Description of an image of laurel/Daphne

Bibliography

Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography , pp. 193-196 and fig. 54; Cazzaniga, 1938-1939 Cazzaniga, I., 1938-1939, Varia Graeco-latina. II. De epigrammate quodam Cyrenis reperto, Rendiconti Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, Classe di Lettere e Scienze Morali e Storiche72, 93-97 - see in bibliography , whence SEG Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum, Leiden, then Amsterdam, 1923-1971, then 1979- - see in bibliography , 9.190 with addenda p. 121; Peek, 1972 Peek, W., 1972, Griechische Versinschriften aus der Cyrenaica aus Mauretanien und Numidien, Abhandlungen der sächsichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, phil.-hist. Klasse, 63.4, Berlin - see in bibliography , n. 9. Cf. Oliverio, 1931 Oliverio, G., 1931, Scavi di Cirene, Bergamo - see in bibliography , p. 49; Applebaum, 1962 Applebaum, S., 1962, Cyrenensia Iudaica, Journal of Jewish Studies (JJS)13, 31-43 - see in bibliography , p. 39.

Text

Apparatus

1 Cazzaniga, 1938-1939 Cazzaniga, I., 1938-1939, Varia Graeco-latina. II. De epigrammate quodam Cyrenis reperto, Rendiconti Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, Classe di Lettere e Scienze Morali e Storiche72, 93-97 - see in bibliography  [τοῖσδε] : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  [τοῖσδε](Wilamowitz's reading)

2 Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  [ἕρκεσιν] (Wilamowitz's reading)

2-3 λεπτα|[λέαισι κ]όμ[α]ις : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  λεπτα|[c. 5] ο[...] ς : Cazzaniga, 1938-1939 Cazzaniga, I., 1938-1939, Varia Graeco-latina. II. De epigrammate quodam Cyrenis reperto, Rendiconti Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, Classe di Lettere e Scienze Morali e Storiche72, 93-97 - see in bibliography  λεπτα|[λέοις] ὅ[ζο]ι̣ς : Peek, 1972 Peek, W., 1972, Griechische Versinschriften aus der Cyrenaica aus Mauretanien und Numidien, Abhandlungen der sächsichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, phil.-hist. Klasse, 63.4, Berlin - see in bibliography  λεπτα|[κιναῖσι κ]όμ[α]ις

3 εὖχος : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  ε̣ὖχ̣ος̣ : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  ε̣ὔρ̣ως̣

3-4 ἐπ᾿ἀ|[γρεσία?]ι : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography , SEG Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum, Leiden, then Amsterdam, 1923-1971, then 1979- - see in bibliography  ἐπ᾿ἀ|[ἀκροπόλει]ι· (Hiller von Gaertringen's reading) : Cazzaniga, 1938-1939 Cazzaniga, I., 1938-1939, Varia Graeco-latina. II. De epigrammate quodam Cyrenis reperto, Rendiconti Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, Classe di Lettere e Scienze Morali e Storiche72, 93-97 - see in bibliography  ἐπαυ|[ξάνομα]ι : Peek, 1972 Peek, W., 1972, Griechische Versinschriften aus der Cyrenaica aus Mauretanien und Numidien, Abhandlungen der sächsichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, phil.-hist. Klasse, 63.4, Berlin - see in bibliography  ἐπ᾿ἀ|[κρεμό]σι

5 [τὸ πρὶν γὰρ] : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  [χρησμῳδοῦ] (Hiller von Gaertringen's reading) : Cazzaniga, 1938-1939 Cazzaniga, I., 1938-1939, Varia Graeco-latina. II. De epigrammate quodam Cyrenis reperto, Rendiconti Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, Classe di Lettere e Scienze Morali e Storiche72, 93-97 - see in bibliography  [χαίτας τᾶς] : Peek, 1972 Peek, W., 1972, Griechische Versinschriften aus der Cyrenaica aus Mauretanien und Numidien, Abhandlungen der sächsichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, phil.-hist. Klasse, 63.4, Berlin - see in bibliography  [τὸ πρὶν γᾶς]

