Book XIII

Homeric Greek

1Ζεὺς δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν Τρῶάς τε καὶ Ἕκτορα νηυσὶ πέλασσε,

τοὺς μὲν ἔα παρὰ τῇσι πόνον τ' ἐχέμεν καὶ ὀϊζὺν

νωλεμέως, αὐτὸς δὲ πάλιν τρέπεν ὄσσε φαεινὼ

νόσφιν ἐφ' ἱπποπόλων Θρῃκῶν καθορώμενος αἶαν

5Μυσῶν τ' ἀγχεμάχων καὶ ἀγαυῶν ἱππημολγῶν

Transliteration

1Zeus d' epei oun Trōas te kai Hektora nēusi pelasse,

tous men ea para tēisi ponon t' echemen kai oïzun

nōlemeōs, autos de palin trepen osse phaeinō

nosphin eph' hippopolōn Thrēikōn kathorōmenos aian

5Musōn t' anchemachōn kai agauōn hippēmolgōn

English · Butler

Now when Zeus had thus brought Hektor and the Trojans to the ships, he left them to their never-ending toil, and turned his keen eyes away, looking elsewhere towards the horse-breeders of Thrace, the Mysians, fighters at close quarters, the noble Hippemolgoi, who live on milk, and the Abians, the most just of humankind. He no longer turned so much as a glance towards Troy, for he did not

Homeric Greek

γλακτοφάγων Ἀβίων τε δικαιοτάτων ἀνθρώπων.

ἐς Τροίην δ' οὐ πάμπαν ἔτι τρέπεν ὄσσε φαεινώ:

οὐ γὰρ ὅ γ' ἀθανάτων τινα ἔλπετο ὃν κατὰ θυμὸν

ἐλθόντ' ἢ Τρώεσσιν ἀρηξέμεν ἢ Δαναοῖσιν.

10οὐδ' ἀλαοσκοπιὴν εἶχε κρείων ἐνοσίχθων:

Transliteration

glaktophagōn Abiōn te dikaiotatōn anthrōpōn.

es Troiēn d' ou pampan eti trepen osse phaeinō:

ou gar ho g' athanatōn tina elpeto hon kata thumon

elthont' ē Trōessin arēxemen ē Danaoisin.

10oud' alaoskopiēn eiche kreiōn enosichthōn:

English · Butler

think that any of the immortals would go and help either Trojans or Danaans. But King Poseidon had kept no blind look-out; he had been looking admiringly on the battle from his seat on the topmost crests of wooded Samothrace, whence he could see all Ida, with the city of Priam and the ships of the Achaeans.

Homeric Greek

καὶ γὰρ ὃ θαυμάζων ἧστο πτόλεμόν τε μάχην τε

ὑψοῦ ἐπ' ἀκροτάτης κορυφῆς Σάμου ὑληέσσης

Θρηϊκίης: ἔνθεν γὰρ ἐφαίνετο πᾶσα μὲν Ἴδη,

φαίνετο δὲ Πριάμοιο πόλις καὶ νῆες Ἀχαιῶν.

15ἔνθ' ἄρ' ὅ γ' ἐξ ἁλὸς ἕζετ' ἰών, ἐλέαιρε δ' Ἀχαιοὺς

Transliteration

kai gar ho thaumazōn hēsto ptolemon te machēn te

hupsou ep' akrotatēs koruphēs Samou hulēessēs

Thrēïkiēs: enthen gar ephaineto pasa men Idē,

phaineto de Priamoio polis kai nēes Achaiōn.

15enth' ar' ho g' ex halos hezet' iōn, eleaire d' Achaious

English · Butler

But King Poseidon had kept no blind look-out; he had been looking admiringly on the battle from his seat on the topmost crests of wooded Samothrace, whence he could see all Ida, with the city of Priam and the ships of the Achaeans. He had come from under the sea and taken his place here, for he pitied the Achaeans who were being overcome by the Trojans; and he was furiously

Homeric Greek

Τρωσὶν δαμναμένους, Διὶ δὲ κρατερῶς ἐνεμέσσα.

αὐτίκα δ' ἐξ ὄρεος κατεβήσετο παιπαλόεντος

κραιπνὰ ποσὶ προβιβάς: τρέμε δ' οὔρεα μακρὰ καὶ ὕλη

ποσσὶν ὑπ' ἀθανάτοισι Ποσειδάωνος ἰόντος.

20τρὶς μὲν ὀρέξατ' ἰών, τὸ δὲ τέτρατον ἵκετο τέκμωρ

Transliteration

Trōsin damnamenous, Dii de kraterōs enemessa.

autika d' ex oreos katebēseto paipaloentos

kraipna posi probibas: treme d' ourea makra kai hulē

possin hup' athanatoisi Poseidaōnos iontos.

20tris men orexat' iōn, to de tetraton hiketo tekmōr

English · Butler

angry with Zeus. Presently he came down from his post on the mountain top, and as he strode swiftly onwards the high hills and the forest quaked beneath the tread of his immortal feet. Three strides he took, and with the fourth he reached his goal - Aigai, where is his glittering golden palace, imperishable, in the depths of the sea.

Homeric Greek

Αἰγάς, ἔνθα δέ οἱ κλυτὰ δώματα βένθεσι λίμνης

χρύσεα μαρμαίροντα τετεύχαται ἄφθιτα αἰεί.

ἔνθ' ἐλθὼν ὑπ' ὄχεσφι τιτύσκετο χαλκόποδ' ἵππω

ὠκυπέτα χρυσέῃσιν ἐθείρῃσιν κομόωντε,

25χρυσὸν δ' αὐτὸς ἔδυνε περὶ χροί̈, γέντο δ' ἱμάσθλην

Transliteration

Aigas, entha de hoi kluta dōmata benthesi limnēs

chrusea marmaironta teteuchatai aphthita aiei.

enth' elthōn hup' ochesphi titusketo chalkopod' hippō

ōkupeta chruseēisin etheirēisin komoōnte,

25chruson d' autos edune peri chroï, gento d' himasthlēn

English · Butler

When he got there, he yoked his fleet brazen-footed steeds with their manes of gold all flying in the wind; he clothed himself in raiment of gold, grasped his gold whip, and took his stand upon his chariot.

Homeric Greek

χρυσείην εὔτυκτον, ἑοῦ δ' ἐπεβήσετο δίφρου,

βῆ δ' ἐλάαν ἐπὶ κύματ': ἄταλλε δὲ κήτε' ὑπ' αὐτοῦ

πάντοθεν ἐκ κευθμῶν, οὐδ' ἠγνοίησεν ἄνακτα:

γηθοσύνῃ δὲ θάλασσα διίστατο: τοὶ δὲ πέτοντο

30ῥίμφα μάλ', οὐδ' ὑπένερθε διαίνετο χάλκεος ἄξων:

Transliteration

chruseiēn eutukton, heou d' epebēseto diphrou,

bē d' elaan epi kumat': atalle de kēte' hup' autou

pantothen ek keuthmōn, oud' ēgnoiēsen anakta:

gēthosunēi de thalassa diistato: toi de petonto

30rhimpha mal', oud' hupenerthe diaineto chalkeos axōn:

English · Butler

he clothed himself in raiment of gold, grasped his gold whip, and took his stand upon his chariot. As he went his way over the waves the sea-monsters left their lairs, for they knew their lord, and came gamboling round him from every quarter of the deep, while the sea in her gladness opened a path before his chariot. So lightly did the horses fly that the bronze axle of the car was not even wet beneath it; and thus his bounding steeds took

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἐς Ἀχαιῶν νῆας ἐύ̈σκαρθμοι φέρον ἵπποι.

ἔστι δέ τι σπέος εὐρὺ βαθείης βένθεσι λίμνης

μεσσηγὺς Τενέδοιο καὶ Ἴμβρου παιπαλοέσσης:

ἔνθ' ἵππους ἔστησε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων

35λύσας ἐξ ὀχέων, παρὰ δ' ἀμβρόσιον βάλεν εἶδαρ

Transliteration

ton d' es Achaiōn nēas eüskarthmoi pheron hippoi.

esti de ti speos euru batheiēs benthesi limnēs

messēgus Tenedoio kai Imbrou paipaloessēs:

enth' hippous estēse Poseidaōn enosichthōn

35lusas ex ocheōn, para d' ambrosion balen eidar

English · Butler

him to the ships of the Achaeans. Now there is a certain huge cavern in the depths of the sea midway between Tenedos and rocky Imbros; here Poseidon lord of the earthquake stayed his horses, unyoked them, and set before them their ambrosial forage. He hobbled their feet with hobbles of gold which none could either unloose or break, so that they might stay there in that place until their lord should return.

Homeric Greek

ἔδμεναι: ἀμφὶ δὲ ποσσὶ πέδας ἔβαλε χρυσείας

ἀρρήκτους ἀλύτους, ὄφρ' ἔμπεδον αὖθι μένοιεν

νοστήσαντα ἄνακτα: ὃ δ' ἐς στρατὸν ᾤχετ' Ἀχαιῶν.

Τρῶες δὲ φλογὶ ἶσοι ἀολλέες ἠὲ θυέλλῃ

40Ἕκτορι Πριαμίδῃ ἄμοτον μεμαῶτες ἕποντο

Transliteration

edmenai: amphi de possi pedas ebale chruseias

arrēktous alutous, ophr' empedon authi menoien

nostēsanta anakta: ho d' es straton ōichet' Achaiōn.

Trōes de phlogi isoi aollees ēe thuellēi

40Hektori Priamidēi amoton memaōtes heponto

English · Butler

This done he went his way to the host of the Achaeans. Now the Trojans followed Hektor son of Priam in close array like a storm-cloud or flame of fire, fighting with might and main and raising the cry battle; for they deemed that they should take the ships of the Achaeans and kill all their chiefest heroes then and there. Meanwhile earth-encircling Poseidon lord of

Homeric Greek

ἄβρομοι αὐί̈αχοι: ἔλποντο δὲ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν

αἱρήσειν, κτενέειν δὲ παρ' αὐτόθι πάντας ἀρίστους.

ἀλλὰ Ποσειδάων γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος

Ἀργείους ὄτρυνε βαθείης ἐξ ἁλὸς ἐλθὼν

45εἰσάμενος Κάλχαντι δέμας καὶ ἀτειρέα φωνήν:

Transliteration

abromoi auïachoi: elponto de nēas Achaiōn

hairēsein, kteneein de par' autothi pantas aristous.

alla Poseidaōn gaiēochos ennosigaios

Argeious otrune batheiēs ex halos elthōn

45eisamenos Kalchanti demas kai ateirea phōnēn:

English · Butler

the earthquake cheered on the Argives, for he had come up out of the sea and had assumed the form and voice of Kalkhas.

Homeric Greek

Αἴαντε πρώτω προσέφη μεμαῶτε καὶ αὐτώ:

Αἴαντε σφὼ μέν τε σαώσετε λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν

ἀλκῆς μνησαμένω, μὴ δὲ κρυεροῖο φόβοιο.

ἄλλῃ μὲν γὰρ ἔγωγ' οὐ δείδια χεῖρας ἀάπτους

50Τρώων, οἳ μέγα τεῖχος ὑπερκατέβησαν ὁμίλῳ:

Transliteration

Aiante prōtō prosephē memaōte kai autō:

Aiante sphō men te saōsete laon Achaiōn

alkēs mnēsamenō, mē de krueroio phoboio.

allēi men gar egōg' ou deidia cheiras aaptous

50Trōōn, hoi mega teichos huperkatebēsan homilōi:

English · Butler

First he spoke to the two Ajaxes, who were doing their best already, and said, "Ajaxes, you two can be the saving of the Achaeans if you will put out all your strength and not let yourselves be daunted. I am not afraid that the Trojans, who have got over the wall in force, will be victorious in any other part, for the Achaeans can hold all of them in check, but I much fear

Homeric Greek

ἕξουσιν γὰρ πάντας ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί:

τῇ δὲ δὴ αἰνότατον περιδείδια μή τι πάθωμεν,

ᾗ ῥ' ὅ γ' ὁ λυσσώδης φλογὶ εἴκελος ἡγεμονεύει

Ἕκτωρ, ὃς Διὸς εὔχετ' ἐρισθενέος πάϊς εἶναι.

55σφῶϊν δ' ὧδε θεῶν τις ἐνὶ φρεσὶ ποιήσειεν

Transliteration

hexousin gar pantas eüknēmides Achaioi:

tēi de dē ainotaton perideidia mē ti pathōmen,

hēi rh' ho g' ho lussōdēs phlogi eikelos hēgemoneuei

Hektōr, hos Dios euchet' eristheneos païs einai.

55sphōïn d' hōde theōn tis eni phresi poiēseien

English · Butler

that some evil will befall us here where furious Hektor, who boasts himself the son of great Zeus himself, is leading them on like a pillar of flame. May some god, then, put it into your hearts to make a firm stand here, and to incite others to do the like. In this case you

Homeric Greek

αὐτώ θ' ἑστάμεναι κρατερῶς καὶ ἀνωγέμεν ἄλλους:

τώ κε καὶ ἐσσύμενόν περ ἐρωήσαιτ' ἀπὸ νηῶν

ὠκυπόρων, εἰ καί μιν Ὀλύμπιος αὐτὸς ἐγείρει.

ἦ καὶ σκηπανίῳ γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος

60ἀμφοτέρω κεκόπων πλῆσεν μένεος κρατεροῖο,

Transliteration

autō th' hestamenai kraterōs kai anōgemen allous:

tō ke kai essumenon per erōēsait' apo nēōn

ōkuporōn, ei kai min Olumpios autos egeirei.

ē kai skēpaniōi gaiēochos ennosigaios

60amphoterō kekopōn plēsen meneos krateroio,

English · Butler

will drive him from the ships even though he be inspired by Zeus himself." As he spoke the earth-encircling lord of the earthquake struck both of them with his scepter and filled their hearts with daring. He made their legs light and active, as also their hands and their feet.

Homeric Greek

γυῖα δ' ἔθηκεν ἐλαφρὰ πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθεν.

αὐτὸς δ' ὥς τ' ἴρηξ ὠκύπτερος ὦρτο πέτεσθαι,

ὅς ῥά τ' ἀπ' αἰγίλιπος πέτρης περιμήκεος ἀρθεὶς

ὁρμήσῃ πεδίοιο διώκειν ὄρνεον ἄλλο,

65ὣς ἀπὸ τῶν ἤϊξε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων.

Transliteration

guia d' ethēken elaphra podas kai cheiras huperthen.

autos d' hōs t' irēx ōkupteros ōrto petesthai,

hos rha t' ap' aigilipos petrēs perimēkeos artheis

hormēsēi pedioio diōkein orneon allo,

65hōs apo tōn ēïxe Poseidaōn enosichthōn.

English · Butler

Then, as the soaring falcon poises on the wing high above some sheer rock, and presently swoops down to chase some bird over the plain, even so did Poseidon lord of the earthquake wing his flight into the air and leave them. Of the two, swift Ajax son of Oileus was the first to know who it was that had

Homeric Greek

τοῖιν δ' ἔγνω πρόσθεν Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς Αἴας,

αἶψα δ' ἄρ' Αἴαντα προσέφη Τελαμώνιον υἱόν:

Αἶαν ἐπεί τις νῶϊ θεῶν οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσι

μάντεϊ εἰδόμενος κέλεται παρὰ νηυσὶ μάχεσθαι,

70οὐδ' ὅ γε Κάλχας ἐστὶ θεοπρόπος οἰωνιστής:

Transliteration

toiin d' egnō prosthen Oïlēos tachus Aias,

aipsa d' ar' Aianta prosephē Telamōnion huion:

Aian epei tis nōï theōn hoi Olumpon echousi

manteï eidomenos keletai para nēusi machesthai,

70oud' ho ge Kalchas esti theopropos oiōnistēs:

English · Butler

been speaking with them, and said to Ajax son of Telamon, "Ajax, this is one of the gods that dwell on Olympus, who in the likeness of the seer is bidding us fight hard by our ships. It was not Kalkhas the seer and diviner of omens; I knew him at once by his feet and knees as he turned away, for the gods are soon recognized.

Homeric Greek

ἴχνια γὰρ μετόπισθε ποδῶν ἠδὲ κνημάων

ῥεῖ' ἔγνων ἀπιόντος: ἀρίγνωτοι δὲ θεοί περ:

καὶ δ' ἐμοὶ αὐτῷ θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισι

μᾶλλον ἐφορμᾶται πολεμίζειν ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι,

75μαιμώωσι δ' ἔνερθε πόδες καὶ χεῖρες ὕπερθε.

Transliteration

ichnia gar metopisthe podōn ēde knēmaōn

rhei' egnōn apiontos: arignōtoi de theoi per:

kai d' emoi autōi thumos eni stēthessi philoisi

mallon ephormatai polemizein ēde machesthai,

75maimōōsi d' enerthe podes kai cheires huperthe.

English · Butler

Moreover I feel the lust of battle burn more fiercely within me, while my hands and my feet under me are more eager for the fray."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη Τελαμώνιος Αἴας:

οὕτω νῦν καὶ ἐμοὶ περὶ δούρατι χεῖρες ἄαπτοι

μαιμῶσιν, καί μοι μένος ὤρορε, νέρθε δὲ ποσσὶν

ἔσσυμαι ἀμφοτέροισι: μενοινώω δὲ καὶ οἶος

80Ἕκτορι Πριαμίδῃ ἄμοτον μεμαῶτι μάχεσθαι.

Transliteration

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē Telamōnios Aias:

houtō nun kai emoi peri dourati cheires aaptoi

maimōsin, kai moi menos ōrore, nerthe de possin

essumai amphoteroisi: menoinōō de kai oios

80Hektori Priamidēi amoton memaōti machesthai.

English · Butler

And Ajax son of Telamon answered, "I too feel my hands grasp my spear more firmly; my strength is greater, and my feet more nimble; I long, moreover, to meet furious Hektor son of Priam, even in single combat."

Homeric Greek

ὣς οἳ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον

χάρμῃ γηθόσυνοι, τήν σφιν θεὸς ἔμβαλε θυμῷ:

τόφρα δὲ τοὺς ὄπιθεν γαιήοχος ὦρσεν Ἀχαιούς,

οἳ παρὰ νηυσὶ θοῇσιν ἀνέψυχον φίλον ἦτορ.

85τῶν ῥ' ἅμα τ' ἀργαλέῳ καμάτῳ φίλα γυῖα λέλυντο,

Transliteration

hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon

charmēi gēthosunoi, tēn sphin theos embale thumōi:

tophra de tous opithen gaiēochos ōrsen Achaious,

hoi para nēusi thoēisin anepsuchon philon ētor.

85tōn rh' hama t' argaleōi kamatōi phila guia lelunto,

English · Butler

Thus did they converse, exulting in the hunger after battle with which the god had filled them. Meanwhile the earth-encircler roused the Achaeans, who were resting in the rear by the ships overcome at once by hard fighting and by grief at seeing that the Trojans had got over the wall in force. Tears began falling from their eyes

Homeric Greek

καί σφιν ἄχος κατὰ θυμὸν ἐγίγνετο δερκομένοισι

Τρῶας, τοὶ μέγα τεῖχος ὑπερκατέβησαν ὁμίλῳ.

τοὺς οἵ γ' εἰσορόωντες ὑπ' ὀφρύσι δάκρυα λεῖβον:

οὐ γὰρ ἔφαν φεύξεσθαι ὑπ' ἐκ κακοῦ: ἀλλ' ἐνοσίχθων

90ῥεῖα μετεισάμενος κρατερὰς ὄτρυνε φάλαγγας.

Transliteration

kai sphin achos kata thumon egigneto derkomenoisi

Trōas, toi mega teichos huperkatebēsan homilōi.

tous hoi g' eisoroōntes hup' ophrusi dakrua leibon:

ou gar ephan pheuxesthai hup' ek kakou: all' enosichthōn

90rheia meteisamenos krateras otrune phalangas.

English · Butler

as they beheld them, for they made sure that they should not escape destruction; but the lord of the earthquake passed lightly about among them and urged their battalions to the front.

Homeric Greek

Τεῦκρον ἔπι πρῶτον καὶ Λήϊτον ἦλθε κελεύων

Πηνέλεών θ' ἥρωα Θόαντά τε Δηί̈πυρόν τε

Μηριόνην τε καὶ Ἀντίλοχον μήστωρας ἀϋτῆς:

τοὺς ὅ γ' ἐποτρύνων ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

95αἰδὼς Ἀργεῖοι, κοῦροι νέοι: ὔμμιν ἔγωγε

Transliteration

Teukron epi prōton kai Lēïton ēlthe keleuōn

Pēneleōn th' hērōa Thoanta te Dēïpuron te

Mērionēn te kai Antilochon mēstōras aütēs:

tous ho g' epotrunōn epea pteroenta prosēuda:

95aidōs Argeioi, kouroi neoi: ummin egōge

English · Butler

First he went up to Teucer and Leitos, the hero Peneleos, and Thoas and Deipyros; Meriones also and Antilokhos, valiant warriors; all did he exhort. "Shame on you young Argives," he cried, "it was on your prowess I relied for the

Homeric Greek

μαρναμένοισι πέποιθα σαωσέμεναι νέας ἁμάς:

εἰ δ' ὑμεῖς πολέμοιο μεθήσετε λευγαλέοιο,

νῦν δὴ εἴδεται ἦμαρ ὑπὸ Τρώεσσι δαμῆναι.

ὢ πόποι ἦ μέγα θαῦμα τόδ' ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶμαι

100δεινόν, ὃ οὔ ποτ' ἔγωγε τελευτήσεσθαι ἔφασκον,

Transliteration

marnamenoisi pepoitha saōsemenai neas hamas:

ei d' humeis polemoio methēsete leugaleoio,

nun dē eidetai ēmar hupo Trōessi damēnai.

ō popoi ē mega thauma tod' ophthalmoisin horōmai

100deinon, ho ou pot' egōge teleutēsesthai ephaskon,

English · Butler

saving of our ships; if you fight not with might and main, this very day will see us overcome by the Trojans. Of a truth my eyes behold a great and terrible portent which I had never thought to see - the Trojans at our ships - they, who

Homeric Greek

Τρῶας ἐφ' ἡμετέρας ἰέναι νέας, οἳ τὸ πάρος περ

φυζακινῇς ἐλάφοισιν ἐοίκεσαν, αἵ τε καθ' ὕλην

θώων παρδαλίων τε λύκων τ' ἤϊα πέλονται

αὔτως ἠλάσκουσαι ἀνάλκιδες, οὐδ' ἔπι χάρμη:

105ὣς Τρῶες τὸ πρίν γε μένος καὶ χεῖρας Ἀχαιῶν

Transliteration

Trōas eph' hēmeteras ienai neas, hoi to paros per

phuzakinēis elaphoisin eoikesan, hai te kath' hulēn

thōōn pardaliōn te lukōn t' ēïa pelontai

autōs ēlaskousai analkides, oud' epi charmē:

105hōs Trōes to prin ge menos kai cheiras Achaiōn

English · Butler

were heretofore like panic-stricken hinds, the prey of jackals and wolves in a forest, with no strength but in flight for they cannot defend themselves. Hitherto the Trojans dared not for one moment face the attack of the Achaeans, but now they have sallied far from their city and are fighting at

Homeric Greek

μίμνειν οὐκ ἐθέλεσκον ἐναντίον, οὐδ' ἠβαιόν:

νῦν δὲ ἑκὰς πόλιος κοίλῃς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ μάχονται

ἡγεμόνος κακότητι μεθημοσύνῃσί τε λαῶν,

οἳ κείνῳ ἐρίσαντες ἀμυνέμεν οὐκ ἐθέλουσι

110νηῶν ὠκυπόρων, ἀλλὰ κτείνονται ἀν' αὐτάς.

