A Reading Course in Homeric Greek
267 ἀραρυῖα : pf. ptc. f. of ἀραρίσκω, modifying ἀγορή. Translate “fitted” or “built.”
271 νεῶν = νηῶν. ἐῖσαι = ἶσαι, with a prothetic ἐ. Used as an epithet of ships, the word means
“well balanced” or “trim.”
272 περόωσι = περάουσι by assimilation (§§593, 627 in Book I).
273 τῶν = the Phaeacians.262ff. ἀτὰρ ἐπὴν πόλιος ἐπιβήομεν... This description of the city of the Phaeacians
further establishes them as civilized, in contrast with the primitive Cyclopes who
have left their land uncultivated and undeveloped (9. 11-141; cf. §500 in Book I). The
Cyclopes have no laws (θέμιστες) nor assemblies (ἀγοραὶ βουληφόροι). They have
not even developed the technology to build houses or ships, or to cultivate the soil;
rather, they live in caves and eat wild foods. Odysseus seems particularly astonished
that the Cyclopes are not exploiting the possibilities of the natural harbor on the
forested island close by, which possibilities of course would not occur to a society
that was ignorant of seafaring. The Phaeacians, whose πόλις has a wall (9 and 262),
an ἀγορή (266), and temples (11 and 266), conform to Odysseus’s expectations of
a civilized people. Obviously, they are masters of the nautical arts (264-272). (By
contrast, although Ithaca has a regular site for an ἀγορή [2. 6-14], it has gone unused
for twenty years; there has been no assembly held there since Odysseus left for
Troy [2. 26-27]. This is certainly to be understood as a symptom of Ithaca’s social
dysfunction.)274 μάλα δ’ εἰσὶν ὑπερφίαλοι κατὰ δῆμον: ὑπερφίαλος like ὕβρις refers to the wanton
disregard for the rights of others, coupled with a violent and aggressive attitude.
Athena/ Mentes uses both terms to describe the suitors’ riotous partying in
Odysseus’ house (1. 227f.: ὥς τέ μοι ὑβρίζοντες ὑπερφιάλως δοκέουσι/ δαίνυσθαι
κατὰ δῶμα). The word is used numerous times of the suitors, individually or
collectively, in the context of their wasting of Odysseus’ property and abuse of
guests (2., 310, 3. 315, 4. 790, 16. 271, 21. 289, 23. 356, etc.). ὑπερφίαλος is also
applied to the Cyclopes by Odysseus as he introduces them to the Phaeacians in his
narrative (9. 106). Here, ὑπερφίαλος is paired with ἀθεμίστων (“lawless”). Odysseus
follows this line with a few lines about their failure to cultivate their land, and then
returns to their lack of ἀγοραί and θέμιστες; he next describes their scattered cave
dwellings and lack of community. The word thus seems appropriate and relevant to
the theme of civilization (or lack of it). Nausicaa’s ὑπερφίαλοι fellow-citizens will
indeed make an appearance— or one of them, at any rate— committing an act of
inhospitality towards Odysseus (8. 158ff.).