Book XI

Homeric Greek

1αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλθομεν ἠδὲ θάλασσαν,

νῆα μὲν ἂρ πάμπρωτον ἐρύσσαμεν εἰς ἅλα δῖαν,

ἐν δʼ ἱστὸν τιθέμεσθα καὶ ἱστία νηὶ μελαίνῃ,

ἐν δὲ τὰ μῆλα λαβόντες ἐβήσαμεν, ἂν δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ

5βαίνομεν ἀχνύμενοι θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες.

Transliteration

1autar epei rhʼ epi nēa katēlthomen ēde thalassan,

nēa men ar pamprōton erussamen eis hala dian,

en dʼ histon tithemestha kai histia nēi melainēi,

en de ta mēla labontes ebēsamen, an de kai autoi

5bainomen achnumenoi thaleron kata dakru cheontes.

English · Butler

Then, when we had got down to the sea shore we drew our ship into the water and got her mast and sails into her; we also put the sheep on board and took our places, weeping and in great distress of mind. Circe, that great and cunning goddess, sent us a fair wind that blew dead aft and stayed steadily with us keeping our sails all the time well filled; so we did whatever wanted doing to the ship's gear and let her go as the wind and helmsman headed her.

Homeric Greek

ἡμῖν δʼ αὖ κατόπισθε νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο

ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει πλησίστιον, ἐσθλὸν ἑταῖρον,

Κίρκη εὐπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεὸς αὐδήεσσα.

ἡμεῖς δʼ ὅπλα ἕκαστα πονησάμενοι κατὰ νῆα

10ἥμεθα· τὴν δʼ ἄνεμός τε κυβερνήτης τʼ ἴθυνε.

Transliteration

hēmin dʼ au katopisthe neos kuanoprōiroio

ikmenon ouron hiei plēsistion, esthlon hetairon,

Kirkē euplokamos, deinē theos audēessa.

hēmeis dʼ hopla hekasta ponēsamenoi kata nēa

10hēmetha· tēn dʼ anemos te kubernētēs tʼ ithune.

English · Butler

All day long her sails were full as she held her course over the sea, but when the sun went down and darkness was over all the earth, we got into the deep waters of

Homeric Greek

τῆς δὲ πανημερίης τέταθʼ ἱστία ποντοπορούσης·

δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί.

ἡ δʼ ἐς πείραθʼ ἵκανε βαθυρρόου Ὠκεανοῖο.

ἔνθα δὲ Κιμμερίων ἀνδρῶν δῆμός τε πόλις τε,

15ἠέρι καὶ νεφέλῃ κεκαλυμμένοι· οὐδέ ποτʼ αὐτοὺς

Transliteration

tēs de panēmeriēs tetathʼ histia pontoporousēs·

duseto tʼ ēelios skioōnto te pasai aguiai.

hē dʼ es peirathʼ hikane bathurroou Ōkeanoio.

entha de Kimmeriōn andrōn dēmos te polis te,

15ēeri kai nephelēi kekalummenoi· oude potʼ autous

English · Butler

the river Okeanos, where lie the dêmos and city of the Cimmerians who live enshrouded in mist and darkness which the rays of the sun never pierce neither at his rising nor as he goes

Homeric Greek

ἠέλιος φαέθων καταδέρκεται ἀκτίνεσσιν,

οὔθʼ ὁπότʼ ἂν στείχῃσι πρὸς οὐρανὸν ἀστερόεντα,

οὔθʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἂψ ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἀπʼ οὐρανόθεν προτράπηται,

ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ νὺξ ὀλοὴ τέταται δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσι.

20νῆα μὲν ἔνθʼ ἐλθόντες ἐκέλσαμεν, ἐκ δὲ τὰ μῆλα

Transliteration

ēelios phaethōn kataderketai aktinessin,

outhʼ hopotʼ an steichēisi pros ouranon asteroenta,

outhʼ hotʼ an aps epi gaian apʼ ouranothen protrapētai,

allʼ epi nux oloē tetatai deiloisi brotoisi.

20nēa men enthʼ elthontes ekelsamen, ek de ta mēla

English · Butler

down again out of the heavens, but the poor wretches live in one long melancholy night. When we got there we beached the ship, took the sheep out of her, and went along by the waters of Okeanos till

Homeric Greek

εἱλόμεθʼ· αὐτοὶ δʼ αὖτε παρὰ ῥόον Ὠκεανοῖο

ᾔομεν, ὄφρʼ ἐς χῶρον ἀφικόμεθʼ, ὃν φράσε Κίρκη.

ἔνθʼ ἱερήια μὲν Περιμήδης Εὐρύλοχός τε

ἔσχον· ἐγὼ δʼ ἄορ ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ

25βόθρον ὄρυξʼ ὅσσον τε πυγούσιον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα,

Transliteration

heilomethʼ· autoi dʼ aute para rhoon Ōkeanoio

ēiomen, ophrʼ es chōron aphikomethʼ, hon phrase Kirkē.

enthʼ hierēia men Perimēdēs Eurulochos te

eschon· egō dʼ aor oxu erussamenos para mērou

25bothron oruxʼ hosson te pugousion entha kai entha,

English · Butler

we came to the place of which Circe had told us. "Here Perimedes and Eurylokhos held the victims, while I drew my sword and dug the trench a cubit each way. I made a drink-offering to all the dead, first with honey and milk, then with wine, and thirdly

Homeric Greek

ἀμφʼ αὐτῷ δὲ χοὴν χεόμην πᾶσιν νεκύεσσι,

πρῶτα μελικρήτῳ, μετέπειτα δὲ ἡδέι οἴνῳ,

τὸ τρίτον αὖθʼ ὕδατι· ἐπὶ δʼ ἄλφιτα λευκὰ πάλυνον.

πολλὰ δὲ γουνούμην νεκύων ἀμενηνὰ κάρηνα,

30ἐλθὼν εἰς Ἰθάκην στεῖραν βοῦν, ἥ τις ἀρίστη,

Transliteration

amphʼ autōi de choēn cheomēn pasin nekuessi,

prōta melikrētōi, metepeita de hēdei oinōi,

to triton authʼ hudati· epi dʼ alphita leuka palunon.

polla de gounoumēn nekuōn amenēna karēna,

30elthōn eis Ithakēn steiran boun, hē tis aristē,

English · Butler

with water, and I sprinkled white barley meal over the whole, praying earnestly to the poor feckless ghosts, and promising them that when I got back to Ithaca I would sacrifice a barren heifer for them, the best I had, and would load the pyre with good things. I also particularly promised that Teiresias should have a black sheep to himself, the best in all my flocks.

Homeric Greek

ῥέξειν ἐν μεγάροισι πυρήν τʼ ἐμπλησέμεν ἐσθλῶν,

Τειρεσίῃ δʼ ἀπάνευθεν ὄιν ἱερευσέμεν οἴῳ

παμμέλανʼ, ὃς μήλοισι μεταπρέπει ἡμετέροισι.

τοὺς δʼ ἐπεὶ εὐχωλῇσι λιτῇσί τε, ἔθνεα νεκρῶν,

35ἐλλισάμην, τὰ δὲ μῆλα λαβὼν ἀπεδειροτόμησα

Transliteration

rhexein en megaroisi purēn tʼ emplēsemen esthlōn,

Teiresiēi dʼ apaneuthen oin hiereusemen oiōi

pammelanʼ, hos mēloisi metaprepei hēmeteroisi.

tous dʼ epei euchōlēisi litēisi te, ethnea nekrōn,

35ellisamēn, ta de mēla labōn apedeirotomēsa

English · Butler

When I had prayed sufficiently to the dead, I cut the throats of the two sheep and let the blood run into the trench, whereon the ghosts came trooping up from Erebus - brides, young bachelors, old men worn out

Homeric Greek

ἐς βόθρον, ῥέε δʼ αἷμα κελαινεφές· αἱ δʼ ἀγέροντο

ψυχαὶ ὑπὲξ Ἐρέβευς νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων.

νύμφαι τʼ ἠίθεοί τε πολύτλητοί τε γέροντες

παρθενικαί τʼ ἀταλαὶ νεοπενθέα θυμὸν ἔχουσαι,

40πολλοὶ δʼ οὐτάμενοι χαλκήρεσιν ἐγχείῃσιν,

Transliteration

es bothron, rhee dʼ haima kelainephes· hai dʼ ageronto

psuchai hupex Erebeus nekuōn katatethnēōtōn.

numphai tʼ ēitheoi te polutlētoi te gerontes

parthenikai tʼ atalai neopenthea thumon echousai,

40polloi dʼ outamenoi chalkēresin encheiēisin,

English · Butler

with toil, maids who had been crossed in love, and brave men who had been killed in battle, with their armor still smirched with blood; they came from every quarter and flitted round the trench with a strange kind of screaming sound that made me turn pale with fear. When I saw them coming I

Homeric Greek

ἄνδρες ἀρηίφατοι βεβροτωμένα τεύχεʼ ἔχοντες·

οἳ πολλοὶ περὶ βόθρον ἐφοίτων ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος

θεσπεσίῃ ἰαχῇ· ἐμὲ δὲ χλωρὸν δέος ᾕρει.

δὴ τότʼ ἔπειθʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνας ἐκέλευσα

45μῆλα, τὰ δὴ κατέκειτʼ ἐσφαγμένα νηλέι χαλκῷ,

Transliteration

andres arēiphatoi bebrotōmena teucheʼ echontes·

hoi polloi peri bothron ephoitōn allothen allos

thespesiēi iachēi· eme de chlōron deos hēirei.

dē totʼ epeithʼ hetaroisin epotrunas ekeleusa

45mēla, ta dē katekeitʼ esphagmena nēlei chalkōi,

English · Butler

told the men to be quick and flay the carcasses of the two dead sheep and make burnt offerings of them, and at the same time to repeat prayers to Hades and to Persephone; but I sat where I

Homeric Greek

δείραντας κατακῆαι, ἐπεύξασθαι δὲ θεοῖσιν,

ἰφθίμῳ τʼ Ἀΐδῃ καὶ ἐπαινῇ Περσεφονείῃ·

αὐτὸς δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ

ἥμην, οὐδʼ εἴων νεκύων ἀμενηνὰ κάρηνα

50αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, πρὶν Τειρεσίαο πυθέσθαι.

Transliteration

deirantas katakēai, epeuxasthai de theoisin,

iphthimōi tʼ Aïdēi kai epainēi Persephoneiēi·

autos de xiphos oxu erussamenos para mērou

hēmēn, oudʼ eiōn nekuōn amenēna karēna

50haimatos asson imen, prin Teiresiao puthesthai.

English · Butler

was with my sword drawn and would not let the poor feckless ghosts come near the blood till Teiresias should have answered my questions.

Homeric Greek

πρώτη δὲ ψυχὴ Ἐλπήνορος ἦλθεν ἑταίρου·

οὐ γάρ πω ἐτέθαπτο ὑπὸ χθονὸς εὐρυοδείης·

σῶμα γὰρ ἐν Κίρκης μεγάρῳ κατελείπομεν ἡμεῖς

ἄκλαυτον καὶ ἄθαπτον, ἐπεὶ πόνος ἄλλος ἔπειγε.

55τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ δάκρυσα ἰδὼν ἐλέησά τε θυμῷ,

Transliteration

prōtē de psuchē Elpēnoros ēlthen hetairou·

ou gar pō etethapto hupo chthonos euruodeiēs·

sōma gar en Kirkēs megarōi kateleipomen hēmeis

aklauton kai athapton, epei ponos allos epeige.

55ton men egō dakrusa idōn eleēsa te thumōi,

English · Butler

"The first ghost that came was that of my comrade Elpenor, for he had not yet been laid beneath the earth. We had left his body unwaked and unburied in Circe's house, for other labor was pressing us. I was very sorry for him, and cried when I saw him: ‘Elpenor,’ said I, ‘how did you come down here into this gloom and darkness? You have

Homeric Greek

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·

Ἐλπῆνορ, πῶς ἦλθες ὑπὸ ζόφον ἠερόεντα;

ἔφθης πεζὸς ἰὼν ἢ ἐγὼ σὺν νηὶ μελαίνῃ.

ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ οἰμώξας ἠμείβετο μύθῳ·

60διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

Transliteration

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēudōn·

Elpēnor, pōs ēlthes hupo zophon ēeroenta;

ephthēs pezos iōn ē egō sun nēi melainēi.

hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ oimōxas ēmeibeto muthōi·

60diogenes Laertiadē, polumēchanʼ Odusseu,

English · Butler

here on foot quicker than I have with my ship.’ "‘Sir,’ he answered with a groan, ‘it was all bad luck of a daimôn, and my own unspeakable drunkenness.

Homeric Greek

ἆσέ με δαίμονος αἶσα κακὴ καὶ ἀθέσφατος οἶνος.

Κίρκης δʼ ἐν μεγάρῳ καταλέγμενος οὐκ ἐνόησα

ἄψορρον καταβῆναι ἰὼν ἐς κλίμακα μακρήν,

ἀλλὰ καταντικρὺ τέγεος πέσον· ἐκ δέ μοι αὐχὴν

65ἀστραγάλων ἐάγη, ψυχὴ δʼ Ἄϊδόσδε κατῆλθε.

Transliteration

ase me daimonos aisa kakē kai athesphatos oinos.

Kirkēs dʼ en megarōi katalegmenos ouk enoēsa

apsorron katabēnai iōn es klimaka makrēn,

alla katantikru tegeos peson· ek de moi auchēn

65astragalōn eagē, psuchē dʼ Aïdosde katēlthe.

