The Life of Euripides is a biography of the Athenian tragedian composed in Greek prose by the Hellenistic author and philosopher Satyrus of Callatis during the third century BCE. It stands as an early and significant example of Greek biographical writing, merging anecdotes about the poet's personal history with critical analysis of his dramatic works and character. The text is distinguished by its lively, dialogic style, structured as a conversation between a primary speaker and an interlocutor. Only a portion of the work survives, preserved in a fragmentary state on a second-century CE papyrus scroll discovered at Oxyrhynchus in Egypt. This papyrus, containing 62 separate passages, offers valuable glimpses into Euripides' reputed personality, his philosophical training, and his innovations within tragic drama. Modern scholarship regards the biography as a prime specimen of Peripatetic biography, a tradition concerned with elucidating the ethical and intellectual constitution of an individual. It was likely composed for an educated readership interested in the relationship between an author's life and literary output. The Oxyrhynchus papyrus remains the principal source for Satyrus's work, attesting to its continued circulation centuries after its initial composition, though the complete original text is lost.
| 1 | [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] ... [] ἀλλαχῇ πο[λλ’ ἐ‐] [ρ]ητόριζε[ν ἐν] τοῖς λόγοι[ς ὢν] λογικό[ς· καὶ] παραμιμή[σα‐] [σθ]αι τ . νυ[] [ .. ]κης δυ[να‐] [τ]ὸ[ς] απ[ .. ] . [] [ .. ]ν[ . ]ονο . [] [ .. ]οι[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []μ .[1] |
| 2,1 | [] [ ..... ] . [ .. ]δω[] [ ... ] . ὅλης παρ[ .. ]ει δ’ ἕωλος [ .. ]τε παρθέ[ν .. χ]οροῦ τρι< [ .... ]τις κή< [λησι]ν ἐξηῦ< [ρεν] ποδός. [ἅπα]ς δ’ ἄτιμος [ὅς γε] μὴ κείνωι [συνῆι’·] (B) Εἴη ἂν [τῶι ὄν]τι Ἕλλη[νος] καὶ εὐαγώ[γου] πρὸς τὸ δ[ . ] [ ... φι]ληκοΐα [ ...... ] . ον[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] ἐὰν[] ασω[] ουμ[] τομ[] τ[] αλ[] σ[] θ[] ει[] ν[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []η [] .[1] |
| 3,1 | . φα [] . τοις []ογοις []οι []ν []κου []ην [] . ου []ης [] . ς [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] α[] τω[] αμ[] ⟦ π ⟧ [] ξ[] τη[] ζο .[5] |
| 3,2 | [] γιζ[] αν[] ουσ[] [ . ]ε . [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []ει .[1] |
| 4 | [] [] . τει . [] []τέχνη[] [πολ]λὴν ε[] []ιν ὑπ[] []ενσι[] []ν[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []φιλ[] []μβα[] []ων παρ[] []αζομεν[] [] .[5] |
| 5 | ν ἀπὸ π[] []ης λογ[] [ἀ]κροασ[] [κατ]απαυ . [] []πουσ[] [] ... [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[1] |
| 6 | το[] []οων λ[] []καιρω[] []ονω . [] []ἔγραφεν[] []άμενοσ[] [] . αὐτῆι τ[] []νοπαια[] []ματο[] []ειωτω[] [ἐνό]μισεν[] []ἰδίαν α[] [] . καλὸν[] []ταγμα[] []αδελ[] []ην .. [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []τυ[] []νκα[] [τ]έχν[η] []ερπα[] []φ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[1] |
