Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Hesiod, Homeric Hymns, Epic Cycle, Homerica. 1922.

Hesiod

The Catalogues of Women and Eoiae

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.

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.”

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…. And Magnes again (begot) Dictys and godlike Polydectes.”

“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.”

Those who were descended from Deucalion used to rule over Thessaly as Hecataeus and Hesiod say.

Aloïadae. Hesiod said they were sons of Aloëus,—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.

“… 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 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. 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….”

Hesiod says that Endymion was the son of Aethlius the son of Zeus and Calyce, and received the gift from Zeus: “(To be) keeper of death for his own self when he was ready to die.”

The two sons of Actor and Molione…. Hesiod has given their descent by calling them after Actor and Molione; but their father was Poseidon.

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.

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.”

“(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… Nestor alone escaped in flowery Gerenon.”

“So well-girded Polycaste, the youngest daughter of Nestor, Neleus’ son, was joined in love with Telemachus through golden Aphrodite and bare Persepolis.”

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.”

“… 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.”

Hesiod is therefore later in date than Homer since he represents Hippomenes as stripped when contending with Atalanta.

“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:

“‘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)’

“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:

“‘O daughter of Schoeneus, pitiless in heart, receive these glorious gifts of the goddess, golden Aphrodite …’

“But he, following lightly on his feet, cast the first apple: 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 …”

“And the daughter of Arabus, whom worthy Hermaon begat with Thronia, daughter of the lord Belus.”

“Argos which was waterless Danaus made well-watered.”

Aegyptus himself did not go to Argos, but sent his sons, fifty in number, as Hesiod represented.

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.

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 Iphinoë and Iphianassa.” And these fell mad, as Hesiod states, because they would not receive the rites of Dionysus.

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.

“Because of their hideous wantonness they lost their tender beauty … 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.”

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. 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.

But according to Hesiod (Phineus) was the son of Phoenix, Agenor’s son and Cassiopea.

But Hesiod says that he (Adonis) was the son of Phoenix and Alphesiboea.

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.”

Hesiod says that (the children of Amphion and Niobe) were ten sons and ten daughters.

But Hesiod says they were nine boys and ten girls;—unless after all the verses are not Hesiod’s but are falsely ascribed to him as are many others.

And Hesiod says that when Oedipus had died at Thebes, Argea the daughter of Adrastus came with others to the funeral of Oedipus.

Tityos the son of Elara.

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: “which from Lilaea spouts forth its sweet-flowing water … And which flows on by Panopeus and through fenced Glechon and through Orchomenus, winding like a snake.”

For the father of Menesthius, Areïthoüs was a Boeotian living at Arnae; and this is in Boeotia, as also Hesiod says.

Onchestus: a grove. It is situate in the country of Haliartus and was founded by Onchestus the Boeotian, as Hesiod says.

There is also a plain of Aega bordering on Cirrha, according to Hesiod.

But Hesiod says that Pelasgus was autochthonous.

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.”

Pallantium. A city of Arcadia, so named after Pallas, one of Lycaon’s sons, according to Hesiod.

“Famous Meliboea bare Phellus the good spearman.”

In Hesiod in the second Catalogue:

“Who once hid the torch within.”

Hesiod in the third Catalogue writes:

“And a resounding thud of feet rose up.”

“And a great trouble to themselves.”

Neither Homer nor Hesiod speak of Iphiclus as amongst the Argonauts.

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.

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.

Hesiod, in the so-called Journey round the Earth, says that Phineus was brought by the Harpies “to the land of milk-feeders who have waggons for houses.”

“The Aethiopians and Ligurians and mare-milking Scythians.”

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 Nicothoë, and others Aëllopus. The other who was called Ocypete, or as some say Ocythoë (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).

Hesiod also says that those with Zetes 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.

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.

Nor let anyone mock at Hesiod who mentions … or even the Troglodytes and the Pygmies.

