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[247] The epithet ἑκατόζυγος (the variant “ἑκατόνζυγος” is excluded by the analogy of “σύζυγος”) evidently implies ‘a ship bigger than was ever seen.’ We hear indeed of ships carrying 120 men (2.570), but it is not to be supposed that each of these occupied an oarsman's bench. So far as we can judge, Odysseus' comparison of the Kyklops to the mast “νηὸς ἐεικοσόροιο” (Od. 9.322） implies that even this must have been a large size. So in Pind. P. iv. 245 “ναῦς πεντηκόντορος” is a type of huge bulk. For “ζυγά” = rowers' benches see Od. 9.99, Od. 13.21, “νηῒ πολυζύγωι” 2.293, M. and R. p. 540. ἄροιτο, bear, only here; “ἄρνυμαι” elsewhere always = win. It looks as though there were a late confusion with “αἴρειν” (“ηομ. ἀείρειν”).

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

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