My name is John Mellor. My main interest(for this forum) is to be around as much ancient greek language and history as possible. I’ve been a commercial fisherman for over 40 years, mostly out of San Fransisco and although I’ve long had a strong desire to do classics (I live next door to UC Berkeley), I’ve never had the resources to go all in for school.
I went to Greece just before the pandemic, with the idea of learning in an organic way, and spent a month on the island of Ikaria, and a couple of weeks in Athens. I’ve taught myself the alphabet, and converse regularly with friends I met there on messenger (with the help of google translator) so am getting more comfortable with the written language.
I’ve read many many things in translation, but now am going strictly with the Loeb as I can read the ancient text, or at least try to sound it out and pick out the names and words I know, and I enjoy the antiquated translations.
I don’t really have the bandwidth for formal classes or study guides currently, and I appreciate the chance to follow the discussions and ask questions if they arise..
the first one being why is Hermes called Argeiphontes (in The Odyssey) and what does it mean?
(I need to figure out how to use greek script and punctuation on my phone) (it is capitalized in translation but not the original)
Thanks, John
slayer of Argos, got it
I envy you your time on Ikaria, where I’ve never been but have long wanted to.
Αργειφοντης is an old and rather mysterious epithet of Hermes, traditionally (but wrongly) taken to mean “Argos-slayer”— φον- supposedly being cognate with φονος “murder” and Argos (not the place but a proper name) being a multi-eyed creature that Hera set to keep an eye (or eyes) on Io, who tried, as many young women did, to escape Zeus’ sexual attentions. It’s complicated. 
as I think ponder the label neophyte:
After Socrates
you go ahead I’ll follow, and consider the psychological ramifications
as long as I’m alive
and you’re alive
I am your student
thanks, I figured it was elusive for the translators, or it wld have been like rosy fingered dawn etc.
I want study epithets more as they seem to be regional -i.e at Nas in Ikaria there are ruins of a temple of Artemis Tauropolos - bull tamer perhaps?
a friend says Aργοκτόνος is accurate