ἔστι δέ τις πορθμοῖο παροιτέρη Ἰονίοιο

ἀμφιλαφὴς πίειρα Κεραυνίῃ εἰν ἁλὶ νῆσος,

ᾗ ὕπο δὴ κεῖσθαι δρέπανον φάτισ--ἵλατε Μοῦσαι,

οὐκ ἐθέλων ἐνέπω προτέρων ἔποσ--ᾧ ἀπὸ πατρὸς985

μήδεα νηλειῶς ἔταμεν Κρόνος: οἱ δέ ἑ Δηοῦς

κλείουσι χθονίης καλαμητόμον ἔμμεναι ἅρπην.

Δηὼ γὰρ κείνῃ ἐνὶ δή ποτε νάσσατο γαίῃ,

Τιτῆνας δ᾽ ἔδαε στάχυν ὄμπνιον ἀμήσασθαι,

Μάκριδα φιλαμένη. Δρεπάνη τόθεν ἐκλήισται990

οὔνομα, Φαιήκων ἱερὴ τροφός: ὧς δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ

αἵματος Οὐρανίοιο γένος Φαίηκες ἔασιν.

τοὺς Ἀργὼ πολέεσσιν ἐνισχομένη καμάτοισιν

Θρινακίης αὔρῃς ἵκετ᾽ ἐξ ἁλός: οἱ δ᾽ ἀγανῇσιν

Ἀλκίνοος λαοί τε θυηπολίῃσιν ἰόντας995

δειδέχατ᾽ ἀσπασίως: ἐπὶ δέ σφισι καγχαλάασκεν

πᾶσα πόλις: φαίης κεν ἑοῖς ἐπὶ παισὶ γάνυσθαι.

καὶ δ᾽ αὐτοὶ ἥρωες ἀνὰ πληθὺν κεχάροντο,

τῷ ἴκελοι, οἷόν τε μεσαιτάτῃ ἐμβεβαῶτες

Αἱμονίῃ: μέλλον δὲ βοῇ ἔνι θωρήξεσθαι:1000

ὧδε μάλ᾽ ἀγχίμολον στρατὸς ἄσπετος ἐξεφαάνθη

Κόλχων, οἳ Πόντοιο κατὰ στόμα καὶ διὰ πέτρας

Κυανέας μαστῆρες ἀριστήων ἐπέρησαν.

Μήδειαν δ᾽ ἔξαιτον ἑοῦ ἐς πατρὸς ἄγεσθαι

ἵεντ᾽ ἀπροφάτως, ἠὲ στονόεσσαν ἀυτὴν1005

νωμήσειν χαλεπῇσιν ὁμόκλεον ἀτροπίῃσιν

αὖθί τε καὶ μετέπειτα σὺν Αἰήταο κελεύθῳ.

ἀλλά σφεας κατέρυκεν ἐπειγομένους πολέμοιο

κρείων Ἀλκίνοος. λελίητο γὰρ ἀμφοτέροισιν

δηιοτῆτος ἄνευθεν ὑπέρβια νείκεα λῦσαι.1010

κούρη δ᾽ οὐλομένῳ ὑπὸ δείματι πολλὰ μὲν αὐτοὺς

Αἰσονίδεω ἑτάρους μειλίσσετο, πολλὰ δὲ χερσὶν

Ἀρήτης γούνων ἀλόχου θίγεν Ἀλκινόοιο:

γουνοῦμαι, βασίλεια: σὺ δ᾽ ἵλαθι, μηδέ με Κόλχοις

ἐκδώῃς ᾧ πατρὶ κομιζέμεν, εἴ νυ καὶ αὐτὴ1015

ἀνθρώπων γενεῆς μία φέρβεαι, οἷσιν ἐς ἄτην

ὠκύτατος κούφῃσι θέει νόος ἀμπλακίῃσιν.

ὡς ἐμοὶ ἐκ πυκιναὶ ἔπεσον φρένες, οὐ μὲν ἕκητι

μαργοσύνης. ἴστω δ᾽ ἱερὸν φάος Ἠελίοιο,

ἴστω νυκτιπόλου Περσηίδος ὄργια κούρης,1020

μὴ μὲν ἐγὼν ἐθέλουσα σὺν ἀνδράσιν ἀλλοδαποῖσιν

κεῖθεν ἀφωρμήθην: στυγερὸν δέ με τάρβος ἔπεισεν

τῆσγε φυγῆς μνήσασθαι, ὅτ᾽ ἤλιτον: οὐδέ τις ἄλλη

μῆτις ἔην. ἔτι μοι μίτρη μένει, ὡς ἐνὶ πατρὸς

δώμασιν, ἄχραντος καὶ ἀκήρατος. ἀλλ᾽ ἐλέαιρε,1025

πότνα, τεόν τε πόσιν μειλίσσεο: σοὶ δ᾽ ὀπάσειαν

ἀθάνατοι βίοτόν τε τελεσφόρον ἀγλαΐην τε

καὶ παῖδας καὶ κῦδος ἀπορθήτοιο πόληος.

