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[602] This is the only appearance in H. of the Niobe legend, so popular in classical times, as Od. 11.582-92 gives the only mention of Tantalos her father, though without any mention of the relationship, which is probably a later notion. The localisation of the story on Mt. Sipylos is doubtless older than the Theban myth. It is true that the lines (614-17) in which this, as well as the allusion to the famous rock-figure, occurs, have been regarded with suspicion since ancient times; but as shewn on 613 and 614, the arguments leading to this conclusion are by no means convincing. The familiar form of the fable is apparently due to Aischylos and Sophokles, each of whom wrote a ‘Niobe.’ Sophokles also alluded to the story in two well-known passages, El. 150-52, Ant. 823-32. According to the tragedians the children of Niobe were seven sons and seven daughters, while Hesiod, Pindar, and Mimnermos are said to have spoken of ten of each; other numbers are quoted from other sources (see Roscher Lex. s.v.). The six sons and six daughters are attributed in the same words to Aiolos in Od. 10.6.

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, Electra, 150
    • Homer, Odyssey, 10.6
    • Homer, Odyssey, 11.582
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