272

Άμφις (Amphis)

ume is of relevance), and Henaff 2013. From among the vast pool of topical
bibliography discussing the notions of gift and exchange in relation to women
and beyond see especially Finley (1981) 233-245; Seaford (1994) 30-73; Lyons
2003 and (2012) passim, esp. 22-52; Wagner-Hasel 2013 (and also the entire
volume ed. by Satlow 2013); Kirk (.2014) 237-241.

fr. 49 (50 K.)
Poll. 2.33 (codd. FS, A, BC)
παρακόμους δέ τούς κομώντας Αμφις (om. BC) εϊρηκεν ό κωμικός (έλεγον οϊ
κωμικοί BC)
the comic poet Amphis has called “p a r a k o m o u s ” those who let their hair grow
long

Metre Unknown
Discussion Bothe 488; Kock 2,250; PCG 2,235; Llopis / Gomez/ Asensio 308
Citation Context This single-word fragment is preserved by Pollux in Book
2 of his Onomasticon, within a discussion (§22 onwards) of various aspects
relating to hair. On this occasion Pollux anthologises numerous terms and
expressions that he considers to be of relevance. Yet, we cannot say with cer-
tainty whether the accusative plural (παρακόμους) was the exact grammatical
form originally used by Amphis or whether this is simply how Pollux uses the
term within his own prose text.
Constitution of Text The passage is preserved in five Pollux’ codices; on
Pollux’ manuscript tradition see Intro. 3 (“Tradition & Reception”). Codices B
and C omit Amphis’ name and preserve the vague clause ελεγον οί κωμικοί.
Yet, we do not need to adopt this claim, i. e. that the comic poets in general
used this term; instead, this looks like a specious and resourceful way to
circumvent the omission of Amphis’ name (which was either entirely un-
available, partly damaged/mutilated or otherwise unintelligible to the scribe).
Besides, this is the only surviving occurrence of the term.
Interpretation Pollux registers a hapax term singularly used by Amphis,
the adjective παράκομος, which he interprets as being synonymous to κομών
(κομάω: let my hair grow long). Despite the alternative claim by two of Pollux’
codices that this term is used by comic poets in general (cf. “Constitution of
Text”), this is the only surviving occurrence in our sources and it is likely