Posidippus, Epigrams, Pap. Mil. Vogl. VIII 309
Oiônoskopika
AB 21 (IV 8-13)
To a ship when launched at sea
may a falcon always mighty appear, not the shearwater
of unclean wing. This bird is an ill omen
as it dives into the deep. But may it soar … completely.
As if from an Ionian oak, Timon, may the swift-winged falcon rush forth
for your ship departing.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes
AB 22 (IV 14-19) May the lovely cowherd bird appear to the farmer,
a guardian and beneficial to have around the crops.
But to us who aim to travel the Egyptian sea
may the Thracian crane lead the halyards,
a favorable omen for the helmsman, the bird who [goes over]
large waves and keeps upon the high plains.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes
AB 23 (IV 20-23) The sight of soaring shearwater diving into the deep,
fisherman, cherish as a good omen;
and cast down the many-hooked night-line and launch your hunting net
and baskets; you’ll never come away without prey.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes
AB 24 (IV 24-29) Make haste, when you perceive the Theban black bird, fisherman;
On trusting the shearwater …
………….. himself (?)
Archytas did not …;
for to the shore, weathered by waves, the excellent bird came,
a sign for luck in chase, not unmarked by the others.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes
AB 25 (IV 30-35) An old man is a good omen for wayfarers and well met
and for sea travellers; and to him that marriage seeks
let there be a crown-bearer priest or one well regarded
among youths and children.
How bleakly does your father, or your kindred, meet you, bride,
but well met are your husband’s brother and his father.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes
AB 26 (IV 36-39) To acquire a house-slave the dusky heron is a sign most excellent,
whom Asterie the seer summons to her holy rites;
heeding this omen, Hieron obtained one slave for the fields
and one for the house with propitious foot.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou
AB 27 (IV 40-V 1-5) When seeking the birth of children this is a sign most excellent:
the vulture receives no messages from the god,
nor does it sit in council with the mighty eagle, but it appears
complete, the consummate omen of all:
a vulture foretelling a child will make him a sweet-spoken public speaker
sitting in council and agile in war.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou
AB 28 (V 6-11) If a wailing wren at a crossroads encounters
a man about to join consuming Ares,
that mortal will never come back home; but may he entrust
his journey to another war;
for Timoleon from Phokaia making light of this omen
returned from war but much lamented.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes
AB 29 (V 12-15) It is a danger sign when a man observes larks and goldfinches
in one and the same place. Their joint appearance spells trouble.
This is how Euelthon saw them. Evil-minded robbers killed him,
of all people, a wayfarer near Sidene in Aiolis.
Translated by A. Henrichs
AB 30 (V 16-19) If a xoanon sweats what great trouble it spells for a citizen
and what a blizzard of spears it signifies!
But he who invokes a perspiring god will deflect fire
to the folds and crops of his unfortunate enemies.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes
AB 30 (V 16-19) When a statue sweats, what great trouble presents itself
for the male citizen and what a great snow storm of spears.
But summon the sweating god, whoever will divert fire
upon the folds and reed huts of his enemies.
Translated by S. Stephens
AB 31 (V 20-25) An eagle and lighting coming from the clouds at the same time
are favorable omens for victory in war,
For the Argead kings Athena, in front of her temple
brought forth her foot from the lead.
A similar sign appeared to Alexander when he brought fire upon
the innumerable armies of the Persians.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes
AB 31 (V 20-25) An eagle coming from the clouds and, simultaneously,
flashes of lightning are auspicious omens of victory in war
for the Argead kings. But Athena in front of her temple
temple moving her foot out from the lead
appeared as such a sign to Alexander, when he bred fire
for the innumerable armies of Persians.
Translated by S. Stephens
AB 32 (V 26-31) To Antimachos hurrying to the Illyrian army
a slave brought out his armor and cinctures,
but slipping at the house’s stone inner courtyard
he took a fall; Antimachos’s heart was overturned
by the forewarning of the servant, who forthwith returned
bringing the heavy hero from the battle as light ashes.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou
AB 33 (V 32-39) The Arkadian Aristoxeinos dreaming a dream much grander
than himself – the fool! – desired grandeur:
he believed that, being the bridegroom of Athena, he slept a night
in Olympian Zeus’s palace, in a gold chamber.
Upon arising at dawn he joined the ranks of battle
having the courage of Athena in his heart.
But Ares put to sleep this contender of the gods
and the false bridegroom vanished to the realm of Hades.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou
AB 34 (VI 1-4) From this very hill that is seen from all sides
Damon from Telmessos, good in bird augury
from his forefathers proclaims; but come here
and ask for Zeus’s prophetic utterance and signs.
Translated by E. Kosmetatou and B. Acosta-Hughes
AB 35 (VI 5-8) The seer Thracian hero Strymon, pledged to the crow,
was the premier master of the birds.
Alexander received this sign from him: for thrice he overcame
the Persians having received predictions from his crow.
Translated by E. Kosmetato