| 8,1 | [] < []ς []ε [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []ος ζη[ ἀλ]λὰ καὶ [ηὖξ]εν καὶ ἐ[τε]λείωσεν ὥστε τοῖς μετ’ αὐτὸν ὑπερβολὴν μὴ λιπεῖν· [κ]ατὰ μὲν οὖν [τ]ὴν τέχνην [ἀ]νὴρ τοιοῦτος· διὸ καὶ Ἀριστοφάνης ἐπιθυμεῖ < τὴν γλῶσσαν αὐτοῦ μετρῆσαι ‘δι’ ἧς τὰ λ[επ]τὰ ῥήματ’ [ἐξεσμ]ήχετο‘· [ἔτι δ]ὲ καὶ τὴν [ψυ]χὴν μέγας [ἦν] σχεδὸν [ὡς] ἐν τοῖς [πράγ]μασιν· [προσ]εμάχε[το γὰ]ρ ὥσπερ [προ]είρη[κ]α [ .[25] |
| 8,2 | . ] . νε . [ .. ] ἀγῶνι μᾶλ[λο]ν [π]ρὸς πο[ητὰ]ς [ὅ]τε κα[ .... ]α [τ]οσαυ[ ... ] . ν [ . ]δα[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] δι[] γα[] ωσ[] τηθ[] σοφ[] οντ[] δηι ν .[5] |
| 8,3 | [] και ου[] κατη[] εἰς τὰσ[] να[ .. ] . [] κα[] τ[] ο . [] πολ[] ραλο[] ηλθ[] εα . [] την[] αν . [] σω[] ψω[] δετ[] ρα[] α[] με[] νος . [] τω[] α[] π . [] τε [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [ἀνώγει ἠ]λε[ός,] [ὅς τ’ ἐ]φέη[κε πολύ]φρο[νά] [περ μάλ’ ἀ]ε[ῖ‐] [σαι κ]αὶ θ’ ἁπα[λὸν] γελάσαι [καὶ] τ’ ὀρχήσα[σθαι ἀ]νῆκε κ[αί] [τ]ε ἔπος [προέη]κεν [ὅπερ τι] ἄρρη[τον ἄμ]εινον [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[1] |
| 10,1 | [] []εν[] [] . τι[] [] .. ἐγὼ [πά]νυ γὰρ < []ραν δι < []ν κατη[γοροῦ]ντα < []ωνοσ[] []ς τὸ ἦθ[ο]ς []στην < []ον κα[] [ἔ]χει γε []οθήκην []μην[] []ταυ[] [] ... [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] δε[] να[] ειν[] τοι[] παλ[] αρο[] πε[] με[] η .[5] |
| 10,2 | [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []κεδ[] []λυθα[] [τ]οῦ Ἀχιλ[λέως .[1] |
| 11,1 | .. ] ἦθος [τ]οῦ Νεο[πτολέμο]υ πρὸς []ιξει []λη []ε [] . [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] α[] ο[] .[1] |
| 11,2 | [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[1] |
| 12,1 | [] [] []α [] . η [] . [] [] < []ν []υ []με [] < []ειν [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] τ[] .[1] |
| 12,2 | [] τ[] ν[] λθ[] ε . [] π[] αυ[] κα[] γε[] .. [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []ς καὶ αμα[] []εφαινο[] []αι ἠδικο[] []ος· και[] []ηπου[] []ευτ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Μ]ακεδ[] []ιος α[] []το[] []να[] []ντο[] []ιτα[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []ση[] []αισι[] []μει[] []μησ[] []νομ[] []οσ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[5] |
| 16,1 | ἐκ τῆς []νης ἱκα[νὸς ἐ]σόμενος []ητησα []ς αὐτὸς []η ποιη[]ουσω [σ]ὺν τοῖς [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [βο] [λυ] τησ[] λαντα[] κακοῦ[] τι· αλ[] .[5] |
| 16,2 | ο[ .. ]ε[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] . |
| 17,1 | ε[ . ] []πιστευ []ευετω []κατα [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] λεγη[] τοδε[] τισ[ .[5] |
| 17,2 | ]ε[] λα[ . ]ω[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [ .[1] |
