Tragic Papyri: Aeschylus' ›Theoroi‹, ›Hypsipyle‹, ›Laïos‹, ›Prometheus Pyrkaeus‹ and Sophocles' ›Inachos‹

344 Pages·2022·3.848 MB·English

by  Kyriakos Tsantsanoglou

Kyriakos Tsantsanoglou
Tragic Papyri
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Volume 135
Kyriakos Tsantsanoglou
Tragic Papyri
Aeschylus’ Theoroi, Hypsipyle, Laïos, Prometheus
Pyrkaeus and Sophocles’ Inachos
ISBN 978-3-11-079648-3
e-ISBN (PDF) 978-3-11-079660-5
e-ISBN (EPUB) 978-3-11-079669-8
ISSN 1868-4785
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022939845
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Preface
Five lost Greek plays, four by Aeschylus and one by Sophocles, relics of which
have survived in papyri, are treated in this book. The five chapters it is com-
posed of were initially written separately, sometimes at long time distance from
each other and for different destinations, thus being dissimilar in their struc-
ture. In order to retain their original conception, but mainly for saving time, I
preferred to leave the chapters as they were written. I hope the nonuniformity
will not incommode the reader. My scope was not to confine myself to some
variant readings or supplements, or even to different joinings and alteration of
the fragments’ order, but, aided by these proposals, to approach the plays, so
far as possible, in their entirety. Especially, my engagement in Aeschylus’ The-
oroi or Isthmiastai was more elaborate and extensive, and this explains the ap-
pendixes added at the end. Papyrological studies are unfortunately subject to
the charge of tediousness, because of the necessary technical details they una-
voidably incorporate. My attempt was to limit the immaterial details and insist
on specifics that may assist in gaining an image, as complete as possible, of the
play discussed. My aspiration, I do not know to what extent fulfilled, was that
the new text of the plays would make up for any annoying technicalities. It is
the same wish to satisfy the discerning reader that motivated me to proceed at
times beyond the confines of a typical conservative edition and make some bold
proposals, yet always indicating that they are made exempli gratia.
I have largely profited by discussing, time and again, several problems,
mainly of the Aeschylean satyr-play, with G.M. Sifakis and †D. Jakob. G.M. Pa-
rássoglou generously gave me the benefit of his advice on several questions of
papyrological and palaeographic interest. M. Tiverios and Emm. Voutiras have
given me unstintingly of their archaeological knowledge and their time. Sotiris
Tselikas has been, as always, an invaluable assistance. He not only checked my
oversights by detecting errors and inconsistencies, but also updated and sup-
plemented bibliographic references, compiled the Index, and made numerous
additional original suggestions. Finally, my thanks are due to Antonios Rengakos
for his unfailing trust in his old colleague’s faculties. To each and all I sincerely
wish to express my gratitude. Errors and inconsistencies that have undeniably
remained are all my fault.
It was to my colleague and friend Nikos Hourmouziades that I had planned
to dedicate this book. Apart from the constant help I have drawn from his stimu-
lating, not yet deservedly appreciated, book Σατυρικά, he read my typescript of
Aeschylus’ Theoroi and, with his deep stage sensitivity, saved me from many
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110796605-202
VI  Preface
blunders. Regrettably, after his demise in October 2013, I can only dedicate it to
his memory: ἦ κάρτ᾽ ὀφείλω τῶνδέ σοι.
K. Ts.
Thessaloniki, 2021
Contents
Preface  V
List of Figures  IX
 Aeschylus Theoroi or Isthmiastai  1
Introduction  1
Text  5
Commentary  13
Appendix  90
Happy ending  90
Dramatic date  91
Tetralogy  93
Dating  96
Drama history  102
P.Oxy. 2250  104
Translation  106
 Aeschylus Hypsipyle?  111
 Aeschylus’ Laïos  155
 Aeschylus’ Prometheus Pyrkaeus  179
The Fragments – Commentary  179
Tetralogy, Inclusion in the Dionysiac Ritual, Production Date  210
Ἀνθεστήρια, Ἀρχαιότερα Διονύσια, Ἐν Λίμναις Διονύσιον  211
Topography, Ηieron of Horae, τὰ Ἴκρια  215
Date of the Promethean tetralogy  224
 Sophocles’ Inachos  228
Commentary  237
Observations on the book fragments of Inachos  286

Bibliography  311
General Index  327
Greek Index  333

List of Figures
Fig. 1: Hector putting his armor on, surrounded by Priam and Hecuba. Attic red-figure ampho-
ra by Euthymides, ca. 510 BC. Munich, Staatliche Antikensammlungen 2307.  58
Fig. 2: Warrior putting his armor on. Attic red-figure amphora by Euthymides, ca. 510 BC.
Munich, Staatliche Antikensammlungen 2308.  59
Fig. 3: Achilles and Ajax playing a game. Black-figure amphora by Exekias, ca.540–530.
Vatican, Museo Gregoriano Etrusco 16757.  59
Fig. 4: Warrior. Plaque from the Acropolis related to Euthymides. Athens, Acropolis
Coll. 1037.  60
Fig. 5: Hera suckling Heracles: Apulian red-figure squat lekythos by the Suckling Painter;
British Museum F107, mid 4th century.  118
Fig. 6: POxy. 2256 frs. 9 a and 9 b = Aesch. frs. 281a + 281b, lines 31–41.  120
Fig. 7: Kabeiros and Pais. Fragment of a skyphos from the Theban Kabeirion. Athens, NM
10426, c. 420 BCE.  129
Fig. 8: POxy. 2256 frs. 2, 4, 1, 6, 8 = TrGF III, T 586 + F451v (+ p. 231) + 451s6 + 451n.  178
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110796605-204