Title
The Grammaticalization of Daimonie at Iliad 24.194
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2013
Department 1
Classics
Abstract
Homer’s use of the address form δαιµονίη for Hekabe at Iliad 24.194, has been particularly troublesome, and these problems have remained largely unresolved because the word’s etymology, its later use, and its generally negative tone contrast with the otherwise non-confrontational tone of Priam’s speech at Il.24.194-9. This mismatch has led to a wide range of interpretations, and no general consensus. In this paper I argue that the term here appears to be undergoing grammaticalization in the direction of a discourse particle, and as such does not characterize the addressee but the context of Priam’s subsequent speech. Although use of the term by later authors shows that this process was terminated, nevertheless, the development of δαιµόνιε proposed here patterns with that of other divine address forms such as Latin mehercule! and edepol!, French mon Dieu!, English oh my God!, etc. which have come to function like other discourse particles such as wow!
DOI
10.1163/1568525X-12341203
Recommended Citation
Brown, H. Paul. "The Grammaticalization of Daimonie at Iliad 24.194.” Mnemosyne 66 (2013), 1-18.
Comments
Original version is available from the publisher at: http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/1568525x-12341203