Book XV

Homeric Greek

1αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ διά τε σκόλοπας καὶ τάφρον ἔβησαν

φεύγοντες, πολλοὶ δὲ δάμεν Δαναῶν ὑπὸ χερσίν,

οἳ μὲν δὴ παρ' ὄχεσφιν ἐρητύοντο μένοντες

χλωροὶ ὑπαὶ δείους πεφοβημένοι: ἔγρετο δὲ Ζεὺς

5Ἴδης ἐν κορυφῇσι παρὰ χρυσοθρόνου Ἥρης,

Transliteration

1autar epei dia te skolopas kai taphron ebēsan

pheugontes, polloi de damen Danaōn hypo chersin,

hoi men dē par' ochesphin erētyonto menontes

chlōroi hypai deious pephobēmenoi: egreto de Zeus

5Idēs en koryphēisi para chrysothronou Hērēs,

English

But when their flight had taken them past the trench and the set stakes, and many had fallen by the hands of the Danaans, the Trojans made a halt on reaching their chariots, routed and pale with fear. Zeus now woke on the crests of Ida, where he was lying with golden-throned Hera by his

Homeric Greek

στῆ δ' ἄρ' ἀναί̈ξας, ἴδε δὲ Τρῶας καὶ Ἀχαιοὺς

τοὺς μὲν ὀρινομένους, τοὺς δὲ κλονέοντας ὄπισθεν

Ἀργείους, μετὰ δέ σφι Ποσειδάωνα ἄνακτα:

Ἕκτορα δ' ἐν πεδίῳ ἴδε κείμενον, ἀμφὶ δ' ἑταῖροι

10εἵαθ', ὃ δ' ἀργαλέῳ ἔχετ' ἄσθματι κῆρ ἀπινύσσων

Transliteration

stē d' ar' anaïxas, ide de Trōas kai Achaious

tous men orinomenous, tous de kloneontas opisthen

Argeious, meta de sphi Poseidaōna anakta:

Hektora d' en pediōi ide keimenon, amphi d' hetairoi

10heiath', ho d' argaleōi echet' asthmati kēr apinyssōn

English

side, and starting to his feet he saw the Trojans and Achaeans, the one thrown into confusion, and the others driving them pell-mell before them with King Poseidon in their midst. He saw Hektor lying on the ground with his comrades gathered round him, gasping for breath, wandering in mind and vomiting blood, for

Homeric Greek

αἷμ' ἐμέων, ἐπεὶ οὔ μιν ἀφαυρότατος βάλ' Ἀχαιῶν.

τὸν δὲ ἰδὼν ἐλέησε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε,

δεινὰ δ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν Ἥρην πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:

ἦ μάλα δὴ κακότεχνος ἀμήχανε σὸς δόλος Ἥρη

15Ἕκτορα δῖον ἔπαυσε μάχης, ἐφόβησε δὲ λαούς.

Transliteration

haim' emeōn, epei ou min aphaurotatos bal' Achaiōn.

ton de idōn eleēse patēr andrōn te theōn te,

deina d' hypodra idōn Hērēn pros mython eeipen:

ē mala dē kakotechnos amēchane sos dolos Hērē

15Hektora dion epause machēs, ephobēse de laous.

English

it was not the feeblest of the Achaeans who struck him. The sire of gods and men had pity on him, and looked fiercely on Hera. "I see, Hera," said he, "you mischief-making trickster, that your cunning has stayed Hektor from fighting and has caused the rout of his host.

Homeric Greek

οὐ μὰν οἶδ' εἰ αὖτε κακορραφίης ἀλεγεινῆς

πρώτη ἐπαύρηαι καί σε πληγῇσιν ἱμάσσω.

ἦ οὐ μέμνῃ ὅτε τ' ἐκρέμω ὑψόθεν, ἐκ δὲ ποδοῖιν

ἄκμονας ἧκα δύω, περὶ χερσὶ δὲ δεσμὸν ἴηλα

20χρύσεον ἄρρηκτον; σὺ δ' ἐν αἰθέρι καὶ νεφέλῃσιν

Transliteration

ou man oid' ei aute kakorraphiēs alegeinēs

prōtē epaurēai kai se plēgēisin himassō.

ē ou memnēi hote t' ekremō hypsothen, ek de podoiin

akmonas hēka dyō, peri chersi de desmon iēla

20chryseon arrēkton; sy d' en aitheri kai nephelēisin

English

I am in half a mind to thrash you, in which case you will be the first to reap the fruits of your scurvy knavery. Do you not remember how once upon a time I had you hanged? I fastened two anvils on to your feet, and bound your hands in a chain of gold which none might break, and you hung in mid-air among the clouds.

Homeric Greek

ἐκρέμω: ἠλάστεον δὲ θεοὶ κατὰ μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον,

λῦσαι δ' οὐκ ἐδύναντο παρασταδόν: ὃν δὲ λάβοιμι

ῥίπτασκον τεταγὼν ἀπὸ βηλοῦ ὄφρ' ἂν ἵκηται

γῆν ὀλιγηπελέων: ἐμὲ δ' οὐδ' ὧς θυμὸν ἀνίει

25ἀζηχὴς ὀδύνη Ἡρακλῆος θείοιο,

Transliteration

ekremō: ēlasteon de theoi kata makron Olympon,

lysai d' ouk edynanto parastadon: hon de laboimi

rhiptaskon tetagōn apo bēlou ophr' an hikētai

gēn oligēpeleōn: eme d' oud' hōs thymon aniei

25azēchēs odynē Hēraklēos theioio,

English

All the gods in Olympus were in a fury, but they could not reach you to set you free; when I caught any one of them I gripped him and hurled him from the heavenly threshold till he came fainting down to earth; yet even this did not relieve my mind from the incessant anxiety which I felt about noble Herakles whom you and

Homeric Greek

τὸν σὺ ξὺν Βορέῃ ἀνέμῳ πεπιθοῦσα θυέλλας

πέμψας ἐπ' ἀτρύγετον πόντον κακὰ μητιόωσα,

καί μιν ἔπειτα Κόων δ' εὖ ναιομένην ἀπένεικας.

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼν ἔνθεν ῥυσάμην καὶ ἀνήγαγον αὖτις

30Ἄργος ἐς ἱππόβοτον καὶ πολλά περ ἀθλήσαντα.

Transliteration

ton sy xyn Boreēi anemōi pepithousa thyellas

pempsas ep' atrygeton ponton kaka mētioōsa,

kai min epeita Koōn d' eu naiomenēn apeneikas.

ton men egōn enthen rhysamēn kai anēgagon autis

30Argos es hippoboton kai polla per athlēsanta.

English

Boreas had spitefully conveyed beyond the seas to Cos, after suborning the tempests; but I rescued him, and notwithstanding all his mighty labors I brought him back again to Argos.

Homeric Greek

τῶν σ' αὖτις μνήσω ἵν' ἀπολλήξῃς ἀπατάων,

ὄφρα ἴδῃ ἤν τοι χραίσμῃ φιλότης τε καὶ εὐνή,

ἣν ἐμίγης ἐλθοῦσα θεῶν ἄπο καί μ' ἀπάτησας.

ὣς φάτο, ῥίγησεν δὲ βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη,

35καί μιν φωνήσασ' ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Transliteration

tōn s' autis mnēsō hin' apollēxēis apataōn,

ophra idēi ēn toi chraismēi philotēs te kai eunē,

hēn emigēs elthousa theōn apo kai m' apatēsas.

hōs phato, rhigēsen de boōpis potnia Hērē,

35kai min phōnēsas' epea pteroenta prosēuda:

English

I would remind you of this that you may learn to leave off being so deceitful, and discover how much you are likely to gain by the embraces out of which you have come here to trick me." Hera trembled as he spoke, and said, "May heaven above and earth below be my witnesses, with the

Homeric Greek

ἴστω νῦν τόδε Γαῖα καὶ Οὐρανὸς εὐρὺς ὕπερθε

καὶ τὸ κατειβόμενον Στυγὸς ὕδωρ, ὅς τε μέγιστος

ὅρκος δεινότατός τε πέλει μακάρεσσι θεοῖσι,

σή θ' ἱερὴ κεφαλὴ καὶ νωί̈τερον λέχος αὐτῶν

40κουρίδιον, τὸ μὲν οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ ποτε μὰψ ὀμόσαιμι:

Transliteration

istō nyn tode Gaia kai Ouranos eurys hyperthe

kai to kateibomenon Stygos hydōr, hos te megistos

horkos deinotatos te pelei makaressi theoisi,

sē th' hierē kephalē kai nōïteron lechos autōn

40kouridion, to men ouk an egō pote maps omosaimi:

English

waters of the river Styx - and this is the most solemn oath that a blessed god can take - nay, I swear also by your own almighty head and by our bridal bed - things over which I could never possibly perjure myself -

Homeric Greek

μὴ δι' ἐμὴν ἰότητα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων

πημαίνει Τρῶάς τε καὶ Ἕκτορα, τοῖσι δ' ἀρήγει,

ἀλλά που αὐτὸν θυμὸς ἐποτρύνει καὶ ἀνώγει,

τειρομένους δ' ἐπὶ νηυσὶν ἰδὼν ἐλέησεν Ἀχαιούς.

45αὐτάρ τοι καὶ κείνῳ ἐγὼ παραμυθησαίμην

Transliteration

mē di' emēn iotēta Poseidaōn enosichthōn

pēmainei Trōas te kai Hektora, toisi d' arēgei,

alla pou auton thymos epotrynei kai anōgei,

teiromenous d' epi nēusin idōn eleēsen Achaious.

45autar toi kai keinōi egō paramythēsaimēn

English

that Poseidon is not punishing Hektor and the Trojans and helping the Achaeans through any doing of mine; it is all of his own mere motion because he was sorry to see the Achaeans hard pressed at their ships:

Homeric Greek

τῇ ἴμεν ᾗ κεν δὴ σὺ κελαινεφὲς ἡγεμονεύῃς.

ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε,

καί μιν ἀμειβόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

εἰ μὲν δὴ σύ γ' ἔπειτα βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη

50ἶσον ἐμοὶ φρονέουσα μετ' ἀθανάτοισι καθίζοις,

Transliteration

tēi imen hēi ken dē sy kelainephes hēgemoneuēis.

hōs phato, meidēsen de patēr andrōn te theōn te,

kai min ameibomenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:

ei men dē sy g' epeita boōpis potnia Hērē

50ison emoi phroneousa met' athanatoisi kathizois,

English

if I were advising him, I should tell him to do as you bid him." The sire of gods and men smiled and answered, "If you, Hera, were always to support me when we sit in council of the gods, Poseidon, like it or no, would soon come round to your and my way of thinking.

Homeric Greek

τώ κε Ποσειδάων γε, καὶ εἰ μάλα βούλεται ἄλλῃ,

αἶψα μεταστρέψειε νόον μετὰ σὸν καὶ ἐμὸν κῆρ.

ἀλλ' εἰ δή ῥ' ἐτεόν γε καὶ ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύεις,

ἔρχεο νῦν μετὰ φῦλα θεῶν, καὶ δεῦρο κάλεσσον

55Ἶρίν τ' ἐλθέμεναι καὶ Ἀπόλλωνα κλυτότοξον,

Transliteration

tō ke Poseidaōn ge, kai ei mala bouletai allēi,

aipsa metastrepseie noon meta son kai emon kēr.

all' ei dē rh' eteon ge kai atrekeōs agoreueis,

ercheo nyn meta phyla theōn, kai deuro kalesson

55Irin t' elthemenai kai Apollōna klytotoxon,

English

If, then, you are speaking the truth and mean what you say, go among the rank and file of the gods, and tell Iris and Apollo lord of the bow, that I want them - Iris, that she may

Homeric Greek

ὄφρ' ἣ μὲν μετὰ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων

ἔλθῃ, καὶ εἴπῃσι Ποσειδάωνι ἄνακτι

παυσάμενον πολέμοιο τὰ ἃ πρὸς δώμαθ' ἱκέσθαι,

Ἕκτορα δ' ὀτρύνῃσι μάχην ἐς Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,

60αὖτις δ' ἐμπνεύσῃσι μένος, λελάθῃ δ' ὀδυνάων

Transliteration

ophr' hē men meta laon Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn

elthēi, kai eipēisi Poseidaōni anakti

pausamenon polemoio ta ha pros dōmath' hikesthai,

Hektora d' otrynēisi machēn es Phoibos Apollōn,

60autis d' empneusēisi menos, lelathēi d' odynaōn

English

go to the Achaean host and tell Poseidon to leave off fighting and go home, and Apollo, that he may send Hektor again into battle and give him fresh strength;

Homeric Greek

αἳ νῦν μιν τείρουσι κατὰ φρένας, αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὺς

αὖτις ἀποστρέψῃσιν ἀνάλκιδα φύζαν ἐνόρσας,

φεύγοντες δ' ἐν νηυσὶ πολυκλήϊσι πέσωσι

Πηλεί̈δεω Ἀχιλῆος: ὃ δ' ἀνστήσει ὃν ἑταῖρον

65Πάτροκλον: τὸν δὲ κτενεῖ ἔγχεϊ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ

Transliteration

hai nyn min teirousi kata phrenas, autar Achaious

autis apostrepsēisin analkida phyzan enorsas,

pheugontes d' en nēusi polyklēïsi pesōsi

Pēleïdeō Achilēos: ho d' anstēsei hon hetairon

65Patroklon: ton de ktenei encheï phaidimos Hektōr

English

he will thus forget his present sufferings, and drive the Achaeans back in confusion till they fall among the ships of Achilles son of Peleus. Achilles will then send his comrade Patroklos into battle, and Hektor will kill him in front of

Homeric Greek

Ἰλίου προπάροιθε πολέας ὀλέσαντ' αἰζηοὺς

τοὺς ἄλλους, μετὰ δ' υἱὸν ἐμὸν Σαρπηδόνα δῖον.

τοῦ δὲ χολωσάμενος κτενεῖ Ἕκτορα δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.

ἐκ τοῦ δ' ἄν τοι ἔπειτα παλίωξιν παρὰ νηῶν

70αἰὲν ἐγὼ τεύχοιμι διαμπερὲς εἰς ὅ κ' Ἀχαιοὶ

Transliteration

Iliou proparoithe poleas olesant' aizēous

tous allous, meta d' huion emon Sarpēdona dion.

tou de cholōsamenos ktenei Hektora dios Achilleus.

ek tou d' an toi epeita paliōxin para nēōn

70aien egō teuchoimi diamperes eis ho k' Achaioi

English

Ilion after he has slain many warriors, and among them my own noble son Sarpedon. Achilles will kill Hektor to avenge Patroklos, and from that time I will bring it about that the Achaeans shall persistently drive the Trojans back till they fulfill the counsels of Athena and take Ilion.

Homeric Greek

Ἴλιον αἰπὺ ἕλοιεν Ἀθηναίης διὰ βουλάς.

τὸ πρὶν δ' οὔτ' ἄρ' ἐγὼ παύω χόλον οὔτέ τιν' ἄλλον

ἀθανάτων Δαναοῖσιν ἀμυνέμεν ἐνθάδ' ἐάσω

πρίν γε τὸ Πηλεί̈δαο τελευτηθῆναι ἐέλδωρ,

75ὥς οἱ ὑπέστην πρῶτον, ἐμῷ δ' ἐπένευσα κάρητι,

Transliteration

Ilion aipy heloien Athēnaiēs dia boulas.

to prin d' out' ar' egō pauō cholon oute tin' allon

athanatōn Danaoisin amynemen enthad' easō

prin ge to Pēleïdao teleutēthēnai eeldōr,

75hōs hoi hypestēn prōton, emōi d' epeneusa karēti,

English

But I will not stay my anger, nor permit any god to help the Danaans till I have accomplished the desire of the son of Peleus, according to the promise I made by bowing my head

Homeric Greek

ἤματι τῷ ὅτ' ἐμεῖο θεὰ Θέτις ἥψατο γούνων,

λισσομένη τιμῆσαι Ἀχιλλῆα πτολίπορθον.

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη,

βῆ δ' ἐξ Ἰδαίων ὀρέων ἐς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον.

80ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ἀί̈ξῃ νόος ἀνέρος, ὅς τ' ἐπὶ πολλὴν

Transliteration

ēmati tōi hot' emeio thea Thetis hēpsato gounōn,

lissomenē timēsai Achillēa ptoliporthon.

hōs ephat', oud' apithēse thea leukōlenos Hērē,

bē d' ex Idaiōn oreōn es makron Olympon.

80hōs d' hot' an aïxēi noos aneros, hos t' epi pollēn

English

on the day when Thetis touched my knees and besought me to give him honor." Hera heeded his words and went from the heights of Ida to great Olympus. Swift as the thought of one whose fancy carries him over vast continents, and he

Homeric Greek

γαῖαν ἐληλουθὼς φρεσὶ πευκαλίμῃσι νοήσῃ

ἔνθ' εἴην ἢ ἔνθα, μενοινήῃσί τε πολλά,

ὣς κραιπνῶς μεμαυῖα διέπτατο πότνια Ἥρη:

ἵκετο δ' αἰπὺν Ὄλυμπον, ὁμηγερέεσσι δ' ἐπῆλθεν

85ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι Διὸς δόμῳ: οἳ δὲ ἰδόντες

Transliteration

gaian elēlouthōs phresi peukalimēisi noēsēi

enth' eiēn ē entha, menoinēēisi te polla,

hōs kraipnōs memauia dieptato potnia Hērē:

hiketo d' aipyn Olympon, homēgereessi d' epēlthen

85athanatoisi theoisi Dios domōi: hoi de idontes

English

says to himself, "Now I will be here, or there," and he would have all manner of things - even so swiftly did Hera wing her way till she came to high Olympus and went in among the gods who were gathered in the house of Zeus.

Homeric Greek

πάντες ἀνήϊξαν καὶ δεικανόωντο δέπασσιν.

ἣ δ' ἄλλους μὲν ἔασε, Θέμιστι δὲ καλλιπαρῄῳ

δέκτο δέπας: πρώτη γὰρ ἐναντίη ἦλθε θέουσα,

καί μιν φωνήσασ' ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

90Ἥρη τίπτε βέβηκας; ἀτυζομένῃ δὲ ἔοικας:

Transliteration

pantes anēïxan kai deikanoōnto depassin.

hē d' allous men ease, Themisti de kalliparēiōi

dekto depas: prōtē gar enantiē ēlthe theousa,

kai min phōnēsas' epea pteroenta prosēuda:

90Hērē tipte bebēkas; atyzomenēi de eoikas:

English

When they saw her they all of them came up to her, and held out their cups to her by way of greeting. She let the others be, but took the cup offered her by lovely Themis, who was first to come running up to her.

Homeric Greek

ἦ μάλα δή σ' ἐφόβησε Κρόνου πάϊς, ὅς τοι ἀκοίτης.

τὴν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη:

μή με θεὰ Θέμι ταῦτα διείρεο: οἶσθα καὶ αὐτὴ

οἷος κείνου θυμὸς ὑπερφίαλος καὶ ἀπηνής.

95ἀλλὰ σύ γ' ἄρχε θεοῖσι δόμοις ἔνι δαιτὸς ἐί̈σης:

Transliteration

ē mala dē s' ephobēse Kronou païs, hos toi akoitēs.

tēn d' ēmeibet' epeita thea leukōlenos Hērē:

mē me thea Themi tauta dieireo: oistha kai autē

hoios keinou thymos hyperphialos kai apēnēs.

95alla sy g' arche theoisi domois eni daitos eïsēs:

English

"Hera," said she, "why are you here? And you seem troubled - has your husband the son of Kronos been frightening you?" And Hera answered, "Themis, do not ask me about it. You know what a proud and cruel disposition my husband has.

Homeric Greek

ταῦτα δὲ καὶ μετὰ πᾶσιν ἀκούσεαι ἀθανάτοισιν

οἷα Ζεὺς κακὰ ἔργα πιφαύσκεται: οὐδέ τί φημι

πᾶσιν ὁμῶς θυμὸν κεχαρησέμεν, οὔτε βροτοῖσιν

οὔτε θεοῖς, εἴ πέρ τις ἔτι νῦν δαίνυται εὔφρων.

