THE VIEW FROM OLYMPUS: THE MUSES' SONG IN THE HOMERIC HYMN TO APOLLO. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spelman, Henry L.
• Is Part Of: Classical quarterly. Volume 70:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Classical philology -- Periodicals; Classical literature -- Periodicals; 880
• DOI: 10.1017/S000983882000049X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-8388

Abstract

Abstract : Apollo travels from Pytho to Olympus, and the other gods greet his arrival (186–93):ἔνθεν δὲ πρὸϲ Ὄλυμπον ἀπὸ χθονὸϲ ὥϲ τε νόημα εἶϲι Διὸϲ πρὸϲ δῶμα θεῶν μεθ' ὁμήγυριν ἄλλων⋅ αὐτίκα δ' ἀθανάτοιϲι μέλει κίθαριϲ καὶ ἀοιδή. Μοῦϲαι μέν θ' ἅμα πᾶϲαι ἀμειβόμεναι ὀπὶ καλῇ ὑμνεῦϲίν ῥα θεῶν δῶρ' ἄμβροτα ἠδ' ἀνθρώπων τλημοϲύναϲ, ὅϲ' ἔχοντεϲ ὑπ' ἀθανάτοιϲι θεοῖϲι ζώουϲ' ἀφραδέεϲ καὶ ἀμήχανοι, οὐδὲ δύνανται εὑρέμεναι θανάτοιό τ' ἄκοϲ καὶ γήραοϲ ἄλκαρ. From there he goes quick as a thought from the earth to Olympus, to the house of Zeus, in order to join the gathering of the other gods. Immediately the immortals concern themselves with lyre music and song. All the Muses together, responding with their beautiful voice, hymn the divine gifts of the gods and the endurance of men, all that they have from the immortal gods and yet live ignorant and helpless, unable to find a remedy for death and a defence against old age.