The Oxyrhynchus papyri. Part 2 / edited with translations and notes by Bernard P. Grenfell and Arthur S. Hunt.

Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Oxyrhynchus papyri. Part 2 / edited with translations and notes by Bernard P. Grenfell and Arthur S. Hunt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    T3 at Athens, is visited by a man whom Polemo suspects of being her lover but who is really her brother (io-ii). In a fit of violent jealousy Polemo cuts off Glycera's hair, whereupon she deserts him, and in some unexpected manner comes across her father, Pataecus, presumably a ξένος, with whom she takes refuge (46-47, note). Polemo on finding out his error is filled with remorse, which is no doubt heightened by the discovery that Glycera comes of honourable parentage, and ardently desires to receive her back. This leads to the climax of the play which is fortunately preserved in our fragment. Polemo and Doris are engaged in dialogue before the house of Pataecus, which was on one side of the stage, that of Polemo probably being on the other (cf. note on 49). Polemo is in the depths of despair and threatens to commit suicide, while Doris comforts him by offering to go and bring Glycera back. Polemo is overjoyed at this suggestion and dismisses her (1-8). During Doris' absence, Polemo makes a short soliloquy on his mistake and the rashness of his conduct (9-14). Doris then returns with the good news that Glycera is coming, and suggests that Polemo should propitiate her by offering a sacrifice to the gods. Polemo is delighted with the idea and orders hasty preparations to be made (15-26). Doris then announces that Pataecus also is coming, at which prospect Polemo is much alarmed and runs off into his own house, followed by Doris (27-30). Pataecus and Glycera then come out, and Pataecus congratulates his daughter on her approaching reconciliation. Polemo is brought back, and in 37 sqq. Pataecus formally offers him Glycera in marriage, accompanying his offer with some sound advice. Polemo joyfully accepts Glycera as his wife and is forgiven by her (43-48). The fragment closes with the announcement by Pataecus of the betrothal of his son to Philinus' daughter, whose love affairs no doubt formed a secondary intrigue in the play. It is improbable that the end of the comedy was more than twenty or thirty lines off. Col. I. Col. II. ]N: ΙΝβΜΑΥΤΟΝΑΤΤΟπΝΙΞΑΙΜΙ: ΜΗΔΗ[ ]MOI ΑΛΛΑτΐ[.]θΗεωΔωρι · πωθΒΐω[ ]CM6N0[.] OTPICKAKOAAIMCONX<j0PIC00[ ]ΛΟΓΟΥΟ AneiciNoocce: npoceeooN- oi[ 5 GANTTPOOYMHGHC AK[. .](juC[ ]Aereic 0ΥΚ6ΝΛΙΤΤ0Μ·ΑΝ0ΥΘ€Ν GYTOYf ]0)N e YnepeYAereic- βαδιζ6· Γωσ€Λ[ ΑΥΡΙΟΝΑΦΗΟωΔωΡΙ · ΑΛΛΟΔ6[ AKOYCON ■ €IC€AHAY0 ■ OIMOI[
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