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[7arg] How the opinions of the Greeks differ as to the number of Niobe's children.


A STRANGE and indeed almost absurd variation is to be noted in the Greek poets as to the number of Niobe's children. For Homer says 1 that she had six sons and six daughters; Euripides, 2 seven of each; Sappho, 3 nine; Bacchylides 4 and Pindar, 5 ten; while certain other writers have said that there were only three sons and three daughters.

1 Iliad xxiv. 602.

2 Frag. 455, N2.

3 Frag. 143, Bergk.

4 Frag. 46, Blass2.

5 Frag. 65, Bergk.

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