# The Iliad, Book 17: The Battle for Patroclus

Ἰλιάς · Homer · The Patrocleia

The Greeks and Trojans fight over the body of Patroclus. Hector takes the armor of Achilles. Menelaus and Meriones carry the body away.

Source: https://1732studios.com/books/iliad/17. Data: https://1732studios.com/books/iliad/17.json. Audio: https://audio.1732studios.com/iliad/<line id>.m4a.

**1** οὐδʼ ἔλαθʼ Ἀτρέος υἱὸν ἀρηΐφιλον Μενέλαον  
Nor did it escape Menelaus, son of Atreus, dear to Ares,
> Menelaus, dear to Ares: This standing epithet marks Menelaus as favored by the war god; it does not make him Ares' son.

**2** Πάτροκλος Τρώεσσι δαμεὶς ἐν δηϊοτῆτι.  
that Patroclus had been overcome by the Trojans in the fighting.

**3** βῆ δὲ διὰ προμάχων κεκορυθμένος αἴθοπι χαλκῷ,  
And he strode out through the front ranks, helmed in gleaming bronze,

**4** ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτῷ βαῖνʼ ὥς τις περὶ πόρτακι μήτηρ  
and paced around him as a mother over her calf,

**5** πρωτοτόκος κινυρὴ οὐ πρὶν εἰδυῖα τόκοιο·  
a first-calf mother, lowing, who had never known birth before;
> A mother with her first calf: The adjective makes this the mother's first birth, sharpening the simile's bewildered grief and protectiveness.

**6** ὣς περὶ Πατρόκλῳ βαῖνε ξανθὸς Μενέλαος.  
so golden-haired Menelaus paced around Patroclus.

**7** πρόσθε δέ οἱ δόρυ τʼ ἔσχε καὶ ἀσπίδα πάντοσʼ ἐΐσην,  
And before him held his spear and shield rounded on every side,

**8** τὸν κτάμεναι μεμαὼς ὅς τις τοῦ γʼ ἀντίος ἔλθοι.  
eager to kill whoever came against him,

**9** οὐδʼ ἄρα Πάνθου υἱὸς ἐϋμμελίης ἀμέλησε  
Nor did the son of Panthous, skilled with the ash spear, neglect

**10** Πατρόκλοιο πεσόντος ἀμύμονος· ἄγχι δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτοῦ  
blameless Patroclus where he had fallen; he came close beside him,

**11** ἔστη, καὶ προσέειπεν ἀρηΐφιλον Μενέλαον·  
stood there, and addressed Menelaus, dear to Ares:

**12** Ἀτρεΐδη Μενέλαε διοτρεφὲς ὄρχαμε λαῶν  
"Menelaus, son of Atreus, Zeus-nurtured marshal of the people,
> Nurtured by Zeus: The royal epithet presents a leader's standing as sustained by Zeus; it praises authority rather than divine parentage.

**13** χάζεο, λεῖπε δὲ νεκρόν, ἔα δʼ ἔναρα βροτόεντα·  
draw back, leave the corpse, and let the blood-stained spoils be.

**14** οὐ γάρ τις πρότερος Τρώων κλειτῶν τʼ ἐπικούρων  
For no one before me among the Trojans and their famed allies

**15** Πάτροκλον βάλε δουρὶ κατὰ κρατερὴν ὑσμίνην·  
struck Patroclus with a spear through the fierce combat;
> A wound, not the killing stroke: Euphorbus claims that he struck Patroclus first. The verb does not make him the final killer; Hector delivered the fatal thrust.

**16** τώ με ἔα κλέος ἐσθλὸν ἐνὶ Τρώεσσιν ἀρέσθαι,  
so let me win noble glory among the Trojans,

**17** μή σε βάλω, ἀπὸ δὲ μελιηδέα θυμὸν ἕλωμαι.  
lest I strike you and take away your honey-sweet life."

**18** τὸν δὲ μέγʼ ὀχθήσας προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·  
Greatly angered, golden-haired Menelaus answered him:

**19** Ζεῦ πάτερ οὐ μὲν καλὸν ὑπέρβιον εὐχετάασθαι.  
"Father Zeus, it is not good to boast beyond measure.
> Beyond due measure: The compound condemns boasting that overreaches rightful human limits, not boasting in every form.

**20** οὔτʼ οὖν παρδάλιος τόσσον μένος οὔτε λέοντος  
Not even a leopard has such force, nor a lion,

**21** οὔτε συὸς κάπρου ὀλοόφρονος, οὗ τε μέγιστος  
nor a murderous wild boar, whose spirit most of all

**22** θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι περὶ σθένεϊ βλεμεαίνει,  
swells within his breast in pride of strength,

**23** ὅσσον Πάνθου υἷες ἐϋμμελίαι φρονέουσιν.  
as the sons of Panthous, skilled with the ash spear, think they have.
> Skilled with the ash spear: The epithet praises the brothers through the ash wood of the spear shaft, a concrete martial image.

**24** οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδὲ βίη Ὑπερήνορος ἱπποδάμοιο  
Yet the might of Hyperenor, tamer of horses,

**25** ἧς ἥβης ἀπόνηθʼ, ὅτε μʼ ὤνατο καί μʼ ὑπέμεινε  
had no joy of his youth when he scorned me and stood against me,

**26** καί μʼ ἔφατʼ ἐν Δαναοῖσιν ἐλέγχιστον πολεμιστὴν  
and said that among the Danaans I was the most contemptible warrior.

**27** ἔμμεναι· οὐδέ ἕ φημι πόδεσσί γε οἷσι κιόντα  
I do not think his own feet carried him home

**28** εὐφρῆναι ἄλοχόν τε φίλην κεδνούς τε τοκῆας.  
to gladden his dear wife and honored parents.

**29** ὥς θην καὶ σὸν ἐγὼ λύσω μένος εἴ κέ μευ ἄντα  
So surely I shall break your strength as well, if you

**30** στήῃς· ἀλλά σʼ ἔγωγʼ ἀναχωρήσαντα κελεύω  
stand against me. But I urge you to withdraw

**31** ἐς πληθὺν ἰέναι, μηδʼ ἀντίος ἵστασʼ ἐμεῖο  
into the throng, and not stand face to face with me

**32** πρίν τι κακὸν παθέειν· ῥεχθὲν δέ τε νήπιος ἔγνω.  
before you suffer harm; even a fool learns once the deed is done."
> The fool learns afterward: This proverbial close says that the heedless understand only after consequences have made the lesson plain.

**33** ὣς φάτο, τὸν δʼ οὐ πεῖθεν· ἀμειβόμενος δὲ προσηύδα·  
So he spoke, but did not persuade him; Euphorbus answered:

**34** νῦν μὲν δὴ Μενέλαε διοτρεφὲς ἦ μάλα τείσεις  
"Now indeed, Zeus-nurtured Menelaus, you shall pay in full

**35** γνωτὸν ἐμὸν τὸν ἔπεφνες, ἐπευχόμενος δʼ ἀγορεύεις,  
for my brother whom you killed, and over whom you speak in triumph.

**36** χήρωσας δὲ γυναῖκα μυχῷ θαλάμοιο νέοιο,  
You widowed his wife in the depths of their new-built bridal chamber,

**37** ἀρητὸν δὲ τοκεῦσι γόον καὶ πένθος ἔθηκας.  
and laid grievous lament and sorrow upon his parents.

**38** ἦ κέ σφιν δειλοῖσι γόου κατάπαυμα γενοίμην  
I might bring those poor two a respite from lament

**39** εἴ κεν ἐγὼ κεφαλήν τε τεὴν καὶ τεύχεʼ ἐνείκας  
if I carry your head and armor home

**40** Πάνθῳ ἐν χείρεσσι βάλω καὶ Φρόντιδι δίῃ.  
and place them in the hands of Panthous and shining Phrontis.

**41** ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰν ἔτι δηρὸν ἀπείρητος πόνος ἔσται  
But the labor will not remain untried for long,

**42** οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἀδήριτος ἤτʼ ἀλκῆς ἤτε φόβοιο.  
nor the struggle unfought, whether it ends in valor or in flight."

**43** ὣς εἰπὼν οὔτησε κατʼ ἀσπίδα πάντοσʼ ἐΐσην·  
So speaking, he struck the shield, round on every side.
> The blow lands on the shield: The verb marks Euphorbus' thrust, but the following line makes clear that the bronze point does not pierce Menelaus' defense.

**44** οὐδʼ ἔρρηξεν χαλκός, ἀνεγνάμφθη δέ οἱ αἰχμὴ  
But the bronze did not break through; the point bent back

**45** ἀσπίδʼ ἐνὶ κρατερῇ· ὃ δὲ δεύτερος ὄρνυτο χαλκῷ  
in the stout shield. Then he in turn rose with his bronze,

**46** Ἀτρεΐδης Μενέλαος ἐπευξάμενος Διὶ πατρί·  
the son of Atreus, Menelaus, praying to father Zeus:

**47** ἂψ δʼ ἀναχαζομένοιο κατὰ στομάχοιο θέμεθλα  
As Euphorbus drew back, Menelaus stabbed him at the base of the throat

**48** νύξʼ, ἐπὶ δʼ αὐτὸς ἔρεισε βαρείῃ χειρὶ πιθήσας·  
and leaned his weight upon it, trusting in his heavy hand;

**49** ἀντικρὺ δʼ ἁπαλοῖο διʼ αὐχένος ἤλυθʼ ἀκωκή,  
the point passed straight through his tender neck,
> Straight through: The adverb gives the wound's direction: the spear point passes completely through Euphorbus' neck.

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

**51** αἵματί οἱ δεύοντο κόμαι Χαρίτεσσιν ὁμοῖαι  
His hair, lovely as the Graces, was drenched in blood,

**52** πλοχμοί θʼ, οἳ χρυσῷ τε καὶ ἀργύρῳ ἐσφήκωντο.  
and the braids that were bound with gold and silver.

**53** οἷον δὲ τρέφει ἔρνος ἀνὴρ ἐριθηλὲς ἐλαίης  
As a man tends the flourishing shoot of an olive

**54** χώρῳ ἐν οἰοπόλῳ, ὅθʼ ἅλις ἀναβέβροχεν ὕδωρ,  
in a lonely place where water wells up in abundance,

**55** καλὸν τηλεθάον· τὸ δέ τε πνοιαὶ δονέουσι  
lovely and thriving; the breaths of winds shake it

**56** παντοίων ἀνέμων, καί τε βρύει ἄνθεϊ λευκῷ·  
from every side, and it bursts into white blossom;

**57** ἐλθὼν δʼ ἐξαπίνης ἄνεμος σὺν λαίλαπι πολλῇ  
but suddenly a wind comes with a mighty gale,

**58** βόθρου τʼ ἐξέστρεψε καὶ ἐξετάνυσσʼ ἐπὶ γαίῃ·  
wrenches it from its trench and stretches it upon the earth;

**59** τοῖον Πάνθου υἱὸν ἐϋμμελίην Εὔφορβον  
such was Euphorbus, son of Panthous, skilled with the ash spear,

**60** Ἀτρεΐδης Μενέλαος ἐπεὶ κτάνε τεύχεʼ ἐσύλα.  
whom Menelaus, son of Atreus, killed and stripped of armor.

**61** ὡς δʼ ὅτε τίς τε λέων ὀρεσίτροφος ἀλκὶ πεποιθὼς  
As when a mountain-bred lion, trusting in his strength,

**62** βοσκομένης ἀγέλης βοῦν ἁρπάσῃ ἥ τις ἀρίστη·  
seizes the finest cow from a grazing herd:

**63** τῆς δʼ ἐξ αὐχένʼ ἔαξε λαβὼν κρατεροῖσιν ὀδοῦσι  
Seizing her, he first breaks her neck with his strong teeth,

**64** πρῶτον, ἔπειτα δέ θʼ αἷμα καὶ ἔγκατα πάντα λαφύσσει  
then gulps down all her blood and entrails;

**65** δῃῶν· ἀμφὶ δὲ τόν γε κύνες τʼ ἄνδρές τε νομῆες  
devouring her; around him dogs and herdsmen

**66** πολλὰ μάλʼ ἰύζουσιν ἀπόπροθεν οὐδʼ ἐθέλουσιν  
raise a great clamor from far off, but they will not

**67** ἀντίον ἐλθέμεναι· μάλα γὰρ χλωρὸν δέος αἱρεῖ·  
come against him, for pale fear seizes them utterly;

**68** ὣς τῶν οὔ τινι θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐτόλμα  
so none of them had a heart within his breast that dared

**69** ἀντίον ἐλθέμεναι Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο.  
to come against glorious Menelaus.

**70** ἔνθά κε ῥεῖα φέροι κλυτὰ τεύχεα Πανθοΐδαο  
Then he would easily have carried away the splendid armor of Panthous' son,

**71** Ἀτρεΐδης, εἰ μή οἱ ἀγάσσατο Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,  
Menelaus, son of Atreus, had Phoebus Apollo not begrudged it to him,

**72** ὅς ῥά οἱ Ἕκτορʼ ἐπῶρσε θοῷ ἀτάλαντον Ἄρηϊ  
and roused Hector against him, equal to swift Ares,

**73** ἀνέρι εἰσάμενος Κικόνων ἡγήτορι Μέντῃ·  
taking the likeness of Mentes, leader of the Cicones;

**74** καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
And speaking to him he addressed him with winged words:
> Winged words: This recurring speech formula imagines words taking flight from speaker to hearer. Here both pronouns refer to Hector.

**75** Ἕκτορ νῦν σὺ μὲν ὧδε θέεις ἀκίχητα διώκων  
"Hector, you are running this way now in pursuit of what you cannot catch,

**76** ἵππους Αἰακίδαο δαΐφρονος· οἳ δʼ ἀλεγεινοὶ  
the horses of the warlike son of Aeacus; but they are hard
> The son of Aeacus: The patronymic names Achilles through his grandfather Aeacus. The horses belong to Achilles, not to Hector or Patroclus.

**77** ἀνδράσι γε θνητοῖσι δαμήμεναι ἠδʼ ὀχέεσθαι  
for mortal men to master and to drive,

**78** ἄλλῳ γʼ ἢ Ἀχιλῆϊ, τὸν ἀθανάτη τέκε μήτηρ.  
for any but Achilles, whom an immortal mother bore.

**79** τόφρα δέ τοι Μενέλαος ἀρήϊος Ἀτρέος υἱὸς  
Meanwhile warlike Menelaus, son of Atreus, standing over Patroclus,

**80** Πατρόκλῳ περιβὰς Τρώων τὸν ἄριστον ἔπεφνε  
has killed the finest of the Trojans,

**81** Πανθοΐδην Εὔφορβον, ἔπαυσε δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς.  
Euphorbus, son of Panthous, and stopped his furious valor."

**82** ὣς εἰπὼν ὃ μὲν αὖτις ἔβη θεὸς ἂμ πόνον ἀνδρῶν,  
So he spoke, and the god went back again amid the toil of men.
> The toil of men: The phrase compresses the whole burden of battle into human toil; Apollo returns into it while remaining the divine actor.

**83** Ἕκτορα δʼ αἰνὸν ἄχος πύκασε φρένας ἀμφὶ μελαίνας·  
But dread grief shrouded Hector's dark heart within him;

**84** πάπτηνεν δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα κατὰ στίχας, αὐτίκα δʼ ἔγνω  
then he looked along the ranks and at once recognized

**85** τὸν μὲν ἀπαινύμενον κλυτὰ τεύχεα, τὸν δʼ ἐπὶ γαίῃ  
the one stripping away the splendid armor, and the other on the ground

**86** κείμενον· ἔρρει δʼ αἷμα κατʼ οὐταμένην ὠτειλήν.  
lying there; blood ran from his open wound.
> An open spear wound: The participle and noun together keep the injury concrete: blood runs from Euphorbus' freshly made wound.

**87** βῆ δὲ διὰ προμάχων κεκορυθμένος αἴθοπι χαλκῷ  
And he strode out through the front ranks, helmed in gleaming bronze,

**88** ὀξέα κεκλήγων φλογὶ εἴκελος Ἡφαίστοιο  
crying sharply, like Hephaestus' flame,

**89** ἀσβέστῳ· οὐδʼ υἱὸν λάθεν Ἀτρέος ὀξὺ βοήσας·  
unquenchable; nor did his piercing shout escape the son of Atreus,

**90** ὀχθήσας δʼ ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν·  
then in anguish he spoke to his own great-hearted spirit:

**91** ὤ μοι ἐγὼν εἰ μέν κε λίπω κάτα τεύχεα καλὰ  
"Ah me, if I leave behind the fine armor

**92** Πάτροκλόν θʼ, ὃς κεῖται ἐμῆς ἕνεκʼ ἐνθάδε τιμῆς,  
and Patroclus, who lies here for the sake of my honor,
> Menelaus' honor: Menelaus sees Patroclus' presence and death as bound to his own standing in battle, which makes abandoning the body a matter of shame.

