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[345] φάος seems here to have a double significance, ‘light’ and ‘sight.’ But the confusion is a natural one; the power of sight being regarded as something which goes out of a man, it is natural to represent the sun's power of sight by what goes out of him. In other words, what enables men to see enables him to see too. We cannot fairly compare the use of “φάεα” for eyes in a formal line of the Odyssey (17.15, 18.39, 19.417); the verb “λεύσσω”, however, properly to shine, and then to see, is analogous. εἰσοράασθαι is of course mid., keenest for beholding, not passive.

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

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