English · Butler

"‘Sir,’ he answered with a groan, ‘it was all bad luck of a daimôn, and my own unspeakable drunkenness. I was lying asleep on the top of Circe's house, and never thought of coming down again by the great staircase, but fell right off the roof and broke my neck, so my soul went down to the house of Hades. And now I beseech you by all those whom you have left behind you, though they are not

Homeric Greek

νῦν δέ σε τῶν ὄπιθεν γουνάζομαι, οὐ παρεόντων,

πρός τʼ ἀλόχου καὶ πατρός, ὅ σʼ ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐόντα,

Τηλεμάχου θʼ, ὃν μοῦνον ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἔλειπες·

οἶδα γὰρ ὡς ἐνθένδε κιὼν δόμου ἐξ Ἀίδαο

70νῆσον ἐς Αἰαίην σχήσεις ἐυεργέα νῆα·

Transliteration

nun de se tōn opithen gounazomai, ou pareontōn,

pros tʼ alochou kai patros, ho sʼ etrephe tutthon eonta,

Tēlemachou thʼ, hon mounon eni megaroisin eleipes·

oida gar hōs enthende kiōn domou ex Aidao

70nēson es Aiaiēn schēseis euergea nēa·

English · Butler

here, by your wife, by the father who brought you up when you were a child, and by Telemakhos who is the one hope of your house, do what I shall now ask you. I know that when you leave this limbo you will again hold your ship for the Aeaean island. Do not go thence leaving me unwaked and unburied behind you, or I may bring the gods' anger upon you;

Homeric Greek

ἔνθα σʼ ἔπειτα, ἄναξ, κέλομαι μνήσασθαι ἐμεῖο.

μή μʼ ἄκλαυτον ἄθαπτον ἰὼν ὄπιθεν καταλείπειν

νοσφισθείς, μή τοί τι θεῶν μήνιμα γένωμαι,

ἀλλά με κακκῆαι σὺν τεύχεσιν, ἅσσα μοι ἔστιν,

75σῆμά τέ μοι χεῦαι πολιῆς ἐπὶ θινὶ θαλάσσης,

Transliteration

entha sʼ epeita, anax, kelomai mnēsasthai emeio.

mē mʼ aklauton athapton iōn opithen kataleipein

nosphistheis, mē toi ti theōn mēnima genōmai,

alla me kakkēai sun teuchesin, hassa moi estin,

75sēma te moi cheuai poliēs epi thini thalassēs,

English · Butler

but burn me with whatever armor I have, build a grave marker for me on the sea shore that may tell people in days to come what a poor unlucky man I was, and plant

Homeric Greek

ἀνδρὸς δυστήνοιο καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι.

ταῦτά τέ μοι τελέσαι πῆξαί τʼ ἐπὶ τύμβῳ ἐρετμόν,

τῷ καὶ ζωὸς ἔρεσσον ἐὼν μετʼ ἐμοῖς ἑτάροισιν.

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

80ταῦτά τοι, ὦ δύστηνε, τελευτήσω τε καὶ ἔρξω.

Transliteration

andros dustēnoio kai essomenoisi puthesthai.

tauta te moi telesai pēxai tʼ epi tumbōi eretmon,

tōi kai zōos eresson eōn metʼ emois hetaroisin.

hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·

80tauta toi, ō dustēne, teleutēsō te kai erxō.

English · Butler

over my grave the oar I used to row with when I was yet alive and with my messmates.’ And I said, ‘My poor man, I will do all that you have asked of me.’

Homeric Greek

νῶι μὲν ὣς ἐπέεσσιν ἀμειβομένω στυγεροῖσιν

ἥμεθʼ, ἐγὼ μὲν ἄνευθεν ἐφʼ αἵματι φάσγανον ἴσχων,

εἴδωλον δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἑταίρου πόλλʼ ἀγόρευεν·

ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ μητρὸς κατατεθνηυίης,

85Αὐτολύκου θυγάτηρ μεγαλήτορος Ἀντίκλεια,

Transliteration

nōi men hōs epeessin ameibomenō stugeroisin

hēmethʼ, egō men aneuthen ephʼ haimati phasganon ischōn,

eidōlon dʼ heterōthen hetairou pollʼ agoreuen·

ēlthe dʼ epi psuchē mētros katatethnēuiēs,

85Autolukou thugatēr megalētoros Antikleia,

English · Butler

"Thus, then, did we sit and hold sad talk with one another, I on the one side of the trench with my sword held over the blood, and the ghost of my comrade saying all this to me from the other side. Then came the ghost of my dead mother Antikleia, daughter to Autolykos. I had left her alive when I set out for Troy and was moved to tears when I

Homeric Greek

τὴν ζωὴν κατέλειπον ἰὼν εἰς Ἴλιον ἱρήν.

τὴν μὲν ἐγὼ δάκρυσα ἰδὼν ἐλέησά τε θυμῷ·

ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς εἴων προτέρην, πυκινόν περ ἀχεύων,

αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, πρὶν Τειρεσίαο πυθέσθαι.

90ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο

Transliteration

tēn zōēn kateleipon iōn eis Ilion hirēn.

tēn men egō dakrusa idōn eleēsa te thumōi·

allʼ oudʼ hōs eiōn proterēn, pukinon per acheuōn,

haimatos asson imen, prin Teiresiao puthesthai.

90ēlthe dʼ epi psuchē Thēbaiou Teiresiao

English · Butler

saw her, but even so, for all my sorrow I would not let her come near the blood till I had asked my questions of Teiresias. "Then came also the ghost of Theban Teiresias, with his golden scepter in his hand.

Homeric Greek

χρύσεον σκῆπτρον ἔχων, ἐμὲ δʼ ἔγνω καὶ προσέειπεν·

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

τίπτʼ αὖτʼ, ὦ δύστηνε, λιπὼν φάος ἠελίοιο

ἤλυθες, ὄφρα ἴδῃ νέκυας καὶ ἀτερπέα χῶρον;

95ἀλλʼ ἀποχάζεο βόθρου, ἄπισχε δὲ φάσγανον ὀξύ,

Transliteration

chruseon skēptron echōn, eme dʼ egnō kai proseeipen·

diogenes Laertiadē, polumēchanʼ Odusseu,

tiptʼ autʼ, ō dustēne, lipōn phaos ēelioio

ēluthes, ophra idēi nekuas kai aterpea chōron;

95allʼ apochazeo bothrou, apische de phasganon oxu,

English · Butler

"Then came also the ghost of Theban Teiresias, with his golden scepter in his hand. He knew me and said, ‘Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, why, poor man, have you left the light of day and come down to visit the dead in this sad place? Stand back from the trench and withdraw your sword that I may drink of

Homeric Greek

αἵματος ὄφρα πίω καί τοι νημερτέα εἴπω.

ὣς φάτʼ, ἐγὼ δʼ ἀναχασσάμενος ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον

κουλεῷ ἐγκατέπηξʼ. ὁ δʼ ἐπεὶ πίεν αἷμα κελαινόν,

καὶ τότε δή μʼ ἐπέεσσι προσηύδα μάντις ἀμύμων·

100νόστον δίζηαι μελιηδέα, φαίδιμʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ·

Transliteration

haimatos ophra piō kai toi nēmertea eipō.

hōs phatʼ, egō dʼ anachassamenos xiphos arguroēlon

kouleōi enkatepēxʼ. ho dʼ epei pien haima kelainon,

kai tote dē mʼ epeessi prosēuda mantis amumōn·

100noston dizēai meliēdea, phaidimʼ Odusseu·

English · Butler

the blood and answer your questions truly.’ "So I drew back, and sheathed my sword, whereon when he had drank of the blood he began with his prophecy. "You want to know,’ said he, ‘about your return home, but heaven will make this hard for you.

Homeric Greek

τὸν δέ τοι ἀργαλέον θήσει θεός· οὐ γὰρ ὀίω

λήσειν ἐννοσίγαιον, ὅ τοι κότον ἔνθετο θυμῷ

χωόμενος ὅτι οἱ υἱὸν φίλον ἐξαλάωσας.

ἀλλʼ ἔτι μέν κε καὶ ὣς κακά περ πάσχοντες ἵκοισθε,

105αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃς σὸν θυμὸν ἐρυκακέειν καὶ ἑταίρων,

Transliteration

ton de toi argaleon thēsei theos· ou gar oiō

lēsein ennosigaion, ho toi koton entheto thumōi

chōomenos hoti hoi huion philon exalaōsas.

allʼ eti men ke kai hōs kaka per paschontes hikoisthe,

105ai kʼ ethelēis son thumon erukakeein kai hetairōn,

English · Butler

"You want to know,’ said he, ‘about your return home, but heaven will make this hard for you. I do not think that you will escape the eye of Poseidon, who still nurses his bitter grudge against you for having blinded his son. Still, after much suffering you may get home if you can restrain yourself and your companions when your ship reaches the Thrinacian island, where you will find

Homeric Greek

ὁππότε κε πρῶτον πελάσῃς ἐυεργέα νῆα

Θρινακίῃ νήσῳ, προφυγὼν ἰοειδέα πόντον,

βοσκομένας δʼ εὕρητε βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα

Ἠελίου, ὃς πάντʼ ἐφορᾷ καὶ πάντʼ ἐπακούει.

110τὰς εἰ μέν κʼ ἀσινέας ἐάᾳς νόστου τε μέδηαι,

Transliteration

hoppote ke prōton pelasēis euergea nēa

Thrinakiēi nēsōi, prophugōn ioeidea ponton,

boskomenas dʼ heurēte boas kai iphia mēla

Ēeliou, hos pantʼ ephorāi kai pantʼ epakouei.

110tas ei men kʼ asineas eaāis nostou te medēai,

English · Butler

the sheep and cattle belonging to the sun, who sees and gives ear to everything. If you leave these flocks unharmed and think of nothing but of getting home, you may yet after much hardship reach Ithaca; but if you harm them, then I forewarn you of the destruction both of your ship and of your men. Even though you may yourself escape, you

Homeric Greek

καί κεν ἔτʼ εἰς Ἰθάκην κακά περ πάσχοντες ἵκοισθε·

εἰ δέ κε σίνηαι, τότε τοι τεκμαίρομʼ ὄλεθρον,

νηί τε καὶ ἑτάροις. αὐτὸς δʼ εἴ πέρ κεν ἀλύξῃς,

ὀψὲ κακῶς νεῖαι, ὀλέσας ἄπο πάντας ἑταίρους,

115νηὸς ἐπʼ ἀλλοτρίης· δήεις δʼ ἐν πήματα οἴκῳ,

Transliteration

kai ken etʼ eis Ithakēn kaka per paschontes hikoisthe·

ei de ke sinēai, tote toi tekmairomʼ olethron,

nēi te kai hetarois. autos dʼ ei per ken aluxēis,

opse kakōs neiai, olesas apo pantas hetairous,

115nēos epʼ allotriēs· dēeis dʼ en pēmata oikōi,

English · Butler

will return in bad plight after losing all your men, in another man's ship, and you will find trouble in your house, which will be overrun by high-handed people, who are devouring your

Homeric Greek

ἄνδρας ὑπερφιάλους, οἵ τοι βίοτον κατέδουσι

μνώμενοι ἀντιθέην ἄλοχον καὶ ἕδνα διδόντες.

ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι κείνων γε βίας ἀποτίσεαι ἐλθών·

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν μνηστῆρας ἐνὶ μεγάροισι τεοῖσι

120κτείνῃς ἠὲ δόλῳ ἢ ἀμφαδὸν ὀξέι χαλκῷ,

Transliteration

andras huperphialous, hoi toi bioton katedousi

mnōmenoi antitheēn alochon kai hedna didontes.

allʼ ē toi keinōn ge bias apotiseai elthōn·

autar epēn mnēstēras eni megaroisi teoisi

120kteinēis ēe dolōi ē amphadon oxei chalkōi,

English · Butler

substance under the pretext of paying court and making presents to your wife. "‘When you get home you will take your revenge on these suitors; and after you have killed them by force or fraud in your own house, you must take a well-made oar and carry it on and on, till you come to a country where the people have never heard of the sea and do not even mix salt with their food, nor do they know anything about ships, and oars that are as the wings of a ship. I will give you this certain token which cannot escape your notice. A wayfarer will meet you and

Homeric Greek

ἔρχεσθαι δὴ ἔπειτα λαβὼν ἐυῆρες ἐρετμόν,

εἰς ὅ κε τοὺς ἀφίκηαι οἳ οὐκ ἴσασι θάλασσαν

ἀνέρες, οὐδέ θʼ ἅλεσσι μεμιγμένον εἶδαρ ἔδουσιν·

οὐδʼ ἄρα τοί γʼ ἴσασι νέας φοινικοπαρῄους

125οὐδʼ ἐυήρεʼ ἐρετμά, τά τε πτερὰ νηυσὶ πέλονται.

Transliteration

erchesthai dē epeita labōn euēres eretmon,

eis ho ke tous aphikēai hoi ouk isasi thalassan

aneres, oude thʼ halessi memigmenon eidar edousin·

oudʼ ara toi gʼ isasi neas phoinikoparēious

125oudʼ euēreʼ eretma, ta te ptera nēusi pelontai.

English · Butler

will say it must be a winnowing shovel that you have got upon your shoulder; on this you must fix the oar in the ground and sacrifice a ram, a bull, and a boar to Poseidon. Then go home and offer hecatombs to the gods in heaven one after the other. As for yourself,

Homeric Greek

σῆμα δέ τοι ἐρέω μάλʼ ἀριφραδές, οὐδέ σε λήσει·

ὁππότε κεν δή τοι συμβλήμενος ἄλλος ὁδίτης

φήῃ ἀθηρηλοιγὸν ἔχειν ἀνὰ φαιδίμῳ ὤμῳ,

καὶ τότε δὴ γαίῃ πήξας ἐυῆρες ἐρετμόν,

130ῥέξας ἱερὰ καλὰ Ποσειδάωνι ἄνακτι,

Transliteration

sēma de toi ereō malʼ ariphrades, oude se lēsei·

hoppote ken dē toi sumblēmenos allos hoditēs

phēēi athērēloigon echein ana phaidimōi ōmōi,

kai tote dē gaiēi pēxas euēres eretmon,

130rhexas hiera kala Poseidaōni anakti,

English · Butler

death shall come to you from the sea, and your life shall ebb away very gently

Homeric Greek

ἀρνειὸν ταῦρόν τε συῶν τʼ ἐπιβήτορα κάπρον,

οἴκαδʼ ἀποστείχειν ἔρδειν θʼ ἱερᾶς ἑκατόμβας

ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσι,

πᾶσι μάλʼ ἑξείης. θάνατος δέ τοι ἐξ ἁλὸς αὐτῷ

135ἀβληχρὸς μάλα τοῖος ἐλεύσεται, ὅς κέ σε πέφνῃ

Transliteration

arneion tauron te suōn tʼ epibētora kapron,

oikadʼ aposteichein erdein thʼ hieras hekatombas

athanatoisi theoisi, toi ouranon eurun echousi,

pasi malʼ hexeiēs. thanatos de toi ex halos autōi

135ablēchros mala toios eleusetai, hos ke se pephnēi

English · Butler

when you are full of years and peace of mind, and your people shall be prosperous. All that I have said

Homeric Greek

γήραι ὕπο λιπαρῷ ἀρημένον· ἀμφὶ δὲ λαοὶ

ὄλβιοι ἔσσονται. τὰ δέ τοι νημερτέα εἴρω.

