4:
Acrisius
was king of Argos and Proetus of
Tiryns.
Tiryns.
Hesiod
Happy he!
For he has finished his great works and lives amongst the undying gods,
untroubled and unageing all his days.
(ll. 956-962) And Perseis, the daughter of Ocean, bare to unwearying
Helios Circe and Aeetes the king. And Aeetes, the son of Helios who
shows light to men, took to wife fair-cheeked Idyia, daughter of Ocean
the perfect stream, by the will of the gods: and she was subject to him
in love through golden Aphrodite and bare him neat-ankled Medea.
(ll. 963-968) And now farewell, you dwellers on Olympus and you islands
and continents and thou briny sea within. Now sing the company of
goddesses, sweet-voiced Muses of Olympus, daughter of Zeus who holds
the aegis,--even those deathless one who lay with mortal men and bare
children like unto gods.
(ll. 969-974) Demeter, bright goddess, was joined in sweet love with the
hero Iasion in a thrice-ploughed fallow in the rich land of Crete, and
bare Plutus, a kindly god who goes everywhere over land and the sea's
wide back, and him who finds him and into whose hands he comes he makes
rich, bestowing great wealth upon him.
(ll. 975-978) And Harmonia, the daughter of golden Aphrodite, bare
to Cadmus Ino and Semele and fair-cheeked Agave and Autonoe whom long
haired Aristaeus wedded, and Polydorus also in rich-crowned Thebe.
(ll. 979-983) And the daughter of Ocean, Callirrhoe was joined in the
love of rich Aphrodite with stout hearted Chrysaor and bare a son who
was the strongest of all men, Geryones, whom mighty Heracles killed in
sea-girt Erythea for the sake of his shambling oxen.
(ll. 984-991) And Eos bare to Tithonus brazen-crested Memnon, king
of the Ethiopians, and the Lord Emathion. And to Cephalus she bare a
splendid son, strong Phaethon, a man like the gods, whom, when he was a
young boy in the tender flower of glorious youth with childish thoughts,
laughter-loving Aphrodite seized and caught up and made a keeper of her
shrine by night, a divine spirit.
(ll. 993-1002) And the son of Aeson by the will of the gods led away
from Aeetes the daughter of Aeetes the heaven-nurtured king, when he had
finished the many grievous labours which the great king, over bearing
Pelias, that outrageous and presumptuous doer of violence, put upon him.
But when the son of Aeson had finished them, he came to Iolcus after
long toil bringing the coy-eyed girl with him on his swift ship, and
made her his buxom wife. And she was subject to Iason, shepherd of the
people, and bare a son Medeus whom Cheiron the son of Philyra brought up
in the mountains. And the will of great Zeus was fulfilled.
(ll. 1003-1007) But of the daughters of Nereus, the Old man of the Sea,
Psamathe the fair goddess, was loved by Aeacus through golden Aphrodite
and bare Phocus. And the silver-shod goddess Thetis was subject to
Peleus and brought forth lion-hearted Achilles, the destroyer of men.
(ll. 1008-1010) And Cytherea with the beautiful crown was joined in
sweet love with the hero Anchises and bare Aeneas on the peaks of Ida
with its many wooded glens.
(ll. 1011-1016) And Circe the daughter of Helius, Hyperion's son, loved
steadfast Odysseus and bare Agrius and Latinus who was faultless
and strong: also she brought forth Telegonus by the will of golden
Aphrodite. And they ruled over the famous Tyrenians, very far off in a
recess of the holy islands.
(ll. 1017-1018) And the bright goddess Calypso was joined to Odysseus in
sweet love, and bare him Nausithous and Nausinous.
(ll. 1019-1020) These are the immortal goddesses who lay with mortal men
and bare them children like unto gods.
(ll. 1021-1022) But now, sweet-voiced Muses of Olympus, daughters of
Zeus who holds the aegis, sing of the company of women.
THE CATALOGUES OF WOMEN AND EOIAE (fragments) [1701]
Fragment #1--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. iii. 1086: That
Deucalion was the son of Prometheus and Pronoea, Hesiod states in the
first "Catalogue", as also that Hellen was the son of Deucalion and
Pyrrha.
Fragment #2--Ioannes Lydus [1702], de Mens. i. 13: They came to call
those who followed local manners Latins, but those who followed Hellenic
customs Greeks, after the brothers Latinus and Graecus; as Hesiod says:
'And in the palace Pandora the daughter of noble Deucalion was joined in
love with father Zeus, leader of all the gods, and bare Graecus, staunch
in battle. '
Fragment #3--Constantinus Porphyrogenitus [1703], de Them. 2 p. 48B: The
district Macedonia took its name from Macedon the son of Zeus and Thyia,
Deucalion's daughter, as Hesiod says: 'And she conceived and bare to
Zeus who delights in the thunderbolt two sons, Magnes and Macedon,
rejoicing in horses, who dwell round about Pieria and Olympus. . . .
((LACUNA)) . . . . And Magnes again (begot) Dictys and godlike Polydectes. '
Fragment #4--Plutarch, Mor. p. 747; Schol. on Pindar Pyth. iv. 263:
'And from Hellen the war-loving king sprang Dorus and Xuthus and Aeolus
delighting in horses. And the sons of Aeolus, kings dealing justice,
were Cretheus, and Athamas, and clever Sisyphus, and wicked Salmoneus
and overbold Perieres. '
Fragment #5--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. iv. 266: Those who
were descended from Deucalion used to rule over Thessaly as Hecataeus
and Hesiod say.
Fragment #6--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. i. 482: Aloiadae.
Hesiod said that they were sons of Aloeus,--called so after him,--and of
Iphimedea, but in reality sons of Poseidon and Iphimedea, and that Alus
a city of Aetolia was founded by their father.
