Seba.Health

The Iliad 3.339–350

The Iliad 3.339–350
But when they had armed themselves on either side of the throng, they strode into the space between the Trojans and Achaeans, glaring terribly; and amazement came upon them that beheld, both the Trojans, tamers of horses, and the well-greaved Achaeans; and the twain took their stand near together in the measured space, brandishing their spears in wrath one at the other. First Alexander hurled his far-shadowing spear, and smote upon the son of Atreus' shield that was well balanced on every side1 ; howbeit the bronze brake not through but its point was turned in the stout shield. Next Atreus' son, Menelaus, rushed upon him with his spear, and made prayer to father Zeus: Zeus, our king, grant that I may avenge me on him that was first to do me wrong, even on goodly Alexander, and subdue thou him beneath my hands; that many a one even of men yet to be may shudder to work evil to his host, that hath shown him friendship.
ὣς δʼ αὔτως Μενέλαος ἀρήϊος ἔντεʼ ἔδυνεν. οἳ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν ἑκάτερθεν ὁμίλου θωρήχθησαν, ἐς μέσσον Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν ἐστιχόωντο δεινὸν δερκόμενοι· θάμβος δʼ ἔχεν εἰσορόωντας Τρῶάς θʼ ἱπποδάμους καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς. καί ῥʼ ἐγγὺς στήτην διαμετρητῷ ἐνὶ χώρῳ σείοντʼ ἐγχείας ἀλλήλοισιν κοτέοντε. πρόσθε δʼ Ἀλέξανδρος προΐει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος, καὶ βάλεν Ἀτρεΐδαο κατʼ ἀσπίδα πάντοσε ἴσην, οὐδʼ ἔρρηξεν χαλκός, ἀνεγνάμφθη δέ οἱ αἰχμὴ ἀσπίδʼ ἐνὶ κρατερῇ· δὲ δεύτερον ὄρνυτο χαλκῷ Ἀτρεΐδης Μενέλαος ἐπευξάμενος Διὶ πατρί·
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