# The Iliad, Book 22: The Death of Hector

Ἰλιάς · Homer · The Ransom of Hector

Hector waits for Achilles outside the gate, runs, and turns. Achilles kills him and drags the body behind his chariot.

Source: https://1732studios.com/books/iliad/22. Data: https://1732studios.com/books/iliad/22.json. Audio: https://audio.1732studios.com/iliad/<line id>.m4a.

**1** ὣς οἳ μὲν κατὰ ἄστυ πεφυζότες ἠΰτε νεβροὶ  
Thus they, having fled throughout the city like fawns,
> Perfect participle: The perfect participle presents the Trojans as remaining in the state of having fled.

**2** ἱδρῶ ἀπεψύχοντο πίον τʼ ἀκέοντό τε δίψαν  
were cooling their sweat; they drank and quenched their thirst,

**3** κεκλιμένοι καλῇσιν ἐπάλξεσιν· αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ  
as they leaned against the fair battlements; meanwhile the Achaeans
> Middle participle: This perfect middle participle describes the Trojans leaning or resting themselves against the battlements.

**4** τείχεος ἆσσον ἴσαν σάκεʼ ὤμοισι κλίναντες.  
advanced nearer the wall, their shields inclined upon their shoulders.

**5** Ἕκτορα δʼ αὐτοῦ μεῖναι ὀλοιὴ μοῖρα πέδησεν  
But deadly fate bound Hector to remain there

**6** Ἰλίου προπάροιθε πυλάων τε Σκαιάων.  
before Ilion and the Scaean Gates.

**7** αὐτὰρ Πηλείωνα προσηύδα Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων·  
Then Phoebus Apollo addressed Achilles:

**8** τίπτέ με Πηλέος υἱὲ ποσὶν ταχέεσσι διώκεις  
"Why, son of Peleus, do you pursue me with your swift feet,
> Direct address: The noun for “son” is vocative because Apollo is addressing Achilles directly; the genitive identifies his father.

**9** αὐτὸς θνητὸς ἐὼν θεὸν ἄμβροτον; οὐδέ νύ πώ με  
mortal though you are, an immortal god? Have you not yet
> Concessive participle: The participle means “being mortal,” while the context gives it the concessive force “mortal though you are.”

**10** ἔγνως ὡς θεός εἰμι, σὺ δʼ ἀσπερχὲς μενεαίνεις.  
recognized that I am a god? Yet you rage without respite.
> Without respite: The adverb conveys relentless, unremitting intensity in Achilles' anger and pursuit.

**11** ἦ νύ τοι οὔ τι μέλει Τρώων πόνος, οὓς ἐφόβησας,  
Do you care nothing for the suffering of the Trojans, whom you routed,
> Aorist action: The relative clause refers to the Trojans whom Achilles has already driven into flight.

**12** οἳ δή τοι εἰς ἄστυ ἄλεν, σὺ δὲ δεῦρο λιάσθης.  
and who have now crowded into the city, while you have turned aside here?

**13** οὐ μέν με κτενέεις, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι μόρσιμός εἰμι.  
You will not kill me, since I am not destined to die by you."

**14** τὸν δὲ μέγʼ ὀχθήσας προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·  
Greatly troubled, swift-footed Achilles answered him:
> Traditional epithet: The fixed description “swift-footed Achilles” identifies the hero through a characteristic Homeric epithet.

**15** ἔβλαψάς μʼ ἑκάεργε θεῶν ὀλοώτατε πάντων  
"You have harmed me, far-worker, most ruinous of all the gods,

**16** ἐνθάδε νῦν τρέψας ἀπὸ τείχεος· ἦ κʼ ἔτι πολλοὶ  
turning me here away from the wall; otherwise many more

**17** γαῖαν ὀδὰξ εἷλον πρὶν Ἴλιον εἰσαφικέσθαι.  
would have bitten the earth before they reached Troy.

**18** νῦν δʼ ἐμὲ μὲν μέγα κῦδος ἀφείλεο, τοὺς δὲ σάωσας  
Now you have robbed me of great glory and saved them

**19** ῥηϊδίως, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι τίσιν γʼ ἔδεισας ὀπίσσω.  
with ease, because you feared no vengeance afterward.

**20** ἦ σʼ ἂν τισαίμην, εἴ μοι δύναμίς γε παρείη.  
I would indeed punish you, if the power were mine."
> Potential condition: The optative in the protasis, paired with ἄν and an optative in the apodosis, presents a remote hypothetical possibility; the context makes clear that Achilles lacks the power to punish a god.

**21** ὣς εἰπὼν προτὶ ἄστυ μέγα φρονέων ἐβεβήκει,  
So speaking, he strode toward the city, his heart set on great deeds,

**22** σευάμενος ὥς θʼ ἵππος ἀεθλοφόρος σὺν ὄχεσφιν,  
rushing like a prize-winning horse with its chariot,
> Heroic comparison: Achilles' charge is compared to the easy, full-striding run of a prize-winning horse together with its chariot.

**23** ὅς ῥά τε ῥεῖα θέῃσι τιταινόμενος πεδίοιο·  
which runs easily, stretching at full speed across the plain;

**24** ὣς Ἀχιλεὺς λαιψηρὰ πόδας καὶ γούνατʼ ἐνώμα.  
so Achilles swiftly drove his feet and knees onward.

**25** τὸν δʼ ὃ γέρων Πρίαμος πρῶτος ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσι  
Aged Priam was the first to see him with his eyes,

**26** παμφαίνονθʼ ὥς τʼ ἀστέρʼ ἐπεσσύμενον πεδίοιο,  
blazing as he swept across the plain like the star

**27** ὅς ῥά τʼ ὀπώρης εἶσιν, ἀρίζηλοι δέ οἱ αὐγαὶ  
that rises in late summer, whose radiant beams

**28** φαίνονται πολλοῖσι μετʼ ἀστράσι νυκτὸς ἀμολγῷ,  
shine conspicuous among the many stars in the dead of night,

**29** ὅν τε κύνʼ Ὠρίωνος ἐπίκλησιν καλέουσι.  
the star that men call Orion's Dog.

**30** λαμπρότατος μὲν ὅ γʼ ἐστί, κακὸν δέ τε σῆμα τέτυκται,  
Brightest of all it is, yet it has become an evil sign

**31** καί τε φέρει πολλὸν πυρετὸν δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσιν·  
and brings consuming fever upon wretched mortals.

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

**33** ᾤμωξεν δʼ ὃ γέρων, κεφαλὴν δʼ ὅ γε κόψατο χερσὶν  
The old man groaned and struck his head with his hands;

**34** ὑψόσʼ ἀνασχόμενος, μέγα δʼ οἰμώξας ἐγεγώνει  
raising them high, he groaned aloud and cried out,

**35** λισσόμενος φίλον υἱόν· ὃ δὲ προπάροιθε πυλάων  
imploring his dear son; but Hector before the gates

**36** ἑστήκει ἄμοτον μεμαὼς Ἀχιλῆϊ μάχεσθαι·  
stood fast, fiercely resolved to fight Achilles.
> Past state: The pluperfect form means that Hector had taken his stand and remained standing there.

**37** τὸν δʼ ὃ γέρων ἐλεεινὰ προσηύδα χεῖρας ὀρεγνύς·  
The old man addressed him pitifully, stretching out his hands:

**38** Ἕκτορ μή μοι μίμνε φίλον τέκος ἀνέρα τοῦτον  
"Hector, my dear child, do not await this man
> Negative command: The present imperative with the negative particle urges Hector not to continue waiting where he stands.

**39** οἶος ἄνευθʼ ἄλλων, ἵνα μὴ τάχα πότμον ἐπίσπῃς  
alone and apart from the others, lest you swiftly meet your doom,

**40** Πηλεΐωνι δαμείς, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερός ἐστι  
slain by Achilles, since he is far stronger,

**41** σχέτλιος· αἴθε θεοῖσι φίλος τοσσόνδε γένοιτο  
the ruthless man. If only he were as hateful to the gods

**42** ὅσσον ἐμοί· τάχα κέν ἑ κύνες καὶ γῦπες ἔδοιεν  
as he is to me; then dogs and vultures would soon devour him

**43** κείμενον· ἦ κέ μοι αἰνὸν ἀπὸ πραπίδων ἄχος ἔλθοι·  
where he lay, and bitter anguish would depart from my heart.

**44** ὅς μʼ υἱῶν πολλῶν τε καὶ ἐσθλῶν εὖνιν ἔθηκε  
He has left me bereft of many brave sons,

**45** κτείνων καὶ περνὰς νήσων ἔπι τηλεδαπάων.  
killing them or selling them upon distant islands.

**46** καὶ γὰρ νῦν δύο παῖδε Λυκάονα καὶ Πολύδωρον  
Even now I cannot find my two sons, Lycaon and Polydorus,

**47** οὐ δύναμαι ἰδέειν Τρώων εἰς ἄστυ ἀλέντων,  
among the Trojans who have crowded into the city,

**48** τούς μοι Λαοθόη τέκετο κρείουσα γυναικῶν.  
whom Laothoe, queen among women, bore to me.

**49** ἀλλʼ εἰ μὲν ζώουσι μετὰ στρατῷ, ἦ τʼ ἂν ἔπειτα  
But if they are alive among the army, then indeed afterward

**50** χαλκοῦ τε χρυσοῦ τʼ ἀπολυσόμεθʼ, ἔστι γὰρ ἔνδον·  
we shall ransom them with bronze and gold, for there is wealth within.

**51** πολλὰ γὰρ ὤπασε παιδὶ γέρων ὀνομάκλυτος Ἄλτης.  
For renowned old Altes gave much to his daughter.

**52** εἰ δʼ ἤδη τεθνᾶσι καὶ εἰν Ἀΐδαο δόμοισιν,  
But if they are already dead and within the house of Hades,
> Perfect in a condition: The conditional clause uses the perfect τεθνᾶσι, presenting their death as an accomplished state: if they are already dead.

**53** ἄλγος ἐμῷ θυμῷ καὶ μητέρι τοὶ τεκόμεσθα·  
there will be grief for my heart and for their mother—for us two who begot them;

**54** λαοῖσιν δʼ ἄλλοισι μινυνθαδιώτερον ἄλγος  
but for the rest of the people the grief will be briefer,

**55** ἔσσεται, ἢν μὴ καὶ σὺ θάνῃς Ἀχιλῆϊ δαμασθείς.  
unless you too die, overcome by Achilles.
> Negative condition: ἤν with the subjunctive θάνῃς expresses a future condition: unless you too should die.

**56** ἀλλʼ εἰσέρχεο τεῖχος ἐμὸν τέκος, ὄφρα σαώσῃς  
But come inside the wall, my child, so that you may save
> Purpose clause: ὄφρα with the subjunctive σαώσῃς states the purpose of entering the city: so that Hector may save his people.

**57** Τρῶας καὶ Τρῳάς, μὴ δὲ μέγα κῦδος ὀρέξῃς  
the Trojan men and women, and not grant great glory

**58** Πηλεΐδῃ, αὐτὸς δὲ φίλης αἰῶνος ἀμερθῇς.  
to Achilles, while you yourself are robbed of dear life.

**59** πρὸς δʼ ἐμὲ τὸν δύστηνον ἔτι φρονέοντʼ ἐλέησον  
And pity me, still conscious, wretched as I am,

**60** δύσμορον, ὅν ῥα πατὴρ Κρονίδης ἐπὶ γήραος οὐδῷ  
ill-fated, whom father Zeus, at the threshold of old age,

**61** αἴσῃ ἐν ἀργαλέῃ φθίσει κακὰ πόλλʼ ἐπιδόντα  
will destroy beneath a cruel fate, after I have seen many horrors:

**62** υἷάς τʼ ὀλλυμένους ἑλκηθείσας τε θύγατρας,  
sons being slain and daughters dragged away,

**63** καὶ θαλάμους κεραϊζομένους, καὶ νήπια τέκνα  
bedchambers ravaged, and infant children

**64** βαλλόμενα προτὶ γαίῃ ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι,  
hurled to the ground amid dreadful warfare,

**65** ἑλκομένας τε νυοὺς ὀλοῇς ὑπὸ χερσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.  
and daughters-in-law dragged off beneath the ruinous hands of Achaeans.