6 [καὶ Λιβύαν]δε φυγὰς : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography , SEG Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum, Leiden, then Amsterdam, 1923-1971, then 1979- - see in bibliography  [αὐτὰ τᾶι]δε (Hiller von Gaertringen's reading) : Cazzaniga, 1938-1939 Cazzaniga, I., 1938-1939, Varia Graeco-latina. II. De epigrammate quodam Cyrenis reperto, Rendiconti Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, Classe di Lettere e Scienze Morali e Storiche72, 93-97 - see in bibliography  [Πυθῶθεν] δὲ : Peek, 1972 Peek, W., 1972, Griechische Versinschriften aus der Cyrenaica aus Mauretanien und Numidien, Abhandlungen der sächsichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, phil.-hist. Klasse, 63.4, Berlin - see in bibliography  [ἐκ Πυθοῦ]ς̣ δὲ

7 Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography , SEG Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum, Leiden, then Amsterdam, 1923-1971, then 1979- - see in bibliography  [ἱερὸν κατ]έχω : Cazzaniga, 1938-1939 Cazzaniga, I., 1938-1939, Varia Graeco-latina. II. De epigrammate quodam Cyrenis reperto, Rendiconti Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, Classe di Lettere e Scienze Morali e Storiche72, 93-97 - see in bibliography , Peek, 1972 Peek, W., 1972, Griechische Versinschriften aus der Cyrenaica aus Mauretanien und Numidien, Abhandlungen der sächsichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, phil.-hist. Klasse, 63.4, Berlin - see in bibliography  [Λιβύαν κατ]έχω

7-8 ἀλλά τ̣ις | [ἐνθάδε?] : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  ΑΔΔ̣Α̣Ι̣ δὲ | [c. 5]  : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  ἀλλ' ἄγε [σῶσον] (Hiller von Gaertringen's reading) : Cazzaniga, 1938-1939 Cazzaniga, I., 1938-1939, Varia Graeco-latina. II. De epigrammate quodam Cyrenis reperto, Rendiconti Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, Classe di Lettere e Scienze Morali e Storiche72, 93-97 - see in bibliography  ἃ δ᾿{δ} αἰδεσ|[τοὺς] : Peek, 1972 Peek, W., 1972, Griechische Versinschriften aus der Cyrenaica aus Mauretanien und Numidien, Abhandlungen der sächsichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, phil.-hist. Klasse, 63.4, Berlin - see in bibliography  ἀλλά τ̣ις | [ἐσθλοὺς]

9 [ἐδίδασκ?]ε : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  [---]  : Cazzaniga, 1938-1939 Cazzaniga, I., 1938-1939, Varia Graeco-latina. II. De epigrammate quodam Cyrenis reperto, Rendiconti Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, Classe di Lettere e Scienze Morali e Storiche72, 93-97 - see in bibliography  [στεφανίζω] : Peek, 1972 Peek, W., 1972, Griechische Versinschriften aus der Cyrenaica aus Mauretanien und Numidien, Abhandlungen der sächsichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, phil.-hist. Klasse, 63.4, Berlin - see in bibliography  [μαθέτω γ]ε̣

9-10 αὐτοῦ μ᾿ ἀν|[εῖλαι] : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  αὐτοῦ[......]  | [....]  : Cazzaniga, 1938-1939 Cazzaniga, I., 1938-1939, Varia Graeco-latina. II. De epigrammate quodam Cyrenis reperto, Rendiconti Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, Classe di Lettere e Scienze Morali e Storiche72, 93-97 - see in bibliography  ΑΥΤΟΥ[........]  : Peek, 1972 Peek, W., 1972, Griechische Versinschriften aus der Cyrenaica aus Mauretanien und Numidien, Abhandlungen der sächsichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, phil.-hist. Klasse, 63.4, Berlin - see in bibliography  αὐτοῦ μ' ἀν|[θέντας]

11 Peek, 1972 Peek, W., 1972, Griechische Versinschriften aus der Cyrenaica aus Mauretanien und Numidien, Abhandlungen der sächsichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, phil.-hist. Klasse, 63.4, Berlin - see in bibliography  (vac. 6?) ❧ (vac.) : Oliverio, 1930 Oliverio, G., 1930, Campagna di scavi a Cirene nell’estate del 1928, Africa Italiana3, 141-229 - see in bibliography  [τε] ❧ (vac. 13?)

