THE VERB ΘΕΩ

A FOLLOW UP ON THE ARTICLE EPITHETS :

The ancient Greek word for the verb “run” is θέω. A good example in the Iliad is the scene where both Achilles and Hector (who is being chased by Achilles) race thrice around the walls of Troy:

Hector was running to save his life (soul) - περὶ ψυχῆς θέον Ἓκτορος [1] , and Achilles was running to catch Hector. Here Achilles is compared to a swift hawk, the fastest of all birds, swooping after a timid pigeon. [2]

However, the verb θέω is also used to describe objects with a circular shape, such as a shield. Hector’s shield is described as reaching from ankle to neck with an outer metallic rim that “ran” the perimeter of the shield: ἄντυξ πυμάτη θέεν ἀσπίδος. [3]

More importantly, it is interesting to note that the root of the verb θέω is found in the word Θεοὶ (gods) as they are omnipresent and can move from place to place with

lightning speed.

footnotes

[1] Iliad Book 22, line 161 (Ἰλιάδα Χ 161).

[2] Iliad Book 22, lines 139-142 (Ἰλιάδα Χ 139-142).

[3] Iliad Book 6, line 118 (Ἰλιάδα Ζ 118).

Article by Joanna Karachristos.