No one would accuse Hesiod of ignorance though he speaks of the Half-dog people and the Great-Headed people and the Pygmies.

But Hesiod says they (the Argonauts) had sailed in through the Phasis.

But Hesiod (says) … they came through the Ocean to Libya, and so, carrying the Argo, reached our sea.

Apollonius, following Hesiod, says that Circe came to the island over against Tyrrhenia on the chariot of the Sun. And he called it Hesperian, because it lies toward the west.

He (Apollonius) followed Hesiod who thus names the island of the Sirens:

“To the island Anthemoessa (Flowery) which the son of Cronos gave them.”

And their names are Thelxiope or Thelxinoe, Molpe and Aglaophonus.

Hence Hesiod said that they charmed even the winds.

Hesiod says that Ogygia is within towards the west, but Ogygia lies over against Crete: “… the Ogygian sea and … the island Ogygia.”

Hesiod regarded Arete as the sister of Alcinous.

Her Hippostratus (did wed), a scion of Ares, the splendid son of Phyctes, of the line of Amarynces, leader of the Epeians.

When Althea was dead, Oeneus married Periboea, the daughter of Hipponoüs. Hesiod says that she was seduced by Hippostratus the son of Amarynces and that her father Hipponoüs sent her from Olenus in Achaea to Oeneus because he was far away from Hellas, bidding him kill her.

“She used to dwell on the cliff of Olenus by the banks of wide Peirus.”

Macareus was a son of Crinacus the son of Zeus as Hesiod says … and dwelt in Olenus in the country then called Ionian, but now Achaean.

Concerning the Myrmidons Hesiod speaks thus: “And she conceived and bare Aeacus, delighting in horses. Now when he came to the full measure of desired youth, he chafed at being alone. And the father of men and gods made all the ants that were in the lovely isle into men and wide-girdled women. These were the first who fitted with thwarts ships with curved sides, and the first who used sails, the wings of a sea-going ship.”

“The sons of Aeacus who rejoiced in battle as though a feast.”

He has indicated the shameful deed briefly by the phrase “to lie with her against her will,” and not like Hesiod who recounts at length the story of Peleus and the wife of Acastus.

“And this seemed to him (Acastus) in his mind the best plan; to keep back himself, but to hide beyond guessing the beautiful knife which the very famous Lame One had made for him, that in seeking it alone over steep Pelion, he (Peleus) might be slain forthwith by the mountain-bred Centaurs.”

The author of the Cypria says that Thetis avoided wedlock with Zeus to please Hera; but that Zeus was angry and swore that she should mate with a mortal. Hesiod also has the like account.

“Peleus the son of Aeacus, dear to the deathless gods, came to Phthia the mother of flocks, bringing great possessions from spacious Iolcus. And all the people envied him in their hearts seeing how he had sacked the well-built city, and accomplished his joyous marriage; and they all spake this word: ‘Thrice, yea, four times blessed son of Aeacus, happy Peleus! For far-seeing Olympian Zeus has given you a wife with many gifts and the blessed gods have brought your marriage fully to pass, and in these halls you go up to the holy bed of a daughter of Nereus. Truly the father, the son of Cronos, made you very pre-eminent among heroes and honoured above other men who eat bread and consume the fruit of the ground.’”

“For in common then were the banquets, and in common the seats of deathless gods and mortal men.”

… whereas Hesiod and the rest call her (Peleus’ daughter) Polydora.

It should be observed that the ancient narrative hands down the account that Patroclus was even a kinsman of Achilles; for Hesiod says that Menoethius the father of Patroclus, was a brother of Peleus, so that in that case they were first cousins.

Some write “Serus the son of Halirrhothius,” whom Hesiod mentions: “He (begot) Serus and Alazygus, goodly sons.” And Serus was the son of Halirrhothius Perieres’ son, and of Alcyone.

