Hi all
I’ve struggled quite a bit with various elements within the below passage. Background: Phalaris is recounting to the Delphic priests the measures he had to take to put down a conspiracy against his own leadership
ἐγὼ δὲ ἐνταῦθα ἤδη ὑμᾶς, ὦ Δελφοί, ἐπὶ τοῦ αὐτοῦ δέους νῦν τῷ λογισμῷ γενομένους ἀξιῶ περὶ τῶν τότε πρακτέων μοι συμβουλεῦσαι, ὅτε ἀφύλακτος ὀλίγου δεῖν ληφθεὶς ἐζήτουν τινὰ σωτηρίαν περὶ τῶν παρόντων.
I think I pretty much understand most of it now (see below) but I can’t find a meaning or direct translation for δεῖν (or why it should appear as an infinitive).
ἐγὼ δὲ ἐνταῦθα ἤδη ὑμᾶς | ἀξιῶ … at this point I ask of you
ἐπὶ τοῦ αὐτοῦ δέους | γενομένους … by coming into the same state of fear
νῦν τῷ λογισμῷ … at this moment in time by the power of reason
περὶ τῶν τότε πρακτέων μοι συμβουλεῦσαι … to council me regarding the affairs at that moment in time
ὅτε ἀφύλακτος ὀλίγου | ληφθεὶς … when, having been taken almost off guard
ἐζήτουν τινὰ σωτηρίαν περὶ τῶν παρόντων … i sought some kind of safety concerning those events
As ever, confirmation and/or elucidation would be much appreciated