Note 183 — ARRIAN ON COURSING.
William Dansey translation
Τῇ Θεῷ. Diana ἀγροτέρα, or Venatrix.
Homer. Iliad. φʹ.
Homer. Hymn. in Dian.
—— πότνια θηρῶν Ἄρτεμις ἀγροτέρη. ἡ κατ’ ὄρη σκιόεντα καὶ ἄκριας ἠνεμόεσσας ἀγρῇ τερπομένη παγχρύσεα τόξα τιταίνει.
So, in the Anacreontic Λιτανεία,
γουνοῦμαι σ’ ἐλαφηβόλε, Ξανθὴ, παὶ Διὸς, ἀγρίων δέσποιν’, Ἄρτεμι, θηρῶν.
Polluc. Onom. L. v. c. i. 13.
By Pollux the worshipful goddess is variously called ἀγροτέρα, καὶ κυνηγέτις, καὶ φιλόθηρος, καὶ ὀρεία. For the popular belief respecting her many vocations, see Callimach. H. in Dian. How graphically is she decked out, in all her sylvan trim, by Nemesian, in the following address to her, to aid, with her many sporting associates, the essay of his Cynegetical Muse!
Nemesian. Cyneg. 86.
Tu modo quæ saltus placidos silvasque pererras Latonæ, Phœbe, magnum decus, eja age suetos Sume habitus, arcumque manu: pictamque pharetram Suspende ex humeris: sint aurea tela, sagittæ: Candida puniceis aptentur crura cothurnis: Sit chlamys aurato multum sub tegmine lusa, Corrugesque sinus gemmatis baltheus arctet Nexibus: implicibus cohibe diademate crines. Tecum Naiades faciles, viridique juventâ Pubentes Dryades, Nymphæque, unde amnibus humor, Adsint, et docilis decantet Oreadas Echo. Duc age, Diva, tuum frondosa per avia vatem. Te sequimur: tu pande domos et lustra ferarum.
See Lucian’s Deorum Dialogi, Venus et Cupido, for the pursuits of Diana; and for several elegant representations of her in her sporting attire, see Montfaucon, Tom. i. perrier, tab. 64. goltzii numismata græciæ, &c. tab. vii. f. 1. Insular Medals, Tab. xvii. f. 1. morell. tab. xv. passerii tom. iii. Tab. 88. &c. A few of the most classic gems and medals have been faithfully copied in outline by Mr. Haghe from the antique, and annexed to this work; they are taken from Montfaucon, who had previously borrowed them from La Chausse and Beger.
The translation of Mr. Blane does not extend beyond this Chapter.