# The Iliad, Book 13: Poseidon at the Ships

Ἰλιάς · Homer · The Patrocleia

Poseidon rallies the Greeks behind Zeus's back. Idomeneus fights at the left of the line. The battle sways at the ships.

Source: https://1732studios.com/books/iliad/13. Data: https://1732studios.com/books/iliad/13.json. Audio: https://audio.1732studios.com/iliad/<line id>.m4a.

**1** Ζεὺς δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν Τρῶάς τε καὶ Ἕκτορα νηυσὶ πέλασσε,  
Now when Zeus had indeed brought the Trojans and Hector to the ships,

**2** τοὺς μὲν ἔα παρὰ τῇσι πόνον τʼ ἐχέμεν καὶ ὀϊζὺν  
there he left them beside them to bear toil and misery

**3** νωλεμέως, αὐτὸς δὲ πάλιν τρέπεν ὄσσε φαεινὼ  
without ceasing, while he himself turned back his shining eyes

**4** νόσφιν ἐφʼ ἱπποπόλων Θρῃκῶν καθορώμενος αἶαν  
away, gazing upon the land of the horse-breeding Thracians

**5** Μυσῶν τʼ ἀγχεμάχων καὶ ἀγαυῶν ἱππημολγῶν  
and of the close-fighting Mysians and the glorious Hippemolgoi

**6** γλακτοφάγων Ἀβίων τε δικαιοτάτων ἀνθρώπων.  
milk-fed, and the Abians, most just of men.

**7** ἐς Τροίην δʼ οὐ πάμπαν ἔτι τρέπεν ὄσσε φαεινώ·  
But toward Troy he no longer turned his shining eyes at all;

**8** οὐ γὰρ ὅ γʼ ἀθανάτων τινα ἔλπετο ὃν κατὰ θυμὸν  
for he did not think in his heart that any one of the immortals

**9** ἐλθόντʼ ἢ Τρώεσσιν ἀρηξέμεν ἢ Δαναοῖσιν.  
would come to aid either Trojans or Danaans.

**10** οὐδʼ ἀλαοσκοπιὴν εἶχε κρείων ἐνοσίχθων·  
Nor did the lord Earth-shaker keep blind watch;
> Blind watch: ἀλαοσκοπιή literally means blind watching or blind lookout. Homer says Poseidon was not looking on unseeing or inattentive, but was fully aware of the battle's course.

**11** καὶ γὰρ ὃ θαυμάζων ἧστο πτόλεμόν τε μάχην τε  
for he sat marveling at the war and the battle

**12** ὑψοῦ ἐπʼ ἀκροτάτης κορυφῆς Σάμου ὑληέσσης  
high up on the topmost peak of wooded Samothrace;

**13** Θρηϊκίης· ἔνθεν γὰρ ἐφαίνετο πᾶσα μὲν Ἴδη,  
for from there all Ida appeared before him,

**14** φαίνετο δὲ Πριάμοιο πόλις καὶ νῆες Ἀχαιῶν.  
and Priam's city appeared, and the ships of the Achaeans.

**15** ἔνθʼ ἄρʼ ὅ γʼ ἐξ ἁλὸς ἕζετʼ ἰών, ἐλέαιρε δʼ Ἀχαιοὺς  
There, coming up from the sea, he sat, and pitied the Achaeans

**16** Τρωσὶν δαμναμένους, Διὶ δὲ κρατερῶς ἐνεμέσσα.  
being broken by the Trojans, and was fiercely angry with Zeus.

**17** αὐτίκα δʼ ἐξ ὄρεος κατεβήσετο παιπαλόεντος  
At once he came down from the rugged mountain

**18** κραιπνὰ ποσὶ προβιβάς· τρέμε δʼ οὔρεα μακρὰ καὶ ὕλη  
striding swiftly on his feet; and the tall mountains and the forest trembled

**19** ποσσὶν ὑπʼ ἀθανάτοισι Ποσειδάωνος ἰόντος.  
beneath the immortal feet of Poseidon as he went.

**20** τρὶς μὲν ὀρέξατʼ ἰών, τὸ δὲ τέτρατον ἵκετο τέκμωρ  
Three times he stretched forward in his stride, and with the fourth he reached the goal,

**21** Αἰγάς, ἔνθα δέ οἱ κλυτὰ δώματα βένθεσι λίμνης  
Aegae, where his glorious halls in the depths of the sea

**22** χρύσεα μαρμαίροντα τετεύχαται ἄφθιτα αἰεί.  
stand fashioned in gold, gleaming, imperishable forever.

**23** ἔνθʼ ἐλθὼν ὑπʼ ὄχεσφι τιτύσκετο χαλκόποδʼ ἵππω  
Coming there he yoked beneath his chariot his bronze-footed horses,

**24** ὠκυπέτα χρυσέῃσιν ἐθείρῃσιν κομόωντε,  
swift-flying, with their flowing manes of gold;
> Swift-flying horses: ὠκυπέτα means swift in flight, a word often used of birds. Homer lets Poseidon's sea-horses move with that same airborne speed above the waves.

**25** χρυσὸν δʼ αὐτὸς ἔδυνε περὶ χροΐ, γέντο δʼ ἱμάσθλην  
he clothed his own body round in gold and took

**26** χρυσείην εὔτυκτον, ἑοῦ δʼ ἐπεβήσετο δίφρου,  
his well-made golden whip, then mounted his chariot,

**27** βῆ δʼ ἐλάαν ἐπὶ κύματʼ· ἄταλλε δὲ κήτεʼ ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ  
and drove over the waves; and sea-creatures played beneath him

**28** πάντοθεν ἐκ κευθμῶν, οὐδʼ ἠγνοίησεν ἄνακτα·  
from every side out of their hiding-places, nor did they fail to know their lord;
> They knew their lord: The negative phrase says the sea-creatures did not fail to recognize Poseidon. Homer stresses their immediate recognition rather than making the line about ignorance first and knowledge second.

**29** γηθοσύνῃ δὲ θάλασσα διίστατο· τοὶ δὲ πέτοντο  
and in gladness the sea parted; and they flew

**30** ῥίμφα μάλʼ, οὐδʼ ὑπένερθε διαίνετο χάλκεος ἄξων·  
very swiftly, nor was the bronze axle wet beneath.

**31** τὸν δʼ ἐς Ἀχαιῶν νῆας ἐΰσκαρθμοι φέρον ἵπποι.  
And his sure-footed horses bore him to the ships of the Achaeans.

**32** ἔστι δέ τι σπέος εὐρὺ βαθείης βένθεσι λίμνης  
There is a certain broad cave in the depths of the sea

**33** μεσσηγὺς Τενέδοιο καὶ Ἴμβρου παιπαλοέσσης·  
midway between Tenedos and rugged Imbros;

**34** ἔνθʼ ἵππους ἔστησε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων  
there Poseidon the earth-shaker halted his horses,

**35** λύσας ἐξ ὀχέων, παρὰ δʼ ἀμβρόσιον βάλεν εἶδαρ  
loosed them from the chariot, and cast before them ambrosial fodder

**36** ἔδμεναι· ἀμφὶ δὲ ποσσὶ πέδας ἔβαλε χρυσείας  
to eat; and around their feet he cast golden shackles,

**37** ἀρρήκτους ἀλύτους, ὄφρʼ ἔμπεδον αὖθι μένοιεν  
unbreakable and unloosenable, so that they might stay there fixed in place

**38** νοστήσαντα ἄνακτα· ὃ δʼ ἐς στρατὸν ᾤχετʼ Ἀχαιῶν.  
awaiting their lord's return; and he went toward the host of the Achaeans.

**39** Τρῶες δὲ φλογὶ ἶσοι ἀολλέες ἠὲ θυέλλῃ  
The Trojans, equal to fire or storm-wind,

**40** Ἕκτορι Πριαμίδῃ ἄμοτον μεμαῶτες ἕποντο  
followed Hector, son of Priam, in close array,

**41** ἄβρομοι αὐΐαχοι· ἔλποντο δὲ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν  
unshaken, crying aloud; and they hoped the ships of the Achaeans

**42** αἱρήσειν, κτενέειν δὲ παρʼ αὐτόθι πάντας ἀρίστους.  
to take, and there beside them kill all the best men.

**43** ἀλλὰ Ποσειδάων γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος  
But Poseidon the earth-holder, the Earth-shaker,

**44** Ἀργείους ὄτρυνε βαθείης ἐξ ἁλὸς ἐλθὼν  
was stirring the Argives, coming up out of the deep sea,

**45** εἰσάμενος Κάλχαντι δέμας καὶ ἀτειρέα φωνήν·  
taking on the shape and the tireless voice of Calchas.

**46** Αἴαντε πρώτω προσέφη μεμαῶτε καὶ αὐτώ·  
First he spoke to the two Ajaxes, eager though both already were:

**47** Αἴαντε σφὼ μέν τε σαώσετε λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν  
"Ajaxes, you two will save the people of the Achaeans
> The pair is explicit: The noun and pronoun together mark exactly two men, the greater and lesser Ajax. Homer keeps the pair grammatically sharp when Poseidon makes them the hinge of the defense.

**48** ἀλκῆς μνησαμένω, μὴ δὲ κρυεροῖο φόβοιο.  
if you remember your might, and not chill panic.

**49** ἄλλῃ μὲν γὰρ ἔγωγʼ οὐ δείδια χεῖρας ἀάπτους  
In other quarters I do not fear the irresistible hands

**50** Τρώων, οἳ μέγα τεῖχος ὑπερκατέβησαν ὁμίλῳ·  
of the Trojans, who in their throng have crossed the great wall;

**51** ἕξουσιν γὰρ πάντας ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί·  
for the well-greaved Achaeans will hold them all in check.

**52** τῇ δὲ δὴ αἰνότατον περιδείδια μή τι πάθωμεν,  
But there indeed I dread most terribly lest we suffer something,

**53** ᾗ ῥʼ ὅ γʼ ὁ λυσσώδης φλογὶ εἴκελος ἡγεμονεύει  
where that madman, like a flame, leads them on,

**54** Ἕκτωρ, ὃς Διὸς εὔχετʼ ἐρισθενέος πάϊς εἶναι.  
Hector, who boasts he is the son of Zeus, mighty in strength.

**55** σφῶϊν δʼ ὧδε θεῶν τις ἐνὶ φρεσὶ ποιήσειεν  
May some god put this in the hearts of you two,

**56** αὐτώ θʼ ἑστάμεναι κρατερῶς καὶ ἀνωγέμεν ἄλλους·  
both to stand fast yourselves and to urge on others;

**57** τώ κε καὶ ἐσσύμενόν περ ἐρωήσαιτʼ ἀπὸ νηῶν  
then even from the swift ships you would drive him back

**58** ὠκυπόρων, εἰ καί μιν Ὀλύμπιος αὐτὸς ἐγείρει.  
though he rushes on, even if Olympian Zeus himself rouses him."

**59** ἦ καὶ σκηπανίῳ γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος  
So saying, Poseidon the earth-holder, the Earth-shaker,

**60** ἀμφοτέρω κεκοπὼς  πλῆσεν μένεος κρατεροῖο,  
striking both with his staff, filled them with mighty valor,
> Perfect participle: κεκοπώς is a perfect participle, showing Poseidon as having already struck the two men with the staff before the line moves on to its effect. The completed divine action stands behind the new strength he gives them.

**61** γυῖα δʼ ἔθηκεν ἐλαφρὰ πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθεν.  
and made their limbs light, both their feet and hands above.

**62** αὐτὸς δʼ ὥς τʼ ἴρηξ ὠκύπτερος ὦρτο πέτεσθαι,  
Then he himself sprang away like a swift-winged hawk in flight,

**63** ὅς ῥά τʼ ἀπʼ αἰγίλιπος πέτρης περιμήκεος ἀρθεὶς  
one that, rising from a lofty crag on a steep cliff,

**64** ὁρμήσῃ πεδίοιο διώκειν ὄρνεον ἄλλο,  
darts across the plain to chase another bird,

**65** ὣς ἀπὸ τῶν ἤϊξε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων.  
so from them sprang Poseidon the Earth-shaker.

**66** τοῖιν δʼ ἔγνω πρόσθεν Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς Αἴας,  
The first of the two to know him was swift Ajax, son of Oileus,

**67** αἶψα δʼ ἄρʼ Αἴαντα προσέφη Τελαμώνιον υἱόν·  
and at once he spoke to Ajax, son of Telamon:

**68** Αἶαν ἐπεί τις νῶϊ θεῶν οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσι  
"Ajax, since one of the gods who hold Olympus

**69** μάντεϊ εἰδόμενος κέλεται παρὰ νηυσὶ μάχεσθαι,  
in the likeness of a seer commands us to fight beside the ships,

**70** οὐδʼ ὅ γε Κάλχας ἐστὶ θεοπρόπος οἰωνιστής·  
that man is not Calchas the prophet and reader of birds;
> Prophet and bird-reader: θεοπρόπος marks one who speaks divine signs, while οἰωνιστής points more specifically to reading bird-omens. The double title gives Calchas the full authority of a professional seer.

**71** ἴχνια γὰρ μετόπισθε ποδῶν ἠδὲ κνημάων  
for easily I knew the marks of his feet and shins

**72** ῥεῖʼ ἔγνων ἀπιόντος· ἀρίγνωτοι δὲ θεοί περ·  
as he went away; and the gods are easy indeed to know.

**73** καὶ δʼ ἐμοὶ αὐτῷ θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισι  
And within my own breast the heart in me more

**74** μᾶλλον ἐφορμᾶται πολεμίζειν ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι,  
rushes on to war and to battle,

**75** μαιμώωσι δʼ ἔνερθε πόδες καὶ χεῖρες ὕπερθε.  
and beneath me my feet are eager, and above my hands."

**76** τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη Τελαμώνιος Αἴας·  
Then Telamonian Ajax answered him and said:

**77** οὕτω νῦν καὶ ἐμοὶ περὶ δούρατι χεῖρες ἄαπτοι  
"So now for me too around the spear my irresistible hands
> Hands that cannot be checked: The phrase means hands not to be laid hold of or resisted. The sense is overwhelming force in action, not a vague compliment to courage.

**78** μαιμῶσιν, καί μοι μένος ὤρορε, νέρθε δὲ ποσσὶν  
are eager, and my strength has risen, and beneath my feet

**79** ἔσσυμαι ἀμφοτέροισι· μενοινώω δὲ καὶ οἶος  
I am quick with both of them; and I long even alone

**80** Ἕκτορι Πριαμίδῃ ἄμοτον μεμαῶτι μάχεσθαι.  
to fight Hector son of Priam, eager beyond measure."

**81** ὣς οἳ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον  
So they spoke such words to one another,

**82** χάρμῃ γηθόσυνοι, τήν σφιν θεὸς ἔμβαλε θυμῷ·  
rejoicing in the delight for battle that the god had cast into their hearts.

**83** τόφρα δὲ τοὺς ὄπιθεν γαιήοχος ὦρσεν Ἀχαιούς,  
Meanwhile the earth-holder roused the Achaeans in the rear,

**84** οἳ παρὰ νηυσὶ θοῇσιν ἀνέψυχον φίλον ἦτορ.  
who beside the swift ships were taking breath in their dear hearts.

**85** τῶν ῥʼ ἅμα τʼ ἀργαλέῳ καμάτῳ φίλα γυῖα λέλυντο,  
Their limbs had been loosened with grievous toil,
> A state of collapse: λέλυντο is perfect, presenting the men as already in the state of having their limbs undone. Homer marks not just a momentary effort but an exhausted condition after sustained fighting.

**86** καί σφιν ἄχος κατὰ θυμὸν ἐγίγνετο δερκομένοισι  
and grief came upon their hearts as they looked on

**87** Τρῶας, τοὶ μέγα τεῖχος ὑπερκατέβησαν ὁμίλῳ.  
the Trojans, who in their throng had crossed the great wall.

**88** τοὺς οἵ γʼ εἰσορόωντες ὑπʼ ὀφρύσι δάκρυα λεῖβον·  
Seeing them, they shed tears from beneath their brows;

**89** οὐ γὰρ ἔφαν φεύξεσθαι ὑπʼ ἐκ κακοῦ· ἀλλʼ ἐνοσίχθων  
for they did not think they would escape from ruin. But the Earth-shaker

**90** ῥεῖα μετεισάμενος κρατερὰς ὄτρυνε φάλαγγας.  
moving easily among them roused the strong battalions.

**91** Τεῦκρον ἔπι πρῶτον καὶ Λήϊτον ἦλθε κελεύων  
First he came urging Teucer and Leitus,

**92** Πηνέλεών θʼ ἥρωα Θόαντά τε Δηΐπυρόν τε  
and the hero Peneleos and Thoas and Deipyrus,

**93** Μηριόνην τε καὶ Ἀντίλοχον μήστωρας ἀϋτῆς·  
and Meriones and Antilochus, masters of the war-cry;

**94** τοὺς ὅ γʼ ἐποτρύνων ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
urging them on, he addressed them with winged words:
> Winged words: This is Homer's standing speech-formula. The words are winged because they fly from speaker to hearer at once, not because the speech is decorative or especially ornate.

**95** αἰδὼς Ἀργεῖοι, κοῦροι νέοι· ὔμμιν ἔγωγε  
"Shame, Argives, young men; upon you indeed

**96** μαρναμένοισι πέποιθα σαωσέμεναι νέας ἁμάς·  
fighting, I relied to save our ships.

**97** εἰ δʼ ὑμεῖς πολέμοιο μεθήσετε λευγαλέοιο,  
But if you withdraw from dread battle,

**98** νῦν δὴ εἴδεται ἦμαρ ὑπὸ Τρώεσσι δαμῆναι.  
now indeed the day is seen when we shall be subdued by the Trojans.

**99** ὢ πόποι ἦ μέγα θαῦμα τόδʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶμαι  
Ah me, truly a great wonder this my eyes behold,
> A cry of astonishment: ὢ πόποι is an exclamation of shock or alarm, not calm narration. Poseidon frames the Trojan advance to the ships as something almost beyond belief.

