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[9] This line again, but for what immediately follows, would lead us to suppose that the destruction of the wall referred to is that wrought by the Trojans on this very day, when “τεῖχος ἐγυμνώθη” (12.399), and “ἔρειπε τεῖχος Ἀχαιῶν” (15.361). If that is so, then we may limit the latest addition (see Introd.) to the lines 10-33; and to this the awkward repetition of “ἔμπεδον ἦεν” in 12 probably points. The difficulty of the contradiction between these words and 15.361 has long been felt. Schol. A (Porphyrios) mentions an explanation, impossible of course, which gave “ἔμπεδον” here the literal meaning “ἐν πεδίωι κείμενον καὶ μὴ ἁλίπλοον”. It has also been objected that “ὄφρα .. μήνι᾽ Ἀχιλλεύς” implies that the poet of these lines had before him a legend which gave a much longer duration of the “μῆνις” than the few days ascribed to it by the Iliad, which would be so short a life for the wall as to afford no proper contrast with the picture of its subsequent destruction. But it is clear that the “μῆνις” is mentioned as the distinguishing mark of the period which required the building of the wall; it is the terminus a quo of the wall, just as the sacking of Troy mentioned in the next line is the terminus ad quem.

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

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