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[238] τολύπευσε, as we say ‘wound up.’ The Schol. renders “τολύπη” as “τὴν τῶν ἐρίων ἤδη κατειργασμένην εἴλησιν”, and this interpretation (which makes it the ‘ball of spun yarn,’ rather than the ‘wool ready for spinning.’ as the Lexicons give), suits best with the passage Ar. Lysist.585

—“κἄπειτα ποιῆσαι”

“τολύπην μεγάλην, κἆτ᾽ ἐκ ταύτης τῷ Δήμῳ χλαῖναν ὑφῆναι”.

Cp. also Soph. Frag. 920 Dindorf, Pollux 7. 32 “τὰς δὲ ταινίας ὁλοστημόνους τολύπας Σοφοκλῆς ὠνόμασεν. τολύπη” may be connected with the root “τελ” as in “τέλος”. For a similar metaphor cp. Ov. Heroid. 12. 3 “Tunc quae dispensant mortalia fata sorores Debuerant fusos evoluisse meos.”

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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hide References (2 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (2):
    • Aristophanes, Lysistrata, 585
    • Ovid, Epistulae, 12
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