Homeric Greek
1Ἠὼς μὲν κροκόπεπλος ἀπ' Ὠκεανοῖο ῥοάων
ὄρνυθ', ἵν' ἀθανάτοισι φόως φέροι ἠδὲ βροτοῖσιν:
ἣ δ' ἐς νῆας ἵκανε θεοῦ πάρα δῶρα φέρουσα.
εὗρε δὲ Πατρόκλῳ περικείμενον ὃν φίλον υἱὸν
5κλαίοντα λιγέως: πολέες δ' ἀμφ' αὐτὸν ἑταῖροι
Transliteration
1Ēōs men krokopeplos ap' Ōkeanoio rhoaōn
ornuth', hin' athanatoisi phoōs pheroi ēde brotoisin:
hē d' es nēas hikane theou para dōra pherousa.
heure de Patroklōi perikeimenon hon philon huion
5klaionta ligeōs: polees d' amph' auton hetairoi
English · Butler
Now when Dawn in robe of saffron was hastening from the streams of Okeanos, to bring light to mortals and immortals, Thetis reached the ships with the armor that the god had given her. She found her son fallen about the body of Patroklos and weeping bitterly. Many also of his followers were weeping round him, but when the goddess came among them she clasped his hand in
Homeric Greek
μύρονθ': ἣ δ' ἐν τοῖσι παρίστατο δῖα θεάων,
ἔν τ' ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρὶ ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:
τέκνον ἐμὸν τοῦτον μὲν ἐάσομεν ἀχνύμενοί περ
κεῖσθαι, ἐπεὶ δὴ πρῶτα θεῶν ἰότητι δαμάσθη:
10τύνη δ' Ἡφαίστοιο πάρα κλυτὰ τεύχεα δέξο
Transliteration
muronth': hē d' en toisi paristato dia theaōn,
en t' ara hoi phu cheiri epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:
teknon emon touton men easomen achnumenoi per
keisthai, epei dē prōta theōn iotēti damasthē:
10tunē d' Hēphaistoio para kluta teuchea dexo
English · Butler
her own, saying, "My son, grieve as we may we must let this man lie, for it is by heaven's will that he has fallen; now, therefore, accept from Hephaistos this rich and goodly armor, which no man has ever
Homeric Greek
καλὰ μάλ', οἷ' οὔ πώ τις ἀνὴρ ὤμοισι φόρησεν.
ὡς ἄρα φωνήσασα θεὰ κατὰ τεύχε' ἔθηκε
πρόσθεν Ἀχιλλῆος: τὰ δ' ἀνέβραχε δαίδαλα πάντα.
Μυρμιδόνας δ' ἄρα πάντας ἕλε τρόμος, οὐδέ τις ἔτλη
15ἄντην εἰσιδέειν, ἀλλ' ἔτρεσαν. αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς
Transliteration
kala mal', hoi' ou pō tis anēr ōmoisi phorēsen.
hōs ara phōnēsasa thea kata teuche' ethēke
prosthen Achillēos: ta d' anebrache daidala panta.
Murmidonas d' ara pantas hele tromos, oude tis etlē
15antēn eisideein, all' etresan. autar Achilleus
English · Butler
yet borne upon his shoulders." As she spoke she set the armor before Achilles, and it rang out bravely as she did so. The Myrmidons were struck with awe, and none dared look full at it, for they were afraid; but Achilles was roused to still greater fury, and his eyes gleamed with a fierce light,
Homeric Greek
ὡς εἶδ', ὥς μιν μᾶλλον ἔδυ χόλος, ἐν δέ οἱ ὄσσε
δεινὸν ὑπὸ βλεφάρων ὡς εἰ σέλας ἐξεφάανθεν:
τέρπετο δ' ἐν χείρεσσιν ἔχων θεοῦ ἀγλαὰ δῶρα.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ φρεσὶν ᾗσι τετάρπετο δαίδαλα λεύσσων
20αὐτίκα μητέρα ἣν ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
Transliteration
hōs eid', hōs min mallon edu cholos, en de hoi osse
deinon hupo blepharōn hōs ei selas exephaanthen:
terpeto d' en cheiressin echōn theou aglaa dōra.
autar epei phresin hēisi tetarpeto daidala leussōn
20autika mētera hēn epea pteroenta prosēuda:
English · Butler
for he was glad when he handled the splendid present which the god had made him. Then, as soon as he had satisfied himself with looking at it, he said to his mother, "Mother, the god has given me armor, meet handiwork for an immortal and such as no living could have fashioned;
Homeric Greek
μῆτερ ἐμὴ τὰ μὲν ὅπλα θεὸς πόρεν οἷ' ἐπιεικὲς
ἔργ' ἔμεν ἀθανάτων, μὴ δὲ βροτὸν ἄνδρα τελέσσαι.
νῦν δ' ἤτοι μὲν ἐγὼ θωρήξομαι: ἀλλὰ μάλ' αἰνῶς
δείδω μή μοι τόφρα Μενοιτίου ἄλκιμον υἱὸν
25μυῖαι καδδῦσαι κατὰ χαλκοτύπους ὠτειλὰς
Transliteration
mēter emē ta men hopla theos poren hoi' epieikes
erg' emen athanatōn, mē de broton andra telessai.
nun d' ētoi men egō thōrēxomai: alla mal' ainōs
deidō mē moi tophra Menoitiou alkimon huion
25muiai kaddusai kata chalkotupous ōteilas
English · Butler
I will now arm, but I much fear that flies will settle upon the son of Menoitios and breed worms about his wounds, so that his body, now
Homeric Greek
εὐλὰς ἐγγείνωνται, ἀεικίσσωσι δὲ νεκρόν,
ἐκ δ' αἰὼν πέφαται, κατὰ δὲ χρόα πάντα σαπήῃ.
τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα θεὰ Θέτις ἀργυρόπεζα:
τέκνον μή τοι ταῦτα μετὰ φρεσὶ σῇσι μελόντων.
30τῷ μὲν ἐγὼ πειρήσω ἀλαλκεῖν ἄγρια φῦλα
Transliteration
eulas engeinōntai, aeikissōsi de nekron,
ek d' aiōn pephatai, kata de chroa panta sapēēi.
ton d' ēmeibet' epeita thea Thetis arguropeza:
teknon mē toi tauta meta phresi sēisi melontōn.
30tōi men egō peirēsō alalkein agria phula
English · Butler
he is dead, will be disfigured and the flesh will rot." Silver-footed Thetis answered, "My son, be not disquieted about this matter. I will find means to protect him from the swarms of noisome flies that prey on the bodies of men who have been killed in battle.
Homeric Greek
μυίας, αἵ ῥά τε φῶτας ἀρηϊφάτους κατέδουσιν:
ἤν περ γὰρ κεῖταί γε τελεσφόρον εἰς ἐνιαυτόν,
αἰεὶ τῷ γ' ἔσται χρὼς ἔμπεδος, ἢ καὶ ἀρείων.
ἀλλὰ σύ γ' εἰς ἀγορὴν καλέσας ἥρωας Ἀχαιοὺς
35μῆνιν ἀποειπὼν Ἀγαμέμνονι ποιμένι λαῶν
Transliteration
muias, hai rha te phōtas arēïphatous katedousin:
ēn per gar keitai ge telesphoron eis eniauton,
aiei tōi g' estai chrōs empedos, ē kai areiōn.
alla su g' eis agorēn kalesas hērōas Achaious
35mēnin apoeipōn Agamemnoni poimeni laōn
English · Butler
He may lie for a whole year, and his flesh shall still be as sound as ever, or even sounder. Call, therefore, the Achaean heroes in assembly; unsay your anger against Agamemnon; arm at once, and fight with might and main." As she spoke she put strength
Homeric Greek
αἶψα μάλ' ἐς πόλεμον θωρήσσεο, δύσεο δ' ἀλκήν.
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασα μένος πολυθαρσὲς ἐνῆκε,
Πατρόκλῳ δ' αὖτ' ἀμβροσίην καὶ νέκταρ ἐρυθρὸν
στάξε κατὰ ῥινῶν, ἵνα οἱ χρὼς ἔμπεδος εἴη.
40αὐτὰρ ὃ βῆ παρὰ θῖνα θαλάσσης δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς
Transliteration
aipsa mal' es polemon thōrēsseo, duseo d' alkēn.
hōs ara phōnēsasa menos polutharses enēke,
Patroklōi d' aut' ambrosiēn kai nektar eruthron
staxe kata rhinōn, hina hoi chrōs empedos eiē.
40autar ho bē para thina thalassēs dios Achilleus
English · Butler
and courage into his heart, and she then dropped ambrosia and red nectar into the wounds of Patroklos, that his body might suffer no change. Then Achilles went out upon the seashore, and with a loud cry called on the Achaean heroes.
Homeric Greek
σμερδαλέα ἰάχων, ὦρσεν δ' ἥρωας Ἀχαιούς.
καί ῥ' οἵ περ τὸ πάρος γε νεῶν ἐν ἀγῶνι μένεσκον
οἵ τε κυβερνῆται καὶ ἔχον οἰήϊα νηῶν
καὶ ταμίαι παρὰ νηυσὶν ἔσαν σίτοιο δοτῆρες,
45καὶ μὴν οἳ τότε γ' εἰς ἀγορὴν ἴσαν, οὕνεκ' Ἀχιλλεὺς
Transliteration
smerdalea iachōn, ōrsen d' hērōas Achaious.
kai rh' hoi per to paros ge neōn en agōni meneskon
hoi te kubernētai kai echon oiēïa nēōn
kai tamiai para nēusin esan sitoio dotēres,
45kai mēn hoi tote g' eis agorēn isan, hounek' Achilleus
English · Butler
Then Achilles went out upon the seashore, and with a loud cry called on the Achaean heroes. On this even those who as yet had stayed always at the assembly of of ships, the pilots and helmsmen, and even the stewards who were about the ships and served out rations, all came to the place of assembly because Achilles had shown himself after having held aloof so long from fighting.
Homeric Greek
ἐξεφάνη, δηρὸν δὲ μάχης ἐπέπαυτ' ἀλεγεινῆς.
τὼ δὲ δύω σκάζοντε βάτην Ἄρεος θεράποντε
Τυδεί̈δης τε μενεπτόλεμος καὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
ἔγχει ἐρειδομένω: ἔτι γὰρ ἔχον ἕλκεα λυγρά:
50κὰδ δὲ μετὰ πρώτῃ ἀγορῇ ἵζοντο κιόντες.
Transliteration
exephanē, dēron de machēs epepaut' alegeinēs.
tō de duō skazonte batēn Areos theraponte
Tudeïdēs te meneptolemos kai dios Odusseus
enchei ereidomenō: eti gar echon helkea lugra:
50kad de meta prōtēi agorēi hizonto kiontes.