Transliteration

mimnein ouk etheleskon enantion, oud' ēbaion:

nun de hekas polios koilēis epi nēusi machontai

hēgemonos kakotēti methēmosunēisi te laōn,

hoi keinōi erisantes amunemen ouk ethelousi

110nēōn ōkuporōn, alla kteinontai an' autas.

English · Butler

our very ships through the cowardice of our leader and the disaffection of the people themselves, who in their discontent care not to fight in defense of the ships but are being slaughtered near them. True, King Agamemnon son of Atreus is responsible for our disaster by having insulted the son of Peleus, still this is no reason why we should leave off fighting.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' εἰ δὴ καὶ πάμπαν ἐτήτυμον αἴτιός ἐστιν

ἥρως Ἀτρεί̈δης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

οὕνεκ' ἀπητίμησε ποδώκεα Πηλεί̈ωνα,

ἡμέας γ' οὔ πως ἔστι μεθιέμεναι πολέμοιο.

115ἀλλ' ἀκεώμεθα θᾶσσον: ἀκεσταί τοι φρένες ἐσθλῶν.

Transliteration

all' ei dē kai pampan etētumon aitios estin

hērōs Atreïdēs euru kreiōn Agamemnōn

hounek' apētimēse podōkea Pēleïōna,

hēmeas g' ou pōs esti methiemenai polemoio.

115all' akeōmetha thasson: akestai toi phrenes esthlōn.

English · Butler

Let us be quick to heal, for the hearts of the brave heal quickly. You do ill to be thus remiss, you, who are the finest warriors in our whole army. I blame no man for keeping out of battle if he is a weakling, but I am indignant with such men as you are. My good friends, matters will soon become even worse through this slackness;

Homeric Greek

ὑμεῖς δ' οὐκ ἔτι καλὰ μεθίετε θούριδος ἀλκῆς

πάντες ἄριστοι ἐόντες ἀνὰ στρατόν. οὐδ' ἂν ἔγωγε

ἀνδρὶ μαχεσσαίμην ὅς τις πολέμοιο μεθείη

λυγρὸς ἐών: ὑμῖν δὲ νεμεσσῶμαι περὶ κῆρι.

120ὦ πέπονες τάχα δή τι κακὸν ποιήσετε μεῖζον

Transliteration

humeis d' ouk eti kala methiete thouridos alkēs

pantes aristoi eontes ana straton. oud' an egōge

andri machessaimēn hos tis polemoio metheiē

lugros eōn: humin de nemessōmai peri kēri.

120ō pepones tacha dē ti kakon poiēsete meizon

English · Butler

think, each one of you, of his own respect and sense of nemesis, for the hazard of the fight is extreme. Great Hektor is now fighting at our ships; he has broken through

Homeric Greek

τῇδε μεθημοσύνῃ: ἀλλ' ἐν φρεσὶ θέσθε ἕκαστος

αἰδῶ καὶ νέμεσιν: δὴ γὰρ μέγα νεῖκος ὄρωρεν.

Ἕκτωρ δὴ παρὰ νηυσὶ βοὴν ἀγαθὸς πολεμίζει

καρτερός, ἔρρηξεν δὲ πύλας καὶ μακρὸν ὀχῆα.

125ὥς ῥα κελευτιόων γαιήοχος ὦρσεν Ἀχαιούς.

Transliteration

tēide methēmosunēi: all' en phresi thesthe hekastos

aidō kai nemesin: dē gar mega neikos orōren.

Hektōr dē para nēusi boēn agathos polemizei

karteros, errēxen de pulas kai makron ochēa.

125hōs rha keleutioōn gaiēochos ōrsen Achaious.

English · Butler

the gates and the strong bolt that held them." Thus did the earth-encircler address the Achaeans and urge them on.

Homeric Greek

ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' Αἴαντας δοιοὺς ἵσταντο φάλαγγες

καρτεραί, ἃς οὔτ' ἄν κεν Ἄρης ὀνόσαιτο μετελθὼν

οὔτε κ' Ἀθηναίη λαοσσόος: οἳ γὰρ ἄριστοι

κρινθέντες Τρῶάς τε καὶ Ἕκτορα δῖον ἔμιμνον,

130φράξαντες δόρυ δουρί, σάκος σάκεϊ προθελύμνῳ:

Transliteration

amphi d' ar' Aiantas doious histanto phalanges

karterai, has out' an ken Arēs onosaito metelthōn

oute k' Athēnaiē laossoos: hoi gar aristoi

krinthentes Trōas te kai Hektora dion emimnon,

130phraxantes doru douri, sakos sakeï prothelumnōi:

English · Butler

Thus did the earth-encircler address the Achaeans and urge them on. Thereon round the two Ajaxes there gathered strong bands of men, of whom not even Ares nor Athena, marshaler of hosts could make light if they went among them, for they were the picked men of all those who were now awaiting the onset of Hektor and the Trojans. They made a living fence, spear to spear, shield to shield, buckler to buckler, helmet to helmet, and man to man.

Homeric Greek

ἀσπὶς ἄρ' ἀσπίδ' ἔρειδε, κόρυς κόρυν, ἀνέρα δ' ἀνήρ:

ψαῦον δ' ἱππόκομοι κόρυθες λαμπροῖσι φάλοισι

νευόντων, ὡς πυκνοὶ ἐφέστασαν ἀλλήλοισιν:

ἔγχεα δ' ἐπτύσσοντο θρασειάων ἀπὸ χειρῶν

135σειόμεν': οἳ δ' ἰθὺς φρόνεον, μέμασαν δὲ μάχεσθαι.

Transliteration

aspis ar' aspid' ereide, korus korun, anera d' anēr:

psauon d' hippokomoi koruthes lamproisi phaloisi

neuontōn, hōs puknoi ephestasan allēloisin:

enchea d' eptussonto thraseiaōn apo cheirōn

135seiomen': hoi d' ithus phroneon, memasan de machesthai.

English · Butler

The horse-hair crests on their gleaming helmets touched one another as they nodded forward, so closely locked in battle were they; the spears they brandished in their strong hands were interlaced, and their hearts were set on battle.

Homeric Greek

Τρῶες δὲ προὔτυψαν ἀολλέες, ἦρχε δ' ἄρ' Ἕκτωρ

ἀντικρὺ μεμαώς, ὀλοοίτροχος ὣς ἀπὸ πέτρης,

ὅν τε κατὰ στεφάνης ποταμὸς χειμάρροος ὤσῃ

ῥήξας ἀσπέτῳ ὄμβρῳ ἀναιδέος ἔχματα πέτρης:

140ὕψι δ' ἀναθρῴσκων πέτεται, κτυπέει δέ θ' ὑπ' αὐτοῦ

Transliteration

Trōes de proutupsan aollees, ērche d' ar' Hektōr

antikru memaōs, olooitrochos hōs apo petrēs,

hon te kata stephanēs potamos cheimarroos ōsēi

rhēxas aspetōi ombrōi anaideos echmata petrēs:

140hupsi d' anathrōiskōn petetai, ktupeei de th' hup' autou

English · Butler

The Trojans advanced in a dense body, with Hektor at their head pressing right on as a rock that comes thundering down the side of some mountain from whose brow the winter torrents have torn it; the foundations of the dull thing have been loosened by floods of rain, and as it bounds headlong on its way it sets the whole forest in an uproar;

Homeric Greek

ὕλη: ὃ δ' ἀσφαλέως θέει ἔμπεδον, εἷος ἵκηται

ἰσόπεδον, τότε δ' οὔ τι κυλίνδεται ἐσσύμενός περ:

ὣς Ἕκτωρ εἷος μὲν ἀπείλει μέχρι θαλάσσης

ῥέα διελεύσεσθαι κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν

145κτείνων: ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ πυκινῇς ἐνέκυρσε φάλαγξι

Transliteration

hulē: ho d' asphaleōs theei empedon, heios hikētai

isopedon, tote d' ou ti kulindetai essumenos per:

hōs Hektōr heios men apeilei mechri thalassēs

rhea dieleusesthai klisias kai nēas Achaiōn

145kteinōn: all' hote dē pukinēis enekurse phalanxi

English · Butler

it swerves neither to right nor left till it reaches level ground, but then for all its fury it can go no further - even so easily did Hektor for a while seem as though he would career through the tents and ships of the Achaeans till he had reached the sea in his murderous course; but the closely serried battalions stayed him when he reached

Homeric Greek

στῆ ῥα μάλ' ἐγχριμφθείς: οἳ δ' ἀντίοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

νύσσοντες ξίφεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισιν

ὦσαν ἀπὸ σφείων: ὃ δὲ χασσάμενος πελεμίχθη.

ἤϋσεν δὲ διαπρύσιον Τρώεσσι γεγωνώς:

150Τρῶες καὶ Λύκιοι καὶ Δάρδανοι ἀγχιμαχηταὶ

Transliteration

stē rha mal' enchrimphtheis: hoi d' antioi huies Achaiōn

nussontes xiphesin te kai enchesin amphiguoisin

ōsan apo spheiōn: ho de chassamenos pelemichthē.

ēüsen de diaprusion Trōessi gegōnōs:

150Trōes kai Lukioi kai Dardanoi anchimachētai

English · Butler

them, for the sons of the Achaeans thrust at him with swords and spears pointed at both ends, and drove him from them so that he staggered and gave ground; thereon he shouted to the Trojans, "Trojans, Lycians, and Dardanians, fighters in close combat, stand firm: the Achaeans have set themselves as a wall against me, but they will not check me for long; they will give ground

Homeric Greek

παρμένετ': οὔ τοι δηρὸν ἐμὲ σχήσουσιν Ἀχαιοὶ

καὶ μάλα πυργηδὸν σφέας αὐτοὺς ἀρτύναντες,

ἀλλ' ὀί̈ω χάσσονται ὑπ' ἔγχεος, εἰ ἐτεόν με

ὦρσε θεῶν ὤριστος, ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης.

155ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.

Transliteration

parmenet': ou toi dēron eme schēsousin Achaioi

kai mala purgēdon spheas autous artunantes,

all' oïō chassontai hup' encheos, ei eteon me

ōrse theōn ōristos, erigdoupos posis Hērēs.

155hōs eipōn otrune menos kai thumon hekastou.

English · Butler

before me if the mightiest of the gods, the thundering spouse of Hera, has indeed inspired my onset." With these words he put heart and soul into them all.

Homeric Greek

Δηί̈φοβος δ' ἐν τοῖσι μέγα φρονέων ἐβεβήκει

Πριαμίδης, πρόσθεν δ' ἔχεν ἀσπίδα πάντοσ' ἐί̈σην

κοῦφα ποσὶ προβιβὰς καὶ ὑπασπίδια προποδίζων.

Μηριόνης δ' αὐτοῖο τιτύσκετο δουρὶ φαεινῷ

160καὶ βάλεν, οὐδ' ἀφάμαρτε, κατ' ἀσπίδα πάντοσ' ἐί̈σην

Transliteration

Dēïphobos d' en toisi mega phroneōn ebebēkei

Priamidēs, prosthen d' echen aspida pantos' eïsēn

koupha posi probibas kai hupaspidia propodizōn.

Mērionēs d' autoio titusketo douri phaeinōi

160kai balen, oud' aphamarte, kat' aspida pantos' eïsēn

English · Butler

With these words he put heart and soul into them all. Deiphobos son of Priam went about among them intent on deeds of daring with his round shield before him, under cover of which he strode quickly forward. Meriones took aim at him with a spear, nor did he fail to hit the broad orb of ox-hide; but he was far from piercing it for the spear broke in two pieces long ere he could do so; moreover Deiphobos had seen it coming and had held his shield well away from him.

Homeric Greek

ταυρείην: τῆς δ' οὔ τι διήλασεν, ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρὶν

ἐν καυλῷ ἐάγη δολιχὸν δόρυ: Δηί̈φοβος δὲ

ἀσπίδα ταυρείην σχέθ' ἀπὸ ἕο, δεῖσε δὲ θυμῷ

ἔγχος Μηριόναο δαί̈φρονος: αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ἥρως

165ἂψ ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο, χώσατο δ' αἰνῶς

Transliteration

taureiēn: tēs d' ou ti diēlasen, alla polu prin

en kaulōi eagē dolichon doru: Dēïphobos de

aspida taureiēn scheth' apo heo, deise de thumōi

enchos Mērionao daïphronos: autar ho g' hērōs

165aps hetarōn eis ethnos echazeto, chōsato d' ainōs

English · Butler

Meriones drew back under cover of his comrades, angry alike at having failed to vanquish Deiphobos, and having broken his spear. He turned therefore towards the ships and tents to fetch

Homeric Greek

ἀμφότερον, νίκης τε καὶ ἔγχεος ὃ ξυνέαξε.

βῆ δ' ἰέναι παρά τε κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν

οἰσόμενος δόρυ μακρόν, ὅ οἱ κλισίηφι λέλειπτο.

οἳ δ' ἄλλοι μάρναντο, βοὴ δ' ἄσβεστος ὀρώρει.

170Τεῦκρος δὲ πρῶτος Τελαμώνιος ἄνδρα κατέκτα

Transliteration

amphoteron, nikēs te kai encheos ho xuneaxe.

bē d' ienai para te klisias kai nēas Achaiōn

oisomenos doru makron, ho hoi klisiēphi leleipto.

hoi d' alloi marnanto, boē d' asbestos orōrei.

170Teukros de prōtos Telamōnios andra katekta

English · Butler

a spear which he had left behind in his tent. The others continued fighting, and the cry of battle rose up into the heavens. Teucer son of Telamon was the first to kill his man, to wit, the warrior Imbrios son of Mentor rich in horses.

Homeric Greek

Ἴμβριον αἰχμητὴν πολυί̈ππου Μέντορος υἱόν:

ναῖε δὲ Πήδαιον πρὶν ἐλθεῖν υἷας Ἀχαιῶν,

κούρην δὲ Πριάμοιο νόθην ἔχε, Μηδεσικάστην:

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ Δαναῶν νέες ἤλυθον ἀμφιέλισσαι,

175ἂψ ἐς Ἴλιον ἦλθε, μετέπρεπε δὲ Τρώεσσι,

Transliteration

Imbrion aichmētēn poluïppou Mentoros huion:

naie de Pēdaion prin elthein huias Achaiōn,

kourēn de Priamoio nothēn eche, Mēdesikastēn:

autar epei Danaōn nees ēluthon amphielissai,

175aps es Ilion ēlthe, meteprepe de Trōessi,

English · Butler

Until the Achaeans came he had lived in Pedaeum, and had married Medesikaste a bastard daughter of Priam; but on the arrival of the Danaan fleet he had gone back to Ilion, and was a great man among the Trojans, dwelling near Priam himself, who gave him like honor with his own sons. The son of Telamon now struck him under the ear

Homeric Greek

ναῖε δὲ πὰρ Πριάμῳ: ὃ δέ μιν τίεν ἶσα τέκεσσι.

τόν ῥ' υἱὸς Τελαμῶνος ὑπ' οὔατος ἔγχεϊ μακρῷ

νύξ', ἐκ δ' ἔσπασεν ἔγχος: ὃ δ' αὖτ' ἔπεσεν μελίη ὣς

ἥ τ' ὄρεος κορυφῇ ἕκαθεν περιφαινομένοιο

180χαλκῷ ταμνομένη τέρενα χθονὶ φύλλα πελάσσῃ:

Transliteration

naie de par Priamōi: ho de min tien isa tekessi.

ton rh' huios Telamōnos hup' ouatos encheï makrōi

nux', ek d' espasen enchos: ho d' aut' epesen meliē hōs

hē t' oreos koruphēi hekathen periphainomenoio

180chalkōi tamnomenē terena chthoni phulla pelassēi:

English · Butler

with a spear which he then drew back again, and Imbrios fell headlong as an ash-tree when it is felled on the crest of some high mountain beacon, and its delicate green foliage comes toppling down to the ground. Thus did he fall with his bronze-equipped armor ringing harshly round him, and Teucer sprang forward with intent to strip him of his armor;

Homeric Greek

ὣς πέσεν, ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ βράχε τεύχεα ποικίλα χαλκῷ.

Τεῦκρος δ' ὁρμήθη μεμαὼς ἀπὸ τεύχεα δῦσαι:

Ἕκτωρ δ' ὁρμηθέντος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ.

ἀλλ' ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος

185τυτθόν: ὃ δ' Ἀμφίμαχον Κτεάτου υἷ' Ἀκτορίωνος

Transliteration

hōs pesen, amphi de hoi brache teuchea poikila chalkōi.

Teukros d' hormēthē memaōs apo teuchea dusai:

Hektōr d' hormēthentos akontise douri phaeinōi.

all' ho men anta idōn ēleuato chalkeon enchos

185tutthon: ho d' Amphimachon Kteatou hui' Aktoriōnos

English · Butler

but as he was doing so, Hektor took aim at him with a spear. Teucer saw the spear coming and swerved aside, whereon it hit Amphimakhos, son of Kteatos son of Aktor, in the chest as he was coming into battle, and his armor rang rattling round him as he fell heavily to the ground.

Homeric Greek

νισόμενον πόλεμον δὲ κατὰ στῆθος βάλε δουρί:

δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, ἀράβησε δὲ τεύχε' ἐπ' αὐτῷ.

Ἕκτωρ δ' ὁρμήθη κόρυθα κροτάφοις ἀραρυῖαν

κρατὸς ἀφαρπάξαι μεγαλήτορος Ἀμφιμάχοιο:

190Αἴας δ' ὁρμηθέντος ὀρέξατο δουρὶ φαεινῷ

Transliteration

nisomenon polemon de kata stēthos bale douri:

doupēsen de pesōn, arabēse de teuche' ep' autōi.

Hektōr d' hormēthē korutha krotaphois araruian

kratos apharpaxai megalētoros Amphimachoio:

190Aias d' hormēthentos orexato douri phaeinōi

English · Butler

Hektor sprang forward to take Amphimakhos' helmet from off his temples, and in a moment Ajax threw a spear at him, but did not wound him, for he was encased all over in his terrible armor; nevertheless the spear struck the boss of his shield with such force as to drive him back from the two corpses, which the Achaeans then drew off.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορος: ἀλλ' οὔ πῃ χροὸς εἴσατο, πᾶς δ' ἄρα χαλκῷ

σμερδαλέῳ κεκάλυφθ': ὃ δ' ἄρ' ἀσπίδος ὀμφαλὸν οὖτα,

ὦσε δέ μιν σθένεϊ μεγάλῳ: ὃ δὲ χάσσατ' ὀπίσσω

νεκρῶν ἀμφοτέρων, τοὺς δ' ἐξείρυσσαν Ἀχαιοί.

195Ἀμφίμαχον μὲν ἄρα Στιχίος δῖός τε Μενεσθεὺς

Transliteration

Hektoros: all' ou pēi chroos eisato, pas d' ara chalkōi

smerdaleōi kekaluphth': ho d' ar' aspidos omphalon outa,

ōse de min stheneï megalōi: ho de chassat' opissō

nekrōn amphoterōn, tous d' exeirussan Achaioi.

195Amphimachon men ara Stichios dios te Menestheus

English · Butler

Stichios and Menestheus, leaders of the Athenians, bore away Amphimakhos to the host of the Achaeans, while the two brave and impetuous Ajaxes did the like by Imbrios. As two lions snatch a goat from the hounds that have it in their

Homeric Greek

ἀρχοὶ Ἀθηναίων κόμισαν μετὰ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν:

Ἴμβριον αὖτ' Αἴαντε μεμαότε θούριδος ἀλκῆς

ὥς τε δύ' αἶγα λέοντε κυνῶν ὕπο καρχαροδόντων

ἁρπάξαντε φέρητον ἀνὰ ῥωπήϊα πυκνὰ

200ὑψοῦ ὑπὲρ γαίης μετὰ γαμφηλῇσιν ἔχοντε,

Transliteration

archoi Athēnaiōn komisan meta laon Achaiōn:

Imbrion aut' Aiante memaote thouridos alkēs

hōs te du' aiga leonte kunōn hupo karcharodontōn

harpaxante pherēton ana rhōpēïa pukna

200hupsou huper gaiēs meta gamphēlēisin echonte,

English · Butler

fangs, and bear it through thick brushwood high above the ground in their jaws, thus did the Ajaxes bear aloft the body of Imbrios, and strip it of its armor. Then the son of Oileus severed the head from the neck in

Homeric Greek

ὥς ῥα τὸν ὑψοῦ ἔχοντε δύω Αἴαντε κορυστὰ

τεύχεα συλήτην: κεφαλὴν δ' ἁπαλῆς ἀπὸ δειρῆς

κόψεν Ὀϊλιάδης κεχολωμένος Ἀμφιμάχοιο,

ἧκε δέ μιν σφαιρηδὸν ἑλιξάμενος δι' ὁμίλου:

205Ἕκτορι δὲ προπάροιθε ποδῶν πέσεν ἐν κονίῃσι.

Transliteration

hōs rha ton hupsou echonte duō Aiante korusta

teuchea sulētēn: kephalēn d' hapalēs apo deirēs

kopsen Oïliadēs kecholōmenos Amphimachoio,

hēke de min sphairēdon helixamenos di' homilou:

205Hektori de proparoithe podōn pesen en koniēisi.

English · Butler

revenge for the death of Amphimakhos, and sent it whirling over the crowd as though it had been a ball, till fell in the dust at Hektor's feet.

Homeric Greek

καὶ τότε δὴ περὶ κῆρι Ποσειδάων ἐχολώθη

υἱωνοῖο πεσόντος ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι,

βῆ δ' ἰέναι παρά τε κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν

ὀτρυνέων Δαναούς, Τρώεσσι δὲ κήδεα τεῦχεν.

210Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ἄρα οἱ δουρικλυτὸς ἀντεβόλησεν

Transliteration

kai tote dē peri kēri Poseidaōn echolōthē

huiōnoio pesontos en ainēi dēïotēti,

bē d' ienai para te klisias kai nēas Achaiōn

otruneōn Danaous, Trōessi de kēdea teuchen.

