Re: 3rd declension stems

From: Stephen C. Carlson (scarlson@mindspring.com)
Date: Tue Dec 30 1997 - 23:08:35 EST


At 06:33 12/30/97 -0600, you wrote:
>Yes, I think it probably WAS, inasmuch as it filled a single syllable, as I
>remember when I first encountered the opening line of the Iliad:
>
> MHNIN AEIDE, QEA, PHLHIADEW ACILLHOS ...

Not to take anything away from the fascinating discussion (which is why
this is a private note), but I believe that although ACILLEUS in the
nominative has a double L, ACILHOS in the genitive, at least on this
line, has a single L. Otherwise, the line would not properly scan,
because the I would become long by position:

         - u u|- u u|- -|-uu|- u u|-x
> MHNIN AEIDE, QEA, PHLHIADEW ACILHOS
                                       ^

I will always be grateful to my Greek teacher, Dr. Helen Pope, for having
required me to memorize the proem to the Iliad.

I hope you've had a pleasant Christmas season and a happy New Year!

Stephen

--
Stephen C. Carlson                   : Poetry speaks of aspirations,
scarlson@mindspring.com              : and songs chant the words.
http://www.mindspring.com/~scarlson/ :               -- Shujing 2.35


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