Book XIII

:

We are hurried through this book by the warlike ardor of the poet. Battle succeeds battle with animating rapidity. The speeches are in fine keeping with the scenes, and the similes are drawn from the most imposing natural phenomena. The descriptions possess a wonderful distinctness and vigor, presenting the images to the mind by a few bold and grand lines, thus shunning the confusion of intricate and minute detail.—Felton.

So called from their simple diet, consisting principally of mare’s milk. They were a people living on the north-east coast of the Euxine Sea. These epithets are sometimes supposed to be the _gentile_ denominations of the different tribes; but they are all susceptible of interpretation as epithets applied to the Hippemolgi.—Felton.

[For this admirable line the translator is indebted to Mr. Fuseli.]—Tr.

The following simile is considered by critics as one of the finest in Homer.

[A fitter occasion to remark on this singular mode of approach in battle, will present itself hereafter.]—Tr.

[The bodies of Imbrius and Amphimachus.]

[Amphimachus.]

This is a noble passage. The difference between the conduct of the brave man and that of the coward is drawn with great vigor and beauty.—Felton.

[Hypsenor.]

[This seems to be he meaning ofεν μεγαρω an expression similar to that of Demosthenes in a parallel case—ετι ενδον ουσαν.—See Schaufelburgerus.]—Tr

[He is said to have been jealous of him on account of his great popularity, and to have discountenanced him, fearing a conspiracy in his favor to the prejudice of his own family.—See Villoisson.]—Tr.

[The Iäonianans were a distinct people from the Ionians, and according to the Scholium, separated from them by a pillar bearing on opposite sides the name of each.—See Barnes. See also Villoisson.]—Tr.

[The people of Achilles were properly called the Phthiotæ, whereas the Phthians belonged to Protesiläus and Philoctetes.—See Eustathius, as quoted by Clarke.]—Tr.

This simile is derived from one of the most familiar sights among a simple people. It is extremely natural, and its propriety will be peculiarly striking to those who have had occasion to see a yoke of oxen plowing in a hot day.—Felton.

[Achilles.]

[This, according to Eustathius, is the import of αμοιβοι.—See Iliad III., in which Priam relates an expedition of his into that country.]—Tr.

Footnotes for