Homeric Greek
1αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κόσμηθεν ἅμ' ἡγεμόνεσσιν ἕκαστοι,
Τρῶες μὲν κλαγγῇ τ' ἐνοπῇ τ' ἴσαν ὄρνιθες ὣς
ἠύ̈τε περ κλαγγὴ γεράνων πέλει οὐρανόθι πρό:
αἵ τ' ἐπεὶ οὖν χειμῶνα φύγον καὶ ἀθέσφατον ὄμβρον
5κλαγγῇ ταί γε πέτονται ἐπ' ὠκεανοῖο ῥοάων
Transliteration
1autar epei kosmēthen ham' hēgemonessin hekastoi,
Trōes men klangēi t' enopēi t' isan ornithes hōs
ēÿte per klangē geranōn pelei ouranothi pro:
hai t' epei oun cheimōna phygon kai athesphaton ombron
5klangēi tai ge petontai ep' ōkeanoio rhoaōn
English
When the companies were thus arrayed, each under its own leader, the Trojans advanced as a flight of wild fowl or cranes that scream overhead when rain and winter drive them over the flowing waters of Okeanos to
Homeric Greek
ἀνδράσι Πυγμαίοισι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φέρουσαι:
ἠέριαι δ' ἄρα ταί γε κακὴν ἔριδα προφέρονται.
οἳ δ' ἄρ' ἴσαν σιγῇ μένεα πνείοντες Ἀχαιοὶ
ἐν θυμῷ μεμαῶτες ἀλεξέμεν ἀλλήλοισιν.
10εὖτ' ὄρεος κορυφῇσι Νότος κατέχευεν ὀμίχλην
Transliteration
andrasi Pygmaioisi phonon kai kēra pherousai:
ēeriai d' ara tai ge kakēn erida propherontai.
hoi d' ar' isan sigēi menea pneiontes Achaioi
en thymōi memaōtes alexemen allēloisin.
10eut' oreos koryphēisi Notos katecheuen omichlēn
English
bring death and destruction on the Pygmies, and they wrangle in the air as they fly; but the Achaeans marched silently, in high heart, and minded to stand by one another. As when the south wind spreads a curtain of mist upon
Homeric Greek
ποιμέσιν οὔ τι φίλην, κλέπτῃ δέ τε νυκτὸς ἀμείνω,
τόσσόν τίς τ' ἐπιλεύσσει ὅσον τ' ἐπὶ λᾶαν ἵησιν:
ὣς ἄρα τῶν ὑπὸ ποσσὶ κονίσαλος ὄρνυτ' ἀελλὴς
ἐρχομένων: μάλα δ' ὦκα διέπρησσον πεδίοιο.
15οἳ δ' ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦσαν ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισιν ἰόντες,
Transliteration
poimesin ou ti philēn, kleptēi de te nyktos ameinō,
tosson tis t' epileussei hoson t' epi laan hiēsin:
hōs ara tōn hypo possi konisalos ornyt' aellēs
erchomenōn: mala d' ōka dieprēsson pedioio.
15hoi d' hote dē schedon ēsan ep' allēloisin iontes,
English
the mountain tops, bad for shepherds but better than night for thieves, and a man can see no further than he can throw a stone, even so rose the dust from under their feet as they made all speed over the plain. When they were close up with one another, Alexander came forward as champion on the Trojan side.
Homeric Greek
Τρωσὶν μὲν προμάχιζεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδὴς
παρδαλέην ὤμοισιν ἔχων καὶ καμπύλα τόξα
καὶ ξίφος: αὐτὰρ δοῦρε δύω κεκορυθμένα χαλκῷ
πάλλων Ἀργείων προκαλίζετο πάντας ἀρίστους
20ἀντίβιον μαχέσασθαι ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι.
Transliteration
Trōsin men promachizen Alexandros theoeidēs
pardaleēn ōmoisin echōn kai kampyla toxa
kai xiphos: autar doure dyō kekorythmena chalkōi
pallōn Argeiōn prokalizeto pantas aristous
20antibion machesasthai en ainēi dēïotēti.
English
On his shoulders he bore the skin of a panther, his bow, and his sword, and he brandished two spears shod with bronze as a challenge to the bravest of the Achaeans to meet him in single fight.
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' ὡς οὖν ἐνόησεν ἀρηί̈φιλος Μενέλαος
ἐρχόμενον προπάροιθεν ὁμίλου μακρὰ βιβάντα,
ὥς τε λέων ἐχάρη μεγάλῳ ἐπὶ σώματι κύρσας
εὑρὼν ἢ ἔλαφον κεραὸν ἢ ἄγριον αἶγα
25πεινάων: μάλα γάρ τε κατεσθίει, εἴ περ ἂν αὐτὸν
Transliteration
ton d' hōs oun enoēsen arēïphilos Menelaos
erchomenon proparoithen homilou makra bibanta,
hōs te leōn echarē megalōi epi sōmati kyrsas
heurōn ē elaphon keraon ē agrion aiga
25peinaōn: mala gar te katesthiei, ei per an auton
English
Menelaos saw him thus stride out before the ranks, and was glad as a hungry lion that lights on the carcass of some goat or horned stag, and devours it there and then, though dogs and youths set upon him.
Homeric Greek
σεύωνται ταχέες τε κύνες θαλεροί τ' αἰζηοί:
ὣς ἐχάρη Μενέλαος Ἀλέξανδρον θεοειδέα
ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδών: φάτο γὰρ τίσεσθαι ἀλείτην:
αὐτίκα δ' ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε.
30τὸν δ' ὡς οὖν ἐνόησεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδὴς
Transliteration
seuōntai tachees te kynes thaleroi t' aizēoi:
hōs echarē Menelaos Alexandron theoeidea
ophthalmoisin idōn: phato gar tisesthai aleitēn:
autika d' ex ocheōn syn teuchesin alto chamaze.
30ton d' hōs oun enoēsen Alexandros theoeidēs
English
Even thus was Menelaos glad when his eyes caught sight of Alexander, for he deemed that now he should be revenged. He sprang, therefore, from his chariot, clad in his suit of armor. Alexander quailed as he saw Menelaos come
Homeric Greek
ἐν προμάχοισι φανέντα, κατεπλήγη φίλον ἦτορ,
ἂψ δ' ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρ' ἀλεείνων.
ὡς δ' ὅτε τίς τε δράκοντα ἰδὼν παλίνορσος ἀπέστη
οὔρεος ἐν βήσσῃς, ὑπό τε τρόμος ἔλλαβε γυῖα,
35ἂψ δ' ἀνεχώρησεν, ὦχρός τέ μιν εἷλε παρειάς,
Transliteration
en promachoisi phanenta, kateplēgē philon ētor,
aps d' hetarōn eis ethnos echazeto kēr' aleeinōn.
hōs d' hote tis te drakonta idōn palinorsos apestē
oureos en bēssēis, hypo te tromos ellabe guia,
35aps d' anechōrēsen, ōchros te min heile pareias,
English
forward, and shrank in fear of his life under cover of his men. As one who starts back affrighted, trembling and pale, when he comes suddenly upon a serpent in some mountain
Homeric Greek
ὣς αὖτις καθ' ὅμιλον ἔδυ Τρώων ἀγερώχων
δείσας Ἀτρέος υἱὸν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδής.
τὸν δ' Ἕκτωρ νείκεσσεν ἰδὼν αἰσχροῖς ἐπέεσσιν:
Δύσπαρι εἶδος ἄριστε γυναιμανὲς ἠπεροπευτὰ
40αἴθ' ὄφελες ἄγονός τ' ἔμεναι ἄγαμός τ' ἀπολέσθαι:
Transliteration
hōs autis kath' homilon edy Trōōn agerōchōn
deisas Atreos huion Alexandros theoeidēs.
ton d' Hektōr neikessen idōn aischrois epeessin:
Dyspari eidos ariste gynaimanes ēperopeuta
40aith' opheles agonos t' emenai agamos t' apolesthai:
English
glade, even so did Alexander plunge into the throng of Trojan warriors, terror-stricken at the sight of the son Atreus. Then Hektor upbraided him. "Paris," said he, "evil-hearted Paris, fair to see, but woman-mad, and false of tongue, would that you had never been born, or that you had died unwed.
Homeric Greek
καί κε τὸ βουλοίμην, καί κεν πολὺ κέρδιον ἦεν
ἢ οὕτω λώβην τ' ἔμεναι καὶ ὑπόψιον ἄλλων.
ἦ που καγχαλόωσι κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ
φάντες ἀριστῆα πρόμον ἔμμεναι, οὕνεκα καλὸν
45εἶδος ἔπ', ἀλλ' οὐκ ἔστι βίη φρεσὶν οὐδέ τις ἀλκή.
Transliteration
kai ke to bouloimēn, kai ken poly kerdion ēen
ē houtō lōbēn t' emenai kai hypopsion allōn.
ē pou kanchaloōsi karē komoōntes Achaioi
phantes aristēa promon emmenai, houneka kalon
45eidos ep', all' ouk esti biē phresin oude tis alkē.
English
Better so, than live to be disgraced and looked askance at. Will not the Achaeans mock at us and say that we have sent one to champion us who is fair to see but who has neither wit nor force ? Did you not, such as you are, get your following together and sail beyond the seas ?
Homeric Greek
ἦ τοιόσδε ἐὼν ἐν ποντοπόροισι νέεσσι
πόντον ἐπιπλώσας, ἑτάρους ἐρίηρας ἀγείρας,
μιχθεὶς ἀλλοδαποῖσι γυναῖκ' εὐειδέ' ἀνῆγες
ἐξ ἀπίης γαίης νυὸν ἀνδρῶν αἰχμητάων
50πατρί τε σῷ μέγα πῆμα πόληί̈ τε παντί τε δήμῳ,
Transliteration
ē toiosde eōn en pontoporoisi neessi
ponton epiplōsas, hetarous eriēras ageiras,
michtheis allodapoisi gynaik' eueide' anēges
ex apiēs gaiēs nyon andrōn aichmētaōn
50patri te sōi mega pēma polēï te panti te dēmōi,
English
Did you not from your a far country carry off a lovely woman wedded among a people of warriors - to bring sorrow upon your father, your city, and your whole district, but joy to your enemies, and hang-dog shamefacedness to yourself?
Homeric Greek
δυσμενέσιν μὲν χάρμα, κατηφείην δὲ σοὶ αὐτῷ;
οὐκ ἂν δὴ μείνειας ἀρηί̈φιλον Μενέλαον;
γνοίης χ' οἵου φωτὸς ἔχεις θαλερὴν παράκοιτιν:
οὐκ ἄν τοι χραίσμῃ κίθαρις τά τε δῶρ' Ἀφροδίτης
55ἥ τε κόμη τό τε εἶδος ὅτ' ἐν κονίῃσι μιγείης.
Transliteration
dysmenesin men charma, katēpheiēn de soi autōi;
ouk an dē meineias arēïphilon Menelaon;
gnoiēs ch' hoiou phōtos echeis thalerēn parakoitin:
ouk an toi chraismēi kitharis ta te dōr' Aphroditēs
55hē te komē to te eidos hot' en koniēisi migeiēs.
English
And now can you not dare face Menelaos and learn what manner of man he is whose wife you have stolen? Where indeed would be your lyre and your love-tricks, your comely locks and your fair favor, when you were lying in the dust before him?
Homeric Greek
ἀλλὰ μάλα Τρῶες δειδήμονες: ἦ τέ κεν ἤδη
λάϊνον ἕσσο χιτῶνα κακῶν ἕνεχ' ὅσσα ἔοργας.
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδής:
Ἕκτορ ἐπεί με κατ' αἶσαν ἐνείκεσας οὐδ' ὑπὲρ αἶσαν:
60αἰεί τοι κραδίη πέλεκυς ὥς ἐστιν ἀτειρὴς
Transliteration
alla mala Trōes deidēmones: ē te ken ēdē
laïnon hesso chitōna kakōn henech' hossa eorgas.
ton d' aute proseeipen Alexandros theoeidēs:
Hektor epei me kat' aisan eneikesas oud' hyper aisan:
60aiei toi kradiē pelekys hōs estin ateirēs
English
The Trojans are a weak-kneed people, or ere this you would have had a shirt of stones for the wrongs you have done them." And Alexander answered, "Hektor, your rebuke is just. You are hard as the axe which a shipwright wields at his work, and cleaves the timber to his liking.
