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[122] βαθυκόλπων recurs in H. only in 339 and 24.215. Compare I 594 with note; the word seems to be almost identical in sense with “βαθύζωνος” there. The “κόλπος” is either the bosom itself or more commonly the upper part of the peplos which covers it and hangs in a deep fold over the girdle, see X 80 and App. G § 5. The epithet happens like “βαθύζωνος” to be used only of Trojan women, from which Ar., followed by many modern archaeologists, supposed it to mean some non-Hellenic form of dress. But such national differences are almost unknown to H., see note on 16.419. Later poets know nothing of any such restriction; see Hymn. Cer. 5 (of the Okeanides), Ven. 257 (the nymphs), Aisch. Sept. 864(Antigone and Ismene). Pindar uses it only of the deep-bosomed earth. One may suspect that Ar. took this view in order to strike a blow at Zen.'s reading of B 484 “μοῦσαι Ὀλυμπιάδες βαθύκολποι”.

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

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  • Commentary references from this page (2):
    • Aeschylus, Seven Against Thebes, 864
    • Homer, Iliad, 24.215
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