Book VII

Homeric Greek

1ὣς εἰπὼν πυλέων ἐξέσσυτο φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ,

τῷ δ' ἅμ' Ἀλέξανδρος κί' ἀδελφεός: ἐν δ' ἄρα θυμῷ

ἀμφότεροι μέμασαν πολεμίζειν ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι.

ὡς δὲ θεὸς ναύτῃσιν ἐελδομένοισιν ἔδωκεν

5οὖρον, ἐπεί κε κάμωσιν ἐϋξέστῃς ἐλάτῃσι

Transliteration

1hōs eipōn puleōn exessuto phaidimos Hektōr,

tōi d' ham' Alexandros ki' adelpheos: en d' ara thumōi

amphoteroi memasan polemizein ēde machesthai.

hōs de theos nautēisin eeldomenoisin edōken

5ouron, epei ke kamōsin eüxestēis elatēisi

English · Butler

With these words Hektor passed through the gates, and his brother Alexander with him, both eager for the fray. As when heaven sends a breeze to sailors who have long looked for one in vain, and have labored at their oars at sea till they are faint

Homeric Greek

πόντον ἐλαύνοντες, καμάτῳ δ' ὑπὸ γυῖα λέλυνται,

ὣς ἄρα τὼ Τρώεσσιν ἐελδομένοισι φανήτην.

ἔνθ' ἑλέτην ὃ μὲν υἱὸν Ἀρηϊθόοιο ἄνακτος

Ἄρνῃ ναιετάοντα Μενέσθιον, ὃν κορυνήτης

10γείνατ' Ἀρηί̈θοος καὶ Φυλομέδουσα βοῶπις:

Transliteration

ponton elaunontes, kamatōi d' hupo guia leluntai,

hōs ara tō Trōessin eeldomenoisi phanētēn.

enth' heletēn ho men huion Arēïthooio anaktos

Arnēi naietaonta Menesthion, hon korunētēs

10geinat' Arēïthoos kai Phulomedousa boōpis:

English · Butler

with toil, even so welcome was the sight of these two heroes to the Trojans. Thereon Alexander killed Menesthios the son of Areithoos; he lived in Ame, and was son of Areithoos the Mace-man, and of Phylomedousa. Hektor threw a spear at Eioneus and struck him dead with a wound in the neck under the bronze rim of his helmet.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτωρ δ' Ἠϊονῆα βάλ' ἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι

αὐχέν' ὑπὸ στεφάνης εὐχάλκου, λύντο δὲ γυῖα.

Γλαῦκος δ' Ἱππολόχοιο πάϊς Λυκίων ἀγὸς ἀνδρῶν

Ἰφίνοον βάλε δουρὶ κατὰ κρατερὴν ὑσμίνην

15Δεξιάδην ἵππων ἐπιάλμενον ὠκειάων

Transliteration

Hektōr d' Ēïonēa bal' encheï oxuoenti

auchen' hupo stephanēs euchalkou, lunto de guia.

Glaukos d' Hippolochoio païs Lukiōn agos andrōn

Iphinoon bale douri kata kraterēn husminēn

15Dexiadēn hippōn epialmenon ōkeiaōn

English · Butler

Glaukos, moreover, son of Hippolokhos, leader of the Lycians, in hard hand-to-hand fight smote Iphinoos son of Dexios on the shoulder, as he was springing on to his chariot behind his fleet mares; so he fell to earth from the car, and there was

Homeric Greek

ὦμον: ὃ δ' ἐξ ἵππων χαμάδις πέσε, λύντο δὲ γυῖα.

τοὺς δ' ὡς οὖν ἐνόησε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη

Ἀργείους ὀλέκοντας ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ,

βῆ ῥα κατ' Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀί̈ξασα

20Ἴλιον εἰς ἱερήν: τῇ δ' ἀντίος ὄρνυτ' Ἀπόλλων

Transliteration

ōmon: ho d' ex hippōn chamadis pese, lunto de guia.

tous d' hōs oun enoēse thea glaukōpis Athēnē

Argeious olekontas eni kraterēi husminēi,

bē rha kat' Oulumpoio karēnōn aïxasa

20Ilion eis hierēn: tēi d' antios ornut' Apollōn

English · Butler

no life left in him. When, therefore, Athena saw these men making havoc of the Argives, she darted down to Ilion from the summits of Olympus, and Apollo, who was looking on from Pergamos, went out to meet her; for he wanted the Trojans to be victorious. The pair met by the oak tree, and King Apollo son of Zeus was first to speak. "What would you have said he, "daughter of great Zeus, that your proud spirit has sent you hither from Olympus?

Homeric Greek

Περγάμου ἐκκατιδών, Τρώεσσι δὲ βούλετο νίκην:

ἀλλήλοισι δὲ τώ γε συναντέσθην παρὰ φηγῷ.

τὴν πρότερος προσέειπεν ἄναξ Διὸς υἱὸς Ἀπόλλων:

τίπτε σὺ δ' αὖ μεμαυῖα Διὸς θύγατερ μεγάλοιο

25ἦλθες ἀπ' Οὐλύμποιο, μέγας δέ σε θυμὸς ἀνῆκεν;

Transliteration

Pergamou ekkatidōn, Trōessi de bouleto nikēn:

allēloisi de tō ge sunantesthēn para phēgōi.

tēn proteros proseeipen anax Dios huios Apollōn:

tipte su d' au memauia Dios thugater megaloio

25ēlthes ap' Oulumpoio, megas de se thumos anēken;

English · Butler

Have you no pity upon the Trojans, and would you incline the scales of victory in favor of the Danaans? Let me persuade you - for it will be better thus -

Homeric Greek

ἦ ἵνα δὴ Δαναοῖσι μάχης ἑτεραλκέα νίκην

δῷς; ἐπεὶ οὔ τι Τρῶας ἀπολλυμένους ἐλεαίρεις.

ἀλλ' εἴ μοί τι πίθοιο τό κεν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη:

νῦν μὲν παύσωμεν πόλεμον καὶ δηϊοτῆτα

30σήμερον: ὕστερον αὖτε μαχήσοντ' εἰς ὅ κε τέκμωρ

Transliteration

ē hina dē Danaoisi machēs heteralkea nikēn

dōis; epei ou ti Trōas apollumenous eleaireis.

all' ei moi ti pithoio to ken polu kerdion eiē:

nun men pausōmen polemon kai dēïotēta

30sēmeron: husteron aute machēsont' eis ho ke tekmōr

English · Butler

stay the combat for to-day, but let them renew the fight hereafter till they compass the doom of Ilion, since you goddesses

Homeric Greek

Ἰλίου εὕρωσιν, ἐπεὶ ὣς φίλον ἔπλετο θυμῷ

ὑμῖν ἀθανάτῃσι, διαπραθέειν τόδε ἄστυ.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

ὧδ' ἔστω ἑκάεργε: τὰ γὰρ φρονέουσα καὶ αὐτ?

35ἦλθον ἀπ' Οὐλύμποιο μετὰ Τρῶας καὶ Ἀχαιούς.

Transliteration

Iliou heurōsin, epei hōs philon epleto thumōi

humin athanatēisi, diapratheein tode astu.

ton d' aute proseeipe thea glaukōpis Athēnē:

hōd' estō hekaerge: ta gar phroneousa kai aut?

35ēlthon ap' Oulumpoio meta Trōas kai Achaious.

English · Butler

have made up your minds to destroy the city." And Athena answered, "So be it, Far-Darter; it was in this mind that I came down from Olympus to the Trojans and Achaeans. Tell me, then, how do you propose to

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄγε πῶς μέμονας πόλεμον καταπαυσέμεν ἀνδρῶν;

τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν ἄναξ Διὸς υἱὸς Ἀπόλλων:

Ἕκτορος ὄρσωμεν κρατερὸν μένος ἱπποδάμοιο,

ἤν τινά που Δαναῶν προκαλέσσεται οἰόθεν οἶος

40ἀντίβιον μαχέσασθαι ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι,

Transliteration

all' age pōs memonas polemon katapausemen andrōn;

tēn d' aute proseeipen anax Dios huios Apollōn:

Hektoros orsōmen krateron menos hippodamoio,

ēn tina pou Danaōn prokalessetai oiothen oios

40antibion machesasthai en ainēi dēïotēti,

English · Butler

end this present fighting?" Apollo, son of Zeus, replied, "Let us incite great Hektor to challenge some one of the Danaans in single combat; on this the Achaeans will be shamed into

Homeric Greek

οἳ δέ κ' ἀγασσάμενοι χαλκοκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶ

οἶον ἐπόρσειαν πολεμίζειν Ἕκτορι δίῳ.

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.

τῶν δ' Ἕλενος Πριάμοιο φίλος παῖς σύνθετο θυμῷ

45βουλήν, ἥ ῥα θεοῖσιν ἐφήνδανε μητιόωσι:

Transliteration

hoi de k' agassamenoi chalkoknēmides Achaioi

oion eporseian polemizein Hektori diōi.

hōs ephat', oud' apithēse thea glaukōpis Athēnē.

tōn d' Helenos Priamoio philos pais suntheto thumōi

45boulēn, hē rha theoisin ephēndane mētioōsi:

English · Butler

finding a man who will fight him." Athena assented, and Helenos son of Priam divined the counsel of the gods; he therefore went up to Hektor and said, "Hektor son of Priam, peer of gods in counsel, I am your brother, let me then persuade you. Bid the other Trojans and Achaeans all of them

Homeric Greek

στῆ δὲ παρ' Ἕκτορ' ἰὼν καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:

Ἕκτορ υἱὲ Πριάμοιο Διὶ μῆτιν ἀτάλαντε

ἦ ῥά νύ μοί τι πίθοιο, κασίγνητος δέ τοί εἰμι:

ἄλλους μὲν κάθισον Τρῶας καὶ πάντας Ἀχαιούς,

50αὐτὸς δὲ προκάλεσσαι Ἀχαιῶν ὅς τις ἄριστος

Transliteration

stē de par' Hektor' iōn kai min pros muthon eeipen:

Hektor huie Priamoio Dii mētin atalante

ē rha nu moi ti pithoio, kasignētos de toi eimi:

allous men kathison Trōas kai pantas Achaious,

50autos de prokalessai Achaiōn hos tis aristos

English · Butler

take their seats, and challenge the best man among the Achaeans to meet you in single combat. I have heard the voice of the ever-living gods,

Homeric Greek

ἀντίβιον μαχέσασθαι ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι:

οὐ γάρ πώ τοι μοῖρα θανεῖν καὶ πότμον ἐπισπεῖν:

ὣς γὰρ ἐγὼ ὄπ' ἄκουσα θεῶν αἰειγενετάων.

ὣς ἔφαθ', Ἕκτωρ δ' αὖτε χάρη μέγα μῦθον ἀκούσας,

55καί ῥ' ἐς μέσσον ἰὼν Τρώων ἀνέεργε φάλαγγας,

Transliteration

antibion machesasthai en ainēi dēïotēti:

ou gar pō toi moira thanein kai potmon epispein:

hōs gar egō op' akousa theōn aieigenetaōn.

hōs ephath', Hektōr d' aute charē mega muthon akousas,

55kai rh' es messon iōn Trōōn aneerge phalangas,

English · Butler

and the hour of your doom is not yet come." Hektor was glad when he heard this saying, and went in among the Trojans, grasping his spear by the middle to hold them back, and they all sat down. Agamemnon also bade the Achaeans be seated.

Homeric Greek

μέσσου δουρὸς ἑλών: οἳ δ' ἱδρύνθησαν ἅπαντες.

κὰδ δ' Ἀγαμέμνων εἷσεν ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς:

κὰδ δ' ἄρ' Ἀθηναίη τε καὶ ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων

ἑζέσθην ὄρνισιν ἐοικότες αἰγυπιοῖσι

60φηγῷ ἐφ' ὑψηλῇ πατρὸς Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο

Transliteration

messou douros helōn: hoi d' hidrunthēsan hapantes.

kad d' Agamemnōn heisen eüknēmidas Achaious:

kad d' ar' Athēnaiē te kai argurotoxos Apollōn

hezesthēn ornisin eoikotes aigupioisi

60phēgōi eph' hupsēlēi patros Dios aigiochoio

English · Butler

But Athena and Apollo, in the likeness of vultures, perched on father Zeus' high oak tree, proud of their men; and the ranks sat close ranged together, bristling with shield and helmet and spear. As when the rising west wind furs the

Homeric Greek

ἀνδράσι τερπόμενοι: τῶν δὲ στίχες εἵατο πυκναὶ

ἀσπίσι καὶ κορύθεσσι καὶ ἔγχεσι πεφρικυῖαι.

