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[144] οὖδας ἔρεισεν, pressed the earth, lay a dead weight upon it. Cf. 13.131 = 16.215 “ἀσπὶς ἄρ᾽ ἀσπίδ᾽ ἔρειδε”. It must be admitted that this is not a very natural phrase, but it has the authority of Ar. and P; the vulg. “οὔδει ἐρείσθη” is at first sight simpler, but does not really give a better sense; leant on the ground is not a good phrase for a man flat on his back. Compare 5.309 “ἐρείσατο χειρὶ παχείηι γαίης”, where the verb is properly used. This seems therefore to be a case for preference of the harder lection. In 7.145, however, “οὔδει ἐρείσθη” is the only recorded reading; the variation may have existed from the earliest days. See also 12.192.

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

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