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

Τειρεσίη, τὰ μὲν ἄρ που ἐπέκλωσαν θεοὶ αὐτοί.

140ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·

Transliteration

gērai hupo liparōi arēmenon· amphi de laoi

olbioi essontai. ta de toi nēmertea eirō.

hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·

Teiresiē, ta men ar pou epeklōsan theoi autoi.

140allʼ age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon·

English · Butler

will come true.’ "‘This,’ I answered, ‘must be as it may please heaven, but tell me and tell me true, I see my poor mother's ghost close by us; she is sitting by the blood without

Homeric Greek

μητρὸς τήνδʼ ὁρόω ψυχὴν κατατεθνηυίης·

ἡ δʼ ἀκέουσʼ ἧσται σχεδὸν αἵματος, οὐδʼ ἑὸν υἱὸν

ἔτλη ἐσάντα ἰδεῖν οὐδὲ προτιμυθήσασθαι.

εἰπέ, ἄναξ, πῶς κέν με ἀναγνοίη τὸν ἐόντα;

145ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·

Transliteration

mētros tēndʼ horoō psuchēn katatethnēuiēs·

hē dʼ akeousʼ hēstai schedon haimatos, oudʼ heon huion

etlē esanta idein oude protimuthēsasthai.

eipe, anax, pōs ken me anagnoiē ton eonta;

145hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ autikʼ ameibomenos proseeipen·

English · Butler

saying a word, and though I am her own son she does not remember me and speak to me; tell me, Sir, how I can make her know me.’ "‘That,’ said he, ‘I can soon do.

Homeric Greek

ῥηΐδιόν τοι ἔπος ἐρέω καὶ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θήσω.

ὅν τινα μέν κεν ἐᾷς νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων

αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, ὁ δέ τοι νημερτὲς ἐνίψει·

ᾧ δέ κʼ ἐπιφθονέῃς, ὁ δέ τοι πάλιν εἶσιν ὀπίσσω.

150ὣς φαμένη ψυχὴ μὲν ἔβη δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω

Transliteration

rhēïdion toi epos ereō kai epi phresi thēsō.

hon tina men ken eāis nekuōn katatethnēōtōn

haimatos asson imen, ho de toi nēmertes enipsei·

hōi de kʼ epiphthoneēis, ho de toi palin eisin opissō.

150hōs phamenē psuchē men ebē domon Aïdos eisō

English · Butler

"‘That,’ said he, ‘I can soon do. Any ghost that you let taste of the blood will talk with you like a reasonable being, but if you do not let them have any blood they will go away again.’ "On this the ghost of Teiresias went back to the house of Hades, for his prophecies had now been spoken, but I sat still where I was until my mother came up and tasted the blood.

Homeric Greek

Τειρεσίαο ἄνακτος, ἐπεὶ κατὰ θέσφατʼ ἔλεξεν·

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν αὐτοῦ μένον ἔμπεδον, ὄφρʼ ἐπὶ μήτηρ

ἤλυθε καὶ πίεν αἷμα κελαινεφές· αὐτίκα δʼ ἔγνω,

καί μʼ ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

155τέκνον ἐμόν, πῶς ἦλθες ὑπὸ ζόφον ἠερόεντα

Transliteration

Teiresiao anaktos, epei kata thesphatʼ elexen·

autar egōn autou menon empedon, ophrʼ epi mētēr

ēluthe kai pien haima kelainephes· autika dʼ egnō,

kai mʼ olophuromenē epea pteroenta prosēuda·

155teknon emon, pōs ēlthes hupo zophon ēeroenta

English · Butler

"On this the ghost of Teiresias went back to the house of Hades, for his prophecies had now been spoken, but I sat still where I was until my mother came up and tasted the blood. Then she knew me at once and spoke fondly to me, saying, ‘My son, how did you come down to this abode of darkness while you are still alive? It is a hard thing for the living to see these places, for between us and them there are great and terrible

Homeric Greek

ζωὸς ἐών; χαλεπὸν δὲ τάδε ζωοῖσιν ὁρᾶσθαι.

μέσσῳ γὰρ μεγάλοι ποταμοὶ καὶ δεινὰ ῥέεθρα,

Ὠκεανὸς μὲν πρῶτα, τὸν οὔ πως ἔστι περῆσαι

πεζὸν ἐόντʼ, ἢν μή τις ἔχῃ ἐυεργέα νῆα.

160ἦ νῦν δὴ Τροίηθεν ἀλώμενος ἐνθάδʼ ἱκάνεις

Transliteration

zōos eōn; chalepon de tade zōoisin horasthai.

messōi gar megaloi potamoi kai deina rheethra,

Ōkeanos men prōta, ton ou pōs esti perēsai

pezon eontʼ, ēn mē tis echēi euergea nēa.

160ē nun dē Troiēthen alōmenos enthadʼ hikaneis

English · Butler

waters, and there is Okeanos, which no man can cross on foot, but he must have a good ship to take him. Are you all this time trying to find your way home from Troy, and have you never yet

Homeric Greek

νηί τε καὶ ἑτάροισι πολὺν χρόνον; οὐδέ πω ἦλθες

εἰς Ἰθάκην, οὐδʼ εἶδες ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γυναῖκα;

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

μῆτερ ἐμή, χρειώ με κατήγαγεν εἰς Ἀίδαο

165ψυχῇ χρησόμενον Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο·

Transliteration

nēi te kai hetaroisi polun chronon; oude pō ēlthes

eis Ithakēn, oudʼ eides eni megaroisi gunaika;

hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·

mēter emē, chreiō me katēgagen eis Aidao

165psuchēi chrēsomenon Thēbaiou Teiresiao·

English · Butler

got back to Ithaca nor seen your wife in your own house?’ "‘Mother,’ said I, ‘I was forced to come here to consult the ghost of the Theban seer Teiresias. I have never yet been near the Achaean land nor set foot on my native country, and I have had

Homeric Greek

οὐ γάρ πω σχεδὸν ἦλθον Ἀχαιΐδος, οὐδέ πω ἁμῆς

γῆς ἐπέβην, ἀλλʼ αἰὲν ἔχων ἀλάλημαι ὀιζύν,

ἐξ οὗ τὰ πρώτισθʼ ἑπόμην Ἀγαμέμνονι δίῳ

Ἴλιον εἰς ἐύπωλον, ἵνα Τρώεσσι μαχοίμην.

170ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·

Transliteration

ou gar pō schedon ēlthon Achaiïdos, oude pō hamēs

gēs epebēn, allʼ aien echōn alalēmai oizun,

ex hou ta prōtisthʼ hepomēn Agamemnoni diōi

Ilion eis eupōlon, hina Trōessi machoimēn.

170allʼ age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon·

English · Butler

nothing but one long series of misfortunes from the very first day that I set out with Agamemnon for Ilion, the land of noble steeds, to fight the Trojans. But tell me, and tell me true, in what way did you die? Did you have a long illness, or did heaven grant you a gentle easy passage to eternity? Tell me also about my father, and the son whom I left behind me;

Homeric Greek

τίς νύ σε κὴρ ἐδάμασσε τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο;

ἦ δολιχὴ νοῦσος, ἦ Ἄρτεμις ἰοχέαιρα

οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχομένη κατέπεφνεν;

εἰπὲ δέ μοι πατρός τε καὶ υἱέος, ὃν κατέλειπον,

175ἢ ἔτι πὰρ κείνοισιν ἐμὸν γέρας, ἦέ τις ἤδη

Transliteration

tis nu se kēr edamasse tanēlegeos thanatoio;

ē dolichē nousos, ē Artemis iocheaira

hois aganois beleessin epoichomenē katepephnen;

eipe de moi patros te kai huieos, hon kateleipon,

175ē eti par keinoisin emon geras, ēe tis ēdē

English · Butler

is my property still in their hands, or has some one else got hold of it, who thinks that I shall not return to claim it? Tell me again what my wife intends doing, and in what mind she is; does she live with my son and guard

Homeric Greek

ἀνδρῶν ἄλλος ἔχει, ἐμὲ δʼ οὐκέτι φασὶ νέεσθαι.

εἰπὲ δέ μοι μνηστῆς ἀλόχου βουλήν τε νόον τε,

ἠὲ μένει παρὰ παιδὶ καὶ ἔμπεδα πάντα φυλάσσει

ἦ ἤδη μιν ἔγημεν Ἀχαιῶν ὅς τις ἄριστος.

180ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο πότνια μήτηρ·

Transliteration

andrōn allos echei, eme dʼ ouketi phasi neesthai.

eipe de moi mnēstēs alochou boulēn te noon te,

ēe menei para paidi kai empeda panta phulassei

ē ēdē min egēmen Achaiōn hos tis aristos.

180hōs ephamēn, hē dʼ autikʼ ameibeto potnia mētēr·

English · Butler

my estate securely, or has she made the best match she could and married again?’ "My mother answered, ‘Your wife still remains in your house, but she is in great distress of mind and spends her whole time in tears both night and day.

Homeric Greek

καὶ λίην κείνη γε μένει τετληότι θυμῷ

σοῖσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν· ὀιζυραὶ δέ οἱ αἰεὶ

φθίνουσιν νύκτες τε καὶ ἤματα δάκρυ χεούσῃ.

σὸν δʼ οὔ πώ τις ἔχει καλὸν γέρας, ἀλλὰ ἕκηλος

185Τηλέμαχος τεμένεα νέμεται καὶ δαῖτας ἐίσας

Transliteration

kai liēn keinē ge menei tetlēoti thumōi

soisin eni megaroisin· oizurai de hoi aiei

phthinousin nuktes te kai ēmata dakru cheousēi.

son dʼ ou pō tis echei kalon geras, alla hekēlos

185Tēlemachos temenea nemetai kai daitas eisas

English · Butler

"My mother answered, ‘Your wife still remains in your house, but she is in great distress of mind and spends her whole time in tears both night and day. No one as yet has got possession of your fine property, and Telemakhos still holds your lands undisturbed. He has to entertain largely, as of course he must, considering his position as a magistrate, and how every one invites him; your father remains at his old place in the country and never goes near the town. He has no comfortable bed nor bedding;

Homeric Greek

δαίνυται, ἃς ἐπέοικε δικασπόλον ἄνδρʼ ἀλεγύνειν·

πάντες γὰρ καλέουσι. πατὴρ δὲ σὸς αὐτόθι μίμνει

ἀγρῷ, οὐδὲ πόλινδε κατέρχεται. οὐδέ οἱ εὐναὶ

δέμνια καὶ χλαῖναι καὶ ῥήγεα σιγαλόεντα,

190ἀλλʼ ὅ γε χεῖμα μὲν εὕδει ὅθι δμῶες ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,

Transliteration

dainutai, has epeoike dikaspolon andrʼ alegunein·

pantes gar kaleousi. patēr de sos autothi mimnei

agrōi, oude polinde katerchetai. oude hoi eunai

demnia kai chlainai kai rhēgea sigaloenta,

190allʼ ho ge cheima men heudei hothi dmōes eni oikōi,

English · Butler

in the winter he sleeps on the floor in front of the fire with the men and goes about all in rags, but in summer, when the warm weather comes on again, he lies out in the vineyard on a bed of vine leaves thrown anyhow upon the ground, in grief.

Homeric Greek

ἐν κόνι ἄγχι πυρός, κακὰ δὲ χροῒ εἵματα εἷται·

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἔλθῃσι θέρος τεθαλυῖά τʼ ὀπώρη,

πάντῃ οἱ κατὰ γουνὸν ἀλωῆς οἰνοπέδοιο

φύλλων κεκλιμένων χθαμαλαὶ βεβλήαται εὐναί.

195ἔνθʼ ὅ γε κεῖτʼ ἀχέων, μέγα δὲ φρεσὶ πένθος ἀέξει

Transliteration

en koni anchi puros, kaka de chroï heimata heitai·

autar epēn elthēisi theros tethaluia tʼ opōrē,

pantēi hoi kata gounon alōēs oinopedoio

phullōn keklimenōn chthamalai beblēatai eunai.

195enthʼ ho ge keitʼ acheōn, mega de phresi penthos aexei

English · Butler

He is in continual distress about your never having achieved a homecoming, and suffers more and more as he grows older. As for my own end it was in this wise: heaven did not take me swiftly and painlessly in my own house,

Homeric Greek

σὸν νόστον ποθέων, χαλεπὸν δʼ ἐπὶ γῆρας ἱκάνει.

οὕτω γὰρ καὶ ἐγὼν ὀλόμην καὶ πότμον ἐπέσπον·

οὔτʼ ἐμέ γʼ ἐν μεγάροισιν ἐύσκοπος ἰοχέαιρα

οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχομένη κατέπεφνεν,

200οὔτε τις οὖν μοι νοῦσος ἐπήλυθεν, ἥ τε μάλιστα

Transliteration

son noston potheōn, chalepon dʼ epi gēras hikanei.

houtō gar kai egōn olomēn kai potmon epespon·

outʼ eme gʼ en megaroisin euskopos iocheaira

hois aganois beleessin epoichomenē katepephnen,

200oute tis oun moi nousos epēluthen, hē te malista

English · Butler

nor was I attacked by any illness such as those that generally wear people out and kill them, but my longing to know what you were doing and the

Homeric Greek

τηκεδόνι στυγερῇ μελέων ἐξείλετο θυμόν·

ἀλλά με σός τε πόθος σά τε μήδεα, φαίδιμʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

σή τʼ ἀγανοφροσύνη μελιηδέα θυμὸν ἀπηύρα.

