Book XXII

Homeric Greek

1ὣς οἳ μὲν κατὰ ἄστυ πεφυζότες ἠύ̈τε νεβροὶ

ἱδρῶ ἀπεψύχοντο πίον τ' ἀκέοντό τε δίψαν

κεκλιμένοι καλῇσιν ἐπάλξεσιν: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ

τείχεος ἆσσον ἴσαν σάκε' ὤμοισι κλίναντες.

5Ἕκτορα δ' αὐτοῦ μεῖναι ὀλοιὴ μοῖρα πέδησεν

Transliteration

1hōs hoi men kata asty pephyzotes ēÿte nebroi

hidrō apepsychonto pion t' akeonto te dipsan

keklimenoi kalēisin epalxesin: autar Achaioi

teicheos asson isan sake' ōmoisi klinantes.

5Hektora d' autou meinai oloiē moira pedēsen

English

Thus the Trojans in the city, scared like fawns, wiped the sweat from off them and drank to quench their thirst, leaning against the goodly battlements, while the Achaeans with their shields laid upon their shoulders drew close up to the walls. But stern fate bade Hektor stay where he was before Ilion and the Scaean gates.

Homeric Greek

Ἰλίου προπάροιθε πυλάων τε Σκαιάων.

αὐτὰρ Πηλείωνα προσηύδα Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων:

τίπτέ με Πηλέος υἱὲ ποσὶν ταχέεσσι διώκεις

αὐτὸς θνητὸς ἐὼν θεὸν ἄμβροτον; οὐδέ νύ πώ με

10ἔγνως ὡς θεός εἰμι, σὺ δ' ἀσπερχὲς μενεαίνεις.

Transliteration

Iliou proparoithe pylaōn te Skaiaōn.

autar Pēleiōna prosēuda Phoibos Apollōn:

tipte me Pēleos huie posin tacheessi diōkeis

autos thnētos eōn theon ambroton; oude ny pō me

10egnōs hōs theos eimi, sy d' asperches meneaineis.

English

Then Phoebus Apollo spoke to the son of Peleus saying, "Why, son of Peleus, do you, who are but man, give chase to me who am immortal? Have you not yet found out that it is a god whom you pursue so furiously?

Homeric Greek

ἦ νύ τοι οὔ τι μέλει Τρώων πόνος, οὓς ἐφόβησας,

οἳ δή τοι εἰς ἄστυ ἄλεν, σὺ δὲ δεῦρο λιάσθης.

οὐ μέν με κτενέεις, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι μόρσιμός εἰμι.

τὸν δὲ μέγ' ὀχθήσας προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:

15ἔβλαψάς μ' ἑκάεργε θεῶν ὀλοώτατε πάντων

Transliteration

ē ny toi ou ti melei Trōōn ponos, hous ephobēsas,

hoi dē toi eis asty alen, sy de deuro liasthēs.

ou men me kteneeis, epei ou toi morsimos eimi.

ton de meg' ochthēsas prosephē podas ōkys Achilleus:

15eblapsas m' hekaerge theōn oloōtate pantōn

English

You did not inflict struggles on the Trojans whom you had routed, and now they are within their walls, while you have been decoyed hither away from them. Me you cannot kill, for death can take no hold upon me." Achilles was greatly angered and said, "You have baulked me, Far-Darter, most malicious of all gods, and have drawn me away from

Homeric Greek

ἐνθάδε νῦν τρέψας ἀπὸ τείχεος: ἦ κ' ἔτι πολλοὶ

γαῖαν ὀδὰξ εἷλον πρὶν Ἴλιον εἰσαφικέσθαι.

νῦν δ' ἐμὲ μὲν μέγα κῦδος ἀφείλεο, τοὺς δὲ σάωσας

ῥηϊδίως, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι τίσιν γ' ἔδεισας ὀπίσσω.

20ἦ σ' ἂν τισαίμην, εἴ μοι δύναμίς γε παρείη.

Transliteration

enthade nyn trepsas apo teicheos: ē k' eti polloi

gaian odax heilon prin Ilion eisaphikesthai.

nyn d' eme men mega kydos apheileo, tous de saōsas

rhēïdiōs, epei ou ti tisin g' edeisas opissō.

20ē s' an tisaimēn, ei moi dynamis ge pareiē.

English

the wall, where many another man would have bitten the dust ere he got within Ilion; you have robbed me of great glory and have saved the Trojans at no risk to yourself, for you have nothing to fear, but I would indeed have my revenge if it were in my power to do so."

Homeric Greek

ὣς εἰπὼν προτὶ ἄστυ μέγα φρονέων ἐβεβήκει,

σευάμενος ὥς θ' ἵππος ἀεθλοφόρος σὺν ὄχεσφιν,

ὅς ῥά τε ῥεῖα θέῃσι τιταινόμενος πεδίοιο:

ὣς Ἀχιλεὺς λαιψηρὰ πόδας καὶ γούνατ' ἐνώμα.

25τὸν δ' ὃ γέρων Πρίαμος πρῶτος ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσι

Transliteration

hōs eipōn proti asty mega phroneōn ebebēkei,

seuamenos hōs th' hippos aethlophoros syn ochesphin,

hos rha te rheia theēisi titainomenos pedioio:

hōs Achileus laipsēra podas kai gounat' enōma.

25ton d' ho gerōn Priamos prōtos iden ophthalmoisi

English

On this, with fell intent he made towards the city, and as the winning horse in a chariot race strains every nerve when he is flying over the plain, even so fast and furiously did the limbs of Achilles bear him onwards.

Homeric Greek

παμφαίνονθ' ὥς τ' ἀστέρ' ἐπεσσύμενον πεδίοιο,

ὅς ῥά τ' ὀπώρης εἶσιν, ἀρίζηλοι δέ οἱ αὐγαὶ

φαίνονται πολλοῖσι μετ' ἀστράσι νυκτὸς ἀμολγῷ,

ὅν τε κύν' Ὠρίωνος ἐπίκλησιν καλέουσι.

30λαμπρότατος μὲν ὅ γ' ἐστί, κακὸν δέ τε σῆμα τέτυκται,

Transliteration

pamphainonth' hōs t' aster' epessymenon pedioio,

hos rha t' opōrēs eisin, arizēloi de hoi augai

phainontai polloisi met' astrasi nyktos amolgōi,

hon te kyn' Ōriōnos epiklēsin kaleousi.

30lamprotatos men ho g' esti, kakon de te sēma tetyktai,

English

King Priam was first to note him as he scoured the plain, all radiant as the star which men call Orion's Hound, and whose beams blaze forth in time of harvest more brilliantly than those of any other that shines by night;

Homeric Greek

καί τε φέρει πολλὸν πυρετὸν δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσιν:

ὣς τοῦ χαλκὸς ἔλαμπε περὶ στήθεσσι θέοντος.

ᾤμωξεν δ' ὃ γέρων, κεφαλὴν δ' ὅ γε κόψατο χερσὶν

ὑψόσ' ἀνασχόμενος, μέγα δ' οἰμώξας ἐγεγώνει

35λισσόμενος φίλον υἱόν: ὃ δὲ προπάροιθε πυλάων

Transliteration

kai te pherei pollon pyreton deiloisi brotoisin:

hōs tou chalkos elampe peri stēthessi theontos.

ōimōxen d' ho gerōn, kephalēn d' ho ge kopsato chersin

hypsos' anaschomenos, mega d' oimōxas egegōnei

35lissomenos philon huion: ho de proparoithe pylaōn

English

brightest of them all though he be, he yet sends an ill sign for mortals, for he brings fire and fever in his train - even so did Achilles' armor gleam on his breast as he sped onwards. Priam raised a cry and beat his head with his hands as he lifted them up and shouted out to his dear son, imploring him to return;

Homeric Greek

ἑστήκει ἄμοτον μεμαὼς Ἀχιλῆϊ μάχεσθαι:

τὸν δ' ὃ γέρων ἐλεεινὰ προσηύδα χεῖρας ὀρεγνύς:

Ἕκτορ μή μοι μίμνε φίλον τέκος ἀνέρα τοῦτον

οἶος ἄνευθ' ἄλλων, ἵνα μὴ τάχα πότμον ἐπίσπῃς

40Πηλεί̈ωνι δαμείς, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερός ἐστι

Transliteration

hestēkei amoton memaōs Achilēï machesthai:

ton d' ho gerōn eleeina prosēuda cheiras oregnys:

Hektor mē moi mimne philon tekos anera touton

oios aneuth' allōn, hina mē tacha potmon epispēis

40Pēleïōni dameis, epei ē poly pherteros esti

English

but Hektor still stayed before the gates, for his heart was set upon doing battle with Achilles. The old man reached out his arms towards him and bade him for pity's sake come within the walls. "Hektor," he cried, "my son, stay not to face this man alone and unsupported, or you will meet death at the hands of the son of Peleus, for he is mightier than you.

Homeric Greek

σχέτλιος: αἴθε θεοῖσι φίλος τοσσόνδε γένοιτο

ὅσσον ἐμοί: τάχα κέν ἑ κύνες καὶ γῦπες ἔδοιεν

κείμενον: ἦ κέ μοι αἰνὸν ἀπὸ πραπίδων ἄχος ἔλθοι:

ὅς μ' υἱῶν πολλῶν τε καὶ ἐσθλῶν εὖνιν ἔθηκε

45κτείνων καὶ περνὰς νήσων ἔπι τηλεδαπάων.

Transliteration

schetlios: aithe theoisi philos tossonde genoito

hosson emoi: tacha ken he kynes kai gypes edoien

keimenon: ē ke moi ainon apo prapidōn achos elthoi:

hos m' huiōn pollōn te kai esthlōn eunin ethēke

45kteinōn kai pernas nēsōn epi tēledapaōn.

English

Monster that he is; would indeed that the gods loved him no better than I do, for so, dogs and vultures would soon devour him as he lay stretched on earth, and a load of grief would be lifted from my heart, for many a brave son has he reft from me, either by killing

Homeric Greek

καὶ γὰρ νῦν δύο παῖδε Λυκάονα καὶ Πολύδωρον

οὐ δύναμαι ἰδέειν Τρώων εἰς ἄστυ ἀλέντων,

τούς μοι Λαοθόη τέκετο κρείουσα γυναικῶν.

ἀλλ' εἰ μὲν ζώουσι μετὰ στρατῷ, ἦ τ' ἂν ἔπειτα

50χαλκοῦ τε χρυσοῦ τ' ἀπολυσόμεθ', ἔστι γὰρ ἔνδον:

Transliteration

kai gar nyn dyo paide Lykaona kai Polydōron

ou dynamai ideein Trōōn eis asty alentōn,

tous moi Laothoē teketo kreiousa gynaikōn.

all' ei men zōousi meta stratōi, ē t' an epeita

50chalkou te chrysou t' apolysometh', esti gar endon:

English

them or selling them away in the islands that are beyond the sea: even now I miss two sons from among the Trojans who have thronged within the city, Lykaon and Polydoros, whom Laothoe peeress among women bore me. Should they be still alive and in the hands of the Achaeans, we will ransom them with

Homeric Greek

πολλὰ γὰρ ὤπασε παιδὶ γέρων ὀνομάκλυτος Ἄλτης.

εἰ δ' ἤδη τεθνᾶσι καὶ εἰν Ἀί̈δαο δόμοισιν,

ἄλγος ἐμῷ θυμῷ καὶ μητέρι τοὶ τεκόμεσθα:

λαοῖσιν δ' ἄλλοισι μινυνθαδιώτερον ἄλγος

55ἔσσεται, ἢν μὴ καὶ σὺ θάνῃς Ἀχιλῆϊ δαμασθείς.

Transliteration

polla gar ōpase paidi gerōn onomaklytos Altēs.

ei d' ēdē tethnasi kai ein Aïdao domoisin,

algos emōi thymōi kai mēteri toi tekomestha:

laoisin d' alloisi minynthadiōteron algos

55essetai, ēn mē kai sy thanēis Achilēï damastheis.

English

gold and bronze, of which we have store, for the old man Altes endowed his daughter richly; but if they are already dead and in the house of Hades, sorrow will it be to us two who were their parents; albeit the grief of others will be more short-lived unless you too perish at the hands of Achilles.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' εἰσέρχεο τεῖχος ἐμὸν τέκος, ὄφρα σαώσῃς

Τρῶας καὶ Τρῳάς, μὴ δὲ μέγα κῦδος ὀρέξῃς

Πηλεί̈δῃ, αὐτὸς δὲ φίλης αἰῶνος ἀμερθῇς.

πρὸς δ' ἐμὲ τὸν δύστηνον ἔτι φρονέοντ' ἐλέησον

60δύσμορον, ὅν ῥα πατὴρ Κρονίδης ἐπὶ γήραος οὐδῷ

Transliteration

all' eisercheo teichos emon tekos, ophra saōsēis

Trōas kai Trōias, mē de mega kydos orexēis

Pēleïdēi, autos de philēs aiōnos amerthēis.

pros d' eme ton dystēnon eti phroneont' eleēson

60dysmoron, hon rha patēr Kronidēs epi gēraos oudōi

English

Come, then, my son, within the city, to be the guardian of Trojan men and Trojan women, or you will both lose your own life and afford a mighty triumph to the son of Peleus. Have pity also on your unhappy father while life yet remains to him - on me, whom the son

Homeric Greek

αἴσῃ ἐν ἀργαλέῃ φθίσει κακὰ πόλλ' ἐπιδόντα

υἷάς τ' ὀλλυμένους ἑλκηθείσας τε θύγατρας,

καὶ θαλάμους κεραϊζομένους, καὶ νήπια τέκνα

βαλλόμενα προτὶ γαίῃ ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι,

65ἑλκομένας τε νυοὺς ὀλοῇς ὑπὸ χερσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.

Transliteration

aisēi en argaleēi phthisei kaka poll' epidonta

huias t' ollymenous helkētheisas te thygatras,

kai thalamous keraïzomenous, kai nēpia tekna

ballomena proti gaiēi en ainēi dēïotēti,

65helkomenas te nyous oloēis hypo chersin Achaiōn.

