Abstract

This article concerns the ancient Greek lyric poet Pindar (approximately 518 to 438 B.C.), specifically his first Pythian Ode, and my primary purpose is to supply a new translation of the poem (together with resume and running commentary for illumination and elaboration), thereby introducing Pindar, the nature of his composition and certain features of his style to the non-specialist. In my translation, which is based on the Greek text of Snell & Maehler (1984), I aim above all at accuracy, purity and clarity, and I try to convey to the reader a real idea of the feel and texture of the poem by means of a version which is faithful to the spirit and not just the letter of the Greek. In the essay I provide a résumé, explain the background to the piece, discuss its implications and focus, and treat its major poetic features, such as diction, metre, sound, imagery and structure.

Highlights

  • Xgvaéa fógpuyí, ítióiXwvog xal lon'Xoxáficov avvdixov Moiaáv xréavov- roc áxtyúei [lev fiáaií áy'katag ágxd, TzsídovToi d’ á o id o l a á fia a iv áyrjaixÓQC^ ónózav nQOOifj.iwv á/x^oiáí te^XTIí éisXiCo/uéva

  • As has already been pointed out, this passage represents the mythical narrative in the ode, and the myth here is doubly apposite: in connection with the overall message, Typhos is the first of the figures that represent wickedness and violence in the poem; and the references to Sicily, E tna and Cyme are geographical links with Hieron and subtly lead up to his appearance at 31

  • The author brings together the huge mass of disparate material into one unified entity by various means - the fulcrum, i.e. the government of Etna, discussed above, the spacing of the different parts of the message, extensive praise of Hieron, frequent prayers and wishes, the symbol of the lyre (the instrum ent figures in the text at 1 and 97, and a lyre would have been used by Pindar to accompany his singing of the poem) and the repetition throughout the course of the whole ode of many words and lesser motifs'» (for instance, “m an” , “god” , “crown”, “sea” , “ship”, “deep” , “hear”, “love” , “friend/friendly/ friendship” , “fame/famed/famous” ; and items such as weapons, fire, moun­ tains, animals, kings, liquids and widely divergent sounds)"

Read more

Summary

Introduction

ÍtióiXwvog xal lon'Xoxáficov avvdixov Moiaáv xréavov- roc áxtyúei [lev fiáaií áy'katag ágxd, TzsídovToi d’ á o id o l a á fia a iv áyrjaixÓQC^ ónózav nQOOifj.iwv á/x^oiáí te^XTIí éisXiCo/uéva.

Results
Conclusion
Full Text

Published Version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.