Argonautica IV 1108-1167

ὧς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη: καὶ τὸν μέν ἐπισχεδὸν εὔνασεν ὕπνος.1110

ἡ δ᾽ ἔπος ἐν θυμῷ πυκινὸν βάλετ᾽: αὐτίκα δ᾽ ὦρτο

ἐκ λεχέων ἀνὰ δῶμα: συνήιξαν δὲ γυναῖκες

ἀμφίπολοι, δέσποιναν ἑὴν μέτα ποιπνύουσαι.

σῖγα δ᾽ ἑὸν κήρυκα καλεσσαμένη προσέειπεν,

ᾗσιν ἐπιφροσύνῃσιν ἐποτρυνέουσα μιγῆναι1115

Αἰσονίδην κούρῃ, μηδ᾽ Ἀλκίνοον βασιλῆα

λίσσεσθαι: τὸ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἰὼν Κόλχοισι δικάσσει,

παρθενικὴν μὲν έοῦσαν ἑοῦ ποτὶ δώματα πατρὸς

ἐκδώσειν, λέκτρον δὲ σὺν ἀνέρι πορσαίνουσαν

οὐκέτι κουριδίης μιν ἀποτμήξειν φιλότητος.1120

ὧς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη: τὸν δ᾽ αἶψα πόδες φέρον ἐκ μεγάροιο,

ὥς κεν Ἰήσονι μῦθον ἐναίσιμον ἀγγείλειεν

Ἀρήτης βουλάς τε θεουδέος Ἀλκινόοιο.

τοὺς δ᾽ εὗρεν παρὰ νηὶ σὺν ἔντεσιν ἐγρήσσοντας

Ὑλλικῷ ἐν λιμένι, σχεδὸν ἄστεος: ἐκ δ᾽ ἄρα πᾶσαν1125

πέφραδεν ἀγγελίην: γήθησε δὲ θυμὸς ἑκάστου

ἡρώων: μάλα γάρ σφιν ἑαδότα μῦθον ἔειπεν.

αὐτίκα δὲ κρητῆρα κερασσάμενοι μακάρεσσιν,

ἣ θέμις, εὐαγέως ἐπιβώμια μῆλ᾽ ἐρύσαντες,

αὐτονυχὶ κούρῃ θαλαμήιον ἔντυον εὐνὴν1130

ἄντρῳ ἐν ἠγαθέῳ, τόθι δή ποτε Μάκρις ἔναιεν,

κούρη Ἀρισταίοιο μελίφρονος, ὅς ῥα μελισσέων

ἔργα πολυκμήτοιό τ᾽ ἀνεύρατο πῖαρ ἐλαίης.

κείνη δὴ πάμπρωτα Διὸς Νυσήιον υἷα

Εὐβοίης ἔντοσθεν Ἀβαντίδος ᾧ ἐνὶ κόλπῳ1135

δέξατο, καὶ μέλιτι ξηρὸν περὶ χεῖλος ἔδευσεν,

εὖτέ μιν Ἑρμείας φέρεν ἐκ πυρός: ἔδρακε δ᾽ Ἥρη,

καί ἑ χολωσαμένη πάσης ἐξήλασε νήσου.

ἡ δ᾽ ἄρα Φαιήκων ἱερῷ ἐνὶ τηλόθεν ἄντρῳ

νάσσατο, καὶ πόρεν ὄλβον ἀθέσφατον ἐνναέτῃσιν.1140

ἔνθα τότ᾽ ἐστόρεσαν λέκτρον μέγα: τοῖο δ᾽ ὕπερθεν

χρύσεον αἰγλῆεν κῶας βάλον, ὄφρα πέλοιτο

τιμήεις τε γάμος καὶ ἀοίδιμος. ἄνθεα δέ σφιν

νύμφαι ἀμεργόμεναι λευκοῖς ἐνὶ ποικίλα κόλποις

ἐσφόρεον: πάσας δὲ πυρὸς ὣς ἄμφεπεν αἴγλη:1145

τοῖον ἀπὸ χρυσέων θυσάνων ἀμαρύσσετο φέγγος.

