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[547] δῆμον: here in the strict local sense, realm. It probably comes from root “δα-” of “δαίω” and means the common land of the tribe apportioned for tillage among the tribesmen, as is still done in the Slavonic village communities; cf. on 12.421. So Nausithoos “ἐδάσσατ᾽ ἀρούρας” Od. 6.10. In a still earlier stage “δῆμος” indicates a yet more complete communism, meaning the common stock of what we should call ‘personal’ property, e.g. Od. 19.197 “δημόθεν,” 11.704 “ἐς δῆμον”, and 17.250 “δήμιος,” 1.231 “δημοβόρος,” 18.301 “καταδημοβορῆσαι”. (Mangold in Curt. St. vi. 403-13.)

The Iliad, edited, with apparatus criticus, prolegomena, notes, and appendices. Walter Leaf. London. Macmillan. 1900.

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