The Iliad · Book 4

67 passages · 28 speeches · 34 psychological term instances

Lines 1–6

Now the gods, seated by the side of Zeus, were holding assembly on the golden floor, and in their midst the queenly Hebe poured them nectar, and they with golden goblets pledged one the other as they looked forth upon the city of the Trojans. And forthwith the son of Cronos made essay to provoke Hera with mocking words, and said with malice: Twain of the goddesses hath Menelaus for helpers, even Argive Hera, and Alalcomenean153.1 Athene. Howbeit these verily sit apart and take their pleasure in beholding,whereas by the side of that other laughter-loving Aphrodite ever standeth, and wardeth from him fate, and but now she saved him, when he thought to perish. But of a surety victory rests with Menelaus, dear to Ares; let us therefore take thought how these things are to be;whether we shall again rouse evil war and the dread din of battle, or put friendship between the hosts. If this might in any wise be welcome to all and their good pleasure, then might the city of king Priam still be an habitation, and Menelaus take back Argive Helen.

οἳ δὲ θεοὶ πὰρ Ζηνὶ καθήμενοι ἠγορόωντο χρυσέῳ ἐν δαπέδῳ, μετὰ δέ σφισι πότνια Ἥβη νέκταρ ἐοινοχόει· τοὶ δὲ χρυσέοις δεπάεσσι δειδέχατʼ ἀλλήλους, Τρώων πόλιν εἰσορόωντες· αὐτίκʼ ἐπειρᾶτο Κρονίδης ἐρεθιζέμεν Ἥρην κερτομίοις ἐπέεσσι παραβλήδην ἀγορεύων·

Lattimore commentary

The gods in assembly, like the audience in a theater, gaze at the struggle around Troy while drinking nectar; Zeus uses the contrasting situations to needle his wife and daughter about being distanced from the battle, while their nemesis Aphrodite has intervened on the spot to help Paris.

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Zeus to Hera/gods · divine

Lines 7–19

whereas by the side of that other laughter-loving Aphrodite ever standeth, and wardeth from him fate, and but now she saved him, when he thought to perish. But of a surety victory rests with Menelaus, dear to Ares; let us therefore take thought how these things are to be; whether we shall again rouse evil war and the dread din of battle, or put friendship between the hosts. If this might in any wise be welcome to all and their good pleasure, then might the city of king Priam still be an habitation, and Menelaus take back Argive Helen.

δοιαὶ μὲν Μενελάῳ ἀρηγόνες εἰσὶ θεάων Ἥρη τʼ Ἀργείη καὶ Ἀλαλκομενηῒς Ἀθήνη. ἀλλʼ ἤτοι ταὶ νόσφι καθήμεναι εἰσορόωσαι τέρπεσθον· τῷ δʼ αὖτε φιλομειδὴς Ἀφροδίτη αἰεὶ παρμέμβλωκε καὶ αὐτοῦ κῆρας ἀμύνει· καὶ νῦν ἐξεσάωσεν ὀϊόμενον θανέεσθαι. ἀλλʼ ἤτοι νίκη μὲν ἀρηϊφίλου Μενελάου· ἡμεῖς δὲ φραζώμεθʼ ὅπως ἔσται τάδε ἔργα, ἤ ῥʼ αὖτις πόλεμόν τε κακὸν καὶ φύλοπιν αἰνὴν ὄρσομεν, ἦ φιλότητα μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισι βάλωμεν. εἰ δʼ αὖ πως τόδε πᾶσι φίλον καὶ ἡδὺ γένοιτο, ἤτοι μὲν οἰκέοιτο πόλις Πριάμοιο ἄνακτος, αὖτις δʼ Ἀργείην Ἑλένην Μενέλαος ἄγοιτο.

Lattimore commentary

Both Helen and Hera (8) are called “Argive.” Hera had an important shrine (the Heraion) near the city of Argos, but Helen’s association with the area stems from marriage to Menelaos, whose origin was in the ancient fortress city of Mykenai in the area near Argos (the “Argolid”). In the Odyssey, the couple resides in Helen’s hometown, Sparta (along with Argos and Mykenai, one of Hera’s three favored cities: 52). Local lore from antiquity and archaeological finds make it clear that Helen was worshiped as a goddess in the region around her birthplace. The application of the epithet “Argive” makes it more natural to view Helen’s marriage as somewhat parallel to Hera’s. The end of book 3 has shown her criticizing Paris in a manner not unlike that of Zeus’ wife.

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Lines 20–24

So spake he, and thereat Athene and Hera murmured, who sat side by side, and were devising ills for the Trojans. Athene verily held her peace and said naught, wroth though she was at father Zeus, and fierce anger gat hold of her; howbeit Hera's breast contained not her anger, but she spake to him, saying:

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, αἳ δʼ ἐπέμυξαν Ἀθηναίη τε καὶ Ἥρη· πλησίαι αἵ γʼ ἥσθην, κακὰ δὲ Τρώεσσι μεδέσθην. ἤτοι Ἀθηναίη ἀκέων ἦν οὐδέ τι εἶπε σκυζομένη Διὶ πατρί, χόλος δέ μιν ἄγριος ᾕρει· Ἥρῃ δʼ οὐκ ἔχαδε στῆθος χόλον, ἀλλὰ προσηύδα·

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Hera to Zeus · divine

Lines 25–29

Most dread son of Cronos, what a word hast thou said! How art thou minded to render my labour vain and of none effect, and the sweat that I sweated in my toil,—aye, and my horses twain waxed weary with my summoning the host for the bane of Priam and his sons? Do thou as thou wilt; but be sure we other gods assent not all thereto.

αἰνότατε Κρονίδη ποῖον τὸν μῦθον ἔειπες· πῶς ἐθέλεις ἅλιον θεῖναι πόνον ἠδʼ ἀτέλεστον, ἱδρῶ θʼ ὃν ἵδρωσα μόγῳ, καμέτην δέ μοι ἵπποι λαὸν ἀγειρούσῃ, Πριάμῳ κακὰ τοῖό τε παισίν. ἕρδʼ· ἀτὰρ οὔ τοι πάντες ἐπαινέομεν θεοὶ ἄλλοι.

Lattimore commentary

That the gods sweat and toil seems odd, but to make them more real the Iliad regularly presents divinities as undergoing nearly mortal suffering; they simply do not expire. Of Hera’s personal efforts to gather armies against Troy, we know nothing further.

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Lines 30

Then, stirred to hot anger, spake to her Zeus, the cloud-gatherer: Strange queen, wherein do Priam and the sons of Priam work thee ills so many, that thou ragest unceasingly to lay waste the well-built citadel of Ilios? If thou wert to enter within the gates and the high walls,and to devour Priam raw and the sons of Priam and all the Trojans besides, then perchance mightest thou heal thine anger. Do as thy pleasure is; let not this quarrel in time to come be to thee and me a grievous cause of strife between us twain. And another thing will I tell thee, and do thou lay it to heart.When it shall be that I, vehemently eager to lay waste a city, choose one wherein dwell men that are dear to thee, seek thou in no wise to hinder my anger, but suffer me; since I too have yielded to thee of mine own will, yet with soul unwilling. For of all cities beneath sun and starry heavenwherein men that dwell upon the face of the earth have their abodes, of these sacred Ilios was most honoured of my heart, and Priam and the people of Priam, with goodly spear of ash. For never at any time was mine altar in lack of the equal feast, the drink-offering, and the savour of burnt-offering, even the worship that is our due.

τὴν δὲ μέγʼ ὀχθήσας προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς·

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Zeus to Hera · divine

Lines 31–49

and to devour Priam raw and the sons of Priam and all the Trojans besides, then perchance mightest thou heal thine anger. Do as thy pleasure is; let not this quarrel in time to come be to thee and me a grievous cause of strife between us twain. And another thing will I tell thee, and do thou lay it to heart. When it shall be that I, vehemently eager to lay waste a city, choose one wherein dwell men that are dear to thee, seek thou in no wise to hinder my anger, but suffer me; since I too have yielded to thee of mine own will, yet with soul unwilling. For of all cities beneath sun and starry heaven wherein men that dwell upon the face of the earth have their abodes, of these sacred Ilios was most honoured of my heart, and Priam and the people of Priam, with goodly spear of ash. For never at any time was mine altar in lack of the equal feast, the drink-offering, and the savour of burnt-offering, even the worship that is our due.

δαιμονίη τί νύ σε Πρίαμος Πριάμοιό τε παῖδες τόσσα κακὰ ῥέζουσιν, ὅ τʼ ἀσπερχὲς μενεαίνεις Ἰλίου ἐξαλαπάξαι ἐϋκτίμενον πτολίεθρον; εἰ δὲ σύ γʼ εἰσελθοῦσα πύλας καὶ τείχεα μακρὰ ὠμὸν βεβρώθοις Πρίαμον Πριάμοιό τε παῖδας ἄλλους τε Τρῶας, τότε κεν χόλον ἐξακέσαιο. ἕρξον ὅπως ἐθέλεις· μὴ τοῦτό γε νεῖκος ὀπίσσω σοὶ καὶ ἐμοὶ μέγʼ ἔρισμα μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισι γένηται. ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν· ὁππότε κεν καὶ ἐγὼ μεμαὼς πόλιν ἐξαλαπάξαι τὴν ἐθέλω ὅθι τοι φίλοι ἀνέρες ἐγγεγάασι, μή τι διατρίβειν τὸν ἐμὸν χόλον, ἀλλά μʼ ἐᾶσαι· καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ σοὶ δῶκα ἑκὼν ἀέκοντί γε θυμῷ· αἳ γὰρ ὑπʼ ἠελίῳ τε καὶ οὐρανῷ ἀστερόεντι ναιετάουσι πόληες ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπων, τάων μοι περὶ κῆρι τιέσκετο Ἴλιος ἱρὴ καὶ Πρίαμος καὶ λαὸς ἐϋμμελίω Πριάμοιο. οὐ γάρ μοί ποτε βωμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐΐσης λοιβῆς τε κνίσης τε· τὸ γὰρ λάχομεν γέρας ἡμεῖς.

Lattimore commentary

The desire to eat an enemy is expressed (under pressure of great grief) by Achilleus, before killing Hektor (22.347), and by Hekabē, mother of the dead hero (24.213). In similes, lions (e. g., 5.782) and wolves (16.156) devour prey raw. The bargain made here between gods is first in a series of such compromises in the poem, all of them fatal to mortals. Zeus favors Troy for reasons of ritual correctness: he has never lacked offerings of meat and wine from the inhabitants. His concern for such perquisites is not unlike Agamemnon’s; he uses the word geras (49: “prize; portion of honor”) to describe sacrifices, the term with which the Greek commander characterized his war bride Chryseis (1.118, 120, etc.).

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Lines 50

Then in answer to him spake ox-eyed, queenly Hera: Verily have I three cities that are far dearest in my sight, Argos and Sparta and broad-wayed Mycenae; these do thou lay waste whensoe'er they shall be hateful to thy heart. Not in their defence do I stand forth, nor account them too greatly.For even though I grudge thee, and am fain to thwart their overthrow, I avail naught by my grudging, for truly thou art far the mightier. Still it beseemeth that my labour too be not made of none effect; for I also am a god, and my birth is from the stock whence is thine own, and crooked-counselling Cronos begat me as the most honoured of his daughtersin twofold wise, for that I am eldest, and am called thy wife, whilst thou art king among all the immortals. Nay then, let us yield one to the other herein, I to thee and thou to me, and all the other immortal gods will follow with us; and do thou straightway bid Athenego her way into the dread din of battle of Trojans and Achaeans, and contrive how that the Trojans may be first in defiance of their oaths to work evil upon the Achaeans that exult in their triumph. So said she, and the father of men and gods failed not to hearken; forthwith he spake to Athene winged words:

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη·

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Hera to Zeus · divine

Lines 51–67

For even though I grudge thee, and am fain to thwart their overthrow, I avail naught by my grudging, for truly thou art far the mightier. Still it beseemeth that my labour too be not made of none effect; for I also am a god, and my birth is from the stock whence is thine own, and crooked-counselling Cronos begat me as the most honoured of his daughters in twofold wise, for that I am eldest, and am called thy wife, whilst thou art king among all the immortals. Nay then, let us yield one to the other herein, I to thee and thou to me, and all the other immortal gods will follow with us; and do thou straightway bid Athene go her way into the dread din of battle of Trojans and Achaeans, and contrive how that the Trojans may be first in defiance of their oaths to work evil upon the Achaeans that exult in their triumph.

