Book VIII

Homeric Greek

1Ἠὼς μὲν κροκόπεπλος ἐκίδνατο πᾶσαν ἐπ' αἶαν,

Ζεὺς δὲ θεῶν ἀγορὴν ποιήσατο τερπικέραυνος

ἀκροτάτῃ κορυφῇ πολυδειράδος Οὐλύμποιο:

αὐτὸς δέ σφ' ἀγόρευε, θεοὶ δ' ὑπὸ πάντες ἄκουον:

5κέκλυτέ μευ πάντές τε θεοὶ πᾶσαί τε θέαιναι,

Transliteration

1Ēōs men krokopeplos ekidnato pasan ep' aian,

Zeus de theōn agorēn poiēsato terpikeraunos

akrotatēi koryphēi polydeirados Oulympoio:

autos de sph' agoreue, theoi d' hypo pantes akouon:

5keklyte meu pantes te theoi pasai te theainai,

English

Now when Morning, clad in her robe of saffron, had begun to suffuse light over the earth, Zeus called the gods in council on the topmost crest of serrated Olympus. Then he spoke and all the other gods gave ear.

Homeric Greek

ὄφρ' εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.

μήτέ τις οὖν θήλεια θεὸς τό γε μήτέ τις ἄρσην

πειράτω διακέρσαι ἐμὸν ἔπος, ἀλλ' ἅμα πάντες

αἰνεῖτ', ὄφρα τάχιστα τελευτήσω τάδε ἔργα.

10ὃν δ' ἂν ἐγὼν ἀπάνευθε θεῶν ἐθέλοντα νοήσω

Transliteration

ophr' eipō ta me thymos eni stēthessi keleuei.

mēte tis oun thēleia theos to ge mēte tis arsēn

peiratō diakersai emon epos, all' hama pantes

aineit', ophra tachista teleutēsō tade erga.

10hon d' an egōn apaneuthe theōn ethelonta noēsō

English

"Hear me," said he, "gods and goddesses, that I may speak even as I am minded. Let none of you neither goddess nor god try to cross me, but obey me every one of you that I may bring this matter to an end.

Homeric Greek

ἐλθόντ' ἢ Τρώεσσιν ἀρηγέμεν ἢ Δαναοῖσι

πληγεὶς οὐ κατὰ κόσμον ἐλεύσεται Οὔλυμπον δέ:

ἤ μιν ἑλὼν ῥίψω ἐς Τάρταρον ἠερόεντα

τῆλε μάλ', ἧχι βάθιστον ὑπὸ χθονός ἐστι βέρεθρον,

15ἔνθα σιδήρειαί τε πύλαι καὶ χάλκεος οὐδός,

Transliteration

elthont' ē Trōessin arēgemen ē Danaoisi

plēgeis ou kata kosmon eleusetai Oulympon de:

ē min helōn rhipsō es Tartaron ēeroenta

tēle mal', hēchi bathiston hypo chthonos esti berethron,

15entha sidēreiai te pylai kai chalkeos oudos,

English

If I see anyone acting apart and helping either Trojans or Danaans, he shall be beaten beyond the limits of universal order ere he come back again to Olympus; or I will hurl him down into dark Tartaros far into the deepest pit under the earth, where the gates are iron

Homeric Greek

τόσσον ἔνερθ' Ἀί̈δεω ὅσον οὐρανός ἐστ' ἀπὸ γαίης:

γνώσετ' ἔπειθ' ὅσον εἰμὶ θεῶν κάρτιστος ἁπάντων.

εἰ δ' ἄγε πειρήσασθε θεοὶ ἵνα εἴδετε πάντες:

σειρὴν χρυσείην ἐξ οὐρανόθεν κρεμάσαντες

20πάντές τ' ἐξάπτεσθε θεοὶ πᾶσαί τε θέαιναι:

Transliteration

tosson enerth' Aïdeō hoson ouranos est' apo gaiēs:

gnōset' epeith' hoson eimi theōn kartistos hapantōn.

ei d' age peirēsasthe theoi hina eidete pantes:

seirēn chryseiēn ex ouranothen kremasantes

20pantes t' exaptesthe theoi pasai te theainai:

English

and the floor bronze, as far beneath Hades as heaven is high above the earth, that you may learn how much the mightiest I am among you. Try me and find out for yourselves. Hang me a golden chain from heaven, and lay hold of it all of you, gods and

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' οὐκ ἂν ἐρύσαιτ' ἐξ οὐρανόθεν πεδίον δὲ

Ζῆν' ὕπατον μήστωρ', οὐδ' εἰ μάλα πολλὰ κάμοιτε.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ καὶ ἐγὼ πρόφρων ἐθέλοιμι ἐρύσσαι,

αὐτῇ κεν γαίῃ ἐρύσαιμ' αὐτῇ τε θαλάσσῃ:

25σειρὴν μέν κεν ἔπειτα περὶ ῥίον Οὐλύμποιο

Transliteration

all' ouk an erysait' ex ouranothen pedion de

Zēn' hypaton mēstōr', oud' ei mala polla kamoite.

all' hote dē kai egō prophrōn etheloimi eryssai,

autēi ken gaiēi erysaim' autēi te thalassēi:

25seirēn men ken epeita peri rhion Oulympoio

English

goddesses together - tug as you will, you will not drag Zeus the supreme counselor from heaven to earth; but were I to pull at it myself I should draw you up with earth and sea into the bargain, then would I bind the chain about some pinnacle of Olympus and leave you all dangling in the mid firmament.

Homeric Greek

δησαίμην, τὰ δέ κ' αὖτε μετήορα πάντα γένοιτο.

τόσσον ἐγὼ περί τ' εἰμὶ θεῶν περί τ' εἴμ' ἀνθρώπων.

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

μῦθον ἀγασσάμενοι: μάλα γὰρ κρατερῶς ἀγόρευσεν.

30ὀψὲ δὲ δὴ μετέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

Transliteration

dēsaimēn, ta de k' aute metēora panta genoito.

tosson egō peri t' eimi theōn peri t' eim' anthrōpōn.

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

mython agassamenoi: mala gar kraterōs agoreusen.

30opse de dē meteeipe thea glaukōpis Athēnē:

English

So far am I above all others either of gods or men." They were frightened and all of them of held their peace, for he had spoken masterfully;

Homeric Greek

ὦ πάτερ ἡμέτερε Κρονίδη ὕπατε κρειόντων

εὖ νυ καὶ ἡμεῖς ἴδμεν ὅ τοι σθένος οὐκ ἐπιεικτόν:

ἀλλ' ἔμπης Δαναῶν ὀλοφυρόμεθ' αἰχμητάων,

οἵ κεν δὴ κακὸν οἶτον ἀναπλήσαντες ὄλωνται.

35ἀλλ' ἤτοι πολέμου μὲν ἀφεξόμεθ' ὡς σὺ κελεύεις:

Transliteration

ō pater hēmetere Kronidē hypate kreiontōn

eu ny kai hēmeis idmen ho toi sthenos ouk epieikton:

all' empēs Danaōn olophyrometh' aichmētaōn,

hoi ken dē kakon oiton anaplēsantes olōntai.

35all' ētoi polemou men aphexometh' hōs sy keleueis:

English

but at last Athena answered, "Father, son of Kronos, king of kings, we all know that your might is not to be gainsaid, but we are also sorry for the Danaan warriors, who are perishing and coming to a bad end.

Homeric Greek

βουλὴν δ' Ἀργείοις ὑποθησόμεθ' ἥ τις ὀνήσει,

ὡς μὴ πάντες ὄλωνται ὀδυσσαμένοιο τεοῖο.

τὴν δ' ἐπιμειδήσας προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:

θάρσει Τριτογένεια φίλον τέκος: οὔ νύ τι θυμῷ

40πρόφρονι μυθέομαι, ἐθέλω δέ τοι ἤπιος εἶναι.

Transliteration

boulēn d' Argeiois hypothēsometh' hē tis onēsei,

hōs mē pantes olōntai odyssamenoio teoio.

tēn d' epimeidēsas prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:

tharsei Tritogeneia philon tekos: ou ny ti thymōi

40prophroni mytheomai, ethelō de toi ēpios einai.

English

We will, however, since you so bid us, refrain from actual fighting, but we will make serviceable suggestions to the Argives that they may not all of them perish in your displeasure." Zeus smiled at her and answered, "Take heart, my child, Trito-born; I am not really in earnest, and I wish to be kind to you."

Homeric Greek

ὣς εἰπὼν ὑπ' ὄχεσφι τιτύσκετο χαλκόποδ' ἵππω

ὠκυπέτα χρυσέῃσιν ἐθείρῃσιν κομόωντε,

χρυσὸν δ' αὐτὸς ἔδυνε περὶ χροί̈, γέντο δ' ἱμάσθλην

χρυσείην εὔτυκτον, ἑοῦ δ' ἐπεβήσετο δίφρου,

45μάστιξεν δ' ἐλάαν: τὼ δ' οὐκ ἀέκοντε πετέσθην

Transliteration

hōs eipōn hyp' ochesphi titysketo chalkopod' hippō

ōkypeta chryseēisin etheirēisin komoōnte,

chryson d' autos edyne peri chroï, gento d' himasthlēn

chryseiēn eutykton, heou d' epebēseto diphrou,

45mastixen d' elaan: tō d' ouk aekonte petesthēn

English

With this he yoked his fleet horses, with hoofs of bronze and manes of glittering gold. He girded himself also with gold about the body, seized his gold whip and took his seat in his chariot. Thereon he lashed his horses and they flew forward nothing loath midway twixt earth and starry heaven.

Homeric Greek

μεσσηγὺς γαίης τε καὶ οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος.

Ἴδην δ' ἵκανεν πολυπίδακα μητέρα θηρῶν

Γάργαρον, ἔνθά τέ οἱ τέμενος βωμός τε θυήεις.

ἔνθ' ἵππους ἔστησε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε

50λύσας ἐξ ὀχέων, κατὰ δ' ἠέρα πουλὺν ἔχευεν.

Transliteration

messēgys gaiēs te kai ouranou asteroentos.

Idēn d' hikanen polypidaka mētera thērōn

Gargaron, entha te hoi temenos bōmos te thyēeis.

enth' hippous estēse patēr andrōn te theōn te

50lysas ex ocheōn, kata d' ēera poulyn echeuen.

English

After a while he reached many-fountained Ida, mother of wild beasts, and Gargaros, where are his grove and fragrant altar. There the father of gods and men stayed his horses, took them from the chariot, and hid them in a thick cloud;

Homeric Greek

αὐτὸς δ' ἐν κορυφῇσι καθέζετο κύδεϊ γαίων

εἰσορόων Τρώων τε πόλιν καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν.

οἳ δ' ἄρα δεῖπνον ἕλοντο κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ

ῥίμφα κατὰ κλισίας, ἀπὸ δ' αὐτοῦ θωρήσσοντο.

55Τρῶες δ' αὖθ' ἑτέρωθεν ἀνὰ πτόλιν ὁπλίζοντο

Transliteration

autos d' en koryphēisi kathezeto kydeï gaiōn

eisoroōn Trōōn te polin kai nēas Achaiōn.

hoi d' ara deipnon helonto karē komoōntes Achaioi

rhimpha kata klisias, apo d' autou thōrēssonto.

55Trōes d' auth' heterōthen ana ptolin hoplizonto

English

then he took his seat all glorious upon the topmost crests, looking down upon the city of Troy and the ships of the Achaeans. The Achaeans took their morning meal hastily at the ships, and afterwards put on their armor.

Homeric Greek

παυρότεροι: μέμασαν δὲ καὶ ὧς ὑσμῖνι μάχεσθαι

χρειοῖ ἀναγκαίῃ, πρό τε παίδων καὶ πρὸ γυναικῶν.

πᾶσαι δ' ὠί̈γνυντο πύλαι, ἐκ δ' ἔσσυτο λαός,

πεζοί θ' ἱππῆές τε: πολὺς δ' ὀρυμαγδὸς ὀρώρει.

60οἳ δ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἐς χῶρον ἕνα ξυνιόντες ἵκοντο

Transliteration

pauroteroi: memasan de kai hōs hysmini machesthai

chreioi anankaiēi, pro te paidōn kai pro gynaikōn.

pasai d' ōïgnynto pylai, ek d' essyto laos,

pezoi th' hippēes te: polys d' orymagdos orōrei.

60hoi d' hote dē rh' es chōron hena xyniontes hikonto

English

The Trojans on the other hand likewise armed themselves throughout the city, fewer in numbers but nevertheless eager perforce to do battle for their wives and children. All the gates were flung wide open, and horse and foot sallied forth with the tramp as of a great multitude. When they were got together in one place, shield

Homeric Greek

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

χαλκεοθωρήκων: ἀτὰρ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι

ἔπληντ' ἀλλήλῃσι, πολὺς δ' ὀρυμαγδὸς ὀρώρει.

ἔνθα δ' ἅμ' οἰμωγή τε καὶ εὐχωλὴ πέλεν ἀνδρῶν

65ὀλλύντων τε καὶ ὀλλυμένων, ῥέε δ' αἵματι γαῖα.

Transliteration

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

chalkeothōrēkōn: atar aspides omphaloessai

eplēnt' allēlēisi, polys d' orymagdos orōrei.

entha d' ham' oimōgē te kai euchōlē pelen andrōn

65ollyntōn te kai ollymenōn, rhee d' haimati gaia.

English

clashed with shield, and spear with spear, in the conflict of mail-clad men. Mighty was the din as the bossed shields pressed hard on one another- death - cry and shout of triumph of slain and slayers, and the earth ran red with blood.

Homeric Greek

ὄφρα μὲν ἠὼς ἦν καὶ ἀέξετο ἱερὸν ἦμαρ,

τόφρα μάλ' ἀμφοτέρων βέλε' ἥπτετο, πῖπτε δὲ λαός.

ἦμος δ' Ἠέλιος μέσον οὐρανὸν ἀμφιβεβήκει,

καὶ τότε δὴ χρύσεια πατὴρ ἐτίταινε τάλαντα:

70ἐν δ' ἐτίθει δύο κῆρε τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο

Transliteration

ophra men ēōs ēn kai aexeto hieron ēmar,

tophra mal' amphoterōn bele' hēpteto, pipte de laos.

ēmos d' Ēelios meson ouranon amphibebēkei,

kai tote dē chryseia patēr etitaine talanta:

70en d' etithei dyo kēre tanēlegeos thanatoio

English

Now so long as the day waxed and it was still morning their weapons beat against one another, and the people fell, but when the sun had reached mid-heaven, the sire of all balanced his golden scales, and put two fates of death within them, one for the Trojans and the other for the Achaeans.

Homeric Greek

Τρώων θ' ἱπποδάμων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων,

ἕλκε δὲ μέσσα λαβών: ῥέπε δ' αἴσιμον ἦμαρ Ἀχαιῶν.