English

of Kronos will destroy by a terrible doom on the threshold of old age, after I have seen my sons slain and my daughters haled away as captives, my bridal chambers pillaged, little children dashed to earth amid the rage of battle, and my sons' wives dragged away by the cruel hands of the Achaeans;

Homeric Greek

αὐτὸν δ' ἂν πύματόν με κύνες πρώτῃσι θύρῃσιν

ὠμησταὶ ἐρύουσιν, ἐπεί κέ τις ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ

τύψας ἠὲ βαλὼν ῥεθέων ἐκ θυμὸν ἕληται,

οὓς τρέφον ἐν μεγάροισι τραπεζῆας θυραωρούς,

70οἵ κ' ἐμὸν αἷμα πιόντες ἀλύσσοντες περὶ θυμῷ

Transliteration

auton d' an pymaton me kynes prōtēisi thyrēisin

ōmēstai eryousin, epei ke tis oxeï chalkōi

typsas ēe balōn rhetheōn ek thymon helētai,

hous trephon en megaroisi trapezēas thyraōrous,

70hoi k' emon haima piontes alyssontes peri thymōi

English

in the end fierce hounds will tear me in pieces at my own gates after some one has beaten the life out of my body with sword or spear-hounds that I myself reared and fed at my own table to guard my gates, but who will yet lap my blood and then lie all distraught at my doors.

Homeric Greek

κείσοντ' ἐν προθύροισι. νέῳ δέ τε πάντ' ἐπέοικεν

ἄρηϊ κταμένῳ δεδαϊγμένῳ ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ

κεῖσθαι: πάντα δὲ καλὰ θανόντι περ ὅττι φανήῃ:

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ πολιόν τε κάρη πολιόν τε γένειον

75αἰδῶ τ' αἰσχύνωσι κύνες κταμένοιο γέροντος,

Transliteration

keisont' en prothyroisi. neōi de te pant' epeoiken

arēï ktamenōi dedaïgmenōi oxeï chalkōi

keisthai: panta de kala thanonti per hotti phanēēi:

all' hote dē polion te karē polion te geneion

75aidō t' aischynōsi kynes ktamenoio gerontos,

English

When a young man falls by the sword in battle, he may lie where he is and there is nothing unseemly; let what will be seen, all is honorable in death, but when an old man is slain there is nothing in this world more pitiable than that dogs should defile his

Homeric Greek

τοῦτο δὴ οἴκτιστον πέλεται δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσιν.

ἦ ῥ' ὃ γέρων, πολιὰς δ' ἄρ' ἀνὰ τρίχας ἕλκετο χερσὶ

τίλλων ἐκ κεφαλῆς: οὐδ' Ἕκτορι θυμὸν ἔπειθε.

μήτηρ δ' αὖθ' ἑτέρωθεν ὀδύρετο δάκρυ χέουσα

80κόλπον ἀνιεμένη, ἑτέρηφι δὲ μαζὸν ἀνέσχε:

Transliteration

touto dē oiktiston peletai deiloisi brotoisin.

ē rh' ho gerōn, polias d' ar' ana trichas helketo chersi

tillōn ek kephalēs: oud' Hektori thymon epeithe.

mētēr d' auth' heterōthen odyreto dakry cheousa

80kolpon aniemenē, heterēphi de mazon anesche:

English

gray hair and beard and all that men hide for shame." The old man tore his gray hair as he spoke, but he moved not the heart of Hektor. His mother hard by wept and moaned aloud as she bared her bosom and pointed to the breast which had suckled him.

Homeric Greek

καί μιν δάκρυ χέουσ' ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Ἕκτορ τέκνον ἐμὸν τάδε τ' αἴδεο καί μ' ἐλέησον

αὐτήν, εἴ ποτέ τοι λαθικηδέα μαζὸν ἐπέσχον:

τῶν μνῆσαι φίλε τέκνον ἄμυνε δὲ δήϊον ἄνδρα

85τείχεος ἐντὸς ἐών, μὴ δὲ πρόμος ἵστασο τούτῳ

Transliteration

kai min dakry cheous' epea pteroenta prosēuda:

Hektor teknon emon tade t' aideo kai m' eleēson

autēn, ei pote toi lathikēdea mazon epeschon:

tōn mnēsai phile teknon amyne de dēïon andra

85teicheos entos eōn, mē de promos histaso toutōi

English

"Hektor," she cried, weeping bitterly the while, "Hektor, my son, spurn not this breast, but have pity upon me too: if I have ever given you comfort from my own bosom, think on it now, dear son, and come within the wall to protect us from this man;

Homeric Greek

σχέτλιος: εἴ περ γάρ σε κατακτάνῃ, οὔ σ' ἔτ' ἔγωγε

κλαύσομαι ἐν λεχέεσσι φίλον θάλος, ὃν τέκον αὐτή,

οὐδ' ἄλοχος πολύδωρος: ἄνευθε δέ σε μέγα νῶϊν

Ἀργείων παρὰ νηυσὶ κύνες ταχέες κατέδονται.

90ὣς τώ γε κλαίοντε προσαυδήτην φίλον υἱὸν

Transliteration

schetlios: ei per gar se kataktanēi, ou s' et' egōge

klausomai en lecheessi philon thalos, hon tekon autē,

oud' alochos polydōros: aneuthe de se mega nōïn

Argeiōn para nēusi kynes tachees katedontai.

90hōs tō ge klaionte prosaudētēn philon huion

English

stand not without to meet him. Should the wretch kill you, neither I nor your richly dowered wife shall ever weep, dear offshoot of myself, over the bed on which you lie, for dogs will devour you at the ships of the Achaeans."

Homeric Greek

πολλὰ λισσομένω: οὐδ' Ἕκτορι θυμὸν ἔπειθον,

ἀλλ' ὅ γε μίμν' Ἀχιλῆα πελώριον ἆσσον ἰόντα.

ὡς δὲ δράκων ἐπὶ χειῇ ὀρέστερος ἄνδρα μένῃσι

βεβρωκὼς κακὰ φάρμακ', ἔδυ δέ τέ μιν χόλος αἰνός,

95σμερδαλέον δὲ δέδορκεν ἑλισσόμενος περὶ χειῇ:

Transliteration

polla lissomenō: oud' Hektori thymon epeithon,

all' ho ge mimn' Achilēa pelōrion asson ionta.

hōs de drakōn epi cheiēi oresteros andra menēisi

bebrōkōs kaka pharmak', edy de te min cholos ainos,

95smerdaleon de dedorken helissomenos peri cheiēi:

English

Thus did the two with many tears implore their son, but they moved not the heart of Hektor, and he stood his ground awaiting huge Achilles as he drew nearer towards him. As serpent in its den upon the mountains, full fed with deadly poisons, waits for the approach of man - he is filled with fury

Homeric Greek

ὣς Ἕκτωρ ἄσβεστον ἔχων μένος οὐχ ὑπεχώρει

πύργῳ ἔπι προὔχοντι φαεινὴν ἀσπίδ' ἐρείσας:

ὀχθήσας δ' ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν:

ὤ μοι ἐγών, εἰ μέν κε πύλας καὶ τείχεα δύω,

100Πουλυδάμας μοι πρῶτος ἐλεγχείην ἀναθήσει,

Transliteration

hōs Hektōr asbeston echōn menos ouch hypechōrei

pyrgōi epi prouchonti phaeinēn aspid' ereisas:

ochthēsas d' ara eipe pros hon megalētora thymon:

ō moi egōn, ei men ke pylas kai teichea dyō,

100Poulydamas moi prōtos elencheiēn anathēsei,

English

and his eyes glare terribly as he goes writhing round his den - even so Hektor leaned his shield against a tower that jutted out from the wall and stood where he was, undaunted. "Alas," said he to himself in the heaviness of his heart, "if I go within the gates, Polydamas will be

Homeric Greek

ὅς μ' ἐκέλευε Τρωσὶ ποτὶ πτόλιν ἡγήσασθαι

νύχθ' ὕπο τήνδ' ὀλοὴν ὅτε τ' ὤρετο δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.

ἀλλ' ἐγὼ οὐ πιθόμην: ἦ τ' ἂν πολὺ κέρδιον ἦεν.

νῦν δ' ἐπεὶ ὤλεσα λαὸν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ἐμῇσιν,

105αἰδέομαι Τρῶας καὶ Τρῳάδας ἑλκεσιπέπλους,

Transliteration

hos m' ekeleue Trōsi poti ptolin hēgēsasthai

nychth' hypo tēnd' oloēn hote t' ōreto dios Achilleus.

all' egō ou pithomēn: ē t' an poly kerdion ēen.

nyn d' epei ōlesa laon atasthaliēisin emēisin,

105aideomai Trōas kai Trōiadas helkesipeplous,

English

the first to heap reproach upon me, for it was he that urged me to lead the Trojans back to the city on that awful night when Achilles again came forth against us. I would not listen, but it would have been indeed better if I had done so.

Homeric Greek

μή ποτέ τις εἴπῃσι κακώτερος ἄλλος ἐμεῖο:

Ἕκτωρ ἧφι βίηφι πιθήσας ὤλεσε λαόν.

ὣς ἐρέουσιν: ἐμοὶ δὲ τότ' ἂν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη

ἄντην ἢ Ἀχιλῆα κατακτείναντα νέεσθαι,

110ἠέ κεν αὐτῷ ὀλέσθαι ἐϋκλειῶς πρὸ πόληος.

Transliteration

mē pote tis eipēisi kakōteros allos emeio:

Hektōr hēphi biēphi pithēsas ōlese laon.

hōs ereousin: emoi de tot' an poly kerdion eiē

antēn ē Achilēa katakteinanta neesthai,

110ēe ken autōi olesthai eÿkleiōs pro polēos.

English

Now that my folly has destroyed the host, I dare not look Trojan men and Trojan women in the face, lest a worse man should say, ‘Hektor has ruined us by his self-confidence.’ Surely it would be better for me to return after having fought Achilles and slain him, or to die gloriously here before the city.

Homeric Greek

εἰ δέ κεν ἀσπίδα μὲν καταθείομαι ὀμφαλόεσσαν

καὶ κόρυθα βριαρήν, δόρυ δὲ πρὸς τεῖχος ἐρείσας

αὐτὸς ἰὼν Ἀχιλῆος ἀμύμονος ἀντίος ἔλθω

καί οἱ ὑπόσχωμαι Ἑλένην καὶ κτήμαθ' ἅμ' αὐτῇ,

115πάντα μάλ' ὅσσά τ' Ἀλέξανδρος κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσὶν

Transliteration

ei de ken aspida men katatheiomai omphaloessan

kai korytha briarēn, dory de pros teichos ereisas

autos iōn Achilēos amymonos antios elthō

kai hoi hyposchōmai Helenēn kai ktēmath' ham' autēi,

115panta mal' hossa t' Alexandros koilēis eni nēusin

English

What, again, if were to lay down my shield and helmet, lean my spear against the wall and go straight up to noble Achilles? What if I were to promise to give up Helen, who was the fountainhead of all this war, and all the treasure

Homeric Greek

ἠγάγετο Τροίηνδ', ἥ τ' ἔπλετο νείκεος ἀρχή,

δωσέμεν Ἀτρεί̈δῃσιν ἄγειν, ἅμα δ' ἀμφὶς Ἀχαιοῖς

ἄλλ' ἀποδάσσεσθαι ὅσα τε πτόλις ἥδε κέκευθε:

Τρωσὶν δ' αὖ μετόπισθε γερούσιον ὅρκον ἕλωμαι

120μή τι κατακρύψειν, ἀλλ' ἄνδιχα πάντα δάσασθαι

Transliteration

ēgageto Troiēnd', hē t' epleto neikeos archē,

dōsemen Atreïdēisin agein, hama d' amphis Achaiois

all' apodassesthai hosa te ptolis hēde kekeuthe:

Trōsin d' au metopisthe gerousion horkon helōmai

120mē ti katakrypsein, all' andicha panta dasasthai

English

that Alexander brought with him in his ships to Troy, aye, and to let the Achaeans divide the half of everything that the city contains among themselves? I might make the Trojans, by the mouths of their princes, take a solemn oath that they would hide nothing,

Homeric Greek

κτῆσιν ὅσην πτολίεθρον ἐπήρατον ἐντὸς ἐέργει:

ἀλλὰ τί ἤ μοι ταῦτα φίλος διελέξατο θυμός;

μή μιν ἐγὼ μὲν ἵκωμαι ἰών, ὃ δέ μ' οὐκ ἐλεήσει

οὐδέ τί μ' αἰδέσεται, κτενέει δέ με γυμνὸν ἐόντα

125αὔτως ὥς τε γυναῖκα, ἐπεί κ' ἀπὸ τεύχεα δύω.

Transliteration

ktēsin hosēn ptoliethron epēraton entos eergei:

alla ti ē moi tauta philos dielexato thymos;

mē min egō men hikōmai iōn, ho de m' ouk eleēsei

oude ti m' aidesetai, kteneei de me gymnon eonta

125autōs hōs te gynaika, epei k' apo teuchea dyō.

English

but would divide into two shares all that is within the city - but why argue with myself in this way? Were I to go up to him he would show me no kind of mercy;

Homeric Greek

οὐ μέν πως νῦν ἔστιν ἀπὸ δρυὸς οὐδ' ἀπὸ πέτρης

τῷ ὀαριζέμεναι, ἅ τε παρθένος ἠί̈θεός τε

παρθένος ἠί̈θεός τ' ὀαρίζετον ἀλλήλοιιν.

βέλτερον αὖτ' ἔριδι ξυνελαυνέμεν ὅττι τάχιστα:

130εἴδομεν ὁπποτέρῳ κεν Ὀλύμπιος εὖχος ὀρέξῃ.