ἤτοι ἐμοὶ τρεῖς μὲν πολὺ φίλταταί εἰσι πόληες Ἄργός τε Σπάρτη τε καὶ εὐρυάγυια Μυκήνη· τὰς διαπέρσαι ὅτʼ ἄν τοι ἀπέχθωνται περὶ κῆρι· τάων οὔ τοι ἐγὼ πρόσθʼ ἵσταμαι οὐδὲ μεγαίρω. εἴ περ γὰρ φθονέω τε καὶ οὐκ εἰῶ διαπέρσαι, οὐκ ἀνύω φθονέουσʼ ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερός ἐσσι. ἀλλὰ χρὴ καὶ ἐμὸν θέμεναι πόνον οὐκ ἀτέλεστον· καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ θεός εἰμι, γένος δέ μοι ἔνθεν ὅθεν σοί, καί με πρεσβυτάτην τέκετο Κρόνος ἀγκυλομήτης, ἀμφότερον γενεῇ τε καὶ οὕνεκα σὴ παράκοιτις κέκλημαι, σὺ δὲ πᾶσι μετʼ ἀθανάτοισιν ἀνάσσεις. ἀλλʼ ἤτοι μὲν ταῦθʼ ὑποείξομεν ἀλλήλοισι, σοὶ μὲν ἐγώ, σὺ δʼ ἐμοί· ἐπὶ δʼ ἕψονται θεοὶ ἄλλοι ἀθάνατοι· σὺ δὲ θᾶσσον Ἀθηναίῃ ἐπιτεῖλαι ἐλθεῖν ἐς Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν φύλοπιν αἰνήν, πειρᾶν δʼ ὥς κε Τρῶες ὑπερκύδαντας Ἀχαιοὺς ἄρξωσι πρότεροι ὑπὲρ ὅρκια δηλήσασθαι.

Lattimore commentary

Hera’s major mainland shrine the Heraion was halfway between Argos and Mykenai, both of which are important Bronze Age sites. In Sparta she had a hilltop temple (Pausanias 3.13.8).

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kradie

Lines 68–69

ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε· αὐτίκʼ Ἀθηναίην ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

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Zeus to Athena · divine

Lines 70–72

Haste thee with all speed unto the host into the midst of Trojans and Achaeans, and contrive how that the Trojans may be first in defiance of their oaths to work evil upon the Achaeans that exult in their triumph. So saying, he stirred on Athene that was already eager, and down from the peaks of Olympus she went darting.

αἶψα μάλʼ ἐς στρατὸν ἐλθὲ μετὰ Τρῶας καὶ Ἀχαιούς, πειρᾶν δʼ ὥς κε Τρῶες ὑπερκύδαντας Ἀχαιοὺς ἄρξωσι πρότεροι ὑπὲρ ὅρκια δηλήσασθαι.

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Lines 73–81

Even in such wise as the son of crooked-counselling Cronos sendeth a star to be a portent for seamen or for a wide host of warriors, a gleaming star, and therefrom the sparks fly thick; even so darted Pallas Athene to earth, and down she leapt into the midst; and amazement came upon all that beheld, on horse-taming Trojans and well-greaved Achaeans; and thus would a man say with a glance at his neighbour: Verily shall we again have evil war and the dread din of battle, or else friendship is set amid the hosts by Zeus, who is for men the dispenser of battle.

ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε πάρος μεμαυῖαν Ἀθήνην, βῆ δὲ κατʼ Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀΐξασα. οἷον δʼ ἀστέρα ἧκε Κρόνου πάϊς ἀγκυλομήτεω ἢ ναύτῃσι τέρας ἠὲ στρατῷ εὐρέϊ λαῶν λαμπρόν· τοῦ δέ τε πολλοὶ ἀπὸ σπινθῆρες ἵενται· τῷ ἐϊκυῖʼ ἤϊξεν ἐπὶ χθόνα Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη, κὰδ δʼ ἔθορʼ ἐς μέσσον· θάμβος δʼ ἔχεν εἰσορόωντας Τρῶάς θʼ ἱπποδάμους καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς· ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον·

Lattimore commentary

The image, a blend of comet and meteor, provides a fine tracking shot from Olympos to the scene of the battle. Its ambiguous significance (war or peace?) gives the keynote for the next several books, as the audience awaits the turn of battle promised by Zeus.

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Greek Or Trojan.3 to Greek Or Trojan.4

Lines 82–84

ἦ ῥʼ αὖτις πόλεμός τε κακὸς καὶ φύλοπις αἰνὴ ἔσσεται, ἢ φιλότητα μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισι τίθησι Ζεύς, ὅς τʼ ἀνθρώπων ταμίης πολέμοιο τέτυκται.

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Lines 85–92

So would many a one of Achaeans and Trojans speak. But Athene entered the throng of the Trojans in the guise of a man, even of Laodocus, son of Antenor, a valiant spearman, in quest of god-like Pandarus, if haply she might find him. And she found Lycaon's son, peerless and stalwart, as he stood, and about him were the stalwart ranks of the shield-bearing hosts that followed him from the streams of Aesepus. Then she drew near, and spake to him winged words: Wilt thou now hearken to me, thou wise-hearted son of Lycaon? Then wouldst thou dare to let fly a swift arrow upon Menelaus,and wouldst win favour and renown in the eyes of all the Trojans, and of king Alexander most of all. From him of a surety wouldst thou before all others bear off glorious gifts, should he see Menelaus, the warlike son of Atreus, laid low by thy shaft, and set upon the grievous pyre.Nay, come, shoot thine arrow at glorious Menelaus, and vow to Apollo, the wolf-born161.1 god, famed for his bow, that thou wilt sacrifice a glorious hecatomb of firstling lambs, when thou shalt come to thy home, the city of sacred Zeleia. So spake Athene, and persuaded his heart in his folly.

ὣς ἄρα τις εἴπεσκεν Ἀχαιῶν τε Τρώων τε. ἣ δʼ ἀνδρὶ ἰκέλη Τρώων κατεδύσεθʼ ὅμιλον Λαοδόκῳ Ἀντηνορίδῃ κρατερῷ αἰχμητῇ, Πάνδαρον ἀντίθεον διζημένη εἴ που ἐφεύροι. εὗρε Λυκάονος υἱὸν ἀμύμονά τε κρατερόν τε ἑσταότʼ· ἀμφὶ δέ μιν κρατεραὶ στίχες ἀσπιστάων λαῶν, οἵ οἱ ἕποντο ἀπʼ Αἰσήποιο ῥοάων· ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱσταμένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

Lattimore commentary

The Aisepos flows from the foothills of Mount Ida (southeast of Troy) northward to the Propontis. (Map 1, p. 70.)

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Athena to Pandarus · divine

Lines 93–103

and wouldst win favour and renown in the eyes of all the Trojans, and of king Alexander most of all. From him of a surety wouldst thou before all others bear off glorious gifts, should he see Menelaus, the warlike son of Atreus, laid low by thy shaft, and set upon the grievous pyre. Nay, come, shoot thine arrow at glorious Menelaus, and vow to Apollo, the wolf-born161.1 god, famed for his bow, that thou wilt sacrifice a glorious hecatomb of firstling lambs, when thou shalt come to thy home, the city of sacred Zeleia.

ἦ ῥά νύ μοί τι πίθοιο Λυκάονος υἱὲ δαΐφρον. τλαίης κεν Μενελάῳ ἐπιπροέμεν ταχὺν ἰόν, πᾶσι δέ κε Τρώεσσι χάριν καὶ κῦδος ἄροιο, ἐκ πάντων δὲ μάλιστα Ἀλεξάνδρῳ βασιλῆϊ. τοῦ κεν δὴ πάμπρωτα παρʼ ἀγλαὰ δῶρα φέροιο, αἴ κεν ἴδῃ Μενέλαον ἀρήϊον Ἀτρέος υἱὸν σῷ βέλεϊ δμηθέντα πυρῆς ἐπιβάντʼ ἀλεγεινῆς. ἀλλʼ ἄγʼ ὀΐστευσον Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο, εὔχεο δʼ Ἀπόλλωνι Λυκηγενέϊ κλυτοτόξῳ ἀρνῶν πρωτογόνων ῥέξειν κλειτὴν ἑκατόμβην οἴκαδε νοστήσας ἱερῆς εἰς ἄστυ Ζελείης.

Lattimore commentary

Pandaros’ rewards typify the motivations for many Iliadic warriors: the thanks (kharis) of a community, which could lead to reciprocal favors in the future; glory (kudos); and immediate material payoff (dôra). In return for a successful shot, he must pledge an eventual sacrifice of one hundred lambs to Apollo.

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nostos peitho tlao

Lines 104–118

Straightway he uncovered his polished bow of the horn of a wild ibex, that himself on a time had smitten beneath the breast as it came forth from a rock, he lying in wait the while in a place of ambush, and had struck it in the chest, so that it fell backward in a cleft of the rock. From its head the horns grew to a length of sixteen palms; these the worker in horn had wrought and fitted together, and smoothed all with care, and set thereon a tip of gold. This bow he bent, leaning it against the ground, and laid it carefully down; and his goodly comrades held their shields before him, lest the warrior sons of the Achaeans should leap to their feet or ever Menelaus, the warlike son of Atreus, was smitten. Then opened he the lid of his quiver, and took forth an arrow, a feathered arrow that had never been shot, freighted161.2 with dark pains; and forthwith he fitted the bitter arrow to the string, and made a vow to Apollo, the wolf-born god, famed for his bow,

ὣς φάτʼ Ἀθηναίη, τῷ δὲ φρένας ἄφρονι πεῖθεν· αὐτίκʼ ἐσύλα τόξον ἐΰξοον ἰξάλου αἰγὸς ἀγρίου, ὅν ῥά ποτʼ αὐτὸς ὑπὸ στέρνοιο τυχήσας πέτρης ἐκβαίνοντα δεδεγμένος ἐν προδοκῇσι βεβλήκει πρὸς στῆθος· ὃ δʼ ὕπτιος ἔμπεσε πέτρῃ. τοῦ κέρα ἐκ κεφαλῆς ἑκκαιδεκάδωρα πεφύκει· καὶ τὰ μὲν ἀσκήσας κεραοξόος ἤραρε τέκτων, πᾶν δʼ εὖ λειήνας χρυσέην ἐπέθηκε κορώνην. καὶ τὸ μὲν εὖ κατέθηκε τανυσσάμενος ποτὶ γαίῃ ἀγκλίνας· πρόσθεν δὲ σάκεα σχέθον ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι μὴ πρὶν ἀναΐξειαν ἀρήϊοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν πρὶν βλῆσθαι Μενέλαον ἀρήϊον Ἀτρέος υἱόν. αὐτὰρ ὁ σύλα πῶμα φαρέτρης, ἐκ δʼ ἕλετʼ ἰὸν ἀβλῆτα πτερόεντα μελαινέων ἕρμʼ ὀδυνάων· αἶψα δʼ ἐπὶ νευρῇ κατεκόσμει πικρὸν ὀϊστόν,

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nostos peitho phren

Lines 119–133

that he would sacrifice a glorious hecatomb of firstling lambs, when he should come to his home, the city of sacred Zeleia. And he drew the bow, clutching at once the notched arrow and the string of ox's sinew: the string he brought to his breast and to the bow the iron arrow-head. But when he had drawn the great bow into a round, the bow twanged and the string sang aloud, and the keen arrow leapt, eager to wing its way amid the throng. She swept it just aside from the flesh, even as a mother sweepeth a fly from her child when he lieth in sweet slumber; and of herself she guided it where the golden clasps of the belt were fastened and the corselet overlapped. On the clasped belt lighted the bitter arrow,

εὔχετο δʼ Ἀπόλλωνι Λυκηγενέϊ κλυτοτόξῳ ἀρνῶν πρωτογόνων ῥέξειν κλειτὴν ἑκατόμβην οἴκαδε νοστήσας ἱερῆς εἰς ἄστυ Ζελείης. ἕλκε δʼ ὁμοῦ γλυφίδας τε λαβὼν καὶ νεῦρα βόεια· νευρὴν μὲν μαζῷ πέλασεν, τόξῳ δὲ σίδηρον. αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ κυκλοτερὲς μέγα τόξον ἔτεινε, λίγξε βιός, νευρὴ δὲ μέγʼ ἴαχεν, ἆλτο δʼ ὀϊστὸς ὀξυβελὴς καθʼ ὅμιλον ἐπιπτέσθαι μενεαίνων. οὐδὲ σέθεν Μενέλαε θεοὶ μάκαρες λελάθοντο ἀθάνατοι, πρώτη δὲ Διὸς θυγάτηρ ἀγελείη, ἥ τοι πρόσθε στᾶσα βέλος ἐχεπευκὲς ἄμυνεν. ἣ δὲ τόσον μὲν ἔεργεν ἀπὸ χροὸς ὡς ὅτε μήτηρ παιδὸς ἐέργῃ μυῖαν ὅθʼ ἡδέϊ λέξεται ὕπνῳ, αὐτὴ δʼ αὖτʼ ἴθυνεν ὅθι ζωστῆρος ὀχῆες χρύσειοι σύνεχον καὶ διπλόος ἤντετο θώρηξ.

