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(Πυθαγόρας/ Pythagóras). [German version] [1] Fictitious Spartan and adviser to Numa Pompilius Fictitious person, supposedly from Sparta, victor at the Olympic Games in 716 BC, emigrated to Italy where he became an adviser to king Numa Pompilius. It seems this person was constructed to establish a connection between P. [2] and Roman religion (Plut. Numa 1,2-3). Käppel, Lutz (Kiel) Bibliography F. Ollier, Pythagore de Sparta, REG 59/60, 1946/7, 139-149. [German version] [2] Philosopher, c. 600 BC Natural philosopher and charismatic teacher from the 6th and early 5th cent…

[German version] (Θρασυάλκης; Thrasyálkēs). 'One of the old nature philosophers' (τῶν ἀρχαίων δὲ φυσικῶν εἷς οὗτος, Str. 17,1,5; 35 fr. 1 DK; [1. 2343; 2]) from Thasos probably in the 5th cent. BC. T. assigned the winds to either Boreas or Notus, the two main winds (Str. 1,2,21; Posidon. FGrH 87 F 74 with comm., critically explained by [1. 2343 f.]). Th. saw the cause for the Nile floods (Nile) in the summer rains of Nubia which in turn were caused by masses of clouds blown in from the north [2] (or the south(?) [4. 1377 f.]) (Str. 17,1,5; Lydus, Mens. 4,107; Posidon. FGrH 87 F 79 with comm.). …

[German version] I. Definition a) A riddle is an encrypted formulation, related to the figurative speech of metaphor and posing a question; its answer (= solution) requires - indeed, provokes - the memory and imagination of the person addressed; an analogical inference is generally helpful to finding the answer [1. 261]. The person who poses the riddle has superior knowledge; hence the addressee concedes expertise to that person or authority (e.g., the seer or oracle); at the same time, the guesser …

(ζήτημα; zḗtēma), plur. zētḗmata (ζητήματα), 'search', 'investigation', 'research questions'. [German version] I. Definition A widespread Greek term for a philosophical-exegetical method of questioning and the subject of an investigation, as well as for the kinds of texts that deal with such questions. The verb ζητεῖν ( zēteîn, generally 'to search') and its derivatives ζήτησις ( zḗtēsis, 'search') and zḗtēma were directed either to a state of affairs (Eur. Bacch. 1218-1221: Cadmus brings the body of Pentheus, which Agave has torn apart, "after he had …

Name of a Roman plebeian family probably deriving from the Italic praenomen Pompo, tracing back, like the Aemilii, Calpurnii and Pinarii, to one of the sons of Numa Pompilius (Plut. Numa 21,2; cf. Nep. Att. 1,1). In the 3rd century BC the Mathones (cf. P. [I 7-9]) achieved consulship, but later the family was insignificant. The most prominent member was a friend of Cicero, T. P. [I 5] Atticus. I. Republican Period [German version] [I 1] P., Cn. People's tribune in 90 BC People's tribune in 90 BC, killed in the Civil War in 82; Cicero quite often heard him in his youth; his j…

(Τιμοσθένης/ Timosthénēs). [German version] [1] Of Euboea, c. 300 BC Son of Demophanes from Carystus [1] in Euboea. After his homeland had joined the anti-Macedonian alliance, he was actively involved in fighting in the Lamian War. In 306/5 BC he was honoured in Athens for his services (Syll.3 327). A commendation of his grandson as late as the year 229/28 recalls his commitment (Syll.3 496,23-24). Beck, Hans (Cologne) [German version] [2] From Rhodes, naval commander and geographical author, 3rd cent. BC T. from Rhodes, naval commander of Ptolemaeus [3] II, author of a wor…

(Φιλήμων; Philḗmōn). [German version] [1] Husband of Baukis Husband of Baucis. Junk, Tim (Kiel) [German version] [2] Writer of the Attic New Comedy, c. 300 BC Son of Damon of Syracuse [1. test. 1, 11], became (before 307/6 BC; cf. [1. test. 15]) an Athenian citizen [1. test. 2-12. 15]. Important writer of Attic New Comedy with his stage debut several years before Menander [4] (before 328: [1. test. 2]); it is uncertain whether this somewhat earlier chronology or the different nature of his plays led to P. once being call…

