Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3: I. Prolegomena II. Achæis; or, the Ethnology of the Greek RacesGladstone, W. E. (William Ewart)
History
Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3: I. Prolegomena II. Achæis; or, the Ethnology of the Greek Races
Gladstone, W. E. (William Ewart)
Civilization, Homeric; Epic poetry, Greek -- History and criticism; Homer
Thus the use of Argeian as an adjective seems to be quite clearly
limited to a local sense of the word: and this being the case, it seems
remarkable that the attention of the commentators before Nitzsch should
not have been directed to the line in the Eighth Odyssey, and that
Nitzsch, with ἥρωες Δαναοὶ and αἰχμηταὶ Δαναοὶ to guide him, should
suggest the sense of Argive Danaans, instead of Danaan Argives.
The local use, however, of the Argeian name must not be dismissed
without a more full investigation. Let us first dispose of its use for
Juno and Helen.
The proof that Helen is meant to be described as not merely Greek, but
as connected with Achaic Argos or Eastern Peloponnesus, has already
been sufficiently[678] set forth.
As respects Juno, we shall find that her affections always centre in
the house that was paramount in the chief seat of Hellenic power, the
Eastern Peloponnesus. Her tenacious attachments are constantly directed
to the nation, and they survive dynastic changes. Hence her keen and
venturesome feeling for Eurystheus; her never dying, never sleeping
hatred to his rival Hercules; her esteem for Agamemnon equally with
Achilles[679], though they were so unequal in fame and valour: perhaps
suggesting that Achilles was regarded by her either because he was
necessary for the purposes of Agamemnon, or because he was closely
allied to the chief Achæan stock[680]. Hence it is that, when he has
assumed his arms[681], she thunders in his honour: and hence her
especial love for the three cities, which were the symbols of Greek
power, Argos, Sparta, and Mycenæ[682]. So intense is her attachment,
that she could wish to be the actual mother of the Greeks, even as she
would readily devour the Trojans upon occasion[683]. Hence, once more,
even in the Odyssey, where she is almost a mute, it is mentioned, that
Agamemnon[684] came safe across the sea, for Juno protected him. This
is quite enough to fix the sense of Ἀργείη, when it is applied to Juno,
as a local sense.
In fact, Homer’s use of this word with a restrained and local sense is
not only clear, but most carefully defined, both as to time and as to
place.
While in the army before Troy he freely interchanges Danaan, Argive,
and Achæan, as they are near enough to identity for his purpose, he
never applies Danaan at all to the Greeks at home, and employs the
other two names with the most accurate discrimination.
_Transition from Argeians to Achæans._
The Argeian name is confined in place to the Eastern Peloponnesus, and
in time to the Perseid epoch. Upon the transfer of the sovereignty
to the Pelopid house, the Argeian name ceases to be applied to their
immediate subjects. Let us now examine passages which may illustrate
the case.
1. Two or nearly three generations before the _Troica_, in the time
when Bellerophon was young, Prœtus ruled over the Ἀργεῖοι,
πολὺ φέρτερος ἦεν
Ἀργείων· Ζεὺς γὰρ οἱ ὑπὸ σκηπτρῷ ἐδάμασσεν[685].
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