This oracle most clearly proves that Asclepius was not the son of Arsinoë, but that Hesiod or one of Hesiod’s interpolators composed the verses to please the Messenians.

Some say (Asclepius) was the son of Arsinoë, others of Coronis. But Asclepiades says that Arsinoë was the daughter of Leucippus, Perieres’ son, and that to her and Apollo Asclepius and a daughter, Eriopis, were born:

“And she bare in the palace Asclepius, leader of men, and Eriopis with the lovely hair, being subject in love to Phoebus.”

And of Arsinoë likewise:

“And Arsinoë was joined with the son of Zeus and Leto and bare a son Asclepius, blameless and strong.”

For how does he say that the same persons (the Cyclopes) were like the gods, and yet represent them as being destroyed by Apollo in the Catalogue of the Daughters of Leucippus?

“Echemus made Timandra his buxom wife.”

Hesiod in giving their descent makes them (Castor and Polydeuces) both sons of Zeus.

Hesiod, however, makes Helen the child neither of Leda nor Nemesis, but of a daughter of Ocean and Zeus.

Stesichorus says that while sacrificing to the gods Tyndareus forgot Aphrodite and that the goddess was angry and made his daughters twice and thrice wed and deserters of their husbands…. And Hesiod also says:

“And laughter-loving Aphrodite felt jealous when she looked on them and cast them into evil report. Then Timandra deserted Echemus and went and came to Phyleus, dear to the deathless gods; and even so Clytaemnestra deserted god-like Agamemnon and lay with Aegisthus and chose a worse mate; and even so Helen dishonoured the couch of golden-haired Menelaus.”

“…. Philoctetes sought her, a leader of spearmen,…, most famous of all men at shooting from afar and with the sharp spear. And he came to Tyndareus’ bright city for the sake of the Argive maid who had the beauty of golden Aphrodite, and the sparkling eyes of the Graces; and the dark-faced daughter of Ocean, very lovely of form, bare her when she had shared the embraces of Zeus and the king Tyndareus in the bright palace……

(And …. sought her to wife offering as gifts)

… and as many women skilled in blameless arts, each holding a golden bowl in her hands. And truly Castor and strong Polydeuces would have made him their brother perforce, but Agamemnon, being son-in-law to Tyndareus, wooed her for his brother Menelaus.

And the two sons of Amphiaraus the lord, Oecleus’ son, sought her to wife from Argos very near at hand; yet … fear of the blessed gods and the indignation of men caused them also to fail.

but there was no deceitful dealing in the sons of Tyndareus.

And from Ithaca the sacred might of Odysseus, Laërtes’ son, who knew many-fashioned wiles, sought her to wife. He never sent gifts for the sake of the neat-ankled maid, for he knew in his heart that golden-haired Menelaus would win, since he was greatest of the Achaeans in possessions and was ever sending messages to horse-taming Castor and prize-winning Polydeuces.

And … on’s son sought her to wife (and brought) … bridal-gifts … cauldrons….

to horse-taming Castor and prize-winning Polydeuces, desiring to be the husband of rich-haired Helen, though he had never seen her beauty, but because he heard the report of others.

And from Phylace two men of exceeding worth sought her to wife, Podarces son of Iphiclus, Phylacus’ son, and Actor’s noble son, overbearing Protesilaus. Both of them kept sending messages to Lacedaemon, to the house of wise Tyndareus, Oebalus’ son, and they offered many bridal-gifts, for great was the girl’s renown, brazen … golden …

(desiring) to be the husband of rich-haired Helen.

From Athens the son of Peteöus, Menestheus, sought her to wife, and offered many bridal-gifts; for he possessed very many stored treasures, gold and cauldrons and tripods, fine things which lay hid in the house of the lord Peteöus, and with them his heart urged him to win his bride by giving more gifts than any other; for he thought that no one of all the heroes would surpass him in possessions and gifts.