**100** δεινόν, ὃ οὔ ποτʼ ἔγωγε τελευτήσεσθαι ἔφασκον,  
a fearful thing, which I had never said would come to pass:

**101** Τρῶας ἐφʼ ἡμετέρας ἰέναι νέας, οἳ τὸ πάρος περ  
the Trojans going against our ships, they who before this

**102** φυζακινῇς ἐλάφοισιν ἐοίκεσαν, αἵ τε καθʼ ὕλην  
were like fleeing deer, who through the forest

**103** θώων παρδαλίων τε λύκων τʼ ἤϊα πέλονται  
become the prey of jackals and leopards and wolves,

**104** αὔτως ἠλάσκουσαι ἀνάλκιδες, οὐδʼ ἔπι χάρμη·  
wandering helplessly, and with no heart for battle.

**105** ὣς Τρῶες τὸ πρίν γε μένος καὶ χεῖρας Ἀχαιῶν  
So the Trojans before this were not willing to await

**106** μίμνειν οὐκ ἐθέλεσκον ἐναντίον, οὐδʼ ἠβαιόν·  
the strength and hands of the Achaeans face to face, not for a little.

**107** νῦν δὲ ἑκὰς πόλιος κοίλῃς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ μάχονται  
but now they fight far from the city, beside the hollow ships."

**108** ἡγεμόνος κακότητι μεθημοσύνῃσί τε λαῶν,  
through the leader's failure and the slackness of the people,

**109** οἳ κείνῳ ἐρίσαντες ἀμυνέμεν οὐκ ἐθέλουσι  
who in anger with him are not willing to ward off

**110** νηῶν ὠκυπόρων, ἀλλὰ κτείνονται ἀνʼ αὐτάς.  
destruction from the swift ships, but are being slain beside them.

**111** ἀλλʼ εἰ δὴ καὶ πάμπαν ἐτήτυμον αἴτιός ἐστιν  
But even if indeed he is altogether truly at fault,

**112** ἥρως Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων  
the hero, son of Atreus, the wide-ruling lord Agamemnon,

**113** οὕνεκʼ ἀπητίμησε ποδώκεα Πηλεΐωνα,  
because he dishonored swift-footed Achilles,

**114** ἡμέας γʼ οὔ πως ἔστι μεθιέμεναι πολέμοιο.  
even so there is no way for us to cease from battle.

**115** ἀλλʼ ἀκεώμεθα θᾶσσον· ἀκεσταί τοι φρένες ἐσθλῶν.  
But let us heal quickly; the hearts of brave men are curable.
> Brave hearts can be healed: Poseidon turns the language of medicine onto courage and morale. The thought is not sentimental: good men recover their fighting spirit quickly once they are stirred back into action.

**116** ὑμεῖς δʼ οὐκ ἔτι καλὰ μεθίετε θούριδος ἀλκῆς  
You no longer do well to slacken your furious strength,

**117** πάντες ἄριστοι ἐόντες ἀνὰ στρατόν. οὐδʼ ἂν ἔγωγε  
though you are the best men in all the host. I for my part

**118** ἀνδρὶ μαχεσσαίμην ὅς τις πολέμοιο μεθείη  
would not rebuke a man who withdrew from battle

**119** λυγρὸς ἐών· ὑμῖν δὲ νεμεσσῶμαι περὶ κῆρι.  
if he were a coward; but with you I am indignant at heart.

**120** ὦ πέπονες τάχα δή τι κακὸν ποιήσετε μεῖζον  
My friends, soon by this slackness you will make something worse.

**121** τῇδε μεθημοσύνῃ· ἀλλʼ ἐν φρεσὶ θέσθε ἕκαστος  
Set in your hearts each of you shame and indignation;

**122** αἰδῶ καὶ νέμεσιν· δὴ γὰρ μέγα νεῖκος ὄρωρεν.  
for now a great struggle has arisen.

**123** Ἕκτωρ δὴ παρὰ νηυσὶ βοὴν ἀγαθὸς πολεμίζει  
"Hector, good at the war-cry, fights beside the ships,

**124** καρτερός, ἔρρηξεν δὲ πύλας καὶ μακρὸν ὀχῆα.  
powerful, and he has broken the gates and the long bar."

**125** ὥς ῥα κελευτιόων γαιήοχος ὦρσεν Ἀχαιούς.  
So exhorting them, the Earth-shaker roused the Achaeans.

**126** ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ Αἴαντας δοιοὺς ἵσταντο φάλαγγες  
Around the two Ajaxes battalions took their stand,

**127** καρτεραί, ἃς οὔτʼ ἄν κεν Ἄρης ὀνόσαιτο μετελθὼν  
strong battalions that not even Ares coming among them would despise,

**128** οὔτε κʼ Ἀθηναίη λαοσσόος· οἳ γὰρ ἄριστοι  
nor Athena, driver of the host; for they were the best men

**129** κρινθέντες Τρῶάς τε καὶ Ἕκτορα δῖον ἔμιμνον,  
chosen out to await the Trojans and noble Hector,

**130** φράξαντες δόρυ δουρί, σάκος σάκεϊ προθελύμνῳ·  
fencing spear with spear, shield with shield.

**131** ἀσπὶς ἄρʼ ἀσπίδʼ ἔρειδε, κόρυς κόρυν, ἀνέρα δʼ ἀνήρ·  
Shield pressed on shield, helmet on helmet, man on man.

**132** ψαῦον δʼ ἱππόκομοι κόρυθες λαμπροῖσι φάλοισι  
The horse-haired helmets touched with their shining crests

**133** νευόντων, ὡς πυκνοὶ ἐφέστασαν ἀλλήλοισιν·  
as the men nodded, so close they stood by one another.

**134** ἔγχεα δʼ ἐπτύσσοντο θρασειάων ἀπὸ χειρῶν  
Spears thrust out from bold hands

**135** σειόμενʼ· οἳ δʼ ἰθὺς φρόνεον, μέμασαν δὲ μάχεσθαι.  
were brandished; and they fixed their minds straight ahead, eager for battle.

**136** Τρῶες δὲ προὔτυψαν ἀολλέες, ἦρχε δʼ ἄρʼ Ἕκτωρ  
The Trojans struck forward in a mass, and Hector led them,

**137** ἀντικρὺ μεμαώς, ὀλοοίτροχος ὣς ἀπὸ πέτρης,  
rushing straight on, like a ruinous boulder from a rock,

**138** ὅν τε κατὰ στεφάνης ποταμὸς χειμάρροος ὤσῃ  
which a winter torrent from the crest

**139** ῥήξας ἀσπέτῳ ὄμβρῳ ἀναιδέος ἔχματα πέτρης·  
has driven, breaking loose the hold of the pitiless rock with immeasurable rain;

**140** ὕψι δʼ ἀναθρῴσκων πέτεται, κτυπέει δέ θʼ ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ  
springing high, it flies, and the forest crashes beneath it,

**141** ὕλη· ὃ δʼ ἀσφαλέως θέει ἔμπεδον, εἷος ἵκηται  
and it runs on unshaken until it reaches the level ground;

**142** ἰσόπεδον, τότε δʼ οὔ τι κυλίνδεται ἐσσύμενός περ·  
then it rolls no farther, though rushing still.

**143** ὣς Ἕκτωρ εἷος μὲν ἀπείλει μέχρι θαλάσσης  
So Hector for a while threatened

**144** ῥέα διελεύσεσθαι κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν  
easily to run through the huts and ships of the Achaeans

**145** κτείνων· ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ πυκινῇς ἐνέκυρσε φάλαγξι  
killing, until he met the dense battalions.

**146** στῆ ῥα μάλʼ ἐγχριμφθείς· οἳ δʼ ἀντίοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν  
Then he stood hard pressed; and opposite him the sons of the Achaeans

**147** νύσσοντες ξίφεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισιν  
stabbing with swords and double-pointed spears
> Double-pointed spears: ἀμφιγύοι here means spears fitted for use at both ends, with a butt-spike as well as the main point. Homer names the weapon concretely rather than generalizing the defenders' attack.

**148** ὦσαν ἀπὸ σφείων· ὃ δὲ χασσάμενος πελεμίχθη.  
drove him back from among themselves; and he gave way, shaken.

**149** ἤϋσεν δὲ διαπρύσιον Τρώεσσι γεγωνώς·  
He shouted piercingly, calling to the Trojans:

**150** Τρῶες καὶ Λύκιοι καὶ Δάρδανοι ἀγχιμαχηταὶ  
"Trojans and Lycians and Dardanians, close fighters,

**151** παρμένετʼ· οὔ τοι δηρὸν ἐμὲ σχήσουσιν Ἀχαιοὶ  
they will not hold me back for long, the Achaeans,

**152** καὶ μάλα πυργηδὸν σφέας αὐτοὺς ἀρτύναντες,  
though they have ranged themselves like a tower against me;

**153** ἀλλʼ ὀΐω χάσσονται ὑπʼ ἔγχεος, εἰ ἐτεόν με  
I think they will give way before my spear, if truly it was me

**154** ὦρσε θεῶν ὤριστος, ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης.  
whom the best of the gods, the loud-thundering husband of Hera, roused."

**155** ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.  
So he spoke and stirred the strength and spirit of every man.

**156** Δηΐφοβος δʼ ἐν τοῖσι μέγα φρονέων ἐβεβήκει  
But Deiphobus, son of Priam, moved among them,

**157** Πριαμίδης, πρόσθεν δʼ ἔχεν ἀσπίδα πάντοσʼ ἐΐσην  
proud in his great heart, and before him held a shield
> A shield equal on every side: πάντοσʼ ἐΐση means balanced all around, hence a round shield rather than the tower-shield type. Homer will use the same phrase elsewhere for this symmetrical shape.

**158** κοῦφα ποσὶ προβιβὰς καὶ ὑπασπίδια προποδίζων.  
well-rounded, stepping lightly on his feet and moving under cover of it.

**159** Μηριόνης δʼ αὐτοῖο τιτύσκετο δουρὶ φαεινῷ  
Meriones aimed his bright spear at him

**160** καὶ βάλεν, οὐδʼ ἀφάμαρτε, κατʼ ἀσπίδα πάντοσʼ ἐΐσην  
and struck, nor did he miss, upon the well-rounded shield

**161** ταυρείην· τῆς δʼ οὔ τι διήλασεν, ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρὶν  
of oxhide; but he did not drive all the way through, rather long before

**162** ἐν καυλῷ ἐάγη δολιχὸν δόρυ· Δηΐφοβος δὲ  
the long spear broke in the socket. But Deiphobus

**163** ἀσπίδα ταυρείην σχέθʼ ἀπὸ ἕο, δεῖσε δὲ θυμῷ  
held the oxhide shield away from himself, for in his heart he feared

**164** ἔγχος Μηριόναο δαΐφρονος· αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ ἥρως  
the spear of warlike Meriones. But the hero

**165** ἂψ ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο, χώσατο δʼ αἰνῶς  
drew back into the throng of his companions, and he was terribly angered

**166** ἀμφότερον, νίκης τε καὶ ἔγχεος ὃ ξυνέαξε.  
both at defeat and at the spear which he had shattered.

**167** βῆ δʼ ἰέναι παρά τε κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν  
He went beside the huts and ships of the Achaeans,

**168** οἰσόμενος δόρυ μακρόν, ὅ οἱ κλισίηφι λέλειπτο.  
to fetch the long spear he had left in his hut.

**169** οἳ δʼ ἄλλοι μάρναντο, βοὴ δʼ ἄσβεστος ὀρώρει.  
The rest fought on, and an unquenchable cry arose.

**170** Τεῦκρος δὲ πρῶτος Τελαμώνιος ἄνδρα κατέκτα  
Teucer son of Telamon was the first to kill a man,

**171** Ἴμβριον αἰχμητὴν πολυΐππου Μέντορος υἱόν·  
Imbrius the spearman, son of Mentor rich in horses.

**172** ναῖε δὲ Πήδαιον πρὶν ἐλθεῖν υἷας Ἀχαιῶν,  
He dwelt in Pedaeum before the sons of the Achaeans came,

**173** κούρην δὲ Πριάμοιο νόθην ἔχε, Μηδεσικάστην·  
and had married Priam's bastard daughter, Medesicaste.

**174** αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ Δαναῶν νέες ἤλυθον ἀμφιέλισσαι,  
But when the Danaans' curved ships came,

**175** ἂψ ἐς Ἴλιον ἦλθε, μετέπρεπε δὲ Τρώεσσι,  
he went back to Ilion, and stood out among the Trojans,

**176** ναῖε δὲ πὰρ Πριάμῳ· ὃ δέ μιν τίεν ἶσα τέκεσσι.  
and dwelt beside Priam, who honored him like his own sons.

**177** τόν ῥʼ υἱὸς Τελαμῶνος ὑπʼ οὔατος ἔγχεϊ μακρῷ  
The son of Telamon struck him beneath the ear with a long spear

**178** νύξʼ, ἐκ δʼ ἔσπασεν ἔγχος· ὃ δʼ αὖτʼ ἔπεσεν μελίη ὣς  
and drew the spear back out; and he fell like an ash tree

**179** ἥ τʼ ὄρεος κορυφῇ ἕκαθεν περιφαινομένοιο  
which on a mountain peak seen from every side

**180** χαλκῷ ταμνομένη τέρενα χθονὶ φύλλα πελάσσῃ·  
when cut with bronze brings its tender leaves down to the ground.

**181** ὣς πέσεν, ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ βράχε τεύχεα ποικίλα χαλκῷ.  
So he fell, and around him his armor clanged in bronze.

**182** Τεῦκρος δʼ ὁρμήθη μεμαὼς ἀπὸ τεύχεα δῦσαι·  
Teucer rushed forth eager to strip the armor from him;

**183** Ἕκτωρ δʼ ὁρμηθέντος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ.  
and Hector, as he rushed, cast with his bright spear.

**184** ἀλλʼ ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος  
But he, seeing it before him, avoided the bronze spear

**185** τυτθόν· ὃ δʼ Ἀμφίμαχον Κτεάτου υἷʼ Ἀκτορίωνος  
for a little; but it hit Amphimachus, son of Cteatus son of Actor,

**186** νισόμενον πόλεμον δὲ κατὰ στῆθος βάλε δουρί·  
in the chest as he went into battle, and struck him with the spear.

**187** δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, ἀράβησε δὲ τεύχεʼ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ.  
he fell with a thud, and his armor clattered upon him.

**188** Ἕκτωρ δʼ ὁρμήθη κόρυθα κροτάφοις ἀραρυῖαν  
Hector rushed to seize the helmet fitted to the temples

**189** κρατὸς ἀφαρπάξαι μεγαλήτορος Ἀμφιμάχοιο·  
from the head of great-hearted Amphimachus.

**190** Αἴας δʼ ὁρμηθέντος ὀρέξατο δουρὶ φαεινῷ  
But Ajax, at his rush, reached at him with his bright spear,

**191** Ἕκτορος· ἀλλʼ οὔ πῃ χροὸς εἴσατο, πᾶς δʼ ἄρα χαλκῷ  
at Hector; but it touched nowhere on his flesh, for all of him was covered

**192** σμερδαλέῳ κεκάλυφθʼ· ὃ δʼ ἄρʼ ἀσπίδος ὀμφαλὸν οὖτα,  
in dreadful bronze; but striking the boss of his shield,

**193** ὦσε δέ μιν σθένεϊ μεγάλῳ· ὃ δὲ χάσσατʼ ὀπίσσω  
he drove him back with great force; and he gave way backward

**194** νεκρῶν ἀμφοτέρων, τοὺς δʼ ἐξείρυσσαν Ἀχαιοί.  
from the two corpses, and the Achaeans dragged them away.

**195** Ἀμφίμαχον μὲν ἄρα Στιχίος δῖός τε Μενεσθεὺς  
Amphimachus then Stichius and noble Menestheus,

**196** ἀρχοὶ Ἀθηναίων κόμισαν μετὰ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν·  
leaders of the Athenians, bore back among the host of the Achaeans.

**197** Ἴμβριον αὖτʼ Αἴαντε μεμαότε θούριδος ἀλκῆς  
Imbrius, in turn, the two Ajaxes eager for furious battle

**198** ὥς τε δύʼ αἶγα λέοντε κυνῶν ὕπο καρχαροδόντων  
as two lions from beneath sharp-toothed dogs

**199** ἁρπάξαντε φέρητον ἀνὰ ῥωπήϊα πυκνὰ  
snatch a goat and carry it through the thick brush

**200** ὑψοῦ ὑπὲρ γαίης μετὰ γαμφηλῇσιν ἔχοντε,  
high above the ground, holding it in their jaws,

**201** ὥς ῥα τὸν ὑψοῦ ἔχοντε δύω Αἴαντε κορυστὰ  
so the two warrior Ajaxes held him aloft

**202** τεύχεα συλήτην· κεφαλὴν δʼ ἁπαλῆς ἀπὸ δειρῆς  
and stripped the armor from him; and the son of Oileus

**203** κόψεν Ὀϊλιάδης κεχολωμένος Ἀμφιμάχοιο,  
cut the head from the tender neck, enraged for Amphimachus,

**204** ἧκε δέ μιν σφαιρηδὸν ἑλιξάμενος διʼ ὁμίλου·  
and whirling it like a ball he sent it through the throng;

**205** Ἕκτορι δὲ προπάροιθε ποδῶν πέσεν ἐν κονίῃσι.  
and it fell in the dust before Hector's feet.

**206** καὶ τότε δὴ περὶ κῆρι Ποσειδάων ἐχολώθη  
And then indeed Poseidon was angered at heart

**207** υἱωνοῖο πεσόντος ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι,  
for his grandson fallen in dreadful battle,

**208** βῆ δʼ ἰέναι παρά τε κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν  
He went beside the huts and ships of the Achaeans,

**209** ὀτρυνέων Δαναούς, Τρώεσσι δὲ κήδεα τεῦχεν.  
urging on the Danaans, and devising woes for the Trojans.

**210** Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ ἄρα οἱ δουρικλυτὸς ἀντεβόλησεν  
Then Idomeneus famed with the spear met him
> Famed with the spear: δουρικλυτός is a standing martial epithet: glory attached specifically to spear-fighting. It keeps Idomeneus marked as a veteran heavy fighter before he speaks or strikes.