δαῖε δ᾽ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς γλυκερὸν πόθον: ἴσχε δ᾽ ἑκάστην

αἰδὼς ἱεμένην περ ὅμως ἐπὶ χεῖρα βαλέσθαι.

αἱ μέν τ᾽ Αἰγαίου ποταμοῦ καλέοντο θύγατρες:

αἱ δ᾽ ὄρεος κορυφὰς Μελιτηίου ἀμφενέμοντο:1150

αἱ δ᾽ ἔσαν ἐκ πεδίων ἀλσηίδες. ὦρσε γὰρ αὐτὴ

Ἥρη Ζηνὸς ἄκοιτις, Ἰήσονα κυδαίνουσα.

κεῖνο καὶ εἰσέτι νῦν ἱερὸν κληίζεται ἄντρον

Μηδείης, ὅθι τούσγε σὺν ἀλλήλοισιν ἔμιξαν

τεινάμεναι ἑανοὺς εὐώδεας. οἱ δ᾽ ἐνὶ χερσὶν1155

δούρατα νωμήσαντες ἀρήια, μὴ πρὶν ἐς ἀλκὴν

δυσμενέων ἀίδηλος ἐπιβρίσειεν ὅμιλος,

κράατα δ᾽ εὐφύλλοις ἐστεμμένοι ἀκρεμόνεσσιν,

ἐμμελέως, Ὀρφῆος ὑπαὶ λίγα φορμίζοντος

νυμφιδίαις ὑμέναιον ἐπὶ προμολῇσιν ἄειδον.1160

οὐ μὲν ἐν Ἀλκινόοιο γάμον μενέαινε τελέσσαι

ἥρως Αἰσονίδης, μεγάροις δ᾽ ἐνὶ πατρὸς ἑοῖο,

νοστήσας ἐς Ἰωλκὸν ὑπότροπος: ὧς δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ

Μήδεια φρονέεσκε: τότ᾽ αὖ χρεὼ ἦγε μιγῆναι.

ἀλλὰ γὰρ οὔποτε φῦλα δυηπαθέων ἀνθρώπων1165

τερπωλῆς ἐπέβημεν ὅλῳ ποδί: σὺν δέ τις αἰεὶ

πικρὴ παρμέμβλωκεν ἐυφροσύνῃσιν ἀνίη.

τῶ καὶ τοὺς γλυκερῇ περ ἰαινομένους φιλότητι

δεῖμ᾽ ἔχεν, εἰ τελέοιτο διάκρισις Ἀλκινόοιο.

The marriage of Jason and Medea:

Alcinous offers to mediate between the two sides, later confiding in Arete, that he means to surrender Medea to the Colchians, unless she happens to be married. The queen reveals this to the lovers and they are duly married in a sacred cave on the island.

1110: ἐπισχεδὸν εὔνασεν ὕπνος: “immediately sleep laid him to rest.” Odysseus goes to sleep similarly at Od. 20.1 ἐν προδόμῳ εὐνάζετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς but thinking different thoughts from Alcinoos who has made up his mind and know what will happen next. Medea cannot sleep at 1060, though the phrase is similar.

1111: ἔπος . . . πυκινὸν: “his wise word,” adding to the characterisation of the statesman-like Alcinoos. αὐτίκα δ᾿ ὦρτο: “she immediately rose.” The pace quickens and the phrases shorten. Enjambment is used to carry the action along.

1112: ἐκ λεχέων ἀνὰ δῶμα: a compressed phrase; “(she rose) from her bed (and went) through the house.” συνήιξαν: “rushed up.” There is similar activity, on the housemaids’ part, in Odysseus’ house, though of a different nature.

1113: μέτα governs δέσποιναν ἑὴν in anastropheποιπνύουσαι: “bustled, fussed around.” Apart from Hephaestus’ ‘mechanicals’, this is the proper word to use about Housemaids’ work: Od20.149.

