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[401] The πόρπαι are probably the same as “περόναι” (see App. G, 9), fibulae, brooches or buckles; cf. Eur. Hec. 1170, Eur. Phoen. 62, where the pin is used for putting out eyes. For the rest of the line cf. Hym. Ven. 86-89 “πέπλον μὲν γὰρ ἕεστο φαεινότερον πυρὸς αὐγῆς, εἶχε δ᾽ ἐπιγναμπτὰς ἕλικας κάλυκάς τε φαεινάς. ὁρμοὶ δ᾽ ἀμφ᾽ ἁπαλῆι δειρῆι περικαλλέες ἦσαν, καλοί, χρύσειοι, παμποίκιλοι” (cf. ibid. 162 ff.). No doubt the author of the Hymn took his words from this passage; whether he had any clear idea of their sense is doubtful, and it is rash to base arguments on that passage. Helbig explains ἕλικες by some brooches of a very ancient type found in Greece, Italy, and Central Europe, and formed of two spirals. (See the illustrations in H. E. pp. 279-82.) This however makes them only another kind of “πόρπαι”, which is not probable. We can only say that they are spirals: this form is so common in early ornament that we cannot specify more closely. Very likely they were bracelets. Note that the “ϝ” of “φέλικας” is neglected. Of the κάλυκες it can only be said that they were bud-like ornaments. It is very natural to give the name to the gold rosettes found so abundantly in Mykenaean graves, and used apparently for fastening on to dresses as ornaments (see Schuchh. p. 202); but comparison with Mykene must be used cautiously when we are dealing with women's dress. The ὅρμοι were of course necklaces.

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

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hide References (3 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Euripides, Hecuba, 1170
    • Euripides, Phoenician Women, 62
    • Homeric Hymns, Hymn 5 to Aphrodite, 86
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