Homeric Greek
1ἠὼς δ' ἐκ λεχέων παρ' ἀγαυοῦ Τιθωνοῖο
ὄρνυθ', ἵν' ἀθανάτοισι φόως φέροι ἠδὲ βροτοῖσι:
Ζεὺς δ' Ἔριδα προί̈αλλε θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν
ἀργαλέην, πολέμοιο τέρας μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσαν.
5στῆ δ' ἐπ' Ὀδυσσῆος μεγακήτεϊ νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ,
Transliteration
1ēōs d' ek lecheōn par' agauou Tithōnoio
ornyth', hin' athanatoisi phoōs pheroi ēde brotoisi:
Zeus d' Erida proïalle thoas epi nēas Achaiōn
argaleēn, polemoio teras meta chersin echousan.
5stē d' ep' Odyssēos megakēteï nēï melainēi,
English
And now as Dawn rose from her couch beside Tithonos, harbinger of light alike to mortals and immortals, Zeus sent fierce Discord with the ensign of war in her hands to the ships of the Achaeans. She took her stand by the huge black hull of Odysseus' ship which was middlemost of all, so
Homeric Greek
ἥ ῥ' ἐν μεσσάτῳ ἔσκε γεγωνέμεν ἀμφοτέρωσε,
ἠμὲν ἐπ' Αἴαντος κλισίας Τελαμωνιάδαο
ἠδ' ἐπ' Ἀχιλλῆος, τοί ῥ' ἔσχατα νῆας ἐί̈σας
εἴρυσαν ἠνορέῃ πίσυνοι καὶ κάρτεϊ χειρῶν
10ἔνθα στᾶσ' ἤϋσε θεὰ μέγα τε δεινόν τε
Transliteration
hē rh' en messatōi eske gegōnemen amphoterōse,
ēmen ep' Aiantos klisias Telamōniadao
ēd' ep' Achillēos, toi rh' eschata nēas eïsas
eirysan ēnoreēi pisynoi kai karteï cheirōn
10entha stas' ēÿse thea mega te deinon te
English
that her voice might carry farthest on either side, on the one hand towards the tents of Ajax son of Telamon, and on the other towards those of Achilles - for these two heroes, well-assured of their own strength, had valorously drawn up their ships at the two ends of the line.
Homeric Greek
ὄρθι', Ἀχαιοῖσιν δὲ μέγα σθένος ἔμβαλ' ἑκάστῳ
καρδίῃ ἄληκτον πολεμίζειν ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι.
τοῖσι δ' ἄφαρ πόλεμος γλυκίων γένετ' ἠὲ νέεσθαι
ἐν νηυσὶ γλαφυρῇσι φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.
15Ἀτρεί̈δης δ' ἐβόησεν ἰδὲ ζώννυσθαι ἄνωγεν
Transliteration
orthi', Achaioisin de mega sthenos embal' hekastōi
kardiēi alēkton polemizein ēde machesthai.
toisi d' aphar polemos glykiōn genet' ēe neesthai
en nēusi glaphyrēisi philēn es patrida gaian.
15Atreïdēs d' eboēsen ide zōnnysthai anōgen
English
There she took her stand, and raised a cry both loud and shrill that filled the Achaeans with courage, giving them heart to fight resolutely and with all their might, so that they had rather stay there and do battle than go home in their ships. The son of Atreus shouted aloud and bade the Argives gird themselves for battle while he put on his armor.
Homeric Greek
Ἀργείους: ἐν δ' αὐτὸς ἐδύσετο νώροπα χαλκόν.
κνημῖδας μὲν πρῶτα περὶ κνήμῃσιν ἔθηκε
καλὰς ἀργυρέοισιν ἐπισφυρίοις ἀραρυίας:
δεύτερον αὖ θώρηκα περὶ στήθεσσιν ἔδυνε,
20τόν ποτέ οἱ Κινύρης δῶκε ξεινήϊον εἶναι.
Transliteration
Argeious: en d' autos edyseto nōropa chalkon.
knēmidas men prōta peri knēmēisin ethēke
kalas argyreoisin episphyriois araruias:
deuteron au thōrēka peri stēthessin edyne,
20ton pote hoi Kinyrēs dōke xeinēïon einai.
English
First he girded his goodly greaves about his legs, making them fast with ankle clasps of silver; and about his chest he set the breastplate which Cinyras had once given him as a guest-gift.
Homeric Greek
πεύθετο γὰρ Κύπρον δὲ μέγα κλέος οὕνεκ' Ἀχαιοὶ
ἐς Τροίην νήεσσιν ἀναπλεύσεσθαι ἔμελλον:
τοὔνεκά οἱ τὸν δῶκε χαριζόμενος βασιλῆϊ.
τοῦ δ' ἤτοι δέκα οἶμοι ἔσαν μέλανος κυάνοιο,
25δώδεκα δὲ χρυσοῖο καὶ εἴκοσι κασσιτέροιο:
Transliteration
peutheto gar Kypron de mega kleos hounek' Achaioi
es Troiēn nēessin anapleusesthai emellon:
touneka hoi ton dōke charizomenos basilēï.
tou d' ētoi deka oimoi esan melanos kyanoio,
25dōdeka de chrysoio kai eikosi kassiteroio:
English
There had been a report abroad, reaching as far as Cyprus, that the Achaeans were about to sail for Troy, and therefore he gave it to the king. It had ten courses of dark lapis lazuli, twelve of gold, and ten of tin. There were serpents of lapis lazuli that reared themselves up towards the neck, three upon either side,
Homeric Greek
κυάνεοι δὲ δράκοντες ὀρωρέχατο προτὶ δειρὴν
τρεῖς ἑκάτερθ' ἴρισσιν ἐοικότες, ἅς τε Κρονίων
ἐν νέφεϊ στήριξε, τέρας μερόπων ἀνθρώπων.
ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' ὤμοισιν βάλετο ξίφος: ἐν δέ οἱ ἧλοι
30χρύσειοι πάμφαινον, ἀτὰρ περὶ κουλεὸν ἦεν
Transliteration
kyaneoi de drakontes orōrechato proti deirēn
treis hekaterth' irissin eoikotes, has te Kroniōn
en nepheï stērixe, teras meropōn anthrōpōn.
amphi d' ar' ōmoisin baleto xiphos: en de hoi hēloi
30chryseioi pamphainon, atar peri kouleon ēen
English
like the rainbows which the son of Kronos has set in heaven as a sign to mortal men. About his shoulders he threw his sword, studded with bosses of gold; and the scabbard was of silver with a chain of gold wherewith to hang it.
Homeric Greek
ἀργύρεον χρυσέοισιν ἀορτήρεσσιν ἀρηρός.
ἂν δ' ἕλετ' ἀμφιβρότην πολυδαίδαλον ἀσπίδα θοῦριν
καλήν, ἣν πέρι μὲν κύκλοι δέκα χάλκεοι ἦσαν,
ἐν δέ οἱ ὀμφαλοὶ ἦσαν ἐείκοσι κασσιτέροιο
35λευκοί, ἐν δὲ μέσοισιν ἔην μέλανος κυάνοιο.
Transliteration
argyreon chryseoisin aortēressin arēros.
an d' helet' amphibrotēn polydaidalon aspida thourin
kalēn, hēn peri men kykloi deka chalkeoi ēsan,
en de hoi omphaloi ēsan eeikosi kassiteroio
35leukoi, en de mesoisin eēn melanos kyanoio.
English
He took moreover the richly-equipped shield that covered his body when he was in battle - fair to see, with ten circles of bronze running all round see, wit it. On the body of the shield there were twenty bosses of white tin, with another of dark lapis lazuli in the middle:
Homeric Greek
τῇ δ' ἐπὶ μὲν Γοργὼ βλοσυρῶπις ἐστεφάνωτο
δεινὸν δερκομένη, περὶ δὲ Δεῖμός τε Φόβος τε.
τῆς δ' ἐξ ἀργύρεος τελαμὼν ἦν: αὐτὰρ ἐπ' αὐτοῦ
κυάνεος ἐλέλικτο δράκων, κεφαλαὶ δέ οἱ ἦσαν
40τρεῖς ἀμφιστρεφέες ἑνὸς αὐχένος ἐκπεφυυῖαι.
Transliteration
tēi d' epi men Gorgō blosyrōpis estephanōto
deinon derkomenē, peri de Deimos te Phobos te.
tēs d' ex argyreos telamōn ēn: autar ep' autou
kyaneos elelikto drakōn, kephalai de hoi ēsan
40treis amphistrephees henos auchenos ekpephyuiai.
English
this last was made to show a Gorgon's head, fierce and grim, with Rout and Panic on either side. The band for the arm to go through was of silver, on which there was a writhing snake of lapis lazuli with three heads that sprang from a single neck, and went in and out among one another.
Homeric Greek
κρατὶ δ' ἐπ' ἀμφίφαλον κυνέην θέτο τετραφάληρον
ἵππουριν: δεινὸν δὲ λόφος καθύπερθεν ἔνευεν.
εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμα δοῦρε δύω κεκορυθμένα χαλκῷ
ὀξέα: τῆλε δὲ χαλκὸς ἀπ' αὐτόφιν οὐρανὸν εἴσω
45λάμπ': ἐπὶ δ' ἐγδούπησαν Ἀθηναίη τε καὶ Ἥρη
Transliteration
krati d' ep' amphiphalon kyneēn theto tetraphalēron
hippourin: deinon de lophos kathyperthen eneuen.
heileto d' alkima doure dyō kekorythmena chalkōi
oxea: tēle de chalkos ap' autophin ouranon eisō
45lamp': epi d' egdoupēsan Athēnaiē te kai Hērē
English
On his head Agamemnon set a helmet, with a peak before and behind, and four plumes of horse-hair that nodded menacingly above it; then he grasped two redoubtable bronze-shod spears, and the gleam of his armor shot from him as a flame into the firmament, while Hera and
Homeric Greek
τιμῶσαι βασιλῆα πολυχρύσοιο Μυκήνης.
ἡνιόχῳ μὲν ἔπειτα ἑῷ ἐπέτελλεν ἕκαστος
ἵππους εὖ κατὰ κόσμον ἐρυκέμεν αὖθ' ἐπὶ τάφρῳ,
αὐτοὶ δὲ πρυλέες σὺν τεύχεσι θωρηχθέντες
50ῥώοντ': ἄσβεστος δὲ βοὴ γένετ' ἠῶθι πρό.
Transliteration
timōsai basilēa polychrysoio Mykēnēs.
hēniochōi men epeita heōi epetellen hekastos
hippous eu kata kosmon erykemen auth' epi taphrōi,
autoi de prylees syn teuchesi thōrēchthentes
50rhōont': asbestos de boē genet' ēōthi pro.
English
Athena thundered in honor of the king of rich Mycenae. Every man now left his horses in charge of his charioteer to hold them in proper order by the trench, while he went into battle on foot clad in full armor, and a mighty uproar rose on high into the dawning.
Homeric Greek
φθὰν δὲ μέγ' ἱππήων ἐπὶ τάφρῳ κοσμηθέντες,
ἱππῆες δ' ὀλίγον μετεκίαθον: ἐν δὲ κυδοιμὸν
ὦρσε κακὸν Κρονίδης, κατὰ δ' ὑψόθεν ἧκεν ἐέρσας
αἵματι μυδαλέας ἐξ αἰθέρος, οὕνεκ' ἔμελλε
55πολλὰς ἰφθίμους κεφαλὰς Ἄϊδι προϊάψειν.
Transliteration
phthan de meg' hippēōn epi taphrōi kosmēthentes,
hippēes d' oligon metekiathon: en de kydoimon
ōrse kakon Kronidēs, kata d' hypsothen hēken eersas
haimati mydaleas ex aitheros, hounek' emelle
55pollas iphthimous kephalas Aïdi proïapsein.
English
The chiefs were armed and at the trench before the horses got there, but these came up presently. The son of Kronos sent a portent of evil sound about their host, and the dew fell red with blood, for he was about to send many a brave man hurrying down to Hades.
Homeric Greek
Τρῶες δ' αὖθ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐπὶ θρωσμῷ πεδίοιο
Ἕκτορά τ' ἀμφὶ μέγαν καὶ ἀμύμονα Πουλυδάμαντα
Αἰνείαν θ', ὃς Τρωσὶ θεὸς ὣς τίετο δήμῳ,
τρεῖς τ' Ἀντηνορίδας Πόλυβον καὶ Ἀγήνορα δῖον
60ἠί̈θεόν τ' Ἀκάμαντ' ἐπιείκελον ἀθανάτοισιν.
Transliteration
Trōes d' auth' heterōthen epi thrōsmōi pedioio
Hektora t' amphi megan kai amymona Poulydamanta
Aineian th', hos Trōsi theos hōs tieto dēmōi,
treis t' Antēnoridas Polybon kai Agēnora dion
60ēïtheon t' Akamant' epieikelon athanatoisin.
English
The Trojans, on the other side upon the rising slope of the plain, were gathered round great Hektor, noble Polydamas, Aeneas who was honored in the district of the Trojans like an immortal, and the three sons of Antenor - Polybos, Agenor, and young Akamas, beauteous as a god.
Homeric Greek
Ἕκτωρ δ' ἐν πρώτοισι φέρ' ἀσπίδα πάντοσ' ἐί̈σην,
οἷος δ' ἐκ νεφέων ἀναφαίνεται οὔλιος ἀστὴρ
παμφαίνων, τοτὲ δ' αὖτις ἔδυ νέφεα σκιόεντα,
ὣς Ἕκτωρ ὁτὲ μέν τε μετὰ πρώτοισι φάνεσκεν,
65ἄλλοτε δ' ἐν πυμάτοισι κελεύων: πᾶς δ' ἄρα χαλκῷ
Transliteration
Hektōr d' en prōtoisi pher' aspida pantos' eïsēn,
hoios d' ek nepheōn anaphainetai oulios astēr
pamphainōn, tote d' autis edy nephea skioenta,
hōs Hektōr hote men te meta prōtoisi phanesken,
65allote d' en pymatoisi keleuōn: pas d' ara chalkōi
English
Hektor's round shield showed in the front rank, and as some baneful star that shines for a moment through a rent in the clouds and is again hidden beneath them; even so was Hektor now seen in the front ranks and now again in the hindermost, and his
Homeric Greek
λάμφ' ὥς τε στεροπὴ πατρὸς Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο.
οἳ δ', ὥς τ' ἀμητῆρες ἐναντίοι ἀλλήλοισιν
ὄγμον ἐλαύνωσιν ἀνδρὸς μάκαρος κατ' ἄρουραν
πυρῶν ἢ κριθῶν: τὰ δὲ δράγματα ταρφέα πίπτει:
70ὣς Τρῶες καὶ Ἀχαιοὶ ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισι θορόντες
Transliteration
lamph' hōs te steropē patros Dios aigiochoio.
hoi d', hōs t' amētēres enantioi allēloisin
ogmon elaunōsin andros makaros kat' arouran
pyrōn ē krithōn: ta de dragmata tarphea piptei:
70hōs Trōes kai Achaioi ep' allēloisi thorontes
English
bronze armor gleamed like the lightning of aegis-bearing Zeus. And now as a band of reapers mow swathes of wheat or barley upon a rich man's land, and the sheaves fall thick before them, even so did the Trojans and Achaeans fall upon one another;
Homeric Greek
δῄουν, οὐδ' ἕτεροι μνώοντ' ὀλοοῖο φόβοιο.
ἴσας δ' ὑσμίνη κεφαλὰς ἔχεν, οἳ δὲ λύκοι ὣς
θῦνον: Ἔρις δ' ἄρ' ἔχαιρε πολύστονος εἰσορόωσα:
οἴη γάρ ῥα θεῶν παρετύγχανε μαρναμένοισιν,
75οἳ δ' ἄλλοι οὔ σφιν πάρεσαν θεοί, ἀλλὰ ἕκηλοι
Transliteration
dēioun, oud' heteroi mnōont' olooio phoboio.
isas d' hysminē kephalas echen, hoi de lykoi hōs
thynon: Eris d' ar' echaire polystonos eisoroōsa:
oiē gar rha theōn paretynchane marnamenoisin,
75hoi d' alloi ou sphin paresan theoi, alla hekēloi
English
they were in no mood for yielding but fought like wolves, and neither side got the better of the other. Discord was glad as she beheld them, for she was the only god that went among them;
Homeric Greek
σφοῖσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι καθήατο, ἧχι ἑκάστῳ
δώματα καλὰ τέτυκτο κατὰ πτύχας Οὐλύμποιο.
πάντες δ' ᾐτιόωντο κελαινεφέα Κρονίωνα
οὕνεκ' ἄρα Τρώεσσιν ἐβούλετο κῦδος ὀρέξαι.
80τῶν μὲν ἄρ' οὐκ ἀλέγιζε πατήρ: ὃ δὲ νόσφι λιασθεὶς
Transliteration
sphoisin eni megaroisi kathēato, hēchi hekastōi
dōmata kala tetykto kata ptychas Oulympoio.
pantes d' ēitioōnto kelainephea Kroniōna
hounek' ara Trōessin ebouleto kydos orexai.
80tōn men ar' ouk alegize patēr: ho de nosphi liastheis
English
the others were not there, but stayed quietly each in his own home among the dells and valleys of Olympus. All of them blamed the son of Kronos for wanting to Live victory to the Trojans, but father Zeus heeded them not:
Homeric Greek
τῶν ἄλλων ἀπάνευθε καθέζετο κύδεϊ γαίων
εἰσορόων Τρώων τε πόλιν καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν
χαλκοῦ τε στεροπήν, ὀλλύντάς τ' ὀλλυμένους τε.
ὄφρα μὲν ἠὼς ἦν καὶ ἀέξετο ἱερὸν ἦμαρ,
85τόφρα μάλ' ἀμφοτέρων βέλε' ἥπτετο, πῖπτε δὲ λαός:
Transliteration
tōn allōn apaneuthe kathezeto kydeï gaiōn
eisoroōn Trōōn te polin kai nēas Achaiōn
chalkou te steropēn, ollyntas t' ollymenous te.
ophra men ēōs ēn kai aexeto hieron ēmar,
85tophra mal' amphoterōn bele' hēpteto, pipte de laos:
English
he held aloof from all, and sat apart in his all-glorious majesty, looking down upon the city of the Trojans, the ships of the Achaeans, the gleam of bronze, and alike upon the slayers and on the slain. Now so long as the day waxed and it was still morning, their darts rained thick on one another and the
Homeric Greek
ἦμος δὲ δρυτόμος περ ἀνὴρ ὁπλίσσατο δεῖπνον
οὔρεος ἐν βήσσῃσιν, ἐπεί τ' ἐκορέσσατο χεῖρας
τάμνων δένδρεα μακρά, ἅδος τέ μιν ἵκετο θυμόν,
σίτου τε γλυκεροῖο περὶ φρένας ἵμερος αἱρεῖ,
90τῆμος σφῇ ἀρετῇ Δαναοὶ ῥήξαντο φάλαγγας
Transliteration
ēmos de drytomos per anēr hoplissato deipnon
oureos en bēssēisin, epei t' ekoressato cheiras
tamnōn dendrea makra, hados te min hiketo thymon,
sitou te glykeroio peri phrenas himeros hairei,
90tēmos sphēi aretēi Danaoi rhēxanto phalangas
English
people perished, but as the hour drew nigh when a woodsman working in some mountain forest will get his midday meal - for he has felled till his hands are weary; he is tired out, and must now have food - then the Danaans, by force of their striving, broke the battalions of the enemy with a cry that rang through all their ranks.
Homeric Greek
κεκλόμενοι ἑτάροισι κατὰ στίχας: ἐν δ' Ἀγαμέμνων
πρῶτος ὄρουσ', ἕλε δ' ἄνδρα Βιάνορα ποιμένα λαῶν
αὐτόν, ἔπειτα δ' ἑταῖρον Ὀϊλῆα πλήξιππον.
ἤτοι ὅ γ' ἐξ ἵππων κατεπάλμενος ἀντίος ἔστη:
95τὸν δ' ἰθὺς μεμαῶτα μετώπιον ὀξέϊ δουρὶ
Transliteration
keklomenoi hetaroisi kata stichas: en d' Agamemnōn
prōtos orous', hele d' andra Bianora poimena laōn
auton, epeita d' hetairon Oïlēa plēxippon.
ētoi ho g' ex hippōn katepalmenos antios estē:
95ton d' ithys memaōta metōpion oxeï douri
English
Agamemnon led them on, and slew first Bienor, a leader of his people, and afterwards his comrade and charioteer Oileus, who sprang from his chariot and was coming full towards him; but Agamemnon struck him on the forehead with his spear;
Homeric Greek
νύξ', οὐδὲ στεφάνη δόρυ οἱ σχέθε χαλκοβάρεια,
ἀλλὰ δι' αὐτῆς ἦλθε καὶ ὀστέου, ἐγκέφαλος δὲ
ἔνδον ἅπας πεπάλακτο: δάμασσε δέ μιν μεμαῶτα.
καὶ τοὺς μὲν λίπεν αὖθι ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων
100στήθεσι παμφαίνοντας, ἐπεὶ περίδυσε χιτῶνας:
Transliteration
nyx', oude stephanē dory hoi schethe chalkobareia,
alla di' autēs ēlthe kai osteou, enkephalos de
endon hapas pepalakto: damasse de min memaōta.
kai tous men lipen authi anax andrōn Agamemnōn
100stēthesi pamphainontas, epei peridyse chitōnas:
English
his bronze visor was of no avail against the weapon, which pierced both bronze and bone, so that his brains were battered in and he was killed in full fight. Agamemnon stripped their shirts from off them and left them with their breasts all bare to lie where they had fallen.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ὃ βῆ Ἶσόν τε καὶ Ἄντιφον ἐξεναρίξων
υἷε δύω Πριάμοιο νόθον καὶ γνήσιον ἄμφω
εἰν ἑνὶ δίφρῳ ἐόντας: ὃ μὲν νόθος ἡνιόχευεν,
Ἄντιφος αὖ παρέβασκε περικλυτός: ὥ ποτ' Ἀχιλλεὺς
105Ἴδης ἐν κνημοῖσι δίδη μόσχοισι λύγοισι,
Transliteration
autar ho bē Ison te kai Antiphon exenarixōn
huie dyō Priamoio nothon kai gnēsion amphō
ein heni diphrōi eontas: ho men nothos hēniocheuen,
Antiphos au parebaske periklytos: hō pot' Achilleus
105Idēs en knēmoisi didē moschoisi lygoisi,
English
He then went on to kill Isos and Antiphos two sons of Priam, the one a bastard, the other born in wedlock; they were in the same chariot - the bastard driving, while noble Antiphos fought beside him. Achilles had once taken both of them prisoners in the glades of Ida, and
Homeric Greek
ποιμαίνοντ' ἐπ' ὄεσσι λαβών, καὶ ἔλυσεν ἀποίνων.
