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[521] ἐπισπέσθαι may consistently with the use of “ἕπομαι” mean either ‘no man was his match so as to keep pace with him in running,’ or ‘no man was his equal for clinging to the foe when men have turned to flee.’ In the latter case ἀνδρῶν τρεσσάντων may be a gen. absolute, and ποσίν mean ‘by speed of foot.’ It is perhaps possible, however, to make “ἀνδρῶν” depend on “ποσίν”, and take this with “ἐπισπέσθαι”, as we talk of ‘hanging on the heels’ of a flying enemy. There is little to choose between ὄρσηι and “ὦρσε”. For the phrase compare 11.544, 13.362.

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

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