Homeric Greek
1ὣς ὃ μὲν ἐν κλισίῃσι Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμος υἱὸς
ἰᾶτ' Εὐρύπυλον βεβλημένον: οἳ δὲ μάχοντο
Ἀργεῖοι καὶ Τρῶες ὁμιλαδόν: οὐδ' ἄρ' ἔμελλε
τάφρος ἔτι σχήσειν Δαναῶν καὶ τεῖχος ὕπερθεν
5εὐρύ, τὸ ποιήσαντο νεῶν ὕπερ, ἀμφὶ δὲ τάφρον
Transliteration
1hōs ho men en klisiēisi Menoitiou alkimos huios
iat' Eurupulon beblēmenon: hoi de machonto
Argeioi kai Trōes homiladon: oud' ar' emelle
taphros eti schēsein Danaōn kai teichos huperthen
5euru, to poiēsanto neōn huper, amphi de taphron
English · Butler
So the son of Menoitios was attending to the hurt of Eurypylos within the tent, but the Argives and Trojans still fought desperately, nor were the trench and the high wall above it, to keep the Trojans in check longer. They had built it to protect their ships, and had dug the trench all round it that it might safeguard both the ships and the rich spoils which they had taken, but they had not offered hecatombs to the gods.
Homeric Greek
ἤλασαν: οὐδὲ θεοῖσι δόσαν κλειτὰς ἑκατόμβας:
ὄφρά σφιν νῆάς τε θοὰς καὶ ληί̈δα πολλὴν
ἐντὸς ἔχον ῥύοιτο: θεῶν δ' ἀέκητι τέτυκτο
ἀθανάτων: τὸ καὶ οὔ τι πολὺν χρόνον ἔμπεδον ἦεν.
10ὄφρα μὲν Ἕκτωρ ζωὸς ἔην καὶ μήνι' Ἀχιλλεὺς
Transliteration
ēlasan: oude theoisi dosan kleitas hekatombas:
ophra sphin nēas te thoas kai lēïda pollēn
entos echon rhuoito: theōn d' aekēti tetukto
athanatōn: to kai ou ti polun chronon empedon ēen.
10ophra men Hektōr zōos eēn kai mēni' Achilleus
English · Butler
It had been built without the consent of the immortals, and therefore it did not last. So long as Hektor lived and Achilles continued his anger, and so long as the city of Priam remained untaken, the great wall of the Achaeans stood firm; but when the bravest of the Trojans were no more, and many also of the Argives, though
Homeric Greek
καὶ Πριάμοιο ἄνακτος ἀπόρθητος πόλις ἔπλεν,
τόφρα δὲ καὶ μέγα τεῖχος Ἀχαιῶν ἔμπεδον ἦεν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατὰ μὲν Τρώων θάνον ὅσσοι ἄριστοι,
πολλοὶ δ' Ἀργείων οἳ μὲν δάμεν, οἳ δὲ λίποντο,
15πέρθετο δὲ Πριάμοιο πόλις δεκάτῳ ἐνιαυτῷ,
Transliteration
kai Priamoio anaktos aporthētos polis eplen,
tophra de kai mega teichos Achaiōn empedon ēen.
autar epei kata men Trōōn thanon hossoi aristoi,
polloi d' Argeiōn hoi men damen, hoi de liponto,
15pertheto de Priamoio polis dekatōi eniautōi,
English · Butler
some were yet left alive when, moreover, the city was sacked in the tenth year, and the Argives had gone back with their ships to their own country - then Poseidon and Apollo took counsel to destroy the wall, and they turned
Homeric Greek
Ἀργεῖοι δ' ἐν νηυσὶ φίλην ἐς πατρίδ' ἔβησαν,
δὴ τότε μητιόωντο Ποσειδάων καὶ Ἀπόλλων
τεῖχος ἀμαλδῦναι ποταμῶν μένος εἰσαγαγόντες.
ὅσσοι ἀπ' Ἰδαίων ὀρέων ἅλα δὲ προρέουσι,
20Ῥῆσός θ' Ἑπτάπορός τε Κάρησός τε Ῥοδίος τε
Transliteration
Argeioi d' en nēusi philēn es patrid' ebēsan,
dē tote mētioōnto Poseidaōn kai Apollōn
teichos amaldunai potamōn menos eisagagontes.
hossoi ap' Idaiōn oreōn hala de proreousi,
20Rhēsos th' Heptaporos te Karēsos te Rhodios te
English · Butler
on to it the streams of all the rivers from Mount Ida into the sea, Rhesus, Heptaporos, Caresus, Rhodios, Grenicus, Aesopos, and goodly Skamandros, with Simoeis, where many a shield and helm had fallen, and many a hero of the race of demigods had bitten the dust.
Homeric Greek
Γρήνικός τε καὶ Αἴσηπος δῖός τε Σκάμανδρος
καὶ Σιμόεις, ὅθι πολλὰ βοάγρια καὶ τρυφάλειαι
κάππεσον ἐν κονίῃσι καὶ ἡμιθέων γένος ἀνδρῶν:
τῶν πάντων ὁμόσε στόματ' ἔτραπε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,
25ἐννῆμαρ δ' ἐς τεῖχος ἵει ῥόον: ὗε δ' ἄρα Ζεὺς
Transliteration
Grēnikos te kai Aisēpos dios te Skamandros
kai Simoeis, hothi polla boagria kai truphaleiai
kappeson en koniēisi kai hēmitheōn genos andrōn:
tōn pantōn homose stomat' etrape Phoibos Apollōn,
25ennēmar d' es teichos hiei rhoon: hue d' ara Zeus
English · Butler
Phoebus Apollo turned the mouths of all these rivers together and made them flow for nine days against the wall, while Zeus rained the whole time that he might wash it sooner into the sea. Poseidon himself, trident in hand, surveyed the work and threw into the
Homeric Greek
συνεχές, ὄφρά κε θᾶσσον ἁλίπλοα τείχεα θείη.
αὐτὸς δ' ἐννοσίγαιος ἔχων χείρεσσι τρίαιναν
ἡγεῖτ', ἐκ δ' ἄρα πάντα θεμείλια κύμασι πέμπε
φιτρῶν καὶ λάων, τὰ θέσαν μογέοντες Ἀχαιοί,
30λεῖα δ' ἐποίησεν παρ' ἀγάρροον Ἑλλήσποντον,
Transliteration
suneches, ophra ke thasson haliploa teichea theiē.
autos d' ennosigaios echōn cheiressi triainan
hēgeit', ek d' ara panta themeilia kumasi pempe
phitrōn kai laōn, ta thesan mogeontes Achaioi,
30leia d' epoiēsen par' agarroon Hellēsponton,
English · Butler
sea all the foundations of beams and stones which the Achaeans had laid with so much toil; he made all level by the mighty stream of the Hellespont, and then when he had swept the wall away he spread a great beach of sand over the place where it had been. This done he
Homeric Greek
αὖτις δ' ἠϊόνα μεγάλην ψαμάθοισι κάλυψε
τεῖχος ἀμαλδύνας: ποταμοὺς δ' ἔτρεψε νέεσθαι
κὰρ ῥόον, ᾗ περ πρόσθεν ἵεν καλλίρροον ὕδωρ.
ὣς ἄρ' ἔμελλον ὄπισθε Ποσειδάων καὶ Ἀπόλλων
35θησέμεναι: τότε δ' ἀμφὶ μάχη ἐνοπή τε δεδήει
Transliteration
autis d' ēïona megalēn psamathoisi kalupse
teichos amaldunas: potamous d' etrepse neesthai
kar rhoon, hēi per prosthen hien kallirroon hudōr.
hōs ar' emellon opisthe Poseidaōn kai Apollōn
35thēsemenai: tote d' amphi machē enopē te dedēei
English · Butler
turned the rivers back into their old courses. This was what Poseidon and Apollo were to do in after time; but as yet battle and turmoil were still raging round the wall till its timbers rang under the blows that rained upon them. The Argives, cowed by the scourge of Zeus,
Homeric Greek
τεῖχος ἐύ̈δμητον, κανάχιζε δὲ δούρατα πύργων
βαλλόμεν': Ἀργεῖοι δὲ Διὸς μάστιγι δαμέντες
νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ἐελμένοι ἰσχανόωντο
Ἕκτορα δειδιότες, κρατερὸν μήστωρα φόβοιο:
40αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ὡς τὸ πρόσθεν ἐμάρνατο ἶσος ἀέλλῃ:
Transliteration
teichos eüdmēton, kanachize de dourata purgōn
ballomen': Argeioi de Dios mastigi damentes
nēusin epi glaphurēisin eelmenoi ischanoōnto
Hektora deidiotes, krateron mēstōra phoboio:
40autar ho g' hōs to prosthen emarnato isos aellēi:
English · Butler
were hemmed in at their ships in fear of Hektor the mighty minister of Rout, who as heretofore fought with the force and fury of a whirlwind. As a lion or wild boar turns fiercely on the dogs and men that attack him, while these form solid wall
Homeric Greek
ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ἔν τε κύνεσσι καὶ ἀνδράσι θηρευτῇσι
κάπριος ἠὲ λέων στρέφεται σθένεϊ βλεμεαίνων:
οἳ δέ τε πυργηδὸν σφέας αὐτοὺς ἀρτύναντες
ἀντίον ἵστανται καὶ ἀκοντίζουσι θαμειὰς
45αἰχμὰς ἐκ χειρῶν: τοῦ δ' οὔ ποτε κυδάλιμον κῆρ
Transliteration
hōs d' hot' an en te kunessi kai andrasi thēreutēisi
kaprios ēe leōn strephetai stheneï blemeainōn:
hoi de te purgēdon spheas autous artunantes
antion histantai kai akontizousi thameias
45aichmas ek cheirōn: tou d' ou pote kudalimon kēr
English · Butler
and shower their javelins as they face him - his courage is all undaunted, but his high spirit will be the death of him; many a time does he charge at his pursuers to scatter them, and they fall back as often
Homeric Greek
ταρβεῖ οὐδὲ φοβεῖται, ἀγηνορίη δέ μιν ἔκτα:
ταρφέα τε στρέφεται στίχας ἀνδρῶν πειρητίζων:
ὅππῃ τ' ἰθύσῃ τῇ εἴκουσι στίχες ἀνδρῶν:
ὣς Ἕκτωρ ἀν' ὅμιλον ἰὼν ἐλλίσσεθ' ἑταίρους
50τάφρον ἐποτρύνων διαβαινέμεν: οὐδέ οἱ ἵπποι
Transliteration
tarbei oude phobeitai, agēnoriē de min ekta:
tarphea te strephetai stichas andrōn peirētizōn:
hoppēi t' ithusēi tēi eikousi stiches andrōn:
hōs Hektōr an' homilon iōn ellisseth' hetairous
50taphron epotrunōn diabainemen: oude hoi hippoi
English · Butler
as he does so - even so did Hektor go about among the host exhorting his men, and cheering them on to cross the trench. But the horses dared not do so, and stood neighing upon its brink, for the width frightened them.
Homeric Greek
τόλμων ὠκύποδες, μάλα δὲ χρεμέτιζον ἐπ' ἄκρῳ
χείλει ἐφεσταότες: ἀπὸ γὰρ δειδίσσετο τάφρος
εὐρεῖ', οὔτ' ἄρ' ὑπερθορέειν σχεδὸν οὔτε περῆσαι
ῥηϊδίη: κρημνοὶ γὰρ ἐπηρεφέες περὶ πᾶσαν
55ἕστασαν ἀμφοτέρωθεν, ὕπερθεν δὲ σκολόπεσσιν
Transliteration
tolmōn ōkupodes, mala de chremetizon ep' akrōi
cheilei ephestaotes: apo gar deidisseto taphros
eurei', out' ar' huperthoreein schedon oute perēsai
rhēïdiē: krēmnoi gar epērephees peri pasan
55hestasan amphoterōthen, huperthen de skolopessin
English · Butler
But the horses dared not do so, and stood neighing upon its brink, for the width frightened them. They could neither jump it nor cross it, for it had overhanging banks all round upon either side, above which there were the sharp stakes that the sons of the Achaeans had planted so close and strong as a defense against all who would assail it; a horse, therefore, could not get into it and
Homeric Greek
ὀξέσιν ἠρήρει, τοὺς ἵστασαν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν
πυκνοὺς καὶ μεγάλους δηί̈ων ἀνδρῶν ἀλεωρήν.
ἔνθ' οὔ κεν ῥέα ἵππος ἐύ̈τροχον ἅρμα τιταίνων
ἐσβαίη, πεζοὶ δὲ μενοίνεον εἰ τελέουσι.
60δὴ τότε Πουλυδάμας θρασὺν Ἕκτορα εἶπε παραστάς:
Transliteration
oxesin ērērei, tous histasan huies Achaiōn
puknous kai megalous dēïōn andrōn aleōrēn.
enth' ou ken rhea hippos eütrochon harma titainōn
esbaiē, pezoi de menoineon ei teleousi.