Fragment #7--Berlin Papyri, No. 7497; Oxyrhynchus Papyri, 421 [1704]:
(ll. 1-24) '. . . . Eurynome the daughter of Nisus, Pandion's son, to whom
Pallas Athene taught all her art, both wit and wisdom too; for she was
as wise as the gods. A marvellous scent rose from her silvern raiment
as she moved, and beauty was wafted from her eyes. Her, then, Glaucus
sought to win by Athena's advising, and he drove oxen [1705] for her.
But he knew not at all the intent of Zeus who holds the aegis. So
Glaucus came seeking her to wife with gifts; but cloud-driving Zeus,
king of the deathless gods, bent his head in oath that the. . . . son of
Sisyphus should never have children born of one father [1706]. So she
lay in the arms of Poseidon and bare in the house of Glaucus blameless
Bellerophon, surpassing all men in. . . . over the boundless sea. And when
he began to roam, his father gave him Pegasus who would bear him most
swiftly on his wings, and flew unwearying everywhere over the earth, for
like the gales he would course along. With him Bellerophon caught and
slew the fire-breathing Chimera. And he wedded the dear child of the
great-hearted Iobates, the worshipful king. . . . lord (of). . . . and she
bare. . . . '
Fragment #8--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodes, Arg. iv. 57: Hesiod says
that Endymion was the son of Aethlius the son of Zeus and Calyee, and
received the gift from Zeus: '(To be) keeper of death for his own self
when he was ready to die. '
Fragment #9--Scholiast Ven. on Homer, Il. xi. 750: The two sons of Actor
and Molione. . . Hesiod has given their descent by calling them after
Actor and Molione; but their father was Poseidon.
Porphyrius [1707], Quaest. Hom. ad Iliad. pert. , 265: But Aristarchus is
informed that they were twins, not. . . . such as were the Dioscuri, but,
on Hesiod's testimony, double in form and with two bodies and joined to
one another.
Fragment #10--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. i. 156: But Hesiod
says that he changed himself in one of his wonted shapes and perched on
the yoke-boss of Heracles' horses, meaning to fight with the hero; but
that Heracles, secretly instructed by Athena, wounded him mortally with
an arrow. And he says as follows: '. . . and lordly Periclymenus. Happy he!
For earth-shaking Poseidon gave him all manner of gifts. At one time he
would appear among birds, an eagle; and again at another he would be
an ant, a marvel to see; and then a shining swarm of bees; and again at
another time a dread relentless snake. And he possessed all manner of
gifts which cannot be told, and these then ensnared him through the
devising of Athene. '
Fragment #11--Stephanus of Byzantium [1708], s. v. : '(Heracles) slew the
noble sons of steadfast Neleus, eleven of them; but the twelfth, the
horsemen Gerenian Nestor chanced to be staying with the horse-taming
Gerenians. ((LACUNA)) Nestor alone escaped in flowery Gerenon. '
Fragment #12--Eustathius [1709], Hom. 1796. 39: 'So well-girded
Polycaste, the youngest daughter of Nestor, Neleus' son, was joined in
love with Telemachus through golden Aphrodite and bare Persepolis. '
Fragment #13--Scholiast on Homer, Od. xii. 69: Tyro the daughter of
Salmoneus, having two sons by Poseidon, Neleus and Pelias, married
Cretheus, and had by him three sons, Aeson, Pheres and Amythaon. And
of Aeson and Polymede, according to Hesiod, Iason was born: 'Aeson, who
begot a son Iason, shepherd of the people, whom Chiron brought up in
woody Pelion. '
Fragment #14--Petrie Papyri (ed. Mahaffy), Pl. III. 3: '. . . . of the
glorious lord . . . . fair Atalanta, swift of foot, the daughter of
Schoeneus, who had the beaming eyes of the Graces, though she was ripe
for wedlock rejected the company of her equals and sought to avoid
marriage with men who eat bread. '
Scholiast on Homer, Iliad xxiii. 683: Hesiod is therefore later in date
than Homer since he represents Hippomenes as stripped when contending
with Atalanta [1710].
Papiri greci e latini, ii. No. 130 (2nd-3rd century) [1711]: (ll. 1-7)
'Then straightway there rose up against him the trim-ankled maiden
(Atalanta), peerless in beauty: a great throng stood round about her as
she gazed fiercely, and wonder held all men as they looked upon her. As
she moved, the breath of the west wind stirred the shining garment about
her tender bosom; but Hippomenes stood where he was: and much people was
gathered together. All these kept silence; but Schoeneus cried and said:
(ll. 8-20) '"Hear me all, both young and old, while I speak as my spirit
within my breast bids me. Hippomenes seeks my coy-eyed daughter to wife;
but let him now hear my wholesome speech. He shall not win her without
contest; yet, if he be victorious and escape death, and if the deathless
gods who dwell on Olympus grant him to win renown, verily he shall
return to his dear native land, and I will give him my dear child and
strong, swift-footed horses besides which he shall lead home to be
cherished possessions; and may he rejoice in heart possessing these, and
ever remember with gladness the painful contest. May the father of men
and of gods (grant that splendid children may be born to him)' [1712]
((LACUNA))
(ll. 21-27) 'on the right. . . . and he, rushing upon her,. . . . drawing back
slightly towards the left. And on them was laid an unenviable struggle:
for she, even fair, swift-footed Atalanta, ran scorning the gifts of
golden Aphrodite; but with him the race was for his life, either to find
his doom, or to escape it. Therefore with thoughts of guile he said to
her:
(ll. 28-29) '"O daughter of Schoeneus, pitiless in heart, receive these
glorious gifts of the goddess, golden Aphrodite. . . '
((LACUNA))
(ll. 30-36) 'But he, following lightly on his feet, cast the first apple
[1713]: and, swiftly as a Harpy, she turned back and snatched it.