**66** αὐτὸν δʼ ἂν πύματόν με κύνες πρώτῃσι θύρῃσιν  
Last of all, at the foremost doors, flesh-eating dogs
> Intensive pronoun: αὐτόν intensifies με, emphasizing that Priam himself will be the final victim. The placement of πύματον reinforces last of all.

**67** ὠμησταὶ ἐρύουσιν, ἐπεί κέ τις ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ  
will drag me, after someone with sharp bronze

**68** τύψας ἠὲ βαλὼν ῥεθέων ἐκ θυμὸν ἕληται,  
has struck or speared me and taken the life from my limbs—

**69** οὓς τρέφον ἐν μεγάροισι τραπεζῆας θυραωρούς,  
dogs I raised in my halls to guard my doors and eat at my table.

**70** οἵ κʼ ἐμὸν αἷμα πιόντες ἀλύσσοντες περὶ θυμῷ  
After drinking my blood, maddened at heart, they

**71** κείσοντʼ ἐν προθύροισι. νέῳ δέ τε πάντʼ ἐπέοικεν  
will lie in the forecourt. For a young man everything is seemly

**72** ἄρηϊ κταμένῳ δεδαϊγμένῳ ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ  
when he lies slain in war and gashed by sharp bronze;

**73** κεῖσθαι· πάντα δὲ καλὰ θανόντι περ ὅττι φανήῃ·  
though he is dead, whatever may be exposed is fair.
> Concessive participle: The aorist participle θανόντι with περ is concessive: even though he has died. It contrasts death with the beauty still attributed to the young warrior's body.

**74** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ πολιόν τε κάρη πολιόν τε γένειον  
But when dogs defile the grey head and grey beard

**75** αἰδῶ τʼ αἰσχύνωσι κύνες κταμένοιο γέροντος,  
and the nakedness of an old man who has been slain,

**76** τοῦτο δὴ οἴκτιστον πέλεται δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσιν.  
that is the most pitiable fate for wretched mortals."

**77** ἦ ῥʼ ὃ γέρων, πολιὰς δʼ ἄρʼ ἀνὰ τρίχας ἕλκετο χερσὶ  
So spoke the old man, and with his hands he pulled at his grey hair,

**78** τίλλων ἐκ κεφαλῆς· οὐδʼ Ἕκτορι θυμὸν ἔπειθε.  
tearing it from his head; yet he did not persuade Hector's heart.

**79** μήτηρ δʼ αὖθʼ ἑτέρωθεν ὀδύρετο δάκρυ χέουσα  
His mother in turn lamented from the other side, shedding tears;

**80** κόλπον ἀνιεμένη, ἑτέρηφι δὲ μαζὸν ἀνέσχε·  
she opened her robe and raised one breast with her other hand.

**81** καί μιν δάκρυ χέουσʼ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
Shedding tears, she addressed him with winged words:

**82** Ἕκτορ τέκνον ἐμὸν τάδε τʼ αἴδεο καί μʼ ἐλέησον  
"Hector, my child, respect this and pity me

**83** αὐτήν, εἴ ποτέ τοι λαθικηδέα μαζὸν ἐπέσχον·  
myself, if ever I held out to you the breast that made sorrow forgotten.
> Sorrow-forgetting breast: λαθικηδέα is a compound meaning that which makes cares or sorrows forgotten. Hecuba invokes the comfort and nurture Hector received as an infant.

**84** τῶν μνῆσαι φίλε τέκνον ἄμυνε δὲ δήϊον ἄνδρα  
Remember this, dear child, and ward off the hostile man

**85** τείχεος ἐντὸς ἐών, μὴ δὲ πρόμος ἵστασο τούτῳ  
while remaining within the wall; do not stand foremost against him,

**86** σχέτλιος· εἴ περ γάρ σε κατακτάνῃ, οὔ σʼ ἔτʼ ἔγωγε  
reckless one. For if he kills you, never again shall I

**87** κλαύσομαι ἐν λεχέεσσι φίλον θάλος, ὃν τέκον αὐτή,  
mourn you upon a bier, dear shoot whom I myself bore,

**88** οὐδʼ ἄλοχος πολύδωρος· ἄνευθε δέ σε μέγα νῶϊν  
nor shall your richly dowered wife; far away from us both,

**89** Ἀργείων παρὰ νηυσὶ κύνες ταχέες κατέδονται.  
beside the ships of the Achaeans, swift dogs will devour you."

**90** ὣς τώ γε κλαίοντε προσαυδήτην φίλον υἱὸν  
Thus those two, weeping, addressed their dear son
> The dual number: τώ, κλαίοντε, and προσαυδήτην are dual forms, marking Priam and Hecuba specifically as a pair.

**91** πολλὰ λισσομένω· οὐδʼ Ἕκτορι θυμὸν ἔπειθον,  
with many entreaties; yet they did not persuade Hector's heart,

**92** ἀλλʼ ὅ γε μίμνʼ Ἀχιλῆα πελώριον ἆσσον ἰόντα.  
but he remained where he was as monstrous Achilles drew nearer.

**93** ὡς δὲ δράκων ἐπὶ χειῇ ὀρέστερος ἄνδρα μένῃσι  
As a mountain snake beside its lair awaits a man,

**94** βεβρωκὼς κακὰ φάρμακʼ, ἔδυ δέ τέ μιν χόλος αἰνός,  
after swallowing deadly herbs, and terrible anger has entered it,
> Perfect participle: βεβρωκώς is a perfect participle: the snake has consumed the harmful substances and remains affected by them.

**95** σμερδαλέον δὲ δέδορκεν ἑλισσόμενος περὶ χειῇ·  
and it glares fearfully as it coils around its lair;

**96** ὣς Ἕκτωρ ἄσβεστον ἔχων μένος οὐχ ὑπεχώρει  
so Hector, possessing unquenchable fury, did not give ground,

**97** πύργῳ ἔπι προὔχοντι φαεινὴν ἀσπίδʼ ἐρείσας·  
but braced his shining shield against a projecting tower.

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

**99** ὤ μοι ἐγών, εἰ μέν κε πύλας καὶ τείχεα δύω,  
"Ah, wretched me! If I enter within the gates and walls,
> Prospective condition: The conditional particle εἰ is reinforced by κε, presenting Hector’s imagined retreat as a possible course of action.

**100** Πουλυδάμας μοι πρῶτος ἐλεγχείην ἀναθήσει,  
Polydamas will be the first to heap disgrace upon me,

**101** ὅς μʼ ἐκέλευε Τρωσὶ ποτὶ πτόλιν ἡγήσασθαι  
for he urged me to lead the Trojans back toward the city

**102** νύχθʼ ὕπο τήνδʼ ὀλοὴν ὅτε τʼ ὤρετο δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.  
during this ruinous night, when glorious Achilles rose to battle.

**103** ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ οὐ πιθόμην· ἦ τʼ ἂν πολὺ κέρδιον ἦεν.  
But I did not obey him; it would have been far better if I had.

**104** νῦν δʼ ἐπεὶ ὤλεσα λαὸν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ἐμῇσιν,  
But now, since through my recklessness I have destroyed the people,
> Reckless wrongdoing: The word denotes ruinous, morally blameworthy recklessness rather than a simple mistake. Hector accepts responsibility for the consequences of his judgment.

**105** αἰδέομαι Τρῶας καὶ Τρῳάδας ἑλκεσιπέπλους,  
I am ashamed before the Trojans and the trailing-robed Trojan women

**106** μή ποτέ τις εἴπῃσι κακώτερος ἄλλος ἐμεῖο·  
lest someday another man, baser than I, should say:

**107** Ἕκτωρ ἧφι βίηφι πιθήσας ὤλεσε λαόν.  
‘Hector trusted in his own might and destroyed the people.’

**108** ὣς ἐρέουσιν· ἐμοὶ δὲ τότʼ ἂν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη  
So they will say; but then it would be far better for me

**109** ἄντην ἢ Ἀχιλῆα κατακτείναντα νέεσθαι,  
to return only after killing Achilles face to face,

**110** ἠέ κεν αὐτῷ ὀλέσθαι ἐϋκλειῶς πρὸ πόληος.  
or else to perish gloriously myself before the city.

**111** εἰ δέ κεν ἀσπίδα μὲν καταθείομαι ὀμφαλόεσσαν  
But what if I were to lay down my bossed shield
> Imagined alternative: Hector opens another hypothetical course of action with εἰ and the modal particle κεν. The following subjunctive forms sustain the tentative deliberation.

**112** καὶ κόρυθα βριαρήν, δόρυ δὲ πρὸς τεῖχος ἐρείσας  
and my heavy helmet, and, leaning my spear against the wall,

**113** αὐτὸς ἰὼν Ἀχιλῆος ἀμύμονος ἀντίος ἔλθω  
go myself to meet blameless Achilles

**114** καί οἱ ὑπόσχωμαι Ἑλένην καὶ κτήμαθʼ ἅμʼ αὐτῇ,  
and promise him Helen and all the possessions with her,

**115** πάντα μάλʼ ὅσσά τʼ Ἀλέξανδρος κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσὶν  
all that Paris brought in the hollow ships

**116** ἠγάγετο Τροίηνδʼ, ἥ τʼ ἔπλετο νείκεος ἀρχή,  
to Troy—and she became the beginning of the quarrel—

**117** δωσέμεν Ἀτρεΐδῃσιν ἄγειν, ἅμα δʼ ἀμφὶς Ἀχαιοῖς  
to give to the sons of Atreus to carry off, and among the Achaeans

**118** ἄλλʼ ἀποδάσσεσθαι ὅσα τε πτόλις ἥδε κέκευθε·  
to divide all the rest that this city keeps hidden within it;

**119** Τρωσὶν δʼ αὖ μετόπισθε γερούσιον ὅρκον ἕλωμαι  
and afterward exact from the Trojans a solemn oath before the elders

**120** μή τι κατακρύψειν, ἀλλʼ ἄνδιχα πάντα δάσασθαι  
that they will conceal nothing, but divide everything into two shares,

**121** κτῆσιν ὅσην πτολίεθρον ἐπήρατον ἐντὸς ἐέργει·  
all the wealth that the lovely citadel contains within it?

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

**123** μή μιν ἐγὼ μὲν ἵκωμαι ἰών, ὃ δέ μʼ οὐκ ἐλεήσει  
I must not go and approach him, for he will show me no pity
> Rejected course of action: μή with the subjunctive marks the course Hector rejects: going to approach Achilles.

**124** οὐδέ τί μʼ αἰδέσεται, κτενέει δέ με γυμνὸν ἐόντα  
nor any respect, but will kill me while I am unarmed,

**125** αὔτως ὥς τε γυναῖκα, ἐπεί κʼ ἀπὸ τεύχεα δύω.  
as simply as a woman, once I have stripped off my armor.

**126** οὐ μέν πως νῦν ἔστιν ἀπὸ δρυὸς οὐδʼ ἀπὸ πέτρης  
There can be no talk with him now about an oak or a rock,

**127** τῷ ὀαριζέμεναι, ἅ τε παρθένος ἠΐθεός τε  
as a maiden and a young man converse together,

**128** παρθένος ἠΐθεός τʼ ὀαρίζετον ἀλλήλοιιν.  
a maiden and a young man speaking intimately with one another.
> Dual forms: Both the verb and reciprocal pronoun are dual, marking the maiden and young man as a pair engaged in intimate conversation.

