On the Alleged dativus ethicus in Pindar

Abstract

The article deals with six Pindaric passages where a dativus ethicus is supposed to be used by the poet. After a brief re-examination of Pind. Ol. 6.22-25, 9.35-39, 10.1-2, Pyth. 1.59, and Parth. fr. 94b.66 M., and on the grounds of a more detailed analysis and reconsideration of the traditional exegesis of Is. 5.38-39 it may be concluded that such rhetorical device never occurs; by contrast, the dative in these passages rather fulfills the common and specific syn­tactic function of either commodi, termini, or object.