[Entry] κάττυμα/κάσσυμα (dubia lectio)

[Translation] «shoe sole»; metaphorically, the plural καττύματα designates a «musical mess»

[Source] [Plut .] De mus. 21, 1138b

[Other occurrences] hapax with metaphorical value (only in the pl.). In the sing.. vd., e.g., Hippoc. Epid. 5, 45; Ar. Ach. 301, Eq. 315 and 869, Vesp. 1160; Crates Com. 29, 4; Diosc. Med. Eup. 2, 30.

[Reference editions] TrGF 1, 78 T 3

[Brief discussion]

According to Carrara 2020, 115, it is a metaphor derived from the verb κασσύω “to sew with leather, to patch, to baste etc.”, in a sense that seems to occur only here.

[Bibliography]

P. CARRARA, ‘Poliido di Selimbria. Qualche precisazione sulla sua opera’, Prometheus 46, 2020, 115-116.

[Keywords]

Musical heterogeneity

[Francesco Buè]