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[238] The form βῶν is unique. It has been supposed to be a contraction for “βοείην”, but this is quite incredible, and is not supported by the analogy of “βώσαντι” in 12.337. It is the accusative of “βοῦς”, which is twice used to mean ‘an ox-hide,’ in the sense of a shield simply (12.105 “τυκτῆισι βόεσσι,” 12.137 “βόας αὔας”, and cf. “ταύρων” above, 223). The exact form of the word is, however, doubtful. There was a variant “βῶ” for “βόα”, but as the Homeric form must have been “βόϝα” this does not deserve much consideration. Aristophanes read “βοῦν”. We have some (very slight) testimony indicating that “βῶς” was a form in actual use, in Hesych., “βῶν: ἀσπίδα, Ἀργεῖοι”, and Priscian vi. 69 et Aeolis et Doris “βῶς” dicunt pro “βοῦς”: cf. Lat. bōs, and “ὦν” beside the Attic “οὖν”. Hinrichs (Hom. El. p. 98) thinks that “βῶν” may represent “βοϝ-ν”, but Schmidt J. has pointed out that it may be a very ancient form answering exactly to the Skt. gAm, acc. of gaus (see H. G. § 97). But it may be simply a mistake in transliterating the primitive BON (= “βοῦν”) by those who thought that “βῶν” might be a contraction of “βοείην”. Reichel remarks that only two evolutions were possible with the ponderous Mykenaean shield; it might be slung either to the right, over the back, for retreat; or to the left, so as to cover the breast. These two movements are expressed here. This is the meaning of Schol. B, which Heyne calls ‘inept,’ “δεξιὰ μὲν τὸ φεύγειν, ἀριστερὰ δὲ διώκειν”.

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

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