οἵη δὲ Ζεφύροιο ἐχεύατο πόντον ἔπι φρὶξ

ὀρνυμένοιο νέον, μελάνει δέ τε πόντος ὑπ' αὐτῆς,

65τοῖαι ἄρα στίχες εἵατ' Ἀχαιῶν τε Τρώων τε

Transliteration

andrasi terpomenoi: tōn de stiches heiato puknai

aspisi kai koruthessi kai enchesi pephrikuiai.

hoiē de Zephuroio echeuato ponton epi phrix

ornumenoio neon, melanei de te pontos hup' autēs,

65toiai ara stiches heiat' Achaiōn te Trōōn te

English · Butler

face of the sea and the waters grow dark beneath it, so sat the companies of Trojans and Achaeans upon the plain. And Hektor spoke

Homeric Greek

ἐν πεδίῳ: Ἕκτωρ δὲ μετ' ἀμφοτέροισιν ἔειπε:

κέκλυτέ μευ Τρῶες καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶ

ὄφρ' εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.

ὅρκια μὲν Κρονίδης ὑψίζυγος οὐκ ἐτέλεσσεν,

70ἀλλὰ κακὰ φρονέων τεκμαίρεται ἀμφοτέροισιν

Transliteration

en pediōi: Hektōr de met' amphoteroisin eeipe:

keklute meu Trōes kai eüknēmides Achaioi

ophr' eipō ta me thumos eni stēthessi keleuei.

horkia men Kronidēs hupsizugos ouk etelessen,

70alla kaka phroneōn tekmairetai amphoteroisin

English · Butler

thus:- "Hear me, Trojans and Achaeans, that I may speak even as I am minded; Zeus on his high throne has brought our oaths and covenants to nothing, and foreshadows ill for both of us, till you either take the towers of Troy, or are yourselves vanquished at your ships. The princes of the Achaeans are here present

Homeric Greek

εἰς ὅ κεν ἢ ὑμεῖς Τροίην εὔπυργον ἕλητε

ἢ αὐτοὶ παρὰ νηυσὶ δαμείετε ποντοπόροισιν.

ὑμῖν δ' ἐν γὰρ ἔασιν ἀριστῆες Παναχαιῶν:

τῶν νῦν ὅν τινα θυμὸς ἐμοὶ μαχέσασθαι ἀνώγει

75δεῦρ' ἴτω ἐκ πάντων πρόμος ἔμμεναι Ἕκτορι δίῳ.

Transliteration

eis ho ken ē humeis Troiēn eupurgon helēte

ē autoi para nēusi dameiete pontoporoisin.

humin d' en gar easin aristēes Panachaiōn:

tōn nun hon tina thumos emoi machesasthai anōgei

75deur' itō ek pantōn promos emmenai Hektori diōi.

English · Butler

in the midst of you; let him, then, that will fight me stand forward as your champion against Hektor. Thus I say, and may Zeus be witness between us. If your champion slay me, let him strip me

Homeric Greek

ὧδε δὲ μυθέομαι, Ζεὺς δ' ἄμμ' ἐπιμάρτυρος ἔστω:

εἰ μέν κεν ἐμὲ κεῖνος ἕλῃ ταναήκεϊ χαλκῷ,

τεύχεα συλήσας φερέτω κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας,

σῶμα δὲ οἴκαδ' ἐμὸν δόμεναι πάλιν, ὄφρα πυρός με

80Τρῶες καὶ Τρώων ἄλοχοι λελάχωσι θανόντα.

Transliteration

hōde de mutheomai, Zeus d' amm' epimarturos estō:

ei men ken eme keinos helēi tanaēkeï chalkōi,

teuchea sulēsas pheretō koilas epi nēas,

sōma de oikad' emon domenai palin, ophra puros me

80Trōes kai Trōōn alochoi lelachōsi thanonta.

English · Butler

of my armor and take it to your ships, but let him send my body home that the Trojans and their wives may give me my dues of fire when I am dead. In like manner, if Apollo grant me glory and I slay your champion, I will strip

Homeric Greek

εἰ δέ κ' ἐγὼ τὸν ἕλω, δώῃ δέ μοι εὖχος Ἀπόλλων,

τεύχεα σύλησας οἴσω προτὶ Ἴλιον ἱρήν,

καὶ κρεμόω προτὶ νηὸν Ἀπόλλωνος ἑκάτοιο,

τὸν δὲ νέκυν ἐπὶ νῆας ἐϋσσέλμους ἀποδώσω,

85ὄφρά ἑ ταρχύσωσι κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοί,

Transliteration

ei de k' egō ton helō, dōēi de moi euchos Apollōn,

teuchea sulēsas oisō proti Ilion hirēn,

kai kremoō proti nēon Apollōnos hekatoio,

ton de nekun epi nēas eüsselmous apodōsō,

85ophra he tarchusōsi karē komoōntes Achaioi,

English · Butler

him of his armor and take it to the city of Ilion, where I will hang it in the temple of Apollo, but I will give up his body, that the Achaeans may bury him at their ships, and the build him a tomb by the wide waters of the Hellespont.

Homeric Greek

σῆμά τέ οἱ χεύωσιν ἐπὶ πλατεῖ Ἑλλησπόντῳ.

καί ποτέ τις εἴπῃσι καὶ ὀψιγόνων ἀνθρώπων

νηὶ̈ πολυκλήϊδι πλέων ἐπὶ οἴνοπα πόντον:

ἀνδρὸς μὲν τόδε σῆμα πάλαι κατατεθνηῶτος,

90ὅν ποτ' ἀριστεύοντα κατέκτανε φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ.

Transliteration

sēma te hoi cheuōsin epi platei Hellēspontōi.

kai pote tis eipēisi kai opsigonōn anthrōpōn

nēï poluklēïdi pleōn epi oinopa ponton:

andros men tode sēma palai katatethnēōtos,

90hon pot' aristeuonta katektane phaidimos Hektōr.

English · Butler

Then will one say hereafter as he sails his ship over the sea, ‘This is the marker of one who died long since a champion who was slain by mighty Hektor.’ Thus will one say,

Homeric Greek

ὥς ποτέ τις ἐρέει: τὸ δ' ἐμὸν κλέος οὔ ποτ' ὀλεῖται.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ:

αἴδεσθεν μὲν ἀνήνασθαι, δεῖσαν δ' ὑποδέχθαι:

ὀψὲ δὲ δὴ Μενέλαος ἀνίστατο καὶ μετέειπε

95νείκει ὀνειδίζων, μέγα δὲ στεναχίζετο θυμῷ:

Transliteration

hōs pote tis ereei: to d' emon kleos ou pot' oleitai.

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi:

aidesthen men anēnasthai, deisan d' hupodechthai:

opse de dē Menelaos anistato kai meteeipe

95neikei oneidizōn, mega de stenachizeto thumōi:

English · Butler

and my fame shall not be lost." Thus did he speak, but they all held their peace, ashamed to decline the challenge, yet fearing to accept it, till at last Menelaos rose and rebuked them, for he was angry. "Alas," he cried, "vain braggarts, women indeed not men, double-dyed indeed will be the stain upon us if no man of the Danaans will now face Hektor.

Homeric Greek

ὤ μοι ἀπειλητῆρες Ἀχαιί̈δες οὐκέτ' Ἀχαιοί:

ἦ μὲν δὴ λώβη τάδε γ' ἔσσεται αἰνόθεν αἰνῶς

εἰ μή τις Δαναῶν νῦν Ἕκτορος ἀντίος εἶσιν.

ἀλλ' ὑμεῖς μὲν πάντες ὕδωρ καὶ γαῖα γένοισθε

100ἥμενοι αὖθι ἕκαστοι ἀκήριοι ἀκλεὲς αὔτως:

Transliteration

ō moi apeilētēres Achaiïdes ouket' Achaioi:

ē men dē lōbē tade g' essetai ainothen ainōs

ei mē tis Danaōn nun Hektoros antios eisin.

all' humeis men pantes hudōr kai gaia genoisthe

100hēmenoi authi hekastoi akērioi aklees autōs:

English · Butler

May you be turned every man of you into earth and water as you sit spiritless and inglorious in your places. I will myself go out against this man, but the upshot of the fight will

Homeric Greek

τῷδε δ' ἐγὼν αὐτὸς θωρήξομαι: αὐτὰρ ὕπερθε

νίκης πείρατ' ἔχονται ἐν ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας κατεδύσετο τεύχεα καλά.

ἔνθά κέ τοι Μενέλαε φάνη βιότοιο τελευτὴ

105Ἕκτορος ἐν παλάμῃσιν, ἐπεὶ πολὺ φέρτερος ἦεν,

Transliteration

tōide d' egōn autos thōrēxomai: autar huperthe

nikēs peirat' echontai en athanatoisi theoisin.

hōs ara phōnēsas kateduseto teuchea kala.

entha ke toi Menelae phanē biotoio teleutē

105Hektoros en palamēisin, epei polu pherteros ēen,

English · Butler

be from on high in the hands of the immortal gods." With these words he put on his armor; and then, O Menelaos, your life would have come to an end at the hands of hands of Hektor, for he was far better the man, had not the princes of the Achaeans sprung upon you and checked you. King Agamemnon caught him by the right hand and said, "Menelaos, you are mad; a truce to this folly.

Homeric Greek

εἰ μὴ ἀναί̈ξαντες ἕλον βασιλῆες Ἀχαιῶν,

αὐτός τ' Ἀτρεί̈δης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

δεξιτερῆς ἕλε χειρὸς ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:

ἀφραίνεις Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, οὐδέ τί σε χρὴ

110ταύτης ἀφροσύνης: ἀνὰ δὲ σχέο κηδόμενός περ,

Transliteration

ei mē anaïxantes helon basilēes Achaiōn,

autos t' Atreïdēs euru kreiōn Agamemnōn

dexiterēs hele cheiros epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:

aphraineis Menelae diotrephes, oude ti se chrē

110tautēs aphrosunēs: ana de scheo kēdomenos per,

English · Butler

Be patient in spite of passion, do not think of fighting a man so much stronger than yourself as Hektor

Homeric Greek

μηδ' ἔθελ' ἐξ ἔριδος σεῦ ἀμείνονι φωτὶ μάχεσθαι

Ἕκτορι Πριαμίδῃ, τόν τε στυγέουσι καὶ ἄλλοι.

καὶ δ' Ἀχιλεὺς τούτῳ γε μάχῃ ἔνι κυδιανείρῃ

ἔρριγ' ἀντιβολῆσαι, ὅ περ σέο πολλὸν ἀμείνων.

115ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν ἵζευ ἰὼν μετὰ ἔθνος ἑταίρων,

Transliteration

mēd' ethel' ex eridos seu ameinoni phōti machesthai

Hektori Priamidēi, ton te stugeousi kai alloi.

kai d' Achileus toutōi ge machēi eni kudianeirēi

errig' antibolēsai, ho per seo pollon ameinōn.

115alla su men nun hizeu iōn meta ethnos hetairōn,

English · Butler

son of Priam, who is feared by many another as well as you. Even Achilles, who is far more doughty than you are, shrank from meeting him in battle. Sit down your own people, and the Achaeans will send some other champion to fight Hektor;

Homeric Greek

τούτῳ δὲ πρόμον ἄλλον ἀναστήσουσιν Ἀχαιοί.

εἴ περ ἀδειής τ' ἐστὶ καὶ εἰ μόθου ἔστ' ἀκόρητος,

φημί μιν ἀσπασίως γόνυ κάμψειν, αἴ κε φύγῃσι

δηί̈ου ἐκ πολέμοιο καὶ αἰνῆς δηϊοτῆτος.

120ὣς εἰπὼν παρέπεισεν ἀδελφειοῦ φρένας ἥρως

Transliteration

toutōi de promon allon anastēsousin Achaioi.

ei per adeiēs t' esti kai ei mothou est' akorētos,

phēmi min aspasiōs gonu kampsein, ai ke phugēisi

dēïou ek polemoio kai ainēs dēïotētos.

120hōs eipōn parepeisen adelpheiou phrenas hērōs

English · Butler

fearless and fond of battle though he be, I ween his knees will bend gladly under him if he comes out alive from the struggle of this fight." With these words of reasonable counsel he persuaded his brother, whereon his squires gladly stripped the armor from off his shoulders.

Homeric Greek

αἴσιμα παρειπών, ὃ δ' ἐπείθετο: τοῦ μὲν ἔπειτα

γηθόσυνοι θεράποντες ἀπ' ὤμων τεύχε' ἕλοντο:

Νέστωρ δ' Ἀργείοισιν ἀνίστατο καὶ μετέειπεν:

ὢ πόποι ἦ μέγα πένθος Ἀχαιί̈δα γαῖαν ἱκάνει.

