Book XVIII

Homeric Greek

1ὣς οἳ μὲν μάρναντο δέμας πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο,

Ἀντίλοχος δ' Ἀχιλῆϊ πόδας ταχὺς ἄγγελος ἦλθε.

τὸν δ' εὗρε προπάροιθε νεῶν ὀρθοκραιράων

τὰ φρονέοντ' ἀνὰ θυμὸν ἃ δὴ τετελεσμένα ἦεν:

5ὀχθήσας δ' ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν:

Transliteration

1hōs hoi men marnanto demas puros aithomenoio,

Antilochos d' Achilēï podas tachus angelos ēlthe.

ton d' heure proparoithe neōn orthokrairaōn

ta phroneont' ana thumon ha dē tetelesmena ēen:

5ochthēsas d' ara eipe pros hon megalētora thumon:

English · Butler

Thus then did they fight as it were a flaming fire. Meanwhile the fleet runner Antilokhos, who had been sent as messenger, reached Achilles, and found him sitting by his tall ships and boding that which was indeed too surely true. "Alas," said he to himself in the heaviness of his heart, "why are the Achaeans again scouring the plain and flocking towards the ships?

Homeric Greek

ὤ μοι ἐγώ, τί τ' ἄρ' αὖτε κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ

νηυσὶν ἔπι κλονέονται ἀτυζόμενοι πεδίοιο;

μὴ δή μοι τελέσωσι θεοὶ κακὰ κήδεα θυμῷ,

ὥς ποτέ μοι μήτηρ διεπέφραδε καί μοι ἔειπε

10Μυρμιδόνων τὸν ἄριστον ἔτι ζώοντος ἐμεῖο

Transliteration

ō moi egō, ti t' ar' aute karē komoōntes Achaioi

nēusin epi kloneontai atuzomenoi pedioio;

mē dē moi telesōsi theoi kaka kēdea thumōi,

hōs pote moi mētēr diepephrade kai moi eeipe

10Murmidonōn ton ariston eti zōontos emeio

English · Butler

Heaven grant the gods be not now bringing that sorrow upon me of which my mother Thetis spoke, saying that while I was yet alive the bravest of the Myrmidons should fall before the Trojans, and see the light of the sun no longer. I fear the brave son of Menoitios has

Homeric Greek

χερσὶν ὕπο Τρώων λείψειν φάος ἠελίοιο.

ἦ μάλα δὴ τέθνηκε Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμος υἱὸς

σχέτλιος: ἦ τ' ἐκέλευον ἀπωσάμενον δήϊον πῦρ

ἂψ ἐπὶ νῆας ἴμεν, μηδ' Ἕκτορι ἶφι μάχεσθαι.

15εἷος ὃ ταῦθ' ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,

Transliteration

chersin hupo Trōōn leipsein phaos ēelioio.

ē mala dē tethnēke Menoitiou alkimos huios

schetlios: ē t' ekeleuon apōsamenon dēïon pur

aps epi nēas imen, mēd' Hektori iphi machesthai.

15heios ho tauth' hōrmaine kata phrena kai kata thumon,

English · Butler

fallen through his own daring and yet I bade him return to the ships as soon as he had driven back those that were bringing fire against them, and not join battle with Hektor." As he was thus pondering, the son of Nestor came up to him and told his sad tale, weeping bitterly the while.

Homeric Greek

τόφρά οἱ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθεν ἀγαυοῦ Νέστορος υἱὸς

δάκρυα θερμὰ χέων, φάτο δ' ἀγγελίην ἀλεγεινήν:

ὤ μοι Πηλέος υἱὲ δαί̈φρονος ἦ μάλα λυγρῆς

πεύσεαι ἀγγελίης, ἣ μὴ ὤφελλε γενέσθαι.

20κεῖται Πάτροκλος, νέκυος δὲ δὴ ἀμφιμάχονται

Transliteration

tophra hoi enguthen ēlthen agauou Nestoros huios

dakrua therma cheōn, phato d' angeliēn alegeinēn:

ō moi Pēleos huie daïphronos ē mala lugrēs

peuseai angeliēs, hē mē ōphelle genesthai.

20keitai Patroklos, nekuos de dē amphimachontai

English · Butler

As he was thus pondering, the son of Nestor came up to him and told his sad tale, weeping bitterly the while. "Alas," he cried, "son of noble Peleus, I bring you bad tidings, would indeed that they were untrue. Patroklos has fallen, and a fight is raging about his naked body - for Hektor

Homeric Greek

γυμνοῦ: ἀτὰρ τά γε τεύχε' ἔχει κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ.

ὣς φάτο, τὸν δ' ἄχεος νεφέλη ἐκάλυψε μέλαινα:

ἀμφοτέρῃσι δὲ χερσὶν ἑλὼν κόνιν αἰθαλόεσσαν

χεύατο κὰκ κεφαλῆς, χαρίεν δ' ᾔσχυνε πρόσωπον:

25νεκταρέῳ δὲ χιτῶνι μέλαιν' ἀμφίζανε τέφρη.

Transliteration

gumnou: atar ta ge teuche' echei koruthaiolos Hektōr.

hōs phato, ton d' acheos nephelē ekalupse melaina:

amphoterēisi de chersin helōn konin aithaloessan

cheuato kak kephalēs, charien d' ēischune prosōpon:

25nektareōi de chitōni melain' amphizane tephrē.

English · Butler

holds his armor." A dark cloud of grief fell upon Achilles as he listened. He filled both hands with dust from off the ground, and poured it over his head, disfiguring his comely face, and letting the refuse settle over his shirt so fair and new. He flung himself down all huge

Homeric Greek

αὐτὸς δ' ἐν κονίῃσι μέγας μεγαλωστὶ τανυσθεὶς

κεῖτο, φίλῃσι δὲ χερσὶ κόμην ᾔσχυνε δαί̈ζων.

δμῳαὶ δ' ἃς Ἀχιλεὺς ληί̈σσατο Πάτροκλός τε

θυμὸν ἀκηχέμεναι μεγάλ' ἴαχον, ἐκ δὲ θύραζε

30ἔδραμον ἀμφ' Ἀχιλῆα δαί̈φρονα, χερσὶ δὲ πᾶσαι

Transliteration

autos d' en koniēisi megas megalōsti tanustheis

keito, philēisi de chersi komēn ēischune daïzōn.

dmōiai d' has Achileus lēïssato Patroklos te

thumon akēchemenai megal' iachon, ek de thuraze

30edramon amph' Achilēa daïphrona, chersi de pasai

English · Butler

and hugely at full length, and tore his hair with his hands. The bondswomen whom Achilles and Patroklos had taken captive screamed aloud for grief, beating their breasts, and with their limbs failing them for sorrow. Antilokhos bent over him the while, weeping and holding both his hands as he

Homeric Greek

στήθεα πεπλήγοντο, λύθεν δ' ὑπὸ γυῖα ἑκάστης.

Ἀντίλοχος δ' ἑτέρωθεν ὀδύρετο δάκρυα λείβων

χεῖρας ἔχων Ἀχιλῆος: ὃ δ' ἔστενε κυδάλιμον κῆρ:

δείδιε γὰρ μὴ λαιμὸν ἀπαμήσειε σιδήρῳ.

35σμερδαλέον δ' ᾤμωξεν: ἄκουσε δὲ πότνια μήτηρ

Transliteration

stēthea peplēgonto, luthen d' hupo guia hekastēs.

Antilochos d' heterōthen odureto dakrua leibōn

cheiras echōn Achilēos: ho d' estene kudalimon kēr:

deidie gar mē laimon apamēseie sidērōi.

35smerdaleon d' ōimōxen: akouse de potnia mētēr

English · Butler

lay groaning for he feared that he might plunge a knife into his own throat. Then Achilles gave a loud cry and his mother heard him as she was sitting in the depths of the sea by the old man her father, whereon

Homeric Greek

ἡμένη ἐν βένθεσσιν ἁλὸς παρὰ πατρὶ γέροντι,

κώκυσέν τ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα: θεαὶ δέ μιν ἀμφαγέροντο

πᾶσαι ὅσαι κατὰ βένθος ἁλὸς Νηρηί̈δες ἦσαν.

ἔνθ' ἄρ' ἔην Γλαύκη τε Θάλειά τε Κυμοδόκη τε

40Νησαίη Σπειώ τε Θόη θ' Ἁλίη τε βοῶπις

Transliteration

hēmenē en benthessin halos para patri geronti,

kōkusen t' ar' epeita: theai de min amphageronto

pasai hosai kata benthos halos Nērēïdes ēsan.

enth' ar' eēn Glaukē te Thaleia te Kumodokē te

40Nēsaiē Speiō te Thoē th' Haliē te boōpis

English · Butler

she screamed, and all the goddesses daughters of Nereus that dwelt at the bottom of the sea, came gathering round her. There were Glauke, Thalia and Kymodoke, Nesaia, Speo, Thoe, and dark-eyed Halie, Kymothoe, Aktaia and Limnorea, Melite, Iaira,

Homeric Greek

Κυμοθόη τε καὶ Ἀκταίη καὶ Λιμνώρεια

καὶ Μελίτη καὶ Ἴαιρα καὶ Ἀμφιθόη καὶ Ἀγαυὴ

Δωτώ τε Πρωτώ τε Φέρουσά τε Δυναμένη τε

Δεξαμένη τε καὶ Ἀμφινόμη καὶ Καλλιάνειρα

45Δωρὶς καὶ Πανόπη καὶ ἀγακλειτὴ Γαλάτεια

Transliteration

Kumothoē te kai Aktaiē kai Limnōreia

kai Melitē kai Iaira kai Amphithoē kai Agauē

Dōtō te Prōtō te Pherousa te Dunamenē te

Dexamenē te kai Amphinomē kai Kallianeira

45Dōris kai Panopē kai agakleitē Galateia

English · Butler

Amphithoe and Agaue, Doto and Proto, Pherousa and Dynamene, Dexamene, Amphinome and Kallianeira, Doris, Panope, and the famous sea-nymph Galatea, Nemertes, Apseudes and Kallianassa. There were also Klymene, Ianeira and Ianassa, Maira, Oreithuia and Amatheia of the lovely locks, with other Nereids who dwell in the depths of the sea.

Homeric Greek

Νημερτής τε καὶ Ἀψευδὴς καὶ Καλλιάνασσα:

ἔνθα δ' ἔην Κλυμένη Ἰάνειρά τε καὶ Ἰάνασσα

Μαῖρα καὶ Ὠρείθυια ἐϋπλόκαμός τ' Ἀμάθεια

ἄλλαι θ' αἳ κατὰ βένθος ἁλὸς Νηρηί̈δες ἦσαν.

50τῶν δὲ καὶ ἀργύφεον πλῆτο σπέος: αἳ δ' ἅμα πᾶσαι

Transliteration

Nēmertēs te kai Apseudēs kai Kallianassa:

entha d' eēn Klumenē Ianeira te kai Ianassa

Maira kai Ōreithuia eüplokamos t' Amatheia

allai th' hai kata benthos halos Nērēïdes ēsan.

50tōn de kai argupheon plēto speos: hai d' hama pasai

English · Butler

The crystal cave was filled with their multitude and they all beat their breasts while Thetis led them

Homeric Greek

στήθεα πεπλήγοντο, Θέτις δ' ἐξῆρχε γόοιο:

κλῦτε κασίγνηται Νηρηί̈δες, ὄφρ' ἐὺ̈ πᾶσαι

εἴδετ' ἀκούουσαι ὅσ' ἐμῷ ἔνι κήδεα θυμῷ.

ὤ μοι ἐγὼ δειλή, ὤ μοι δυσαριστοτόκεια,

55ἥ τ' ἐπεὶ ἂρ τέκον υἱὸν ἀμύμονά τε κρατερόν τε

Transliteration

stēthea peplēgonto, Thetis d' exērche gooio:

klute kasignētai Nērēïdes, ophr' eü pasai

eidet' akouousai hos' emōi eni kēdea thumōi.

ō moi egō deilē, ō moi dusaristotokeia,

55hē t' epei ar tekon huion amumona te krateron te

English · Butler

in their lament. "Listen," she cried, "sisters, daughters of Nereus, that you may hear the burden of my sorrows. Alas, woe is me, woe in that I have borne the most glorious of offspring. I bore him fair and strong, hero among heroes, and he shot up as a sapling; I tended him as a plant in a goodly

Homeric Greek

ἔξοχον ἡρώων: ὃ δ' ἀνέδραμεν ἔρνεϊ ἶσος:

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ θρέψασα φυτὸν ὣς γουνῷ ἀλωῆς

νηυσὶν ἐπιπροέηκα κορωνίσιν Ἴλιον εἴσω

Τρωσὶ μαχησόμενον: τὸν δ' οὐχ ὑποδέξομαι αὖτις

60οἴκαδε νοστήσαντα δόμον Πηλήϊον εἴσω.

Transliteration

exochon hērōōn: ho d' anedramen erneï isos:

ton men egō threpsasa phuton hōs gounōi alōēs

nēusin epiproeēka korōnisin Ilion eisō

Trōsi machēsomenon: ton d' ouch hupodexomai autis

60oikade nostēsanta domon Pēlēïon eisō.

English · Butler

garden, and sent him with his ships to Ilion to fight the Trojans, but never shall I welcome him back to the house of Peleus. So long as he lives to look upon the light of the sun he is in heaviness, and though I go to him I cannot help him. Nevertheless I will go, that

Homeric Greek

ὄφρα δέ μοι ζώει καὶ ὁρᾷ φάος ἠελίοιο

ἄχνυται, οὐδέ τί οἱ δύναμαι χραισμῆσαι ἰοῦσα.

ἀλλ' εἶμ', ὄφρα ἴδωμι φίλον τέκος, ἠδ' ἐπακούσω

ὅττί μιν ἵκετο πένθος ἀπὸ πτολέμοιο μένοντα.

65ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασα λίπε σπέος: αἳ δὲ σὺν αὐτῇ

Transliteration

ophra de moi zōei kai horāi phaos ēelioio

achnutai, oude ti hoi dunamai chraismēsai iousa.

all' eim', ophra idōmi philon tekos, ēd' epakousō

hotti min hiketo penthos apo ptolemoio menonta.

65hōs ara phōnēsasa lipe speos: hai de sun autēi

English · Butler

I may see my dear son and learn what sorrow has befallen him though he is still holding aloof from battle." She left the cave as she spoke, while the others followed weeping after, and the waves opened a path before them.

Homeric Greek

δακρυόεσσαι ἴσαν, περὶ δέ σφισι κῦμα θαλάσσης

ῥήγνυτο: ταὶ δ' ὅτε δὴ Τροίην ἐρίβωλον ἵκοντο

ἀκτὴν εἰσανέβαινον ἐπισχερώ, ἔνθα θαμειαὶ

Μυρμιδόνων εἴρυντο νέες ταχὺν ἀμφ' Ἀχιλῆα.

70τῷ δὲ βαρὺ στενάχοντι παρίστατο πότνια μήτηρ,

Transliteration

dakruoessai isan, peri de sphisi kuma thalassēs

rhēgnuto: tai d' hote dē Troiēn eribōlon hikonto

aktēn eisanebainon epischerō, entha thameiai

Murmidonōn eirunto nees tachun amph' Achilēa.

70tōi de baru stenachonti paristato potnia mētēr,

English · Butler

She left the cave as she spoke, while the others followed weeping after, and the waves opened a path before them. When they reached the fertile plain of Troy, they came up out of the sea in a long line on to the sands, at the place where the ships of the Myrmidons were drawn up in close order round the tents of Achilles. His mother went up to him as he lay groaning; she laid her hand upon his head and spoke piteously, saying, "My son, why are you thus weeping?

Homeric Greek

ὀξὺ δὲ κωκύσασα κάρη λάβε παιδὸς ἑοῖο,

καί ῥ' ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

τέκνον τί κλαίεις; τί δέ σε φρένας ἵκετο πένθος;

ἐξαύδα, μὴ κεῦθε: τὰ μὲν δή τοι τετέλεσται

75ἐκ Διός, ὡς ἄρα δὴ πρίν γ' εὔχεο χεῖρας ἀνασχὼν

Transliteration

oxu de kōkusasa karē labe paidos heoio,

kai rh' olophuromenē epea pteroenta prosēuda:

teknon ti klaieis; ti de se phrenas hiketo penthos;

exauda, mē keuthe: ta men dē toi tetelestai

75ek Dios, hōs ara dē prin g' eucheo cheiras anaschōn

English · Butler

What sorrow has now befallen you? Tell me; hide it not from me. Surely Zeus has granted you the prayer you made him, when you lifted up your hands and besought him that the Achaeans might all of them be

Homeric Greek

πάντας ἐπὶ πρύμνῃσιν ἀλήμεναι υἷας Ἀχαιῶν

σεῦ ἐπιδευομένους, παθέειν τ' ἀεκήλια ἔργα.