Homeric Greek
ὅς τ' εἶσιν διὰ δουρὸς ὑπ' ἀνέρος ὅς ῥά τε τέχνῃ
νήϊον ἐκτάμνῃσιν, ὀφέλλει δ' ἀνδρὸς ἐρωήν:
ὣς σοὶ ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἀτάρβητος νόος ἐστί:
μή μοι δῶρ' ἐρατὰ πρόφερε χρυσέης Ἀφροδίτης:
65οὔ τοι ἀπόβλητ' ἐστὶ θεῶν ἐρικυδέα δῶρα
Transliteration
hos t' eisin dia douros hyp' aneros hos rha te technēi
nēïon ektamnēisin, ophellei d' andros erōēn:
hōs soi eni stēthessin atarbētos noos esti:
mē moi dōr' erata prophere chryseēs Aphroditēs:
65ou toi apoblēt' esti theōn erikydea dōra
English
As the axe in his hand, so keen is the edge of your mind. Still, taunt me not with the gifts that golden Aphrodite has given me; they are precious; let not a man disdain them, for the gods give them where they are minded, and none can have them for the asking.
Homeric Greek
ὅσσά κεν αὐτοὶ δῶσιν, ἑκὼν δ' οὐκ ἄν τις ἕλοιτο:
νῦν αὖτ' εἴ μ' ἐθέλεις πολεμίζειν ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι,
ἄλλους μὲν κάθισον Τρῶας καὶ πάντας Ἀχαιούς,
αὐτὰρ ἔμ' ἐν μέσσῳ καὶ ἀρηί̈φιλον Μενέλαον
70συμβάλετ' ἀμφ' Ἑλένῃ καὶ κτήμασι πᾶσι μάχεσθαι:
Transliteration
hossa ken autoi dōsin, hekōn d' ouk an tis heloito:
nyn aut' ei m' etheleis polemizein ēde machesthai,
allous men kathison Trōas kai pantas Achaious,
autar em' en messōi kai arēïphilon Menelaon
70symbalet' amph' Helenēi kai ktēmasi pasi machesthai:
English
If you would have me do battle with Menelaos, bid the Trojans and Achaeans take their seats, while he and I fight in their midst for Helen and all her wealth.
Homeric Greek
ὁππότερος δέ κε νικήσῃ κρείσσων τε γένηται,
κτήμαθ' ἑλὼν εὖ πάντα γυναῖκά τε οἴκαδ' ἀγέσθω:
οἳ δ' ἄλλοι φιλότητα καὶ ὅρκια πιστὰ ταμόντες
ναίοιτε Τροίην ἐριβώλακα, τοὶ δὲ νεέσθων
75Ἄργος ἐς ἱππόβοτον καὶ Ἀχαιί̈δα καλλιγύναικα.
Transliteration
hoppoteros de ke nikēsēi kreissōn te genētai,
ktēmath' helōn eu panta gynaika te oikad' agesthō:
hoi d' alloi philotēta kai horkia pista tamontes
naioite Troiēn eribōlaka, toi de neesthōn
75Argos es hippoboton kai Achaiïda kalligynaika.
English
Let him who shall be victorious and prove to be the better man take the woman and all she has, to bear them to his home, but let the rest swear to a solemn covenant of peace whereby you Trojans shall stay here in Troy, while the others go home to Argos and the land of the Achaeans."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφαθ', Ἕκτωρ δ' αὖτ' ἐχάρη μέγα μῦθον ἀκούσας,
καί ῥ' ἐς μέσσον ἰὼν Τρώων ἀνέεργε φάλαγγας
μέσσου δουρὸς ἑλών: τοὶ δ' ἱδρύνθησαν ἅπαντες.
τῷ δ' ἐπετοξάζοντο κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ
80ἰοῖσίν τε τιτυσκόμενοι λάεσσί τ' ἔβαλλον:
Transliteration
hōs ephath', Hektōr d' aut' echarē mega mython akousas,
kai rh' es messon iōn Trōōn aneerge phalangas
messou douros helōn: toi d' hidrynthēsan hapantes.
tōi d' epetoxazonto karē komoōntes Achaioi
80ioisin te tityskomenoi laessi t' eballon:
English
When Hektor heard this he was glad, and went about among the Trojan ranks holding his spear by the middle to keep them back, and they all sat down at his bidding:
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ὃ μακρὸν ἄϋσεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων:
ἴσχεσθ' Ἀργεῖοι, μὴ βάλλετε κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν:
στεῦται γάρ τι ἔπος ἐρέειν κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ.
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἔσχοντο μάχης ἄνεῴ τ' ἐγένοντο
85ἐσσυμένως: Ἕκτωρ δὲ μετ' ἀμφοτέροισιν ἔειπε:
Transliteration
autar ho makron aÿsen anax andrōn Agamemnōn:
ischesth' Argeioi, mē ballete kouroi Achaiōn:
steutai gar ti epos ereein korythaiolos Hektōr.
hōs ephath', hoi d' eschonto machēs aneōi t' egenonto
85essymenōs: Hektōr de met' amphoteroisin eeipe:
English
but the Achaeans still aimed at him with stones and arrows, till Agamemnon shouted to them saying, "Hold, Argives, shoot not, sons of the Achaeans; Hektor desires to speak." They ceased taking aim and were still, whereon Hektor spoke.
Homeric Greek
κέκλυτέ μευ Τρῶες καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶ
μῦθον Ἀλεξάνδροιο, τοῦ εἵνεκα νεῖκος ὄρωρεν.
ἄλλους μὲν κέλεται Τρῶας καὶ πάντας Ἀχαιοὺς
τεύχεα κάλ' ἀποθέσθαι ἐπὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ,
90αὐτὸν δ' ἐν μέσσῳ καὶ ἀρηί̈φιλον Μενέλαον
Transliteration
keklyte meu Trōes kai eÿknēmides Achaioi
mython Alexandroio, tou heineka neikos orōren.
allous men keletai Trōas kai pantas Achaious
teuchea kal' apothesthai epi chthoni poulyboteirēi,
90auton d' en messōi kai arēïphilon Menelaon
English
"Hear from my mouth," said he, "Trojans and Achaeans, the saying of Alexander, through whom this quarrel has come about. He bids the Trojans and Achaeans lay their armor upon the ground, while he and Menelaos fight in the midst of you for Helen and all her wealth.
Homeric Greek
οἴους ἀμφ' Ἑλένῃ καὶ κτήμασι πᾶσι μάχεσθαι.
ὁππότερος δέ κε νικήσῃ κρείσσων τε γένηται
κτήμαθ' ἑλὼν εὖ πάντα γυναῖκά τε οἴκαδ' ἀγέσθω:
οἳ δ' ἄλλοι φιλότητα καὶ ὅρκια πιστὰ τάμωμεν.
95ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ:
Transliteration
oious amph' Helenēi kai ktēmasi pasi machesthai.
hoppoteros de ke nikēsēi kreissōn te genētai
ktēmath' helōn eu panta gynaika te oikad' agesthō:
hoi d' alloi philotēta kai horkia pista tamōmen.
95hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi:
English
Let him who shall be victorious and prove to be the better man take the woman and all she has, to bear them to his own home, but let the rest swear to a solemn covenant of peace." Thus he spoke, and they all held their peace, till Menelaos of the loud battle-cry addressed them.
Homeric Greek
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος:
κέκλυτε νῦν καὶ ἐμεῖο: μάλιστα γὰρ ἄλγος ἱκάνει
θυμὸν ἐμόν, φρονέω δὲ διακρινθήμεναι ἤδη
Ἀργείους καὶ Τρῶας, ἐπεὶ κακὰ πολλὰ πέπασθε
100εἵνεκ' ἐμῆς ἔριδος καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου ἕνεκ' ἀρχῆς:
Transliteration
toisi de kai meteeipe boēn agathos Menelaos:
keklyte nyn kai emeio: malista gar algos hikanei
thymon emon, phroneō de diakrinthēmenai ēdē
Argeious kai Trōas, epei kaka polla pepasthe
100heinek' emēs eridos kai Alexandrou henek' archēs:
English
"And now," he said, "hear me too, for it is I who am the most aggrieved. I deem that the parting of Achaeans and Trojans is at hand, as well it may be, seeing how much have suffered for my quarrel with Alexander and the wrong he did me.
Homeric Greek
ἡμέων δ' ὁπποτέρῳ θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα τέτυκται
τεθναίη: ἄλλοι δὲ διακρινθεῖτε τάχιστα.
οἴσετε ἄρν', ἕτερον λευκόν, ἑτέρην δὲ μέλαιναν,
Γῇ τε καὶ Ἠελίῳ: Διὶ δ' ἡμεῖς οἴσομεν ἄλλον:
105ἄξετε δὲ Πριάμοιο βίην, ὄφρ' ὅρκια τάμνῃ
Transliteration
hēmeōn d' hoppoterōi thanatos kai moira tetyktai
tethnaiē: alloi de diakrintheite tachista.
oisete arn', heteron leukon, heterēn de melainan,
Gēi te kai Ēeliōi: Dii d' hēmeis oisomen allon:
105axete de Priamoio biēn, ophr' horkia tamnēi
English
Let him who shall die, die, and let the others fight no more. Bring, then, two lambs, a white ram and a black ewe, for Earth and Sun, and we will bring a third for Zeus. Moreover, you shall bid mighty Priam come, that he may swear to the covenant himself;
Homeric Greek
αὐτός, ἐπεί οἱ παῖδες ὑπερφίαλοι καὶ ἄπιστοι,
μή τις ὑπερβασίῃ Διὸς ὅρκια δηλήσηται.
αἰεὶ δ' ὁπλοτέρων ἀνδρῶν φρένες ἠερέθονται:
οἷς δ' ὁ γέρων μετέῃσιν ἅμα πρόσσω καὶ ὀπίσσω
110λεύσσει, ὅπως ὄχ' ἄριστα μετ' ἀμφοτέροισι γένηται.
Transliteration
autos, epei hoi paides hyperphialoi kai apistoi,
mē tis hyperbasiēi Dios horkia dēlēsētai.
aiei d' hoploterōn andrōn phrenes ēerethontai:
hois d' ho gerōn meteēisin hama prossō kai opissō
110leussei, hopōs och' arista met' amphoteroisi genētai.
English
for his sons are high-handed and ill to trust, and the oaths of Zeus must not be transgressed or taken in vain. Young men's minds are light as air, but when an old man comes he looks before and after, deeming that which shall be fairest upon both sides."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἐχάρησαν Ἀχαιοί τε Τρῶές τε
ἐλπόμενοι παύσασθαι ὀϊζυροῦ πολέμοιο.
καί ῥ' ἵππους μὲν ἔρυξαν ἐπὶ στίχας, ἐκ δ' ἔβαν αὐτοί,
τεύχεά τ' ἐξεδύοντο: τὰ μὲν κατέθεντ' ἐπὶ γαίῃ
115πλησίον ἀλλήλων, ὀλίγη δ' ἦν ἀμφὶς ἄρουρα:
Transliteration
hōs ephath', hoi d' echarēsan Achaioi te Trōes te
elpomenoi pausasthai oïzyrou polemoio.
kai rh' hippous men eryxan epi stichas, ek d' eban autoi,
teuchea t' exedyonto: ta men katethent' epi gaiēi
115plēsion allēlōn, oligē d' ēn amphis aroura:
English
The Trojans and Achaeans were glad when they heard this, for they thought that they should now have rest. They backed their chariots toward the ranks, got out of them, and put off their armor, laying it down upon the ground;
Homeric Greek
Ἕκτωρ δὲ προτὶ ἄστυ δύω κήρυκας ἔπεμπε
καρπαλίμως ἄρνάς τε φέρειν Πρίαμόν τε καλέσσαι:
αὐτὰρ ὃ Ταλθύβιον προί̈ει κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
νῆας ἔπι γλαφυρὰς ἰέναι, ἠδ' ἄρν' ἐκέλευεν
120οἰσέμεναι: ὃ δ' ἄρ' οὐκ ἀπίθησ' Ἀγαμέμνονι δίῳ.