τοῖα μὲν Ἀρήτην γουνάζετο δάκρυ χέουσα:

τοῖα δ᾽ ἀριστήων ἐπαμοιβαδὶς ἄνδρα ἕκαστον:1030

ὑμέων, ὦ πέρι δὴ μέγα φέρτατοι, ἀμφί τ᾽ ἀέθλοις

ὧν κάμον ὑμετέροισιν, ἀτύζομαι: ἧς ἰότητι

ταύρους τ᾽ ἐζεύξασθε, καὶ ἐκ θέρος οὐλοὸν ἀνδρῶν

κείρατε γηγενέων: ἧς εἵνεκεν Αἱμονίηνδε

χρύσεον αὐτίκα κῶας ἀνάξετε νοστήσαντες.1035

ἥδ᾽ ἐγώ, ἣ πάτρην τε καὶ οὓς ὤλεσσα τοκῆας,

ἣ δόμον, ἣ σύμπασαν ἐυφροσύνην βιότοιο:

ὔμμι δὲ καὶ πάτρην καὶ δώματα ναιέμεν αὖτις

ἤνυσα: καὶ γλυκεροῖσιν ἔτ᾽ εἰσόψεσθε τοκῆας

ὄμμασιν: αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ ἀπὸ δὴ βαρὺς εἵλετο δαίμων1040

ἀγλαΐας: στυγερὴ δὲ σὺν ὀθνείοις ἀλάλημαι.

δείσατε συνθεσίας τε καὶ ὅρκια, δείσατ᾽ Ἐρινὺν

Ἱκεσίην, νέμεσίν τε θεῶν, ἐς χεῖρας ἰοῦσαν

Αἰήτεω λώβῃ πολυπήμονι δῃωθῆναι.

οὐ νηούς, οὐ πύργον ἐπίρροθον, οὐκ ἀλεωρὴν1045

ἄλλην, οἰόθι δὲ προτιβάλλομαι ὑμέας αὐτους.

σχέτλιοι ἀτροπίης καὶ ἀνηλέες: οὐδ᾽ ἐνὶ θυμῷ

αἰδεῖσθε ξείνης μ᾽ ἐπὶ γούνατα χεῖρας ἀνάσσης

δερκόμενοι τείνουσαν ἀμήχανον: ἀλλά κε πᾶσιν,

κῶας ἑλεῖν μεμαῶτες, ἐμίξατε δούρατα Κόλχοις1050

αὐτῷ τ᾽ Αἰήτῃ ὑπερήνορι: νῦν δ᾽ ἐλάθεσθε

ἠνορέης, ὅτε μοῦνοι ἀποτμηγέντες ἔασιν.

    The arrival of the Argonauts at Drepane:

    The happiness of arrival at the Drépané (Scheria) of Alkinoös is almost immediately subverted by the threat of recapture at the hands of Aiëtés' relentlessly pursuing Colchians. No safe homecoming this. But there is an extra twist: it would be impossible for Ap.'s audience not, at this point, to think of Odysseus, whose landfall here marked the end of his wanderings, his safe escorting to his own country. As usual, the Homeric model is evoked to mark difference.

    982: ἔστι δέ τις . . . νῆσος: “there is an island.” A. typically and elegantly encloses his description of Corcyra between the words of his opening statement. Its phraseology is a traditional way of establishing an important landmark: Od. 4.354–5 and see further(Kenney 1996, 213). πορθμοῖο παροιτέρη Ἰονίοιο: “in front of the Ionian gulf.”

    983: ἀμφιλαφὴς πίειρα: “spacious and rich in soil.” There are different interpretations of ἀμφιλαφήςsee further (and also Harder 2012, 177). Κεραυνίῃ εἰν ἁλὶ: the sea between the Ceraunian mountains (518–21n.) and the Italian coast.

    984: A. chooses to use the name Drepane for the island because it allows him to tell the story of two Aetia to explain it (see link above.) ᾗ . . . φάτις: “beneath which, the legend says.” ἵλατε Μοῦσαι: “’be gracious, O Muses.” A typical address, from which one might expect an appeal for information to flow. . .

    985: οὐκ ἐθέλων ἐνέπω προτέρων ἔπος: “I do not willingly tell a tale told by men of old (προτέρων). This must a be a piece of delightful mock-modesty, otherwise what is the point of the Argonautica (see, above all Arg1.1.)? ᾧ ἀπὸ πατρὸς: he still goes on to relate it: Hes. Th. 180–1.

    986–7: οἱ δέ ἑ: “but others say (κλείουσι) that it () was (ἔμμεναι).” καλαμητόμον . . . ἅρπην: “the

    reaping hook;” see further (Thomas 1988, 231).

    988: Δηὼ γὰρ: “for Demeter.” ποτε νάσσατο: “once settled.”

    989: ἔδαε: “she taught.” There seems to be a link between this line and Call. h. 6.19–21στάχυν ὄμπνιον: “rich crop.”

     990: Μάκριδα φιλαμένη: “loving Makris.” φιλαμένη: aor. mid. participle < φιλέω. Is Makris, the island or a nymph, or maybe, both? It is in the nature of Hellenistic poetry to make the reader work hard on the text. See 540. It is only in 1131–40 that matters become plainer. Δρεπάνη τόθεν ἐκλήισται: “for that reason(s),” relating back to the two Aetia. ἐκλήισται: perf. ind. 3rd sg. < κλῄζω: “the name has been called.”

    991: Φαιήκων ἱερὴ τροφός: “holy nurse of the Phaeacians.” (1741n.). ὣς δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ: “and thus.”

