Wilfred MAJOR Farting for Dollars: Agyrrhios in Aristophanes Wealth 176

Early in Aristophanes' Wealth, Khremylos and his slave Karion are trying to persuade the blind god of Wealth that he is the mightiest of all divinities. Among Karion's proofs is that *A)GU/RRIOS D' OU)XI\ DIA\ TOU=TON PE/RDETAI; (176). Precisely why Agyrrhios should fart on account of wealth has eluded critics and commentators. While modern scholars have long recognized that the scholia to this line contain no reliable information, interpretations still rely on the scholiasts' best guesses. Other passages in comedy, however, suggest that farting here refers not directly to his excessive wealth, as is generally supposed, but to his activity as a corrupt orator.

Comparison of Agyrhhios with his philoi (Kallimedon, Kallistratos, Philepsios), and with other public speakers in Greek comedy (e.g., Theogenes, Thoudippos, Kephisodorus) shows some consistent patterns. First, these speakers tend to be revolting to the public, although that is a bias against many political figures in Greek comedy. Second, the focus of their revolting public presence tends to be their oratory (Antiphanes fr. 194.7-12, Plato Comicus fr. 201). Third, farting belongs to this sphere of activity (e.g., Timokles fr. 18, Eubulus fr. 106.1-6). Moreover, it is a ubiquitous assumption, sometimes explicit, sometimes not, that orators are corrupt and work to line their own pockets. A politician like Agyrrhios, who was exposed for his elicit financial gain, would automatically fit this mold when mentioned in a comedy. Line 176 in Wealth does not, then, refer directly to Agyrrhios' wealth and extravagant living. His farting refers to the activity for which the Athenian audience knew Agyrrhios best: public speaking and oratory. He farts in public, although he is nominally proposing decrees or the like, in order acquire wealth. He is truly farting for dollars.