Book XVI

Homeric Greek

1ὣς οἳ μὲν περὶ νηὸς ἐϋσσέλμοιο μάχοντο:

Πάτροκλος δ' Ἀχιλῆϊ παρίστατο ποιμένι λαῶν

δάκρυα θερμὰ χέων ὥς τε κρήνη μελάνυδρος,

ἥ τε κατ' αἰγίλιπος πέτρης δνοφερὸν χέει ὕδωρ.

5τὸν δὲ ἰδὼν ᾤκτιρε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,

Transliteration

1hōs hoi men peri nēos eÿsselmoio machonto:

Patroklos d' Achilēï paristato poimeni laōn

dakrya therma cheōn hōs te krēnē melanydros,

hē te kat' aigilipos petrēs dnopheron cheei hydōr.

5ton de idōn ōiktire podarkēs dios Achilleus,

English

Thus did they fight about the ship of Protesilaos. Then Patroklos drew near to Achilles with tears welling from his eyes, as from some spring whose crystal stream falls over the ledges of a high precipice. When Achilles saw him thus weeping he was sorry for him and said, "Why, Patroklos, do you

Homeric Greek

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

τίπτε δεδάκρυσαι Πατρόκλεες, ἠύ̈τε κούρη

νηπίη, ἥ θ' ἅμα μητρὶ θέουσ' ἀνελέσθαι ἀνώγει

εἱανοῦ ἁπτομένη, καί τ' ἐσσυμένην κατερύκει,

10δακρυόεσσα δέ μιν ποτιδέρκεται, ὄφρ' ἀνέληται:

Transliteration

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

tipte dedakrysai Patroklees, ēÿte kourē

nēpiē, hē th' hama mētri theous' anelesthai anōgei

heianou haptomenē, kai t' essymenēn katerykei,

10dakryoessa de min potiderketai, ophr' anelētai:

English

stand there weeping like some silly child that comes running to her mother, and begs to be taken up and carried- she catches hold of her mother's dress to stay her though she is in a hurry, and looks tearfully up until her mother carries her - even such tears, Patroklos, are you now shedding.

Homeric Greek

τῇ ἴκελος Πάτροκλε τέρεν κατὰ δάκρυον εἴβεις.

ἠέ τι Μυρμιδόνεσσι πιφαύσκεαι, ἢ ἐμοὶ αὐτῷ,

ἦέ τιν' ἀγγελίην Φθίης ἐξέκλυες οἶος;

ζώειν μὰν ἔτι φασὶ Μενοίτιον Ἄκτορος υἱόν,

15ζώει δ' Αἰακίδης Πηλεὺς μετὰ Μυρμιδόνεσσι;

Transliteration

tēi ikelos Patrokle teren kata dakryon eibeis.

ēe ti Myrmidonessi piphauskeai, ē emoi autōi,

ēe tin' angeliēn Phthiēs exeklyes oios;

zōein man eti phasi Menoition Aktoros huion,

15zōei d' Aiakidēs Pēleus meta Myrmidonessi;

English

Have you anything to say to the Myrmidons or to myself? or have you had news from Phthia which you alone know? They tell me Menoitios son of Aktor is still alive, as also Peleus son of Aiakos, among the Myrmidons - men whose loss we two should bitterly deplore;

Homeric Greek

τῶν κε μάλ' ἀμφοτέρων ἀκαχοίμεθα τεθνηώτων.

ἦε σύ γ' Ἀργείων ὀλοφύρεαι, ὡς ὀλέκονται

νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ὑπερβασίης ἕνεκα σφῆς;

ἐξαύδα, μὴ κεῦθε νόῳ, ἵνα εἴδομεν ἄμφω.

20τὸν δὲ βαρὺ στενάχων προσέφης Πατρόκλεες ἱππεῦ:

Transliteration

tōn ke mal' amphoterōn akachoimetha tethnēōtōn.

ēe sy g' Argeiōn olophyreai, hōs olekontai

nēusin epi glaphyrēisin hyperbasiēs heneka sphēs;

exauda, mē keuthe noōi, hina eidomen amphō.

20ton de bary stenachōn prosephēs Patroklees hippeu:

English

or are you grieving about the Argives and the way in which they are being killed at the ships, through their own high-handed doings? Do not hide in your mind anything from me but tell me that both of us may know about it." Then, O horseman Patroklos, with a deep sigh you answered, "Achilles,

Homeric Greek

ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ Πηλῆος υἱὲ μέγα φέρτατ' Ἀχαιῶν

μὴ νεμέσα: τοῖον γὰρ ἄχος βεβίηκεν Ἀχαιούς.

οἳ μὲν γὰρ δὴ πάντες, ὅσοι πάρος ἦσαν ἄριστοι,

ἐν νηυσὶν κέαται βεβλημένοι οὐτάμενοί τε.

25βέβληται μὲν ὃ Τυδεί̈δης κρατερὸς Διομήδης,

Transliteration

ō Achileu Pēlēos huie mega phertat' Achaiōn

mē nemesa: toion gar achos bebiēken Achaious.

hoi men gar dē pantes, hosoi paros ēsan aristoi,

en nēusin keatai beblēmenoi outamenoi te.

25beblētai men ho Tydeïdēs krateros Diomēdēs,

English

son of Peleus, foremost champion of the Achaeans, do not be angry, but I feel grief for the disaster that has now befallen the Argives. All those who have been their champions so far are lying at the ships, wounded by sword or spear.

Homeric Greek

οὔτασται δ' Ὀδυσεὺς δουρικλυτὸς ἠδ' Ἀγαμέμνων,

βέβληται δὲ καὶ Εὐρύπυλος κατὰ μηρὸν ὀϊστῷ.

τοὺς μέν τ' ἰητροὶ πολυφάρμακοι ἀμφιπένονται

ἕλκε' ἀκειόμενοι: σὺ δ' ἀμήχανος ἔπλευ Ἀχιλλεῦ.

30μὴ ἐμέ γ' οὖν οὗτός γε λάβοι χόλος, ὃν σὺ φυλάσσεις

Transliteration

outastai d' Odyseus douriklytos ēd' Agamemnōn,

beblētai de kai Eurypylos kata mēron oïstōi.

tous men t' iētroi polypharmakoi amphipenontai

helke' akeiomenoi: sy d' amēchanos epleu Achilleu.

30mē eme g' oun houtos ge laboi cholos, hon sy phylasseis

English

Brave Diomedes son of Tydeus has been hit with a spear, while famed Odysseus and Agamemnon have received sword-wounds; Eurypylos again has been struck with an arrow in the thigh; skilled apothecaries are attending to these heroes, and healing them of their wounds; are you still, O Achilles, so inexorable? May it never be my lot to nurse such a passion as you have done, to the baning of your own good name.

Homeric Greek

αἰναρέτη: τί σευ ἄλλος ὀνήσεται ὀψίγονός περ

αἴ κε μὴ Ἀργείοισιν ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἀμύνῃς;

νηλεές, οὐκ ἄρα σοί γε πατὴρ ἦν ἱππότα Πηλεύς,

οὐδὲ Θέτις μήτηρ: γλαυκὴ δέ σε τίκτε θάλασσα

35πέτραι τ' ἠλίβατοι, ὅτι τοι νόος ἐστὶν ἀπηνής.

Transliteration

ainaretē: ti seu allos onēsetai opsigonos per

ai ke mē Argeioisin aeikea loigon amynēis;

nēlees, ouk ara soi ge patēr ēn hippota Pēleus,

oude Thetis mētēr: glaukē de se tikte thalassa

35petrai t' ēlibatoi, hoti toi noos estin apēnēs.

English

Who in future story will speak well of you unless you now save the Argives from ruin? You know no pity; horseman Peleus was not your father nor Thetis your mother, but the gray sea bore you and the sheer cliffs begot you, so cruel and remorseless are you in your thinking.

Homeric Greek

εἰ δέ τινα φρεσὶ σῇσι θεοπροπίην ἀλεείνεις

καί τινά τοι πὰρ Ζηνὸς ἐπέφραδε πότνια μήτηρ,

ἀλλ' ἐμέ περ πρόες ὦχ', ἃμα δ' ἄλλον λαὸν ὄπασσον

Μυρμιδόνων, ἤν πού τι φόως Δαναοῖσι γένωμαι.

40δὸς δέ μοι ὤμοιιν τὰ σὰ τεύχεα θωρηχθῆναι,

Transliteration

ei de tina phresi sēisi theopropiēn aleeineis

kai tina toi par Zēnos epephrade potnia mētēr,

all' eme per proes ōch', hama d' allon laon opasson

Myrmidonōn, ēn pou ti phoōs Danaoisi genōmai.

40dos de moi ōmoiin ta sa teuchea thōrēchthēnai,

English

If however you are kept back through knowledge of some oracle, or if your mother Thetis has told you something from the mouth of Zeus, at least send me and the Myrmidons with me, if I may bring deliverance to the Danaans. Let me moreover wear your armor;

Homeric Greek

αἴ κ' ἐμὲ σοὶ ἴσκοντες ἀπόσχωνται πολέμοιο

Τρῶες, ἀναπνεύσωσι δ' Ἀρήϊοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

τειρόμενοι: ὀλίγη δέ τ' ἀνάπνευσις πολέμοιο.

ῥεῖα δέ κ' ἀκμῆτες κεκμηότας ἄνδρας ἀϋτῇ

45ὤσαιμεν προτὶ ἄστυ νεῶν ἄπο καὶ κλισιάων.

Transliteration

ai k' eme soi iskontes aposchōntai polemoio

Trōes, anapneusōsi d' Arēïoi huies Achaiōn

teiromenoi: oligē de t' anapneusis polemoio.

rheia de k' akmētes kekmēotas andras aÿtēi

45ōsaimen proti asty neōn apo kai klisiaōn.

English

the Trojans may thus mistake me for you and quit the field, so that the hard-pressed sons of the Achaeans may have breathing time- which while they are fighting may hardly be. We who are fresh might soon drive tired men back from our ships and tents to their own city."

Homeric Greek

ὣς φάτο λισσόμενος μέγα νήπιος: ἦ γὰρ ἔμελλεν

οἷ αὐτῷ θάνατόν τε κακὸν καὶ κῆρα λιτέσθαι.

τὸν δὲ μέγ' ὀχθήσας προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:

ὤ μοι διογενὲς Πατρόκλεες οἷον ἔειπες:

50οὔτε θεοπροπίης ἐμπάζομαι ἥν τινα οἶδα,

Transliteration

hōs phato lissomenos mega nēpios: ē gar emellen

hoi autōi thanaton te kakon kai kēra litesthai.

ton de meg' ochthēsas prosephē podas ōkys Achilleus:

ō moi diogenes Patroklees hoion eeipes:

50oute theopropiēs empazomai hēn tina oida,

English

He knew not what he was asking, nor that he was suing for his own destruction. Achilles was deeply moved and answered, "What, noble Patroklos, are you saying? I know no prophesyings which I am heeding, nor has my mother told me anything from the

Homeric Greek

οὔτέ τί μοι πὰρ Ζηνὸς ἐπέφραδε πότνια μήτηρ:

ἀλλὰ τόδ' αἰνὸν ἄχος κραδίην καὶ θυμὸν ἱκάνει,

ὁππότε δὴ τὸν ὁμοῖον ἀνὴρ ἐθέλῃσιν ἀμέρσαι

καὶ γέρας ἂψ ἀφελέσθαι, ὅ τε κράτεϊ προβεβήκῃ:

55αἰνὸν ἄχος τό μοί ἐστιν, ἐπεὶ πάθον ἄλγεα θυμῷ.

Transliteration

oute ti moi par Zēnos epephrade potnia mētēr:

alla tod' ainon achos kradiēn kai thymon hikanei,

hoppote dē ton homoion anēr ethelēisin amersai

kai geras aps aphelesthai, ho te krateï probebēkēi:

55ainon achos to moi estin, epei pathon algea thymōi.

English

mouth of Zeus, but I am cut to the very heart with grief that one of my own rank should dare to rob me because he is more powerful than I am. This grief, after all that I have gone through, is more than I can endure.

Homeric Greek

κούρην ἣν ἄρα μοι γέρας ἔξελον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν,

δουρὶ δ' ἐμῷ κτεάτισσα πόλιν εὐτείχεα πέρσας,

τὴν ἂψ ἐκ χειρῶν ἕλετο κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

Ἀτρεί̈δης ὡς εἴ τιν' ἀτίμητον μετανάστην.

60ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν προτετύχθαι ἐάσομεν: οὐδ' ἄρα πως ἦν

Transliteration

kourēn hēn ara moi geras exelon huies Achaiōn,

douri d' emōi kteatissa polin euteichea persas,

tēn aps ek cheirōn heleto kreiōn Agamemnōn

Atreïdēs hōs ei tin' atimēton metanastēn.

60alla ta men protetychthai easomen: oud' ara pōs ēn

English

The girl whom the sons of the Achaeans chose for me, whom I won as the fruit of my spear on having sacked a city - her has King Agamemnon taken from me as though I were some common vagrant. Still, let bygones be bygones:

Homeric Greek

ἀσπερχὲς κεχολῶσθαι ἐνὶ φρεσίν: ἤτοι ἔφην γε

οὐ πρὶν μηνιθμὸν καταπαυσέμεν, ἀλλ' ὁπότ' ἂν δὴ

νῆας ἐμὰς ἀφίκηται ἀϋτή τε πτόλεμός τε.

τύνη δ' ὤμοιιν μὲν ἐμὰ κλυτὰ τεύχεα δῦθι,

65ἄρχε δὲ Μυρμιδόνεσσι φιλοπτολέμοισι μάχεσθαι,

Transliteration

asperches kecholōsthai eni phresin: ētoi ephēn ge

ou prin mēnithmon katapausemen, all' hopot' an dē

nēas emas aphikētai aÿtē te ptolemos te.

tynē d' ōmoiin men ema klyta teuchea dythi,

65arche de Myrmidonessi philoptolemoisi machesthai,

English

no man may keep his anger for ever; I said I would not relent till battle and the cry of war had reached my own ships; nevertheless, now gird my armor about your shoulders, and lead the Myrmidons to battle, for the dark

Homeric Greek

εἰ δὴ κυάνεον Τρώων νέφος ἀμφιβέβηκε

νηυσὶν ἐπικρατέως, οἳ δὲ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης

κεκλίαται, χώρης ὀλίγην ἔτι μοῖραν ἔχοντες

Ἀργεῖοι, Τρώων δὲ πόλις ἐπὶ πᾶσα βέβηκε

70θάρσυνος: οὐ γὰρ ἐμῆς κόρυθος λεύσσουσι μέτωπον

Transliteration

ei dē kyaneon Trōōn nephos amphibebēke

nēusin epikrateōs, hoi de rhēgmini thalassēs

kekliatai, chōrēs oligēn eti moiran echontes

Argeioi, Trōōn de polis epi pasa bebēke

70tharsynos: ou gar emēs korythos leussousi metōpon

English

cloud of Trojans has burst furiously over our fleet; the Argives are driven back on to the beach, cooped within a narrow space, and the whole people of Troy has taken heart to sally out against them, because they see not the visor of my helmet gleaming near them.

Homeric Greek

ἐγγύθι λαμπομένης: τάχα κεν φεύγοντες ἐναύλους

πλήσειαν νεκύων, εἴ μοι κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

ἤπια εἰδείη: νῦν δὲ στρατὸν ἀμφιμάχονται.

οὐ γὰρ Τυδεί̈δεω Διομήδεος ἐν παλάμῃσι

75μαίνεται ἐγχείη Δαναῶν ἀπὸ λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι:

Transliteration

engythi lampomenēs: tacha ken pheugontes enaulous

plēseian nekyōn, ei moi kreiōn Agamemnōn

ēpia eideiē: nyn de straton amphimachontai.

ou gar Tydeïdeō Diomēdeos en palamēisi

75mainetai encheiē Danaōn apo loigon amynai:

English

Had they seen this, there would not have been a creek nor grip that had not been filled with their dead as they fled back again. And so it would have been, if only King Agamemnon had dealt fairly by me. As it is the Trojans have beset our host.

Homeric Greek

οὐδέ πω Ἀτρεί̈δεω ὀπὸς ἔκλυον αὐδήσαντος

ἐχθρῆς ἐκ κεφαλῆς: ἀλλ' Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο

Τρωσὶ κελεύοντος περιάγνυται, οἳ δ' ἀλαλητῷ

πᾶν πεδίον κατέχουσι μάχῃ νικῶντες Ἀχαιούς.

80ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς Πάτροκλε νεῶν ἄπο λοιγὸν ἀμύνων

Transliteration

oude pō Atreïdeō opos eklyon audēsantos

echthrēs ek kephalēs: all' Hektoros androphonoio

Trōsi keleuontos periagnytai, hoi d' alalētōi

pan pedion katechousi machēi nikōntes Achaious.

80alla kai hōs Patrokle neōn apo loigon amynōn

English

Diomedes son of Tydeus no longer wields his spear to defend the Danaans, neither have I heard the voice of the son of Atreus coming from his hated head, whereas that of murderous Hektor rings in my cars as he gives orders to the Trojans, who triumph over the Achaeans and fill the whole plain with their cry of battle.

Homeric Greek

ἔμπεσ' ἐπικρατέως, μὴ δὴ πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο

νῆας ἐνιπρήσωσι, φίλον δ' ἀπὸ νόστον ἕλωνται.

πείθεο δ' ὥς τοι ἐγὼ μύθου τέλος ἐν φρεσὶ θείω,

ὡς ἄν μοι τιμὴν μεγάλην καὶ κῦδος ἄρηαι

85πρὸς πάντων Δαναῶν, ἀτὰρ οἳ περικαλλέα κούρην

Transliteration

empes' epikrateōs, mē dē pyros aithomenoio

nēas eniprēsōsi, philon d' apo noston helōntai.

peitheo d' hōs toi egō mythou telos en phresi theiō,

hōs an moi timēn megalēn kai kydos arēai

85pros pantōn Danaōn, atar hoi perikallea kourēn

English

But even so, Patroklos, fall upon them and save the fleet, lest the Trojans fire it and deprive us of our safe homecoming. Bring to fulfillment what I now order you to do, so that you may win me great honor from all the Danaans, and that they may restore

Homeric Greek

ἂψ ἀπονάσσωσιν, ποτὶ δ' ἀγλαὰ δῶρα πόρωσιν.

ἐκ νηῶν ἐλάσας ἰέναι πάλιν: εἰ δέ κεν αὖ τοι

δώῃ κῦδος ἀρέσθαι ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης,

μὴ σύ γ' ἄνευθεν ἐμεῖο λιλαίεσθαι πολεμίζειν

90Τρωσὶ φιλοπτολέμοισιν: ἀτιμότερον δέ με θήσεις:

Transliteration

aps aponassōsin, poti d' aglaa dōra porōsin.

ek nēōn elasas ienai palin: ei de ken au toi

dōēi kydos aresthai erigdoupos posis Hērēs,

mē sy g' aneuthen emeio lilaiesthai polemizein

90Trōsi philoptolemoisin: atimoteron de me thēseis:

English

the girl to me again and give me rich gifts into the bargain. When you have driven the Trojans from the ships, come back again. Though Hera's thundering husband should put triumph within your reach, do not fight the Trojans further in my absence, or you will rob me of glory that should be mine.

Homeric Greek

μὴ δ' ἐπαγαλλόμενος πολέμῳ καὶ δηϊοτῆτι

Τρῶας ἐναιρόμενος προτὶ Ἴλιον ἡγεμονεύειν,

μή τις ἀπ' Οὐλύμποιο θεῶν αἰειγενετάων

ἐμβήῃ: μάλα τούς γε φιλεῖ ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων:

95ἀλλὰ πάλιν τρωπᾶσθαι, ἐπὴν φάος ἐν νήεσσι

Transliteration

mē d' epagallomenos polemōi kai dēïotēti

Trōas enairomenos proti Ilion hēgemoneuein,

mē tis ap' Oulympoio theōn aieigenetaōn

embēēi: mala tous ge philei hekaergos Apollōn:

95alla palin trōpasthai, epēn phaos en nēessi

English

And do not for lust of battle go on killing the Trojans nor lead the Achaeans on to Ilion, lest one of the ever-living gods from Olympus attack you - for Phoebus Apollo loves them well: return when you have freed the ships from peril, and let others wage war upon the plain.

Homeric Greek

θήῃς, τοὺς δ' ἔτ' ἐᾶν πεδίον κάτα δηριάασθαι.

αἲ γὰρ Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον

μήτέ τις οὖν Τρώων θάνατον φύγοι ὅσσοι ἔασι,

μήτέ τις Ἀργείων, νῶϊν δ' ἐκδῦμεν ὄλεθρον,

100ὄφρ' οἶοι Τροίης ἱερὰ κρήδεμνα λύωμεν.

Transliteration

thēēis, tous d' et' ean pedion kata dēriaasthai.

ai gar Zeu te pater kai Athēnaiē kai Apollon

mēte tis oun Trōōn thanaton phygoi hossoi easi,

mēte tis Argeiōn, nōïn d' ekdymen olethron,

100ophr' oioi Troiēs hiera krēdemna lyōmen.

English

Would, by father Zeus, Athena, and Apollo, that not a single man of all the Trojans might be left alive, nor yet of the Argives, but that we two might be alone left to tear aside the mantle that veils the brow of Troy."

Homeric Greek

ὣς οἳ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,

Αἴας δ' οὐκ ἔτ' ἔμιμνε: βιάζετο γὰρ βελέεσσι:

δάμνα μιν Ζηνός τε νόος καὶ Τρῶες ἀγαυοὶ

βάλλοντες: δεινὴν δὲ περὶ κροτάφοισι φαεινὴ

105πήληξ βαλλομένη καναχὴν ἔχε, βάλλετο δ' αἰεὶ

Transliteration

hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon,

Aias d' ouk et' emimne: biazeto gar beleessi:

damna min Zēnos te noos kai Trōes agauoi

ballontes: deinēn de peri krotaphoisi phaeinē

105pēlēx ballomenē kanachēn eche, balleto d' aiei

English

Thus did they converse. But Ajax could no longer hold his ground for the shower of darts that rained upon him; the will of Zeus and the javelins of the Trojans were too much for him; the helmet that gleamed about his temples rang with the continuous clatter of the missiles that kept pouring on to it and on to the cheek-pieces that protected his face.

Homeric Greek

κὰπ φάλαρ' εὐποίηθ': ὃ δ' ἀριστερὸν ὦμον ἔκαμνεν

ἔμπεδον αἰὲν ἔχων σάκος αἰόλον: οὐδὲ δύναντο

ἀμφ' αὐτῷ πελεμίξαι ἐρείδοντες βελέεσσιν.

αἰεὶ δ' ἀργαλέῳ ἔχετ' ἄσθματι, κὰδ δέ οἱ ἱδρὼς

110πάντοθεν ἐκ μελέων πολὺς ἔρρεεν, οὐδέ πῃ εἶχεν

Transliteration

kap phalar' eupoiēth': ho d' aristeron ōmon ekamnen

empedon aien echōn sakos aiolon: oude dynanto

amph' autōi pelemixai ereidontes beleessin.

aiei d' argaleōi echet' asthmati, kad de hoi hidrōs

110pantothen ek meleōn polys erreen, oude pēi eichen

English

Moreover his left shoulder was tired with having held his shield so long, yet for all this, let fly at him as they would, they could not make him give ground. He could hardly draw his breath, the sweat rained from every pore of his body, he had not a moment's respite,

Homeric Greek

ἀμπνεῦσαι: πάντῃ δὲ κακὸν κακῷ ἐστήρικτο.

