Book IV

Homeric Greek

1οἳ δὲ θεοὶ πὰρ Ζηνὶ καθήμενοι ἠγορόωντο

χρυσέῳ ἐν δαπέδῳ, μετὰ δέ σφισι πότνια Ἥβη

νέκταρ ἐοινοχόει: τοὶ δὲ χρυσέοις δεπάεσσι

δειδέχατ' ἀλλήλους, Τρώων πόλιν εἰσορόωντες:

5αὐτίκ' ἐπειρᾶτο Κρονίδης ἐρεθιζέμεν Ἥρην

Transliteration

1hoi de theoi par Zēni kathēmenoi ēgoroōnto

chryseōi en dapedōi, meta de sphisi potnia Hēbē

nektar eoinochoei: toi de chryseois depaessi

deidechat' allēlous, Trōōn polin eisoroōntes:

5autik' epeirato Kronidēs erethizemen Hērēn

English

Now the gods were sitting with Zeus in council upon the golden floor while Hebe went round pouring out nectar for them to drink, and as they pledged one another in their cups of gold they looked down upon the town of Troy.

Homeric Greek

κερτομίοις ἐπέεσσι παραβλήδην ἀγορεύων:

δοιαὶ μὲν Μενελάῳ ἀρηγόνες εἰσὶ θεάων

Ἥρη τ' Ἀργείη καὶ Ἀλαλκομενηὶ̈ς Ἀθήνη.

ἀλλ' ἤτοι ταὶ νόσφι καθήμεναι εἰσορόωσαι

10τέρπεσθον: τῷ δ' αὖτε φιλομειδὴς Ἀφροδίτη

Transliteration

kertomiois epeessi parablēdēn agoreuōn:

doiai men Menelaōi arēgones eisi theaōn

Hērē t' Argeiē kai Alalkomenēïs Athēnē.

all' ētoi tai nosphi kathēmenai eisoroōsai

10terpesthon: tōi d' aute philomeidēs Aphroditē

English

The son of Kronos then began to tease Hera, talking at her so as to provoke her. "Menelaos," said he, "has two good friends among the goddesses, Hera of Argos, and Athena of Alalkomene, but they only sit still and look on, while Aphrodite keeps ever by Alexander's side to defend him in any danger;

Homeric Greek

αἰεὶ παρμέμβλωκε καὶ αὐτοῦ κῆρας ἀμύνει:

καὶ νῦν ἐξεσάωσεν ὀϊόμενον θανέεσθαι.

ἀλλ' ἤτοι νίκη μὲν ἀρηϊφίλου Μενελάου:

ἡμεῖς δὲ φραζώμεθ' ὅπως ἔσται τάδε ἔργα,

15ἤ ῥ' αὖτις πόλεμόν τε κακὸν καὶ φύλοπιν αἰνὴν

Transliteration

aiei parmemblōke kai autou kēras amynei:

kai nyn exesaōsen oïomenon thaneesthai.

all' ētoi nikē men arēïphilou Menelaou:

hēmeis de phrazōmeth' hopōs estai tade erga,

15ē rh' autis polemon te kakon kai phylopin ainēn

English

indeed she has just rescued him when he made sure that it was all over with him - for the victory really did lie with Menelaos. We must consider what we shall do about all this;

Homeric Greek

ὄρσομεν, ἦ φιλότητα μετ' ἀμφοτέροισι βάλωμεν.

εἰ δ' αὖ πως τόδε πᾶσι φίλον καὶ ἡδὺ γένοιτο,

ἤτοι μὲν οἰκέοιτο πόλις Πριάμοιο ἄνακτος,

αὖτις δ' Ἀργείην Ἑλένην Μενέλαος ἄγοιτο.

20ὣς ἔφαθ', αἳ δ' ἐπέμυξαν Ἀθηναίη τε καὶ Ἥρη:

Transliteration

orsomen, ē philotēta met' amphoteroisi balōmen.

ei d' au pōs tode pasi philon kai hēdy genoito,

ētoi men oikeoito polis Priamoio anaktos,

autis d' Argeiēn Helenēn Menelaos agoito.

20hōs ephath', hai d' epemyxan Athēnaiē te kai Hērē:

English

shall we set them fighting anew or make peace between them? If you will agree to this last Menelaos can take back Helen and the city of Priam may remain still inhabited." Athena and Hera muttered their discontent as they sat side by side hatching mischief for the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

πλησίαι αἵ γ' ἥσθην, κακὰ δὲ Τρώεσσι μεδέσθην.

ἤτοι Ἀθηναίη ἀκέων ἦν οὐδέ τι εἶπε

σκυζομένη Διὶ πατρί, χόλος δέ μιν ἄγριος ᾕρει:

Ἥρῃ δ' οὐκ ἔχαδε στῆθος χόλον, ἀλλὰ προσηύδα:

25αἰνότατε Κρονίδη ποῖον τὸν μῦθον ἔειπες:

Transliteration

plēsiai hai g' hēsthēn, kaka de Trōessi medesthēn.

ētoi Athēnaiē akeōn ēn oude ti eipe

skyzomenē Dii patri, cholos de min agrios hēirei:

Hērēi d' ouk echade stēthos cholon, alla prosēuda:

25ainotate Kronidē poion ton mython eeipes:

English

Athena scowled at her father, for she was in a furious passion with him, and said nothing, but Hera could not contain herself. "Dread son of Kronos," said she, "what, pray, is the meaning of all this?

Homeric Greek

πῶς ἐθέλεις ἅλιον θεῖναι πόνον ἠδ' ἀτέλεστον,

ἱδρῶ θ' ὃν ἵδρωσα μόγῳ, καμέτην δέ μοι ἵπποι

λαὸν ἀγειρούσῃ, Πριάμῳ κακὰ τοῖό τε παισίν.

ἕρδ': ἀτὰρ οὔ τοι πάντες ἐπαινέομεν θεοὶ ἄλλοι.

30τὴν δὲ μέγ' ὀχθήσας προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:

Transliteration

pōs etheleis halion theinai ponon ēd' ateleston,

hidrō th' hon hidrōsa mogōi, kametēn de moi hippoi

laon ageirousēi, Priamōi kaka toio te paisin.

herd': atar ou toi pantes epaineomen theoi alloi.

30tēn de meg' ochthēsas prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:

English

Is my trouble, then, to go for nothing, and the sweat that I have sweated, to say nothing of my horses, while getting the people together against Priam and his children? Do as you will, but we other gods shall not all of us approve your counsel." Zeus was angry and answered, "My dear, what

Homeric Greek

δαιμονίη τί νύ σε Πρίαμος Πριάμοιό τε παῖδες

τόσσα κακὰ ῥέζουσιν, ὅ τ' ἀσπερχὲς μενεαίνεις

Ἰλίου ἐξαλαπάξαι ἐϋκτίμενον πτολίεθρον;

εἰ δὲ σύ γ' εἰσελθοῦσα πύλας καὶ τείχεα μακρὰ

35ὠμὸν βεβρώθοις Πρίαμον Πριάμοιό τε παῖδας

Transliteration

daimoniē ti ny se Priamos Priamoio te paides

tossa kaka rhezousin, ho t' asperches meneaineis

Iliou exalapaxai eÿktimenon ptoliethron;

ei de sy g' eiselthousa pylas kai teichea makra

35ōmon bebrōthois Priamon Priamoio te paidas

English

harm have Priam and his sons done you that you are so hotly bent on sacking the city of Ilion? Will nothing do for you but you must within their walls and eat Priam raw, with his sons and all the other Trojans to boot?

Homeric Greek

ἄλλους τε Τρῶας, τότε κεν χόλον ἐξακέσαιο.

ἕρξον ὅπως ἐθέλεις: μὴ τοῦτό γε νεῖκος ὀπίσσω

σοὶ καὶ ἐμοὶ μέγ' ἔρισμα μετ' ἀμφοτέροισι γένηται.

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

40ὁππότε κεν καὶ ἐγὼ μεμαὼς πόλιν ἐξαλαπάξαι

Transliteration

allous te Trōas, tote ken cholon exakesaio.

herxon hopōs etheleis: mē touto ge neikos opissō

soi kai emoi meg' erisma met' amphoteroisi genētai.

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

40hoppote ken kai egō memaōs polin exalapaxai

English

Have it your own way then; for I would not have this matter become a bone of contention between us. I say further, and lay my saying to your heart, if ever I want to sack a city belonging to friends of yours, you must not try to stop me;

Homeric Greek

τὴν ἐθέλω ὅθι τοι φίλοι ἀνέρες ἐγγεγάασι,

μή τι διατρίβειν τὸν ἐμὸν χόλον, ἀλλά μ' ἐᾶσαι:

καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ σοὶ δῶκα ἑκὼν ἀέκοντί γε θυμῷ:

αἳ γὰρ ὑπ' ἠελίῳ τε καὶ οὐρανῷ ἀστερόεντι

45ναιετάουσι πόληες ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπων,

Transliteration

tēn ethelō hothi toi philoi aneres engegaasi,

mē ti diatribein ton emon cholon, alla m' easai:

kai gar egō soi dōka hekōn aekonti ge thymōi:

hai gar hyp' ēeliōi te kai ouranōi asteroenti

45naietaousi polēes epichthoniōn anthrōpōn,

English

you will have to let me do it, for I am giving in to you sorely against my will. Of all inhabited cities under the sun and stars of heaven, there was none

Homeric Greek

τάων μοι περὶ κῆρι τιέσκετο Ἴλιος ἱρὴ

καὶ Πρίαμος καὶ λαὸς ἐϋμμελίω Πριάμοιο.

οὐ γάρ μοί ποτε βωμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐί̈σης

λοιβῆς τε κνίσης τε: τὸ γὰρ λάχομεν γέρας ἡμεῖς.

50τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη:

Transliteration

taōn moi peri kēri tiesketo Ilios hirē

kai Priamos kai laos eÿmmeliō Priamoio.

ou gar moi pote bōmos edeueto daitos eïsēs

loibēs te knisēs te: to gar lachomen geras hēmeis.

50ton d' ēmeibet' epeita boōpis potnia Hērē:

English

that I so much respected as Ilion with Priam and his whole people. Equitable feasts were never wanting about my altar, nor the savor of burning fat, which is honor due to ourselves."

Homeric Greek

ἤτοι ἐμοὶ τρεῖς μὲν πολὺ φίλταταί εἰσι πόληες

Ἄργός τε Σπάρτη τε καὶ εὐρυάγυια Μυκήνη:

τὰς διαπέρσαι ὅτ' ἄν τοι ἀπέχθωνται περὶ κῆρι:

τάων οὔ τοι ἐγὼ πρόσθ' ἵσταμαι οὐδὲ μεγαίρω.

55εἴ περ γὰρ φθονέω τε καὶ οὐκ εἰῶ διαπέρσαι,

Transliteration

ētoi emoi treis men poly philtatai eisi polēes

Argos te Spartē te kai euryaguia Mykēnē:

tas diapersai hot' an toi apechthōntai peri kēri:

taōn ou toi egō prosth' histamai oude megairō.

55ei per gar phthoneō te kai ouk eiō diapersai,

English

"My own three favorite cities," answered Hera, "are Argos, Sparta, and Mycenae. Sack them whenever you may be displeased with them. I shall not defend them and I shall not care. Even if I did, and tried to stay you, I should take nothing by

Homeric Greek

οὐκ ἀνύω φθονέουσ' ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερός ἐσσι.

ἀλλὰ χρὴ καὶ ἐμὸν θέμεναι πόνον οὐκ ἀτέλεστον:

καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ θεός εἰμι, γένος δέ μοι ἔνθεν ὅθεν σοί,

καί με πρεσβυτάτην τέκετο Κρόνος ἀγκυλομήτης,

60ἀμφότερον γενεῇ τε καὶ οὕνεκα σὴ παράκοιτις

Transliteration

ouk anyō phthoneous' epei ē poly pherteros essi.

alla chrē kai emon themenai ponon ouk ateleston:

kai gar egō theos eimi, genos de moi enthen hothen soi,

kai me presbytatēn teketo Kronos ankylomētēs,

60amphoteron geneēi te kai houneka sē parakoitis

English

it, for you are much stronger than I am, but I will not have my own work wasted. I too am a god and of the same race with yourself. I am Kronos' eldest daughter, and am honorable not on this ground only, but also because I am your wife, and you are king over the gods.

Homeric Greek

κέκλημαι, σὺ δὲ πᾶσι μετ' ἀθανάτοισιν ἀνάσσεις.

ἀλλ' ἤτοι μὲν ταῦθ' ὑποείξομεν ἀλλήλοισι,

σοὶ μὲν ἐγώ, σὺ δ' ἐμοί: ἐπὶ δ' ἕψονται θεοὶ ἄλλοι

ἀθάνατοι: σὺ δὲ θᾶσσον Ἀθηναίῃ ἐπιτεῖλαι

65ἐλθεῖν ἐς Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν φύλοπιν αἰνήν,

Transliteration

keklēmai, sy de pasi met' athanatoisin anasseis.

all' ētoi men tauth' hypoeixomen allēloisi,

soi men egō, sy d' emoi: epi d' hepsontai theoi alloi

athanatoi: sy de thasson Athēnaiēi epiteilai

65elthein es Trōōn kai Achaiōn phylopin ainēn,

English

Let it be a case, then, of give-and-take between us, and the rest of the gods will follow our lead. Tell Athena to go and take part in the fight at once, and let her contrive that

Homeric Greek

πειρᾶν δ' ὥς κε Τρῶες ὑπερκύδαντας Ἀχαιοὺς

ἄρξωσι πρότεροι ὑπὲρ ὅρκια δηλήσασθαι.

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

αὐτίκ' Ἀθηναίην ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

70αἶψα μάλ' ἐς στρατὸν ἐλθὲ μετὰ Τρῶας καὶ Ἀχαιούς,

Transliteration

peiran d' hōs ke Trōes hyperkydantas Achaious

arxōsi proteroi hyper horkia dēlēsasthai.

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

autik' Athēnaiēn epea pteroenta prosēuda:

70aipsa mal' es straton elthe meta Trōas kai Achaious,

English

the Trojans shall be the first to break their oaths and set upon the Achaeans." The sire of gods and men heeded her words, and said to Athena, "Go at once into the Trojan and Achaean hosts, and contrive

Homeric Greek

πειρᾶν δ' ὥς κε Τρῶες ὑπερκύδαντας Ἀχαιοὺς

ἄρξωσι πρότεροι ὑπὲρ ὅρκια δηλήσασθαι.

ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε πάρος μεμαυῖαν Ἀθήνην,

βῆ δὲ κατ' Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀί̈ξασα.

75οἷον δ' ἀστέρα ἧκε Κρόνου πάϊς ἀγκυλομήτεω

Transliteration

peiran d' hōs ke Trōes hyperkydantas Achaious

arxōsi proteroi hyper horkia dēlēsasthai.

hōs eipōn otryne paros memauian Athēnēn,

bē de kat' Oulympoio karēnōn aïxasa.

75hoion d' astera hēke Kronou païs ankylomēteō

English

that the Trojans shall be the first to break their oaths and set upon the Achaeans." This was what Athena was already eager to do, so down she darted from the topmost summits of Olympus.

Homeric Greek

ἢ ναύτῃσι τέρας ἠὲ στρατῷ εὐρέϊ λαῶν

λαμπρόν: τοῦ δέ τε πολλοὶ ἀπὸ σπινθῆρες ἵενται:

τῷ ἐϊκυῖ' ἤϊξεν ἐπὶ χθόνα Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη,

κὰδ δ' ἔθορ' ἐς μέσσον: θάμβος δ' ἔχεν εἰσορόωντας

80Τρῶάς θ' ἱπποδάμους καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς:

Transliteration

ē nautēisi teras ēe stratōi eureï laōn

lampron: tou de te polloi apo spinthēres hientai:

tōi eïkui' ēïxen epi chthona Pallas Athēnē,

kad d' ethor' es messon: thambos d' echen eisoroōntas

80Trōas th' hippodamous kai eÿknēmidas Achaious:

English

She shot through the sky as some brilliant meteor which the son of scheming Kronos has sent as a sign to mariners or to some great army, and a fiery train of light follows in its wake.

Homeric Greek

ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον:

ἦ ῥ' αὖτις πόλεμός τε κακὸς καὶ φύλοπις αἰνὴ

ἔσσεται, ἢ φιλότητα μετ' ἀμφοτέροισι τίθησι

Ζεύς, ὅς τ' ἀνθρώπων ταμίης πολέμοιο τέτυκται.

85ὣς ἄρα τις εἴπεσκεν Ἀχαιῶν τε Τρώων τε.

Transliteration

hōde de tis eipesken idōn es plēsion allon:

ē rh' autis polemos te kakos kai phylopis ainē

essetai, ē philotēta met' amphoteroisi tithēsi

Zeus, hos t' anthrōpōn tamiēs polemoio tetyktai.

85hōs ara tis eipesken Achaiōn te Trōōn te.

English

The Trojans and Achaeans were struck with awe as they beheld, and one would turn to his neighbor, saying, "Either we shall again have war and din of combat, or Zeus the lord of battle will now make peace between us." Thus did they converse.

Homeric Greek

ἣ δ' ἀνδρὶ ἰκέλη Τρώων κατεδύσεθ' ὅμιλον

Λαοδόκῳ Ἀντηνορίδῃ κρατερῷ αἰχμητῇ,

Πάνδαρον ἀντίθεον διζημένη εἴ που ἐφεύροι.

εὗρε Λυκάονος υἱὸν ἀμύμονά τε κρατερόν τε

90ἑσταότ': ἀμφὶ δέ μιν κρατεραὶ στίχες ἀσπιστάων

Transliteration

hē d' andri ikelē Trōōn katedyseth' homilon

Laodokōi Antēnoridēi kraterōi aichmētēi,

Pandaron antitheon dizēmenē ei pou epheuroi.

heure Lykaonos huion amymona te krateron te

90hestaot': amphi de min kraterai stiches aspistaōn

English

Then Athena took the form of Laodokos, son of Antenor, and went through the ranks of the Trojans to find Pandaros, the redoubtable son of Lykaon. She found him standing among the stalwart heroes who had followed him from the banks of

Homeric Greek

λαῶν, οἵ οἱ ἕποντο ἀπ' Αἰσήποιο ῥοάων:

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱσταμένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

ἦ ῥά νύ μοί τι πίθοιο Λυκάονος υἱὲ δαί̈φρον.

τλαίης κεν Μενελάῳ ἐπιπροέμεν ταχὺν ἰόν,

95πᾶσι δέ κε Τρώεσσι χάριν καὶ κῦδος ἄροιο,

Transliteration

laōn, hoi hoi heponto ap' Aisēpoio rhoaōn:

anchou d' histamenē epea pteroenta prosēuda:

ē rha ny moi ti pithoio Lykaonos huie daïphron.

tlaiēs ken Menelaōi epiproemen tachyn ion,

95pasi de ke Trōessi charin kai kydos aroio,

English

the Aesepos, so she went close up to him and said, "Brave son of Lykaon, will you do as I tell you? If you dare send an arrow at Menelaos you will win honor and thanks from all the Trojans, and especially

Homeric Greek

ἐκ πάντων δὲ μάλιστα Ἀλεξάνδρῳ βασιλῆϊ.

τοῦ κεν δὴ πάμπρωτα παρ' ἀγλαὰ δῶρα φέροιο,

αἴ κεν ἴδῃ Μενέλαον ἀρήϊον Ἀτρέος υἱὸν

σῷ βέλεϊ δμηθέντα πυρῆς ἐπιβάντ' ἀλεγεινῆς.

100ἀλλ' ἄγ' ὀί̈στευσον Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο,

Transliteration

ek pantōn de malista Alexandrōi basilēï.

tou ken dē pamprōta par' aglaa dōra pheroio,

ai ken idēi Menelaon arēïon Atreos huion

sōi beleï dmēthenta pyrēs epibant' alegeinēs.

100all' ag' oïsteuson Menelaou kydalimoio,

English

from prince Alexander - he would be the first to requite you very handsomely if he could see Menelaos mount his funeral pyre, slain by an arrow from your hand. Take your home aim then, and pray to Lycian Apollo, the famous archer;

Homeric Greek

εὔχεο δ' Ἀπόλλωνι Λυκηγενέϊ κλυτοτόξῳ

ἀρνῶν πρωτογόνων ῥέξειν κλειτὴν ἑκατόμβην

οἴκαδε νοστήσας ἱερῆς εἰς ἄστυ Ζελείης.

ὣς φάτ' Ἀθηναίη, τῷ δὲ φρένας ἄφρονι πεῖθεν:

105αὐτίκ' ἐσύλα τόξον ἐύ̈ξοον ἰξάλου αἰγὸς

Transliteration

eucheo d' Apollōni Lykēgeneï klytotoxōi

arnōn prōtogonōn rhexein kleitēn hekatombēn

oikade nostēsas hierēs eis asty Zeleiēs.

hōs phat' Athēnaiē, tōi de phrenas aphroni peithen:

105autik' esyla toxon eÿxoon ixalou aigos

English

vow that when you get home to your strong city of Zelea you will offer a hecatomb of firstling lambs in his honor." His fool's heart was persuaded, and he took his bow from its case.

Homeric Greek

ἀγρίου, ὅν ῥά ποτ' αὐτὸς ὑπὸ στέρνοιο τυχήσας

πέτρης ἐκβαίνοντα δεδεγμένος ἐν προδοκῇσι

βεβλήκει πρὸς στῆθος: ὃ δ' ὕπτιος ἔμπεσε πέτρῃ.

τοῦ κέρα ἐκ κεφαλῆς ἑκκαιδεκάδωρα πεφύκει:

110καὶ τὰ μὲν ἀσκήσας κεραοξόος ἤραρε τέκτων,

Transliteration

agriou, hon rha pot' autos hypo sternoio tychēsas

petrēs ekbainonta dedegmenos en prodokēisi

beblēkei pros stēthos: ho d' hyptios empese petrēi.

tou kera ek kephalēs hekkaidekadōra pephykei:

110kai ta men askēsas keraoxoos ērare tektōn,

English

This bow was made from the horns of a wild ibex which he had killed as it was bounding from a rock; he had stalked it, and it had fallen as the arrow struck it to the heart. Its horns were sixteen palms long, and a worker in horn had made them

Homeric Greek

πᾶν δ' εὖ λειήνας χρυσέην ἐπέθηκε κορώνην.

καὶ τὸ μὲν εὖ κατέθηκε τανυσσάμενος ποτὶ γαίῃ

ἀγκλίνας: πρόσθεν δὲ σάκεα σχέθον ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι

μὴ πρὶν ἀναί̈ξειαν ἀρήϊοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

115πρὶν βλῆσθαι Μενέλαον ἀρήϊον Ἀτρέος υἱόν.

Transliteration

pan d' eu leiēnas chryseēn epethēke korōnēn.

kai to men eu katethēke tanyssamenos poti gaiēi

anklinas: prosthen de sakea schethon esthloi hetairoi

mē prin anaïxeian arēïoi huies Achaiōn

115prin blēsthai Menelaon arēïon Atreos huion.

English

into a bow, smoothing them well down, and giving them tips of gold. When Pandaros had strung his bow he laid it carefully on the ground, and his brave followers held their shields before him lest the Achaeans should set upon him before he had shot Menelaos.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ὁ σύλα πῶμα φαρέτρης, ἐκ δ' ἕλετ' ἰὸν

ἀβλῆτα πτερόεντα μελαινέων ἕρμ' ὀδυνάων:

αἶψα δ' ἐπὶ νευρῇ κατεκόσμει πικρὸν ὀϊστόν,

εὔχετο δ' Ἀπόλλωνι Λυκηγενέϊ κλυτοτόξῳ

120ἀρνῶν πρωτογόνων ῥέξειν κλειτὴν ἑκατόμβην

Transliteration

autar ho syla pōma pharetrēs, ek d' helet' ion

ablēta pteroenta melaineōn herm' odynaōn:

aipsa d' epi neurēi katekosmei pikron oïston,

eucheto d' Apollōni Lykēgeneï klytotoxōi

120arnōn prōtogonōn rhexein kleitēn hekatombēn

English

Then he opened the lid of his quiver and took out a winged arrow that had yet been shot, fraught with the pangs of death. He laid the arrow on the string and prayed to Lycian Apollo, the famous archer, vowing that when he got home to his strong city of Zelea he would offer a hecatomb of firstling lambs in his honor.

Homeric Greek

οἴκαδε νοστήσας ἱερῆς εἰς ἄστυ Ζελείης.

ἕλκε δ' ὁμοῦ γλυφίδας τε λαβὼν καὶ νεῦρα βόεια:

νευρὴν μὲν μαζῷ πέλασεν, τόξῳ δὲ σίδηρον.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ κυκλοτερὲς μέγα τόξον ἔτεινε,

125λίγξε βιός, νευρὴ δὲ μέγ' ἴαχεν, ἆλτο δ' ὀϊστὸς

Transliteration

oikade nostēsas hierēs eis asty Zeleiēs.

helke d' homou glyphidas te labōn kai neura boeia:

neurēn men mazōi pelasen, toxōi de sidēron.

autar epei dē kykloteres mega toxon eteine,

125linxe bios, neurē de meg' iachen, alto d' oïstos

English

He laid the notch of the arrow on the oxhide bowstring, and drew both notch and string to his breast till the arrow-head was near the bow;

Homeric Greek

ὀξυβελὴς καθ' ὅμιλον ἐπιπτέσθαι μενεαίνων.

οὐδὲ σέθεν Μενέλαε θεοὶ μάκαρες λελάθοντο

ἀθάνατοι, πρώτη δὲ Διὸς θυγάτηρ ἀγελείη,

ἥ τοι πρόσθε στᾶσα βέλος ἐχεπευκὲς ἄμυνεν.

130ἣ δὲ τόσον μὲν ἔεργεν ἀπὸ χροὸς ὡς ὅτε μήτηρ

Transliteration

oxybelēs kath' homilon epiptesthai meneainōn.

oude sethen Menelae theoi makares lelathonto

athanatoi, prōtē de Dios thygatēr ageleiē,

hē toi prosthe stasa belos echepeukes amynen.

130hē de toson men eergen apo chroos hōs hote mētēr

English

then when the bow was arched into a half-circle he let fly, and the bow twanged, and the string sang as the arrow flew gladly on over the heads of the throng. But the blessed gods did not forget you, O Menelaos, and Zeus' daughter, driver of the spoil, was the first to stand before you and ward off the piercing arrow.

Homeric Greek

παιδὸς ἐέργῃ μυῖαν ὅθ' ἡδέϊ λέξεται ὕπνῳ,

αὐτὴ δ' αὖτ' ἴθυνεν ὅθι ζωστῆρος ὀχῆες

χρύσειοι σύνεχον καὶ διπλόος ἤντετο θώρηξ.

ἐν δ' ἔπεσε ζωστῆρι ἀρηρότι πικρὸς ὀϊστός:

135διὰ μὲν ἂρ ζωστῆρος ἐλήλατο δαιδαλέοιο,

Transliteration

paidos eergēi muian hoth' hēdeï lexetai hypnōi,

autē d' aut' ithynen hothi zōstēros ochēes

chryseioi synechon kai diploos ēnteto thōrēx.

en d' epese zōstēri arēroti pikros oïstos:

135dia men ar zōstēros elēlato daidaleoio,

English

She turned it from his skin as a mother whisks a fly from off her child when it is sleeping sweetly; she guided it to the part where the golden buckles of the belt that passed over his double cuirass were fastened, so the arrow struck the belt that went tightly round him.

Homeric Greek

καὶ διὰ θώρηκος πολυδαιδάλου ἠρήρειστο

μίτρης θ', ἣν ἐφόρει ἔρυμα χροὸς ἕρκος ἀκόντων,

ἥ οἱ πλεῖστον ἔρυτο: διὰ πρὸ δὲ εἴσατο καὶ τῆς.

ἀκρότατον δ' ἄρ' ὀϊστὸς ἐπέγραψε χρόα φωτός:

140αὐτίκα δ' ἔρρεεν αἷμα κελαινεφὲς ἐξ ὠτειλῆς.

Transliteration

kai dia thōrēkos polydaidalou ērēreisto

mitrēs th', hēn ephorei eryma chroos herkos akontōn,

hē hoi pleiston eryto: dia pro de eisato kai tēs.

akrotaton d' ar' oïstos epegrapse chroa phōtos:

140autika d' erreen haima kelainephes ex ōteilēs.