210Idomeneus d' ara hoi douriklutos antebolēsen

English · Butler

Poseidon was exceedingly angry that his grandson Amphimakhos should have fallen; he therefore went to the tents and ships of the Achaeans to urge the Danaans still further, and to devise evil for the Trojans. Idomeneus met him, as he was taking leave of a comrade, who had just come to him from the fight, wounded in the knee. His fellow-warriors bore him off the field, and Idomeneus having given orders to the

Homeric Greek

ἐρχόμενος παρ' ἑταίρου, ὅ οἱ νέον ἐκ πολέμοιο

ἦλθε κατ' ἰγνύην βεβλημένος ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ.

τὸν μὲν ἑταῖροι ἔνεικαν, ὃ δ' ἰητροῖς ἐπιτείλας

ἤϊεν ἐς κλισίην: ἔτι γὰρ πολέμοιο μενοίνα

215ἀντιάαν: τὸν δὲ προσέφη κρείων ἐνοσίχθων

Transliteration

erchomenos par' hetairou, ho hoi neon ek polemoio

ēlthe kat' ignuēn beblēmenos oxeï chalkōi.

ton men hetairoi eneikan, ho d' iētrois epiteilas

ēïen es klisiēn: eti gar polemoio menoina

215antiaan: ton de prosephē kreiōn enosichthōn

English · Butler

physicians went on to his tent, for he was still thirsting for battle. Poseidon spoke in the likeness and with the voice of Thoas son of Andraimon who ruled the Aetolians of all Pleuron and high Calydon, and was honored in his district as though he were a god.

Homeric Greek

εἰσάμενος φθογγὴν Ἀνδραίμονος υἷϊ Θόαντι

ὃς πάσῃ Πλευρῶνι καὶ αἰπεινῇ Καλυδῶνι

Αἰτωλοῖσιν ἄνασσε, θεὸς δ' ὣς τίετο δήμῳ:

Ἰδομενεῦ Κρητῶν βουληφόρε ποῦ τοι ἀπειλαὶ

220οἴχονται, τὰς Τρωσὶν ἀπείλεον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν;

Transliteration

eisamenos phthongēn Andraimonos huiï Thoanti

hos pasēi Pleurōni kai aipeinēi Kaludōni

Aitōloisin anasse, theos d' hōs tieto dēmōi:

Idomeneu Krētōn boulēphore pou toi apeilai

220oichontai, tas Trōsin apeileon huies Achaiōn;

English · Butler

"Idomeneus," said he, "lawgiver to the Cretans, what has now become of the threats with which the sons of the Achaeans used to threaten the Trojans?"

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα:

ὦ Θόαν οὔ τις ἀνὴρ νῦν γ' αἴτιος, ὅσσον ἔγωγε

γιγνώσκω: πάντες γὰρ ἐπιστάμεθα πτολεμίζειν.

οὔτέ τινα δέος ἴσχει ἀκήριον οὔτέ τις ὄκνῳ

225εἴκων ἀνδύεται πόλεμον κακόν: ἀλλά που οὕτω

Transliteration

ton d' aut' Idomeneus Krētōn agos antion ēuda:

ō Thoan ou tis anēr nun g' aitios, hosson egōge

gignōskō: pantes gar epistametha ptolemizein.

oute tina deos ischei akērion oute tis oknōi

225eikōn anduetai polemon kakon: alla pou houtō

English · Butler

And Idomeneus chief among the Cretans answered, "Thoas, no one, so far as I know, is responsible, for we can all fight. None are held back neither by fear nor slackness, but it seems to be the of almighty Zeus that the Achaeans should perish ingloriously here far from Argos: you, Thoas, have been always

Homeric Greek

μέλλει δὴ φίλον εἶναι ὑπερμενέϊ Κρονίωνι

νωνύμνους ἀπολέσθαι ἀπ' Ἄργεος ἐνθάδ' Ἀχαιούς.

ἀλλὰ Θόαν, καὶ γὰρ τὸ πάρος μενεδήϊος ἦσθα,

ὀτρύνεις δὲ καὶ ἄλλον ὅθι μεθιέντα ἴδηαι:

230τὼ νῦν μήτ' ἀπόληγε κέλευέ τε φωτὶ ἑκάστῳ.

Transliteration

mellei dē philon einai hupermeneï Kroniōni

nōnumnous apolesthai ap' Argeos enthad' Achaious.

alla Thoan, kai gar to paros menedēïos ēstha,

otruneis de kai allon hothi methienta idēai:

230tō nun mēt' apolēge keleue te phōti hekastōi.

English · Butler

staunch, and you keep others in heart if you see any fail in duty; be not then remiss now, but exhort all to do their utmost."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων:

Ἰδομενεῦ μὴ κεῖνος ἀνὴρ ἔτι νοστήσειεν

ἐκ Τροίης, ἀλλ' αὖθι κυνῶν μέλπηθρα γένοιτο,

ὅς τις ἐπ' ἤματι τῷδε ἑκὼν μεθίῃσι μάχεσθαι.

235ἀλλ' ἄγε τεύχεα δεῦρο λαβὼν ἴθι: ταῦτα δ' ἅμα χρὴ

Transliteration

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Poseidaōn enosichthōn:

Idomeneu mē keinos anēr eti nostēseien

ek Troiēs, all' authi kunōn melpēthra genoito,

hos tis ep' ēmati tōide hekōn methiēisi machesthai.

235all' age teuchea deuro labōn ithi: tauta d' hama chrē

English · Butler

To this Poseidon lord of the earthquake made answer, "Idomeneus, may he never return from Troy, but remain here for dogs to batten upon, who is this day willfully slack in fighting. Get your armor and go, we must make all haste together if we may be of any use, though we are only two. Even cowards gain a

Homeric Greek

σπεύδειν, αἴ κ' ὄφελός τι γενώμεθα καὶ δύ' ἐόντε.

συμφερτὴ δ' ἀρετὴ πέλει ἀνδρῶν καὶ μάλα λυγρῶν,

νῶϊ δὲ καί κ' ἀγαθοῖσιν ἐπισταίμεσθα μάχεσθαι.

ὣς εἰπὼν ὃ μὲν αὖτις ἔβη θεὸς ἂμ πόνον ἀνδρῶν:

240Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ὅτε δὴ κλισίην εὔτυκτον ἵκανε

Transliteration

speudein, ai k' ophelos ti genōmetha kai du' eonte.

sumphertē d' aretē pelei andrōn kai mala lugrōn,

nōï de kai k' agathoisin epistaimestha machesthai.

hōs eipōn ho men autis ebē theos am ponon andrōn:

240Idomeneus d' hote dē klisiēn eutukton hikane

English · Butler

sense of striving from companionship, and we two can hold our own with the bravest." Therewith the god went back into the thick of the fight, and Idomeneus when he had reached his tent donned his armor, grasped his two spears, and sallied forth.

Homeric Greek

δύσετο τεύχεα καλὰ περὶ χροί̈, γέντο δὲ δοῦρε,

βῆ δ' ἴμεν ἀστεροπῇ ἐναλίγκιος, ἥν τε Κρονίων

χειρὶ λαβὼν ἐτίναξεν ἀπ' αἰγλήεντος Ὀλύμπου

δεικνὺς σῆμα βροτοῖσιν: ἀρίζηλοι δέ οἱ αὐγαί:

245ὣς τοῦ χαλκὸς ἔλαμπε περὶ στήθεσσι θέοντος.

Transliteration

duseto teuchea kala peri chroï, gento de doure,

bē d' imen asteropēi enalinkios, hēn te Kroniōn

cheiri labōn etinaxen ap' aiglēentos Olumpou

deiknus sēma brotoisin: arizēloi de hoi augai:

245hōs tou chalkos elampe peri stēthessi theontos.

English · Butler

Therewith the god went back into the thick of the fight, and Idomeneus when he had reached his tent donned his armor, grasped his two spears, and sallied forth. As the lightning which the son of Kronos brandishes from bright Olympus when he would show a sign to mortals, and its gleam flashes far and wide - even so did his armor gleam about him as he ran.

Homeric Greek

Μηριόνης δ' ἄρα οἱ θεράπων ἐὺ̈ς ἀντεβόλησεν

ἐγγὺς ἔτι κλισίης: μετὰ γὰρ δόρυ χάλκεον ᾔει

οἰσόμενος: τὸν δὲ προσέφη σθένος Ἰδομενῆος:

Μηριόνη Μόλου υἱὲ πόδας ταχὺ φίλταθ' ἑταίρων

250τίπτ' ἦλθες πόλεμόν τε λιπὼν καὶ δηϊοτῆτα;

Transliteration

Mērionēs d' ara hoi therapōn eüs antebolēsen

engus eti klisiēs: meta gar doru chalkeon ēiei

oisomenos: ton de prosephē sthenos Idomenēos:

Mērionē Molou huie podas tachu philtath' hetairōn

250tipt' ēlthes polemon te lipōn kai dēïotēta;

English · Butler

even so did his armor gleam about him as he ran. Meriones his sturdy squire met him while he was still near his tent (for he was going to fetch his spear) and Idomeneus said "Meriones, fleet son of Molos, best of comrades, why have you left the field? Are you wounded, and is the point of the weapon hurting you?

Homeric Greek

ἠέ τι βέβληαι, βέλεος δέ σε τείρει ἀκωκή,

ἦέ τευ ἀγγελίης μετ' ἔμ' ἤλυθες; οὐδέ τοι αὐτὸς

ἧσθαι ἐνὶ κλισίῃσι λιλαίομαι, ἀλλὰ μάχεσθαι.

τὸν δ' αὖ Μηριόνης πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

255Ἰδομενεῦ, Κρητῶν βουληφόρε χαλκοχιτώνων,

Transliteration

ēe ti beblēai, beleos de se teirei akōkē,

ēe teu angeliēs met' em' ēluthes; oude toi autos

hēsthai eni klisiēisi lilaiomai, alla machesthai.

ton d' au Mērionēs pepnumenos antion ēuda:

255Idomeneu, Krētōn boulēphore chalkochitōnōn,

English · Butler

or have you been sent to fetch me? I want no fetching; I had far rather fight than stay in my tent." "Idomeneus," answered Meriones, "I come for a spear, if I can find one in my tent; I have broken the

Homeric Greek

ἔρχομαι εἴ τί τοι ἔγχος ἐνὶ κλισίῃσι λέλειπται

οἰσόμενος: τό νυ γὰρ κατεάξαμεν ὃ πρὶν ἔχεσκον

ἀσπίδα Δηϊφόβοιο βαλὼν ὑπερηνορέοντος.

τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα:

260δούρατα δ' αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα καὶ ἓν καὶ εἴκοσι δήεις

Transliteration

erchomai ei ti toi enchos eni klisiēisi leleiptai

oisomenos: to nu gar kateaxamen ho prin echeskon

aspida Dēïphoboio balōn huperēnoreontos.

ton d' aut' Idomeneus Krētōn agos antion ēuda:

260dourata d' ai k' ethelēistha kai hen kai eikosi dēeis

English · Butler

one I had, in throwing it at the shield of Deiphobos." And Idomeneus leader of the Cretans answered, "You will find one spear, or twenty if you so please, standing up against the end wall of my tent. I have taken them from

Homeric Greek

ἑσταότ' ἐν κλισίῃ πρὸς ἐνώπια παμφανόωντα

Τρώϊα, τὰ κταμένων ἀποαίνυμαι: οὐ γὰρ ὀί̈ω

ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων ἑκὰς ἱστάμενος πολεμίζειν.

τώ μοι δούρατά τ' ἔστι καὶ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι

265καὶ κόρυθες καὶ θώρηκες λαμπρὸν γανόωντες.

Transliteration

hestaot' en klisiēi pros enōpia pamphanoōnta

Trōïa, ta ktamenōn apoainumai: ou gar oïō

andrōn dusmeneōn hekas histamenos polemizein.

tō moi dourata t' esti kai aspides omphaloessai

265kai koruthes kai thōrēkes lampron ganoōntes.

English · Butler

Trojans whom I have killed, for I am not one to keep my enemy at arm's length; therefore I have spears, bossed shields, helmets, and burnished corselets."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖ Μηριόνης πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

καί τοι ἐμοὶ παρά τε κλισίῃ καὶ νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ

πόλλ' ἔναρα Τρώων: ἀλλ' οὐ σχεδόν ἐστιν ἑλέσθαι.

οὐδὲ γὰρ οὐδ' ἐμέ φημι λελασμένον ἔμμεναι ἀλκῆς,

270ἀλλὰ μετὰ πρώτοισι μάχην ἀνὰ κυδιάνειραν

Transliteration

ton d' au Mērionēs pepnumenos antion ēuda:

kai toi emoi para te klisiēi kai nēï melainēi

poll' enara Trōōn: all' ou schedon estin helesthai.

oude gar oud' eme phēmi lelasmenon emmenai alkēs,

270alla meta prōtoisi machēn ana kudianeiran

English · Butler

Then Meriones said, "I too in my tent and at my ship have spoils taken from the Trojans, but they are not at hand. I have been at all times valorous, and wherever there has been hard fighting have held my own among the foremost. There may be those among the Achaeans who

Homeric Greek

ἵσταμαι, ὁππότε νεῖκος ὀρώρηται πολέμοιο.

ἄλλόν πού τινα μᾶλλον Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων

λήθω μαρνάμενος, σὲ δὲ ἴδμεναι αὐτὸν ὀί̈ω.

τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα:

275οἶδ' ἀρετὴν οἷός ἐσσι: τί σε χρὴ ταῦτα λέγεσθαι;

Transliteration

histamai, hoppote neikos orōrētai polemoio.

allon pou tina mallon Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn

lēthō marnamenos, se de idmenai auton oïō.

ton d' aut' Idomeneus Krētōn agos antion ēuda:

275oid' aretēn hoios essi: ti se chrē tauta legesthai;

English · Butler

do not know how I fight, but you know it well enough yourself." Idomeneus answered, "I know you for a man of excellence : you need not tell me. If the best men at the ships were being chosen to

Homeric Greek

εἰ γὰρ νῦν παρὰ νηυσὶ λεγοίμεθα πάντες ἄριστοι

ἐς λόχον, ἔνθα μάλιστ' ἀρετὴ διαείδεται ἀνδρῶν,

ἔνθ' ὅ τε δειλὸς ἀνὴρ ὅς τ' ἄλκιμος ἐξεφαάνθη:

τοῦ μὲν γάρ τε κακοῦ τρέπεται χρὼς ἄλλυδις ἄλλῃ,

280οὐδέ οἱ ἀτρέμας ἧσθαι ἐρητύετ' ἐν φρεσὶ θυμός,

Transliteration

ei gar nun para nēusi legoimetha pantes aristoi

es lochon, entha malist' aretē diaeidetai andrōn,

enth' ho te deilos anēr hos t' alkimos exephaanthē:

tou men gar te kakou trepetai chrōs alludis allēi,

280oude hoi atremas hēsthai erētuet' en phresi thumos,

English · Butler

go on an ambush- and there is nothing like this for showing what a man is made of; it comes out then who is cowardly and who has a sense of striving ; the coward will change color at every touch and turn; he is full of fears, and keeps shifting his weight first on one knee and then on the other; his heart beats fast as he thinks of death, and one can hear the chattering of his teeth;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ μετοκλάζει καὶ ἐπ' ἀμφοτέρους πόδας ἵζει,

ἐν δέ τέ οἱ κραδίη μεγάλα στέρνοισι πατάσσει

κῆρας ὀϊομένῳ, πάταγος δέ τε γίγνετ' ὀδόντων:

τοῦ δ' ἀγαθοῦ οὔτ' ἂρ τρέπεται χρὼς οὔτέ τι λίην

285ταρβεῖ, ἐπειδὰν πρῶτον ἐσίζηται λόχον ἀνδρῶν,

Transliteration

alla metoklazei kai ep' amphoterous podas hizei,

en de te hoi kradiē megala sternoisi patassei

kēras oïomenōi, patagos de te gignet' odontōn:

tou d' agathou out' ar trepetai chrōs oute ti liēn

285tarbei, epeidan prōton esizētai lochon andrōn,

English · Butler

whereas the brave man will not change color nor be on finding himself in ambush, but is all the time longing to go into action -

Homeric Greek

ἀρᾶται δὲ τάχιστα μιγήμεναι ἐν δαὶ̈ λυγρῇ:

οὐδέ κεν ἔνθα τεόν γε μένος καὶ χεῖρας ὄνοιτο.

εἴ περ γάρ κε βλεῖο πονεύμενος ἠὲ τυπείης

οὐκ ἂν ἐν αὐχέν' ὄπισθε πέσοι βέλος οὐδ' ἐνὶ νώτῳ,

290ἀλλά κεν ἢ στέρνων ἢ νηδύος ἀντιάσειε

Transliteration

aratai de tachista migēmenai en daï lugrēi:

oude ken entha teon ge menos kai cheiras onoito.

ei per gar ke bleio poneumenos ēe tupeiēs

ouk an en auchen' opisthe pesoi belos oud' eni nōtōi,

290alla ken ē sternōn ē nēduos antiaseie

English · Butler

if the best men were being chosen for such a service, no one could make light of your courage nor feats of arms. If you were struck by a dart or smitten in close combat, it would not be from behind, in your neck nor back, but the weapon would hit you in the chest or belly as you were pressing forward to a place in the front ranks.

Homeric Greek

πρόσσω ἱεμένοιο μετὰ προμάχων ὀαριστύν.

ἀλλ' ἄγε μηκέτι ταῦτα λεγώμεθα νηπύτιοι ὣς

ἑσταότες, μή πού τις ὑπερφιάλως νεμεσήσῃ:

ἀλλὰ σύ γε κλισίην δὲ κιὼν ἕλευ ὄβριμον ἔγχος.

295ὣς φάτο, Μηριόνης δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ

Transliteration

prossō hiemenoio meta promachōn oaristun.

all' age mēketi tauta legōmetha nēputioi hōs

hestaotes, mē pou tis huperphialōs nemesēsēi:

alla su ge klisiēn de kiōn heleu obrimon enchos.

295hōs phato, Mērionēs de thoōi atalantos Arēï

English · Butler

But let us no longer stay here talking like children, lest we be ill spoken of; go, fetch your spear from the tent at once." On this Meriones, peer of Ares, went to the tent and got himself a spear of bronze.

Homeric Greek

καρπαλίμως κλισίηθεν ἀνείλετο χάλκεον ἔγχος,

βῆ δὲ μετ' Ἰδομενῆα μέγα πτολέμοιο μεμηλώς.

οἷος δὲ βροτολοιγὸς Ἄρης πόλεμον δὲ μέτεισι,

τῷ δὲ Φόβος φίλος υἱὸς ἅμα κρατερὸς καὶ ἀταρβὴς

300ἕσπετο, ὅς τ' ἐφόβησε ταλάφρονά περ πολεμιστήν:

Transliteration

karpalimōs klisiēthen aneileto chalkeon enchos,

bē de met' Idomenēa mega ptolemoio memēlōs.

hoios de brotoloigos Arēs polemon de meteisi,

tōi de Phobos philos huios hama krateros kai atarbēs

300hespeto, hos t' ephobēse talaphrona per polemistēn:

English · Butler

On this Meriones, peer of Ares, went to the tent and got himself a spear of bronze. He then followed after Idomeneus, big with great deeds of valor. As when baneful Ares sallies forth to battle, and his son Panic so strong and dauntless goes with him, to strike terror even into the heart of a hero - the pair have gone from Thrace

Homeric Greek

τὼ μὲν ἄρ' ἐκ Θρῄκης Ἐφύρους μέτα θωρήσσεσθον,

ἠὲ μετὰ Φλεγύας μεγαλήτορας: οὐδ' ἄρα τώ γε

ἔκλυον ἀμφοτέρων, ἑτέροισι δὲ κῦδος ἔδωκαν:

τοῖοι Μηριόνης τε καὶ Ἰδομενεὺς ἀγοὶ ἀνδρῶν

305ἤϊσαν ἐς πόλεμον κεκορυθμένοι αἴθοπι χαλκῷ.

Transliteration

tō men ar' ek Thrēikēs Ephurous meta thōrēssesthon,

ēe meta Phleguas megalētoras: oud' ara tō ge

ekluon amphoterōn, heteroisi de kudos edōkan:

toioi Mērionēs te kai Idomeneus agoi andrōn

305ēïsan es polemon kekoruthmenoi aithopi chalkōi.

English · Butler

to arm themselves among the Ephyroi or the brave Phlegyans, but they will not listen to both the contending hosts, and will give victory to one side or to the other - even so did Meriones and Idomeneus, leaders of men, go out to battle clad in their bronze armor.

Homeric Greek

τὸν καὶ Μηριόνης πρότερος πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε:

Δευκαλίδη πῇ τὰρ μέμονας καταδῦναι ὅμιλον;

ἢ ἐπὶ δεξιόφιν παντὸς στρατοῦ, ἦ ἀνὰ μέσσους,

ἦ ἐπ' ἀριστερόφιν; ἐπεὶ οὔ ποθι ἔλπομαι οὕτω

310δεύεσθαι πολέμοιο κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιούς.

Transliteration

ton kai Mērionēs proteros pros muthon eeipe:

Deukalidē pēi tar memonas katadunai homilon;

ē epi dexiophin pantos stratou, ē ana messous,

ē ep' aristerophin; epei ou pothi elpomai houtō

310deuesthai polemoio karē komoōntas Achaious.

English · Butler

Meriones was first to speak. "Son of Deukalion," said he, "where would you have us begin fighting? On the right wing of the host, in the center, or on the left wing, where I take it the Achaeans will be weakest?"

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα:

νηυσὶ μὲν ἐν μέσσῃσιν ἀμύνειν εἰσὶ καὶ ἄλλοι

Αἴαντές τε δύω Τεῦκρός θ', ὃς ἄριστος Ἀχαιῶν

τοξοσύνῃ, ἀγαθὸς δὲ καὶ ἐν σταδίῃ ὑσμίνῃ:

315οἵ μιν ἅδην ἐλόωσι καὶ ἐσσύμενον πολέμοιο

Transliteration

ton d' aut' Idomeneus Krētōn agos antion ēuda:

nēusi men en messēisin amunein eisi kai alloi

Aiantes te duō Teukros th', hos aristos Achaiōn

toxosunēi, agathos de kai en stadiēi husminēi:

315hoi min hadēn eloōsi kai essumenon polemoio

English · Butler

Idomeneus answered, "There are others to defend the center - the two Ajaxes and Teucer, who is the finest archer of all the Achaeans, and is good also in a hand-to-hand fight. These will give Hektor son of Priam enough to do; fight as he may, he will find it hard to vanquish their indomitable fury, and fire the ships, unless the son of Kronos fling a firebrand upon them with his own hand.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορα Πριαμίδην, καὶ εἰ μάλα καρτερός ἐστιν.

αἰπύ οἱ ἐσσεῖται μάλα περ μεμαῶτι μάχεσθαι

κείνων νικήσαντι μένος καὶ χεῖρας ἀάπτους

νῆας ἐνιπρῆσαι, ὅτε μὴ αὐτός γε Κρονίων

320ἐμβάλοι αἰθόμενον δαλὸν νήεσσι θοῇσιν.