Transliteration

ou men pōs nyn estin apo dryos oud' apo petrēs

tōi oarizemenai, ha te parthenos ēïtheos te

parthenos ēïtheos t' oarizeton allēloiin.

belteron aut' eridi xynelaunemen hotti tachista:

130eidomen hoppoterōi ken Olympios euchos orexēi.

English

he would kill me then and there as easily as though I were a woman, when I had off my armor. There is no parleying with him from some rock or oak tree as young men and maidens prattle with one another. Better fight him at once, and learn to which of us Zeus will grant victory."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ὅρμαινε μένων, ὃ δέ οἱ σχεδὸν ἦλθεν Ἀχιλλεὺς

ἶσος Ἐνυαλίῳ κορυθάϊκι πτολεμιστῇ

σείων Πηλιάδα μελίην κατὰ δεξιὸν ὦμον

δεινήν: ἀμφὶ δὲ χαλκὸς ἐλάμπετο εἴκελος αὐγῇ

135ἢ πυρὸς αἰθομένου ἢ ἠελίου ἀνιόντος.

Transliteration

hōs hormaine menōn, ho de hoi schedon ēlthen Achilleus

isos Enyaliōi korythaïki ptolemistēi

seiōn Pēliada meliēn kata dexion ōmon

deinēn: amphi de chalkos elampeto eikelos augēi

135ē pyros aithomenou ē ēeliou aniontos.

English

Thus did he stand and ponder, but Achilles came up to him as it were Ares himself, plumed lord of battle. From his right shoulder he brandished his terrible spear of Pelian ash, and the bronze gleamed around him like flashing fire or the rays of the rising sun.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορα δ', ὡς ἐνόησεν, ἕλε τρόμος: οὐδ' ἄρ' ἔτ' ἔτλη

αὖθι μένειν, ὀπίσω δὲ πύλας λίπε, βῆ δὲ φοβηθείς:

Πηλεί̈δης δ' ἐπόρουσε ποσὶ κραιπνοῖσι πεποιθώς.

ἠύ̈τε κίρκος ὄρεσφιν ἐλαφρότατος πετεηνῶν

140ῥηϊδίως οἴμησε μετὰ τρήρωνα πέλειαν,

Transliteration

Hektora d', hōs enoēsen, hele tromos: oud' ar' et' etlē

authi menein, opisō de pylas lipe, bē de phobētheis:

Pēleïdēs d' eporouse posi kraipnoisi pepoithōs.

ēÿte kirkos oresphin elaphrotatos peteēnōn

140rhēïdiōs oimēse meta trērōna peleian,

English

Fear fell upon Hektor as he beheld him, and he dared not stay longer where he was but fled in dismay from before the gates, while Achilles darted after him at his utmost speed. As a mountain falcon, swiftest of all birds, swoops down upon some cowering dove - the dove flies before him but the

Homeric Greek

ἣ δέ θ' ὕπαιθα φοβεῖται, ὃ δ' ἐγγύθεν ὀξὺ λεληκὼς

ταρφέ' ἐπαί̈σσει, ἑλέειν τέ ἑ θυμὸς ἀνώγει:

ὣς ἄρ' ὅ γ' ἐμμεμαὼς ἰθὺς πέτετο, τρέσε δ' Ἕκτωρ

τεῖχος ὕπο Τρώων, λαιψηρὰ δὲ γούνατ' ἐνώμα.

145οἳ δὲ παρὰ σκοπιὴν καὶ ἐρινεὸν ἠνεμόεντα

Transliteration

hē de th' hypaitha phobeitai, ho d' engythen oxy lelēkōs

tarphe' epaïssei, heleein te he thymos anōgei:

hōs ar' ho g' emmemaōs ithys peteto, trese d' Hektōr

teichos hypo Trōōn, laipsēra de gounat' enōma.

145hoi de para skopiēn kai erineon ēnemoenta

English

falcon with a shrill scream follows close after, resolved to have her - even so did Achilles make straight for Hektor with all his might, while Hektor fled under the Trojan wall as fast as his limbs could take him. On they flew along the wagon-road that ran hard by

Homeric Greek

τείχεος αἰὲν ὑπ' ἐκ κατ' ἀμαξιτὸν ἐσσεύοντο,

κρουνὼ δ' ἵκανον καλλιρρόω: ἔνθα δὲ πηγαὶ

δοιαὶ ἀναί̈σσουσι Σκαμάνδρου δινήεντος.

ἣ μὲν γάρ θ' ὕδατι λιαρῷ ῥέει, ἀμφὶ δὲ καπνὸς

150γίγνεται ἐξ αὐτῆς ὡς εἰ πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο:

Transliteration

teicheos aien hyp' ek kat' amaxiton esseuonto,

krounō d' hikanon kallirroō: entha de pēgai

doiai anaïssousi Skamandrou dinēentos.

hē men gar th' hydati liarōi rheei, amphi de kapnos

150gignetai ex autēs hōs ei pyros aithomenoio:

English

under the wall, past the lookout station, and past the weather-beaten wild fig-tree, till they came to two fair springs which feed the river Skamandros. One of these two springs is warm, and steam rises from it as smoke from a burning fire, but the other even in summer is

Homeric Greek

ἣ δ' ἑτέρη θέρεϊ προρέει ἐϊκυῖα χαλάζῃ,

ἢ χιόνι ψυχρῇ ἢ ἐξ ὕδατος κρυστάλλῳ.

ἔνθα δ' ἐπ' αὐτάων πλυνοὶ εὐρέες ἐγγὺς ἔασι

καλοὶ λαί̈νεοι, ὅθι εἵματα σιγαλόεντα

155πλύνεσκον Τρώων ἄλοχοι καλαί τε θύγατρες

Transliteration

hē d' heterē thereï proreei eïkuia chalazēi,

ē chioni psychrēi ē ex hydatos krystallōi.

entha d' ep' autaōn plynoi eurees engys easi

kaloi laïneoi, hothi heimata sigaloenta

155plyneskon Trōōn alochoi kalai te thygatres

English

as cold as hail or snow, or the ice that forms on water. Here, hard by the springs, are the goodly washing-troughs of stone, where in the time of peace before the coming of the Achaeans the wives and fair daughters of the Trojans used to wash their clothes.

Homeric Greek

τὸ πρὶν ἐπ' εἰρήνης πρὶν ἐλθεῖν υἷας Ἀχαιῶν.

τῇ ῥα παραδραμέτην φεύγων ὃ δ' ὄπισθε διώκων:

πρόσθε μὲν ἐσθλὸς ἔφευγε, δίωκε δέ μιν μέγ' ἀμείνων

καρπαλίμως, ἐπεὶ οὐχ ἱερήϊον οὐδὲ βοείην

160ἀρνύσθην, ἅ τε ποσσὶν ἀέθλια γίγνεται ἀνδρῶν,

Transliteration

to prin ep' eirēnēs prin elthein huias Achaiōn.

tēi rha paradrametēn pheugōn ho d' opisthe diōkōn:

prosthe men esthlos epheuge, diōke de min meg' ameinōn

karpalimōs, epei ouch hierēïon oude boeiēn

160arnysthēn, ha te possin aethlia gignetai andrōn,

English

Past these did they flee, the one in front and the other giving chase behind him: good was the man that fled, but better far was he that followed after, and swiftly indeed did they run, for the prize was no mere beast for sacrifice or bullock's hide, as it might be for a common foot-race, but they ran for the life of Hektor.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ περὶ ψυχῆς θέον Ἕκτορος ἱπποδάμοιο.

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀεθλοφόροι περὶ τέρματα μώνυχες ἵπποι

ῥίμφα μάλα τρωχῶσι: τὸ δὲ μέγα κεῖται ἄεθλον

ἢ τρίπος ἠὲ γυνὴ ἀνδρὸς κατατεθνηῶτος:

165ὣς τὼ τρὶς Πριάμοιο πόλιν πέρι δινηθήτην

Transliteration

alla peri psychēs theon Hektoros hippodamoio.

hōs d' hot' aethlophoroi peri termata mōnyches hippoi

rhimpha mala trōchōsi: to de mega keitai aethlon

ē tripos ēe gynē andros katatethnēōtos:

165hōs tō tris Priamoio polin peri dinēthētēn

English

As horses in a chariot race speed round the turning-posts when they are running for some great prize - a tripod or woman - at the games in honor of some dead hero, so did these two run full speed three times round the city of Priam.

Homeric Greek

καρπαλίμοισι πόδεσσι: θεοὶ δ' ἐς πάντες ὁρῶντο:

τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε:

ὢ πόποι ἦ φίλον ἄνδρα διωκόμενον περὶ τεῖχος

ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶμαι: ἐμὸν δ' ὀλοφύρεται ἦτορ

170Ἕκτορος, ὅς μοι πολλὰ βοῶν ἐπὶ μηρί' ἔκηεν

Transliteration

karpalimoisi podessi: theoi d' es pantes horōnto:

toisi de mythōn ērche patēr andrōn te theōn te:

ō popoi ē philon andra diōkomenon peri teichos

ophthalmoisin horōmai: emon d' olophyretai ētor

170Hektoros, hos moi polla boōn epi mēri' ekēen

English

All the gods watched them, and the sire of gods and men was the first to speak. "Alas," said he, "my eyes behold a man who is dear to me being pursued round the walls of Troy; my heart is full of pity for Hektor, who has burned the thigh-bones

Homeric Greek

Ἴδης ἐν κορυφῇσι πολυπτύχου, ἄλλοτε δ' αὖτε

ἐν πόλει ἀκροτάτῃ: νῦν αὖτέ ἑ δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς

ἄστυ πέρι Πριάμοιο ποσὶν ταχέεσσι διώκει.

ἀλλ' ἄγετε φράζεσθε θεοὶ καὶ μητιάασθε

175ἠέ μιν ἐκ θανάτοιο σαώσομεν, ἦέ μιν ἤδη

Transliteration

Idēs en koryphēisi polyptychou, allote d' aute

en polei akrotatēi: nyn aute he dios Achilleus

asty peri Priamoio posin tacheessi diōkei.

all' agete phrazesthe theoi kai mētiaasthe

175ēe min ek thanatoio saōsomen, ēe min ēdē

English

of many a heifer in my honor, at one while on the of many-valleyed Ida, and again on the citadel of Troy; and now I see noble Achilles in full pursuit of him round the city of Priam. What say you? Consider among yourselves and decide whether we shall now save him or let

Homeric Greek

Πηλεί̈δῃ Ἀχιλῆϊ δαμάσσομεν ἐσθλὸν ἐόντα.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

ὦ πάτερ ἀργικέραυνε κελαινεφὲς οἷον ἔειπες:

ἄνδρα θνητὸν ἐόντα πάλαι πεπρωμένον αἴσῃ

180ἂψ ἐθέλεις θανάτοιο δυσηχέος ἐξαναλῦσαι;

Transliteration

Pēleïdēi Achilēï damassomen esthlon eonta.

ton d' aute proseeipe thea glaukōpis Athēnē:

ō pater argikeraune kelainephes hoion eeipes:

andra thnēton eonta palai peprōmenon aisēi

180aps etheleis thanatoio dysēcheos exanalysai;

English

him fall, valiant though he be, before Achilles, son of Peleus." Then Athena said, "Father, wielder of the lightning, lord of cloud and storm, what mean you? Would you pluck this mortal whose doom has long been decreed out of the jaws of death?

Homeric Greek

ἔρδ': ἀτὰρ οὔ τοι πάντες ἐπαινέομεν θεοὶ ἄλλοι.

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:

θάρσει Τριτογένεια φίλον τέκος: οὔ νύ τι θυμῷ

πρόφρονι μυθέομαι, ἐθέλω δέ τοι ἤπιος εἶναι:

185ἔρξον ὅπῃ δή τοι νόος ἔπλετο, μὴ δ' ἔτ' ἐρώει.

Transliteration

erd': atar ou toi pantes epaineomen theoi alloi.

tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:

tharsei Tritogeneia philon tekos: ou ny ti thymōi

prophroni mytheomai, ethelō de toi ēpios einai:

185erxon hopēi dē toi noos epleto, mē d' et' erōei.

English

Do as you will, but we others shall not be of a mind with you." And Zeus answered, "My child, Trito-born, take heart. I did not speak in full earnest, and I will let you have your way. Do as your thinking tells you, without letting up, without hindrance."

Homeric Greek

ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε πάρος μεμαυῖαν Ἀθήνην:

βῆ δὲ κατ' Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀί̈ξασα.

Ἕκτορα δ' ἀσπερχὲς κλονέων ἔφεπ' ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς.

ὡς δ' ὅτε νεβρὸν ὄρεσφι κύων ἐλάφοιο δίηται

190ὄρσας ἐξ εὐνῆς διά τ' ἄγκεα καὶ διὰ βήσσας:

Transliteration

hōs eipōn otryne paros memauian Athēnēn:

bē de kat' Oulympoio karēnōn aïxasa.

Hektora d' asperches kloneōn ephep' ōkys Achilleus.

hōs d' hote nebron oresphi kyōn elaphoio diētai

190orsas ex eunēs dia t' ankea kai dia bēssas:

English

Thus did he urge Athena who was already eager, and down she darted from the topmost summits of Olympus. Achilles was still in full pursuit of Hektor, as a hound chasing a fawn which he has started from its covert on the mountains, and hunts through glade and thicket.

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' εἴ πέρ τε λάθῃσι καταπτήξας ὑπὸ θάμνῳ,

ἀλλά τ' ἀνιχνεύων θέει ἔμπεδον ὄφρά κεν εὕρῃ:

ὣς Ἕκτωρ οὐ λῆθε ποδώκεα Πηλεί̈ωνα.

ὁσσάκι δ' ὁρμήσειε πυλάων Δαρδανιάων

195ἀντίον ἀί̈ξασθαι ἐϋδμήτους ὑπὸ πύργους,

Transliteration

ton d' ei per te lathēisi kataptēxas hypo thamnōi,

alla t' anichneuōn theei empedon ophra ken heurēi:

hōs Hektōr ou lēthe podōkea Pēleïōna.

hossaki d' hormēseie pylaōn Dardaniaōn

195antion aïxasthai eÿdmētous hypo pyrgous,

English

The fawn may try to elude him by crouching under cover of a bush, but he will scent her out and follow her up until he gets her - even so there was no escape for Hektor from the fleet son of Peleus.