English

It went right through this and through the cuirass of cunning workmanship; it also pierced the belt beneath it, which he wore next his skin to keep out darts or arrows; it was this that served him in the best stead, nevertheless the arrow went through it and grazed the top of the skin, so that blood began flowing from the wound.

Homeric Greek

ὡς δ' ὅτε τίς τ' ἐλέφαντα γυνὴ φοίνικι μιήνῃ

Μῃονὶς ἠὲ Κάειρα παρήϊον ἔμμεναι ἵππων:

κεῖται δ' ἐν θαλάμῳ, πολέες τέ μιν ἠρήσαντο

ἱππῆες φορέειν: βασιλῆϊ δὲ κεῖται ἄγαλμα,

145ἀμφότερον κόσμός θ' ἵππῳ ἐλατῆρί τε κῦδος:

Transliteration

hōs d' hote tis t' elephanta gynē phoiniki miēnēi

Mēionis ēe Kaeira parēïon emmenai hippōn:

keitai d' en thalamōi, polees te min ērēsanto

hippēes phoreein: basilēï de keitai agalma,

145amphoteron kosmos th' hippōi elatēri te kydos:

English

As when some woman of Meonia or Caria strains purple dye on to a piece of ivory that is to be the cheek-piece of a horse, and is to be laid up in a treasure house - many a horseman is fain to bear it, but the king keeps it as an ornament of which both horse and driver

Homeric Greek

τοῖοί τοι Μενέλαε μιάνθην αἵματι μηροὶ

εὐφυέες κνῆμαί τε ἰδὲ σφυρὰ κάλ' ὑπένερθε.

ῥίγησεν δ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων

ὡς εἶδεν μέλαν αἷμα καταρρέον ἐξ ὠτειλῆς:

150ῥίγησεν δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ἀρηί̈φιλος Μενέλαος.

Transliteration

toioi toi Menelae mianthēn haimati mēroi

euphyees knēmai te ide sphyra kal' hypenerthe.

rhigēsen d' ar' epeita anax andrōn Agamemnōn

hōs eiden melan haima katarreon ex ōteilēs:

150rhigēsen de kai autos arēïphilos Menelaos.

English

may be proud - even so, O Menelaos, were your shapely thighs and your legs down to your fair ankles stained with blood. When King Agamemnon saw the blood flowing from the wound he was afraid, and so was brave Menelaos himself till he saw that the barbs of the arrow and the thread that bound the arrow-head to the shaft were still outside the wound.

Homeric Greek

ὡς δὲ ἴδεν νεῦρόν τε καὶ ὄγκους ἐκτὸς ἐόντας

ἄψορρόν οἱ θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἀγέρθη.

τοῖς δὲ βαρὺ στενάχων μετέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

χειρὸς ἔχων Μενέλαον, ἐπεστενάχοντο δ' ἑταῖροι:

155φίλε κασίγνητε θάνατόν νύ τοι ὅρκι' ἔταμνον

Transliteration

hōs de iden neuron te kai onkous ektos eontas

apsorron hoi thymos eni stēthessin agerthē.

tois de bary stenachōn metephē kreiōn Agamemnōn

cheiros echōn Menelaon, epestenachonto d' hetairoi:

155phile kasignēte thanaton ny toi horki' etamnon

English

Then he took heart, but Agamemnon heaved a deep sigh as he held Menelaos' hand in his own, and his comrades made moan in concert. "Dear brother, "he cried, "I have been the death of you in pledging this covenant and letting you come forward as our champion.

Homeric Greek

οἶον προστήσας πρὸ Ἀχαιῶν Τρωσὶ μάχεσθαι,

ὥς σ' ἔβαλον Τρῶες, κατὰ δ' ὅρκια πιστὰ πάτησαν.

οὐ μέν πως ἅλιον πέλει ὅρκιον αἷμά τε ἀρνῶν

σπονδαί τ' ἄκρητοι καὶ δεξιαὶ ᾗς ἐπέπιθμεν.

160εἴ περ γάρ τε καὶ αὐτίκ' Ὀλύμπιος οὐκ ἐτέλεσσεν,

Transliteration

oion prostēsas pro Achaiōn Trōsi machesthai,

hōs s' ebalon Trōes, kata d' horkia pista patēsan.

ou men pōs halion pelei horkion haima te arnōn

spondai t' akrētoi kai dexiai hēis epepithmen.

160ei per gar te kai autik' Olympios ouk etelessen,

English

The Trojans have trampled on their oaths and have wounded you; nevertheless the oath, the blood of lambs, the drink-offerings and the right hands of fellowship in which have put our trust shall not be vain.

Homeric Greek

ἔκ τε καὶ ὀψὲ τελεῖ, σύν τε μεγάλῳ ἀπέτισαν

σὺν σφῇσιν κεφαλῇσι γυναιξί τε καὶ τεκέεσσιν.

εὖ γὰρ ἐγὼ τόδε οἶδα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν:

ἔσσεται ἦμαρ ὅτ' ἄν ποτ' ὀλώλῃ Ἴλιος ἱρὴ

165καὶ Πρίαμος καὶ λαὸς ἐϋμμελίω Πριάμοιο,

Transliteration

ek te kai opse telei, syn te megalōi apetisan

syn sphēisin kephalēisi gynaixi te kai tekeessin.

eu gar egō tode oida kata phrena kai kata thymon:

essetai ēmar hot' an pot' olōlēi Ilios hirē

165kai Priamos kai laos eÿmmeliō Priamoio,

English

If he that rules Olympus fulfill it not here and now, he. will yet fulfill it hereafter, and they shall pay dearly with their lives and with their wives and children.

Homeric Greek

Ζεὺς δέ σφι Κρονίδης ὑψίζυγος αἰθέρι ναίων

αὐτὸς ἐπισσείῃσιν ἐρεμνὴν αἰγίδα πᾶσι

τῆσδ' ἀπάτης κοτέων: τὰ μὲν ἔσσεται οὐκ ἀτέλεστα:

ἀλλά μοι αἰνὸν ἄχος σέθεν ἔσσεται ὦ Μενέλαε

170αἴ κε θάνῃς καὶ πότμον ἀναπλήσῃς βιότοιο.

Transliteration

Zeus de sphi Kronidēs hypsizygos aitheri naiōn

autos episseiēisin eremnēn aigida pasi

tēsd' apatēs koteōn: ta men essetai ouk atelesta:

alla moi ainon achos sethen essetai ō Menelae

170ai ke thanēis kai potmon anaplēsēis biotoio.

English

The day will surely come when mighty Ilion shall be laid low, with Priam and Priam's people, when the son of Kronos from his high throne shall overshadow them with his awful aegis in punishment of their present treachery. This shall surely be;

Homeric Greek

καί κεν ἐλέγχιστος πολυδίψιον Ἄργος ἱκοίμην:

αὐτίκα γὰρ μνήσονται Ἀχαιοὶ πατρίδος αἴης:

κὰδ δέ κεν εὐχωλὴν Πριάμῳ καὶ Τρωσὶ λίποιμεν

Ἀργείην Ἑλένην: σέο δ' ὀστέα πύσει ἄρουρα

175κειμένου ἐν Τροίῃ ἀτελευτήτῳ ἐπὶ ἔργῳ.

Transliteration

kai ken elenchistos polydipsion Argos hikoimēn:

autika gar mnēsontai Achaioi patridos aiēs:

kad de ken euchōlēn Priamōi kai Trōsi lipoimen

Argeiēn Helenēn: seo d' ostea pysei aroura

175keimenou en Troiēi ateleutētōi epi ergōi.

English

but how, Menelaos, shall I feel grief for you, if it be your lot now to die? I should return to Argos as a by-word, for the Achaeans will at once go home.

Homeric Greek

καί κέ τις ὧδ' ἐρέει Τρώων ὑπερηνορεόντων

τύμβῳ ἐπιθρῴσκων Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο:

αἴθ' οὕτως ἐπὶ πᾶσι χόλον τελέσει' Ἀγαμέμνων,

ὡς καὶ νῦν ἅλιον στρατὸν ἤγαγεν ἐνθάδ' Ἀχαιῶν,

180καὶ δὴ ἔβη οἶκον δὲ φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν

Transliteration

kai ke tis hōd' ereei Trōōn hyperēnoreontōn

tymbōi epithrōiskōn Menelaou kydalimoio:

aith' houtōs epi pasi cholon telesei' Agamemnōn,

hōs kai nyn halion straton ēgagen enthad' Achaiōn,

180kai dē ebē oikon de philēn es patrida gaian

English

We shall leave Priam and the Trojans the glory of still keeping Helen, and the earth will rot your bones as you lie here at Troy with your purpose not fulfilled. Then shall some braggart Trojan leap upon your tomb and say, ‘Ever thus may Agamemnon wreak his vengeance; he brought his army in vain;

Homeric Greek

σὺν κεινῇσιν νηυσὶ λιπὼν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον.

ὥς ποτέ τις ἐρέει: τότε μοι χάνοι εὐρεῖα χθών.

τὸν δ' ἐπιθαρσύνων προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος:

θάρσει, μηδέ τί πω δειδίσσεο λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν:

185οὐκ ἐν καιρίῳ ὀξὺ πάγη βέλος, ἀλλὰ πάροιθεν

Transliteration

syn keinēisin nēusi lipōn agathon Menelaon.

hōs pote tis ereei: tote moi chanoi eureia chthōn.

ton d' epitharsynōn prosephē xanthos Menelaos:

tharsei, mēde ti pō deidisseo laon Achaiōn:

185ouk en kairiōi oxy pagē belos, alla paroithen

English

he is gone home to his own land with empty ships, and has left Menelaos behind him.’ Thus will one of them say, and may the earth then swallow me." But Menelaos reassured him and said, "Take heart, and do not alarm the people;

Homeric Greek

εἰρύσατο ζωστήρ τε παναίολος ἠδ' ὑπένερθε

ζῶμά τε καὶ μίτρη, τὴν χαλκῆες κάμον ἄνδρες.

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων:

αἲ γὰρ δὴ οὕτως εἴη φίλος ὦ Μενέλαε:

190ἕλκος δ' ἰητὴρ ἐπιμάσσεται ἠδ' ἐπιθήσει

Transliteration

eirysato zōstēr te panaiolos ēd' hypenerthe

zōma te kai mitrē, tēn chalkēes kamon andres.

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē kreiōn Agamemnōn:

ai gar dē houtōs eiē philos ō Menelae:

190helkos d' iētēr epimassetai ēd' epithēsei

English

the arrow has not struck me in a mortal part, for my outer belt of burnished metal first stayed it, and under this my cuirass and the belt of mail which the bronze-smiths made me." And Agamemnon answered, "I trust, dear Menelaos, that it may be even so, but the surgeon shall

Homeric Greek

φάρμαχ' ἅ κεν παύσῃσι μελαινάων ὀδυνάων.

ἦ καὶ Ταλθύβιον θεῖον κήρυκα προσηύδα:

Ταλθύβι' ὅττι τάχιστα Μαχάονα δεῦρο κάλεσσον

φῶτ' Ἀσκληπιοῦ υἱὸν ἀμύμονος ἰητῆρος,

195ὄφρα ἴδῃ Μενέλαον ἀρήϊον Ἀτρέος υἱόν,

Transliteration

pharmach' ha ken pausēisi melainaōn odynaōn.

ē kai Talthybion theion kēryka prosēuda:

Talthybi' hotti tachista Machaona deuro kalesson

phōt' Asklēpiou huion amymonos iētēros,

195ophra idēi Menelaon arēïon Atreos huion,

English

examine your wound and lay herbs upon it to relieve your pain." He then said to Talthybios, "Talthybios, tell Machaon, son to the great physician, Asklepios, to come and see Menelaos immediately.

Homeric Greek

ὅν τις ὀϊστεύσας ἔβαλεν τόξων ἐὺ̈ εἰδὼς

Τρώων ἢ Λυκίων, τῷ μὲν κλέος, ἄμμι δὲ πένθος.

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἄρα οἱ κῆρυξ ἀπίθησεν ἀκούσας,

βῆ δ' ἰέναι κατὰ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων

200παπταίνων ἥρωα Μαχάονα: τὸν δὲ νόησεν

Transliteration

hon tis oïsteusas ebalen toxōn eÿ eidōs

Trōōn ē Lykiōn, tōi men kleos, ammi de penthos.

hōs ephat', oud' ara hoi kēryx apithēsen akousas,

bē d' ienai kata laon Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn

200paptainōn hērōa Machaona: ton de noēsen

English

Some Trojan or Lycian archer has wounded him with an arrow to our dismay, and to his own great glory." Talthybios did as he was told, and went about the host trying to find Machaon.

Homeric Greek

ἑσταότ': ἀμφὶ δέ μιν κρατεραὶ στίχες ἀσπιστάων

λαῶν, οἵ οἱ ἕποντο Τρίκης ἐξ ἱπποβότοιο.

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

ὄρσ' Ἀσκληπιάδη, καλέει κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων,

205ὄφρα ἴδῃς Μενέλαον ἀρήϊον ἀρχὸν Ἀχαιῶν,

Transliteration

hestaot': amphi de min kraterai stiches aspistaōn

laōn, hoi hoi heponto Trikēs ex hippobotoio.

anchou d' histamenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:

ors' Asklēpiadē, kaleei kreiōn Agamemnōn,

205ophra idēis Menelaon arēïon archon Achaiōn,

English

Presently he found standing amid the brave warriors who had followed him from Tricca; thereon he went up to him and said, "Son of Asklepios, King Agamemnon says you are to come and see Menelaos immediately.

Homeric Greek

ὅν τις ὀϊστεύσας ἔβαλεν τόξων ἐὺ̈ εἰδὼς

Τρώων ἢ Λυκίων, τῷ μὲν κλέος, ἄμμι δὲ πένθος.

ὣς φάτο, τῷ δ' ἄρα θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινε:

βὰν δ' ἰέναι καθ' ὅμιλον ἀνὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν.