1114: σῖγα δ᾿: “and silently . . .,” emphasising the clandestine nature of the operation. Night is the time for action, here and at the beginning of Book 4. κήρυκα καλεσσαμένη: “having summoned her herald (messenger).

1115: ᾗσιν ἐπιφροσύνῃσιν: “in her wisdom,” echoing the Odyssean Arete: Od7.74, with a subtle variation. ἐποτρυνέουσα: “to encourage:” fut. part. of purpose with Αἰσονίδην as the object. μιγῆναι: “to have sex with:” aor. infin. pass. < μίγνυμι.

1116: Αἰσονίδην κούρῃ: the juxtaposition of the nouns emphasises the blunt nature of Arete’s advice: “Get on with it!”

1116–7: μηδ᾿. . . / λίσσεσθαι: “not to bother pleading . . .” After λίσσεσθαι the syntax changes, perhaps to mark the important role that Alcinoos’ judgment will play. The detail of the decision is repeated (from 1106–9), not word for word, which would be the Homeric way but with subtle variations with a fine concluding line (1120 below), with its interlaced word order.

1120: κουριδίης μιν ἀποτμήξειν φιλότητος: “will not sever her from wedded love.” ἀποτμήξειν: fut. inf. act. < ἀποτμήγω.

1121: πόδες φέρον: similarly Medea at 4. 66. The herald speeds on his way. The short phrase (πόδες as subject of the verb) conveys the speed of the narrative.

1122: μῦθον ἐναίσιμον: “opportune advice.” ἀγγείλειεν: aor. opt. act. 3rd sg. < ἀγγέλλω.

1123: θεουδέος Ἀλκινόοιο: “god-fearing Alcinoos”, another Odyssean echo: Od19.109 (Odysseus describing what the role of a kingshould be.)

1124: τοὺς δ᾿ εὗρεν: “he found them,” i.e. the Argonauts. ἐγρήσσοντας: “keeping watch.” They are maintaining a night watch as they do at the beginning of Book 4, when Medea comes across the River Phasis to them.

1125: Ὑλλικῷ ἐν λιμένι: the omega in Ὑλλικῷ is short by position: “the harbour of Hyllusσχεδὸν ἄστεος: “near the city,” which may or may not be true. References to the harbours of Scherie / Drepane / Corfu, however, add verisimilitude to the narrative.

1125–6: πᾶσαν / . . . ἀγγελίην: “the message in full.” There is no repetition of Arete’s advice as there would be in Homer. πέφραδεν: aor. ind. act. 3rd sg. < φράζω.

1126–7: γήθησε . . . ἡρώων: “each hero’s heart rejoiced.” ἑαδότα μῦθον: “welcome news,” varying μῦθον ἐναίσιμον (1122 above).

1128: αὐτίκα: the action continues to move quickly. κρητῆρα κερασσάμενοι: “mixing a mixing bowl;” see LSJ s.v. A1 κρατήρ. The phrase is the Homeric formula for mixing wine and water together in a mixing bowl.

1129: εὐαγέως: “reverently, with due ritual.” ἐπιβώμια μῆλ᾿: “sheep to the altar.” For similar scenes of sacrifice see further (Clauss 1993, 85) and for Greek sacrifice in general (Burkert 1983, 56–57).

1130: αὐτονυχί: “for that very night.” For the preparation of the marriage bed (θαλαμήιον . . . εὐνὴν), see further (Oakley and Sinos 1993, 35).

1131: ἄντρῳ ἐν ἠγαθέῳ: “in the sacred cave.” It is impossible to decide between this and ζαθέῳ, the reading of a late first century papyrus. ζάθεος only occurs at 1.933 in A., while ἠγάθεος can be paralleled (3.981). Μάκρις: has been mentioned before (4.540). This wedding in a holy cave probably echoes that of Peleus and Thetis.

