- Source
- Polybius. Vols. 1-4. Büttner-Wobst, Theodor, editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1893.
- Translation
- AI-generated (gemini-3.5-flash) — machine translation; may contain errors
- Languages
- 日本語 · English · 简体中文 · 한국어
- CTS URN
- urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:22.22.1-22.22.5
- Generated
- Humanitext Reader · reader.humanitext.ai · 2026-11-10
A character sketch of Aristonicus, a eunuch of King Ptolemy of Egypt. Despite being a eunuch, he possessed a manly courage, military disposition, social capability, and a benevolent nature.
ὅτι Ἀριστόνικος ὁ τοῦ Πτολεμαίου τοῦ βασιλέως Αἰγύπτου εὐνοῦχος μὲν ἦν, ἐκ παιδίου δʼ ἐγεγόνει σύντροφος τῷ βασιλεῖ.
That Aristonicus, the eunuch of King Ptolemy of Egypt, had been from childhood a companion of the king.
τῆς δʼ ἡλικίας προβαινούσης ἀνδρωδεστέραν εἶχεν ἢ κατʼ εὐνοῦχον1 τόλμαν καὶ προαίρεσιν.
And as he advanced in age, he possessed a courage and purpose more manly than befitted a eunuch.
καὶ γὰρ φύσει στρατιωτικὸς ἦν καὶ τὴν πλείστην ἐποιεῖτο διατριβὴν ἐν τούτοις2 καὶ περὶ ταῦτα.
For he was by nature cut out for a soldier, and spent most of his time among such men and in these pursuits.
παραπλησίως δὲ καὶ κατὰ τὰς ἐντεύξεις ἱκανὸς ὑπῆρχε καὶ τὸν κοινὸν νοῦν εἶχεν, ὃ σπάνιόν ἐστι.
Likewise, he was also capable in social intercourse and possessed common sense, which is a rare thing.
πρὸς δὲ τούτοις πρὸς εὐεργεσίαν ἀνθρώπων πεφύκει καλῶς.
In addition to these qualities, he was naturally well disposed to doing good to his fellow men.
- 22.22.2ἢ κατʼ εὐνοῦχον
This is the construction 'ἤ + κατά + accusative' following a comparative adjective (ἀνδρωδεστέραν), meaning 'beyond what is in keeping with' or 'more than is suited to.' Here, it signifies 'more manly than what befitted a eunuch,' emphasizing qualities unexpected of a eunuch.
- 22.22.3ἐν τούτοις
The pronoun τούτοις (masculine plural) refers to 'soldiers' (στρατιῶται), implied by the preceding adjective 'soldierly' (στρατιωτικός). It stands in contrast with the subsequent neuter plural 'about these matters' (περὶ ταῦτα), illustrating that Aristonicus spent his time among military men as well as in military pursuits.
Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25) · Revision history (1, latest 2026-10-09)
- 2026-10-09 Collated with the printed edition — source 1