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[387] The κέραμος reminds us of the enormous jars, quite large enough to hold a man comfortably, found by Dr. Schliemann at Hissarlik; see the illustrations to Ilios pp. 33, 378, 589. These jars are of course of earthenware. The epithet χάλκεος is added in accordance with the usual practice of describing the utensils of the gods as made of the more valuable metals, while men used baser materials; cf. 724 sqq. Eurystheus, according to the legend, of which representations on archaic vases are not uncommon, lived in a brazen “κέραμος” sunk in the ground, for fear of Herakles. Acc. to the Et. Mag. (98. 31) “κέραμος” was the Cyprian name for ‘prison’ (our slang ‘jug’).

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

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