previous next

[26] For κιχείω many would read “κιχήω”, but we have no right to neglect the consistent ancient rule by which in such forms “ει” is written before “ω” and “ο”, as it may represent a real difference of pronunciation (H. G. App. C). It is not necessary to supply any verb before “μή”, which is an independent prohibitive particle; the literal meaning is ‘Far be the thought that I shall find thee.’ H. G. § 278; Delbrück S. F. i. 22. Thus the constr. supplies the missing imperative for the 1st person (M. and T. § 257). The same explanation can be given in 28, though here the “μή”-clause is obviously far on its way to become subordinate. The progress of “μὴ οὐ” to complete subordination may be followed through 565, 10.39, 15.164, 24.569 (the only other cases in H. of “μὴ οὐ” with subj.) to the change of mood in 24.584 (M. and T. § 263).

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

The National Endowment for the Humanities provided support for entering this text.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.

An XML version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer Perseus any modifications you make. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system.

hide References (4 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (4):
hide Display Preferences
Greek Display:
Arabic Display:
View by Default:
Browse Bar: