Ελένη (fr. 12)

83

Metre lambic trimeter.
-t-— -I-
Discussion Toup 1760. 1-3; Meineke 1840 III. 167; 1847. xvi, 577; Bothe 1855.
420-1; Meineke 1857 V.clxxvii; Herwerden 1878. 65-6; Kock 1884 11.140;
Blaydes 1890a. 81; Blaydes 1896. 122; Edmonds 1959 11.50—1; Kassel-Austin
1991 11.244; Sanchis Llopis et al. 2007. 245
Citation Context A lexicographical notice illustrating the use of αβέλτερος
(Men. Perinth. fr. 3) and άβελτήριον (this fragment).
Text In 2, the transmitted άβελτηρίου τεμενικοϋ is unmetrical and has been
much emended, particularly τεμενικοϋ, although not convincingly; for a selec-
tion of emendations, see Kock ad loc. The easiest solution is to read άβελτερείου
with Dindorf, leaving τεμενικοϋ alone, which restores the meter but leaves
a sense that many have found objectionable, αβέλτερος (‘simple-minded’)
and the noun αβελτερία are fairly common (see on fr. 22.1); for the form
άβελτέρειος, cf. fr. 9.2 (ήμετέρειον), although note Lobeck 1837. 322, who
states that ‘nihil decerni potest’regarding the form of this word. The neuter
is used here as a substantive, as both Photius and the Suda assert (λέγουσι δε
καί άβελτέρειον τον άβέλτερον [accepting Dindorf’s emendations]).
Interpretation Assuming that this play is modeled on that of Euripides, there
are several possibilities for the context. Speaker B is almost certainly a man
(see on 2 ώ Ήράκλεις) and seems unfamiliar with the surroundings; Speaker
A seems to be acting as his guide. The most obvious possibility is that B is
Menelaos, with Theonoe or Helen (A) showing him about. The catalogue of
equipment in 1 suggests that Menelaos has none of his own, i. e. that he has
arrived shipwrecked, as at the beginning of E. HeZ.; Speaker As evident access
and familiarity with the collection suggests that she may be a priestess, like
Iphigeneia in E. IT. Naval equipment was regularly dedicated, and the items
listed here are perhaps dedications from sailors who survived previous wrecks
or, more likely, spoils taken by the hostile Egyptians from shipwreck victims;
cf. Pritchett 1974-1991 III.240-8, 279-85.
1 άγκυρα Anchors are known from a very early period and occur in a
variety of shapes and materials; see in general Mercanti 1979; Morrison and
Williams 1968. 302-3.
λέμβος A skiff towed or carried by a larger ship, usually if not exclusively
a merchant ship rather than a warship, and used to communicate with the
shore or to facilitate escape in case of emergency (e. g. D. 32.6; 34.10; Plaut.