100ἣ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰποῦσα καθέζετο πότνια Ἥρη,

Transliteration

tauta de kai meta pasin akouseai athanatoisin

hoia Zeus kaka erga piphausketai: oude ti phēmi

pasin homōs thymon kecharēsemen, oute brotoisin

oute theois, ei per tis eti nyn dainytai euphrōn.

100hē men ar' hōs eipousa kathezeto potnia Hērē,

English

Lead the gods to table, where you and all the immortals can hear the wicked designs which he has avowed. Many a one, mortal and immortal, will be angered by them, however peaceably he may be feasting now." On this Hera sat down, and the gods were troubled throughout the house of Zeus.

Homeric Greek

ὄχθησαν δ' ἀνὰ δῶμα Διὸς θεοί: ἣ δ' ἐγέλασσε

χείλεσιν, οὐδὲ μέτωπον ἐπ' ὀφρύσι κυανέῃσιν

ἰάνθη: πᾶσιν δὲ νεμεσσηθεῖσα μετηύδα:

νήπιοι οἳ Ζηνὶ μενεαίνομεν ἀφρονέοντες:

105ἦ ἔτι μιν μέμαμεν καταπαυσέμεν ἆσσον ἰόντες

Transliteration

ochthēsan d' ana dōma Dios theoi: hē d' egelasse

cheilesin, oude metōpon ep' ophrysi kyaneēisin

ianthē: pasin de nemessētheisa metēuda:

nēpioi hoi Zēni meneainomen aphroneontes:

105ē eti min memamen katapausemen asson iontes

English

Laughter sat on her lips but her brow was furrowed with care, and she spoke up in a rage. "Fools that we are," she cried, "to be thus madly angry with Zeus; we keep on wanting to go up to him and stay him by force or by persuasion, but he sits

Homeric Greek

ἢ ἔπει ἠὲ βίῃ: ὃ δ' ἀφήμενος οὐκ ἀλεγίζει

οὐδ' ὄθεται: φησὶν γὰρ ἐν ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι

κάρτεί̈ τε σθένεί̈ τε διακριδὸν εἶναι ἄριστος.

τὼ ἔχεθ' ὅττί κεν ὔμμι κακὸν πέμπῃσιν ἑκάστῳ.

110ἤδη γὰρ νῦν ἔλπομ' Ἄρηί̈ γε πῆμα τετύχθαι:

Transliteration

ē epei ēe biēi: ho d' aphēmenos ouk alegizei

oud' othetai: phēsin gar en athanatoisi theoisi

karteï te stheneï te diakridon einai aristos.

tō echeth' hotti ken ymmi kakon pempēisin hekastōi.

110ēdē gar nyn elpom' Arēï ge pēma tetychthai:

English

aloof and cares for nobody, for he knows that he is much stronger than any other of the immortals. Make the best, therefore, of whatever ills he may choose to send each one of you; Ares, I take it, has had a taste of them already, for his son Askalaphos has fallen

Homeric Greek

υἱὸς γάρ οἱ ὄλωλε μάχῃ ἔνι φίλτατος ἀνδρῶν

Ἀσκάλαφος, τόν φησιν ὃν ἔμμεναι ὄβριμος Ἄρης.

ὣς ἔφατ', αὐτὰρ Ἄρης θαλερὼ πεπλήγετο μηρὼ

χερσὶ καταπρηνέσσ', ὀλοφυρόμενος δ' ἔπος ηὔδα:

115μὴ νῦν μοι νεμεσήσετ' Ὀλύμπια δώματ' ἔχοντες

Transliteration

huios gar hoi olōle machēi eni philtatos andrōn

Askalaphos, ton phēsin hon emmenai obrimos Arēs.

hōs ephat', autar Arēs thalerō peplēgeto mērō

chersi kataprēness', olophyromenos d' epos ēuda:

115mē nyn moi nemesēset' Olympia dōmat' echontes

English

in battle - the man whom of all others he loved most dearly and whose father he owns himself to be." When he heard this Ares smote his two sturdy thighs with the flat of his hands, and said in anger, "Do not blame me, you gods that dwell in heaven, if I go

Homeric Greek

τίσασθαι φόνον υἷος ἰόντ' ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν,

εἴ πέρ μοι καὶ μοῖρα Διὸς πληγέντι κεραυνῷ

κεῖσθαι ὁμοῦ νεκύεσσι μεθ' αἵματι καὶ κονίῃσιν.

ὣς φάτο, καί ῥ' ἵππους κέλετο Δεῖμόν τε Φόβον τε

120ζευγνύμεν, αὐτὸς δ' ἔντε' ἐδύσετο παμφανόωντα.

Transliteration

tisasthai phonon huios iont' epi nēas Achaiōn,

ei per moi kai moira Dios plēgenti keraunōi

keisthai homou nekyessi meth' haimati kai koniēisin.

hōs phato, kai rh' hippous keleto Deimon te Phobon te

120zeugnymen, autos d' ente' edyseto pamphanoōnta.

English

to the ships of the Achaeans and avenge the death of my son, even though it end in my being struck by Zeus' lightning and lying in blood and dust among the corpses." As he spoke he gave orders to yoke his horses Panic and Rout, while he put on his armor.

Homeric Greek

ἔνθά κ' ἔτι μείζων τε καὶ ἀργαλεώτερος ἄλλος

πὰρ Διὸς ἀθανάτοισι χόλος καὶ μῆνις ἐτύχθη,

εἰ μὴ Ἀθήνη πᾶσι περιδείσασα θεοῖσιν

ὦρτο διὲκ προθύρου, λίπε δὲ θρόνον ἔνθα θάασσε,

125τοῦ δ' ἀπὸ μὲν κεφαλῆς κόρυθ' εἵλετο καὶ σάκος ὤμων,

Transliteration

entha k' eti meizōn te kai argaleōteros allos

par Dios athanatoisi cholos kai mēnis etychthē,

ei mē Athēnē pasi perideisasa theoisin

ōrto diek prothyrou, lipe de thronon entha thaasse,

125tou d' apo men kephalēs koryth' heileto kai sakos ōmōn,

English

On this, Zeus would have been roused to still more fierce and implacable anger against the other immortals, had not Athena, alarmed for the safety of the gods, sprung from her seat and hurried outside.

Homeric Greek

ἔγχος δ' ἔστησε στιβαρῆς ἀπὸ χειρὸς ἑλοῦσα

χάλκεον: ἣ δ' ἐπέεσσι καθάπτετο θοῦρον Ἄρηα:

μαινόμενε φρένας ἠλὲ διέφθορας: ἦ νύ τοι αὔτως

οὔατ' ἀκουέμεν ἐστί, νόος δ' ἀπόλωλε καὶ αἰδώς.

130οὐκ ἀί̈εις ἅ τέ φησι θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη

Transliteration

enchos d' estēse stibarēs apo cheiros helousa

chalkeon: hē d' epeessi kathapteto thouron Arēa:

mainomene phrenas ēle diephthoras: ē ny toi autōs

ouat' akouemen esti, noos d' apolōle kai aidōs.

130ouk aïeis ha te phēsi thea leukōlenos Hērē

English

She tore the helmet from his head and the shield from his shoulders, and she took the bronze spear from his strong hand and set it on one side; then she said to Ares, "Mad one, you are undone; you have ears that hear not, or you have lost all sense of respect and understanding ;

Homeric Greek

ἣ δὴ νῦν πὰρ Ζηνὸς Ὀλυμπίου εἰλήλουθεν;

ἦ ἐθέλεις αὐτὸς μὲν ἀναπλήσας κακὰ πολλὰ

ἂψ ἴμεν Οὔλυμπον δὲ καὶ ἀχνύμενός περ ἀνάγκῃ,

αὐτὰρ τοῖς ἄλλοισι κακὸν μέγα πᾶσι φυτεῦσαι;

135αὐτίκα γὰρ Τρῶας μὲν ὑπερθύμους καὶ Ἀχαιοὺς

Transliteration

hē dē nyn par Zēnos Olympiou eilēlouthen;

ē etheleis autos men anaplēsas kaka polla

aps imen Oulympon de kai achnymenos per anankēi,

autar tois alloisi kakon mega pasi phyteusai;

135autika gar Trōas men hyperthymous kai Achaious

English

have you not heard what Hera has said on coming straight from the presence of Olympian Zeus? Do you wish to go through all kinds of suffering before you are brought back sick and sorry to Olympus, after having caused infinite mischief to all us others?

Homeric Greek

λείψει, ὃ δ' ἡμέας εἶσι κυδοιμήσων ἐς Ὄλυμπον,

μάρψει δ' ἑξείης ὅς τ' αἴτιος ὅς τε καὶ οὐκί.

τώ σ' αὖ νῦν κέλομαι μεθέμεν χόλον υἷος ἑῆος:

ἤδη γάρ τις τοῦ γε βίην καὶ χεῖρας ἀμείνων

140ἢ πέφατ', ἢ καὶ ἔπειτα πεφήσεται: ἀργαλέον δὲ

Transliteration

leipsei, ho d' hēmeas eisi kydoimēsōn es Olympon,

marpsei d' hexeiēs hos t' aitios hos te kai ouki.

tō s' au nyn kelomai methemen cholon huios heēos:

ēdē gar tis tou ge biēn kai cheiras ameinōn

140ē pephat', ē kai epeita pephēsetai: argaleon de

English

Zeus would instantly leave the Trojans and Achaeans to themselves; he would come to Olympus to punish us, and would grip us up one after another, guilty or not guilty. Therefore lay aside your anger for the death of your son;

Homeric Greek

πάντων ἀνθρώπων ῥῦσθαι γενεήν τε τόκον τε.

ὣς εἰποῦσ' ἵδρυσε θρόνῳ ἔνι θοῦρον Ἄρηα.

Ἥρη δ' Ἀπόλλωνα καλέσσατο δώματος ἐκτὸς

Ἶρίν θ', ἥ τε θεοῖσι μετάγγελος ἀθανάτοισι,

145καί σφεας φωνήσασ' ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Transliteration

pantōn anthrōpōn rhysthai geneēn te tokon te.

hōs eipous' hidryse thronōi eni thouron Arēa.

Hērē d' Apollōna kalessato dōmatos ektos

Irin th', hē te theoisi metangelos athanatoisi,

145kai spheas phōnēsas' epea pteroenta prosēuda:

English

better men than he have either been killed already or will fall hereafter, and one cannot protect every one's whole family." With these words she took Ares back to his seat. Meanwhile Hera called Apollo outside, with Iris the messenger of the gods.

Homeric Greek

Ζεὺς σφὼ εἰς Ἴδην κέλετ' ἐλθέμεν ὅττι τάχιστα:

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἔλθητε, Διός τ' εἰς ὦπα ἴδησθε,

ἕρδειν ὅττί κε κεῖνος ἐποτρύνῃ καὶ ἀνώγῃ.

ἣ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰποῦσα πάλιν κίε πότνια Ἥρη,

150ἕζετο δ' εἰνὶ θρόνῳ: τὼ δ' ἀί̈ξαντε πετέσθην.

Transliteration

Zeus sphō eis Idēn kelet' elthemen hotti tachista:

autar epēn elthēte, Dios t' eis ōpa idēsthe,

herdein hotti ke keinos epotrynēi kai anōgēi.

hē men ar' hōs eipousa palin kie potnia Hērē,

150hezeto d' eini thronōi: tō d' aïxante petesthēn.

English

"Zeus," she said to them, "desires you to go to him at once on Mount Ida; when you have seen him you are to do as he may then bid you." Thereon Hera left them and resumed her seat inside, while Iris and Apollo made all haste on their way.

Homeric Greek

Ἴδην δ' ἵκανον πολυπίδακα μητέρα θηρῶν,

εὗρον δ' εὐρύοπα Κρονίδην ἀνὰ Γαργάρῳ ἄκρῳ

ἥμενον: ἀμφὶ δέ μιν θυόεν νέφος ἐστεφάνωτο.

τὼ δὲ πάροιθ' ἐλθόντε Διὸς νεφεληγερέταο

155στήτην: οὐδέ σφωϊν ἰδὼν ἐχολώσατο θυμῷ,

Transliteration

Idēn d' hikanon polypidaka mētera thērōn,

heuron d' euryopa Kronidēn ana Gargarōi akrōi

hēmenon: amphi de min thyoen nephos estephanōto.

tō de paroith' elthonte Dios nephelēgeretao

155stētēn: oude sphōïn idōn echolōsato thymōi,

English

When they reached many-fountained Ida, mother of wild beasts, they found Zeus seated on topmost Gargaros with a fragrant cloud encircling his head as with a diadem. They stood before his presence, and he was pleased with them for having been so quick

Homeric Greek

ὅττί οἱ ὦκ' ἐπέεσσι φίλης ἀλόχοιο πιθέσθην.

Ἶριν δὲ προτέρην ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

βάσκ' ἴθι Ἶρι ταχεῖα, Ποσειδάωνι ἄνακτι

πάντα τάδ' ἀγγεῖλαι, μὴ δὲ ψευδάγγελος εἶναι.

160παυσάμενόν μιν ἄνωχθι μάχης ἠδὲ πτολέμοιο

Transliteration

hotti hoi ōk' epeessi philēs alochoio pithesthēn.

Irin de proterēn epea pteroenta prosēuda:

bask' ithi Iri tacheia, Poseidaōni anakti

panta tad' angeilai, mē de pseudangelos einai.

160pausamenon min anōchthi machēs ēde ptolemoio

English

in obeying the orders his wife had given them. He spoke to Iris first. "Go," said he, "fleet Iris, tell King Poseidon what I now bid you - and tell him true. Bid him leave off fighting, and either join the company of the gods, or go down into the sea.

Homeric Greek

ἔρχεσθαι μετὰ φῦλα θεῶν ἢ εἰς ἅλα δῖαν.

εἰ δέ μοι οὐκ ἐπέεσσ' ἐπιπείσεται, ἀλλ' ἀλογήσει,

φραζέσθω δὴ ἔπειτα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμὸν

μή μ' οὐδὲ κρατερός περ ἐὼν ἐπιόντα ταλάσσῃ

165μεῖναι, ἐπεί εὑ φημὶ βίῃ πολὺ φέρτερος εἶναι

Transliteration

erchesthai meta phyla theōn ē eis hala dian.

ei de moi ouk epeess' epipeisetai, all' alogēsei,

phrazesthō dē epeita kata phrena kai kata thymon

mē m' oude krateros per eōn epionta talassēi

165meinai, epei heu phēmi biēi poly pherteros einai

English

If he takes no heed and disobeys me, let him consider well whether he is strong enough to hold his own against me if I attack him. I am older and much stronger than he is;

Homeric Greek

καὶ γενεῇ πρότερος: τοῦ δ' οὐκ ὄθεται φίλον ἦτορ

ἶσον ἐμοὶ φάσθαι, τόν τε στυγέουσι καὶ ἄλλοι.

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε ποδήνεμος ὠκέα Ἶρις,

βῆ δὲ κατ' Ἰδαίων ὀρέων εἰς Ἴλιον ἱρήν.

170ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ἐκ νεφέων πτῆται νιφὰς ἠὲ χάλαζα

Transliteration

kai geneēi proteros: tou d' ouk othetai philon ētor

ison emoi phasthai, ton te stygeousi kai alloi.

hōs ephat', oud' apithēse podēnemos ōkea Iris,

bē de kat' Idaiōn oreōn eis Ilion hirēn.

170hōs d' hot' an ek nepheōn ptētai niphas ēe chalaza

English

yet he is not afraid to set himself up as on a level with myself, of whom all the other gods stand in awe." Iris, fleet as the wind, obeyed him, and as the cold hail or snowflakes that fly from out the clouds before the blast of Boreas, even so did

Homeric Greek

ψυχρὴ ὑπὸ ῥιπῆς αἰθρηγενέος Βορέαο,

ὣς κραιπνῶς μεμαυῖα διέπτατο ὠκέα Ἶρις,

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱσταμένη προσέφη κλυτὸν ἐννοσίγαιον:

ἀγγελίην τινά τοι γαιήοχε κυανοχαῖτα

175ἦλθον δεῦρο φέρουσα παραὶ Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο.

Transliteration

psychrē hypo rhipēs aithrēgeneos Boreao,

hōs kraipnōs memauia dieptato ōkea Iris,

anchou d' histamenē prosephē klyton ennosigaion:

angeliēn tina toi gaiēoche kyanochaita

175ēlthon deuro pherousa parai Dios aigiochoio.

English

she wing her way till she came close up to the great shaker of the earth. Then she said, "I have come, O dark-haired king that holds the world in his embrace, to bring you a message from Zeus.

Homeric Greek

παυσάμενόν σ' ἐκέλευσε μάχης ἠδὲ πτολέμοιο

ἔρχεσθαι μετὰ φῦλα θεῶν ἢ εἰς ἅλα δῖαν.

εἰ δέ οἱ οὐκ ἐπέεσσ' ἐπιπείσεαι, ἀλλ' ἀλογήσεις,

ἠπείλει καὶ κεῖνος ἐναντίβιον πολεμίξων

180ἐνθάδ' ἐλεύσεσθαι: σὲ δ' ὑπεξαλέασθαι ἄνωγε

Transliteration

pausamenon s' ekeleuse machēs ēde ptolemoio

erchesthai meta phyla theōn ē eis hala dian.

ei de hoi ouk epeess' epipeiseai, all' alogēseis,

ēpeilei kai keinos enantibion polemixōn

180enthad' eleusesthai: se d' hypexaleasthai anōge

English

He bids you leave off fighting, and either join the company of the gods or go down into the sea; if, however, you take no heed and disobey him, he says he will come down here and fight you. He would have you keep out of his reach, for he is older

Homeric Greek

χεῖρας, ἐπεὶ σέο φησὶ βίῃ πολὺ φέρτερος εἶναι

καὶ γενεῇ πρότερος: σὸν δ' οὐκ ὄθεται φίλον ἦτορ

ἶσόν οἱ φάσθαι, τόν τε στυγέουσι καὶ ἄλλοι.

τὴν δὲ μέγ' ὀχθήσας προσέφη κλυτὸς ἐννοσίγαιος:

185ὢ πόποι ἦ ῥ' ἀγαθός περ ἐὼν ὑπέροπλον ἔειπεν

Transliteration

cheiras, epei seo phēsi biēi poly pherteros einai

kai geneēi proteros: son d' ouk othetai philon ētor

ison hoi phasthai, ton te stygeousi kai alloi.

tēn de meg' ochthēsas prosephē klytos ennosigaios:

185ō popoi ē rh' agathos per eōn hyperoplon eeipen

English

and much stronger than you are, and yet you are not afraid to set yourself up as on a level with himself, of whom all the other gods stand in awe." Poseidon was very angry and said, "Great heavens! strong as Zeus may be, he has said more than he can do if he has threatened violence against me, who am of like honor with himself.

Homeric Greek

εἴ μ' ὁμότιμον ἐόντα βίῃ ἀέκοντα καθέξει.

τρεῖς γάρ τ' ἐκ Κρόνου εἰμὲν ἀδελφεοὶ οὓς τέκετο Ῥέα

Ζεὺς καὶ ἐγώ, τρίτατος δ' Ἀί̈δης ἐνέροισιν ἀνάσσων.

τριχθὰ δὲ πάντα δέδασται, ἕκαστος δ' ἔμμορε τιμῆς:

190ἤτοι ἐγὼν ἔλαχον πολιὴν ἅλα ναιέμεν αἰεὶ

Transliteration

ei m' homotimon eonta biēi aekonta kathexei.

treis gar t' ek Kronou eimen adelpheoi hous teketo Rhea

Zeus kai egō, tritatos d' Aïdēs eneroisin anassōn.

trichtha de panta dedastai, hekastos d' emmore timēs:

190ētoi egōn elachon poliēn hala naiemen aiei

English

We were three brothers whom Rhea bore to Kronos - Zeus, myself, and Hades who rules the world below. Heaven and earth were divided into three parts, and each of us was to have an equal share. When we cast lots, it fell to me to have my dwelling in the sea for evermore;

Homeric Greek

παλλομένων, Ἀί̈δης δ' ἔλαχε ζόφον ἠερόεντα,

Ζεὺς δ' ἔλαχ' οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἐν αἰθέρι καὶ νεφέλῃσι:

γαῖα δ' ἔτι ξυνὴ πάντων καὶ μακρὸς Ὄλυμπος.