**93** μή τίς μοι Δαναῶν νεμεσήσεται ὅς κεν ἴδηται.  
will not some Danaan who sees it be angry with me?

**94** εἰ δέ κεν Ἕκτορι μοῦνος ἐὼν καὶ Τρωσὶ μάχωμαι  
But if, ashamed to yield, I fight Hector and the Trojans alone,

**95** αἰδεσθείς, μή πώς με περιστήωσʼ ἕνα πολλοί·  
may they not surround me, many against one?

**96** Τρῶας δʼ ἐνθάδε πάντας ἄγει κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ.  
For Hector of the flashing helm is bringing all the Trojans here.

**97** ἀλλὰ τί ἤ μοι ταῦτα φίλος διελέξατο θυμός;  
But why has my dear spirit debated this with me?

**98** ὁππότʼ ἀνὴρ ἐθέλῃ πρὸς δαίμονα φωτὶ μάχεσθαι  
Whenever a man chooses, against a divine power, to fight a warrior
> Whenever: The temporal conjunction makes Menelaus' reflection general: whenever a mortal opposes a god-backed warrior, disaster follows.

**99** ὅν κε θεὸς τιμᾷ, τάχα οἱ μέγα πῆμα κυλίσθη.  
whom a god honors, soon great ruin rolls upon him.

**100** τώ μʼ οὔ τις Δαναῶν νεμεσήσεται ὅς κεν ἴδηται  
So no Danaan who sees me will be angry with me

**101** Ἕκτορι χωρήσαντʼ, ἐπεὶ ἐκ θεόφιν πολεμίζει.  
for yielding to Hector, since he fights with a god's aid.

**102** εἰ δέ που Αἴαντός γε βοὴν ἀγαθοῖο πυθοίμην,  
But if only I could hear word of Ajax, good at the war-cry,

**103** ἄμφω κʼ αὖτις ἰόντες ἐπιμνησαίμεθα χάρμης  
then we two might turn back and remember battle-joy,

**104** καὶ πρὸς δαίμονά περ, εἴ πως ἐρυσαίμεθα νεκρὸν  
even against a divine power, if somehow we might save the corpse

**105** Πηλεΐδῃ Ἀχιλῆϊ· κακῶν δέ κε φέρτατον εἴη.  
for Achilles, son of Peleus; that would be best among these evils."

**106** εἷος ὁ ταῦθʼ ὅρμαινε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμὸν  
While he pondered these things in his mind and spirit,

**107** τόφρα δʼ ἐπὶ Τρώων στίχες ἤλυθον· ἦρχε δʼ ἄρʼ Ἕκτωρ.  
the Trojan ranks came on, and Hector led them.

**108** αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ ἐξοπίσω ἀνεχάζετο, λεῖπε δὲ νεκρὸν  
Menelaus drew backward and left the corpse,

**109** ἐντροπαλιζόμενος ὥς τε λὶς ἠϋγένειος,  
turning again and again, like a bearded lion
> Turning while retreating: The participle describes a fighting withdrawal: Menelaus repeatedly turns back toward the threat rather than simply fleeing.

**110** ὅν ῥα κύνες τε καὶ ἄνδρες ἀπὸ σταθμοῖο δίωνται  
whom dogs and men drive away from a stockyard

**111** ἔγχεσι καὶ φωνῇ· τοῦ δʼ ἐν φρεσὶν ἄλκιμον ἦτορ  
with spears and shouting; his bold heart within him

**112** παχνοῦται, ἀέκων δέ τʼ ἔβη ἀπὸ μεσσαύλοιο·  
grows chilled, and unwillingly he goes from the inner fold;

**113** ὣς ἀπὸ Πατρόκλοιο κίε ξανθὸς Μενέλαος.  
so golden-haired Menelaus went away from Patroclus.

**114** στῆ δὲ μεταστρεφθεὶς ἐπεὶ ἵκετο ἔθνος ἑταίρων  
He turned and stood when he reached the company of his comrades,

**115** παπταίνων Αἴαντα μέγαν Τελαμώνιον υἱόν.  
scanning for great Ajax, son of Telamon.

**116** τὸν δὲ μάλʼ αἶψʼ ἐνόησε μάχης ἐπʼ ἀριστερὰ πάσης  
He quickly noticed him on the left of the whole battle,

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

**118** θεσπέσιον γάρ σφιν φόβον ἔμβαλε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων·  
for Phoebus Apollo had cast a wondrous panic among them.
> A panic beyond mortal measure: The adjective marks the fear as divinely sent: Apollo, not Ajax or Menelaus, has thrown the Achaeans into panic.

**119** βῆ δὲ θέειν, εἶθαρ δὲ παριστάμενος ἔπος ηὔδα.  
He broke into a run, and at once stood beside him and spoke:

**120** Αἶαν δεῦρο πέπον, περὶ Πατρόκλοιο θανόντος  
"Ajax, come here, dear friend, for dead Patroclus;

**121** σπεύσομεν, αἴ κε νέκυν περ Ἀχιλλῆϊ προφέρωμεν  
let us hasten, in hopes that we may carry the corpse to Achilles,

**122** γυμνόν· ἀτὰρ τά γε τεύχεʼ ἔχει κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ.  
naked; but Hector of the flashing helm holds his armor."
> Stripped naked: Patroclus is the naked corpse. Hector currently holds the armor, but it belongs to Achilles, who lent it to Patroclus.

**123** ὣς ἔφατʼ, Αἴαντι δὲ δαΐφρονι θυμὸν ὄρινε·  
So he spoke and stirred the warlike heart in Ajax;

**124** βῆ δὲ διὰ προμάχων, ἅμα δὲ ξανθὸς Μενέλαος.  
he strode through the front ranks, and golden-haired Menelaus went with him.

**125** Ἕκτωρ μὲν Πάτροκλον ἐπεὶ κλυτὰ τεύχεʼ ἀπηύρα,  
When Hector had stripped the splendid armor from Patroclus,

**126** ἕλχʼ ἵνʼ ἀπʼ ὤμοιιν κεφαλὴν τάμοι ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,  
he dragged him away to cut the head from his shoulders with sharp bronze,
> A threatened beheading: Hector is dragging Patroclus' corpse with the intention of cutting off its head; the action remains prospective here.

**127** τὸν δὲ νέκυν Τρῳῇσιν ἐρυσσάμενος κυσὶ δοίη.  
and haul off the corpse and give it to the dogs of Troy.

**128** Αἴας δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε φέρων σάκος ἠΰτε πύργον·  
Ajax came near, bearing a shield like a tower,

**129** Ἕκτωρ δʼ ἂψ ἐς ὅμιλον ἰὼν ἀνεχάζεθʼ ἑταίρων,  
and Hector withdrew again into the throng of his comrades,

**130** ἐς δίφρον δʼ ἀνόρουσε· δίδου δʼ ὅ γε τεύχεα καλὰ  
then leapt into his chariot; he gave the fine armor

**131** Τρωσὶ φέρειν προτὶ ἄστυ, μέγα κλέος ἔμμεναι αὐτῷ.  
to the Trojans to carry toward the city, to be great glory for himself.

**132** Αἴας δʼ ἀμφὶ Μενοιτιάδῃ σάκος εὐρὺ καλύψας  
Ajax covered the son of Menoetius with his broad shield

**133** ἑστήκει ὥς τίς τε λέων περὶ οἷσι τέκεσσιν,  
and stood over him like a lion over its own cubs,

**134** ᾧ ῥά τε νήπιʼ ἄγοντι συναντήσωνται ἐν ὕλῃ  
when hunters meet him in the woods as he leads his little ones;

**135** ἄνδρες ἐπακτῆρες· ὃ δέ τε σθένεϊ βλεμεαίνει,  
he swells in the pride of strength,

**136** πᾶν δέ τʼ ἐπισκύνιον κάτω ἕλκεται ὄσσε καλύπτων·  
and draws his whole brow downward to cover his eyes;

**137** ὣς Αἴας περὶ Πατρόκλῳ ἥρωϊ βεβήκει.  
so Ajax had planted himself over the hero Patroclus.

**138** Ἀτρεΐδης δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἀρηΐφιλος Μενέλαος  
On the other side stood Menelaus, son of Atreus, dear to Ares,

**139** ἑστήκει, μέγα πένθος ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἀέξων.  
nursing great sorrow within his breast.

**140** Γλαῦκος δʼ Ἱππολόχοιο πάϊς Λυκίων ἀγὸς ἀνδρῶν  
Then Glaucus, son of Hippolochus, leader of the Lycian men,

**141** Ἕκτορʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν χαλεπῷ ἠνίπαπε μύθῳ·  
glaring at him from under his brows, rebuked Hector with a harsh word:
> The dark look: The fixed phrase marks a hostile glare from beneath the brows. Here Glaucus directs it at Hector before his rebuke.

**142** Ἕκτορ εἶδος ἄριστε μάχης ἄρα πολλὸν ἐδεύεο.  
"Hector, best in looks, how far short you fall in battle!

**143** ἦ σʼ αὔτως κλέος ἐσθλὸν ἔχει φύξηλιν ἐόντα.  
Surely your noble fame is empty, since you are a runaway.

**144** φράζεο νῦν ὅππως κε πόλιν καὶ ἄστυ σαώσῃς  
Consider now how you may save the city and citadel

**145** οἶος σὺν λαοῖς τοὶ Ἰλίῳ ἐγγεγάασιν·  
alone with the people who were born in Ilium;

**146** οὐ γάρ τις Λυκίων γε μαχησόμενος Δαναοῖσιν  
for no Lycian will go to fight the Danaans

**147** εἶσι περὶ πτόλιος, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἄρα τις χάρις ἦεν  
around the city, since there has been no thanks at all

**148** μάρνασθαι δηΐοισιν ἐπʼ ἀνδράσι νωλεμὲς αἰεί.  
for fighting enemy men always and without cease.

**149** πῶς κε σὺ χείρονα φῶτα σαώσειας μεθʼ ὅμιλον  
How would you save a lesser man amid the throng,

**150** σχέτλιʼ, ἐπεὶ Σαρπηδόνʼ ἅμα ξεῖνον καὶ ἑταῖρον  
cruel man, when you left Sarpedon, both guest-friend and companion,

**151** κάλλιπες Ἀργείοισιν ἕλωρ καὶ κύρμα γενέσθαι,  
to become spoil and prey for the Argives,
> Spoil and prey: The paired nouns reduce Sarpedon's abandoned body to something enemies may seize and animals may tear, intensifying Glaucus' accusation.

**152** ὅς τοι πόλλʼ ὄφελος γένετο πτόλεΐ τε καὶ αὐτῷ  
though while alive he brought much aid to your city and to you?

**153** ζωὸς ἐών· νῦν δʼ οὔ οἱ ἀλαλκέμεναι κύνας ἔτλης.  
Yet now you did not dare to keep the dogs away from him.

**154** τὼ νῦν εἴ τις ἐμοὶ Λυκίων ἐπιπείσεται ἀνδρῶν  
So now, if any of the Lycian men will heed me,

**155** οἴκαδʼ ἴμεν, Τροίῃ δὲ πεφήσεται αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.  
let us go home, and sheer destruction will befall Troy.

**156** εἰ γὰρ νῦν Τρώεσσι μένος πολυθαρσὲς ἐνείη  
For if the Trojans now possessed a bold and steadfast strength,

**157** ἄτρομον, οἷόν τʼ ἄνδρας ἐσέρχεται οἳ περὶ πάτρης  
fearless, such as enters men who for their homeland

**158** ἀνδράσι δυσμενέεσσι πόνον καὶ δῆριν ἔθεντο,  
have taken up toil and strife against hostile men,

**159** αἶψά κε Πάτροκλον ἐρυσαίμεθα Ἴλιον εἴσω.  
we would quickly drag Patroclus within Ilium.

**160** εἰ δʼ οὗτος προτὶ ἄστυ μέγα Πριάμοιο ἄνακτος  
And if this dead man came to the great city of lord Priam,

**161** ἔλθοι τεθνηὼς καί μιν ἐρυσαίμεθα χάρμης,  
and we dragged him from the fighting,

**162** αἶψά κεν Ἀργεῖοι Σαρπηδόνος ἔντεα καλὰ  
the Argives would quickly release Sarpedon's fine armor,

**163** λύσειαν, καί κʼ αὐτὸν ἀγοίμεθα Ἴλιον εἴσω·  
and we would bring Sarpedon himself within Ilium;

**164** τοίου γὰρ θεράπων πέφατʼ ἀνέρος, ὃς μέγʼ ἄριστος  
for the attendant of that man has been killed—the man who is far the best
> A battlefield companion: The word describes Patroclus as Achilles' close martial attendant and companion, not a household servant.

**165** Ἀργείων παρὰ νηυσὶ καὶ ἀγχέμαχοι θεράποντες.  
of the Argives beside the ships—he and his close-fighting companions—

**166** ἀλλὰ σύ γʼ Αἴαντος μεγαλήτορος οὐκ ἐτάλασσας  
But you did not dare stand before great-hearted Ajax

**167** στήμεναι ἄντα κατʼ ὄσσε ἰδὼν δηΐων ἐν ἀϋτῇ,  
and look him in the eyes amid the cry of enemies,

**168** οὐδʼ ἰθὺς μαχέσασθαι, ἐπεὶ σέο φέρτερός ἐστι.  
nor fight him head-on, since he is stronger than you."

**169** τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ·  
Then, glaring at him from under his brows, Hector of the flashing helm spoke:

**170** Γλαῦκε τί ἢ δὲ σὺ τοῖος ἐὼν ὑπέροπλον ἔειπες;  
"Glaucus, why, being such a man, did you speak so arrogantly?

**171** ὢ πόποι ἦ τʼ ἐφάμην σὲ περὶ φρένας ἔμμεναι ἄλλων  
Ah, I thought you surpassed all others in understanding

**172** τῶν ὅσσοι Λυκίην ἐριβώλακα ναιετάουσι·  
of all who dwell in rich-soiled Lycia;

**173** νῦν δέ σευ ὠνοσάμην πάγχυ φρένας οἷον ἔειπες,  
but now I wholly scorn your mind for what you have said,

**174** ὅς τέ με φῂς Αἴαντα πελώριον οὐχ ὑπομεῖναι.  
when you say I will not face huge Ajax.

**175** οὔ τοι ἐγὼν ἔρριγα μάχην οὐδὲ κτύπον ἵππων·  
I do not shudder at battle or the din of horses;

**176** ἀλλʼ αἰεί τε Διὸς κρείσσων νόος αἰγιόχοιο,  
but the mind of Zeus who bears the aegis is always stronger,

**177** ὅς τε καὶ ἄλκιμον ἄνδρα φοβεῖ καὶ ἀφείλετο νίκην  
he puts even a valiant man to flight and takes away his victory

**178** ῥηϊδίως, ὁτὲ δʼ αὐτὸς ἐποτρύνει μαχέσασθαι.  
with ease, yet at another time himself urges him to fight.

**179** ἀλλʼ ἄγε δεῦρο πέπον, παρʼ ἔμʼ ἵστασο καὶ ἴδε ἔργον,  
But come here, friend, stand beside me and see the deed,

**180** ἠὲ πανημέριος κακὸς ἔσσομαι, ὡς ἀγορεύεις,  
whether I will be a coward all day, as you declare,

**181** ἦ τινα καὶ Δαναῶν ἀλκῆς μάλα περ μεμαῶτα  
or whether I shall stop some Danaan, however eager in valor,

**182** σχήσω ἀμυνέμεναι περὶ Πατρόκλοιο θανόντος.  
from defending dead Patroclus."

**183** ὣς εἰπὼν Τρώεσσιν ἐκέκλετο μακρὸν ἀΰσας·  
So he spoke and called to the Trojans with a long, loud cry:

**184** Τρῶες καὶ Λύκιοι καὶ Δάρδανοι ἀγχιμαχηταί,  
"Trojans and Lycians and Dardanians, close-fighters,

**185** ἀνέρες ἔστε φίλοι, μνήσασθε δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς,  
be men, my friends, and remember your furious valor,

**186** ὄφρʼ ἂν ἐγὼν Ἀχιλῆος ἀμύμονος ἔντεα δύω  
while I put on the fine armor of blameless Achilles,

**187** καλά, τὰ Πατρόκλοιο βίην ἐνάριξα κατακτάς.  
which I stripped by force from Patroclus after killing him."
> Kill and strip: The paired verbs keep two acts distinct: Hector killed Patroclus and stripped the armor from his corpse. The armor itself belongs to Achilles.

