116

Κανηφόρος (fr. 22)

Stob. 2.1.3
Άναξανδρίδου Κανηφόρω·-
Anaxandrides’ Kanephoros:-
Metre lambic trimeter.
—— χΙ<— x—>
Discussion Grotius 1623 1.170-1, 191; Meineke 1840 III.171; 1847. 579; Bothe
1855. 422; Meineke 1857 V.clxxvii, 80; Kock 1884 11.143; 1888 III.737; Pickard-
Cambridge 1900. 54; Edmonds 1959. 54-5; Kassel-Austin 1991 11.248; Sanchis
Llopis et al. 2007. 250
Citation Context Included in Stobaeus’ chapter Περί των τα θεία έρμονευ-
όντων, και ώς ε’ίη άνθρώποις ακατάληπτος ή των νοητών κατά τήν ουσίαν
άλήθεια. Numerous parallels for the sentiment are found there; Pearson 1917
on S. fr. 919 adds more. The commonplace is expressed as early as Hes. Op.
42 and thence continuously through antiquity, including in Christian sources
(e. g. Rom. 11:33).
Interpretation Despite the apparent ordinariness of the expression, it sug-
gests some confusion over identity and/or status, a typical feature of the sort
of plot, best known from New Comedy, in which a child is lost or a slave or
person of similarly low status turns out to be well-born and free.
1 πρός For the force of the preposition, see LSJ s. v. C.I.6.b.
τά θεΐ(α) ‘The acts of the gods’, as at e. g. Alex. fr. 269.3; Philem. fr. 357
K. (= Comp. Men. Phil. 2.16-17); adesp. com. fr. 881; contrast Alex. fr. 31.4
‘heavenly bodies.’
αβέλτεροι Not found before the late fifth century, άβέλτερος occurs
predominantly in comedy (e. g. Ar. Nu. 1201; Ra. 98948; Amphis fr. 41; Alex,
fr. 247.7 [opposed to έμφρων]; Men. Epitr. 450; Sam. 126; cf. fr. 12.2 with n.),
as well as in some prose authors (e.g. Pl. R. 490c; Hyp. Lyc. 7 Μαργίτης ό
πάντων άβελτερώτατος; D. 34.41; Aeschin. 1.71), and is presumably colloquial
language.

48 In the note in Dover 1993 ad loc., for Ec. 297 read Th. 290.