τὴν δὲ βαρὺ στενάχων προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:

μῆτερ ἐμή, τὰ μὲν ἄρ μοι Ὀλύμπιος ἐξετέλεσσεν:

80ἀλλὰ τί μοι τῶν ἦδος ἐπεὶ φίλος ὤλεθ' ἑταῖρος

Transliteration

pantas epi prumnēisin alēmenai huias Achaiōn

seu epideuomenous, patheein t' aekēlia erga.

tēn de baru stenachōn prosephē podas ōkus Achilleus:

mēter emē, ta men ar moi Olumpios exetelessen:

80alla ti moi tōn ēdos epei philos ōleth' hetairos

English · Butler

pent up at their ships, and rue it bitterly in that you were no longer with them." Achilles groaned and answered, "Mother, Olympian Zeus has indeed granted me the fulfillment of my prayer, but what boots it to me, seeing that my dear comrade Patroklos has fallen - he whom I valued more than all others, and loved as dearly as my own life? I have lost him; aye, and Hektor when he had killed

Homeric Greek

Πάτροκλος, τὸν ἐγὼ περὶ πάντων τῖον ἑταίρων

ἶσον ἐμῇ κεφαλῇ; τὸν ἀπώλεσα, τεύχεα δ' Ἕκτωρ

δῃώσας ἀπέδυσε πελώρια θαῦμα ἰδέσθαι

καλά: τὰ μὲν Πηλῆϊ θεοὶ δόσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα

85ἤματι τῷ ὅτε σε βροτοῦ ἀνέρος ἔμβαλον εὐνῇ.

Transliteration

Patroklos, ton egō peri pantōn tion hetairōn

ison emēi kephalēi; ton apōlesa, teuchea d' Hektōr

dēiōsas apeduse pelōria thauma idesthai

kala: ta men Pēlēï theoi dosan aglaa dōra

85ēmati tōi hote se brotou aneros embalon eunēi.

English · Butler

him stripped the wondrous armor, so glorious to behold, which the gods gave to Peleus when they laid you in the couch of a mortal man. Would that you were still dwelling among the immortal sea-nymphs, and that Peleus had taken to himself some mortal bride. For now you shall have

Homeric Greek

αἴθ' ὄφελες σὺ μὲν αὖθι μετ' ἀθανάτῃς ἁλίῃσι

ναίειν, Πηλεὺς δὲ θνητὴν ἀγαγέσθαι ἄκοιτιν.

νῦν δ' ἵνα καὶ σοὶ πένθος ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μυρίον εἴη

παιδὸς ἀποφθιμένοιο, τὸν οὐχ ὑποδέξεαι αὖτις

90οἴκαδε νοστήσαντ', ἐπεὶ οὐδ' ἐμὲ θυμὸς ἄνωγε

Transliteration

aith' opheles su men authi met' athanatēis haliēisi

naiein, Pēleus de thnētēn agagesthai akoitin.

nun d' hina kai soi penthos eni phresi murion eiē

paidos apophthimenoio, ton ouch hupodexeai autis

90oikade nostēsant', epei oud' eme thumos anōge

English · Butler

grief infinite by reason of the death of that son whom you can never welcome home- nay, I will not live nor go about among humankind unless

Homeric Greek

ζώειν οὐδ' ἄνδρεσσι μετέμμεναι, αἴ κε μὴ Ἕκτωρ

πρῶτος ἐμῷ ὑπὸ δουρὶ τυπεὶς ἀπὸ θυμὸν ὀλέσσῃ,

Πατρόκλοιο δ' ἕλωρα Μενοιτιάδεω ἀποτίσῃ.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Θέτις κατὰ δάκρυ χέουσα:

95ὠκύμορος δή μοι τέκος ἔσσεαι, οἷ' ἀγορεύεις:

Transliteration

zōein oud' andressi metemmenai, ai ke mē Hektōr

prōtos emōi hupo douri tupeis apo thumon olessēi,

Patrokloio d' helōra Menoitiadeō apotisēi.

ton d' aute proseeipe Thetis kata dakru cheousa:

95ōkumoros dē moi tekos esseai, hoi' agoreueis:

English · Butler

Hektor fall by my spear, and thus pay me for having slain Patroklos son of Menoitios." Thetis wept and answered, "Then, my son, is your end near at hand- for your own

Homeric Greek

αὐτίκα γάρ τοι ἔπειτα μεθ' Ἕκτορα πότμος ἑτοῖμος.

τὴν δὲ μέγ' ὀχθήσας προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:

αὐτίκα τεθναίην, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἄρ' ἔμελλον ἑταίρῳ

κτεινομένῳ ἐπαμῦναι: ὃ μὲν μάλα τηλόθι πάτρης

100ἔφθιτ', ἐμεῖο δὲ δῆσεν ἀρῆς ἀλκτῆρα γενέσθαι.

Transliteration

autika gar toi epeita meth' Hektora potmos hetoimos.

tēn de meg' ochthēsas prosephē podas ōkus Achilleus:

autika tethnaiēn, epei ouk ar' emellon hetairōi

kteinomenōi epamunai: ho men mala tēlothi patrēs

100ephthit', emeio de dēsen arēs alktēra genesthai.

English · Butler

death awaits you full soon after that of Hektor." Then said Achilles in his great grief, "I would die here and now, in that I could not save my comrade. He has fallen far from home, and in his hour of need my hand was not there to help him. What is there for me? Return to my own land I shall not, and

Homeric Greek

νῦν δ' ἐπεὶ οὐ νέομαί γε φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,

οὐδέ τι Πατρόκλῳ γενόμην φάος οὐδ' ἑτάροισι

τοῖς ἄλλοις, οἳ δὴ πολέες δάμεν Ἕκτορι δίῳ,

ἀλλ' ἧμαι παρὰ νηυσὶν ἐτώσιον ἄχθος ἀρούρης,

105τοῖος ἐὼν οἷος οὔ τις Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων

Transliteration

nun d' epei ou neomai ge philēn es patrida gaian,

oude ti Patroklōi genomēn phaos oud' hetaroisi

tois allois, hoi dē polees damen Hektori diōi,

all' hēmai para nēusin etōsion achthos arourēs,

105toios eōn hoios ou tis Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn

English · Butler

I have brought no saving neither to Patroklos nor to my other comrades of whom so many have been slain by mighty Hektor; I stay here by my ships a bootless burden upon the earth, I, who in fight have no peer among the Achaeans, though

Homeric Greek

ἐν πολέμῳ: ἀγορῇ δέ τ' ἀμείνονές εἰσι καὶ ἄλλοι.

ὡς ἔρις ἔκ τε θεῶν ἔκ τ' ἀνθρώπων ἀπόλοιτο

καὶ χόλος, ὅς τ' ἐφέηκε πολύφρονά περ χαλεπῆναι,

ὅς τε πολὺ γλυκίων μέλιτος καταλειβομένοιο

110ἀνδρῶν ἐν στήθεσσιν ἀέξεται ἠύ̈τε καπνός:

Transliteration

en polemōi: agorēi de t' ameinones eisi kai alloi.

hōs eris ek te theōn ek t' anthrōpōn apoloito

kai cholos, hos t' epheēke poluphrona per chalepēnai,

hos te polu glukiōn melitos kataleibomenoio

110andrōn en stēthessin aexetai ēüte kapnos:

English · Butler

in council there are better than I. Therefore, perish strife both from among gods and men, and anger, wherein even a righteous man will harden his heart - which rises up in the soul of a man like smoke, and the taste thereof is sweeter than drops of honey. Even so has Agamemnon angered me. And yet - so be it, for it is over; I will force my soul into subjection as I needs must;

Homeric Greek

ὡς ἐμὲ νῦν ἐχόλωσεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων.

ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν προτετύχθαι ἐάσομεν ἀχνύμενοί περ,

θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλον δαμάσαντες ἀνάγκῃ:

νῦν δ' εἶμ' ὄφρα φίλης κεφαλῆς ὀλετῆρα κιχείω

115Ἕκτορα: κῆρα δ' ἐγὼ τότε δέξομαι ὁππότε κεν δὴ

Transliteration

hōs eme nun echolōsen anax andrōn Agamemnōn.

alla ta men protetuchthai easomen achnumenoi per,

thumon eni stēthessi philon damasantes anankēi:

nun d' eim' ophra philēs kephalēs oletēra kicheiō

115Hektora: kēra d' egō tote dexomai hoppote ken dē

English · Butler

I will go; I will pursue Hektor who has slain him whom I loved so dearly, and will then abide my doom when it may please Zeus and the other gods to send it. Even Herakles, the best beloved of Zeus - even

Homeric Greek

Ζεὺς ἐθέλῃ τελέσαι ἠδ' ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι.

οὐδὲ γὰρ οὐδὲ βίη Ἡρακλῆος φύγε κῆρα,

ὅς περ φίλτατος ἔσκε Διὶ Κρονίωνι ἄνακτι:

ἀλλά ἑ μοῖρα δάμασσε καὶ ἀργαλέος χόλος Ἥρης.

120ὣς καὶ ἐγών, εἰ δή μοι ὁμοίη μοῖρα τέτυκται,

Transliteration

Zeus ethelēi telesai ēd' athanatoi theoi alloi.

oude gar oude biē Hēraklēos phuge kēra,

hos per philtatos eske Dii Kroniōni anakti:

alla he moira damasse kai argaleos cholos Hērēs.

120hōs kai egōn, ei dē moi homoiē moira tetuktai,

English · Butler

he could not escape the hand of death, but fate and Hera's fierce anger laid him low, as I too shall lie when I am dead if a like doom awaits me. Till then I will win fame, and will bid Trojan and Dardanian women wring tears from

Homeric Greek

κείσομ' ἐπεί κε θάνω: νῦν δὲ κλέος ἐσθλὸν ἀροίμην,

καί τινα Τρωϊάδων καὶ Δαρδανίδων βαθυκόλπων

ἀμφοτέρῃσιν χερσὶ παρειάων ἁπαλάων

δάκρυ' ὀμορξαμένην ἁδινὸν στοναχῆσαι ἐφείην,

125γνοῖεν δ' ὡς δὴ δηρὸν ἐγὼ πολέμοιο πέπαυμαι:

Transliteration

keisom' epei ke thanō: nun de kleos esthlon aroimēn,

kai tina Trōïadōn kai Dardanidōn bathukolpōn

amphoterēisin chersi pareiaōn hapalaōn

dakru' omorxamenēn hadinon stonachēsai epheiēn,

125gnoien d' hōs dē dēron egō polemoio pepaumai:

English · Butler

their tender cheeks with both their hands in the grievousness of their great sorrow; thus shall they know that he who has held aloof so long will hold aloof no longer. Hold me not back, therefore, in the love you bear me, for

Homeric Greek

μὴ δέ μ' ἔρυκε μάχης φιλέουσά περ: οὐδέ με πείσεις.

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα θεὰ Θέτις ἀργυρόπεζα:

ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε τέκνον ἐτήτυμον οὐ κακόν ἐστι

τειρομένοις ἑτάροισιν ἀμυνέμεν αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.

130ἀλλά τοι ἔντεα καλὰ μετὰ Τρώεσσιν ἔχονται

Transliteration

mē de m' eruke machēs phileousa per: oude me peiseis.

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita thea Thetis arguropeza:

nai dē tauta ge teknon etētumon ou kakon esti

teiromenois hetaroisin amunemen aipun olethron.

130alla toi entea kala meta Trōessin echontai

English · Butler

you shall not move me." Then silver-footed Thetis answered, "My son, what you have said is true. It is well to save your comrades from destruction, but your armor is in the hands of the Trojans; Hektor bears it in triumph upon his own shoulders. Full well I know that his vaunt shall not be lasting, for his end is close at hand;

Homeric Greek

χάλκεα μαρμαίροντα: τὰ μὲν κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ

αὐτὸς ἔχων ὤμοισιν ἀγάλλεται: οὐδέ ἕ φημι

δηρὸν ἐπαγλαϊεῖσθαι, ἐπεὶ φόνος ἐγγύθεν αὐτῷ.

ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν μή πω καταδύσεο μῶλον Ἄρηος

135πρίν γ' ἐμὲ δεῦρ' ἐλθοῦσαν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδηαι:

Transliteration

chalkea marmaironta: ta men koruthaiolos Hektōr

autos echōn ōmoisin agalletai: oude he phēmi

dēron epaglaïeisthai, epei phonos enguthen autōi.

alla su men mē pō kataduseo mōlon Arēos

135prin g' eme deur' elthousan en ophthalmoisin idēai:

English · Butler

go not, however, into the press of battle till you see me return hither; tomorrow at break of day I shall be here, and will bring

Homeric Greek

ἠῶθεν γὰρ νεῦμαι ἅμ' ἠελίῳ ἀνιόντι

τεύχεα καλὰ φέρουσα παρ' Ἡφαίστοιο ἄνακτος.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασα πάλιν τράπεθ' υἷος ἑοῖο,

καὶ στρεφθεῖσ' ἁλίῃσι κασιγνήτῃσι μετηύδα:

140ὑμεῖς μὲν νῦν δῦτε θαλάσσης εὐρέα κόλπον

Transliteration

ēōthen gar neumai ham' ēeliōi anionti

teuchea kala pherousa par' Hēphaistoio anaktos.

hōs ara phōnēsasa palin trapeth' huios heoio,

kai strephtheis' haliēisi kasignētēisi metēuda:

140humeis men nun dute thalassēs eurea kolpon

English · Butler

you goodly armor from King Hephaistos." On this she left her brave son, and as she turned away she said to the sea-nymphs her sisters, "Dive into the bosom of the sea and go to the house of the old sea-god my father. Tell him everything; as for me, I will

Homeric Greek

ὀψόμεναί τε γέρονθ' ἅλιον καὶ δώματα πατρός,

καί οἱ πάντ' ἀγορεύσατ': ἐγὼ δ' ἐς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον

εἶμι παρ' Ἥφαιστον κλυτοτέχνην, αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσιν

υἱεῖ ἐμῷ δόμεναι κλυτὰ τεύχεα παμφανόωντα.

145ὣς ἔφαθ', αἳ δ' ὑπὸ κῦμα θαλάσσης αὐτίκ' ἔδυσαν:

Transliteration

opsomenai te geronth' halion kai dōmata patros,

kai hoi pant' agoreusat': egō d' es makron Olumpon

eimi par' Hēphaiston klutotechnēn, ai k' ethelēisin

huiei emōi domenai kluta teuchea pamphanoōnta.

145hōs ephath', hai d' hupo kuma thalassēs autik' edusan:

English · Butler

go to the cunning workman Hephaistos on high Olympus, and ask him to provide my son with a suit of splendid armor." When she had so said, they dived forthwith beneath

Homeric Greek

ἣ δ' αὖτ' Οὔλυμπον δὲ θεὰ Θέτις ἀργυρόπεζα

ἤϊεν ὄφρα φίλῳ παιδὶ κλυτὰ τεύχε' ἐνείκαι.

τὴν μὲν ἄρ' Οὔλυμπον δὲ πόδες φέρον: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ

θεσπεσίῳ ἀλαλητῷ ὑφ' Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο

150φεύγοντες νῆάς τε καὶ Ἑλλήσποντον ἵκοντο.

Transliteration

hē d' aut' Oulumpon de thea Thetis arguropeza

ēïen ophra philōi paidi kluta teuche' eneikai.

tēn men ar' Oulumpon de podes pheron: autar Achaioi

thespesiōi alalētōi huph' Hektoros androphonoio

150pheugontes nēas te kai Hellēsponton hikonto.

English · Butler

the waves, while silver-footed Thetis went her way that she might bring the armor for her son. Thus, then, did her feet bear the goddess to Olympus, and meanwhile the Achaeans were fleeing with loud cries before murderous Hektor till they reached the ships and the Hellespont, and they could not draw the body of Ares' squire Patroklos out of reach of the weapons that were showered upon him, for Hektor son of Priam with his host and horsemen had again caught up to him like the flame of a fiery furnace; thrice did brave Hektor seize him by the feet, striving with might and main to draw him away and calling loudly on the Trojans, and thrice did the two Ajaxes, clothed in valor as with a garment, beat him from off the body; but all undaunted he would now charge into the thick of the fight, and now again he would stand still and cry aloud, but he would give no ground. As upland shepherds that

Homeric Greek

οὐδέ κε Πάτροκλόν περ ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶ

ἐκ βελέων ἐρύσαντο νέκυν θεράποντ' Ἀχιλῆος:

αὖτις γὰρ δὴ τόν γε κίχον λαός τε καὶ ἵπποι

Ἕκτωρ τε Πριάμοιο πάϊς φλογὶ εἴκελος ἀλκήν.