**188** ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἀπέβη κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ  
So he spoke, and Hector of the flashing helm departed;

**189** δηΐου ἐκ πολέμοιο· θέων δʼ ἐκίχανεν ἑταίρους  
from the deadly war; running, he caught up with his comrades

**190** ὦκα μάλʼ οὔ πω τῆλε ποσὶ κραιπνοῖσι μετασπών,  
very quickly, not yet far away, following with swift feet,

**191** οἳ προτὶ ἄστυ φέρον κλυτὰ τεύχεα Πηλεΐωνος.  
who were carrying the renowned armor of Peleus' son toward the city.

**192** στὰς δʼ ἀπάνευθε μάχης πολυδακρύου ἔντεʼ ἄμειβεν·  
Standing apart from the tear-filled battle, he exchanged his armor.

**193** ἤτοι ὃ μὲν τὰ ἃ δῶκε φέρειν προτὶ Ἴλιον ἱρὴν  
His own he gave them to carry toward sacred Ilion

**194** Τρωσὶ φιλοπτολέμοισιν, ὃ δʼ ἄμβροτα τεύχεα δῦνε  
for the war-loving Trojans, while he put on the immortal armor

**195** Πηλεΐδεω Ἀχιλῆος ἅ οἱ θεοὶ Οὐρανίωνες  
of Peleus' son Achilles, which the heavenly gods

**196** πατρὶ φίλῳ ἔπορον· ὃ δʼ ἄρα ᾧ παιδὶ ὄπασσε  
had given his dear father; and he gave it to his son

**197** γηράς· ἀλλʼ οὐχ υἱὸς ἐν ἔντεσι πατρὸς ἐγήρα.  
when he grew old—but the son did not grow old in his father's armor.

**198** τὸν δʼ ὡς οὖν ἀπάνευθεν ἴδεν νεφεληγερέτα Ζεὺς  
When Zeus the cloud-gatherer saw him from afar

**199** τεύχεσι Πηλεΐδαο κορυσσόμενον θείοιο,  
arming himself in the armor of the godlike son of Peleus,

**200** κινήσας ῥα κάρη προτὶ ὃν μυθήσατο θυμόν·  
he shook his head and spoke to his own heart:

**201** ἆ δείλʼ οὐδέ τί τοι θάνατος καταθύμιός ἐστιν  
"Ah, poor wretch, death is nowhere in your thoughts,

**202** ὃς δή τοι σχεδὸν εἶσι· σὺ δʼ ἄμβροτα τεύχεα δύνεις  
though it is already drawing near you; yet you put on the immortal armor

**203** ἀνδρὸς ἀριστῆος, τόν τε τρομέουσι καὶ ἄλλοι·  
of the best of men, whom even others tremble before.

**204** τοῦ δὴ ἑταῖρον ἔπεφνες ἐνηέα τε κρατερόν τε,  
His companion, gentle and mighty, you have slain,

**205** τεύχεα δʼ οὐ κατὰ κόσμον ἀπὸ κρατός τε καὶ ὤμων  
and not in fitting order did you strip the armor from his head and shoulders.
> Not in due order: κόσμος here means fitting order or propriety, not physical ornament. Zeus condemns the way Hector stripped and assumed the divine armor.

**206** εἵλευ· ἀτάρ τοι νῦν γε μέγα κράτος ἐγγυαλίξω,  
But now I shall place great might in your hands,

**207** τῶν ποινὴν ὅ τοι οὔ τι μάχης ἐκνοστήσαντι  
in recompense for this, since you will never return from battle,

**208** δέξεται Ἀνδρομάχη κλυτὰ τεύχεα Πηλεΐωνος.  
and Andromache will not receive from you the renowned armor of Peleus' son."

**209** ἦ καὶ κυανέῃσιν ἐπʼ ὀφρύσι νεῦσε Κρονίων.  
So he spoke, and the son of Cronos bowed his head, his dark brows lowering;

**210** Ἕκτορι δʼ ἥρμοσε τεύχεʼ ἐπὶ χροΐ, δῦ δέ μιν Ἄρης  
The armor fitted Hector's body, and Ares entered him,

**211** δεινὸς ἐνυάλιος, πλῆσθεν δʼ ἄρα οἱ μέλεʼ ἐντὸς  
terrible Enyalius; all his limbs within were filled

**212** ἀλκῆς καὶ σθένεος· μετὰ δὲ κλειτοὺς ἐπικούρους  
with valor and strength, and among the glorious allies

**213** βῆ ῥα μέγα ἰάχων· ἰνδάλλετο δέ σφισι πᾶσι  
he went with a mighty shout; to all of them he seemed

**214** τεύχεσι λαμπόμενος μεγαθύμου Πηλεΐωνος.  
the great-hearted son of Peleus, blazing in his armor.

**215** ὄτρυνεν δὲ ἕκαστον ἐποιχόμενος ἐπέεσσι  
He went to each man and urged him on with words—

**216** Μέσθλην τε Γλαῦκόν τε Μέδοντά τε Θερσίλοχόν τε  
Mesthles and Glaucus and Medon and Thersilochus,

**217** Ἀστεροπαῖόν τε Δεισήνορά θʼ Ἱππόθοόν τε  
Asteropaeus and Deisenor and Hippothous,

**218** Φόρκυν τε Χρομίον τε καὶ Ἔννομον οἰωνιστήν·  
Phorcys and Chromius and Ennomus the reader of birds;

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

**220** κέκλυτε μυρία φῦλα περικτιόνων ἐπικούρων·  
"Hear me, countless tribes of allies dwelling round about.
> Allies from surrounding lands: The ἐπίκουροι are allied contingents drawn from peoples around Troy, not Trojans proper. Hector addresses their many separate communities as one force.

**221** οὐ γὰρ ἐγὼ πληθὺν διζήμενος οὐδὲ χατίζων  
For it was not seeking numbers, nor from want,

**222** ἐνθάδʼ ἀφʼ ὑμετέρων πολίων ἤγειρα ἕκαστον,  
that I gathered each of you here from your cities,

**223** ἀλλʼ ἵνα μοι Τρώων ἀλόχους καὶ νήπια τέκνα  
but so that the Trojan wives and helpless children

**224** προφρονέως ῥύοισθε φιλοπτολέμων ὑπʼ Ἀχαιῶν.  
you would defend with ready heart from the war-loving Achaeans.

**225** τὰ φρονέων δώροισι κατατρύχω καὶ ἐδωδῇ  
With this in mind I wear my people down with gifts and food,

**226** λαούς, ὑμέτερον δὲ ἑκάστου θυμὸν ἀέξω.  
and stir up the spirit of each one of you.

**227** τώ τις νῦν ἰθὺς τετραμμένος ἢ ἀπολέσθω  
Therefore let each turn straight on now, and either perish

**228** ἠὲ σαωθήτω· ἣ γὰρ πολέμου ὀαριστύς.  
or be saved; for that is the close encounter of war.
> War's close encounter: ὀαριστύς ordinarily suggests intimate converse or close companionship. Hector grimly transfers that closeness to the deadly give-and-take of battle.

**229** ὃς δέ κε Πάτροκλον καὶ τεθνηῶτά περ ἔμπης  
And whoever, even though Patroclus is dead,

**230** Τρῶας ἐς ἱπποδάμους ἐρύσῃ, εἴξῃ δέ οἱ Αἴας,  
drags him among the horse-taming Trojans and Ajax gives way to him,

**231** ἥμισυ τῷ ἐνάρων ἀποδάσσομαι, ἥμισυ δʼ αὐτὸς  
to him I will allot half the spoils, while half myself

**232** ἕξω ἐγώ· τὸ δέ οἱ κλέος ἔσσεται ὅσσον ἐμοί περ.  
I shall keep; and his glory will be as great as mine."

**233** ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἰθὺς Δαναῶν βρίσαντες ἔβησαν  
So he spoke, and they went straight at the Danaans, leaning their weight forward

**234** δούρατʼ ἀνασχόμενοι· μάλα δέ σφισιν ἔλπετο θυμὸς  
with spears raised; and their hearts had high hopes

**235** νεκρὸν ὑπʼ Αἴαντος ἐρύειν Τελαμωνιάδαο  
of dragging the corpse from under Ajax, son of Telamon—

**236** νήπιοι· ἦ τε πολέσσιν ἐπʼ αὐτῷ θυμὸν ἀπηύρα.  
fools; for over it he took the lives of many.

**237** καὶ τότʼ ἄρʼ Αἴας εἶπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον·  
Then Ajax spoke to Menelaus, loud in the war-cry:

**238** ὦ πέπον ὦ Μενέλαε διοτρεφὲς οὐκέτι νῶϊ  
"Dear Menelaus, nurtured of Zeus, I no longer
> Ajax's dual 'we': νῶϊ is the first-person dual pronoun: Ajax speaks specifically of himself and Menelaus as a pair. The later αὐτώ and the infinitive continue that two-man frame.

**239** ἔλπομαι αὐτώ περ νοστησέμεν ἐκ πολέμοιο.  
expect that we ourselves will return from battle.

**240** οὔ τι τόσον νέκυος περιδείδια Πατρόκλοιο,  
I do not so much fear for Patroclus' corpse,

**241** ὅς κε τάχα Τρώων κορέει κύνας ἠδʼ οἰωνούς,  
which will soon glut the dogs and birds of Troy,

**242** ὅσσον ἐμῇ κεφαλῇ περιδείδια μή τι πάθῃσι,  
as I fear for my own head, lest harm come to it,

**243** καὶ σῇ, ἐπεὶ πολέμοιο νέφος περὶ πάντα καλύπτει  
and yours, since Hector wraps the cloud of war around everything,

**244** Ἕκτωρ, ἡμῖν δʼ αὖτʼ ἀναφαίνεται αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.  
and sheer destruction now rises before us.

**245** ἀλλʼ ἄγʼ ἀριστῆας Δαναῶν κάλει, ἤν τις ἀκούσῃ.  
But come, call the princes of the Danaans, if anyone can hear."

**246** ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος,  
So he spoke, and Menelaus, loud in the war-cry, did not disobey.

**247** ἤϋσεν δὲ διαπρύσιον Δαναοῖσι γεγωνώς·  
There he cried in a piercing voice to the Danaans: "

**248** ὦ φίλοι Ἀργείων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες  
Friends, leaders and rulers of the Argives,

**249** οἵ τε παρʼ Ἀτρεΐδῃς Ἀγαμέμνονι καὶ Μενελάῳ  
you who beside the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus,

**250** δήμια πίνουσιν καὶ σημαίνουσιν ἕκαστος  
drink the public wine and each command

**251** λαοῖς· ἐκ δὲ Διὸς τιμὴ καὶ κῦδος ὀπηδεῖ.  
your peoples; and from Zeus follow honor and glory.

**252** ἀργαλέον δέ μοί ἐστι διασκοπιᾶσθαι ἕκαστον  
It is hard for me to make out each man

**253** ἡγεμόνων· τόσση γὰρ ἔρις πολέμοιο δέδηεν·  
among the leaders, so great the strife of war has blazed.

**254** ἀλλά τις αὐτὸς ἴτω, νεμεσιζέσθω δʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ  
But let each come of himself, and in his heart feel shame

**255** Πάτροκλον Τρῳῇσι κυσὶν μέλπηθρα γενέσθαι.  
that Patroclus should become a plaything for the dogs of Troy."
> A plaything for dogs: μέλπηθρον is a thing made sport of or played with. Applied to Patroclus' corpse, the word makes the threatened mutilation deliberately degrading.

**256** ὣς ἔφατʼ, ὀξὺ δʼ ἄκουσεν Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς Αἴας·  
So he spoke, and swift Ajax, son of Oileus, heard clearly;

**257** πρῶτος δʼ ἀντίος ἦλθε θέων ἀνὰ δηϊοτῆτα,  
first he came running to meet them through the battle,

**258** τὸν δὲ μετʼ Ἰδομενεὺς καὶ ὀπάων Ἰδομενῆος  
and after him Idomeneus and Idomeneus's companion,

**259** Μηριόνης ἀτάλαντος Ἐνυαλίῳ ἀνδρειφόντῃ.  
Meriones, the equal of man-slaying Enyalius;

**260** τῶν δʼ ἄλλων τίς κεν ᾗσι φρεσὶν οὐνόματʼ εἴποι,  
Of the others, who in his own mind could name the names,

**261** ὅσσοι δὴ μετόπισθε μάχην ἤγειραν Ἀχαιῶν;  
of all who later roused the Achaeans' battle?

**262** Τρῶες δὲ προὔτυψαν ἀολλέες· ἦρχε δʼ ἄρʼ Ἕκτωρ.  
The Trojans struck first, massed together; Hector led.

**263** ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἐπὶ προχοῇσι διιπετέος ποταμοῖο  
As when at the mouth of a heaven-fed river

**264** βέβρυχεν μέγα κῦμα ποτὶ ῥόον, ἀμφὶ δέ τʼ ἄκραι  
a great wave roars against the stream, and all around the jutting

**265** ἠϊόνες βοόωσιν ἐρευγομένης ἁλὸς ἔξω,  
shores resound as the sea bellows outward,

**266** τόσσῃ ἄρα Τρῶες ἰαχῇ ἴσαν. αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ  
so with such a cry the Trojans came. But the Achaeans

**267** ἕστασαν ἀμφὶ Μενοιτιάδῃ ἕνα θυμὸν ἔχοντες  
stood about the son of Menoetius with one heart,

**268** φραχθέντες σάκεσιν χαλκήρεσιν· ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρά σφι  
fenced in with bronze-fitted shields; and around their

**269** λαμπρῇσιν κορύθεσσι Κρονίων ἠέρα πολλὴν  
gleaming helmets the son of Cronos poured a heavy mist,

**270** χεῦʼ, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ Μενοιτιάδην ἔχθαιρε πάρος γε,  
for he had not hated the son of Menoetius before,

**271** ὄφρα ζωὸς ἐὼν θεράπων ἦν Αἰακίδαο·  
while alive he was attendant of the son of Aeacus.

**272** μίσησεν δʼ ἄρα μιν δηΐων κυσὶ κύρμα γενέσθαι  
And he hated that he should become prey for the dogs of his foes,

**273** Τρῳῇσιν· τὼ καί οἱ ἀμυνέμεν ὦρσεν ἑταίρους.  
the Trojans; therefore he roused his comrades to defend him.

**274** ὦσαν δὲ πρότεροι Τρῶες ἑλίκωπας Ἀχαιούς·  
The Trojans were first to drive back the bright-eyed Achaeans;

**275** νεκρὸν δὲ προλιπόντες ὑπέτρεσαν, οὐδέ τινʼ αὐτῶν  
leaving the corpse, they drew back, but none of them

**276** Τρῶες ὑπέρθυμοι ἕλον ἔγχεσιν ἱέμενοί περ,  
did the high-hearted Trojans slay with spears, eager though they were,

**277** ἀλλὰ νέκυν ἐρύοντο· μίνυνθα δὲ καὶ τοῦ Ἀχαιοὶ  
but they drew off the corpse; yet not for long would the Achaeans

**278** μέλλον ἀπέσσεσθαι· μάλα γάρ σφεας ὦκʼ ἐλέλιξεν  
remain away from it, for Ajax swiftly rallied them,

**279** Αἴας, ὃς περὶ μὲν εἶδος, περὶ δʼ ἔργα τέτυκτο  
who in looks and deeds was foremost

**280** τῶν ἄλλων Δαναῶν μετʼ ἀμύμονα Πηλεΐωνα.  
of all the other Danaans, after the blameless son of Peleus;

**281** ἴθυσεν δὲ διὰ προμάχων συῒ εἴκελος ἀλκὴν  
He charged through the front ranks, in valor like a wild boar,

**282** καπρίῳ, ὅς τʼ ἐν ὄρεσσι κύνας θαλερούς τʼ αἰζηοὺς  
which in the mountains scatters dogs and strong young men

**283** ῥηϊδίως ἐκέδασσεν, ἑλιξάμενος διὰ βήσσας·  
with ease, wheeling among wooded glens;

**284** ὣς υἱὸς Τελαμῶνος ἀγαυοῦ φαίδιμος Αἴας  
so glorious Ajax, son of noble Telamon,

**285** ῥεῖα μετεισάμενος Τρώων ἐκέδασσε φάλαγγας  
came among them with ease and scattered the Trojan battalions

**286** οἳ περὶ Πατρόκλῳ βέβασαν, φρόνεον δὲ μάλιστα  
who had bestrode Patroclus and were most intent

**287** ἄστυ πότι σφέτερον ἐρύειν καὶ κῦδος ἀρέσθαι.  
on dragging him toward their own city and winning glory.

**288** ἤτοι τὸν Λήθοιο Πελασγοῦ φαίδιμος υἱὸς  
But the glorious son of the Pelasgian Lethus,

**289** Ἱππόθοος ποδὸς ἕλκε κατὰ κρατερὴν ὑσμίνην  
Hippothous dragged him by the foot through the mighty conflict,

**290** δησάμενος τελαμῶνι παρὰ σφυρὸν ἀμφὶ τένοντας  
binding a strap around the ankle beside the sinews,
> The ankle strap: Hippothous loops a leather strap at the ankle around the tendons, giving him purchase to drag Patroclus. The precise attachment makes the handling of the corpse brutally physical.

