Χαίρετε!
In the 2nd chapter of the Italian edition of Athenaze, in the section named “Ο ΔΟΥΛΟΣ ΑΡΓΟΣ ΕΣΤΙΝ”, the following passage reads:
Ὁ μὲν γὰρ ἀγρὸς καλὸς ἐστι
What does this combination, μὲν γάρ, means? The LSJ says that in this case, each particle maintains its meaning, but I’m not sure if “For indeed the field is beautiful…” would be a correct interpretation, given the context (the slave is complaining that his owner is too harsh on him).
Thanks for the help!
-John
Sometimes, as here, μέν goes without an answering δέ. The μέν and the γάρ function independently of each other as usual. We can follow the development of thought well enough, with “the field” (ὁ μὲν ἀγρός) being the main topic.
σὺ δὲ δεσπότης χαλεπὸς εἶ. ὁ μὲν γὰρ ἀγρὸς καλός ἐστι καὶ πολὺν σῖτον παρέχει· σὺ οὖν σπεύδεις πρὸς τὸν ἀγρόν, καὶ τοὺς βοῦς ἐλαύνεις, καὶ τὸ ἄροτρον λαμβάνεις. σὺ μὲν γὰρ εἶ δεσπότης, καὶ τὸν ἀγρὸν μάλα φιλεῖς· ἐγὼ δὲ δοῦλός εἰμι, καὶ οὐ μάλα φιλῶ τὸν ἀγρόν.
"You’re a harsh master. For the field(μὲν) is nice and very productive, so you’re keen to get there and you take the plow. For you’re the master and you really like the field. But I’m a slave and don’t really like the field.”