155τρὶς μέν μιν μετόπισθε ποδῶν λάβε φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ

Transliteration

oude ke Patroklon per eüknēmides Achaioi

ek beleōn erusanto nekun therapont' Achilēos:

autis gar dē ton ge kichon laos te kai hippoi

Hektōr te Priamoio païs phlogi eikelos alkēn.

155tris men min metopisthe podōn labe phaidimos Hektōr

English · Butler

cannot chase some famished lion from a carcass, even so

Homeric Greek

ἑλκέμεναι μεμαώς, μέγα δὲ Τρώεσσιν ὁμόκλα:

τρὶς δὲ δύ' Αἴαντες θοῦριν ἐπιειμένοι ἀλκὴν

νεκροῦ ἀπεστυφέλιξαν: ὃ δ' ἔμπεδον ἀλκὶ πεποιθὼς

ἄλλοτ' ἐπαί̈ξασκε κατὰ μόθον, ἄλλοτε δ' αὖτε

160στάσκε μέγα ἰάχων: ὀπίσω δ' οὐ χάζετο πάμπαν.

Transliteration

helkemenai memaōs, mega de Trōessin homokla:

tris de du' Aiantes thourin epieimenoi alkēn

nekrou apestuphelixan: ho d' empedon alki pepoithōs

allot' epaïxaske kata mothon, allote d' aute

160staske mega iachōn: opisō d' ou chazeto pampan.

English · Butler

could not the two Ajaxes scare Hektor son of

Homeric Greek

ὡς δ' ἀπὸ σώματος οὔ τι λέοντ' αἴθωνα δύνανται

ποιμένες ἄγραυλοι μέγα πεινάοντα δίεσθαι,

ὥς ῥα τὸν οὐκ ἐδύναντο δύω Αἴαντε κορυστὰ

Ἕκτορα Πριαμίδην ἀπὸ νεκροῦ δειδίξασθαι.

165καί νύ κεν εἴρυσσέν τε καὶ ἄσπετον ἤρατο κῦδος,

Transliteration

hōs d' apo sōmatos ou ti leont' aithōna dunantai

poimenes agrauloi mega peinaonta diesthai,

hōs rha ton ouk edunanto duō Aiante korusta

Hektora Priamidēn apo nekrou deidixasthai.

165kai nu ken eirussen te kai aspeton ērato kudos,

English · Butler

Priam from the body of Patroklos. And now he would even have dragged it off and have won imperishable glory, had not Iris fleet as the wind, winged her way as messenger from Olympus to the son of Peleus and bidden him arm.

Homeric Greek

εἰ μὴ Πηλεί̈ωνι ποδήνεμος ὠκέα Ἶρις

ἄγγελος ἦλθε θέουσ' ἀπ' Ὀλύμπου θωρήσσεσθαι

κρύβδα Διὸς ἄλλων τε θεῶν: πρὸ γὰρ ἧκέ μιν Ἥρη.

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱσταμένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

170ὄρσεο Πηλεί̈δη, πάντων ἐκπαγλότατ' ἀνδρῶν:

Transliteration

ei mē Pēleïōni podēnemos ōkea Iris

angelos ēlthe theous' ap' Olumpou thōrēssesthai

krubda Dios allōn te theōn: pro gar hēke min Hērē.

anchou d' histamenē epea pteroenta prosēuda:

170orseo Pēleïdē, pantōn ekpaglotat' andrōn:

English · Butler

And now he would even have dragged it off and have won imperishable glory, had not Iris fleet as the wind, winged her way as messenger from Olympus to the son of Peleus and bidden him arm. She came secretly without the knowledge of Zeus and of the other gods, for Hera sent her, and when she had got close to him she said, "Up, son of Peleus, mightiest of all humankind; rescue Patroklos about whom this fearful fight is now raging by the ships. Men are killing one another, the Danaans in

Homeric Greek

Πατρόκλῳ ἐπάμυνον, οὗ εἵνεκα φύλοπις αἰνὴ

ἕστηκε πρὸ νεῶν: οἳ δ' ἀλλήλους ὀλέκουσιν

οἳ μὲν ἀμυνόμενοι νέκυος πέρι τεθνηῶτος,

οἳ δὲ ἐρύσσασθαι ποτὶ Ἴλιον ἠνεμόεσσαν

175Τρῶες ἐπιθύουσι: μάλιστα δὲ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ

Transliteration

Patroklōi epamunon, hou heineka phulopis ainē

hestēke pro neōn: hoi d' allēlous olekousin

hoi men amunomenoi nekuos peri tethnēōtos,

hoi de erussasthai poti Ilion ēnemoessan

175Trōes epithuousi: malista de phaidimos Hektōr

English · Butler

defense of the dead body, while the Trojans are trying to hale it away, and take it to windy Ilion: Hektor is the most furious of them all; he is for cutting the head from the body and fixing it on the stakes of the wall. Up, then, and bide here no longer; shrink from the thought that Patroklos may become meat for the dogs of Troy.

Homeric Greek

ἑλκέμεναι μέμονεν: κεφαλὴν δέ ἑ θυμὸς ἄνωγε

πῆξαι ἀνὰ σκολόπεσσι ταμόνθ' ἁπαλῆς ἀπὸ δειρῆς.

ἀλλ' ἄνα μηδ' ἔτι κεῖσο: σέβας δέ σε θυμὸν ἱκέσθω

Πάτροκλον Τρῳῇσι κυσὶν μέλπηθρα γενέσθαι:

180σοὶ λώβη, αἴ κέν τι νέκυς ᾐσχυμμένος ἔλθῃ.

Transliteration

helkemenai memonen: kephalēn de he thumos anōge

pēxai ana skolopessi tamonth' hapalēs apo deirēs.

all' ana mēd' eti keiso: sebas de se thumon hikesthō

Patroklon Trōiēisi kusin melpēthra genesthai:

180soi lōbē, ai ken ti nekus ēischummenos elthēi.

English · Butler

Shame on you, should his body suffer any kind of outrage."

Homeric Greek

τὴν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς:

Ἶρι θεὰ τίς γάρ σε θεῶν ἐμοὶ ἄγγελον ἧκε;

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε ποδήνεμος ὠκέα Ἶρις:

Ἥρη με προέηκε Διὸς κυδρὴ παράκοιτις:

185οὐδ' οἶδε Κρονίδης ὑψίζυγος οὐδέ τις ἄλλος

Transliteration

tēn d' ēmeibet' epeita podarkēs dios Achilleus:

Iri thea tis gar se theōn emoi angelon hēke;

ton d' aute proseeipe podēnemos ōkea Iris:

Hērē me proeēke Dios kudrē parakoitis:

185oud' oide Kronidēs hupsizugos oude tis allos

English · Butler

And Achilles said, "Iris, which of the gods was it that sent you to me?" Iris answered, "It was Hera the royal spouse of Zeus, but the son of Kronos does not know of my coming, nor yet does any other of the

Homeric Greek

ἀθανάτων, οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἀγάννιφον ἀμφινέμονται.

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:

πῶς τὰρ ἴω μετὰ μῶλον; ἔχουσι δὲ τεύχε' ἐκεῖνοι:

μήτηρ δ' οὔ με φίλη πρίν γ' εἴα θωρήσσεσθαι

190πρίν γ' αὐτὴν ἐλθοῦσαν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδωμαι:

Transliteration

athanatōn, hoi Olumpon aganniphon amphinemontai.

tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē podas ōkus Achilleus:

pōs tar iō meta mōlon; echousi de teuche' ekeinoi:

mētēr d' ou me philē prin g' eia thōrēssesthai

190prin g' autēn elthousan en ophthalmoisin idōmai:

English · Butler

immortals who dwell on the snowy summits of Olympus." Then fleet Achilles answered her saying, "How can I go up into the battle? They have my armor. My mother forbade me to arm till I should see her come, for she promised to bring me goodly armor from Hephaistos;

Homeric Greek

στεῦτο γὰρ Ἡφαίστοιο πάρ' οἰσέμεν ἔντεα καλά.

ἄλλου δ' οὔ τευ οἶδα τεῦ ἂν κλυτὰ τεύχεα δύω,

εἰ μὴ Αἴαντός γε σάκος Τελαμωνιάδαο.

ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὸς ὅ γ' ἔλπομ' ἐνὶ πρώτοισιν ὁμιλεῖ

195ἔγχεϊ δηϊόων περὶ Πατρόκλοιο θανόντος.

Transliteration

steuto gar Hēphaistoio par' oisemen entea kala.

allou d' ou teu oida teu an kluta teuchea duō,

ei mē Aiantos ge sakos Telamōniadao.

alla kai autos ho g' elpom' eni prōtoisin homilei

195encheï dēïoōn peri Patrokloio thanontos.

English · Butler

I know no man whose arms I can put on, save only the shield of Ajax son of Telamon, and he surely must be fighting in the front rank and wielding his spear about the body of dead Patroklos."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε ποδήνεμος ὠκέα Ἶρις:

εὖ νυ καὶ ἡμεῖς ἴδμεν ὅ τοι κλυτὰ τεύχε' ἔχονται:

ἀλλ' αὔτως ἐπὶ τάφρον ἰὼν Τρώεσσι φάνηθι,

αἴ κέ σ' ὑποδείσαντες ἀπόσχωνται πολέμοιο

200Τρῶες, ἀναπνεύσωσι δ' ἀρήϊοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

Transliteration

ton d' aute proseeipe podēnemos ōkea Iris:

eu nu kai hēmeis idmen ho toi kluta teuche' echontai:

all' autōs epi taphron iōn Trōessi phanēthi,

ai ke s' hupodeisantes aposchōntai polemoio

200Trōes, anapneusōsi d' arēïoi huies Achaiōn

English · Butler

Iris said, ‘We know that your armor has been taken, but go as you are; go to the deep trench and show yourself before the Trojans, that they may fear you and cease fighting. Thus will the fainting sons of the Achaeans gain some brief breathing-time, which in battle

Homeric Greek

τειρόμενοι: ὀλίγη δέ τ' ἀνάπνευσις πολέμοιο.

ἣ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰποῦσ' ἀπέβη πόδας ὠκέα Ἶρις,

αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς ὦρτο Διὶ̈ φίλος: ἀμφὶ δ' Ἀθήνη

ὤμοις ἰφθίμοισι βάλ' αἰγίδα θυσσανόεσσαν,

205ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ κεφαλῇ νέφος ἔστεφε δῖα θεάων

Transliteration

teiromenoi: oligē de t' anapneusis polemoio.

hē men ar' hōs eipous' apebē podas ōkea Iris,

autar Achilleus ōrto Diï philos: amphi d' Athēnē

ōmois iphthimoisi bal' aigida thussanoessan,

205amphi de hoi kephalēi nephos estephe dia theaōn

English · Butler

may hardly be." Iris left him when she had so spoken. But Achilles dear to Zeus arose, and Athena flung her tasseled aegis round his strong shoulders; she crowned his head with a halo of golden cloud from which she kindled a glow of gleaming fire. As the smoke that goes up into heaven from some

Homeric Greek

χρύσεον, ἐκ δ' αὐτοῦ δαῖε φλόγα παμφανόωσαν.

ὡς δ' ὅτε καπνὸς ἰὼν ἐξ ἄστεος αἰθέρ' ἵκηται

τηλόθεν ἐκ νήσου, τὴν δήϊοι ἀμφιμάχωνται,

οἵ τε πανημέριοι στυγερῷ κρίνονται Ἄρηϊ

210ἄστεος ἐκ σφετέρου: ἅμα δ' ἠελίῳ καταδύντι

Transliteration

chruseon, ek d' autou daie phloga pamphanoōsan.

hōs d' hote kapnos iōn ex asteos aither' hikētai

tēlothen ek nēsou, tēn dēïoi amphimachōntai,

hoi te panēmerioi stugerōi krinontai Arēï

210asteos ek spheterou: hama d' ēeliōi katadunti

English · Butler

city that is being beleaguered on an island far out at sea - all day long do men sally from the city and fight their hardest, and at the going down of the sun the line of beacon-fires blazes forth, flaring high for those that dwell near

Homeric Greek

πυρσοί τε φλεγέθουσιν ἐπήτριμοι, ὑψόσε δ' αὐγὴ

γίγνεται ἀί̈σσουσα περικτιόνεσσιν ἰδέσθαι,

αἴ κέν πως σὺν νηυσὶν ἄρεω ἀλκτῆρες ἵκωνται:

ὣς ἀπ' Ἀχιλλῆος κεφαλῆς σέλας αἰθέρ' ἵκανε:

215στῆ δ' ἐπὶ τάφρον ἰὼν ἀπὸ τείχεος, οὐδ' ἐς Ἀχαιοὺς

Transliteration

pursoi te phlegethousin epētrimoi, hupsose d' augē

gignetai aïssousa periktionessin idesthai,

ai ken pōs sun nēusin areō alktēres hikōntai:

hōs ap' Achillēos kephalēs selas aither' hikane:

215stē d' epi taphron iōn apo teicheos, oud' es Achaious

English · Butler

them to behold, if so be that they may come with their ships and succor them - even so did the light flare from the head of Achilles, as he stood by the trench, going beyond the wall - but he aid not join the Achaeans for he

Homeric Greek

μίσγετο: μητρὸς γὰρ πυκινὴν ὠπίζετ' ἐφετμήν.

ἔνθα στὰς ἤϋσ', ἀπάτερθε δὲ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη

φθέγξατ': ἀτὰρ Τρώεσσιν ἐν ἄσπετον ὦρσε κυδοιμόν.

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀριζήλη φωνή, ὅτε τ' ἴαχε σάλπιγξ

220ἄστυ περιπλομένων δηί̈ων ὕπο θυμοραϊστέων,

Transliteration

misgeto: mētros gar pukinēn ōpizet' ephetmēn.

entha stas ēüs', apaterthe de Pallas Athēnē

phthenxat': atar Trōessin en aspeton ōrse kudoimon.

hōs d' hot' arizēlē phōnē, hote t' iache salpinx

220astu periplomenōn dēïōn hupo thumoraïsteōn,

English · Butler

heeded the charge which his mother laid upon him. There did he stand and shout aloud. Athena also raised her voice from afar, and spread terror unspeakable among the Trojans. Ringing as the note of a trumpet that sounds alarm then the foe is at the

Homeric Greek

ὣς τότ' ἀριζήλη φωνὴ γένετ' Αἰακίδαο.

οἳ δ' ὡς οὖν ἄϊον ὄπα χάλκεον Αἰακίδαο,

πᾶσιν ὀρίνθη θυμός: ἀτὰρ καλλίτριχες ἵπποι

ἂψ ὄχεα τρόπεον: ὄσσοντο γὰρ ἄλγεα θυμῷ.

225ἡνίοχοι δ' ἔκπληγεν, ἐπεὶ ἴδον ἀκάματον πῦρ

Transliteration

hōs tot' arizēlē phōnē genet' Aiakidao.

hoi d' hōs oun aïon opa chalkeon Aiakidao,

pasin orinthē thumos: atar kallitriches hippoi

aps ochea tropeon: ossonto gar algea thumōi.

225hēniochoi d' ekplēgen, epei idon akamaton pur

English · Butler

gates of a city, even so brazen was the voice of the son of Aiakos, and when the Trojans heard its clarion tones they were dismayed; the horses turned back with their chariots for they boded mischief, and their drivers were awe-struck by the

Homeric Greek

δεινὸν ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς μεγαθύμου Πηλεί̈ωνος

δαιόμενον: τὸ δὲ δαῖε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.

τρὶς μὲν ὑπὲρ τάφρου μεγάλ' ἴαχε δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,

τρὶς δὲ κυκήθησαν Τρῶες κλειτοί τ' ἐπίκουροι.

230ἔνθα δὲ καὶ τότ' ὄλοντο δυώδεκα φῶτες ἄριστοι

Transliteration

deinon huper kephalēs megathumou Pēleïōnos

daiomenon: to de daie thea glaukōpis Athēnē.

tris men huper taphrou megal' iache dios Achilleus,

tris de kukēthēsan Trōes kleitoi t' epikouroi.