Then he cast the second to the ground with his hand. And now fair,
swift-footed Atalanta had two apples and was near the goal; but
Hippomenes cast the third apple to the ground, and therewith escaped
death and black fate. And he stood panting and. . . '
Fragment #15--Strabo [1714], i. p. 42: 'And the daughter of Arabus, whom
worthy Hermaon begat with Thronia, daughter of the lord Belus. '
Fragment #16--Eustathius, Hom. 461. 2: 'Argos which was waterless Danaus
made well-watered. '
Fragment #17--Hecataeus [1715] in Scholiast on Euripides, Orestes,
872: Aegyptus himself did not go to Argos, but sent his sons, fifty in
number, as Hesiod represented.
Fragment #18--[1716] Strabo, viii. p. 370: And Apollodorus says that
Hesiod already knew that the whole people were called both Hellenes
and Panhellenes, as when he says of the daughters of Proetus that the
Panhellenes sought them in marriage.
Apollodorus, ii. 2. 1.
4: Acrisius was king of Argos and Proetus of
Tiryns. And Acrisius had by Eurydice the daughter of Lacedemon, Danae;
and Proetus by Stheneboea 'Lysippe and Iphinoe and Iphianassa'. And
these fell mad, as Hesiod states, because they would not receive the
rites of Dionysus.
Probus [1717] on Vergil, Eclogue vi. 48: These (the daughters of
Proetus), because they had scorned the divinity of Juno, were overcome
with madness, such that they believed they had been turned into
cows, and left Argos their own country. Afterwards they were cured by
Melampus, the son of Amythaon.
Suidas, s. v. : [1718] 'Because of their hideous wantonness they lost
their tender beauty. . . . '
Eustathius, Hom. 1746. 7: '. . . . For he shed upon their heads a fearful
itch: and leprosy covered all their flesh, and their hair dropped from
their heads, and their fair scalps were made bare. '
Fragment #19A--[1719] Oxyrhynchus Papyri 1358 fr. 1 (3rd cent. A. D. ):
[1720] (ll. 1-32) '. . . . So she (Europa) crossed the briny water from afar
to Crete, beguiled by the wiles of Zeus. Secretly did the Father
snatch her away and gave her a gift, the golden necklace, the toy
which Hephaestus the famed craftsman once made by his cunning skill and
brought and gave it to his father for a possession. And Zeus received
the gift, and gave it in turn to the daughter of proud Phoenix. But
when the Father of men and of gods had mated so far off with trim-ankled
Europa, then he departed back again from the rich-haired girl. So she
bare sons to the almighty Son of Cronos, glorious leaders of wealthy
men--Minos the ruler, and just Rhadamanthys and noble Sarpedon the
blameless and strong. To these did wise Zeus give each a share of his
honour. Verily Sarpedon reigned mightily over wide Lycia and ruled very
many cities filled with people, wielding the sceptre of Zeus: and
great honour followed him, which his father gave him, the great-hearted
shepherd of the people. For wise Zeus ordained that he should live for
three generations of mortal men and not waste away with old age. He sent
him to Troy; and Sarpedon gathered a great host, men chosen out of Lycia
to be allies to the Trojans. These men did Sarpedon lead, skilled in
bitter war. And Zeus, whose wisdom is everlasting, sent him forth from
heaven a star, showing tokens for the return of his dear son. . . . . . . . for
well he (Sarpedon) knew in his heart that the sign was indeed from Zeus.
Very greatly did he excel in war together with man-slaying Hector and
brake down the wall, bringing woes upon the Danaans. But so soon as
Patroclus had inspired the Argives with hard courage. . . . '
Fragment #19--Scholiast on Homer, Il. xii. 292: Zeus saw Europa the
daughter of Phoenix gathering flowers in a meadow with some nymphs and
fell in love with her. So he came down and changed himself into a bull
and breathed from his mouth a crocus [1721]. In this way he deceived
Europa, carried her off and crossed the sea to Crete where he had
intercourse with her. Then in this condition he made her live with
Asterion the king of the Cretans. There she conceived and bore three
sons, Minos, Sarpedon and Rhadamanthys. The tale is in Hesiod and
Bacchylides.
Fragment #20--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. ii. 178: But
according to Hesiod (Phineus) was the son of Phoenix, Agenor's son and
Cassiopea.
Fragment #21--Apollodorus [1722], iii. 14. 4. 1: But Hesiod says that he
(Adonis) was the son of Phoenix and Alphesiboea.
Fragment #22--Porphyrius, Quaest. Hom. ad Iliad. pert. p. 189: As it
is said in Hesiod in the "Catalogue of Women" concerning Demodoce the
daughter of Agenor: 'Demodoce whom very many of men on earth, mighty
princes, wooed, promising splendid gifts, because of her exceeding
beauty. '
Fragment #23--Apollodorus, iii. 5. 6. 2: Hesiod says that (the children of
Amphion and Niobe) were ten sons and ten daughters.
Aelian [1723], Var. Hist. xii. 36: But Hesiod says they were nine boys
and ten girls;--unless after all the verses are not Hesiod but are
falsely ascribed to him as are many others.
Fragment #24--Scholiast on Homer, Il. xxiii. 679: And Hesiod says that
when Oedipus had died at Thebes, Argea the daughter of Adrastus came
with others to the funeral of Oedipus.
Fragment #25--Herodian [1724] in Etymologicum Magnum, p. 60, 40: Tityos
the son of Elara.