αἳ μὲν Ἀχαιῶν κῆρες ἐπὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ

ἑζέσθην, Τρώων δὲ πρὸς οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἄερθεν:

75αὐτὸς δ' ἐξ Ἴδης μεγάλ' ἔκτυπε, δαιόμενον δὲ

Transliteration

Trōōn th' hippodamōn kai Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn,

helke de messa labōn: rhepe d' aisimon ēmar Achaiōn.

hai men Achaiōn kēres epi chthoni poulyboteirēi

hezesthēn, Trōōn de pros ouranon euryn aerthen:

75autos d' ex Idēs megal' ektype, daiomenon de

English

He took the balance by the middle, and when he lifted it up the day of the Achaeans sank; the death-fraught scale of the Achaeans settled down upon the ground, while that of the Trojans rose heavenwards. Then he thundered aloud from Ida, and sent the glare of his lightning upon the Achaeans;

Homeric Greek

ἧκε σέλας μετὰ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν: οἳ δὲ ἰδόντες

θάμβησαν, καὶ πάντας ὑπὸ χλωρὸν δέος εἷλεν.

ἔνθ' οὔτ' Ἰδομενεὺς τλῆ μίμνειν οὔτ' Ἀγαμέμνων,

οὔτε δύ' Αἴαντες μενέτην θεράποντες Ἄρηος:

80Νέστωρ οἶος ἔμιμνε Γερήνιος οὖρος Ἀχαιῶν

Transliteration

hēke selas meta laon Achaiōn: hoi de idontes

thambēsan, kai pantas hypo chlōron deos heilen.

enth' out' Idomeneus tlē mimnein out' Agamemnōn,

oute dy' Aiantes menetēn therapontes Arēos:

80Nestōr oios emimne Gerēnios ouros Achaiōn

English

when they saw this, pale fear fell upon them and they were sore afraid. Idomeneus dared not stay nor yet Agamemnon, nor did the two Ajaxes, squires of Ares, hold their ground.

Homeric Greek

οὔ τι ἑκών, ἀλλ' ἵππος ἐτείρετο, τὸν βάλεν ἰῷ

δῖος Ἀλέξανδρος Ἑλένης πόσις ἠϋκόμοιο

ἄκρην κὰκ κορυφήν, ὅθι τε πρῶται τρίχες ἵππων

κρανίῳ ἐμπεφύασι, μάλιστα δὲ καίριόν ἐστιν.

85ἀλγήσας δ' ἀνέπαλτο, βέλος δ' εἰς ἐγκέφαλον δῦ,

Transliteration

ou ti hekōn, all' hippos eteireto, ton balen iōi

dios Alexandros Helenēs posis ēÿkomoio

akrēn kak koryphēn, hothi te prōtai triches hippōn

kraniōi empephyasi, malista de kairion estin.

85algēsas d' anepalto, belos d' eis enkephalon dy,

English

Nestor horseman of Gerene alone stood firm, bulwark of the Achaeans, not of his own will, but one of his horses was disabled. Alexander husband of lovely Helen had hit it with an arrow just on the top of its head where the mane begins to grow away from the skull, a very deadly place.

Homeric Greek

σὺν δ' ἵππους ἐτάραξε κυλινδόμενος περὶ χαλκῷ.

ὄφρ' ὁ γέρων ἵπποιο παρηορίας ἀπέταμνε

φασγάνῳ ἀί̈σσων, τόφρ' Ἕκτορος ὠκέες ἵπποι

ἦλθον ἀν' ἰωχμὸν θρασὺν ἡνίοχον φορέοντες

90Ἕκτορα: καί νύ κεν ἔνθ' ὁ γέρων ἀπὸ θυμὸν ὄλεσσεν

Transliteration

syn d' hippous etaraxe kylindomenos peri chalkōi.

ophr' ho gerōn hippoio parēorias apetamne

phasganōi aïssōn, tophr' Hektoros ōkees hippoi

ēlthon an' iōchmon thrasyn hēniochon phoreontes

90Hektora: kai ny ken enth' ho gerōn apo thymon olessen

English

The horse bounded in his anguish as the arrow pierced his brain, and his struggles threw others into confusion. The old man instantly began cutting the traces with his sword, but Hektor's fleet horses bore down upon him through the rout with their bold charioteer, even Hektor

Homeric Greek

εἰ μὴ ἄρ' ὀξὺ νόησε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης:

σμερδαλέον δ' ἐβόησεν ἐποτρύνων Ὀδυσῆα:

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη πολυμήχαν' Ὀδυσσεῦ

πῇ φεύγεις μετὰ νῶτα βαλὼν κακὸς ὣς ἐν ὁμίλῳ;

95μή τίς τοι φεύγοντι μεταφρένῳ ἐν δόρυ πήξῃ:

Transliteration

ei mē ar' oxy noēse boēn agathos Diomēdēs:

smerdaleon d' eboēsen epotrynōn Odysēa:

diogenes Laertiadē polymēchan' Odysseu

pēi pheugeis meta nōta balōn kakos hōs en homilōi;

95mē tis toi pheugonti metaphrenōi en dory pēxēi:

English

himself, and the old man would have perished there and then had not Diomedes been quick to mark, and with a loud cry called Odysseus to help him. "Odysseus," he cried, "noble son of Laertes where are you fleeing to, with your back turned like a coward? See that you are not struck with a spear between the shoulders.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ μέν' ὄφρα γέροντος ἀπώσομεν ἄγριον ἄνδρα.

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἐσάκουσε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

ἀλλὰ παρήϊξεν κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν.

Τυδεί̈δης δ' αὐτός περ ἐὼν προμάχοισιν ἐμίχθη,

100στῆ δὲ πρόσθ' ἵππων Νηληϊάδαο γέροντος,

Transliteration

alla men' ophra gerontos apōsomen agrion andra.

hōs ephat', oud' esakouse polytlas dios Odysseus,

alla parēïxen koilas epi nēas Achaiōn.

Tydeïdēs d' autos per eōn promachoisin emichthē,

100stē de prosth' hippōn Nēlēïadao gerontos,

English

Stay here and help me to defend Nestor from this man's furious onset." Odysseus would not give ear, but sped onward to the ships of the Achaeans, and the son of Tydeus flinging himself alone into the thick of the fight took his stand before the horses of the son of Neleus.

Homeric Greek

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

ὦ γέρον ἦ μάλα δή σε νέοι τείρουσι μαχηταί,

σὴ δὲ βίη λέλυται, χαλεπὸν δέ σε γῆρας ὀπάζει,

ἠπεδανὸς δέ νύ τοι θεράπων, βραδέες δέ τοι ἵπποι.

105ἀλλ' ἄγ' ἐμῶν ὀχέων ἐπιβήσεο, ὄφρα ἴδηαι

Transliteration

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

ō geron ē mala dē se neoi teirousi machētai,

sē de biē lelytai, chalepon de se gēras opazei,

ēpedanos de ny toi therapōn, bradees de toi hippoi.

105all' ag' emōn ocheōn epibēseo, ophra idēai

English

"Sir," said he, "these young warriors are pressing you hard, your force is spent, and age is heavy upon you, your squire is naught, and your horses are slow to move.

Homeric Greek

οἷοι Τρώϊοι ἵπποι ἐπιστάμενοι πεδίοιο

κραιπνὰ μάλ' ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα διωκέμεν ἠδὲ φέβεσθαι,

οὕς ποτ' ἀπ' Αἰνείαν ἑλόμην μήστωρε φόβοιο.

τούτω μὲν θεράποντε κομείτων, τώδε δὲ νῶϊ

110Τρωσὶν ἐφ' ἱπποδάμοις ἰθύνομεν, ὄφρα καὶ Ἕκτωρ

Transliteration

hoioi Trōïoi hippoi epistamenoi pedioio

kraipna mal' entha kai entha diōkemen ēde phebesthai,

hous pot' ap' Aineian helomēn mēstōre phoboio.

toutō men theraponte komeitōn, tōde de nōï

110Trōsin eph' hippodamois ithynomen, ophra kai Hektōr

English

Mount my chariot and see what the horses of Tros can do- how cleverly they can scud hither and thither over the plain either in flight or in pursuit. I took them from the hero Aeneas. Let our squires attend to your own steeds, but let us drive mine straight at the Trojans, that

Homeric Greek

εἴσεται εἰ καὶ ἐμὸν δόρυ μαίνεται ἐν παλάμῃσιν.

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ.

Νεστορέας μὲν ἔπειθ' ἵππους θεράποντε κομείτην

ἴφθιμοι Σθένελός τε καὶ Εὐρυμέδων ἀγαπήνωρ.

115τὼ δ' εἰς ἀμφοτέρω Διομήδεος ἅρματα βήτην:

Transliteration

eisetai ei kai emon dory mainetai en palamēisin.

hōs ephat', oud' apithēse Gerēnios hippota Nestōr.

Nestoreas men epeith' hippous theraponte komeitēn

iphthimoi Sthenelos te kai Eurymedōn agapēnōr.

115tō d' eis amphoterō Diomēdeos harmata bētēn:

English

Hektor may learn how furiously I too can wield my spear." Nestor horseman of Gerene hearkened to his words. Thereon the doughty squires, Sthenelos and kind-hearted Eurymedon, saw to Nestor's horses, while the two both mounted Diomedes' chariot. Nestor took the reins in his hands and lashed the horses on;

Homeric Greek

Νέστωρ δ' ἐν χείρεσσι λάβ' ἡνία σιγαλόεντα,

μάστιξεν δ' ἵππους: τάχα δ' Ἕκτορος ἄγχι γένοντο.

τοῦ δ' ἰθὺς μεμαῶτος ἀκόντισε Τυδέος υἱός:

καὶ τοῦ μέν ῥ' ἀφάμαρτεν, ὃ δ' ἡνίοχον θεράποντα

120υἱὸν ὑπερθύμου Θηβαίου Ἠνιοπῆα

Transliteration

Nestōr d' en cheiressi lab' hēnia sigaloenta,

mastixen d' hippous: tacha d' Hektoros anchi genonto.

tou d' ithys memaōtos akontise Tydeos huios:

kai tou men rh' aphamarten, ho d' hēniochon theraponta

120huion hyperthymou Thēbaiou Ēniopēa

English

they were soon close up with Hektor, and the son of Tydeus aimed a spear at him as he was charging full speed towards them. He missed him, but struck his charioteer and squire Eniopeus son of noble Thebaios in the breast by the nipple while the

Homeric Greek

ἵππων ἡνί' ἔχοντα βάλε στῆθος παρὰ μαζόν.

ἤριπε δ' ἐξ ὀχέων, ὑπερώησαν δέ οἱ ἵπποι

ὠκύποδες: τοῦ δ' αὖθι λύθη ψυχή τε μένος τε.

Ἕκτορα δ' αἰνὸν ἄχος πύκασε φρένας ἡνιόχοιο:

125τὸν μὲν ἔπειτ' εἴασε καὶ ἀχνύμενός περ ἑταίρου

Transliteration

hippōn hēni' echonta bale stēthos para mazon.

ēripe d' ex ocheōn, hyperōēsan de hoi hippoi

ōkypodes: tou d' authi lythē psychē te menos te.

Hektora d' ainon achos pykase phrenas hēniochoio:

125ton men epeit' eiase kai achnymenos per hetairou

English

reins were in his hands, so that he lost his life-breath there and then, and the horses swerved as he fell headlong from the chariot. Hektor was greatly grieved at the loss of his charioteer, but let him lie, despite his sorrow, while he went in quest of another driver;

Homeric Greek

κεῖσθαι, ὃ δ' ἡνίοχον μέθεπε θρασύν: οὐδ' ἄρ' ἔτι δὴν

ἵππω δευέσθην σημάντορος: αἶψα γὰρ εὗρεν

Ἰφιτίδην Ἀρχεπτόλεμον θρασύν, ὅν ῥα τόθ' ἵππων

ὠκυπόδων ἐπέβησε, δίδου δέ οἱ ἡνία χερσίν.

130ἔνθά κε λοιγὸς ἔην καὶ ἀμήχανα ἔργα γένοντο,

Transliteration

keisthai, ho d' hēniochon methepe thrasyn: oud' ar' eti dēn

hippō deuesthēn sēmantoros: aipsa gar heuren

Iphitidēn Archeptolemon thrasyn, hon rha toth' hippōn

ōkypodōn epebēse, didou de hoi hēnia chersin.

130entha ke loigos eēn kai amēchana erga genonto,

English

nor did his steeds have to go long without one, for he presently found brave Arkheptolemos the son of Iphitos, and made him get up behind the horses, giving the reins into his hand. All had then been lost and no help for

Homeric Greek

καί νύ κε σήκασθεν κατὰ Ἴλιον ἠύ̈τε ἄρνες,

εἰ μὴ ἄρ' ὀξὺ νόησε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε:

βροντήσας δ' ἄρα δεινὸν ἀφῆκ' ἀργῆτα κεραυνόν,

κὰδ δὲ πρόσθ' ἵππων Διομήδεος ἧκε χαμᾶζε:

135δεινὴ δὲ φλὸξ ὦρτο θεείου καιομένοιο,

Transliteration

kai ny ke sēkasthen kata Ilion ēÿte arnes,

ei mē ar' oxy noēse patēr andrōn te theōn te:

brontēsas d' ara deinon aphēk' argēta keraunon,

kad de prosth' hippōn Diomēdeos hēke chamaze:

135deinē de phlox ōrto theeiou kaiomenoio,

English

it, for they would have been penned up in Ilion like sheep, had not the sire of gods and men been quick to mark, and hurled a fiery flaming thunderbolt which fell just in front of Diomedes' horses with a flare of burning brimstone.

Homeric Greek

τὼ δ' ἵππω δείσαντε καταπτήτην ὑπ' ὄχεσφι:

Νέστορα δ' ἐκ χειρῶν φύγον ἡνία σιγαλόεντα,

δεῖσε δ' ὅ γ' ἐν θυμῷ, Διομήδεα δὲ προσέειπε:

Τυδεί̈δη ἄγε δ' αὖτε φόβον δ' ἔχε μώνυχας ἵππους.

140ἦ οὐ γιγνώσκεις ὅ τοι ἐκ Διὸς οὐχ ἕπετ' ἀλκή;

Transliteration

tō d' hippō deisante kataptētēn hyp' ochesphi:

Nestora d' ek cheirōn phygon hēnia sigaloenta,

deise d' ho g' en thymōi, Diomēdea de proseeipe:

Tydeïdē age d' aute phobon d' eche mōnychas hippous.

140ē ou gignōskeis ho toi ek Dios ouch hepet' alkē;

English

The horses were frightened and tried to back beneath the car, while the reins dropped from Nestor's hands. Then he was afraid and said to Diomedes, "Son of Tydeus, turn your horses in flight; see you not that the hand of Zeus is against you?