60dē tote Pouludamas thrasun Hektora eipe parastas:
English · Butler
draw his chariot after him, but those who were on foot kept trying their very utmost. Then Polydamas went up to Hektor and said, "Hektor, and you other leaders of the Trojans and allies, it is madness for us to try and drive our horses across the trench; it will be very hard to cross, for
Homeric Greek
Ἕκτορ τ' ἠδ' ἄλλοι Τρώων ἀγοὶ ἠδ' ἐπικούρων
ἀφραδέως διὰ τάφρον ἐλαύνομεν ὠκέας ἵππους:
ἣ δὲ μάλ' ἀργαλέη περάαν: σκόλοπες γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ
ὀξέες ἑστᾶσιν, ποτὶ δ' αὐτοὺς τεῖχος Ἀχαιῶν,
65ἔνθ' οὔ πως ἔστιν καταβήμεναι οὐδὲ μάχεσθαι
Transliteration
Hektor t' ēd' alloi Trōōn agoi ēd' epikourōn
aphradeōs dia taphron elaunomen ōkeas hippous:
hē de mal' argaleē peraan: skolopes gar en autēi
oxees hestasin, poti d' autous teichos Achaiōn,
65enth' ou pōs estin katabēmenai oude machesthai
English · Butler
it is full of sharp stakes, and beyond these there is the wall. Our horses therefore cannot get down into it, and would be of no use if they did; moreover it is a narrow place and we should come to harm. If, indeed, great Zeus is minded to help
Homeric Greek
ἱππεῦσι: στεῖνος γάρ, ὅθι τρώσεσθαι ὀί̈ω.
εἰ μὲν γὰρ τοὺς πάγχυ κακὰ φρονέων ἀλαπάζει
Ζεὺς ὑψιβρεμέτης, Τρώεσσι δὲ ἵετ' ἀρήγειν,
ἦ τ' ἂν ἔγωγ' ἐθέλοιμι καὶ αὐτίκα τοῦτο γενέσθαι,
70νωνύμνους ἀπολέσθαι ἀπ' Ἄργεος ἐνθάδ' Ἀχαιούς:
Transliteration
hippeusi: steinos gar, hothi trōsesthai oïō.
ei men gar tous panchu kaka phroneōn alapazei
Zeus hupsibremetēs, Trōessi de hiet' arēgein,
ē t' an egōg' etheloimi kai autika touto genesthai,
70nōnumnous apolesthai ap' Argeos enthad' Achaious:
English · Butler
the Trojans, and in his anger will utterly destroy the Achaeans, I would myself gladly see them perish now and here far from Argos; but if they should rally and we are driven back from the ships pell-mell into the trench there will be not so much as a man get back to the city to tell the tale. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say;
Homeric Greek
εἰ δέ χ' ὑποστρέψωσι, παλίωξις δὲ γένηται
ἐκ νηῶν καὶ τάφρῳ ἐνιπλήξωμεν ὀρυκτῇ,
οὐκέτ' ἔπειτ' ὀί̈ω οὐδ' ἄγγελον ἀπονέεσθαι
ἄψορρον προτὶ ἄστυ ἑλιχθέντων ὑπ' Ἀχαιῶν.
75ἀλλ' ἄγεθ' ὡς ἂν ἐγὼ εἴπω πειθώμεθα πάντες:
Transliteration
ei de ch' hupostrepsōsi, paliōxis de genētai
ek nēōn kai taphrōi eniplēxōmen oruktēi,
ouket' epeit' oïō oud' angelon aponeesthai
apsorron proti astu helichthentōn hup' Achaiōn.
75all' ageth' hōs an egō eipō peithōmetha pantes:
English · Butler
let our squires hold our horses by the trench, but let us follow Hektor in a body on foot, clad in full armor, and
Homeric Greek
ἵππους μὲν θεράποντες ἐρυκόντων ἐπὶ τάφρῳ,
αὐτοὶ δὲ πρυλέες σὺν τεύχεσι θωρηχθέντες
Ἕκτορι πάντες ἑπώμεθ' ἀολλέες: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ
οὐ μενέουσ' εἰ δή σφιν ὀλέθρου πείρατ' ἐφῆπται.
80ὣς φάτο Πουλυδάμας, ἅδε δ' Ἕκτορι μῦθος ἀπήμων,
Transliteration
hippous men therapontes erukontōn epi taphrōi,
autoi de prulees sun teuchesi thōrēchthentes
Hektori pantes hepōmeth' aollees: autar Achaioi
ou meneous' ei dē sphin olethrou peirat' ephēptai.
80hōs phato Pouludamas, hade d' Hektori muthos apēmōn,
English · Butler
if the day of their doom is at hand the Achaeans will not be able to withstand us." Thus spoke Polydamas and his saying pleased Hektor, who sprang in full armor to the ground, and all the other Trojans, when they saw him do so, also left their chariots.
Homeric Greek
αὐτίκα δ' ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε.
οὐδὲ μὲν ἄλλοι Τρῶες ἐφ' ἵππων ἠγερέθοντο,
ἀλλ' ἀπὸ πάντες ὄρουσαν, ἐπεὶ ἴδον Ἕκτορα δῖον.
ἡνιόχῳ μὲν ἔπειτα ἑῷ ἐπέτελλεν ἕκαστος
85ἵππους εὖ κατὰ κόσμον ἐρυκέμεν αὖθ' ἐπὶ τάφρῳ:
Transliteration
autika d' ex ocheōn sun teuchesin alto chamaze.
oude men alloi Trōes eph' hippōn ēgerethonto,
all' apo pantes orousan, epei idon Hektora dion.
hēniochōi men epeita heōi epetellen hekastos
85hippous eu kata kosmon erukemen auth' epi taphrōi:
English · Butler
Thus spoke Polydamas and his saying pleased Hektor, who sprang in full armor to the ground, and all the other Trojans, when they saw him do so, also left their chariots. Each man then gave his horses over to his charioteer in charge to hold them ready, in proper order, for him at the trench. Then they formed themselves into companies, made themselves ready, and in five bodies followed their leaders. Those that went with Hektor and Polydamas were the bravest and most in number, and the most determined to break through the wall and fight at the ships.
Homeric Greek
οἳ δὲ διαστάντες σφέας αὐτοὺς ἀρτύναντες
πένταχα κοσμηθέντες ἅμ' ἡγεμόνεσσιν ἕποντο.
οἳ μὲν ἅμ' Ἕκτορ' ἴσαν καὶ ἀμύμονι Πουλυδάμαντι,
οἳ πλεῖστοι καὶ ἄριστοι ἔσαν, μέμασαν δὲ μάλιστα
90τεῖχος ῥηξάμενοι κοίλῃς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ μάχεσθαι.
Transliteration
hoi de diastantes spheas autous artunantes
pentacha kosmēthentes ham' hēgemonessin heponto.
hoi men ham' Hektor' isan kai amumoni Pouludamanti,
hoi pleistoi kai aristoi esan, memasan de malista
90teichos rhēxamenoi koilēis epi nēusi machesthai.
English · Butler
Kebriones was also joined with them as third in command, for Hektor had left his chariot in charge of a less valiant warrior. The next company was led by Paris, Alkathoos, and Agenor; the third by Helenos and Deiphobos, two sons of Priam, and with them was
Homeric Greek
καί σφιν Κεβριόνης τρίτος εἵπετο: πὰρ δ' ἄρ' ὄχεσφιν
ἄλλον Κεβριόναο χερείονα κάλλιπεν Ἕκτωρ.
τῶν δ' ἑτέρων Πάρις ἦρχε καὶ Ἀλκάθοος καὶ Ἀγήνωρ,
τῶν δὲ τρίτων Ἕλενος καὶ Δηί̈φοβος θεοειδὴς
95υἷε δύω Πριάμοιο: τρίτος δ' ἦν Ἄσιος ἥρως
Transliteration
kai sphin Kebrionēs tritos heipeto: par d' ar' ochesphin
allon Kebrionao chereiona kallipen Hektōr.
tōn d' heterōn Paris ērche kai Alkathoos kai Agēnōr,
tōn de tritōn Helenos kai Dēïphobos theoeidēs
95huie duō Priamoio: tritos d' ēn Asios hērōs
English · Butler
the hero Asios - Asios the son of Hyrtakos, whose great black horses of the breed that comes from the river Selleis had brought him from Arisbe. Aeneas the valiant son of Anchises led the fourth; he and the two sons of Antenor, Arkhelokhos and Akamas, men well versed in all the arts of war.
Homeric Greek
Ἄσιος Ὑρτακίδης, ὃν Ἀρίσβηθεν φέρον ἵπποι
αἴθωνες μεγάλοι ποταμοῦ ἄπο Σελλήεντος.
τῶν δὲ τετάρτων ἦρχεν ἐὺ̈ς πάϊς Ἀγχίσαο
Αἰνείας, ἅμα τῷ γε δύω Ἀντήνορος υἷε
100Ἀρχέλοχός τ' Ἀκάμας τε μάχης εὖ εἰδότε πάσης.
Transliteration
Asios Hurtakidēs, hon Arisbēthen pheron hippoi
aithōnes megaloi potamou apo Sellēentos.
tōn de tetartōn ērchen eüs païs Anchisao
Aineias, hama tōi ge duō Antēnoros huie
100Archelochos t' Akamas te machēs eu eidote pasēs.
English · Butler
Sarpedon was leader over the allies, and took with him Glaukos and Asteropaios whom he deemed most valiant after himself - for he was far the best man of them all. These helped to array one
Homeric Greek
Σαρπηδὼν δ' ἡγήσατ' ἀγακλειτῶν ἐπικούρων,
πρὸς δ' ἕλετο Γλαῦκον καὶ ἀρήϊον Ἀστεροπαῖον:
οἳ γάρ οἱ εἴσαντο διακριδὸν εἶναι ἄριστοι
τῶν ἄλλων μετά γ' αὐτόν: ὃ δ' ἔπρεπε καὶ διὰ πάντων.
105οἳ δ' ἐπεὶ ἀλλήλους ἄραρον τυκτῇσι βόεσσι
Transliteration
Sarpēdōn d' hēgēsat' agakleitōn epikourōn,
pros d' heleto Glaukon kai arēïon Asteropaion:
hoi gar hoi eisanto diakridon einai aristoi
tōn allōn meta g' auton: ho d' eprepe kai dia pantōn.
105hoi d' epei allēlous araron tuktēisi boessi
English · Butler
another in their ox-hide shields, and then charged straight at the Danaans, for they felt sure that they would not hold out longer and
Homeric Greek
βάν ῥ' ἰθὺς Δαναῶν λελιημένοι, οὐδ' ἔτ' ἔφαντο
σχήσεσθ', ἀλλ' ἐν νηυσὶ μελαίνῃσιν πεσέεσθαι.
ἔνθ' ἄλλοι Τρῶες τηλεκλειτοί τ' ἐπίκουροι
βουλῇ Πουλυδάμαντος ἀμωμήτοιο πίθοντο:
110ἀλλ' οὐχ Ὑρτακίδης ἔθελ' Ἄσιος ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν
Transliteration
ban rh' ithus Danaōn leliēmenoi, oud' et' ephanto
schēsesth', all' en nēusi melainēisin peseesthai.
enth' alloi Trōes tēlekleitoi t' epikouroi
boulēi Pouludamantos amōmētoio pithonto:
110all' ouch Hurtakidēs ethel' Asios orchamos andrōn
English · Butler
that they should themselves now fall upon the ships. The rest of the Trojans and their allies now followed the counsel of Polydamas but Asios son of Hyrtakos would not leave his horses and his esquire behind him; in his foolhardiness he took them on with him towards the ships, nor did he fail to come by his end in consequence. Nevermore was he to return to wind-beaten Ilion, exulting in his chariot and his horses; ere he could do so, death of ill-omened name
Homeric Greek
αὖθι λιπεῖν ἵππους τε καὶ ἡνίοχον θεράποντα,
ἀλλὰ σὺν αὐτοῖσιν πέλασεν νήεσσι θοῇσι
νήπιος, οὐδ' ἄρ' ἔμελλε κακὰς ὑπὸ κῆρας ἀλύξας
ἵπποισιν καὶ ὄχεσφιν ἀγαλλόμενος παρὰ νηῶν
115ἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν προτὶ Ἴλιον ἠνεμόεσσαν:
Transliteration
authi lipein hippous te kai hēniochon theraponta,
alla sun autoisin pelasen nēessi thoēisi
nēpios, oud' ar' emelle kakas hupo kēras aluxas
hippoisin kai ochesphin agallomenos para nēōn
115aps aponostēsein proti Ilion ēnemoessan:
English · Butler
had overshadowed him and he had fallen by the spear of Idomeneus the noble son of Deukalion. He had driven towards the left wing of the ships, by which way the Achaeans used to return with their chariots and horses from the plain. Hither he drove and found the gates with their doors opened wide, and the great bar
Homeric Greek
πρόσθεν γάρ μιν μοῖρα δυσώνυμος ἀμφεκάλυψεν
ἔγχεϊ Ἰδομενῆος ἀγαυοῦ Δευκαλίδαο.
