cynics:teles
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Next revision | Previous revision | ||
cynics:teles [2012/04/21 10:36] – created frank | cynics:teles [2014/01/14 23:20] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
====== Teles ====== | ====== Teles ====== | ||
- | ===== Donald Dudley, History of Cynicism " | + | ===== Donald Dudley, History of Cynicism " |
- | < | + | < |
+ | (d) **Teles** | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is a curious turn of literary fortune that **Teles**, apparently | ||
a fourth-rate writer of little originality, | a fourth-rate writer of little originality, | ||
of earlier date than Stobaeus, should be represented by larger | of earlier date than Stobaeus, should be represented by larger | ||
fragments than Crates, Bion, and Menippus, whose works | fragments than Crates, Bion, and Menippus, whose works | ||
were admired and frequently alluded to in classical times. | were admired and frequently alluded to in classical times. | ||
- | Teles comes down to us in extracts made by Stobaeus from | + | **Teles** comes down to us in extracts made by Stobaeus from |
- | an inito^ | + | an // |
there may have been other middlemen involved in the process. | there may have been other middlemen involved in the process. | ||
- | The fragments are edited and the date and sources of Teles | + | The fragments are edited and the date and sources of **Teles** |
- | discussed in Hense, Teletis reliquiae ; he has also occupied | + | discussed in Hense, |
- | the attention of Wilamowitz | + | the attention of Wilamowitz and Cronert. As a result of |
- | these studies it is known that Teles was a Megarian school- | + | these studies it is known that **Teles** was a Megarian school- |
master who flourished in the second half of the third century ; | master who flourished in the second half of the third century ; | ||
the one reference which can be definitely dated shows that the | the one reference which can be definitely dated shows that the | ||
- | diatribe | + | diatribe |
- | to an audience of youths at Megara ; Teles has a Megarian | + | to an audience of youths at Megara ; **Teles** has a Megarian |
name, his writings employ certain Doric forms, and he alludes | name, his writings employ certain Doric forms, and he alludes | ||
- | to himself as naidaywydi;. 5 The seven fragments are dia- | + | to himself as // |
- | tribes | + | is a warning against |
- | Sufficiency, | + | |
- | Taaeo)v | + | |
polemical purpose, being respectively directed against the | polemical purpose, being respectively directed against the | ||
Hedonist doctrine that Pleasure is the End, and the popular | Hedonist doctrine that Pleasure is the End, and the popular | ||
view that outward appearance is the true criterion of justice | view that outward appearance is the true criterion of justice | ||
- | (neql rov doxelv KOI rov elvat). | + | (//peri tou dokein kai tou einai//). |
- | A literary judgement of Teles must be based on the evidence | + | A literary judgement of **Teles** must be based on the evidence |
we possess, and can only be unfavourable. It is of course | we possess, and can only be unfavourable. It is of course | ||
always possible that this evidence does him much less than | always possible that this evidence does him much less than | ||
Line 35: | Line 36: | ||
it is the fate of lecturers to be remembered for their jokes | it is the fate of lecturers to be remembered for their jokes | ||
rather than for their matter. But in six of the seven frag- | rather than for their matter. But in six of the seven frag- | ||
- | ments, if we take away borrowed passages and anecdotes, Teles | + | ments, if we take away borrowed passages and anecdotes, |
himself is represented by little more than a few connecting | himself is represented by little more than a few connecting | ||
sentences. This may be due to the successive " cuttings " of | sentences. This may be due to the successive " cuttings " of | ||
Theodorus, Stobaeus, and whatever other epitomators took a | Theodorus, Stobaeus, and whatever other epitomators took a | ||
- | hand in it ; but it implies at least that Teles' own work was | + | hand in it ; but it implies at least that **Teles**' own work was |
less interesting than what he quoted. A further difficulty is | less interesting than what he quoted. A further difficulty is | ||
that Theodorus (presumably) maintains an annoying running | that Theodorus (presumably) maintains an annoying running | ||
commentary to ensure that his reader is missing nothing | commentary to ensure that his reader is missing nothing | ||
- | * You see the joke ? ' he asks anxiously, and again, on the | + | You see the joke ? ' he asks anxiously, and again, on the |
- | bravery of Spartan women, | + | bravery of Spartan women, What woman of our day would |
have acted thus ? ' These comments are not always easy to | have acted thus ? ' These comments are not always easy to | ||
- | distinguish from what may have been Teles' remarks to his | + | distinguish from what may have been **Teles**' remarks to his |
- | class, e.g. * Would any of us have gone to sleep in such circum- | + | class, e.g. Would any of us have gone to sleep in such circumstances |
- | stances | + | |
diatribe there is less extraneous matter than in the others and | diatribe there is less extraneous matter than in the others and | ||