Transliteration
Hektōr de proti asty dyō kērykas epempe
karpalimōs arnas te pherein Priamon te kalessai:
autar ho Talthybion proïei kreiōn Agamemnōn
nēas epi glaphyras ienai, ēd' arn' ekeleuen
120oisemenai: ho d' ar' ouk apithēs' Agamemnoni diōi.
English
and the hosts were near to one another with a little space between them. Hektor sent two messengers to the city to bring the lambs and to bid Priam come, while Agamemnon told Talthybios to fetch the other lamb from the ships, and he did as Agamemnon had said.
Homeric Greek
Ἶρις δ' αὖθ' Ἑλένῃ λευκωλένῳ ἄγγελος ἦλθεν
εἰδομένη γαλόῳ Ἀντηνορίδαο δάμαρτι,
τὴν Ἀντηνορίδης εἶχε κρείων Ἑλικάων
Λαοδίκην Πριάμοιο θυγατρῶν εἶδος ἀρίστην.
125τὴν δ' εὗρ' ἐν μεγάρῳ: ἣ δὲ μέγαν ἱστὸν ὕφαινε
Transliteration
Iris d' auth' Helenēi leukōlenōi angelos ēlthen
eidomenē galoōi Antēnoridao damarti,
tēn Antēnoridēs eiche kreiōn Helikaōn
Laodikēn Priamoio thygatrōn eidos aristēn.
125tēn d' heur' en megarōi: hē de megan histon hyphaine
English
Meanwhile Iris went to Helen in the form of her sister-in-law, wife of the son of Antenor, for Helikaon, son of Antenor, had married Laodike, the fairest of Priam's daughters.
Homeric Greek
δίπλακα πορφυρέην, πολέας δ' ἐνέπασσεν ἀέθλους
Τρώων θ' ἱπποδάμων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων,
οὕς ἑθεν εἵνεκ' ἔπασχον ὑπ' Ἄρηος παλαμάων:
ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱσταμένη προσέφη πόδας ὠκέα Ἶρις:
130δεῦρ' ἴθι νύμφα φίλη, ἵνα θέσκελα ἔργα ἴδηαι
Transliteration
diplaka porphyreēn, poleas d' enepassen aethlous
Trōōn th' hippodamōn kai Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn,
hous hethen heinek' epaschon hyp' Arēos palamaōn:
anchou d' histamenē prosephē podas ōkea Iris:
130deur' ithi nympha philē, hina theskela erga idēai
English
She found her in her own room, working at a great web of purple linen, on which she was embroidering the struggles between Trojans and Achaeans, that Ares had made them fight for her sake.
Homeric Greek
Τρώων θ' ἱπποδάμων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων,
οἳ πρὶν ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισι φέρον πολύδακρυν Ἄρηα
ἐν πεδίῳ ὀλοοῖο λιλαιόμενοι πολέμοιο:
οἳ δὴ νῦν ἕαται σιγῇ, πόλεμος δὲ πέπαυται,
135ἀσπίσι κεκλιμένοι, παρὰ δ' ἔγχεα μακρὰ πέπηγεν.
Transliteration
Trōōn th' hippodamōn kai Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn,
hoi prin ep' allēloisi pheron polydakryn Arēa
en pediōi olooio lilaiomenoi polemoio:
hoi dē nyn heatai sigēi, polemos de pepautai,
135aspisi keklimenoi, para d' enchea makra pepēgen.
English
Iris then came close up to her and said, "Come hither, child, and see the strange doings of the Trojans and Achaeans till now they have been warring upon the plain, mad with lust of battle, but now they have left off fighting, and are leaning upon their shields, sitting still with their spears planted beside them.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ Ἀλέξανδρος καὶ ἀρηί̈φιλος Μενέλαος
μακρῇς ἐγχείῃσι μαχήσονται περὶ σεῖο:
τῷ δέ κε νικήσαντι φίλη κεκλήσῃ ἄκοιτις.
ὣς εἰποῦσα θεὰ γλυκὺν ἵμερον ἔμβαλε θυμῷ
140ἀνδρός τε προτέρου καὶ ἄστεος ἠδὲ τοκήων:
Transliteration
autar Alexandros kai arēïphilos Menelaos
makrēis encheiēisi machēsontai peri seio:
tōi de ke nikēsanti philē keklēsēi akoitis.
hōs eipousa thea glykyn himeron embale thymōi
140andros te proterou kai asteos ēde tokēōn:
English
Alexander and Menelaos are going to fight about yourself, and you are to the wife of him who is the victor." Thus spoke the goddess, and Helen's heart yearned after her former husband, her city, and her parents.
Homeric Greek
αὐτίκα δ' ἀργεννῇσι καλυψαμένη ὀθόνῃσιν
ὁρμᾶτ' ἐκ θαλάμοιο τέρεν κατὰ δάκρυ χέουσα
οὐκ οἴη, ἅμα τῇ γε καὶ ἀμφίπολοι δύ' ἕποντο,
Αἴθρη Πιτθῆος θυγάτηρ, Κλυμένη τε βοῶπις:
145αἶψα δ' ἔπειθ' ἵκανον ὅθι Σκαιαὶ πύλαι ἦσαν.
Transliteration
autika d' argennēisi kalypsamenē othonēisin
hormat' ek thalamoio teren kata dakry cheousa
ouk oiē, hama tēi ge kai amphipoloi dy' heponto,
Aithrē Pitthēos thygatēr, Klymenē te boōpis:
145aipsa d' epeith' hikanon hothi Skaiai pylai ēsan.
English
She threw a white mantle over her head, and hurried from her room, weeping as she went, not alone, but attended by two of her handmaids, Aithra, daughter of Pittheus, and Klymene. And straightway they were at the Scaean gates.
Homeric Greek
οἳ δ' ἀμφὶ Πρίαμον καὶ Πάνθοον ἠδὲ Θυμοίτην
Λάμπόν τε Κλυτίον θ' Ἱκετάονά τ' ὄζον Ἄρηος
Οὐκαλέγων τε καὶ Ἀντήνωρ πεπνυμένω ἄμφω
ἥατο δημογέροντες ἐπὶ Σκαιῇσι πύλῃσι,
150γήραϊ δὴ πολέμοιο πεπαυμένοι, ἀλλ' ἀγορηταὶ
Transliteration
hoi d' amphi Priamon kai Panthoon ēde Thymoitēn
Lampon te Klytion th' Hiketaona t' ozon Arēos
Oukalegōn te kai Antēnōr pepnymenō amphō
hēato dēmogerontes epi Skaiēisi pylēisi,
150gēraï dē polemoio pepaumenoi, all' agorētai
English
The two sages, Ucalegon and Antenor, elders of the people, were seated by the Scaean gates, with Priam, Panthoos, Thymoetes, Lampos, Klytios, and Hiketaon of the race of Ares.
Homeric Greek
ἐσθλοί, τεττίγεσσιν ἐοικότες οἵ τε καθ' ὕλην
δενδρέῳ ἐφεζόμενοι ὄπα λειριόεσσαν ἱεῖσι:
τοῖοι ἄρα Τρώων ἡγήτορες ἧντ' ἐπὶ πύργῳ.
οἳ δ' ὡς οὖν εἴδονθ' Ἑλένην ἐπὶ πύργον ἰοῦσαν,
155ἦκα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἔπεα πτερόεντ' ἀγόρευον:
Transliteration
esthloi, tettigessin eoikotes hoi te kath' hylēn
dendreōi ephezomenoi opa leirioessan hieisi:
toioi ara Trōōn hēgētores hēnt' epi pyrgōi.
hoi d' hōs oun eidonth' Helenēn epi pyrgon iousan,
155ēka pros allēlous epea pteroent' agoreuon:
English
These were too old to fight, but they were fluent orators, and sat on the tower like cicadas that chirrup delicately from the boughs of some high tree in a wood. When they saw Helen coming towards the tower,
Homeric Greek
οὐ νέμεσις Τρῶας καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιοὺς
τοιῇδ' ἀμφὶ γυναικὶ πολὺν χρόνον ἄλγεα πάσχειν:
αἰνῶς ἀθανάτῃσι θεῇς εἰς ὦπα ἔοικεν:
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς τοίη περ ἐοῦσ' ἐν νηυσὶ νεέσθω,
160μηδ' ἡμῖν τεκέεσσί τ' ὀπίσσω πῆμα λίποιτο.
Transliteration
ou nemesis Trōas kai eÿknēmidas Achaious
toiēid' amphi gynaiki polyn chronon algea paschein:
ainōs athanatēisi theēis eis ōpa eoiken:
alla kai hōs toiē per eous' en nēusi neesthō,
160mēd' hēmin tekeessi t' opissō pēma lipoito.
English
they said softly to one another, "No wonder the Trojans and Achaeans endure so much and so long, for the sake of a woman so marvelously and divinely lovely. There is no sense of nemesis here. Still, fair though she be, let them take her and go, or she will breed sorrow for us and for our children after us."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἄρ' ἔφαν, Πρίαμος δ' Ἑλένην ἐκαλέσσατο φωνῇ:
δεῦρο πάροιθ' ἐλθοῦσα φίλον τέκος ἵζευ ἐμεῖο,
ὄφρα ἴδῃ πρότερόν τε πόσιν πηούς τε φίλους τε:
οὔ τί μοι αἰτίη ἐσσί, θεοί νύ μοι αἴτιοί εἰσιν
165οἵ μοι ἐφώρμησαν πόλεμον πολύδακρυν Ἀχαιῶν:
Transliteration
hōs ar' ephan, Priamos d' Helenēn ekalessato phōnēi:
deuro paroith' elthousa philon tekos hizeu emeio,
ophra idēi proteron te posin pēous te philous te:
ou ti moi aitiē essi, theoi ny moi aitioi eisin
165hoi moi ephōrmēsan polemon polydakryn Achaiōn:
English
But Priam bade her draw nigh. "My child," said he, "take your seat in front of me that you may see your former husband, your kinsmen and your friends. I lay no responsibility upon you, it is the gods, not you who are responsible.
Homeric Greek
ὥς μοι καὶ τόνδ' ἄνδρα πελώριον ἐξονομήνῃς
ὅς τις ὅδ' ἐστὶν Ἀχαιὸς ἀνὴρ ἠύ̈ς τε μέγας τε.
ἤτοι μὲν κεφαλῇ καὶ μείζονες ἄλλοι ἔασι,
καλὸν δ' οὕτω ἐγὼν οὔ πω ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιν,
170οὐδ' οὕτω γεραρόν: βασιλῆϊ γὰρ ἀνδρὶ ἔοικε.
Transliteration
hōs moi kai tond' andra pelōrion exonomēnēis
hos tis hod' estin Achaios anēr ēÿs te megas te.
ētoi men kephalēi kai meizones alloi easi,
kalon d' houtō egōn ou pō idon ophthalmoisin,
170oud' houtō geraron: basilēï gar andri eoike.
English
It is they that have brought about this terrible war with the Achaeans. Tell me, then, who is yonder huge hero so great and goodly? I have seen men taller by a head, but none so comely and so royal. Surely he must be a king."
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' Ἑλένη μύθοισιν ἀμείβετο δῖα γυναικῶν:
αἰδοῖός τέ μοί ἐσσι φίλε ἑκυρὲ δεινός τε:
ὡς ὄφελεν θάνατός μοι ἁδεῖν κακὸς ὁππότε δεῦρο
υἱέϊ σῷ ἑπόμην θάλαμον γνωτούς τε λιποῦσα
175παῖδά τε τηλυγέτην καὶ ὁμηλικίην ἐρατεινήν.
Transliteration
ton d' Helenē mythoisin ameibeto dia gynaikōn:
aidoios te moi essi phile hekyre deinos te:
hōs ophelen thanatos moi hadein kakos hoppote deuro
huieï sōi hepomēn thalamon gnōtous te lipousa
175paida te tēlygetēn kai homēlikiēn erateinēn.