τώ ῥα καὶ οὔ τι Διὸς βέομαι φρεσίν, ἀλλὰ ἕκηλος

195καὶ κρατερός περ ἐὼν μενέτω τριτάτῃ ἐνὶ μοίρῃ.

Transliteration

pallomenōn, Aïdēs d' elache zophon ēeroenta,

Zeus d' elach' ouranon euryn en aitheri kai nephelēisi:

gaia d' eti xynē pantōn kai makros Olympos.

tō rha kai ou ti Dios beomai phresin, alla hekēlos

195kai krateros per eōn menetō tritatēi eni moirēi.

English

Hades took the darkness of the realms under the earth, while air and sky and clouds were the portion that fell to Zeus; but earth and great Olympus are the common property of all. Therefore I will not walk as Zeus would have me. For all his strength, let him keep to his own third share and

Homeric Greek

χερσὶ δὲ μή τί με πάγχυ κακὸν ὣς δειδισσέσθω:

θυγατέρεσσιν γάρ τε καὶ υἱάσι βέλτερον εἴη

ἐκπάγλοις ἐπέεσσιν ἐνισσέμεν οὓς τέκεν αὐτός,

οἵ ἑθεν ὀτρύνοντος ἀκούσονται καὶ ἀνάγκῃ.

200τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα ποδήνεμος ὠκέα Ἶρις:

Transliteration

chersi de mē ti me panchy kakon hōs deidissesthō:

thygateressin gar te kai huiasi belteron eiē

ekpaglois epeessin enissemen hous teken autos,

hoi hethen otrynontos akousontai kai anankēi.

200ton d' ēmeibet' epeita podēnemos ōkea Iris:

English

be contented without threatening to lay hands upon me as though I were nobody. Let him keep his bragging talk for his own sons and daughters, who must perforce obey him. Iris fleet as the wind then answered, "Am I really,

Homeric Greek

οὕτω γὰρ δή τοι γαιήοχε κυανοχαῖτα

τόνδε φέρω Διὶ μῦθον ἀπηνέα τε κρατερόν τε,

ἦ τι μεταστρέψεις; στρεπταὶ μέν τε φρένες ἐσθλῶν.

οἶσθ' ὡς πρεσβυτέροισιν Ἐρινύες αἰὲν ἕπονται.

205τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων:

Transliteration

houtō gar dē toi gaiēoche kyanochaita

tonde pherō Dii mython apēnea te krateron te,

ē ti metastrepseis; streptai men te phrenes esthlōn.

oisth' hōs presbyteroisin Erinyes aien hepontai.

205tēn d' aute proseeipe Poseidaōn enosichthōn:

English

Poseidon, to take this daring and unyielding message to Zeus, or will you reconsider your answer? Sensible people are open to argument, and you know that the Erinyes always range themselves on the side of the older person." Poseidon answered, "Goddess Iris, your words have been spoken in season.

Homeric Greek

Ἶρι θεὰ μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες:

ἐσθλὸν καὶ τὸ τέτυκται ὅτ' ἄγγελος αἴσιμα εἰδῇ.

ἀλλὰ τόδ' αἰνὸν ἄχος κραδίην καὶ θυμὸν ἱκάνει

ὁππότ' ἂν ἰσόμορον καὶ ὁμῇ πεπρωμένον αἴσῃ

210νεικείειν ἐθέλῃσι χολωτοῖσιν ἐπέεσσιν.

Transliteration

Iri thea mala touto epos kata moiran eeipes:

esthlon kai to tetyktai hot' angelos aisima eidēi.

alla tod' ainon achos kradiēn kai thymon hikanei

hoppot' an isomoron kai homēi peprōmenon aisēi

210neikeiein ethelēisi cholōtoisin epeessin.

English

It is well when a messenger shows so much discretion. Nevertheless it cuts me to the very heart with grief that any one should rebuke so angrily another who is his own peer, and of like empire with himself.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἤτοι νῦν μέν κε νεμεσσηθεὶς ὑποείξω:

ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, καὶ ἀπειλήσω τό γε θυμῷ:

αἴ κεν ἄνευ ἐμέθεν καὶ Ἀθηναίης ἀγελείης

Ἥρης Ἑρμείω τε καὶ Ἡφαίστοιο ἄνακτος

215Ἰλίου αἰπεινῆς πεφιδήσεται, οὐδ' ἐθελήσει

Transliteration

all' ētoi nyn men ke nemessētheis hypoeixō:

allo de toi ereō, kai apeilēsō to ge thymōi:

ai ken aneu emethen kai Athēnaiēs ageleiēs

Hērēs Hermeiō te kai Hēphaistoio anaktos

215Iliou aipeinēs pephidēsetai, oud' ethelēsei

English

Now, however, I will give way in spite of my displeasure; furthermore let me tell you, and I mean what I say - if contrary to the desire of myself, Athena driver of the spoil, Hera, Hermes, and King Hephaistos, Zeus spares steep Ilion, and will not let

Homeric Greek

ἐκπέρσαι, δοῦναι δὲ μέγα κράτος Ἀργείοισιν,

ἴστω τοῦθ' ὅτι νῶϊν ἀνήκεστος χόλος ἔσται.

ὣς εἰπὼν λίπε λαὸν Ἀχαιϊκὸν ἐννοσίγαιος,

δῦνε δὲ πόντον ἰών, πόθεσαν δ' ἥρωες Ἀχαιοί.

220καὶ τότ' Ἀπόλλωνα προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:

Transliteration

ekpersai, dounai de mega kratos Argeioisin,

istō touth' hoti nōïn anēkestos cholos estai.

hōs eipōn lipe laon Achaiïkon ennosigaios,

dyne de ponton iōn, pothesan d' hērōes Achaioi.

220kai tot' Apollōna prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:

English

the Achaeans have the great triumph of sacking it, let him understand that he will incur our implacable resentment." Poseidon now left the field to go down under the sea, and sorely did the Achaeans miss him.

Homeric Greek

ἔρχεο νῦν φίλε Φοῖβε μεθ' Ἕκτορα χαλκοκορυστήν:

ἤδη μὲν γάρ τοι γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος

οἴχεται εἰς ἅλα δῖαν ἀλευάμενος χόλον αἰπὺν

ἡμέτερον: μάλα γάρ κε μάχης ἐπύθοντο καὶ ἄλλοι,

225οἵ περ ἐνέρτεροί εἰσι θεοὶ Κρόνον ἀμφὶς ἐόντες.

Transliteration

ercheo nyn phile Phoibe meth' Hektora chalkokorystēn:

ēdē men gar toi gaiēochos ennosigaios

oichetai eis hala dian aleuamenos cholon aipyn

hēmeteron: mala gar ke machēs epythonto kai alloi,

225hoi per enerteroi eisi theoi Kronon amphis eontes.

English

Then Zeus said to Apollo, "Go, dear Phoebus, to Hektor, for Poseidon who holds the earth in his embrace has now gone down under the sea to avoid the severity of my displeasure. Had he not done so those gods who are below with Kronos would have come to hear of the fight between us.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ τόδ' ἠμὲν ἐμοὶ πολὺ κέρδιον ἠδέ οἱ αὐτῷ

ἔπλετο, ὅττι πάροιθε νεμεσσηθεὶς ὑπόειξε

χεῖρας ἐμάς, ἐπεὶ οὔ κεν ἀνιδρωτί γ' ἐτελέσθη.

ἀλλὰ σύ γ' ἐν χείρεσσι λάβ' αἰγίδα θυσσανόεσσαν,

230τῇ μάλ' ἐπισσείων φοβέειν ἥρωας Ἀχαιούς:

Transliteration

alla tod' ēmen emoi poly kerdion ēde hoi autōi

epleto, hotti paroithe nemessētheis hypoeixe

cheiras emas, epei ou ken anidrōti g' etelesthē.

alla sy g' en cheiressi lab' aigida thyssanoessan,

230tēi mal' episseiōn phobeein hērōas Achaious:

English

It is better for both of us that he should have curbed his anger and kept out of my reach, for I should have had much trouble with him. Take, then, your tasseled aegis, and shake it furiously, so as to set the Achaean heroes in a panic;

Homeric Greek

σοὶ δ' αὐτῷ μελέτω ἑκατηβόλε φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ:

τόφρα γὰρ οὖν οἱ ἔγειρε μένος μέγα, ὄφρ' ἂν Ἀχαιοὶ

φεύγοντες νῆάς τε καὶ Ἑλλήσποντον ἵκωνται.

κεῖθεν δ' αὐτὸς ἐγὼ φράσομαι ἔργον τε ἔπος τε,

235ὥς κε καὶ αὖτις Ἀχαιοὶ ἀναπνεύσωσι πόνοιο.

Transliteration

soi d' autōi meletō hekatēbole phaidimos Hektōr:

tophra gar oun hoi egeire menos mega, ophr' an Achaioi

pheugontes nēas te kai Hellēsponton hikōntai.

keithen d' autos egō phrasomai ergon te epos te,

235hōs ke kai autis Achaioi anapneusōsi ponoio.

English

take, moreover, brave Hektor, O Far-Darter, into your own care, and rouse him to deeds of daring, till the Achaeans are sent fleeing back to their ships and to the Hellespont. From that point I will think it well over, how the Achaeans may have a respite from their troubles."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἄρα πατρὸς ἀνηκούστησεν Ἀπόλλων,

βῆ δὲ κατ' Ἰδαίων ὀρέων ἴρηκι ἐοικὼς

ὠκέϊ φασσοφόνῳ, ὅς τ' ὤκιστος πετεηνῶν.

εὗρ' υἱὸν Πριάμοιο δαί̈φρονος Ἕκτορα δῖον

240ἥμενον, οὐδ' ἔτι κεῖτο, νέον δ' ἐσαγείρετο θυμόν,

Transliteration

hōs ephat', oud' ara patros anēkoustēsen Apollōn,

bē de kat' Idaiōn oreōn irēki eoikōs

ōkeï phassophonōi, hos t' ōkistos peteēnōn.

heur' huion Priamoio daïphronos Hektora dion

240hēmenon, oud' eti keito, neon d' esageireto thymon,

English

Apollo obeyed his father's saying, and left the crests of Ida, flying like a falcon, bane of doves and swiftest of all birds. He found Hektor no longer lying upon the ground, but sitting up, for he had just come to himself again.

Homeric Greek

ἀμφὶ ἓ γιγνώσκων ἑτάρους: ἀτὰρ ἆσθμα καὶ ἱδρὼς

παύετ', ἐπεί μιν ἔγειρε Διὸς νόος αἰγιόχοιο.

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱστάμενος προσέφη ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων:

Ἕκτορ υἱὲ Πριάμοιο, τί ἢ δὲ σὺ νόσφιν ἀπ' ἄλλων

245ἧσ' ὀλιγηπελέων; ἦ πού τί σε κῆδος ἱκάνει;

Transliteration

amphi he gignōskōn hetarous: atar asthma kai hidrōs

pauet', epei min egeire Dios noos aigiochoio.

anchou d' histamenos prosephē hekaergos Apollōn:

Hektor huie Priamoio, ti ē de sy nosphin ap' allōn

245hēs' oligēpeleōn; ē pou ti se kēdos hikanei;

English

He knew those who were about him, and the sweat and hard breathing had left him from the moment when the will of aegis-bearing Zeus had revived him. Apollo stood beside him and said, "Hektor, son of Priam, why are you so faint, and why are you here away from the others? Has any mishap befallen you?"

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ὀλιγοδρανέων προσέφη κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ:

τίς δὲ σύ ἐσσι φέριστε θεῶν ὅς μ' εἴρεαι ἄντην;

οὐκ ἀί̈εις ὅ με νηυσὶν ἔπι πρυμνῇσιν Ἀχαιῶν

οὓς ἑτάρους ὀλέκοντα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς βάλεν Αἴας

250χερμαδίῳ πρὸς στῆθος, ἔπαυσε δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς;

Transliteration

ton d' oligodraneōn prosephē korythaiolos Hektōr:

tis de sy essi pheriste theōn hos m' eireai antēn;

ouk aïeis ho me nēusin epi prymnēisin Achaiōn

hous hetarous olekonta boēn agathos balen Aias

250chermadiōi pros stēthos, epause de thouridos alkēs;

English

Hektor in a weak voice answered, "And which, kind sir, of the gods are you, who now ask me thus? Do you not know that Ajax struck me on the chest with a stone as I was killing his comrades at the ships of the Achaeans, and compelled me to leave off fighting?

Homeric Greek

καὶ δὴ ἔγωγ' ἐφάμην νέκυας καὶ δῶμ' Ἀί̈δαο

ἤματι τῷδ' ἵξεσθαι, ἐπεὶ φίλον ἄϊον ἦτορ.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν ἄναξ ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων:

θάρσει νῦν: τοῖόν τοι ἀοσσητῆρα Κρονίων

255ἐξ Ἴδης προέηκε παρεστάμεναι καὶ ἀμύνειν

Transliteration

kai dē egōg' ephamēn nekyas kai dōm' Aïdao

ēmati tōid' hixesthai, epei philon aïon ētor.

ton d' aute proseeipen anax hekaergos Apollōn:

tharsei nyn: toion toi aossētēra Kroniōn

255ex Idēs proeēke parestamenai kai amynein

English

I made sure that this very day I should breathe my last and go down into the house of Hades." Then King Apollo said to him, "Take heart; the son of Kronos has sent you a mighty helper from Ida to stand by you and defend you,

Homeric Greek

Φοῖβον Ἀπόλλωνα χρυσάορον, ὅς σε πάρος περ

ῥύομ', ὁμῶς αὐτόν τε καὶ αἰπεινὸν πτολίεθρον.

ἀλλ' ἄγε νῦν ἱππεῦσιν ἐπότρυνον πολέεσσι

νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ἐλαυνέμεν ὠκέας ἵππους:

260αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ προπάροιθε κιὼν ἵπποισι κέλευθον

Transliteration

Phoibon Apollōna chrysaoron, hos se paros per

rhyom', homōs auton te kai aipeinon ptoliethron.

all' age nyn hippeusin epotrynon poleessi

nēusin epi glaphyrēisin elaunemen ōkeas hippous:

260autar egō proparoithe kiōn hippoisi keleuthon

English

even me, Phoebus Apollo of the golden sword, who have been guardian hitherto not only of yourself but of your city. Now, therefore, order your horsemen to drive their chariots to the ships in great multitudes.

Homeric Greek

πᾶσαν λειανέω, τρέψω δ' ἥρωας Ἀχαιούς.

ὣς εἰπὼν ἔμπνευσε μένος μέγα ποιμένι λαῶν.

ὡς δ' ὅτε τις στατὸς ἵππος ἀκοστήσας ἐπὶ φάτνῃ

δεσμὸν ἀπορρήξας θείῃ πεδίοιο κροαίνων

265εἰωθὼς λούεσθαι ἐϋρρεῖος ποταμοῖο

Transliteration

pasan leianeō, trepsō d' hērōas Achaious.

hōs eipōn empneuse menos mega poimeni laōn.

hōs d' hote tis statos hippos akostēsas epi phatnēi

desmon aporrēxas theiēi pedioio kroainōn

265eiōthōs louesthai eÿrreios potamoio

English

I will go before your horses to smooth the way for them, and will turn the Achaeans in flight." As he spoke he infused great strength into the shepherd of his people. And as a horse, stabled and full-fed, breaks loose and gallops gloriously over the plain to the place where he is wont to take his bath in the river - he tosses his head, and his mane

Homeric Greek

κυδιόων: ὑψοῦ δὲ κάρη ἔχει, ἀμφὶ δὲ χαῖται

ὤμοις ἀί̈σσονται: ὃ δ' ἀγλαί̈ηφι πεποιθὼς

ῥίμφά ἑ γοῦνα φέρει μετά τ' ἤθεα καὶ νομὸν ἵππων:

ὣς Ἕκτωρ λαιψηρὰ πόδας καὶ γούνατ' ἐνώμα

270ὀτρύνων ἱππῆας, ἐπεὶ θεοῦ ἔκλυεν αὐδήν.

Transliteration

kydioōn: hypsou de karē echei, amphi de chaitai

ōmois aïssontai: ho d' aglaïēphi pepoithōs

rhimpha he gouna pherei meta t' ēthea kai nomon hippōn:

hōs Hektōr laipsēra podas kai gounat' enōma

270otrynōn hippēas, epei theou eklyen audēn.

English

streams over his shoulders as in all the pride of his strength he flies full speed to the pastures where the mares are feeding - even so Hektor, when he heard what the god said, urged his horsemen on, and sped forward as fast as his limbs could take him. As country peasants set their hounds on to a

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ὥς τ' ἢ ἔλαφον κεραὸν ἢ ἄγριον αἶγα

ἐσσεύαντο κύνες τε καὶ ἀνέρες ἀγροιῶται:

τὸν μέν τ' ἠλίβατος πέτρη καὶ δάσκιος ὕλη

εἰρύσατ', οὐδ' ἄρα τέ σφι κιχήμεναι αἴσιμον ἦεν:

275τῶν δέ θ' ὑπὸ ἰαχῆς ἐφάνη λὶς ἠϋγένειος

Transliteration

hoi d' hōs t' ē elaphon keraon ē agrion aiga

esseuanto kynes te kai aneres agroiōtai:

ton men t' ēlibatos petrē kai daskios hylē

eirysat', oud' ara te sphi kichēmenai aisimon ēen:

275tōn de th' hypo iachēs ephanē lis ēÿgeneios

English

horned stag or wild goat - he has taken shelter under rock or thicket, and they cannot find him, but, lo, a bearded lion whom their shouts have roused stands in their path, and they are in no further humor for the

Homeric Greek

εἰς ὁδόν, αἶψα δὲ πάντας ἀπέτραπε καὶ μεμαῶτας:

ὣς Δαναοὶ εἷος μὲν ὁμιλαδὸν αἰὲν ἕποντο

νύσσοντες ξίφεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισιν:

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ ἴδον Ἕκτορ' ἐποιχόμενον στίχας ἀνδρῶν

280τάρβησαν, πᾶσιν δὲ παραὶ ποσὶ κάππεσε θυμός.

Transliteration

eis hodon, aipsa de pantas apetrape kai memaōtas:

hōs Danaoi heios men homiladon aien heponto

nyssontes xiphesin te kai enchesin amphigyoisin:

autar epei idon Hektor' epoichomenon stichas andrōn

280tarbēsan, pasin de parai posi kappese thymos.

English

chase - even so the Achaeans were still charging on in a body, using their swords and spears pointed at both ends, but when they saw Hektor going about among his men they were afraid, and their hearts fell down into their feet.

Homeric Greek

τοῖσι δ' ἔπειτ' ἀγόρευε Θόας Ἀνδραίμονος υἱός,

Αἰτωλῶν ὄχ' ἄριστος ἐπιστάμενος μὲν ἄκοντι

ἐσθλὸς δ' ἐν σταδίῃ: ἀγορῇ δέ ἑ παῦροι Ἀχαιῶν

νίκων, ὁππότε κοῦροι ἐρίσσειαν περὶ μύθων:

285ὅ σφιν ἐϋφρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν:

Transliteration

toisi d' epeit' agoreue Thoas Andraimonos huios,

Aitōlōn och' aristos epistamenos men akonti

esthlos d' en stadiēi: agorēi de he pauroi Achaiōn

nikōn, hoppote kouroi erisseian peri mythōn:

285ho sphin eÿphroneōn agorēsato kai meteeipen:

English

Then spoke Thoas son of Andraimon, leader of the Aetolians, a man who could throw a good throw, and who was staunch also in close fight, while few could surpass him in debate when opinions were divided. He then with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus: "What, in heaven's name, do I now see?

