πέρι,
ὃ μὴ κελεύσαι
20
Ζεὺς Ὀλυμπίων πατήρ.
τὸ μὲν δίκαιον τοῦθ᾽ ὅσον σθένει μαθεῖν,
ὅρκος γὰρ οὔτι Ζηνὸς ἰσχύει πλέον.
λέξω πρὸς ὑμᾶς τόνδ᾽ Ἀθηναίας μέγαν
θεσμὸν δικαίως, μάντις ὢν δ᾽
19
οὐ ψεύσομαι.
615
οὐπώποτ᾽ εἶπον μαντικοῖσιν ἐν θρόνοις,
οὐκ ἀνδρός, οὐ γυναικός, οὐ πόλεως πέρι,
ὃ μὴ κελεύσαι
20
Ζεὺς Ὀλυμπίων πατήρ.
τὸ μὲν δίκαιον τοῦθ᾽ ὅσον σθένει μαθεῖν,
ὅρκος γὰρ οὔτι Ζηνὸς ἰσχύει πλέον.
Χορός
Ζεύς, ὡς λέγεις σύ, τόνδε χρησμὸν ὤπασε,
φράζειν Ὀρέστῃ τῷδε, τὸν
23
πατρὸς φόνον
πράξαντα μητρὸς μηδαμοῦ τιμὰς νέμειν;
Ζεύς, ὡς λέγεις σύ, τόνδε χρησμὸν ὤπασε,
φράζειν Ὀρέστῃ τῷδε, τὸν
23
πατρὸς φόνον
πράξαντα μητρὸς μηδαμοῦ τιμὰς νέμειν;
Ἀπόλλων
οὐ γάρ τι ταὐτὸν ἄνδρα γενναῖον θανεῖν
625
διοσδότοις σκήπτροισι τιμαλφούμενον,
καὶ ταῦτα πρὸς γυναικός, οὔ τι θουρίοις
τόξοις ἑκηβόλοισιν, ὥστ᾽ Ἀμαζόνος,
ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἀκούσει, Παλλὰς οἵ τ᾽ ἐφήμενοι
ψήφῳ διαιρεῖν τοῦδε πράγματος πέρι.
630
†τὰ πλεῖστ᾽ ἄμεινον
26
εὔφροσιν δεδεγμένη,
δροίτῃ
27
περῶντι λουτρὰ κἀπὶ τέρματι
κόπτει πεδήσασ᾽ ἄνδρα δαιδάλῳ πέπλῳ.
635
ἀνδρὸς μὲν ὑμῖν οὗτος εἴρηται μόρος
τοῦ παντοσέμνου, τοῦ στρατηλάτου νεῶν.
ταύτην τοιαύτην εἶπον, ὡς δηχθῇ
31
λεώς,
ὅσπερ τέτακται τήνδε κυρῶσαι δίκην.
640
οὐ γάρ τι ταὐτὸν ἄνδρα γενναῖον θανεῖν
625
διοσδότοις σκήπτροισι τιμαλφούμενον,
καὶ ταῦτα πρὸς γυναικός, οὔ τι θουρίοις
τόξοις ἑκηβόλοισιν, ὥστ᾽ Ἀμαζόνος,
ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἀκούσει, Παλλὰς οἵ τ᾽ ἐφήμενοι
ψήφῳ διαιρεῖν τοῦδε πράγματος πέρι.
630
†τὰ πλεῖστ᾽ ἄμεινον
26
εὔφροσιν δεδεγμένη,
δροίτῃ
27
περῶντι λουτρὰ κἀπὶ τέρματι
κόπτει πεδήσασ᾽ ἄνδρα δαιδάλῳ πέπλῳ.
635
ἀνδρὸς μὲν ὑμῖν οὗτος εἴρηται μόρος
τοῦ παντοσέμνου, τοῦ στρατηλάτου νεῶν.
ταύτην τοιαύτην εἶπον, ὡς δηχθῇ
31
λεώς,
ὅσπερ τέτακται τήνδε κυρῶσαι δίκην.
Χορός
πατρὸς προτιμᾷ Ζεὺς μόρον τῷ σῷ λόγῳ:
640
αὐτὸς δ᾽ ἔδησε
32
πατέρα πρεσβύτην Κρόνον.
πῶς ταῦτα τούτοις οὐκ ἐναντίως λέγεις;
ὑμᾶς δ᾽ ἀκούειν ταῦτ᾽ ἐγὼ μαρτύρομαι.
πατρὸς προτιμᾷ Ζεὺς μόρον τῷ σῷ λόγῳ:
640
αὐτὸς δ᾽ ἔδησε
32
πατέρα πρεσβύτην Κρόνον.
πῶς ταῦτα τούτοις οὐκ ἐναντίως λέγεις;
ὑμᾶς δ᾽ ἀκούειν ταῦτ᾽ ἐγὼ μαρτύρομαι.
Ἀπόλλων
ὦ παντομισῆ κνώδαλα, στύγη θεῶν,
καὶ κάρτα πολλὴ μηχανὴ λυτήριος:
ἀνδρὸς δ᾽ ἐπειδὰν αἷμ᾽ ἀνασπάσῃ κόνις
ἅπαξ θανόντος, οὔτις ἔστ᾽ ἀνάστασις.
τούτων ἐπῳδὰς οὐκ ἐποίησεν
35
πατὴρ
οὑμός, τὰ δ᾽ ἄλλα πάντ᾽ ἄνω τε
36
καὶ κάτω
650
στρέφων τίθησιν οὐδὲν ἀσθμαίνων
37
μένει.
ὦ παντομισῆ κνώδαλα, στύγη θεῶν,
καὶ κάρτα πολλὴ μηχανὴ λυτήριος:
ἀνδρὸς δ᾽ ἐπειδὰν αἷμ᾽ ἀνασπάσῃ κόνις
ἅπαξ θανόντος, οὔτις ἔστ᾽ ἀνάστασις.
τούτων ἐπῳδὰς οὐκ ἐποίησεν
35
πατὴρ
οὑμός, τὰ δ᾽ ἄλλα πάντ᾽ ἄνω τε
36
καὶ κάτω
650
στρέφων τίθησιν οὐδὲν ἀσθμαίνων
37
μένει.
Χορός
πῶς γὰρ τὸ φεύγειν τοῦδ᾽ ὑπερδικεῖς ὅρα:
τὸ μητρὸς αἷμ᾽ ὅμαιμον ἐκχέας πέδοι
38
ἔπειτ᾽ ἐν Ἄργει δώματ᾽ οἰκήσει πατρός;
ποίοισι βωμοῖς χρώμενος τοῖς δημίοις;
655
ποία δὲ χέρνιψ φρατέρων προσδέξεται;
39
πῶς γὰρ τὸ φεύγειν τοῦδ᾽ ὑπερδικεῖς ὅρα:
τὸ μητρὸς αἷμ᾽ ὅμαιμον ἐκχέας πέδοι
38
ἔπειτ᾽ ἐν Ἄργει δώματ᾽ οἰκήσει πατρός;
ποίοισι βωμοῖς χρώμενος τοῖς δημίοις;
655
ποία δὲ χέρνιψ φρατέρων προσδέξεται;
39
Ἀπόλλων
καὶ τοῦτο λέξω, καὶ μάθ᾽ ὡς ὀρθῶς ἐρῶ.
οὔκ ἔστι μήτηρ ἡ κεκλημένου
40
τέκνου
τοκεύς, τροφὸς δὲ κύματος νεοσπόρου.
τίκτει δ᾽ ὁ θρῴσκων, ἡ δ᾽ ἅπερ ξένῳ ξένη
660
ἔσωσεν ἔρνος, οἷσι μὴ βλάψῃ θεός.
τεκμήριον δὲ τοῦδέ σοι δείξω λόγου:
πατὴρ μὲν ἂν γένοιτ᾽ ἄνευ μητρός: πέλας
μάρτυς πάρεστι παῖς Ὀλυμπίου Διός,
οὐδ᾽ ἐν σκότοισι νηδύος τεθραμμένη,
665
ἀλλ᾽ οἷον ἔρνος οὔτις ἂν τέκοι θεός.
ἐγὼ δέ, Παλλάς, τἄλλα θ᾽ ὡς ἐπίσταμαι,
τὸ σὸν πόλισμα καὶ στρατὸν τεύξω μέγαν,
καὶ τόνδ᾽ ἔπεμψα σῶν δόμων ἐφέστιον,
ὅπως γένοιτο πιστὸς ἐς τὸ πᾶν χρόνου
670
καὶ τόνδ᾽ ἐπικτήσαιο σύμμαχον, θεά,
καὶ τοὺς ἔπειτα, καὶ τάδ᾽ αἰανῶς μένοι
στέργειν τὰ πιστὰ
41
τῶνδε τοὺς ἐπισπόρους.
674
καὶ τοῦτο λέξω, καὶ μάθ᾽ ὡς ὀρθῶς ἐρῶ.
οὔκ ἔστι μήτηρ ἡ κεκλημένου
40
τέκνου
τοκεύς, τροφὸς δὲ κύματος νεοσπόρου.
τίκτει δ᾽ ὁ θρῴσκων, ἡ δ᾽ ἅπερ ξένῳ ξένη
660
ἔσωσεν ἔρνος, οἷσι μὴ βλάψῃ θεός.
τεκμήριον δὲ τοῦδέ σοι δείξω λόγου:
πατὴρ μὲν ἂν γένοιτ᾽ ἄνευ μητρός: πέλας
μάρτυς πάρεστι παῖς Ὀλυμπίου Διός,
οὐδ᾽ ἐν σκότοισι νηδύος τεθραμμένη,
665
ἀλλ᾽ οἷον ἔρνος οὔτις ἂν τέκοι θεός.
ἐγὼ δέ, Παλλάς, τἄλλα θ᾽ ὡς ἐπίσταμαι,
τὸ σὸν πόλισμα καὶ στρατὸν τεύξω μέγαν,
καὶ τόνδ᾽ ἔπεμψα σῶν δόμων ἐφέστιον,
ὅπως γένοιτο πιστὸς ἐς τὸ πᾶν χρόνου
670
καὶ τόνδ᾽ ἐπικτήσαιο σύμμαχον, θεά,
καὶ τοὺς ἔπειτα, καὶ τάδ᾽ αἰανῶς μένοι
στέργειν τὰ πιστὰ
41
τῶνδε τοὺς ἐπισπόρους.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἤδη κελεύω τούσδ᾽ ἀπὸ γνώμης φέρειν
ψῆφον δικαίαν, ὡς ἅλις λελεγμένων;
675
ἤδη κελεύω τούσδ᾽ ἀπὸ γνώμης φέρειν
ψῆφον δικαίαν, ὡς ἅλις λελεγμένων;
675
Χορός
ἡμῖν μὲν ἤδη πᾶν τετόξευται βέλος.
μένω δ᾽ ἀκοῦσαι πῶς ἀγὼν κριθήσεται.
ἡμῖν μὲν ἤδη πᾶν τετόξευται βέλος.
μένω δ᾽ ἀκοῦσαι πῶς ἀγὼν κριθήσεται.
Ἀθηνᾶ
τί γάρ; πρὸς ὑμῶν πῶς τιθεῖσ᾽ ἄμομφος ὦ;
τί γάρ; πρὸς ὑμῶν πῶς τιθεῖσ᾽ ἄμομφος ὦ;
Ἀπόλλων
42
ἠκούσαθ᾽ ὧν ἠκούσατ᾽, ἐν δὲ καρδίᾳ
ψῆφον φέροντες ὅρκον αἰδεῖσθε,
43
ξένοι.
680
ἠκούσαθ᾽ ὧν ἠκούσατ᾽, ἐν δὲ καρδίᾳ
ψῆφον φέροντες ὅρκον αἰδεῖσθε,
43
ξένοι.
680
Ἀθηνᾶ
κλύοιτ᾽ ἂν ἤδη θεσμόν, Ἀττικὸς λεώς,
πρώτας δίκας κρίνοντες αἵματος χυτοῦ.
ἔσται δὲ καὶ τὸ λοιπὸν Αἰγέως στρατῷ
αἰεὶ δικαστῶν
44
τοῦτο βουλευτήριον.
πάγον δ᾽ Ἄρειον
45
τόνδ᾽, Ἀμαζόνων ἕδραν
685
σκηνάς θ᾽, ὅτ᾽ ἦλθον Θησέως κατὰ φθόνον
στρατηλατοῦσαι, καὶ πόλιν νεόπτολιν
τήνδ᾽ ὑψίπυργον ἀντεπύργωσαν τότε,
Ἄρει δ᾽ ἔθυον, ἔνθεν ἔστ᾽ ἐπώνυμος
πέτρα, πάγος τ᾽ Ἄρειος: ἐν δὲ τῷ σέβας
690
ἀστῶν φόβος τε ξυγγενὴς τὸ μὴ ʼδικεῖν
σχήσει τό τ᾽ ἦμαρ καὶ κατ᾽ εὐφρόνην ὁμῶς,
46
αὐτῶν πολιτῶν μὴ ᾽πικαινούντων
47
νόμους.
