Hapax omerici e nicandrei nel Carmen de viribus herbarum: nel laboratorio di un anonimo poeta del III secolo d.C.

Abstract

The phenomenon of hapax legomena has been the subject of extensive debate since ancient times, resulting in various interpretations based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Given the difficulties involved in defining hapax, this paper will examine some Homeric and Nicandrean examples in the Carmen de viribus herbarum, a didactic poem dated to around the 3rd century CE. In this way, we will try to ascertain how the Homeric and Nicandrean models were employed by the anonymous author of this text, either intentionally or unintentionally.