Aristofane, nomi in commedia (Parte II). Nomi ed enigmi (non troppo oscuri), due casi di studio: Pistetero e Prassagora, Uccelli e Donne in assemblea

Abstract

The study focuses on the name of Πεισθέταιρος, the protagonist of The Birds, and on the name Πραξαγόρα, the protagonist of the Ecclesiazusae. The motif of trust-loyalty, present in the main turning points of the Birds, is to be preferred over the prevailing conjecture of Πεισθέταιρος, which highlights only the notion o persuasion-obedience. The references in Ecclesiazusae to the feast of the Skirophoria and Panathenaia recall, in a parodic key, Euripides’ Erechtheus, and the name Πραξιθέα sounds like a comic version of Πραξιθέα, the tragic queen who sacrifices her daughter.