| 18,1 | . ] . [ ... ]αδ[] [πο]λλή· ἀηδό[νος] γὰρ ὁ Ἡσίο< [δο]ς ὑπὲρ ἐν< [ .. ]και ὄντι << [ ... ] .. ει πολλὰ [ ..... ] . ν πολε[μ .... ] . νομαν [ .... ]α μὴ λυπει[ ... ] ... ην· καὶ [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] η[] μ[] εν[] πα[] φυ[] ηι[] τ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] ἐυλα[] βάλλει τὴ[ν] τείνουσα[ν τοῖς] ἰδιώται[ς] τ[ .[5] |
| 19 | ... ]αυ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[1] |
| 20 | [] []νδυ[] []υτονι[] []υπον κ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []προ [ην] []τα []τ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []υρα[] []οιχ[] []ν μον[] []νηγυρ[] []ερπα .[5] |
| 22 | [] []ν πολυ[] []σι χερ[] []κουον[] []ου γὰ[ρ] []λων[] []ουσα[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []σαν[] []ρεψ[] [] .[1] |
| 23 | ς· . [] []δει[] [] . ασ[] [] . πι . [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []πι[] []λησ[] []υπ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[1] |
| 25 | . [] []νη[] []ανε[] []ταλο[] []αρ[] [] . [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []ρ[] []π .[1] |
| 26 | . [] []ω ... [] [] .. [] []στ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[1] |
| 27,1 | [] . []των []ον [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] κ[] τ[] σ[] ε[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []ν· .[1] |
| 28 | [] []και[] []εισ[] []να[] [] . ε[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] ρ[] ν[] εσ[] α[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []η[] []ερω[] [] .[1] |
| 30 | τα[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []ν []ε < [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []το βι[] [] .[1] |
| 32 | .. [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []αι[] []οση[] []ται[] [π]ολυ .[1] |
| 33,1 | [] []οθη . [] []μα[] []τοις ε[] []περοχ[] []νδηλ . [] []ς προσ[] [κ]ατὰ τῶν []ωντων []ισει και []παι· τῆι []η δυνα []ιστα []ν· καὶ [] . ατον []ουναι []ασθαι· []ος οὗ φη[] .. λόγους []τας οὐκ[] []εσα . [ .. ]ω[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] γ[] ε[] μ[] φ[] α[] τ[] α[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []αια λαι []αι· ὅτ’ ἐν []ματων []λε [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] σ[] χ[] λ[] .[1] |
| 34,2 | [] . [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[1] |
| 35 | [] []ον[] []γὰρ[] []υτ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[1] |
| 36 | .. [] []ησε[] []τη . [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [οὐκ ἐπὶ] τοῖς [ἰ]δίοις ἀγαθοῖς [ὑ]ψηλὸς ὢν [ο]ὐκ ἐπὶ τοῖς [ἀλ]λοτρίοις [ψό]γοις ταπει[νού]μενος· ἔ[πειτ]α δὲ τὸν [Ἀνα]ξαγόραν [δαιμ]ονίως [ .[25] |
| 37,1 (16) | ... ] .. [ . ] φυσι[ο‐] [λογ .... ]μα []φαι []ς [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] παισ[ .[19] |
| 37,2 (19) | ] . ο . [ . ]υα τὸν ἐν αἰθη[ρί‐] ωι ῥύμβωι π[άν‐] των φύσιν ἐ[ν‐] πλέξαντα ὃν πέρι [μ]ὲν φῶς πέρι δ’ [ὀρφναία] νὺξ α[ἰολόχρως] ἄκ[ριτός τ’ ἄ‐] σ[τρων ὄχλος] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] α[ .[6] |
