Ταξίαρχοι (fr. 273)

407

fr. 2.37; Alex. fr. 263.2; misleadingly called “Prose use” (better “colloquial”; see
Collard 1975 on E. Supp. 634) at LSJ s. v. εχω A.I.6.
A χαλκίον can be any vessel made of bronze (cf. fr. 415). But such vessels
are several times said to be heated, i. e. over a fire (fr. 99.41-2 with n.; Ar. fr.
345; IG I3 421.96 χαλκίον θερμαντέρι[ον], “a bronze vessel for heating wa-
ter”, with Amyx 1958. 218-19, who observes that the price of 25 drachmas 2
obols second-hand suggests a vessel of considerable size (i. e. large enough
to heat the water for a bath); 1456.14-15 χαλκίον θερμ/αντήριον; cf. Antiatt.
p. 99.21-2 θερμαίνεσθαι- ού μόνον τό ϋδωρ, άλλα καί τό λεβήτιον ή χαλκίον
(“to be warmed: (used) not only of the water, but also of the basin or bronze
vessel”), and here the reference is most likely to a cauldron for heating the
water to be poured into the bathtub. Pollux’ λέβης and τρίπους ό έμπυριβήτης
are thus probably different terms for the same item, not different items asso-
ciated with a bathhouse.
2 A λεχώ (cognate with λέχος, “bed”) is a woman who just given birth231
(e. g. E. El. 652, 654; Ar. Ec. 530 with Ussher 1973 ad loc.; Hp. Super/. 8 = 8.482.4
Littre; Thphr. Char. 16.9; IGV 713-14).
στρατιώτις is to be taken closely together with λεχώ (cf. Kuhner-Gerth
1898 i.271-2) and thus functions as an adjective, as at A. Ag. 47; Th. 1.116.1;
IG I3 21.10.

fr. 273 K.-A. (258 K.)
ού θάττον αυτήν δεύρο μοι των τοξοτών
άγαγών άποκηρύξει τις, ό τι αν άλφάνη;
2 άγαγών scripsi : άγων codd.
One of the bowmen bring her here quickly
and auction her off for whatever price she might fetch!
Phot, a 1065 = Suda a 1446 = Synag. B a 955
άλφάνει· ευρίσκει... Εϋπολις Ταξιάρχαις·-
alphanei: finds ... Eupolis in Taxiarchai:-

231 Not “near to childbirth” or “about to have a baby” (Wilson and Rusten 2011. 266,
respectively, perhaps thinking of the old adage about boiling water and tearing up
sheets).