Fragment #26--[1725] Argument: Pindar, Ol. xiv: Cephisus is a river in
Orchomenus where also the Graces are worshipped. Eteoclus the son of the
river Cephisus first sacrificed to them, as Hesiod says.
Scholiast on Homer, Il. ii. 522: 'which from Lilaea spouts forth its
sweet flowing water. . . . '
Strabo, ix. 424: '. . . . And which flows on by Panopeus and through fenced
Glechon and through Orchomenus, winding like a snake. '
Fragment #27--Scholiast on Homer, Il. vii. 9: For the father of
Menesthius, Areithous was a Boeotian living at Arnae; and this is in
Boeotia, as also Hesiod says.
Fragment #28--Stephanus of Byzantium: Onchestus: a grove [1726]. It is
situate in the country of Haliartus and was founded by Onchestus the
Boeotian, as Hesiod says.
Fragment #29--Stephanus of Byzantium: There is also a plain of Aega
bordering on Cirrha, according to Hesiod.
Fragment #30--Apollodorus, ii. 1. 1. 5: But Hesiod says that Pelasgus was
autochthonous.
Fragment #31--Strabo, v. p. 221: That this tribe (the Pelasgi) were from
Arcadia, Ephorus states on the authority of Hesiod; for he says: 'Sons
were born to god-like Lycaon whom Pelasgus once begot. '
Fragment #32--Stephanus of Byzantium: Pallantium. A city of Arcadia, so
named after Pallas, one of Lycaon's sons, according to Hesiod.
Fragment #33--(Unknown): 'Famous Meliboea bare Phellus the good
spear-man. '
Fragment #34--Herodian, On Peculiar Diction, p. 18: In Hesiod in the
second Catalogue: 'Who once hid the torch [1727] within. '
Fragment #35--Herodian, On Peculiar Diction, p. 42: Hesiod in the third
Catalogue writes: 'And a resounding thud of feet rose up. '
Fragment #36--Apollonius Dyscolus [1728], On the Pronoun, p. 125: 'And a
great trouble to themselves. '
Fragment #37--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. i. 45: Neither Homer
nor Hesiod speak of Iphiclus as amongst the Argonauts.
Fragment #38--'Eratosthenes' [1729], Catast. xix. p. 124: The
Ram. ]--This it was that transported Phrixus and Helle. It was immortal
and was given them by their mother Nephele, and had a golden fleece, as
Hesiod and Pherecydes say.
Fragment #39--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. ii. 181: Hesiod in
the "Great Eoiae" says that Phineus was blinded because he revealed to
Phrixus the road; but in the third "Catalogue", because he preferred
long life to sight.
Hesiod says he had two sons, Thynus and Mariandynus.
Ephorus [1730] in Strabo, vii. 302: Hesiod, in the so-called Journey
round the Earth, says that Phineus was brought by the Harpies 'to the
land of milk-feeders [1731] who have waggons for houses. '
Fragment #40A--(Cp. Fr. 43 and 44) Oxyrhynchus Papyri 1358 fr. 2 (3rd
cent. A. D. ): [1732] ((LACUNA--Slight remains of 7 lines))
(ll. 8-35) '(The Sons of Boreas pursued the Harpies) to the lands of the
Massagetae and of the proud Half-Dog men, of the Underground-folk and of
the feeble Pygmies; and to the tribes of the boundless Black-skins
and the Libyans. Huge Earth bare these to Epaphus--soothsaying
people, knowing seercraft by the will of Zeus the lord of oracles, but
deceivers, to the end that men whose thought passes their utterance
[1733] might be subject to the gods and suffer harm--Aethiopians and
Libyans and mare-milking Scythians. For verily Epaphus was the child of
the almighty Son of Cronos, and from him sprang the dark Libyans, and
high-souled Aethiopians, and the Underground-folk and feeble Pygmies.
All these are the offspring of the lord, the Loud-thunderer. Round about
all these (the Sons of Boreas) sped in darting flight. . . . . . . . of the
well-horsed Hyperboreans--whom Earth the all-nourishing bare far off by
the tumbling streams of deep-flowing Eridanus. . . . . . . . of amber, feeding
her wide-scattered offspring--and about the steep Fawn mountain and
rugged Etna to the isle Ortygia and the people sprung from Laestrygon
who was the son of wide-reigning Poseidon. Twice ranged the Sons of
Boreas along this coast and wheeled round and about yearning to catch
the Harpies, while they strove to escape and avoid them. And they sped
to the tribe of the haughty Cephallenians, the people of patient-souled
Odysseus whom in aftertime Calypso the queenly nymph detained
for Poseidon. Then they came to the land of the lord the son of
Ares. . . . . . . . they heard. Yet still (the Sons of Boreas) ever pursued them
with instant feet. So they (the Harpies) sped over the sea and through
the fruitless air. . . '
Fragment #40--Strabo, vii. p. 300: 'The Aethiopians and Ligurians and
mare-milking Scythians. '
Fragment #41--Apollodorus, i. 9. 21. 6: As they were being pursued, one
of the Harpies fell into the river Tigris, in Peloponnesus which is
now called Harpys after her. Some call this one Nicothoe, and others
Aellopus. The other who was called Ocypete, or as some say Ocythoe
(though Hesiod calls her Ocypus), fled down the Propontis and reached
as far as to the Echinades islands which are now called because of her,
Strophades (Turning Islands).
Fragment #42--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. ii. 297: Hesiod also
says that those with Zetes [1734] turned and prayed to Zeus: 'There they
prayed to the lord of Aenos who reigns on high. '
Apollonius indeed says it was Iris who made Zetes and his following turn
away, but Hesiod says Hermes.
Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. ii. 296: Others say (the islands)
were called Strophades, because they turned there and prayed Zeus to
seize the Harpies. But according to Hesiod. . . they were not killed.