**291** Ἕκτορι καὶ Τρώεσσι χαριζόμενος· τάχα δʼ αὐτῷ  
to win favor with Hector and the Trojans; but swiftly evil

**292** ἦλθε κακόν, τό οἱ οὔ τις ἐρύκακεν ἱεμένων περ.  
came upon him, and none could ward it off, though they strove.

**293** τὸν δʼ υἱὸς Τελαμῶνος ἐπαΐξας διʼ ὁμίλου  
Then the son of Telamon sprang at him through the crowd

**294** πλῆξʼ αὐτοσχεδίην κυνέης διὰ χαλκοπαρῄου·  
and struck him hand-to-hand through the bronze-cheeked helmet.

**295** ἤρικε δʼ ἱπποδάσεια κόρυς περὶ δουρὸς ἀκωκῇ  
The horsehair-crested helmet split around the spearpoint,

**296** πληγεῖσʼ ἔγχεΐ τε μεγάλῳ καὶ χειρὶ παχείῃ,  
struck by the great spear and the thick hand,

**297** ἐγκέφαλος δὲ παρʼ αὐλὸν ἀνέδραμεν ἐξ ὠτειλῆς  
and the bloody brain gushed from the wound beside the crest-socket.
> Beside the crest-socket: The αὐλός is the socket or tube that fixes the helmet crest. Homer locates the brain bursting out beside that piece of armor rather than leaving the wound vague.

**298** αἱματόεις· τοῦ δʼ αὖθι λύθη μένος, ἐκ δʼ ἄρα χειρῶν  
His strength was loosed there; from his hands he let

**299** Πατρόκλοιο πόδα μεγαλήτορος ἧκε χαμᾶζε  
the foot of great-hearted Patroclus fall

**300** κεῖσθαι· ὃ δʼ ἄγχʼ αὐτοῖο πέσε πρηνὴς ἐπὶ νεκρῷ  
to lie on the ground; and close beside him he fell face-down upon the corpse,

**301** τῆλʼ ἀπὸ Λαρίσης ἐριβώλακος, οὐδὲ τοκεῦσι  
far from rich-soiled Larisa; yet he did not repay his own parents

**302** θρέπτρα φίλοις ἀπέδωκε, μινυνθάδιος δέ οἱ αἰὼν  
the debt of his upbringing, for his life was brief,

**303** ἔπλεθʼ ὑπʼ Αἴαντος μεγαθύμου δουρὶ δαμέντι.  
cut short beneath the spear of great-hearted Ajax.

**304** Ἕκτωρ δʼ αὖτʼ Αἴαντος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ·  
Hector in turn cast his shining spear at Ajax;

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

**306** τυτθόν· ὃ δὲ Σχεδίον μεγαθύμου Ἰφίτου υἱὸν  
by a little; but it struck Schedius, son of great-hearted Iphitus,

**307** Φωκήων ὄχʼ ἄριστον, ὃς ἐν κλειτῷ Πανοπῆϊ  
far best of the Phocians, who in famous Panopeus

**308** οἰκία ναιετάασκε πολέσσʼ ἄνδρεσσιν ἀνάσσων,  
dwelt in his home, ruling over many men.

**309** τὸν βάλʼ ὑπὸ κληῗδα μέσην· διὰ δʼ ἀμπερὲς ἄκρη  
He struck him beneath the middle collarbone; straight through him the point
> Beneath the collarbone: The spear enters below the middle of Schedius's collarbone. The next line completes the path by locating where the bronze point emerges.

**310** αἰχμὴ χαλκείη παρὰ νείατον ὦμον ἀνέσχε·  
of bronze came out beside the lowest part of the shoulder.

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

**312** Αἴας δʼ αὖ Φόρκυνα δαΐφρονα Φαίνοπος υἱὸν  
Ajax in turn struck warlike Phorcys, son of Phaenops,

**313** Ἱπποθόῳ περιβάντα μέσην κατὰ γαστέρα τύψε·  
in the middle belly as he stood over Hippothous;

**314** ῥῆξε δὲ θώρηκος γύαλον, διὰ δʼ ἔντερα χαλκὸς  
and shattered the plate of his corselet, and the bronze
> The corselet plate: The γύαλον is one curved plate or panel of the corselet. Ajax's spear breaks that armor before the bronze passes into Phorcys's entrails.

**315** 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.

**316** χώρησαν δʼ ὑπό τε πρόμαχοι καὶ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ·  
The front fighters gave ground, and glorious Hector with them;

**317** Ἀργεῖοι δὲ μέγα ἴαχον, ἐρύσαντο δὲ νεκροὺς  
the Argives shouted loud and dragged away the corpses

**318** Φόρκυν θʼ Ἱππόθοόν τε, λύοντο δὲ τεύχεʼ ἀπʼ ὤμων.  
of Phorcys and Hippothous, and stripped the armor from their shoulders.

**319** ἔνθά κεν αὖτε Τρῶες ἀρηϊφίλων ὑπʼ Ἀχαιῶν  
Then the Trojans would again, beneath the Achaeans dear to Ares,

**320** Ἴλιον εἰσανέβησαν ἀναλκείῃσι δαμέντες,  
have climbed back into Ilion, broken by their weakness,

**321** Ἀργεῖοι δέ κε κῦδος ἕλον καὶ ὑπὲρ Διὸς αἶσαν  
while the Argives would have won glory even beyond the will of Zeus

**322** κάρτεϊ καὶ σθένεϊ σφετέρῳ· ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς Ἀπόλλων  
by their own might and strength; but Apollo himself

**323** Αἰνείαν ὄτρυνε δέμας Περίφαντι ἐοικὼς  
roused Aeneas, taking the form of Periphas,

**324** κήρυκι Ἠπυτίδῃ, ὅς οἱ παρὰ πατρὶ γέροντι  
the herald, son of Epytus, who beside Aeneas's aged father

**325** κηρύσσων γήρασκε φίλα φρεσὶ μήδεα εἰδώς·  
had grown old as herald, knowing counsels dear to his heart;

**326** τῷ μιν ἐεισάμενος προσέφη Διὸς υἱὸς Ἀπόλλων·  
In his likeness Apollo, son of Zeus, addressed Aeneas:

**327** Αἰνεία πῶς ἂν καὶ ὑπὲρ θεὸν εἰρύσσαισθε  
"Aeneas, how could you save steep Ilion even against a god?

**328** Ἴλιον αἰπεινήν; ὡς δὴ ἴδον ἀνέρας ἄλλους  
So I have seen other men

**329** κάρτεΐ τε σθένεΐ τε πεποιθότας ἠνορέῃ τε  
trusting in their might and strength and manhood,

**330** πλήθεΐ τε σφετέρῳ καὶ ὑπερδέα δῆμον ἔχοντας·  
and in their own force, though the people they had were very few.
> A very scanty people: ὑπερδεής means very scanty or deficient in number. Apollo contrasts the small populations of other defenders with the strength and courage on which they relied.

**331** ἡμῖν δὲ Ζεὺς μὲν πολὺ βούλεται ἢ Δαναοῖσι  
But Zeus wills victory far more for us than for the Danaans,

**332** νίκην· ἀλλʼ αὐτοὶ τρεῖτʼ ἄσπετον οὐδὲ μάχεσθε.  
yet you yourselves flee endlessly and do not fight."

**333** ὣς ἔφατʼ, Αἰνείας δʼ ἑκατηβόλον Ἀπόλλωνα  
So he spoke, and Aeneas knew far-shooting Apollo

**334** ἔγνω ἐς ἄντα ἰδών, μέγα δʼ Ἕκτορα εἶπε βοήσας·  
when he looked straight at him, and he shouted loudly to Hector:

**335** Ἕκτόρ τʼ ἠδʼ ἄλλοι Τρώων ἀγοὶ ἠδʼ ἐπικούρων  
"Hector, and you other leaders of the Trojans and their allies,

**336** αἰδὼς μὲν νῦν ἥδε γʼ ἀρηϊφίλων ὑπʼ Ἀχαιῶν  
shame upon us now if beneath the Achaeans dear to Ares
> Shame as a summons: αἰδώς can mean shame before others as well as reverence. Aeneas uses it as a goad: retreat would disgrace the Trojan and allied leaders before their own men.

**337** Ἴλιον εἰσαναβῆναι ἀναλκείῃσι δαμέντας.  
we climb back into Ilion, beaten by our cowardice.

**338** ἀλλʼ ἔτι γάρ τίς φησι θεῶν ἐμοὶ ἄγχι παραστὰς  
For even now one of the gods, standing close beside me, says

**339** Ζῆνʼ ὕπατον μήστωρα μάχης ἐπιτάρροθον εἶναι·  
that Zeus, highest counselor, stands as our helper in battle.
> Zeus, highest counselor: ὕπατος marks Zeus as highest, while μήστωρ names him as a deviser or counselor. Aeneas reports Apollo's assurance; Zeus himself has not appeared beside him.

**340** τώ ῥʼ ἰθὺς Δαναῶν ἴομεν, μηδʼ οἵ γε ἕκηλοι  
Therefore let us go straight at the Danaans, and may they not at ease

**341** Πάτροκλον νηυσὶν πελασαίατο τεθνηῶτα.  
bring dead Patroclus near the ships."

**342** ὣς φάτο, καί ῥα πολὺ προμάχων ἐξάλμενος ἔστη·  
So he spoke, and leaping far before the front fighters, he took his stand.

**343** οἳ δʼ ἐλελίχθησαν καὶ ἐναντίοι ἔσταν Ἀχαιῶν.  
They wheeled about and stood facing the Achaeans;

**344** ἔνθʼ αὖτʼ Αἰνείας Λειώκριτον οὔτασε δουρὶ  
Then Aeneas struck Leocritus with his spear,

**345** υἱὸν Ἀρίσβαντος Λυκομήδεος ἐσθλὸν ἑταῖρον.  
son of Arisbas, the loyal companion of Lycomedes.

**346** τὸν δὲ πεσόντʼ ἐλέησεν ἀρηΐφιλος Λυκομήδης,  
Lycomedes, dear to Ares, pitied him as he fell,

**347** στῆ δὲ μάλʼ ἐγγὺς ἰών, καὶ ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ,  
he came and stood very near, then cast his shining spear

**348** καὶ βάλεν Ἱππασίδην Ἀπισάονα ποιμένα λαῶν  
and struck Apisaon, son of Hippasus, shepherd of the people,

**349** ἧπαρ ὑπὸ πραπίδων, εἶθαρ δʼ ὑπὸ γούνατʼ ἔλυσεν,  
in the liver below the midriff, and at once loosed his knees.

**350** ὅς ῥʼ ἐκ Παιονίης ἐριβώλακος εἰληλούθει,  
He had come from rich-soiled Paeonia,

**351** καὶ δὲ μετʼ Ἀστεροπαῖον ἀριστεύεσκε μάχεσθαι.  
and after Asteropaeus he was foremost in battle.

**352** τὸν δὲ πεσόντʼ ἐλέησεν ἀρήϊος Ἀστεροπαῖος,  
Warlike Asteropaeus pitied him as he fell,

**353** ἴθυσεν δὲ καὶ ὃ πρόφρων Δαναοῖσι μάχεσθαι·  
and he too charged eagerly forward to fight the Danaans;

**354** ἀλλʼ οὔ πως ἔτι εἶχε· σάκεσσι γὰρ ἔρχατο πάντῃ  
but he could no longer do so, for they were fenced on every side with shields,

**355** ἑσταότες περὶ Πατρόκλῳ, πρὸ δὲ δούρατʼ ἔχοντο.  
standing around Patroclus, with their spears held out before them.

**356** Αἴας γὰρ μάλα πάντας ἐπῴχετο πολλὰ κελεύων·  
For Ajax went among them all, laying many commands:

**357** οὔτέ τινʼ ἐξοπίσω νεκροῦ χάζεσθαι ἀνώγει  
he ordered no man to give ground behind the corpse

**358** οὔτέ τινα προμάχεσθαι Ἀχαιῶν ἔξοχον ἄλλων,  
and no Achaean to fight out in front beyond the rest,

**359** ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ἀμφʼ αὐτῷ βεβάμεν, σχεδόθεν δὲ μάχεσθαι.  
but to stand close around it and fight at close range.

**360** ὣς Αἴας ἐπέτελλε πελώριος, αἵματι δὲ χθὼν  
So huge Ajax commanded, and the earth

**361** δεύετο πορφυρέῳ, τοὶ δʼ ἀγχιστῖνοι ἔπιπτον  
was drenched with dark-red blood; the dead fell thick together,
> Falling thick together: ἀγχιστῖνος describes bodies falling close upon one another. The word compresses the crowding of the corpse-fight into the very placement of its dead.

**362** νεκροὶ ὁμοῦ Τρώων καὶ ὑπερμενέων ἐπικούρων  
Trojans and their exceedingly mighty allies alike,

**363** καὶ Δαναῶν· οὐδʼ οἳ γὰρ ἀναιμωτί γε μάχοντο,  
and Danaans; for they too did not fight without blood,

**364** παυρότεροι δὲ πολὺ φθίνυθον· μέμνηντο γὰρ αἰεὶ  
but far fewer of them died, for they always remembered

**365** ἀλλήλοις ἀνʼ ὅμιλον ἀλεξέμεναι φόνον αἰπύν.  
to ward sheer death from one another through the throng.

**366** ὣς οἳ μὲν μάρναντο δέμας πυρός, οὐδέ κε φαίης  
So they fought like fire itself; you would not have said

**367** οὔτέ ποτʼ ἠέλιον σῶν ἔμμεναι οὔτε σελήνην·  
that either sun or moon still remained unharmed,

**368** ἠέρι γὰρ κατέχοντο μάχης ἐπί θʼ ὅσσον ἄριστοι  
for mist held down all that part of the battle where the best

**369** ἕστασαν ἀμφὶ Μενοιτιάδῃ κατατεθνηῶτι.  
stood around the dead son of Menoetius.

**370** οἳ δʼ ἄλλοι Τρῶες καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶ  
But the other Trojans and well-greaved Achaeans

**371** εὔκηλοι πολέμιζον ὑπʼ αἰθέρι, πέπτατο δʼ αὐγὴ  
fought at ease under clear sky, and the sharp light

**372** ἠελίου ὀξεῖα, νέφος δʼ οὐ φαίνετο πάσης  
of the sun spread out; no cloud showed over all

**373** γαίης οὐδʼ ὀρέων· μεταπαυόμενοι δὲ μάχοντο  
the earth or mountains. They fought with pauses,

**374** ἀλλήλων ἀλεείνοντες βέλεα στονόεντα  
keeping clear of one another's grievous missiles

**375** πολλὸν ἀφεσταότες. τοὶ δʼ ἐν μέσῳ ἄλγεʼ ἔπασχον  
and standing far apart. But those between them suffered pain

**376** ἠέρι καὶ πολέμῳ, τείροντο δὲ νηλέϊ χαλκῷ  
from mist and war, worn down by pitiless bronze,

**377** ὅσσοι ἄριστοι ἔσαν· δύο δʼ οὔ πω φῶτε πεπύσθην  
all who were best. Yet two renowned warriors had not learned the news,