230entha de kai tot' olonto duōdeka phōtes aristoi

English · Butler

steady flame which the gray-eyed goddess had kindled above the head of the great son of Peleus. Thrice did Achilles raise his loud cry as he stood by the trench, and thrice were the Trojans and their brave allies thrown into confusion; whereon twelve of their noblest champions fell beneath the wheels of their chariots and perished by their own spears. The Achaeans to their great joy then

Homeric Greek

ἀμφὶ σφοῖς ὀχέεσσι καὶ ἔγχεσιν. αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ

ἀσπασίως Πάτροκλον ὑπ' ἐκ βελέων ἐρύσαντες

κάτθεσαν ἐν λεχέεσσι: φίλοι δ' ἀμφέσταν ἑταῖροι

μυρόμενοι: μετὰ δέ σφι ποδώκης εἵπετ' Ἀχιλλεὺς

235δάκρυα θερμὰ χέων, ἐπεὶ εἴσιδε πιστὸν ἑταῖρον

Transliteration

amphi sphois ocheessi kai enchesin. autar Achaioi

aspasiōs Patroklon hup' ek beleōn erusantes

katthesan en lecheessi: philoi d' amphestan hetairoi

muromenoi: meta de sphi podōkēs heipet' Achilleus

235dakrua therma cheōn, epei eiside piston hetairon

English · Butler

drew Patroklos out of reach of the weapons, and laid him on a litter: his comrades stood mourning round him, and among them fleet Achilles who wept bitterly as he saw his true comrade lying dead upon his bier. He had sent him out

Homeric Greek

κείμενον ἐν φέρτρῳ δεδαϊγμένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,

τόν ῥ' ἤτοι μὲν ἔπεμπε σὺν ἵπποισιν καὶ ὄχεσφιν

ἐς πόλεμον, οὐδ' αὖτις ἐδέξατο νοστήσαντα.

Ἠέλιον δ' ἀκάμαντα βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη

240πέμψεν ἐπ' Ὠκεανοῖο ῥοὰς ἀέκοντα νέεσθαι:

Transliteration

keimenon en phertrōi dedaïgmenon oxeï chalkōi,

ton rh' ētoi men epempe sun hippoisin kai ochesphin

es polemon, oud' autis edexato nostēsanta.

Ēelion d' akamanta boōpis potnia Hērē

240pempsen ep' Ōkeanoio rhoas aekonta neesthai:

English · Butler

with horses and chariots into battle, but his return he was not to welcome. Then Hera sent the busy sun, loath though he was, into the waters of Okeanos; so he set, and the

Homeric Greek

ἠέλιος μὲν ἔδυ, παύσαντο δὲ δῖοι Ἀχαιοὶ

φυλόπιδος κρατερῆς καὶ ὁμοιί̈ου πολέμοιο.

Τρῶες δ' αὖθ' ἑτέρωθεν ἀπὸ κρατερῆς ὑσμίνης

χωρήσαντες ἔλυσαν ὑφ' ἅρμασιν ὠκέας ἵππους,

245ἐς δ' ἀγορὴν ἀγέροντο πάρος δόρποιο μέδεσθαι.

Transliteration

ēelios men edu, pausanto de dioi Achaioi

phulopidos kraterēs kai homoiïou polemoio.

Trōes d' auth' heterōthen apo kraterēs husminēs

chōrēsantes elusan huph' harmasin ōkeas hippous,

245es d' agorēn ageronto paros dorpoio medesthai.

English · Butler

Achaeans had rest from the tug and turmoil of war. Now the Trojans when they had come out of the fight, unyoked their horses and gathered in assembly before preparing their supper. They kept their feet, nor would any dare to sit down, for fear had fallen upon

Homeric Greek

ὀρθῶν δ' ἑσταότων ἀγορὴ γένετ', οὐδέ τις ἔτλη

ἕζεσθαι: πάντας γὰρ ἔχε τρόμος, οὕνεκ' Ἀχιλλεὺς

ἐξεφάνη, δηρὸν δὲ μάχης ἐπέπαυτ' ἀλεγεινῆς.

τοῖσι δὲ Πουλυδάμας πεπνυμένος ἦρχ' ἀγορεύειν

250Πανθοί̈δης: ὃ γὰρ οἶος ὅρα πρόσσω καὶ ὀπίσσω:

Transliteration

orthōn d' hestaotōn agorē genet', oude tis etlē

hezesthai: pantas gar eche tromos, hounek' Achilleus

exephanē, dēron de machēs epepaut' alegeinēs.

toisi de Pouludamas pepnumenos ērch' agoreuein

250Panthoïdēs: ho gar oios hora prossō kai opissō:

English · Butler

them all because Achilles had shown himself after having held aloof so long from battle. Polydamas son of Panthoos was first to speak, a man of judgment, who alone among them could look both before and after. He was comrade to Hektor, and they had been born upon the same night; with all

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορι δ' ἦεν ἑταῖρος, ἰῇ δ' ἐν νυκτὶ γένοντο,

ἀλλ' ὃ μὲν ἂρ μύθοισιν, ὃ δ' ἔγχεϊ πολλὸν ἐνίκα:

ὅ σφιν ἐϋφρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν:

ἀμφὶ μάλα φράζεσθε φίλοι: κέλομαι γὰρ ἔγωγε

255ἄστυδε νῦν ἰέναι, μὴ μίμνειν ἠῶ δῖαν

Transliteration

Hektori d' ēen hetairos, iēi d' en nukti genonto,

all' ho men ar muthoisin, ho d' encheï pollon enika:

ho sphin eüphroneōn agorēsato kai meteeipen:

amphi mala phrazesthe philoi: kelomai gar egōge

255astude nun ienai, mē mimnein ēō dian

English · Butler

sincerity and goodwill, therefore, he addressed them thus:- "Look to it well, my friends; I would urge you to go back now to your city and not wait here by the ships till morning, for we are far from our walls. So long as this man has anger against

Homeric Greek

ἐν πεδίῳ παρὰ νηυσίν: ἑκὰς δ' ἀπὸ τείχεός εἰμεν.

ὄφρα μὲν οὗτος ἀνὴρ Ἀγαμέμνονι μήνιε δίῳ

τόφρα δὲ ῥηί̈τεροι πολεμίζειν ἦσαν Ἀχαιοί:

χαίρεσκον γὰρ ἔγωγε θοῇς ἐπὶ νηυσὶν ἰαύων

260ἐλπόμενος νῆας αἱρησέμεν ἀμφιελίσσας.

Transliteration

en pediōi para nēusin: hekas d' apo teicheos eimen.

ophra men houtos anēr Agamemnoni mēnie diōi

tophra de rhēïteroi polemizein ēsan Achaioi:

chaireskon gar egōge thoēis epi nēusin iauōn

260elpomenos nēas hairēsemen amphielissas.

English · Butler

Agamemnon, the Achaeans were easier to deal with, and I would have gladly camped by the ships in the hope of taking them; but now I go in great fear of the fleet son of Peleus; he is so daring that he will never bide here on the

Homeric Greek

νῦν δ' αἰνῶς δείδοικα ποδώκεα Πηλεί̈ωνα:

οἷος κείνου θυμὸς ὑπέρβιος, οὐκ ἐθελήσει

μίμνειν ἐν πεδίῳ, ὅθι περ Τρῶες καὶ Ἀχαιοὶ

ἐν μέσῳ ἀμφότεροι μένος Ἄρηος δατέονται,

265ἀλλὰ περὶ πτόλιός τε μαχήσεται ἠδὲ γυναικῶν.

Transliteration

nun d' ainōs deidoika podōkea Pēleïōna:

hoios keinou thumos huperbios, ouk ethelēsei

mimnein en pediōi, hothi per Trōes kai Achaioi

en mesōi amphoteroi menos Arēos dateontai,

265alla peri ptolios te machēsetai ēde gunaikōn.

English · Butler

plain whereon the Trojans and Achaeans fight with equal valor, but he will try to storm our city and carry off our women. Do then as I say, and let us retreat.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἴομεν προτὶ ἄστυ, πίθεσθέ μοι: ὧδε γὰρ ἔσται:

νῦν μὲν νὺξ ἀπέπαυσε ποδώκεα Πηλεί̈ωνα

ἀμβροσίη: εἰ δ' ἄμμε κιχήσεται ἐνθάδ' ἐόντας

αὔριον ὁρμηθεὶς σὺν τεύχεσιν, εὖ νύ τις αὐτὸν

270γνώσεται: ἀσπασίως γὰρ ἀφίξεται Ἴλιον ἱρὴν

Transliteration

all' iomen proti astu, pithesthe moi: hōde gar estai:

nun men nux apepause podōkea Pēleïōna

ambrosiē: ei d' amme kichēsetai enthad' eontas

aurion hormētheis sun teuchesin, eu nu tis auton

270gnōsetai: aspasiōs gar aphixetai Ilion hirēn

English · Butler

Do then as I say, and let us retreat. For this is what will happen. The darkness of night will for a time stay the son of Peleus, but if he find us here in the morning when he sallies forth in full armor, we shall have knowledge of him in good earnest. Glad indeed will he be who can escape and get

Homeric Greek

ὅς κε φύγῃ, πολλοὺς δὲ κύνες καὶ γῦπες ἔδονται

Τρώων: αἲ γὰρ δή μοι ἀπ' οὔατος ὧδε γένοιτο.

εἰ δ' ἂν ἐμοῖς ἐπέεσσι πιθώμεθα κηδόμενοί περ,

νύκτα μὲν εἰν ἀγορῇ σθένος ἕξομεν, ἄστυ δὲ πύργοι

275ὑψηλαί τε πύλαι σανίδες τ' ἐπὶ τῇς ἀραρυῖαι

Transliteration

hos ke phugēi, pollous de kunes kai gupes edontai

Trōōn: ai gar dē moi ap' ouatos hōde genoito.

ei d' an emois epeessi pithōmetha kēdomenoi per,

nukta men ein agorēi sthenos hexomen, astu de purgoi

275hupsēlai te pulai sanides t' epi tēis araruiai

English · Butler

back to Ilion, and many a Trojan will become meat for dogs and vultures may I never live to hear it. If we do as I say, little though we may like it, we shall have strength in counsel during the night, and the great gates with the doors that close them will protect the city. At dawn we can arm and take our stand on the walls;

Homeric Greek

μακραὶ ἐύ̈ξεστοι ἐζευγμέναι εἰρύσσονται:

πρῶϊ δ' ὑπηοῖοι σὺν τεύχεσι θωρηχθέντες

στησόμεθ' ἂμ πύργους: τῷ δ' ἄλγιον, αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσιν

ἐλθὼν ἐκ νηῶν περὶ τείχεος ἄμμι μάχεσθαι.

280ἂψ πάλιν εἶσ' ἐπὶ νῆας, ἐπεί κ' ἐριαύχενας ἵππους

Transliteration

makrai eüxestoi ezeugmenai eirussontai:

prōï d' hupēoioi sun teuchesi thōrēchthentes

stēsometh' am purgous: tōi d' algion, ai k' ethelēisin

elthōn ek nēōn peri teicheos ammi machesthai.

280aps palin eis' epi nēas, epei k' eriauchenas hippous

English · Butler

he will then rue it if he sallies from the ships to fight us. He will go back when he has given his horses their fill of being driven in every which direction under our walls, and will be in no mind to try and force his way into the city.

Homeric Greek

παντοίου δρόμου ἄσῃ ὑπὸ πτόλιν ἠλασκάζων:

εἴσω δ' οὔ μιν θυμὸς ἐφορμηθῆναι ἐάσει,

οὐδέ ποτ' ἐκπέρσει: πρίν μιν κύνες ἀργοὶ ἔδονται.

τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ:

285Πουλυδάμα σὺ μὲν οὐκέτ' ἐμοὶ φίλα ταῦτ' ἀγορεύεις,

Transliteration

pantoiou dromou asēi hupo ptolin ēlaskazōn:

eisō d' ou min thumos ephormēthēnai easei,

oude pot' ekpersei: prin min kunes argoi edontai.

ton d' ar' hupodra idōn prosephē koruthaiolos Hektōr:

285Pouludama su men ouket' emoi phila taut' agoreueis,

English · Butler

Neither will he ever sack it, dogs shall devour him ere he do so." Hektor looked fiercely at him and answered, "Polydamas, your words are not to my liking in that you bid us go back and be pent within the city. Have you not had enough of being cooped up behind walls?

Homeric Greek

ὃς κέλεαι κατὰ ἄστυ ἀλήμεναι αὖτις ἰόντας.

ἦ οὔ πω κεκόρησθε ἐελμένοι ἔνδοθι πύργων;

πρὶν μὲν γὰρ Πριάμοιο πόλιν μέροπες ἄνθρωποι

πάντες μυθέσκοντο πολύχρυσον πολύχαλκον:

290νῦν δὲ δὴ ἐξαπόλωλε δόμων κειμήλια καλά,

Transliteration

hos keleai kata astu alēmenai autis iontas.

ē ou pō kekorēsthe eelmenoi endothi purgōn;

prin men gar Priamoio polin meropes anthrōpoi

pantes mutheskonto poluchruson poluchalkon:

290nun de dē exapolōle domōn keimēlia kala,

English · Butler

In the old-days the city of Priam was famous the whole world over for its wealth of gold and bronze, but our treasures are wasted out of our houses, and much goods have been sold away to Phrygia and fair Meonia, for the hand of Zeus has been laid heavily upon us.

Homeric Greek

πολλὰ δὲ δὴ Φρυγίην καὶ Μῃονίην ἐρατεινὴν

κτήματα περνάμεν' ἵκει, ἐπεὶ μέγας ὠδύσατο Ζεύς.

νῦν δ' ὅτε πέρ μοι ἔδωκε Κρόνου πάϊς ἀγκυλομήτεω

κῦδος ἀρέσθ' ἐπὶ νηυσί, θαλάσσῃ τ' ἔλσαι Ἀχαιούς,

295νήπιε μηκέτι ταῦτα νοήματα φαῖν' ἐνὶ δήμῳ:

Transliteration

polla de dē Phrugiēn kai Mēioniēn erateinēn

ktēmata pernamen' hikei, epei megas ōdusato Zeus.

nun d' hote per moi edōke Kronou païs ankulomēteō

kudos aresth' epi nēusi, thalassēi t' elsai Achaious,

295nēpie mēketi tauta noēmata phain' eni dēmōi:

English · Butler

Now, therefore, that the son of scheming Kronos has granted me to win glory here and to hem the Achaeans in at their ships, prate no more in this fool's wise among the population. You will have no man with you; it shall not be;

Homeric Greek

οὐ γάρ τις Τρώων ἐπιπείσεται: οὐ γὰρ ἐάσω.

ἀλλ' ἄγεθ' ὡς ἂν ἐγὼ εἴπω, πειθώμεθα πάντες.

νῦν μὲν δόρπον ἕλεσθε κατὰ στρατὸν ἐν τελέεσσι,

καὶ φυλακῆς μνήσασθε, καὶ ἐγρήγορθε ἕκαστος:

300Τρώων δ' ὃς κτεάτεσσιν ὑπερφιάλως ἀνιάζει,

Transliteration

ou gar tis Trōōn epipeisetai: ou gar easō.

all' ageth' hōs an egō eipō, peithōmetha pantes.

nun men dorpon helesthe kata straton en teleessi,

kai phulakēs mnēsasthe, kai egrēgorthe hekastos:

300Trōōn d' hos kteatessin huperphialōs aniazei,

English · Butler

do all of you as I now say; - take your suppers in your companies throughout the host, and keep your watches and be wakeful every man of you. If any Trojan is uneasy about his possessions, let him gather them and give them out among the people. Better let these, rather than the Achaeans, have them. At daybreak we will arm and fight about the ships;

Homeric Greek

συλλέξας λαοῖσι δότω καταδημοβορῆσαι:

τῶν τινὰ βέλτερόν ἐστιν ἐπαυρέμεν ἤ περ Ἀχαιούς.

πρῶϊ δ' ὑπηοῖοι σὺν τεύχεσι θωρηχθέντες

νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ἐγείρομεν ὀξὺν Ἄρηα.

305εἰ δ' ἐτεὸν παρὰ ναῦφιν ἀνέστη δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,

Transliteration

sullexas laoisi dotō katadēmoborēsai:

tōn tina belteron estin epauremen ē per Achaious.

prōï d' hupēoioi sun teuchesi thōrēchthentes

nēusin epi glaphurēisin egeiromen oxun Arēa.

305ei d' eteon para nauphin anestē dios Achilleus,

English · Butler

granted that Achilles has again come forward to defend them, let it be as he will, but it shall go hard with him. I shall not shun him, but will fight him, to fall or conquer. The god of war deals out

Homeric Greek

ἄλγιον αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσι τῷ ἔσσεται: οὔ μιν ἔγωγε

φεύξομαι ἐκ πολέμοιο δυσηχέος, ἀλλὰ μάλ' ἄντην

στήσομαι, ἤ κε φέρῃσι μέγα κράτος, ἦ κε φεροίμην.

ξυνὸς Ἐνυάλιος, καί τε κτανέοντα κατέκτα.

310ὣς Ἕκτωρ ἀγόρευ', ἐπὶ δὲ Τρῶες κελάδησαν

Transliteration

algion ai k' ethelēisi tōi essetai: ou min egōge

pheuxomai ek polemoio dusēcheos, alla mal' antēn

stēsomai, ē ke pherēisi mega kratos, ē ke pheroimēn.

xunos Enualios, kai te ktaneonta katekta.