**211** ἐρχόμενος παρʼ ἑταίρου, ὅ οἱ νέον ἐκ πολέμοιο  
as he came from beside a companion, who newly from battle

**212** ἦλθε κατʼ ἰγνύην βεβλημένος ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ.  
had come to him wounded in the knee with sharp bronze.

**213** τὸν μὲν ἑταῖροι ἔνεικαν, ὃ δʼ ἰητροῖς ἐπιτείλας  
His companions carried him in, and he, giving orders to the healers,

**214** ἤϊεν ἐς κλισίην· ἔτι γὰρ πολέμοιο μενοίνα  
went to his hut; for he still longed to face battle.

**215** ἀντιάαν· τὸν δὲ προσέφη κρείων ἐνοσίχθων  
And the lord Earth-shaker spoke to him,

**216** εἰσάμενος φθογγὴν Ἀνδραίμονος υἷϊ Θόαντι  
taking on the voice of Thoas, son of Andraemon,

**217** ὃς πάσῃ Πλευρῶνι καὶ αἰπεινῇ Καλυδῶνι  
who ruled over all Pleuron and steep Calydon

**218** Αἰτωλοῖσιν ἄνασσε, θεὸς δʼ ὣς τίετο δήμῳ·  
among the Aetolians, and was honored in the people like a god:

**219** Ἰδομενεῦ Κρητῶν βουληφόρε ποῦ τοι ἀπειλαὶ  
"Idomeneus, counselor of the Cretans, where are your threats

**220** οἴχονται, τὰς Τρωσὶν ἀπείλεον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν;  
gone, those threats the sons of the Achaeans uttered against the Trojans?"

**221** τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, answered him in turn:

**222** ὦ Θόαν οὔ τις ἀνὴρ νῦν γʼ αἴτιος, ὅσσον ἔγωγε  
"Thoas, no man now is to blame, so far as I know;

**223** γιγνώσκω· πάντες γὰρ ἐπιστάμεθα πτολεμίζειν.  
for all of us know how to fight.

**224** οὔτέ τινα δέος ἴσχει ἀκήριον οὔτέ τις ὄκνῳ  
Neither is any man held back by fear, nor does any man,

**225** εἴκων ἀνδύεται πόλεμον κακόν· ἀλλά που οὕτω  
yielding to slackness, shrink from grim battle; but somehow it must be so,

**226** μέλλει δὴ φίλον εἶναι ὑπερμενέϊ Κρονίωνι  
it must indeed be dear to mighty Cronion

**227** νωνύμνους ἀπολέσθαι ἀπʼ Ἄργεος ἐνθάδʼ Ἀχαιούς.  
for the Achaeans to perish nameless here, far from Argos.

**228** ἀλλὰ Θόαν, καὶ γὰρ τὸ πάρος μενεδήϊος ἦσθα,  
But you, Thoas, have always been steadfast,

**229** ὀτρύνεις δὲ καὶ ἄλλον ὅθι μεθιέντα ἴδηαι·  
and you urge on another man whenever you see him drawing back;

**230** τὼ νῦν μήτʼ ἀπόληγε κέλευέ τε φωτὶ ἑκάστῳ.  
therefore do not slacken yourself, but urge every man on."

**231** τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων·  
Then Poseidon the earth-shaker answered him:

**232** Ἰδομενεῦ μὴ κεῖνος ἀνὴρ ἔτι νοστήσειεν  
"Idomeneus, may that man never return back from Troy,

**233** ἐκ Τροίης, ἀλλʼ αὖθι κυνῶν μέλπηθρα γένοιτο,  
but here become a delight for dogs,

**234** ὅς τις ἐπʼ ἤματι τῷδε ἑκὼν μεθίῃσι μάχεσθαι.  
whoever on this day willingly holds back from battle.

**235** ἀλλʼ ἄγε τεύχεα δεῦρο λαβὼν ἴθι· ταῦτα δʼ ἅμα χρὴ  
But come, take up your arms and come here; these things we must

**236** σπεύδειν, αἴ κʼ ὄφελός τι γενώμεθα καὶ δύʼ ἐόντε.  
hasten together, if we may be of some use, even two alone.

**237** συμφερτὴ δʼ ἀρετὴ πέλει ἀνδρῶν καὶ μάλα λυγρῶν,  
United valor comes even to men who are poor fighters,
> Valor in company: The phrase says excellence brought together becomes stronger. Poseidon argues that companionship itself can stiffen courage, even in men who would be weak alone.

**238** νῶϊ δὲ καί κʼ ἀγαθοῖσιν ἐπισταίμεσθα μάχεσθαι.  
and we two would know how to fight even against the brave."

**239** ὣς εἰπὼν ὃ μὲν αὖτις ἔβη θεὸς ἂμ πόνον ἀνδρῶν·  
So he spoke, and the god went back again amid the toil of men.

**240** Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ ὅτε δὴ κλισίην εὔτυκτον ἵκανε  
And when Idomeneus came to his well-built hut,

**241** δύσετο τεύχεα καλὰ περὶ χροΐ, γέντο δὲ δοῦρε,  
he put fair armor about his body and took two spears,

**242** βῆ δʼ ἴμεν ἀστεροπῇ ἐναλίγκιος, ἥν τε Κρονίων  
and set out like lightning, which the son of Cronos

**243** χειρὶ λαβὼν ἐτίναξεν ἀπʼ αἰγλήεντος Ὀλύμπου  
seizes in his hand and shakes from radiant Olympus,

**244** δεικνὺς σῆμα βροτοῖσιν· ἀρίζηλοι δέ οἱ αὐγαί·  
showing a sign to mortals; far-seen are its flares.

**245** ὣς τοῦ χαλκὸς ἔλαμπε περὶ στήθεσσι θέοντος.  
So the bronze flashed about his chest as he ran.

**246** Μηριόνης δʼ ἄρα οἱ θεράπων ἐῢς ἀντεβόλησεν  
Then Meriones, his good attendant, met him

**247** ἐγγὺς ἔτι κλισίης· μετὰ γὰρ δόρυ χάλκεον ᾔει  
still near the hut, for he was going to fetch

**248** οἰσόμενος· τὸν δὲ προσέφη σθένος Ἰδομενῆος·  
a bronze spear; and the strength of Idomeneus addressed him:

**249** Μηριόνη Μόλου υἱὲ πόδας ταχὺ φίλταθʼ ἑταίρων  
"Meriones, son of Molus, swift of foot, dearest of companions,

**250** τίπτʼ ἦλθες πόλεμόν τε λιπὼν καὶ δηϊοτῆτα;  
why have you come here, leaving battle and the fighting?

**251** ἠέ τι βέβληαι, βέλεος δέ σε τείρει ἀκωκή,  
Are you wounded, and does the point of a missile trouble you,

**252** ἦέ τευ ἀγγελίης μετʼ ἔμʼ ἤλυθες; οὐδέ τοι αὐτὸς  
or have you come after me with some message? For I myself

**253** ἧσθαι ἐνὶ κλισίῃσι λιλαίομαι, ἀλλὰ μάχεσθαι.  
do not desire to sit in the huts, but to fight."

**254** τὸν δʼ αὖ Μηριόνης πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then wise Meriones answered him:

**255** Ἰδομενεῦ, Κρητῶν βουληφόρε χαλκοχιτώνων,  
"Idomeneus, counselor of the bronze-clad Cretans,
> Bronze-clad Cretans: The gear-epithet bronze-clad is not reserved to the Achaeans at large. Homer can apply it to a specific contingent, here the Cretans under Idomeneus.

**256** ἔρχομαι εἴ τί τοι ἔγχος ἐνὶ κλισίῃσι λέλειπται  
I come, if some spear has been left for you in the hut,

**257** οἰσόμενος· τό νυ γὰρ κατεάξαμεν ὃ πρὶν ἔχεσκον  
to take it; for I shattered the one I held before

**258** ἀσπίδα Δηϊφόβοιο βαλὼν ὑπερηνορέοντος.  
striking the shield of overbearing Deiphobus."

**259** τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, answered him in turn:

**260** δούρατα δʼ αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃσθα καὶ ἓν καὶ εἴκοσι δήεις  
"If you wish, not one but twenty spears you may see

**261** ἑσταότʼ ἐν κλισίῃ πρὸς ἐνώπια παμφανόωντα  
standing in the hut beside the gleaming wall,

**262** Τρώϊα, τὰ κταμένων ἀποαίνυμαι· οὐ γὰρ ὀΐω  
Trojan spears, which I strip from the men I kill;

**263** ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων ἑκὰς ἱστάμενος πολεμίζειν.  
for I do not think one fights hostile men standing far away.

**264** τώ μοι δούρατά τʼ ἔστι καὶ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι  
Therefore with me there are spears and bossed shields

**265** καὶ κόρυθες καὶ θώρηκες λαμπρὸν γανόωντες.  
and helmets and corslets shining brightly."

**266** τὸν δʼ αὖ Μηριόνης πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then wise Meriones answered him:

**267** καί τοι ἐμοὶ παρά τε κλισίῃ καὶ νηῒ μελαίνῃ  
"I too, by my hut and black ship,

**268** πόλλʼ ἔναρα Τρώων· ἀλλʼ οὐ σχεδόν ἐστιν ἑλέσθαι.  
have many spoils of Trojans; but they are not near at hand to take.

**269** οὐδὲ γὰρ οὐδʼ ἐμέ φημι λελασμένον ἔμμεναι ἀλκῆς,  
For I do not say that I have forgotten valor,

**270** ἀλλὰ μετὰ πρώτοισι μάχην ἀνὰ κυδιάνειραν  
but among the foremost in man-glorifying battle

**271** ἵσταμαι, ὁππότε νεῖκος ὀρώρηται πολέμοιο.  
I stand whenever the strife of war is raised.

**272** ἄλλόν πού τινα μᾶλλον Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων  
Perhaps some other bronze-clad Achaean

**273** λήθω μαρνάμενος, σὲ δὲ ἴδμεναι αὐτὸν ὀΐω.  
may fail to notice as he fights, but I think you know it yourself."

**274** τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, answered him in turn:

**275** οἶδʼ ἀρετὴν οἷός ἐσσι· τί σε χρὴ ταῦτα λέγεσθαι;  
"I know what sort of valor is in you; why should you speak these things?

**276** εἰ γὰρ νῦν παρὰ νηυσὶ λεγοίμεθα πάντες ἄριστοι  
For if now beside the ships all of us were being chosen

**277** ἐς λόχον, ἔνθα μάλιστʼ ἀρετὴ διαείδεται ἀνδρῶν,  
for an ambush, where most of all the valor of men is shown,

**278** ἔνθʼ ὅ τε δειλὸς ἀνὴρ ὅς τʼ ἄλκιμος ἐξεφαάνθη·  
where both the coward and the brave man are made plain;

**279** τοῦ μὲν γάρ τε κακοῦ τρέπεται χρὼς ἄλλυδις ἄλλῃ,  
for the skin of the coward changes color one way and another,

**280** οὐδέ οἱ ἀτρέμας ἧσθαι ἐρητύετʼ ἐν φρεσὶ θυμός,  
nor can his heart keep him sitting steady in his breast,

**281** ἀλλὰ μετοκλάζει καὶ ἐπʼ ἀμφοτέρους πόδας ἵζει,  
but he shifts from foot to foot and sinks down on both feet,

**282** ἐν δέ τέ οἱ κραδίη μεγάλα στέρνοισι πατάσσει  
and within him his heart beats loud against his ribs

**283** κῆρας ὀϊομένῳ, πάταγος δέ τε γίγνετʼ ὀδόντων·  
as he thinks of death, and the clatter of his teeth arises;

**284** τοῦ δʼ ἀγαθοῦ οὔτʼ ἂρ τρέπεται χρὼς οὔτέ τι λίην  
but the brave man's color does not change, nor is he overly afraid,

**285** ταρβεῖ, ἐπειδὰν πρῶτον ἐσίζηται λόχον ἀνδρῶν,  
once he is set in the ambush of men,

**286** ἀρᾶται δὲ τάχιστα μιγήμεναι ἐν δαῒ λυγρῇ·  
but he prays to join battle in bitter war as soon as may be.

**287** οὐδέ κεν ἔνθα τεόν γε μένος καὶ χεῖρας ὄνοιτο.  
There no man would make light of your spirit or your hands.

**288** εἴ περ γάρ κε βλεῖο πονεύμενος ἠὲ τυπείης  
Even if you should be struck while toiling, whether by missile or close blow,

**289** οὐκ ἂν ἐν αὐχένʼ ὄπισθε πέσοι βέλος οὐδʼ ἐνὶ νώτῳ,  
the weapon would not hit you in the back of the neck nor in the back,

**290** ἀλλά κεν ἢ στέρνων ἢ νηδύος ἀντιάσειε  
but would meet either your chest or belly

**291** πρόσσω ἱεμένοιο μετὰ προμάχων ὀαριστύν.  
as you pressed forward among the foremost fighters.

**292** ἀλλʼ ἄγε μηκέτι ταῦτα λεγώμεθα νηπύτιοι ὣς  
But come, let us no longer talk thus like children

**293** ἑσταότες, μή πού τις ὑπερφιάλως νεμεσήσῃ·  
standing here, lest someone sharply rebuke us;

**294** ἀλλὰ σύ γε κλισίην δὲ κιὼν ἕλευ ὄβριμον ἔγχος.  
and you, go into the hut and take up a mighty spear."

**295** ὣς φάτο, Μηριόνης δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ  
So he spoke, and Meriones, peer of swift Ares,

**296** καρπαλίμως κλισίηθεν ἀνείλετο χάλκεον ἔγχος,  
quickly from the hut took up the bronze spear,

**297** βῆ δὲ μετʼ Ἰδομενῆα μέγα πτολέμοιο μεμηλώς.  
and went after Idomeneus, greatly intent on war.

**298** οἷος δὲ βροτολοιγὸς Ἄρης πόλεμον δὲ μέτεισι,  
As man-slaying Ares goes into battle,

**299** τῷ δὲ Φόβος φίλος υἱὸς ἅμα κρατερὸς καὶ ἀταρβὴς  
and with him goes his dear son Rout, strong and fearless,

**300** ἕσπετο, ὅς τʼ ἐφόβησε ταλάφρονά περ πολεμιστήν·  
who strikes terror even in a stout-hearted warrior,

**301** τὼ μὲν ἄρʼ ἐκ Θρῄκης Ἐφύρους μέτα θωρήσσεσθον,  
they two go forth from Thrace to arm among the Ephyri

**302** ἠὲ μετὰ Φλεγύας μεγαλήτορας· οὐδʼ ἄρα τώ γε  
or among the great-hearted Phlegyans; but they do not listen to both sides,

**303** ἔκλυον ἀμφοτέρων, ἑτέροισι δὲ κῦδος ἔδωκαν·  
and they give glory to one side or the other.

**304** τοῖοι Μηριόνης τε καὶ Ἰδομενεὺς ἀγοὶ ἀνδρῶν  
So Meriones and Idomeneus, leaders of men,

**305** ἤϊσαν ἐς πόλεμον κεκορυθμένοι αἴθοπι χαλκῷ.  
went into battle armed in blazing bronze.

**306** τὸν καὶ Μηριόνης πρότερος πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε·  
And Meriones spoke to him first:

**307** Δευκαλίδη πῇ τὰρ μέμονας καταδῦναι ὅμιλον;  
"Son of Deucalion, where do you desire to plunge into the throng?

**308** ἢ ἐπὶ δεξιόφιν παντὸς στρατοῦ, ἦ ἀνὰ μέσσους,  
On the right of the whole host, or among the center,

**309** ἦ ἐπʼ ἀριστερόφιν; ἐπεὶ οὔ ποθι ἔλπομαι οὕτω  
or on the left? For nowhere, I think, will

**310** δεύεσθαι πολέμοιο κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιούς.  
the long-haired Achaeans be so lacking in battle."
> Long-haired Achaeans: This is a standing ethnic epithet, not a stray descriptive flourish. Homer keeps several fixed gear or appearance tags for the Achaeans, and long-haired is one of them.