δὴ τότε γ' Ἀτρεί̈δης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
τὸν μὲν ὑπὲρ μαζοῖο κατὰ στῆθος βάλε δουρί,
Ἄντιφον αὖ παρὰ οὖς ἔλασε ξίφει, ἐκ δ' ἔβαλ' ἵππων.
110σπερχόμενος δ' ἀπὸ τοῖιν ἐσύλα τεύχεα καλὰ
Transliteration
poimainont' ep' oessi labōn, kai elysen apoinōn.
dē tote g' Atreïdēs eury kreiōn Agamemnōn
ton men hyper mazoio kata stēthos bale douri,
Antiphon au para ous elase xiphei, ek d' ebal' hippōn.
110sperchomenos d' apo toiin esyla teuchea kala
English
had bound them with fresh withies as they were shepherding, but he had taken a ransom for them; now, however, Agamemnon son of Atreus smote Isos in the chest above the nipple with his spear, while he struck Antiphos hard by the ear and threw him from his chariot.
Homeric Greek
γιγνώσκων: καὶ γάρ σφε πάρος παρὰ νηυσὶ θοῇσιν
εἶδεν, ὅτ' ἐξ Ἴδης ἄγαγεν πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς.
ὡς δὲ λέων ἐλάφοιο ταχείης νήπια τέκνα
ῥηϊδίως συνέαξε λαβὼν κρατεροῖσιν ὀδοῦσιν
115ἐλθὼν εἰς εὐνήν, ἁπαλόν τέ σφ' ἦτορ ἀπηύρα:
Transliteration
gignōskōn: kai gar sphe paros para nēusi thoēisin
eiden, hot' ex Idēs agagen podas ōkys Achilleus.
hōs de leōn elaphoio tacheiēs nēpia tekna
rhēïdiōs syneaxe labōn krateroisin odousin
115elthōn eis eunēn, hapalon te sph' ētor apēura:
English
Forthwith he stripped their goodly armor from off them and recognized them, for he had already seen them at ships when Achilles brought them in from Ida. As a lion fastens on the fawns of a hind and crushes them in his great jaws, robbing them of their tender life while he on his
Homeric Greek
ἣ δ' εἴ πέρ τε τύχῃσι μάλα σχεδόν, οὐ δύναταί σφι
χραισμεῖν: αὐτὴν γάρ μιν ὑπὸ τρόμος αἰνὸς ἱκάνει:
καρπαλίμως δ' ἤϊξε διὰ δρυμὰ πυκνὰ καὶ ὕλην
σπεύδουσ' ἱδρώουσα κραταιοῦ θηρὸς ὑφ' ὁρμῆς:
120ὣς ἄρα τοῖς οὔ τις δύνατο χραισμῆσαι ὄλεθρον
Transliteration
hē d' ei per te tychēisi mala schedon, ou dynatai sphi
chraismein: autēn gar min hypo tromos ainos hikanei:
karpalimōs d' ēïxe dia dryma pykna kai hylēn
speudous' hidrōousa krataiou thēros hyph' hormēs:
120hōs ara tois ou tis dynato chraismēsai olethron
English
way back to his lair - the hind can do nothing for them even though she be close by, for she is in an agony of fear, and flies through the thick forest, sweating, and at her utmost speed before the mighty monster - so, no man of the Trojans could help Isos
Homeric Greek
Τρώων, ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτοὶ ὑπ' Ἀργείοισι φέβοντο.
αὐτὰρ ὃ Πείσανδρόν τε καὶ Ἱππόλοχον μενεχάρμην
υἱέας Ἀντιμάχοιο δαί̈φρονος, ὅς ῥα μάλιστα
χρυσὸν Ἀλεξάνδροιο δεδεγμένος ἀγλαὰ δῶρα
125οὐκ εἴασχ' Ἑλένην δόμεναι ξανθῷ Μενελάῳ,
Transliteration
Trōōn, alla kai autoi hyp' Argeioisi phebonto.
autar ho Peisandron te kai Hippolochon menecharmēn
huieas Antimachoio daïphronos, hos rha malista
chryson Alexandroio dedegmenos aglaa dōra
125ouk eiasch' Helenēn domenai xanthōi Menelaōi,
English
and Antiphos, for they were themselves fleeing panic before the Argives. Then King Agamemnon took the two sons of Antimakhos, Peisandros and brave Hippolokhos. It was Antimakhos who had been foremost in preventing Helen's being restored to Menelaos, for he was largely bribed by Alexander;
Homeric Greek
τοῦ περ δὴ δύο παῖδε λάβε κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
εἰν ἑνὶ δίφρῳ ἐόντας, ὁμοῦ δ' ἔχον ὠκέας ἵππους:
ἐκ γάρ σφεας χειρῶν φύγον ἡνία σιγαλόεντα,
τὼ δὲ κυκηθήτην: ὃ δ' ἐναντίον ὦρτο λέων ὣς
130Ἀτρεί̈δης: τὼ δ' αὖτ' ἐκ δίφρου γουναζέσθην:
Transliteration
tou per dē dyo paide labe kreiōn Agamemnōn
ein heni diphrōi eontas, homou d' echon ōkeas hippous:
ek gar spheas cheirōn phygon hēnia sigaloenta,
tō de kykēthētēn: ho d' enantion ōrto leōn hōs
130Atreïdēs: tō d' aut' ek diphrou gounazesthēn:
English
and now Agamemnon took his two sons, both in the same chariot, trying to bring their horses to a stand - for they had lost hold of the reins and the horses were mad with fear. The son of Atreus sprang upon them like a lion, and the pair besought him from their chariot.
Homeric Greek
ζώγρει Ἀτρέος υἱέ, σὺ δ' ἄξια δέξαι ἄποινα:
πολλὰ δ' ἐν Ἀντιμάχοιο δόμοις κειμήλια κεῖται
χαλκός τε χρυσός τε πολύκμητός τε σίδηρος,
τῶν κέν τοι χαρίσαιτο πατὴρ ἀπερείσι' ἄποινα,
135εἰ νῶϊ ζωοὺς πεπύθοιτ' ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.
Transliteration
zōgrei Atreos huie, sy d' axia dexai apoina:
polla d' en Antimachoio domois keimēlia keitai
chalkos te chrysos te polykmētos te sidēros,
tōn ken toi charisaito patēr apereisi' apoina,
135ei nōï zōous pepythoit' epi nēusin Achaiōn.
English
"Take us alive," they cried, "son of Atreus, and you shall receive a great ransom for us. Our father Antimakhos has great store of gold, bronze, and wrought iron, and from this he will satisfy you with a very large ransom should he hear of our being alive at the ships of the Achaeans."
Homeric Greek
ὣς τώ γε κλαίοντε προσαυδήτην βασιλῆα
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσιν: ἀμείλικτον δ' ὄπ' ἄκουσαν:
εἰ μὲν δὴ Ἀντιμάχοιο δαί̈φρονος υἱέες ἐστόν,
ὅς ποτ' ἐνὶ Τρώων ἀγορῇ Μενέλαον ἄνωγεν
140ἀγγελίην ἐλθόντα σὺν ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆϊ
Transliteration
hōs tō ge klaionte prosaudētēn basilēa
meilichiois epeessin: ameilikton d' op' akousan:
ei men dē Antimachoio daïphronos huiees eston,
hos pot' eni Trōōn agorēi Menelaon anōgen
140angeliēn elthonta syn antitheōi Odysēï
English
With such piteous words and tears did they beseech the king, but they heard no pitiful answer in return. "If," said Agamemnon, "you are sons of Antimakhos, who once at a council of Trojans proposed that Menelaos and Odysseus, who had come to you as envoys,
Homeric Greek
αὖθι κατακτεῖναι μηδ' ἐξέμεν ἂψ ἐς Ἀχαιούς,
νῦν μὲν δὴ τοῦ πατρὸς ἀεικέα τίσετε λώβην.
ἦ, καὶ Πείσανδρον μὲν ἀφ' ἵππων ὦσε χαμᾶζε
δουρὶ βαλὼν πρὸς στῆθος: ὃ δ' ὕπτιος οὔδει ἐρείσθη.
145Ἱππόλοχος δ' ἀπόρουσε, τὸν αὖ χαμαὶ ἐξενάριξε
Transliteration
authi katakteinai mēd' exemen aps es Achaious,
nyn men dē tou patros aeikea tisete lōbēn.
ē, kai Peisandron men aph' hippōn ōse chamaze
douri balōn pros stēthos: ho d' hyptios oudei ereisthē.
145Hippolochos d' aporouse, ton au chamai exenarixe
English
should be killed and not suffered to return, you shall now pay for the foul iniquity of your father." As he spoke he felled Peisandros from his chariot to the earth, smiting him on the chest with his spear, so that he lay face uppermost upon the ground.
Homeric Greek
χεῖρας ἀπὸ ξίφεϊ τμήξας ἀπό τ' αὐχένα κόψας,
ὅλμον δ' ὣς ἔσσευε κυλίνδεσθαι δι' ὁμίλου.
τοὺς μὲν ἔασ': ὃ δ' ὅθι πλεῖσται κλονέοντο φάλαγγες,
τῇ ῥ' ἐνόρουσ', ἅμα δ' ἄλλοι ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί.
150πεζοὶ μὲν πεζοὺς ὄλεκον φεύγοντας ἀνάγκῃ,
Transliteration
cheiras apo xipheï tmēxas apo t' auchena kopsas,
holmon d' hōs esseue kylindesthai di' homilou.
tous men eas': ho d' hothi pleistai kloneonto phalanges,
tēi rh' enorous', hama d' alloi eÿknēmides Achaioi.
150pezoi men pezous olekon pheugontas anankēi,
English
Hippolokhos fled, but him too did Agamemnon smite; he cut off his hands and his head - which he sent rolling in among the crowd as though it were a ball. There he let them both lie, and wherever the ranks were thickest thither he flew, while the other Achaeans followed.
Homeric Greek
ἱππεῖς δ' ἱππῆας: ὑπὸ δέ σφισιν ὦρτο κονίη
ἐκ πεδίου, τὴν ὦρσαν ἐρίγδουποι πόδες ἵππων
χαλκῷ δηϊόωντες: ἀτὰρ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
αἰὲν ἀποκτείνων ἕπετ' Ἀργείοισι κελεύων.
155ὡς δ' ὅτε πῦρ ἀί̈δηλον ἐν ἀξύλῳ ἐμπέσῃ ὕλῃ,
Transliteration
hippeis d' hippēas: hypo de sphisin ōrto koniē
ek pediou, tēn ōrsan erigdoupoi podes hippōn
chalkōi dēïoōntes: atar kreiōn Agamemnōn
aien apokteinōn hepet' Argeioisi keleuōn.
155hōs d' hote pyr aïdēlon en axylōi empesēi hylēi,
English
Foot soldiers drove the foot soldiers of the foe in rout before them, and slew them; horsemen did the like by horsemen, and the thundering tramp of the horses raised a cloud of dust from off the plain. King Agamemnon followed after, ever slaying them and cheering on the Achaeans.
Homeric Greek
πάντῃ τ' εἰλυφόων ἄνεμος φέρει, οἳ δέ τε θάμνοι
πρόρριζοι πίπτουσιν ἐπειγόμενοι πυρὸς ὁρμῇ:
ὣς ἄρ' ὑπ' Ἀτρεί̈δῃ Ἀγαμέμνονι πῖπτε κάρηνα
Τρώων φευγόντων, πολλοὶ δ' ἐριαύχενες ἵπποι
160κείν' ὄχεα κροτάλιζον ἀνὰ πτολέμοιο γεφύρας
Transliteration
pantēi t' eilyphoōn anemos pherei, hoi de te thamnoi
prorrizoi piptousin epeigomenoi pyros hormēi:
hōs ar' hyp' Atreïdēi Agamemnoni pipte karēna
Trōōn pheugontōn, polloi d' eriauchenes hippoi
160kein' ochea krotalizon ana ptolemoio gephyras
English
As when some mighty forest is all ablaze- the eddying gusts whirl fire in all directions till the thickets shrivel and are consumed before the blast of the flame - even so fell the heads of the fleeing Trojans before Agamemnon son of Atreus, and many a noble pair of steeds drew an empty chariot along
Homeric Greek
ἡνιόχους ποθέοντες ἀμύμονας: οἳ δ' ἐπὶ γαίῃ
κείατο, γύπεσσιν πολὺ φίλτεροι ἢ ἀλόχοισιν.
Ἕκτορα δ' ἐκ βελέων ὕπαγε Ζεὺς ἔκ τε κονίης
ἔκ τ' ἀνδροκτασίης ἔκ θ' αἵματος ἔκ τε κυδοιμοῦ:
165Ἀτρεί̈δης δ' ἕπετο σφεδανὸν Δαναοῖσι κελεύων.
Transliteration
hēniochous potheontes amymonas: hoi d' epi gaiēi
keiato, gypessin poly philteroi ē alochoisin.
Hektora d' ek beleōn hypage Zeus ek te koniēs
ek t' androktasiēs ek th' haimatos ek te kydoimou:
165Atreïdēs d' hepeto sphedanon Danaoisi keleuōn.
English
the highways of war, for lack of drivers who were lying on the plain, more useful now to vultures than to their wives. Zeus drew Hektor away from the darts and dust, with the carnage and din of battle; but the son of Atreus sped onwards, calling out lustily to the Danaans.
Homeric Greek
οἳ δὲ παρ' Ἴλου σῆμα παλαιοῦ Δαρδανίδαο
μέσσον κὰπ πεδίον παρ' ἐρινεὸν ἐσσεύοντο
ἱέμενοι πόλιος: ὃ δὲ κεκλήγων ἕπετ' αἰεὶ
Ἀτρεί̈δης, λύθρῳ δὲ παλάσσετο χεῖρας ἀάπτους.
170ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ Σκαιάς τε πύλας καὶ φηγὸν ἵκοντο,
Transliteration
hoi de par' Ilou sēma palaiou Dardanidao
messon kap pedion par' erineon esseuonto
hiemenoi polios: ho de keklēgōn hepet' aiei
Atreïdēs, lythrōi de palasseto cheiras aaptous.
170all' hote dē Skaias te pylas kai phēgon hikonto,
English
They flew on by the tomb of old Ilos, son of Dardanos, in the middle of the plain, and past the place of the wild fig-tree making always for the city - the son of Atreus still shouting, and with hands all bedrabbled in gore; but when they had reached the Scaean gates and the oak tree, there they halted and waited for the others to come up.
Homeric Greek
ἔνθ' ἄρα δὴ ἵσταντο καὶ ἀλλήλους ἀνέμιμνον.
οἳ δ' ἔτι κὰμ μέσσον πεδίον φοβέοντο βόες ὥς,
ἅς τε λέων ἐφόβησε μολὼν ἐν νυκτὸς ἀμολγῷ
πάσας: τῇ δέ τ' ἰῇ ἀναφαίνεται αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος:
175τῆς δ' ἐξ αὐχέν' ἔαξε λαβὼν κρατεροῖσιν ὀδοῦσι
Transliteration
enth' ara dē histanto kai allēlous anemimnon.
hoi d' eti kam messon pedion phobeonto boes hōs,
has te leōn ephobēse molōn en nyktos amolgōi
pasas: tēi de t' iēi anaphainetai aipys olethros:
175tēs d' ex auchen' eaxe labōn krateroisin odousi
English
Meanwhile the Trojans kept on fleeing over the middle of the plain like a herd cows maddened with fright when a lion has attacked them in the dead of night - he springs on one of them, seizes her neck in the grip of his strong teeth and then laps up her
Homeric Greek
πρῶτον, ἔπειτα δέ θ' αἷμα καὶ ἔγκατα πάντα λαφύσσει:
ὣς τοὺς Ἀτρεί̈δης ἔφεπε κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
αἰὲν ἀποκτείνων τὸν ὀπίστατον: οἳ δ' ἐφέβοντο.
πολλοὶ δὲ πρηνεῖς τε καὶ ὕπτιοι ἔκπεσον ἵππων
180Ἀτρεί̈δεω ὑπὸ χερσί: περὶ πρὸ γὰρ ἔγχεϊ θῦεν.
Transliteration
prōton, epeita de th' haima kai enkata panta laphyssei:
hōs tous Atreïdēs ephepe kreiōn Agamemnōn
aien apokteinōn ton opistaton: hoi d' ephebonto.
polloi de prēneis te kai hyptioi ekpeson hippōn
180Atreïdeō hypo chersi: peri pro gar encheï thyen.
English
blood and gorges himself upon her entrails - even so did King Agamemnon son of Atreus pursue the foe, ever slaughtering the hindmost as they fled pell-mell before him. Many a man was flung headlong from his chariot by the hand of the son of Atreus, for he wielded his spear with fury.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ τάχ' ἔμελλεν ὑπὸ πτόλιν αἰπύ τε τεῖχος
ἵξεσθαι, τότε δή ῥα πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε
Ἴδης ἐν κορυφῇσι καθέζετο πιδηέσσης
οὐρανόθεν καταβάς: ἔχε δ' ἀστεροπὴν μετὰ χερσίν.
185Ἶριν δ' ὄτρυνε χρυσόπτερον ἀγγελέουσαν:
Transliteration
all' hote dē tach' emellen hypo ptolin aipy te teichos
hixesthai, tote dē rha patēr andrōn te theōn te
Idēs en koryphēisi kathezeto pidēessēs
ouranothen katabas: eche d' asteropēn meta chersin.
185Irin d' otryne chrysopteron angeleousan:
English
But when he was just about to reach the high wall and the city, the father of gods and men came down from heaven and took his seat, thunderbolt in hand, upon the crest of many-fountained Ida. He then told Iris of the golden wings to carry a message for him.
Homeric Greek
βάσκ' ἴθι Ἶρι ταχεῖα, τὸν Ἕκτορι μῦθον ἐνίσπες:
ὄφρ' ἂν μέν κεν ὁρᾷ Ἀγαμέμνονα ποιμένα λαῶν
θύνοντ' ἐν προμάχοισιν ἐναίροντα στίχας ἀνδρῶν,
τόφρ' ἀναχωρείτω, τὸν δ' ἄλλον λαὸν ἀνώχθω
190μάρνασθαι δηί̈οισι κατὰ κρατερὴν ὑσμίνην.
Transliteration
bask' ithi Iri tacheia, ton Hektori mython enispes:
ophr' an men ken horāi Agamemnona poimena laōn
thynont' en promachoisin enaironta stichas andrōn,
tophr' anachōreitō, ton d' allon laon anōchthō
190marnasthai dēïoisi kata kraterēn hysminēn.
English
"Go," said he, "fleet Iris, and speak thus to Hektor - say that so long as he sees Agamemnon heading his men and making havoc of the Trojan ranks, he is to keep aloof and bid the others bear the brunt of the battle, but when
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί κ' ἢ δουρὶ τυπεὶς ἢ βλήμενος ἰῷ
εἰς ἵππους ἅλεται, τότε οἱ κράτος ἐγγυαλίξω
κτείνειν εἰς ὅ κε νῆας ἐϋσσέλμους ἀφίκηται
δύῃ τ' ἠέλιος καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἱερὸν ἔλθῃ.
195ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε ποδήνεμος ὠκέα Ἶρις,
Transliteration
autar epei k' ē douri typeis ē blēmenos iōi
eis hippous haletai, tote hoi kratos engyalixō
kteinein eis ho ke nēas eÿsselmous aphikētai
dyēi t' ēelios kai epi knephas hieron elthēi.
195hōs ephat', oud' apithēse podēnemos ōkea Iris,
English
Agamemnon is wounded either by spear or arrow, and takes to his chariot, then will I grant him strength to slay till he reach the ships and night falls at the going down of the sun." Iris hearkened and obeyed.
Homeric Greek
βῆ δὲ κατ' Ἰδαίων ὀρέων εἰς Ἴλιον ἱρήν.
εὗρ' υἱὸν Πριάμοιο δαί̈φρονος Ἕκτορα δῖον
ἑσταότ' ἔν θ' ἵπποισι καὶ ἅρμασι κολλητοῖσιν:
ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱσταμένη προσέφη πόδας ὠκέα Ἶρις:
200Ἕκτορ υἱὲ Πριάμοιο Διὶ μῆτιν ἀτάλαντε
Transliteration
bē de kat' Idaiōn oreōn eis Ilion hirēn.
heur' huion Priamoio daïphronos Hektora dion
hestaot' en th' hippoisi kai harmasi kollētoisin:
anchou d' histamenē prosephē podas ōkea Iris:
200Hektor huie Priamoio Dii mētin atalante
English
Down she went to strong Ilion from the crests of Ida, and found Hektor son of Priam standing by his chariot and horses. Then she said, "Hektor son of Priam, peer of gods in counsel, father Zeus has sent me to
Homeric Greek
Ζεύς με πατὴρ προέηκε τεὶ̈ν τάδε μυθήσασθαι.
ὄφρ' ἂν μέν κεν ὁρᾷς Ἀγαμέμνονα ποιμένα λαῶν
θύνοντ' ἐν προμάχοισιν, ἐναίροντα στίχας ἀνδρῶν,
τόφρ' ὑπόεικε μάχης, τὸν δ' ἄλλον λαὸν ἄνωχθι
205μάρνασθαι δηί̈οισι κατὰ κρατερὴν ὑσμίνην.
Transliteration
Zeus me patēr proeēke teïn tade mythēsasthai.
ophr' an men ken horāis Agamemnona poimena laōn
thynont' en promachoisin, enaironta stichas andrōn,
tophr' hypoeike machēs, ton d' allon laon anōchthi
205marnasthai dēïoisi kata kraterēn hysminēn.
English
bear you this message - so long as you see Agamemnon heading his men and making havoc of the Trojan ranks, you are to keep aloof and bid the others bear the brunt of the battle, but when Agamemnon is wounded either
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί κ' ἢ δουρὶ τυπεὶς ἢ βλήμενος ἰῷ
εἰς ἵππους ἅλεται, τότε τοι κράτος ἐγγυαλίξει
κτείνειν, εἰς ὅ κε νῆας ἐϋσσέλμους ἀφίκηαι
δύῃ τ' ἠέλιος καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἱερὸν ἔλθῃ.
210ἣ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰποῦσ' ἀπέβη πόδας ὠκέα Ἶρις,
Transliteration
autar epei k' ē douri typeis ē blēmenos iōi
eis hippous haletai, tote toi kratos engyalixei
kteinein, eis ho ke nēas eÿsselmous aphikēai
dyēi t' ēelios kai epi knephas hieron elthēi.
210hē men ar' hōs eipous' apebē podas ōkea Iris,
English
by spear or arrow, and takes to his chariot, then will Zeus grant you strength to slay till you reach the ships, and till night falls at the going down of the sun." When she had thus spoken Iris left him, and Hektor sprang
Homeric Greek
Ἕκτωρ δ' ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε,
πάλλων δ' ὀξέα δοῦρα κατὰ στρατὸν ᾤχετο πάντῃ
ὀτρύνων μαχέσασθαι, ἔγειρε δὲ φύλοπιν αἰνήν.