English
"Sir," answered Helen, "father of my husband, dear and reverend in my eyes, would that I had chosen death rather than to have come here with your son, far from my bridal chamber, my friends, my darling daughter, and all the companions of my girlhood.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλὰ τά γ' οὐκ ἐγένοντο: τὸ καὶ κλαίουσα τέτηκα.
τοῦτο δέ τοι ἐρέω ὅ μ' ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς:
οὗτός γ' Ἀτρεί̈δης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων,
ἀμφότερον βασιλεύς τ' ἀγαθὸς κρατερός τ' αἰχμητής:
180δαὴρ αὖτ' ἐμὸς ἔσκε κυνώπιδος, εἴ ποτ' ἔην γε.
Transliteration
alla ta g' ouk egenonto: to kai klaiousa tetēka.
touto de toi ereō ho m' aneireai ēde metallāis:
houtos g' Atreïdēs eury kreiōn Agamemnōn,
amphoteron basileus t' agathos krateros t' aichmētēs:
180daēr aut' emos eske kynōpidos, ei pot' eēn ge.
English
But it was not to be, and my lot is one of tears and sorrow. As for your question, the hero of whom you ask is Agamemnon, son of Atreus, a good king and a brave warrior, brother-in-law as surely as that he lives, to my abhorred and miserable self."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φάτο, τὸν δ' ὁ γέρων ἠγάσσατο φώνησέν τε:
ὦ μάκαρ Ἀτρεί̈δη μοιρηγενὲς ὀλβιόδαιμον,
ἦ ῥά νύ τοι πολλοὶ δεδμήατο κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν.
ἤδη καὶ Φρυγίην εἰσήλυθον ἀμπελόεσσαν,
185ἔνθα ἴδον πλείστους Φρύγας ἀνέρας αἰολοπώλους
Transliteration
hōs phato, ton d' ho gerōn ēgassato phōnēsen te:
ō makar Atreïdē moirēgenes olbiodaimon,
ē rha ny toi polloi dedmēato kouroi Achaiōn.
ēdē kai Phrygiēn eisēlython ampeloessan,
185entha idon pleistous Phrygas aneras aiolopōlous
English
The old man marveled at him and said, "Happy son of Atreus, child of good fortune. I see that the Achaeans are subject to you in great multitudes.
Homeric Greek
λαοὺς Ὀτρῆος καὶ Μυγδόνος ἀντιθέοιο,
οἵ ῥα τότ' ἐστρατόωντο παρ' ὄχθας Σαγγαρίοιο:
καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼν ἐπίκουρος ἐὼν μετὰ τοῖσιν ἐλέχθην
ἤματι τῷ ὅτε τ' ἦλθον Ἀμαζόνες ἀντιάνειραι:
190ἀλλ' οὐδ' οἳ τόσοι ἦσαν ὅσοι ἑλίκωπες Ἀχαιοί.
Transliteration
laous Otrēos kai Mygdonos antitheoio,
hoi rha tot' estratoōnto par' ochthas Sangarioio:
kai gar egōn epikouros eōn meta toisin elechthēn
ēmati tōi hote t' ēlthon Amazones antianeirai:
190all' oud' hoi tosoi ēsan hosoi helikōpes Achaioi.
English
When I was in Phrygia I saw much horsemen, the people of Otreus and of Mygdon, who were camping upon the banks of the river Sangarios; I was their ally, and with them when the Amazons, peers of men, came up against them, but even they were not so many as the Achaeans."
Homeric Greek
δεύτερον αὖτ' Ὀδυσῆα ἰδὼν ἐρέειν' ὁ γεραιός:
εἴπ' ἄγε μοι καὶ τόνδε φίλον τέκος ὅς τις ὅδ' ἐστί:
μείων μὲν κεφαλῇ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεί̈δαο,
εὐρύτερος δ' ὤμοισιν ἰδὲ στέρνοισιν ἰδέσθαι.
195τεύχεα μέν οἱ κεῖται ἐπὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ,
Transliteration
deuteron aut' Odysēa idōn ereein' ho geraios:
eip' age moi kai tonde philon tekos hos tis hod' esti:
meiōn men kephalēi Agamemnonos Atreïdao,
euryteros d' ōmoisin ide sternoisin idesthai.
195teuchea men hoi keitai epi chthoni poulyboteirēi,
English
The old man next looked upon Odysseus; "Tell me," he said, "who is that other, shorter by a head than Agamemnon, but broader across the chest and shoulders?
Homeric Greek
αὐτὸς δὲ κτίλος ὣς ἐπιπωλεῖται στίχας ἀνδρῶν:
ἀρνειῷ μιν ἔγωγε ἐί̈σκω πηγεσιμάλλῳ,
ὅς τ' οἰῶν μέγα πῶϋ διέρχεται ἀργεννάων.
τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειθ' Ἑλένη Διὸς ἐκγεγαυῖα:
200οὗτος δ' αὖ Λαερτιάδης πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,
Transliteration
autos de ktilos hōs epipōleitai stichas andrōn:
arneiōi min egōge eïskō pēgesimallōi,
hos t' oiōn mega pōÿ dierchetai argennaōn.
ton d' ēmeibet' epeith' Helenē Dios ekgegauia:
200houtos d' au Laertiadēs polymētis Odysseus,
English
His armor is laid upon the ground, and he stalks in front of the ranks as it were some great woolly ram ordering his ewes." And Helen answered, "He is Odysseus, a man of great craft, son of Laertes.
Homeric Greek
ὃς τράφη ἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης κραναῆς περ ἐούσης
εἰδὼς παντοίους τε δόλους καὶ μήδεα πυκνά.
τὴν δ' αὖτ' Ἀντήνωρ πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
ὦ γύναι ἦ μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος νημερτὲς ἔειπες:
205ἤδη γὰρ καὶ δεῦρό ποτ' ἤλυθε δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
Transliteration
hos traphē en dēmōi Ithakēs kranaēs per eousēs
eidōs pantoious te dolous kai mēdea pykna.
tēn d' aut' Antēnōr pepnymenos antion ēuda:
ō gynai ē mala touto epos nēmertes eeipes:
205ēdē gar kai deuro pot' ēlythe dios Odysseus
English
He was born in the district of rugged Ithaca, and excels in all manner of stratagems and subtle cunning." On this Antenor said, "my lady, you have spoken truly. Odysseus once came here as envoy about yourself, and Menelaos with him.
Homeric Greek
σεῦ ἕνεκ' ἀγγελίης σὺν ἀρηϊφίλῳ Μενελάῳ:
τοὺς δ' ἐγὼ ἐξείνισσα καὶ ἐν μεγάροισι φίλησα,
ἀμφοτέρων δὲ φυὴν ἐδάην καὶ μήδεα πυκνά.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ Τρώεσσιν ἐν ἀγρομένοισιν ἔμιχθεν
210στάντων μὲν Μενέλαος ὑπείρεχεν εὐρέας ὤμους,
Transliteration
seu henek' angeliēs syn arēïphilōi Menelaōi:
tous d' egō exeinissa kai en megaroisi philēsa,
amphoterōn de phyēn edaēn kai mēdea pykna.
all' hote dē Trōessin en agromenoisin emichthen
210stantōn men Menelaos hypeirechen eureas ōmous,
English
I received them in my own house, and therefore know both of them by sight and conversation. When they stood up in presence of the assembled Trojans, Menelaos was the broader shouldered, but when both were seated Odysseus had the more royal presence.
Homeric Greek
ἄμφω δ' ἑζομένω γεραρώτερος ἦεν Ὀδυσσεύς:
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ μύθους καὶ μήδεα πᾶσιν ὕφαινον
ἤτοι μὲν Μενέλαος ἐπιτροχάδην ἀγόρευε,
παῦρα μὲν ἀλλὰ μάλα λιγέως, ἐπεὶ οὐ πολύμυθος
215οὐδ' ἀφαμαρτοεπής: ἦ καὶ γένει ὕστερος ἦεν.
Transliteration
amphō d' hezomenō gerarōteros ēen Odysseus:
all' hote dē mythous kai mēdea pasin hyphainon
ētoi men Menelaos epitrochadēn agoreue,
paura men alla mala ligeōs, epei ou polymythos
215oud' aphamartoepēs: ē kai genei hysteros ēen.
English
After a time they delivered their message, and the speech of Menelaos ran trippingly on the tongue; he did not say much, for he was a man of few words, but he spoke very clearly and to the point, though he was the younger man of the two;
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ πολύμητις ἀναί̈ξειεν Ὀδυσσεὺς
στάσκεν, ὑπαὶ δὲ ἴδεσκε κατὰ χθονὸς ὄμματα πήξας,
σκῆπτρον δ' οὔτ' ὀπίσω οὔτε προπρηνὲς ἐνώμα,
ἀλλ' ἀστεμφὲς ἔχεσκεν ἀί̈δρεϊ φωτὶ ἐοικώς:
220φαίης κε ζάκοτόν τέ τιν' ἔμμεναι ἄφρονά τ' αὔτως.
Transliteration
all' hote dē polymētis anaïxeien Odysseus
stasken, hypai de ideske kata chthonos ommata pēxas,
skēptron d' out' opisō oute proprēnes enōma,
all' astemphes echesken aïdreï phōti eoikōs:
220phaiēs ke zakoton te tin' emmenai aphrona t' autōs.
English
Odysseus, on the other hand, when he rose to speak, was at first silent and kept his eyes fixed upon the ground. There was no play nor graceful movement of his scepter; he kept it straight and stiff like a man unpracticed in oratory - one might have taken him for a mere churl or simpleton;
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ ὄπα τε μεγάλην ἐκ στήθεος εἵη
καὶ ἔπεα νιφάδεσσιν ἐοικότα χειμερίῃσιν,
οὐκ ἂν ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆί̈ γ' ἐρίσσειε βροτὸς ἄλλος:
οὐ τότε γ' ὧδ' Ὀδυσῆος ἀγασσάμεθ' εἶδος ἰδόντες.
225τὸ τρίτον αὖτ' Αἴαντα ἰδὼν ἐρέειν' ὃ γεραιός:
Transliteration
all' hote dē opa te megalēn ek stētheos heiē
kai epea niphadessin eoikota cheimeriēisin,
ouk an epeit' Odysēï g' erisseie brotos allos:
ou tote g' hōd' Odysēos agassameth' eidos idontes.
225to triton aut' Aianta idōn ereein' ho geraios:
English
but when he raised his voice, and the words came driving from his deep chest like winter snow before the wind, then there was none to touch him, and no man thought further of what he looked like." Priam then caught sight of Ajax and asked, "Who
Homeric Greek
τίς τὰρ ὅδ' ἄλλος Ἀχαιὸς ἀνὴρ ἠύ̈ς τε μέγας τε
ἔξοχος Ἀργείων κεφαλήν τε καὶ εὐρέας ὤμους;
τὸν δ' Ἑλένη τανύπεπλος ἀμείβετο δῖα γυναικῶν:
οὗτος δ' Αἴας ἐστὶ πελώριος ἕρκος Ἀχαιῶν:
230Ἰδομενεὺς δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐνὶ Κρήτεσσι θεὸς ὣς
Transliteration
tis tar hod' allos Achaios anēr ēÿs te megas te
exochos Argeiōn kephalēn te kai eureas ōmous;
ton d' Helenē tanypeplos ameibeto dia gynaikōn:
houtos d' Aias esti pelōrios herkos Achaiōn:
230Idomeneus d' heterōthen eni Krētessi theos hōs
English
is that great and goodly warrior whose head and broad shoulders tower above the rest of the Argives?" "That," answered Helen, "is huge Ajax, bulwark of the Achaeans, and on the other side of him, among the Cretans, stands Idomeneus looking like a god, and with the leaders of the Cretans round him.
Homeric Greek
ἕστηκ', ἀμφὶ δέ μιν Κρητῶν ἀγοὶ ἠγερέθονται.