- | some judgement can be formed of Teles' style. | + | some judgement can be formed of **Teles**' style. |
A. They say it is better to seem just than to be just. Well, is | A. They say it is better to seem just than to be just. Well, is | ||
Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
And so on. However edifying this may have been to the youth | And so on. However edifying this may have been to the youth | ||
of Megara, it is deficient in both literary and logical virtues. | of Megara, it is deficient in both literary and logical virtues. | ||
- | But, like many bad authors, Teles is of interest in reflecting | + | But, like many bad authors, |
the literary tastes of his audience. His great heroes are | the literary tastes of his audience. His great heroes are | ||
Socrates, Diogenes, and Crates ; and Cynic literature is freely | Socrates, Diogenes, and Crates ; and Cynic literature is freely | ||
- | quoted, especially Bion. There are references to ol aQ%aloi y | + | quoted, especially Bion. There are references to //hoi archaioi// |
presumably the older Cynic authors, and explicit quotations | presumably the older Cynic authors, and explicit quotations | ||
from Crates and Metrocles, though it cannot be decided | from Crates and Metrocles, though it cannot be decided | ||
whether he got them at first hand, or, as Hense maintains, | whether he got them at first hand, or, as Hense maintains, | ||
- | through Bion, or through books of ^qelai.^ Socrates he knows | + | through Bion, or through books of chreiai. Socrates he knows |
at best through the Xenophontic tradition ; the allusion to | at best through the Xenophontic tradition ; the allusion to | ||
- | the PJiaedo 2 can hardly be at first hand, for it is coupled with | + | the // |
a magnificent howler about the last words of Socrates which | a magnificent howler about the last words of Socrates which | ||
argues a very dubious source. Stilpo is naturally drawn upon | argues a very dubious source. Stilpo is naturally drawn upon | ||
Line 90: | Line 90: | ||
admiring references to Sparta imply that her valorous conduct | admiring references to Sparta imply that her valorous conduct | ||
on such occasions as her resistance to Pyrrhus maintained | on such occasions as her resistance to Pyrrhus maintained | ||
- | during the third century the Spartan reputation for avdpsia. | + | during the third century the Spartan reputation for //andreia//. |
The taste catered for is clearly a popular one whose chief | The taste catered for is clearly a popular one whose chief | ||
interest lay in the didactic aspect of literature. | interest lay in the didactic aspect of literature. | ||
- | Whatever our disparagement of Teles as a writer, we can | + | Whatever our disparagement of **Teles** as a writer, we can |
but be grateful that these fragments have been preserved ; | but be grateful that these fragments have been preserved ; | ||
without them we should know little of third-century diatribe | without them we should know little of third-century diatribe | ||
Line 101: | Line 101: | ||
(e) Educational Theory | (e) Educational Theory | ||
- | The Cynics had always laid great stress on naidda | + | The Cynics had always laid great stress on // |
- | Teles is the only known case of a Cynic schoolmaster. During | + | **Teles** is the only known case of a Cynic schoolmaster. During |
the third century Cynic works on education appeared in which | the third century Cynic works on education appeared in which | ||
- | Diogenes was depicted as the ideal naidayayyoq | + | Diogenes was depicted as the ideal // |
- | books known to us were the TlaiQaywyiKoc, of Cleomenes | + | books known to us were the // |
- | and the Aioyevovi; n^aou; | + | and the //Diogenous prasis// |
served from the latter is of especial interest, for it outlines a | served from the latter is of especial interest, for it outlines a | ||
curriculum supposed to have been adopted by Diogenes in | curriculum supposed to have been adopted by Diogenes in | ||
- | educating the sons of his master Xeniades of Corinth. | + | educating the sons of his master Xeniades of Corinth. After |
their other studies he taught them to ride, to shoot with the | their other studies he taught them to ride, to shoot with the | ||
bow, to sling stones and hurl javelins. He also took them out | bow, to sling stones and hurl javelins. He also took them out | ||
- | hunting/ . . . Such exercises were presumably recommended | + | hunting . . . Such exercises were presumably recommended |
- | as involving | + | as involving |
the wrestling-school he would not permit the master to give | the wrestling-school he would not permit the master to give | ||
them full athletic training, but only sufficient to keep them | them full athletic training, but only sufficient to keep them | ||
- | in colour and in good condition '. The Cynics deprecated | + | in colour and in good condition' |
specialization in athletics and several apophthegms directed | specialization in athletics and several apophthegms directed | ||
- | against athletes were attributed to Diogenes. | + | against athletes were attributed to Diogenes. 'He would |
- | wonder that men would strive to out- do each other in digging | + | wonder that men would strive to outdo each other in digging |
- | and kicking, and yet no one strove to become a good man * : | + | and kicking, and yet no one strove to become a good man. Athletes are so stupid because they are built up of pigs-flesh |