οἳ δ' ἐλελίχθησαν καὶ ἐναντίοι ἔσταν Ἀχαιῶν,
215Ἀργεῖοι δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐκαρτύναντο φάλαγγας.
Transliteration
Hektōr d' ex ocheōn syn teuchesin alto chamaze,
pallōn d' oxea doura kata straton ōicheto pantēi
otrynōn machesasthai, egeire de phylopin ainēn.
hoi d' elelichthēsan kai enantioi estan Achaiōn,
215Argeioi d' heterōthen ekartynanto phalangas.
English
full armed from his chariot to the ground, brandishing his spear as he went about everywhere among the host, cheering his men on to fight, and stirring the dread strife of battle. The Trojans then wheeled round, and again met the Achaeans, while the Argives on their part strengthened their battalions.
Homeric Greek
ἀρτύνθη δὲ μάχη, στὰν δ' ἀντίοι: ἐν δ' Ἀγαμέμνων
πρῶτος ὄρουσ', ἔθελεν δὲ πολὺ προμάχεσθαι ἁπάντων.
ἔσπετε νῦν μοι Μοῦσαι Ὀλύμπια δώματ' ἔχουσαι
ὅς τις δὴ πρῶτος Ἀγαμέμνονος ἀντίον ἦλθεν
220ἢ αὐτῶν Τρώων ἠὲ κλειτῶν ἐπικούρων.
Transliteration
artynthē de machē, stan d' antioi: en d' Agamemnōn
prōtos orous', ethelen de poly promachesthai hapantōn.
espete nyn moi Mousai Olympia dōmat' echousai
hos tis dē prōtos Agamemnonos antion ēlthen
220ē autōn Trōōn ēe kleitōn epikourōn.
English
The battle was now in array and they stood face to face with one another, Agamemnon ever pressing forward in his eagerness to be ahead of all others. Tell me now you Muses that dwell in the mansions of Olympus, who, whether of the Trojans or of their allies, was first to face Agamemnon?
Homeric Greek
Ἰφιδάμας Ἀντηνορίδης ἠύ̈ς τε μέγας τε
ὃς τράφη ἐν Θρῄκῃ ἐριβώλακι μητέρι μήλων:
Κισσῆς τόν γ' ἔθρεψε δόμοις ἔνι τυτθὸν ἐόντα
μητροπάτωρ, ὃς τίκτε Θεανὼ καλλιπάρῃον:
225αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ἥβης ἐρικυδέος ἵκετο μέτρον,
Transliteration
Iphidamas Antēnoridēs ēÿs te megas te
hos traphē en Thrēikēi eribōlaki mēteri mēlōn:
Kissēs ton g' ethrepse domois eni tytthon eonta
mētropatōr, hos tikte Theanō kalliparēion:
225autar epei rh' hēbēs erikydeos hiketo metron,
English
It was Iphidamas son of Antenor, a man both brave and of great stature, who was brought up in fertile Thrace the mother of sheep. Kissês, his mother's father, brought him up in his own house when he was a child - Kissês, father to fair Theano.
Homeric Greek
αὐτοῦ μιν κατέρυκε, δίδου δ' ὅ γε θυγατέρα ἥν:
γήμας δ' ἐκ θαλάμοιο μετὰ κλέος ἵκετ' Ἀχαιῶν
σὺν δυοκαίδεκα νηυσὶ κορωνίσιν, αἵ οἱ ἕποντο.
τὰς μὲν ἔπειτ' ἐν Περκώτῃ λίπε νῆας ἐί̈σας,
230αὐτὰρ ὃ πεζὸς ἐὼν ἐς Ἴλιον εἰληλούθει:
Transliteration
autou min kateryke, didou d' ho ge thygatera hēn:
gēmas d' ek thalamoio meta kleos hiket' Achaiōn
syn dyokaideka nēusi korōnisin, hai hoi heponto.
tas men epeit' en Perkōtēi lipe nēas eïsas,
230autar ho pezos eōn es Ilion eilēlouthei:
English
When he reached manhood, Kissês would have kept him there, and was for giving him his daughter in marriage, but as soon as he had married, he went away from the bride chamber, looking for glory from the Achaeans. He came with twelve ships: these he had left at Perkote and had come on by land to Ilion.
Homeric Greek
ὅς ῥα τότ' Ἀτρεί̈δεω Ἀγαμέμνονος ἀντίον ἦλθεν.
οἳ δ' ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦσαν ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισιν ἰόντες,
Ἀτρεί̈δης μὲν ἅμαρτε, παραὶ δέ οἱ ἐτράπετ' ἔγχος,
Ἰφιδάμας δὲ κατὰ ζώνην θώρηκος ἔνερθε
235νύξ', ἐπὶ δ' αὐτὸς ἔρεισε βαρείῃ χειρὶ πιθήσας:
Transliteration
hos rha tot' Atreïdeō Agamemnonos antion ēlthen.
hoi d' hote dē schedon ēsan ep' allēloisin iontes,
Atreïdēs men hamarte, parai de hoi etrapet' enchos,
Iphidamas de kata zōnēn thōrēkos enerthe
235nyx', epi d' autos ereise bareiēi cheiri pithēsas:
English
He it was that now met Agamemnon son of Atreus. When they were close up with one another, the son of Atreus missed his aim, and Iphidamas hit him on the belt below the cuirass and then flung himself upon him, trusting to his strength of arm;
Homeric Greek
οὐδ' ἔτορε ζωστῆρα παναίολον, ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρὶν
ἀργύρῳ ἀντομένη μόλιβος ὣς ἐτράπετ' αἰχμή.
καὶ τό γε χειρὶ λαβὼν εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
ἕλκ' ἐπὶ οἷ μεμαὼς ὥς τε λίς, ἐκ δ' ἄρα χειρὸς
240σπάσσατο: τὸν δ' ἄορι πλῆξ' αὐχένα, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα.
Transliteration
oud' etore zōstēra panaiolon, alla poly prin
argyrōi antomenē molibos hōs etrapet' aichmē.
kai to ge cheiri labōn eury kreiōn Agamemnōn
helk' epi hoi memaōs hōs te lis, ek d' ara cheiros
240spassato: ton d' aori plēx' auchena, lyse de guia.
English
the belt, however, was not pierced, nor nearly so, for the point of the spear struck against the silver and was turned aside as though it had been lead: King Agamemnon caught it from his hand, and drew it towards him with the fury of a lion; he then drew his sword, and killed Iphidamas by striking him on the neck.
Homeric Greek
ὣς ὃ μὲν αὖθι πεσὼν κοιμήσατο χάλκεον ὕπνον
οἰκτρὸς ἀπὸ μνηστῆς ἀλόχου, ἀστοῖσιν ἀρήγων,
κουριδίης, ἧς οὔ τι χάριν ἴδε, πολλὰ δ' ἔδωκε:
πρῶθ' ἑκατὸν βοῦς δῶκεν, ἔπειτα δὲ χίλι' ὑπέστη
245αἶγας ὁμοῦ καὶ ὄϊς, τά οἱ ἄσπετα ποιμαίνοντο.
Transliteration
hōs ho men authi pesōn koimēsato chalkeon hypnon
oiktros apo mnēstēs alochou, astoisin arēgōn,
kouridiēs, hēs ou ti charin ide, polla d' edōke:
prōth' hekaton bous dōken, epeita de chili' hypestē
245aigas homou kai oïs, ta hoi aspeta poimainonto.
English
So there the poor young man lay, sleeping a sleep as it were of bronze, killed in the defense of his fellow-citizens, far from his wedded wife, of whom he had had no joy though he had given much for her: he had given a hundred-head of cattle down, and had promised later on to give a thousand sheep and goats mixed, from the countless flocks of which he was possessed.
Homeric Greek
δὴ τότε γ' Ἀτρεί̈δης Ἀγαμέμνων ἐξενάριξε,
βῆ δὲ φέρων ἀν' ὅμιλον Ἀχαιῶν τεύχεα καλά.
τὸν δ' ὡς οὖν ἐνόησε Κόων ἀριδείκετος ἀνδρῶν
πρεσβυγενὴς Ἀντηνορίδης, κρατερόν ῥά ἑ πένθος
250ὀφθαλμοὺς ἐκάλυψε κασιγνήτοιο πεσόντος.
Transliteration
dē tote g' Atreïdēs Agamemnōn exenarixe,
bē de pherōn an' homilon Achaiōn teuchea kala.
ton d' hōs oun enoēse Koōn arideiketos andrōn
presbygenēs Antēnoridēs, krateron rha he penthos
250ophthalmous ekalypse kasignētoio pesontos.
English
Agamemnon son of Atreus then despoiled him, and carried off his armor into the host of the Achaeans. When noble Koön, Antenor's eldest son, saw this, the grief made his eyes sore at the sight of his fallen brother. Unseen by Agamemnon he got beside him, spear in hand, and wounded him
Homeric Greek
στῆ δ' εὐρὰξ σὺν δουρὶ λαθὼν Ἀγαμέμνονα δῖον,
νύξε δέ μιν κατὰ χεῖρα μέσην ἀγκῶνος ἔνερθε,
ἀντικρὺ δὲ διέσχε φαεινοῦ δουρὸς ἀκωκή.
ῥίγησέν τ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων:
255ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὧς ἀπέληγε μάχης ἠδὲ πτολέμοιο,
Transliteration
stē d' eurax syn douri lathōn Agamemnona dion,
nyxe de min kata cheira mesēn ankōnos enerthe,
antikry de diesche phaeinou douros akōkē.
rhigēsen t' ar' epeita anax andrōn Agamemnōn:
255all' oud' hōs apelēge machēs ēde ptolemoio,
English
in the middle of his arm below the elbow, the point of the spear going right through the arm. Agamemnon was convulsed with pain, but still not even for this did he leave off struggling and fighting, but grasped his spear that flew as fleet as the wind, and sprang upon Koön who was trying to drag
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἐπόρουσε Κόωνι ἔχων ἀνεμοτρεφὲς ἔγχος.
ἤτοι ὃ Ἰφιδάμαντα κασίγνητον καὶ ὄπατρον
ἕλκε ποδὸς μεμαώς, καὶ ἀύ̈τει πάντας ἀρίστους:
τὸν δ' ἕλκοντ' ἀν' ὅμιλον ὑπ' ἀσπίδος ὀμφαλοέσσης
260οὔτησε ξυστῷ χαλκήρεϊ, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα:
Transliteration
all' eporouse Koōni echōn anemotrephes enchos.
ētoi ho Iphidamanta kasignēton kai opatron
helke podos memaōs, kai aÿtei pantas aristous:
ton d' helkont' an' homilon hyp' aspidos omphaloessēs
260outēse xystōi chalkēreï, lyse de guia:
English
off the body of his brother - his father's son - by the foot, and was crying for help to all the bravest of his comrades; but Agamemnon struck him with a bronze-shod spear and killed him as he was dragging the dead body through the press of men under cover of his shield:
Homeric Greek
τοῖο δ' ἐπ' Ἰφιδάμαντι κάρη ἀπέκοψε παραστάς.
ἔνθ' Ἀντήνορος υἷες ὑπ' Ἀτρεί̈δῃ βασιλῆϊ
πότμον ἀναπλήσαντες ἔδυν δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω.
αὐτὰρ ὃ τῶν ἄλλων ἐπεπωλεῖτο στίχας ἀνδρῶν
265ἔγχεί̈ τ' ἄορί τε μεγάλοισί τε χερμαδίοισιν,
Transliteration
toio d' ep' Iphidamanti karē apekopse parastas.
enth' Antēnoros huies hyp' Atreïdēi basilēï
potmon anaplēsantes edyn domon Aïdos eisō.
autar ho tōn allōn epepōleito stichas andrōn
265encheï t' aori te megaloisi te chermadioisin,
English
he then cut off his head, standing over the body of Iphidamas. Thus did the sons of Antenor meet their fate at the hands of the son of Atreus, and go down into the house of Hades. As long as the blood still welled warm from his wound Agamemnon went about attacking the ranks of
Homeric Greek
ὄφρά οἱ αἷμ' ἔτι θερμὸν ἀνήνοθεν ἐξ ὠτειλῆς.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τὸ μὲν ἕλκος ἐτέρσετο, παύσατο δ' αἷμα,
ὀξεῖαι δ' ὀδύναι δῦνον μένος Ἀτρεί̈δαο.
ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ὠδίνουσαν ἔχῃ βέλος ὀξὺ γυναῖκα
270δριμύ, τό τε προϊεῖσι μογοστόκοι Εἰλείθυιαι
Transliteration
ophra hoi haim' eti thermon anēnothen ex ōteilēs.
autar epei to men helkos eterseto, pausato d' haima,
oxeiai d' odynai dynon menos Atreïdao.
hōs d' hot' an ōdinousan echēi belos oxy gynaika
270drimy, to te proïeisi mogostokoi Eileithuiai
English
the enemy with spear and sword and with great handfuls of stone, but when the blood had ceased to flow and the wound grew dry, the pain became great. As the sharp pangs which the Eileithuiai, goddesses of childbirth, daughters of Hera and dispensers
Homeric Greek
Ἥρης θυγατέρες πικρὰς ὠδῖνας ἔχουσαι,
ὣς ὀξεῖ' ὀδύναι δῦνον μένος Ἀτρεί̈δαο.
ἐς δίφρον δ' ἀνόρουσε, καὶ ἡνιόχῳ ἐπέτελλε
νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ἐλαυνέμεν: ἤχθετο γὰρ κῆρ.
275ἤϋσεν δὲ διαπρύσιον Δαναοῖσι γεγωνώς:
Transliteration
Hērēs thygateres pikras ōdinas echousai,
hōs oxei' odynai dynon menos Atreïdao.
es diphron d' anorouse, kai hēniochōi epetelle
nēusin epi glaphyrēisin elaunemen: ēchtheto gar kēr.
275ēÿsen de diaprysion Danaoisi gegōnōs:
English
of cruel pain, send upon a woman when she is in labor- even so sharp were the pangs of the son of Atreus. He sprang on to his chariot, and bade his charioteer drive to the ships, for he was in great agony.
Homeric Greek
ὦ φίλοι Ἀργείων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες
ὑμεῖς μὲν νῦν νηυσὶν ἀμύνετε ποντοπόροισι
φύλοπιν ἀργαλέην, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἐμὲ μητίετα Ζεὺς
εἴασε Τρώεσσι πανημέριον πολεμίζειν.
280ὣς ἔφαθ', ἡνίοχος δ' ἵμασεν καλλίτριχας ἵππους
Transliteration
ō philoi Argeiōn hēgētores ēde medontes
hymeis men nyn nēusin amynete pontoporoisi
phylopin argaleēn, epei ouk eme mētieta Zeus
eiase Trōessi panēmerion polemizein.
280hōs ephath', hēniochos d' himasen kallitrichas hippous
English
With a loud clear voice he shouted to the Danaans, "My friends, princes and counselors of the Argives, defend the ships yourselves, for Zeus has not suffered me to fight the whole day through against the Trojans." With this the charioteer turned his horses towards the ships, and they flew forward nothing loath.
Homeric Greek
νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς: τὼ δ' οὐκ ἀέκοντε πετέσθην:
ἄφρεον δὲ στήθεα, ῥαίνοντο δὲ νέρθε κονίῃ
τειρόμενον βασιλῆα μάχης ἀπάνευθε φέροντες.
Ἕκτωρ δ' ὡς ἐνόησ' Ἀγαμέμνονα νόσφι κιόντα
285Τρωσί τε καὶ Λυκίοισιν ἐκέκλετο μακρὸν ἀύ̈σας:
Transliteration
nēas epi glaphyras: tō d' ouk aekonte petesthēn:
aphreon de stēthea, rhainonto de nerthe koniēi
teiromenon basilēa machēs apaneuthe pherontes.
Hektōr d' hōs enoēs' Agamemnona nosphi kionta
285Trōsi te kai Lykioisin ekekleto makron aÿsas:
English
Their chests were white with foam and their bellies with dust, as they drew the wounded king out of the battle. When Hektor saw Agamemnon quit the field, he shouted to the Trojans and Lycians saying, "Trojans,
Homeric Greek
Τρῶες καὶ Λύκιοι καὶ Δάρδανοι ἀγχιμαχηταὶ
ἀνέρες ἔστε φίλοι, μνήσασθε δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς.
οἴχετ' ἀνὴρ ὤριστος, ἐμοὶ δὲ μέγ' εὖχος ἔδωκε
Ζεὺς Κρονίδης: ἀλλ' ἰθὺς ἐλαύνετε μώνυχας ἵππους
290ἰφθίμων Δαναῶν, ἵν' ὑπέρτερον εὖχος ἄρησθε.
Transliteration
Trōes kai Lykioi kai Dardanoi anchimachētai
aneres este philoi, mnēsasthe de thouridos alkēs.
oichet' anēr ōristos, emoi de meg' euchos edōke
Zeus Kronidēs: all' ithys elaunete mōnychas hippous
290iphthimōn Danaōn, hin' hyperteron euchos arēsthe.
English
Lycians, and Dardanian warriors, be men, my friends, and acquit yourselves in battle bravely; their best man has left them, and Zeus has granted me a great triumph; charge the foe with your chariots that. you may win still greater glory."
Homeric Greek
ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.
ὡς δ' ὅτε πού τις θηρητὴρ κύνας ἀργιόδοντας
σεύῃ ἐπ' ἀγροτέρῳ συὶ̈ καπρίῳ ἠὲ λέοντι,
ὣς ἐπ' Ἀχαιοῖσιν σεῦε Τρῶας μεγαθύμους
295Ἕκτωρ Πριαμίδης βροτολοιγῷ ἶσος Ἄρηϊ.
Transliteration
hōs eipōn otryne menos kai thymon hekastou.
hōs d' hote pou tis thērētēr kynas argiodontas
seuēi ep' agroterōi syï kapriōi ēe leonti,
hōs ep' Achaioisin seue Trōas megathymous
295Hektōr Priamidēs brotoloigōi isos Arēï.
English
With these words he put heart and soul into them all, and as a huntsman hounds his dogs on against a lion or wild boar, even so did Hektor, peer of Ares, hound the proud Trojans on against the Achaeans.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὸς δ' ἐν πρώτοισι μέγα φρονέων ἐβεβήκει,
ἐν δ' ἔπεσ' ὑσμίνῃ ὑπεραέϊ ἶσος ἀέλλῃ,
ἥ τε καθαλλομένη ἰοειδέα πόντον ὀρίνει.
ἔνθα τίνα πρῶτον, τίνα δ' ὕστατον ἐξενάριξεν
300Ἕκτωρ Πριαμίδης, ὅτε οἱ Ζεὺς κῦδος ἔδωκεν;
Transliteration
autos d' en prōtoisi mega phroneōn ebebēkei,
en d' epes' hysminēi hyperaeï isos aellēi,
hē te kathallomenē ioeidea ponton orinei.
entha tina prōton, tina d' hystaton exenarixen
300Hektōr Priamidēs, hote hoi Zeus kydos edōken;
English
Full of hope he plunged in among the foremost, and fell on the fight like some fierce tempest that swoops down upon the sea, and lashes its deep violet waters into fury. What, then is the full tale of those whom Hektor son of Priam killed in the hour of triumph which Zeus then granted him?
Homeric Greek
Ἀσαῖον μὲν πρῶτα καὶ Αὐτόνοον καὶ Ὀπίτην
καὶ Δόλοπα Κλυτίδην καὶ Ὀφέλτιον ἠδ' Ἀγέλαον
Αἴσυμνόν τ' Ὦρόν τε καὶ Ἱππόνοον μενεχάρμην.
τοὺς ἄρ' ὅ γ' ἡγεμόνας Δαναῶν ἕλεν, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα
305πληθύν, ὡς ὁπότε νέφεα Ζέφυρος στυφελίξῃ
Transliteration
Asaion men prōta kai Autonoon kai Opitēn
kai Dolopa Klytidēn kai Opheltion ēd' Agelaon
Aisymnon t' Ōron te kai Hipponoon menecharmēn.
tous ar' ho g' hēgemonas Danaōn helen, autar epeita
305plēthyn, hōs hopote nephea Zephyros styphelixēi
English
First Asaios, Autonoos, and Opites; Dolops son of Klytios, Opheltios and Agelaos; Aisymnos, Orus and Hipponoos steadfast in battle; these chieftains of the Achaeans did Hektor slay, and then he fell upon the rank and file. As when the west wind hustles the clouds of the white south and beats them down with
Homeric Greek
ἀργεστᾶο Νότοιο βαθείῃ λαίλαπι τύπτων:
πολλὸν δὲ τρόφι κῦμα κυλίνδεται, ὑψόσε δ' ἄχνη
σκίδναται ἐξ ἀνέμοιο πολυπλάγκτοιο ἰωῆς:
ὣς ἄρα πυκνὰ καρήαθ' ὑφ' Ἕκτορι δάμνατο λαῶν.
310ἔνθά κε λοιγὸς ἔην καὶ ἀμήχανα ἔργα γένοντο,
Transliteration
argestao Notoio batheiēi lailapi typtōn:
pollon de trophi kyma kylindetai, hypsose d' achnē
skidnatai ex anemoio polyplanktoio iōēs:
hōs ara pykna karēath' hyph' Hektori damnato laōn.
310entha ke loigos eēn kai amēchana erga genonto,
English
the fierceness of its fury - the waves of the sea roll high, and the spray is flung aloft in the rage of the wandering wind - even so thick were the heads of them that fell by the hand of Hektor. All had then been lost and no help for it,
Homeric Greek
καί νύ κεν ἐν νήεσσι πέσον φεύγοντες Ἀχαιοί,
εἰ μὴ Τυδεί̈δῃ Διομήδεϊ κέκλετ' Ὀδυσσεύς:
Τυδεί̈δη τί παθόντε λελάσμεθα θούριδος ἀλκῆς;
ἀλλ' ἄγε δεῦρο πέπον, παρ' ἔμ' ἵσταο: δὴ γὰρ ἔλεγχος
315ἔσσεται εἴ κεν νῆας ἕλῃ κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ.
Transliteration
kai ny ken en nēessi peson pheugontes Achaioi,
ei mē Tydeïdēi Diomēdeï keklet' Odysseus:
Tydeïdē ti pathonte lelasmetha thouridos alkēs;
all' age deuro pepon, par' em' histao: dē gar elenchos
315essetai ei ken nēas helēi korythaiolos Hektōr.
English
and the Achaeans would have fled pell-mell to their ships, had not Odysseus cried out to Diomedes, "Son of Tydeus, what has happened to us that we thus forget our prowess? Come, my good man, stand by my side and help me, we shall be shamed for ever if Hektor takes the ships."
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης:
ἤτοι ἐγὼ μενέω καὶ τλήσομαι: ἀλλὰ μίνυνθα
ἡμέων ἔσσεται ἦδος, ἐπεὶ νεφεληγερέτα Ζεὺς
Τρωσὶν δὴ βόλεται δοῦναι κράτος ἠέ περ ἡμῖν.
