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[457] There was no uniform tradition in later Greece as to the position of these fountains. Messeïs was variously assigned to Messenia, to the Laconian Therapne (Paus.iii. 20. 1), and to ‘Argos.’ The context clearly shews that both fountains are in Argos; the probability seems to be that the Thessalian Argos is meant, for the best tradition, that of Pindar, places Hypereïs near Phere (P. iv. 125 “ἐγγὺς μὲν Φέρης κράναν Ὑπερῆιδα λιπών”). So also Strabo ix. 439; but in 432 he says that both fountains, Hypereïs and Messeïs, were shewn near Pharsalia. In the Catalogue (2.734, q.v.) “Ὑπέρεια” is near Ormenion. However, the disjunctive Η῎ makes it just possible to take “Αργος” in the widest sense, of Greece generally, and to locate Messeïs in the Peloponnesos. Ar. remarks that in obedience to this line “οἱ νεώτεροι” (tragedians, etc.) regularly introduce the captive Andromache as bearing water. This is done by Eur. Andr. 166 “ἐκ χρυσηλάτων τευχέων χερὶ σπείρουσαν Ἀχελώιου δρόσον”.

The Iliad, edited, with apparatus criticus, prolegomena, notes, and appendices. Walter Leaf. London. Macmillan. 1900.

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hide References (3 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Euripides, Andromache, 166
    • Homer, Iliad, 2.734
    • Pausanias, Description of Greece, 3.20.1
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