Λυκούργος (fr. 28)

137

paestic dimeters in catalogues, especially of food, e. g. fr. 42; Mnesim. fr. 4; Eub.
fr. 63; in general, Nesselrath 1990. 267-80, esp. 273-6; Introduction.
A related interpretative issue is whether the diminutives signal endear-
ment or contempt. Meineke commended Dalecamp’s suggestion of the latter
and adduced Ar. fr. 92, although its relevance is doubtful. Only the larger
context could resolve the issue; in the absence of that, the decision rests on
whether the fragment is interpreted as exultation at Dionysus’ flight or as
describing a banquet vel sim. Even if the fragment does describe Dionysus
in the sea, a tone of gentle mocking might be better understood than scorn;
in any case, the diminutives remove the grandeur normally appropriate for
a divinity and place Dionysus on a mundane level. Note, however, that with
the marginal exception of the flatfish, and possibly the unknown skindarion,
all the fish mentioned are small to begin with, and even the flatfish, like the
others, is generally considered commonplace and inexpensive; cf. Arnott 1996
on Alex. fr. 144.
1 συμπαίζει See Dover 1993. 57-9; with reference to deities, Kock 1894
on Ar. Av. 1098.
κορακινιδίοις The raven-fish, a small, inexpensive and relatively un-
desirable fish; e. g. fr. 34.10-12; Amphis fr. 22; Alex. fr. 18 with Arnott 1996 ad
loc.; Archestr. fr. 20.3 (SH150) with Olson-Sens 2000 ad loc.; Thompson 1947.
122-3; Micha-Lampaki 1984. 90-1. The diminutive is found also at Pherecr. fr.
62 (in the same metrical position as here). The raven-fish is mentioned with
the perch at Philyll. fr. 12.3, and with the goby, perch, thratta, shrimp, and
flatfish at Mnesim. fr. 4.33-42.
2 περκιδίων Although the diminutive occurs only here, πέρκη itself is
common enough (e. g. fr. 42.50; Antiph. fr. 192.2, 4; Alex. fr. 115.13; Henioch.
fr. 3.3). Apparently named for its speckled appearance (cf. Arist. fr. 295 Rose
[231 Gigon]; Stromberg 1943. 24-5; Frisk 1954-1972 s. v. περκνός), the perch,
a small fish, has both fresh and saltwater varieties, although here the context
demands the saltwater one; see Thompson 1947. 195-7; Micha-Lampaki 1984.
113-14; Olson-Sens 1999 on Matro fr. 1.51 (SH 534).
θραττιδίων As with περκιδίων, the diminutive occurs only here, and
thratta only at Antiph. fr. 209.3; Mnesim. fr. 4.41; Arist. GA 785b23; SEG
XXXII 450.B3 (tariff on fish prices from Hellenistic Boeotia); cf. Archipp. fr.
27. Little is known about the thratta other than it is a small seafish, unless it
is to be regarded as essentially equivalent to the thrissa (a type of herring; cf.
Thompson 1947. 77-8), as Thompson 1947. 77 claims; cf. Micha-Lampaki 1984.
85-6. Dorotheos ap. Ath. 7.329d calls it a θέττα, which Athenaeus regards as
either the product of reliance on a faulty text or Dorotheus’ own invention,
while Stromberg 1943. 86 explains this as a dialectal variant. The name simply