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[94] μετὰ νῶτα βαλών, generally rendered turning thy back, a strange use. It is perhaps allowable to understand the shield as the direct object of “βαλών”, throwing thy shield behind thy back, as we know was actually done in retreat, e.g. by Aias in 11.545 “ὄπιθεν δὲ σάκος βάλεν ἑπταβόειον”. The taunt in 95 thus gains in sarcastic bitterness, ‘take very good care of your back.’ Platt in J. P. xviii. 131 would put a comma after ὁμίλωι, and the interrogation after πήξηι. This is of course more logical, but weaker. Davis and Bentley both conj. “βαλὼν σάκος, ὡς ἐν ὁμίλωι μή τις κτλ.”, chiefly on the ground that the post-positive “ὥς” in comparisons is “ϝώς”. This, however, is not clear, and the naming of the “σάκος” is not essential. Such an expression as “μετὰ νῶτα βαλεῖν” describing a well-known manœuvre might easily pass into a technical phrase in which it was needless to name the shield. In 22.283, however, the words of l. 95 are used merely to express the inherent disgrace of a wound in the back; cf. also 13.289.

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

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