English · Butler
Two squires of Ares, Odysseus and the son of Tydeus, came limping, for their wounds still pained them; nevertheless they came, and took their seats in the front row of the assembly. Last of all came Agamemnon, king of men, he too wounded, for
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ὃ δεύτατος ἦλθεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων
ἕλκος ἔχων: καὶ γὰρ τὸν ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ
οὖτα Κόων Ἀντηνορίδης χαλκήρεϊ δουρί.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντες ἀολλίσθησαν Ἀχαιοί,
55τοῖσι δ' ἀνιστάμενος μετέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:
Transliteration
autar ho deutatos ēlthen anax andrōn Agamemnōn
helkos echōn: kai gar ton eni kraterēi husminēi
outa Koōn Antēnoridēs chalkēreï douri.
autar epei dē pantes aollisthēsan Achaioi,
55toisi d' anistamenos metephē podas ōkus Achilleus:
English · Butler
Koön son of Antenor had struck him with a spear in battle. When the Achaeans were got together Achilles rose and said, "Son of Atreus, surely it would have been better alike for both you and me, when we two were in such high anger about Briseis, surely it would have been better, had Artemis' arrow slain her at the ships on the day when I took her after having sacked Lyrnessos. For so, many an Achaean the
Homeric Greek
Ἀτρεί̈δη ἦ ἄρ τι τόδ' ἀμφοτέροισιν ἄρειον
ἔπλετο σοὶ καὶ ἐμοί, ὅ τε νῶί̈ περ ἀχνυμένω κῆρ
θυμοβόρῳ ἔριδι μενεήναμεν εἵνεκα κούρης;
τὴν ὄφελ' ἐν νήεσσι κατακτάμεν Ἄρτεμις ἰῷ
60ἤματι τῷ ὅτ' ἐγὼν ἑλόμην Λυρνησσὸν ὀλέσσας:
Transliteration
Atreïdē ē ar ti tod' amphoteroisin areion
epleto soi kai emoi, ho te nōï per achnumenō kēr
thumoborōi eridi meneēnamen heineka kourēs;
tēn ophel' en nēessi kataktamen Artemis iōi
60ēmati tōi hot' egōn helomēn Lurnēsson olessas:
English · Butler
less would have bitten dust before the foe in the days of my anger. It has been well for Hektor and the Trojans, but the Achaeans will long indeed remember our quarrel. Now, however, let it be, for it is over. If we have been angry, necessity has schooled our anger. I put it from me:
Homeric Greek
τώ κ' οὐ τόσσοι Ἀχαιοὶ ὀδὰξ ἕλον ἄσπετον οὖδας
δυσμενέων ὑπὸ χερσὶν ἐμεῦ ἀπομηνίσαντος.
Ἕκτορι μὲν καὶ Τρωσὶ τὸ κέρδιον: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὺς
δηρὸν ἐμῆς καὶ σῆς ἔριδος μνήσεσθαι ὀί̈ω.
65ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν προτετύχθαι ἐάσομεν ἀχνύμενοί περ
Transliteration
tō k' ou tossoi Achaioi odax helon aspeton oudas
dusmeneōn hupo chersin emeu apomēnisantos.
Hektori men kai Trōsi to kerdion: autar Achaious
dēron emēs kai sēs eridos mnēsesthai oïō.
65alla ta men protetuchthai easomen achnumenoi per
English · Butler
I dare not nurse it for ever; therefore, bid the Achaeans arm forthwith that I may go out against the Trojans, and learn
Homeric Greek
θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλον δαμάσαντες ἀνάγκῃ:
νῦν δ' ἤτοι μὲν ἐγὼ παύω χόλον, οὐδέ τί με χρὴ
ἀσκελέως αἰεὶ μενεαινέμεν: ἀλλ' ἄγε θᾶσσον
ὄτρυνον πόλεμον δὲ κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιούς,
70ὄφρ' ἔτι καὶ Τρώων πειρήσομαι ἀντίον ἐλθὼν
Transliteration
thumon eni stēthessi philon damasantes anankēi:
nun d' ētoi men egō pauō cholon, oude ti me chrē
askeleōs aiei meneainemen: all' age thasson
otrunon polemon de karē komoōntas Achaious,
70ophr' eti kai Trōōn peirēsomai antion elthōn
English · Butler
whether they will be in a mind to sleep by the ships or no. Glad, I ween, will he be to rest his knees who
Homeric Greek
αἴ κ' ἐθέλωσ' ἐπὶ νηυσὶν ἰαύειν: ἀλλά τιν' οἴω
ἀσπασίως αὐτῶν γόνυ κάμψειν, ὅς κε φύγῃσι
δηί̈ου ἐκ πολέμοιο ὑπ' ἔγχεος ἡμετέροιο.
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἐχάρησαν ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶ
75μῆνιν ἀπειπόντος μεγαθύμου Πηλεί̈ωνος.
Transliteration
ai k' ethelōs' epi nēusin iauein: alla tin' oiō
aspasiōs autōn gonu kampsein, hos ke phugēisi
dēïou ek polemoio hup' encheos hēmeteroio.
hōs ephath', hoi d' echarēsan eüknēmides Achaioi
75mēnin apeipontos megathumou Pēleïōnos.
English · Butler
may flee my spear when I wield it." Thus did he speak, and the Achaeans rejoiced in that he had put away his anger. Then Agamemnon spoke, rising in his place, and not going into the middle of the assembly.
Homeric Greek
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων
αὐτόθεν ἐξ ἕδρης, οὐδ' ἐν μέσσοισιν ἀναστάς:
ὦ φίλοι ἥρωες Δαναοὶ θεράποντες Ἄρηος
ἑσταότος μὲν καλὸν ἀκούειν, οὐδὲ ἔοικεν
80ὑββάλλειν: χαλεπὸν γὰρ ἐπισταμένῳ περ ἐόντι.
Transliteration
toisi de kai meteeipen anax andrōn Agamemnōn
autothen ex hedrēs, oud' en messoisin anastas:
ō philoi hērōes Danaoi therapontes Arēos
hestaotos men kalon akouein, oude eoiken
80hubballein: chalepon gar epistamenōi per eonti.
English · Butler
"Danaan heroes," said he, "squires of Ares, it is well to listen when a man stands up to speak, and it is not seemly to interrupt him, or it will go hard even with a practiced speaker. Who can either hear or speak in an uproar? Even the finest orator will be disconcerted by it.
Homeric Greek
ἀνδρῶν δ' ἐν πολλῷ ὁμάδῳ πῶς κέν τις ἀκούσαι
ἢ εἴποι; βλάβεται δὲ λιγύς περ ἐὼν ἀγορητής.
Πηλεί̈δῃ μὲν ἐγὼν ἐνδείξομαι: αὐτὰρ οἱ ἄλλοι
σύνθεσθ' Ἀργεῖοι, μῦθόν τ' εὖ γνῶτε ἕκαστος.
85πολλάκι δή μοι τοῦτον Ἀχαιοὶ μῦθον ἔειπον
Transliteration
andrōn d' en pollōi homadōi pōs ken tis akousai
ē eipoi; blabetai de ligus per eōn agorētēs.
Pēleïdēi men egōn endeixomai: autar hoi alloi
sunthesth' Argeioi, muthon t' eu gnōte hekastos.
85pollaki dē moi touton Achaioi muthon eeipon
English · Butler
I will expound to the son of Peleus, and do you other Achaeans heed me and mark me well. Often have the Achaeans spoken to me of this matter and upbraided me, but it was not I who was responsible : Zeus, and Fate, and Erinys that walks in darkness struck me with derangement when
Homeric Greek
καί τέ με νεικείεσκον: ἐγὼ δ' οὐκ αἴτιός εἰμι,
ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς καὶ Μοῖρα καὶ ἠεροφοῖτις Ἐρινύς,
οἵ τέ μοι εἰν ἀγορῇ φρεσὶν ἔμβαλον ἄγριον ἄτην,
ἤματι τῷ ὅτ' Ἀχιλλῆος γέρας αὐτὸς ἀπηύρων.
90ἀλλὰ τί κεν ῥέξαιμι; θεὸς διὰ πάντα τελευτᾷ.
Transliteration
kai te me neikeieskon: egō d' ouk aitios eimi,
alla Zeus kai Moira kai ēerophoitis Erinus,
hoi te moi ein agorēi phresin embalon agrion atēn,
ēmati tōi hot' Achillēos geras autos apēurōn.
90alla ti ken rhexaimi; theos dia panta teleutāi.
English · Butler
we were assembled on the day that I took from Achilles the prize that had been awarded to him. What could I do? All things are in the hand of heaven, and Atê, eldest of Zeus' daughters, shuts men's eyes to their destruction. She walks delicately, not on
Homeric Greek
πρέσβα Διὸς θυγάτηρ Ἄτη, ἣ πάντας ἀᾶται,
οὐλομένη: τῇ μέν θ' ἁπαλοὶ πόδες: οὐ γὰρ ἐπ' οὔδει
πίλναται, ἀλλ' ἄρα ἥ γε κατ' ἀνδρῶν κράατα βαίνει
βλάπτουσ' ἀνθρώπους: κατὰ δ' οὖν ἕτερόν γε πέδησε.
95καὶ γὰρ δή νύ ποτε Ζεὺς ἄσατο, τόν περ ἄριστον
Transliteration
presba Dios thugatēr Atē, hē pantas aatai,
oulomenē: tēi men th' hapaloi podes: ou gar ep' oudei
pilnatai, all' ara hē ge kat' andrōn kraata bainei
blaptous' anthrōpous: kata d' oun heteron ge pedēse.
95kai gar dē nu pote Zeus asato, ton per ariston
English · Butler
the solid earth, but hovers over the heads of men to make them stumble or to ensnare them. "Time was when she fooled Zeus himself, who they say is greatest whether of gods or men; for Hera, woman though she was, beguiled him on the day when Alkmene was to bring forth mighty Herakles in the fair city of Thebes.
Homeric Greek
ἀνδρῶν ἠδὲ θεῶν φασ' ἔμμεναι: ἀλλ' ἄρα καὶ τὸν
Ἥρη θῆλυς ἐοῦσα δολοφροσύνῃς ἀπάτησεν,
ἤματι τῷ ὅτ' ἔμελλε βίην Ἡρακληείην
Ἀλκμήνη τέξεσθαι ἐϋστεφάνῳ ἐνὶ Θήβῃ.
100ἤτοι ὅ γ' εὐχόμενος μετέφη πάντεσσι θεοῖσι:
Transliteration
andrōn ēde theōn phas' emmenai: all' ara kai ton
Hērē thēlus eousa dolophrosunēis apatēsen,
ēmati tōi hot' emelle biēn Hēraklēeiēn
Alkmēnē texesthai eüstephanōi eni Thēbēi.
100ētoi ho g' euchomenos metephē pantessi theoisi:
English · Butler
"Time was when she fooled Zeus himself, who they say is greatest whether of gods or men; for Hera, woman though she was, beguiled him on the day when Alkmene was to bring forth mighty Herakles in the fair city of Thebes. He told it out among the gods saying, ‘Hear me all gods and goddesses, that I may speak even as I am minded; this day shall an Eileithuia, helper of women who are in labor, bring a man child into the world who shall
Homeric Greek
κέκλυτέ μευ πάντές τε θεοὶ πᾶσαί τε θέαιναι,
ὄφρ' εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἀνώγει.
σήμερον ἄνδρα φόως δὲ μογοστόκος Εἰλείθυια
ἐκφανεῖ, ὃς πάντεσσι περικτιόνεσσιν ἀνάξει,
105τῶν ἀνδρῶν γενεῆς οἵ θ' αἵματος ἐξ ἐμεῦ εἰσί.
Transliteration
keklute meu pantes te theoi pasai te theainai,
ophr' eipō ta me thumos eni stēthessin anōgei.
sēmeron andra phoōs de mogostokos Eileithuia
ekphanei, hos pantessi periktionessin anaxei,
105tōn andrōn geneēs hoi th' haimatos ex emeu eisi.
English · Butler
be lord over all that dwell about him who are of my blood and lineage.’ Then said Hera all crafty and full of guile, ‘You will play false, and will not hold to the finality of your word. Swear me, O Olympian, swear
Homeric Greek
τὸν δὲ δολοφρονέουσα προσηύδα πότνια Ἥρη:
ψευστήσεις, οὐδ' αὖτε τέλος μύθῳ ἐπιθήσεις.
