Commentarii ad Homeri Iliadem iii
is here. For he expressed Zeus periphrastically, saying «husband of Hera,» that is, husband according to the myth, of which the allegory is evident, a
royal groans are set against them. (Il. 10.11-16) That when the king looked out upon the Trojan plain, he marveled at the many fires that burned befo
they said he was called this because he had bones so hard that they gave off sparks on impact. Now 'reaching the feet' (podenekes) is that which is at
See also that here, having said and he took a spear in his stout hand, he appropriately said stout of a warrior hero, indicating through such a th
which one would not promise, to keep watch by night. (on Il. 10.40 ff.) For he adds “to spy on hostile men, going forth alone through the ambrosial ni
49-51) But see in these lines that he presented 'errexe' in two ways, first in the Attic manner with two 'r's, then in the common manner with one, and
he writes thus: abrotaxis: a mistake, a going astray, and abrotaxomen, we will go astray, we will miss one another. And see that diamphodesai among th
Therefore, someone addresses another, as in son of Laertes, but from his lineage, that is from his ancestors, as in Zeus-born. For the word reveal
a girdle for the 3.21 old man, if indeed he said the gear was variegated, but the girdle all-gleaming, and that the phrase «a girdle with which he was
great glory of the Achaeans» the king himself fulfills, what he advised his brother, and it is according to the argument just mentioned to call him so
From which *τοίνυν* also seems to have come, as was also said elsewhere, being compounded from ˉτˉοˉι and ˉνˉυˉν, which is the same as ˉνˉυ instead of
the poet says not very near. And perhaps the pronoun 'each' has some such method of derivation. For it is possible to say that the monad itself, rem
The brother king does not at all defend him for not wanting to exert himself, so that he may not oppose Nestor who is both a friend and most eloquent,
such as pole, fleet, slave, hollow. Thus also oulos, from which comes and a thick down covered him, and not as in the common usage, a wooly-haired m
That when Nestor said that another should be roused, who would counsel either to flee, as has been said, or to fight, and thus appeared to be cowardly
indicates the excellence of the weapon's point. Therefore the polishing of weapons was also a matter of care for the heroes, as the phrase of newly p
164 and 167) “You are stubborn, old man you never cease from toil.” Paraphrasing this below he says “but you are unmanageable, old man,” which means
A leaping up. (Iliad 10.165-7) Here also the word then is found to be superfluous in the line are there not other younger sons of the Achaeans, who
sitting, they make a middle state between reclining and standing. (ē. 183-8). And he compares them to dogs guarding flocks, who, being sharp of hearin
the etymology of battle-joy (χάρμη), as the enemies suffering joy (χάρμα), if they prevail in battle, which would reasonably be called battle-joy (χάρ
and a manly spirit to enter the host of hostile men who are near at hand, he adds, but if some other man were to follow me, it would be a greater co
a reproach of the people. (ῃ. 8-10) Therefore the poet, interpreting what the word *phēmis* here, written with an iota, is, adds what things they dev
and mind, from as many as are best. For it is worthy of inquiry whether we must understand only the kings as the best, or with them also the leade
seems to happen to many. But slender counsel, that is, weak, is either taken metaphorically from feeble reeds, as was said a little before, or from
you desire,” but that instead of “you will prefer.” Thus also another word for to choose, is to prefer and to select. (Il. 10.237 f.) And that here he
proud-hearted, the one so exalting him, just as he was not blaming himself a little before when he said my heart and proud-hearted spirit urge me on,
has been written before. In other places these things are also reported: to praise, to boil up ground wheat, and barley-gruel from to peel and to prai
“One man is not loved by two women.” And in another place he says that both *dúo* and *dúō* with an omega, that is, *dúo* with an omicron and *dúō* by
Just as there he expanded on the word he gave, so also here because of the opportune moment, and because the present passage also has sufficient var
war is fitting, for whom it is also a glory to fall in battle, as the Homeric Priam will somewhere declaim in the later books. Whence also the poem ca
is derived, whence also Moulios, and it signifies the impetuous one. In the case of the battle-toil, however, another reason lengthens the penultimate
of him alone, as will be said, and he also promises a sacrifice. The barbarian Dolon, however, will not pray, just as Paris did not in the preceding b
thinking and willing, as he himself explains, adding so now stand by me willingly. And see again the insertion of an old story, which he also set ou
with a great gift? and his reward shall be sufficient. For I will give a chariot, which, being a part, signifies the whole chariot, and two shaggy-n
sometimes also passively, as in “being spoken variously,” and the Attic dialect expresses the word to pity found in Sophocles passively, and the word
with an intrusive interruption. (Il. 10.312) But to keep watch by night made the watches of the night be mentioned. And being distressed instead o
Every herald among the ancients was divine, as is shown in many places, and first where the heralds were called messengers of Zeus. It is certainly li
They note that Dolon is an enthusiast of horse-breeding and a horse-lover by character, which he shows both here and in what follows, where he excessi
that let God know, that no other man of the Trojans will indeed ride upon them. For thus it would be without solecism, being otherwise solecistic-seem
the similarity of the leopard-skin and the like, and that the poet has related that the heroes in the night-watch were armed in a new way, as has also
choice, from the very, as they say, first line having done good things, who even now was the first to perceive the enemy approaching, just as Nestor i
of the Greek spies was toward Dolon, when pursuing they drew near to him. For he says, But when now he was as far away as the range of mules is. For
they set out to pursue, where the adverb *aipsa* is placed before *laipsēra*. And Dolon is Rash-coward, as was also said before, who having undertake
one of the bronze-clad Achaeans might be the first to boast he has hit you, and a second might come,” he added, “rushing with a spear either wait, or
greenness, that is, of things colored like leaves. And it is clear that to say 'green' from fear is something similar to 'pale,' so that when Homer sa
of ˉsˉa, which signifies *tina* in the Megarian dialect, as the ancients say. It should also be known that the poet is not found to be very fond of th
he assented. See also that not even the enemies are ashamed to celebrate the virtues of their foes with praise. So Hector often praises Achilles, just
to him such a phrase, in the «but come, tell me this and recount it truly», which elsewhere he says ἀτρεκέως ἀγόρευσον, and in the «I for my part will
some. And this puts the thought into Odysseus's mind to refrain from attacking the great-souled Trojans who were awake, in case he might take someone,
thus having seemed good to him, he set it forth plainly, but the five with august epithets: Paeonians of the crooked bow, godlike Pelasgians, proud My
the verb are, as also in I say that the son of Cronus consented, flashing lightning on the right. For there too the full sense is thus: the son of
No, to bring him near the ships, or rather having bound him to leave him there with a pitiless bond. (ῃ. 446-53) Diomedes however, looking sternly at
and here also the thick sinews behind the neck. (ῃ. 457) In these matters also is the phrase and as he was speaking, that is, Dolon, his head was m
is laid, 3.112 but to show that the extremities of his hand were large for Odysseus, as a brave man, since indeed with one hand having grasped so many
being guarded. Therefore the ancients understand that Diomedes, having slain four from each row, that is, twelve men, and having made a sort of bridge
he who hesitates accomplishes nothing and, to speak according to the poet, acts foolishly, that is, lives in vain. Since hesitating is equal to inac
It should be known that in the phrase for an evil dream stood over his head in the night the poet spoke elegantly and sweetly, and now also safely,
is said to be to strike and to smite. (On η. 513) So a little later Odysseus says and Odysseus struck with his bow. And also to whip, from which als
“For the rushing of wings was not insignificant.” whence also *roibdein* (to rush) and *anarroibdein* (to suck back with a noise).] But *piphauskein*