| 37,3 (6) | .. ]ιοφ[ .... ] κ[ .. ] . οισ[ .... ] λ[ ... ]υμε[ .... ] σο[ὶ τ]ῶι π[άν‐] των μεδ[έον‐] τι χλόην π[ε‐] λανόν τε φέρ[ω] Ζεὺς εἴ[θ’] ᾍδης ὀνομ[άζηι’]· ἀκριβῶς ὅλως περιείληφε[ν] τὸν Ἀναξ[α‐] γόρειον [διά‐] κοσμον [ἔπεσι] τρισὶν περι[ιών·] καὶ ἄλληι γ[έ] πηι διαπορ[εῖ] τί πότ’ ἐστι τὸ προεστηκὸς τῶν οὐρανίων· ‘Ζεὺς [εἴ]τ’ ἀνάγκ[η] [φύσεω]ς εἴτ[ε] [νοῦς βροτῶν] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[7] |
| 38,1 (7) | . [] []ο πλέω [] . ατος αν [ ... ] . σασθαι < [τὸν] Ἡρακλέα· [καὶ] δὴ καὶ τὴν [ἀρε]τὴν ἐπιφ[υο‐] < [μέν]ην τοῖς προειρημένοις [ἐπε]ὶ λέγει ‘τίς [ἀτι]μόθεος [κ]αὶ [πα]ραδαίμ[ων] [ὃς] τάδε λεύσ[σω]ν οὐ προδι[δά]σκει ψυχὴν [αὑ]τοῦ θεὸν ἡ[γεῖ]σθαι, μετε[ωρ]ολόγων δ’ ἑ[κὰ]ς ἔρριψεν [σκολιὰ]ς ἁπά[τας ὧν] τολ[μηρὰ γλ]ῶσς’ εἰ[κοβολ]εῖ [πε‐] [ρὶ τῶν ἀ]φα[νῶν] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []δυει δρά[σαν]τα· ἔνι γὰ[ρ] π[ό]νος· ἀλλ’ [ὅ‐] τ[ωι] πάρεστιν τ[ὸ] πονεῖν τῶν τ’ ἀγαθῶν κεκλῆσθαι φίλος ὢν ἐμ[ὸ]ς λεγέσθω· τί μάτ[α]ν βροτοὶ δ[ὲ] πολλ[ὰ π]έπασθε πλ[ού]τωι τε δοκε[ῖτ’] ἀ[ρ]ετὰ[ν κατερ]γάσεσ[θ]α[ι, τί] δ’ εἰ τιν’ Αἴτν[α]ς πάγον Π[αρί‐] < αν τε πέτραν χρυσήλατον ἐν θαλάμοις ἔχοιτε πασ[ά‐] μενοι πατρίο[ι]ς, οὗτοι τ[ό‐] τε μὴ πεφυ[κ] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Βοσπό‐] ρου πέρα Ν[είλου] τε ναυστολοῦσι χρημάτων < χάριν ἀστρο< [σκο]ποῦντες, [ἐνα]λίαν τρικυ< [μί]αν θύραθεν < [οὐ] θέλοιμ’ ἂν < [ἠχ]οῦσαν μα[θεῖν,] χρυσοῦν < [παρ’] Ἴστρον < [εἴ]τε Βόσπο[ρον τρί]βων·‘ [] .[20] |
| 38,3 (8) | υτο [] . [ . ]ροι [] . [ . ]ο [] . ων []συν []ιαν [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] .[13] |
| 38,4+39,1 (13) | [ ]ε μ[ ] ο[ ]ο η[ ] . μ[ ] λ[ .. ] . ν . [ .. τὸ] μὲν γὰρ ἄ[λογον] τὸ δὲ λογι[κό]ν· μετῆλθεν [δ]ὲ πρὸς τ[ὸ αἰ]σχ[ρ]ὸν π[αρὰ τῶι] ὄ[χ]λωι τ[ῶι] < θαυμά[ζει]ν τὸν Σω[κρά‐] τη πολὺ [μάλι‐] [στ]α ὥστ’ ἀπ[ο‐] [φα]ινόμενο[ς] [ἐν] τῆι Δανάη[ι] [π]ερὶ πλεονε[ξί]ας μόνον [αὐ]τὸν πάν[τ]ων ἐποιή[σα]τ’ ἐξαίρετον [] .. [ . ]ε ... [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []ν[ .[5] |
| 39,2 (5) | ... ]δια []α . [ ... ] . ιον < [τ]όνδ[ε τ]ὸν < [τ]ρόπο[ν· ‘ (a) λ]άθρα[ι] δὲ τού[τ]ων δρωμένων τίνας φοβῆι; (b) τοὺς μείζονα βλ[έ‐] ποντας ἀ[ν‐] θρώπων θεούς·‘ (B) Εἴη ἂν ἡ τοιαύτη ὑπόνοια περ[ὶ] θεῶν [Σω‐] κρατική· τῶι γὰρ ὄντι τὰ [θ]νητοῖς ἀόρατα τοῖς ἀθανάτοις εὐκάτοπτα· (A) Καὶ μὴν καὶ τὸ [μισο]τυραννεῖν [καὶ τὰ πλή]θη καὶ [τὰς δυναστ]είας [τῶν ὀλίγ]ων[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [εἰ]π[ό]ντι, κα[ὶ] [δὴ] κα[ὶ] τὸ μη[δέ‐] [να] τῶν ἀστῶ[ν] [με]τεωρίζει[ν] [ὑπὲ]ρ τ[ὸ] μέτρ[ι‐] [ον μ]ηδὲ τύραν[νον] ποιεῖν καὶ [ἀστ]οῖς φαύλοις μὴ διδόναι < πάροδον πρὸς τὰ ἔντιμα· μέγιστον γὰρ ἕλκος πόλεως κακὸς ῥήτωρ δημαγωγὸς πέρα{ι} τῆς ἀξίας παραγόμενος· ἀλλὰ μὴν, ὦ Διοδώ[ρα,] καὶ περ[ὶ τ]ῆς κοινῆς [τ]ῶν [Ἀ]θη[ναίω]ν [ἀ]βουλ[ίας .[20] |
