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[459] αὐέρυσαν, for “ἀϝ - ϝέρυσαν” by assimilation from “ἀν - ϝερ”, ‘they drew back, lifted up (the head)’ (Att. “ἀναρρύω”) partly perhaps for convenience of cutting the throat, partly in sign of dedication to the heavenly gods. (Compare “ἀνασχόμενος” Od. 14.425, “ἀνελόντες” Od. 3.453.) So victims to Chthonian powers were killed into a pit, “οὕτω γὰρ θύουσι τοῖς χθονίοις, τοῖς δὲ οὐρανίοις ἄνω ἀναστρέφοντες τὸν τράχηλον σφάζουσιν” (schol. 9.587): “Κυμαίων δὲ ἔθος, αἰτούντων τὸν θεὸν ἀπὸ τῶν κάτω ἐπὶ τὰ ἄνω αὐτοὺς ἕλκειν” (Schol. B here). Cf. also Cecil Smith's paper on ‘Nike sacrificing a Bull,’ J. H. S. vii. 275 sqq. (See Schulze's excellent discussion, Qu. Ep. 56-60.) In Pindar O. xiii. 80 “ἀναρύηι” is explained by the Schol. “σφάζηι, θύηι”. Most MSS. give “αὖ ἔρυσαν”, which cannot be right, as “αὖ” never = “κατόπισθε”: in 8.324-5 the repetition of “αὖ” would be intolerable.

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

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