Νηρηίδες (fr. 33)

153

Metre lambic trimeter.
<x— x—>1-—

Discussion Jacobs 1809. 261; Meineke 1840 III. 174—5; 1847. 581; Bothe 1855.
423-4; Meineke 1857 V.clxxviii; Kock 1884 11.146; Edmonds 1959 11.56—9;
Kassel-Austin 1991 11.253; Sanchis Llopis et al. 2007. 253
Citation Context The fragment is cited in a brief interlude in Athenaeus’
discussion of kymbia (11.481d-2e; cf. on fr. 3), in which quotation of Ephipp.
fr. 9 calls forth a brief discussion and collection of testimonia for a certain
Euripides, to be distinguished from the homonymous tragic poet. In addition
to Ephipp. fr. 9, Athenaeus refers to On the poets mocked in Middle Comedy by
Antiochus of Alexandria54 and quotes this fragment and Ephipp. fr. 16.
Text In 2, emendation of A’s σύγκωμε to σύ, Κώμε is metrically necessary,
and in any case the three occurrences of σύγκωμος (A. fr. 355; Ar. Ach. 264;
E. Ba. 1172) are all specifically tied to the worship of Dionysus and an actual
revel, so that it is inappropriate here. Dobree’s Κώμε (LGPNII s. v. Κώμος [2];
12x total in LGPNII, although only two others are from the fourth century)
is surely correct.
Interpretation There are clearly two speakers in this fragment, in addition
to another individual discussed in the third person only. The speaker of 3
may be a fourth person, or this may be Komos’ humorous response to the
command (cf. on 2). Since the language of the command suggests that Komos
is not simply handing the objects to the third person but bringing them to
him, the third person is probably some distance away; there may be a number
of separate couches arranged around the stage for a banqueting/symposium
scene, or the man may even be offstage.
1 χοά A standard liquid measure equaling 3.2 litres (cf. Young 1939.
278-80 [2-chous klepsydra]·, Broneer 1938. 222-4 [equivalent dry measure]),
although the word often refers to the trefoil-mouthed pitcher (see Agora XII,
pp. 60-3), presumably containing one chous, at least originally, in which wine
was served. As here, the two meanings often seem to be conflated (e. g. Cratin.
fr. 299; Alex. fr. 15.18-19); for the price of a chous, see Arnott 1996 ad loc.·,
Pritchett 1956. 199-203. For the accentuation (χοά as opposed to χόα), see

54 Aside from the passing reference of Athenaeus, nothing is known about either the
man (RE Antiochus 67) or his work.