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The constr. is, εἱλέσθην θρόνους, καὶ κραίνειν σκῆπτρα, etc.

κραίνειν=(1) to bring a thing to pass, (2) to exercise power, to reign, sometimes with a gen. of the persons ruled (296, 862, etc.).

σκῆπτρα goes with “κραίνειν” as an almost adverbial cognate accus., "to rule with sceptre": as Ph. 140σκῆπτρον ἀνάσσεται” (pass.) implies a similar “σκῆπτρον ἀνάσσω”. Rhythm forbids to take “σκῆπτρα” with “εἱλέσθην”, making “κραίνειν” epexegetic ("so as to rule").


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hide References (3 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, 862
    • Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, 296
    • Sophocles, Philoctetes, 140
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