Homeric Greek

εἴ πως οἷ καθύπερθεν ἀλάλκοιεν βελέεσσι,

τοσσάκι μιν προπάροιθεν ἀποστρέψασκε παραφθὰς

πρὸς πεδίον: αὐτὸς δὲ ποτὶ πτόλιος πέτετ' αἰεί.

ὡς δ' ἐν ὀνείρῳ οὐ δύναται φεύγοντα διώκειν:

200οὔτ' ἄρ' ὃ τὸν δύναται ὑποφεύγειν οὔθ' ὃ διώκειν:

Transliteration

ei pōs hoi kathyperthen alalkoien beleessi,

tossaki min proparoithen apostrepsaske paraphthas

pros pedion: autos de poti ptolios petet' aiei.

hōs d' en oneirōi ou dynatai pheugonta diōkein:

200out' ar' ho ton dynatai hypopheugein outh' ho diōkein:

English

Whenever he made a set to get near the Dardanian gates and under the walls, that his people might help him by showering down weapons from above, Achilles would gain on him and head him back towards the plain, keeping himself always on the city side.

Homeric Greek

ὣς ὃ τὸν οὐ δύνατο μάρψαι ποσίν, οὐδ' ὃς ἀλύξαι.

πῶς δέ κεν Ἕκτωρ κῆρας ὑπεξέφυγεν θανάτοιο,

εἰ μή οἱ πύματόν τε καὶ ὕστατον ἤντετ' Ἀπόλλων

ἐγγύθεν, ὅς οἱ ἐπῶρσε μένος λαιψηρά τε γοῦνα;

205λαοῖσιν δ' ἀνένευε καρήατι δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,

Transliteration

hōs ho ton ou dynato marpsai posin, oud' hos alyxai.

pōs de ken Hektōr kēras hypexephygen thanatoio,

ei mē hoi pymaton te kai hystaton ēntet' Apollōn

engythen, hos hoi epōrse menos laipsēra te gouna;

205laoisin d' aneneue karēati dios Achilleus,

English

As a man in a dream who fails to lay hands upon another whom he is pursuing - the one cannot escape nor the other overtake - even so neither could Achilles come up with Hektor, nor Hektor break away from Achilles; nevertheless he might even yet have escaped death had not the time come when Apollo,

Homeric Greek

οὐδ' ἔα ἱέμεναι ἐπὶ Ἕκτορι πικρὰ βέλεμνα,

μή τις κῦδος ἄροιτο βαλών, ὃ δὲ δεύτερος ἔλθοι.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ τὸ τέταρτον ἐπὶ κρουνοὺς ἀφίκοντο,

καὶ τότε δὴ χρύσεια πατὴρ ἐτίταινε τάλαντα,

210ἐν δ' ἐτίθει δύο κῆρε τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο,

Transliteration

oud' ea hiemenai epi Hektori pikra belemna,

mē tis kydos aroito balōn, ho de deuteros elthoi.

all' hote dē to tetarton epi krounous aphikonto,

kai tote dē chryseia patēr etitaine talanta,

210en d' etithei dyo kēre tanēlegeos thanatoio,

English

who thus far had sustained his strength and nerved his running, was now no longer to stay by him. Achilles made signs to the Achaean host, and shook his head to show that no man was to aim a dart at Hektor, lest another might win the glory of having hit him and he might himself come in second.

Homeric Greek

τὴν μὲν Ἀχιλλῆος, τὴν δ' Ἕκτορος ἱπποδάμοιο,

ἕλκε δὲ μέσσα λαβών: ῥέπε δ' Ἕκτορος αἴσιμον ἦμαρ,

ᾤχετο δ' εἰς Ἀί̈δαο, λίπεν δέ ἑ Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων.

Πηλεί̈ωνα δ' ἵκανε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,

215ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱσταμένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Transliteration

tēn men Achillēos, tēn d' Hektoros hippodamoio,

helke de messa labōn: rhepe d' Hektoros aisimon ēmar,

ōicheto d' eis Aïdao, lipen de he Phoibos Apollōn.

Pēleïōna d' hikane thea glaukōpis Athēnē,

215anchou d' histamenē epea pteroenta prosēuda:

English

Then, at last, as they were nearing the fountains for the fourth time, the father of all balanced his golden scales and placed a doom in each of them, one for Achilles and the other for Hektor. As he held the scales by the middle, the doom of Hektor fell down deep into the house of Hades - and then Phoebus Apollo left him.

Homeric Greek

νῦν δὴ νῶι ἔολπα Διὶ̈ φίλε φαίδιμ' Ἀχιλλεῦ

οἴσεσθαι μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιοῖσι προτὶ νῆας

Ἕκτορα δῃώσαντε μάχης ἄατόν περ ἐόντα.

οὔ οἱ νῦν ἔτι γ' ἔστι πεφυγμένον ἄμμε γενέσθαι,

220οὐδ' εἴ κεν μάλα πολλὰ πάθοι ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων

Transliteration

nyn dē nōi eolpa Diï phile phaidim' Achilleu

oisesthai mega kydos Achaioisi proti nēas

Hektora dēiōsante machēs aaton per eonta.

ou hoi nyn eti g' esti pephygmenon amme genesthai,

220oud' ei ken mala polla pathoi hekaergos Apollōn

English

Thereon Athena went close up to the son of Peleus and said, "Noble Achilles, favored of heaven, I think in my mind we two shall surely take back to the ships a triumph for the Achaeans by slaying Hektor, for all his lust of battle.

Homeric Greek

προπροκυλινδόμενος πατρὸς Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο.

ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν στῆθι καὶ ἄμπνυε, τόνδε δ' ἐγώ τοι

οἰχομένη πεπιθήσω ἐναντίβιον μαχέσασθαι.

ὣς φάτ' Ἀθηναίη, ὃ δ' ἐπείθετο, χαῖρε δὲ θυμῷ,

225στῆ δ' ἄρ' ἐπὶ μελίης χαλκογλώχινος ἐρεισθείς.

Transliteration

proprokylindomenos patros Dios aigiochoio.

alla sy men nyn stēthi kai ampnye, tonde d' egō toi

oichomenē pepithēsō enantibion machesasthai.

hōs phat' Athēnaiē, ho d' epeitheto, chaire de thymōi,

225stē d' ar' epi meliēs chalkoglōchinos ereistheis.

English

Do what Apollo may as he lies groveling before his father, aegis-bearing Zeus, Hektor cannot escape us longer. Stay here and take breath, while I go up to him and persuade him to make a stand and fight you." Thus spoke Athena. Achilles obeyed her gladly, and stood still, leaning on his bronze-pointed ashen spear, while Athena

Homeric Greek

ἣ δ' ἄρα τὸν μὲν ἔλειπε, κιχήσατο δ' Ἕκτορα δῖον

Δηϊφόβῳ ἐϊκυῖα δέμας καὶ ἀτειρέα φωνήν:

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱσταμένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

ἠθεῖ' ἦ μάλα δή σε βιάζεται ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεὺς

230ἄστυ πέρι Πριάμοιο ποσὶν ταχέεσσι διώκων:

Transliteration

hē d' ara ton men eleipe, kichēsato d' Hektora dion

Dēïphobōi eïkuia demas kai ateirea phōnēn:

anchou d' histamenē epea pteroenta prosēuda:

ēthei' ē mala dē se biazetai ōkys Achilleus

230asty peri Priamoio posin tacheessi diōkōn:

English

left him and went after Hektor in the form and with the voice of Deiphobos. She came close up to him and said, "Dear brother, I see you are hard pressed by Achilles who is chasing you at full speed round the city of Priam, let

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ στέωμεν καὶ ἀλεξώμεσθα μένοντες.

τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε μέγας κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ:

Δηί̈φοβ' ἦ μέν μοι τὸ πάρος πολὺ φίλτατος ἦσθα

γνωτῶν οὓς Ἑκάβη ἠδὲ Πρίαμος τέκε παῖδας:

235νῦν δ' ἔτι καὶ μᾶλλον νοέω φρεσὶ τιμήσασθαι,

Transliteration

all' age dē steōmen kai alexōmestha menontes.

tēn d' aute proseeipe megas korythaiolos Hektōr:

Dēïphob' ē men moi to paros poly philtatos ēstha

gnōtōn hous Hekabē ēde Priamos teke paidas:

235nyn d' eti kai mallon noeō phresi timēsasthai,

English

us await his onset and stand on our defense." And Hektor answered, "Deiphobos, you have always been dearest to me of all my brothers, children of Hecuba and Priam, but henceforth I shall rate you yet more highly, inasmuch as

Homeric Greek

ὃς ἔτλης ἐμεῦ εἵνεκ', ἐπεὶ ἴδες ὀφθαλμοῖσι,

τείχεος ἐξελθεῖν, ἄλλοι δ' ἔντοσθε μένουσι.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

ἠθεῖ' ἦ μὲν πολλὰ πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ

240λίσσονθ' ἑξείης γουνούμενοι, ἀμφὶ δ' ἑταῖροι,

Transliteration

hos etlēs emeu heinek', epei ides ophthalmoisi,

teicheos exelthein, alloi d' entosthe menousi.

ton d' aute proseeipe thea glaukōpis Athēnē:

ēthei' ē men polla patēr kai potnia mētēr

240lissonth' hexeiēs gounoumenoi, amphi d' hetairoi,

English

you have ventured outside the wall for my sake when all the others remain inside." Then Athena said, "Dear brother, my father and mother went down on their knees and implored me, as did all my comrades, to remain inside, so great a fear has fallen upon them all;

Homeric Greek

αὖθι μένειν: τοῖον γὰρ ὑποτρομέουσιν ἅπαντες:

ἀλλ' ἐμὸς ἔνδοθι θυμὸς ἐτείρετο πένθεϊ λυγρῷ.

νῦν δ' ἰθὺς μεμαῶτε μαχώμεθα, μὴ δέ τι δούρων

ἔστω φειδωλή, ἵνα εἴδομεν εἴ κεν Ἀχιλλεὺς

245νῶϊ κατακτείνας ἔναρα βροτόεντα φέρηται

Transliteration

authi menein: toion gar hypotromeousin hapantes:

all' emos endothi thymos eteireto pentheï lygrōi.

nyn d' ithys memaōte machōmetha, mē de ti dourōn

estō pheidōlē, hina eidomen ei ken Achilleus

245nōï katakteinas enara brotoenta pherētai

English

but I was in an agony of grief when I beheld you; now, therefore, let us two make a stand and fight, and let there be no keeping our spears in reserve, that we may learn whether Achilles shall kill us and bear off our spoils to

Homeric Greek

νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς, ἦ κεν σῷ δουρὶ δαμήῃ.

ὣς φαμένη καὶ κερδοσύνῃ ἡγήσατ' Ἀθήνη:

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

τὸν πρότερος προσέειπε μέγας κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ:

250οὔ σ' ἔτι Πηλέος υἱὲ φοβήσομαι, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ

Transliteration

nēas epi glaphyras, ē ken sōi douri damēēi.

hōs phamenē kai kerdosynēi hēgēsat' Athēnē:

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

ton proteros proseeipe megas korythaiolos Hektōr:

250ou s' eti Pēleos huie phobēsomai, hōs to paros per

English

the ships, or whether he shall fall before you." Thus did Athena inveigle him by her cunning, and when the two were now close to one another great Hektor was first to speak. "I will no longer flee you, son of Peleus," said he, "as I have been doing hitherto.

Homeric Greek

τρὶς περὶ ἄστυ μέγα Πριάμου δίον, οὐδέ ποτ' ἔτλην

μεῖναι ἐπερχόμενον: νῦν αὖτέ με θυμὸς ἀνῆκε

στήμεναι ἀντία σεῖο: ἕλοιμί κεν ἤ κεν ἁλοίην.

ἀλλ' ἄγε δεῦρο θεοὺς ἐπιδώμεθα: τοὶ γὰρ ἄριστοι

255μάρτυροι ἔσσονται καὶ ἐπίσκοποι ἁρμονιάων:

Transliteration

tris peri asty mega Priamou dion, oude pot' etlēn

meinai eperchomenon: nyn aute me thymos anēke

stēmenai antia seio: heloimi ken ē ken haloiēn.

all' age deuro theous epidōmetha: toi gar aristoi

255martyroi essontai kai episkopoi harmoniaōn:

English

Three times have I fled round the mighty city of Priam, without daring to withstand you, but now, let me either slay or be slain, for I am in the mind to face you. Let us, then, give pledges to one another by our gods, who are the fittest witnesses and guardians of all covenants;

Homeric Greek

οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ σ' ἔκπαγλον ἀεικιῶ, αἴ κεν ἐμοὶ Ζεὺς

δώῃ καμμονίην, σὴν δὲ ψυχὴν ἀφέλωμαι:

ἀλλ' ἐπεὶ ἄρ κέ σε συλήσω κλυτὰ τεύχε' Ἀχιλλεῦ

νεκρὸν Ἀχαιοῖσιν δώσω πάλιν: ὣς δὲ σὺ ῥέζειν.

260τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:

Transliteration

ou gar egō s' ekpaglon aeikiō, ai ken emoi Zeus

dōēi kammoniēn, sēn de psychēn aphelōmai:

all' epei ar ke se sylēsō klyta teuche' Achilleu

nekron Achaioisin dōsō palin: hōs de sy rhezein.

