TY - JOUR

T1 - Sophocles OT 809: An Insult or an Attempted Murder?

AU - Алмазова, Нина Александровна

PY - 2025/4/1

Y1 - 2025/4/1

N2 - The paper analyzes the encounter between Laius and his son at the crossroads (Soph. OT 802–813) in order to decide whether Oedipus is guilty of killing in excess of self-defense. The measure of danger to his life depends on the weapon, διπλα κξντρα, used by Laius to strike him on the head. On the basis of both literary and iconographical evidence, it is argued that this was, in fact, a double whip rather than a goad, and therefore striking with it was insulting, but not perilous. Furthermore, the way in which Laius travelled is clarified, and his τροχηλατης is shown to be the same person as κηρυξ and ηγεμων, walking ahead and controlling the animals in harness.

AB - The paper analyzes the encounter between Laius and his son at the crossroads (Soph. OT 802–813) in order to decide whether Oedipus is guilty of killing in excess of self-defense. The measure of danger to his life depends on the weapon, διπλα κξντρα, used by Laius to strike him on the head. On the basis of both literary and iconographical evidence, it is argued that this was, in fact, a double whip rather than a goad, and therefore striking with it was insulting, but not perilous. Furthermore, the way in which Laius travelled is clarified, and his τροχηλατης is shown to be the same person as κηρυξ and ηγεμων, walking ahead and controlling the animals in harness.

KW - Greek tragedy

KW - Sophocles

KW - excess of self-defense

KW - goad

KW - whip

KW - “Oedipus the King”

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/e4ad189a-754e-3aad-a8d8-f4943f02f1d9/

U2 - 10.25162/hermes-2025-0011

DO - 10.25162/hermes-2025-0011

M3 - Article

VL - 153

SP - 159

EP - 170

JO - Hermes (Germany)

JF - Hermes (Germany)

SN - 0018-0777

IS - 2

ER -