soul. For otherwise one could not literally be said to be either gazing or being amazed, unless one were astounded while watching.] The word «mermera»
of good men. (ῃ. 541 ff.) That when the heroes returned, the Greeks rejoicing, greeted them with the right hand and with gentle words, which is fitt
And it is constructive of the old man’s never-ending toil, which Diomedes anticipated and said to him, and it confirms his speech, that in truth he is
He has the newly-come Thracian horses, and Odysseus will dedicate the spoils of Dolon to Athena. For he says that Odysseus placed them in the ship, so
is productive of εὐξέστας. It would have been safe also to say εὐξέστους, just as εὐποιήτας is εὐποιήτους, and the ἀσβέστην flame ἄσβεστον. (Il. 11.57
to rest in sleep on a bed, from which rising again she brings light. And in another sense, the bed of Dawn is said to be that of the night, not in res
those fighting in the van and in the rear must be brave. And Sophocles also shows this kind of Homeric stationing of the ships in the line in the nav
he ordered the Argives to arm themselves,” clearly setting himself forth as an example. (Il. 11.16) For he adds “and he himself put on gleaming bronze
Echepolus of Sicyon, being a subject, gave him of necessity, as to his own king, the celebrated Aethe, Agamemnon's mare, so that he would not have to
Ionic, it is similar to 'had been woven' and the like, but it means 'had been stretched'. And it is a dreadful and, so to speak, monstrous figure, dar
attending, they run around and in a way become his shield-bearers. And if the ancients say anything else about Gorgus and Deimus and Phobus, and elsew
not only beautiful in expression, but also terrifying and majestic, in which he says nothing simply, but most things more monstrously, and not commonl
of it rarely is ἐπιτολή the command, but for the most part ἐπιστολή with the addition of the ˉs, since also ἐπιτέλλειν itself is found as ἐπιστέλλειν.
of the Trojans, but not indeed to the kings. For the people honored him as good and noble and brave, but there was a certain jealousy toward him from
this one, not appearing to the Achaeans for a time, but at other times he did appear, whenever, that is, he was a champion, [not being illuminated fro
they had equal heads, but according to the battle. It should be known also that in similarity to the very fierce parable of the wolves here, after a l
in “of father Zeus,” it is incomplete, but the complete form is in “father of both men and gods.” (Il. 8.82 sc.) That a most swift and opportune arran
having joked at the wrong time. (on Il. 8.88) But ados, which is satiety, has already been explained through *koressato* [he was sated], and its gen
signifies to strip the whole, and certainly those who thus shine brightly with their chests lie on their backs. But note that, just as it is lowly to
it has been said recently, on the chariot, whom once Achilles on Ida's slopes, he says, he bound with supple withies as they were shepherding their
oimen, and by pleonasm poimen, according to the similarity of ēganon to pēganon, which is found in the great Etymologicum. [And further also mēla to ē
instead of by the Argives. (ῃ. 123-5) That Antenor, as has been related before, was a friend to the Greeks as their proxenos, but Antimachus was most
to the fallen multitude. (e. 128) And fled from their hands cleverly indicates the great fear, because of which those on the chariot had no control
of the chariot, of which the horses are a kind of part. For from there the one struck in the chest with a spear certainly fell to the ground on his ba
and leaping out together with him as he was avoiding the battle. (ῃ. 163 ς.) For he says, Zeus led Hector out from the missiles and the dust, from th
bridges of war, and has been shown elsewhere. [It must be known that to say high-necked is the same as long-necked, even 3.176 if the one seems to hav
is posited. But concerning he was spattered, or rather he was defiled, from which also comes mud, and what are untouchable hands, has been shown b
Let Hector withdraw, but urge the rest of the host to fight. And when either struck by a spear or smitten with an arrow he leaps upon his horses t
and was heard by those around Cinyras in Cyprus. But he came with twelve, he says, ships, which followed him. The ships he left somewhere around the
to wear barbarian dress. But the aforementioned Palaescepsis seems to be distinguished from a newer Scepsis, whose citizen is a Scepsian.] (ῃ. 230) An
they snatch the hunters' spears and unknowingly pull the killer toward themselves. And the poet seems to make this clear by saying very forcefully tha
of something, just as in he gave many gifts, and in the unspeakable number of which were pastured for him. It is also an Attic usage to speak with
pyx, gnyx, except for hapax 3.190 and perix. The word parex has a double accentuation, and in Homer it is an oxytone, but among later writers it is a
being aspirated, as also `ἑστήκαμεν` becomes `ἕσταμεν`. (Il. 11.264 ff.) That it is the work of a manly soldier, this but he, that is, this one, ra
Sometimes even to give birth is said thus, it is said from what follows, that is, from the birth pangs, which attend women in labor. But Sophocles'
saying, in which sweetness is intensified, and similarly sharp words.] (Il. 11.274-9) That the king withdraws from the battle, driving to the hollow s
And `argiodontes` are the sharp-tusked, those with `argoi` (swift) tusks, that is, swift, quick, and by metonymy, sharp. (Il. 11.293) And `seuein` is
meadow, but satiety Asaeus. (ῃ. 299) And note that the phrase whom first, whom last hints at a certain infinity, as neither a beginning nor an end i
pepper and mustard and seseli and gum and koiphi. For these are not Greek, but foreign, as the ancients say.] It should be known also that the orators
“there will be delight,” which Diomedes says to Odysseus, will one day be said of those ready to help, but not daring to accomplish anything, and espe
fleeing, they caught their breath from divine Hector.” The word gladly is fitting both for caught their breath and for fleeing Hector. And caug
rushed on foot” and so forth, as has been set out. (Il. 11.338) It should be known that while in “snow-capped Olympus” the unchangeable nature of the
preparing, he says, that Calliope would not speak in prose. The root of this, as has been previously supposed, is the non-transitive future τύκω, and
to be also instead of *you owe*, as also elsewhere. But a clatter of javelins is in part, or simply, the battle, but of the part with arms, it is by a
being”, that is, a commoner and one of the many and “the best of the people”, that is, of the crowd, but according to those elsewhere on the Trojan wa
For such is the bony part. That this word is also used for the wing of birds and for a part of triremes, and that it sometimes means a city and also a
is of what was said in other places, that those lying in war were dearer to birds of prey than to their wives. And such is the passage concerning Diom
to those things of Agamemnon to Teucer he says, you would boast greatly if you were to take up a shield. He, belittling the archer with Homeric zeal
-ken, -eian, and by the removal of the iota, ἐάν. And the conjunction αἴκε is the same as εἴκεν, so that ἐὰν and εἴκεν and αἴκεν are the same. But ἐπ
One must not rush madly into dangers, but after first considering and judging it necessary to remain. And see even now the enduring Odysseus in a prac
A white color shines forth from the teeth, but not any other kind, which is what the pearl stone is known to experience, about which it is reported th
having attacked soldiers in battle nevertheless does not succeed like the king, but is harmed by being struck. For he wounded with a spear Charops, th
euegeneos, instead of eugenous, has a pleonasm of the eta, just as with others also the words epebolos and epeetanos and hyperephanos. Socus is homo
446) The word “phygade” is by similarity to oikade, and is remodeled from phygē, so that it is phygēn, phyga, just as iōkēn, iōka. That “hypostrepsai”
he cried, as much as a man's head held. -for he himself was wide-shouting and sent a great voice from his chest, as has been said elsewhere.- And t
The word behind is superfluous. For the preposition ana would have sufficed instead of it, but with from behind present, ana is redundant. And
lukewarm, which a little before he called hot in the phrase while the blood was still hot. [But it should be known that there being many instances l
of the Achaeans is said somewhere. (ῃ. 486) But observe also παρέξ, both spoken absolutely without any syntax, and with a xi, and this with a consonan
