1. WHO ARE THE KOUROI AT THE FEAST IN ODYSSEUS’ HOME?
- Author
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ICHIRO TAIDA
- Subjects
- *
WINES , *HOUSEHOLDS , *ENSLAVED persons , *VOCABULARY - Abstract
At Odyssey, I,148, the κοῦροι “youths” fill bowls brimful of drink at the feast of Penelope’s suitors. The purpose of this article is to defend the authenticity of this contested line and consider who the κοῦροι are. To date, they have been regarded as subordinate workers or slaves. However, the κοῦροι are different from regular workers. They do not carry out any household duties other than “fill bowls brimful of drink”. In addition, the word κοῦροι is sometimes used to refer to people of higher standing, including the suitors of Penelope, and does not necessarily refer to the category of workers or slaves. Moreover, filling bowls with wine is anyone’s duty, from lower workers to higher-ranking people, and it is sometimes a duty for banquet participants. The other two lines that are the same as Odyssey, I,148 imply that the κοῦροι participated in drinking parties. The οἱ in the following line (149) means “the participants”. The κοῦροι and οἱ refer to almost same individuals. Therefore, the κοῦροι should be translated as “young participants” who include the suitors, their high-level assistants, and Telemachus and Mentes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024