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'''Arnê of Siphnos''' (''Ἄρνη'') is a mythologized princess of the ancient Greek island of [[Sifnos|Siphnos]], who according to legend betrayed her motherland, which was known for its wealth and fertility, after the legendary king [[Minos]] had bribed her with gold into supporting [[Crete]]. After she had accepted the bribe that "her greed demanded", Minos' troops attacked Siphnos. For this misdeed the gods punished her by turning her into a black-footed, black-winged [[Jackdaw|jackdaw]], and she would be forever attracted to golden and shining objects.
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{{dambigbox|text=This article is about the Greek traitress Arne, who is often also called '''Arne of Siphnos'''. For the mythical Greek nymph daughter of Aeolus see [[Arne (mythology)]].}}
'''Arne''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: '''Ἄρνη''') is a mythologized princess of an ancient Greek island, who according to legend betrayed her motherland, after the legendary king [[Minos]] had bribed her with gold into supporting [[Crete]]. After she had accepted the bribe that "her greed demanded", Minos' troops attacked the island. For this misdeed the gods punished her by turning her into a black-footed, black-winged [[Jackdaw|jackdaw]], and she would be forever attracted to golden and shining objects.


The only source on Arnê's story is [[Ovid]]'s mythological poem [[Metamorphoses (poem)|''Metamorphoses'']] from 8 BC.<ref>Publius Ovidius Naso, ''Metamorphoses'' [http://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidMetamorphoses7.html 7.465]</ref>
==Localization and chronology==
The only source on Arne's story is [[Ovid]]'s mythological poem [[Metamorphoses (poem)|''Metamorphoses'']] from 8 BC,<ref>Publius Ovidius Naso, ''Metamorphoses'' [http://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidMetamorphoses7.html 7.465–466]</ref> where—depending on the manuscript—her name is given as '''''Arne Sithonis''''' or '''''Arne Sithon''''' ("the Sithonian Arne", meaning "the Thracian Arne"; ''see below''). Attempts have been made to identify the island as [[Sifnos|Siphnos]] due to [[Paleograhpy|paleographical]] similarities,<ref>N. Heinsius, mentioned in G.L. Huxley, "Arne Sithonis", ''Classical Quarterly'' 32 (i), 1982, p. 159</ref> but no independent legend connects an ''Arne'' to Siphnos<ref>Still, the legend is readily popularized as a Siphnian story, especially in the local tourism industry.</ref> or any other island of the [[Cyclades]].<ref>Identifying the island as ''Cythnon'' is impossible, because Cythnon is already mentioned in Ovid, ''Metamorphoses'' [http://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidMetamorphoses7.html 7.464]</ref>


==Chronological problems==
Like ''Sithoniae (nurus)'',<ref>Publius Ovidius Naso, ''Metamorphoses'' [http://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidMetamorphoses6.html 6.588]</ref> ''Sithonios (agros)''<ref>Publius Ovidius Naso, ''Metamorphoses'' [http://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidMetamorphoses13.html 13.571]</ref> and ''Sithon'',<ref>Publius Ovidius Naso, ''Fasti'' [http://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidFasti3.html 3.719]</ref> ''Sithonis'' means "Thracian". Based on the original assumption of the legend's Cycladian origin (e.g. the island of Siphnos), the term ''Sithonis'' was doubted,<ref>W.S. Anderson (ed.), ''P. Ovidii Nasonis Metamorphoses'', Leipzig 1977, p. 161</ref> because it was believed for a long time that the [[Thracians]] had never been to the Cyclades.<ref>W.S. Anderson (ed.), ''Ovid's Metamorphoses Books 6–10'', Oklahoma, 1972, p. 294</ref> Huxley (1984) however has shown that ''Sithonis'' in this case refers to the inhabitants of [[Naxos]].
The connection of Arnê and Minos stands on shaky grounds. The first mention of Minos is probably in [[Homer]]'s [[Odyssey]],<ref>Homer, ''Οδύσσεια'' [http://perseus.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0136&layout=&loc=11.568 XI 568]</ref> usually dated to the late 8th century BC. In addition, Minos is said to have lived three generations before the [[Trojan War]] (i.e. ca. 1400 to 1300 BC).<ref>This in itself would pose a problem, if the sources are correct, which suggest that the colonization of Siphnos began around 1000–900 BC: [http://www.in2greece.com/english/places/summer/islands/sifnos.htm Sifnos tourist information].</ref> The abundant gold resources of Siphnos however are said to have lasted beyond the 6th century BC, so there would not have been any incentive for Arnê to betray her people for foreign gold, except due to a hypothetical early and temporary resource shortage on Siphnos. It is therefore probable that the story of Arnê's betrayal was either subject to ''réécriture'' by later Greek mythologists between 500 and 300 BC (or even later) or was relocated to Siphnos from a different region.


