Diphthong

Diphthong (dactylic hexameter) is a Greek term meaning "double sound". It happens when a pair of vowels (such as the -ae- in nautae) are pronounced as a single syllable. In English, an example is the sound -ea- in the word "beat". Diphthongs were used in epic poetry in the dactylic hexameter which is also known as "heroic hexameter" is a form of meter in poetry or a rhythmic scheme. It is traditionally associated with classical epic poetry in both Greek and Latin and was considered to be the Grand Style of classical poetry. It is used in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and Virgil's Aeneid.

Further information

 * See hexametrica Glossary of terms relating to dactylic hexameter