Transliteration

Hektora Priamidēn, kai ei mala karteros estin.

aipu hoi esseitai mala per memaōti machesthai

keinōn nikēsanti menos kai cheiras aaptous

nēas eniprēsai, hote mē autos ge Kroniōn

320embaloi aithomenon dalon nēessi thoēisin.

English · Butler

Great Ajax son of Telamon will yield to no man who is in mortal mold and eats the grain of Demeter, if bronze and great stones can overthrow him. He would not yield even to Achilles in hand-to-hand fight, and in fleetness of foot there is none to beat him;

Homeric Greek

ἀνδρὶ δέ κ' οὐκ εἴξειε μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας,

ὃς θνητός τ' εἴη καὶ ἔδοι Δημήτερος ἀκτὴν

χαλκῷ τε ῥηκτὸς μεγάλοισί τε χερμαδίοισιν.

οὐδ' ἂν Ἀχιλλῆϊ ῥηξήνορι χωρήσειεν

325ἔν γ' αὐτοσταδίῃ: ποσὶ δ' οὔ πως ἔστιν ἐρίζειν.

Transliteration

andri de k' ouk eixeie megas Telamōnios Aias,

hos thnētos t' eiē kai edoi Dēmēteros aktēn

chalkōi te rhēktos megaloisi te chermadioisin.

oud' an Achillēï rhēxēnori chōrēseien

325en g' autostadiēi: posi d' ou pōs estin erizein.

English · Butler

let us turn therefore towards the left wing, that we may know forthwith whether we are to give glory

Homeric Greek

νῶϊν δ' ὧδ' ἐπ' ἀριστέρ' ἔχε στρατοῦ, ὄφρα τάχιστα

εἴδομεν ἠέ τῳ εὖχος ὀρέξομεν, ἦέ τις ἡμῖν.

ὣς φάτο, Μηριόνης δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ

ἦρχ' ἴμεν, ὄφρ' ἀφίκοντο κατὰ στρατὸν ᾗ μιν ἀνώγει,

330οἳ δ' ὡς Ἰδομενῆα ἴδον φλογὶ εἴκελον ἀλκὴν

Transliteration

nōïn d' hōd' ep' arister' eche stratou, ophra tachista

eidomen ēe tōi euchos orexomen, ēe tis hēmin.

hōs phato, Mērionēs de thoōi atalantos Arēï

ērch' imen, ophr' aphikonto kata straton hēi min anōgei,

330hoi d' hōs Idomenēa idon phlogi eikelon alkēn

English · Butler

to some other, or he to us." Meriones, peer of fleet Ares, then led the way till they came to the part of the host which Idomeneus had named. Now when the Trojans saw Idomeneus coming on like a flame of fire, him and his squire clad in their richly wrought armor, they shouted and made towards him all in a body, and a furious hand-to-hand fight raged under the ships' sterns.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὸν καὶ θεράποντα σὺν ἔντεσι δαιδαλέοισι,

κεκλόμενοι καθ' ὅμιλον ἐπ' αὐτῷ πάντες ἔβησαν:

τῶν δ' ὁμὸν ἵστατο νεῖκος ἐπὶ πρυμνῇσι νέεσσιν.

ὡς δ' ὅθ' ὑπὸ λιγέων ἀνέμων σπέρχωσιν ἄελλαι

335ἤματι τῷ ὅτε τε πλείστη κόνις ἀμφὶ κελεύθους,

Transliteration

auton kai theraponta sun entesi daidaleoisi,

keklomenoi kath' homilon ep' autōi pantes ebēsan:

tōn d' homon histato neikos epi prumnēisi neessin.

hōs d' hoth' hupo ligeōn anemōn sperchōsin aellai

335ēmati tōi hote te pleistē konis amphi keleuthous,

English · Butler

Now when the Trojans saw Idomeneus coming on like a flame of fire, him and his squire clad in their richly wrought armor, they shouted and made towards him all in a body, and a furious hand-to-hand fight raged under the ships' sterns. Fierce as the shrill winds that whistle upon a day when dust lies deep on the roads, and the gusts raise it into a thick cloud - even such was the fury of the combat, and might and main did they hack at each other with spear and sword throughout the host.

Homeric Greek

οἵ τ' ἄμυδις κονίης μεγάλην ἱστᾶσιν ὀμίχλην,

ὣς ἄρα τῶν ὁμόσ' ἦλθε μάχη, μέμασαν δ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ

ἀλλήλους καθ' ὅμιλον ἐναιρέμεν ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ.

ἔφριξεν δὲ μάχη φθισίμβροτος ἐγχείῃσι

340μακρῇς, ἃς εἶχον ταμεσίχροας: ὄσσε δ' ἄμερδεν

Transliteration

hoi t' amudis koniēs megalēn histasin omichlēn,

hōs ara tōn homos' ēlthe machē, memasan d' eni thumōi

allēlous kath' homilon enairemen oxeï chalkōi.

ephrixen de machē phthisimbrotos encheiēisi

340makrēis, has eichon tamesichroas: osse d' amerden

English · Butler

The field bristled with the long and deadly spears which they bore. Dazzling was the sheen of their gleaming helmets, their fresh-burnished breastplates, and glittering shields as they joined battle with one another. Iron indeed must be his courage who could

Homeric Greek

αὐγὴ χαλκείη κορύθων ἄπο λαμπομενάων

θωρήκων τε νεοσμήκτων σακέων τε φαεινῶν

ἐρχομένων ἄμυδις: μάλα κεν θρασυκάρδιος εἴη

ὃς τότε γηθήσειεν ἰδὼν πόνον οὐδ' ἀκάχοιτο.

345τὼ δ' ἀμφὶς φρονέοντε δύω Κρόνου υἷε κραταιὼ

Transliteration

augē chalkeiē koruthōn apo lampomenaōn

thōrēkōn te neosmēktōn sakeōn te phaeinōn

erchomenōn amudis: mala ken thrasukardios eiē

hos tote gēthēseien idōn ponon oud' akachoito.

345tō d' amphis phroneonte duō Kronou huie krataiō

English · Butler

take pleasure in the sight of such a turmoil, and look on it without being dismayed. Thus did the two mighty sons of Kronos devise evil for mortal heroes.

Homeric Greek

ἀνδράσιν ἡρώεσσιν ἐτεύχετον ἄλγεα λυγρά.

Ζεὺς μέν ῥα Τρώεσσι καὶ Ἕκτορι βούλετο νίκην

κυδαίνων Ἀχιλῆα πόδας ταχύν: οὐδέ τι πάμπαν

ἤθελε λαὸν ὀλέσθαι Ἀχαιϊκὸν Ἰλιόθι πρό,

350ἀλλὰ Θέτιν κύδαινε καὶ υἱέα καρτερόθυμον.

Transliteration

andrasin hērōessin eteucheton algea lugra.

Zeus men rha Trōessi kai Hektori bouleto nikēn

kudainōn Achilēa podas tachun: oude ti pampan

ēthele laon olesthai Achaiïkon Iliothi pro,

350alla Thetin kudaine kai huiea karterothumon.

English · Butler

Thus did the two mighty sons of Kronos devise evil for mortal heroes. Zeus was minded to give victory to the Trojans and to Hektor, so as to do honor to fleet Achilles, nevertheless he did not mean to utterly overthrow the Achaean host before Ilion, and only wanted to glorify Thetis and her valiant son. Poseidon on the other hand went about among the Argives

Homeric Greek

Ἀργείους δὲ Ποσειδάων ὀρόθυνε μετελθὼν

λάθρῃ ὑπεξαναδὺς πολιῆς ἁλός: ἤχθετο γάρ ῥα

Τρωσὶν δαμναμένους, Διὶ δὲ κρατερῶς ἐνεμέσσα.

ἦ μὰν ἀμφοτέροισιν ὁμὸν γένος ἠδ' ἴα πάτρη,

355ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς πρότερος γεγόνει καὶ πλείονα ᾔδη.

Transliteration

Argeious de Poseidaōn orothune metelthōn

lathrēi hupexanadus poliēs halos: ēchtheto gar rha

Trōsin damnamenous, Dii de kraterōs enemessa.

ē man amphoteroisin homon genos ēd' ia patrē,

355alla Zeus proteros gegonei kai pleiona ēidē.

English · Butler

to incite them, having come up from the gray sea in secret, for he was grieved at seeing them vanquished by the Trojans, and was furiously angry with Zeus. Both were of the same race and country, but Zeus was elder born and knew more, therefore Poseidon feared to defend the Argives openly, but in the likeness of man, he kept on encouraging them throughout their host.

Homeric Greek

τώ ῥα καὶ ἀμφαδίην μὲν ἀλεξέμεναι ἀλέεινε,

λάθρῃ δ' αἰὲν ἔγειρε κατὰ στρατὸν ἀνδρὶ ἐοικώς.

τοὶ δ' ἔριδος κρατερῆς καὶ ὁμοιί̈ου πτολέμοιο

πεῖραρ ἐπαλλάξαντες ἐπ' ἀμφοτέροισι τάνυσσαν

360ἄρρηκτόν τ' ἄλυτόν τε, τὸ πολλῶν γούνατ' ἔλυσεν.

Transliteration

tō rha kai amphadiēn men alexemenai aleeine,

lathrēi d' aien egeire kata straton andri eoikōs.

toi d' eridos kraterēs kai homoiïou ptolemoio

peirar epallaxantes ep' amphoteroisi tanussan

360arrēkton t' aluton te, to pollōn gounat' elusen.

English · Butler

Thus, then, did these two devise a knot of war and battle, that none could unloose or break, and set both sides tugging at it, to the failing of men's knees beneath them.

Homeric Greek

ἔνθα μεσαιπόλιός περ ἐὼν Δαναοῖσι κελεύσας

Ἰδομενεὺς Τρώεσσι μετάλμενος ἐν φόβον ὦρσε.

πέφνε γὰρ Ὀθρυονῆα Καβησόθεν ἔνδον ἐόντα,

ὅς ῥα νέον πολέμοιο μετὰ κλέος εἰληλούθει,

365ᾔτεε δὲ Πριάμοιο θυγατρῶν εἶδος ἀρίστην

Transliteration

entha mesaipolios per eōn Danaoisi keleusas

Idomeneus Trōessi metalmenos en phobon ōrse.

pephne gar Othruonēa Kabēsothen endon eonta,

hos rha neon polemoio meta kleos eilēlouthei,

365ēitee de Priamoio thugatrōn eidos aristēn

English · Butler

And now Idomeneus, though his hair was already flecked with gray, called loud on the Danaans and spread panic among the Trojans as he leaped in among them. He slew Othryoneus from Cabesus, a sojourner, who had but lately come to take part in the kleos of the war. He sought Cassandra the fairest of Priam's daughters in marriage, but offered no gifts of wooing, for he promised a great thing, to wit, that he would drive the sons of the Achaeans, like it or not, from Troy;

Homeric Greek

Κασσάνδρην ἀνάεδνον, ὑπέσχετο δὲ μέγα ἔργον,

ἐκ Τροίης ἀέκοντας ἀπωσέμεν υἷας Ἀχαιῶν.

τῷ δ' ὁ γέρων Πρίαμος ὑπό τ' ἔσχετο καὶ κατένευσε

δωσέμεναι: ὃ δὲ μάρναθ' ὑποσχεσίῃσι πιθήσας.

370Ἰδομενεὺς δ' αὐτοῖο τιτύσκετο δουρὶ φαεινῷ,

Transliteration

Kassandrēn anaednon, hupescheto de mega ergon,

ek Troiēs aekontas apōsemen huias Achaiōn.

tōi d' ho gerōn Priamos hupo t' escheto kai kateneuse

dōsemenai: ho de marnath' huposchesiēisi pithēsas.

370Idomeneus d' autoio titusketo douri phaeinōi,

English · Butler

old King Priam had given his consent and promised her to him, whereon he fought on the strength of the promises thus made to him. Idomeneus aimed a spear, and hit him as he came striding on. His cuirass of bronze did not protect him, and the spear stuck in his belly, so that he fell heavily to the ground.

Homeric Greek

καὶ βάλεν ὕψι βιβάντα τυχών: οὐδ' ἤρκεσε θώρηξ

χάλκεος, ὃν φορέεσκε, μέσῃ δ' ἐν γαστέρι πῆξε.

δούπησεν δὲ πεσών: ὃ δ' ἐπεύξατο φώνησέν τε:

Ὀθρυονεῦ περὶ δή σε βροτῶν αἰνίζομ' ἁπάντων

375εἰ ἐτεὸν δὴ πάντα τελευτήσεις ὅσ' ὑπέστης

Transliteration

kai balen hupsi bibanta tuchōn: oud' ērkese thōrēx

chalkeos, hon phoreeske, mesēi d' en gasteri pēxe.

doupēsen de pesōn: ho d' epeuxato phōnēsen te:

Othruoneu peri dē se brotōn ainizom' hapantōn

375ei eteon dē panta teleutēseis hos' hupestēs

English · Butler

Then Idomeneus vaunted over him saying, "Othryoneus, there is no one in the world whom I shall admire more than I do you, if you indeed perform what you have promised Priam son of Dardanos in return for his daughter. We too will make you an offer;

Homeric Greek

Δαρδανίδῃ Πριάμῳ: ὃ δ' ὑπέσχετο θυγατέρα ἥν.

καί κέ τοι ἡμεῖς ταῦτά γ' ὑποσχόμενοι τελέσαιμεν,

δοῖμεν δ' Ἀτρεί̈δαο θυγατρῶν εἶδος ἀρίστην

Ἄργεος ἐξαγαγόντες ὀπυιέμεν, εἴ κε σὺν ἄμμιν

380Ἰλίου ἐκπέρσῃς εὖ ναιόμενον πτολίεθρον.

Transliteration

Dardanidēi Priamōi: ho d' hupescheto thugatera hēn.

kai ke toi hēmeis tauta g' huposchomenoi telesaimen,

doimen d' Atreïdao thugatrōn eidos aristēn

Argeos exagagontes opuiemen, ei ke sun ammin

380Iliou ekpersēis eu naiomenon ptoliethron.

English · Butler

we will give you the loveliest daughter of the son of Atreus, and will bring her from Argos for you to marry, if you will sack the goodly city of Ilion in company with ourselves; so come along with me, that we may make a covenant at the ships

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἕπε', ὄφρ' ἐπὶ νηυσὶ συνώμεθα ποντοπόροισιν

ἀμφὶ γάμῳ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι ἐεδνωταὶ κακοί εἰμεν.

ὣς εἰπὼν ποδὸς ἕλκε κατὰ κρατερὴν ὑσμίνην

ἥρως Ἰδομενεύς: τῷ δ' Ἄσιος ἦλθ' ἐπαμύντωρ

385πεζὸς πρόσθ' ἵππων: τὼ δὲ πνείοντε κατ' ὤμων

Transliteration

all' hepe', ophr' epi nēusi sunōmetha pontoporoisin

amphi gamōi, epei ou toi eednōtai kakoi eimen.

hōs eipōn podos helke kata kraterēn husminēn

hērōs Idomeneus: tōi d' Asios ēlth' epamuntōr

385pezos prosth' hippōn: tō de pneionte kat' ōmōn

English · Butler

about the marriage, and we will not be hard upon you about gifts of wooing." With this Idomeneus began dragging him by the foot through the thick of the fight, but Asios came up to protect the body, on foot, in front of his horses which his esquire drove so close behind him that he could feel their ‘breath upon his shoulder. He was longing to strike down Idomeneus, but ere he could do so Idomeneus smote him

Homeric Greek

αἰὲν ἔχ' ἡνίοχος θεράπων: ὃ δὲ ἵετο θυμῷ

Ἰδομενῆα βαλεῖν: ὃ δέ μιν φθάμενος βάλε δουρὶ

λαιμὸν ὑπ' ἀνθερεῶνα, διὰ πρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσεν.

ἤριπε δ' ὡς ὅτε τις δρῦς ἤριπεν ἢ ἀχερωὶ̈ς

390ἠὲ πίτυς βλωθρή, τήν τ' οὔρεσι τέκτονες ἄνδρες

Transliteration

aien ech' hēniochos therapōn: ho de hieto thumōi

Idomenēa balein: ho de min phthamenos bale douri

laimon hup' anthereōna, dia pro de chalkon elassen.

ēripe d' hōs hote tis drus ēripen ē acherōïs

390ēe pitus blōthrē, tēn t' ouresi tektones andres

English · Butler

with his spear in the throat under the chin, and the bronze point went clean through it. He fell as an oak, or poplar, or pine which shipwrights have felled for ship's timber upon the mountains with whetted axes- even thus did he lie full

Homeric Greek

ἐξέταμον πελέκεσσι νεήκεσι νήϊον εἶναι:

ὣς ὃ πρόσθ' ἵππων καὶ δίφρου κεῖτο τανυσθεὶς

βεβρυχὼς κόνιος δεδραγμένος αἱματοέσσης.

ἐκ δέ οἱ ἡνίοχος πλήγη φρένας ἃς πάρος εἶχεν,

395οὐδ' ὅ γ' ἐτόλμησεν δηί̈ων ὑπὸ χεῖρας ἀλύξας

Transliteration

exetamon pelekessi neēkesi nēïon einai:

hōs ho prosth' hippōn kai diphrou keito tanustheis

bebruchōs konios dedragmenos haimatoessēs.

ek de hoi hēniochos plēgē phrenas has paros eichen,

395oud' ho g' etolmēsen dēïōn hupo cheiras aluxas

English · Butler

length in front of his chariot and horses, grinding his teeth and clutching at the bloodstained just. His charioteer was struck with panic and did not dare turn his horses round and escape: thereupon Antilokhos hit him in the middle of his body with a spear; his cuirass of bronze did not protect him, and the spear stuck in his belly. He fell gasping

Homeric Greek

ἂψ ἵππους στρέψαι, τὸν δ' Ἀντίλοχος μενεχάρμης

δουρὶ μέσον περόνησε τυχών: οὐδ' ἤρκεσε θώρηξ

χάλκεος ὃν φορέεσκε, μέσῃ δ' ἐν γαστέρι πῆξεν.

αὐτὰρ ὃ ἀσθμαίνων εὐεργέος ἔκπεσε δίφρου,

400ἵππους δ' Ἀντίλοχος μεγαθύμου Νέστορος υἱὸς

Transliteration

aps hippous strepsai, ton d' Antilochos menecharmēs

douri meson peronēse tuchōn: oud' ērkese thōrēx

chalkeos hon phoreeske, mesēi d' en gasteri pēxen.

autar ho asthmainōn euergeos ekpese diphrou,

400hippous d' Antilochos megathumou Nestoros huios

English · Butler

from his chariot and Antilokhos great Nestor's son, drove his horses from the Trojans

Homeric Greek

ἐξέλασε Τρώων μετ' ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς.

Δηί̈φοβος δὲ μάλα σχεδὸν ἤλυθεν Ἰδομενῆος

Ἀσίου ἀχνύμενος, καὶ ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ.

ἀλλ' ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος

405Ἰδομενεύς: κρύφθη γὰρ ὑπ' ἀσπίδι πάντοσ' ἐί̈σῃ,

Transliteration

exelase Trōōn met' eüknēmidas Achaious.

Dēïphobos de mala schedon ēluthen Idomenēos

Asiou achnumenos, kai akontise douri phaeinōi.

all' ho men anta idōn ēleuato chalkeon enchos

405Idomeneus: kruphthē gar hup' aspidi pantos' eïsēi,

English · Butler

to the Achaeans. Deiphobos then came close up to Idomeneus to avenge Asios, and took aim at him with a spear, but Idomeneus was on the look-out and avoided it, for he was covered by the round shield he always bore - a shield of oxhide and bronze with two arm-rods on the inside. He crouched under cover of this, and the spear flew over him, but the shield rang out as the spear grazed

Homeric Greek

τὴν ἄρ' ὅ γε ῥινοῖσι βοῶν καὶ νώροπι χαλκῷ

δινωτὴν φορέεσκε, δύω κανόνεσσ' ἀραρυῖαν:

τῇ ὕπο πᾶς ἐάλη, τὸ δ' ὑπέρπτατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,

καρφαλέον δέ οἱ ἀσπὶς ἐπιθρέξαντος ἄϋσεν

410ἔγχεος: οὐδ' ἅλιόν ῥα βαρείης χειρὸς ἀφῆκεν,

Transliteration

tēn ar' ho ge rhinoisi boōn kai nōropi chalkōi

dinōtēn phoreeske, duō kanoness' araruian:

tēi hupo pas ealē, to d' huperptato chalkeon enchos,

karphaleon de hoi aspis epithrexantos aüsen

410encheos: oud' halion rha bareiēs cheiros aphēken,

English · Butler

it, and the weapon sped not in vain from the strong hand of Deiphobos, for it struck Hypsenor son of Hippasus, shepherd of his people, in the liver under the midriff, and his limbs failed beneath him. Deiphobos vaunted over him and cried

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἔβαλ' Ἱππασίδην Ὑψήνορα ποιμένα λαῶν

ἧπαρ ὑπὸ πραπίδων, εἶθαρ δ' ὑπὸ γούνατ' ἔλυσε.

Δηί̈φοβος δ' ἔκπαγλον ἐπεύξατο μακρὸν ἀύ̈σας:

οὐ μὰν αὖτ' ἄτιτος κεῖτ' Ἄσιος, ἀλλά ἕ φημι

415εἰς Ἄϊδός περ ἰόντα πυλάρταο κρατεροῖο

Transliteration

all' ebal' Hippasidēn Hupsēnora poimena laōn

hēpar hupo prapidōn, eithar d' hupo gounat' eluse.

Dēïphobos d' ekpaglon epeuxato makron aüsas:

ou man aut' atitos keit' Asios, alla he phēmi

415eis Aïdos per ionta pulartao krateroio

English · Butler

with a loud voice saying, "Of a truth Asios has not fallen unavenged; he will be glad even while passing into the house of Hades, strong warden of the gate, that I have sent

Homeric Greek

γηθήσειν κατὰ θυμόν, ἐπεί ῥά οἱ ὤπασα πομπόν.

ὣς ἔφατ', Ἀργείοισι δ' ἄχος γένετ' εὐξαμένοιο,

Ἀντιλόχῳ δὲ μάλιστα δαί̈φρονι θυμὸν ὄρινεν:

ἀλλ' οὐδ' ἀχνύμενός περ ἑοῦ ἀμέλησεν ἑταίρου,

420ἀλλὰ θέων περίβη καί οἱ σάκος ἀμφεκάλυψε.

Transliteration

gēthēsein kata thumon, epei rha hoi ōpasa pompon.

hōs ephat', Argeioisi d' achos genet' euxamenoio,

Antilochōi de malista daïphroni thumon orinen:

all' oud' achnumenos per heou amelēsen hetairou,

420alla theōn peribē kai hoi sakos amphekalupse.

