Euripides Troades 1244: υμνηθημεν PV ΰμνηθειμεν Hermann

Abstract

This note demonstrates through several examples taken from Euripides and Plato that, contrary to the accepted opinion, an aorist indicative with ἄν in an apodosis which follows an unreal protasis can refer to an action imagined in the future (which will not be realized) and is not restriced to unrealized action in the past or instant present. Consequently the ms. reading ὑμνήθημεν at Troades 1244 should be retained and Hermann’s conjectured optative ὑμνηθεῖμεν is unnecessary.