There came also by ship from Crete to the house of the son of Oebalus strong Lycomedes for rich-haired Helen’s sake.

sought her to wife. And after golden-haired Menelaus he offered the greatest gifts of all the suitors, and very much he desired in his heart to be the husband of Argive Helen with the rich hair.

And from Salamis Aias, blameless warrior, sought her to wife, and offered fitting gifts, even wonderful deeds; for he said that he would drive together and give the shambling oxen and strong sheep of all those who lived in Troezen and Epidaurus near the sea, and in the island of Aegina and in Mases, sons of the Achaeans, and shadowy Megara and frowning Corinthus, and Hermione and Asine which lie along the sea: for he was famous with the long spear.

But from Euboea Elephenor, leader of men, the son of Chalcodon, prince of the bold Abantes, sought her to wife. And he offered very many gifts, and greatly he desired in his heart to be the husband of rich-haired Helen.

And from Crete the mighty Idomeneus sought her to wife, Deucalion’s son, offspring of renowned Minos. He sent no one to woo her in his place, but came himself in his black ship of many thwarts over the Ogylian sea across the dark wave to the home of wise Tyndareus, to see Argive Helen and that no one else should bring back for him the girl whose renown spread all over the holy earth.

And at the prompting of Zeus the all-wise came.

But of all who came for the maid’s sake, the lord Tyndareus sent none away, nor yet received the gift of any, but asked of all the suitors sure oaths, and bade them swear and vow with unmixed libations that no one else henceforth should do aught apart from him as touching the marriage of the maid with shapely arms; but if any man should cast off fear and reverence and take her by force, he bade all the others together follow after and make him pay the penalty. And they, each of them hoping to accomplish his marriage, obeyed him without wavering. But warlike Menelaus, the son of Atreus, prevailed against them all together, because he gave the greatest gifts.

But Chiron was tending the son of Peleus, swift-footed Achilles, pre-eminent among men, on woody Pelion; for he was still a boy. For neither warlike Menelaus nor any other of men on earth would have prevailed in suit for Helen, if fleet Achilles had found her unwed. But, as it was, warlike Menelaus won her before.

And she (Helen) bare neat-ankled Hermione in the palace, a child unlooked for.

Now all the gods were divided through strife; for at that very time Zeus who thunders on high was meditating marvellous deeds, even to mingle storm and tempest over the boundless earth, and already he was hastening to make an utter end of the race of mortal men, declaring that he would destroy the lives of the demi-gods, that the children of the gods should not mate with wretched mortals, seeing their fate with their own eyes; but that the blessed gods henceforth even as aforetime should have their living and their habitations apart from men. But on those who were born of immortals and of mankind verily Zeus laid toil and sorrow upon sorrow.

nor any one of men … should go upon black ships … to be strongest in the might of his hands … of mortal men declaring to all those things that were, and those that are, and those that shall be, he brings to pass and glorifies the counsels of his father Zeus who drives the clouds. For no one, either of the blessed gods or of mortal men, knew surely that he would contrive through the sword to send to Hades full many a one of heroes fallen in strife. But at that time he knew not as yet the intent of his father’s mind, and how men delight in protecting their children from doom. And he delighted in the desire of his mighty father’s heart who rules powerfully over men.

From stately trees the fair leaves fell in abundance fluttering down to the ground, and the fruit fell to the ground because Boreas blew very fiercely at the behest of Zeus; the deep seethed and all things trembled at his blast: the strength of mankind consumed away and the fruit failed in the season of spring, at that time when the Hairless One in a secret place in the mountains gets three young every three years. In spring he dwells upon the mountain among tangled thickets and brushwood, keeping afar from and hating the path of men, in the glens and wooded glades. But when winter comes on, he lies in a close cave beneath the earth and covers himself with piles of luxuriant leaves, a dread serpent whose back is speckled with awful spots.