English · Butler

some one to escort him." Thus did he vaunt, and the Argives were stung with grief over what he said. Noble Antilokhos was more angry than any one, but grief did not make him forget his friend and comrade. He ran up to him, bestrode him, and covered him with his shield; then two of his staunch comrades, Mekisteus son

Homeric Greek

τὸν μὲν ἔπειθ' ὑποδύντε δύω ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι

Μηκιστεὺς Ἐχίοιο πάϊς καὶ δῖος Ἀλάστωρ,

νῆας ἔπι γλαφυρὰς φερέτην βαρέα στενάχοντα.

Ἰδομενεὺς δ' οὐ λῆγε μένος μέγα, ἵετο δ' αἰεὶ

425ἠέ τινα Τρώων ἐρεβεννῇ νυκτὶ καλύψαι

Transliteration

ton men epeith' hupodunte duō eriēres hetairoi

Mēkisteus Echioio païs kai dios Alastōr,

nēas epi glaphuras pheretēn barea stenachonta.

Idomeneus d' ou lēge menos mega, hieto d' aiei

425ēe tina Trōōn erebennēi nukti kalupsai

English · Butler

of Echios, and Alastor stooped down, and bore him away groaning heavily to the ships. But Idomeneus ceased not his fury. He kept on striving continually either to enshroud some Trojan in the darkness of death, or himself to fall while warding off the evil day from the Achaeans. Then fell Alkathoos son of noble Aisyetes:

Homeric Greek

ἢ αὐτὸς δουπῆσαι ἀμύνων λοιγὸν Ἀχαιοῖς.

ἔνθ' Αἰσυήταο διοτρεφέος φίλον υἱὸν

ἥρω' Ἀλκάθοον, γαμβρὸς δ' ἦν Ἀγχίσαο,

πρεσβυτάτην δ' ὤπυιε θυγατρῶν Ἱπποδάμειαν

430τὴν περὶ κῆρι φίλησε πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ

Transliteration

ē autos doupēsai amunōn loigon Achaiois.

enth' Aisuētao diotrepheos philon huion

hērō' Alkathoon, gambros d' ēn Anchisao,

presbutatēn d' ōpuie thugatrōn Hippodameian

430tēn peri kēri philēse patēr kai potnia mētēr

English · Butler

he was son-in-law to Anchises, having married his eldest daughter Hippodameia who was the darling of her father and mother, and excelled all her generation in beauty, accomplishments, and understanding, wherefore the bravest man in all Troy

Homeric Greek

ἐν μεγάρῳ: πᾶσαν γὰρ ὁμηλικίην ἐκέκαστο

κάλλεϊ καὶ ἔργοισιν ἰδὲ φρεσί: τοὔνεκα καί μιν

γῆμεν ἀνὴρ ὤριστος ἐνὶ Τροίῃ εὐρείῃ:

τὸν τόθ' ὑπ' Ἰδομενῆϊ Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσε

435θέλξας ὄσσε φαεινά, πέδησε δὲ φαίδιμα γυῖα:

Transliteration

en megarōi: pasan gar homēlikiēn ekekasto

kalleï kai ergoisin ide phresi: touneka kai min

gēmen anēr ōristos eni Troiēi eureiēi:

ton toth' hup' Idomenēï Poseidaōn edamasse

435thelxas osse phaeina, pedēse de phaidima guia:

English · Butler

had taken her to wife - him did Poseidon lay low by the hand of Idomeneus, blinding his bright eyes and binding his strong limbs in fetters so that he could neither go back nor to one side,

Homeric Greek

οὔτε γὰρ ἐξοπίσω φυγέειν δύνατ' οὔτ' ἀλέασθαι,

ἀλλ' ὥς τε στήλην ἢ δένδρεον ὑψιπέτηλον

ἀτρέμας ἑσταότα στῆθος μέσον οὔτασε δουρὶ

ἥρως Ἰδομενεύς, ῥῆξεν δέ οἱ ἀμφὶ χιτῶνα

440χάλκεον, ὅς οἱ πρόσθεν ἀπὸ χροὸς ἤρκει ὄλεθρον:

Transliteration

oute gar exopisō phugeein dunat' out' aleasthai,

all' hōs te stēlēn ē dendreon hupsipetēlon

atremas hestaota stēthos meson outase douri

hērōs Idomeneus, rhēxen de hoi amphi chitōna

440chalkeon, hos hoi prosthen apo chroos ērkei olethron:

English · Butler

but stood stock still like pillar or lofty tree when Idomeneus struck him with a spear in the middle of his chest. The coat of mail that had hitherto protected his body was now broken, and rang harshly as the spear tore through it. He fell heavily to the ground, and the spear

Homeric Greek

δὴ τότε γ' αὖον ἄϋσεν ἐρεικόμενος περὶ δουρί.

δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, δόρυ δ' ἐν κραδίῃ ἐπεπήγει,

ἥ ῥά οἱ ἀσπαίρουσα καὶ οὐρίαχον πελέμιζεν

ἔγχεος: ἔνθα δ' ἔπειτ' ἀφίει μένος ὄβριμος Ἄρης:

445Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ἔκπαγλον ἐπεύξατο μακρὸν ἀύ̈σας

Transliteration

dē tote g' auon aüsen ereikomenos peri douri.

doupēsen de pesōn, doru d' en kradiēi epepēgei,

hē rha hoi aspairousa kai ouriachon pelemizen

encheos: entha d' epeit' aphiei menos obrimos Arēs:

445Idomeneus d' ekpaglon epeuxato makron aüsas

English · Butler

stuck in his heart, which still beat, and made the butt-end of the spear quiver till dread Ares put an end to his life. Idomeneus vaunted over him and cried with a loud voice saying, "Deiphobos, since you are in a mood to vaunt, shall we cry quits now that we have killed three men to your one?

Homeric Greek

Δηί̈φοβ' ἦ ἄρα δή τι ἐί̈σκομεν ἄξιον εἶναι

τρεῖς ἑνὸς ἀντὶ πεφάσθαι; ἐπεὶ σύ περ εὔχεαι οὕτω.

δαιμόνι' ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὸς ἐναντίον ἵστασ' ἐμεῖο,

ὄφρα ἴδῃ οἷος Ζηνὸς γόνος ἐνθάδ' ἱκάνω,

450ὃς πρῶτον Μίνωα τέκε Κρήτῃ ἐπίουρον:

Transliteration

Dēïphob' ē ara dē ti eïskomen axion einai

treis henos anti pephasthai; epei su per eucheai houtō.

daimoni' alla kai autos enantion histas' emeio,

ophra idēi hoios Zēnos gonos enthad' hikanō,

450hos prōton Minōa teke Krētēi epiouron:

English · Butler

Nay, sir, stand in fight with me yourself, that you may learn what manner of Zeus-begotten man am I that have come hither. Zeus first begot Minos chief ruler in Crete, and Minos in his turn begot a son, noble Deukalion; Deukalion begot me to be a ruler over many men

Homeric Greek

Μίνως δ' αὖ τέκεθ' υἱὸν ἀμύμονα Δευκαλίωνα,

Δευκαλίων δ' ἐμὲ τίκτε πολέσσ' ἄνδρεσσιν ἄνακτα

Κρήτῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ: νῦν δ' ἐνθάδε νῆες ἔνεικαν

σοί τε κακὸν καὶ πατρὶ καὶ ἄλλοισι Τρώεσσιν.

455ὣς φάτο, Δηί̈φοβος δὲ διάνδιχα μερμήριξεν

Transliteration

Minōs d' au teketh' huion amumona Deukaliōna,

Deukaliōn d' eme tikte poless' andressin anakta

Krētēi en eureiēi: nun d' enthade nēes eneikan

soi te kakon kai patri kai alloisi Trōessin.

455hōs phato, Dēïphobos de diandicha mermērixen

English · Butler

in Crete, and my ships have now brought me hither, to be the bane of yourself, your father, and the Trojans." Thus did he speak, and Deiphobos was in two minds, whether to go back and fetch some other Trojan to help him, or to take up the challenge single-handed.

Homeric Greek

ἤ τινά που Τρώων ἑταρίσσαιτο μεγαθύμων

ἂψ ἀναχωρήσας, ἦ πειρήσαιτο καὶ οἶος.

ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι

βῆναι ἐπ' Αἰνείαν: τὸν δ' ὕστατον εὗρεν ὁμίλου

460ἑσταότ': αἰεὶ γὰρ Πριάμῳ ἐπεμήνιε δίῳ

Transliteration

ē tina pou Trōōn hetarissaito megathumōn

aps anachōrēsas, ē peirēsaito kai oios.

hōde de hoi phroneonti doassato kerdion einai

bēnai ep' Aineian: ton d' hustaton heuren homilou

460hestaot': aiei gar Priamōi epemēnie diōi

English · Butler

Thus did he speak, and Deiphobos was in two minds, whether to go back and fetch some other Trojan to help him, or to take up the challenge single-handed. In the end, he deemed it best to go and fetch Aeneas, whom he found standing in the rear, for he had long been aggrieved with Priam because in spite his brave deeds he did not give him his due share of honor. Deiphobos went up to him and said, "Aeneas,

Homeric Greek

οὕνεκ' ἄρ' ἐσθλὸν ἐόντα μετ' ἀνδράσιν οὔ τι τίεσκεν.

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Αἰνεία Τρώων βουληφόρε νῦν σε μάλα χρὴ

γαμβρῷ ἀμυνέμεναι, εἴ πέρ τί σε κῆδος ἱκάνει.

465ἀλλ' ἕπευ Ἀλκαθόῳ ἐπαμύνομεν, ὅς σε πάρος γε

Transliteration

hounek' ar' esthlon eonta met' andrasin ou ti tiesken.

anchou d' histamenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:

Aineia Trōōn boulēphore nun se mala chrē

gambrōi amunemenai, ei per ti se kēdos hikanei.

465all' hepeu Alkathoōi epamunomen, hos se paros ge

English · Butler

prince among the Trojans, if you know any ties of kinship, help me now to defend the body of your sister's husband; come with me to the rescue of Alkathoos, who being husband to your sister brought you up when

Homeric Greek

γαμβρὸς ἐὼν ἔθρεψε δόμοις ἔνι τυτθὸν ἐόντα:

τὸν δέ τοι Ἰδομενεὺς δουρικλυτὸς ἐξενάριξεν.

ὣς φάτο, τῷ δ' ἄρα θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινε,

βῆ δὲ μετ' Ἰδομενῆα μέγα πτολέμοιο μεμηλώς.

470ἀλλ' οὐκ Ἰδομενῆα φόβος λάβε τηλύγετον ὥς,

Transliteration

gambros eōn ethrepse domois eni tutthon eonta:

ton de toi Idomeneus douriklutos exenarixen.

hōs phato, tōi d' ara thumon eni stēthessin orine,

bē de met' Idomenēa mega ptolemoio memēlōs.

470all' ouk Idomenēa phobos labe tēlugeton hōs,

English · Butler

you were a child in his house, and now Idomeneus has slain him." With these words he moved the heart of Aeneas, and he went in pursuit of Idomeneus, big with great deeds of valor; but Idomeneus was not to be thus daunted as though he were a mere child; he held his ground as a wild boar at

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἔμεν' ὡς ὅτε τις σῦς οὔρεσιν ἀλκὶ πεποιθώς,

ὅς τε μένει κολοσυρτὸν ἐπερχόμενον πολὺν ἀνδρῶν

χώρῳ ἐν οἰοπόλῳ, φρίσσει δέ τε νῶτον ὕπερθεν:

ὀφθαλμὼ δ' ἄρα οἱ πυρὶ λάμπετον: αὐτὰρ ὀδόντας

475θήγει, ἀλέξασθαι μεμαὼς κύνας ἠδὲ καὶ ἄνδρας:

Transliteration

all' emen' hōs hote tis sus ouresin alki pepoithōs,

hos te menei kolosurton eperchomenon polun andrōn

chōrōi en oiopolōi, phrissei de te nōton huperthen:

ophthalmō d' ara hoi puri lampeton: autar odontas

475thēgei, alexasthai memaōs kunas ēde kai andras:

English · Butler

bay upon the mountains, who abides the coming of a great crowd of men in some lonely place - the bristles stand upright on his back, his eyes flash fire, and he whets his tusks in his eagerness to defend himself against hounds and men -

Homeric Greek

ὣς μένεν Ἰδομενεὺς δουρικλυτός, οὐδ' ὑπεχώρει,

Αἰνείαν ἐπιόντα βοηθόον: αὖε δ' ἑταίρους

Ἀσκάλαφόν τ' ἐσορῶν Ἀφαρῆά τε Δηί̈πυρόν τε

Μηριόνην τε καὶ Ἀντίλοχον μήστωρας ἀϋτῆς:

480τοὺς ὅ γ' ἐποτρύνων ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Transliteration

hōs menen Idomeneus douriklutos, oud' hupechōrei,

Aineian epionta boēthoon: aue d' hetairous

Askalaphon t' esorōn Apharēa te Dēïpuron te

Mērionēn te kai Antilochon mēstōras aütēs:

480tous ho g' epotrunōn epea pteroenta prosēuda:

English · Butler

even so did famed Idomeneus hold his ground and budge not at the coming of Aeneas. He cried aloud to his comrades looking towards Askalaphos, Aphareus, Deipyros, Meriones, and Antilokhos, all of them brave warriors- "Hither my friends," he cried, "and leave me not single-handed - I go in great fear by

Homeric Greek

δεῦτε φίλοι, καί μ' οἴῳ ἀμύνετε: δείδια δ' αἰνῶς

Αἰνείαν ἐπιόντα πόδας ταχύν, ὅς μοι ἔπεισιν,

ὃς μάλα καρτερός ἐστι μάχῃ ἔνι φῶτας ἐναίρειν:

καὶ δ' ἔχει ἥβης ἄνθος, ὅ τε κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον.

485εἰ γὰρ ὁμηλικίη γε γενοίμεθα τῷδ' ἐπὶ θυμῷ

Transliteration

deute philoi, kai m' oiōi amunete: deidia d' ainōs

Aineian epionta podas tachun, hos moi epeisin,

hos mala karteros esti machēi eni phōtas enairein:

kai d' echei hēbēs anthos, ho te kratos esti megiston.

485ei gar homēlikiē ge genoimetha tōid' epi thumōi

English · Butler

fleet Aeneas, who is coming against me, and is a redoubtable dispenser of death battle. Moreover he is in the flower of youth when a man's strength is greatest; if I was of the same age as he is and in my present mind, either he or I should

Homeric Greek

αἶψά κεν ἠὲ φέροιτο μέγα κράτος, ἠὲ φεροίμην.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἕνα φρεσὶ θυμὸν ἔχοντες

πλησίοι ἔστησαν, σάκε' ὤμοισι κλίναντες.

Αἰνείας δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐκέκλετο οἷς ἑτάροισι

490Δηί̈φοβόν τε Πάριν τ' ἐσορῶν καὶ Ἀγήνορα δῖον,

Transliteration

aipsa ken ēe pheroito mega kratos, ēe pheroimēn.

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes hena phresi thumon echontes

plēsioi estēsan, sake' ōmoisi klinantes.

Aineias d' heterōthen ekekleto hois hetaroisi

490Dēïphobon te Parin t' esorōn kai Agēnora dion,

English · Butler

soon bear away the prize of victory On this, all of them as one man stood near him, shield on shoulder. Aeneas on the other side called to his comrades, looking towards Deiphobos, Paris, and Agenor, who were leaders of the Trojans along with himself, and the

Homeric Greek

οἵ οἱ ἅμ' ἡγεμόνες Τρώων ἔσαν: αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

λαοὶ ἕπονθ', ὡς εἴ τε μετὰ κτίλον ἕσπετο μῆλα

πιόμεν' ἐκ βοτάνης: γάνυται δ' ἄρα τε φρένα ποιμήν:

ὣς Αἰνείᾳ θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι γεγήθει

495ὡς ἴδε λαῶν ἔθνος ἐπισπόμενον ἑοῖ αὐτῷ.

Transliteration

hoi hoi ham' hēgemones Trōōn esan: autar epeita

laoi heponth', hōs ei te meta ktilon hespeto mēla

piomen' ek botanēs: ganutai d' ara te phrena poimēn:

hōs Aineiāi thumos eni stēthessi gegēthei

495hōs ide laōn ethnos epispomenon heoi autōi.

English · Butler

people followed them as sheep follow the ram when they go down to drink after they have been feeding, and the heart of the shepherd is glad - even so was the heart of Aeneas gladdened when he saw his people follow him.

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ἀμφ' Ἀλκαθόῳ αὐτοσχεδὸν ὁρμήθησαν

μακροῖσι ξυστοῖσι: περὶ στήθεσσι δὲ χαλκὸς

σμερδαλέον κονάβιζε τιτυσκομένων καθ' ὅμιλον

ἀλλήλων: δύο δ' ἄνδρες ἀρήϊοι ἔξοχον ἄλλων

500Αἰνείας τε καὶ Ἰδομενεὺς ἀτάλαντοι Ἄρηϊ

Transliteration

hoi d' amph' Alkathoōi autoschedon hormēthēsan

makroisi xustoisi: peri stēthessi de chalkos

smerdaleon konabize tituskomenōn kath' homilon

allēlōn: duo d' andres arēïoi exochon allōn

500Aineias te kai Idomeneus atalantoi Arēï

English · Butler

Then they fought furiously in close combat about the body of Alkathoos, wielding their long spears; and the bronze armor about their bodies rang fearfully as they took aim at one another in the press of the fight, while the two heroes Aeneas and Idomeneus, peers of Ares, outdid every one in their desire to hack at each other with sword and spear. Aeneas took aim first, but Idomeneus was on the lookout and avoided the spear, so that it sped from Aeneas' strong hand in vain, and fell quivering in the ground. Idomeneus meanwhile smote Oinomaos in the middle

Homeric Greek

ἵεντ' ἀλλήλων ταμέειν χρόα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ.

Αἰνείας δὲ πρῶτος ἀκόντισεν Ἰδομενῆος:

ἀλλ' ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,

αἰχμὴ δ' Αἰνείαο κραδαινομένη κατὰ γαίης

505ᾤχετ', ἐπεί ῥ' ἅλιον στιβαρῆς ἀπὸ χειρὸς ὄρουσεν.

Transliteration

hient' allēlōn tameein chroa nēleï chalkōi.

Aineias de prōtos akontisen Idomenēos:

all' ho men anta idōn ēleuato chalkeon enchos,

aichmē d' Aineiao kradainomenē kata gaiēs

505ōichet', epei rh' halion stibarēs apo cheiros orousen.

English · Butler

of his belly, and broke the plate of his corselet, whereon his bowels came gushing out and he clutched the earth in the palms of his hands as he fell sprawling in the dust. Idomeneus drew his spear out of

Homeric Greek

Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ἄρα Οἰνόμαον βάλε γαστέρα μέσσην,

ῥῆξε δὲ θώρηκος γύαλον, διὰ δ' ἔντερα χαλκὸς

ἤφυσ': ὃ δ' ἐν κονίῃσι πεσὼν ἕλε γαῖαν ἀγοστῷ.

Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ἐκ μὲν νέκυος δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος

510ἐσπάσατ', οὐδ' ἄρ' ἔτ' ἄλλα δυνήσατο τεύχεα καλὰ

Transliteration

Idomeneus d' ara Oinomaon bale gastera messēn,

rhēxe de thōrēkos gualon, dia d' entera chalkos

ēphus': ho d' en koniēisi pesōn hele gaian agostōi.

Idomeneus d' ek men nekuos dolichoskion enchos

510espasat', oud' ar' et' alla dunēsato teuchea kala

English · Butler

the body, but could not strip him of the rest of his armor for the rain of darts that were showered upon him: moreover his strength was now beginning to fail him

Homeric Greek

ὤμοιιν ἀφελέσθαι: ἐπείγετο γὰρ βελέεσσιν.

οὐ γὰρ ἔτ' ἔμπεδα γυῖα ποδῶν ἦν ὁρμηθέντι,

οὔτ' ἄρ' ἐπαί̈ξαι μεθ' ἑὸν: βέλος οὔτ' ἀλέασθαι.

τώ ῥα καὶ ἐν σταδίῃ μὲν ἀμύνετο νηλεὲς ἦμαρ,

515τρέσσαι δ' οὐκ ἔτι ῥίμφα πόδες φέρον ἐκ πολέμοιο.

Transliteration

ōmoiin aphelesthai: epeigeto gar beleessin.

ou gar et' empeda guia podōn ēn hormēthenti,

out' ar' epaïxai meth' heon: belos out' aleasthai.

tō rha kai en stadiēi men amuneto nēlees ēmar,

515tressai d' ouk eti rhimpha podes pheron ek polemoio.

English · Butler

so that he could no longer charge, and could neither spring forward to recover his own weapon nor swerve aside to avoid one that was aimed at him; therefore, though he still defended himself in hand-to-hand fight, his heavy feet could not bear him swiftly out of the battle. Deiphobos aimed a spear at him as he was retreating slowly from the field, for his bitterness

Homeric Greek

τοῦ δὲ βάδην ἀπιόντος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ

Δηί̈φοβος: δὴ γάρ οἱ ἔχεν κότον ἐμμενὲς αἰεί.

ἀλλ' ὅ γε καὶ τόθ' ἅμαρτεν, ὃ δ' Ἀσκάλαφον βάλε δουρὶ

υἱὸν Ἐνυαλίοιο: δι' ὤμου δ' ὄβριμον ἔγχος

520ἔσχεν: ὃ δ' ἐν κονίῃσι πεσὼν ἕλε γαῖαν ἀγοστῷ.

Transliteration

tou de badēn apiontos akontise douri phaeinōi

Dēïphobos: dē gar hoi echen koton emmenes aiei.

all' ho ge kai toth' hamarten, ho d' Askalaphon bale douri

huion Enualioio: di' ōmou d' obrimon enchos

520eschen: ho d' en koniēisi pesōn hele gaian agostōi.

English · Butler

against him was as fierce as ever, but again he missed him, and hit Askalaphos, the son of Ares; the spear went through his shoulder, and he clutched the earth in the palms of his hands as he fell sprawling in the dust.

Homeric Greek

οὐδ' ἄρα πώ τι πέπυστο βριήπυος ὄβριμος Ἄρης

υἷος ἑοῖο πεσόντος ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ,

ἀλλ' ὅ γ' ἄρ' ἄκρῳ Ὀλύμπῳ ὑπὸ χρυσέοισι νέφεσσιν

ἧστο Διὸς βουλῇσιν ἐελμένος, ἔνθά περ ἄλλοι

525ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἦσαν ἐεργόμενοι πολέμοιο.

Transliteration

oud' ara pō ti pepusto briēpuos obrimos Arēs

huios heoio pesontos eni kraterēi husminēi,

all' ho g' ar' akrōi Olumpōi hupo chruseoisi nephessin

hēsto Dios boulēisin eelmenos, entha per alloi

525athanatoi theoi ēsan eergomenoi polemoio.