εἴσατο γὰρ νηῶν ἐπ' ἀριστερά, τῇ περ Ἀχαιοὶ
ἐκ πεδίου νίσοντο σὺν ἵπποισιν καὶ ὄχεσφι:
120τῇ ῥ' ἵππους τε καὶ ἅρμα διήλασεν, οὐδὲ πύλῃσιν
Transliteration
prosthen gar min moira dusōnumos amphekalupsen
encheï Idomenēos agauou Deukalidao.
eisato gar nēōn ep' aristera, tēi per Achaioi
ek pediou nisonto sun hippoisin kai ochesphi:
120tēi rh' hippous te kai harma diēlasen, oude pulēisin
English · Butler
down - for the gatemen kept them open so as to let those of their comrades enter who might be fleeing towards the ships. Hither of set purpose did he direct his horses, and his men followed him with a loud cry, for they felt sure that the
Homeric Greek
εὗρ' ἐπικεκλιμένας σανίδας καὶ μακρὸν ὀχῆα,
ἀλλ' ἀναπεπταμένας ἔχον ἀνέρες, εἴ τιν' ἑταίρων
ἐκ πολέμου φεύγοντα σαώσειαν μετὰ νῆας.
τῇ ῥ' ἰθὺς φρονέων ἵππους ἔχε, τοὶ δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο
125ὀξέα κεκλήγοντες: ἔφαντο γὰρ οὐκ ἔτ' Ἀχαιοὺς
Transliteration
heur' epikeklimenas sanidas kai makron ochēa,
all' anapeptamenas echon aneres, ei tin' hetairōn
ek polemou pheugonta saōseian meta nēas.
tēi rh' ithus phroneōn hippous eche, toi d' ham' heponto
125oxea keklēgontes: ephanto gar ouk et' Achaious
English · Butler
Achaeans would not hold out longer, and that they should now fall upon the ships. Little did they know that at the gates they should find two of the bravest chieftains, proud sons of the fighting Lapiths - the one, Polypoites, mighty son of Peirithoos, and the other Leonteus, peer of murderous Ares.
Homeric Greek
σχήσεσθ', ἀλλ' ἐν νηυσὶ μελαίνῃσιν πεσέεσθαι
νήπιοι, ἐν δὲ πύλῃσι δύ' ἀνέρας εὗρον ἀρίστους
υἷας ὑπερθύμους Λαπιθάων αἰχμητάων,
τὸν μὲν Πειριθόου υἷα κρατερὸν Πολυποίτην,
130τὸν δὲ Λεοντῆα βροτολοιγῷ ἶσον Ἄρηϊ.
Transliteration
schēsesth', all' en nēusi melainēisin peseesthai
nēpioi, en de pulēisi du' aneras heuron aristous
huias huperthumous Lapithaōn aichmētaōn,
ton men Peirithoou huia krateron Polupoitēn,
130ton de Leontēa brotoloigōi ison Arēï.
English · Butler
These stood before the gates like two high oak trees upon the mountains, that tower from their wide-spreading roots, and year after year battle with wind and rain - even so did these two men await the onset of great Asios confidently and without flinching.
Homeric Greek
τὼ μὲν ἄρα προπάροιθε πυλάων ὑψηλάων
ἕστασαν ὡς ὅτε τε δρύες οὔρεσιν ὑψικάρηνοι,
αἵ τ' ἄνεμον μίμνουσι καὶ ὑετὸν ἤματα πάντα
ῥίζῃσιν μεγάλῃσι διηνεκέεσσ' ἀραρυῖαι:
135ὣς ἄρα τὼ χείρεσσι πεποιθότες ἠδὲ βίηφι
Transliteration
tō men ara proparoithe pulaōn hupsēlaōn
hestasan hōs hote te drues ouresin hupsikarēnoi,
hai t' anemon mimnousi kai hueton ēmata panta
rhizēisin megalēisi diēnekeess' araruiai:
135hōs ara tō cheiressi pepoithotes ēde biēphi
English · Butler
The Trojans led by him and by Iamenos, Orestes, Adamas the son of Asios, Thoon and Oinomaos, raised a loud cry of battle and made straight for the wall, holding their shields of dry ox-hide above their heads; for a while the two defenders
Homeric Greek
μίμνον ἐπερχόμενον μέγαν Ἄσιον οὐδὲ φέβοντο.
οἳ δ' ἰθὺς πρὸς τεῖχος ἐύ̈δμητον βόας αὔας
ὑψόσ' ἀνασχόμενοι ἔκιον μεγάλῳ ἀλαλητῷ
Ἄσιον ἀμφὶ ἄνακτα καὶ Ἰαμενὸν καὶ Ὀρέστην
140Ἀσιάδην τ' Ἀδάμαντα Θόωνά τε Οἰνόμαόν τε.
Transliteration
mimnon eperchomenon megan Asion oude phebonto.
hoi d' ithus pros teichos eüdmēton boas auas
hupsos' anaschomenoi ekion megalōi alalētōi
Asion amphi anakta kai Iamenon kai Orestēn
140Asiadēn t' Adamanta Thoōna te Oinomaon te.
English · Butler
remained inside and cheered the Achaeans on to stand firm in the defense of their ships; when, however, they saw that the Trojans were attacking the wall, while the Danaans were crying out for help and being
Homeric Greek
οἳ δ' ἤτοι εἷος μὲν ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιοὺς
ὄρνυον ἔνδον ἐόντες ἀμύνεσθαι περὶ νηῶν:
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τεῖχος ἐπεσσυμένους ἐνόησαν
Τρῶας, ἀτὰρ Δαναῶν γένετο ἰαχή τε φόβος τε,
145ἐκ δὲ τὼ ἀί̈ξαντε πυλάων πρόσθε μαχέσθην
Transliteration
hoi d' ētoi heios men eüknēmidas Achaious
ornuon endon eontes amunesthai peri nēōn:
autar epei dē teichos epessumenous enoēsan
Trōas, atar Danaōn geneto iachē te phobos te,
145ek de tō aïxante pulaōn prosthe machesthēn
English · Butler
routed, they rushed outside and fought in front of the gates like two wild boars upon the mountains that abide the attack of men and dogs, and charging
Homeric Greek
ἀγροτέροισι σύεσσιν ἐοικότε, τώ τ' ἐν ὄρεσσιν
ἀνδρῶν ἠδὲ κυνῶν δέχαται κολοσυρτὸν ἰόντα,
δοχμώ τ' ἀί̈σσοντε περὶ σφίσιν ἄγνυτον ὕλην
πρυμνὴν ἐκτάμνοντες, ὑπαὶ δέ τε κόμπος ὀδόντων
150γίγνεται εἰς ὅ κέ τίς τε βαλὼν ἐκ θυμὸν ἕληται:
Transliteration
agroteroisi suessin eoikote, tō t' en oressin
andrōn ēde kunōn dechatai kolosurton ionta,
dochmō t' aïssonte peri sphisin agnuton hulēn
prumnēn ektamnontes, hupai de te kompos odontōn
150gignetai eis ho ke tis te balōn ek thumon helētai:
English · Butler
on either side break down the wood all round them tearing it up by the roots, and one can hear the clattering of their tusks, till some one hits them and makes an end of them - even so did the gleaming bronze rattle about their breasts, as the weapons fell upon them; for they fought with great fury, trusting to their own prowess and to those who were on the wall above them. These threw great stones at their assailants in defense of themselves their tents and their ships.
Homeric Greek
ὣς τῶν κόμπει χαλκὸς ἐπὶ στήθεσσι φαεινὸς
ἄντην βαλλομένων: μάλα γὰρ κρατερῶς ἐμάχοντο
λαοῖσιν καθύπερθε πεποιθότες ἠδὲ βίηφιν.
οἳ δ' ἄρα χερμαδίοισιν ἐϋδμήτων ἀπὸ πύργων
155βάλλον ἀμυνόμενοι σφῶν τ' αὐτῶν καὶ κλισιάων
Transliteration
hōs tōn kompei chalkos epi stēthessi phaeinos
antēn ballomenōn: mala gar kraterōs emachonto
laoisin kathuperthe pepoithotes ēde biēphin.
hoi d' ara chermadioisin eüdmētōn apo purgōn
155ballon amunomenoi sphōn t' autōn kai klisiaōn
English · Butler
The stones fell thick as the flakes of snow which some fierce blast drives from the dark clouds and showers down in sheets upon the earth - even so fell the weapons from the hands alike of Trojans and Achaeans. Helmet and shield rang out as the
Homeric Greek
νηῶν τ' ὠκυπόρων: νιφάδες δ' ὡς πῖπτον ἔραζε,
ἅς τ' ἄνεμος ζαὴς νέφεα σκιόεντα δονήσας
ταρφειὰς κατέχευεν ἐπὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ:
ὣς τῶν ἐκ χειρῶν βέλεα ῥέον ἠμὲν Ἀχαιῶν
160ἠδὲ καὶ ἐκ Τρώων: κόρυθες δ' ἀμφ' αὖον ἀύ̈τευν
Transliteration
nēōn t' ōkuporōn: niphades d' hōs pipton eraze,
has t' anemos zaēs nephea skioenta donēsas
tarpheias katecheuen epi chthoni pouluboteirēi:
hōs tōn ek cheirōn belea rheon ēmen Achaiōn
160ēde kai ek Trōōn: koruthes d' amph' auon aüteun
English · Butler
great stones rained upon them, and Asios the son of Hyrtakos in his dismay cried aloud and smote his two thighs. "Father Zeus," he cried, "of a truth you too are altogether given to lying. I made sure the Argive heroes could not withstand us, whereas like
Homeric Greek
βαλλομένων μυλάκεσσι καὶ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι.
δή ῥα τότ' ᾤμωξεν καὶ ὣ πεπλήγετο μηρὼ
Ἄσιος Ὑρτακίδης, καὶ ἀλαστήσας ἔπος ηὔδα:
Ζεῦ πάτερ ἦ ῥά νυ καὶ σὺ φιλοψευδὴς ἐτέτυξο
165πάγχυ μάλ': οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγ' ἐφάμην ἥρωας Ἀχαιοὺς
Transliteration
ballomenōn mulakessi kai aspides omphaloessai.
dē rha tot' ōimōxen kai hō peplēgeto mērō
Asios Hurtakidēs, kai alastēsas epos ēuda:
Zeu pater ē rha nu kai su philopseudēs etetuxo
165panchu mal': ou gar egōg' ephamēn hērōas Achaious
English · Butler
slim-waisted wasps, or bees that have their nests in the rocks by the wayside - they leave not the holes wherein they have built undefended, but fight for their little
Homeric Greek
σχήσειν ἡμέτερόν γε μένος καὶ χεῖρας ἀάπτους.
οἳ δ', ὥς τε σφῆκες μέσον αἰόλοι ἠὲ μέλισσαι
οἰκία ποιήσωνται ὁδῷ ἔπι παιπαλοέσσῃ,
οὐδ' ἀπολείπουσιν κοῖλον δόμον, ἀλλὰ μένοντες
170ἄνδρας θηρητῆρας ἀμύνονται περὶ τέκνων,
Transliteration
schēsein hēmeteron ge menos kai cheiras aaptous.
hoi d', hōs te sphēkes meson aioloi ēe melissai
oikia poiēsōntai hodōi epi paipaloessēi,
oud' apoleipousin koilon domon, alla menontes
170andras thērētēras amunontai peri teknōn,
English · Butler
ones against all who would take them - even so these men, though they be but two, will not be driven from the gates, but stand firm either
Homeric Greek
ὣς οἵ γ' οὐκ ἐθέλουσι πυλάων καὶ δύ' ἐόντε
χάσσασθαι πρίν γ' ἠὲ κατακτάμεν ἠὲ ἁλῶναι.
ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδὲ Διὸς πεῖθε φρένα ταῦτ' ἀγορεύων:
Ἕκτορι γάρ οἱ θυμὸς ἐβούλετο κῦδος ὀρέξαι.
175ἄλλοι δ' ἀμφ' ἄλλῃσι μάχην ἐμάχοντο πύλῃσιν:
Transliteration
hōs hoi g' ouk ethelousi pulaōn kai du' eonte
chassasthai prin g' ēe kataktamen ēe halōnai.
hōs ephat', oude Dios peithe phrena taut' agoreuōn:
Hektori gar hoi thumos ebouleto kudos orexai.
175alloi d' amph' allēisi machēn emachonto pulēisin:
English · Butler
to slay or be slain." He spoke, but moved not the mind of Zeus, whose counsel it then was to give glory to Hektor. Meanwhile the rest of the Trojans were fighting about the other gates; I, however, am no god to be able to tell about all these things, for the
Homeric Greek
ἀργαλέον δέ με ταῦτα θεὸν ὣς πάντ' ἀγορεῦσαι:
πάντῃ γὰρ περὶ τεῖχος ὀρώρει θεσπιδαὲς πῦρ
λάϊνον: Ἀργεῖοι δὲ καὶ ἀχνύμενοί περ ἀνάγκῃ
νηῶν ἠμύνοντο: θεοὶ δ' ἀκαχήατο θυμὸν
180πάντες ὅσοι Δαναοῖσι μάχης ἐπιτάρροθοι ἦσαν.