260ton d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē podas ōkys Achilleus:

English

let it be agreed between us that if Zeus grants me the longer stay and I take your life, I am not to treat your dead body in any unseemly fashion, but when I have stripped you of your armor, I am to give up your body to the Achaeans. And do you likewise." Achilles glared at him and answered, "Fool, prate not to me about covenants.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορ μή μοι ἄλαστε συνημοσύνας ἀγόρευε:

ὡς οὐκ ἔστι λέουσι καὶ ἀνδράσιν ὅρκια πιστά,

οὐδὲ λύκοι τε καὶ ἄρνες ὁμόφρονα θυμὸν ἔχουσιν,

ἀλλὰ κακὰ φρονέουσι διαμπερὲς ἀλλήλοισιν,

265ὣς οὐκ ἔστ' ἐμὲ καὶ σὲ φιλήμεναι, οὐδέ τι νῶϊν

Transliteration

Hektor mē moi alaste synēmosynas agoreue:

hōs ouk esti leousi kai andrasin horkia pista,

oude lykoi te kai arnes homophrona thymon echousin,

alla kaka phroneousi diamperes allēloisin,

265hōs ouk est' eme kai se philēmenai, oude ti nōïn

English

There can be no covenants between men and lions, wolves and lambs can never be of one mind, but hate each other out and out an through. Therefore there can be no understanding between you and me, nor may there be any covenants between us, till one or other shall fall and glut grim Ares with his life's blood.

Homeric Greek

ὅρκια ἔσσονται, πρίν γ' ἢ ἕτερόν γε πεσόντα

αἵματος ἆσαι Ἄρηα ταλαύρινον πολεμιστήν.

παντοίης ἀρετῆς μιμνήσκεο: νῦν σε μάλα χρὴ

αἰχμητήν τ' ἔμεναι καὶ θαρσαλέον πολεμιστήν.

270οὔ τοι ἔτ' ἔσθ' ὑπάλυξις, ἄφαρ δέ σε Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη

Transliteration

horkia essontai, prin g' ē heteron ge pesonta

haimatos asai Arēa talaurinon polemistēn.

pantoiēs aretēs mimnēskeo: nyn se mala chrē

aichmētēn t' emenai kai tharsaleon polemistēn.

270ou toi et' esth' hypalyxis, aphar de se Pallas Athēnē

English

Be mindful of all your excellence ; you have need now to prove yourself indeed a bold warrior and fighter. You have no more chance, and Pallas Athena will forthwith vanquish you by my spear:

Homeric Greek

ἔγχει ἐμῷ δαμάᾳ: νῦν δ' ἀθρόα πάντ' ἀποτίσεις

κήδε' ἐμῶν ἑτάρων οὓς ἔκτανες ἔγχεϊ θύων.

ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἀμπεπαλὼν προί̈ει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος:

καὶ τὸ μὲν ἄντα ἰδὼν ἠλεύατο φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ:

275ἕζετο γὰρ προϊδών, τὸ δ' ὑπέρπτατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,

Transliteration

enchei emōi damaāi: nyn d' athroa pant' apotiseis

kēde' emōn hetarōn hous ektanes encheï thyōn.

ē rha, kai ampepalōn proïei dolichoskion enchos:

kai to men anta idōn ēleuato phaidimos Hektōr:

275hezeto gar proïdōn, to d' hyperptato chalkeon enchos,

English

you shall now pay me in full for the grief you have caused me on account of my comrades whom you have killed in battle." He poised his spear as he spoke and hurled it. Hektor saw it coming and avoided it; he watched it and crouched down so that it flew over his head and stuck in the ground beyond;

Homeric Greek

ἐν γαίῃ δ' ἐπάγη: ἀνὰ δ' ἥρπασε Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη,

ἂψ δ' Ἀχιλῆϊ δίδου, λάθε δ' Ἕκτορα ποιμένα λαῶν.

Ἕκτωρ δὲ προσέειπεν ἀμύμονα Πηλεί̈ωνα:

ἤμβροτες, οὐδ' ἄρα πώ τι θεοῖς ἐπιείκελ' Ἀχιλλεῦ

280ἐκ Διὸς ἠείδης τὸν ἐμὸν μόρον, ἦ τοι ἔφης γε:

Transliteration

en gaiēi d' epagē: ana d' hērpase Pallas Athēnē,

aps d' Achilēï didou, lathe d' Hektora poimena laōn.

Hektōr de proseeipen amymona Pēleïōna:

ēmbrotes, oud' ara pō ti theois epieikel' Achilleu

280ek Dios ēeidēs ton emon moron, ē toi ephēs ge:

English

Athena then snatched it up and gave it back to Achilles without Hektor's seeing her; Hektor thereon said to the son of Peleus, "You have missed your aim, Achilles, peer of the gods, and Zeus has not yet revealed to you the hour of my doom, though you made sure that he had done so.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλά τις ἀρτιεπὴς καὶ ἐπίκλοπος ἔπλεο μύθων,

ὄφρά σ' ὑποδείσας μένεος ἀλκῆς τε λάθωμαι.

οὐ μέν μοι φεύγοντι μεταφρένῳ ἐν δόρυ πήξεις,

ἀλλ' ἰθὺς μεμαῶτι διὰ στήθεσφιν ἔλασσον

285εἴ τοι ἔδωκε θεός: νῦν αὖτ' ἐμὸν ἔγχος ἄλευαι

Transliteration

alla tis artiepēs kai epiklopos epleo mythōn,

ophra s' hypodeisas meneos alkēs te lathōmai.

ou men moi pheugonti metaphrenōi en dory pēxeis,

all' ithys memaōti dia stēthesphin elasson

285ei toi edōke theos: nyn aut' emon enchos aleuai

English

You were a false-tongued liar when you deemed that I should forget my valor and quail before you. You shall not drive spear into the back of a runaway - drive it, should heaven so grant you power, drive it into me as I make straight towards you;

Homeric Greek

χάλκεον: ὡς δή μιν σῷ ἐν χροὶ̈ πᾶν κομίσαιο.

καί κεν ἐλαφρότερος πόλεμος Τρώεσσι γένοιτο

σεῖο καταφθιμένοιο: σὺ γάρ σφισι πῆμα μέγιστον.

ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἀμπεπαλὼν προί̈ει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,

290καὶ βάλε Πηλεί̈δαο μέσον σάκος οὐδ' ἀφάμαρτε:

Transliteration

chalkeon: hōs dē min sōi en chroï pan komisaio.

kai ken elaphroteros polemos Trōessi genoito

seio kataphthimenoio: sy gar sphisi pēma megiston.

ē rha, kai ampepalōn proïei dolichoskion enchos,

290kai bale Pēleïdao meson sakos oud' aphamarte:

English

and now for your own part avoid my spear if you can - would that you might receive the whole of it into your body; if you were once dead the Trojans would find the war an easier matter, for it is you who have harmed them most." He poised his spear as he spoke and hurled it. His aim was true for he hit the middle of Achilles' shield, but the spear rebounded from it, and did not pierce it.

Homeric Greek

τῆλε δ' ἀπεπλάγχθη σάκεος δόρυ: χώσατο δ' Ἕκτωρ

ὅττί ῥά οἱ βέλος ὠκὺ ἐτώσιον ἔκφυγε χειρός,

στῆ δὲ κατηφήσας, οὐδ' ἄλλ' ἔχε μείλινον ἔγχος.

Δηί̈φοβον δ' ἐκάλει λευκάσπιδα μακρὸν ἀύ̈σας:

295ᾔτεέ μιν δόρυ μακρόν: ὃ δ' οὔ τί οἱ ἐγγύθεν ἦεν.

Transliteration

tēle d' apeplanchthē sakeos dory: chōsato d' Hektōr

hotti rha hoi belos ōky etōsion ekphyge cheiros,

stē de katēphēsas, oud' all' eche meilinon enchos.

Dēïphobon d' ekalei leukaspida makron aÿsas:

295ēitee min dory makron: ho d' ou ti hoi engythen ēen.

English

Hektor was angry when he saw that the weapon had sped from his hand in vain, and stood there in dismay for he had no second spear. With a loud cry he called Deiphobos and asked him for one, but there was no man; then he saw the truth and said to himself, "Alas!

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτωρ δ' ἔγνω ᾗσιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ φώνησέν τε:

ὢ πόποι ἦ μάλα δή με θεοὶ θάνατον δὲ κάλεσσαν:

Δηί̈φοβον γὰρ ἔγωγ' ἐφάμην ἥρωα παρεῖναι:

ἀλλ' ὃ μὲν ἐν τείχει, ἐμὲ δ' ἐξαπάτησεν Ἀθήνη.

300νῦν δὲ δὴ ἐγγύθι μοι θάνατος κακός, οὐδ' ἔτ' ἄνευθεν,

Transliteration

Hektōr d' egnō hēisin eni phresi phōnēsen te:

ō popoi ē mala dē me theoi thanaton de kalessan:

Dēïphobon gar egōg' ephamēn hērōa pareinai:

all' ho men en teichei, eme d' exapatēsen Athēnē.

300nyn de dē engythi moi thanatos kakos, oud' et' aneuthen,

English

the gods have lured me on to my destruction. I deemed that the hero Deiphobos was by my side, but he is within the wall, and Athena has inveigled me; death is now indeed exceedingly near at hand and there is no way out of it - for so Zeus

Homeric Greek

οὐδ' ἀλέη: ἦ γάρ ῥα πάλαι τό γε φίλτερον ἦεν

Ζηνί τε καὶ Διὸς υἷι ἑκηβόλῳ, οἵ με πάρος γε

πρόφρονες εἰρύατο: νῦν αὖτέ με μοῖρα κιχάνει.

μὴ μὰν ἀσπουδί γε καὶ ἀκλειῶς ἀπολοίμην,

305ἀλλὰ μέγα ῥέξας τι καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι.

Transliteration

oud' aleē: ē gar rha palai to ge philteron ēen

Zēni te kai Dios huii hekēbolōi, hoi me paros ge

prophrones eiryato: nyn aute me moira kichanei.

mē man aspoudi ge kai akleiōs apoloimēn,

305alla mega rhexas ti kai essomenoisi pythesthai.

English

and his son Apollo the far-darter have willed it, though heretofore they have been ever ready to protect me. My doom has come upon me; let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας εἰρύσσατο φάσγανον ὀξύ,

τό οἱ ὑπὸ λαπάρην τέτατο μέγα τε στιβαρόν τε,

οἴμησεν δὲ ἀλεὶς ὥς τ' αἰετὸς ὑψιπετήεις,

ὅς τ' εἶσιν πεδίον δὲ διὰ νεφέων ἐρεβεννῶν

310ἁρπάξων ἢ ἄρν' ἀμαλὴν ἤ πτῶκα λαγωόν:

Transliteration

hōs ara phōnēsas eiryssato phasganon oxy,

to hoi hypo laparēn tetato mega te stibaron te,

oimēsen de aleis hōs t' aietos hypsipetēeis,

hos t' eisin pedion de dia nepheōn erebennōn

310harpaxōn ē arn' amalēn ē ptōka lagōon:

English

As he spoke he drew the keen blade that hung so great and strong by his side, and gathering himself together be sprang on Achilles like a soaring eagle which swoops down from the clouds on to some lamb or timid hare - even so did Hektor brandish his sword and spring upon Achilles.

Homeric Greek

ὣς Ἕκτωρ οἴμησε τινάσσων φάσγανον ὀξύ.

ὁρμήθη δ' Ἀχιλεύς, μένεος δ' ἐμπλήσατο θυμὸν

ἀγρίου, πρόσθεν δὲ σάκος στέρνοιο κάλυψε

καλὸν δαιδάλεον, κόρυθι δ' ἐπένευε φαεινῇ

315τετραφάλῳ: καλαὶ δὲ περισσείοντο ἔθειραι

Transliteration

hōs Hektōr oimēse tinassōn phasganon oxy.

hormēthē d' Achileus, meneos d' emplēsato thymon

agriou, prosthen de sakos sternoio kalypse

kalon daidaleon, korythi d' epeneue phaeinēi

315tetraphalōi: kalai de perisseionto etheirai

English

Achilles mad with rage darted towards him, with his wondrous shield before his breast, and his gleaming helmet, made with four layers of metal, nodding fiercely forward. The thick tresses of gold with which Hephaistos had crested the helmet floated round it, and as the evening star that

Homeric Greek

χρύσεαι, ἃς Ἥφαιστος ἵει λόφον ἀμφὶ θαμειάς.

οἷος δ' ἀστὴρ εἶσι μετ' ἀστράσι νυκτὸς ἀμολγῷ

ἕσπερος, ὃς κάλλιστος ἐν οὐρανῷ ἵσταται ἀστήρ,

ὣς αἰχμῆς ἀπέλαμπ' εὐήκεος, ἣν ἄρ' Ἀχιλλεὺς

320πάλλεν δεξιτερῇ φρονέων κακὸν Ἕκτορι δίῳ

Transliteration

chryseai, has Hēphaistos hiei lophon amphi thameias.

hoios d' astēr eisi met' astrasi nyktos amolgōi

hesperos, hos kallistos en ouranōi histatai astēr,

hōs aichmēs apelamp' euēkeos, hēn ar' Achilleus

320pallen dexiterēi phroneōn kakon Hektori diōi

English

shines brighter than all others through the stillness of night, even such was the gleam of the spear which Achilles poised in his right hand, fraught with the death of noble Hektor. He eyed his fair flesh over and over to see where he could best wound it,

Homeric Greek

εἰσορόων χρόα καλόν, ὅπῃ εἴξειε μάλιστα.