320ἦ καὶ Θυμβραῖον μὲν ἀφ' ἵππων ὦσε χαμᾶζε
Transliteration
ton d' apameibomenos prosephē krateros Diomēdēs:
ētoi egō meneō kai tlēsomai: alla minyntha
hēmeōn essetai ēdos, epei nephelēgereta Zeus
Trōsin dē boletai dounai kratos ēe per hēmin.
320ē kai Thymbraion men aph' hippōn ōse chamaze
English
And Diomedes answered, "Come what may, I will stand firm; but we shall have scant joy of it, for Zeus is minded to give victory to the Trojans rather than to us." With these words he struck Thymbraios from his chariot to the
Homeric Greek
δουρὶ βαλὼν κατὰ μαζὸν ἀριστερόν: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
ἀντίθεον θεράποντα Μολίονα τοῖο ἄνακτος.
τοὺς μὲν ἔπειτ' εἴασαν, ἐπεὶ πολέμου ἀπέπαυσαν:
τὼ δ' ἀν' ὅμιλον ἰόντε κυδοίμεον, ὡς ὅτε κάπρω
325ἐν κυσὶ θηρευτῇσι μέγα φρονέοντε πέσητον:
Transliteration
douri balōn kata mazon aristeron: autar Odysseus
antitheon theraponta Moliona toio anaktos.
tous men epeit' eiasan, epei polemou apepausan:
tō d' an' homilon ionte kydoimeon, hōs hote kaprō
325en kysi thēreutēisi mega phroneonte pesēton:
English
ground, smiting him in the left breast with his spear, while Odysseus killed Molion who was his squire. These they let lie, now that they had stopped their fighting; the two heroes then went on playing havoc with the foe, like two wild boars that turn in fury and rend the hounds that hunt them.
Homeric Greek
ὣς ὄλεκον Τρῶας πάλιν ὀρμένω: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ
ἀσπασίως φεύγοντες ἀνέπνεον Ἕκτορα δῖον.
ἔνθ' ἑλέτην δίφρόν τε καὶ ἀνέρε δήμου ἀρίστω
υἷε δύω Μέροπος Περκωσίου, ὃς περὶ πάντων
330ᾔδεε μαντοσύνας, οὐδὲ οὓς παῖδας ἔασκε
Transliteration
hōs olekon Trōas palin ormenō: autar Achaioi
aspasiōs pheugontes anepneon Hektora dion.
enth' heletēn diphron te kai anere dēmou aristō
huie dyō Meropos Perkōsiou, hos peri pantōn
330ēidee mantosynas, oude hous paidas easke
English
Thus did they turn upon the Trojans and slay them, and the Achaeans were thankful to have breathing time in their flight from Hektor. They then took two princes with their chariot, the two sons of Merops of Perkote, who excelled in the arts of divination all others from the district.
Homeric Greek
στείχειν ἐς πόλεμον φθισήνορα: τὼ δέ οἱ οὔ τι
πειθέσθην: κῆρες γὰρ ἄγον μέλανος θανάτοιο.
τοὺς μὲν Τυδεί̈δης δουρικλειτὸς Διομήδης
θυμοῦ καὶ ψυχῆς κεκαδὼν κλυτὰ τεύχε' ἀπηύρα:
335Ἱππόδαμον δ' Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ Ὑπείροχον ἐξενάριξεν.
Transliteration
steichein es polemon phthisēnora: tō de hoi ou ti
peithesthēn: kēres gar agon melanos thanatoio.
tous men Tydeïdēs dourikleitos Diomēdēs
thymou kai psychēs kekadōn klyta teuche' apēura:
335Hippodamon d' Odyseus kai Hypeirochon exenarixen.
English
He had forbidden his sons to go to the war, but they would not obey him, for fate lured them to their fall. Diomedes son of Tydeus deprived them both of their life-breath and stripped them of their armor, while Odysseus killed Hippodamos and Hypeirochos.
Homeric Greek
ἔνθά σφιν κατὰ ἶσα μάχην ἐτάνυσσε Κρονίων
ἐξ Ἴδης καθορῶν: τοὶ δ' ἀλλήλους ἐνάριζον.
ἤτοι Τυδέος υἱὸς Ἀγάστροφον οὔτασε δουρὶ
Παιονίδην ἥρωα κατ' ἰσχίον: οὐ δέ οἱ ἵπποι
340ἐγγὺς ἔσαν προφυγεῖν, ἀάσατο δὲ μέγα θυμῷ.
Transliteration
entha sphin kata isa machēn etanysse Kroniōn
ex Idēs kathorōn: toi d' allēlous enarizon.
ētoi Tydeos huios Agastrophon outase douri
Paionidēn hērōa kat' ischion: ou de hoi hippoi
340engys esan prophygein, aasato de mega thymōi.
English
And now the son of Kronos as he looked down from Ida ordained that neither side should have the advantage, and they kept on killing one another. The son of Tydeus speared Agastrophos son of Paeon in the hip-joint with his spear. His chariot was not at hand for him to fly with, so blindly confident had he been.
Homeric Greek
τοὺς μὲν γὰρ θεράπων ἀπάνευθ' ἔχεν, αὐτὰρ ὃ πεζὸς
θῦνε διὰ προμάχων, εἷος φίλον ὤλεσε θυμόν.
Ἕκτωρ δ' ὀξὺ νόησε κατὰ στίχας, ὦρτο δ' ἐπ' αὐτοὺς
κεκλήγων: ἅμα δὲ Τρώων εἵποντο φάλαγγες.
345τὸν δὲ ἰδὼν ῥίγησε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης,
Transliteration
tous men gar therapōn apaneuth' echen, autar ho pezos
thyne dia promachōn, heios philon ōlese thymon.
Hektōr d' oxy noēse kata stichas, ōrto d' ep' autous
keklēgōn: hama de Trōōn heiponto phalanges.
345ton de idōn rhigēse boēn agathos Diomēdēs,
English
His squire was in charge of it at some distance and he was fighting on foot among the foremost until he lost his life. Hektor soon marked the havoc Diomedes and Odysseus were making, and bore down upon them with a loud cry, followed by the Trojan ranks;
Homeric Greek
αἶψα δ' Ὀδυσσῆα προσεφώνεεν ἐγγὺς ἐόντα:
νῶϊν δὴ τόδε πῆμα κυλίνδεται ὄβριμος Ἕκτωρ:
ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ στέωμεν καὶ ἀλεξώμεσθα μένοντες.
ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἀμπεπαλὼν προί̈ει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος
350καὶ βάλεν, οὐδ' ἀφάμαρτε τιτυσκόμενος κεφαλῆφιν,
Transliteration
aipsa d' Odyssēa prosephōneen engys eonta:
nōïn dē tode pēma kylindetai obrimos Hektōr:
all' age dē steōmen kai alexōmestha menontes.
ē rha, kai ampepalōn proïei dolichoskion enchos
350kai balen, oud' aphamarte tityskomenos kephalēphin,
English
brave Diomedes was dismayed when he saw them, and said to Odysseus who was beside him, "Great Hektor is bearing down upon us and we shall be undone; let us stand firm and wait his onset." He poised his spear as he spoke and hurled it, nor did he miss his mark.
Homeric Greek
ἄκρην κὰκ κόρυθα: πλάγχθη δ' ἀπὸ χαλκόφι χαλκός,
οὐδ' ἵκετο χρόα καλόν: ἐρύκακε γὰρ τρυφάλεια
τρίπτυχος αὐλῶπις, τήν οἱ πόρε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων.
Ἕκτωρ δ' ὦκ' ἀπέλεθρον ἀνέδραμε, μίκτο δ' ὁμίλῳ,
355στῆ δὲ γνὺξ ἐριπὼν καὶ ἐρείσατο χειρὶ παχείῃ
Transliteration
akrēn kak korytha: planchthē d' apo chalkophi chalkos,
oud' hiketo chroa kalon: erykake gar tryphaleia
triptychos aulōpis, tēn hoi pore Phoibos Apollōn.
Hektōr d' ōk' apelethron anedrame, mikto d' homilōi,
355stē de gnyx eripōn kai ereisato cheiri pacheiēi
English
He had aimed at Hektor's head near the top of his helmet, but bronze was turned by bronze, and Hektor was untouched, for the spear was stayed by the visored helm made with three plates of metal, which Phoebus Apollo had given him. Hektor sprang back with a great bound under cover of the ranks; he fell on his knees and propped himself with his brawny hand leaning on the ground, for darkness had fallen on his eyes.
Homeric Greek
γαίης: ἀμφὶ δὲ ὄσσε κελαινὴ νὺξ ἐκάλυψεν.
ὄφρα δὲ Τυδεί̈δης μετὰ δούρατος ᾤχετ' ἐρωὴν
τῆλε διὰ προμάχων, ὅθι οἱ καταείσατο γαίης
τόφρ' Ἕκτωρ ἔμπνυτο, καὶ ἂψ ἐς δίφρον ὀρούσας
360ἐξέλασ' ἐς πληθύν, καὶ ἀλεύατο κῆρα μέλαιναν.
Transliteration
gaiēs: amphi de osse kelainē nyx ekalypsen.
ophra de Tydeïdēs meta douratos ōichet' erōēn
tēle dia promachōn, hothi hoi kataeisato gaiēs
tophr' Hektōr empnyto, kai aps es diphron orousas
360exelas' es plēthyn, kai aleuato kēra melainan.
English
The son of Tydeus having thrown his spear dashed in among the foremost fighters, to the place where he had seen it strike the ground; meanwhile Hektor recovered himself and springing back into his chariot mingled with the crowd, by which means he saved his life.
Homeric Greek
δουρὶ δ' ἐπαί̈σσων προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης:
ἐξ αὖ νῦν ἔφυγες θάνατον κύον: ἦ τέ τοι ἄγχι
ἦλθε κακόν: νῦν αὖτέ σ' ἐρύσατο Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων
ᾧ μέλλεις εὔχεσθαι ἰὼν ἐς δοῦπον ἀκόντων.
365ἦ θήν σ' ἐξανύω γε καὶ ὕστερον ἀντιβολήσας,
Transliteration
douri d' epaïssōn prosephē krateros Diomēdēs:
ex au nyn ephyges thanaton kyon: ē te toi anchi
ēlthe kakon: nyn aute s' erysato Phoibos Apollōn
hōi melleis euchesthai iōn es doupon akontōn.
365ē thēn s' exanyō ge kai hysteron antibolēsas,
English
But Diomedes made at him with his spear and said, "Dog, you have again got away though death was close on your heels. Phoebus Apollo, to whom I ween you pray ere you go into battle, has again saved you, nevertheless I will meet you and make and end of you hereafter, if there is any god who will stand by me too and be my helper.
Homeric Greek
εἴ πού τις καὶ ἔμοιγε θεῶν ἐπιτάρροθός ἐστι.
νῦν αὖ τοὺς ἄλλους ἐπιείσομαι, ὅν κε κιχείω.
ἦ, καὶ Παιονίδην δουρὶ κλυτὸν ἐξενάριζεν.
αὐτὰρ Ἀλέξανδρος Ἑλένης πόσις ἠϋκόμοιο
370Τυδεί̈δῃ ἔπι τόξα τιταίνετο ποιμένι λαῶν,
Transliteration
ei pou tis kai emoige theōn epitarrothos esti.
nyn au tous allous epieisomai, hon ke kicheiō.
ē, kai Paionidēn douri klyton exenarizen.
autar Alexandros Helenēs posis ēÿkomoio
370Tydeïdēi epi toxa titaineto poimeni laōn,
English
For the present I must pursue those I can lay hands on." As he spoke he began stripping the spoils from the son of Paeon, but Alexander husband of lovely Helen aimed an arrow at him, leaning against a pillar of the
Homeric Greek
στήλῃ κεκλιμένος ἀνδροκμήτῳ ἐπὶ τύμβῳ
Ἴλου Δαρδανίδαο, παλαιοῦ δημογέροντος.
ἤτοι ὃ μὲν θώρηκα Ἀγαστρόφου ἰφθίμοιο
αἴνυτ' ἀπὸ στήθεσφι παναίολον ἀσπίδα τ' ὤμων
375καὶ κόρυθα βριαρήν: ὃ δὲ τόξου πῆχυν ἄνελκε
Transliteration
stēlēi keklimenos androkmētōi epi tymbōi
Ilou Dardanidao, palaiou dēmogerontos.
ētoi ho men thōrēka Agastrophou iphthimoio
ainyt' apo stēthesphi panaiolon aspida t' ōmōn
375kai korytha briarēn: ho de toxou pēchyn anelke
English
monument which men had raised to Ilos son of Dardanos, a ruler in days of old. Diomedes had taken the cuirass from off the breast of Agastrophos, his heavy helmet also, and the shield from off his shoulders, when Paris drew his bow and let fly an arrow that sped not
Homeric Greek
καὶ βάλεν, οὐδ' ἄρα μιν ἅλιον βέλος ἔκφυγε χειρός,
ταρσὸν δεξιτεροῖο ποδός: διὰ δ' ἀμπερὲς ἰὸς
ἐν γαίῃ κατέπηκτο: ὃ δὲ μάλα ἡδὺ γελάσσας
ἐκ λόχου ἀμπήδησε καὶ εὐχόμενος ἔπος ηὔδα:
380βέβληαι οὐδ' ἅλιον βέλος ἔκφυγεν: ὡς ὄφελόν τοι
Transliteration
kai balen, oud' ara min halion belos ekphyge cheiros,
tarson dexiteroio podos: dia d' amperes ios
en gaiēi katepēkto: ho de mala hēdy gelassas
ek lochou ampēdēse kai euchomenos epos ēuda:
380beblēai oud' halion belos ekphygen: hōs ophelon toi
English
from his hand in vain, but pierced the flat of Diomedes' right foot, going right through it and fixing itself in the ground. Thereon Paris with a hearty laugh sprang forward from his hiding-place, and taunted him saying, "You are wounded - my arrow has not been shot in vain;
Homeric Greek
νείατον ἐς κενεῶνα βαλὼν ἐκ θυμὸν ἑλέσθαι.
οὕτω κεν καὶ Τρῶες ἀνέπνευσαν κακότητος,
οἵ τέ σε πεφρίκασι λέονθ' ὡς μηκάδες αἶγες.
τὸν δ' οὐ ταρβήσας προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης:
385τοξότα λωβητὴρ κέρᾳ ἀγλαὲ παρθενοπῖπα
Transliteration
neiaton es keneōna balōn ek thymon helesthai.
houtō ken kai Trōes anepneusan kakotētos,
hoi te se pephrikasi leonth' hōs mēkades aiges.
ton d' ou tarbēsas prosephē krateros Diomēdēs:
385toxota lōbētēr kerāi aglae parthenopipa
English
would that it had hit you in the belly and killed you, for thus the Trojans, who fear you as goats fear a lion, would have had a truce from evil." Diomedes all undaunted answered, "Archer, you who without your bow are nothing, slanderer and seducer, if you were to be tried in single combat fighting
Homeric Greek
εἰ μὲν δὴ ἀντίβιον σὺν τεύχεσι πειρηθείης,
οὐκ ἄν τοι χραίσμῃσι βιὸς καὶ ταρφέες ἰοί:
νῦν δέ μ' ἐπιγράψας ταρσὸν ποδὸς εὔχεαι αὔτως.
οὐκ ἀλέγω, ὡς εἴ με γυνὴ βάλοι ἢ πάϊς ἄφρων:
390κωφὸν γὰρ βέλος ἀνδρὸς ἀνάλκιδος οὐτιδανοῖο.
Transliteration
ei men dē antibion syn teuchesi peirētheiēs,
ouk an toi chraismēisi bios kai tarphees ioi:
nyn de m' epigrapsas tarson podos eucheai autōs.
ouk alegō, hōs ei me gynē baloi ē païs aphrōn:
390kōphon gar belos andros analkidos outidanoio.
English
in full armor, your bow and your arrows would serve you in little stead. Vain is your boast in that you have scratched the sole of my foot. I care no more than if a girl or some silly boy had hit me. A worthless coward can inflict but a light wound;
Homeric Greek
ἦ τ' ἄλλως ὑπ' ἐμεῖο, καὶ εἴ κ' ὀλίγον περ ἐπαύρῃ,
ὀξὺ βέλος πέλεται, καὶ ἀκήριον αἶψα τίθησι.
τοῦ δὲ γυναικὸς μέν τ' ἀμφίδρυφοί εἰσι παρειαί,
παῖδες δ' ὀρφανικοί: ὃ δέ θ' αἵματι γαῖαν ἐρεύθων
395πύθεται, οἰωνοὶ δὲ περὶ πλέες ἠὲ γυναῖκες.
Transliteration
ē t' allōs hyp' emeio, kai ei k' oligon per epaurēi,
oxy belos peletai, kai akērion aipsa tithēsi.
tou de gynaikos men t' amphidryphoi eisi pareiai,
paides d' orphanikoi: ho de th' haimati gaian ereuthōn
395pythetai, oiōnoi de peri plees ēe gynaikes.
English
when I wound a man though I but graze his skin it is another matter, for my weapon will lay him low. His wife will tear her cheeks for grief and his children will be fatherless: there will he rot, reddening the earth with his blood, and vultures, not women, will gather round him."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φάτο, τοῦ δ' Ὀδυσεὺς δουρικλυτὸς ἐγγύθεν ἐλθὼν
ἔστη πρόσθ': ὃ δ' ὄπισθε καθεζόμενος βέλος ὠκὺ
ἐκ ποδὸς ἕλκ', ὀδύνη δὲ διὰ χροὸς ἦλθ' ἀλεγεινή.
ἐς δίφρον δ' ἀνόρουσε, καὶ ἡνιόχῳ ἐπέτελλε
400νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ἐλαυνέμεν: ἤχθετο γὰρ κῆρ.
Transliteration
hōs phato, tou d' Odyseus douriklytos engythen elthōn
estē prosth': ho d' opisthe kathezomenos belos ōky
ek podos helk', odynē de dia chroos ēlth' alegeinē.
es diphron d' anorouse, kai hēniochōi epetelle
400nēusin epi glaphyrēisin elaunemen: ēchtheto gar kēr.
English
Thus he spoke, but Odysseus came up and stood over him. Under this cover he sat down to draw the arrow from his foot, and sharp was the pain he suffered as he did so. Then he sprang on to his chariot and bade the charioteer drive him to the ships, for he was sick at heart.
Homeric Greek
οἰώθη δ' Ὀδυσεὺς δουρὶ κλυτός, οὐδέ τις αὐτῷ
Ἀργείων παρέμεινεν, ἐπεὶ φόβος ἔλλαβε πάντας:
ὀχθήσας δ' ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν:
ὤ μοι ἐγὼ τί πάθω; μέγα μὲν κακὸν αἴ κε φέβωμαι
405πληθὺν ταρβήσας: τὸ δὲ ῥίγιον αἴ κεν ἁλώω
Transliteration
oiōthē d' Odyseus douri klytos, oude tis autōi
Argeiōn paremeinen, epei phobos ellabe pantas:
ochthēsas d' ara eipe pros hon megalētora thymon:
ō moi egō ti pathō; mega men kakon ai ke phebōmai
405plēthyn tarbēsas: to de rhigion ai ken halōō
English
Odysseus was now alone; not one of the Argives stood by him, for they were all panic-stricken. "Alas," said he to himself in his dismay, "what will become of me? It is ill if I turn and flee before these odds, but it will be worse if I am left
Homeric Greek
μοῦνος: τοὺς δ' ἄλλους Δαναοὺς ἐφόβησε Κρονίων.
ἀλλὰ τί ἤ μοι ταῦτα φίλος διελέξατο θυμός;
οἶδα γὰρ ὅττι κακοὶ μὲν ἀποίχονται πολέμοιο,
ὃς δέ κ' ἀριστεύῃσι μάχῃ ἔνι τὸν δὲ μάλα χρεὼ
410ἑστάμεναι κρατερῶς, ἤ τ' ἔβλητ' ἤ τ' ἔβαλ' ἄλλον.
Transliteration
mounos: tous d' allous Danaous ephobēse Kroniōn.
alla ti ē moi tauta philos dielexato thymos;
oida gar hotti kakoi men apoichontai polemoio,
hos de k' aristeuēisi machēi eni ton de mala chreō
410hestamenai kraterōs, ē t' eblēt' ē t' ebal' allon.
English
alone and taken prisoner, for the son of Kronos has struck the rest of the Danaans with panic. But why talk to myself in this way? Well do I know that though cowards quit the field, a hero, whether he wound or be wounded, must stand firm and hold his own."
Homeric Greek
εἷος ὃ ταῦθ' ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,
τόφρα δ' ἐπὶ Τρώων στίχες ἤλυθον ἀσπιστάων,
ἔλσαν δ' ἐν μέσσοισι, μετὰ σφίσι πῆμα τιθέντες.
ὡς δ' ὅτε κάπριον ἀμφὶ κύνες θαλεροί τ' αἰζηοὶ
415σεύωνται, ὃ δέ τ' εἶσι βαθείης ἐκ ξυλόχοιο
Transliteration
heios ho tauth' hōrmaine kata phrena kai kata thymon,
tophra d' epi Trōōn stiches ēlython aspistaōn,
elsan d' en messoisi, meta sphisi pēma tithentes.
hōs d' hote kaprion amphi kynes thaleroi t' aizēoi
415seuōntai, ho de t' eisi batheiēs ek xylochoio
English
While he was thus in two minds, the ranks of the Trojans advanced and hemmed him in, and bitterly did they come to me it. As hounds and lusty youths set upon a wild boar that sallies from his lair whetting his white tusks -
Homeric Greek
θήγων λευκὸν ὀδόντα μετὰ γναμπτῇσι γένυσσιν,
ἀμφὶ δέ τ' ἀί̈σσονται, ὑπαὶ δέ τε κόμπος ὀδόντων
γίγνεται, οἳ δὲ μένουσιν ἄφαρ δεινόν περ ἐόντα,
ὥς ῥα τότ' ἀμφ' Ὀδυσῆα Διὶ̈ φίλον ἐσσεύοντο
420Τρῶες: ὃ δὲ πρῶτον μὲν ἀμύμονα Δηϊοπίτην
Transliteration
thēgōn leukon odonta meta gnamptēisi genyssin,
amphi de t' aïssontai, hypai de te kompos odontōn
gignetai, hoi de menousin aphar deinon per eonta,
hōs rha tot' amph' Odysēa Diï philon esseuonto
420Trōes: ho de prōton men amymona Dēïopitēn
English
they attack him from every side and can hear the gnashing of his jaws, but for all his fierceness they still hold their ground - even so furiously did the Trojans attack Odysseus. First he sprang spear in hand upon Deiopites and wounded him on the shoulder with a downward blow;
Homeric Greek
οὔτασεν ὦμον ὕπερθεν ἐπάλμενος ὀξέϊ δουρί,
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα Θόωνα καὶ Ἔννομον ἐξενάριξε.
