Studies in Odyssey 11

145 Pages·2000·9.44 MB·English

by  Odysseus Tsagarakis

HERMES
ZEITSCHRIFT FÜR KLASSISCHE PHILOLOGIE
EINZELSCHRIFTEN
HERAUSGEGEBEN VON
JÜRGEN BLÄNSDORF
JOCHEN BLEICKEN
WOLFGANG KULLMANN
HEFT 82
FRANZ STEINER VERLAG STUTTGART
2000
ODYSSEUS TSAGARAKIS
STUDIES
IN ODYSSEY 11
FRANZ STEINER VERLAG STUTTGART
2000
HERMES-EINZELSCHRIFTEN (ISSN 0341-0064)
Prof. Dr. Jombn Blansmmf. Am M nobog le. D-55270Euenheim
(verantwortlich für Latinistik)
Prof. Dr. Jochen Bleicken. Humboldtallee 21. D-37073 Göttingen
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Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kullmann. Baycmstr. 6, D-79100 Freiburg
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Tsagarakb, Odyaaeut:
Studies in Odyssey 11 / Odysseus Tsagankis. - Stuttgart : Steiner.
2000
(Hermes : Einzelschriften ; H. 82)
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To the Memory of Angelos Fouriotis

PREFACE
Since the publication of van der Valk’s work in 1935. there has been, to my
knowledge, no other monograph devoted entirely to the Eleventh Book of
the Odyssey. though there have bee· publications that included some chap­
ters on the Nekyia. The present study attempts to deal with the main
problems of Odyssey XI in the light of recent research. The journey to the
underworld is not only troublesome but also significant, perhaps the most
significant of the hero's adventures.
I had the opportunity to present some of my views at international
conferences and to profit from the comments of fellow researchers. Discus­
sions in the classroom also proved stimulating. The book is primarily, but
not exclusively, intended for readers of Homer. Readers of Greek (and
Roman) literature in general may benefit from it as well. The text is quoted
from D.B. Monro-T.W. Allen’s edition of the Iliad and T.W. Allen’s
edition of the Odyssey.
My thanks are due to the editors of Hermes Einzelschriften, especially
to Professor W. Kullmann, for accepting the manuscript for publication and
offering helpful comments. I also thank Mr. G. Motakis for assisting me
with the computer work. My thanks are also due to the staff of various
libraries and research centers, especially to the library staff of the Universi­
ty of Crete.
Rethymno. April 1999 Odysseus Tsagarakis

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface.......................................................................................................... 7
Introduction................................................................................................. 11
I THE QUESTION OF THE SOURCES
I- Near Eastern Literature................................................................ 19
2. Catabaseis...................................................................................... 26
3. Necromancy................................................................................... 37
II NEKYIA AND APOLOGOI
1. The Background........................................................................... 45
2. The New Theme........................................................................... 55
3. Root Elements of the New Theme in the Apologoi................... 61
4. Secondary Themes....................................................................... 67
III PROBLEMATIC PARTS
1. The Catalogue of Heroines.......................................................... 71
a. Sources..................................................................................... 71
b. Traditional Background........................................................... 74
c. Textual Information.................................................................. 76
2. The Intermezzo............................................................................ 89
3. The Review of Hades.................................................................... 94
a. Narrative Links......................................................................... 94
b. The Question of Influence...................................................... 100
IV CONCEPTS OF THE AFTERLIFE
1. The two Views.............................................................................. 105
2. Nature of the Beliefs.................................................................... 110
Conclusion..................................................................................................121
Select Bibliography...................................................................................125
Indexes
i. Greek Index................................................................................. 129
ii. Index of Passages....................................................................... 131
iii. General Index..............................................................................140

INTRODUCTION
The Eleventh Book of the Odyssey, known as Nekyia', has been in the
center of some controversy since ancient times. The Alexandrians first
pointed out a number of problems in its composition. Aristarchus, for
example, athetized a lengthy passage2, objecting that Odysseus could not
see Minos and others inside Hades from the place he was standing: χώς
είδε τούτους ή τούς λοιπούς έσω των Αιδου χυλών όντας και ιών
ποταμών3. Moreover, the activities of some of the dead in this section of
Hades are, we are told, irrational or ridiculous4, and the reference to
Heracles is a late interpolation3. Modem scholars did little more than
expanding on the scholia6. A few defended the passage7, and there is more
to be said about it.
The authenticity of another passage has also been questioned (λ 225ff ).
Some think that the “Catalogue of Heroines“ is a post-Homeric addition
and belongs to the catalogue poetry to which Hesiod's Ehoiai also belong6.
1 After the Pseudo-Platonic Minos 319 D. the term remained in use (cf. Died.
4.39.3.: Plot 730 F Greek Anth. 9.792.1. etc.). Cf. also n.lS below.
2 On Aristarchus* athetesis cf. K.A. Gardrach (1978. p.lff). who concludes that
"Aristarchus is chiefly interested in strict consistency of presentation** (p.9). which
we will see was impossible to obtain. It seems that the ‘‘introductory** verses 565-
567 were also considered spurious. Cf. G. Petzl ( 1969. p.8).
3 Cf. schol. HT on λ 568. A. Kirchhoef ( 1879. p.23lff.), agreed with Aristarchus. U.
von Wilamowttz (1884. p.l99fT.) followed Kirchhott but later changed his mind
about an ‘Orphic interpolation** (cf. Der Glaube der Hellenen, Berlin 1931. vol.Il.
p.200). Cf. further E. Schwartz (1924. p.319) and others.
4 Cf. schol. HT on λ 573. άλογον γάρ τό έν'Αιδου κυνηγέ trlν. in connection with
Orion's hunting, and schol. QT on v. 577, καταγέλαστα και ταΰτα in connection
with Tityos’ inability to go to the bothros.
5 Schol. HQT on λ 601. και τούτο νεατερικόν, and schol. H on v. 604, τούτον ύχό
Ονομακρίτου έμχεχοιήσθαΐ οασιν. ήθέτηται δέ. On Onomacritus see Ο. Kern.
Orphicorum fragmenta, Berlin 1922, test. 182-195.
6 Cf. E. Rhooe (1987. p.33); D.L. Paoc (1955. p.47); R. Merkelsach ( 1968. p.177)
aad others.
7 W. Büchner (1937. p.l04ff.); H. Eiseneeroer (1973. p.l86ff.) and others. Accor­
ding to K. Matthiessen (1988, p.22) Teiresias* “Wegweisung** was more than "ein
kompositioneller Vorwand für die Einführung der aus anderen Gründen wichtigen
Unterweltsfahrt“.
8 Cf. Page (1955. p.36ff.): R. Prama (1937, p.lff.). In this conext see also M.L.
West (1984. p.lff.).