Walter Leaf, Commentary on the Iliad (1900), Book 1 (Α）, line 449

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[449] χερνίψαντο, a “ἅπαξ λεγόμενον” in Homer, unique in form among Greek compounds. The pres. “χερνίπτομαι” occurs frequently in Attic, e.g. Aristoph. Pax 961. οὐλοχύτας, barley grains; so “οὐλαί” Od. 3.441, the Attic “ὀλαί”. They appear to have been merely bruised — a relic, such as often appears in ritual, of a forgotten time before grinding was invented. The usual course seems to have been to cast them into the fire, but occasionally they were thrown on the victim's head. 458 below would suit either. ἀνέλοντο, ‘took up in their hands from the basket.’ Compare the whole description of the sacrifice in Od. 3.430-63, and in Aristoph. Pax 948 sqq.

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

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Walter Leaf, Commentary on the Iliad (1900)

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