κακαῖς <δ᾽
48
> ἐπιρροαῖσι βορβόρῳ θ᾽ ὕδωρ
λαμπρὸν μιαίνων οὔποθ᾽ εὑρήσεις ποτόν.
695
ἀστοῖς περιστέλλουσι βουλεύω σέβειν,
50
καὶ μὴ τὸ δεινὸν πᾶν πόλεως ἔξω βαλεῖν.
τίς γὰρ δεδοικὼς μηδὲν ἔνδικος βροτῶν;
τοιόνδε τοι ταρβοῦντες ἐνδίκως σέβας
700
ἔρυμά τε χώρας καὶ πόλεως σωτήριον
ἔχοιτ᾽ ἄν, οἷον οὔτις ἀνθρώπων ἔχει,
οὔτ᾽ ἐν Σκύθαισιν
51
οὔτε Πέλοπος ἐν τόποις.
κερδῶν ἄθικτον τοῦτο βουλευτήριον,
αἰδοῖον, ὀξύθυμον, εὑδόντων ὕπερ
705
ἐγρηγορὸς φρούρημα γῆς καθίσταμαι.
ταύτην μὲν ἐξέτειν᾽ ἐμοῖς παραίνεσιν
ἀστοῖσιν ἐς τὸ λοιπόν: ὀρθοῦσθαι δὲ χρὴ
καὶ ψῆφον αἴρειν καὶ διαγνῶναι δίκην
αἰδουμένους
52
τὸν ὅρκον. εἴρηται λόγος.
710
711
κλύοιτ᾽ ἂν ἤδη θεσμόν, Ἀττικὸς λεώς,
πρώτας δίκας κρίνοντες αἵματος χυτοῦ.
ἔσται δὲ καὶ τὸ λοιπὸν Αἰγέως στρατῷ
αἰεὶ δικαστῶν
44
τοῦτο βουλευτήριον.
πάγον δ᾽ Ἄρειον
45
τόνδ᾽, Ἀμαζόνων ἕδραν
685
σκηνάς θ᾽, ὅτ᾽ ἦλθον Θησέως κατὰ φθόνον
στρατηλατοῦσαι, καὶ πόλιν νεόπτολιν
τήνδ᾽ ὑψίπυργον ἀντεπύργωσαν τότε,
Ἄρει δ᾽ ἔθυον, ἔνθεν ἔστ᾽ ἐπώνυμος
πέτρα, πάγος τ᾽ Ἄρειος: ἐν δὲ τῷ σέβας
690
ἀστῶν φόβος τε ξυγγενὴς τὸ μὴ ʼδικεῖν
σχήσει τό τ᾽ ἦμαρ καὶ κατ᾽ εὐφρόνην ὁμῶς,
46
αὐτῶν πολιτῶν μὴ ᾽πικαινούντων
47
νόμους.
κακαῖς <δ᾽
48
> ἐπιρροαῖσι βορβόρῳ θ᾽ ὕδωρ
λαμπρὸν μιαίνων οὔποθ᾽ εὑρήσεις ποτόν.
695
ἀστοῖς περιστέλλουσι βουλεύω σέβειν,
50
καὶ μὴ τὸ δεινὸν πᾶν πόλεως ἔξω βαλεῖν.
τίς γὰρ δεδοικὼς μηδὲν ἔνδικος βροτῶν;
τοιόνδε τοι ταρβοῦντες ἐνδίκως σέβας
700
ἔρυμά τε χώρας καὶ πόλεως σωτήριον
ἔχοιτ᾽ ἄν, οἷον οὔτις ἀνθρώπων ἔχει,
οὔτ᾽ ἐν Σκύθαισιν
51
οὔτε Πέλοπος ἐν τόποις.
κερδῶν ἄθικτον τοῦτο βουλευτήριον,
αἰδοῖον, ὀξύθυμον, εὑδόντων ὕπερ
705
ἐγρηγορὸς φρούρημα γῆς καθίσταμαι.
ταύτην μὲν ἐξέτειν᾽ ἐμοῖς παραίνεσιν
ἀστοῖσιν ἐς τὸ λοιπόν: ὀρθοῦσθαι δὲ χρὴ
καὶ ψῆφον αἴρειν καὶ διαγνῶναι δίκην
αἰδουμένους
52
τὸν ὅρκον. εἴρηται λόγος.
710
Χορός
καὶ μὴν βαρεῖαν τήνδ᾽ ὁμιλίαν χθονὸς
ξύμβουλός εἰμι μηδαμῶς ἀτιμάσαι.
καὶ μὴν βαρεῖαν τήνδ᾽ ὁμιλίαν χθονὸς
ξύμβουλός εἰμι μηδαμῶς ἀτιμάσαι.
Ἀπόλλων
κἄγωγε
53
χρησμοὺς τοὺς ἐμούς τε καὶ Διὸς
ταρβεῖν κελεύω μηδ᾽ ἀκαρπώτους κτίσαι.
κἄγωγε
53
χρησμοὺς τοὺς ἐμούς τε καὶ Διὸς
ταρβεῖν κελεύω μηδ᾽ ἀκαρπώτους κτίσαι.
Χορός
ἀλλ᾽ αἱματηρὰ πράγματ᾽ οὐ λαχὼν σέβεις,
715
μαντεῖα δ᾽ οὐκέθ᾽ ἁγνὰ μαντεύσει νέμων.
54
ἀλλ᾽ αἱματηρὰ πράγματ᾽ οὐ λαχὼν σέβεις,
715
μαντεῖα δ᾽ οὐκέθ᾽ ἁγνὰ μαντεύσει νέμων.
54
Ἀπόλλων
ἦ καὶ πατήρ τι σφάλλεται βουλευμάτων
πρωτοκτόνοισι προστροπαῖς Ἰξίονος;
ἦ καὶ πατήρ τι σφάλλεται βουλευμάτων
πρωτοκτόνοισι προστροπαῖς Ἰξίονος;
Χορός
λέγεις: ἐγὼ δὲ μὴ τυχοῦσα τῆς δίκης
βαρεῖα χώρᾳ τῇδ᾽ ὁμιλήσω πάλιν.
720
λέγεις: ἐγὼ δὲ μὴ τυχοῦσα τῆς δίκης
βαρεῖα χώρᾳ τῇδ᾽ ὁμιλήσω πάλιν.
720
Ἀπόλλων
ἀλλ᾽ ἔν τε τοῖς νέοισι καὶ παλαιτέροις
θεοῖς ἄτιμος εἶ σύ: νικήσω δ᾽ ἐγώ.
ἀλλ᾽ ἔν τε τοῖς νέοισι καὶ παλαιτέροις
θεοῖς ἄτιμος εἶ σύ: νικήσω δ᾽ ἐγώ.
Χορός
τοιαῦτ᾽ ἔδρασας καὶ Φέρητος ἐν δόμοις:
Μοίρας ἔπεισας ἀφθίτους θεῖναι βροτούς.
τοιαῦτ᾽ ἔδρασας καὶ Φέρητος ἐν δόμοις:
Μοίρας ἔπεισας ἀφθίτους θεῖναι βροτούς.
Ἀπόλλων
οὔκουν
55
δίκαιον τὸν σέβοντ᾽ εὐεργετεῖν,
725
ἄλλως τε πάντως χὤτε
56
δεόμενος τύχοι;
οὔκουν
55
δίκαιον τὸν σέβοντ᾽ εὐεργετεῖν,
725
ἄλλως τε πάντως χὤτε
56
δεόμενος τύχοι;
Χορός
σύ τοι παλαιὰς διανομὰς
57
καταφθίσας
οἴνῳ παρηπάτησας ἀρχαίας θεάς.
σύ τοι παλαιὰς διανομὰς
57
καταφθίσας
οἴνῳ παρηπάτησας ἀρχαίας θεάς.
Ἀπόλλων
σύ τοι τάχ᾽ οὐκ ἔχουσα τῆς δίκης τέλος
ἐμῇ τὸν ἰὸν οὐδὲν ἐχθροῖσιν
58
βαρύν.
730
σύ τοι τάχ᾽ οὐκ ἔχουσα τῆς δίκης τέλος
ἐμῇ τὸν ἰὸν οὐδὲν ἐχθροῖσιν
58
βαρύν.
730
Χορός
ἐπεὶ καθιππάζει με πρεσβῦτιν νέος,
δίκης γενέσθαι τῆσδ᾽ ἐπήκοος μένω,
ὡς ἀμφίβουλος
59
οὖσα θυμοῦσθαι πόλει.
ἐπεὶ καθιππάζει με πρεσβῦτιν νέος,
δίκης γενέσθαι τῆσδ᾽ ἐπήκοος μένω,
ὡς ἀμφίβουλος
59
οὖσα θυμοῦσθαι πόλει.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἐμὸν τόδ᾽ ἔργον, λοισθίαν κρῖναι δίκην:
ψῆφον δ᾽ Ὀρέστῃ τήνδ᾽ ἐγὼ προσθήσομαι.
735
μήτηρ γὰρ οὔτις ἐστὶν ἥ μ᾽ ἐγείνατο,
τὸ δ᾽ ἄρσεν αἰνῶ πάντα, πλὴν γάμου τυχεῖν,
ἅπαντι θυμῷ, κάρτα δ᾽ εἰμὶ τοῦ πατρός.
οὕτω γυναικὸς οὐ προτιμήσω μόρον
ἄνδρα κτανούσης δωμάτων ἐπίσκοπον.
740
νικᾷ δ᾽ Ὀρέστης, κἂν ἰσόψηφος κριθῇ.
ἐκβάλλεθ᾽ ὡς τάχιστα τευχέων πάλους,
ὅσοις δικαστῶν τοῦτ᾽ ἐπέσταλται τέλος.
744
ἐμὸν τόδ᾽ ἔργον, λοισθίαν κρῖναι δίκην:
ψῆφον δ᾽ Ὀρέστῃ τήνδ᾽ ἐγὼ προσθήσομαι.
735
μήτηρ γὰρ οὔτις ἐστὶν ἥ μ᾽ ἐγείνατο,
τὸ δ᾽ ἄρσεν αἰνῶ πάντα, πλὴν γάμου τυχεῖν,
ἅπαντι θυμῷ, κάρτα δ᾽ εἰμὶ τοῦ πατρός.
οὕτω γυναικὸς οὐ προτιμήσω μόρον
ἄνδρα κτανούσης δωμάτων ἐπίσκοπον.
740
νικᾷ δ᾽ Ὀρέστης, κἂν ἰσόψηφος κριθῇ.
ἐκβάλλεθ᾽ ὡς τάχιστα τευχέων πάλους,
ὅσοις δικαστῶν τοῦτ᾽ ἐπέσταλται τέλος.
Ὀρέστης
ὦ Φοῖβ᾽ Ἄπολλον, πῶς ἀγὼν κριθήσεται;
ὦ Φοῖβ᾽ Ἄπολλον, πῶς ἀγὼν κριθήσεται;
Χορός
ὦ Νὺξ μέλαινα μῆτερ, ἆρ᾽ ὁρᾷς τάδε;
745
ὦ Νὺξ μέλαινα μῆτερ, ἆρ᾽ ὁρᾷς τάδε;
745
Ὀρέστης
60
νῦν ἀγχόνης μοι τέρματ᾽, ἢ φάος βλέπειν.
νῦν ἀγχόνης μοι τέρματ᾽, ἢ φάος βλέπειν.
Χορός
Ἀπόλλων
63
πεμπάζετ᾽ ὀρθῶς ἐκβολὰς ψήφων, ξένοι,
τὸ μὴ ᾽δικεῖν σέβοντες ἐν διαιρέσει.
γνώμης δ᾽ ἀπούσης πῆμα γίγνεται
64
μέγα,
750
βαλοῦσά τ᾽ οἶκον ψῆφος ὤρθωσεν μία.
πεμπάζετ᾽ ὀρθῶς ἐκβολὰς ψήφων, ξένοι,
τὸ μὴ ᾽δικεῖν σέβοντες ἐν διαιρέσει.
γνώμης δ᾽ ἀπούσης πῆμα γίγνεται
64
μέγα,
750
βαλοῦσά τ᾽ οἶκον ψῆφος ὤρθωσεν μία.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἀνὴρ ὅδ᾽
65
ἐκπέφευγεν αἵματος δίκην:
ἴσον γάρ ἐστι τἀρίθμημα τῶν πάλων.
ἀνὴρ ὅδ᾽
65
ἐκπέφευγεν αἵματος δίκην:
ἴσον γάρ ἐστι τἀρίθμημα τῶν πάλων.