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γʼ ἔθελον φρεσὶ μερμηρίξας

205μητρὸς ἐμῆς ψυχὴν ἑλέειν κατατεθνηυίης.

Transliteration

tēkedoni stugerēi meleōn exeileto thumon·

alla me sos te pothos sa te mēdea, phaidimʼ Odusseu,

sē tʼ aganophrosunē meliēdea thumon apēura.

hōs ephatʼ, autar egō gʼ ethelon phresi mermērixas

205mētros emēs psuchēn heleein katatethnēuiēs.

English · Butler

force of my affection for you - this it was that was the death of me.’ "Then I tried to find some way of embracing my mother's ghost. Thrice I sprang towards her and tried to clasp her

Homeric Greek

τρὶς μὲν ἐφωρμήθην, ἑλέειν τέ με θυμὸς ἀνώγει,

τρὶς δέ μοι ἐκ χειρῶν σκιῇ εἴκελον ἢ καὶ ὀνείρῳ

ἔπτατʼ. ἐμοὶ δʼ ἄχος ὀξὺ γενέσκετο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·

210μῆτερ ἐμή, τί νύ μʼ οὐ μίμνεις ἑλέειν μεμαῶτα,

Transliteration

tris men ephōrmēthēn, heleein te me thumos anōgei,

tris de moi ek cheirōn skiēi eikelon ē kai oneirōi

eptatʼ. emoi dʼ achos oxu genesketo kērothi mallon,

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēudōn·

210mēter emē, ti nu mʼ ou mimneis heleein memaōta,

English · Butler

in my arms, but each time she flitted from my embrace as it were a dream or phantom, and being touched to the quick I said to her, ‘Mother, why do you not stay still when I would embrace you? If we could throw our arms around one another we might find sad comfort in the sharing of our sorrows even in the house of Hades;

Homeric Greek

ὄφρα καὶ εἰν Ἀίδαο φίλας περὶ χεῖρε βαλόντε

ἀμφοτέρω κρυεροῖο τεταρπώμεσθα γόοιο;

ἦ τί μοι εἴδωλον τόδʼ ἀγαυὴ Περσεφόνεια

ὤτρυνʼ, ὄφρʼ ἔτι μᾶλλον ὀδυρόμενος στεναχίζω;

215ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο πότνια μήτηρ·

Transliteration

ophra kai ein Aidao philas peri cheire balonte

amphoterō krueroio tetarpōmestha gooio;

ē ti moi eidōlon todʼ agauē Persephoneia

ōtrunʼ, ophrʼ eti mallon oduromenos stenachizō;

215hōs ephamēn, hē dʼ autikʼ ameibeto potnia mētēr·

English · Butler

does Persephone want to lay a still further load of grief upon me by mocking me with a phantom only?’ "‘My son,’ she answered, ‘most ill-fated of all humankind, it is not Persephone that is beguiling you, but all people are like this when they are dead.

Homeric Greek

ὤ μοι, τέκνον ἐμόν, περὶ πάντων κάμμορε φωτῶν,

οὔ τί σε Περσεφόνεια Διὸς θυγάτηρ ἀπαφίσκει,

ἀλλʼ αὕτη δίκη ἐστὶ βροτῶν, ὅτε τίς κε θάνῃσιν·

οὐ γὰρ ἔτι σάρκας τε καὶ ὀστέα ἶνες ἔχουσιν,

220ἀλλὰ τὰ μέν τε πυρὸς κρατερὸν μένος αἰθομένοιο

Transliteration

ō moi, teknon emon, peri pantōn kammore phōtōn,

ou ti se Persephoneia Dios thugatēr apaphiskei,

allʼ hautē dikē esti brotōn, hote tis ke thanēisin·

ou gar eti sarkas te kai ostea ines echousin,

220alla ta men te puros krateron menos aithomenoio

English · Butler

"‘My son,’ she answered, ‘most ill-fated of all humankind, it is not Persephone that is beguiling you, but all people are like this when they are dead. The sinews no longer hold the flesh and bones together; these perish in the fierceness of consuming fire as soon as life has left the body, and the soul flits away as though it were a dream. Now, however, go back to the

Homeric Greek

δαμνᾷ, ἐπεί κε πρῶτα λίπῃ λεύκʼ ὀστέα θυμός,

ψυχὴ δʼ ἠύτʼ ὄνειρος ἀποπταμένη πεπότηται.

ἀλλὰ φόωσδε τάχιστα λιλαίεο· ταῦτα δὲ πάντα

ἴσθʼ, ἵνα καὶ μετόπισθε τεῇ εἴπῃσθα γυναικί.

225νῶι μὲν ὣς ἐπέεσσιν ἀμειβόμεθʼ, αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες

Transliteration

damnāi, epei ke prōta lipēi leukʼ ostea thumos,

psuchē dʼ ēutʼ oneiros apoptamenē pepotētai.

alla phoōsde tachista lilaieo· tauta de panta

isthʼ, hina kai metopisthe teēi eipēistha gunaiki.

225nōi men hōs epeessin ameibomethʼ, hai de gunaikes

English · Butler

light of day as soon as you can, and note all these things that you may tell them to your wife hereafter.’ "Thus did we converse, and anon Persephone sent up the ghosts of the wives and daughters of all the most famous men.

Homeric Greek

ἤλυθον, ὤτρυνεν γὰρ ἀγαυὴ Περσεφόνεια,

ὅσσαι ἀριστήων ἄλοχοι ἔσαν ἠδὲ θύγατρες.

αἱ δʼ ἀμφʼ αἷμα κελαινὸν ἀολλέες ἠγερέθοντο,

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ βούλευον ὅπως ἐρέοιμι ἑκάστην.

230ἥδε δέ μοι κατὰ θυμὸν ἀρίστη φαίνετο βουλή·

Transliteration

ēluthon, ōtrunen gar agauē Persephoneia,

hossai aristēōn alochoi esan ēde thugatres.

hai dʼ amphʼ haima kelainon aollees ēgerethonto,

autar egō bouleuon hopōs ereoimi hekastēn.

230hēde de moi kata thumon aristē phaineto boulē·

English · Butler

"Thus did we converse, and anon Persephone sent up the ghosts of the wives and daughters of all the most famous men. They gathered in crowds about the blood, and I considered how I might question them severally. In the end I deemed that it would be best to draw the keen blade that hung by my sturdy thigh, and keep them from all drinking the blood at once. So they came up

Homeric Greek

σπασσάμενος τανύηκες ἄορ παχέος παρὰ μηροῦ

οὐκ εἴων πίνειν ἅμα πάσας αἷμα κελαινόν.

αἱ δὲ προμνηστῖναι ἐπήισαν, ἠδὲ ἑκάστη

ὃν γόνον ἐξαγόρευεν· ἐγὼ δʼ ἐρέεινον ἁπάσας.

235ἔνθʼ ἦ τοι πρώτην Τυρὼ ἴδον εὐπατέρειαν,

Transliteration

spassamenos tanuēkes aor pacheos para mērou

ouk eiōn pinein hama pasas haima kelainon.

hai de promnēstinai epēisan, ēde hekastē

hon gonon exagoreuen· egō dʼ ereeinon hapasas.

235enthʼ ē toi prōtēn Turō idon eupatereian,

English · Butler

one after the other, and each one as I questioned her told me her race and lineage. "The first I saw was Tyro.

Homeric Greek

ἣ φάτο Σαλμωνῆος ἀμύμονος ἔκγονος εἶναι,

φῆ δὲ Κρηθῆος γυνὴ ἔμμεναι Αἰολίδαο·

ἣ ποταμοῦ ἠράσσατʼ Ἐνιπῆος θείοιο,

ὃς πολὺ κάλλιστος ποταμῶν ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἵησι,

240καί ῥʼ ἐπʼ Ἐνιπῆος πωλέσκετο καλὰ ῥέεθρα.

Transliteration

hē phato Salmōnēos amumonos ekgonos einai,

phē de Krēthēos gunē emmenai Aiolidao·

hē potamou ērassatʼ Enipēos theioio,

hos polu kallistos potamōn epi gaian hiēsi,

240kai rhʼ epʼ Enipēos pōlesketo kala rheethra.

English · Butler

"The first I saw was Tyro. She was daughter of Salmoneus and wife of Cretheus the son of Aeolus. She fell in love with the river Enipeus who is much the most beautiful river in the whole world. Once when she was taking a walk by his side as usual, Poseidon, disguised as her lover, lay with her at the mouth of

Homeric Greek

τῷ δʼ ἄρα εἰσάμενος γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος

ἐν προχοῇς ποταμοῦ παρελέξατο δινήεντος·

πορφύρεον δʼ ἄρα κῦμα περιστάθη, οὔρεϊ ἶσον,

κυρτωθέν, κρύψεν δὲ θεὸν θνητήν τε γυναῖκα.

245λῦσε δὲ παρθενίην ζώνην, κατὰ δʼ ὕπνον ἔχευεν.

Transliteration

tōi dʼ ara eisamenos gaiēochos ennosigaios

en prochoēis potamou parelexato dinēentos·

porphureon dʼ ara kuma peristathē, oureï ison,

kurtōthen, krupsen de theon thnētēn te gunaika.

245luse de partheniēn zōnēn, kata dʼ hupnon echeuen.

English · Butler

the river, and a huge seething wave arched itself like a mountain over them to hide both woman and god, whereon he loosed her virgin girdle and laid her in a deep slumber. When the god had accomplished the deed of love, he took her hand in his own and said, ‘Tyro, rejoice in all good will;

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐτέλεσσε θεὸς φιλοτήσια ἔργα,

ἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·

χαῖρε, γύναι, φιλότητι· περιπλομένου δʼ ἐνιαυτοῦ

τέξεις ἀγλαὰ τέκνα, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἀποφώλιοι εὐναὶ

250ἀθανάτων· σὺ δὲ τοὺς κομέειν ἀτιταλλέμεναί τε.

Transliteration

autar epei rhʼ etelesse theos philotēsia erga,

en tʼ ara hoi phu cheiri, epos tʼ ephatʼ ek tʼ onomaze·

chaire, gunai, philotēti· periplomenou dʼ eniautou

texeis aglaa tekna, epei ouk apophōlioi eunai

250athanatōn· su de tous komeein atitallemenai te.

English · Butler

the embraces of the gods are not fruitless, and you will have fine twins about this time twelve months. Take great care of them. I am Poseidon, so now go home, but

Homeric Greek

νῦν δʼ ἔρχευ πρὸς δῶμα, καὶ ἴσχεο μηδʼ ὀνομήνῃς·

αὐτὰρ ἐγώ τοί εἰμι Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων.

ὣς εἰπὼν ὑπὸ πόντον ἐδύσετο κυμαίνοντα.

ἡ δʼ ὑποκυσαμένη Πελίην τέκε καὶ Νηλῆα,

255τὼ κρατερὼ θεράποντε Διὸς μεγάλοιο γενέσθην

Transliteration

nun dʼ ercheu pros dōma, kai ischeo mēdʼ onomēnēis·

autar egō toi eimi Poseidaōn enosichthōn.

hōs eipōn hupo ponton eduseto kumainonta.

hē dʼ hupokusamenē Peliēn teke kai Nēlēa,

255tō kraterō theraponte Dios megaloio genesthēn

English · Butler

hold your tongue and do not tell any one.’ "Then he dived under the sea, and she in due course bore Pelias and Neleus, who both of them served Zeus with all their might. Pelias was a great breeder of sheep and lived in Iolkos, but the other lived in Pylos. The rest of her

Homeric Greek

ἀμφοτέρω· Πελίης μὲν ἐν εὐρυχόρῳ Ἰαωλκῷ

ναῖε πολύρρηνος, ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐν Πύλῳ ἠμαθόεντι.

τοὺς δʼ ἑτέρους Κρηθῆι τέκεν βασίλεια γυναικῶν,

Αἴσονά τʼ ἠδὲ Φέρητʼ Ἀμυθάονά θʼ ἱππιοχάρμην.

260τὴν δὲ μετʼ Ἀντιόπην ἴδον, Ἀσωποῖο θύγατρα,

Transliteration

amphoterō· Peliēs men en euruchorōi Iaōlkōi

naie polurrēnos, ho dʼ arʼ en Pulōi ēmathoenti.

tous dʼ heterous Krēthēi teken basileia gunaikōn,

Aisona tʼ ēde Pherētʼ Amuthaona thʼ hippiocharmēn.

260tēn de metʼ Antiopēn idon, Asōpoio thugatra,

English · Butler

children were by Cretheus, namely, Aison, Pheres, and Amythaon, who was a mighty warrior and charioteer. "Next to her I saw Antiope, daughter to Asopos, who could boast of having slept in the arms of even Zeus himself, and who bore him two sons Amphion and Zethos.

Homeric Greek

ἣ δὴ καὶ Διὸς εὔχετʼ ἐν ἀγκοίνῃσιν ἰαῦσαι,

καί ῥʼ ἔτεκεν δύο παῖδʼ, Ἀμφίονά τε Ζῆθόν τε,

οἳ πρῶτοι Θήβης ἕδος ἔκτισαν ἑπταπύλοιο,

πύργωσάν τʼ, ἐπεὶ οὐ μὲν ἀπύργωτόν γʼ ἐδύναντο

265ναιέμεν εὐρύχορον Θήβην, κρατερώ περ ἐόντε.

Transliteration

hē dē kai Dios euchetʼ en ankoinēisin iausai,

kai rhʼ eteken duo paidʼ, Amphiona te Zēthon te,

hoi prōtoi Thēbēs hedos ektisan heptapuloio,

purgōsan tʼ, epei ou men apurgōton gʼ edunanto

265naiemen euruchoron Thēbēn, kraterō per eonte.

English · Butler

"Next to her I saw Antiope, daughter to Asopos, who could boast of having slept in the arms of even Zeus himself, and who bore him two sons Amphion and Zethos. These founded Thebes with its seven gates, and built a wall all round it; for strong though they were they could not hold Thebes till they had walled it.

