W/W: Nannion & Bitto, Greek Anthology 5.207

Name: Asclepiades Date:   3rd century BCE Region:    Samos [modern Greece] Citation:    Greek Anthology 5.207

Nannion & Bitto from Samos refuse to follow the laws of Venus

that the goddess herself has decreed,

and instead want to do things [that are not good].

Blessed Venus, look down with hatred

on those who avoid your rules!

 

Αι Σάμιαι Βιττό και Νάννιον εις Αφροδίτης 

Φοιταν τους αυτής ουκ εθέλουσι νόμοις 

Εις δ έτερ αυτoμoλoύσιν ά μη καλά δεσπότι Κύπρι 

Μίσει τας κοίτας τας παρά σοι φυγάδας.

Nannion & Bitto Samiae celebrare recusant

Legibus his Venerem, quas Venus ipsa dedit,

Et cupiunt quae [non bona sunt], tu fugitivas

Detestare tui foederis alma Venus.

Translated into Latin by Hugo Grotius

 Asclepiades of Samos was a Greek lyric poet from the 3^rd century BCE. His works are preserved in the Greek Anthology, a collection of Greek lyric poetry that spans numerous genres, topics, and authors.