[German version] (Ἀναγνωστικοί; anagnōstikoí). Aristotle mentions (Rhet. 3,1413b 12-14) the poets  Chaeremon and  Licymnius as ἀναγνωστικοί, ‘suitable for reciting’. At Rh. 3,1413b 2-1414a 28, he allocates to the style of expression which is influenced by contention, and whose unrefined style has the most need for a histrionic presentation (ἀγωνιστικὴ δὲ ἡ ὑποκριτικωτάτη, 3,1413b 9), the judicial oration and the public speech, especially the latter with its large audience (3,1414a8-17). By contrast…

[German version] (σπουδογέλοιον/ spoudogéloion, epigraphically also σπουδαιογέλοιον/ spoudaiogéloion). Compound of 'serious' ( spoudaîon) and 'laughable' ( geloîon). These two contradictory modes of interpretation and presentation are often combined in ancient literature, as in Aristoph. Ran. 391 f., Phaedr. 4,2,1-4; in Pl. Symp. 222 Socrates requires that the same person should be able to compose both tragedies and comedies. There is critical reflection on the relationship between s poudaîon and geloîon: Pl. Leg. 816d-e, Aristot. Eth. Nic. 1176b 27-1177a 6 and …

[German version] (Στρατόνικος/ Stratónikos) from Athens, 4th cent. BC [1], kithara teacher. Tradition claims that he was the first to play on multiple strings, to teach music theory to his students and to compose a table of modes (διάγραμμα/ diágramma) [3; 4. 367 f.]; “he was also a brilliant master of witticisms ( geloîon)” (Ath. 8,352d). In fact, S. was famous for his clever speech ( eutrápeloi lógoi; Ath. 8,348c) and the ready wit of his answers ( eustochía; ibid. 8,352d). A collection of his jokes can be found in Ath. 8,40-46, pp. 347f-352d (for other jokes, see [3]). …

(Σκύμνος; Skýmnos). [German version] [1] Author of a periegesis of Asia and Europe, 2nd cent. BC Probably a son of Apelles from Chios, who in 185/4 BC became a Delphic próxenos ( Proxenía ; Syll.4 585, 86) [1. 661]. In conjunction with Hecataeus [3] [1. 671 f.] he wrote a periegesis ( Periēgḗtēs ) of Asia and of Europe with the Outer Sea in many books. The nine surviving fragments [1. 664-671] also show an interest in history, i.e. in the foundings of cities (fr. 3 and 8) and sanctuaries (fr. 1), in mythology (fr. 5) and vegetation (fr. 9 on Britain after Pytheas [4] [1. 670]). Gärtner, Hans Ar…

(Ἀντίγονος; Antígonos). [German version] [1] Monophthalmus Diadoch (‘The One-eyed’), 382-301 BC.  Hetairos of  Philippus and  Alexander [4], married to  Stratonice, was the father of  Demetrius. During Alexander's invasion of Asia, commander of the Greek hoplites, satrap of Greater Phrygia from 333 until Alexander's death [323]. He defeated rebels and remnants of Persian troops, he gained Lycaonia and in 331 he received in addition the administration of Lycia-Pamphylia. In Priene he was honoured for an achievement, the nature of which is unknown. (IPriene 2). After Alexander's…

(Ζῆνις/ Zênis). [German version] [1] Sub-satrap of Pharnabazus [2], 5th cent. BC Z. from Dardanus [4], sub-satrap of Pharnabazus [2] in the Troad (in Xen. Hell. 3,1,10: Aeolis); after his death, his wife Mania [3], with the assent of Pharnabazus, took over power and ruled successfully until her assassination shortly before the arrival of Dercylidas in 411 BC (Xen. Hell. 3,1,14; 3,1,16). Eder, Walter (Berlin) [German version] [2] From Chios, author of a work on his homeland, 4th cent. BC? (also Ζηνεύς/ Zēneús). Writer from Chios, possibly 4th cent. BC; he wrote 'about his hom…

[German version] (Τιμάγητος/ Timágētos). Author of a work Περὶ λιμένων/ Perí liménōn ('On Harbours') of at least two books surviving in seven frr., probably from the first half of the 4th cent. BC (FHG 4, 519 f.): six frr. in scholia ad Apoll. Rhod. 1,224-226a W. (otherwise FGrH 42, F 3); Apoll. Rhod. 2,1031b; 4,257-262b; 4,282-291b; 4,303-306b; 4,323-326a, one fr. in Steph. Byz. s. v. Ἀκτή/ Aktḗ (here with the name: Δημάγητος/ Dēmágētos). In these frr., no harbour is mentioned; five of them provide mythical narrative on the voyage of the Argonauts. Frr. 1-3 (FHG…