The possibility of a relocated legend might be substantiated by the fact that the word ''ἄρνη'' (''arnê'') usually referred to the [[Proto-Greek language|Proto-Greek]] term for Greek "cities of origin", which were situated in continental Greece, especially [[Boeotia]].<ref>See [[Arne#Geographic_names|Arne]] for a list of geographical places and the corresponding sources; a rehistorifying '''''hypothesis''''' could e.g. render "Arnê of Siphnos" as a personification of the inhabitants of a Boeotian ''ἄρνη'', who were expelled to Siphnos as a consequence of their political betrayal in an earlier continental conflict. Their island exile became a blessing due to the abundant and sustainable gold resources, which was then added to the original legend as a later redactional layer. King Minos would have become part of the legend as a historical anchor for the relocalization in the [[Aegean Sea|South-Aegean]] region. In this respect the political extremes between Boeotian and [[Attica|Attican]] Greeks might be of importance, the latter being characterized by their efforts to discredit Minos and the Boeotians alike by means of propaganda, defamation as well as historiographical and mythological ''réécriture''.</ref>
This origin was first proposed by Franz Börner,<ref>Franz Börner (ed.), ''P. Ovidius Naso, Metamorphosen Buch VI–VII'', Heidelberg 1976, pp. 315 & 317</ref> because Naxos (as the largest of the Cyclades) was missing in Ovid's extensive catalog of islands. In addition, Greek sources confirm that Thracians settled on Naxos for roughly two hundred years before they were replaced by [[Carians|Karian]] immigrants after a drought,<ref>[[Diodorus Siculus]] V 50.3 & V 51.3</ref> two generations before the time of [[Theseus]] and Minos. Further evidence for Thracian settlements on Naxos are found in the lost ''Naxiaka'' of Andriskos, a local Naxian historian. They told the story about the two Thracian plunderers from Naxos, Skellis and Agassamenos, who raided the [[Peloponnese]], the surrounding islands and eventually Thessaly. There they seized [[Iphimedia|Iphimede]], wife of [[Aloeus]], and her daughter Pankrato.<ref>Cf. Andriskos, ''Naxiaka'' Book II, in Parthenius of Nicaea, ''Narr. Am.'' 19 (''FGrHist'' 500 F2); see also Diodoros V 50.6–7</ref>


==References==
Therefore Huxley further suggests that ''Ἄρνη'' (''Arne'')—as a toponym of Thessalian "cities of origin"—could indicate that ''Arne Sithonis'' was a descendant of the women kidnapped by Skellis and Agassamenos and taken to Naxos. However, the word also denotes a Thracian place of origin.<ref>Steph. Byz. s.v., ''Ἄρνη'' (p. 124 1–2 Meinecke), in G.L. Huxley, "Arne Sithonis", ''Classical Quarterly'' 32 (i), 1982, p. 160</ref> In any case, ''Arne Sithonis'' was in all probability a survivor of the Thracian population of Naxos amongst the Karians. As a possible alternative, Ovid may have been following "a version of the myth in which Thracians—not Karians—were still ruling Naxos in the time of Minos".<ref>G.L. Huxley, "Arne Sithonis", ''Classical Quarterly'' 32 (i), 1982, p. 160</ref>
{{reflist}}
 
Huxley asserts that Ovid's mythographic or poetical source is unknown, but suggests [[Parthenius of Nicaea|Parthenius]], because the Greek poet mentioned the Thracians of Naxos. The fact that "Thracian [of Naxos]" hides behind Ovid's ''Sithonis'' shows that the Cretan king Minos had also captured the island of Naxos, probably after visiting [[Paros]].
 
==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Family tree of the Greek gods]]
*[[Arne (mythology)|Arne]], nymph daughter of Aeolus
 
*[[Arne]]
[[Category:CZ Live]]
*[[Arne (name)]]
[[Category:Classics Workgroup|Arnê of Siphnos]]

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This article is about the Greek traitress Arne, who is often also called Arne of Siphnos. For the mythical Greek nymph daughter of Aeolus see Arne (mythology).