| 39,3 | ] .. μελ[ ..... ]ρα πα[] [οὐ]χὶ τ[ο]ῦτον τ[ὸν] [τρ]όπον, ἄλλο[υ] [δὲ τ]ῆι πονηρ[ίαι] π[ρ]οσχρώμεθα [καὶ] τῶι μάλισ[θ’ ὅς’] ἂν λέγ[ηι] πισ[τεύ]ομεν λέγ[οντ]ες ο[ὐ] πονη[ρ]ά, μ[άλα] δὲ χρώ[μενοι,] κἄπειτ[α τῆς] ἐκκλησία[ς κα‐] τηγορεῖ ἕκασ[τος] ἡμῶν ἧς ἕκασ[τος] αὐτὸς ἦν‘· (B) Πολλὰ καὶ παρὰ τῶν κωμικῶν ποιητῶν, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἅμα αὐστηρῶς λέγεται καὶ πολιτικῶς· (A) Πῶς γὰρ οὔ;· πάλιν γοῦν ὁ μὲν Εὐριπίδης εὖ μάλα πρὸς ἀλκὴν καὶ εὐψυχίαν πα< ρακαλεῖ τοὺς < νέους ὑποβάλ[λ]ων αὐτοῖς ὁρμὰς Λακωνικὰς καὶ θυμοποι[ῶν] τὸ πλῆθ[ο]ς οὕτως· ‘κτήσασθ’ ἐν ὑ< στέροισιν εὔ< [κ]λειαν χρόνοι[ς] [ἅ]πασαν ἀντλή[σαν]τες ἡμέρα[ν] [πόν]ον, ψυχαῖς [ .[35] |
| 39,4 | ... ]ερ[ .... ]ε[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []η[] []αχη [ .[5] |
| 39,5 (5) | .. ]ν[ .... ]ενα [ ... ]ε[ .... ]νι < [ ... ] τὰ[ς τ]ῶν [Ἀθην]αίω[ν] περι[στά]σεις καὶ δὴ [καὶ] τὰ ‘ (a) ἐν ταῖς [τριό]δοις σοι [προ]σγελῶ[ς’] αὐλητρίδες τοὺς ἀστυνόμους· (b) τίνες εἰ[σ]ί; (a) πυνθάνῃ; [κα]λοί· (b) τοὺς π[τε‐] [ρο]κοποῦν[τ]ας [τὴν] ἐλευθερί[α]ν [λέγ]εις; (a) οὐκ ο[ὐ]σί[αν] νενόμικας [εἶν]αι, [Π]άμφ[ι]λε, [ἤν] τῳ [γ]ένηται [χρ]ήματ’ ἀλλ’ ἐξ[ο]υσίαν· [ἐν]ταῦθ’ ὁ μὲν π[έ]νητος [ . ] . εφο[ ... ]ε . η []κα [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []οδ[ .[30] |
| 39,6 | . ]ης []υσε[ . ]τα []ρεων [καὶ τῶι] τεκόν[τι] π[α]τρὶ δυσμενέστατοι· δ〈ό〉μων γὰρ ἄρχε[ι]ν εἰς ἔρωτ’ ἀφιγμένοι < τοῖς φιλτάτοις κυρ[ο]ῦσι πολεμιώτατοι· σμικρ[οὶ] γέροντι πα[ῖ]δες ἡδίους πατρί‘· (B) Φαίη τις ἂν ἀμέλει κα[τ]ά γε τῶν πλείστων [νῦ]ν κακῶς ἠγμένων μ[α]ντευόμενος· σπουδάζουσι γὰρ ὅτι τάχος οἱ τοιοῦτοι τοῦ τε πατρὸς καὶ τῶν ὑπαρχόντων ποιήσασ[θαι τ]ὴν ἐκφο[ρὰν] πει[] [ . ]αν[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] πρὸς γ[υ]ναῖκα καὶ πατρὶ πρὸς υ[ἱὸ]ν καὶ θερά[πον]τι < πρὸς δ[εσ]πότην, ἢ τ[ὰ κ]ατὰ τὰς π[ερι‐] πετείας, β[ια‐] σμοὺς παρθ[έ‐] νων, ὑποβολὰς παιδίων, ἀναγνωρισμοὺς διά τε δακτυλίων καὶ διὰ δεραίων, ταῦτα < γάρ ἐστι δήπου τὰ συνέχοντα τὴν νεω< τέραν κωμωιδίαν, ἃ πρὸς ἄκρον ἤγα[γ]εν Εὐριπίδης, < Ὁμήρου [ὄ]ντος ἀρχῆς καὶ στίχων γε συντάξεως λεκτικῆς· μαρτυρ[ε]ῖ δ’ αὐτῶι καὶ τοῦτ’ [ε]ἰκότως ὁ Φι[λ]ήμων ἐν< [τα]υθί· ‘Εὐρι< [πί]δης πού [φη]σιν οὗτος [ὃς] μόνος δύ[να]ται λ[έ]γε[ιν‘] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] τυ[] νο[] πε[] αγ[] τα[ .[5] |
| 39,8 | ...... ]η[] δι[ ....... ]ν πα[ ....... ] πο[ ....... ]ς [ . ]α[ ...... ]οι []ν ὑ[π]όκρισιν Εὐριπίδῃ ὥσπερ ἐνταυθὶ ποιεῖ κατηγ[ο‐] ρῶν Ἀριστογείτονος τοῦ π〈ο〉νηροῦ· ‘τί οὖν οὗτός ἐστι; κύων νὴ Δ[ία,] φασίν τινε[ς,] τοῦ δήμου· ποδαπός; οἷ[ο]ς οὓς μὲν αἰτ[ι]ᾶται λύκους εἶναι μὴ δάκνειν, ἃ δέ φησιν φυ< λάττειν πρόβατ[α] αὐτὸς κατεσθίε[ιν·] τίνα γὰρ οὗ[τ]ος πώποτε [κέκρι‐] κε[ν ῥήτορα;] οὐ[δ’ ἕνα] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[30] |
