Pot, victor, and justice in Bacchylides

Bacchylides' differences from Pindar have so far been considered mainly sty listic, but the two poets also differ int he handling of major epinician th emes. Victor and poet are closely associated in both poets. In Pindar their excellence is defined through opposition to, and vanquishing of, envious r ivals, whereas Bacchylides stresses the virtual lack of such rivals and gen erally assigns a much more limited role to competition and envy. Victor and poet appear to be unchallenged and acknowledge by all. In Bacchylides just ice determines the behavior of victor, poet, and community. The excellent d eed is performed justly, is celebrated by the just poet, and is and will be acknowledged in eternity by the community of the just.