Kandaules' Wife, Masistes' Wife: Herodotus' Narrative Strategy in Suppressing Names of Women (Hdt.1.8-12 and 9.108-113)
Citation: Classical Journal 101.3 (2006) 1-20
Abstract:
Herodotus frames his Histories with the logoi of Kandaules and Masistes: tales of tyrannical eros that compare in a number of well-documented ways. Herodotus' suppression of names for both Kandaules' and Masistes' wives has received little comment, however. By juxtaposing evidence from other Herodotean narratives concerning naming in general and the anonymity of women with evidence from Athenian oratory and comedy, I argue that Herodotus' suppression of names for these two wives is purposeful. The women's anonymity marks them with respect and exonerates them from culpability in the ultimate demise of the tyrants associated with them.