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[499] ἱεράς, consecrated to Demeter; cf. 11.631 “ἀλφίτου ἱεροῦ ἀκτήν. ἀλωή”, here and 13.588, 20.496, threshing-floor, generally orchard. But the former meaning seems to be the oldest, cf. “ἀλέω, ἀλοάω, ἅλως”, and other words with kindred meanings. The question whether the right form is “ἀλωή” or “ἀλωιή” is doubtful; we have a similar variation between “ἀλοάω” and “ἀλοιάω”, but the “ι” in any case does not seem to be primitive, and it is therefore best to follow the MSS. in reading “ἀλωάς”, though La Roche prefers “ἀλωιάς”, on the strength of the tradition of the grammarians. For another elaborate simile taken from the process of winnowing cf. 13.588 sqq. It is not clear whether the wind used is created by a fan, or whether they took advantage of the natural wind; but the probability seems in favour of the former, so that “ἐπειγομένων” will be a passive.

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

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