ISTHMIA III. [III. IV.]

ON THE VICTORY OF MELISSOS OF THEBES IN THE

PANKRATION.

INTRODUCTION.

IN the MSS. and in editions earlier than Böckh's the third Isthmian ode consisted of only one strophic system, ending at v. 19 (30), the rest being the fourth Isthmian. The identity of subject and rhythm, the connexion of thought in the two portions, the obvious incompleteness of the first portion and the abrupt and unique character of the supposed beginning of the old fourth Isthmian amply justify Hermann in proposing, and Böckh in adopting, the union of the five systems into one ode; but I think that originally there were six systems, of which the second has been lost (see note on v. 19). Melissos, one of the noble and wealthy Kleônymidae of Thebes, probably gained this victory in the spring of B.C. 478, in the year after the Battle of Plataea (vv. 34—36). The mention of Hêrakles' conquest of Antaeos and his clearance of the sea possibly glances at the Hellênic victory over the Bápßapot. The ode was probably recited at a meeting of the clan in a temple or before an altar. The rhythm is Dorian.

vv.

ANALYSIS.

1-3. One who enjoys good fortune in a moderate spirit is praiseworthy.

4-6. Zeus, the source of good capacities, makes the prosperity of the devout more lasting.

7, 8. The man of prowess must receive a meed of praise and song.

9-12.

12-17.

F. II.

Melissos has gained two prizes, this at Isthmos and one at Nemea.

His merits are hereditary, as his noble and wealthy ancestors competed eagerly in chariot-races.

10

19-23. By favour of the god Melissos' victory gives the poet ample opportunity for praise of his prosperous family. But the breeze of mortal destiny varies and shifts.

23, 24.

25-33. Praises of the prosperous Kleônymidae :

34, 35.

36, 37.

Yet in one day four fell in battle.

But now the winter of their sorrow gives way to the spring of success.

37-42. Poseidon, their neighbour, and the patron of the Isthmian games, has roused from slumber their ancient fame.

48. For they were averse to the obscurity of the unenter

prising.

49-53. But in contests the issue is doubtful. Craft gets the better of sterling worth.

53, 54. Such was the case with Aias whom the Greeks drove to

suicide.

55-57. But Homer made him famous everywhere for ever.

58-60. For good poetry is immortal, and universal as light. 61-63. May the Muses grant me to kindle such a beacon-flame

for Melissos:

63-69. Who is brave and cunning, though of insignificant physique ;

70-73. As was Herakles compared with Antaeos;

73-78. Hêrakles, who after a glorious career dwells with the gods

in bliss.

79-86. In his honour the Thebans celebrate yearly funeral sacrifices and games to his eight sons.

87-end. At which games Melissos, thanks to his trainer Orseas, won three victories.

Mezger sums up the fundamental ideas of the poem as follows. "Melissos and his clan should be highly praised because they are fortunate both in wealth and in victory, and yet keep their pride within bounds. For though they like all mortals are not exempt from vicissitude and have to endure much sorrow, yet still in the victory of Melissos and the consequent reawakening of the fame and the poetic praises of the clan a fresh spring has brought back what the winter had taken." He tells us that Perthes rightly says that the

myth of Aias refers to the unsuccessful efforts of the Kleônymidae to win victories, while Melissos in his success resembles Hêrakles.

No doubt the uncertainty of human affairs is one of the main strands in the thread of song, but another conspicuous strand is the power of song to reward merit (vv. 7, 8; 19—21; 27—29; 39, 40; 44, 45, 55—63; 90). One difficulty with respect to the interpretation of the ode is that vv. 37-45 quite ignore the victory of Melissos in the chariot race at Nemea and (which is less important) the three victories mentioned at the end of the ode.

This difficulty is solved by the assumption that this Isthmian victory was the first success which had been specially celebrated by a poet. If he won at the Nemea just before the battle of Plataea the disturbed state of affairs at Thebes would quite account for there not having been an ode.

Another difficulty is the suggested disparagement of réxva (v. 53), though the victor is represented vv. 65, 66 to have won by réxva. But in the latter passage the word used is not réxva but μîris, and so in v. 53 we must take réxva to be coloured by xeipóvwv and to be used in a bad sense as in Pyth. II. 32. Thus the poet makes a general insinuation that the clan had been deprived of their full share of honours in the great games by dishonest or dishonourable

means.

It is however possible that the success of Melissos was unpopular, and that though crowned he was not honoured (vv. 3, 55, 77). So that as far as honour went he himself was like Aias. V. 66 is decidedly apologetic. The word réxva would cover nice objections lodged against his manner of conducting the struggle.

A third strand is the ascription of worth, fame and happiness to the gods (vv. 4-6; 19, 23; 33; 37—41; 61'; 76—78).

We may accept the poet's own criticism of this ode. He calls it, ν. 39, τόνδε θαυμαστὸν ὕμνον.

ἢ σθένει πλούτου κατέχει φρασὶν αἰανῆ κόρον, ἄξιος εὐλογίαις ἀστῶν μεμῖχθαι.

Ζεῦ, μεγάλαι δ' ἀρεταὶ θνατοῖς ἕπονται

5 ἐκ σέθεν· ζώει δὲ μάσσων ὄλβος ὀπιζομένων, πλαγίαις δὲ φρένεσσιν

οὐχ ὁμῶς πάντα χρόνον θάλλων ὁμιλεῖ.

εὐκλέων δ ̓ ἔργων ἄποινα χρὴ μὲν ὑμνῆσαι τὸν ἐσλίν, χρὴ δὲ κωμάζοντ ̓ ἀγαναῖς χαρίτεσσιν βαστάσαι. ἔστι δὲ καὶ διδύμων αέθλων Μελίσσῳ

1ο μοῖρα πρὸς εὐφροσύναν τρέψαι γλυκεῖαν

ἦτορ, ἐν βάσσαισιν Ἰσθμοῦ δεξαμένῳ στεφάνους, τὰ δὲ κοίλᾳ λέοντος

ἐν βαθυστέρνου νάπα κάρυξε Θήβαν

ἱπποδρομίᾳ κρατέων· ἀνδρῶν δ ̓ ἀρετὰν σύμφυτον οὐ κατελέγχει.