Lattimore commentary

An unusual sequence of slow-motion, close-up narrative, framed by two similes related to women (a mother swatting a fly; a woman crafting a horse’s cheek piece), and with such attention to materials, color, and design that the actual wounding almost resembles an artwork. The combination of corselet, war belt, and skin guard (possibly a metallic piece to protect the lower abdomen) is unusual, and may owe more to poetic elaboration (or even misunderstanding) than actual defense wear.

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Lines 134–148

and through the belt richly dight was it driven, and clean through the curiously wrought corselet did it force its way, and through the taslet163.1 which he wore, a screen for his flesh and a barrier against darts, wherein was his chiefest defence; yet even through this did it speed. So the arrow grazed the outermost flesh of the warrior, and forthwith the dark blood flowed from the wound. As when a woman staineth ivory with scarlet, some woman of Maeonia or Caria, to make a cheek-piece for horses, and it lieth in a treasure-chamber, though many horsemen pray to wear it; but it lieth there as a king's treasure, alike an ornament for his horse and to its driver a glory; even in such wise, Menelaus, were thy thighs stained with blood, thy shapely thighs and thy legs and thy fair ankles beneath. Thereat shuddered the king of men, Agamemnon, as he saw the black blood flowing from the wound,

ἐν δʼ ἔπεσε ζωστῆρι ἀρηρότι πικρὸς ὀϊστός· διὰ μὲν ἂρ ζωστῆρος ἐλήλατο δαιδαλέοιο, καὶ διὰ θώρηκος πολυδαιδάλου ἠρήρειστο μίτρης θʼ, ἣν ἐφόρει ἔρυμα χροὸς ἕρκος ἀκόντων, ἥ οἱ πλεῖστον ἔρυτο· διὰ πρὸ δὲ εἴσατο καὶ τῆς. ἀκρότατον δʼ ἄρʼ ὀϊστὸς ἐπέγραψε χρόα φωτός· αὐτίκα δʼ ἔρρεεν αἷμα κελαινεφὲς ἐξ ὠτειλῆς. ὡς δʼ ὅτε τίς τʼ ἐλέφαντα γυνὴ φοίνικι μιήνῃ Μῃονὶς ἠὲ Κάειρα παρήϊον ἔμμεναι ἵππων· κεῖται δʼ ἐν θαλάμῳ, πολέες τέ μιν ἠρήσαντο ἱππῆες φορέειν· βασιλῆϊ δὲ κεῖται ἄγαλμα, ἀμφότερον κόσμός θʼ ἵππῳ ἐλατῆρί τε κῦδος· τοῖοί τοι Μενέλαε μιάνθην αἵματι μηροὶ εὐφυέες κνῆμαί τε ἰδὲ σφυρὰ κάλʼ ὑπένερθε. ῥίγησεν δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων

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Lines 149–154

and Menelaus, dear to Ares, himself likewise shuddered. But when he saw that the sinew1 and the barbs were without the flesh, back again into his breast was his spirit gathered. But with a heavy moan spake among them lord Agamemnon, holding Menelaus by the hand; and his comrades too made moan:

ὡς εἶδεν μέλαν αἷμα καταρρέον ἐξ ὠτειλῆς· ῥίγησεν δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ἀρηΐφιλος Μενέλαος. ὡς δὲ ἴδεν νεῦρόν τε καὶ ὄγκους ἐκτὸς ἐόντας ἄψορρόν οἱ θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἀγέρθη. τοῖς δὲ βαρὺ στενάχων μετέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων χειρὸς ἔχων Μενέλαον, ἐπεστενάχοντο δʼ ἑταῖροι·

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thumos

Agamemnon to Menelaus

Lines 155–182

Dear brother, it was for thy death, meseems, that I swore this oath with sacrifice, setting thee forth alone before the face of the Achaeans to do battle with the Trojans, seeing the Trojans have thus smitten thee, and trodden under foot the oaths of faith. Yet in no wise is an oath of none effect and the blood of lambs and drink-offerings of unmixed wine and the hand-clasps, wherein we put our trust.For even if for the moment the Olympian vouchsafeth not fulfillment, yet late and at length doth he fulfill them, and with a heavy price do men make atonement, even with their own heads and their wives and their children. For of a surety know I this in heart and soul: the day shall come when sacred Ilios shall be laid low,and Priam, and the people of Priam, with goodly spear of ash; and Zeus, son of Cronos, throned on high, that dwelleth in the heaven, shall himself shake over them all his dark aegis in wrath for this deceit. These things verily shall not fail of fulfillment; yet dread grief for thee shall be mine, O Menelaus,if thou shalt die and fill up thy lot of life. Aye, and as one most despised should I return to thirsty Argos, for straightway will the Achaeans bethink them of their native land, and so should we leave to Priam and the Trojans their boast, even Argive Helen. And thy bones shall the earth rotas thou liest in the land of Troy with thy task unfinished; and thus shall many a one of the overweening Trojans say, as he leapeth upon the barrow of glorious Menelaus: Would that in every matter it may he thus that Agamemnon may fulfill his wrath, even as now he led hither a host of the Achaeans to no purpose, and lo!he hath departed home to his dear native land with empty ships, and hath left here noble Menelaus. So shall some man speak in aftertime; in that day let the wide earth gape for me. For even if for the moment the Olympian vouchsafeth not fulfillment, yet late and at length doth he fulfill them, and with a heavy price do men make atonement, even with their own heads and their wives and their children. For of a surety know I this in heart and soul: the day shall come when sacred Ilios shall be laid low, and Priam, and the people of Priam, with goodly spear of ash; and Zeus, son of Cronos, throned on high, that dwelleth in the heaven, shall himself shake over them all his dark aegis in wrath for this deceit. These things verily shall not fail of fulfillment; yet dread grief for thee shall be mine, O Menelaus, if thou shalt die and fill up thy lot of life. Aye, and as one most despised should I return to thirsty Argos, for straightway will the Achaeans bethink them of their native land, and so should we leave to Priam and the Trojans their boast, even Argive Helen. And thy bones shall the earth rot as thou liest in the land of Troy with thy task unfinished; and thus shall many a one of the overweening Trojans say, as he leapeth upon the barrow of glorious Menelaus: Would that in every matter it may he thus that Agamemnon may fulfill his wrath, even as now he led hither a host of the Achaeans to no purpose, and lo!he hath departed home to his dear native land with empty ships, and hath left here noble Menelaus. So shall some man speak in aftertime; in that day let the wide earth gape for me. he hath departed home to his dear native land with empty ships, and hath left here noble Menelaus.

φίλε κασίγνητε θάνατόν νύ τοι ὅρκιʼ ἔταμνον οἶον προστήσας πρὸ Ἀχαιῶν Τρωσὶ μάχεσθαι, ὥς σʼ ἔβαλον Τρῶες, κατὰ δʼ ὅρκια πιστὰ πάτησαν. οὐ μέν πως ἅλιον πέλει ὅρκιον αἷμά τε ἀρνῶν σπονδαί τʼ ἄκρητοι καὶ δεξιαὶ ᾗς ἐπέπιθμεν. εἴ περ γάρ τε καὶ αὐτίκʼ Ὀλύμπιος οὐκ ἐτέλεσσεν, ἔκ τε καὶ ὀψὲ τελεῖ, σύν τε μεγάλῳ ἀπέτισαν σὺν σφῇσιν κεφαλῇσι γυναιξί τε καὶ τεκέεσσιν. εὖ γὰρ ἐγὼ τόδε οἶδα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν· ἔσσεται ἦμαρ ὅτʼ ἄν ποτʼ ὀλώλῃ Ἴλιος ἱρὴ καὶ Πρίαμος καὶ λαὸς ἐϋμμελίω Πριάμοιο, Ζεὺς δέ σφι Κρονίδης ὑψίζυγος αἰθέρι ναίων αὐτὸς ἐπισσείῃσιν ἐρεμνὴν αἰγίδα πᾶσι τῆσδʼ ἀπάτης κοτέων· τὰ μὲν ἔσσεται οὐκ ἀτέλεστα· ἀλλά μοι αἰνὸν ἄχος σέθεν ἔσσεται ὦ Μενέλαε αἴ κε θάνῃς καὶ πότμον ἀναπλήσῃς βιότοιο. καί κεν ἐλέγχιστος πολυδίψιον Ἄργος ἱκοίμην· αὐτίκα γὰρ μνήσονται Ἀχαιοὶ πατρίδος αἴης· κὰδ δέ κεν εὐχωλὴν Πριάμῳ καὶ Τρωσὶ λίποιμεν Ἀργείην Ἑλένην· σέο δʼ ὀστέα πύσει ἄρουρα κειμένου ἐν Τροίῃ ἀτελευτήτῳ ἐπὶ ἔργῳ. καί κέ τις ὧδʼ ἐρέει Τρώων ὑπερηνορεόντων τύμβῳ ἐπιθρῴσκων Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο· αἴθʼ οὕτως ἐπὶ πᾶσι χόλον τελέσειʼ Ἀγαμέμνων, ὡς καὶ νῦν ἅλιον στρατὸν ἤγαγεν ἐνθάδʼ Ἀχαιῶν, καὶ δὴ ἔβη οἶκον δὲ φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν σὺν κεινῇσιν νηυσὶ λιπὼν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον. ὥς ποτέ τις ἐρέει· τότε μοι χάνοι εὐρεῖα χθών.

Lattimore commentary

Agamemnon, while not losing confidence that Troy is doomed, fears nevertheless that the death of Menelaos would discourage the troops and lead to his own humiliating return empty-handed. Imagining what someone might say in the future is a characteristic of Hektor’s rhetoric, most often (see, e. g., 7.87–91).

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peitho phren thumos

Lines 183

τὸν δʼ ἐπιθαρσύνων προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·

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Menelaus to Agamemnon

Lines 184–187

Not in a fatal spot hath the shaft been fixed; ere that my flashing belt stayed it, and the kilt beneath, and the taslet that the coppersmiths fashioned.

θάρσει, μηδέ τί πω δειδίσσεο λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν· οὐκ ἐν καιρίῳ ὀξὺ πάγη βέλος, ἀλλὰ πάροιθεν εἰρύσατο ζωστήρ τε παναίολος ἠδʼ ὑπένερθε ζῶμά τε καὶ μίτρη, τὴν χαλκῆες κάμον ἄνδρες.

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Lines 188

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων·

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Agamemnon to Menelaus

Lines 189–191

But the leech shall search the wound and lay thereon simples that shall make thee cease from dark pains.

