Philitas' alder, or the art of quotation (fr.10, p. 92 Powell)

Philitas fr. 10 is one of the very few pieces which seem to throw some light on the poet's technique and to give a sample of his poetological interests. What exactly is at stake in the poem, however, is rather controversial, and the true solution still seems to be sought. The present article discusses the readings hitherto proposed and attempts a new one which is based on the observation of some intertextual relations, apparently not yet noticed, to Homer.