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[21] pedem: the pedes (Gr. πόδες,) were the sheets, or ropes attached one to each of the lower corners of the square sail, whence they were carried aft and belayed at either rail. They were used to stretch the sail taut, so as to secure the full effect of the breeze. The pedes here stand for the two halves of the sail itself, and that was evenly filled only when the vessel was sailing before the wind; cf. Cic. Att. 16.6utrumque [sinum] pedibus aequis transmisimus” ; Ov. Fast. 3.565nancta ratem pede labitur aequo.


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