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[845] καλαύροπα, no doubt “καλα-ϝροπα”, from “ϝρεπ-, ῥέπω”. The meaning of the first element is uncertain. Curtius after Hoffmann conn. with “κάλος” a string; explaining it of the loop of string often used to assist in casting, as it is to this day by the natives of the Pacific (see Tylor, Anthropology p. 194, Lex.s.v. “μεσάγκυλον”, Lat. amentum). In that case we should have expected to find some trace of the device in battle; but as Mr. Tylor remarks (ibid. p. 193) ‘the sporting use outlasts the warlike.’ It is, however, not unknown on archaic vases (see J. H. S. iv. 302; v. 221, pl. xliii.). So Schol. T “ἔχει δὲ ἐν τῶι κάτω μέρει δεσμόν, εἰς ὃν εἴρουσι τὴν χεῖρα . . καὶ Ἀντίμαχος “πάντες δ᾽ ἐν χείρεσσι καλαύροπας οὐατοέσσας”.”

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

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