El escudo, la serpiente y la mujer en Arquíloco 12 Adrados = 5 West

Abstract

This paper proposes a new interpretation of fragment 12 Adrados = 5 West by Archilochus. In my opinion, the hurling of the shield is not to be considered as a sign of disrespect of noble and traditional values or as an indication of cowardice. In fact, since aspis can also mean “viper” and, therefore, “woman” (misogynist conceptions compared the woman to a snake), we put forward a new reading, according to which Archilochus would have been proud of having got rid of what he considered a wicked girl. As the Cologne Epode contains a similar motif, it seems that this kind of sexist scorn was often treated in sympotic contexts, in which we can situate most of Archilochus’ poetry.