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[194] πρωτοπαγεῖς (with the rare contraction), generally explained ‘joined together for the first time,’ i.e. newly made. Cf. 24.267. In Od. 8.35 we have “νῆα πρωτόπλοον”, which is also translated ‘making her first voyage.’ But this is a doubtful compliment to a ship; the alternative, ‘a first-rate sailer,’ suits the context better, and so here ‘of first-rate build,’ primarie compacti (Döderl.), avoids the awkward tautology with “νεοτευχέες” which made Zenod. athetize the line. Unfortunately neither the simple “πρῶτος” nor any of its compounds seems to involve the pregnant meaning of primarius, so that we have to acquiesce in the ordinary explanation. The same ambiguity is found in “πρωτόπλους”, Eur. Hel. 1531.(Compounds of “πρῶτος” are very uncommon in classical Greek.)

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

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