Homeric Greek

νῦν μὲν γὰρ τούτῳ Κρονίδης Ζεὺς κῦδος ὀπάζει

σήμερον: ὕστερον αὖτε καὶ ἡμῖν, αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσι,

δώσει: ἀνὴρ δέ κεν οὔ τι Διὸς νόον εἰρύσσαιτο

οὐδὲ μάλ' ἴφθιμος, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερός ἐστι.

145τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης:

Transliteration

nyn men gar toutōi Kronidēs Zeus kydos opazei

sēmeron: hysteron aute kai hēmin, ai k' ethelēisi,

dōsei: anēr de ken ou ti Dios noon eiryssaito

oude mal' iphthimos, epei ē poly pherteros esti.

145ton d' ēmeibet' epeita boēn agathos Diomēdēs:

English

To-day he grants victory to Hektor; tomorrow, if it so please him, he will again grant it to ourselves; no man, however brave, may thwart the purpose of Zeus, for he is far stronger than any." Diomedes answered, "All that you have said is true;

Homeric Greek

ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα γέρον κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες:

ἀλλὰ τόδ' αἰνὸν ἄχος κραδίην καὶ θυμὸν ἱκάνει:

Ἕκτωρ γάρ ποτε φήσει ἐνὶ Τρώεσσ' ἀγορεύων:

Τυδεί̈δης ὑπ' ἐμεῖο φοβεύμενος ἵκετο νῆας.

150ὥς ποτ' ἀπειλήσει: τότε μοι χάνοι εὐρεῖα χθών.

Transliteration

nai dē tauta ge panta geron kata moiran eeipes:

alla tod' ainon achos kradiēn kai thymon hikanei:

Hektōr gar pote phēsei eni Trōess' agoreuōn:

Tydeïdēs hyp' emeio phobeumenos hiketo nēas.

150hōs pot' apeilēsei: tote moi chanoi eureia chthōn.

English

there is a grief, however, which pierces me to the very heart, for Hektor will talk among the Trojans and say, ‘The son of Tydeus fled before me to the ships.’ This is the vaunt he will make, and may earth then swallow me."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:

ὤ μοι Τυδέος υἱὲ δαί̈φρονος, οἷον ἔειπες.

εἴ περ γάρ σ' Ἕκτωρ γε κακὸν καὶ ἀνάλκιδα φήσει,

ἀλλ' οὐ πείσονται Τρῶες καὶ Δαρδανίωνες

155καὶ Τρώων ἄλοχοι μεγαθύμων ἀσπιστάων,

Transliteration

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:

ō moi Tydeos huie daïphronos, hoion eeipes.

ei per gar s' Hektōr ge kakon kai analkida phēsei,

all' ou peisontai Trōes kai Dardaniōnes

155kai Trōōn alochoi megathymōn aspistaōn,

English

"Son of Tydeus," replied Nestor, "what mean you? Though Hektor say that you are a coward the Trojans and Dardanians will not believe him, nor yet the wives of the mighty

Homeric Greek

τάων ἐν κονίῃσι βάλες θαλεροὺς παρακοίτας.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας φύγαδε τράπε μώνυχας ἵππους

αὖτις ἀν' ἰωχμόν: ἐπὶ δὲ Τρῶές τε καὶ Ἕκτωρ

ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ βέλεα στονόεντα χέοντο.

160τῷ δ' ἐπὶ μακρὸν ἄϋσε μέγας κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ:

Transliteration

taōn en koniēisi bales thalerous parakoitas.

hōs ara phōnēsas phygade trape mōnychas hippous

autis an' iōchmon: epi de Trōes te kai Hektōr

ēchēi thespesiēi belea stonoenta cheonto.

160tōi d' epi makron aÿse megas korythaiolos Hektōr:

English

warriors whom you have laid low." So saying he turned the horses back through the thick of the battle, and with a cry that rent the air the Trojans and Hektor rained their darts after them. Hektor shouted to him and said, "Son of Tydeus, the Danaans have done you honor hitherto as regards your place

Homeric Greek

Τυδεί̈δη περὶ μέν σε τίον Δαναοὶ ταχύπωλοι

ἕδρῃ τε κρέασίν τε ἰδὲ πλείοις δεπάεσσι:

νῦν δέ σ' ἀτιμήσουσι: γυναικὸς ἄρ' ἀντὶ τέτυξο.

ἔρρε κακὴ γλήνη, ἐπεὶ οὐκ εἴξαντος ἐμεῖο

165πύργων ἡμετέρων ἐπιβήσεαι, οὐδὲ γυναῖκας

Transliteration

Tydeïdē peri men se tion Danaoi tachypōloi

hedrēi te kreasin te ide pleiois depaessi:

nyn de s' atimēsousi: gynaikos ar' anti tetyxo.

erre kakē glēnē, epei ouk eixantos emeio

165pyrgōn hēmeterōn epibēseai, oude gynaikas

English

at table, the meals they give you, and the filling of your cup with wine. Henceforth they will despise you, for you are become no better than a woman. Be off, girl and coward that you are, you shall not try to scale our towers without my stopping you; neither shall you carry off our wives in your ships, for I shall

Homeric Greek

ἄξεις ἐν νήεσσι: πάρος τοι δαίμονα δώσω.

ὣς φάτο, Τυδεί̈δης δὲ διάνδιχα μερμήριξεν

ἵππους τε στρέψαι καὶ ἐναντίβιον μαχέσασθαι.

τρὶς μὲν μερμήριξε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,

170τρὶς δ' ἄρ' ἀπ' Ἰδαίων ὀρέων κτύπε μητίετα Ζεὺς

Transliteration

axeis en nēessi: paros toi daimona dōsō.

hōs phato, Tydeïdēs de diandicha mermērixen

hippous te strepsai kai enantibion machesasthai.

tris men mermērixe kata phrena kai kata thymon,

170tris d' ar' ap' Idaiōn oreōn ktype mētieta Zeus

English

give you, with my own hand, a fate that will doom you." The son of Tydeus was in two minds whether or no to turn his horses round again and fight him. Thrice did he doubt, and thrice did Zeus thunder from the heights of Ida in token to the Trojans that he would turn the battle in their favor.

Homeric Greek

σῆμα τιθεὶς Τρώεσσι μάχης ἑτεραλκέα νίκην.

Ἕκτωρ δὲ Τρώεσσιν ἐκέκλετο μακρὸν ἀύ̈σας:

Τρῶες καὶ Λύκιοι καὶ Δάρδανοι ἀγχιμαχηταὶ

ἀνέρες ἔστε φίλοι, μνήσασθε δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς.

175γιγνώσκω δ' ὅτι μοι πρόφρων κατένευσε Κρονίων

Transliteration

sēma titheis Trōessi machēs heteralkea nikēn.

Hektōr de Trōessin ekekleto makron aÿsas:

Trōes kai Lykioi kai Dardanoi anchimachētai

aneres este philoi, mnēsasthe de thouridos alkēs.

175gignōskō d' hoti moi prophrōn kateneuse Kroniōn

English

Hektor then shouted to them and said, "Trojans, Lycians, and Dardanians, lovers of close fighting, be men, my friends, and fight with might and with main; I see that Zeus is minded to grant victory and great glory to myself, while he will deal destruction upon the Danaans.

Homeric Greek

νίκην καὶ μέγα κῦδος, ἀτὰρ Δαναοῖσί γε πῆμα:

νήπιοι οἳ ἄρα δὴ τάδε τείχεα μηχανόωντο

ἀβλήχρ' οὐδενόσωρα: τὰ δ' οὐ μένος ἁμὸν ἐρύξει:

ἵπποι δὲ ῥέα τάφρον ὑπερθορέονται ὀρυκτήν.

180ἀλλ' ὅτε κεν δὴ νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσι γένωμαι,

Transliteration

nikēn kai mega kydos, atar Danaoisi ge pēma:

nēpioi hoi ara dē tade teichea mēchanoōnto

ablēchr' oudenosōra: ta d' ou menos hamon eryxei:

hippoi de rhea taphron hyperthoreontai oryktēn.

180all' hote ken dē nēusin epi glaphyrēisi genōmai,

English

Fools, for having thought of building this weak and worthless wall. It shall not stay my fury; my horses will spring lightly over their trench, and when I am at their ships forget not to bring

Homeric Greek

μνημοσύνη τις ἔπειτα πυρὸς δηί̈οιο γενέσθω,

ὡς πυρὶ νῆας ἐνιπρήσω, κτείνω δὲ καὶ αὐτοὺς

Ἀργείους παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀτυζομένους ὑπὸ καπνοῦ.

ὣς εἰπὼν ἵπποισιν ἐκέκλετο φώνησέν τε:

185Ξάνθέ τε καὶ σὺ Πόδαργε καὶ Αἴθων Λάμπέ τε δῖε

Transliteration

mnēmosynē tis epeita pyros dēïoio genesthō,

hōs pyri nēas eniprēsō, kteinō de kai autous

Argeious para nēusin atyzomenous hypo kapnou.

hōs eipōn hippoisin ekekleto phōnēsen te:

185Xanthe te kai sy Podarge kai Aithōn Lampe te die

English

me fire that I may burn them, while I slaughter the Argives who will be all dazed and bewildered by the smoke." Then he cried to his horses, "Xanthos and Podagros, and you Aithon and goodly Lampos, pay me for

Homeric Greek

νῦν μοι τὴν κομιδὴν ἀποτίνετον, ἣν μάλα πολλὴν

Ἀνδρομάχη θυγάτηρ μεγαλήτορος Ἠετίωνος

ὑμῖν πὰρ προτέροισι μελίφρονα πυρὸν ἔθηκεν

οἶνόν τ' ἐγκεράσασα πιεῖν, ὅτε θυμὸς ἀνώγοι,

190ἢ ἐμοί, ὅς πέρ οἱ θαλερὸς πόσις εὔχομαι εἶναι.

Transliteration

nyn moi tēn komidēn apotineton, hēn mala pollēn

Andromachē thygatēr megalētoros Ēetiōnos

hymin par proteroisi meliphrona pyron ethēken

oinon t' enkerasasa piein, hote thymos anōgoi,

190ē emoi, hos per hoi thaleros posis euchomai einai.

English

your keep now and for all the honey-sweet grain with which Andromache daughter of great Eetion has fed you, and for she has mixed wine and water for you to drink whenever you would, before doing so even for me who am her own husband.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἐφομαρτεῖτον καὶ σπεύδετον ὄφρα λάβωμεν

ἀσπίδα Νεστορέην, τῆς νῦν κλέος οὐρανὸν ἵκει

πᾶσαν χρυσείην ἔμεναι, κανόνας τε καὶ αὐτήν,

αὐτὰρ ἀπ' ὤμοιιν Διομήδεος ἱπποδάμοιο

195δαιδάλεον θώρηκα, τὸν Ἥφαιστος κάμε τεύχων.

Transliteration

all' ephomarteiton kai speudeton ophra labōmen

aspida Nestoreēn, tēs nyn kleos ouranon hikei

pasan chryseiēn emenai, kanonas te kai autēn,

autar ap' ōmoiin Diomēdeos hippodamoio

195daidaleon thōrēka, ton Hēphaistos kame teuchōn.

English

Haste in pursuit, that we may take the shield of Nestor, the fame of which ascends to heaven, for it is of solid gold, arm-rods and all, and that we may strip from the shoulders of Diomedes. the cuirass which Hephaistos made him.

Homeric Greek

εἰ τούτω κε λάβοιμεν, ἐελποίμην κεν Ἀχαιοὺς

αὐτονυχὶ νηῶν ἐπιβησέμεν ὠκειάων.

ὣς ἔφατ' εὐχόμενος, νεμέσησε δὲ πότνια Ἥρη,

σείσατο δ' εἰνὶ θρόνῳ, ἐλέλιξε δὲ μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον,

200καί ῥα Ποσειδάωνα μέγαν θεὸν ἀντίον ηὔδα:

Transliteration

ei toutō ke laboimen, eelpoimēn ken Achaious

autonychi nēōn epibēsemen ōkeiaōn.

hōs ephat' euchomenos, nemesēse de potnia Hērē,

seisato d' eini thronōi, elelixe de makron Olympon,

200kai rha Poseidaōna megan theon antion ēuda:

English

Could we take these two things, the Achaeans would set sail in their ships this self-same night." Thus did he vaunt, but Queen Hera made high Olympus quake as she shook with rage upon her throne. Then said she to the mighty god of Poseidon, "What now, wide ruling lord of the earthquake?

Homeric Greek

ὢ πόποι ἐννοσίγαι' εὐρυσθενές, οὐδέ νυ σοί περ

ὀλλυμένων Δαναῶν ὀλοφύρεται ἐν φρεσὶ θυμός.

οἳ δέ τοι εἰς Ἑλίκην τε καὶ Αἰγὰς δῶρ' ἀνάγουσι

πολλά τε καὶ χαρίεντα: σὺ δέ σφισι βούλεο νίκην.

205εἴ περ γάρ κ' ἐθέλοιμεν, ὅσοι Δαναοῖσιν ἀρωγοί,

Transliteration

ō popoi ennosigai' eurysthenes, oude ny soi per

ollymenōn Danaōn olophyretai en phresi thymos.

hoi de toi eis Helikēn te kai Aigas dōr' anagousi

polla te kai charienta: sy de sphisi bouleo nikēn.

205ei per gar k' etheloimen, hosoi Danaoisin arōgoi,

English

Can you find no compassion in your heart for the dying Danaans, who bring you many a welcome offering to Helike and to Aigai? Wish them well then. If all of us who are with the Danaans were to drive the Trojans

Homeric Greek

Τρῶας ἀπώσασθαι καὶ ἐρυκέμεν εὐρύοπα Ζῆν,

αὐτοῦ κ' ἔνθ' ἀκάχοιτο καθήμενος οἶος ἐν Ἴδῃ.

τὴν δὲ μέγ' ὀχθήσας προσέφη κρείων ἐνοσίχθων:

Ἥρη ἀπτοεπὲς ποῖον τὸν μῦθον ἔειπες.

210οὐκ ἂν ἔγωγ' ἐθέλοιμι Διὶ Κρονίωνι μάχεσθαι

Transliteration

Trōas apōsasthai kai erykemen euryopa Zēn,

autou k' enth' akachoito kathēmenos oios en Idēi.

tēn de meg' ochthēsas prosephē kreiōn enosichthōn:

Hērē aptoepes poion ton mython eeipes.

210ouk an egōg' etheloimi Dii Kroniōni machesthai

English

back and keep Zeus from helping them, he would have to sit there sulking alone on Ida." King Poseidon was greatly troubled and answered, "Hera, rash of tongue, what are you talking about?

Homeric Greek

ἡμέας τοὺς ἄλλους, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερός ἐστιν.