125ἦ κε μέγ' οἰμώξειε γέρων ἱππηλάτα Πηλεὺς

Transliteration

aisima pareipōn, ho d' epeitheto: tou men epeita

gēthosunoi therapontes ap' ōmōn teuche' helonto:

Nestōr d' Argeioisin anistato kai meteeipen:

ō popoi ē mega penthos Achaiïda gaian hikanei.

125ē ke meg' oimōxeie gerōn hippēlata Pēleus

English · Butler

With these words of reasonable counsel he persuaded his brother, whereon his squires gladly stripped the armor from off his shoulders. Then Nestor rose and spoke, "For sure," said he, "grief has befallen the Achaean land. The old horseman Peleus, counselor and orator among the Myrmidons, loved when I was in his house to question me concerning the race and lineage of all the Argives. How would it not grieve him could he hear of them as now quailing before Hektor? Many a time would he lift his hands

Homeric Greek

ἐσθλὸς Μυρμιδόνων βουληφόρος ἠδ' ἀγορητής,

ὅς ποτέ μ' εἰρόμενος μέγ' ἐγήθεεν ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ

πάντων Ἀργείων ἐρέων γενεήν τε τόκον τε.

τοὺς νῦν εἰ πτώσσοντας ὑφ' Ἕκτορι πάντας ἀκούσαι,

130πολλά κεν ἀθανάτοισι φίλας ἀνὰ χεῖρας ἀείραι

Transliteration

esthlos Murmidonōn boulēphoros ēd' agorētēs,

hos pote m' eiromenos meg' egētheen hōi eni oikōi

pantōn Argeiōn ereōn geneēn te tokon te.

tous nun ei ptōssontas huph' Hektori pantas akousai,

130polla ken athanatoisi philas ana cheiras aeirai

English · Butler

in prayer that his soul might leave his body and go down within the house of Hades. Would, by father Zeus, Athena, and Apollo, that I were still young and strong as when the Pylians and Arcadians were gathered in fight by the rapid river Keladon under the walls of Pheia, and round about the waters of the river Iardanos.

Homeric Greek

θυμὸν ἀπὸ μελέων δῦναι δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω.

αἲ γὰρ Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον

ἡβῷμ' ὡς ὅτ' ἐπ' ὠκυρόῳ Κελάδοντι μάχοντο

ἀγρόμενοι Πύλιοί τε καὶ Ἀρκάδες ἐγχεσίμωροι

135Φειᾶς πὰρ τείχεσσιν Ἰαρδάνου ἀμφὶ ῥέεθρα.

Transliteration

thumon apo meleōn dunai domon Aïdos eisō.

ai gar Zeu te pater kai Athēnaiē kai Apollon

hēbōim' hōs hot' ep' ōkuroōi Keladonti machonto

agromenoi Pulioi te kai Arkades enchesimōroi

135Pheias par teichessin Iardanou amphi rheethra.

English · Butler

The godlike hero Ereuthalion stood forward as their champion, with the armor of King Areithoos upon his shoulders - Areithoos whom men and women had surnamed ‘the Mace-man,’ because he fought neither with bow nor spear, but broke the battalions of the foe with his iron mace.

Homeric Greek

τοῖσι δ' Ἐρευθαλίων πρόμος ἵστατο ἰσόθεος φὼς

τεύχε' ἔχων ὤμοισιν Ἀρηϊθόοιο ἄνακτος

δίου Ἀρηϊθόου, τὸν ἐπίκλησιν κορυνήτην

ἄνδρες κίκλησκον καλλίζωνοί τε γυναῖκες

140οὕνεκ' ἄρ' οὐ τόξοισι μαχέσκετο δουρί τε μακρῷ,

Transliteration

toisi d' Ereuthaliōn promos histato isotheos phōs

teuche' echōn ōmoisin Arēïthooio anaktos

diou Arēïthoou, ton epiklēsin korunētēn

andres kiklēskon kallizōnoi te gunaikes

140hounek' ar' ou toxoisi machesketo douri te makrōi,

English · Butler

Lycurgus killed him, not in fair fight, but by entrapping him in a narrow way where his mace served him in no stead; for Lycurgus was too quick for him and speared him through the middle, so he fell to earth on his back. Lycurgus then spoiled him of

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ σιδηρείῃ κορύνῃ ῥήγνυσκε φάλαγγας.

τὸν Λυκόοργος ἔπεφνε δόλῳ, οὔ τι κράτεί̈ γε,

στεινωπῷ ἐν ὁδῷ ὅθ' ἄρ' οὐ κορύνη οἱ ὄλεθρον

χραῖσμε σιδηρείη: πρὶν γὰρ Λυκόοργος ὑποφθὰς

145δουρὶ μέσον περόνησεν, ὃ δ' ὕπτιος οὔδει ἐρείσθη:

Transliteration

alla sidēreiēi korunēi rhēgnuske phalangas.

ton Lukoorgos epephne dolōi, ou ti krateï ge,

steinōpōi en hodōi hoth' ar' ou korunē hoi olethron

chraisme sidēreiē: prin gar Lukoorgos hupophthas

145douri meson peronēsen, ho d' huptios oudei ereisthē:

English · Butler

the armor which Ares had given him, and bore it in battle thenceforward; but when he grew old and stayed at home, he gave it to his faithful squire Ereuthalion, who in this same armor challenged the foremost men among us.

Homeric Greek

τεύχεα δ' ἐξενάριξε, τά οἱ πόρε χάλκεος Ἄρης.

καὶ τὰ μὲν αὐτὸς ἔπειτα φόρει μετὰ μῶλον Ἄρηος:

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ Λυκόοργος ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἐγήρα,

δῶκε δ' Ἐρευθαλίωνι φίλῳ θεράποντι φορῆναι:

150τοῦ ὅ γε τεύχε' ἔχων προκαλίζετο πάντας ἀρίστους.

Transliteration

teuchea d' exenarixe, ta hoi pore chalkeos Arēs.

kai ta men autos epeita phorei meta mōlon Arēos:

autar epei Lukoorgos eni megaroisin egēra,

dōke d' Ereuthaliōni philōi theraponti phorēnai:

150tou ho ge teuche' echōn prokalizeto pantas aristous.

English · Butler

The others quaked and quailed, but my high spirit bade me fight him though none other would venture; I was the youngest

Homeric Greek

οἳ δὲ μάλ' ἐτρόμεον καὶ ἐδείδισαν, οὐδέ τις ἔτλη:

ἀλλ' ἐμὲ θυμὸς ἀνῆκε πολυτλήμων πολεμίζειν

θάρσεϊ ᾧ: γενεῇ δὲ νεώτατος ἔσκον ἁπάντων:

καὶ μαχόμην οἱ ἐγώ, δῶκεν δέ μοι εὖχος Ἀθήνη.

155τὸν δὴ μήκιστον καὶ κάρτιστον κτάνον ἄνδρα:

Transliteration

hoi de mal' etromeon kai edeidisan, oude tis etlē:

all' eme thumos anēke polutlēmōn polemizein

tharseï hōi: geneēi de neōtatos eskon hapantōn:

kai machomēn hoi egō, dōken de moi euchos Athēnē.

155ton dē mēkiston kai kartiston ktanon andra:

English · Butler

man of them all; but when I fought him Athena granted me victory. He was the biggest and strongest man that ever I killed, and covered much ground as he lay sprawling upon the earth.

Homeric Greek

πολλὸς γάρ τις ἔκειτο παρήορος ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα.

εἴθ' ὣς ἡβώοιμι, βίη δέ μοι ἔμπεδος εἴη:

τώ κε τάχ' ἀντήσειε μάχης κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ.

ὑμέων δ' οἵ περ ἔασιν ἀριστῆες Παναχαιῶν

160οὐδ' οἳ προφρονέως μέμαθ' Ἕκτορος ἀντίον ἐλθεῖν.

Transliteration

pollos gar tis ekeito parēoros entha kai entha.

eith' hōs hēbōoimi, biē de moi empedos eiē:

tō ke tach' antēseie machēs koruthaiolos Hektōr.

humeōn d' hoi per easin aristēes Panachaiōn

160oud' hoi prophroneōs memath' Hektoros antion elthein.

English · Butler

Would that I were still young and strong as I then was, for the son of Priam would then soon find one who would face him. But you, foremost among the whole host though you be, have none of you any stomach for fighting Hektor."

Homeric Greek

ὣς νείκεσσ' ὃ γέρων, οἳ δ' ἐννέα πάντες ἀνέσταν.

ὦρτο πολὺ πρῶτος μὲν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων,

τῷ δ' ἐπὶ Τυδεί̈δης ὦρτο κρατερὸς Διομήδης,

τοῖσι δ' ἐπ' Αἴαντες θοῦριν ἐπιειμένοι ἀλκήν,

165τοῖσι δ' ἐπ' Ἰδομενεὺς καὶ ὀπάων Ἰδομενῆος

Transliteration

hōs neikess' ho gerōn, hoi d' ennea pantes anestan.

ōrto polu prōtos men anax andrōn Agamemnōn,

tōi d' epi Tudeïdēs ōrto krateros Diomēdēs,

toisi d' ep' Aiantes thourin epieimenoi alkēn,

165toisi d' ep' Idomeneus kai opaōn Idomenēos

English · Butler

Thus did the old man rebuke them, and forthwith nine men started to their feet. Foremost of all stood up King Agamemnon, and after him brave Diomedes the son of Tydeus. Next were the two Ajaxes, men clothed in valor as with a garment, and then Idomeneus, and Meriones his brother in arms. After these Eurypylos son of Euaemon, Thoas the son of Andraimon, and Odysseus also rose.

Homeric Greek

Μηριόνης ἀτάλαντος Ἐνυαλίῳ ἀνδρειφόντῃ,

τοῖσι δ' ἐπ' Εὐρύπυλος Εὐαίμονος ἀγλαὸς υἱός,

ἂν δὲ Θόας Ἀνδραιμονίδης καὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

πάντες ἄρ' οἵ γ' ἔθελον πολεμίζειν Ἕκτορι δίῳ.

170τοῖς δ' αὖτις μετέειπε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:

Transliteration

Mērionēs atalantos Enualiōi andreiphontēi,

toisi d' ep' Eurupulos Euaimonos aglaos huios,

an de Thoas Andraimonidēs kai dios Odusseus:

pantes ar' hoi g' ethelon polemizein Hektori diōi.

170tois d' autis meteeipe Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:

English · Butler

Then Nestor horseman of Gerene again spoke, saying: "Cast lots among you to see who shall be chosen. If he come alive out of this fight he

Homeric Greek

κλήρῳ νῦν πεπάλασθε διαμπερὲς ὅς κε λάχῃσιν:

οὗτος γὰρ δὴ ὀνήσει ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς,

καὶ δ' αὐτὸς ὃν θυμὸν ὀνήσεται αἴ κε φύγῃσι

δηί̈ου ἐκ πολέμοιο καὶ αἰνῆς δηϊοτῆτος.

175ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δὲ κλῆρον ἐσημήναντο ἕκαστος,

Transliteration

klērōi nun pepalasthe diamperes hos ke lachēisin:

houtos gar dē onēsei eüknēmidas Achaious,

kai d' autos hon thumon onēsetai ai ke phugēisi

dēïou ek polemoio kai ainēs dēïotētos.

175hōs ephath', hoi de klēron esēmēnanto hekastos,

English · Butler

will have done good service alike to his own soul and to the Achaeans." Thus he spoke, and when each of them had marked his lot,

Homeric Greek

ἐν δ' ἔβαλον κυνέῃ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεί̈δαο.

λαοὶ δ' ἠρήσαντο, θεοῖσι δὲ χεῖρας ἀνέσχον:

ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν εἰς οὐρανὸν εὐρύν:

Ζεῦ πάτερ ἢ Αἴαντα λαχεῖν, ἢ Τυδέος υἱόν,

180ἢ αὐτὸν βασιλῆα πολυχρύσοιο Μυκήνης.

Transliteration

en d' ebalon kuneēi Agamemnonos Atreïdao.

laoi d' ērēsanto, theoisi de cheiras aneschon:

hōde de tis eipesken idōn eis ouranon eurun:

Zeu pater ē Aianta lachein, ē Tudeos huion,

180ē auton basilēa poluchrusoio Mukēnēs.

English · Butler

and had thrown it into the helmet of Agamemnon son of Atreus, the people lifted their hands in prayer, and thus would one of them say as he looked into the vault of heaven, "Father Zeus, grant that the lot fall on Ajax, or on the son of Tydeus, or upon the king of rich Mycenae himself."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἄρ' ἔφαν, πάλλεν δὲ Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ,

ἐκ δ' ἔθορε κλῆρος κυνέης ὃν ἄρ' ἤθελον αὐτοὶ

Αἴαντος: κῆρυξ δὲ φέρων ἀν' ὅμιλον ἁπάντῃ

δεῖξ' ἐνδέξια πᾶσιν ἀριστήεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν.