ἔσπετε νῦν μοι Μοῦσαι Ὀλύμπια δώματ' ἔχουσαι,

ὅππως δὴ πρῶτον πῦρ ἔμπεσε νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.

Ἕκτωρ Αἴαντος δόρυ μείλινον ἄγχι παραστὰς

115πλῆξ' ἄορι μεγάλῳ αἰχμῆς παρὰ καυλὸν ὄπισθεν,

Transliteration

ampneusai: pantēi de kakon kakōi estērikto.

espete nyn moi Mousai Olympia dōmat' echousai,

hoppōs dē prōton pyr empese nēusin Achaiōn.

Hektōr Aiantos dory meilinon anchi parastas

115plēx' aori megalōi aichmēs para kaulon opisthen,

English

and on all sides he was beset by danger upon danger. And now, tell me, O Muses that hold your mansions on Olympus, how fire was thrown upon the ships of the Achaeans. Hektor came close up and let drive with his great sword at the ashen spear of Ajax.

Homeric Greek

ἀντικρὺ δ' ἀπάραξε: τὸ μὲν Τελαμώνιος Αἴας

πῆλ' αὔτως ἐν χειρὶ κόλον δόρυ, τῆλε δ' ἀπ' αὐτοῦ

αἰχμὴ χαλκείη χαμάδις βόμβησε πεσοῦσα.

γνῶ δ' Αἴας κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονα ῥίγησέν τε

120ἔργα θεῶν, ὅ ῥα πάγχυ μάχης ἐπὶ μήδεα κεῖρε

Transliteration

antikry d' aparaxe: to men Telamōnios Aias

pēl' autōs en cheiri kolon dory, tēle d' ap' autou

aichmē chalkeiē chamadis bombēse pesousa.

gnō d' Aias kata thymon amymona rhigēsen te

120erga theōn, ho rha panchy machēs epi mēdea keire

English

He cut it clean in two just behind where the point was fastened on to the shaft of the spear. Ajax, therefore, had now nothing but a headless spear, while the bronze point flew some way off and came ringing down on to the ground. Ajax knew the hand of heaven in this, and was dismayed at seeing

Homeric Greek

Ζεὺς ὑψιβρεμέτης, Τρώεσσι δὲ βούλετο νίκην:

χάζετο δ' ἐκ βελέων. τοὶ δ' ἔμβαλον ἀκάματον πῦρ

νηὶ̈ θοῇ: τῆς δ' αἶψα κατ' ἀσβέστη κέχυτο φλόξ.

ὣς τὴν μὲν πρυμνὴν πῦρ ἄμφεπεν: αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς

125μηρὼ πληξάμενος Πατροκλῆα προσέειπεν:

Transliteration

Zeus hypsibremetēs, Trōessi de bouleto nikēn:

chazeto d' ek beleōn. toi d' embalon akamaton pyr

nēï thoēi: tēs d' aipsa kat' asbestē kechyto phlox.

hōs tēn men prymnēn pyr amphepen: autar Achilleus

125mērō plēxamenos Patroklēa proseeipen:

English

that Zeus had now left him utterly defenseless and was willing victory for the Trojans. Therefore he drew back, and the Trojans flung fire upon the ship which was at once wrapped in flame. The fire was now flaring about the ship's stern, whereon Achilles smote his two thighs and said

Homeric Greek

ὄρσεο διογενὲς Πατρόκλεες ἱπποκέλευθε:

λεύσσω δὴ παρὰ νηυσὶ πυρὸς δηί̈οιο ἰωήν:

μὴ δὴ νῆας ἕλωσι καὶ οὐκέτι φυκτὰ πέλωνται:

δύσεο τεύχεα θᾶσσον, ἐγὼ δέ κε λαὸν ἀγείρω.

130ὣς φάτο, Πάτροκλος δὲ κορύσσετο νώροπι χαλκῷ.

Transliteration

orseo diogenes Patroklees hippokeleuthe:

leussō dē para nēusi pyros dēïoio iōēn:

mē dē nēas helōsi kai ouketi phykta pelōntai:

dyseo teuchea thasson, egō de ke laon ageirō.

130hōs phato, Patroklos de korysseto nōropi chalkōi.

English

to Patroklos, "Up, noble horseman, for I see the glare of hostile fire at our fleet; up, lest they destroy our ships, and there be no way by which we may retreat. Gird on your armor at once while I call our people together."

Homeric Greek

κνημῖδας μὲν πρῶτα περὶ κνήμῃσιν ἔθηκε

καλάς, ἀργυρέοισιν ἐπισφυρίοις ἀραρυίας:

δεύτερον αὖ θώρηκα περὶ στήθεσσιν ἔδυνε

ποικίλον ἀστερόεντα ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαο.

135ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' ὤμοισιν βάλετο ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον

Transliteration

knēmidas men prōta peri knēmēisin ethēke

kalas, argyreoisin episphyriois araruias:

deuteron au thōrēka peri stēthessin edyne

poikilon asteroenta podōkeos Aiakidao.

135amphi d' ar' ōmoisin baleto xiphos argyroēlon

English

As he spoke Patroklos put on his armor. First he greaved his legs with greaves of good make, and fitted with ankle-clasps of silver; after this he donned the cuirass of the son of Aiakos, richly inlaid and studded. He hung his silver-studded sword of bronze about his shoulders, and then his mighty shield.

Homeric Greek

χάλκεον, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα σάκος μέγα τε στιβαρόν τε:

κρατὶ δ' ἐπ' ἰφθίμῳ κυνέην εὔτυκτον ἔθηκεν

ἵππουριν: δεινὸν δὲ λόφος καθύπερθεν ἔνευεν.

εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμα δοῦρε, τά οἱ παλάμηφιν ἀρήρει.

140ἔγχος δ' οὐχ ἕλετ' οἶον ἀμύμονος Αἰακίδαο

Transliteration

chalkeon, autar epeita sakos mega te stibaron te:

krati d' ep' iphthimōi kyneēn eutykton ethēken

hippourin: deinon de lophos kathyperthen eneuen.

heileto d' alkima doure, ta hoi palamēphin arērei.

140enchos d' ouch helet' oion amymonos Aiakidao

English

On his comely head he set his helmet, well wrought, with a crest of horse-hair that nodded menacingly above it. He grasped two redoubtable spears that suited his hands, but he did not take the spear of noble Achilles, so stout and strong,

Homeric Greek

βριθὺ μέγα στιβαρόν: τὸ μὲν οὐ δύνατ' ἄλλος Ἀχαιῶν

πάλλειν, ἀλλά μιν οἶος ἐπίστατο πῆλαι Ἀχιλλεὺς

Πηλιάδα μελίην, τὴν πατρὶ φίλῳ πόρε Χείρων

Πηλίου ἐκ κορυφῆς, φόνον ἔμμεναι ἡρώεσσιν.

145ἵππους δ' Αὐτομέδοντα θοῶς ζευγνῦμεν ἄνωγε,

Transliteration

brithy mega stibaron: to men ou dynat' allos Achaiōn

pallein, alla min oios epistato pēlai Achilleus

Pēliada meliēn, tēn patri philōi pore Cheirōn

Pēliou ek koryphēs, phonon emmenai hērōessin.

145hippous d' Automedonta thoōs zeugnymen anōge,

English

for none other of the Achaeans could wield it, though Achilles could do so easily. This was the ashen spear from Mount Pelion, which Chiron had cut upon a mountain top and had given to Peleus, wherewith to deal out death among heroes. He bade Automedon yoke his horses with all speed, for he was the man

Homeric Greek

τὸν μετ' Ἀχιλλῆα ῥηξήνορα τῖε μάλιστα,

πιστότατος δέ οἱ ἔσκε μάχῃ ἔνι μεῖναι ὁμοκλήν.

τῷ δὲ καὶ Αὐτομέδων ὕπαγε ζυγὸν ὠκέας ἵππους

Ξάνθον καὶ Βαλίον, τὼ ἅμα πνοιῇσι πετέσθην,

150τοὺς ἔτεκε Ζεφύρῳ ἀνέμῳ Ἅρπυια Ποδάργη

Transliteration

ton met' Achillēa rhēxēnora tie malista,

pistotatos de hoi eske machēi eni meinai homoklēn.

tōi de kai Automedōn hypage zygon ōkeas hippous

Xanthon kai Balion, tō hama pnoiēisi petesthēn,

150tous eteke Zephyrōi anemōi Harpuia Podargē

English

whom he held in honor next after Achilles, and on whose support in battle he could rely most firmly. Automedon therefore yoked the fleet horses Xanthos and Balios, steeds that could fly like the wind: these were they whom the harpy Podarge bore to the west wind, as she was grazing in a meadow by the waters of the river Okeanos.

Homeric Greek

βοσκομένη λειμῶνι παρὰ ῥόον Ὠκεανοῖο.

ἐν δὲ παρηορίῃσιν ἀμύμονα Πήδασον ἵει,

τόν ῥά ποτ' Ἠετίωνος ἑλὼν πόλιν ἤγαγ' Ἀχιλλεύς,

ὃς καὶ θνητὸς ἐὼν ἕπεθ' ἵπποις ἀθανάτοισι.

155Μυρμιδόνας δ' ἄρ' ἐποιχόμενος θώρηξεν Ἀχιλλεὺς

Transliteration

boskomenē leimōni para rhoon Ōkeanoio.

en de parēoriēisin amymona Pēdason hiei,

ton rha pot' Ēetiōnos helōn polin ēgag' Achilleus,

hos kai thnētos eōn hepeth' hippois athanatoisi.

155Myrmidonas d' ar' epoichomenos thōrēxen Achilleus

English

In the side traces he set the noble horse Pedasos, whom Achilles had brought away with him when he sacked the city of Eetion, and who, mortal steed though he was, could take his place along with those that were immortal. Meanwhile Achilles went about everywhere among the tents, and bade his Myrmidons put on their armor.

Homeric Greek

πάντας ἀνὰ κλισίας σὺν τεύχεσιν: οἳ δὲ λύκοι ὣς

ὠμοφάγοι, τοῖσίν τε περὶ φρεσὶν ἄσπετος ἀλκή,

οἵ τ' ἔλαφον κεραὸν μέγαν οὔρεσι δῃώσαντες

δάπτουσιν: πᾶσιν δὲ παρήϊον αἵματι φοινόν:

160καί τ' ἀγεληδὸν ἴασιν ἀπὸ κρήνης μελανύδρου

Transliteration

pantas ana klisias syn teuchesin: hoi de lykoi hōs

ōmophagoi, toisin te peri phresin aspetos alkē,

hoi t' elaphon keraon megan ouresi dēiōsantes

daptousin: pasin de parēïon haimati phoinon:

160kai t' agelēdon iasin apo krēnēs melanydrou

English

Even as fierce ravening wolves that are feasting upon a horned stag which they have killed upon the mountains, and their jaws are red with blood - they go in a pack to lap water from the clear spring with their long thin tongues;

Homeric Greek

λάψοντες γλώσσῃσιν ἀραιῇσιν μέλαν ὕδωρ

ἄκρον ἐρευγόμενοι φόνον αἵματος: ἐν δέ τε θυμὸς

στήθεσιν ἄτρομός ἐστι, περιστένεται δέ τε γαστήρ:

τοῖοι Μυρμιδόνων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες

165ἀμφ' ἀγαθὸν θεράποντα ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαο

Transliteration

lapsontes glōssēisin araiēisin melan hydōr

akron ereugomenoi phonon haimatos: en de te thymos

stēthesin atromos esti, peristenetai de te gastēr:

toioi Myrmidonōn hēgētores ēde medontes

165amph' agathon theraponta podōkeos Aiakidao

English

and they reek of blood and slaughter; they know not what fear is, for it is hunger drives them - even so did the leaders and counselors of the Myrmidons gather round the good squire of the fleet

Homeric Greek

ῥώοντ': ἐν δ' ἄρα τοῖσιν ἀρήϊος ἵστατ' Ἀχιλλεύς,

ὀτρύνων ἵππους τε καὶ ἀνέρας ἀσπιδιώτας.

πεντήκοντ' ἦσαν νῆες θοαί, ᾗσιν Ἀχιλλεὺς

ἐς Τροίην ἡγεῖτο Διὶ̈ φίλος: ἐν δὲ ἑκάστῃ

170πεντήκοντ' ἔσαν ἄνδρες ἐπὶ κληῖ̈σιν ἑταῖροι:

Transliteration

rhōont': en d' ara toisin arēïos histat' Achilleus,

otrynōn hippous te kai aneras aspidiōtas.

pentēkont' ēsan nēes thoai, hēisin Achilleus

es Troiēn hēgeito Diï philos: en de hekastēi

170pentēkont' esan andres epi klēïsin hetairoi:

English

descendant of Aiakos, and among them stood Achilles himself cheering on both men and horses. Fifty ships had noble Achilles brought to Troy, and in each there was a crew of fifty oarsmen. Over these he set five leaders whom he could trust, while he was himself commander over them all.

Homeric Greek

πέντε δ' ἄρ' ἡγεμόνας ποιήσατο τοῖς ἐπεποίθει

σημαίνειν: αὐτὸς δὲ μέγα κρατέων ἤνασσε.

τῆς μὲν ἰῆς στιχὸς ἦρχε Μενέσθιος αἰολοθώρηξ

υἱὸς Σπερχειοῖο διιπετέος ποταμοῖο:

175ὃν τέκε Πηλῆος θυγάτηρ καλὴ Πολυδώρη

Transliteration

pente d' ar' hēgemonas poiēsato tois epepoithei

sēmainein: autos de mega krateōn ēnasse.

tēs men iēs stichos ērche Menesthios aiolothōrēx

huios Spercheioio diipeteos potamoio:

175hon teke Pēlēos thygatēr kalē Polydōrē

English

Menesthios of the gleaming corselet, son to the river Spercheios that streams from heaven, was leader of the first company. Fair Polydora daughter of Peleus bore him to ever-flowing Spercheios - a woman mated with a god - but he was called son of Boros son of

Homeric Greek

Σπερχειῷ ἀκάμαντι γυνὴ θεῷ εὐνηθεῖσα,

αὐτὰρ ἐπίκλησιν Βώρῳ Περιήρεος υἷι,

ὅς ῥ' ἀναφανδὸν ὄπυιε πορὼν ἀπερείσια ἕδνα.

τῆς δ' ἑτέρης Εὔδωρος ἀρήϊος ἡγεμόνευε

180παρθένιος, τὸν ἔτικτε χορῷ καλὴ Πολυμήλη

Transliteration

Spercheiōi akamanti gynē theōi eunētheisa,

autar epiklēsin Bōrōi Periēreos huii,

hos rh' anaphandon opuie porōn apereisia hedna.

tēs d' heterēs Eudōros arēïos hēgemoneue

180parthenios, ton etikte chorōi kalē Polymēlē

English

Perieres, with whom his mother was living as his wedded wife, and who gave great wealth to gain her. The second company was led by noble Eudoros, son to an unwedded woman. Polymele, daughter of Phylas, graceful in dancing, bore him;

Homeric Greek

Φύλαντος θυγάτηρ: τῆς δὲ κρατὺς ἀργεϊφόντης

ἠράσατ', ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδὼν μετὰ μελπομένῃσιν

ἐν χορῷ Ἀρτέμιδος χρυσηλακάτου κελαδεινῆς.

αὐτίκα δ' εἰς ὑπερῷ' ἀναβὰς παρελέξατο λάθρῃ

185Ἑρμείας ἀκάκητα, πόρεν δέ οἱ ἀγλαὸν υἱὸν

Transliteration

Phylantos thygatēr: tēs de kratys argeïphontēs

ērasat', ophthalmoisin idōn meta melpomenēisin

en chorōi Artemidos chrysēlakatou keladeinēs.

autika d' eis hyperōi' anabas parelexato lathrēi

185Hermeias akakēta, poren de hoi aglaon huion

English

the mighty slayer of Argos was enamored of her as he saw her among the singing women at a dance held in honor of Artemis the rushing huntress of the golden arrows; he therefore - Hermes, giver of all good - went with her into an upper chamber, and lay with her

Homeric Greek

Εὔδωρον πέρι μὲν θείειν ταχὺν ἠδὲ μαχητήν.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τόν γε μογοστόκος Εἰλείθυια

ἐξάγαγε πρὸ φόως δὲ καὶ ἠελίου ἴδεν αὐγάς,

τὴν μὲν Ἐχεκλῆος κρατερὸν μένος Ἀκτορίδαο

190ἠγάγετο πρὸς δώματ', ἐπεὶ πόρε μυρία ἕδνα,

Transliteration

Eudōron peri men theiein tachyn ēde machētēn.

autar epei dē ton ge mogostokos Eileithuia

exagage pro phoōs de kai ēeliou iden augas,

tēn men Echeklēos krateron menos Aktoridao

190ēgageto pros dōmat', epei pore myria hedna,

English

in secret, whereon she bore him a noble son Eudoros, singularly fleet of foot and in fight valiant. When Eileithuia goddess of the pains of child-birth brought him to the light of day, and he saw the face of the sun, mighty Echekles son of Aktor took the mother to wife, and

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ὃ γέρων Φύλας εὖ ἔτρεφεν ἠδ' ἀτίταλλεν

ἀμφαγαπαζόμενος ὡς εἴ θ' ἑὸν υἱὸν ἐόντα.

τῆς δὲ τρίτης Πείσανδρος ἀρήϊος ἡγεμόνευε

Μαιμαλίδης, ὃς πᾶσι μετέπρεπε Μυρμιδόνεσσιν

195ἔγχεϊ μάρνασθαι μετὰ Πηλεί̈ωνος ἑταῖρον.

Transliteration

ton d' ho gerōn Phylas eu etrephen ēd' atitallen

amphagapazomenos hōs ei th' heon huion eonta.

tēs de tritēs Peisandros arēïos hēgemoneue

Maimalidēs, hos pasi meteprepe Myrmidonessin

195encheï marnasthai meta Pēleïōnos hetairon.

English

gave great wealth to gain her, but her father Phylas brought the child up, and took care of him, doting as fondly upon him as though he were his own son. The third company was led by Peisandros son of Maimalos, the finest spearman among all the Myrmidons next to Achilles' own comrade Patroklos.

Homeric Greek

τῆς δὲ τετάρτης ἦρχε γέρων ἱππηλάτα Φοῖνιξ,

πέμπτης δ' Ἀλκιμέδων Λαέρκεος υἱὸς ἀμύμων.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντας ἅμ' ἡγεμόνεσσιν Ἀχιλλεὺς

στῆσεν ἐὺ̈ κρίνας, κρατερὸν δ' ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλε:

200Μυρμιδόνες μή τίς μοι ἀπειλάων λελαθέσθω,

Transliteration

tēs de tetartēs ērche gerōn hippēlata Phoinix,

pemptēs d' Alkimedōn Laerkeos huios amymōn.

autar epei dē pantas ham' hēgemonessin Achilleus

stēsen eÿ krinas, krateron d' epi mython etelle:

200Myrmidones mē tis moi apeilaōn lelathesthō,

English

The old horseman Phoenix was leader of the fourth company, and Alkimedon, noble son of Laerceus of the fifth. When Achilles had chosen his men and had stationed them all with their leaders, he charged them straitly saying, "Myrmidons, remember your threats against the Trojans while you were at the ships

Homeric Greek

ἃς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ θοῇσιν ἀπειλεῖτε Τρώεσσι

πάνθ' ὑπὸ μηνιθμόν, καί μ' ᾐτιάασθε ἕκαστος:

σχέτλιε Πηλέος υἱὲ χόλῳ ἄρα σ' ἔτρεφε μήτηρ,

νηλεές, ὃς παρὰ νηυσὶν ἔχεις ἀέκοντας ἑταίρους:

205οἴκαδέ περ σὺν νηυσὶ νεώμεθα ποντοπόροισιν

Transliteration

has epi nēusi thoēisin apeileite Trōessi

panth' hypo mēnithmon, kai m' ēitiaasthe hekastos:

schetlie Pēleos huie cholōi ara s' etrephe mētēr,

nēlees, hos para nēusin echeis aekontas hetairous:

205oikade per syn nēusi neōmetha pontoporoisin

English

in the time of my anger, and you were all complaining of me. ‘Cruel son of Peleus,’ you would say, ‘your mother must have suckled you on gall, so ruthless are you. You keep us here at the ships against our will; if you are so relentless it were better we went home over the sea.’ Often have you gathered and thus chided with me.

Homeric Greek

αὖτις, ἐπεί ῥά τοι ὧδε κακὸς χόλος ἔμπεσε θυμῷ.

ταῦτά μ' ἀγειρόμενοι θάμ' ἐβάζετε: νῦν δὲ πέφανται

φυλόπιδος μέγα ἔργον, ἕης τὸ πρίν γ' ἐράασθε.

ἔνθά τις ἄλκιμον ἦτορ ἔχων Τρώεσσι μαχέσθω.

210ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.

Transliteration

autis, epei rha toi hōde kakos cholos empese thymōi.

tauta m' ageiromenoi tham' ebazete: nyn de pephantai

phylopidos mega ergon, heēs to prin g' eraasthe.

entha tis alkimon ētor echōn Trōessi machesthō.

210hōs eipōn otryne menos kai thymon hekastou.

English

The hour is now come for those high feats of arms that you have so long been pining for, therefore keep high hearts each one of you to do battle with the Trojans." With these words he put heart and soul into them all, and

Homeric Greek

μᾶλλον δὲ στίχες ἄρθεν, ἐπεὶ βασιλῆος ἄκουσαν.

ὡς δ' ὅτε τοῖχον ἀνὴρ ἀράρῃ πυκινοῖσι λίθοισι

δώματος ὑψηλοῖο βίας ἀνέμων ἀλεείνων,

ὣς ἄραρον κόρυθές τε καὶ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι.

215ἀσπὶς ἄρ' ἀσπίδ' ἔρειδε, κόρυς κόρυν, ἀνέρα δ' ἀνήρ:

Transliteration

mallon de stiches arthen, epei basilēos akousan.

hōs d' hote toichon anēr ararēi pykinoisi lithoisi

dōmatos hypsēloio bias anemōn aleeinōn,

hōs araron korythes te kai aspides omphaloessai.

215aspis ar' aspid' ereide, korys koryn, anera d' anēr:

English

they serried their companies yet more closely when they heard the of their king. As the stones which a builder sets in the wall of some high house which is to give shelter from the winds - even so closely were the helmets and bossed shields set against one another. Shield pressed on shield, helm on helm, and man on man;

Homeric Greek

ψαῦον δ' ἱππόκομοι κόρυθες λαμπροῖσι φάλοισι

νευόντων, ὡς πυκνοὶ ἐφέστασαν ἀλλήλοισι.

πάντων δὲ προπάροιθε δύ' ἀνέρε θωρήσσοντο

Πάτροκλός τε καὶ Αὐτομέδων ἕνα θυμὸν ἔχοντες

220πρόσθεν Μυρμιδόνων πολεμιζέμεν. αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς

Transliteration

psauon d' hippokomoi korythes lamproisi phaloisi

neuontōn, hōs pyknoi ephestasan allēloisi.

pantōn de proparoithe dy' anere thōrēssonto

Patroklos te kai Automedōn hena thymon echontes

220prosthen Myrmidonōn polemizemen. autar Achilleus

English

so close were they that the horse-hair plumes on the gleaming ridges of their helmets touched each other as they bent their heads. In front of them all two men put on their armor - Patroklos and Automedon - two men, with but one mind to lead the Myrmidons.