we know happens in many places, when they are placed near a winter torrent after being greenly cut, so that when they are dry, it may drag them down w
Achaeans, lest somehow the war should turn,” that is, leaning and taking a turn, 3.243 they might take him, the Trojans that is, whom the poet, hasten
it comes from *ἥδω* (to please), according to some, but it is unaspirated, as the synaloepha also indicates in 'ἐπί τ' ἤπια φάρμακα' (and upon soothin
he was the charioteer, but especially because in war a good charioteer would be in no way inferior to a warrior fighting beside him. Thus, then, a war
according to the ancients, but it does not indicate a later time. (ῃ. 584) For at the same time or together, which is at once and together they releas
and the chickpea alone of the legumes is not infested with worms for the reason mentioned. That a certain bean was also called Egyptian, the roots of
but how often a misuse of instruments happens because of some necessities, since indeed the aforementioned sling here was useful for the binding of a
the ridges to lie under and be nearest to the crest. and so also in the phrase forehead above the end of the nose it shows the forehead is bounded a
morally and with spirit extending his speech in the figure of an apostrophe as if to a present Zeus, and, as is likely, being aggrieved according to a
Zeus the suppliant's protector. And here it appears that, if it is blameless to say you did not fear Zeus the protector of guests, so too is it not
of insatiate of the war-cry. For not simply insatiate, but not even able to be sated, even if they wish. For just as the good man does not easily ha
in war to take hides, that is, ox-hide shields, from which, as from a part, the term *to despoil* came to be used for all war-gear. [The analogy of wh
as will be shown below,] and how such companions, having placed him on a chariot, that is, having seated him and placed him up, carried him away to Tr
with a diphthong from εἶδος, which denotes the science of divination, as has been shown before. [(ῃ. 664) And the phrase “both wealthy and good” allow
because the Ajaxes nearby there were courageous and sufficed instead of the security of a wall. (Il. 13.683 ff.) And he says that there especially the
chosen from the Athenians, whom indeed he called above Ionians with trailing chitons, not having mentioned the Athenians by name in the list. For, th
of Eriopis, whom Oileus had. Here note that the proper name Eriopis has the same meaning as boopis (ox-eyed), and is not unlike the proper name Europe
and the different things from it. For a yoke of horses, whence also a yoke-horse, a yoke of oxen and of certain such things, from which tropically com
to those whom he reproached, but sweetness to the praise for that man. For the speech was, that he was not so very brave as he was a very good counsel
to mention her also, even if not just as Achilles—, but 3.546 he also announces beforehand that after not long he will rouse Achilles to battle, whose
“You persuade a king to go to war,” that is, you convince him, but Homer now uses it instead of he knew, he perceived, that is, partaking of the g
Demosthenes, that is, with the long -o. And they say, he says, also chreos, clearly with a short vowel. And this one, he says, has a different genitiv
a characteristic of the disgruntled. And yet he found Paris encouraging his comrades, as was said, and urging them into battle. (ē. 775) For this reas
the smitten Deiphobus and the wounded Helenus. And in the 11th rhapsody, the son of Tydeus and Odysseus and Agamemnon are said to have been wounded, a
waves, the splashing, the arching, the white-crested. And the names have their own charm: splashing with respect to the sound, arching with respec
may it be captured beforehand» has a certain simplicity in its thought. For it was said thus simply and not with extreme precision. For it is not that
as Athena and Apollo are honored, so may this day now bring evil to the Greeks.” Hector does not pray this way in vain, but from a magnanimous underst
but when it was in sedition, not even the whole house was a sufficient area of space for them. And what would not be mocked about the man who, because
that one, who is also called Bacchus from bazein (to speak wildly). (ῃ. 833-7) Wherefore the poet, saying and they followed together with a divine
the uncertainty of fortune. (on η. 6) And see how here too a woman serves men with baths, which the Odyssey also makes clear, and that for Machaon the
so as to make an audible sound, just as a whizzing arrow is also a deaf one. Such things are deaf as not acting upon the hearing, which would seem
(ῃ. 29-31) And it must be known that Homer here, showing from where Nestor and the kings who met him, as was said, are coming, Diomedes, Odysseus, and
the second future 3.573 *chadō*, from which *chadein* and *chadeein* mean to contain according to the poets. The phrase they were confined gives o
The king, in agony, as was likely, and confused, did not speak clearly. [And the word «them» can also be instead of us, the use of which is found ever
adverbs are oxytone, such as kourix, instead of ek kouras, that is, from the hair, aprix, epimix perix is noted. (Il. 14.61-3) That Nestor, despairin
he tossed aside this notion with a sententious speech, at the same time refuting 3.579 through his maxim the seeming disgrace of fleeing, who also del
of a gathering, on account of which ἅπας also receives a rough breathing. For it is clear that the gathering is not so great of only those near the se
ἁλοίη has become so by extension, similarly to γνοίη γνῴη, δοίη δῴη, and similar forms. (ῃ. 83) But the phrase what word has escaped you now has som
3.585 having been stuck to the war, it allows the cry to be understood with it and to seek its own by analogy.] (ῃ. 98) And the phrase «ἐπικρατέουσί π
a certain thing,” and whatever things are such. Note that the king, having been thus disregarded for what he said, is forbearing, but Hector, if he we
you yourselves are about to hear. As, therefore, he says, I am silent about these things because they have been heard by you beforehand, so also I do
and *apphan* for sister, and *apphion*, a diminutive for a beloved, and certain other things, about which it is written elsewhere. That they were also
he also shows these according to those in the Odyssey. For how would they not be necessary warriors, who fight even though they are wounded? And here
he used the word for some gluttony and fastidiousness, and that the word for `siphlos` is preserved among some of the Lycians even to this day, [among
“and he was hateful to her in spirit.” Therefore she ponders how she might deceive the mind of Zeus for the good of the Hellenes. (Il. 14.161-5) And i
of ancient grammarians depicted his own teacher bearing Tragedy upon his chest, hinting that he carried the tragic works on his lips and, so to speak,
according to his heart. But anôge is circumflexed on the penult by the rule of such trochaic words, as also anêge, kateiche, and similar compounds,
is meant 'of divine smell,' just as elsewhere in other cases 'transparent' and 'resonant' are used. This will at some time be parodied for a good man,
the maiden Athene in amorous matters, even if otherwise in matters on behalf of the Achaeans he is accustomed to associate her with himself. whence Ap
The enkyklon, which the Comic poet also mentions, was once a woman's garment. Pausanias at least says that the enkyklon is a purple-bordered mantle an
white. (on η. 186) To speak of shining feet is more 3.611 manly. Therefore in the Odyssey, concerning Athena as a female, it is not so put, but under
Desire is classified under longing, which is clear from elsewhere and also from if desire seizes you to see the Persians. [In Athenaeus there is als
to think that the other elements come into being from the elemental water. For some have posited water as the principle of all things. Or also otherwi
to have been raised in the halls by Oceanus and Tethys 3.617 alludes to the exhalations from there, which also contribute something to the air, which
that the wives of great men ought to be honored. (Il. 14.212 f.) For Aphrodite says to Hera that it is not possible nor seemly to deny your word for
It has been prepared in advance 3.621 also for the solution of difficulties, both others and these: how was so great a Zeus deceived, how does he love
but even there spoke and named are not dissimilar. For Hera did not simply name Sleep in the vocative, but she put Sleep first because of the na
The proverb is about those who have the power to reach or get hold of even from afar the more humble ones through some superiority, since Athos too, b
the perfect form *eidēka*, whence the participle *eidēkōs*, and in syncope *eidōs*. And from the passive perfect form there *eidēmōn* and *eidēsis*.]
