Classical Outlook
 

Someday there will be two tiny translations of mine from Archaic and Hellenistic Greek in the Classical Outlook (published by the American Classical League). "Phocylides" (born ~ 550 BC) is the 'author of record', but the actual Phocylides is definitely not the author of at least one of these for sure (post 325 BC Hellenistic metrics in the original).

There was more than one imitator of Phocylides, and the later imitator I translate might even be poking fun at another, tedious imitator.

The other one I translate could be genuinely archaic, but it lacks what some still think is the acme of authorship proof: an authorial statement in the text that so-and-so wrote it. Alas, that kind of 'proof' is child's play to pirate.

(Here is another great book, by the way: The Yogi Book: I Really Didn't Say Everything I Said.)

It's interesting how well-intentioned or ill-intentioned or just lame-intentioned forgeries show up in the oldest, most revered, stuff. By "forgeries", I include what might be called pious frauds that are labelled as the work of a grand name to give them gravitas they wouldn't have otherwise and to assimilate them into the canon of that name. Anyone interested can send me an email personal message and I'll reply with at least three other examples that might surprise you from three different traditions. Some, of course, are aware that Plato's name was exploited this way. There are names of revered fish perhaps bigger than that of Plato on the list of the abused.

Confess, Alan. It sounds a lot like you, but someone else wrote this post, didn't they? ;) All the same, congrats!

Best,

Ed

P.S. Huge apologies for misspelling your name, Allen. -- Eed

Eed, how could you doubt me so faithlessly? It was writ by someone called Allen.

The time has come, the Allen said.
Let people call me what I dread.
My name is  Allen, but there are those
Who have a reflex in their toes
To spell it other. Why should I frown?
None really lusts to do me down.
And they might honor, in a way,
My noisy yarp. I shouldn't say.
So spell me my way, or err in theirs,
We'll ease along and be confrères.

Some very big double-domes think the fraudster in the first post was a celebrated antient wit.

Revised last post in honor of Ed Shacklee, and bumparoo.

That's awesome, Allen--I love that mag. It published some of my favorite, classically themed stuff. You should also try submitting to Arion.

Congratulations, Allen. If you're looking through the archives check out my translation of "Lesbia, Vivamus me" by Catullus. The only poem I've published in Classical Outlook and one of the first thing I published. Congratulations on this achievement.

dwl;

Thank you both, David and Aaron.

Aaron, that's an energizing thought. I don't know if I've yet tanked up enough Delta-v to orbit Arion. But I will keep it in mind. If Phocylides be here, can a sophist be far behind?

David, looks interesting to investigate! Thanks!

Congrats, Allen. I love the "Allen" ditty! (My ex- was an "Alan," also a classicist!)

Charlotte