Homeric Greek

ὢ πόποι ἦ μέγα θαῦμα τόδ' ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶμαι,

οἷον δ' αὖτ' ἐξαῦτις ἀνέστη κῆρας ἀλύξας

Ἕκτωρ: ἦ θήν μιν μάλα ἔλπετο θυμὸς ἑκάστου

χερσὶν ὑπ' Αἴαντος θανέειν Τελαμωνιάδαο.

290ἀλλά τις αὖτε θεῶν ἐρρύσατο καὶ ἐσάωσεν

Transliteration

ō popoi ē mega thauma tod' ophthalmoisin horōmai,

hoion d' aut' exautis anestē kēras alyxas

Hektōr: ē thēn min mala elpeto thymos hekastou

chersin hyp' Aiantos thaneein Telamōniadao.

290alla tis aute theōn errysato kai esaōsen

English

Is it not Hektor come to life again? Every one made sure he had been killed by Ajax son of Telamon, but it seems that one of the gods has again rescued him. He has killed many of us Danaans already, and I take it will yet do so, for the hand of Zeus must

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορ', ὃ δὴ πολλῶν Δαναῶν ὑπὸ γούνατ' ἔλυσεν,

ὡς καὶ νῦν ἔσσεσθαι ὀί̈ομαι: οὐ γὰρ ἄτερ γε

Ζηνὸς ἐριγδούπου πρόμος ἵσταται ὧδε μενοινῶν.

ἀλλ' ἄγεθ' ὡς ἂν ἐγὼν εἴπω πειθώμεθα πάντες.

295πληθὺν μὲν ποτὶ νῆας ἀνώξομεν ἀπονέεσθαι:

Transliteration

Hektor', ho dē pollōn Danaōn hypo gounat' elysen,

hōs kai nyn essesthai oïomai: ou gar ater ge

Zēnos erigdoupou promos histatai hōde menoinōn.

all' ageth' hōs an egōn eipō peithōmetha pantes.

295plēthyn men poti nēas anōxomen aponeesthai:

English

be with him or he would never dare show himself so masterful in the forefront of the battle. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say; let us order the main body of our forces to fall back upon the ships, but let those of us who profess to be the flower of the army

Homeric Greek

αὐτοὶ δ', ὅσσοι ἄριστοι ἐνὶ στρατῷ εὐχόμεθ' εἶναι,

στήομεν, εἴ κεν πρῶτον ἐρύξομεν ἀντιάσαντες

δούρατ' ἀνασχόμενοι: τὸν δ' οἴω καὶ μεμαῶτα

θυμῷ δείσεσθαι Δαναῶν καταδῦναι ὅμιλον.

300ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα τοῦ μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδὲ πίθοντο:

Transliteration

autoi d', hossoi aristoi eni stratōi euchometh' einai,

stēomen, ei ken prōton eryxomen antiasantes

dourat' anaschomenoi: ton d' oiō kai memaōta

thymōi deisesthai Danaōn katadynai homilon.

300hōs ephath', hoi d' ara tou mala men klyon ēde pithonto:

English

stand firm, and see whether we cannot hold Hektor back at the point of our spears as soon as he comes near us; I conceive that he will then think better of it before he tries to charge into the press of the Danaans." Thus did he speak, and they did even as he had said.

Homeric Greek

οἳ μὲν ἄρ' ἀμφ' Αἴαντα καὶ Ἰδομενῆα ἄνακτα

Τεῦκρον Μηριόνην τε Μέγην τ' ἀτάλαντον Ἄρηϊ

ὑσμίνην ἤρτυνον ἀριστῆας καλέσαντες

Ἕκτορι καὶ Τρώεσσιν ἐναντίον: αὐτὰρ ὀπίσσω

305ἣ πληθὺς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν ἀπονέοντο.

Transliteration

hoi men ar' amph' Aianta kai Idomenēa anakta

Teukron Mērionēn te Megēn t' atalanton Arēï

hysminēn ērtynon aristēas kalesantes

Hektori kai Trōessin enantion: autar opissō

305hē plēthys epi nēas Achaiōn aponeonto.

English

Those who were about Ajax and King Idomeneus, the followers moreover of Teucer, Meriones, and Meges peer of Ares called all their best men about them and sustained the fight against Hektor and the Trojans, but the main body fell back upon the ships of the Achaeans.

Homeric Greek

Τρῶες δὲ προὔτυψαν ἀολλέες, ἦρχε δ' ἄρ' Ἕκτωρ

μακρὰ βιβάς: πρόσθεν δὲ κί' αὐτοῦ Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων

εἱμένος ὤμοιιν νεφέλην, ἔχε δ' αἰγίδα θοῦριν

δεινὴν ἀμφιδάσειαν ἀριπρεπέ', ἣν ἄρα χαλκεὺς

310Ἥφαιστος Διὶ δῶκε φορήμεναι ἐς φόβον ἀνδρῶν:

Transliteration

Trōes de proutypsan aollees, ērche d' ar' Hektōr

makra bibas: prosthen de ki' autou Phoibos Apollōn

heimenos ōmoiin nephelēn, eche d' aigida thourin

deinēn amphidaseian ariprepe', hēn ara chalkeus

310Hēphaistos Dii dōke phorēmenai es phobon andrōn:

English

The Trojans pressed forward in a dense body, with Hektor striding on at their head. Before him went Phoebus Apollo shrouded in cloud about his shoulders. He bore aloft the terrible aegis with its shaggy fringe, which Hephaistos the smith had given Zeus to strike terror into the hearts of men.

Homeric Greek

τὴν ἄρ' ὅ γ' ἐν χείρεσσιν ἔχων ἡγήσατο λαῶν.

Ἀργεῖοι δ' ὑπέμειναν ἀολλέες, ὦρτο δ' ἀϋτὴ

ὀξεῖ' ἀμφοτέρωθεν, ἀπὸ νευρῆφι δ' ὀϊστοὶ

θρῷσκον: πολλὰ δὲ δοῦρα θρασειάων ἀπὸ χειρῶν

315ἄλλα μὲν ἐν χροὶ̈ πήγνυτ' ἀρηϊθόων αἰζηῶν,

Transliteration

tēn ar' ho g' en cheiressin echōn hēgēsato laōn.

Argeioi d' hypemeinan aollees, ōrto d' aÿtē

oxei' amphoterōthen, apo neurēphi d' oïstoi

thrōiskon: polla de doura thraseiaōn apo cheirōn

315alla men en chroï pēgnyt' arēïthoōn aizēōn,

English

With this in his hand he led on the Trojans. The Argives held together and stood their ground. The cry of battle rose high from either side, and the arrows flew from the bowstrings. Many a spear sped from strong hands and fastened in the bodies of many a valiant

Homeric Greek

πολλὰ δὲ καὶ μεσσηγὺ πάρος χρόα λευκὸν ἐπαυρεῖν

ἐν γαίῃ ἵσταντο λιλαιόμενα χροὸς ἆσαι.

ὄφρα μὲν αἰγίδα χερσὶν ἔχ' ἀτρέμα Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,

τόφρα μάλ' ἀμφοτέρων βέλε' ἥπτετο, πῖπτε δὲ λαός.

320αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατ' ἐνῶπα ἰδὼν Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων

Transliteration

polla de kai messēgy paros chroa leukon epaurein

en gaiēi histanto lilaiomena chroos asai.

ophra men aigida chersin ech' atrema Phoibos Apollōn,

tophra mal' amphoterōn bele' hēpteto, pipte de laos.

320autar epei kat' enōpa idōn Danaōn tachypōlōn

English

warrior, while others fell to earth midway, before they could taste of man's fair flesh and glut themselves with blood. So long as Phoebus Apollo held his aegis quietly and without shaking it, the weapons on either side took effect and the people fell, but when he shook it straight in

Homeric Greek

σεῖσ', ἐπὶ δ' αὐτὸς ἄϋσε μάλα μέγα, τοῖσι δὲ θυμὸν

ἐν στήθεσσιν ἔθελξε, λάθοντο δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς.

οἳ δ' ὥς τ' ἠὲ βοῶν ἀγέλην ἢ πῶϋ μέγ' οἰῶν

θῆρε δύω κλονέωσι μελαίνης νυκτὸς ἀμολγῷ

325ἐλθόντ' ἐξαπίνης σημάντορος οὐ παρεόντος,

Transliteration

seis', epi d' autos aÿse mala mega, toisi de thymon

en stēthessin ethelxe, lathonto de thouridos alkēs.

hoi d' hōs t' ēe boōn agelēn ē pōÿ meg' oiōn

thēre dyō kloneōsi melainēs nyktos amolgōi

325elthont' exapinēs sēmantoros ou pareontos,

English

the face of the Danaans and raised his mighty battle-cry their hearts fainted within them and they forgot their former prowess. As when two wild beasts spring in the dead of night on a herd of cattle or a large flock of sheep when the herdsman is not there - even

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἐφόβηθεν Ἀχαιοὶ ἀνάλκιδες: ἐν γὰρ Ἀπόλλων

ἧκε φόβον, Τρωσὶν δὲ καὶ Ἕκτορι κῦδος ὄπαζεν.

ἔνθα δ' ἀνὴρ ἕλεν ἄνδρα κεδασθείσης ὑσμίνης.

Ἕκτωρ μὲν Στιχίον τε καὶ Ἀρκεσίλαον ἔπεφνε,

330τὸν μὲν Βοιωτῶν ἡγήτορα χαλκοχιτώνων,

Transliteration

hōs ephobēthen Achaioi analkides: en gar Apollōn

hēke phobon, Trōsin de kai Hektori kydos opazen.

entha d' anēr helen andra kedastheisēs hysminēs.

Hektōr men Stichion te kai Arkesilaon epephne,

330ton men Boiōtōn hēgētora chalkochitōnōn,

English

so were the Danaans struck helpless, for Apollo filled them with panic and gave victory to Hektor and the Trojans. The fight then became more scattered and they killed one another where they best could. Hektor killed Stichios and Arkesilaos, the one, leader of the Boeotians, and the other, friend and comrade of Menestheus.

Homeric Greek

τὸν δὲ Μενεσθῆος μεγαθύμου πιστὸν ἑταῖρον:

Αἰνείας δὲ Μέδοντα καὶ Ἴασον ἐξενάριξεν.

ἤτοι ὃ μὲν νόθος υἱὸς Ὀϊλῆος θείοιο

ἔσκε Μέδων Αἴαντος ἀδελφεός: αὐτὰρ ἔναιεν

335ἐν Φυλάκῃ γαίης ἄπο πατρίδος ἄνδρα κατακτὰς

Transliteration

ton de Menesthēos megathymou piston hetairon:

Aineias de Medonta kai Iason exenarixen.

ētoi ho men nothos huios Oïlēos theioio

eske Medōn Aiantos adelpheos: autar enaien

335en Phylakēi gaiēs apo patridos andra kataktas

English

Aeneas killed Medon and Iasos. The first was bastard son to Oileus, and brother to Ajax, but he lived in Phylake away from his own country, for he had killed a man, a kinsman of his stepmother Eriopis whom Oileus had married.

Homeric Greek

γνωτὸν μητρυιῆς Ἐριώπιδος, ἣν ἔχ' Ὀϊλεύς:

Ἴασος αὖτ' ἀρχὸς μὲν Ἀθηναίων ἐτέτυκτο,

υἱὸς δὲ Σφήλοιο καλέσκετο Βουκολίδαο.

Μηκιστῆ δ' ἕλε Πουλυδάμας, Ἐχίον δὲ Πολίτης

340πρώτῃ ἐν ὑσμίνῃ, Κλονίον δ' ἕλε δῖος Ἀγήνωρ.

Transliteration

gnōton mētruiēs Eriōpidos, hēn ech' Oïleus:

Iasos aut' archos men Athēnaiōn etetykto,

huios de Sphēloio kalesketo Boukolidao.

Mēkistē d' hele Poulydamas, Echion de Politēs

340prōtēi en hysminēi, Klonion d' hele dios Agēnōr.

English

Iasos had become a leader of the Athenians, and was son of Sphelus the son of Boukolos. Polydamas killed Mekisteus, and Polites Echios, in the front of the battle, while Agenor slew Klonios.

Homeric Greek

Δηί̈οχον δὲ Πάρις βάλε νείατον ὦμον ὄπισθε

φεύγοντ' ἐν προμάχοισι, διὰ πρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσεν.

ὄφρ' οἳ τοὺς ἐνάριζον ἀπ' ἔντεα, τόφρα δ' Ἀχαιοὶ

τάφρῳ καὶ σκολόπεσσιν ἐνιπλήξαντες ὀρυκτῇ

345ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα φέβοντο, δύοντο δὲ τεῖχος ἀνάγκῃ.

Transliteration

Dēïochon de Paris bale neiaton ōmon opisthe

pheugont' en promachoisi, dia pro de chalkon elassen.

ophr' hoi tous enarizon ap' entea, tophra d' Achaioi

taphrōi kai skolopessin eniplēxantes oryktēi

345entha kai entha phebonto, dyonto de teichos anankēi.

English

Paris struck Deiochus from behind in the lower part of the shoulder, as he was fleeing among the foremost, and the point of the spear went clean through him. While they were spoiling these heroes of their armor, the Achaeans were fleeing pellmell to the trench and the set stakes, and were forced back within their wall.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτωρ δὲ Τρώεσσιν ἐκέκλετο μακρὸν ἀύ̈σας

νηυσὶν ἐπισσεύεσθαι, ἐᾶν δ' ἔναρα βροτόεντα:

ὃν δ' ἂν ἐγὼν ἀπάνευθε νεῶν ἑτέρωθι νοήσω,

αὐτοῦ οἱ θάνατον μητίσομαι, οὐδέ νυ τόν γε

350γνωτοί τε γνωταί τε πυρὸς λελάχωσι θανόντα,

Transliteration

Hektōr de Trōessin ekekleto makron aÿsas

nēusin episseuesthai, ean d' enara brotoenta:

hon d' an egōn apaneuthe neōn heterōthi noēsō,

autou hoi thanaton mētisomai, oude ny ton ge

350gnōtoi te gnōtai te pyros lelachōsi thanonta,

English

Hektor then cried out to the Trojans, "Forward to the ships, and let the spoils be. If I see any man keeping back on the other side the wall away from the ships I will have him killed: his kinsmen and kinswomen shall not give him his dues of fire, but dogs

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ κύνες ἐρύουσι πρὸ ἄστεος ἡμετέροιο.

ὣς εἰπὼν μάστιγι κατωμαδὸν ἤλασεν ἵππους

κεκλόμενος Τρώεσσι κατὰ στίχας: οἳ δὲ σὺν αὐτῷ

πάντες ὁμοκλήσαντες ἔχον ἐρυσάρματας ἵππους

355ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ: προπάροιθε δὲ Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων

Transliteration

alla kynes eryousi pro asteos hēmeteroio.

hōs eipōn mastigi katōmadon ēlasen hippous

keklomenos Trōessi kata stichas: hoi de syn autōi

pantes homoklēsantes echon erysarmatas hippous

355ēchēi thespesiēi: proparoithe de Phoibos Apollōn

English

shall tear him in pieces in front of our city." As he spoke he laid his whip about his horses' shoulders and called to the Trojans throughout their ranks; the Trojans shouted with a cry that rent the air, and kept their horses neck and neck with his own.

Homeric Greek

ῥεῖ' ὄχθας καπέτοιο βαθείης ποσσὶν ἐρείπων

ἐς μέσσον κατέβαλλε, γεφύρωσεν δὲ κέλευθον

μακρὴν ἠδ' εὐρεῖαν, ὅσον τ' ἐπὶ δουρὸς ἐρωὴ

γίγνεται, ὁππότ' ἀνὴρ σθένεος πειρώμενος ᾗσι.

360τῇ ῥ' οἵ γε προχέοντο φαλαγγηδόν, πρὸ δ' Ἀπόλλων

Transliteration

rhei' ochthas kapetoio batheiēs possin ereipōn

es messon kateballe, gephyrōsen de keleuthon

makrēn ēd' eureian, hoson t' epi douros erōē

gignetai, hoppot' anēr stheneos peirōmenos hēisi.

360tēi rh' hoi ge procheonto phalangēdon, pro d' Apollōn

English

Phoebus Apollo went before, and kicked down the banks of the deep trench into its middle so as to make a great broad bridge, as broad as the throw of a spear when a man is trying his strength. The Trojan battalions poured over the bridge, and Apollo with his redoubtable aegis led the way.

Homeric Greek

αἰγίδ' ἔχων ἐρίτιμον: ἔρειπε δὲ τεῖχος Ἀχαιῶν

ῥεῖα μάλ', ὡς ὅτε τις ψάμαθον πάϊς ἄγχι θαλάσσης,

ὅς τ' ἐπεὶ οὖν ποιήσῃ ἀθύρματα νηπιέῃσιν

ἂψ αὖτις συνέχευε ποσὶν καὶ χερσὶν ἀθύρων.

365ὥς ῥα σὺ ἤϊε Φοῖβε πολὺν κάματον καὶ ὀϊζὺν

Transliteration

aigid' echōn eritimon: ereipe de teichos Achaiōn

rheia mal', hōs hote tis psamathon païs anchi thalassēs,

hos t' epei oun poiēsēi athyrmata nēpieēisin

aps autis synecheue posin kai chersin athyrōn.

365hōs rha sy ēïe Phoibe polyn kamaton kai oïzyn

English

He kicked down the wall of the Achaeans as easily as a child who playing on the sea-shore has built a house of sand and then kicks it down again and destroys it - even so did you, O Apollo, shed toil and trouble

Homeric Greek

σύγχεας Ἀργείων, αὐτοῖσι δὲ φύζαν ἐνῶρσας.

ὣς οἳ μὲν παρὰ νηυσὶν ἐρητύοντο μένοντες,

ἀλλήλοισί τε κεκλόμενοι καὶ πᾶσι θεοῖσι

χεῖρας ἀνίσχοντες μεγάλ' εὐχετόωντο ἕκαστος:

370Νέστωρ αὖτε μάλιστα Γερήνιος οὖρος Ἀχαιῶν

Transliteration

syncheas Argeiōn, autoisi de phyzan enōrsas.

hōs hoi men para nēusin erētyonto menontes,

allēloisi te keklomenoi kai pasi theoisi

cheiras anischontes megal' euchetoōnto hekastos:

370Nestōr aute malista Gerēnios ouros Achaiōn

English

upon the Argives, filling them with panic and confusion. Thus then were the Achaeans hemmed in at their ships, calling out to one another and raising their hands with loud cries every man to heaven. Nestor of Gerene, tower of strength to the Achaeans, lifted up his hands to the starry firmament of heaven, and prayed more fervently than any of them.

Homeric Greek

εὔχετο χεῖρ' ὀρέγων εἰς οὐρανὸν ἀστερόεντα:

Ζεῦ πάτερ εἴ ποτέ τίς τοι ἐν Ἄργεί̈ περ πολυπύρῳ

ἢ βοὸς ἢ οἰὸς κατὰ πίονα μηρία καίων

εὔχετο νοστῆσαι, σὺ δ' ὑπέσχεο καὶ κατένευσας,

375τῶν μνῆσαι καὶ ἄμυνον Ὀλύμπιε νηλεὲς ἦμαρ,

Transliteration

eucheto cheir' oregōn eis ouranon asteroenta:

Zeu pater ei pote tis toi en Argeï per polypyrōi

ē boos ē oios kata piona mēria kaiōn

eucheto nostēsai, sy d' hypescheo kai kateneusas,

375tōn mnēsai kai amynon Olympie nēlees ēmar,

English

"Father Zeus," said he, "if ever any one in wheat-growing Argos burned you fat thigh-bones of sheep or heifer and prayed that he might return safely home, whereon you bowed your head to him in assent, bear it in mind now, and suffer

Homeric Greek

μηδ' οὕτω Τρώεσσιν ἔα δάμνασθαι Ἀχαιούς.

