Note 59 — Women in Greek Poetry

There is really no adequate reason for disbelieving the story in Ptol. Hephaest. iv. (Gale, Hist. poet. script. ant. p. 320; cf. Bergk. ad Stesich. Fr. 26.) What that story seems to imply is that Helen of Himera deserted the poet, who was thereby induced to moralise on the innate faithlessness of Helens in general. A subsequent reconciliation with the lady in question then led to the celebrated apology. The greater influence which women seem to have had over old men than over young, will already have been noticed in the cases of Alcman and Anacreon. The phenomenon could easily be explained, if it were necessary to explain it.—Vide e.g. Eur. Suppl. 1098 seqq.