Hera will use a plausible comparative argument, from the difference of the persons for whom she asks the favor of Sleep, (Il. 14.263-6) saying Sleep,
The passion of Sleep is also graceful, and as Euripides might say, a dear and pleasant enchantment, approaching when needed. Others say that Sleep lov
he speaks. But that there was also in a particular place a river emptying into the sea-like Ocean that encircles the earth, having the same name as th
the enenkōn. Hence also the enenke through the simple ˉe for the most part has its ending. But if also through a diphthong because of I brought and I
to help the Trojans, wide-seeing Zeus, how he was enraged on account of Heracles. For the accusative of wide-seeing Zeus having elided the alpha, t
Come, as it is also written elsewhere, swear by the inviolable water of Styx, and with one hand take the much-nourishing earth, and with the other th
but the allegory understands the atmospheric phenomena stretched out everywhere on earth. For this reason, such Titans are said to be friendly with Cr
swift-flying of the divine movement, so that matter may not be shaken under the feet by bodily weight, but by some fear and trembling.] (Il. 14.286-91
A myth says that this was Harpalyce, who, having been violated by her father Clymenus and having boiled her son Presbon, served him to him, then was c
nor does being hidden prevent that which is from being known. And in another way, just as that which is in potentiality, so also that which is in hidi
of eight lines spoken to Sleep concerning Oceanus and Tethys, of which the beginning was for I will go to see, and the end since anger fell upon hi
not noble, having suffered a strange love. For a man might be said to cherish his own wife and to love and to be of one mind with her or anything else
and he very briefly runs through the stories about them, which indeed Lycophron gained from this. Homer makes such a running summary, both making the
Lycurgus, who used to cut down the nurses of Dionysus. If the aforementioned Bassarai are the nurses of Dionysus because they make their steps with a
and he set up the close-fitting doors against the door-posts,” which was also written a little before. “There let us go and lie,” that is, to go to sl
the hearing may linger and remain with prudent ears. Some understand ankas as an adverb, like *hekas* and *andrakas*. for which reason they say to s
[beautiful and] to say golden dews, as also the were falling off for were flowing down. [If indeed the beautiful is always yoked with the golden,
the anger of him who is helping them, the phrase “and again we let go,” that is, we neglect and we abandon, to so-and-so “victory, that he may win glo
and the greatest, in with all-gleaming helmets, in having hidden and having taken, and most evident among them is let him give to a lesser man
has been determined.] (ῃ. 392) That monstrous is the phrase «and the sea was stirred up toward the huts and ships of the Argives», that is, it surged,
this happens, for example: sleep does not so loosen the limbs, as wine makes them weak. Such are the Homeric sayings: neither sea nor fire nor wind ro
does not see with the eye. For this reason Aeschylus says casting his eye aside like a tuna, which should be noted with regard to the Prayers that l
and elsewhere it was written, attachments inside the shield, through which the hand was passed. [But behold, clearly in one place he spoke of a telamo
supports of a rolling-stone, which when carried away by rain, that one was torn down from the crown of the mountain, such little stones must be unders
well-rounded, but some are also spideis, that is, oblong. For spizō means to extend, from which spidēs is the oblong one, and aspis is that which is n
and that] the myth generates many under nymphs, and who the nymphs are, is not unclear from what has been said elsewhere. (Il. 14.444 ff.) And Enops i
For the Argives, the phrase and grief came to the Argives for him who boasted appears twice, now for Polydamas, and a little later for Acamas, but f
so mixing sweet and bitter things. (14.477-81) For having wounded one Promachus, a Boeotian, who was dragging the corpse by the feet, that is, stealth
of Polydamas, but that of Aias is more terrible and more heroic, and that of Acamas is simpler. And that of Peneleos is also of this sort, but it also
from *phorō* comes *phorainō*, as appears in many places. Perhaps also from *goō* comes *goēmi*, as from *histaō* comes *histō* and *histēmi*. [(ē. 48
for those who have just arrived he expanded upon the particular deeds of valor of each of the heroes, but here, having changed his method, he said so
And note that those who say that in such figures the poet always responds to the second part are not correct. For in 'wailing and boasting arose,' he
parodied against some such evil-doer. (Il. 15.16 ff.) Likewise also the phrase I do not know, 3.692 if you will be the first to reap the fruits of yo
But again, neither did Hypnos here make mention of the persuasion of Boreas spoken of by Zeus, nor of Heracles's return to Argos. and thus they avoide
of little power, useful for someone brought down from on high and deprived of great glory. And it must be known that Crates, as the ancients say, rea
“Let this be witness, earth and the wide heaven above, and the dripping water of Styx, which is the greatest and most terrible oath for the blessed go
The formation of *nōïteron* is comparative, but it is simply a protraction of a derivative, such as also *sphōïteros* and *spheteros* and *hēmeteros*,
of Achilles, but he will rouse his companion Patroclus and glorious Hector will slay him with his spear before Ilium after he has slain many other yo
he would have helped the Achaeans, for which reason Achilles is said to have intended to raise him up, and that Troy is said to have been captured by
Thus swiftly, eager, flew the lady Hera.” And so it is here, but elsewhere, wishing to show great speed, he speaks more simply and more concisely, say
now speaking to the, as was said, beautiful-cheeked Themis do not question me about these things, that is, ask, you yourself also know what sort of
to be mighty Ares, and he, upon hearing, smote his sturdy 3.709 thighs with his down-turned hands, which is, not with upturned palms, and lamenti
to plant a great evil for all others? For straightaway he will leave the high-spirited Trojans and Achaeans, and will come to us on Olympus to make a