ὣς ἔφατ' εὐχόμενος, μέγα δ' ἔκτυπε μητίετα Ζεύς,

ἀράων ἀί̈ων Νηληϊάδαο γέροντος.

Τρῶες δ' ὡς ἐπύθοντο Διὸς κτύπον αἰγιόχοιο,

380μᾶλλον ἐπ' Ἀργείοισι θόρον, μνήσαντο δὲ χάρμης.

Transliteration

mēd' houtō Trōessin ea damnasthai Achaious.

hōs ephat' euchomenos, mega d' ektype mētieta Zeus,

araōn aïōn Nēlēïadao gerontos.

Trōes d' hōs epythonto Dios ktypon aigiochoio,

380mallon ep' Argeioisi thoron, mnēsanto de charmēs.

English

not the Trojans to triumph thus over the Achaeans." All counseling Zeus thundered loudly in answer to die prayer of the aged son of Neleus. When the heard Zeus thunder they flung themselves yet more fiercely on the Achaeans.

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ὥς τε μέγα κῦμα θαλάσσης εὐρυπόροιο

νηὸς ὑπὲρ τοίχων καταβήσεται, ὁππότ' ἐπείγῃ

ἲς ἀνέμου: ἣ γάρ τε μάλιστά γε κύματ' ὀφέλλει:

ὣς Τρῶες μεγάλῃ ἰαχῇ κατὰ τεῖχος ἔβαινον,

385ἵππους δ' εἰσελάσαντες ἐπὶ πρύμνῃσι μάχοντο

Transliteration

hoi d' hōs te mega kyma thalassēs euryporoio

nēos hyper toichōn katabēsetai, hoppot' epeigēi

is anemou: hē gar te malista ge kymat' ophellei:

hōs Trōes megalēi iachēi kata teichos ebainon,

385hippous d' eiselasantes epi prymnēisi machonto

English

As a wave breaking over the bulwarks of a ship when the sea runs high before a gale- for it is the force of the wind that makes the waves so great - even so did the Trojans spring over the wall with a shout, and drive their chariots onwards.

Homeric Greek

ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοις αὐτοσχεδόν, οἳ μὲν ἀφ' ἵππων,

οἳ δ' ἀπὸ νηῶν ὕψι μελαινάων ἐπιβάντες

μακροῖσι ξυστοῖσι, τά ῥά σφ' ἐπὶ νηυσὶν ἔκειτο

ναύμαχα κολλήεντα, κατὰ στόμα εἱμένα χαλκῷ.

390Πάτροκλος δ' εἷος μὲν Ἀχαιοί τε Τρῶές τε

Transliteration

enchesin amphigyois autoschedon, hoi men aph' hippōn,

hoi d' apo nēōn hypsi melainaōn epibantes

makroisi xystoisi, ta rha sph' epi nēusin ekeito

naumacha kollēenta, kata stoma heimena chalkōi.

390Patroklos d' heios men Achaioi te Trōes te

English

The two sides fought with their double-pointed spears in hand-to-hand encounter-the Trojans from their chariots, and the Achaeans climbing up into their ships and wielding the long pikes that were lying on the decks ready for use in a sea-fight, jointed and shod with bronze. Now Patroklos, so long as the Achaeans and Trojans were fighting

Homeric Greek

τείχεος ἀμφεμάχοντο θοάων ἔκτοθι νηῶν,

τόφρ' ὅ γ' ἐνὶ κλισίῃ ἀγαπήνορος Εὐρυπύλοιο

ἧστό τε καὶ τὸν ἔτερπε λόγοις, ἐπὶ δ' ἕλκεϊ λυγρῷ

φάρμακ' ἀκέσματ' ἔπασσε μελαινάων ὀδυνάων.

395αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τεῖχος ἐπεσσυμένους ἐνόησε

Transliteration

teicheos amphemachonto thoaōn ektothi nēōn,

tophr' ho g' eni klisiēi agapēnoros Eurypyloio

hēsto te kai ton eterpe logois, epi d' helkeï lygrōi

pharmak' akesmat' epasse melainaōn odynaōn.

395autar epei dē teichos epessymenous enoēse

English

about the wall, but were not yet within it and at the ships, remained sitting in the tent of good Eurypylos, entertaining him with his conversation and spreading herbs over his wound to ease his pain. When, however, he saw the Trojans swarming through the breach in the wall, while the Achaeans were

Homeric Greek

Τρῶας, ἀτὰρ Δαναῶν γένετο ἰαχή τε φόβος τε,

ᾤμωξέν τ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα καὶ ὣ πεπλήγετο μηρὼ

χερσὶ καταπρηνέσσ', ὀλοφυρόμενος δ' ἔπος ηὔδα:

Εὐρύπυλ' οὐκ ἔτι τοι δύναμαι χατέοντί περ' ἔμπης

400ἐνθάδε παρμενέμεν: δὴ γὰρ μέγα νεῖκος ὄρωρεν:

Transliteration

Trōas, atar Danaōn geneto iachē te phobos te,

ōimōxen t' ar' epeita kai hō peplēgeto mērō

chersi kataprēness', olophyromenos d' epos ēuda:

Eurypyl' ouk eti toi dynamai chateonti per' empēs

400enthade parmenemen: dē gar mega neikos orōren:

English

clamoring and struck with panic, he cried aloud, and smote his two thighs with the flat of his hands. "Eurypylos," said he in his dismay, "I know you want me badly, but I cannot stay with you any longer, for there is hard fighting going on;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ σὲ μὲν θεράπων ποτιτερπέτω, αὐτὰρ ἔγωγε

σπεύσομαι εἰς Ἀχιλῆα, ἵν' ὀτρύνω πολεμίζειν.

τίς δ' οἶδ' εἴ κέν οἱ σὺν δαίμονι θυμὸν ὀρίνω

παρειπών; ἀγαθὴ δὲ παραίφασίς ἐστιν ἑταίρου.

405τὸν μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰπόντα πόδες φέρον: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ

Transliteration

alla se men therapōn potiterpetō, autar egōge

speusomai eis Achilēa, hin' otrynō polemizein.

tis d' oid' ei ken hoi syn daimoni thymon orinō

pareipōn; agathē de paraiphasis estin hetairou.

405ton men ar' hōs eiponta podes pheron: autar Achaioi

English

a squire shall take care of you now, for I must make all speed to Achilles, and induce him to fight if I can; who knows but with the help of a daimôn I may persuade him. A man does well to listen to the advice of a friend." When he had thus spoken he went his way.

Homeric Greek

Τρῶας ἐπερχομένους μένον ἔμπεδον, οὐδ' ἐδύναντο

παυροτέρους περ ἐόντας ἀπώσασθαι παρὰ νηῶν:

οὐδέ ποτε Τρῶες Δαναῶν ἐδύναντο φάλαγγας

ῥηξάμενοι κλισίῃσι μιγήμεναι ἠδὲ νέεσσιν.

410ἀλλ' ὥς τε στάθμη δόρυ νήϊον ἐξιθύνει

Transliteration

Trōas eperchomenous menon empedon, oud' edynanto

pauroterous per eontas apōsasthai para nēōn:

oude pote Trōes Danaōn edynanto phalangas

rhēxamenoi klisiēisi migēmenai ēde neessin.

410all' hōs te stathmē dory nēïon exithynei

English

The Achaeans stood firm and resisted the attack of the Trojans, yet though these were fewer in number, they could not drive them back from the ships, neither could the Trojans break the Achaean ranks and make their way in among the tents and ships.

Homeric Greek

τέκτονος ἐν παλάμῃσι δαήμονος, ὅς ῥά τε πάσης

εὖ εἰδῇ σοφίης ὑποθημοσύνῃσιν Ἀθήνης,

ὣς μὲν τῶν ἐπὶ ἶσα μάχη τέτατο πτόλεμός τε:

ἄλλοι δ' ἀμφ' ἄλλῃσι μάχην ἐμάχοντο νέεσσιν,

415Ἕκτωρ δ' ἄντ' Αἴαντος ἐείσατο κυδαλίμοιο.

Transliteration

tektonos en palamēisi daēmonos, hos rha te pasēs

eu eidēi sophiēs hypothēmosynēisin Athēnēs,

hōs men tōn epi isa machē tetato ptolemos te:

alloi d' amph' allēisi machēn emachonto neessin,

415Hektōr d' ant' Aiantos eeisato kydalimoio.

English

As a carpenter's line gives a true edge to a piece of ship's timber, in the hand of some skilled workman whom Athena has instructed in all kinds of useful arts - even so level was the issue of the fight between the two sides, as they fought some round one and some round another. Hektor made straight for Ajax, and the put up fierce struggle over the same ship.

Homeric Greek

τὼ δὲ μιῆς περὶ νηὸς ἔχον πόνον, οὐδὲ δύναντο

οὔθ' ὃ τὸν ἐξελάσαι καὶ ἐνιπρῆσαι πυρὶ νῆα

οὔθ' ὃ τὸν ἂψ ὤσασθαι, ἐπεί ῥ' ἐπέλασσέ γε δαίμων.

ἔνθ' υἷα Κλυτίοιο Καλήτορα φαίδιμος Αἴας

420πῦρ ἐς νῆα φέροντα κατὰ στῆθος βάλε δουρί.

Transliteration

tō de miēs peri nēos echon ponon, oude dynanto

outh' ho ton exelasai kai eniprēsai pyri nēa

outh' ho ton aps ōsasthai, epei rh' epelasse ge daimōn.

enth' huia Klytioio Kalētora phaidimos Aias

420pyr es nēa pheronta kata stēthos bale douri.

English

Hektor could not force Ajax back and fire the ship, nor yet could Ajax drive Hektor from the spot to which a daimôn had brought him. Then Ajax struck Kaletor son of Klytios in the chest with a spear as he was bringing fire towards the ship.

Homeric Greek

δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, δαλὸς δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε χειρός.

Ἕκτωρ δ' ὡς ἐνόησεν ἀνεψιὸν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν

ἐν κονίῃσι πεσόντα νεὸς προπάροιθε μελαίνης,

Τρωσί τε καὶ Λυκίοισιν ἐκέκλετο μακρὸν ἀύ̈σας:

425Τρῶες καὶ Λύκιοι καὶ Δάρδανοι ἀγχιμαχηταὶ

Transliteration

doupēsen de pesōn, dalos de hoi ekpese cheiros.

Hektōr d' hōs enoēsen anepsion ophthalmoisin

en koniēisi pesonta neos proparoithe melainēs,

Trōsi te kai Lykioisin ekekleto makron aÿsas:

425Trōes kai Lykioi kai Dardanoi anchimachētai

English

He fell heavily to the ground and the torch dropped from his hand. When Hektor saw his cousin fallen in front of the ship he shouted to the Trojans and Lycians saying, "Trojans, Lycians, and Dardanians good

Homeric Greek

μὴ δή πω χάζεσθε μάχης ἐν στείνεϊ τῷδε,

ἀλλ' υἷα Κλυτίοιο σαώσατε, μή μιν Ἀχαιοὶ

τεύχεα συλήσωσι νεῶν ἐν ἀγῶνι πεσόντα.

ὣς εἰπὼν Αἴαντος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ.

430τοῦ μὲν ἅμαρθ', ὃ δ' ἔπειτα Λυκόφρονα Μάστορος υἱὸν

Transliteration

mē dē pō chazesthe machēs en steineï tōide,

all' huia Klytioio saōsate, mē min Achaioi

teuchea sylēsōsi neōn en agōni pesonta.

hōs eipōn Aiantos akontise douri phaeinōi.

430tou men hamarth', ho d' epeita Lykophrona Mastoros huion

English

in close fight, bate not a jot, but rescue the son of Klytios lest the Achaeans strip him of his armor now that he has fallen in the struggle." He then aimed a spear at Ajax, and missed him,

Homeric Greek

Αἴαντος θεράποντα Κυθήριον, ὅς ῥα παρ' αὐτῷ

ναῖ', ἐπεὶ ἄνδρα κατέκτα Κυθήροισι ζαθέοισι,

τόν ῥ' ἔβαλεν κεφαλὴν ὑπὲρ οὔατος ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ

ἑσταότ' ἄγχ' Αἴαντος: ὃ δ' ὕπτιος ἐν κονίῃσι

435νηὸς ἄπο πρυμνῆς χαμάδις πέσε, λύντο δὲ γυῖα.

Transliteration

Aiantos theraponta Kythērion, hos rha par' autōi

nai', epei andra katekta Kythēroisi zatheoisi,

ton rh' ebalen kephalēn hyper ouatos oxeï chalkōi

hestaot' anch' Aiantos: ho d' hyptios en koniēisi

435nēos apo prymnēs chamadis pese, lynto de guia.

English

but he hit Lykophron a follower of Ajax, who came from Cythera, but was living with Ajax inasmuch as he had killed a man among the Cythereans. Hektor's spear struck him on the head below the ear, and he fell headlong from the ship's prow on to the ground with no life left in him.

Homeric Greek

Αἴας δ' ἐρρίγησε, κασίγνητον δὲ προσηύδα:

Τεῦκρε πέπον δὴ νῶϊν ἀπέκτατο πιστὸς ἑταῖρος

Μαστορίδης, ὃν νῶϊ Κυθηρόθεν ἔνδον ἐόντα

ἶσα φίλοισι τοκεῦσιν ἐτίομεν ἐν μεγάροισι:

440τὸν δ' Ἕκτωρ μεγάθυμος ἀπέκτανε. ποῦ νύ τοι ἰοὶ

Transliteration

Aias d' errigēse, kasignēton de prosēuda:

Teukre pepon dē nōïn apektato pistos hetairos

Mastoridēs, hon nōï Kythērothen endon eonta

isa philoisi tokeusin etiomen en megaroisi:

440ton d' Hektōr megathymos apektane. pou ny toi ioi

English

Ajax shook with rage and said to his brother, "Teucer, my good man, our trusty comrade the son of Mastor has fallen, he came to live with us from Cythera and whom we honored as much as our own parents. Hektor has just killed him;

Homeric Greek

ὠκύμοροι καὶ τόξον ὅ τοι πόρε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων;

ὣς φάθ', ὃ δὲ ξυνέηκε, θέων δέ οἱ ἄγχι παρέστη,

τόξον ἔχων ἐν χειρὶ παλίντονον ἠδὲ φαρέτρην

ἰοδόκον: μάλα δ' ὦκα βέλεα Τρώεσσιν ἐφίει.

445καί ῥ' ἔβαλε Κλεῖτον Πεισήνορος ἀγλαὸν υἱὸν

Transliteration

ōkymoroi kai toxon ho toi pore Phoibos Apollōn;

hōs phath', ho de xyneēke, theōn de hoi anchi parestē,

toxon echōn en cheiri palintonon ēde pharetrēn

iodokon: mala d' ōka belea Trōessin ephiei.

445kai rh' ebale Kleiton Peisēnoros aglaon huion

English

fetch your deadly arrows at once and the bow which Phoebus Apollo gave you." Teucer heard him and hastened towards him with his bow and quiver in his hands. Forthwith he showered his arrows on the Trojans, and hit Kleitos the son of Pisenor, comrade of Polydamas the noble son of Panthoos, with the reins in his hands as he was attending to his horses;

Homeric Greek

Πουλυδάμαντος ἑταῖρον ἀγαυοῦ Πανθοί̈δαο

ἡνία χερσὶν ἔχοντα: ὃ μὲν πεπόνητο καθ' ἵππους:

τῇ γὰρ ἔχ' ᾗ ῥα πολὺ πλεῖσται κλονέοντο φάλαγγες

Ἕκτορι καὶ Τρώεσσι χαριζόμενος: τάχα δ' αὐτῷ

450ἦλθε κακόν, τό οἱ οὔ τις ἐρύκακεν ἱεμένων περ.

Transliteration

Poulydamantos hetairon agauou Panthoïdao

hēnia chersin echonta: ho men peponēto kath' hippous:

tēi gar ech' hēi rha poly pleistai kloneonto phalanges

Hektori kai Trōessi charizomenos: tacha d' autōi

450ēlthe kakon, to hoi ou tis erykaken hiemenōn per.

English

he was in the middle of the very thickest part of the fight, doing good service to Hektor and the Trojans, but evil had now come upon him, and not one of those who were fain to do so could avert it, for the arrow struck him on the back of the neck.

Homeric Greek

αὐχένι γάρ οἱ ὄπισθε πολύστονος ἔμπεσεν ἰός:

ἤριπε δ' ἐξ ὀχέων, ὑπερώησαν δέ οἱ ἵπποι

κείν' ὄχεα κροτέοντες. ἄναξ δ' ἐνόησε τάχιστα

Πουλυδάμας, καὶ πρῶτος ἐναντίος ἤλυθεν ἵππων.

455τοὺς μὲν ὅ γ' Ἀστυνόῳ Προτιάονος υἱέϊ δῶκε,

Transliteration

aucheni gar hoi opisthe polystonos empesen ios:

ēripe d' ex ocheōn, hyperōēsan de hoi hippoi

kein' ochea kroteontes. anax d' enoēse tachista

Poulydamas, kai prōtos enantios ēlythen hippōn.

455tous men ho g' Astynoōi Protiaonos huieï dōke,

English

He fell from his chariot and his horses shook the empty car as they swerved aside. King Polydamas saw what had happened, and was the first to come up to the horses; he gave them in charge to Astynoos son of Protiaon, and ordered him to look on, and to keep the horses near at hand.

Homeric Greek

πολλὰ δ' ἐπότρυνε σχεδὸν ἴσχειν εἰσορόωντα

ἵππους: αὐτὸς δ' αὖτις ἰὼν προμάχοισιν ἐμίχθη.

Τεῦκρος δ' ἄλλον ὀϊστὸν ἐφ' Ἕκτορι χαλκοκορυστῇ

αἴνυτο, καί κεν ἔπαυσε μάχης ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν,

460εἴ μιν ἀριστεύοντα βαλὼν ἐξείλετο θυμόν.

Transliteration

polla d' epotryne schedon ischein eisoroōnta

hippous: autos d' autis iōn promachoisin emichthē.

Teukros d' allon oïston eph' Hektori chalkokorystēi

ainyto, kai ken epause machēs epi nēusin Achaiōn,

460ei min aristeuonta balōn exeileto thymon.

English

He then went back and took his place in the front ranks. Teucer then aimed another arrow at Hektor, and there would have been no more fighting at the ships if he had hit him and killed him then and there:

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' οὐ λῆθε Διὸς πυκινὸν νόον, ὅς ῥ' ἐφύλασσεν

Ἕκτορ', ἀτὰρ Τεῦκρον Τελαμώνιον εὖχος ἀπηύρα,

ὅς οἱ ἐϋστρεφέα νευρὴν ἐν ἀμύμονι τόξῳ

ῥῆξ' ἐπὶ τῷ ἐρύοντι: παρεπλάγχθη δέ οἱ ἄλλῃ

465ἰὸς χαλκοβαρής, τόξον δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε χειρός.

Transliteration

all' ou lēthe Dios pykinon noon, hos rh' ephylassen

Hektor', atar Teukron Telamōnion euchos apēura,

hos hoi eÿstrephea neurēn en amymoni toxōi

rhēx' epi tōi eryonti: pareplanchthē de hoi allēi

465ios chalkobarēs, toxon de hoi ekpese cheiros.

English

but Teucer did not escape the notice of Zeus, who kept watch over Hektor and deprived him of his triumph, by breaking his bowstring for him just as he was drawing it and about to take his aim; on this the arrow went astray and the bow fell from his hands.

Homeric Greek

Τεῦκρος δ' ἐρρίγησε, κασίγνητον δὲ προσηύδα:

ὢ πόποι ἦ δὴ πάγχυ μάχης ἐπὶ μήδεα κείρει

δαίμων ἡμετέρης, ὅ τέ μοι βιὸν ἔκβαλε χειρός,

νευρὴν δ' ἐξέρρηξε νεόστροφον, ἣν ἐνέδησα

470πρώϊον, ὄφρ' ἀνέχοιτο θαμὰ θρῴσκοντας ὀϊστούς.