185οἳ δ' οὐ γιγνώσκοντες ἀπηνήναντο ἕκαστος.

Transliteration

hōs ar' ephan, pallen de Gerēnios hippota Nestōr,

ek d' ethore klēros kuneēs hon ar' ēthelon autoi

Aiantos: kērux de pherōn an' homilon hapantēi

deix' endexia pasin aristēessin Achaiōn.

185hoi d' ou gignōskontes apēnēnanto hekastos.

English · Butler

As they were speaking, Nestor horseman of Gerene shook the helmet, and from it there fell the very lot which they wanted - the lot of Ajax. The herald bore it about and showed it to all the chieftains of the Achaeans, going from left to right; but they none of them owned it. When, however, in due course he reached the man who had written upon it

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ τὸν ἵκανε φέρων ἀν' ὅμιλον ἁπάντῃ

ὅς μιν ἐπιγράψας κυνέῃ βάλε φαίδιμος Αἴας,

ἤτοι ὑπέσχεθε χεῖρ', ὃ δ' ἄρ' ἔμβαλεν ἄγχι παραστάς,

γνῶ δὲ κλήρου σῆμα ἰδών, γήθησε δὲ θυμῷ.

190τὸν μὲν πὰρ πόδ' ἑὸν χαμάδις βάλε φώνησέν τε:

Transliteration

all' hote dē ton hikane pherōn an' homilon hapantēi

hos min epigrapsas kuneēi bale phaidimos Aias,

ētoi hupeschethe cheir', ho d' ar' embalen anchi parastas,

gnō de klērou sēma idōn, gēthēse de thumōi.

190ton men par pod' heon chamadis bale phōnēsen te:

English · Butler

and had put it into the helmet, brave Ajax held out his hand, and the herald gave him the lot. When Ajax saw his mark he knew it and was glad; he threw it to the ground and said, "My friends, the lot is mine, and I rejoice, for I shall vanquish Hektor.

Homeric Greek

ὦ φίλοι ἤτοι κλῆρος ἐμός, χαίρω δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς

θυμῷ, ἐπεὶ δοκέω νικησέμεν Ἕκτορα δῖον.

ἀλλ' ἄγετ' ὄφρ' ἂν ἐγὼ πολεμήϊα τεύχεα δύω,

τόφρ' ὑμεῖς εὔχεσθε Διὶ Κρονίωνι ἄνακτι

195σιγῇ ἐφ' ὑμείων ἵνα μὴ Τρῶές γε πύθωνται,

Transliteration

ō philoi ētoi klēros emos, chairō de kai autos

thumōi, epei dokeō nikēsemen Hektora dion.

all' aget' ophr' an egō polemēïa teuchea duō,

tophr' humeis euchesthe Dii Kroniōni anakti

195sigēi eph' humeiōn hina mē Trōes ge puthōntai,

English · Butler

I will put on my armor; meanwhile, pray to King Zeus in silence among yourselves that the Trojans may not hear you - or aloud if you will, for we fear no man. None shall overcome me, neither

Homeric Greek

ἠὲ καὶ ἀμφαδίην, ἐπεὶ οὔ τινα δείδιμεν ἔμπης:

οὐ γάρ τίς με βίῃ γε ἑκὼν ἀέκοντα δίηται

οὐδέ τι ἰδρείῃ, ἐπεὶ οὐδ' ἐμὲ νήϊδά γ' οὕτως

ἔλπομαι ἐν Σαλαμῖνι γενέσθαι τε τραφέμεν τε.

200ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' εὔχοντο Διὶ Κρονίωνι ἄνακτι:

Transliteration

ēe kai amphadiēn, epei ou tina deidimen empēs:

ou gar tis me biēi ge hekōn aekonta diētai

oude ti idreiēi, epei oud' eme nēïda g' houtōs

elpomai en Salamini genesthai te traphemen te.

200hōs ephath', hoi d' euchonto Dii Kroniōni anakti:

English · Butler

by force nor cunning, for I was born and bred in Salamis, and can hold my own in all things." With this they fell praying to King Zeus the son of Kronos, and thus would one of them say as he looked into the vault of heaven, "Father Zeus, you who rule from Ida, most glorious in power, grant victory to Ajax, and let him win great glory: but if you wish well to Hektor also and would protect him, grant to each of them equal fame and prowess.

Homeric Greek

ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν εἰς οὐρανὸν εὐρύν:

Ζεῦ πάτερ Ἴδηθεν μεδέων κύδιστε μέγιστε

δὸς νίκην Αἴαντι καὶ ἀγλαὸν εὖχος ἀρέσθαι:

εἰ δὲ καὶ Ἕκτορά περ φιλέεις καὶ κήδεαι αὐτοῦ,

205ἴσην ἀμφοτέροισι βίην καὶ κῦδος ὄπασσον.

Transliteration

hōde de tis eipesken idōn eis ouranon eurun:

Zeu pater Idēthen medeōn kudiste megiste

dos nikēn Aianti kai aglaon euchos aresthai:

ei de kai Hektora per phileeis kai kēdeai autou,

205isēn amphoteroisi biēn kai kudos opasson.

English · Butler

With this they fell praying to King Zeus the son of Kronos, and thus would one of them say as he looked into the vault of heaven, "Father Zeus, you who rule from Ida, most glorious in power, grant victory to Ajax, and let him win great glory: but if you wish well to Hektor also and would protect him, grant to each of them equal fame and prowess. Thus they prayed, and Ajax armed himself in his suit of gleaming bronze. When he was in full array he sprang forward as monstrous Ares when he takes part among men whom Zeus has set fighting with one another - even so did huge Ajax,

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἄρ' ἔφαν, Αἴας δὲ κορύσσετο νώροπι χαλκῷ.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντα περὶ χροὶ̈ ἕσσατο τεύχεα,

σεύατ' ἔπειθ' οἷός τε πελώριος ἔρχεται Ἄρης,

ὅς τ' εἶσιν πόλεμον δὲ μετ' ἀνέρας οὕς τε Κρονίων

210θυμοβόρου ἔριδος μένεϊ ξυνέηκε μάχεσθαι.

Transliteration

hōs ar' ephan, Aias de korusseto nōropi chalkōi.

autar epei dē panta peri chroï hessato teuchea,

seuat' epeith' hoios te pelōrios erchetai Arēs,

hos t' eisin polemon de met' aneras hous te Kroniōn

210thumoborou eridos meneï xuneēke machesthai.

English · Butler

bulwark of the Achaeans, spring forward with a grim smile on his face as he brandished his long spear and strode onward. The Argives were elated as they beheld him, but the Trojans trembled in every limb, and the heart even of Hektor

Homeric Greek

τοῖος ἄρ' Αἴας ὦρτο πελώριος ἕρκος Ἀχαιῶν

μειδιόων βλοσυροῖσι προσώπασι: νέρθε δὲ ποσσὶν

ἤϊε μακρὰ βιβάς, κραδάων δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος.

τὸν δὲ καὶ Ἀργεῖοι μὲν ἐγήθεον εἰσορόωντες,

215Τρῶας δὲ τρόμος αἰνὸς ὑπήλυθε γυῖα ἕκαστον,

Transliteration

toios ar' Aias ōrto pelōrios herkos Achaiōn

meidioōn blosuroisi prosōpasi: nerthe de possin

ēïe makra bibas, kradaōn dolichoskion enchos.

ton de kai Argeioi men egētheon eisoroōntes,

215Trōas de tromos ainos hupēluthe guia hekaston,

English · Butler

beat quickly, but he could not now retreat and withdraw into the ranks behind him, for he had been the challenger. Ajax came up bearing his shield in front of him like a wall - a shield of bronze with seven folds

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορί τ' αὐτῷ θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι πάτασσεν:

ἀλλ' οὔ πως ἔτι εἶχεν ὑποτρέσαι οὐδ' ἀναδῦναι

ἂψ λαῶν ἐς ὅμιλον, ἐπεὶ προκαλέσσατο χάρμῃ.

Αἴας δ' ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε φέρων σάκος ἠύ̈τε πύργον

220χάλκεον ἑπταβόειον, ὅ οἱ Τυχίος κάμε τεύχων

Transliteration

Hektori t' autōi thumos eni stēthessi patassen:

all' ou pōs eti eichen hupotresai oud' anadunai

aps laōn es homilon, epei prokalessato charmēi.

Aias d' enguthen ēlthe pherōn sakos ēüte purgon

220chalkeon heptaboeion, ho hoi Tuchios kame teuchōn

English · Butler

of oxhide - the work of Tychios, who lived in Hyle and was by far the best worker in leather. He had made it with the hides of seven full-fed bulls, and over these he had set an eighth layer of bronze. Holding this shield before him, Ajax

Homeric Greek

σκυτοτόμων ὄχ' ἄριστος Ὕλῃ ἔνι οἰκία ναίων,

ὅς οἱ ἐποίησεν σάκος αἰόλον ἑπταβόειον

ταύρων ζατρεφέων, ἐπὶ δ' ὄγδοον ἤλασε χαλκόν.

τὸ πρόσθε στέρνοιο φέρων Τελαμώνιος Αἴας

225στῆ ῥα μάλ' Ἕκτορος ἐγγύς, ἀπειλήσας δὲ προσηύδα:

Transliteration

skutotomōn och' aristos Hulēi eni oikia naiōn,

hos hoi epoiēsen sakos aiolon heptaboeion

taurōn zatrepheōn, epi d' ogdoon ēlase chalkon.

to prosthe sternoio pherōn Telamōnios Aias

225stē rha mal' Hektoros engus, apeilēsas de prosēuda:

English · Butler

son of Telamon came close up to Hektor, and menaced him saying, "Hektor, you shall now learn, man to man, what kind of champions the Danaans have among them even besides lion-hearted Achilles cleaver of the ranks of men.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορ νῦν μὲν δὴ σάφα εἴσεαι οἰόθεν οἶος

οἷοι καὶ Δαναοῖσιν ἀριστῆες μετέασι

καὶ μετ' Ἀχιλλῆα ῥηξήνορα θυμολέοντα.

ἀλλ' ὃ μὲν ἐν νήεσσι κορωνίσι ποντοπόροισι

230κεῖτ' ἀπομηνίσας Ἀγαμέμνονι ποιμένι λαῶν:

Transliteration

Hektor nun men dē sapha eiseai oiothen oios

hoioi kai Danaoisin aristēes meteasi

kai met' Achillēa rhēxēnora thumoleonta.

all' ho men en nēessi korōnisi pontoporoisi

230keit' apomēnisas Agamemnoni poimeni laōn:

English · Butler

He now abides at the ships in anger with Agamemnon shepherd of his people, but there are many of us who are well able to face you; therefore

Homeric Greek

ἡμεῖς δ' εἰμὲν τοῖοι οἳ ἂν σέθεν ἀντιάσαιμεν

καὶ πολέες: ἀλλ' ἄρχε μάχης ἠδὲ πτολέμοιο.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε μέγας κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ:

Αἶαν διογενὲς Τελαμώνιε κοίρανε λαῶν

235μή τί μευ ἠύ̈τε παιδὸς ἀφαυροῦ πειρήτιζε

Transliteration

hēmeis d' eimen toioi hoi an sethen antiasaimen

kai polees: all' arche machēs ēde ptolemoio.

ton d' aute proseeipe megas koruthaiolos Hektōr:

Aian diogenes Telamōnie koirane laōn

235mē ti meu ēüte paidos aphaurou peirētize

English · Butler

begin the fight." And Hektor answered, "Noble Ajax, son of Telamon, leader of the host, treat me not as though I were some puny boy or woman that cannot fight.

Homeric Greek

ἠὲ γυναικός, ἣ οὐκ οἶδεν πολεμήϊα ἔργα.

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν εὖ οἶδα μάχας τ' ἀνδροκτασίας τε:

οἶδ' ἐπὶ δεξιά, οἶδ' ἐπ' ἀριστερὰ νωμῆσαι βῶν

ἀζαλέην, τό μοι ἔστι ταλαύρινον πολεμίζειν:

240οἶδα δ' ἐπαί̈ξαι μόθον ἵππων ὠκειάων:

Transliteration

ēe gunaikos, hē ouk oiden polemēïa erga.

autar egōn eu oida machas t' androktasias te:

oid' epi dexia, oid' ep' aristera nōmēsai bōn

azaleēn, to moi esti talaurinon polemizein:

240oida d' epaïxai mothon hippōn ōkeiaōn:

English · Butler

I have been long used to the blood and butcheries of battle. I am quick to turn my leathern shield either to right or left, for this I deem the main thing in battle. I can charge among the chariots and horsemen, and in hand to hand fighting can delight the heart of Ares; howbeit I would not take such

Homeric Greek

οἶδα δ' ἐνὶ σταδίῃ δηί̈ῳ μέλπεσθαι Ἄρηϊ.

