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[375] ἶφι κταμένοιο, because such leather would be better than that of an animal which had died of disease. ‘Hence in Hes. Opp. 541 shoes are ordered to be made of the hide “βοὸς ἶφι κταμένοιο”’ (Paley). ἶφι looks like an instrumental of “ϝίς” = vi-s; but the stem in Greek seems to be “ϝιν-” (plur. “ἶνες”). Moreover “ἶφι” never requires, and often (6 times) will not admit an initial “ϝ”, while the adj. “ϝίφιος” often requires and always admits it, and “ϝίς” itself rejects it only twice (17.739, 21.356). Thus “ἶφι” like “ἴφθιμος” (see on 1.3) remains a puzzle. See note on 6.478.

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

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