ὣς οἳ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον:

τῶν δ' ὅσον ἐκ νηῶν ἀπὸ πύργου τάφρος ἔεργε

πλῆθεν ὁμῶς ἵππων τε καὶ ἀνδρῶν ἀσπιστάων

215εἰλομένων: εἴλει δὲ θοῷ ἀτάλαντος Ἄρηϊ

Transliteration

hēmeas tous allous, epei ē poly pherteros estin.

hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon:

tōn d' hoson ek nēōn apo pyrgou taphros eerge

plēthen homōs hippōn te kai andrōn aspistaōn

215eilomenōn: eilei de thoōi atalantos Arēï

English

We other gods must not set ourselves against Zeus, for he is far stronger than we are." Thus did they converse; but the whole space enclosed by the ditch, from the ships even to the wall, was filled with horses and warriors, who were pent up there by Hektor son of Priam, now that the hand of Zeus was with him.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτωρ Πριαμίδης, ὅτε οἱ Ζεὺς κῦδος ἔδωκε.

καί νύ κ' ἐνέπρησεν πυρὶ κηλέῳ νῆας ἐί̈σας,

εἰ μὴ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκ' Ἀγαμέμνονι πότνια Ἥρη

αὐτῷ ποιπνύσαντι θοῶς ὀτρῦναι Ἀχαιούς.

220βῆ δ' ἰέναι παρά τε κλισίας καὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν

Transliteration

Hektōr Priamidēs, hote hoi Zeus kydos edōke.

kai ny k' eneprēsen pyri kēleōi nēas eïsas,

ei mē epi phresi thēk' Agamemnoni potnia Hērē

autōi poipnysanti thoōs otrynai Achaious.

220bē d' ienai para te klisias kai nēas Achaiōn

English

He would even have set fire to the ships and burned them, had not Queen Hera put it into the mind of Agamemnon, to bestir himself and to encourage the Achaeans. To this end he went round the ships and tents carrying a great purple cloak, and took his stand by the huge black hull of Odysseus' ship, which was middlemost of all;

Homeric Greek

πορφύρεον μέγα φᾶρος ἔχων ἐν χειρὶ παχείῃ,

στῆ δ' ἐπ' Ὀδυσσῆος μεγακήτεϊ νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ,

ἥ ῥ' ἐν μεσσάτῳ ἔσκε γεγωνέμεν ἀμφοτέρωσε,

ἠμὲν ἐπ' Αἴαντος κλισίας Τελαμωνιάδαο

225ἠδ' ἐπ' Ἀχιλλῆος, τοί ῥ' ἔσχατα νῆας ἐί̈σας

Transliteration

porphyreon mega pharos echōn en cheiri pacheiēi,

stē d' ep' Odyssēos megakēteï nēï melainēi,

hē rh' en messatōi eske gegōnemen amphoterōse,

ēmen ep' Aiantos klisias Telamōniadao

225ēd' ep' Achillēos, toi rh' eschata nēas eïsas

English

it was from this place that his voice would carry farthest, on the one hand towards the tents of Ajax son of Telamon, and on the other towards those of Achilles- for these two heroes, well assured of their own strength, had valorously drawn up their ships at the two ends of the line.

Homeric Greek

εἴρυσαν, ἠνορέῃ πίσυνοι καὶ κάρτεϊ χειρῶν:

ἤϋσεν δὲ διαπρύσιον Δαναοῖσι γεγωνώς:

αἰδὼς Ἀργεῖοι, κάκ' ἐλέγχεα, εἶδος ἀγητοί:

πῇ ἔβαν εὐχωλαί, ὅτε δὴ φάμεν εἶναι ἄριστοι,

230ἃς ὁπότ' ἐν Λήμνῳ κενεαυχέες ἠγοράασθε,

Transliteration

eirysan, ēnoreēi pisynoi kai karteï cheirōn:

ēÿsen de diaprysion Danaoisi gegōnōs:

aidōs Argeioi, kak' elenchea, eidos agētoi:

pēi eban euchōlai, hote dē phamen einai aristoi,

230has hopot' en Lēmnōi keneauchees ēgoraasthe,

English

From this spot then, with a voice that could be heard afar, he shouted to the Danaans, saying, "Argives, shame on you cowardly creatures, brave in semblance only; where are now our vaunts that we should prove victorious - the vaunts we made so vaingloriously in Lemnos, when we ate the flesh of horned cattle and filled our mixing-bowls to the brim?

Homeric Greek

ἔσθοντες κρέα πολλὰ βοῶν ὀρθοκραιράων

πίνοντες κρητῆρας ἐπιστεφέας οἴνοιο,

Τρώων ἄνθ' ἑκατόν τε διηκοσίων τε ἕκαστος

στήσεσθ' ἐν πολέμῳ: νῦν δ' οὐδ' ἑνὸς ἄξιοί εἰμεν

235Ἕκτορος, ὃς τάχα νῆας ἐνιπρήσει πυρὶ κηλέῳ.

Transliteration

esthontes krea polla boōn orthokrairaōn

pinontes krētēras epistepheas oinoio,

Trōōn anth' hekaton te diēkosiōn te hekastos

stēsesth' en polemōi: nyn d' oud' henos axioi eimen

235Hektoros, hos tacha nēas eniprēsei pyri kēleōi.

English

You vowed that you would each of you stand against a hundred or two hundred men, and now you prove no match even for one- for Hektor, who will be ere long setting our ships in a blaze.

Homeric Greek

Ζεῦ πάτερ, ἦ ῥά τιν' ἤδη ὑπερμενέων βασιλήων

τῇδ' ἄτῃ ἄασας καί μιν μέγα κῦδος ἀπηύρας;

οὐ μὲν δή ποτέ φημι τεὸν περικαλλέα βωμὸν

νηὶ̈ πολυκλήϊδι παρελθέμεν ἐνθάδε ἔρρων,

240ἀλλ' ἐπὶ πᾶσι βοῶν δημὸν καὶ μηρί' ἔκηα

Transliteration

Zeu pater, ē rha tin' ēdē hypermeneōn basilēōn

tēid' atēi aasas kai min mega kydos apēuras;

ou men dē pote phēmi teon perikallea bōmon

nēï polyklēïdi parelthemen enthade errōn,

240all' epi pasi boōn dēmon kai mēri' ekēa

English

Father Zeus, did you ever before cause the ruin of a great king to such an extent and rob him so utterly of his greatness? yet, when to my sorrow I was coming hither, I never let my ship pass your altars without offering the fat and thigh-bones of heifers upon

Homeric Greek

ἱέμενος Τροίην εὐτείχεον ἐξαλαπάξαι.

ἀλλὰ Ζεῦ τόδε πέρ μοι ἐπικρήηνον ἐέλδωρ:

αὐτοὺς δή περ ἔασον ὑπεκφυγέειν καὶ ἀλύξαι,

μηδ' οὕτω Τρώεσσιν ἔα δάμνασθαι Ἀχαιούς.

245ὣς φάτο, τὸν δὲ πατὴρ ὀλοφύρατο δάκρυ χέοντα,

Transliteration

hiemenos Troiēn euteicheon exalapaxai.

alla Zeu tode per moi epikrēēnon eeldōr:

autous dē per eason hypekphygeein kai alyxai,

mēd' houtō Trōessin ea damnasthai Achaious.

245hōs phato, ton de patēr olophyrato dakry cheonta,

English

every one of them, so eager was I to sack the city of Troy. Vouchsafe me then this prayer- suffer us to escape at any rate with our lives, and let not the Achaeans be so utterly vanquished by the Trojans." Thus did he pray, and father Zeus pitying his tears granted him that his people should live, not die;

Homeric Greek

νεῦσε δέ οἱ λαὸν σόον ἔμμεναι οὐδ' ἀπολέσθαι.

αὐτίκα δ' αἰετὸν ἧκε τελειότατον πετεηνῶν,

νεβρὸν ἔχοντ' ὀνύχεσσι τέκος ἐλάφοιο ταχείης:

πὰρ δὲ Διὸς βωμῷ περικαλλέϊ κάββαλε νεβρόν,

250ἔνθα πανομφαίῳ Ζηνὶ ῥέζεσκον Ἀχαιοί.

Transliteration

neuse de hoi laon soon emmenai oud' apolesthai.

autika d' aieton hēke teleiotaton peteēnōn,

nebron echont' onychessi tekos elaphoio tacheiēs:

par de Dios bōmōi perikalleï kabbale nebron,

250entha panomphaiōi Zēni rhezeskon Achaioi.

English

forthwith he sent them an eagle, most unfailingly portentous of all birds, with a young fawn in its talons; the eagle dropped the fawn by the altar on which the Achaeans sacrificed to Zeus the lord of omens;

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ὡς οὖν εἴδονθ' ὅ τ' ἄρ' ἐκ Διὸς ἤλυθεν ὄρνις,

μᾶλλον ἐπὶ Τρώεσσι θόρον, μνήσαντο δὲ χάρμης.

ἔνθ' οὔ τις πρότερος Δαναῶν πολλῶν περ ἐόντων

εὔξατο Τυδεί̈δαο πάρος σχέμεν ὠκέας ἵππους

255τάφρου τ' ἐξελάσαι καὶ ἐναντίβιον μαχέσασθαι,

Transliteration

hoi d' hōs oun eidonth' ho t' ar' ek Dios ēlythen ornis,

mallon epi Trōessi thoron, mnēsanto de charmēs.

enth' ou tis proteros Danaōn pollōn per eontōn

euxato Tydeïdao paros schemen ōkeas hippous

255taphrou t' exelasai kai enantibion machesasthai,

English

When, therefore, the people saw that the bird had come from Zeus, they sprang more fiercely upon the Trojans and fought more boldly. There was no man of all the many Danaans who could then boast that he had driven his horses over the trench and gone forth to fight sooner than the son of Tydeus;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρῶτος Τρώων ἕλεν ἄνδρα κορυστὴν

Φραδμονίδην Ἀγέλαον: ὃ μὲν φύγαδ' ἔτραπεν ἵππους:

τῷ δὲ μεταστρεφθέντι μεταφρένῳ ἐν δόρυ πῆξεν

ὤμων μεσσηγύς, διὰ δὲ στήθεσφιν ἔλασσεν:

260ἤριπε δ' ἐξ ὀχέων, ἀράβησε δὲ τεύχε' ἐπ' αὐτῷ.

Transliteration

alla poly prōtos Trōōn helen andra korystēn

Phradmonidēn Agelaon: ho men phygad' etrapen hippous:

tōi de metastrephthenti metaphrenōi en dory pēxen

ōmōn messēgys, dia de stēthesphin elassen:

260ēripe d' ex ocheōn, arabēse de teuche' ep' autōi.

English

long before any one else could do so he slew an armed warrior of the Trojans, Agelaos the son of Phradmon. He had turned his horses in flight, but the spear struck him in the back midway between his shoulders and went right through his chest, and his armor rang rattling round him as he fell forward from his chariot.

Homeric Greek

τὸν δὲ μετ' Ἀτρεί̈δαι Ἀγαμέμνων καὶ Μενέλαος,

τοῖσι δ' ἐπ' Αἴαντες θοῦριν ἐπιειμένοι ἀλκήν,

τοῖσι δ' ἐπ' Ἰδομενεὺς καὶ ὀπάων Ἰδομενῆος

Μηριόνης ἀτάλαντος Ἐνυαλίῳ ἀνδρειφόντῃ,

265τοῖσι δ' ἐπ' Εὐρύπυλος Εὐαίμονος ἀγλαὸς υἱός:

Transliteration

ton de met' Atreïdai Agamemnōn kai Menelaos,

toisi d' ep' Aiantes thourin epieimenoi alkēn,

toisi d' ep' Idomeneus kai opaōn Idomenēos

Mērionēs atalantos Enyaliōi andreiphontēi,

265toisi d' ep' Eurypylos Euaimonos aglaos huios:

English

After him came Agamemnon and Menelaos, sons of Atreus, the two Ajaxes clothed in valor as with a garment, Idomeneus and his companion in arms Meriones, peer of murderous Ares, and Eurypylos the brave son of Euaemon.

Homeric Greek

Τεῦκρος δ' εἴνατος ἦλθε παλίντονα τόξα τιταίνων,

στῆ δ' ἄρ' ὑπ' Αἴαντος σάκεϊ Τελαμωνιάδαο.

ἔνθ' Αἴας μὲν ὑπεξέφερεν σάκος: αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ἥρως

παπτήνας, ἐπεὶ ἄρ τιν' ὀϊστεύσας ἐν ὁμίλῳ

270βεβλήκοι, ὃ μὲν αὖθι πεσὼν ἀπὸ θυμὸν ὄλεσσεν,

Transliteration

Teukros d' einatos ēlthe palintona toxa titainōn,

stē d' ar' hyp' Aiantos sakeï Telamōniadao.

enth' Aias men hypexepheren sakos: autar ho g' hērōs

paptēnas, epei ar tin' oïsteusas en homilōi

270beblēkoi, ho men authi pesōn apo thymon olessen,

English

Ninth came Teucer with his bow, and took his place under cover of the shield of Ajax son of Telamon. When Ajax lifted his shield Teucer would peer round, and when he had hit any one in the throng, the man would fall dead;

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ὃ αὖτις ἰὼν πάϊς ὣς ὑπὸ μητέρα δύσκεν

εἰς Αἴανθ': ὃ δέ μιν σάκεϊ κρύπτασκε φαεινῷ.

ἔνθα τίνα πρῶτον Τρώων ἕλε Τεῦκρος ἀμύμων;

Ὀρσίλοχον μὲν πρῶτα καὶ Ὄρμενον ἠδ' Ὀφελέστην

275Δαίτορά τε Χρομίον τε καὶ ἀντίθεον Λυκοφόντην

Transliteration

autar ho autis iōn païs hōs hypo mētera dysken

eis Aianth': ho de min sakeï kryptaske phaeinōi.

entha tina prōton Trōōn hele Teukros amymōn;

Orsilochon men prōta kai Ormenon ēd' Ophelestēn

275Daitora te Chromion te kai antitheon Lykophontēn

English

then Teucer would hie back to Ajax as a child to its mother, and again duck down under his shield. Which of the Trojans did brave Teucer first kill? Orsilokhos, and then Ormenos and Ophelestes, Daitor, Chromios, and godlike Lykophontes, Amopaon son of Polyaimon, and Melanippos.

Homeric Greek

καὶ Πολυαιμονίδην Ἀμοπάονα καὶ Μελάνιππον,

πάντας ἐπασσυτέρους πέλασε χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ.