ἀλλ' οὐ γάρ σ' ἐθέλω βαλέειν τοιοῦτον ἐόντα

λάθρῃ ὀπιπεύσας, ἀλλ' ἀμφαδόν, αἴ κε τύχωμι.

ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἀμπεπαλὼν προί̈ει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,

245καὶ βάλεν Αἴαντος δεινὸν σάκος ἑπταβόειον

Transliteration

oida d' eni stadiēi dēïōi melpesthai Arēï.

all' ou gar s' ethelō baleein toiouton eonta

lathrēi opipeusas, all' amphadon, ai ke tuchōmi.

ē rha, kai ampepalōn proïei dolichoskion enchos,

245kai balen Aiantos deinon sakos heptaboeion

English · Butler

a man as you are off his guard - but I will smite you openly if I can." He poised his spear as he spoke, and hurled it from him. It struck the sevenfold shield in its outermost layer -

Homeric Greek

ἀκρότατον κατὰ χαλκόν, ὃς ὄγδοος ἦεν ἐπ' αὐτῷ.

ἓξ δὲ διὰ πτύχας ἦλθε δαί̈ζων χαλκὸς ἀτειρής,

ἐν τῇ δ' ἑβδομάτῃ ῥινῷ σχέτο: δεύτερος αὖτε

Αἴας διογενὴς προί̈ει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,

250καὶ βάλε Πριαμίδαο κατ' ἀσπίδα πάντοσ' ἐί̈σην.

Transliteration

akrotaton kata chalkon, hos ogdoos ēen ep' autōi.

hex de dia ptuchas ēlthe daïzōn chalkos ateirēs,

en tēi d' hebdomatēi rhinōi scheto: deuteros aute

Aias diogenēs proïei dolichoskion enchos,

250kai bale Priamidao kat' aspida pantos' eïsēn.

English · Butler

the eighth, which was of bronze - and went through six of the layers but in the seventh hide it stayed. Then Ajax threw in his turn, and struck the round shield of the son of Priam. The terrible spear went through his gleaming shield, and pressed onward through his cuirass of cunning workmanship; it pierced the shirt against his side, but he swerved and thus saved his life. They then each of them drew out the

Homeric Greek

διὰ μὲν ἀσπίδος ἦλθε φαεινῆς ὄβριμον ἔγχος,

καὶ διὰ θώρηκος πολυδαιδάλου ἠρήρειστο:

ἀντικρὺ δὲ παραὶ λαπάρην διάμησε χιτῶνα

ἔγχος: ὃ δ' ἐκλίνθη καὶ ἀλεύατο κῆρα μέλαιναν.

255τὼ δ' ἐκσπασσαμένω δολίχ' ἔγχεα χερσὶν ἅμ' ἄμφω

Transliteration

dia men aspidos ēlthe phaeinēs obrimon enchos,

kai dia thōrēkos poludaidalou ērēreisto:

antikru de parai laparēn diamēse chitōna

enchos: ho d' eklinthē kai aleuato kēra melainan.

255tō d' ekspassamenō dolich' enchea chersin ham' amphō

English · Butler

spear from his shield, and fell on one another like savage lions or wild boars of great strength and endurance: the son of Priam struck the middle of Ajax's shield, but the bronze did not break, and the point of his dart was turned. Ajax then sprang forward and pierced the shield of Hektor; the spear went through it and staggered him as he was springing forward to attack;

Homeric Greek

σύν ῥ' ἔπεσον λείουσιν ἐοικότες ὠμοφάγοισιν

ἢ συσὶ κάπροισιν, τῶν τε σθένος οὐκ ἀλαπαδνόν.

Πριαμίδης μὲν ἔπειτα μέσον σάκος οὔτασε δουρί,

οὐδ' ἔρρηξεν χαλκός, ἀνεγνάμφθη δέ οἱ αἰχμή.

260Αἴας δ' ἀσπίδα νύξεν ἐπάλμενος: ἣ δὲ διαπρὸ

Transliteration

sun rh' epeson leiousin eoikotes ōmophagoisin

ē susi kaproisin, tōn te sthenos ouk alapadnon.

Priamidēs men epeita meson sakos outase douri,

oud' errēxen chalkos, anegnamphthē de hoi aichmē.

260Aias d' aspida nuxen epalmenos: hē de diapro

English · Butler

it gashed his neck and the blood came pouring from the wound, but even so Hektor did not cease fighting; he gave ground, and with his brawny hand seized a stone, rugged and huge, that was lying upon the plain; with this he struck the

Homeric Greek

ἤλυθεν ἐγχείη, στυφέλιξε δέ μιν μεμαῶτα,

τμήδην δ' αὐχέν' ἐπῆλθε, μέλαν δ' ἀνεκήκιεν αἷμα,

ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὧς ἀπέληγε μάχης κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ,

ἀλλ' ἀναχασσάμενος λίθον εἵλετο χειρὶ παχείῃ

265κείμενον ἐν πεδίῳ μέλανα τρηχύν τε μέγαν τε:

Transliteration

ēluthen encheiē, stuphelixe de min memaōta,

tmēdēn d' auchen' epēlthe, melan d' anekēkien haima,

all' oud' hōs apelēge machēs koruthaiolos Hektōr,

all' anachassamenos lithon heileto cheiri pacheiēi

265keimenon en pediōi melana trēchun te megan te:

English · Butler

shield of Ajax on the boss that was in its middle, so that the bronze rang again. But Ajax in turn caught up a far larger stone, swung it aloft, and hurled it with prodigious force. This millstone of a rock broke

Homeric Greek

τῷ βάλεν Αἴαντος δεινὸν σάκος ἑπταβόειον

μέσσον ἐπομφάλιον: περιήχησεν δ' ἄρα χαλκός.

δεύτερος αὖτ' Αἴας πολὺ μείζονα λᾶαν ἀείρας

ἧκ' ἐπιδινήσας, ἐπέρεισε δὲ ἶν' ἀπέλεθρον,

270εἴσω δ' ἀσπίδ' ἔαξε βαλὼν μυλοειδέϊ πέτρῳ,

Transliteration

tōi balen Aiantos deinon sakos heptaboeion

messon epomphalion: periēchēsen d' ara chalkos.

deuteros aut' Aias polu meizona laan aeiras

hēk' epidinēsas, epereise de in' apelethron,

270eisō d' aspid' eaxe balōn muloeideï petrōi,

English · Butler

Hektor's shield inwards and threw him down on his back with the shield crushing

Homeric Greek

βλάψε δέ οἱ φίλα γούναθ': ὃ δ' ὕπτιος ἐξετανύσθη

ἀσπίδι ἐγχριμφθείς: τὸν δ' αἶψ' ὤρθωσεν Ἀπόλλων.

καί νύ κε δὴ ξιφέεσσ' αὐτοσχεδὸν οὐτάζοντο,

εἰ μὴ κήρυκες Διὸς ἄγγελοι ἠδὲ καὶ ἀνδρῶν

275ἦλθον, ὃ μὲν Τρώων, ὃ δ' Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων,

Transliteration

blapse de hoi phila gounath': ho d' huptios exetanusthē

aspidi enchrimphtheis: ton d' aips' ōrthōsen Apollōn.

kai nu ke dē xipheess' autoschedon outazonto,

ei mē kērukes Dios angeloi ēde kai andrōn

275ēlthon, ho men Trōōn, ho d' Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn,

English · Butler

him under it, but Apollo raised him at once. Thereon they would have hacked at one another in close combat with their swords, had not heralds, messengers of gods and men, come forward, one from the

Homeric Greek

Ταλθύβιός τε καὶ Ἰδαῖος πεπνυμένω ἄμφω:

μέσσῳ δ' ἀμφοτέρων σκῆπτρα σχέθον, εἶπέ τε μῦθον

κῆρυξ Ἰδαῖος πεπνυμένα μήδεα εἰδώς:

μηκέτι παῖδε φίλω πολεμίζετε μηδὲ μάχεσθον:

280ἀμφοτέρω γὰρ σφῶϊ φιλεῖ νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς,

Transliteration

Talthubios te kai Idaios pepnumenō amphō:

messōi d' amphoterōn skēptra schethon, eipe te muthon

kērux Idaios pepnumena mēdea eidōs:

mēketi paide philō polemizete mēde machesthon:

280amphoterō gar sphōï philei nephelēgereta Zeus,

English · Butler

Trojans and the other from the Achaeans - Talthybios and Idaios both of them honorable men; these parted them with their staves, and the good herald Idaios said, "My sons, fight no longer, you are both of you valiant, and both are dear to Zeus; we know this;

Homeric Greek

ἄμφω δ' αἰχμητά: τό γε δὴ καὶ ἴδμεν ἅπαντες.

νὺξ δ' ἤδη τελέθει: ἀγαθὸν καὶ νυκτὶ πιθέσθαι.

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη Τελαμώνιος Αἴας:

Ἰδαῖ' Ἕκτορα ταῦτα κελεύετε μυθήσασθαι:

285αὐτὸς γὰρ χάρμῃ προκαλέσσατο πάντας ἀρίστους.

Transliteration

amphō d' aichmēta: to ge dē kai idmen hapantes.

nux d' ēdē telethei: agathon kai nukti pithesthai.

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē Telamōnios Aias:

Idai' Hektora tauta keleuete muthēsasthai:

285autos gar charmēi prokalessato pantas aristous.

English · Butler

but night is now falling, and the behests of night may not be well gainsaid." Ajax son of Telamon answered, "Idaios, bid Hektor say so, for it was he that challenged our princes. Let him speak first and I will

Homeric Greek

ἀρχέτω: αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ μάλα πείσομαι ᾗ περ ἂν οὗτος.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε μέγας κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ:

Αἶαν ἐπεί τοι δῶκε θεὸς μέγεθός τε βίην τε

καὶ πινυτήν, περὶ δ' ἔγχει Ἀχαιῶν φέρτατός ἐσσι,

290νῦν μὲν παυσώμεσθα μάχης καὶ δηϊοτῆτος

Transliteration

archetō: autar egō mala peisomai hēi per an houtos.

ton d' aute proseeipe megas koruthaiolos Hektōr:

Aian epei toi dōke theos megethos te biēn te

kai pinutēn, peri d' enchei Achaiōn phertatos essi,

290nun men pausōmestha machēs kai dēïotētos

English · Butler

accept his saying." Then Hektor said, "Ajax, heaven has granted you stature and strength, and judgment; and in wielding the spear you excel all others of the Achaeans. Let us for this day cease fighting; hereafter we will fight anew till a daimôn decides between us, and give victory to one or to the other; night is now falling, and the behests of night may not be well gainsaid.

Homeric Greek

σήμερον: ὕστερον αὖτε μαχησόμεθ' εἰς ὅ κε δαίμων

ἄμμε διακρίνῃ, δώῃ δ' ἑτέροισί γε νίκην.

νὺξ δ' ἤδη τελέθει: ἀγαθὸν καὶ νυκτὶ πιθέσθαι,

ὡς σύ τ' ἐϋφρήνῃς πάντας παρὰ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιούς,

295σούς τε μάλιστα ἔτας καὶ ἑταίρους, οἵ τοι ἔασιν:

Transliteration

sēmeron: husteron aute machēsometh' eis ho ke daimōn

amme diakrinēi, dōēi d' heteroisi ge nikēn.

nux d' ēdē telethei: agathon kai nukti pithesthai,

hōs su t' eüphrēnēis pantas para nēusin Achaious,

295sous te malista etas kai hetairous, hoi toi easin:

English · Butler

Gladden, then, the hearts of the Achaeans at your ships, and more especially those of your own followers and clansmen, while I, in the great city of King Priam, bring

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ κατὰ ἄστυ μέγα Πριάμοιο ἄνακτος

Τρῶας ἐϋφρανέω καὶ Τρῳάδας ἑλκεσιπέπλους,

αἵ τέ μοι εὐχόμεναι θεῖον δύσονται ἀγῶνα.

δῶρα δ' ἄγ' ἀλλήλοισι περικλυτὰ δώομεν ἄμφω,

300ὄφρά τις ὧδ' εἴπῃσιν Ἀχαιῶν τε Τρώων τε:

Transliteration

autar egō kata astu mega Priamoio anaktos

Trōas eüphraneō kai Trōiadas helkesipeplous,

hai te moi euchomenai theion dusontai agōna.

dōra d' ag' allēloisi perikluta dōomen amphō,

300ophra tis hōd' eipēisin Achaiōn te Trōōn te:

English · Butler

comfort to the Trojans and their women, who vie with one another in their prayers directed at me. Let us, moreover, exchange presents that it may be said among the Achaeans and Trojans, ‘They fought with might

Homeric Greek

ἠμὲν ἐμαρνάσθην ἔριδος πέρι θυμοβόροιο,

ἠδ' αὖτ' ἐν φιλότητι διέτμαγεν ἀρθμήσαντε.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας δῶκε ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον

σὺν κολεῷ τε φέρων καὶ ἐϋτμήτῳ τελαμῶνι:

305Αἴας δὲ ζωστῆρα δίδου φοίνικι φαεινόν.

