Γοργόνη
Gorgon
Translated by Tony Natoli28 Jun 2003Vetting: high4 revisions
Translation
Aristophanes [writes]: "and he roused Gorgon out of his shield.'1 As if he was saying, allegorically, [Lamachos] gave himself a bump on the head. For wishing to say "and from the impact he gave himself a lump", he said "he roused Gorgon".
And Aelian [writes]: "and they were pressing him hard, bringing forward and challenging the Gorgon out of him, so to speak, [and] they completely silenced [this man], otherwise demonstrative and bold".2 He is speaking about Diopeithes the Athenian, who introduced a law that a person from the town [sc. Athens] staying in Peiraeus should suffer the death-penalty. Then on one occasion this man was through no fault of his own kept late and stayed over in Peiraeus and his enemies brought him to justice.3 Because of this [Aelian] speaks of "challenging [the] Gorgon".
And the same writer [i.e. Aristophanes] when mocking Morsimos and Melanthios says 'Gorgons', meaning fearsome in their gluttony.4
And Aelian [writes]: "and they were pressing him hard, bringing forward and challenging the Gorgon out of him, so to speak, [and] they completely silenced [this man], otherwise demonstrative and bold".2 He is speaking about Diopeithes the Athenian, who introduced a law that a person from the town [sc. Athens] staying in Peiraeus should suffer the death-penalty. Then on one occasion this man was through no fault of his own kept late and stayed over in Peiraeus and his enemies brought him to justice.3 Because of this [Aelian] speaks of "challenging [the] Gorgon".
And the same writer [i.e. Aristophanes] when mocking Morsimos and Melanthios says 'Gorgons', meaning fearsome in their gluttony.4