Transliteration

Teukros d' errigēse, kasignēton de prosēuda:

ō popoi ē dē panchy machēs epi mēdea keirei

daimōn hēmeterēs, ho te moi bion ekbale cheiros,

neurēn d' exerrēxe neostrophon, hēn enedēsa

470prōïon, ophr' anechoito thama thrōiskontas oïstous.

English

Teucer shook with anger and said to his brother, "Alas, see how a daimôn thwarts us in all we do; he has broken my bowstring and snatched the bow from my hand, though I strung it this selfsame morning that

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας:

ὦ πέπον ἀλλὰ βιὸν μὲν ἔα καὶ ταρφέας ἰοὺς

κεῖσθαι, ἐπεὶ συνέχευε θεὸς Δαναοῖσι μεγήρας:

αὐτὰρ χερσὶν ἑλὼν δολιχὸν δόρυ καὶ σάκος ὤμῳ

475μάρναό τε Τρώεσσι καὶ ἄλλους ὄρνυθι λαούς.

Transliteration

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita megas Telamōnios Aias:

ō pepon alla bion men ea kai tarpheas ious

keisthai, epei synecheue theos Danaoisi megēras:

autar chersin helōn dolichon dory kai sakos ōmōi

475marnao te Trōessi kai allous ornythi laous.

English

it might serve me for many an arrow." Ajax son of Telamon answered, "My good man, let your bow and your arrows be, for Zeus has made them useless in order to spite the Danaans. Take your spear, lay your shield upon your shoulder, and both fight the Trojans yourself and urge others to do so.

Homeric Greek

μὴ μὰν ἀσπουδί γε δαμασσάμενοί περ ἕλοιεν

νῆας ἐϋσσέλμους, ἀλλὰ μνησώμεθα χάρμης.

ὣς φάθ', ὃ δὲ τόξον μὲν ἐνὶ κλισίῃσιν ἔθηκεν,

αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ἀμφ' ὤμοισι σάκος θέτο τετραθέλυμνον,

480κρατὶ δ' ἐπ' ἰφθίμῳ κυνέην εὔτυκτον ἔθηκεν

Transliteration

mē man aspoudi ge damassamenoi per heloien

nēas eÿsselmous, alla mnēsōmetha charmēs.

hōs phath', ho de toxon men eni klisiēisin ethēken,

autar ho g' amph' ōmoisi sakos theto tetrathelymnon,

480krati d' ep' iphthimōi kyneēn eutykton ethēken

English

They may be successful for the moment but if we fight as we ought they will find it a hard matter to take the ships." Teucer then took his bow and put it by in his tent. He hung a shield four hides thick about his shoulders, and on his comely head

Homeric Greek

ἵππουριν, δεινὸν δὲ λόφος καθύπερθεν ἔνευεν:

εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμον ἔγχος ἀκαχμένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,

βῆ δ' ἰέναι, μάλα δ' ὦκα θέων Αἴαντι παρέστη.

Ἕκτωρ δ' ὡς εἶδεν Τεύκρου βλαφθέντα βέλεμνα,

485Τρωσί τε καὶ Λυκίοισιν ἐκέκλετο μακρὸν ἀύ̈σας:

Transliteration

hippourin, deinon de lophos kathyperthen eneuen:

heileto d' alkimon enchos akachmenon oxeï chalkōi,

bē d' ienai, mala d' ōka theōn Aianti parestē.

Hektōr d' hōs eiden Teukrou blaphthenta belemna,

485Trōsi te kai Lykioisin ekekleto makron aÿsas:

English

he set his helmet well wrought with a crest of horse-hair that nodded menacingly above it; he grasped his redoubtable bronze-shod spear, and forthwith he was by the side of Ajax. When Hektor saw that Teucer's bow was of no more use to him, he shouted out to the Trojans and Lycians,

Homeric Greek

Τρῶες καὶ Λύκιοι καὶ Δάρδανοι ἀγχιμαχηταὶ

ἀνέρες ἔστε φίλοι, μνήσασθε δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς

νῆας ἀνὰ γλαφυράς: δὴ γὰρ ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιν

ἀνδρὸς ἀριστῆος Διόθεν βλαφθέντα βέλεμνα.

490ῥεῖα δ' ἀρίγνωτος Διὸς ἀνδράσι γίγνεται ἀλκή,

Transliteration

Trōes kai Lykioi kai Dardanoi anchimachētai

aneres este philoi, mnēsasthe de thouridos alkēs

nēas ana glaphyras: dē gar idon ophthalmoisin

andros aristēos Diothen blaphthenta belemna.

490rheia d' arignōtos Dios andrasi gignetai alkē,

English

"Trojans, Lycians, and Dardanians good in close fight, be men, my friends, and show your mettle here at the ships, for I see the weapon of one of their chieftains made useless by the hand of Zeus. It is easy to see when Zeus is helping people and means to help them

Homeric Greek

ἠμὲν ὁτέοισιν κῦδος ὑπέρτερον ἐγγυαλίξῃ,

ἠδ' ὅτινας μινύθῃ τε καὶ οὐκ ἐθέλῃσιν ἀμύνειν,

ὡς νῦν Ἀργείων μινύθει μένος, ἄμμι δ' ἀρήγει.

ἀλλὰ μάχεσθ' ἐπὶ νηυσὶν ἀολλέες: ὃς δέ κεν ὑμέων

495βλήμενος ἠὲ τυπεὶς θάνατον καὶ πότμον ἐπίσπῃ

Transliteration

ēmen hoteoisin kydos hyperteron engyalixēi,

ēd' hotinas minythēi te kai ouk ethelēisin amynein,

hōs nyn Argeiōn minythei menos, ammi d' arēgei.

alla machesth' epi nēusin aollees: hos de ken hymeōn

495blēmenos ēe typeis thanaton kai potmon epispēi

English

still further, or again when he is bringing them down and will do nothing for them; he is now on our side, and is going against the Argives. Therefore swarm round the ships and fight. If any of you is struck by spear or sword and loses his life, let him die;

Homeric Greek

τεθνάτω: οὔ οἱ ἀεικὲς ἀμυνομένῳ περὶ πάτρης

τεθνάμεν: ἀλλ' ἄλοχός τε σόη καὶ παῖδες ὀπίσσω,

καὶ οἶκος καὶ κλῆρος ἀκήρατος, εἴ κεν Ἀχαιοὶ

οἴχωνται σὺν νηυσὶ φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.

500ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.

Transliteration

tethnatō: ou hoi aeikes amynomenōi peri patrēs

tethnamen: all' alochos te soē kai paides opissō,

kai oikos kai klēros akēratos, ei ken Achaioi

oichōntai syn nēusi philēn es patrida gaian.

500hōs eipōn otryne menos kai thymon hekastou.

English

he dies with honor who dies fighting for his country; and he will leave his wife and children safe behind him, with his house and allotment unplundered if only the Achaeans can be driven back to their own land, they and their ships." With these words he put heart and soul into them all.

Homeric Greek

Αἴας δ' αὖθ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐκέκλετο οἷς ἑτάροισιν:

αἰδὼς Ἀργεῖοι: νῦν ἄρκιον ἢ ἀπολέσθαι

ἠὲ σαωθῆναι καὶ ἀπώσασθαι κακὰ νηῶν.

ἦ ἔλπεσθ' ἢν νῆας ἕλῃ κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ

505ἐμβαδὸν ἵξεσθαι ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἕκαστος;

Transliteration

Aias d' auth' heterōthen ekekleto hois hetaroisin:

aidōs Argeioi: nyn arkion ē apolesthai

ēe saōthēnai kai apōsasthai kaka nēōn.

ē elpesth' ēn nēas helēi korythaiolos Hektōr

505embadon hixesthai hēn patrida gaian hekastos;

English

Ajax on the other side exhorted his comrades saying, "Shame on you Argives, we are now utterly undone, unless we can save ourselves by driving the enemy from our ships. Do you think, if Hektor takes them, that you will be able to get home by land?

Homeric Greek

ἦ οὐκ ὀτρύνοντος ἀκούετε λαὸν ἅπαντα

Ἕκτορος, ὃς δὴ νῆας ἐνιπρῆσαι μενεαίνει;

οὐ μὰν ἔς γε χορὸν κέλετ' ἐλθέμεν, ἀλλὰ μάχεσθαι.

ἡμῖν δ' οὔ τις τοῦδε νόος καὶ μῆτις ἀμείνων

510ἢ αὐτοσχεδίῃ μῖξαι χεῖράς τε μένος τε.

Transliteration

ē ouk otrynontos akouete laon hapanta

Hektoros, hos dē nēas eniprēsai meneainei;

ou man es ge choron kelet' elthemen, alla machesthai.

hēmin d' ou tis toude noos kai mētis ameinōn

510ē autoschediēi mixai cheiras te menos te.

English

Can you not hear him cheering on his whole host to fire our fleet, and bidding them remember that they are not at a dance but in battle? Our only thought and plan is to fight them with might and main;

Homeric Greek

βέλτερον ἢ ἀπολέσθαι ἕνα χρόνον ἠὲ βιῶναι

ἢ δηθὰ στρεύγεσθαι ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι

ὧδ' αὔτως παρὰ νηυσὶν ὑπ' ἀνδράσι χειροτέροισιν.

ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.

515ἔνθ' Ἕκτωρ μὲν ἕλε Σχεδίον Περιμήδεος υἱὸν

Transliteration

belteron ē apolesthai hena chronon ēe biōnai

ē dētha streugesthai en ainēi dēïotēti

hōd' autōs para nēusin hyp' andrasi cheiroteroisin.

hōs eipōn otryne menos kai thymon hekastou.

515enth' Hektōr men hele Schedion Perimēdeos huion

English

we had better chance it, life or death, once for all, than fight long and without issue hemmed in at our ships by worse men than ourselves." With these words he put life and spirit into them all.

Homeric Greek

ἀρχὸν Φωκήων, Αἴας δ' ἕλε Λαοδάμαντα

ἡγεμόνα πρυλέων Ἀντήνορος ἀγλαὸν υἱόν:

Πουλυδάμας δ' Ὦτον Κυλλήνιον ἐξενάριξε

Φυλεί̈δεω ἕταρον, μεγαθύμων ἀρχὸν Ἐπειῶν.

520τῷ δὲ Μέγης ἐπόρουσεν ἰδών: ὃ δ' ὕπαιθα λιάσθη

Transliteration

archon Phōkēōn, Aias d' hele Laodamanta

hēgemona pryleōn Antēnoros aglaon huion:

Poulydamas d' Ōton Kyllēnion exenarixe

Phyleïdeō hetaron, megathymōn archon Epeiōn.

520tōi de Megēs eporousen idōn: ho d' hypaitha liasthē

English

Hektor then killed Schedios son of Perimedes, leader of the Phoceans, and Ajax killed Laodamas leader of foot soldiers and son to Antenor. Polydamas killed Otos of Cyllene a comrade of the son of Phyleus and chief of the proud Epeans.

Homeric Greek

Πουλυδάμας: καὶ τοῦ μὲν ἀπήμβροτεν: οὐ γὰρ Ἀπόλλων

εἴα Πάνθου υἱὸν ἐνὶ προμάχοισι δαμῆναι:

αὐτὰρ ὅ γε Κροίσμου στῆθος μέσον οὔτασε δουρί.

δούπησεν δὲ πεσών: ὃ δ' ἀπ' ὤμων τεύχε' ἐσύλα.

525τόφρα δὲ τῷ ἐπόρουσε Δόλοψ αἰχμῆς ἐὺ̈ εἰδὼς

Transliteration

Poulydamas: kai tou men apēmbroten: ou gar Apollōn

eia Panthou huion eni promachoisi damēnai:

autar ho ge Kroismou stēthos meson outase douri.

doupēsen de pesōn: ho d' ap' ōmōn teuche' esyla.

525tophra de tōi eporouse Dolops aichmēs eÿ eidōs

English

When Meges saw this he sprang upon him, but Polydamas crouched down, and he missed him, for Apollo would not suffer the son of Panthoos to fall in battle; but the spear hit Croesmus in the middle of his chest, whereon he fell heavily to the ground, and Meges stripped him of his armor.

Homeric Greek

Λαμπετίδης, ὃν Λάμπος ἐγείνατο φέρτατον υἱὸν

Λαομεδοντιάδης εὖ εἰδότα θούριδος ἀλκῆς,

ὃς τότε Φυλεί̈δαο μέσον σάκος οὔτασε δουρὶ

ἐγγύθεν ὁρμηθείς: πυκινὸς δέ οἱ ἤρκεσε θώρηξ,

530τόν ῥ' ἐφόρει γυάλοισιν ἀρηρότα: τόν ποτε Φυλεὺς

Transliteration

Lampetidēs, hon Lampos egeinato phertaton huion

Laomedontiadēs eu eidota thouridos alkēs,

hos tote Phyleïdao meson sakos outase douri

engythen hormētheis: pykinos de hoi ērkese thōrēx,

530ton rh' ephorei gyaloisin arērota: ton pote Phyleus

English

At that moment the valiant warrior Dolops son of Lampos sprang upon Lampos was son of Laomedon and for his valor, while his son Dolops was versed in all the ways of war. He then struck the middle of the son of Phyleus' shield with his spear, setting on him at close quarters, but his good corselet made with plates of metal saved him;

Homeric Greek

ἤγαγεν ἐξ Ἐφύρης, ποταμοῦ ἄπο Σελλήεντος.

ξεῖνος γάρ οἱ ἔδωκεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Εὐφήτης

ἐς πόλεμον φορέειν δηί̈ων ἀνδρῶν ἀλεωρήν:

ὅς οἱ καὶ τότε παιδὸς ἀπὸ χροὸς ἤρκεσ' ὄλεθρον.

535τοῦ δὲ Μέγης κόρυθος χαλκήρεος ἱπποδασείης

Transliteration

ēgagen ex Ephyrēs, potamou apo Sellēentos.

xeinos gar hoi edōken anax andrōn Euphētēs

es polemon phoreein dēïōn andrōn aleōrēn:

hos hoi kai tote paidos apo chroos ērkes' olethron.

535tou de Megēs korythos chalkēreos hippodaseiēs

English

Phyleus had brought it from Ephyra and the river Selleis, where his host, King Euphetes, had given it him to wear in battle and protect him. It now served to save the life of his son. Then Meges struck the topmost crest of Dolops' bronze helmet with his spear

Homeric Greek

κύμβαχον ἀκρότατον νύξ' ἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι,

ῥῆξε δ' ἀφ' ἵππειον λόφον αὐτοῦ: πᾶς δὲ χαμᾶζε

κάππεσεν ἐν κονίῃσι νέον φοίνικι φαεινός.

εἷος ὃ τῷ πολέμιζε μένων, ἔτι δ' ἔλπετο νίκην,

540τόφρα δέ οἱ Μενέλαος ἀρήϊος ἦλθεν ἀμύντωρ,

Transliteration

kymbachon akrotaton nyx' encheï oxyoenti,

rhēxe d' aph' hippeion lophon autou: pas de chamaze

kappesen en koniēisi neon phoiniki phaeinos.

heios ho tōi polemize menōn, eti d' elpeto nikēn,

540tophra de hoi Menelaos arēïos ēlthen amyntōr,

English

and tore away its plume of horse-hair, so that all newly dyed with scarlet as it was it tumbled down into the dust. While he was still fighting and confident of victory, Menelaos came up to help Meges, and got by the side of Dolops unperceived;

Homeric Greek

στῆ δ' εὐρὰξ σὺν δουρὶ λαθών, βάλε δ' ὦμον ὄπισθεν:

αἰχμὴ δὲ στέρνοιο διέσσυτο μαιμώωσα

πρόσσω ἱεμένη: ὃ δ' ἄρα πρηνὴς ἐλιάσθη.

τὼ μὲν ἐεισάσθην χαλκήρεα τεύχε' ἀπ' ὤμων

545συλήσειν: Ἕκτωρ δὲ κασιγνήτοισι κέλευσε

Transliteration

stē d' eurax syn douri lathōn, bale d' ōmon opisthen:

aichmē de sternoio diessyto maimōōsa

prossō hiemenē: ho d' ara prēnēs eliasthē.

tō men eeisasthēn chalkērea teuche' ap' ōmōn

545sylēsein: Hektōr de kasignētoisi keleuse

English

he then speared him in the shoulder, from behind, and the point, driven so furiously, went through into his chest, whereon he fell headlong. The two then made towards him to strip him of his armor, but Hektor called on all his brothers for help, and he especially upbraided

Homeric Greek

πᾶσι μάλα, πρῶτον δ' Ἱκεταονίδην ἐνένιπεν

ἴφθιμον Μελάνιππον. ὃ δ' ὄφρα μὲν εἰλίποδας βοῦς

βόσκ' ἐν Περκώτῃ δηί̈ων ἀπὸ νόσφιν ἐόντων:

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ Δαναῶν νέες ἤλυθον ἀμφιέλισσαι,

550ἂψ εἰς Ἴλιον ἦλθε, μετέπρεπε δὲ Τρώεσσι,

Transliteration

pasi mala, prōton d' Hiketaonidēn enenipen

iphthimon Melanippon. ho d' ophra men eilipodas bous

bosk' en Perkōtēi dēïōn apo nosphin eontōn:

autar epei Danaōn nees ēlython amphielissai,

550aps eis Ilion ēlthe, meteprepe de Trōessi,

English

brave Melanippos son of Hiketaon, who erewhile used to pasture his herds of cattle in Perkote before the war broke out; but when the ships of the Danaans came, he went back to Ilion, where he was eminent among the Trojans, and lived near Priam who treated him as one of his own sons.

Homeric Greek

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

τόν ῥ' Ἕκτωρ ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:

οὕτω δὴ Μελάνιππε μεθήσομεν; οὐδέ νυ σοί περ

ἐντρέπεται φίλον ἦτορ ἀνεψιοῦ κταμένοιο;

555οὐχ ὁράᾳς οἷον Δόλοπος περὶ τεύχε' ἕπουσιν;

Transliteration

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

ton rh' Hektōr enenipen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:

houtō dē Melanippe methēsomen; oude ny soi per

entrepetai philon ētor anepsiou ktamenoio;

555ouch horaāis hoion Dolopos peri teuche' hepousin;

English

Hektor now rebuked him and said, "Why, Melanippos, are we thus remiss? do you take no note of the death of your kinsman, and do you not see how they are trying to take Dolops' armor? Follow me;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἕπευ: οὐ γὰρ ἔτ' ἔστιν ἀποσταδὸν Ἀργείοισι

μάρνασθαι, πρίν γ' ἠὲ κατακτάμεν ἠὲ κατ' ἄκρης

Ἴλιον αἰπεινὴν ἑλέειν κτάσθαι τε πολίτας.

ὣς εἰπὼν ὃ μὲν ἦρχ', ὃ δ' ἅμ' ἕσπετο ἰσόθεος φώς:

560Ἀργείους δ' ὄτρυνε μέγας Τελαμώνιος Αἴας:

Transliteration

all' hepeu: ou gar et' estin apostadon Argeioisi

marnasthai, prin g' ēe kataktamen ēe kat' akrēs

Ilion aipeinēn heleein ktasthai te politas.

hōs eipōn ho men ērch', ho d' ham' hespeto isotheos phōs:

560Argeious d' otryne megas Telamōnios Aias:

English

there must be no fighting the Argives from a distance now, but we must do so in close combat till either we kill them or they take the high wall of Ilion and slay her people." He led on as he spoke, and the hero Melanippos followed after. Meanwhile Ajax son of Telamon was cheering on the Argives.

Homeric Greek

ὦ φίλοι ἀνέρες ἔστε, καὶ αἰδῶ θέσθ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ,

ἀλλήλους τ' αἰδεῖσθε κατὰ κρατερὰς ὑσμίνας.