εἰ δ' ἄγε νῦν μοι ὄμοσσον Ὀλύμπιε καρτερὸν ὅρκον,
ἦ μὲν τὸν πάντεσσι περικτιόνεσσιν ἀνάξειν
110ὅς κεν ἐπ' ἤματι τῷδε πέσῃ μετὰ ποσσὶ γυναικὸς
Transliteration
ton de dolophroneousa prosēuda potnia Hērē:
pseustēseis, oud' aute telos muthōi epithēseis.
ei d' age nun moi omosson Olumpie karteron horkon,
ē men ton pantessi periktionessin anaxein
110hos ken ep' ēmati tōide pesēi meta possi gunaikos
English · Butler
me a great oath, that he who shall this day fall between the feet of a woman, shall be lord over all that dwell about him who are
Homeric Greek
τῶν ἀνδρῶν οἳ σῆς ἐξ αἵματός εἰσι γενέθλης.
ὣς ἔφατο: Ζεὺς δ' οὔ τι δολοφροσύνην ἐνόησεν,
ἀλλ' ὄμοσεν μέγαν ὅρκον, ἔπειτα δὲ πολλὸν ἀάσθη.
Ἥρη δ' ἀί̈ξασα λίπεν ῥίον Οὐλύμποιο,
115καρπαλίμως δ' ἵκετ' Ἄργος Ἀχαιικόν, ἔνθ' ἄρα ᾔδη
Transliteration
tōn andrōn hoi sēs ex haimatos eisi genethlēs.
hōs ephato: Zeus d' ou ti dolophrosunēn enoēsen,
all' omosen megan horkon, epeita de pollon aasthē.
Hērē d' aïxasa lipen rhion Oulumpoio,
115karpalimōs d' hiket' Argos Achaiikon, enth' ara ēidē
English · Butler
of your blood and lineage.’ "Thus she spoke, and Zeus suspected her not, but swore the great oath, to his much ruing thereafter. For Hera darted down from the high summit of Olympus, and went in haste to Achaean Argos where she knew that the noble wife of Sthenelos son of Perseus then was. She being with child and in her seventh month,
Homeric Greek
ἰφθίμην ἄλοχον Σθενέλου Περσηϊάδαο.
ἣ δ' ἐκύει φίλον υἱόν, ὃ δ' ἕβδομος ἑστήκει μείς:
ἐκ δ' ἄγαγε πρὸ φόως δὲ καὶ ἠλιτόμηνον ἐόντα,
Ἀλκμήνης δ' ἀπέπαυσε τόκον, σχέθε δ' Εἰλειθυίας.
120αὐτὴ δ' ἀγγελέουσα Δία Κρονίωνα προσηύδα:
Transliteration
iphthimēn alochon Sthenelou Persēïadao.
hē d' ekuei philon huion, ho d' hebdomos hestēkei meis:
ek d' agage pro phoōs de kai ēlitomēnon eonta,
Alkmēnēs d' apepause tokon, schethe d' Eileithuias.
120autē d' angeleousa Dia Kroniōna prosēuda:
English · Butler
Hera brought the child to birth though there was a month still wanting, but she stayed the offspring of Alkmene, and kept back the Eileithuiai. Then she went to tell Zeus the son of Kronos, and said, ‘Father Zeus, lord of the lightning - I have a word for your ear. There is a fine child born this day, Eurystheus, son to Sthenelos the son of Perseus;
Homeric Greek
Ζεῦ πάτερ ἀργικέραυνε ἔπος τί τοι ἐν φρεσὶ θήσω:
ἤδη ἀνὴρ γέγον' ἐσθλὸς ὃς Ἀργείοισιν ἀνάξει
Εὐρυσθεὺς Σθενέλοιο πάϊς Περσηϊάδαο
σὸν γένος: οὔ οἱ ἀεικὲς ἀνασσέμεν Ἀργείοισιν.
125ὣς φάτο, τὸν δ' ἄχος ὀξὺ κατὰ φρένα τύψε βαθεῖαν:
Transliteration
Zeu pater argikeraune epos ti toi en phresi thēsō:
ēdē anēr gegon' esthlos hos Argeioisin anaxei
Eurustheus Stheneloio païs Persēïadao
son genos: ou hoi aeikes anassemen Argeioisin.
125hōs phato, ton d' achos oxu kata phrena tupse batheian:
English · Butler
he is of your lineage; it is well, therefore, that he should reign over the Argives.’ "On this Zeus was stung to the very quick with grief, and in his rage he caught Atê by the hair, and swore a great oath that never should she again invade starry heaven and Olympus, for she was the bane of all.
Homeric Greek
αὐτίκα δ' εἷλ' Ἄτην κεφαλῆς λιπαροπλοκάμοιο
χωόμενος φρεσὶν ᾗσι, καὶ ὤμοσε καρτερὸν ὅρκον
μή ποτ' ἐς Οὔλυμπόν τε καὶ οὐρανὸν ἀστερόεντα
αὖτις ἐλεύσεσθαι Ἄτην, ἣ πάντας ἀᾶται.
130ὣς εἰπὼν ἔρριψεν ἀπ' οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος
Transliteration
autika d' heil' Atēn kephalēs liparoplokamoio
chōomenos phresin hēisi, kai ōmose karteron horkon
mē pot' es Oulumpon te kai ouranon asteroenta
autis eleusesthai Atēn, hē pantas aatai.
130hōs eipōn erripsen ap' ouranou asteroentos
English · Butler
"On this Zeus was stung to the very quick with grief, and in his rage he caught Atê by the hair, and swore a great oath that never should she again invade starry heaven and Olympus, for she was the bane of all. Then he whirled her round with a twist of his hand, and flung her down from heaven so that she fell on to the fields of mortal men; and he was ever angry with her when he saw his son groaning under the cruel labors that Eurystheus laid upon him. Even so did I grieve when mighty
Homeric Greek
χειρὶ περιστρέψας: τάχα δ' ἵκετο ἔργ' ἀνθρώπων.
τὴν αἰεὶ στενάχεσχ' ὅθ' ἑὸν φίλον υἱὸν ὁρῷτο
ἔργον ἀεικὲς ἔχοντα ὑπ' Εὐρυσθῆος ἀέθλων.
ὣς καὶ ἐγών, ὅτε δ' αὖτε μέγας κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ
135Ἀργείους ὀλέκεσκεν ἐπὶ πρυμνῇσι νέεσσιν,
Transliteration
cheiri peristrepsas: tacha d' hiketo erg' anthrōpōn.
tēn aiei stenachesch' hoth' heon philon huion horōito
ergon aeikes echonta hup' Eurusthēos aethlōn.
hōs kai egōn, hote d' aute megas koruthaiolos Hektōr
135Argeious olekesken epi prumnēisi neessin,
English · Butler
Hektor was killing the Argives at their ships, and all the time I kept thinking of Atê who had so baned me. I was blind, and Zeus robbed me of my reason; I will now make atonement, and will add much treasure by way of amends. Go, therefore, into battle, you and your people with you.
Homeric Greek
οὐ δυνάμην λελαθέσθ' Ἄτης ᾗ πρῶτον ἀάσθην.
ἀλλ' ἐπεὶ ἀασάμην καί μευ φρένας ἐξέλετο Ζεύς,
ἂψ ἐθέλω ἀρέσαι, δόμεναί τ' ἀπερείσι' ἄποινα:
ἀλλ' ὄρσευ πόλεμον δὲ καὶ ἄλλους ὄρνυθι λαούς.
140δῶρα δ' ἐγὼν ὅδε πάντα παρασχέμεν ὅσσά τοι ἐλθὼν
Transliteration
ou dunamēn lelathesth' Atēs hēi prōton aasthēn.
all' epei aasamēn kai meu phrenas exeleto Zeus,
aps ethelō aresai, domenai t' apereisi' apoina:
all' orseu polemon de kai allous ornuthi laous.
140dōra d' egōn hode panta paraschemen hossa toi elthōn
English · Butler
I will give you all that Odysseus offered you yesterday in your tents: or if it so please you, wait, though you would fain fight at once, and my squires
Homeric Greek
χθιζὸς ἐνὶ κλισίῃσιν ὑπέσχετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
εἰ δ' ἐθέλεις, ἐπίμεινον ἐπειγόμενός περ Ἄρηος,
δῶρα δέ τοι θεράποντες ἐμῆς παρὰ νηὸς ἑλόντες
οἴσουσ', ὄφρα ἴδηαι ὅ τοι μενοεικέα δώσω.
145τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:
Transliteration
chthizos eni klisiēisin hupescheto dios Odusseus.
ei d' etheleis, epimeinon epeigomenos per Arēos,
dōra de toi therapontes emēs para nēos helontes
oisous', ophra idēai ho toi menoeikea dōsō.
145ton d' apameibomenos prosephē podas ōkus Achilleus:
English · Butler
shall bring the gifts from my ship, that you may see whether what I give you is enough." And Achilles answered, "Son of Atreus, king of men Agamemnon, you can give such gifts as you think proper, or you can withhold them: it is in your own hands.
Homeric Greek
Ἀτρεί̈δη κύδιστε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγάμεμνον
δῶρα μὲν αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα παρασχέμεν, ὡς ἐπιεικές,
ἤ τ' ἐχέμεν παρὰ σοί: νῦν δὲ μνησώμεθα χάρμης
αἶψα μάλ': οὐ γὰρ χρὴ κλοτοπεύειν ἐνθάδ' ἐόντας
150οὐδὲ διατρίβειν: ἔτι γὰρ μέγα ἔργον ἄρεκτον:
Transliteration
Atreïdē kudiste anax andrōn Agamemnon
dōra men ai k' ethelēistha paraschemen, hōs epieikes,
ē t' echemen para soi: nun de mnēsōmetha charmēs
aipsa mal': ou gar chrē klotopeuein enthad' eontas
150oude diatribein: eti gar mega ergon arekton:
English · Butler
And Achilles answered, "Son of Atreus, king of men Agamemnon, you can give such gifts as you think proper, or you can withhold them: it is in your own hands. Let us now set battle in array; it is not well to tarry talking about trifles, for there is a deed which is as yet to do. Achilles shall again be seen fighting among the foremost, and laying low the ranks of the Trojans:
Homeric Greek
ὥς κέ τις αὖτ' Ἀχιλῆα μετὰ πρώτοισιν ἴδηται
ἔγχεϊ χαλκείῳ Τρώων ὀλέκοντα φάλαγγας.
ὧδέ τις ὑμείων μεμνημένος ἀνδρὶ μαχέσθω.
τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
155μὴ δ' οὕτως, ἀγαθός περ ἐών, θεοείκελ' Ἀχιλλεῦ
Transliteration
hōs ke tis aut' Achilēa meta prōtoisin idētai
encheï chalkeiōi Trōōn olekonta phalangas.
hōde tis humeiōn memnēmenos andri machesthō.
ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:
155mē d' houtōs, agathos per eōn, theoeikel' Achilleu
English · Butler
bear this in mind each one of you when he is fighting." Then Odysseus said, "Achilles, godlike and brave, send not the Achaeans thus against Ilion to fight the Trojans fasting, for the battle will be no brief one, when it is once begun, and heaven has filled both sides with fury; bid them first take food both bread and wine by the ships, for in this there is strength and stay. No man can do battle the livelong day to the going down of the sun if he is without food;
Homeric Greek
νήστιας ὄτρυνε προτὶ Ἴλιον υἷας Ἀχαιῶν
Τρωσὶ μαχησομένους, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ὀλίγον χρόνον ἔσται
φύλοπις, εὖτ' ἂν πρῶτον ὁμιλήσωσι φάλαγγες
ἀνδρῶν, ἐν δὲ θεὸς πνεύσῃ μένος ἀμφοτέροισιν.