    992: αἵματος Οὐρανίοιο γένος: “by race (accus. of respect) of the blood of Ouranos.”

    993: Ἀργὼ: as often Argo is personified and takes upon herself the toils of the Argonauts. Peleus explains at 4.1373–4.

    993–4: τοὺς Ἀργὼ . . . ἵκετ᾿: “reached them (the Phaeacians); accusative of motion (without preposition): Smyth § 1588Θρινακίης αὔρῃς . . . ἐξ ἁλός: “(born) by the breezes of the Ionian Sea. ἀγανῇσιν: “pleasing” (agreeing with θυηπολίῃσιν, sacrifices i.e. to the gods).

    995: Ἀλκίνοος λαοί τε: “Alcinoos and his people.” ἰόντας: “coming, arriving,” i.e. the Argonauts.

    996: δειδέχατ᾿: perf. ind. 3rd pl. < δειδίσκομαι / δέχομαι, “received.” ἀσπασίως: “joyfully,” looking towards 4.1781 (and Od. 23.296; see further (Montanari, Matthaios, and Rengakos 2015, 110)). καγχαλάασκεν: “smiled upon.” This verb can have a malicious flavour(also Arg. 3.124286), but here is an example of the pathetic fallacy (120–30n.).

    997: φαίης κεν: “you would say” (238–40n.). ἑοῖς ἐπὶ παισὶ γάνυσθαι: “you would say that they were rejoicing over their own sons.” The Argonauts are treated as though they are long-lost family members; see further (Clare 2002, 201).

    998: ἀνὰ πληθὺν: “among the throng.” κεχάροντο: “rejoiced” reduplicated aor. middle < χαίρω.

    999: τῷ ἴκελοι, οἷόν τε: lit. “like to that (situation) such as / as if.”

    999–1000: μεσαιτάτῃ ἐμβεβαῶτες / Αἱμονίῃ: “having setting foot in the middle of the land of Haimon,” i.e. Thessaly. When the Argonauts stop in Phaeacia, they are received as though they are returning home.

    1000: μέλλον δέ: “but they were about.” The adversative δέ is very strong. There is almost something like the Virgilian fatum about A.’s use of this verb: “they were fated to . . .” βοῇ ἔπι θωρήξεσθαι: i.e. “to be armed for the war-cry (war).”

    1001: ὧδε μάλ᾿ ἀγχίμολον: “so very near (to them).” “στρατὸς ἄσπετος . . . Κόλχων: “a boundless host of Colchians.” The pursuers who passed out of the Black Sea (4.303–4) and sailed across the Aegean and round the Peloponnese. ἐξεφαάνθη: aor. ind. pass. 3rd sg. < ἐκφαίνω. στρατὸς ἄσπετος stresses the vastness of the barbarian hoard.

    1002–3: echoes 1.2–3. μαστῆρες ἀριστήων: “searchers for the Argonauts,” reversing the glorious statement of the Argonautic mission.

    1004–7: setting up a situation similar to that described in 4.338–49. Matters will be decided by arbitration rather than outright warfare. Does this reflect contemporary Ptolemaic diplomacy? (338–40n.); see further (Mori 2008, 149)

    1004: Μήδειαν δ᾿ ἔξαιτον: “Medea (from the rest).” If the Argonauts agree to give up Medea, they are presumably free to go on their way.

    1005: ἵεντ᾿ ἀπροφάτως: ‘they desired without further ado.” ἵεντ᾿(ο): imperf. ind. 3rd pl. < ἵημι. στονόεσσαν ἀυτήν: “the dreadful war cry.”

    1006: νωμήσειν . . . ὁμόκλεον: is a vivid phrase. the interwoven pattern of the line makes it likely that νωμήσειν (“will raise”, lit. “deal out,” as though the Colchians were dealing out retribution) depends on ὁμόκλεον (“they were threatening,” unaugmented, uncontracted imperfect). χαλεπῇσιν . . . ἀτροπίῃσιν: lit. “with harsh inflexibility:” another reversal of a previously used phrase (4.387). The Colchians are not “for turning.”

    1007: αὖθί τε καὶ μετέπειτα: “both then and afterwards.” σὺν Αἰήταο κελεύθῳ: “with the expedition that will come with Aietes.” κέλευθος can be the equivalent of στόλος.

    1008: κατέρυκεν: “restrained.” The diplomatic Alcinous begins the work of arbitration. He is portrayed in the manner of one of Hesiod’s “Just Kings;” see further (Stoddard 2004, 190).

    1009: λελίητο: “he wanted:” 3rd. sg. plpf. < λιλαίομαι / λελίημαι.

    1010: δηιοτῆτος ἄνευθεν: “without warfare.” ὑπέρβια νείκεα λῦσαι: “to allay the boundless strife.” Later Arete plays her part in this (see below).

    1011: κούρη δ᾿: i.e. Medea. In her campaign, she takes groups on one side to plead with or admonish as she did in the previous negotiation scene (4.338–49). This divided approach is marked by the anaphora of πολλὰ μὲν ~ πολλὰ δέ.

    1012: μειλίσσετο: “she implored.” There must be a connection with the phrase μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι (4.1738 and often), “with soothing words” but the phrase is perhaps more descriptive of the speech that she makes to Arete that her appeal(s) to the Argonauts.

