Μοσχίδια σύκων

Notes (3)

1. The headword, a diminutive of mo/sxos later in the entry (see LSJ s.v., and cognates at mu 1273, mu 1274, mu 1275, and mu 1277) is a neuter noun in the nominative/vocative/ plural; see LSJ s.v. mosxi/dion↗. The headword phrase itself is an approximation of one in Aristophanes, Acharnians 996 (web address 1): the chorus-leader promises ne/a mosxi/dia suki/dwn (young shootlets of fig trees), after the chorus has invoked the name of *diallagh/ (Reconciliation), from Aphrodite's divine retinue; cf. delta 613 and chi 120.
1. 1According to LSJ, the lu/gos (also a)/gnos at alpha 279, but cf. alpha 280) is Vitex agnus-castus (Polunin no. 1087), a shrub native to the Mediterranean region whose fruit was used to season food. It was believed that Vitex had medicinal properties affecting fertility and libido; it is commonly known as the chaste tree, chasteberry, or monk's pepper. Although not a willow (Salix spp., see Polunin pp. 43-6), lu/gos is sometimes so rendered into English (Hainsworth, p. 237), and the pliant branches of both plants were used to weave baskets. ↩
2. 2The prior glosses are from the scholia to Aristophanes, Acharnians 995 (web address 1). ↩
3. 3Homer, Iliad 11.105 (web address 2), on Achilles tying up two of the sons of Priam; cf. already lambda 771 and lambda 780. ↩