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[327] As the line stands it is obscure and ambiguous. We must take ἀνδράσι as meaning the Trojans, fighting the enemy for their women. ὀάρων must refer to Helen, but Achilles rhetorically generalises, saying ‘this war is all about women,’ while σφετεράων contemptuously ignores the fact that Helen belongs to the Greeks. The other alternative, to take ἀνδράσι as a dat. commodi, and refer it to the Atreidai, fighting for the benefit of husbands for their wives, is impossible in face of the constant use of the dat. with “μάρνασθαι” etc. meaning ‘to fight against. ’ Both of these interpretations ignore the use of σφετεράων, a reflexive, not an anaphoric pronoun, their own. There can be little question that the right reading is “μαρναμένοις”, battling against men (the Trojans) who are fighting for their wives; ‘the Trojans are fighting to keep their wives just as much as the Atreidai; why should I be on one side rather than the other?’ “μαρναμένοις” has no MS. support, but is printed in the second and third Aldine editions. Probably it is a mere printer's blunder, as it was removed in all sub sequent editions founded on the Aldine. Heyne was the first to point out its superiority.

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

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