αἰδομένων δ' ἀνδρῶν πλέονες σόοι ἠὲ πέφανται:

φευγόντων δ' οὔτ' ἂρ κλέος ὄρνυται οὔτέ τις ἀλκή.

565ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ ἀλέξασθαι μενέαινον,

Transliteration

ō philoi aneres este, kai aidō thesth' eni thymōi,

allēlous t' aideisthe kata krateras hysminas.

aidomenōn d' andrōn pleones sooi ēe pephantai:

pheugontōn d' out' ar kleos ornytai oute tis alkē.

565hōs ephath', hoi de kai autoi alexasthai meneainon,

English

"My friends," he cried, "be men, and fear the loss of respect ; quit yourselves in battle so as to win respect from one another. Men who respect each other's good opinion are less likely to be killed than those who do not, but in flight there is neither gain nor glory." Thus did he exhort men who were already bent upon driving back the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

ἐν θυμῷ δ' ἐβάλοντο ἔπος, φράξαντο δὲ νῆας

ἕρκεϊ χαλκείῳ: ἐπὶ δὲ Ζεὺς Τρῶας ἔγειρεν.

Ἀντίλοχον δ' ὄτρυνε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος:

Ἀντίλοχ' οὔ τις σεῖο νεώτερος ἄλλος Ἀχαιῶν,

570οὔτε ποσὶν θάσσων οὔτ' ἄλκιμος ὡς σὺ μάχεσθαι:

Transliteration

en thymōi d' ebalonto epos, phraxanto de nēas

herkeï chalkeiōi: epi de Zeus Trōas egeiren.

Antilochon d' otryne boēn agathos Menelaos:

Antiloch' ou tis seio neōteros allos Achaiōn,

570oute posin thassōn out' alkimos hōs sy machesthai:

English

They laid his words to heart and hedged the ships as with a wall of bronze, while Zeus urged on the Trojans. Menelaos of the loud battle-cry urged Antilokhos on. "Antilokhos," said he, "you are young and there is none of the Achaeans more fleet of foot or more valiant than you are.

Homeric Greek

εἴ τινά που Τρώων ἐξάλμενος ἄνδρα βάλοισθα.

ὣς εἰπὼν ὃ μὲν αὖτις ἀπέσσυτο, τὸν δ' ὀρόθυνεν:

ἐκ δ' ἔθορε προμάχων, καὶ ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ

ἀμφὶ ἓ παπτήνας: ὑπὸ δὲ Τρῶες κεκάδοντο

575ἀνδρὸς ἀκοντίσσαντος: ὃ δ' οὐχ ἅλιον βέλος ἧκεν,

Transliteration

ei tina pou Trōōn exalmenos andra baloistha.

hōs eipōn ho men autis apessyto, ton d' orothynen:

ek d' ethore promachōn, kai akontise douri phaeinōi

amphi he paptēnas: hypo de Trōes kekadonto

575andros akontissantos: ho d' ouch halion belos hēken,

English

See if you cannot spring upon some Trojan and kill him." He hurried away when he had thus spurred Antilokhos, who at once darted out from the front ranks and aimed a spear, after looking carefully round him. The Trojans fell back as he threw, and the dart did not speed from his hand without effect, for

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' Ἱκετάονος υἱὸν ὑπέρθυμον Μελάνιππον

νισόμενον πόλεμον δὲ βάλε στῆθος παρὰ μαζόν.

δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψεν.

Ἀντίλοχος δ' ἐπόρουσε κύων ὥς, ὅς τ' ἐπὶ νεβρῷ

580βλημένῳ ἀί̈ξῃ, τόν τ' ἐξ εὐνῆφι θορόντα

Transliteration

all' Hiketaonos huion hyperthymon Melanippon

nisomenon polemon de bale stēthos para mazon.

doupēsen de pesōn, ton de skotos osse kalypsen.

Antilochos d' eporouse kyōn hōs, hos t' epi nebrōi

580blēmenōi aïxēi, ton t' ex eunēphi thoronta

English

it struck Melanippos the proud son of Hiketaon in the breast by the nipple as he was coming forward, and his armor rang rattling round him as he fell heavily to the ground. Antilokhos sprang upon him as a dog springs on a fawn which a hunter has hit as it was breaking away from its covert, and killed it.

Homeric Greek

θηρητὴρ ἐτύχησε βαλών, ὑπέλυσε δὲ γυῖα:

ὣς ἐπὶ σοὶ Μελάνιππε θόρ' Ἀντίλοχος μενεχάρμης

τεύχεα συλήσων: ἀλλ' οὐ λάθεν Ἕκτορα δῖον,

ὅς ῥά οἱ ἀντίος ἦλθε θέων ἀνὰ δηϊοτῆτα.

585Ἀντίλοχος δ' οὐ μεῖνε θοός περ ἐὼν πολεμιστής,

Transliteration

thērētēr etychēse balōn, hypelyse de guia:

hōs epi soi Melanippe thor' Antilochos menecharmēs

teuchea sylēsōn: all' ou lathen Hektora dion,

hos rha hoi antios ēlthe theōn ana dēïotēta.

585Antilochos d' ou meine thoos per eōn polemistēs,

English

Even so, O Melanippos, did stalwart Antilokhos spring upon you to strip you of your armor; but noble Hektor marked him, and came running up to him through the thick of the battle. Antilokhos, brave warrior though he was, would not stay to face him, but fled like some savage creature which knows it has done

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ὅ γ' ἄρ' ἔτρεσε θηρὶ κακὸν ῥέξαντι ἐοικώς,

ὅς τε κύνα κτείνας ἢ βουκόλον ἀμφὶ βόεσσι

φεύγει πρίν περ ὅμιλον ἀολλισθήμεναι ἀνδρῶν:

ὣς τρέσε Νεστορίδης, ἐπὶ δὲ Τρῶές τε καὶ Ἕκτωρ

590ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ βέλεα στονόεντα χέοντο:

Transliteration

all' ho g' ar' etrese thēri kakon rhexanti eoikōs,

hos te kyna kteinas ē boukolon amphi boessi

pheugei prin per homilon aollisthēmenai andrōn:

hōs trese Nestoridēs, epi de Trōes te kai Hektōr

590ēchēi thespesiēi belea stonoenta cheonto:

English

wrong, and flies, when it has killed a dog or a man who is herding his cattle, before a body of men can be gathered to attack it. Even so did the son of Nestor flee, and the Trojans and Hektor with a cry that rent the air showered their weapons after him;

Homeric Greek

στῆ δὲ μεταστρεφθείς, ἐπεὶ ἵκετο ἔθνος ἑταίρων.

Τρῶες δὲ λείουσιν ἐοικότες ὠμοφάγοισι

νηυσὶν ἐπεσσεύοντο, Διὸς δ' ἐτέλειον ἐφετμάς,

ὅ σφισιν αἰὲν ἔγειρε μένος μέγα, θέλγε δὲ θυμὸν

595Ἀργείων καὶ κῦδος ἀπαίνυτο, τοὺς δ' ὀρόθυνεν.

Transliteration

stē de metastrephtheis, epei hiketo ethnos hetairōn.

Trōes de leiousin eoikotes ōmophagoisi

nēusin epesseuonto, Dios d' eteleion ephetmas,

ho sphisin aien egeire menos mega, thelge de thymon

595Argeiōn kai kydos apainyto, tous d' orothynen.

English

nor did he turn round and stay his flight till he had reached his comrades. The Trojans, fierce as lions, were still rushing on towards the ships in fulfillment of the behests of Zeus who kept spurring them on to new deeds of daring, while he deadened the courage of the Argives and defeated them by encouraging the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορι γάρ οἱ θυμὸς ἐβούλετο κῦδος ὀρέξαι

Πριαμίδῃ, ἵνα νηυσὶ κορωνίσι θεσπιδαὲς πῦρ

ἐμβάλοι ἀκάματον, Θέτιδος δ' ἐξαίσιον ἀρὴν

πᾶσαν ἐπικρήνειε: τὸ γὰρ μένε μητίετα Ζεὺς

600νηὸς καιομένης σέλας ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδέσθαι.

Transliteration

Hektori gar hoi thymos ebouleto kydos orexai

Priamidēi, hina nēusi korōnisi thespidaes pyr

embaloi akamaton, Thetidos d' exaision arēn

pasan epikrēneie: to gar mene mētieta Zeus

600nēos kaiomenēs selas ophthalmoisin idesthai.

English

For he meant giving glory to Hektor son of Priam, and letting him throw fire upon the ships, till he had fulfilled the unrighteous prayer that Thetis had made him; Zeus, therefore, bided his time till he should see the glare of a blazing ship.

Homeric Greek

ἐκ γὰρ δὴ τοῦ μέλλε παλίωξιν παρὰ νηῶν

θησέμεναι Τρώων, Δαναοῖσι δὲ κῦδος ὀρέξειν.

τὰ φρονέων νήεσσιν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ἔγειρεν

Ἕκτορα Πριαμίδην μάλα περ μεμαῶτα καὶ αὐτόν.

605μαίνετο δ' ὡς ὅτ' Ἄρης ἐγχέσπαλος ἢ ὀλοὸν πῦρ

Transliteration

ek gar dē tou melle paliōxin para nēōn

thēsemenai Trōōn, Danaoisi de kydos orexein.

ta phroneōn nēessin epi glaphyrēisin egeiren

Hektora Priamidēn mala per memaōta kai auton.

605maineto d' hōs hot' Arēs enchespalos ē oloon pyr

English

From that hour he was about so to order that the Trojans should be driven back from the ships and to grant glory to the Achaeans. With this purpose he inspired Hektor son of Priam, who was eager enough already, to assail the ships.

Homeric Greek

οὔρεσι μαίνηται βαθέης ἐν τάρφεσιν ὕλης:

ἀφλοισμὸς δὲ περὶ στόμα γίγνετο, τὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε

λαμπέσθην βλοσυρῇσιν ὑπ' ὀφρύσιν, ἀμφὶ δὲ πήληξ

σμερδαλέον κροτάφοισι τινάσσετο μαρναμένοιο

610Ἕκτορος: αὐτὸς γάρ οἱ ἀπ' αἰθέρος ἦεν ἀμύντωρ

Transliteration

ouresi mainētai batheēs en tarphesin hylēs:

aphloismos de peri stoma gigneto, tō de hoi osse

lampesthēn blosyrēisin hyp' ophrysin, amphi de pēlēx

smerdaleon krotaphoisi tinasseto marnamenoio

610Hektoros: autos gar hoi ap' aitheros ēen amyntōr

English

His fury was as that of Ares, or as when a fire is raging in the glades of some dense forest upon the mountains; he foamed at the mouth, his eyes glared under his terrible eye-brows, and his helmet quivered on his temples by reason of the fury with which he fought. Zeus from heaven was with him, and though he was but one against many, granted him victory and glory;

Homeric Greek

Ζεύς, ὅς μιν πλεόνεσσι μετ' ἀνδράσι μοῦνον ἐόντα

τίμα καὶ κύδαινε. μινυνθάδιος γὰρ ἔμελλεν

ἔσσεσθ': ἤδη γάρ οἱ ἐπόρνυε μόρσιμον ἦμαρ

Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη ὑπὸ Πηλεί̈δαο βίηφιν.

615καί ῥ' ἔθελεν ῥῆξαι στίχας ἀνδρῶν πειρητίζων,

Transliteration

Zeus, hos min pleonessi met' andrasi mounon eonta

tima kai kydaine. minynthadios gar emellen

essesth': ēdē gar hoi epornye morsimon ēmar

Pallas Athēnaiē hypo Pēleïdao biēphin.

615kai rh' ethelen rhēxai stichas andrōn peirētizōn,

English

for he was doomed to an early death, and already Pallas Athena was hurrying on the hour of his destruction at the hands of the son of Peleus. Now, however, he kept trying to break the ranks of the enemy wherever he could see them thickest, and in the goodliest armor;

Homeric Greek

ᾗ δὴ πλεῖστον ὅμιλον ὅρα καὶ τεύχε' ἄριστα:

ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὧς δύνατο ῥῆξαι μάλα περ μενεαίνων:

ἴσχον γὰρ πυργηδὸν ἀρηρότες, ἠύ̈τε πέτρη

ἠλίβατος μεγάλη πολιῆς ἁλὸς ἐγγὺς ἐοῦσα,

620ἥ τε μένει λιγέων ἀνέμων λαιψηρὰ κέλευθα

Transliteration

hēi dē pleiston homilon hora kai teuche' arista:

all' oud' hōs dynato rhēxai mala per meneainōn:

ischon gar pyrgēdon arērotes, ēÿte petrē

ēlibatos megalē poliēs halos engys eousa,

620hē te menei ligeōn anemōn laipsēra keleutha

English

but do what he might he could not break through them, for they stood as a tower foursquare, or as some high cliff rising from the gray sea that braves the anger of the gale, and of the waves that thunder up against it.

Homeric Greek

κύματά τε τροφόεντα, τά τε προσερεύγεται αὐτήν:

ὣς Δαναοὶ Τρῶας μένον ἔμπεδον οὐδὲ φέβοντο.

αὐτὰρ ὃ λαμπόμενος πυρὶ πάντοθεν ἔνθορ' ὁμίλῳ,

ἐν δ' ἔπεσ' ὡς ὅτε κῦμα θοῇ ἐν νηὶ̈ πέσῃσι

625λάβρον ὑπαὶ νεφέων ἀνεμοτρεφές: ἣ δέ τε πᾶσα

Transliteration

kymata te trophoenta, ta te prosereugetai autēn:

hōs Danaoi Trōas menon empedon oude phebonto.

autar ho lampomenos pyri pantothen enthor' homilōi,

en d' epes' hōs hote kyma thoēi en nēï pesēisi

625labron hypai nepheōn anemotrephes: hē de te pasa

English

He fell upon them like flames of fire from every quarter. As when a wave, raised mountain high by wind and storm, breaks over a ship and covers it deep in foam, the fierce winds roar against the mast, the hearts of the sailors fail them for fear, and

Homeric Greek

ἄχνῃ ὑπεκρύφθη, ἀνέμοιο δὲ δεινὸς ἀήτη

ἱστίῳ ἐμβρέμεται, τρομέουσι δέ τε φρένα ναῦται

δειδιότες: τυτθὸν γὰρ ὑπ' ἐκ θανάτοιο φέρονται:

ὣς ἐδαί̈ζετο θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν.

630αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ὥς τε λέων ὀλοόφρων βουσὶν ἐπελθών,

Transliteration

achnēi hypekryphthē, anemoio de deinos aētē

histiōi embremetai, tromeousi de te phrena nautai

deidiotes: tytthon gar hyp' ek thanatoio pherontai:

hōs edaïzeto thymos eni stēthessin Achaiōn.

630autar ho g' hōs te leōn oloophrōn bousin epelthōn,

English

they are saved but by a very little from destruction - even so were the hearts of the Achaeans fainting within them. Or as a savage lion attacking a herd of cows while they are feeding by thousands in the low-lying meadows by some wide-watered shore - the herdsman

Homeric Greek

αἵ ῥά τ' ἐν εἱαμενῇ ἕλεος μεγάλοιο νέμονται

μυρίαι, ἐν δέ τε τῇσι νομεὺς οὔ πω σάφα εἰδὼς

θηρὶ μαχέσσασθαι ἕλικος βοὸς ἀμφὶ φονῇσιν:

ἤτοι ὃ μὲν πρώτῃσι καὶ ὑστατίῃσι βόεσσιν

635αἰὲν ὁμοστιχάει, ὃ δέ τ' ἐν μέσσῃσιν ὀρούσας

Transliteration

hai rha t' en heiamenēi heleos megaloio nemontai

myriai, en de te tēisi nomeus ou pō sapha eidōs

thēri machessasthai helikos boos amphi phonēisin:

ētoi ho men prōtēisi kai hystatiēisi boessin

635aien homostichaei, ho de t' en messēisin orousas

English

is at his wit's end how to protect his herd and keeps going about now in the van and now in the rear of his cattle, while the lion springs into the thick of them and fastens on a cow so that they all tremble for fear - even so were the Achaeans utterly panic-stricken by Hektor and father Zeus.

Homeric Greek

βοῦν ἔδει, αἳ δέ τε πᾶσαι ὑπέτρεσαν: ὣς τότ' Ἀχαιοὶ

θεσπεσίως ἐφόβηθεν ὑφ' Ἕκτορι καὶ Διὶ πατρὶ

πάντες, ὃ δ' οἶον ἔπεφνε Μυκηναῖον Περιφήτην,

Κοπρῆος φίλον υἱόν, ὃς Εὐρυσθῆος ἄνακτος

640ἀγγελίης οἴχνεσκε βίῃ Ἡρακληείῃ.

Transliteration

boun edei, hai de te pasai hypetresan: hōs tot' Achaioi

thespesiōs ephobēthen hyph' Hektori kai Dii patri

pantes, ho d' oion epephne Mykēnaion Periphētēn,

Koprēos philon huion, hos Eurysthēos anaktos

640angeliēs oichneske biēi Hēraklēeiēi.

English

Nevertheless Hektor only killed Periphetes of Mycenae; he was son of Kopreus who was wont to take the orders of King Eurystheus to mighty Herakles, but the son was far better in excellence than the father in every way;

Homeric Greek

τοῦ γένετ' ἐκ πατρὸς πολὺ χείρονος υἱὸς ἀμείνων

παντοίας ἀρετάς, ἠμὲν πόδας ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι,

καὶ νόον ἐν πρώτοισι Μυκηναίων ἐτέτυκτο:

ὅς ῥα τόθ' Ἕκτορι κῦδος ὑπέρτερον ἐγγυάλιξε.

645στρεφθεὶς γὰρ μετόπισθεν ἐν ἀσπίδος ἄντυγι πάλτο,

Transliteration

tou genet' ek patros poly cheironos huios ameinōn

pantoias aretas, ēmen podas ēde machesthai,

kai noon en prōtoisi Mykēnaiōn etetykto:

hos rha toth' Hektori kydos hyperteron engyalixe.

645strephtheis gar metopisthen en aspidos antygi palto,

English

he was fleet of foot, a valiant warrior, and in understanding ranked among the foremost men of Mycenae. He it was who then afforded Hektor a triumph, for as he was turning back he stumbled against the rim of his shield which reached his feet, and served to keep the javelins off him.

Homeric Greek

τὴν αὐτὸς φορέεσκε ποδηνεκέ' ἕρκος ἀκόντων:

τῇ ὅ γ' ἐνὶ βλαφθεὶς πέσεν ὕπτιος, ἀμφὶ δὲ πήληξ

σμερδαλέον κονάβησε περὶ κροτάφοισι πεσόντος.

Ἕκτωρ δ' ὀξὺ νόησε, θέων δέ οἱ ἄγχι παρέστη,

650στήθεϊ δ' ἐν δόρυ πῆξε, φίλων δέ μιν ἐγγὺς ἑταίρων

Transliteration

tēn autos phoreeske podēneke' herkos akontōn:

tēi ho g' eni blaphtheis pesen hyptios, amphi de pēlēx

smerdaleon konabēse peri krotaphoisi pesontos.

Hektōr d' oxy noēse, theōn de hoi anchi parestē,

650stētheï d' en dory pēxe, philōn de min engys hetairōn

English

He tripped against this and fell face upward, his helmet ringing loudly about his head as he did so. Hektor saw him fall and ran up to him; he then thrust a spear into his chest, and killed him close to his own comrades.

Homeric Greek

κτεῖν': οἳ δ' οὐκ ἐδύναντο καὶ ἀχνύμενοί περ ἑταίρου

χραισμεῖν: αὐτοὶ γὰρ μάλα δείδισαν Ἕκτορα δῖον.

εἰσωποὶ δ' ἐγένοντο νεῶν, περὶ δ' ἔσχεθον ἄκραι

νῆες ὅσαι πρῶται εἰρύατο: τοὶ δ' ἐπέχυντο.

