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[190] δειδίσσεσθαι is uniformly transitive in Homer, and there is no reason why it should not be so here; Odysseus actually ‘terrifies’ the common sort into the assembly (199), but will not employ more than persuasion to the chiefs. We must therefore write “οὐ σὲ”, not “οὔ σε”, to emphasize this contrast; and so Herodianos thought, though the ‘usage’ was against him (“ἡ μὲν ἀκρίβεια ὀρθοτονεῖ, ἐγκλίνει δὲ ἡ συνήθεια”). Monro (Journ. Phil. xi. p. 127) rightly compares 15.196 “χερσὶ δὲ μή τί με πάγχυ κακὸν ὣς δειδισσέσθω”, and 4.286 “σφῶϊ μὲν οὐ γὰρ ἔοικ᾽ ὀτρυνέμεν”. Schol. B adds “δειδίσσεσθαι ἀντὶ τοῦ εὐλαβεῖσθαι”, a wrong interpretation, which has been generally adopted. Among the solecisms derided by Lucian, Pseudosoph. 564, is that of using “δεδίττομαι” in the sense of ‘fear’; “πρὸς δὲ τὸν εἰπόντα, Δεδίττομαι τὸν ἄνδρα καὶ φεύγω, Σύ, ἔφη, καὶ ὅταν τινὰ εὐλαβηθῆις, διώξηι”. The ellipse of thought implied in ἀλλά (191) is very simple: ‘but this I do say — sit still,’ etc. This is, in fact, the common use of “ἀλλά” in appeals, with imper. (A colon is put at the end of 190 to bring this out.)

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

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