αἲ γὰρ δὴ οὕτως εἴη φίλος ὦ Μενέλαε· ἕλκος δʼ ἰητὴρ ἐπιμάσσεται ἠδʼ ἐπιθήσει φάρμαχʼ ἅ κεν παύσῃσι μελαινάων ὀδυνάων.

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Lines 192

ἦ καὶ Ταλθύβιον θεῖον κήρυκα προσηύδα·

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Agamemnon to Talthybius

Lines 193–197

to see warlike Menelaus, son of Atreus, whom some man well skilled in archery hath smitten with an arrow, some Trojan or Lycian, compassing glory for himself but for us sorrow.

Ταλθύβιʼ ὅττι τάχιστα Μαχάονα δεῦρο κάλεσσον φῶτʼ Ἀσκληπιοῦ υἱὸν ἀμύμονος ἰητῆρος, ὄφρα ἴδῃ Μενέλαον ἀρήϊον Ἀτρέος υἱόν, ὅν τις ὀϊστεύσας ἔβαλεν τόξων ἐῢ εἰδὼς Τρώων ἢ Λυκίων, τῷ μὲν κλέος, ἄμμι δὲ πένθος.

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Lines 198–203

glancing this way and that for the warrior Machaon; and he marked him as he stood, and round about him were the stalwart ranks of the shield-bearing hosts that followed him from Trica, the pastureland of horses. And he came up to him, and spake winged words, saying: Rouse thee, son of Asclepius; lord Agamemnon calleth theeto see warlike Menelaus, captain of the Achaeans, whom some man, well skilled in archery, hath smitten with an arrow, some Trojan or Lycian, compassing glory for himself but for us sorrow. So spake he, and roused the heart in his breast, and they went their way in the throng throughout the broad host of the Achaeans. And when they were come where was fair-haired Menelaus,

ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἄρα οἱ κῆρυξ ἀπίθησεν ἀκούσας, βῆ δʼ ἰέναι κατὰ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων παπταίνων ἥρωα Μαχάονα· τὸν δὲ νόησεν ἑσταότʼ· ἀμφὶ δέ μιν κρατεραὶ στίχες ἀσπιστάων λαῶν, οἵ οἱ ἕποντο Τρίκης ἐξ ἱπποβότοιο. ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

Lattimore commentary

Machaon (“Battler”) is one of two doctors in the field, his brother Podaleirios being the other; both are sons of the healing hero Asklepios (2.731), a son of Apollo by Coronis.

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Talthybius to Machaon

Lines 204–207

to see warlike Menelaus, captain of the Achaeans, whom some man, well skilled in archery, hath smitten with an arrow, some Trojan or Lycian, compassing glory for himself but for us sorrow.

ὄρσʼ Ἀσκληπιάδη, καλέει κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων, ὄφρα ἴδῃς Μενέλαον ἀρήϊον ἀρχὸν Ἀχαιῶν, ὅν τις ὀϊστεύσας ἔβαλεν τόξων ἐῢ εἰδὼς Τρώων ἢ Λυκίων, τῷ μὲν κλέος, ἄμμι δὲ πένθος.

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Lines 208–222

wounded, and around him were gathered in a circle all they that were chieftains, the godlike hero came and stood in their midst, and straightway drew forth the arrow from the clasped belt; and as it was drawn forth the sharp barbs were broken backwards. And he loosed the flashing belt and the kilt beneath and the taslet that the coppersmiths fashioned. But when he saw the wound where the bitter arrow had lighted, he sucked out the blood, and with sure knowledge spread thereon soothing simples, which of old Cheiron had given to his father with kindly thought. While they were thus busied with Menelaus, good at the war-cry, meanwhile the ranks of the shield-bearing Trojans came on; and the Achaeans again did on their battle-gear, and bethought them of war.

ὣς φάτο, τῷ δʼ ἄρα θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινε· βὰν δʼ ἰέναι καθʼ ὅμιλον ἀνὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν. ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἵκανον ὅθι ξανθὸς Μενέλαος βλήμενος ἦν, περὶ δʼ αὐτὸν ἀγηγέραθʼ ὅσσοι ἄριστοι κυκλόσʼ, ὃ δʼ ἐν μέσσοισι παρίστατο ἰσόθεος φώς, αὐτίκα δʼ ἐκ ζωστῆρος ἀρηρότος ἕλκεν ὀϊστόν· τοῦ δʼ ἐξελκομένοιο πάλιν ἄγεν ὀξέες ὄγκοι. λῦσε δέ οἱ ζωστῆρα παναίολον ἠδʼ ὑπένερθε ζῶμά τε καὶ μίτρην, τὴν χαλκῆες κάμον ἄνδρες. αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ ἴδεν ἕλκος ὅθʼ ἔμπεσε πικρὸς ὀϊστός, αἷμʼ ἐκμυζήσας ἐπʼ ἄρʼ ἤπια φάρμακα εἰδὼς πάσσε, τά οἵ ποτε πατρὶ φίλα φρονέων πόρε Χείρων. ὄφρα τοὶ ἀμφεπένοντο βοὴν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον, τόφρα δʼ ἐπὶ Τρώων στίχες ἤλυθον ἀσπιστάων· οἳ δʼ αὖτις κατὰ τεύχεʼ ἔδυν, μνήσαντο δὲ χάρμης.

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thumos

Lines 223–233

but full eager for battle where men win glory. His horses and his chariot adorned with bronze he let be, and his squire, Eurymedon, son of Peiraeus' son Ptolemaeus, kept the snorting steeds withdrawn apart; and straitly did Agamemnon charge him to have them at hand, whenever weariness should come upon his limbs, as he gave commands throughout all the host; but he himself ranged on foot through the ranks of warriors. And whomsoever of the Danaans with swift steeds he saw eager, to these would he draw nigh, and hearten them earnestly, saying: Ye Argives, relax ye no whit of your furious valour;for father Zeus will be no helper of lies; nay, they that were the first to work violence in defiance of their oaths, their tender flesh of a surety shall vultures devour, and we shall bear away in our ships their dear wives and little children, when we shall have taken their citadel.

ἔνθʼ οὐκ ἂν βρίζοντα ἴδοις Ἀγαμέμνονα δῖον οὐδὲ καταπτώσσοντʼ οὐδʼ οὐκ ἐθέλοντα μάχεσθαι, ἀλλὰ μάλα σπεύδοντα μάχην ἐς κυδιάνειραν. ἵππους μὲν γὰρ ἔασε καὶ ἅρματα ποικίλα χαλκῷ· καὶ τοὺς μὲν θεράπων ἀπάνευθʼ ἔχε φυσιόωντας Εὐρυμέδων υἱὸς Πτολεμαίου Πειραΐδαο· τῷ μάλα πόλλʼ ἐπέτελλε παρισχέμεν ὁππότε κέν μιν γυῖα λάβῃ κάματος πολέας διὰ κοιρανέοντα· αὐτὰρ ὃ πεζὸς ἐὼν ἐπεπωλεῖτο στίχας ἀνδρῶν· καί ῥʼ οὓς μὲν σπεύδοντας ἴδοι Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων, τοὺς μάλα θαρσύνεσκε παριστάμενος ἐπέεσσιν·

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Agamemnon to Greeks

Lines 234–239

for father Zeus will be no helper of lies; nay, they that were the first to work violence in defiance of their oaths, their tender flesh of a surety shall vultures devour, and we shall bear away in our ships their dear wives and little children, when we shall have taken their citadel.

Ἀργεῖοι μή πώ τι μεθίετε θούριδος ἀλκῆς· οὐ γὰρ ἐπὶ ψευδέσσι πατὴρ Ζεὺς ἔσσετʼ ἀρωγός, ἀλλʼ οἵ περ πρότεροι ὑπὲρ ὅρκια δηλήσαντο τῶν ἤτοι αὐτῶν τέρενα χρόα γῦπες ἔδονται, ἡμεῖς αὖτʼ ἀλόχους τε φίλας καὶ νήπια τέκνα ἄξομεν ἐν νήεσσιν, ἐπὴν πτολίεθρον ἕλωμεν.

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Lines 240–241

And whomsoever again he saw holding back from hateful war, them would he chide roundly with angry words: Ye Argives that rage with the bow, ye men of dishonour,171.1 have ye no shame? Why is it that ye stand thus dazed, like fawns that, when they have grown weary with running over a wide plain,stand still, and in their hearts is no valour found at all? Even so ye stand dazed and fight not. Is it that ye wait for the Trojans to come near where your ships with stately sterns are drawn up on the shore of the grey sea, that ye may know if haply the son of Cronos will stretch forth his arm over you?

οὕς τινας αὖ μεθιέντας ἴδοι στυγεροῦ πολέμοιο, τοὺς μάλα νεικείεσκε χολωτοῖσιν ἐπέεσσιν·

Lattimore commentary

The ensuing scene gives a good sense of the role of rhetoric in battle, a continuing feature of later Greek historical narratives (e. g., Xenophon’s Anabasis). A combination of pep talk, flattery, and ritual insult, this series of short speeches includes regular reference to the feasts provided by the commander (260, 345), with hints that repayment is due from his fighters.

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Agamemnon to Greeks

Lines 242–249

stand still, and in their hearts is no valour found at all? Even so ye stand dazed and fight not. Is it that ye wait for the Trojans to come near where your ships with stately sterns are drawn up on the shore of the grey sea, that ye may know if haply the son of Cronos will stretch forth his arm over you?

Ἀργεῖοι ἰόμωροι ἐλεγχέες οὔ νυ σέβεσθε; τίφθʼ οὕτως ἔστητε τεθηπότες ἠΰτε νεβροί, αἵ τʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν ἔκαμον πολέος πεδίοιο θέουσαι ἑστᾶσʼ, οὐδʼ ἄρα τίς σφι μετὰ φρεσὶ γίγνεται ἀλκή· ὣς ὑμεῖς ἔστητε τεθηπότες οὐδὲ μάχεσθε. ἦ μένετε Τρῶας σχεδὸν ἐλθέμεν ἔνθά τε νῆες εἰρύατʼ εὔπρυμνοι πολιῆς ἐπὶ θινὶ θαλάσσης, ὄφρα ἴδητʼ αἴ κʼ ὔμμιν ὑπέρσχῃ χεῖρα Κρονίων;

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phren

Lines 250–256

Thus ranged he giving his commands through the ranks of warriors; and he came to the Cretans as he fared through the throng of men. These were arming them for war around wise-hearted Idomeneus; and Idomeneus stood amid the foremost fighters like a wild boar in valour, while Meriones was speeding on the hindmost battalions. At sight of them Agamemnon, king of men, waxed glad, and forthwith he spake to Idomeneus with gentle words: Idomeneus, beyond all the Danaans with swift steeds do I show honour to thee both in war and in tasks of other sort, and at the feast, when the chieftains of the Argives let mingle in the bowl the flaming wine of the elders.For even though the other long-haired Achaeans drink an allotted portion, thy cup standeth ever full, even as for mine own self, to drink whensoever thy heart biddeth thee. Come, rouse thee for battle, such a one as of old thou declaredst thyself to be.

ὣς ὅ γε κοιρανέων ἐπεπωλεῖτο στίχας ἀνδρῶν· ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ Κρήτεσσι κιὼν ἀνὰ οὐλαμὸν ἀνδρῶν. οἳ δʼ ἀμφʼ Ἰδομενῆα δαΐφρονα θωρήσσοντο· Ἰδομενεὺς μὲν ἐνὶ προμάχοις συῒ εἴκελος ἀλκήν, Μηριόνης δʼ ἄρα οἱ πυμάτας ὄτρυνε φάλαγγας. τοὺς δὲ ἰδὼν γήθησεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων, αὐτίκα δʼ Ἰδομενῆα προσηύδα μειλιχίοισιν·

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Agamemnon to Idomeneus

Lines 257–264

For even though the other long-haired Achaeans drink an allotted portion, thy cup standeth ever full, even as for mine own self, to drink whensoever thy heart biddeth thee. Come, rouse thee for battle, such a one as of old thou declaredst thyself to be.