Homeric Greek

τὴν δὲ μετʼ Ἀλκμήνην ἴδον, Ἀμφιτρύωνος ἄκοιτιν,

ἥ ῥʼ Ἡρακλῆα θρασυμέμνονα θυμολέοντα

γείνατʼ ἐν ἀγκοίνῃσι Διὸς μεγάλοιο μιγεῖσα·

καὶ Μεγάρην, Κρείοντος ὑπερθύμοιο θύγατρα,

270τὴν ἔχεν Ἀμφιτρύωνος υἱὸς μένος αἰὲν ἀτειρής.

Transliteration

tēn de metʼ Alkmēnēn idon, Amphitruōnos akoitin,

hē rhʼ Hēraklēa thrasumemnona thumoleonta

geinatʼ en ankoinēisi Dios megaloio migeisa·

kai Megarēn, Kreiontos huperthumoio thugatra,

270tēn echen Amphitruōnos huios menos aien ateirēs.

English · Butler

"Then I saw Alkmene, the wife of Amphitryon, who also bore to Zeus indomitable Herakles; and Megara who was daughter to great King Kreon, and married the redoubtable son of Amphitryon.

Homeric Greek

μητέρα τʼ Οἰδιπόδαο ἴδον, καλὴν Ἐπικάστην,

ἣ μέγα ἔργον ἔρεξεν ἀιδρείῃσι νόοιο

γημαμένη ᾧ υἷι· ὁ δʼ ὃν πατέρʼ ἐξεναρίξας

γῆμεν· ἄφαρ δʼ ἀνάπυστα θεοὶ θέσαν ἀνθρώποισιν.

275ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἐν Θήβῃ πολυηράτῳ ἄλγεα πάσχων

Transliteration

mētera tʼ Oidipodao idon, kalēn Epikastēn,

hē mega ergon erexen aidreiēisi nooio

gēmamenē hōi huii· ho dʼ hon paterʼ exenarixas

gēmen· aphar dʼ anapusta theoi thesan anthrōpoisin.

275allʼ ho men en Thēbēi poluēratōi algea paschōn

English · Butler

"I also saw fair Epikaste mother of king Oedipus whose awful lot it was to marry her own son without suspecting it in her noos. He married her after having killed his father, but the gods proclaimed the whole story to the world; whereon he remained king of Thebes, in great grief for the spite the gods had borne him; but Epikaste went to the house of the mighty gatekeeper

Homeric Greek

Καδμείων ἤνασσε θεῶν ὀλοὰς διὰ βουλάς·

ἡ δʼ ἔβη εἰς Ἀίδαο πυλάρταο κρατεροῖο,

ἁψαμένη βρόχον αἰπὺν ἀφʼ ὑψηλοῖο μελάθρου,

ᾧ ἄχεϊ σχομένη· τῷ δʼ ἄλγεα κάλλιπʼ ὀπίσσω

280πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα τε μητρὸς Ἐρινύες ἐκτελέουσιν.

Transliteration

Kadmeiōn ēnasse theōn oloas dia boulas·

hē dʼ ebē eis Aidao pulartao krateroio,

hapsamenē brochon aipun aphʼ hupsēloio melathrou,

hōi acheï schomenē· tōi dʼ algea kallipʼ opissō

280polla malʼ, hossa te mētros Erinues ekteleousin.

English · Butler

Hades, having hanged herself for grief, and the avenging spirits haunted him as for an outraged mother - to his ruing bitterly thereafter.

Homeric Greek

καὶ Χλῶριν εἶδον περικαλλέα, τήν ποτε Νηλεὺς

γῆμεν ἑὸν διὰ κάλλος, ἐπεὶ πόρε μυρία ἕδνα,

ὁπλοτάτην κούρην Ἀμφίονος Ἰασίδαο,

ὅς ποτʼ ἐν Ὀρχομενῷ Μινυείῳ ἶφι ἄνασσεν·

285ἡ δὲ Πύλου βασίλευε, τέκεν δέ οἱ ἀγλαὰ τέκνα,

Transliteration

kai Chlōrin eidon perikallea, tēn pote Nēleus

gēmen heon dia kallos, epei pore muria hedna,

hoplotatēn kourēn Amphionos Iasidao,

hos potʼ en Orchomenōi Minueiōi iphi anassen·

285hē de Pulou basileue, teken de hoi aglaa tekna,

English · Butler

"Then I saw Chloris, whom Neleus married for her beauty, having given priceless presents for her. She was youngest daughter to Amphion son of Iasos and king of Minyan Orkhomenos, and was Queen in Pylos. She bore Nestor, Chromios, and Periklymenos, and she also bore that marvelously lovely woman Pero, who was wooed by all the country round; but Neleus would only give her to him

Homeric Greek

Νέστορά τε Χρόνιον τε Περικλύμενόν τʼ ἀγέρωχον.

τοῖσι δʼ ἐπʼ ἰφθίμην Πηρὼ τέκε, θαῦμα βροτοῖσι,

τὴν πάντες μνώοντο περικτίται· οὐδʼ ἄρα Νηλεὺς

τῷ ἐδίδου ὃς μὴ ἕλικας βόας εὐρυμετώπους

290ἐκ Φυλάκης ἐλάσειε βίης Ἰφικληείης

Transliteration

Nestora te Chronion te Periklumenon tʼ agerōchon.

toisi dʼ epʼ iphthimēn Pērō teke, thauma brotoisi,

tēn pantes mnōonto periktitai· oudʼ ara Nēleus

tōi edidou hos mē helikas boas eurumetōpous

290ek Phulakēs elaseie biēs Iphiklēeiēs

English · Butler

who should raid the cattle of Iphikles from the grazing grounds of Phylake, and this was a hard task. The only man who would undertake to raid them was a certain excellent seer, but the will of heaven was against him, for the rangers of the cattle caught him and put him in prison;

Homeric Greek

ἀργαλέας· τὰς δʼ οἶος ὑπέσχετο μάντις ἀμύμων

ἐξελάαν· χαλεπὴ δὲ θεοῦ κατὰ μοῖρα πέδησε,

δεσμοί τʼ ἀργαλέοι καὶ βουκόλοι ἀγροιῶται.

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ μῆνές τε καὶ ἡμέραι ἐξετελεῦντο

295ἂψ περιτελλομένου ἔτεος καὶ ἐπήλυθον ὧραι,

Transliteration

argaleas· tas dʼ oios hupescheto mantis amumōn

exelaan· chalepē de theou kata moira pedēse,

desmoi tʼ argaleoi kai boukoloi agroiōtai.

allʼ hote dē mēnes te kai hēmerai exeteleunto

295aps peritellomenou eteos kai epēluthon hōrai,

English · Butler

nevertheless when a full year had passed and the same season came round again, Iphikles set him at liberty, after he had expounded all the oracles of heaven. Thus, then, was

Homeric Greek

καὶ τότε δή μιν ἔλυσε βίη Ἰφικληείη,

θέσφατα πάντʼ εἰπόντα· Διὸς δʼ ἐτελείετο βουλή.

καὶ Λήδην εἶδον, τὴν Τυνδαρέου παράκοιτιν,

ἥ ῥʼ ὑπὸ Τυνδαρέῳ κρατερόφρονε γείνατο παῖδε,

300Κάστορά θʼ ἱππόδαμον καὶ πὺξ ἀγαθὸν Πολυδεύκεα,

Transliteration

kai tote dē min eluse biē Iphiklēeiē,

thesphata pantʼ eiponta· Dios dʼ eteleieto boulē.

kai Lēdēn eidon, tēn Tundareou parakoitin,

hē rhʼ hupo Tundareōi kraterophrone geinato paide,

300Kastora thʼ hippodamon kai pux agathon Poludeukea,

English · Butler

the will of Zeus accomplished. "And I saw Leda the wife of Tyndarus, who bore him two famous sons, Castor breaker of horses, and Pollux the mighty boxer. Both these heroes are lying under the earth, though they are still alive, for

Homeric Greek

τοὺς ἄμφω ζωοὺς κατέχει φυσίζοος αἶα·

οἳ καὶ νέρθεν γῆς τιμὴν πρὸς Ζηνὸς ἔχοντες

ἄλλοτε μὲν ζώουσʼ ἑτερήμεροι, ἄλλοτε δʼ αὖτε

τεθνᾶσιν· τιμὴν δὲ λελόγχασιν ἶσα θεοῖσι.

305τὴν δὲ μετʼ Ἰφιμέδειαν, Ἀλωῆος παράκοιτιν

Transliteration

tous amphō zōous katechei phusizoos aia·

hoi kai nerthen gēs timēn pros Zēnos echontes

allote men zōousʼ heterēmeroi, allote dʼ aute

tethnasin· timēn de lelonchasin isa theoisi.

305tēn de metʼ Iphimedeian, Alōēos parakoitin

English · Butler

by a special dispensation of Zeus, they die and come to life again, each one of them every other day throughout all time, and they have the rank of gods. "After her I saw Iphimedeia wife of Aloeus who boasted the embrace of Poseidon.

Homeric Greek

εἴσιδον, ἣ δὴ φάσκε Ποσειδάωνι μιγῆναι,

καί ῥʼ ἔτεκεν δύο παῖδε, μινυνθαδίω δʼ ἐγενέσθην,

Ὦτόν τʼ ἀντίθεον τηλεκλειτόν τʼ Ἐφιάλτην,

οὓς δὴ μηκίστους θρέψε ζείδωρος ἄρουρα

310καὶ πολὺ καλλίστους μετά γε κλυτὸν Ὠρίωνα·

Transliteration

eisidon, hē dē phaske Poseidaōni migēnai,

kai rhʼ eteken duo paide, minunthadiō dʼ egenesthēn,

Ōton tʼ antitheon tēlekleiton tʼ Ephialtēn,

hous dē mēkistous threpse zeidōros aroura

310kai polu kallistous meta ge kluton Ōriōna·

English · Butler

"After her I saw Iphimedeia wife of Aloeus who boasted the embrace of Poseidon. She bore two sons Otus and Ephialtes, but both were short lived. They were the finest children that were ever born in this world, and the best looking, Orion only excepted; for at nine years old they were nine fathoms high, and measured nine cubits round the chest. They threatened to make war with the gods in Olympus, and tried

Homeric Greek

ἐννέωροι γὰρ τοί γε καὶ ἐννεαπήχεες ἦσαν

εὖρος, ἀτὰρ μῆκός γε γενέσθην ἐννεόργυιοι.

οἵ ῥα καὶ ἀθανάτοισιν ἀπειλήτην ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ

φυλόπιδα στήσειν πολυάικος πολέμοιο.

315Ὄσσαν ἐπʼ Οὐλύμπῳ μέμασαν θέμεν, αὐτὰρ ἐπʼ Ὄσσῃ

Transliteration

enneōroi gar toi ge kai enneapēchees ēsan

euros, atar mēkos ge genesthēn enneorguioi.

hoi rha kai athanatoisin apeilētēn en Olumpōi

phulopida stēsein poluaikos polemoio.

315Ossan epʼ Oulumpōi memasan themen, autar epʼ Ossēi

English · Butler

to set Mount Ossa on the top of Mount Olympus, and Mount Pelion on the top of Ossa, that they might scale heaven itself, and they would have done it

Homeric Greek

Πήλιον εἰνοσίφυλλον, ἵνʼ οὐρανὸς ἀμβατὸς εἴη.

καί νύ κεν ἐξετέλεσσαν, εἰ ἥβης μέτρον ἵκοντο·

ἀλλʼ ὄλεσεν Διὸς υἱός, ὃν ἠύκομος τέκε Λητώ,

ἀμφοτέρω, πρίν σφωιν ὑπὸ κροτάφοισιν ἰούλους

320ἀνθῆσαι πυκάσαι τε γένυς ἐυανθέι λάχνῃ.

Transliteration

Pēlion einosiphullon, hinʼ ouranos ambatos eiē.

kai nu ken exetelessan, ei hēbēs metron hikonto·

allʼ olesen Dios huios, hon ēukomos teke Lētō,

amphoterō, prin sphōin hupo krotaphoisin ioulous

320anthēsai pukasai te genus euanthei lachnēi.

English · Butler

too if they had been grown up, but Apollo, son of Leto, killed both of them, before they had got so much as a sign of hair upon their cheeks or chin.

Homeric Greek

Φαίδρην τε Πρόκριν τε ἴδον καλήν τʼ Ἀριάδνην,

κούρην Μίνωος ὀλοόφρονος, ἥν ποτε Θησεὺς

ἐκ Κρήτης ἐς γουνὸν Ἀθηνάων ἱεράων

ἦγε μέν, οὐδʼ ἀπόνητο· πάρος δέ μιν Ἄρτεμις ἔκτα

325Δίῃ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ Διονύσου μαρτυρίῃσιν.

Transliteration

Phaidrēn te Prokrin te idon kalēn tʼ Ariadnēn,

kourēn Minōos oloophronos, hēn pote Thēseus

ek Krētēs es gounon Athēnaōn hieraōn

ēge men, oudʼ aponēto· paros de min Artemis ekta

325Diēi en amphirutēi Dionusou marturiēisin.

English · Butler

"Then I saw Phaedra, and Procris, and fair Ariadne daughter of the magician Minos, whom Theseus was carrying off from Crete to Athens, but he did not enjoy her, for before he could do so Artemis killed her in the island of Dia on account of what Bacchus had said against her.

Homeric Greek

Μαῖράν τε Κλυμένην τε ἴδον στυγερήν τʼ Ἐριφύλην,

ἣ χρυσὸν φίλου ἀνδρὸς ἐδέξατο τιμήεντα.

πάσας δʼ οὐκ ἂν ἐγὼ μυθήσομαι οὐδʼ ὀνομήνω,

ὅσσας ἡρώων ἀλόχους ἴδον ἠδὲ θύγατρας·

330πρὶν γάρ κεν καὶ νὺξ φθῖτʼ ἄμβροτος. ἀλλὰ καὶ ὥρη

Transliteration

Mairan te Klumenēn te idon stugerēn tʼ Eriphulēn,

hē chruson philou andros edexato timēenta.

pasas dʼ ouk an egō muthēsomai oudʼ onomēnō,

hossas hērōōn alochous idon ēde thugatras·

330prin gar ken kai nux phthitʼ ambrotos. alla kai hōrē

English · Butler

"I also saw Maira and Klymene and hateful Eriphyle, who sold her own husband for gold. But it would take me all night if I were to name every single one of the wives and daughters of heroes whom I saw, and it is time for me to go to bed, either on board ship with my crew, or here.