    1013: γούνων ἀλόχου θίγεν: “she touched the knees of the wife (of Alcinous).” This is part of the ritual of supplication; see further(Naiden 2006, 131). 

    1014: γουνοῦμαι, βασίλεια: “I beg you, O Queen,” echoes the beginning of a very famous speech of supplication: at Od6.149Odysseus says to Nausicaa: γουνοῦμαί σε, ἄνασσα: θεός νύ τις, ἦ βροτός ἐσσι. Medea treats Arete with great respect: σὺ δ᾿ ἵλαθι: “Be gracious to me” is a phrase generally used in addressing a person of very high status (4.1773) or a god. The form and etymology have generated considerable discussion (see Chantraine DE s.v. ἱλάσκομαι). In general, ἵληθι appears in Homer and the Homeric hymns, while ἵλαθι, dialect considerations aside, is found in Hellenistic and later Greek (Stephens on Call. h. 6.138).

    1015: μηδέ . . . ἐκδώῃς: aor. subj. act. 2nd. sg. < ἐκδίδωμι: “do not surrender:” ᾧ πατρὶ: “to my father:” LSJ s.v. (POSSESS. PRON) ὅς ιιι.εἴ νυ καὶ αὐτή: “if you also . . .” The language of Medea’s plea (especially in the next two lines) is very elevated, as she tries to appeal to the Queen’s emotions.

    1016: ἀνθρώπων γενεῆς μία φέρβεαι: “you are nourished (exist) as one of the race of men.” This metaphorical use of φέρβω seems to be due to A. alone. This and the line that follows sounds like one of the gnomic utterances of Pindar (e.g. Pind. P. 4.139).

    1017: κούφῃσι . . . ἀμπλακίῃσιν: “light mistakes.” Medea has used ἀμπλακία, when discussing the morality of her actions (4.413); see 411–13n.

    1018–19: ἐκ πυκιναὶ ἔπεσον φρένες: “good sense deserted me,” lit. “wise minds fell away.” οὐ μὲν ἕκητι μαργοσύνης: “not for the sake of lust.” Medea is moulding her argument to suit the recipient. At 4.375, she explicitly confesses to μαργοσύνη.

    1019: Medea swears a double oath to strengthen her assertions. ἴστω ἱερὸν φάος Ἠελίοιο: “be witness the light of the Sun (of whom she is the granddaughter.) ἴστω: perf. imperat. act. 3rd. sg. < οἶδα. The asyndeton and hiatus make the individual phrase more distinctive.

    1020: ἴστω . . . ὄργια: “be witness the rites.” νυκτιπόλου κούρης: “of the night-wandering maiden.” Medea makes a similar call to Hecate at 4.148829. Περσηίδος: “daughter of the Perses (the Titan: Hes. Th409–11.)

    1021: μὴ μὲν: “that . . .” Smyth §2705. Once again, the tone of her argument was different in her speech to Jason at 4.360. Did Medea leave “willingly” (ἐθέλουσα) is a contentious issue through most of Book 4. There may be important links with other poetry here; see further (Acosta-Hughes 2010, 48).

    1022: κεῖθεν ἀφωρμήθην: “I fled from there:” ἀφωρμήθην: aor. pass. form with an active meaning.

    1022–3: στυγερὸν . . . τάρβος: Medea’s “hateful fear” is the theme of the opening lines of book 4. It is what “persuaded” (ἔπεισεν) her to flee (τῆσδε φυγῆς μνήσασθαι) rather than commit suicide. ὅτ᾿ ἤλιτον: “when I sinned,” by offering help to the Argonauts. The verb echoes what she says at 3.891.

    1023–4: οὐδέ τις ἄλλη / μῆτις: “no other plan was possible.” ἔτι μοι μίτρη μένει: “my maiden’s girdle remains . . .”

    1025: ἄχραντος καὶ ἀκήρατος: “immaculate and untouched.” A recently published papyrus: (P.Oxy. LXXXIV 5428 (Benaissa, Slattery, and Henry 2019, 114) see Media) offers a possible new reading in this line (1025): instead of δώμασιν (unnecessary with ἐνὶ πατρὸς, cf. 4.1004) the papyrus seems to show the remains of a lunate sigma (Ϲ), suggesting perhaps παρθεν]̠ο̣ϲ. Pace the Editio Princeps (Benaissa, Slattery, and Henry 2019, 114): “the specification ‘maidenly’ is not needed”, the close parallel (not mentioned ibid.), Moschus, Europa 73 παρθενίην μίτρην ἄχραντον seems to offer strong support for the new reading. Also, for παρθένος used as an adjective add to LSJ s.v. aii (in addition to Eur. Hipp. 1006, Epigr. Gr. 319.3=Kaibel p.122) Eur. Heracl. 783, Ion 270, Phoen. 838. For a full discussion of this papyrus, see here.

    1026–7: ὀπάσειαν / ἀθάνατοι: “may the immortals grant you,” with a clever reversal of roles, echoing Odysseus’ wish for Nausicaa at Od6.180–2, but with a bitter edge as the things which Odysseus wishes the Phaeacian princess, Medea is destined never to have with Jason (“oneness of heart”). ὀπάσειαν: optative of wish: Smyth § 1814.