Transliteration
argaleon de me tauta theon hōs pant' agoreusai:
pantēi gar peri teichos orōrei thespidaes pur
laïnon: Argeioi de kai achnumenoi per anankēi
nēōn ēmunonto: theoi d' akachēato thumon
180pantes hosoi Danaoisi machēs epitarrothoi ēsan.
English · Butler
battle raged everywhere about the stone wall as it were a fiery furnace. The Argives, discomfited though they were, were forced to defend their ships, and all the gods who were defending the Achaeans were vexed in spirit; but the Lapiths kept on fighting with
Homeric Greek
σὺν δ' ἔβαλον Λαπίθαι πόλεμον καὶ δηϊοτῆτα.
ἔνθ' αὖ Πειριθόου υἱὸς κρατερὸς Πολυποίτης
δουρὶ βάλεν Δάμασον κυνέης διὰ χαλκοπαρῄου:
οὐδ' ἄρα χαλκείη κόρυς ἔσχεθεν, ἀλλὰ διὰ πρὸ
185αἰχμὴ χαλκείη ῥῆξ' ὀστέον, ἐγκέφαλος δὲ
Transliteration
sun d' ebalon Lapithai polemon kai dēïotēta.
enth' au Peirithoou huios krateros Polupoitēs
douri balen Damason kuneēs dia chalkoparēiou:
oud' ara chalkeiē korus eschethen, alla dia pro
185aichmē chalkeiē rhēx' osteon, enkephalos de
English · Butler
might and main. Thereon Polypoites, mighty son of Peirithoos, hit Damasos with a spear upon his cheek-pierced helmet. The helmet did not protect him, for the point of the spear went through it, and broke the bone, so that the brain inside was scattered about, and he died fighting.
Homeric Greek
ἔνδον ἅπας πεπάλακτο: δάμασσε δέ μιν μεμαῶτα:
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα Πύλωνα καὶ Ὄρμενον ἐξενάριξεν.
υἱὸν δ' Ἀντιμάχοιο Λεοντεὺς ὄζος Ἄρηος
Ἱππόμαχον βάλε δουρὶ κατὰ ζωστῆρα τυχήσας.
190αὖτις δ' ἐκ κολεοῖο ἐρυσσάμενος ξίφος ὀξὺ
Transliteration
endon hapas pepalakto: damasse de min memaōta:
autar epeita Pulōna kai Ormenon exenarixen.
huion d' Antimachoio Leonteus ozos Arēos
Hippomachon bale douri kata zōstēra tuchēsas.
190autis d' ek koleoio erussamenos xiphos oxu
English · Butler
He then slew Pylon and Ormenus. Leonteus, of the race of Ares, killed Hippomakhos the son of Antimakhos by striking him with his spear upon the belt. He then drew his sword and sprang first upon Antiphates whom he killed in combat, and who fell face upwards on the earth.
Homeric Greek
Ἀντιφάτην μὲν πρῶτον ἐπαί̈ξας δι' ὁμίλου
πλῆξ' αὐτοσχεδίην: ὃ δ' ἄρ' ὕπτιος οὔδει ἐρείσθη:
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα Μένωνα καὶ Ἰαμενὸν καὶ Ὀρέστην
πάντας ἐπασσυτέρους πέλασε χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ.
195ὄφρ' οἳ τοὺς ἐνάριζον ἀπ' ἔντεα μαρμαίροντα,
Transliteration
Antiphatēn men prōton epaïxas di' homilou
plēx' autoschediēn: ho d' ar' huptios oudei ereisthē:
autar epeita Menōna kai Iamenon kai Orestēn
pantas epassuterous pelase chthoni pouluboteirēi.
195ophr' hoi tous enarizon ap' entea marmaironta,
English · Butler
After him he killed Menon, Iamenos, and Orestes, and laid them low one after the other. While they were busy stripping the armor from these heroes, the youths who were led on by Polydamas and Hektor (and these were the greater part and the most valiant of those that were trying to break through the wall and fire the ships) were still standing by the trench, uncertain what they should do; for they had seen a sign from heaven when they had essayed to cross it - a soaring eagle that flew skirting the left wing of their host, with a monstrous blood-red snake in its talons still alive and struggling to escape.
Homeric Greek
τόφρ' οἳ Πουλυδάμαντι καὶ Ἕκτορι κοῦροι ἕποντο,
οἳ πλεῖστοι καὶ ἄριστοι ἔσαν, μέμασαν δὲ μάλιστα
τεῖχός τε ῥήξειν καὶ ἐνιπρήσειν πυρὶ νῆας,
οἵ ῥ' ἔτι μερμήριζον ἐφεσταότες παρὰ τάφρῳ.
200ὄρνις γάρ σφιν ἐπῆλθε περησέμεναι μεμαῶσιν
Transliteration
tophr' hoi Pouludamanti kai Hektori kouroi heponto,
hoi pleistoi kai aristoi esan, memasan de malista
teichos te rhēxein kai eniprēsein puri nēas,
hoi rh' eti mermērizon ephestaotes para taphrōi.
200ornis gar sphin epēlthe perēsemenai memaōsin
English · Butler
While they were busy stripping the armor from these heroes, the youths who were led on by Polydamas and Hektor (and these were the greater part and the most valiant of those that were trying to break through the wall and fire the ships) were still standing by the trench, uncertain what they should do; for they had seen a sign from heaven when they had essayed to cross it - a soaring eagle that flew skirting the left wing of their host, with a monstrous blood-red snake in its talons still alive and struggling to escape. The snake was still bent on revenge, wriggling and twisting itself backwards till it struck the bird that held it, on the neck and breast; whereon the bird being in pain, let it fall, dropping it into the middle of the host, and then flew down the wind with a sharp cry. The Trojans were struck with terror when
Homeric Greek
αἰετὸς ὑψιπέτης ἐπ' ἀριστερὰ λαὸν ἐέργων
φοινήεντα δράκοντα φέρων ὀνύχεσσι πέλωρον
ζωὸν ἔτ' ἀσπαίροντα, καὶ οὔ πω λήθετο χάρμης,
κόψε γὰρ αὐτὸν ἔχοντα κατὰ στῆθος παρὰ δειρὴν
205ἰδνωθεὶς ὀπίσω: ὃ δ' ἀπὸ ἕθεν ἧκε χαμᾶζε
Transliteration
aietos hupsipetēs ep' aristera laon eergōn
phoinēenta drakonta pherōn onuchessi pelōron
zōon et' aspaironta, kai ou pō lētheto charmēs,
kopse gar auton echonta kata stēthos para deirēn
205idnōtheis opisō: ho d' apo hethen hēke chamaze
English · Butler
they saw the snake, portent of aegis-bearing Zeus, writhing in the midst of them, and Polydamas went up to Hektor and said, "Hektor, at our councils of war you are ever given to rebuke me, even
Homeric Greek
ἀλγήσας ὀδύνῃσι, μέσῳ δ' ἐνὶ κάββαλ' ὁμίλῳ,
αὐτὸς δὲ κλάγξας πέτετο πνοιῇς ἀνέμοιο.
Τρῶες δ' ἐρρίγησαν ὅπως ἴδον αἰόλον ὄφιν
κείμενον ἐν μέσσοισι Διὸς τέρας αἰγιόχοιο.
210δὴ τότε Πουλυδάμας θρασὺν Ἕκτορα εἶπε παραστάς:
Transliteration
algēsas odunēisi, mesōi d' eni kabbal' homilōi,
autos de klanxas peteto pnoiēis anemoio.
Trōes d' errigēsan hopōs idon aiolon ophin
keimenon en messoisi Dios teras aigiochoio.
210dē tote Pouludamas thrasun Hektora eipe parastas:
English · Butler
when I speak wisely, as though it were not well, indeed, that one of the people of the local district should cross your will either in the field or at the council board; you would have them support you always: nevertheless I will say what I think will be best;
Homeric Greek
Ἕκτορ ἀεὶ μέν πώς μοι ἐπιπλήσσεις ἀγορῇσιν
ἐσθλὰ φραζομένῳ, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδὲ ἔοικε
δῆμον ἐόντα παρὲξ ἀγορευέμεν, οὔτ' ἐνὶ βουλῇ
οὔτέ ποτ' ἐν πολέμῳ, σὸν δὲ κράτος αἰὲν ἀέξειν:
215νῦν αὖτ' ἐξερέω ὥς μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι ἄριστα.
Transliteration
Hektor aei men pōs moi epiplēsseis agorēisin
esthla phrazomenōi, epei oude men oude eoike
dēmon eonta parex agoreuemen, out' eni boulēi
oute pot' en polemōi, son de kratos aien aexein:
215nun aut' exereō hōs moi dokei einai arista.
English · Butler
let us not now go on to fight the Danaans at their ships, for I know what will happen if this soaring eagle which skirted the left wing of our with a monstrous
Homeric Greek
μὴ ἴομεν Δαναοῖσι μαχησόμενοι περὶ νηῶν.
ὧδε γὰρ ἐκτελέεσθαι ὀί̈ομαι, εἰ ἐτεόν γε
Τρωσὶν ὅδ' ὄρνις ἦλθε περησέμεναι μεμαῶσιν
αἰετὸς ὑψιπέτης ἐπ' ἀριστερὰ λαὸν ἐέργων
220φοινήεντα δράκοντα φέρων ὀνύχεσσι πέλωρον
Transliteration
mē iomen Danaoisi machēsomenoi peri nēōn.
hōde gar ekteleesthai oïomai, ei eteon ge
Trōsin hod' ornis ēlthe perēsemenai memaōsin
aietos hupsipetēs ep' aristera laon eergōn
220phoinēenta drakonta pherōn onuchessi pelōron
English · Butler
blood-red snake in its talons (the snake being still alive) was really sent as an omen to the Trojans on their essaying to cross the trench. The eagle let go her hold; she did not succeed in
Homeric Greek
ζωόν: ἄφαρ δ' ἀφέηκε πάρος φίλα οἰκί' ἱκέσθαι,
οὐδ' ἐτέλεσσε φέρων δόμεναι τεκέεσσιν ἑοῖσιν.
ὣς ἡμεῖς, εἴ πέρ τε πύλας καὶ τεῖχος Ἀχαιῶν
ῥηξόμεθα σθένεϊ μεγάλῳ, εἴξωσι δ' Ἀχαιοί,
225οὐ κόσμῳ παρὰ ναῦφιν ἐλευσόμεθ' αὐτὰ κέλευθα:
Transliteration
zōon: aphar d' apheēke paros phila oiki' hikesthai,
oud' etelesse pherōn domenai tekeessin heoisin.
hōs hēmeis, ei per te pulas kai teichos Achaiōn
rhēxometha stheneï megalōi, eixōsi d' Achaioi,
225ou kosmōi para nauphin eleusometh' auta keleutha:
English · Butler
taking it home to her little ones, and so will it be - with ourselves; even though by a mighty effort we break through the gates and wall of the Achaeans, and they give way before us, still we shall not return in good order by the way we came, but shall leave many a man behind us whom the Achaeans will do to death in defense of their ships. Thus would any seer
Homeric Greek
πολλοὺς γὰρ Τρώων καταλείψομεν, οὕς κεν Ἀχαιοὶ
χαλκῷ δῃώσωσιν ἀμυνόμενοι περὶ νηῶν.
ὧδέ χ' ὑποκρίναιτο θεοπρόπος, ὃς σάφα θυμῷ
εἰδείη τεράων καί οἱ πειθοίατο λαοί.
230τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ:
Transliteration
pollous gar Trōōn kataleipsomen, hous ken Achaioi
chalkōi dēiōsōsin amunomenoi peri nēōn.
hōde ch' hupokrinaito theopropos, hos sapha thumōi
eideiē teraōn kai hoi peithoiato laoi.
230ton d' ar' hupodra idōn prosephē koruthaiolos Hektōr:
English · Butler
who was expert in these matters, and was trusted by the people, read the portent." Hektor looked fiercely at him and said, "Polydamas, I like not of your reading.
Homeric Greek
Πουλυδάμα, σὺ μὲν οὐκ ἔτ' ἐμοὶ φίλα ταῦτ' ἀγορεύεις:
οἶσθα καὶ ἄλλον μῦθον ἀμείνονα τοῦδε νοῆσαι.
εἰ δ' ἐτεὸν δὴ τοῦτον ἀπὸ σπουδῆς ἀγορεύεις,
ἐξ ἄρα δή τοι ἔπειτα θεοὶ φρένας ὤλεσαν αὐτοί,
235ὃς κέλεαι Ζηνὸς μὲν ἐριγδούποιο λαθέσθαι
Transliteration
Pouludama, su men ouk et' emoi phila taut' agoreueis:
oistha kai allon muthon ameinona toude noēsai.
ei d' eteon dē touton apo spoudēs agoreueis,
ex ara dē toi epeita theoi phrenas ōlesan autoi,
235hos keleai Zēnos men erigdoupoio lathesthai
English · Butler
Hektor looked fiercely at him and said, "Polydamas, I like not of your reading. You can find a better saying than this if you will. If, however, you have spoken in good earnest, then indeed has heaven robbed you of your reason. You would have me pay no heed to the counsels of Zeus, nor to the promises he made me - and he bowed his head in confirmation; you bid me be ruled rather by the flight of wild-fowl.
