Geryoneis
{{short description|Ancient Greek poem by Stesichorus}}
The "Geryoneis" is a fragmentary poem, written in Ancient Greek by the lyric poet Stesichorus. Composed in the 6th century BC, it narrates an episode from the Heracles myth in which the hero steals the cattle of Geryon, a three-bodied monster with a human face.
Preservation
The text of the "Geryoneis" has only been handed down in fragmentary form. The majority of which comes from Papyrus Oxyrhynchus XXXII 2617, which was published in 1967.Budelmann 2018 p.157 Additional fragments can be found in Book 11 of Athenaeus' Deipnosophistae.Athenaeus 11.469e The extant parts of the poem exhibit numerous lacunae, with only fragment 19 (= 15 SLG) displaying long stretches of uninterrupted text.fragment numbers refer to the numeration of Davies and Finglas 2014 The length of the complete poem is estimated to 1300 lines.West 1993 p.xvi
Synopsis
The extant parts of the poem begin with the prelude of the fight between Heracles and Geryon. They include: a council of the gods, which resolves that Geryon is to die,Stesichorus, Geryoneis fr. 18 the birth of his cowherd EurytionStesichorus, Geryoneis fr. 7 SLG and a depiction of his parents, trying to convince him not to face Heracles.Stesichorus, Geryoneis fr. 15 and 17 The final moments of the conflict are preserved at length: Heracles shoots a deadly arrow into Geryon's forehead. His agony is described in detail and compared to a withering poppy.Stesichorus, Geryoneis fr. 19
Reception
Like much of Stesichorus' output, the "Geryoneis" has been noted for its use and advancement of Homeric elements.Kelly 2015 p.21 Especially the humanisation of Geryon through the mention of his parents and the poppy simile has been highlighted by critics.Davies and Finglass 2014 p. 279-80
Notes
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References
- Budelmann, F. (2018) Greek Lyric. A Selection (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press)
- Davies, M. and Finglass, P. (2014) Stesichorus: The Poems (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press)
- Kelly, A. (2015) 'Stesichorus' Homer' in P. Finglass and A. Kelly (eds.) Stesichorus in Context (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press)
- West, M. (1993) Greek Lyric Poetry (Oxford, Oxford University Press)
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