τὸν δὲ ἰδὼν γήθησεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων

τόξου ἄπο κρατεροῦ Τρώων ὀλέκοντα φάλαγγας:

280στῆ δὲ παρ' αὐτὸν ἰὼν καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε:

Transliteration

kai Polyaimonidēn Amopaona kai Melanippon,

pantas epassyterous pelase chthoni poulyboteirēi.

ton de idōn gēthēsen anax andrōn Agamemnōn

toxou apo kraterou Trōōn olekonta phalangas:

280stē de par' auton iōn kai min pros mython eeipe:

English

these in turn did he lay low upon the earth, and King Agamemnon was glad when he saw him making havoc of the Trojans with his mighty bow. He went up to him and said, "Teucer, man after my own heart, son of Telamon, leader among the

Homeric Greek

Τεῦκρε φίλη κεφαλή, Τελαμώνιε κοίρανε λαῶν

βάλλ' οὕτως, αἴ κέν τι φόως Δαναοῖσι γένηαι

πατρί τε σῷ Τελαμῶνι, ὅ σ' ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐόντα,

καί σε νόθον περ ἐόντα κομίσσατο ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ:

285τὸν καὶ τηλόθ' ἐόντα ἐϋκλείης ἐπίβησον.

Transliteration

Teukre philē kephalē, Telamōnie koirane laōn

ball' houtōs, ai ken ti phoōs Danaoisi genēai

patri te sōi Telamōni, ho s' etrephe tytthon eonta,

kai se nothon per eonta komissato hōi eni oikōi:

285ton kai tēloth' eonta eÿkleiēs epibēson.

English

host, shoot on, and be at once the saving of the Danaans and the glory of your father Telamon, who brought you up and took care of you in his own house when you were a child, bastard though you were. Cover him with glory though he is far off;

Homeric Greek

σοὶ δ' ἐγὼ ἐξερέω ὡς καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται:

αἴ κέν μοι δώῃ Ζεύς τ' αἰγίοχος καὶ Ἀθήνη

Ἰλίου ἐξαλαπάξαι ἐϋκτίμενον πτολίεθρον,

πρώτῳ τοι μετ' ἐμὲ πρεσβήϊον ἐν χερὶ θήσω,

290ἢ τρίποδ' ἠὲ δύω ἵππους αὐτοῖσιν ὄχεσφιν

Transliteration

soi d' egō exereō hōs kai tetelesmenon estai:

ai ken moi dōēi Zeus t' aigiochos kai Athēnē

Iliou exalapaxai eÿktimenon ptoliethron,

prōtōi toi met' eme presbēïon en cheri thēsō,

290ē tripod' ēe dyō hippous autoisin ochesphin

English

I will promise and I will assuredly perform; if aegis-bearing Zeus and Athena grant me to sack the city of Ilion, you shall have the next best prize of honor after my own - a tripod, or two horses with their chariot, or

Homeric Greek

ἠὲ γυναῖχ', ἥ κέν τοι ὁμὸν λέχος εἰσαναβαίνοι.

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσεφώνεε Τεῦκρος ἀμύμων:

Ἀτρεί̈δη κύδιστε τί με σπεύδοντα καὶ αὐτὸν

ὀτρύνεις; οὐ μέν τοι ὅση δύναμίς γε πάρεστι

295παύομαι, ἀλλ' ἐξ οὗ προτὶ Ἴλιον ὠσάμεθ' αὐτοὺς

Transliteration

ēe gynaich', hē ken toi homon lechos eisanabainoi.

ton d' apameibomenos prosephōnee Teukros amymōn:

Atreïdē kydiste ti me speudonta kai auton

otryneis; ou men toi hosē dynamis ge paresti

295pauomai, all' ex hou proti Ilion ōsameth' autous

English

a woman who shall go up into your bed." And Teucer answered, "Most noble son of Atreus, you need not urge me; from the moment we began to drive them back to Ilion, I have never ceased so far as in me lies to look out for men whom I can shoot and kill;

Homeric Greek

ἐκ τοῦ δὴ τόξοισι δεδεγμένος ἄνδρας ἐναίρω.

ὀκτὼ δὴ προέηκα τανυγλώχινας ὀϊστούς,

πάντες δ' ἐν χροὶ̈ πῆχθεν ἀρηϊθόων αἰζηῶν:

τοῦτον δ' οὐ δύναμαι βαλέειν κύνα λυσσητῆρα.

300ἦ ῥα καὶ ἄλλον ὀϊστὸν ἀπὸ νευρῆφιν ἴαλλεν

Transliteration

ek tou dē toxoisi dedegmenos andras enairō.

oktō dē proeēka tanyglōchinas oïstous,

pantes d' en chroï pēchthen arēïthoōn aizēōn:

touton d' ou dynamai baleein kyna lyssētēra.

300ē rha kai allon oïston apo neurēphin iallen

English

I have shot eight barbed shafts, and all of them have been buried in the flesh of warlike youths, but this mad dog I cannot hit." As he spoke he aimed another arrow straight at Hektor, for he was bent on hitting him;

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορος ἀντικρύ, βαλέειν δέ ἑ ἵετο θυμός:

καὶ τοῦ μέν ῥ' ἀφάμαρθ', ὃ δ' ἀμύμονα Γοργυθίωνα

υἱὸν ἐὺ̈ν Πριάμοιο κατὰ στῆθος βάλεν ἰῷ,

τόν ῥ' ἐξ Αἰσύμηθεν ὀπυιομένη τέκε μήτηρ

305καλὴ Καστιάνειρα δέμας ἐϊκυῖα θεῇσι.

Transliteration

Hektoros antikry, baleein de he hieto thymos:

kai tou men rh' aphamarth', ho d' amymona Gorgythiōna

huion eÿn Priamoio kata stēthos balen iōi,

ton rh' ex Aisymēthen opuiomenē teke mētēr

305kalē Kastianeira demas eïkuia theēisi.

English

nevertheless he missed him, and the arrow hit Priam's brave son Gorgythion in the breast. His mother, fair Kastianeira, lovely as a goddess, had

Homeric Greek

μήκων δ' ὡς ἑτέρωσε κάρη βάλεν, ἥ τ' ἐνὶ κήπῳ

καρπῷ βριθομένη νοτίῃσί τε εἰαρινῇσιν,

ὣς ἑτέρωσ' ἤμυσε κάρη πήληκι βαρυνθέν.

Τεῦκρος δ' ἄλλον ὀϊστὸν ἀπὸ νευρῆφιν ἴαλλεν

310Ἕκτορος ἀντικρύ, βαλέειν δέ ἑ ἵετο θυμός.

Transliteration

mēkōn d' hōs heterōse karē balen, hē t' eni kēpōi

karpōi brithomenē notiēisi te eiarinēisin,

hōs heterōs' ēmyse karē pēlēki barynthen.

Teukros d' allon oïston apo neurēphin iallen

310Hektoros antikry, baleein de he hieto thymos.

English

been married from Aisyme, and now he bowed his head as a garden poppy in full bloom when it is weighed down by showers in spring- even thus heavy bowed his head beneath the weight of his helmet. Again he aimed at Hektor, for he was longing to hit him, and again his arrow missed, for Apollo turned it aside;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ὅ γε καὶ τόθ' ἅμαρτε: παρέσφηλεν γὰρ Ἀπόλλων:

ἀλλ' Ἀρχεπτόλεμον θρασὺν Ἕκτορος ἡνιοχῆα

ἱέμενον πόλεμον δὲ βάλε στῆθος παρὰ μαζόν:

ἤριπε δ' ἐξ ὀχέων, ὑπερώησαν δέ οἱ ἵπποι

315ὠκύποδες: τοῦ δ' αὖθι λύθη ψυχή τε μένος τε.

Transliteration

all' ho ge kai toth' hamarte: paresphēlen gar Apollōn:

all' Archeptolemon thrasyn Hektoros hēniochēa

hiemenon polemon de bale stēthos para mazon:

ēripe d' ex ocheōn, hyperōēsan de hoi hippoi

315ōkypodes: tou d' authi lythē psychē te menos te.

English

but he hit Hektor's brave charioteer Arkheptolemos in the breast, by the nipple, as he was driving furiously into the fight. The horses swerved aside as he fell headlong from the chariot, and there was no life-breath left in him.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορα δ' αἰνὸν ἄχος πύκασε φρένας ἡνιόχοιο:

τὸν μὲν ἔπειτ' εἴασε καὶ ἀχνύμενός περ ἑταίρου,

Κεβριόνην δ' ἐκέλευσεν ἀδελφεὸν ἐγγὺς ἐόντα

ἵππων ἡνί' ἑλεῖν: ὃ δ' ἄρ' οὐκ ἀπίθησεν ἀκούσας.

320αὐτὸς δ' ἐκ δίφροιο χαμαὶ θόρε παμφανόωντος

Transliteration

Hektora d' ainon achos pykase phrenas hēniochoio:

ton men epeit' eiase kai achnymenos per hetairou,

Kebrionēn d' ekeleusen adelpheon engys eonta

hippōn hēni' helein: ho d' ar' ouk apithēsen akousas.

320autos d' ek diphroio chamai thore pamphanoōntos

English

Hektor was greatly grieved at the loss of his charioteer, but for all his sorrow he let him lie where he fell, and bade his brother Kebriones, who was hard by, take the reins. Kebriones did as he had said.

Homeric Greek

σμερδαλέα ἰάχων: ὃ δὲ χερμάδιον λάβε χειρί,

βῆ δ' ἰθὺς Τεύκρου, βαλέειν δέ ἑ θυμὸς ἀνώγει.

ἤτοι ὃ μὲν φαρέτρης ἐξείλετο πικρὸν ὀϊστόν,

θῆκε δ' ἐπὶ νευρῇ: τὸν δ' αὖ κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ

325αὐερύοντα παρ' ὦμον, ὅθι κληὶ̈ς ἀποέργει

Transliteration

smerdalea iachōn: ho de chermadion labe cheiri,

bē d' ithys Teukrou, baleein de he thymos anōgei.

ētoi ho men pharetrēs exeileto pikron oïston,

thēke d' epi neurēi: ton d' au korythaiolos Hektōr

325aueryonta par' ōmon, hothi klēïs apoergei

English

Hektor thereon with a loud cry sprang from his chariot to the ground, and seizing a great stone made straight for Teucer with intent kill him. Teucer had just taken an arrow from his quiver and had laid it upon the bow-string, but Hektor struck him with the jagged stone as he was taking aim and drawing the string to his shoulder;

Homeric Greek

αὐχένα τε στῆθός τε, μάλιστα δὲ καίριόν ἐστι,

τῇ ῥ' ἐπὶ οἷ μεμαῶτα βάλεν λίθῳ ὀκριόεντι,

ῥῆξε δέ οἱ νευρήν: νάρκησε δὲ χεὶρ ἐπὶ καρπῷ,

στῆ δὲ γνὺξ ἐριπών, τόξον δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε χειρός.

330Αἴας δ' οὐκ ἀμέλησε κασιγνήτοιο πεσόντος,

Transliteration

auchena te stēthos te, malista de kairion esti,

tēi rh' epi hoi memaōta balen lithōi okrioenti,

rhēxe de hoi neurēn: narkēse de cheir epi karpōi,

stē de gnyx eripōn, toxon de hoi ekpese cheiros.

330Aias d' ouk amelēse kasignētoio pesontos,

English

he hit him just where the collar-bone divides the neck from the chest, a very deadly place, and broke the sinew of his arm so that his wrist was less, and the bow dropped from his hand as he fell forward on his knees.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ θέων περίβη καί οἱ σάκος ἀμφεκάλυψε.

τὸν μὲν ἔπειθ' ὑποδύντε δύω ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι

Μηκιστεὺς Ἐχίοιο πάϊς καὶ δῖος Ἀλάστωρ

νῆας ἔπι γλαφυρὰς φερέτην βαρέα στενάχοντα.

335ἂψ δ' αὖτις Τρώεσσιν Ὀλύμπιος ἐν μένος ὦρσεν:

Transliteration

alla theōn peribē kai hoi sakos amphekalypse.

ton men epeith' hypodynte dyō eriēres hetairoi

Mēkisteus Echioio païs kai dios Alastōr

nēas epi glaphyras pheretēn barea stenachonta.

335aps d' autis Trōessin Olympios en menos ōrsen:

English

Ajax saw that his brother had fallen, and running towards him bestrode him and sheltered him with his shield. Meanwhile his two trusty squires, Mekisteus son of Echios, and Alastor, came up and bore him to the ships groaning in his great pain. glad when he saw Zeus now again put heart into the Trojans, and they

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ἰθὺς τάφροιο βαθείης ὦσαν Ἀχαιούς:

Ἕκτωρ δ' ἐν πρώτοισι κίε σθένεϊ βλεμεαίνων.

ὡς δ' ὅτε τίς τε κύων συὸς ἀγρίου ἠὲ λέοντος

ἅπτηται κατόπισθε ποσὶν ταχέεσσι διώκων

340ἰσχία τε γλουτούς τε, ἑλισσόμενόν τε δοκεύει,

Transliteration

hoi d' ithys taphroio batheiēs ōsan Achaious:

Hektōr d' en prōtoisi kie stheneï blemeainōn.

hōs d' hote tis te kyōn syos agriou ēe leontos

haptētai katopisthe posin tacheessi diōkōn

340ischia te gloutous te, helissomenon te dokeuei,

English

drove the Achaeans to their deep trench with Hektor in all his glory at their head. As a hound grips a wild boar or lion in flank or buttock when he gives him chase, and watches warily for his wheeling, even so did Hektor follow close upon the Achaeans, ever killing the hindmost as they rushed panic-stricken onwards.

Homeric Greek

ὣς Ἕκτωρ ὤπαζε κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιούς,

αἰὲν ἀποκτείνων τὸν ὀπίστατον: οἳ δὲ φέβοντο.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ διά τε σκόλοπας καὶ τάφρον ἔβησαν

φεύγοντες, πολλοὶ δὲ δάμεν Τρώων ὑπὸ χερσίν,

345οἳ μὲν δὴ παρὰ νηυσὶν ἐρητύοντο μένοντες,

Transliteration

hōs Hektōr ōpaze karē komoōntas Achaious,

aien apokteinōn ton opistaton: hoi de phebonto.

autar epei dia te skolopas kai taphron ebēsan

pheugontes, polloi de damen Trōōn hypo chersin,

345hoi men dē para nēusin erētyonto menontes,

English

When they had fled through the set stakes and trench and many Achaeans had been laid low at the hands of the Trojans, they halted at their ships, calling upon one another and praying every man instantly as they lifted up their hands to the gods;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλήλοισί τε κεκλόμενοι καὶ πᾶσι θεοῖσι

χεῖρας ἀνίσχοντες μεγάλ' εὐχετόωντο ἕκαστος:

Ἕκτωρ δ' ἀμφιπεριστρώφα καλλίτριχας ἵππους

Γοργοῦς ὄμματ' ἔχων ἠδὲ βροτολοιγοῦ Ἄρηος.

350τοὺς δὲ ἰδοῦσ' ἐλέησε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη,

Transliteration

allēloisi te keklomenoi kai pasi theoisi

cheiras anischontes megal' euchetoōnto hekastos:

Hektōr d' amphiperistrōpha kallitrichas hippous

Gorgous ommat' echōn ēde brotoloigou Arēos.