English · Butler

Grim Ares of awful voice did not yet know that his son had fallen, for he was sitting on the summits of Olympus under the golden clouds, by command of Zeus, where the other gods were also sitting, forbidden to take part in the battle. Meanwhile men fought furiously about the body. Deiphobos tore the helmet from off his head, but Meriones sprang upon him, and struck him on the arm with a

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ἀμφ' Ἀσκαλάφῳ αὐτοσχεδὸν ὁρμήθησαν:

Δηί̈φοβος μὲν ἀπ' Ἀσκαλάφου πήληκα φαεινὴν

ἥρπασε, Μηριόνης δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ

δουρὶ βραχίονα τύψεν ἐπάλμενος, ἐκ δ' ἄρα χειρὸς

530αὐλῶπις τρυφάλεια χαμαὶ βόμβησε πεσοῦσα.

Transliteration

hoi d' amph' Askalaphōi autoschedon hormēthēsan:

Dēïphobos men ap' Askalaphou pēlēka phaeinēn

hērpase, Mērionēs de thoōi atalantos Arēï

douri brachiona tupsen epalmenos, ek d' ara cheiros

530aulōpis truphaleia chamai bombēse pesousa.

English · Butler

spear so that the visored helmet fell from his hand and came ringing down upon the ground. Thereon Meriones sprang upon him like a vulture, drew the spear from his shoulder, and fell back under cover of his men. Then Polites, brother of Deiphobos, passed his arms around his

Homeric Greek

Μηριόνης δ' ἐξ αὖτις ἐπάλμενος αἰγυπιὸς ὣς

ἐξέρυσε πρυμνοῖο βραχίονος ὄβριμον ἔγχος,

ἂψ δ' ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο. τὸν δὲ Πολίτης

αὐτοκασίγνητος περὶ μέσσῳ χεῖρε τιτήνας

535ἐξῆγεν πολέμοιο δυσηχέος, ὄφρ' ἵκεθ' ἵππους

Transliteration

Mērionēs d' ex autis epalmenos aigupios hōs

exeruse prumnoio brachionos obrimon enchos,

aps d' hetarōn eis ethnos echazeto. ton de Politēs

autokasignētos peri messōi cheire titēnas

535exēgen polemoio dusēcheos, ophr' hiketh' hippous

English · Butler

waist, and bore him away from the battle till he got to his horses that were standing in the rear of the fight with the chariot and their driver. These took him towards

Homeric Greek

ὠκέας, οἵ οἱ ὄπισθε μάχης ἠδὲ πτολέμοιο

ἕστασαν ἡνίοχόν τε καὶ ἅρματα ποικίλ' ἔχοντες:

οἳ τόν γε προτὶ ἄστυ φέρον βαρέα στενάχοντα

τειρόμενον: κατὰ δ' αἷμα νεουτάτου ἔρρεε χειρός.

540οἳ δ' ἄλλοι μάρναντο, βοὴ δ' ἄσβεστος ὀρώρει.

Transliteration

ōkeas, hoi hoi opisthe machēs ēde ptolemoio

hestasan hēniochon te kai harmata poikil' echontes:

hoi ton ge proti astu pheron barea stenachonta

teiromenon: kata d' haima neoutatou erree cheiros.

540hoi d' alloi marnanto, boē d' asbestos orōrei.

English · Butler

the city groaning and in great pain, with the blood flowing from his arm. The others still fought on, and the battle-cry rose to heaven without ceasing.

Homeric Greek

ἔνθ' Αἰνέας Ἀφαρῆα Καλητορίδην ἐπορούσας

λαιμὸν τύψ' ἐπὶ οἷ τετραμμένον ὀξέϊ δουρί:

ἐκλίνθη δ' ἑτέρωσε κάρη, ἐπὶ δ' ἀσπὶς ἑάφθη

καὶ κόρυς, ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ θάνατος χύτο θυμοραϊστής.

545Ἀντίλοχος δὲ Θόωνα μεταστρεφθέντα δοκεύσας

Transliteration

enth' Aineas Apharēa Kalētoridēn eporousas

laimon tups' epi hoi tetrammenon oxeï douri:

eklinthē d' heterōse karē, epi d' aspis heaphthē

kai korus, amphi de hoi thanatos chuto thumoraïstēs.

545Antilochos de Thoōna metastrephthenta dokeusas

English · Butler

The others still fought on, and the battle-cry rose to heaven without ceasing. Aeneas sprang on Aphareus son of Kaletor, and struck him with a spear in his throat which was turned towards him; his head fell on one side, his helmet and shield came down along with him, and death, life's foe, was shed around him. Antilokhos spied his chance, flew forward towards Thoon, and wounded him as he was turning round. He laid open the vein that runs all the way up the back to the neck;

Homeric Greek

οὔτασ' ἐπαί̈ξας, ἀπὸ δὲ φλέβα πᾶσαν ἔκερσεν,

ἥ τ' ἀνὰ νῶτα θέουσα διαμπερὲς αὐχέν' ἱκάνει:

τὴν ἀπὸ πᾶσαν ἔκερσεν: ὃ δ' ὕπτιος ἐν κονίῃσι

κάππεσεν, ἄμφω χεῖρε φίλοις ἑτάροισι πετάσσας.

550Ἀντίλοχος δ' ἐπόρουσε, καὶ αἴνυτο τεύχε' ἀπ' ὤμων

Transliteration

outas' epaïxas, apo de phleba pasan ekersen,

hē t' ana nōta theousa diamperes auchen' hikanei:

tēn apo pasan ekersen: ho d' huptios en koniēisi

kappesen, amphō cheire philois hetaroisi petassas.

550Antilochos d' eporouse, kai ainuto teuche' ap' ōmōn

English · Butler

he cut this vein clean away throughout its whole course, and Thoon fell in the dust face upwards, stretching out his hands imploringly towards his comrades. Antilokhos sprang upon him and stripped the armor from his shoulders, glaring round him fearfully as he did so.

Homeric Greek

παπταίνων: Τρῶες δὲ περισταδὸν ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος

οὔταζον σάκος εὐρὺ παναίολον, οὐδὲ δύναντο

εἴσω ἐπιγράψαι τέρενα χρόα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ

Ἀντιλόχου: πέρι γάρ ῥα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων

555Νέστορος υἱὸν ἔρυτο καὶ ἐν πολλοῖσι βέλεσσιν.

Transliteration

paptainōn: Trōes de peristadon allothen allos

outazon sakos euru panaiolon, oude dunanto

eisō epigrapsai terena chroa nēleï chalkōi

Antilochou: peri gar rha Poseidaōn enosichthōn

555Nestoros huion eruto kai en polloisi belessin.

English · Butler

Antilokhos sprang upon him and stripped the armor from his shoulders, glaring round him fearfully as he did so. The Trojans came about him on every side and struck his broad and gleaming shield, but could not wound his body, for Poseidon stood guard over the son of Nestor, though the darts fell thickly round him. He was never clear of the foe, but was always in the thick of the fight; his spear was never idle;

Homeric Greek

οὐ μὲν γάρ ποτ' ἄνευ δηί̈ων ἦν, ἀλλὰ κατ' αὐτοὺς

στρωφᾶτ': οὐδέ οἱ ἔγχος ἔχ' ἀτρέμας, ἀλλὰ μάλ' αἰεὶ

σειόμενον ἐλέλικτο: τιτύσκετο δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσιν

ἤ τευ ἀκοντίσσαι, ἠὲ σχεδὸν ὁρμηθῆναι.

560ἀλλ' οὐ λῆθ' Ἀδάμαντα τιτυσκόμενος καθ' ὅμιλον

Transliteration

ou men gar pot' aneu dēïōn ēn, alla kat' autous

strōphat': oude hoi enchos ech' atremas, alla mal' aiei

seiomenon elelikto: titusketo de phresin hēisin

ē teu akontissai, ēe schedon hormēthēnai.

560all' ou lēth' Adamanta tituskomenos kath' homilon

English · Butler

he poised and aimed it in every direction, so eager was he to hit some one from a distance or to fight him hand to hand. As he was thus aiming among the crowd, he was seen by Adamas son of Asios, who rushed towards him and struck him with a spear in the middle of his shield, but Poseidon made its point without effect, for he grudged him the life of Antilokhos.

Homeric Greek

Ἀσιάδην, ὅ οἱ οὖτα μέσον σάκος ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ

ἐγγύθεν ὁρμηθείς: ἀμενήνωσεν δέ οἱ αἰχμὴν

κυανοχαῖτα Ποσειδάων βιότοιο μεγήρας.

καὶ τὸ μὲν αὐτοῦ μεῖν' ὥς τε σκῶλος πυρίκαυστος

565ἐν σάκει Ἀντιλόχοιο, τὸ δ' ἥμισυ κεῖτ' ἐπὶ γαίης:

Transliteration

Asiadēn, ho hoi outa meson sakos oxeï chalkōi

enguthen hormētheis: amenēnōsen de hoi aichmēn

kuanochaita Poseidaōn biotoio megēras.

kai to men autou mein' hōs te skōlos purikaustos

565en sakei Antilochoio, to d' hēmisu keit' epi gaiēs:

English · Butler

As he was thus aiming among the crowd, he was seen by Adamas son of Asios, who rushed towards him and struck him with a spear in the middle of his shield, but Poseidon made its point without effect, for he grudged him the life of Antilokhos. One half, therefore, of the spear stuck fast like a charred stake in Antilokhos' shield, while the other lay on the ground. Adamas then sought shelter under cover of his men, but Meriones followed after and hit him with a spear midway between the private

Homeric Greek

ἂψ δ' ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρ' ἀλεείνων:

Μηριόνης δ' ἀπιόντα μετασπόμενος βάλε δουρὶ

αἰδοίων τε μεσηγὺ καὶ ὀμφαλοῦ, ἔνθα μάλιστα

γίγνετ' Ἄρης ἀλεγεινὸς ὀϊζυροῖσι βροτοῖσιν.

570ἔνθά οἱ ἔγχος ἔπηξεν: ὃ δ' ἑσπόμενος περὶ δουρὶ

Transliteration

aps d' hetarōn eis ethnos echazeto kēr' aleeinōn:

Mērionēs d' apionta metaspomenos bale douri

aidoiōn te mesēgu kai omphalou, entha malista

gignet' Arēs alegeinos oïzuroisi brotoisin.

570entha hoi enchos epēxen: ho d' hespomenos peri douri

English · Butler

parts and the navel, where a wound is particularly painful to wretched mortals. There did Meriones transfix him, and he writhed convulsively about the spear as some bull whom mountain herdsmen have bound with ropes of withies and are taking away perforce. Even so did he move convulsively

Homeric Greek

ἤσπαιρ' ὡς ὅτε βοῦς τόν τ' οὔρεσι βουκόλοι ἄνδρες

ἰλλάσιν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα βίῃ δήσαντες ἄγουσιν:

ὣς ὃ τυπεὶς ἤσπαιρε μίνυνθά περ, οὔ τι μάλα δήν,

ὄφρά οἱ ἐκ χροὸς ἔγχος ἀνεσπάσατ' ἐγγύθεν ἐλθὼν

575ἥρως Μηριόνης: τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψε.

Transliteration

ēspair' hōs hote bous ton t' ouresi boukoloi andres

illasin ouk ethelonta biēi dēsantes agousin:

hōs ho tupeis ēspaire minuntha per, ou ti mala dēn,

ophra hoi ek chroos enchos anespasat' enguthen elthōn

575hērōs Mērionēs: ton de skotos osse kalupse.

English · Butler

for a while, but not for very long, till Meriones came up and drew the spear out of his body, and his eyes were veiled in darkness.

Homeric Greek

Δηί̈πυρον δ' Ἕλενος ξίφεϊ σχεδὸν ἤλασε κόρσην

Θρηϊκίῳ μεγάλῳ, ἀπὸ δὲ τρυφάλειαν ἄραξεν.

ἣ μὲν ἀποπλαγχθεῖσα χαμαὶ πέσε, καί τις Ἀχαιῶν

μαρναμένων μετὰ ποσσὶ κυλινδομένην ἐκόμισσε:

580τὸν δὲ κατ' ὀφθαλμῶν ἐρεβεννὴ νὺξ ἐκάλυψεν.

Transliteration

Dēïpuron d' Helenos xipheï schedon ēlase korsēn

Thrēïkiōi megalōi, apo de truphaleian araxen.

hē men apoplanchtheisa chamai pese, kai tis Achaiōn

marnamenōn meta possi kulindomenēn ekomisse:

580ton de kat' ophthalmōn erebennē nux ekalupsen.

English · Butler

Helenos then struck Deipyros with a great Thracian sword, hitting him on the temple in close combat and tearing the helmet from his head; the helmet fell to the ground, and one of those who were fighting on the Achaean side took charge of it as it rolled at his feet, but the eyes of Deipyros were closed in the darkness of death.

Homeric Greek

Ἀτρεί̈δην δ' ἄχος εἷλε βοὴν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον:

βῆ δ' ἐπαπειλήσας Ἑλένῳ ἥρωϊ ἄνακτι

ὀξὺ δόρυ κραδάων: ὃ δὲ τόξου πῆχυν ἄνελκε.

τὼ δ' ἄρ' ὁμαρτήδην ὃ μὲν ἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι

585ἵετ' ἀκοντίσσαι, ὃ δ' ἀπὸ νευρῆφιν ὀϊστῷ.

Transliteration

Atreïdēn d' achos heile boēn agathon Menelaon:

bē d' epapeilēsas Helenōi hērōï anakti

oxu doru kradaōn: ho de toxou pēchun anelke.

tō d' ar' homartēdēn ho men encheï oxuoenti

585hiet' akontissai, ho d' apo neurēphin oïstōi.

English · Butler

On this Menelaos was stung by grief, and made menacingly towards Helenos, brandishing his spear; but Helenos drew his bow, and the two attacked one another at one and the same moment, the one with his spear, and the other with his bow and arrow.

Homeric Greek

Πριαμίδης μὲν ἔπειτα κατὰ στῆθος βάλεν ἰῷ

θώρηκος γύαλον, ἀπὸ δ' ἔπτατο πικρὸς ὀϊστός.

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀπὸ πλατέος πτυόφιν μεγάλην κατ' ἀλωὴν

θρῴσκωσιν κύαμοι μελανόχροες ἢ ἐρέβινθοι

590πνοιῇ ὕπο λιγυρῇ καὶ λικμητῆρος ἐρωῇ,

Transliteration

Priamidēs men epeita kata stēthos balen iōi

thōrēkos gualon, apo d' eptato pikros oïstos.

hōs d' hot' apo plateos ptuophin megalēn kat' alōēn

thrōiskōsin kuamoi melanochroes ē erebinthoi

590pnoiēi hupo ligurēi kai likmētēros erōēi,

English · Butler

The son of Priam hit the breastplate of Menelaos' corselet, but the arrow glanced from off it. As black beans or pulse come pattering down on to a threshing-floor from the broad winnowing-shovel, blown by shrill winds and shaken by the shovel - even so did the arrow glance

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἀπὸ θώρηκος Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο

πολλὸν ἀποπλαγχθεὶς ἑκὰς ἔπτατο πικρὸς ὀϊστός.

Ἀτρεί̈δης δ' ἄρα χεῖρα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος

τὴν βάλεν ᾗ ῥ' ἔχε τόξον ἐύ̈ξοον: ἐν δ' ἄρα τόξῳ

595ἀντικρὺ διὰ χειρὸς ἐλήλατο χάλκεον ἔγχος.

Transliteration

hōs apo thōrēkos Menelaou kudalimoio

pollon apoplanchtheis hekas eptato pikros oïstos.

Atreïdēs d' ara cheira boēn agathos Menelaos

tēn balen hēi rh' eche toxon eüxoon: en d' ara toxōi

595antikru dia cheiros elēlato chalkeon enchos.

English · Butler

off and recoil from the shield of Menelaos, who in his turn wounded the hand with which Helenos carried his bow; the spear went right through his hand and stuck in the bow itself, so that to his life he retreated under cover of

Homeric Greek

ἂψ δ' ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρ' ἀλεείνων

χεῖρα παρακρεμάσας: τὸ δ' ἐφέλκετο μείλινον ἔγχος.

καὶ τὸ μὲν ἐκ χειρὸς ἔρυσεν μεγάθυμος Ἀγήνωρ,

αὐτὴν δὲ ξυνέδησεν ἐϋστρεφεῖ οἰὸς ἀώτῳ

600σφενδόνῃ, ἣν ἄρα οἱ θεράπων ἔχε ποιμένι λαῶν.

Transliteration

aps d' hetarōn eis ethnos echazeto kēr' aleeinōn

cheira parakremasas: to d' ephelketo meilinon enchos.

kai to men ek cheiros erusen megathumos Agēnōr,

autēn de xunedēsen eüstrephei oios aōtōi

600sphendonēi, hēn ara hoi therapōn eche poimeni laōn.

English · Butler

his men, with his hand dragging by his side - for the spear weighed it down till Agenor drew it out and bound the hand carefully up in a woolen sling which his esquire had with him.

Homeric Greek

Πείσανδρος δ' ἰθὺς Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο

ἤϊε: τὸν δ' ἄγε μοῖρα κακὴ θανάτοιο τέλος δὲ

σοὶ Μενέλαε δαμῆναι ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι.

οἳ δ' ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦσαν ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισιν ἰόντες

605Ἀτρεί̈δης μὲν ἅμαρτε, παραὶ δέ οἱ ἐτράπετ' ἔγχος,

Transliteration

Peisandros d' ithus Menelaou kudalimoio

ēïe: ton d' age moira kakē thanatoio telos de

soi Menelae damēnai en ainēi dēïotēti.

hoi d' hote dē schedon ēsan ep' allēloisin iontes

605Atreïdēs men hamarte, parai de hoi etrapet' enchos,

English · Butler

Peisandros then made straight at Menelaos - his evil destiny luring him on to his doom, for he was to fall in fight with you, O Menelaos. When the two were hard by one another the spear of the son of Atreus turned aside and he missed his aim; Peisandros then struck the shield of brave Menelaos but could not pierce it, for the shield stayed the spear and broke the shaft; nevertheless he was glad and made sure of victory;

Homeric Greek

Πείσανδρος δὲ σάκος Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο

οὔτασεν, οὐδὲ διὰ πρὸ δυνήσατο χαλκὸν ἐλάσσαι:

ἔσχεθε γὰρ σάκος εὐρύ, κατεκλάσθη δ' ἐνὶ καυλῷ

ἔγχος: ὃ δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσι χάρη καὶ ἐέλπετο νίκην.

610Ἀτρεί̈δης δὲ ἐρυσσάμενος ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον

Transliteration

Peisandros de sakos Menelaou kudalimoio

outasen, oude dia pro dunēsato chalkon elassai:

eschethe gar sakos euru, kateklasthē d' eni kaulōi

enchos: ho de phresin hēisi charē kai eelpeto nikēn.

610Atreïdēs de erussamenos xiphos arguroēlon

English · Butler

forthwith, however, the son of Atreus drew his sword and sprang upon him. Peisandros then seized the bronze battle-axe, with its long and polished handle of olive wood that hung by his side under his shield, and the two made at one another. Peisandros struck the peak of Menelaos' crested helmet

Homeric Greek

ἆλτ' ἐπὶ Πεισάνδρῳ: ὃ δ' ὑπ' ἀσπίδος εἵλετο καλὴν

ἀξίνην εὔχαλκον ἐλαί̈νῳ ἀμφὶ πελέκκῳ

μακρῷ ἐϋξέστῳ: ἅμα δ' ἀλλήλων ἐφίκοντο.

ἤτοι ὃ μὲν κόρυθος φάλον ἤλασεν ἱπποδασείης

615ἄκρον ὑπὸ λόφον αὐτόν, ὃ δὲ προσιόντα μέτωπον

Transliteration

alt' epi Peisandrōi: ho d' hup' aspidos heileto kalēn

axinēn euchalkon elaïnōi amphi pelekkōi

makrōi eüxestōi: hama d' allēlōn ephikonto.

ētoi ho men koruthos phalon ēlasen hippodaseiēs

615akron hupo lophon auton, ho de prosionta metōpon

English · Butler

just under the crest itself, and Menelaos hit Peisandros as he was coming towards him, on the forehead, just at the rise of his nose; the bones cracked and his two gore-bedrabbled eyes fell by his feet in the dust. He fell backwards to the ground, and Menelaos set his heel upon him, stripped

Homeric Greek

ῥινὸς ὕπερ πυμάτης: λάκε δ' ὀστέα, τὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε

πὰρ ποσὶν αἱματόεντα χαμαὶ πέσον ἐν κονίῃσιν,

ἰδνώθη δὲ πεσών: ὃ δὲ λὰξ ἐν στήθεσι βαίνων

τεύχεά τ' ἐξενάριξε καὶ εὐχόμενος ἔπος ηὔδα:

620λείψετέ θην οὕτω γε νέας Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων

Transliteration

rhinos huper pumatēs: lake d' ostea, tō de hoi osse

par posin haimatoenta chamai peson en koniēisin,

idnōthē de pesōn: ho de lax en stēthesi bainōn

teuchea t' exenarixe kai euchomenos epos ēuda:

620leipsete thēn houtō ge neas Danaōn tachupōlōn

English · Butler

him of his armor, and vaunted over him saying, "Even thus shall you Trojans leave the ships of the Achaeans, proud and insatiate of battle though you be: nor shall you lack any of the disgrace and shame which you have heaped upon myself. Cowardly she-wolves that

Homeric Greek

Τρῶες ὑπερφίαλοι δεινῆς ἀκόρητοι ἀϋτῆς,

ἄλλης μὲν λώβης τε καὶ αἴσχεος οὐκ ἐπιδευεῖς

ἣν ἐμὲ λωβήσασθε κακαὶ κύνες, οὐδέ τι θυμῷ

Ζηνὸς ἐριβρεμέτεω χαλεπὴν ἐδείσατε μῆνιν

625ξεινίου, ὅς τέ ποτ' ὔμμι διαφθέρσει πόλιν αἰπήν:

Transliteration

Trōes huperphialoi deinēs akorētoi aütēs,

allēs men lōbēs te kai aischeos ouk epideueis

hēn eme lōbēsasthe kakai kunes, oude ti thumōi

Zēnos eribremeteō chalepēn edeisate mēnin

625xeiniou, hos te pot' ummi diaphthersei polin aipēn:

English · Butler

you are, you feared not the anger of dread Zeus, avenger of violated hospitality, who will one day destroy your city; you stole my wedded wife and wickedly carried off much treasure when you were her guest, and now you would fling fire upon our ships, and kill our heroes.

Homeric Greek

οἵ μευ κουριδίην ἄλοχον καὶ κτήματα πολλὰ

μὰψ οἴχεσθ' ἀνάγοντες, ἐπεὶ φιλέεσθε παρ' αὐτῇ:

νῦν αὖτ' ἐν νηυσὶν μενεαίνετε ποντοπόροισι

πῦρ ὀλοὸν βαλέειν, κτεῖναι δ' ἥρωας Ἀχαιούς.

