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[195] ἐστεφάνωται. Only the perf. and pluperf. pass. of “στεφανόω” are used in Homer, as e. g. Il.5. 739; 11.36. Cp. also h. Hom. Ven. 120 “ἀμφὶ δ᾽ ὅμιλος . . . ἐστεφάνωτο”. So here the island is ‘ringed’ or ‘girt’ by the infinite sea. Once the verb is used with a sort of object accusative, in the description of the shield of Achilles, whereon are represented the ‘constellations,’ “τείρεα, τά τ᾽ οὐρανὸς ἐστεφάνωται”, ‘which the firmament has set as a border to itself.’ The radical notion in the verb is to ‘press close,’ and so ‘closely surround.’ See note on Od. 1.148, and cp. “στέμμασι πυκασθείς” Hdt.7. 197, “πύκαζε κρᾶτ᾽ ἐμὸν νικηφόρον” Eur. Troad.353.

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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hide References (5 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (5):
    • Euripides, Trojan Women, 353
    • Herodotus, Histories, 7.197
    • Homer, Iliad, 11.36
    • Homer, Iliad, 5.739
    • Homeric Hymns, Hymn 5 to Aphrodite, 120
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