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[270] μογοστόκοι Εἰλείθυιαι, both words of doubtful origin. The first is generally derived from “μόγος”, and explained ‘helping in painful labour. ’ But this does not explain the “ς”, which is probably the relic of an acc. plur., cf. 1.238 “δικασπόλος”; hence lit. pangs-generating (Brugm. Gr. i. 173). L. Meyer divides “μογο-στόκ-ος” and explains pang-staying (root stak, a secondary of sta?). Εἰλείθυιαι (plur. here and 19.119 only; sing. 16.187, 19.103, Od. 19.188), according to the old explanation ‘the comers,’ i.e. the goddesses that come in the hour of need; compare the forms “Ἐλευθώ, Εἰλύθυια, Εἰλύθεια”. Fäsi explains it as a personification of ‘the woman's time that is come,’ comparing John xvi. 21 “ἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα αὐτῆς”. Schulze has a full discussion of the word in Q. E. 259 ff. He also derives from the same root, but in a causal sense, they that make the child come forth. Fick connects with “ἐλεύθερος” the goddesses that liberate from pangs.

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

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