Ἰδομενεῦ περὶ μέν σε τίω Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων ἠμὲν ἐνὶ πτολέμῳ ἠδʼ ἀλλοίῳ ἐπὶ ἔργῳ ἠδʼ ἐν δαίθʼ, ὅτε πέρ τε γερούσιον αἴθοπα οἶνον Ἀργείων οἳ ἄριστοι ἐνὶ κρητῆρι κέρωνται. εἴ περ γάρ τʼ ἄλλοι γε κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ δαιτρὸν πίνωσιν, σὸν δὲ πλεῖον δέπας αἰεὶ ἕστηχʼ, ὥς περ ἐμοί, πιέειν ὅτε θυμὸς ἀνώγοι. ἀλλʼ ὄρσευ πόλεμον δʼ οἷος πάρος εὔχεαι εἶναι.

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thumos

Lines 265

To him then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, made answer, saying: Son of Atreus, of a surety will I be to thee a trusty comrade, even as at the first I promised and gave my pledge; but do thou urge on the other long-haired Achaeans that we may fight with speed, seeing the Trojans have made of none effect our oaths.Death and woes shall hereafter be their lot, for that they were the first to work violence in defiance of the oaths. So spake he, and the son of Atreus passed on, glad at heart, and came to the Aiantes as he fared through the throng of warriors;

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·

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Idomeneus to Agamemnon

Lines 266–271

Death and woes shall hereafter be their lot, for that they were the first to work violence in defiance of the oaths.

Ἀτρεΐδη μάλα μέν τοι ἐγὼν ἐρίηρος ἑταῖρος ἔσσομαι, ὡς τὸ πρῶτον ὑπέστην καὶ κατένευσα· ἀλλʼ ἄλλους ὄτρυνε κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιοὺς ὄφρα τάχιστα μαχώμεθʼ, ἐπεὶ σύν γʼ ὅρκιʼ ἔχευαν Τρῶες· τοῖσιν δʼ αὖ θάνατος καὶ κήδεʼ ὀπίσσω ἔσσετʼ ἐπεὶ πρότεροι ὑπὲρ ὅρκια δηλήσαντο.

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Lines 272–284

these were arming them for battle, and a cloud of footmen followed with them. Even as when from some place of outlook a goatherd seeth a cloud coming over the face of the deep before the blast of the West Wind, and to him being afar off it seemeth blacker than pitch as it passeth over the face of the deep, and it bringeth a mighty whirlwind; and he shuddereth at sight of it, and driveth his flock beneath a cave; even in such wise by the side of the Aiantes did the thick battalions of youths, nurtured of Zeus, move into furious war—dark battalions, bristling with shields and spears. At sight of these lord Agamemnon waxed glad, and he spake and addressed them with winged words:

ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀτρεΐδης δὲ παρῴχετο γηθόσυνος κῆρ· ἦλθε δʼ ἐπʼ Αἰάντεσσι κιὼν ἀνὰ οὐλαμὸν ἀνδρῶν· τὼ δὲ κορυσσέσθην, ἅμα δὲ νέφος εἵπετο πεζῶν. ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἀπὸ σκοπιῆς εἶδεν νέφος αἰπόλος ἀνὴρ ἐρχόμενον κατὰ πόντον ὑπὸ Ζεφύροιο ἰωῆς· τῷ δέ τʼ ἄνευθεν ἐόντι μελάντερον ἠΰτε πίσσα φαίνετʼ ἰὸν κατὰ πόντον, ἄγει δέ τε λαίλαπα πολλήν, ῥίγησέν τε ἰδών, ὑπό τε σπέος ἤλασε μῆλα· τοῖαι ἅμʼ Αἰάντεσσι διοτρεφέων αἰζηῶν δήϊον ἐς πόλεμον πυκιναὶ κίνυντο φάλαγγες κυάνεαι, σάκεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσι πεφρικυῖαι. καὶ τοὺς μὲν γήθησεν ἰδὼν κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων, καί σφεας φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

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kradie

Agamemnon to Aias (son Of Oileus)/aias (son Of Telamon)

Lines 285–291

Ye Aiantes, leaders of the brazen-coated Argives, to you twain, for it beseemeth not to urge you, I give no charge; for of yourselves ye verily bid your people fight amain. I would, O father Zeus and Athene and Apollo, that such spirit as yours might be found in the breasts of all;then would the city of king Priam forthwith bow her head, taken and laid waste beneath our hands. So saying, he left them there and went to others. Then found he Nestor, the clear-voiced orator of the Pylians, arraying his comrades and urging them to fight, then would the city of king Priam forthwith bow her head, taken and laid waste beneath our hands.

Αἴαντʼ Ἀργείων ἡγήτορε χαλκοχιτώνων, σφῶϊ μέν· οὐ γὰρ ἔοικʼ ὀτρυνέμεν· οὔ τι κελεύω· αὐτὼ γὰρ μάλα λαὸν ἀνώγετον ἶφι μάχεσθαι. αἲ γὰρ Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον τοῖος πᾶσιν θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι γένοιτο· τώ κε τάχʼ ἠμύσειε πόλις Πριάμοιο ἄνακτος χερσὶν ὑφʼ ἡμετέρῃσιν ἁλοῦσά τε περθομένη τε.

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thumos

Lines 292–302

around mighty Pelagon and Alastor and Chromius and lord Haemon and Bias, shepherd of the host. The charioteers first he arrayed with their horses and cars, and behind them the footmen, many and valiant, to be a bulwark of battle; but the cowards he drave into the midst, that were he never so loath each man must needs fight perforce. Upon the charioteers was he first laying charge, and he bade them keep their horses in hand, nor drive tumultuously on amid the throng. Neither let any man, trusting in his horsemanship and his valour, be eager to fight with the Trojans alone in front of the rest,nor yet let him draw back; for so will ye be the feebler. But what man soe'er from his own car can come at a car of the foe, let him thrust forth with his spear, since verily it is far better so. Thus also did men of olden time lay waste cities and walls, having in their breasts mind and spirit such as this.

ὣς εἰπὼν τοὺς μὲν λίπεν αὐτοῦ, βῆ δὲ μετʼ ἄλλους· ἔνθʼ ὅ γε Νέστορʼ ἔτετμε λιγὺν Πυλίων ἀγορητὴν οὓς ἑτάρους στέλλοντα καὶ ὀτρύνοντα μάχεσθαι ἀμφὶ μέγαν Πελάγοντα Ἀλάστορά τε Χρομίον τε Αἵμονά τε κρείοντα Βίαντά τε ποιμένα λαῶν· ἱππῆας μὲν πρῶτα σὺν ἵπποισιν καὶ ὄχεσφι, πεζοὺς δʼ ἐξόπιθε στῆσεν πολέας τε καὶ ἐσθλοὺς ἕρκος ἔμεν πολέμοιο· κακοὺς δʼ ἐς μέσσον ἔλασσεν, ὄφρα καὶ οὐκ ἐθέλων τις ἀναγκαίῃ πολεμίζοι. ἱππεῦσιν μὲν πρῶτʼ ἐπετέλλετο· τοὺς γὰρ ἀνώγει σφοὺς ἵππους ἐχέμεν μηδὲ κλονέεσθαι ὁμίλῳ·

Lattimore commentary

Nestor’s advice to “drivers of horses” is for chariot drivers, as fighting from horseback is unknown in Homer. Here and elsewhere the use of chariots in Bronze Age battle appears to be only vaguely understood by the Iron Age poet, who most often represents fighters as traveling in them to the front lines, then stepping down to fight.

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Nestor to Greeks

Lines 303–309

nor yet let him draw back; for so will ye be the feebler. But what man soe'er from his own car can come at a car of the foe, let him thrust forth with his spear, since verily it is far better so. Thus also did men of olden time lay waste cities and walls, having in their breasts mind and spirit such as this.

μηδέ τις ἱπποσύνῃ τε καὶ ἠνορέηφι πεποιθὼς οἶος πρόσθʼ ἄλλων μεμάτω Τρώεσσι μάχεσθαι, μηδʼ ἀναχωρείτω· ἀλαπαδνότεροι γὰρ ἔσεσθε. ὃς δέ κʼ ἀνὴρ ἀπὸ ὧν ὀχέων ἕτερʼ ἅρμαθʼ ἵκηται ἔγχει ὀρεξάσθω, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερον οὕτω. ὧδε καὶ οἱ πρότεροι πόλεας καὶ τείχεʼ ἐπόρθεον τόνδε νόον καὶ θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἔχοντες.

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noos peitho thumos

Lines 310–312

So was the old man urging them on, having knowledge of battles from of old. At sight of him lord Agamemnon waxed glad, and he spake, and addressed him with winged words: Old Sir, I would that even as is the spirit in thy breast, so thy limbs might obey, and thy strength be firm.But evil177.1 old age presseth hard upon thee; would that some other among the warriors had thy years, and that thou wert among the youths. To him then made answer the horseman, Nestor of Gerenia: Son of Atreus, verily I myself could wish that I were such a one as on the day when I slew goodly Ereuthalion.But in no wise do the gods grant to men all things at one time. As I was then a youth, so now doth old age attend me. Yet even so will I abide among the charioteers and urge them on by counsel and by words; for that is the office of elders. Spears shall the young men wieldwho are more youthful than I and have confidence in their strength. So spake he, and the son of Atreus passed on glad at heart. He found Menestheus, driver of horses, son of Peteos, as he stood, and about him were the Athenians, masters of the war-cry. And hard by stood Odysseus of many wiles,

ὣς ὃ γέρων ὄτρυνε πάλαι πολέμων ἐῢ εἰδώς· καὶ τὸν μὲν γήθησεν ἰδὼν κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων, καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

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Agamemnon to Nestor

Lines 313–316

But evil177.1 old age presseth hard upon thee; would that some other among the warriors had thy years, and that thou wert among the youths.

ὦ γέρον εἴθʼ ὡς θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισιν ὥς τοι γούναθʼ ἕποιτο, βίη δέ τοι ἔμπεδος εἴη· ἀλλά σε γῆρας τείρει ὁμοίϊον· ὡς ὄφελέν τις ἀνδρῶν ἄλλος ἔχειν, σὺ δὲ κουροτέροισι μετεῖναι.

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thumos

Lines 317

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ·

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Nestor to Agamemnon

Lines 318–325

But in no wise do the gods grant to men all things at one time. As I was then a youth, so now doth old age attend me. Yet even so will I abide among the charioteers and urge them on by counsel and by words; for that is the office of elders. Spears shall the young men wield who are more youthful than I and have confidence in their strength.

Ἀτρεΐδη μάλα μέν τοι ἐγὼν ἐθέλοιμι καὶ αὐτὸς ὣς ἔμεν ὡς ὅτε δῖον Ἐρευθαλίωνα κατέκταν. ἀλλʼ οὔ πως ἅμα πάντα θεοὶ δόσαν ἀνθρώποισιν· εἰ τότε κοῦρος ἔα νῦν αὖτέ με γῆρας ὀπάζει. ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἱππεῦσι μετέσσομαι ἠδὲ κελεύσω βουλῇ καὶ μύθοισι· τὸ γὰρ γέρας ἐστὶ γερόντων. αἰχμὰς δʼ αἰχμάσσουσι νεώτεροι, οἵ περ ἐμεῖο ὁπλότεροι γεγάασι πεποίθασίν τε βίηφιν.

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peitho

Lines 326–337

and with him the ranks of the Cephallenians, no weakling folk, stood still; for their host had not as yet heard the war-cry, seeing the battalions of the horse-taming Trojans and the Achaeans had but newly bestirred them to move; wherefore these stood, and waited until some other serried battalions of the Achaeans should advance to set upon the Trojans, and begin the battle. At sight of these Agamemnon, king of men, chid them, and spoke, and addressed them with winged words: O son of Peteos, the king nurtured of Zeus, and thou that excellest in evil wiles, thou of crafty mind,why stand ye apart cowering, and wait for others? For you twain were it seemly that ye take your stand amid the foremost, and confront blazing battle; for ye are the first to hear my bidding to the feast, whenso we Achaeans make ready a banquet for the elders.Then are ye glad to eat roast meat and drink cups of honey-sweet wine as long as ye will. But now would ye gladly behold it, aye if ten serried battalions of the Achaeans were to fight in front of you with the pitiless bronze.

ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀτρεΐδης δὲ παρῴχετο γηθόσυνος κῆρ. εὗρʼ υἱὸν Πετεῶο Μενεσθῆα πλήξιππον ἑσταότʼ· ἀμφὶ δʼ Ἀθηναῖοι μήστωρες ἀϋτῆς· αὐτὰρ ὃ πλησίον ἑστήκει πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς, πὰρ δὲ Κεφαλλήνων ἀμφὶ στίχες οὐκ ἀλαπαδναὶ ἕστασαν· οὐ γάρ πώ σφιν ἀκούετο λαὸς ἀϋτῆς, ἀλλὰ νέον συνορινόμεναι κίνυντο φάλαγγες Τρώων ἱπποδάμων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν· οἳ δὲ μένοντες ἕστασαν ὁππότε πύργος Ἀχαιῶν ἄλλος ἐπελθὼν Τρώων ὁρμήσειε καὶ ἄρξειαν πολέμοιο. τοὺς δὲ ἰδὼν νείκεσσεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων, καί σφεας φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

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kradie

Agamemnon to Menestheus/odysseus

Lines 338–348

why stand ye apart cowering, and wait for others? For you twain were it seemly that ye take your stand amid the foremost, and confront blazing battle; for ye are the first to hear my bidding to the feast, whenso we Achaeans make ready a banquet for the elders. Then are ye glad to eat roast meat and drink cups of honey-sweet wine as long as ye will. But now would ye gladly behold it, aye if ten serried battalions of the Achaeans were to fight in front of you with the pitiless bronze.

ὦ υἱὲ Πετεῶο διοτρεφέος βασιλῆος, καὶ σὺ κακοῖσι δόλοισι κεκασμένε κερδαλεόφρον τίπτε καταπτώσσοντες ἀφέστατε, μίμνετε δʼ ἄλλους; σφῶϊν μέν τʼ ἐπέοικε μετὰ πρώτοισιν ἐόντας ἑστάμεν ἠδὲ μάχης καυστείρης ἀντιβολῆσαι· πρώτω γὰρ καὶ δαιτὸς ἀκουάζεσθον ἐμεῖο, ὁππότε δαῖτα γέρουσιν ἐφοπλίζωμεν Ἀχαιοί. ἔνθα φίλʼ ὀπταλέα κρέα ἔδμεναι ἠδὲ κύπελλα οἴνου πινέμεναι μελιηδέος ὄφρʼ ἐθέλητον· νῦν δὲ φίλως χʼ ὁρόῳτε καὶ εἰ δέκα πύργοι Ἀχαιῶν ὑμείων προπάροιθε μαχοίατο νηλέϊ χαλκῷ.

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Lines 349

τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

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Odysseus to Agamemnon

Lines 350–355

Son of Atreus, what a word hath escaped the barrier of thy teeth! How sayest thou that we are slack in battle, whenso we Achaeans rouse keen war against the horse-taming Trojans? Thou shalt see, if so be thou wilt and if thou carest aught therefor, the father of Telemachus mingling with the foremost fightersof the horse-taming Trojans. This that thou sayest is as empty wind. Then lord Agamemnon spake to him with a smile, when he knew that he was wroth, and took back his words: Zeus-born son of Laertes, Odysseus of many wiles, neither do I chide thee overmuch nor urge thee on,for I know that the heart in thy breast knoweth kindly thoughts, seeing thou art minded even as I am. Nay, come, these things will we make good hereafter, if any harsh word hath been spoken now; and may the gods make all to come to naught. So saying he left them there and went to others. of the horse-taming Trojans. This that thou sayest is as empty wind.

Ἀτρεΐδη ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων; πῶς δὴ φῂς πολέμοιο μεθιέμεν ὁππότʼ Ἀχαιοὶ Τρωσὶν ἐφʼ ἱπποδάμοισιν ἐγείρομεν ὀξὺν Ἄρηα; ὄψεαι αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃσθα καὶ αἴ κέν τοι τὰ μεμήλῃ Τηλεμάχοιο φίλον πατέρα προμάχοισι μιγέντα Τρώων ἱπποδάμων· σὺ δὲ ταῦτʼ ἀνεμώλια βάζεις.

Lattimore commentary

A pun underlies Odysseus’ mention of his son, Telemachos (“far-fighter”), since “champion” is literally “near-fighter” (promakhos).

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Lines 356–357

τὸν δʼ ἐπιμειδήσας προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων ὡς γνῶ χωομένοιο· πάλιν δʼ ὅ γε λάζετο μῦθον·

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Agamemnon to Odysseus

Lines 358–363

for I know that the heart in thy breast knoweth kindly thoughts, seeing thou art minded even as I am. Nay, come, these things will we make good hereafter, if any harsh word hath been spoken now; and may the gods make all to come to naught.

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ οὔτέ σε νεικείω περιώσιον οὔτε κελεύω· οἶδα γὰρ ὥς τοι θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισιν ἤπια δήνεα οἶδε· τὰ γὰρ φρονέεις ἅ τʼ ἐγώ περ. ἀλλʼ ἴθι ταῦτα δʼ ὄπισθεν ἀρεσσόμεθʼ εἴ τι κακὸν νῦν εἴρηται, τὰ δὲ πάντα θεοὶ μεταμώνια θεῖεν.

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thumos

Lines 364–369

Then found he the son of Tydeus, Diomedes high of heart, as he stood in his jointed car; and by his side stood Sthenelus, son of Capaneus. At sight of him too lord Agamemnon chid him, and spake and addressed him with winged words:

ὣς εἰπὼν τοὺς μὲν λίπεν αὐτοῦ, βῆ δὲ μετʼ ἄλλους. εὗρε δὲ Τυδέος υἱὸν ὑπέρθυμον Διομήδεα ἑσταότʼ ἔν θʼ ἵπποισι καὶ ἅρμασι κολλητοῖσι· πὰρ δέ οἱ ἑστήκει Σθένελος Καπανήϊος υἱός. καὶ τὸν μὲν νείκεσσεν ἰδὼν κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων, καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

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Agamemnon to Diomedes

Lines 370–400

Ah me, thou son of wise-hearted Tydeus, tamer of horses, why cowerest thou, why gazest thou at the dykes of battle?181.1 Tydeus of a surety was not wont thus to cower, but far in advance of his comrades to fight against the foe, as they tell who saw him amid the toil of war; for I nevermet him, neither saw him; but men say that he was pre-eminent over all. Once verily he came to Mycenae, not as an enemy, but as a guest, in company with godlike Polyneices, to gather a host; for in that day they were waging a war against the sacred walls of Thebe, and earnestly did they make prayer that glorious allies be granted them;and the men of Mycenae were minded to grant them, and were assenting even as they bade, but Zeus turned their minds by showing tokens of ill. So when they had departed and were with deep reeds, that coucheth in the grass, there did the Achaeans send forth Tydeus on an embassage.And he went his way, and found the many sons of Cadmus feasting in the house of mighty Eteocles. Then, for all he was a stranger, the horseman Tydeus feared not, all alone though he was amid the many Cadmeians, but challenged them all to feats of strength and in every one vanquished he themfull easily; such a helper was Athene to him. But the Cadmeians, goaders of horses, waxed wroth, and as he journeyed back, brought and set a strong ambush, even fifty youths, and two there were as leaders, Maeon, son of Haemon, peer of the immortals,and Autophonus' son, Polyphontes, staunch in fight. But Tydeus even upon these let loose a shameful fate, and slew them all; one only man suffered he to return home; Maeon he sent forth in obedience to the portents of the gods. Such a man was Tydeus of Aetolia; howbeit the sonthat he begat is worse than he in battle, though in the place of gathering he is better. met him, neither saw him; but men say that he was pre-eminent over all. Once verily he came to Mycenae, not as an enemy, but as a guest, in company with godlike Polyneices, to gather a host; for in that day they were waging a war against the sacred walls of Thebe, and earnestly did they make prayer that glorious allies be granted them; and the men of Mycenae were minded to grant them, and were assenting even as they bade, but Zeus turned their minds by showing tokens of ill. So when they had departed and were with deep reeds, that coucheth in the grass, there did the Achaeans send forth Tydeus on an embassage. And he went his way, and found the many sons of Cadmus feasting in the house of mighty Eteocles. Then, for all he was a stranger, the horseman Tydeus feared not, all alone though he was amid the many Cadmeians, but challenged them all to feats of strength and in every one vanquished he them full easily; such a helper was Athene to him. But the Cadmeians, goaders of horses, waxed wroth, and as he journeyed back, brought and set a strong ambush, even fifty youths, and two there were as leaders, Maeon, son of Haemon, peer of the immortals, and Autophonus' son, Polyphontes, staunch in fight. But Tydeus even upon these let loose a shameful fate, and slew them all; one only man suffered he to return home; Maeon he sent forth in obedience to the portents of the gods. Such a man was Tydeus of Aetolia; howbeit the son that he begat is worse than he in battle, though in the place of gathering he is better.

ὤ μοι Τυδέος υἱὲ δαΐφρονος ἱπποδάμοιο τί πτώσσεις, τί δʼ ὀπιπεύεις πολέμοιο γεφύρας; οὐ μὲν Τυδέϊ γʼ ὧδε φίλον πτωσκαζέμεν ἦεν, ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρὸ φίλων ἑτάρων δηΐοισι μάχεσθαι, ὡς φάσαν οἵ μιν ἴδοντο πονεύμενον· οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγε ἤντησʼ οὐδὲ ἴδον· περὶ δʼ ἄλλων φασὶ γενέσθαι. ἤτοι μὲν γὰρ ἄτερ πολέμου εἰσῆλθε Μυκήνας ξεῖνος ἅμʼ ἀντιθέῳ Πολυνείκεϊ λαὸν ἀγείρων· οἳ δὲ τότʼ ἐστρατόωνθʼ ἱερὰ πρὸς τείχεα Θήβης, καί ῥα μάλα λίσσοντο δόμεν κλειτοὺς ἐπικούρους· οἳ δʼ ἔθελον δόμεναι καὶ ἐπῄνεον ὡς ἐκέλευον· ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς ἔτρεψε παραίσια σήματα φαίνων. οἳ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν ᾤχοντο ἰδὲ πρὸ ὁδοῦ ἐγένοντο, Ἀσωπὸν δʼ ἵκοντο βαθύσχοινον λεχεποίην, ἔνθʼ αὖτʼ ἀγγελίην ἐπὶ Τυδῆ στεῖλαν Ἀχαιοί. αὐτὰρ ὃ βῆ, πολέας δὲ κιχήσατο Καδμεΐωνας δαινυμένους κατὰ δῶμα βίης Ἐτεοκληείης. ἔνθʼ οὐδὲ ξεῖνός περ ἐὼν ἱππηλάτα Τυδεὺς τάρβει, μοῦνος ἐὼν πολέσιν μετὰ Καδμείοισιν, ἀλλʼ ὅ γʼ ἀεθλεύειν προκαλίζετο, πάντα δʼ ἐνίκα ῥηϊδίως· τοίη οἱ ἐπίρροθος ἦεν Ἀθήνη. οἳ δὲ χολωσάμενοι Καδμεῖοι κέντορες ἵππων ἂψ ἄρʼ ἀνερχομένῳ πυκινὸν λόχον εἷσαν ἄγοντες κούρους πεντήκοντα· δύω δʼ ἡγήτορες ἦσαν, Μαίων Αἱμονίδης ἐπιείκελος ἀθανάτοισιν, υἱός τʼ Αὐτοφόνοιο μενεπτόλεμος Πολυφόντης. Τυδεὺς μὲν καὶ τοῖσιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐφῆκε· πάντας ἔπεφνʼ, ἕνα δʼ οἶον ἵει οἶκον δὲ νέεσθαι· Μαίονʼ ἄρα προέηκε θεῶν τεράεσσι πιθήσας. τοῖος ἔην Τυδεὺς Αἰτώλιος· ἀλλὰ τὸν υἱὸν γείνατο εἷο χέρεια μάχῃ, ἀγορῇ δέ τʼ ἀμείνω.