Homeric Greek
βουλέων, ἅς τέ μοι αὐτὸς ὑπέσχετο καὶ κατένευσε:
τύνη δ' οἰωνοῖσι τανυπτερύγεσσι κελεύεις
πείθεσθαι, τῶν οὔ τι μετατρέπομ' οὐδ' ἀλεγίζω
εἴτ' ἐπὶ δεξί' ἴωσι πρὸς ἠῶ τ' ἠέλιόν τε,
240εἴτ' ἐπ' ἀριστερὰ τοί γε ποτὶ ζόφον ἠερόεντα.
Transliteration
bouleōn, has te moi autos hupescheto kai kateneuse:
tunē d' oiōnoisi tanupterugessi keleueis
peithesthai, tōn ou ti metatrepom' oud' alegizō
eit' epi dexi' iōsi pros ēō t' ēelion te,
240eit' ep' aristera toi ge poti zophon ēeroenta.
English · Butler
What care I whether they flee towards dawn or dark, and whether they be on my right hand or on my left? Let us put our trust rather in the counsel of great Zeus, king of mortals and immortals. There is one omen, and one only - that a man should fight for his country. Why are you so fearful?
Homeric Greek
ἡμεῖς δὲ μεγάλοιο Διὸς πειθώμεθα βουλῇ,
ὃς πᾶσι θνητοῖσι καὶ ἀθανάτοισιν ἀνάσσει.
εἷς οἰωνὸς ἄριστος ἀμύνεσθαι περὶ πάτρης.
τίπτε σὺ δείδοικας πόλεμον καὶ δηϊοτῆτα;
245εἴ περ γάρ τ' ἄλλοι γε περὶ κτεινώμεθα πάντες
Transliteration
hēmeis de megaloio Dios peithōmetha boulēi,
hos pasi thnētoisi kai athanatoisin anassei.
heis oiōnos aristos amunesthai peri patrēs.
tipte su deidoikas polemon kai dēïotēta;
245ei per gar t' alloi ge peri kteinōmetha pantes
English · Butler
Though we be all of us slain at the ships of the Argives you are not likely to be killed yourself, for you are not steadfast nor courageous. If you will.
Homeric Greek
νηυσὶν ἐπ' Ἀργείων, σοὶ δ' οὐ δέος ἔστ' ἀπολέσθαι:
οὐ γάρ τοι κραδίη μενεδήϊος οὐδὲ μαχήμων.
εἰ δὲ σὺ δηϊοτῆτος ἀφέξεαι, ἠέ τιν' ἄλλον
παρφάμενος ἐπέεσσιν ἀποτρέψεις πολέμοιο,
250αὐτίκ' ἐμῷ ὑπὸ δουρὶ τυπεὶς ἀπὸ θυμὸν ὀλέσσεις.
Transliteration
nēusin ep' Argeiōn, soi d' ou deos est' apolesthai:
ou gar toi kradiē menedēïos oude machēmōn.
ei de su dēïotētos aphexeai, ēe tin' allon
parphamenos epeessin apotrepseis polemoio,
250autik' emōi hupo douri tupeis apo thumon olesseis.
English · Butler
not fight, or would talk others over from doing so, you shall fall forthwith before my spear."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο, τοὶ δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο
ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ: ἐπὶ δὲ Ζεὺς τερπικέραυνος
ὦρσεν ἀπ' Ἰδαίων ὀρέων ἀνέμοιο θύελλαν,
ἥ ῥ' ἰθὺς νηῶν κονίην φέρεν: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιῶν
255θέλγε νόον, Τρωσὶν δὲ καὶ Ἕκτορι κῦδος ὄπαζε.
Transliteration
hōs ara phōnēsas hēgēsato, toi d' ham' heponto
ēchēi thespesiēi: epi de Zeus terpikeraunos
ōrsen ap' Idaiōn oreōn anemoio thuellan,
hē rh' ithus nēōn koniēn pheren: autar Achaiōn
255thelge noon, Trōsin de kai Hektori kudos opaze.
English · Butler
With these words he led the way, and the others followed after with a cry that rent the air. Then Zeus the lord of thunder sent the blast of a mighty wind from the mountains of Ida, that bore the dust down towards the ships; he thus lulled the thinking of the Achaeans into security, and gave victory to Hektor and to the Trojans, who, trusting to
Homeric Greek
τοῦ περ δὴ τεράεσσι πεποιθότες ἠδὲ βίηφι
ῥήγνυσθαι μέγα τεῖχος Ἀχαιῶν πειρήτιζον.
κρόσσας μὲν πύργων ἔρυον, καὶ ἔρειπον ἐπάλξεις,
στήλας τε προβλῆτας ἐμόχλεον, ἃς ἄρ' Ἀχαιοὶ
260πρώτας ἐν γαίῃ θέσαν ἔμμεναι ἔχματα πύργων.
Transliteration
tou per dē teraessi pepoithotes ēde biēphi
rhēgnusthai mega teichos Achaiōn peirētizon.
krossas men purgōn eruon, kai ereipon epalxeis,
stēlas te problētas emochleon, has ar' Achaioi
260prōtas en gaiēi thesan emmenai echmata purgōn.
English · Butler
their own might and to the signs he had shown them, essayed to break through the great wall of the Achaeans. They tore down the breastworks from the walls, and overthrew the battlements; they upheaved the buttresses, which the Achaeans had set in front of the wall in order to support it; when they had pulled these down they made sure of breaking through the wall, but the Danaans still showed no sign of giving ground;
Homeric Greek
τὰς οἵ γ' αὐέρυον, ἔλποντο δὲ τεῖχος Ἀχαιῶν
ῥήξειν: οὐδέ νύ πω Δαναοὶ χάζοντο κελεύθου,
ἀλλ' οἵ γε ῥινοῖσι βοῶν φράξαντες ἐπάλξεις
βάλλον ἀπ' αὐτάων δηί̈ους ὑπὸ τεῖχος ἰόντας.
265ἀμφοτέρω δ' Αἴαντε κελευτιόωντ' ἐπὶ πύργων
Transliteration
tas hoi g' aueruon, elponto de teichos Achaiōn
rhēxein: oude nu pō Danaoi chazonto keleuthou,
all' hoi ge rhinoisi boōn phraxantes epalxeis
ballon ap' autaōn dēïous hupo teichos iontas.
265amphoterō d' Aiante keleutioōnt' epi purgōn
English · Butler
they still fenced the battlements with their shields of ox-hide, and hurled their missiles down upon the foe as soon as any came below the wall. The two Ajaxes went about everywhere on the walls cheering on the Achaeans, giving fair words to some while they spoke sharply to any one whom they saw to be remiss.
Homeric Greek
πάντοσε φοιτήτην μένος ὀτρύνοντες Ἀχαιῶν.
ἄλλον μειλιχίοις, ἄλλον στερεοῖς ἐπέεσσι
νείκεον, ὅν τινα πάγχυ μάχης μεθιέντα ἴδοιεν:
ὦ φίλοι Ἀργείων ὅς τ' ἔξοχος ὅς τε μεσήεις
270ὅς τε χερειότερος, ἐπεὶ οὔ πω πάντες ὁμοῖοι
Transliteration
pantose phoitētēn menos otrunontes Achaiōn.
allon meilichiois, allon stereois epeessi
neikeon, hon tina panchu machēs methienta idoien:
ō philoi Argeiōn hos t' exochos hos te mesēeis
270hos te chereioteros, epei ou pō pantes homoioi
English · Butler
The two Ajaxes went about everywhere on the walls cheering on the Achaeans, giving fair words to some while they spoke sharply to any one whom they saw to be remiss. "My friends," they cried, "Argives one and all - good bad and indifferent, for there was never fight yet, in which all were of equal prowess - there is now work enough, as you very well know, for all of you. See that you none of you turn in
Homeric Greek
ἀνέρες ἐν πολέμῳ, νῦν ἔπλετο ἔργον ἅπασι:
καὶ δ' αὐτοὶ τόδε που γιγνώσκετε. μή τις ὀπίσσω
τετράφθω ποτὶ νῆας ὁμοκλητῆρος ἀκούσας,
ἀλλὰ πρόσω ἵεσθε καὶ ἀλλήλοισι κέλεσθε,
275αἴ κε Ζεὺς δώῃσιν Ὀλύμπιος ἀστεροπητὴς
Transliteration
aneres en polemōi, nun epleto ergon hapasi:
kai d' autoi tode pou gignōskete. mē tis opissō
tetraphthō poti nēas homoklētēros akousas,
alla prosō hiesthe kai allēloisi kelesthe,
275ai ke Zeus dōēisin Olumpios asteropētēs
English · Butler
flight towards the ships, daunted by the shouting of the foe, but press forward and keep one another in heart, if it may so be that Olympian Zeus the lord of lightning will grant us to repel our foes,
Homeric Greek
νεῖκος ἀπωσαμένους δηί̈ους προτὶ ἄστυ δίεσθαι.
ὣς τώ γε προβοῶντε μάχην ὄτρυνον Ἀχαιῶν.
τῶν δ', ὥς τε νιφάδες χιόνος πίπτωσι θαμειαὶ
ἤματι χειμερίῳ, ὅτε τ' ὤρετο μητίετα Ζεὺς
280νιφέμεν ἀνθρώποισι πιφαυσκόμενος τὰ ἃ κῆλα:
Transliteration
neikos apōsamenous dēïous proti astu diesthai.
hōs tō ge proboōnte machēn otrunon Achaiōn.
tōn d', hōs te niphades chionos piptōsi thameiai
ēmati cheimeriōi, hote t' ōreto mētieta Zeus
280niphemen anthrōpoisi piphauskomenos ta ha kēla:
English · Butler
and drive them back towards the city." Thus did the two go about shouting and cheering the Achaeans on. As the flakes that fall thick upon a winter's day, when Zeus is minded to snow and to display these his arrows to humankind - he lulls the wind to rest, and snows hour after hour
Homeric Greek
κοιμήσας δ' ἀνέμους χέει ἔμπεδον, ὄφρα καλύψῃ
ὑψηλῶν ὀρέων κορυφὰς καὶ πρώονας ἄκρους
καὶ πεδία λωτοῦντα καὶ ἀνδρῶν πίονα ἔργα,
καί τ' ἐφ' ἁλὸς πολιῆς κέχυται λιμέσιν τε καὶ ἀκταῖς,
285κῦμα δέ μιν προσπλάζον ἐρύκεται: ἄλλά τε πάντα
Transliteration
koimēsas d' anemous cheei empedon, ophra kalupsēi
hupsēlōn oreōn koruphas kai prōonas akrous
kai pedia lōtounta kai andrōn piona erga,
kai t' eph' halos poliēs kechutai limesin te kai aktais,
285kuma de min prosplazon eruketai: alla te panta
English · Butler
till he has buried the tops of the high mountains, the headlands that jut into the sea, the grassy plains, and the tilled fields of men; the snow lies deep upon the forelands, and havens of the gray sea, but the waves as they come rolling in stay it that it can come no further, though all else is wrapped as
Homeric Greek
εἴλυται καθύπερθ', ὅτ' ἐπιβρίσῃ Διὸς ὄμβρος:
ὣς τῶν ἀμφοτέρωσε λίθοι πωτῶντο θαμειαί,
αἱ μὲν ἄρ' ἐς Τρῶας, αἱ δ' ἐκ Τρώων ἐς Ἀχαιούς,
βαλλομένων: τὸ δὲ τεῖχος ὕπερ πᾶν δοῦπος ὀρώρει.
290οὐδ' ἄν πω τότε γε Τρῶες καὶ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ
Transliteration
eilutai kathuperth', hot' epibrisēi Dios ombros:
hōs tōn amphoterōse lithoi pōtōnto thameiai,
hai men ar' es Trōas, hai d' ek Trōōn es Achaious,
ballomenōn: to de teichos huper pan doupos orōrei.
290oud' an pō tote ge Trōes kai phaidimos Hektōr
English · Butler
with a mantle so heavy are the heavens with snow - even thus thickly did the stones fall on one side and on the other, some thrown at the Trojans, and some by the Trojans at the Achaeans; and the whole wall was in an uproar. Still the Trojans and brave Hektor would not yet have broken down the gates and the great bar, had not Zeus turned his son Sarpedon against the Argives as a lion against a herd of horned cattle.
Homeric Greek
τείχεος ἐρρήξαντο πύλας καὶ μακρὸν ὀχῆα,
εἰ μὴ ἄρ' υἱὸν ἑὸν Σαρπηδόνα μητίετα Ζεὺς
ὦρσεν ἐπ' Ἀργείοισι λέονθ' ὣς βουσὶν ἕλιξιν.