Χερσιδάμαντα δ' ἔπειτα καθ' ἵππων ἀί̈ξαντα
δουρὶ κατὰ πρότμησιν ὑπ' ἀσπίδος ὀμφαλοέσσης
425νύξεν: ὃ δ' ἐν κονίῃσι πεσὼν ἕλε γαῖαν ἀγοστῷ.
Transliteration
outasen ōmon hyperthen epalmenos oxeï douri,
autar epeita Thoōna kai Ennomon exenarixe.
Chersidamanta d' epeita kath' hippōn aïxanta
douri kata protmēsin hyp' aspidos omphaloessēs
425nyxen: ho d' en koniēisi pesōn hele gaian agostōi.
English
then he killed Thoon and Ennomos. After these he struck Chersidamas in the loins under his shield as he had just sprung down from his chariot; so he fell in the dust and clutched the earth in the hollow of his hand.
Homeric Greek
τοὺς μὲν ἔασ', ὃ δ' ἄρ' Ἱππασίδην Χάροπ' οὔτασε δουρὶ
αὐτοκασίγνητον εὐηφενέος Σώκοιο.
τῷ δ' ἐπαλεξήσων Σῶκος κίεν ἰσόθεος φώς,
στῆ δὲ μάλ' ἐγγὺς ἰὼν καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν
430ὦ Ὀδυσεῦ πολύαινε δόλων ἆτ' ἠδὲ πόνοιο
Transliteration
tous men eas', ho d' ar' Hippasidēn Charop' outase douri
autokasignēton euēpheneos Sōkoio.
tōi d' epalexēsōn Sōkos kien isotheos phōs,
stē de mal' engys iōn kai min pros mython eeipen
430ō Odyseu polyaine dolōn at' ēde ponoio
English
These he let lie, and went on to wound Charops son of Hippasus, brother to noble Sokos. Sokos, hero that he was, made all speed to help him, and when he was close to Odysseus he said, "Far-famed Odysseus, insatiable of craft and toil,
Homeric Greek
σήμερον ἢ δοιοῖσιν ἐπεύξεαι Ἱππασίδῃσι
τοιώδ' ἄνδρε κατακτείνας καὶ τεύχε' ἀπούρας,
ἤ κεν ἐμῷ ὑπὸ δουρὶ τυπεὶς ἀπὸ θυμὸν ὀλέσσῃς.
ὣς εἰπὼν οὔτησε κατ' ἀσπίδα πάντοσ' ἐί̈σην.
435διὰ μὲν ἀσπίδος ἦλθε φαεινῆς ὄβριμον ἔγχος,
Transliteration
sēmeron ē doioisin epeuxeai Hippasidēisi
toiōd' andre katakteinas kai teuche' apouras,
ē ken emōi hypo douri typeis apo thymon olessēis.
hōs eipōn outēse kat' aspida pantos' eïsēn.
435dia men aspidos ēlthe phaeinēs obrimon enchos,
English
this day you shall either boast of having killed both the sons of Hippasus and stripped them of their armor, or you shall fall before my spear." With these words he struck the shield of Odysseus.
Homeric Greek
καὶ διὰ θώρηκος πολυδαιδάλου ἠρήρειστο,
πάντα δ' ἀπὸ πλευρῶν χρόα ἔργαθεν, οὐδ' ἔτ' ἔασε
Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη μιχθήμεναι ἔγκασι φωτός.
γνῶ δ' Ὀδυσεὺς ὅ οἱ οὔ τι τέλος κατακαίριον ἦλθεν,
440ἂψ δ' ἀναχωρήσας Σῶκον πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:
Transliteration
kai dia thōrēkos polydaidalou ērēreisto,
panta d' apo pleurōn chroa ergathen, oud' et' ease
Pallas Athēnaiē michthēmenai enkasi phōtos.
gnō d' Odyseus ho hoi ou ti telos katakairion ēlthen,
440aps d' anachōrēsas Sōkon pros mython eeipen:
English
The spear went through the shield and passed on through his richly wrought cuirass, tearing the flesh from his side, but Pallas Athena did not suffer it to pierce the entrails of the hero.
Homeric Greek
ἆ δείλ' ἦ μάλα δή σε κιχάνεται αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.
ἤτοι μέν ῥ' ἔμ' ἔπαυσας ἐπὶ Τρώεσσι μάχεσθαι:
σοὶ δ' ἐγὼ ἐνθάδε φημὶ φόνον καὶ κῆρα μέλαιναν
ἤματι τῷδ' ἔσσεσθαι, ἐμῷ δ' ὑπὸ δουρὶ δαμέντα
445εὖχος ἐμοὶ δώσειν, ψυχὴν δ' Ἄϊδι κλυτοπώλῳ.
Transliteration
a deil' ē mala dē se kichanetai aipys olethros.
ētoi men rh' em' epausas epi Trōessi machesthai:
soi d' egō enthade phēmi phonon kai kēra melainan
ēmati tōid' essesthai, emōi d' hypo douri damenta
445euchos emoi dōsein, psychēn d' Aïdi klytopōlōi.
English
Odysseus knew that his hour was not yet come, but he gave ground and said to Sokos, "Wretch, you shall now surely die. You have stayed me from fighting further with the Trojans, but you shall now fall by my spear, yielding glory to myself, and your life-breath to Hades of the noble steeds."
Homeric Greek
ἦ, καὶ ὃ μὲν φύγαδ' αὖτις ὑποστρέψας ἐβεβήκει,
τῷ δὲ μεταστρεφθέντι μεταφρένῳ ἐν δόρυ πῆξεν
ὤμων μεσσηγύς, διὰ δὲ στήθεσφιν ἔλασσε,
δούπησεν δὲ πεσών: ὃ δ' ἐπεύξατο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:
450ὦ Σῶχ' Ἱππάσου υἱὲ δαί̈φρονος ἱπποδάμοιο
Transliteration
ē, kai ho men phygad' autis hypostrepsas ebebēkei,
tōi de metastrephthenti metaphrenōi en dory pēxen
ōmōn messēgys, dia de stēthesphin elasse,
doupēsen de pesōn: ho d' epeuxato dios Odysseus:
450ō Sōch' Hippasou huie daïphronos hippodamoio
English
Sokos had turned in flight, but as he did so, the spear struck him in the back midway between the shoulders, and went right through his chest. He fell heavily to the ground and Odysseus vaunted over him saying, "O Sokos, son of Hippasus tamer of horses, the outcome of death has been too quick for you and you have not escaped him:
Homeric Greek
φθῆ σε τέλος θανάτοιο κιχήμενον, οὐδ' ὑπάλυξας.
ἆ δείλ' οὐ μὲν σοί γε πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ
ὄσσε καθαιρήσουσι θανόντι περ, ἀλλ' οἰωνοὶ
ὠμησταὶ ἐρύουσι, περὶ πτερὰ πυκνὰ βαλόντες.
455αὐτὰρ ἔμ', εἴ κε θάνω, κτεριοῦσί γε δῖοι Ἀχαιοί.
Transliteration
phthē se telos thanatoio kichēmenon, oud' hypalyxas.
a deil' ou men soi ge patēr kai potnia mētēr
osse kathairēsousi thanonti per, all' oiōnoi
ōmēstai eryousi, peri ptera pykna balontes.
455autar em', ei ke thanō, kteriousi ge dioi Achaioi.
English
poor wretch, not even in death shall your father and mother close your eyes, but the ravening vultures shall enshroud you with the flapping of their dark wings and devour you. Whereas even though I fall the Achaeans will give me my due rites of burial."
Homeric Greek
ὣς εἰπὼν Σώκοιο δαί̈φρονος ὄβριμον ἔγχος
ἔξω τε χροὸς ἕλκε καὶ ἀσπίδος ὀμφαλοέσσης:
αἷμα δέ οἱ σπασθέντος ἀνέσσυτο, κῆδε δὲ θυμόν.
Τρῶες δὲ μεγάθυμοι ὅπως ἴδον αἷμ' Ὀδυσῆος
460κεκλόμενοι καθ' ὅμιλον ἐπ' αὐτῷ πάντες ἔβησαν.
Transliteration
hōs eipōn Sōkoio daïphronos obrimon enchos
exō te chroos helke kai aspidos omphaloessēs:
haima de hoi spasthentos anessyto, kēde de thymon.
Trōes de megathymoi hopōs idon haim' Odysēos
460keklomenoi kath' homilon ep' autōi pantes ebēsan.
English
So saying he drew Sokos' heavy spear out of his flesh and from his shield, and the blood welled forth when the spear was withdrawn so that he was much dismayed. When the Trojans saw that Odysseus was bleeding they raised a great shout and came on in a body towards him;
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ἐξοπίσω ἀνεχάζετο, αὖε δ' ἑταίρους.
τρὶς μὲν ἔπειτ' ἤϋσεν ὅσον κεφαλὴ χάδε φωτός,
τρὶς δ' ἄϊεν ἰάχοντος ἄρηι φίλος Μενέλαος.
αἶψα δ' ἄρ' Αἴαντα προσεφώνεεν ἐγγὺς ἐόντα:
465Αἶαν διογενὲς Τελαμώνιε κοίρανε λαῶν
Transliteration
autar ho g' exopisō anechazeto, aue d' hetairous.
tris men epeit' ēÿsen hoson kephalē chade phōtos,
tris d' aïen iachontos arēi philos Menelaos.
aipsa d' ar' Aianta prosephōneen engys eonta:
465Aian diogenes Telamōnie koirane laōn
English
he therefore gave ground, and called his comrades to come and help him. Thrice did he cry as loudly as man can cry, and thrice did brave Menelaos hear him; he turned, therefore, to Ajax who was close beside him and said, "Ajax, noble son of Telamon, leader of your people, the
Homeric Greek
ἀμφί μ' Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος ἵκετ' ἀϋτὴ
τῷ ἰκέλη ὡς εἴ ἑ βιῴατο μοῦνον ἐόντα
Τρῶες ἀποτμήξαντες ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ.
ἀλλ' ἴομεν καθ' ὅμιλον: ἀλεξέμεναι γὰρ ἄμεινον.
470δείδω μή τι πάθῃσιν ἐνὶ Τρώεσσι μονωθεὶς
Transliteration
amphi m' Odyssēos talasiphronos hiket' aÿtē
tōi ikelē hōs ei he biōiato mounon eonta
Trōes apotmēxantes eni kraterēi hysminēi.
all' iomen kath' homilon: alexemenai gar ameinon.
470deidō mē ti pathēisin eni Trōessi monōtheis
English
cry of Odysseus rings in my ears, as though the Trojans had cut him off and were worsting him while he is single-handed. Let us make our way through the throng; it will be well that we defend him; I fear he may come to harm for all his valor if he
Homeric Greek
ἐσθλὸς ἐών, μεγάλη δὲ ποθὴ Δαναοῖσι γένηται.
ὣς εἰπὼν ὃ μὲν ἦρχ', ὃ δ' ἅμ' ἕσπετο ἰσόθεος φώς.
εὗρον ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆα Διὶ̈ φίλον: ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' αὐτὸν
Τρῶες ἕπονθ' ὡς εἴ τε δαφοινοὶ θῶες ὄρεσφιν
475ἀμφ' ἔλαφον κεραὸν βεβλημένον, ὅν τ' ἔβαλ' ἀνὴρ
Transliteration
esthlos eōn, megalē de pothē Danaoisi genētai.
hōs eipōn ho men ērch', ho d' ham' hespeto isotheos phōs.
heuron epeit' Odysēa Diï philon: amphi d' ar' auton
Trōes heponth' hōs ei te daphoinoi thōes oresphin
475amph' elaphon keraon beblēmenon, hon t' ebal' anēr
English
be left without support, and the Danaans would miss him sorely." He led the way and mighty Ajax went with him. The Trojans had gathered round Odysseus like ravenous mountain jackals round the carcass of some horned stag that has been hit with an arrow - the stag has fled at
Homeric Greek
ἰῷ ἀπὸ νευρῆς: τὸν μέν τ' ἤλυξε πόδεσσι
φεύγων, ὄφρ' αἷμα λιαρὸν καὶ γούνατ' ὀρώρῃ:
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τόν γε δαμάσσεται ὠκὺς ὀϊστός,
ὠμοφάγοι μιν θῶες ἐν οὔρεσι δαρδάπτουσιν
480ἐν νέμεϊ σκιερῷ: ἐπί τε λῖν ἤγαγε δαίμων
Transliteration
iōi apo neurēs: ton men t' ēlyxe podessi
pheugōn, ophr' haima liaron kai gounat' orōrēi:
autar epei dē ton ge damassetai ōkys oïstos,
ōmophagoi min thōes en ouresi dardaptousin
480en nemeï skierōi: epi te lin ēgage daimōn
English
full speed so long as his blood was warm and his strength has lasted, but when the arrow has overcome him, the savage jackals devour him in the shady glades of the forest. Then some daimôn sends a fierce lion thither, whereon the jackals flee in terror and the lion
Homeric Greek
σίντην: θῶες μέν τε διέτρεσαν, αὐτὰρ ὃ δάπτει:
ὥς ῥα τότ' ἀμφ' Ὀδυσῆα δαί̈φρονα ποικιλομήτην
Τρῶες ἕπον πολλοί τε καὶ ἄλκιμοι, αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ἥρως
ἀί̈σσων ᾧ ἔγχει ἀμύνετο νηλεὲς ἦμαρ.
485Αἴας δ' ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε φέρων σάκος ἠύ̈τε πύργον,
Transliteration
sintēn: thōes men te dietresan, autar ho daptei:
hōs rha tot' amph' Odysēa daïphrona poikilomētēn
Trōes hepon polloi te kai alkimoi, autar ho g' hērōs
aïssōn hōi enchei amyneto nēlees ēmar.
485Aias d' engythen ēlthe pherōn sakos ēÿte pyrgon,
English
robs them of their prey - even so did Trojans many and brave gather round crafty Odysseus, but the hero stood at bay and kept them off with his spear. Ajax then came up with his shield before him like a wall, and stood hard by, whereon the Trojans fled in all directions.
Homeric Greek
στῆ δὲ παρέξ: Τρῶες δὲ διέτρεσαν ἄλλυδις ἄλλος.
ἤτοι τὸν Μενέλαος ἀρήϊος ἔξαγ' ὁμίλου
χειρὸς ἔχων, εἷος θεράπων σχεδὸν ἤλασεν ἵππους.
Αἴας δὲ Τρώεσσιν ἐπάλμενος εἷλε Δόρυκλον
490Πριαμίδην νόθον υἱόν, ἔπειτα δὲ Πάνδοκον οὖτα,
Transliteration
stē de parex: Trōes de dietresan allydis allos.
ētoi ton Menelaos arēïos exag' homilou
cheiros echōn, heios therapōn schedon ēlasen hippous.
Aias de Trōessin epalmenos heile Doryklon
490Priamidēn nothon huion, epeita de Pandokon outa,
English
Menelaos took Odysseus by the hand, and led him out of the press while his squire brought up his chariot, but Ajax rushed furiously on the Trojans and killed Doryklos, a bastard son of Priam; then he wounded Pandokos, Lysandros, Pyrasus, and Pylartes;
Homeric Greek
οὖτα δὲ Λύσανδρον καὶ Πύρασον ἠδὲ Πυλάρτην.
ὡς δ' ὁπότε πλήθων ποταμὸς πεδίον δὲ κάτεισι
χειμάρρους κατ' ὄρεσφιν ὀπαζόμενος Διὸς ὄμβρῳ,
πολλὰς δὲ δρῦς ἀζαλέας, πολλὰς δέ τε πεύκας
495ἐσφέρεται, πολλὸν δέ τ' ἀφυσγετὸν εἰς ἅλα βάλλει,
Transliteration
outa de Lysandron kai Pyrason ēde Pylartēn.
hōs d' hopote plēthōn potamos pedion de kateisi
cheimarrous kat' oresphin opazomenos Dios ombrōi,
pollas de drys azaleas, pollas de te peukas
495espheretai, pollon de t' aphysgeton eis hala ballei,
English
as some swollen torrent comes rushing in full flood from the mountains on to the plain, big with the rain of heaven - many a dry oak and many a pine does it engulf, and much mud does it bring down and cast into the sea - even so did brave Ajax chase
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφεπε κλονέων πεδίον τότε φαίδιμος Αἴας,
δαί̈ζων ἵππους τε καὶ ἀνέρας: οὐδέ πω Ἕκτωρ
πεύθετ', ἐπεί ῥα μάχης ἐπ' ἀριστερὰ μάρνατο πάσης
ὄχθας πὰρ ποταμοῖο Σκαμάνδρου, τῇ ῥα μάλιστα
500ἀνδρῶν πῖπτε κάρηνα, βοὴ δ' ἄσβεστος ὀρώρει
Transliteration
hōs ephepe kloneōn pedion tote phaidimos Aias,
daïzōn hippous te kai aneras: oude pō Hektōr
peuthet', epei rha machēs ep' aristera marnato pasēs
ochthas par potamoio Skamandrou, tēi rha malista
500andrōn pipte karēna, boē d' asbestos orōrei
English
the foe furiously over the plain, slaying both men and horses. Hektor did not yet know what Ajax was doing, for he was fighting on the extreme left of the battle by the banks of the river Skamandros, where the carnage was thickest and the war-cry loudest round Nestor and brave Idomeneus.
Homeric Greek
Νέστορά τ' ἀμφὶ μέγαν καὶ ἀρήϊον Ἰδομενῆα.
Ἕκτωρ μὲν μετὰ τοῖσιν ὁμίλει μέρμερα ῥέζων
ἔγχεί̈ θ' ἱπποσύνῃ τε, νέων δ' ἀλάπαζε φάλαγγας:
οὐδ' ἄν πω χάζοντο κελεύθου δῖοι Ἀχαιοὶ
505εἰ μὴ Ἀλέξανδρος Ἑλένης πόσις ἠϋκόμοιο
Transliteration
Nestora t' amphi megan kai arēïon Idomenēa.
Hektōr men meta toisin homilei mermera rhezōn
encheï th' hipposynēi te, neōn d' alapaze phalangas:
oud' an pō chazonto keleuthou dioi Achaioi
505ei mē Alexandros Helenēs posis ēÿkomoio
English
Among these Hektor was making great slaughter with his spear and furious driving, and was destroying the ranks that were opposed to him; still the Achaeans would have given no ground, had not Alexander husband of lovely Helen stayed the prowess of Machaon shepherd of his people, by wounding him in the right shoulder with a triple-barbed arrow.
Homeric Greek
παῦσεν ἀριστεύοντα Μαχάονα ποιμένα λαῶν,
ἰῷ τριγλώχινι βαλὼν κατὰ δεξιὸν ὦμον.
τῷ ῥα περίδεισαν μένεα πνείοντες Ἀχαιοὶ
μή πώς μιν πολέμοιο μετακλινθέντος ἕλοιεν.
510αὐτίκα δ' Ἰδομενεὺς προσεφώνεε Νέστορα δῖον:
Transliteration
pausen aristeuonta Machaona poimena laōn,
iōi triglōchini balōn kata dexion ōmon.
tōi rha perideisan menea pneiontes Achaioi
mē pōs min polemoio metaklinthentos heloien.
510autika d' Idomeneus prosephōnee Nestora dion:
English
The Achaeans were in great fear that as the fight had turned against them the Trojans might take him prisoner, and Idomeneus said to Nestor, "Nestor son of Neleus, honor to the Achaean name, mount your chariot at once;
Homeric Greek
ὦ Νέστορ Νηληϊάδη μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν
ἄγρει σῶν ὀχέων ἐπιβήσεο, πὰρ δὲ Μαχάων
βαινέτω, ἐς νῆας δὲ τάχιστ' ἔχε μώνυχας ἵππους:
ἰητρὸς γὰρ ἀνὴρ πολλῶν ἀντάξιος ἄλλων
515ἰούς τ' ἐκτάμνειν ἐπί τ' ἤπια φάρμακα πάσσειν.
Transliteration
ō Nestor Nēlēïadē mega kydos Achaiōn
agrei sōn ocheōn epibēseo, par de Machaōn
bainetō, es nēas de tachist' eche mōnychas hippous:
iētros gar anēr pollōn antaxios allōn
515ious t' ektamnein epi t' ēpia pharmaka passein.
English
take Machaon with you and drive your horses to the ships as fast as you can. A physician is worth more than several other men put together, for he can cut out arrows and spread healing herbs." Nestor horseman of Gerene did as Idomeneus had counseled;
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ.
αὐτίκα δ' ὧν ὀχέων ἐπεβήσετο, πὰρ δὲ Μαχάων
βαῖν' Ἀσκληπιοῦ υἱὸς ἀμύμονος ἰητῆρος:
μάστιξεν δ' ἵππους, τὼ δ' οὐκ ἀέκοντε πετέσθην
520νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς: τῇ γὰρ φίλον ἔπλετο θυμῷ.
Transliteration
hōs ephat', oud' apithēse Gerēnios hippota Nestōr.
autika d' hōn ocheōn epebēseto, par de Machaōn
bain' Asklēpiou huios amymonos iētēros:
mastixen d' hippous, tō d' ouk aekonte petesthēn
520nēas epi glaphyras: tēi gar philon epleto thymōi.
English
he at once mounted his chariot, and Machaon son of the famed physician Asklepios went with him. He lashed his horses and they flew onward nothing loath towards the ships, as though of their own free will.
Homeric Greek
Κεβριόνης δὲ Τρῶας ὀρινομένους ἐνόησεν
Ἕκτορι παρβεβαώς, καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:
Ἕκτορ νῶϊ μὲν ἐνθάδ' ὁμιλέομεν Δαναοῖσιν
ἐσχατιῇ πολέμοιο δυσηχέος: οἳ δὲ δὴ ἄλλοι
525Τρῶες ὀρίνονται ἐπιμὶξ ἵπποι τε καὶ αὐτοί.
Transliteration
Kebrionēs de Trōas orinomenous enoēsen
Hektori parbebaōs, kai min pros mython eeipen:
Hektor nōï men enthad' homileomen Danaoisin
eschatiēi polemoio dysēcheos: hoi de dē alloi
525Trōes orinontai epimix hippoi te kai autoi.
English
Then Kebriones seeing the Trojans in confusion said to Hektor from his place beside him, "Hektor, here are we two fighting on the extreme wing of the battle, while the other Trojans are in pell-mell rout, they and their horses.
Homeric Greek
Αἴας δὲ κλονέει Τελαμώνιος: εὖ δέ μιν ἔγνων:
εὐρὺ γὰρ ἀμφ' ὤμοισιν ἔχει σάκος: ἀλλὰ καὶ ἡμεῖς
κεῖσ' ἵππους τε καὶ ἅρμ' ἰθύνομεν, ἔνθα μάλιστα
ἱππῆες πεζοί τε κακὴν ἔριδα προβαλόντες
530ἀλλήλους ὀλέκουσι, βοὴ δ' ἄσβεστος ὄρωρεν.