Arne (Greek: Ἄρνη) is a mythologized princess of an ancient Greek island, who according to legend betrayed her motherland, after the legendary king Minos had bribed her with gold into supporting Crete. After she had accepted the bribe that "her greed demanded", Minos' troops attacked the island. For this misdeed the gods punished her by turning her into a black-footed, black-winged jackdaw, and she would be forever attracted to golden and shining objects.

Localization and chronology

The only source on Arne's story is Ovid's mythological poem Metamorphoses from 8 BC,[1] where—depending on the manuscript—her name is given as Arne Sithonis or Arne Sithon ("the Sithonian Arne", meaning "the Thracian Arne"; see below). Attempts have been made to identify the island as Siphnos due to paleographical similarities,[2] but no independent legend connects an Arne to Siphnos[3] or any other island of the Cyclades.[4]

Like Sithoniae (nurus),[5] Sithonios (agros)[6] and Sithon,[7] Sithonis means "Thracian". Based on the original assumption of the legend's Cycladian origin (e.g. the island of Siphnos), the term Sithonis was doubted,[8] because it was believed for a long time that the Thracians had never been to the Cyclades.[9] Huxley (1984) however has shown that Sithonis in this case refers to the inhabitants of Naxos.

This origin was first proposed by Franz Börner,[10] because Naxos (as the largest of the Cyclades) was missing in Ovid's extensive catalog of islands. In addition, Greek sources confirm that Thracians settled on Naxos for roughly two hundred years before they were replaced by Karian immigrants after a drought,[11] two generations before the time of Theseus and Minos. Further evidence for Thracian settlements on Naxos are found in the lost Naxiaka of Andriskos, a local Naxian historian. They told the story about the two Thracian plunderers from Naxos, Skellis and Agassamenos, who raided the Peloponnese, the surrounding islands and eventually Thessaly. There they seized Iphimede, wife of Aloeus, and her daughter Pankrato.[12]

Therefore Huxley further suggests that Ἄρνη (Arne)—as a toponym of Thessalian "cities of origin"—could indicate that Arne Sithonis was a descendant of the women kidnapped by Skellis and Agassamenos and taken to Naxos. However, the word also denotes a Thracian place of origin.[13] In any case, Arne Sithonis was in all probability a survivor of the Thracian population of Naxos amongst the Karians. As a possible alternative, Ovid may have been following "a version of the myth in which Thracians—not Karians—were still ruling Naxos in the time of Minos".[14]

Huxley asserts that Ovid's mythographic or poetical source is unknown, but suggests Parthenius, because the Greek poet mentioned the Thracians of Naxos. The fact that "Thracian [of Naxos]" hides behind Ovid's Sithonis shows that the Cretan king Minos had also captured the island of Naxos, probably after visiting Paros.

Notes

  1. ↑ Publius Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses 7.465–466
  2. ↑ N. Heinsius, mentioned in G.L. Huxley, "Arne Sithonis", Classical Quarterly 32 (i), 1982, p. 159
  3. ↑ Still, the legend is readily popularized as a Siphnian story, especially in the local tourism industry.
  4. ↑ Identifying the island as Cythnon is impossible, because Cythnon is already mentioned in Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.464
  5. ↑ Publius Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses 6.588
  6. ↑ Publius Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses 13.571
  7. ↑ Publius Ovidius Naso, Fasti 3.719
  8. ↑ W.S. Anderson (ed.), P. Ovidii Nasonis Metamorphoses, Leipzig 1977, p. 161
  9. ↑ W.S. Anderson (ed.), Ovid's Metamorphoses Books 6–10, Oklahoma, 1972, p. 294
  10. ↑ Franz Börner (ed.), P. Ovidius Naso, Metamorphosen Buch VI–VII, Heidelberg 1976, pp. 315 & 317
  11. ↑ Diodorus Siculus V 50.3 & V 51.3
  12. ↑ Cf. Andriskos, Naxiaka Book II, in Parthenius of Nicaea, Narr. Am. 19 (FGrHist 500 F2); see also Diodoros V 50.6–7
  13. ↑ Steph. Byz. s.v., Ἄρνη (p. 124 1–2 Meinecke), in G.L. Huxley, "Arne Sithonis", Classical Quarterly 32 (i), 1982, p. 160
  14. ↑ G.L. Huxley, "Arne Sithonis", Classical Quarterly 32 (i), 1982, p. 160

See also

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