214

Πρωτεσίλαος (fr. 42)

is serving the soup, a task normally delegated to a slave, continues the inver-
sion or contrast with normal Athenian practice and introduces what might
normally be mockery of Cotys for his barbarousness (i. e. not knowing — or
ignoring — normal dining etiquette and being ready to assume a slavish role)
and for his gluttony (by placing himself in a position to have first access to
the food; cf. 14-15) but here is perhaps grounds for envy (Cotys’ quick and
unlimited access to food and drink).
περιεζώσθαι Most scholars have claimed that this verb, when used
in a culinary context, is equivalent to εχων περίζωμα (cf. Heges. fr. 1.7) or
περιζώστραν (cf. Anaxandr. fr. 70); see Arnott 1996 on Alex. fr. 179.11 for bib-
liography. But Arnott 1996 (followed by Dunbar 1995 on Ar. Av. 1148) argues
forcefully that the word means ‘with the tunic supported by a waist-belt’,
and suggests that this refers to a style of dress in which ‘the χιτών was worn
like a modern bath-towel, doubled and hanging down over the belt, with the
arms and upper body left free’.89 Although Arnott’s arguments are generally
persuasive, his dismissal of several possible representations of aprons is not
conclusive, and the post-classical meaning of περίζωμα, ‘loin-cloth’, perhaps
more likely implies an evolution from a sense akin to ‘apron’ than to a style
of dress. In any case, this sort of dress is more appropriate for a menial than
a king and thus continues the characterization of Cotys (cf. previous note).
13 ζωμόν See on fr. 35.5.
έν χοΐ χρυσή See on fr. 33.1. Eust. Od. 1835.20 reports that χοϋς is καί ού
μόνον άρσενικώς, άλλα καί θηλυκώς and quotes this line in support;90 in fact,
the occurrence here seems to be the only example of the feminine (contrast
fr. 33.1).91 That the chous, normally a clay vessel, is made of gold indicates
the incredible extravagance of the feast, and the use to which Cotys puts it
perhaps suggests both the enormous quantity of soup being served and his
ignorance of the vessel’s proper function.

89 This interpretation had been suggested earlier by Dedousi 1965 on Men. Sam. 283
(= 68 in her first edition; see now Dedousi 2006), although with little supporting
evidence (primarily Poll. 4.119).
90 Eustathius makes virtually the same point elsewhere and cites Strabo in support
(cf. Eust. II. 305.43 with van der Valk 1971-1987 ad loc. for further examples from
both Eustathius and Strabo), although in these instances he is discussing χοΰς (B)
(‘heap of earth’). Note that his statement at Od. 1390.60, ό χοΰς μέντοι τό μέτρον,
άεί άρσενικώς. ό δέ γε τής γης, καί θηλυκώς, flatly contradicts his assertion here
and his citation from this fragment.
91 This assertion excludes the feminine examples of χοΰς (B) (see previous footnote)
and Nic. Th. 103, which LSJ mistakenly cite (corrected in the supplement; cf. Gow
1951. 110).