But when he becomes violent and fierce unspeakably, the arrows of Zeus lay him low…. Only his soul is left on the holy earth, and that fits gibbering about a small unformed den. And it comes enfeebled to sacrifices beneath the broad-pathed earth …. and it lies….”

Agamemnon and Menelaus likewise according to Hesiod and Aeschylus are regarded as the sons of Pleisthenes, Atreus’ son. And according to Hesiod, Pleisthenes was a son of Atreus and Aërope, and Agamemnon, Menelaus and Anaxibia were the children of Pleisthenes and Cleolla the daughter of Dias.

“And she (Helen) bare to Menelaus, famous with the spear, Hermione and her youngest-born, Nicostratus, a scion of Ares.”

I know that Hesiod in the Catalogue of Women represented that Iphigeneia was not killed but, by the will of Artemis, became Hecate.

Butes, it is said, was a son of Poseidon: so Hesiod in the Catalogue.

Hesiod represented Sicyon as the son of Erechtheus.

“(Minos) who was most kingly of mortal kings and reigned over very many people dwelling round about, holding the sceptre of Zeus wherewith he ruled many.”

The athletic contest in memory of Eurygyes Melesagorus says that Androgeos the son of Minos was called Eurygyes, and that a contest in his honour is held near his tomb at Athens in the Ceramicus. And Hesiod writes:

“And Eurygyes, while yet a lad in holy Athens….”

There are many tales … about Ariadne…, how that she was deserted by Theseus for love of another woman:

“For strong love for Aegle the daughter of Panopeus overpowered him.”

For Hereas of Megara says that Peisistratus removed this verse from the works of Hesiod.

But Hesiod says that Theseus wedded both Hippe and Aegle lawfully.

The snake of Cychreus: Hesiod says that it was brought up by Cychreus, and was driven out by Eurylochus as defiling the island, but that Demeter received it into Eleusis, and that it became her attendant.

But Apollonius of Rhodes says that it (the Shield of Heracles) is Hesiod’s both from the general character of the work and from the fact that in the Catalogue we again find Iolaus as charioteer of Heracles.

“And fair-girdled Stratonica conceived and bare in the palace Eurytus her well-loved son. Of him sprang sons, Didaeon and Clytius and god-like Toxeus and Iphitus, a scion of Ares. And after these Antiope the queen, daughter of the aged son of Naubolus, bare her youngest child, golden-haired Iolea.”

“Who bare Autolycus and Philammon, famous in speech … All things that he (Autolycus) took in his hands, he made to disappear.”

“Aepytus again, begot Tlesenor and Peirithöus.”

“For Locrus truly was leader of the Lelegian people, whom Zeus the Son of Cronos, whose wisdom is unfailing, gave to Deucalion, stones gathered out of the earth. So out of stones mortal men were made, and they were called people.”

“… Ileus whom the lord Apollo, son of Zeus, loved. And he named him by his name, because he found a nymph complaisant and was joined with her in sweet love, on that day when Poseidon and Apollo raised high the wall of the well-built city.”

Clymene the daughter of Minyas the son of Poseidon and of Euryanassa, Hyperphas’ daughter, was wedded to Phylacus the son of Deïon, and bare Iphiclus, a boy fleet of foot. It is said of him that through his power of running he could race the winds and could move along upon the ears of corn … The tale is in Hesiod:

“He would run over the fruit of the asphodel and not break it; nay, he would run with his feet upon wheaten ears and not hurt the fruit.”

“And she bare a son Thoas.”

Maro, whose father, it is said, Hesiod relates to have been Euanthes the son of Oenopion, the son of Dionysus.

“Such gifts as Dionysus gave to men, a joy and a sorrow both. Who ever drinks to fullness, in him wine becomes violent and binds together his hands and feet, his tongue also and his wits with fetters unspeakable: and soft sleep embraces him.”

“Or like her (Coronis) who lived by the holy Twin Hills in the plain of Dotium over against Amyrus rich in grapes, and washed her feet in the Boebian lake, a maid unwed.”