**129** βέλτερον αὖτʼ ἔριδι ξυνελαυνέμεν ὅττι τάχιστα·  
Better once more to meet in combat with all speed;

**130** εἴδομεν ὁπποτέρῳ κεν Ὀλύμπιος εὖχος ὀρέξῃ.  
let us see to which of us the Olympian will grant the triumph."

**131** ὣς ὅρμαινε μένων, ὃ δέ οἱ σχεδὸν ἦλθεν Ἀχιλλεὺς  
So he pondered as he waited, and Achilles came close upon him,

**132** ἶσος Ἐνυαλίῳ κορυθάϊκι πτολεμιστῇ  
like Enyalius, the warrior whose helmet shakes,

**133** σείων Πηλιάδα μελίην κατὰ δεξιὸν ὦμον  
brandishing the terrible ash spear from Pelion over his right shoulder;

**134** δεινήν· ἀμφὶ δὲ χαλκὸς ἐλάμπετο εἴκελος αὐγῇ  
and the bronze flashed around him like the gleam

**135** ἢ πυρὸς αἰθομένου ἢ ἠελίου ἀνιόντος.  
of blazing fire or of the rising sun.

**136** Ἕκτορα δʼ, ὡς ἐνόησεν, ἕλε τρόμος· οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔτʼ ἔτλη  
But when Hector saw him, trembling seized him, and he no longer dared
> Temporal clause: Here ὡς introduces the moment at which Hector sees Achilles, immediately triggering his terror and flight.

**137** αὖθι μένειν, ὀπίσω δὲ πύλας λίπε, βῆ δὲ φοβηθείς·  
to remain there; he left the gates behind and fled in fear,

**138** Πηλεΐδης δʼ ἐπόρουσε ποσὶ κραιπνοῖσι πεποιθώς.  
and the son of Peleus sprang after him, trusting in his swift feet.

**139** ἠΰτε κίρκος ὄρεσφιν ἐλαφρότατος πετεηνῶν  
As a hawk in the mountains, swiftest of winged creatures,

**140** ῥηϊδίως οἴμησε μετὰ τρήρωνα πέλειαν,  
swoops easily after a trembling dove,

**141** ἣ δέ θʼ ὕπαιθα φοβεῖται, ὃ δʼ ἐγγύθεν ὀξὺ λεληκὼς  
and she flees beneath him, while close behind, shrieking sharply,

**142** ταρφέʼ ἐπαΐσσει, ἑλέειν τέ ἑ θυμὸς ἀνώγει·  
he darts at her again and again, and his spirit urges him to seize her—
> Infinitive after urging: The verb ἀνώγει takes the infinitive ἑλέειν to express what the hawk’s spirit urges him to do: seize the dove.

**143** ὣς ἄρʼ ὅ γʼ ἐμμεμαὼς ἰθὺς πέτετο, τρέσε δʼ Ἕκτωρ  
Thus he flew straight onward in his eagerness, and Hector fled
> Perfect participle: This perfect participle expresses his settled eagerness and intent as he presses the pursuit.

**144** τεῖχος ὕπο Τρώων, λαιψηρὰ δὲ γούνατʼ ἐνώμα.  
beneath the Trojans' wall, and swiftly plied his knees.

**145** οἳ δὲ παρὰ σκοπιὴν καὶ ἐρινεὸν ἠνεμόεντα  
Past the lookout-place and the wind-swept fig tree they

**146** τείχεος αἰὲν ὑπʼ ἐκ κατʼ ἀμαξιτὸν ἐσσεύοντο,  
rushed ever away from beneath the wall along the wagon road,

**147** κρουνὼ δʼ ἵκανον καλλιρρόω· ἔνθα δὲ πηγαὶ  
and reached the fair-flowing springs; there the fountains

**148** δοιαὶ ἀναΐσσουσι Σκαμάνδρου δινήεντος.  
rise in a pair from eddying Scamander.

**149** ἣ μὲν γάρ θʼ ὕδατι λιαρῷ ῥέει, ἀμφὶ δὲ καπνὸς  
One of them flows with warm water, and all around it steam
> Contrasted pair: The particles beginning here and answered by ἣ δʼ in line 151 set the two springs in balanced contrast.

**150** γίγνεται ἐξ αὐτῆς ὡς εἰ πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο·  
rises from it as though from a blazing fire;

**151** ἣ δʼ ἑτέρη θέρεϊ προρέει ἐϊκυῖα χαλάζῃ,  
but the other, even in summer, runs forth like hail,

**152** ἢ χιόνι ψυχρῇ ἢ ἐξ ὕδατος κρυστάλλῳ.  
or cold snow, or ice formed from water.

**153** ἔνθα δʼ ἐπʼ αὐτάων πλυνοὶ εὐρέες ἐγγὺς ἔασι  
There beside them, close at hand, are broad washing basins,

**154** καλοὶ λαΐνεοι, ὅθι εἵματα σιγαλόεντα  
beautiful and made of stone, where the gleaming garments

**155** πλύνεσκον Τρώων ἄλοχοι καλαί τε θύγατρες  
were once washed by the Trojans' wives and lovely daughters

**156** τὸ πρὶν ἐπʼ εἰρήνης πρὶν ἐλθεῖν υἷας Ἀχαιῶν.  
in former days of peace, before the sons of the Achaeans came.

**157** τῇ ῥα παραδραμέτην φεύγων ὃ δʼ ὄπισθε διώκων·  
Past these the two ran, one fleeing and the other pursuing behind;
> Dual verb: The dual verb marks the two runners, Hector and Achilles, as a tightly paired subject.

**158** πρόσθε μὲν ἐσθλὸς ἔφευγε, δίωκε δέ μιν μέγʼ ἀμείνων  
in front fled a noble man, but one far mightier pursued him

**159** καρπαλίμως, ἐπεὶ οὐχ ἱερήϊον οὐδὲ βοείην  
swiftly, since they strove neither for a sacrificial beast nor for an oxhide,

**160** ἀρνύσθην, ἅ τε ποσσὶν ἀέθλια γίγνεται ἀνδρῶν,  
such prizes as become men's rewards in races on foot,

**161** ἀλλὰ περὶ ψυχῆς θέον Ἕκτορος ἱπποδάμοιο.  
but they ran for the life of horse-taming Hector.

**162** ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἀεθλοφόροι περὶ τέρματα μώνυχες ἵπποι  
As when single-hoofed prize-winning horses about the turning posts

**163** ῥίμφα μάλα τρωχῶσι· τὸ δὲ μέγα κεῖται ἄεθλον  
race at full speed, and a great prize is set before them,

**164** ἢ τρίπος ἠὲ γυνὴ ἀνδρὸς κατατεθνηῶτος·  
a tripod or a woman in honor of a man who has died,

**165** ὣς τὼ τρὶς Πριάμοιο πόλιν πέρι δινηθήτην  
so those two wheeled three times around the city of Priam
> Dual pronoun: The dual pronoun means “those two” and again binds pursuer and fugitive into a single matched pair.

**166** καρπαλίμοισι πόδεσσι· θεοὶ δʼ ἐς πάντες ὁρῶντο·  
on their swift feet, while all the gods looked on.

**167** τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε·  
Then among them the father of men and gods began to speak:

**168** ὢ πόποι ἦ φίλον ἄνδρα διωκόμενον περὶ τεῖχος  
"Ah me, I see with my eyes a man dear to me pursued about the wall;

**169** ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶμαι· ἐμὸν δʼ ὀλοφύρεται ἦτορ  
my heart grieves for

**170** Ἕκτορος, ὅς μοι πολλὰ βοῶν ἐπὶ μηρίʼ ἔκηεν  
Hector, who burned for me many thighs of oxen

**171** Ἴδης ἐν κορυφῇσι πολυπτύχου, ἄλλοτε δʼ αὖτε  
upon the peaks of many-ridged Ida, and at other times

**172** ἐν πόλει ἀκροτάτῃ· νῦν αὖτέ ἑ δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς  
on the city's height; but now divine Achilles pursues him

**173** ἄστυ πέρι Πριάμοιο ποσὶν ταχέεσσι διώκει.  
around Priam's city on his swift feet.

**174** ἀλλʼ ἄγετε φράζεσθε θεοὶ καὶ μητιάασθε  
Come then, gods, consider and take counsel
> Middle imperative: This plural imperative calls upon the gods to deliberate for themselves as a council.

**175** ἠέ μιν ἐκ θανάτοιο σαώσομεν, ἦέ μιν ἤδη  
whether we shall save him from death, or now

**176** Πηλεΐδῃ Ἀχιλῆϊ δαμάσσομεν ἐσθλὸν ἐόντα.  
subdue him, noble though he is, beneath Achilles, Peleus' son."

**177** τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·  
Then the goddess, bright-eyed Athena, answered him:

**178** ὦ πάτερ ἀργικέραυνε κελαινεφὲς οἷον ἔειπες·  
"Father of the bright thunderbolt, lord of the dark cloud, what a thing you have said!

**179** ἄνδρα θνητὸν ἐόντα πάλαι πεπρωμένον αἴσῃ  
A mortal man, long since appointed to fate,
> Appointed fate: The phrase describes Hector as already allotted to his destined end; πεπρωμένον is a perfect participle emphasizing that fixed condition.

**180** ἂψ ἐθέλεις θανάτοιο δυσηχέος ἐξαναλῦσαι;  
you wish to loose again from harsh-sounding death?

**181** ἔρδʼ· ἀτὰρ οὔ τοι πάντες ἐπαινέομεν θεοὶ ἄλλοι.  
Do it; but not all we other gods approve."

**182** τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς·  
Then Zeus the cloud-gatherer answered her and said:

**183** θάρσει Τριτογένεια φίλον τέκος· οὔ νύ τι θυμῷ  
"Take heart, Tritogeneia, my dear child. I do not speak
> Command of reassurance: This present imperative tells Athena to remain confident or take courage.

**184** πρόφρονι μυθέομαι, ἐθέλω δέ τοι ἤπιος εἶναι·  
from a willing heart; I mean to deal with you gently.

**185** ἔρξον ὅπῃ δή τοι νόος ἔπλετο, μὴ δʼ ἔτʼ ἐρώει.  
Do as your purpose has resolved; hold back no longer."

**186** ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε πάρος μεμαυῖαν Ἀθήνην·  
So speaking, he spurred on Athena, who was eager already,

**187** βῆ δὲ κατʼ Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀΐξασα.  
but went darting down from the peaks of Olympus,
> Aorist participle: The aorist participle presents Athena's darting movement as the decisive action accompanying her descent.

**188** Ἕκτορα δʼ ἀσπερχὲς κλονέων ἔφεπʼ ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς.  
But swift Achilles followed, relentlessly driving Hector on.

**189** ὡς δʼ ὅτε νεβρὸν ὄρεσφι κύων ἐλάφοιο δίηται  
As when a hound pursues a fawn of a deer through the mountains,
> Epic simile opening: This formula introduces an extended Homeric comparison whose application follows in line 193.

**190** ὄρσας ἐξ εὐνῆς διά τʼ ἄγκεα καὶ διὰ βήσσας·  
rousing it from its lair, through glens and wooded hollows;

**191** τὸν δʼ εἴ πέρ τε λάθῃσι καταπτήξας ὑπὸ θάμνῳ,  
and even if it eludes him by crouching beneath a thicket,

**192** ἀλλά τʼ ἀνιχνεύων θέει ἔμπεδον ὄφρά κεν εὕρῃ·  
still he runs steadily, tracking it until he finds it;
> Prospective temporal clause: The conjunction with κεν and the subjunctive εὕρῃ expresses the point up to which the hound continues searching.

