The use of the optative in Iliad 2,1-493

In this article I address the use of optative (appearing alone or in contrast with subjunctive indicative) Iliad 2,1-493 (the part before Catalogue Ships starts). This book describes Agamemnon's (failed) attempts to rouse army and Odysseus' intervention restore damage caused by blunder(s). these lines there are about 110 forms, they provide a small but reliable corpus instances different constructions therefore sufficient serve as basis for an investigation can be used check if results acquired other investigations confirmed refuted. As is mood widest array uses (from unreal almost-certain-future), focus on passages which used, either indicative. start briefly discussing earlier scholarship issue, then outline how catalogue paying particular attention (metrical palaeographical) overlap between future forms finally proceed actual analysis, addressing also textual philological issues. My research hypothesis that describe events speakers and/or narrators considered more likely happen, while refers what (remotely) possible wished for, thought less probable. argue often iterative contexts after past tense verbs, does not mean optativus iterativus obliquus were distinct categories former obtained its meaning from context latter was than only due lower degree probability (in words no strict consecutio modorum nor attractio modorum).