CONSONANTS The medial pp also derives from these same consonant- groups; but since, after short vowels, a simplification of such groups to single p would here alter the quantity of the preceding syllable, the result is a geminate. As in the case of initial p, the geminate is aspirated on the model of the original sr group (e.g. &§fevoa), even when it derives from an original wr, as in e.g. &Ahn Tos (cf. Latin verbum, English word). The usual practice in modern texts is to indicate the aspiration of the single initial p, but not generally of the medial geminate pp; in fact, of course, the indication of the rough breathing on initial p is as superfluous as on the geminate, since it is automatic in virtually all cases. The geminate gp also survived to a considerable extent even in initial position after a final short vowel in continuous speech, as is shown by its effect in metre. This is general in the dialogue of Attic tragedy (e.g. Eur., El., 772: tiv: ppvOu) and comedy (e.g. Ar., Frogs, 1059: T& ppfyora), and optional in epic (e.g. Il. xii, 159: BéAca pptov; xxiv, 343: efAeTo 5é pp&BSov). Texts in such cases generally show single initial 6, but spellings with pp are occasionally found in inscriptions. In epic gemi- nation is also often extended to initial A, 4 and v (e.g. IU. xiii, 754: Opei (v)vipdevt1), which in some but by no means all cases derive from an original group (cf. English snow).1 Conversely, where geminate pp would be expected after initial 2 of the syllabic augment or reduplication, single p is occasionally found by analogy with the present-tense forms, e.g. in epic and in tragic lyrics; of épeze in I/. ii, 400, Choero- boscus (Schol. in Theod., ii, p. 44H) comments that it is ‘61a Td uétpov’. Inscriptions generally show pp in such cases, but prac- tice varies in compounds (e.g. orop(p)civovtai, 431/418 B.c.). It remains to mention that in some cases Attic pp corresponds to po of many other dialects, including Ionic. Attic maintained po where o represented the initial of a grammatical element, (cf. Lith. srebia, Lat, sorbeo) > pogéco. The situation is thus similar to that of 0- (see Pee aie there are a few examples to suggest that the groups s! and $+nasal gave an aspirated (voiceless) consonant—e.g. Acgina NhaPov = AaPav; but in these cases, unlike 6, it was the unaspirated form that became general. On the development of original sw see p. 46. 42