πολλάκι μιν ξείνισσεν ἀρηί̈φιλος Μενέλαος
οἴκῳ ἐν ἡμετέρῳ ὁπότε Κρήτηθεν ἵκοιτο.
νῦν δ' ἄλλους μὲν πάντας ὁρῶ ἑλίκωπας Ἀχαιούς,
235οὕς κεν ἐὺ̈ γνοίην καί τ' οὔνομα μυθησαίμην:
Transliteration
hestēk', amphi de min Krētōn agoi ēgerethontai.
pollaki min xeinissen arēïphilos Menelaos
oikōi en hēmeterōi hopote Krētēthen hikoito.
nyn d' allous men pantas horō helikōpas Achaious,
235hous ken eÿ gnoiēn kai t' ounoma mythēsaimēn:
English
Often did Menelaos receive him as a guest in our house when he came visiting us from Crete. I see, moreover, many other Achaeans whose names I could tell you, but there are two whom I can nowhere find, Castor, breaker of horses, and Pollux the mighty boxer;
Homeric Greek
δοιὼ δ' οὐ δύναμαι ἰδέειν κοσμήτορε λαῶν
Κάστορά θ' ἱππόδαμον καὶ πὺξ ἀγαθὸν Πολυδεύκεα
αὐτοκασιγνήτω, τώ μοι μία γείνατο μήτηρ.
ἢ οὐχ ἑσπέσθην Λακεδαίμονος ἐξ ἐρατεινῆς,
240ἢ δεύρω μὲν ἕποντο νέεσσ' ἔνι ποντοπόροισι,
Transliteration
doiō d' ou dynamai ideein kosmētore laōn
Kastora th' hippodamon kai pyx agathon Polydeukea
autokasignētō, tō moi mia geinato mētēr.
ē ouch hespesthēn Lakedaimonos ex erateinēs,
240ē deurō men heponto neess' eni pontoporoisi,
English
they are children of my mother, and own brothers to myself. Either they have not left Lacedaemon, or else, though they have brought their ships, they will not show themselves in
Homeric Greek
νῦν αὖτ' οὐκ ἐθέλουσι μάχην καταδύμεναι ἀνδρῶν
αἴσχεα δειδιότες καὶ ὀνείδεα πόλλ' ἅ μοί ἐστιν.
ὣς φάτο, τοὺς δ' ἤδη κάτεχεν φυσίζοος αἶα
ἐν Λακεδαίμονι αὖθι φίλῃ ἐν πατρίδι γαίῃ.
245κήρυκες δ' ἀνὰ ἄστυ θεῶν φέρον ὅρκια πιστὰ
Transliteration
nyn aut' ouk ethelousi machēn katadymenai andrōn
aischea deidiotes kai oneidea poll' ha moi estin.
hōs phato, tous d' ēdē katechen physizoos aia
en Lakedaimoni authi philēi en patridi gaiēi.
245kērykes d' ana asty theōn pheron horkia pista
English
battle for the shame and disgrace that I have brought upon them." She knew not that both these heroes were already lying under the earth in their own land of Lacedaemon. Meanwhile the heralds were bringing the holy oath-offerings through
Homeric Greek
ἄρνε δύω καὶ οἶνον ἐύ̈φρονα καρπὸν ἀρούρης
ἀσκῷ ἐν αἰγείῳ: φέρε δὲ κρητῆρα φαεινὸν
κῆρυξ Ἰδαῖος ἠδὲ χρύσεια κύπελλα:
ὄτρυνεν δὲ γέροντα παριστάμενος ἐπέεσσιν:
250ὄρσεο Λαομεδοντιάδη, καλέουσιν ἄριστοι
Transliteration
arne dyō kai oinon eÿphrona karpon arourēs
askōi en aigeiōi: phere de krētēra phaeinon
kēryx Idaios ēde chryseia kypella:
otrynen de geronta paristamenos epeessin:
250orseo Laomedontiadē, kaleousin aristoi
English
the city - two lambs and a goatskin of wine, the gift of earth; and Idaios brought the mixing bowl and the cups of gold. He went up to Priam and said, "Son of Laomedon, the princes of the Trojans and Achaeans bid
Homeric Greek
Τρώων θ' ἱπποδάμων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων
ἐς πεδίον καταβῆναι ἵν' ὅρκια πιστὰ τάμητε:
αὐτὰρ Ἀλέξανδρος καὶ ἀρηί̈φιλος Μενέλαος
μακρῇς ἐγχείῃσι μαχήσοντ' ἀμφὶ γυναικί:
255τῷ δέ κε νικήσαντι γυνὴ καὶ κτήμαθ' ἕποιτο:
Transliteration
Trōōn th' hippodamōn kai Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn
es pedion katabēnai hin' horkia pista tamēte:
autar Alexandros kai arēïphilos Menelaos
makrēis encheiēisi machēsont' amphi gynaiki:
255tōi de ke nikēsanti gynē kai ktēmath' hepoito:
English
you come down on to the plain and swear to a solemn covenant. Alexander and Menelaos are to fight for Helen in single combat, that she and all her wealth may go with him who is the victor.
Homeric Greek
οἳ δ' ἄλλοι φιλότητα καὶ ὅρκια πιστὰ ταμόντες
ναίοιμεν Τροίην ἐριβώλακα, τοὶ δὲ νέονται
Ἄργος ἐς ἱππόβοτον καὶ Ἀχαιί̈δα καλλιγύναικα.
ὣς φάτο ῥίγησεν δ' ὃ γέρων, ἐκέλευσε δ' ἑταίρους
260ἵππους ζευγνύμεναι: τοὶ δ' ὀτραλέως ἐπίθοντο.
Transliteration
hoi d' alloi philotēta kai horkia pista tamontes
naioimen Troiēn eribōlaka, toi de neontai
Argos es hippoboton kai Achaiïda kalligynaika.
hōs phato rhigēsen d' ho gerōn, ekeleuse d' hetairous
260hippous zeugnymenai: toi d' otraleōs epithonto.
English
We are to swear to a solemn covenant of peace whereby we others shall dwell here in Troy, while the Achaeans return to Argos and the land of the Achaeans." The old man trembled as he heard, but bade his followers yoke the horses, and they made all haste to do so.
Homeric Greek
ἂν δ' ἄρ' ἔβη Πρίαμος, κατὰ δ' ἡνία τεῖνεν ὀπίσσω:
πὰρ δέ οἱ Ἀντήνωρ περικαλλέα βήσετο δίφρον:
τὼ δὲ διὰ Σκαιῶν πεδίον δ' ἔχον ὠκέας ἵππους.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἵκοντο μετὰ Τρῶας καὶ Ἀχαιούς,
265ἐξ ἵππων ἀποβάντες ἐπὶ χθόνα πουλυβότειραν
Transliteration
an d' ar' ebē Priamos, kata d' hēnia teinen opissō:
par de hoi Antēnōr perikallea bēseto diphron:
tō de dia Skaiōn pedion d' echon ōkeas hippous.
all' hote dē rh' hikonto meta Trōas kai Achaious,
265ex hippōn apobantes epi chthona poulyboteiran
English
He mounted the chariot, gathered the reins in his hand, and Antenor took his seat beside him; they then drove through the Scaean gates on to the plain. When they reached the ranks of the Trojans and Achaeans they left the chariot, and with
Homeric Greek
ἐς μέσσον Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν ἐστιχόωντο.
ὄρνυτο δ' αὐτίκ' ἔπειτα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων,
ἂν δ' Ὀδυσεὺς πολύμητις: ἀτὰρ κήρυκες ἀγαυοὶ
ὅρκια πιστὰ θεῶν σύναγον, κρητῆρι δὲ οἶνον
270μίσγον, ἀτὰρ βασιλεῦσιν ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας ἔχευαν.
Transliteration
es messon Trōōn kai Achaiōn estichoōnto.
ornyto d' autik' epeita anax andrōn Agamemnōn,
an d' Odyseus polymētis: atar kērykes agauoi
horkia pista theōn synagon, krētēri de oinon
270misgon, atar basileusin hydōr epi cheiras echeuan.
English
measured pace advanced into the space between the hosts. Agamemnon and Odysseus both rose to meet them. The attendants brought on the oath-offerings and mixed the wine in the mixing-bowls; they poured water over the hands of the chieftains, and the son of Atreus drew the
Homeric Greek
Ἀτρεί̈δης δὲ ἐρυσσάμενος χείρεσσι μάχαιραν,
ἥ οἱ πὰρ ξίφεος μέγα κουλεόν αἰὲν ἄωρτο,
ἀρνῶν ἐκ κεφαλέων τάμνε τρίχας: αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα
κήρυκες Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν νεῖμαν ἀρίστοις.
275τοῖσιν δ' Ἀτρεί̈δης μεγάλ' εὔχετο χεῖρας ἀνασχών:
Transliteration
Atreïdēs de eryssamenos cheiressi machairan,
hē hoi par xipheos mega kouleon aien aōrto,
arnōn ek kephaleōn tamne trichas: autar epeita
kērykes Trōōn kai Achaiōn neiman aristois.
275toisin d' Atreïdēs megal' eucheto cheiras anaschōn:
English
dagger that hung by his sword, and cut wool from the lambs' heads; this the men-servants gave about among the Trojan and Achaean princes, and the son of Atreus lifted up his hands in prayer.
Homeric Greek
Ζεῦ πάτερ Ἴδηθεν μεδέων κύδιστε μέγιστε,
Ἠέλιός θ', ὃς πάντ' ἐφορᾷς καὶ πάντ' ἐπακούεις,
καὶ ποταμοὶ καὶ γαῖα, καὶ οἳ ὑπένερθε καμόντας
ἀνθρώπους τίνυσθον ὅτις κ' ἐπίορκον ὀμόσσῃ,
280ὑμεῖς μάρτυροι ἔστε, φυλάσσετε δ' ὅρκια πιστά:
Transliteration
Zeu pater Idēthen medeōn kydiste megiste,
Ēelios th', hos pant' ephorāis kai pant' epakoueis,
kai potamoi kai gaia, kai hoi hypenerthe kamontas
anthrōpous tinysthon hotis k' epiorkon omossēi,
280hymeis martyroi este, phylassete d' horkia pista:
English
"Father Zeus," he cried, "you who rule in Ida, most glorious in power, and you O Sun, who see and give ear to all things, Earth and Rivers, and you who in the realms below chastise those mortals who have broken their oath, witness these rites and guard them, that they be not vain.
Homeric Greek
εἰ μέν κεν Μενέλαον Ἀλέξανδρος καταπέφνῃ
αὐτὸς ἔπειθ' Ἑλένην ἐχέτω καὶ κτήματα πάντα,
ἡμεῖς δ' ἐν νήεσσι νεώμεθα ποντοπόροισιν:
εἰ δέ κ' Ἀλέξανδρον κτείνῃ ξανθὸς Μενέλαος,
285Τρῶας ἔπειθ' Ἑλένην καὶ κτήματα πάντ' ἀποδοῦναι,
Transliteration
ei men ken Menelaon Alexandros katapephnēi
autos epeith' Helenēn echetō kai ktēmata panta,
hēmeis d' en nēessi neōmetha pontoporoisin:
ei de k' Alexandron kteinēi xanthos Menelaos,
285Trōas epeith' Helenēn kai ktēmata pant' apodounai,
English
If Alexander kills Menelaos, let him keep Helen and all her wealth, while we sail home with our ships; but if Menelaos kills Alexander, let the Trojans give back Helen and all that she has; let them moreover pay such fine to the Achaeans as shall be agreed
Homeric Greek
τιμὴν δ' Ἀργείοις ἀποτινέμεν ἥν τιν' ἔοικεν,
ἥ τε καὶ ἐσσομένοισι μετ' ἀνθρώποισι πέληται.
εἰ δ' ἂν ἐμοὶ τιμὴν Πρίαμος Πριάμοιό τε παῖδες
τίνειν οὐκ ἐθέλωσιν Ἀλεξάνδροιο πεσόντος,
290αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ καὶ ἔπειτα μαχήσομαι εἵνεκα ποινῆς
Transliteration
timēn d' Argeiois apotinemen hēn tin' eoiken,
hē te kai essomenoisi met' anthrōpoisi pelētai.
ei d' an emoi timēn Priamos Priamoio te paides
tinein ouk ethelōsin Alexandroio pesontos,
290autar egō kai epeita machēsomai heineka poinēs
English
upon, in testimony among those that shall be born hereafter. And if Priam and his sons refuse such fine when Alexander has fallen, then will I stay here and fight on till the war reaches its completion.