| 39,9 | κ[] []ινην []λειον [κεκτη]μέν[ος] δ’ [αὐ]τόθι σπήλαιον < τὴν ἀναπνοιὴν ἔχον εἰς τὴν θάλατταν ἐν τούτωι διημέρευεν καθ’ αὑ[τ]ὸν μεριμνῶν ἀεί τ[ι] καὶ γράφων ἁπλῶς ἅπαν εἴ τι μὴ μεγαλεῖον ἢ σεμνὸν ἠ[τι]μακώς· ὁ γ[ο]ῦν Ἀριστοφ[άν]ης φησὶν ὥ[σ]περ ἐπ’ αὐτῶι τούτω[ι] κεκ[λη]μένος ‘{τ}ο[ἷ]α μὲν π[οι]εῖ λέγε[ι]ν τοῖός ἐστιν‘· [ἀλ‐] λὰ θεώ[με‐] νος κω[μωι‐] δίαν λ[έγεταί] ποτε[] [ .. ]τε[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] ἀπήχθοντ’ αὐτῶι πάντες οἱ μὲν ἄνδρε[ς] διὰ τὴν δυ[σ]ομιλίαν, α[ἱ δὲ] γυναῖκε[ς δ]ιὰ < τοὺς ψ[ό]γους τοὺς ἐν τοῖς ποιήμασιν· ἦλθεν δ’ εἰς κίνδυνον ἀφ’ ἑκατέρου τῶν γενῶν μέγαν· ὑπὸ μὲν γὰρ Κλέωνος τοῦ δημαγωγοῦ τὴν τῆς ἀσεβείας δίκην ἔφυ< γεν ἣν προ< ειρήκαμεν· αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες ἐπισυνέστη< σαν αὐτῶι < τοῖς Θεσμο< φορίοις καὶ ἀθρόαι παρῆ< [σ]αν ἐπὶ τὸν < [τό]πον ἐν ὧι < [σ]χολάζων < [ἐ]τύγχανεν· < [δι]ωρισμέναι < []··ἐφε[ί‐] < [σαν]το τἀν< [δρὸ]ς ἅμα μὲν [ἀγ]ασθεῖσαι [τὰς] μούσας [] .[35] |
| 39,10 | ν[ .. ]ος [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] νο[ύμεναι] με[] χο[] ἀλ[λήλας πόνους] κη[] δε[ .[5] |
| 39,11 | ..... ] α[ἰσχύ]νην ἔχε[ι .... ]αν < σ[ ...... ]το < [ ... ωτος ἐ]κβα< λ[ε]ῖ γυνή· νέμουσι δ’ οἴκους καὶ τὰ ναυσ[το‐] λούμενα ἔ[σω] δόμων σώζου[σιν οὐδ’ ἐρη‐] μίᾳ γυναικὸς οἶκος εὐπινὴς οὐδ’ ὄλβι[ος·] τὰ δ’ ἐν θε[ο]ῖ[ς] αὖ, πρῶτα {πρῶτα} γὰρ κρίνω τά[δ]ε, μέρος μέ[γισ]τον ἔχομεν· ἐν [〈Φ〉]οί〈β〉ου τε γὰρ χρησμο[ῖ]ς προφητεύ[ο]υσι Λοξίου [φρέ]να γυ< ναῖκ[ε]ς ἀμφί θ’ ἁγν[ὰ] δωμάτων [ .. ] βάθρα ἢ πα[] θ[ῆλυ τὰς Διὸς] φ[ρένας] θ[] σ[] . [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [τῆι τῶ]ν γυ< [ναι]κῶν· Ἀρ< [χίκλ]εια ἐπε[στ]άτει, Λύσιλ[λ’ ἐ]γραμμά< τευεν, εἶπε Σωστράτη‘· ‘εἴ τις ἐπιβου< [λεύει τι τῶι] δήμωι κακὸν < τῶι τῶν γυναικῶν ἢ ἐπικηρυκεύετ[αι] Εὐριπιδίῳ[ι .[10] |
| 39,12 | .. ] τ’ ἐπὶ βλάβη[ι] τι< νί‘· (A) Σαφῶς ὑπονενόηκας ὃ λέ[γ]ω καὶ παραλέλυκάς με [τ]ῆς ἐξηγήσε< [ω]ς· προσώχ[θι]σεν δὲ τῶι [γ]ένει το[ύ]των χάριν· ἦν, ὡς ἔοικεν, π[α]ρ’ αὐτῶι μειρακί< σκος οἰκογε< νὴς ὄνομα Κηφισοφῶν, [πρ]ὸς τοῦτον οὖν [ἐ‐] < φώρασε τ[ὴ]ν < γυναῖκ[α τὴ]ν < ἰδίαν [αὑτο]ῦ [ἀ]τακ[το]ῦ< [σαν] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] τἀδίκημ’ ἐν[ε]γκών, ὡς μ[νη‐] μονεύου[σι,] τ[ὴ]ν μὲν ἄ[ν‐] θ[ρ]ωπον ἐκ[έ‐] λ[ευ]σεν τῶ[ι] νεανίσκ[ωι] συνοικεῖ[ν, ἐ‐] πειδήπερ [αὕ‐] τη προ[είλε‐] το ‘ἵνα μ[ὴ τὴν] ἐμὴν ο[ὗτ]ο[ς] ἔχηι, φησίν, ἀλλ’ ἐγὼ τὴν τούτου· δίκαιον γάρ, ἄνπερ βούλωμα[ι]‘· πρὸς ὅλον [δ]ὲ τὸ φῦλον δ[ι]ετέλει μαχόμενος ἐν τοῖς ποιήμασιν· (B) Νὴ γελοίως γε, τί γὰρ ἄν τις εὐλογώτερο[ν] διὰ τὴν φθ[α‐] ρεῖσαν ψέγοι τὰς γυναῖ[κα]ς ἢ διὰ τὸν φθείραντα τοὺς ἄνδρας;· ἐπεὶ τ[άς] γε κακίας καὶ τὰς ἀρετὰς καθάπερ ἔλεγον οσωηατη[ .[35] |
| 39,13 | ] . [] τὰς αὐτὰς [ἐν] ἀμφοῖν ἔ[στιν] εὑρεῖν· σ[κο‐] πεῖν δ’ ἄξ[ιον] τ ... υθει[]ε[] γυναῖκα δ[] [Ὑ]στάσπ[] []αι γ[ὰ]ρ []θηναι []τι [ .[5] |
