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[89] ἐεργμέναι, fenced close, drawn so as to make a fence to the stream. The γέφυραι are evidently here embankments along the sides of the torrents; and this, not ‘bridge,’ is the regular meaning of the word in H. This, Fäsi's explanation, is sufficiently defended, perhaps, by 16.481 “φρένες ἔρχαται ἀμφ᾽ ἀδινὸν κῆρ”, the midriff forms a fence about the heart. “φράσσειν” similarly has a double use, (1) to fence in a space; (2) to make a fence of, e.g. 13.130 (“φράξαντες τὰ γέρρα” Herod.ix. 61); and so also “καλύπτω”, cf. note on 315 below. Compare also Virgil Aen. ii. 497 “oppositas evicit gurgite moles” (spumeus amnis). Most editors have adopted Ar.'s reading ἐερμέναι, which is explained either ‘joined together in long lines,’ or ‘bound’ in the sense of “πυκινῶς ἀραρυῖαι”. Neither of these is very satisfactory; “εἴρω” always means ‘to connect together by a rope or string’ (cf. Od. 15.460, Od. 18.296 “ὅρμον χρύσεον, ἠλέκτροισιν ἐερμένον”, strung with amber beads), and the transition from this to the sense required for the text is not very simple. There is a possible alternative, to read “ἐέργμεναι” as an infin.; the dams do not hold it back, so as to keep it within bounds; but the order is not natural.

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

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