Ὀρέστης
ὦ Παλλάς, ὦ σώσασα
66
τοὺς ἐμοὺς δόμους,
755
γαίας
67
πατρῴας ἐστερημένον σύ τοι
κατῴκισάς με: καί τις Ἑλλήνων ἐρεῖ,
“Ἀργεῖος ἁνὴρ
68
αὖθις ἔν τε χρήμασιν
οἰκεῖ πατρῴοις, Παλλάδος καὶ Λοξίου
ἕκατι, καὶ τοῦ πάντα κραίνοντος τρίτου
760
σωτῆρος, ὃς πατρῷον αἰδεσθεὶς μόρον
σῴζει με, μητρὸς τάσδε συνδίκους ὁρῶν.”
ἐγὼ δὲ χώρᾳ τῇδε καὶ τῷ σῷ στρατῷ
τὸ λοιπὸν εἰς ἅπαντα πλειστήρη χρόνον
ὁρκωμοτήσας νῦν ἄπειμι πρὸς δόμους,
μήτοι τιν᾽ ἄνδρα δεῦρο πρυμνήτην χθονὸς
765
ἐλθόντ᾽ ἐποίσειν εὖ κεκασμένον δόρυ.
αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς ὄντες ἐν τάφοις τότε
τοῖς τἀμὰ παρβαίνουσι νῦν ὁρκώματα
ὁδοὺς ἀθύμους καὶ παρόρνιθας πόρους
770
τιθέντες, ὡς αὐτοῖσι μεταμέλῃ πόνος:
ὀρθουμένων δέ, καὶ πόλιν τὴν Παλλάδος
τιμῶσιν αἰεὶ
71
τήνδε συμμάχῳ δορί,
αὐτοῖσιν ἡμεῖς
72
ἐσμεν εὐμενέστεροι.
καὶ χαῖρε, καὶ σὺ καὶ πολισσοῦχος λεώς:
775
πάλαισμ᾽ ἄφυκτον τοῖς ἐναντίοις ἔχοις,
σωτήριόν τε καὶ δορὸς νικηφόρον.
778
ὦ Παλλάς, ὦ σώσασα
66
τοὺς ἐμοὺς δόμους,
755
γαίας
67
πατρῴας ἐστερημένον σύ τοι
κατῴκισάς με: καί τις Ἑλλήνων ἐρεῖ,
“Ἀργεῖος ἁνὴρ
68
αὖθις ἔν τε χρήμασιν
οἰκεῖ πατρῴοις, Παλλάδος καὶ Λοξίου
ἕκατι, καὶ τοῦ πάντα κραίνοντος τρίτου
760
σωτῆρος, ὃς πατρῷον αἰδεσθεὶς μόρον
σῴζει με, μητρὸς τάσδε συνδίκους ὁρῶν.”
ἐγὼ δὲ χώρᾳ τῇδε καὶ τῷ σῷ στρατῷ
τὸ λοιπὸν εἰς ἅπαντα πλειστήρη χρόνον
ὁρκωμοτήσας νῦν ἄπειμι πρὸς δόμους,
μήτοι τιν᾽ ἄνδρα δεῦρο πρυμνήτην χθονὸς
765
ἐλθόντ᾽ ἐποίσειν εὖ κεκασμένον δόρυ.
αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς ὄντες ἐν τάφοις τότε
τοῖς τἀμὰ παρβαίνουσι νῦν ὁρκώματα
ὁδοὺς ἀθύμους καὶ παρόρνιθας πόρους
770
τιθέντες, ὡς αὐτοῖσι μεταμέλῃ πόνος:
ὀρθουμένων δέ, καὶ πόλιν τὴν Παλλάδος
τιμῶσιν αἰεὶ
71
τήνδε συμμάχῳ δορί,
αὐτοῖσιν ἡμεῖς
72
ἐσμεν εὐμενέστεροι.
καὶ χαῖρε, καὶ σὺ καὶ πολισσοῦχος λεώς:
πάλαισμ᾽ ἄφυκτον τοῖς ἐναντίοις ἔχοις,
σωτήριόν τε καὶ δορὸς νικηφόρον.
Εὐμενίδες Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 2. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926.) — 566-777 focus
Ἀθηνᾶ
κήρυσσε, κῆρυξ, καὶ στρατὸν κατειργαθοῦ,
ἥ τʼ οὖν διάτορος Τυρσηνικὴ
σάλπιγξ, βροτείου πνεύματος πληρουμένη,
ὑπέρτονον γήρυμα φαινέτω στρατῷ.
πληρουμένου γὰρ τοῦδε βουλευτηρίου
570
σιγᾶν ἀρήγει καὶ μαθεῖν θεσμοὺς ἐμοὺς
πόλιν τε πᾶσαν εἰς τὸν αἰανῆ χρόνον
καὶ τούσδʼ ὅπως ἂν εὖ καταγνωσθῇ δίκη.
κήρυσσε, κῆρυξ, καὶ στρατὸν κατειργαθοῦ,
ἥ τʼ οὖν διάτορος Τυρσηνικὴ
σάλπιγξ, βροτείου πνεύματος πληρουμένη,
ὑπέρτονον γήρυμα φαινέτω στρατῷ.
πληρουμένου γὰρ τοῦδε βουλευτηρίου
570
σιγᾶν ἀρήγει καὶ μαθεῖν θεσμοὺς ἐμοὺς
πόλιν τε πᾶσαν εἰς τὸν αἰανῆ χρόνον
καὶ τούσδʼ ὅπως ἂν εὖ καταγνωσθῇ δίκη.
Χορός
ἄναξ Ἄπολλον, ὧν ἔχεις αὐτὸς κράτει.
τί τοῦδε σοὶ μέτεστι πράγματος λέγε.
575
ἄναξ Ἄπολλον, ὧν ἔχεις αὐτὸς κράτει.
τί τοῦδε σοὶ μέτεστι πράγματος λέγε.
575
Ἀπόλλων
καὶ μαρτυρήσων ἦλθον—ἔστι γὰρ νόμῳ
ἱκέτης ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ καὶ δόμων ἐφέστιος
ἐμῶν, φόνου δὲ τοῦδʼ ἐγὼ καθάρσιος—
καὶ ξυνδικήσων αὐτός· αἰτίαν δʼ ἔχω
τῆς τοῦδε μητρὸς τοῦ φόνου. σὺ δʼ εἴσαγε
580
ὅπως
τʼ ἐπίστᾳ τήνδε κύρωσον δίκην.
καὶ μαρτυρήσων ἦλθον—ἔστι γὰρ νόμῳ
ἱκέτης ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ καὶ δόμων ἐφέστιος
ἐμῶν, φόνου δὲ τοῦδʼ ἐγὼ καθάρσιος—
καὶ ξυνδικήσων αὐτός· αἰτίαν δʼ ἔχω
τῆς τοῦδε μητρὸς τοῦ φόνου. σὺ δʼ εἴσαγε
580
ὅπως
τʼ ἐπίστᾳ τήνδε κύρωσον δίκην.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ὑμῶν ὁ μῦθος, εἰσάγω δὲ τὴν δίκην·
ὁ γὰρ διώκων πρότερος ἐξ ἀρχῆς λέγων
γένοιτʼ ἂν ὀρθῶς πράγματος διδάσκαλος.
ὑμῶν ὁ μῦθος, εἰσάγω δὲ τὴν δίκην·
ὁ γὰρ διώκων πρότερος ἐξ ἀρχῆς λέγων
γένοιτʼ ἂν ὀρθῶς πράγματος διδάσκαλος.
Χορός
πολλαὶ μέν ἐσμεν, λέξομεν δὲ συντόμως.
585
ἔπος δʼ ἀμείβου πρὸς ἔπος ἐν μέρει τιθείς
τὴν μητέρʼ εἰπὲ πρῶτον εἰ κατέκτονας.
πολλαὶ μέν ἐσμεν, λέξομεν δὲ συντόμως.
585
ἔπος δʼ ἀμείβου πρὸς ἔπος ἐν μέρει τιθείς
τὴν μητέρʼ εἰπὲ πρῶτον εἰ κατέκτονας.
Ὀρέστης
ἔκτεινα· τούτου δʼ οὔτις ἄρνησις πέλει.
ἔκτεινα· τούτου δʼ οὔτις ἄρνησις πέλει.
Χορός
ἓν μὲν τόδʼ ἤδη τῶν τριῶν παλαισμάτων.
ἓν μὲν τόδʼ ἤδη τῶν τριῶν παλαισμάτων.
Ὀρέστης
οὐ κειμένῳ πω τόνδε κομπάζεις λόγον.
590
οὐ κειμένῳ πω τόνδε κομπάζεις λόγον.
590
Χορός
εἰπεῖν γε μέντοι δεῖ σʼ ὅπως κατέκτανες.
εἰπεῖν γε μέντοι δεῖ σʼ ὅπως κατέκτανες.
Ὀρέστης
λέγω· ξιφουλκῷ χειρὶ πρὸς δέρην τεμών.
λέγω· ξιφουλκῷ χειρὶ πρὸς δέρην τεμών.
Χορός
πρὸς τοῦ δʼ ἐπείσθης καὶ τίνος βουλεύμασιν;
πρὸς τοῦ δʼ ἐπείσθης καὶ τίνος βουλεύμασιν;
Ὀρέστης
τοῖς τοῦδε θεσφάτοισι· μαρτυρεῖ δέ μοι.
τοῖς τοῦδε θεσφάτοισι· μαρτυρεῖ δέ μοι.
Χορός
ὁ μάντις ἐξηγεῖτό σοι μητροκτονεῖν;
595
ὁ μάντις ἐξηγεῖτό σοι μητροκτονεῖν;
595
Ὀρέστης
καὶ δεῦρό γʼ ἀεὶ τὴν τύχην οὐ μέμφομαι.
καὶ δεῦρό γʼ ἀεὶ τὴν τύχην οὐ μέμφομαι.
Χορός
ἀλλʼ εἴ σε μάρψει ψῆφος, ἄλλʼ ἐρεῖς τάχα.
ἀλλʼ εἴ σε μάρψει ψῆφος, ἄλλʼ ἐρεῖς τάχα.
Ὀρέστης
πέποιθʼ. ἀρωγὰς δʼ ἐκ τάφου πέμψει πατήρ.
πέποιθʼ. ἀρωγὰς δʼ ἐκ τάφου πέμψει πατήρ.
Χορός
νεκροῖσί νυν πέπισθι μητέρα κτανών.
νεκροῖσί νυν πέπισθι μητέρα κτανών.
Ὀρέστης
δυοῖν γὰρ εἶχε προσβολὰς μιασμάτοιν.
600
δυοῖν γὰρ εἶχε προσβολὰς μιασμάτοιν.
600
Χορός
πῶς δή; δίδαξον τοὺς δικάζοντας τάδε.
πῶς δή; δίδαξον τοὺς δικάζοντας τάδε.
Ὀρέστης
ἀνδροκτονοῦσα πατέρʼ ἐμὸν κατέκτανεν.
ἀνδροκτονοῦσα πατέρʼ ἐμὸν κατέκτανεν.
Χορός
τοιγὰρ σὺ μὲν ζῇς, ἡ δʼ ἐλευθέρα φόνῳ.
τοιγὰρ σὺ μὲν ζῇς, ἡ δʼ ἐλευθέρα φόνῳ.
Ὀρέστης
τί δʼ οὐκ ἐκείνην ζῶσαν ἤλαυνες φυγῇ;
τί δʼ οὐκ ἐκείνην ζῶσαν ἤλαυνες φυγῇ;
Χορός
οὐκ ἦν ὅμαιμος φωτὸς ὃν κατέκτανεν.
605
οὐκ ἦν ὅμαιμος φωτὸς ὃν κατέκτανεν.
605
Ὀρέστης
ἐγὼ δὲ μητρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἐν αἵματι;
607
ἐγὼ δὲ μητρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἐν αἵματι;
Χορός
πῶς γάρ σʼ ἔθρεψʼ ἂν ἐντός, ὦ μιαιφόνε,
ζώνης; ἀπεύχῃ μητρὸς αἷμα φίλτατον;
πῶς γάρ σʼ ἔθρεψʼ ἂν ἐντός, ὦ μιαιφόνε,
ζώνης; ἀπεύχῃ μητρὸς αἷμα φίλτατον;
Ὀρέστης
ἤδη σὺ μαρτύρησον· ἐξηγοῦ δέ μοι,
Ἄπολλον, εἴ σφε σὺν δίκῃ κατέκτανον.
610
δρᾶσαι γὰρ ὥσπερ ἐστὶν οὐκ ἀρνούμεθα.
ἀλλʼ εἰ δίκαιον εἴτε μὴ τῇ σῇ φρενὶ
δοκεῖ τόδʼ αἷμα, κρῖνον, ὡς τούτοις φράσω.
ἤδη σὺ μαρτύρησον· ἐξηγοῦ δέ μοι,
Ἄπολλον, εἴ σφε σὺν δίκῃ κατέκτανον.
610
δρᾶσαι γὰρ ὥσπερ ἐστὶν οὐκ ἀρνούμεθα.
