Incertarum fabularum fragmenta (fr. 49)

273

that was Amphis’ own coinage. Regarding the term’s precise meaning (LSJ9
s.v.: with flowing hair), we only have Pollux’ interpretation, which may or
may not have relied on direct consultation of Amphis’ original play. Yet, this
seems a reasonable understanding of the term; the preposition παρά presently
bears connotations of alteration and change (LSfl s. v. παρά G.iv.3), designating
something (here, a habit) that deviates from the standard norm.
The original context into which Amphis used the term παράκομος is be-
yond recovery. Yet, it is noteworthy that the habit of letting one’s hair grow
long was regularly practised (i) by Spartans (Hdt. 1.82), and (ii) in Athens
especially (though not exclusively) by members (mostly youths) of the upper
class of cavalrymen (ιππείς), and was typically regarded as a sign of snobbery
and ostentatious display of wealth; at times, it could even bear political conno-
tations of antidemocratic feelings; cf. e. g. Eq. 580 μή φθονεΐθ’ ήμΐν κομώσι μηδ’
άπεστλεγγισμένοις (don’t begrudge us our long hair and our use of luxurious
bathing utensils)·, cf. Eq. 1121, Nu. 545, V. 463-476/7, Av. 911, etc. It is impossi-
ble to know whether Amphis used the term παράκομος within any specifically
(politically or otherwise) charged context or whether it was simply meant as
a derisive comment bearing no further implications whatsoever.