**311** τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, answered him in turn:

**312** νηυσὶ μὲν ἐν μέσσῃσιν ἀμύνειν εἰσὶ καὶ ἄλλοι  
"In the middle ships there are others to defend them,

**313** Αἴαντές τε δύω Τεῦκρός θʼ, ὃς ἄριστος Ἀχαιῶν  
the two Ajaxes and Teucer, who is best of the Achaeans

**314** τοξοσύνῃ, ἀγαθὸς δὲ καὶ ἐν σταδίῃ ὑσμίνῃ·  
in archery, and good too in standing combat.

**315** οἵ μιν ἅδην ἐλόωσι καὶ ἐσσύμενον πολέμοιο  
They will give enough trouble, even to one eager for battle,

**316** Ἕκτορα Πριαμίδην, καὶ εἰ μάλα καρτερός ἐστιν.  
Hector son of Priam, however strong he is.

**317** αἰπύ οἱ ἐσσεῖται μάλα περ μεμαῶτι μάχεσθαι  
Hard will it be for him, though eager for battle,

**318** κείνων νικήσαντι μένος καὶ χεῖρας ἀάπτους  
to conquer their strength and irresistible hands

**319** νῆας ἐνιπρῆσαι, ὅτε μὴ αὐτός γε Κρονίων  
and set fire to the ships, unless the son of Cronos himself

**320** ἐμβάλοι αἰθόμενον δαλὸν νήεσσι θοῇσιν.  
casts a burning brand on the swift ships.

**321** ἀνδρὶ δέ κʼ οὐκ εἴξειε μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας,  
To a man great Ajax, son of Telamon, would not give way,

**322** ὃς θνητός τʼ εἴη καὶ ἔδοι Δημήτερος ἀκτὴν  
if that man were mortal and ate Demeter's grain,

**323** χαλκῷ τε ῥηκτὸς μεγάλοισί τε χερμαδίοισιν.  
and could be broken by bronze and by great stones.

**324** οὐδʼ ἂν Ἀχιλλῆϊ ῥηξήνορι χωρήσειεν  
He would not yield even to Achilles, breaker of ranks,

**325** ἔν γʼ αὐτοσταδίῃ· ποσὶ δʼ οὔ πως ἔστιν ἐρίζειν.  
in stand-up fight; only in feet there is no contending.

**326** νῶϊν δʼ ὧδʼ ἐπʼ ἀριστέρʼ ἔχε στρατοῦ, ὄφρα τάχιστα  
But let us go toward the left of the host,

**327** εἴδομεν ἠέ τῳ εὖχος ὀρέξομεν, ἦέ τις ἡμῖν.  
so that quickly we may see whether we shall give glory to another, or another to us."

**328** ὣς φάτο, Μηριόνης δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ  
So he spoke, and Meriones, peer of swift Ares,

**329** ἦρχʼ ἴμεν, ὄφρʼ ἀφίκοντο κατὰ στρατὸν ᾗ μιν ἀνώγει,  
led on, until they came down the host where he bade him,

**330** οἳ δʼ ὡς Ἰδομενῆα ἴδον φλογὶ εἴκελον ἀλκὴν  
When they saw Idomeneus, like a flame in strength,

**331** αὐτὸν καὶ θεράποντα σὺν ἔντεσι δαιδαλέοισι,  
and his attendant with him in cunning-wrought armor,

**332** κεκλόμενοι καθʼ ὅμιλον ἐπʼ αὐτῷ πάντες ἔβησαν·  
calling through the throng, they all advanced upon him.

**333** τῶν δʼ ὁμὸν ἵστατο νεῖκος ἐπὶ πρυμνῇσι νέεσσιν.  
and the struggle stood gathered at the ships' sterns.

**334** ὡς δʼ ὅθʼ ὑπὸ λιγέων ἀνέμων σπέρχωσιν ἄελλαι  
As when beneath shrill winds the gusts drive on

**335** ἤματι τῷ ὅτε τε πλείστη κόνις ἀμφὶ κελεύθους,  
on the day when dust lies deepest about the roads,

**336** οἵ τʼ ἄμυδις κονίης μεγάλην ἱστᾶσιν ὀμίχλην,  
and they lift together a great cloud of dust,

**337** ὣς ἄρα τῶν ὁμόσʼ ἦλθε μάχη, μέμασαν δʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ  
so their battle came together; and in their hearts they were eager

**338** ἀλλήλους καθʼ ὅμιλον ἐναιρέμεν ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ.  
to kill one another through the throng with sharp bronze.

**339** ἔφριξεν δὲ μάχη φθισίμβροτος ἐγχείῃσι  
And the man-destroying battle bristled with long spears
> Man-destroying: φθισίμβροτος is a compact battle-epithet meaning destructive of mortals. Homer gives the clash itself a lethal life before any individual kill is narrated.

**340** μακρῇς, ἃς εἶχον ταμεσίχροας· ὄσσε δʼ ἄμερδεν  
flesh-rending spears they held; and the eyes were dazzled
> Flesh-rending: The adjective literally marks what cuts skin or flesh. Homer keeps the spear's bodily effect before the line even reaches the shining armor.

**341** αὐγὴ χαλκείη κορύθων ἄπο λαμπομενάων  
by the brazen gleam from shining helmets

**342** θωρήκων τε νεοσμήκτων σακέων τε φαεινῶν  
and newly-polished corslets and bright shields

**343** ἐρχομένων ἄμυδις· μάλα κεν θρασυκάρδιος εἴη  
as they came together. Very hard-hearted would he be

**344** ὃς τότε γηθήσειεν ἰδὼν πόνον οὐδʼ ἀκάχοιτο.  
who then could rejoice seeing that toil and not be grieved.

**345** τὼ δʼ ἀμφὶς φρονέοντε δύω Κρόνου υἷε κραταιὼ  
The two mighty sons of Cronos, with opposing minds,

**346** ἀνδράσιν ἡρώεσσιν ἐτεύχετον ἄλγεα λυγρά.  
were preparing grievous pains for the warrior men.

**347** Ζεὺς μέν ῥα Τρώεσσι καὶ Ἕκτορι βούλετο νίκην  
Zeus indeed wished victory for the Trojans and Hector,

**348** κυδαίνων Ἀχιλῆα πόδας ταχύν· οὐδέ τι πάμπαν  
honoring swift-footed Achilles; yet not utterly

**349** ἤθελε λαὸν ὀλέσθαι Ἀχαιϊκὸν Ἰλιόθι πρό,  
did he wish the Achaean people to perish there before Ilion,

**350** ἀλλὰ Θέτιν κύδαινε καὶ υἱέα καρτερόθυμον.  
but to honor Thetis and her strong-hearted son.

**351** Ἀργείους δὲ Ποσειδάων ὀρόθυνε μετελθὼν  
But Poseidon, coming among them, roused the Argives

**352** λάθρῃ ὑπεξαναδὺς πολιῆς ἁλός· ἤχθετο γάρ ῥα  
secretly, rising from the gray sea unseen;

**353** Τρωσὶν δαμναμένους, Διὶ δὲ κρατερῶς ἐνεμέσσα.  
being broken by the Trojans, and was fiercely angry with Zeus.

**354** ἦ μὰν ἀμφοτέροισιν ὁμὸν γένος ἠδʼ ἴα πάτρη,  
Truly both were of one stock and one fatherland,

**355** ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς πρότερος γεγόνει καὶ πλείονα ᾔδη.  
but Zeus had been born first and knew more.

**356** τώ ῥα καὶ ἀμφαδίην μὲν ἀλεξέμεναι ἀλέεινε,  
Therefore openly indeed he shrank from helping,

**357** λάθρῃ δʼ αἰὲν ἔγειρε κατὰ στρατὸν ἀνδρὶ ἐοικώς.  
but in secret always he stirred the host in the likeness of a man.

**358** τοὶ δʼ ἔριδος κρατερῆς καὶ ὁμοιΐου πτολέμοιο  
They two stretched over both the cord of bitter strife

**359** πεῖραρ ἐπαλλάξαντες ἐπʼ ἀμφοτέροισι τάνυσσαν  
and equal war, making it taut over both,

**360** ἄρρηκτόν τʼ ἄλυτόν τε, τὸ πολλῶν γούνατʼ ἔλυσεν.  
unbreakable and inescapable, which loosened the knees of many.

**361** ἔνθα μεσαιπόλιός περ ἐὼν Δαναοῖσι κελεύσας  
There, though grizzled, Idomeneus urged the Danaans on

**362** Ἰδομενεὺς Τρώεσσι μετάλμενος ἐν φόβον ὦρσε.  
and leapt among the Trojans and roused panic.

**363** πέφνε γὰρ Ὀθρυονῆα Καβησόθεν ἔνδον ἐόντα,  
For he killed Othryoneus, who dwelt in Cabesus,

**364** ὅς ῥα νέον πολέμοιο μετὰ κλέος εἰληλούθει,  
who had newly come after the fame of war,

**365** ᾔτεε δὲ Πριάμοιο θυγατρῶν εἶδος ἀρίστην  
and asked for the fairest in beauty of Priam's daughters,

**366** Κασσάνδρην ἀνάεδνον, ὑπέσχετο δὲ μέγα ἔργον,  
Cassandra, without bride-price; and he promised a great deed,

**367** ἐκ Τροίης ἀέκοντας ἀπωσέμεν υἷας Ἀχαιῶν.  
to drive the sons of the Achaeans from Troy against their will.

**368** τῷ δʼ ὁ γέρων Πρίαμος ὑπό τʼ ἔσχετο καὶ κατένευσε  
The old man Priam assented and nodded

**369** δωσέμεναι· ὃ δὲ μάρναθʼ ὑποσχεσίῃσι πιθήσας.  
to give her; and he fought trusting in the promises.

**370** Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ αὐτοῖο τιτύσκετο δουρὶ φαεινῷ,  
But Idomeneus aimed his bright spear at him

**371** καὶ βάλεν ὕψι βιβάντα τυχών· οὐδʼ ἤρκεσε θώρηξ  
and struck him as he strode high; nor did the bronze corselet

**372** χάλκεος, ὃν φορέεσκε, μέσῃ δʼ ἐν γαστέρι πῆξε.  
he used to wear avail him, but he drove it into the middle of the belly.

**373** δούπησεν δὲ πεσών· ὃ δʼ ἐπεύξατο φώνησέν τε·  
He fell with a thud, and he boasted over him and spoke:

**374** Ὀθρυονεῦ περὶ δή σε βροτῶν αἰνίζομʼ ἁπάντων  
"Othryoneus, above all mortals I count you blessed

**375** εἰ ἐτεὸν δὴ πάντα τελευτήσεις ὅσʼ ὑπέστης  
if you truly accomplish all you promised

**376** Δαρδανίδῃ Πριάμῳ· ὃ δʼ ὑπέσχετο θυγατέρα ἥν.  
to Dardanid Priam, who promised you his daughter.

**377** καί κέ τοι ἡμεῖς ταῦτά γʼ ὑποσχόμενοι τελέσαιμεν,  
And we too might promise these things and fulfill them for you:

**378** δοῖμεν δʼ Ἀτρεΐδαο θυγατρῶν εἶδος ἀρίστην  
we would give you the fairest of the daughters of the son of Atreus,

**379** Ἄργεος ἐξαγαγόντες ὀπυιέμεν, εἴ κε σὺν ἄμμιν  
bringing her from Argos for you to marry, if you with us

**380** Ἰλίου ἐκπέρσῃς εὖ ναιόμενον πτολίεθρον.  
would sack the well-inhabited citadel of Ilion.

**381** ἀλλʼ ἕπεʼ, ὄφρʼ ἐπὶ νηυσὶ συνώμεθα ποντοπόροισιν  
But come, follow, that at the seafaring ships we may make our compact

**382** ἀμφὶ γάμῳ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι ἐεδνωταὶ κακοί εἰμεν.  
about the marriage, since we are not bad bride-givers."

**383** ὣς εἰπὼν ποδὸς ἕλκε κατὰ κρατερὴν ὑσμίνην  
So saying, the hero Idomeneus dragged him by the foot

**384** ἥρως Ἰδομενεύς· τῷ δʼ Ἄσιος ἦλθʼ ἐπαμύντωρ  
through the mighty battle; and Asius came to defend him,

**385** πεζὸς πρόσθʼ ἵππων· τὼ δὲ πνείοντε κατʼ ὤμων  
on foot before his horses; and the two of them kept blowing upon his shoulders,

**386** αἰὲν ἔχʼ ἡνίοχος θεράπων· ὃ δὲ ἵετο θυμῷ  
his attendant charioteer always held them there. But he burned in heart

**387** Ἰδομενῆα βαλεῖν· ὃ δέ μιν φθάμενος βάλε δουρὶ  
to strike Idomeneus; yet Idomeneus struck first with the spear

**388** λαιμὸν ὑπʼ ἀνθερεῶνα, διὰ πρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσεν.  
beneath the chin in the throat, and drove the bronze clean through.

**389** ἤριπε δʼ ὡς ὅτε τις δρῦς ἤριπεν ἢ ἀχερωῒς  
He crashed down as when some oak falls, or white poplar,
> White poplar: ἀχερωίς is the white poplar. Homer varies the tree in the simile rather than repeating a generic timber word, keeping the felling image concrete and visual.

**390** ἠὲ πίτυς βλωθρή, τήν τʼ οὔρεσι τέκτονες ἄνδρες  
or tall pine, which shipwrights in the mountains

**391** ἐξέταμον πελέκεσσι νεήκεσι νήϊον εἶναι·  
cut down with newly whetted axes to be ship timber;

**392** ὣς ὃ πρόσθʼ ἵππων καὶ δίφρου κεῖτο τανυσθεὶς  
so he lay stretched before the horses and chariot,

**393** βεβρυχὼς κόνιος δεδραγμένος αἱματοέσσης.  
groaning and clutching the blood-soaked dust.

**394** ἐκ δέ οἱ ἡνίοχος πλήγη φρένας ἃς πάρος εἶχεν,  
And his charioteer was struck in the wits he had before,

**395** οὐδʼ ὅ γʼ ἐτόλμησεν δηΐων ὑπὸ χεῖρας ἀλύξας  
nor did he dare, escaping the hands of enemies,

**396** ἂψ ἵππους στρέψαι, τὸν δʼ Ἀντίλοχος μενεχάρμης  
to wheel the horses back; but Antilochus, eager for battle,

**397** δουρὶ μέσον περόνησε τυχών· οὐδʼ ἤρκεσε θώρηξ  
struck him through the middle with the spear; nor did the bronze corselet

**398** χάλκεος ὃν φορέεσκε, μέσῃ δʼ ἐν γαστέρι πῆξεν.  
he used to wear avail him, but he drove it into the middle of the belly.

**399** αὐτὰρ ὃ ἀσθμαίνων εὐεργέος ἔκπεσε δίφρου,  
Gasping, he fell from the well-made chariot,

**400** ἵππους δʼ Ἀντίλοχος μεγαθύμου Νέστορος υἱὸς  
and Antilochus, son of great-hearted Nestor,

**401** ἐξέλασε Τρώων μετʼ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς.  
and drove them from the Trojans among the well-greaved Achaeans.

**402** Δηΐφοβος δὲ μάλα σχεδὸν ἤλυθεν Ἰδομενῆος  
Deiphobus came very near to Idomeneus,

**403** Ἀσίου ἀχνύμενος, καὶ ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ.  
grieving for Asius, and cast with his bright spear.

**404** ἀλλʼ ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος  
But he, seeing it before him, avoided the bronze spear

**405** Ἰδομενεύς· κρύφθη γὰρ ὑπʼ ἀσπίδι πάντοσʼ ἐΐσῃ,  
Idomeneus, hidden beneath his well-rounded shield,

**406** τὴν ἄρʼ ὅ γε ῥινοῖσι βοῶν καὶ νώροπι χαλκῷ  
which he used to wear, wrought from ox-hides and gleaming bronze,

**407** δινωτὴν φορέεσκε, δύω κανόνεσσʼ ἀραρυῖαν·  
double-curved, fastened to two bars.

**408** τῇ ὕπο πᾶς ἐάλη, τὸ δʼ ὑπέρπτατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,  
Under it he shrank wholly, and the bronze spear flew over.

**409** καρφαλέον δέ οἱ ἀσπὶς ἐπιθρέξαντος ἄϋσεν  
And his shield rang dryly as the spear sped upon it;

**410** ἔγχεος· οὐδʼ ἅλιόν ῥα βαρείης χειρὸς ἀφῆκεν,  
nor yet did he cast from his heavy hand in vain,

**411** ἀλλʼ ἔβαλʼ Ἱππασίδην Ὑψήνορα ποιμένα λαῶν  
but struck Hypsenor, son of Hippasus, shepherd of the people,

**412** ἧπαρ ὑπὸ πραπίδων, εἶθαρ δʼ ὑπὸ γούνατʼ ἔλυσε.  
in the liver beneath the midriff, and straightway loosed his knees.