| 39,14 | ] . ατ[ .. ]δ[ .. ]ς [π]ρὸς αὐτὴν ὡς φαρμάτ[τ]οι φίλτρ[ο]ις [τ]ὸν Ὑστά< σπην· μετα πεμψαμένη δὴ τὴν ἄν< θρωπον ὅτ’ εἶ[δεν] εἰσιούσης τὸ μέγεθος καὶ τὸ κάλλος ‘χαῖρε, φησίν, γύναι, ψευδεῖς ἄρ’ ἦ[σ]αν α[ἱ δια]βολαί· σὺ γὰρ [ἐν] τῶι π[ρ]οσώπωι < τῶι σ[ῶι κ]αὶ < τ[οῖ]ς ὀ[φ]θαλμοῖς ἔχεις τὰ φάρμακα‘· (A) Εὖ γ’ ὦ κρατίστη πασῶν καὶ τῶι ὄντι Εὔκλεια, δι[ό]τ[ι] τὰ τοιαῦτα τῶν ἠθῶν καὶ διὰ μνήμης ἔχεις κα[] []ενην . []αιτ[] μαχε[ῖ]ν τέως < ἐκράτησαν < τῶν ἐναν< τίων· κατ’ ἐ μὲ μὲν [γ]ὰρ τοῦτο θε[τ]έον τὸ νίκημα τῶν γυναι< κῶν· οἱ μὲν < γὰρ ἄνδρες < ὅσον ἐφ’ ἑαυ< τοῖς ἡττῶντο· (A) Ἴ[σ]ως, ὦ Διοδώρ[α], πλὴν ταῦτα μὲν συνηγορήσθω ταῖς γ[υ]ναιξίν· ἐπ ανάγωμεν δ[ὲ] πάλιν ἐπὶ τὸν Εὐριπίδην· ἐκεῖνος γὰρ ἅμα μὲν προσοχθίσας τῶι ἐπιχωρίωι φθόνωι τῶν πολιτῶν, ἅ< μα δὲ ἀχθό< μενος ἐπὶ < τῶι συννέμεσθαι πολλ[ά]κις Ἀκέστο[ρι κ]αὶ Δοριλάωι [καὶ] Μορσίμωι [καὶ] Μελανθίωι· (B) [Πρὸς] τοῦ Διὸς [τίν]ων ὀνόμα[τα λ]έγεις; ἦ ποι[ητά]ς;· (A) Ποιη[ταί γ’] οἱ ν[ .[35] |
| 39,15 | ]ε[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] β .[40] |
| 39,16 | [ ... ] ἔπειθ’ < ὑπ[ ...... ]εν αν[] φ[] ε[ .... ]ο . [] χ[ ... ] δὲ Σοφοκλ[ .. ] λαβὼν πα[ρ’ Αἰ]σχύλου ν[ ... ]ρ ὅσον .... εσθ’ ὅλον Εὐριπίδην, < πρὸς τοισί< δ’ ἐμβα[λ]εῖν < ἅλας, μ[εμ]νημένος δ’ ὅπως ἅλας καὶ μὴ λάλασ‘· (B) Ἐοίκασιν ἀνδρὸς εἶναι τῶν ἀ[ντι]διδασκόντων αὐτῶ[ι,] καθάπερ εἶπας, ἀτ[ὰ]ρ σιναμώρως γε κἀνταῦθα πάλιν ὁ κωμω[ι]δοδιδάσκαλος ἐπέδακ[νε]ν τὸν < Εὐρ[ιπ]ίδην· (A) Τοῦ [ἑπ]ομένου χιμ[ῶ]νος ἄλλαι[ ... ] . ἄλλοι πα[ ...... ]ος ει[] ου[] λο[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] ὅπου ποτ’ οἰ< κεῖ σώματος λαχὼν μέρος, ἐν χερσὶ[ν ἐ]ν σπλάγχν[οι‐] σιν ἢ παρ’ [ὄ]μματα‘, προσυπέθηκεν τούτοις χλευαστικῶς ‘ὅππαι καθεύδους’ ἁ κύων τὰν ῥῖν’ ἔχει‘· οὗ το[ι] μὲν οὖν < ὅπερ εἶπα < πρὸς τὴν τῶν πολλῶν ἐπολιτεύοντο χάριν· ἐκεῖ νός γε μὴν καθάπερ διαμαρτυρίαν θέμενος ἀπείπατο τὰς Ἀθήνας· (B) Ποίαν ταύτην;· (A) Ἐν τῶιδε κατακεχωρισμένην τῶι στασίμωι· ‘χρύσεαι δή μοι πτέρυγες περὶ νώτω[ι κ]αὶ τὰ Σειρή[νω]ν πτε< [ρόεν]τα πέδ[ι]λ’ [ἁρμό]ζετα[ι] [βάσομ]αι δ’ ἀ[ν’] [αἰθέρα π]ουλὺ[ν] [ἀερθεὶς Ζηνὶ] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] ἐξῆρχεν τὰς μελω[ιδία]ς, ἢ οὐκ [οἶσθα] ὅτι κα[ὶ τοῦ‐] τ’ ἔσ[θ’ ὃ] φη[σὶν] αὐτ[ός;·] (B) Πῶς < οὖν; (A) [Ζ]ηνὶ συμμεί[ξω]ν ὁρμάν, λέγω[ν,] μετα φορικῶς ἐμφαίνει τὸν < μόναρχον, < ἀλλὰ καὶ [συ]ναύξων τἀνδρὸς τὴν ὑ< περοχήν· < (B) Κομψώ[τ]ε[ρ]α < φαίνε[ι μοι] < λέγειν ἤπε[ρ] ἀληθινώτερα· (A) Ἅπερ ἔστιν < ὡς θέλε[ι]ς ἐκδέχεσθαι· μετελθὼν δ’ οὖν κατεγήρασε ἐν Μακεδονίαι μάλ’ ἐντίμως ἀγόμενος < παρὰ τῶι δυνάστηι τά τε λοιπ[ὰ] καὶ δὴ καὶ μν[η]μο< νεύε[ται ὅ]τι οὕ[τως] πεχ[] [ .[35] |
| 39,18 | ]εφ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] (A) Οὐ κακῶς εἴρηκας· τὰ μὲν γὰρ τῶν [Ἀ]θή[ν]{ι}ησιν [οὐ]δὲ λέγειν ἄξι[ο]ν οἵ γε ποιητὴν τηλικοῦτον Μακεδόνων καὶ Σικελιωτῶν ὕστερον ἤισθοντο· λέ γεται γοῦν, ὅτε Νικίας ἐστράτευσεν ἐπὶ Σι< κελίαν καὶ πολ[λ]οὶ τῶν Ἀθη< ναίων ἐγένοντ’ αἰχμάλωτοι < συχνοὺς αὐτῶν ἀνασωθῆναι διὰ τῶν Εὐριπίδου ποημάτων, ὅσοι κατέχοντες τῶν στίχων τινὰς διδάξε[ι]αν < τοὺς υἱεῖς τῶν εἰληφότων ὑποχειρίους αὐτούς· οὕτως ἡ Σικελ[ί]α ἅπ[ασ]α τὸν Εὐ[ριπίδη]ν ἀπε[θαύμασ]εν· καὶ [μὴν ὑ]π’ Ἀρχε[λάου .[35] |
