230

Πρωτεσίλαος (fr. 42)

dressing, οπός is routinely characterized as highly acidic or pungent (e. g. Ar.
Ec. with Ussher 1973 ad loc. [cf. Σ ad loc. πάνυ γάρ δριμύτατος ό οπός]; Pl. 719
[cf. Zrecc ad loc.]·, Diph. fr. 18.2 [equated with sharp vinegar]; cf. Ar. Pax 1184
βλέπων οπόν), whence its use to curdle milk for cheese (e. g. Emp. FVS 31 B
33; Arist. HA 522b2-5; cf. Thphr. CP 1.16.7).
60 κάρδαμα As with οπός, κάρδαμον (cress) is noted for its acerbity
(e.g. Thphr. HP 1.12.1 [classified as δριμύς]; Dsc. 2.155; cf. Ar. V. 455 βλεπόντων
κάρδαμα); this may be the origin of the apparently proverbial διαφέρει σύκα
καρδάμων at Henioch. fr. 4.2. It is included in lists of condiments at Antiph.
fr. 140.4 and Eub. fr. 18.2 (cf. fr. 35.4) and described as όψον at X. Cyr. 1.2.8 (on
άρτος) and Luc. Tim. 56 (on μάζα), in both of which it is indicative of simple
fare. For the plant’s cultivation, cf. Thphr. HP 7.1.2-3, 6; for its medicinal uses,
cf. Dsc. 2.155; Plin. NH 20.127-30. At Thphr. HP 7.1.8 it is characterized as
φίλυδρα (cf. Hp. Viet. 2.54 [VI.558.6-8 Littre]; Ar. Nu. 232-4 with van Leeuwen
1898 ad loc.), whence the joke at Ar. Th. 616 about difficulty in urinating after
eating cress. At least some varieties of cress are associated with the East; cf.
Theopomp. Com. fr. 18 Μήδων γαϊαν, ένθα καρδάμων / πλείστων ποιείται και
πράσων άβυρτάκη; Eub. fr. 18.2 κάρδαμον Μιλήσιον; Dsc. 2.155 κάρδαμον
δοκεϊ κάλλιστον είναι τό έν Βαβυλώνι.
σήσαμα Sesame seeds appear in catalogues in combination with con-
diments or small finger-foods (e.g. Antiph. fr. 140.2; Alex. fr. 132.3; Philem.
fr. 113.3; Philippid. fr. 20.1); for sesame in general, cf. Arnott 1996 on Alex,
fr. 132.3. Sesame perhaps occurs most frequently as a primary ingredient in
σησαμή or σησαμίς, a sesame-cake served at weddings (cf. Olson 1998 on
Ar. Pax 869;101 Gomme-Sandbach 1973 on Men. Sam. 74), and so is perhaps
particularly appropriate here.
κήρυκες κήρυξ,102 the general term for large, whelk-shaped gastropods,
is included in catalogues of food also at Anaxil. fr. 18.4; Alex. frr. 175.2; 281.2;
in general, cf. Olson-Sens 2000 on Archestr. fr. 7.6-7 (SH 187); Arnott 1996
on Alex. fr. 175.2; Thompson 1947. 113-14. Its reputation as an aphrodisiac
(Alex. frr. 175.2; 281.2; contrast Gal. 14.487) may influence its inclusion here.
άλες Salt is common as a preservative but also as a condiment (e. g.
Antiph. fr. 71.2; Alex. 138.6; Sotad. Com. fr. 1.7); Arnott 1996 on Alex. fr. 138.6

101 In the text and note, for σησαμή read σησαμή (contraction of σησαμέα).
102 For κήρυξ, the traditional accentuation, as opposed to the expected κήρυξ, cf.
Chandler 1881 §622; Lobeck 1837. 411-12. In fact, the traditional accentuation as
articulated by the ancient grammarians is probably dependent on an ancient mis-
understanding of the Homeric text; cf. Leaf 1900-1902 on Η. II. 17.324; Matthews
1996 on Antim. fr. 22.1 (21.1 Wyss).