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[597] κραταιίς. We may set aside the interpretation of Aristarchus, who took this as an adverb, analogous in form to “λικριφίς” or “ἀμφουδίς”. Nor is the division of “κραταιίς” into two words by Ptolemy of Ascalon likely. It seems left to us, either to take “κραταιίς” as some ‘power’ inherent in the stone; as we should say, ‘the force of gravity’ (cp. Schol. ad loc. “ἡ κραταιὰ δύναμις ὅ ἐστι τὸ βάρος”, and Hdt.8. 111, who uses “ἀναγκαίη” and “ἀμηχανίη” with a similar semi-impersonation): or, as a ‘Power’ or ‘Mighty One’ (like “δαίμων” sup. 587), external to the stone itself. See Hom. Od.12. 124, where “Κραταιίς” is given as the name of the weird mother of Scylla. The form “κραταιίς” is related to “κραταιός”, as “ἡμερίς” ( Hom. Od.5. 69) to “ἥμερος”. The interpretation of Aristarchus not only suggests a form contrary to analogy, but would require an unusual intransitive sense to be assigned to ἀποστρέψασκε. The epithet ἀναιδής is the original of the Virgilian improbus. Aristotle quotes the passage ( Rhet.3. 11) as a famous instance of “τὸ τὰ ἄψυχα ἔμψυχα λέγειν διὰ τῆς μεταφορᾶς”. For similar dactylic lines to express rapid motion cp. Il.5. 745; 8.389; 13.235; Virg. Aen.2. 227; 5. 217; 6. 702; 8. 596; 9. 37; 11. 875; Virg. Georg.3. 284.

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

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