Homeric Greek

εὕδειν, ἢ ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν ἐλθόντʼ ἐς ἑταίρους

ἢ αὐτοῦ· πομπὴ δὲ θεοῖς ὑμῖν τε μελήσει.

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ,

κηληθμῷ δʼ ἔσχοντο κατὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα.

335τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀρήτη λευκώλενος ἤρχετο μύθων.

Transliteration

heudein, ē epi nēa thoēn elthontʼ es hetairous

ē autou· pompē de theois humin te melēsei.

hōs ephathʼ, hoi dʼ ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi,

kēlēthmōi dʼ eschonto kata megara skioenta.

335toisin dʼ Arētē leukōlenos ērcheto muthōn.

English · Butler

As for my escort, heaven and yourselves will see to it." Here he ended, and the guests sat all of them enthralled and speechless throughout the covered room. Then Arete said to them:

Homeric Greek

Φαίηκες, πῶς ὔμμιν ἀνὴρ ὅδε φαίνεται εἶναι

εἶδός τε μέγεθός τε ἰδὲ φρένας ἔνδον ἐίσας;

ξεῖνος δʼ αὖτʼ ἐμός ἐστιν, ἕκαστος δʼ ἔμμορε τιμῆς·

τῷ μὴ ἐπειγόμενοι ἀποπέμπετε, μηδὲ τὰ δῶρα

340οὕτω χρηίζοντι κολούετε· πολλὰ γὰρ ὑμῖν

Transliteration

Phaiēkes, pōs ummin anēr hode phainetai einai

eidos te megethos te ide phrenas endon eisas;

xeinos dʼ autʼ emos estin, hekastos dʼ emmore timēs·

tōi mē epeigomenoi apopempete, mēde ta dōra

340houtō chrēizonti kolouete· polla gar humin

English · Butler

"What do you think of this man, O Phaeacians? Is he not tall and good looking, and is he not clever? True, he is my own guest, but all of you share in the distinction. Do not be in a hurry to send him away, nor be withholding in the presents you make to one who is in such

Homeric Greek

κτήματʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι θεῶν ἰότητι κέονται.

τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε γέρων ἥρως Ἐχένηος,

ὃς δὴ Φαιήκων ἀνδρῶν προγενέστερος ἦεν·

ὦ φίλοι, οὐ μὰν ἧμιν ἀπὸ σκοποῦ οὐδʼ ἀπὸ δόξης

345μυθεῖται βασίλεια περίφρων· ἀλλὰ πίθεσθε.

Transliteration

ktēmatʼ eni megaroisi theōn iotēti keontai.

toisi de kai meteeipe gerōn hērōs Echenēos,

hos dē Phaiēkōn andrōn progenesteros ēen·

ō philoi, ou man hēmin apo skopou oudʼ apo doxēs

345mutheitai basileia periphrōn· alla pithesthe.

English · Butler

great need, for heaven has blessed all of you with great abundance." Then spoke the aged hero Echeneus who was one of the oldest men among them, "My friends," said he, "what our august queen has just said to us is both reasonable and to the purpose, therefore be persuaded by it; but the decision whether in word

Homeric Greek

Ἀλκινόου δʼ ἐκ τοῦδʼ ἔχεται ἔργον τε ἔπος τε.

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·

τοῦτο μὲν οὕτω δὴ ἔσται ἔπος, αἴ κεν ἐγώ γε

ζωὸς Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισιν ἀνάσσω·

350ξεῖνος δὲ τλήτω μάλα περ νόστοιο χατίζων

Transliteration

Alkinoou dʼ ek toudʼ echetai ergon te epos te.

ton dʼ autʼ Alkinoos apameibeto phōnēsen te·

touto men houtō dē estai epos, ai ken egō ge

zōos Phaiēkessi philēretmoisin anassō·

350xeinos de tlētō mala per nostoio chatizōn

English · Butler

or deed rests ultimately with King Alkinoos." "The thing shall be done," exclaimed Alkinoos, "as surely as I still live and reign over the Phaeacians. Our guest is indeed very anxious to get home, still we must persuade him to remain with us until tomorrow, by which time I shall be able to get together the whole sum that I mean to give him.

Homeric Greek

ἔμπης οὖν ἐπιμεῖναι ἐς αὔριον, εἰς ὅ κε πᾶσαν

δωτίνην τελέσω· πομπὴ δʼ ἄνδρεσσι μελήσει

πᾶσι, μάλιστα δʼ ἐμοί· τοῦ γὰρ κράτος ἔστʼ ἐνὶ δήμῳ.

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

355Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,

Transliteration

empēs oun epimeinai es aurion, eis ho ke pasan

dōtinēn telesō· pompē dʼ andressi melēsei

pasi, malista dʼ emoi· tou gar kratos estʼ eni dēmōi.

ton dʼ apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus·

355Alkinoe kreion, pantōn arideikete laōn,

English · Butler

As regards his escort it will be a matter for you all, and mine above all others as the chief person in the dêmos." And Odysseus answered, "King Alkinoos, if you were to bid me to stay here for a whole twelve

Homeric Greek

εἴ με καὶ εἰς ἐνιαυτὸν ἀνώγοιτʼ αὐτόθι μίμνειν,

πομπὴν δʼ ὀτρύνοιτε καὶ ἀγλαὰ δῶρα διδοῖτε,

καὶ κε τὸ βουλοίμην, καί κεν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη,

πλειοτέρῃ σὺν χειρὶ φίλην ἐς πατρίδʼ ἱκέσθαι·

360καί κʼ αἰδοιότερος καὶ φίλτερος ἀνδράσιν εἴην

Transliteration

ei me kai eis eniauton anōgoitʼ autothi mimnein,

pompēn dʼ otrunoite kai aglaa dōra didoite,

kai ke to bouloimēn, kai ken polu kerdion eiē,

pleioterēi sun cheiri philēn es patridʼ hikesthai·

360kai kʼ aidoioteros kai philteros andrasin eiēn

English · Butler

months, and then speed me on my way, loaded with your noble gifts, I should obey you gladly and it would redound greatly to my advantage, for I should return fuller-handed to my own people, and should thus be more respected and beloved by all

Homeric Greek

πᾶσιν, ὅσοι μʼ Ἰθάκηνδε ἰδοίατο νοστήσαντα.

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·

ὦ Ὀδυσεῦ, τὸ μὲν οὔ τί σʼ ἐίσκομεν εἰσορόωντες,

ἠπεροπῆά τʼ ἔμεν καὶ ἐπίκλοπον, οἷά τε πολλοὺς

365βόσκει γαῖα μέλαινα πολυσπερέας ἀνθρώπους,

Transliteration

pasin, hosoi mʼ Ithakēnde idoiato nostēsanta.

ton dʼ autʼ Alkinoos apameibeto phōnēsen te·

ō Oduseu, to men ou ti sʼ eiskomen eisoroōntes,

ēperopēa tʼ emen kai epiklopon, hoia te pollous

365boskei gaia melaina poluspereas anthrōpous,

English · Butler

who see me when I get back to Ithaca." "Odysseus," replied Alkinoos, "not one of us who sees you has any idea that you are a charlatan or a swindler. I know there are many people going about who tell such plausible stories that it is very hard to see through them, but there is a style about your language which assures me of your good disposition.

Homeric Greek

ψεύδεά τʼ ἀρτύνοντας ὅθεν κέ τις οὐδὲ ἴδοιτο·

σοὶ δʼ ἔπι μὲν μορφὴ ἐπέων, ἔνι δὲ φρένες ἐσθλαί.

μῦθον δʼ ὡς ὅτʼ ἀοιδὸς ἐπισταμένως κατέλεξας,

πάντων τʼ Ἀργείων σέο τʼ αὐτοῦ κήδεα λυγρά.

370ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,

Transliteration

pseudea tʼ artunontas hothen ke tis oude idoito·

soi dʼ epi men morphē epeōn, eni de phrenes esthlai.

muthon dʼ hōs hotʼ aoidos epistamenōs katelexas,

pantōn tʼ Argeiōn seo tʼ autou kēdea lugra.

370allʼ age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon,

English · Butler

Moreover you have told the story of your own misfortunes, and those of the Argives, as though you were a practiced bard; but tell me, and tell me true, whether you saw any of the mighty heroes who went to Troy at the same time with yourself, and perished there. The evenings are still at their

Homeric Greek

εἴ τινας ἀντιθέων ἑτάρων ἴδες, οἵ τοι ἅμʼ αὐτῷ

Ἴλιον εἰς ἅμʼ ἕποντο καὶ αὐτοῦ πότμον ἐπέσπον.

νὺξ δʼ ἥδε μάλα μακρή, ἀθέσφατος· οὐδέ πω ὥρη

εὕδειν ἐν μεγάρῳ, σὺ δέ μοι λέγε θέσκελα ἔργα.

375καί κεν ἐς ἠῶ δῖαν ἀνασχοίμην, ὅτε μοι σὺ

Transliteration

ei tinas antitheōn hetarōn ides, hoi toi hamʼ autōi

Ilion eis hamʼ heponto kai autou potmon epespon.

nux dʼ hēde mala makrē, athesphatos· oude pō hōrē

heudein en megarōi, su de moi lege theskela erga.

375kai ken es ēō dian anaschoimēn, hote moi su

English · Butler

longest, and it is not yet bed time - go on, therefore, with your divine story, for I could stay here listening till tomorrow morning, so long as you will

Homeric Greek

τλαίης ἐν μεγάρῳ τὰ σὰ κήδεα μυθήσασθαι.

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,

ὥρη μὲν πολέων μύθων, ὥρη δὲ καὶ ὕπνου·

380εἰ δʼ ἔτʼ ἀκουέμεναί γε λιλαίεαι, οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ γε

Transliteration

tlaiēs en megarōi ta sa kēdea muthēsasthai.

ton dʼ apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus·

Alkinoe kreion, pantōn arideikete laōn,

hōrē men poleōn muthōn, hōrē de kai hupnou·

380ei dʼ etʼ akouemenai ge lilaieai, ouk an egō ge

English · Butler

continue to tell us of your adventures." "Alkinoos," answered Odysseus, "there is a time for making speeches, and a time for going to bed; nevertheless, since you so desire, I will not refrain from telling you the still sadder tale of those

Homeric Greek

τούτων σοι φθονέοιμι καὶ οἰκτρότερʼ ἄλλʼ ἀγορεύειν,

κήδεʼ ἐμῶν ἑτάρων, οἳ δὴ μετόπισθεν ὄλοντο,

οἳ Τρώων μὲν ὑπεξέφυγον στονόεσσαν ἀυτήν,

ἐν νόστῳ δʼ ἀπόλοντο κακῆς ἰότητι γυναικός.

385αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ ψυχὰς μὲν ἀπεσκέδασʼ ἄλλυδις ἄλλῃ

Transliteration

toutōn soi phthoneoimi kai oiktroterʼ allʼ agoreuein,

kēdeʼ emōn hetarōn, hoi dē metopisthen olonto,

hoi Trōōn men hupexephugon stonoessan autēn,

en nostōi dʼ apolonto kakēs iotēti gunaikos.

385autar epei psuchas men apeskedasʼ alludis allēi

English · Butler

of my comrades who did not fall fighting with the Trojans, but perished on their return, through the treachery of a wicked woman. "When Persephone had dismissed the female ghosts in all directions, the ghost of Agamemnon son of Atreus came sadly up to me, surrounded by those who had perished with him in the house of Aigisthos.

Homeric Greek

ἁγνὴ Περσεφόνεια γυναικῶν θηλυτεράων,

ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεΐδαο

ἀχνυμένη· περὶ δʼ ἄλλαι ἀγηγέραθʼ, ὅσσοι ἅμʼ αὐτῷ

οἴκῳ ἐν Αἰγίσθοιο θάνον καὶ πότμον ἐπέσπον.

390ἔγνω δʼ αἶψʼ ἔμʼ ἐκεῖνος, ἐπεὶ πίεν αἷμα κελαινόν·

Transliteration

hagnē Persephoneia gunaikōn thēluteraōn,

ēlthe dʼ epi psuchē Agamemnonos Atreïdao

achnumenē· peri dʼ allai agēgerathʼ, hossoi hamʼ autōi

oikōi en Aigisthoio thanon kai potmon epespon.

390egnō dʼ aipsʼ emʼ ekeinos, epei pien haima kelainon·

English · Butler

"When Persephone had dismissed the female ghosts in all directions, the ghost of Agamemnon son of Atreus came sadly up to me, surrounded by those who had perished with him in the house of Aigisthos. As soon as he had tasted the blood he knew me, and weeping bitterly stretched out his arms towards me to embrace me; but he had no strength nor substance any more, and I too wept and pitied him as I beheld him.

Homeric Greek

κλαῖε δʼ ὅ γε λιγέως, θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυον εἴβων,

πιτνὰς εἰς ἐμὲ χεῖρας, ὀρέξασθαι μενεαίνων·

ἀλλʼ οὐ γάρ οἱ ἔτʼ ἦν ἲς ἔμπεδος οὐδέ τι κῖκυς,

οἵη περ πάρος ἔσκεν ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσι.

395τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ δάκρυσα ἰδὼν ἐλέησά τε θυμῷ,

Transliteration

klaie dʼ ho ge ligeōs, thaleron kata dakruon eibōn,

pitnas eis eme cheiras, orexasthai meneainōn·

allʼ ou gar hoi etʼ ēn is empedos oude ti kikus,

hoiē per paros esken eni gnamptoisi melessi.

