Chapter 16, The Trojan War
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♠ Sophokles, Skyrioi fr 554R – Tragicorum Graecorum Fragmenta vol. 4, p. 419, ed. S.L. Radt. Göttingen 1977.
for war loves to pursue young men (Transl. E. Bianchelli)
♠ Sophokles, Philoktetes 343-47
Neoptolemus
They came for me in a ship elaborately ornamented, shining Odysseus, and he who fostered my father, [345] and said—whether truly or falsely, I do not know—that since my father had perished, fate now forbade that anyone but I should take the towers of Troy. Greek Text
♠ Apollodoros, Epitome 5.11
On hearing these things the Greeks caused the bones of Pelops to be fetched, and they sent Ulysses and Phoenix to Lycomedes at Scyros, and these two persuaded him to let Neoptolemus go. Greek Text
♦ Ferrara, Museo Nazionale di Spina 44701: Attic red-figure volute krater with Neoptolemos (center), his grandfather Lykomedes (far left) and his mother Deidameia (to right of Lykomedes); and with Odysseus and Phoinix (far right)
Flickr; Lykomedes, Deidameia, Neoptolemos and Odysseus (on the vase, Phoinix is to the right of Odysseus but is not visible in this photo)
Flickr; Lykomedes, Deidameia and Neoptolemos
Flickr: Phoinix (next to Odysseus; on the far left in this photo)
Beazley Archive Pottery Database (no photos)
♠ Quintus of Smyrna, Fall of Troy 6.56-113
So speaking, in his place he sat him down; then rose up Thestor’s son, and in the midst, where meet it is to speak, stood forth and cried: “Hear me, ye sons of battle-biding Greeks: ye know I have the spirit of prophecy. Erewhile I said that ye in the tenth year should lay waste towered Ilium: this the Gods are even now fulfilling; victory lies at the Argives’ very feet. Come, let us send Tydeides and Odysseus battle-staunch with speed to Scyros overseas, by prayers hither to bring Achilles’ hero son: a light of victory shall he be to us.”
[75] So spake wise Thestius’ son, and all the folk shouted for joy; for all their hearts and hopes yearned to see Calchas’ prophecy fulfilled. Then to the Argives spake Laertes’ son: “Friends, it befits not to say many words this day to you, in sorrow’s weariness. I know that wearied men can find no joy in speech or song, though the Pierides, the immortal Muses, love it. At such time few words do men desire. But now, this thing that pleaseth all the Achaean host, will I accomplish, so Tydeides fare with me; for, if we twain go, we shall surely bring, won by our words, war-fain Achilles’ son, yea, though his mother, weeping sore, should strive within her halls to keep him; for mine heart trusts that he is a hero’s valorous son.”
Then out spake Menelaus earnestly: “Odysseus, the strong Argives’ help at need, if mighty-souled Achilles’ valiant son from Scyros by thy suasion come to aid us who yearn for him, and some Heavenly One grant victory to our prayers, and I win home to Hellas, I will give to him to wife my noble child Hermione, with gifts many and goodly for her marriage-dower with a glad heart. I trow he shall not scorn either his bride or high-born sire-in-law.”
[103] With a great shout the Danaans hailed his words. Then was the throng dispersed, and to the ships they scattered hungering for the morning meat which strengtheneth man’s heart. So when they ceased from eating, and desire was satisfied, then with the wise Odysseus Tydeus’ son drew down a swift ship to the boundless sea, and victual and all tackling cast therein.Then stepped they aboard, and with them twenty men, men skilled to row when winds were contrary, or when the unrippled sea slept ‘neath a calm. They smote the brine, and flashed the boiling foam: on leapt the ship; a watery way was cleft about the oars that sweating rowers tugged. As when hard-toiling oxen, ‘neath the yoke straining, drag on a massy-timbered wain, while creaks the circling axle ‘neath its load, and from their weary necks and shoulders streams down to the ground the sweat abundantly; so at the stiff oars toiled those stalwart men, and fast they laid behind them leagues of sea. Greek Text
♠ Quintus of Smyrna, Fall of Troy 7.169-393
Meanwhile the black ship on to Scyros ran; and those twain found before his palace-gate Achilles’ son, now hurling dart and lance, now in his chariot driving fleetfoot steeds. Glad were they to behold him practising the deeds of war, albeit his heart was sad for his slain sire, of whom had tidings come ere this. With reverent eyes of awe they went to meet him, for that goodly form and face seemed even as very Achilles unto them. but he, or ever they had spoken, cried: “All hail, ye strangers, unto this mine home say whence ye are, and who, and what the need that hither brings you over barren seas.”
