Georg Autenrieth, A Homeric Dictionary

ι<*>μα?ς , αντος: leather strap or thong. —(1) in connection with the chariot, (a) straps in which the chariot - box was hung, or perhaps more likely the network of plaited straps enclosing the body of the chariot, Il. 5.727; (b) the reins, Il. 23.324, 363; (c) the halter, Il. 8.544.—(2) the chin-strap of a helmet, Il. 3.371.—(3) the cestus of boxers, see πυγμάχοι.—(4) the leash or latchstring by which doors were fastened. See adjacent cut, in four divisions: above, the closed, below the unfastened door; on the left, as seen from the inner side, on the right as seen from the outside. To close the door from the outside, the string, hanging loosely in fig. 1, was pulled until it drew the bolt from the position of fig. 2 to that of fig. 3, when it was made fast by a knot to the ring, κορώνη, e, fig. 4. To open from the outside, the string was first untied, and then the κληίς, not unlike a hook (fig. 4, f), was introduced through the key-hole, c, and by means of a crook (g, fig. 3) at the end of it the bolt was pushed back from the position of fig. 3 to that of fig. 2, and the door opened, Od. 1.442.— (5) for a bed - cord, Od. 23.201.—(6) the magic girdle of Aphrodīte, Il. 14.214, 219. —(7) a thong to make a drill revolve, Od. 9.385. (See cut No. 121.)