     1027–8: βίοτόν τε τελεσφόρον: “a full life.” ἀγλαΐην τε / καὶ παῖδας: “a perfect life in a glorious city free from the ravages of war.” κῦδος ἀπορθήτοιο πόληος: lit. “the glory of an unravaged city,” the two genitive sing. nouns depending on κ. The phrase is probably meant to remind the reader of Il12.11.

    1029: A recently published papyrus (Benaissa, Slattery, and Henry 2019, 114) offers the reading δακ̣ρ̣υοεσσα. There is every reason to think that this is A.’s variation of a more usual Homeric phrase (Il1.357Od24.438 ~ Arg. 4.1277.)

    1030: Medea’s tone now changes to something more recriminatory as she addresses individual Argonauts (ἐναμοιβαδὶς ἄνδρα ἕκαστον).

    1031–2: ὑμέων . . . οὕνεκεν: a case of extreme hyperbaton. Medea makes the opening words of her appeal to the Argonauts more dramatic by placing the personal pronoun first. She then pauses to employ a rhetorically elaborate form of address to the heroes (ὦ πέρι δὴ μέγα φέρτατοι), then goes to link together (ἀμφί . . . οὕνεκεν) the two grounds for her distress. Word order in Hellenistic poetry can be complex, e.g. 4.83–4 where ἔκ similarly governs Αἰήταο in the next line; see further (Wilamowitz-Moellendorff 1924, 2:202n.2) and also (Shaw 1779, 445).

    1032: ἧς ἰότητι: “by whose help”. Medea refers to herself and reinforces this with ἧς εἵνεκεν (1034).

    1034: ἐκ . . . κείρατε: tmesis, “you reaped”. γηγενέων: agreeing with ἀνδρῶν depends on θέρος οὐλοὸν, “deadly harvest” in the previous line. ἧς εἵνεκεν: “through me,” lit. “because of whom”.

    1035: νοστήσαντες: “returning”, the use of the spondaic aorist part emphasises the momentous nature of the task, confronting the Argonauts.

    1036–7: ἥδ᾿ ἐγώ: “while I”. Medea rhetorically lists the losses that she has incurred through her aid to Jason and his men: “native land . . . parents . . . home . . .”, with another fine climactic phrase: “the entire delight of life”, before she turns to list what they have gained.

    1038: ὔμμι: < σύ (you): dat. 2nd pl. (epic, aeolic), “but you”. ναιέμεν: pres inf act (epic), dependent on ἤνυσα in the next line.

    1039: ἤνυσα: aor. ind. act. 1st sg. (attic, epic, ionic), “for you I have made it possible for you to live in you country and your homes”. γλυκεροῖσιν goes with ὄμμασιν enclosing the important main verb: εἰσόψεσθε. I have lost everything but you will experience the sweet sight (γλυκεροῖσιν . . . ὄμμασιν) of your parents, lit. “you will see them with sweet eyes”. The combination of transferred epithet and emjambment (ὄμμασιν . . . ἀγλαΐας) add to the power of the passage.

    1041: σὺν ὀθνείοις ἀλάλημαι: as often with Medea, the theme is one of wandering far from her native land in the company of strangers (4.360–5). ἀλάλημαι: pf. < ἀλάομαι, only in pres. sense.

    1042: συνθεσίας τε καὶ ὅρκια: “agreements and oaths” are also a frequent subject of recrimination with Jason and his men (4.338–40). Ἐρινὺν: likewise she has threatened them with the goddesses of Vengeance (4.385–6).

    1043­–44: εἰς χεῖρας ἰοῦσαν: the syntax and the sense of this are difficult. The problem may have been solved by P.Oxy. LXXXIV 5428 (Benaissa, Slattery, and Henry 2019, 114) which, according to editio princeps has ⟦αγ⟧⸌ι⸍ ουσαν, which is to be interpreted as αγ deleted and ι added. The photographic evidence (see Media), however, seems to show that the reading ἄγουσαν was very much in the scribe’s mind and that evidence of correction is indistinct. The reading Π gives good sense (see editio princeps ad loc.) and should be accepted: “leading (me) into the hands of Aietes to be killed with horrible suffering (λώβῃ πολυπήμονι)”. For a full discussion of this papyrus, see here.

    1045: With this tricolon arrangement of the nouns, Medea again uses powerful rhetoric to support her points: “not temples, not defence tower, nor any other refuge”.

    1046: οἰόθι δὲ προτιβάλλομαι: she uses enjambment, as she does throughout this speech, to lead to this climactic appeal: “I throw myself upon your protection alone (οἰόθι . . . ὑμέας αὐτούς).

    1047: σχέτλιοι ἀτροπίης καὶ ἀνηλέες: “hard and pitiless in your cruelty”. ἀτροπίης: genitive of exclamation Smyth §1407 and another reference to her previous angry speech to Jason (4.386–9).

    1048: the word-order (ξείνης . . . ἀνάσσης) encloses the physical elements in the gesture (γούνασι χεῖρας) and enhances its power.

    1049: ἀμήχανον: “in my helplessness”. The adjective agrees with μ᾿ in the previous line. τείνουσαν ἀμήχανον: recalls Medea’s farewell to her native land as the Argonauts begin to row away from Colchis at 4.107–8ἀλλά κε πᾶσιν: “you would have . . .”.