ἀλλʼ εἰ δίκαιον εἴτε μὴ τῇ σῇ φρενὶ
δοκεῖ τόδʼ αἷμα, κρῖνον, ὡς τούτοις φράσω.
Ἀπόλλων
λέξω πρὸς ὑμᾶς τόνδʼ Ἀθηναίας μέγαν
θεσμὸν δικαίως,—μάντις ὢν δʼ οὐ ψεύσομαι.
615
οὐπώποτʼ εἶπον μαντικοῖσιν ἐν θρόνοις,
οὐκ ἀνδρός, οὐ γυναικός, οὐ πόλεως πέρι,
ὃ μὴ κελεύσαι Ζεὺς Ὀλυμπίων πατήρ.
τὸ μὲν δίκαιον τοῦθʼ ὅσον σθένει μαθεῖν,
βουλῇ πιφαύσκω δʼ ὔμμʼ ἐπισπέσθαι πατρός·
620
ὅρκος γὰρ οὔτι Ζηνὸς ἰσχύει πλέον.
λέξω πρὸς ὑμᾶς τόνδʼ Ἀθηναίας μέγαν
θεσμὸν δικαίως,—μάντις ὢν δʼ οὐ ψεύσομαι.
615
οὐπώποτʼ εἶπον μαντικοῖσιν ἐν θρόνοις,
οὐκ ἀνδρός, οὐ γυναικός, οὐ πόλεως πέρι,
ὃ μὴ κελεύσαι Ζεὺς Ὀλυμπίων πατήρ.
τὸ μὲν δίκαιον τοῦθʼ ὅσον σθένει μαθεῖν,
βουλῇ πιφαύσκω δʼ ὔμμʼ ἐπισπέσθαι πατρός·
620
ὅρκος γὰρ οὔτι Ζηνὸς ἰσχύει πλέον.
Χορός
Ζεύς, ὡς λέγεις σύ, τόνδε χρησμὸν ὤπασε,
φράζειν Ὀρέστῃ τῷδε, τὸν πατρὸς φόνον
πράξαντα μητρὸς μηδαμοῦ τιμὰς νέμειν;
Ζεύς, ὡς λέγεις σύ, τόνδε χρησμὸν ὤπασε,
φράζειν Ὀρέστῃ τῷδε, τὸν πατρὸς φόνον
πράξαντα μητρὸς μηδαμοῦ τιμὰς νέμειν;
Ἀπόλλων
οὐ γάρ τι ταὐτὸν ἄνδρα γενναῖον θανεῖν
625
διοσδότοις σκήπτροισι τιμαλφούμενον,
καὶ ταῦτα πρὸς γυναικός, οὔ τι θουρίοις
τόξοις ἑκηβόλοισιν, ὥστʼ Ἀμαζόνος,
ἀλλʼ ὡς ἀκούσῃ, Παλλὰς οἵ τʼ ἐφήμενοι
ψήφῳ διαιρεῖν τοῦδε πράγματος πέρι.
630
ἀπὸ στρατείας γάρ νιν ἠμποληκότα
τὰ πλεῖστʼ ἄμεινον εὔφροσιν δεδεγμένη,
δροίτῃ περῶντι λουτρὰ κἀπὶ τέρματι
φᾶρος περεσκήνωσεν, ἐν δʼ ἀτέρμονι
κόπτει πεδήσασʼ ἄνδρα δαιδάλῳ πέπλῳ.
635
ἀνδρὸς μὲν ὑμῖν οὗτος εἴρηται μόρος
τοῦ παντοσέμνου, τοῦ στρατηλάτου νεῶν.
ταύτην τοιαύτην εἶπον, ὡς δηχθῇ λεώς,
ὅσπερ τέτακται τήνδε κυρῶσαι δίκην.
640
οὐ γάρ τι ταὐτὸν ἄνδρα γενναῖον θανεῖν
625
διοσδότοις σκήπτροισι τιμαλφούμενον,
καὶ ταῦτα πρὸς γυναικός, οὔ τι θουρίοις
τόξοις ἑκηβόλοισιν, ὥστʼ Ἀμαζόνος,
ἀλλʼ ὡς ἀκούσῃ, Παλλὰς οἵ τʼ ἐφήμενοι
ψήφῳ διαιρεῖν τοῦδε πράγματος πέρι.
630
ἀπὸ στρατείας γάρ νιν ἠμποληκότα
τὰ πλεῖστʼ ἄμεινον εὔφροσιν δεδεγμένη,
δροίτῃ περῶντι λουτρὰ κἀπὶ τέρματι
φᾶρος περεσκήνωσεν, ἐν δʼ ἀτέρμονι
κόπτει πεδήσασʼ ἄνδρα δαιδάλῳ πέπλῳ.
635
ἀνδρὸς μὲν ὑμῖν οὗτος εἴρηται μόρος
τοῦ παντοσέμνου, τοῦ στρατηλάτου νεῶν.
ταύτην τοιαύτην εἶπον, ὡς δηχθῇ λεώς,
ὅσπερ τέτακται τήνδε κυρῶσαι δίκην.
Χορός
πατρὸς προτιμᾷ Ζεὺς μόρον τῷ σῷ λόγῳ·
640
αὐτὸς δʼ ἔδησε πατέρα πρεσβύτην Κρόνον.
πῶς ταῦτα τούτοις οὐκ ἐναντίως λέγεις;
ὑμᾶς δʼ ἀκούειν ταῦτʼ ἐγὼ μαρτύρομαι.
πατρὸς προτιμᾷ Ζεὺς μόρον τῷ σῷ λόγῳ·
640
αὐτὸς δʼ ἔδησε πατέρα πρεσβύτην Κρόνον.
πῶς ταῦτα τούτοις οὐκ ἐναντίως λέγεις;
ὑμᾶς δʼ ἀκούειν ταῦτʼ ἐγὼ μαρτύρομαι.
Ἀπόλλων
ὦ παντομισῆ κνώδαλα, στύγη θεῶν,
πέδας μὲν ἂν λύσειεν, ἔστι τοῦδʼ ἄκος
645
καὶ κάρτα πολλὴ μηχανὴ λυτήριος·
ἀνδρὸς δʼ ἐπειδὰν αἷμʼ ἀνασπάσῃ κόνις
ἅπαξ θανόντος, οὔτις ἔστʼ ἀνάστασις.
τούτων ἐπῳδὰς οὐκ ἐποίησεν πατὴρ
οὑμός, τὰ δʼ ἄλλα πάντʼ ἄνω τε καὶ κάτω
650
στρέφων τίθησιν οὐδὲν ἀσθμαίνων μένει.
ὦ παντομισῆ κνώδαλα, στύγη θεῶν,
πέδας μὲν ἂν λύσειεν, ἔστι τοῦδʼ ἄκος
645
καὶ κάρτα πολλὴ μηχανὴ λυτήριος·
ἀνδρὸς δʼ ἐπειδὰν αἷμʼ ἀνασπάσῃ κόνις
ἅπαξ θανόντος, οὔτις ἔστʼ ἀνάστασις.
τούτων ἐπῳδὰς οὐκ ἐποίησεν πατὴρ
οὑμός, τὰ δʼ ἄλλα πάντʼ ἄνω τε καὶ κάτω
650
στρέφων τίθησιν οὐδὲν ἀσθμαίνων μένει.
Χορός
πῶς γὰρ τὸ φεύγειν τοῦδʼ ὑπερδικεῖς ὅρα·
τὸ μητρὸς αἷμʼ ὅμαιμον ἐκχέας πέδοι
ἔπειτʼ ἐν Ἄργει δώματʼ οἰκήσει πατρός;
ποίοισι βωμοῖς χρώμενος τοῖς δημίοις;
655
ποία δὲ χέρνιψ φρατέρων προσδέξεται;
πῶς γὰρ τὸ φεύγειν τοῦδʼ ὑπερδικεῖς ὅρα·
τὸ μητρὸς αἷμʼ ὅμαιμον ἐκχέας πέδοι
ἔπειτʼ ἐν Ἄργει δώματʼ οἰκήσει πατρός;
ποίοισι βωμοῖς χρώμενος τοῖς δημίοις;
655
ποία δὲ χέρνιψ φρατέρων προσδέξεται;
Ἀπόλλων
καὶ τοῦτο λέξω, καὶ μάθʼ ὡς ὀρθῶς ἐρῶ.
οὔκ ἔστι μήτηρ ἡ κεκλημένου τέκνου
τοκεύς, τροφὸς δὲ κύματος νεοσπόρου.
τίκτει δʼ ὁ θρῴσκων, ἡ δʼ ἅπερ ξένῳ ξένη
660
ἔσωσεν ἔρνος, οἷσι μὴ βλάψῃ θεός.
τεκμήριον δὲ τοῦδέ σοι δείξω λόγου.
πατὴρ μὲν ἂν γένοιτʼ ἄνευ μητρός· πέλας
μάρτυς πάρεστι παῖς Ὀλυμπίου Διός,
οὐδʼ ἐν σκότοισι νηδύος τεθραμμένη,
665
ἀλλʼ οἷον ἔρνος οὔτις ἂν τέκοι θεός.
ἐγὼ δέ, Παλλάς, τἄλλα θʼ ὡς ἐπίσταμαι,
τὸ σὸν πόλισμα καὶ στρατὸν τεύξω μέγαν,
καὶ τόνδʼ ἔπεμψα σῶν δόμων ἐφέστιον,
ὅπως γένοιτο πιστὸς εἰς τὸ πᾶν χρόνου
670
καὶ τόνδʼ ἐπικτήσαιο σύμμαχον, θεά,
καὶ τοὺς ἔπειτα, καὶ τάδʼ αἰανῶς μένοι
στέργειν τὰ πιστὰ τῶνδε τοὺς ἐπισπόρους.
674
καὶ τοῦτο λέξω, καὶ μάθʼ ὡς ὀρθῶς ἐρῶ.
οὔκ ἔστι μήτηρ ἡ κεκλημένου τέκνου
τοκεύς, τροφὸς δὲ κύματος νεοσπόρου.
τίκτει δʼ ὁ θρῴσκων, ἡ δʼ ἅπερ ξένῳ ξένη
660
ἔσωσεν ἔρνος, οἷσι μὴ βλάψῃ θεός.
τεκμήριον δὲ τοῦδέ σοι δείξω λόγου.
πατὴρ μὲν ἂν γένοιτʼ ἄνευ μητρός· πέλας
μάρτυς πάρεστι παῖς Ὀλυμπίου Διός,
οὐδʼ ἐν σκότοισι νηδύος τεθραμμένη,
665
ἀλλʼ οἷον ἔρνος οὔτις ἂν τέκοι θεός.
ἐγὼ δέ, Παλλάς, τἄλλα θʼ ὡς ἐπίσταμαι,
τὸ σὸν πόλισμα καὶ στρατὸν τεύξω μέγαν,
καὶ τόνδʼ ἔπεμψα σῶν δόμων ἐφέστιον,
ὅπως γένοιτο πιστὸς εἰς τὸ πᾶν χρόνου
670
καὶ τόνδʼ ἐπικτήσαιο σύμμαχον, θεά,
καὶ τοὺς ἔπειτα, καὶ τάδʼ αἰανῶς μένοι
στέργειν τὰ πιστὰ τῶνδε τοὺς ἐπισπόρους.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἤδη κελεύω τούσδʼ ἀπὸ γνώμης φέρειν
ψῆφον δικαίαν, ὡς ἅλις λελεγμένων;
675
ἤδη κελεύω τούσδʼ ἀπὸ γνώμης φέρειν
ψῆφον δικαίαν, ὡς ἅλις λελεγμένων;
675
Χορός
ἡμῖν μὲν ἤδη πᾶν τετόξευται βέλος.
μένω δʼ ἀκοῦσαι πῶς ἀγὼν κριθήσεται.
ἡμῖν μὲν ἤδη πᾶν τετόξευται βέλος.
μένω δʼ ἀκοῦσαι πῶς ἀγὼν κριθήσεται.
Ἀθηνᾶ
τί γάρ; πρὸς ὑμῶν πῶς τιθεῖσʼ, ἄμομφος ὦ;
τί γάρ; πρὸς ὑμῶν πῶς τιθεῖσʼ, ἄμομφος ὦ;
Ἀπόλλων
ἠκούσαθʼ ὧν ἠκούσατʼ, ἐν δὲ καρδίᾳ
ψῆφον φέροντες ὅρκον αἰδεῖσθε, ξένοι.
680
ἠκούσαθʼ ὧν ἠκούσατʼ, ἐν δὲ καρδίᾳ
ψῆφον φέροντες ὅρκον αἰδεῖσθε, ξένοι.
680
Ἀθηνᾶ
κλύοιτʼ ἂν ἤδη θεσμόν, Ἀττικὸς λεώς,
πρώτας δίκας κρίνοντες αἵματος χυτοῦ.
ἔσται δὲ καὶ τὸ λοιπὸν Αἰγέως στρατῷ
αἰεὶ δικαστῶν τοῦτο βουλευτήριον.
