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[171] πεπάλεσθε is the only defensible form here, from “πάλλομαι” (in the sense of casting lots, 15.191, 24.400), cf. “ἀμπεπαλών. πεπάλαχθε” can only come from “παλάσσω” to spatter (e.g. 6.268), which has nothing to do with lots. “πεπάλασθε” is a vox nihili, no verb “παλάζω” being known — unless we are prepared to follow Ahrens in regarding it as a non-sigmatic aor. in “-α” like “εἶπα, ἤνεικα”. Similarly read “πεπαλέσθαι” in Od. 9.331 for “πεπαλάσθαι” or “πεπαλάχθαι”. Ap. Rhod. (i. 358), however, read “πεπάλαχθε. ὅς κε λάχηισιν” looks like the use of “ὅς” to introduce an indirect question. But this is against all the history and use of the pronoun; the sentence really means, not ‘draw lots to see who shall be chosen,’ but ‘draw lots (for one man), and he shall be chosen.’ Practically of course the meaning is the same, as the idea of a question is inherent in the drawing of lots; but theoretically the distinction must be carefully observed. Cf. 2.365, where the exact sense is ‘be a man a coward or be he brave, thou shalt know him’ (Delbrück S. F. i. 41).

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

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