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[92] The so-called ‘attraction’ of the mood in the subordinate clause to the opt. of the principal clause (as “ὅν . . ἄγοιτο” is here in relation to “ὃς ἐπίσταιτο”) merely means that the condition is regarded from the same point of view as the main action. Here the main action “οὔ κεν ἄγοιτο” is put as a possibility only, so the condition is left only as a possibility, the speaker not caring to shift his point of view in order to insist upon his assumption or expectation of its reality as he might do by the indic. or subj. respectively. If it is desired, however, to insist upon this expectation, the mood is changed to the subj., e.g. 127 “ὅν κ᾽ ἐὺ εἴπω” after “ἀτιμήσαιτε” (cf. H. G. § 305 ad fin.) Thus Bentley's conj. “ἐπίστηται” for “ἐπίσταιτο” is needless, though to some extent supported by the fact that several MSS. have “ἐπίσταται”.

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

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