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Timokles

συνδιακτορεϊ Cf. under “Text”. The epithet διάκτορος is obscure. West 1978,
160 notes that Hesiod, and also later poets, may have understood it as “messenger”
(διάγω αγγελίας). For Hermes as a ‘Guide of Souls’ cf. A. fr. 273a v. 8 Radt (from
Psychagdgoi) χθόνιόν θ’Έρμήν πομπόν φθιμένων; Raingeard 1934; Kerenyi 1944;
Nilsson 1967,508-9. For Hermes as συλλήπτωρ (assistant) cf. A. Ch. 818 ξυλλάβοι
δ’ ένδίκως παϊς ό Μαίας, έπει φορώτατος πράξιν ούρίσαι θέλων.
2 άν ή πρόθυμος For Hermes’ prompt response (προθυμία) to a request cf.
Ar. Th. 977-9Έρμήν τε νόμιον άντομαι I και Πάνα και Νύμφας φίλας / έπιγελάσαι
προθύμως; Th. 981.
καταβέβηκεν The verb alludes to a katabasis. In order to protect Aristomedes
from Satyrus’ attack, the god takes his protege back to earth. For the use of this verb
in the context of a journey to the underworld cf. Ar. fr. 508; Amips. fr. 22 (with
Orth 2013 ad loc.); Aristopho fr. 21.1 (with Papachrysostomou 2008 ad loc.). Cf.
also Hom. Od. 23.252; Hes. Th. 917, 974, 1014; E. Heracl. 913. In comedy Hermes
is the god who transgresses the boundaries between the upper world and the
underworld. His most emblematic katabasis is that described in Hymn to Demeter
344, when he rescued Persephone from Hades: Έρμης δ’ ούκ άπίθησεν, άφαρ δ’
ύπό κεύθεα γαίης / έσσυμένως κατόρουσε λιπών έδος Ούλύμποιο; Richardson
2010, 264; Dowden-Livingstone 2011, 285-6. Alternatively, Hermes acts as apsy-
chopompos and accompanies the dead to Hades (fr. 14 συνδιακτορεϊ). Journeys
to the underworld were dramatized on the comic stage by Aristophanes {Frogs,
Gerytades) and, less probably, Eupolis (Demot). See Edmonds 2004, 111-56.
άσμενος This word is a stronger variation of the preceding πρόθυμος. The
formulation is similar to a prayer-formula, where Hermes is described as an eager
assistant; cf. the couple θέλων/χρήιζων in A. Ch. 812-4 ξυλλάβοι δ’ ένδίκως παϊς
ό Μαίας, έπει φορώτατος πράξιν ούρίσαι θέλων. αλλά πολλά δ’ άμφανεϊ χρήιζων.
See Garvie 1988 ad loc.
3 This line has no proper caesura.
χαριζόμενος γ’ Άριστομήδη τω καλώ The expression alludes to an erotic
relationship between the patron Hermes and the protege Aristomedes. The formu-
lation may suggest that Aristomedes is still young (cf. Pl. Prt. 362a άλλά Καλλία τω
καλώ χαριζόμενος παρέμεινα, where Callias must be very young at the dramatic
time of Protagoras'), unless the reference is ironical. Cf. also X. HG 2.3.56 Κριτία
τοϋτ’ έστω τω καλώ, said ironically by Theramenes when flicking away the last
drops of the hemlock, as in a cottabus game. For χαρίζεσθαι in an erotic context
cf. Pl. Phdr. 273b ώς μη έρώντι προ τοϋ έρώντος δέοι χαρίζεσθαι.
In LGPN II sixteen men named Aristomedes are listed; cf. PAA 173470
“Politician nicknamed Brazen and Thief, 350-325”. It was usually believed that
Timocles’ target here is Aristomedes Azanieus {LGPN II, n. 9019), who followed
in the footsteps of his father Aristophon. But when Demosthenes in the Fourth
Philippic attacks both Aristomedes and his father, the latter is described as if dead
(σο'ι μέν ήν κλέπτης ό πατήρ). Yet Aristophon was still alive at that time; moreo-
ver, Demosthenes refers to him with respect both in The False Embassy (19.291,