Transliteration
Aias de kloneei Telamōnios: eu de min egnōn:
eury gar amph' ōmoisin echei sakos: alla kai hēmeis
keis' hippous te kai harm' ithynomen, entha malista
hippēes pezoi te kakēn erida probalontes
530allēlous olekousi, boē d' asbestos orōren.
English
Ajax son of Telamon is driving them before him; I know him by the breadth of his shield: let us turn our chariot and horses thither, where horse and foot are fighting most desperately, and where the cry of battle is loudest."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἵμασεν καλλίτριχας ἵππους
μάστιγι λιγυρῇ: τοὶ δὲ πληγῆς ἀί̈οντες
ῥίμφ' ἔφερον θοὸν ἅρμα μετὰ Τρῶας καὶ Ἀχαιοὺς
στείβοντες νέκυάς τε καὶ ἀσπίδας: αἵματι δ' ἄξων
535νέρθεν ἅπας πεπάλακτο καὶ ἄντυγες αἳ περὶ δίφρον,
Transliteration
hōs ara phōnēsas himasen kallitrichas hippous
mastigi ligyrēi: toi de plēgēs aïontes
rhimph' epheron thoon harma meta Trōas kai Achaious
steibontes nekyas te kai aspidas: haimati d' axōn
535nerthen hapas pepalakto kai antyges hai peri diphron,
English
With this he lashed his goodly steeds, and when they felt the whip they drew the chariot full speed among the Achaeans and Trojans, over the bodies and shields of those that had fallen: the axle was bespattered with blood, and the rail round the car was covered with splashes both from the horses' hoofs and from the tires of the wheels.
Homeric Greek
ἃς ἄρ' ἀφ' ἱππείων ὁπλέων ῥαθάμιγγες ἔβαλλον
αἵ τ' ἀπ' ἐπισσώτρων. ὃ δὲ ἵετο δῦναι ὅμιλον
ἀνδρόμεον ῥῆξαί τε μετάλμενος: ἐν δὲ κυδοιμὸν
ἧκε κακὸν Δαναοῖσι, μίνυνθα δὲ χάζετο δουρός.
540αὐτὰρ ὃ τῶν ἄλλων ἐπεπωλεῖτο στίχας ἀνδρῶν
Transliteration
has ar' aph' hippeiōn hopleōn rhathaminges eballon
hai t' ap' epissōtrōn. ho de hieto dynai homilon
andromeon rhēxai te metalmenos: en de kydoimon
hēke kakon Danaoisi, minyntha de chazeto douros.
540autar ho tōn allōn epepōleito stichas andrōn
English
Hektor tore his way through and flung himself into the thick of the fight, and his presence threw the Danaans into confusion, for his spear was not long idle; nevertheless though he went among the ranks with sword and spear, and throwing
Homeric Greek
ἔγχεί̈ τ' ἄορί τε μεγάλοισί τε χερμαδίοισιν,
Αἴαντος δ' ἀλέεινε μάχην Τελαμωνιάδαο.
Ζεὺς δὲ πατὴρ Αἴανθ' ὑψίζυγος ἐν φόβον ὦρσε:
στῆ δὲ ταφών, ὄπιθεν δὲ σάκος βάλεν ἑπταβόειον,
545τρέσσε δὲ παπτήνας ἐφ' ὁμίλου θηρὶ ἐοικὼς
Transliteration
encheï t' aori te megaloisi te chermadioisin,
Aiantos d' aleeine machēn Telamōniadao.
Zeus de patēr Aianth' hypsizygos en phobon ōrse:
stē de taphōn, opithen de sakos balen heptaboeion,
545tresse de paptēnas eph' homilou thēri eoikōs
English
great stones, he avoided Ajax son of Telamon, for Zeus would have been angry with him if he had fought a better man than himself. Then father Zeus from his high throne struck fear into the heart of Ajax, so that he stood there dazed and threw his shield behind
Homeric Greek
ἐντροπαλιζόμενος ὀλίγον γόνυ γουνὸς ἀμείβων.
ὡς δ' αἴθωνα λέοντα βοῶν ἀπὸ μεσσαύλοιο
ἐσσεύαντο κύνες τε καὶ ἀνέρες ἀγροιῶται,
οἵ τέ μιν οὐκ εἰῶσι βοῶν ἐκ πῖαρ ἑλέσθαι
550πάννυχοι ἐγρήσσοντες: ὃ δὲ κρειῶν ἐρατίζων
Transliteration
entropalizomenos oligon gony gounos ameibōn.
hōs d' aithōna leonta boōn apo messauloio
esseuanto kynes te kai aneres agroiōtai,
hoi te min ouk eiōsi boōn ek piar helesthai
550pannychoi egrēssontes: ho de kreiōn eratizōn
English
him- looking fearfully at the throng of his foes as though he were some wild beast, and turning hither and thither but crouching slowly backwards. As peasants with their hounds chase a lion from their stockyard, and watch by night to prevent his carrying off the pick of their herd - he makes
Homeric Greek
ἰθύει, ἀλλ' οὔ τι πρήσσει: θαμέες γὰρ ἄκοντες
ἀντίον ἀί̈σσουσι θρασειάων ἀπὸ χειρῶν
καιόμεναί τε δεταί, τάς τε τρεῖ ἐσσύμενός περ:
ἠῶθεν δ' ἀπὸ νόσφιν ἔβη τετιηότι θυμῷ:
555ὣς Αἴας τότ' ἀπὸ Τρώων τετιημένος ἦτορ
Transliteration
ithyei, all' ou ti prēssei: thamees gar akontes
antion aïssousi thraseiaōn apo cheirōn
kaiomenai te detai, tas te trei essymenos per:
ēōthen d' apo nosphin ebē tetiēoti thymōi:
555hōs Aias tot' apo Trōōn tetiēmenos ētor
English
his greedy spring, but in vain, for the darts from many a strong hand fall thick around him, with burning brands that scare him for all his fury, and when morning comes he slinks foiled and angry away - even so did Ajax, sorely against his will, retreat angrily before the Trojans, fearing for the ships of the Achaeans.
Homeric Greek
ἤϊε πόλλ' ἀέκων: περὶ γὰρ δίε νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.
ὡς δ' ὅτ' ὄνος παρ' ἄρουραν ἰὼν ἐβιήσατο παῖδας
νωθής, ᾧ δὴ πολλὰ περὶ ῥόπαλ' ἀμφὶς ἐάγῃ,
κείρει τ' εἰσελθὼν βαθὺ λήϊον: οἳ δέ τε παῖδες
560τύπτουσιν ῥοπάλοισι: βίη δέ τε νηπίη αὐτῶν:
Transliteration
ēïe poll' aekōn: peri gar die nēusin Achaiōn.
hōs d' hot' onos par' arouran iōn ebiēsato paidas
nōthēs, hōi dē polla peri rhopal' amphis eagēi,
keirei t' eiselthōn bathy lēïon: hoi de te paides
560typtousin rhopaloisi: biē de te nēpiē autōn:
English
Or as some lazy ass that has had many a cudgel broken about his back, when he into a field begins eating the grain - boys beat him but he is too many for them, and though they lay about with their sticks they cannot hurt him;
Homeric Greek
σπουδῇ τ' ἐξήλασσαν, ἐπεί τ' ἐκορέσσατο φορβῆς:
ὣς τότ' ἔπειτ' Αἴαντα μέγαν Τελαμώνιον υἱὸν
Τρῶες ὑπέρθυμοι πολυηγερέες τ' ἐπίκουροι
νύσσοντες ξυστοῖσι μέσον σάκος αἰὲν ἕποντο.
565Αἴας δ' ἄλλοτε μὲν μνησάσκετο θούριδος ἀλκῆς
Transliteration
spoudēi t' exēlassan, epei t' ekoressato phorbēs:
hōs tot' epeit' Aianta megan Telamōnion huion
Trōes hyperthymoi polyēgerees t' epikouroi
nyssontes xystoisi meson sakos aien heponto.
565Aias d' allote men mnēsasketo thouridos alkēs
English
still when he has had his fill they at last drive him from the field - even so did the Trojans and their allies pursue great Ajax, ever smiting the middle of his shield with their darts.
Homeric Greek
αὖτις ὑποστρεφθείς, καὶ ἐρητύσασκε φάλαγγας
Τρώων ἱπποδάμων: ὁτὲ δὲ τρωπάσκετο φεύγειν.
πάντας δὲ προέεργε θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας ὁδεύειν,
αὐτὸς δὲ Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν θῦνε μεσηγὺ
570ἱστάμενος: τὰ δὲ δοῦρα θρασειάων ἀπὸ χειρῶν
Transliteration
autis hypostrephtheis, kai erētysaske phalangas
Trōōn hippodamōn: hote de trōpasketo pheugein.
pantas de proeerge thoas epi nēas hodeuein,
autos de Trōōn kai Achaiōn thyne mesēgy
570histamenos: ta de doura thraseiaōn apo cheirōn
English
Now and again he would turn and show fight, keeping back the battalions of the Trojans, and then he would again retreat; but he prevented any of them from making his way to the ships. Single-handed he stood midway between the Trojans and Achaeans:
Homeric Greek
ἄλλα μὲν ἐν σάκεϊ μεγάλῳ πάγεν ὄρμενα πρόσσω,
πολλὰ δὲ καὶ μεσσηγύ, πάρος χρόα λευκὸν ἐπαυρεῖν,
ἐν γαίῃ ἵσταντο λιλαιόμενα χροὸς ἆσαι.
τὸν δ' ὡς οὖν ἐνόησ' Εὐαίμονος ἀγλαὸς υἱὸς
575Εὐρύπυλος πυκινοῖσι βιαζόμενον βελέεσσι,
Transliteration
alla men en sakeï megalōi pagen ormena prossō,
polla de kai messēgy, paros chroa leukon epaurein,
en gaiēi histanto lilaiomena chroos asai.
ton d' hōs oun enoēs' Euaimonos aglaos huios
575Eurypylos pykinoisi biazomenon beleessi,
English
the spears that sped from their hands stuck some of them in his mighty shield, while many, though thirsting for his blood, fell to the ground ere they could reach him to the wounding of his fair flesh. Now when Eurypylos the brave son of Euaemon saw
Homeric Greek
στῆ ῥα παρ' αὐτὸν ἰών, καὶ ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ,
καὶ βάλε Φαυσιάδην Ἀπισάονα ποιμένα λαῶν
ἧπαρ ὑπὸ πραπίδων, εἶθαρ δ' ὑπὸ γούνατ' ἔλυσεν:
Εὐρύπυλος δ' ἐπόρουσε καὶ αἴνυτο τεύχε' ἀπ' ὤμων.
580τὸν δ' ὡς οὖν ἐνόησεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδὴς
Transliteration
stē rha par' auton iōn, kai akontise douri phaeinōi,
kai bale Phausiadēn Apisaona poimena laōn
hēpar hypo prapidōn, eithar d' hypo gounat' elysen:
Eurypylos d' eporouse kai ainyto teuche' ap' ōmōn.
580ton d' hōs oun enoēsen Alexandros theoeidēs
English
that Ajax was being overpowered by the rain of arrows, he went up to him and hurled his spear. He struck Apisaon son of Phausios in the liver below the midriff, and laid him low. Eurypylos sprang upon him, and stripped the armor from his shoulders;
Homeric Greek
τεύχε' ἀπαινύμενον Ἀπισάονος, αὐτίκα τόξον
ἕλκετ' ἐπ' Εὐρυπύλῳ, καί μιν βάλε μηρὸν ὀϊστῷ
δεξιόν: ἐκλάσθη δὲ δόναξ, ἐβάρυνε δὲ μηρόν.
ἂψ δ' ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρ' ἀλεείνων,
585ἤϋσεν δὲ διαπρύσιον Δαναοῖσι γεγωνώς:
Transliteration
teuche' apainymenon Apisaonos, autika toxon
helket' ep' Eurypylōi, kai min bale mēron oïstōi
dexion: eklasthē de donax, ebaryne de mēron.
aps d' hetarōn eis ethnos echazeto kēr' aleeinōn,
585ēÿsen de diaprysion Danaoisi gegōnōs:
English
but when Alexander saw him, he aimed an arrow at him which struck him in the right thigh; the arrow broke, but the point that was left in the wound dragged on the thigh;
Homeric Greek
ὦ φίλοι Ἀργείων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες
στῆτ' ἐλελιχθέντες καὶ ἀμύνετε νηλεὲς ἦμαρ
Αἴανθ', ὃς βελέεσσι βιάζεται, οὐδέ ἕ φημι
φεύξεσθ' ἐκ πολέμοιο δυσηχέος: ἀλλὰ μάλ' ἄντην
590ἵστασθ' ἀμφ' Αἴαντα μέγαν Τελαμώνιον υἱόν.
Transliteration
ō philoi Argeiōn hēgētores ēde medontes
stēt' elelichthentes kai amynete nēlees ēmar
Aianth', hos beleessi biazetai, oude he phēmi
pheuxesth' ek polemoio dysēcheos: alla mal' antēn
590histasth' amph' Aianta megan Telamōnion huion.
English
he drew back, therefore, under cover of his comrades to save his life, shouting as he did so to the Danaans, "My friends, princes and counselors of the Argives, rally to the defense of Ajax who is being overpowered, and I doubt whether he will come out of the fight alive.
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφατ' Εὐρύπυλος βεβλημένος: οἳ δὲ παρ' αὐτὸν
πλησίοι ἔστησαν σάκε' ὤμοισι κλίναντες
δούρατ' ἀνασχόμενοι: τῶν δ' ἀντίος ἤλυθεν Αἴας.
στῆ δὲ μεταστρεφθείς, ἐπεὶ ἵκετο ἔθνος ἑταίρων.
595ὣς οἳ μὲν μάρναντο δέμας πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο:
Transliteration
hōs ephat' Eurypylos beblēmenos: hoi de par' auton
plēsioi estēsan sake' ōmoisi klinantes
dourat' anaschomenoi: tōn d' antios ēlythen Aias.
stē de metastrephtheis, epei hiketo ethnos hetairōn.
595hōs hoi men marnanto demas pyros aithomenoio:
English
Hither, then, to the rescue of great Ajax son of Telamon." Even so did he cry when he was wounded; thereon the others came near, and gathered round him, holding their shields upwards from their shoulders so as to give him cover. Ajax then made towards them, and turned round to stand at bay as soon as he had reached his men.
Homeric Greek
Νέστορα δ' ἐκ πολέμοιο φέρον Νηλήϊαι ἵπποι
ἱδρῶσαι, ἦγον δὲ Μαχάονα ποιμένα λαῶν.
τὸν δὲ ἰδὼν ἐνόησε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς:
ἑστήκει γὰρ ἐπὶ πρυμνῇ μεγακήτεϊ νηὶ̈
600εἰσορόων πόνον αἰπὺν ἰῶκά τε δακρυόεσσαν.
Transliteration
Nestora d' ek polemoio pheron Nēlēïai hippoi
hidrōsai, ēgon de Machaona poimena laōn.
ton de idōn enoēse podarkēs dios Achilleus:
hestēkei gar epi prymnēi megakēteï nēï
600eisoroōn ponon aipyn iōka te dakryoessan.
English
Thus then did they fight as it were a flaming fire. Meanwhile the mares of Neleus, all in a lather with sweat, were bearing Nestor out of the fight, and with him Machaon shepherd of his people.
Homeric Greek
αἶψα δ' ἑταῖρον ἑὸν Πατροκλῆα προσέειπε
φθεγξάμενος παρὰ νηός: ὃ δὲ κλισίηθεν ἀκούσας
ἔκμολεν ἶσος Ἄρηϊ, κακοῦ δ' ἄρα οἱ πέλεν ἀρχή.
τὸν πρότερος προσέειπε Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμος υἱός:
605τίπτέ με κικλήσκεις Ἀχιλεῦ; τί δέ σε χρεὼ ἐμεῖο;
Transliteration
aipsa d' hetairon heon Patroklēa proseeipe
phthenxamenos para nēos: ho de klisiēthen akousas
ekmolen isos Arēï, kakou d' ara hoi pelen archē.
ton proteros proseeipe Menoitiou alkimos huios:
605tipte me kiklēskeis Achileu; ti de se chreō emeio;
English
Achilles saw and took note, for he was standing on the stern of his ship watching the hard stress and struggle of the fight. He called from the ship to his comrade Patroklos, who heard him in the tent and came out looking like Ares himself - here indeed was the beginning of the ill that presently befell him.
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:
δῖε Μενοιτιάδη τῷ ἐμῷ κεχαρισμένε θυμῷ
νῦν ὀί̈ω περὶ γούνατ' ἐμὰ στήσεσθαι Ἀχαιοὺς
λισσομένους: χρειὼ γὰρ ἱκάνεται οὐκέτ' ἀνεκτός.
610ἀλλ' ἴθι νῦν Πάτροκλε Διὶ̈ φίλε Νέστορ' ἔρειο
Transliteration
ton d' apameibomenos prosephē podas ōkys Achilleus:
die Menoitiadē tōi emōi kecharismene thymōi
nyn oïō peri gounat' ema stēsesthai Achaious
lissomenous: chreiō gar hikanetai ouket' anektos.
610all' ithi nyn Patrokle Diï phile Nestor' ereio
English
"Why," said he, "Achilles do you call me? what do you what do you want with me?" And Achilles answered, "Noble son of Menoitios, man after my own heart, I take it that I shall now have the Achaeans praying at my knees, for they are in great straits;
Homeric Greek
ὅν τινα τοῦτον ἄγει βεβλημένον ἐκ πολέμοιο:
ἤτοι μὲν τά γ' ὄπισθε Μαχάονι πάντα ἔοικε
τῷ Ἀσκληπιάδῃ, ἀτὰρ οὐκ ἴδον ὄμματα φωτός:
ἵπποι γάρ με παρήϊξαν πρόσσω μεμαυῖαι.
615ὣς φάτο, Πάτροκλος δὲ φίλῳ ἐπεπείθεθ' ἑταίρῳ,
Transliteration
hon tina touton agei beblēmenon ek polemoio:
ētoi men ta g' opisthe Machaoni panta eoike
tōi Asklēpiadēi, atar ouk idon ommata phōtos:
hippoi gar me parēïxan prossō memauiai.
615hōs phato, Patroklos de philōi epepeitheth' hetairōi,
English
go, Patroklos, and ask Nestor who is that he is bearing away wounded from the field; from his back I should say it was Machaon son of Asklepios, but I could not see his face for the horses went by me at full speed."
Homeric Greek
βῆ δὲ θέειν παρά τε κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν.
οἳ δ' ὅτε δὴ κλισίην Νηληϊάδεω ἀφίκοντο,
αὐτοὶ μέν ῥ' ἀπέβησαν ἐπὶ χθόνα πουλυβότειραν,
ἵππους δ' Εὐρυμέδων θεράπων λύε τοῖο γέροντος
620ἐξ ὀχέων: τοὶ δ' ἱδρῶ ἀπεψύχοντο χιτώνων
Transliteration
bē de theein para te klisias kai nēas Achaiōn.
hoi d' hote dē klisiēn Nēlēïadeō aphikonto,
autoi men rh' apebēsan epi chthona poulyboteiran,
hippous d' Eurymedōn therapōn lye toio gerontos
620ex ocheōn: toi d' hidrō apepsychonto chitōnōn
English
Patroklos did as his dear comrade had bidden him, and set off running by the ships and tents of the Achaeans. When Nestor and Machaon had reached the tents of the son of Neleus, they dismounted, and an esquire, Eurymedon, took the horses from the chariot.
Homeric Greek
στάντε ποτὶ πνοιὴν παρὰ θῖν' ἁλός: αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα
ἐς κλισίην ἐλθόντες ἐπὶ κλισμοῖσι κάθιζον.
τοῖσι δὲ τεῦχε κυκειῶ ἐϋπλόκαμος Ἑκαμήδη,
τὴν ἄρετ' ἐκ Τενέδοιο γέρων, ὅτε πέρσεν Ἀχιλλεύς,
625θυγατέρ' Ἀρσινόου μεγαλήτορος, ἥν οἱ Ἀχαιοὶ
Transliteration
stante poti pnoiēn para thin' halos: autar epeita
es klisiēn elthontes epi klismoisi kathizon.
toisi de teuche kykeiō eÿplokamos Hekamēdē,
tēn aret' ek Tenedoio gerōn, hote persen Achilleus,
625thygater' Arsinoou megalētoros, hēn hoi Achaioi
English
The pair then stood in the breeze by the seaside to dry the sweat from their shirts, and when they had so done they came inside and took their seats. Fair Hekamede, whom Nestor had had awarded to him from Tenedos when Achilles took it, mixed them a mess;
Homeric Greek
ἔξελον οὕνεκα βουλῇ ἀριστεύεσκεν ἁπάντων.
ἥ σφωϊν πρῶτον μὲν ἐπιπροί̈ηλε τράπεζαν
καλὴν κυανόπεζαν ἐύ̈ξοον, αὐτὰρ ἐπ' αὐτῆς
χάλκειον κάνεον, ἐπὶ δὲ κρόμυον ποτῷ ὄψον,
630ἠδὲ μέλι χλωρόν, παρὰ δ' ἀλφίτου ἱεροῦ ἀκτήν,
Transliteration
exelon houneka boulēi aristeuesken hapantōn.
hē sphōïn prōton men epiproïēle trapezan
kalēn kyanopezan eÿxoon, autar ep' autēs
chalkeion kaneon, epi de kromyon potōi opson,
630ēde meli chlōron, para d' alphitou hierou aktēn,
English
she was daughter of wise Arsinoos, and the Achaeans had given her to Nestor because he excelled all of them in counsel. First she set for them a fair and well-made table that had feet of lapis lazuli; on it there was a vessel of bronze and an onion to give relish to the drink, with honey and cakes of barley-meal.
Homeric Greek
πὰρ δὲ δέπας περικαλλές, ὃ οἴκοθεν ἦγ' ὁ γεραιός,
χρυσείοις ἥλοισι πεπαρμένον: οὔατα δ' αὐτοῦ
τέσσαρ' ἔσαν, δοιαὶ δὲ πελειάδες ἀμφὶς ἕκαστον
χρύσειαι νεμέθοντο, δύω δ' ὑπὸ πυθμένες ἦσαν.
635ἄλλος μὲν μογέων ἀποκινήσασκε τραπέζης
Transliteration
par de depas perikalles, ho oikothen ēg' ho geraios,
chryseiois hēloisi peparmenon: ouata d' autou
tessar' esan, doiai de peleiades amphis hekaston
chryseiai nemethonto, dyō d' hypo pythmenes ēsan.
635allos men mogeōn apokinēsaske trapezēs
English
There was also a cup of rare workmanship which the old man had brought with him from home, studded with bosses of gold; it had four handles, on each of which there were two golden doves feeding, and it had two feet to stand on.
Homeric Greek
πλεῖον ἐόν, Νέστωρ δ' ὁ γέρων ἀμογητὶ ἄειρεν.
