Φρυκτοί
beacons
Translated by David Whitehead22 Nov 2001Vetting: high4 revisions
Translation
Particular lamps made from timbers, which people used to raise above the level of the walls and signal to their neighbours or their allies, when they see an enemy approaching, that it is necessary to ward them off. They used to do this with regard not only to enemies but friends also: when they saw help coming they would signal again, by means of the beacons, that there was no need for alarm. And when they were displaying [a message about] friends they used to raise the beacons and hold them still; but whenever [it was about] enemies, they would move them.
Greek original · Adler’s text
Φρυκτοί· λαμπάδες τινὲς ἀπὸ ξύλων γινόμεναι, ἅς τινες βαστάζοντες ἄνωθεν τῶν τειχῶν ἐσήμαινον τοῖς πλησιοχώροις ἢ τοῖς συμμάχοις, ὅταν τινὰς ἑώρων πολεμίους ἐπιόντας, ὡς ὅτι δεῖ προφυλάξασθαι. οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐπὶ πολεμίων τοῦτο ἐποίουν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐπὶ φίλων, ὅταν ἑώρων βοήθειαν ἐρχομένην, ἐσήμαινον πάλιν διὰ τῶν φρυκτῶν, ὡς οὐ δεῖ θορυβεῖσθαι. καὶ ὅτε μὲν φίλους ἐδήλουν, ἐβάσταζον τοὺς φρυκτοὺς ἠρεμοῦντες· ὅταν δὲ πολεμίους, ἐκίνουν.
Betacode
*fruktoi/: lampa/des tine\s a)po\ cu/lwn gino/menai, a(/s tines basta/zontes a)/nwqen tw=n teixw=n e)sh/mainon toi=s plhsioxw/rois h)\ toi=s summa/xois, o(/tan tina\s e(w/rwn polemi/ous e)pio/ntas, w(s o(/ti dei= profula/casqai. ou) mo/non de\ e)pi\ polemi/wn tou=to e)poi/oun, a)lla\ kai\ e)pi\ fi/lwn, o(/tan e(w/rwn boh/qeian e)rxome/nhn, e)sh/mainon pa/lin dia\ tw=n fruktw=n, w(s ou) dei= qorubei=sqai. kai\ o(/te me\n fi/lous e)dh/loun, e)ba/stazon tou\s fruktou\s h)remou=ntes: o(/tan de\ polemi/ous, e)ki/noun.
Notes
- From the scholia to Thucydides 2.94.1 (web address 1), where such beacons are mentioned.
cf. generally phi 755, phi 757, phi 758.
External resources
- Web address 1 perseus.tufts.edu
Linked from3 entries
- φ755Φρυκτόςbeacon[Meaning] the light produced from torches during wartime.
- φ757ΦρυκτόςbeaconAlso [sc. attested is] parafruktwreuo/menos ["he who is sending improper beacon-signals"]. Those misbehaving when on guard and spreading beacons hostile to those who have put their trust in the guards, to the advantage…
- φ758Φρυκτωρίαbeacon-signalling[Meaning] nocturnal defence by means of towers. Or a light. Or a fire. From purso/s ["firebrand"] and [the verb] w)rei=n, which is to guard. But a fruktwro/s [is] the man in charge of the beacon-signalling. Also [sc.…
Neighbouring entries
Revision history4 revisions · last 9 Aug 2011
- more keywords; cosmetics — David Whitehead
- cosmetics — David Whitehead
- Added link — Elizabeth Vandiver
- Revised — David Whitehead
- Translated — David Whitehead