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[403] μαχεούμενον. Curtius (p. 293, Gk. Et.) remarks that the epic presents “μαχέομαι” and “μαχείομαι” must be referred to a theme “μαχες”, just as “τελέω” and “τελείω” imply a theme “τελες”. We find a present participle “μαχειόμενος” Od.17. 471, and the form “μαχεούμενος” may be a metathesis quantitatis of this. In Il.1. 272“μαχέοιτο” appears as present optat. Monro, H. G. § 54, thinks that probably “μαχεώμενος” should be written, with “-εω” for “-ηο”. The passage may either signify ‘fighting on behalf of one's city and its women,’ cp. Il.16. 496 foll.; 17. 147, or ‘fighting to take a city and carry off its women,’ as Il.18. 265.The latter interpretation is commended, by the allusion to the foray on the cattle.

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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