1132: κούρη Ἀρισταίοιο: “the daughter of Aristaeus.” περίφρονος is the reading of a Papyrus: “wise”, μελίφρονος: “whose care is honey,” the transmitted text might be the result of what immediately follows but it might also be seen as a clever Alexandrian variation.

1133: πολυκμήτοιό . . . πῖαρ ἐλαίης: “the rich oil of the olive which requires much labour.” ἀνεύρατο: “discovered.” aor. ind. mid. 3rd. sg. < ἀνευρίσκω.

1134: κείνη δὴ: “she it was.” Διὸς Νυσήιον υἷα: “the Nysean son of Zeus,” i.e. Dionysus, born on Mount Nysa.

1135: Εὐβοίης ἔντοσθεν Ἀβαντίδος: “in Abantian Euboea.”

1135­–6: ᾧ ἐνὶ κόλπῳ / δέξατο: “received in her bosom.” ξηρὸν περὶ χεῖλος: “about his parched lip.” ἔδευσεν: “smeared” rather than “wet.” She is rubbing the baby’s lips with her finger.

1137: ἐκ πυρός: “from the fire,” an allusive and compressed reference to Hermes’ saving Dionysus from the fire that destroyed his mother Semeleἔδρακε δ᾿ Ἥρη: “Hera saw this:” aor. ind. act. 3rd. sg. < δέρκομαι.

1138: χολωσαμένη: “in her anger.” Hera’s jealousy towards Zeus’ lovers was proverbial. ἑ . . . πάσης ἐξήλασε νήσου: “drove her (ἑ) from all the island.” ἑ: fem. gen. sg. < οὗ.

1139: ἡ δ᾿ ἄρα: “and she accordingly . . .” ἱερῷ ἐνὶ τηλόθεν ἄντρῳ: a typically complex Apollonian phrase: “in the distant sacred cave,” varying on ἄντρῳ ἐν ἠγαθέῳ (1131).

1140: νάσσατο: aor. ind. mid. 3rd. sg. < ναίω: “she lived.” ὄλβον ἀθέσφατον: “boundless wealth.” Makris appears to be a beneficient “heroine’; see further (Mikalson 2011, 41).

1141: ἔνθα τότ᾿: “it was here then . . .”, picking up the main narrative again. λέκτρον μέγα: “a great bed,” picking echoing Pind. P4.230–1.

1142: For the Fleece as a luxurious bed-covering, see Pindar parallel (above). ὄφρα πέλοιτο: “so that (the marriage) might become.”

1143: τιμήεις τε γάμος καὶ ἀοίδιμος: “(the marriage might become) honoured and a theme for song,” with possible references to the famous marriage of Peleus and Thetis and the lament of Helen at Il6.357–8ἄνθεα δέ σφιν: heralding the opening of a lyrical passage (Sapph. fr. 122 V. ἄνθε' ἀμέργοισαν παῖδ' ἄγαν ἀπάλαν): the nymphs gather “flowers for them.”

1144: ἀμεργόμεναι: “gathering (flowers) of varied-hue (ποικίλα) in their white bosoms (λευκοῖς ἐνὶ . . . κόλποις). Colour and intricate word-order mark the description.

1145: ἐσφόρεον: “they brought forth.” πάσας δέ: “them all . . .”, referring to the nymphs. The illuminating light of the fleece is a theme that spreads through the poem (Arg4.172–3).

1146: ἀπὸ χρυσέων θυσάνων: “from the golden tassels / fringes.” ἀμαρύσσετο φέγγος: “the light twinkled . . .”. ἀμαρύσσω is often used of light and colour.

1147: δαῖε: “it kindled . . .” The fleece takes on a life of its own. γλυκερὸν πόθον: intensifying the erotic atmosphere that it generates (Pind. P4.184­–5): “sweet desire.”

1147–8: ἴσχε δʼ ἑκάστην / αἰδὼς: they long (ἱεμένην) to touch (ἐπὶ χεῖρα βαλέσθαι) the fleece yet are afraid (αἰδώς) to do so.