210ἀλλ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἵκανον ὅθι ξανθὸς Μενέλαος

Transliteration

hon tis oïsteusas ebalen toxōn eÿ eidōs

Trōōn ē Lykiōn, tōi men kleos, ammi de penthos.

hōs phato, tōi d' ara thymon eni stēthessin orine:

ban d' ienai kath' homilon ana straton euryn Achaiōn.

210all' hote dē rh' hikanon hothi xanthos Menelaos

English

Some Trojan or Lycian archer has wounded him with an arrow to our dismay and to his own great glory." Thus did he speak, and Machaon was moved to go. They passed through the spreading host of the Achaeans and went on till they came to the place where Menelaos had been

Homeric Greek

βλήμενος ἦν, περὶ δ' αὐτὸν ἀγηγέραθ' ὅσσοι ἄριστοι

κυκλόσ', ὃ δ' ἐν μέσσοισι παρίστατο ἰσόθεος φώς,

αὐτίκα δ' ἐκ ζωστῆρος ἀρηρότος ἕλκεν ὀϊστόν:

τοῦ δ' ἐξελκομένοιο πάλιν ἄγεν ὀξέες ὄγκοι.

215λῦσε δέ οἱ ζωστῆρα παναίολον ἠδ' ὑπένερθε

Transliteration

blēmenos ēn, peri d' auton agēgerath' hossoi aristoi

kyklos', ho d' en messoisi paristato isotheos phōs,

autika d' ek zōstēros arērotos helken oïston:

tou d' exelkomenoio palin agen oxees onkoi.

215lyse de hoi zōstēra panaiolon ēd' hypenerthe

English

wounded and was lying with the chieftains gathered in a circle round him. Machaon passed into the middle of the ring and at once drew the arrow from the belt, bending its barbs back through the force with which he pulled it out.

Homeric Greek

ζῶμά τε καὶ μίτρην, τὴν χαλκῆες κάμον ἄνδρες.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ ἴδεν ἕλκος ὅθ' ἔμπεσε πικρὸς ὀϊστός,

αἷμ' ἐκμυζήσας ἐπ' ἄρ' ἤπια φάρμακα εἰδὼς

πάσσε, τά οἵ ποτε πατρὶ φίλα φρονέων πόρε Χείρων.

220ὄφρα τοὶ ἀμφεπένοντο βοὴν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον,

Transliteration

zōma te kai mitrēn, tēn chalkēes kamon andres.

autar epei iden helkos hoth' empese pikros oïstos,

haim' ekmyzēsas ep' ar' ēpia pharmaka eidōs

passe, ta hoi pote patri phila phroneōn pore Cheirōn.

220ophra toi amphepenonto boēn agathon Menelaon,

English

He undid the burnished belt, and beneath this the cuirass and the belt of mail which the bronze-smiths had made; then, when he had seen the wound, he wiped away the blood and applied some soothing drugs which Chiron had given to Asklepios out of the good will he bore him. While they were thus busy about Menelaos, the

Homeric Greek

τόφρα δ' ἐπὶ Τρώων στίχες ἤλυθον ἀσπιστάων:

οἳ δ' αὖτις κατὰ τεύχε' ἔδυν, μνήσαντο δὲ χάρμης.

ἔνθ' οὐκ ἂν βρίζοντα ἴδοις Ἀγαμέμνονα δῖον

οὐδὲ καταπτώσσοντ' οὐδ' οὐκ ἐθέλοντα μάχεσθαι,

225ἀλλὰ μάλα σπεύδοντα μάχην ἐς κυδιάνειραν.

Transliteration

tophra d' epi Trōōn stiches ēlython aspistaōn:

hoi d' autis kata teuche' edyn, mnēsanto de charmēs.

enth' ouk an brizonta idois Agamemnona dion

oude kataptōssont' oud' ouk ethelonta machesthai,

225alla mala speudonta machēn es kydianeiran.

English

Trojans came forward against them, for they had put on their armor, and now renewed the fight. You would not have then found Agamemnon asleep nor cowardly and unwilling to fight, but eager rather for the fray.

Homeric Greek

ἵππους μὲν γὰρ ἔασε καὶ ἅρματα ποικίλα χαλκῷ:

καὶ τοὺς μὲν θεράπων ἀπάνευθ' ἔχε φυσιόωντας

Εὐρυμέδων υἱὸς Πτολεμαίου Πειραί̈δαο:

τῷ μάλα πόλλ' ἐπέτελλε παρισχέμεν ὁππότε κέν μιν

230γυῖα λάβῃ κάματος πολέας διὰ κοιρανέοντα:

Transliteration

hippous men gar ease kai harmata poikila chalkōi:

kai tous men therapōn apaneuth' eche physioōntas

Eurymedōn huios Ptolemaiou Peiraïdao:

tōi mala poll' epetelle parischemen hoppote ken min

230guia labēi kamatos poleas dia koiraneonta:

English

He left his chariot rich with bronze and his panting steeds in charge of the squire Eurymedon, son of Ptolemaios the son of Peiraios, and bade him hold them in readiness against the time his limbs should weary of going about and giving orders to so many, for he went among the ranks on foot.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ὃ πεζὸς ἐὼν ἐπεπωλεῖτο στίχας ἀνδρῶν:

καί ῥ' οὓς μὲν σπεύδοντας ἴδοι Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων,

τοὺς μάλα θαρσύνεσκε παριστάμενος ἐπέεσσιν:

Ἀργεῖοι μή πώ τι μεθίετε θούριδος ἀλκῆς:

235οὐ γὰρ ἐπὶ ψευδέσσι πατὴρ Ζεὺς ἔσσετ' ἀρωγός,

Transliteration

autar ho pezos eōn epepōleito stichas andrōn:

kai rh' hous men speudontas idoi Danaōn tachypōlōn,

tous mala tharsyneske paristamenos epeessin:

Argeioi mē pō ti methiete thouridos alkēs:

235ou gar epi pseudessi patēr Zeus esset' arōgos,

English

When he saw men hastening to the front he stood by them and cheered them on. "Argives," said he, "slacken not one whit in your onset; father Zeus will be no helper of liars;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' οἵ περ πρότεροι ὑπὲρ ὅρκια δηλήσαντο

τῶν ἤτοι αὐτῶν τέρενα χρόα γῦπες ἔδονται,

ἡμεῖς αὖτ' ἀλόχους τε φίλας καὶ νήπια τέκνα

ἄξομεν ἐν νήεσσιν, ἐπὴν πτολίεθρον ἕλωμεν.

240οὕς τινας αὖ μεθιέντας ἴδοι στυγεροῦ πολέμοιο,

Transliteration

all' hoi per proteroi hyper horkia dēlēsanto

tōn ētoi autōn terena chroa gypes edontai,

hēmeis aut' alochous te philas kai nēpia tekna

axomen en nēessin, epēn ptoliethron helōmen.

240hous tinas au methientas idoi stygerou polemoio,

English

the Trojans have been the first to break their oaths and to attack us; therefore they shall be devoured of vultures; we shall take their city and carry off their wives and children in our ships." But he angrily rebuked those whom he saw shirking and disinclined to fight.

Homeric Greek

τοὺς μάλα νεικείεσκε χολωτοῖσιν ἐπέεσσιν:

Ἀργεῖοι ἰόμωροι ἐλεγχέες οὔ νυ σέβεσθε;

τίφθ' οὕτως ἔστητε τεθηπότες ἠύ̈τε νεβροί,

αἵ τ' ἐπεὶ οὖν ἔκαμον πολέος πεδίοιο θέουσαι

245ἑστᾶσ', οὐδ' ἄρα τίς σφι μετὰ φρεσὶ γίγνεται ἀλκή:

Transliteration

tous mala neikeieske cholōtoisin epeessin:

Argeioi iomōroi elenchees ou ny sebesthe;

tiphth' houtōs estēte tethēpotes ēÿte nebroi,

hai t' epei oun ekamon poleos pedioio theousai

245hestas', oud' ara tis sphi meta phresi gignetai alkē:

English

"Argives," he cried, "cowardly miserable creatures, have you no shame to stand here like frightened fawns who, when they can no longer scud over the plain, huddle together, but show no fight? You are as dazed and spiritless as deer.

Homeric Greek

ὣς ὑμεῖς ἔστητε τεθηπότες οὐδὲ μάχεσθε.

ἦ μένετε Τρῶας σχεδὸν ἐλθέμεν ἔνθά τε νῆες

εἰρύατ' εὔπρυμνοι πολιῆς ἐπὶ θινὶ θαλάσσης,

ὄφρα ἴδητ' αἴ κ' ὔμμιν ὑπέρσχῃ χεῖρα Κρονίων;

250ὣς ὅ γε κοιρανέων ἐπεπωλεῖτο στίχας ἀνδρῶν:

Transliteration

hōs hymeis estēte tethēpotes oude machesthe.

ē menete Trōas schedon elthemen entha te nēes

eiryat' euprymnoi poliēs epi thini thalassēs,

ophra idēt' ai k' ymmin hyperschēi cheira Kroniōn;

250hōs ho ge koiraneōn epepōleito stichas andrōn:

English

Would you wait till the Trojans reach the sterns of our ships as they lie on the shore, to see, whether the son of Kronos will hold his hand over you to protect you?" Thus did he go about giving his orders among the ranks.

Homeric Greek

ἦλθε δ' ἐπὶ Κρήτεσσι κιὼν ἀνὰ οὐλαμὸν ἀνδρῶν.

οἳ δ' ἀμφ' Ἰδομενῆα δαί̈φρονα θωρήσσοντο:

Ἰδομενεὺς μὲν ἐνὶ προμάχοις συὶ̈ εἴκελος ἀλκήν,

Μηριόνης δ' ἄρα οἱ πυμάτας ὄτρυνε φάλαγγας.

255τοὺς δὲ ἰδὼν γήθησεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων,

Transliteration

ēlthe d' epi Krētessi kiōn ana oulamon andrōn.

hoi d' amph' Idomenēa daïphrona thōrēssonto:

Idomeneus men eni promachois syï eikelos alkēn,

Mērionēs d' ara hoi pymatas otryne phalangas.

255tous de idōn gēthēsen anax andrōn Agamemnōn,

English

Passing through the crowd, he came presently on the Cretans, arming round Idomeneus, who was at their head, fierce as a wild boar, while Meriones was bringing up the battalions that were in the rear. Agamemnon was glad when he saw him, and spoke him fairly.

Homeric Greek

αὐτίκα δ' Ἰδομενῆα προσηύδα μειλιχίοισιν:

Ἰδομενεῦ περὶ μέν σε τίω Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων

ἠμὲν ἐνὶ πτολέμῳ ἠδ' ἀλλοίῳ ἐπὶ ἔργῳ

ἠδ' ἐν δαίθ', ὅτε πέρ τε γερούσιον αἴθοπα οἶνον

260Ἀργείων οἳ ἄριστοι ἐνὶ κρητῆρι κέρωνται.

Transliteration

autika d' Idomenēa prosēuda meilichioisin:

Idomeneu peri men se tiō Danaōn tachypōlōn

ēmen eni ptolemōi ēd' alloiōi epi ergōi

ēd' en daith', hote per te gerousion aithopa oinon

260Argeiōn hoi aristoi eni krētēri kerōntai.

English

"Idomeneus," said he, "I treat you with greater distinction than I do any others of the Achaeans, whether in war or in other things, or at table. When the princes are mixing my choicest wines in the mixing-bowls, they have each of them a

Homeric Greek

εἴ περ γάρ τ' ἄλλοι γε κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ

δαιτρὸν πίνωσιν, σὸν δὲ πλεῖον δέπας αἰεὶ

ἕστηχ', ὥς περ ἐμοί, πιέειν ὅτε θυμὸς ἀνώγοι.

ἀλλ' ὄρσευ πόλεμον δ' οἷος πάρος εὔχεαι εἶναι.

265τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἰδομενεὺς Κρητῶν ἀγὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα:

Transliteration

ei per gar t' alloi ge karē komoōntes Achaioi

daitron pinōsin, son de pleion depas aiei

hestēch', hōs per emoi, pieein hote thymos anōgoi.

all' orseu polemon d' hoios paros eucheai einai.

265ton d' aut' Idomeneus Krētōn agos antion ēuda:

English

fixed allowance, but your cup is kept always full like my own, that you may drink whenever you are minded. Go, therefore, into battle, and show yourself the man you have been always proud to be." Idomeneus answered, "I will be a trusty comrade, as I promised you from the first I would be.

Homeric Greek

Ἀτρεί̈δη μάλα μέν τοι ἐγὼν ἐρίηρος ἑταῖρος

ἔσσομαι, ὡς τὸ πρῶτον ὑπέστην καὶ κατένευσα:

ἀλλ' ἄλλους ὄτρυνε κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιοὺς

ὄφρα τάχιστα μαχώμεθ', ἐπεὶ σύν γ' ὅρκι' ἔχευαν

270Τρῶες: τοῖσιν δ' αὖ θάνατος καὶ κήδε' ὀπίσσω

Transliteration

Atreïdē mala men toi egōn eriēros hetairos

essomai, hōs to prōton hypestēn kai kateneusa:

all' allous otryne karē komoōntas Achaious

ophra tachista machōmeth', epei syn g' horki' echeuan

270Trōes: toisin d' au thanatos kai kēde' opissō

English

Urge on the other Achaeans, that we may join battle at once, for the Trojans have trampled upon their covenants. Death and destruction shall be theirs, seeing they have been the first to

Homeric Greek

ἔσσετ' ἐπεὶ πρότεροι ὑπὲρ ὅρκια δηλήσαντο.

ὣς ἔφατ', Ἀτρεί̈δης δὲ παρῴχετο γηθόσυνος κῆρ:

ἦλθε δ' ἐπ' Αἰάντεσσι κιὼν ἀνὰ οὐλαμὸν ἀνδρῶν:

τὼ δὲ κορυσσέσθην, ἅμα δὲ νέφος εἵπετο πεζῶν.

275ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀπὸ σκοπιῆς εἶδεν νέφος αἰπόλος ἀνὴρ

Transliteration

esset' epei proteroi hyper horkia dēlēsanto.

hōs ephat', Atreïdēs de parōicheto gēthosynos kēr:

ēlthe d' ep' Aiantessi kiōn ana oulamon andrōn:

tō de koryssesthēn, hama de nephos heipeto pezōn.