Lattimore commentary

Tydeus was one of the Seven against Thebes, allies sworn to restore Polyneikes to the throne of his late father Oedipus. The story of his valor is meant to inspire Diomedes, and so Agamemnon tactfully omits reference to its seamier side: Tydeus lost Athene’s favor because, enraged, he ate the brain of a decapitated enemy, Melanippos.

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peitho

Lines 401–403

ὣς φάτο, τὸν δʼ οὔ τι προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης αἰδεσθεὶς βασιλῆος ἐνιπὴν αἰδοίοιο· τὸν δʼ υἱὸς Καπανῆος ἀμείψατο κυδαλίμοιο·

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aidos

Sthenelus to Agamemnon

Lines 404–410

We declare ourselves to be better men by far than our fathers: we took the seat of Thebe of the seven gates, when we twain had gathered a lesser host against a stronger wall, putting our trust in the portents of the gods and in the aid of Zeus; whereas they perished through their own blind folly. Wherefore I bid thee put not our fathers in like honour with us.

Ἀτρεΐδη μὴ ψεύδεʼ ἐπιστάμενος σάφα εἰπεῖν· ἡμεῖς τοι πατέρων μέγʼ ἀμείνονες εὐχόμεθʼ εἶναι· ἡμεῖς καὶ Θήβης ἕδος εἵλομεν ἑπταπύλοιο παυρότερον λαὸν ἀγαγόνθʼ ὑπὸ τεῖχος ἄρειον, πειθόμενοι τεράεσσι θεῶν καὶ Ζηνὸς ἀρωγῇ· κεῖνοι δὲ σφετέρῃσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὄλοντο· τὼ μή μοι πατέρας ποθʼ ὁμοίῃ ἔνθεο τιμῇ.

Lattimore commentary

The son of Kapaneus is Sthenelos, who with Diomedes and five others (known collectively as the Epigoni or “After-born”), razed Thebes to the ground a decade after their fathers had perished in the first assault on the city.

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peitho

Lines 411

τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης·

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Diomedes to Sthenelus

Lines 412–418

for upon him will great glory attend if the Achaeans shall slay the Trojans and take sacred Ilios, and upon him likewise will fall great sorrow, if the Achaeans be slain. Nay, come, let us twain also bethink us of furious valour.

τέττα, σιωπῇ ἧσο, ἐμῷ δʼ ἐπιπείθεο μύθῳ· οὐ γὰρ ἐγὼ νεμεσῶ Ἀγαμέμνονι ποιμένι λαῶν ὀτρύνοντι μάχεσθαι ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς· τούτῳ μὲν γὰρ κῦδος ἅμʼ ἕψεται εἴ κεν Ἀχαιοὶ Τρῶας δῃώσωσιν ἕλωσί τε Ἴλιον ἱρήν, τούτῳ δʼ αὖ μέγα πένθος Ἀχαιῶν δῃωθέντων. ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ καὶ νῶϊ μεδώμεθα θούριδος ἀλκῆς.

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Lines 419–433

and terribly rang the bronze upon the breast of the prince as he moved; thereat might terror have seized even one that was steadfast of heart. As when on a sounding beach the swell of the sea beats, wave after wave, before the driving of the West Wind; out on the deep at the first is it gathered in a crest, but thereafter is broken upon the land and thundereth aloud, and round about the headlands it swelleth and reareth its head, and speweth forth the salt brine: even in such wise on that day did the battalions of the Danaans move, rank after rank, without cease, into battle; and each captain gave charge to his own men, and the rest marched on in silence; thou wouldst not have deemed that they that followed in such multitudes had any voice in their breasts, all silent as they were through fear of their commanders; and on every man flashed the inlaid armour wherewith they went clad. But for the Trojans, even as ewes stand in throngs past counting in the court of a man of much substance to be milked of their white milk,

ἦ ῥα καὶ ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε· δεινὸν δʼ ἔβραχε χαλκὸς ἐπὶ στήθεσσιν ἄνακτος ὀρνυμένου· ὑπό κεν ταλασίφρονά περ δέος εἷλεν. ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἐν αἰγιαλῷ πολυηχέϊ κῦμα θαλάσσης ὄρνυτʼ ἐπασσύτερον Ζεφύρου ὕπο κινήσαντος· πόντῳ μέν τε πρῶτα κορύσσεται, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα χέρσῳ ῥηγνύμενον μεγάλα βρέμει, ἀμφὶ δέ τʼ ἄκρας κυρτὸν ἐὸν κορυφοῦται, ἀποπτύει δʼ ἁλὸς ἄχνην· ὣς τότʼ ἐπασσύτεραι Δαναῶν κίνυντο φάλαγγες νωλεμέως πόλεμον δέ· κέλευε δὲ οἷσιν ἕκαστος ἡγεμόνων· οἳ δʼ ἄλλοι ἀκὴν ἴσαν, οὐδέ κε φαίης τόσσον λαὸν ἕπεσθαι ἔχοντʼ ἐν στήθεσιν αὐδήν, σιγῇ δειδιότες σημάντορας· ἀμφὶ δὲ πᾶσι τεύχεα ποικίλʼ ἔλαμπε, τὰ εἱμένοι ἐστιχόωντο. Τρῶες δʼ, ὥς τʼ ὄϊες πολυπάμονος ἀνδρὸς ἐν αὐλῇ

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Lines 434–448

and bleat without ceasing as they near the voices of their lambs: even so arose the clamour of the Trojans throughout the wide host; for they had not all like speech or one language, but their tongues were mingled, and they were a folk summoned from many lands. These were urged on by Ares, and the Greeks by flashing-eyed Athene, and Terror, and Rout, and Discord that rageth incessantly, sister and comrade of man-slaying Ares; she at the first rears her crest but little, yet thereafter planteth her head in heaven, while her feet tread on earth. She it was that now cast evil strife into their midst as she fared through the throng, making the groanings of men to wax.

μυρίαι ἑστήκασιν ἀμελγόμεναι γάλα λευκὸν ἀζηχὲς μεμακυῖαι ἀκούουσαι ὄπα ἀρνῶν, ὣς Τρώων ἀλαλητὸς ἀνὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν ὀρώρει· οὐ γὰρ πάντων ἦεν ὁμὸς θρόος οὐδʼ ἴα γῆρυς, ἀλλὰ γλῶσσα μέμικτο, πολύκλητοι δʼ ἔσαν ἄνδρες. ὄρσε δὲ τοὺς μὲν Ἄρης, τοὺς δὲ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη Δεῖμός τʼ ἠδὲ Φόβος καὶ Ἔρις ἄμοτον μεμαυῖα, Ἄρεος ἀνδροφόνοιο κασιγνήτη ἑτάρη τε, ἥ τʼ ὀλίγη μὲν πρῶτα κορύσσεται, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα οὐρανῷ ἐστήριξε κάρη καὶ ἐπὶ χθονὶ βαίνει· ἥ σφιν καὶ τότε νεῖκος ὁμοίϊον ἔμβαλε μέσσῳ ἐρχομένη καθʼ ὅμιλον ὀφέλλουσα στόνον ἀνδρῶν. οἳ δʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἐς χῶρον ἕνα ξυνιόντες ἵκοντο, σύν ῥʼ ἔβαλον ῥινούς, σὺν δʼ ἔγχεα καὶ μένεʼ ἀνδρῶν χαλκεοθωρήκων· ἀτὰρ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι

Lattimore commentary

The disciplined silence of the Greeks is contrasted several times with Trojan noise (e. g., 3.1–10), which is here further related to the linguistic diversity of the Trojan side.

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menos

Lines 449–463

Then were heard alike the sound of groaning and the cry of triumph of the slayers and the slain, and the earth flowed with blood. As when winter torrents, flowing down the mountains from their great springs to a place where two valleys meet, join their mighty floods in a deep gorge, and far off amid the mountains the shepherd heareth the thunder thereof; even so from the joining of these in battle came shouting and toil. Antilochus was first to slay a warrior of the Trojans in full armour, a goodly man amid the foremost fighters, Echepolus, son of Thalysius. Him was he first to smite upon the horn of his helmet with crest of horse-hair, and into his forehead drave the spear, and the point of bronze passed within the bone; and darkness enfolded his eyes, and he crashed as doth a wall, in the mighty conflict. As he fell lord Elephenor caught him by the feet, the son he of Chalcodon, and captain of the great-souled Abantes,

ἔπληντʼ ἀλλήλῃσι, πολὺς δʼ ὀρυμαγδὸς ὀρώρει. ἔνθα δʼ ἅμʼ οἰμωγή τε καὶ εὐχωλὴ πέλεν ἀνδρῶν ὀλλύντων τε καὶ ὀλλυμένων, ῥέε δʼ αἵματι γαῖα. ὡς δʼ ὅτε χείμαρροι ποταμοὶ κατʼ ὄρεσφι ῥέοντες ἐς μισγάγκειαν συμβάλλετον ὄβριμον ὕδωρ κρουνῶν ἐκ μεγάλων κοίλης ἔντοσθε χαράδρης, τῶν δέ τε τηλόσε δοῦπον ἐν οὔρεσιν ἔκλυε ποιμήν· ὣς τῶν μισγομένων γένετο ἰαχή τε πόνος τε. πρῶτος δʼ Ἀντίλοχος Τρώων ἕλεν ἄνδρα κορυστὴν ἐσθλὸν ἐνὶ προμάχοισι Θαλυσιάδην Ἐχέπωλον· τόν ῥʼ ἔβαλε πρῶτος κόρυθος φάλον ἱπποδασείης, ἐν δὲ μετώπῳ πῆξε, πέρησε δʼ ἄρʼ ὀστέον εἴσω αἰχμὴ χαλκείη· τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψεν, ἤριπε δʼ ὡς ὅτε πύργος ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ. τὸν δὲ πεσόντα ποδῶν ἔλαβε κρείων Ἐλεφήνωρ

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Lines 464–478

and sought to drag him from beneath the missiles, fain with all speed to strip off his armour; yet but for a scant space did his striving endure; for as he was haling the corpse great-souled Agenor caught sight of him, and where his side was left uncovered of his shield, as he stooped, even there; he smote him with a thrust of his bronze-shod spear, and loosed his limbs. So his spirit left him, and over his body was wrought grievous toil of Trojans and Achaeans. Even as wolves leapt they one upon the other, and man made man to reel. Then Telamonian Aias smote Anthemion's son, the lusty youth Simoeisius, whom on a time his mother had born beside the banks of Simois, as she journeyed down from Ida, whither she had followed with her parents to see their flocks. For this cause they called him Simoeisius; yet paid he not back to his dear parents the recompense of his upbringing, and but brief was the span of his life, for that he was laid low by the spear of great-souled Aias.

Χαλκωδοντιάδης μεγαθύμων ἀρχὸς Ἀβάντων, ἕλκε δʼ ὑπʼ ἐκ βελέων, λελιημένος ὄφρα τάχιστα τεύχεα συλήσειε· μίνυνθα δέ οἱ γένεθʼ ὁρμή. νεκρὸν γὰρ ἐρύοντα ἰδὼν μεγάθυμος Ἀγήνωρ πλευρά, τά οἱ κύψαντι παρʼ ἀσπίδος ἐξεφαάνθη, οὔτησε ξυστῷ χαλκήρεϊ, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα. ὣς τὸν μὲν λίπε θυμός, ἐπʼ αὐτῷ δʼ ἔργον ἐτύχθη ἀργαλέον Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν· οἳ δὲ λύκοι ὣς ἀλλήλοις ἐπόρουσαν, ἀνὴρ δʼ ἄνδρʼ ἐδνοπάλιζεν. ἔνθʼ ἔβαλʼ Ἀνθεμίωνος υἱὸν Τελαμώνιος Αἴας ἠΐθεον θαλερὸν Σιμοείσιον, ὅν ποτε μήτηρ Ἴδηθεν κατιοῦσα παρʼ ὄχθῃσιν Σιμόεντος γείνατʼ, ἐπεί ῥα τοκεῦσιν ἅμʼ ἕσπετο μῆλα ἰδέσθαι· τοὔνεκά μιν κάλεον Σιμοείσιον· οὐδὲ τοκεῦσι θρέπτρα φίλοις ἀπέδωκε, μινυνθάδιος δέ οἱ αἰὼν

Lattimore commentary

The flashback humanizes the victim, while the simile’s image of a poplar laid low alongside water circles back to the circumstances of the birth and naming of Simoeisios, near the local river. That the poplar’s wood is used to make a chariot wheel brings us forward into the world of battle.

