Iliad, Book 1 line 408

[mbdittmar]

In this line, the ver "eqelh|sin" is used, from eqelw. I had great difficulty understanding the form of this verb, until I checked with Autenreith and saw that this verb has a "mi" form when used in the subjunctive, ie, "eqelwmi" !!

How common is it a for a verb to switch from a thematic to an athematic form when changing moods? ( like from indicative to subjunctive )

[Paul]

Hi,

If you check [face=SPIonic]lu/w[/face] tables in the back of Pharr's book, you can also find this inflection in the 1st singular optative active.

Monro says that 'frequently' the subjunctive of the thematic present and aorist use the person endings [face=SPIonic]-mi[/face]
and [face=SPIonic]-si[/face]. Much less frequently with athematic stems.

See also Iliad 1.549.

Cordially,

Paul