310hōs Hektōr agoreu', epi de Trōes keladēsan

English · Butler

like measure to all, and the slayer may yet be slain." Thus spoke Hektor; and the Trojans, fools that they were, shouted in approval, for Pallas Athena had robbed them of their understanding.

Homeric Greek

νήπιοι: ἐκ γάρ σφεων φρένας εἵλετο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.

Ἕκτορι μὲν γὰρ ἐπῄνησαν κακὰ μητιόωντι,

Πουλυδάμαντι δ' ἄρ' οὔ τις ὃς ἐσθλὴν φράζετο βουλήν.

δόρπον ἔπειθ' εἵλοντο κατὰ στρατόν: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ

315παννύχιοι Πάτροκλον ἀνεστενάχοντο γοῶντες.

Transliteration

nēpioi: ek gar spheōn phrenas heileto Pallas Athēnē.

Hektori men gar epēinēsan kaka mētioōnti,

Pouludamanti d' ar' ou tis hos esthlēn phrazeto boulēn.

dorpon epeith' heilonto kata straton: autar Achaioi

315pannuchioi Patroklon anestenachonto goōntes.

English · Butler

Thus spoke Hektor; and the Trojans, fools that they were, shouted in approval, for Pallas Athena had robbed them of their understanding. They gave ear to Hektor with his evil counsel, but the wise words of Polydamas no man would heed. They took their supper throughout the host, and meanwhile through the whole night the Achaeans mourned Patroklos, and the son of Peleus led them in their lament. He laid his murderous hands upon the breast of his comrade, groaning again and again as a bearded

Homeric Greek

τοῖσι δὲ Πηλεί̈δης ἁδινοῦ ἐξῆρχε γόοιο

χεῖρας ἐπ' ἀνδροφόνους θέμενος στήθεσσιν ἑταίρου

πυκνὰ μάλα στενάχων ὥς τε λὶς ἠϋγένειος,

ᾧ ῥά θ' ὑπὸ σκύμνους ἐλαφηβόλος ἁρπάσῃ ἀνὴρ

320ὕλης ἐκ πυκινῆς: ὃ δέ τ' ἄχνυται ὕστερος ἐλθών,

Transliteration

toisi de Pēleïdēs hadinou exērche gooio

cheiras ep' androphonous themenos stēthessin hetairou

pukna mala stenachōn hōs te lis ēügeneios,

hōi rha th' hupo skumnous elaphēbolos harpasēi anēr

320hulēs ek pukinēs: ho de t' achnutai husteros elthōn,

English · Butler

lion when a man who was chasing deer has robbed him of his young in some dense forest; when the lion comes back he is furious, and searches dingle and dell to track the hunter if he can find him, for he is mad with rage - even so with many a sigh did Achilles speak among the Myrmidons saying, "Alas!

Homeric Greek

πολλὰ δέ τ' ἄγκε' ἐπῆλθε μετ' ἀνέρος ἴχνι' ἐρευνῶν

εἴ ποθεν ἐξεύροι: μάλα γὰρ δριμὺς χόλος αἱρεῖ:

ὣς ὃ βαρὺ στενάχων μετεφώνεε Μυρμιδόνεσσιν:

ὢ πόποι ἦ ῥ' ἅλιον ἔπος ἔκβαλον ἤματι κείνῳ

325θαρσύνων ἥρωα Μενοίτιον ἐν μεγάροισι:

Transliteration

polla de t' anke' epēlthe met' aneros ichni' ereunōn

ei pothen exeuroi: mala gar drimus cholos hairei:

hōs ho baru stenachōn metephōnee Murmidonessin:

ō popoi ē rh' halion epos ekbalon ēmati keinōi

325tharsunōn hērōa Menoition en megaroisi:

English · Butler

vain were the words with which I cheered the hero Menoitios in his own house; I said that I would bring his brave son back again to Opoeis after he had sacked Ilion and taken his share of the spoils - but Zeus does not give all men their heart's desire. The same soil shall be reddened here

Homeric Greek

φῆν δέ οἱ εἰς Ὀπόεντα περικλυτὸν υἱὸν ἀπάξειν

Ἴλιον ἐκπέρσαντα, λαχόντα τε ληί̈δος αἶσαν.

ἀλλ' οὐ Ζεὺς ἄνδρεσσι νοήματα πάντα τελευτᾷ:

ἄμφω γὰρ πέπρωται ὁμοίην γαῖαν ἐρεῦσαι

330αὐτοῦ ἐνὶ Τροίῃ, ἐπεὶ οὐδ' ἐμὲ νοστήσαντα

Transliteration

phēn de hoi eis Opoenta perikluton huion apaxein

Ilion ekpersanta, lachonta te lēïdos aisan.

all' ou Zeus andressi noēmata panta teleutāi:

amphō gar peprōtai homoiēn gaian ereusai

330autou eni Troiēi, epei oud' eme nostēsanta

English · Butler

at Troy by the blood of us both, for I too shall never be welcomed home by the old horseman Peleus, nor by my mother Thetis, but even in this place shall the earth cover me. Nevertheless, O Patroklos, now that I am

Homeric Greek

δέξεται ἐν μεγάροισι γέρων ἱππηλάτα Πηλεὺς

οὐδὲ Θέτις μήτηρ, ἀλλ' αὐτοῦ γαῖα καθέξει.

νῦν δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν Πάτροκλε σεῦ ὕστερος εἶμ' ὑπὸ γαῖαν,

οὔ σε πρὶν κτεριῶ πρίν γ' Ἕκτορος ἐνθάδ' ἐνεῖκαι

335τεύχεα καὶ κεφαλὴν μεγαθύμου σοῖο φονῆος:

Transliteration

dexetai en megaroisi gerōn hippēlata Pēleus

oude Thetis mētēr, all' autou gaia kathexei.

nun d' epei oun Patrokle seu husteros eim' hupo gaian,

ou se prin kteriō prin g' Hektoros enthad' eneikai

335teuchea kai kephalēn megathumou soio phonēos:

English · Butler

left behind you, I will not bury you, till I have brought hither the head and armor of mighty Hektor who has slain you. Twelve noble sons of Trojans will I behead before your bier to avenge you; till I have done so you shall lie as you

Homeric Greek

δώδεκα δὲ προπάροιθε πυρῆς ἀποδειροτομήσω

Τρώων ἀγλαὰ τέκνα σέθεν κταμένοιο χολωθείς.

τόφρα δέ μοι παρὰ νηυσὶ κορωνίσι κείσεαι αὔτως,

ἀμφὶ δὲ σὲ Τρῳαὶ καὶ Δαρδανίδες βαθύκολποι

340κλαύσονται νύκτάς τε καὶ ἤματα δάκρυ χέουσαι,

Transliteration

dōdeka de proparoithe purēs apodeirotomēsō

Trōōn aglaa tekna sethen ktamenoio cholōtheis.

tophra de moi para nēusi korōnisi keiseai autōs,

amphi de se Trōiai kai Dardanides bathukolpoi

340klausontai nuktas te kai ēmata dakru cheousai,

English · Butler

are by the ships, and fair women of Troy and Dardanos, whom we have taken with spear and strength of arm when we sacked men's

Homeric Greek

τὰς αὐτοὶ καμόμεσθα βίηφί τε δουρί τε μακρῷ

πιείρας πέρθοντε πόλεις μερόπων ἀνθρώπων.

ὣς εἰπὼν ἑτάροισιν ἐκέκλετο δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς

ἀμφὶ πυρὶ στῆσαι τρίποδα μέγαν, ὄφρα τάχιστα

345Πάτροκλον λούσειαν ἄπο βρότον αἱματόεντα.

Transliteration

tas autoi kamomestha biēphi te douri te makrōi

pieiras perthonte poleis meropōn anthrōpōn.

hōs eipōn hetaroisin ekekleto dios Achilleus

amphi puri stēsai tripoda megan, ophra tachista

345Patroklon louseian apo broton haimatoenta.

English · Butler

goodly cities, shall weep over you both night and day." Then Achilles told his men to set a large tripod upon the fire that they might wash the clotted gore from off Patroklos. Thereon they set a tripod full of bath water on to a clear fire: they threw sticks on to it to make

Homeric Greek

οἳ δὲ λοετροχόον τρίποδ' ἵστασαν ἐν πυρὶ κηλέῳ,

ἐν δ' ἄρ' ὕδωρ ἔχεαν, ὑπὸ δὲ ξύλα δαῖον ἑλόντες.

γάστρην μὲν τρίποδος πῦρ ἄμφεπε, θέρμετο δ' ὕδωρ:

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ ζέσσεν ὕδωρ ἐνὶ ἤνοπι χαλκῷ,

350καὶ τότε δὴ λοῦσάν τε καὶ ἤλειψαν λίπ' ἐλαίῳ,

Transliteration

hoi de loetrochoon tripod' histasan en puri kēleōi,

en d' ar' hudōr echean, hupo de xula daion helontes.

gastrēn men tripodos pur amphepe, thermeto d' hudōr:

autar epei dē zessen hudōr eni ēnopi chalkōi,

350kai tote dē lousan te kai ēleipsan lip' elaiōi,

English · Butler

it blaze, and the water became hot as the flame played about the belly of the tripod. When the water in the cauldron was boiling they washed the body, anointed it with oil, and closed its wounds with ointment that had been kept nine years. Then they laid it on a bier and covered it with a

Homeric Greek

ἐν δ' ὠτειλὰς πλῆσαν ἀλείφατος ἐννεώροιο:

ἐν λεχέεσσι δὲ θέντες ἑανῷ λιτὶ κάλυψαν

ἐς πόδας ἐκ κεφαλῆς, καθύπερθε δὲ φάρεϊ λευκῷ.

παννύχιοι μὲν ἔπειτα πόδας ταχὺν ἀμφ' Ἀχιλῆα

355Μυρμιδόνες Πάτροκλον ἀνεστενάχοντο γοῶντες:

Transliteration

en d' ōteilas plēsan aleiphatos enneōroio:

en lecheessi de thentes heanōi liti kalupsan

es podas ek kephalēs, kathuperthe de phareï leukōi.

pannuchioi men epeita podas tachun amph' Achilēa

355Murmidones Patroklon anestenachonto goōntes:

English · Butler

linen cloth from head to foot, and over this they laid a fair white robe. Thus all night long did the Myrmidons gather round Achilles to mourn Patroklos.

Homeric Greek

Ζεὺς δ' Ἥρην προσέειπε κασιγνήτην ἄλοχόν τε:

ἔπρηξας καὶ ἔπειτα βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη

ἀνστήσασ' Ἀχιλῆα πόδας ταχύν: ἦ ῥά νυ σεῖο

ἐξ αὐτῆς ἐγένοντο κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοί.

360τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη:

Transliteration

Zeus d' Hērēn proseeipe kasignētēn alochon te:

eprēxas kai epeita boōpis potnia Hērē

anstēsas' Achilēa podas tachun: ē rha nu seio

ex autēs egenonto karē komoōntes Achaioi.

360ton d' ēmeibet' epeita boōpis potnia Hērē:

English · Butler

Then Zeus said to Hera his sister-wife, "So, Queen Hera, you have gained your end, and have roused fleet Achilles. One would think that the Achaeans were of your own flesh and blood." And Hera answered, "Dread son of Kronos, why should you say this thing?

Homeric Greek

αἰνότατε Κρονίδη ποῖον τὸν μῦθον ἔειπες.

καὶ μὲν δή πού τις μέλλει βροτὸς ἀνδρὶ τελέσσαι,

ὅς περ θνητός τ' ἐστὶ καὶ οὐ τόσα μήδεα οἶδε:

πῶς δὴ ἔγωγ', ἥ φημι θεάων ἔμμεν ἀρίστη,

365ἀμφότερον γενεῇ τε καὶ οὕνεκα σὴ παράκοιτις

Transliteration

ainotate Kronidē poion ton muthon eeipes.

kai men dē pou tis mellei brotos andri telessai,

hos per thnētos t' esti kai ou tosa mēdea oide:

pōs dē egōg', hē phēmi theaōn emmen aristē,

365amphoteron geneēi te kai houneka sē parakoitis

English · Butler

And Hera answered, "Dread son of Kronos, why should you say this thing? May not a man though he be only mortal and knows less than we do, do what he can for another person? And shall not I - foremost of all goddesses both by descent and as wife to you who reign in

Homeric Greek

κέκλημαι, σὺ δὲ πᾶσι μετ' ἀθανάτοισιν ἀνάσσεις,

οὐκ ὄφελον Τρώεσσι κοτεσσαμένη κακὰ ῥάψαι;

ὣς οἳ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον:

Ἡφαίστου δ' ἵκανε δόμον Θέτις ἀργυρόπεζα

370ἄφθιτον ἀστερόεντα μεταπρεπέ' ἀθανάτοισι

Transliteration

keklēmai, su de pasi met' athanatoisin anasseis,

ouk ophelon Trōessi kotessamenē kaka rhapsai;

hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon:

Hēphaistou d' hikane domon Thetis arguropeza

370aphthiton asteroenta metaprepe' athanatoisi

English · Butler

heaven - devise evil for the Trojans if I am angry with them?" Thus did they converse. Meanwhile Thetis came to the house of Hephaistos, imperishable, star-bespangled, fairest of the abodes in heaven, a house of bronze wrought by the lame god's own hands.

Homeric Greek

χάλκεον, ὅν ῥ' αὐτὸς ποιήσατο κυλλοποδίων.

τὸν δ' εὗρ' ἱδρώοντα ἑλισσόμενον περὶ φύσας

σπεύδοντα: τρίποδας γὰρ ἐείκοσι πάντας ἔτευχεν

ἑστάμεναι περὶ τοῖχον ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιο,

375χρύσεα δέ σφ' ὑπὸ κύκλα ἑκάστῳ πυθμένι θῆκεν,

Transliteration

chalkeon, hon rh' autos poiēsato kullopodiōn.

ton d' heur' hidrōonta helissomenon peri phusas

speudonta: tripodas gar eeikosi pantas eteuchen

hestamenai peri toichon eüstatheos megaroio,

375chrusea de sph' hupo kukla hekastōi puthmeni thēken,

English · Butler

She found him busy with his bellows, sweating and hard at work, for he was making twenty tripods that were to stand by the wall of his house, and he set wheels of gold under them all that they might go of their own selves

Homeric Greek

ὄφρά οἱ αὐτόματοι θεῖον δυσαίατ' ἀγῶνα

ἠδ' αὖτις πρὸς δῶμα νεοίατο θαῦμα ἰδέσθαι.

οἳ δ' ἤτοι τόσσον μὲν ἔχον τέλος, οὔατα δ' οὔ πω

δαιδάλεα προσέκειτο: τά ῥ' ἤρτυε, κόπτε δὲ δεσμούς.

380ὄφρ' ὅ γε ταῦτ' ἐπονεῖτο ἰδυίῃσι πραπίδεσσι,

Transliteration

ophra hoi automatoi theion dusaiat' agōna

ēd' autis pros dōma neoiato thauma idesthai.

hoi d' ētoi tosson men echon telos, ouata d' ou pō

daidalea prosekeito: ta rh' ērtue, kopte de desmous.

380ophr' ho ge taut' eponeito iduiēisi prapidessi,

English · Butler

to the assemblies of the gods, and come back again - marvels indeed to see. They were finished all but the ears of cunning workmanship which yet remained to be fixed to them: these he was now fixing, and he was hammering at the rivets. While he was thus at work silver-footed Thetis came to the house. Kharis, of graceful head-dress, wife to the

Homeric Greek

τόφρά οἱ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε θεὰ Θέτις ἀργυρόπεζα.

τὴν δὲ ἴδε προμολοῦσα Χάρις λιπαροκρήδεμνος

καλή, τὴν ὤπυιε περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις:

ἔν τ' ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρὶ ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:

385τίπτε Θέτι τανύπεπλε ἱκάνεις ἡμέτερον δῶ

Transliteration

tophra hoi enguthen ēlthe thea Thetis arguropeza.

tēn de ide promolousa Charis liparokrēdemnos

kalē, tēn ōpuie periklutos amphiguēeis:

en t' ara hoi phu cheiri epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:

385tipte Theti tanupeple hikaneis hēmeteron dō

English · Butler

far-famed lame god, came towards her as soon as she saw her, and took her hand in her own, saying, "Why have you come to our house, Thetis, honored and ever welcome - for you do not visit us often? Come inside and

Homeric Greek

αἰδοίη τε φίλη τε; πάρος γε μὲν οὔ τι θαμίζεις.

