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[216] σφωΐτερον, because Athene speaks for Here as well as for herself. εἰρύσσασθαι, to observe, from (“ς”）“ρυ_”, (“ς”）“ερυ^” = Lat. serv-are. It is now generally recognised that this is the root, and that the verb has nothing to do with “ϝερύω” = draw, though the forms are very similar, and in the numerous cases where the verb is used of the dead and wounded drawn away or saved from the enemy either root gives an equally good sense. The chief forms of the verb are (1) nonthematic pres. “ῥῦσθαι, ῥυ?ατ᾽, ῥύσκευ”: (2) thematic “ῥύομαι” (“υ_” and “υ^”): (3) aor. “ἐρρύσατο, ῥύσασθαι”, fut. “ῥύσομαι” (from “σρυ_”): (4) aor. “εἰρυσάμην” (“ἐ-σερυ-”), “ἐρύς”（“ς”）“ασθαι”, etc., fut. “ἐρύσσεται, ἐρύεσθαι”: (5) perf. “εἴρυμαι”, etc. (= se-sru-mai). This leaves “εἰρύσσασθαι” here and elsewhere, “εἰρύσσονται” 18.276, “εἰρυόμεσθα”, to be explained as due to the analogy of “εἴρυμαι” regarded as a present. The varying quantity of the “υ” naturally arises from the mutual influence of the forms (“ς”）“ρυ_” and (“ς”）“ερυ^”. (So Schulze Qu. Ep. 325-9; cf. also van L. Ench. p. 406.) None of these forms require, and few admit, a “ϝ”, which is rarely absent where the verb means to draw (Od. 9.194 = Od. 10.444 is apparently a mistaken adaptation of Od. 14.260 = Od. 17.429). The active forms are all from “ϝερυ-”, to draw. The ambiguous forms are chiefly those of the 1 aor. middle, and the perf. and plpf.

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

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