**378** ἀνέρε κυδαλίμω Θρασυμήδης Ἀντίλοχός τε  
Thrasymedes and Antilochus,

**379** Πατρόκλοιο θανόντος ἀμύμονος, ἀλλʼ ἔτʼ ἔφαντο  
that blameless Patroclus was dead; they still thought

**380** ζωὸν ἐνὶ πρώτῳ ὁμάδῳ Τρώεσσι μάχεσθαι.  
he fought alive in the foremost Trojan tumult.

**381** τὼ δʼ ἐπιοσσομένω θάνατον καὶ φύζαν ἑταίρων  
Watching for the death and rout of their comrades, the two

**382** νόσφιν ἐμαρνάσθην, ἐπεὶ ὣς ἐπετέλλετο Νέστωρ  
fought apart, for so Nestor had commanded them

**383** ὀτρύνων πόλεμον δὲ μελαινάων ἀπὸ νηῶν.  
when he urged them into war from the black ships.

**384** τοῖς δὲ πανημερίοις ἔριδος μέγα νεῖκος ὀρώρει  
For them all day the great strife of harsh contention rose;

**385** ἀργαλέης· καμάτῳ δὲ καὶ ἱδρῷ νωλεμὲς αἰεὶ  
with toil and sweat, without cease,

**386** γούνατά τε κνῆμαί τε πόδες θʼ ὑπένερθεν ἑκάστου  
the knees and shins and feet beneath each man,

**387** χεῖρές τʼ ὀφθαλμοί τε παλάσσετο μαρναμένοιιν  
and hands and eyes were fouled; fighting, the two sides

**388** ἀμφʼ ἀγαθὸν θεράποντα ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαο.  
surged around the good attendant of the swift-footed son of Aeacus;

**389** ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἀνὴρ ταύροιο βοὸς μεγάλοιο βοείην  
As when a man gives the hide of a great bull

**390** λαοῖσιν δώῃ τανύειν μεθύουσαν ἀλοιφῇ·  
to his men to stretch, soaked through with fat,

**391** δεξάμενοι δʼ ἄρα τοί γε διαστάντες τανύουσι  
and taking it, they stand apart and stretch it

**392** κυκλόσʼ, ἄφαρ δέ τε ἰκμὰς ἔβη, δύνει δέ τʼ ἀλοιφὴ  
in a circle; at once its moisture goes and the fat sinks in

**393** πολλῶν ἑλκόντων, τάνυται δέ τε πᾶσα διὰ πρό·  
as many men pull, and the whole hide is stretched straight through —

**394** ὣς οἵ γʼ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα νέκυν ὀλίγῃ ἐνὶ χώρῃ  
so there, in a narrow space, both sides

**395** εἵλκεον ἀμφότεροι· μάλα δέ σφισιν ἔλπετο θυμὸς  
dragged the corpse this way and that; their hearts strongly hoped,

**396** Τρωσὶν μὲν ἐρύειν προτὶ Ἴλιον, αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοῖς  
the Trojans to haul it toward Ilion, but the Achaeans

**397** νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς· περὶ δʼ αὐτοῦ μῶλος ὀρώρει  
toward the hollow ships; around it rose a savage

**398** ἄγριος· οὐδέ κʼ Ἄρης λαοσσόος οὐδέ κʼ Ἀθήνη  
struggle. Neither Ares, rouser of hosts, nor Athena

**399** τόν γε ἰδοῦσʼ ὀνόσαιτʼ, οὐδʼ εἰ μάλα μιν χόλος ἵκοι·  
would have scorned it at the sight, not even if wrath seized them.

**400** τοῖον Ζεὺς ἐπὶ Πατρόκλῳ ἀνδρῶν τε καὶ ἵππων  
Such evil toil of men and horses Zeus stretched out

**401** ἤματι τῷ ἐτάνυσσε κακὸν πόνον· οὐδʼ ἄρα πώ τι  
around Patroclus that day. And not yet

**402** ᾔδεε Πάτροκλον τεθνηότα δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς·  
did godlike Achilles know that Patroclus was dead,

**403** πολλὸν γὰρ ῥʼ ἀπάνευθε νεῶν μάρναντο θοάων  
for they fought far from the swift ships,

**404** τείχει ὕπο Τρώων· τό μιν οὔ ποτε ἔλπετο θυμῷ  
beneath the Trojan wall. His heart never expected

**405** τεθνάμεν, ἀλλὰ ζωὸν ἐνιχριμφθέντα πύλῃσιν  
that Patroclus had died, but that he would come alive near the gates

**406** ἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ τὸ ἔλπετο πάμπαν  
and return again, since he had no sure hope

**407** ἐκπέρσειν πτολίεθρον ἄνευ ἕθεν, οὐδὲ σὺν αὐτῷ·  
that Patroclus would sack the citadel without him, or with him either;

**408** πολλάκι γὰρ τό γε μητρὸς ἐπεύθετο νόσφιν ἀκούων,  
for often, hearing alone, he had learned this from his mother,

**409** ἥ οἱ ἀπαγγέλλεσκε Διὸς μεγάλοιο νόημα.  
who would tell him the purpose of great Zeus.

**410** δὴ τότε γʼ οὔ οἱ ἔειπε κακὸν τόσον ὅσσον ἐτύχθη  
But this time his mother had not told him of an evil so great,

**411** μήτηρ, ὅττί ῥά οἱ πολὺ φίλτατος ὤλεθʼ ἑταῖρος.  
that the companion far dearest to him had perished.

**412** οἳ δʼ αἰεὶ περὶ νεκρὸν ἀκαχμένα δούρατʼ ἔχοντες  
Still they pressed without cease around the corpse, holding pointed spears,

**413** νωλεμὲς ἐγχρίμπτοντο καὶ ἀλλήλους ἐνάριζον·  
and killed one another; and so one bronze-clad Achaean

**414** ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων·  
would say:

**415** ὦ φίλοι οὐ μὰν ἧμιν ἐϋκλεὲς ἀπονέεσθαι  
"Friends, it will bring us no glory to return

**416** νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς, ἀλλʼ αὐτοῦ γαῖα μέλαινα  
to the hollow ships. Let the black earth here

**417** πᾶσι χάνοι· τό κεν ἧμιν ἄφαρ πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη  
gape for us all; that would at once be far better

**418** εἰ τοῦτον Τρώεσσι μεθήσομεν ἱπποδάμοισιν  
than if we yield this man to the horse-taming Trojans

**419** ἄστυ πότι σφέτερον ἐρύσαι καὶ κῦδος ἀρέσθαι.  
to drag toward their own city and carry off glory."

**420** ὣς δέ τις αὖ Τρώων μεγαθύμων αὐδήσασκεν·  
And so in turn one of the great-hearted Trojans would cry:

**421** ὦ φίλοι, εἰ καὶ μοῖρα παρʼ ἀνέρι τῷδε δαμῆναι  
"Friends, though it is our fate to be slain beside this man,
> Even if fate requires it: εἰ καί introduces a concession: even if it is fated that all of them die beside the corpse. The Trojan speaker does not predict victory; he demands that no one withdraw despite the cost.

**422** πάντας ὁμῶς, μή πώ τις ἐρωείτω πολέμοιο.  
all alike, let no man yet draw back from war."

**423** ὣς ἄρα τις εἴπεσκε, μένος δʼ ὄρσασκεν ἑκάστου.  
So one would speak, and rouse the strength of every man.

**424** ὣς οἳ μὲν μάρναντο, σιδήρειος δʼ ὀρυμαγδὸς  
So they fought, and the iron din

**425** χάλκεον οὐρανὸν ἷκε διʼ αἰθέρος ἀτρυγέτοιο·  
rose through the barren air to the bronze heaven.

**426** ἵπποι δʼ Αἰακίδαο μάχης ἀπάνευθεν ἐόντες  
But the horses of the son of Aeacus, apart from the battle,

**427** κλαῖον, ἐπεὶ δὴ πρῶτα πυθέσθην ἡνιόχοιο  
wept from the moment they learned that their charioteer

**428** ἐν κονίῃσι πεσόντος ὑφʼ Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο.  
had fallen in the dust beneath man-slaying Hector.

**429** ἦ μὰν Αὐτομέδων Διώρεος ἄλκιμος υἱὸς  
Indeed Automedon, the valiant son of Diores,

**430** πολλὰ μὲν ἂρ μάστιγι θοῇ ἐπεμαίετο θείνων,  
often lunged at them, striking with the swift whip,

**431** πολλὰ δὲ μειλιχίοισι προσηύδα, πολλὰ δʼ ἀρειῇ·  
often addressed them with coaxing words and often with threats;

**432** τὼ δʼ οὔτʼ ἂψ ἐπὶ νῆας ἐπὶ πλατὺν Ἑλλήσποντον  
but the two would neither go back to the ships on the broad Hellespont
> The two horses: The dual pronoun τώ marks exactly two horses. They are Xanthus and Balius, the surviving immortal pair, not a three-horse team including the dead Pedasus.

**433** ἠθελέτην ἰέναι οὔτʼ ἐς πόλεμον μετʼ Ἀχαιούς,  
nor go into war among the Achaeans,

**434** ἀλλʼ ὥς τε στήλη μένει ἔμπεδον, ἥ τʼ ἐπὶ τύμβῳ  
but as a grave-marker stands fixed upon the mound

**435** ἀνέρος ἑστήκῃ τεθνηότος ἠὲ γυναικός,  
of a dead man or woman,

**436** ὣς μένον ἀσφαλέως περικαλλέα δίφρον ἔχοντες  
so they stood immovable, holding the beautiful chariot,
> Still as a grave-marker: The horses' stillness continues the comparison to a stone marker fixed over a grave in the preceding lines. The image turns their refusal to move into an act of mourning before their tears are described.

**437** οὔδει ἐνισκίμψαντε καρήατα· δάκρυα δέ σφι  
their heads bowed to the ground; from their eyes

**438** θερμὰ κατὰ βλεφάρων χαμάδις ῥέε μυρομένοισιν  
hot tears ran down to earth as they mourned

**439** ἡνιόχοιο πόθῳ· θαλερὴ δʼ ἐμιαίνετο χαίτη  
in longing for their charioteer; their thick manes were fouled,

**440** ζεύγλης ἐξεριποῦσα παρὰ ζυγὸν ἀμφοτέρωθεν.  
streaming from the yoke-pad beside the yoke on either side.

**441** μυρομένω δʼ ἄρα τώ γε ἰδὼν ἐλέησε Κρονίων,  
The son of Cronos saw the two mourning and pitied them;

**442** κινήσας δὲ κάρη προτὶ ὃν μυθήσατο θυμόν·  
he shook his head and spoke to his own heart:

**443** ἆ δειλώ, τί σφῶϊ δόμεν Πηλῆϊ ἄνακτι  
"Poor creatures, why did we give you to lord Peleus,

**444** θνητῷ, ὑμεῖς δʼ ἐστὸν ἀγήρω τʼ ἀθανάτω τε;  
a mortal, while you are ageless and immortal?
> Ageless and immortal: Both adjectives are dual and apply to the two horses: they neither age nor die. Zeus contrasts their divine nature with Peleus's mortality and the pain they now share with mortals.

**445** ἦ ἵνα δυστήνοισι μετʼ ἀνδράσιν ἄλγεʼ ἔχητον;  
Was it so that among wretched men you too should have grief?

**446** οὐ μὲν γάρ τί πού ἐστιν ὀϊζυρώτερον ἀνδρὸς  
For surely there is nothing more miserable than man

**447** πάντων, ὅσσά τε γαῖαν ἔπι πνείει τε καὶ ἕρπει.  
among all things that breathe and crawl upon the earth.

**448** ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰν ὑμῖν γε καὶ ἅρμασι δαιδαλέοισιν  
But Hector, son of Priam, shall never ride

**449** Ἕκτωρ Πριαμίδης ἐποχήσεται· οὐ γὰρ ἐάσω.  
upon you and your cunningly wrought chariot; I will not allow it.

**450** ἦ οὐχ ἅλις ὡς καὶ τεύχεʼ ἔχει καὶ ἐπεύχεται αὔτως;  
Is it not enough that he holds the armor and boasts in vain?

**451** σφῶϊν δʼ ἐν γούνεσσι βαλῶ μένος ἠδʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ,  
I shall put strength into the knees and hearts of you two,

**452** ὄφρα καὶ Αὐτομέδοντα σαώσετον ἐκ πολέμοιο  
so that you may bring Automedon safely out of battle

**453** νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς· ἔτι γάρ σφισι κῦδος ὀρέξω  
to the hollow ships. For still I shall grant the Trojans glory

**454** κτείνειν, εἰς ὅ κε νῆας ἐϋσσέλμους ἀφίκωνται  
to kill until they reach the well-benched ships

**455** δύῃ τʼ ἠέλιος καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἱερὸν ἔλθῃ·  
and the sun goes down and sacred darkness comes on."

**456** ὣς εἰπὼν ἵπποισιν ἐνέπνευσεν μένος ἠΰ.  
So speaking, he breathed good strength into the horses.

**457** τὼ δʼ ἀπὸ χαιτάων κονίην οὖδας δὲ βαλόντε  
The two shook the dust from their manes to the ground

**458** ῥίμφα φέρον θοὸν ἅρμα μετὰ Τρῶας καὶ Ἀχαιούς.  
and swiftly bore the racing chariot among Trojans and Achaeans.

**459** τοῖσι δʼ ἐπʼ Αὐτομέδων μάχετʼ ἀχνύμενός περ ἑταίρου  
Upon it Automedon fought, though grieving for his companion,

**460** ἵπποις ἀΐσσων ὥς τʼ αἰγυπιὸς μετὰ χῆνας·  
darting with his horses like a vulture among geese;
> A vulture among geese: Automedon drives in and out of the Trojan mass as a vulture darts among geese. The comparison describes his movement and pursuit, not a successful kill.

**461** ῥέα μὲν γὰρ φεύγεσκεν ὑπʼ ἐκ Τρώων ὀρυμαγδοῦ,  
for easily he would flee out from under the Trojan din,

**462** ῥεῖα δʼ ἐπαΐξασκε πολὺν καθʼ ὅμιλον ὀπάζων.  
and easily charge back through the great throng in pursuit.

**463** ἀλλʼ οὐχ ᾕρει φῶτας ὅτε σεύαιτο διώκειν·  
But he killed no men when he rushed to chase them,

**464** οὐ γάρ πως ἦν οἶον ἐόνθʼ ἱερῷ ἐνὶ δίφρῳ  
for there was no way, alone in the sacred chariot,

**465** ἔγχει ἐφορμᾶσθαι καὶ ἐπίσχειν ὠκέας ἵππους.  
both to press with the spear and hold the swift horses in check.

**466** ὀψὲ δὲ δή μιν ἑταῖρος ἀνὴρ ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν  
At last a companion saw him with his own eyes,

**467** Ἀλκιμέδων υἱὸς Λαέρκεος Αἱμονίδαο·  
Alcimedon, son of Laerces, son of Haemon;

**468** στῆ δʼ ὄπιθεν δίφροιο καὶ Αὐτομέδοντα προσηύδα·  
he stood behind the chariot and addressed Automedon:

**469** Αὐτόμεδον, τίς τοί νυ θεῶν νηκερδέα βουλὴν  
"Automedon, which of the gods has put a profitless plan

**470** ἐν στήθεσσιν ἔθηκε, καὶ ἐξέλετο φρένας ἐσθλάς;  
in your breast and taken away your good sense?

**471** οἷον πρὸς Τρῶας μάχεαι πρώτῳ ἐν ὁμίλῳ  
See how you fight the Trojans in the foremost throng,

**472** μοῦνος· ἀτάρ τοι ἑταῖρος ἀπέκτατο, τεύχεα δʼ Ἕκτωρ  
alone. Your companion has been killed, while Hector

**473** αὐτὸς ἔχων ὤμοισιν ἀγάλλεται Αἰακίδαο.  
himself exults with the armor of the son of Aeacus upon his shoulders."

**474** τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Αὐτομέδων προσέφη Διώρεος υἱός·  
Then Automedon, son of Diores, answered him:

**475** Ἀλκίμεδον τίς γάρ τοι Ἀχαιῶν ἄλλος ὁμοῖος  
"Alcimedon, what other Achaean is your equal

**476** ἵππων ἀθανάτων ἐχέμεν δμῆσίν τε μένος τε,  
in holding the immortal horses and mastering their strength,
> Immortal horses: The adjective directly identifies the horses Alcimedon will control as immortal. In this scene the surviving team is Xanthus and Balius; Pedasus was mortal and is already dead.

**477** εἰ μὴ Πάτροκλος θεόφιν μήστωρ ἀτάλαντος  
except Patroclus, a counselor equal to the gods,

**478** ζωὸς ἐών; νῦν αὖ θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κιχάνει.  
while he lived? Now death and fate have overtaken him.

