illa rudem cursu prima imbuit Amphitriten (Catul. 64.11): The Dynamic Intertextual Connotations of a Metonymy

Abstract

Th is paper examines the role and importance of Amphitrite in Catullus c. 64, the epyllion on the wedding of Peleus and Th etis. Catullus intends to conjure up Amphitrite's rich mythological background for the needs of his poem. Amphitrite's story contains thematic elements that recur in both narratives of c. 64, namely the main story of Peleus and Th etis, and the embedded story of Th eseus and Ariadne. At the same time Amphitrite's meaningful presence in the prologue of c. 64 is a pointer to Bacchylides' Dithyramb 17, which treats Th eseus' outbound journey to Crete and the test of his divine paternity, imposed by Minos. Th e several points of contact between B. Dith. 17 and Catul. c. 64 show that this Greek poem is an important subtext for c. 64, which has gone unnoticed so far.

Ironic Genre Demarcation: Bacchylides 17 and the Epic Tradition

“…If one accepts that the name µφι-τρ τη is paretymologically linked to τρ ζ /τρ ζ ('grind, groan, squeak'), then Τροιζ-ην α may etymologically recall the notion of groaning, whereas σε ('shake, quake'; <σεισ-ξ ν) designates a precondition to τρ ζ and enhances the sound effect already generated by the preceding Τροιζην α, thus hinting at the semantics of Amphitrite's name. On the etymologies of Amphitrite's name see Michalopoulos 2009, 223 with n. 9.…”