Homer’s Darling: Tzetzes, Allegories of the Iliad 7.32

When listing the champions whom Nestor urged on to fight in single combat against Hector, Tzetzes cannot refrain adding some commentary, ending the list with:

“…and Odysseus, Homer’s little darling.”

…καὶ παίγνιον Όμήρου Ὀδυσσέα.

2 thoughts on “Homer’s Darling: Tzetzes, Allegories of the Iliad 7.32

  1. This must have been a Byzantine theme, Eustathius writes ὃ δὴ μάλιστα ἐθέλει ὁ φιλοδυσσεὺς ῞Ομηρος (Comm. Ad Homer. 2.220.30). Now, isn’t there something essentially problematic about being φιλοδυσσεὺς? (“loving-hateful-guy).

    This is, of course, a brave neologism on Eustathius’ part.

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