Homeric Greek

βῆ ῥ' ἴμεν ἐς κλισίην, χηλοῦ δ' ἀπὸ πῶμ' ἀνέῳγε

καλῆς δαιδαλέης, τήν οἱ Θέτις ἀργυρόπεζα

θῆκ' ἐπὶ νηὸς ἄγεσθαι ἐὺ̈ πλήσασα χιτώνων

χλαινάων τ' ἀνεμοσκεπέων οὔλων τε ταπήτων.

225ἔνθα δέ οἱ δέπας ἔσκε τετυγμένον, οὐδέ τις ἄλλος

Transliteration

bē rh' imen es klisiēn, chēlou d' apo pōm' aneōige

kalēs daidaleēs, tēn hoi Thetis argyropeza

thēk' epi nēos agesthai eÿ plēsasa chitōnōn

chlainaōn t' anemoskepeōn oulōn te tapētōn.

225entha de hoi depas eske tetygmenon, oude tis allos

English

Then Achilles went inside his tent and opened the lid of the strong chest which silver-footed Thetis had given him to take on board ship, and which she had filled with shirts, cloaks to keep out the cold, and good thick rugs. In this chest he had a cup of rare workmanship, from which no man

Homeric Greek

οὔτ' ἀνδρῶν πίνεσκεν ἀπ' αὐτοῦ αἴθοπα οἶνον,

οὔτέ τεῳ σπένδεσκε θεῶν, ὅτε μὴ Διὶ πατρί.

τό ῥα τότ' ἐκ χηλοῖο λαβὼν ἐκάθηρε θεείῳ

πρῶτον, ἔπειτα δ' ἔνιψ' ὕδατος καλῇσι ῥοῇσι,

230νίψατο δ' αὐτὸς χεῖρας, ἀφύσσατο δ' αἴθοπα οἶνον.

Transliteration

out' andrōn pinesken ap' autou aithopa oinon,

oute teōi spendeske theōn, hote mē Dii patri.

to rha tot' ek chēloio labōn ekathēre theeiōi

prōton, epeita d' enips' hydatos kalēisi rhoēisi,

230nipsato d' autos cheiras, aphyssato d' aithopa oinon.

English

but himself might drink, nor would he make offering from it to any other god save only to father Zeus. He took the cup from the chest and cleansed it with sulfur; this done he rinsed it clean water, and after he had washed his hands he drew wine.

Homeric Greek

εὔχετ' ἔπειτα στὰς μέσῳ ἕρκεϊ, λεῖβε δὲ οἶνον

οὐρανὸν εἰσανιδών: Δία δ' οὐ λάθε τερπικέραυνον:

Ζεῦ ἄνα Δωδωναῖε Πελασγικὲ τηλόθι ναίων

Δωδώνης μεδέων δυσχειμέρου, ἀμφὶ δὲ Σελλοὶ

235σοὶ ναίουσ' ὑποφῆται ἀνιπτόποδες χαμαιεῦναι,

Transliteration

euchet' epeita stas mesōi herkeï, leibe de oinon

ouranon eisanidōn: Dia d' ou lathe terpikeraunon:

Zeu ana Dōdōnaie Pelasgike tēlothi naiōn

Dōdōnēs medeōn dyscheimerou, amphi de Selloi

235soi naious' hypophētai aniptopodes chamaieunai,

English

Then he stood in the middle of the court and prayed, looking towards heaven, and making his drink-offering of wine; nor was he unseen of Zeus whose joy is in thunder. "King Zeus," he cried, "lord of Dodona, god of the Pelasgi, you who dwell afar, you who hold wintry Dodona in your sway, where your seers the

Homeric Greek

ἠμὲν δή ποτ' ἐμὸν ἔπος ἔκλυες εὐξαμένοιο,

τίμησας μὲν ἐμέ, μέγα δ' ἴψαο λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν,

ἠδ' ἔτι καὶ νῦν μοι τόδ' ἐπικρήηνον ἐέλδωρ:

αὐτὸς μὲν γὰρ ἐγὼ μενέω νηῶν ἐν ἀγῶνι,

240ἀλλ' ἕταρον πέμπω πολέσιν μετὰ Μυρμιδόνεσσι

Transliteration

ēmen dē pot' emon epos eklyes euxamenoio,

timēsas men eme, mega d' ipsao laon Achaiōn,

ēd' eti kai nyn moi tod' epikrēēnon eeldōr:

autos men gar egō meneō nēōn en agōni,

240all' hetaron pempō polesin meta Myrmidonessi

English

Selloi dwell around you with their feet unwashed and their couches made upon the ground - if you heard me when I prayed to you aforetime, and did me honor while you sent disaster on the Achaeans, grant me now the fulfillment of yet this further prayer.

Homeric Greek

μάρνασθαι: τῷ κῦδος ἅμα πρόες εὐρύοπα Ζεῦ,

θάρσυνον δέ οἱ ἦτορ ἐνὶ φρεσίν, ὄφρα καὶ Ἕκτωρ

εἴσεται ἤ ῥα καὶ οἶος ἐπίστηται πολεμίζειν

ἡμέτερος θεράπων, ἦ οἱ τότε χεῖρες ἄαπτοι

245μαίνονθ', ὁππότ' ἐγώ περ ἴω μετὰ μῶλον Ἄρηος.

Transliteration

marnasthai: tōi kydos hama proes euryopa Zeu,

tharsynon de hoi ētor eni phresin, ophra kai Hektōr

eisetai ē rha kai oios epistētai polemizein

hēmeteros therapōn, ē hoi tote cheires aaptoi

245mainonth', hoppot' egō per iō meta mōlon Arēos.

English

I shall stay here where my assembly of ships are lying, but I shall send my comrade into battle at the head of many Myrmidons. Grant, O all-seeing Zeus, that victory may go with him; put your courage into his heart that Hektor may learn whether my squire is man enough to fight alone, or whether his might is only then so indomitable when I myself enter the turmoil of war.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί κ' ἀπὸ ναῦφι μάχην ἐνοπήν τε δίηται,

ἀσκηθής μοι ἔπειτα θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας ἵκοιτο

τεύχεσί τε ξὺν πᾶσι καὶ ἀγχεμάχοις ἑτάροισιν.

ὣς ἔφατ' εὐχόμενος, τοῦ δ' ἔκλυε μητίετα Ζεύς.

250τῷ δ' ἕτερον μὲν ἔδωκε πατήρ, ἕτερον δ' ἀνένευσε:

Transliteration

autar epei k' apo nauphi machēn enopēn te diētai,

askēthēs moi epeita thoas epi nēas hikoito

teuchesi te xyn pasi kai anchemachois hetaroisin.

hōs ephat' euchomenos, tou d' eklye mētieta Zeus.

250tōi d' heteron men edōke patēr, heteron d' aneneuse:

English

Afterwards when he has chased the fight and the cry of battle from the ships, grant that he may return unharmed, with his armor and his comrades, fighters in close combat." Thus did he pray, and all-counseling Zeus heard his prayer. Part of it he did indeed grant him - but not the whole.

Homeric Greek

νηῶν μέν οἱ ἀπώσασθαι πόλεμόν τε μάχην τε

δῶκε, σόον δ' ἀνένευσε μάχης ἐξαπονέεσθαι.

ἤτοι ὃ μὲν σπείσας τε καὶ εὐξάμενος Διὶ πατρὶ

ἂψ κλισίην εἰσῆλθε, δέπας δ' ἀπέθηκ' ἐνὶ χηλῷ,

255στῆ δὲ πάροιθ' ἐλθὼν κλισίης, ἔτι δ' ἤθελε θυμῷ

Transliteration

nēōn men hoi apōsasthai polemon te machēn te

dōke, soon d' aneneuse machēs exaponeesthai.

ētoi ho men speisas te kai euxamenos Dii patri

aps klisiēn eisēlthe, depas d' apethēk' eni chēlōi,

255stē de paroith' elthōn klisiēs, eti d' ēthele thymōi

English

He granted that Patroklos should thrust back war and battle from the ships, but refused to let him come safely out of the fight. When he had made his drink-offering and had thus prayed, Achilles went inside his tent and put back the cup into his chest. Then he again came out, for he still loved to look

Homeric Greek

εἰσιδέειν Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν φύλοπιν αἰνήν.

οἳ δ' ἅμα Πατρόκλῳ μεγαλήτορι θωρηχθέντες

ἔστιχον, ὄφρ' ἐν Τρωσὶ μέγα φρονέοντες ὄρουσαν.

αὐτίκα δὲ σφήκεσσιν ἐοικότες ἐξεχέοντο

260εἰνοδίοις, οὓς παῖδες ἐριδμαίνωσιν ἔθοντες

Transliteration

eisideein Trōōn kai Achaiōn phylopin ainēn.

hoi d' hama Patroklōi megalētori thōrēchthentes

estichon, ophr' en Trōsi mega phroneontes orousan.

autika de sphēkessin eoikotes execheonto

260einodiois, hous paides eridmainōsin ethontes

English

upon the fierce fight that raged between the Trojans and Achaeans. Meanwhile the armed band that was about Patroklos marched on till they sprang high in hope upon the Trojans. They came swarming out like wasps whose nests are by the roadside, and whom silly children love to tease, whereon

Homeric Greek

αἰεὶ κερτομέοντες ὁδῷ ἔπι οἰκί' ἔχοντας

νηπίαχοι: ξυνὸν δὲ κακὸν πολέεσσι τιθεῖσι.

τοὺς δ' εἴ περ παρά τίς τε κιὼν ἄνθρωπος ὁδίτης

κινήσῃ ἀέκων, οἳ δ' ἄλκιμον ἦτορ ἔχοντες

265πρόσσω πᾶς πέτεται καὶ ἀμύνει οἷσι τέκεσσι.

Transliteration

aiei kertomeontes hodōi epi oiki' echontas

nēpiachoi: xynon de kakon poleessi titheisi.

tous d' ei per para tis te kiōn anthrōpos hoditēs

kinēsēi aekōn, hoi d' alkimon ētor echontes

265prossō pas petetai kai amynei hoisi tekessi.

English

any one who happens to be passing may get stung - or again, if a wayfarer going along the road vexes them by accident, every wasp will come flying out in a fury to defend his little ones- even with such rage and courage did the Myrmidons swarm from their ships, and their cry of battle rose heavenwards.

Homeric Greek

τῶν τότε Μυρμιδόνες κραδίην καὶ θυμὸν ἔχοντες

ἐκ νηῶν ἐχέοντο: βοὴ δ' ἄσβεστος ὀρώρει.

Πάτροκλος δ' ἑτάροισιν ἐκέκλετο μακρὸν ἀύ̈σας:

Μυρμιδόνες ἕταροι Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος

270ἀνέρες ἔστε φίλοι, μνήσασθε δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς,

Transliteration

tōn tote Myrmidones kradiēn kai thymon echontes

ek nēōn echeonto: boē d' asbestos orōrei.

Patroklos d' hetaroisin ekekleto makron aÿsas:

Myrmidones hetaroi Pēlēïadeō Achilēos

270aneres este philoi, mnēsasthe de thouridos alkēs,

English

Patroklos called out to his men at the top of his voice, "Myrmidons, followers of Achilles son of Peleus, be men my friends, fight with might and with main, that we may win glory for the son of Peleus, who is far the foremost

Homeric Greek

ὡς ἂν Πηλεί̈δην τιμήσομεν, ὃς μέγ' ἄριστος

Ἀργείων παρὰ νηυσὶ καὶ ἀγχέμαχοι θεράποντες,

γνῷ δὲ καὶ Ἀτρεί̈δης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

ἣν ἄτην, ὅ τ' ἄριστον Ἀχαιῶν οὐδὲν ἔτισεν.

275ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου,

Transliteration

hōs an Pēleïdēn timēsomen, hos meg' aristos

Argeiōn para nēusi kai anchemachoi therapontes,

gnōi de kai Atreïdēs eury kreiōn Agamemnōn

hēn atēn, ho t' ariston Achaiōn ouden etisen.

275hōs eipōn otryne menos kai thymon hekastou,

English

man at the ships of the Argives - he, and his close fighting followers. The son of Atreus King Agamemnon will thus recognize his derangement in showing no respect to the bravest of the Achaeans." With these words he put heart and soul into them all, and they fell in a body upon the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

ἐν δ' ἔπεσον Τρώεσσιν ἀολλέες: ἀμφὶ δὲ νῆες

σμερδαλέον κονάβησαν ἀϋσάντων ὑπ' Ἀχαιῶν.

Τρῶες δ' ὡς εἴδοντο Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμον υἱὸν

αὐτὸν καὶ θεράποντα σὺν ἔντεσι μαρμαίροντας,

280πᾶσιν ὀρίνθη θυμός, ἐκίνηθεν δὲ φάλαγγες

Transliteration

en d' epeson Trōessin aollees: amphi de nēes

smerdaleon konabēsan aÿsantōn hyp' Achaiōn.

Trōes d' hōs eidonto Menoitiou alkimon huion

auton kai theraponta syn entesi marmairontas,

280pasin orinthē thymos, ekinēthen de phalanges

English

The ships rang again with the cry which the Achaeans raised, and when the Trojans saw the brave son of Menoitios and his squire all gleaming in their armor, they were daunted and their battalions were thrown into confusion, for they thought the fleet son of

Homeric Greek

ἐλπόμενοι παρὰ ναῦφι ποδώκεα Πηλεί̈ωνα

μηνιθμὸν μὲν ἀπορρῖψαι, φιλότητα δ' ἑλέσθαι:

πάπτηνεν δὲ ἕκαστος ὅπῃ φύγοι αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.

Πάτροκλος δὲ πρῶτος ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ

285ἀντικρὺ κατὰ μέσσον, ὅθι πλεῖστοι κλονέοντο,

Transliteration

elpomenoi para nauphi podōkea Pēleïōna

mēnithmon men aporripsai, philotēta d' helesthai:

paptēnen de hekastos hopēi phygoi aipyn olethron.

Patroklos de prōtos akontise douri phaeinōi

285antikry kata messon, hothi pleistoi kloneonto,

English

Peleus must now have put aside his anger, and have been reconciled to Agamemnon; every one, therefore, looked round about to see whither he might flee for safety. Patroklos first aimed a spear into the middle of the press where men were packed most closely, by the stern of the ship of Protesilaos.

Homeric Greek

νηὶ̈ πάρα πρυμνῇ μεγαθύμου Πρωτεσιλάου,

καὶ βάλε Πυραίχμην, ὃς Παίονας ἱπποκορυστὰς

ἤγαγεν ἐξ Ἀμυδῶνος ἀπ' Ἀξιοῦ εὐρὺ ῥέοντος:

τὸν βάλε δεξιὸν ὦμον: ὃ δ' ὕπτιος ἐν κονίῃσι

290κάππεσεν οἰμώξας, ἕταροι δέ μιν ἀμφεφόβηθεν

Transliteration

nēï para prymnēi megathymou Prōtesilaou,

kai bale Pyraichmēn, hos Paionas hippokorystas

ēgagen ex Amydōnos ap' Axiou eury rheontos:

ton bale dexion ōmon: ho d' hyptios en koniēisi

290kappesen oimōxas, hetaroi de min amphephobēthen

English

He hit Pyraikhmes who had led his Paeonian horsemen from the Amydon and the broad waters of the river Axios; the spear struck him on the right shoulder, and with a groan he fell backwards in the dust; on this his men were thrown into confusion, for by killing their leader, who was the finest warrior among them, Patroklos struck panic into them all.

Homeric Greek

Παίονες: ἐν γὰρ Πάτροκλος φόβον ἧκεν ἅπασιν

ἡγεμόνα κτείνας, ὃς ἀριστεύεσκε μάχεσθαι.

ἐκ νηῶν δ' ἔλασεν, κατὰ δ' ἔσβεσεν αἰθόμενον πῦρ.

ἡμιδαὴς δ' ἄρα νηῦς λίπετ' αὐτόθι: τοὶ δὲ φόβηθεν

295Τρῶες θεσπεσίῳ ὁμάδῳ: Δαναοὶ δ' ἐπέχυντο

Transliteration

Paiones: en gar Patroklos phobon hēken hapasin

hēgemona kteinas, hos aristeueske machesthai.

ek nēōn d' elasen, kata d' esbesen aithomenon pyr.

hēmidaēs d' ara nēus lipet' autothi: toi de phobēthen

295Trōes thespesiōi homadōi: Danaoi d' epechynto

English

He thus drove them from the ship and quenched the fire that was then blazing - leaving the half-burnt ship to lie where it was. The Trojans were now driven back with a shout that rent the skies, while the Danaans poured after them from their ships, shouting also without ceasing.

Homeric Greek

νῆας ἀνὰ γλαφυράς: ὅμαδος δ' ἀλίαστος ἐτύχθη.

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀφ' ὑψηλῆς κορυφῆς ὄρεος μεγάλοιο

κινήσῃ πυκινὴν νεφέλην στεροπηγερέτα Ζεύς,

ἔκ τ' ἔφανεν πᾶσαι σκοπιαὶ καὶ πρώονες ἄκροι

300καὶ νάπαι, οὐρανόθεν δ' ἄρ' ὑπερράγη ἄσπετος αἰθήρ,

Transliteration

nēas ana glaphyras: homados d' aliastos etychthē.

hōs d' hot' aph' hypsēlēs koryphēs oreos megaloio

kinēsēi pykinēn nephelēn steropēgereta Zeus,

ek t' ephanen pasai skopiai kai prōones akroi

300kai napai, ouranothen d' ar' hyperragē aspetos aithēr,

English

As when Zeus, gatherer of the thunder-cloud, spreads a dense canopy on the top of some lofty mountain, and all the peaks, the jutting headlands, and forest glades show out in the great light that flashes from the bursting heavens, even so when the Danaans had now driven

Homeric Greek

ὣς Δαναοὶ νηῶν μὲν ἀπωσάμενοι δήϊον πῦρ

τυτθὸν ἀνέπνευσαν, πολέμου δ' οὐ γίγνετ' ἐρωή:

οὐ γάρ πώ τι Τρῶες ἀρηϊφίλων ὑπ' Ἀχαιῶν

προτροπάδην φοβέοντο μελαινάων ἀπὸ νηῶν,

305ἀλλ' ἔτ' ἄρ' ἀνθίσταντο, νεῶν δ' ὑπόεικον ἀνάγκῃ.

Transliteration

hōs Danaoi nēōn men apōsamenoi dēïon pyr

tytthon anepneusan, polemou d' ou gignet' erōē:

ou gar pō ti Trōes arēïphilōn hyp' Achaiōn

protropadēn phobeonto melainaōn apo nēōn,

305all' et' ar' anthistanto, neōn d' hypoeikon anankēi.

English

back the fire from their ships, they took breath for a little while; but the fury of the fight was not yet over, for the Trojans were not driven back in utter rout, but still gave battle, and were ousted from their ground only by sheer fighting.

Homeric Greek

ἔνθα δ' ἀνὴρ ἕλεν ἄνδρα κεδασθείσης ὑσμίνης

ἡγεμόνων. πρῶτος δὲ Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμος υἱὸς

αὐτίκ' ἄρα στρεφθέντος Ἀρηϊλύκου βάλε μηρὸν

ἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι, διὰ πρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσε:

310ῥῆξεν δ' ὀστέον ἔγχος, ὃ δὲ πρηνὴς ἐπὶ γαίῃ

Transliteration

entha d' anēr helen andra kedastheisēs hysminēs

hēgemonōn. prōtos de Menoitiou alkimos huios

autik' ara strephthentos Arēïlykou bale mēron

encheï oxyoenti, dia pro de chalkon elasse:

310rhēxen d' osteon enchos, ho de prēnēs epi gaiēi

English

The fight then became more scattered, and the chieftains killed one another when and how they could. The valiant son of Menoitios first drove his spear into the thigh of Areilykos just as he was turning round; the point went clean through, and broke the bone so that he fell forward. Meanwhile Menelaos struck Thoas in the chest, where it was exposed near the rim of his shield, and he fell dead.

Homeric Greek

κάππεσ': ἀτὰρ Μενέλαος ἀρήϊος οὖτα Θόαντα

στέρνον γυμνωθέντα παρ' ἀσπίδα, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα.

Φυλεί̈δης δ' Ἄμφικλον ἐφορμηθέντα δοκεύσας

ἔφθη ὀρεξάμενος πρυμνὸν σκέλος, ἔνθα πάχιστος

315μυὼν ἀνθρώπου πέλεται: περὶ δ' ἔγχεος αἰχμῇ

Transliteration

kappes': atar Menelaos arēïos outa Thoanta

sternon gymnōthenta par' aspida, lyse de guia.

Phyleïdēs d' Amphiklon ephormēthenta dokeusas

ephthē orexamenos prymnon skelos, entha pachistos

315myōn anthrōpou peletai: peri d' encheos aichmēi

English

The son of Phyleus saw Amphiklos about to attack him, and ere he could do so took aim at the upper part of his thigh, where the muscles are thicker than in any other part; the spear tore through all the sinews of the leg, and his eyes were closed in darkness.

Homeric Greek

νεῦρα διεσχίσθη: τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψε.

Νεστορίδαι δ' ὃ μὲν οὔτασ' Ἀτύμνιον ὀξέϊ δουρὶ

Ἀντίλοχος, λαπάρης δὲ διήλασε χάλκεον ἔγχος:

ἤριπε δὲ προπάροιθε. Μάρις δ' αὐτοσχεδὰ δουρὶ

320Ἀντιλόχῳ ἐπόρουσε κασιγνήτοιο χολωθεὶς

Transliteration

neura dieschisthē: ton de skotos osse kalypse.

Nestoridai d' ho men outas' Atymnion oxeï douri

Antilochos, laparēs de diēlase chalkeon enchos:

ēripe de proparoithe. Maris d' autoscheda douri

320Antilochōi eporouse kasignētoio cholōtheis

English

Of the sons of Nestor one, Antilokhos, speared Atymnios, driving the point of the spear through his throat, and down he fell. Maris then sprang on Antilokhos in hand-to-hand fight to avenge his brother, and bestrode the body spear in hand;

Homeric Greek

στὰς πρόσθεν νέκυος: τοῦ δ' ἀντίθεος Θρασυμήδης

ἔφθη ὀρεξάμενος πρὶν οὐτάσαι, οὐδ' ἀφάμαρτεν,

ὦμον ἄφαρ: πρυμνὸν δὲ βραχίονα δουρὸς ἀκωκὴ

δρύψ' ἀπὸ μυώνων, ἀπὸ δ' ὀστέον ἄχρις ἄραξε:

325δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, κατὰ δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψεν.

Transliteration

stas prosthen nekyos: tou d' antitheos Thrasymēdēs

ephthē orexamenos prin outasai, oud' aphamarten,

ōmon aphar: prymnon de brachiona douros akōkē

dryps' apo myōnōn, apo d' osteon achris araxe:

325doupēsen de pesōn, kata de skotos osse kalypsen.

English

but valiant Thrasymedes was too quick for him, and in a moment had struck him in the shoulder ere he could deal his blow; his aim was true, and the spear severed all the muscles at the root of his arm, and tore them right down to the bone, so he fell heavily to the ground and his eyes were closed in darkness.

