[38] μνήσει σε θεός. Cp. Od.3. 27“ἄλλα δὲ καὶ δαίμων ὑποθήσεται”, and Od.4. 181.No special god is here alluded to, certainly not Poseidon, as suggested by the Schol., nor Helios; but in the most general sense, ‘some kindly power.’ We find similar expressions in “φωτὶ . . ὅν κε θεὸς τιμᾷ” Il.17. 99, “οὐδέ κεν ἄλλως”
“οὐδὲ θεὸς τεύξειε” Od.8. 177, “θεὸς δὲ τὸ μὲν δώσει τὸ δ᾽ ἐάσει” Od.14. 444.Comparing these passages with such phrases as “ὑπὲρ θεόν” Il.17. 327, “ἄνευθε θεοῦ” Il.5. 185, “σὺν θεῷ” Il.9. 49, it does not seem likely that any expression of a monotheistic feeling is intended; which would ill accord with the thorough anthropomorphism of the Homeric religion.αὐτός is emphatic; like Lat. ipse with the force of ultro.
