Joannes Sardianus, Commentarium in Aphthonii progymnasmata 150.2-4 (ed. Rabe)

Greek Learning Greek
1

Hello friends,

I’m trying another “easy” one. This is great fun!

JOANNES SARDIANUS, Uncertain dates

Ἀχ 390. Joannes Sardianus uses the Acheloios river as a geographic reference point.

Commentarium in Aphthonii progymnasmata 150.2-4 (ed. Rabe)

Ἀκαρνᾶνες
δὲ καὶ Ἀμβρακιῶται πρὸς τῷ Ἀχελῴῳ ποταμῷ καὶ τῇ
Ναυπακτίῳ κατοικοῦσι γῇ.

Molinari:

Acarnanians and Ambraciots also inhabit the land at the Achelous River and Naupactos.

Themata: Location: Aetolia/Akarnania

NOTES: nom. pl. / conjunction / nom. pl. / preposition / dative singular / dative singular / conjunction / dative singular / 3rd person plural / dative singular.

Question: do I include “also” because of the δὲ καὶ?

2

Even though κατοικοῦσι intrudes on it, τῇ Ναυπακτίῳ γῇ is separate, and governed by πρός (the verb is absolute here and couldn’t take a dative γῇ as an object). So I’d say that they “dwell right at the Achelous river and the Naupactian region.” And it could be “also”, like you say, if the geography fits better. But not knowing anything about the area, it makes me think they’re at the junction of the two.

3

Thank you, Joel, for the explanation.

4

Ambracia would be north of Akarnania but Naupaktos would be east, in Aetolia, unless there was more than one Naupaktos.

5

Looking at the map, I assume that he sees the Naupaktian region as extending west to the Achelous river. Also it’s possible that he’s going entirely by the Thucydidean description rather than a map.

6

Akarnanian borders shifted regularly, so I believe you are correct.