| 39,19 | . ] . [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] ἔχε[ι] τὸ στόμα < καὶ [καθ’ ὑπ]ερ< βολ[ὴν δυσῶδες·] ὁ δ’ ὑ[πολαβὼν] ‘οὐκ εὐ[φη]μήσεις, εἶπεν, ὦ παῖ; ποῖον δὲ στόμα τοιούτ[ου] γέγονεν ἢ γένοιτ’ ἂν ἥδιον, δι’ οὗ γε δὴ τοιαῦτα μέλη τε καὶ ἔπη διαπορεύεται;‘· (B) Ὅμοιος οὗτος, καθάπερ εἴρ〈η〉κας, δαιμ[ον]ίως ἐντε[θουσι]ακότι πρὸ[ς] τὸν ποιητήν· < (A) Ζῶντι μὲν δὴ ταῦθ’ ὑπῆρξεν Εὐριπίδηι· τελευ τῆς δὲ μάλα δυσχεροῦς καὶ ἰδίας ἔτυχεν, ὡς οἱ λόγιοί τε καὶ γεραίτατοι μυθολο[γ]οῦσι Μακεδ[ό]νων· (B) Πῶς λέ[γουσιν;]· (A) Ἔστ[ιν] ἐ[ν Μακεδονίαι] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] ὁ δὴ παρηιτήσατο· χρό[νωι δ’ ὕ‐] στερ[ον] ὁ μ[ὲν] Εὐρι[πί]δη[ς ἔτυ‐] χεν ἀ[πω]τέ[ρω] τῆς πόλεως ἐν ἄλσει τινι καθ’ αὑτὸν ἐρημαζόμενος· ὁ δ’ Ἀρχέλαος ἐπὶ κυνηγίαν ἐξήιει· γενόμε νοι δ’ ἔξω τῶν πυλῶν οἱ θηρευταὶ λύσαντες τοὺς σκύλακας προαφῆκαν, αὐτο[ὶ δ’ ἀ‐] πελείποντ[ο] κάτοπιν· ἐπι τυχόντες οὖν ο[ἱ] κύνες τῶι < Εὐριπίδηι μονουμένωι διέφθειραν αὐτόν· < ο[ἱ] δ’ ἐπιπαρεγενήθησαν < ὕστερον· ὅθεν ἔτι καὶ νῦν λέγεσθαί φασιν [τ]ὴν παροιμί[α]ν ἐν τοῖς Μα[κ]εδόσιν ὡς ἔ[στι] καὶ κυνὸς [δι]κη· καὶ γὰ[ρ] [ἐκ] τῶν σκυ[λάκων] πο[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] τοῦ Τιμοθέου παρὰ τ[οῖ]ς Ἕλλη[σι]ν διὰ [τ]ὴν ἐ[ν] [τ]ῆι μου[σι]κῆ[ι] καινοτ[ο]μίαν καὶ κ[α]θ’ ὑ< περβολὴν ἀθυμήσαντος ὥστε κα[ὶ] τὰς χεῖρας ἑαυτῶι διεγνωκέναι προσφέρειν, μόνος Εὐριπίδης ἀνάπαλιν τῶν μὲν θεατῶν καταγελάσαι, τὸν δὲ Τιμόθεον α[ἰ‐] [σ]θόμενος ἡλίκος ἐστὶν ἐν τῶι γένει παραμυθήσασθαί τε λόγους διεξιὼν ὡς οἷόν τε παρακ[λ]ητικωτάτους, καὶ δὴ καὶ τὸ τῶν Περσῶν προοίμιον συγγράψαι, τοῦ τε νικῆ[σ]αι παύσασθ[αι] κατα < [ .[30] |
| 39,22 | . ]ο[ .... ]ενον < []ντι[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] Σατύρου βίων ἀναγ〈ρ〉αφῆς ϛʹ Αἰσχύλου Σοφοκλέους Εὐριπίδου [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [] .[1] |
| 40 | [] [κ]αὶ νό[σ]ωι [βα‐] [ρεῖ]αν ἐν θαλά[μ]οις ἕξεις ζό[αν] δίκαν ἀνέ[ρω]ν, οὐ γὰρ ν[] []ον ηθ[] [] . επ[] [μετ]αβολ[] []τερω[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []η στειχε[] [δ]ολιχὰς δυ[] []μιας τὰ το[] []υς τὸν ακ[] []δηλον νω[] []ως ἀριθμ[] []των οφ .[5] |
| 41 | [] []τως αδ[] [] . στε[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []ιπω[] [] .[1] |
| 42 | ον διχα[] []εχον ἐν[] []των ε[] []την . [] [] .. [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []ν ἐκφ[] []ναπ[] []την[] []ου[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []αρε[] []σεν[] []κρα[] [] .[1] |
| 45,2 | [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] []η < []ι < [] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)] κ[] σ[] λ[] τ[] [Break in Text (point at which text breaks off for an unknown length)][5] |
Also published as PDF.