**479** ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν μάστιγα καὶ ἡνία σιγαλόεντα  
But take the whip and the shining reins,

**480** δέξαι, ἐγὼ δʼ ἵππων ἀποβήσομαι, ὄφρα μάχωμαι.  
and I shall dismount from the horses so that I may fight."

**481** ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀλκιμέδων δὲ βοηθόον ἅρμʼ ἐπορούσας  
So he spoke, and Alcimedon sprang upon the war-helping chariot

**482** καρπαλίμως μάστιγα καὶ ἡνία λάζετο χερσίν,  
and swiftly took whip and reins in his hands,

**483** Αὐτομέδων δʼ ἀπόρουσε· νόησε δὲ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ,  
while Automedon leapt down. Glorious Hector saw it

**484** αὐτίκα δʼ Αἰνείαν προσεφώνεεν ἐγγὺς ἐόντα·  
and at once called to Aeneas, who stood near:

**485** Αἰνεία Τρώων βουληφόρε χαλκοχιτώνων  
"Aeneas, counselor of the bronze-clad Trojans,

**486** ἵππω τώδʼ ἐνόησα ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαο  
I see here the two horses of the swift-footed son of Aeacus

**487** ἐς πόλεμον προφανέντε σὺν ἡνιόχοισι κακοῖσι·  
come forth into battle with worthless charioteers.

**488** τώ κεν ἐελποίμην αἱρησέμεν, εἰ σύ γε θυμῷ  
I would hope that we might take them, if your own heart

**489** σῷ ἐθέλεις, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἂν ἐφορμηθέντε γε νῶϊ  
is willing, since if we charge together, the two of them would not

**490** τλαῖεν ἐναντίβιον στάντες μαχέσασθαι Ἄρηϊ.  
dare stand against us and fight face to face in war."

**491** ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησεν ἐῢς πάϊς Ἀγχίσαο.  
So he spoke, and the noble son of Anchises did not disobey.

**492** τὼ δʼ ἰθὺς βήτην βοέῃς εἰλυμένω ὤμους  
The two went straight forward, their shoulders wrapped in oxhides

**493** αὔῃσι στερεῇσι· πολὺς δʼ ἐπελήλατο χαλκός.  
dry and tough, with much bronze hammered over them.
> Tough oxhide shields: Hector and Aeneas advance with their shoulders covered by the dry, rigid oxhides named across the line break, overlaid here with bronze. The dual forms in the preceding line keep both men as the shield-bearing subjects.

**494** τοῖσι δʼ ἅμα Χρομίος τε καὶ Ἄρητος θεοειδὴς  
With them went Chromius and godlike Aretus,

**495** ἤϊσαν ἀμφότεροι· μάλα δέ σφισιν ἔλπετο θυμὸς  
both together; and their hearts strongly hoped

**496** αὐτώ τε κτενέειν ἐλάαν τʼ ἐριαύχενας ἵππους  
to kill the two men and drive off the high-necked horses —

**497** νήπιοι, οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔμελλον ἀναιμωτί γε νέεσθαι  
fools, for they were not fated to return without blood

**498** αὖτις ἀπʼ Αὐτομέδοντος. ὃ δʼ εὐξάμενος Διὶ πατρὶ  
from Automedon. He prayed to father Zeus

**499** ἀλκῆς καὶ σθένεος πλῆτο φρένας ἀμφὶ μελαίνας·  
and filled the dark heart within him with valor and strength.

**500** αὐτίκα δʼ Ἀλκιμέδοντα προσηύδα πιστὸν ἑταῖρον·  
At once he addressed Alcimedon, his trusted companion:

**501** Ἀλκίμεδον μὴ δή μοι ἀπόπροθεν ἰσχέμεν ἵππους,  
"Alcimedon, do not hold the horses far from me,

**502** ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ἐμπνείοντε μεταφρένῳ· οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγε  
but keep them breathing hard upon my back. For I do not think

**503** Ἕκτορα Πριαμίδην μένεος σχήσεσθαι ὀΐω,  
Hector, son of Priam, will hold back from his fury
> I do not think Hector will stop: With the negation carried from the preceding line, ὀΐω governs Hector as the accusative subject of the future infinitive σχήσεσθαι. Automedon predicts Hector's continued attack; he does not say that Hector has already seized the team.

**504** πρίν γʼ ἐπʼ Ἀχιλλῆος καλλίτριχε βήμεναι ἵππω  
until he mounts Achilles' lovely-maned horses

**505** νῶϊ κατακτείναντα, φοβῆσαί τε στίχας ἀνδρῶν  
after killing us two, and routs the ranks
> Killing the two of us: νῶϊ is the first-person dual pronoun: us two. Automedon means himself and Alcimedon, whose new division of driver and fighter now makes them a paired chariot team.

**506** Ἀργείων, ἤ κʼ αὐτὸς ἐνὶ πρώτοισιν ἁλοίη.  
of the Argives — or he himself is taken among the foremost."

**507** ὣς εἰπὼν Αἴαντε καλέσσατο καὶ Μενέλαον·  
So he spoke, and called to the two Ajaxes and Menelaus:
> The two Ajaxes: Αἴαντε is dual: Automedon calls both Ajax, son of Telamon, and Ajax, son of Oileus. The form itself marks the pair.

**508** Αἴαντʼ Ἀργείων ἡγήτορε καὶ Μενέλαε  
"You two Ajaxes, leaders of the Argives, and Menelaus,

**509** ἤτοι μὲν τὸν νεκρὸν ἐπιτράπεθʼ οἵ περ ἄριστοι  
leave the corpse to those who are best

**510** ἀμφʼ αὐτῷ βεβάμεν καὶ ἀμύνεσθαι στίχας ἀνδρῶν,  
at standing around it and beating back the ranks of men,

**511** νῶϊν δὲ ζωοῖσιν ἀμύνετε νηλεὲς ἦμαρ·  
and from the two of us, still alive, ward off the pitiless day.
> Of us two: νῶϊν is the first-person dual pronoun, referring exactly to Automedon and Alcimedon. English must spell out the pair as "the two of us."

**512** τῇδε γὰρ ἔβρισαν πόλεμον κάτα δακρυόεντα  
For this way, through tearful war, they have borne down hard,

**513** Ἕκτωρ Αἰνείας θʼ, οἳ Τρώων εἰσὶν ἄριστοι.  
Hector and Aeneas, who are the best of the Trojans.

**514** ἀλλʼ ἤτοι μὲν ταῦτα θεῶν ἐν γούνασι κεῖται·  
Yet these things lie upon the knees of the gods.

**515** ἥσω γὰρ καὶ ἐγώ, τὰ δέ κεν Διὶ πάντα μελήσει.  
I too will cast, and Zeus shall care for all the rest."

**516** ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἀμπεπαλὼν προΐει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,  
So he spoke, and poising it, hurled his long-shadowed spear,

**517** καὶ βάλεν Ἀρήτοιο κατʼ ἀσπίδα πάντοσʼ ἐΐσην·  
and struck the shield of Aretus, round on every side;

**518** ἣ δʼ οὐκ ἔγχος ἔρυτο, διὰ πρὸ δὲ εἴσατο χαλκός,  
the shield did not hold the spear, but the bronze passed clean through

**519** νειαίρῃ δʼ ἐν γαστρὶ διὰ ζωστῆρος ἔλασσεν.  
and drove through the belt into the bottom of his belly.
> Low in the belly: νειαίρῃ marks the lowest part of the belly. Homer fixes Automedon's killing stroke precisely below the belt.

**520** ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ὀξὺν ἔχων πέλεκυν αἰζήϊος ἀνὴρ  
As when a vigorous man with a sharp axe

**521** κόψας ἐξόπιθεν κεράων βοὸς ἀγραύλοιο  
strikes behind the horns of a field-ranging ox

**522** ἶνα τάμῃ διὰ πᾶσαν, ὃ δὲ προθορὼν ἐρίπῃσιν,  
and cuts the sinew through, and the ox leaps forward and falls,

**523** ὣς ἄρʼ ὅ γε προθορὼν πέσεν ὕπτιος· ἐν δέ οἱ ἔγχος  
so he leapt forward and fell on his back; within him the spear,

**524** νηδυίοισι μάλʼ ὀξὺ κραδαινόμενον λύε γυῖα.  
keenly quivering among his bowels, unstrung his limbs.

**525** Ἕκτωρ δʼ Αὐτομέδοντος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ·  
Then Hector cast his shining spear at Automedon;

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

**527** πρόσσω γὰρ κατέκυψε, τὸ δʼ ἐξόπιθεν δόρυ μακρὸν  
by stooping forward; behind him the long spear

**528** οὔδει ἐνισκίμφθη, ἐπὶ δʼ οὐρίαχος πελεμίχθη  
planted itself in the ground, and the butt of the spear quivered;

**529** ἔγχεος· ἔνθα δʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀφίει μένος ὄβριμος Ἄρης.  
and there at last mighty Ares loosed its force.
> Ares leaves the spear: The spear's spent violence is personified as mighty Ares releasing his force. Hector's cast has missed Automedon before the Ajaxes arrive.

**530** καί νύ κε δὴ ξιφέεσσʼ αὐτοσχεδὸν ὁρμηθήτην  
And now the two would have rushed together with swords at close quarters,

**531** εἰ μή σφωʼ Αἴαντε διέκριναν μεμαῶτε,  
had not the two Ajaxes, eager for battle, parted them,
> Two pairs: σφω refers to Hector and Automedon as a pair, while Αἴαντε names the two Ajaxes who separate them. Homer packs two distinct dual groups into one line.

**532** οἵ ῥʼ ἦλθον καθʼ ὅμιλον ἑταίρου κικλήσκοντος·  
coming through the press at their comrade's call.

**533** τοὺς ὑποταρβήσαντες ἐχώρησαν πάλιν αὖτις  
In fear of them, they gave ground again,

**534** Ἕκτωρ Αἰνείας τʼ ἠδὲ Χρομίος θεοειδής,  
Hector and Aeneas and godlike Chromius,

**535** Ἄρητον δὲ κατʼ αὖθι λίπον δεδαϊγμένον ἦτορ  
and left Aretus lying where he was, his heart torn open.

**536** κείμενον· Αὐτομέδων δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ  
But Automedon, the equal of swift Ares,

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

**538** ἦ δὴ μὰν ὀλίγον γε Μενοιτιάδαο θανόντος  
"Now at last I have eased my heart a little of its grief

**539** κῆρ ἄχεος μεθέηκα χερείονά περ καταπέφνων.  
for the death of Menoetius' son, though I killed a lesser man."

**540** ὣς εἰπὼν ἐς δίφρον ἑλὼν ἔναρα βροτόεντα  
So he spoke, took up the bloodied spoils, and set them

**541** θῆκʼ, ἂν δʼ αὐτὸς ἔβαινε πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθεν  
in the chariot; then he mounted, his feet and hands above

**542** αἱματόεις ὥς τίς τε λέων κατὰ ταῦρον ἐδηδώς.  
all bloody, like a lion that has devoured a bull.
> Blood all over: αἱματόεις is singular and describes Automedon himself as blood-covered. His bloodied hands and feet complete the lion simile without changing the killer's agency.

**543** ἂψ δʼ ἐπὶ Πατρόκλῳ τέτατο κρατερὴ ὑσμίνη  
Again over Patroclus the grim battle was stretched tight,

**544** ἀργαλέη πολύδακρυς, ἔγειρε δὲ νεῖκος Ἀθήνη  
hard and full of tears; and Athena roused the strife,

**545** οὐρανόθεν καταβᾶσα· προῆκε γὰρ εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς  
coming down from heaven, for wide-thundering Zeus had sent her
> Wide-thundering Zeus: εὐρύοπα describes Zeus's far-carrying voice or thunder, not far-seeing eyes. Here Zeus himself sends Athena to stir the Danaans.

**546** ὀρνύμεναι Δαναούς· δὴ γὰρ νόος ἐτράπετʼ αὐτοῦ.  
to spur the Danaans on, since now his purpose had turned.

**547** ἠΰτε πορφυρέην ἶριν θνητοῖσι τανύσσῃ  
As when Zeus stretches a purple rainbow for mortals

**548** Ζεὺς ἐξ οὐρανόθεν τέρας ἔμμεναι ἢ πολέμοιο  
from heaven, a sign of war

**549** ἢ καὶ χειμῶνος δυσθαλπέος, ὅς ῥά τε ἔργων  
or of a bitter, chilling storm, which brings men

**550** ἀνθρώπους ἀνέπαυσεν ἐπὶ χθονί, μῆλα δὲ κήδει,  
to rest from their work upon the earth and afflicts the flocks,

**551** ὣς ἣ πορφυρέῃ νεφέλῃ πυκάσασα ἓ αὐτὴν  
so she wrapped herself in a purple cloud

**552** δύσετʼ Ἀχαιῶν ἔθνος, ἔγειρε δὲ φῶτα ἕκαστον.  
and entered the Achaean host, rousing man after man.

**553** πρῶτον δʼ Ἀτρέος υἱὸν ἐποτρύνουσα προσηύδα  
First she addressed the mighty son of Atreus, urging on

**554** ἴφθιμον Μενέλαον· ὃ γάρ ῥά οἱ ἐγγύθεν ἦεν·  
Menelaus, for he was standing near her,

**555** εἰσαμένη Φοίνικι δέμας καὶ ἀτειρέα φωνήν·  
in the likeness of Phoenix, in body and tireless voice:

**556** σοὶ μὲν δὴ Μενέλαε κατηφείη καὶ ὄνειδος  
"Menelaus, shame and disgrace will fall on you

**557** ἔσσεται εἴ κʼ Ἀχιλῆος ἀγαυοῦ πιστὸν ἑταῖρον  
if swift dogs beneath Troy's wall drag off

**558** τείχει ὕπο Τρώων ταχέες κύνες ἑλκήσουσιν.  
the trusted companion of glorious Achilles.

**559** ἀλλʼ ἔχεο κρατερῶς, ὄτρυνε δὲ λαὸν ἅπαντα.  
But hold fast with all your strength, and urge the whole host."

**560** τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος·  
Then Menelaus, good at the war-cry, answered her:

**561** Φοῖνιξ ἄττα γεραιὲ παλαιγενές, εἰ γὰρ Ἀθήνη  
"Father Phoenix, ancient elder, if only Athena
> Father Phoenix: ἄττα is an affectionate and respectful address to an older man, not a claim that Phoenix is Menelaus's father. Menelaus believes he is speaking to the old tutor.

**562** δοίη κάρτος ἐμοί, βελέων δʼ ἀπερύκοι ἐρωήν·  
would give me strength and hold back the rush of missiles.

**563** τώ κεν ἔγωγʼ ἐθέλοιμι παρεστάμεναι καὶ ἀμύνειν  
Then I would gladly stand beside Patroclus

**564** Πατρόκλῳ· μάλα γάρ με θανὼν ἐσεμάσσατο θυμόν.  
and defend him, for his death has struck deep into my heart.

**565** ἀλλʼ Ἕκτωρ πυρὸς αἰνὸν ἔχει μένος, οὐδʼ ἀπολήγει  
But Hector has the dread fury of fire and never ceases

**566** χαλκῷ δηϊόων· τῷ γὰρ Ζεὺς κῦδος ὀπάζει.  
laying waste with bronze, for Zeus grants him glory."

**567** ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,  
So he spoke, and the goddess bright-eyed Athena rejoiced,
> Bright-eyed Athena: γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη is Athena's fixed standing epithet, here kept as "bright-eyed Athena." The goddess rejoices because Menelaus prayed to her first among all gods.

**568** ὅττί ῥά οἱ πάμπρωτα θεῶν ἠρήσατο πάντων.  
because he had prayed to her first of all the gods.

**569** ἐν δὲ βίην ὤμοισι καὶ ἐν γούνεσσιν ἔθηκε,  
She put strength into his shoulders and knees,

**570** καί οἱ μυίης θάρσος ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐνῆκεν,  
and set in his breast the daring of a fly,

**571** ἥ τε καὶ ἐργομένη μάλα περ χροὸς ἀνδρομέοιο  
which, though driven again and again from a man's skin,

**572** ἰσχανάᾳ δακέειν, λαρόν τέ οἱ αἷμʼ ἀνθρώπου·  
still hungers to bite, for human blood tastes sweet to it.
> Blood tastes sweet: λαρός means pleasant or sweet to the taste. The stubborn blood-seeking fly supplies Athena's unnerving image for Menelaus's courage.

**573** τοίου μιν θάρσευς πλῆσε φρένας ἀμφὶ μελαίνας,  
With such daring she filled the dark heart within him.

**574** βῆ δʼ ἐπὶ Πατρόκλῳ, καὶ ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ.  
He strode over Patroclus and cast his shining spear.

