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[463] ἐπιβωσόμεθ᾽: so nearly all MSS. This form occurs twice in Od. (Od. 1.378, Od. 2.143), but in the sense ‘to call the gods to help,’ while here it would more naturally mean ‘call upon in thanksgiving.’ Ar. read “ἐπιδωσόμεθ᾽, “ἵν᾽ ἦι δώροις τιμήσομεν”,” which is hardly possible. In 22.254 “ἐπιδόσθαι” means to take the gods as witnesses, which does not suit this passage. Ribbeck has suggested “ἐπιβωσάμεθ᾽”, which certainly gives the best sense. The contraction “βωσ-” for “βοησ-” is common in Herodotos, and is found also in 12.337 and the two passages from Od., but is of course late.

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

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