Homeric Greek
αὖθι μένων, ἧός κε τέλος πολέμοιο κιχείω.
ἦ, καὶ ἀπὸ στομάχους ἀρνῶν τάμε νηλέϊ χαλκῷ:
καὶ τοὺς μὲν κατέθηκεν ἐπὶ χθονὸς ἀσπαίροντας
θυμοῦ δευομένους: ἀπὸ γὰρ μένος εἵλετο χαλκός.
295οἶνον δ' ἐκ κρητῆρος ἀφυσσόμενοι δεπάεσσιν
Transliteration
authi menōn, hēos ke telos polemoio kicheiō.
ē, kai apo stomachous arnōn tame nēleï chalkōi:
kai tous men katethēken epi chthonos aspairontas
thymou deuomenous: apo gar menos heileto chalkos.
295oinon d' ek krētēros aphyssomenoi depaessin
English
" As he spoke he drew his knife across the throats of the victims, and laid them down gasping and dying upon the ground, for the knife had reft them of their strength.
Homeric Greek
ἔκχεον, ἠδ' εὔχοντο θεοῖς αἰειγενέτῃσιν.
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν Ἀχαιῶν τε Τρώων τε:
Ζεῦ κύδιστε μέγιστε καὶ ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι
ὁππότεροι πρότεροι ὑπὲρ ὅρκια πημήνειαν
300ὧδέ σφ' ἐγκέφαλος χαμάδις ῥέοι ὡς ὅδε οἶνος
Transliteration
ekcheon, ēd' euchonto theois aieigenetēisin.
hōde de tis eipesken Achaiōn te Trōōn te:
Zeu kydiste megiste kai athanatoi theoi alloi
hoppoteroi proteroi hyper horkia pēmēneian
300hōde sph' enkephalos chamadis rheoi hōs hode oinos
English
Then they poured wine from the mixing-bowl into the cups, and prayed to the everlasting gods, saying, Trojans and Achaeans among one another, "Zeus, most great and glorious, and you other everlasting gods, grant that the brains of them who shall first violate their oaths - of them and their children - may be shed upon the ground even
Homeric Greek
αὐτῶν καὶ τεκέων, ἄλοχοι δ' ἄλλοισι δαμεῖεν.
ὣς ἔφαν, οὐδ' ἄρα πώ σφιν ἐπεκραίαινε Κρονίων.
τοῖσι δὲ Δαρδανίδης Πρίαμος μετὰ μῦθον ἔειπε:
κέκλυτέ μευ Τρῶες καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί:
305ἤτοι ἐγὼν εἶμι προτὶ Ἴλιον ἠνεμόεσσαν
Transliteration
autōn kai tekeōn, alochoi d' alloisi dameien.
hōs ephan, oud' ara pō sphin epekraiaine Kroniōn.
toisi de Dardanidēs Priamos meta mython eeipe:
keklyte meu Trōes kai eÿknēmides Achaioi:
305ētoi egōn eimi proti Ilion ēnemoessan
English
as this wine, and let their wives become the slaves of strangers." Thus they prayed, but not as yet would Zeus grant them their prayer. Then Priam, descendant of Dardanos, spoke, saying, "Hear me, Trojans and Achaeans, I will now go back to the wind-beaten city of Ilion:
Homeric Greek
ἄψ, ἐπεὶ οὔ πω τλήσομ' ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρᾶσθαι
μαρνάμενον φίλον υἱὸν ἀρηϊφίλῳ Μενελάῳ:
Ζεὺς μέν που τό γε οἶδε καὶ ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι
ὁπποτέρῳ θανάτοιο τέλος πεπρωμένον ἐστίν.
310ἦ ῥα καὶ ἐς δίφρον ἄρνας θέτο ἰσόθεος φώς,
Transliteration
aps, epei ou pō tlēsom' en ophthalmoisin horasthai
marnamenon philon huion arēïphilōi Menelaōi:
Zeus men pou to ge oide kai athanatoi theoi alloi
hoppoterōi thanatoio telos peprōmenon estin.
310ē rha kai es diphron arnas theto isotheos phōs,
English
I dare not with my own eyes witness this fight between my son and Menelaos, for Zeus and the other immortals alone know which of the two is doomed to undergo the outcome of death." On this he laid the two lambs on his chariot and took his seat.
Homeric Greek
ἂν δ' ἄρ' ἔβαιν' αὐτός, κατὰ δ' ἡνία τεῖνεν ὀπίσσω:
πὰρ δέ οἱ Ἀντήνωρ περικαλλέα βήσετο δίφρον.
τὼ μὲν ἄρ' ἄψορροι προτὶ Ἴλιον ἀπονέοντο:
Ἕκτωρ δὲ Πριάμοιο πάϊς καὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
315χῶρον μὲν πρῶτον διεμέτρεον, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα
Transliteration
an d' ar' ebain' autos, kata d' hēnia teinen opissō:
par de hoi Antēnōr perikallea bēseto diphron.
tō men ar' apsorroi proti Ilion aponeonto:
Hektōr de Priamoio païs kai dios Odysseus
315chōron men prōton diemetreon, autar epeita
English
He gathered the reins in his hand, and Antenor sat beside him; the two then went back to Ilion. Hektor and Odysseus measured the ground, and cast lots from a helmet of bronze to see which should take aim first.
Homeric Greek
κλήρους ἐν κυνέῃ χαλκήρεϊ πάλλον ἑλόντες,
ὁππότερος δὴ πρόσθεν ἀφείη χάλκεον ἔγχος.
λαοὶ δ' ἠρήσαντο, θεοῖσι δὲ χεῖρας ἀνέσχον,
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν Ἀχαιῶν τε Τρώων τε:
320Ζεῦ πάτερ Ἴδηθεν μεδέων κύδιστε μέγιστε
Transliteration
klērous en kyneēi chalkēreï pallon helontes,
hoppoteros dē prosthen apheiē chalkeon enchos.
laoi d' ērēsanto, theoisi de cheiras aneschon,
hōde de tis eipesken Achaiōn te Trōōn te:
320Zeu pater Idēthen medeōn kydiste megiste
English
Meanwhile the two hosts lifted up their hands and prayed saying, "Father Zeus, you who rule from Ida, most glorious in power, grant that he who first brought about this war between
Homeric Greek
ὁππότερος τάδε ἔργα μετ' ἀμφοτέροισιν ἔθηκε,
τὸν δὸς ἀποφθίμενον δῦναι δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω,
ἡμῖν δ' αὖ φιλότητα καὶ ὅρκια πιστὰ γενέσθαι.
ὣς ἄρ' ἔφαν, πάλλεν δὲ μέγας κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ
325ἂψ ὁρόων: Πάριος δὲ θοῶς ἐκ κλῆρος ὄρουσεν.
Transliteration
hoppoteros tade erga met' amphoteroisin ethēke,
ton dos apophthimenon dynai domon Aïdos eisō,
hēmin d' au philotēta kai horkia pista genesthai.
hōs ar' ephan, pallen de megas korythaiolos Hektōr
325aps horoōn: Parios de thoōs ek klēros orousen.
English
us may die, and enter the house of Hades, while we others remain at peace and abide by our oaths." Great Hektor now turned his head aside while he shook the helmet, and the lot of Paris flew out first.
Homeric Greek
οἳ μὲν ἔπειθ' ἵζοντο κατὰ στίχας, ἧχι ἑκάστῳ
ἵπποι ἀερσίποδες καὶ ποικίλα τεύχε' ἔκειτο:
αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ἀμφ' ὤμοισιν ἐδύσετο τεύχεα καλὰ
δῖος Ἀλέξανδρος Ἑλένης πόσις ἠϋκόμοιο.
330κνημῖδας μὲν πρῶτα περὶ κνήμῃσιν ἔθηκε
Transliteration
hoi men epeith' hizonto kata stichas, hēchi hekastōi
hippoi aersipodes kai poikila teuche' ekeito:
autar ho g' amph' ōmoisin edyseto teuchea kala
dios Alexandros Helenēs posis ēÿkomoio.
330knēmidas men prōta peri knēmēisin ethēke
English
The others took their several stations, each by his horses and the place where his arms were lying, while Alexander, husband of lovely Helen, put on his goodly armor. First he greaved his legs with greaves of good make and fitted with ankle-clasps of silver;
Homeric Greek
καλάς, ἀργυρέοισιν ἐπισφυρίοις ἀραρυίας:
δεύτερον αὖ θώρηκα περὶ στήθεσσιν ἔδυνεν
οἷο κασιγνήτοιο Λυκάονος: ἥρμοσε δ' αὐτῷ.
ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' ὤμοισιν βάλετο ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον
335χάλκεον, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα σάκος μέγα τε στιβαρόν τε:
Transliteration
kalas, argyreoisin episphyriois araruias:
deuteron au thōrēka peri stēthessin edynen
hoio kasignētoio Lykaonos: hērmose d' autōi.
amphi d' ar' ōmoisin baleto xiphos argyroēlon
335chalkeon, autar epeita sakos mega te stibaron te:
English
after this he donned the cuirass of his brother Lykaon, and fitted it to his own body; he hung his silver-studded sword of bronze about his shoulders, and then his mighty shield.
Homeric Greek
κρατὶ δ' ἐπ' ἰφθίμῳ κυνέην εὔτυκτον ἔθηκεν
ἵππουριν: δεινὸν δὲ λόφος καθύπερθεν ἔνευεν:
εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ὅ οἱ παλάμηφιν ἀρήρει.
ὣς δ' αὔτως Μενέλαος ἀρήϊος ἔντε' ἔδυνεν.
340οἳ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν ἑκάτερθεν ὁμίλου θωρήχθησαν,
Transliteration
krati d' ep' iphthimōi kyneēn eutykton ethēken
hippourin: deinon de lophos kathyperthen eneuen:
heileto d' alkimon enchos, ho hoi palamēphin arērei.
hōs d' autōs Menelaos arēïos ente' edynen.
340hoi d' epei oun hekaterthen homilou thōrēchthēsan,
English
On his comely head he set his helmet, well-wrought, with a crest of horse-hair that nodded menacingly above it, and he grasped a redoubtable spear that suited his hands. In like fashion Menelaos also put on his armor. When they had thus armed, each amid his
Homeric Greek
ἐς μέσσον Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν ἐστιχόωντο
δεινὸν δερκόμενοι: θάμβος δ' ἔχεν εἰσορόωντας
Τρῶάς θ' ἱπποδάμους καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς.
καί ῥ' ἐγγὺς στήτην διαμετρητῷ ἐνὶ χώρῳ
345σείοντ' ἐγχείας ἀλλήλοισιν κοτέοντε.
Transliteration
es messon Trōōn kai Achaiōn estichoōnto
deinon derkomenoi: thambos d' echen eisoroōntas
Trōas th' hippodamous kai eÿknēmidas Achaious.
kai rh' engys stētēn diametrētōi eni chōrōi
345seiont' encheias allēloisin koteonte.
English
own people, they strode fierce of aspect into the open space, and both Trojans and Achaeans were struck with awe as they beheld them. They stood near one another on the measured ground, brandishing their spears, and each furious against the other.
Homeric Greek
πρόσθε δ' Ἀλέξανδρος προί̈ει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,
καὶ βάλεν Ἀτρεί̈δαο κατ' ἀσπίδα πάντοσε ἴσην,
οὐδ' ἔρρηξεν χαλκός, ἀνεγνάμφθη δέ οἱ αἰχμὴ
ἀσπίδ' ἐνὶ κρατερῇ: ὃ δὲ δεύτερον ὄρνυτο χαλκῷ
350Ἀτρεί̈δης Μενέλαος ἐπευξάμενος Διὶ πατρί:
Transliteration
prosthe d' Alexandros proïei dolichoskion enchos,
kai balen Atreïdao kat' aspida pantose isēn,
oud' errēxen chalkos, anegnamphthē de hoi aichmē
aspid' eni kraterēi: ho de deuteron ornyto chalkōi
350Atreïdēs Menelaos epeuxamenos Dii patri:
English
Alexander aimed first, and struck the round shield of the son of Atreus, but the spear did not pierce it, for the shield turned its point. Menelaos next took aim, praying to Father Zeus as he did so.
