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[34] θοῇσινὠκείῃσι. The two epithets are (so to speak) only verbally tautological: for the one is epitheton ornans, a conventional epithet, and the other a special. Thus translate, ‘trusting in the speed of their swift ships.’ Yet even in this translation, though literally correct, the epithet ‘swift’ (θοῇσιν) is not sufficiently subdued; so completely has it been emptied of its meaning by its use as a class epithet. Sophocles ( Aj.710) imitates this in “θοῶν ὠκυάλων νεῶν”, where see Schneidewin's note.

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    • Sophocles, Ajax, 710
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