160ἀλλὰ πάσασθαι ἄνωχθι θοῇς ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιοὺς
Transliteration
nēstias otrune proti Ilion huias Achaiōn
Trōsi machēsomenous, epei ouk oligon chronon estai
phulopis, eut' an prōton homilēsōsi phalanges
andrōn, en de theos pneusēi menos amphoteroisin.
160alla pasasthai anōchthi thoēis epi nēusin Achaious
English · Butler
however much he may want to fight his strength will fail him before he knows it; hunger and thirst will find him out, and his limbs will grow weary under him. But a man can fight all day if he is full fed with meat and wine; his heart beats high, and his strength will stay till he has routed all his foes; therefore, send the people away and bid them prepare their meal;
Homeric Greek
σίτου καὶ οἴνοιο: τὸ γὰρ μένος ἐστὶ καὶ ἀλκή.
οὐ γὰρ ἀνὴρ πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα
ἄκμηνος σίτοιο δυνήσεται ἄντα μάχεσθαι:
εἴ περ γὰρ θυμῷ γε μενοινάᾳ πολεμίζειν,
165ἀλλά τε λάθρῃ γυῖα βαρύνεται, ἠδὲ κιχάνει
Transliteration
sitou kai oinoio: to gar menos esti kai alkē.
ou gar anēr propan ēmar es ēelion katadunta
akmēnos sitoio dunēsetai anta machesthai:
ei per gar thumōi ge menoinaāi polemizein,
165alla te lathrēi guia barunetai, ēde kichanei
English · Butler
King Agamemnon will bring out the gifts in presence of the assembly, that all may see them and you may be satisfied. Moreover let him swear an oath before the Argives that he has never gone up
Homeric Greek
δίψά τε καὶ λιμός, βλάβεται δέ τε γούνατ' ἰόντι.
ὃς δέ κ' ἀνὴρ οἴνοιο κορεσσάμενος καὶ ἐδωδῆς
ἀνδράσι δυσμενέεσσι πανημέριος πολεμίζῃ,
θαρσαλέον νύ οἱ ἦτορ ἐνὶ φρεσίν, οὐδέ τι γυῖα
170πρὶν κάμνει πρὶν πάντας ἐρωῆσαι πολέμοιο.
Transliteration
dipsa te kai limos, blabetai de te gounat' ionti.
hos de k' anēr oinoio koressamenos kai edōdēs
andrasi dusmeneessi panēmerios polemizēi,
tharsaleon nu hoi ētor eni phresin, oude ti guia
170prin kamnei prin pantas erōēsai polemoio.
English · Butler
into the couch of Briseis, nor has lain down with her, even though it is right for humans, both men and women, to do this; and do you, too, show yourself of a gracious mind; let Agamemnon entertain you
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄγε λαὸν μὲν σκέδασον καὶ δεῖπνον ἄνωχθι
ὅπλεσθαι: τὰ δὲ δῶρα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων
οἰσέτω ἐς μέσσην ἀγορήν, ἵνα πάντες Ἀχαιοὶ
ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδωσι, σὺ δὲ φρεσὶ σῇσιν ἰανθῇς.
175ὀμνυέτω δέ τοι ὅρκον ἐν Ἀργείοισιν ἀναστὰς
Transliteration
all' age laon men skedason kai deipnon anōchthi
hoplesthai: ta de dōra anax andrōn Agamemnōn
oisetō es messēn agorēn, hina pantes Achaioi
ophthalmoisin idōsi, su de phresi sēisin ianthēis.
175omnuetō de toi horkon en Argeioisin anastas
English · Butler
in his tents with a feast of reconciliation, that so you may have had your dues in full. As for you, son of Atreus, treat people more righteously in future; it is no disgrace
Homeric Greek
μή ποτε τῆς εὐνῆς ἐπιβήμεναι ἠδὲ μιγῆναι:
ἣ θέμις ἐστὶν ἄναξ ἤ τ' ἀνδρῶν ἤ τε γυναικῶν:
καὶ δὲ σοὶ αὐτῷ θυμὸς ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἵλαος ἔστω.
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτά σε δαιτὶ ἐνὶ κλισίῃς ἀρεσάσθω
180πιείρῃ, ἵνα μή τι δίκης ἐπιδευὲς ἔχῃσθα.
Transliteration
mē pote tēs eunēs epibēmenai ēde migēnai:
hē themis estin anax ē t' andrōn ē te gunaikōn:
kai de soi autōi thumos eni phresin hilaos estō.
autar epeita se daiti eni klisiēis aresasthō
180pieirēi, hina mē ti dikēs epideues echēistha.
English · Butler
even to a king that he should make amends if
Homeric Greek
Ἀτρεί̈δη σὺ δ' ἔπειτα δικαιότερος καὶ ἐπ' ἄλλῳ
ἔσσεαι. οὐ μὲν γάρ τι νεμεσσητὸν βασιλῆα
ἄνδρ' ἀπαρέσσασθαι ὅτε τις πρότερος χαλεπήνῃ.
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων:
185χαίρω σεῦ Λαερτιάδη τὸν μῦθον ἀκούσας:
Transliteration
Atreïdē su d' epeita dikaioteros kai ep' allōi
esseai. ou men gar ti nemessēton basilēa
andr' aparessasthai hote tis proteros chalepēnēi.
ton d' aute proseeipen anax andrōn Agamemnōn:
185chairō seu Laertiadē ton muthon akousas:
English · Butler
he was wrong in the first instance." And King Agamemnon answered, "Son of Laertes, your words please me well, for throughout you have spoken wisely. I will swear as you would have me do;
Homeric Greek
ἐν μοίρῃ γὰρ πάντα διίκεο καὶ κατέλεξας.
ταῦτα δ' ἐγὼν ἐθέλω ὀμόσαι, κέλεται δέ με θυμός,
οὐδ' ἐπιορκήσω πρὸς δαίμονος. αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς
μιμνέτω αὐτόθι τεῖος ἐπειγόμενός περ Ἄρηος:
190μίμνετε δ' ἄλλοι πάντες ἀολλέες, ὄφρά κε δῶρα
Transliteration
en moirēi gar panta diikeo kai katelexas.
tauta d' egōn ethelō omosai, keletai de me thumos,
oud' epiorkēsō pros daimonos. autar Achilleus
mimnetō autothi teios epeigomenos per Arēos:
190mimnete d' alloi pantes aollees, ophra ke dōra
English · Butler
I do so of my own free will, neither shall I take the name of a daimôn in vain. Let, then, Achilles wait, though he would fain fight at once, and do you others wait also, till the gifts come from my tent and we ratify the oath with sacrifice. Thus, then, do I charge you:
Homeric Greek
ἐκ κλισίης ἔλθῃσι καὶ ὅρκια πιστὰ τάμωμεν.
σοὶ δ' αὐτῷ τόδ' ἐγὼν ἐπιτέλλομαι ἠδὲ κελεύω:
κρινάμενος κούρητας ἀριστῆας Παναχαιῶν
δῶρα ἐμῆς παρὰ νηὸς ἐνεικέμεν, ὅσσ' Ἀχιλῆϊ
195χθιζὸν ὑπέστημεν δώσειν, ἀγέμεν τε γυναῖκας.
Transliteration
ek klisiēs elthēisi kai horkia pista tamōmen.
soi d' autōi tod' egōn epitellomai ēde keleuō:
krinamenos kourētas aristēas Panachaiōn
dōra emēs para nēos eneikemen, hoss' Achilēï
195chthizon hupestēmen dōsein, agemen te gunaikas.
English · Butler
choose some noble young Achaeans to go with you, and bring from my tents the gifts that I promised yesterday to Achilles, and bring the women also; furthermore let Talthybios find me a boar from those that are with the host, and
Homeric Greek
Ταλθύβιος δέ μοι ὦκα κατὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν
κάπρον ἑτοιμασάτω ταμέειν Διί τ' Ἠελίῳ τε.
τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:
Ἀτρεί̈δη κύδιστε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγάμεμνον
200ἄλλοτέ περ καὶ μᾶλλον ὀφέλλετε ταῦτα πένεσθαι,
Transliteration
Talthubios de moi ōka kata straton eurun Achaiōn
kapron hetoimasatō tameein Dii t' Ēeliōi te.
ton d' apameibomenos prosephē podas ōkus Achilleus:
Atreïdē kudiste anax andrōn Agamemnon
200allote per kai mallon ophellete tauta penesthai,
English · Butler
make it ready for sacrifice to Zeus and to the sun." Then said Achilles, "Son of Atreus, king of men Agamemnon, see to these matters at some other season, when there is breathing time and when I am calmer. Would you have men eat while the bodies of those whom Hektor son of Priam slew are still lying mangled upon the plain?
Homeric Greek
ὁππότε τις μεταπαυσωλὴ πολέμοιο γένηται
καὶ μένος οὐ τόσον ᾖσιν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐμοῖσι.
νῦν δ' οἳ μὲν κέαται δεδαϊγμένοι, οὓς ἐδάμασσεν
Ἕκτωρ Πριαμίδης, ὅτε οἱ Ζεὺς κῦδος ἔδωκεν,
205ὑμεῖς δ' ἐς βρωτὺν ὀτρύνετον: ἦ τ' ἂν ἔγωγε
Transliteration
hoppote tis metapausōlē polemoio genētai
kai menos ou toson ēisin eni stēthessin emoisi.
nun d' hoi men keatai dedaïgmenoi, hous edamassen
Hektōr Priamidēs, hote hoi Zeus kudos edōken,
205humeis d' es brōtun otruneton: ē t' an egōge
English · Butler
Let the sons of the Achaeans, say I, fight fasting and without food, till we have avenged them; afterwards at the going down of the sun let them eat their fill. As for me, Patroklos is lying dead in my tent, all hacked
Homeric Greek
νῦν μὲν ἀνώγοιμι πτολεμίζειν υἷας Ἀχαιῶν
νήστιας ἀκμήνους, ἅμα δ' ἠελίῳ καταδύντι
τεύξεσθαι μέγα δόρπον, ἐπὴν τεισαίμεθα λώβην.
πρὶν δ' οὔ πως ἂν ἔμοιγε φίλον κατὰ λαιμὸν ἰείη
210οὐ πόσις οὐδὲ βρῶσις ἑταίρου τεθνηῶτος
Transliteration
nun men anōgoimi ptolemizein huias Achaiōn
nēstias akmēnous, hama d' ēeliōi katadunti
teuxesthai mega dorpon, epēn teisaimetha lōbēn.
prin d' ou pōs an emoige philon kata laimon ieiē
210ou posis oude brōsis hetairou tethnēōtos
English · Butler
and hewn, with his feet to the door, and his comrades are mourning round him. Therefore I can take thought of nothing save only slaughter and
Homeric Greek
ὅς μοι ἐνὶ κλισίῃ δεδαϊγμένος ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ
κεῖται ἀνὰ πρόθυρον τετραμμένος, ἀμφὶ δ' ἑταῖροι
μύρονται: τό μοι οὔ τι μετὰ φρεσὶ ταῦτα μέμηλεν,
ἀλλὰ φόνος τε καὶ αἷμα καὶ ἀργαλέος στόνος ἀνδρῶν.
215τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
Transliteration
hos moi eni klisiēi dedaïgmenos oxeï chalkōi
keitai ana prothuron tetrammenos, amphi d' hetairoi
murontai: to moi ou ti meta phresi tauta memēlen,
alla phonos te kai haima kai argaleos stonos andrōn.
215ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:
English · Butler
blood and the rattle in the throat of the dying." Odysseus answered, "Achilles, son of Peleus, mightiest of all the Achaeans, in battle you are better than I, and that more than a little, but in counsel I am much before you, for I am older and of greater knowledge.
Homeric Greek
ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ Πηλῆος υἱὲ μέγα φέρτατ' Ἀχαιῶν,
κρείσσων εἰς ἐμέθεν καὶ φέρτερος οὐκ ὀλίγον περ
ἔγχει, ἐγὼ δέ κε σεῖο νοήματί γε προβαλοίμην
πολλόν, ἐπεὶ πρότερος γενόμην καὶ πλείονα οἶδα.
220τώ τοι ἐπιτλήτω κραδίη μύθοισιν ἐμοῖσιν.
Transliteration
ō Achileu Pēlēos huie mega phertat' Achaiōn,
kreissōn eis emethen kai pherteros ouk oligon per
enchei, egō de ke seio noēmati ge probaloimēn
pollon, epei proteros genomēn kai pleiona oida.
220tō toi epitlētō kradiē muthoisin emoisin.
English · Butler
Odysseus answered, "Achilles, son of Peleus, mightiest of all the Achaeans, in battle you are better than I, and that more than a little, but in counsel I am much before you, for I am older and of greater knowledge. Therefore be patient under my words. Fighting is a thing of which men soon surfeit, and when Zeus, who is wars steward, weighs the upshot, it may well prove that the straw which our sickles have reaped is far heavier than the grain.
Homeric Greek
αἶψά τε φυλόπιδος πέλεται κόρος ἀνθρώποισιν,
ἧς τε πλείστην μὲν καλάμην χθονὶ χαλκὸς ἔχευεν,
ἄμητος δ' ὀλίγιστος, ἐπὴν κλίνῃσι τάλαντα
Ζεύς, ὅς τ' ἀνθρώπων ταμίης πολέμοιο τέτυκται.
225γαστέρι δ' οὔ πως ἔστι νέκυν πενθῆσαι Ἀχαιούς:
Transliteration
aipsa te phulopidos peletai koros anthrōpoisin,
hēs te pleistēn men kalamēn chthoni chalkos echeuen,
amētos d' oligistos, epēn klinēisi talanta
Zeus, hos t' anthrōpōn tamiēs polemoio tetuktai.
225gasteri d' ou pōs esti nekun penthēsai Achaious:
English · Butler
It may not be that the Achaeans should mourn the dead with their bellies; day by day men fall thick and threefold continually; when should we have respite from our sorrow ? Let us mourn our dead for a day and bury them out
Homeric Greek
λίην γὰρ πολλοὶ καὶ ἐπήτριμοι ἤματα πάντα
πίπτουσιν: πότε κέν τις ἀναπνεύσειε πόνοιο;
ἀλλὰ χρὴ τὸν μὲν καταθάπτειν ὅς κε θάνῃσι
νηλέα θυμὸν ἔχοντας ἐπ' ἤματι δακρύσαντας:
230ὅσσοι δ' ἂν πολέμοιο περὶ στυγεροῖο λίπωνται
Transliteration
liēn gar polloi kai epētrimoi ēmata panta
piptousin: pote ken tis anapneuseie ponoio;
alla chrē ton men katathaptein hos ke thanēisi
nēlea thumon echontas ep' ēmati dakrusantas:
230hossoi d' an polemoio peri stugeroio lipōntai
English · Butler
of sight and mind, but let those of us who are left eat and drink that we may arm and fight our foes more fiercely. In that hour let no man hold back, waiting for a second summons; such summons shall bode ill for him who is found lagging behind at our ships;
Homeric Greek
μεμνῆσθαι πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος, ὄφρ' ἔτι μᾶλλον
ἀνδράσι δυσμενέεσσι μαχώμεθα νωλεμὲς αἰεὶ
ἑσσάμενοι χροὶ̈ χαλκὸν ἀτειρέα. μηδέ τις ἄλλην
λαῶν ὀτρυντὺν ποτιδέγμενος ἰσχαναάσθω:
235ἥδε γὰρ ὀτρυντὺς κακὸν ἔσσεται ὅς κε λίπηται
Transliteration
memnēsthai posios kai edētuos, ophr' eti mallon
andrasi dusmeneessi machōmetha nōlemes aiei
hessamenoi chroï chalkon ateirea. mēde tis allēn
laōn otruntun potidegmenos ischanaasthō:
235hēde gar otruntus kakon essetai hos ke lipētai
English · Butler
let us rather sally as one man and loose the fury
Homeric Greek
νηυσὶν ἐπ' Ἀργείων: ἀλλ' ἀθρόοι ὁρμηθέντες
Τρωσὶν ἐφ' ἱπποδάμοισιν ἐγείρομεν ὀξὺν Ἄρηα.
ἦ, καὶ Νέστορος υἷας ὀπάσσατο κυδαλίμοιο
Φυλεί̈δην τε Μέγητα Θόαντά τε Μηριόνην τε
240καὶ Κρειοντιάδην Λυκομήδεα καὶ Μελάνιππον:
Transliteration
nēusin ep' Argeiōn: all' athrooi hormēthentes
Trōsin eph' hippodamoisin egeiromen oxun Arēa.
ē, kai Nestoros huias opassato kudalimoio
Phuleïdēn te Megēta Thoanta te Mērionēn te
240kai Kreiontiadēn Lukomēdea kai Melanippon:
English · Butler
of war upon the Trojans." When he had thus spoken he took with him the sons of Nestor, with Meges son of Phyleus, Thoas, Meriones, Lykomedes son of Kreontes, and Melanippos, and went to the tent of Agamemnon son of Atreus. The word was not sooner said than the deed was done: they brought out the seven tripods which Agamemnon had promised, with the twenty metal cauldrons and the twelve horses;
Homeric Greek
βὰν δ' ἴμεν ἐς κλισίην Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεί̈δαο.
αὐτίκ' ἔπειθ' ἅμα μῦθος ἔην, τετέλεστο δὲ ἔργον:
ἑπτὰ μὲν ἐκ κλισίης τρίποδας φέρον, οὕς οἱ ὑπέστη,
αἴθωνας δὲ λέβητας ἐείκοσι, δώδεκα δ' ἵππους:
245ἐκ δ' ἄγον αἶψα γυναῖκας ἀμύμονα ἔργα ἰδυίας
Transliteration
ban d' imen es klisiēn Agamemnonos Atreïdao.
autik' epeith' hama muthos eēn, tetelesto de ergon:
hepta men ek klisiēs tripodas pheron, hous hoi hupestē,
aithōnas de lebētas eeikosi, dōdeka d' hippous:
245ek d' agon aipsa gunaikas amumona erga iduias
English · Butler
they also brought the women skilled in useful arts, seven in number, with Briseis, which made eight. Odysseus weighed out the ten talents of gold and then led the way back, while the young Achaeans brought
Homeric Greek
ἕπτ', ἀτὰρ ὀγδοάτην Βρισηί̈δα καλλιπάρῃον.
χρυσοῦ δὲ στήσας Ὀδυσεὺς δέκα πάντα τάλαντα
ἦρχ', ἅμα δ' ἄλλοι δῶρα φέρον κούρητες Ἀχαιῶν.
καὶ τὰ μὲν ἐν μέσσῃ ἀγορῇ θέσαν, ἂν δ' Ἀγαμέμνων
250ἵστατο: Ταλθύβιος δὲ θεῷ ἐναλίγκιος αὐδὴν
Transliteration
hept', atar ogdoatēn Brisēïda kalliparēion.
chrusou de stēsas Oduseus deka panta talanta
ērch', hama d' alloi dōra pheron kourētes Achaiōn.
kai ta men en messēi agorēi thesan, an d' Agamemnōn
250histato: Talthubios de theōi enalinkios audēn
English · Butler
the rest of the gifts, and laid them in the middle of the assembly. Agamemnon then rose, and Talthybios whose voice was like that of a god came to him with the boar. The son of Atreus drew the knife which he
Homeric Greek
κάπρον ἔχων ἐν χερσὶ παρίστατο ποιμένι λαῶν.
Ἀτρεί̈δης δὲ ἐρυσσάμενος χείρεσσι μάχαιραν,
ἥ οἱ πὰρ ξίφεος μέγα κουλεὸν αἰὲν ἄωρτο,
κάπρου ἀπὸ τρίχας ἀρξάμενος Διὶ χεῖρας ἀνασχὼν
255εὔχετο: τοὶ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπ' αὐτόφιν εἵατο σιγῇ
Transliteration
kapron echōn en chersi paristato poimeni laōn.
Atreïdēs de erussamenos cheiressi machairan,
hē hoi par xipheos mega kouleon aien aōrto,
kaprou apo trichas arxamenos Dii cheiras anaschōn
255eucheto: toi d' ara pantes ep' autophin heiato sigēi
English · Butler
wore by the scabbard of his mighty sword, and began by cutting off some bristles from the boar, lifting up his hands in prayer as he did so. The other Achaeans sat where they were all silent and orderly to hear the king, and Agamemnon looked into the vault of heaven and
Homeric Greek
Ἀργεῖοι κατὰ μοῖραν ἀκούοντες βασιλῆος.
εὐξάμενος δ' ἄρα εἶπεν ἰδὼν εἰς οὐρανὸν εὐρύν:
ἴστω νῦν Ζεὺς πρῶτα θεῶν ὕπατος καὶ ἄριστος
Γῆ τε καὶ Ἠέλιος καὶ Ἐρινύες, αἵ θ' ὑπὸ γαῖαν
260ἀνθρώπους τίνυνται, ὅτις κ' ἐπίορκον ὀμόσσῃ,
Transliteration
Argeioi kata moiran akouontes basilēos.
euxamenos d' ara eipen idōn eis ouranon eurun:
istō nun Zeus prōta theōn hupatos kai aristos
Gē te kai Ēelios kai Erinues, hai th' hupo gaian
260anthrōpous tinuntai, hotis k' epiorkon omossēi,
English · Butler
prayed saying, "I call Zeus the first and mightiest of all gods to witness, I call also Earth and Sun and the Erinyes who dwell below and take vengeance on him who shall swear falsely, that I have laid no hand
Homeric Greek
μὴ μὲν ἐγὼ κούρῃ Βρισηί̈δι χεῖρ' ἐπένεικα,
οὔτ' εὐνῆς πρόφασιν κεχρημένος οὔτέ τευ ἄλλου.
ἀλλ' ἔμεν' ἀπροτίμαστος ἐνὶ κλισίῃσιν ἐμῇσιν.
εἰ δέ τι τῶνδ' ἐπίορκον ἐμοὶ θεοὶ ἄλγεα δοῖεν
265πολλὰ μάλ', ὅσσα διδοῦσιν ὅτίς σφ' ἀλίτηται ὀμόσσας.
Transliteration
mē men egō kourēi Brisēïdi cheir' epeneika,
out' eunēs prophasin kechrēmenos oute teu allou.
all' emen' aprotimastos eni klisiēisin emēisin.
ei de ti tōnd' epiorkon emoi theoi algea doien
265polla mal', hossa didousin hotis sph' alitētai omossas.
English · Butler
upon the girl Briseis, neither to take her to my bed nor otherwise, but that she has remained in my tents inviolate. If I swear falsely may heaven visit me with all the penalties which it metes out to those who perjure themselves."
Homeric Greek
ἦ, καὶ ἀπὸ στόμαχον κάπρου τάμε νηλέϊ χαλκῷ.
