7

Preface
It was in 2011, when I was considering the possibility of a study on some poet of
Middle Comedy, that Theodores K. Stephanopoulos and loannis Konstantakos
independently suggested that I undertake a commentary on Timocles. In 2012
I presented a sample of my work at a workshop entitled “Kommentierung der
Fragmente der griechischen Komoedie”, organized by the Heidelberg Academy
at Freiburg. The next year I was assigned the Timocles volume by the KomFrag
committee.
From some points of view, Timocles departs from the norm of his time, and
in particular from near-contemporary comedians such as Alexis, Eubulus and
Antiphanes, and appears to be the most Aristophanic’ poet of the fourth century.
More specifically, in a period when political satire seems to have lost its vigor, he
employs acerbic attacks against major and minor Athenian politicians. The fact
that at least sixteen of the forty-two surviving fragments of his poetry contain
explicit or implicit references to politicians can hardly be attributed to chance.
Timocles’ inventiveness and versatility are also demonstrated, inter alia, in his
combination of different motifs, his association of mythical figures with contem-
porary personalities and his employment of a figurative language.
The volume follows the principles and structure of the commentaries of the
KomFrag project. It includes an introduction on Timocles and a detailed examina-
tion and commentary of the testimonies and the surviving fragments. Concerning
the references to Greek texts, I follow the standard abbreviations of LSJ. I have
provided a translation for the Greek and Fatin passages, unless they are cited for
reasons of style. The Loeb series is usually the basis for these translations, but in
most cases I deviate from it either slightly or substantially.
First and foremost, I am deeply grateful to Professor Bernhard Zimmermann,
for his constant help, kindness and encouragement all these years. Thanks to his
support I was able to visit Freiburg several times and present parts of my work
at the colloquia of the KomFrag team. Stelios Chronopoulos was, from the very
beginning to the end, extremely helpful, supportive and always ready to find so-
lutions for every problem. I am especially indebted to Professor Douglas Olson,
who was kind enough to read some chapters of the book when still in progress.
His critique convinced me to abandon some arbitrary positions and try to restrict
myself to more solid grounds (although I am not sure that I have always managed
to do so).
I feel the need to personally thank the members of KomFrag for their participa-
tion in the presentations of parts of my work in Freiburg all these years: Bernhard
Zimmermann, Douglas Olson, Stelios Chronopoulos, Christian Orth, Andreas
Bagordo, Anna Novokhatko, Franzesco Biancci, Virginia Mastellari and Elizabetta
Miccolis. For me it was a great experience - and honor - to discuss, exchange
opinions, get feedback and enjoy their company and friendship.