**575** ἔσκε δʼ ἐνὶ Τρώεσσι Ποδῆς υἱὸς Ἠετίωνος  
Among the Trojans was Podes, son of Eetion,

**576** ἀφνειός τʼ ἀγαθός τε· μάλιστα δέ μιν τίεν Ἕκτωρ  
a rich and worthy man; above all his people Hector honored him,

**577** δήμου, ἐπεί οἱ ἑταῖρος ἔην φίλος εἰλαπιναστής·  
for he was his dear companion at the feast.

**578** τόν ῥα κατὰ ζωστῆρα βάλε ξανθὸς Μενέλαος  
Golden-haired Menelaus struck him through the belt

**579** ἀΐξαντα φόβον δέ, διὰ πρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσε·  
as he darted into flight, and drove the bronze clean through.

**580** δούπησεν δὲ πεσών· ἀτὰρ Ἀτρεΐδης Μενέλαος  
He crashed down as he fell; then Menelaus, son of Atreus,

**581** νεκρὸν ὑπʼ ἐκ Τρώων ἔρυσεν μετὰ ἔθνος ἑταίρων.  
dragged the corpse from under the Trojans into the host of his comrades.

**582** Ἕκτορα δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἱστάμενος ὄτρυνεν Ἀπόλλων  
Then Apollo stood close beside Hector and urged him on,

**583** Φαίνοπι Ἀσιάδῃ ἐναλίγκιος, ὅς οἱ ἁπάντων  
in the likeness of Phaenops, son of Asius, who of all

**584** ξείνων φίλτατος ἔσκεν Ἀβυδόθι οἰκία ναίων·  
his guest-friends was dearest, dwelling in his home at Abydos.

**585** τῷ μιν ἐεισάμενος προσέφη ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων·  
Taking his shape, Apollo the far-worker said:

**586** Ἕκτορ τίς κέ σʼ ἔτʼ ἄλλος Ἀχαιῶν ταρβήσειεν;  
"Hector, what other Achaean will ever fear you now?

**587** οἷον δὴ Μενέλαον ὑπέτρεσας, ὃς τὸ πάρος γε  
See how you shrank from Menelaus, who before this

**588** μαλθακὸς αἰχμητής· νῦν δʼ οἴχεται οἶος ἀείρας  
was a feeble spearman; now he has gone alone, carrying

**589** νεκρὸν ὑπʼ ἐκ Τρώων, σὸν δʼ ἔκτανε πιστὸν ἑταῖρον  
a corpse from under the Trojans, and has killed your trusted comrade,

**590** ἐσθλὸν ἐνὶ προμάχοισι Ποδῆν υἱὸν Ἠετίωνος.  
Podes, Eetion's son, a brave man among the front fighters."

**591** ὣς φάτο, τὸν δʼ ἄχεος νεφέλη ἐκάλυψε μέλαινα,  
So he spoke, and a black cloud of grief covered him.
> A black cloud of grief: Grief closes over Hector like a black cloud after Apollo tells him of Podes' death. The same whole line will return over Achilles in Book 18.

**592** βῆ δὲ διὰ προμάχων κεκορυθμένος αἴθοπι χαλκῷ.  
And he strode out through the front ranks, helmed in gleaming bronze.

**593** καὶ τότʼ ἄρα Κρονίδης ἕλετʼ αἰγίδα θυσσανόεσσαν  
Then the son of Cronos took up the tasselled aegis,

**594** μαρμαρέην, Ἴδην δὲ κατὰ νεφέεσσι κάλυψεν,  
flashing bright, and covered Ida in clouds;

**595** ἀστράψας δὲ μάλα μεγάλʼ ἔκτυπε, τὴν δὲ τίναξε,  
he blazed with lightning, thundered with a mighty crash, and shook it,

**596** νίκην δὲ Τρώεσσι δίδου, ἐφόβησε δʼ Ἀχαιούς.  
giving victory to the Trojans and routing the Achaeans.

**597** πρῶτος Πηνέλεως Βοιώτιος ἦρχε φόβοιο.  
Peneleos the Boeotian was first to lead the rout.

**598** βλῆτο γὰρ ὦμον δουρὶ πρόσω τετραμμένος αἰεὶ  
For as he kept facing forward, a spear struck the very edge

**599** ἄκρον ἐπιλίγδην· γράψεν δέ οἱ ὀστέον ἄχρις  
of his shoulder with a glancing blow; to the bone
> A glancing wound: ἐπιλίγδην marks a grazing, sideways stroke, while ἄκρον limits it to the shoulder's edge. The point scrapes to bone but does not run Peneleos through.

**600** αἰχμὴ Πουλυδάμαντος· ὃ γάρ ῥʼ ἔβαλε σχεδὸν ἐλθών.  
the point of Polydamas scraped him, for he had come close and cast.

**601** Λήϊτον αὖθʼ Ἕκτωρ σχεδὸν οὔτασε χεῖρʼ ἐπὶ καρπῷ  
Then Hector wounded Leitus at close quarters, in the arm at the wrist,

**602** υἱὸν Ἀλεκτρυόνος μεγαθύμου, παῦσε δὲ χάρμης·  
the son of great-hearted Alectryon, and stopped him from battle.

**603** τρέσσε δὲ παπτήνας, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι ἔλπετο θυμῷ  
He shrank back, glancing about, since in his heart he no longer hoped

**604** ἔγχος ἔχων ἐν χειρὶ μαχήσεσθαι Τρώεσσιν.  
to hold a spear in his hand and fight the Trojans.

**605** Ἕκτορα δʼ Ἰδομενεὺς μετὰ Λήϊτον ὁρμηθέντα  
But as Hector rushed after Leitus, Idomeneus

**606** βεβλήκει θώρηκα κατὰ στῆθος παρὰ μαζόν·  
struck his corselet on the chest beside the nipple;

**607** ἐν καυλῷ δʼ ἐάγη δολιχὸν δόρυ, τοὶ δὲ βόησαν  
the long spear broke at the socket, and the Trojans shouted.
> The shaft breaks: The spear breaks at καυλός, the socket or lower shaft near the head. Idomeneus strikes Hector's armor, but the broken weapon does not kill or wound him.

**608** Τρῶες· ὃ δʼ Ἰδομενῆος ἀκόντισε Δευκαλίδαο  
Then Hector cast at Idomeneus, son of Deucalion,

**609** δίφρῳ ἐφεσταότος· τοῦ μέν ῥʼ ἀπὸ τυτθὸν ἅμαρτεν·  
standing upon his chariot, and missed him by only a little;
> Hector narrowly misses: τοῦ refers to Idomeneus, Hector's intended target. The spear misses him by a little before striking Koiranus; it does not wound Idomeneus.

**610** αὐτὰρ ὃ Μηριόναο ὀπάονά θʼ ἡνίοχόν τε  
but he struck Meriones' companion and charioteer,

**611** Κοίρανον, ὅς ῥʼ ἐκ Λύκτου ἐϋκτιμένης ἕπετʼ αὐτῷ·  
Koiranus, who had followed him from well-built Lyctus.

**612** πεζὸς γὰρ τὰ πρῶτα λιπὼν νέας ἀμφιελίσσας  
For Idomeneus had first come on foot, leaving the curved ships,

**613** ἤλυθε, καί κε Τρωσὶ μέγα κράτος ἐγγυάλιξεν,  
and would have handed great power to the Trojans,

**614** εἰ μὴ Κοίρανος ὦκα ποδώκεας ἤλασεν ἵππους·  
had not Koiranus swiftly driven up the fleet-footed horses.
> A prevented outcome: The past contrary-to-fact condition runs from ἐγγυάλιξεν into εἰ μή: Idomeneus would have given the Trojans a great advantage had Koiranus not brought the horses. Koiranus's action saves him.

**615** καὶ τῷ μὲν φάος ἦλθεν, ἄμυνε δὲ νηλεὲς ἦμαρ,  
To him he brought the light and warded off the pitiless day,

**616** αὐτὸς δʼ ὤλεσε θυμὸν ὑφʼ Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο·  
but lost his own life beneath man-slaying Hector.

**617** τὸν βάλʼ ὑπὸ γναθμοῖο καὶ οὔατος, ἐκ δʼ ἄρʼ ὀδόντας  
Hector struck him below the jaw and ear; the spear's butt
> Below jaw and ear: The spear enters beneath Koiranus's jaw and ear. Homer's anatomy fixes both Hector's victim and the angle of the killing thrust.

**618** ὦσε δόρυ πρυμνόν, διὰ δὲ γλῶσσαν τάμε μέσσην.  
drove out his teeth and cut his tongue through the middle.

**619** ἤριπε δʼ ἐξ ὀχέων, κατὰ δʼ ἡνία χεῦεν ἔραζε.  
He fell from the chariot and spilled the reins upon the ground.

**620** καὶ τά γε Μηριόνης ἔλαβεν χείρεσσι φίλῃσι  
Meriones bent down from the chariot and caught them
> His own hands: φίλῃσι with a body part works possessively: Meriones catches the fallen reins in his own hands. He retrieves them after Koiranus falls.

**621** κύψας ἐκ πεδίοιο, καὶ Ἰδομενῆα προσηύδα·  
from the plain in his own hands, and called to Idomeneus:

**622** μάστιε νῦν εἷός κε θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας ἵκηαι·  
"Use the whip now, until you reach the swift ships.

**623** γιγνώσκεις δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ὅ τʼ οὐκέτι κάρτος Ἀχαιῶν.  
You yourself know the Achaeans have no strength left."

**624** ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ ἵμασεν καλλίτριχας ἵππους  
So he spoke, and Idomeneus lashed the lovely-maned horses

**625** νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς· δὴ γὰρ δέος ἔμπεσε θυμῷ.  
toward the hollow ships, for fear had fallen on his heart.

**626** οὐδʼ ἔλαθʼ Αἴαντα μεγαλήτορα καὶ Μενέλαον  
Nor did great-hearted Ajax and Menelaus fail to see

**627** Ζεύς, ὅτε δὴ Τρώεσσι δίδου ἑτεραλκέα νίκην.  
that Zeus was giving the Trojans victory that changed the fight.
> Victory changes sides: ἑτεραλκής describes victory swinging the strength of battle to the other side. Zeus, not Hector or Apollo here, is the direct giver of that reversal.

**628** τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας·  
Great Telamonian Ajax began speaking among them:

**629** ὢ πόποι ἤδη μέν κε καὶ ὃς μάλα νήπιός ἐστι  
"Shame! By now even a man who is an utter fool

**630** γνοίη ὅτι Τρώεσσι πατὴρ Ζεὺς αὐτὸς ἀρήγει.  
can see that father Zeus himself is helping the Trojans.

**631** τῶν μὲν γὰρ πάντων βέλεʼ ἅπτεται ὅς τις ἀφήῃ  
Every missile of theirs finds its mark, whoever casts it,

**632** ἢ κακὸς ἢ ἀγαθός· Ζεὺς δʼ ἔμπης πάντʼ ἰθύνει·  
coward or brave; Zeus guides them all alike,

**633** ἡμῖν δʼ αὔτως πᾶσιν ἐτώσια πίπτει ἔραζε.  
while all of ours fall useless to the ground.

**634** ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ αὐτοί περ φραζώμεθα μῆτιν ἀρίστην,  
Come, let us ourselves devise the best plan,

**635** ἠμὲν ὅπως τὸν νεκρὸν ἐρύσσομεν, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ  
both how we may drag away the corpse and how we ourselves
> Two aims in one plan: The paired ἠμέν ... ἠδέ construction joins Ajax's two aims: recover Patroclus and bring the living defenders home. The sentence continues into the next line.

**636** χάρμα φίλοις ἑτάροισι γενώμεθα νοστήσαντες,  
may return and become a joy to our dear comrades,

**637** οἵ που δεῦρʼ ὁρόωντες ἀκηχέδατʼ, οὐδʼ ἔτι φασὶν  
who must be looking this way in anguish and no longer think they can make

**638** Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο μένος καὶ χεῖρας ἀάπτους  
the fury and irresistible hands of man-slaying Hector
> Irresistible hands: ἄαπτος means not to be grasped or withstood. "Irresistible hands" is the poem's fixed rendering for the formula of overwhelming force.

**639** σχήσεσθʼ, ἀλλʼ ἐν νηυσὶ μελαίνῃσιν πεσέεσθαι.  
hold back, but will fall upon the black ships.

**640** εἴη δʼ ὅς τις ἑταῖρος ἀπαγγείλειε τάχιστα  
If only some comrade could carry word with all speed

**641** Πηλεΐδῃ, ἐπεὶ οὔ μιν ὀΐομαι οὐδὲ πεπύσθαι  
to Peleus' son, for I do not think he has even heard

**642** λυγρῆς ἀγγελίης, ὅτι οἱ φίλος ὤλεθʼ ἑταῖρος.  
the bitter news that his dear companion has died.

**643** ἀλλʼ οὔ πῃ δύναμαι ἰδέειν τοιοῦτον Ἀχαιῶν·  
But nowhere can I see any such Achaean,

**644** ἠέρι γὰρ κατέχονται ὁμῶς αὐτοί τε καὶ ἵπποι.  
for men and horses alike are held in fog.

**645** Ζεῦ πάτερ ἀλλὰ σὺ ῥῦσαι ὑπʼ ἠέρος υἷας Ἀχαιῶν,  
Father Zeus, rescue the sons of the Achaeans from the murk,
> Under the murk: ἀήρ here is the thick lower air, a battle-fog that blocks sight, not the clear upper sky. Ajax asks first for vision, not victory.

**646** ποίησον δʼ αἴθρην, δὸς δʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδέσθαι·  
make the sky clear, and grant our eyes to see;

**647** ἐν δὲ φάει καὶ ὄλεσσον, ἐπεί νύ τοι εὔαδεν οὕτως.  
and in the light destroy us, since this is your pleasure."
> Destroy us in daylight: ὄλεσσον is an aorist imperative: Ajax accepts destruction if Zeus wills it, but asks that it come openly in the light. The prayer's force lies in that stark concession.

**648** ὣς φάτο, τὸν δὲ πατὴρ ὀλοφύρατο δάκρυ χέοντα·  
So he spoke; the father pitied him as he wept,

**649** αὐτίκα δʼ ἠέρα μὲν σκέδασεν καὶ ἀπῶσεν ὀμίχλην,  
and at once scattered the murk and drove away the mist.

**650** ἠέλιος δʼ ἐπέλαμψε, μάχη δʼ ἐπὶ πᾶσα φαάνθη·  
The sun shone out, and all the battle came to light.

**651** καὶ τότʼ ἄρʼ Αἴας εἶπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον·  
Then Ajax spoke to Menelaus, loud in the war-cry:

**652** σκέπτεο νῦν Μενέλαε διοτρεφὲς αἴ κεν ἴδηαι  
"Look now, Zeus-nurtured Menelaus, and see if you can find

**653** ζωὸν ἔτʼ Ἀντίλοχον μεγαθύμου Νέστορος υἱόν,  
Antilochus still alive, the son of great-hearted Nestor,

**654** ὄτρυνον δʼ Ἀχιλῆϊ δαΐφρονι θᾶσσον ἰόντα  
and urge him to go quickly to warlike Achilles

**655** εἰπεῖν ὅττι ῥά οἱ πολὺ φίλτατος ὤλεθʼ ἑταῖρος.  
and tell him that his far dearest companion has died."

**656** ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος,  
So he spoke, and Menelaus, loud in the war-cry, did not disobey.

**657** βῆ δʼ ἰέναι ὥς τίς τε λέων ἀπὸ μεσσαύλοιο,  
He set out like a lion leaving a cattle-yard,

**658** ὅς τʼ ἐπεὶ ἄρ κε κάμῃσι κύνας τʼ ἄνδρας τʼ ἐρεθίζων,  
who, when he has worn himself out provoking dogs and men who confront him

**659** οἵ τέ μιν οὐκ εἰῶσι βοῶν ἐκ πῖαρ ἑλέσθαι  
and will not let him seize the cattle's fat,

**660** πάννυχοι ἐγρήσσοντες· ὃ δὲ κρειῶν ἐρατίζων  
keeping watch all night; and craving flesh,

**661** ἰθύει, ἀλλʼ οὔ τι πρήσσει· θαμέες γὰρ ἄκοντες  
he charges straight on, but gains nothing, for spears in a mass

**662** ἀντίον ἀΐσσουσι θρασειάων ἀπὸ χειρῶν,  
fly against him from bold hands,

**663** καιόμεναί τε δεταί, τάς τε τρεῖ ἐσσύμενός περ·  
and burning brands, which he fears, eager though he is;

**664** ἠῶθεν δʼ ἀπονόσφιν ἔβη τετιηότι θυμῷ·  
at dawn he goes far away, his heart in pain.

**665** ὣς ἀπὸ Πατρόκλοιο βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος  
So from Patroclus Menelaus, good at the war-cry,

**666** ἤϊε πόλλʼ ἀέκων· περὶ γὰρ δίε μή μιν Ἀχαιοὶ  
went away, much against his will; for he greatly feared the Achaeans

**667** ἀργαλέου πρὸ φόβοιο ἕλωρ δηΐοισι λίποιεν.  
might leave him as spoil for the enemy in their harsh rout.

**668** πολλὰ δὲ Μηριόνῃ τε καὶ Αἰάντεσσʼ ἐπέτελλεν·  
He laid many commands on Meriones and the two Ajaxes:

**669** Αἴαντʼ Ἀργείων ἡγήτορε Μηριόνη τε  
"You two Ajaxes, leaders of the Argives, and Meriones,

**670** νῦν τις ἐνηείης Πατροκλῆος δειλοῖο  
now let each man remember the kindness of poor Patroclus,
> Patroclus' kindness: ἐνηείη is gentleness or kindly feeling toward others. Menelaus asks the defenders to remember Patroclus' character while they guard his body.

