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[175] σὲἐς πρώτην. The pronoun is thrown out of its natural place in order to put it into a peculiarly emphatic position, and so as exactly to balance τῶν δ᾽ ἄλλων. For ἐς used with persons compare Il.7. 312εἰς Ἀγαμέμνονα”, Od.3. 317ἐς Μενέλαον”.

177, 178. πόλινἄστυ. There does not seem to be an intentional distinction here drawn between the two words, such as appears in later Greek, when all political ideas were connected with “πόλις”. But even the etymology points to a distinction which lies at the bottom of this difference. “πόλις” (Skt. purI) is connected with the root “πλε” or “πελ”, and points to the settlement of a multitude of people; while ἄστυ (“ϝάστυ”) is merely a ‘dwelling,’ from root vas, which appears in the Skt. vAstu = domus.’ Cp. Il.17. 144φράζεο νῦν ὅππως κε πόλιν καὶ ἄστυ σαώσεις”.

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