ἀλλ' ἕπεο προτέρω, ἵνα τοι πὰρ ξείνια θείω.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασα πρόσω ἄγε δῖα θεάων.

τὴν μὲν ἔπειτα καθεῖσεν ἐπὶ θρόνου ἀργυροήλου

390καλοῦ δαιδαλέου: ὑπὸ δὲ θρῆνυς ποσὶν ἦεν:

Transliteration

aidoiē te philē te; paros ge men ou ti thamizeis.

all' hepeo proterō, hina toi par xeinia theiō.

hōs ara phōnēsasa prosō age dia theaōn.

tēn men epeita katheisen epi thronou arguroēlou

390kalou daidaleou: hupo de thrēnus posin ēen:

English · Butler

let me set refreshment before you." The goddess led the way as she spoke, and bade Thetis sit on a richly decorated seat inlaid with silver; there was a footstool also under her feet. Then she called Hephaistos and said, "Hephaistos, come here, Thetis wants you"; and the far-famed lame god answered, "Then it is indeed an august and honored goddess who has come here;

Homeric Greek

κέκλετο δ' Ἥφαιστον κλυτοτέχνην εἶπέ τε μῦθον:

Ἥφαιστε πρόμολ' ὧδε: Θέτις νύ τι σεῖο χατίζει.

τὴν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις:

ἦ ῥά νύ μοι δεινή τε καὶ αἰδοίη θεὸς ἔνδον,

395ἥ μ' ἐσάωσ' ὅτε μ' ἄλγος ἀφίκετο τῆλε πεσόντα

Transliteration

kekleto d' Hēphaiston klutotechnēn eipe te muthon:

Hēphaiste promol' hōde: Thetis nu ti seio chatizei.

tēn d' ēmeibet' epeita periklutos amphiguēeis:

ē rha nu moi deinē te kai aidoiē theos endon,

395hē m' esaōs' hote m' algos aphiketo tēle pesonta

English · Butler

she it was that took care of me when I was suffering from the heavy fall which I had through my cruel mother's anger - for she would have got rid of me because I was lame. It would have gone hardly with me had

Homeric Greek

μητρὸς ἐμῆς ἰότητι κυνώπιδος, ἥ μ' ἐθέλησε

κρύψαι χωλὸν ἐόντα: τότ' ἂν πάθον ἄλγεα θυμῷ,

εἰ μή μ' Εὐρυνόμη τε Θέτις θ' ὑπεδέξατο κόλπῳ

Εὐρυνόμη θυγάτηρ ἀψορρόου Ὠκεανοῖο.

400τῇσι παρ' εἰνάετες χάλκευον δαίδαλα πολλά,

Transliteration

mētros emēs iotēti kunōpidos, hē m' ethelēse

krupsai chōlon eonta: tot' an pathon algea thumōi,

ei mē m' Eurunomē te Thetis th' hupedexato kolpōi

Eurunomē thugatēr apsorroou Ōkeanoio.

400tēisi par' einaetes chalkeuon daidala polla,

English · Butler

not Eurynome, daughter of the ever-encircling waters of Okeanos, and Thetis, taken me to their bosom. Nine years did I stay with them, and many beautiful works in bronze, brooches, spiral armlets, cups, and chains, did I make for them in their cave, with the roaring waters of Okeanos foaming as they rushed ever past it;

Homeric Greek

πόρπας τε γναμπτάς θ' ἕλικας κάλυκάς τε καὶ ὅρμους

ἐν σπῆϊ γλαφυρῷ: περὶ δὲ ῥόος Ὠκεανοῖο

ἀφρῷ μορμύρων ῥέεν ἄσπετος: οὐδέ τις ἄλλος

ᾔδεεν οὔτε θεῶν οὔτε θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων,

405ἀλλὰ Θέτις τε καὶ Εὐρυνόμη ἴσαν, αἵ μ' ἐσάωσαν.

Transliteration

porpas te gnamptas th' helikas kalukas te kai hormous

en spēï glaphurōi: peri de rhoos Ōkeanoio

aphrōi mormurōn rheen aspetos: oude tis allos

ēideen oute theōn oute thnētōn anthrōpōn,

405alla Thetis te kai Eurunomē isan, hai m' esaōsan.

English · Butler

and no one knew, neither of gods nor men, save only Thetis and Eurynome who took care of me. If, then, Thetis has come to my house I must make her due requital for having saved me; entertain her, therefore,

Homeric Greek

ἣ νῦν ἡμέτερον δόμον ἵκει: τώ με μάλα χρεὼ

πάντα Θέτι καλλιπλοκάμῳ ζῳάγρια τίνειν.

ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν οἱ παράθες ξεινήϊα καλά,

ὄφρ' ἂν ἐγὼ φύσας ἀποθείομαι ὅπλά τε πάντα.

410ἦ, καὶ ἀπ' ἀκμοθέτοιο πέλωρ αἴητον ἀνέστη

Transliteration

hē nun hēmeteron domon hikei: tō me mala chreō

panta Theti kalliplokamōi zōiagria tinein.

alla su men nun hoi parathes xeinēïa kala,

ophr' an egō phusas apotheiomai hopla te panta.

410ē, kai ap' akmothetoio pelōr aiēton anestē

English · Butler

with all hospitality, while I put by my bellows and all my tools." On this the mighty monster hobbled off from his anvil, his thin legs plying lustily under him.

Homeric Greek

χωλεύων: ὑπὸ δὲ κνῆμαι ῥώοντο ἀραιαί.

φύσας μέν ῥ' ἀπάνευθε τίθει πυρός, ὅπλά τε πάντα

λάρνακ' ἐς ἀργυρέην συλλέξατο, τοῖς ἐπονεῖτο:

σπόγγῳ δ' ἀμφὶ πρόσωπα καὶ ἄμφω χεῖρ' ἀπομόργνυ

415αὐχένα τε στιβαρὸν καὶ στήθεα λαχνήεντα,

Transliteration

chōleuōn: hupo de knēmai rhōonto araiai.

phusas men rh' apaneuthe tithei puros, hopla te panta

larnak' es argureēn sullexato, tois eponeito:

spongōi d' amphi prosōpa kai amphō cheir' apomorgnu

415auchena te stibaron kai stēthea lachnēenta,

English · Butler

On this the mighty monster hobbled off from his anvil, his thin legs plying lustily under him. He set the bellows away from the fire, and gathered his tools into a silver chest. Then he took a sponge and washed his face and hands, his shaggy chest and brawny neck; he donned his shirt, grasped his strong staff, and limped towards the door. There were golden handmaids also who worked for him, and were like real young

Homeric Greek

δῦ δὲ χιτῶν', ἕλε δὲ σκῆπτρον παχύ, βῆ δὲ θύραζε

χωλεύων: ὑπὸ δ' ἀμφίπολοι ῥώοντο ἄνακτι

χρύσειαι ζωῇσι νεήνισιν εἰοικυῖαι.

τῇς ἐν μὲν νόος ἐστὶ μετὰ φρεσίν, ἐν δὲ καὶ αὐδὴ

420καὶ σθένος, ἀθανάτων δὲ θεῶν ἄπο ἔργα ἴσασιν.

Transliteration

du de chitōn', hele de skēptron pachu, bē de thuraze

chōleuōn: hupo d' amphipoloi rhōonto anakti

chruseiai zōēisi neēnisin eioikuiai.

tēis en men noos esti meta phresin, en de kai audē

420kai sthenos, athanatōn de theōn apo erga isasin.

English · Butler

women, with sense and reason, voice also and strength, and all the learning of the immortals; these busied themselves as the king bade them, while he drew near to Thetis, seated her upon a goodly seat, and took her hand in his

Homeric Greek

αἳ μὲν ὕπαιθα ἄνακτος ἐποίπνυον: αὐτὰρ ὃ ἔρρων

πλησίον, ἔνθα Θέτις περ, ἐπὶ θρόνου ἷζε φαεινοῦ,

ἔν τ' ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρὶ ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:

τίπτε Θέτι τανύπεπλε ἱκάνεις ἡμέτερον δῶ

425αἰδοίη τε φίλη τε; πάρος γε μὲν οὔ τι θαμίζεις.

Transliteration

hai men hupaitha anaktos epoipnuon: autar ho errōn

plēsion, entha Thetis per, epi thronou hize phaeinou,

en t' ara hoi phu cheiri epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:

tipte Theti tanupeple hikaneis hēmeteron dō

425aidoiē te philē te; paros ge men ou ti thamizeis.

English · Butler

own, saying, "Why have you come to our house, Thetis honored and ever welcome - for you do not visit us often? Say what you want, and I will do it for you at once if I

Homeric Greek

αὔδα ὅ τι φρονέεις: τελέσαι δέ με θυμὸς ἄνωγεν,

εἰ δύναμαι τελέσαι γε καὶ εἰ τετελεσμένον ἐστίν.

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Θέτις κατὰ δάκρυ χέουσα:

Ἥφαιστ', ἦ ἄρα δή τις, ὅσαι θεαί εἰσ' ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ,

430τοσσάδ' ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ἀνέσχετο κήδεα λυγρὰ

Transliteration

auda ho ti phroneeis: telesai de me thumos anōgen,

ei dunamai telesai ge kai ei tetelesmenon estin.

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Thetis kata dakru cheousa:

Hēphaist', ē ara dē tis, hosai theai eis' en Olumpōi,

430tossad' eni phresin hēisin anescheto kēdea lugra

English · Butler

can, and if it can be done at all." Thetis wept and answered, "Hephaistos, is there another goddess in Olympus whom the son of Kronos has been pleased to try with so much affliction as he has me? Me alone of the marine goddesses did he make subject to a mortal husband, Peleus son of Aiakos, and sorely

Homeric Greek

ὅσσ' ἐμοὶ ἐκ πασέων Κρονίδης Ζεὺς ἄλγε' ἔδωκεν;

ἐκ μέν μ' ἀλλάων ἁλιάων ἀνδρὶ δάμασσεν

Αἰακίδῃ Πηλῆϊ, καὶ ἔτλην ἀνέρος εὐνὴν

πολλὰ μάλ' οὐκ ἐθέλουσα. ὃ μὲν δὴ γήραϊ λυγρῷ

435κεῖται ἐνὶ μεγάροις ἀρημένος, ἄλλα δέ μοι νῦν,

Transliteration

hoss' emoi ek paseōn Kronidēs Zeus alge' edōken;

ek men m' allaōn haliaōn andri damassen

Aiakidēi Pēlēï, kai etlēn aneros eunēn

polla mal' ouk ethelousa. ho men dē gēraï lugrōi

435keitai eni megarois arēmenos, alla de moi nun,

English · Butler

against my will did I submit to the embraces of one who was but mortal, and who now stays at home worn out with age. Neither is this all. Heaven granted me a son, hero among heroes, and he shot up as a sapling. I tended him as a plant in a goodly

Homeric Greek

υἱὸν ἐπεί μοι δῶκε γενέσθαί τε τραφέμεν τε

ἔξοχον ἡρώων: ὃ δ' ἀνέδραμεν ἔρνεϊ ἶσος:

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ θρέψασα φυτὸν ὣς γουνῷ ἀλωῆς

νηυσὶν ἐπιπροέηκα κορωνίσιν Ἴλιον εἴσω

440Τρωσὶ μαχησόμενον: τὸν δ' οὐχ ὑποδέξομαι αὖτις

Transliteration

huion epei moi dōke genesthai te traphemen te

exochon hērōōn: ho d' anedramen erneï isos:

ton men egō threpsasa phuton hōs gounōi alōēs

nēusin epiproeēka korōnisin Ilion eisō

440Trōsi machēsomenon: ton d' ouch hupodexomai autis

English · Butler

garden and sent him with his ships to Ilion to fight the Trojans, but never shall I welcome him back to the house of Peleus. So long as he lives to look upon the light of the sun, he is in heaviness, and though I go to him I cannot help him; King Agamemnon has made him give up the maiden

Homeric Greek

οἴκαδε νοστήσαντα δόμον Πηλήϊον εἴσω.

ὄφρα δέ μοι ζώει καὶ ὁρᾷ φάος ἠελίοιο

ἄχνυται, οὐδέ τί οἱ δύναμαι χραισμῆσαι ἰοῦσα.

κούρην ἣν ἄρα οἱ γέρας ἔξελον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν,

445τὴν ἂψ ἐκ χειρῶν ἕλετο κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων.

Transliteration

oikade nostēsanta domon Pēlēïon eisō.

ophra de moi zōei kai horāi phaos ēelioio

achnutai, oude ti hoi dunamai chraismēsai iousa.

kourēn hēn ara hoi geras exelon huies Achaiōn,

445tēn aps ek cheirōn heleto kreiōn Agamemnōn.

English · Butler

whom the sons of the Achaeans had awarded him, and he wastes with sorrow for her sake. Then the Trojans hemmed the Achaeans in at their ships' sterns and would not let them come forth; the elders, therefore, of the Argives besought Achilles and offered him great treasure, whereon he refused to bring deliverance to them himself, but put

Homeric Greek

ἤτοι ὃ τῆς ἀχέων φρένας ἔφθιεν: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὺς

Τρῶες ἐπὶ πρύμνῃσιν ἐείλεον, οὐδὲ θύραζε

εἴων ἐξιέναι: τὸν δὲ λίσσοντο γέροντες

Ἀργείων, καὶ πολλὰ περικλυτὰ δῶρ' ὀνόμαζον.

450ἔνθ' αὐτὸς μὲν ἔπειτ' ἠναίνετο λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι,

Transliteration

ētoi ho tēs acheōn phrenas ephthien: autar Achaious

Trōes epi prumnēisin eeileon, oude thuraze

eiōn exienai: ton de lissonto gerontes

Argeiōn, kai polla perikluta dōr' onomazon.

450enth' autos men epeit' ēnaineto loigon amunai,

English · Butler

his own armor on Patroklos and sent him into the fight with many people after him. All day long they fought by the Scaean gates and would have taken the city there and then, had not Apollo granted glory to Hektor and slain the valiant son of Menoitios after he had done the Trojans much evil.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ὃ Πάτροκλον περὶ μὲν τὰ ἃ τεύχεα ἕσσε,

πέμπε δέ μιν πόλεμον δέ, πολὺν δ' ἅμα λαὸν ὄπασσε.

πᾶν δ' ἦμαρ μάρναντο περὶ Σκαιῇσι πύλῃσι:

καί νύ κεν αὐτῆμαρ πόλιν ἔπραθον, εἰ μὴ Ἀπόλλων

455πολλὰ κακὰ ῥέξαντα Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμον υἱὸν

Transliteration

autar ho Patroklon peri men ta ha teuchea hesse,

pempe de min polemon de, polun d' hama laon opasse.

pan d' ēmar marnanto peri Skaiēisi pulēisi:

kai nu ken autēmar polin eprathon, ei mē Apollōn

455polla kaka rhexanta Menoitiou alkimon huion

English · Butler

Therefore I am suppliant at your knees if haply you may be pleased to provide my son, whose end is near at hand, with helmet and shield, with goodly greaves

Homeric Greek

ἔκταν' ἐνὶ προμάχοισι καὶ Ἕκτορι κῦδος ἔδωκε.

τοὔνεκα νῦν τὰ σὰ γούναθ' ἱκάνομαι, αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα

υἱεῖ ἐμῷ ὠκυμόρῳ δόμεν ἀσπίδα καὶ τρυφάλειαν

καὶ καλὰς κνημῖδας ἐπισφυρίοις ἀραρυίας

460καὶ θώρηχ': ὃ γὰρ ἦν οἱ ἀπώλεσε πιστὸς ἑταῖρος

Transliteration

ektan' eni promachoisi kai Hektori kudos edōke.

touneka nun ta sa gounath' hikanomai, ai k' ethelēistha

huiei emōi ōkumorōi domen aspida kai truphaleian

kai kalas knēmidas episphuriois araruias

460kai thōrēch': ho gar ēn hoi apōlese pistos hetairos

English · Butler

fitted with ankle-clasps, and with a breastplate, for he lost his own when his true comrade fell at the hands of the Trojans, and he now lies stretched on earth

Homeric Greek

Τρωσὶ δαμείς: ὃ δὲ κεῖται ἐπὶ χθονὶ θυμὸν ἀχεύων.

τὴν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις:

θάρσει: μή τοι ταῦτα μετὰ φρεσὶ σῇσι μελόντων.