τοῦ δὲ καὶ ἄλλο τόσον μὲν ἔχε χρόα χάλκεα τεύχεα

καλά, τὰ Πατρόκλοιο βίην ἐνάριξε κατακτάς:

φαίνετο δ' ᾗ κληῖ̈δες ἀπ' ὤμων αὐχέν' ἔχουσι

325λαυκανίην, ἵνα τε ψυχῆς ὤκιστος ὄλεθρος:

Transliteration

eisoroōn chroa kalon, hopēi eixeie malista.

tou de kai allo toson men eche chroa chalkea teuchea

kala, ta Patrokloio biēn enarixe kataktas:

phaineto d' hēi klēïdes ap' ōmōn auchen' echousi

325laukaniēn, hina te psychēs ōkistos olethros:

English

but all was protected by the goodly armor of which Hektor had spoiled Patroklos after he had slain him, save only the throat where the collar-bones divide the neck from the shoulders, and this is the quickest place for the life-breath to escape:

Homeric Greek

τῇ ῥ' ἐπὶ οἷ μεμαῶτ' ἔλασ' ἔγχεϊ δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,

ἀντικρὺ δ' ἁπαλοῖο δι' αὐχένος ἤλυθ' ἀκωκή:

οὐδ' ἄρ' ἀπ' ἀσφάραγον μελίη τάμε χαλκοβάρεια,

ὄφρά τί μιν προτιείποι ἀμειβόμενος ἐπέεσσιν.

330ἤριπε δ' ἐν κονίῃς: ὃ δ' ἐπεύξατο δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς:

Transliteration

tēi rh' epi hoi memaōt' elas' encheï dios Achilleus,

antikry d' hapaloio di' auchenos ēlyth' akōkē:

oud' ar' ap' aspharagon meliē tame chalkobareia,

ophra ti min protieipoi ameibomenos epeessin.

330ēripe d' en koniēis: ho d' epeuxato dios Achilleus:

English

here then did Achilles strike him as he was coming on towards him, and the point of his spear went right through the fleshy part of the neck, but it did not sever his windpipe so that he could still speak.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορ ἀτάρ που ἔφης Πατροκλῆ' ἐξεναρίζων

σῶς ἔσσεσθ', ἐμὲ δ' οὐδὲν ὀπίζεο νόσφιν ἐόντα

νήπιε: τοῖο δ' ἄνευθεν ἀοσσητὴρ μέγ' ἀμείνων

νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ἐγὼ μετόπισθε λελείμμην,

335ὅς τοι γούνατ' ἔλυσα: σὲ μὲν κύνες ἠδ' οἰωνοὶ

Transliteration

Hektor atar pou ephēs Patroklē' exenarizōn

sōs essesth', eme d' ouden opizeo nosphin eonta

nēpie: toio d' aneuthen aossētēr meg' ameinōn

nēusin epi glaphyrēisin egō metopisthe leleimmēn,

335hos toi gounat' elysa: se men kynes ēd' oiōnoi

English

Hektor fell headlong, and Achilles vaunted over him saying, "Hektor, you deemed that you should come off scatheless when you were spoiling Patroklos, and recked not of myself who was not with him. Fool that you were: for I, his comrade, mightier far than he, was still left behind him at the ships, and now I have laid you low.

Homeric Greek

ἑλκήσουσ' ἀϊκῶς, τὸν δὲ κτεριοῦσιν Ἀχαιοί.

τὸν δ' ὀλιγοδρανέων προσέφη κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ:

λίσσομ' ὑπὲρ ψυχῆς καὶ γούνων σῶν τε τοκήων

μή με ἔα παρὰ νηυσὶ κύνας καταδάψαι Ἀχαιῶν,

340ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν χαλκόν τε ἅλις χρυσόν τε δέδεξο

Transliteration

helkēsous' aïkōs, ton de kteriousin Achaioi.

ton d' oligodraneōn prosephē korythaiolos Hektōr:

lissom' hyper psychēs kai gounōn sōn te tokēōn

mē me ea para nēusi kynas katadapsai Achaiōn,

340alla sy men chalkon te halis chryson te dedexo

English

The Achaeans shall give him all due funeral rites, while dogs and vultures shall work their will upon yourself." Then Hektor said, as the life-breath ebbed out of him, "I pray you by your life and knees, and by your parents, let not dogs devour me at the ships of the Achaeans, but accept the

Homeric Greek

δῶρα τά τοι δώσουσι πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ,

σῶμα δὲ οἴκαδ' ἐμὸν δόμεναι πάλιν, ὄφρα πυρός με

Τρῶες καὶ Τρώων ἄλοχοι λελάχωσι θανόντα.

τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεὺς:

345μή με κύον γούνων γουνάζεο μὴ δὲ τοκήων:

Transliteration

dōra ta toi dōsousi patēr kai potnia mētēr,

sōma de oikad' emon domenai palin, ophra pyros me

Trōes kai Trōōn alochoi lelachōsi thanonta.

ton d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē podas ōkys Achilleus:

345mē me kyon gounōn gounazeo mē de tokēōn:

English

rich treasure of gold and bronze which my father and mother will offer you, and send my body home, that the Trojans and their wives may give me my dues of fire when I am dead." Achilles glared at him and answered, "Dog, talk not to me neither of knees nor parents;

Homeric Greek

αἲ γάρ πως αὐτόν με μένος καὶ θυμὸς ἀνήη

ὤμ' ἀποταμνόμενον κρέα ἔδμεναι, οἷα ἔοργας,

ὡς οὐκ ἔσθ' ὃς σῆς γε κύνας κεφαλῆς ἀπαλάλκοι,

οὐδ' εἴ κεν δεκάκις τε καὶ εἰκοσινήριτ' ἄποινα

350στήσωσ' ἐνθάδ' ἄγοντες, ὑπόσχωνται δὲ καὶ ἄλλα,

Transliteration

ai gar pōs auton me menos kai thymos anēē

ōm' apotamnomenon krea edmenai, hoia eorgas,

hōs ouk esth' hos sēs ge kynas kephalēs apalalkoi,

oud' ei ken dekakis te kai eikosinērit' apoina

350stēsōs' enthad' agontes, hyposchōntai de kai alla,

English

would that I could be as sure of being able to cut your flesh into pieces and eat it raw, for the ill have done me, as I am that nothing shall save you from the dogs - it shall not be, though they bring ten or twenty-fold ransom and weigh it out for me on the spot, with promise of yet more hereafter.

Homeric Greek

οὐδ' εἴ κέν σ' αὐτὸν χρυσῷ ἐρύσασθαι ἀνώγοι

Δαρδανίδης Πρίαμος: οὐδ' ὧς σέ γε πότνια μήτηρ

ἐνθεμένη λεχέεσσι γοήσεται ὃν τέκεν αὐτή,

ἀλλὰ κύνες τε καὶ οἰωνοὶ κατὰ πάντα δάσονται.

355τὸν δὲ καταθνῄσκων προσέφη κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ:

Transliteration

oud' ei ken s' auton chrysōi erysasthai anōgoi

Dardanidēs Priamos: oud' hōs se ge potnia mētēr

enthemenē lecheessi goēsetai hon teken autē,

alla kynes te kai oiōnoi kata panta dasontai.

355ton de katathnēiskōn prosephē korythaiolos Hektōr:

English

Though Priam son of Dardanos should bid them offer me your weight in gold, even so your mother shall never lay you out and make lament over the son she bore, but dogs and vultures shall eat you utterly up." Hektor with his dying breath then said, "I know you

Homeric Greek

ἦ σ' εὖ γιγνώσκων προτιόσσομαι, οὐδ' ἄρ' ἔμελλον

πείσειν: ἦ γὰρ σοί γε σιδήρεος ἐν φρεσὶ θυμός.

φράζεο νῦν, μή τοί τι θεῶν μήνιμα γένωμαι

ἤματι τῷ ὅτε κέν σε Πάρις καὶ Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων

360ἐσθλὸν ἐόντ' ὀλέσωσιν ἐνὶ Σκαιῇσι πύλῃσιν.

Transliteration

ē s' eu gignōskōn protiossomai, oud' ar' emellon

peisein: ē gar soi ge sidēreos en phresi thymos.

phrazeo nyn, mē toi ti theōn mēnima genōmai

ēmati tōi hote ken se Paris kai Phoibos Apollōn

360esthlon eont' olesōsin eni Skaiēisi pylēisin.

English

what you are, and was sure that I should not move you, for your heart is hard as iron; look to it that I bring not heaven's anger upon you on the day when Paris and Phoebus Apollo, valiant though you be, shall slay you at the Scaean gates."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἄρα μιν εἰπόντα τέλος θανάτοιο κάλυψε,

ψυχὴ δ' ἐκ ῥεθέων πταμένη Ἄϊδος δὲ βεβήκει

ὃν πότμον γοόωσα λιποῦσ' ἀνδροτῆτα καὶ ἥβην.

τὸν καὶ τεθνηῶτα προσηύδα δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς:

365τέθναθι: κῆρα δ' ἐγὼ τότε δέξομαι ὁππότε κεν δὴ

Transliteration

hōs ara min eiponta telos thanatoio kalypse,

psychē d' ek rhetheōn ptamenē Aïdos de bebēkei

hon potmon gooōsa lipous' androtēta kai hēbēn.

ton kai tethnēōta prosēuda dios Achilleus:

365tethnathi: kēra d' egō tote dexomai hoppote ken dē

English

When he had thus said the shrouds of death's final outcome enfolded him, whereon his life-breath went out of him and flew down to the house of Hades, lamenting its sad fate that it should enjoy youth and strength no longer. But Achilles said, speaking to the dead body, "Die;

Homeric Greek

Ζεὺς ἐθέλῃ τελέσαι ἠδ' ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι.

ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἐκ νεκροῖο ἐρύσσατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,

καὶ τό γ' ἄνευθεν ἔθηχ', ὃ δ' ἀπ' ὤμων τεύχε' ἐσύλα

αἱματόεντ': ἄλλοι δὲ περίδραμον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν,

370οἳ καὶ θηήσαντο φυὴν καὶ εἶδος ἀγητὸν

Transliteration

Zeus ethelēi telesai ēd' athanatoi theoi alloi.

ē rha, kai ek nekroio eryssato chalkeon enchos,

kai to g' aneuthen ethēch', ho d' ap' ōmōn teuche' esyla

haimatoent': alloi de peridramon huies Achaiōn,

370hoi kai thēēsanto phyēn kai eidos agēton

English

for my part I will accept my fate whensoever Zeus and the other gods see fit to send it." As he spoke he drew his spear from the body and set it on one side; then he stripped the blood-stained armor from Hektor's shoulders while the other Achaeans came running up to view his wondrous strength and beauty;

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορος: οὐδ' ἄρα οἵ τις ἀνουτητί γε παρέστη.

ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον:

ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ μαλακώτερος ἀμφαφάασθαι

Ἕκτωρ ἢ ὅτε νῆας ἐνέπρησεν πυρὶ κηλέῳ.

375ὣς ἄρα τις εἴπεσκε καὶ οὐτήσασκε παραστάς.

Transliteration

Hektoros: oud' ara hoi tis anoutēti ge parestē.

hōde de tis eipesken idōn es plēsion allon:

ō popoi, ē mala dē malakōteros amphaphaasthai

Hektōr ē hote nēas eneprēsen pyri kēleōi.

375hōs ara tis eipeske kai outēsaske parastas.

English

and no one came near him without giving him a fresh wound. Then would one turn to his neighbor and say, "It is easier to handle Hektor now than when he was flinging fire on to our ships" and as he spoke he would thrust his spear into him anew.

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἐπεὶ ἐξενάριξε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,

στὰς ἐν Ἀχαιοῖσιν ἔπεα πτερόεντ' ἀγόρευεν:

ὦ φίλοι Ἀργείων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες

ἐπεὶ δὴ τόνδ' ἄνδρα θεοὶ δαμάσασθαι ἔδωκαν,

380ὃς κακὰ πόλλ' ἔρρεξεν ὅσ' οὐ σύμπαντες οἱ ἄλλοι,

Transliteration

ton d' epei exenarixe podarkēs dios Achilleus,

stas en Achaioisin epea pteroent' agoreuen:

ō philoi Argeiōn hēgētores ēde medontes

epei dē tond' andra theoi damasasthai edōkan,

380hos kaka poll' errexen hos' ou sympantes hoi alloi,

English

When Achilles had done spoiling Hektor of his armor, he stood among the Argives and said, "My friends, princes and counselors of the Argives, now that heaven has granted us to overcome this man, who has done us more hurt than all the others together, consider whether we should not attack the city in force,

Homeric Greek

εἰ δ' ἄγετ' ἀμφὶ πόλιν σὺν τεύχεσι πειρηθῶμεν,

ὄφρά κ' ἔτι γνῶμεν Τρώων νόον ὅν τιν' ἔχουσιν,

ἢ καταλείψουσιν πόλιν ἄκρην τοῦδε πεσόντος,

ἦε μένειν μεμάασι καὶ Ἕκτορος οὐκέτ' ἐόντος.

385ἀλλὰ τί ἤ μοι ταῦτα φίλος διελέξατο θυμός;

Transliteration

ei d' aget' amphi polin syn teuchesi peirēthōmen,

ophra k' eti gnōmen Trōōn noon hon tin' echousin,

ē kataleipsousin polin akrēn toude pesontos,

ēe menein memaasi kai Hektoros ouket' eontos.

385alla ti ē moi tauta philos dielexato thymos;

English

and discover in what mind the Trojans may be. We should thus learn whether they will desert their city now that Hektor has fallen, or will still hold out even though he is no longer living. But why argue with myself in this way, while Patroklos is still lying at the ships unburied,

Homeric Greek

κεῖται πὰρ νήεσσι νέκυς ἄκλαυτος ἄθαπτος

Πάτροκλος: τοῦ δ' οὐκ ἐπιλήσομαι, ὄφρ' ἂν ἔγωγε

ζωοῖσιν μετέω καί μοι φίλα γούνατ' ὀρώρῃ:

εἰ δὲ θανόντων περ καταλήθοντ' εἰν Ἀί̈δαο

390αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ καὶ κεῖθι φίλου μεμνήσομ' ἑταίρου.

Transliteration

keitai par nēessi nekys aklautos athaptos

Patroklos: tou d' ouk epilēsomai, ophr' an egōge

zōoisin meteō kai moi phila gounat' orōrēi:

ei de thanontōn per katalēthont' ein Aïdao

390autar egō kai keithi philou memnēsom' hetairou.

English

and unmourned - he Whom I can never forget so long as I am alive and my strength fails not? Though men forget their dead when once they are within the house of Hades, yet not even there will I forget the comrade whom I have lost.

