20.  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.

21. [I have interpreted the very ambiguous words {houo d’ hypo
   pythmenes esan} according to Athenaeus 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.

22.  Homer here reminds the reader, that Nestor belonged to a former
   generation of men, who were stronger than the heroes of the war.

23. [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.

24. [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: 
1. [The word is of scripture use; see Gen. ch. xxx. where it describes
   the cattle of Jacob.]—­TR.

2. [Alluding to the message delivered to him from Jupiter by
   Iris.]—­TR.

3.  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.

4. [{pleonon de toi ergon ameinon.}—­This is evidently proverbial, for
   which reason I have given it that air in the translation.]—­TR.

5.  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.

6.  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.