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[49] ἐλλίσσεθ᾽ is the vulg. reading; it is an obvious anti-climax after so martial a simile, but the inappropriateness lies in the whole application of the comparison, not in any single word (see Introd.). The variant “εἱλίσσεθ᾽” is old, but looks like an attempt to give the application a superficial connexion with the simile by a reference to “στρέφεται”. Nikanor says “τὸ ἐλίσσετο ἑκατέροις δύναται προσδίδοσθαι, καὶ σημαίνει ἢ τὸ παρεκάλει παρὰ τὸ λίσσεσθαι ἢ ἐστρέφετο παρὰ τὸ ἑλίσσω ῥῆμα”. He decides in favour of the former, on account of the awkwardness of the pause in the fifth foot if we have to join “ἑταίρους” with “ἐποτρύνων”. Monro replies that there are two cases of similar rhythm in this passage, 44 and 51. But in the former at least “θαμειάς” is best taken as part of the predicate, dart thick the spears. Compare note on 13.611. Gerhard conj. “ἐϝελίσσεθ᾽ ἑταίρων”, without removing the fundamental difficulty. “λίσσεσθαι” is a duty urged upon Hector in 5.491.

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

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