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[600] σφενδόνηι, a word which does not recur in H.; nor is the sling anywhere mentioned as a weapon unless, on the strength of the present passage, we find it in the “ἐυστρόφωι οἰὸς ἀώτωι” of 716. The context there obliges us to understand it either of slings, or of bowstrings, or, with Povelsen, of ‘closewoven woollen jerkins.’ The latter is excluded by the words “οἷσιν ταρφέα βάλλοντες” (718), which can hardly apply to “τόξοισιν” only. Bowstrings, too, would not be made of wool, however well twisted, so long as sinews could be had (4.118, etc.); wool could not stand the strain of a bow. We conclude, therefore, that slings are alluded to in 716, and that “σφενδόνη” here is to be taken in its usual sense. Even if it meant only ‘bandage’ here (as in Hippokrates it means a surgical sling) the sense could only be secondary, and would imply a knowledge of the weapon. And we know that slings were employed in Mykenaean warfare from the famous siege-scene on the silver bowl, vol. i. p. 572. There is, therefore, no reason on this ground for doubting the present passage; the rarity of allusion to the sling is doubtless due to the fact that it was the weapon of the despised light-armed soldier, and therefore beneath the notice of the heroic poet. But it must be admitted that 600 is added very awkwardly, and has all the appearance of a gloss, though probably enough a correct one. “οἱ . . ποιμένι λαῶν” is not in the Epic style, and the nameless “θεράπων” seems to be a common soldier; the Homeric “θεράπων” is a brother-in-arms, a hero like his chief.

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

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