easy, and to fight is to fight hand-to-hand. Such people, in the phrase nor did he seize the ground with his feet, would perhaps say that to seize
that is, it surrounded Zeus in a circle, by fragrant he means sweet-smelling both from the flowers of the earth, such as those of spring, and from t
a strong wind drives. For otherwise the word is not at all fitting for a snowflake gently descending. (ῃ. 171) And Boreas is sky-born and sky-begettin
cowardice, as far as concerns his intelligence, so that because of this, six verses are rejected, from But I will tell you something else and threate
And 'arrogant' is not only the insolent, but, as the ancients say, also that which is beyond oneself, by metaphor from large weapons that are not prop
He speaks foolishly of Zeus as one having herds of children. (Il. 15.199) And the phrase they will hear even by necessity shames Zeus through the ci
an angry word, which is subject to anger, as if not the mind but anger begets it. (on η. 213 ff.) And it must be known that here, having set forth as
is accomplished. For the flashes and terrors in the air are from exhalations, which Apollo the sun, leading up, seems to share the aegis with Zeus. An
it becomes. A short while ago, however, do you not hear was taken in its usual sense, so that ἀΐω is also a homonym. Some now say that ἄϊον means I
coming upon the ranks of men, they were terrified, and the spirit of all fell at their feet,” which indicates symbolically that all looked to flight,
of precise speech. For when some men contend and strive towards action, glorious victories occur. (Iliad 8.286-92) And it should be known that the poe
That in the aforementioned line Teucer and Meriones and Meges, Aristarchus for his part makes Meges a barytone, and the tradition follows him in thi
has been previously shown. Therefore, she is also called Thouris (rushing) because of the motion of such things. That the aegis of Zeus is something
a lily. And concerning the disyllabic molgos 3.737, look in the Comic poet.] The Achaeans, according to the Glossographers, say that amolgós is the he
manifest, zeal, in which also is a nail. (ῃ. 339) And there is found in what has been said also the accusative of Μηκιστεύς, Μηκιστῆος, shortened. For
But before the others, Apollo was poured forth, that is, «holding the aegis», as was said, «greatly honored», and he cast down the wall not simply wit
childishnesses, follies, senselessnesses, and otherwise it is said elliptically, so that the complete phrase might be with childish minds. 3.742 But h
and those things he makes clear, except for only the witty Ephippus, who humorously mentioning a hecatomb of eggs, as compared to one of oxen, is sing
if the horses were being driven aside. Nor would the poet have left such an unusually formed battle array unremarked and entirely obscure. But Cleitus
next. which indeed gave occasion for the proverb later spoken, with Athena, also move your hand, just as here Patroclus with a daimon also moves his
on the one hand upon chariots, but the Achaeans in the sterns of the ships, on which standing and fighting steadfastly they were not able to impede.]
and hence also the pronouns, for example neither could he drive him out and burn the ships. For it is clear that the incendiary Hector was not able
“from Cabesus being within,” and to honor him in the halls. And the faithful companion is the same as the attendant of Ajax, and he killed something d
these things have been said of him acting. (ῃ. 447-9) The phrase he was busy with the horses. For he was engaged there indicates the busyness of a h
useful also for those who have wandered back. (η. 465) The phrase 'bronze-heavy arrow' is opposed to the 'winged' one, and it is not now precisely def
behind him, and his house and inheritance are unharmed, if the Achaeans depart with their ships 3.758 to their dear fatherland. But the ancients say
being struck or hit indicates the action of throwing and striking. But death and fate, just as war and battle are often spoken of together, why they
perhaps they will succeed, at least they will perish more quickly and may they not be tormented for long, which, being said sententiously, imparts a c
Meges, guest-friend of Phyleus: Euphetes, lord of men, gave it to him to wear in battle, a defense against enemy men. This Euphetes was from Ephyre,
Come now, Melanippus, shall we give way? Does your own dear heart feel no shame for your cousin who was slain? Do you not see how, instead of *how*,
he will leap upon a fawn, which a hunter has struck, the poet reveals only the haste of Antilochus. For otherwise the simile is unlike the deed. For t
for his life was destined to be short. For already Pallas Athena was urging on his fated day at the hands of Achilles. Having proclaimed these thing
it seems because of his spirit. But note also now that `blosyron` is written with one sigma and thus contributes to a metrical dactyl. And from where
that he himself fought as a body of fire and because all around him there was a burning battle, according to for on all sides the crown of war blazed
he blames the inexperience of a herdsman pasturing many cattle in a great marsh, who, being new to herding, always follows the first and last cows and
great, so that not only the mind of Zeus, as was said before, was on Hector's side, but also his very physical being, through which [he is roused or]
The comic poet Antiphanes is said to have said that, whereas someone once brought a pair of peafowl, a rare thing, now they are more numerous than qua
they shouted to one another.” And see how Sophocles, taking from this, said “for fear, with which shame is also present,” which is reverence, “know th
He turned the Achaeans back from their flight at the height of the greatest danger and persuaded them to stand against their pursuers, having roused t
was shown, but now it must be said that `blētron` is barytone according to the ancients by such a rule. Simple neuter words ending in -tron are baryto
the Odyssey it is written, where there is something also about two-horse teams and single horses.] (η. 679) The word to ride a courser is derived fr
it has been said metaphorically of such foods or drugs. [And if those after Homer also apply the word 'sharp' to a certain sweetness in the sense of p
A small sword with a golden hilt in a Rhetorical Lexicon is that which has a golden hilt. (ῃ. 714) And from hands and from shoulders fall swords, of t
to perish.” (Il. 15. 729) And he now says thrênus in the masculine, meaning either the helmsman's seat, about which it was spoken above, or that of th
