The Dithyrambs of Pindar: Introduction, Text and Commentary

259 Pages·1991·4.469 MB·English

by  M J H van der Weiden

M.J.H. VAN DER WEIDEN
THE DITHYRAMBS OF PINDAR
INTRODUCTION, TEXT AND
COMMENTARY
GIEßEN
^ [ Ш І И Р Р И И И И И Р И Г Ш]

THE DITHYRAMBS OF PINDAR

THE DITHYRAMBS OF PINDAR
INTRODUCTION, TEXT AND
COMMENTARY
een wetenschappelijke proeve op het gebied der Letteren
PROEFSCHRIFT
ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor
aan de Katholieke Universiteit te Nijmegen,
volgens besluit van het college van decanen
in het openbaar te verdedigen op donderdag 27 juni 1991
des namiddags te 1.30 uur precies
door
MARIA JOHANNA HELENA VAN DER WEIDEN
geboren op 18 maart 1954 te Rotterdam
J.C. GIEßEN, PUBLISHER
AMSTERDAM 1991
Promotor: Prof. Dr. A.H.M. Kessels
Co-promotor: Dr. M.A. Harder (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)
OP-DATA KONINKLIJKE BIBLIOTHEEK, DEN HAAG
Weiden, M.J.H, van der
The Dithyrambs of Pindar. Introduction, text and
commentary / M.J.H. van der Weiden. - Amsterdam : Gieben
Thesis Nijmegen. - With ref. - With summary in Dutch.
ISBN 90-5063-067-7
Subject headings: Pindar / Greek poetry.
ι
CONTENTS
Preface ni
Introduction 1
1. Characteristics of the dithyramb 1
1.1. Name 1
1.2. Contents 2
1.3. Musical aspects 5
1.4. Rhythm and dance 9
1.5. Style and vocabulary 11
1.6. Performance 14
1.7. Remains of the dithyrambs 16
1.8. Conclusion 19
2. The dithyrambs of Pindar 20
2.1. Contents 20
2.2. Metre 20
2.3. Style 21
2.4. Performance 26
2.5. Text of the dithyrambs 28
Commentary
70a 34
70b 52
Related fragments 84
249a 86
249c 88
81 89
346 94
70c 108
70d 120
P. Oxy. 2445 fr. 3 165
P. Oxy. 2445 fr. 6 165
70d(g) 166
70d(a) 167
70d(b) 168
70d(c) 169
70d(f) 170
70d(e) 170
И
70d(h) 171
71 173
72 175
73 179
74 181
74а 182
75 183
76-77 206
78 216
80 221
82 223
83 224
84 226
85-85а 227
86 229
86а 230
335 231
List of abbreviations 234
Bibliography 235
Indexes 240
Samenvatting 243
Curriculum vitae 247
ίίί
PREFACE
The goal of this study is to offer a better understanding of Pindar's dithyrambs.
In the first chapter I will give an overview of the dithyrambic genre and try to
define Pindar's position within it. Conclusions cannot be drawn with certainty
because no complete dithyramb of Pindar is known to us, and because the
tradition of the genre as a whole is also full of gaps. Then follow the text and
the commentary. The text presented includes both genuine and doubtful fragments
from Pindar's dithyrambs. I have followed Maehler's order as much as possible.
The text of the papyrus fragments is based on personal inspection of the Oxy-
rhynchus papyri in Oxford and of P. Berol. 9571 in Berlin. In the critical apparatus
I have tried to describe what I saw as exactly as possible.
Because of the fragmentary state of the text the commentary is mainly philolo­
gical, focusing on grammar, vocabulary and style. In order to explain the supposed
reception by the original audience, I also pay attention to the religious, historical
and cultural context, including the generic conventions. Much of this, however,
must inevitably remain in the realms of speculation.
Authors and works are cited according to LSJ. Editions are indicated when
necessary by the addition of the editors' names. In the bibliography only those
books and articles are listed that are cited more than once. In the text they are
referred to by author's name and year of publication. Abbreviations are explained
in a section preceding the bibliography.
An index of subjects discussed and a summary in Dutch follow at the end.
This book could not have been written without the support of many people
whom I would like to mention by name.
Dr. Annette Harder was the first to set me on the track of Greek literary
papyri and always guided and encouraged me. Professor A.H.M. Kessels gave me
the chance to develop my interest into a dissertation and Professor S.L. Radt
helped me with his critical suggestions.
Financial support from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research
(NWO) from 1987 until 1991 made it possible to finish this dissertation in a
reasonable time, especially through the research they enabled me to carry out in
1990 during several visits to Oxford, where Dr. RA. Coles and Dr. J. Rea were
always willing to show me the Oxyrhynchus papyri in the Ashmolean Museum.
Dr. Poethke received me kindly when I asked to see the Berlin Papyrus.
I wish to thank Professor H. Maehler for the copy he sent me of the latest
edition of Pindar's fragments and Professor B. Zimmermann for the copy of his
Habilitationsschrift, which has not yet been published elsewhere.
iv PREFACE
Dr. Anne-Marie Palmer corrected my English.
Hans, Mathilde and Peter were always there to remind me of other duties and
pleasures, which made for a healthy balance between my various activities.