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[697] κρινάμενος, selecting; the case is not analogous to the ordinary division of spoil, which is in the hands of the army, not of the king, who is only given a “γέρας ἐξαιρετόν”: here he is exacting payment for a debt. The lengthening of the first “ι” of τριηκόσἰ in thesis is unique and unaccountable. In forms like “ὑπεροπλίηισι” it is explained by metrical necessity (see App. D), which does not exist here; cf. Od. 21.18-19 “μῆλα γὰρ ἐξ Ἰθάκης Μεσσήνιοι ἄνδρες ἄειραν”

“νηυσὶ πολυκλήϊσι τριηκόσι᾽ ἠδὲ νομῆας”, whence this line seems to have been carelessly copied. The short “ο” before “κρινάμενος” shews that the author of the line was not particularly sensitive to position formed by “ρ”. We may suppose that, relying on forms like “ὑπεροπλίηισι”, he thought that the ‘doubtful’ vowel “ι” could be lengthened at will by an ‘Epic licence’ — but in that case we should have expected to find other similar instances. Or we may emend with Bentley “κρίνας μῆλα τριηκόσἰ”, or with Brandreth “κρινάμενός τε τριηκόσἰ” (comparing “παρά τε κλισίηι καὶ νηῒ μελαίνηι”). It has been suggested that the break in the line at the caesura permitted a short vowel here in place of a long one; but Schulze (Q. E. p. 422) shews that all the cases brought forward by von Christ to prove this are insufficient.

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

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