A Rudimentary Motif in Greek Epic (Pylos Combat Agate and the Iliad 3. 369–376)

In 2015, Jack Davis and Sharon Stocker, while excavating the so-called “Tomb of a warrior with griffin”, discovered an agate seal extraordinarily detailed depiction combat scene. It shows armed sword only, bending over his adversary’s shield, grabbing him by crest helmet using it as leverage to render absolutely powerless. The article studies image on Pylos reflection early epic narrative. is shown that account between Menelaus Paris in Iliad (3. 369–376) elaboration traditional narrative was preserved text rudimentary motif (following Th. Zelinsky’s terminology). comparison this allows us comment Homeric episode new way, insofar preserves description type use 16th–15th centuries BCE. This would have permitted adversary turn helmeted warrior’s head way depicted agate. noteworthy begins “were not for…”, negating version events basis earlier As result, we are able reconstruct several fragments heroic epos going back Mycenaean times, unsurprisingly connected (as already surmised Ruijgh) Peloponnesus 17th–15th