    1050: Medea is very scornful of the Argonauts: “you would have taken them all on (ἐμείξατε δούρατα), cruel Aietes included (αὐτῷ τ᾿ Αἰήτῃ ὑπερήνορι), when you wanted the fleece (κῶας ἑλεῖν μεμαῶτες)”.

    1051–2: νῦν δὲ: “but now.” λάθεσθε / ἠνορέης: “you forget your manhood (ἠνορέης contrasts with ὑπερήνορι), when they (the Colchians) are alone (μοῦνοι) and cut off (ἀποτμηγέντες: < ἀποτμηγω).

    Bibliography:

    Acosta-Hughes, B. 2010. Arion’s Lyre. Archaic Lyric into Hellenistic Poetry. Princeton: and Oxford.

    Benaissa, Amin, S. Slattery, and W.B. Henry, eds. 2019. The Oxyrhynchus Papyri Vol. LXXXIV. https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/the-oxyrhynchus-papyri-vol-lxxxiv-9780856….

    Clare, R.J. 2002. The Path of the Argo. Language, Imagery and Narrative in the Argonautica of Apollonius Rhodius. Cambridge.

    Harder, A. 2012. Callimachus. Aetia, 2 vols. Oxford.

    Hulse, P. 2021. Medea's Passion and Rhetoric: two notes on P.Oxy. 5428. ZPE 218 (2021) 42–44

    Kenney, E.J. 1996. Ovid: Heroides XVI-XXI. Cambridge University Press.

    Montanari, Franco, Stefanos Matthaios, and Antonios Rengakos. 2015. Brill’s Companion to Ancient Greek Scholarship (2 Vols.). BRILL.

    Mori, A. 2008. “Piety and Diplomacy in Apollonius’ Argonautica.” In Ptolemy the Second Philadelphus and His World, edited by Paul R. McKechnie and Philippe Guillaume. BRILL.

    Naiden, F.S. 2006. Ancient Supplication. New York: and Oxford.

    Shaw, J. 1779. Argonauticorum libri quatuor. Priorum editorum et interpretum notis selectis accedunt Ruhnkenii, Piersoni, Georgii d’ Arnaud necnon Joannis Toupii animadversiones. Ed. ... in dices tres addidit Johannes Shaw. Ed. II. E Typogr. Clarendoniano.

    Stoddard, Kathryn. 2004. The Narrative Voice In The Theogony Of Hesiod. BRILL.

    Thomas, R.L. 1988. Virgil: Georgics: Volume 1. Cambridge University Press.

    Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, Ulrich von. 1924. Hellenistische Dichtung in der Zeit des Kallimachos, 2 vols. Vol. 2. 2 vols. Berlin.

     

    πορθμός, ὁ, a strait

    παροίτερος, η, ον, the one before

    Ἰόνιος, α, ον, of / called after Io

    ἀμφιλᾰφής, ές, large, expansive (see notes)

    πίειρα, ἡ, fat, rich

    κεραύνιος, α, ον, of a thunderbolt

    κεῖμαι, κείσομαι --- --- --- ---, lie, be laid down; lie sick

    δρέπανον, τό, a scythe

    φάτις, ἡ, legend

    ἵλημι, be gracious!

    μήδεα, τά, genitals

    νηλής, ές, pitiless, ruthless

    τέμνω, τεμῶ, ἔτεμον, τέτμηκα, τέτμημα, ἐτμήθην, cut off

    Κρόνος, ὁ, Cronus

    κλέω, call

    χθόνιος, α, ον, in, under the earth

    κᾰλᾰμητόμος, ον, reaping

    ἅρπη, ἡ, a hook

    Δηώ, ἡ, Deo (=Demeter)

    ναίω, dwell, inhabit, be situated

    Τῑτάν, ᾶνος, ὁ; mostly pl.; mostly pl. the Titans

    δάω, to learn

    στάχυς, υος, ὁ, an ear of corn

    ὄμπν-ιος, α, ον, of or relating to corn, nourishing, wealthy

    ἀμάω, reap, mow down

    Μάκρις, ἡ, Makris (name)