**193** ὣς Ἕκτωρ οὐ λῆθε ποδώκεα Πηλεΐωνα.  
so Hector did not escape the notice of the swift-footed son of Peleus.

**194** ὁσσάκι δʼ ὁρμήσειε πυλάων Δαρδανιάων  
As often as he sought to rush toward the Dardanian gates

**195** ἀντίον ἀΐξασθαι ἐϋδμήτους ὑπὸ πύργους,  
and dart straight beneath the well-built towers,

**196** εἴ πως οἷ καθύπερθεν ἀλάλκοιεν βελέεσσι,  
in hope that those above might somehow defend him with missiles,
> Potential protection: The optative presents the hoped-for possibility that the Trojans on the walls might ward Achilles off.

**197** τοσσάκι μιν προπάροιθεν ἀποστρέψασκε παραφθὰς  
so often Achilles would race past him, cut him off, and turn him back

**198** πρὸς πεδίον· αὐτὸς δὲ ποτὶ πτόλιος πέτετʼ αἰεί.  
toward the plain, while he himself kept flying close to the city.

**199** ὡς δʼ ἐν ὀνείρῳ οὐ δύναται φεύγοντα διώκειν·  
As in a dream one cannot pursue a man who flees;

**200** οὔτʼ ἄρʼ ὃ τὸν δύναται ὑποφεύγειν οὔθʼ ὃ διώκειν·  
the one cannot escape him, nor can the other pursue;
> Contrasted pronouns: Repeated ὃ distinguishes the fleeing man from his pursuer, while the paired negatives hold both in the paralysis of a dream.

**201** ὣς ὃ τὸν οὐ δύνατο μάρψαι ποσίν, οὐδʼ ὃς ἀλύξαι.  
so Achilles could not catch Hector with his feet, nor could Hector escape.

**202** πῶς δέ κεν Ἕκτωρ κῆρας ὑπεξέφυγεν θανάτοιο,  
And how could Hector have escaped the fates of death,

**203** εἰ μή οἱ πύματόν τε καὶ ὕστατον ἤντετʼ Ἀπόλλων  
had Apollo not met him for the last and final time,

**204** ἐγγύθεν, ὅς οἱ ἐπῶρσε μένος λαιψηρά τε γοῦνα;  
close at hand, and stirred his strength and his swift knees?

**205** λαοῖσιν δʼ ἀνένευε καρήατι δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,  
But noble Achilles shook his head at the host,

**206** οὐδʼ ἔα ἱέμεναι ἐπὶ Ἕκτορι πικρὰ βέλεμνα,  
and would not allow them to launch bitter missiles at Hector,
> Homeric infinitive: The infinitive depends on ἔα, expressing what Achilles refused to allow the warriors to do.

**207** μή τις κῦδος ἄροιτο βαλών, ὃ δὲ δεύτερος ἔλθοι.  
lest another strike him and win the glory, while he came second.

**208** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ τὸ τέταρτον ἐπὶ κρουνοὺς ἀφίκοντο,  
But when for the fourth time they reached the springs,

**209** καὶ τότε δὴ χρύσεια πατὴρ ἐτίταινε τάλαντα,  
the father raised his golden scales and stretched them level;

**210** ἐν δʼ ἐτίθει δύο κῆρε τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο,  
within he set two fates of death that lays men low,

**211** τὴν μὲν Ἀχιλλῆος, τὴν δʼ Ἕκτορος ἱπποδάμοιο,  
one for Achilles, one for Hector, tamer of horses,

**212** ἕλκε δὲ μέσσα λαβών· ῥέπε δʼ Ἕκτορος αἴσιμον ἦμαρ,  
and grasping the middle he raised it; Hector's fated day sank down,
> The appointed day: Literally an allotted or fated day, the phrase here signifies Hector's destined day of death.

**213** ᾤχετο δʼ εἰς Ἀΐδαο, λίπεν δέ ἑ Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων.  
and went away to the house of Hades, and Phoebus Apollo left him.

**214** Πηλεΐωνα δʼ ἵκανε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,  
Then the goddess, bright-eyed Athena, came to the son of Peleus,

**215** ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱσταμένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
Standing close beside him, she addressed him with winged words:

**216** νῦν δὴ νῶι ἔολπα Διῒ φίλε φαίδιμʼ Ἀχιλλεῦ  
"Now at last, Achilles glorious and dear to Zeus, I expect that we two
> The dual pronoun: The dual form means specifically “we two,” here Athena and Achilles acting together.

**217** οἴσεσθαι μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιοῖσι προτὶ νῆας  
shall bring great glory to the Achaeans beside their ships,

**218** Ἕκτορα δῃώσαντε μάχης ἄατόν περ ἐόντα.  
once we have slain Hector, insatiable though he is in battle.

**219** οὔ οἱ νῦν ἔτι γʼ ἔστι πεφυγμένον ἄμμε γενέσθαι,  
Now there is no longer any chance for him to escape us,

**220** οὐδʼ εἴ κεν μάλα πολλὰ πάθοι ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων  
not even if Apollo the far-worker should suffer greatly

**221** προπροκυλινδόμενος πατρὸς Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο.  
and roll again and again before father Zeus who bears the aegis.

**222** ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν στῆθι καὶ ἄμπνυε, τόνδε δʼ ἐγώ τοι  
But now stand still and recover your breath, while I shall go
> Paired commands: The two imperatives command Achilles first to halt and then to recover his breath.

**223** οἰχομένη πεπιθήσω ἐναντίβιον μαχέσασθαι.  
and persuade this man to face you in battle."

**224** ὣς φάτʼ Ἀθηναίη, ὃ δʼ ἐπείθετο, χαῖρε δὲ θυμῷ,  
So spoke Athena; he obeyed and rejoiced in his heart,

**225** στῆ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπὶ μελίης χαλκογλώχινος ἐρεισθείς.  
and stood leaning upon his bronze-pointed ash spear.

**226** ἣ δʼ ἄρα τὸν μὲν ἔλειπε, κιχήσατο δʼ Ἕκτορα δῖον  
Then she left him there and overtook noble Hector,

**227** Δηϊφόβῳ ἐϊκυῖα δέμας καὶ ἀτειρέα φωνήν·  
in bodily form and tireless voice resembling Deiphobus;
> Athena's disguise: The feminine participle refers to Athena, while the dative Deiphobus marks the person whom she resembles. Athena assumes his appearance and voice; the real Deiphobus remains within Troy.

**228** ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱσταμένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
Standing close beside him, she addressed him with winged words:

**229** ἠθεῖʼ ἦ μάλα δή σε βιάζεται ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεὺς  
"Brother, truly swift Achilles is pressing you hard,

**230** ἄστυ πέρι Πριάμοιο ποσὶν ταχέεσσι διώκων·  
pursuing you around Priam's city with his swift feet;

**231** ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ στέωμεν καὶ ἀλεξώμεσθα μένοντες.  
Come, let us stand and defend ourselves, holding our ground."

**232** τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε μέγας κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ·  
Then great Hector of the flashing helm addressed her in turn:
> Athena's divine identity: The feminine accusative pronoun refers grammatically to Athena, despite her outward disguise as Deiphobus.

**233** Δηΐφοβʼ ἦ μέν μοι τὸ πάρος πολὺ φίλτατος ἦσθα  
"Deiphobus, before now you were by far the dearest to me

**234** γνωτῶν οὓς Ἑκάβη ἠδὲ Πρίαμος τέκε παῖδας·  
of all the brothers whom Hecuba and Priam begot as sons;

**235** νῦν δʼ ἔτι καὶ μᾶλλον νοέω φρεσὶ τιμήσασθαι,  
but now I think to honor you still more in my heart,

**236** ὃς ἔτλης ἐμεῦ εἵνεκʼ, ἐπεὶ ἴδες ὀφθαλμοῖσι,  
because for my sake, when you saw me with your eyes,

**237** τείχεος ἐξελθεῖν, ἄλλοι δʼ ἔντοσθε μένουσι.  
you dared to come outside the wall, while the others remain within."

**238** τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·  
Then the goddess, bright-eyed Athena, answered him:

**239** ἠθεῖʼ ἦ μὲν πολλὰ πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ  
"Brother, indeed our father and honored mother pleaded greatly with me

**240** λίσσονθʼ ἑξείης γουνούμενοι, ἀμφὶ δʼ ἑταῖροι,  
in turn, clasping my knees, and all my companions around me,

**241** αὖθι μένειν· τοῖον γὰρ ὑποτρομέουσιν ἅπαντες·  
to remain there, for they all tremble so before Achilles;

**242** ἀλλʼ ἐμὸς ἔνδοθι θυμὸς ἐτείρετο πένθεϊ λυγρῷ.  
but my heart within was worn away by grievous sorrow.

**243** νῦν δʼ ἰθὺς μεμαῶτε μαχώμεθα, μὴ δέ τι δούρων  
Now let us both fight straight on with eager spirit, and let there be no
> Dual perfect participle: The dual participle describes Hector and the disguised Athena together as being fiercely eager for combat.

**244** ἔστω φειδωλή, ἵνα εἴδομεν εἴ κεν Ἀχιλλεὺς  
sparing of spears, so that we may know whether Achilles

**245** νῶϊ κατακτείνας ἔναρα βροτόεντα φέρηται  
will slay us both and carry our bloodstained spoils

**246** νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς, ἦ κεν σῷ δουρὶ δαμήῃ.  
to the hollow ships, or be subdued by your spear."

**247** ὣς φαμένη καὶ κερδοσύνῃ ἡγήσατʼ Ἀθήνη·  
So saying, Athena led the way with cunning;
> Feminine participle: This feminine present middle participle means “speaking” and agrees with Athena.

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

**249** τὸν πρότερος προσέειπε μέγας κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ·  
Hector of the flashing helm addressed him first:

**250** οὔ σʼ ἔτι Πηλέος υἱὲ φοβήσομαι, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ  
"No longer, son of Peleus, shall I fear you as I did before,

**251** τρὶς περὶ ἄστυ μέγα Πριάμου δίον, οὐδέ ποτʼ ἔτλην  
when three times I circled the great city of Priam and never dared

**252** μεῖναι ἐπερχόμενον· νῦν αὖτέ με θυμὸς ἀνῆκε  
to await your advance; but now my heart has urged me once more

**253** στήμεναι ἀντία σεῖο· ἕλοιμί κεν ἤ κεν ἁλοίην.  
to stand against you; I may slay you, or I may be slain.
> Alternative possibilities: The two optatives with κεν present opposed potential outcomes: Hector might kill Achilles, or he might himself be killed.

**254** ἀλλʼ ἄγε δεῦρο θεοὺς ἐπιδώμεθα· τοὶ γὰρ ἄριστοι  
But come, let us invoke the gods; for they shall be the best
> Hortatory subjunctive: The first-person plural subjunctive expresses Hector’s proposal that they call upon the gods as witnesses.

**255** μάρτυροι ἔσσονται καὶ ἐπίσκοποι ἁρμονιάων·  
witnesses and guardians of our agreements.

**256** οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ σʼ ἔκπαγλον ἀεικιῶ, αἴ κεν ἐμοὶ Ζεὺς  
I shall not outrage you cruelly, if Zeus grants me
> Future condition: The conditional clause with αἴ κεν makes Hector’s promise dependent upon what Zeus may grant him.