1149: A catalogue of Nymphs begins (αἱ μέν ~ αἱ δʼ ~ αἱ δʼ). Αἰγαίου ποταμοῦ . . . θύγατρες: “the daughters of the river Aegaeus.” (Arg.4.542­–3).

1150: ὄρεος κορυφὰς Μελιτηίου: “the heights of mount Melite.” The mountain is probably imaginary but Melite the naiad was adaughter of the river Aegaeus.

1151: ἀλσηίδες: “nymphs of the grove;” see further (Larson 2001, 52).

1152: Ἰήσονα κυδαίνουσα: Hera is Jason’s protector (4.784­–5) and, bearing in mind the present context, the goddess of Marriage (4.382).

1153: κεῖνο καὶ εἰσέτι νῦν: “that (place) even today is called (κληίζεται) . . .”

1154: τούς γε σὺν ἀλλήλοισιν ἔμειξαν: the Nymphs are seen as direct agents in the marriage: “(where) they caused them to have intercourse with each other (σὺν ἀλλήλοισιν).” ἔμειξαν: aor. ind. act. 3rd. pl. < μείγνυμι.

1155: τεινάμεναι ἑανοὺς εὐώδεας: “spreading out fragrant bed-clothes.” οἱ δ᾿: switching to the Argonauts and a description of how they prepare to celebrate the forthcoming marriage.

1156: δούρατα νωμήσαντες ἀρήια: a very war-like phrase: “brandishing their warlike spear” (Il5.594-Ares in action), in pointed contrast to 1158 (below). μὴ πρὶν: “lest before (the marriage ceremony is finished).” ἐς ἀλκὴν: “for battle” LSJ s.v. ἀλκή Aiii.

1157: ἀίδηλος . . . ὅμιλος: “unexpected / destructive force,” LSJ s.v. ἀΐδηλος; see further (Hulse 2020), a disputed and much discussed word both now and in antiquity.

1158: An elegant interlaced line (κράατα . . . ἐστεμμένοι ~ εὐφύλλοις . . . ἀκρεμόνεσσιν) typical of A. and Alexandrian poetry in general. κράατα is accusative of respect (neut. nom. pl. < κράς) with the participle ἐστεμμένοι (perf. part. masc. nom. pl. < στέφω). The image verges on the comical.

1159: ἐμμελέως: adv. < ἐμμελής: tunefully. Ὀρφῆος . . . φορμίζοντος: Orpheus provides the musical accompaniment. ὑπαί: see LSJ s.v. ὑπό A5, “to the accompaniment of ”, the preposition governs the participle. These lines might be influenced by P.Oxy. 3698, which has been attributed to the Korinthiaka of Eumelos.

1160: νυμφιδίαις . . . ἐπὶ προμολῇσιν: “at the approaches (entrance) to the bridal chamber.” ὑμέναιον . . . ἄειδον: “sang the marriage song.”

1161: ἐν Ἀλκινόοιο: “in the house of Alcinous.” δώμασιν is understood, similarly with ἐνὶ πατρὸς ἑοῖο in the next line. μενέαινε: imperfect without augment. The statement that this marriage is a hasty and necessary (χρεὼ) affair contrasts sharply with the formal preparations described in the previous lines.

1162: ἥρως Αἰσονίδης: Jason is often so described when the circumstances are not, in the least, heroic (2.4104.4771528.)

1163: νοστήσας ἐς Ἰωλκὸν ὑπότροπος: “on his return home to Iolcus.” As close as A. gets to formulaic phraseology, perhaps echoing lines like Od. 1.290.

1163–4: ὣς δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ / Μήδεια φρονέεσκε: “Medea thought the same.” Does this mean that she wanted a ‘proper’ marriage? Or that she also thought that they should ‘get a move on.’ At any rate, they are, for the moment, of one mind.