πάγον δʼ Ἄρειον τόνδʼ, Ἀμαζόνων ἕδραν
685
σκηνάς θʼ, ὅτʼ ἦλθον Θησέως κατὰ φθόνον
στρατηλατοῦσαι, καὶ πόλιν νεόπτολιν
τήνδʼ ὑψίπυργον ἀντεπύργωσαν τότε,
Ἄρει δʼ ἔθυον, ἔνθεν ἔστʼ ἐπώνυμος
πέτρα, πάγος τʼ Ἄρειος· ἐν δὲ τῷ σέβας
690
ἀστῶν φόβος τε ξυγγενὴς τὸ μὴ ἀδικεῖν
σχήσει τό τʼ ἦμαρ καὶ κατʼ εὐφρόνην ὁμῶς,
αὐτῶν πολιτῶν μὴ ʼπιχραινόντων νόμους
κακαῖς ἐπιρροαῖσι· βορβόρῳ δʼ ὕδωρ
λαμπρὸν μιαίνων οὔποθʼ εὑρήσεις ποτόν.
695
τὸ μήτʼ ἄναρχον μήτε δεσποτούμενον
ἀστοῖς περιστέλλουσι βουλεύω σέβειν,
καὶ μὴ τὸ δεινὸν πᾶν πόλεως ἔξω βαλεῖν.
τίς γὰρ δεδοικὼς μηδὲν ἔνδικος βροτῶν;
τοιόνδε τοι ταρβοῦντες ἐνδίκως σέβας
700
ἔρυμά τε χώρας καὶ πόλεως σωτήριον
ἔχοιτʼ ἄν, οἷον οὔτις ἀνθρώπων ἔχει,
οὔτʼ ἐν Σκύθῃσιν οὔτε Πέλοπος ἐν τόποις.
κερδῶν ἄθικτον τοῦτο βουλευτήριον,
αἰδοῖον, ὀξύθυμον, εὑδόντων ὕπερ
705
ἐγρηγορὸς φρούρημα γῆς καθίσταμαι.
ταύτην μὲν ἐξέτεινʼ ἐμοῖς παραίνεσιν
ἀστοῖσιν εἰς τὸ λοιπόν· ὀρθοῦσθαι δὲ χρὴ
καὶ ψῆφον αἴρειν καὶ διαγνῶναι δίκην
αἰδουμένους τὸν ὅρκον. εἴρηται λόγος.
710
711
κλύοιτʼ ἂν ἤδη θεσμόν, Ἀττικὸς λεώς,
πρώτας δίκας κρίνοντες αἵματος χυτοῦ.
ἔσται δὲ καὶ τὸ λοιπὸν Αἰγέως στρατῷ
αἰεὶ δικαστῶν τοῦτο βουλευτήριον.
πάγον δʼ Ἄρειον τόνδʼ, Ἀμαζόνων ἕδραν
685
σκηνάς θʼ, ὅτʼ ἦλθον Θησέως κατὰ φθόνον
στρατηλατοῦσαι, καὶ πόλιν νεόπτολιν
τήνδʼ ὑψίπυργον ἀντεπύργωσαν τότε,
Ἄρει δʼ ἔθυον, ἔνθεν ἔστʼ ἐπώνυμος
πέτρα, πάγος τʼ Ἄρειος· ἐν δὲ τῷ σέβας
690
ἀστῶν φόβος τε ξυγγενὴς τὸ μὴ ἀδικεῖν
σχήσει τό τʼ ἦμαρ καὶ κατʼ εὐφρόνην ὁμῶς,
αὐτῶν πολιτῶν μὴ ʼπιχραινόντων νόμους
κακαῖς ἐπιρροαῖσι· βορβόρῳ δʼ ὕδωρ
λαμπρὸν μιαίνων οὔποθʼ εὑρήσεις ποτόν.
695
τὸ μήτʼ ἄναρχον μήτε δεσποτούμενον
ἀστοῖς περιστέλλουσι βουλεύω σέβειν,
καὶ μὴ τὸ δεινὸν πᾶν πόλεως ἔξω βαλεῖν.
τίς γὰρ δεδοικὼς μηδὲν ἔνδικος βροτῶν;
τοιόνδε τοι ταρβοῦντες ἐνδίκως σέβας
700
ἔρυμά τε χώρας καὶ πόλεως σωτήριον
ἔχοιτʼ ἄν, οἷον οὔτις ἀνθρώπων ἔχει,
οὔτʼ ἐν Σκύθῃσιν οὔτε Πέλοπος ἐν τόποις.
κερδῶν ἄθικτον τοῦτο βουλευτήριον,
αἰδοῖον, ὀξύθυμον, εὑδόντων ὕπερ
705
ἐγρηγορὸς φρούρημα γῆς καθίσταμαι.
ταύτην μὲν ἐξέτεινʼ ἐμοῖς παραίνεσιν
ἀστοῖσιν εἰς τὸ λοιπόν· ὀρθοῦσθαι δὲ χρὴ
καὶ ψῆφον αἴρειν καὶ διαγνῶναι δίκην
αἰδουμένους τὸν ὅρκον. εἴρηται λόγος.
710
Χορός
καὶ μὴν βαρεῖαν τήνδʼ ὁμιλίαν χθονὸς
ξύμβουλός εἰμι μηδαμῶς ἀτιμάσαι.
καὶ μὴν βαρεῖαν τήνδʼ ὁμιλίαν χθονὸς
ξύμβουλός εἰμι μηδαμῶς ἀτιμάσαι.
Ἀπόλλων
κἄγωγε χρησμοὺς τοὺς ἐμούς τε καὶ Διὸς
ταρβεῖν κελεύω μηδʼ ἀκαρπώτους κτίσαι.
κἄγωγε χρησμοὺς τοὺς ἐμούς τε καὶ Διὸς
ταρβεῖν κελεύω μηδʼ ἀκαρπώτους κτίσαι.
Χορός
ἀλλʼ αἱματηρὰ πράγματʼ οὐ λαχὼν σέβεις,
715
μαντεῖα δʼ οὐκέθʼ ἁγνὰ μαντεύσῃ νέμων.
ἀλλʼ αἱματηρὰ πράγματʼ οὐ λαχὼν σέβεις,
715
μαντεῖα δʼ οὐκέθʼ ἁγνὰ μαντεύσῃ νέμων.
Ἀπόλλων
ἦ καὶ πατήρ τι σφάλλεται βουλευμάτων
πρωτοκτόνοισι προστροπαῖς Ἰξίονος;
ἦ καὶ πατήρ τι σφάλλεται βουλευμάτων
πρωτοκτόνοισι προστροπαῖς Ἰξίονος;
Χορός
λέγεις· ἐγὼ δὲ μὴ τυχοῦσα τῆς δίκης
βαρεῖα χώρᾳ τῇδʼ ὁμιλήσω πάλιν.
720
λέγεις· ἐγὼ δὲ μὴ τυχοῦσα τῆς δίκης
βαρεῖα χώρᾳ τῇδʼ ὁμιλήσω πάλιν.
720
Ἀπόλλων
ἀλλʼ ἔν τε τοῖς νέοισι καὶ παλαιτέροις
θεοῖς ἄτιμος εἶ σύ· νικήσω δʼ ἐγώ.
ἀλλʼ ἔν τε τοῖς νέοισι καὶ παλαιτέροις
θεοῖς ἄτιμος εἶ σύ· νικήσω δʼ ἐγώ.
Χορός
τοιαῦτʼ ἔδρασας καὶ Φέρητος ἐν δόμοις·
Μοίρας ἔπεισας ἀφθίτους θεῖναι βροτούς.
τοιαῦτʼ ἔδρασας καὶ Φέρητος ἐν δόμοις·
Μοίρας ἔπεισας ἀφθίτους θεῖναι βροτούς.
Ἀπόλλων
οὔκουν δίκαιον τὸν σέβοντʼ εὐεργετεῖν,
725
ἄλλως τε πάντως χὤτε δεόμενος τύχοι;
οὔκουν δίκαιον τὸν σέβοντʼ εὐεργετεῖν,
725
ἄλλως τε πάντως χὤτε δεόμενος τύχοι;
Χορός
σύ τοι παλαιὰς διανομὰς καταφθίσας
οἴνῳ παρηπάτησας ἀρχαίας θεάς.
σύ τοι παλαιὰς διανομὰς καταφθίσας
οἴνῳ παρηπάτησας ἀρχαίας θεάς.
Ἀπόλλων
σύ τοι τάχʼ οὐκ ἔχουσα τῆς δίκης τέλος
ἐμῇ τὸν ἰὸν οὐδὲν ἐχθροῖσιν βαρύν.
730
σύ τοι τάχʼ οὐκ ἔχουσα τῆς δίκης τέλος
ἐμῇ τὸν ἰὸν οὐδὲν ἐχθροῖσιν βαρύν.
730
Χορός
ἐπεὶ καθιππάζῃ με πρεσβῦτιν νέος,
δίκης γενέσθαι τῆσδʼ ἐπήκοος μένω,
ὡς ἀμφίβουλος οὖσα θυμοῦσθαι πόλει.
ἐπεὶ καθιππάζῃ με πρεσβῦτιν νέος,
δίκης γενέσθαι τῆσδʼ ἐπήκοος μένω,
ὡς ἀμφίβουλος οὖσα θυμοῦσθαι πόλει.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἐμὸν τόδʼ ἔργον, λοισθίαν κρῖναι δίκην.
ψῆφον δʼ Ὀρέστῃ τήνδʼ ἐγὼ προσθήσομαι.
735
μήτηρ γὰρ οὔτις ἐστὶν ἥ μʼ ἐγείνατο,
τὸ δʼ ἄρσεν αἰνῶ πάντα, πλὴν γάμου τυχεῖν,
ἅπαντι θυμῷ, κάρτα δʼ εἰμὶ τοῦ πατρός.
οὕτω γυναικὸς οὐ προτιμήσω μόρον
ἄνδρα κτανούσης δωμάτων ἐπίσκοπον.
740
νικᾷ δʼ Ὀρέστης, κἂν ἰσόψηφος κριθῇ.
ἐκβάλλεθʼ ὡς τάχιστα τευχέων πάλους,
ὅσοις δικαστῶν τοῦτʼ ἐπέσταλται τέλος.
744
ἐμὸν τόδʼ ἔργον, λοισθίαν κρῖναι δίκην.
ψῆφον δʼ Ὀρέστῃ τήνδʼ ἐγὼ προσθήσομαι.
735
μήτηρ γὰρ οὔτις ἐστὶν ἥ μʼ ἐγείνατο,
τὸ δʼ ἄρσεν αἰνῶ πάντα, πλὴν γάμου τυχεῖν,
ἅπαντι θυμῷ, κάρτα δʼ εἰμὶ τοῦ πατρός.
οὕτω γυναικὸς οὐ προτιμήσω μόρον
ἄνδρα κτανούσης δωμάτων ἐπίσκοπον.
740
νικᾷ δʼ Ὀρέστης, κἂν ἰσόψηφος κριθῇ.
ἐκβάλλεθʼ ὡς τάχιστα τευχέων πάλους,
ὅσοις δικαστῶν τοῦτʼ ἐπέσταλται τέλος.
Ὀρέστης
ὦ Φοῖβʼ Ἄπολλον, πῶς ἀγὼν κριθήσεται;
ὦ Φοῖβʼ Ἄπολλον, πῶς ἀγὼν κριθήσεται;
Χορός
ὦ Νὺξ μέλαινα μῆτερ, ἆρʼ ὁρᾷς τάδε;
745
ὦ Νὺξ μέλαινα μῆτερ, ἆρʼ ὁρᾷς τάδε;
745
Ὀρέστης
νῦν ἀγχόνης μοι τέρματʼ, ἢ φάος βλέπειν.
νῦν ἀγχόνης μοι τέρματʼ, ἢ φάος βλέπειν.
Χορός
ἡμῖν γὰρ ἔρρειν, ἢ πρόσω τιμὰς νέμειν.
ἡμῖν γὰρ ἔρρειν, ἢ πρόσω τιμὰς νέμειν.
Ἀπόλλων
πεμπάζετʼ ὀρθῶς ἐκβολὰς ψήφων, ξένοι,
τὸ μὴ ʼδικεῖν σέβοντες ἐν διαιρέσει.
γνώμης δʼ ἀπούσης πῆμα γίγνεται μέγα,
750
βαλοῦσά τʼ οἶκον ψῆφος ὤρθωσεν μία.
πεμπάζετʼ ὀρθῶς ἐκβολὰς ψήφων, ξένοι,
τὸ μὴ ʼδικεῖν σέβοντες ἐν διαιρέσει.
γνώμης δʼ ἀπούσης πῆμα γίγνεται μέγα,
750
βαλοῦσά τʼ οἶκον ψῆφος ὤρθωσεν μία.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἀνὴρ ὅδʼ ἐκπέφευγεν αἵματος δίκην·
ἴσον γάρ ἐστι τἀρίθμημα τῶν πάλων.