**257** δώῃ καμμονίην, σὴν δὲ ψυχὴν ἀφέλωμαι·  
the strength to endure and I take away your life;

**258** ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ ἄρ κέ σε συλήσω κλυτὰ τεύχεʼ Ἀχιλλεῦ  
but when I have stripped your glorious armor from you, Achilles,

**259** νεκρὸν Ἀχαιοῖσιν δώσω πάλιν· ὣς δὲ σὺ ῥέζειν.  
I shall return your body to the Achaeans; you must do likewise."

**260** τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·  
Then, glaring at him from under his brows, swift-footed Achilles spoke:

**261** Ἕκτορ μή μοι ἄλαστε συνημοσύνας ἀγόρευε·  
"Hector, accursed man, do not speak to me of agreements;
> Direct address: Hector’s name is in the vocative because Achilles addresses him directly.

**262** ὡς οὐκ ἔστι λέουσι καὶ ἀνδράσιν ὅρκια πιστά,  
as there are no trustworthy oaths between lions and men,

**263** οὐδὲ λύκοι τε καὶ ἄρνες ὁμόφρονα θυμὸν ἔχουσιν,  
nor do wolves and lambs possess a like-minded heart,

**264** ἀλλὰ κακὰ φρονέουσι διαμπερὲς ἀλλήλοισιν,  
but continually devise evil against one another,

**265** ὣς οὐκ ἔστʼ ἐμὲ καὶ σὲ φιλήμεναι, οὐδέ τι νῶϊν  
so there can be no affection between you and me, nor shall there be for us
> Dual pronoun: This dual form means “for us two,” restricting the statement specifically to Achilles and Hector.

**266** ὅρκια ἔσσονται, πρίν γʼ ἢ ἕτερόν γε πεσόντα  
any oaths, until one or the other has fallen

**267** αἵματος ἆσαι Ἄρηα ταλαύρινον πολεμιστήν.  
to glut Ares with blood, the steadfast shield-bearing warrior.

**268** παντοίης ἀρετῆς μιμνήσκεο· νῦν σε μάλα χρὴ  
Remember every kind of valor; now above all you must be fit

**269** αἰχμητήν τʼ ἔμεναι καὶ θαρσαλέον πολεμιστήν.  
for being a spearman and a courageous warrior!

**270** οὔ τοι ἔτʼ ἔσθʼ ὑπάλυξις, ἄφαρ δέ σε Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη  
There is no escape for you now; at once Pallas Athena

**271** ἔγχει ἐμῷ δαμάᾳ· νῦν δʼ ἀθρόα πάντʼ ἀποτίσεις  
will subdue you with my spear, and now all together you shall repay

**272** κήδεʼ ἐμῶν ἑτάρων οὓς ἔκτανες ἔγχεϊ θύων.  
the sorrows of my companions, whom you slew while raging with the spear."

**273** ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἀμπεπαλὼν προΐει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος·  
So he spoke, and poising it, hurled his long-shadowed spear,
> Battle formula: This recurring hexameter formula introduces a spear cast and is repeated verbatim when Hector throws at line 289.

**274** καὶ τὸ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ·  
but glorious Hector saw it coming straight at him and avoided it;

**275** ἕζετο γὰρ προϊδών, τὸ δʼ ὑπέρπτατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,  
for he crouched when he saw it, and the bronze spear flew over him

**276** ἐν γαίῃ δʼ ἐπάγη· ἀνὰ δʼ ἥρπασε Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη,  
and fixed itself in the earth; but Pallas Athena snatched it up

**277** ἂψ δʼ Ἀχιλῆϊ δίδου, λάθε δʼ Ἕκτορα ποιμένα λαῶν.  
and gave it back to Achilles, escaping the notice of Hector, shepherd of the people.

**278** Ἕκτωρ δὲ προσέειπεν ἀμύμονα Πηλεΐωνα·  
Then Hector addressed the blameless son of Peleus:

**279** ἤμβροτες, οὐδʼ ἄρα πώ τι θεοῖς ἐπιείκελʼ Ἀχιλλεῦ  
"You missed, and so, godlike Achilles, you knew nothing after all

**280** ἐκ Διὸς ἠείδης τὸν ἐμὸν μόρον, ἦ τοι ἔφης γε·  
from Zeus about my fate, though you certainly claimed you did;

**281** ἀλλά τις ἀρτιεπὴς καὶ ἐπίκλοπος ἔπλεο μύθων,  
instead you proved glib in speech and deceitful in words,
> Glib and deceitful: The paired adjectives accuse Achilles of speaking fluently while using his words to deceive.

**282** ὄφρά σʼ ὑποδείσας μένεος ἀλκῆς τε λάθωμαι.  
so that through fear of you I might forget my fury and courage.

**283** οὐ μέν μοι φεύγοντι μεταφρένῳ ἐν δόρυ πήξεις,  
You shall not plant your spear in my back as I flee,

**284** ἀλλʼ ἰθὺς μεμαῶτι διὰ στήθεσφιν ἔλασσον  
but drive it straight through my breast as I charge

**285** εἴ τοι ἔδωκε θεός· νῦν αὖτʼ ἐμὸν ἔγχος ἄλευαι  
if a god grants it to you; now in turn avoid my spear,

**286** χάλκεον· ὡς δή μιν σῷ ἐν χροῒ πᾶν κομίσαιο.  
the bronze spear; would that you might receive it all in your flesh.

**287** καί κεν ἐλαφρότερος πόλεμος Τρώεσσι γένοιτο  
Then war might become lighter for the Trojans

**288** σεῖο καταφθιμένοιο· σὺ γάρ σφισι πῆμα μέγιστον.  
with you dead, for you are their greatest affliction."

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

**290** καὶ βάλε Πηλεΐδαο μέσον σάκος οὐδʼ ἀφάμαρτε·  
and struck the son of Peleus squarely upon the middle of his shield, nor did he miss;

**291** τῆλε δʼ ἀπεπλάγχθη σάκεος δόρυ· χώσατο δʼ Ἕκτωρ  
but the spear rebounded far from the shield, and Hector was angered

**292** ὅττί ῥά οἱ βέλος ὠκὺ ἐτώσιον ἔκφυγε χειρός,  
because his swift weapon had flown vainly from his hand

**293** στῆ δὲ κατηφήσας, οὐδʼ ἄλλʼ ἔχε μείλινον ἔγχος.  
and stood downcast, for he had no other ashwood spear.

**294** Δηΐφοβον δʼ ἐκάλει λευκάσπιδα μακρὸν ἀΰσας·  
He called to white-shielded Deiphobus with a loud shout,

**295** ᾔτεέ μιν δόρυ μακρόν· ὃ δʼ οὔ τί οἱ ἐγγύθεν ἦεν.  
asking him for a long spear; but he was nowhere near him.

**296** Ἕκτωρ δʼ ἔγνω ᾗσιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ φώνησέν τε·  
Then Hector understood within his heart and spoke:

**297** ὢ πόποι ἦ μάλα δή με θεοὶ θάνατόνδε κάλεσσαν·  
"Alas, surely the gods have summoned me to death;

**298** Δηΐφοβον γὰρ ἔγωγʼ ἐφάμην ἥρωα παρεῖναι·  
for I believed the hero Deiphobus was beside me,

**299** ἀλλʼ ὃ μὲν ἐν τείχει, ἐμὲ δʼ ἐξαπάτησεν Ἀθήνη.  
but he is within the walls, and Athena has deceived me.

**300** νῦν δὲ δὴ ἐγγύθι μοι θάνατος κακός, οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἄνευθεν,  
Now evil death is close beside me and no longer far away,

**301** οὐδʼ ἀλέη· ἦ γάρ ῥα πάλαι τό γε φίλτερον ἦεν  
and there is no escape. Surely this had long been more pleasing

**302** Ζηνί τε καὶ Διὸς υἷι ἑκηβόλῳ, οἵ με πάρος γε  
to Zeus and to the far-shooting son of Zeus, who formerly

**303** πρόφρονες εἰρύατο· νῦν αὖτέ με μοῖρα κιχάνει.  
protected me willingly; but now fate overtakes me.

**304** μὴ μὰν ἀσπουδί γε καὶ ἀκλειῶς ἀπολοίμην,  
May I not die without a struggle and without glory,
> Wish in the optative: The aorist optative expresses Hector’s wish not to meet an unresisting and inglorious death.

**305** ἀλλὰ μέγα ῥέξας τι καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι.  
but after doing some great deed for those yet to be born to hear of."

**306** ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας εἰρύσσατο φάσγανον ὀξύ,  
So he spoke, and drew his sharp sword,

**307** τό οἱ ὑπὸ λαπάρην τέτατο μέγα τε στιβαρόν τε,  
which hung beneath his flank, great and strong,

**308** οἴμησεν δὲ ἀλεὶς ὥς τʼ αἰετὸς ὑψιπετήεις,  
and gathering himself he swooped, like a high-flying eagle
> Aorist participle: The participle describes Hector gathering or contracting himself before his sudden charge.

**309** ὅς τʼ εἶσιν πεδίον δὲ διὰ νεφέων ἐρεβεννῶν  
that descends to the plain through the dark clouds

**310** ἁρπάξων ἢ ἄρνʼ ἀμαλὴν ἤ πτῶκα λαγωόν·  
to seize a tender lamb or a crouching hare;

**311** ὣς Ἕκτωρ οἴμησε τινάσσων φάσγανον ὀξύ.  
so Hector swooped, brandishing his sharp sword.

**312** ὁρμήθη δʼ Ἀχιλεύς, μένεος δʼ ἐμπλήσατο θυμὸν  
Achilles sprang forward, and filled his heart with savage
> Middle voice: The middle form presents Achilles as filling his own heart with fury.

**313** ἀγρίου, πρόσθεν δὲ σάκος στέρνοιο κάλυψε  
fury, and before his breast he held his shield,

**314** καλὸν δαιδάλεον, κόρυθι δʼ ἐπένευε φαεινῇ  
beautiful and richly wrought, while he nodded beneath his shining helmet,

**315** τετραφάλῳ· καλαὶ δὲ περισσείοντο ἔθειραι  
four-crested; and the lovely horsehair plumes streamed around it,

**316** χρύσεαι, ἃς Ἥφαιστος ἵει λόφον ἀμφὶ θαμειάς.  
of gold that Hephaestus had set thick about the crest.

**317** οἷος δʼ ἀστὴρ εἶσι μετʼ ἀστράσι νυκτὸς ἀμολγῷ  
As a star moves among the stars in the depth of night,
> Epic comparison: This opens a sustained comparison between Achilles' shining spearpoint and the evening star.

**318** ἕσπερος, ὃς κάλλιστος ἐν οὐρανῷ ἵσταται ἀστήρ,  
the evening star, which stands as the fairest star in heaven,

**319** ὣς αἰχμῆς ἀπέλαμπʼ εὐήκεος, ἣν ἄρʼ Ἀχιλλεὺς  
so the point flashed from the sharp-pointed spear that Achilles

**320** πάλλεν δεξιτερῇ φρονέων κακὸν Ἕκτορι δίῳ,  
brandished in his right hand, devising death for noble Hector,

**321** εἰσορόων χρόα καλόν, ὅπῃ εἴξειε μάλιστα.  
as he searched his fair body for the place most likely to yield.
> Optative in an indirect question: The optative marks Achilles' deliberation about where Hector's body might most readily give way.