ἐν τῷ ῥά σφι κύκησε γυνὴ ἐϊκυῖα θεῇσιν
οἴνῳ Πραμνείῳ, ἐπὶ δ' αἴγειον κνῆ τυρὸν
κνήστι χαλκείῃ, ἐπὶ δ' ἄλφιτα λευκὰ πάλυνε,
640πινέμεναι δ' ἐκέλευσεν, ἐπεί ῥ' ὥπλισσε κυκειῶ.
Transliteration
pleion eon, Nestōr d' ho gerōn amogēti aeiren.
en tōi rha sphi kykēse gynē eïkuia theēisin
oinōi Pramneiōi, epi d' aigeion knē tyron
knēsti chalkeiēi, epi d' alphita leuka palyne,
640pinemenai d' ekeleusen, epei rh' hōplisse kykeiō.
English
Any one else would hardly have been able to lift it from the table when it was full, but Nestor could do so quite easily. In this the woman, as fair as a goddess, mixed them a mess with Pramnian wine;
Homeric Greek
τὼ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν πίνοντ' ἀφέτην πολυκαγκέα δίψαν
μύθοισιν τέρποντο πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἐνέποντες,
Πάτροκλος δὲ θύρῃσιν ἐφίστατο ἰσόθεος φώς.
τὸν δὲ ἰδὼν ὁ γεραιὸς ἀπὸ θρόνου ὦρτο φαεινοῦ,
645ἐς δ' ἄγε χειρὸς ἑλών, κατὰ δ' ἑδριάασθαι ἄνωγε.
Transliteration
tō d' epei oun pinont' aphetēn polykankea dipsan
mythoisin terponto pros allēlous enepontes,
Patroklos de thyrēisin ephistato isotheos phōs.
ton de idōn ho geraios apo thronou ōrto phaeinou,
645es d' age cheiros helōn, kata d' hedriaasthai anōge.
English
she grated goat's milk cheese into it with a bronze grater, threw in a handful of white barley-meal, and having thus prepared the mess she bade them drink it. When they had done so and had thus quenched their thirst, they fell talking with one another, and at this moment Patroklos appeared at the door. When the old man saw him he sprang from his seat, seized
Homeric Greek
Πάτροκλος δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἀναίνετο εἶπέ τε μῦθον:
οὐχ ἕδος ἐστὶ γεραιὲ διοτρεφές, οὐδέ με πείσεις.
αἰδοῖος νεμεσητὸς ὅ με προέηκε πυθέσθαι
ὅν τινα τοῦτον ἄγεις βεβλημένον: ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὸς
650γιγνώσκω, ὁρόω δὲ Μαχάονα ποιμένα λαῶν.
Transliteration
Patroklos d' heterōthen anaineto eipe te mython:
ouch hedos esti geraie diotrephes, oude me peiseis.
aidoios nemesētos ho me proeēke pythesthai
hon tina touton ageis beblēmenon: alla kai autos
650gignōskō, horoō de Machaona poimena laōn.
English
his hand, led him into the tent, and bade him take his place among them; but Patroklos stood where he was and said, "Noble sir, I may not stay, you cannot persuade me to come in; he that sent me is not one to be trifled with, and he bade me ask who the wounded man was whom you were bearing away from the field.
Homeric Greek
νῦν δὲ ἔπος ἐρέων πάλιν ἄγγελος εἶμ' Ἀχιλῆϊ.
εὖ δὲ σὺ οἶσθα γεραιὲ διοτρεφές, οἷος ἐκεῖνος
δεινὸς ἀνήρ: τάχα κεν καὶ ἀναίτιον αἰτιόῳτο.
τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:
655τίπτε τὰρ ὧδ' Ἀχιλεὺς ὀλοφύρεται υἷας Ἀχαιῶν,
Transliteration
nyn de epos ereōn palin angelos eim' Achilēï.
eu de sy oistha geraie diotrephes, hoios ekeinos
deinos anēr: tacha ken kai anaition aitioōito.
ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:
655tipte tar hōd' Achileus olophyretai huias Achaiōn,
English
I can now see for myself that he is Machaon shepherd of his people. I must go back and tell Achilles. You, sir, know what a terrible man he is, and how ready to blame even where no blame should lie." And Nestor answered, "Why should Achilles care to know how many of the Achaeans may be wounded?
Homeric Greek
ὅσσοι δὴ βέλεσιν βεβλήαται; οὐδέ τι οἶδε
πένθεος, ὅσσον ὄρωρε κατὰ στρατόν: οἳ γὰρ ἄριστοι
ἐν νηυσὶν κέαται βεβλημένοι οὐτάμενοί τε.
βέβληται μὲν ὃ Τυδεί̈δης κρατερὸς Διομήδης,
660οὔτασται δ' Ὀδυσεὺς δουρὶ κλυτὸς ἠδ' Ἀγαμέμνων:
Transliteration
hossoi dē belesin beblēatai; oude ti oide
pentheos, hosson orōre kata straton: hoi gar aristoi
en nēusin keatai beblēmenoi outamenoi te.
beblētai men ho Tydeïdēs krateros Diomēdēs,
660outastai d' Odyseus douri klytos ēd' Agamemnōn:
English
He recks not of the grief that reigns in our host; our most valiant chieftains lie disabled, brave Diomedes son of Tydeus is wounded; so are Odysseus and Agamemnon;
Homeric Greek
βέβληται δὲ καὶ Εὐρύπυλος κατὰ μηρὸν ὀϊστῷ:
τοῦτον δ' ἄλλον ἐγὼ νέον ἤγαγον ἐκ πολέμοιο
ἰῷ ἀπὸ νευρῆς βεβλημένον. αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς
ἐσθλὸς ἐὼν Δαναῶν οὐ κήδεται οὐδ' ἐλεαίρει.
665ἦ μένει εἰς ὅ κε δὴ νῆες θοαὶ ἄγχι θαλάσσης
Transliteration
beblētai de kai Eurypylos kata mēron oïstōi:
touton d' allon egō neon ēgagon ek polemoio
iōi apo neurēs beblēmenon. autar Achilleus
esthlos eōn Danaōn ou kēdetai oud' eleairei.
665ē menei eis ho ke dē nēes thoai anchi thalassēs
English
Eurypylos has been hit with an arrow in the thigh, and I have just been bringing this man from the field - he too wounded - with an arrow; nevertheless Achilles, so valiant though he be, cares not and knows no ruth.
Homeric Greek
Ἀργείων ἀέκητι πυρὸς δηί̈οιο θέρωνται,
αὐτοί τε κτεινώμεθ' ἐπισχερώ; οὐ γὰρ ἐμὴ ἲς
ἔσθ' οἵη πάρος ἔσκεν ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσιν.
εἴθ' ὣς ἡβώοιμι βίη δέ μοι ἔμπεδος εἴη
670ὡς ὁπότ' Ἠλείοισι καὶ ἡμῖν νεῖκος ἐτύχθη
Transliteration
Argeiōn aekēti pyros dēïoio therōntai,
autoi te kteinōmeth' epischerō; ou gar emē is
esth' hoiē paros esken eni gnamptoisi melessin.
eith' hōs hēbōoimi biē de moi empedos eiē
670hōs hopot' Ēleioisi kai hēmin neikos etychthē
English
Will he wait till the ships, do what we may, are in a blaze, and we perish one upon the other? As for me, I have no strength nor stay in me any longer; would that I were still young and strong as in the days when there was a fight between us and the men of Elis about some cattle-raiding.
Homeric Greek
ἀμφὶ βοηλασίῃ, ὅτ' ἐγὼ κτάνον Ἰτυμονῆα
ἐσθλὸν Ὑπειροχίδην, ὃς ἐν Ἤλιδι ναιετάασκε,
ῥύσι' ἐλαυνόμενος: ὃ δ' ἀμύνων ᾗσι βόεσσιν
ἔβλητ' ἐν πρώτοισιν ἐμῆς ἀπὸ χειρὸς ἄκοντι,
675κὰδ δ' ἔπεσεν, λαοὶ δὲ περίτρεσαν ἀγροιῶται.
Transliteration
amphi boēlasiēi, hot' egō ktanon Itymonēa
esthlon Hypeirochidēn, hos en Ēlidi naietaaske,
rhysi' elaunomenos: ho d' amynōn hēisi boessin
eblēt' en prōtoisin emēs apo cheiros akonti,
675kad d' epesen, laoi de peritresan agroiōtai.
English
I then killed Itymoneus the valiant son of Hypeirochos a dweller in Elis, as I was driving in the spoil; he was hit by a dart thrown my hand while fighting in the front rank in defense of his cows, so he fell and the country people around him were in great fear.
Homeric Greek
ληί̈δα δ' ἐκ πεδίου συνελάσσαμεν ἤλιθα πολλὴν
πεντήκοντα βοῶν ἀγέλας, τόσα πώεα οἰῶν,
τόσσα συῶν συβόσια, τόσ' αἰπόλια πλατέ' αἰγῶν,
ἵππους δὲ ξανθὰς ἑκατὸν καὶ πεντήκοντα
680πάσας θηλείας, πολλῇσι δὲ πῶλοι ὑπῆσαν.
Transliteration
lēïda d' ek pediou synelassamen ēlitha pollēn
pentēkonta boōn agelas, tosa pōea oiōn,
tossa syōn sybosia, tos' aipolia plate' aigōn,
hippous de xanthas hekaton kai pentēkonta
680pasas thēleias, pollēisi de pōloi hypēsan.
English
We drove off a vast quantity of booty from the plain, fifty herds of cattle and as many flocks of sheep; fifty droves also of pigs, and as many wide-spreading flocks of goats. Of horses moreover we seized a hundred and fifty, all of them mares, and many had foals running with them.
Homeric Greek
καὶ τὰ μὲν ἠλασάμεσθα Πύλον Νηλήϊον εἴσω
ἐννύχιοι προτὶ ἄστυ: γεγήθει δὲ φρένα Νηλεύς,
οὕνεκά μοι τύχε πολλὰ νέῳ πόλεμον δὲ κιόντι.
κήρυκες δ' ἐλίγαινον ἅμ' ἠοῖ φαινομένηφι
685τοὺς ἴμεν οἷσι χρεῖος ὀφείλετ' ἐν Ἤλιδι δίῃ:
Transliteration
kai ta men ēlasamestha Pylon Nēlēïon eisō
ennychioi proti asty: gegēthei de phrena Nēleus,
houneka moi tyche polla neōi polemon de kionti.
kērykes d' eligainon ham' ēoi phainomenēphi
685tous imen hoisi chreios opheilet' en Ēlidi diēi:
English
All these did we drive by night to Pylos the city of Neleus, taking them within the city; and the heart of Neleus was glad in that I had taken so much, though it was the first time I had ever been in the field.
Homeric Greek
οἳ δὲ συναγρόμενοι Πυλίων ἡγήτορες ἄνδρες
δαίτρευον: πολέσιν γὰρ Ἐπειοὶ χρεῖος ὄφειλον,
ὡς ἡμεῖς παῦροι κεκακωμένοι ἐν Πύλῳ ἦμεν:
ἐλθὼν γάρ ῥ' ἐκάκωσε βίη Ἡρακληείη
690τῶν προτέρων ἐτέων, κατὰ δ' ἔκταθεν ὅσσοι ἄριστοι:
Transliteration
hoi de synagromenoi Pyliōn hēgētores andres
daitreuon: polesin gar Epeioi chreios opheilon,
hōs hēmeis pauroi kekakōmenoi en Pylōi ēmen:
elthōn gar rh' ekakōse biē Hēraklēeiē
690tōn proterōn eteōn, kata d' ektathen hossoi aristoi:
English
At daybreak the heralds went round crying that all in Elis to whom there was a debt owing should come; and the leading Pylians assembled to divide the spoils. There were many to whom the Epeans owed chattels, for we men of Pylos were few and had been oppressed with wrong;
Homeric Greek
δώδεκα γὰρ Νηλῆος ἀμύμονος υἱέες ἦμεν:
τῶν οἶος λιπόμην, οἳ δ' ἄλλοι πάντες ὄλοντο.
ταῦθ' ὑπερηφανέοντες Ἐπειοὶ χαλκοχίτωνες
ἡμέας ὑβρίζοντες ἀτάσθαλα μηχανόωντο.
695ἐκ δ' ὃ γέρων ἀγέλην τε βοῶν καὶ πῶϋ μέγ' οἰῶν
Transliteration
dōdeka gar Nēlēos amymonos huiees ēmen:
tōn oios lipomēn, hoi d' alloi pantes olonto.
tauth' hyperēphaneontes Epeioi chalkochitōnes
hēmeas hybrizontes atasthala mēchanoōnto.
695ek d' ho gerōn agelēn te boōn kai pōÿ meg' oiōn
English
in former years Herakles had come, and had laid his hand heavy upon us, so that all our best men had perished. Neleus had had twelve sons, but I alone was left; the others had all been killed. The Epeans presuming upon all this had looked down upon us and had done us much evil.
Homeric Greek
εἵλετο κρινάμενος τριηκόσι' ἠδὲ νομῆας.
καὶ γὰρ τῷ χρεῖος μέγ' ὀφείλετ' ἐν Ἤλιδι δίῃ
τέσσαρες ἀθλοφόροι ἵπποι αὐτοῖσιν ὄχεσφιν
ἐλθόντες μετ' ἄεθλα: περὶ τρίποδος γὰρ ἔμελλον
700θεύσεσθαι: τοὺς δ' αὖθι ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Αὐγείας
Transliteration
heileto krinamenos triēkosi' ēde nomēas.
kai gar tōi chreios meg' opheilet' en Ēlidi diēi
tessares athlophoroi hippoi autoisin ochesphin
elthontes met' aethla: peri tripodos gar emellon
700theusesthai: tous d' authi anax andrōn Augeias
English
My father chose a herd of cattle and a great flock of sheep - three hundred in all - and he took their shepherds with him, for there was a great debt due to him in Elis, to wit four horses, winners of prizes. They and their chariots with them had gone to the games and were to run for a
Homeric Greek
κάσχεθε, τὸν δ' ἐλατῆρ' ἀφίει ἀκαχήμενον ἵππων.
τῶν ὃ γέρων ἐπέων κεχολωμένος ἠδὲ καὶ ἔργων
ἐξέλετ' ἄσπετα πολλά: τὰ δ' ἄλλ' ἐς δῆμον ἔδωκε
δαιτρεύειν, μή τίς οἱ ἀτεμβόμενος κίοι ἴσης.
705ἡμεῖς μὲν τὰ ἕκαστα διείπομεν, ἀμφί τε ἄστυ
Transliteration
kaschethe, ton d' elatēr' aphiei akachēmenon hippōn.
tōn ho gerōn epeōn kecholōmenos ēde kai ergōn
exelet' aspeta polla: ta d' all' es dēmon edōke
daitreuein, mē tis hoi atembomenos kioi isēs.
705hēmeis men ta hekasta dieipomen, amphi te asty
English
tripod, but King Augeas took them, and sent back their driver grieving for the loss of his horses. Neleus was angered by what he had both said and done, and took great value in return, but he gave the rest to the people of the district to divide among themselves, so that no man might have less than his full share.
Homeric Greek
ἕρδομεν ἱρὰ θεοῖς: οἳ δὲ τρίτῳ ἤματι πάντες
ἦλθον ὁμῶς αὐτοί τε πολεῖς καὶ μώνυχες ἵπποι
πανσυδίῃ: μετὰ δέ σφι Μολίονε θωρήσσοντο
παῖδ' ἔτ' ἐόντ', οὔ πω μάλα εἰδότε θούριδος ἀλκῆς.
710ἔστι δέ τις Θρυόεσσα πόλις αἰπεῖα κολώνη
Transliteration
herdomen hira theois: hoi de tritōi ēmati pantes
ēlthon homōs autoi te poleis kai mōnyches hippoi
pansydiēi: meta de sphi Molione thōrēssonto
paid' et' eont', ou pō mala eidote thouridos alkēs.
710esti de tis Thryoessa polis aipeia kolōnē
English
"Thus did we order all things, and offer sacrifices to the gods throughout the city; but three days afterwards the Epeans came in a body, many in number, they and their chariots, in full array, and with them the two Moliones in their armor, though they were still lads and unused to fighting.
Homeric Greek
τηλοῦ ἐπ' Ἀλφειῷ, νεάτη Πύλου ἠμαθόεντος:
τὴν ἀμφεστρατόωντο διαρραῖσαι μεμαῶτες.
ἀλλ' ὅτε πᾶν πεδίον μετεκίαθον, ἄμμι δ' Ἀθήνη
ἄγγελος ἦλθε θέουσ' ἀπ' Ὀλύμπου θωρήσσεσθαι
715ἔννυχος, οὐδ' ἀέκοντα Πύλον κάτα λαὸν ἄγειρεν
Transliteration
tēlou ep' Alpheiōi, neatē Pylou ēmathoentos:
tēn amphestratoōnto diarraisai memaōtes.
all' hote pan pedion metekiathon, ammi d' Athēnē
angelos ēlthe theous' ap' Olympou thōrēssesthai
715ennychos, oud' aekonta Pylon kata laon ageiren
English
Now there is a certain town, Thryoessa, perched upon a rock on the river Alpheus, the border city Pylos; this they would destroy, and pitched their camp about it, but when they had crossed their whole plain, Athena darted down by night from Olympus and bade us set ourselves in array;
Homeric Greek
ἀλλὰ μάλ' ἐσσυμένους πολεμίζειν. οὐδέ με Νηλεὺς
εἴα θωρήσσεσθαι, ἀπέκρυψεν δέ μοι ἵππους:
οὐ γάρ πώ τί μ' ἔφη ἴδμεν πολεμήϊα ἔργα.
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἱππεῦσι μετέπρεπον ἡμετέροισι
720καὶ πεζός περ ἐών, ἐπεὶ ὧς ἄγε νεῖκος Ἀθήνη.
Transliteration
alla mal' essymenous polemizein. oude me Nēleus
eia thōrēssesthai, apekrypsen de moi hippous:
ou gar pō ti m' ephē idmen polemēïa erga.
alla kai hōs hippeusi meteprepon hēmeteroisi
720kai pezos per eōn, epei hōs age neikos Athēnē.
English
and she found willing warriors in Pylos, for the men meant fighting. Neleus would not let me arm, and hid my horses, for he said that as yet I could know nothing about war; nevertheless Athena so ordered the fight that, all on foot as I was, I fought among our mounted forces and vied with the foremost of them.
Homeric Greek
ἔστι δέ τις ποταμὸς Μινυήϊος εἰς ἅλα βάλλων
ἐγγύθεν Ἀρήνης, ὅθι μείναμεν Ἠῶ δῖαν
ἱππῆες Πυλίων, τὰ δ' ἐπέρρεον ἔθνεα πεζῶν.
ἔνθεν πανσυδίῃ σὺν τεύχεσι θωρηχθέντες
725ἔνδιοι ἱκόμεσθ' ἱερὸν ῥόον Ἀλφειοῖο.
Transliteration
esti de tis potamos Minyēïos eis hala ballōn
engythen Arēnēs, hothi meinamen Ēō dian
hippēes Pyliōn, ta d' eperreon ethnea pezōn.
enthen pansydiēi syn teuchesi thōrēchthentes
725endioi hikomesth' hieron rhoon Alpheioio.
English
There is a river Minyeios that falls into the sea near Arene, and there they that were mounted (and I with them) waited till morning, when the companies of foot soldiers came up with us in force.
Homeric Greek
ἔνθα Διὶ ῥέξαντες ὑπερμενεῖ ἱερὰ καλά,
ταῦρον δ' Ἀλφειῷ, ταῦρον δὲ Ποσειδάωνι,
αὐτὰρ Ἀθηναίη γλαυκώπιδι βοῦν ἀγελαίην,
δόρπον ἔπειθ' ἑλόμεσθα κατὰ στρατὸν ἐν τελέεσσι,
730καὶ κατεκοιμήθημεν ἐν ἔντεσιν οἷσιν ἕκαστος
Transliteration
entha Dii rhexantes hypermenei hiera kala,
tauron d' Alpheiōi, tauron de Poseidaōni,
autar Athēnaiē glaukōpidi boun agelaiēn,
dorpon epeith' helomestha kata straton en teleessi,
730kai katekoimēthēmen en entesin hoisin hekastos
English
Thence in full panoply and equipment we came towards noon to the sacred waters of the Alpheus, and there we offered victims to almighty Zeus, with a bull to Alpheus, another to Poseidon, and a herd-heifer to Athena.
Homeric Greek
ἀμφὶ ῥοὰς ποταμοῖο. ἀτὰρ μεγάθυμοι Ἐπειοὶ
ἀμφέσταν δὴ ἄστυ διαρραῖσαι μεμαῶτες:
ἀλλά σφι προπάροιθε φάνη μέγα ἔργον Ἄρηος:
εὖτε γὰρ ἠέλιος φαέθων ὑπερέσχεθε γαίης,
735συμφερόμεσθα μάχῃ Διί τ' εὐχόμενοι καὶ Ἀθήνῃ.
Transliteration
amphi rhoas potamoio. atar megathymoi Epeioi
amphestan dē asty diarraisai memaōtes:
alla sphi proparoithe phanē mega ergon Arēos:
eute gar ēelios phaethōn hypereschethe gaiēs,
735sympheromestha machēi Dii t' euchomenoi kai Athēnēi.
English
After this we took supper in our companies, and laid us down to rest each in his armor by the river. "The Epeans were beleaguering the city and were determined to take it, but ere this might be there was a desperate fight in store for them. When the sun's rays began to fall upon the earth we joined battle, praying to Zeus
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ Πυλίων καὶ Ἐπειῶν ἔπλετο νεῖκος,
πρῶτος ἐγὼν ἕλον ἄνδρα, κόμισσα δὲ μώνυχας ἵππους,
Μούλιον αἰχμητήν: γαμβρὸς δ' ἦν Αὐγείαο,
πρεσβυτάτην δὲ θύγατρ' εἶχε ξανθὴν Ἀγαμήδην,
740ἣ τόσα φάρμακα ᾔδη ὅσα τρέφει εὐρεῖα χθών.
Transliteration
all' hote dē Pyliōn kai Epeiōn epleto neikos,
prōtos egōn helon andra, komissa de mōnychas hippous,
Moulion aichmētēn: gambros d' ēn Augeiao,
presbytatēn de thygatr' eiche xanthēn Agamēdēn,
740hē tosa pharmaka ēidē hosa trephei eureia chthōn.
English
and to Athena, and when the fight had begun, I was the first to kill my man and take his horses - to wit the warrior Moulios. He was son-in-law to Augeas, having married his eldest daughter, golden-haired Agamede, who knew the virtues of every herb which grows upon the face of the earth.