    φιλέω, φιλήσω, ἐφίλησα, πεφίλημαι, ἐφιλήθην, love

    δρεπάνη, ἡ,  a sickle, reaping-hook

    κλῄζω, to make famous, call

    ὄνομα, -ατος, τό, name

    Φαίηξ, Phaeacian

    οὐράνιος, heavenly, of or in heaven, dwelling in heaven

    γένος -ους τό, birth, offspring; race

    ἐνέχω, to be subject to

    κάματος, toil, trouble, labour

    Θρινακίη, Thrinacia

    αὔρα, air in motion, a breeze

    ἱκνέομαι ἵξομαι ἱκόμην --- ἷγμαι ---, come

    ἀγανός, pleasing

    Ἀλκίνοος, Alcinous

    λαός -οῦ ὁ, people, host

    θυηπολία, sacrifice

    δειδίσκομαι, to meet with outstretched hand, to greet, welcome

    ἀσπάσιος, welcome, gladly welcomed

    καγχαλάω, to laugh aloud, make merry

    γάνυμαι, to take delight in

    πληθύς, fulness, a throng, a crowd

    χαίρω χαιρήσω --- κεχάρηκα κεχάρημαι ἐχάρην, rejoice

    ἴκελος, like, resembling

    μέσος -η -ον, middle, in the middle

    ἐμβαίνω ἐμβήσομαι ἐνέβην ἐμβέβηκα --- ---, step upon

    Αἱμονία-ας, ἡ, The land of Haimon, i.e. Thessaly

    μέλλω μελλήσω ἐμέλλησα --- --- ---, think of doing, be destined to

    βοή, shout, cry

    θωρήσσω, to arm with breastplate

    ἀγχίμολος, close at hand

    στρατός -οῦ ὁ, army

    ἄσπετος, huge in number

    ἐκφαίνω, to appear

    στόμα -ατος τό, mouth

    κυάνεος, dark-blue, glossy-blue

    μαστήρ, a seeker, searcher, one who looks for

    ἀριστεύς, the best man

    περάω περάσω (or περῶ) ἐπέρασα πεπέρακα --- ---, pass through

    ἔξαιτος, special

    ἑός ἑή ἑόν, his, her, own

    πατήρ πατρός ὁ, father

    ἄγω ἄξω ἤγαγον ἦχα ἦγμαι ἤχθην, do, drive, go

    ἵημι ἥσω ἧκα εἷκα εἷμαι εἵθην, put in motion, desire, to be anxious

    ἀπροφάτως, with further ado

    στονόεις, causing groans

    ἀυτή, to cry

    νωμάω, to rise

    χαλεπός -ή -όν, difficult

    ὁμοκλάω, threaten

    ἀτροπία, inflexibility

    μετέπειτα, afterwards, thereafter

    σύν, with, in company with

    κέλευθος, an expedition

    κατερύκω, hold back, detain

    ἐπείγω ἐπείξομαι ἤπειξα --- ἤπειγμαι ἐπείχθην, press hard, to be eager for

    πόλεμος -ου ὁ, war

    κρείων -οντος ὁ, ruling, ruler, king

    Ἀλκίνοος, Alcinous

    λιλαίομαι, to long

    ἀμφότερος ἀμφοτέρα ἀμφότερον, both of two

    δηιοτής, battle-strife, battle, death

    ἄνευθε, without

    ὑπέρβιος, of overwhelming strength

    νεῖκος, a quarrel, wrangle, strife

    λύω λύσω ἔλυσα λέλυκα λέλυμαι ἐλύθην, loose, release, allay

    οὐλόμενος, η, ον, aor. part. of ὄλλυμαι, accursed

    ὑπό, under, through, beneath

    δεῖμα, fear, affright

    ἑταῖρος -ου ὁ, comrade, companion

    μειλίσσω, to appease, propitiate

    Ἀρήτη, wife of Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians

    γόνυ γόνατος τό, knee

    ἄλοχος -ου ἡ, spouse, bed-mate

    θιγγάνω, to touch, handle

    Ἀλκίνοος, Alcinous

    γουνόομαι, to clasp by the knees, implore

    βασίλεια -ας ἡ, queen, princess

    ἵλημι, be gracious!

    ἐκδίδωμι ἐκδώσω ἐκέδωκε ἐκδέδωκα ἐκδέδομαι ἐκεδόθην, surrender

    κομίζω κομιῶ ἐκόμισα κεκόμικα κεκόμισμαι ἐκομίσθην, carry off to

    ἄνθρωπος -ου ὁ/ἡ, human being

    γενεά, race, stock, family

    εἷς μία ἕν, one

    φέρβω, to be nourished, to exist

    ἄτη -ης ἡ, blindness, destruction

    ὠκύς ὠκεῖα ὠκύ, quick, swift, fast

    κοῦφος, light, slight

    θέω θεύσομαι --- --- --- ---, to run

    νόος, mind, perception

    ἀμπλάκημα, an error, fault, offence

    πυκινός, firm

    ἐκπίπτω πεσοῦμαι ἔπεσον πέπτωκα --- ---, to fall away, forsake

    φρήν φρενός ἡ, mind

    ἕκητι, by means of, by virtue of, by the aid of

    μαργοσύνη, ἡ, gluttony, lust, wantonness

    οἶδα, infin. εἰδέναι, imper. ἴσθι, plupf. used as impf. ᾔδειν, to know, be witness

    ἱερός -ᾶ -ον, holy

    φάος -εος τό, light, daylight

    νυκτιπόλος, roaming by night

    Περσηΐς, sprung from Perseus

    ὄργια, rites, mysteries

    ἐθέλω ἐθελήσω ἠθέλησα ἠθέληκα --- ---, wish, consent

    ἀλλοδαπός, foreign, belonging to another people

    κεῖθεν, from there, thence

    ἀφορμάω, to make to start from

    στυγερός, hated, abominated, loathed

    τάρβος, fright, alarm, terror

    πείθω πείσω ἔπεισα πέπεικα (or πέποιθα) πέπεισμαι ἐπείσθην, persuade

    φυγή -ῆς ἡ, flight, exile

    μιμνήσκω μνήσω ἔμνησα --- μέμνημαι ἐμνήσθην ---, remind, remember

    ὅτε, when

    ἀλιταίνω, to sin

    μῆτις, wisdom, counsel, cunning, craft

    μίτρα, a belt, virgin’s girdle

    μένω μενῶ ἔμεινα μεμένηκα --- ---, remain, await, stand fast

    δῶμα -ατος τό, house

    ἄχραντος, undefiled, immaculate

    ἀκήρατος, untouched

    ἐλεαίρω, to take pity on

    πότνα, mistress, queen

    τεός, = σός, 'your'