Homeric Greek
Ζεῦ ἄνα δὸς τίσασθαι ὅ με πρότερος κάκ' ἔοργε
δῖον Ἀλέξανδρον, καὶ ἐμῇς ὑπὸ χερσὶ δάμασσον,
ὄφρα τις ἐρρίγῃσι καὶ ὀψιγόνων ἀνθρώπων
ξεινοδόκον κακὰ ῥέξαι, ὅ κεν φιλότητα παράσχῃ.
355ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμπεπαλὼν προί̈ει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,
Transliteration
Zeu ana dos tisasthai ho me proteros kak' eorge
dion Alexandron, kai emēis hypo chersi damasson,
ophra tis errigēisi kai opsigonōn anthrōpōn
xeinodokon kaka rhexai, ho ken philotēta paraschēi.
355ē rha kai ampepalōn proïei dolichoskion enchos,
English
"King Zeus," he said, "grant me revenge on Alexander who has wronged me; subdue him under my hand that in ages yet to come a man may shrink from doing ill deeds in the house of his host." He poised his spear as he spoke, and hurled it at the shield of Alexander.
Homeric Greek
καὶ βάλε Πριαμίδαο κατ' ἀσπίδα πάντοσε ἴσην:
διὰ μὲν ἀσπίδος ἦλθε φαεινῆς ὄβριμον ἔγχος,
καὶ διὰ θώρηκος πολυδαιδάλου ἠρήρειστο:
ἀντικρὺ δὲ παραὶ λαπάρην διάμησε χιτῶνα
360ἔγχος: ὃ δ' ἐκλίνθη καὶ ἀλεύατο κῆρα μέλαιναν.
Transliteration
kai bale Priamidao kat' aspida pantose isēn:
dia men aspidos ēlthe phaeinēs obrimon enchos,
kai dia thōrēkos polydaidalou ērēreisto:
antikry de parai laparēn diamēse chitōna
360enchos: ho d' eklinthē kai aleuato kēra melainan.
English
Through shield and cuirass it went, and tore the shirt by his flank, but Alexander swerved aside, and thus saved his life. Then the son of Atreus drew his sword, and drove at the projecting part of
Homeric Greek
Ἀτρεί̈δης δὲ ἐρυσσάμενος ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον
πλῆξεν ἀνασχόμενος κόρυθος φάλον: ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' αὐτῷ
τριχθά τε καὶ τετραχθὰ διατρυφὲν ἔκπεσε χειρός.
Ἀτρεί̈δης δ' ᾤμωξεν ἰδὼν εἰς οὐρανὸν εὐρύν:
365Ζεῦ πάτερ οὔ τις σεῖο θεῶν ὀλοώτερος ἄλλος:
Transliteration
Atreïdēs de eryssamenos xiphos argyroēlon
plēxen anaschomenos korythos phalon: amphi d' ar' autōi
trichtha te kai tetrachtha diatryphen ekpese cheiros.
Atreïdēs d' ōimōxen idōn eis ouranon euryn:
365Zeu pater ou tis seio theōn oloōteros allos:
English
his helmet, but the sword fell shivered in three or four pieces from his hand, and he cried, looking towards Heaven, "Father Zeus, of all gods you are the most spiteful;
Homeric Greek
ἦ τ' ἐφάμην τίσασθαι Ἀλέξανδρον κακότητος:
νῦν δέ μοι ἐν χείρεσσιν ἄγη ξίφος, ἐκ δέ μοι ἔγχος
ἠί̈χθη παλάμηφιν ἐτώσιον, οὐδ' ἔβαλόν μιν.
ἦ καὶ ἐπαί̈ξας κόρυθος λάβεν ἱπποδασείης,
370ἕλκε δ' ἐπιστρέψας μετ' ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς:
Transliteration
ē t' ephamēn tisasthai Alexandron kakotētos:
nyn de moi en cheiressin agē xiphos, ek de moi enchos
ēïchthē palamēphin etōsion, oud' ebalon min.
ē kai epaïxas korythos laben hippodaseiēs,
370helke d' epistrepsas met' eÿknēmidas Achaious:
English
I made sure of my revenge, but the sword has broken in my hand, my spear has been hurled in vain, and I have not killed him." With this he flew at Alexander, caught him by the horsehair plume of his helmet, and began dragging him towards the Achaeans.
Homeric Greek
ἄγχε δέ μιν πολύκεστος ἱμὰς ἁπαλὴν ὑπὸ δειρήν,
ὅς οἱ ὑπ' ἀνθερεῶνος ὀχεὺς τέτατο τρυφαλείης.
καί νύ κεν εἴρυσσέν τε καὶ ἄσπετον ἤρατο κῦδος,
εἰ μὴ ἄρ' ὀξὺ νόησε Διὸς θυγάτηρ Ἀφροδίτη,
375ἥ οἱ ῥῆξεν ἱμάντα βοὸς ἶφι κταμένοιο:
Transliteration
anche de min polykestos himas hapalēn hypo deirēn,
hos hoi hyp' anthereōnos ocheus tetato tryphaleiēs.
kai ny ken eiryssen te kai aspeton ērato kydos,
ei mē ar' oxy noēse Dios thygatēr Aphroditē,
375hē hoi rhēxen himanta boos iphi ktamenoio:
English
The strap of the helmet that went under his chin was choking him, and Menelaos would have dragged him off to his own great glory had not Zeus' daughter Aphrodite been quick to mark and to break the strap of oxhide, so that the empty helmet came away in his hand.
Homeric Greek
κεινὴ δὲ τρυφάλεια ἅμ' ἕσπετο χειρὶ παχείῃ.
τὴν μὲν ἔπειθ' ἥρως μετ' ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιοὺς
ῥῖψ' ἐπιδινήσας, κόμισαν δ' ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι:
αὐτὰρ ὃ ἂψ ἐπόρουσε κατακτάμεναι μενεαίνων
380ἔγχεϊ χαλκείῳ: τὸν δ' ἐξήρπαξ' Ἀφροδίτη
Transliteration
keinē de tryphaleia ham' hespeto cheiri pacheiēi.
tēn men epeith' hērōs met' eÿknēmidas Achaious
rhips' epidinēsas, komisan d' eriēres hetairoi:
autar ho aps eporouse kataktamenai meneainōn
380encheï chalkeiōi: ton d' exērpax' Aphroditē
English
This he flung to his comrades among the Achaeans, and was again springing upon Alexander to run him through with a spear, but Aphrodite snatched him up in a moment (as a god can do),
Homeric Greek
ῥεῖα μάλ' ὥς τε θεός, ἐκάλυψε δ' ἄρ' ἠέρι πολλῇ,
κὰδ δ' εἷσ' ἐν θαλάμῳ εὐώδεϊ κηώεντι.
αὐτὴ δ' αὖ Ἑλένην καλέουσ' ἴε: τὴν δὲ κίχανε
πύργῳ ἐφ' ὑψηλῷ, περὶ δὲ Τρῳαὶ ἅλις ἦσαν:
385χειρὶ δὲ νεκταρέου ἑανοῦ ἐτίναξε λαβοῦσα,
Transliteration
rheia mal' hōs te theos, ekalypse d' ar' ēeri pollēi,
kad d' heis' en thalamōi euōdeï kēōenti.
autē d' au Helenēn kaleous' ie: tēn de kichane
pyrgōi eph' hypsēlōi, peri de Trōiai halis ēsan:
385cheiri de nektareou heanou etinaxe labousa,
English
hid him under a cloud of darkness, and conveyed him to his own bedchamber. Then she went to call Helen, and found her on a high tower with the Trojan women crowding round her.
Homeric Greek
γρηὶ̈ δέ μιν ἐϊκυῖα παλαιγενέϊ προσέειπεν
εἰροκόμῳ, ἥ οἱ Λακεδαίμονι ναιετοώσῃ
ἤσκειν εἴρια καλά, μάλιστα δέ μιν φιλέεσκε:
τῇ μιν ἐεισαμένη προσεφώνεε δῖ' Ἀφροδίτη:
390δεῦρ' ἴθ': Ἀλέξανδρός σε καλεῖ οἶκον δὲ νέεσθαι.
Transliteration
grēï de min eïkuia palaigeneï proseeipen
eirokomōi, hē hoi Lakedaimoni naietoōsēi
ēskein eiria kala, malista de min phileeske:
tēi min eeisamenē prosephōnee di' Aphroditē:
390deur' ith': Alexandros se kalei oikon de neesthai.
English
She took the form of an old woman who used to dress wool for her when she was still in Lacedaemon, and of whom she was very fond. Thus disguised she plucked her by perfumed robe and said, "Come hither; Alexander says you are to go to the house;
Homeric Greek
κεῖνος ὅ γ' ἐν θαλάμῳ καὶ δινωτοῖσι λέχεσσι
κάλλεί̈ τε στίλβων καὶ εἵμασιν: οὐδέ κε φαίης
ἀνδρὶ μαχεσσάμενον τόν γ' ἐλθεῖν, ἀλλὰ χορὸν δὲ
ἔρχεσθ', ἠὲ χοροῖο νέον λήγοντα καθίζειν.
395ὣς φάτο, τῇ δ' ἄρα θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινε:
Transliteration
keinos ho g' en thalamōi kai dinōtoisi lechessi
kalleï te stilbōn kai heimasin: oude ke phaiēs
andri machessamenon ton g' elthein, alla choron de
erchesth', ēe choroio neon lēgonta kathizein.
395hōs phato, tēi d' ara thymon eni stēthessin orine:
English
he is on his bed in his own room, radiant with beauty and dressed in gorgeous apparel. No one would think he had just come from fighting, but rather that he was going to a dance, or had done dancing and was sitting down." With these words she moved the heart of Helen to anger.
Homeric Greek
καί ῥ' ὡς οὖν ἐνόησε θεᾶς περικαλλέα δειρὴν
στήθεά θ' ἱμερόεντα καὶ ὄμματα μαρμαίροντα,
θάμβησέν τ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:
δαιμονίη, τί με ταῦτα λιλαίεαι ἠπεροπεύειν;
400ἦ πῄ με προτέρω πολίων εὖ ναιομενάων
Transliteration
kai rh' hōs oun enoēse theas perikallea deirēn
stēthea th' himeroenta kai ommata marmaironta,
thambēsen t' ar' epeita epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:
daimoniē, ti me tauta lilaieai ēperopeuein;
400ē pēi me proterō poliōn eu naiomenaōn
English
When she marked the beautiful neck of the goddess, her lovely bosom, and sparkling eyes, she marveled at her and said, "Goddess, why do you thus beguile me? Are you going to send me afield still further to some man whom you have taken up in Phrygia or fair Meonia?
Homeric Greek
ἄξεις, ἢ Φρυγίης ἢ Μῃονίης ἐρατεινῆς,
εἴ τίς τοι καὶ κεῖθι φίλος μερόπων ἀνθρώπων:
οὕνεκα δὴ νῦν δῖον Ἀλέξανδρον Μενέλαος
νικήσας ἐθέλει στυγερὴν ἐμὲ οἴκαδ' ἄγεσθαι,
405τοὔνεκα δὴ νῦν δεῦρο δολοφρονέουσα παρέστης;
Transliteration
axeis, ē Phrygiēs ē Mēioniēs erateinēs,
ei tis toi kai keithi philos meropōn anthrōpōn:
houneka dē nyn dion Alexandron Menelaos
nikēsas ethelei stygerēn eme oikad' agesthai,
405touneka dē nyn deuro dolophroneousa parestēs;
English
Menelaos has just vanquished Alexander, and is to take my hateful self back with him. You are come here to betray me. Go sit with Alexander yourself; henceforth be goddess no longer;
Homeric Greek
ἧσο παρ' αὐτὸν ἰοῦσα, θεῶν δ' ἀπόεικε κελεύθου,
μηδ' ἔτι σοῖσι πόδεσσιν ὑποστρέψειας Ὄλυμπον,
ἀλλ' αἰεὶ περὶ κεῖνον ὀί̈ζυε καί ἑ φύλασσε,
εἰς ὅ κέ σ' ἢ ἄλοχον ποιήσεται ἢ ὅ γε δούλην.
