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© Fjodor Montemurro
Journal of Hellenic Religion (ISSN 1748-7811, eISSN 1748-782X)
Volume 11 2018 : 33-67.
34 Fjodor Montemurro
way of portraying gods and mythical characters in his plays are
well known. But sometimes his phantasy is so extravagant that, if
the ancient spectators were often bewildered, we are likewise
astonished. Very particular and worth being studied is a fragment
in which the Athenian dramatist exploits some fanciful images
about Zeus and Dike: it is fragment 506 Kannicht, belonging to
one of the two Melanippe tragedies1, in which we read an
interesting and almost blasphemous reproach to Zeus and his role
as judge of men’s deeds:
WRITING GOD.
DIKE[5] Dike : And he [Zeus] has his seat upon his father's very
throne, having overcome Kronos (Cronus) by means of Justice (Dike);
for Zeus can now boast, since his father began the quarrel, that he
paid him back with Justice on his side. That is why Zeus has done
me great honour, because after being attacked he paid him back, not
unjustly. I sit in glory by the throne of Zeus, and he of his own will
sends me to those he favours; I mean Zeus, who has sent me to this
land with kind intent. And you shall see for yourselves whether my
words are empty.
CHORUS [14] How then shall we rightly address you?
DIKE [15] By the name of Dike, her who is greatly revered in heaven.
CHORUS And of what privilege are you the mistress?
DIKEAs for the just, I reward their life of justice.
[CHORUS?]. . . this ordinance among mortals.
DIKEBut in the reckless I implant a chastened mind.
CHORUS [20] By Persuasion’s spells, or in virtue of your might?
DIKEI write their offences on the tablet of Zeus.
CHORUSAnd at what season do you unroll the list of crimes?
DIKE When the proper time brings the fulfillment of what is theirs by right.
CHORUS Eagerly, I think, should the hostwelcome you.
DIKE [25] Much would they gain, should they receive me kindly.
(Two lines unintelligible).
. . . no city of people or private man, since such is the god-sent
Writing gods, writing into the tablets of the mind 41
fortune she enjoys. And I will tell you a proof which gives you this
clearly. Hera has reared a violent son whom she has borne to Zeus, a
god irascible, hard to govern, a one whose mind knew no respect for
others. He shot wayfarers with deadly arrows, and ruthless
hacked . . . with hooked spears . . . he rejoiced and laughed . . .
evil . . . scent of blood. . .
MEMORY AS A BOOK.
Arcturus is my name.
By night, I am glittering in the heavens and amid the Gods,
passing among mortals in the day.
Other Constellations, too, descend from the heavens upon the earth;
Jove, who is the ruler of Gods and me,
he disperses us here in various directions among the nations,
to observe the actions, manners, piety, and faith of men,
just as the means of each avail him.
Those who commence villanous suits at law upon false testimony,
and those who, in court, upon false oath deny a debt,
their names written down, do we return to Jove.
Each day does he learn who here is calling for vengeance.
(Transl. H. Th. Riley)
“[they were men] more ruinous than they which went before,
the Race of Bronze, who were the first to forge the sword of the
highwayman, and the first to eat of the flesh of the ploughing-ox;
then verily did Justice loathe that race of men and fly heavenward
and took up that abode, where even now in the night time the
Maiden is seen of men, established near to far-seen
Boötes” (Transl. A. W. Mair).
NOTES
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