Fasce e prodigi. Pindaro e l'inno omerico a Hermes

Abstract

In the first Nemean ode, Pindar narrates the trial of Heracles who, as a newborn baby, kills the snakes sent to him by Hera; and baby Hermes is the protagonist of various trials described in the Homeric hymn dedicated to the god. This paper highlights the analogies between the two narrations, arguing that Pindar hints at the story in the hymn. Therefore, this research also contributes to establish the controversial chronology of Homer’s composition, which would precede the epinician’s composition date, that is, the third decade of the fifth century.