La colonna di Briareo (Pseudo-Scimno vv. 188-195)?

Abstract

This article analyses a problematic section in the work of Pseudo-Skymnos. The textual tradition at line 189 offers the term στήλη, which is linked to a corrupted form †βάρια†, a vox nihili. It seems likely that the expression is related to the north-western area of Gaul. Editors have emended †βάρια† into the adjective βόρειος to refer to a “northern pillar”, that is a northern mountain representing a natural border between Gaul and the Atlantic Ocean. On the basis of a conjecture offered by Marcotte, I believe that †βάρια† should be emended into the genitive form Βριάρεω or Βριαρέως. This would create an allusion to Briareus, one of the three Hecatoncheires mentioned by Hesiod, and imply a connection with the minor tradition that located this monstrous creature at the edge of the world.