275hōs d' hot' apo skopiēs eiden nephos aipolos anēr

English

break their oaths and to attack us." The son of Atreus went on, glad at heart, till he came upon the two Ajaxes arming themselves amid a host of foot-soldiers.

Homeric Greek

ἐρχόμενον κατὰ πόντον ὑπὸ Ζεφύροιο ἰωῆς:

τῷ δέ τ' ἄνευθεν ἐόντι μελάντερον ἠύ̈τε πίσσα

φαίνετ' ἰὸν κατὰ πόντον, ἄγει δέ τε λαίλαπα πολλήν,

ῥίγησέν τε ἰδών, ὑπό τε σπέος ἤλασε μῆλα:

280τοῖαι ἅμ' Αἰάντεσσι διοτρεφέων αἰζηῶν

Transliteration

erchomenon kata ponton hypo Zephyroio iōēs:

tōi de t' aneuthen eonti melanteron ēÿte pissa

phainet' ion kata ponton, agei de te lailapa pollēn,

rhigēsen te idōn, hypo te speos ēlase mēla:

280toiai ham' Aiantessi diotrepheōn aizēōn

English

As when a goat-herd from some high post watches a storm drive over the deep before the west wind - black as pitch is the offing and a mighty whirlwind draws towards him, so that he is afraid and drives his flock into a cave - even thus did the ranks of

Homeric Greek

δήϊον ἐς πόλεμον πυκιναὶ κίνυντο φάλαγγες

κυάνεαι, σάκεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσι πεφρικυῖαι.

καὶ τοὺς μὲν γήθησεν ἰδὼν κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων,

καί σφεας φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

285Αἴαντ' Ἀργείων ἡγήτορε χαλκοχιτώνων,

Transliteration

dēïon es polemon pykinai kinynto phalanges

kyaneai, sakesin te kai enchesi pephrikuiai.

kai tous men gēthēsen idōn kreiōn Agamemnōn,

kai spheas phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

285Aiant' Argeiōn hēgētore chalkochitōnōn,

English

stalwart youths move in a dark mass to battle under the Ajaxes, horrid with shield and spear. Glad was King Agamemnon when he saw them. "No need," he cried, "to give orders to such leaders of the Argives as you

Homeric Greek

σφῶϊ μέν: οὐ γὰρ ἔοικ' ὀτρυνέμεν: οὔ τι κελεύω:

αὐτὼ γὰρ μάλα λαὸν ἀνώγετον ἶφι μάχεσθαι.

αἲ γὰρ Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον

τοῖος πᾶσιν θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι γένοιτο:

290τώ κε τάχ' ἠμύσειε πόλις Πριάμοιο ἄνακτος

Transliteration

sphōï men: ou gar eoik' otrynemen: ou ti keleuō:

autō gar mala laon anōgeton iphi machesthai.

ai gar Zeu te pater kai Athēnaiē kai Apollon

toios pasin thymos eni stēthessi genoito:

290tō ke tach' ēmyseie polis Priamoio anaktos

English

are, for of your own selves you spur your men on to fight with might and main. Would, by father Zeus, Athena, and Apollo that all were so minded as you are, for the city of Priam would then soon fall

Homeric Greek

χερσὶν ὑφ' ἡμετέρῃσιν ἁλοῦσά τε περθομένη τε.

ὣς εἰπὼν τοὺς μὲν λίπεν αὐτοῦ, βῆ δὲ μετ' ἄλλους:

ἔνθ' ὅ γε Νέστορ' ἔτετμε λιγὺν Πυλίων ἀγορητὴν

οὓς ἑτάρους στέλλοντα καὶ ὀτρύνοντα μάχεσθαι

295ἀμφὶ μέγαν Πελάγοντα Ἀλάστορά τε Χρομίον τε

Transliteration

chersin hyph' hēmeterēisin halousa te perthomenē te.

hōs eipōn tous men lipen autou, bē de met' allous:

enth' ho ge Nestor' etetme ligyn Pyliōn agorētēn

hous hetarous stellonta kai otrynonta machesthai

295amphi megan Pelagonta Alastora te Chromion te

English

beneath our hands, and we should sack it." With this he left them and went onward to Nestor, the facile speaker of the Pylians, who was marshaling his men and urging them on, in company with Pelagon, Alastor, Chromios, Haimon, and Bias shepherd of his people.

Homeric Greek

Αἵμονά τε κρείοντα Βίαντά τε ποιμένα λαῶν:

ἱππῆας μὲν πρῶτα σὺν ἵπποισιν καὶ ὄχεσφι,

πεζοὺς δ' ἐξόπιθε στῆσεν πολέας τε καὶ ἐσθλοὺς

ἕρκος ἔμεν πολέμοιο: κακοὺς δ' ἐς μέσσον ἔλασσεν,

300ὄφρα καὶ οὐκ ἐθέλων τις ἀναγκαίῃ πολεμίζοι.

Transliteration

Haimona te kreionta Bianta te poimena laōn:

hippēas men prōta syn hippoisin kai ochesphi,

pezous d' exopithe stēsen poleas te kai esthlous

herkos emen polemoio: kakous d' es messon elassen,

300ophra kai ouk ethelōn tis anankaiēi polemizoi.

English

He placed his horsemen with their chariots and horses in the front rank, while the foot-soldiers, brave men and many, whom he could trust, were in the rear. The cowards he drove into the middle, that they might fight whether they would or no.

Homeric Greek

ἱππεῦσιν μὲν πρῶτ' ἐπετέλλετο: τοὺς γὰρ ἀνώγει

σφοὺς ἵππους ἐχέμεν μηδὲ κλονέεσθαι ὁμίλῳ:

μηδέ τις ἱπποσύνῃ τε καὶ ἠνορέηφι πεποιθὼς

οἶος πρόσθ' ἄλλων μεμάτω Τρώεσσι μάχεσθαι,

305μηδ' ἀναχωρείτω: ἀλαπαδνότεροι γὰρ ἔσεσθε.

Transliteration

hippeusin men prōt' epetelleto: tous gar anōgei

sphous hippous echemen mēde kloneesthai homilōi:

mēde tis hipposynēi te kai ēnoreēphi pepoithōs

oios prosth' allōn mematō Trōessi machesthai,

305mēd' anachōreitō: alapadnoteroi gar esesthe.

English

He gave his orders to the horsemen first, bidding them hold their horses well in hand, so as to avoid confusion. "Let no man," he said, "relying on his strength or horsemanship, get before the others and engage singly with the Trojans, nor yet let him lag behind or you will weaken your attack;

Homeric Greek

ὃς δέ κ' ἀνὴρ ἀπὸ ὧν ὀχέων ἕτερ' ἅρμαθ' ἵκηται

ἔγχει ὀρεξάσθω, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερον οὕτω.

ὧδε καὶ οἱ πρότεροι πόλεας καὶ τείχε' ἐπόρθεον

τόνδε νόον καὶ θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἔχοντες.

310ὣς ὃ γέρων ὄτρυνε πάλαι πολέμων ἐὺ̈ εἰδώς:

Transliteration

hos de k' anēr apo hōn ocheōn heter' harmath' hikētai

enchei orexasthō, epei ē poly pherteron houtō.

hōde kai hoi proteroi poleas kai teiche' eportheon

tonde noon kai thymon eni stēthessin echontes.

310hōs ho gerōn otryne palai polemōn eÿ eidōs:

English

but let each when he meets an enemy's chariot throw his spear from his own; this be much the best; this is how the men of old took towns and strongholds; in this wise was their thinking." Thus did the old man charge them, for he had been in many a fight, and King Agamemnon was glad.

Homeric Greek

καὶ τὸν μὲν γήθησεν ἰδὼν κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

ὦ γέρον εἴθ' ὡς θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισιν

ὥς τοι γούναθ' ἕποιτο, βίη δέ τοι ἔμπεδος εἴη:

315ἀλλά σε γῆρας τείρει ὁμοίϊον: ὡς ὄφελέν τις

Transliteration

kai ton men gēthēsen idōn kreiōn Agamemnōn,

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

ō geron eith' hōs thymos eni stēthessi philoisin

hōs toi gounath' hepoito, biē de toi empedos eiē:

315alla se gēras teirei homoiïon: hōs ophelen tis

English

"I wish," he said to him, that your limbs were as supple and your strength as sure as your judgment is; but age, the common enemy of humankind, has laid his hand upon you;

Homeric Greek

ἀνδρῶν ἄλλος ἔχειν, σὺ δὲ κουροτέροισι μετεῖναι.

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:

Ἀτρεί̈δη μάλα μέν τοι ἐγὼν ἐθέλοιμι καὶ αὐτὸς

ὣς ἔμεν ὡς ὅτε δῖον Ἐρευθαλίωνα κατέκταν.

320ἀλλ' οὔ πως ἅμα πάντα θεοὶ δόσαν ἀνθρώποισιν:

Transliteration

andrōn allos echein, sy de kouroteroisi meteinai.

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:

Atreïdē mala men toi egōn etheloimi kai autos

hōs emen hōs hote dion Ereuthaliōna katektan.

320all' ou pōs hama panta theoi dosan anthrōpoisin:

English

would that it had fallen upon some other, and that you were still young." And Nestor, horseman of Gerene, answered, "Son of Atreus, I too would gladly be the man I was when I slew mighty Ereuthalion; but the gods will not give us everything at one and the same time.

Homeric Greek

εἰ τότε κοῦρος ἔα νῦν αὖτέ με γῆρας ὀπάζει.

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἱππεῦσι μετέσσομαι ἠδὲ κελεύσω

βουλῇ καὶ μύθοισι: τὸ γὰρ γέρας ἐστὶ γερόντων.

αἰχμὰς δ' αἰχμάσσουσι νεώτεροι, οἵ περ ἐμεῖο

325ὁπλότεροι γεγάασι πεποίθασίν τε βίηφιν.

Transliteration

ei tote kouros ea nyn aute me gēras opazei.

alla kai hōs hippeusi metessomai ēde keleusō

boulēi kai mythoisi: to gar geras esti gerontōn.

aichmas d' aichmassousi neōteroi, hoi per emeio

325hoploteroi gegaasi pepoithasin te biēphin.

English

I was then young, and now I am old; still I can go with my horsemen and give them that counsel which old men have a right to give. The wielding of the spear I leave to those who are younger and has more force than myself."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφατ', Ἀτρεί̈δης δὲ παρῴχετο γηθόσυνος κῆρ.

εὗρ' υἱὸν Πετεῶο Μενεσθῆα πλήξιππον

ἑσταότ': ἀμφὶ δ' Ἀθηναῖοι μήστωρες ἀϋτῆς:

αὐτὰρ ὃ πλησίον ἑστήκει πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,

330πὰρ δὲ Κεφαλλήνων ἀμφὶ στίχες οὐκ ἀλαπαδναὶ

Transliteration

hōs ephat', Atreïdēs de parōicheto gēthosynos kēr.

heur' huion Peteōo Menesthēa plēxippon

hestaot': amphi d' Athēnaioi mēstōres aÿtēs:

autar ho plēsion hestēkei polymētis Odysseus,

330par de Kephallēnōn amphi stiches ouk alapadnai

English

Agamemnon went his way rejoicing, and presently found Menestheus, son of Peteos, tarrying in his place, and with him were the Athenians loud of tongue in battle. Near him also tarried cunning Odysseus, with his sturdy Cephallenians round him;

Homeric Greek

ἕστασαν: οὐ γάρ πώ σφιν ἀκούετο λαὸς ἀϋτῆς,

ἀλλὰ νέον συνορινόμεναι κίνυντο φάλαγγες

Τρώων ἱπποδάμων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν: οἳ δὲ μένοντες

ἕστασαν ὁππότε πύργος Ἀχαιῶν ἄλλος ἐπελθὼν

335Τρώων ὁρμήσειε καὶ ἄρξειαν πολέμοιο.

Transliteration

hestasan: ou gar pō sphin akoueto laos aÿtēs,

alla neon synorinomenai kinynto phalanges

Trōōn hippodamōn kai Achaiōn: hoi de menontes

hestasan hoppote pyrgos Achaiōn allos epelthōn

335Trōōn hormēseie kai arxeian polemoio.

English

they had not yet heard the battle-cry, for the ranks of Trojans and Achaeans had only just begun to move, so they were standing still, waiting for some other columns of the Achaeans to attack the Trojans and begin the fighting.

Homeric Greek

τοὺς δὲ ἰδὼν νείκεσσεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων,

καί σφεας φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

ὦ υἱὲ Πετεῶο διοτρεφέος βασιλῆος,

καὶ σὺ κακοῖσι δόλοισι κεκασμένε κερδαλεόφρον

340τίπτε καταπτώσσοντες ἀφέστατε, μίμνετε δ' ἄλλους;

Transliteration

tous de idōn neikessen anax andrōn Agamemnōn,

kai spheas phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

ō huie Peteōo diotrepheos basilēos,

kai sy kakoisi doloisi kekasmene kerdaleophron

340tipte kataptōssontes aphestate, mimnete d' allous;

English

When he saw this Agamemnon rebuked them and said, "Son of Peteos, and you other, steeped in cunning, heart of guile, why stand you here cowering and waiting on others?

Homeric Greek

σφῶϊν μέν τ' ἐπέοικε μετὰ πρώτοισιν ἐόντας

ἑστάμεν ἠδὲ μάχης καυστείρης ἀντιβολῆσαι:

πρώτω γὰρ καὶ δαιτὸς ἀκουάζεσθον ἐμεῖο,

ὁππότε δαῖτα γέρουσιν ἐφοπλίζωμεν Ἀχαιοί.

345ἔνθα φίλ' ὀπταλέα κρέα ἔδμεναι ἠδὲ κύπελλα

Transliteration

sphōïn men t' epeoike meta prōtoisin eontas

hestamen ēde machēs kausteirēs antibolēsai:

prōtō gar kai daitos akouazesthon emeio,

hoppote daita gerousin ephoplizōmen Achaioi.

345entha phil' optalea krea edmenai ēde kypella

English

You two should be of all men foremost when there is hard fighting to be done, for you are ever foremost to accept my invitation when we councilors of the Achaeans are holding feast. You are glad enough then to take your fill of roast meats and

Homeric Greek

οἴνου πινέμεναι μελιηδέος ὄφρ' ἐθέλητον:

νῦν δὲ φίλως χ' ὁρόῳτε καὶ εἰ δέκα πύργοι Ἀχαιῶν

ὑμείων προπάροιθε μαχοίατο νηλέϊ χαλκῷ.

τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

350Ἀτρεί̈δη ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων;

Transliteration

oinou pinemenai meliēdeos ophr' ethelēton:

nyn de philōs ch' horoōite kai ei deka pyrgoi Achaiōn

hymeiōn proparoithe machoiato nēleï chalkōi.

ton d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

350Atreïdē poion se epos phygen herkos odontōn;

English

to drink wine as long as you please, whereas now you would not care though you saw ten columns of Achaeans engage the enemy in front of you." Odysseus glared at him and answered, "Son of Atreus, what are you talking about?

Homeric Greek

πῶς δὴ φῂς πολέμοιο μεθιέμεν ὁππότ' Ἀχαιοὶ

Τρωσὶν ἐφ' ἱπποδάμοισιν ἐγείρομεν ὀξὺν Ἄρηα;

ὄψεαι αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα καὶ αἴ κέν τοι τὰ μεμήλῃ

Τηλεμάχοιο φίλον πατέρα προμάχοισι μιγέντα

355Τρώων ἱπποδάμων: σὺ δὲ ταῦτ' ἀνεμώλια βάζεις.

Transliteration

pōs dē phēis polemoio methiemen hoppot' Achaioi

Trōsin eph' hippodamoisin egeiromen oxyn Arēa;

opseai ai k' ethelēistha kai ai ken toi ta memēlēi

Tēlemachoio philon patera promachoisi migenta

355Trōōn hippodamōn: sy de taut' anemōlia bazeis.

English

How can you say that we are slack? When the Achaeans are in full fight with the Trojans, you shall see, if you care to do so, that the father of Telemakhos will join battle with the foremost of them. You are talking idly."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἐπιμειδήσας προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

ὡς γνῶ χωομένοιο: πάλιν δ' ὅ γε λάζετο μῦθον:

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη πολυμήχαν' Ὀδυσσεῦ

οὔτέ σε νεικείω περιώσιον οὔτε κελεύω:

360οἶδα γὰρ ὥς τοι θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισιν

Transliteration

ton d' epimeidēsas prosephē kreiōn Agamemnōn

hōs gnō chōomenoio: palin d' ho ge lazeto mython:

diogenes Laertiadē polymēchan' Odysseu

oute se neikeiō periōsion oute keleuō:

360oida gar hōs toi thymos eni stēthessi philoisin

English

When Agamemnon saw that Odysseus was angry, he smiled pleasantly at him and withdrew his words. "Odysseus," said he, "noble son of Laertes, excellent in all good counsel, I have neither fault to find nor orders to give you, for I know your heart is right, and that you and I are of a mind.

Homeric Greek

ἤπια δήνεα οἶδε: τὰ γὰρ φρονέεις ἅ τ' ἐγώ περ.

ἀλλ' ἴθι ταῦτα δ' ὄπισθεν ἀρεσσόμεθ' εἴ τι κακὸν νῦν

εἴρηται, τὰ δὲ πάντα θεοὶ μεταμώνια θεῖεν.

ὣς εἰπὼν τοὺς μὲν λίπεν αὐτοῦ, βῆ δὲ μετ' ἄλλους.

365εὗρε δὲ Τυδέος υἱὸν ὑπέρθυμον Διομήδεα

Transliteration

ēpia dēnea oide: ta gar phroneeis ha t' egō per.

all' ithi tauta d' opisthen aressometh' ei ti kakon nyn

eirētai, ta de panta theoi metamōnia theien.

hōs eipōn tous men lipen autou, bē de met' allous.

365heure de Tydeos huion hyperthymon Diomēdea

English

Enough; I will make you amends for what I have said, and if any ill has now been spoken may the gods bring it to nothing." He then left them and went on to others.

Homeric Greek

ἑσταότ' ἔν θ' ἵπποισι καὶ ἅρμασι κολλητοῖσι:

πὰρ δέ οἱ ἑστήκει Σθένελος Καπανήϊος υἱός.

καὶ τὸν μὲν νείκεσσεν ἰδὼν κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

370ὤ μοι Τυδέος υἱὲ δαί̈φρονος ἱπποδάμοιο

Transliteration

hestaot' en th' hippoisi kai harmasi kollētoisi:

par de hoi hestēkei Sthenelos Kapanēïos huios.

kai ton men neikessen idōn kreiōn Agamemnōn,

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

370ō moi Tydeos huie daïphronos hippodamoio

English

Presently he saw the son of Tydeus, noble Diomedes, standing by his chariot and horses, with Sthenelos the son of Kapaneus beside him; whereon he began to upbraid him. "Son of Tydeus," he said, "why stand you cowering here upon the brink of battle?

Homeric Greek

τί πτώσσεις, τί δ' ὀπιπεύεις πολέμοιο γεφύρας;

οὐ μὲν Τυδέϊ γ' ὧδε φίλον πτωσκαζέμεν ἦεν,

ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρὸ φίλων ἑτάρων δηί̈οισι μάχεσθαι,

ὡς φάσαν οἵ μιν ἴδοντο πονεύμενον: οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγε

375ἤντησ' οὐδὲ ἴδον: περὶ δ' ἄλλων φασὶ γενέσθαι.

Transliteration

ti ptōsseis, ti d' opipeueis polemoio gephyras;

ou men Tydeï g' hōde philon ptōskazemen ēen,

alla poly pro philōn hetarōn dēïoisi machesthai,

hōs phasan hoi min idonto poneumenon: ou gar egōge

375ēntēs' oude idon: peri d' allōn phasi genesthai.

English

Tydeus did not shrink thus, but was ever ahead of his men when leading them on against the foe - so, at least, say they that saw him in battle, for I never set eyes upon him myself. They say that there was no man like him.

Homeric Greek

ἤτοι μὲν γὰρ ἄτερ πολέμου εἰσῆλθε Μυκήνας

ξεῖνος ἅμ' ἀντιθέῳ Πολυνείκεϊ λαὸν ἀγείρων:

οἳ δὲ τότ' ἐστρατόωνθ' ἱερὰ πρὸς τείχεα Θήβης,

καί ῥα μάλα λίσσοντο δόμεν κλειτοὺς ἐπικούρους:

380οἳ δ' ἔθελον δόμεναι καὶ ἐπῄνεον ὡς ἐκέλευον:

Transliteration

ētoi men gar ater polemou eisēlthe Mykēnas

xeinos ham' antitheōi Polyneikeï laon ageirōn:

hoi de tot' estratoōnth' hiera pros teichea Thēbēs,

kai rha mala lissonto domen kleitous epikourous:

380hoi d' ethelon domenai kai epēineon hōs ekeleuon:

English

He came once to Mycenae, not as an enemy but as a guest, in company with Polyneikes to recruit his forces, for they were levying war against the strong city of Thebes, and prayed our people for a body of picked men to help them.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς ἔτρεψε παραίσια σήματα φαίνων.

οἳ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν ᾤχοντο ἰδὲ πρὸ ὁδοῦ ἐγένοντο,

Ἀσωπὸν δ' ἵκοντο βαθύσχοινον λεχεποίην,

ἔνθ' αὖτ' ἀγγελίην ἐπὶ Τυδῆ στεῖλαν Ἀχαιοί.

385αὐτὰρ ὃ βῆ, πολέας δὲ κιχήσατο Καδμεί̈ωνας

Transliteration

alla Zeus etrepse paraisia sēmata phainōn.

hoi d' epei oun ōichonto ide pro hodou egenonto,

Asōpon d' hikonto bathyschoinon lechepoiēn,

enth' aut' angeliēn epi Tydē steilan Achaioi.

385autar ho bē, poleas de kichēsato Kadmeïōnas

English

The men of Mycenae were willing to let them have one, but Zeus dissuaded them by showing them unfavorable omens. Tydeus, therefore, and Polyneikes went their way. When they had got as far the deep-meadowed and rush-grown banks of the Aesepos, the Achaeans sent Tydeus as

Homeric Greek

δαινυμένους κατὰ δῶμα βίης Ἐτεοκληείης.

ἔνθ' οὐδὲ ξεῖνός περ ἐὼν ἱππηλάτα Τυδεὺς

τάρβει, μοῦνος ἐὼν πολέσιν μετὰ Καδμείοισιν,

ἀλλ' ὅ γ' ἀεθλεύειν προκαλίζετο, πάντα δ' ἐνίκα

390ῥηϊδίως: τοίη οἱ ἐπίρροθος ἦεν Ἀθήνη.

Transliteration

dainymenous kata dōma biēs Eteoklēeiēs.

enth' oude xeinos per eōn hippēlata Tydeus

tarbei, mounos eōn polesin meta Kadmeioisin,

all' ho g' aethleuein prokalizeto, panta d' enika

390rhēïdiōs: toiē hoi epirrothos ēen Athēnē.

English

their envoy, and he found the Cadmeans gathered in great numbers to a banquet in the house of Eteokles. Stranger though he was, he knew no fear on finding himself single-handed among so many, but challenged them to contests of all kinds, and in each one of them was at once victorious, so mightily did Athena help him.

Homeric Greek

οἳ δὲ χολωσάμενοι Καδμεῖοι κέντορες ἵππων

ἂψ ἄρ' ἀνερχομένῳ πυκινὸν λόχον εἷσαν ἄγοντες

κούρους πεντήκοντα: δύω δ' ἡγήτορες ἦσαν,

Μαίων Αἱμονίδης ἐπιείκελος ἀθανάτοισιν,

395υἱός τ' Αὐτοφόνοιο μενεπτόλεμος Πολυφόντης.

Transliteration

hoi de cholōsamenoi Kadmeioi kentores hippōn

aps ar' anerchomenōi pykinon lochon heisan agontes

kourous pentēkonta: dyō d' hēgētores ēsan,

Maiōn Haimonidēs epieikelos athanatoisin,

395huios t' Autophonoio meneptolemos Polyphontēs.

English

The Cadmeans were incensed at his success, and set a force of fifty youths with two leaders - the godlike hero Maion, son of Haimon, and Polyphontes, son of Autophonos - at their head, to lie in wait for him on his return journey;

Homeric Greek

Τυδεὺς μὲν καὶ τοῖσιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐφῆκε:

πάντας ἔπεφν', ἕνα δ' οἶον ἵει οἶκον δὲ νέεσθαι:

Μαίον' ἄρα προέηκε θεῶν τεράεσσι πιθήσας.

τοῖος ἔην Τυδεὺς Αἰτώλιος: ἀλλὰ τὸν υἱὸν

400γείνατο εἷο χέρεια μάχῃ, ἀγορῇ δέ τ' ἀμείνω.

Transliteration

Tydeus men kai toisin aeikea potmon ephēke:

pantas epephn', hena d' oion hiei oikon de neesthai:

Maion' ara proeēke theōn teraessi pithēsas.

toios eēn Tydeus Aitōlios: alla ton huion

400geinato heio chereia machēi, agorēi de t' ameinō.

English

but Tydeus slew every man of them, save only Maion, whom he let go in obedience to heaven's omens. Such was Tydeus of Aetolia. His son can talk more glibly, but he cannot fight as his father did."

Homeric Greek

ὣς φάτο, τὸν δ' οὔ τι προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης

αἰδεσθεὶς βασιλῆος ἐνιπὴν αἰδοίοιο:

τὸν δ' υἱὸς Καπανῆος ἀμείψατο κυδαλίμοιο:

Ἀτρεί̈δη μὴ ψεύδε' ἐπιστάμενος σάφα εἰπεῖν:

405ἡμεῖς τοι πατέρων μέγ' ἀμείνονες εὐχόμεθ' εἶναι:

Transliteration

hōs phato, ton d' ou ti prosephē krateros Diomēdēs

aidestheis basilēos enipēn aidoioio:

ton d' huios Kapanēos ameipsato kydalimoio:

Atreïdē mē pseude' epistamenos sapha eipein:

405hēmeis toi paterōn meg' ameinones euchometh' einai:

English

Diomedes made no answer, for he was shamed by the rebuke of Agamemnon; but the son of Kapaneus took up his words and said, "Son of Atreus, tell no lies, for you can speak truth if you will. We boast ourselves as even better men than our fathers;

Homeric Greek

ἡμεῖς καὶ Θήβης ἕδος εἵλομεν ἑπταπύλοιο

παυρότερον λαὸν ἀγαγόνθ' ὑπὸ τεῖχος ἄρειον,

πειθόμενοι τεράεσσι θεῶν καὶ Ζηνὸς ἀρωγῇ:

κεῖνοι δὲ σφετέρῃσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὄλοντο:

410τὼ μή μοι πατέρας ποθ' ὁμοίῃ ἔνθεο τιμῇ.

Transliteration

hēmeis kai Thēbēs hedos heilomen heptapyloio

pauroteron laon agagonth' hypo teichos areion,

peithomenoi teraessi theōn kai Zēnos arōgēi:

keinoi de spheterēisin atasthaliēisin olonto:

410tō mē moi pateras poth' homoiēi entheo timēi.

English

we took seven-gated Thebes, though the wall was stronger and our men were fewer in number, for we trusted in the omens of the gods and in the help of Zeus, whereas they perished through their own sheer folly; hold not, then, our fathers in like honor with us."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης:

τέττα, σιωπῇ ἧσο, ἐμῷ δ' ἐπιπείθεο μύθῳ:

οὐ γὰρ ἐγὼ νεμεσῶ Ἀγαμέμνονι ποιμένι λαῶν

ὀτρύνοντι μάχεσθαι ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς:

415τούτῳ μὲν γὰρ κῦδος ἅμ' ἕψεται εἴ κεν Ἀχαιοὶ

Transliteration

ton d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē krateros Diomēdēs:

tetta, siōpēi hēso, emōi d' epipeitheo mythōi:

ou gar egō nemesō Agamemnoni poimeni laōn

otrynonti machesthai eÿknēmidas Achaious:

415toutōi men gar kydos ham' hepsetai ei ken Achaioi

English

Diomedes looked sternly at him and said, "Hold your peace, my friend, as I bid you. It is not amiss that Agamemnon should urge the Achaeans forward, for the glory will be his

Homeric Greek

Τρῶας δῃώσωσιν ἕλωσί τε Ἴλιον ἱρήν,

τούτῳ δ' αὖ μέγα πένθος Ἀχαιῶν δῃωθέντων.