Transliteration

ēmen emarnasthēn eridos peri thumoboroio,

ēd' aut' en philotēti dietmagen arthmēsante.

hōs ara phōnēsas dōke xiphos arguroēlon

sun koleōi te pherōn kai eütmētōi telamōni:

305Aias de zōstēra didou phoiniki phaeinon.

English · Butler

and main, but were reconciled and parted in friendship.’ On this he gave Ajax a silver-studded sword with its sheath and leathern Balearic, and in return Ajax gave him a belt dyed with purple. Thus they parted, the one going to the host of the Achaeans, and the other to

Homeric Greek

τὼ δὲ διακρινθέντε ὃ μὲν μετὰ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν

ἤϊ', ὃ δ' ἐς Τρώων ὅμαδον κίε: τοὶ δὲ χάρησαν,

ὡς εἶδον ζωόν τε καὶ ἀρτεμέα προσιόντα,

Αἴαντος προφυγόντα μένος καὶ χεῖρας ἀάπτους:

310καί ῥ' ἦγον προτὶ ἄστυ ἀελπτέοντες σόον εἶναι.

Transliteration

tō de diakrinthente ho men meta laon Achaiōn

ēï', ho d' es Trōōn homadon kie: toi de charēsan,

hōs eidon zōon te kai artemea prosionta,

Aiantos prophugonta menos kai cheiras aaptous:

310kai rh' ēgon proti astu aelpteontes soon einai.

English · Butler

that of the Trojans, who rejoiced when they saw their hero come to them safe and unharmed from the strong hands of mighty Ajax. They led him, therefore, to the city as one that had been saved beyond their hopes. On the other side the Achaeans

Homeric Greek

Αἴαντ' αὖθ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶ

εἰς Ἀγαμέμνονα δῖον ἄγον κεχαρηότα νίκῃ.

οἳ δ' ὅτε δὴ κλισίῃσιν ἐν Ἀτρεί̈δαο γένοντο,

τοῖσι δὲ βοῦν ἱέρευσεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων

315ἄρσενα πενταέτηρον ὑπερμενέϊ Κρονίωνι.

Transliteration

Aiant' auth' heterōthen eüknēmides Achaioi

eis Agamemnona dion agon kecharēota nikēi.

hoi d' hote dē klisiēisin en Atreïdao genonto,

toisi de boun hiereusen anax andrōn Agamemnōn

315arsena pentaetēron hupermeneï Kroniōni.

English · Butler

brought Ajax elated with victory to Agamemnon. When they reached the quarters of the son of Atreus, Agamemnon sacrificed for them a five-year-old bull in honor of Zeus the son of Kronos. They flayed the carcass, made it ready, and divided it into joints; these they cut carefully up into smaller pieces,

Homeric Greek

τὸν δέρον ἀμφί θ' ἕπον, καί μιν διέχευαν ἅπαντα,

μίστυλλόν τ' ἄρ' ἐπισταμένως πεῖράν τ' ὀβελοῖσιν,

ὄπτησάν τε περιφραδέως, ἐρύσαντό τε πάντα.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ παύσαντο πόνου τετύκοντό τε δαῖτα,

320δαίνυντ', οὐδέ τι θυμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐί̈σης:

Transliteration

ton deron amphi th' hepon, kai min diecheuan hapanta,

mistullon t' ar' epistamenōs peiran t' obeloisin,

optēsan te periphradeōs, erusanto te panta.

autar epei pausanto ponou tetukonto te daita,

320dainunt', oude ti thumos edeueto daitos eïsēs:

English · Butler

putting them on the spits, roasting them sufficiently, and then drawing them off. When they had done all this and had prepared the feast, they ate it, and every man had his full and equal share, so that all were satisfied, and King Agamemnon gave

Homeric Greek

νώτοισιν δ' Αἴαντα διηνεκέεσσι γέραιρεν

ἥρως Ἀτρεί̈δης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

τοῖς ὁ γέρων πάμπρωτος ὑφαίνειν ἤρχετο μῆτιν

325Νέστωρ, οὗ καὶ πρόσθεν ἀρίστη φαίνετο βουλή:

Transliteration

nōtoisin d' Aianta diēnekeessi gerairen

hērōs Atreïdēs euru kreiōn Agamemnōn.

autar epei posios kai edētuos ex eron hento,

tois ho gerōn pamprōtos huphainein ērcheto mētin

325Nestōr, hou kai prosthen aristē phaineto boulē:

English · Butler

Ajax some slices cut lengthwise down the loin, as a mark of special honor. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, old Nestor whose counsel was ever truest began to speak; with all sincerity and goodwill, therefore, he

Homeric Greek

ὅ σφιν ἐϋφρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν:

Ἀτρεί̈δη τε καὶ ἄλλοι ἀριστῆες Παναχαιῶν,

πολλοὶ γὰρ τεθνᾶσι κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοί,

τῶν νῦν αἷμα κελαινὸν ἐύ̈ρροον ἀμφὶ Σκάμανδρον

330ἐσκέδασ' ὀξὺς Ἄρης, ψυχαὶ δ' Ἄϊδος δὲ κατῆλθον:

Transliteration

ho sphin eüphroneōn agorēsato kai meteeipen:

Atreïdē te kai alloi aristēes Panachaiōn,

polloi gar tethnasi karē komoōntes Achaioi,

tōn nun haima kelainon eürroon amphi Skamandron

330eskedas' oxus Arēs, psuchai d' Aïdos de katēlthon:

English · Butler

addressed them thus: "Son of Atreus, and other chieftains, inasmuch as many of the Achaeans are now dead, whose blood Ares has shed by the banks of the Skamandros, and their psukhai have gone down to the house of Hades, it will be well when morning comes that we should cease fighting; we will then wheel our dead together with oxen and mules and burn them not far from the ships, that when we sail hence we may take the bones of our comrades home to their children. Hard by the funeral pyre we will build a barrow that shall be raised from the plain for all in common; near this let us

Homeric Greek

τώ σε χρὴ πόλεμον μὲν ἅμ' ἠοῖ παῦσαι Ἀχαιῶν,

αὐτοὶ δ' ἀγρόμενοι κυκλήσομεν ἐνθάδε νεκροὺς

βουσὶ καὶ ἡμιόνοισιν: ἀτὰρ κατακήομεν αὐτοὺς

τυτθὸν ἀπὸ πρὸ νεῶν, ὥς κ' ὀστέα παισὶν ἕκαστος

335οἴκαδ' ἄγῃ ὅτ' ἂν αὖτε νεώμεθα πατρίδα γαῖαν.

Transliteration

tō se chrē polemon men ham' ēoi pausai Achaiōn,

autoi d' agromenoi kuklēsomen enthade nekrous

bousi kai hēmionoisin: atar katakēomen autous

tutthon apo pro neōn, hōs k' ostea paisin hekastos

335oikad' agēi hot' an aute neōmetha patrida gaian.

English · Butler

set about building a high wall, to shelter ourselves and our ships, and let it have well-made gates that there may be a way through them for our chariots.

Homeric Greek

τύμβον δ' ἀμφὶ πυρὴν ἕνα χεύομεν ἐξαγαγόντες

ἄκριτον ἐκ πεδίου: ποτὶ δ' αὐτὸν δείμομεν ὦκα

πύργους ὑψηλοὺς εἶλαρ νηῶν τε καὶ αὐτῶν.

ἐν δ' αὐτοῖσι πύλας ποιήσομεν εὖ ἀραρυίας,

340ὄφρα δι' αὐτάων ἱππηλασίη ὁδὸς εἴη:

Transliteration

tumbon d' amphi purēn hena cheuomen exagagontes

akriton ek pediou: poti d' auton deimomen ōka

purgous hupsēlous eilar nēōn te kai autōn.

en d' autoisi pulas poiēsomen eu araruias,

340ophra di' autaōn hippēlasiē hodos eiē:

English · Butler

Close outside we will dig a deep trench all round it to keep off both horse and foot,

Homeric Greek

ἔκτοσθεν δὲ βαθεῖαν ὀρύξομεν ἐγγύθι τάφρον,

ἥ χ' ἵππον καὶ λαὸν ἐρυκάκοι ἀμφὶς ἐοῦσα,

μή ποτ' ἐπιβρίσῃ πόλεμος Τρώων ἀγερώχων.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπῄνησαν βασιλῆες.

345Τρώων αὖτ' ἀγορὴ γένετ' Ἰλίου ἐν πόλει ἄκρῃ

Transliteration

ektosthen de batheian oruxomen enguthi taphron,

hē ch' hippon kai laon erukakoi amphis eousa,

mē pot' epibrisēi polemos Trōōn agerōchōn.

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes epēinēsan basilēes.

345Trōōn aut' agorē genet' Iliou en polei akrēi

English · Butler

that the Trojan chieftains may not bear hard upon us." Thus he spoke, and the princes shouted in approval. Meanwhile the Trojans held a council, angry and full of discord, on the acropolis by the gates of King Priam's palace;

Homeric Greek

δεινὴ τετρηχυῖα, παρὰ Πριάμοιο θύρῃσι:

τοῖσιν δ' Ἀντήνωρ πεπνυμένος ἦρχ' ἀγορεύειν:

κέκλυτέ μευ Τρῶες καὶ Δάρδανοι ἠδ' ἐπίκουροι,

ὄφρ' εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.

350δεῦτ' ἄγετ' Ἀργείην Ἑλένην καὶ κτήμαθ' ἅμ' αὐτῇ

Transliteration

deinē tetrēchuia, para Priamoio thurēisi:

toisin d' Antēnōr pepnumenos ērch' agoreuein:

keklute meu Trōes kai Dardanoi ēd' epikouroi,

ophr' eipō ta me thumos eni stēthessi keleuei.

350deut' aget' Argeiēn Helenēn kai ktēmath' ham' autēi

English · Butler

and wise Antenor spoke. "Hear me he said, "Trojans, Dardanians, and allies, that I may speak even as I am minded. Let us give up Argive Helen and her wealth to the sons of Atreus, for we are now

Homeric Greek

δώομεν Ἀτρεί̈δῃσιν ἄγειν: νῦν δ' ὅρκια πιστὰ

ψευσάμενοι μαχόμεσθα: τὼ οὔ νύ τι κέρδιον ἡμῖν

ἔλπομαι ἐκτελέεσθαι, ἵνα μὴ ῥέξομεν ὧδε.

ἤτοι ὅ γ' ὣς εἰπὼν κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετο: τοῖσι δ' ἀνέστη

355δῖος Ἀλέξανδρος Ἑλένης πόσις ἠϋκόμοιο,

Transliteration

dōomen Atreïdēisin agein: nun d' horkia pista

pseusamenoi machomestha: tō ou nu ti kerdion hēmin

elpomai ekteleesthai, hina mē rhexomen hōde.

ētoi ho g' hōs eipōn kat' ar' hezeto: toisi d' anestē

355dios Alexandros Helenēs posis ēükomoio,

English · Butler

fighting in violation of our solemn covenants, and shall not prosper till we have done as I say." He then sat down and Alexander husband of lovely Helen rose to speak. "Antenor," said he, "your words are not to my liking;

Homeric Greek

ὅς μιν ἀμειβόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Ἀντῆνορ σὺ μὲν οὐκέτ' ἐμοὶ φίλα ταῦτ' ἀγορεύεις:

οἶσθα καὶ ἄλλον μῦθον ἀμείνονα τοῦδε νοῆσαι.

εἰ δ' ἐτεὸν δὴ τοῦτον ἀπὸ σπουδῆς ἀγορεύεις,

360ἐξ ἄρα δή τοι ἔπειτα θεοὶ φρένας ὤλεσαν αὐτοί.

Transliteration

hos min ameibomenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:

Antēnor su men ouket' emoi phila taut' agoreueis:

oistha kai allon muthon ameinona toude noēsai.

ei d' eteon dē touton apo spoudēs agoreueis,

360ex ara dē toi epeita theoi phrenas ōlesan autoi.