**413** Δηΐφοβος δʼ ἔκπαγλον ἐπεύξατο μακρὸν ἀΰσας·  
Deiphobus boasted terribly, crying aloud:

**414** οὐ μὰν αὖτʼ ἄτιτος κεῖτʼ Ἄσιος, ἀλλά ἕ φημι  
"No, Asius does not lie here unavenged, but I say

**415** εἰς Ἄϊδός περ ἰόντα πυλάρταο κρατεροῖο  
that even as he goes to the house of Hades, keeper of the gate,

**416** γηθήσειν κατὰ θυμόν, ἐπεί ῥά οἱ ὤπασα πομπόν.  
he will rejoice in heart, since I have given him an escort."

**417** ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀργείοισι δʼ ἄχος γένετʼ εὐξαμένοιο,  
So he spoke, and grief came upon the Argives at his boasting,

**418** Ἀντιλόχῳ δὲ μάλιστα δαΐφρονι θυμὸν ὄρινεν·  
and it stirred most of all the heart of warlike Antilochus.

**419** ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ἀχνύμενός περ ἑοῦ ἀμέλησεν ἑταίρου,  
Yet though grieved, he did not neglect his companion,

**420** ἀλλὰ θέων περίβη καί οἱ σάκος ἀμφεκάλυψε.  
but ran to stand over him and covered him with his shield.

**421** τὸν μὲν ἔπειθʼ ὑποδύντε δύω ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι  
Then two loyal companions stooped and took him up,

**422** Μηκιστεὺς Ἐχίοιο πάϊς καὶ δῖος Ἀλάστωρ,  
Mecisteus, son of Echius, and godlike Alastor,

**423** νῆας ἔπι γλαφυρὰς φερέτην βαρέα στενάχοντα.  
and bore him to the hollow ships, groaning heavily.

**424** Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ οὐ λῆγε μένος μέγα, ἵετο δʼ αἰεὶ  
But Idomeneus did not cease from his great strength, and always desired

**425** ἠέ τινα Τρώων ἐρεβεννῇ νυκτὶ καλύψαι  
either to cover some Trojan with murky night

**426** ἢ αὐτὸς δουπῆσαι ἀμύνων λοιγὸν Ἀχαιοῖς.  
or himself to fall warding ruin from the Achaeans.

**427** ἔνθʼ Αἰσυήταο διοτρεφέος φίλον υἱὸν  
There he struck the dear son of Zeus-nurtured Aisyetes,

**428** ἥρωʼ Ἀλκάθοον, γαμβρὸς δʼ ἦν Ἀγχίσαο,  
the hero Alcathous, who was the son-in-law of Anchises,

**429** πρεσβυτάτην δʼ ὤπυιε θυγατρῶν Ἱπποδάμειαν  
and had married Hippodameia, eldest of his daughters,

**430** τὴν περὶ κῆρι φίλησε πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ  
whom her father and queenly mother loved from the heart

**431** ἐν μεγάρῳ· πᾶσαν γὰρ ὁμηλικίην ἐκέκαστο  
in their halls, for she surpassed all of her own age

**432** κάλλεϊ καὶ ἔργοισιν ἰδὲ φρεσί· τοὔνεκα καί μιν  
in beauty and in skill and in mind; therefore also

**433** γῆμεν ἀνὴρ ὤριστος ἐνὶ Τροίῃ εὐρείῃ·  
the best man in broad Troy had married her.

**434** τὸν τόθʼ ὑπʼ Ἰδομενῆϊ Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσε  
Him there beneath Idomeneus Poseidon mastered,

**435** θέλξας ὄσσε φαεινά, πέδησε δὲ φαίδιμα γυῖα·  
enchanting his shining eyes, and binding his bright limbs.

**436** οὔτε γὰρ ἐξοπίσω φυγέειν δύνατʼ οὔτʼ ἀλέασθαι,  
For he could neither flee backward nor avoid the blow,

**437** ἀλλʼ ὥς τε στήλην ἢ δένδρεον ὑψιπέτηλον  
but standing still like a pillar or high-leafed tree,

**438** ἀτρέμας ἑσταότα στῆθος μέσον οὔτασε δουρὶ  
the hero Idomeneus struck him in the middle of the chest with the spear

**439** ἥρως Ἰδομενεύς, ῥῆξεν δέ οἱ ἀμφὶ χιτῶνα  
and shattered the bronze corselet about him,

**440** χάλκεον, ὅς οἱ πρόσθεν ἀπὸ χροὸς ἤρκει ὄλεθρον·  
which before had warded ruin from his flesh;

**441** δὴ τότε γʼ αὖον ἄϋσεν ἐρεικόμενος περὶ δουρί.  
then at last it rang terribly as he leaned upon the spear.

**442** δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, δόρυ δʼ ἐν κραδίῃ ἐπεπήγει,  
He fell with a thud, and the spear was fixed in his heart,

**443** ἥ ῥά οἱ ἀσπαίρουσα καὶ οὐρίαχον πελέμιζεν  
which beating made the butt-shaft quiver,

**444** ἔγχεος· ἔνθα δʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀφίει μένος ὄβριμος Ἄρης·  
and there at last mighty Ares loosed its force.

**445** Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ ἔκπαγλον ἐπεύξατο μακρὸν ἀΰσας  
Idomeneus boasted terribly, crying aloud:

**446** Δηΐφοβʼ ἦ ἄρα δή τι ἐΐσκομεν ἄξιον εἶναι  
"Deiphobus, do we seem at all to have paid you fairly

**447** τρεῖς ἑνὸς ἀντὶ πεφάσθαι; ἐπεὶ σύ περ εὔχεαι οὕτω.  
three for one? Since you boast like that.

**448** δαιμόνιʼ ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὸς ἐναντίον ἵστασʼ ἐμεῖο,  
Strange man, come, stand and face me yourself,

**449** ὄφρα ἴδῃ οἷος Ζηνὸς γόνος ἐνθάδʼ ἱκάνω,  
so that you may see what sort of son of Zeus I am who have come here,

**450** ὃς πρῶτον Μίνωα τέκε Κρήτῃ ἐπίουρον·  
he who first begot Minos, guardian of Crete,

**451** Μίνως δʼ αὖ τέκεθʼ υἱὸν ἀμύμονα Δευκαλίωνα,  
and Minos begot a blameless son, Deucalion,

**452** Δευκαλίων δʼ ἐμὲ τίκτε πολέσσʼ ἄνδρεσσιν ἄνακτα  
and Deucalion begot me, lord over many men

**453** Κρήτῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ· νῦν δʼ ἐνθάδε νῆες ἔνεικαν  
in broad Crete; and now ships have brought me here

**454** σοί τε κακὸν καὶ πατρὶ καὶ ἄλλοισι Τρώεσσιν.  
for evil to you and your father and the other Trojans."

**455** ὣς φάτο, Δηΐφοβος δὲ διάνδιχα μερμήριξεν  
So he spoke, and Deiphobus pondered two ways within himself,

**456** ἤ τινά που Τρώων ἑταρίσσαιτο μεγαθύμων  
whether he should seek out one of the great-hearted Trojans

**457** ἂψ ἀναχωρήσας, ἦ πειρήσαιτο καὶ οἶος.  
after drawing back, or should test him alone.

**458** ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι  
As he thought on this, it seemed better to him

**459** βῆναι ἐπʼ Αἰνείαν· τὸν δʼ ὕστατον εὗρεν ὁμίλου  
to go to Aeneas; and him he found at the rear of the throng,

**460** ἑσταότʼ· αἰεὶ γὰρ Πριάμῳ ἐπεμήνιε δίῳ  
standing there; for he was always angry with godlike Priam

**461** οὕνεκʼ ἄρʼ ἐσθλὸν ἐόντα μετʼ ἀνδράσιν οὔ τι τίεσκεν.  
because though he was noble among men, he gave him no honor at all.

**462** ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
Standing close beside him, he addressed him with winged words:

**463** Αἰνεία Τρώων βουληφόρε νῦν σε μάλα χρὴ  
"Aeneas, counselor of the bronze-clad Trojans, now it is very needful for you
> Counselor of the Trojans: βουληφόρος marks Aeneas not just as a fighter but as a man of counsel. In Homeric battle scenes, that pairing of force and advice often marks a leading warrior.

**464** γαμβρῷ ἀμυνέμεναι, εἴ πέρ τί σε κῆδος ἱκάνει.  
to defend your brother by marriage, if indeed any care for kin reaches you.

**465** ἀλλʼ ἕπευ Ἀλκαθόῳ ἐπαμύνομεν, ὅς σε πάρος γε  
Come then, let us go help Alcathous, who once before

**466** γαμβρὸς ἐὼν ἔθρεψε δόμοις ἔνι τυτθὸν ἐόντα·  
being your brother by marriage reared you in his halls when you were little.

**467** τὸν δέ τοι Ἰδομενεὺς δουρικλυτὸς ἐξενάριξεν.  
Him has Idomeneus, famed with the spear, killed and stripped."

**468** ὣς φάτο, τῷ δʼ ἄρα θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινε,  
So he spoke, and stirred the spirit within his breast;

**469** βῆ δὲ μετʼ Ἰδομενῆα μέγα πτολέμοιο μεμηλώς.  
and went after Idomeneus, greatly intent on war.

**470** ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ἰδομενῆα φόβος λάβε τηλύγετον ὥς,  
But fear did not take Idomeneus as it would some tender youth;

**471** ἀλλʼ ἔμενʼ ὡς ὅτε τις σῦς οὔρεσιν ἀλκὶ πεποιθώς,  
he stood fast as a boar in the mountains, trusting in its strength,
> Boar simile: The mountain boar is a standard image for a fighter who stands his ground under pressure. Homer uses the animal's bristling back and flashing eyes to make courage bodily and visible.

**472** ὅς τε μένει κολοσυρτὸν ἐπερχόμενον πολὺν ἀνδρῶν  
one that waits for the great crowd of men coming on

**473** χώρῳ ἐν οἰοπόλῳ, φρίσσει δέ τε νῶτον ὕπερθεν·  
in a sheep-pasturing place; and the bristles rise high along its back.

**474** ὀφθαλμὼ δʼ ἄρα οἱ πυρὶ λάμπετον· αὐτὰρ ὀδόντας  
His eyes flash with fire, and he whets

**475** θήγει, ἀλέξασθαι μεμαὼς κύνας ἠδὲ καὶ ἄνδρας·  
his tusks, eager to ward off dogs and men.

**476** ὣς μένεν Ἰδομενεὺς δουρικλυτός, οὐδʼ ὑπεχώρει,  
So stood Idomeneus, famed with the spear, and did not give ground,

**477** Αἰνείαν ἐπιόντα βοηθόον· αὖε δʼ ἑταίρους  
awaiting Aeneas as he came to help; and he called to his companions,

**478** Ἀσκάλαφόν τʼ ἐσορῶν Ἀφαρῆά τε Δηΐπυρόν τε  
looking at Ascalaphus and Aphareus and Deipyrus

**479** Μηριόνην τε καὶ Ἀντίλοχον μήστωρας ἀϋτῆς·  
and Meriones and Antilochus, masters of the war-cry;
> Marshals of the war-cry: This phrase praises men who know how to direct and sustain the battle shout. It is less about rank than about command presence in the crush of fighting.

**480** τοὺς ὅ γʼ ἐποτρύνων ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
urging them on, he addressed them with winged words:

**481** δεῦτε φίλοι, καί μʼ οἴῳ ἀμύνετε· δείδια δʼ αἰνῶς  
"Come, friends, help me, though I stand alone; and I fear greatly

**482** Αἰνείαν ἐπιόντα πόδας ταχύν, ὅς μοι ἔπεισιν,  
Aeneas as he comes upon me, swift of foot, who is coming against me,

**483** ὃς μάλα καρτερός ἐστι μάχῃ ἔνι φῶτας ἐναίρειν·  
who is most mighty in battle to take the lives of men;

**484** καὶ δʼ ἔχει ἥβης ἄνθος, ὅ τε κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον.  
and he has the flower of youth, which is the greatest strength.
> The flower of youth: Homer regularly speaks of a man's physical prime as a flower. The phrase points to the brief moment when speed, force, and endurance stand at their height.

**485** εἰ γὰρ ὁμηλικίη γε γενοίμεθα τῷδʼ ἐπὶ θυμῷ  
If only we were of one age, with this spirit that is in me,

**486** αἶψά κεν ἠὲ φέροιτο μέγα κράτος, ἠὲ φεροίμην.  
soon either he would carry off the great glory, or I would."

**487** ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἕνα φρεσὶ θυμὸν ἔχοντες  
So he spoke, and they all with one heart in their minds

**488** πλησίοι ἔστησαν, σάκεʼ ὤμοισι κλίναντες.  
stood near him, leaning their shields upon their shoulders.

**489** Αἰνείας δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἐκέκλετο οἷς ἑτάροισι  
Aeneas on his side called to his companions,

**490** Δηΐφοβόν τε Πάριν τʼ ἐσορῶν καὶ Ἀγήνορα δῖον,  
looking toward Deiphobus and Paris and godlike Agenor,

**491** οἵ οἱ ἅμʼ ἡγεμόνες Τρώων ἔσαν· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα  
who along with him were leaders of the Trojans; and then

**492** λαοὶ ἕπονθʼ, ὡς εἴ τε μετὰ κτίλον ἕσπετο μῆλα  
the people followed, as sheep follow a ram

**493** πιόμενʼ ἐκ βοτάνης· γάνυται δʼ ἄρα τε φρένα ποιμήν·  
returning from pasture to drink, and the shepherd rejoices at heart;

**494** ὣς Αἰνείᾳ θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι γεγήθει  
so the heart in Aeneas' breast rejoiced

**495** ὡς ἴδε λαῶν ἔθνος ἐπισπόμενον ἑοῖ αὐτῷ.  
when he saw the host of men following after him.

**496** οἳ δʼ ἀμφʼ Ἀλκαθόῳ αὐτοσχεδὸν ὁρμήθησαν  
They rushed upon one another hand to hand around Alcathous

**497** μακροῖσι ξυστοῖσι· περὶ στήθεσσι δὲ χαλκὸς  
with long spears; and about their chests the bronze

**498** σμερδαλέον κονάβιζε τιτυσκομένων καθʼ ὅμιλον  
rang terribly as they took aim in the throng

**499** ἀλλήλων· δύο δʼ ἄνδρες ἀρήϊοι ἔξοχον ἄλλων  
at one another; and two warriors, far beyond the others,

**500** Αἰνείας τε καὶ Ἰδομενεὺς ἀτάλαντοι Ἄρηϊ  
Aeneas and Idomeneus, peers of Ares,
> Peers of Ares: This formula does not make the warriors divine. It says that in battle they match the god of war in force and ferocity.

**501** ἵεντʼ ἀλλήλων ταμέειν χρόα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ.  
kept longing to carve each other's flesh with pitiless bronze.

**502** Αἰνείας δὲ πρῶτος ἀκόντισεν Ἰδομενῆος·  
Aeneas first cast his spear at Idomeneus;

**503** ἀλλʼ ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,  
But he, seeing it before him, avoided the bronze spear

**504** αἰχμὴ δʼ Αἰνείαο κραδαινομένη κατὰ γαίης  
and the point of Aeneas, shaking, went down into the ground,

**505** ᾤχετʼ, ἐπεί ῥʼ ἅλιον στιβαρῆς ἀπὸ χειρὸς ὄρουσεν.  
since it had leapt in vain from his strong hand.

**506** Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ ἄρα Οἰνόμαον βάλε γαστέρα μέσσην,  
Then Idomeneus struck Oenomaus in the middle of the belly,

**507** ῥῆξε δὲ θώρηκος γύαλον, διὰ δʼ ἔντερα χαλκὸς  
and shattered the plate of his corselet, and the bronze
> Entrails: Homeric battle narrative names the body part struck with blunt precision. The poem does not generalize a wound when it can show exactly what the bronze tears open.

**508** ἤφυσʼ· ὃ δʼ ἐν κονίῃσι πεσὼν ἕλε γαῖαν ἀγοστῷ.  
gushed through his guts; and he fell in the dust and clutched the ground with his hand.

**509** Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ ἐκ μὲν νέκυος δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος  
Idomeneus drew from the corpse his long-shadowed spear,

**510** ἐσπάσατʼ, οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔτʼ ἄλλα δυνήσατο τεύχεα καλὰ  
but could no longer strip the other fair armor

**511** ὤμοιιν ἀφελέσθαι· ἐπείγετο γὰρ βελέεσσιν.  
from his shoulders; for he was pressed by darts.

**512** οὐ γὰρ ἔτʼ ἔμπεδα γυῖα ποδῶν ἦν ὁρμηθέντι,  
For his limbs in his feet were no longer steady enough

**513** οὔτʼ ἄρʼ ἐπαΐξαι μεθʼ ἑὸν· βέλος οὔτʼ ἀλέασθαι.  
either to spring after a cast of his own or avoid a dart.

**514** τώ ῥα καὶ ἐν σταδίῃ μὲν ἀμύνετο νηλεὲς ἦμαρ,  
Therefore in the close fight he still held off the pitiless day,

**515** τρέσσαι δʼ οὐκ ἔτι ῥίμφα πόδες φέρον ἐκ πολέμοιο.  
but his feet could not swiftly carry him out of the war.

**516** τοῦ δὲ βάδην ἀπιόντος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ  
And as he went away on foot, Deiphobus cast at him

**517** Δηΐφοβος· δὴ γάρ οἱ ἔχεν κότον ἐμμενὲς αἰεί.  
with his bright spear; for he always kept a steadfast anger against him.

**518** ἀλλʼ ὅ γε καὶ τόθʼ ἅμαρτεν, ὃ δʼ Ἀσκάλαφον βάλε δουρὶ  
Yet he missed him there too, and struck Ascalaphus with his spear,

**519** υἱὸν Ἐνυαλίοιο· διʼ ὤμου δʼ ὄβριμον ἔγχος  
the son of Enyalios; and the mighty spear lodged through his shoulder.

**520** ἔσχεν· ὃ δʼ ἐν κονίῃσι πεσὼν ἕλε γαῖαν ἀγοστῷ.  
He fell in the dust and clutched the ground with his hand.

**521** οὐδʼ ἄρα πώ τι πέπυστο βριήπυος ὄβριμος Ἄρης  
And mighty Ares, insatiate of war, had not yet learned

**522** υἷος ἑοῖο πεσόντος ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ,  
that his son had fallen in the strong encounter,

**523** ἀλλʼ ὅ γʼ ἄρʼ ἄκρῳ Ὀλύμπῳ ὑπὸ χρυσέοισι νέφεσσιν  
but sat on high Olympus beneath the golden clouds,

**524** ἧστο Διὸς βουλῇσιν ἐελμένος, ἔνθά περ ἄλλοι  
hemmed in by the counsels of Zeus, where the other

**525** ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἦσαν ἐεργόμενοι πολέμοιο.  
immortal gods were also kept from war.

**526** οἳ δʼ ἀμφʼ Ἀσκαλάφῳ αὐτοσχεδὸν ὁρμήθησαν·  
But they rushed close together around Ascalaphus.

**527** Δηΐφοβος μὲν ἀπʼ Ἀσκαλάφου πήληκα φαεινὴν  
Deiphobus snatched from Ascalaphus the shining helmet,

**528** ἥρπασε, Μηριόνης δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ  
but Meriones, swift as Ares, leapt in

**529** δουρὶ βραχίονα τύψεν ἐπάλμενος, ἐκ δʼ ἄρα χειρὸς  
and struck his arm with the spear as he sprang, and from his hand

**530** αὐλῶπις τρυφάλεια χαμαὶ βόμβησε πεσοῦσα.  
the visored helmet fell to the ground with a clang.
> Visored helmet: The compound points to a helmet fitted with eye-openings or a face-guard. Homer often notices not just the helmet but the particular way it covers the face.

