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[386] ἁγνή, used in Odyssey only as epithet of Artemis, 5. 123; 18. 202; 20. 71, and of “ἑορτή” 21. 259. It is possible that “ἁγνή” is a later alteration, pointing to a time when Persephone was regarded from a fresh point of view.

θηλυτεράων. Ameis quotes from Lobeck, De Epith. otiosis, 361 ‘Veteres hoc ad schema referunt quod “χαριεντισμόν” vocant, neque negari potest hanc adiectionem attributi omnium oculis occurrentis nativam prisci sermonis simplicitatem prae se ferre.’ The expression is found inf. 434; Od.15. 422; 23.166; 24.202; Il.8. 520, and “θεαὶ θηλύτεραι” Od.8. 324; cp. Il.8. 7.There does not appear to be in the word any quality implied, like ‘fair’ or ‘tender.’ It is merely a way of marking off by a naïve emphasis the one sex from the other; the termination “-τερος” helping to suggest this antithesis. The meaning of the word is nothing but ‘female,’ being connected with “θηλή, θῆσθαι”, and Lat. fe-mina.

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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