French translation

Auprès de ce portail et de ces [clôtures] appartenant à Apollon,

de ma chevelure délicate, moi, Laurier (i.e. Daphnè), j'admire

Cyrène pour son [art de chasser]; [jadis] objet de fierté au pays de Delphes

et réfugiée en [ Libye], j'occupe maintenant [le sanctuaire];

mais quelqu'un [ici a informé] les fils d'Aristippos

qu'en ce lieu le fils de Lètô m'a [enlevée] comme épouse.

English translation

Near this portal and these [fences] belonging to Apollo,

with my delicate hair, I, Laurel (i.e. Daphne), am admiring

Cyrene for her [art of hunting]; [once] object of pride in the Delphian country

and having fled to [Libya], I now occupy [the sanctuary];

but one [here informed] Aristippos' sons

that at this place Leto's son [carried me off] as a spouse.

Italian translation

Presso questo portale e questi [recinti] di Apollo,

con la mia chioma delicata, io, Pianta di alloro (i.e. Dafne), ammiro

Cirene per la sua [arte della caccia]; [un tempo] vanto della terra di Delfi

e rifugiata in [Libia], occupo ora [il santuario];

ma qualcuno [qui ha informato] i figli di Aristippos

che in questo luogo il figlio di Latona [mi ha rapito] in sposa.

Commentary

Surprisingly enough, this could not be read easily at the place where it was clumsily inscribed. It was perhaps the caption of a painting, now disappeared, that would have stood on the wall below and besides. Alternatively, it describes a real laurel, planted near the Propylaea.

The epigram clearly mentions a laurel and at the same time the heroine Daphne. As the myth goes, she was a nymph with whom Apollo fell in love and escaped him as her hair was transformed into the branches and leaves of the homonymous tree (see verse-line 2). Relying on the useful restorations suggested by Cazzaniga and Peek, Dobias-Lalou proposes here some new ones where it seems necessary. Her main aim was to reconcile the three couplets into one and the same statement, allowing Daphne/laurel herself to be the speaker all along. Cyrene at verse-line 3 has also the double meaning of the city surrounding the sanctuary and the nymph with whom Apollo fell in love. She too was a virgin fond of hunting, but according to the myth she did become his spouse, the hierogamy taking place on the cliff just above the sanctuary of Apollo. If that is right, the epigram would say that Daphne, having fled Delphi to Libya, became a kind of duplicate of Cyrene and was also married to Apollo.

The mention of Aristippos' sons is not very clear. The preceding commentators thought that they were the dedicants of the monument and J.M. Reynolds comments: «it may be relevant that (the name Aristippos) occurs as a cognomen of the priest of Apollo for 223 AD, M. Antonius Aristippοs (IRCyr C.153, ll. 6-8)». Another possibility would be that they were followers of the Cyrenaican philosopher Aristippos. In fact, this name is not very common in Cyrenaica. Those philosophers would have approved that the nymph did not avoid the divine union.

Applebaum, on the basis of verse-line 4, which he picked up without any consideration of the rest, attributed the sentence to Apollo, who would have fled Cyrene because of the Jewish revolt and come back again. This idea does not need to be commented further on.

At l. 6, we restore Λιβύανδε, which occurs in the well-known 'stele of the Founders' (IGCyr011000, l. 19). At l. 10, as Cazzaniga already stressed, the two accusatives (a masculine and a feminine) cannot be taken together. We offer a construction that gives to each a different syntactic function. Differently, Peek had to assume that the speaker, changing in the last couplet, was here Cyrene.

An ancient print of the photograph made before the restoration of the Propylaeum was sent by J.M. Reynolds to W. Peek and is kept in the archive of Peek Nachlass at Berlin. We thank Kl. Hallof for providing an excellent digitized copy.

Metrical analysis: three regular elegiac couplets. L. 1: the initial α of Ἀπόλλωνος has the usual metrical lenghtening and the hexameter is spondaic. L. 3, with the restoration, has four spondees, which makes it very slow.

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