DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7897#0060
....
(4»)
by Virgil and the Roman poets (12). Hitherto, however, no monument of
this sort has been discovered (i3), except a painting of the 4th or 5th
century.
In the early theogonies (14), the Harpies are supposed to be the daughters
of Thaumas and Electra , and the sisters of Iris. They were originally only
two in number, Aello and Ocypete; afterwards a third , named Celamo
was added.
Mention is also sometimes made of one called Podarge; but this name
given to a Harpy, is, without doubt, an error of the commentators on Homer,
arising from their not having properly understood the expressions Apmiia
IloSapyr), which the poet uses in speaking of the mother or dam of Dalius
and Xanthus , the horses of Achilles (i5). The word Apmna in this passage, is
merely an epithet (16) denoting SAviftness. As such, it is applicable with great
propriety to a mare of noble breed, remarkable for her speed. In fact, in a
subsequent passage (17), the poet calls her solely Podarge, a name given
on account of the whiteness of her feet. For this reason, Podargos was a
common name for horses ; and we find two among those of Hector and Me-
nelaus that were so called (18). To this it may be added, that the expressions
[3ocr/,o[j!iv7i Xe'.[jM&vij "grazing in a meadow," would never have been used by
Homer in speaking of a divinity. The explanation here proposed of the pas-
sage in question, is indeed, not new, but is related by the scholiast (19),
though he adopts a contrary sentiment. The fabulous opinion that mares
were impregnated by the winds, seems to have been taken by Virgil (20),
from this passage of Homer.
(12) Tristius hand illis monstrum , nec sae-
vior ulla
Pestis et ira Deum Stygiis sese extulit undis.
Virginei volucrum vultus , foedissima ventris
Proluvies, uncseque manus.
Virgil. /Eneid. lib. nr. vers. 214-17.
(13) In a painting of the Vatican Virgil, is
a figure probably intended for a Harpy. It has
the body, head, and arms of a woman, united
with the body of a bird. Fr. xxxi. JEneid.
lib. vi. pag. 108. Edit. Romae. tj^i.
(14) Hesiod. Theogon. vers. 265-269. Apol-
lod. lib. 1. cap. 11 - 6. Hyginus. pag.
(15) Iliad, n. vers. i5o.
(16) Clarke in his edition of Homer, reads
afpiKia from Spicu;. But admitting the present
reading, apiruia- may be considered as a par-
ticiple formed from apwo, in the same man-
ner as si&Sia, and others of the kind.
At all events, Harpyia is a name perfectly
suitable to a horse, since we find it given to
one of the dogs of Actaeon. Hyginus. Fab. 181.
(17) EavOe te, xai Ba>i's , T-^.e^uTa -re/.va no-
5apy/);.
Iliad. T. vers. 4oo.
(18) Iliad. 0. vers. 185. et vers. 2c,5.
(19) Iliad, n. vers. i5o.
(20) Georgic. lib. nr. vers 273. scj.
(4»)
by Virgil and the Roman poets (12). Hitherto, however, no monument of
this sort has been discovered (i3), except a painting of the 4th or 5th
century.
In the early theogonies (14), the Harpies are supposed to be the daughters
of Thaumas and Electra , and the sisters of Iris. They were originally only
two in number, Aello and Ocypete; afterwards a third , named Celamo
was added.
Mention is also sometimes made of one called Podarge; but this name
given to a Harpy, is, without doubt, an error of the commentators on Homer,
arising from their not having properly understood the expressions Apmiia
IloSapyr), which the poet uses in speaking of the mother or dam of Dalius
and Xanthus , the horses of Achilles (i5). The word Apmna in this passage, is
merely an epithet (16) denoting SAviftness. As such, it is applicable with great
propriety to a mare of noble breed, remarkable for her speed. In fact, in a
subsequent passage (17), the poet calls her solely Podarge, a name given
on account of the whiteness of her feet. For this reason, Podargos was a
common name for horses ; and we find two among those of Hector and Me-
nelaus that were so called (18). To this it may be added, that the expressions
[3ocr/,o[j!iv7i Xe'.[jM&vij "grazing in a meadow," would never have been used by
Homer in speaking of a divinity. The explanation here proposed of the pas-
sage in question, is indeed, not new, but is related by the scholiast (19),
though he adopts a contrary sentiment. The fabulous opinion that mares
were impregnated by the winds, seems to have been taken by Virgil (20),
from this passage of Homer.
(12) Tristius hand illis monstrum , nec sae-
vior ulla
Pestis et ira Deum Stygiis sese extulit undis.
Virginei volucrum vultus , foedissima ventris
Proluvies, uncseque manus.
Virgil. /Eneid. lib. nr. vers. 214-17.
(13) In a painting of the Vatican Virgil, is
a figure probably intended for a Harpy. It has
the body, head, and arms of a woman, united
with the body of a bird. Fr. xxxi. JEneid.
lib. vi. pag. 108. Edit. Romae. tj^i.
(14) Hesiod. Theogon. vers. 265-269. Apol-
lod. lib. 1. cap. 11 - 6. Hyginus. pag.
(15) Iliad, n. vers. i5o.
(16) Clarke in his edition of Homer, reads
afpiKia from Spicu;. But admitting the present
reading, apiruia- may be considered as a par-
ticiple formed from apwo, in the same man-
ner as si&Sia, and others of the kind.
At all events, Harpyia is a name perfectly
suitable to a horse, since we find it given to
one of the dogs of Actaeon. Hyginus. Fab. 181.
(17) EavOe te, xai Ba>i's , T-^.e^uTa -re/.va no-
5apy/);.
Iliad. T. vers. 4oo.
(18) Iliad. 0. vers. 185. et vers. 2c,5.
(19) Iliad, n. vers. i5o.
(20) Georgic. lib. nr. vers 273. scj.