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[559] νωθής, apparently from “νη-” and “ὄθομαι”, indifferent. ἐάγη: the quantity of the “α_” has caused great difficulty, as elsewhere the aor. always has “α^” (7 times in H.). “κατα_γείη”, Aristoph. Ach. 944, and similar forms in Attic arise from contraction (“κατα-α^γ”.). “ἀα_γές,” Od. 11.575, is the common lengthening in compounds. The analogy of “ἑώρων, ἑάλων” — see on 5.487 — adduced in H. G. § 67 (3) seems inadequate; “ἐπλήγη” is more to the point, but is itself unexplained. Hence numerous conjectures have been made, of which Bekker's “ἀμφὶς ἐϝάγηι” (rather “ἀμφὶ ϝεϝάγηι”) has been generally accepted. But the perf., as Monro remarks (H. G. § 42), must mean are in a broken state (see Hes. Opp. 534 “οὗ τ᾽ ἐπὶ νῶτα ἔαγε”), while the sense required is were (have been) broken. Brandreth conj. “ἀμφὶ ϝάγησαν”, which is rather violent. A simpler and equally efficient change would be “ἀμφὶ ϝαγήηι”, the correct form of the aor. subj., but one certain to be corrupted into “ἀγῆι”, whence “ἐάγη” naturally follows, to fill out the line. If none of these conjectures are accepted, there is no choice but to ascribe the lengthening, with Ahrens and Schulze, to the ictus of the 6th foot (see App. D). ἀμφί（“ς”), on both his sides, i.e. across his back. The clause explains “νωθής”, he is indifferent because accustomed to severer treatment than the boys can administer. δή, before now.

The Iliad, edited, with apparatus criticus, prolegomena, notes, and appendices. Walter Leaf. London. Macmillan. 1900.

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hide References (3 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Hesiod, Works and Days, 534
    • Homer, Odyssey, 11.575
    • Aristophanes, Acharnians, 944
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