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[560] πάλυνον is explained by Hentze (after Clemens) ‘were making porridge’ by sprinkling meal in water or other liquid, as Hekamede thickens the “κυκειών” in 11.640. It is generally used of sprinkling of meal on the roast flesh, as Od. 14.77, 429; and it is by no means clear that this is not the sense here. The question depends on whether δαῖτα is really to be taken as ‘banquet,’ and therefore a meal too luxurious for the “ἔριθοι”, in contrast to δεῖπνον. Were such the case, it would of course follow that the ox could only be meant for the king — and, we must suppose, a circle of retainers who are not mentioned. But it is quite possible to hold that “δαῖτα” means ‘a feast’ and expresses the abundance of good cheer, while “δεῖπνον” indicates the meal in relation to the day's work (see notes on 8.53, 11.86). There is no contradiction in saying that a feast, an unusually abundant meal, is being prepared for the workmen's lunch. The preparing the ox and the sprinkling of the meat must be regarded as consecutive, not coincident, scenes. This explanation avoids the difficult pregnant use of “παλύνειν. δεῖπνον,” accus. in apposition, ‘as a meal’; so Od. 24.215 “δεῖπνον δ᾽ αἶψα συῶν ἱερεύσατε ὅς τις ἄριστος”.

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

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