[637] δυώδεκα: a small number in comparison with the 40 ships of Dulichium, v. 630, or the 80 ships of Diomed, v. 568. The same number of Odysseus's ships is mentioned in the Odyssey, Od. 9.159. Eleven of the twelve were destroyed by the Laestrygonians on his voyage home, Od. 10.121 ff., and the remaining ship was wrecked by the thunderbolt of Zeus, Od. 12.415 ff.
μιλτοπάρῃοι: red-cheeked; their bows (cheeks) were painted with vermilion, cf. “νέας φοινικοπαρῄους λ 124, τὸ δὲ παλαιὸν ἅπασαι αἱ νέες ἦσαν μιλτηλιφέες” Hdt. iii. 58. On the other hand, cf. v. 170, and Od. 9.482 where the ship of Odysseus is called “κυανόπρῳρος” dark-prowed. — The forces of Odysseus are the fifteenth in the enumeration of the 29 contingents. Corresponding to this position, these ships are said to be at the middle of the line, 8.222. 638-644. The Aetolians.This text is part of:
Homer's Iliad, Books I-III. Thomas D. Seymour. Boston. Ginn and Company. 1891.
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