ἀνὴρ ὅδʼ ἐκπέφευγεν αἵματος δίκην·
ἴσον γάρ ἐστι τἀρίθμημα τῶν πάλων.
Ὀρέστης
ὦ Παλλάς, ὦ σώσασα τοὺς ἐμοὺς δόμους.
γαίας πατρῴας ἐστερημένον σύ τοι
755
κατῴκισάς με· καί τις Ἑλλήνων ἐρεῖ,
Ἀργεῖος ἁνὴρ αὖθις ἔν τε χρήμασιν
οἰκεῖ πατρῴοις, Παλλάδος καὶ Λοξίου
ἕκατι, καὶ τοῦ πάντα κραίνοντος τρίτου
σωτῆρος, ὃς πατρῷον αἰδεσθεὶς μόρον
760
σῴζει με, μητρὸς τάσδε συνδίκους ὁρῶν.
ἐγὼ δὲ χώρᾳ τῇδε καὶ τῷ σῷ στρατῷ
τὸ λοιπὸν εἰς ἅπαντα πλειστήρη χρόνον
ὁρκωμοτήσας νῦν ἄπειμι πρὸς δόμους,
μήτοι τινʼ ἄνδρα δεῦρο πρυμνήτην χθονὸς
765
ἐλθόντʼ ἐποίσειν εὖ κεκασμένον δόρυ.
αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς ὄντες ἐν τάφοις τότε
τοῖς τἀμὰ παρβαίνουσι νῦν ὁρκώματα
ἀμηχάνοισι πράξομεν δυσπραξίαις,
ὁδοὺς ἀθύμους καὶ παρόρνιθας πόρους
770
τιθέντες, ὡς αὐτοῖσι μεταμέλῃ πόνος·
ὀρθουμένων δέ, καὶ πόλιν τὴν Παλλάδος
τιμῶσιν αἰεὶ τήνδε συμμάχῳ δορί,
αὐτοῖσιν ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν εὐμενέστεροι.
καὶ χαῖρε, καὶ σὺ καὶ πολισσοῦχος λεώς·
775
πάλαισμʼ ἄφυκτον τοῖς ἐναντίοις ἔχοις,
σωτήριόν τε καὶ δορὸς νικηφόρον.
ὦ Παλλάς, ὦ σώσασα τοὺς ἐμοὺς δόμους.
γαίας πατρῴας ἐστερημένον σύ τοι
755
κατῴκισάς με· καί τις Ἑλλήνων ἐρεῖ,
Ἀργεῖος ἁνὴρ αὖθις ἔν τε χρήμασιν
οἰκεῖ πατρῴοις, Παλλάδος καὶ Λοξίου
ἕκατι, καὶ τοῦ πάντα κραίνοντος τρίτου
σωτῆρος, ὃς πατρῷον αἰδεσθεὶς μόρον
760
σῴζει με, μητρὸς τάσδε συνδίκους ὁρῶν.
ἐγὼ δὲ χώρᾳ τῇδε καὶ τῷ σῷ στρατῷ
τὸ λοιπὸν εἰς ἅπαντα πλειστήρη χρόνον
ὁρκωμοτήσας νῦν ἄπειμι πρὸς δόμους,
μήτοι τινʼ ἄνδρα δεῦρο πρυμνήτην χθονὸς
765
ἐλθόντʼ ἐποίσειν εὖ κεκασμένον δόρυ.
αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς ὄντες ἐν τάφοις τότε
τοῖς τἀμὰ παρβαίνουσι νῦν ὁρκώματα
ἀμηχάνοισι πράξομεν δυσπραξίαις,
ὁδοὺς ἀθύμους καὶ παρόρνιθας πόρους
770
τιθέντες, ὡς αὐτοῖσι μεταμέλῃ πόνος·
ὀρθουμένων δέ, καὶ πόλιν τὴν Παλλάδος
τιμῶσιν αἰεὶ τήνδε συμμάχῳ δορί,
αὐτοῖσιν ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν εὐμενέστεροι.
καὶ χαῖρε, καὶ σὺ καὶ πολισσοῦχος λεώς·
πάλαισμʼ ἄφυκτον τοῖς ἐναντίοις ἔχοις,
σωτήριόν τε καὶ δορὸς νικηφόρον.
Εὐμενίδες (1518 edition; OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Eumenides, 1518 edition. VLM-assisted OCR with native lineation and automated correspondence to the Smyth edition.) — 558 focus
Χορὸς Εὐμενίδων
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐδὲν μέσᾳ δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ.
490
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρὶ θερμοργῷ
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾽ ἰδὼν ἀμηχάνοις.
δύαις λέπαδνον οὐδ᾽ ὑπέρθεον τ᾽ ἄκραν.
δι᾽ αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον. ἕρματι πρὸς βαλὼν
ὤλετ᾽ ἄκλαυστος ἄϊστος (δίκας
495
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐδὲν μέσᾳ δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ.
490
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρὶ θερμοργῷ
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾽ ἰδὼν ἀμηχάνοις.
δύαις λέπαδνον οὐδ᾽ ὑπέρθεον τ᾽ ἄκραν.
δι᾽ αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον. ἕρματι πρὸς βαλὼν
ὤλετ᾽ ἄκλαυστος ἄϊστος (δίκας
495
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 558 focus
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐδὲν ἐν μέσᾳ δυσπαλεῖ τε
δίνᾳ·
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾿ ἀνδρὶ θερμῷ,
560
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾿ ἰδὼν ἀμαχάνοις
δύαις λαπαδνὸν οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν·
δι' αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἕρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας ὤλετ᾽ ἄκλαυτος, ἀ-
στος.
565
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐδὲν ἐν μέσᾳ δυσπαλεῖ τε
δίνᾳ·
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾿ ἀνδρὶ θερμῷ,
560
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾿ ἰδὼν ἀμαχάνοις
δύαις λαπαδνὸν οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν·
δι' αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἕρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας ὤλετ᾽ ἄκλαυτος, ἀ-
στος.
565
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 558 focus
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐ
δὲν ἐν μέσᾳ δυςπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ·
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρὶ θερμῷ,
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ' ἰδὼν ἀμαχάνοις δύαις
550
λαπαδνόν, οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν
δι' αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἕρματι προςβαλὼν δίκας
ὤλετ' άκλαυστος, αἴστος.
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐ
δὲν ἐν μέσᾳ δυςπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ·
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρὶ θερμῷ,
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ' ἰδὼν ἀμαχάνοις δύαις
550
λαπαδνόν, οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν
δι' αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἕρματι προςβαλὼν δίκας
ὤλετ' άκλαυστος, αἴστος.
ΕΥΜΕΝΙΔΕΣ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΕΥΜΕΝΙΔΕΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 558 focus
Καλεῖ δ' ἀκούοντας
οὐδὲν (ἐν)
οὐδέν· μέσᾳ
δυσπαλεῖ τε
δυσπαλεῖται δίνᾳ·
555
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ' ἀνδρὶ
θερμῷ
θερμουργῷ
θερμοεργῷ,
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ' ἰδὼν ἀμηχάνοις
δύαις
λαπαδνὸν
λέπαδνον οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν·
δι' αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἕρματι προσβαλὼν Δίκας
560
ὤλετ᾽
ἄκλαυτος
ἄκλαυστος,
ᾆστος
ἄιστος.
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Arthur Sidgwick, 1887.) — 558 focus
ΧΟ.
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐδέν, ἐν μέσᾳ
ἀντ. δ'.
δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ·
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρὶ θερμῷ,
560
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾽ ἰδὼν ἀμαχάνοις δύαις
λαπαδνόν, οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν
δι' αἰῶνος δέ, τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἕρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας,
ὤλετ᾽ ἄκλαυστος, αἴστος.
565
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐδέν, ἐν μέσᾳ
ἀντ. δ'.
δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ·
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρὶ θερμῷ,
560
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾽ ἰδὼν ἀμαχάνοις δύαις
λαπαδνόν, οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν
δι' αἰῶνος δέ, τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἕρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας,
ὤλετ᾽ ἄκλαυστος, αἴστος.
565
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 558 focus
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐ-
δὲν ἐν μέσῳ δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ·
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρὶ θερμῷ,
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾿ ἰδὼν ἀμηχάνοις
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐ-
δὲν ἐν μέσῳ δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ·
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρὶ θερμῷ,
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾿ ἰδὼν ἀμηχάνοις
τις
τίσ
προτίων
προκτίων (fuerat πρατίων)
ἐπιστροφὰς δωμάτων
ἐπιστροφὰς δωμάτων
ἑκὼν δ'
ἑκὼν δ'
ἐκ τῶνδ᾽
δ'
δ'
8
περαιβάδαν
βαρίβαν
9
τὰ πολλὰ
ἄγοντα πολλὰ
δίκας
δίκας
δίκησ
ἐν
ἐν
10
δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ
δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνα
δυσπαλεῖται δίναι
θερμῷ
θερμῷ
θερμοεργῶι
EVMENIDES. 35
ΧΟ.
δύαις λαπαδνὸν οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν·
565
δι' αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἅρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας
ὤλετ᾽ ἄκλαυστος, ἄϊστος.
δύαις λαπαδνὸν οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν·
565
δι' αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἅρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας
ὤλετ᾽ ἄκλαυστος, ἄϊστος.
Αθ.
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Martin L. West, 1990.) — 558 focus
Aeschyli Eumenides (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Eumenides. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 558 focus
καλεῖ $\delta^{7}$ ἀκούοντας οὐδὲν (ἐν) μέσαι
δυσπαλεῖ τε δίναι·
γελᾶι δὲ δαίμων $\hat{\epsilon}\pi^{2}$ ἀνδρὶ θερμῶι,
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾿ ἰδὼν ἀμηχάνοις
560
δύαις λαπαδνὸν οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν·
$\delta\iota^{2}$ αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἕρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας ὤλετ᾽ ἄκλαυτος ἄιστος. =
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek text of Aeschylus' Eumenides, edited by F. A. Paley, 1885.) — 558 focus
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐδὲν, ἐν μέσᾳ ἀντ. δ΄.
δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ·
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾿ ἀνδρὶ θερμῷ,
530
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾿ ἰδὼν ἀμαχάνοις δύαις
λαπαδνὸν, οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν·
δι᾽ αἰῶνος δὲ, τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἕρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας,
ὤλετ᾿ ἄκλαυστος, αἴστος.
535
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐδὲν, ἐν μέσᾳ ἀντ. δ΄.
δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾳ·
γελᾷ δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾿ ἀνδρὶ θερμῷ,
530
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾿ ἰδὼν ἀμαχάνοις δύαις
λαπαδνὸν, οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν·
δι᾽ αἰῶνος δὲ, τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
ἕρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας,
ὤλετ᾿ ἄκλαυστος, αἴστος.
535
Ἀθηνᾶ
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek text of Aeschylus' Eumenides, edited by Friedrich Blass, 1907.) — 558 focus
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐ-
δὲν (ἐν) μέσᾶι δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾶι·
ἀντ. δ
γελᾶι δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾿ ἀνδρὶ θερμῶι,
560
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾿ ἰδὼν ἀμαχάνοις
δύαις λαπαδνὸν οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν·
δι᾽ αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
έρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας ὤλετ᾿ ἄκλαυτος, αἶστος.
καλεῖ δ᾽ ἀκούοντας οὐ-
δὲν (ἐν) μέσᾶι δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾶι·
δὲν (ἐν) μέσᾶι δυσπαλεῖ τε δίνᾶι·
γελᾶι δὲ δαίμων ἐπ᾿ ἀνδρὶ θερμῶι,
560
τὸν οὔποτ᾽ αὐχοῦντ᾿ ἰδὼν ἀμαχάνοις
δύαις λαπαδνὸν οὐδ᾽ ὑπερθέοντ᾽ ἄκραν·
δι᾽ αἰῶνος δὲ τὸν πρὶν ὄλβον
έρματι προσβαλὼν δίκας ὤλετ᾿ ἄκλαυτος, αἶστος.
Ἀθηνᾶ
Translations (10)
Eumenides Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 2. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 566-775 focus
Enter, in procession, Athena, a herald, the jury of the Areopagus, a crowd of citizens. Orestes removes to the place appointed for the accused. Apollo appears after Athena’s first speech.
Enter Apollo.
607
640
674
711
744
Athena
Herald, give the signal and restrain the crowd; and let the piercing Tyrrhenian
1
trumpet, filled with human breath, send forth its shrill blare to the people!
For while this council-hall is filling, it is good to be silent, and for my ordinances to be learned, by the whole city for everlasting time, and by these appellants, so that their case may be decided well.
570
Enter Apollo.
Herald, give the signal and restrain the crowd; and let the piercing Tyrrhenian
1
trumpet, filled with human breath, send forth its shrill blare to the people!