630ἀλλά ποθι σχήσεσθε καὶ ἐσσύμενοί περ Ἄρηος.

Transliteration

hoi meu kouridiēn alochon kai ktēmata polla

maps oichesth' anagontes, epei phileesthe par' autēi:

nun aut' en nēusin meneainete pontoporoisi

pur oloon baleein, kteinai d' hērōas Achaious.

630alla pothi schēsesthe kai essumenoi per Arēos.

English · Butler

who will one day destroy your city; you stole my wedded wife and wickedly carried off much treasure when you were her guest, and now you would fling fire upon our ships, and kill our heroes. A day will come when, rage as you may, you shall be stayed. O father Zeus, you, who they say art above all both gods and men in wisdom, and from whom all things that befall us do proceed, how can

Homeric Greek

Ζεῦ πάτερ ἦ τέ σέ φασι περὶ φρένας ἔμμεναι ἄλλων

ἀνδρῶν ἠδὲ θεῶν: σέο δ' ἐκ τάδε πάντα πέλονται:

οἷον δὴ ἄνδρεσσι χαρίζεαι ὑβριστῇσι

Τρωσίν, τῶν μένος αἰὲν ἀτάσθαλον, οὐδὲ δύνανται

635φυλόπιδος κορέσασθαι ὁμοιί̈ου πτολέμοιο.

Transliteration

Zeu pater ē te se phasi peri phrenas emmenai allōn

andrōn ēde theōn: seo d' ek tade panta pelontai:

hoion dē andressi charizeai hubristēisi

Trōsin, tōn menos aien atasthalon, oude dunantai

635phulopidos koresasthai homoiïou ptolemoio.

English · Butler

you thus favor the Trojans - men so proud and overweening, that they are never tired of fighting? All things pall after a while - sleep, love, sweet song, and stately dance - still these are things of

Homeric Greek

πάντων μὲν κόρος ἐστὶ καὶ ὕπνου καὶ φιλότητος

μολπῆς τε γλυκερῆς καὶ ἀμύμονος ὀρχηθμοῖο,

τῶν πέρ τις καὶ μᾶλλον ἐέλδεται ἐξ ἔρον εἷναι

ἢ πολέμου: Τρῶες δὲ μάχης ἀκόρητοι ἔασιν.

640ὣς εἰπὼν τὰ μὲν ἔντε' ἀπὸ χροὸς αἱματόεντα

Transliteration

pantōn men koros esti kai hupnou kai philotētos

molpēs te glukerēs kai amumonos orchēthmoio,

tōn per tis kai mallon eeldetai ex eron heinai

ē polemou: Trōes de machēs akorētoi easin.

640hōs eipōn ta men ente' apo chroos haimatoenta

English · Butler

which a man would surely have his fill rather than of battle, whereas it is of battle that the Trojans are insatiate." So saying Menelaos stripped the blood-stained armor from the body of Peisandros, and handed it over to his men;

Homeric Greek

συλήσας ἑτάροισι δίδου Μενέλαος ἀμύμων,

αὐτὸς δ' αὖτ' ἐξ αὖτις ἰὼν προμάχοισιν ἐμίχθη.

ἔνθά οἱ υἱὸς ἐπᾶλτο Πυλαιμένεος βασιλῆος

Ἁρπαλίων, ὅ ῥα πατρὶ φίλῳ ἕπετο πτολεμίξων

645ἐς τροίην, οὐδ' αὖτις ἀφίκετο πατρίδα γαῖαν:

Transliteration

sulēsas hetaroisi didou Menelaos amumōn,

autos d' aut' ex autis iōn promachoisin emichthē.

entha hoi huios epalto Pulaimeneos basilēos

Harpaliōn, ho rha patri philōi hepeto ptolemixōn

645es troiēn, oud' autis aphiketo patrida gaian:

English · Butler

then he again ranged himself among those who were in the front of the fight. Harpalion son of King Pylaimenes then sprang upon him; he had come to fight at Troy along with his father, but he did not go home again. He struck the middle of Menelaos' shield with his spear but could not pierce it, and to save his life

Homeric Greek

ὅς ῥα τότ' Ἀτρεί̈δαο μέσον σάκος οὔτασε δουρὶ

ἐγγύθεν, οὐδὲ διὰ πρὸ δυνήσατο χαλκὸν ἐλάσσαι

ἂψ δ' ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρ' ἀλεείνων

πάντοσε παπταίνων μή τις χρόα χαλκῷ ἐπαύρῃ.

650Μηριόνης δ' ἀπιόντος ἵει χαλκήρε' ὀϊστόν,

Transliteration

hos rha tot' Atreïdao meson sakos outase douri

enguthen, oude dia pro dunēsato chalkon elassai

aps d' hetarōn eis ethnos echazeto kēr' aleeinōn

pantose paptainōn mē tis chroa chalkōi epaurēi.

650Mērionēs d' apiontos hiei chalkēre' oïston,

English · Butler

drew back under cover of his men, looking round him on every side lest he should be wounded. But Meriones aimed a bronze-tipped arrow at him as he was leaving the field, and hit him on the right buttock; the arrow pierced the bone through and through, and penetrated the bladder, so he sat down where he was and breathed his last in

Homeric Greek

καί ῥ' ἔβαλε γλουτὸν κάτα δεξιόν: αὐτὰρ ὀϊστὸς

ἀντικρὺ κατὰ κύστιν ὑπ' ὀστέον ἐξεπέρησεν.

ἑζόμενος δὲ κατ' αὖθι φίλων ἐν χερσὶν ἑταίρων

θυμὸν ἀποπνείων, ὥς τε σκώληξ ἐπὶ γαίῃ

655κεῖτο ταθείς: ἐκ δ' αἷμα μέλαν ῥέε, δεῦε δὲ γαῖαν.

Transliteration

kai rh' ebale glouton kata dexion: autar oïstos

antikru kata kustin hup' osteon exeperēsen.

hezomenos de kat' authi philōn en chersin hetairōn

thumon apopneiōn, hōs te skōlēx epi gaiēi

655keito tatheis: ek d' haima melan rhee, deue de gaian.

English · Butler

the arms of his comrades, stretched like a worm upon the ground and watering the earth with the blood that flowed from his wound. The brave Paphlagonians tended him with all due care; they raised him into his chariot, and bore him sadly off to the city of Troy; his father went also

Homeric Greek

τὸν μὲν Παφλαγόνες μεγαλήτορες ἀμφεπένοντο,

ἐς δίφρον δ' ἀνέσαντες ἄγον προτὶ Ἴλιον ἱρὴν

ἀχνύμενοι: μετὰ δέ σφι πατὴρ κίε δάκρυα λείβων,

ποινὴ δ' οὔ τις παιδὸς ἐγίγνετο τεθνηῶτος.

660τοῦ δὲ Πάρις μάλα θυμὸν ἀποκταμένοιο χολώθη:

Transliteration

ton men Paphlagones megalētores amphepenonto,

es diphron d' anesantes agon proti Ilion hirēn

achnumenoi: meta de sphi patēr kie dakrua leibōn,

poinē d' ou tis paidos egigneto tethnēōtos.

660tou de Paris mala thumon apoktamenoio cholōthē:

English · Butler

with him weeping bitterly, but there was no ransom that could bring his dead son to life again. Paris was deeply grieved by the death of Harpalion, who was his host when he went among the Paphlagonians; he aimed an arrow, therefore, in order to avenge him.

Homeric Greek

ξεῖνος γάρ οἱ ἔην πολέσιν μετὰ Παφλαγόνεσσι:

τοῦ ὅ γε χωόμενος προί̈ει χαλκήρε' ὀϊστόν.

ἦν δέ τις Εὐχήνωρ Πολυί̈δου μάντιος υἱὸς

ἀφνειός τ' ἀγαθός τε Κορινθόθι οἰκία ναίων,

665ὅς ῥ' εὖ εἰδὼς κῆρ' ὀλοὴν ἐπὶ νηὸς ἔβαινε:

Transliteration

xeinos gar hoi eēn polesin meta Paphlagonessi:

tou ho ge chōomenos proïei chalkēre' oïston.

ēn de tis Euchēnōr Poluïdou mantios huios

aphneios t' agathos te Korinthothi oikia naiōn,

665hos rh' eu eidōs kēr' oloēn epi nēos ebaine:

English · Butler

Paris was deeply grieved by the death of Harpalion, who was his host when he went among the Paphlagonians; he aimed an arrow, therefore, in order to avenge him. Now there was a certain man named Euchenor, son of Polyidos the seer, a brave man and wealthy, whose home was in Corinth. This Euchenor had set sail for Troy well knowing that it would be the death of him, for his good old father Polyidos had often told him that he must either stay at home and die of a terrible disease,

Homeric Greek

πολλάκι γάρ οἱ ἔειπε γέρων ἀγαθὸς Πολύϊδος

νούσῳ ὑπ' ἀργαλέῃ φθίσθαι οἷς ἐν μεγάροισιν,

ἢ μετ' Ἀχαιῶν νηυσὶν ὑπὸ Τρώεσσι δαμῆναι:

τώ ῥ' ἅμα τ' ἀργαλέην θωὴν ἀλέεινεν Ἀχαιῶν

670νοῦσόν τε στυγερήν, ἵνα μὴ πάθοι ἄλγεα θυμῷ.

Transliteration

pollaki gar hoi eeipe gerōn agathos Poluïdos

nousōi hup' argaleēi phthisthai hois en megaroisin,

ē met' Achaiōn nēusin hupo Trōessi damēnai:

tō rh' hama t' argaleēn thōēn aleeinen Achaiōn

670nouson te stugerēn, hina mē pathoi algea thumōi.

English · Butler

or go with the Achaeans and perish at the hands of the Trojans; he chose, therefore, to avoid incurring the heavy fine the Achaeans would have laid upon him, and at the same time to escape the pain and suffering of disease. Paris now smote him on the jaw under his ear, whereon the life

Homeric Greek

τὸν βάλ' ὑπὸ γναθμοῖο. καὶ οὔατος: ὦκα δὲ θυμὸς

ᾤχετ' ἀπὸ μελέων, στυγερὸς δ' ἄρα μιν σκότος εἷλεν.

ὣς οἳ μὲν μάρναντο δέμας πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο:

Ἕκτωρ δ' οὐκ ἐπέπυστο Διὶ̈ φίλος, οὐδέ τι ᾔδη

675ὅττί ῥά οἱ νηῶν ἐπ' ἀριστερὰ δηϊόωντο

Transliteration

ton bal' hupo gnathmoio. kai ouatos: ōka de thumos

ōichet' apo meleōn, stugeros d' ara min skotos heilen.

hōs hoi men marnanto demas puros aithomenoio:

Hektōr d' ouk epepusto Diï philos, oude ti ēidē

675hotti rha hoi nēōn ep' aristera dēïoōnto

English · Butler

went out of him and he was enshrouded in the darkness of death. Thus then did they fight as it were a flaming fire. But Hektor had not yet heard, and did not know that the Argives were making havoc of his men on

Homeric Greek

λαοὶ ὑπ' Ἀργείων. τάχα δ' ἂν καὶ κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν

ἔπλετο: τοῖος γὰρ γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος

ὄτρυν' Ἀργείους, πρὸς δὲ σθένει αὐτὸς ἄμυνεν:

ἀλλ' ἔχεν ᾗ τὰ πρῶτα πύλας καὶ τεῖχος ἐσᾶλτο

680ῥηξάμενος Δαναῶν πυκινὰς στίχας ἀσπιστάων,

Transliteration

laoi hup' Argeiōn. tacha d' an kai kudos Achaiōn

epleto: toios gar gaiēochos ennosigaios

otrun' Argeious, pros de sthenei autos amunen:

all' echen hēi ta prōta pulas kai teichos esalto

680rhēxamenos Danaōn pukinas stichas aspistaōn,

English · Butler

the left wing of the battle, where the Achaeans ere long would have triumphed over them, so vigorously did Poseidon cheer them on and help them. He therefore held on at the point where he had first forced his way through the gates and the wall, after breaking through the serried ranks of Danaan warriors. It was here that the ships of Ajax and Protesilaos were drawn up by the sea-shore;

Homeric Greek

ἔνθ' ἔσαν Αἴαντός τε νέες καὶ Πρωτεσιλάου

θῖν' ἔφ' ἁλὸς πολιῆς εἰρυμέναι: αὐτὰρ ὕπερθε

τεῖχος ἐδέδμητο χθαμαλώτατον, ἔνθα μάλιστα

ζαχρηεῖς γίγνοντο μάχῃ αὐτοί τε καὶ ἵπποι.

685ἔνθα δὲ Βοιωτοὶ καὶ Ἰάονες ἑλκεχίτωνες

Transliteration

enth' esan Aiantos te nees kai Prōtesilaou

thin' eph' halos poliēs eirumenai: autar huperthe

teichos ededmēto chthamalōtaton, entha malista

zachrēeis gignonto machēi autoi te kai hippoi.

685entha de Boiōtoi kai Iaones helkechitōnes

English · Butler

here the wall was at its lowest, and the fight both of man and horse raged most fiercely. The Boeotians and the Ionians with their long tunics, the Locrians, the men of Phthia, and the famous force of the Epeans could hardly stay Hektor as he rushed on towards the

Homeric Greek

Λοκροὶ καὶ Φθῖοι καὶ φαιδιμόεντες Ἐπειοὶ

σπουδῇ ἐπαί̈σσοντα νεῶν ἔχον, οὐδὲ δύναντο

ὦσαι ἀπὸ σφείων φλογὶ εἴκελον Ἕκτορα δῖον

οἳ μὲν Ἀθηναίων προλελεγμένοι: ἐν δ' ἄρα τοῖσιν

690ἦρχ' υἱὸς Πετεῶο Μενεσθεύς, οἳ δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο

Transliteration

Lokroi kai Phthioi kai phaidimoentes Epeioi

spoudēi epaïssonta neōn echon, oude dunanto

ōsai apo spheiōn phlogi eikelon Hektora dion

hoi men Athēnaiōn prolelegmenoi: en d' ara toisin

690ērch' huios Peteōo Menestheus, hoi d' ham' heponto

English · Butler

ships, nor could they drive him from them, for he was as a wall of fire. The chosen men of the Athenians were in the van, led by Menestheus son of Peteos, with whom were also Pheidas, Stichios, and stalwart Bias: Meges son of Phyleus, Amphion, and Drakios commanded the Epeans, while Medon and staunch Podarkes led the men of Phthia.

Homeric Greek

Φείδας τε Στιχίος τε Βίας τ' ἐύ̈ς: αὐτὰρ Ἐπειῶν

Φυλεί̈δης τε Μέγης Ἀμφίων τε Δρακίος τε,

πρὸ Φθίων δὲ Μέδων τε μενεπτόλεμός τε Ποδάρκης.

ἤτοι ὃ μὲν νόθος υἱὸς Ὀϊλῆος θείοιο

695ἔσκε Μέδων Αἴαντος ἀδελφεός: αὐτὰρ ἔναιεν

Transliteration

Pheidas te Stichios te Bias t' eüs: autar Epeiōn

Phuleïdēs te Megēs Amphiōn te Drakios te,

pro Phthiōn de Medōn te meneptolemos te Podarkēs.

ētoi ho men nothos huios Oïlēos theioio

695eske Medōn Aiantos adelpheos: autar enaien

English · Butler

Of these, Medon was bastard son to Oileus and brother of Ajax, but he lived in Phylake away from his own country, for he had killed the brother of his stepmother Eriopis, the wife of Oileus; the other, Podarkes, was the son of Iphiklos son of Phylakos.

Homeric Greek

ἐν Φυλάκῃ γαίης ἄπο πατρίδος ἄνδρα κατακτὰς

γνωτὸν μητρυιῆς Ἐριώπιδος, ἣν ἔχ' Ὀϊλεύς:

αὐτὰρ ὃ Ἰφίκλοιο πάϊς τοῦ Φυλακίδαο.

οἳ μὲν πρὸ Φθίων μεγαθύμων θωρηχθέντες

700ναῦφιν ἀμυνόμενοι μετὰ Βοιωτῶν ἐμάχοντο:

Transliteration

en Phulakēi gaiēs apo patridos andra kataktas

gnōton mētruiēs Eriōpidos, hēn ech' Oïleus:

autar ho Iphikloio païs tou Phulakidao.

hoi men pro Phthiōn megathumōn thōrēchthentes

700nauphin amunomenoi meta Boiōtōn emachonto:

English · Butler

These two stood in the van of the Phthians, and defended the ships along with the Boeotians.

Homeric Greek

Αἴας δ' οὐκέτι πάμπαν Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς υἱὸς

ἵστατ' ἀπ' Αἴαντος Τελαμωνίου οὐδ' ἠβαιόν,

ἀλλ' ὥς τ' ἐν νειῷ βόε οἴνοπε πηκτὸν ἄροτρον

ἶσον θυμὸν ἔχοντε τιταίνετον: ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρά σφι

705πρυμνοῖσιν κεράεσσι πολὺς ἀνακηκίει ἱδρώς:

Transliteration

Aias d' ouketi pampan Oïlēos tachus huios

histat' ap' Aiantos Telamōniou oud' ēbaion,

all' hōs t' en neiōi boe oinope pēkton arotron

ison thumon echonte titaineton: amphi d' ara sphi

705prumnoisin keraessi polus anakēkiei hidrōs:

English · Butler

Ajax son of Oileus never for a moment left the side of Ajax son of Telamon, but as two swart oxen both strain their utmost at the plough which they are drawing in a fallow field, and the sweat steams upwards from about the roots of their horns - nothing but the yoke divides them as they break up the ground till they reach the end of the field - even so did the two Ajaxes stand shoulder to shoulder by one another. Many and brave comrades followed the son of Telamon, to relieve him of his shield when he was overcome with sweat and toil, but

Homeric Greek

τὼ μέν τε ζυγὸν οἶον ἐύ̈ξοον ἀμφὶς ἐέργει

ἱεμένω κατὰ ὦλκα: τέμει δέ τε τέλσον ἀρούρης:

ὣς τὼ παρβεβαῶτε μάλ' ἕστασαν ἀλλήλοιιν.

ἀλλ' ἤτοι Τελαμωνιάδῃ πολλοί τε καὶ ἐσθλοὶ

710λαοὶ ἕπονθ' ἕταροι, οἵ οἱ σάκος ἐξεδέχοντο

Transliteration

tō men te zugon oion eüxoon amphis eergei

hiemenō kata ōlka: temei de te telson arourēs:

hōs tō parbebaōte mal' hestasan allēloiin.

all' ētoi Telamōniadēi polloi te kai esthloi

710laoi heponth' hetaroi, hoi hoi sakos exedechonto

English · Butler

the Locrians did not follow so close after the son of Oileus, for they could not hold their own in a hand-to-hand fight. They had no bronze helmets with plumes of horse-hair, neither had they shields nor ashen spears, but they

Homeric Greek

ὁππότε μιν κάματός τε καὶ ἱδρὼς γούναθ' ἵκοιτο.

οὐδ' ἄρ' Ὀϊλιάδῃ μεγαλήτορι Λοκροὶ ἕποντο:

οὐ γάρ σφι σταδίῃ ὑσμίνῃ μίμνε φίλον κῆρ:

οὐ γὰρ ἔχον κόρυθας χαλκήρεας ἱπποδασείας,

715οὐδ' ἔχον ἀσπίδας εὐκύκλους καὶ μείλινα δοῦρα,

Transliteration

hoppote min kamatos te kai hidrōs gounath' hikoito.

oud' ar' Oïliadēi megalētori Lokroi heponto:

ou gar sphi stadiēi husminēi mimne philon kēr:

ou gar echon koruthas chalkēreas hippodaseias,

715oud' echon aspidas eukuklous kai meilina doura,

English · Butler

had come to Troy armed with bows, and with slings of twisted wool from which they showered their missiles to break the ranks of the Trojans. The others, therefore, with their heavy armor bore the brunt

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄρα τόξοισιν καὶ ἐϋστρεφεῖ οἶος ἀώτῳ

Ἴλιον εἰς ἅμ' ἕποντο πεποιθότες, οἷσιν ἔπειτα

ταρφέα βάλλοντες Τρώων ῥήγνυντο φάλαγγας:

δή ῥα τόθ' οἳ μὲν πρόσθε σὺν ἔντεσι δαιδαλέοισι

720μάρναντο Τρωσίν τε καὶ Ἕκτορι χαλκοκορυστῇ,

Transliteration

all' ara toxoisin kai eüstrephei oios aōtōi

Ilion eis ham' heponto pepoithotes, hoisin epeita

tarphea ballontes Trōōn rhēgnunto phalangas:

dē rha toth' hoi men prosthe sun entesi daidaleoisi

720marnanto Trōsin te kai Hektori chalkokorustēi,

English · Butler

of the fight with the Trojans and with Hektor, while the Locrians shot from behind, under their cover; and thus the Trojans began to lose heart, for

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ὄπιθεν βάλλοντες ἐλάνθανον: οὐδέ τι χάρμης

Τρῶες μιμνήσκοντο: συνεκλόνεον γὰρ ὀϊστοί.

ἔνθά κε λευγαλέως νηῶν ἄπο καὶ κλισιάων

Τρῶες ἐχώρησαν προτὶ Ἴλιον ἠνεμόεσσαν,

725εἰ μὴ Πουλυδάμας θρασὺν Ἕκτορα εἶπε παραστάς:

Transliteration

hoi d' opithen ballontes elanthanon: oude ti charmēs

Trōes mimnēskonto: sunekloneon gar oïstoi.

entha ke leugaleōs nēōn apo kai klisiaōn

Trōes echōrēsan proti Ilion ēnemoessan,

725ei mē Pouludamas thrasun Hektora eipe parastas:

English · Butler

the arrows threw them into confusion. The Trojans would now have been driven in sorry plight from the ships and tents back to windy Ilion, had not Polydamas presently said to Hektor, "Hektor, there is no persuading you to take advice. Because heaven has so richly endowed you with the arts of war, you think that you must therefore excel others in counsel;

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορ ἀμήχανός ἐσσι παραρρητοῖσι πιθέσθαι.

οὕνεκά τοι περὶ δῶκε θεὸς πολεμήϊα ἔργα

τοὔνεκα καὶ βουλῇ ἐθέλεις περιίδμεναι ἄλλων:

ἀλλ' οὔ πως ἅμα πάντα δυνήσεαι αὐτὸς ἑλέσθαι.

730ἄλλῳ μὲν γὰρ ἔδωκε θεὸς πολεμήϊα ἔργα,

Transliteration

Hektor amēchanos essi pararrētoisi pithesthai.

houneka toi peri dōke theos polemēïa erga

touneka kai boulēi etheleis periidmenai allōn:

all' ou pōs hama panta dunēseai autos helesthai.