English · Butler

you can find a better saying than this if you will; if, however, you have spoken in good earnest, then indeed has heaven robbed you of your reason. I will speak plainly, and hereby notify to the Trojans that I will not give up the woman; but the wealth that I brought home with

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ Τρώεσσι μεθ' ἱπποδάμοις ἀγορεύσω:

ἀντικρὺ δ' ἀπόφημι γυναῖκα μὲν οὐκ ἀποδώσω:

κτήματα δ' ὅσσ' ἀγόμην ἐξ Ἄργεος ἡμέτερον δῶ

πάντ' ἐθέλω δόμεναι καὶ οἴκοθεν ἄλλ' ἐπιθεῖναι.

365ἤτοι ὅ γ' ὣς εἰπὼν κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετο: τοῖσι δ' ἀνέστη

Transliteration

autar egō Trōessi meth' hippodamois agoreusō:

antikru d' apophēmi gunaika men ouk apodōsō:

ktēmata d' hoss' agomēn ex Argeos hēmeteron dō

pant' ethelō domenai kai oikothen all' epitheinai.

365ētoi ho g' hōs eipōn kat' ar' hezeto: toisi d' anestē

English · Butler

her from Argos I will restore, and will add yet further of my own." On this, when Paris had spoken and taken his seat, Priam of the race of Dardanos, peer of gods in council, rose and with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus: "Hear me, Trojans, Dardanians, and allies, that I may speak even as I am minded.

Homeric Greek

Δαρδανίδης Πρίαμος, θεόφιν μήστωρ ἀτάλαντος,

ὅ σφιν ἐϋφρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε:

κέκλυτέ μευ Τρῶες καὶ Δάρδανοι ἠδ' ἐπίκουροι,

ὄφρ' εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.

370νῦν μὲν δόρπον ἕλεσθε κατὰ πτόλιν ὡς τὸ πάρος περ,

Transliteration

Dardanidēs Priamos, theophin mēstōr atalantos,

ho sphin eüphroneōn agorēsato kai meteeipe:

keklute meu Trōes kai Dardanoi ēd' epikouroi,

ophr' eipō ta me thumos eni stēthessi keleuei.

370nun men dorpon helesthe kata ptolin hōs to paros per,

English · Butler

On this, when Paris had spoken and taken his seat, Priam of the race of Dardanos, peer of gods in council, rose and with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus: "Hear me, Trojans, Dardanians, and allies, that I may speak even as I am minded. Get your suppers now as hitherto throughout the city, but keep your watches and be wakeful. At daybreak let Idaios go to the ships, and tell Agamemnon and Menelaos sons of Atreus the saying of Alexander through whom this quarrel has come about; and let him also

Homeric Greek

καὶ φυλακῆς μνήσασθε καὶ ἐγρήγορθε ἕκαστος:

ἠῶθεν δ' Ἰδαῖος ἴτω κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας

εἰπέμεν Ἀτρεί̈δῃς Ἀγαμέμνονι καὶ Μενελάῳ

μῦθον Ἀλεξάνδροιο, τοῦ εἵνεκα νεῖκος ὄρωρε:

375καὶ δὲ τόδ' εἰπέμεναι πυκινὸν ἔπος, αἴ κ' ἐθέλωσι

Transliteration

kai phulakēs mnēsasthe kai egrēgorthe hekastos:

ēōthen d' Idaios itō koilas epi nēas

eipemen Atreïdēis Agamemnoni kai Menelaōi

muthon Alexandroio, tou heineka neikos orōre:

375kai de tod' eipemenai pukinon epos, ai k' ethelōsi

English · Butler

be instant with them that they now cease fighting till we burn our dead; hereafter we will fight anew, till a daimôn decides between us and

Homeric Greek

παύσασθαι πολέμοιο δυσηχέος, εἰς ὅ κε νεκροὺς

κήομεν: ὕστερον αὖτε μαχησόμεθ' εἰς ὅ κε δαίμων

ἄμμε διακρίνῃ, δώῃ δ' ἑτέροισί γε νίκην.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα τοῦ μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδ' ἐπίθοντο:

380δόρπον ἔπειθ' εἵλοντο κατὰ στρατὸν ἐν τελέεσσιν:

Transliteration

pausasthai polemoio dusēcheos, eis ho ke nekrous

kēomen: husteron aute machēsometh' eis ho ke daimōn

amme diakrinēi, dōēi d' heteroisi ge nikēn.

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara tou mala men kluon ēd' epithonto:

380dorpon epeith' heilonto kata straton en teleessin:

English · Butler

give victory to one or to the other." Thus did he speak, and they did even as he had said. They took supper in their companies and at daybreak Idaios went his way to the ships.

Homeric Greek

ἠῶθεν δ' Ἰδαῖος ἔβη κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας:

τοὺς δ' εὗρ' εἰν ἀγορῇ Δαναοὺς θεράποντας Ἄρηος

νηὶ̈ πάρα πρύμνῃ Ἀγαμέμνονος: αὐτὰρ ὃ τοῖσι

στὰς ἐν μέσσοισιν μετεφώνεεν ἠπύτα κῆρυξ:

385Ἀτρεί̈δη τε καὶ ἄλλοι ἀριστῆες Παναχαιῶν

Transliteration

ēōthen d' Idaios ebē koilas epi nēas:

tous d' heur' ein agorēi Danaous therapontas Arēos

nēï para prumnēi Agamemnonos: autar ho toisi

stas en messoisin metephōneen ēputa kērux:

385Atreïdē te kai alloi aristēes Panachaiōn

English · Butler

He found the Danaans, squires of Ares, in council at the stern of Agamemnon's ship, and took his place in the midst of them. "Son of Atreus," he said, "and princes of the Achaean host, Priam and the other noble Trojans have sent me to tell you the

Homeric Greek

ἠνώγει Πρίαμός τε καὶ ἄλλοι Τρῶες ἀγαυοὶ

εἰπεῖν, αἴ κέ περ ὔμμι φίλον καὶ ἡδὺ γένοιτο,

μῦθον Ἀλεξάνδροιο, τοῦ εἵνεκα νεῖκος ὄρωρε:

κτήματα μὲν ὅσ' Ἀλέξανδρος κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσὶν

390ἠγάγετο Τροίηνδ': ὡς πρὶν ὤφελλ' ἀπολέσθαι:

Transliteration

ēnōgei Priamos te kai alloi Trōes agauoi

eipein, ai ke per ummi philon kai hēdu genoito,

muthon Alexandroio, tou heineka neikos orōre:

ktēmata men hos' Alexandros koilēis eni nēusin

390ēgageto Troiēnd': hōs prin ōphell' apolesthai:

English · Butler

saying of Alexander through whom this quarrel has come about, if so be that you may find it acceptable. All the treasure he took with him in his ships to Troy - would that he had sooner perished - he will restore, and will add yet further

Homeric Greek

πάντ' ἐθέλει δόμεναι καὶ οἴκοθεν ἄλλ' ἐπιθεῖναι:

κουριδίην δ' ἄλοχον Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο

οὔ φησιν δώσειν: ἦ μὴν Τρῶές γε κέλονται.

καὶ δὲ τόδ' ἠνώγεον εἰπεῖν ἔπος αἴ κ' ἐθέλητε

395παύσασθαι πολέμοιο δυσηχέος εἰς ὅ κε νεκροὺς

Transliteration

pant' ethelei domenai kai oikothen all' epitheinai:

kouridiēn d' alochon Menelaou kudalimoio

ou phēsin dōsein: ē mēn Trōes ge kelontai.

kai de tod' ēnōgeon eipein epos ai k' ethelēte

395pausasthai polemoio dusēcheos eis ho ke nekrous

English · Butler

of his own, but he will not give up the wedded wife of Menelaos, though the Trojans would have him do so. Priam bade me inquire further if you will cease fighting till we burn our dead;

Homeric Greek

κήομεν: ὕστερον αὖτε μαχησόμεθ' εἰς ὅ κε δαίμων

ἄμμε διακρίνῃ, δώῃ δ' ἑτέροισί γε νίκην.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ:

ὀψὲ δὲ δὴ μετέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης:

400μήτ' ἄρ τις νῦν κτήματ' Ἀλεξάνδροιο δεχέσθω

Transliteration

kēomen: husteron aute machēsometh' eis ho ke daimōn

amme diakrinēi, dōēi d' heteroisi ge nikēn.

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi:

opse de dē meteeipe boēn agathos Diomēdēs:

400mēt' ar tis nun ktēmat' Alexandroio dechesthō

English · Butler

hereafter we will fight anew, till a daimôn decides between us and gives victory to one or to the other." They all held their peace, but presently Diomedes of the loud war-cry spoke, saying, "Let there be no taking, neither treasure, nor yet Helen,

Homeric Greek

μήθ' Ἑλένην: γνωτὸν δὲ καὶ ὃς μάλα νήπιός ἐστιν

ὡς ἤδη Τρώεσσιν ὀλέθρου πείρατ' ἐφῆπται.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπίαχον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

μῦθον ἀγασσάμενοι Διομήδεος ἱπποδάμοιο:

405καὶ τότ' ἄρ' Ἰδαῖον προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων:

Transliteration

mēth' Helenēn: gnōton de kai hos mala nēpios estin

hōs ēdē Trōessin olethrou peirat' ephēptai.

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes epiachon huies Achaiōn

muthon agassamenoi Diomēdeos hippodamoio:

405kai tot' ar' Idaion prosephē kreiōn Agamemnōn:

English · Butler

for even a child may see that the doom of the Trojans is at hand." The sons of the Achaeans shouted approval at the words that Diomedes had spoken, and thereon King Agamemnon said to Idaios, "Idaios, you have heard the answer the Achaeans make you-and I with them. But as concerning the dead, I give you leave to

Homeric Greek

Ἰδαῖ' ἤτοι μῦθον Ἀχαιῶν αὐτὸς ἀκούεις

ὥς τοι ὑποκρίνονται: ἐμοὶ δ' ἐπιανδάνει οὕτως

ἀμφὶ δὲ νεκροῖσιν κατακαιέμεν οὔ τι μεγαίρω:

οὐ γάρ τις φειδὼ νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων

410γίγνετ' ἐπεί κε θάνωσι πυρὸς μειλισσέμεν ὦκα.

Transliteration

Idai' ētoi muthon Achaiōn autos akoueis

hōs toi hupokrinontai: emoi d' epiandanei houtōs

amphi de nekroisin katakaiemen ou ti megairō:

ou gar tis pheidō nekuōn katatethnēōtōn

410gignet' epei ke thanōsi puros meilissemen ōka.

English · Butler

burn them, for when men are once dead there should be no grudging them the rites of fire. Let Zeus the mighty husband of Hera be witness

Homeric Greek

ὅρκια δὲ Ζεὺς ἴστω ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης.

ὣς εἰπὼν τὸ σκῆπτρον ἀνέσχεθε πᾶσι θεοῖσιν,

ἄψορρον δ' Ἰδαῖος ἔβη προτὶ Ἴλιον ἱρήν.

οἳ δ' ἕατ' εἰν ἀγορῇ Τρῶες καὶ Δαρδανίωνες

415πάντες ὁμηγερέες, ποτιδέγμενοι ὁππότ' ἄρ' ἔλθοι

Transliteration

horkia de Zeus istō erigdoupos posis Hērēs.

hōs eipōn to skēptron aneschethe pasi theoisin,

apsorron d' Idaios ebē proti Ilion hirēn.

hoi d' heat' ein agorēi Trōes kai Dardaniōnes

415pantes homēgerees, potidegmenoi hoppot' ar' elthoi

English · Butler

to this covenant." As he spoke he upheld his scepter in the sight of all the gods, and Idaios went back to the strong city of Ilion. The Trojans and Dardanians were gathered in council waiting his return; when he came, he stood in their midst and delivered his message. As soon as they heard it they

Homeric Greek

Ἰδαῖος: ὃ δ' ἄρ' ἦλθε καὶ ἀγγελίην ἀπέειπε

στὰς ἐν μέσσοισιν: τοὶ δ' ὁπλίζοντο μάλ' ὦκα,

ἀμφότερον νέκυάς τ' ἀγέμεν ἕτεροι δὲ μεθ' ὕλην:

Ἀργεῖοι δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐϋσσέλμων ἀπὸ νηῶν

420ὀτρύνοντο νέκυς τ' ἀγέμεν, ἕτεροι δὲ μεθ' ὕλην.

Transliteration

Idaios: ho d' ar' ēlthe kai angeliēn apeeipe

stas en messoisin: toi d' hoplizonto mal' ōka,

amphoteron nekuas t' agemen heteroi de meth' hulēn:

Argeioi d' heterōthen eüsselmōn apo nēōn

420otrunonto nekus t' agemen, heteroi de meth' hulēn.

English · Butler

set about their twofold labor, some to gather the corpses, and others to bring in wood. The Argives on their part also hastened from their ships, some to gather the corpses, and others to bring in wood.