αὐτίκα δ' ἀσπίδα μὲν πρόσθ' ἔσχετο πάντοσ' ἐί̈σην
295καλὴν χαλκείην ἐξήλατον, ἣν ἄρα χαλκεὺς
Transliteration
teicheos errēxanto pulas kai makron ochēa,
ei mē ar' huion heon Sarpēdona mētieta Zeus
ōrsen ep' Argeioisi leonth' hōs bousin helixin.
autika d' aspida men prosth' escheto pantos' eïsēn
295kalēn chalkeiēn exēlaton, hēn ara chalkeus
English · Butler
Still the Trojans and brave Hektor would not yet have broken down the gates and the great bar, had not Zeus turned his son Sarpedon against the Argives as a lion against a herd of horned cattle. Before him he held his shield of hammered bronze, that the smith had beaten so fair and round, and had lined with ox hides which he
Homeric Greek
ἤλασεν, ἔντοσθεν δὲ βοείας ῥάψε θαμειὰς
χρυσείῃς ῥάβδοισι διηνεκέσιν περὶ κύκλον.
τὴν ἄρ' ὅ γε πρόσθε σχόμενος δύο δοῦρε τινάσσων
βῆ ῥ' ἴμεν ὥς τε λέων ὀρεσίτροφος, ὅς τ' ἐπιδευὴς
300δηρὸν ἔῃ κρειῶν, κέλεται δέ ἑ θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ
Transliteration
ēlasen, entosthen de boeias rhapse thameias
chruseiēis rhabdoisi diēnekesin peri kuklon.
tēn ar' ho ge prosthe schomenos duo doure tinassōn
bē rh' imen hōs te leōn oresitrophos, hos t' epideuēs
300dēron eēi kreiōn, keletai de he thumos agēnōr
English · Butler
had made fast with rivets of gold all round the shield; this he held in front of him, and brandishing his two spears came on like some lion of the wilderness, who has been long famished for want of meat and will dare break even into a well-fenced homestead to try and get at the sheep. He may find the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks with dogs and spears, but he is in
Homeric Greek
μήλων πειρήσοντα καὶ ἐς πυκινὸν δόμον ἐλθεῖν:
εἴ περ γάρ χ' εὕρῃσι παρ' αὐτόφι βώτορας ἄνδρας
σὺν κυσὶ καὶ δούρεσσι φυλάσσοντας περὶ μῆλα,
οὔ ῥά τ' ἀπείρητος μέμονε σταθμοῖο δίεσθαι,
305ἀλλ' ὅ γ' ἄρ' ἢ ἥρπαξε μετάλμενος, ἠὲ καὶ αὐτὸς
Transliteration
mēlōn peirēsonta kai es pukinon domon elthein:
ei per gar ch' heurēisi par' autophi bōtoras andras
sun kusi kai douressi phulassontas peri mēla,
ou rha t' apeirētos memone stathmoio diesthai,
305all' ho g' ar' ē hērpaxe metalmenos, ēe kai autos
English · Butler
no mind to be driven from the fold till he has had a try for it; he will either spring on a sheep and carry it off, or be hit by a spear from strong hand - even so was Sarpedon fain to attack the wall and break down its battlements. Then he said to Glaukos son of Hippolokhos,
Homeric Greek
ἔβλητ' ἐν πρώτοισι θοῆς ἀπὸ χειρὸς ἄκοντι:
ὥς ῥα τότ' ἀντίθεον Σαρπηδόνα θυμὸς ἀνῆκε
τεῖχος ἐπαί̈ξαι διά τε ῥήξασθαι ἐπάλξεις.
αὐτίκα δὲ Γλαῦκον προσέφη παῖδ' Ἱππολόχοιο:
310Γλαῦκε τί ἢ δὴ νῶϊ τετιμήμεσθα μάλιστα
Transliteration
eblēt' en prōtoisi thoēs apo cheiros akonti:
hōs rha tot' antitheon Sarpēdona thumos anēke
teichos epaïxai dia te rhēxasthai epalxeis.
autika de Glaukon prosephē paid' Hippolochoio:
310Glauke ti ē dē nōï tetimēmestha malista
English · Butler
"Glaukos, why in Lycia do we receive especial honor as regards our place at table? Why are the choicest portions served us and our cups kept brimming, and why do men look up to us as though we were gods? Moreover we hold a large estate by the banks of the river Xanthos, fair with orchard lawns and wheat-growing land;
Homeric Greek
ἕδρῃ τε κρέασίν τε ἰδὲ πλείοις δεπάεσσιν
ἐν Λυκίῃ, πάντες δὲ θεοὺς ὣς εἰσορόωσι,
καὶ τέμενος νεμόμεσθα μέγα Ξάνθοιο παρ' ὄχθας
καλὸν φυταλιῆς καὶ ἀρούρης πυροφόροιο;
315τὼ νῦν χρὴ Λυκίοισι μέτα πρώτοισιν ἐόντας
Transliteration
hedrēi te kreasin te ide pleiois depaessin
en Lukiēi, pantes de theous hōs eisoroōsi,
kai temenos nemomestha mega Xanthoio par' ochthas
kalon phutaliēs kai arourēs purophoroio;
315tō nun chrē Lukioisi meta prōtoisin eontas
English · Butler
it becomes us, therefore, to take our stand at the head of all the Lycians and bear the brunt of the fight, that one may say to another, Our princes in Lycia eat the fat
Homeric Greek
ἑστάμεν ἠδὲ μάχης καυστείρης ἀντιβολῆσαι,
ὄφρά τις ὧδ' εἴπῃ Λυκίων πύκα θωρηκτάων:
οὐ μὰν ἀκλεέες Λυκίην κάτα κοιρανέουσιν
ἡμέτεροι βασιλῆες, ἔδουσί τε πίονα μῆλα
320οἶνόν τ' ἔξαιτον μελιηδέα: ἀλλ' ἄρα καὶ ἲς
Transliteration
hestamen ēde machēs kausteirēs antibolēsai,
ophra tis hōd' eipēi Lukiōn puka thōrēktaōn:
ou man akleees Lukiēn kata koiraneousin
hēmeteroi basilēes, edousi te piona mēla
320oinon t' exaiton meliēdea: all' ara kai is
English · Butler
of the land and drink best of wine, but they are fine men; they fight well and are ever at the front in battle.’ My good friend, if, when we were once out of this fight, we could escape
Homeric Greek
ἐσθλή, ἐπεὶ Λυκίοισι μέτα πρώτοισι μάχονται.
ὦ πέπον εἰ μὲν γὰρ πόλεμον περὶ τόνδε φυγόντε
αἰεὶ δὴ μέλλοιμεν ἀγήρω τ' ἀθανάτω τε
ἔσσεσθ', οὔτέ κεν αὐτὸς ἐνὶ πρώτοισι μαχοίμην
325οὔτέ κε σὲ στέλλοιμι μάχην ἐς κυδιάνειραν:
Transliteration
esthlē, epei Lukioisi meta prōtoisi machontai.
ō pepon ei men gar polemon peri tonde phugonte
aiei dē melloimen agērō t' athanatō te
essesth', oute ken autos eni prōtoisi machoimēn
325oute ke se stelloimi machēn es kudianeiran:
English · Butler
old age and death thenceforward and for ever, I should neither press forward myself nor bid you do so, but death in ten thousand shapes hangs ever over our heads, and no man can elude him; therefore let us go
Homeric Greek
νῦν δ' ἔμπης γὰρ κῆρες ἐφεστᾶσιν θανάτοιο
μυρίαι, ἃς οὐκ ἔστι φυγεῖν βροτὸν οὐδ' ὑπαλύξαι,
ἴομεν ἠέ τῳ εὖχος ὀρέξομεν ἠέ τις ἡμῖν.
ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδὲ Γλαῦκος ἀπετράπετ' οὐδ' ἀπίθησε:
330τὼ δ' ἰθὺς βήτην Λυκίων μέγα ἔθνος ἄγοντε.
Transliteration
nun d' empēs gar kēres ephestasin thanatoio
muriai, has ouk esti phugein broton oud' hupaluxai,
iomen ēe tōi euchos orexomen ēe tis hēmin.
hōs ephat', oude Glaukos apetrapet' oud' apithēse:
330tō d' ithus bētēn Lukiōn mega ethnos agonte.
English · Butler
forward and either win glory for ourselves, or yield it to another." Glaukos heeded his saying, and the pair forthwith led on the host of Lycians. Menestheus son of Peteos was dismayed when he saw
Homeric Greek
τοὺς δὲ ἰδὼν ῥίγησ' υἱὸς Πετεῶο Μενεσθεύς:
τοῦ γὰρ δὴ πρὸς πύργον ἴσαν κακότητα φέροντες.
πάπτηνεν δ' ἀνὰ πύργον Ἀχαιῶν εἴ τιν' ἴδοιτο
ἡγεμόνων, ὅς τίς οἱ ἀρὴν ἑτάροισιν ἀμύναι:
335ἐς δ' ἐνόησ' Αἴαντε δύω πολέμου ἀκορήτω
Transliteration
tous de idōn rhigēs' huios Peteōo Menestheus:
tou gar dē pros purgon isan kakotēta pherontes.
paptēnen d' ana purgon Achaiōn ei tin' idoito
hēgemonōn, hos tis hoi arēn hetaroisin amunai:
335es d' enoēs' Aiante duō polemou akorētō
English · Butler
them, for it was against his part of the wall that they came - bringing destruction with them; he looked along the wall for some chieftain to support his comrades and saw the two Ajaxes, men ever eager for the fray, and Teucer, who had just come from his tent, standing near them; but he could not make his voice heard by
Homeric Greek
ἑσταότας, Τεῦκρόν τε νέον κλισίηθεν ἰόντα
ἐγγύθεν: ἀλλ' οὔ πώς οἱ ἔην βώσαντι γεγωνεῖν:
τόσσος γὰρ κτύπος ἦεν, ἀϋτὴ δ' οὐρανὸν ἷκε,
βαλλομένων σακέων τε καὶ ἱπποκόμων τρυφαλειῶν
340καὶ πυλέων: πᾶσαι γὰρ ἐπώχατο, τοὶ δὲ κατ' αὐτὰς
Transliteration
hestaotas, Teukron te neon klisiēthen ionta
enguthen: all' ou pōs hoi eēn bōsanti gegōnein:
tossos gar ktupos ēen, aütē d' ouranon hike,
ballomenōn sakeōn te kai hippokomōn truphaleiōn
340kai puleōn: pasai gar epōchato, toi de kat' autas
English · Butler
shouting to them, so great an uproar was there from crashing shields and helmets and the battering of gates with a din which reached the skies. For all the gates had been closed, and the Trojans were hammering at them to try and break their way through them. Menestheus, therefore, sent Thoötes with a message to Ajax.
Homeric Greek
ἱστάμενοι πειρῶντο βίῃ ῥήξαντες ἐσελθεῖν.
αἶψα δ' ἐπ' Αἴαντα προί̈ει κήρυκα Θοώτην:
ἔρχεο δῖε Θοῶτα, θέων Αἴαντα κάλεσσον,
ἀμφοτέρω μὲν μᾶλλον: ὃ γάρ κ' ὄχ' ἄριστον ἁπάντων
345εἴη, ἐπεὶ τάχα τῇδε τετεύξεται αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.
Transliteration
histamenoi peirōnto biēi rhēxantes eselthein.
aipsa d' ep' Aianta proïei kēruka Thoōtēn:
ercheo die Thoōta, theōn Aianta kalesson,
amphoterō men mallon: ho gar k' och' ariston hapantōn
345eiē, epei tacha tēide teteuxetai aipus olethros.
English · Butler
"Run, good Thoötes," said and call Ajax, or better still bid both come, for it will be all over with us here directly; the leaders of the Lycians are upon us, men who have ever fought desperately heretofore. But if the have too much trouble on their hands
Homeric Greek
ὧδε γὰρ ἔβρισαν Λυκίων ἀγοί, οἳ τὸ πάρος περ
ζαχρηεῖς τελέθουσι κατὰ κρατερὰς ὑσμίνας.
εἰ δέ σφιν καὶ κεῖθι πόνος καὶ νεῖκος ὄρωρεν,
ἀλλά περ οἶος ἴτω Τελαμώνιος ἄλκιμος Αἴας,
350καί οἱ Τεῦκρος ἅμα σπέσθω τόξων ἐὺ̈ εἰδώς.
Transliteration
hōde gar ebrisan Lukiōn agoi, hoi to paros per
zachrēeis telethousi kata krateras husminas.
ei de sphin kai keithi ponos kai neikos orōren,
alla per oios itō Telamōnios alkimos Aias,
350kai hoi Teukros hama spesthō toxōn eü eidōs.
English · Butler
to let them come, at any rate let Ajax son of Telamon do so, and let Teucer the famous bowman come with him."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἄρα οἱ κῆρυξ ἀπίθησεν ἀκούσας,
βῆ δὲ θέειν παρὰ τεῖχος Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων,
στῆ δὲ παρ' Αἰάντεσσι κιών, εἶθαρ δὲ προσηύδα:
Αἴαντ' Ἀργείων ἡγήτορε χαλκοχιτώνων
355ἠνώγει Πετεῶο διοτρεφέος φίλος υἱὸς
Transliteration
hōs ephat', oud' ara hoi kērux apithēsen akousas,
bē de theein para teichos Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn,
stē de par' Aiantessi kiōn, eithar de prosēuda:
Aiant' Argeiōn hēgētore chalkochitōnōn
355ēnōgei Peteōo diotrepheos philos huios
English · Butler
The messenger did as he was told, and set off running along the wall of the Achaeans. When he reached the Ajaxes he said to them, "Sirs, princes of the Argives, the son of noble Peteos bids you come to him for a while and help him. You had better both come if you can, or it will be all over with him directly;
Homeric Greek
κεῖσ' ἴμεν, ὄφρα πόνοιο μίνυνθά περ ἀντιάσητον
ἀμφοτέρω μὲν μᾶλλον: ὃ γάρ κ' ὄχ' ἄριστον ἁπάντων
εἴη, ἐπεὶ τάχα κεῖθι τετεύξεται αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος:
ὧδε γὰρ ἔβρισαν Λυκίων ἀγοί, οἳ τὸ πάρος περ
360ζαχρηεῖς τελέθουσι κατὰ κρατερὰς ὑσμίνας.