[200] So spake he, and Odysseus answered him: “Friends are we of Achilles lord of war, to whom of Deidameia thou wast born — yea, when we look on thee we seem to see that Hero’s self; and like the Immortal Ones was he. Of Ithaca am I: this man of Argos, nurse of horses — if perchance thou hast heard the name of Tydeus’ warrior son or of the wise Odysseus. Lo, I stand before thee, sent by voice of prophecy. I pray thee, pity us: come thou to Troy and help us. Only so unto the war an end shall be. Gifts beyond words to thee the Achaean kings shall give: yea, I myself will give to thee thy godlike father’s arms, and great shall be thy joy in bearing them; for these be like no mortal’s battle-gear, but splendid as the very War-god’s arms. Over their marvellous blazonry hath gold been lavished; yea, in heaven Hephaestus’ self rejoiced in fashioning that work divine, the which thine eyes shall marvel to behold; for earth and heaven and sea upon the shield are wrought, and in its wondrous compass are creatures that seem to live and move — a wonder even to the Immortals. Never man hath seen their like, nor any man hath worn, save thy sire only, whom the Achaeans all honoured as Zeus himself. I chiefliest from mine heart loved him, and when he was slain, to many a foe I dealt a ruthless doom, and through them all bare back to the ships his corse. Therefore his glorious arms did Thetis give to me. These, though I prize them well, to thee will I give gladly when thou com’st to Troy. Yea also, when we have smitten Priam’s towns and unto Hellas in our ships return, shall Menelaus give thee, an thou wilt, his princess-child to wife, of love for thee, and with his bright-haired daughter shall bestow rich dower of gold and treasure, even all that meet is to attend a wealthy king.” Continue Reading Greek Text
♠ Sophokles, Skyrioi fr 555R – Tragicorum Graecorum Fragmenta vol. 4, pp. 420-21, ed. S.L. Radt. Göttingen 1977.
♠ Proklos, Little Iliad Argumentum – Poetae Epici Graeci 1, p. 74, ed. A. Bernabé. Leipzig 1987.
♠ Papyrus fragments in the John Rylands Library in Manchester 22 – Catalogue of the Greek Papyri in the John Rylands Library, Manchester, vol. 1, pp. 40-42, ed. A. S. Hunt. Manchester 1911.
♠ Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.26.9
The author of the epic The Little Iliad says that Machaon was killed by Eurypylus, son of Telephus. Greek Text
♠ Ilias Mikra (Little Iliad) fr 30 PEG – Poetae Epici Graeci 1, p. 85, ed. A. Bernabé. Leipzig 1987.
For translation, see above.
♠ Homer, Odyssey 11.519-21
but what a warrior was that son of Telephus whom he slew with the sword, [520] the prince Eurypylus! Aye, and many of his comrades, the Ceteians, were slain about him, because of gifts a woman craved. Greek Text
♠ Scholia at Homer, Odyssey 11.520 – Scholia Graeca in Homeris Odysseam, vol. 2, p. 517, ed. W. Dindorf. Oxford 1855.
♠ Akousilaos 2F40 – Die Fragmente der griechischen Historiker 1, p. 57, ed. F. Jacoby, 2d ed. Leiden 1957.
♠ Scholia at Homer, Odyssey 11.521 – Scholia Graeca in Homeris Odysseam, vol. 2, pp. 517-18, ed. W. Dindorf. Oxford 1855.
♠ Lesches, Ilias Mikra (Little Iliad) fr 29 PEG – Poetae Epici Graeci 1, pp. 84-85, ed. A. Bernabé. Leipzig 1987.
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Artistic sources edited by Frances Van Keuren, Prof. Emerita, Lamar Dodd School of Art, Univ. of Georgia, June 2022
Literary sources edited by Elena Bianchelli, Retired Senior Lecturer of Classical Languages and Culture, Univ. of Georgia, February 2023
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