For he has finished his great works and lives amongst the undying gods,
untroubled and unageing all his days.
(ll. 956-962) And Perseis, the daughter of Ocean, bare to unwearying
Helios Circe and Aeetes the king. And Aeetes, the son of Helios who
shows light to men, took to wife fair-cheeked Idyia, daughter of Ocean
the perfect stream, by the will of the gods: and she was subject to him
in love through golden Aphrodite and bare him neat-ankled Medea.
(ll. 963-968) And now farewell, you dwellers on Olympus and you islands
and continents and thou briny sea within. Now sing the company of
goddesses, sweet-voiced Muses of Olympus, daughter of Zeus who holds
the aegis,--even those deathless one who lay with mortal men and bare
children like unto gods.
(ll. 969-974) Demeter, bright goddess, was joined in sweet love with the
hero Iasion in a thrice-ploughed fallow in the rich land of Crete, and
bare Plutus, a kindly god who goes everywhere over land and the sea's
wide back, and him who finds him and into whose hands he comes he makes
rich, bestowing great wealth upon him.
(ll. 975-978) And Harmonia, the daughter of golden Aphrodite, bare
to Cadmus Ino and Semele and fair-cheeked Agave and Autonoe whom long
haired Aristaeus wedded, and Polydorus also in rich-crowned Thebe.
(ll. 979-983) And the daughter of Ocean, Callirrhoe was joined in the
love of rich Aphrodite with stout hearted Chrysaor and bare a son who
was the strongest of all men, Geryones, whom mighty Heracles killed in
sea-girt Erythea for the sake of his shambling oxen.
(ll. 984-991) And Eos bare to Tithonus brazen-crested Memnon, king
of the Ethiopians, and the Lord Emathion. And to Cephalus she bare a
splendid son, strong Phaethon, a man like the gods, whom, when he was a
young boy in the tender flower of glorious youth with childish thoughts,
laughter-loving Aphrodite seized and caught up and made a keeper of her
shrine by night, a divine spirit.
(ll. 993-1002) And the son of Aeson by the will of the gods led away
from Aeetes the daughter of Aeetes the heaven-nurtured king, when he had
finished the many grievous labours which the great king, over bearing
Pelias, that outrageous and presumptuous doer of violence, put upon him.
But when the son of Aeson had finished them, he came to Iolcus after
long toil bringing the coy-eyed girl with him on his swift ship, and
made her his buxom wife. And she was subject to Iason, shepherd of the
people, and bare a son Medeus whom Cheiron the son of Philyra brought up
in the mountains. And the will of great Zeus was fulfilled.
(ll. 1003-1007) But of the daughters of Nereus, the Old man of the Sea,
Psamathe the fair goddess, was loved by Aeacus through golden Aphrodite
and bare Phocus. And the silver-shod goddess Thetis was subject to
Peleus and brought forth lion-hearted Achilles, the destroyer of men.
(ll. 1008-1010) And Cytherea with the beautiful crown was joined in
sweet love with the hero Anchises and bare Aeneas on the peaks of Ida
with its many wooded glens.
(ll. 1011-1016) And Circe the daughter of Helius, Hyperion's son, loved
steadfast Odysseus and bare Agrius and Latinus who was faultless
and strong: also she brought forth Telegonus by the will of golden
Aphrodite. And they ruled over the famous Tyrenians, very far off in a
recess of the holy islands.
(ll. 1017-1018) And the bright goddess Calypso was joined to Odysseus in
sweet love, and bare him Nausithous and Nausinous.
(ll. 1019-1020) These are the immortal goddesses who lay with mortal men
and bare them children like unto gods.
(ll. 1021-1022) But now, sweet-voiced Muses of Olympus, daughters of
Zeus who holds the aegis, sing of the company of women.
THE CATALOGUES OF WOMEN AND EOIAE (fragments) [1701]
Fragment #1--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. iii. 1086: That
Deucalion was the son of Prometheus and Pronoea, Hesiod states in the
first "Catalogue", as also that Hellen was the son of Deucalion and
Pyrrha.
Fragment #2--Ioannes Lydus [1702], de Mens. i. 13: They came to call
those who followed local manners Latins, but those who followed Hellenic
customs Greeks, after the brothers Latinus and Graecus; as Hesiod says:
'And in the palace Pandora the daughter of noble Deucalion was joined in
love with father Zeus, leader of all the gods, and bare Graecus, staunch
in battle. '
Fragment #3--Constantinus Porphyrogenitus [1703], de Them. 2 p. 48B: The
district Macedonia took its name from Macedon the son of Zeus and Thyia,
Deucalion's daughter, as Hesiod says: 'And she conceived and bare to
Zeus who delights in the thunderbolt two sons, Magnes and Macedon,
rejoicing in horses, who dwell round about Pieria and Olympus. . . .
((LACUNA)) . . . . And Magnes again (begot) Dictys and godlike Polydectes. '
Fragment #4--Plutarch, Mor. p. 747; Schol. on Pindar Pyth. iv. 263:
'And from Hellen the war-loving king sprang Dorus and Xuthus and Aeolus
delighting in horses. And the sons of Aeolus, kings dealing justice,
were Cretheus, and Athamas, and clever Sisyphus, and wicked Salmoneus
and overbold Perieres. '
Fragment #5--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. iv. 266: Those who
were descended from Deucalion used to rule over Thessaly as Hecataeus
and Hesiod say.
Fragment #6--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. i. 482: Aloiadae.
Hesiod said that they were sons of Aloeus,--called so after him,--and of
Iphimedea, but in reality sons of Poseidon and Iphimedea, and that Alus
a city of Aetolia was founded by their father.
