OSTRACISM IN MENANDER'S SAMIA
-
Published:2023-05
Issue:1
Volume:73
Page:466-469
-
ISSN:0009-8388
-
Container-title:The Classical Quarterly
-
language:en
-
Short-container-title:The Class. Q.
Abstract
AbstractThis article identifies an ostracism joke in Menander's Samia (364–6) during a climactic scene in which the Athenian Demeas ejects the titular Chrysis from his house. The joke, uttered by a cook who is reacting to Chrysis’ expulsion, plays on the usage of ὄστρακα—broken pieces of pottery—as ballots in the institution of ostracism. The article proposes that the joke references the final abolition of ostracism during Demetrius of Phalerum's reign and reveals Menander's support for the regime.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Literature and Literary Theory,Philosophy,History,Classics
Reference15 articles.
1. Ἐκκλησία κυρία in Athens;Errington;Chiron,1994
2. Zu Menanders Perikeiromene;Schwartz;Hermes,1929