**531** Μηριόνης δʼ ἐξ αὖτις ἐπάλμενος αἰγυπιὸς ὣς  
Then Meriones, springing upon him again like a vulture,

**532** ἐξέρυσε πρυμνοῖο βραχίονος ὄβριμον ἔγχος,  
tore the mighty spear out of the base of his arm,

**533** ἂψ δʼ ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο. τὸν δὲ Πολίτης  
and drew back into the throng of his companions. But Polites,

**534** αὐτοκασίγνητος περὶ μέσσῳ χεῖρε τιτήνας  
his own brother, stretching both arms about his waist,
> Own brother: αὐτοκασίγνητος is stronger than a bare word for brother. It stresses full kinship from the same womb, which sharpens the urgency of Polites' rescue.

**535** ἐξῆγεν πολέμοιο δυσηχέος, ὄφρʼ ἵκεθʼ ἵππους  
led him out of the loud battle, until he came to the horses

**536** ὠκέας, οἵ οἱ ὄπισθε μάχης ἠδὲ πτολέμοιο  
swift horses, which behind the battle and the fighting

**537** ἕστασαν ἡνίοχόν τε καὶ ἅρματα ποικίλʼ ἔχοντες·  
stood with their charioteer and ornate chariot;

**538** οἳ τόν γε προτὶ ἄστυ φέρον βαρέα στενάχοντα  
bore him toward the city, groaning heavily,

**539** τειρόμενον· κατὰ δʼ αἷμα νεουτάτου ἔρρεε χειρός.  
and worn; and blood ran down from his wounded hand.

**540** οἳ δʼ ἄλλοι μάρναντο, βοὴ δʼ ἄσβεστος ὀρώρει.  
The rest fought on, and an unquenchable cry arose.

**541** ἔνθʼ Αἰνέας Ἀφαρῆα Καλητορίδην ἐπορούσας  
There Aeneas sprang upon Aphareus son of Caletor

**542** λαιμὸν τύψʼ ἐπὶ οἷ τετραμμένον ὀξέϊ δουρί·  
and struck his throat with the sharp spear as he turned toward him.

**543** ἐκλίνθη δʼ ἑτέρωσε κάρη, ἐπὶ δʼ ἀσπὶς ἑάφθη  
His head bent aside, and his shield fell upon him

**544** καὶ κόρυς, ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ θάνατος χύτο θυμοραϊστής.  
and his helmet, and life-destroying death poured round him.

**545** Ἀντίλοχος δὲ Θόωνα μεταστρεφθέντα δοκεύσας  
Then Antilochus, watching Thoon as he turned,

**546** οὔτασʼ ἐπαΐξας, ἀπὸ δὲ φλέβα πᾶσαν ἔκερσεν,  
rushed in and wounded him, and cut through all the vein
> The great vein: The line imagines a single vessel running the length of the back into the neck. Homeric anatomy is vivid and practical, shaped by the visible consequences of a wound rather than by medical system.

**547** ἥ τʼ ἀνὰ νῶτα θέουσα διαμπερὲς αὐχένʼ ἱκάνει·  
that runs up the back and reaches the neck clean through.

**548** τὴν ἀπὸ πᾶσαν ἔκερσεν· ὃ δʼ ὕπτιος ἐν κονίῃσι  
He cut it all away, and Thoon fell backward in the dust,

**549** κάππεσεν, ἄμφω χεῖρε φίλοις ἑτάροισι πετάσσας.  
stretching both hands out toward his dear companions.

**550** Ἀντίλοχος δʼ ἐπόρουσε, καὶ αἴνυτο τεύχεʼ ἀπʼ ὤμων  
Antilochus rushed upon him and stripped the armor from his shoulders,

**551** παπταίνων· Τρῶες δὲ περισταδὸν ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος  
glancing all around; and the Trojans from every side

**552** οὔταζον σάκος εὐρὺ παναίολον, οὐδὲ δύναντο  
struck his broad shining shield round about,

**553** εἴσω ἐπιγράψαι τέρενα χρόα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ  
but could not graze the tender flesh within

**554** Ἀντιλόχου· πέρι γάρ ῥα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων  
of Antilochus with pitiless bronze.

**555** Νέστορος υἱὸν ἔρυτο καὶ ἐν πολλοῖσι βέλεσσιν.  
For Poseidon the earth-shaker guarded Nestor's son

**556** οὐ μὲν γάρ ποτʼ ἄνευ δηΐων ἦν, ἀλλὰ κατʼ αὐτοὺς  
even amid the many darts.

**557** στρωφᾶτʼ· οὐδέ οἱ ἔγχος ἔχʼ ἀτρέμας, ἀλλὰ μάλʼ αἰεὶ  
For he was never at all apart from the foe, but moved among them,

**558** σειόμενον ἐλέλικτο· τιτύσκετο δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσιν  
and his spear was never still, but was always

**559** ἤ τευ ἀκοντίσσαι, ἠὲ σχεδὸν ὁρμηθῆναι.  
brandished and shaken; and in his heart he aimed

**560** ἀλλʼ οὐ λῆθʼ Ἀδάμαντα τιτυσκόμενος καθʼ ὅμιλον  
either to cast at someone or to rush in close.

**561** Ἀσιάδην, ὅ οἱ οὖτα μέσον σάκος ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ  
But as he aimed among the throng, Adamas did not escape him,

**562** ἐγγύθεν ὁρμηθείς· ἀμενήνωσεν δέ οἱ αἰχμὴν  
the son of Asius, who struck the middle of his shield

**563** κυανοχαῖτα Ποσειδάων βιότοιο μεγήρας.  
with the sharp bronze as he rushed near; but Poseidon of the dark hair
> Dark-haired Poseidon: κυανοχαίτης is a color epithet, literally dark-blue or dark-glossed in the hair. It suits a sea god whose appearance often carries the sheen of deep water.

**564** καὶ τὸ μὲν αὐτοῦ μεῖνʼ ὥς τε σκῶλος πυρίκαυστος  
made the point of his spear weak, begrudging him his life; and one half of it stayed there,

**565** ἐν σάκει Ἀντιλόχοιο, τὸ δʼ ἥμισυ κεῖτʼ ἐπὶ γαίης·  
in the shield of Antilochus, like a charred stake, and the other half lay on the ground.

**566** ἂψ δʼ ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρʼ ἀλεείνων·  
and he shrank back into the throng of his comrades, avoiding death.

**567** Μηριόνης δʼ ἀπιόντα μετασπόμενος βάλε δουρὶ  
Meriones, following after him as he withdrew, struck him with the spear

**568** αἰδοίων τε μεσηγὺ καὶ ὀμφαλοῦ, ἔνθα μάλιστα  
between the private parts and the navel, where most of all
> The groin wound: The next line names the private parts directly. Homer's battle style does not avert its eyes from humiliating or agonizing injuries.

**569** γίγνετʼ Ἄρης ἀλεγεινὸς ὀϊζυροῖσι βροτοῖσιν.  
grievous Ares comes upon wretched mortals.

**570** ἔνθά οἱ ἔγχος ἔπηξεν· ὃ δʼ ἑσπόμενος περὶ δουρὶ  
There the spear fixed in him;

**571** ἤσπαιρʼ ὡς ὅτε βοῦς τόν τʼ οὔρεσι βουκόλοι ἄνδρες  
and he, collapsed upon the spear, writhed as when a bull
> Bull simile: The dying man is compared to a bull dragged off against its will. The image gives the wound weight, noise, and brute resistance even in the instant before death.

**572** ἰλλάσιν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα βίῃ δήσαντες ἄγουσιν·  
that mountain herdsmen bind with withies and lead away by force, unwilling.

**573** ὣς ὃ τυπεὶς ἤσπαιρε μίνυνθά περ, οὔ τι μάλα δήν,  
So he writhed when he was struck, but only for a little while, not for long,

**574** ὄφρά οἱ ἐκ χροὸς ἔγχος ἀνεσπάσατʼ ἐγγύθεν ἐλθὼν  
until the hero Meriones came near and drew the spear from his flesh;

**575** ἥρως Μηριόνης· τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψε.  
and darkness covered his eyes.

**576** Δηΐπυρον δʼ Ἕλενος ξίφεϊ σχεδὸν ἤλασε κόρσην  
Then Helenus struck Deipyrus upon the temple

**577** Θρηϊκίῳ μεγάλῳ, ἀπὸ δὲ τρυφάλειαν ἄραξεν.  
with his great Thracian sword and dashed away his helmet.

**578** ἣ μὲν ἀποπλαγχθεῖσα χαμαὶ πέσε, καί τις Ἀχαιῶν  
It rolled off and fell to the ground, and one of the Achaeans

**579** μαρναμένων μετὰ ποσσὶ κυλινδομένην ἐκόμισσε·  
fighting there picked it up as it rolled between the feet;

**580** τὸν δὲ κατʼ ὀφθαλμῶν ἐρεβεννὴ νὺξ ἐκάλυψεν.  
and dark night covered his eyes.

**581** Ἀτρεΐδην δʼ ἄχος εἷλε βοὴν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον·  
Grief seized the son of Atreus, Menelaus, good at the war-cry;
> Menelaus in the shout: This epithet praises Menelaus as strong in the battle cry, the public sound of courage and command. Homer keeps such war titles distinct rather than treating them as interchangeable praise.

**582** βῆ δʼ ἐπαπειλήσας Ἑλένῳ ἥρωϊ ἄνακτι  
and he went threatening Helenus, the lordly hero,

**583** ὀξὺ δόρυ κραδάων· ὃ δὲ τόξου πῆχυν ἄνελκε.  
brandishing his sharp spear; and he drew the bowstring back.

**584** τὼ δʼ ἄρʼ ὁμαρτήδην ὃ μὲν ἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι  
Both at once together, one with the sharp spear

**585** ἵετʼ ἀκοντίσσαι, ὃ δʼ ἀπὸ νευρῆφιν ὀϊστῷ.  
eager to cast, the other with an arrow from the string.

**586** Πριαμίδης μὲν ἔπειτα κατὰ στῆθος βάλεν ἰῷ  
The son of Priam then hit him in the chest

**587** θώρηκος γύαλον, ἀπὸ δʼ ἔπτατο πικρὸς ὀϊστός.  
upon the plate of his corselet, but the bitter arrow flew off.

**588** ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἀπὸ πλατέος πτυόφιν μεγάλην κατʼ ἀλωὴν  
As when from a broad shovel upon a threshing floor

**589** θρῴσκωσιν κύαμοι μελανόχροες ἢ ἐρέβινθοι  
black beans or chickpeas leap away

**590** πνοιῇ ὕπο λιγυρῇ καὶ λικμητῆρος ἐρωῇ,  
under the shrill blast and the rush of the winnowing wind,

**591** ὣς ἀπὸ θώρηκος Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο  
so from the corselet of glorious Menelaus

**592** πολλὸν ἀποπλαγχθεὶς ἑκὰς ἔπτατο πικρὸς ὀϊστός.  
the bitter arrow glanced far off and flew away.

**593** Ἀτρεΐδης δʼ ἄρα χεῖρα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος  
But the son of Atreus, Menelaus, good at the war-cry,

**594** τὴν βάλεν ᾗ ῥʼ ἔχε τόξον ἐΰξοον· ἐν δʼ ἄρα τόξῳ  
struck the hand with which he held the well-polished bow;

**595** ἀντικρὺ διὰ χειρὸς ἐλήλατο χάλκεον ἔγχος.  
clean through the hand and into the bow went the bronze spear.

**596** ἂψ δʼ ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρʼ ἀλεείνων  
and he shrank back into the throng of his comrades, avoiding death.

**597** χεῖρα παρακρεμάσας· τὸ δʼ ἐφέλκετο μείλινον ἔγχος.  
letting his hand hang down; and the ash spear dragged behind him.

**598** καὶ τὸ μὲν ἐκ χειρὸς ἔρυσεν μεγάθυμος Ἀγήνωρ,  
But great-hearted Agenor drew it out of his hand,

**599** αὐτὴν δὲ ξυνέδησεν ἐϋστρεφεῖ οἰὸς ἀώτῳ  
and bound the hand itself with a sling of well-twisted sheep's wool,

**600** σφενδόνῃ, ἣν ἄρα οἱ θεράπων ἔχε ποιμένι λαῶν.  
a sling which his attendant held for the shepherd of the people.

**601** Πείσανδρος δʼ ἰθὺς Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο  
Then Peisander came straight at glorious Menelaus;

**602** ἤϊε· τὸν δʼ ἄγε μοῖρα κακὴ θανάτοιο τέλος δὲ  
evil fate led him to his death, to be brought low
> Fate to a death-end: μοῖρα here is not abstract fortune in general but the portion that leads a man to his appointed death. τέλος sharpens it further: the line says he is being led to his end.

**603** σοὶ Μενέλαε δαμῆναι ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι.  
by you, Menelaus, in the terrible battle.

**604** οἳ δʼ ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦσαν ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισιν ἰόντες  
Now when they had come near, advancing on one another,

**605** Ἀτρεΐδης μὲν ἅμαρτε, παραὶ δέ οἱ ἐτράπετʼ ἔγχος,  
the son of Atreus missed, and his spear turned aside from him,

**606** Πείσανδρος δὲ σάκος Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο  
but Peisander struck the shield of glorious Menelaus.

**607** οὔτασεν, οὐδὲ διὰ πρὸ δυνήσατο χαλκὸν ἐλάσσαι·  
Yet he could not drive the bronze all the way through;
> Not all the way through: The phrase marks a failed penetration. The bronze hits hard, but it does not pass clean through shield and body the way a fatal cast often does elsewhere in the poem.

**608** ἔσχεθε γὰρ σάκος εὐρύ, κατεκλάσθη δʼ ἐνὶ καυλῷ  
for the broad shield held it off, and the spear snapped in the shaft.

**609** ἔγχος· ὃ δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσι χάρη καὶ ἐέλπετο νίκην.  
And he rejoiced in his heart and hoped for victory.

**610** Ἀτρεΐδης δὲ ἐρυσσάμενος ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον  
Then the son of Atreus, drawing his silver-studded sword,

**611** ἆλτʼ ἐπὶ Πεισάνδρῳ· ὃ δʼ ὑπʼ ἀσπίδος εἵλετο καλὴν  
sprang upon Peisander; and he from beneath his shield

**612** ἀξίνην εὔχαλκον ἐλαΐνῳ ἀμφὶ πελέκκῳ  
took up a fair axe of bronze, with olive-wood about the handle,

**613** μακρῷ ἐϋξέστῳ· ἅμα δʼ ἀλλήλων ἐφίκοντο.  
long and finely shaped; and they closed together.

**614** ἤτοι ὃ μὲν κόρυθος φάλον ἤλασεν ἱπποδασείης  
He struck the crest of the horse-haired helmet

**615** ἄκρον ὑπὸ λόφον αὐτόν, ὃ δὲ προσιόντα μέτωπον  
at the very top beneath the plume; but the other struck his forehead

**616** ῥινὸς ὕπερ πυμάτης· λάκε δʼ ὀστέα, τὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε  
above the root of the nose; the bones cracked, and both his eyes

**617** πὰρ ποσὶν αἱματόεντα χαμαὶ πέσον ἐν κονίῃσιν,  
bloodied fell in the dust at his feet.

**618** ἰδνώθη δὲ πεσών· ὃ δὲ λὰξ ἐν στήθεσι βαίνων  
He collapsed as he fell; and Menelaus, stepping on his chest,

**619** τεύχεά τʼ ἐξενάριξε καὶ εὐχόμενος ἔπος ηὔδα·  
stripped off his armor and spoke a word of triumph:

**620** λείψετέ θην οὕτω γε νέας Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων  
"So then, in this way, you Trojans will leave

**621** Τρῶες ὑπερφίαλοι δεινῆς ἀκόρητοι ἀϋτῆς,  
the swift-horsed ships of the Danaans, overbearing men, insatiate of the fearful battle,

**622** ἄλλης μὲν λώβης τε καὶ αἴσχεος οὐκ ἐπιδευεῖς  
lacking in no other outrage or shame

**623** ἣν ἐμὲ λωβήσασθε κακαὶ κύνες, οὐδέ τι θυμῷ  
with which you shamed me, evil dogs, and you did not in your hearts

**624** Ζηνὸς ἐριβρεμέτεω χαλεπὴν ἐδείσατε μῆνιν  
fear the hard wrath of loud-thundering Zeus,

**625** ξεινίου, ὅς τέ ποτʼ ὔμμι διαφθέρσει πόλιν αἰπήν·  
god of guest-right, who one day will destroy your steep city.

**626** οἵ μευ κουριδίην ἄλοχον καὶ κτήματα πολλὰ  
You who took away my wedded wife

**627** μὰψ οἴχεσθʼ ἀνάγοντες, ἐπεὶ φιλέεσθε παρʼ αὐτῇ·  
and much wealth for nothing, after you had been kindly welcomed by her.

**628** νῦν αὖτʼ ἐν νηυσὶν μενεαίνετε ποντοπόροισι  
And now again upon the seafaring ships you are bent

**629** πῦρ ὀλοὸν βαλέειν, κτεῖναι δʼ ἥρωας Ἀχαιούς.  
to cast destructive fire, and kill the Achaean heroes.

**630** ἀλλά ποθι σχήσεσθε καὶ ἐσσύμενοί περ Ἄρηος.  
But somewhere you will be checked, eager though you are for Ares.

**631** Ζεῦ πάτερ ἦ τέ σέ φασι περὶ φρένας ἔμμεναι ἄλλων  
Father Zeus, they say that you surpass all others in wisdom,

**632** ἀνδρῶν ἠδὲ θεῶν· σέο δʼ ἐκ τάδε πάντα πέλονται·  
both men and gods; from you all these things come to pass.

**633** οἷον δὴ ἄνδρεσσι χαρίζεαι ὑβριστῇσι  
How then can you grant favor to violent men,

**634** Τρωσίν, τῶν μένος αἰὲν ἀτάσθαλον, οὐδὲ δύνανται  
the Trojans, whose spirit is always outrageous,

**635** φυλόπιδος κορέσασθαι ὁμοιΐου πτολέμοιο.  
and who can never have enough of the war that makes all men equal?

**636** πάντων μὲν κόρος ἐστὶ καὶ ὕπνου καὶ φιλότητος  
Of everything there comes satiety, even of sleep and lovemaking
> Satiety: κόρος is having had enough, a fullness that turns to weariness. Menelaus builds his complaint on the idea that even good human pleasures eventually satisfy, whereas the Trojans seem never sated with war.

