Βάπται (fr. *92)

277

Meter In the nominative, the words can be accommodated in iambs (e. g.
—— <—» and might thus be drawn from an abuse song like fr. 99.1-22.
Discussion Fritzsche 1835. 232-4; Storey 2003. 106-7; Delneri 2006. 332-4
Citation context Probably extracted from a catalogue of men named Demo-
critus; see Interpretation.
Text Musurus corrected the defective paradosis and accented the proper
name Βάστας, as in a 3rd-century decree from Chios; see Robert 1969. 1092
#4. Kassel-Austin substitute the perispomenon form; see Masson 1986. 177 =
Masson 1990. 501, citing in n. 20 another example of the name in I.Erythrai 334.
Interpretation “The well-known Bastas of Chios” (τον Χίον εκείνον Βαστάν)
is also mentioned at Luc. Pseudol. 3, where he is said to be “wise in the same
matters” as Ariphrades, whom Aristophanes denounces at Eq. 1281-6 for
devoting himself to cunnilingus in brothels.
The Democritus in question must be the musician Democritus of Chios
(RE Demokritos 9), who is also mentioned by Aristophanes (fr. 930; cf. Arist.
Rh. 1409b26—7; D.L. 9.49; Poll. 4.65) and who seems to have been an advo-
cate of the “New Music” (for which, see fr. 366 n.). As D.L. 9.49 mentions
another Democritus who wrote about the temple of Artemis in Ephesus and
Samothrace (RE Demokritus 5; FGrH 267), the latter is probably the historio-
grapher mentioned by Hesychius rather than another man who bore the rare
name Bastas.170 The original source of this material is thus most likely a list
of homonyms of the atomist philosopher Democritus of Abdera.
As we know nothing more of how Bastas was depicted or referred to in
Baptai, there is little point in speculating (with Delneri) about whether he was
one of Kotyto’s followers and, if so, how this might be connected with the fact
that he hailed from Chios.

fr. *92 K.-A. (82 K.)
Harp. p. 72.3-5 = B 8 Keaney ~ Phot, β 91
Βάταλος· Αισχίνης έν τώ περί Παραπρεσβείας (2.99). κεκωμώδηται δέ επί μαλακία.
Εϋπολις δέ τον πρωκτόν βάταλον λέγει, μήποτε ούν ένθεν τούς κίναιδους βατάλους
καλοϋσι

170 The one example at Athens seems to be a non-citizen (of unknown origin). The
other examples suggest that the name was used exclusively to the east and north-
east.