Abstract

The fragment 140 a S.-M. = G 8 Ruth. is likely to deal with two different feats of Herakles. The lines b 21–b 33 seem to concern Cycnus (ξενοδαΐκτης βασιλεύς), an impious hero killed by Herakles by order of Apollo (the identifications of the ξενοδαΐκτης βασιλεύς with Laomedon or with an anonymous king of Paros are extremely unlikely). The rest of the fragment seems to concern the beginning of Herakles’ expedition against Laomedon. I think Pindarus presupposes a legend according to which Herakles spent the most part of his life in Thebes; such an interpretation might explain both the obscure expression πέραν ἰσϑμὸν διαβαίς and other details. The opinion the fragment belonged to the Paianes is in my view right.