Fragment #7--Berlin Papyri, No. 7497; Oxyrhynchus Papyri, 421 [1704]:
(ll. 1-24) '. . . . Eurynome the daughter of Nisus, Pandion's son, to whom
Pallas Athene taught all her art, both wit and wisdom too; for she was
as wise as the gods. A marvellous scent rose from her silvern raiment
as she moved, and beauty was wafted from her eyes. Her, then, Glaucus
sought to win by Athena's advising, and he drove oxen [1705] for her.
But he knew not at all the intent of Zeus who holds the aegis. So
Glaucus came seeking her to wife with gifts; but cloud-driving Zeus,
king of the deathless gods, bent his head in oath that the. . . . son of
Sisyphus should never have children born of one father [1706]. So she
lay in the arms of Poseidon and bare in the house of Glaucus blameless
Bellerophon, surpassing all men in. . . . over the boundless sea. And when
he began to roam, his father gave him Pegasus who would bear him most
swiftly on his wings, and flew unwearying everywhere over the earth, for
like the gales he would course along. With him Bellerophon caught and
slew the fire-breathing Chimera. And he wedded the dear child of the
great-hearted Iobates, the worshipful king. . . . lord (of). . . . and she
bare. . . . '
Fragment #8--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodes, Arg. iv. 57: Hesiod says
that Endymion was the son of Aethlius the son of Zeus and Calyee, and
received the gift from Zeus: '(To be) keeper of death for his own self
when he was ready to die. '
Fragment #9--Scholiast Ven. on Homer, Il. xi. 750: The two sons of Actor
and Molione. . . Hesiod has given their descent by calling them after
Actor and Molione; but their father was Poseidon.
Porphyrius [1707], Quaest. Hom. ad Iliad. pert. , 265: But Aristarchus is
informed that they were twins, not. . . . such as were the Dioscuri, but,
on Hesiod's testimony, double in form and with two bodies and joined to
one another.
Fragment #10--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. i. 156: But Hesiod
says that he changed himself in one of his wonted shapes and perched on
the yoke-boss of Heracles' horses, meaning to fight with the hero; but
that Heracles, secretly instructed by Athena, wounded him mortally with
an arrow. And he says as follows: '. . . and lordly Periclymenus. Happy he!
For earth-shaking Poseidon gave him all manner of gifts. At one time he
would appear among birds, an eagle; and again at another he would be
an ant, a marvel to see; and then a shining swarm of bees; and again at
another time a dread relentless snake. And he possessed all manner of
gifts which cannot be told, and these then ensnared him through the
devising of Athene. '
Fragment #11--Stephanus of Byzantium [1708], s. v. : '(Heracles) slew the
noble sons of steadfast Neleus, eleven of them; but the twelfth, the
horsemen Gerenian Nestor chanced to be staying with the horse-taming
Gerenians. ((LACUNA)) Nestor alone escaped in flowery Gerenon. '
Fragment #12--Eustathius [1709], Hom. 1796. 39: 'So well-girded
Polycaste, the youngest daughter of Nestor, Neleus' son, was joined in
love with Telemachus through golden Aphrodite and bare Persepolis. '
Fragment #13--Scholiast on Homer, Od. xii. 69: Tyro the daughter of
Salmoneus, having two sons by Poseidon, Neleus and Pelias, married
Cretheus, and had by him three sons, Aeson, Pheres and Amythaon. And
of Aeson and Polymede, according to Hesiod, Iason was born: 'Aeson, who
begot a son Iason, shepherd of the people, whom Chiron brought up in
woody Pelion. '
Fragment #14--Petrie Papyri (ed. Mahaffy), Pl. III. 3: '. . . . of the
glorious lord . . . . fair Atalanta, swift of foot, the daughter of
Schoeneus, who had the beaming eyes of the Graces, though she was ripe
for wedlock rejected the company of her equals and sought to avoid
marriage with men who eat bread. '
Scholiast on Homer, Iliad xxiii. 683: Hesiod is therefore later in date
than Homer since he represents Hippomenes as stripped when contending
with Atalanta [1710].
Papiri greci e latini, ii. No. 130 (2nd-3rd century) [1711]: (ll. 1-7)
'Then straightway there rose up against him the trim-ankled maiden
(Atalanta), peerless in beauty: a great throng stood round about her as
she gazed fiercely, and wonder held all men as they looked upon her. As
she moved, the breath of the west wind stirred the shining garment about
her tender bosom; but Hippomenes stood where he was: and much people was
gathered together. All these kept silence; but Schoeneus cried and said:
(ll. 8-20) '"Hear me all, both young and old, while I speak as my spirit
within my breast bids me. Hippomenes seeks my coy-eyed daughter to wife;
but let him now hear my wholesome speech. He shall not win her without
contest; yet, if he be victorious and escape death, and if the deathless
gods who dwell on Olympus grant him to win renown, verily he shall
return to his dear native land, and I will give him my dear child and
strong, swift-footed horses besides which he shall lead home to be
cherished possessions; and may he rejoice in heart possessing these, and
ever remember with gladness the painful contest. May the father of men
and of gods (grant that splendid children may be born to him)' [1712]
((LACUNA))
(ll. 21-27) 'on the right. . . . and he, rushing upon her,. . . . drawing back
slightly towards the left. And on them was laid an unenviable struggle:
for she, even fair, swift-footed Atalanta, ran scorning the gifts of
golden Aphrodite; but with him the race was for his life, either to find
his doom, or to escape it. Therefore with thoughts of guile he said to
her:
(ll. 28-29) '"O daughter of Schoeneus, pitiless in heart, receive these
glorious gifts of the goddess, golden Aphrodite. . . '
((LACUNA))
(ll. 30-36) 'But he, following lightly on his feet, cast the first apple
[1713]: and, swiftly as a Harpy, she turned back and snatched it.
