11.  In the following review of the army, we see the skill of an
   accomplished general as well as the characters of the leaders whom
   Agamemnon addresses.  He begins with an address to the army in
   general, and then turns to individuals.  To the brave he urges their
   secure hopes of conquest, since the gods must punish perjury; to
   the timid, their inevitable destruction if the enemy should burn
   their ships.  After this he flies from rank to rank, skilfully
   addressing each ally, and presents a lively picture of a great mind
   in the highest emotion.

12.  The ancients usually in their feasts divided to the guests in
   equal portions, except they took particular occasion to show
   distinction.  It was then considered the highest mark of honor to be
   allotted the best portion of meat and wine, and to be allowed an
   exemption from the laws of the feast in drinking wine unmingled and
   without measure.  This custom was much more ancient than the time of
   the Trojan war, and we find it practised in the banquet given by
   Joseph to his brethren.

13. [Diverse interpretations are given of this passage.  I have adopted
   that which to me appeared most plausible.  It seems to be a caution
   against the mischiefs that might ensue, should the horses be put
   under the management of a driver with whom they were
   unacquainted.—­The scholium by Villoisson much countenances this
   solution.—­TR.]

14. [Here Nestor only mentions the name of Ereuthalion, knowing the
   present to be an improper time for story-telling; in the seventh
   book he relates his fight and victory at length.  This passage may
   serve to confute those who charge Nestor with indiscriminate
   loquacity.—­TR.]

15.  The first Theban war, previously alluded to, took place
   twenty-seven years before the war of Troy.  Sthenelus here speaks of
   the second, which happened ten years after the first.  For an
   account of these wars see Grecian and Roman Mythology.

16.  This is a most animated description.  The onset, the clashing of
   spears, the shield pressed to shield, the tumult of the battle, the
   shouts and groans of the slayer and the dying—­all are described in
   words, the very sound of which conveys the terrible meaning.  Then
   come the exploits performed by individual heroes.  The student must
   bear in mind, that the battles of the heroic age depended in a
   great measure upon the prowess of single chieftains.  Hence the
   appropriateness of the following enumeration.—­FELTON.

17.  So called from the river Simois, near which he was born.  It was an
   eastern custom to name children from the most remarkable accident
   of their birth.  The Scriptures furnish many examples.  In the Old
   Testament princes were also compared to trees, and Simoeisius is
   here resembled to a poplar.