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[141] Compare Aisch. Cho. 6-7 “πλόκαμον Ἰνάχωι θρεπτήριον, τὸν δεύτερον δὲ τόνδε πενθητήριον”, where the mourning lock and nurture lock are distinct. The “πλόκαμος θρεπτήριος” was usually cut off on ‘coming of age.’ Achilles still wears it because he left his home while quite young. Cf. Pausan. i. 37. 3 “ἀγάλματα δὲ ἐπὶ τῶι ποταμῶι, Μνησιμάχης, τὸ δὲ ἕτερον ἀνάθημὰ κειρομένου οἱ τὴν κόμην τοῦ παιδὸς ἐπὶ τῶι Κηφισῶι. καθεστάναι δὲ ἐκ παλαιοῦ καὶ τοῖς πᾶσι τοῦτο Ἕλλησι τῆι Ὁμήρου τις ἂν τεκμαίροιτο ποιήσει, ὃς τὸν Πηλέα εὔξασθαί φησι τῶι Σπερχειῶι κερεῖν ἀνασωθέντος ἐκ Τροίας Ἀχιλλέως τὴν κόμην”. See also viii. 20. 3; 41. 3, and for further instances, ancient and modern, Frazer's note on the last passage. The scholia shew that the meaning of the act was quite obscure to the authorities on which they are based.

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

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