τὸν μὲν Ταλθύβιος πολιῆς ἁλὸς ἐς μέγα λαῖτμα
ῥῖψ' ἐπιδινήσας βόσιν ἰχθύσιν: αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς
ἀνστὰς Ἀργείοισι φιλοπτολέμοισι μετηύδα:
270Ζεῦ πάτερ ἦ μεγάλας ἄτας ἄνδρεσσι διδοῖσθα:
Transliteration
ē, kai apo stomachon kaprou tame nēleï chalkōi.
ton men Talthubios poliēs halos es mega laitma
rhips' epidinēsas bosin ichthusin: autar Achilleus
anstas Argeioisi philoptolemoisi metēuda:
270Zeu pater ē megalas atas andressi didoistha:
English · Butler
He cut the boar's throat as he spoke, whereon Talthybios whirled it round his head, and flung it into the wide sea to feed the fishes. Then Achilles also rose and said to the Argives, "Father Zeus, truly you give atê to men and bane them. The son of Atreus had not else stirred me to so fierce an anger, nor so stubbornly taken Briseis from me against my will.
Homeric Greek
οὐκ ἂν δή ποτε θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐμοῖσιν
Ἀτρεί̈δης ὤρινε διαμπερές, οὐδέ κε κούρην
ἦγεν ἐμεῦ ἀέκοντος ἀμήχανος: ἀλλά ποθι Ζεὺς
ἤθελ' Ἀχαιοῖσιν θάνατον πολέεσσι γενέσθαι.
275νῦν δ' ἔρχεσθ' ἐπὶ δεῖπνον, ἵνα ξυνάγωμεν Ἄρηα.
Transliteration
ouk an dē pote thumon eni stēthessin emoisin
Atreïdēs ōrine diamperes, oude ke kourēn
ēgen emeu aekontos amēchanos: alla pothi Zeus
ēthel' Achaioisin thanaton poleessi genesthai.
275nun d' erchesth' epi deipnon, hina xunagōmen Arēa.
English · Butler
Surely Zeus must have counseled the destruction of many an Argive. Go, now, and take your food that we may begin fighting."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἄρ' ἐφώνησεν, λῦσεν δ' ἀγορὴν αἰψηρήν.
οἳ μὲν ἄρ' ἐσκίδναντο ἑὴν ἐπὶ νῆα ἕκαστος,
δῶρα δὲ Μυρμιδόνες μεγαλήτορες ἀμφεπένοντο,
βὰν δ' ἐπὶ νῆα φέροντες Ἀχιλλῆος θείοιο.
280καὶ τὰ μὲν ἐν κλισίῃσι θέσαν, κάθισαν δὲ γυναῖκας,
Transliteration
hōs ar' ephōnēsen, lusen d' agorēn aipsērēn.
hoi men ar' eskidnanto heēn epi nēa hekastos,
dōra de Murmidones megalētores amphepenonto,
ban d' epi nēa pherontes Achillēos theioio.
280kai ta men en klisiēisi thesan, kathisan de gunaikas,
English · Butler
On this he broke up the assembly, and every man went back to his own ship. The Myrmidons attended to the presents and took them away to the ship of Achilles. They placed them in his tents, while the stable-men drove the horses
Homeric Greek
ἵππους δ' εἰς ἀγέλην ἔλασαν θεράποντες ἀγαυοί.
Βρισηὶ̈ς δ' ἄρ' ἔπειτ' ἰκέλη χρυσέῃ Ἀφροδίτῃ
ὡς ἴδε Πάτροκλον δεδαϊγμένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,
ἀμφ' αὐτῷ χυμένη λίγ' ἐκώκυε, χερσὶ δ' ἄμυσσε
285στήθεά τ' ἠδ' ἁπαλὴν δειρὴν ἰδὲ καλὰ πρόσωπα.
Transliteration
hippous d' eis agelēn elasan therapontes agauoi.
Brisēïs d' ar' epeit' ikelē chruseēi Aphroditēi
hōs ide Patroklon dedaïgmenon oxeï chalkōi,
amph' autōi chumenē lig' ekōkue, chersi d' amusse
285stēthea t' ēd' hapalēn deirēn ide kala prosōpa.
English · Butler
in among the others. Briseis, fair as Aphrodite, when she saw the mangled body of Patroklos, flung herself upon it and cried aloud, tearing her breast, her neck, and her lovely face with both her hands. Beautiful as a goddess she wept and said, "Patroklos, dearest friend, when I went hence I left you living; I return, O prince, to find you dead; thus do fresh sorrows multiply upon me one after the other.
Homeric Greek
εἶπε δ' ἄρα κλαίουσα γυνὴ ἐϊκυῖα θεῇσι:
Πάτροκλέ μοι δειλῇ πλεῖστον κεχαρισμένε θυμῷ
ζωὸν μέν σε ἔλειπον ἐγὼ κλισίηθεν ἰοῦσα,
νῦν δέ σε τεθνηῶτα κιχάνομαι ὄρχαμε λαῶν
290ἂψ ἀνιοῦσ': ὥς μοι δέχεται κακὸν ἐκ κακοῦ αἰεί.
Transliteration
eipe d' ara klaiousa gunē eïkuia theēisi:
Patrokle moi deilēi pleiston kecharismene thumōi
zōon men se eleipon egō klisiēthen iousa,
nun de se tethnēōta kichanomai orchame laōn
290aps anious': hōs moi dechetai kakon ek kakou aiei.
English · Butler
I saw him to whom my father and mother married me, cut down before our city, and my three own dear brothers perished with him on the self-same day; but you, Patroklos, even when Achilles slew my husband and
Homeric Greek
ἄνδρα μὲν ᾧ ἔδοσάν με πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ
εἶδον πρὸ πτόλιος δεδαϊγμένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,
τρεῖς τε κασιγνήτους, τούς μοι μία γείνατο μήτηρ,
κηδείους, οἳ πάντες ὀλέθριον ἦμαρ ἐπέσπον.
295οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδέ μ' ἔασκες, ὅτ' ἄνδρ' ἐμὸν ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεὺς
Transliteration
andra men hōi edosan me patēr kai potnia mētēr
eidon pro ptolios dedaïgmenon oxeï chalkōi,
treis te kasignētous, tous moi mia geinato mētēr,
kēdeious, hoi pantes olethrion ēmar epespon.
295oude men oude m' easkes, hot' andr' emon ōkus Achilleus
English · Butler
sacked the city of noble Mynes, told me that I was not to weep, for you said you would make Achilles marry me, and take me back with him to Phthia, we should have a wedding feast among the Myrmidons.
Homeric Greek
ἔκτεινεν, πέρσεν δὲ πόλιν θείοιο Μύνητος,
κλαίειν, ἀλλά μ' ἔφασκες Ἀχιλλῆος θείοιο
κουριδίην ἄλοχον θήσειν, ἄξειν τ' ἐνὶ νηυσὶν
ἐς Φθίην, δαίσειν δὲ γάμον μετὰ Μυρμιδόνεσσι.
300τώ σ' ἄμοτον κλαίω τεθνηότα μείλιχον αἰεί.
Transliteration
ekteinen, persen de polin theioio Munētos,
klaiein, alla m' ephaskes Achillēos theioio
kouridiēn alochon thēsein, axein t' eni nēusin
es Phthiēn, daisein de gamon meta Murmidonessi.
300tō s' amoton klaiō tethnēota meilichon aiei.
English · Butler
You were always kind to me and I shall never cease to grieve for you."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφατο κλαίουσ', ἐπὶ δὲ στενάχοντο γυναῖκες
Πάτροκλον πρόφασιν, σφῶν δ' αὐτῶν κήδε' ἑκάστη.
αὐτὸν δ' ἀμφὶ γέροντες Ἀχαιῶν ἠγερέθοντο
λισσόμενοι δειπνῆσαι: ὃ δ' ἠρνεῖτο στεναχίζων:
305λίσσομαι, εἴ τις ἔμοιγε φίλων ἐπιπείθεθ' ἑταίρων,
Transliteration
hōs ephato klaious', epi de stenachonto gunaikes
Patroklon prophasin, sphōn d' autōn kēde' hekastē.
auton d' amphi gerontes Achaiōn ēgerethonto
lissomenoi deipnēsai: ho d' ērneito stenachizōn:
305lissomai, ei tis emoige philōn epipeitheth' hetairōn,
English · Butler
She wept as she spoke, and the women joined in her lament-making as though their tears were for Patroklos, but in truth each was weeping for her own sorrows. The elders of the Achaeans gathered round Achilles and prayed him to take food, but he groaned and would not do so. "I pray you," said he, "if any comrade will hear me, bid me neither
Homeric Greek
μή με πρὶν σίτοιο κελεύετε μηδὲ ποτῆτος
ἄσασθαι φίλον ἦτορ, ἐπεί μ' ἄχος αἰνὸν ἱκάνει:
δύντα δ' ἐς ἠέλιον μενέω καὶ τλήσομαι ἔμπης.
ὣς εἰπὼν ἄλλους μὲν ἀπεσκέδασεν βασιλῆας,
310δοιὼ δ' Ἀτρεί̈δα μενέτην καὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
Transliteration
mē me prin sitoio keleuete mēde potētos
asasthai philon ētor, epei m' achos ainon hikanei:
dunta d' es ēelion meneō kai tlēsomai empēs.
hōs eipōn allous men apeskedasen basilēas,
310doiō d' Atreïda menetēn kai dios Odusseus
English · Butler
eat nor drink, for I am in great heaviness, and will stay fasting even to the going down of the sun." On this he sent the other princes away, save only the two sons of Atreus and Odysseus, Nestor, Idomeneus, and the horseman Phoenix, who stayed behind and tried to comfort him in the bitterness of his sorrow : but he would not be comforted till he should have flung himself into the jaws of battle, and he fetched sigh on sigh, thinking ever of Patroklos.
Homeric Greek
Νέστωρ Ἰδομενεύς τε γέρων θ' ἱππηλάτα Φοῖνιξ
τέρποντες πυκινῶς ἀκαχήμενον: οὐδέ τι θυμῷ
τέρπετο, πρὶν πολέμου στόμα δύμεναι αἱματόεντος.
μνησάμενος δ' ἁδινῶς ἀνενείκατο φώνησέν τε:
315ἦ ῥά νύ μοί ποτε καὶ σὺ δυσάμμορε φίλταθ' ἑταίρων
Transliteration
Nestōr Idomeneus te gerōn th' hippēlata Phoinix
terpontes pukinōs akachēmenon: oude ti thumōi
terpeto, prin polemou stoma dumenai haimatoentos.
mnēsamenos d' hadinōs aneneikato phōnēsen te:
315ē rha nu moi pote kai su dusammore philtath' hetairōn
English · Butler
Then he said- "Hapless and dearest comrade, you it was who would get a good dinner ready for me at once and without delay when the Achaeans were hastening to fight the Trojans; now, therefore, though I have meat and drink in my tents, yet will I fast for sorrow.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὸς ἐνὶ κλισίῃ λαρὸν παρὰ δεῖπνον ἔθηκας
αἶψα καὶ ὀτραλέως, ὁπότε σπερχοίατ' Ἀχαιοὶ
Τρωσὶν ἐφ' ἱπποδάμοισι φέρειν πολύδακρυν Ἄρηα.
