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[63] ὀνειροπόλος, either a dreamer of dreams, one who has converse with the god in sleep; or an interpreter of the dreams of others. In the absence of any other mention of professional dreamers or interpreters in H. (which doubtless led Zen. to reject the line) we cannot decide between the two. The root “πολ” seems to have been a very primitive word for agricultural and pastoral duties; cf. “οἰωνοπόλος” beside “αἰ-πόλ-ος” (“βου-κόλ-ος” is probably from the same root kar, Curt. Et. p. 470). It thus means ‘one who attends to dreams,’ or perhaps, as we might say, ‘cultivates’ them; compare the double significance of Lat. col-ere.

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

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