; ofcopperas the first metal that men learnt to smelt and work, τῶν δ' ἦν χάλκεα μὲν τεύχεα, χάλκεοι δέ τε οἶκοι, χαλκῷ δ' εἰργάζοντο, μέλας δ' οὐκ ἔσκε σίδηρος
, Dsc. 1.102 , cf. Polyaen. 3.10.14 ; alloyed with tin to formbronze,the usual meaning of the word in Hom. (v. infr. 11 ) and freq. in later writers: σίδηρος δὲ καὶ χ. πολέμων ὄργανα
Pl. Lg. 956a
, etc.; χ. κεκραμένος
D.Chr. 28.3
.
II. in Poets freq. foranything made of metal,esp. of arms (hence Pi. calls itπολιός,the proper epith. of iron, P. 3.48 ); of offensive arms,ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ, νηλέϊ χ.,of a spear, a sword, Il. 4.540 , 3.292 , al.; of a knife, 1.236 , al.; of an axe, 13.180 , Od. 5.244 , al.; of a fish-hook, Il. 16.408 ; of defensive arms, as the plates laid on a shield, 20.275 ;χαλκὸν ζώννυσθαι,of a warrior girding on his armour, 23.130 ; κεκορυθμένος, αἴθοπι χ.
4.495
; ἐδύσετο νώροπα χ.
2.578
; of both combined,πλάγχθη δ' ἀπὸ χαλκόφι χαλκός the spear of bronzeglanced offthe helm of bronze,
11.351 .
2. of vessels,copper, cauldron, urn,
18.349 , Od. 8.426 ; of a cinerary urn, S. El. 758 ; collectively ofbronze plate, χ. μυρίος,