350tous de idous' eleēse thea leukōlenos Hērē,

English

but Hektor wheeled his horses this way and that, his eyes glaring like those of Gorgo or murderous Ares. Hera when she saw them had pity upon them, and at

Homeric Greek

αἶψα δ' Ἀθηναίην ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

ὢ πόποι αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς τέκος οὐκέτι νῶϊ

ὀλλυμένων Δαναῶν κεκαδησόμεθ' ὑστάτιόν περ;

οἵ κεν δὴ κακὸν οἶτον ἀναπλήσαντες ὄλωνται

355ἀνδρὸς ἑνὸς ῥιπῇ, ὃ δὲ μαίνεται οὐκέτ' ἀνεκτῶς

Transliteration

aipsa d' Athēnaiēn epea pteroenta prosēuda:

ō popoi aigiochoio Dios tekos ouketi nōï

ollymenōn Danaōn kekadēsometh' hystation per;

hoi ken dē kakon oiton anaplēsantes olōntai

355andros henos rhipēi, ho de mainetai ouket' anektōs

English

once said to Athena, "Alas, child of aegis-bearing Zeus, shall you and I take no more thought for the dying Danaans, though it be the last time we ever do so? See how they perish and come to a bad end before the onset of but a single man.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτωρ Πριαμίδης, καὶ δὴ κακὰ πολλὰ ἔοργε.

τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

καὶ λίην οὗτός γε μένος θυμόν τ' ὀλέσειε

χερσὶν ὑπ' Ἀργείων φθίμενος ἐν πατρίδι γαίῃ:

360ἀλλὰ πατὴρ οὑμὸς φρεσὶ μαίνεται οὐκ ἀγαθῇσι

Transliteration

Hektōr Priamidēs, kai dē kaka polla eorge.

tēn d' aute proseeipe thea glaukōpis Athēnē:

kai liēn houtos ge menos thymon t' oleseie

chersin hyp' Argeiōn phthimenos en patridi gaiēi:

360alla patēr houmos phresi mainetai ouk agathēisi

English

Hektor the son of Priam rages with intolerable fury, and has already done great mischief." Athena answered, "Would, indeed, this man might die in his own land, and fall by the hands of the Achaeans; but my father Zeus is mad with spleen, ever foiling me, ever headstrong and unjust.

Homeric Greek

σχέτλιος, αἰὲν ἀλιτρός, ἐμῶν μενέων ἀπερωεύς:

οὐδέ τι τῶν μέμνηται, ὅ οἱ μάλα πολλάκις υἱὸν

τειρόμενον σώεσκον ὑπ' Εὐρυσθῆος ἀέθλων.

ἤτοι ὃ μὲν κλαίεσκε πρὸς οὐρανόν, αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ Ζεὺς

365τῷ ἐπαλεξήσουσαν ἀπ' οὐρανόθεν προί̈αλλεν.

Transliteration

schetlios, aien alitros, emōn meneōn aperōeus:

oude ti tōn memnētai, ho hoi mala pollakis huion

teiromenon sōeskon hyp' Eurysthēos aethlōn.

ētoi ho men klaieske pros ouranon, autar eme Zeus

365tōi epalexēsousan ap' ouranothen proïallen.

English

He forgets how often I saved his son when he was worn out by the labors Eurystheus had laid on him. He would weep till his cry came up to heaven, and then Zeus would send me down to help him;

Homeric Greek

εἰ γὰρ ἐγὼ τάδε ᾔδε' ἐνὶ φρεσὶ πευκαλίμῃσιν

εὖτέ μιν εἰς Ἀί̈δαο πυλάρταο προὔπεμψεν

ἐξ Ἐρέβευς ἄξοντα κύνα στυγεροῦ Ἀί̈δαο,

οὐκ ἂν ὑπεξέφυγε Στυγὸς ὕδατος αἰπὰ ῥέεθρα.

370νῦν δ' ἐμὲ μὲν στυγέει, Θέτιδος δ' ἐξήνυσε βουλάς,

Transliteration

ei gar egō tade ēide' eni phresi peukalimēisin

eute min eis Aïdao pylartao proupempsen

ex Erebeus axonta kyna stygerou Aïdao,

ouk an hypexephyge Stygos hydatos aipa rheethra.

370nyn d' eme men stygeei, Thetidos d' exēnyse boulas,

English

if I had had the sense to foresee all this, when Eurystheus sent him to the house of Hades, to fetch the hell-hound from Erebos, he would never have come back alive out of the deep waters of the river Styx.

Homeric Greek

ἥ οἱ γούνατ' ἔκυσσε καὶ ἔλλαβε χειρὶ γενείου,

λισσομένη τιμῆσαι Ἀχιλλῆα πτολίπορθον.

ἔσται μὰν ὅτ' ἂν αὖτε φίλην γλαυκώπιδα εἴπῃ.

ἀλλὰ σὰ μὲν νῦν νῶϊν ἐπέντυε μώνυχας ἵππους,

375ὄφρ' ἂν ἐγὼ καταδῦσα Διὸς δόμον αἰγιόχοιο

Transliteration

hē hoi gounat' ekysse kai ellabe cheiri geneiou,

lissomenē timēsai Achillēa ptoliporthon.

estai man hot' an aute philēn glaukōpida eipēi.

alla sa men nyn nōïn epentye mōnychas hippous,

375ophr' an egō katadysa Dios domon aigiochoio

English

And now Zeus hates me, while he lets Thetis have her way because she kissed his knees and took hold of his beard, when she was begging him to do honor to Achilles. I shall know what to do next time he begins calling me his gray-eyed darling.

Homeric Greek

τεύχεσιν ἐς πόλεμον θωρήξομαι, ὄφρα ἴδωμαι

ἢ νῶϊ Πριάμοιο πάϊς κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ

γηθήσει προφανέντε ἀνὰ πτολέμοιο γεφύρας,

ἦ τις καὶ Τρώων κορέει κύνας ἠδ' οἰωνοὺς

380δημῷ καὶ σάρκεσσι, πεσὼν ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.

Transliteration

teuchesin es polemon thōrēxomai, ophra idōmai

ē nōï Priamoio païs korythaiolos Hektōr

gēthēsei prophanente ana ptolemoio gephyras,

ē tis kai Trōōn koreei kynas ēd' oiōnous

380dēmōi kai sarkessi, pesōn epi nēusin Achaiōn.

English

Get our horses ready, while I go within the house of aegis-bearing Zeus and put on my armor; we shall then find out whether Priam's son Hektor will be glad to meet us in the highways of battle, or whether the Trojans will glut hounds and vultures with the fat of their flesh as they he dead by the ships of the Achaeans."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη.

ἣ μὲν ἐποιχομένη χρυσάμπυκας ἔντυεν ἵππους

Ἥρη πρέσβα θεὰ θυγάτηρ μεγάλοιο Κρόνοιο:

αὐτὰρ Ἀθηναίη κούρη Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο

385πέπλον μὲν κατέχευεν ἑανὸν πατρὸς ἐπ' οὔδει

Transliteration

hōs ephat', oud' apithēse thea leukōlenos Hērē.

hē men epoichomenē chrysampykas entyen hippous

Hērē presba thea thygatēr megaloio Kronoio:

autar Athēnaiē kourē Dios aigiochoio

385peplon men katecheuen heanon patros ep' oudei

English

Thus did she speak and white-armed Hera, daughter of great Kronos, obeyed her words; she set about harnessing her gold-bedizened steeds, while Athena daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus flung her richly vesture, made with her own hands,

Homeric Greek

ποικίλον, ὅν ῥ' αὐτὴ ποιήσατο καὶ κάμε χερσίν,

ἣ δὲ χιτῶν' ἐνδῦσα Διὸς νεφεληγερέταο

τεύχεσιν ἐς πόλεμον θωρήσσετο δακρυόεντα.

ἐς δ' ὄχεα φλόγεα ποσὶ βήσετο, λάζετο δ' ἔγχος

390βριθὺ μέγα στιβαρόν, τῷ δάμνησι στίχας ἀνδρῶν

Transliteration

poikilon, hon rh' autē poiēsato kai kame chersin,

hē de chitōn' endysa Dios nephelēgeretao

teuchesin es polemon thōrēsseto dakryoenta.

es d' ochea phlogea posi bēseto, lazeto d' enchos

390brithy mega stibaron, tōi damnēsi stichas andrōn

English

on to the threshold of her father, and donned the shirt of Zeus, arming herself for battle. Then she stepped into her flaming chariot, and grasped the spear so stout and sturdy and strong with which she quells the ranks of heroes who have displeased her.

Homeric Greek

ἡρώων, τοῖσίν τε κοτέσσεται ὀβριμοπάτρη.

Ἥρη δὲ μάστιγι θοῶς ἐπεμαίετ' ἄρ' ἵππους:

αὐτόμαται δὲ πύλαι μύκον οὐρανοῦ ἃς ἔχον Ὧραι,

τῇς ἐπιτέτραπται μέγας οὐρανὸς Οὔλυμπός τε

395ἠμὲν ἀνακλῖναι πυκινὸν νέφος ἠδ' ἐπιθεῖναι.

Transliteration

hērōōn, toisin te kotessetai obrimopatrē.

Hērē de mastigi thoōs epemaiet' ar' hippous:

automatai de pylai mykon ouranou has echon Hōrai,

tēis epitetraptai megas ouranos Oulympos te

395ēmen anaklinai pykinon nephos ēd' epitheinai.

English

Hera lashed her horses, and the gates of heaven bellowed as they flew open of their own accord- gates over which the Hours preside, in whose hands are heaven and Olympus, either to open the dense cloud that hides them or to close it.

Homeric Greek

τῇ ῥα δι' αὐτάων κεντρηνεκέας ἔχον ἵππους.

Ζεὺς δὲ πατὴρ Ἴδηθεν ἐπεὶ ἴδε χώσατ' ἄρ' αἰνῶς,

Ἶριν δ' ὄτρυνε χρυσόπτερον ἀγγελέουσαν:

βάσκ' ἴθι Ἶρι ταχεῖα, πάλιν τρέπε μηδ' ἔα ἄντην

400ἔρχεσθ': οὐ γὰρ καλὰ συνοισόμεθα πτόλεμον δέ.

Transliteration

tēi rha di' autaōn kentrēnekeas echon hippous.

Zeus de patēr Idēthen epei ide chōsat' ar' ainōs,

Irin d' otryne chrysopteron angeleousan:

bask' ithi Iri tacheia, palin trepe mēd' ea antēn

400erchesth': ou gar kala synoisometha ptolemon de.

English

Through these the goddesses drove their obedient steeds. But father Zeus when he saw them from Ida was very angry, and sent winged Iris with a message to them. "Go," said he, "fleet Iris, turn them back, and see that they do not come near me, for if we come to fighting there will be mischief.

Homeric Greek

ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται:

γυιώσω μέν σφωϊν ὑφ' ἅρμασιν ὠκέας ἵππους,

αὐτὰς δ' ἐκ δίφρου βαλέω κατά θ' ἅρματα ἄξω:

οὐδέ κεν ἐς δεκάτους περιτελλομένους ἐνιαυτοὺς

405ἕλκε' ἀπαλθήσεσθον, ἅ κεν μάρπτῃσι κεραυνός:

Transliteration

hōde gar exereō, to de kai tetelesmenon estai:

guiōsō men sphōïn hyph' harmasin ōkeas hippous,

autas d' ek diphrou baleō kata th' harmata axō:

oude ken es dekatous peritellomenous eniautous

405helke' apalthēsesthon, ha ken marptēisi keraunos:

English

This is what I say, and this is what I mean to do. I will lame their horses for them; I will hurl them from their chariot, and will break it in pieces. It will take them all ten years to heal the wounds my lightning shall inflict upon them;

Homeric Greek

ὄφρα ἰδῇ γλαυκῶπις ὅτ' ἂν ᾧ πατρὶ μάχηται.

Ἥρῃ δ' οὔ τι τόσον νεμεσίζομαι οὐδὲ χολοῦμαι:

αἰεὶ γάρ μοι ἔωθεν ἐνικλᾶν ὅττί κεν εἴπω.

ὣς ἔφατ', ὦρτο δὲ Ἶρις ἀελλόπος ἀγγελέουσα,

410βῆ δ' ἐξ Ἰδαίων ὀρέων ἐς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον.

Transliteration

ophra idēi glaukōpis hot' an hōi patri machētai.

Hērēi d' ou ti toson nemesizomai oude choloumai:

aiei gar moi eōthen eniklan hotti ken eipō.

hōs ephat', ōrto de Iris aellopos angeleousa,

410bē d' ex Idaiōn oreōn es makron Olympon.

English

my gray-eyed daughter will then learn what quarreling with her father means. I am less surprised and angry with Hera, for whatever I say she always contradicts me." With this Iris went her way, fleet as the wind, from the heights of Ida to the lofty summits of Olympus.

Homeric Greek

πρώτῃσιν δὲ πύλῃσι πολυπτύχου Οὐλύμποιο

ἀντομένη κατέρυκε, Διὸς δέ σφ' ἔννεπε μῦθον:

πῇ μέματον; τί σφῶϊν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μαίνεται ἦτορ;

οὐκ ἐάᾳ Κρονίδης ἐπαμυνέμεν Ἀργείοισιν.

415ὧδε γὰρ ἠπείλησε Κρόνου πάϊς, ᾗ τελέει περ,

Transliteration

prōtēisin de pylēisi polyptychou Oulympoio

antomenē kateryke, Dios de sph' ennepe mython:

pēi mematon; ti sphōïn eni phresi mainetai ētor;

ouk eaāi Kronidēs epamynemen Argeioisin.

415hōde gar ēpeilēse Kronou païs, hēi teleei per,

English

She met the goddesses at the outer gates of its many valleys and gave them her message. "What," said she, "are you about? Are you mad? The son of Kronos forbids going. This is what he says, and this is he means to do, he

Homeric Greek

γυιώσειν μὲν σφῶϊν ὑφ' ἅρμασιν ὠκέας ἵππους,

αὐτὰς δ' ἐκ δίφρου βαλέειν κατά θ' ἅρματα ἄξειν:

οὐδέ κεν ἐς δεκάτους περιτελλομένους ἐνιαυτοὺς

ἕλκε' ἀπαλθήσεσθον, ἅ κεν μάρπτῃσι κεραυνός:

420ὄφρα ἰδῇς γλαυκῶπι ὅτ' ἂν σῷ πατρὶ μάχηαι.

Transliteration

guiōsein men sphōïn hyph' harmasin ōkeas hippous,

autas d' ek diphrou baleein kata th' harmata axein:

oude ken es dekatous peritellomenous eniautous

helke' apalthēsesthon, ha ken marptēisi keraunos:

420ophra idēis glaukōpi hot' an sōi patri machēai.

English

will lame your horses for you, he will hurl you from your chariot, and will break it in pieces. It will take you all ten years to heal the wounds his lightning will inflict upon you, that you may learn, gray-eyed goddess, what quarreling with your father means.

