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ἐβώσθησαν, ‘their fame was noised abroad.’ Cf. iii. 39. 3; viii. 124. 1.


λέοντα: a symbol of royal power: cf. v. 92. β 3, and the oracular parody (424 B. C.) in Arist. Eq. 1037ἔστι γυνή, τέξει δὲ λέονθ᾽ ἱεραῖς ἐν Ἀθήναις”. The birth of Pericles may be dated 493 B. C. or later, since he first took part in public affairs circ. 463 B. C. (Ath. Pol. 27 against Plut. Per. 16). It is tempting to see in this exaltation of Pericles the key to H.'s defence and glorification of the Alcmaeonids, and to suppose that this excursus (ch. 121-31), or at least the story of the wedding (126-31), was inserted in the history (circ. 432-0 B. C.) when the ancient curse on the Alcmaeonids was turned into a weapon against Pericles. The male line of the Alcmaeonids disappeared; Pericles and Alcibiades were connected with the family on the female side.

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hide References (3 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Aristophanes, Knights, 1037
    • Aristotle, Constitution of the Athenians, 27
    • Plutarch, Pericles, 16
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