Talaria
The Talaria of Mercury (
Etymology
The Latin noun tālāria, neuter plural of tālāris signifies "of the ankle". It is not quite certain how the Romans arrived at the meaning of "winged sandals" from this, possibly that the wings were attached at the ankles, or the sandals were tied around the ankles.[1]
Attestations
In ancient Greek literature, the sandals of Hermes are first of all mentioned by Homer (ἀμβρόσια χρύσεια; ambrósia khrýseia, "immortal/divine and of gold"), though not described as "winged".[3][1][4]
The description of the sandals being winged first appear in the poem
According to one estimation, it was around 5th century BC when the winged sandals came to be regarded as common (though not indispensable) accoutrements of the god Hermes.[1] One later instance which refers to the sandals being winged is the Orphic Hymns XXVIII to Hermes (3rd century BC to 2nd century AD).[6][4]
Latin sources
The term talaria has been employed by Ovid in the 1st century, and prior to him, in perhaps eight instances by various Latin authors (Cicero, Virgil, etc.).[10] The term is usually construed as "winged sandals", and applied almost exclusively to the footwear worn by the god Hermes/Mercury or the hero Perseus.[11]
Medieval interpretation
In the case of the talaria worn by the swift runner
Also in the medieval Irish versions of the
Sometimes, it has been interpreted that Hermes feet are winged, rather that the wings being part of his sandals.[16]
In popular culture
In
In God of War III, Kratos forcibly takes the Boots of Hermes off the Messenger God's feet by cutting his legs off.[18]
In Terraria, the player can acquire the item Hermes' Boots, which increase the players movement speed.[19]
The American company Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company has a logo of the winged sandals of Mercury, Hermes’ Roman form.[20]
The brazilian football (soccer) team Paysandu Sport Club have a Talaria in the Logo.
The Pegasus Boots from the The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening are based off the Talaria.
See also
- EADS Talarion an unmanned air vehicle named after Talaria.
- Hermes also wears a winged petasos, a traveler hat. In other representations he wears a winged helmet.
- Caduceus, the staff of Hermes
Explanatory notes
- ^ However, the reading Atalanta as racing naked (as Anderson insists) is rejected in favor of a more "modest interpretation" by certain translators (F. Bernini 1943, T. Morino 1946), who perceive Atalanta as still clothed (in talaraia), which were seen to have "moved" (Italian: mossa) or were "tossed aside" (Italian: gettata via by her fast-moving feet.[13]
- feather cloak) of Old Norse texts.[14]
References
- Citations
- ^ a b c d Anderson (1966), p. 8.
- ^ Gantz, 541.
- ^ Homer, Odyssey, V, 44.
- ^ a b c Freedman (2014–2015), pp. 190–191.
- ^ Hesiod, Shield of Heracles, 220.
- ^ Orphic Hymn 28, v. 4
- ^ Gaius Julius Hyginus, Fables (LXIV) and Nonnus, Dionysiaca, (XIV, 270).
- ^ Aeschylus, The Phorkides, fr. 262 iv, v Radt.
- ^ Pherecydes, 3F11 Fragmente der griechischen Historiker, and the Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus), II, 4, 2.
- ^ Anderson (1966), p. 7.
- ^ Anderson (1966), p. 5.
- ^ Anderson (1966), pp. 1–2.
- ^ a b Anderson (1966), pp. 2–3.
- ^ )
- ^ eDIL, s.v. "énchendach". "bird-covering, feather mantle.. [but] in the following exx. the meaning seems transferred, wings, feathers; a winged thing.. rogab [Mercuir] a enceandaigh uime...┐ gabaid a luirg n-encheandaighi ina laim (i.e. the talaria and caduceus), Aen.[Imtheachta Aeniasa] 766–7 .. encennach Mercúir, cumma imthéit muir ┐ tír, LL 220 b26 = TTr. [Togail Troi] 258 ."
- ^ Wasson, Donald L (2018-11-06). "Mercury (Deity)". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
[...] his winged feet giving him the advantage of speed, and so was the patron of circulation in general - of people, goods and messages.
- ISBN 0-7868-5629-7.
- ^ "God of War: Every Greek God Kratos Meets In The Series". IGN.
- ^ "Terraria: How to Defend Against a Goblin Army". Screen Rant.
- ^ "Goodyear Corporate: The Origin of the Wingedfoot".
- Bibliography
- Anderson, William S. (1966). "Talaria and Ovid Met. 10.591". Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association. 97: 1–13. JSTOR 2935997.
- Freedman, Luba (2014–2015), "'Argicida Mercurius' from Homer to Giraldi and from Greek Vases to Sansovino", Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome 2014/2015, vol. 59/60, University of Michigan Press for the American Academy in Rome, pp. 181–254, JSTOR 44981977
- Gantz, Timothy (2004). Mythes de la Grèce archaïque, Berlin. pp. 541–543.
External links
- Media related to Talaria at Wikimedia Commons