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[79] μείλανι for “μέλανι” seems to be a case of lengthening in a tribrach for the sake of metrical convenience (see App. D, vol. i. p. 592). The epithet when applied to the sea generally has a special significance as indicating the surface rippled before the wind, 7.64, 21.126, 23.693, etc. Ancient commentators took it here as a proper name, the Gulf of Kardia, N. of the Thracian Chersonese, being called in later times “Μέλας Κόλπος”. This is of course absurd. λίμνη, expanse of water, 21.246.

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

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