**322** τοῦ δὲ καὶ ἄλλο τόσον μὲν ἔχε χρόα χάλκεα τεύχεα,  
Over the rest of his flesh the bronze armor covered him,

**323** καλά, τὰ Πατρόκλοιο βίην ἐνάριξε κατακτάς·  
the splendid armor he had stripped from mighty Patroclus after killing him;

**324** φαίνετο δʼ ᾗ κληῗδες ἀπʼ ὤμων αὐχένʼ ἔχουσι,  
but there showed, where the collarbones hold the neck above the shoulders,

**325** λαυκανίην, ἵνα τε ψυχῆς ὤκιστος ὄλεθρος·  
the throat, where the destruction of life comes most swiftly;

**326** τῇ ῥʼ ἐπὶ οἷ μεμαῶτʼ ἔλασʼ ἔγχεϊ δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,  
there, as Hector charged, noble Achilles drove his spear at him,
> Perfect participle: The perfect participle conveys Hector's settled, continuing eagerness as he charges.

**327** ἀντικρὺ δʼ ἁπαλοῖο διʼ αὐχένος ἤλυθʼ ἀκωκή·  
the point passed straight through his tender neck,

**328** οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἀπʼ ἀσφάραγον μελίη τάμε χαλκοβάρεια,  
yet the bronze-weighted ash spear did not sever his windpipe,

**329** ὄφρά τί μιν προτιείποι ἀμειβόμενος ἐπέεσσιν.  
so that he could still answer him and speak his words.
> Purpose clause: The conjunction introduces the purpose or result of the windpipe's remaining uncut: Hector can still speak.

**330** ἤριπε δʼ ἐν κονίῃς· ὃ δʼ ἐπεύξατο δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς·  
He fell in the dust, and noble Achilles exulted over him:

**331** Ἕκτορ ἀτάρ που ἔφης Πατροκλῆʼ ἐξεναρίζων  
"Hector, surely you thought, while stripping Patroclus,

**332** σῶς ἔσσεσθʼ, ἐμὲ δʼ οὐδὲν ὀπίζεο νόσφιν ἐόντα,  
that you would be safe, and you had no fear of me while I was far away,

**333** νήπιε· τοῖο δʼ ἄνευθεν ἀοσσητὴρ μέγʼ ἀμείνων  
fool. Far from him, a far stronger defender

**334** νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ἐγὼ μετόπισθε λελείμμην,  
had remained behind beside the hollow ships: I,

**335** ὅς τοι γούνατʼ ἔλυσα· σὲ μὲν κύνες ἠδʼ οἰωνοὶ  
who have broken your knees. Dogs and birds will
> Men–de contrast: The particle μέν marks Hector for contrast with Patroclus in the following line.

**336** ἑλκήσουσʼ ἀϊκῶς, τὸν δὲ κτεριοῦσιν Ἀχαιοί.  
mangle you shamefully, while the Achaeans will give him burial."

**337** τὸν δʼ ὀλιγοδρανέων προσέφη κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ·  
Then Hector of the flashing helm, weak and failing, answered:
> Hector's recurring epithet: The formulaic epithet identifies Hector by the flashing or tossing crest of his helmet even as he lies mortally wounded.

**338** λίσσομʼ ὑπὲρ ψυχῆς καὶ γούνων σῶν τε τοκήων,  
"I implore you by your life, your knees, and your parents:

**339** μή με ἔα παρὰ νηυσὶ κύνας καταδάψαι Ἀχαιῶν,  
do not leave me beside the ships for the Achaeans' dogs to devour,

**340** ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν χαλκόν τε ἅλις χρυσόν τε δέδεξο,  
but accept abundant bronze and gold,

**341** δῶρα τά τοι δώσουσι πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ,  
the gifts that my father and honored mother will give you,

**342** σῶμα δὲ οἴκαδʼ ἐμὸν δόμεναι πάλιν, ὄφρα πυρός με  
but give my body back to my home, so that when I am dead
> Homeric infinitive: This epic infinitive continues Hector's request that Achilles allow his body to be returned home.

**343** Τρῶες καὶ Τρώων ἄλοχοι λελάχωσι θανόντα.  
the Trojans and the Trojan wives may grant me my share of fire."

**344** τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεὺς·  
Then, glaring at him from under his brows, swift-footed Achilles spoke:

**345** μή με κύον γούνων γουνάζεο μὴ δὲ τοκήων·  
"Dog, do not beseech me by my knees or by my parents.
> Direct address: Achilles addresses Hector as κύον, "dog," a contemptuous vocative placed before his refusal.

**346** αἲ γάρ πως αὐτόν με μένος καὶ θυμὸς ἀνήη  
If only my fury and spirit would somehow drive me

**347** ὤμʼ ἀποταμνόμενον κρέα ἔδμεναι, οἷα ἔοργας,  
to carve your flesh away and eat it raw, for all that you have done,

**348** ὡς οὐκ ἔσθʼ ὃς σῆς γε κύνας κεφαλῆς ἀπαλάλκοι,  
as surely as there is no one who will keep the dogs from your head,

**349** οὐδʼ εἴ κεν δεκάκις τε καὶ εἰκοσινήριτʼ ἄποινα  
not even if they bring here ransom ten times and twenty times

**350** στήσωσʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἄγοντες, ὑπόσχωνται δὲ καὶ ἄλλα,  
as great and set it before me, and promise still more,

**351** οὐδʼ εἴ κέν σʼ αὐτὸν χρυσῷ ἐρύσασθαι ἀνώγοι  
not even if Dardanus' son Priam should command them to weigh

**352** Δαρδανίδης Πρίαμος· οὐδʼ ὧς σέ γε πότνια μήτηρ  
your very body against gold; not even then will your honored mother

**353** ἐνθεμένη λεχέεσσι γοήσεται ὃν τέκεν αὐτή,  
lay upon a bier and mourn the son whom she herself bore,

**354** ἀλλὰ κύνες τε καὶ οἰωνοὶ κατὰ πάντα δάσονται.  
but dogs and birds will devour you utterly."

**355** τὸν δὲ καταθνῄσκων προσέφη κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ·  
Then Hector of the flashing helm answered him as he lay dying:

**356** ἦ σʼ εὖ γιγνώσκων προτιόσσομαι, οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔμελλον  
"Indeed, knowing you well, I foresaw this: I was not going

**357** πείσειν· ἦ γὰρ σοί γε σιδήρεος ἐν φρεσὶ θυμός.  
to persuade you; for truly the heart within your breast is iron.

**358** φράζεο νῦν, μή τοί τι θεῶν μήνιμα γένωμαι  
Take heed now, lest I become for you a cause of the gods’ wrath
> Subjunctive mood: The aorist subjunctive follows μή to express a feared possibility.

**359** ἤματι τῷ ὅτε κέν σε Πάρις καὶ Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων  
on the day when Paris and Phoebus Apollo
> Temporal clause: The dative expression introduces the future day on which the killing will occur.

**360** ἐσθλὸν ἐόντʼ ὀλέσωσιν ἐνὶ Σκαιῇσι πύλῃσιν.  
slay you, noble though you are, at the Scaean Gates."

**361** ὣς ἄρα μιν εἰπόντα τέλος θανάτοιο κάλυψε,  
As he spoke, the end of death enfolded him;

**362** ψυχὴ δʼ ἐκ ῥεθέων πταμένη Ἄϊδος δὲ βεβήκει  
and his spirit flew from his limbs and went down to Hades,
> Pluperfect tense: The form is a pluperfect with the augment omitted, as often in Homer, presenting the spirit as having gone down to Hades.

**363** ὃν πότμον γοόωσα λιποῦσʼ ἀνδροτῆτα καὶ ἥβην.  
mourning its fate, leaving manhood and youth behind.
> Participial construction: The two participles describe the spirit’s simultaneous mourning and departure.

**364** τὸν καὶ τεθνηῶτα προσηύδα δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς·  
Even though he was dead, godlike Achilles addressed him:

**365** τέθναθι· κῆρα δʼ ἐγὼ τότε δέξομαι ὁππότε κεν δὴ  
"Die; and I shall accept my doom whenever indeed
> Imperative mood: The perfect imperative commands Hector to remain dead.

**366** Ζεὺς ἐθέλῃ τελέσαι ἠδʼ ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι.  
Zeus and the other immortal gods choose to bring it."

**367** ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἐκ νεκροῖο ἐρύσσατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,  
He spoke, and drew the bronze spear from the corpse,

**368** καὶ τό γʼ ἄνευθεν ἔθηχʼ, ὃ δʼ ἀπʼ ὤμων τεύχεʼ ἐσύλα  
and laid it aside; then from his shoulders he stripped the armor,

**369** αἱματόεντʼ· ἄλλοι δὲ περίδραμον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν,  
bloodstained; and the other sons of the Achaeans ran around him,

**370** οἳ καὶ θηήσαντο φυὴν καὶ εἶδος ἀγητὸν  
and they marveled at Hector’s stature and admirable form;

**371** Ἕκτορος· οὐδʼ ἄρα οἵ τις ἀνουτητί γε παρέστη.  
nor did anyone stand beside him without wounding him;

**372** ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον·  
and thus one would say, looking at his neighbor:
> Imperfect tense: The iterative imperfect describes what one warrior after another would say.

**373** ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ μαλακώτερος ἀμφαφάασθαι  
"Ah, surely Hector is now far softer to the touch

**374** Ἕκτωρ ἢ ὅτε νῆας ἐνέπρησεν πυρὶ κηλέῳ.  
than when he set the ships ablaze with consuming fire."

**375** ὣς ἄρα τις εἴπεσκε καὶ οὐτήσασκε παραστάς.  
Thus one would speak and wound him while standing beside him.

**376** τὸν δʼ ἐπεὶ ἐξενάριξε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,  
When swift-footed godlike Achilles had stripped him of his armor,

**377** στὰς ἐν Ἀχαιοῖσιν ἔπεα πτερόεντʼ ἀγόρευεν·  
he stood among the Achaeans and proclaimed these winged words: "

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

**379** ἐπεὶ δὴ τόνδʼ ἄνδρα θεοὶ δαμάσασθαι ἔδωκαν,  
since the gods have granted us to subdue this man,

**380** ὃς κακὰ πόλλʼ ἔρρεξεν ὅσʼ οὐ σύμπαντες οἱ ἄλλοι,  
who wrought more evils than all the others together,

**381** εἰ δʼ ἄγετʼ ἀμφὶ πόλιν σὺν τεύχεσι πειρηθῶμεν,  
come, let us make trial of the city with our armor,
> Exhortative formula: The formula εἰ δʼ ἄγετε functions as “but come” and introduces an exhortation, not a genuine condition.

**382** ὄφρά κʼ ἔτι γνῶμεν Τρώων νόον ὅν τινʼ ἔχουσιν,  
so that we may learn what purpose the Trojans still hold,

**383** ἢ καταλείψουσιν πόλιν ἄκρην τοῦδε πεσόντος,  
whether they will abandon the citadel now that this man has fallen,

**384** ἦε μένειν μεμάασι καὶ Ἕκτορος οὐκέτʼ ἐόντος.  
or are eager to remain even though Hector is no more.

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

**386** κεῖται πὰρ νήεσσι νέκυς ἄκλαυτος ἄθαπτος  
By the ships lies a corpse, unwept and unburied,

**387** Πάτροκλος· τοῦ δʼ οὐκ ἐπιλήσομαι, ὄφρʼ ἂν ἔγωγε  
Patroclus; I shall not forget him so long as I

**388** ζωοῖσιν μετέω καί μοι φίλα γούνατʼ ὀρώρῃ·  
remain among the living and my dear knees have strength;

**389** εἰ δὲ θανόντων περ καταλήθοντʼ εἰν Ἀΐδαο  
and even if in Hades they forget the dead,
> Conditional construction: The conditional clause concedes that the dead may be forgotten in Hades; θανόντων is the genitive object of καταλήθοντʼ, not a phrase meaning “among the dead.”