Homeric Greek

ὣς τὼ μὲν δοιοῖσι κασιγνήτοισι δαμέντε

βήτην εἰς Ἔρεβος Σαρπηδόνος ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι

υἷες ἀκοντισταὶ Ἀμισωδάρου, ὅς ῥα Χίμαιραν

θρέψεν ἀμαιμακέτην πολέσιν κακὸν ἀνθρώποισιν.

330Αἴας δὲ Κλεόβουλον Ὀϊλιάδης ἐπορούσας

Transliteration

hōs tō men doioisi kasignētoisi damente

bētēn eis Erebos Sarpēdonos esthloi hetairoi

huies akontistai Amisōdarou, hos rha Chimairan

threpsen amaimaketēn polesin kakon anthrōpoisin.

330Aias de Kleoboulon Oïliadēs eporousas

English

Thus did these two noble comrades of Sarpedon go down to Erebos slain by the two sons of Nestor; they were the warrior sons of Amisodoros, who had reared the invincible Chimaera, to the bane of many. Ajax son of Oileus sprang on Kleoboulos and took him alive as he was entangled in the crush;

Homeric Greek

ζωὸν ἕλε βλαφθέντα κατὰ κλόνον: ἀλλά οἱ αὖθι

λῦσε μένος πλήξας ξίφει αὐχένα κωπήεντι.

πᾶν δ' ὑπεθερμάνθη ξίφος αἵματι: τὸν δὲ κατ' ὄσσε

ἔλλαβε πορφύρεος θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κραταιή.

335Πηνέλεως δὲ Λύκων τε συνέδραμον: ἔγχεσι μὲν γὰρ

Transliteration

zōon hele blaphthenta kata klonon: alla hoi authi

lyse menos plēxas xiphei auchena kōpēenti.

pan d' hypethermanthē xiphos haimati: ton de kat' osse

ellabe porphyreos thanatos kai moira krataiē.

335Pēneleōs de Lykōn te synedramon: enchesi men gar

English

but he killed him then and there by a sword-blow on the neck. The sword reeked with his blood, while dark death and the strong hand of fate gripped him and closed his eyes. Peneleos and Lykon now met in close fight, for they had missed each other with their spears.

Homeric Greek

ἤμβροτον ἀλλήλων, μέλεον δ' ἠκόντισαν ἄμφω:

τὼ δ' αὖτις ξιφέεσσι συνέδραμον. ἔνθα Λύκων μὲν

ἱπποκόμου κόρυθος φάλον ἤλασεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ καυλὸν

φάσγανον ἐρραίσθη: ὃ δ' ὑπ' οὔατος αὐχένα θεῖνε

340Πηνέλεως, πᾶν δ' εἴσω ἔδυ ξίφος, ἔσχεθε δ' οἶον

Transliteration

ēmbroton allēlōn, meleon d' ēkontisan amphō:

tō d' autis xipheessi synedramon. entha Lykōn men

hippokomou korythos phalon ēlasen, amphi de kaulon

phasganon erraisthē: ho d' hyp' ouatos auchena theine

340Pēneleōs, pan d' eisō edy xiphos, eschethe d' oion

English

They had both thrown without effect, so now they drew their swords. Lykon struck the plumed crest of Peneleos' helmet but his sword broke at the hilt, while Peneleos smote Lykon on the neck under the ear. The blade sank so deep that the head was held on by nothing but the skin, and there was no more life left in him.

Homeric Greek

δέρμα, παρηέρθη δὲ κάρη, ὑπέλυντο δὲ γυῖα.

Μηριόνης δ' Ἀκάμαντα κιχεὶς ποσὶ καρπαλίμοισι

νύξ' ἵππων ἐπιβησόμενον κατὰ δεξιὸν ὦμον:

ἤριπε δ' ἐξ ὀχέων, κατὰ δ' ὀφθαλμῶν κέχυτ' ἀχλύς.

345Ἰδομενεὺς δ' Ἐρύμαντα κατὰ στόμα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ

Transliteration

derma, parēerthē de karē, hypelynto de guia.

Mērionēs d' Akamanta kicheis posi karpalimoisi

nyx' hippōn epibēsomenon kata dexion ōmon:

ēripe d' ex ocheōn, kata d' ophthalmōn kechyt' achlys.

345Idomeneus d' Erymanta kata stoma nēleï chalkōi

English

Meriones gave chase to Akamas on foot and caught him up just as he was about to mount his chariot; he drove a spear through his right shoulder so that he fell headlong from the car, and his eyes were closed in darkness. Idomeneus speared Erymas in the mouth;

Homeric Greek

νύξε: τὸ δ' ἀντικρὺ δόρυ χάλκεον ἐξεπέρησε

νέρθεν ὑπ' ἐγκεφάλοιο, κέασσε δ' ἄρ' ὀστέα λευκά:

ἐκ δ' ἐτίναχθεν ὀδόντες, ἐνέπλησθεν δέ οἱ ἄμφω

αἵματος ὀφθαλμοί: τὸ δ' ἀνὰ στόμα καὶ κατὰ ῥῖνας

350πρῆσε χανών: θανάτου δὲ μέλαν νέφος ἀμφεκάλυψεν.

Transliteration

nyxe: to d' antikry dory chalkeon exeperēse

nerthen hyp' enkephaloio, keasse d' ar' ostea leuka:

ek d' etinachthen odontes, eneplēsthen de hoi amphō

haimatos ophthalmoi: to d' ana stoma kai kata rhinas

350prēse chanōn: thanatou de melan nephos amphekalypsen.

English

the bronze point of the spear went clean through it beneath the brain, crashing in among the white bones and smashing them up. His teeth were all of them knocked out and the blood came gushing in a stream from both his eyes; it also came gurgling up from his mouth and nostrils, and the darkness of death enfolded him round about.

Homeric Greek

οὗτοι ἄρ' ἡγεμόνες Δαναῶν ἕλον ἄνδρα ἕκαστος.

ὡς δὲ λύκοι ἄρνεσσιν ἐπέχραον ἢ ἐρίφοισι

σίνται ὑπ' ἐκ μήλων αἱρεύμενοι, αἵ τ' ἐν ὄρεσσι

ποιμένος ἀφραδίῃσι διέτμαγεν: οἳ δὲ ἰδόντες

355αἶψα διαρπάζουσιν ἀνάλκιδα θυμὸν ἐχούσας:

Transliteration

houtoi ar' hēgemones Danaōn helon andra hekastos.

hōs de lykoi arnessin epechraon ē eriphoisi

sintai hyp' ek mēlōn haireumenoi, hai t' en oressi

poimenos aphradiēisi dietmagen: hoi de idontes

355aipsa diarpazousin analkida thymon echousas:

English

Thus did these chieftains of the Danaans each of them kill his man. As ravening wolves seize on kids or lambs, fastening on them when they are alone on the hillsides and have strayed from the main flock through the carelessness of the shepherd - and when the wolves see this they pounce upon them at once because they cannot defend themselves- even

Homeric Greek

ὣς Δαναοὶ Τρώεσσιν ἐπέχραον: οἳ δὲ φόβοιο

δυσκελάδου μνήσαντο, λάθοντο δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς.

Αἴας δ' ὃ μέγας αἰὲν ἐφ' Ἕκτορι χαλκοκορυστῇ

ἵετ' ἀκοντίσσαι: ὃ δὲ ἰδρείῃ πολέμοιο

360ἀσπίδι ταυρείῃ κεκαλυμμένος εὐρέας ὤμους

Transliteration

hōs Danaoi Trōessin epechraon: hoi de phoboio

dyskeladou mnēsanto, lathonto de thouridos alkēs.

Aias d' ho megas aien eph' Hektori chalkokorystēi

hiet' akontissai: ho de idreiēi polemoio

360aspidi taureiēi kekalymmenos eureas ōmous

English

so did the Danaans now fall on the Trojans, who fled with ill-omened cries in their panic and had no more fight left in them. Meanwhile great Ajax kept on trying to drive a spear into Hektor, but Hektor was so skillful that he held his broad shoulders well under cover of his ox-hide shield, ever on the look-out

Homeric Greek

σκέπτετ' ὀϊστῶν τε ῥοῖζον καὶ δοῦπον ἀκόντων.

ἦ μὲν δὴ γίγνωσκε μάχης ἑτεραλκέα νίκην:

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἀνέμιμνε, σάω δ' ἐρίηρας ἑταίρους.

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀπ' Οὐλύμπου νέφος ἔρχεται οὐρανὸν εἴσω

365αἰθέρος ἐκ δίης, ὅτε τε Ζεὺς λαίλαπα τείνῃ,

Transliteration

skeptet' oïstōn te rhoizon kai doupon akontōn.

ē men dē gignōske machēs heteralkea nikēn:

alla kai hōs anemimne, saō d' eriēras hetairous.

hōs d' hot' ap' Oulympou nephos erchetai ouranon eisō

365aitheros ek diēs, hote te Zeus lailapa teinēi,

English

for the whizzing of the arrows and the heavy thud of the spears. He well knew that the fortunes of the day had changed, but still stood his ground and tried to protect his comrades. As when a cloud goes up into heaven from Olympus, rising out of a clear sky when Zeus is brewing a gale -

Homeric Greek

ὣς τῶν ἐκ νηῶν γένετο ἰαχή τε φόβος τε,

οὐδὲ κατὰ μοῖραν πέραον πάλιν. Ἕκτορα δ' ἵπποι

ἔκφερον ὠκύποδες σὺν τεύχεσι, λεῖπε δὲ λαὸν

Τρωϊκόν, οὓς ἀέκοντας ὀρυκτὴ τάφρος ἔρυκε.

370πολλοὶ δ' ἐν τάφρῳ ἐρυσάρματες ὠκέες ἵπποι

Transliteration

hōs tōn ek nēōn geneto iachē te phobos te,

oude kata moiran peraon palin. Hektora d' hippoi

ekpheron ōkypodes syn teuchesi, leipe de laon

Trōïkon, hous aekontas oryktē taphros eryke.

370polloi d' en taphrōi erysarmates ōkees hippoi

English

even with such panic stricken rout did the Trojans now flee, and there was no order in their going. Hektor's fleet horses bore him and his armor out of the fight, and he left the Trojan host penned in by the deep trench against their will. Many a yoke of horses snapped the pole of their chariots in the trench and left their master's car behind them.

Homeric Greek

ἄξαντ' ἐν πρώτῳ ῥυμῷ λίπον ἅρματ' ἀνάκτων,

Πάτροκλος δ' ἕπετο σφεδανὸν Δαναοῖσι κελεύων

Τρωσὶ κακὰ φρονέων: οἳ δὲ ἰαχῇ τε φόβῳ τε

πάσας πλῆσαν ὁδούς, ἐπεὶ ἂρ τμάγεν: ὕψι δ' ἀέλλη

375σκίδναθ' ὑπὸ νεφέων, τανύοντο δὲ μώνυχες ἵπποι

Transliteration

axant' en prōtōi rhymōi lipon harmat' anaktōn,

Patroklos d' hepeto sphedanon Danaoisi keleuōn

Trōsi kaka phroneōn: hoi de iachēi te phobōi te

pasas plēsan hodous, epei ar tmagen: hypsi d' aellē

375skidnath' hypo nepheōn, tanyonto de mōnyches hippoi

English

Patroklos gave chase, calling impetuously on the Danaans and full of fury against the Trojans, who, being now no longer in a body, filled all the ways with their cries of panic and rout; the air was darkened with the clouds of dust they raised, and the horses strained every nerve in

Homeric Greek

ἄψορρον προτὶ ἄστυ νεῶν ἄπο καὶ κλισιάων.

Πάτροκλος δ' ᾗ πλεῖστον ὀρινόμενον ἴδε λαόν,

τῇ ῥ' ἔχ' ὁμοκλήσας: ὑπὸ δ' ἄξοσι φῶτες ἔπιπτον

πρηνέες ἐξ ὀχέων, δίφροι δ' ἀνακυμβαλίαζον.

380ἀντικρὺ δ' ἄρα τάφρον ὑπέρθορον ὠκέες ἵπποι

Transliteration

apsorron proti asty neōn apo kai klisiaōn.

Patroklos d' hēi pleiston orinomenon ide laon,

tēi rh' ech' homoklēsas: hypo d' axosi phōtes epipton

prēnees ex ocheōn, diphroi d' anakymbaliazon.

380antikry d' ara taphron hyperthoron ōkees hippoi

English

their flight from the tents and ships towards the city. Patroklos kept on heading his horses wherever he saw most men fleeing in confusion, cheering on his men the while. Chariots were being smashed in all directions, and many a man came tumbling down from his own car to fall beneath the wheels

Homeric Greek

ἄμβροτοι, οὓς Πηλῆϊ θεοὶ δόσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα,

πρόσσω ἱέμενοι, ἐπὶ δ' Ἕκτορι κέκλετο θυμός:

ἵετο γὰρ βαλέειν: τὸν δ' ἔκφερον ὠκέες ἵπποι.

ὡς δ' ὑπὸ λαίλαπι πᾶσα κελαινὴ βέβριθε χθὼν

385ἤματ' ὀπωρινῷ, ὅτε λαβρότατον χέει ὕδωρ

Transliteration

ambrotoi, hous Pēlēï theoi dosan aglaa dōra,

prossō hiemenoi, epi d' Hektori kekleto thymos:

hieto gar baleein: ton d' ekpheron ōkees hippoi.

hōs d' hypo lailapi pasa kelainē bebrithe chthōn

385ēmat' opōrinōi, hote labrotaton cheei hydōr

English

of that of Patroklos, whose immortal steeds, given by the gods to Peleus, sprang over the trench at a bound as they sped onward. He was intent on trying to get near Hektor, for he had set his heart on spearing him, but Hektor's horses were now hurrying him away.

Homeric Greek

Ζεύς, ὅτε δή ῥ' ἄνδρεσσι κοτεσσάμενος χαλεπήνῃ,

οἳ βίῃ εἰν ἀγορῇ σκολιὰς κρίνωσι θέμιστας,

ἐκ δὲ δίκην ἐλάσωσι θεῶν ὄπιν οὐκ ἀλέγοντες:

τῶν δέ τε πάντες μὲν ποταμοὶ πλήθουσι ῥέοντες,

390πολλὰς δὲ κλιτῦς τότ' ἀποτμήγουσι χαράδραι,

Transliteration

Zeus, hote dē rh' andressi kotessamenos chalepēnēi,

hoi biēi ein agorēi skolias krinōsi themistas,

ek de dikēn elasōsi theōn opin ouk alegontes:

tōn de te pantes men potamoi plēthousi rheontes,

390pollas de klitys tot' apotmēgousi charadrai,

English

As the whole dark earth bows before some tempest on an autumn day when Zeus rains his hardest to punish men for judging crookedly in their courts, and arriving justice there from without heed to the decrees of heaven - all the rivers run full and the torrents tear many a new channel as they

Homeric Greek

ἐς δ' ἅλα πορφυρέην μεγάλα στενάχουσι ῥέουσαι

ἐξ ὀρέων ἐπικάρ, μινύθει δέ τε ἔργ' ἀνθρώπων:

ὣς ἵπποι Τρῳαὶ μεγάλα στενάχοντο θέουσαι.

Πάτροκλος δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν πρώτας ἐπέκερσε φάλαγγας,

395ἂψ ἐπὶ νῆας ἔεργε παλιμπετές, οὐδὲ πόληος

Transliteration

es d' hala porphyreēn megala stenachousi rheousai

ex oreōn epikar, minythei de te erg' anthrōpōn:

hōs hippoi Trōiai megala stenachonto theousai.

Patroklos d' epei oun prōtas epekerse phalangas,

395aps epi nēas eerge palimpetes, oude polēos

English

roar headlong from the mountains to the dark sea, and it fares ill with the works of men - even such was the stress and strain of the Trojan horses in their flight. Patroklos now cut off the battalions that were nearest to him and drove them back to the ships.

Homeric Greek

εἴα ἱεμένους ἐπιβαινέμεν, ἀλλὰ μεσηγὺ

νηῶν καὶ ποταμοῦ καὶ τείχεος ὑψηλοῖο

κτεῖνε μεταί̈σσων, πολέων δ' ἀπετίνυτο ποινήν.

ἔνθ' ἤτοι Πρόνοον πρῶτον βάλε δουρὶ φαεινῷ

400στέρνον γυμνωθέντα παρ' ἀσπίδα, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα:

Transliteration

eia hiemenous epibainemen, alla mesēgy

nēōn kai potamou kai teicheos hypsēloio

kteine metaïssōn, poleōn d' apetinyto poinēn.

enth' ētoi Pronoon prōton bale douri phaeinōi

400sternon gymnōthenta par' aspida, lyse de guia:

English

They were doing their best to reach the city, but he would not let them, and bore down on them between the river and the ships and wall. Many a fallen comrade did he then avenge. First he hit Pronoos with a spear on the chest where it was exposed near the rim of his shield, and he fell heavily to the ground.

Homeric Greek

δούπησεν δὲ πεσών: ὃ δὲ Θέστορα Ἤνοπος υἱὸν

δεύτερον ὁρμηθείς: ὃ μὲν εὐξέστῳ ἐνὶ δίφρῳ

ἧστο ἀλείς: ἐκ γὰρ πλήγη φρένας, ἐκ δ' ἄρα χειρῶν

ἡνία ἠί̈χθησαν: ὃ δ' ἔγχεϊ νύξε παραστὰς

405γναθμὸν δεξιτερόν, διὰ δ' αὐτοῦ πεῖρεν ὀδόντων,

Transliteration

doupēsen de pesōn: ho de Thestora Ēnopos huion

deuteron hormētheis: ho men euxestōi eni diphrōi

hēsto aleis: ek gar plēgē phrenas, ek d' ara cheirōn

hēnia ēïchthēsan: ho d' encheï nyxe parastas

405gnathmon dexiteron, dia d' autou peiren odontōn,

English

Next he sprang on Thestor son of Enops, who was sitting all huddled up in his chariot, for he had lost his head and the reins had been torn out of his hands. Patroklos went up to him and drove a spear into his right jaw;

Homeric Greek

ἕλκε δὲ δουρὸς ἑλὼν ὑπὲρ ἄντυγος, ὡς ὅτε τις φὼς

πέτρῃ ἔπι προβλῆτι καθήμενος ἱερὸν ἰχθὺν

ἐκ πόντοιο θύραζε λίνῳ καὶ ἤνοπι χαλκῷ:

ὣς ἕλκ' ἐκ δίφροιο κεχηνότα δουρὶ φαεινῷ,

410κὰδ δ' ἄρ' ἐπὶ στόμ' ἔωσε: πεσόντα δέ μιν λίπε θυμός.

Transliteration

helke de douros helōn hyper antygos, hōs hote tis phōs

petrēi epi problēti kathēmenos hieron ichthyn

ek pontoio thyraze linōi kai ēnopi chalkōi:

hōs helk' ek diphroio kechēnota douri phaeinōi,

410kad d' ar' epi stom' eōse: pesonta de min lipe thymos.

English

he thus hooked him by the teeth and the spear pulled him over the rim of his car, as one who sits at the end of some jutting rock and draws a strong fish out of the sea with a hook and a line - even so with his spear did he pull Thestor all gaping from his chariot;

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἔπειτ' Ἐρύλαον ἐπεσσύμενον βάλε πέτρῳ

μέσσην κὰκ κεφαλήν: ἣ δ' ἄνδιχα πᾶσα κεάσθη

ἐν κόρυθι βριαρῇ: ὃ δ' ἄρα πρηνὴς ἐπὶ γαίῃ

κάππεσεν, ἀμφὶ δέ μιν θάνατος χύτο θυμοραϊστής.

415αὐτὰρ ἔπειτ' Ἐρύμαντα καὶ Ἀμφοτερὸν καὶ Ἐπάλτην

Transliteration

autar epeit' Erylaon epessymenon bale petrōi

messēn kak kephalēn: hē d' andicha pasa keasthē

en korythi briarēi: ho d' ara prēnēs epi gaiēi

kappesen, amphi de min thanatos chyto thymoraïstēs.

415autar epeit' Erymanta kai Amphoteron kai Epaltēn

English

he then threw him down on his face and he died while falling. On this, as Erylaos was on to attack him, he struck him full on the head with a stone, and his brains were all battered inside his helmet, whereon he fell headlong to the ground and the pangs of death took hold upon him.

Homeric Greek

Τληπόλεμόν τε Δαμαστορίδην Ἐχίον τε Πύριν τε

Ἰφέα τ' Εὔιππόν τε καὶ Ἀργεάδην Πολύμηλον

πάντας ἐπασσυτέρους πέλασε χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ.

Σαρπηδὼν δ' ὡς οὖν ἴδ' ἀμιτροχίτωνας ἑταίρους

420χέρσ' ὕπο Πατρόκλοιο Μενοιτιάδαο δαμέντας,

Transliteration

Tlēpolemon te Damastoridēn Echion te Pyrin te

Iphea t' Euippon te kai Argeadēn Polymēlon

pantas epassyterous pelase chthoni poulyboteirēi.

Sarpēdōn d' hōs oun id' amitrochitōnas hetairous

420chers' hypo Patrokloio Menoitiadao damentas,

English

Then he laid low, one after the other, Erymas, Amphoteros, Epaltes, Tlepolemos, Echios son of Damastor, Pyris, Ipheus, Euippos and Polymelos son of Argeas. Now when Sarpedon saw his comrades, men who wore unbelted tunics, being overcome by Patroklos son of Menoitios, he rebuked the Lycians saying.

Homeric Greek

κέκλετ' ἄρ' ἀντιθέοισι καθαπτόμενος Λυκίοισιν:

αἰδὼς ὦ Λύκιοι: πόσε φεύγετε; νῦν θοοὶ ἔστε.

ἀντήσω γὰρ ἐγὼ τοῦδ' ἀνέρος, ὄφρα δαείω

ὅς τις ὅδε κρατέει καὶ δὴ κακὰ πολλὰ ἔοργε

425Τρῶας, ἐπεὶ πολλῶν τε καὶ ἐσθλῶν γούνατ' ἔλυσεν.

Transliteration

keklet' ar' antitheoisi kathaptomenos Lykioisin:

aidōs ō Lykioi: pose pheugete; nyn thooi este.

antēsō gar egō toud' aneros, ophra daeiō

hos tis hode krateei kai dē kaka polla eorge

425Trōas, epei pollōn te kai esthlōn gounat' elysen.

English

"Shame on you, where are you fleeing to? Show your mettle; I will myself meet this man in fight and learn who it is that is so masterful; he has done us much hurt, and has stretched many a brave man upon the ground."

Homeric Greek

ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε.

Πάτροκλος δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐπεὶ ἴδεν ἔκθορε δίφρου.

οἳ δ' ὥς τ' αἰγυπιοὶ γαμψώνυχες ἀγκυλοχεῖλαι

πέτρῃ ἐφ' ὑψηλῇ μεγάλα κλάζοντε μάχωνται,

430ὣς οἳ κεκλήγοντες ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισιν ὄρουσαν.

Transliteration

ē rha, kai ex ocheōn syn teuchesin alto chamaze.

Patroklos d' heterōthen epei iden ekthore diphrou.

hoi d' hōs t' aigypioi gampsōnyches ankylocheilai

petrēi eph' hypsēlēi megala klazonte machōntai,

430hōs hoi keklēgontes ep' allēloisin orousan.

English

He sprang from his chariot as he spoke, and Patroklos, when he saw this, leaped on to the ground also. The two then rushed at one another with loud cries like eagle-beaked crook-taloned vultures that scream and tear at one another in some high mountain fastness.

