Timokles: translation and commentary

Description

From some points of view, Timocles departs from the norm of his time, and in particular from near-contemporary comedians such as Alexis, Eubulus and Antiphanes, and appears to be the most 'Aristophanic' poet of the fourth century. More specifically, in a period when political satire seems to have lost its vigor, he employs acerbic attacks against major and minor Athenian politicians. The fact that at least sixteen of the forty-two surviving fragments of his poetry contain explicit or implicit references to politicians can hardly be attributed to chance. Timocles' inventiveness and versatility are also demonstrated, inter alia, in his combination of different motifs, his association of mythical figures with contemporary personalities and his employment of a figurative language. The present volume follows the principles and structure of the commentaries of the KomFrag project. It includes an introduction on Timocles and a detailed examination and commentary of the testimonies and the surviving fragments. The Egyptians (Aigyptioi) -- The Bathhouse (Balaneion) -- The Farmer (Geōrgos) -- The Ring (Daktylios) -- Delos (Dēlos) -- The People's Satyrs (Dēmosatyroi) -- Women Celebrating the Dionysia (Dionysiazousai) -- Dionysus (Dionysos) -- The Little Snake (Drakontinon) -- Letters (Epistolai) -- The Spiteful Man (Epichairekakos) -- The Heroes (Hērōes) -- Icarian Satyrs (Ikarioi Satyroi) -- Men of Caunus (Kaunioi) -- The Centaur or Dexamenus (Kentauros ē Dexamenos) -- Conisalus (Konisalos) -- Oblivion (Lēthē) -- Men of Marathon (Marathōnioi) -- Neaera (Neaera) -- Orestautocleides (Orestautokleidēs) -- The Busybody (Polypragmōn) -- The Man from Pontus (Pontikos) -- Purple strip (Porphyra) -- The Boxer (Pyktēs) -- Sappho (Sapphō) -- Joint Labours? (Synergika) -- The Man who loved judge-duty (Philodikastēs) -- Fake Robbers (Pseudolēistai) -- Incertarum fabularum fragmenta.