Zenobius 5.64

Polycrates is allotting a mother

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English

Proverb

Polycrates is allotting a mother

Explanation

Duris mentions it. He says that Polycrates the Samian, having gathered the mothers of those who had died in the war, gave them to the rich citizens to support, saying to each: "I give you this mother." Whence the proverb gained currency.

Greek

Proverb

Πολυκράτης μητέρα νέμει

Explanation

μέμνηται ταύτης Δοῦρις· λέγει δὲ ὅτι Πολυκράτης ὁ Σάμιος τῶν ἐν τῷ πολέμῳ ἀποθανόντων τὰς μητέρας συναγαγὼν, δέδωκε τοῖς πλουσίοις τῶν πολιτῶν τρέφειν, πρὸς ἕκαστον λέγων ὅτι, Μητέρα σοι ταύτην δίδωμι, Ὅθεν ἡ παροιμία ἐκράτησεν.

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0098.tlg001.1st1K-grc1:5.64