For while this council-hall is filling, it is good to be silent, and for my ordinances to be learned, by the whole city for everlasting time, and by these appellants, so that their case may be decided well.
570
Chorus
Lord Apollo, be master of what is yours.
Say what part you have in this matter.
575
Lord Apollo, be master of what is yours.
Say what part you have in this matter.
575
Apollo
I have come both to bear witness—for this man was a lawful suppliant and a guest of my sanctuary, and I am his purifier from bloodshed—and to be his advocate myself. I am
responsible for the murder of his mother.
To Athena. Bring in the case, and, in accordance with your wisdom, decide it.
580
I have come both to bear witness—for this man was a lawful suppliant and a guest of my sanctuary, and I am his purifier from bloodshed—and to be his advocate myself. I am
responsible for the murder of his mother.
To Athena. Bring in the case, and, in accordance with your wisdom, decide it.
580
Athena
To the Furies. It is for you to speak—I am only bringing in the case; for the prosecutor at the beginning, speaking first, shall rightly inform us of the matter.
To the Furies. It is for you to speak—I am only bringing in the case; for the prosecutor at the beginning, speaking first, shall rightly inform us of the matter.
Chorus
We are many, but we will speak briefly.
To Orestes. Answer our questions, one by one. Say first if you killed your mother.
585
We are many, but we will speak briefly.
To Orestes. Answer our questions, one by one. Say first if you killed your mother.
585
Orestes
I killed her. There is no denial of this.
I killed her. There is no denial of this.
Chorus
Of the three falls that win the wrestling match, this one is already ours.
Of the three falls that win the wrestling match, this one is already ours.
Orestes
You make this boast over a man who is not down yet.
590
You make this boast over a man who is not down yet.
590
Chorus
You must, however, say how you killed her.
You must, however, say how you killed her.
Orestes
I will say it: with drawn sword in hand, I stabbed her in the throat.
I will say it: with drawn sword in hand, I stabbed her in the throat.
Chorus
By whom were you persuaded and on whose advice?
By whom were you persuaded and on whose advice?
Orestes
By the oracles of this god here; he is my witness.
By the oracles of this god here; he is my witness.
Chorus
The prophet directed you to kill your mother?
595
The prophet directed you to kill your mother?
595
Orestes
Yes, and to this very hour, I do not blame my fortune.
Yes, and to this very hour, I do not blame my fortune.
Chorus
But if the jury’s vote catches hold of you, you’ll soon speak differently.
But if the jury’s vote catches hold of you, you’ll soon speak differently.
Orestes
I have good confidence. My father will send protection from his grave.
I have good confidence. My father will send protection from his grave.
Chorus
Put your confidence in the dead now, after you have killed your mother!
Put your confidence in the dead now, after you have killed your mother!
Orestes
I do, for she was twice afflicted with pollution.
600
I do, for she was twice afflicted with pollution.
600
Chorus
How so? Teach the judges this.
How so? Teach the judges this.
Orestes
By murdering her husband, she killed my father.
By murdering her husband, she killed my father.
Chorus
And so, although you are alive, she is free of pollution by her death.
2
And so, although you are alive, she is free of pollution by her death.
2
Orestes
But why did you not drive her into exile, while she lived?
But why did you not drive her into exile, while she lived?
Chorus
She was not related by blood to the man she killed.
605
She was not related by blood to the man she killed.
605
Orestes
Then am I my mother’s kin by blood?
607
Then am I my mother’s kin by blood?
Chorus
How else could she have nurtured you, murderer, beneath her belt? Do you reject the nearest kinship, that of a mother?
How else could she have nurtured you, murderer, beneath her belt? Do you reject the nearest kinship, that of a mother?
Orestes
Apollo, give your testimony now. Explain, on my behalf,
whether I was justified in killing her. For I do not deny that I did it, as it is done. But decide whether this bloodshed was, to your mind, just or not, so that I may inform the court.
610
Apollo, give your testimony now. Explain, on my behalf,
whether I was justified in killing her. For I do not deny that I did it, as it is done. But decide whether this bloodshed was, to your mind, just or not, so that I may inform the court.
610
Apollo
I will speak justly before you, Athena’s great tribunal,—
since I am a prophet, I cannot lie. I have never yet, on my oracular throne, said anything about a man or woman or city that Zeus, the father of the Olympians, did not command me to say.
Learn how strong this plea of justice is;
615
and I tell you to obey the will of my father; for an oath is not more powerful than Zeus.
3
620
I will speak justly before you, Athena’s great tribunal,—
since I am a prophet, I cannot lie. I have never yet, on my oracular throne, said anything about a man or woman or city that Zeus, the father of the Olympians, did not command me to say.
Learn how strong this plea of justice is;
615
Learn how strong this plea of justice is;
and I tell you to obey the will of my father; for an oath is not more powerful than Zeus.
3
620
Chorus
Zeus, as you say, gave you this oracular command, to tell Orestes here to avenge his father’s murder but to take no account at all of the honor due his mother?
Zeus, as you say, gave you this oracular command, to tell Orestes here to avenge his father’s murder but to take no account at all of the honor due his mother?
Apollo
Yes, for it is not the same thing—the murder of a noble man, honored by a god-given scepter, and his murder indeed by a woman, not by rushing arrows sped from afar, as if by an Amazon, but as you will hear, Pallas, and those
625
who are sitting to decide by vote in this matter.
She received him from the expedition, where he had for the most part won success beyond expectation,
4
in the judgment of those favorable to him; then, as he was stepping from the bath, on its very edge, she threw a cloak like a tent over it,
630
fettered her husband in an embroidered robe, and cut him down. This was his death, as I have told it to you—the death of a man wholly majestic, commander of the fleet. As for that woman, I have described her in such a way as to whet the indignation of the people who have been appointed to decide this case.
635
640
Yes, for it is not the same thing—the murder of a noble man, honored by a god-given scepter, and his murder indeed by a woman, not by rushing arrows sped from afar, as if by an Amazon, but as you will hear, Pallas, and those
625
who are sitting to decide by vote in this matter.
She received him from the expedition, where he had for the most part won success beyond expectation, 4 in the judgment of those favorable to him; then, as he was stepping from the bath, on its very edge, she threw a cloak like a tent over it,
630
She received him from the expedition, where he had for the most part won success beyond expectation, 4 in the judgment of those favorable to him; then, as he was stepping from the bath, on its very edge, she threw a cloak like a tent over it,
fettered her husband in an embroidered robe, and cut him down. This was his death, as I have told it to you—the death of a man wholly majestic, commander of the fleet. As for that woman, I have described her in such a way as to whet the indignation of the people who have been appointed to decide this case.
635
Chorus
Zeus gives greater honor to a father’s death, according to what you say; yet he himself bound his aged father, Cronus. How does this not contradict what you say? I call on you as witnesses
turning to the judges to hear these things.
640
Zeus gives greater honor to a father’s death, according to what you say; yet he himself bound his aged father, Cronus. How does this not contradict what you say? I call on you as witnesses
turning to the judges to hear these things.
640
Apollo
Oh, monsters utterly loathed and detested by the gods!
Zeus could undo fetters, there is a remedy for that, and many means of release. But when the dust has drawn up the blood of a man, once he is dead, there is no return to life. For this, my father has made no magic spells,
645
although he arranges all other things, turning them up and down; nor does his exercise of force cost him a breath.
650
Oh, monsters utterly loathed and detested by the gods!
Zeus could undo fetters, there is a remedy for that, and many means of release. But when the dust has drawn up the blood of a man, once he is dead, there is no return to life. For this, my father has made no magic spells,
645
although he arranges all other things, turning them up and down; nor does his exercise of force cost him a breath.
650
Chorus
See how you advocate acquittal for this man! After he has poured out his mother’s blood on the ground, shall he then live in his father’s house in
Argos
?
Which of the public altars shall he use? What purification rite of the brotherhoods
5
will receive him?
655
See how you advocate acquittal for this man! After he has poured out his mother’s blood on the ground, shall he then live in his father’s house in
Argos
?
Which of the public altars shall he use? What purification rite of the brotherhoods
5
will receive him?
655
Apollo
I will explain this, too, and see how correctly I will speak. The mother of what is called her child is not the parent, but the nurse of the newly-sown embryo.
6
The one who mounts is the parent, whereas she, as a stranger for a stranger, preserves the young plant, if the god does not harm it. And I will show you proof of what I say: a father might exist without a mother. A witness is here at hand, the child of Olympian Zeus,
660
who was not nursed in the darkness of a womb, and she is such a child as no goddess could give birth to.
For my part, Pallas, as in all other matters, as I know how, I will make your city and people great; and I have sent this man as a suppliant to your sanctuary
665
so that he may be faithful for all time, and that you, goddess, might win him and those to come after him as a new ally and so that these pledges of faith might remain always, for the later generations of these people to cherish.
670
674
I will explain this, too, and see how correctly I will speak. The mother of what is called her child is not the parent, but the nurse of the newly-sown embryo.
6
The one who mounts is the parent, whereas she, as a stranger for a stranger, preserves the young plant, if the god does not harm it. And I will show you proof of what I say: a father might exist without a mother. A witness is here at hand, the child of Olympian Zeus,
660
who was not nursed in the darkness of a womb, and she is such a child as no goddess could give birth to.
For my part, Pallas, as in all other matters, as I know how, I will make your city and people great; and I have sent this man as a suppliant to your sanctuary
665
For my part, Pallas, as in all other matters, as I know how, I will make your city and people great; and I have sent this man as a suppliant to your sanctuary
so that he may be faithful for all time, and that you, goddess, might win him and those to come after him as a new ally and so that these pledges of faith might remain always, for the later generations of these people to cherish.
670
Athena
Am I to assume that enough has been said,
and shall I now command these jurors to cast an honest vote according to their judgment?
675
Am I to assume that enough has been said,
and shall I now command these jurors to cast an honest vote according to their judgment?
675
Chorus
For our part, every bolt is already shot. But I am waiting to hear how the trial will be decided.
For our part, every bolt is already shot. But I am waiting to hear how the trial will be decided.
Athena
Why not? As for you,
To Apollo and Orestes. how shall I arrange matters so that I will not be blamed by you?
Why not? As for you,
To Apollo and Orestes. how shall I arrange matters so that I will not be blamed by you?
Apollo
You have heard what you have heard;
and as you cast your ballots, keep the oath sacred in your hearts, friends.
680
You have heard what you have heard;
and as you cast your ballots, keep the oath sacred in your hearts, friends.
680
Athena
Hear now my ordinance, people of
Attica
, as you judge the first trial for bloodshed. In the future, even as now, this court of judges will always exist for the people of Aegeus.
And this Hill of Ares, the seat and camp of the Amazons, when they came with an army in resentment against Theseus, and in those days built up this new citadel with lofty towers to rival his, and sacrificed to Ares, from which this rock takes its name,
685
the Hill of Ares:
7
on this hill, the reverence of the citizens, and fear, its kinsman, will hold them back from doing wrong by day and night alike, so long as they themselves do not pollute the laws with evil streams; if you stain clear water
690
with filth, you will never find a drink.
Neither anarchy nor tyranny—this I counsel my citizens to support and respect, and not to drive fear wholly out of the city. For who among mortals, if he fears nothing, is righteous?
695
Stand in just awe of such majesty, and you will have a defense for your land and salvation of your city, such as no man has, either among the Scythians or in Pelops’ realm. I establish this tribunal, untouched by greed,
700
worthy of reverence, quick to anger, awake on behalf of those who sleep, a guardian of the land.
I have prolonged this advice to my citizens for the future; but now you must rise and take a ballot, and decide the case
705
under the sacred obligation of your oath. My word has been spoken.
The judges rise from their seats and cast their ballots one by one during the following altercation.
710
711
Hear now my ordinance, people of
Attica
, as you judge the first trial for bloodshed. In the future, even as now, this court of judges will always exist for the people of Aegeus.
And this Hill of Ares, the seat and camp of the Amazons, when they came with an army in resentment against Theseus, and in those days built up this new citadel with lofty towers to rival his, and sacrificed to Ares, from which this rock takes its name,
685
the Hill of Ares:
7
on this hill, the reverence of the citizens, and fear, its kinsman, will hold them back from doing wrong by day and night alike, so long as they themselves do not pollute the laws with evil streams; if you stain clear water
690
with filth, you will never find a drink.
Neither anarchy nor tyranny—this I counsel my citizens to support and respect, and not to drive fear wholly out of the city. For who among mortals, if he fears nothing, is righteous?
695
Neither anarchy nor tyranny—this I counsel my citizens to support and respect, and not to drive fear wholly out of the city. For who among mortals, if he fears nothing, is righteous?
Stand in just awe of such majesty, and you will have a defense for your land and salvation of your city, such as no man has, either among the Scythians or in Pelops’ realm. I establish this tribunal, untouched by greed,
700
worthy of reverence, quick to anger, awake on behalf of those who sleep, a guardian of the land.