1165: ἀλλὰ γὰρ οὔ ποτε: “for never in truth.” φῦλα δυηπαθέων ἀνθρώπων: “the tribes of suffering men.” The epic phrase is more usually φῦλα καταθνητῶν ἀνθρώπων (Hom. HymAphrod. 3) or the like; see further (Stocking 2017, 68). A’s use of the rare δυηπαθήςmakes the phrase more pointed.

1166: τερπωλῆς ἐπέβημεν ὅλῳ ποδί: “tread the path of delight with a sure foot,” i.e. never be

completely happy. παρμέμβλωκεν: perf. ind. act. 3rd. sg. < παραβλώσκω.

1167: a fine four-word line. “Bitter pain (πικρὴ . . . ἀνίη) literally embraces pleasure (ἐυφροσύνῃσιν).

1168­­–9: For Jason and Medea desire (γλυκερῇ . . . φιλότητι) and fear (δεῖμ᾿) are co-existent at the approaching decision (διάκρισις) to be made (τελέοιτο: fut. opt. mid. 3rd. sg. < τελέω) by Alcinous.

Bibliography

Burkert, Walter. 1983. Homo Necans: The Anthropology of Ancient Greek Sacrificial Ritual and Myth. University of California Press.

Clauss, J. 1993. The Best of the Argonauts: The Redefinition of the Epic Hero in Book 1 of Apollonius’s Argonautica. University of California Press.

Hulse, Peter. 2020. “MEDEA AIΔHΛOΣ?: Two Notes on Book 4 of the Argonautica of Apollonius Rhodius.” Mnemosyne 73 (2): 321–26. https://doi.org/10.1163/1568525X-12342740.

Larson, J.L. 2001. Greek Nymphs: Myth, Cult, Lore. Oxford University Press.

Mikalson, Jon D. 2011. Ancient Greek Religion. Oxford: John Wiley & Sons.

Oakley, John Howard, and Rebecca H. Sinos. 1993. The Wedding in Ancient Athens. Univ of Wisconsin Press.

Stocking, Charles H. 2017. The Politics of Sacrifice in Early Greek Myth and Poetry. Cambridge University Press.

