The ‘Cycle’ of Arignota. Sappho’s frr. 95 and 96 V.

Abstract

Abstract After preparing a detailed new edition of Sappho’s frr. 95 and 96 V., continuously transmitted in the parchment codex P. Berol. 9722, the author proposes that they constitute a ‘cycle’ of three homometric poems with a common theme articulated in successive episodes (i. 95, ii. 96.1–20, iii. 96.21–36). In the first, Sappho conveys her despair for her separation from her beloved pupils, Arignota being one of them. In the second, Arignota is presented in Sardis, where she excels among the Lydian women. She expresses a strong feeling of nostalgia for her stay in Lesbos with Sappho and for her beloved friend there, Atthis. In the third, Sappho addresses Atthis and, employing the mythological exemplum of Aphrodite’s love to Adonis and their distant meetings, declares that they will sail to the port of Geraistion in Asia Minor’s Aegean coast, whence they will travel to Sardis for meeting their old friend. The author also meditates on the possibility that the name Ἀριγνώτα (= ‘One-easy-to-be-known, Easy-to-identify’), is a renaming by Sappho of Ἀρύηνιc, the daughter of the Lydian king Alyattes, who is yearning to see her old teacher and her childhood girlfriend before her marriage to Astyages, son of Kyaxares, king of the Medes. The marriage was negotiated for ending a many years war between the two nations, a peace that coincided with the eclipse of the sun, usually dated on May 28, 585 BC.