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[351] The punctuation given is mentioned by Nikanor, who prefers an alternative in which the note of interrogation is put after “μεθιέμεν”, and a comma after “Ἄρηα. μεθιέμεν” refers to Odysseus and Menestheus in particular, while in “ἐγείρομεν” Odysseus speaks as one of the army at large, meaning ‘every case in which we fight’ (aor. subj.). If “ἐγείρομεν” referred to a future event, “κε” would be required (Monro). Moreover, it is unusual in Homer to begin an entirely fresh sentence of several lines in the middle of a line (Od. 14.217 is the only case quoted); and the asyndeton before 353, repeated in 9.359, is less harsh than before “ὁππότε”.

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

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