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[599] μένε, was awaiting before bringing about the change. For the infin. after “μένω” cf. 4.247 “μένετε Τρῶας σχεδὸν ἐλθέμεν”. Some take “μένε” here as an imperf. to “μέμονα”, was minded to see. This is not impossible, but really comes to the same thing, for the sense to wait is derived from that of thinking, i.e. ‘deliberating.’ Cf. “μένω δ᾽ ἀκοῦσαι πῶς ἀγὼν κριθήσεται”, Aisch. Eum. 677, and so Aisch. Ag. 459, where the sense desire is possible. But in all these cases the ordinary meaning of the verb is all that is required, and it is not very probable that we should find a few isolated survivals of the primitive use when the verb is so common in the fully specialised application.

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

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hide References (3 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Aeschylus, Agamemnon, 459
    • Aeschylus, Eumenides, 677
    • Homer, Iliad, 4.247
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