What is the significance behind this particular arrangement of the definite articles?

Greek Learning Greek
1

“τοὺς γέροντας λιποῦσαι ἥκομεν σύμπαντας τοὺς ῥήτορας τοὺς κεκλοφότας δώρων γραψόμεναι.”

“After having left the old men, we have come in order to indict all the orators, (the ones) who have stolen, of bribery.”

For example, could we have said;

Alt. 1-“τοὺς γέροντας λιποῦσαι ἥκομεν σύμπαντας ῥήτορας τοὺς κεκλοφότας δώρων γραψόμεναι.”

Alt. 2-“τοὺς γέροντας λιποῦσαι ἥκομεν σύμπαντας τοὺς ῥήτορας κεκλοφότας δώρων γραψόμεναι.”

Alt. 3-“τοὺς γέροντας λιποῦσαι ἥκομεν σύμπαντας ῥήτορας τοὺς κεκλοφότας δώρων γραψόμεναι.”

Alt. 4-“τοὺς γέροντας λιποῦσαι ἥκομεν σύμπαντας ῥήτορας κεκλοφότας δώρων γραψόμεναι.”


And what would be the difference(s) between these?

2

The bottom of page 92, H&Q, very briefly mentions the three possible positions of the attributive adjective versus the head noun, but doesn’t explain much at all, besides saying that it is to do with emphasis.

Smyth, sections 1157, 1158, and 1159, gives a little more on the three possible positions of the attributive adjective versus the head noun, and the relation to emphasis.