395ton men egō dakrusa idōn eleēsa te thumōi,

English · Butler

‘How did you come by your death,’ said I, ‘King Agamemnon? Did Poseidon raise his winds and waves against you when you were at sea, or did

Homeric Greek

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·

Ἀτρεΐδη κύδιστε, ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγάμεμνον,

τίς νύ σε κὴρ ἐδάμασσε τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο;

ἦε σέ γʼ ἐν νήεσσι Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσεν

400ὄρσας ἀργαλέων ἀνέμων ἀμέγαρτον ἀυτμήν;

Transliteration

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēudōn·

Atreïdē kudiste, anax andrōn Agamemnon,

tis nu se kēr edamasse tanēlegeos thanatoio;

ēe se gʼ en nēessi Poseidaōn edamassen

400orsas argaleōn anemōn amegarton autmēn;

English · Butler

your enemies make an end of you on the mainland when you were cattle-lifting or sheep-stealing, or while

Homeric Greek

ἦέ σʼ ἀνάρσιοι ἄνδρες ἐδηλήσαντʼ ἐπὶ χέρσου

βοῦς περιταμνόμενον ἠδʼ οἰῶν πώεα καλά,

ἠὲ περὶ πτόλιος μαχεούμενον ἠδὲ γυναικῶν;

ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·

405διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

Transliteration

ēe sʼ anarsioi andres edēlēsantʼ epi chersou

bous peritamnomenon ēdʼ oiōn pōea kala,

ēe peri ptolios macheoumenon ēde gunaikōn;

hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ autikʼ ameibomenos proseeipe·

405diogenes Laertiadē, polumēchanʼ Odusseu,

English · Butler

they were fighting in defense of their wives and city?’ "‘Odysseus,’ he answered, ‘noble son of Laertes, I was not lost at sea in any storm of Poseidon's raising, nor did my foes dispatch me upon the mainland, but Aigisthos and my wicked wife were the death of me between them. He asked me to his house, feasted me,

Homeric Greek

οὔτʼ ἐμέ γʼ ἐν νήεσσι Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσεν

ὄρσας ἀργαλέων ἀνέμων ἀμέγαρτον ἀυτμήν,

οὔτε μʼ ἀνάρσιοι ἄνδρες ἐδηλήσαντʼ ἐπὶ χέρσου,

ἀλλά μοι Αἴγισθος τεύξας θάνατόν τε μόρον τε

410ἔκτα σὺν οὐλομένῃ ἀλόχῳ, οἶκόνδε καλέσσας,

Transliteration

outʼ eme gʼ en nēessi Poseidaōn edamassen

orsas argaleōn anemōn amegarton autmēn,

oute mʼ anarsioi andres edēlēsantʼ epi chersou,

alla moi Aigisthos teuxas thanaton te moron te

410ekta sun oulomenēi alochōi, oikonde kalessas,

English · Butler

and then butchered me most miserably as though I were a fat beast in a slaughter house, while all around me my comrades were slain like sheep or pigs for the wedding breakfast, or dinner-party, or gourmet feast of some great nobleman. You must have seen numbers of men

Homeric Greek

δειπνίσσας, ὥς τίς τε κατέκτανε βοῦν ἐπὶ φάτνῃ.

ὣς θάνον οἰκτίστῳ θανάτῳ· περὶ δʼ ἄλλοι ἑταῖροι

νωλεμέως κτείνοντο σύες ὣς ἀργιόδοντες,

οἵ ῥά τʼ ἐν ἀφνειοῦ ἀνδρὸς μέγα δυναμένοιο

415ἢ γάμῳ ἢ ἐράνῳ ἢ εἰλαπίνῃ τεθαλυίῃ.

Transliteration

deipnissas, hōs tis te katektane boun epi phatnēi.

hōs thanon oiktistōi thanatōi· peri dʼ alloi hetairoi

nōlemeōs kteinonto sues hōs argiodontes,

hoi rha tʼ en aphneiou andros mega dunamenoio

415ē gamōi ē eranōi ē eilapinēi tethaluiēi.

English · Butler

killed either in a general engagement, or in single combat, but you never saw anything so truly pitiable as the way in which we fell in that room, with the mixing-bowl and the loaded tables lying all about, and the ground reeking with our blood.

Homeric Greek

ἤδη μὲν πολέων φόνῳ ἀνδρῶν ἀντεβόλησας,

μουνὰξ κτεινομένων καὶ ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ·

ἀλλά κε κεῖνα μάλιστα ἰδὼν ὀλοφύραο θυμῷ,

ὡς ἀμφὶ κρητῆρα τραπέζας τε πληθούσας

420κείμεθʼ ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ, δάπεδον δʼ ἅπαν αἵματι θῦεν.

Transliteration

ēdē men poleōn phonōi andrōn antebolēsas,

mounax kteinomenōn kai eni kraterēi husminēi·

alla ke keina malista idōn olophurao thumōi,

hōs amphi krētēra trapezas te plēthousas

420keimethʼ eni megarōi, dapedon dʼ hapan haimati thuen.

English · Butler

I heard Priam's daughter Cassandra scream as Clytemnestra killed her close beside me. I lay dying upon the earth with the sword in my body, and raised my hands to kill the slut of a murderess, but she slipped away from me; she would not even close

Homeric Greek

οἰκτροτάτην δʼ ἤκουσα ὄπα Πριάμοιο θυγατρός,

Κασσάνδρης, τὴν κτεῖνε Κλυταιμνήστρη δολόμητις

ἀμφʼ ἐμοί, αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ ποτὶ γαίῃ χεῖρας ἀείρων

βάλλον ἀποθνήσκων περὶ φασγάνῳ· ἡ δὲ κυνῶπις

425νοσφίσατʼ, οὐδέ μοι ἔτλη ἰόντι περ εἰς Ἀίδαο

Transliteration

oiktrotatēn dʼ ēkousa opa Priamoio thugatros,

Kassandrēs, tēn kteine Klutaimnēstrē dolomētis

amphʼ emoi, autar egō poti gaiēi cheiras aeirōn

ballon apothnēskōn peri phasganōi· hē de kunōpis

425nosphisatʼ, oude moi etlē ionti per eis Aidao

English · Butler

my lips nor my eyes when I was dying, for there is nothing in this world so cruel and so shameless as a woman when she has fallen into such guilt as hers was.

Homeric Greek

χερσὶ κατʼ ὀφθαλμοὺς ἑλέειν σύν τε στόμʼ ἐρεῖσαι.

ὣς οὐκ αἰνότερον καὶ κύντερον ἄλλο γυναικός,

ἥ τις δὴ τοιαῦτα μετὰ φρεσὶν ἔργα βάληται·

οἷον δὴ καὶ κείνη ἐμήσατο ἔργον ἀεικές,

430κουριδίῳ τεύξασα πόσει φόνον. ἦ τοι ἔφην γε

Transliteration

chersi katʼ ophthalmous heleein sun te stomʼ ereisai.

hōs ouk ainoteron kai kunteron allo gunaikos,

hē tis dē toiauta meta phresin erga balētai·

hoion dē kai keinē emēsato ergon aeikes,

430kouridiōi teuxasa posei phonon. ē toi ephēn ge

English · Butler

Fancy murdering her own husband! I thought I was going to be welcomed home by my children and my servants, but her abominable crime

Homeric Greek

ἀσπάσιος παίδεσσιν ἰδὲ δμώεσσιν ἐμοῖσιν

οἴκαδʼ ἐλεύσεσθαι· ἡ δʼ ἔξοχα λυγρὰ ἰδυῖα

οἷ τε κατʼ αἶσχος ἔχευε καὶ ἐσσομένῃσιν ὀπίσσω

θηλυτέρῃσι γυναιξί, καὶ ἥ κʼ ἐυεργὸς ἔῃσιν.

435ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

Transliteration

aspasios paidessin ide dmōessin emoisin

oikadʼ eleusesthai· hē dʼ exocha lugra iduia

hoi te katʼ aischos echeue kai essomenēisin opissō

thēluterēisi gunaixi, kai hē kʼ euergos eēisin.

435hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·

English · Butler

has brought disgrace on herself and all women who shall come after - even on the good ones.’ "And I said, ‘In truth Zeus has hated the house of Atreus from first to last in the matter of their women's counsels.

Homeric Greek

ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ γόνον Ἀτρέος εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς

ἐκπάγλως ἤχθηρε γυναικείας διὰ βουλὰς

ἐξ ἀρχῆς· Ἑλένης μὲν ἀπωλόμεθʼ εἵνεκα πολλοί,

σοὶ δὲ Κλυταιμνήστρη δόλον ἤρτυε τηλόθʼ ἐόντι.

440ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·

Transliteration

ō popoi, ē mala dē gonon Atreos euruopa Zeus

ekpaglōs ēchthēre gunaikeias dia boulas

ex archēs· Helenēs men apōlomethʼ heineka polloi,

soi de Klutaimnēstrē dolon ērtue tēlothʼ eonti.

440hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ autikʼ ameibomenos proseeipe·

English · Butler

"And I said, ‘In truth Zeus has hated the house of Atreus from first to last in the matter of their women's counsels. See how many of us fell for Helen's sake, and now it seems that Clytemnestra hatched mischief against you too during your absence.’

Homeric Greek

τῷ νῦν μή ποτε καὶ σὺ γυναικί περ ἤπιος εἶναι·

μή οἱ μῦθον ἅπαντα πιφαυσκέμεν, ὅν κʼ ἐὺ εἰδῇς,

ἀλλὰ τὸ μὲν φάσθαι, τὸ δὲ καὶ κεκρυμμένον εἶναι.

ἀλλʼ οὐ σοί γʼ, Ὀδυσεῦ, φόνος ἔσσεται ἔκ γε γυναικός·

445λίην γὰρ πινυτή τε καὶ εὖ φρεσὶ μήδεα οἶδε

Transliteration

tōi nun mē pote kai su gunaiki per ēpios einai·

mē hoi muthon hapanta piphauskemen, hon kʼ eu eidēis,

alla to men phasthai, to de kai kekrummenon einai.

allʼ ou soi gʼ, Oduseu, phonos essetai ek ge gunaikos·

445liēn gar pinutē te kai eu phresi mēdea oide

English · Butler

"‘Be sure, therefore,’ continued Agamemnon, ‘and not be too friendly even with your own wife. Do not tell her all that you know perfectly well yourself. Tell her a part only, and keep your own counsel about the rest. Not that your wife, Odysseus, is likely to murder you, for Penelope is a very admirable woman, and has an excellent nature. We left her a young bride with an infant at her breast when we set out for Troy.

Homeric Greek

κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρων Πηνελόπεια.

ἦ μέν μιν νύμφην γε νέην κατελείπομεν ἡμεῖς

ἐρχόμενοι πόλεμόνδε· πάϊς δέ οἱ ἦν ἐπὶ μαζῷ

νήπιος, ὅς που νῦν γε μετʼ ἀνδρῶν ἵζει ἀριθμῷ,

450ὄλβιος· ἦ γὰρ τόν γε πατὴρ φίλος ὄψεται ἐλθών,

Transliteration

kourē Ikarioio, periphrōn Pēnelopeia.

ē men min numphēn ge neēn kateleipomen hēmeis

erchomenoi polemonde· païs de hoi ēn epi mazōi

nēpios, hos pou nun ge metʼ andrōn hizei arithmōi,

450olbios· ē gar ton ge patēr philos opsetai elthōn,

English · Butler

This child no doubt is now grown up happily to man's estate, and he and his father will have a joyful meeting and embrace one another as it is right they should do, whereas my wicked wife did not even allow me the

Homeric Greek

καὶ κεῖνος πατέρα προσπτύξεται, ἣ θέμις ἐστίν.

ἡ δʼ ἐμὴ οὐδέ περ υἷος ἐνιπλησθῆναι ἄκοιτις

ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἔασε· πάρος δέ με πέφνε καὶ αὐτόν.

ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν·

455κρύβδην, μηδʼ ἀναφανδά, φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν

Transliteration

kai keinos patera prosptuxetai, hē themis estin.

hē dʼ emē oude per huios eniplēsthēnai akoitis

ophthalmoisin ease· paros de me pephne kai auton.

allo de toi ereō, su dʼ eni phresi balleo sēisin·

455krubdēn, mēdʼ anaphanda, philēn es patrida gaian

English · Butler

happiness of looking upon my son, but killed me ere I could do so. Furthermore I say - and lay my saying to your heart - do not tell people when you are bringing your ship to Ithaca, but steal a march upon them, for after all this there is no trusting women.

Homeric Greek

νῆα κατισχέμεναι· ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι πιστὰ γυναιξίν.

ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,

εἴ που ἔτι ζώοντος ἀκούετε παιδὸς ἐμοῖο,

ἤ που ἐν Ὀρχομενῷ ἢ ἐν Πύλῳ ἠμαθόεντι,

460ἤ που πὰρ Μενελάῳ ἐνὶ Σπάρτῃ εὐρείῃ·

Transliteration

nēa katischemenai· epei ouketi pista gunaixin.

allʼ age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon,

ei pou eti zōontos akouete paidos emoio,

ē pou en Orchomenōi ē en Pulōi ēmathoenti,

460ē pou par Menelaōi eni Spartēi eureiēi·

English · Butler

But now tell me, and tell me true, can you give me any news of my son Orestes? Is he in Orkhomenos, or at Pylos, or is he at Sparta with Menelaos - for I presume

Homeric Greek

οὐ γάρ πω τέθνηκεν ἐπὶ χθονὶ δῖος Ὀρέστης.

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

Ἀτρεΐδη, τί με ταῦτα διείρεαι; οὐδέ τι οἶδα,

ζώει ὅ γʼ ἦ τέθνηκε· κακὸν δʼ ἀνεμώλια βάζειν.

465νῶι μὲν ὣς ἐπέεσσιν ἀμειβομένω στυγεροῖσιν

Transliteration

ou gar pō tethnēken epi chthoni dios Orestēs.

hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·

Atreïdē, ti me tauta dieireai; oude ti oida,

zōei ho gʼ ē tethnēke· kakon dʼ anemōlia bazein.

465nōi men hōs epeessin ameibomenō stugeroisin

English · Butler

that he is still living.’ "And I said, ‘Agamemnon, why do you ask me? I do not know whether your son is alive or dead, and it is not right to talk when one does not know.’ "As we two sat weeping and talking thus sadly with one another the ghost of Achilles came up to us with Patroklos, Antilokhos, and Ajax who was the finest and goodliest man of all the Danaans after the son of Peleus.

Homeric Greek

ἕσταμεν ἀχνύμενοι θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες·

ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος

καὶ Πατροκλῆος καὶ ἀμύμονος Ἀντιλόχοιο

Αἴαντός θʼ, ὃς ἄριστος ἔην εἶδός τε δέμας τε

470τῶν ἄλλων Δαναῶν μετʼ ἀμύμονα Πηλεΐωνα.

