Metapoetics, Poetic Tradition, and Praise in Pindar Olympian 9

Scholarly discussions of Pindar's Olympian 9 normally examine the opening reference to Archilochus' kallinikos hymn, the mythical exemplum of Heracles' theomachy, and the narrative of the foundation of Opus separately. The present study will attempt to examine these references together, as forming a dynamic whole. As will become clear, such an approach can provide a more successful reading of the poem because it accounts better for its constituent parts, better integrates metapoetry and poetry throughout, and offers valuable insights into Pindar's attitude towards previous poetry and tradition in general.(1))