Transliteration
keis' imen, ophra ponoio minuntha per antiasēton
amphoterō men mallon: ho gar k' och' ariston hapantōn
eiē, epei tacha keithi teteuxetai aipus olethros:
hōde gar ebrisan Lukiōn agoi, hoi to paros per
360zachrēeis telethousi kata krateras husminas.
English · Butler
the leaders of the Lycians are upon him, men who have ever fought desperately heretofore; if you have too much on your hands to let both come, at any rate let Ajax
Homeric Greek
εἰ δὲ καὶ ἐνθάδε περ πόλεμος καὶ νεῖκος ὄρωρεν,
ἀλλά περ οἶος ἴτω Τελαμώνιος ἄλκιμος Αἴας,
καί οἱ Τεῦκρος ἅμα σπέσθω τόξων ἐὺ̈ εἰδώς.
ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας.
365αὐτίκ' Ὀϊλιάδην ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
Transliteration
ei de kai enthade per polemos kai neikos orōren,
alla per oios itō Telamōnios alkimos Aias,
kai hoi Teukros hama spesthō toxōn eü eidōs.
hōs ephat', oud' apithēse megas Telamōnios Aias.
365autik' Oïliadēn epea pteroenta prosēuda:
English · Butler
son of Telamon do so, and let Teucer the famous bowman come with him." Great Ajax, son of Telamon, heeded the message, and at once spoke to the son of Oileus. "Ajax," said he, "do you two, yourself and brave Lykomedes, stay here and keep the Danaans in heart to fight their hardest.
Homeric Greek
Αἶαν σφῶϊ μὲν αὖθι, σὺ καὶ κρατερὸς Λυκομήδης,
ἑσταότες Δαναοὺς ὀτρύνετον ἶφι μάχεσθαι:
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ κεῖσ' εἶμι καὶ ἀντιόω πολέμοιο:
αἶψα δ' ἐλεύσομαι αὖτις, ἐπὴν εὖ τοῖς ἐπαμύνω.
370ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἀπέβη Τελαμώνιος Αἴας,
Transliteration
Aian sphōï men authi, su kai krateros Lukomēdēs,
hestaotes Danaous otruneton iphi machesthai:
autar egō keis' eimi kai antioō polemoio:
aipsa d' eleusomai autis, epēn eu tois epamunō.
370hōs ara phōnēsas apebē Telamōnios Aias,
English · Butler
I will go over yonder, and bear my part in the fray, but I will come back here at once as soon as I have given them the help they need." With this, Ajax son of Telamon set off, and Teucer his brother by the same father went also, with Pandion to carry Teucer's bow.
Homeric Greek
καί οἱ Τεῦκρος ἅμ' ᾖε κασίγνητος καὶ ὄπατρος:
τοῖς δ' ἅμα Πανδίων Τεύκρου φέρε καμπύλα τόξα.
εὖτε Μενεσθῆος μεγαθύμου πύργον ἵκοντο
τείχεος ἐντὸς ἰόντες, ἐπειγομένοισι δ' ἵκοντο,
375οἳ δ' ἐπ' ἐπάλξεις βαῖνον ἐρεμνῇ λαίλαπι ἶσοι
Transliteration
kai hoi Teukros ham' ēie kasignētos kai opatros:
tois d' hama Pandiōn Teukrou phere kampula toxa.
eute Menesthēos megathumou purgon hikonto
teicheos entos iontes, epeigomenoisi d' hikonto,
375hoi d' ep' epalxeis bainon eremnēi lailapi isoi
English · Butler
With this, Ajax son of Telamon set off, and Teucer his brother by the same father went also, with Pandion to carry Teucer's bow. They went along inside the wall, and when they came to the tower where Menestheus was (and hard pressed indeed did they find him) the brave leaders and leaders of the Lycians were storming the battlements as
Homeric Greek
ἴφθιμοι Λυκίων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες:
σὺν δ' ἐβάλοντο μάχεσθαι ἐναντίον, ὦρτο δ' ἀϋτή.
Αἴας δὲ πρῶτος Τελαμώνιος ἄνδρα κατέκτα
Σαρπήδοντος ἑταῖρον Ἐπικλῆα μεγάθυμον
380μαρμάρῳ ὀκριόεντι βαλών, ὅ ῥα τείχεος ἐντὸς
Transliteration
iphthimoi Lukiōn hēgētores ēde medontes:
sun d' ebalonto machesthai enantion, ōrto d' aütē.
Aias de prōtos Telamōnios andra katekta
Sarpēdontos hetairon Epiklēa megathumon
380marmarōi okrioenti balōn, ho rha teicheos entos
English · Butler
it were a thick dark cloud, fighting in close quarters, and raising the battle-cry aloud. First, Ajax son of Telamon killed brave Epikles, a comrade of Sarpedon, hitting him with a jagged stone that lay by the battlements at the very top of the wall. As men now are, even one who is in the bloom of youth could hardly lift it with his
Homeric Greek
κεῖτο μέγας παρ' ἔπαλξιν ὑπέρτατος: οὐδέ κέ μιν ῥέα
χείρεσσ' ἀμφοτέρῃς ἔχοι ἀνὴρ οὐδὲ μάλ' ἡβῶν,
οἷοι νῦν βροτοί εἰσ': ὃ δ' ἄρ' ὑψόθεν ἔμβαλ' ἀείρας,
θλάσσε δὲ τετράφαλον κυνέην, σὺν δ' ὀστέ' ἄραξε
385πάντ' ἄμυδις κεφαλῆς: ὃ δ' ἄρ' ἀρνευτῆρι ἐοικὼς
Transliteration
keito megas par' epalxin hupertatos: oude ke min rhea
cheiress' amphoterēis echoi anēr oude mal' hēbōn,
hoioi nun brotoi eis': ho d' ar' hupsothen embal' aeiras,
thlasse de tetraphalon kuneēn, sun d' oste' araxe
385pant' amudis kephalēs: ho d' ar' arneutēri eoikōs
English · Butler
two hands, but Ajax raised it high aloft and flung it down, smashing Epikles' four-crested helmet so that the bones of his head were crushed to pieces, and he fell from the high wall as though he were diving, with no more life left in him. Then Teucer wounded Glaukos the brave son of Hippolokhos as he was coming on to attack the wall.
Homeric Greek
κάππεσ' ἀφ' ὑψηλοῦ πύργου, λίπε δ' ὀστέα θυμός.
Τεῦκρος δὲ Γλαῦκον κρατερὸν παῖδ' Ἱππολόχοιο
ἰῷ ἐπεσσύμενον βάλε τείχεος ὑψηλοῖο,
ᾗ ῥ' ἴδε γυμνωθέντα βραχίονα, παῦσε δὲ χάρμης.
390ἂψ δ' ἀπὸ τείχεος ἆλτο λαθών, ἵνα μή τις Ἀχαιῶν
Transliteration
kappes' aph' hupsēlou purgou, lipe d' ostea thumos.
Teukros de Glaukon krateron paid' Hippolochoio
iōi epessumenon bale teicheos hupsēloio,
hēi rh' ide gumnōthenta brachiona, pause de charmēs.
390aps d' apo teicheos alto lathōn, hina mē tis Achaiōn
English · Butler
He saw his shoulder bare and aimed an arrow at it, which made Glaukos leave off fighting. Thereon he sprang covertly down for fear some of the Achaeans might see that he was wounded and taunt him. Sarpedon was stung with grief when he saw Glaukos leave him, still he did not leave off fighting, but aimed his spear at Alkmaon the son of Thestor and hit him.
Homeric Greek
βλήμενον ἀθρήσειε καὶ εὐχετόῳτ' ἐπέεσσι.
Σαρπήδοντι δ' ἄχος γένετο Γλαύκου ἀπιόντος
αὐτίκ' ἐπεί τ' ἐνόησεν: ὅμως δ' οὐ λήθετο χάρμης,
ἀλλ' ὅ γε Θεστορίδην Ἀλκμάονα δουρὶ τυχήσας
395νύξ', ἐκ δ' ἔσπασεν ἔγχος: ὃ δ' ἑσπόμενος πέσε δουρὶ
Transliteration
blēmenon athrēseie kai euchetoōit' epeessi.
Sarpēdonti d' achos geneto Glaukou apiontos
autik' epei t' enoēsen: homōs d' ou lētheto charmēs,
all' ho ge Thestoridēn Alkmaona douri tuchēsas
395nux', ek d' espasen enchos: ho d' hespomenos pese douri
English · Butler
He drew his spear back again Alkmaon came down headlong after it with his bronzed armor rattling round him. Then Sarpedon seized the battlement in his strong hands, and tugged at
Homeric Greek
πρηνής, ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ βράχε τεύχεα ποικίλα χαλκῷ,
Σαρπηδὼν δ' ἄρ' ἔπαλξιν ἑλὼν χερσὶ στιβαρῇσιν
ἕλχ', ἣ δ' ἕσπετο πᾶσα διαμπερές, αὐτὰρ ὕπερθε
τεῖχος ἐγυμνώθη, πολέεσσι δὲ θῆκε κέλευθον.
400τὸν δ' Αἴας καὶ Τεῦκρος ὁμαρτήσανθ' ὃ μὲν ἰῷ
Transliteration
prēnēs, amphi de hoi brache teuchea poikila chalkōi,
Sarpēdōn d' ar' epalxin helōn chersi stibarēisin
helch', hē d' hespeto pasa diamperes, autar huperthe
teichos egumnōthē, poleessi de thēke keleuthon.
400ton d' Aias kai Teukros homartēsanth' ho men iōi
English · Butler
it till it an gave way together, and a breach was made through which many might pass. Ajax and Teucer then both of them attacked him.
Homeric Greek
βεβλήκει τελαμῶνα περὶ στήθεσσι φαεινὸν
ἀσπίδος ἀμφιβρότης: ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς κῆρας ἄμυνε
παιδὸς ἑοῦ, μὴ νηυσὶν ἔπι πρύμνῃσι δαμείη:
Αἴας δ' ἀσπίδα νύξεν ἐπάλμενος, οὐδὲ διὰ πρὸ
405ἤλυθεν ἐγχείη, στυφέλιξε δέ μιν μεμαῶτα.
Transliteration
beblēkei telamōna peri stēthessi phaeinon
aspidos amphibrotēs: alla Zeus kēras amune
paidos heou, mē nēusin epi prumnēisi dameiē:
Aias d' aspida nuxen epalmenos, oude dia pro
405ēluthen encheiē, stuphelixe de min memaōta.
English · Butler
Ajax and Teucer then both of them attacked him. Teucer hit him with an arrow on the band that bore the shield which covered his body, but Zeus saved his son from destruction that he might not fall by the ships' sterns. Meanwhile Ajax sprang on him and pierced his shield, but the spear did not go clean through, though it hustled him back that he could come on no further. He therefore retired a little space from the battlement,
Homeric Greek
χώρησεν δ' ἄρα τυτθὸν ἐπάλξιος: οὐδ' ὅ γε πάμπαν
χάζετ', ἐπεί οἱ θυμὸς ἐέλπετο κῦδος ἀρέσθαι.
κέκλετο δ' ἀντιθέοισιν ἑλιξάμενος Λυκίοισιν:
ὦ Λύκιοι τί τ' ἄρ' ὧδε μεθίετε θούριδος ἀλκῆς;
410ἀργαλέον δέ μοί ἐστι καὶ ἰφθίμῳ περ ἐόντι
Transliteration
chōrēsen d' ara tutthon epalxios: oud' ho ge pampan
chazet', epei hoi thumos eelpeto kudos aresthai.
kekleto d' antitheoisin helixamenos Lukioisin:
ō Lukioi ti t' ar' hōde methiete thouridos alkēs;
410argaleon de moi esti kai iphthimōi per eonti
English · Butler
yet without losing all his ground, for he still thought to cover himself with glory. Then he turned round and shouted to the brave Lycians saying, "Lycians, why do you thus fail me? For all my prowess I cannot break through the wall and open a way to the ships single-handed. Come close on behind me, for the
Homeric Greek
μούνῳ ῥηξαμένῳ θέσθαι παρὰ νηυσὶ κέλευθον:
ἀλλ' ἐφομαρτεῖτε: πλεόνων δέ τι ἔργον ἄμεινον.
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δὲ ἄνακτος ὑποδείσαντες ὁμοκλὴν
μᾶλλον ἐπέβρισαν βουληφόρον ἀμφὶ ἄνακτα.