**637** μολπῆς τε γλυκερῆς καὶ ἀμύμονος ὀρχηθμοῖο,  
and sweet song and blameless dancing,

**638** τῶν πέρ τις καὶ μᾶλλον ἐέλδεται ἐξ ἔρον εἷναι  
of which a man might sooner desire to have his fill

**639** ἢ πολέμου· Τρῶες δὲ μάχης ἀκόρητοι ἔασιν.  
than of war; but the Trojans are insatiate of battle."

**640** ὣς εἰπὼν τὰ μὲν ἔντεʼ ἀπὸ χροὸς αἱματόεντα  
So speaking, he stripped the blood-stained armor from the body

**641** συλήσας ἑτάροισι δίδου Μενέλαος ἀμύμων,  
and gave it to his companions, Menelaus the blameless,

**642** αὐτὸς δʼ αὖτʼ ἐξ αὖτις ἰὼν προμάχοισιν ἐμίχθη.  
and he himself went back again and mingled with the foremost fighters.

**643** ἔνθά οἱ υἱὸς ἐπᾶλτο Πυλαιμένεος βασιλῆος  
There the son of King Pylaimenes leapt upon him,

**644** Ἁρπαλίων, ὅ ῥα πατρὶ φίλῳ ἕπετο πτολεμίξων  
Harpalion, who had followed his dear father to Troy to make war,

**645** ἐς τροίην, οὐδʼ αὖτις ἀφίκετο πατρίδα γαῖαν·  
and did not return again to his fatherland.

**646** ὅς ῥα τότʼ Ἀτρεΐδαο μέσον σάκος οὔτασε δουρὶ  
Then he struck the middle of Atreus' son's shield with the spear

**647** ἐγγύθεν, οὐδὲ διὰ πρὸ δυνήσατο χαλκὸν ἐλάσσαι  
at close range, but could not drive the bronze all the way through.

**648** ἂψ δʼ ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρʼ ἀλεείνων  
and he shrank back into the throng of his comrades, avoiding death.

**649** πάντοσε παπταίνων μή τις χρόα χαλκῷ ἐπαύρῃ.  
looking about on every side lest someone touch his flesh with bronze.

**650** Μηριόνης δʼ ἀπιόντος ἵει χαλκήρεʼ ὀϊστόν,  
But Meriones, as he went away, let fly a bronze-tipped arrow,

**651** καί ῥʼ ἔβαλε γλουτὸν κάτα δεξιόν· αὐτὰρ ὀϊστὸς  
and hit his right buttock; and the arrow

**652** ἀντικρὺ κατὰ κύστιν ὑπʼ ὀστέον ἐξεπέρησεν.  
went straight through the bladder below the bone.

**653** ἑζόμενος δὲ κατʼ αὖθι φίλων ἐν χερσὶν ἑταίρων  
Then sitting there in the arms of his dear companions

**654** θυμὸν ἀποπνείων, ὥς τε σκώληξ ἐπὶ γαίῃ  
gasping out his life, like a worm upon the ground
> Like a worm: The simile is deliberately abasing. Homer can move from heroic lineage to an image of helpless animal life in a single line, and the drop in scale is part of the shock.

**655** κεῖτο ταθείς· ἐκ δʼ αἷμα μέλαν ῥέε, δεῦε δὲ γαῖαν.  
he lay stretched out; and the black blood ran and drenched the earth.

**656** τὸν μὲν Παφλαγόνες μεγαλήτορες ἀμφεπένοντο,  
Around him the great-hearted Paphlagonians labored,

**657** ἐς δίφρον δʼ ἀνέσαντες ἄγον προτὶ Ἴλιον ἱρὴν  
and lifting him onto his chariot they carried him toward sacred Ilios,

**658** ἀχνύμενοι· μετὰ δέ σφι πατὴρ κίε δάκρυα λείβων,  
grieving; and his father went with them, shedding tears,

**659** ποινὴ δʼ οὔ τις παιδὸς ἐγίγνετο τεθνηῶτος.  
and there was no recompense at all for his dead son.

**660** τοῦ δὲ Πάρις μάλα θυμὸν ἀποκταμένοιο χολώθη·  
But Paris was deeply angered in heart for his killing;

**661** ξεῖνος γάρ οἱ ἔην πολέσιν μετὰ Παφλαγόνεσσι·  
for among the many Paphlagonians he had been his guest-friend.

**662** τοῦ ὅ γε χωόμενος προΐει χαλκήρεʼ ὀϊστόν.  
So in wrath for him he let fly a bronze-tipped arrow.

**663** ἦν δέ τις Εὐχήνωρ Πολυΐδου μάντιος υἱὸς  
And there was a man, Euchenor, son of Polyidus the seer,

**664** ἀφνειός τʼ ἀγαθός τε Κορινθόθι οἰκία ναίων,  
rich and valiant, dwelling in Corinth in his house,

**665** ὅς ῥʼ εὖ εἰδὼς κῆρʼ ὀλοὴν ἐπὶ νηὸς ἔβαινε·  
who went aboard ship well knowing his deadly fate.

**666** πολλάκι γάρ οἱ ἔειπε γέρων ἀγαθὸς Πολύϊδος  
For many times the good old Polyidus had told him

**667** νούσῳ ὑπʼ ἀργαλέῃ φθίσθαι οἷς ἐν μεγάροισιν,  
that he would waste away at home beneath a grievous sickness,

**668** ἢ μετʼ Ἀχαιῶν νηυσὶν ὑπὸ Τρώεσσι δαμῆναι·  
or else among the Achaean ships be subdued by the Trojans.

**669** τώ ῥʼ ἅμα τʼ ἀργαλέην θωὴν ἀλέεινεν Ἀχαιῶν  
So he shunned both the grievous levy of the Achaeans

**670** νοῦσόν τε στυγερήν, ἵνα μὴ πάθοι ἄλγεα θυμῷ.  
and the hateful sickness, so that he might not suffer pains in his heart.

**671** τὸν βάλʼ ὑπὸ γναθμοῖο. καὶ οὔατος· ὦκα δὲ θυμὸς  
Him Paris struck beneath the jaw and under the ear;

**672** ᾤχετʼ ἀπὸ μελέων, στυγερὸς δʼ ἄρα μιν σκότος εἷλεν.  
swiftly the life went from his limbs, and hateful darkness closed around him.

**673** ὣς οἳ μὲν μάρναντο δέμας πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο·  
So they fought on, like the blaze of burning fire.

**674** Ἕκτωρ δʼ οὐκ ἐπέπυστο Διῒ φίλος, οὐδέ τι ᾔδη  
But Hector, dear to Zeus, had not heard, nor did he know

**675** ὅττί ῥά οἱ νηῶν ἐπʼ ἀριστερὰ δηϊόωντο  
that on the left wing beside the ships his men were being destroyed

**676** λαοὶ ὑπʼ Ἀργείων. τάχα δʼ ἂν καὶ κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν  
by the Argives. Soon indeed the glory of the Achaeans

**677** ἔπλετο· τοῖος γὰρ γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος  
would have come to pass; for so mighty was the earth-holder, the earth-shaker,

**678** ὄτρυνʼ Ἀργείους, πρὸς δὲ σθένει αὐτὸς ἄμυνεν·  
urging on the Argives and himself warding ruin from them.

**679** ἀλλʼ ἔχεν ᾗ τὰ πρῶτα πύλας καὶ τεῖχος ἐσᾶλτο  
But Hector held where first he leapt through the gates and wall,

**680** ῥηξάμενος Δαναῶν πυκινὰς στίχας ἀσπιστάων,  
having broken the dense ranks of the shield-bearing Danaans,

**681** ἔνθʼ ἔσαν Αἴαντός τε νέες καὶ Πρωτεσιλάου  
where were the ships of Ajax and of Protesilaus

**682** θῖνʼ ἔφʼ ἁλὸς πολιῆς εἰρυμέναι· αὐτὰρ ὕπερθε  
drawn up upon the shore of the gray sea; and above them

**683** τεῖχος ἐδέδμητο χθαμαλώτατον, ἔνθα μάλιστα  
the wall had been built the lowest, where most of all

**684** ζαχρηεῖς γίγνοντο μάχῃ αὐτοί τε καὶ ἵπποι.  
both men and horses were ravenous for battle.

**685** ἔνθα δὲ Βοιωτοὶ καὶ Ἰάονες ἑλκεχίτωνες  
There the Boeotians and the Ionians with trailing tunics
> Trailing-tunicked Ionians: The epithet points to the long linen garments associated with these eastern Greeks. Homer uses clothing as a quick ethnic marker without turning it into a full description.

**686** Λοκροὶ καὶ Φθῖοι καὶ φαιδιμόεντες Ἐπειοὶ  
and the Locrians and Phthians and the bright Epeians

**687** σπουδῇ ἐπαΐσσοντα νεῶν ἔχον, οὐδὲ δύναντο  
eagerly held him from the ships as he rushed on, but could not

**688** ὦσαι ἀπὸ σφείων φλογὶ εἴκελον Ἕκτορα δῖον  
drive back from them godlike Hector, like a flame of fire.

**689** οἳ μὲν Ἀθηναίων προλελεγμένοι· ἐν δʼ ἄρα τοῖσιν  
Chosen Athenians were among them in the foremost rank,

**690** ἦρχʼ υἱὸς Πετεῶο Μενεσθεύς, οἳ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο  
and the son of Peteos, Menestheus, led them, and with him followed

**691** Φείδας τε Στιχίος τε Βίας τʼ ἐΰς· αὐτὰρ Ἐπειῶν  
Pheidas and Stichius and noble Bias; and of the Epeians

**692** Φυλεΐδης τε Μέγης Ἀμφίων τε Δρακίος τε,  
Meges son of Phyleus and Amphion and Dracius,

**693** πρὸ Φθίων δὲ Μέδων τε μενεπτόλεμός τε Ποδάρκης.  
and before the Phthians Medon and warlike Podarces.

**694** ἤτοι ὃ μὲν νόθος υἱὸς Ὀϊλῆος θείοιο  
Now Medon was the bastard son of noble Oileus

**695** ἔσκε Μέδων Αἴαντος ἀδελφεός· αὐτὰρ ἔναιεν  
and brother of Ajax; but he dwelt

**696** ἐν Φυλάκῃ γαίης ἄπο πατρίδος ἄνδρα κατακτὰς  
in Phylace, away from his fatherland, after killing a man,

**697** γνωτὸν μητρυιῆς Ἐριώπιδος, ἣν ἔχʼ Ὀϊλεύς·  
a kinsman of his stepmother Eriopis, whom Oileus had as wife;

**698** αὐτὰρ ὃ Ἰφίκλοιο πάϊς τοῦ Φυλακίδαο.  
and the other was the son of Iphiclus son of Phylacus.

**699** οἳ μὲν πρὸ Φθίων μεγαθύμων θωρηχθέντες  
These stood before the great-hearted Phthians in their armor,

**700** ναῦφιν ἀμυνόμενοι μετὰ Βοιωτῶν ἐμάχοντο·  
defending the ships with the Boeotians, and fought on.

**701** Αἴας δʼ οὐκέτι πάμπαν Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς υἱὸς  
And never at all did swift Ajax, son of Oileus,

**702** ἵστατʼ ἀπʼ Αἴαντος Τελαμωνίου οὐδʼ ἠβαιόν,  
stand apart from Ajax, son of Telamon, not even a little,

**703** ἀλλʼ ὥς τʼ ἐν νειῷ βόε οἴνοπε πηκτὸν ἄροτρον  
but as in a fallow field two wine-dark oxen
> The plowing oxen: The simile makes the two Ajaxes a yoked pair. Their steadiness matters more here than speed or individual brilliance, which fits the heavy defensive fighting at the ships.

**704** ἶσον θυμὸν ἔχοντε τιταίνετον· ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρά σφι  
of one mind strain at the well-jointed plow,

**705** πρυμνοῖσιν κεράεσσι πολὺς ἀνακηκίει ἱδρώς·  
and much sweat springs up about the roots of their horns;

**706** τὼ μέν τε ζυγὸν οἶον ἐΰξοον ἀμφὶς ἐέργει  
and only the polished yoke keeps them apart

**707** ἱεμένω κατὰ ὦλκα· τέμει δέ τε τέλσον ἀρούρης·  
as they labor along the furrow; and it cuts the deep field;

**708** ὣς τὼ παρβεβαῶτε μάλʼ ἕστασαν ἀλλήλοιιν.  
so the two stood very close beside each other.

**709** ἀλλʼ ἤτοι Τελαμωνιάδῃ πολλοί τε καὶ ἐσθλοὶ  
But many brave companions followed Telamonian Ajax,

**710** λαοὶ ἕπονθʼ ἕταροι, οἵ οἱ σάκος ἐξεδέχοντο  
comrades who took his shield from him in turn

**711** ὁππότε μιν κάματός τε καὶ ἱδρὼς γούναθʼ ἵκοιτο.  
whenever toil and sweat came upon his knees.

**712** οὐδʼ ἄρʼ Ὀϊλιάδῃ μεγαλήτορι Λοκροὶ ἕποντο·  
But the great-hearted Locrians did not follow the son of Oileus;

**713** οὐ γάρ σφι σταδίῃ ὑσμίνῃ μίμνε φίλον κῆρ·  
for their hearts did not abide the close-set fight.

**714** οὐ γὰρ ἔχον κόρυθας χαλκήρεας ἱπποδασείας,  
They had no bronze helmets with horsehair crests,

**715** οὐδʼ ἔχον ἀσπίδας εὐκύκλους καὶ μείλινα δοῦρα,  
nor did they have round shields and ash spears,

**716** ἀλλʼ ἄρα τόξοισιν καὶ ἐϋστρεφεῖ οἶος ἀώτῳ  
but with bows and well-twisted sheep's wool for slings
> Twisted-wool slings: The phrase refers to wool twisted into sling-cords. It suits the Locrians' light missile warfare and sets them apart from the heavily armored fighters in front.

**717** Ἴλιον εἰς ἅμʼ ἕποντο πεποιθότες, οἷσιν ἔπειτα  
they had followed him to Ilios, trusting in those,

**718** ταρφέα βάλλοντες Τρώων ῥήγνυντο φάλαγγας·  
and with thick volleys they broke the Trojan ranks.

**719** δή ῥα τόθʼ οἳ μὲν πρόσθε σὺν ἔντεσι δαιδαλέοισι  
So those in front, with their gleaming armor,

**720** μάρναντο Τρωσίν τε καὶ Ἕκτορι χαλκοκορυστῇ,  
fought the Trojans and bronze-helmed Hector,
> Bronze-helmed Hector: This epithet is distinct from Hector of the flashing helm. Homer can attach more than one standing battle image to the same hero, and each phrase keeps its own wording.

**721** οἳ δʼ ὄπιθεν βάλλοντες ἐλάνθανον· οὐδέ τι χάρμης  
while those behind, shooting, escaped notice;

**722** Τρῶες μιμνήσκοντο· συνεκλόνεον γὰρ ὀϊστοί.  
and the Trojans remembered nothing of battle, for the arrows threw them into confusion.

**723** ἔνθά κε λευγαλέως νηῶν ἄπο καὶ κλισιάων  
Then in miserable plight from the ships and huts

**724** Τρῶες ἐχώρησαν προτὶ Ἴλιον ἠνεμόεσσαν,  
the Trojans would have drawn back toward windy Ilios,

**725** εἰ μὴ Πουλυδάμας θρασὺν Ἕκτορα εἶπε παραστάς·  
if Polydamas had not stood beside bold Hector and said:

**726** Ἕκτορ ἀμήχανός ἐσσι παραρρητοῖσι πιθέσθαι.  
"Hector, you are hard to persuade to yield to counsel.

**727** οὕνεκά τοι περὶ δῶκε θεὸς πολεμήϊα ἔργα  
Because a god has given you deeds of war beyond others,

**728** τοὔνεκα καὶ βουλῇ ἐθέλεις περιίδμεναι ἄλλων·  
for that reason you would also excel all men in counsel.

**729** ἀλλʼ οὔ πως ἅμα πάντα δυνήσεαι αὐτὸς ἑλέσθαι.  
But you can never take all things to yourself at once.

**730** ἄλλῳ μὲν γὰρ ἔδωκε θεὸς πολεμήϊα ἔργα,  
To one man a god gave the works of war,

**731** ἄλλῳ δʼ ὀρχηστύν, ἑτέρῳ κίθαριν καὶ ἀοιδήν,  
to another the dance, to another the lyre and song,

**732** ἄλλῳ δʼ ἐν στήθεσσι τιθεῖ νόον εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς  
and in another's breast wide-thundering Zeus places good understanding,
> Wide-thundering Zeus: This epithet ties Zeus to voice and thunder rather than to sight. Even in a speech about human abilities, Homer keeps the sound of the god's authority in the phrase.

**733** ἐσθλόν, τοῦ δέ τε πολλοὶ ἐπαυρίσκοντʼ ἄνθρωποι,  
and many men profit from it,

**734** καί τε πολέας ἐσάωσε, μάλιστα δὲ καὐτὸς ἀνέγνω.  
and it saves many, and he himself knows it best.

**735** αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω ὥς μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι ἄριστα·  
But I will say what seems to me to be best.

