395. The metrical value of an initial ῥ which represents ϝρ differs in the several words. It has always the effect of a double consonant in
- ῥήγνυμι
- ῥίπτω
- ῥάκος
- ῥυ-[fn]In ῥυτός, etc.[/fn]
- ῥη-[fn]In ῥητός, ῥητήρ[/fn]
and nearly always in ῥινός (except Od. 5.281), ῥίζα (Od. 9.390). But lengthening is optional in ῥέζω, ῥιγέω, ῥεῖα, thus we have ἔρρεξα and ἔρεξα (in 27 places); ἵπποι δὲ ῥέα (Il. 8.179), but ἔνθα κε ῥεῖα κτλ.; ἐρρίγησαν, but ὣς φάτο ῥίγησεν δὲ κτλ. As to ῥ- standing for an older σρ-, and the other letters (λ, μ, ν) which lengthen a preceding short vowel, see § 371.