(Πρωταγόρας; Prōtagóras). [German version] [1] Of Abdera, the first sophist, 5th cent. BC P. of Abdera. The first sophist, 5th cent. BC, originator of the homo-mensura doctrine, known only from Plato's dialogue of the same name and from Diogenes Laertius. Narcy, Michel (Paris) [German version] A. Life P.' date of birth and death are obscure. In Plato's dialogue Protagoras (Pl. Prt. 317c = 80 A 5 DK) - named after him - he says that he could be the father of all those present. That would include Socrates (born 469/8 BC), so P. must have been born no la…

(Ἀφορισμός; aphorismós). [German version] A. Definition Today the aphorism is an independent literary genre (on the difference from the  apophthegma [3. 29-33]); its formal distinguishing features are: the restriction with regard to the connection, the arbitrariness of the sequence of numerous aphorisms, the tight, also pointed formulation, the astute, critical, even unconventional and provocative interpretation of human conditions [4. 773 and (examples) 774-781; 6]. Gärtner, Hans Armin (Heidelberg) [German version] B. Significance in antiquity Greek ἀφορισμός means…

[English version] (Ἀναγνωστικοί). Aristoteles erwähnt (rhet. 3,1413b 12-14) die Dichter Chairemon und Likymnios als ἀναγνωστικοί, “zum Vorlesen geeignet”. Er weist rhet. 3,1413b 2-1414a 28 der vom Streit bestimmten Ausdrucksweise, deren unausgefeilter Stil am stärksten der schauspielerischen Darstellung bedarf (ἀγωνιστικὴ δὲ ἡ ὑποκριτικωτάτη, 3,1413b 9), die Gerichts- und die Volksrede, bes. letztere mit ihrem großen Publikum, zu (3,1414a8-17). Dagegen ordnet er der von der Schriftlichkeit bestimm…

(Νυμφόδωρος). [English version] [1] griech. Reiseschriftsteller aus Syrakusai, 3. Jh. v. Chr. Griech. Reiseschriftsteller aus Syrakusai, verfaßte gegen E. des 3. Jh.v.Chr. eher zur Unterhaltung Períploi Asías (und Eurṓpēs?) - darin die Gesch. vom Sklavenführer Drimakos (FGrH 572 F 4) - und wohl gesondert Perí tōn en Sikilíai thaumazoménōn (‘Wunderbares auf Sicilia). Paradoxographoi; Periplus Gärtner, Hans Armin (Heidelberg) Bibliography A. Giannini (ed.), Paradoxographorum Graecorum reliquiae, 1966, 112-115  Ders., Studi sulla paradossografia greca, Teil 2, in…

(Μαρῖνος). [English version] [1] M. aus Tyros griech. Geograph, 2. Jh. Griech. Geograph, bekannt nur durch seinen unmittelbaren Nachfolger Klaudios Ptolemaios, der ihn als Quelle nennt in seiner ‘Einführung in die Darstellung der Erde (γεωγραφικὴ ὑφήγησις/ geōgraphikḗ hyphḗgēsis, = G.). Arab. Texte, die M. erwähnen, gehen sämtlich auf die ‘G. zurück [8. 189]. Das Werk des M. läßt sich mit Hilfe der von ihm verwendeten ON als zw. 107 und 114/5 n.Chr. entstanden datieren; denn erwähnt werden dort Städte mit dem Namen des Traianus, die auf seine Dak…

(Πρωταγόρας). [English version] [1] von Abdera, der erste Sophist, 5. Jh. v. Chr. P. von Abdera. Der erste Sophist, 5. Jh. v. Chr., Begründer des Homo-mensura-Satzes, nur aus Platons gleichnamigem Dialog und aus Diogenes Laertios bekannt. Narcy, Michel (Paris) [English version] A. Leben Die Lebensdaten des P. sind unsicher: Platon läßt ihn in dem nach ihm benannten Dialog ‘P. (Plat. Prot. 317c = 80 A 5 DK) sagen, er könne der Vater aller Anwesenden sein, also auch des Sokrates (* 469/8 v. Chr.); demnach müßte P. spätestens 490 v. Chr. g…