**671** μνησάσθω· πᾶσιν γὰρ ἐπίστατο μείλιχος εἶναι  
for while he lived he knew how to be gentle to all.

**672** ζωὸς ἐών· νῦν αὖ θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κιχάνει.  
Now death and fate have overtaken him."
> Death and fate: θάνατος and μοῖρα arrive together as paired powers: death itself and the allotted fate that brings it. Menelaus closes without softening Patroclus' finality.

**673** ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἀπέβη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος,  
So speaking, golden-haired Menelaus went away,

**674** πάντοσε παπταίνων ὥς τʼ αἰετός, ὅν ῥά τέ φασιν  
looking everywhere, like an eagle, which they say

**675** ὀξύτατον δέρκεσθαι ὑπουρανίων πετεηνῶν,  
has the keenest sight of all the birds beneath the sky;

**676** ὅν τε καὶ ὑψόθʼ ἐόντα πόδας ταχὺς οὐκ ἔλαθε πτὼξ  
though it is high aloft, the swift-footed hare does not escape it,

**677** θάμνῳ ὑπʼ ἀμφικόμῳ κατακείμενος, ἀλλά τʼ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ  
lying beneath a thick-leaved bush, but down upon it

**678** ἔσσυτο, καί τέ μιν ὦκα λαβὼν ἐξείλετο θυμόν.  
the eagle swoops, quickly seizes it, and takes away its life.

**679** ὣς τότε σοὶ Μενέλαε διοτρεφὲς ὄσσε φαεινὼ  
So then, Menelaus, nurtured of Zeus, your two bright eyes
> The poet addresses Menelaus: The narrator turns directly to Menelaus in the vocative, briefly addressing the hero inside the battle narrative.

**680** πάντοσε δινείσθην πολέων κατὰ ἔθνος ἑταίρων,  
ranged everywhere through the throng of your many companions,

**681** εἴ που Νέστορος υἱὸν ἔτι ζώοντα ἴδοιτο.  
in hope of seeing Nestor's son still alive.

**682** τὸν δὲ μάλʼ αἶψʼ ἐνόησε μάχης ἐπʼ ἀριστερὰ πάσης  
He quickly noticed him on the left of the whole battle,

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

**684** ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱστάμενος προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·  
and golden-haired Menelaus stood close beside him and spoke:

**685** Ἀντίλοχʼ εἰ δʼ ἄγε δεῦρο διοτρεφὲς ὄφρα πύθηαι  
"Antilochus, come here, nurtured of Zeus, and learn

**686** λυγρῆς ἀγγελίης, ἣ μὴ ὤφελλε γενέσθαι.  
grievous news, which ought never to have happened.
> A wish against what happened: The imperfect ὤφελλε with the infinitive expresses an unfulfilled wish: Menelaus wishes the event had never taken place, though it has.

**687** ἤδη μὲν σὲ καὶ αὐτὸν ὀΐομαι εἰσορόωντα  
I think that you yourself, looking on,

**688** γιγνώσκειν ὅτι πῆμα θεὸς Δαναοῖσι κυλίνδει,  
already know that a god is rolling disaster upon the Danaans

**689** νίκη δὲ Τρώων· πέφαται δʼ ὤριστος Ἀχαιῶν  
and victory belongs to the Trojans; the best of the Achaeans has been slain,

**690** Πάτροκλος, μεγάλη δὲ ποθὴ Δαναοῖσι τέτυκται.  
Patroclus, and a great loss has come upon the Danaans.

**691** ἀλλὰ σύ γʼ αἶψʼ Ἀχιλῆϊ θέων ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν  
But run quickly to Achilles beside the ships of the Achaeans

**692** εἰπεῖν, αἴ κε τάχιστα νέκυν ἐπὶ νῆα σαώσῃ  
and tell him, in hope that he may quickly bring the corpse safe to his ship,

**693** γυμνόν· ἀτὰρ τά γε τεύχεʼ ἔχει κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ.  
naked; but Hector of the flashing helm holds his armor."
> The corpse and the armor: Patroclus' corpse is naked because Hector has stripped it. Hector holds the armor here, but Achilles remains its owner.

**694** ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀντίλοχος δὲ κατέστυγε μῦθον ἀκούσας·  
So he spoke, and Antilochus shuddered at hearing his words.

**695** δὴν δέ μιν ἀμφασίη ἐπέων λάβε, τὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε  
For a long while speechlessness held him; his two eyes
> Speechlessness: Antilochus is literally held by a lack of words. The phrase makes his first response to the news stunned silence rather than speech.

**696** δακρυόφι πλῆσθεν, θαλερὴ δέ οἱ ἔσχετο φωνή.  
filled with tears, and his strong voice was checked.

**697** ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὧς Μενελάου ἐφημοσύνης ἀμέλησε,  
Yet even so he did not neglect Menelaus' command.

**698** βῆ δὲ θέειν, τὰ δὲ τεύχεʼ ἀμύμονι δῶκεν ἑταίρῳ  
He set out running, and gave his armor to his blameless companion,

**699** Λαοδόκῳ, ὅς οἱ σχεδὸν ἔστρεφε μώνυχας ἵππους.  
Laodocus, who close beside him wheeled the single-hooved horses.
> Laodocus: Laodocus is Antilochus' nearby companion and takes his armor while tending the horses. He is not the messenger sent to Achilles.

**700** τὸν μὲν δάκρυ χέοντα πόδες φέρον ἐκ πολέμοιο  
His feet bore him weeping out of the fighting

**701** Πηλεΐδῃ Ἀχιλῆϊ κακὸν ἔπος ἀγγελέοντα.  
to carry the evil news to Achilles, son of Peleus.

**702** οὐδʼ ἄρα σοὶ Μενέλαε διοτρεφὲς ἤθελε θυμὸς  
Nor, Menelaus, nurtured of Zeus, did your heart desire

**703** τειρομένοις ἑτάροισιν ἀμυνέμεν, ἔνθεν ἀπῆλθεν  
to defend the hard-pressed companions from whom Antilochus had gone,

**704** Ἀντίλοχος, μεγάλη δὲ ποθὴ Πυλίοισιν ἐτύχθη·  
and a great loss had come upon the Pylians;
> The Pylians miss Antilochus: Antilochus' departure leaves his own Pylian contingent with a serious battlefield loss. The line does not mean that the Pylians have lost him to death.

**705** ἀλλʼ ὅ γε τοῖσιν μὲν Θρασυμήδεα δῖον ἀνῆκεν,  
but he sent godlike Thrasymedes among them,

**706** αὐτὸς δʼ αὖτʼ ἐπὶ Πατρόκλῳ ἥρωϊ βεβήκει,  
while he himself went back to the hero Patroclus.

**707** στῆ δὲ παρʼ Αἰάντεσσι θέων, εἶθαρ δὲ προσηύδα·  
He ran and stood beside the two Ajaxes, and at once addressed them:

**708** κεῖνον μὲν δὴ νηυσὶν ἐπιπροέηκα θοῇσιν  
"I have sent that man forward to the swift ships

**709** ἐλθεῖν εἰς Ἀχιλῆα πόδας ταχύν· οὐδέ μιν οἴω  
to go to swift-footed Achilles; but I do not think he will

**710** νῦν ἰέναι μάλα περ κεχολωμένον Ἕκτορι δίῳ·  
come now, however angry he may be with godlike Hector,

**711** οὐ γάρ πως ἂν γυμνὸς ἐὼν Τρώεσσι μάχοιτο.  
for he could not fight the Trojans while naked.
> Achilles without armor: Here naked means unarmored: Achilles cannot enter battle because Hector holds the armor he lent to Patroclus. Menelaus does not claim that Achilles is literally unclothed.

**712** ἡμεῖς δʼ αὐτοί περ φραζώμεθα μῆτιν ἀρίστην,  
But let us ourselves devise the best plan,

**713** ἠμὲν ὅπως τὸν νεκρὸν ἐρύσσομεν, ἠδὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ  
both how we may drag away the corpse and how we ourselves

**714** Τρώων ἐξ ἐνοπῆς θάνατον καὶ κῆρα φύγωμεν.  
may escape death and fate from the Trojans' battle-cry."

**715** τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας·  
Then great Telamonian Ajax answered him:

**716** πάντα κατʼ αἶσαν ἔειπες ἀγακλεὲς ὦ Μενέλαε·  
"All that you have said is right, glorious Menelaus.

**717** ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν καὶ Μηριόνης ὑποδύντε μάλʼ ὦκα  
But you and Meriones stoop down very quickly,

**718** νεκρὸν ἀείραντες φέρετʼ ἐκ πόνου· αὐτὰρ ὄπισθε  
lift the corpse, and bear it from the toil; behind you

**719** νῶϊ μαχησόμεθα Τρωσίν τε καὶ Ἕκτορι δίῳ  
we two will fight the Trojans and godlike Hector,

**720** ἶσον θυμὸν ἔχοντες ὁμώνυμοι, οἳ τὸ πάρος περ  
equal in spirit and bearing the same name, we who before now

**721** μίμνομεν ὀξὺν Ἄρηα παρʼ ἀλλήλοισι μένοντες.  
have stood side by side and endured sharp Ares."

**722** ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα νεκρὸν ἀπὸ χθονὸς ἀγκάζοντο  
So he spoke; the two took the corpse in their arms from the ground

**723** ὕψι μάλα μεγάλως· ἐπὶ δʼ ἴαχε λαὸς ὄπισθε  
and raised it very high with a mighty effort; behind them the Trojan

**724** Τρωϊκός, ὡς εἴδοντο νέκυν αἴροντας Ἀχαιούς.  
host cried out when they saw the Achaeans lifting the corpse.

**725** ἴθυσαν δὲ κύνεσσιν ἐοικότες, οἵ τʼ ἐπὶ κάπρῳ  
They charged straight on like dogs that rush upon a wounded boar

**726** βλημένῳ ἀΐξωσι πρὸ κούρων θηρητήρων·  
before a band of young huntsmen.

**727** ἕως μὲν γάρ τε θέουσι διαρραῖσαι μεμαῶτες,  
For as long as they run, eager to tear him apart,

**728** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἐν τοῖσιν ἑλίξεται ἀλκὶ πεποιθώς,  
but when he wheels among them, trusting in his strength,

**729** ἄψ τʼ ἀνεχώρησαν διά τʼ ἔτρεσαν ἄλλυδις ἄλλος.  
they draw back again and scatter in fear, each a different way.

**730** ὣς Τρῶες εἷος μὲν ὁμιλαδὸν αἰὲν ἕποντο  
So the Trojans, as long as they followed always in a mass,

**731** νύσσοντες ξίφεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισιν·  
stabbing with swords and double-pointed spears
> Double-pointed spears: The adjective describes spears fitted with a point at each end, not blades sharpened along two edges.

**732** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ Αἴαντε μεταστρεφθέντε κατʼ αὐτοὺς  
but when the two Ajaxes turned about against them

**733** σταίησαν, τῶν δὲ τράπετο χρώς, οὐδέ τις ἔτλη  
and stood fast, their skin changed color, and no one dared

**734** πρόσσω ἀΐξας περὶ νεκροῦ δηριάασθαι.  
spring forward and struggle for the corpse.

**735** ὣς οἵ γʼ ἐμμεμαῶτε νέκυν φέρον ἐκ πολέμοιο  
So the two, straining hard, bore the corpse from the fighting

**736** νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς· ἐπὶ δὲ πτόλεμος τέτατό σφιν  
toward the hollow ships; and war was stretched tight around them,

**737** ἄγριος ἠΰτε πῦρ, τό τʼ ἐπεσσύμενον πόλιν ἀνδρῶν  
savage as fire that, rushing upon a city of men,

**738** ὄρμενον ἐξαίφνης φλεγέθει, μινύθουσι δὲ οἶκοι  
suddenly flares up; houses waste away

**739** ἐν σέλαϊ μεγάλῳ· τὸ δʼ ἐπιβρέμει ἲς ἀνέμοιο.  
in the great blaze, while the force of the wind roars over it.

**740** ὣς μὲν τοῖς ἵππων τε καὶ ἀνδρῶν αἰχμητάων  
So the ceaseless clamor of horses and spearmen

**741** ἀζηχὴς ὀρυμαγδὸς ἐπήϊεν ἐρχομένοισιν·  
came upon them as they went.

**742** οἳ δʼ ὥς θʼ ἡμίονοι κρατερὸν μένος ἀμφιβαλόντες  
And as mules, clothing themselves in mighty strength,

**743** ἕλκωσʼ ἐξ ὄρεος κατὰ παιπαλόεσσαν ἀταρπὸν  
drag down from a mountain along a rugged track

**744** ἢ δοκὸν ἠὲ δόρυ μέγα νήϊον· ἐν δέ τε θυμὸς  
a beam or a great piece of timber for a ship, and their hearts

**745** τείρεθʼ ὁμοῦ καμάτῳ τε καὶ ἱδρῷ σπευδόντεσσιν·  
are worn together by toil and sweat as they hurry on,

**746** ὣς οἵ γʼ ἐμμεμαῶτε νέκυν φέρον. αὐτὰρ ὄπισθεν  
so the two, straining hard, bore the corpse. Behind them

**747** Αἴαντʼ ἰσχανέτην, ὥς τε πρὼν ἰσχάνει ὕδωρ  
the two Ajaxes held the enemy back, as a wooded ridge,

**748** ὑλήεις πεδίοιο διαπρύσιον τετυχηκώς,  
stretching unbroken across a plain, holds back water,

**749** ὅς τε καὶ ἰφθίμων ποταμῶν ἀλεγεινὰ ῥέεθρα  
and checks the grievous streams even of mighty rivers,

**750** ἴσχει, ἄφαρ δέ τε πᾶσι ῥόον πεδίον δὲ τίθησι  
turning the course of them all at once toward the plain;

**751** πλάζων· οὐδέ τί μιν σθένεϊ ῥηγνῦσι ῥέοντες·  
nor do the flowing rivers break it with their strength.

**752** ὣς αἰεὶ Αἴαντε μάχην ἀνέεργον ὀπίσσω  
So the two Ajaxes always held back the Trojan battle behind them.

**753** Τρώων· οἳ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο, δύω δʼ ἐν τοῖσι μάλιστα  
Yet they followed close, and foremost among them were two,

**754** Αἰνείας τʼ Ἀγχισιάδης καὶ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ.  
Aeneas, son of Anchises, and glorious Hector.

**755** τῶν δʼ ὥς τε ψαρῶν νέφος ἔρχεται ἠὲ κολοιῶν  
As a cloud of starlings or jackdaws comes on

**756** οὖλον κεκλήγοντες, ὅτε προΐδωσιν ἰόντα  
shrieking ruinously when they see a hawk coming,

**757** κίρκον, ὅ τε σμικρῇσι φόνον φέρει ὀρνίθεσσιν,  
which brings death to small birds,

**758** ὣς ἄρʼ ὑπʼ Αἰνείᾳ τε καὶ Ἕκτορι κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν  
so before Aeneas and Hector the young Achaeans

**759** οὖλον κεκλήγοντες ἴσαν, λήθοντο δὲ χάρμης.  
went on with ruinous cries and forgot the joy of battle.
> Forgetting battle-joy: The phrase marks the Achaeans' rout: under pressure from Aeneas and Hector, they lose the fierce eagerness for combat that had sustained them.

**760** πολλὰ δὲ τεύχεα καλὰ πέσον περί τʼ ἀμφί τε τάφρον  
Much fine armor fell around and about the trench

**761** φευγόντων Δαναῶν· πολέμου δʼ οὐ γίγνετʼ ἐρωή.  
as the Danaans fled, and there was no pause in the fighting.

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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.