Antiquity Studies

Series | Antiquity Studies
Edited book | ΦΑΙΔΙΜΟΣ ΕΚΤΩΡ
Chapter | Paris’ μαχλοσύνη, a Mistranslated Aeschylean Fragment, and the Meanings of μάχλος (Hom. Il. 24.30, Aesch. fr. 325 Radt)

Paris’ μαχλοσύνη, a Mistranslated Aeschylean Fragment, and the Meanings of μάχλος (Hom. Il. 24.30, Aesch. fr. 325 Radt)

Abstract

An Aeschylean fragment (325 Radt) in which a grapevine is called μάχλος is twice quoted by Eustathius of Thessalonica, who explains μάχλος as meaning ῥεομένη ‘flowing’,  in connection with lewdness (καταφέρεια) and specifically μαχλοσύνη ‘feminine sexual arousal’, hapax in Homer (Il. 24.30) but well attested afterwards. In modern times Aeschylean μάχλος has systematically been mistranslated, and the botanical background of ῥεομένη completely ignored. As a matter of fact, both the probable Indo-European etymology of μάχλος and Eustathius’ explanation point to an original meaning ‘wet’, which soon became specialised as a sexual term for vaginal wetness linked to sexual arousal (cf. German läufig). This means that μαχλοσύνη was more specific and disturbing than our ‘lasciviousness’ and helps explain the ancient attempts at getting rid of it at Iliad 24.30.


Open access

Submitted: May 17, 2021 | Accepted: June 23, 2021 | Published Dec. 16, 2021 | Language: en

Keywords HomerAeschylusEtymologyIliadSexual meaningμάχλοςAncient scholarshipμαχλοσύνη


read this chapter