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[683] ἔμπεδον seems to mean ‘without hesitation’ or uncertainty; cf. “ἀσφαλέως” “θέει ἔμπεδον” of a boulder, 13.141, “θέεν ἔμπεδον” of a ship, Od. 13.86. The feat described is not likely to be that of the modern circus, where a man stands on the horses' backs and leaps across from one to the other; more probably while holding the reins of four horses in his hands the performer leaps to the ground from one and mounts another while they are going at full speed. So Aias leaps from the deck to the earth, and springs thence to the deck of the next ship. We may compare the favourite exercises of the Thessalian “ἀναβάται”, who used to spring from their horses at full speed, run by their sides holding the reins, and leap up again. ἐπ᾽ ἀμείβεται, tmesis; cf. 6.339 “νίκη δ᾽ ἐπαμείβεται ἄνδρας”.

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

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