**390** αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ καὶ κεῖθι φίλου μεμνήσομʼ ἑταίρου.  
yet even there I shall remember my dear companion.

**391** νῦν δʼ ἄγʼ ἀείδοντες παιήονα κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν  
Now come, young men of the Achaeans, singing a paean,

**392** νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσι νεώμεθα, τόνδε δʼ ἄγωμεν.  
let us return to the hollow ships and take this man with us.

**393** ἠράμεθα μέγα κῦδος· ἐπέφνομεν Ἕκτορα δῖον,  
We have won great glory; we have slain godlike Hector,

**394** ᾧ Τρῶες κατὰ ἄστυ θεῷ ὣς εὐχετόωντο.  
to whom the Trojans throughout their city prayed as to a god."

**395** ἦ ῥα, καὶ Ἕκτορα δῖον ἀεικέα μήδετο ἔργα.  
He spoke, and devised shameful treatment for godlike Hector.

**396** ἀμφοτέρων μετόπισθε ποδῶν τέτρηνε τένοντε  
Behind both feet he pierced the tendons

**397** ἐς σφυρὸν ἐκ πτέρνης, βοέους δʼ ἐξῆπτεν ἱμάντας,  
from heel to ankle, and fastened oxhide straps through them;

**398** ἐκ δίφροιο δʼ ἔδησε, κάρη δʼ ἕλκεσθαι ἔασεν·  
he bound them to the chariot and left the head to drag.

**399** ἐς δίφρον δʼ ἀναβὰς ἀνά τε κλυτὰ τεύχεʼ ἀείρας  
Then he mounted the chariot and lifted the glorious armor aboard,

**400** μάστιξέν ῥʼ ἐλάαν, τὼ δʼ οὐκ ἀέκοντε πετέσθην.  
and lashed the horses onward; the pair flew on, not unwillingly.
> Dual number: The dual pronoun refers specifically to the pair of chariot horses.

**401** τοῦ δʼ ἦν ἑλκομένοιο κονίσαλος, ἀμφὶ δὲ χαῖται  
A cloud of dust rose from him as he was dragged, and around him his hair

**402** κυάνεαι πίτναντο, κάρη δʼ ἅπαν ἐν κονίῃσι  
darkly spread, while his whole head lay in the dust,

**403** κεῖτο πάρος χαρίεν· τότε δὲ Ζεὺς δυσμενέεσσι  
once so graceful; but then Zeus granted his enemies
> Homeric form: The dative plural ending -εσσι is characteristic of Homeric epic language.

**404** δῶκεν ἀεικίσσασθαι ἑῇ ἐν πατρίδι γαίῃ.  
to dishonor him in his own native land.

**405** ὣς τοῦ μὲν κεκόνιτο κάρη ἅπαν· ἣ δέ νυ μήτηρ  
Thus his whole head was begrimed with dust; and now his mother
> Pluperfect tense: κεκόνιτο is an unaugmented pluperfect middle/passive form, presenting his whole head as already left covered with dust.

**406** τίλλε κόμην, ἀπὸ δὲ λιπαρὴν ἔρριψε καλύπτρην  
tore her hair and flung her gleaming veil away

**407** τηλόσε, κώκυσεν δὲ μάλα μέγα παῖδʼ ἐσιδοῦσα·  
far from her, and shrieked very loudly when she saw her son.

**408** ᾤμωξεν δʼ ἐλεεινὰ πατὴρ φίλος, ἀμφὶ δὲ λαοὶ  
His loving father gave a piteous groan, and throughout the city the people

**409** κωκυτῷ τʼ εἴχοντο καὶ οἰμωγῇ κατὰ ἄστυ.  
were seized by wailing and lamentation.

**410** τῷ δὲ μάλιστʼ ἄρʼ ἔην ἐναλίγκιον ὡς εἰ ἅπασα  
Then it was most like what would happen if all
> Epic comparison: This combination introduces a vivid comparison with an imagined event.

**411** Ἴλιος ὀφρυόεσσα πυρὶ σμύχοιτο κατʼ ἄκρης.  
lofty Ilios were being consumed by fire from its summit.

**412** λαοὶ μέν ῥα γέροντα μόγις ἔχον ἀσχαλόωντα  
The people scarcely restrained the distraught old man

**413** ἐξελθεῖν μεμαῶτα πυλάων Δαρδανιάων.  
as he strove to go out through the Dardanian gates.

**414** πάντας δʼ ἐλλιτάνευε κυλινδόμενος κατὰ κόπρον,  
Rolling in the dung, he entreated them all,

**415** ἐξονομακλήδην ὀνομάζων ἄνδρα ἕκαστον·  
calling every man by name:

**416** σχέσθε φίλοι, καί μʼ οἶον ἐάσατε κηδόμενοί περ  
"Hold back, friends, and despite your concern, allow me alone
> Participial construction: The participle is concessive: although the men care for Priam, he asks them to release him.

**417** ἐξελθόντα πόληος ἱκέσθʼ ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν.  
to leave the city and reach the ships of the Achaeans.

**418** λίσσωμʼ ἀνέρα τοῦτον ἀτάσθαλον ὀβριμοεργόν,  
I shall beseech that reckless, brutal man,

**419** ἤν πως ἡλικίην αἰδέσσεται ἠδʼ ἐλεήσῃ  
in hope that he may respect one of his father's age and pity
> Conditional construction: This particle introduces a prospective condition expressing Priam's uncertain hope.

**420** γῆρας· καὶ δέ νυ τῷ γε πατὴρ τοιόσδε τέτυκται  
old age; for he too has a father made such as I am,
> Perfect tense: The perfect describes Peleus's present condition as an aged father.

**421** Πηλεύς, ὅς μιν ἔτικτε καὶ ἔτρεφε πῆμα γενέσθαι  
Peleus, who begot and raised him to become a scourge

**422** Τρωσί· μάλιστα δʼ ἐμοὶ περὶ πάντων ἄλγεʼ ἔθηκε.  
to the Trojans—and upon me most of all, beyond all others, he has laid sorrows.

**423** τόσσους γάρ μοι παῖδας ἀπέκτανε τηλεθάοντας·  
For he has slain so many of my flourishing sons.

**424** τῶν πάντων οὐ τόσσον ὀδύρομαι ἀχνύμενός περ  
Yet, grieved though I am, I do not mourn all of them so greatly

**425** ὡς ἑνός, οὗ μʼ ἄχος ὀξὺ κατοίσεται Ἄϊδος εἴσω,  
as I mourn one, sharp grief for whom will carry me down into Hades:

**426** Ἕκτορος· ὡς ὄφελεν θανέειν ἐν χερσὶν ἐμῇσι·  
Hector. Would that he had died in my arms!

**427** τώ κε κορεσσάμεθα κλαίοντέ τε μυρομένω τε  
Then we two could have satisfied ourselves with weeping and lamentation,
> Dual number: The dual forms refer specifically to Hector's two parents, Hecuba and Priam.

**428** μήτηρ θʼ, ἥ μιν ἔτικτε δυσάμμορος, ἠδʼ ἐγὼ αὐτός.  
his ill-fated mother who bore him, and I myself."

**429** ὣς ἔφατο κλαίων, ἐπὶ δὲ στενάχοντο πολῖται·  
Thus he spoke, weeping, and the citizens groaned in answer.

**430** Τρῳῇσιν δʼ Ἑκάβη ἁδινοῦ ἐξῆρχε γόοιο·  
Among the Trojan women Hecuba began the piercing lament:

**431** τέκνον ἐγὼ δειλή· τί νυ βείομαι αἰνὰ παθοῦσα  
"My child, I am wretched! Why should I live now, after suffering horrors,

**432** σεῦ ἀποτεθνηῶτος; ὅ μοι νύκτάς τε καὶ ἦμαρ  
when you are dead? Night and day you were
> Perfect tense: The perfect participle presents Hector's death as an accomplished and enduring reality.

**433** εὐχωλὴ κατὰ ἄστυ πελέσκεο, πᾶσί τʼ ὄνειαρ  
my pride throughout the city and a source of aid to all,

**434** Τρωσί τε καὶ Τρῳῇσι κατὰ πτόλιν, οἵ σε θεὸν ὣς  
both Trojan men and Trojan women in the city, who welcomed you like a god.

**435** δειδέχατʼ· ἦ γὰρ καί σφι μάλα μέγα κῦδος ἔησθα  
For truly you were a very great glory to them
> Imperfect tense: This Homeric imperfect form describes the continuing glory Hector was to the Trojans.

**436** ζωὸς ἐών· νῦν αὖ θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κιχάνει.  
while you were alive; now death and fate have overtaken you."

**437** ὣς ἔφατο κλαίουσʼ, ἄλοχος δʼ οὔ πώ τι πέπυστο  
Thus she spoke, weeping; but Hector's wife had not yet learned anything

**438** Ἕκτορος· οὐ γάρ οἵ τις ἐτήτυμος ἄγγελος ἐλθὼν  
about him, for no truthful messenger had come to her
> Participial construction: The aorist participle gives the messenger's arrival as prior to the report that never came.

**439** ἤγγειλʼ ὅττί ῥά οἱ πόσις ἔκτοθι μίμνε πυλάων,  
and reported that her husband remained outside the gates.

**440** ἀλλʼ ἥ γʼ ἱστὸν ὕφαινε μυχῷ δόμου ὑψηλοῖο  
Instead, she was weaving at the loom in the innermost chamber of the lofty house,

**441** δίπλακα πορφυρέην, ἐν δὲ θρόνα ποικίλʼ ἔπασσε.  
a purple, double-folded web, and was embroidering varied flowers into it.

**442** κέκλετο δʼ ἀμφιπόλοισιν ἐϋπλοκάμοις κατὰ δῶμα  
She had called to the well-tressed attendants throughout the house

**443** ἀμφὶ πυρὶ στῆσαι τρίποδα μέγαν, ὄφρα πέλοιτο  
to set a great tripod over the fire, so that there might be
> Optative mood: The optative appears in a purpose clause dependent on a past-tense verb.

**444** Ἕκτορι θερμὰ λοετρὰ μάχης ἐκ νοστήσαντι  
a warm bath for Hector when he returned from battle.

**445** νηπίη, οὐδʼ ἐνόησεν ὅ μιν μάλα τῆλε λοετρῶν  
Poor innocent, she did not know that, very far from any bath,

**446** χερσὶν Ἀχιλλῆος δάμασε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.  
bright-eyed Athena had subdued him through the hands of Achilles.

**447** κωκυτοῦ δʼ ἤκουσε καὶ οἰμωγῆς ἀπὸ πύργου·  
Then she heard the shrieking and lamentation from the tower.

**448** τῆς δʼ ἐλελίχθη γυῖα, χαμαὶ δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε κερκίς·  
Her limbs shook, and the shuttle fell from her hand to the ground.

**449** ἣ δʼ αὖτις δμῳῇσιν ἐϋπλοκάμοισι μετηύδα·  
She spoke again to her well-tressed serving women:

**450** δεῦτε δύω μοι ἕπεσθον, ἴδωμʼ ὅτινʼ ἔργα τέτυκται.  
"Come, let two of you follow me, so that I may see what has happened.
> Dual number: This dual imperative addresses exactly two attendants.

