And in another passage we find—
Then the Peleiades do hide their heads;
so that there is nothing at all improbable in the idea of Homer having lengthened the name Πλειάδες by poetic licence into Πελειάδες.
MEANING OF PARTICULAR WORDS.
81. "Since, then, it is demonstrated that it is the Pleiades who were embossed on the goblet, we must understand that two were affixed to each handle, whether we choose to fancy that the damsels were represented under the form of birds or under human form;—at all events they were studded with stars: and as for the expression, "Around each there were golden peleiades," we are not to understand that as meaning around each separate one; for that would make eight in number: but as each of the handles was divided into two sections, and as these again were united towards the bottom, the poet has the word ἕκαστος, speaking as if there were four sections of handles; but if he had said ἑκάτερον, that would have applied to the fact of their again becoming united at the highest point which they respectively reach. And accordingly, when he says—
And curling vines, around each handle roll'd,
Bear two Peleiades emboss'd in gold;
On two firm bases stood the mighty bowl;
we are by that to understand one Peleias to. each section of the handles. And he has called them δοιὰς, as being united to one another and grown together as it were. For the word δοιοὶ, δοιαὶ, signifies simply the number two, as in the passage—
Two tripods (δοιοὺς δὲ τρίποδας), and ten golden talents;
and again—
Two attendants (δοιοὶ θεράπογτες):