Homeric Greek
τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ προσιόντα βάλον χαλκήρεϊ δουρί,
ἤριπε δ' ἐν κονίῃσιν: ἐγὼ δ' ἐς δίφρον ὀρούσας
στῆν ῥα μετὰ προμάχοισιν: ἀτὰρ μεγάθυμοι Ἐπειοὶ
ἔτρεσαν ἄλλυδις ἄλλος, ἐπεὶ ἴδον ἄνδρα πεσόντα
745ἡγεμόν' ἱππήων, ὃς ἀριστεύεσκε μάχεσθαι.
Transliteration
ton men egō prosionta balon chalkēreï douri,
ēripe d' en koniēisin: egō d' es diphron orousas
stēn rha meta promachoisin: atar megathymoi Epeioi
etresan allydis allos, epei idon andra pesonta
745hēgemon' hippēōn, hos aristeueske machesthai.
English
I speared him as he was coming towards me, and when he fell headlong in the dust, I sprang upon his chariot and took my place in the front ranks. The Epeans fled in all directions when they saw the leader of their horsemen (the best man
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐπόρουσα κελαινῇ λαίλαπι ἶσος,
πεντήκοντα δ' ἕλον δίφρους, δύο δ' ἀμφὶς ἕκαστον
φῶτες ὀδὰξ ἕλον οὖδας ἐμῷ ὑπὸ δουρὶ δαμέντες.
καί νύ κεν Ἀκτορίωνε Μολίονε παῖδ' ἀλάπαξα,
750εἰ μή σφωε πατὴρ εὐρὺ κρείων ἐνοσίχθων
Transliteration
autar egōn eporousa kelainēi lailapi isos,
pentēkonta d' helon diphrous, dyo d' amphis hekaston
phōtes odax helon oudas emōi hypo douri damentes.
kai ny ken Aktoriōne Molione paid' alapaxa,
750ei mē sphōe patēr eury kreiōn enosichthōn
English
they had) laid low, and I swept down on them like a whirlwind, taking fifty chariots - and in each of them two men bit the dust, slain by my spear. I should have even killed the two Moliones sons of Aktor, unless their real father, Poseidon lord
Homeric Greek
ἐκ πολέμου ἐσάωσε καλύψας ἠέρι πολλῇ.
ἔνθα Ζεὺς Πυλίοισι μέγα κράτος ἐγγυάλιξε:
τόφρα γὰρ οὖν ἑπόμεσθα διὰ σπιδέος πεδίοιο
κτείνοντές τ' αὐτοὺς ἀνά τ' ἔντεα καλὰ λέγοντες,
755ὄφρ' ἐπὶ Βουπρασίου πολυπύρου βήσαμεν ἵππους
Transliteration
ek polemou esaōse kalypsas ēeri pollēi.
entha Zeus Pylioisi mega kratos engyalixe:
tophra gar oun hepomestha dia spideos pedioio
kteinontes t' autous ana t' entea kala legontes,
755ophr' epi Bouprasiou polypyrou bēsamen hippous
English
of the earthquake, had hidden them in a thick mist and borne them out of the fight. Thereon Zeus granted the Pylians a great victory, for we chased them far over the plain, killing the men and bringing in their armor, till we had brought our horses to
Homeric Greek
πέτρης τ' Ὠλενίης, καὶ Ἀλησίου ἔνθα κολώνη
κέκληται: ὅθεν αὖτις ἀπέτραπε λαὸν Ἀθήνη.
ἔνθ' ἄνδρα κτείνας πύματον λίπον: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ
ἂψ ἀπὸ Βουπρασίοιο Πύλονδ' ἔχον ὠκέας ἵππους,
760πάντες δ' εὐχετόωντο θεῶν Διὶ Νέστορί τ' ἀνδρῶν.
Transliteration
petrēs t' Ōleniēs, kai Alēsiou entha kolōnē
keklētai: hothen autis apetrape laon Athēnē.
enth' andra kteinas pymaton lipon: autar Achaioi
aps apo Bouprasioio Pylond' echon ōkeas hippous,
760pantes d' euchetoōnto theōn Dii Nestori t' andrōn.
English
Bouprasion rich in wheat and to the Olenian rock, with the hill that is called Alision, at which point Athena turned the people back. There I slew the last man and left him; then the Achaeans drove their horses back from Bouprasion to Pylos and gave thanks to
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔον, εἴ ποτ' ἔον γε, μετ' ἀνδράσιν. αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς
οἶος τῆς ἀρετῆς ἀπονήσεται: ἦ τέ μιν οἴω
πολλὰ μετακλαύσεσθαι ἐπεί κ' ἀπὸ λαὸς ὄληται.
ὦ πέπον ἦ μὲν σοί γε Μενοίτιος ὧδ' ἐπέτελλεν
765ἤματι τῷ ὅτε σ' ἐκ Φθίης Ἀγαμέμνονι πέμπε,
Transliteration
hōs eon, ei pot' eon ge, met' andrasin. autar Achilleus
oios tēs aretēs aponēsetai: ē te min oiō
polla metaklausesthai epei k' apo laos olētai.
ō pepon ē men soi ge Menoitios hōd' epetellen
765ēmati tōi hote s' ek Phthiēs Agamemnoni pempe,
English
Zeus among the gods, and among mortal men to Nestor. "Such was I among my peers, as surely as ever was, but Achilles is for keeping all his valor for himself; bitterly will he rue it hereafter when the host is being cut to pieces.
Homeric Greek
νῶϊ δέ τ' ἔνδον ἐόντες ἐγὼ καὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
πάντα μάλ' ἐν μεγάροις ἠκούομεν ὡς ἐπέτελλε.
Πηλῆος δ' ἱκόμεσθα δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας
λαὸν ἀγείροντες κατ' Ἀχαιί̈δα πουλυβότειραν.
770ἔνθα δ' ἔπειθ' ἥρωα Μενοίτιον εὕρομεν ἔνδον
Transliteration
nōï de t' endon eontes egō kai dios Odysseus
panta mal' en megarois ēkouomen hōs epetelle.
Pēlēos d' hikomestha domous eu naietaontas
laon ageirontes kat' Achaiïda poulyboteiran.
770entha d' epeith' hērōa Menoition heuromen endon
English
My good friend, did not Menoitios charge you thus, on the day when he sent you from Phthia to Agamemnon? Odysseus and I were in the house, inside, and heard all that he said to you; for we came to the fair house of Peleus while beating up recruits throughout all Achaea, and when we got there we found Menoitios and yourself, and Achilles with you.
Homeric Greek
ἠδὲ σέ, πὰρ δ' Ἀχιλῆα: γέρων δ' ἱππηλάτα Πηλεὺς
πίονα μηρία καῖε βοὸς Διὶ τερπικεραύνῳ
αὐλῆς ἐν χόρτῳ: ἔχε δὲ χρύσειον ἄλεισον
σπένδων αἴθοπα οἶνον ἐπ' αἰθομένοις ἱεροῖσι.
775σφῶϊ μὲν ἀμφὶ βοὸς ἕπετον κρέα, νῶϊ δ' ἔπειτα
Transliteration
ēde se, par d' Achilēa: gerōn d' hippēlata Pēleus
piona mēria kaie boos Dii terpikeraunōi
aulēs en chortōi: eche de chryseion aleison
spendōn aithopa oinon ep' aithomenois hieroisi.
775sphōï men amphi boos hepeton krea, nōï d' epeita
English
The old horseman Peleus was in the outer court, roasting the fat thigh-bones of a heifer to Zeus the lord of thunder; and he held a gold chalice in his hand from which he poured drink-offerings of wine over the burning sacrifice.
Homeric Greek
στῆμεν ἐνὶ προθύροισι: ταφὼν δ' ἀνόρουσεν Ἀχιλλεύς,
ἐς δ' ἄγε χειρὸς ἑλών, κατὰ δ' ἑδριάασθαι ἄνωγε,
ξείνιά τ' εὖ παρέθηκεν, ἅ τε ξείνοις θέμις ἐστίν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τάρπημεν ἐδητύος ἠδὲ ποτῆτος,
780ἦρχον ἐγὼ μύθοιο κελεύων ὔμμ' ἅμ' ἕπεσθαι:
Transliteration
stēmen eni prothyroisi: taphōn d' anorousen Achilleus,
es d' age cheiros helōn, kata d' hedriaasthai anōge,
xeinia t' eu parethēken, ha te xeinois themis estin.
autar epei tarpēmen edētyos ēde potētos,
780ērchon egō mythoio keleuōn ymm' ham' hepesthai:
English
You two were busy cutting up the heifer, and at that moment we stood at the gates, whereon Achilles sprang to his feet, led us by the hand into the house, placed us at table, and set before us such hospitable entertainment as is right for guests to expect. When we had satisfied ourselves with meat and drink, I said my say and urged both of you to join us.
Homeric Greek
σφὼ δὲ μάλ' ἠθέλετον, τὼ δ' ἄμφω πόλλ' ἐπέτελλον.
Πηλεὺς μὲν ᾧ παιδὶ γέρων ἐπέτελλ' Ἀχιλῆϊ
αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν καὶ ὑπείροχον ἔμμεναι ἄλλων:
σοὶ δ' αὖθ' ὧδ' ἐπέτελλε Μενοίτιος Ἄκτορος υἱός:
785τέκνον ἐμὸν γενεῇ μὲν ὑπέρτερός ἐστιν Ἀχιλλεύς,
Transliteration
sphō de mal' ētheleton, tō d' amphō poll' epetellon.
Pēleus men hōi paidi gerōn epetell' Achilēï
aien aristeuein kai hypeirochon emmenai allōn:
soi d' auth' hōd' epetelle Menoitios Aktoros huios:
785teknon emon geneēi men hyperteros estin Achilleus,
English
You were ready enough to do so, and the two old men charged you much and straitly. Old Peleus bade his son Achilles fight ever among the foremost and outvie his peers, while Menoitios the son of Aktor spoke thus to you:
Homeric Greek
πρεσβύτερος δὲ σύ ἐσσι: βίῃ δ' ὅ γε πολλὸν ἀμείνων.
ἀλλ' εὖ οἱ φάσθαι πυκινὸν ἔπος ἠδ' ὑποθέσθαι
καί οἱ σημαίνειν: ὃ δὲ πείσεται εἰς ἀγαθόν περ.
ὣς ἐπέτελλ' ὃ γέρων, σὺ δὲ λήθεαι: ἀλλ' ἔτι καὶ νῦν
790ταῦτ' εἴποις Ἀχιλῆϊ δαί̈φρονι αἴ κε πίθηται.
Transliteration
presbyteros de sy essi: biēi d' ho ge pollon ameinōn.
all' eu hoi phasthai pykinon epos ēd' hypothesthai
kai hoi sēmainein: ho de peisetai eis agathon per.
hōs epetell' ho gerōn, sy de lētheai: all' eti kai nyn
790taut' eipois Achilēï daïphroni ai ke pithētai.
English
‘My son,’ said he, ‘Achilles is of nobler birth than you are, but you are older than he, though he is far the better man of the two. Counsel him wisely, guide him in the right way, and he will follow you to his own profit.’ Thus did your father charge you, but you have forgotten;
Homeric Greek
τίς δ' οἶδ' εἴ κέν οἱ σὺν δαίμονι θυμὸν ὀρίναις
παρειπών; ἀγαθὴ δὲ παραίφασίς ἐστιν ἑταίρου.
εἰ δέ τινα φρεσὶν ᾗσι θεοπροπίην ἀλεείνει
καί τινά οἱ πὰρ Ζηνὸς ἐπέφραδε πότνια μήτηρ,
795ἀλλὰ σέ περ προέτω, ἅμα δ' ἄλλος λαὸς ἑπέσθω
Transliteration
tis d' oid' ei ken hoi syn daimoni thymon orinais
pareipōn; agathē de paraiphasis estin hetairou.
ei de tina phresin hēisi theopropiēn aleeinei
kai tina hoi par Zēnos epephrade potnia mētēr,
795alla se per proetō, hama d' allos laos hepesthō
English
nevertheless, even now, say all this to Achilles if he will listen to you. Who knows but with the help of a daimôn you may talk him over, for it is good to take a friend's advice. If, however, he is fearful about some oracle, or if his mother has told him something from Zeus, then let him
Homeric Greek
Μυρμιδόνων, αἴ κέν τι φόως Δαναοῖσι γένηαι:
καί τοι τεύχεα καλὰ δότω πόλεμον δὲ φέρεσθαι,
αἴ κέ σε τῷ εἴσκοντες ἀπόσχωνται πολέμοιο
Τρῶες, ἀναπνεύσωσι δ' ἀρήϊοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν
800τειρόμενοι: ὀλίγη δέ τ' ἀνάπνευσις πολέμοιο.
Transliteration
Myrmidonōn, ai ken ti phoōs Danaoisi genēai:
kai toi teuchea kala dotō polemon de pheresthai,
ai ke se tōi eiskontes aposchōntai polemoio
Trōes, anapneusōsi d' arēïoi huies Achaiōn
800teiromenoi: oligē de t' anapneusis polemoio.
English
send you, and let the rest of the Myrmidons follow with you, if perchance you may bring light and saving to the Danaans. And let him send you into battle clad in his own armor, that the Trojans may mistake you for him and leave off fighting;
Homeric Greek
ῥεῖα δέ κ' ἀκμῆτες κεκμηότας ἄνδρας ἀϋτῇ
ὤσαισθε προτὶ ἄστυ νεῶν ἄπο καὶ κλισιάων.
ὣς φάτο, τῷ δ' ἄρα θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινε,
βῆ δὲ θέειν παρὰ νῆας ἐπ' Αἰακίδην Ἀχιλῆα.
805ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ κατὰ νῆας Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο
Transliteration
rheia de k' akmētes kekmēotas andras aÿtēi
ōsaisthe proti asty neōn apo kai klisiaōn.
hōs phato, tōi d' ara thymon eni stēthessin orine,
bē de theein para nēas ep' Aiakidēn Achilēa.
805all' hote dē kata nēas Odyssēos theioio
English
the sons of the Achaeans may thus have time to get their breath, for they are hard pressed and there is little breathing time in battle. You, who are fresh, might easily drive a tired enemy back to his walls and away from the tents and ships." With these words he moved the heart of Patroklos, who set off running by the line of the ships to Achilles, descendant of Aiakos.
Homeric Greek
ἷξε θέων Πάτροκλος, ἵνά σφ' ἀγορή τε θέμις τε
ἤην, τῇ δὴ καί σφι θεῶν ἐτετεύχατο βωμοί,
ἔνθά οἱ Εὐρύπυλος βεβλημένος ἀντεβόλησε
διογενὴς Εὐαιμονίδης κατὰ μηρὸν ὀϊστῷ
810σκάζων ἐκ πολέμου: κατὰ δὲ νότιος ῥέεν ἱδρὼς
Transliteration
hixe theōn Patroklos, hina sph' agorē te themis te
ēēn, tēi dē kai sphi theōn eteteuchato bōmoi,
entha hoi Eurypylos beblēmenos antebolēse
diogenēs Euaimonidēs kata mēron oïstōi
810skazōn ek polemou: kata de notios rheen hidrōs
English
When he had got as far as the ships of Odysseus, where was their place of assembly and rendering of judgment, with their altars dedicated to the gods, Eurypylos son of Euaemon met him, wounded in the thigh with an arrow, and limping out of the fight.
Homeric Greek
ὤμων καὶ κεφαλῆς, ἀπὸ δ' ἕλκεος ἀργαλέοιο
αἷμα μέλαν κελάρυζε: νόος γε μὲν ἔμπεδος ἦεν.
τὸν δὲ ἰδὼν ᾤκτειρε Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμος υἱός,
καί ῥ' ὀλοφυρόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
815ἆ δειλοὶ Δαναῶν ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες
Transliteration
ōmōn kai kephalēs, apo d' helkeos argaleoio
haima melan kelaryze: noos ge men empedos ēen.
ton de idōn ōikteire Menoitiou alkimos huios,
kai rh' olophyromenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:
815a deiloi Danaōn hēgētores ēde medontes
English
Sweat rained from his head and shoulders, and black blood welled from his cruel wound, but his mind did not wander. The son of Menoitios when he saw him had compassion upon him and spoke piteously saying,
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἄρ' ἐμέλλετε τῆλε φίλων καὶ πατρίδος αἴης
ἄσειν ἐν Τροίῃ ταχέας κύνας ἀργέτι δημῷ.
ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ διοτρεφὲς Εὐρύπυλ' ἥρως,
ἤ ῥ' ἔτι που σχήσουσι πελώριον Ἕκτορ' Ἀχαιοί,
820ἦ ἤδη φθίσονται ὑπ' αὐτοῦ δουρὶ δαμέντες;
Transliteration
hōs ar' emellete tēle philōn kai patridos aiēs
asein en Troiēi tacheas kynas argeti dēmōi.
all' age moi tode eipe diotrephes Eurypyl' hērōs,
ē rh' eti pou schēsousi pelōrion Hektor' Achaioi,
820ē ēdē phthisontai hyp' autou douri damentes;
English
"O unhappy princes and counselors of the Danaans, are you then doomed to feed the hounds of Troy with your fat, far from your friends and your native land?
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' αὖτ' Εὐρύπυλος βεβλημένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
οὐκέτι διογενὲς Πατρόκλεες ἄλκαρ Ἀχαιῶν
ἔσσεται, ἀλλ' ἐν νηυσὶ μελαίνῃσιν πεσέονται.
οἳ μὲν γὰρ δὴ πάντες, ὅσοι πάρος ἦσαν ἄριστοι,
825ἐν νηυσὶν κέαται βεβλημένοι οὐτάμενοί τε
Transliteration
ton d' aut' Eurypylos beblēmenos antion ēuda:
ouketi diogenes Patroklees alkar Achaiōn
essetai, all' en nēusi melainēisin peseontai.
hoi men gar dē pantes, hosoi paros ēsan aristoi,
825en nēusin keatai beblēmenoi outamenoi te
English
say, noble Eurypylos, will the Achaeans be able to hold great Hektor in check, or will they fall now before his spear?" Wounded Eurypylos made answer, "Noble Patroklos, there is no hope left for the Achaeans but they will perish at their ships.
Homeric Greek
χερσὶν ὕπο Τρώων: τῶν δὲ σθένος ὄρνυται αἰέν.
ἀλλ' ἐμὲ μὲν σὺ σάωσον ἄγων ἐπὶ νῆα μέλαιναν,
μηροῦ δ' ἔκταμ' ὀϊστόν, ἀπ' αὐτοῦ δ' αἷμα κελαινὸν
νίζ' ὕδατι λιαρῷ, ἐπὶ δ' ἤπια φάρμακα πάσσε
830ἐσθλά, τά σε προτί φασιν Ἀχιλλῆος δεδιδάχθαι,
Transliteration
chersin hypo Trōōn: tōn de sthenos ornytai aien.
all' eme men sy saōson agōn epi nēa melainan,
mērou d' ektam' oïston, ap' autou d' haima kelainon
niz' hydati liarōi, epi d' ēpia pharmaka passe
830esthla, ta se proti phasin Achillēos dedidachthai,
English
All they that were princes among us are lying struck down and wounded at the hands of the Trojans, who are waxing stronger and stronger. But save me and take me to your ship; cut out the arrow from my thigh;
Homeric Greek
ὃν Χείρων ἐδίδαξε δικαιότατος Κενταύρων.
ἰητροὶ μὲν γὰρ Ποδαλείριος ἠδὲ Μαχάων
τὸν μὲν ἐνὶ κλισίῃσιν ὀί̈ομαι ἕλκος ἔχοντα
χρηί̈ζοντα καὶ αὐτὸν ἀμύμονος ἰητῆρος
835κεῖσθαι: ὃ δ' ἐν πεδίῳ Τρώων μένει ὀξὺν Ἄρηα.
Transliteration
hon Cheirōn edidaxe dikaiotatos Kentaurōn.
iētroi men gar Podaleirios ēde Machaōn
ton men eni klisiēisin oïomai helkos echonta
chrēïzonta kai auton amymonos iētēros
835keisthai: ho d' en pediōi Trōōn menei oxyn Arēa.
English
wash the black blood from off it with warm water, and lay upon it those gracious herbs which, so they say, have been shown you by Achilles, who was himself shown them by Chiron, most righteous of all the centaurs. For of the physicians Podaleirios and Machaon, I hear that the one is lying wounded in his tent and is himself in
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμος υἱός:
πῶς τὰρ ἔοι τάδε ἔργα; τί ῥέξομεν Εὐρύπυλ' ἥρως;
ἔρχομαι ὄφρ' Ἀχιλῆϊ δαί̈φρονι μῦθον ἐνίσπω
ὃν Νέστωρ ἐπέτελλε Γερήνιος οὖρος Ἀχαιῶν:
840ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὧς περ σεῖο μεθήσω τειρομένοιο.
Transliteration
ton d' aute proseeipe Menoitiou alkimos huios:
pōs tar eoi tade erga; ti rhexomen Eurypyl' hērōs;
erchomai ophr' Achilēï daïphroni mython enispō
hon Nestōr epetelle Gerēnios ouros Achaiōn:
840all' oud' hōs per seio methēsō teiromenoio.
English
need of healing, while the other is fighting the Trojans upon the plain." "Hero Eurypylos," replied the brave son of Menoitios, "how may these things be? What can I do? I am on my way to bear a message to noble Achilles from Nestor of Gerene, bulwark of the Achaeans, but
Homeric Greek
ἦ, καὶ ὑπὸ στέρνοιο λαβὼν ἄγε ποιμένα λαῶν
ἐς κλισίην: θεράπων δὲ ἰδὼν ὑπέχευε βοείας.
ἔνθά μιν ἐκτανύσας ἐκ μηροῦ τάμνε μαχαίρῃ
ὀξὺ βέλος περιπευκές, ἀπ' αὐτοῦ δ' αἷμα κελαινὸν
845νίζ' ὕδατι λιαρῷ, ἐπὶ δὲ ῥίζαν βάλε πικρὴν
Transliteration
ē, kai hypo sternoio labōn age poimena laōn
es klisiēn: therapōn de idōn hypecheue boeias.
entha min ektanysas ek mērou tamne machairēi
oxy belos peripeukes, ap' autou d' haima kelainon
845niz' hydati liarōi, epi de rhizan bale pikrēn
English
even so I will not be unmindful your distress." With this he clasped him round the middle and led him into the tent, and a squire, when he saw him, spread bullock-skins on the ground for him to lie on. He laid him at full length and cut out the sharp arrow from his thigh; he washed the black blood from the wound with warm water;
Homeric Greek
χερσὶ διατρίψας ὀδυνήφατον, ἥ οἱ ἁπάσας
ἔσχ' ὀδύνας: τὸ μὲν ἕλκος ἐτέρσετο, παύσατο δ' αἷμα.
Transliteration
chersi diatripsas odynēphaton, hē hoi hapasas
esch' odynas: to men helkos eterseto, pausato d' haima.
English
he then crushed a bitter herb, rubbing it between his hands, and spread it upon the wound; this was a virtuous herb which killed all pain; so the wound presently dried and the blood left off flowing.