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[725] 725 = 12.60; the idea of making Polydamas Hector's military adviser seems to be taken from that passage combined with 12.210 ff., all being ultimately suggested by 18.249 ff. From 739-40 one would suppose that Polydamas is going to suggest a concentration of forces; his ultimate advice to hold a council as to the advisability of retreat is at least surprising, and shews him in the light of a mere coward instead of a sage adviser. Yet Hector, instead of rudely snubbing him as in M, appears to take his advice, and leaves him in charge of the centre, going ‘thither’ (to the left?) to return ‘after giving them good charge.’ But as a matter of fact he does no more than blame Paris unjustly and bring him back to the centre, the ‘left,’ which in 674 ff. was in hard straits, being thus further weakened. When Hector and Paris reach the centre the fight goes on, and there is no further word of a consultation. It is hard to imagine a more inconsequent piece of composition. The purpose of it seems to have been to put an end to the division of the battle into separate sections, which plays so important a part in what has preceded, but entirely vanishes in the following books. The whole passage to 794 must be one of the latest expansions of the Iliad (so Erhardt, pp. 231-36).

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

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