Homeric Greek

Ἠέλιος μὲν ἔπειτα νέον προσέβαλλεν ἀρούρας

ἐξ ἀκαλαρρείταο βαθυρρόου Ὠκεανοῖο

οὐρανὸν εἰσανιών: οἳ δ' ἤντεον ἀλλήλοισιν.

ἔνθα διαγνῶναι χαλεπῶς ἦν ἄνδρα ἕκαστον:

425ἀλλ' ὕδατι νίζοντες ἄπο βρότον αἱματόεντα

Transliteration

Ēelios men epeita neon proseballen arouras

ex akalarreitao bathurroou Ōkeanoio

ouranon eisaniōn: hoi d' ēnteon allēloisin.

entha diagnōnai chalepōs ēn andra hekaston:

425all' hudati nizontes apo broton haimatoenta

English · Butler

The sun was beginning to beat upon the fields, fresh risen into the vault of heaven from the slow still currents of deep Okeanos, when the two armies met. They could hardly recognize their dead, but they washed the clotted gore from off them, shed tears over them, and lifted them upon their wagons. Priam had forbidden the Trojans to wail aloud, so they heaped their

Homeric Greek

δάκρυα θερμὰ χέοντες ἀμαξάων ἐπάειραν.

οὐδ' εἴα κλαίειν Πρίαμος μέγας: οἳ δὲ σιωπῇ

νεκροὺς πυρκαϊῆς ἐπινήνεον ἀχνύμενοι κῆρ,

ἐν δὲ πυρὶ πρήσαντες ἔβαν προτὶ Ἴλιον ἱρήν.

430ὣς δ' αὔτως ἑτέρωθεν ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶ

Transliteration

dakrua therma cheontes amaxaōn epaeiran.

oud' eia klaiein Priamos megas: hoi de siōpēi

nekrous purkaïēs epinēneon achnumenoi kēr,

en de puri prēsantes eban proti Ilion hirēn.

430hōs d' autōs heterōthen eüknēmides Achaioi

English · Butler

dead sadly and silently upon the pyre, and having burned them went back to the city of Ilion. The Achaeans in like manner heaped their dead sadly and silently on the pyre, and having

Homeric Greek

νεκροὺς πυρκαϊῆς ἐπινήνεον ἀχνύμενοι κῆρ,

ἐν δὲ πυρὶ πρήσαντες ἔβαν κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας.

ἦμος δ' οὔτ' ἄρ πω ἠώς, ἔτι δ' ἀμφιλύκη νύξ,

τῆμος ἄρ' ἀμφὶ πυρὴν κριτὸς ἔγρετο λαὸς Ἀχαιῶν,

435τύμβον δ' ἀμφ' αὐτὴν ἕνα ποίεον ἐξαγαγόντες

Transliteration

nekrous purkaïēs epinēneon achnumenoi kēr,

en de puri prēsantes eban koilas epi nēas.

ēmos d' out' ar pō ēōs, eti d' amphilukē nux,

tēmos ar' amphi purēn kritos egreto laos Achaiōn,

435tumbon d' amph' autēn hena poieon exagagontes

English · Butler

burned them went back to their ships. Now in the twilight when it was not yet dawn, chosen bands of the Achaeans were gathered round the pyre and

Homeric Greek

ἄκριτον ἐκ πεδίου, ποτὶ δ' αὐτὸν τεῖχος ἔδειμαν

πύργους θ' ὑψηλούς, εἶλαρ νηῶν τε καὶ αὐτῶν.

ἐν δ' αὐτοῖσι πύλας ἐνεποίεον εὖ ἀραρυίας,

ὄφρα δι' αὐτάων ἱππηλασίη ὁδὸς εἴη:

440ἔκτοσθεν δὲ βαθεῖαν ἐπ' αὐτῷ τάφρον ὄρυξαν

Transliteration

akriton ek pediou, poti d' auton teichos edeiman

purgous th' hupsēlous, eilar nēōn te kai autōn.

en d' autoisi pulas enepoieon eu araruias,

ophra di' autaōn hippēlasiē hodos eiē:

440ektosthen de batheian ep' autōi taphron oruxan

English · Butler

built one barrow that was raised in common for all, and hard by this they built a high wall to shelter themselves and their ships; they gave it strong gates that there might be a way through them for their chariots, and close

Homeric Greek

εὐρεῖαν μεγάλην, ἐν δὲ σκόλοπας κατέπηξαν.

ὣς οἳ μὲν πονέοντο κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοί:

οἳ δὲ θεοὶ πὰρ Ζηνὶ καθήμενοι ἀστεροπητῇ

θηεῦντο μέγα ἔργον Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων.

445τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων:

Transliteration

eureian megalēn, en de skolopas katepēxan.

hōs hoi men poneonto karē komoōntes Achaioi:

hoi de theoi par Zēni kathēmenoi asteropētēi

thēeunto mega ergon Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn.

445toisi de muthōn ērche Poseidaōn enosichthōn:

English · Butler

outside it they dug a trench deep and wide, and they planted it within with stakes. Thus did the Achaeans toil, and the gods, seated by the side of Zeus the lord of lightning, marveled at their great work; but Poseidon, lord of the earthquake, spoke, saying, "Father Zeus, what mortal in the whole world will again take the gods into his counsel ? See you not how the Achaeans

Homeric Greek

Ζεῦ πάτερ, ἦ ῥά τίς ἐστι βροτῶν ἐπ' ἀπείρονα γαῖαν

ὅς τις ἔτ' ἀθανάτοισι νόον καὶ μῆτιν ἐνίψει;

οὐχ ὁράᾳς ὅτι δ' αὖτε κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ

τεῖχος ἐτειχίσσαντο νεῶν ὕπερ, ἀμφὶ δὲ τάφρον

450ἤλασαν, οὐδὲ θεοῖσι δόσαν κλειτὰς ἑκατόμβας;

Transliteration

Zeu pater, ē rha tis esti brotōn ep' apeirona gaian

hos tis et' athanatoisi noon kai mētin enipsei;

ouch horaāis hoti d' aute karē komoōntes Achaioi

teichos eteichissanto neōn huper, amphi de taphron

450ēlasan, oude theoisi dosan kleitas hekatombas;

English · Butler

have built a wall about their ships and driven a trench all round it, without offering hecatombs to the gods? The fame of this wall will reach as far as dawn itself, and men will

Homeric Greek

τοῦ δ' ἤτοι κλέος ἔσται ὅσον τ' ἐπικίδναται ἠώς:

τοῦ δ' ἐπιλήσονται τὸ ἐγὼ καὶ Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων

ἥρῳ Λαομέδοντι πολίσσαμεν ἀθλήσαντε.

τὸν δὲ μέγ' ὀχθήσας προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:

455ὢ πόποι ἐννοσίγαι' εὐρυσθενές, οἷον ἔειπες.

Transliteration

tou d' ētoi kleos estai hoson t' epikidnatai ēōs:

tou d' epilēsontai to egō kai Phoibos Apollōn

hērōi Laomedonti polissamen athlēsante.

ton de meg' ochthēsas prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:

455ō popoi ennosigai' eurusthenes, hoion eeipes.

English · Butler

no longer think anything of the one which Phoebus Apollo and myself built with so much labor for Laomedon." Zeus was displeased and answered, "What, O shaker of the earth, are you talking about?

Homeric Greek

ἄλλός κέν τις τοῦτο θεῶν δείσειε νόημα,

ὃς σέο πολλὸν ἀφαυρότερος χεῖράς τε μένος τε:

σὸν δ' ἤτοι κλέος ἔσται ὅσον τ' ἐπικίδναται ἠώς.

ἄγρει μὰν ὅτ' ἂν αὖτε κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ

460οἴχωνται σὺν νηυσὶ φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν

Transliteration

allos ken tis touto theōn deiseie noēma,

hos seo pollon aphauroteros cheiras te menos te:

son d' ētoi kleos estai hoson t' epikidnatai ēōs.

agrei man hot' an aute karē komoōntes Achaioi

460oichōntai sun nēusi philēn es patrida gaian

English · Butler

Zeus was displeased and answered, "What, O shaker of the earth, are you talking about? A god less powerful than yourself might be alarmed at what they are doing, but your fame reaches as far as dawn itself. Surely when the Achaeans have gone home with their ships, you can shatter their wall and Ring it into the sea; you can cover the beach

Homeric Greek

τεῖχος ἀναρρήξας τὸ μὲν εἰς ἅλα πᾶν καταχεῦαι,

αὖτις δ' ἠϊόνα μεγάλην ψαμάθοισι καλύψαι,

ὥς κέν τοι μέγα τεῖχος ἀμαλδύνηται Ἀχαιῶν.

ὣς οἳ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,

465δύσετο δ' ἠέλιος, τετέλεστο δὲ ἔργον Ἀχαιῶν,

Transliteration

teichos anarrēxas to men eis hala pan katacheuai,

autis d' ēïona megalēn psamathoisi kalupsai,

hōs ken toi mega teichos amaldunētai Achaiōn.

hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon,

465duseto d' ēelios, tetelesto de ergon Achaiōn,

English · Butler

with sand again, and the great wall of the Achaeans will then be utterly effaced." Thus did they converse, and by sunset the work of the Achaeans was completed; they then slaughtered oxen at their tents and got their supper. Many ships had come with wine from Lemnos, sent by Euneus the son of Jason, born to him by Hypsipyle.

Homeric Greek

βουφόνεον δὲ κατὰ κλισίας καὶ δόρπον ἕλοντο.

νῆες δ' ἐκ Λήμνοιο παρέσταν οἶνον ἄγουσαι

πολλαί, τὰς προέηκεν Ἰησονίδης Εὔνηος,

τόν ῥ' ἔτεχ' Ὑψιπύλη ὑπ' Ἰήσονι ποιμένι λαῶν.

470χωρὶς δ' Ἀτρεί̈δῃς Ἀγαμέμνονι καὶ Μενελάῳ

Transliteration

bouphoneon de kata klisias kai dorpon helonto.

nēes d' ek Lēmnoio parestan oinon agousai

pollai, tas proeēken Iēsonidēs Eunēos,

ton rh' etech' Hupsipulē hup' Iēsoni poimeni laōn.

470chōris d' Atreïdēis Agamemnoni kai Menelaōi

English · Butler

The son of Jason freighted them with ten thousand measures of wine, which he sent specially to the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaos. From this supply the Achaeans bought their wine, some with bronze, some with iron, some with hides, some with whole heifers, and some again with captives.

Homeric Greek

δῶκεν Ἰησονίδης ἀγέμεν μέθυ χίλια μέτρα.

ἔνθεν οἰνίζοντο κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοί,

ἄλλοι μὲν χαλκῷ, ἄλλοι δ' αἴθωνι σιδήρῳ,

ἄλλοι δὲ ῥινοῖς, ἄλλοι δ' αὐτῇσι βόεσσιν,

475ἄλλοι δ' ἀνδραπόδεσσι: τίθεντο δὲ δαῖτα θάλειαν.

Transliteration

dōken Iēsonidēs agemen methu chilia metra.

enthen oinizonto karē komoōntes Achaioi,

alloi men chalkōi, alloi d' aithōni sidērōi,

alloi de rhinois, alloi d' autēisi boessin,

475alloi d' andrapodessi: tithento de daita thaleian.

English · Butler

They spread a goodly banquet and feasted the whole night through, as also did the Trojans and their allies

Homeric Greek

παννύχιοι μὲν ἔπειτα κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ

δαίνυντο, Τρῶες δὲ κατὰ πτόλιν ἠδ' ἐπίκουροι:

παννύχιος δέ σφιν κακὰ μήδετο μητίετα Ζεὺς

σμερδαλέα κτυπέων: τοὺς δὲ χλωρὸν δέος ᾕρει:

480οἶνον δ' ἐκ δεπάων χαμάδις χέον, οὐδέ τις ἔτλη

Transliteration

pannuchioi men epeita karē komoōntes Achaioi

dainunto, Trōes de kata ptolin ēd' epikouroi:

pannuchios de sphin kaka mēdeto mētieta Zeus

smerdalea ktupeōn: tous de chlōron deos hēirei:

480oinon d' ek depaōn chamadis cheon, oude tis etlē

English · Butler

in the city. But all the time Zeus boded them ill and roared with his portentous thunder. Pale fear got hold upon them, and they spilled the wine from their cups on to the ground, nor did any dare drink till he had made offerings to the most mighty son of Kronos.

Homeric Greek

πρὶν πιέειν πρὶν λεῖψαι ὑπερμενέϊ Κρονίωνι.

κοιμήσαντ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα καὶ ὕπνου δῶρον ἕλοντο.

Transliteration

prin pieein prin leipsai hupermeneï Kroniōni.

koimēsant' ar' epeita kai hupnou dōron helonto.

English · Butler

Then they laid themselves down to rest and enjoyed the boon of sleep.