410κεῖσε δ' ἐγὼν οὐκ εἶμι: νεμεσσητὸν δέ κεν εἴη:
Transliteration
hēso par' auton iousa, theōn d' apoeike keleuthou,
mēd' eti soisi podessin hypostrepseias Olympon,
all' aiei peri keinon oïzye kai he phylasse,
eis ho ke s' ē alochon poiēsetai ē ho ge doulēn.
410keise d' egōn ouk eimi: nemessēton de ken eiē:
English
never let your feet carry you back to Olympus; worry about him and look after him till he make you his wife, or, for the matter of that, his slave - but me? I shall not go;
Homeric Greek
κείνου πορσανέουσα λέχος: Τρῳαὶ δέ μ' ὀπίσσω
πᾶσαι μωμήσονται: ἔχω δ' ἄχε' ἄκριτα θυμῷ.
τὴν δὲ χολωσαμένη προσεφώνεε δῖ' Ἀφροδίτη:
μή μ' ἔρεθε σχετλίη, μὴ χωσαμένη σε μεθείω,
415τὼς δέ σ' ἀπεχθήρω ὡς νῦν ἔκπαγλ' ἐφίλησα,
Transliteration
keinou porsaneousa lechos: Trōiai de m' opissō
pasai mōmēsontai: echō d' ache' akrita thymōi.
tēn de cholōsamenē prosephōnee di' Aphroditē:
mē m' erethe schetliē, mē chōsamenē se metheiō,
415tōs de s' apechthērō hōs nyn ekpagl' ephilēsa,
English
I can garnish his bed no longer; I should be a by-word among all the women of Troy. Besides, I have trouble on my mind." Aphrodite was very angry, and said, "Bold hussy, do not provoke me; if you do, I shall leave you to your fate and hate you as much as I have loved you.
Homeric Greek
μέσσῳ δ' ἀμφοτέρων μητίσομαι ἔχθεα λυγρὰ
Τρώων καὶ Δαναῶν, σὺ δέ κεν κακὸν οἶτον ὄληαι.
ὣς ἔφατ', ἔδεισεν δ' Ἑλένη Διὸς ἐκγεγαυῖα,
βῆ δὲ κατασχομένη ἑανῷ ἀργῆτι φαεινῷ
420σιγῇ, πάσας δὲ Τρῳὰς λάθεν: ἦρχε δὲ δαίμων.
Transliteration
messōi d' amphoterōn mētisomai echthea lygra
Trōōn kai Danaōn, sy de ken kakon oiton olēai.
hōs ephat', edeisen d' Helenē Dios ekgegauia,
bē de kataschomenē heanōi argēti phaeinōi
420sigēi, pasas de Trōias lathen: ērche de daimōn.
English
I will stir up fierce hatred between Trojans and Achaeans, and you shall come to a bad end." At this Helen was frightened. She wrapped her mantle about her and went in silence, following the divinity and unnoticed by the Trojan women.
Homeric Greek
αἳ δ' ὅτ' Ἀλεξάνδροιο δόμον περικαλλέ' ἵκοντο,
ἀμφίπολοι μὲν ἔπειτα θοῶς ἐπὶ ἔργα τράποντο,
ἣ δ' εἰς ὑψόροφον θάλαμον κίε δῖα γυναικῶν.
τῇ δ' ἄρα δίφρον ἑλοῦσα φιλομειδὴς Ἀφροδίτη
425ἀντί' Ἀλεξάνδροιο θεὰ κατέθηκε φέρουσα:
Transliteration
hai d' hot' Alexandroio domon perikalle' hikonto,
amphipoloi men epeita thoōs epi erga traponto,
hē d' eis hypsorophon thalamon kie dia gynaikōn.
tēi d' ara diphron helousa philomeidēs Aphroditē
425anti' Alexandroio thea katethēke pherousa:
English
When they came to the house of Alexander the maid-servants set about their work, but Helen went into her own room, and the laughter-loving goddess took a seat and set it for her facing Alexander.
Homeric Greek
ἔνθα κάθιζ' Ἑλένη κούρη Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο
ὄσσε πάλιν κλίνασα, πόσιν δ' ἠνίπαπε μύθῳ:
ἤλυθες ἐκ πολέμου: ὡς ὤφελες αὐτόθ' ὀλέσθαι
ἀνδρὶ δαμεὶς κρατερῷ, ὃς ἐμὸς πρότερος πόσις ἦεν.
430ἦ μὲν δὴ πρίν γ' εὔχε' ἀρηϊφίλου Μενελάου
Transliteration
entha kathiz' Helenē kourē Dios aigiochoio
osse palin klinasa, posin d' ēnipape mythōi:
ēlythes ek polemou: hōs ōpheles autoth' olesthai
andri dameis kraterōi, hos emos proteros posis ēen.
430ē men dē prin g' euche' arēïphilou Menelaou
English
On this Helen, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, sat down, and with eyes askance began to upbraid her husband. "So you are come from the fight," said she; "would that you had fallen rather by the hand of that brave man who was my husband.
Homeric Greek
σῇ τε βίῃ καὶ χερσὶ καὶ ἔγχεϊ φέρτερος εἶναι:
ἀλλ' ἴθι νῦν προκάλεσσαι ἀρηί̈φιλον Μενέλαον
ἐξαῦτις μαχέσασθαι ἐναντίον: ἀλλά σ' ἔγωγε
παύεσθαι κέλομαι, μηδὲ ξανθῷ Μενελάῳ
435ἀντίβιον πόλεμον πολεμίζειν ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι
Transliteration
sēi te biēi kai chersi kai encheï pherteros einai:
all' ithi nyn prokalessai arēïphilon Menelaon
exautis machesasthai enantion: alla s' egōge
pauesthai kelomai, mēde xanthōi Menelaōi
435antibion polemon polemizein ēde machesthai
English
You used to brag that you were a better man with might of hands and spear than Menelaos. Go, then, and challenge him again - but I would advise you not to do so, for if you are foolish enough to meet him in single combat, you will soon fall by his spear."
Homeric Greek
ἀφραδέως, μή πως τάχ' ὑπ' αὐτοῦ δουρὶ δαμήῃς.
τὴν δὲ Πάρις μύθοισιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε:
μή με γύναι χαλεποῖσιν ὀνείδεσι θυμὸν ἔνιπτε:
νῦν μὲν γὰρ Μενέλαος ἐνίκησεν σὺν Ἀθήνῃ,
440κεῖνον δ' αὖτις ἐγώ: πάρα γὰρ θεοί εἰσι καὶ ἡμῖν.
Transliteration
aphradeōs, mē pōs tach' hyp' autou douri damēēis.
tēn de Paris mythoisin ameibomenos proseeipe:
mē me gynai chalepoisin oneidesi thymon enipte:
nyn men gar Menelaos enikēsen syn Athēnēi,
440keinon d' autis egō: para gar theoi eisi kai hēmin.
English
And Paris answered, "Woman, do not vex me with your reproaches. This time, with the help of Athena, Menelaos has vanquished me; another time I may myself be victor, for I too have gods that will stand by me. Come, let us lie down together and make friends.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ φιλότητι τραπείομεν εὐνηθέντε:
οὐ γάρ πώ ποτέ μ' ὧδέ γ' ἔρως φρένας ἀμφεκάλυψεν,
οὐδ' ὅτε σε πρῶτον Λακεδαίμονος ἐξ ἐρατεινῆς
ἔπλεον ἁρπάξας ἐν ποντοπόροισι νέεσσι,
445νήσῳ δ' ἐν Κραναῇ ἐμίγην φιλότητι καὶ εὐνῇ,
Transliteration
all' age dē philotēti trapeiomen eunēthente:
ou gar pō pote m' hōde g' erōs phrenas amphekalypsen,
oud' hote se prōton Lakedaimonos ex erateinēs
epleon harpaxas en pontoporoisi neessi,
445nēsōi d' en Kranaēi emigēn philotēti kai eunēi,
English
Never yet was I so passionately enamored of you as at this moment - not even when I first carried you off from Lacedaemon and sailed away with you - not even when I had converse with you upon the couch of love in the island of Cranae was I so enthralled by desire of you as now."
Homeric Greek
ὥς σεο νῦν ἔραμαι καί με γλυκὺς ἵμερος αἱρεῖ.
ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἄρχε λέχος δὲ κιών: ἅμα δ' εἵπετ' ἄκοιτις.
τὼ μὲν ἄρ' ἐν τρητοῖσι κατεύνασθεν λεχέεσσιν,
Ἀτρεί̈δης δ' ἀν' ὅμιλον ἐφοίτα θηρὶ ἐοικὼς
450εἴ που ἐσαθρήσειεν Ἀλέξανδρον θεοειδέα.
Transliteration
hōs seo nyn eramai kai me glykys himeros hairei.
ē rha, kai arche lechos de kiōn: hama d' heipet' akoitis.
tō men ar' en trētoisi kateunasthen lecheessin,
Atreïdēs d' an' homilon ephoita thēri eoikōs
450ei pou esathrēseien Alexandron theoeidea.
English
On this he led her towards the bed, and his wife went with him. Thus they laid themselves on the bed together; but the son of Atreus strode among the throng, looking everywhere for Alexander, and no man, neither of the Trojans nor of the allies, could find him.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' οὔ τις δύνατο Τρώων κλειτῶν τ' ἐπικούρων
δεῖξαι Ἀλέξανδρον τότ' ἀρηϊφίλῳ Μενελάῳ:
οὐ μὲν γὰρ φιλότητί γ' ἐκεύθανον εἴ τις ἴδοιτο:
ἶσον γάρ σφιν πᾶσιν ἀπήχθετο κηρὶ μελαίνῃ.
455τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων:
Transliteration
all' ou tis dynato Trōōn kleitōn t' epikourōn
deixai Alexandron tot' arēïphilōi Menelaōi:
ou men gar philotēti g' ekeuthanon ei tis idoito:
ison gar sphin pasin apēchtheto kēri melainēi.
455toisi de kai meteeipen anax andrōn Agamemnōn:
English
If they had seen him they were in no mind to hide him, for they all of them hated him as they did death itself. Then Agamemnon, king of men,
Homeric Greek
κέκλυτέ μευ Τρῶες καὶ Δάρδανοι ἠδ' ἐπίκουροι:
νίκη μὲν δὴ φαίνετ' ἀρηϊφίλου Μενελάου,
ὑμεῖς δ' Ἀργείην Ἑλένην καὶ κτήμαθ' ἅμ' αὐτῇ
ἔκδοτε, καὶ τιμὴν ἀποτινέμεν ἥν τιν' ἔοικεν,
460ἥ τε καὶ ἐσσομένοισι μετ' ἀνθρώποισι πέληται.
Transliteration
keklyte meu Trōes kai Dardanoi ēd' epikouroi:
nikē men dē phainet' arēïphilou Menelaou,
hymeis d' Argeiēn Helenēn kai ktēmath' ham' autēi
ekdote, kai timēn apotinemen hēn tin' eoiken,
460hē te kai essomenoisi met' anthrōpoisi pelētai.
English
spoke, saying, "Hear me, Trojans, Dardanians, and allies. The victory has been with Menelaos; therefore give back Helen with all her wealth, and pay such fine as shall be agreed upon, in testimony among them that shall be born hereafter."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀτρεί̈δης, ἐπὶ δ' ᾔνεον ἄλλοι Ἀχαιοί.
Transliteration
hōs ephat' Atreïdēs, epi d' ēineon alloi Achaioi.
English
Thus spoke the son of Atreus, and the Achaeans shouted in approval.