English: Anathematika


Posidippus, Epigrams, Pap. Mil. Vogl. VIII 309

Anathematika

AB 36 (VI 10-17)

To you, Arsinoe, this linen cloth from Naukratis
     is dedicated, to waft with its folds, with which,
dear lady, in a dream you wished to wipe off
     your sweet sweat, upon putting an end to your busy toils.
So you appeared, o brother-loving lady, the point of a spear
     in hand, a hollow shield on your arm.
The maiden Hegeso, a Macedonian, when bidden
     dedicated this white cloth to you.

Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes

AB 36 (VI 10-17) Arsinoe, to you is dedicated this bregma of linen from Naucratis
     with folds to be caught by the wind, with which you,
dear lady, in a dream wished to wipe your sweet sweat,
     after ceasing from your sharp toils.
You appeared, Philadelphus, holding a spear in your hand,
     Lady, and with a hollow shield on your arm.
The girl, Hêgêsô, a Macedonian in lineage, at your request,
     dedicated this white strip.

Translated by S. Stephens

AB 37 (VI 18-25) Arsinoe, to you this lyre made to sing by the bard’s hand
     an Arionian dolphin brought
… of the wave but when (?) …
     he … crosses the high sea
many … and changeful with a …
     voice … nightingale.
But accept the dedication, brother-loving one, which he made,
     offerings of the temple-guardian.

Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes

AB 38 (VI 26-29) Epikratis thus dedicated me to Arsinoe when from a phiale
     she first drank the water of freedom.
And she said …. , rejoice, guardian of freedom
     and accept [this phiale] as a gift from Epikratis.

Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes

AB 39 (VI 30-37) Both when you are about to cross the sea by ship and fasten the ropes
     from the land, greet Arsinoe Euploia, invoking the lady
from the temple, which the son of Boescus,
     the Samian admiral Callicrates built
especially for you, o sailor. Another man, wishing good passage
     invokes this goddess,
for whether on land or the divine sea,
     you’ll find her attentive to your prayers.

Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes

AB 39 (VI 30-37) When you are about to cross the sea in a ship and fasten a cable
     from dry land, give a greeting to Arsinoe Euploia,
summoning the lady goddess from her temple, which Samian Callicrates,
     the son of Boiskos, dedicated especially for you, sailor,
when he was nauarch. Even another man in pursuit of a safe passage
     often addresses this goddess,
because whether on land or setting out upon the dread sea
     you will find her receptive to your prayers.

Translated by S. Stephens

AB 40 (VI 38-39-VII 1-2) Place your deposit in my mouth for Leto, don’t be afraid
     to give if, being a wolf, I gape;
Lykos dedicated me as a treasure, but you …
     ask …

Translated by E. Kosmetatou

AB 41 (VII 3-8) From the eagle’s talons … the tortoise
     from above … head
… being half-dead
     …
… of the tortoise
     ….

Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes