Dolopathos: Difference between revisions
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The following stories-as-evidence told by seven sages from Rome and eventually Virgil diverge from the expected pattern, in that the queen does not tell any stories in between the sages' tales. In addition to the omission of half the expected tales, ''Dolopathos'' is further distinguished by the unique collection of tales it ''does'' contain. The first story, [[Canis]], is the only embedded tale found across all major branches of the tradition; of the rest, two ([[Gaza]], [[Puteus]]) are part of all of the versions of the broad "Western" ''Seven Sages'' tradition (e.g., the [[H (Historia Septem Sapientum)|Historia]] and [[A (Seven Sages)|Version A]]). Of the others, seven are found nowhere else in the tradition, and several - [[Creditor]], [[Cygni]], and [[Polyphemus]] - have important links to broader European literary traditions, sometimes appearing here for the first time before their eventual widespread popularity. | The following stories-as-evidence told by seven sages from Rome and eventually Virgil diverge from the expected pattern, in that the queen does not tell any stories in between the sages' tales. In addition to the omission of half the expected tales, ''Dolopathos'' is further distinguished by the unique collection of tales it ''does'' contain. The first story, [[Canis]], is the only embedded tale found across all major branches of the tradition; of the rest, two ([[Gaza]], [[Puteus]]) are part of all of the versions of the broad "Western" ''Seven Sages'' tradition (e.g., the [[H (Historia Septem Sapientum)|Historia]] and [[A (Seven Sages)|Version A]]). Of the others, seven are found nowhere else in the tradition, and several - [[Creditor]], [[Cygni]], and [[Polyphemus]] - have important links to broader European literary traditions, sometimes appearing here for the first time before their eventual widespread popularity. | ||
|Has Title=Dolopathos | |Has Title=Dolopathos | ||
|Has Branch Of Tradition=Seven Sages of Rome | |Has Branch Of Tradition=Seven Sages of Rome | ||
|Has Language Of Version=Latin | |Has Language Of Version=Latin | ||
Latest revision as of 11:26, 23 February 2026
Dolopathos represents a unique version of the Seven Sages tradition. As outlined in Gilleland, the narrative opens with a lengthy preamble that sets the scene of the frame story in Sicily, whose king Dolopathos - meaning one who suffers great grief - is characterised as a beloved and benevolent ruler. His political enemies slander him to the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus, but Dolopathos travels to Rome and mounts an eloquent defence of the justice of his rule. Learning how beloved he is by his people, Augustus rules in Dolopathos' favour, and the two become friends; Augustus even gives Dolopathos his wife's sister (the daughter of Agrippa) in marriage, who bears him a son. The boy is foretold to rule Sicily, to suffer treachery, and to worship the greatest god - presaging the conversion to Christianity at the end of the text. The education of the prince Lucinius follows the pattern found in the Book of Sindbad narratives, in that a single sage - Virgil, in this case - educates him until he has mastered the arts and sciences. His vow of silence upon his return to the king's court is punctuated by his written communication; this does not stop his step-mother from accusing him of attempted rape after her failed seduction attempt.
The following stories-as-evidence told by seven sages from Rome and eventually Virgil diverge from the expected pattern, in that the queen does not tell any stories in between the sages' tales. In addition to the omission of half the expected tales, Dolopathos is further distinguished by the unique collection of tales it does contain. The first story, Canis, is the only embedded tale found across all major branches of the tradition; of the rest, two (Gaza, Puteus) are part of all of the versions of the broad "Western" Seven Sages tradition (e.g., the Historia and Version A). Of the others, seven are found nowhere else in the tradition, and several - Creditor, Cygni, and Polyphemus - have important links to broader European literary traditions, sometimes appearing here for the first time before their eventual widespread popularity.
Identification & General Information
Tradition & Lineage
Recorded Secondary Versions
Connected Manuscripts
Language & Composition
Modern Scholarship & Editions
Notes & Commentary
Pattern of Embedded Stories in This Version
| Has Short Title | Has Sequence Number | Has Narrator | Has Name Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canis – The Faithful Dog | 1 | First Master | |
| Gaza – The Treasure | 2 | Second Master | |
| Senes | 3 | Third Master | |
| Creditor | 4 | Fourth Master | |
| Viduae Filius | 5 | Fifth Master | |
| Latronis Filii | 6 | Sixth Master | |
| Polyphemus | 7 | Sixth Master | |
| Striges – The Bandit and the Demons | 8 | Sixth Master | |
| Cygni | 9 | Seventh Master |
Connected Prints
| Has Language | Has Location | Has Sort Date Of Print |
|---|