810. Life im the ruin pants, while
from the expiring ash is breathed a reek of
richness. ἄτης θύελλαν ζῶσι, literally
‘in the ruin are living blasts’: for ἄτης
see 9. 731. θύελλα, usually ‘blast’ of a
storm, is used here as a sort of gigantic
term for a 'gasp', the glowing heap
being compared to a dying animal.—
συνθνήσκουσα σποδός. When the ash
is cold, the gasps of life will cease; with
them therefore the ash is dying.—tlovas
πλούτου πνοάς. The chief symbol of
Eastern wealth to a Greek mind was the
costly perfume imported from Asia for
purposes of religion and luxury: this idea
has coloured the picture here.—Hence
the suggestion θυηλαὶ cezsers (Hermann),
but by this what is gained to the figure
in consistency is lost in picturesque force.
