Page:Horse shoes and horse shoeing.djvu/41

 a hoof shod with brass; it was meant to convey an idea of the really good qualities of the horn in those days, and which, not being garnished with a defence of brass or bronze, was ever in danger of being destroyed when of a weak nature. Besides, brazen-footed and solid or strongfooted (χρατερωνυξ) appear to be synonymous terms; thus (in Book xxii., lines 192-3) he sings of the time

And again (Book xxiv., line 331), strong-hoofed mules are mentioned. The terms were used for many purposes, but never as an indication of shod hoofs. Homer made Achilles and Stentor brazen-voiced. Bulls, fabular stags, and horses, had solid or metallic feet. Thus Pindar (B.C. 520) tells us that Bellerophon was enjoined to sacrifice a strong-footed bull to the mighty encircler of the earth before subduing the winged horse Pegasus; and we find that the Grecian heroes who went in search of the golden fleece would all have been destroyed by the brazen-footed bulls, from whose nostrils flames issued, had not Medaea interposed and driven away these taurine monsters belonging to King Ætes. Virgil frequently mentions animals of various kinds with metal feet, and Ovid also alludes to them oftener than once. And an older authority than