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[33] ὀνήμενος. A participial form from the aorist “ὠνήμην”, whence come also “ὄνησο” Od.19. 68, and “ἀπόνητο” Od.11. 324.The older commentators explained the present passage by the ellipse of “εἴη”, making “ὀνήμενος [εἴη”]= “ὄναιτο”, ‘may he be blessed.’ But such an ellipse of the optative mood of “εἰμί” with a participle would be unparalleled in Homer, though the ellipse of the indicative is common enough.

A better interpretation is given by Classen (Homerisch. Sprachgeb. pp. 60 foll.), who closely connects the explanation of “ὀνήμενος” with that of “οὐλόμενος”. The latter he regards as getting its meaning directly from the formula of imprecation, “ὄλοιο”, and as representing the condition of the person or thing under such a ban; equivalent, generally, to ‘accursed.’ “ὀνήμενος” on the other hand represents the condition of one for whom the good wish, ‘“ὄναιο”,’ cp. Soph. O. C.1042, has been fulfilled; that is, ‘blessed,’ with an implication too, that such a one is a blessing to others.

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Homer, Odyssey, 11.324
    • Homer, Odyssey, 19.68
    • Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, 1042
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