νῦν δὲ σὺ μὲν κεῖσαι δεδαϊγμένος, αὐτὰρ ἐμὸν κῆρ
320ἄκμηνον πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἔνδον ἐόντων
Transliteration
autos eni klisiēi laron para deipnon ethēkas
aipsa kai otraleōs, hopote sperchoiat' Achaioi
Trōsin eph' hippodamoisi pherein poludakrun Arēa.
nun de su men keisai dedaïgmenos, autar emon kēr
320akmēnon posios kai edētuos endon eontōn
English · Butler
"Hapless and dearest comrade, you it was who would get a good dinner ready for me at once and without delay when the Achaeans were hastening to fight the Trojans; now, therefore, though I have meat and drink in my tents, yet will I fast for sorrow. Grief greater than this I could not know, not even though I were to hear of the death of my father, who is now in Phthia weeping for the loss of me his son, who am here fighting the Trojans
Homeric Greek
σῇ ποθῇ: οὐ μὲν γάρ τι κακώτερον ἄλλο πάθοιμι,
οὐδ' εἴ κεν τοῦ πατρὸς ἀποφθιμένοιο πυθοίμην,
ὅς που νῦν Φθίηφι τέρεν κατὰ δάκρυον εἴβει
χήτεϊ τοιοῦδ' υἷος: ὃ δ' ἀλλοδαπῷ ἐνὶ δήμῳ
325εἵνεκα ῥιγεδανῆς Ἑλένης Τρωσὶν πολεμίζω:
Transliteration
sēi pothēi: ou men gar ti kakōteron allo pathoimi,
oud' ei ken tou patros apophthimenoio puthoimēn,
hos pou nun Phthiēphi teren kata dakruon eibei
chēteï toioud' huios: ho d' allodapōi eni dēmōi
325heineka rhigedanēs Helenēs Trōsin polemizō:
English · Butler
in a strange land for the accursed sake of Helen, nor yet though I should hear that my son is no more - he who is being brought up in Skyros - if indeed Neoptolemos is still living. Till now I made sure that I
Homeric Greek
ἠὲ τὸν ὃς Σκύρῳ μοι ἔνι τρέφεται φίλος υἱός,
εἴ που ἔτι ζώει γε Νεοπτόλεμος θεοειδής.
πρὶν μὲν γάρ μοι θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐώλπει
οἶον ἐμὲ φθίσεσθαι ἀπ' Ἄργεος ἱπποβότοιο
330αὐτοῦ ἐνὶ Τροίῃ, σὲ δέ τε Φθίην δὲ νέεσθαι,
Transliteration
ēe ton hos Skurōi moi eni trephetai philos huios,
ei pou eti zōei ge Neoptolemos theoeidēs.
prin men gar moi thumos eni stēthessin eōlpei
oion eme phthisesthai ap' Argeos hippobotoio
330autou eni Troiēi, se de te Phthiēn de neesthai,
English · Butler
alone was to fall here at Troy away from Argos, while you were to return to Phthia, bring back my son with you in your own ship, and show him all my property, my bondsmen,
Homeric Greek
ὡς ἄν μοι τὸν παῖδα θοῇ ἐνὶ νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ
Σκυρόθεν ἐξαγάγοις καί οἱ δείξειας ἕκαστα
κτῆσιν ἐμὴν δμῶάς τε καὶ ὑψερεφὲς μέγα δῶμα.
ἤδη γὰρ Πηλῆά γ' ὀί̈ομαι ἢ κατὰ πάμπαν
335τεθνάμεν, ἤ που τυτθὸν ἔτι ζώοντ' ἀκάχησθαι
Transliteration
hōs an moi ton paida thoēi eni nēï melainēi
Skurothen exagagois kai hoi deixeias hekasta
ktēsin emēn dmōas te kai hupserephes mega dōma.
ēdē gar Pēlēa g' oïomai ē kata pampan
335tethnamen, ē pou tutthon eti zōont' akachēsthai
English · Butler
and the greatness of my house - for Peleus must surely be either dead, or what little life remains to him is oppressed alike with the infirmities of age and ever present fear lest he should
Homeric Greek
γήραί̈ τε στυγερῷ καὶ ἐμὴν ποτιδέγμενον αἰεὶ
λυγρὴν ἀγγελίην, ὅτ' ἀποφθιμένοιο πύθηται.
ὣς ἔφατο κλαίων, ἐπὶ δὲ στενάχοντο γέροντες,
μνησάμενοι τὰ ἕκαστος ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἔλειπον:
340μυρομένους δ' ἄρα τούς γε ἰδὼν ἐλέησε Κρονίων,
Transliteration
gēraï te stugerōi kai emēn potidegmenon aiei
lugrēn angeliēn, hot' apophthimenoio puthētai.
hōs ephato klaiōn, epi de stenachonto gerontes,
mnēsamenoi ta hekastos eni megaroisin eleipon:
340muromenous d' ara tous ge idōn eleēse Kroniōn,
English · Butler
hear the sad tidings of my death." He wept as he spoke, and the elders sighed in concert as each thought on what he had left at home behind him. The son of Kronos looked down with pity upon them, and said presently to Athena, "My child, you have quite deserted your hero; is he then gone so clean out of your recollection?
Homeric Greek
αἶψα δ' Ἀθηναίην ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
τέκνον ἐμόν, δὴ πάμπαν ἀποίχεαι ἀνδρὸς ἑῆος.
ἦ νύ τοι οὐκέτι πάγχυ μετὰ φρεσὶ μέμβλετ' Ἀχιλλεύς;
κεῖνος ὅ γε προπάροιθε νεῶν ὀρθοκραιράων
345ἧσται ὀδυρόμενος ἕταρον φίλον: οἳ δὲ δὴ ἄλλοι
Transliteration
aipsa d' Athēnaiēn epea pteroenta prosēuda:
teknon emon, dē pampan apoicheai andros heēos.
ē nu toi ouketi panchu meta phresi memblet' Achilleus;
keinos ho ge proparoithe neōn orthokrairaōn
345hēstai oduromenos hetaron philon: hoi de dē alloi
English · Butler
There he sits by the ships all desolate for the loss of his dear comrade, and though the others are gone to their dinner he will neither eat nor drink. Go then and drop nectar and
Homeric Greek
οἴχονται μετὰ δεῖπνον, ὃ δ' ἄκμηνος καὶ ἄπαστος.
ἀλλ' ἴθι οἱ νέκτάρ τε καὶ ἀμβροσίην ἐρατεινὴν
στάξον ἐνὶ στήθεσσ', ἵνα μή μιν λιμὸς ἵκηται.
ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε πάρος μεμαυῖαν Ἀθήνην:
350ἣ δ' ἅρπῃ ἐϊκυῖα τανυπτέρυγι λιγυφώνῳ
Transliteration
oichontai meta deipnon, ho d' akmēnos kai apastos.
all' ithi hoi nektar te kai ambrosiēn erateinēn
staxon eni stēthess', hina mē min limos hikētai.
hōs eipōn otrune paros memauian Athēnēn:
350hē d' harpēi eïkuia tanupterugi liguphōnōi
English · Butler
ambrosia into his breast, that he may know no hunger." With these words he urged Athena, who was already of the same mind. She darted down from heaven into the air like some falcon sailing on his broad wings and screaming.
Homeric Greek
οὐρανοῦ ἐκκατεπᾶλτο δι' αἰθέρος. αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ
αὐτίκα θωρήσσοντο κατὰ στρατόν: ἣ δ' Ἀχιλῆϊ
νέκταρ ἐνὶ στήθεσσι καὶ ἀμβροσίην ἐρατεινὴν
στάξ', ἵνα μή μιν λιμὸς ἀτερπὴς γούναθ' ἵκοιτο:
355αὐτὴ δὲ πρὸς πατρὸς ἐρισθενέος πυκινὸν δῶ
Transliteration
ouranou ekkatepalto di' aitheros. autar Achaioi
autika thōrēssonto kata straton: hē d' Achilēï
nektar eni stēthessi kai ambrosiēn erateinēn
stax', hina mē min limos aterpēs gounath' hikoito:
355autē de pros patros eristheneos pukinon dō
English · Butler
Meanwhile the Achaeans were arming throughout the host, and when Athena had dropped nectar and ambrosia into Achilles so that no cruel hunger should cause his limbs to fail him, she went back to the house of her mighty father. Thick as the chill snow-flakes shed from the hand
Homeric Greek
ᾤχετο, τοὶ δ' ἀπάνευθε νεῶν ἐχέοντο θοάων.
ὡς δ' ὅτε ταρφειαὶ νιφάδες Διὸς ἐκποτέονται
ψυχραὶ ὑπὸ ῥιπῆς αἰθρηγενέος Βορέαο,
ὣς τότε ταρφειαὶ κόρυθες λαμπρὸν γανόωσαι
360νηῶν ἐκφορέοντο καὶ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι
Transliteration
ōicheto, toi d' apaneuthe neōn echeonto thoaōn.
hōs d' hote tarpheiai niphades Dios ekpoteontai
psuchrai hupo rhipēs aithrēgeneos Boreao,
hōs tote tarpheiai koruthes lampron ganoōsai
360nēōn ekphoreonto kai aspides omphaloessai
English · Butler
of Zeus and borne on the keen blasts of the north wind, even so thick did the gleaming helmets, the bossed shields, the strongly plated breastplates, and the ashen spears stream from the ships. The sheen pierced the sky, the whole land was radiant with their flashing armor, and the sound of the tramp of their treading rose from under their feet.
Homeric Greek
θώρηκές τε κραταιγύαλοι καὶ μείλινα δοῦρα.
αἴγλη δ' οὐρανὸν ἷκε, γέλασσε δὲ πᾶσα περὶ χθὼν
χαλκοῦ ὑπὸ στεροπῆς: ὑπὸ δὲ κτύπος ὄρνυτο ποσσὶν
ἀνδρῶν: ἐν δὲ μέσοισι κορύσσετο δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.
365τοῦ καὶ ὀδόντων μὲν καναχὴ πέλε, τὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε
Transliteration
thōrēkes te krataigualoi kai meilina doura.
aiglē d' ouranon hike, gelasse de pasa peri chthōn
chalkou hupo steropēs: hupo de ktupos ornuto possin
andrōn: en de mesoisi korusseto dios Achilleus.
365tou kai odontōn men kanachē pele, tō de hoi osse
English · Butler
In the midst of them all Achilles put on his armor; he gnashed his teeth, his eyes gleamed like fire, for his grief was greater than he could bear. Thus, then, full of fury against the Trojans, did he don the
Homeric Greek
λαμπέσθην ὡς εἴ τε πυρὸς σέλας, ἐν δέ οἱ ἦτορ
δῦν' ἄχος ἄτλητον: ὃ δ' ἄρα Τρωσὶν μενεαίνων
δύσετο δῶρα θεοῦ, τά οἱ Ἥφαιστος κάμε τεύχων.
κνημῖδας μὲν πρῶτα περὶ κνήμῃσιν ἔθηκε
370καλὰς ἀργυρέοισιν ἐπισφυρίοις ἀραρυίας:
Transliteration
lampesthēn hōs ei te puros selas, en de hoi ētor
dun' achos atlēton: ho d' ara Trōsin meneainōn
duseto dōra theou, ta hoi Hēphaistos kame teuchōn.
knēmidas men prōta peri knēmēisin ethēke
370kalas argureoisin episphuriois araruias:
English · Butler
gift of the god, the armor that Hephaistos had made him. First he put on the goodly greaves fitted with ankle-clasps, and next he did on the breastplate about his chest. He slung the silver-studded sword of bronze about his shoulders,
Homeric Greek
δεύτερον αὖ θώρηκα περὶ στήθεσσιν ἔδυνεν.
ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' ὤμοισιν βάλετο ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον
χάλκεον: αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα σάκος μέγα τε στιβαρόν τε
εἵλετο, τοῦ δ' ἀπάνευθε σέλας γένετ' ἠύ̈τε μήνης.
375ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ἐκ πόντοιο σέλας ναύτῃσι φανήῃ
Transliteration
deuteron au thōrēka peri stēthessin edunen.
amphi d' ar' ōmoisin baleto xiphos arguroēlon
chalkeon: autar epeita sakos mega te stibaron te
heileto, tou d' apaneuthe selas genet' ēüte mēnēs.
375hōs d' hot' an ek pontoio selas nautēisi phanēēi
English · Butler
and then took up the shield so great and strong that shone afar with a splendor as of the moon. As the light seen by sailors from out at sea, when men have lit a fire in their homestead high up among the mountains, but the sailors are carried out to sea by wind and storm
Homeric Greek
καιομένοιο πυρός, τό τε καίεται ὑψόθ' ὄρεσφι
σταθμῷ ἐν οἰοπόλῳ: τοὺς δ' οὐκ ἐθέλοντας ἄελλαι
πόντον ἐπ' ἰχθυόεντα φίλων ἀπάνευθε φέρουσιν:
ὣς ἀπ' Ἀχιλλῆος σάκεος σέλας αἰθέρ' ἵκανε
380καλοῦ δαιδαλέου: περὶ δὲ τρυφάλειαν ἀείρας
Transliteration
kaiomenoio puros, to te kaietai hupsoth' oresphi
stathmōi en oiopolōi: tous d' ouk ethelontas aellai
ponton ep' ichthuoenta philōn apaneuthe pherousin:
hōs ap' Achillēos sakeos selas aither' hikane
380kalou daidaleou: peri de truphaleian aeiras
English · Butler
far from the haven where they would be - even so did the gleam of Achilles' wondrous shield strike up into the heavens. He lifted the redoubtable helmet, and set it upon his head, from whence it shone like a star, and the golden plumes which Hephaistos
Homeric Greek
κρατὶ θέτο βριαρήν: ἣ δ' ἀστὴρ ὣς ἀπέλαμπεν
ἵππουρις τρυφάλεια, περισσείοντο δ' ἔθειραι
χρύσεαι, ἃς Ἥφαιστος ἵει λόφον ἀμφὶ θαμειάς.
πειρήθη δ' ἕο αὐτοῦ ἐν ἔντεσι δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,
385εἰ οἷ ἐφαρμόσσειε καὶ ἐντρέχοι ἀγλαὰ γυῖα:
Transliteration
krati theto briarēn: hē d' astēr hōs apelampen
hippouris truphaleia, perisseionto d' etheirai
chruseai, has Hēphaistos hiei lophon amphi thameias.
peirēthē d' heo autou en entesi dios Achilleus,
385ei hoi epharmosseie kai entrechoi aglaa guia:
English · Butler
had set thick about the ridge of the helmet, waved all around it. Then Achilles made trial of himself in his armor to see whether it fitted him, so that his limbs could play freely under it, and it seemed to buoy him
Homeric Greek
τῷ δ' εὖτε πτερὰ γίγνετ', ἄειρε δὲ ποιμένα λαῶν.
ἐκ δ' ἄρα σύριγγος πατρώϊον ἐσπάσατ' ἔγχος
βριθὺ μέγα στιβαρόν: τὸ μὲν οὐ δύνατ' ἄλλος Ἀχαιῶν
πάλλειν, ἀλλά μιν οἶος ἐπίστατο πῆλαι Ἀχιλλεύς:
390Πηλιάδα μελίην, τὴν πατρὶ φίλῳ πόρε Χείρων
Transliteration
tōi d' eute ptera gignet', aeire de poimena laōn.
ek d' ara suringos patrōïon espasat' enchos
brithu mega stibaron: to men ou dunat' allos Achaiōn
pallein, alla min oios epistato pēlai Achilleus:
390Pēliada meliēn, tēn patri philōi pore Cheirōn
English · Butler
up as though it had been wings. He also drew his father's spear out of the spear-stand, a spear so great and heavy and strong that none of the Achaeans save only Achilles had strength to wield it; this was the spear of Pelian ash from the topmost ridges of Mount Pelion, which Chiron had once given to Peleus, fraught with the death of heroes. Automedon and Alkimos busied themselves with the harnessing of his horses; they made the bands fast about them, and put the bit in their mouths, drawing the reins back towards the chariot.
Homeric Greek
Πηλίου ἐκ κορυφῆς φόνον ἔμμεναι ἡρώεσσιν:
ἵππους δ' Αὐτομέδων τε καὶ Ἄλκιμος ἀμφιέποντες
ζεύγνυον: ἀμφὶ δὲ καλὰ λέπαδν' ἕσαν, ἐν δὲ χαλινοὺς
γαμφηλῇς ἔβαλον, κατὰ δ' ἡνία τεῖναν ὀπίσσω
395κολλητὸν ποτὶ δίφρον. ὃ δὲ μάστιγα φαεινὴν
Transliteration
Pēliou ek koruphēs phonon emmenai hērōessin:
hippous d' Automedōn te kai Alkimos amphiepontes
zeugnuon: amphi de kala lepadn' hesan, en de chalinous
gamphēlēis ebalon, kata d' hēnia teinan opissō
395kollēton poti diphron. ho de mastiga phaeinēn
English · Butler
Automedon, whip in hand, sprang up behind the horses, and after him Achilles mounted in full armor, resplendent as the sun-god Hyperion. Then with a loud voice he chided with his father's horses saying, "Xanthos and Balios,
Homeric Greek
χειρὶ λαβὼν ἀραρυῖαν ἐφ' ἵπποιιν ἀνόρουσεν
Αὐτομέδων: ὄπιθεν δὲ κορυσσάμενος βῆ Ἀχιλλεὺς
τεύχεσι παμφαίνων ὥς τ' ἠλέκτωρ Ὑπερίων,
σμερδαλέον δ' ἵπποισιν ἐκέκλετο πατρὸς ἑοῖο:
400Ξάνθέ τε καὶ Βαλίε τηλεκλυτὰ τέκνα Ποδάργης
Transliteration
cheiri labōn araruian eph' hippoiin anorousen
Automedōn: opithen de korussamenos bē Achilleus
teuchesi pamphainōn hōs t' ēlektōr Huperiōn,
smerdaleon d' hippoisin ekekleto patros heoio:
400Xanthe te kai Balie tēlekluta tekna Podargēs
English · Butler
famed offspring of Podarge - this time when we have done fighting be sure and bring your driver safely back to the host of the
Homeric Greek
ἄλλως δὴ φράζεσθε σαωσέμεν ἡνιοχῆα
ἂψ Δαναῶν ἐς ὅμιλον ἐπεί χ' ἕωμεν πολέμοιο,
μηδ' ὡς Πάτροκλον λίπετ' αὐτόθι τεθνηῶτα.
τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπὸ ζυγόφι προσέφη πόδας αἰόλος ἵππος
405Ξάνθος, ἄφαρ δ' ἤμυσε καρήατι: πᾶσα δὲ χαίτη
Transliteration
allōs dē phrazesthe saōsemen hēniochēa
aps Danaōn es homilon epei ch' heōmen polemoio,
mēd' hōs Patroklon lipet' autothi tethnēōta.
ton d' ar' hupo zugophi prosephē podas aiolos hippos
405Xanthos, aphar d' ēmuse karēati: pasa de chaitē
English · Butler
Achaeans, and do not leave him dead on the plain as you did Patroklos." Then fleet Xanthos answered under the yoke - for white-armed Hera had endowed him with human speech - and he bowed his head till his mane touched the ground as it hung down from under the yoke-band. "Dread Achilles," said he, "we will indeed save you
Homeric Greek
ζεύγλης ἐξεριποῦσα παρὰ ζυγὸν οὖδας ἵκανεν:
αὐδήεντα δ' ἔθηκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη:
καὶ λίην σ' ἔτι νῦν γε σαώσομεν ὄβριμ' Ἀχιλλεῦ:
ἀλλά τοι ἐγγύθεν ἦμαρ ὀλέθριον: οὐδέ τοι ἡμεῖς
410αἴτιοι, ἀλλὰ θεός τε μέγας καὶ Μοῖρα κραταιή.
Transliteration
zeuglēs exeripousa para zugon oudas hikanen:
audēenta d' ethēke thea leukōlenos Hērē:
kai liēn s' eti nun ge saōsomen obrim' Achilleu:
alla toi enguthen ēmar olethrion: oude toi hēmeis
410aitioi, alla theos te megas kai Moira krataiē.
English · Butler
now, but the day of your death is near, and we will not be responsible, for it will be heaven and stern fate that will destroy you. Neither was it through any sloth or slackness on our part that the Trojans stripped Patroklos of his armor; it was the mighty god whom lovely Leto bore that slew him as he fought among the foremost, and granted a triumph to Hektor.
Homeric Greek
οὐδὲ γὰρ ἡμετέρῃ βραδυτῆτί τε νωχελίῃ τε
Τρῶες ἀπ' ὤμοιιν Πατρόκλου τεύχε' ἕλοντο:
ἀλλὰ θεῶν ὤριστος, ὃν ἠύ̈κομος τέκε Λητώ,
ἔκταν' ἐνὶ προμάχοισι καὶ Ἕκτορι κῦδος ἔδωκε.
415νῶϊ δὲ καί κεν ἅμα πνοιῇ Ζεφύροιο θέοιμεν,
Transliteration
oude gar hēmeterēi bradutēti te nōcheliēi te
Trōes ap' ōmoiin Patroklou teuche' helonto:
alla theōn ōristos, hon ēükomos teke Lētō,
ektan' eni promachoisi kai Hektori kudos edōke.
415nōï de kai ken hama pnoiēi Zephuroio theoimen,
English · Butler
We two can fly as swiftly as Zephyros who they say is fleetest of all winds; nevertheless it is your doom to fall by the hand of a
Homeric Greek
ἥν περ ἐλαφροτάτην φάσ' ἔμμεναι: ἀλλὰ σοὶ αὐτῷ
μόρσιμόν ἐστι θεῷ τε καὶ ἀνέρι ἶφι δαμῆναι.
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσαντος Ἐρινύες ἔσχεθον αὐδήν.
τὸν δὲ μέγ' ὀχθήσας προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:
420Ξάνθε τί μοι θάνατον μαντεύεαι; οὐδέ τί σε χρή.
Transliteration
hēn per elaphrotatēn phas' emmenai: alla soi autōi
morsimon esti theōi te kai aneri iphi damēnai.
hōs ara phōnēsantos Erinues eschethon audēn.
ton de meg' ochthēsas prosephē podas ōkus Achilleus:
420Xanthe ti moi thanaton manteueai; oude ti se chrē.
English · Butler
man and of a god." When he had thus spoken, the Erinyes stayed his speech, and Achilles answered him in great sadness, saying, "Why, O Xanthos, do you thus foretell my death? You need not do so, for I well know that I am to fall here, far from my dear father and mother;
Homeric Greek
εὖ νυ τὸ οἶδα καὶ αὐτὸς ὅ μοι μόρος ἐνθάδ' ὀλέσθαι
νόσφι φίλου πατρὸς καὶ μητέρος: ἀλλὰ καὶ ἔμπης
οὐ λήξω πρὶν Τρῶας ἅδην ἐλάσαι πολέμοιο.
ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἐν πρώτοις ἰάχων ἔχε μώνυχας ἵππους.
Transliteration
eu nu to oida kai autos ho moi moros enthad' olesthai
nosphi philou patros kai mēteros: alla kai empēs
ou lēxō prin Trōas hadēn elasai polemoio.
ē rha, kai en prōtois iachōn eche mōnuchas hippous.
English · Butler
none the more, however, shall I stay my hand till I have given the Trojans their fill of fighting." So saying, with a loud cry he drove his horses to the front.