THE SECOND PYTHIAN ODE.
TO THE SAME HIERO, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE CHARIOT RACE.
ARGUMENT.
Pindar begins this ode with an address to Syracuse, declaring that he brings her a hymn on account of Hiero's victory.—The merits of the victor justly demand this tribute.—By way of illustration, he digresses to the story of Ixion, who repaid the benefits received from Jupiter by base ingratitude, and when placed on the wheel, uttered a memorable saying, in order to deter men from such conduct: this leads to the fabulous birth and history of Centaurus.—The poet then adds various moral sentiments, with a view of confirming the moral truth deduced from this narration, and repels the odious charge of having slandered his patron and benefactor, from which the example of Archilochus would be sufficient to deter him.—Then follow the praises of Hiero, especially on account of his wisdom, and the glory of his martial exploits, in the assistance which he rendered to his brother Gelon, whom Hiero succeeded on the throne of Syracuse, in his contest with the Carthaginians.—In conclusion, he subjoins various precepts and admonitions, especially warning him not to lend an ear to the voice of adulation.
Oh Syracuse! in whom combine
Four towns their might to furnish thine, [1]
Mars' loved abode—of generous steeds,
And men renown'd for martial deeds,
The fostering nurse divine— 5
To thee from splendid Thebes I come,
And bear the grateful tidings home,
- ↑ These towns are thus enumerated by the scholiast: Acradina, Neapolis, Tyche, Epipolæ: justly, therefore, might the poet address Syracuse by the epithet μεγαλοπολιες.
