Zenobius 1.37

The cranes of Ibycus

Illustrated proverb 1.37

English

Proverb

The cranes of Ibycus

Explanation

said of those who, beyond expectation, are punished for their crimes. For Ibycus, while being murdered by robbers, saw cranes flying overhead and called them to witness. Some time later, the robbers, watching cranes flying over the theatre, said to one another, "The cranes of Ibycus!" — and being thus convicted, were punished.

Greek

Proverb

Αἱ Ἰβύκου γέρανοι

Explanation

ἐπὶ τῶν ἀπροςδοκήτος ἀφ’ ὧν ἥμαρτον κολασθέντων. Ἴβυκος γὰρ ὑπὸ λῃστῶν ἀναιρούμενος καὶ γεράνους ὑπεριπταμένας ἰδὼν ἐμαρτύρατο. Χρόνου δὲ προϊόντος οἱ λῃσταὶ ἐν θεάτρῳ θεώμενοι γεράνους ἱπταμένας πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἔλεγον, Αἱ Ἰβύκου γέρανοι. Εἶτα ἐκ τούτου ἁλόντες ἐκολάσθησαν.

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0098.tlg001.1st1K-grc1:1.37