126

Κυνηγέται (fr. 25)

Interpretation The line is most naturally spoken by or to a father in reference
to a son who is also a character in the play. The comment could describe the
son’s behaviour or, just as easily, could reflect behaviour he should display
but does not.
οίκόσιτος The most likely meaning here is ‘self-sufficient’ (cf. Wilkins
2000. 81 n. 125). The word does not occur before the fourth century, when it
appears in the four fragments cited by Athenaeus; Anaxil. fr. 38; Men. fr. 340;
Thphr. Char. 22.4, and two inscriptions from Eleusis. Thereafter, it is attested
in a number of late prose authors and several lexicographers. The supposed
literal sense ‘eating at home’ is found seldom if ever (pace LSJ [a confused
entry]); perhaps better is ‘fed from home’. The most common sense is ‘eating
at private, i. e. not public, expense’: e. g. Antiph. fr. 98 εκκλησιαστής οίκόσιτος.
Similarly, the οίκόσιτοι of IGII 1672.29, etc. (= I.Eleusis 177) are slaves hired by
the state from their master, who nevertheless undertakes to provide their food;
cf. Clinton ad loc. (I.Eleusis 11.150); IGII2 1673A (= I.Eleusis 150); Thphr. Char.
22.4. The same usage is applied to soldiers whose provisions are provided by
their general (e. g. Plu. Crass. 19.2). An extension of this sense is the use at Men.
fr. 340 to describe a wedding where the guests, not the host, provide the food.
The word acquired an extended meaning of ‘self-sufficient, not burdensome’;
cf. Men. fr. 98; Cith. fr. 6 (metaphorical). The apparent exception is Luc. Somn.
1, where it appears to mean ‘burdensome’ (of a grown son dependent on his
father); presumably Lucian is using the word as it was applied to slaves and
soldiers, i. e. dependents who must be fed.
γίγνεται For γιγν- vs. γιν-, see Arnott 1996 on Alex. fr. 37.7; cf. fr. 53.7.