esident of the ceremonies of the
gods. That he had the principal care of religious rites, appears
from many passages in Homer. His power was nowhere absolute but in
war, for we find Agamemnon insulted in the council, but in the army
threatening deserters with death. Agamemnon is sometimes styled
king of kings, as the other princes had given him supreme authority
over them in the siege.

9. [The extremest provocation is implied in this expression, which
Thersites quotes exactly as he had heard it from the lips of
Achilles.--TR.]

10. The character of Thersites is admirably sketched. There is nothing
vague and indistinct, but all the traits are so lively, that he
stands before us like the image of some absurd being whom we have
ourselves seen. It has been justly remarked by critics, that the
poet displays great skill in representing the opponents of
Agamemnon in the character of so base a personage, since nothing
could more effectually reconcile the Greeks to the continuance of
the war, than the ridiculous turbulence of Thersites.--FELTON.

11. [Some for {ponos} here read {pothos}; which reading I have adopted
for the sake both of perspicuity and connection.--TR.]

12. The principal signs by which the gods were thought to declare
their will, were things connected with the offering of sacrifices,
the flight and voice of birds, all kinds of natural phenomena,
ordinary as well as extraordinary dreams.

13. An epithet supposed to have been derived from Gerenia, a Messenian
town, where Nestor was educated.

In the pictures which Homer draws of him, the most striking
features are his wisdom, bravery, and knowledge of war, his
eloquence, and his old age.

For some general remarks upon the heroes of the time, see Grecian
and Roman Mythology.

14. In allusion to the custom of pouring out a libation of pure wine,
in the ceremony of forming a league, and joining right hands, as a
pledge of mutual fidelity after the sacrifice.--FELTON.

15. [Nestor is supposed here to glance at Achilles.--TR.]

16. Homer here exalts wisdom over valor.

17. [Money stamped with the figure of an ox.]--TR.

18. The encouragement of a divine power, seemed all that was requisite
to change the dispositions of the Grecians, and make them more
ardent for combat than they had previously been to return. This
conquers their inclinations in a manner at once po