**451** αἰδοίης ἑκυρῆς ὀπὸς ἔκλυον, ἐν δʼ ἐμοὶ αὐτῇ  
I heard the voice of my revered mother-in-law, and within my own

**452** στήθεσι πάλλεται ἦτορ ἀνὰ στόμα, νέρθε δὲ γοῦνα  
breast my heart leaps to my mouth, while below my knees

**453** πήγνυται· ἐγγὺς δή τι κακὸν Πριάμοιο τέκεσσιν.  
grow stiff. Some evil is now near the children of Priam.

**454** αἲ γὰρ ἀπʼ οὔατος εἴη ἐμεῦ ἔπος· ἀλλὰ μάλʼ αἰνῶς  
Would that this word were far from my hearing! Yet I fear terribly
> Optative mood: The optative expresses Andromache's unattainable wish that the report might prove distant from her.

**455** δείδω μὴ δή μοι θρασὺν Ἕκτορα δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς  
that godlike Achilles has cut my valiant Hector

**456** μοῦνον ἀποτμήξας πόλιος πεδίον δὲ δίηται,  
off alone from the city and is pursuing him toward the plain,

**457** καὶ δή μιν καταπαύσῃ ἀγηνορίης ἀλεγεινῆς  
and may now put an end to the grievous boldness

**458** ἥ μιν ἔχεσκʼ, ἐπεὶ οὔ ποτʼ ἐνὶ πληθυῖ μένεν ἀνδρῶν,  
that possessed him, since he never remained within the mass of warriors,

**459** ἀλλὰ πολὺ προθέεσκε, τὸ ὃν μένος οὐδενὶ εἴκων.  
but always ran far ahead, yielding to no man in his might."

**460** ὣς φαμένη μεγάροιο διέσσυτο μαινάδι ἴση  
Thus she spoke and rushed through the hall like a madwoman,

**461** παλλομένη κραδίην· ἅμα δʼ ἀμφίπολοι κίον αὐτῇ  
her heart trembling; and her attendants went together with her.

**462** αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πύργόν τε καὶ ἀνδρῶν ἷξεν ὅμιλον  
But when she reached the tower and the throng of men,
> Temporal clause: Introduces the temporal clause, “when she reached.”

**463** ἔστη παπτήνασʼ ἐπὶ τείχεϊ, τὸν δὲ νόησεν  
she stood upon the wall and gazed about, and she saw him

**464** ἑλκόμενον πρόσθεν πόλιος· ταχέες δέ μιν ἵπποι  
being dragged before the city; swift horses

**465** ἕλκον ἀκηδέστως κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν.  
were heedlessly dragging him toward the hollow ships of the Achaeans.

**466** τὴν δὲ κατʼ ὀφθαλμῶν ἐρεβεννὴ νὺξ ἐκάλυψεν,  
Then dark night covered her eyes,
> Aorist tense: The aorist presents the darkness covering her eyes as a sudden event.

**467** ἤριπε δʼ ἐξοπίσω, ἀπὸ δὲ ψυχὴν ἐκάπυσσε.  
and she fell backward, and the breath went out of her.

**468** τῆλε δʼ ἀπὸ κρατὸς βάλε δέσματα σιγαλόεντα,  
Far from her head she flung the shining bands,

**469** ἄμπυκα κεκρύφαλόν τε ἰδὲ πλεκτὴν ἀναδέσμην  
the headband, the netted cap, and the braided binding,

**470** κρήδεμνόν θʼ, ὅ ῥά οἱ δῶκε χρυσῆ Ἀφροδίτη  
and the veil that golden Aphrodite had given her

**471** ἤματι τῷ ὅτε μιν κορυθαίολος ἠγάγεθʼ Ἕκτωρ  
on the day when Hector of the flashing helm led her

**472** ἐκ δόμου Ἠετίωνος, ἐπεὶ πόρε μυρία ἕδνα.  
from the house of Eetion, after he had given countless wedding gifts.

**473** ἀμφὶ δέ μιν γαλόῳ τε καὶ εἰνατέρες ἅλις ἔσταν,  
Around her stood her husband’s sisters and her husband’s brothers’ wives in a crowd,

**474** αἵ ἑ μετὰ σφίσιν εἶχον ἀτυζομένην ἀπολέσθαι.  
and they held her among them as she reeled near to death.

**475** ἣ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν ἔμπνυτο καὶ ἐς φρένα θυμὸς ἀγέρθη  
But when she breathed again and her spirit gathered within her breast,
> Temporal clause: Introduces the temporal clause marking her recovery before she speaks.

**476** ἀμβλήδην γοόωσα μετὰ Τρῳῇσιν ἔειπεν·  
she began her lament amid the Trojan women, crying out brokenly:

**477** Ἕκτορ ἐγὼ δύστηνος· ἰῇ ἄρα γεινόμεθʼ αἴσῃ  
"Hector, sorrowful am I! Under one fate, then, were we both born,

**478** ἀμφότεροι, σὺ μὲν ἐν Τροίῃ Πριάμου κατὰ δῶμα,  
you in Troy, in the house of Priam,
> Men–de contrast: The μέν prepares the contrast between Hector’s birthplace and Andromache’s.

**479** αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ Θήβῃσιν ὑπὸ Πλάκῳ ὑληέσσῃ  
but I in Thebes beneath wooded Placus,

**480** ἐν δόμῳ Ἠετίωνος, ὅ μʼ ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐοῦσαν  
in the house of Eetion, who reared me when I was little—

**481** δύσμορος αἰνόμορον· ὡς μὴ ὤφελλε τεκέσθαι.  
an ill-fated father rearing grievously fated me. Would that he had never begotten me!
> Unfulfilled wish: The imperfect indicative ὤφελλε with the infinitive τεκέσθαι expresses an unfulfilled wish: would that her father had never begotten her.

**482** νῦν δὲ σὺ μὲν Ἀΐδαο δόμους ὑπὸ κεύθεσι γαίης  
Now you are going to the house of Hades beneath the hidden places of earth,

**483** ἔρχεαι, αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ στυγερῷ ἐνὶ πένθεϊ λείπεις  
while you leave me here in hateful grief,

**484** χήρην ἐν μεγάροισι· πάϊς δʼ ἔτι νήπιος αὔτως,  
a widow in the halls; and our son is still only an infant,

**485** ὃν τέκομεν σύ τʼ ἐγώ τε δυσάμμοροι· οὔτε σὺ τούτῳ  
the son whom you and I, both sorrowfully fated, begot; neither will you

**486** ἔσσεαι Ἕκτορ ὄνειαρ ἐπεὶ θάνες, οὔτε σοὶ οὗτος.  
be a help to him, Hector, since you are dead, nor will he be one to you.

**487** ἤν περ γὰρ πόλεμόν γε φύγῃ πολύδακρυν Ἀχαιῶν,  
For even if he escapes the Achaeans’ war of many tears,
> Conditional construction: Introduces the concession, “even if he escapes.”

**488** αἰεί τοι τούτῳ γε πόνος καὶ κήδεʼ ὀπίσσω  
toil and sorrows will always await him

**489** ἔσσοντʼ· ἄλλοι γάρ οἱ ἀπουρίσσουσιν ἀρούρας.  
hereafter, for other men will seize his fields.

**490** ἦμαρ δʼ ὀρφανικὸν παναφήλικα παῖδα τίθησι·  
The day of orphanhood makes a child wholly friendless:

**491** πάντα δʼ ὑπεμνήμυκε, δεδάκρυνται δὲ παρειαί,  
his head is bowed in every way, and his cheeks are stained with tears;

**492** δευόμενος δέ τʼ ἄνεισι πάϊς ἐς πατρὸς ἑταίρους,  
and in his need the child goes to his father’s companions,

**493** ἄλλον μὲν χλαίνης ἐρύων, ἄλλον δὲ χιτῶνος·  
tugging one man by the cloak and another by the tunic.
> Men–de contrast: The μέν and following δέ coordinate the two men whose garments the child tugs.

**494** τῶν δʼ ἐλεησάντων κοτύλην τις τυτθὸν ἐπέσχε·  
One of them, taking pity, holds out a cup for a little while;

**495** χείλεα μέν τʼ ἐδίηνʼ, ὑπερῴην δʼ οὐκ ἐδίηνε.  
he wets the child’s lips, but does not wet his palate.

**496** τὸν δὲ καὶ ἀμφιθαλὴς ἐκ δαιτύος ἐστυφέλιξε  
And a boy whose parents are both living drives him from the feast,

**497** χερσὶν πεπλήγων καὶ ὀνειδείοισιν ἐνίσσων·  
striking him with his hands and assailing him with taunts:
> Participial construction: The participle describes the striking that accompanies the boy’s expulsion.

**498** ἔρρʼ οὕτως· οὐ σός γε πατὴρ μεταδαίνυται ἡμῖν.  
‘Begone, just as you are! Your father does not share our feast.’
> Imperative mood: A forceful imperative ordering the orphaned child to leave.

**499** δακρυόεις δέ τʼ ἄνεισι πάϊς ἐς μητέρα χήρην  
Then the tearful child goes back to his widowed mother,

**500** Ἀστυάναξ, ὃς πρὶν μὲν ἑοῦ ἐπὶ γούνασι πατρὸς  
Astyanax, who formerly upon his own father’s knees

**501** μυελὸν οἶον ἔδεσκε καὶ οἰῶν πίονα δημόν·  
would eat only marrow and the rich fat of sheep;

**502** αὐτὰρ ὅθʼ ὕπνος ἕλοι, παύσαιτό τε νηπιαχεύων,  
and whenever sleep overtook him and he ceased his childish play,
> Temporal clause: Introduces the recurring circumstance in which sleep overtook the child.

**503** εὕδεσκʼ ἐν λέκτροισιν ἐν ἀγκαλίδεσσι τιθήνης  
he would sleep in a bed, in the arms of his nurse,

**504** εὐνῇ ἔνι μαλακῇ θαλέων ἐμπλησάμενος κῆρ·  
upon a soft couch, his heart filled with delights.

**505** νῦν δʼ ἂν πολλὰ πάθῃσι φίλου ἀπὸ πατρὸς ἁμαρτὼν  
But now he may suffer greatly, deprived of his dear father—
> Subjunctive mood: The subjunctive with ἄν expresses what Astyanax may now suffer.

**506** Ἀστυάναξ, ὃν Τρῶες ἐπίκλησιν καλέουσιν·  
whom the Trojans call by the name Astyanax;

**507** οἶος γάρ σφιν ἔρυσο πύλας καὶ τείχεα μακρά.  
for you alone guarded their gates and long walls.

**508** νῦν δὲ σὲ μὲν παρὰ νηυσὶ κορωνίσι νόσφι τοκήων  
But now, beside the curved ships, far from your parents,

**509** αἰόλαι εὐλαὶ ἔδονται, ἐπεί κε κύνες κορέσωνται  
the writhing worms will eat you when the dogs have satisfied themselves
> Future tense: The future tense foretells what the worms will do to Hector’s body.

**510** γυμνόν· ἀτάρ τοι εἵματʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι κέονται  
upon your naked body; yet your garments lie in the halls,

**511** λεπτά τε καὶ χαρίεντα τετυγμένα χερσὶ γυναικῶν.  
fine and lovely garments fashioned by women’s hands.
> Reduplication: The reduplicated perfect participle describes garments already fashioned and complete.

**512** ἀλλʼ ἤτοι τάδε πάντα καταφλέξω πυρὶ κηλέῳ  
But indeed I shall burn all these in the consuming fire,

**513** οὐδὲν σοί γʼ ὄφελος, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἐγκείσεαι αὐτοῖς,  
since they are no use to you, for you will not lie within them,

**514** ἀλλὰ πρὸς Τρώων καὶ Τρωϊάδων κλέος εἶναι.  
but so that they may be a glory to you in the eyes of the Trojan men and Trojan women."

**515** ὣς ἔφατο κλαίουσʼ, ἐπὶ δὲ στενάχοντο γυναῖκες.  
So she spoke, weeping, and the women groaned around her.

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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.