Seba.Health

The Iliad 1.561–567

Zeus to Hera · divine
The Iliad 1.561–567
lest all the gods that are in Olympus avail you not against my drawing near, when I put forth upon you my irresistible hands.
δαιμονίη αἰεὶ μὲν ὀΐεαι οὐδέ σε λήθω· πρῆξαι δʼ ἔμπης οὔ τι δυνήσεαι, ἀλλʼ ἀπὸ θυμοῦ μᾶλλον ἐμοὶ ἔσεαι· τὸ δέ τοι καὶ ῥίγιον ἔσται. εἰ δʼ οὕτω τοῦτʼ ἐστὶν ἐμοὶ μέλλει φίλον εἶναι· ἀλλʼ ἀκέουσα κάθησο, ἐμῷ δʼ ἐπιπείθεο μύθῳ, μή νύ τοι οὐ χραίσμωσιν ὅσοι θεοί εἰσʼ ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ ἆσσον ἰόνθʼ, ὅτε κέν τοι ἀάπτους χεῖρας ἐφείω.
Lattimore commentary
Although gods cannot die, the threat of violent treatment keeps them under control. In structure and language, the scene mirrors Agamemnon’s threats against Chryses at the opening of this book. In addition, the mediation attempted by Hephaistos recalls Nestor’s advice during the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilleus (1.248–84). This squabble at a divine feast makes a deliberate ironic contrast with the mortal struggles earlier, as does the calm ending of the episode.
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thumos
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