Homeric Greek

τοὺς δὲ ἰδὼν ἐλέησε Κρόνου πάϊς ἀγκυλομήτεω,

Ἥρην δὲ προσέειπε κασιγνήτην ἄλοχόν τε:

ὤ μοι ἐγών, ὅ τέ μοι Σαρπηδόνα φίλτατον ἀνδρῶν

μοῖρ' ὑπὸ Πατρόκλοιο Μενοιτιάδαο δαμῆναι.

435διχθὰ δέ μοι κραδίη μέμονε φρεσὶν ὁρμαίνοντι,

Transliteration

tous de idōn eleēse Kronou païs ankylomēteō,

Hērēn de proseeipe kasignētēn alochon te:

ō moi egōn, ho te moi Sarpēdona philtaton andrōn

moir' hypo Patrokloio Menoitiadao damēnai.

435dichtha de moi kradiē memone phresin hormainonti,

English

The son of scheming Kronos looked down upon them in pity and said to Hera who was his wife and sister, "Alas, that it should be the lot of Sarpedon whom I love so dearly to perish by the hand of Patroklos.

Homeric Greek

ἤ μιν ζωὸν ἐόντα μάχης ἄπο δακρυοέσσης

θείω ἀναρπάξας Λυκίης ἐν πίονι δήμῳ,

ἦ ἤδη ὑπὸ χερσὶ Μενοιτιάδαο δαμάσσω.

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη:

440αἰνότατε Κρονίδη ποῖον τὸν μῦθον ἔειπες.

Transliteration

ē min zōon eonta machēs apo dakryoessēs

theiō anarpaxas Lykiēs en pioni dēmōi,

ē ēdē hypo chersi Menoitiadao damassō.

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita boōpis potnia Hērē:

440ainotate Kronidē poion ton mython eeipes.

English

I am in two minds whether to catch him up out of the fight and set him down safe and sound in the fertile district of Lycia, or to let him now fall by the hand of the son of Menoitios." And Hera answered, "Most dread son of Kronos, what is this that you are saying?

Homeric Greek

ἄνδρα θνητὸν ἐόντα πάλαι πεπρωμένον αἴσῃ

ἂψ ἐθέλεις θανάτοιο δυσηχέος ἐξαναλῦσαι;

ἔρδ': ἀτὰρ οὔ τοι πάντες ἐπαινέομεν θεοὶ ἄλλοι.

ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δ' ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν:

445αἴ κε ζὼν πέμψῃς Σαρπηδόνα ὃν δὲ δόμον δέ,

Transliteration

andra thnēton eonta palai peprōmenon aisēi

aps etheleis thanatoio dysēcheos exanalysai;

erd': atar ou toi pantes epaineomen theoi alloi.

allo de toi ereō, sy d' eni phresi balleo sēisin:

445ai ke zōn pempsēis Sarpēdona hon de domon de,

English

Would you snatch a mortal man, whose doom has long been fated, out of the jaws of death? Do as you will, but we shall not all of us be of your mind. I say further, and lay my saying to your heart, that if you

Homeric Greek

φράζεο μή τις ἔπειτα θεῶν ἐθέλῃσι καὶ ἄλλος

πέμπειν ὃν φίλον υἱὸν ἀπὸ κρατερῆς ὑσμίνης:

πολλοὶ γὰρ περὶ ἄστυ μέγα Πριάμοιο μάχονται

υἱέες ἀθανάτων, τοῖσιν κότον αἰνὸν ἐνήσεις.

450ἀλλ' εἴ τοι φίλος ἐστί, τεὸν δ' ὀλοφύρεται ἦτορ,

Transliteration

phrazeo mē tis epeita theōn ethelēisi kai allos

pempein hon philon huion apo kraterēs hysminēs:

polloi gar peri asty mega Priamoio machontai

huiees athanatōn, toisin koton ainon enēseis.

450all' ei toi philos esti, teon d' olophyretai ētor,

English

send Sarpedon safely to his own home, some other of the gods will be also wanting to escort his son out of battle, for there are many sons of gods fighting round the city of Troy, and you will make every one jealous.

Homeric Greek

ἤτοι μέν μιν ἔασον ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ

χέρσ' ὕπο Πατρόκλοιο Μενοιτιάδαο δαμῆναι:

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ τόν γε λίπῃ ψυχή τε καὶ αἰών,

πέμπειν μιν θάνατόν τε φέρειν καὶ νήδυμον ὕπνον

455εἰς ὅ κε δὴ Λυκίης εὐρείης δῆμον ἵκωνται,

Transliteration

ētoi men min eason eni kraterēi hysminēi

chers' hypo Patrokloio Menoitiadao damēnai:

autar epēn dē ton ge lipēi psychē te kai aiōn,

pempein min thanaton te pherein kai nēdymon hypnon

455eis ho ke dē Lykiēs eureiēs dēmon hikōntai,

English

If, however, you are fond of him and pity him, let him indeed fall by the hand of Patroklos, but as soon as the life is gone out of him, send Death and sweet Sleep to bear him off the field and take him to the broad district of

Homeric Greek

ἔνθά ἑ ταρχύσουσι κασίγνητοί τε ἔται τε

τύμβῳ τε στήλῃ τε: τὸ γὰρ γέρας ἐστὶ θανόντων.

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε:

αἱματοέσσας δὲ ψιάδας κατέχευεν ἔραζε

460παῖδα φίλον τιμῶν, τόν οἱ Πάτροκλος ἔμελλε

Transliteration

entha he tarchysousi kasignētoi te etai te

tymbōi te stēlēi te: to gar geras esti thanontōn.

hōs ephat', oud' apithēse patēr andrōn te theōn te:

haimatoessas de psiadas katecheuen eraze

460paida philon timōn, ton hoi Patroklos emelle

English

Lycia, where his brothers and his kinsmen will bury him with mound and pillar, in due honor to the dead." The sire of gods and men assented, but he shed a rain of blood upon the earth in honor of his son whom Patroklos was about to kill

Homeric Greek

φθίσειν ἐν Τροίῃ ἐριβώλακι τηλόθι πάτρης.

οἳ δ' ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦσαν ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισιν ἰόντες,

ἔνθ' ἤτοι Πάτροκλος ἀγακλειτὸν Θρασύμηλον,

ὅς ῥ' ἠὺ̈ς θεράπων Σαρπηδόνος ἦεν ἄνακτος,

465τὸν βάλε νείαιραν κατὰ γαστέρα, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα.

Transliteration

phthisein en Troiēi eribōlaki tēlothi patrēs.

hoi d' hote dē schedon ēsan ep' allēloisin iontes,

enth' ētoi Patroklos agakleiton Thrasymēlon,

hos rh' ēÿs therapōn Sarpēdonos ēen anaktos,

465ton bale neiairan kata gastera, lyse de guia.

English

on the fertile plain of Troy far from his home. When they were now come close to one another Patroklos struck Thrasydemos, the brave squire of Sarpedon, in the lower part of the belly, and killed him.

Homeric Greek

Σαρπηδὼν δ' αὐτοῦ μὲν ἀπήμβροτε δουρὶ φαεινῷ

δεύτερον ὁρμηθείς, ὃ δὲ Πήδασον οὔτασεν ἵππον

ἔγχεϊ δεξιὸν ὦμον: ὃ δ' ἔβραχε θυμὸν ἀί̈σθων,

κὰδ δ' ἔπεσ' ἐν κονίῃσι μακών, ἀπὸ δ' ἔπτατο θυμός.

470τὼ δὲ διαστήτην, κρίκε δὲ ζυγόν, ἡνία δέ σφι

Transliteration

Sarpēdōn d' autou men apēmbrote douri phaeinōi

deuteron hormētheis, ho de Pēdason outasen hippon

encheï dexion ōmon: ho d' ebrache thymon aïsthōn,

kad d' epes' en koniēisi makōn, apo d' eptato thymos.

470tō de diastētēn, krike de zygon, hēnia de sphi

English

Sarpedon then aimed a spear at Patroklos and missed him, but he struck the horse Pedasos in the right shoulder, and it screamed aloud as it lay, groaning in the dust until the life went out of it. The other two horses began to plunge;

Homeric Greek

σύγχυτ', ἐπεὶ δὴ κεῖτο παρήορος ἐν κονίῃσι.

τοῖο μὲν Αὐτομέδων δουρικλυτὸς εὕρετο τέκμωρ:

σπασσάμενος τανύηκες ἄορ παχέος παρὰ μηροῦ

ἀί̈ξας ἀπέκοψε παρήορον οὐδ' ἐμάτησε:

475τὼ δ' ἰθυνθήτην, ἐν δὲ ῥυτῆρσι τάνυσθεν:

Transliteration

synchyt', epei dē keito parēoros en koniēisi.

toio men Automedōn douriklytos heureto tekmōr:

spassamenos tanyēkes aor pacheos para mērou

aïxas apekopse parēoron oud' ematēse:

475tō d' ithynthētēn, en de rhytērsi tanysthen:

English

the pole of the chariot cracked and they got entangled in the reins through the fall of the horse that was yoked along with them; but Automedon knew what to do; without the loss of a moment he drew the keen blade that hung by his sturdy thigh and cut the third horse adrift;

Homeric Greek

τὼ δ' αὖτις συνίτην ἔριδος πέρι θυμοβόροιο.

ἔνθ' αὖ Σαρπηδὼν μὲν ἀπήμβροτε δουρὶ φαεινῷ,

Πατρόκλου δ' ὑπὲρ ὦμον ἀριστερὸν ἤλυθ' ἀκωκὴ

ἔγχεος, οὐδ' ἔβαλ' αὐτόν: ὃ δ' ὕστερος ὄρνυτο χαλκῷ

480Πάτροκλος: τοῦ δ' οὐχ ἅλιον βέλος ἔκφυγε χειρός,

Transliteration

tō d' autis synitēn eridos peri thymoboroio.

enth' au Sarpēdōn men apēmbrote douri phaeinōi,

Patroklou d' hyper ōmon aristeron ēlyth' akōkē

encheos, oud' ebal' auton: ho d' hysteros ornyto chalkōi

480Patroklos: tou d' ouch halion belos ekphyge cheiros,

English

whereon the other two righted themselves, and pulling hard at the reins again went together into battle. Sarpedon now took a second aim at Patroklos, and again missed him, the point of the spear passed over his left shoulder without hitting him. Patroklos then aimed in his turn, and the spear sped not from his

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἔβαλ' ἔνθ' ἄρα τε φρένες ἔρχαται ἀμφ' ἁδινὸν κῆρ.

ἤριπε δ' ὡς ὅτε τις δρῦς ἤριπεν ἢ ἀχερωὶ̈ς

ἠὲ πίτυς βλωθρή, τήν τ' οὔρεσι τέκτονες ἄνδρες

ἐξέταμον πελέκεσσι νεήκεσι νήϊον εἶναι:

485ὣς ὃ πρόσθ' ἵππων καὶ δίφρου κεῖτο τανυσθεὶς

Transliteration

all' ebal' enth' ara te phrenes erchatai amph' hadinon kēr.

ēripe d' hōs hote tis drys ēripen ē acherōïs

ēe pitys blōthrē, tēn t' ouresi tektones andres

exetamon pelekessi neēkesi nēïon einai:

485hōs ho prosth' hippōn kai diphrou keito tanystheis

English

hand in vain, for he hit Sarpedon just where the midriff surrounds the ever-beating heart. He fell like some oak or silver poplar or tall pine to which woodmen have laid their axes upon the mountains to make timber for ship-building - even so did he lie

Homeric Greek

βεβρυχὼς κόνιος δεδραγμένος αἱματοέσσης.

ἠύ̈τε ταῦρον ἔπεφνε λέων ἀγέληφι μετελθὼν

αἴθωνα μεγάθυμον ἐν εἰλιπόδεσσι βόεσσι,

ὤλετό τε στενάχων ὑπὸ γαμφηλῇσι λέοντος,

490ὣς ὑπὸ Πατρόκλῳ Λυκίων ἀγὸς ἀσπιστάων

Transliteration

bebrychōs konios dedragmenos haimatoessēs.

ēÿte tauron epephne leōn agelēphi metelthōn

aithōna megathymon en eilipodessi boessi,

ōleto te stenachōn hypo gamphēlēisi leontos,

490hōs hypo Patroklōi Lykiōn agos aspistaōn

English

stretched at full length in front of his chariot and horses, moaning and clutching at the blood-stained dust. As when a lion springs with a bound upon a herd of cattle and fastens on a great black bull which dies bellowing in its clutches - even so

Homeric Greek

κτεινόμενος μενέαινε, φίλον δ' ὀνόμηνεν ἑταῖρον:

Γλαῦκε πέπον πολεμιστὰ μετ' ἀνδράσι νῦν σε μάλα χρὴ

αἰχμητήν τ' ἔμεναι καὶ θαρσαλέον πολεμιστήν:

νῦν τοι ἐελδέσθω πόλεμος κακός, εἰ θοός ἐσσι.

495πρῶτα μὲν ὄτρυνον Λυκίων ἡγήτορας ἄνδρας

Transliteration

kteinomenos meneaine, philon d' onomēnen hetairon:

Glauke pepon polemista met' andrasi nyn se mala chrē

aichmētēn t' emenai kai tharsaleon polemistēn:

nyn toi eeldesthō polemos kakos, ei thoos essi.

495prōta men otrynon Lykiōn hēgētoras andras

English

did the leader of the Lycian warriors struggle in death as he fell by the hand of Patroklos. He called on his trusty comrade and said, "Glaukos, my brother, hero among heroes, put forth all your strength, fight with might and main, now if ever quit yourself like a valiant warrior.

Homeric Greek

πάντῃ ἐποιχόμενος Σαρπηδόνος ἀμφιμάχεσθαι:

αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα καὶ αὐτὸς ἐμεῦ πέρι μάρναο χαλκῷ.

σοὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ καὶ ἔπειτα κατηφείη καὶ ὄνειδος

ἔσσομαι ἤματα πάντα διαμπερές, εἴ κέ μ' Ἀχαιοὶ

500τεύχεα συλήσωσι νεῶν ἐν ἀγῶνι πεσόντα.

Transliteration

pantēi epoichomenos Sarpēdonos amphimachesthai:

autar epeita kai autos emeu peri marnao chalkōi.

soi gar egō kai epeita katēpheiē kai oneidos

essomai ēmata panta diamperes, ei ke m' Achaioi

500teuchea sylēsōsi neōn en agōni pesonta.

English

First go about among the Lycian leaders and bid them fight for Sarpedon; then yourself also do battle to save my armor from being taken. My name will haunt you henceforth and for ever if the Achaeans rob me of my armor now that I have fallen near the assembly of their ships.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἔχεο κρατερῶς, ὄτρυνε δὲ λαὸν ἅπαντα.

ὣς ἄρα μιν εἰπόντα τέλος θανάτοιο κάλυψεν

ὀφθαλμοὺς ῥῖνάς θ': ὃ δὲ λὰξ ἐν στήθεσι βαίνων

ἐκ χροὸς ἕλκε δόρυ, προτὶ δὲ φρένες αὐτῷ ἕποντο:

505τοῖο δ' ἅμα ψυχήν τε καὶ ἔγχεος ἐξέρυσ' αἰχμήν.

Transliteration

all' echeo kraterōs, otryne de laon hapanta.

hōs ara min eiponta telos thanatoio kalypsen

ophthalmous rhinas th': ho de lax en stēthesi bainōn

ek chroos helke dory, proti de phrenes autōi heponto:

505toio d' hama psychēn te kai encheos exerys' aichmēn.

English

Do your very utmost and call all my people together." The outcome of death closed his eyes as he spoke. Patroklos planted his heel on his breast and drew the spear from his body, whereon his diaphragm came out along with it,

Homeric Greek

Μυρμιδόνες δ' αὐτοῦ σχέθον ἵππους φυσιόωντας

ἱεμένους φοβέεσθαι, ἐπεὶ λίπον ἅρματ' ἀνάκτων.

Γλαύκῳ δ' αἰνὸν ἄχος γένετο φθογγῆς ἀί̈οντι:

ὠρίνθη δέ οἱ ἦτορ ὅ τ' οὐ δύνατο προσαμῦναι.

510χειρὶ δ' ἑλὼν ἐπίεζε βραχίονα: τεῖρε γὰρ αὐτὸν

Transliteration

Myrmidones d' autou schethon hippous physioōntas

hiemenous phobeesthai, epei lipon harmat' anaktōn.

Glaukōi d' ainon achos geneto phthongēs aïonti:

ōrinthē de hoi ētor ho t' ou dynato prosamynai.

510cheiri d' helōn epieze brachiona: teire gar auton

English

and he drew out both spear-point and Sarpedon's life-breath at the same time. Hard by the Myrmidons held his snorting steeds, who were wild with panic at finding themselves deserted by their lords. Glaukos was overcome with grief when he heard what Sarpedon said, for he could not help him.

Homeric Greek

ἕλκος, ὃ δή μιν Τεῦκρος ἐπεσσύμενον βάλεν ἰῷ

τείχεος ὑψηλοῖο, ἀρὴν ἑτάροισιν ἀμύνων.

εὐχόμενος δ' ἄρα εἶπεν ἑκηβόλῳ Ἀπόλλωνι:

κλῦθι ἄναξ ὅς που Λυκίης ἐν πίονι δήμῳ

515εἲς ἢ ἐνὶ Τροίῃ: δύνασαι δὲ σὺ πάντοσ' ἀκούειν

Transliteration

helkos, ho dē min Teukros epessymenon balen iōi

teicheos hypsēloio, arēn hetaroisin amynōn.

euchomenos d' ara eipen hekēbolōi Apollōni:

klythi anax hos pou Lykiēs en pioni dēmōi

515eis ē eni Troiēi: dynasai de sy pantos' akouein

English

He had to support his arm with his other hand, being in great pain through the wound which Teucer's arrow had given him when Teucer was defending the wall as he, Glaukos, was assailing it. Therefore he prayed to far-darting Apollo saying, "Hear me O king from your seat, may be in the fertile

Homeric Greek

ἀνέρι κηδομένῳ, ὡς νῦν ἐμὲ κῆδος ἱκάνει.

ἕλκος μὲν γὰρ ἔχω τόδε καρτερόν, ἀμφὶ δέ μοι χεὶρ

ὀξείῃς ὀδύνῃσιν ἐλήλαται, οὐδέ μοι αἷμα

τερσῆναι δύναται, βαρύθει δέ μοι ὦμος ὑπ' αὐτοῦ:

520ἔγχος δ' οὐ δύναμαι σχεῖν ἔμπεδον, οὐδὲ μάχεσθαι

Transliteration

aneri kēdomenōi, hōs nyn eme kēdos hikanei.

helkos men gar echō tode karteron, amphi de moi cheir

oxeiēis odynēisin elēlatai, oude moi haima

tersēnai dynatai, barythei de moi ōmos hyp' autou:

520enchos d' ou dynamai schein empedon, oude machesthai

English

district of Lycia, or may be in Troy, for in all places you can hear the prayer of one who is in distress, as I now am. I have a grievous wound; my hand is aching with pain, there is no staunching the blood, and my whole arm drags by reason of my hurt,

Homeric Greek

ἐλθὼν δυσμενέεσσιν. ἀνὴρ δ' ὤριστος ὄλωλε

Σαρπηδὼν Διὸς υἱός: ὃ δ' οὐ οὗ παιδὸς ἀμύνει.

ἀλλὰ σύ πέρ μοι ἄναξ τόδε καρτερὸν ἕλκος ἄκεσσαι,

κοίμησον δ' ὀδύνας, δὸς δὲ κράτος, ὄφρ' ἑτάροισι

525κεκλόμενος Λυκίοισιν ἐποτρύνω πολεμίζειν,

Transliteration

elthōn dysmeneessin. anēr d' ōristos olōle

Sarpēdōn Dios huios: ho d' ou hou paidos amynei.

alla sy per moi anax tode karteron helkos akessai,

koimēson d' odynas, dos de kratos, ophr' hetaroisi

525keklomenos Lykioisin epotrynō polemizein,

English

so that I cannot grasp my sword nor go among my foes and fight them, though our prince, Zeus' son Sarpedon, is slain. Zeus defended not his son, do you, therefore, O king, heal me of my wound, ease my pain and grant me strength both to cheer on the Lycians and to fight

Homeric Greek

αὐτός τ' ἀμφὶ νέκυι κατατεθνηῶτι μάχωμαι.

ὣς ἔφατ' εὐχόμενος, τοῦ δ' ἔκλυε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων.

αὐτίκα παῦσ' ὀδύνας ἀπὸ δ' ἕλκεος ἀργαλέοιο

αἷμα μέλαν τέρσηνε, μένος δέ οἱ ἔμβαλε θυμῷ.

530Γλαῦκος δ' ἔγνω ᾗσιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ γήθησέν τε

Transliteration

autos t' amphi nekui katatethnēōti machōmai.

hōs ephat' euchomenos, tou d' eklye Phoibos Apollōn.

autika paus' odynas apo d' helkeos argaleoio

haima melan tersēne, menos de hoi embale thymōi.

530Glaukos d' egnō hēisin eni phresi gēthēsen te

English

along with them round the body of him who has fallen." Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. He eased his pain, staunched the black blood from the wound, and gave him new strength. Glaukos perceived this, and was thankful that the mighty god had answered his prayer;

Homeric Greek

ὅττί οἱ ὦκ' ἤκουσε μέγας θεὸς εὐξαμένοιο.

πρῶτα μὲν ὄτρυνεν Λυκίων ἡγήτορας ἄνδρας

πάντῃ ἐποιχόμενος Σαρπηδόνος ἀμφιμάχεσθαι:

αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα μετὰ Τρῶας κίε μακρὰ βιβάσθων

535Πουλυδάμαντ' ἔπι Πανθοί̈δην καὶ Ἀγήνορα δῖον,

Transliteration

hotti hoi ōk' ēkouse megas theos euxamenoio.

prōta men otrynen Lykiōn hēgētoras andras

pantēi epoichomenos Sarpēdonos amphimachesthai:

autar epeita meta Trōas kie makra bibasthōn

535Poulydamant' epi Panthoïdēn kai Agēnora dion,

English

forthwith, therefore, he went among the Lycian leaders, and bade them come to fight about the body of Sarpedon. From these he strode on among the Trojans to Polydamas son of Panthoos and Agenor;

Homeric Greek

βῆ δὲ μετ' Αἰνείαν τε καὶ Ἕκτορα χαλκοκορυστήν,

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Ἕκτορ νῦν δὴ πάγχυ λελασμένος εἰς ἐπικούρων,

οἳ σέθεν εἵνεκα τῆλε φίλων καὶ πατρίδος αἴης

540θυμὸν ἀποφθινύθουσι: σὺ δ' οὐκ ἐθέλεις ἐπαμύνειν.

Transliteration

bē de met' Aineian te kai Hektora chalkokorystēn,

anchou d' histamenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:

Hektor nyn dē panchy lelasmenos eis epikourōn,

hoi sethen heineka tēle philōn kai patridos aiēs

540thymon apophthinythousi: sy d' ouk etheleis epamynein.

English

he then went in search of Aeneas and Hektor, and when he had found them he said, "Hektor, you have utterly forgotten your allies, who languish here for your sake far from friends and home while you do nothing to support them. Sarpedon leader of the Lycian warriors has fallen - he who was at once the right and might of Lycia;

Homeric Greek

κεῖται Σαρπηδὼν Λυκίων ἀγὸς ἀσπιστάων,

ὃς Λυκίην εἴρυτο δίκῃσί τε καὶ σθένεϊ ᾧ:

τὸν δ' ὑπὸ Πατρόκλῳ δάμασ' ἔγχεϊ χάλκεος Ἄρης.

