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[91] The similarity of this personification of Ate to the allegory of the “Αιταί” in 9.502-12 is very striking; and it seems necessary to class them together among the very latest parts of the poems. In this connexion it is interesting to note that Plato ( Symp. 195D) quotes 92-93 as “Ὅμηρος” in a tone which clearly shews that in his day there was no consciousness of any difference of authorship. Theog. 230Eris among other offspring brings forth “Δυσνομίην Ἄτην τε, συνήθεας ἀλλήλοισιν”. Cf. also Solon fr. 13. 75 “ἄτη δ᾽ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀναφαίνεται, ἣν ὁπόταν Ζεὺς πέμψηι τισομένην, ἄλλοτε ἄλλος ἔχει”. ἀᾶται (also 129), the only form of the verb which cannot be referred to “ἀ”（“Ϝ”）“άζω”: see note on 8.237. It is also the only form of the mid. used transitively, except probably “ἄσατο” in 95. Perhaps therefore we ought to read “ἄασσεν” with Brandreth.

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

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hide References (3 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Hesiod, Theogony, 230
    • Homer, Iliad, 9.502
    • Plato, Symposium, 195d
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