11-27-2009, 05:21 AM
Quote:Why would early 20th century translators, etc., be bias in favor of the Spartan royal bodyguard on such a vast scale, so as to emend the original texts because they intrinsically desire the Hippeis to be presented in a way which glorifies them out of (relative) proportion? That was a rhetorical question. Mistakes are not always a result of some agenda behind them. But I disagree.
You misunderstand my use of the word "bias". There is no implication of a sinister laconophilic aggenda. I am simply stating that early translators mistakenly translated Hippeis as "Royal Guard," based on the scanty evidence we have been discussing here that places them near the King at a few battles and probably influenced as well by a knowledge of later Macedonian practice. This mistake was then propogated into future translations. Thus the translation was biased by precedent towards "guard" and away from something like "picked men."
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