ἀλλὰ φίλοι πάρστητε, νεμεσσήθητε δὲ θυμῷ,

545μὴ ἀπὸ τεύχε' ἕλωνται, ἀεικίσσωσι δὲ νεκρὸν

Transliteration

keitai Sarpēdōn Lykiōn agos aspistaōn,

hos Lykiēn eiryto dikēisi te kai stheneï hōi:

ton d' hypo Patroklōi damas' encheï chalkeos Arēs.

alla philoi parstēte, nemessēthēte de thymōi,

545mē apo teuche' helōntai, aeikissōsi de nekron

English

Ares has laid him low by the spear of Patroklos. Stand by him, my friends, and suffer not the Myrmidons to strip him of his armor, nor to treat his body with contumely

Homeric Greek

Μυρμιδόνες, Δαναῶν κεχολωμένοι ὅσσοι ὄλοντο,

τοὺς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ θοῇσιν ἐπέφνομεν ἐγχείῃσιν.

ὣς ἔφατο, Τρῶας δὲ κατὰ κρῆθεν λάβε πένθος

ἄσχετον, οὐκ ἐπιεικτόν, ἐπεί σφισιν ἕρμα πόληος

550ἔσκε καὶ ἀλλοδαπός περ ἐών: πολέες γὰρ ἅμ' αὐτῷ

Transliteration

Myrmidones, Danaōn kecholōmenoi hossoi olonto,

tous epi nēusi thoēisin epephnomen encheiēisin.

hōs ephato, Trōas de kata krēthen labe penthos

ascheton, ouk epieikton, epei sphisin herma polēos

550eske kai allodapos per eōn: polees gar ham' autōi

English

in revenge for all the Danaans whom we have speared at the ships." As he spoke the Trojans were plunged in extreme and ungovernable grief ; for Sarpedon, alien though he was, had been one of the main stays of their city, both as having many people with him, and himself the foremost among them all.

Homeric Greek

λαοὶ ἕποντ', ἐν δ' αὐτὸς ἀριστεύεσκε μάχεσθαι:

βὰν δ' ἰθὺς Δαναῶν λελιημένοι: ἦρχε δ' ἄρά σφιν

Ἕκτωρ χωόμενος Σαρπηδόνος. αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὺς

ὦρσε Μενοιτιάδεω Πατροκλῆος λάσιον κῆρ:

555Αἴαντε πρώτω προσέφη μεμαῶτε καὶ αὐτώ:

Transliteration

laoi hepont', en d' autos aristeueske machesthai:

ban d' ithys Danaōn leliēmenoi: ērche d' ara sphin

Hektōr chōomenos Sarpēdonos. autar Achaious

ōrse Menoitiadeō Patroklēos lasion kēr:

555Aiante prōtō prosephē memaōte kai autō:

English

Led by Hektor, who was infuriated by the fall of Sarpedon, they made instantly for the Danaans with all their might, while the undaunted spirit of Patroklos son of Menoitios cheered on the Achaeans. First he spoke to the two Ajaxes, men who needed no bidding.

Homeric Greek

Αἴαντε νῦν σφῶϊν ἀμύνεσθαι φίλον ἔστω,

οἷοί περ πάρος ἦτε μετ' ἀνδράσιν ἢ καὶ ἀρείους.

κεῖται ἀνὴρ ὃς πρῶτος ἐσήλατο τεῖχος Ἀχαιῶν

Σαρπηδών: ἀλλ' εἴ μιν ἀεικισσαίμεθ' ἑλόντες,

560τεύχεά τ' ὤμοιιν ἀφελοίμεθα, καί τιν' ἑταίρων

Transliteration

Aiante nyn sphōïn amynesthai philon estō,

hoioi per paros ēte met' andrasin ē kai areious.

keitai anēr hos prōtos esēlato teichos Achaiōn

Sarpēdōn: all' ei min aeikissaimeth' helontes,

560teuchea t' ōmoiin apheloimetha, kai tin' hetairōn

English

"Ajaxes," said he, "may it now please you to show yourselves the men you have always been, or even better- Sarpedon is fallen - he who was first to overleap the wall of the Achaeans; let us take the body and outrage it;

Homeric Greek

αὐτοῦ ἀμυνομένων δαμασαίμεθα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ ἀλέξασθαι μενέαινον.

οἳ δ' ἐπεὶ ἀμφοτέρωθεν ἐκαρτύναντο φάλαγγας

Τρῶες καὶ Λύκιοι καὶ Μυρμιδόνες καὶ Ἀχαιοί,

565σύμβαλον ἀμφὶ νέκυι κατατεθνηῶτι μάχεσθαι

Transliteration

autou amynomenōn damasaimetha nēleï chalkōi.

hōs ephath', hoi de kai autoi alexasthai meneainon.

hoi d' epei amphoterōthen ekartynanto phalangas

Trōes kai Lykioi kai Myrmidones kai Achaioi,

565symbalon amphi nekui katatethnēōti machesthai

English

let us strip the armor from his shoulders, and kill his comrades if they try to rescue his body." He spoke to men who of themselves were full eager; both sides, therefore, the Trojans and Lycians on the one hand, and the Myrmidons and Achaeans on the other, strengthened their battalions, and fought desperately about the body of Sarpedon, shouting fiercely the while.

Homeric Greek

δεινὸν ἀύ̈σαντες: μέγα δ' ἔβραχε τεύχεα φωτῶν.

Ζεὺς δ' ἐπὶ νύκτ' ὀλοὴν τάνυσε κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ,

ὄφρα φίλῳ περὶ παιδὶ μάχης ὀλοὸς πόνος εἴη.

ὦσαν δὲ πρότεροι Τρῶες ἑλίκωπας Ἀχαιούς:

570βλῆτο γὰρ οὔ τι κάκιστος ἀνὴρ μετὰ Μυρμιδόνεσσιν

Transliteration

deinon aÿsantes: mega d' ebrache teuchea phōtōn.

Zeus d' epi nykt' oloēn tanyse kraterēi hysminēi,

ophra philōi peri paidi machēs oloos ponos eiē.

ōsan de proteroi Trōes helikōpas Achaious:

570blēto gar ou ti kakistos anēr meta Myrmidonessin

English

Mighty was the din of their armor as they came together, and Zeus shed a thick darkness over the fight, to increase the ordeal of the battle over the body of his son. At first the Trojans made some headway against the Achaeans, for one of the best men among the Myrmidons was

Homeric Greek

υἱὸς Ἀγακλῆος μεγαθύμου δῖος Ἐπειγεύς,

ὅς ῥ' ἐν Βουδείῳ εὖ ναιομένῳ ἤνασσε

τὸ πρίν: ἀτὰρ τότε γ' ἐσθλὸν ἀνεψιὸν ἐξεναρίξας

ἐς Πηλῆ' ἱκέτευσε καὶ ἐς Θέτιν ἀργυρόπεζαν:

575οἳ δ' ἅμ' Ἀχιλλῆϊ ῥηξήνορι πέμπον ἕπεσθαι

Transliteration

huios Agaklēos megathymou dios Epeigeus,

hos rh' en Boudeiōi eu naiomenōi ēnasse

to prin: atar tote g' esthlon anepsion exenarixas

es Pēlē' hiketeuse kai es Thetin argyropezan:

575hoi d' ham' Achillēï rhēxēnori pempon hepesthai

English

killed, Epeigeus, son of noble Agakles who had erewhile been king in the good city of Boudeion; but presently, having killed a valiant kinsman of his own, he took refuge with Peleus and Thetis, who sent him to Ilion the land of noble steeds to fight the Trojans under Achilles.

Homeric Greek

Ἴλιον εἰς εὔπωλον, ἵνα Τρώεσσι μάχοιτο.

τόν ῥα τόθ' ἁπτόμενον νέκυος βάλε φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ

χερμαδίῳ κεφαλήν: ἣ δ' ἄνδιχα πᾶσα κεάσθη

ἐν κόρυθι βριαρῇ: ὃ δ' ἄρα πρηνὴς ἐπὶ νεκρῷ

580κάππεσεν, ἀμφὶ δέ μιν θάνατος χύτο θυμοραϊστής.

Transliteration

Ilion eis eupōlon, hina Trōessi machoito.

ton rha toth' haptomenon nekyos bale phaidimos Hektōr

chermadiōi kephalēn: hē d' andicha pasa keasthē

en korythi briarēi: ho d' ara prēnēs epi nekrōi

580kappesen, amphi de min thanatos chyto thymoraïstēs.

English

Hektor now struck him on the head with a stone just as he had caught hold of the body, and his brains inside his helmet were all battered in, so that he fell face foremost upon the body of Sarpedon, and there died.

Homeric Greek

Πατρόκλῳ δ' ἄρ' ἄχος γένετο φθιμένου ἑτάροιο,

ἴθυσεν δὲ διὰ προμάχων ἴρηκι ἐοικὼς

ὠκέϊ, ὅς τ' ἐφόβησε κολοιούς τε ψῆράς τε:

ὣς ἰθὺς Λυκίων Πατρόκλεες ἱπποκέλευθε

585ἔσσυο καὶ Τρώων, κεχόλωσο δὲ κῆρ ἑτάροιο.

Transliteration

Patroklōi d' ar' achos geneto phthimenou hetaroio,

ithysen de dia promachōn irēki eoikōs

ōkeï, hos t' ephobēse koloious te psēras te:

hōs ithys Lykiōn Patroklees hippokeleuthe

585essyo kai Trōōn, kecholōso de kēr hetaroio.

English

Patroklos was enraged with grief over by the death of his comrade, and sped through the front ranks as swiftly as a hawk that swoops down on a flock of daws or starlings. Even so swiftly, O noble horseman Patroklos, did you make straight for the Lycians and Trojans to avenge your comrade.

Homeric Greek

καί ῥ' ἔβαλε Σθενέλαον Ἰθαιμένεος φίλον υἱὸν

αὐχένα χερμαδίῳ, ῥῆξεν δ' ἀπὸ τοῖο τένοντας.

χώρησαν δ' ὑπό τε πρόμαχοι καὶ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ.

ὅσση δ' αἰγανέης ῥιπὴ ταναοῖο τέτυκται,

590ἥν ῥά τ' ἀνὴρ ἀφέῃ πειρώμενος ἢ ἐν ἀέθλῳ

Transliteration

kai rh' ebale Sthenelaon Ithaimeneos philon huion

auchena chermadiōi, rhēxen d' apo toio tenontas.

chōrēsan d' hypo te promachoi kai phaidimos Hektōr.

hossē d' aiganeēs rhipē tanaoio tetyktai,

590hēn rha t' anēr apheēi peirōmenos ē en aethlōi

English

Forthwith he struck Sthenelaos the son of Ithaimenes on the neck with a stone, and broke the tendons that join it to the head and spine. On this Hektor and the front rank of his men gave ground.

Homeric Greek

ἠὲ καὶ ἐν πολέμῳ δηί̈ων ὕπο θυμοραϊστέων,

τόσσον ἐχώρησαν Τρῶες, ὤσαντο δ' Ἀχαιοί.

Γλαῦκος δὲ πρῶτος Λυκίων ἀγὸς ἀσπιστάων

ἐτράπετ', ἔκτεινεν δὲ Βαθυκλῆα μεγάθυμον

595Χάλκωνος φίλον υἱόν, ὃς Ἑλλάδι οἰκία ναίων

Transliteration

ēe kai en polemōi dēïōn hypo thymoraïsteōn,

tosson echōrēsan Trōes, ōsanto d' Achaioi.

Glaukos de prōtos Lykiōn agos aspistaōn

etrapet', ekteinen de Bathyklēa megathymon

595Chalkōnos philon huion, hos Helladi oikia naiōn

English

As far as a man can throw a javelin in competition for some prize, or even in battle - so far did the Trojans now retreat before the Achaeans. Glaukos, leader of the Lycians, was the first to rally them, by killing Bathykles son of Khalkon who lived in Hellas and was supreme in wealth among the Myrmidons.

Homeric Greek

ὄλβῳ τε πλούτῳ τε μετέπρεπε Μυρμιδόνεσσι.

τὸν μὲν ἄρα Γλαῦκος στῆθος μέσον οὔτασε δουρὶ

στρεφθεὶς ἐξαπίνης, ὅτε μιν κατέμαρπτε διώκων:

δούπησεν δὲ πεσών: πυκινὸν δ' ἄχος ἔλλαβ' Ἀχαιούς,

600ὡς ἔπεσ' ἐσθλὸς ἀνήρ: μέγα δὲ Τρῶες κεχάροντο,

Transliteration

olbōi te ploutōi te meteprepe Myrmidonessi.

ton men ara Glaukos stēthos meson outase douri

strephtheis exapinēs, hote min katemarpte diōkōn:

doupēsen de pesōn: pykinon d' achos ellab' Achaious,

600hōs epes' esthlos anēr: mega de Trōes kecharonto,

English

Glaukos turned round suddenly, just as Bathykles who was pursuing him was about to lay hold of him, and drove his spear right into the middle of his chest, whereon he fell heavily to the ground, and the fall of so good a man filled the Achaeans with dismay, while the Trojans were exultant, and came up in a body round the corpse.

Homeric Greek

στὰν δ' ἀμφ' αὐτὸν ἰόντες ἀολλέες: οὐδ' ἄρ' Ἀχαιοὶ

ἀλκῆς ἐξελάθοντο, μένος δ' ἰθὺς φέρον αὐτῶν.

ἔνθ' αὖ Μηριόνης Τρώων ἕλεν ἄνδρα κορυστὴν

Λαόγονον θρασὺν υἱὸν Ὀνήτορος, ὃς Διὸς ἱρεὺς

605Ἰδαίου ἐτέτυκτο, θεὸς δ' ὣς τίετο δήμῳ.

Transliteration

stan d' amph' auton iontes aollees: oud' ar' Achaioi

alkēs exelathonto, menos d' ithys pheron autōn.

enth' au Mērionēs Trōōn helen andra korystēn

Laogonon thrasyn huion Onētoros, hos Dios hireus

605Idaiou etetykto, theos d' hōs tieto dēmōi.

English

Nevertheless the Achaeans, mindful of their prowess, bore straight down upon them. Meriones then killed a helmed warrior of the Trojans, Laogonos son of Onetor, who was priest of Zeus of Mount Ida, and was honored in the district as though he were a god.

Homeric Greek

τὸν βάλ' ὑπὸ γναθμοῖο καὶ οὔατος: ὦκα δὲ θυμὸς

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

Αἰνείας δ' ἐπὶ Μηριόνῃ δόρυ χάλκεον ἧκεν:

ἔλπετο γὰρ τεύξεσθαι ὑπασπίδια προβιβῶντος.

610ἀλλ' ὃ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο χάλκεον ἔγχος:

Transliteration

ton bal' hypo gnathmoio kai ouatos: ōka de thymos

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

Aineias d' epi Mērionēi dory chalkeon hēken:

elpeto gar teuxesthai hypaspidia probibōntos.

610all' ho men anta idōn ēleuato chalkeon enchos:

English

Meriones struck him under the jaw and ear, so that life went out of him and the darkness of death laid hold upon him. Aeneas then aimed a spear at Meriones, hoping to hit him under the shield as he was advancing, but Meriones saw it coming

Homeric Greek

πρόσσω γὰρ κατέκυψε, τὸ δ' ἐξόπιθεν δόρυ μακρὸν

οὔδει ἐνισκίμφθη, ἐπὶ δ' οὐρίαχος πελεμίχθη

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

αἰχμὴ δ' Αἰνείαο κραδαινομένη κατὰ γαίης

615ᾤχετ', ἐπεί ῥ' ἅλιον στιβαρῆς ἀπὸ χειρὸς ὄρουσεν.

Transliteration

prossō gar katekypse, to d' exopithen dory makron

oudei eniskimphthē, epi d' ouriachos pelemichthē

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

aichmē d' Aineiao kradainomenē kata gaiēs

615ōichet', epei rh' halion stibarēs apo cheiros orousen.

English

and stooped forward to avoid it, whereon the spear flew past him and the point stuck in the ground, while the butt-end went on quivering till Ares robbed it of its force. The spear, therefore, sped from Aeneas' hand in vain and fell quivering to the ground.

Homeric Greek

Αἰνείας δ' ἄρα θυμὸν ἐχώσατο φώνησέν τε:

Μηριόνη τάχα κέν σε καὶ ὀρχηστήν περ ἐόντα

ἔγχος ἐμὸν κατέπαυσε διαμπερές, εἴ σ' ἔβαλόν περ.

τὸν δ' αὖ Μηριόνης δουρικλυτὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα:

620Αἰνεία χαλεπόν σε καὶ ἴφθιμόν περ ἐόντα

Transliteration

Aineias d' ara thymon echōsato phōnēsen te:

Mērionē tacha ken se kai orchēstēn per eonta

enchos emon katepause diamperes, ei s' ebalon per.

ton d' au Mērionēs douriklytos antion ēuda:

620Aineia chalepon se kai iphthimon per eonta

English

Aeneas was angry and said, "Meriones, you are a good dancer, but if I had hit you my spear would soon have made an end of you." And Meriones answered, "Aeneas, for all your bravery, you will not be able to make an end of every one who comes against you.

Homeric Greek

πάντων ἀνθρώπων σβέσσαι μένος, ὅς κέ σευ ἄντα

ἔλθῃ ἀμυνόμενος: θνητὸς δέ νυ καὶ σὺ τέτυξαι.

εἰ καὶ ἐγώ σε βάλοιμι τυχὼν μέσον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,

αἶψά κε καὶ κρατερός περ ἐὼν καὶ χερσὶ πεποιθὼς

625εὖχος ἐμοὶ δοίης, ψυχὴν δ' Ἄϊδι κλυτοπώλῳ.

Transliteration

pantōn anthrōpōn sbessai menos, hos ke seu anta

elthēi amynomenos: thnētos de ny kai sy tetyxai.

ei kai egō se baloimi tychōn meson oxeï chalkōi,

aipsa ke kai krateros per eōn kai chersi pepoithōs

625euchos emoi doiēs, psychēn d' Aïdi klytopōlōi.

English

You are only a mortal like myself, and if I were to hit you in the middle of your shield with my spear, however strong and self-confident you may be, I should soon vanquish you, and you would yield

Homeric Greek

ὣς φάτο, τὸν δ' ἐνένιπε Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμος υἱός:

Μηριόνη τί σὺ ταῦτα καὶ ἐσθλὸς ἐὼν ἀγορεύεις;

ὦ πέπον οὔ τοι Τρῶες ὀνειδείοις ἐπέεσσι

νεκροῦ χωρήσουσι: πάρος τινὰ γαῖα καθέξει.

630ἐν γὰρ χερσὶ τέλος πολέμου, ἐπέων δ' ἐνὶ βουλῇ:

Transliteration

hōs phato, ton d' enenipe Menoitiou alkimos huios:

Mērionē ti sy tauta kai esthlos eōn agoreueis;

ō pepon ou toi Trōes oneideiois epeessi

nekrou chōrēsousi: paros tina gaia kathexei.

630en gar chersi telos polemou, epeōn d' eni boulēi:

English

your life-breath to Hades of the noble steeds." On this the son of Menoitios rebuked him and said, "Meriones, hero though you be, you should not speak thus; taunting speeches, my good friend, will not make the Trojans draw away from the dead body; some of them must go under ground first; the outcome of battle is in the force of hands, while the outcome of deliberation is words;

Homeric Greek

τὼ οὔ τι χρὴ μῦθον ὀφέλλειν, ἀλλὰ μάχεσθαι.

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

τῶν δ' ὥς τε δρυτόμων ἀνδρῶν ὀρυμαγδὸς ὀρώρει

οὔρεος ἐν βήσσῃς, ἕκαθεν δέ τε γίγνετ' ἀκουή,

635ὣς τῶν ὄρνυτο δοῦπος ἀπὸ χθονὸς εὐρυοδείης

Transliteration

tō ou ti chrē mython ophellein, alla machesthai.

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

tōn d' hōs te drytomōn andrōn orymagdos orōrei

oureos en bēssēis, hekathen de te gignet' akouē,

635hōs tōn ornyto doupos apo chthonos euryodeiēs

English

fight, therefore, and say nothing." He led the way as he spoke and the hero went forward with him. As the sound of woodcutters in some forest glade upon the mountains- and the thud of their axes is heard afar - even such

Homeric Greek

χαλκοῦ τε ῥινοῦ τε βοῶν τ' εὐποιητάων,

νυσσομένων ξίφεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισιν.

οὐδ' ἂν ἔτι φράδμων περ ἀνὴρ Σαρπηδόνα δῖον

ἔγνω, ἐπεὶ βελέεσσι καὶ αἵματι καὶ κονίῃσιν

640ἐκ κεφαλῆς εἴλυτο διαμπερὲς ἐς πόδας ἄκρους.

Transliteration

chalkou te rhinou te boōn t' eupoiētaōn,

nyssomenōn xiphesin te kai enchesin amphigyoisin.

oud' an eti phradmōn per anēr Sarpēdona dion

egnō, epei beleessi kai haimati kai koniēisin

640ek kephalēs eilyto diamperes es podas akrous.

English

a din now rose from earth-clash of bronze armor and of good ox-hide shields, as men smote each other with their swords and spears pointed at both ends. A man had need of good eyesight now to know Sarpedon, so covered was he from head to foot with spears and blood and dust.

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' αἰεὶ περὶ νεκρὸν ὁμίλεον, ὡς ὅτε μυῖαι

σταθμῷ ἔνι βρομέωσι περιγλαγέας κατὰ πέλλας

ὥρῃ ἐν εἰαρινῇ, ὅτε τε γλάγος ἄγγεα δεύει:

ὣς ἄρα τοὶ περὶ νεκρὸν ὁμίλεον, οὐδέ ποτε Ζεὺς

645τρέψεν ἀπὸ κρατερῆς ὑσμίνης ὄσσε φαεινώ,

Transliteration

hoi d' aiei peri nekron homileon, hōs hote muiai

stathmōi eni bromeōsi periglageas kata pellas

hōrēi en eiarinēi, hote te glagos angea deuei:

hōs ara toi peri nekron homileon, oude pote Zeus

645trepsen apo kraterēs hysminēs osse phaeinō,

English

Men swarmed about the body, as flies that buzz round the full milk-pails in the season of spring when they are brimming with milk - even so did they gather round Sarpedon; nor did Zeus turn his keen eyes away for one moment from the

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ κατ' αὐτοὺς αἰὲν ὅρα καὶ φράζετο θυμῷ,

πολλὰ μάλ' ἀμφὶ φόνῳ Πατρόκλου μερμηρίζων,

ἢ ἤδη καὶ κεῖνον ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ

αὐτοῦ ἐπ' ἀντιθέῳ Σαρπηδόνι φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ

650χαλκῷ δῃώσῃ, ἀπό τ' ὤμων τεύχε' ἕληται,

Transliteration

alla kat' autous aien hora kai phrazeto thymōi,

polla mal' amphi phonōi Patroklou mermērizōn,

ē ēdē kai keinon eni kraterēi hysminēi

autou ep' antitheōi Sarpēdoni phaidimos Hektōr

650chalkōi dēiōsēi, apo t' ōmōn teuche' helētai,

English

fight, but kept looking at it all the time, for he was settling how best to kill Patroklos, and considering whether Hektor should be allowed to end him now in the fight round the body of Sarpedon, and strip him of his armor, or whether he should let him give yet further trouble to the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

ἦ ἔτι καὶ πλεόνεσσιν ὀφέλλειεν πόνον αἰπύν.

ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι

ὄφρ' ἠὺ̈ς θεράπων Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος

ἐξαῦτις Τρῶάς τε καὶ Ἕκτορα χαλκοκορυστὴν

655ὤσαιτο προτὶ ἄστυ, πολέων δ' ἀπὸ θυμὸν ἕλοιτο.

Transliteration

ē eti kai pleonessin ophelleien ponon aipyn.

hōde de hoi phroneonti doassato kerdion einai

ophr' ēÿs therapōn Pēlēïadeō Achilēos

exautis Trōas te kai Hektora chalkokorystēn

655ōsaito proti asty, poleōn d' apo thymon heloito.

English

In the end, he deemed it best that the brave squire of Achilles son of Peleus should drive Hektor and the Trojans back towards the city and take the lives of many.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορι δὲ πρωτίστῳ ἀνάλκιδα θυμὸν ἐνῆκεν:

ἐς δίφρον δ' ἀναβὰς φύγαδ' ἔτραπε, κέκλετο δ' ἄλλους

Τρῶας φευγέμεναι: γνῶ γὰρ Διὸς ἱρὰ τάλαντα.

ἔνθ' οὐδ' ἴφθιμοι Λύκιοι μένον, ἀλλὰ φόβηθεν

660πάντες, ἐπεὶ βασιλῆα ἴδον βεβλαμμένον ἦτορ

Transliteration

Hektori de prōtistōi analkida thymon enēken:

es diphron d' anabas phygad' etrape, kekleto d' allous

Trōas pheugemenai: gnō gar Dios hira talanta.

enth' oud' iphthimoi Lykioi menon, alla phobēthen

660pantes, epei basilēa idon beblammenon ētor

English

First, therefore, he made Hektor turn fainthearted, whereon he mounted his chariot and fled, bidding the other Trojans flee also, for he saw that the scales of Zeus had turned against him. Neither would the brave Lycians stand firm; they were dismayed when they saw their king lying struck to the heart

Homeric Greek

κείμενον ἐν νεκύων ἀγύρει: πολέες γὰρ ἐπ' αὐτῷ

κάππεσον, εὖτ' ἔριδα κρατερὴν ἐτάνυσσε Κρονίων.

οἳ δ' ἄρ' ἀπ' ὤμοιιν Σαρπηδόνος ἔντε' ἕλοντο

χάλκεα μαρμαίροντα, τὰ μὲν κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας

665δῶκε φέρειν ἑτάροισι Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμος υἱός.

Transliteration

keimenon en nekyōn agyrei: polees gar ep' autōi

kappeson, eut' erida kraterēn etanysse Kroniōn.

hoi d' ar' ap' ōmoiin Sarpēdonos ente' helonto

chalkea marmaironta, ta men koilas epi nēas

665dōke pherein hetaroisi Menoitiou alkimos huios.

English

amid a heap of corpses - for when the son of Kronos made the fight wax hot many had fallen above him. The Achaeans, therefore stripped the gleaming armor from his shoulders and the brave son of Menoitios gave it to his men to take to the ships.

Homeric Greek

καὶ τότ' Ἀπόλλωνα προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:

εἰ δ' ἄγε νῦν φίλε Φοῖβε, κελαινεφὲς αἷμα κάθηρον

ἐλθὼν ἐκ βελέων Σαρπηδόνα, καί μιν ἔπειτα

πολλὸν ἀπὸ πρὸ φέρων λοῦσον ποταμοῖο ῥοῇσι

670χρῖσόν τ' ἀμβροσίῃ, περὶ δ' ἄμβροτα εἵματα ἕσσον:

Transliteration

kai tot' Apollōna prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:

ei d' age nyn phile Phoibe, kelainephes haima kathēron

elthōn ek beleōn Sarpēdona, kai min epeita

pollon apo pro pherōn louson potamoio rhoēisi

670chrison t' ambrosiēi, peri d' ambrota heimata hesson:

English

Then Zeus lord of the storm-cloud said to Apollo, "Dear Phoebus, go, I pray you, and take Sarpedon out of range of the weapons; cleanse the black blood from off him, and then bear him a long way off where you may wash him in the river, anoint him with ambrosia, and clothe him in immortal raiment;

Homeric Greek

πέμπε δέ μιν πομποῖσιν ἅμα κραιπνοῖσι φέρεσθαι

ὕπνῳ καὶ θανάτῳ διδυμάοσιν, οἵ ῥά μιν ὦκα

θήσουσ' ἐν Λυκίης εὐρείης πίονι δήμῳ,

ἔνθά ἑ ταρχύσουσι κασίγνητοί τε ἔται τε

675τύμβῳ τε στήλῃ τε: τὸ γὰρ γέρας ἐστὶ θανόντων.

Transliteration

pempe de min pompoisin hama kraipnoisi pheresthai

hypnōi kai thanatōi didymaosin, hoi rha min ōka

thēsous' en Lykiēs eureiēs pioni dēmōi,

entha he tarchysousi kasignētoi te etai te

675tymbōi te stēlēi te: to gar geras esti thanontōn.

English

this done, commit him to the arms of the two fleet messengers, Death, and Sleep, who will carry him straightway to the fertile district of Lycia, where his brothers and kinsmen will give him a funeral, and will raise both mound and pillar to his memory, in due honor to the dead."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἄρα πατρὸς ἀνηκούστησεν Ἀπόλλων.

βῆ δὲ κατ' Ἰδαίων ὀρέων ἐς φύλοπιν αἰνήν,

αὐτίκα δ' ἐκ βελέων Σαρπηδόνα δῖον ἀείρας

πολλὸν ἀπὸ πρὸ φέρων λοῦσεν ποταμοῖο ῥοῇσι

680χρῖσέν τ' ἀμβροσίῃ, περὶ δ' ἄμβροτα εἵματα ἕσσε:

Transliteration

hōs ephat', oud' ara patros anēkoustēsen Apollōn.

bē de kat' Idaiōn oreōn es phylopin ainēn,

autika d' ek beleōn Sarpēdona dion aeiras

pollon apo pro pherōn lousen potamoio rhoēisi

680chrisen t' ambrosiēi, peri d' ambrota heimata hesse:

English

Thus he spoke. Apollo obeyed his father's saying, and came down from the heights of Ida into the thick of the fight; forthwith he took Sarpedon out of range of the weapons, and then bore him a long way off, where he washed him in the river, anointed him with ambrosia and clothed him in immortal raiment;

Homeric Greek

πέμπε δέ μιν πομποῖσιν ἅμα κραιπνοῖσι φέρεσθαι,

ὕπνῳ καὶ θανάτῳ διδυμάοσιν, οἵ ῥά μιν ὦκα

κάτθεσαν ἐν Λυκίης εὐρείης πίονι δήμῳ.

Πάτροκλος δ' ἵπποισι καὶ Αὐτομέδοντι κελεύσας

685Τρῶας καὶ Λυκίους μετεκίαθε, καὶ μέγ' ἀάσθη

Transliteration

pempe de min pompoisin hama kraipnoisi pheresthai,

hypnōi kai thanatōi didymaosin, hoi rha min ōka

katthesan en Lykiēs eureiēs pioni dēmōi.

Patroklos d' hippoisi kai Automedonti keleusas

685Trōas kai Lykious metekiathe, kai meg' aasthē

English

this done, he committed him to the arms of the two fleet messengers, Death and Sleep, who presently set him down in the fertile district of Lycia. Meanwhile Patroklos, with many a shout to his horses and to Automedon, pursued the Trojans and Lycians in the pride and foolishness of his heart.

Homeric Greek

νήπιος: εἰ δὲ ἔπος Πηληϊάδαο φύλαξεν

ἦ τ' ἂν ὑπέκφυγε κῆρα κακὴν μέλανος θανάτοιο.

ἀλλ' αἰεί τε Διὸς κρείσσων νόος ἠέ περ ἀνδρῶν:

ὅς τε καὶ ἄλκιμον ἄνδρα φοβεῖ καὶ ἀφείλετο νίκην

690ῥηϊδίως, ὅτε δ' αὐτὸς ἐποτρύνῃσι μάχεσθαι:

Transliteration

nēpios: ei de epos Pēlēïadao phylaxen

ē t' an hypekphyge kēra kakēn melanos thanatoio.

all' aiei te Dios kreissōn noos ēe per andrōn:

hos te kai alkimon andra phobei kai apheileto nikēn

690rhēïdiōs, hote d' autos epotrynēisi machesthai:

English

Had he but obeyed the bidding of the son of Peleus, he would have, escaped death and have been scatheless; but the counsels of Zeus pass man's understanding; he will put even a brave man to flight and snatch victory from his grasp, or again he will set him on to fight, as he now did

Homeric Greek

ὅς οἱ καὶ τότε θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἀνῆκεν.

ἔνθα τίνα πρῶτον τίνα δ' ὕστατον ἐξενάριξας

Πατρόκλεις, ὅτε δή σε θεοὶ θάνατον δὲ κάλεσσαν;

Ἄδρηστον μὲν πρῶτα καὶ Αὐτόνοον καὶ Ἔχεκλον

695καὶ Πέριμον Μεγάδην καὶ Ἐπίστορα καὶ Μελάνιππον,

Transliteration

hos hoi kai tote thymon eni stēthessin anēken.

entha tina prōton tina d' hystaton exenarixas

Patrokleis, hote dē se theoi thanaton de kalessan;

Adrēston men prōta kai Autonoon kai Echeklon

695kai Perimon Megadēn kai Epistora kai Melanippon,

English

when he put a high spirit into the heart of Patroklos. Who then first, and who last, was slain by you, O Patroklos, when the gods had now called you to meet your doom? First Adrastos, Autonoos, Echeklos, Perimos the son of Megas, Epistor and Melanippos;

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἔπειτ' Ἔλασον καὶ Μούλιον ἠδὲ Πυλάρτην:

τοὺς ἕλεν: οἳ δ' ἄλλοι φύγαδε μνώοντο ἕκαστος.

ἔνθά κεν ὑψίπυλον Τροίην ἕλον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

Πατρόκλου ὑπὸ χερσί, περὶ πρὸ γὰρ ἔγχεϊ θῦεν,

700εἰ μὴ Ἀπόλλων Φοῖβος ἐϋδμήτου ἐπὶ πύργου

Transliteration

autar epeit' Elason kai Moulion ēde Pylartēn:

tous helen: hoi d' alloi phygade mnōonto hekastos.

entha ken hypsipylon Troiēn helon huies Achaiōn

Patroklou hypo chersi, peri pro gar encheï thyen,

700ei mē Apollōn Phoibos eÿdmētou epi pyrgou

English

after these he killed Elasus, Moulios, and Pylartes. These he slew, but the rest saved themselves by flight. The sons of the Achaeans would now have taken Troy by the hands of Patroklos, for his spear flew in all directions, had not Phoebus Apollo taken his stand upon the wall to defeat his purpose and to aid the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

ἔστη τῷ ὀλοὰ φρονέων, Τρώεσσι δ' ἀρήγων.

τρὶς μὲν ἐπ' ἀγκῶνος βῆ τείχεος ὑψηλοῖο

Πάτροκλος, τρὶς δ' αὐτὸν ἀπεστυφέλιξεν Ἀπόλλων

χείρεσσ' ἀθανάτῃσι φαεινὴν ἀσπίδα νύσσων.

705ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ τὸ τέταρτον ἐπέσσυτο δαίμονι ἶσος,

Transliteration

estē tōi oloa phroneōn, Trōessi d' arēgōn.

tris men ep' ankōnos bē teicheos hypsēloio

Patroklos, tris d' auton apestyphelixen Apollōn

cheiress' athanatēisi phaeinēn aspida nyssōn.

705all' hote dē to tetarton epessyto daimoni isos,

English

Thrice did Patroklos charge at an angle of the high wall, and thrice did Apollo beat him back, striking his shield with his own immortal hands. When Patroklos was coming on like a daimôn for yet a fourth time, Apollo shouted to him with

Homeric Greek

δεινὰ δ' ὁμοκλήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

χάζεο διογενὲς Πατρόκλεες: οὔ νύ τοι αἶσα

σῷ ὑπὸ δουρὶ πόλιν πέρθαι Τρώων ἀγερώχων,

οὐδ' ὑπ' Ἀχιλλῆος, ὅς περ σέο πολλὸν ἀμείνων.

710ὣς φάτο, Πάτροκλος δ' ἀνεχάζετο πολλὸν ὀπίσσω

Transliteration

deina d' homoklēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

chazeo diogenes Patroklees: ou ny toi aisa

sōi hypo douri polin perthai Trōōn agerōchōn,

oud' hyp' Achillēos, hos per seo pollon ameinōn.

710hōs phato, Patroklos d' anechazeto pollon opissō

English

an awful voice and said, "Draw back, noble Patroklos, it is not your lot to sack the city of the Trojan chieftains, nor yet will it be that of Achilles who is a far better man than you are."

Homeric Greek

μῆνιν ἀλευάμενος ἑκατηβόλου Ἀπόλλωνος.

Ἕκτωρ δ' ἐν Σκαιῇσι πύλῃς ἔχε μώνυχας ἵππους:

δίζε γὰρ ἠὲ μάχοιτο κατὰ κλόνον αὖτις ἐλάσσας,

ἦ λαοὺς ἐς τεῖχος ὁμοκλήσειεν ἀλῆναι.

715ταῦτ' ἄρα οἱ φρονέοντι παρίστατο Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων

Transliteration

mēnin aleuamenos hekatēbolou Apollōnos.

Hektōr d' en Skaiēisi pylēis eche mōnychas hippous:

dize gar ēe machoito kata klonon autis elassas,

ē laous es teichos homoklēseien alēnai.

715taut' ara hoi phroneonti paristato Phoibos Apollōn

English

On hearing this, Patroklos withdrew to some distance and avoided the anger of Apollo. Meanwhile Hektor was waiting with his horses inside the Scaean gates, in doubt whether to drive out again and go on fighting, or to call the army inside the gates.

Homeric Greek

ἀνέρι εἰσάμενος αἰζηῷ τε κρατερῷ τε

Ἀσίῳ, ὃς μήτρως ἦν Ἕκτορος ἱπποδάμοιο

αὐτοκασίγνητος Ἑκάβης, υἱὸς δὲ Δύμαντος,

ὃς Φρυγίῃ ναίεσκε ῥοῇς ἔπι Σαγγαρίοιο:

720τῷ μιν ἐεισάμενος προσέφη Διὸς υἱὸς Ἀπόλλων:

Transliteration

aneri eisamenos aizēōi te kraterōi te

Asiōi, hos mētrōs ēn Hektoros hippodamoio

autokasignētos Hekabēs, huios de Dymantos,

hos Phrygiēi naieske rhoēis epi Sangarioio:

720tōi min eeisamenos prosephē Dios huios Apollōn:

English

As he was thus doubting Phoebus Apollo drew near him in the likeness of a young and lusty warrior Asios, who was Hektor's uncle, being own brother to Hecuba, and son of Dymas who lived in Phrygia by the waters of the river Sangarios; in his likeness Zeus' son Apollo now spoke to Hektor saying, "Hektor, why have you left off fighting?

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορ τίπτε μάχης ἀποπαύεαι; οὐδέ τί σε χρή.

αἴθ' ὅσον ἥσσων εἰμί, τόσον σέο φέρτερος εἴην:

τώ κε τάχα στυγερῶς πολέμου ἀπερωήσειας.

ἀλλ' ἄγε Πατρόκλῳ ἔφεπε κρατερώνυχας ἵππους,

725αἴ κέν πώς μιν ἕλῃς, δώῃ δέ τοι εὖχος Ἀπόλλων.

Transliteration

Hektor tipte machēs apopaueai; oude ti se chrē.

aith' hoson hēssōn eimi, toson seo pherteros eiēn:

tō ke tacha stygerōs polemou aperōēseias.

all' age Patroklōi ephepe kraterōnychas hippous,

725ai ken pōs min helēis, dōēi de toi euchos Apollōn.

English

It is ill done of you. If I were as much better a man than you, as I am worse, you should soon rue your slackness. Drive straight towards Patroklos, if so be that Apollo may grant you a triumph over him, and you may kill him."

Homeric Greek

ὣς εἰπὼν ὃ μὲν αὖτις ἔβη θεὸς ἂμ πόνον ἀνδρῶν,

Κεβριόνῃ δ' ἐκέλευσε δαί̈φρονι φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ

ἵππους ἐς πόλεμον πεπληγέμεν. αὐτὰρ Ἀπόλλων

δύσεθ' ὅμιλον ἰών, ἐν δὲ κλόνον Ἀργείοισιν

730ἧκε κακόν, Τρωσὶν δὲ καὶ Ἕκτορι κῦδος ὄπαζεν.

Transliteration

hōs eipōn ho men autis ebē theos am ponon andrōn,

Kebrionēi d' ekeleuse daïphroni phaidimos Hektōr

hippous es polemon peplēgemen. autar Apollōn

dyseth' homilon iōn, en de klonon Argeioisin

730hēke kakon, Trōsin de kai Hektori kydos opazen.

English

With this the god went back into the struggle, and Hektor bade Kebriones drive again into the fight. Apollo passed in among them, and struck panic into the Argives, while he gave triumph to Hektor and the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτωρ δ' ἄλλους μὲν Δαναοὺς ἔα οὐδ' ἐνάριζεν:

αὐτὰρ ὃ Πατρόκλῳ ἔφεπε κρατερώνυχας ἵππους.

Πάτροκλος δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἀφ' ἵππων ἆλτο χαμᾶζε

σκαιῇ ἔγχος ἔχων: ἑτέρηφι δὲ λάζετο πέτρον

735μάρμαρον ὀκριόεντα τόν οἱ περὶ χεὶρ ἐκάλυψεν,

Transliteration

Hektōr d' allous men Danaous ea oud' enarizen:

autar ho Patroklōi ephepe kraterōnychas hippous.

Patroklos d' heterōthen aph' hippōn alto chamaze

skaiēi enchos echōn: heterēphi de lazeto petron

735marmaron okrioenta ton hoi peri cheir ekalypsen,

English

Hektor let the other Danaans alone and killed no man, but drove straight at Patroklos. Patroklos then sprang from his chariot to the ground, with a spear in his left hand, and in his right a jagged stone as large as his hand could hold.

Homeric Greek

ἧκε δ' ἐρεισάμενος, οὐδὲ δὴν χάζετο φωτός,

οὐδ' ἁλίωσε βέλος, βάλε δ' Ἕκτορος ἡνιοχῆα

Κεβριόνην νόθον υἱὸν ἀγακλῆος Πριάμοιο

ἵππων ἡνί' ἔχοντα μετώπιον ὀξέϊ λᾶϊ.

740ἀμφοτέρας δ' ὀφρῦς σύνελεν λίθος, οὐδέ οἱ ἔσχεν

Transliteration

hēke d' ereisamenos, oude dēn chazeto phōtos,

oud' haliōse belos, bale d' Hektoros hēniochēa

Kebrionēn nothon huion agaklēos Priamoio

hippōn hēni' echonta metōpion oxeï laï.

740amphoteras d' ophrys synelen lithos, oude hoi eschen

English

He stood still and threw it, nor did it go far without hitting some one; the cast was not in vain, for the stone struck Kebriones, Hektor's charioteer, a bastard son of Priam, as he held the reins in his hands. The stone hit him on the forehead and drove his brows into his head

Homeric Greek

ὀστέον, ὀφθαλμοὶ δὲ χαμαὶ πέσον ἐν κονίῃσιν

αὐτοῦ πρόσθε ποδῶν: ὃ δ' ἄρ' ἀρνευτῆρι ἐοικὼς

κάππεσ' ἀπ' εὐεργέος δίφρου, λίπε δ' ὀστέα θυμός.

τὸν δ' ἐπικερτομέων προσέφης Πατρόκλεες ἱππεῦ:

745ὢ πόποι ἦ μάλ' ἐλαφρὸς ἀνήρ, ὡς ῥεῖα κυβιστᾷ.

Transliteration

osteon, ophthalmoi de chamai peson en koniēisin

autou prosthe podōn: ho d' ar' arneutēri eoikōs

kappes' ap' euergeos diphrou, lipe d' ostea thymos.

ton d' epikertomeōn prosephēs Patroklees hippeu:

745ō popoi ē mal' elaphros anēr, hōs rheia kybistāi.

English

for the bone was smashed, and his eyes fell to the ground at his feet. He dropped dead from his chariot as though he were diving, and there was no more life left in him. Over him did you then vaunt, O horseman Patroklos, saying, "Bless my heart, how active he is, and how well he dives.

Homeric Greek

εἰ δή που καὶ πόντῳ ἐν ἰχθυόεντι γένοιτο,

πολλοὺς ἂν κορέσειεν ἀνὴρ ὅδε τήθεα διφῶν

νηὸς ἀποθρῴσκων, εἰ καὶ δυσπέμφελος εἴη,

ὡς νῦν ἐν πεδίῳ ἐξ ἵππων ῥεῖα κυβιστᾷ.

750ἦ ῥα καὶ ἐν Τρώεσσι κυβιστητῆρες ἔασιν.

Transliteration

ei dē pou kai pontōi en ichthyoenti genoito,

pollous an koreseien anēr hode tēthea diphōn

nēos apothrōiskōn, ei kai dyspemphelos eiē,

hōs nyn en pediōi ex hippōn rheia kybistāi.

750ē rha kai en Trōessi kybistētēres easin.

English

If we had been at sea this man would have dived from the ship's side and brought up as many oysters as the whole crew could stomach, even in rough water, for he has dived beautifully off his chariot on to the ground. It seems, then, that there are divers also among the Trojans."

Homeric Greek

ὣς εἰπὼν ἐπὶ Κεβριόνῃ ἥρωϊ βεβήκει

οἶμα λέοντος ἔχων, ὅς τε σταθμοὺς κεραί̈ζων

ἔβλητο πρὸς στῆθος, ἑή τέ μιν ὤλεσεν ἀλκή:

ὣς ἐπὶ Κεβριόνῃ Πατρόκλεες ἆλσο μεμαώς.

755Ἕκτωρ δ' αὖθ' ἑτέρωθεν ἀφ' ἵππων ἆλτο χαμᾶζε.

Transliteration

hōs eipōn epi Kebrionēi hērōï bebēkei

oima leontos echōn, hos te stathmous keraïzōn

eblēto pros stēthos, heē te min ōlesen alkē:

hōs epi Kebrionēi Patroklees also memaōs.

755Hektōr d' auth' heterōthen aph' hippōn alto chamaze.

English

As he spoke he flung himself on Kebriones with the spring, as it were, of a lion that while attacking a stockyard is himself struck in the chest, and his courage is his own bane - even so furiously, O Patroklos, did you then spring upon Kebriones.