**736** πάντῃ γάρ σε περὶ στέφανος πολέμοιο δέδηε·  
For the crown of war has been kindled all around you.

**737** Τρῶες δὲ μεγάθυμοι ἐπεὶ κατὰ τεῖχος ἔβησαν  
Since the great-hearted Trojans came over the wall,

**738** οἳ μὲν ἀφεστᾶσιν σὺν τεύχεσιν, οἳ δὲ μάχονται  
some stand apart in their armor, while others fight

**739** παυρότεροι πλεόνεσσι κεδασθέντες κατὰ νῆας.  
fewer against more, scattered among the ships.

**740** ἀλλʼ ἀναχασσάμενος κάλει ἐνθάδε πάντας ἀρίστους·  
But draw back and call all the best men here.

**741** ἔνθεν δʼ ἂν μάλα πᾶσαν ἐπιφρασσαίμεθα βουλὴν  
Then from there we might consider every counsel fully,

**742** ἤ κεν ἐνὶ νήεσσι πολυκλήϊσι πέσωμεν  
whether we should fall upon the many-benched ships,

**743** αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃσι θεὸς δόμεναι κράτος, ἦ κεν ἔπειτα  
if a god is willing to give us the victory, or afterwards

**744** πὰρ νηῶν ἔλθωμεν ἀπήμονες. ἦ γὰρ ἔγωγε  
withdraw unscathed from the ships. For I indeed

**745** δείδω μὴ τὸ χθιζὸν ἀποστήσωνται Ἀχαιοὶ  
fear that the Achaeans may pay back yesterday's debt,

**746** χρεῖος, ἐπεὶ παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀνὴρ ἆτος πολέμοιο  
since a man glutted with battle waits beside the ships,

**747** μίμνει, ὃν οὐκέτι πάγχυ μάχης σχήσεσθαι ὀΐω.  
and I do not think he will much longer refrain from war."

**748** ὣς φάτο Πουλυδάμας, ἅδε δʼ Ἕκτορι μῦθος ἀπήμων,  
So Polydamas spoke, and his harmless counsel pleased Hector,
> Harmless counsel: The phrase praises counsel that does not bring ruin on one's own side. Here it marks Polydamas's plan as prudent and beneficial, not timid.

**749** αὐτίκα δʼ ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε  
and at once he leapt to the ground from his chariot in his armor.

**750** καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
And speaking to him he addressed him with winged words:

**751** Πουλυδάμα σὺ μὲν αὐτοῦ ἐρύκακε πάντας ἀρίστους,  
"Polydamas, do you hold all the best men here in this place,

**752** αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ κεῖσʼ εἶμι καὶ ἀντιόω πολέμοιο·  
I will go there and meet the battle,

**753** αἶψα δʼ ἐλεύσομαι αὖτις ἐπὴν εὖ τοῖς ἐπιτείλω.  
and I will swiftly come back when I have well given them my commands."

**754** ἦ ῥα, καὶ ὁρμήθη ὄρεϊ νιφόεντι ἐοικὼς  
So he spoke, and rushed off like a snowy mountain,
> Like a snowy mountain: The simile makes Hector vast, cold, and overwhelming at once. Homer can give a moving man the scale of a landscape when he wants the charge to feel elemental.

**755** κεκλήγων, διὰ δὲ Τρώων πέτετʼ ἠδʼ ἐπικούρων.  
shouting aloud, and sped through Trojans and allies.

**756** οἳ δʼ ἐς Πανθοΐδην ἀγαπήνορα Πουλυδάμαντα  
And all hurried toward Panthoos' brave son

**757** πάντες ἐπεσσεύοντʼ, ἐπεὶ Ἕκτορος ἔκλυον αὐδήν.  
Polydamas, since they heard Hector's voice.

**758** αὐτὰρ ὃ Δηΐφοβόν τε βίην θʼ Ἑλένοιο ἄνακτος  
But he kept going through the foremost ranks, seeking

**759** Ἀσιάδην τʼ Ἀδάμαντα καὶ Ἄσιον Ὑρτάκου υἱὸν  
Deiphobus and the strength of lord Helenus

**760** φοίτα ἀνὰ προμάχους διζήμενος, εἴ που ἐφεύροι.  
and Adamas son of Asius and Asius son of Hyrtacus,

**761** τοὺς δʼ εὗρʼ οὐκέτι πάμπαν ἀπήμονας οὐδʼ ἀνολέθρους·  
if anywhere he might find them. But he found them no longer

**762** ἀλλʼ οἳ μὲν δὴ νηυσὶν ἔπι πρυμνῇσιν Ἀχαιῶν  
unwounded and alive; instead some of them beside the sterns of the Achaean ships

**763** χερσὶν ὑπʼ Ἀργείων κέατο ψυχὰς ὀλέσαντες,  
lay at the hands of the Argives, having lost their lives,

**764** οἳ δʼ ἐν τείχει ἔσαν βεβλημένοι οὐτάμενοί τε.  
and some were within the wall, struck and wounded.

**765** τὸν δὲ τάχʼ εὗρε μάχης ἐπʼ ἀριστερὰ δακρυοέσσης  
But quickly he found on the left of the tearful battle

**766** δῖον Ἀλέξανδρον Ἑλένης πόσιν ἠϋκόμοιο  
godlike Paris, husband of lovely-haired Helen,

**767** θαρσύνονθʼ ἑτάρους καὶ ἐποτρύνοντα μάχεσθαι,  
heartening his companions and urging them to fight,

**768** ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱστάμενος προσέφη αἰσχροῖς ἐπέεσσι·  
and standing close beside him he spoke with words of reproach:

**769** Δύσπαρι εἶδος ἄριστε γυναιμανὲς ἠπεροπευτὰ  
"Evil Paris, best in looks, woman-mad, deceiver,
> Evil Paris: Hector does not use Paris' ordinary name here but a shaped insult built on it. The whole vocative line is formulaically sharp, piling beauty, lust, and deceit into one rebuke.

**770** ποῦ τοι Δηΐφοβός τε βίη θʼ Ἑλένοιο ἄνακτος  
where are Deiphobus and the strength of lord Helenus,

**771** Ἀσιάδης τʼ Ἀδάμας ἠδʼ Ἄσιος Ὑρτάκου υἱός;  
and Adamas son of Asius, and Asius son of Hyrtacus?

**772** ποῦ δέ τοι Ὀθρυονεύς; νῦν ὤλετο πᾶσα κατʼ ἄκρης  
Where is Othryoneus? Now steep Ilios has utterly perished.

**773** Ἴλιος αἰπεινή· νῦν τοι σῶς αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.  
Now indeed sheer destruction stands near you."

**774** τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδής·  
Then godlike Paris answered him:

**775** Ἕκτορ ἐπεί τοι θυμὸς ἀναίτιον αἰτιάασθαι,  
"Hector, since your heart drives you to blame one who is guiltless,

**776** ἄλλοτε δή ποτε μᾶλλον ἐρωῆσαι πολέμοιο  
some other day I might perhaps hold back from battle more,

**777** μέλλω, ἐπεὶ οὐδʼ ἐμὲ πάμπαν ἀνάλκιδα γείνατο μήτηρ·  
since my mother did not bear me utterly without courage.

**778** ἐξ οὗ γὰρ παρὰ νηυσὶ μάχην ἤγειρας ἑταίρων,  
From the hour when you stirred the battle of our companions beside the ships,

**779** ἐκ τοῦ δʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἐόντες ὁμιλέομεν Δαναοῖσι  
from that hour we have been here, fighting hand to hand

**780** νωλεμέως· ἕταροι δὲ κατέκταθεν οὓς σὺ μεταλλᾷς.  
without ceasing against the Danaans; but the companions you ask after have been killed.

**781** οἴω Δηΐφοβός τε βίη θʼ Ἑλένοιο ἄνακτος  
Only Deiphobus and the strength of lord Helenus

**782** οἴχεσθον, μακρῇσι τετυμμένω ἐγχείῃσιν  
are gone away, both wounded in the hand

**783** ἀμφοτέρω κατὰ χεῖρα· φόνον δʼ ἤμυνε Κρονίων.  
with the long spear; yet the son of Cronos warded death from them.

**784** νῦν δʼ ἄρχʼ ὅππῃ σε κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει·  
But now lead wherever your heart and spirit bid you,

**785** ἡμεῖς δʼ ἐμμεμαῶτες ἅμʼ ἑψόμεθʼ, οὐδέ τί φημι  
and we, eager as we are, will follow with you.

**786** ἀλκῆς δευήσεσθαι, ὅση δύναμίς γε πάρεστι.  
And I do not say that you will find us lacking in courage,

**787** πὰρ δύναμιν δʼ οὐκ ἔστι καὶ ἐσσύμενον πολεμίζειν.  
so far as our strength is present; beyond his strength no man, however eager, can fight."

**788** ὣς εἰπὼν παρέπεισεν ἀδελφειοῦ φρένας ἥρως·  
So speaking, the hero swayed his brother's mind

**789** βὰν δʼ ἴμεν ἔνθα μάλιστα μάχη καὶ φύλοπις ἦεν  
And they went where the battle and fighting were fiercest,

**790** ἀμφί τε Κεβριόνην καὶ ἀμύμονα Πουλυδάμαντα  
about Cebriones and blameless Polydamas

**791** Φάλκην Ὀρθαῖόν τε καὶ ἀντίθεον Πολυφήτην  
Phalces and Orthaeus and godlike Polyphetes,

**792** Πάλμύν τʼ Ἀσκάνιόν τε Μόρυν θʼ υἷʼ Ἱπποτίωνος,  
and Palmys and Ascanius and Morys son of Hippotion,

**793** οἵ ῥʼ ἐξ Ἀσκανίης ἐριβώλακος ἦλθον ἀμοιβοὶ  
who had come from deep-soiled Ascania as relief men

**794** ἠοῖ τῇ προτέρῃ· τότε δὲ Ζεὺς ὦρσε μάχεσθαι.  
on the day before; but now Zeus urged them to fight.

**795** οἳ δʼ ἴσαν ἀργαλέων ἀνέμων ἀτάλαντοι ἀέλλῃ,  
They went like the blasts of grievous winds,
> Like storm-blasts: The simile that follows compares the Trojan advance to gusts driven before a thunderstorm. Rank after rank becomes a weather front rolling in under Zeus's own sky.

**796** ἥ ῥά θʼ ὑπὸ βροντῆς πατρὸς Διὸς εἶσι πέδον δέ,  
which go over the earth beneath the thunder of father Zeus,

**797** θεσπεσίῳ δʼ ὁμάδῳ ἁλὶ μίσγεται, ἐν δέ τε πολλὰ  
and with wondrous roar mingle with the sea, and in it many

**798** κύματα παφλάζοντα πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης  
waves of the loud-roaring sea crash and splash,

**799** κυρτὰ φαληριόωντα, πρὸ μέν τʼ ἄλλʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐπʼ ἄλλα·  
arched and white-crested, one before another and another after.

**800** ὣς Τρῶες πρὸ μὲν ἄλλοι ἀρηρότες, αὐτὰρ ἐπʼ ἄλλοι,  
So the Trojans, rank on rank, some before and others after,

**801** χαλκῷ μαρμαίροντες ἅμʼ ἡγεμόνεσσιν ἕποντο.  
gleaming in bronze, followed with their leaders.

**802** Ἕκτωρ δʼ ἡγεῖτο βροτολοιγῷ ἶσος Ἄρηϊ  
Hector son of Priam led them, like man-slaying Ares,
> Like man-slaying Ares: When Hector enters the simile's wake, Homer measures him against Ares as a destroyer of mortals. The comparison is not moral praise so much as raw battlefield force.

**803** Πριαμίδης· πρόσθεν δʼ ἔχεν ἀσπίδα πάντοσʼ ἐΐσην  
and before him he held his shield, equal every way,

**804** ῥινοῖσιν πυκινήν, πολλὸς δʼ ἐπελήλατο χαλκός·  
thick with hides, and much bronze had been driven upon it;

**805** ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ κροτάφοισι φαεινὴ σείετο πήληξ.  
and about his temples his shining helmet shook.

**806** πάντῃ δʼ ἀμφὶ φάλαγγας ἐπειρᾶτο προποδίζων,  
He tried the ranks all along, stepping in front,

**807** εἴ πώς οἱ εἴξειαν ὑπασπίδια προβιβῶντι·  
to see if they would yield as he drove on beneath his shield;

**808** ἀλλʼ οὐ σύγχει θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν.  
but he did not confound the spirit in the breasts of the Achaeans.

**809** Αἴας δὲ πρῶτος προκαλέσσατο μακρὰ βιβάσθων·  
Ajax was first to challenge him, striding far ahead:

**810** δαιμόνιε σχεδὸν ἐλθέ· τί ἢ δειδίσσεαι αὔτως  
"Strange man, come near. Why do you vainly try to frighten

**811** Ἀργείους; οὔ τοί τι μάχης ἀδαήμονές εἰμεν,  
the Argives? We are not ignorant of battle,

**812** ἀλλὰ Διὸς μάστιγι κακῇ ἐδάμημεν Ἀχαιοί.  
though the Achaeans have been broken by the evil scourge of Zeus.

**813** ἦ θήν πού τοι θυμὸς ἐέλπεται ἐξαλαπάξειν  
No doubt your heart hopes to sack our ships;

**814** νῆας· ἄφαρ δέ τε χεῖρες ἀμύνειν εἰσὶ καὶ ἡμῖν.  
but hands belong to us as well, to defend them.

**815** ἦ κε πολὺ φθαίη εὖ ναιομένη πόλις ὑμὴ  
your own fair-settled city would much sooner be

**816** χερσὶν ὑφʼ ἡμετέρῃσιν ἁλοῦσά τε περθομένη τε.  
taken and sacked beneath our hands.

**817** σοὶ δʼ αὐτῷ φημὶ σχεδὸν ἔμμεναι ὁππότε φεύγων  
And for you yourself, I say the time is near when as you flee

**818** ἀρήσῃ Διὶ πατρὶ καὶ ἄλλοις ἀθανάτοισι  
you will pray to father Zeus and the other immortals

**819** θάσσονας ἰρήκων ἔμεναι καλλίτριχας ἵππους,  
that your horses, swift as hawks, may be swifter still,

**820** οἵ σε πόλιν δʼ οἴσουσι κονίοντες πεδίοιο.  
as they raise dust over the plain and carry you to the city."

**821** ὣς ἄρα οἱ εἰπόντι ἐπέπτατο δεξιὸς ὄρνις  
So he spoke, and upon his right a bird flew out,

**822** αἰετὸς ὑψιπέτης· ἐπὶ δʼ ἴαχε λαὸς Ἀχαιῶν  
a high-flying eagle; and the host of the Achaeans cried out,

**823** θάρσυνος οἰωνῷ· ὃ δʼ ἀμείβετο φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ·  
heartened by the omen; and shining Hector answered him:

**824** Αἶαν ἁμαρτοεπὲς βουγάϊε ποῖον ἔειπες·  
"Ajax, loud-boaster, babbler, what word was this you spoke?
> Ox-face: βουγάϊε is a coarse insult, suggesting thick-headed rustic heaviness. Hector stacks it beside another charge, ἁμαρτοεπές, to dismiss Ajax's speech as both stupid and false.

**825** εἰ γὰρ ἐγὼν οὕτω γε Διὸς πάϊς αἰγιόχοιο  
If only indeed I were so surely all my days

**826** εἴην ἤματα πάντα, τέκοι δέ με πότνια Ἥρη,  
son of aegis-bearing Zeus, and queenly Hera had borne me,

**827** τιοίμην δʼ ὡς τίετʼ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἀπόλλων,  
and honored as Athena and Apollo are honored,

**828** ὡς νῦν ἡμέρη ἥδε κακὸν φέρει Ἀργείοισι  
as surely as this day brings evil upon all the Argives,

**829** πᾶσι μάλʼ, ἐν δὲ σὺ τοῖσι πεφήσεαι, αἴ κε ταλάσσῃς  
and among them you shall be slain, if you dare

**830** μεῖναι ἐμὸν δόρυ μακρόν, ὅ τοι χρόα λειριόεντα  
to await my long spear, which will tear your lily-white flesh.
> Lily-white flesh: The phrase is a brightness image, not a softening one. Hector is threatening to rip open the visible fairness of Ajax's skin with the spear-point.

**831** δάψει· ἀτὰρ Τρώων κορέεις κύνας ἠδʼ οἰωνοὺς  
Then you will glut the dogs and birds of Troy

**832** δημῷ καὶ σάρκεσσι πεσὼν ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.  
with fat and flesh, once you have fallen beside the ships of the Achaeans."

**833** ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο· τοὶ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο  
So he spoke and led the way, and they followed with him

**834** ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ, ἐπὶ δʼ ἴαχε λαὸς ὄπισθεν.  
with a wondrous cry, and the host behind shouted aloud.

**835** Ἀργεῖοι δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἐπίαχον, οὐδὲ λάθοντο  
And from the other side the Argives shouted in answer,

**836** ἀλκῆς, ἀλλʼ ἔμενον Τρώων ἐπιόντας ἀρίστους.  
and did not forget their valor, but awaited the best of the Trojans as they came on.

**837** ἠχὴ δʼ ἀμφοτέρων ἵκετʼ αἰθέρα καὶ Διὸς αὐγάς.  
And the cry of both sides reached the ether and the beams of Zeus.

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Source text: public domain (Homer, ancient; Greek per the Murray text via the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 3.0). English translation: © 2026 1732 Studios, LLC — original line-aligned draft, pending editorial review. Word-by-word morphology and syntax derived from the Perseus Ancient Greek Dependency Treebank (CC BY-SA 3.0); English glosses and notes © 2026 1732 Studios, LLC.