“To him, then, there came a messenger from the sacred feast to goodly Pytho, a crow, and he told unshorn Phoebus of secret deeds, that Ischys son of Elatus had wedded Coronis the daughter of Phlegyas of birth divine.”

Concerning Asclepius Hesiod says: “And the father of men and gods was wrath, and from Olympus he smote the son of Leto with a lurid thunderbolt and killed him, arousing the anger of Phoebus.”

But Hesiod (says that Apollo) would have been cast by Zeus into Tartarus; but Leto interceded for him, and he became bondman to a mortal.

“Or like her, beautiful Cyrene, who dwelt in Phthia by the water of Peneus and had the beauty of the Graces.”

He invoked Aristaeus, that is, the son of Apollo and Cyrene, whom Hesiod calls “the shepherd Apollo.”

“But the water stood all round him, bowed into the semblance of a mountain.”

This verse he has taken over from Hesiod’s Catalogue of Women.

“Or like her (Antiope) whom Boeotian Hyria nurtured as a maid.”

Of Zethus and Amphion. Hesiod and some others relate that they built the walls of Thebes by playing on the lyre.

“There is a land Ellopia with much glebe and rich meadows, and rich in flocks and shambling kine. There dwell men who have many sheep and many oxen, and they are in number past telling, tribes of mortal men. And there upon its border is built a city, Dodona; and Zeus loved it and (appointed) it to be his oracle, reverenced by men … And they (the doves) lived in the hollow of an oak. From them men of earth carry away all kinds of prophecy,—whosoever fares to that spot and questions the deathless god, and comes bringing gifts with good omens.”

“… strife … Of mortals who would have dared to fight him with the spear and charge against him, save only Heracles, the great-hearted offspring of Alcaeus? Such an one was (?) strong Meleager loved of Ares, the golden-haired, dear son of Oeneus and Althaea. From his fierce eyes there shone forth portentous fire: and once in high Calydon he slew the destroying beast, the fierce wild boar with gleaming tusks. In war and in dread strife no man of the heroes dared to face him and to approach and fight with him when he appeared in the forefront. But he was slain by the hands and arrows of Apollo, while he was fighting with the Curetes for pleasant Calydon. And these others (Althaea) bare to Oeneus, Porthaon’s son; horse-taming Pheres, and Agelaus surpassing all others, Toxeus and Clymenus and godlike Periphas, and rich-haired Gorga and wise Deianeira, who was subject in love to mighty Heracles and bare him Hyllus and Glenus and Ctesippus and Odites. These she bare and in ignorance she did a fearful thing: when (she had received) … the poisoned robe that held black doom….”

And yet Hesiod says that after he had died in Thebes, Argeia the daughter of Adrastus together with others (cp. frag. 99) came to the lamentation over Oedipus.

And (Eriphyle) bare in the palace Alcmaon, shepherd of the people, to Amphiaraus. Him (Amphiaraus) did the Cadmean (Theban) women with trailing robes admire when they saw face to face his eyes and well-grown frame, as he was busied about the burying of Oedipus, the man of many woes…. Once the Danaï, servants of Ares, followed him to Thebes, to win renown … for Polynices. But, though well he knew from Zeus all things ordained, the earth yawned and swallowed him up with his horses and jointed chariot, far from deep-eddying Alpheus.

But Electyron married the all-beauteous daughter of Pelops and, going up into one bed with her, the son of Perses begat … and Phylonomus and Celaeneus and Amphimachus and … and Eurybius and famous… All these the Taphians, famous shipmen, slew in fight for oxen with shambling hoofs,… in ships across the sea’s wide back. So Alcmena alone was left to delight her parents … and the daughter of Electryon … who was subject in love to the dark-clouded son of Cronos and bare (famous Heracles).

The beginning of the Shield as far as the 56th verse is current in the fourth Catalogue.