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[667] πρὸ φόβοιο, a unique phrase, explained by Düntzer to mean ‘forward in (on the path of) flight,’ like “πρὸ ὁδοῦ” 4.382 (H. G. § 225, where the gen. is explained as partitive). But this cannot be considered satisfactory, as we should expect a verb of motion, not “λίποιεν”, and the transition is violent to ‘having betaken themselves to flight.’ It is commonly compared with Lat. prae timore; our own ‘for fear’ shews how closely the senses of before and by reason of are connected. It seems therefore necessary to recognize here a single instance of a very ancient use, which was entirely superseded in Greek by the use of other prepositions, primarily by the kindred “πρός”. The point of contact between the two is marked by “πρὸ ἄνακτος” 24.734, ‘before the face of a king,’ where there is a distinct connotation of causation, so that “πρός” might grammatically have been used. The remarkable thing here is on this supposition the use of “φόβοιο” in place of a personal substantive.

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

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