Were Homeric Glosses Part of School Education in Fifth-century Athens? New Interpretation of Aristophanes’ Daitales fr. 233

The article revisits Aristophanes’ Daitales fr. 233 which is often taken as (the only) evidence of Homeric glosses being drilled by Athenian youth part their school education in 5th c. BC. author discusses detail the context Aristophanic citation Galen’s work, state text fragment and its modern interpretations. In fact, nothing itself directly suggests that learning was traditional Athens. On contrary, it can be argued Aristophanes presented linguistic innovations intellectuals studying them sophists. parallels between Clouds, well Plato’s Kratylos other fifth-century texts must into account when interpretingthe dialogue Father his Son 233. As a conclusion, characters should interpreted differently: Old Man this episode play not opposing sophistic teachings, but rather using these argument an instrument to demonstrate Licentious ignorance. latter apparently follower sophists defends himself with more practical knowledge legal terms.