αἲ γάρ μιν θανάτοιο δυσηχέος ὧδε δυναίμην

465νόσφιν ἀποκρύψαι, ὅτε μιν μόρος αἰνὸς ἱκάνοι,

Transliteration

Trōsi dameis: ho de keitai epi chthoni thumon acheuōn.

tēn d' ēmeibet' epeita periklutos amphiguēeis:

tharsei: mē toi tauta meta phresi sēisi melontōn.

ai gar min thanatoio dusēcheos hōde dunaimēn

465nosphin apokrupsai, hote min moros ainos hikanoi,

English · Butler

in the bitterness of his soul." And Hephaistos answered, "Take heart, and be no more disquieted about this matter; would that I could hide him from death's sight when his hour is come, so surely as I can

Homeric Greek

ὥς οἱ τεύχεα καλὰ παρέσσεται, οἷά τις αὖτε

ἀνθρώπων πολέων θαυμάσσεται, ὅς κεν ἴδηται.

ὣς εἰπὼν τὴν μὲν λίπεν αὐτοῦ, βῆ δ' ἐπὶ φύσας:

τὰς δ' ἐς πῦρ ἔτρεψε κέλευσέ τε ἐργάζεσθαι.

470φῦσαι δ' ἐν χοάνοισιν ἐείκοσι πᾶσαι ἐφύσων

Transliteration

hōs hoi teuchea kala paressetai, hoia tis aute

anthrōpōn poleōn thaumassetai, hos ken idētai.

hōs eipōn tēn men lipen autou, bē d' epi phusas:

tas d' es pur etrepse keleuse te ergazesthai.

470phusai d' en choanoisin eeikosi pasai ephusōn

English · Butler

find him armor that shall amaze the eyes of all who behold it." When he had so said he left her and went to his bellows, turning them towards the fire and bidding them do their office. Twenty bellows blew upon the melting-pots, and they blew blasts of every kind, some fierce to

Homeric Greek

παντοίην εὔπρηστον ἀϋτμὴν ἐξανιεῖσαι,

ἄλλοτε μὲν σπεύδοντι παρέμμεναι, ἄλλοτε δ' αὖτε,

ὅππως Ἥφαιστός τ' ἐθέλοι καὶ ἔργον ἄνοιτο.

χαλκὸν δ' ἐν πυρὶ βάλλεν ἀτειρέα κασσίτερόν τε

475καὶ χρυσὸν τιμῆντα καὶ ἄργυρον: αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

Transliteration

pantoiēn euprēston aütmēn exanieisai,

allote men speudonti paremmenai, allote d' aute,

hoppōs Hēphaistos t' etheloi kai ergon anoito.

chalkon d' en puri ballen ateirea kassiteron te

475kai chruson timēnta kai arguron: autar epeita

English · Butler

help him when he had need of them, and others less strong as Hephaistos willed it in the course of his work. He threw tough copper into the fire, and tin, with silver and gold; he set his great anvil on its block, and with one hand

Homeric Greek

θῆκεν ἐν ἀκμοθέτῳ μέγαν ἄκμονα, γέντο δὲ χειρὶ

ῥαιστῆρα κρατερήν, ἑτέρηφι δὲ γέντο πυράγρην.

ποίει δὲ πρώτιστα σάκος μέγα τε στιβαρόν τε

πάντοσε δαιδάλλων, περὶ δ' ἄντυγα βάλλε φαεινὴν

480τρίπλακα μαρμαρέην, ἐκ δ' ἀργύρεον τελαμῶνα.

Transliteration

thēken en akmothetōi megan akmona, gento de cheiri

rhaistēra kraterēn, heterēphi de gento puragrēn.

poiei de prōtista sakos mega te stibaron te

pantose daidallōn, peri d' antuga balle phaeinēn

480triplaka marmareēn, ek d' argureon telamōna.

English · Butler

grasped his mighty hammer while he took the tongs in the other. First he shaped the shield so great and strong, adorning it all over and binding it round with a gleaming circuit in three layers; and the baldric was made of silver. He made the shield in five thicknesses, and with

Homeric Greek

πέντε δ' ἄρ' αὐτοῦ ἔσαν σάκεος πτύχες: αὐτὰρ ἐν αὐτῷ

ποίει δαίδαλα πολλὰ ἰδυίῃσι πραπίδεσσιν.

ἐν μὲν γαῖαν ἔτευξ', ἐν δ' οὐρανόν, ἐν δὲ θάλασσαν,

ἠέλιόν τ' ἀκάμαντα σελήνην τε πλήθουσαν,

485ἐν δὲ τὰ τείρεα πάντα, τά τ' οὐρανὸς ἐστεφάνωται,

Transliteration

pente d' ar' autou esan sakeos ptuches: autar en autōi

poiei daidala polla iduiēisi prapidessin.

en men gaian eteux', en d' ouranon, en de thalassan,

ēelion t' akamanta selēnēn te plēthousan,

485en de ta teirea panta, ta t' ouranos estephanōtai,

English · Butler

many a wonder did his cunning hand enrich it. He wrought the earth, the heavens, and the sea; the moon also at her full and the untiring sun, with all the signs that glorify the face of heaven - the Pleiads, the Hyads, huge Orion, and the Bear, which men also call the Wain and which turns round ever in one place, facing. Orion, and alone never

Homeric Greek

Πληϊάδας θ' Ὑάδας τε τό τε σθένος Ὠρίωνος

Ἄρκτόν θ', ἣν καὶ Ἄμαξαν ἐπίκλησιν καλέουσιν,

ἥ τ' αὐτοῦ στρέφεται καί τ' Ὠρίωνα δοκεύει,

οἴη δ' ἄμμορός ἐστι λοετρῶν Ὠκεανοῖο.

490ἐν δὲ δύω ποίησε πόλεις μερόπων ἀνθρώπων

Transliteration

Plēïadas th' Huadas te to te sthenos Ōriōnos

Arkton th', hēn kai Amaxan epiklēsin kaleousin,

hē t' autou strephetai kai t' Ōriōna dokeuei,

oiē d' ammoros esti loetrōn Ōkeanoio.

490en de duō poiēse poleis meropōn anthrōpōn

English · Butler

dips into the stream of Okeanos. He wrought also two cities, fair to see and busy with the hum of men.

Homeric Greek

καλάς. ἐν τῇ μέν ῥα γάμοι τ' ἔσαν εἰλαπίναι τε,

νύμφας δ' ἐκ θαλάμων δαί̈δων ὕπο λαμπομενάων

ἠγίνεον ἀνὰ ἄστυ, πολὺς δ' ὑμέναιος ὀρώρει:

κοῦροι δ' ὀρχηστῆρες ἐδίνεον, ἐν δ' ἄρα τοῖσιν

495αὐλοὶ φόρμιγγές τε βοὴν ἔχον: αἳ δὲ γυναῖκες

Transliteration

kalas. en tēi men rha gamoi t' esan eilapinai te,

numphas d' ek thalamōn daïdōn hupo lampomenaōn

ēgineon ana astu, polus d' humenaios orōrei:

kouroi d' orchēstēres edineon, en d' ara toisin

495auloi phorminges te boēn echon: hai de gunaikes

English · Butler

He wrought also two cities, fair to see and busy with the hum of men. In the one were weddings and wedding-feasts, and they were going about the city with brides whom they were escorting by torchlight from their chambers. Loud rose the cry of Hymen, and the youths danced to the music of flute and lyre, while the women stood each

Homeric Greek

ἱστάμεναι θαύμαζον ἐπὶ προθύροισιν ἑκάστη.

λαοὶ δ' εἰν ἀγορῇ ἔσαν ἀθρόοι: ἔνθα δὲ νεῖκος

ὠρώρει, δύο δ' ἄνδρες ἐνείκεον εἵνεκα ποινῆς

ἀνδρὸς ἀποφθιμένου: ὃ μὲν εὔχετο πάντ' ἀποδοῦναι

500δήμῳ πιφαύσκων, ὃ δ' ἀναίνετο μηδὲν ἑλέσθαι:

Transliteration

histamenai thaumazon epi prothuroisin hekastē.

laoi d' ein agorēi esan athrooi: entha de neikos

ōrōrei, duo d' andres eneikeon heineka poinēs

andros apophthimenou: ho men eucheto pant' apodounai

500dēmōi piphauskōn, ho d' anaineto mēden helesthai:

English · Butler

at her house door to see them. Meanwhile the people were gathered in assembly, for there was a quarrel, and two men were wrangling about the blood-price for a man who had died, the one claiming to the dêmos that he had the right to pay off the damages in full, and the other refusing to accept anything. Each was seeking a limit, in the presence of an arbitrator, and the people took sides, each man

Homeric Greek

ἄμφω δ' ἱέσθην ἐπὶ ἴστορι πεῖραρ ἑλέσθαι.

λαοὶ δ' ἀμφοτέροισιν ἐπήπυον ἀμφὶς ἀρωγοί:

κήρυκες δ' ἄρα λαὸν ἐρήτυον: οἳ δὲ γέροντες

εἵατ' ἐπὶ ξεστοῖσι λίθοις ἱερῷ ἐνὶ κύκλῳ,

505σκῆπτρα δὲ κηρύκων ἐν χέρσ' ἔχον ἠεροφώνων:

Transliteration

amphō d' hiesthēn epi istori peirar helesthai.

laoi d' amphoteroisin epēpuon amphis arōgoi:

kērukes d' ara laon erētuon: hoi de gerontes

heiat' epi xestoisi lithois hierōi eni kuklōi,

505skēptra de kērukōn en chers' echon ēerophōnōn:

English · Butler

backing the side that he had taken; but the heralds kept them back, and the elders sat on their seats of stone in a solemn circle, holding the staves which the heralds had put into their hands. Then they rose and each in his turn gave judgment, and there were two measures

Homeric Greek

τοῖσιν ἔπειτ' ἤϊσσον, ἀμοιβηδὶς δὲ δίκαζον.

κεῖτο δ' ἄρ' ἐν μέσσοισι δύω χρυσοῖο τάλαντα,

τῷ δόμεν ὃς μετὰ τοῖσι δίκην ἰθύντατα εἴποι.

τὴν δ' ἑτέρην πόλιν ἀμφὶ δύω στρατοὶ ἥατο λαῶν

510τεύχεσι λαμπόμενοι: δίχα δέ σφισιν ἥνδανε βουλή,

Transliteration

toisin epeit' ēïsson, amoibēdis de dikazon.

keito d' ar' en messoisi duō chrusoio talanta,

tōi domen hos meta toisi dikēn ithuntata eipoi.

tēn d' heterēn polin amphi duō stratoi hēato laōn

510teuchesi lampomenoi: dicha de sphisin hēndane boulē,

English · Butler

of gold laid down, to be given to him whose judgment should be deemed the fairest. About the other city there lay encamped two hosts in gleaming armor, and they were divided whether to sack it, or to spare it and accept the half of what it contained. But the men of the city would not yet consent, and armed themselves for a surprise;

Homeric Greek

ἠὲ διαπραθέειν ἢ ἄνδιχα πάντα δάσασθαι

κτῆσιν ὅσην πτολίεθρον ἐπήρατον ἐντὸς ἔεργεν:

οἳ δ' οὔ πω πείθοντο, λόχῳ δ' ὑπεθωρήσσοντο.

τεῖχος μέν ῥ' ἄλοχοί τε φίλαι καὶ νήπια τέκνα

515ῥύατ' ἐφεσταότες, μετὰ δ' ἀνέρες οὓς ἔχε γῆρας:

Transliteration

ēe diapratheein ē andicha panta dasasthai

ktēsin hosēn ptoliethron epēraton entos eergen:

hoi d' ou pō peithonto, lochōi d' hupethōrēssonto.

teichos men rh' alochoi te philai kai nēpia tekna

515rhuat' ephestaotes, meta d' aneres hous eche gēras:

English · Butler

their wives and little children kept guard upon the walls, and with them were the men who were past fighting through age; but the others sallied forth with Ares and Pallas Athena at their head - both of them wrought in gold and clad in golden raiment, great and

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ἴσαν: ἦρχε δ' ἄρά σφιν Ἄρης καὶ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη

ἄμφω χρυσείω, χρύσεια δὲ εἵματα ἕσθην,

καλὼ καὶ μεγάλω σὺν τεύχεσιν, ὥς τε θεώ περ

ἀμφὶς ἀριζήλω: λαοὶ δ' ὑπολίζονες ἦσαν.

520οἳ δ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἵκανον ὅθι σφίσιν εἶκε λοχῆσαι

Transliteration

hoi d' isan: ērche d' ara sphin Arēs kai Pallas Athēnē

amphō chruseiō, chruseia de heimata hesthēn,

kalō kai megalō sun teuchesin, hōs te theō per

amphis arizēlō: laoi d' hupolizones ēsan.

520hoi d' hote dē rh' hikanon hothi sphisin eike lochēsai

English · Butler

fair with their armor as befitting gods, while they that followed were smaller. When they reached the place where they would lay their ambush, it was on a riverbed to which live stock of all kinds would come from far and near to water; here, then, they lay concealed, clad in full armor.

Homeric Greek

ἐν ποταμῷ, ὅθι τ' ἀρδμὸς ἔην πάντεσσι βοτοῖσιν,

ἔνθ' ἄρα τοί γ' ἵζοντ' εἰλυμένοι αἴθοπι χαλκῷ.

τοῖσι δ' ἔπειτ' ἀπάνευθε δύω σκοποὶ εἵατο λαῶν

δέγμενοι ὁππότε μῆλα ἰδοίατο καὶ ἕλικας βοῦς.

525οἳ δὲ τάχα προγένοντο, δύω δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο νομῆες

Transliteration

en potamōi, hothi t' ardmos eēn pantessi botoisin,

enth' ara toi g' hizont' eilumenoi aithopi chalkōi.

toisi d' epeit' apaneuthe duō skopoi heiato laōn

degmenoi hoppote mēla idoiato kai helikas bous.

525hoi de tacha progenonto, duō d' ham' heponto nomēes

English · Butler

Some way off them there were two scouts who were on the look-out for the coming of sheep or cattle, which presently came, followed by two shepherds who were playing on their pipes, and had not so much as a thought of danger. When those who were in ambush saw this, they cut off the flocks and herds and killed the shepherds.

Homeric Greek

τερπόμενοι σύριγξι: δόλον δ' οὔ τι προνόησαν.

οἳ μὲν τὰ προϊδόντες ἐπέδραμον, ὦκα δ' ἔπειτα

τάμνοντ' ἀμφὶ βοῶν ἀγέλας καὶ πώεα καλὰ

ἀργεννέων οἰῶν, κτεῖνον δ' ἐπὶ μηλοβοτῆρας.

530οἳ δ' ὡς οὖν ἐπύθοντο πολὺν κέλαδον παρὰ βουσὶν

Transliteration

terpomenoi surinxi: dolon d' ou ti pronoēsan.

hoi men ta proïdontes epedramon, ōka d' epeita

tamnont' amphi boōn agelas kai pōea kala

argenneōn oiōn, kteinon d' epi mēlobotēras.

530hoi d' hōs oun eputhonto polun keladon para bousin

English · Butler

Meanwhile the besiegers, when they heard much noise among the cattle as they sat in council, sprang to their horses, and made with all speed towards them; when they reached them they set battle in array by the banks of the river, and the hosts aimed their bronze-shod spears at one another. With them were Strife and Riot,

Homeric Greek

εἰράων προπάροιθε καθήμενοι, αὐτίκ' ἐφ' ἵππων

βάντες ἀερσιπόδων μετεκίαθον, αἶψα δ' ἵκοντο.

στησάμενοι δ' ἐμάχοντο μάχην ποταμοῖο παρ' ὄχθας,

βάλλον δ' ἀλλήλους χαλκήρεσιν ἐγχείῃσιν.

535ἐν δ' Ἔρις ἐν δὲ Κυδοιμὸς ὁμίλεον, ἐν δ' ὀλοὴ Κήρ,

Transliteration

eiraōn proparoithe kathēmenoi, autik' eph' hippōn

bantes aersipodōn metekiathon, aipsa d' hikonto.

stēsamenoi d' emachonto machēn potamoio par' ochthas,

ballon d' allēlous chalkēresin encheiēisin.

535en d' Eris en de Kudoimos homileon, en d' oloē Kēr,

English · Butler

and fell Fate who was dragging three men after her, one with a fresh wound, and the other unwounded, while the third was dead, and she was dragging him along by his heel: and her robe was bedrabbled in men's blood.

Homeric Greek

ἄλλον ζωὸν ἔχουσα νεούτατον, ἄλλον ἄουτον,

ἄλλον τεθνηῶτα κατὰ μόθον ἕλκε ποδοῖιν:

εἷμα δ' ἔχ' ἀμφ' ὤμοισι δαφοινεὸν αἵματι φωτῶν.

ὡμίλευν δ' ὥς τε ζωοὶ βροτοὶ ἠδ' ἐμάχοντο,

540νεκρούς τ' ἀλλήλων ἔρυον κατατεθνηῶτας.