Homeric Greek

νῦν δ' ἄγ' ἀείδοντες παιήονα κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν

νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσι νεώμεθα, τόνδε δ' ἄγωμεν.

ἠράμεθα μέγα κῦδος: ἐπέφνομεν Ἕκτορα δῖον,

ᾧ Τρῶες κατὰ ἄστυ θεῷ ὣς εὐχετόωντο.

395ἦ ῥα, καὶ Ἕκτορα δῖον ἀεικέα μήδετο ἔργα.

Transliteration

nyn d' ag' aeidontes paiēona kouroi Achaiōn

nēusin epi glaphyrēisi neōmetha, tonde d' agōmen.

ērametha mega kydos: epephnomen Hektora dion,

hōi Trōes kata asty theōi hōs euchetoōnto.

395ē rha, kai Hektora dion aeikea mēdeto erga.

English

Now, therefore, Achaean youths, let us raise the song of victory and go back to the ships taking this man along with us; for we have achieved a mighty triumph and have slain noble Hektor to whom the Trojans prayed throughout their city as though he were a god." On this he treated the body of Hektor with contumely:

Homeric Greek

ἀμφοτέρων μετόπισθε ποδῶν τέτρηνε τένοντε

ἐς σφυρὸν ἐκ πτέρνης, βοέους δ' ἐξῆπτεν ἱμάντας,

ἐκ δίφροιο δ' ἔδησε, κάρη δ' ἕλκεσθαι ἔασεν:

ἐς δίφρον δ' ἀναβὰς ἀνά τε κλυτὰ τεύχε' ἀείρας

400μάστιξέν ῥ' ἐλάαν, τὼ δ' οὐκ ἀέκοντε πετέσθην.

Transliteration

amphoterōn metopisthe podōn tetrēne tenonte

es sphyron ek pternēs, boeous d' exēpten himantas,

ek diphroio d' edēse, karē d' helkesthai easen:

es diphron d' anabas ana te klyta teuche' aeiras

400mastixen rh' elaan, tō d' ouk aekonte petesthēn.

English

he pierced the sinews at the back of both his feet from heel to ankle and passed thongs of ox-hide through the slits he had made: thus he made the body fast to his chariot, letting the head trail upon the ground. Then when he had put the goodly armor on the chariot and had himself mounted, he lashed his horses on and they flew forward nothing loath.

Homeric Greek

τοῦ δ' ἦν ἑλκομένοιο κονίσαλος, ἀμφὶ δὲ χαῖται

κυάνεαι πίτναντο, κάρη δ' ἅπαν ἐν κονίῃσι

κεῖτο πάρος χαρίεν: τότε δὲ Ζεὺς δυσμενέεσσι

δῶκεν ἀεικίσσασθαι ἑῇ ἐν πατρίδι γαίῃ.

405ὣς τοῦ μὲν κεκόνιτο κάρη ἅπαν: ἣ δέ νυ μήτηρ

Transliteration

tou d' ēn helkomenoio konisalos, amphi de chaitai

kyaneai pitnanto, karē d' hapan en koniēisi

keito paros charien: tote de Zeus dysmeneessi

dōken aeikissasthai heēi en patridi gaiēi.

405hōs tou men kekonito karē hapan: hē de ny mētēr

English

The dust rose from Hektor as he was being dragged along, his dark hair flew all abroad, and his head once so comely was laid low on earth, for Zeus had now delivered him into the hands of his foes to do him outrage in his own land. Thus was the head of Hektor being dishonored in the dust.

Homeric Greek

τίλλε κόμην, ἀπὸ δὲ λιπαρὴν ἔρριψε καλύπτρην

τηλόσε, κώκυσεν δὲ μάλα μέγα παῖδ' ἐσιδοῦσα:

ᾤμωξεν δ' ἐλεεινὰ πατὴρ φίλος, ἀμφὶ δὲ λαοὶ

κωκυτῷ τ' εἴχοντο καὶ οἰμωγῇ κατὰ ἄστυ.

410τῷ δὲ μάλιστ' ἄρ' ἔην ἐναλίγκιον ὡς εἰ ἅπασα

Transliteration

tille komēn, apo de liparēn erripse kalyptrēn

tēlose, kōkysen de mala mega paid' esidousa:

ōimōxen d' eleeina patēr philos, amphi de laoi

kōkytōi t' eichonto kai oimōgēi kata asty.

410tōi de malist' ar' eēn enalinkion hōs ei hapasa

English

His mother tore her hair, and flung her veil from her with a loud cry as she looked upon her son. His father made piteous moan, and throughout the city the people fell to weeping and wailing.

Homeric Greek

Ἴλιος ὀφρυόεσσα πυρὶ σμύχοιτο κατ' ἄκρης.

λαοὶ μέν ῥα γέροντα μόγις ἔχον ἀσχαλόωντα

ἐξελθεῖν μεμαῶτα πυλάων Δαρδανιάων.

πάντας δ' ἐλλιτάνευε κυλινδόμενος κατὰ κόπρον,

415ἐξονομακλήδην ὀνομάζων ἄνδρα ἕκαστον:

Transliteration

Ilios ophryoessa pyri smychoito kat' akrēs.

laoi men rha geronta mogis echon aschaloōnta

exelthein memaōta pylaōn Dardaniaōn.

pantas d' ellitaneue kylindomenos kata kopron,

415exonomaklēdēn onomazōn andra hekaston:

English

It was as though the whole of frowning Ilion was being smirched with fire. Hardly could the people hold Priam back in his hot haste to rush without the gates of the city. He groveled in the mire and besought them, calling each one of them by his name.

Homeric Greek

σχέσθε φίλοι, καί μ' οἶον ἐάσατε κηδόμενοί περ

ἐξελθόντα πόληος ἱκέσθ' ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν.

λίσσωμ' ἀνέρα τοῦτον ἀτάσθαλον ὀβριμοεργόν,

ἤν πως ἡλικίην αἰδέσσεται ἠδ' ἐλεήσῃ

420γῆρας: καὶ δέ νυ τῷ γε πατὴρ τοιόσδε τέτυκται

Transliteration

schesthe philoi, kai m' oion easate kēdomenoi per

exelthonta polēos hikesth' epi nēas Achaiōn.

lissōm' anera touton atasthalon obrimoergon,

ēn pōs hēlikiēn aidessetai ēd' eleēsēi

420gēras: kai de ny tōi ge patēr toiosde tetyktai

English

"Let be, my friends," he cried, "and for all your sorrow, suffer me to go single-handed to the ships of the Achaeans. Let me beseech this cruel and terrible man, if maybe he will respect the feeling of his fellow-men, and have compassion on my old age. His own father is even such another as myself - Peleus, who bred him and

Homeric Greek

Πηλεύς, ὅς μιν ἔτικτε καὶ ἔτρεφε πῆμα γενέσθαι

Τρωσί: μάλιστα δ' ἐμοὶ περὶ πάντων ἄλγε' ἔθηκε.

τόσσους γάρ μοι παῖδας ἀπέκτανε τηλεθάοντας:

τῶν πάντων οὐ τόσσον ὀδύρομαι ἀχνύμενός περ

425ὡς ἑνός, οὗ μ' ἄχος ὀξὺ κατοίσεται Ἄϊδος εἴσω,

Transliteration

Pēleus, hos min etikte kai etrephe pēma genesthai

Trōsi: malista d' emoi peri pantōn alge' ethēke.

tossous gar moi paidas apektane tēlethaontas:

tōn pantōn ou tosson odyromai achnymenos per

425hōs henos, hou m' achos oxy katoisetai Aïdos eisō,

English

reared him to - be the bane of us Trojans, and of myself more than of all others. Many a son of mine has he slain in the flower of his youth, and yet, grieve for these as I may, I do so for one - Hektor - more than for them all, and the bitterness of my sorrow will bring me down to the house of Hades.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορος: ὡς ὄφελεν θανέειν ἐν χερσὶν ἐμῇσι:

τώ κε κορεσσάμεθα κλαίοντέ τε μυρομένω τε

μήτηρ θ', ἥ μιν ἔτικτε δυσάμμορος, ἠδ' ἐγὼ αὐτός.

ὣς ἔφατο κλαίων, ἐπὶ δὲ στενάχοντο πολῖται:

430Τρῳῇσιν δ' Ἑκάβη ἁδινοῦ ἐξῆρχε γόοιο:

Transliteration

Hektoros: hōs ophelen thaneein en chersin emēisi:

tō ke koressametha klaionte te myromenō te

mētēr th', hē min etikte dysammoros, ēd' egō autos.

hōs ephato klaiōn, epi de stenachonto politai:

430Trōiēisin d' Hekabē hadinou exērche gooio:

English

Would that he had died in my arms, for so both his ill-starred mother who bore him, and myself, should have had the comfort of weeping and mourning over him." Thus did he speak with many tears, and all the people of the city joined in his lament. Hecuba then raised the cry of wailing among the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

τέκνον ἐγὼ δειλή: τί νυ βείομαι αἰνὰ παθοῦσα

σεῦ ἀποτεθνηῶτος; ὅ μοι νύκτάς τε καὶ ἦμαρ

εὐχωλὴ κατὰ ἄστυ πελέσκεο, πᾶσί τ' ὄνειαρ

Τρωσί τε καὶ Τρῳῇσι κατὰ πτόλιν, οἵ σε θεὸν ὣς

435δειδέχατ': ἦ γὰρ καί σφι μάλα μέγα κῦδος ἔησθα

Transliteration

teknon egō deilē: ti ny beiomai aina pathousa

seu apotethnēōtos; ho moi nyktas te kai ēmar

euchōlē kata asty peleskeo, pasi t' oneiar

Trōsi te kai Trōiēisi kata ptolin, hoi se theon hōs

435deidechat': ē gar kai sphi mala mega kydos eēstha

English

"Alas, my son," she cried, "what have I left to live for now that you are no more? Night and day did I glory in. you throughout the city, for you were a tower of strength to all in Troy, and both men and women alike hailed you as a god.

Homeric Greek

ζωὸς ἐών: νῦν αὖ θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κιχάνει.

ὣς ἔφατο κλαίουσ', ἄλοχος δ' οὔ πώ τι πέπυστο

Ἕκτορος: οὐ γάρ οἵ τις ἐτήτυμος ἄγγελος ἐλθὼν

ἤγγειλ' ὅττί ῥά οἱ πόσις ἔκτοθι μίμνε πυλάων,

440ἀλλ' ἥ γ' ἱστὸν ὕφαινε μυχῷ δόμου ὑψηλοῖο

Transliteration

zōos eōn: nyn au thanatos kai moira kichanei.

hōs ephato klaious', alochos d' ou pō ti pepysto

Hektoros: ou gar hoi tis etētymos angelos elthōn

ēngeil' hotti rha hoi posis ektothi mimne pylaōn,

440all' hē g' histon hyphaine mychōi domou hypsēloio

English

So long as you lived you were their pride, but now death and destruction have fallen upon you." Hektor's wife had as yet heard nothing, for no one had come to tell her that her husband had remained without the gates. She was at her loom in an inner part of the house, weaving a double purple web, and embroidering it with many flowers.

Homeric Greek

δίπλακα πορφυρέην, ἐν δὲ θρόνα ποικίλ' ἔπασσε.

κέκλετο δ' ἀμφιπόλοισιν ἐϋπλοκάμοις κατὰ δῶμα

ἀμφὶ πυρὶ στῆσαι τρίποδα μέγαν, ὄφρα πέλοιτο

Ἕκτορι θερμὰ λοετρὰ μάχης ἐκ νοστήσαντι

445νηπίη, οὐδ' ἐνόησεν ὅ μιν μάλα τῆλε λοετρῶν

Transliteration

diplaka porphyreēn, en de throna poikil' epasse.

kekleto d' amphipoloisin eÿplokamois kata dōma

amphi pyri stēsai tripoda megan, ophra peloito

Hektori therma loetra machēs ek nostēsanti

445nēpiē, oud' enoēsen ho min mala tēle loetrōn

English

She told her maids to set a large tripod on the fire, so as to have a warm bath ready for Hektor when he came out of battle; poor woman, she knew not that he was now beyond the reach of baths, and that Athena had laid him low by the hands of Achilles.

Homeric Greek

χερσὶν Ἀχιλλῆος δάμασε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.

κωκυτοῦ δ' ἤκουσε καὶ οἰμωγῆς ἀπὸ πύργου:

τῆς δ' ἐλελίχθη γυῖα, χαμαὶ δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε κερκίς:

ἣ δ' αὖτις δμῳῇσιν ἐϋπλοκάμοισι μετηύδα:

450δεῦτε δύω μοι ἕπεσθον, ἴδωμ' ὅτιν' ἔργα τέτυκται.

Transliteration

chersin Achillēos damase glaukōpis Athēnē.

kōkytou d' ēkouse kai oimōgēs apo pyrgou:

tēs d' elelichthē guia, chamai de hoi ekpese kerkis:

hē d' autis dmōiēisin eÿplokamoisi metēuda:

450deute dyō moi hepesthon, idōm' hotin' erga tetyktai.

English

She heard the cry coming as from the wall, and trembled in every limb; the shuttle fell from her hands, and again she spoke to her waiting-women. "Two of you," she said, "come with me that I may learn what it is that has befallen; I heard the voice of my husband's honored mother;

Homeric Greek

αἰδοίης ἑκυρῆς ὀπὸς ἔκλυον, ἐν δ' ἐμοὶ αὐτῇ

στήθεσι πάλλεται ἦτορ ἀνὰ στόμα, νέρθε δὲ γοῦνα

πήγνυται: ἐγγὺς δή τι κακὸν Πριάμοιο τέκεσσιν.

