SOURCE: Rose, H. J. “Pindar and Korinna.” The Classical Review 48, no. 1 (February 1934): 8.

In the following essay, Rose examines an insulting comment purportedly made by Pindar concerning Corinna's verse, suggesting that it was due to a misreading and that no slight was intended.

Mr. Bowra shows his usual good sense when he indicates surprise at the statement that Pindar called Korinna a sow.¹ I would go further and say that it is utterly incredible. Pindar was a gentleman; he owed Korinna gratitude, perhaps for good advice² and certainly for a handsome compliment³; why, then, should anyone suppose him capable of reviling his fellow-country-woman in a manner rather suggestive of Hipponax? But it is amusing to trace the genesis of this absurd tale.

Its author, so far as we know, is Aelian,⁴ and it is quite worthy of him, for without doubt he was one of the silliest writers who...