HYMN TO ATHENA

THIS and the following hymn have no formula of transition to a rhapsody. Hence it is very doubtful whether the hymn was a prelude at a recitation at Athens or elsewhere. The cult of Athena πολιάς or πολιοῦχος was common to many Greek states (Farnell Cults i. p. 299).

e)rusi/ptolin: the epithet occurs in Il. 6.305 and xxviii. 3 of Athena. The suggestion (Ebeling, Gemoll) that the word is non boni ominis, making cities to fall, cannot be entertained. The first part of the word must be connected with ἐρύομαι, protect, although Leaf suggests that the original form was ῥυσίπτολις (so schol. A l.c.), ἐρυσίπτολις being coined on the mistaken analogy of ἐρυσάρματος (from ἐρύω draw).

The epithet recalls Athena πολιοῦχος (Pauly-Wissowa Athena 1946). The reference to περθόμεναι πόληες (3) does not negative this view; Athena goes forth with her own people (4) to sack the enemy's city.