415Ἀργεῖοι δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐκαρτύναντο φάλαγγας
Transliteration
mounōi rhēxamenōi thesthai para nēusi keleuthon:
all' ephomarteite: pleonōn de ti ergon ameinon.
hōs ephath', hoi de anaktos hupodeisantes homoklēn
mallon epebrisan boulēphoron amphi anakta.
415Argeioi d' heterōthen ekartunanto phalangas
English · Butler
more there are of us the better." The Lycians, shamed by his rebuke, pressed closer round him who was their counselor their king. The Argives on their part got their men in fighting order within the wall, and there was a deadly struggle between them.
Homeric Greek
τείχεος ἔντοσθεν, μέγα δέ σφισι φαίνετο ἔργον:
οὔτε γὰρ ἴφθιμοι Λύκιοι Δαναῶν ἐδύναντο
τεῖχος ῥηξάμενοι θέσθαι παρὰ νηυσὶ κέλευθον,
οὔτέ ποτ' αἰχμηταὶ Δαναοὶ Λυκίους ἐδύναντο
420τείχεος ἂψ ὤσασθαι, ἐπεὶ τὰ πρῶτα πέλασθεν.
Transliteration
teicheos entosthen, mega de sphisi phaineto ergon:
oute gar iphthimoi Lukioi Danaōn edunanto
teichos rhēxamenoi thesthai para nēusi keleuthon,
oute pot' aichmētai Danaoi Lukious edunanto
420teicheos aps ōsasthai, epei ta prōta pelasthen.
English · Butler
The Lycians could not break through the wall and force their way to the ships, nor could the Danaans drive the Lycians from the wall now that they had once reached it. As two men, measuring-rods in hand, quarrel about their boundaries in a field that they own in common,
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ὥς τ' ἀμφ' οὔροισι δύ' ἀνέρε δηριάασθον
μέτρ' ἐν χερσὶν ἔχοντες ἐπιξύνῳ ἐν ἀρούρῃ,
ὥ τ' ὀλίγῳ ἐνὶ χώρῳ ἐρίζητον περὶ ἴσης,
ὣς ἄρα τοὺς διέεργον ἐπάλξιες: οἳ δ' ὑπὲρ αὐτέων
425δῄουν ἀλλήλων ἀμφὶ στήθεσσι βοείας
Transliteration
all' hōs t' amph' ouroisi du' anere dēriaasthon
metr' en chersin echontes epixunōi en arourēi,
hō t' oligōi eni chōrōi erizēton peri isēs,
hōs ara tous dieergon epalxies: hoi d' huper auteōn
425dēioun allēlōn amphi stēthessi boeias
English · Butler
and stickle for their rights though they be but in a mere strip, even so did the battlements now serve as a bone of contention, and they beat one another's round shields for their possession. Many a man's body was wounded with the pitiless bronze, as he turned round and bared
Homeric Greek
ἀσπίδας εὐκύκλους λαισήϊά τε πτερόεντα.
πολλοὶ δ' οὐτάζοντο κατὰ χρόα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ,
ἠμὲν ὅτεῳ στρεφθέντι μετάφρενα γυμνωθείη
μαρναμένων, πολλοὶ δὲ διαμπερὲς ἀσπίδος αὐτῆς.
430πάντῃ δὴ πύργοι καὶ ἐπάλξιες αἵματι φωτῶν
Transliteration
aspidas eukuklous laisēïa te pteroenta.
polloi d' outazonto kata chroa nēleï chalkōi,
ēmen hoteōi strephthenti metaphrena gumnōtheiē
marnamenōn, polloi de diamperes aspidos autēs.
430pantēi dē purgoi kai epalxies haimati phōtōn
English · Butler
his back to the foe, and many were struck clean through their shields; the wall and battlements were everywhere deluged with the blood alike of Trojans and of Achaeans. But even so the Trojans could not rout the Achaeans, who still held on; and as some honest hard-working woman weighs wool in her balance and sees that
Homeric Greek
ἐρράδατ' ἀμφοτέρωθεν ἀπὸ Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν.
ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὧς ἐδύναντο φόβον ποιῆσαι Ἀχαιῶν,
ἀλλ' ἔχον ὥς τε τάλαντα γυνὴ χερνῆτις ἀληθής,
ἥ τε σταθμὸν ἔχουσα καὶ εἴριον ἀμφὶς ἀνέλκει
435ἰσάζουσ', ἵνα παισὶν ἀεικέα μισθὸν ἄρηται:
Transliteration
erradat' amphoterōthen apo Trōōn kai Achaiōn.
all' oud' hōs edunanto phobon poiēsai Achaiōn,
all' echon hōs te talanta gunē chernētis alēthēs,
hē te stathmon echousa kai eirion amphis anelkei
435isazous', hina paisin aeikea misthon arētai:
English · Butler
the scales be true, for she would gain some pitiful earnings for her little ones, even so was the fight balanced evenly between them till the time came when Zeus gave the greater glory to
Homeric Greek
ὣς μὲν τῶν ἐπὶ ἶσα μάχη τέτατο πτόλεμός τε,
πρίν γ' ὅτε δὴ Ζεὺς κῦδος ὑπέρτερον Ἕκτορι δῶκε
Πριαμίδῃ, ὃς πρῶτος ἐσήλατο τεῖχος Ἀχαιῶν.
ἤϋσεν δὲ διαπρύσιον Τρώεσσι γεγωνώς:
440ὄρνυσθ' ἱππόδαμοι Τρῶες, ῥήγνυσθε δὲ τεῖχος
Transliteration
hōs men tōn epi isa machē tetato ptolemos te,
prin g' hote dē Zeus kudos huperteron Hektori dōke
Priamidēi, hos prōtos esēlato teichos Achaiōn.
ēüsen de diaprusion Trōessi gegōnōs:
440ornusth' hippodamoi Trōes, rhēgnusthe de teichos
English · Butler
Hektor son of Priam, who was first to spring towards the wall of the Achaeans. As he did so, he cried aloud to the Trojans, "Up, Trojans, break the wall of the Argives, and
Homeric Greek
Ἀργείων καὶ νηυσὶν ἐνίετε θεσπιδαὲς πῦρ.
ὣς φάτ' ἐποτρύνων, οἳ δ' οὔασι πάντες ἄκουον,
ἴθυσαν δ' ἐπὶ τεῖχος ἀολλέες: οἳ μὲν ἔπειτα
κροσσάων ἐπέβαινον ἀκαχμένα δούρατ' ἔχοντες,
445Ἕκτωρ δ' ἁρπάξας λᾶαν φέρεν, ὅς ῥα πυλάων
Transliteration
Argeiōn kai nēusin eniete thespidaes pur.
hōs phat' epotrunōn, hoi d' ouasi pantes akouon,
ithusan d' epi teichos aollees: hoi men epeita
krossaōn epebainon akachmena dourat' echontes,
445Hektōr d' harpaxas laan pheren, hos rha pulaōn
English · Butler
fling fire upon their ships." Thus did he hound them on, and in one body they rushed straight at the wall as he had bidden them, and scaled the battlements with sharp spears in their hands. Hektor laid hold of a stone that lay just outside the gates and was thick at one end but pointed at the other; two of the best men in a district, as
Homeric Greek
ἑστήκει πρόσθε πρυμνὸς παχύς, αὐτὰρ ὕπερθεν
ὀξὺς ἔην: τὸν δ' οὔ κε δύ' ἀνέρε δήμου ἀρίστω
ῥηϊδίως ἐπ' ἄμαξαν ἀπ' οὔδεος ὀχλίσσειαν,
οἷοι νῦν βροτοί εἰσ': ὃ δέ μιν ῥέα πάλλε καὶ οἶος.
450τόν οἱ ἐλαφρὸν ἔθηκε Κρόνου πάϊς ἀγκυλομήτεω.
Transliteration
hestēkei prosthe prumnos pachus, autar huperthen
oxus eēn: ton d' ou ke du' anere dēmou aristō
rhēïdiōs ep' amaxan ap' oudeos ochlisseian,
hoioi nun brotoi eis': ho de min rhea palle kai oios.
450ton hoi elaphron ethēke Kronou païs ankulomēteō.
English · Butler
men now are, could hardly raise it from the ground and put it on to a wagon, but Hektor lifted it quite easily by himself, for the son of scheming Kronos made it light for him. As a shepherd picks up a ram's fleece with one hand and finds it
Homeric Greek
ὡς δ' ὅτε ποιμὴν ῥεῖα φέρει πόκον ἄρσενος οἰὸς
χειρὶ λαβὼν ἑτέρῃ, ὀλίγον τέ μιν ἄχθος ἐπείγει,
ὣς Ἕκτωρ ἰθὺς σανίδων φέρε λᾶαν ἀείρας,
αἵ ῥα πύλας εἴρυντο πύκα στιβαρῶς ἀραρυίας
455δικλίδας ὑψηλάς: δοιοὶ δ' ἔντοσθεν ὀχῆες
Transliteration
hōs d' hote poimēn rheia pherei pokon arsenos oios
cheiri labōn heterēi, oligon te min achthos epeigei,
hōs Hektōr ithus sanidōn phere laan aeiras,
hai rha pulas eirunto puka stibarōs araruias
455diklidas hupsēlas: doioi d' entosthen ochēes
English · Butler
no burden, so easily did Hektor lift the great stone and drive it right at the doors that closed the gates so strong and so firmly set. These doors were double and high, and were kept closed by two cross-bars to which there was but one key.
Homeric Greek
εἶχον ἐπημοιβοί, μία δὲ κληὶ̈ς ἐπαρήρει.
στῆ δὲ μάλ' ἐγγὺς ἰών, καὶ ἐρεισάμενος βάλε μέσσας
εὖ διαβάς, ἵνα μή οἱ ἀφαυρότερον βέλος εἴη,
ῥῆξε δ' ἀπ' ἀμφοτέρους θαιρούς: πέσε δὲ λίθος εἴσω
460βριθοσύνῃ, μέγα δ' ἀμφὶ πύλαι μύκον, οὐδ' ἄρ' ὀχῆες
Transliteration
eichon epēmoiboi, mia de klēïs eparērei.
stē de mal' engus iōn, kai ereisamenos bale messas
eu diabas, hina mē hoi aphauroteron belos eiē,
rhēxe d' ap' amphoterous thairous: pese de lithos eisō
460brithosunēi, mega d' amphi pulai mukon, oud' ar' ochēes
English · Butler
These doors were double and high, and were kept closed by two cross-bars to which there was but one key. When he had got close up to them, Hektor strode towards them that his blow might gain in force and struck them in the middle, leaning his whole weight against them. He broke both hinges, and the stone fell inside by reason of its great weight. The portals re-echoed with the sound, the bars held no longer, and the doors flew open, one one way, and the other the other, through the force of the blow.
Homeric Greek
ἐσχεθέτην, σανίδες δὲ διέτμαγεν ἄλλυδις ἄλλη
λᾶος ὑπὸ ῥιπῆς: ὃ δ' ἄρ' ἔσθορε φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ
νυκτὶ θοῇ ἀτάλαντος ὑπώπια: λάμπε δὲ χαλκῷ
σμερδαλέῳ, τὸν ἕεστο περὶ χροί̈, δοιὰ δὲ χερσὶ
465δοῦρ' ἔχεν: οὔ κέν τίς μιν ἐρύκακεν ἀντιβολήσας
Transliteration
eschethetēn, sanides de dietmagen alludis allē
laos hupo rhipēs: ho d' ar' esthore phaidimos Hektōr
nukti thoēi atalantos hupōpia: lampe de chalkōi
smerdaleōi, ton heesto peri chroï, doia de chersi
465dour' echen: ou ken tis min erukaken antibolēsas
English · Butler
Then brave Hektor leaped inside with a face as dark as that of fleeing night. The gleaming bronze flashed fiercely about his body and he had tow spears in his hand. None but a god could have withstood him as he flung himself into the gateway, and his eyes glared like fire. Then he turned round towards the Trojans
Homeric Greek
νόσφι θεῶν ὅτ' ἐσᾶλτο πύλας: πυρὶ δ' ὄσσε δεδήει.
κέκλετο δὲ Τρώεσσιν ἑλιξάμενος καθ' ὅμιλον
τεῖχος ὑπερβαίνειν: τοὶ δ' ὀτρύνοντι πίθοντο.
αὐτίκα δ' οἳ μὲν τεῖχος ὑπέρβασαν, οἳ δὲ κατ' αὐτὰς
470ποιητὰς ἐσέχυντο πύλας: Δαναοὶ δὲ φόβηθεν
Transliteration
nosphi theōn hot' esalto pulas: puri d' osse dedēei.
kekleto de Trōessin helixamenos kath' homilon
teichos huperbainein: toi d' otrunonti pithonto.
autika d' hoi men teichos huperbasan, hoi de kat' autas
470poiētas esechunto pulas: Danaoi de phobēthen
English · Butler
and called on them to scale the wall, and they did as he bade them - some of them at once climbing over the wall, while others passed through the gates. The Danaans then fled panic-stricken towards their ships, and