Zenobius 2.91

Glaucus' craft

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English

Proverb

Glaucus' craft

Explanation

either of things easily wrought, or of things wrought with utmost care and skill. For a certain Hippasus made four bronze discs so that their diameters were equal, but the thickness of the first was four-thirds of the second, three-halves of the third, and double the fourth, and when struck they produced a certain harmony. And Glaucus is said to have been the first to perceive the notes of the discs.

Greek

Proverb

Γλαύκου τέχνη

Explanation

ἢ ἐπὶ τῶν ῥᾳδίως κατεργαζομένων, ἢ ἐπὶ τῶν πάνυ ἐπιμελῶς καὶ ἐντέχνως εἰργασμένων. Ἵππασος γάρ τις κατεσκεύασε χαλκοῦς τέτταρας δίσκους οὕτως, ὥστε τὰς μὲν διαμέτρους αὐτῶν ἴσας ὑπάρχειν, τὸ δὲ τοῦ πρώτου δίσκου πάχος ἐπίτριτον μὲν τοῦ δευτέρου, ἡμιόλιον δὲ τοῦ τρίτου, διπλάσιον δὲ τοῦ τετάρτου, καὶ κρουομένους ἐπιτελεῖν συμφωνίαν τινά. Καὶ λέγεται Γλαῦκον ἰδεῖν τοὺς ἐπῖ τῶν δίσκων φθόγγους πρῶτον.

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0098.tlg001.1st1K-grc1:2.91