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thumos

Lines 479–493

For, as he strode amid the foremost, he was smitten on the right breast beside the nipple; and clean through his shoulder went the spear of bronze, and he fell to the ground in the dust like a poplar tree that hath grown up in the bottom land of a great marsh, smooth of stem, but from the top thereof branches grow: this hath some wainwright felled with the gleaming iron that he might bend him a felloe for a beauteous chariot, and it lieth drying by a river's banks. cast with his sharp spear amid the throng. Him he missed, but smote in the groin Odysseus' goodly comrade, Leucus, as he was drawing the corpse to the other side; so he fell upon it, and the body slipped from his grasp. For his slaying waxed Odysseus mightily wroth at heart,

ἔπλεθʼ ὑπʼ Αἴαντος μεγαθύμου δουρὶ δαμέντι. πρῶτον γάρ μιν ἰόντα βάλε στῆθος παρὰ μαζὸν δεξιόν· ἀντικρὺ δὲ διʼ ὤμου χάλκεον ἔγχος ἦλθεν· ὁ δʼ ἐν κονίῃσι χαμαὶ πέσεν αἴγειρος ὣς ἥ ῥά τʼ ἐν εἱαμενῇ ἕλεος μεγάλοιο πεφύκει λείη, ἀτάρ τέ οἱ ὄζοι ἐπʼ ἀκροτάτῃ πεφύασι· τὴν μέν θʼ ἁρματοπηγὸς ἀνὴρ αἴθωνι σιδήρῳ ἐξέταμʼ, ὄφρα ἴτυν κάμψῃ περικαλλέϊ δίφρῳ· ἣ μέν τʼ ἀζομένη κεῖται ποταμοῖο παρʼ ὄχθας. τοῖον ἄρʼ Ἀνθεμίδην Σιμοείσιον ἐξενάριξεν Αἴας διογενής· τοῦ δʼ Ἄντιφος αἰολοθώρηξ Πριαμίδης καθʼ ὅμιλον ἀκόντισεν ὀξέϊ δουρί. τοῦ μὲν ἅμαρθʼ, ὃ δὲ Λεῦκον Ὀδυσσέος ἐσθλὸν ἑταῖρον βεβλήκει βουβῶνα, νέκυν ἑτέρωσʼ ἐρύοντα· ἤριπε δʼ ἀμφʼ αὐτῷ, νεκρὸς δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε χειρός.

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Lines 494–508

and strode amid the foremost warriors, harnessed in flaming bronze; close to the foe he came and took his stand, and glancing warily about him hurled with his bright spear; and back did the Trojans shrink from the warrior as he cast. Not in vain did he let fly his spear, but smote Priam's bastard son Democoon, that had come at his call from Abydus, from his stud of swift mares. Him Odysseus, wroth for his comrade's sake, smote with his spear on the temple, and out through the other temple passed the spear-point of bronze, and darkness enfolded his eyes, and he fell with a thud and upon him his armour clanged. Then the foremost warriors and glorious Hector gave ground; and the Argives shouted aloud, and drew off the bodies, and charged far further onward. And Apollo, looking down from Pergamus, had indignation, and called with a shout to the Trojans: Rouse ye, horse-taming Trojans, give not ground in fightbefore Argives; not of stone nor of iron is their flesh to resist the bronze that cleaveth the flesh, when they are smitten. Nay, and Achilles moreover fighteth not, the son of fair-haired Thetis, but amid the ships nurseth his bitter wrath. So spake the dread god from the city; but the Achaeans

τοῦ δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς μάλα θυμὸν ἀποκταμένοιο χολώθη, βῆ δὲ διὰ προμάχων κεκορυθμένος αἴθοπι χαλκῷ, στῆ δὲ μάλʼ ἐγγὺς ἰὼν καὶ ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ ἀμφὶ ἓ παπτήνας· ὑπὸ δὲ Τρῶες κεκάδοντο ἀνδρὸς ἀκοντίσσαντος· ὃ δʼ οὐχ ἅλιον βέλος ἧκεν, ἀλλʼ υἱὸν Πριάμοιο νόθον βάλε Δημοκόωντα ὅς οἱ Ἀβυδόθεν ἦλθε παρʼ ἵππων ὠκειάων. τόν ῥʼ Ὀδυσεὺς ἑτάροιο χολωσάμενος βάλε δουρὶ κόρσην· ἣ δʼ ἑτέροιο διὰ κροτάφοιο πέρησεν αἰχμὴ χαλκείη· τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψε, δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, ἀράβησε δὲ τεύχεʼ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ. χώρησαν δʼ ὑπό τε πρόμαχοι καὶ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ· Ἀργεῖοι δὲ μέγα ἴαχον, ἐρύσαντο δὲ νεκρούς, ἴθυσαν δὲ πολὺ προτέρω· νεμέσησε δʼ Ἀπόλλων Περγάμου ἐκκατιδών, Τρώεσσι δὲ κέκλετʼ ἀΰσας·

Lattimore commentary

Apollo, like a coach or spectator, keeps his distance while Athene actively enters the fray (515, 542) as had Ares (439). It is Apollo who mentions the equally distant Achilleus, the hero who is most like the god in other respects as well.

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thumos

Apollo to Trojans · divine

Lines 509–513

before Argives; not of stone nor of iron is their flesh to resist the bronze that cleaveth the flesh, when they are smitten. Nay, and Achilles moreover fighteth not, the son of fair-haired Thetis, but amid the ships nurseth his bitter wrath.

ὄρνυσθʼ ἱππόδαμοι Τρῶες μηδʼ εἴκετε χάρμης Ἀργείοις, ἐπεὶ οὔ σφι λίθος χρὼς οὐδὲ σίδηρος χαλκὸν ἀνασχέσθαι ταμεσίχροα βαλλομένοισιν· οὐ μὰν οὐδʼ Ἀχιλεὺς Θέτιδος πάϊς ἠϋκόμοιο μάρναται, ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ νηυσὶ χόλον θυμαλγέα πέσσει.

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Lines 514–528

were urged on by the daughter of Zeus, most glorious Tritogeneia, who fared throughout the throng wheresoever she saw them giving ground. even Peiros, son of Imbrasus, that had come from Aenus. The sinews twain and the bones did the ruthless stone utterly crush; and he fell backward in the dust and stretched out both his hands to his dear comrades, gasping out his life; and there ran up he that smote him, Peiros, and dealt him a wound with a thrust of his spear beside the navel; and forth upon the ground gushed all his bowels, and darkness enfolded his eyes. But as the other sprang back Thoas of Aetolia smote him with a cast of his spear in the breast above the nipple, and the bronze was fixed in his lung; and Thoas came close to him, and plucked forth from his chest the mighty spear,

ὣς φάτʼ ἀπὸ πτόλιος δεινὸς θεός· αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὺς ὦρσε Διὸς θυγάτηρ κυδίστη Τριτογένεια ἐρχομένη καθʼ ὅμιλον, ὅθι μεθιέντας ἴδοιτο. ἔνθʼ Ἀμαρυγκείδην Διώρεα μοῖρα πέδησε· χερμαδίῳ γὰρ βλῆτο παρὰ σφυρὸν ὀκριόεντι κνήμην δεξιτερήν· βάλε δὲ Θρῃκῶν ἀγὸς ἀνδρῶν Πείρως Ἰμβρασίδης ὃς ἄρʼ Αἰνόθεν εἰληλούθει. ἀμφοτέρω δὲ τένοντε καὶ ὀστέα λᾶας ἀναιδὴς ἄχρις ἀπηλοίησεν· ὃ δʼ ὕπτιος ἐν κονίῃσι κάππεσεν ἄμφω χεῖρε φίλοις ἑτάροισι πετάσσας θυμὸν ἀποπνείων· ὃ δʼ ἐπέδραμεν ὅς ῥʼ ἔβαλέν περ Πείροος, οὖτα δὲ δουρὶ παρʼ ὀμφαλόν· ἐκ δʼ ἄρα πᾶσαι χύντο χαμαὶ χολάδες, τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψε. τὸν δὲ Θόας Αἰτωλὸς ἀπεσσύμενον βάλε δουρὶ στέρνον ὑπὲρ μαζοῖο, πάγη δʼ ἐν πνεύμονι χαλκός·

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thumos

Lines 529–543

and drew his sharp sword and smote him therewith full upon the belly, and took away his life. Howbeit of his armour he stripped him not, for about him his comrades, men of Thrace that wear the hair long at the top, stood with long spears grasped in their hands, and for all that he was great and mighty and lordly, drave him back from them, so that he reeled and gave ground. Thus the twain lay stretched in the dust each by the other, captains the one of the Thracians and the other of the brazen-coated Epeians; and about them were others full many likewise slain. Then could no man any more enter into the battle and make light thereof, whoso still unwounded by missile or by thrust of sharp bronze, might move throughout the midst, being led of Pallas Athene by the hand, and by her guarded from the onrush of missiles: for multitudes of Trojans and Achaeans alike were that day stretched one by the other's side with faces in the dust.

ἀγχίμολον δέ οἱ ἦλθε Θόας, ἐκ δʼ ὄβριμον ἔγχος ἐσπάσατο στέρνοιο, ἐρύσσατο δὲ ξίφος ὀξύ, τῷ ὅ γε γαστέρα τύψε μέσην, ἐκ δʼ αἴνυτο θυμόν. τεύχεα δʼ οὐκ ἀπέδυσε· περίστησαν γὰρ ἑταῖροι Θρήϊκες ἀκρόκομοι δολίχʼ ἔγχεα χερσὶν ἔχοντες, οἵ ἑ μέγαν περ ἐόντα καὶ ἴφθιμον καὶ ἀγαυὸν ὦσαν ἀπὸ σφείων· ὃ δὲ χασσάμενος πελεμίχθη. ὣς τώ γʼ ἐν κονίῃσι παρʼ ἀλλήλοισι τετάσθην, ἤτοι ὃ μὲν Θρῃκῶν, ὃ δʼ Ἐπειῶν χαλκοχιτώνων ἡγεμόνες· πολλοὶ δὲ περὶ κτείνοντο καὶ ἄλλοι. ἔνθά κεν οὐκέτι ἔργον ἀνὴρ ὀνόσαιτο μετελθών, ὅς τις ἔτʼ ἄβλητος καὶ ἀνούτατος ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ δινεύοι κατὰ μέσσον, ἄγοι δέ ἑ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη χειρὸς ἑλοῦσʼ, αὐτὰρ βελέων ἀπερύκοι ἐρωήν· πολλοὶ γὰρ Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν ἤματι κείνῳ

Lattimore commentary

In such images as this (enemies lying next to one another in the dust) the poem draws attention to the common humanity and shared fate of the opposed sides.

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thumos

Lines 544

πρηνέες ἐν κονίῃσι παρʼ ἀλλήλοισι τέταντο.

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Trojan.1 to Trojan.1

Lines 178–181

he hath departed home to his dear native land with empty ships, and hath left here noble Menelaus.

αἴθʼ οὕτως ἐπὶ πᾶσι χόλον τελέσειʼ Ἀγαμέμνων, ὡς καὶ νῦν ἅλιον στρατὸν ἤγαγεν ἐνθάδʼ Ἀχαιῶν, καὶ δὴ ἔβη οἶκον δὲ φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν σὺν κεινῇσιν νηυσὶ λιπὼν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον.

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