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[143] ἀνὰ ῥῶγας μεγάροιο. As to the meaning of this phrase nothing can be said to be known. It has been suggested by Protodicos (“Περὶ τῆς καθ᾽ Ὅμηρον οἰκίας”, p. 58) that the word “ῥώξ” is the same as the Modern Greek “ῥούγα”, meaning ‘a narrow passage.’ But “ῥούγα” seems to be the Latin ruga, which in Low Latin means a ‘passage’ or ‘street’ (whence the Modern French rue, &c.). The context requires that it should designate a way of mounting to the “θάλαμος”, and (we may add) an ordinary and convenient way, by which a man could bring twelve shields, as many spears, and the like number of helmets (ll. 144-145). It is not expressly said that his way lay through the “ὀρσοθύρη”, but this appears to be implied. Indeed the “ὀρσοθύρη” has no place in the story unless it leads up to and explains the action of Melanthius.

Assuming that “ῥώξ” is connected with “ῥήγ-νυμι”, we may perhaps suppose that “ῥῶγες” was used of a flight of steps, termed ‘breaks’ in contrast to the unbroken surface of an ordinary path. Cp. “ῥωχμός” ( Il.23. 420) of broken ground. It is true that on this view we have still to determine the place of these ‘steps of the “μέγαρον”,’ especially with reference to the “ὀρσοθύρη”. It may lessen the difficulty of this problem if we remember that “μέγαρον”, though properly meaning the great hall of a palace, is often used loosely for the palace as a whole.

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

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