Polybius · The Histories §27.12.1

The Character and Talents of King Cotys of Thrace

Passage 1084 of 1311 · Greek

Summary

Describes the striking appearance, military talent, and noble character of King Cotys of Thrace, which was far from the typical image of a Thracian.

§27.12.1ὅτι ὁ Κότυς ἦν ἀνὴρ καὶ κατὰ τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν ἀξιόλογος καὶ πρὸς τὰς πολεμικὰς χρείας διαφέρων, ἔτι δὲ κατὰ τὴν ψυχὴν πάντα μᾶλλον ἢ Θρᾷξ· καὶ γὰρ νήπτης ὑπῆρχε καὶ πρᾳότητα καὶ βάθος ὑπέφαινεν ἐλευθέριον.

Cotys was a man notable in appearance and distinguished in military affairs, and furthermore in character anything but a Thracian; for he was sober and displayed a gentleness and depth of mind worthy of a free man.

Notes

§27.12.1πάντα μᾶλλον ἢ — An idiomatic expression meaning "anything rather than," which functions as a strong negation ("far from being," "anything but"). Here it emphasizes that Cotys was entirely different from the typical Thracian, who was stereotypically seen as wild and prone to heavy drinking.
§27.12.1ἐλευθέριον — A neuter singular adjective meaning "worthy of a free man" or "noble." It modifies both the feminine noun πρᾳότητα and the neuter noun βάθος. Its neuter singular form either agrees with the closer noun βάθος, or modifies the combined concept of the two nouns as a single abstract neuter concept.

Cite this passage

Polybius, The Histories §27.12.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:27.12.1

Please note the AI-draft status of the translation and the date accessed.

Translation, notes and summary are AI-generated drafts, revised through reader feedback.