Re: Oltak

From: tgpedersen
Message: 20880
Date: 2003-04-08

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "tgpedersen" <tgpedersen@...> wrote:
> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Piotr Gasiorowski"
> <piotr.gasiorowski@...> wrote:
> > --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "tgpedersen" <tgpedersen@...>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > > Heyerdahl says 'Oltak' is the Armenian version of the name,
but
> > > doesn't provide a reference. Is Oltak mentioned by any other
> sources
> > > than Plutarch and Appian?
> >
> > The full story of Olthacus the Dandarian and his miscarried
attempt
> to
> > assassinate Lucullus can be found here:
> >
> > http://classics.mit.edu/Plutarch/lucullus.html
> >
> It does sound a bit like Snorri's description of Odin, doesn't it?
I
> can't find the story in Appian. Nor any other Olthak or Oldaba hits.
>
Olkaba, sorry.


> > Does Heyerdahl provide a reference to any Classical Armenian
source
> > where the name Oltak (or similar) occurs?
> >
> No, that's why I asked. The book is in the semi-scientific style he
> used for the general audience. He does have a list of references
(but
> I couldn't identify where it might be from), and occasionally he
has
> verbatim quotes with a reference, but some times he doesn't, like
> this time. That why I asked.

Here's a clue, though. Heyerdahl does say that the identification
Olthacus = Olkaba is endorsed by "the eminent Russian specialist in
the literature of the Antiquity, V.V. Latyshev." "He is also
mentioned as one of the subdued leaders in Gn. Pompeius' splendid
triumph. In that text he is mentioned as ruler of the Colchians".
Latyshev might be the author to look for for references.

Wrt. that triumph: I remember one Pompeius releasing instead of
killing all the subdued leaders in his triumphs, with exception of
the kings, but there are two Gn. Pompeius (father and son, Strabo and
Magnus) and now I forgot which. But if 'Odin' escaped from death in a
Roman prison by a hair's breath, he'd have good reason to flee Azov,
and take revenge in the later Germania.

Torsten