Der Pseudohomerische Hermes-Hymnus

English summary: The "Hymn to Hermes" stands out in the body of Pseudo-Homeric hymns for its peculiar and decidedly comic style of composition. With wit and imagination, the poet describes the childhood of Hermes, who discovers a lyre on the first day of his life, generally behaves in a mischievous manner, and makes off with the sacred cattle belonging to his brother, Apollo (cf. h 4.17-19). Recently the hymns of the Pseudo-Homeric collection have been regaining attention among...
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English summary: The "Hymn to Hermes" stands out in the body of Pseudo-Homeric hymns for its peculiar and decidedly comic style of composition. With wit and imagination, the poet describes the childhood of Hermes, who discovers a lyre on the first day of his life, generally behaves in a mischievous manner, and makes off with the sacred cattle belonging to his brother, Apollo (cf. h 4.17-19). Recently the hymns of the Pseudo-Homeric collection have been regaining attention among philological and historical scholars. In this commentary, which is developed for students and scholars alike, the author presents an argument for the dating of the hymn but also shows how deeply rooted it was in the early Greek era. Especially noteworthy is the explanation for the appearance of numerous intertextual references. The author also focuses on how the poet varies the myths and their protagonists as well as the characterization of Hermes. German description: Der Hermes-Hymnus sticht aus dem Corpus der Pseudohomerischen Hymnen durch seine einzigartige, dezidiert komische Gestaltungsweise hervor. Mit Witz und Phantasie erzahlt der Dichter aus der Kindheit des Hermes, der am ersten Tag seines Lebens die Lyra erfindet, allerlei Schabernack treibt und die Rinder seines Bruders Apollon entfuhrt (cf. h. 4, 17-19). Gerade in den letzten Jahren sind die Hymnen der Pseudohomerischen Sammlung wieder in den Blickpunkt von Philologie und Kulturgeschichte geruckt. In ihrem Kommentar, der sich gleichermassen an Studenten und Wissenschaftler richtet, schlagt die Autorin eine innovative Datierung des Hymnus vor, zeigt zugleich aber auch, wie tief er im fruhgriechischen Epos verwurzelt ist. Besonderer Wert wird auf die Erlauterungen der zahlreichen intertextuellen Bezuge gelegt. Weiter richtet die Autorin ihr Interesse darauf, wie der Dichter den Mythos variiert und seinen Protagonisten Hermes charakterisiert.