Transliteration

allon zōon echousa neoutaton, allon aouton,

allon tethnēōta kata mothon helke podoiin:

heima d' ech' amph' ōmoisi daphoineon haimati phōtōn.

hōmileun d' hōs te zōoi brotoi ēd' emachonto,

540nekrous t' allēlōn eruon katatethnēōtas.

English · Butler

They went in and out with one another and fought as though they were living people haling away one another's dead.

Homeric Greek

ἐν δ' ἐτίθει νειὸν μαλακὴν πίειραν ἄρουραν

εὐρεῖαν τρίπολον: πολλοὶ δ' ἀροτῆρες ἐν αὐτῇ

ζεύγεα δινεύοντες ἐλάστρεον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα.

οἳ δ' ὁπότε στρέψαντες ἱκοίατο τέλσον ἀρούρης,

545τοῖσι δ' ἔπειτ' ἐν χερσὶ δέπας μελιηδέος οἴνου

Transliteration

en d' etithei neion malakēn pieiran arouran

eureian tripolon: polloi d' arotēres en autēi

zeugea dineuontes elastreon entha kai entha.

hoi d' hopote strepsantes hikoiato telson arourēs,

545toisi d' epeit' en chersi depas meliēdeos oinou

English · Butler

He wrought also a fair fallow field, large and thrice ploughed already. Many men were working at the plough within it, turning their oxen to and fro, furrow after furrow. Each time that they turned on reaching the headland a man would come up to them and give them a cup of wine, and they would go back to their furrows looking forward to the time when they should again reach the headland.

Homeric Greek

δόσκεν ἀνὴρ ἐπιών: τοὶ δὲ στρέψασκον ἀν' ὄγμους,

ἱέμενοι νειοῖο βαθείης τέλσον ἱκέσθαι.

ἣ δὲ μελαίνετ' ὄπισθεν, ἀρηρομένῃ δὲ ἐῴκει,

χρυσείη περ ἐοῦσα: τὸ δὴ περὶ θαῦμα τέτυκτο.

550ἐν δ' ἐτίθει τέμενος βασιλήϊον: ἔνθα δ' ἔριθοι

Transliteration

dosken anēr epiōn: toi de strepsaskon an' ogmous,

hiemenoi neioio batheiēs telson hikesthai.

hē de melainet' opisthen, arēromenēi de eōikei,

chruseiē per eousa: to dē peri thauma tetukto.

550en d' etithei temenos basilēïon: entha d' erithoi

English · Butler

The part that they had ploughed was dark behind them, so that the field, though it was of gold, still looked as if it were being ploughed - very curious to behold. He wrought also a field of harvest grain, and the reapers were reaping with sharp sickles in their hands.

Homeric Greek

ἤμων ὀξείας δρεπάνας ἐν χερσὶν ἔχοντες.

δράγματα δ' ἄλλα μετ' ὄγμον ἐπήτριμα πῖπτον ἔραζε,

ἄλλα δ' ἀμαλλοδετῆρες ἐν ἐλλεδανοῖσι δέοντο.

τρεῖς δ' ἄρ' ἀμαλλοδετῆρες ἐφέστασαν: αὐτὰρ ὄπισθε

555παῖδες δραγμεύοντες ἐν ἀγκαλίδεσσι φέροντες

Transliteration

ēmōn oxeias drepanas en chersin echontes.

dragmata d' alla met' ogmon epētrima pipton eraze,

alla d' amallodetēres en elledanoisi deonto.

treis d' ar' amallodetēres ephestasan: autar opisthe

555paides dragmeuontes en ankalidessi pherontes

English · Butler

He wrought also a field of harvest grain, and the reapers were reaping with sharp sickles in their hands. Swathe after swathe fell to the ground in a straight line behind them, and the binders bound them in bands of twisted straw. There were three binders, and behind them there were boys who gathered the cut grain in armfuls and kept on bringing them to be bound: among them all the owner of the land stood by in silence and was glad.

Homeric Greek

ἀσπερχὲς πάρεχον: βασιλεὺς δ' ἐν τοῖσι σιωπῇ

σκῆπτρον ἔχων ἑστήκει ἐπ' ὄγμου γηθόσυνος κῆρ.

κήρυκες δ' ἀπάνευθεν ὑπὸ δρυὶ̈ δαῖτα πένοντο,

βοῦν δ' ἱερεύσαντες μέγαν ἄμφεπον: αἳ δὲ γυναῖκες

560δεῖπνον ἐρίθοισιν λεύκ' ἄλφιτα πολλὰ πάλυνον.

Transliteration

asperches parechon: basileus d' en toisi siōpēi

skēptron echōn hestēkei ep' ogmou gēthosunos kēr.

kērukes d' apaneuthen hupo druï daita penonto,

boun d' hiereusantes megan amphepon: hai de gunaikes

560deipnon erithoisin leuk' alphita polla palunon.

English · Butler

The servants were getting a meal ready under an oak, for they had sacrificed a great ox, and were busy cutting him up, while the women were making a porridge of much white barley for the laborers' dinner.

Homeric Greek

ἐν δ' ἐτίθει σταφυλῇσι μέγα βρίθουσαν ἀλωὴν

καλὴν χρυσείην: μέλανες δ' ἀνὰ βότρυες ἦσαν,

ἑστήκει δὲ κάμαξι διαμπερὲς ἀργυρέῃσιν.

ἀμφὶ δὲ κυανέην κάπετον, περὶ δ' ἕρκος ἔλασσε

565κασσιτέρου: μία δ' οἴη ἀταρπιτὸς ἦεν ἐπ' αὐτήν,

Transliteration

en d' etithei staphulēisi mega brithousan alōēn

kalēn chruseiēn: melanes d' ana botrues ēsan,

hestēkei de kamaxi diamperes argureēisin.

amphi de kuaneēn kapeton, peri d' herkos elasse

565kassiterou: mia d' oiē atarpitos ēen ep' autēn,

English · Butler

He wrought also a vineyard, golden and fair to see, and the vines were loaded with grapes. The bunches overhead were black, but the vines were trained on poles of silver. He ran a ditch of dark metal all round it, and fenced it with a fence of tin; there was only one path to it, and by this the vintagers went when they would gather the vintage.

Homeric Greek

τῇ νίσοντο φορῆες ὅτε τρυγόῳεν ἀλωήν.

παρθενικαὶ δὲ καὶ ἠί̈θεοι ἀταλὰ φρονέοντες

πλεκτοῖς ἐν ταλάροισι φέρον μελιηδέα καρπόν.

τοῖσιν δ' ἐν μέσσοισι πάϊς φόρμιγγι λιγείῃ

570ἱμερόεν κιθάριζε, λίνον δ' ὑπὸ καλὸν ἄειδε

Transliteration

tēi nisonto phorēes hote trugoōien alōēn.

parthenikai de kai ēïtheoi atala phroneontes

plektois en talaroisi pheron meliēdea karpon.

toisin d' en messoisi païs phormingi ligeiēi

570himeroen kitharize, linon d' hupo kalon aeide

English · Butler

Youths and maidens all blithe and full of glee, carried the luscious fruit in plaited baskets; and with them there went a boy who made sweet music with his lyre, and sang

Homeric Greek

λεπταλέῃ φωνῇ: τοὶ δὲ ῥήσσοντες ἁμαρτῇ

μολπῇ τ' ἰυγμῷ τε ποσὶ σκαίροντες ἕποντο.

ἐν δ' ἀγέλην ποίησε βοῶν ὀρθοκραιράων:

αἳ δὲ βόες χρυσοῖο τετεύχατο κασσιτέρου τε,

575μυκηθμῷ δ' ἀπὸ κόπρου ἐπεσσεύοντο νομὸν δὲ

Transliteration

leptaleēi phōnēi: toi de rhēssontes hamartēi

molpēi t' iugmōi te posi skairontes heponto.

en d' agelēn poiēse boōn orthokrairaōn:

hai de boes chrusoio teteuchato kassiterou te,

575mukēthmōi d' apo koprou epesseuonto nomon de

English · Butler

the Linus-song with his clear boyish voice. He wrought also a herd of horned cattle. He made the cows of gold and tin, and they lowed as they came full speed out of the yards

Homeric Greek

πὰρ ποταμὸν κελάδοντα, παρὰ ῥοδανὸν δονακῆα.

χρύσειοι δὲ νομῆες ἅμ' ἐστιχόωντο βόεσσι

τέσσαρες, ἐννέα δέ σφι κύνες πόδας ἀργοὶ ἕποντο.

σμερδαλέω δὲ λέοντε δύ' ἐν πρώτῃσι βόεσσι

580ταῦρον ἐρύγμηλον ἐχέτην: ὃ δὲ μακρὰ μεμυκὼς

Transliteration

par potamon keladonta, para rhodanon donakēa.

chruseioi de nomēes ham' estichoōnto boessi

tessares, ennea de sphi kunes podas argoi heponto.

smerdaleō de leonte du' en prōtēisi boessi

580tauron erugmēlon echetēn: ho de makra memukōs

English · Butler

to go and feed among the waving reeds that grow by the banks of the river. Along with the cattle there went four shepherds, all of them in gold, and their nine fleet dogs went with them. Two terrible lions had fastened on a bellowing bull that was with the foremost cows, and bellow as he might they haled him, while the dogs and men gave chase: the lions tore through the bull's thick

Homeric Greek

ἕλκετο: τὸν δὲ κύνες μετεκίαθον ἠδ' αἰζηοί.

τὼ μὲν ἀναρρήξαντε βοὸς μεγάλοιο βοείην

ἔγκατα καὶ μέλαν αἷμα λαφύσσετον: οἳ δὲ νομῆες

αὔτως ἐνδίεσαν ταχέας κύνας ὀτρύνοντες.

585οἳ δ' ἤτοι δακέειν μὲν ἀπετρωπῶντο λεόντων,

Transliteration

helketo: ton de kunes metekiathon ēd' aizēoi.

tō men anarrēxante boos megaloio boeiēn

enkata kai melan haima laphusseton: hoi de nomēes

autōs endiesan tacheas kunas otrunontes.

585hoi d' ētoi dakeein men apetrōpōnto leontōn,

English · Butler

hide and were gorging on his blood and bowels, but the herdsmen were afraid to do anything, and only hounded on their dogs; the dogs dared not fasten on the lions but stood by barking and

Homeric Greek

ἱστάμενοι δὲ μάλ' ἐγγὺς ὑλάκτεον ἔκ τ' ἀλέοντο.

ἐν δὲ νομὸν ποίησε περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις

ἐν καλῇ βήσσῃ μέγαν οἰῶν ἀργεννάων,

σταθμούς τε κλισίας τε κατηρεφέας ἰδὲ σηκούς.

590ἐν δὲ χορὸν ποίκιλλε περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις,

Transliteration

histamenoi de mal' engus hulakteon ek t' aleonto.

en de nomon poiēse periklutos amphiguēeis

en kalēi bēssēi megan oiōn argennaōn,

stathmous te klisias te katērepheas ide sēkous.

590en de choron poikille periklutos amphiguēeis,

English · Butler

keeping out of harm's way. The god wrought also a pasture in a fair mountain dell, and large flock of sheep, with a homestead and huts, and sheltered sheepfolds. Furthermore he wrought a green, like that which Daedalus once made in Knossos for lovely Ariadne.

Homeric Greek

τῷ ἴκελον οἷόν ποτ' ἐνὶ Κνωσῷ εὐρείῃ

Δαίδαλος ἤσκησεν καλλιπλοκάμῳ Ἀριάδνῃ.

ἔνθα μὲν ἠί̈θεοι καὶ παρθένοι ἀλφεσίβοιαι

ὀρχεῦντ' ἀλλήλων ἐπὶ καρπῷ χεῖρας ἔχοντες.

595τῶν δ' αἳ μὲν λεπτὰς ὀθόνας ἔχον, οἳ δὲ χιτῶνας

Transliteration

tōi ikelon hoion pot' eni Knōsōi eureiēi

Daidalos ēskēsen kalliplokamōi Ariadnēi.

entha men ēïtheoi kai parthenoi alphesiboiai

orcheunt' allēlōn epi karpōi cheiras echontes.

595tōn d' hai men leptas othonas echon, hoi de chitōnas

English · Butler

Furthermore he wrought a green, like that which Daedalus once made in Knossos for lovely Ariadne. Here was a dance of youths and maidens, whom all would woo, all with their hands on one another's wrists. The maidens wore robes of light linen, and the youths well woven shirts that were slightly oiled. The girls were crowned with garlands, while the young men had daggers of gold that hung by silver baldrics; sometimes they would dance deftly in a ring with merry twinkling feet, as it

Homeric Greek

εἵατ' ἐϋννήτους, ἦκα στίλβοντας ἐλαίῳ:

καί ῥ' αἳ μὲν καλὰς στεφάνας ἔχον, οἳ δὲ μαχαίρας

εἶχον χρυσείας ἐξ ἀργυρέων τελαμώνων.

οἳ δ' ὁτὲ μὲν θρέξασκον ἐπισταμένοισι πόδεσσι

600ῥεῖα μάλ', ὡς ὅτε τις τροχὸν ἄρμενον ἐν παλάμῃσιν

Transliteration

heiat' eünnētous, ēka stilbontas elaiōi:

kai rh' hai men kalas stephanas echon, hoi de machairas

eichon chruseias ex argureōn telamōnōn.

hoi d' hote men threxaskon epistamenoisi podessi

600rheia mal', hōs hote tis trochon armenon en palamēisin

English · Butler

were a potter sitting at his work and making trial of his wheel to see whether it will run, and sometimes they would go all in line with one another, and many people was gathered joyously about the place of dancing.

Homeric Greek

ἑζόμενος κεραμεὺς πειρήσεται, αἴ κε θέῃσιν:

ἄλλοτε δ' αὖ θρέξασκον ἐπὶ στίχας ἀλλήλοισι.

πολλὸς δ' ἱμερόεντα χορὸν περιίσταθ' ὅμιλος

τερπόμενοι:

605δοιὼ δὲ κυβιστητῆρε κατ' αὐτοὺς

Transliteration

hezomenos kerameus peirēsetai, ai ke theēisin:

allote d' au threxaskon epi stichas allēloisi.

pollos d' himeroenta choron periistath' homilos

terpomenoi:

605doiō de kubistētēre kat' autous

English · Butler

There was a bard also to sing to them and play his lyre, while two tumblers went about performing in the midst of them when the man

Homeric Greek

μολπῆς ἐξάρχοντες ἐδίνευον κατὰ μέσσους.

ἐν δ' ἐτίθει ποταμοῖο μέγα σθένος Ὠκεανοῖο

ἄντυγα πὰρ πυμάτην σάκεος πύκα ποιητοῖο.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τεῦξε σάκος μέγα τε στιβαρόν τε,

610τεῦξ' ἄρα οἱ θώρηκα φαεινότερον πυρὸς αὐγῆς,

Transliteration

molpēs exarchontes edineuon kata messous.

en d' etithei potamoio mega sthenos Ōkeanoio

antuga par pumatēn sakeos puka poiētoio.

autar epei dē teuxe sakos mega te stibaron te,

610teux' ara hoi thōrēka phaeinoteron puros augēs,

English · Butler

struck up with his tune. All round the outermost rim of the shield he set the mighty stream of the river Okeanos. Then when he had fashioned the shield so great and strong, he made a breastplate also that shone brighter than fire. He made helmet, close fitting to the brow, and richly worked, with a golden plume overhanging it;

Homeric Greek

τεῦξε δέ οἱ κόρυθα βριαρὴν κροτάφοις ἀραρυῖαν

καλὴν δαιδαλέην, ἐπὶ δὲ χρύσεον λόφον ἧκε,

τεῦξε δέ οἱ κνημῖδας ἑανοῦ κασσιτέροιο.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πάνθ' ὅπλα κάμε κλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις,

615μητρὸς Ἀχιλλῆος θῆκε προπάροιθεν ἀείρας.

Transliteration

teuxe de hoi korutha briarēn krotaphois araruian

kalēn daidaleēn, epi de chruseon lophon hēke,

teuxe de hoi knēmidas heanou kassiteroio.

autar epei panth' hopla kame klutos amphiguēeis,

615mētros Achillēos thēke proparoithen aeiras.

English · Butler

and he made greaves also of beaten tin. Lastly, when the famed lame god had made all the armor, he took it and set it before the mother of Achilles; whereon she darted like a falcon from the

Homeric Greek

ἣ δ' ἴρηξ ὣς ἆλτο κατ' Οὐλύμπου νιφόεντος

τεύχεα μαρμαίροντα παρ' Ἡφαίστοιο φέρουσα.

Transliteration

hē d' irēx hōs alto kat' Oulumpou niphoentos

teuchea marmaironta par' Hēphaistoio pherousa.

English · Butler

snowy summits of Olympus and bore away the gleaming armor from the house of Hephaistos.