730allōi men gar edōke theos polemēïa erga,

English · Butler

but you cannot thus claim preeminence in all things. Heaven has made one man an excellent warrior; of another it has made a dancer or a singer and player on the lyre; while yet in another Zeus has implanted a wise understanding of which men reap fruit

Homeric Greek

ἄλλῳ δ' ὀρχηστύν, ἑτέρῳ κίθαριν καὶ ἀοιδήν,

ἄλλῳ δ' ἐν στήθεσσι τιθεῖ νόον εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς

ἐσθλόν, τοῦ δέ τε πολλοὶ ἐπαυρίσκοντ' ἄνθρωποι,

καί τε πολέας ἐσάωσε, μάλιστα δὲ καὐτὸς ἀνέγνω.

735αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω ὥς μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι ἄριστα:

Transliteration

allōi d' orchēstun, heterōi kitharin kai aoidēn,

allōi d' en stēthessi tithei noon euruopa Zeus

esthlon, tou de te polloi epauriskont' anthrōpoi,

kai te poleas esaōse, malista de kautos anegnō.

735autar egōn ereō hōs moi dokei einai arista:

English · Butler

to the saving of many, and he himself knows more about it than any one; therefore I will say what I think will be best. The fight has hemmed you in as with a circle of fire,

Homeric Greek

πάντῃ γάρ σε περὶ στέφανος πολέμοιο δέδηε:

Τρῶες δὲ μεγάθυμοι ἐπεὶ κατὰ τεῖχος ἔβησαν

οἳ μὲν ἀφεστᾶσιν σὺν τεύχεσιν, οἳ δὲ μάχονται

παυρότεροι πλεόνεσσι κεδασθέντες κατὰ νῆας.

740ἀλλ' ἀναχασσάμενος κάλει ἐνθάδε πάντας ἀρίστους:

Transliteration

pantēi gar se peri stephanos polemoio dedēe:

Trōes de megathumoi epei kata teichos ebēsan

hoi men aphestasin sun teuchesin, hoi de machontai

pauroteroi pleonessi kedasthentes kata nēas.

740all' anachassamenos kalei enthade pantas aristous:

English · Butler

and even now that the Trojans are within the wall some of them stand aloof in full armor, while others are fighting scattered and outnumbered near the ships. Draw back, therefore, and call your chieftains round you, that we may advise together whether to fall now upon the ships in the hope that heaven may grant

Homeric Greek

ἔνθεν δ' ἂν μάλα πᾶσαν ἐπιφρασσαίμεθα βουλὴν

ἤ κεν ἐνὶ νήεσσι πολυκλήϊσι πέσωμεν

αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσι θεὸς δόμεναι κράτος, ἦ κεν ἔπειτα

πὰρ νηῶν ἔλθωμεν ἀπήμονες. ἦ γὰρ ἔγωγε

745δείδω μὴ τὸ χθιζὸν ἀποστήσωνται Ἀχαιοὶ

Transliteration

enthen d' an mala pasan epiphrassaimetha boulēn

ē ken eni nēessi poluklēïsi pesōmen

ai k' ethelēisi theos domenai kratos, ē ken epeita

par nēōn elthōmen apēmones. ē gar egōge

745deidō mē to chthizon apostēsōntai Achaioi

English · Butler

us victory, or to beat a retreat while we can yet safely do so. I greatly fear that the Achaeans will pay us their debt of yesterday in full, for there is one abiding at their ships who

Homeric Greek

χρεῖος, ἐπεὶ παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀνὴρ ἆτος πολέμοιο

μίμνει, ὃν οὐκέτι πάγχυ μάχης σχήσεσθαι ὀί̈ω.

ὣς φάτο Πουλυδάμας, ἅδε δ' Ἕκτορι μῦθος ἀπήμων,

αὐτίκα δ' ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε

750καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Transliteration

chreios, epei para nēusin anēr atos polemoio

mimnei, hon ouketi panchu machēs schēsesthai oïō.

hōs phato Pouludamas, hade d' Hektori muthos apēmōn,

autika d' ex ocheōn sun teuchesin alto chamaze

750kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

English · Butler

is never weary of battle, and who will not hold aloof much longer." Thus spoke Polydamas, and his words pleased Hektor well. He sprang in full armor from his chariot and said, "Polydamas, gather the chieftains here; I will go yonder into

Homeric Greek

Πουλυδάμα σὺ μὲν αὐτοῦ ἐρύκακε πάντας ἀρίστους,

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ κεῖσ' εἶμι καὶ ἀντιόω πολέμοιο:

αἶψα δ' ἐλεύσομαι αὖτις ἐπὴν εὖ τοῖς ἐπιτείλω.

ἦ ῥα, καὶ ὁρμήθη ὄρεϊ νιφόεντι ἐοικὼς

755κεκλήγων, διὰ δὲ Τρώων πέτετ' ἠδ' ἐπικούρων.

Transliteration

Pouludama su men autou erukake pantas aristous,

autar egō keis' eimi kai antioō polemoio:

aipsa d' eleusomai autis epēn eu tois epiteilō.

ē rha, kai hormēthē oreï niphoenti eoikōs

755keklēgōn, dia de Trōōn petet' ēd' epikourōn.

English · Butler

the fight, but will return at once when I have given them their orders." He then sped onward, towering like a snowy mountain, and with a loud cry flew through the ranks of the Trojans and their allies. When they heard his voice they all hastened

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ἐς Πανθοί̈δην ἀγαπήνορα Πουλυδάμαντα

πάντες ἐπεσσεύοντ', ἐπεὶ Ἕκτορος ἔκλυον αὐδήν.

αὐτὰρ ὃ Δηί̈φοβόν τε βίην θ' Ἑλένοιο ἄνακτος

Ἀσιάδην τ' Ἀδάμαντα καὶ Ἄσιον Ὑρτάκου υἱὸν

760φοίτα ἀνὰ προμάχους διζήμενος, εἴ που ἐφεύροι.

Transliteration

hoi d' es Panthoïdēn agapēnora Pouludamanta

pantes epesseuont', epei Hektoros ekluon audēn.

autar ho Dēïphobon te biēn th' Helenoio anaktos

Asiadēn t' Adamanta kai Asion Hurtakou huion

760phoita ana promachous dizēmenos, ei pou epheuroi.

English · Butler

to gather round Polydamas the excellent son of Panthoos, but Hektor kept on among the foremost, looking everywhere to find Deiphobos and prince Helenos, Adamas son of Asios, and Asios son of Hyrtakos; living, indeed, and scatheless he could no longer find them, for the two last were lying

Homeric Greek

τοὺς δ' εὗρ' οὐκέτι πάμπαν ἀπήμονας οὐδ' ἀνολέθρους:

ἀλλ' οἳ μὲν δὴ νηυσὶν ἔπι πρυμνῇσιν Ἀχαιῶν

χερσὶν ὑπ' Ἀργείων κέατο ψυχὰς ὀλέσαντες,

οἳ δ' ἐν τείχει ἔσαν βεβλημένοι οὐτάμενοί τε.

765τὸν δὲ τάχ' εὗρε μάχης ἐπ' ἀριστερὰ δακρυοέσσης

Transliteration

tous d' heur' ouketi pampan apēmonas oud' anolethrous:

all' hoi men dē nēusin epi prumnēisin Achaiōn

chersin hup' Argeiōn keato psuchas olesantes,

hoi d' en teichei esan beblēmenoi outamenoi te.

765ton de tach' heure machēs ep' aristera dakruoessēs

English · Butler

by the sterns of the Achaean ships, having lost their lives at the hands of the Argives, while the others had been also stricken and wounded by them; but upon the left wing of the dread battle he found Alexander, husband of lovely Helen, cheering his men and urging them on to fight. He went up to him and upbraided him.

Homeric Greek

δῖον Ἀλέξανδρον Ἑλένης πόσιν ἠϋκόμοιο

θαρσύνονθ' ἑτάρους καὶ ἐποτρύνοντα μάχεσθαι,

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱστάμενος προσέφη αἰσχροῖς ἐπέεσσι:

Δύσπαρι εἶδος ἄριστε γυναιμανὲς ἠπεροπευτὰ

770ποῦ τοι Δηί̈φοβός τε βίη θ' Ἑλένοιο ἄνακτος

Transliteration

dion Alexandron Helenēs posin ēükomoio

tharsunonth' hetarous kai epotrunonta machesthai,

anchou d' histamenos prosephē aischrois epeessi:

Duspari eidos ariste gunaimanes ēperopeuta

770pou toi Dēïphobos te biē th' Helenoio anaktos

English · Butler

"Paris," said he, "evil-hearted Paris, fair to see but woman-mad and false of tongue, where are Deiphobos and King Helenos? Where are Adamas son of Asios, and Asios son of Hyrtakos? Where too is Othryoneus? Ilion is

Homeric Greek

Ἀσιάδης τ' Ἀδάμας ἠδ' Ἄσιος Ὑρτάκου υἱός;

ποῦ δέ τοι Ὀθρυονεύς; νῦν ὤλετο πᾶσα κατ' ἄκρης

Ἴλιος αἰπεινή: νῦν τοι σῶς αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδής:

775Ἕκτορ ἐπεί τοι θυμὸς ἀναίτιον αἰτιάασθαι,

Transliteration

Asiadēs t' Adamas ēd' Asios Hurtakou huios;

pou de toi Othruoneus; nun ōleto pasa kat' akrēs

Ilios aipeinē: nun toi sōs aipus olethros.

ton d' aute proseeipen Alexandros theoeidēs:

775Hektor epei toi thumos anaition aitiaasthai,

English · Butler

undone and will now surely fall!" Alexander answered, "Hektor, why find fault when there is no one to find fault with? I should hold aloof from battle on any day rather

Homeric Greek

ἄλλοτε δή ποτε μᾶλλον ἐρωῆσαι πολέμοιο

μέλλω, ἐπεὶ οὐδ' ἐμὲ πάμπαν ἀνάλκιδα γείνατο μήτηρ:

ἐξ οὗ γὰρ παρὰ νηυσὶ μάχην ἤγειρας ἑταίρων,

ἐκ τοῦ δ' ἐνθάδ' ἐόντες ὁμιλέομεν Δαναοῖσι

780νωλεμέως: ἕταροι δὲ κατέκταθεν οὓς σὺ μεταλλᾷς.

Transliteration

allote dē pote mallon erōēsai polemoio

mellō, epei oud' eme pampan analkida geinato mētēr:

ex hou gar para nēusi machēn ēgeiras hetairōn,

ek tou d' enthad' eontes homileomen Danaoisi

780nōlemeōs: hetaroi de katektathen hous su metallāis.

English · Butler

than this, for my mother bore me with nothing of the coward about me. From the moment when you set our men fighting about the ships we have been staying here and doing battle with the Danaans. Our comrades about whom you ask me are dead; Deiphobos and King Helenos alone have left the field,

Homeric Greek

οἴω Δηί̈φοβός τε βίη θ' Ἑλένοιο ἄνακτος

οἴχεσθον, μακρῇσι τετυμμένω ἐγχείῃσιν

ἀμφοτέρω κατὰ χεῖρα: φόνον δ' ἤμυνε Κρονίων.

νῦν δ' ἄρχ' ὅππῃ σε κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει:

785ἡμεῖς δ' ἐμμεμαῶτες ἅμ' ἑψόμεθ', οὐδέ τί φημι

Transliteration

oiō Dēïphobos te biē th' Helenoio anaktos

oichesthon, makrēisi tetummenō encheiēisin

amphoterō kata cheira: phonon d' ēmune Kroniōn.

nun d' arch' hoppēi se kradiē thumos te keleuei:

785hēmeis d' emmemaōtes ham' hepsometh', oude ti phēmi

English · Butler

wounded both of them in the hand, but the son of Kronos saved them alive. Now, therefore, lead on where you would have us go, and we will follow with right goodwill; you shall not find us fail you in so far as our strength holds out, but no man can

Homeric Greek

ἀλκῆς δευήσεσθαι, ὅση δύναμίς γε πάρεστι.

πὰρ δύναμιν δ' οὐκ ἔστι καὶ ἐσσύμενον πολεμίζειν.

ὣς εἰπὼν παρέπεισεν ἀδελφειοῦ φρένας ἥρως:

βὰν δ' ἴμεν ἔνθα μάλιστα μάχη καὶ φύλοπις ἦεν

790ἀμφί τε Κεβριόνην καὶ ἀμύμονα Πουλυδάμαντα

Transliteration

alkēs deuēsesthai, hosē dunamis ge paresti.

par dunamin d' ouk esti kai essumenon polemizein.

hōs eipōn parepeisen adelpheiou phrenas hērōs:

ban d' imen entha malista machē kai phulopis ēen

790amphi te Kebrionēn kai amumona Pouludamanta

English · Butler

do more than in him lies, no matter how willing he may be." With these words he satisfied his brother, and the two went towards the part of the battle where the fight was thickest, about Kebriones, brave Polydamas, Phalces, Orthaios, godlike Polyphetes, Palmys, Askanios, and Morys son of Hippotion, who had come from fertile Askania on the preceding day to relieve other troops. Then Zeus urged them on to fight. They flew forth like the blasts of some

Homeric Greek

Φάλκην Ὀρθαῖόν τε καὶ ἀντίθεον Πολυφήτην

Πάλμύν τ' Ἀσκάνιόν τε Μόρυν θ' υἷ' Ἱπποτίωνος,

οἵ ῥ' ἐξ Ἀσκανίης ἐριβώλακος ἦλθον ἀμοιβοὶ

ἠοῖ τῇ προτέρῃ: τότε δὲ Ζεὺς ὦρσε μάχεσθαι.

795οἳ δ' ἴσαν ἀργαλέων ἀνέμων ἀτάλαντοι ἀέλλῃ,

Transliteration

Phalkēn Orthaion te kai antitheon Poluphētēn

Palmun t' Askanion te Morun th' hui' Hippotiōnos,

hoi rh' ex Askaniēs eribōlakos ēlthon amoiboi

ēoi tēi proterēi: tote de Zeus ōrse machesthai.

795hoi d' isan argaleōn anemōn atalantoi aellēi,

English · Butler

fierce wind that strike earth in the van of a thunderstorm - they buffet the salt sea into an uproar; many and mighty are the great waves that come crashing in one after the other upon the shore with their arching heads all crested with foam - even so did rank behind rank of Trojans arrayed in gleaming armor follow their leaders onward.

Homeric Greek

ἥ ῥά θ' ὑπὸ βροντῆς πατρὸς Διὸς εἶσι πέδον δέ,

θεσπεσίῳ δ' ὁμάδῳ ἁλὶ μίσγεται, ἐν δέ τε πολλὰ

κύματα παφλάζοντα πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης

κυρτὰ φαληριόωντα, πρὸ μέν τ' ἄλλ', αὐτὰρ ἐπ' ἄλλα:

800ὣς Τρῶες πρὸ μὲν ἄλλοι ἀρηρότες, αὐτὰρ ἐπ' ἄλλοι,

Transliteration

hē rha th' hupo brontēs patros Dios eisi pedon de,

thespesiōi d' homadōi hali misgetai, en de te polla

kumata paphlazonta poluphloisboio thalassēs

kurta phalērioōnta, pro men t' all', autar ep' alla:

800hōs Trōes pro men alloi arērotes, autar ep' alloi,

English · Butler

The way was led by Hektor son of Priam, peer of murderous Ares, with his round shield before him - his shield of ox-hides covered with plates of bronze - and his gleaming helmet upon his temples. He kept stepping forward under cover of

Homeric Greek

χαλκῷ μαρμαίροντες ἅμ' ἡγεμόνεσσιν ἕποντο.

Ἕκτωρ δ' ἡγεῖτο βροτολοιγῷ ἶσος Ἄρηϊ

Πριαμίδης: πρόσθεν δ' ἔχεν ἀσπίδα πάντοσ' ἐί̈σην

ῥινοῖσιν πυκινήν, πολλὸς δ' ἐπελήλατο χαλκός:

805ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ κροτάφοισι φαεινὴ σείετο πήληξ.

Transliteration

chalkōi marmairontes ham' hēgemonessin heponto.

Hektōr d' hēgeito brotoloigōi isos Arēï

Priamidēs: prosthen d' echen aspida pantos' eïsēn

rhinoisin pukinēn, pollos d' epelēlato chalkos:

805amphi de hoi krotaphoisi phaeinē seieto pēlēx.

English · Butler

his shield in every direction, making trial of the ranks to see if they would give way be him, but he could not daunt the courage of the Achaeans. Ajax was the first to stride out and challenge him. "Sir," he cried, "draw near;

Homeric Greek

πάντῃ δ' ἀμφὶ φάλαγγας ἐπειρᾶτο προποδίζων,

εἴ πώς οἱ εἴξειαν ὑπασπίδια προβιβῶντι:

ἀλλ' οὐ σύγχει θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν.

Αἴας δὲ πρῶτος προκαλέσσατο μακρὰ βιβάσθων:

810δαιμόνιε σχεδὸν ἐλθέ: τί ἢ δειδίσσεαι αὔτως

Transliteration

pantēi d' amphi phalangas epeirato propodizōn,

ei pōs hoi eixeian hupaspidia probibōnti:

all' ou sunchei thumon eni stēthessin Achaiōn.

Aias de prōtos prokalessato makra bibasthōn:

810daimonie schedon elthe: ti ē deidisseai autōs

English · Butler

why do you think thus vainly to dismay the Argives? We Achaeans are excellent warriors, but the scourge of Zeus has fallen heavily upon us. Your heart, indeed, is set on

Homeric Greek

Ἀργείους; οὔ τοί τι μάχης ἀδαήμονές εἰμεν,

ἀλλὰ Διὸς μάστιγι κακῇ ἐδάμημεν Ἀχαιοί.

ἦ θήν πού τοι θυμὸς ἐέλπεται ἐξαλαπάξειν

νῆας: ἄφαρ δέ τε χεῖρες ἀμύνειν εἰσὶ καὶ ἡμῖν.

815ἦ κε πολὺ φθαίη εὖ ναιομένη πόλις ὑμὴ

Transliteration

Argeious; ou toi ti machēs adaēmones eimen,

alla Dios mastigi kakēi edamēmen Achaioi.

ē thēn pou toi thumos eelpetai exalapaxein

nēas: aphar de te cheires amunein eisi kai hēmin.

815ē ke polu phthaiē eu naiomenē polis humē

English · Butler

destroying our ships, but we too have bands that can keep you at bay, and your own fair town shall be sooner taken and sacked by ourselves. The time is near when you shall pray Zeus and all the

Homeric Greek

χερσὶν ὑφ' ἡμετέρῃσιν ἁλοῦσά τε περθομένη τε.

σοὶ δ' αὐτῷ φημὶ σχεδὸν ἔμμεναι ὁππότε φεύγων

ἀρήσῃ Διὶ πατρὶ καὶ ἄλλοις ἀθανάτοισι

θάσσονας ἰρήκων ἔμεναι καλλίτριχας ἵππους,

820οἵ σε πόλιν δ' οἴσουσι κονίοντες πεδίοιο.

Transliteration

chersin huph' hēmeterēisin halousa te perthomenē te.

soi d' autōi phēmi schedon emmenai hoppote pheugōn

arēsēi Dii patri kai allois athanatoisi

thassonas irēkōn emenai kallitrichas hippous,

820hoi se polin d' oisousi koniontes pedioio.

English · Butler

gods in your flight, that your steeds may be swifter than hawks as they raise the dust on the plain and bear you back to your city."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἄρα οἱ εἰπόντι ἐπέπτατο δεξιὸς ὄρνις

αἰετὸς ὑψιπέτης: ἐπὶ δ' ἴαχε λαὸς Ἀχαιῶν

θάρσυνος οἰωνῷ: ὃ δ' ἀμείβετο φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ:

Αἶαν ἁμαρτοεπὲς βουγάϊε ποῖον ἔειπες:

825εἰ γὰρ ἐγὼν οὕτω γε Διὸς πάϊς αἰγιόχοιο

Transliteration

hōs ara hoi eiponti epeptato dexios ornis

aietos hupsipetēs: epi d' iache laos Achaiōn

tharsunos oiōnōi: ho d' ameibeto phaidimos Hektōr:

Aian hamartoepes bougaïe poion eeipes:

825ei gar egōn houtō ge Dios païs aigiochoio

English · Butler

As he was thus speaking a bird flew by upon his right hand, and the host of the Achaeans shouted, for they took heart at the omen. But Hektor answered, "Ajax, braggart and false of tongue, would that I were as sure of being son for evermore to aegis-bearing Zeus, with Queen Hera for my mother, and of being held in like honor

Homeric Greek

εἴην ἤματα πάντα, τέκοι δέ με πότνια Ἥρη,

τιοίμην δ' ὡς τίετ' Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἀπόλλων,

ὡς νῦν ἡμέρη ἥδε κακὸν φέρει Ἀργείοισι

πᾶσι μάλ', ἐν δὲ σὺ τοῖσι πεφήσεαι, αἴ κε ταλάσσῃς

830μεῖναι ἐμὸν δόρυ μακρόν, ὅ τοι χρόα λειριόεντα

Transliteration

eiēn ēmata panta, tekoi de me potnia Hērē,

tioimēn d' hōs tiet' Athēnaiē kai Apollōn,

hōs nun hēmerē hēde kakon pherei Argeioisi

pasi mal', en de su toisi pephēseai, ai ke talassēis

830meinai emon doru makron, ho toi chroa leirioenta

English · Butler

with Athena and Apollo, as I am that this day is big with the destruction of the Achaeans; and you shall fall among them if you dare abide my spear; it shall rend your fair body and bid you glut our hounds and birds of prey with your

Homeric Greek

δάψει: ἀτὰρ Τρώων κορέεις κύνας ἠδ' οἰωνοὺς

δημῷ καὶ σάρκεσσι πεσὼν ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο: τοὶ δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο

ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ, ἐπὶ δ' ἴαχε λαὸς ὄπισθεν.

835Ἀργεῖοι δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐπίαχον, οὐδὲ λάθοντο

Transliteration

dapsei: atar Trōōn koreeis kunas ēd' oiōnous

dēmōi kai sarkessi pesōn epi nēusin Achaiōn.

hōs ara phōnēsas hēgēsato: toi d' ham' heponto

ēchēi thespesiēi, epi d' iache laos opisthen.

835Argeioi d' heterōthen epiachon, oude lathonto

English · Butler

fat and your flesh, as you fall by the ships of the Achaeans." With these words he led the way and the others followed after with a cry that rent the air, while the host shouted behind them. The Argives on their part raised a shout likewise, nor did they forget their prowess, but stood firm against the onslaught of

Homeric Greek

ἀλκῆς, ἀλλ' ἔμενον Τρώων ἐπιόντας ἀρίστους.

ἠχὴ δ' ἀμφοτέρων ἵκετ' αἰθέρα καὶ Διὸς αὐγάς.

Transliteration

alkēs, all' emenon Trōōn epiontas aristous.

ēchē d' amphoterōn hiket' aithera kai Dios augas.

English · Butler

the Trojan chieftains, and the cry from both the hosts rose up to heaven and to the brightness of Zeus' presence.