[303] χθιζά τε καὶ πρωϊζά: a proverbial expression, more common in the form “πρώην τε καὶ χθές”, as in Hdt.ii. 53 “μέχρι οὗ πρ. τ. κ. χθές”, until very lately. So Ar. Ran. 726 and Plato. There are three leading explanations: (1) the principal verb is “ἐφάνη” (308), but the construction of the sentence is virtually forgotten in the subordinate clause “ὅτε .. φέρουσαι” and the quasiparenthetical “ἡμεῖς .. ὕδωρ”, and is resumed by “ἔνθα”. In this case the phrase is used to make light of the long duration of the war, ‘it is as it were but yesterday, when,’ etc. Or (2) “ἦν” is to be supplied after “πρωϊζά”, ‘it was a day or two after the fleets had begun to assemble in Aulis.’ Näg. and Aut.support this at length, comparing
“ τέτρατον ἦμαρ ἔην ὅτ᾽ ἐν Ἄργεϊ νῆας ἐίσας
Τυδείδεω ἕταροι Διομήδεος ἱπποδάμοιο
ἵστασαν,
”
. The passages they quote for the omission of “ἦν” are insufficient, for they are all in rel. or subord. clauses. (3) Lehrs, Ar. p. 366, takes “χθ. τε καὶ πρωϊζά” with “ἠγερ.”, transl. vix cum Aulida advecti eramus, tum (v. 308) portentum accidit. This is far the best; the interpretation coincides with (2), ‘when the ships had been gathering but a day or two in A. ’ This omen cannot fail to recall the famous portent of the eagles and the hare in A. Agam. 115-20, told of the same place and time.