I have prolonged this advice to my citizens for the future; but now you must rise and take a ballot, and decide the case
705
I have prolonged this advice to my citizens for the future; but now you must rise and take a ballot, and decide the case
under the sacred obligation of your oath. My word has been spoken.
The judges rise from their seats and cast their ballots one by one during the following altercation.
710
Chorus
And I counsel you not to dishonor us in any way, since our company can be a burden to your land.
And I counsel you not to dishonor us in any way, since our company can be a burden to your land.
Apollo
And I, for my part, command you to stand in fear of the oracles, both mine and Zeus’, and not cause them to be unfulfilled.
And I, for my part, command you to stand in fear of the oracles, both mine and Zeus’, and not cause them to be unfulfilled.
Chorus
Although it is not your office, you have respect for deeds of bloodshed. You will prophesy, dispensing prophecies that are no longer pure.
715
Although it is not your office, you have respect for deeds of bloodshed. You will prophesy, dispensing prophecies that are no longer pure.
715
Apollo
Then was my father mistaken in any way in his purposes when Ixion, who first shed blood, was a suppliant?
Then was my father mistaken in any way in his purposes when Ixion, who first shed blood, was a suppliant?
Chorus
You do argue! But if I fail to win the case,
I will once more inflict my company on this land as a burden.
720
You do argue! But if I fail to win the case,
I will once more inflict my company on this land as a burden.
720
Apollo
But you have no honor, among both the younger and the older gods. I will win.
But you have no honor, among both the younger and the older gods. I will win.
Chorus
You did such things also in the house of Pheres, when you persuaded the Fates to make mortals free from death.
8
You did such things also in the house of Pheres, when you persuaded the Fates to make mortals free from death.
8
Apollo
Is it not right, then, to do good for a worshipper, especially when he is in need?
725
Is it not right, then, to do good for a worshipper, especially when he is in need?
725
Chorus
It was you who destroyed the old dispensations when you beguiled the ancient goddesses with wine.
It was you who destroyed the old dispensations when you beguiled the ancient goddesses with wine.
Apollo
Soon, when you have lost the case,
you will spit out your venom—no great burden to your enemies.
The balloting is now ended.
730
Soon, when you have lost the case,
you will spit out your venom—no great burden to your enemies.
The balloting is now ended.
730
Chorus
Since you, a youth, would ride me down, an old woman, I am waiting to hear the verdict in the case, since I have not decided whether to be angry at the city.
Since you, a youth, would ride me down, an old woman, I am waiting to hear the verdict in the case, since I have not decided whether to be angry at the city.
Athena
It is my duty to give the final judgment
and I shall cast my vote for Orestes. For there was no mother who gave me birth; and in all things, except for marriage, whole-heartedly I am for the male and entirely on the father’s side. Therefore, I will not award greater honor to the death of a woman
735
who killed her husband, the master of the house. Orestes wins, even if the vote comes out equal.
Cast the ballots out of the urns, as quickly as possible, you jurors who have been assigned this task.
The ballots are turned out and separated.
740
744
It is my duty to give the final judgment
and I shall cast my vote for Orestes. For there was no mother who gave me birth; and in all things, except for marriage, whole-heartedly I am for the male and entirely on the father’s side. Therefore, I will not award greater honor to the death of a woman
735
who killed her husband, the master of the house. Orestes wins, even if the vote comes out equal.
Cast the ballots out of the urns, as quickly as possible, you jurors who have been assigned this task. The ballots are turned out and separated.
740
Cast the ballots out of the urns, as quickly as possible, you jurors who have been assigned this task. The ballots are turned out and separated.
Orestes
O Phoebus Apollo! How will the trial be decided?
O Phoebus Apollo! How will the trial be decided?
Chorus
O Night, our dark Mother, do you see this?
745
O Night, our dark Mother, do you see this?
745
Orestes
Now I will meet my end by hanging, or I will live.
Now I will meet my end by hanging, or I will live.
Chorus
Yes, and we will be ruined, or maintain our honors further.
Yes, and we will be ruined, or maintain our honors further.
Apollo
Correctly count the ballots cast forth, friends, and be in awe of doing wrong in the division of the votes.
Error of judgment is the source of much distress, and the cast of a single ballot has set upright a house.
The ballots are shown to Athena.
750
Correctly count the ballots cast forth, friends, and be in awe of doing wrong in the division of the votes.
Error of judgment is the source of much distress, and the cast of a single ballot has set upright a house.
The ballots are shown to Athena.
750
Athena
This man is acquitted on the charge of murder, for the numbers of the casts are equal.
Apollo disappears.
This man is acquitted on the charge of murder, for the numbers of the casts are equal.
Apollo disappears.
Orestes
Pallas, savior of my house!
I was deprived of a fatherland, and it is you who have given me a home there again. The Hellenes will say,
The man is an
Argive
once again, and lives in his father’s heritage, by the grace of Pallas and of Loxias and of that third god, the one who accomplishes everything,
755
the savior—the one who, having respect for my father’s death, saves me, seeing those advocates of my mother.
I will return to my home now, after I swear an oath to this land and to your people
9
for the future and for all time to come,
760
that no captain of my land will ever come here and bring a well-equipped spear against them. For I myself, then in my grave, will accomplish it by failure without remedy,
765
making their marches spiritless and their journeys ill-omened, so that those who violate my present oath will repent their enterprise. But while the straight course is preserved, and they hold in everlasting honor this city of Pallas with their allied spears, I will be the more well-disposed to them.
770
And so farewell—you and the people who guard your city. May your struggle with your enemies let none escape, bringing you safety and victory with the spear!
Exit.
775
Pallas, savior of my house!
I was deprived of a fatherland, and it is you who have given me a home there again. The Hellenes will say,
The man is an
Argive
once again, and lives in his father’s heritage, by the grace of Pallas and of Loxias and of that third god, the one who accomplishes everything,
755
the savior—the one who, having respect for my father’s death, saves me, seeing those advocates of my mother.
I will return to my home now, after I swear an oath to this land and to your people 9 for the future and for all time to come,
760
I will return to my home now, after I swear an oath to this land and to your people 9 for the future and for all time to come,
that no captain of my land will ever come here and bring a well-equipped spear against them. For I myself, then in my grave, will accomplish it by failure without remedy,
765
making their marches spiritless and their journeys ill-omened, so that those who violate my present oath will repent their enterprise. But while the straight course is preserved, and they hold in everlasting honor this city of Pallas with their allied spears, I will be the more well-disposed to them.
770
And so farewell—you and the people who guard your city. May your struggle with your enemies let none escape, bringing you safety and victory with the spear!
Exit.
775
The Eumenides (OCR draft) Experimental (The Eumenides. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 558 focus
And he invokes those who listen not, in the midst of an uncon- qucrable whirlpool; but the deity laughs at the bold man, beholding him, no longer boasting, bound in calamity from which is no escape, nor surmounting the summit: but having dashed his former prosperity on the rock of Justice, unwept, unknown, he is for ever lost.
MINERVA
LES EUMÉNIDES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES EUMÉNIDES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 558 focus
en dépit de la Justice, un beau
jour, j'en réponds, se verra forcé d'amener sa voile, quand l'angoisse le saisira devant l'antenne qui se brise. Il appelle — sans qu'on l'écoute dans l'étreinte du
tourbillon irrésistible. Et le Ciel rit
jour, j'en réponds, se verra forcé d'amener sa voile, quand l'angoisse le saisira devant l'antenne qui se brise. Il appelle — sans qu'on l'écoute dans l'étreinte du
tourbillon irrésistible. Et le Ciel rit
The Furies (OCR draft) Experimental (The Furies. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 558 focus
Wild with deſpair
610
He pours his pray'r,
Whirl'd in the giddy tempeſt round;
His blaſted pride
The Gods deride,
And all his daring hopes confound;
615
Smile, as they view him rack'd with pain
Bound in misfortune's iron chain;
As on the pointed rock they ſee him thrown,
To periſh there unpitied and alone.
MINERVA.
MINERVA, APOLLO, ORESTES, CHORUS.
The JUDGES ſeated.
Eschilo, Le Eumenidi: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Le Eumenidi: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 558 focus
il destinato giorno.
580
Dunque, rispetta chi luce ti diede;
e se giunge al tuo tetto
a rifugiarsi un ospite,
abbi di lui rispetto.
4
CORO
Aeschylus, Eumenides: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Eumenides: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 558 focus
Vocat nihil audientes
Mediæ malæ ſorte.
Ridet dæmon hominem inconſideratum.
525
Hunc nunquam iactantem uidens impotentibus
Pœnis uinculum,
Neq; ſuper exiſtentem faſtigium
In uita priore felicitate anchoræ iuſticiæ proijciens.
Perijt imploratus perditus.
530
Mi.
Aeschylus, Die Eumeniden: German translation (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Die Eumeniden: German translation. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1919–1923.) — 558 focus
und reiſst ihn fort. Da ruft er laut.
Doch taub sind ihm die Götter.
560
Die Hölle lacht des heiſsen Menschentrotzes,
der solches nimmer sich versah.
Er müht und plagt sich mürbe:
das Riff umschifft er nicht.
Ein langes Leben stand sein Glück erhaben:
jetzt an des Rechtes Felsen
zerschellt es; er versinkt ins Nichts.
565
Kein Auge weint ihm nach.
Mittlerweile ist die Bühne für die Verhandlung hergerichtet. Bänke für die Richter, ein Tisch mit zwei Urnen für die Abstimmung sind hereingebracht; Orestes nimmt auf der einen Seite den Platz des Verklagten ein, der Chor auf der andern den des Klägers.
Athena zieht an der Spitze der zum Richteramte berufenen Männer und Greise ein, ihr zur Seite ein Herold; Bürger drängen sich als Zuhörer heran. Die Richter setzen sich; Athena nimmt den Platz des Vorsitzenden ein.
Er müht und plagt sich mürbe:
das Riff umschifft er nicht.
Ein langes Leben stand sein Glück erhaben:
jetzt an des Rechtes Felsen
zerschellt es; er versinkt ins Nichts.
565
Kein Auge weint ihm nach.
Athena.
English (E. D. A. Morshead, 1889, second edition) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, The Furies — Morshead translation. Wikisource transcription; speech corresp and card milestones aligned to Smyth perseus-grc2.) — 558 focus
And call on Powers, that heed him nought, to save,
And vainly wrestle with the whirling wave.
Hot was his heart with pride—
645
I shall not fall, he cried.
But him with watching scorn
The god beholds, forlorn,
Tangled in toils of Fate beyond escape,
Hopeless of haven safe beyond the cape—
650
Till all his wealth and bliss of bygone day
Upon the reef of Rightful Doom is hurled,
And he is rapt away
Unwept, for ever, to the dead forgotten world.
[
Re-enter Athena, with twelve Athenian citizens.
And call on Powers, that heed him nought, to save,
And vainly wrestle with the whirling wave.
Hot was his heart with pride—
645
I shall not fall, he cried.
But him with watching scorn
The god beholds, forlorn,
Tangled in toils of Fate beyond escape,
Hopeless of haven safe beyond the cape—
650
Till all his wealth and bliss of bygone day
Upon the reef of Rightful Doom is hurled,
And he is rapt away
Unwept, for ever, to the dead forgotten world.
Athena.
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.) — 558 focus
Er ruft (kein Ohr hört ihn) aus dem Wirbelstrom,
Der ihn wild umflutet.
Es lacht ein Gott ob des Mannes Unmuth,
530
Sieht ihn in Müh'n ungeahnten schweren Kampfs
Ermatten, daß er nimmermehr die Höh'n gewinnt.
Da bricht sein altes Glück in Trümmer
Endlich am Fels des Rechts, er sinkt;
Keiner beklagt, vermißt ihn!
535
(Die Scene hat sich verwandelt, und zeigt den Areopagos. Eine Anzahl athenischer Edler, von Athene geführt, nimmt auf den Sitzen Platz, die längs der Scenenwand in einer Reihe stehen: vor ihnen steht auf der einen Seite ein Altar, auf der andern ein Tisch mit Stimmgefässen. In der Nähe des Altares steht Orestes. Athene tritt von der Mitte aus nach vorn.)
Er ruft (kein Ohr hört ihn) aus dem Wirbelstrom,
Der ihn wild umflutet.
Es lacht ein Gott ob des Mannes Unmuth,
530
Sieht ihn in Müh'n ungeahnten schweren Kampfs
Ermatten, daß er nimmermehr die Höh'n gewinnt.
Da bricht sein altes Glück in Trümmer
Endlich am Fels des Rechts, er sinkt;
Keiner beklagt, vermißt ihn!
535
Athene.
English (Smyth; revised Bannon and Nagy, CHS) (OCR draft) Experimental (CHS Primary Sources revision of Herbert Weir Smyth’s translation by Cynthia Bannon and Gregory Nagy, with transliterated Greek terms tagged and aligned to the Smyth edition.)
No corresponding passage available