the word heneken, but even if both are causal, nevertheless charin is used for things done for the sake of a favor, for example: Achilles went on
and from the smoke the blackness of the water, which from the moisture of wood is given off black. (ῃ. 4) That goats, being light and having sinewy le
However, he repeats it clearly because of the dissimilarity of the words, the infinitive to live and the third person indicative lives. For the po
to be disposed more softly. But it is a common custom, the wise say, that however one might be of character, he blames his neighbor who is of a dissim
slanders. And note that, what he does elsewhere in separate words, that is, praising and blaming, as in Ill-starred Paris, best in appearance, this
the first the second Thetis, saying “and the grey sea bore you,” that is, she who is as it were Thetis, and the mountain rocks, around which Peleus wa
But of easily and untiringly, the phrasing is harsh and not clear. For someone, turning up his nose wittily, would say that some ten untiring men we
an emphasis on the figure, because starting from but this is a terrible grief, he ended similarly with a terrible grief it is to me. (Iliad 16.56
that the “for they do not see the front of my helmet,” and so on until “they would have filled with corpses” is fitting to be said by a general, in wh
they may send back the girl, and in addition may offer splendid gifts.” And see how ambitious Achilles is and how human nature is fickle and vacillati
but I to sing to Ares in the press of battle. This same thing also makes one hear that Idomeneus is a dancer. For he too seems to dance, leaping, in
intending to fashion him as excelling to the utmost so as even to seize a ship, he first made the battle terrible 3.814 to such an extent that not eve
to be understood thus: nor could they drive back Ajax with their missiles, pressing their missiles upon him, that is, the ones already mentioned. And
of such blows. For it shows, as was previously shown, the cutting off strongly and all at once and powerfully, as is fitting for Ares, that is, for ir
and they will fight, carried along by blind hopes, of which the end is unclear.] But see how that which very many words could not accomplish with Achi
of the Pelian ash-spear that is, the brandishing, for he alone knew how to brandish it, which is to wield it, Achilles, and Mount Pelion, whence th
to the other Harpies the myth adds hands so that they may also snatch, but this Homeric one could not plausibly be such because of its horse-nature. T
of war, as wolves also do after they have had their fill to drink from a spring. And the simile, so broad, extends to this and this alone. And note th
whom he trusted, to give orders, while he himself, ruling with great power, was king, as a sort of wide-ruling one among them, whom for this reason
the potent belly desired them as they grew.” For in these lines, by calling the rain the son of Zeus, he contributes something to the understanding of
he was begotten before the mother's marriage, but just as Heracles was of Zeus, but by name of Amphitryon, so also Menesthius was of Borus by name, bu
he says *eutrephen* (well-nourished), having separated and Ionicized from the demanding one, just as a little later he says *eukrinas* for *eu krinas*
next until “wrath fell upon his spirit,” which seems to have been said as if against an enemy, so that it might say that it was as if you were warred
with bosses». (Il. 16.215-7) And how these were fitted together, he clarifies immediately by adding shield pressed on shield, helmet on helmet and s
of the Achaeans, and even now fulfill this wish for me.” These three verses, which Chryses also spoke to Apollo at the beginning of the *Iliad*, with
a chiton is not necessarily only that which is immediately next to the flesh, but also simply a garment but of fine texture and soft and, so to speak,
with beautiful streams, because it was taken, as is likely, from a beautiful spring, and how he adorned the narrative with parallelisms in “with beaut
from the Selleeis, but they, that the nation is the Helloi from Hellos the Thessalian, from whom the region around Dodona is also called Hellopia. but
unharmed as to extension, he of great momentum and whom it is not possible to check, not even it has been passed over in silence. And ἀσκεθής with an
doing, from which very thing, as was also shown elsewhere, not only `etheirō` and `etheirades` in the poet but also `esthō`, the very customary thing,
We shall honor the son of Peleus, says Patroclus, mindful of the lest you make me less honored. And see how, after exhorting others to honor the s
He means that ship of Protesilaus. (16.290) And in the fall of Pyraechmes lies something clever. For when some others fall he says that their companio
we initiate. [And that from `sinapi` (mustard) there is also a comic verb `sinapō`, as in my little daughter has been mustard-ed by the foreign woman
shoulder, and he falls from his chariot, and another in the mouth, who also suffers the things that will be spoken of shortly. Such a variety is also
he wrote, as those who relate that Lais was Corinthian improvise. For he wishes to say that they do not relate this after spending time in reflection,
the sword was shattered», so that not only the shaft of a spear, but behold, also of a sword. [And such a shaft would be the long and narrow part at t
He cleverly calls fear ill-sounding because of the noisiness of those fleeing. (Il. 13.356 f.) For he says, and they remembered ill-sounding fear,
they were fleeing a stormy cloud and were thus themselves as if storm-footed in their flight. And see here a clear distinction of Olympus and heaven a
and haste, the smooth breathing having been turned into a rough one, so that it may be hastening. Thus also vehemently is derived from the same verb,
brings forth things that are hunted or otherwise captured, and likewise, as poetry is accustomed both to philosophize on character in parables and to
the words of these. And the voice is something divine.] (ῃ. 389) The phrase rivers swell clearly explains that swelling rivers are said to be those
of those formerly fleeing, but here the victors and pursuers willingly withdraw, not being pursued but letting the enemies flee. But see that Patroclu
from his hands. [But one must consider if even the most startling has come from such a striking, so that he might be most startling who has been struc
