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[531] εἰράων, a word occurring here only, with the cognate “εἰρέας” (most edd. “εἴραις”), in Hes. Theog. 804 “εἰρέας ἀθανάτων”. It is said to be equivalent to “ἀγορά”. Et. Mag. has “τὸ εἴρα, ὃ σημαίνει τὴν ἐκκλησίαν καὶ τὴν μαντείαν”, and An. “ὅτι εἴρας λέγει τὰς ἀγοράς, σχηματίζων ἀπὸ τοῦ εἴρειν, ὅ ἐστι λέγειν”. But this does not suit προπάροιθε, which demands a more restricted sense, such as ‘speaking-places,’ orators' tribunes, which is not a Homeric idea. Though the common explanation is unsatisfactory, we have no materials for improving upon it. (Many MSS. have “ἰράων” or “ἱράων”, forms recognized by the old glossaries. Connexion with “εἴλη, ἴλη”, crowd (see Curt. Et. no. 660), has been suggested, but is far from clear.)

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

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    • Hesiod, Theogony, 804
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