[11] κύνες. The reading “δύω κύνες” is illustrated by
The epithet “ἀργός” was generally by the older interpreters rendered ‘white’ (“λευκόποδες” Eustath. ad loc., cp. Il.24. 211“ἀργίποδες”); but the reference is to swiftness and not to colour; the word “ἀργός”, expressing the same connection between ‘brightness’ and ‘quickness’ that appears in Lat. mico, etc. See Curtius (G. E. p. 157), who points to “μαρμαρυγαὶ ποδῶν” as giving the middle point between the two ideas. The name “Ποδάργη” for the ‘storm-swift’ Harpy ( Il.16. 150) is analogous to the phrase “πόδας ἀργοί”, the v. l. The uses of dogs in Homer are for watching the herds and homestead ( Od.17. 200; Il.18. 578); and for hunting ( Il.11. 325); while Achilles keeps dogs as pets, “ἐννέα τῷ γε ἄνακτι τραπεζῆες κύνες ἦσαν” Il.23. 173.“ nec non et gemini custodes limine ab alto
praecedunt gressumque canes comitantur herilem.
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