Myc. ra-wa-ke-ta and Dor. λᾱγέτᾱς: Diachronic Semantics and Literary History
Abstract
This article examines the use of the Mycenaean titular term ra-wa-ke-ta 'leader of the people' (spelling lāwāgetās , continued mainly as Dor. λᾱγέτᾱς) in post-Mycenaean Greek literature, demonstrating the textual and semantic diachrony of this culturally important term through a detailed survey of its usage in the classical period in comparison with the Linear B materials. Following its peculiar absence in Homer and early epics, in Ibycus and Pindar the word lāwāgetās exhibits a semantic shift from its administrative and militaristic denotation as shown in the palace documents to being chiefly used as an epithet for mythical and heroic figures. The word is further attested in Sophocles fr.221 where the title is applied to a female character. We will conclude the discussion with a brief look at what traces of λᾱγέτᾱς are preserved in names and lexicography before it finally disappeared in the extant Greek materials
Downloads
Article download
Crossmark
License
In order to support the global exchange of knowledge, the journal Cuadernos de Filología Clásica. Estudios griegos e indoeuropeos is allowing unrestricted access to its content as from its publication in this electronic edition, and as such it is an open-access journal. The originals published in this journal are the property of the Complutense University of Madrid and any reproduction thereof in full or in part must cite the source. All content is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 use and distribution licence (CC BY 4.0). This circumstance must be expressly stated in these terms where necessary. You can view the summary and the complete legal text of the licence.