to drag in unseasonable laughter for the artless.] (Il. 16.410) And see the phrase «he thrust him onto his face», that is, he threw him down prone. (I
birds, just as somewhere in what follows, demonstrating a similar equivalence, he will compare Patroclus and Hector to a lion. However, a little later
having been snatched away and saved back to his fatherland, the story will not be plausible because it would be necessary for this to happen to many o
you will send». These things will one day be parodied also in reference to a great man, who, in establishing his own will, will likely cause others to
of his fatherland, saying this also in anticipation. (ῃ. 459) Some interpret bloody as a poetic marvel, while others say that this can truly happen,
of a horse falling, and a little later for weapons, as in and greatly did the men's armour clash. And he used it also for a chariot in and greatly
a blow to the diaphragm, which is called the *phrenes*, as has been previously related, that is, to the partition of the thorax below the lung. If Pat
as if from a prelude he too leads on Glaucus with praises. And a warrior among men instead of among brave men. for among those not such, even an ord
is of the “groaning loudly”. (Il. 16.507) And such are, according to the poet, those eager to flee, that is, to run away. For he says, “they held back
Of Apollo being especially and exceptionally honored there and from there having received the name Lykegenes. Whence also the people there [are] rich,
to be observed with precision, as the words of Glaucus, who is both eloquent because he is self-absorbed and panting because of his anguish, which is
we slew. For he did not say those whom you slew, but we the Lycians, so that an equivalent favor must be given. Moreover, he did not say those whom
to the Achaeans, that is, to the rest of the Argives. For otherwise they are a distinct people, just as the Myrmidons and Hellenes, so too the Achaean
but he recounts another, «who frightened jays and starlings». To such a one he compares Patroclus, when he rushed against the Lycians, angered over th
[And it is clear that Hellas was once the city of Phthia, and later also more commonly the land before the Peloponnese. It is recorded that almost the
Meriones, after some things written elsewhere, if I too could strike you in the middle with the sharp bronze, quickly, strong as you are and confiden
you will be dead to me. (ῃ. 6-5) That to one who is threatened with evils, one of those not very easily frightened might say the words of Meriones to
made or well-made like unquenched, is set down for the clarity of ox-hide. For the ox-hides are not simply shields, but if they are well-made,
Now the hesitation of Zeus, who is understood intellectually, is a poetic exposition. For here too the mind of the Homeric Muse, that is, of knowledge
he does, as Zeus commanded, saying “But come now, dear Phoebus, go and cleanse Sarpedon of the black blood from the missiles, and then bearing him far
to touch, but also to see them dying, as Euripides also makes clear in the Hippolytus. (on Il. 16.686 ff.) That the poet, blaming Patroclus most reaso
of the course into flight, the account being hurried along mimetically through ellipsis because of the haste of those fleeing. Here also the phrase 'a
It must be known that, if in truth the Trojan wall must be taken as high here, the same would also be understood for the Greek wall, when the poet say
of the word in “Hector commanded the horses to be spurred on to war.” (Il. 16.727) That *keleuein* is not simply the more common *epitassein* but is s
He aptly compares Cebriones, having fallen headlong from his chariot, to a diver throwing himself into the sea from some height. (ῃ. 744) Thus at the
he writes, even if the many, that is, those for whom the oysters are set beside, were peevish, that is, hard to please, as also Hesiod, nor at a feas
he likened Patroclus, but to a bull Sarpedon, who was slain by him. See that here too the poet uses frequent similes, being accustomed to do so for th
signifies noteworthy wood, not only dense, which even shrubs might make, 3.929 but also with large trees, and so deep, because it has oak and ash and
Now, as is his custom, the Muse-loving Homer used a perfect number to count the Muses. And the phrase equal to Ares is articulated for more clarity
the horse-haired helmet to be stained with dust, but the head and graceful brow of a divine man, it guarded, of Achilles. But then Zeus gave it to Hec
Homer, of the word, thus it seemed good to him on account of the head of the divine friend, the son of Peleus. Therefore he also takes pride in the ex
that is, I feed, from which also a *phorbas* woman in Sophocles, they say, in *Phoenix*, she who consorts with many for the sake of food, or also as a
is considered a taunt, if he persuades his dearest friend to undertake impossible things, attacking him, and because he himself stays behind, he order
Concerning dreams, that when the soul is gathered 3.941 from the whole body in order to be separated, it becomes most prophetic, and Plato in the Apol
after Automedon had gone, the godlike attendant of Achilles, eager to strike. For he does not wish to postpone the task, doing this also in a stra
Commentarii ad Homeri Iliadem iii
3.1 FROM THE [COMMENTARIES] ON KAPPA
That for the rhapsody Kappa, this is the summary epigrammatic title: Kappa, the son of Tydeus took the head of Rhesus, and this is the common one: the night-rousing and the slaying of Dolon, in which, that is, Dolon is killed. Many of the ancients also called this the Doloneia, just as also the Patrocleia in what follows, in which the deeds concerning Patroclus are written. And both such words are proparoxytone, just as also Telegoneia according to the old orthography, the work concerning Telegonus, and Heracleia, the one concerning Heracles, and Odysseia, the one concerning Odysseus, and Oresteia, which the Comic poet also mentions, the one concerning Orestes. That the letter kappa was called koppa colloquially, those who say that the "koppatias" horse is so called make clear, because it has a ˉk stamped on it, just like a "samphoras," on which an ˉs is carved or branded, which the Dorians used to call san. It must be known that the misfortune of the Achaeans during the day the poet makes up for in this book through a 3.2 nocturnal stratagem, in which he also shows how for the zealous man not even the night is entirely inactive, nor will he be persuaded by the