[*] 386. Homeric subjunctive. The Homeric subjunctive is not so clearly defined in its use as the Attic subjunctive, and is often indistinguishable from a future. In fact, it serves as a missing aorist future where prose would employ the optative with “ἄν”. “οὐ γάρ πω τοίους ἴδον ἀνέρας οὐδὲ ἴδωμαι”, HOM. Il. 1.262; Never as yet have I seen such men, and never shall see them. HYMN. HOM. 1.1: “μνήσομαι οὐδὲ λάθωμαι Ἀπόλλωνος ἑκάτοιο”. HOM. Od. 6.201: “οὐκ ἔσθ᾽ οὗτος ἀνὴρ διερὸς βροτός, οὐδὲ γένηται”. 16.437: “οὐκ ἔσθ᾽ οὗτος ἀνὴρ οὐδ᾽ ἔσσεται οὐδὲ γένηται”. Il. 1.262 (see above). 6.459: “καί ποτέ τις εἴπῃσιν ἰδὼν κατὰ δάκρυ χέουσαν” . 7.87: “καί ποτέ τις εἴπῃσι καὶ ὀψιγόνων ἀνθρώπων”. 197: “οὐ γάρ τίς με βίῃ γε ἑκὼν ἀέκοντα δίηται”. On “ἄν” (“κεν”） with the subjunctive in simple sentences, see 451-6.
Syntax of Classical Greek from Homer to Demosthenes. Basil L. Gildersleeve. New York. American Book Company. 1900.
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