From the statue of a Hellenistic cavalry captain

(Content warning: suicide)

'An early Hellenistic poem from Akraiphis on the northeastern shore of Lake Copais in Boeotia' (Richard Hunter, Greek Epitaphic Poetry, highly recommended). Hunter discusses a couple of possible invading kings, both of which would put Eugnotus' death in the early 290s BC. His commentary is very helpful in pointing out the Homeric echoes that put Eugnotus on a par with the heroes of ancient epic.

As Hunter notes, one puzzling feature is the assertion that Eugnotus' suicide was according to the ethos of noble captains. His note on it is great: 'The "custom" of suicide after defeat is not in fact at all commonly attested, but the claim both justifies Eugnotus' action and acts as a protreptic for those reading his epitaph' in the final lines.

Onchestus is on the southern shore of Lake Copais; it 'was a traditional centre for pan-Boeotian meetings and may have been targeted by "the king" for that reason. The commentary is really good. :-)

Eugnōtus’ character was known when he
Rallied the brave Boeotian cavalry
And charged the tyrant’s countless minions;
Although, alas, away from Onchēstus
He could not drive the brazen thundercloud —
For he was unsupported, with the spears
Around him all in shatters when he came.
O father Zeus, with courage adamant
He launched his riders in a close array
Eight times and even ten. He lost the day,
And did not think it seemly to live on;
Instead he loosed his breastplate, and drove home
His sword with manly courage in his breast,
As noble captains do. The enemy
Did not despoil, but sent his body back,
Wet with the blood of his own liberty,
To his ancestral vaults. And now the rock
Of the Acraephians possesses him
In brazen portrait, faithful to his face,
A gift of wife and daughter. You young men,
Be soldiers like him, seek your own renown;
Be brave like him; defend your fathers’ town.