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[39] παρθενικαί is used here and in Il.18. 567 as equivalent to “παρθένοι”. It may be compared with the substantival use of “ζεφυρίη” Od.7. 119, “ἀναγκαίη 19. 73, ὑγρή” 1. 97 etc. In Od.7. 20 we have “παρθενικῇ εἰκυῖα νεήνιδι”, where “παρθενικῇ” may be considered either as the adjective in agreement with “νεήνιδι” (as “ζωῇσι νεήνισιν” Il.18. 418), or in apposition with it. ἀταλαί is generally accepted as equivalent to ‘tender,’ but its etymology is very uncertain. It may be connected with “ἀτάλλειν”, the first meaning of which is to ‘leap’ or ‘skip’ like a young animal ( Il.13. 27), referred by Lobeck to “ἅλλεσθαι, σαλεύειν” etc.

νεοπενθέα θυμόν seems to mean ‘a heart whose sorrow was just fresh;’ so we have “τεκοῦσα νεοπαθής” Aesch. Eum.514, and “πένθος ἔχων νεοκηδέι θυμῷ” Hes. Theog.98.The epithet brings before our eyes a picture of the maidens with all the passionate expression of sorrow—dishevelled hair and streaming eyes. This is the meaning of the words of the Schol. “ἀεὶ νεάζον ἔχουσαι τὸ πάθος: ἢ νέον παθοῦσαι”, and is better than the alternative interpretation “ἐν τῇ νεότητι πενθοῦσαι”.

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

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