Homeric Greek

Ἥρῃ δ' οὔ τι τόσον νεμεσίζεται οὐδὲ χολοῦται:

αἰεὶ γάρ οἱ ἔωθεν ἐνικλᾶν ὅττι κεν εἴπῃ:

ἀλλὰ σύ γ' αἰνοτάτη κύον ἀδεὲς εἰ ἐτεόν γε

τολμήσεις Διὸς ἄντα πελώριον ἔγχος ἀεῖραι.

425ἣ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰποῦσ' ἀπέβη πόδας ὠκέα Ἶρις,

Transliteration

Hērēi d' ou ti toson nemesizetai oude choloutai:

aiei gar hoi eōthen eniklan hotti ken eipēi:

alla sy g' ainotatē kyon adees ei eteon ge

tolmēseis Dios anta pelōrion enchos aeirai.

425hē men ar' hōs eipous' apebē podas ōkea Iris,

English

He is less hurt and angry with Hera, for whatever he says she always contradicts him but you, bold hussy, will you really dare to raise your huge spear in defiance of Zeus?" With this she left them, and Hera said

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ Ἀθηναίην Ἥρη πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:

ὢ πόποι αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς τέκος, οὐκέτ' ἔγωγε

νῶϊ ἐῶ Διὸς ἄντα βροτῶν ἕνεκα πτολεμίζειν:

τῶν ἄλλος μὲν ἀποφθίσθω, ἄλλος δὲ βιώτω,

430ὅς κε τύχῃ: κεῖνος δὲ τὰ ἃ φρονέων ἐνὶ θυμῷ

Transliteration

autar Athēnaiēn Hērē pros mython eeipen:

ō popoi aigiochoio Dios tekos, ouket' egōge

nōï eō Dios anta brotōn heneka ptolemizein:

tōn allos men apophthisthō, allos de biōtō,

430hos ke tychēi: keinos de ta ha phroneōn eni thymōi

English

to Athena, "Of a truth, child of aegis-bearing Zeus, I am not for fighting men's battles further in defiance of Zeus. Let them live or die as luck will have it, and let Zeus mete out his judgments upon the

Homeric Greek

Τρωσί τε καὶ Δαναοῖσι δικαζέτω, ὡς ἐπιεικές.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασα πάλιν τρέπε μώνυχας ἵππους:

τῇσιν δ' Ὧραι μὲν λῦσαν καλλίτριχας ἵππους,

καὶ τοὺς μὲν κατέδησαν ἐπ' ἀμβροσίῃσι κάπῃσιν,

435ἅρματα δ' ἔκλιναν πρὸς ἐνώπια παμφανόωντα:

Transliteration

Trōsi te kai Danaoisi dikazetō, hōs epieikes.

hōs ara phōnēsasa palin trepe mōnychas hippous:

tēisin d' Hōrai men lysan kallitrichas hippous,

kai tous men katedēsan ep' ambrosiēisi kapēisin,

435harmata d' eklinan pros enōpia pamphanoōnta:

English

Trojans and Danaans according to his own pleasure." She turned her steeds; the Hours presently unyoked them, made them fast to their ambrosial mangers, and leaned the chariot against the end wall of the courtyard.

Homeric Greek

αὐταὶ δὲ χρυσέοισιν ἐπὶ κλισμοῖσι κάθιζον

μίγδ' ἄλλοισι θεοῖσι, φίλον τετιημέναι ἦτορ.

Ζεὺς δὲ πατὴρ Ἴδηθεν ἐύ̈τροχον ἅρμα καὶ ἵππους

Οὔλυμπον δὲ δίωκε, θεῶν δ' ἐξίκετο θώκους.

440τῷ δὲ καὶ ἵππους μὲν λῦσε κλυτὸς ἐννοσίγαιος,

Transliteration

autai de chryseoisin epi klismoisi kathizon

migd' alloisi theoisi, philon tetiēmenai ētor.

Zeus de patēr Idēthen eÿtrochon harma kai hippous

Oulympon de diōke, theōn d' exiketo thōkous.

440tōi de kai hippous men lyse klytos ennosigaios,

English

The two goddesses then sat down upon their golden thrones, amid the company of the other gods; but they were very angry. Presently father Zeus drove his chariot to Olympus, and entered the assembly of gods. The mighty lord of the earthquake unyoked his horses for him, set the car upon its stand, and threw a cloth over it.

Homeric Greek

ἅρματα δ' ἂμ βωμοῖσι τίθει κατὰ λῖτα πετάσσας:

αὐτὸς δὲ χρύσειον ἐπὶ θρόνον εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς

ἕζετο, τῷ δ' ὑπὸ ποσσὶ μέγας πελεμίζετ' Ὄλυμπος.

αἳ δ' οἶαι Διὸς ἀμφὶς Ἀθηναίη τε καὶ Ἥρη

445ἥσθην, οὐδέ τί μιν προσεφώνεον οὐδ' ἐρέοντο:

Transliteration

harmata d' am bōmoisi tithei kata lita petassas:

autos de chryseion epi thronon euryopa Zeus

hezeto, tōi d' hypo possi megas pelemizet' Olympos.

hai d' oiai Dios amphis Athēnaiē te kai Hērē

445hēsthēn, oude ti min prosephōneon oud' ereonto:

English

Zeus then sat down upon his golden throne and Olympus reeled beneath him. Athena and Hera sat alone, apart from Zeus, and neither spoke nor asked him questions, but Zeus knew what they meant, and said, "Athena and Hera, why are you so angry?

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ὃ ἔγνω ᾗσιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ φώνησέν τε:

τίφθ' οὕτω τετίησθον Ἀθηναίη τε καὶ Ἥρη;

οὐ μέν θην κάμετόν γε μάχῃ ἔνι κυδιανείρῃ

ὀλλῦσαι Τρῶας, τοῖσιν κότον αἰνὸν ἔθεσθε.

450πάντως, οἷον ἐμόν γε μένος καὶ χεῖρες ἄαπτοι,

Transliteration

autar ho egnō hēisin eni phresi phōnēsen te:

tiphth' houtō tetiēsthon Athēnaiē te kai Hērē;

ou men thēn kameton ge machēi eni kydianeirēi

ollysai Trōas, toisin koton ainon ethesthe.

450pantōs, hoion emon ge menos kai cheires aaptoi,

English

Are you fatigued with killing so many of your dear friends the Trojans? Be this as it may, such is the might of my hands that all the gods in Olympus cannot turn me;

Homeric Greek

οὐκ ἄν με τρέψειαν ὅσοι θεοί εἰσ' ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ.

σφῶϊν δὲ πρίν περ τρόμος ἔλλαβε φαίδιμα γυῖα

πρὶν πόλεμόν τε ἰδεῖν πολέμοιό τε μέρμερα ἔργα.

ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, τὸ δέ κεν τετελεσμένον ἦεν:

455οὐκ ἂν ἐφ' ὑμετέρων ὀχέων πληγέντε κεραυνῷ

Transliteration

ouk an me trepseian hosoi theoi eis' en Olympōi.

sphōïn de prin per tromos ellabe phaidima guia

prin polemon te idein polemoio te mermera erga.

hōde gar exereō, to de ken tetelesmenon ēen:

455ouk an eph' hymeterōn ocheōn plēgente keraunōi

English

you were both of you trembling all over ere ever you saw the fight and its terrible doings. I tell you therefore-and it would have surely been - I should have struck you with lighting, and your chariots would

Homeric Greek

ἂψ ἐς Ὄλυμπον ἵκεσθον, ἵν' ἀθανάτων ἕδος ἐστίν.

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

πλησίαι αἵ γ' ἥσθην, κακὰ δὲ Τρώεσσι μεδέσθην.

ἤτοι Ἀθηναίη ἀκέων ἦν οὐδέ τι εἶπε

460σκυζομένη Διὶ πατρί, χόλος δέ μιν ἄγριος ᾕρει:

Transliteration

aps es Olympon hikesthon, hin' athanatōn hedos estin.

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

plēsiai hai g' hēsthēn, kaka de Trōessi medesthēn.

ētoi Athēnaiē akeōn ēn oude ti eipe

460skyzomenē Dii patri, cholos de min agrios hēirei:

English

never have brought you back again to Olympus." Athena and Hera groaned in spirit as they sat side by side and brooded mischief for the Trojans. Athena sat silent without a word, for she was in a furious passion and bitterly incensed against her father;

Homeric Greek

Ἥρῃ δ' οὐκ ἔχαδε στῆθος χόλον, ἀλλὰ προσηύδα:

αἰνότατε Κρονίδη ποῖον τὸν μῦθον ἔειπες.

εὖ νυ καὶ ἡμεῖς ἴδμεν ὅ τοι σθένος οὐκ ἀλαπαδνόν:

ἀλλ' ἔμπης Δαναῶν ὀλοφυρόμεθ' αἰχμητάων,

465οἵ κεν δὴ κακὸν οἶτον ἀναπλήσαντες ὄλωνται.

Transliteration

Hērēi d' ouk echade stēthos cholon, alla prosēuda:

ainotate Kronidē poion ton mython eeipes.

eu ny kai hēmeis idmen ho toi sthenos ouk alapadnon:

all' empēs Danaōn olophyrometh' aichmētaōn,

465hoi ken dē kakon oiton anaplēsantes olōntai.

English

but Hera could not contain herself and said, "What, dread son of Kronos, are you talking about? We know how great your power is, nevertheless we have compassion upon the Danaan warriors who are perishing and coming to a bad end. We will, however, since you so bid us,

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἤτοι πολέμου μὲν ἀφεξόμεθ', εἰ σὺ κελεύεις:

βουλὴν δ' Ἀργείοις ὑποθησόμεθ' ἥ τις ὀνήσει,

ὡς μὴ πάντες ὄλωνται ὀδυσσαμένοιο τεοῖο.

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:

470ἠοῦς δὴ καὶ μᾶλλον ὑπερμενέα Κρονίωνα

Transliteration

all' ētoi polemou men aphexometh', ei sy keleueis:

boulēn d' Argeiois hypothēsometh' hē tis onēsei,

hōs mē pantes olōntai odyssamenoio teoio.

tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:

470ēous dē kai mallon hypermenea Kroniōna

English

refrain from actual fighting, but we will make serviceable suggestions to the Argives, that they may not all of them perish in your displeasure." And Zeus answered, "Tomorrow morning, Hera, if you choose to do so, you will see the son

Homeric Greek

ὄψεαι, αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα, βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη

ὀλλύντ' Ἀργείων πουλὺν στρατὸν αἰχμητάων:

οὐ γὰρ πρὶν πολέμου ἀποπαύσεται ὄβριμος Ἕκτωρ

πρὶν ὄρθαι παρὰ ναῦφι ποδώκεα Πηλεί̈ωνα,

475ἤματι τῷ ὅτ' ἂν οἳ μὲν ἐπὶ πρύμνῃσι μάχωνται

Transliteration

opseai, ai k' ethelēistha, boōpis potnia Hērē

ollynt' Argeiōn poulyn straton aichmētaōn:

ou gar prin polemou apopausetai obrimos Hektōr

prin orthai para nauphi podōkea Pēleïōna,

475ēmati tōi hot' an hoi men epi prymnēisi machōntai

English

of Kronos destroying large numbers of the Argives, for fierce Hektor shall not cease fighting till he has roused the son of Peleus when they are fighting in dire straits at their ships' sterns about the body of Patroklos.

Homeric Greek

στείνει ἐν αἰνοτάτῳ περὶ Πατρόκλοιο θανόντος:

ὣς γὰρ θέσφατόν ἐστι: σέθεν δ' ἐγὼ οὐκ ἀλεγίζω

χωομένης, οὐδ' εἴ κε τὰ νείατα πείραθ' ἵκηαι

γαίης καὶ πόντοιο, ἵν' Ἰάπετός τε Κρόνος τε

480ἥμενοι οὔτ' αὐγῇς Ὑπερίονος Ἠελίοιο

Transliteration

steinei en ainotatōi peri Patrokloio thanontos:

hōs gar thesphaton esti: sethen d' egō ouk alegizō

chōomenēs, oud' ei ke ta neiata peirath' hikēai

gaiēs kai pontoio, hin' Iapetos te Kronos te

480hēmenoi out' augēis Hyperionos Ēelioio

English

Like it or no, this is how it is decreed; for I don't care, you may go to the lowest depths beneath earth and sea, where Iapetos and Kronos dwell in lone Tartaros with neither ray of light nor breath of wind to cheer them.

Homeric Greek

τέρποντ' οὔτ' ἀνέμοισι, βαθὺς δέ τε Τάρταρος ἀμφίς:

οὐδ' ἢν ἔνθ' ἀφίκηαι ἀλωμένη, οὔ σευ ἔγωγε

σκυζομένης ἀλέγω, ἐπεὶ οὐ σέο κύντερον ἄλλο.

ὣς φάτο, τὸν δ' οὔ τι προσέφη λευκώλενος Ἥρη.

485ἐν δ' ἔπεσ' Ὠκεανῷ λαμπρὸν φάος ἠελίοιο

Transliteration

terpont' out' anemoisi, bathys de te Tartaros amphis:

oud' ēn enth' aphikēai alōmenē, ou seu egōge

skyzomenēs alegō, epei ou seo kynteron allo.

hōs phato, ton d' ou ti prosephē leukōlenos Hērē.

485en d' epes' Ōkeanōi lampron phaos ēelioio

English

You may go on and on till you get there, and I shall not care one whit for your displeasure; you are the greatest vixen living." Hera made him no answer. The sun's glorious orb now sank into Okeanos and drew down night over the land.

Homeric Greek

ἕλκον νύκτα μέλαιναν ἐπὶ ζείδωρον ἄρουραν.

Τρωσὶν μέν ῥ' ἀέκουσιν ἔδυ φάος, αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοῖς

ἀσπασίη τρίλλιστος ἐπήλυθε νὺξ ἐρεβεννή.

Τρώων αὖτ' ἀγορὴν ποιήσατο φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ

490νόσφι νεῶν ἀγαγὼν ποταμῷ ἔπι δινήεντι,

Transliteration

helkon nykta melainan epi zeidōron arouran.

Trōsin men rh' aekousin edy phaos, autar Achaiois

aspasiē trillistos epēlythe nyx erebennē.

Trōōn aut' agorēn poiēsato phaidimos Hektōr

490nosphi neōn agagōn potamōi epi dinēenti,

English

Sorry indeed were the Trojans when light failed them, but welcome and thrice prayed for did darkness fall upon the Achaeans. Then Hektor led the Trojans back from the ships, and held a council on the open space near the river, where there was a spot ear corpses.

Homeric Greek

ἐν καθαρῷ ὅθι δὴ νεκύων διεφαίνετο χῶρος.

