Βωμολοχεύεσθαι
altar-ambusher
Translated by David Whitehead12 Oct 2000Vetting: high6 revisions
Translation
Properly speaking "altar-ambushers" was the name for those who sat under the altars during the sacrifices and pleaded disarmingly [for a share of the offering], but beyond that [sc. the term is applied to] the pipers and seers who were associated with the sacrifices.1 As a metaphor from these, "altar-ambushers" used to be the name, too, for certain opportunistic low-lifes, ready for anything by way of japes and jokes if there was a profit in it.2 Consequently the word has three meanings.
Greek original · Adler’s text
Βωμολοχεύεσθαι· βωμολόχοι κυρίως ἐλέγοντο οἱ ἐπὶ τῶν θυσιῶν ὑπὸ τοὺς βωμοὺς καθίζοντες καὶ μετὰ κολακείας προσαιτοῦντες, ἔτι δὲ καὶ οἱ παραλαμβανόμενοι ταῖς θυσίαις αὐληταὶ καὶ μάντεις. ἐκ μεταφορᾶς δὲ τούτων ἐλέγοντο βωμολόχοι καί τινες εὔκολοι καὶ ταπεινοὶ ἄνθρωποι καὶ πᾶν ὁτιοῦν ὑπομένοντες ἐπὶ κέρδει διὰ τοῦ παίζειν τε καὶ σκώπτειν. ὥστε τοὔνομα τρία σημαίνει.
Betacode
*bwmoloxeu/esqai: bwmolo/xoi kuri/ws e)le/gonto oi( e)pi\ tw=n qusiw=n u(po\ tou\s bwmou\s kaqi/zontes kai\ meta\ kolakei/as prosaitou=ntes, e)/ti de\ kai\ oi( paralambano/menoi tai=s qusi/ais au)lhtai\ kai\ ma/nteis. e)k metafora=s de\ tou/twn e)le/gonto bwmolo/xoi kai/ tines eu)/koloi kai\ tapeinoi\ a)/nqrwpoi kai\ pa=n o(tiou=n u(pome/nontes e)pi\ ke/rdei dia\ tou= pai/zein te kai\ skw/ptein. w(/ste tou)/noma tri/a shmai/nei.
Notes (2)
- Abridged and adapted from Harpokration s.v., which quotes Pherecrates fr. 141 Kock (158 K-A) and cites Aristophanes fr. 166 Kock (171 K-A).↩
For other entries on this word-family see beta 487, beta 488, beta 489, beta 490, chi 296; cf. beta 484, beta 485.- 1This gloss evokes two related uses. At Clouds 968ff. Aristophanes ridicules those who sing the innovative scales of Phrynis (phi 761) and the 'new dithyramb' (kappa 2647, delta 1029) as 'altar-ambushers' (see beta 488); and indeed the dithyramb was sung to accompany dances in ceremonies at the altars of various gods, primarily of Dionysus. There is, secondly, a suggestion at chi 296 that such singers may have also sung for money as crowd-pleasers at the altars, after the fashion of beggars there. ↩
- 2See beta 490, beta 489.
Linked from7 entries
- β485Βώμαξscoundrel[Meaning] altar-thief. One who takes from altars before the offering is made. It is applied also to those being craven.
- β487Βωμολοχεύμασιwith the low buffoonery and rascally tricks of the altar-ambushers.[Meaning] with all sorts of rascally subterfuges.
- β488Βωμολοχεύσαιτο(if one) were to play the wit at the altarMeaning [if] one were to say something vulgar or cheap. Aristophanes in Clouds on corruption of the harmonics: "[them] tuning the harmony that our fathers passed on. But if one of them were to play the wit at the altar…
- β489Βωμολόχοςaltar-ambusher[Meaning] he who lies in wait around the altars, with the purpose of getting something from those who are sacrificing. But metaphorically also [it means] he who flatters certain people, in pretty much the same way, for…
- β490Βωμολόχοςaltar-ambusher[Meaning one who is] an evildoer, sacrilegious. From those who lie in wait for the sacrifices placed on the altars, or for those who perform sacrifices, to ask them and take something. Also [sc. attested is the phrase]…
- δ1650Δυσκολοκάμπτους ᾠδάςintricate-twisted songs[Meaning] ones in broken rhythm/voice. Aristophanes [writes]: "if one of them were to [...] twist a tune, such as these intricate-twisted ones today in the style of Phrynis that singers today sing, let him be creamed,…
- χ296Χιάζεινto play the ChianPraxidamas [says that] Democritus of Chios and Theoxenides of Siphnos were the first to arrange their personal composition [? = poetry] with exharmonic colors [or: to the chromatic scale]; as Isocrates in the Against…
Neighbouring entries
Revision history6 revisions · last 1 Jul 2011
- expanded primary note; more keywords; tweaks and cosmetics — David Whitehead
- another keyword — David Whitehead
- added keyword; cosmetics — David Whitehead
- Added notes, keywords. Cosmetics. Raised status. — Robert Dyer
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- Translated — David Whitehead