    πόσις ὁ, husband, spouse, mate

    μειλίσσω, to make mild, to appease, propitiate

    ὀπάζω, give, bestow

    ἀθάνατος -ον, immortal, deathless

    βίοτος, life

    τελεσφόρος, full

    ἀγλαΐη, splendour, brilliancy

    κῦδος -εος τό, glory, majesty, might

    ἀπόρθητος, not sacked, unravaged

    πόλις -εως ἡ, city

    τοῖος -α -ον, such

    Ἀρήτη, wife of Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians

    γουνάζομαι, to clasp by the knees: implore

    δάκρυον, a tear

    χέω χέω ἔχεα κέχυκα κέχυμαι ἐχύθην, to pour

    ἐναμοιβαδίς, alternately

    ὑμεῖς, you

    περί δή, exceedingly

    φέρτατος, bravest, best

    ἀμφί, about, concerning

    ἄεθλος, contest

    οὕνεκα, on account of which, wherefore (see notes)

    ὑμέτερος -α -ον, your

    ἀτύζομαι, to be distraught from fear, bewildered

    ἰότης, will, desire

    ταῦρος -ου ὁ, bull

    ζεύγνυμι ζεύξω ἔζευξα ἔζευγμαι ἐζεύχθην/ἐζύγην, yoke

    θέρος -ους τό, summer, summer harvest

    ὀλοός, destroying, destructive, fatal

    ἐκκείρω, to cut off

    γηγενής, earthborn

    ἕνεκα, on account of

    Αἱμονία-ας, ἡ, The land of Haimon, i.e. Thessaly

    χρυσοῦς -ῆ -οῦν, golden, gold-inlaid

    κῶας, a fleece

    ἀνάγω ἀνάξω ἀνήγαγον ἀνῆχα ἀνῆγμαι ἀνήχθην, to carry, take

    νοστέω , return home

    ὄλλυμι ὀλῶ ὤλεσα (or ὠλόμην) ὀλώλεκα (or ὄλωλα) --- ---, destroy, lose

    τοκεύς, one who begets, a father

    δόμος -ου, ὁ, house, home

    σύμπας -πᾶσα -πᾶν, all together, on the whole

    ἐυφροσύνη, mirth, gladness.

    βίοτος, life

    ναίω, dwell, inhabit, be situated

    ἀνύω, to effect, achieve, accomplish, complete

    γλυκερός, ά, όν, sweet

    εἰσοράω, to look into, look upon, view, behold

    τοκεύς, one who begets, a father

    ὄμμα, -ατος τό, eye

    βαρύς -εῖα -ύ, heavy-handed

    αἱρέω αἱρήσω εἷλον ᾕρηκα ᾕρημαι ᾑρέθην, take

    δαίμων δαίμονος ὁ/ἡ, divinity, god, spirit

    ἀγλαΐη, splendor, brilliancy;

    στυγερός, hated, abominated, loathed

    σύν, with, in company with

    ὀθνεῖος, strange, foreign

    ἀλάομαι, to wander, stray

    δείδω δείσομαι ἔδεισα δέδοικα (or δίδια) --- ---, fear

    συνθεσίη, a covenant, treaty

    ὅρκιον, an oath

    Ἐρινύς, the Erinys

    ἱκέσιος, of or for suppliants

    νέμεσις, retribution

    λώβη, outrage

    πολυπήμων, grievous

    δηιόω, to cut down, slay

    ναός -οῦ ὁ, temple

    πύργος -ου ὁ , tower

    ἐπίρροθος, defensive

    ἀλεωρή, avoidance, escape

    οἴοθι, alone

    προσβάλλω προσβαλῶ προσέβαλον, look to for protection

    σχέτλιος, wretched

    ἀτροπία, inflexibility

    ἀνηλεής, without pity, unmerciful

    αἰδέομαι, to show reverence, respect

    ξείνος -ου ὁ, stranger, guest-friend, foreigner

    ἄνασσα, a queen, lady, mistress

    δέρκομαι, to see clearly, see

    τείνω τενῶ ἔτεινα τέτακα τέταμαι ἐτάθην, stretch

    ἀμήχανος, without means

    αἱρέω αἱρήσω εἷλον ᾕρηκα ᾕρημαι ᾑρέθην, take

    μάω, be eager, press on

    μίγνυμι, μείξω, ἔμειξα, μέμειγμαι, ἐμείχθην, mix, mingle

    δόρυ δόρατος τό, spear

    ὑπερήνωρ, overbearing, arrogant

    λανθάνω λήσω ἔλαθον λέληθα λέλησμαι ---, escape notice

    ἠνορέη, manhood

    ἀποτμηγω, to cut off, sever

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    Suggested Citation

    Peter Hulse. Apollonius: Argonautica Book IV. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Dickinson College Commentaries, 2024. ISBN: 978-1-947822-21-4. https://dcc.dickinson.edu/apollonius-argonautica/argonautica-iv-980-1050