ἐξ ἵππων δ' ἀποβάντες ἐπὶ χθόνα μῦθον ἄκουον

τόν ῥ' Ἕκτωρ ἀγόρευε Διὶ̈ φίλος: ἐν δ' ἄρα χειρὶ

ἔγχος ἔχ' ἑνδεκάπηχυ: πάροιθε δὲ λάμπετο δουρὸς

495αἰχμὴ χαλκείη, περὶ δὲ χρύσεος θέε πόρκης,

Transliteration

en katharōi hothi dē nekyōn diephaineto chōros.

ex hippōn d' apobantes epi chthona mython akouon

ton rh' Hektōr agoreue Diï philos: en d' ara cheiri

enchos ech' hendekapēchy: paroithe de lampeto douros

495aichmē chalkeiē, peri de chryseos thee porkēs,

English

They left their chariots and sat down on the ground to hear the speech he made them. He grasped a spear eleven cubits long, the bronze point of which gleamed in front of it, while the ring round the spear-head was of gold Spear in hand he spoke.

Homeric Greek

τῷ ὅ γ' ἐρεισάμενος ἔπεα Τρώεσσι μετηύδα:

κέκλυτέ μευ Τρῶες καὶ Δάρδανοι ἠδ' ἐπίκουροι:

νῦν ἐφάμην νῆάς τ' ὀλέσας καὶ πάντας Ἀχαιοὺς

ἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν προτὶ Ἴλιον ἠνεμόεσσαν:

500ἀλλὰ πρὶν κνέφας ἦλθε, τὸ νῦν ἐσάωσε μάλιστα

Transliteration

tōi ho g' ereisamenos epea Trōessi metēuda:

keklyte meu Trōes kai Dardanoi ēd' epikouroi:

nyn ephamēn nēas t' olesas kai pantas Achaious

aps aponostēsein proti Ilion ēnemoessan:

500alla prin knephas ēlthe, to nyn esaōse malista

English

"Hear me," said he, "Trojans, Dardanians, and allies. I deemed but now that I should destroy the ships and all the Achaeans with them ere I went back to Ilion, but darkness came on too soon. It was this alone that saved them and their ships upon the seashore.

Homeric Greek

Ἀργείους καὶ νῆας ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης.

ἀλλ' ἤτοι νῦν μὲν πειθώμεθα νυκτὶ μελαίνῃ

δόρπά τ' ἐφοπλισόμεσθα: ἀτὰρ καλλίτριχας ἵππους

λύσαθ' ὑπὲξ ὀχέων, παρὰ δέ σφισι βάλλετ' ἐδωδήν:

505ἐκ πόλιος δ' ἄξεσθε βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα

Transliteration

Argeious kai nēas epi rhēgmini thalassēs.

all' ētoi nyn men peithōmetha nykti melainēi

dorpa t' ephoplisomestha: atar kallitrichas hippous

lysath' hypex ocheōn, para de sphisi ballet' edōdēn:

505ek polios d' axesthe boas kai iphia mēla

English

Now, therefore, let us obey the behests of night, and prepare our suppers. Take your horses out of their chariots and give them their feeds of grain; then make speed to bring sheep and cattle from the city;

Homeric Greek

καρπαλίμως, οἶνον δὲ μελίφρονα οἰνίζεσθε

σῖτόν τ' ἐκ μεγάρων, ἐπὶ δὲ ξύλα πολλὰ λέγεσθε,

ὥς κεν παννύχιοι μέσφ' ἠοῦς ἠριγενείης

καίωμεν πυρὰ πολλά, σέλας δ' εἰς οὐρανὸν ἵκῃ,

510μή πως καὶ διὰ νύκτα κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ

Transliteration

karpalimōs, oinon de meliphrona oinizesthe

siton t' ek megarōn, epi de xyla polla legesthe,

hōs ken pannychioi mesph' ēous ērigeneiēs

kaiōmen pyra polla, selas d' eis ouranon hikēi,

510mē pōs kai dia nykta karē komoōntes Achaioi

English

bring wine also and grain for your horses and gather much wood, that from dark till dawn we may burn watchfires whose flare may reach to heaven. For the Achaeans may try to flee beyond the sea by night, and they must not embark scatheless and unmolested;

Homeric Greek

φεύγειν ὁρμήσωνται ἐπ' εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσης.

μὴ μὰν ἀσπουδί γε νεῶν ἐπιβαῖεν ἕκηλοι,

ἀλλ' ὥς τις τούτων γε βέλος καὶ οἴκοθι πέσσῃ

βλήμενος ἢ ἰῷ ἢ ἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι

515νηὸς ἐπιθρῴσκων, ἵνα τις στυγέῃσι καὶ ἄλλος

Transliteration

pheugein hormēsōntai ep' eurea nōta thalassēs.

mē man aspoudi ge neōn epibaien hekēloi,

all' hōs tis toutōn ge belos kai oikothi pessēi

blēmenos ē iōi ē encheï oxyoenti

515nēos epithrōiskōn, hina tis stygeēisi kai allos

English

many a man among them must take a dart with him to nurse at home, hit with spear or arrow as he is leaping on board his ship, that others may fear to bring war and weeping upon the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

Τρωσὶν ἐφ' ἱπποδάμοισι φέρειν πολύδακρυν Ἄρηα.

κήρυκες δ' ἀνὰ ἄστυ Διὶ̈ φίλοι ἀγγελλόντων

παῖδας πρωθήβας πολιοκροτάφους τε γέροντας

λέξασθαι περὶ ἄστυ θεοδμήτων ἐπὶ πύργων:

520θηλύτεραι δὲ γυναῖκες ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἑκάστη

Transliteration

Trōsin eph' hippodamoisi pherein polydakryn Arēa.

kērykes d' ana asty Diï philoi angellontōn

paidas prōthēbas poliokrotaphous te gerontas

lexasthai peri asty theodmētōn epi pyrgōn:

520thēlyterai de gynaikes eni megaroisin hekastē

English

Moreover let the heralds tell it about the city that the growing youths and gray-bearded men are to camp upon its heaven-built walls. Let the women each of them light a great fire in her house, and let watch be safely kept lest the town be entered by surprise while the host is outside.

Homeric Greek

πῦρ μέγα καιόντων: φυλακὴ δέ τις ἔμπεδος ἔστω

μὴ λόχος εἰσέλθῃσι πόλιν λαῶν ἀπεόντων.

ὧδ' ἔστω Τρῶες μεγαλήτορες ὡς ἀγορεύω:

μῦθος δ' ὃς μὲν νῦν ὑγιὴς εἰρημένος ἔστω,

525τὸν δ' ἠοῦς Τρώεσσι μεθ' ἱπποδάμοις ἀγορεύσω.

Transliteration

pyr mega kaiontōn: phylakē de tis empedos estō

mē lochos eiselthēisi polin laōn apeontōn.

hōd' estō Trōes megalētores hōs agoreuō:

mythos d' hos men nyn hygiēs eirēmenos estō,

525ton d' ēous Trōessi meth' hippodamois agoreusō.

English

See to it, brave Trojans, as I have said, and let this suffice for the moment; at daybreak I will instruct you further. I pray in hope to Zeus and to the gods that we may then drive those fate-sped hounds from our land, for ‘tis the fates that have borne them and their ships hither.

Homeric Greek

ἔλπομαι εὐχόμενος Διί τ' ἄλλοισίν τε θεοῖσιν

ἐξελάαν ἐνθένδε κύνας κηρεσσιφορήτους,

οὓς κῆρες φορέουσι μελαινάων ἐπὶ νηῶν.

ἀλλ' ἤτοι ἐπὶ νυκτὶ φυλάξομεν ἡμέας αὐτούς,

530πρῶϊ δ' ὑπηοῖοι σὺν τεύχεσι θωρηχθέντες

Transliteration

elpomai euchomenos Dii t' alloisin te theoisin

exelaan enthende kynas kēressiphorētous,

hous kēres phoreousi melainaōn epi nēōn.

all' ētoi epi nykti phylaxomen hēmeas autous,

530prōï d' hypēoioi syn teuchesi thōrēchthentes

English

This night, therefore, let us keep watch, but with early morning let us put on our armor and rouse fierce war at the ships of the Achaeans; I shall then know whether brave Diomedes the son of Tydeus will drive

Homeric Greek

νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ἐγείρομεν ὀξὺν Ἄρηα.

εἴσομαι εἴ κέ μ' ὁ Τυδεί̈δης κρατερὸς Διομήδης

πὰρ νηῶν πρὸς τεῖχος ἀπώσεται, ἤ κεν ἐγὼ τὸν

χαλκῷ δῃώσας ἔναρα βροτόεντα φέρωμαι.

535αὔριον ἣν ἀρετὴν διαείσεται, εἴ κ' ἐμὸν ἔγχος

Transliteration

nēusin epi glaphyrēisin egeiromen oxyn Arēa.

eisomai ei ke m' ho Tydeïdēs krateros Diomēdēs

par nēōn pros teichos apōsetai, ē ken egō ton

chalkōi dēiōsas enara brotoenta pherōmai.

535aurion hēn aretēn diaeisetai, ei k' emon enchos

English

me back from the ships to the wall, or whether I shall myself slay him and carry off his bloodstained spoils. Tomorrow let him show his mettle, abide my spear if he dare.

Homeric Greek

μείνῃ ἐπερχόμενον: ἀλλ' ἐν πρώτοισιν ὀί̈ω

κείσεται οὐτηθείς, πολέες δ' ἀμφ' αὐτὸν ἑταῖροι

ἠελίου ἀνιόντος ἐς αὔριον: εἰ γὰρ ἐγὼν ὣς

εἴην ἀθάνατος καὶ ἀγήρως ἤματα πάντα,

540τιοίμην δ' ὡς τίετ' Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἀπόλλων,

Transliteration

meinēi eperchomenon: all' en prōtoisin oïō

keisetai outētheis, polees d' amph' auton hetairoi

ēeliou aniontos es aurion: ei gar egōn hōs

eiēn athanatos kai agērōs ēmata panta,

540tioimēn d' hōs tiet' Athēnaiē kai Apollōn,

English

I ween that at break of day, he shall be among the first to fall and many another of his comrades round him. Would that I were as sure of being immortal and never growing old, and of being worshipped like Athena and Apollo, as I am

Homeric Greek

ὡς νῦν ἡμέρη ἥδε κακὸν φέρει Ἀργείοισιν.

ὣς Ἕκτωρ ἀγόρευ', ἐπὶ δὲ Τρῶες κελάδησαν.

οἳ δ' ἵππους μὲν λῦσαν ὑπὸ ζυγοῦ ἱδρώοντας,

δῆσαν δ' ἱμάντεσσι παρ' ἅρμασιν οἷσιν ἕκαστος:

545ἐκ πόλιος δ' ἄξοντο βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα

Transliteration

hōs nyn hēmerē hēde kakon pherei Argeioisin.

hōs Hektōr agoreu', epi de Trōes keladēsan.

hoi d' hippous men lysan hypo zygou hidrōontas,

dēsan d' himantessi par' harmasin hoisin hekastos:

545ek polios d' axonto boas kai iphia mēla

English

that this day will bring evil to the Argives." Thus spoke Hektor and the Trojans shouted approval. They took their sweating steeds from under the yoke, and made them fast each by his own chariot.

Homeric Greek

καρπαλίμως, οἶνον δὲ μελίφρονα οἰνίζοντο,

σῖτόν τ' ἐκ μεγάρων, ἐπὶ δὲ ξύλα πολλὰ λέγοντο.

κνίσην δ' ἐκ πεδίου ἄνεμοι φέρον οὐρανὸν εἴσω.

οἳ δὲ μέγα φρονέοντες ἐπὶ πτολέμοιο γεφύρας

550εἴατο παννύχιοι, πυρὰ δέ σφισι καίετο πολλά.

Transliteration

karpalimōs, oinon de meliphrona oinizonto,

siton t' ek megarōn, epi de xyla polla legonto.

knisēn d' ek pediou anemoi pheron ouranon eisō.

hoi de mega phroneontes epi ptolemoio gephyras

550eiato pannychioi, pyra de sphisi kaieto polla.

English

They made haste to bring sheep and cattle from the city, they brought wine also and grain from their houses and gathered much wood. They then offered unblemished hecatombs to the immortals, and the wind carried the sweet savor of sacrifice to heaven - but the blessed gods partook not thereof, for they bitterly hated Ilion with Priam and Priam's people.

Homeric Greek

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἐν οὐρανῷ ἄστρα φαεινὴν ἀμφὶ σελήνην

φαίνετ' ἀριπρεπέα, ὅτε τ' ἔπλετο νήνεμος αἰθήρ:

ἔκ τ' ἔφανεν πᾶσαι σκοπιαὶ καὶ πρώονες ἄκροι

καὶ νάπαι: οὐρανόθεν δ' ἄρ' ὑπερράγη ἄσπετος αἰθήρ,

555πάντα δὲ εἴδεται ἄστρα, γέγηθε δέ τε φρένα ποιμήν:

Transliteration

hōs d' hot' en ouranōi astra phaeinēn amphi selēnēn

phainet' ariprepea, hote t' epleto nēnemos aithēr:

ek t' ephanen pasai skopiai kai prōones akroi

kai napai: ouranothen d' ar' hyperragē aspetos aithēr,

555panta de eidetai astra, gegēthe de te phrena poimēn:

English

Thus high in hope they sat through the livelong night by the highways of war, and many a watchfire did they kindle. As when the stars shine clear, and the moon is bright- there is not a breath of air, not a peak nor glade nor jutting headland but it stands out in the ineffable radiance that breaks from the serene of heaven;

Homeric Greek

τόσσα μεσηγὺ νεῶν ἠδὲ Ξάνθοιο ῥοάων

Τρώων καιόντων πυρὰ φαίνετο Ἰλιόθι πρό.

χίλι' ἄρ' ἐν πεδίῳ πυρὰ καίετο, πὰρ δὲ ἑκάστῳ

εἴατο πεντήκοντα σέλᾳ πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο.

560ἵπποι δὲ κρῖ λευκὸν ἐρεπτόμενοι καὶ ὀλύρας

Transliteration

tossa mesēgy neōn ēde Xanthoio rhoaōn

Trōōn kaiontōn pyra phaineto Iliothi pro.

chili' ar' en pediōi pyra kaieto, par de hekastōi

eiato pentēkonta selāi pyros aithomenoio.

560hippoi de kri leukon ereptomenoi kai olyras

English

the stars can all of them be told and the heart of the shepherd is glad - even thus shone the watchfires of the Trojans before Ilion midway between the ships and the river Xanthos. A thousand camp-fires gleamed upon the plain, and in the glow of each there sat fifty men, while the horses, champing

Homeric Greek

ἑσταότες παρ' ὄχεσφιν ἐύ̈θρονον Ἠῶ μίμνον.

Transliteration

hestaotes par' ochesphin eÿthronon Ēō mimnon.

English

oats and wheat beside their chariots, waited till dawn should come.