[486] ἀμφὶς ἔχοντες, ‘supporting it at either end.’ The ζυγόν was a bar at the end of the pole, and at right angles to it, lashed on with a thong; at either end of the “ζυγόν” was a pad, where it rested on the horses' necks, and from each pad came the straps (“λέπαδνα”) that served as collars, cp. Il.5. 729“τοῦ δὲ ἐξ ἀργύρεος ῥυμὸς πέλεν: αὐτὰρ ἐπ᾽ ἄκρῳ”
“δῆσε χρύσειον καλὸν ζυγὸν, ἐν δὲ λέπαδνα”“κάλ᾽ ἔβαλε, χρύσεἰ. ὑπὸ δὲ ζυγὸν ἤγαγεν Ἥρη”
“ἵππους ὠκύποδας”. Where the yoke joined the pole was a boss, “ὀμφαλός”, and the thong that connected yoke and pole is called “ζυγόδεσμον”. On the yoke were rings (“οἴηκες”) through which the reins passed. The pole ended in a pin (“ἕστωρ”), over which was slipped a ring in the centre of the yoke called “κρίκος”. See for the whole description Il.24. 266 foll.
