76

Γεροντομανία (fr. 10)

2 τον άσύμβολον Literally, one who has not made the expected contri-
bution to a meal (συμβολή Hegesand. fr. 31 [FHG 4.419]; more commonly in
the plural, e. g. Ar. Ach. 1211; Eub. fr. 72; cf. LSJ s. v. IV.l.a; Arnott 1996 on Alex,
fr. 15), and thence a synonym for parasite (Dromo fr. 1.2; Timocl. fr. 10.4; Diph.
fr. 74.8; cf. Anaxandr. fr. 34.8; Arnott 1996 on Alex. fr. 259.2; Nesselrath 1985.
66). The figure of the parasite first appears in drama in Epicharmus (frr. 31-3)
and is common in comedy and related literature, both Greek and Roman. See
in general Nesselrath 1990. 309-17; Damon 1997, esp. 23-36; Arnott 1996’s
introduction to Alex. Παράσιτος; Fisher 2000. 371-8.
εύρε ‘was the πρώτος εύρετής’. A compound subject with a singular
verb is relatively common throughout Greek literature; see Cooper 1998-2002
63.4.2. Here the phenomenon is probably best explained by Cooper’s category
C, i. e. that the two (Rhadamanthys and Palamedes) form a single concept,
rather than that the verb simply agrees with the closest subject (his category
A). Alternatively, the verb may go with Rhadamanthys alone, and Palamedes
may be the subject of a verb in the lost line that followed.
γέλοια λέγειν To make jests and otherwise provide entertainment or
amusement was a standard means for parasites to justify their apparent free-
loading (see Nesselrath 1985. 26-7; Arnott 1996 on Alex. fr. 188; Damon 1997.
29; Fisher 2000. 372-3; Milanezi 2000; Olson-Sens 1999 on Matro frr. 1.8 [SH
534]; 5 [SH 538]; adesp. pared, fr. 1 Brandt [fr. 3 Olson-Sens]); for the use of
this phrase to describe a parasite’s activity, Alex. frr. 188; 229; X. Smp. 1.14;
cf. Ar. Ra. 6. Cf. Pl. Smp. 189b6 015 τι μή γελοία ε’ίπω (Aristophanes at the
start of his speech).
'Ραδάμανθυς καί Παλαμήδης Rhadamanthys, son of Zeus and Europa
and brother of Minos and Sarpedon (Η. II. 14.322; Hes. fr. 141.13-14), was
generally thought to be one of the judges in the underworld, along with his
brother Minos and Aiakos (Pl. Ap. 41a; Grg. 523e; cf. D. 18.127), although
he appears in Homer merely as an inhabitant of Elysium (Od. 4.563-5); in
general, see Roscher 1884-1937 IV.77-86; LIMC VII. 1.626-7. While his fairness
and justice are continually remarked upon, he is seldom if ever referred to
as an inventor (contrast Palamedes below), so his place here may rely on the
notion of equity implicit in the parasite performing some task in place of a
contribution to the meal. Roscher 1884-1937 IV.79 suggests a connection with
the όρκος Ραδαμάνθυος (e. g. Cratin. fr. 249 with test, and K.-A. ad loc.·, Σ Pl.
Ap. 22a; cf. Ar. Av. 521 with Dunbar 1995 ad loc.\ which means to swear by
a dog, goose or other animal rather than by the gods. But any relationship
between this method of swearing and Rhadamanthys’ appearance here must
remain tenuous; of uncertain relevance is Theopomp. Com. fr. 31.3-4 oiov 6’