Note 34 — Chapter III · - RATIO OF HUMAN PROGRESS.
Reading edition
Homer mentions the native metals; but they were known long before his time, and before iron. The use of charcoal and the crucible in melting them prepared the way for smelting iron ore. Gold χρυσός.—Iliad, ii, 229: silver ἄργυρος.—Il., xviii, 475: copper, called brass χαλκός.—Il., iii, 229; xviii, 460: tin, possibly pewter, κασσίτερος.—Il., xi, 25; xx, 271; xxi, 292: lead μόλιβος.—Il., ii, 237: iron σίδηρος.—Il., vii, 473: iron axle-tree.—Il., v, 723: iron club.—Il., vii, 141: iron wagon-tire.—Il., xxiii, 505.