Incertarum fabularum fragmenta (fr. 409)

175

[fr. 408 K.-A. (25 Dem.)]

Phot, a 1978
άνθρωπος έ ξ όδοΰ· άντί τοΰ άνθρωπος επιτυχών καί των πολλών τών έν τάϊς
όδοϊς καλινδουμένων. λέγει δέ τούτο Εϋπολις
A person from the s t r e e t: in place of “a chance person and one of the many
wandering about on the streets”. Eupolis uses the phrase
Citation context A lexicographic entry found in the abbreviated form
άνθρωπος έξ όδοϋ· άντί τού άνθρωπος τών έν όδοϊς καλινδουμένων in the
Epitome of Phrynichus (p. 6.4-5 Borries), and thus presumably drawn from
the original version of the Praeparatio Sophistica.
Interpretation The expression έξ όδοϋ is otherwise attested only at fr. 403
(n.), which must refer to the same passage in Eupolis. Whether he wrote
άνθρωπος or the word is merely used as a place-holder (cf. τινας in fr. 403) is
unclear; cf. frr. 406; 409. But this is in any case a ghost fragment.

fr. 409 K.-A. (377 K.)
Phryn. PS p. 4.11-13
άνωφέλητος άνθρωπος· Εϋπολις μέν ιδίως επί τοΰ μή δυναμένου ή μή
βουλομένου ώφεληθήναι, οί δέ πολλοί έπί τοΰ μή ώφελεϊν θέλοντος ή δυναμένου
an andpheletos person: Eupolis (uses the phrase/word) idiosyncratically, to
refer to someone unable or unwilling to receive a benefit, whereas most authors (use
it) to refer to someone unwilling or unable to bestow a benefit

Discussion Orth 2009. 262

Meter Perhaps trochaic tetrameter, e. g.

or (if άνθρωπος is rejected) iambic trimeter, e. g.

-I<-

x—>

Citation context Phot, a 2169 άνωφέλητος άνθρωπος· Στράττις (fr. 68)·
άνωφέλητος καί θεοϊς έχθρός (“an andpheletos person: Strattis (fr. 68): some-
one who brings no benefits and is an enemy of the gods”) must originally have
been part of the same entry in Phrynichus.