ἐπισχεδόν, at once

 εὐνάζω, to lay

 ὕπνος -ου ὁ, sleep

θυμός -οῦ ὁ, heart, spirit

 πυκινός, wise

 βάλλω βαλῶ ἔβαλον, store up

 αὐτίκα, immediately, straightway, at once; presently

ὄρνυμι, arouse, stir up

λέχος, a couch, bed

δῶμα -ατος τό, house

 συναΐσσω, hasten together

γυνή γυναικός ἡ, woman

 ἀμφίπολος -ον, attendant, handmaid

 δέσποινα -ησ ἡ, mistress, lady

 ἑός ἑή ἑόν, his, her, own

ποιπνύω, to bustle

 σῖγα, silently

κῆρυξ -υκος ὁ, messenger

 καλέω καλῶ ἐκάλεσα κέκληκα κέκλημαι ἐκλήθην, call

ἐπιφροσύνη, thoughtfulness, wisdom, prudence

 ἐποτρύνω, to stir up, excite, urge on

 μίγνυμι, μείξω, ἔμειξα, μέμειγμαι, ἐμείχθην, to have intercourse with

 βασιλεύς βασιλέως ὁ, king

 λίσσομαι, pray, beseech with prayer

δικάζω δικάσω ἐδίκασα δεδίκακα δεδίκασμαι ἐδικάσθην, to judge, decree

δῶμα -ατος τό, house

ἐκδίδωμι ἐκδώσω ἐκέδωκε ἐκδέδωκα ἐκδέδομαι ἐκεδόθην, surrender

 λέκτρον, a couch, bed

πορσύνω, to share

κουρίδιος, wedded

ἀποτμήγω, to cut off from

 φιλότης -ητος, love, friendship

φέρω οἴσω ἤνεγκα, bear, carry

μέγαρον -ου τό, hall

ἐναίσιμος, favourable, boding well

 ἀγγέλλω, ἀγγελῶ, ἤγγειλα, announce

βουλή -ῆς ἡ, advice, will; council

θεουδής, god-respecting

εὑρίσκω εὑρήσω εὗρον, find, discover

ἔντεα, fighting gear, arms, armour

 ἐγρήσσω, to be awake

 Ὑλλικός, ά, όν, Connected with Hyllus, the son of Heracles

λιμήν -ένος ὁ, harbour

 σχεδόν, near, almost

 ἄστυ ἄστεως τό, town

φράζω φράσω ἔφρασα, point out, show, advise, design

 ἀγγελίη, a message, tidings, news

 γηθέω, to rejoice

ἥρως ἥρωος ὁ, hero, warrior

 ἁνδάνω, to please, delight, gratify

κρατήρ, a mixing vessel

 κεράννυμι, to mix, mingle

 μακάριος -α -ον, blessed, happy 

εὐαγέως, reverently

ἐπιβώμιος, on or at the altar

 μῆλον -ου τό, sheep

 ἐρύω, draw, drag off

 αὐτονυχί, that very night

θαλαμήϊος, bridal

 ἐντύνω, to equip, deck out, get ready

 εὐνή, bed, couch

 ἄντρον, a cave, grot, cavern

ἠγάθεος, very divine, most holy

 τόθι, there, in that place

Μάκρις, ἡ, Makris (name)

