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Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica cover

Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica

Chapter 87: THE CERCOPES
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About This Book

A collection of archaic Greek poetry combines didactic and cosmogonic works that outline the origins and genealogy of the gods while offering practical and moral precepts related to farming, justice, and daily life. Fragmentary genealogies, heroic remnants, and a descriptive shield-poem supplement these with mythic narratives and episodic catalogues of women and heroes. A suite of hymns and shorter homerica — including epigrams, epic-cycle fragments, burlesque pieces, and a poetic contest — presents invocations and brief mythic accounts alongside playful parody and material connected to cult and ritual practice.

THE CERCOPES

Fragment #1—Suidas, s.v.: Cercopes. These were two brothers living upon the earth who practised every kind of knavery. They were called Cercopes 3501 because of their cunning doings: one of them was named Passalus and the other Acmon. Their mother, a daughter of Memnon, seeing their tricks, told them to keep clear of Black-bottom, that is, of Heracles. These Cercopes were sons of Theia and Ocean, and are said to have been turned to stone for trying to deceive Zeus.

‘Liars and cheats, skilled in deeds irremediable, accomplished knaves. Far over the world they roamed deceiving men as they wandered continually.’