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ καὶ νῶϊ μεδώμεθα θούριδος ἀλκῆς.

ἦ ῥα καὶ ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε:

420δεινὸν δ' ἔβραχε χαλκὸς ἐπὶ στήθεσσιν ἄνακτος

Transliteration

Trōas dēiōsōsin helōsi te Ilion hirēn,

toutōi d' au mega penthos Achaiōn dēiōthentōn.

all' age dē kai nōï medōmetha thouridos alkēs.

ē rha kai ex ocheōn syn teuchesin alto chamaze:

420deinon d' ebrache chalkos epi stēthessin anaktos

English

if we take the city, and his the grief if we are vanquished. Therefore let us acquit ourselves with valor." As he spoke he sprang from his chariot, and his armor rang so fiercely about his body that even a

Homeric Greek

ὀρνυμένου: ὑπό κεν ταλασίφρονά περ δέος εἷλεν.

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἐν αἰγιαλῷ πολυηχέϊ κῦμα θαλάσσης

ὄρνυτ' ἐπασσύτερον Ζεφύρου ὕπο κινήσαντος:

πόντῳ μέν τε πρῶτα κορύσσεται, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

425χέρσῳ ῥηγνύμενον μεγάλα βρέμει, ἀμφὶ δέ τ' ἄκρας

Transliteration

ornymenou: hypo ken talasiphrona per deos heilen.

hōs d' hot' en aigialōi polyēcheï kyma thalassēs

ornyt' epassyteron Zephyrou hypo kinēsantos:

pontōi men te prōta koryssetai, autar epeita

425chersōi rhēgnymenon megala bremei, amphi de t' akras

English

brave man might well have been scared to hear it. As when some mighty wave that thunders on the beach when the west wind has lashed it into fury at sea - it has reared its head afar and now comes crashing down on the shore;

Homeric Greek

κυρτὸν ἐὸν κορυφοῦται, ἀποπτύει δ' ἁλὸς ἄχνην:

ὣς τότ' ἐπασσύτεραι Δαναῶν κίνυντο φάλαγγες

νωλεμέως πόλεμον δέ: κέλευε δὲ οἷσιν ἕκαστος

ἡγεμόνων: οἳ δ' ἄλλοι ἀκὴν ἴσαν, οὐδέ κε φαίης

430τόσσον λαὸν ἕπεσθαι ἔχοντ' ἐν στήθεσιν αὐδήν,

Transliteration

kyrton eon koryphoutai, apoptyei d' halos achnēn:

hōs tot' epassyterai Danaōn kinynto phalanges

nōlemeōs polemon de: keleue de hoisin hekastos

hēgemonōn: hoi d' alloi akēn isan, oude ke phaiēs

430tosson laon hepesthai echont' en stēthesin audēn,

English

it bows its arching crest high over the jagged rocks and spews its salt foam in all directions - even so did the serried phalanxes of the Danaans march steadfastly to battle. The chiefs gave orders each to his own people, but the men said never a word;

Homeric Greek

σιγῇ δειδιότες σημάντορας: ἀμφὶ δὲ πᾶσι

τεύχεα ποικίλ' ἔλαμπε, τὰ εἱμένοι ἐστιχόωντο.

Τρῶες δ', ὥς τ' ὄϊες πολυπάμονος ἀνδρὸς ἐν αὐλῇ

μυρίαι ἑστήκασιν ἀμελγόμεναι γάλα λευκὸν

435ἀζηχὲς μεμακυῖαι ἀκούουσαι ὄπα ἀρνῶν,

Transliteration

sigēi deidiotes sēmantoras: amphi de pasi

teuchea poikil' elampe, ta heimenoi estichoōnto.

Trōes d', hōs t' oïes polypamonos andros en aulēi

myriai hestēkasin amelgomenai gala leukon

435azēches memakuiai akouousai opa arnōn,

English

no man would think it, for huge as the host was, it seemed as though there was not a tongue among them, so silent were they in their obedience; and as they marched the armor about their bodies glistened in the sun. But the clamor of the Trojan ranks was as that of many thousand ewes that stand

Homeric Greek

ὣς Τρώων ἀλαλητὸς ἀνὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν ὀρώρει:

οὐ γὰρ πάντων ἦεν ὁμὸς θρόος οὐδ' ἴα γῆρυς,

ἀλλὰ γλῶσσα μέμικτο, πολύκλητοι δ' ἔσαν ἄνδρες.

ὄρσε δὲ τοὺς μὲν Ἄρης, τοὺς δὲ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη

440Δεῖμός τ' ἠδὲ Φόβος καὶ Ἔρις ἄμοτον μεμαυῖα,

Transliteration

hōs Trōōn alalētos ana straton euryn orōrei:

ou gar pantōn ēen homos throos oud' ia gērys,

alla glōssa memikto, polyklētoi d' esan andres.

orse de tous men Arēs, tous de glaukōpis Athēnē

440Deimos t' ēde Phobos kai Eris amoton memauia,

English

waiting to be milked in the yards of some rich flockmaster, and bleat incessantly in answer to the bleating of their lambs; for they had not one speech nor language, but their tongues were diverse, and they came from many different places. These were inspired of Ares, but the others by Athena - and with them came Panic,

Homeric Greek

Ἄρεος ἀνδροφόνοιο κασιγνήτη ἑτάρη τε,

ἥ τ' ὀλίγη μὲν πρῶτα κορύσσεται, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

οὐρανῷ ἐστήριξε κάρη καὶ ἐπὶ χθονὶ βαίνει:

ἥ σφιν καὶ τότε νεῖκος ὁμοίϊον ἔμβαλε μέσσῳ

445ἐρχομένη καθ' ὅμιλον ὀφέλλουσα στόνον ἀνδρῶν.

Transliteration

Areos androphonoio kasignētē hetarē te,

hē t' oligē men prōta koryssetai, autar epeita

ouranōi estērixe karē kai epi chthoni bainei:

hē sphin kai tote neikos homoiïon embale messōi

445erchomenē kath' homilon ophellousa stonon andrōn.

English

Rout, and Strife whose fury never tires, sister and friend of murderous Ares, who, from being at first but low in stature, grows till she uprears her head to heaven, though her feet are still on earth. She it was that went about among them and flung down discord to the waxing of sorrow with even hand between them.

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἐς χῶρον ἕνα ξυνιόντες ἵκοντο,

σύν ῥ' ἔβαλον ῥινούς, σὺν δ' ἔγχεα καὶ μένε' ἀνδρῶν

χαλκεοθωρήκων: ἀτὰρ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι

ἔπληντ' ἀλλήλῃσι, πολὺς δ' ὀρυμαγδὸς ὀρώρει.

450ἔνθα δ' ἅμ' οἰμωγή τε καὶ εὐχωλὴ πέλεν ἀνδρῶν

Transliteration

hoi d' hote dē rh' es chōron hena xyniontes hikonto,

syn rh' ebalon rhinous, syn d' enchea kai mene' andrōn

chalkeothōrēkōn: atar aspides omphaloessai

eplēnt' allēlēisi, polys d' orymagdos orōrei.

450entha d' ham' oimōgē te kai euchōlē pelen andrōn

English

When they were got together in one place shield clashed with shield and spear with spear in the rage of battle. The bossed shields beat one upon another, and there was a tramp as of a great multitude - death-cry and shout of triumph of slain and slayers, and the earth ran red with blood.

Homeric Greek

ὀλλύντων τε καὶ ὀλλυμένων, ῥέε δ' αἵματι γαῖα.

ὡς δ' ὅτε χείμαρροι ποταμοὶ κατ' ὄρεσφι ῥέοντες

ἐς μισγάγκειαν συμβάλλετον ὄβριμον ὕδωρ

κρουνῶν ἐκ μεγάλων κοίλης ἔντοσθε χαράδρης,

455τῶν δέ τε τηλόσε δοῦπον ἐν οὔρεσιν ἔκλυε ποιμήν:

Transliteration

ollyntōn te kai ollymenōn, rhee d' haimati gaia.

hōs d' hote cheimarroi potamoi kat' oresphi rheontes

es misgankeian symballeton obrimon hydōr

krounōn ek megalōn koilēs entosthe charadrēs,

455tōn de te tēlose doupon en ouresin eklye poimēn:

English

As torrents swollen with rain course madly down their deep channels till the angry floods meet in some gorge, and the shepherd the hillside hears their roaring from afar - even such was the toil and uproar of

Homeric Greek

ὣς τῶν μισγομένων γένετο ἰαχή τε πόνος τε.

πρῶτος δ' Ἀντίλοχος Τρώων ἕλεν ἄνδρα κορυστὴν

ἐσθλὸν ἐνὶ προμάχοισι Θαλυσιάδην Ἐχέπωλον:

τόν ῥ' ἔβαλε πρῶτος κόρυθος φάλον ἱπποδασείης,

460ἐν δὲ μετώπῳ πῆξε, πέρησε δ' ἄρ' ὀστέον εἴσω

Transliteration

hōs tōn misgomenōn geneto iachē te ponos te.

prōtos d' Antilochos Trōōn helen andra korystēn

esthlon eni promachoisi Thalysiadēn Echepōlon:

ton rh' ebale prōtos korythos phalon hippodaseiēs,

460en de metōpōi pēxe, perēse d' ar' osteon eisō

English

the hosts as they joined in battle. First Antilokhos slew an armed warrior of the Trojans, Ekhepolos, son of Thalysios, fighting in the foremost ranks. He struck at the projecting part of his helmet and drove the spear into his brow; the point of bronze pierced the bone, and darkness veiled his eyes;

Homeric Greek

αἰχμὴ χαλκείη: τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψεν,

ἤριπε δ' ὡς ὅτε πύργος ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ.

τὸν δὲ πεσόντα ποδῶν ἔλαβε κρείων Ἐλεφήνωρ

Χαλκωδοντιάδης μεγαθύμων ἀρχὸς Ἀβάντων,

465ἕλκε δ' ὑπ' ἐκ βελέων, λελιημένος ὄφρα τάχιστα

Transliteration

aichmē chalkeiē: ton de skotos osse kalypsen,

ēripe d' hōs hote pyrgos eni kraterēi hysminēi.

ton de pesonta podōn elabe kreiōn Elephēnōr

Chalkōdontiadēs megathymōn archos Abantōn,

465helke d' hyp' ek beleōn, leliēmenos ophra tachista

English

headlong as a tower he fell amid the press of the fight, and as he dropped King Elephenor, son of Khalkodon and leader of the proud Abantes began dragging him out of reach of the darts that were falling around him, in haste to strip him of his armor.

Homeric Greek

τεύχεα συλήσειε: μίνυνθα δέ οἱ γένεθ' ὁρμή.

νεκρὸν γὰρ ἐρύοντα ἰδὼν μεγάθυμος Ἀγήνωρ

πλευρά, τά οἱ κύψαντι παρ' ἀσπίδος ἐξεφαάνθη,

οὔτησε ξυστῷ χαλκήρεϊ, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα.

470ὣς τὸν μὲν λίπε θυμός, ἐπ' αὐτῷ δ' ἔργον ἐτύχθη

Transliteration

teuchea sylēseie: minyntha de hoi geneth' hormē.

nekron gar eryonta idōn megathymos Agēnōr

pleura, ta hoi kypsanti par' aspidos exephaanthē,

outēse xystōi chalkēreï, lyse de guia.

470hōs ton men lipe thymos, ep' autōi d' ergon etychthē

English

But his purpose was not for long; Agenor saw him haling the body away, and smote him in the side with his bronze-shod spear - for as he stooped his side was left unprotected by his shield - and thus he perished.

Homeric Greek

ἀργαλέον Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν: οἳ δὲ λύκοι ὣς

ἀλλήλοις ἐπόρουσαν, ἀνὴρ δ' ἄνδρ' ἐδνοπάλιζεν.

ἔνθ' ἔβαλ' Ἀνθεμίωνος υἱὸν Τελαμώνιος Αἴας

ἠί̈θεον θαλερὸν Σιμοείσιον, ὅν ποτε μήτηρ

475Ἴδηθεν κατιοῦσα παρ' ὄχθῃσιν Σιμόεντος

Transliteration

argaleon Trōōn kai Achaiōn: hoi de lykoi hōs

allēlois eporousan, anēr d' andr' ednopalizen.

enth' ebal' Anthemiōnos huion Telamōnios Aias

ēïtheon thaleron Simoeision, hon pote mētēr

475Idēthen katiousa par' ochthēisin Simoentos

English

Then the fight between Trojans and Achaeans grew furious over his body, and they flew upon each other like wolves, man and man crushing one upon the other. Forthwith Ajax, son of Telamon, slew the fair youth Simoeisios, son of Anthemion, whom his mother bore by the banks of the Simoeis, as she was coming down from Mount Ida, where she had been with her parents to see their flocks.

Homeric Greek

γείνατ', ἐπεί ῥα τοκεῦσιν ἅμ' ἕσπετο μῆλα ἰδέσθαι:

τοὔνεκά μιν κάλεον Σιμοείσιον: οὐδὲ τοκεῦσι

θρέπτρα φίλοις ἀπέδωκε, μινυνθάδιος δέ οἱ αἰὼν

ἔπλεθ' ὑπ' Αἴαντος μεγαθύμου δουρὶ δαμέντι.

480πρῶτον γάρ μιν ἰόντα βάλε στῆθος παρὰ μαζὸν

Transliteration

geinat', epei rha tokeusin ham' hespeto mēla idesthai:

touneka min kaleon Simoeision: oude tokeusi

threptra philois apedōke, minynthadios de hoi aiōn

epleth' hyp' Aiantos megathymou douri damenti.