 ναίω, dwell, inhabit, be situated

Ἀρισταῖος, Aristaeus

 περίφρων -ον, very thoughtful or prudent

μέλισσα, a bee

 ἔργον -ου τό, work, deed

 πολύκμητος, much-wrought, wrought with much toil

ἀνευρίσκω, to find out, make out, discover

 πῖαρ, richness

 ἐλαίη, olive - tree

πάμπρωτος, first of all, the very first

Νυσαῖος, of Nysa

 υἱός -οῦ ὁ, son

 Εὔβοια -ας ἡ, Euboea

 ἔντοσθε, from within

 Ἀβαντίς -ίδος, Abantian

κόλπος -ου ὁ, bosom

 δέχομαι δέξομαι ἐδεξάμην --- δέδεγμαι -εδέχθην, receive, take

μέλι, honey

 ξηρός, dry

χεῖλος, lip

 δεύω, to smear, wet, drench

 εῦτε, when, after

Ἑρμῆς -οῦ ὁ, Hermes, herm

δέρκομαι, to see clearly, see

χολόω, to make angry, provoke

ἐξελαύνω ἐξελῶ ἐξήλασα, to drive out from

ἱερός -ᾶ -ον, holy

τηλόθεν, far away

 ἄντρον, a cave, grot, cavern

 ναίω, dwell, inhabit, be situated

πόρω, give

 ὅλβος -ου ὁ , happiness, bliss; prosperity

 ἀθέσφατος, boundless

 ἐνναέτης, inhabitants

 ἔνθα, there

 τότε, at that time, then next

 στορέννυμι, to spread

 λέκτρον, a couch, bed

ὕπερθεν, above, over

αἰγλήεις, dazzling, radiant, lustrous

 κῶας, a fleece

 βάλλω βαλῶ ἔβαλον, spread

 ὄφρα, so that

 πέλω, to be

 τιμήεις, honoured, esteemed

γάμος -ου ὁ, marriage, wedding

ἀοίδιμος, sung of, famous in song

 ἄνθος -ους τό, flower

νύμφη, a nymph

 ἀμέργω, to pluck

 λευκός -ή -όν, white; light, bright

ποικίλος -η -ον, many coloured

 κόλπος -ου ὁ, womb, bay

 εἰσφέρω εἰσοίσω, bring, carry

ἀμφιέπω, to go about, be all round, encompass

 αἴγλη, the light of the sun, radiance

 τοῖος -α -ον, quality, such, such-like

χρυσοῦς -ῆ -οῦν, golden, gold-inlaid

 θύσανος, a tassel, frings

 ἀμαρύσσω, to sparkle, glance

 φέγγος, light, splendour, lustre

 δαίω, to light up, make to burn, kindle

ὀφθαλμός -οῦ ὁ, the eye

 γλυκερός, ά, όν, sweet

 πόθος, a longing, yearning, fond desire

 ἴσχω, hold

αἰδώς αἰδοῦς ἡ, shame, awe

 ἵημι ἥσω ἧκα, desire

Αἰγαῖος, Aegaean

 ποταμός -οῦ ὁ, river, stream

 καλέω καλῶ ἐκάλεσα, call

 θυγάτηρ θυγατρός ἡ, daughter

ὄρος ὄρους τό, mountain, hill

 κορυφή, the head, top, highest point;

 Μελιτηίος, ά, όν, Meliteian

 ἀμφινέμομαι, to dwell around

πεδίον -ου τό, plain

 ἀλσηΐς, of the grove

 ὄρνυμι, arouse, stir up

ἄκοιτις, a spouse, wife

κυδαίνω, to give honour to

κλῄζω, to call

 ἄντρον, a cave, grot, cavern

 Μήδειος, of Medea

ἀλλήλων -οις, each other

 μίγνυμι, μείξω, ἔμειξα, to have intercourse

 τείνω τενῶ ἔτεινα, stretch, spread

 ἑανός, fit for wearing

 εὐώδης, sweet-smelling, fragrant

δόρυ δόρατος τό, spear

 νωμάω, hold

 ἀρήϊος, warlike

ἀλκή -ής ἡ, battle

 δυσμενής, full of ill-will, hostile

 ἀΐδηλος, unexpected

 ἐπιβρίθω, to fall heavy upon, fall heavily

 ὅμιλος -ου ὁ, host, army

 κράς, the head

εὔφυλλος, well-leafed

 στέφω, to put round

 ἀκρέμων, a branch, twig, spray

 ἐμμελής, sounding in unison, in tune

 Ὀρφεύς, Orpheus

 ὑπαί, under, to the accompaniment of

 λίγα, in loud clear tone

 φορμίζω, to play the φόρμιγξ

 νυμφίδιος, of a bride, bridal

 ὑμέναιος, hymenaeus, the wedding or bridal song

προμολή, an approach

ἀείδω, sing

γάμος -ου ὁ, marriage, wedding

 μενεαίνω, to desire earnestly

 τελέω τελέσω ἐτέλεσα, fulfil, accomplish

νοστέω , return home

Ἰωλκός, Iolcus (modern Volos)

 ὑπότροπος, returning

φρονέω φρονήσω ἐφρόνησα, be minded, think

χρεώ, want, need, to be necessary

 ἄγω ἄξω ἤγαγον, drive, lead, force

φῦλον, a race, tribe, class

 δυηπαθής, much-suffering

 ἄνθρωπος -ου ὁ/ἡ, human being

 τερπωλή, enjoyment, delight

 ἐπιβαίνω ἐπιβήσομαι ἐπέβην, tread on,

 ὅλος, η, ον, whole, sure

αἰέν αἰεί αἰέν, always, ever

 πικρός -ά -όν, pointed, sharp; pungent bitter

 παραβλώσκω, to go beside

 ἐυφροσύνη, mirth, gladness.

 ἀνίη, torment, vexation

 γλυκύς γλυκεῖα γλυκύ, sweet, pleasant

ἰαίνω, to heat

 φιλότης -ητος, love, friendship

 δεῖμα, fear, affright

τελέω τελέσω ἐτέλεσα, accomplish

 διάκρισις, decision

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Suggested Citation

Peter Hulse. Apollonius: Argonautica Book IV. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Dickinson College Commentaries, 2022. ISBN: 978-1-947822-21-4. https://dcc.dickinson.edu/apollonius-argonautica/argonautica-iv-1108-1167