Philitas, Theocritus, and thorny plants: a reconsideration of their relationship

Abstract

The paper aims to reconsider the still unsettled issue of the Theocritus-Philitas relationship. Thorny plants are a natural device for poetological implications. In his use of words denoting thorny plants Theocritus displays both his awareness of and differentiation from Philitas and, therefore, calls into doubt the possibility of a straightforward positive relationship and influence. The poems under consideration are: Philitas fr. 18 Sb. = 20 Sp.; fr.12 Sb. = 25 Sp.; Idylls 1, 4, 7, 1.