FOOTNOTES
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Homer, Southey, Robert, and Cowper, William
[This interpretation of—μινυνθα δε χαζετο δουρος—is taken from the Scholium by Villoisson. It differs from those of Clarke, Eustathius, and another Scholiast quoted by Clarke, but seems to suit the context much better than either.]—Tr.
The address of Homer in bringing off Ajax is admirable. He makes Hector afraid to approach him, and brings down Jupiter to terrify him. Thus he retreats, not from a mortal, but from a God.
The whole passage is inimitably just and beautiful. We see Ajax slowly retreating between two armies, and even with a look repulse the one and protect the other. Every line resembles Ajax. The character of a stubborn and undaunted warrior is perfectly maintained. He compares him first to the lion for his undaunted spirit in fighting, and then to the ass for his stubborn slowness in retreating. In the latter comparison there are many points of resemblance that enliven the image. The havoc he makes in the field is represented by the tearing and trampling down the harvests; and we see the bulk, strength, and obstinancy of the hero, when the Trojans, in respect to him, are compared to the troops of boys that impotently endeavor to drive him away.
It must be borne in mind that among the people of the East, an ass was a beast upon which kings and princes might ride with dignity.
Though the resentment of Achilles would not permit him to be an actor in the field, yet his love of war inclines him to be a spectator. As the poet did not intend to draw the character of a perfect man in Achilles, he makes him delighted with the destruction of the Greeks, because it gratified his revenge. That resentment which is the subject of the poem, still presides over every other feeling, even the love of his country. He begins now to pity his countrymen, yet he seems gratified by their distress, because it will contribute to his glory.
This onion was very different from the root which now passes under that name. It had a sweet flavor, and was used to impart an agreeable flavor to wine. It is in high repute at the present day in Egypt.—Felton.
[I have interpreted the very ambiguous words ουω δ' υπο πυθμενες ησαν according to Athenæus as quoted by Clarke, and his interpretation of them is confirmed by the Scholium in the Venetian edition of the Iliad, lately published by Villoisson.]—Tr.
Homer here reminds the reader, that Nestor belonged to a former generation of men, who were stronger than the heroes of the war.
[It would have suited the dignity of Agamemnon’s rank to have mentioned his wound first; but Nestor making this recital to the friend of Achilles, names him slightly, and without any addition.]—Tr.
[It is said that the Thebans having war with the people of Orchomenos, the Pylians assisted the latter, for which cause Hercules destroyed their city.—See Scholium per Villoisson.]—Tr.
Footnotes for Book XII:
[The word is of scripture use; see Gen. ch. xxx. where it describes the cattle of Jacob.]—Tr.
[Alluding to the message delivered to him from Jupiter by Iris.]—Tr.
The morality of the Iliad deserves particular attention. It is not perfect, upon Christian principles. How should it be under the circumstances of the composition of the poem? Yet, compared with that of all the rest of the classical poetry, it is of a transcendently noble and generous character. The answer of Hector to Polydamas, who would have dissuaded a further prosecution of the Trojan success, has been repeated by many of the most devoted patriots the world ever saw. We, who defy augury in these matters, can yet add nothing to the nobleness of the sentiment.—H.N. Coleridge.
[πλεονων δε τοι εργον αμεινον.—This is evidently proverbial, for which reason I have given it that air in the translation.]—Tr.
There is something touching in this simile. Our attention is fixed, not so much on the battle, as on the struggles of the laboring, true-hearted woman, who toils for a hard-earned pittance for her children. The description is not so much illustrated by the simile, as the simile by the description.—Felton.
The description of this exploit of Hector is wonderfully imposing. It seems to be the poet’s wish to magnify his deeds during the short period that he has yet to live, both to do justice to the hero of Troy, and to give the greater glory to Achilles his conquerer.—Felton.
Footnotes for 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 Book XIV:
The beauty of this simile will be lost to those who have never been at sea during a calm. The water is then not quite motionless, but swells gently in smooth waves, which fluctuate in a balancing motion, until a rising wind gives them a certain determination. Every circumstance of the comparison is just, as well as beautiful.
Anointing the body with perfumed oil was a remarkable part of ancient cosmetics. It was probably an eastern invention, agreeable to the luxury of the Asiatics.
A footstool was considered a mark of honor.
In accordance with the doctrine of Thales the Milesian, that all things are generated from water, and nourished by the same element.
[Hercules.]