120

Eupolis

Discussion Musolesi 1978-1979
Citation context A gloss on Hp. Epid. 116.28 (5.138.6 Littre) μυττωτόν δριμύν.
Text Figs have nothing to do with either μυττωτός or άμυλοι (normally mas-
culine), and the diminutive συκάριον is attested nowhere else. It thus seems
better to print σκευάρι’ (Erot.A) rather than συκάρι’ (Erot.HMLO).
Interpretation Erotian says expressly that the production of an άμυλος
(“wheat-paste cake”, normally masculine; cf. Ar. Ach. 1092 with Olson 2002
ad loc.) is in question. This argues for taking τά σκευάρι’ as the subject of
the verb rather than as its object;61 for understanding μυττωτός—properly a
paste made of garlic (and at least occasionally including other ingredients,
such as cheese) worked in a mortar (Anan. fr. 5.7-8; Hippon. fr. 36.2; Ar. Ach.
174; Eq. 771; Pax 227-88; Thphr. HP 7.4.11; Poll. 6.70; Villing and Pemberton
2010. 615-16); etymology uncertain—as meaning by extension “a paste”; and
for taking πολύν as essentially adverbial (see fr. 15 n.), the quantity of “paste”
produced not being the point. See in general Musolari. It is nonetheless odd to
present culinary equipment as an agent, and it seems better to follow Edmunds
1957. 381 in thinking that Erotian has misunderstood the line, which he must
have known without context. For the image (~ “smashed into tiny pieces,
pounded to bits”), cf. Ar. V. 63 τον αύτόν άνδρα μυττωτεύσομεν (“we’ll turn
the same man into myttotos”); Pax 247 καταμεμυττωτευμένα (“reduced to
myttdtos”; punningly of a city).
σκευάρι(α), like σκεύος (frr. 161.1 with n.; 307 with n.), is a general term
for “stuff’ of all sorts, especially minor, moveable household equipment in-
cluding kitchen utensils, furniture and vessels of all kinds (e. g. Crates Com. fr.
16.4-7; Ar. Pax 201-2; 771. 738; Ec. 730-45 with 753; Pl. Com. fr. 129; Ale. Com.
fr. 27 σκευάρι’ οίκητήρια with Orth 2013 ad loc.; adesp. com. fr. 1062.12 (distin-
guished from money); Aeschin. 1.59 συνέτριβον τά σκευάρια καί διερρίπτουν
εις την οδόν, “they smashed his household goods and threw them out into the
street”). Petersen 1910. 263-4 calls this a “generalized” diminutive, meaning
that there is no difference between one’s σκεύος and one’s σκευάρι(α), except
that with the latter word the equipment is presented as a collection of this and
that rather than as a single mass.

61 Cf. Storey 2011. 191 “The utensils made up a mess of savoury paste”, although he
inexplicably prints συκάρι’ rather than σκευάρι’ in his Greek text.