Ibycus and Diomedes

What is it about?

The fourth-century Latin grammarian Diomedes reports the otherwise unparalleled doctrine that the Latin onomastic system is derived from that of the Greeks. To sustain this view, he mentions the various names of some Greek heroes, some of which seem to be drawn from the lyric poet Ibycus of Rhegium. This poet is also mentioned when the grammarian needs to provide examples of some rare patronymics. These two references to Ibycus in Diomedes are extensively dealt with in this paper, in which we try to disentangle the arguments and intentions behind this strange doctrine, as well as the role Ibycus plays in it. The alleged possibility that Ibycus is not the archaic poet, but rather a later grammarian, is discussed and rejected. Possible sources for the doctrine are proposed.

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Why is it important?

It gives an original point of view about the attitude and knowledge of Roman grammarians in respect to Greek literature.