He ̄rakleia, another disciple of Ze ̄no ̄n, either as a disciple or as a master, but surely as a
friend.
Indeed Aratos’ work was varied. He not only produced an edition of the Odyssey but he
also composed a study on the Iliad at the request of Antiokhos I; he wrote epigrams, funeral
laments (Epikedia), hymns (e.g. the Hymn to Pan, perhaps composed for Antigonos’ victory at
Lusimakheia/Lysimachia in 277) and even several scientific treatises like the Canon on the
planets or others in the areas of pharmacology or anatomy. All of this work is more or less
lost today.
Thus, it is as the author of Phainomena that Aratos is known to us and achieved fame (as
shown by several translations into Latin at different times). This long poem begins with a
Hymn to Zeus as Proem in the manner of the Stoic K. The first part (19–461)
presents the constellations as well as the method to recognize them. The second part (462–757)
deals with the passage of time and how to estimate it by observing the constellations as well
as the moon and the sun. After these astronomical subjects, the poet then turns to meteor-
ology (758–1141) and explains local weather signs which are observable in natural phenom-
ena and the behavior of animals. The poem ends with a short conclusion (1142–1154).
By putting into verse such an unpoetic subject, Aratos tries to emulate H and to
bring up to date the early calendar of Works and Days. Aratos is indeed borrowing from
He ̄siod the shape of his poem and is rewriting in his own style the myth of ages. Moreover,
K (AP 9.507) considered him to be a new He ̄siod due to this influence.
Ed.: D. Kidd, Aratus. Phenomena (1997); J. Martin, Aratos. Les Phénomènes 2 vv. (CUF 1998).
OCD3 136 – 137, G.J. Toomer; BNP 1 (2002) 955–960, M. Fantuzzi.
Christophe Cusset
Arbinas of Indos (Lukia) (120 BCE – 80 CE)
A, in G Antid. 2.1 (14.109–111 K.), recites his 56-ingredient antidote
and abortive, including birthwort, gentian, ginger, poppy-juice, mandrake, pepper, and wild
rue seeds. A twice cites an unnamed doctor of Indos, presumably the same man, for
much simpler remedies, 9.49 (p. 556 Cornarius) and 11.11 (p. 608 Cornarius). Kühn prints
OPBAN-, a rare name (LGPN), but probably we have to do with the Lukian name Arbinas, cf.
Cambridge Ancient History, 2nd ed., v. 6 (1994) 214–215 and SEG 28.1245.
Fabricius (1726) 254, 451.
PTK
Arbitio (350 – 400 CE?)
Wrote in Latin a geographical work on Roman possessions, cited by the R
C: 4.3, 4.6–7, 4.9. The name is attested ca 350 – 400 CE: PLRE 1 (1971) 94–
- Cf. C, L, and M.
(*)
PTK
A- ⇒ A-
ARBINAS OF INDOS (LUKIA)