Πρωτεσίλαος (fr. 42)

227

1998 ad loc.·, Eub. fr. 74.3; Ephipp. fr. 13.5; in general, cf. Olson-Sens 2000 on
Archestr. fr. 60.15 (SH192).
κράνειαι The cornel cherry, mentioned only here in comedy, is known
already in Homer (Od. 10.242), where it is considered typical food for pigs;
more common is a reference to the wood of the tree, particularly when used
for spears or other weapons, as at e. g. Η. II. 16.676; E. fr. 785.2; AP 6.122.1 (HE
644). Thphr. HP 3.2.1 reports (‘they say’) that, contrary to most fruits, the wild
cornel cherry is riper and sweeter than the cultivated variety.
55 The items in this line are occasionally referred to as food; but the last
two and perhaps the last three are equally well known as purgatives and may
be included here for the sake of humor. For μήκων as a purgative, cf. Thphr.
HP 9.12.3-5; for άχρας, cf. Hp. Salubr. 2.55 (CMG 1.2.4) άχράδες δέ χειμέριοι
πέπειροι διαχωρέουσι και τήν κοιλίην καθαίρουσιν. έρπυλλος is asserted to
be a diuretic at Gal. XI.877 Kuhn (ούρα κινεϊν); cf. Dsc. 3.38.2. Only ρόαι are
not known to be purgatives, although note the existence of a type of poppy
called ροιάς, which Thphr. HP 9.12.4 says καθαίρει δέ κάτω; such an associa-
tion is difficult, however, given the position of ρόαι at the head of the group.
Nevertheless, the pomegranate may have been regarded as an abortifacient;
cf. Nixon 1995. 85-8.
ρόαι For pomegranates in food catalogues, e.g. Ar. Pax 1001; Antiph.
fr. 66; Ephipp. fr. 24.1. ροιά, the epic-ionic form, gradually replaces ρόα, the
earlier Attic form, in the latter part of the fourth century (cf. Arnott 1996 on
Alex. fr. 73; Threatte 1980 1.333-4), although it was on occasion used earlier
for metrical reasons (e. g. Ar. Pax 1001); the distinction in meaning sometimes
asserted (Amm. 430 ροιά μέν μετά τού ι τό δένδρον, ρόα δέ ό καρπός; cf. Poll.
6.80) cannot be maintained.
έρπυλλος Known for its pleasant scent (e. g. Thphr. HP 6.6.2), thyme is
most often used for garlands (e.g. Cratin. fr. 105.4; Eub. fr. 104.7) or perfume
(e.g. Antiph. fr. 105.7); cf. Ar. Pax 168 with Olson 1998 ad loc.·, Gow 1952 on
Theoc. Ep. 1.2.
μήκων Poppy seeds are occasionally mentioned as food, e. g. Ar. Av. 160
(reminiscent of a wedding) with Dunbar 1995 ad loc.·, Th. 4.26.8 (collective
singular, as here) with Gomme 1956 ad loc.
άχράδες Wild pears, as opposed to the cultivated pear (άπιος; cf. Arnott
1996 on Alex. fr. 34.2), are found in a catalogue of food also at Alex. fr. 167.13;
cf. Ussher 1973 on Ar. Ec. 355; Arnott 1996 on Alex. fr. 167.13.
56 κνήκος Saffron appears in a food catalogue only here, although
Dsc. 4.188.1 reports that τούτου τω ανθεί χρώνται εις τά προσοχήματα; at
4.188.2 he further remarks that τό δέ σπέρμα κοπτόμενον και χυλιζόμενον σύν