655Ἀργεῖοι δὲ νεῶν μὲν ἐχώρησαν καὶ ἀνάγκῃ

Transliteration

ktein': hoi d' ouk edynanto kai achnymenoi per hetairou

chraismein: autoi gar mala deidisan Hektora dion.

eisōpoi d' egenonto neōn, peri d' eschethon akrai

nēes hosai prōtai eiryato: toi d' epechynto.

655Argeioi de neōn men echōrēsan kai anankēi

English

These, for all their sorrow, could not help him for they were themselves terribly afraid of Hektor. They had now reached the ships and the prows of those that had been drawn up first were on every side of them, but the Trojans came pouring after them.

Homeric Greek

τῶν πρωτέων, αὐτοῦ δὲ παρὰ κλισίῃσιν ἔμειναν

ἁθρόοι, οὐδὲ κέδασθεν ἀνὰ στρατόν: ἴσχε γὰρ αἰδὼς

καὶ δέος: ἀζηχὲς γὰρ ὁμόκλεον ἀλλήλοισι.

Νέστωρ αὖτε μάλιστα Γερήνιος οὖρος Ἀχαιῶν

660λίσσεθ' ὑπὲρ τοκέων γουνούμενος ἄνδρα ἕκαστον:

Transliteration

tōn prōteōn, autou de para klisiēisin emeinan

hathrooi, oude kedasthen ana straton: ische gar aidōs

kai deos: azēches gar homokleon allēloisi.

Nestōr aute malista Gerēnios ouros Achaiōn

660lisseth' hyper tokeōn gounoumenos andra hekaston:

English

The Argives were driven back from the first row of ships, but they made a stand by their tents without being broken up and scattered; shame and fear restrained them. They kept shouting incessantly to one another, and Nestor of Gerene, tower of strength to the Achaeans, was loudest in imploring every man by his parents, and beseeching him to stand firm.

Homeric Greek

ὦ φίλοι ἀνέρες ἔστε καὶ αἰδῶ θέσθ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ

ἄλλων ἀνθρώπων, ἐπὶ δὲ μνήσασθε ἕκαστος

παίδων ἠδ' ἀλόχων καὶ κτήσιος ἠδὲ τοκήων,

ἠμὲν ὅτεῳ ζώουσι καὶ ᾧ κατατεθνήκασι:

665τῶν ὕπερ ἐνθάδ' ἐγὼ γουνάζομαι οὐ παρεόντων

Transliteration

ō philoi aneres este kai aidō thesth' eni thymōi

allōn anthrōpōn, epi de mnēsasthe hekastos

paidōn ēd' alochōn kai ktēsios ēde tokēōn,

ēmen hoteōi zōousi kai hōi katatethnēkasi:

665tōn hyper enthad' egō gounazomai ou pareontōn

English

"Be men, my friends," he cried, "and give respect to one another's good opinion. Think, all of you, on your children, your wives, your property, and your parents whether these be alive or dead.

Homeric Greek

ἑστάμεναι κρατερῶς, μὴ δὲ τρωπᾶσθε φόβον δέ.

ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.

τοῖσι δ' ἀπ' ὀφθαλμῶν νέφος ἀχλύος ὦσεν Ἀθήνη

θεσπέσιον: μάλα δέ σφι φόως γένετ' ἀμφοτέρωθεν

670ἠμὲν πρὸς νηῶν καὶ ὁμοιί̈ου πολέμοιο.

Transliteration

hestamenai kraterōs, mē de trōpasthe phobon de.

hōs eipōn otryne menos kai thymon hekastou.

toisi d' ap' ophthalmōn nephos achlyos ōsen Athēnē

thespesion: mala de sphi phoōs genet' amphoterōthen

670ēmen pros nēōn kai homoiïou polemoio.

English

On their behalf though they are not here, I implore you to stand firm, and not to turn in flight." With these words he put heart and soul into them all. Athena lifted the thick veil of darkness from their eyes, and much light fell upon them, alike on the side of the ships and on that where the fight was raging.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορα δὲ φράσσαντο βοὴν ἀγαθὸν καὶ ἑταίρους,

ἠμὲν ὅσοι μετόπισθεν ἀφέστασαν οὐδὲ μάχοντο,

ἠδ' ὅσσοι παρὰ νηυσὶ μάχην ἐμάχοντο θοῇσιν.

οὐδ' ἄρ' ἔτ' Αἴαντι μεγαλήτορι ἥνδανε θυμῷ

675ἑστάμεν ἔνθά περ ἄλλοι ἀφέστασαν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν:

Transliteration

Hektora de phrassanto boēn agathon kai hetairous,

ēmen hosoi metopisthen aphestasan oude machonto,

ēd' hossoi para nēusi machēn emachonto thoēisin.

oud' ar' et' Aianti megalētori hēndane thymōi

675hestamen entha per alloi aphestasan huies Achaiōn:

English

They could see Hektor and all his men, both those in the rear who were taking no part in the battle, and those who were fighting by the ships. Ajax could not bring himself to retreat along with the rest, but strode from deck to deck with a great sea-pike in his hands twelve cubits long and jointed with rings.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ὅ γε νηῶν ἴκρι' ἐπῴχετο μακρὰ βιβάσθων,

νώμα δὲ ξυστὸν μέγα ναύμαχον ἐν παλάμῃσι

κολλητὸν βλήτροισι δυωκαιεικοσίπηχυ.

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀνὴρ ἵπποισι κελητίζειν ἐὺ̈ εἰδώς,

680ὅς τ' ἐπεὶ ἐκ πολέων πίσυρας συναείρεται ἵππους,

Transliteration

all' ho ge nēōn ikri' epōicheto makra bibasthōn,

nōma de xyston mega naumachon en palamēisi

kollēton blētroisi dyōkaieikosipēchy.

hōs d' hot' anēr hippoisi kelētizein eÿ eidōs,

680hos t' epei ek poleōn pisyras synaeiretai hippous,

English

As a man skilled in feats of horsemanship couples four horses together and comes tearing full speed along the public way from the country into some large town - many both men and women marvel as they see him for he keeps all

Homeric Greek

σεύας ἐκ πεδίοιο μέγα προτὶ ἄστυ δίηται

λαοφόρον καθ' ὁδόν: πολέες τέ ἑ θηήσαντο

ἀνέρες ἠδὲ γυναῖκες: ὃ δ' ἔμπεδον ἀσφαλὲς αἰεὶ

θρῴσκων ἄλλοτ' ἐπ' ἄλλον ἀμείβεται, οἳ δὲ πέτονται:

685ὣς Αἴας ἐπὶ πολλὰ θοάων ἴκρια νηῶν

Transliteration

seuas ek pedioio mega proti asty diētai

laophoron kath' hodon: polees te he thēēsanto

aneres ēde gynaikes: ho d' empedon asphales aiei

thrōiskōn allot' ep' allon ameibetai, hoi de petontai:

685hōs Aias epi polla thoaōn ikria nēōn

English

the time changing his horse, springing from one to another without ever missing his feet while the horses are at a gallop - even so did Ajax go striding from one ship's deck to another, and his voice went up into the heavens.

Homeric Greek

φοίτα μακρὰ βιβάς, φωνὴ δέ οἱ αἰθέρ' ἵκανεν,

αἰεὶ δὲ σμερδνὸν βοόων Δαναοῖσι κέλευε

νηυσί τε καὶ κλισίῃσιν ἀμυνέμεν. οὐδὲ μὲν Ἕκτωρ

μίμνεν ἐνὶ Τρώων ὁμάδῳ πύκα θωρηκτάων:

690ἀλλ' ὥς τ' ὀρνίθων πετεηνῶν αἰετὸς αἴθων

Transliteration

phoita makra bibas, phōnē de hoi aither' hikanen,

aiei de smerdnon booōn Danaoisi keleue

nēusi te kai klisiēisin amynemen. oude men Hektōr

mimnen eni Trōōn homadōi pyka thōrēktaōn:

690all' hōs t' ornithōn peteēnōn aietos aithōn

English

He kept on shouting his orders to the Danaans and exhorting them to defend their ships and tents; neither did Hektor remain within the main body of the Trojan warriors, but as a dun eagle swoops down upon a flock of wild-fowl feeding

Homeric Greek

ἔθνος ἐφορμᾶται ποταμὸν πάρα βοσκομενάων

χηνῶν ἢ γεράνων ἢ κύκνων δουλιχοδείρων,

ὣς Ἕκτωρ ἴθυσε νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο

ἀντίος ἀί̈ξας: τὸν δὲ Ζεὺς ὦσεν ὄπισθε

695χειρὶ μάλα μεγάλῃ, ὄτρυνε δὲ λαὸν ἅμ' αὐτῷ.

Transliteration

ethnos ephormatai potamon para boskomenaōn

chēnōn ē geranōn ē kyknōn doulichodeirōn,

hōs Hektōr ithyse neos kyanoprōiroio

antios aïxas: ton de Zeus ōsen opisthe

695cheiri mala megalēi, otryne de laon ham' autōi.

English

near a river-geese, it may be, or cranes, or long-necked swans - even so did Hektor make straight for a dark-prowed ship, rushing right towards it; for Zeus with his mighty hand impelled him forward, and roused his people to follow him.

Homeric Greek

αὖτις δὲ δριμεῖα μάχη παρὰ νηυσὶν ἐτύχθη:

φαίης κ' ἀκμῆτας καὶ ἀτειρέας ἀλλήλοισιν

ἄντεσθ' ἐν πολέμῳ, ὡς ἐσσυμένως ἐμάχοντο.

τοῖσι δὲ μαρναμένοισιν ὅδ' ἦν νόος: ἤτοι Ἀχαιοὶ

700οὐκ ἔφασαν φεύξεσθαι ὑπ' ἐκ κακοῦ, ἀλλ' ὀλέεσθαι,

Transliteration

autis de drimeia machē para nēusin etychthē:

phaiēs k' akmētas kai ateireas allēloisin

antesth' en polemōi, hōs essymenōs emachonto.

toisi de marnamenoisin hod' ēn noos: ētoi Achaioi

700ouk ephasan pheuxesthai hyp' ek kakou, all' oleesthai,

English

And now the battle again raged furiously at the ships. You would have thought the men were coming on fresh and unwearied, so fiercely did they fight; and this was the mind in which they were - the Achaeans did not believe they should escape destruction but thought themselves doomed, while there was not

Homeric Greek

Τρωσὶν δ' ἔλπετο θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἑκάστου

νῆας ἐνιπρήσειν κτενέειν θ' ἥρωας Ἀχαιούς.

οἳ μὲν τὰ φρονέοντες ἐφέστασαν ἀλλήλοισιν:

Ἕκτωρ δὲ πρυμνῆς νεὸς ἥψατο ποντοπόροιο

705καλῆς ὠκυάλου, ἣ Πρωτεσίλαον ἔνεικεν

Transliteration

Trōsin d' elpeto thymos eni stēthessin hekastou

nēas eniprēsein kteneein th' hērōas Achaious.

hoi men ta phroneontes ephestasan allēloisin:

Hektōr de prymnēs neos hēpsato pontoporoio

705kalēs ōkyalou, hē Prōtesilaon eneiken

English

a Trojan but his heart beat high with the hope of firing the ships and putting the Achaean heroes to the sword. Thus were the two sides minded. Then Hektor seized the stern of the good ship that had brought Protesilaos to Troy, but never bore him back to his native land.

Homeric Greek

ἐς Τροίην, οὐδ' αὖτις ἀπήγαγε πατρίδα γαῖαν.

τοῦ περ δὴ περὶ νηὸς Ἀχαιοί τε Τρῶές τε

δῄουν ἀλλήλους αὐτοσχεδόν: οὐδ' ἄρα τοί γε

τόξων ἀϊκὰς ἀμφὶς μένον οὐδ' ἔτ' ἀκόντων,

710ἀλλ' οἵ γ' ἐγγύθεν ἱστάμενοι ἕνα θυμὸν ἔχοντες

Transliteration

es Troiēn, oud' autis apēgage patrida gaian.

tou per dē peri nēos Achaioi te Trōes te

dēioun allēlous autoschedon: oud' ara toi ge

toxōn aïkas amphis menon oud' et' akontōn,

710all' hoi g' engythen histamenoi hena thymon echontes

English

Round this ship there raged a close hand-to-hand fight between Danaans and Trojans. They did not fight at a distance with bows and javelins, but with one mind hacked at one another in close combat with their mighty swords and spears pointed at both ends;

Homeric Greek

ὀξέσι δὴ πελέκεσσι καὶ ἀξίνῃσι μάχοντο

καὶ ξίφεσιν μεγάλοισι καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισι.

πολλὰ δὲ φάσγανα καλὰ μελάνδετα κωπήεντα

ἄλλα μὲν ἐκ χειρῶν χαμάδις πέσον, ἄλλα δ' ἀπ' ὤμων

715ἀνδρῶν μαρναμένων: ῥέε δ' αἵματι γαῖα μέλαινα.

Transliteration

oxesi dē pelekessi kai axinēisi machonto

kai xiphesin megaloisi kai enchesin amphigyoisi.

polla de phasgana kala melandeta kōpēenta

alla men ek cheirōn chamadis peson, alla d' ap' ōmōn

715andrōn marnamenōn: rhee d' haimati gaia melaina.

English

they fought moreover with keen battle-axes and with hatchets. Many a good stout blade hilted and scabbarded with iron, fell from hand or shoulder as they fought, and the earth ran red with blood. Hektor, when he had seized the ship, would not loose his hold but held on to

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτωρ δὲ πρύμνηθεν ἐπεὶ λάβεν οὐχὶ μεθίει

ἄφλαστον μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχων, Τρωσὶν δὲ κέλευεν:

οἴσετε πῦρ, ἅμα δ' αὐτοὶ ἀολλέες ὄρνυτ' ἀϋτήν:

νῦν ἡμῖν πάντων Ζεὺς ἄξιον ἦμαρ ἔδωκε

720νῆας ἑλεῖν, αἳ δεῦρο θεῶν ἀέκητι μολοῦσαι

Transliteration

Hektōr de prymnēthen epei laben ouchi methiei

aphlaston meta chersin echōn, Trōsin de keleuen:

oisete pyr, hama d' autoi aollees ornyt' aÿtēn:

nyn hēmin pantōn Zeus axion ēmar edōke

720nēas helein, hai deuro theōn aekēti molousai

English

its curved stern and shouted to the Trojans, "Bring fire, and raise the battle-cry all of you with a single voice. Now has Zeus granted us a day that will pay us for all the rest; this day we shall take the ships which came hither against heaven's will, and

Homeric Greek

ἡμῖν πήματα πολλὰ θέσαν, κακότητι γερόντων,

οἵ μ' ἐθέλοντα μάχεσθαι ἐπὶ πρυμνῇσι νέεσσιν

αὐτόν τ' ἰσχανάασκον ἐρητύοντό τε λαόν:

ἀλλ' εἰ δή ῥα τότε βλάπτε φρένας εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς

725ἡμετέρας, νῦν αὐτὸς ἐποτρύνει καὶ ἀνώγει.

Transliteration

hēmin pēmata polla thesan, kakotēti gerontōn,

hoi m' ethelonta machesthai epi prymnēisi neessin

auton t' ischanaaskon erētyonto te laon:

all' ei dē rha tote blapte phrenas euryopa Zeus

725hēmeteras, nyn autos epotrynei kai anōgei.

English

which have caused us such infinite suffering through the cowardice of our councilors, who when I would have done battle at the ships held me back and forbade the host to follow me; if Zeus did then indeed warp our judgments, himself now commands me and cheers me on."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα μᾶλλον ἐπ' Ἀργείοισιν ὄρουσαν.

Αἴας δ' οὐκέτ' ἔμιμνε: βιάζετο γὰρ βελέεσσιν:

ἀλλ' ἀνεχάζετο τυτθόν, ὀϊόμενος θανέεσθαι

θρῆνυν ἐφ' ἑπταπόδην, λίπε δ' ἴκρια νηὸς ἐί̈σης.

730ἔνθ' ἄρ' ὅ γ' ἑστήκει δεδοκημένος, ἔγχεϊ δ' αἰεὶ

Transliteration

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara mallon ep' Argeioisin orousan.

Aias d' ouket' emimne: biazeto gar beleessin:

all' anechazeto tytthon, oïomenos thaneesthai

thrēnyn eph' heptapodēn, lipe d' ikria nēos eïsēs.

730enth' ar' ho g' hestēkei dedokēmenos, encheï d' aiei

English

As he spoke thus the Trojans sprang yet more fiercely on the Achaeans, and Ajax no longer held his ground, for he was overcome by the darts that were flung at him, and made sure that he was doomed. Therefore he left the raised deck at the stern, and stepped back on to the seven-foot bench of the oarsmen.

Homeric Greek

Τρῶας ἄμυνε νεῶν, ὅς τις φέροι ἀκάματον πῦρ:

αἰεὶ δὲ σμερδνὸν βοόων Δαναοῖσι κέλευε:

ὦ φίλοι ἥρωες Δαναοὶ θεράποντες Ἄρηος

ἀνέρες ἔστε φίλοι, μνήσασθε δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς.

735ἠέ τινάς φαμεν εἶναι ἀοσσητῆρας ὀπίσσω,

Transliteration

Trōas amyne neōn, hos tis pheroi akamaton pyr:

aiei de smerdnon booōn Danaoisi keleue:

ō philoi hērōes Danaoi therapontes Arēos

aneres este philoi, mnēsasthe de thouridos alkēs.

735ēe tinas phamen einai aossētēras opissō,

English

Here he stood on the look-out, and with his spear held back Trojan whom he saw bringing fire to the ships. All the time he kept on shouting at the top of his voice and exhorting the Danaans. "My friends," he cried, "Danaan heroes, squires of Ares, be men my friends, and fight with might and with main.

Homeric Greek

ἦέ τι τεῖχος ἄρειον, ὅ κ' ἀνδράσι λοιγὸν ἀμύναι;

οὐ μέν τι σχεδόν ἐστι πόλις πύργοις ἀραρυῖα,

ᾗ κ' ἀπαμυναίμεσθ' ἑτεραλκέα δῆμον ἔχοντες:

ἀλλ' ἐν γὰρ Τρώων πεδίῳ πύκα θωρηκτάων

740πόντῳ κεκλιμένοι ἑκὰς ἥμεθα πατρίδος αἴης:

Transliteration

ēe ti teichos areion, ho k' andrasi loigon amynai;

ou men ti schedon esti polis pyrgois araruia,

hēi k' apamynaimesth' heteralkea dēmon echontes:

all' en gar Trōōn pediōi pyka thōrēktaōn

740pontōi keklimenoi hekas hēmetha patridos aiēs:

English

Can we hope to find helpers hereafter, or a wall to shield us more surely than the one we have? There is no strong city within reach, whence we may draw fresh population to turn the scales in our favor. We are on the plain of the armed Trojans with the sea behind us, and far from our own country.

Homeric Greek

τὼ ἐν χερσὶ φόως, οὐ μειλιχίῃ πολέμοιο.

ἦ, καὶ μαιμώων ἔφεπ' ἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι.

ὅς τις δὲ Τρώων κοίλῃς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ φέροιτο

σὺν πυρὶ κηλείῳ, χάριν Ἕκτορος ὀτρύναντος,

745τὸν δ' Αἴας οὔτασκε δεδεγμένος ἔγχεϊ μακρῷ:

Transliteration

tō en chersi phoōs, ou meilichiēi polemoio.

ē, kai maimōōn ephep' encheï oxyoenti.

hos tis de Trōōn koilēis epi nēusi pheroito

syn pyri kēleiōi, charin Hektoros otrynantos,

745ton d' Aias outaske dedegmenos encheï makrōi:

English

Our salvation, therefore, is in the might of our hands and in hard fighting." As he spoke he wielded his spear with still greater fury, and when any Trojan made towards the ships with fire to win favor with Hektor, he would be on the look-out for him, and drive at him with his long spear.

Homeric Greek

δώδεκα δὲ προπάροιθε νεῶν αὐτοσχεδὸν οὖτα.

Transliteration

dōdeka de proparoithe neōn autoschedon outa.

English

Twelve men did he thus kill in hand-to-hand fight before the ships.