Reference to the Lamp in Aristophanes’ Assemblywomen (v. 2): Reading Choice

Abstract

Aristophanes’ comedy “Assemblywomen” begins with an apostrophe. In paratragic style, the character addresses the lamp as if she were a solar deity. The second verse of the comedy should contain a characterization that praises the lamp. However, there is a textological problem in the manuscripts that does not allow us to understand the idea of this verse. Editors and commentators of the comedy proposes several conjectures and interpretations, but none of the proposed corrections gives a clear meaning and does not seem appropriate in praising the lamp as a solar deity. The article offers textological arguments and analysis of the beginning of the comedy and the author claims that the best reading is κάλλιστ’ ἐν εὐσκόποισιν ἐξηυρημένον —“…beautifully devised so as to be among the well-seeing [luminaries].”