Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams

Type 5344
(formerly typ/3388)

Θήβης δ’ ὠγυγίης Ἑλικώνιος ἵστατο κύκνος,
Πίνδαρος ἱμερόφωνος, ὃν ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων
ἔτρεφε Βοιωτοῖο παρὰ σκοπιὴν Ἑλικῶνος
καὶ μέλος ἁρμονίης ἐδιδάξατο· τικτομένου γὰρ
ἑζόμεναι λιγυροῖσιν ἐπὶ στομάτεσσι μέλισσαι
κηρὸν ἀνεπλάσσαντο, σοφῆς ἐπιμάρτυρα μολπῆς.
Text source W. Paton, M. Tueller, 2014, The Greek Anthology. Books 1-5 (vol. 1), Cambridge: 140-141
Text status Text completely known
Editorial status Not a critical text
Genre(s) Author-related epigram
Person(s)
Poet
Christodoros of Koptos < Egypt
Metre(s) Dactylic hexameter
Subject(s)
Tag(s) Praise of the author
Translation(s)
  • 'There stood the Heliconian swan of ancient Thebes, charming-voiced Pindar, whom silver-bowed Apollo nurtured by the peak of Boeotian Helicon and taught harmonious music; for at his birth bees settled on his mewling lips and molded a honeycomb testifying to his skill in song'.
    Language
    English
    Source(s)
    W. Paton, M. Tueller, 2014, The Greek Anthology. Books 1-5 (vol. 1), Cambridge: 141
  • C'était ensuite le cygne héliconien de l'antique Thèbes, Pindare à la voix délicieuse, qu'Apollon à l'arc d'argent nourrit sur les hauteurs de l'Hélicon béotien et instruisit dans l'art des chants mélodieux; à sa naissance, en effet, des abeilles vinrent se poser sur ses lèvres harmonieuses et y façonnèrent leur cire, présage de son talent poétique.
    Language
    French
    Source(s)
    P. Waltz, 1928, Anthologie Grecque. Tome I: Anthologie palatine, Livres I-IV (vol. 1), Paris: 77-78
  • 'Der helikonische Schwan des alten Thebens erhob sich,
    Pindar, der köstliche Sänger, den Phoibos mit silbernem Bogen
    auf der boiotischen Warte des Helikons einstens genährt hat
    und im melodischen Sange gebildet; denn bei der Geburt schon
    setzten Bienen sich ihm auf die tönenden Lippen und bauten
    drauf ihre Waben aus Wachs, dem Zeugen der sinnigen Lieder'.
    Language
    German
    Source(s)
    H. Beckby, 1965, Anthologia Graeca. I-VI (vol. 1), München: 209
Bibliography

Primary
Number of verses 6
Occurrence(s) [20732] θήβης δ’ ὠγυγίης ἑλικώνιος ἵστατο κύκνος [1451-1500]
LONDON - British Library - Harley 1752 [1451-1500] (f. 89v)
(6 verses)
Acknowledgements
Contributor(s)
Anne-Sophie Rouckhout

The credits system has been implemented in 2019. Credits from before the new system was in use might be incomplete.
Identification Anthologia Graeca, II.1 (vv.382-387)
Permalink https://www.dbbe.ugent.be/types/5344
Last modified: 2021-09-03.
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