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[332] ἐπώμοσε, apparently swore to his bidding, or added an oath to the original promise (cf. the frequent “ἐπὶ δὲ μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμοῦμαι”). It may be questioned if the “ἀπώμοσε” of most MSS. is not right; the oath he has just sworn is negative, and is therefore properly expressed by “ἀπομνύναι”. The positive promise is only an asseveration, “φημί”. In Od. 15.437, however, “ἐπώμνυον” is clearly needed, though “ἀπώμνυον” is a well-supported variant. “ἐπόμνυμι” does not imply a false oath as “ἐπίορκον” does; though here the perjury is not intentional.

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

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