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[12] Σάμου Θρηϊκίης, Samothrace, (24.78), an island with a lofty central peak, from which the Trojan plain is in fact visible over the top of the intervening island of Imbros. This unique mark of personal knowledge of the district is probably a sign of the comparatively late origin of the passage. This view is confirmed by the tradition, if it is to be believed, that Samothrace was so called because colonized by Ionians from Samos, as Schol. A relates on the authority of Apollodoros. It is possible, however, that Samos is a Semitic (Phoenician) word, from the root samā, “to be high,” in which case it would be probable that the identity of name has nothing to do with Greek colonization. So also Strabo x. p. 457 “ἀπὸ τοῦ σάμους καλεῖσθαι τὰ ὕψη”. The variant “Σάου” mentioned by Didymos was explained to mean the mountain “Σαώκη” in the island. Compare the (Thracian?) “Σάϊοι” against whom Archilochos fought (fr. 6) (Strabo ibid.). Samos itself is not named in Homer.

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

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