- | 1 Athletes are so stupid because they are built up of pigs'-flesh | + | and bulls-flesh; |
- | and bulls '-flesh | + | |
slaves, the Cynic' | slaves, the Cynic' | ||
course, that the athlete' | course, that the athlete' | ||
directed. The boys' intellectual development was to be | directed. The boys' intellectual development was to be | ||
- | secured by * making them learn by heart many passages from | + | secured by making them learn by heart many passages from |
the poets, historians, and the works of Diogenes himself ; and | the poets, historians, and the works of Diogenes himself ; and | ||
he would try every short cut to improve their memories ' | he would try every short cut to improve their memories ' | ||
- | We see from the quotations and historical allusions in Teles | + | We see from the quotations and historical allusions in **Teles** |
that the poets and historians were esteemed for their didactic | that the poets and historians were esteemed for their didactic | ||
- | value, they provided | + | value, they provided |
taught them to wait on themselves, to eat plain food, and to | taught them to wait on themselves, to eat plain food, and to | ||
drink water. They were made to crop their hair, and wear | drink water. They were made to crop their hair, and wear | ||
Line 138: | Line 137: | ||
The educational programme thus fostered on Diogenes is a | The educational programme thus fostered on Diogenes is a | ||
compound of various existing systems, interpreted in a Cynic | compound of various existing systems, interpreted in a Cynic | ||
- | spirit. The ordinary Greek elementary education (ra yQajn- | + | spirit. The ordinary Greek elementary education (//ta grammata//) forms its backbone, augmented by features derived from |
- | fiara) forms its backbone, augmented by features derived from | + | |
Sparta (hunting) and from the Persian system described by | Sparta (hunting) and from the Persian system described by | ||
- | Xenophon in the Cyropaedia (shooting with the bow, riding). | + | Xenophon in the //Cyropaedia// (shooting with the bow, riding). |
- | The regimen is that of the Cynic avrdgxeia, but the aim of | + | The regimen is that of the Cynic // |
- | the system is not to produce little Cynics, as naidaycoyos | + | the system is not to produce little Cynics, as // |
literal, largos in a figurative sense, the Cynic labours not on | literal, largos in a figurative sense, the Cynic labours not on | ||
behalf of his movement but of mankind. | behalf of his movement but of mankind. | ||
- | The papyri | + | The papyri dealing with the theme of // |
- | on the same literary level as the diatribes of Teles. They are | + | on the same literary level as the diatribes of **Teles**. They are |
obviously part of an anthology ; Knox's theory that the | obviously part of an anthology ; Knox's theory that the | ||
compilation is due to Cercidas is attractive and probable. | compilation is due to Cercidas is attractive and probable. | ||
Addressed to a certain Parnos, who ' lends a ready ear to | Addressed to a certain Parnos, who ' lends a ready ear to | ||
- | ennobling verse ', | + | ennobling verse ', they are an expression of disgust at an age |
of shameless commercialism whose keynote is the line of | of shameless commercialism whose keynote is the line of | ||
Sophocles, The author announces his own intention of abiding by ' That | Sophocles, The author announces his own intention of abiding by ' That | ||
Line 159: | Line 157: | ||
Faith and Justice from the earth, and Zeus and the gods of | Faith and Justice from the earth, and Zeus and the gods of | ||
popular belief are apparently impotent, the righteous man can | popular belief are apparently impotent, the righteous man can | ||
- | live in the knowledge that a day will come ... * for I see | + | live in the knowledge that a day will come ... for I see |
many who grow rich on shamelessness, | many who grow rich on shamelessness, | ||
vanished as though it had never been '. There follows a | vanished as though it had never been '. There follows a | ||
remarkable outburst. | remarkable outburst. | ||
- | ecfTiv yd@ eoTfv, og tads | + | //estin gar estin, os tade skopei daimon\\ |
- | o$ ev # | + | os en chronoi |
- | vefiei | + | nemei d' |
The deity in question is, one may conjecture, Nemesis ; | The deity in question is, one may conjecture, Nemesis ; | ||
Theophrastus, | Theophrastus, | ||
- | Evegysoia xai Ti/mcoQia, divinities also recognized by Democ- | + | //Euergesia kai timoria//, divinities also recognized by Democ- |
- | ritus. 1 To enforce the warning against | + | ritus. 1 To enforce the warning against |
iambic poem of Phoenix of Colophon is cited ; it deals with | iambic poem of Phoenix of Colophon is cited ; it deals with | ||
profiteers where * houses are fair and noble and worth a fortune, | profiteers where * houses are fair and noble and worth a fortune, | ||
Line 178: | Line 176: | ||
shows how the ' commonplaces ' and similes they contain are | shows how the ' commonplaces ' and similes they contain are | ||
those regarded as especially appropriate to the theme of | those regarded as especially appropriate to the theme of | ||
- | ala%QoxsQdeia | + | // |
- | Satires, i. i. | + | Satires, i. i. |
\\ | \\ | ||
Source modified. [[http:// | Source modified. [[http:// |
cynics/teles.1335022591.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/01/14 22:45 (external edit)