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Δημήτηρ: like Ceres = corn. ‘When the corn is scattered or gathered,’ i.e. in seed-time or harvest; but there may be also an allusion to Eleusinian ritual; cf. viii. 65 Macan. The last two lines have been generally regarded (e.g. by Busolt, Meyer, and even by Hauvette) as an ex post facto addition to the oracle, but in their favour it may be urged (1) they follow naturally the promise ἔτι τοί ποτε κἀντίος ἔσσῃ, (2) they admit of a double interpretation (cf. i. 53. 3), (3) the time is vague; only the place is definite. Delphi must have known that the Peloponnesians wished to defend the Isthmus, and that Salamis would be a natural port for the fleet (cf. Munro, J.H.S. xxii. 306).

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