Μέλπηθρα

amusements, diversions

Translated by David Whitehead8 Jan 2009Vetting: high3 revisions

3 words

[Meaning] playthings, [body-]fragments.

Greek original · Adler’s text

Μέλπηθρα· παίγνια, σπαράγματα.

Betacode

*me/lphqra: pai/gnia, spara/gmata.

Notes

Homeric neuter plural (Iliad 13.233, 17.255, 18.179), describing unburied corpses as sport for dogs. Same entry, besides the Homeric scholia, in other lexica: see the references at Photius mu253 Theodoridis.
The image, with this vocabulary, also occurs in Nonnus, Dionysiaca 5.521.

Linked from1 entry

μ1205Μολπήchant[Meaning an] ode. But in Homer [it means] a game. "With song and dance; for these [are] the ornaments of a banquet". And elsewhere: "he did not desist from the honey-sweet chant".

Neighbouring entries

μ539ΜέλλωI intend μ540ΜέλωI am an object of care μ541Μέλπηθραamusements, diversions μ542Μέλποντεςcelebrating with song and dance μ543Μελύδριον Ἰωνικόνlittle Ionian ditty

Revision history3 revisions · last 15 May 2013

15 May 2013Revised — David Whitehead
15 Jan 2009augmented note; another keyword — David Whitehead
14 Jan 2009augmented note, set status — Catharine Roth
8 Jan 2009Translated — David Whitehead