480prōton gar min ionta bale stēthos para mazon

English

Therefore he was named Simoeisios, but he did not live to pay his parents for his rearing, for he was cut off untimely by the spear of mighty Ajax, who struck him in the breast by the right nipple as he was coming on among the foremost fighters;

Homeric Greek

δεξιόν: ἀντικρὺ δὲ δι' ὤμου χάλκεον ἔγχος

ἦλθεν: ὃ δ' ἐν κονίῃσι χαμαὶ πέσεν αἴγειρος ὣς

ἥ ῥά τ' ἐν εἱαμενῇ ἕλεος μεγάλοιο πεφύκει

λείη, ἀτάρ τέ οἱ ὄζοι ἐπ' ἀκροτάτῃ πεφύασι:

485τὴν μέν θ' ἁρματοπηγὸς ἀνὴρ αἴθωνι σιδήρῳ

Transliteration

dexion: antikry de di' ōmou chalkeon enchos

ēlthen: ho d' en koniēisi chamai pesen aigeiros hōs

hē rha t' en heiamenēi heleos megaloio pephykei

leiē, atar te hoi ozoi ep' akrotatēi pephyasi:

485tēn men th' harmatopēgos anēr aithōni sidērōi

English

the spear went right through his shoulder, and he fell as a poplar that has grown straight and tall in a meadow by some mere, and its top is thick with branches. Then the wheelwright lays his axe to its roots that he may fashion a felloe for the wheel of some goodly chariot, and it lies seasoning by the waterside.

Homeric Greek

ἐξέταμ', ὄφρα ἴτυν κάμψῃ περικαλλέϊ δίφρῳ:

ἣ μέν τ' ἀζομένη κεῖται ποταμοῖο παρ' ὄχθας.

τοῖον ἄρ' Ἀνθεμίδην Σιμοείσιον ἐξενάριξεν

Αἴας διογενής: τοῦ δ' Ἄντιφος αἰολοθώρηξ

490Πριαμίδης καθ' ὅμιλον ἀκόντισεν ὀξέϊ δουρί.

Transliteration

exetam', ophra ityn kampsēi perikalleï diphrōi:

hē men t' azomenē keitai potamoio par' ochthas.

toion ar' Anthemidēn Simoeision exenarixen

Aias diogenēs: tou d' Antiphos aiolothōrēx

490Priamidēs kath' homilon akontisen oxeï douri.

English

In such wise did Ajax fell to earth Simoeisios, son of Anthemion. Thereon Antiphos of the gleaming corselet, son of Priam, hurled a spear at Ajax from amid the crowd and missed him, but he hit Leukos, the brave comrade of Odysseus, in the groin, as he was dragging the body of Simoeisios over to the other side;

Homeric Greek

τοῦ μὲν ἅμαρθ', ὃ δὲ Λεῦκον Ὀδυσσέος ἐσθλὸν ἑταῖρον

βεβλήκει βουβῶνα, νέκυν ἑτέρωσ' ἐρύοντα:

ἤριπε δ' ἀμφ' αὐτῷ, νεκρὸς δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε χειρός.

τοῦ δ' Ὀδυσεὺς μάλα θυμὸν ἀποκταμένοιο χολώθη,

495βῆ δὲ διὰ προμάχων κεκορυθμένος αἴθοπι χαλκῷ,

Transliteration

tou men hamarth', ho de Leukon Odysseos esthlon hetairon

beblēkei boubōna, nekyn heterōs' eryonta:

ēripe d' amph' autōi, nekros de hoi ekpese cheiros.

tou d' Odyseus mala thymon apoktamenoio cholōthē,

495bē de dia promachōn kekorythmenos aithopi chalkōi,

English

so he fell upon the body and loosed his hold upon it. Odysseus was furious when he saw Leukos slain, and strode in full armor through the front ranks till he was quite close; then he glared round about him and took aim, and the Trojans fell back as he did so.

Homeric Greek

στῆ δὲ μάλ' ἐγγὺς ἰὼν καὶ ἀκόντισε δουρὶ φαεινῷ

ἀμφὶ ἓ παπτήνας: ὑπὸ δὲ Τρῶες κεκάδοντο

ἀνδρὸς ἀκοντίσσαντος: ὃ δ' οὐχ ἅλιον βέλος ἧκεν,

ἀλλ' υἱὸν Πριάμοιο νόθον βάλε Δημοκόωντα

500ὅς οἱ Ἀβυδόθεν ἦλθε παρ' ἵππων ὠκειάων.

Transliteration

stē de mal' engys iōn kai akontise douri phaeinōi

amphi he paptēnas: hypo de Trōes kekadonto

andros akontissantos: ho d' ouch halion belos hēken,

all' huion Priamoio nothon bale Dēmokoōnta

500hos hoi Abydothen ēlthe par' hippōn ōkeiaōn.

English

His dart was not sped in vain, for it struck Demokoön, the bastard son of Priam, who had come to him from Abydos, where he had charge of his father's mares. Odysseus, infuriated by the death of his comrade, hit him with his spear on one temple, and the bronze point came through on the other side of his forehead.

Homeric Greek

τόν ῥ' Ὀδυσεὺς ἑτάροιο χολωσάμενος βάλε δουρὶ

κόρσην: ἣ δ' ἑτέροιο διὰ κροτάφοιο πέρησεν

αἰχμὴ χαλκείη: τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψε,

δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, ἀράβησε δὲ τεύχε' ἐπ' αὐτῷ.

505χώρησαν δ' ὑπό τε πρόμαχοι καὶ φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ:

Transliteration

ton rh' Odyseus hetaroio cholōsamenos bale douri

korsēn: hē d' heteroio dia krotaphoio perēsen

aichmē chalkeiē: ton de skotos osse kalypse,

doupēsen de pesōn, arabēse de teuche' ep' autōi.

505chōrēsan d' hypo te promachoi kai phaidimos Hektōr:

English

Thereon darkness veiled his eyes, and his armor rang rattling round him as he fell heavily to the ground. Hektor, and they that were in front, then gave round while the Argives raised a shout and drew off the dead, pressing further forward as they did so.

Homeric Greek

Ἀργεῖοι δὲ μέγα ἴαχον, ἐρύσαντο δὲ νεκρούς,

ἴθυσαν δὲ πολὺ προτέρω: νεμέσησε δ' Ἀπόλλων

Περγάμου ἐκκατιδών, Τρώεσσι δὲ κέκλετ' ἀύ̈σας:

ὄρνυσθ' ἱππόδαμοι Τρῶες μηδ' εἴκετε χάρμης

510Ἀργείοις, ἐπεὶ οὔ σφι λίθος χρὼς οὐδὲ σίδηρος

Transliteration

Argeioi de mega iachon, erysanto de nekrous,

ithysan de poly proterō: nemesēse d' Apollōn

Pergamou ekkatidōn, Trōessi de keklet' aÿsas:

ornysth' hippodamoi Trōes mēd' eikete charmēs

510Argeiois, epei ou sphi lithos chrōs oude sidēros

English

But Apollo looked down from Pergamos and called aloud to the Trojans, for he was displeased. "Trojans," he cried, "rush on the foe, and do not let yourselves be thus beaten by the Argives.

Homeric Greek

χαλκὸν ἀνασχέσθαι ταμεσίχροα βαλλομένοισιν:

οὐ μὰν οὐδ' Ἀχιλεὺς Θέτιδος πάϊς ἠϋκόμοιο

μάρναται, ἀλλ' ἐπὶ νηυσὶ χόλον θυμαλγέα πέσσει.

ὣς φάτ' ἀπὸ πτόλιος δεινὸς θεός: αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὺς

515ὦρσε Διὸς θυγάτηρ κυδίστη Τριτογένεια

Transliteration

chalkon anaschesthai tamesichroa ballomenoisin:

ou man oud' Achileus Thetidos païs ēÿkomoio

marnatai, all' epi nēusi cholon thymalgea pessei.

hōs phat' apo ptolios deinos theos: autar Achaious

515ōrse Dios thygatēr kydistē Tritogeneia

English

Their skins are not stone nor iron that when hit them you do them no harm. Moreover, Achilles, the son of lovely Thetis, is not fighting, but is nursing his anger at the ships." Thus spoke the mighty god, crying to them from the city, while Zeus' redoubtable daughter, the Trito-born, went about among the host of

Homeric Greek

ἐρχομένη καθ' ὅμιλον, ὅθι μεθιέντας ἴδοιτο.

ἔνθ' Ἀμαρυγκείδην Διώρεα μοῖρα πέδησε:

χερμαδίῳ γὰρ βλῆτο παρὰ σφυρὸν ὀκριόεντι

κνήμην δεξιτερήν: βάλε δὲ Θρῃκῶν ἀγὸς ἀνδρῶν

520Πείρως Ἰμβρασίδης ὃς ἄρ' Αἰνόθεν εἰληλούθει.

Transliteration

erchomenē kath' homilon, hothi methientas idoito.

enth' Amarynkeidēn Diōrea moira pedēse:

chermadiōi gar blēto para sphyron okrioenti

knēmēn dexiterēn: bale de Thrēikōn agos andrōn

520Peirōs Imbrasidēs hos ar' Ainothen eilēlouthei.

English

the Achaeans, and urged them forward whenever she beheld them slackening. Then fate fell upon Diores, son of Amarynkeus, for he was struck by a jagged stone near the ankle of his right leg. He that hurled it was Peirous, son of Imbrasos, leader of the Thracians, who had come from Ainos;

Homeric Greek

ἀμφοτέρω δὲ τένοντε καὶ ὀστέα λᾶας ἀναιδὴς

ἄχρις ἀπηλοίησεν: ὃ δ' ὕπτιος ἐν κονίῃσι

κάππεσεν ἄμφω χεῖρε φίλοις ἑτάροισι πετάσσας

θυμὸν ἀποπνείων: ὃ δ' ἐπέδραμεν ὅς ῥ' ἔβαλέν περ

525Πείροος, οὖτα δὲ δουρὶ παρ' ὀμφαλόν: ἐκ δ' ἄρα πᾶσαι

Transliteration

amphoterō de tenonte kai ostea laas anaidēs

achris apēloiēsen: ho d' hyptios en koniēisi

kappesen amphō cheire philois hetaroisi petassas

thymon apopneiōn: ho d' epedramen hos rh' ebalen per

525Peiroos, outa de douri par' omphalon: ek d' ara pasai

English

the bones and both the tendons were crushed by the pitiless stone. He fell to the ground on his back, and in his death throes stretched out his hands towards his comrades. But Peirous, who had wounded him, sprang on him and thrust a spear into his belly, so that his bowels came gushing out upon the ground, and darkness veiled his eyes.

Homeric Greek

χύντο χαμαὶ χολάδες, τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψε.

τὸν δὲ Θόας Αἰτωλὸς ἀπεσσύμενον βάλε δουρὶ

στέρνον ὑπὲρ μαζοῖο, πάγη δ' ἐν πνεύμονι χαλκός:

ἀγχίμολον δέ οἱ ἦλθε Θόας, ἐκ δ' ὄβριμον ἔγχος

530ἐσπάσατο στέρνοιο, ἐρύσσατο δὲ ξίφος ὀξύ,

Transliteration

chynto chamai cholades, ton de skotos osse kalypse.

ton de Thoas Aitōlos apessymenon bale douri

sternon hyper mazoio, pagē d' en pneumoni chalkos:

anchimolon de hoi ēlthe Thoas, ek d' obrimon enchos

530espasato sternoio, eryssato de xiphos oxy,

English

As he was leaving the body, Thoas of Aetolia struck him in the chest near the nipple, and the point fixed itself in his lungs. Thoas came close up to him, pulled the spear out of his chest, and then drawing his sword, smote him in the middle of the belly so that he died;

Homeric Greek

τῷ ὅ γε γαστέρα τύψε μέσην, ἐκ δ' αἴνυτο θυμόν.

τεύχεα δ' οὐκ ἀπέδυσε: περίστησαν γὰρ ἑταῖροι

Θρήϊκες ἀκρόκομοι δολίχ' ἔγχεα χερσὶν ἔχοντες,

οἵ ἑ μέγαν περ ἐόντα καὶ ἴφθιμον καὶ ἀγαυὸν

535ὦσαν ἀπὸ σφείων: ὃ δὲ χασσάμενος πελεμίχθη.

Transliteration

tōi ho ge gastera typse mesēn, ek d' ainyto thymon.

teuchea d' ouk apedyse: peristēsan gar hetairoi

Thrēïkes akrokomoi dolich' enchea chersin echontes,

hoi he megan per eonta kai iphthimon kai agauon

535ōsan apo spheiōn: ho de chassamenos pelemichthē.

English

but he did not strip him of his armor, for his Thracian comrades, men who wear their hair in a tuft at the top of their heads, stood round the body and kept him off with their long spears for all his great stature and valor; so he was driven back.

Homeric Greek

ὣς τώ γ' ἐν κονίῃσι παρ' ἀλλήλοισι τετάσθην,

ἤτοι ὃ μὲν Θρῃκῶν, ὃ δ' Ἐπειῶν χαλκοχιτώνων

ἡγεμόνες: πολλοὶ δὲ περὶ κτείνοντο καὶ ἄλλοι.

ἔνθά κεν οὐκέτι ἔργον ἀνὴρ ὀνόσαιτο μετελθών,

540ὅς τις ἔτ' ἄβλητος καὶ ἀνούτατος ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ

Transliteration

hōs tō g' en koniēisi par' allēloisi tetasthēn,

ētoi ho men Thrēikōn, ho d' Epeiōn chalkochitōnōn

hēgemones: polloi de peri kteinonto kai alloi.

entha ken ouketi ergon anēr onosaito metelthōn,

540hos tis et' ablētos kai anoutatos oxeï chalkōi

English

Thus the two corpses lay stretched on earth near to one another, the one leader of the Thracians and the other of the Epeans; and many another fell round them. And now no man would have made light of the fighting if he could have gone about among it

Homeric Greek

δινεύοι κατὰ μέσσον, ἄγοι δέ ἑ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη

χειρὸς ἑλοῦσ', αὐτὰρ βελέων ἀπερύκοι ἐρωήν:

πολλοὶ γὰρ Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν ἤματι κείνῳ

πρηνέες ἐν κονίῃσι παρ' ἀλλήλοισι τέταντο.

Transliteration

dineuoi kata messon, agoi de he Pallas Athēnē

cheiros helous', autar beleōn aperykoi erōēn:

polloi gar Trōōn kai Achaiōn ēmati keinōi

prēnees en koniēisi par' allēloisi tetanto.

English

scatheless and unwounded, with Athena leading him by the hand, and protecting him from the storm of spears and arrows. For many Trojans and Achaeans on that day lay stretched side by side face downwards upon the earth.