HOMER'S ILIAD COMPLETE

Rhapsody 18

Literally Translated, with Explanatory Notes, by Theodore Alois Buckley

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Page 22

In it likewise he wrought two fair cities[600] of articulate-speaking men. In the one, indeed, there were marriages and feasts; and they were conducting the brides from their chambers through the city with brilliant torches,[601] and many a bridal song[602] was raised. The youthful dancers were wheeling round, and amongst them pipes and lyres uttered a sound; and the women standing, each at her portals, admired. And people were crowded together in an assembly, and there a contest had arisen; for two men contended for the ransom-money of a slain man: the one affirmed that he had paid all, appealing to the people; but the other denied, [averring] that he had received nought: and both wished to find an end [of the dispute] before a judge.[603] The people were applauding both,--supporters of either party, and the heralds were keeping back the people; but the elders sat upon polished stones, in a sacred[604] circle, and [the pleaders[605]] held in their hands the staves of the clear-voiced heralds; with these then they arose, and alternately pleaded their cause. Moreover, in the midst lay two talents of gold, to give to him who should best establish his claim among them. But round the other city sat two armies of people glittering in arms; and one of two plans was agreeable to them,[606] either to waste it, or to divide all things into two parts,--the wealth, whatever the pleasant city contained within it.

[Footnote 600: Cf. Hesiod, Scut. Herc. 270, sqq.]

[Footnote 601: The escort took place at even-tide.]

[Footnote 602: On the origin of this term, see Serv. on Virg. Aen. i. 655.]

[Footnote 603: Or, "on the testimony of witnesses." See Kennedy.]

[Footnote 604: See Heyne on x. 56. So [Greek: selma semnon], "the seat of justice."—Aesch. Ag. 183.]

[Footnote 605: See Kennedy, who has collected the Homeric passages concerning lawsuits.]

[Footnote 606: I.e. the enemy. The alternative was that the townsmen should either surrender half their possessions, or submit to indiscriminate pillage. See Kennedy.]

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