Homeric Greek

τὼ περὶ Κεβριόναο λέονθ' ὣς δηρινθήτην,

ὥ τ' ὄρεος κορυφῇσι περὶ κταμένης ἐλάφοιο

ἄμφω πεινάοντε μέγα φρονέοντε μάχεσθον:

ὣς περὶ Κεβριόναο δύω μήστωρες ἀϋτῆς

760Πάτροκλός τε Μενοιτιάδης καὶ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ

Transliteration

tō peri Kebrionao leonth' hōs dērinthētēn,

hō t' oreos koryphēisi peri ktamenēs elaphoio

amphō peinaonte mega phroneonte machesthon:

hōs peri Kebrionao dyō mēstōres aÿtēs

760Patroklos te Menoitiadēs kai phaidimos Hektōr

English

Hektor sprang also from his chariot to the ground. The pair then fought over the body of Kebriones. As two lions fight fiercely on some high mountain over the body of a stag that they have killed, even so did these two mighty warriors, Patroklos son of Menoitios and brave Hektor, hack and hew at one another over the corpse of Kebriones.

Homeric Greek

ἵεντ' ἀλλήλων ταμέειν χρόα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ.

Ἕκτωρ μὲν κεφαλῆφιν ἐπεὶ λάβεν οὐχὶ μεθίει:

Πάτροκλος δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἔχεν ποδός: οἳ δὲ δὴ ἄλλοι

Τρῶες καὶ Δαναοὶ σύναγον κρατερὴν ὑσμίνην.

765ὡς δ' Εὖρός τε Νότος τ' ἐριδαίνετον ἀλλήλοιιν

Transliteration

hient' allēlōn tameein chroa nēleï chalkōi.

Hektōr men kephalēphin epei laben ouchi methiei:

Patroklos d' heterōthen echen podos: hoi de dē alloi

Trōes kai Danaoi synagon kraterēn hysminēn.

765hōs d' Euros te Notos t' eridaineton allēloiin

English

Hektor would not let him go when he had once got him by the head, while Patroklos kept fast hold of his feet, and a fierce fight raged between the other Danaans and Trojans. As the east and south wind buffet one another when they beat upon

Homeric Greek

οὔρεος ἐν βήσσῃς βαθέην πελεμιζέμεν ὕλην

φηγόν τε μελίην τε τανύφλοιόν τε κράνειαν,

αἵ τε πρὸς ἀλλήλας ἔβαλον τανυήκεας ὄζους

ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ, πάταγος δέ τε ἀγνυμενάων,

770ὣς Τρῶες καὶ Ἀχαιοὶ ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισι θορόντες

Transliteration

oureos en bēssēis batheēn pelemizemen hylēn

phēgon te meliēn te tanyphloion te kraneian,

hai te pros allēlas ebalon tanyēkeas ozous

ēchēi thespesiēi, patagos de te agnymenaōn,

770hōs Trōes kai Achaioi ep' allēloisi thorontes

English

some dense forest on the mountains - there is beech and ash and spreading cornel; the to of the trees roar as they beat on one another, and one can hear the boughs cracking and breaking - even so did the Trojans and Achaeans spring upon one another and lay about each other, and neither side would give way.

Homeric Greek

δῄουν, οὐδ' ἕτεροι μνώοντ' ὀλοοῖο φόβοιο.

πολλὰ δὲ Κεβριόνην ἀμφ' ὀξέα δοῦρα πεπήγει

ἰοί τε πτερόεντες ἀπὸ νευρῆφι θορόντες,

πολλὰ δὲ χερμάδια μεγάλ' ἀσπίδας ἐστυφέλιξαν

775μαρναμένων ἀμφ' αὐτόν: ὃ δ' ἐν στροφάλιγγι κονίης

Transliteration

dēioun, oud' heteroi mnōont' olooio phoboio.

polla de Kebrionēn amph' oxea doura pepēgei

ioi te pteroentes apo neurēphi thorontes,

polla de chermadia megal' aspidas estyphelixan

775marnamenōn amph' auton: ho d' en strophalingi koniēs

English

Many a pointed spear fell to ground and many a winged arrow sped from its bow-string about the body of Kebriones; many a great stone, moreover, beat on many a shield as they fought around his body, but there he lay in the whirling clouds of dust,

Homeric Greek

κεῖτο μέγας μεγαλωστί, λελασμένος ἱπποσυνάων.

ὄφρα μὲν Ἠέλιος μέσον οὐρανὸν ἀμφιβεβήκει,

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

ἦμος δ' Ἠέλιος μετενίσετο βουλυτὸν δέ,

780καὶ τότε δή ῥ' ὑπὲρ αἶσαν Ἀχαιοὶ φέρτεροι ἦσαν.

Transliteration

keito megas megalōsti, lelasmenos hipposynaōn.

ophra men Ēelios meson ouranon amphibebēkei,

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

ēmos d' Ēelios meteniseto boulyton de,

780kai tote dē rh' hyper aisan Achaioi pherteroi ēsan.

English

all huge and hugely, heedless of his driving now. So long as the sun was still high in mid-heaven the weapons of either side were alike deadly, and the people fell; but when he went down towards the time when men loose their oxen, the Achaeans proved to be beyond

Homeric Greek

ἐκ μὲν Κεβριόνην βελέων ἥρωα ἔρυσσαν

Τρώων ἐξ ἐνοπῆς, καὶ ἀπ' ὤμων τεύχε' ἕλοντο,

Πάτροκλος δὲ Τρωσὶ κακὰ φρονέων ἐνόρουσε.

τρὶς μὲν ἔπειτ' ἐπόρουσε θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ

785σμερδαλέα ἰάχων, τρὶς δ' ἐννέα φῶτας ἔπεφνεν.

Transliteration

ek men Kebrionēn beleōn hērōa eryssan

Trōōn ex enopēs, kai ap' ōmōn teuche' helonto,

Patroklos de Trōsi kaka phroneōn enorouse.

tris men epeit' eporouse thoōi atalantos Arēï

785smerdalea iachōn, tris d' ennea phōtas epephnen.

English

all forecast stronger, so that they drew Kebriones out of range of the darts and tumult of the Trojans, and stripped the armor from his shoulders. Then Patroklos sprang like Ares with fierce intent and a terrific shout upon the Trojans, and thrice did he kill nine men;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ τὸ τέταρτον ἐπέσσυτο δαίμονι ἶσος,

ἔνθ' ἄρα τοι Πάτροκλε φάνη βιότοιο τελευτή:

ἤντετο γάρ τοι Φοῖβος ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ

δεινός: ὃ μὲν τὸν ἰόντα κατὰ κλόνον οὐκ ἐνόησεν,

790ἠέρι γὰρ πολλῇ κεκαλυμμένος ἀντεβόλησε:

Transliteration

all' hote dē to tetarton epessyto daimoni isos,

enth' ara toi Patrokle phanē biotoio teleutē:

ēnteto gar toi Phoibos eni kraterēi hysminēi

deinos: ho men ton ionta kata klonon ouk enoēsen,

790ēeri gar pollēi kekalymmenos antebolēse:

English

but as he was coming on like a daimôn for a time, at that moment, O Patroklos, was your doom approaching, for Phoebus fought you in fell earnest. Patroklos did not see him as he moved about in the crush, for he was enshrouded in thick darkness, and the god struck him

Homeric Greek

στῆ δ' ὄπιθεν, πλῆξεν δὲ μετάφρενον εὐρέε τ' ὤμω

χειρὶ καταπρηνεῖ, στρεφεδίνηθεν δέ οἱ ὄσσε.

τοῦ δ' ἀπὸ μὲν κρατὸς κυνέην βάλε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων:

ἣ δὲ κυλινδομένη καναχὴν ἔχε ποσσὶν ὑφ' ἵππων

795αὐλῶπις τρυφάλεια, μιάνθησαν δὲ ἔθειραι

Transliteration

stē d' opithen, plēxen de metaphrenon euree t' ōmō

cheiri kataprēnei, strephedinēthen de hoi osse.

tou d' apo men kratos kyneēn bale Phoibos Apollōn:

hē de kylindomenē kanachēn eche possin hyph' hippōn

795aulōpis tryphaleia, mianthēsan de etheirai

English

from behind on his back and his broad shoulders with the flat of his hand, so that his eyes turned dizzy. Phoebus Apollo beat the helmet from off his head, and it rolled rattling off under the horses' feet, where its horse-hair plumes were all begrimed with dust and blood.

Homeric Greek

αἵματι καὶ κονίῃσι: πάρος γε μὲν οὐ θέμις ἦεν

ἱππόκομον πήληκα μιαίνεσθαι κονίῃσιν,

ἀλλ' ἀνδρὸς θείοιο κάρη χαρίεν τε μέτωπον

ῥύετ' Ἀχιλλῆος: τότε δὲ Ζεὺς Ἕκτορι δῶκεν

800ᾗ κεφαλῇ φορέειν, σχεδόθεν δέ οἱ ἦεν ὄλεθρος.

Transliteration

haimati kai koniēisi: paros ge men ou themis ēen

hippokomon pēlēka miainesthai koniēisin,

all' andros theioio karē charien te metōpon

rhyet' Achillēos: tote de Zeus Hektori dōken

800hēi kephalēi phoreein, schedothen de hoi ēen olethros.

English

Before this, it would not have been right for this to happen. For before, this helmet had served to protect the head and comely forehead of the godlike hero Achilles. Now, however, Zeus delivered it over to be worn by Hektor. Nevertheless the end of Hektor also was near.

Homeric Greek

πᾶν δέ οἱ ἐν χείρεσσιν ἄγη δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος

βριθὺ μέγα στιβαρὸν κεκορυθμένον: αὐτὰρ ἀπ' ὤμων

ἀσπὶς σὺν τελαμῶνι χαμαὶ πέσε τερμιόεσσα.

λῦσε δέ οἱ θώρηκα ἄναξ Διὸς υἱὸς Ἀπόλλων.

805τὸν δ' ἄτη φρένας εἷλε, λύθεν δ' ὑπὸ φαίδιμα γυῖα,

Transliteration

pan de hoi en cheiressin agē dolichoskion enchos

brithy mega stibaron kekorythmenon: autar ap' ōmōn

aspis syn telamōni chamai pese termioessa.

lyse de hoi thōrēka anax Dios huios Apollōn.

805ton d' atē phrenas heile, lythen d' hypo phaidima guia,

English

The bronze-shod spear, so great and so strong, was broken in the hand of Patroklos, while his shield that covered him from head to foot fell to the ground as did also the band that held it, and Apollo undid the fastenings of his corselet. At this his mind became clouded in derangement ;

Homeric Greek

στῆ δὲ ταφών: ὄπιθεν δὲ μετάφρενον ὀξέϊ δουρὶ

ὤμων μεσσηγὺς σχεδόθεν βάλε Δάρδανος ἀνὴρ

Πανθοί̈δης Εὔφορβος, ὃς ἡλικίην ἐκέκαστο

ἔγχεί̈ θ' ἱπποσύνῃ τε πόδεσσί τε καρπαλίμοισι:

810καὶ γὰρ δὴ τότε φῶτας ἐείκοσι βῆσεν ἀφ' ἵππων

Transliteration

stē de taphōn: opithen de metaphrenon oxeï douri

ōmōn messēgys schedothen bale Dardanos anēr

Panthoïdēs Euphorbos, hos hēlikiēn ekekasto

encheï th' hipposynēi te podessi te karpalimoisi:

810kai gar dē tote phōtas eeikosi bēsen aph' hippōn

English

his limbs failed him, and he stood as one dazed; whereon Euphorbos son of Panthoos, a Dardanian, the best spearman of his time, as also the finest horseman and fleetest runner, came behind him and struck him in the back with a spear, midway between the shoulders.

Homeric Greek

πρῶτ' ἐλθὼν σὺν ὄχεσφι διδασκόμενος πολέμοιο:

ὅς τοι πρῶτος ἐφῆκε βέλος Πατρόκλεες ἱππεῦ

οὐδὲ δάμασσ': ὃ μὲν αὖτις ἀνέδραμε, μίκτο δ' ὁμίλῳ,

ἐκ χροὸς ἁρπάξας δόρυ μείλινον, οὐδ' ὑπέμεινε

815Πάτροκλον γυμνόν περ ἐόντ' ἐν δηϊοτῆτι.

Transliteration

prōt' elthōn syn ochesphi didaskomenos polemoio:

hos toi prōtos ephēke belos Patroklees hippeu

oude damass': ho men autis anedrame, mikto d' homilōi,

ek chroos harpaxas dory meilinon, oud' hypemeine

815Patroklon gymnon per eont' en dēïotēti.

English

This man as soon as ever he had come up with his chariot had dismounted twenty men, so proficient was he in all the arts of war - he it was, O horseman Patroklos, that first drove a weapon into you, but he did not quite overpower you. Euphorbos then ran back into the crowd, after drawing his ashen spear out of the wound;

Homeric Greek

Πάτροκλος δὲ θεοῦ πληγῇ καὶ δουρὶ δαμασθεὶς

ἂψ ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρ' ἀλεείνων.

Ἕκτωρ δ' ὡς εἶδεν Πατροκλῆα μεγάθυμον

ἂψ ἀναχαζόμενον βεβλημένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,

820ἀγχίμολόν ῥά οἱ ἦλθε κατὰ στίχας, οὖτα δὲ δουρὶ

Transliteration

Patroklos de theou plēgēi kai douri damastheis

aps hetarōn eis ethnos echazeto kēr' aleeinōn.

Hektōr d' hōs eiden Patroklēa megathymon

aps anachazomenon beblēmenon oxeï chalkōi,

820anchimolon rha hoi ēlthe kata stichas, outa de douri

English

he would not stand firm and wait for Patroklos, unarmed though he now was, to attack him; but Patroklos unnerved, alike by the blow the god had given him and by the spear-wound, drew back under cover of his men in fear for his life.

Homeric Greek

νείατον ἐς κενεῶνα, διὰ πρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσε:

δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, μέγα δ' ἤκαχε λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν:

ὡς δ' ὅτε σῦν ἀκάμαντα λέων ἐβιήσατο χάρμῃ,

ὥ τ' ὄρεος κορυφῇσι μέγα φρονέοντε μάχεσθον

825πίδακος ἀμφ' ὀλίγης: ἐθέλουσι δὲ πιέμεν ἄμφω:

Transliteration

neiaton es keneōna, dia pro de chalkon elasse:

doupēsen de pesōn, mega d' ēkache laon Achaiōn:

hōs d' hote syn akamanta leōn ebiēsato charmēi,

hō t' oreos koryphēisi mega phroneonte machesthon

825pidakos amph' oligēs: ethelousi de piemen amphō:

English

Hektor on this, seeing him to be wounded and giving ground, forced his way through the ranks, and when close up with him struck him in the lower part of the belly with a spear, driving the bronze point right through it, so that he fell heavily to the ground to the great of the Achaeans.

Homeric Greek

πολλὰ δέ τ' ἀσθμαίνοντα λέων ἐδάμασσε βίηφιν:

ὣς πολέας πεφνόντα Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμον υἱὸν

Ἕκτωρ Πριαμίδης σχεδὸν ἔγχεϊ θυμὸν ἀπηύρα,

καί οἱ ἐπευχόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

830Πάτροκλ' ἦ που ἔφησθα πόλιν κεραϊξέμεν ἁμήν,

Transliteration

polla de t' asthmainonta leōn edamasse biēphin:

hōs poleas pephnonta Menoitiou alkimon huion

Hektōr Priamidēs schedon encheï thymon apēura,

kai hoi epeuchomenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:

830Patrokl' ē pou ephēstha polin keraïxemen hamēn,

English

As when a lion has fought some fierce wild-boar and worsted him - the two fight furiously upon the mountains over some little fountain at which they would both drink, and the lion has beaten the boar till he can hardly breathe - even so did Hektor son of Priam take the life of the brave son of Menoitios who

Homeric Greek

Τρωϊάδας δὲ γυναῖκας ἐλεύθερον ἦμαρ ἀπούρας

ἄξειν ἐν νήεσσι φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν

νήπιε: τάων δὲ πρόσθ' Ἕκτορος ὠκέες ἵπποι

ποσσὶν ὀρωρέχαται πολεμίζειν: ἔγχεϊ δ' αὐτὸς

835Τρωσὶ φιλοπτολέμοισι μεταπρέπω, ὅ σφιν ἀμύνω

Transliteration

Trōïadas de gynaikas eleutheron ēmar apouras

axein en nēessi philēn es patrida gaian

nēpie: taōn de prosth' Hektoros ōkees hippoi

possin orōrechatai polemizein: encheï d' autos

835Trōsi philoptolemoisi metaprepō, ho sphin amynō

English

had killed so many, striking him from close at hand, and vaunting over him the while. "Patroklos," said he, "you deemed that you should sack our city, rob our Trojan women of their freedom, and carry them off in your ships to your own country. Fool; Hektor and his fleet horses were ever straining their utmost to defend them.

Homeric Greek

ἦμαρ ἀναγκαῖον: σὲ δέ τ' ἐνθάδε γῦπες ἔδονται.

ἆ δείλ', οὐδέ τοι ἐσθλὸς ἐὼν χραίσμησεν Ἀχιλλεύς,

ὅς πού τοι μάλα πολλὰ μένων ἐπετέλλετ' ἰόντι:

μή μοι πρὶν ἰέναι Πατρόκλεες ἱπποκέλευθε

840νῆας ἔπι γλαφυρὰς πρὶν Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο

Transliteration

ēmar anankaion: se de t' enthade gypes edontai.

a deil', oude toi esthlos eōn chraismēsen Achilleus,

hos pou toi mala polla menōn epetellet' ionti:

mē moi prin ienai Patroklees hippokeleuthe

840nēas epi glaphyras prin Hektoros androphonoio

English

I am foremost of all the Trojan warriors to stave the day of bondage from off them; as for you, vultures shall devour you here. Poor wretch, Achilles with all his bravery availed you nothing; and yet I ween when you left him he charged you straitly saying, ‘Come not back to the ships, horseman Patroklos, till you have rent the bloodstained shirt of murderous Hektor about his body.

Homeric Greek

αἱματόεντα χιτῶνα περὶ στήθεσσι δαί̈ξαι.

ὥς πού σε προσέφη, σοὶ δὲ φρένας ἄφρονι πεῖθε.

τὸν δ' ὀλιγοδρανέων προσέφης Πατρόκλεες ἱππεῦ:

ἤδη νῦν Ἕκτορ μεγάλ' εὔχεο: σοὶ γὰρ ἔδωκε

845νίκην Ζεὺς Κρονίδης καὶ Ἀπόλλων, οἵ με δάμασσαν

Transliteration

haimatoenta chitōna peri stēthessi daïxai.

hōs pou se prosephē, soi de phrenas aphroni peithe.

ton d' oligodraneōn prosephēs Patroklees hippeu:

ēdē nyn Hektor megal' eucheo: soi gar edōke

845nikēn Zeus Kronidēs kai Apollōn, hoi me damassan

English

Thus I ween did he charge you, and your fool's heart answered him ‘yea’ within you." Then, as the life ebbed out of you, you answered, O horseman Patroklos: "Hektor, vaunt as you will, for Zeus the son of Kronos and Apollo have granted you victory;

Homeric Greek

ῥηιδίως: αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀπ' ὤμων τεύχε' ἕλοντο.

τοιοῦτοι δ' εἴ πέρ μοι ἐείκοσιν ἀντεβόλησαν,

πάντές κ' αὐτόθ' ὄλοντο ἐμῷ ὑπὸ δουρὶ δαμέντες.

ἀλλά με μοῖρ' ὀλοὴ καὶ Λητοῦς ἔκτανεν υἱός,

850ἀνδρῶν δ' Εὔφορβος: σὺ δέ με τρίτος ἐξεναρίζεις.

Transliteration

rhēidiōs: autoi gar ap' ōmōn teuche' helonto.

toioutoi d' ei per moi eeikosin antebolēsan,

pantes k' autoth' olonto emōi hypo douri damentes.

alla me moir' oloē kai Lētous ektanen huios,

850andrōn d' Euphorbos: sy de me tritos exenarizeis.

English

it is they who have vanquished me so easily, and they who have stripped the armor from my shoulders; had twenty such men as you attacked me, all of them would have fallen before my spear. Fate and the son of Leto have overpowered me, and among mortal men Euphorbos; you are yourself third only in the killing of me.

Homeric Greek

ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δ' ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν:

οὔ θην οὐδ' αὐτὸς δηρὸν βέῃ, ἀλλά τοι ἤδη

ἄγχι παρέστηκεν θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κραταιὴ

χερσὶ δαμέντ' Ἀχιλῆος ἀμύμονος Αἰακίδαο.

855ὣς ἄρα μιν εἰπόντα τέλος θανάτοιο κάλυψε:

Transliteration

allo de toi ereō, sy d' eni phresi balleo sēisin:

ou thēn oud' autos dēron beēi, alla toi ēdē

anchi parestēken thanatos kai moira krataiē

chersi dament' Achilēos amymonos Aiakidao.

855hōs ara min eiponta telos thanatoio kalypse:

English

I say further, and lay my saying to your heart, you too shall live but for a little season; death and the day of your doom are close upon you, and they will lay you low by the hand of Achilles son of Aiakos."

Homeric Greek

ψυχὴ δ' ἐκ ῥεθέων πταμένη Ἄϊδος δὲ βεβήκει

ὃν πότμον γοόωσα λιποῦσ' ἀνδροτῆτα καὶ ἥβην.

τὸν καὶ τεθνηῶτα προσηύδα φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ:

Πατρόκλεις τί νύ μοι μαντεύεαι αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον;

860τίς δ' οἶδ' εἴ κ' Ἀχιλεὺς Θέτιδος πάϊς ἠϋκόμοιο

Transliteration

psychē d' ek rhetheōn ptamenē Aïdos de bebēkei

hon potmon gooōsa lipous' androtēta kai hēbēn.

ton kai tethnēōta prosēuda phaidimos Hektōr:

Patrokleis ti ny moi manteueai aipyn olethron;

860tis d' oid' ei k' Achileus Thetidos païs ēÿkomoio

English

When he had thus spoken his eyes were closed in the doom of death, his life-breath left his body and flitted down to the house of Hades, mourning its sad fate and bidding farewell to the youth and vigor of its manhood. Dead though he was, Hektor still spoke to him saying, "Patroklos, why should you thus foretell my doom?

Homeric Greek

φθήῃ ἐμῷ ὑπὸ δουρὶ τυπεὶς ἀπὸ θυμὸν ὀλέσσαι;

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας δόρυ χάλκεον ἐξ ὠτειλῆς

εἴρυσε λὰξ προσβάς, τὸν δ' ὕπτιον ὦσ' ἀπὸ δουρός.

αὐτίκα δὲ ξὺν δουρὶ μετ' Αὐτομέδοντα βεβήκει

865ἀντίθεον θεράποντα ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαο:

Transliteration

phthēēi emōi hypo douri typeis apo thymon olessai;

hōs ara phōnēsas dory chalkeon ex ōteilēs

eiryse lax prosbas, ton d' hyption ōs' apo douros.

autika de xyn douri met' Automedonta bebēkei

865antitheon theraponta podōkeos Aiakidao:

English

Who knows but Achilles, son of lovely Thetis, may be smitten by my spear and die before me?" As he spoke he drew the bronze spear from the wound, planting his foot upon the body, which he thrust off and let lie on its back. He then went spear in hand after Automedon, squire of the fleet descendant of Aiakos, for he longed to lay

Homeric Greek

ἵετο γὰρ βαλέειν: τὸν δ' ἔκφερον ὠκέες ἵπποι

ἄμβροτοι, οὓς Πηλῆϊ θεοὶ δόσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα.

Transliteration

hieto gar baleein: ton d' ekpheron ōkees hippoi

ambrotoi, hous Pēlēï theoi dosan aglaa dōra.

English

him low, but the immortal steeds which the gods had given as a rich gift to Peleus bore him swiftly from the field.