The Iliad 16.433–438 — Zeus speaking to Hera | The Lexicon

The Iliad 16.433–438

And in twofold wise is my heart divided in counsel as I ponder in my thought whether I shall snatch him up while yet he liveth and set him afar from the tearful war in the rich land of Lycia, or whether I shall slay him now beneath the hands of the son of Menoetius.

ὤ μοι ἐγών, ὅ τέ μοι Σαρπηδόνα φίλτατον ἀνδρῶν μοῖρʼ ὑπὸ Πατρόκλοιο Μενοιτιάδαο δαμῆναι. διχθὰ δέ μοι κραδίη μέμονε φρεσὶν ὁρμαίνοντι, ἤ μιν ζωὸν ἐόντα μάχης ἄπο δακρυοέσσης θείω ἀναρπάξας Λυκίης ἐν πίονι δήμῳ, ἦ ἤδη ὑπὸ χερσὶ Μενοιτιάδαο δαμάσσω.

Lattimore commentary

Although Zeus laments that it is fate (moira) for his son to die, he nevertheless considers saving him, thereby overriding the set course of events. Hera’s response affirms that Zeus is able to go against fate, but he risks the anger and disapproval of the other gods, in a lost cause (since Sarpedon, a mortal, must die sometime).

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