(One ought to think thus),—that is, ὄπισθεν ἑστάναι πατρ. γνώμης, one ought to place oneself under the guidance of a father's counsel, πάντα, in all things (adv. neut. pl., O. T. 1197 etc.). Thus “ἑστάναι” depends on “χρή”,—the indefinite subject of “ἔχειν” (“τινά”) being continued with it; and the whole clause explains “οὕτω”. The image from a soldier posted behind his leader suits the military tone in which Creon presently enforces the value of discipline (670). Cp. Plat. Rep. 471D “εἴτε καὶ ἐν τῇ αὐτῇ τάξει εἴτε καὶ ὄπισθεν ἐπιτεταγμένον”. The phrase “ὄπισθεν ἑστάναι γνώμης” is a poetical equiv. for “ἀκολουθεῖν τῇ γνώμῃ” (Thuc. 3.38).—We could also render,—‘that all things rank second to a father's will’: when ἑστάναι would depend on “διὰ στέρνων ἔχειν” as=“νομίζειν”. But “ἑστάναι” applies to the “τάξις” of persons more naturally than to the estimation of things: cp. Her. 9.27 “ἵνα δοκέει ἐπιτηδεότατον ἡμέας εἶναι ἑστάναι” (in battle): and the constr. is also less simple. “ἱστάναι” (which Musgrave proposed) would suit that view better.
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Sophocles: The Plays and Fragments, with critical notes, commentary, and translation in English prose. Part III: The Antigone. Sir Richard C. Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1900.
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