Then he cast the second to the ground with his hand. And now fair,
swift-footed Atalanta had two apples and was near the goal; but
Hippomenes cast the third apple to the ground, and therewith escaped
death and black fate. And he stood panting and. . . '
Fragment #15--Strabo [1714], i. p. 42: 'And the daughter of Arabus, whom
worthy Hermaon begat with Thronia, daughter of the lord Belus. '
Fragment #16--Eustathius, Hom. 461. 2: 'Argos which was waterless Danaus
made well-watered. '
Fragment #17--Hecataeus [1715] in Scholiast on Euripides, Orestes,
872: Aegyptus himself did not go to Argos, but sent his sons, fifty in
number, as Hesiod represented.
Fragment #18--[1716] Strabo, viii. p. 370: And Apollodorus says that
Hesiod already knew that the whole people were called both Hellenes
and Panhellenes, as when he says of the daughters of Proetus that the
Panhellenes sought them in marriage.
Apollodorus, ii. 2. 1.
4: Acrisius was king of Argos and Proetus of
Tiryns. And Acrisius had by Eurydice the daughter of Lacedemon, Danae;
and Proetus by Stheneboea 'Lysippe and Iphinoe and Iphianassa'. And
these fell mad, as Hesiod states, because they would not receive the
rites of Dionysus.
Probus [1717] on Vergil, Eclogue vi. 48: These (the daughters of
Proetus), because they had scorned the divinity of Juno, were overcome
with madness, such that they believed they had been turned into
cows, and left Argos their own country. Afterwards they were cured by
Melampus, the son of Amythaon.
Suidas, s. v. : [1718] 'Because of their hideous wantonness they lost
their tender beauty. . . . '
Eustathius, Hom. 1746. 7: '. . . . For he shed upon their heads a fearful
itch: and leprosy covered all their flesh, and their hair dropped from
their heads, and their fair scalps were made bare. '
Fragment #19A--[1719] Oxyrhynchus Papyri 1358 fr. 1 (3rd cent. A. D. ):
[1720] (ll. 1-32) '. . . . So she (Europa) crossed the briny water from afar
to Crete, beguiled by the wiles of Zeus. Secretly did the Father
snatch her away and gave her a gift, the golden necklace, the toy
which Hephaestus the famed craftsman once made by his cunning skill and
brought and gave it to his father for a possession. And Zeus received
the gift, and gave it in turn to the daughter of proud Phoenix. But
when the Father of men and of gods had mated so far off with trim-ankled
Europa, then he departed back again from the rich-haired girl. So she
bare sons to the almighty Son of Cronos, glorious leaders of wealthy
men--Minos the ruler, and just Rhadamanthys and noble Sarpedon the
blameless and strong. To these did wise Zeus give each a share of his
honour. Verily Sarpedon reigned mightily over wide Lycia and ruled very
many cities filled with people, wielding the sceptre of Zeus: and
great honour followed him, which his father gave him, the great-hearted
shepherd of the people. For wise Zeus ordained that he should live for
three generations of mortal men and not waste away with old age. He sent
him to Troy; and Sarpedon gathered a great host, men chosen out of Lycia
to be allies to the Trojans. These men did Sarpedon lead, skilled in
bitter war. And Zeus, whose wisdom is everlasting, sent him forth from
heaven a star, showing tokens for the return of his dear son. . . . . . . . for
well he (Sarpedon) knew in his heart that the sign was indeed from Zeus.
Very greatly did he excel in war together with man-slaying Hector and
brake down the wall, bringing woes upon the Danaans. But so soon as
Patroclus had inspired the Argives with hard courage. . . . '
Fragment #19--Scholiast on Homer, Il. xii. 292: Zeus saw Europa the
daughter of Phoenix gathering flowers in a meadow with some nymphs and
fell in love with her. So he came down and changed himself into a bull
and breathed from his mouth a crocus [1721]. In this way he deceived
Europa, carried her off and crossed the sea to Crete where he had
intercourse with her. Then in this condition he made her live with
Asterion the king of the Cretans. There she conceived and bore three
sons, Minos, Sarpedon and Rhadamanthys. The tale is in Hesiod and
Bacchylides.
Fragment #20--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. ii. 178: But
according to Hesiod (Phineus) was the son of Phoenix, Agenor's son and
Cassiopea.
Fragment #21--Apollodorus [1722], iii. 14. 4. 1: But Hesiod says that he
(Adonis) was the son of Phoenix and Alphesiboea.
Fragment #22--Porphyrius, Quaest. Hom. ad Iliad. pert. p. 189: As it
is said in Hesiod in the "Catalogue of Women" concerning Demodoce the
daughter of Agenor: 'Demodoce whom very many of men on earth, mighty
princes, wooed, promising splendid gifts, because of her exceeding
beauty. '
Fragment #23--Apollodorus, iii. 5. 6. 2: Hesiod says that (the children of
Amphion and Niobe) were ten sons and ten daughters.
Aelian [1723], Var. Hist. xii. 36: But Hesiod says they were nine boys
and ten girls;--unless after all the verses are not Hesiod but are
falsely ascribed to him as are many others.
Fragment #24--Scholiast on Homer, Il. xxiii. 679: And Hesiod says that
when Oedipus had died at Thebes, Argea the daughter of Adrastus came
with others to the funeral of Oedipus.
Fragment #25--Herodian [1724] in Etymologicum Magnum, p. 60, 40: Tityos
the son of Elara.
Fragment #26--[1725] Argument: Pindar, Ol. xiv: Cephisus is a river in
Orchomenus where also the Graces are worshipped. Eteoclus the son of the
river Cephisus first sacrificed to them, as Hesiod says.
