Ostracism in Menander's Samia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9667279 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mitch Brown (0000-0001-6615-6081, William & Mary, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 73 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 466-469 |
| Publication date | 2023-05-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Classical Quarterly (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0009-8388 • E-ISSN: 1471-6844 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0009838823000113 |
| OpenAlex | W4380670437 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 4 |
This article identifies an ostracism joke in Menander's Samia (364–6) during a climactic scene in which the Athenian Demeas ejects the titular Chrysis from his house. The joke, uttered by a cook who is reacting to Chrysis’ expulsion, plays on the usage of ὄστρακα —broken pieces of pottery—as ballots in the institution of ostracism. The article proposes that the joke references the final abolition of ostracism during Demetrius of Phalerum's reign and reveals Menander's support for the regime
Archaeology · Art · Character (mathematics · Joke · Literature · Ostracism · Successor cardinal · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Classical Antiquity Studies · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Mathematics
| Highly cited | No |
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