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Bacchylides

An Ancient Greek lyric poet, Bacchylides's poems had originally only survived in fragments until the end of the nineteenth century. Two papyrus roles were discovered and held fifteen epinician odes and six dithyrambs.

Nyx survives in some of his fragments


Ode 7 is a fragmented piece, but a great deal is still there. The beginning shows the coupling of Khronos and Nyx and declares Hemera as their offspring.

"VII.
For the same.

Radiant daughter (Hemera) of Time (Khronos) and Night (Nyx), the fifty months have brought thee, sixteenth day of the month at Olympia; [thee, to whom by Alpheus, near the tomb of Pelops who rejoices in blood-offerings, it has been allotted] to give judgement for the Greeks on pre-eminence in speed of foot and strength of limb. To whomsoever thou awardest the foremost prize of victory, his name is henceforth famous and admired among men. And now thou hast given the honours of the wreath to Lachon, son of Aristomenes..."


The next is a fragment that features Nyx and names a daughter of her. I almost skipped over it because the text was in original Greek. While it is not distinctly translated in the book, it still has the translation down in the notes below.

"23. [B. 40: Bl. 31.]

Torch-bearing Hecate (Hekate), daughter of dark-bosomed Night (Nyx)."


Another translation source of these fragments comes from a book called "Complete Poems".

"7 Olympian Ode for Lachon of Ceos
(Boy's Foot Race)

Brilliant Daughter (Hemera) of Time (Khronos) and Night (Nyx),
Sixteenth Day at Olympus,
Led by Zeus of the rumbling thunder
Fifty moons command you
To choose the first of Hellenes
In heats of springing feet,
And the first for strength of the lithe limbs.

Whomever you grant the prize
Of triumph pat all ranks,
Goes among men with the name
Of praise and admiration.
When you wreathed
Aristomenes' son.
An invincible cure,
Proof against death
That muffles the lips,
Pierced through Chaerolas' barrowing tomb...."


"IB Hymn to Hecate

'Hecate who holds her torch on high,
Daughter of Night with the deep breasts. ...'"





Book sources:
Bacchylides. Bacchylides: The Poems and Fragments. Richard Claverhouse Jebb. University Press. 1905.
Bacchylides. Complete Poems. Translation by Robert Fagles. Yale University Press. 1998.



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