Scholiast on Homer, Il. ii. 522: 'which from Lilaea spouts forth its
sweet flowing water. . . . '
Strabo, ix. 424: '. . . . And which flows on by Panopeus and through fenced
Glechon and through Orchomenus, winding like a snake. '
Fragment #27--Scholiast on Homer, Il. vii. 9: For the father of
Menesthius, Areithous was a Boeotian living at Arnae; and this is in
Boeotia, as also Hesiod says.
Fragment #28--Stephanus of Byzantium: Onchestus: a grove [1726]. It is
situate in the country of Haliartus and was founded by Onchestus the
Boeotian, as Hesiod says.
Fragment #29--Stephanus of Byzantium: There is also a plain of Aega
bordering on Cirrha, according to Hesiod.
Fragment #30--Apollodorus, ii. 1. 1. 5: But Hesiod says that Pelasgus was
autochthonous.
Fragment #31--Strabo, v. p. 221: That this tribe (the Pelasgi) were from
Arcadia, Ephorus states on the authority of Hesiod; for he says: 'Sons
were born to god-like Lycaon whom Pelasgus once begot. '
Fragment #32--Stephanus of Byzantium: Pallantium. A city of Arcadia, so
named after Pallas, one of Lycaon's sons, according to Hesiod.
Fragment #33--(Unknown): 'Famous Meliboea bare Phellus the good
spear-man. '
Fragment #34--Herodian, On Peculiar Diction, p. 18: In Hesiod in the
second Catalogue: 'Who once hid the torch [1727] within. '
Fragment #35--Herodian, On Peculiar Diction, p. 42: Hesiod in the third
Catalogue writes: 'And a resounding thud of feet rose up. '
Fragment #36--Apollonius Dyscolus [1728], On the Pronoun, p. 125: 'And a
great trouble to themselves. '
Fragment #37--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. i. 45: Neither Homer
nor Hesiod speak of Iphiclus as amongst the Argonauts.
Fragment #38--'Eratosthenes' [1729], Catast. xix. p. 124: The
Ram. ]--This it was that transported Phrixus and Helle. It was immortal
and was given them by their mother Nephele, and had a golden fleece, as
Hesiod and Pherecydes say.
Fragment #39--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. ii. 181: Hesiod in
the "Great Eoiae" says that Phineus was blinded because he revealed to
Phrixus the road; but in the third "Catalogue", because he preferred
long life to sight.
Hesiod says he had two sons, Thynus and Mariandynus.
Ephorus [1730] in Strabo, vii. 302: Hesiod, in the so-called Journey
round the Earth, says that Phineus was brought by the Harpies 'to the
land of milk-feeders [1731] who have waggons for houses. '
Fragment #40A--(Cp. Fr. 43 and 44) Oxyrhynchus Papyri 1358 fr. 2 (3rd
cent. A. D. ): [1732] ((LACUNA--Slight remains of 7 lines))
(ll. 8-35) '(The Sons of Boreas pursued the Harpies) to the lands of the
Massagetae and of the proud Half-Dog men, of the Underground-folk and of
the feeble Pygmies; and to the tribes of the boundless Black-skins
and the Libyans. Huge Earth bare these to Epaphus--soothsaying
people, knowing seercraft by the will of Zeus the lord of oracles, but
deceivers, to the end that men whose thought passes their utterance
[1733] might be subject to the gods and suffer harm--Aethiopians and
Libyans and mare-milking Scythians. For verily Epaphus was the child of
the almighty Son of Cronos, and from him sprang the dark Libyans, and
high-souled Aethiopians, and the Underground-folk and feeble Pygmies.
All these are the offspring of the lord, the Loud-thunderer. Round about
all these (the Sons of Boreas) sped in darting flight. . . . . . . . of the
well-horsed Hyperboreans--whom Earth the all-nourishing bare far off by
the tumbling streams of deep-flowing Eridanus. . . . . . . . of amber, feeding
her wide-scattered offspring--and about the steep Fawn mountain and
rugged Etna to the isle Ortygia and the people sprung from Laestrygon
who was the son of wide-reigning Poseidon. Twice ranged the Sons of
Boreas along this coast and wheeled round and about yearning to catch
the Harpies, while they strove to escape and avoid them. And they sped
to the tribe of the haughty Cephallenians, the people of patient-souled
Odysseus whom in aftertime Calypso the queenly nymph detained
for Poseidon. Then they came to the land of the lord the son of
Ares. . . . . . . . they heard. Yet still (the Sons of Boreas) ever pursued them
with instant feet. So they (the Harpies) sped over the sea and through
the fruitless air. . . '
Fragment #40--Strabo, vii. p. 300: 'The Aethiopians and Ligurians and
mare-milking Scythians. '
Fragment #41--Apollodorus, i. 9. 21. 6: As they were being pursued, one
of the Harpies fell into the river Tigris, in Peloponnesus which is
now called Harpys after her. Some call this one Nicothoe, and others
Aellopus. The other who was called Ocypete, or as some say Ocythoe
(though Hesiod calls her Ocypus), fled down the Propontis and reached
as far as to the Echinades islands which are now called because of her,
Strophades (Turning Islands).
Fragment #42--Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. ii. 297: Hesiod also
says that those with Zetes [1734] turned and prayed to Zeus: 'There they
prayed to the lord of Aenos who reigns on high. '
Apollonius indeed says it was Iris who made Zetes and his following turn
away, but Hesiod says Hermes.
Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. ii. 296: Others say (the islands)
were called Strophades, because they turned there and prayed Zeus to
seize the Harpies. But according to Hesiod. . . they were not killed.
