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[26] The epithet ἑτεραλκής occurs only with “νίκη”, except in 15.738, where we have “ἑτεραλκέα δῆμον”. The idea in all cases seems to be ‘a victory giving might to the other side,’ i.e. turning the tide of battle, “ὅταν οἱ νικῶντες νικῶνται, ἢ ὅταν οἱ πρώην νικηθέντες νικήσωσιν” Schol. A; in O the “δῆμος” is a reserve to change the tide of war. It is easy to see how from this meaning is derived the use of “ἑτεραλκής” in later Greek (Herod.) in the sense of anceps pugna, a battle where the tide keeps turning. This, however, cannot be deduced from either of the alternatives which have been proposed — (1) decisive victory, giving might to one only of the two parties; (2) victory of other strength, i.e. won by divine interference (Monro; in 15.738 ‘a people to gain fresh help from’). We may compare for the sense of “ἕτερος” in composition Aisch. Supp. 403 “Ζεὺς ἑτερορρεπής; ἑτερόρροπος” = ‘ambiguous, uneven,’ and the only other compound of “ἕτερος” in Homer (in a late passage however) Od. 11.303 “ἑτερήμερος”, ‘changing from day to day.’ Compare also Aisch. Pers. 950.

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

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hide References (4 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (4):
    • Aeschylus, Persians, 950
    • Aeschylus, Suppliant Maidens, 403
    • Homer, Iliad, 15.738
    • Homer, Odyssey, 11.303
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