Δαιδάλου ποιήματα
Daidalos' creations, Daedalus' creations
Translated by David Whitehead19 Oct 2000Vetting: high7 revisions
Translation
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those pursuing skills with exactitude.1
[It arose] because the old craftsmen used to make the eyes closed, but Daidalos opened them, and spread the feet. And Homer says: "[Phereklos], who knew how to fashion all daidala with his hands; for Pallas Athene loved him as a favorite, he who had built the trim ships for Paris".2
[It arose] because the old craftsmen used to make the eyes closed, but Daidalos opened them, and spread the feet. And Homer says: "[Phereklos], who knew how to fashion all daidala with his hands; for Pallas Athene loved him as a favorite, he who had built the trim ships for Paris".2
Greek original · Adler’s text
Δαιδάλου ποιήματα· ἐπὶ τῶν ἀκριβούντων τὰς τέχνας. ἐπειδὴ οἱ παλαιοὶ δημιουργοὶ συμμεμυκότας τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἐποίουν, ὁ δὲ Δαίδαλος ἀνεπέτασεν αὐτοὺς καὶ τοὺς πόδας διέστησε. καὶ Ὅμηρός φησιν· ὃς χερσὶν ἠπίστατο δαίδαλα πάντα τεύχειν· ἔξοχα γάρ μιν ἐφίλατο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη· ὃς καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρῳ τεκτήνατο νῆας ἐΐσας.
Betacode
*daida/lou poih/mata: e)pi\ tw=n a)kribou/ntwn ta\s te/xnas. e)peidh\ oi( palaioi\ dhmiourgoi\ summemuko/tas tou\s o)fqalmou\s e)poi/oun, o( de\ *dai/dalos a)nepe/tasen au)tou\s kai\ tou\s po/das die/sthse. kai\ *(/omhro/s fhsin: o(\s xersi\n h)pi/stato dai/dala pa/nta teu/xein: e)/coxa ga/r min e)fi/lato *palla\s *)aqh/nh: o(\s kai\ *)aleca/ndrw| tekth/nato nh=as e)i/+sas.
Notes (2)
- The phrase "Daidalou poiemata" occurs in Plato, Meno 97D-E, and this material derives from ancient comment on that passage. For Daidalos/Daedalus cf. already delta 106, delta 107, delta 108, delta 109; and see generally OCD(4) s.v.↩
For the uses and meanings of the worddai/dalon and its cognates see the comprehensive study of Frontisi-Ducroux (below) 29ff. For the sense ofpoi/hma as the result of inner creativity, see Snell (below) 179.- 1cf. Zenobius 3.7. ↩
- 2Homer, Iliad 5.60-62; cf. delta 437 (end). On the use of
teu/xw see tau 435, Frontisi-Ducroux 58-59 and note 35, Snell 178.
References
F. Frontisi-Ducroux, Dédale, mythologie de l'artisan en Grèce ancienne (Paris 1975)
B. Snell, "Wie die Griechen lernten, was geistige Taetigkeit ist", Journal of Hellenic Studies 93 (1973) 173-184
B. Snell, "Wie die Griechen lernten, was geistige Taetigkeit ist", Journal of Hellenic Studies 93 (1973) 173-184
Linked from5 entries
- δ106Δαιδάλεονartfully-wrought[Meaning] crafted with preparation. "[It seems with joy that Aphrodite] receives this hairnet from Samytha. For it is artfully-wrought and smells somewhat sweetly of nectar." Also [sc. attested is the variant]…
- δ107Δαίδαλονdaedalian[Meaning an] artfully-wrought apparatus. [sc. Named] from a certain Daedalus, an engineer, who rigged up various contraptions and became famous. "Therefore going unnoticed to the altar he put down those of the tripods…
- δ108ΔαιδαλόχειρDaedalus-handed[Meaning] one who works variegated and unusual things with his hands. "Dêris the Daedalus-handed dedicated to Pallas [...] an unbending cubit-stick." And elsewhere Aelian [writes]: "there were lamps made of silver and…
- δ109Δαιδάλου πτεράDaedalus' wings[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who employ delay through lack of an appendage.
- δ437Δημιουργοίartisans, craftsmen, public workers[Meaning] the potters, the tool-makers. They also used to call demiourgoi those we today call bridesmaids, that is the woman standing by the bride. Hence there is [a play called] Demiourgos [attributed] to Menander. In…
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Revision history7 revisions · last 7 Oct 2015
- Revised — David Whitehead
- Revised — David Whitehead
- tweaking — David Whitehead
- augmented notes; cosmetics — David Whitehead
- Added references and x-ref — Robert Dyer
- added note — David Whitehead
- added keywords; cosmetics — David Whitehead
- Translated — David Whitehead