αἲ γὰρ ἀπ' οὔατος εἴη ἐμεῦ ἔπος: ἀλλὰ μάλ' αἰνῶς

455δείδω μὴ δή μοι θρασὺν Ἕκτορα δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς

Transliteration

aidoiēs hekyrēs opos eklyon, en d' emoi autēi

stēthesi palletai ētor ana stoma, nerthe de gouna

pēgnytai: engys dē ti kakon Priamoio tekessin.

ai gar ap' ouatos eiē emeu epos: alla mal' ainōs

455deidō mē dē moi thrasyn Hektora dios Achilleus

English

my own heart beats as though it would come into my mouth and my limbs refuse to carry me; some great misfortune for Priam's children must be at hand. May I never live to hear it, but I greatly fear that Achilles has cut off the retreat of brave Hektor and has chased him on to the plain where he was singlehanded;

Homeric Greek

μοῦνον ἀποτμήξας πόλιος πεδίον δὲ δίηται,

καὶ δή μιν καταπαύσῃ ἀγηνορίης ἀλεγεινῆς

ἥ μιν ἔχεσκ', ἐπεὶ οὔ ποτ' ἐνὶ πληθυῖ μένεν ἀνδρῶν,

ἀλλὰ πολὺ προθέεσκε, τὸ ὃν μένος οὐδενὶ εἴκων.

460ὣς φαμένη μεγάροιο διέσσυτο μαινάδι ἴση

Transliteration

mounon apotmēxas polios pedion de diētai,

kai dē min katapausēi agēnoriēs alegeinēs

hē min echesk', epei ou pot' eni plēthui menen andrōn,

alla poly protheeske, to hon menos oudeni eikōn.

460hōs phamenē megaroio diessyto mainadi isē

English

I fear he may have put an end to the reckless daring which possessed my husband, who would never remain with the body of his men, but would dash on far in front, foremost of them all in valor." Her heart beat fast, and as she spoke she flew from the house like a maniac, with her waiting-women following after.

Homeric Greek

παλλομένη κραδίην: ἅμα δ' ἀμφίπολοι κίον αὐτῇ

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πύργόν τε καὶ ἀνδρῶν ἷξεν ὅμιλον

ἔστη παπτήνασ' ἐπὶ τείχεϊ, τὸν δὲ νόησεν

ἑλκόμενον πρόσθεν πόλιος: ταχέες δέ μιν ἵπποι

465ἕλκον ἀκηδέστως κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν.

Transliteration

pallomenē kradiēn: hama d' amphipoloi kion autēi

autar epei pyrgon te kai andrōn hixen homilon

estē paptēnas' epi teicheï, ton de noēsen

helkomenon prosthen polios: tachees de min hippoi

465helkon akēdestōs koilas epi nēas Achaiōn.

English

When she reached the battlements and the crowd of people, she stood looking out upon the wall, and saw Hektor being borne away in front of the city - the horses dragging him without heed or care over the ground towards the ships of the Achaeans. Her eyes were then shrouded as with the darkness of night and she fell fainting backwards, losing her life-breath.

Homeric Greek

τὴν δὲ κατ' ὀφθαλμῶν ἐρεβεννὴ νὺξ ἐκάλυψεν,

ἤριπε δ' ἐξοπίσω, ἀπὸ δὲ ψυχὴν ἐκάπυσσε.

τῆλε δ' ἀπὸ κρατὸς βάλε δέσματα σιγαλόεντα,

ἄμπυκα κεκρύφαλόν τε ἰδὲ πλεκτὴν ἀναδέσμην

470κρήδεμνόν θ', ὅ ῥά οἱ δῶκε χρυσῆ Ἀφροδίτη

Transliteration

tēn de kat' ophthalmōn erebennē nyx ekalypsen,

ēripe d' exopisō, apo de psychēn ekapysse.

tēle d' apo kratos bale desmata sigaloenta,

ampyka kekryphalon te ide plektēn anadesmēn

470krēdemnon th', ho rha hoi dōke chrysē Aphroditē

English

She tore the tiring from her head and flung it from her, the frontlet and net with its plaited band, and the veil which golden Aphrodite had given her on the day when Hektor took her with him from the house of Eetion, after having given countless gifts of wooing for her sake.

Homeric Greek

ἤματι τῷ ὅτε μιν κορυθαίολος ἠγάγεθ' Ἕκτωρ

ἐκ δόμου Ἠετίωνος, ἐπεὶ πόρε μυρία ἕδνα.

ἀμφὶ δέ μιν γαλόῳ τε καὶ εἰνατέρες ἅλις ἔσταν,

αἵ ἑ μετὰ σφίσιν εἶχον ἀτυζομένην ἀπολέσθαι.

475ἣ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν ἔμπνυτο καὶ ἐς φρένα θυμὸς ἀγέρθη

Transliteration

ēmati tōi hote min korythaiolos ēgageth' Hektōr

ek domou Ēetiōnos, epei pore myria hedna.

amphi de min galoōi te kai einateres halis estan,

hai he meta sphisin eichon atyzomenēn apolesthai.

475hē d' epei oun empnyto kai es phrena thymos agerthē

English

Her husband's sisters and the wives of his brothers crowded round her and supported her, for she was fain to die in her distraction; when she again presently breathed and came to herself, she sobbed and made lament among the Trojans saying, ‘Woe is me, O Hektor;

Homeric Greek

ἀμβλήδην γοόωσα μετὰ Τρῳῇσιν ἔειπεν:

Ἕκτορ ἐγὼ δύστηνος: ἰῇ ἄρα γεινόμεθ' αἴσῃ

ἀμφότεροι, σὺ μὲν ἐν Τροίῃ Πριάμου κατὰ δῶμα,

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ Θήβῃσιν ὑπὸ Πλάκῳ ὑληέσσῃ

480ἐν δόμῳ Ἠετίωνος, ὅ μ' ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐοῦσαν

Transliteration

amblēdēn gooōsa meta Trōiēisin eeipen:

Hektor egō dystēnos: iēi ara geinometh' aisēi

amphoteroi, sy men en Troiēi Priamou kata dōma,

autar egō Thēbēisin hypo Plakōi hylēessēi

480en domōi Ēetiōnos, ho m' etrephe tytthon eousan

English

woe, indeed, that to share a common lot we were born, you at Troy in the house of Priam, and I at Thebes under the wooded mountain of Plakos in the house of Eetion who brought me up when I was a child - ill-starred sire of an ill-starred daughter - would that he had never begotten me.

Homeric Greek

δύσμορος αἰνόμορον: ὡς μὴ ὤφελλε τεκέσθαι.

νῦν δὲ σὺ μὲν Ἀί̈δαο δόμους ὑπὸ κεύθεσι γαίης

ἔρχεαι, αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ στυγερῷ ἐνὶ πένθεϊ λείπεις

χήρην ἐν μεγάροισι: πάϊς δ' ἔτι νήπιος αὔτως,

485ὃν τέκομεν σύ τ' ἐγώ τε δυσάμμοροι: οὔτε σὺ τούτῳ

Transliteration

dysmoros ainomoron: hōs mē ōphelle tekesthai.

nyn de sy men Aïdao domous hypo keuthesi gaiēs

ercheai, autar eme stygerōi eni pentheï leipeis

chērēn en megaroisi: païs d' eti nēpios autōs,

485hon tekomen sy t' egō te dysammoroi: oute sy toutōi

English

You are now going into the house of Hades under the secret places of the earth, and you leave me a sorrowing widow in your house. The child, of whom you and I are the unhappy parents, is as yet a mere infant. Now that you are gone, O Hektor, you can do nothing for him nor he for you.

Homeric Greek

ἔσσεαι Ἕκτορ ὄνειαρ ἐπεὶ θάνες, οὔτε σοὶ οὗτος.

ἤν περ γὰρ πόλεμόν γε φύγῃ πολύδακρυν Ἀχαιῶν,

αἰεί τοι τούτῳ γε πόνος καὶ κήδε' ὀπίσσω

ἔσσοντ': ἄλλοι γάρ οἱ ἀπουρίσσουσιν ἀρούρας.

490ἦμαρ δ' ὀρφανικὸν παναφήλικα παῖδα τίθησι:

Transliteration

esseai Hektor oneiar epei thanes, oute soi houtos.

ēn per gar polemon ge phygēi polydakryn Achaiōn,

aiei toi toutōi ge ponos kai kēde' opissō

essont': alloi gar hoi apourissousin arouras.

490ēmar d' orphanikon panaphēlika paida tithēsi:

English

Even though he escape the horrors of this woeful war with the Achaeans, yet shall his life henceforth be one of labor and sorrow, for others will seize his lands. The day that robs a child of his parents severs him from his own kind;

Homeric Greek

πάντα δ' ὑπεμνήμυκε, δεδάκρυνται δὲ παρειαί,

δευόμενος δέ τ' ἄνεισι πάϊς ἐς πατρὸς ἑταίρους,

ἄλλον μὲν χλαίνης ἐρύων, ἄλλον δὲ χιτῶνος:

τῶν δ' ἐλεησάντων κοτύλην τις τυτθὸν ἐπέσχε:

495χείλεα μέν τ' ἐδίην', ὑπερῴην δ' οὐκ ἐδίηνε.

Transliteration

panta d' hypemnēmyke, dedakryntai de pareiai,

deuomenos de t' aneisi païs es patros hetairous,

allon men chlainēs eryōn, allon de chitōnos:

tōn d' eleēsantōn kotylēn tis tytthon epesche:

495cheilea men t' ediēn', hyperōiēn d' ouk ediēne.

English

his head is bowed, his cheeks are wet with tears, and he will go about destitute among the friends of his father, plucking one by the cloak and another by the shirt. Some one or other of these may so far pity him as to hold the cup for a moment towards him and let him moisten his lips,

Homeric Greek

τὸν δὲ καὶ ἀμφιθαλὴς ἐκ δαιτύος ἐστυφέλιξε

χερσὶν πεπλήγων καὶ ὀνειδείοισιν ἐνίσσων:

ἔρρ' οὕτως: οὐ σός γε πατὴρ μεταδαίνυται ἡμῖν.

δακρυόεις δέ τ' ἄνεισι πάϊς ἐς μητέρα χήρην

500Ἀστυάναξ, ὃς πρὶν μὲν ἑοῦ ἐπὶ γούνασι πατρὸς

Transliteration

ton de kai amphithalēs ek daityos estyphelixe

chersin peplēgōn kai oneideioisin enissōn:

err' houtōs: ou sos ge patēr metadainytai hēmin.

dakryoeis de t' aneisi païs es mētera chērēn

500Astyanax, hos prin men heou epi gounasi patros

English

but he must not drink enough to wet the roof of his mouth; then one whose parents are alive will drive him from the table with blows and angry words. ‘Out with you,’ he will say, ‘you have no father here,’ and the child will go crying back to his widowed mother - he, Astyanax, who erewhile would

Homeric Greek

μυελὸν οἶον ἔδεσκε καὶ οἰῶν πίονα δημόν:

αὐτὰρ ὅθ' ὕπνος ἕλοι, παύσαιτό τε νηπιαχεύων,

εὕδεσκ' ἐν λέκτροισιν ἐν ἀγκαλίδεσσι τιθήνης

εὐνῇ ἔνι μαλακῇ θαλέων ἐμπλησάμενος κῆρ:

505νῦν δ' ἂν πολλὰ πάθῃσι φίλου ἀπὸ πατρὸς ἁμαρτὼν

Transliteration

myelon oion edeske kai oiōn piona dēmon:

autar hoth' hypnos heloi, pausaito te nēpiacheuōn,

heudesk' en lektroisin en ankalidessi tithēnēs

eunēi eni malakēi thaleōn emplēsamenos kēr:

505nyn d' an polla pathēisi philou apo patros hamartōn

English

sit upon his father's knees, and have none but the daintiest and choicest morsels set before him. When he had played till he was tired and went to sleep, he would lie in a bed, in the arms of his nurse, on a soft couch, knowing neither want nor care, whereas now that he has lost his father his

Homeric Greek

Ἀστυάναξ, ὃν Τρῶες ἐπίκλησιν καλέουσιν:

οἶος γάρ σφιν ἔρυσο πύλας καὶ τείχεα μακρά.

νῦν δὲ σὲ μὲν παρὰ νηυσὶ κορωνίσι νόσφι τοκήων

αἰόλαι εὐλαὶ ἔδονται, ἐπεί κε κύνες κορέσωνται

510γυμνόν: ἀτάρ τοι εἵματ' ἐνὶ μεγάροισι κέονται

Transliteration

Astyanax, hon Trōes epiklēsin kaleousin:

oios gar sphin eryso pylas kai teichea makra.

nyn de se men para nēusi korōnisi nosphi tokēōn

aiolai eulai edontai, epei ke kynes koresōntai

510gymnon: atar toi heimat' eni megaroisi keontai

English

lot will be full of hardship - he, whom the Trojans name Astyanax, because you, O Hektor, were the only defense of their gates and battlements. The wriggling writhing worms will now eat you at the ships, far from your parents, when the dogs have glutted themselves upon you.

Homeric Greek

λεπτά τε καὶ χαρίεντα τετυγμένα χερσὶ γυναικῶν.

ἀλλ' ἤτοι τάδε πάντα καταφλέξω πυρὶ κηλέῳ

οὐδὲν σοί γ' ὄφελος, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἐγκείσεαι αὐτοῖς,

ἀλλὰ πρὸς Τρώων καὶ Τρωϊάδων κλέος εἶναι.

515ὣς ἔφατο κλαίουσ', ἐπὶ δὲ στενάχοντο γυναῖκες.

Transliteration

lepta te kai charienta tetygmena chersi gynaikōn.

all' ētoi tade panta kataphlexō pyri kēleōi

ouden soi g' ophelos, epei ouk enkeiseai autois,

alla pros Trōōn kai Trōïadōn kleos einai.

515hōs ephato klaious', epi de stenachonto gynaikes.

English

You will lie naked, although in your house you have fine and goodly raiment made by hands of women. This will I now burn; it is of no use to you, for you can never again wear it, and thus you will have glory among the Trojans both men and women." In such wise did she cry aloud amid her tears, and the women joined in her lament.