night, but he will make it into a day by his labor, and will win double rewards, for what he toiled for by day and for what he accomplished by night. Furthermore he teaches practically, that it is not right for a counsellor to sleep all night long, by making the king sleepless and thus doing many good things. The ancients say that this rhapsody was composed separately by Homer and not counted among the parts of the Iliad, but was placed into the poem by Peisistratus. (on lines 1-4) That just as Homer said something in the 2nd rhapsody about Zeus, so too here he places it about Agamemnon, saying "The other chieftains of the Achaeans slept all night long beside their ships, subdued by soft sleep; but sweet sleep did not hold Agamemnon, son of Atreus, shepherd of the people, as he pondered many things in his heart." And now he called sleep soft, that which softens or makes soft, just as a stout spear is that which makes one stout, and similarly a soft deep sleep, through which one is soothed, as in "a soft deep sleep covered him round about." And borrowing from here he who said "carpets softer than sleep" has spoken. It is clear that the orators also use 'soft' for stupidity, and that here he called 'soft' what elsewhere he called 'sweet'. And "to ponder in his heart," said to distinguish it from pondering otherwise, signifies a deliberative motion, which, when it ceases, is said to be established, as is shown by "I established a plan in myself," and "I swore and I established," and such things. (on lines 5-10) That the poet compares the frequent groans of the king to lightning, saying: "And as when the husband of fair-haired Hera flashes his lightning, preparing either a great, unspeakable rain, or hail, or snow, when the snow whitens the fields, or somewhere the great maw of bitter war, so thickly in his breast did Agamemnon groan from the bottom of his heart, and his wits trembled within him." And note that according to ancient observation, frequent lightning often signified much rain, or hail, or snow, or even a great war, 3.3 and that here indeed the poet is praised for the magnificence in his words, for having compared the great king to flashing Zeus, who because of such a deed was also called "the Flasher," but in the Odyssey he is admired for another reason, because he diminishes the beggar Odysseus with the image, having compared him to a man roasting a paunch full of fat. For in general the poet is best at creating images and, fittingly to the occasions, setting forth both great things and small things, and somehow, according to the one who said "for we possess our minds in accordance with our fortunes," Homer too could say, that he himself also has his methodological wits in writing in accordance with the qualities of his subjects. But see, that for the most part the poet, in contriving superfluity in his similes, such a one and
Commentarii ad Homeri Iliadem iii
3.1 ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΚΑΠΠΑ
Ὅτι τῆς κάππα ῥαψῳδίας πραγματειώδης μὲν ἐπιγραφικὴ δήλωσις αὕτη· Κάππα, Ῥήσου τὴν κεφαλὴν ἕλε Τυδέος υἱός, κοινὴ δὲ ἥδε·
νυκτεγερσία καὶ ∆ολωνοφονία, καθ' ἣν δηλαδὴ ὁ ∆όλων πεφόνευται. πολλοὶ δὲ τῶν παλαιῶν καὶ ∆ολώνειαν ταύτην ἐκάλεσαν, ὥσπερ
καὶ Πατρόκλειαν ἐν τοῖς ἐφεξῆς, ἐν ᾗ τὰ κατὰ Πάτροκλον γράφονται. Προπαροξύνονται δὲ καὶ ἄμφω αἱ τοιαῦται λέξεις, ὥσπερ καὶ
Τηλεγόνεια κατὰ τὴν παλαιὰν ὀρθογραφίαν ἡ κατὰ Τηλέγονον πραγματεία, καὶ Ἡράκλεια ἡ κατὰ Ἡρακλέα, καὶ Ὀδύσσεια ἡ κατὰ Ὀδυσσέακαὶ
Ὀρέστεια, ἧς καὶ ὁ Κωμικὸς μέμνηται, ἡ κατὰ Ὀρέστην. Ὅτι δὲ τὸ κάππαστοιχεῖον κόππα κατὰ γλῶσσαν ἐλέγετο, δηλοῦσιν οἱ τὸν
κοππατίαν ἵππον εἰπόντες οὕτω λέγεσθαι διὰ τὸ ἔχειν ˉκ ἐντετυπωμένον, ὥσπερ σαμφόραν, ᾧ ˉσ ἐγκέκοπται ἢ ἐγκέκαυται, ὅπερ οἱ
∆ωριεῖς ἔλεγον σάν. Ἰστέον δὲ ὅτι τὴν μεθ' ἡμέραν δυσπραγίαν τῶν Ἀχαιῶν ἀναπληροῖ ἐν τῷ γράμματι τούτῳ διὰ 3.2 δόλου νυκτερινοῦ
ὁ ποιητής, ἐν ᾧ καὶ δηλοῖ ὡς τῷ σπουδαίῳ οὐδὲ ἡ νὺξ πάντῃ ἄπρακτος, οὐδὲ πεισθήσεται τῇ νυκτί, ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὴν εἰς ἡμέραν σχεδιάσει
τῷ πόνῳ, καὶ δοιοὺς ἐξαρεῖται μισθούς, οἷς τε ἡμέρας ἐπόνησε καὶ οἷς νύκτωρ ἐνήργησεν. ἔτι δὲ διδάσκει πραγματικῶς, ὡς οὐ
χρὴ παννύχιον εὕδειν βουληφόρον ἄνδρα, ποιῶν ἀγρυπνοῦντα τὸν βασιλέα καὶ οὕτω πολλὰ καὶ καλὰ ποιοῦντα. Φασὶ δὲ οἱ παλαιοὶ
τὴν ῥαψῳδίαν ταύτην ὑφ' Ὁμήρου ἰδίᾳ τετάχθαι καὶ μὴ ἐγκαταλεγῆναι τοῖς μέρεσι τῆς Ἰλιάδος, ὑπὸ δὲ Πεισιστράτου τετάχθαι εἰς
τὴν ποίησιν. (ῃ. 1-4) Ὅτι ὁποῖόν τι ἐν τῇ βʹ ῥαψῳδίᾳ εἶπεν Ὅμηρος ἐπὶ τοῦ ∆ιός, ὁμοίως καὶ ἐνταῦθα ἐπὶ Ἀγαμέμνονος τίθησιν
εἰπὼν «Ἄλλοι μὲν παρὰνηυσὶν ἀριστῆες Παναχαιῶν εὗδον παννύχιοι, μαλακῷ δεδμημένοι ὕπνῳ· ἀλλ' οὐκ Ἀτρείδην Ἀγαμέμνονα, ποιμένα
λαῶν, ὕπνος ἔχε γλυκερὸς πολλὰ φρεσὶν ὁρμαίνοντα». Μαλακὸν δὲ καὶ νῦν ὕπνον ἔφη τὸν μαλάσσοντα ἤτοι μαλακοποιόν, ὥσπερ καὶ
ἔγχος ἄλκιμον τὸ ἀλκιμοποιόν, καὶ κῶμα δὲ μαλακόν ὁμοίως, δι' οὗ μαλθάσσεταί τις, ὡς τὸ «μαλακὸν περὶ κῶμ' ἐκάλυψεν». ἐντεῦθεν
δὲ λαβὼν εἴρηκεν ὁ εἰπὼν τάπητας ὕπνου μαλακωτέρους. ∆ῆλον δὲ ὡς οἱ ῥήτορες τὸ μαλακὸν καὶ ἐπὶ βλακείας τιθέασι, καὶ ὅτι τὸν
ἀλλαχοῦ νήδυμον μαλακὸν ἐνταῦθα εἶπε. Τὸ δὲ «φρεσὶν ὁρμαίνειν» πρὸς διαστολὴν λεχθὲν τοῦ ἄλλως ὁρμαίνειν, κίνησιν δηλοῖ βουλευτικήν,
ἥτις ὅταν παύσηται, ἵστασθαι λέγεται, ὡς δηλοῖ τὸ «ἔστησα παρ' ἐμαυτῷ βουλήν», καὶ τὸ «ὤμοσα καὶ ἔστησα», καὶ ὅσα τοιαῦτα.
(ῃ. 5-10) Ὅτι τοὺς πυκνοὺς βασιλικοὺς στεναγμοὺς ἀστραπαῖς ὁ ποιητὴς εἰκάζει λέγων· «ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ἀστράπτῃ πόσις Ἥρης ἠϋκόμοιο,
τεύχων ἢ πολὺν ὄμβρον ἀθέσφατον ἠὲ χάλαζαν ἢ νιφετόν, ὅτε πέρ τε χιὼν ἐπάλυνεν ἀρούρας, ἠέ ποθι πτολέμοιο μέγα στόμα πευκεδανοῖο,
ὣς πυκινὰ ἐν στήθεσσιν ἀνεστενάχιζεν Ἀγαμέμνων νειόθεν ἐκ κραδίης, τρομέοντο δέ οἱ φρένες ἐντός». Καὶ σημείωσαι ὅτι κατὰ παλαιὰν
παρατήρησιν αἱ συχναὶ πολλάκις ἀστραπαὶ ὄμβρον ἐσήμαινον πολὺν ἢ χάλαζαν ἢ νιφετὸν ἢ καὶ πόλεμον μέγαν, 3.3 καὶ ὅτι ἐνταῦθα
μὲν ἐπαινεῖται τῆς ἐν λόγοις μεγαλοπρεπείας ὁ ποιητής, οἷα εἰκάσας τὸν μέγαν βασιλέα ∆ιῒ ἀστράπτοντι, ὃς διὰ τὸ τοιοῦτον ἔργον
καὶ ἀστραπαῖος ἐπωνομάζετο, ἐν δὲ Ὀδυσσείᾳ θαυμάζεται ἄλλως, ὅτι τὸν πτωχικὸν Ὀδυσσέα κατασμικρύνει τῇ εἰκόνι, ἀνδρὶ ἀπεικάσας
ὀπτῶντι γαστέρα κνίσσης γέμουσαν. Ὅλως γὰρ ὁ ποιητὴς ἄριστος εἰκονίζειν καὶ προσφυῶς τοῖς καιροῖς τά τε μεγαλεῖα ἐκτιθέναι
τάς τε σμικρότητας, καί πως κατὰ τὸν εἰπόντα τὸ «πρὸς τὰς τύχας γὰρ τὰς φρένας κεκτήμεθα» ἔχει λέγειν καὶ Ὅμηρος, ὡς πρὸς
τὰς ποιότητας τῶν ὑποκειμένων ἔχει καὶ αὐτὸς τὰς ἐν τῷ γράφειν μεθοδικὰς φρένας. Ὅρα δέ, ὅτι περιττότητα ὡς τὰ πολλὰ ὁ ποιητὴς
ἐν ταῖς παραβολαῖς τεχνώμενος τοιοῦτος καὶ
