HYMN TO HERACLES THE LION-HEARTED

As the epithet λεοντόθυμον is not elsewhere known in classical literature, Baumeister thinks that the present title is due to the Byzantines. But a similar compound λεοντόχλαινος occurs in Anth. Plan. iv. 94, and for the title Baumeister himself compares Il. 5.639 θυμολέοντα, of Heracles. There is no proof that the Byzantines contributed anything to the hymns. The variations in the titles of other hymns (xiii, xiv, xxiii, xxv, xxx, xxxiii) may have originated at a much earlier period. In any case the possible lateness of the title would prove nothing for the hymn itself, the date of which is quite uncertain.

Baumeister's view that the hymn is Attic (as Heracles was first worshipped in Attica, Diod.iv. 39) is a mere hypothesis.

There are the same apparent alternatives as in h. x. The versions are equally good, except that line 5 as it stands is imperfect; Ilgen's δέ will correct it. The other version contains no main verb and πολλὰ δ' ἀνέτλη is necessary; cf. note on h. Herm. 471.

7, 8. Cf. Od. 11.602 f. αὐτὸς δὲ μετ' ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι