Demos μολγός e Cleone ‘amante del Δῆμος'. Storia e senso di un’immagine di Aristofane (Eq. 962b-964; frr. 103, 308 E 933 K.-A.).

Lines 962b-964 of Aristophanes’ Knights raise a remarkably complex problem. There is no consensus on the interpretation of the metaphorical value of the rare term μολγός, a vulgar equivalent of ἀσκός, wineskin (§ 1). After a complete analysis of the other occur- rences of μολγός in Aristophanes (frr. 103, 308 and 933: §§ 2-4), this article suggests a new interpretation of the lines in the Knights (§ 5). The barbarian slave Paphlagon/Cleon threatens Demos to tan his hide by turning it into a μολγός, i. e., to abuse him as a violent erastes would sexually abuse his eromenos. Cleon aspires to dominate (the) Demos (§ 6).