Transliteration

hestamen achnumenoi thaleron kata dakru cheontes·

ēlthe dʼ epi psuchē Pēlēïadeō Achilēos

kai Patroklēos kai amumonos Antilochoio

Aiantos thʼ, hos aristos eēn eidos te demas te

470tōn allōn Danaōn metʼ amumona Pēleïōna.

English · Butler

"As we two sat weeping and talking thus sadly with one another the ghost of Achilles came up to us with Patroklos, Antilokhos, and Ajax who was the finest and goodliest man of all the Danaans after the son of Peleus. The psukhê of the fleet descendant of Aiakos knew me and spoke piteously, saying, ‘Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, what deed of daring will you

Homeric Greek

ἔγνω δὲ ψυχή με ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαο

καί ῥʼ ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

σχέτλιε, τίπτʼ ἔτι μεῖζον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μήσεαι ἔργον;

475πῶς ἔτλης Ἄϊδόσδε κατελθέμεν, ἔνθα τε νεκροὶ

Transliteration

egnō de psuchē me podōkeos Aiakidao

kai rhʼ olophuromenē epea pteroenta prosēuda·

diogenes Laertiadē, polumēchanʼ Odusseu,

schetlie, tiptʼ eti meizon eni phresi mēseai ergon;

475pōs etlēs Aïdosde katelthemen, entha te nekroi

English · Butler

undertake next, that you venture down to the house of Hades among us silly dead, who are but the ghosts of them

Homeric Greek

ἀφραδέες ναίουσι, βροτῶν εἴδωλα καμόντων;

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ Πηλῆος υἱέ, μέγα φέρτατʼ Ἀχαιῶν,

ἦλθον Τειρεσίαο κατὰ χρέος, εἴ τινα βουλὴν

480εἴποι, ὅπως Ἰθάκην ἐς παιπαλόεσσαν ἱκοίμην·

Transliteration

aphradees naiousi, brotōn eidōla kamontōn;

hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·

ō Achileu Pēlēos huie, mega phertatʼ Achaiōn,

ēlthon Teiresiao kata chreos, ei tina boulēn

480eipoi, hopōs Ithakēn es paipaloessan hikoimēn·

English · Butler

that can labor no more?’ "And I said, ‘Achilles, son of Peleus, foremost champion of the Achaeans, I came to consult Teiresias, and see if he could advise me about my return home to Ithaca, for I have never yet been able to get near the Achaean land, nor to set foot in my own country, but have been in trouble all the time. As for you, Achilles, no one was ever yet so fortunate as you have been, nor ever will be, for you

Homeric Greek

οὐ γάρ πω σχεδὸν ἦλθον Ἀχαιΐδος, οὐδέ πω ἁμῆς

γῆς ἐπέβην, ἀλλʼ αἰὲν ἔχω κακά. σεῖο δʼ, Ἀχιλλεῦ,

οὔ τις ἀνὴρ προπάροιθε μακάρτατος οὔτʼ ἄρʼ ὀπίσσω.

πρὶν μὲν γάρ σε ζωὸν ἐτίομεν ἶσα θεοῖσιν

485Ἀργεῖοι, νῦν αὖτε μέγα κρατέεις νεκύεσσιν

Transliteration

ou gar pō schedon ēlthon Achaiïdos, oude pō hamēs

gēs epebēn, allʼ aien echō kaka. seio dʼ, Achilleu,

ou tis anēr proparoithe makartatos outʼ arʼ opissō.

prin men gar se zōon etiomen isa theoisin

485Argeioi, nun aute mega krateeis nekuessin

English · Butler

were adored by all us Argives as long as you were alive, and now that you are here you are a great prince among the dead. Do not, therefore, take it so much to heart even if

Homeric Greek

ἐνθάδʼ ἐών· τῷ μή τι θανὼν ἀκαχίζευ, Ἀχιλλεῦ.

ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·

μὴ δή μοι θάνατόν γε παραύδα, φαίδιμʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ.

βουλοίμην κʼ ἐπάρουρος ἐὼν θητευέμεν ἄλλῳ,

490ἀνδρὶ παρʼ ἀκλήρῳ, ᾧ μὴ βίοτος πολὺς εἴη,

Transliteration

enthadʼ eōn· tōi mē ti thanōn akachizeu, Achilleu.

hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ autikʼ ameibomenos proseeipe·

mē dē moi thanaton ge parauda, phaidimʼ Odusseu.

bouloimēn kʼ eparouros eōn thēteuemen allōi,

490andri parʼ aklērōi, hōi mē biotos polus eiē,

English · Butler

you are dead.’ "‘Say not a word,’ he answered, ‘in death's favor; I would rather be a paid servant in a poor man's house and be above ground than king of kings among the dead. But give me news about son; is he gone to the wars and will he be a great warrior, or is this not so? Tell me also if you have heard anything

Homeric Greek

ἢ πᾶσιν νεκύεσσι καταφθιμένοισιν ἀνάσσειν.

ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τοῦ παιδὸς ἀγαυοῦ μῦθον ἐνίσπες,

ἢ ἕπετʼ ἐς πόλεμον πρόμος ἔμμεναι, ἦε καὶ οὐκί.

εἰπὲ δέ μοι Πηλῆος ἀμύμονος, εἴ τι πέπυσσαι,

495ἢ ἔτʼ ἔχει τιμὴν πολέσιν μετὰ Μυρμιδόνεσσιν,

Transliteration

ē pasin nekuessi kataphthimenoisin anassein.

allʼ age moi tou paidos agauou muthon enispes,

ē hepetʼ es polemon promos emmenai, ēe kai ouki.

eipe de moi Pēlēos amumonos, ei ti pepussai,

495ē etʼ echei timēn polesin meta Murmidonessin,

English · Butler

about my father Peleus - does he still rule among the Myrmidons, or do they show him no respect throughout Hellas and Phthia now that he is old and his limbs fail him? Could I but stand by his side, in the light of day, with the

Homeric Greek

ἦ μιν ἀτιμάζουσιν ἀνʼ Ἑλλάδα τε Φθίην τε,

οὕνεκά μιν κατὰ γῆρας ἔχει χεῖράς τε πόδας τε.

οὐ γὰρ ἐγὼν ἐπαρωγὸς ὑπʼ αὐγὰς ἠελίοιο,

τοῖος ἐών, οἷός ποτʼ ἐνὶ Τροίῃ εὐρείῃ

500πέφνον λαὸν ἄριστον, ἀμύνων Ἀργείοισιν·

Transliteration

ē min atimazousin anʼ Hellada te Phthiēn te,

houneka min kata gēras echei cheiras te podas te.

ou gar egōn eparōgos hupʼ augas ēelioio,

toios eōn, hoios potʼ eni Troiēi eureiēi

500pephnon laon ariston, amunōn Argeioisin·

English · Butler

same strength that I had when I killed the bravest of our foes upon the plain of Troy - could I but be as I then was and go even for a short time to

Homeric Greek

εἰ τοιόσδʼ ἔλθοιμι μίνυνθά περ ἐς πατέρος δῶ·

τῷ κέ τεῳ στύξαιμι μένος καὶ χεῖρας ἀάπτους,

οἳ κεῖνον βιόωνται ἐέργουσίν τʼ ἀπὸ τιμῆς.

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

505ἦ τοι μὲν Πηλῆος ἀμύμονος οὔ τι πέπυσμαι,

Transliteration

ei toiosdʼ elthoimi minuntha per es pateros dō·

tōi ke teōi stuxaimi menos kai cheiras aaptous,

hoi keinon bioōntai eergousin tʼ apo timēs.

hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·

505ē toi men Pēlēos amumonos ou ti pepusmai,

English · Butler

my father's house, any one who tried to do him violence or supersede him would soon feel my strength and invincible hands.’ "‘I have heard nothing,’ I answered, ‘of Peleus, but I can tell you the truth about your son Neoptolemos, for I took him in my own ship from Skyros with the Achaeans. In our councils of war before Troy he was always first to speak, and his judgment was unerring.

Homeric Greek

αὐτάρ τοι παιδός γε Νεοπτολέμοιο φίλοιο

πᾶσαν ἀληθείην μυθήσομαι, ὥς με κελεύεις·

αὐτὸς γάρ μιν ἐγὼ κοίλης ἐπὶ νηὸς ἐίσης

ἤγαγον ἐκ Σκύρου μετʼ ἐυκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς.

510ἦ τοι ὅτʼ ἀμφὶ πόλιν Τροίην φραζοίμεθα βουλάς,

Transliteration

autar toi paidos ge Neoptolemoio philoio

pasan alētheiēn muthēsomai, hōs me keleueis·

autos gar min egō koilēs epi nēos eisēs

ēgagon ek Skurou metʼ euknēmidas Achaious.

510ē toi hotʼ amphi polin Troiēn phrazoimetha boulas,

English · Butler

Nestor and I were the only two who could surpass him; and when it came to fighting on the plain of Troy, he would never remain with the body of his men, but would dash on far in front, foremost of them all in valor. Many a man did he kill in battle

Homeric Greek

αἰεὶ πρῶτος ἔβαζε καὶ οὐχ ἡμάρτανε μύθων·

Νέστωρ ἀντίθεος καὶ ἐγὼ νικάσκομεν οἴω.

αὐτὰρ ὅτʼ ἐν πεδίῳ Τρώων μαρναίμεθα χαλκῷ,

οὔ ποτʼ ἐνὶ πληθυῖ μένεν ἀνδρῶν οὐδʼ ἐν ὁμίλῳ,

515ἀλλὰ πολὺ προθέεσκε τὸ ὃν μένος οὐδενὶ εἴκων,

Transliteration

aiei prōtos ebaze kai ouch hēmartane muthōn·

Nestōr antitheos kai egō nikaskomen oiō.

autar hotʼ en pediōi Trōōn marnaimetha chalkōi,

ou potʼ eni plēthui menen andrōn oudʼ en homilōi,

515alla polu protheeske to hon menos oudeni eikōn,

English · Butler

- I cannot name every single one of those whom he slew while fighting on the side of the Argives, but will only say how he killed that valiant hero Eurypylos son of Telephus, who was the handsomest man I ever saw except Memnon; many others also of the Ceteians fell around him by reason of a woman's bribes.

Homeric Greek

πολλοὺς δʼ ἄνδρας ἔπεφνεν ἐν αἰνῇ δηιοτῆτι.

πάντας δʼ οὐκ ἂν ἐγὼ μυθήσομαι οὐδʼ ὀνομήνω,

ὅσσον λαὸν ἔπεφνεν ἀμύνων Ἀργείοισιν,

ἀλλʼ οἷον τὸν Τηλεφίδην κατενήρατο χαλκῷ,

520ἥρωʼ Εὐρύπυλον, πολλοὶ δʼ ἀμφʼ αὐτὸν ἑταῖροι

Transliteration

pollous dʼ andras epephnen en ainēi dēiotēti.

pantas dʼ ouk an egō muthēsomai oudʼ onomēnō,

hosson laon epephnen amunōn Argeioisin,

allʼ hoion ton Tēlephidēn katenērato chalkōi,

520hērōʼ Eurupulon, polloi dʼ amphʼ auton hetairoi

English · Butler

Moreover, when all the bravest of the Argives went inside the horse that Epeios had made, and it was left to me to settle when we should either open the door of our ambuscade, or

Homeric Greek

Κήτειοι κτείνοντο γυναίων εἵνεκα δώρων.

κεῖνον δὴ κάλλιστον ἴδον μετὰ Μέμνονα δῖον.

αὐτὰρ ὅτʼ εἰς ἵππον κατεβαίνομεν, ὃν κάμʼ Ἐπειός,

Ἀργείων οἱ ἄριστοι, ἐμοὶ δʼ ἐπὶ πάντα τέταλτο,

525ἠμὲν ἀνακλῖναι πυκινὸν λόχον ἠδʼ ἐπιθεῖναι,

Transliteration

Kēteioi kteinonto gunaiōn heineka dōrōn.

keinon dē kalliston idon meta Memnona dion.

autar hotʼ eis hippon katebainomen, hon kamʼ Epeios,

Argeiōn hoi aristoi, emoi dʼ epi panta tetalto,

525ēmen anaklinai pukinon lochon ēdʼ epitheinai,

English · Butler

close it, though all the other leaders and chief men among the Danaans were drying their eyes and quaking in every limb, I never once saw him turn pale nor wipe a tear from his cheek; he was all the time urging

Homeric Greek

ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι Δαναῶν ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες

δάκρυά τʼ ὠμόργνυντο τρέμον θʼ ὑπὸ γυῖα ἑκάστου·

κεῖνον δʼ οὔ ποτε πάμπαν ἐγὼν ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιν

οὔτʼ ὠχρήσαντα χρόα κάλλιμον οὔτε παρειῶν

530δάκρυ ὀμορξάμενον· ὁ δέ γε μάλα πόλλʼ ἱκέτευεν

Transliteration

enthʼ alloi Danaōn hēgētores ēde medontes

dakrua tʼ ōmorgnunto tremon thʼ hupo guia hekastou·

keinon dʼ ou pote pampan egōn idon ophthalmoisin

outʼ ōchrēsanta chroa kallimon oute pareiōn

530dakru omorxamenon· ho de ge mala pollʼ hiketeuen

English · Butler

me to break out from the horse - grasping the handle of his sword and his bronze-shod spear, and breathing fury against the foe. Yet when we had sacked the city of Priam he got his handsome share of

Homeric Greek

ἱππόθεν ἐξέμεναι, ξίφεος δʼ ἐπεμαίετο κώπην

καὶ δόρυ χαλκοβαρές, κακὰ δὲ Τρώεσσι μενοίνα.

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ Πριάμοιο πόλιν διεπέρσαμεν αἰπήν,

μοῖραν καὶ γέρας ἐσθλὸν ἔχων ἐπὶ νηὸς ἔβαινεν

535ἀσκηθής, οὔτʼ ἂρ βεβλημένος ὀξέι χαλκῷ

Transliteration

hippothen exemenai, xipheos dʼ epemaieto kōpēn

kai doru chalkobares, kaka de Trōessi menoina.

allʼ hote dē Priamoio polin diepersamen aipēn,

moiran kai geras esthlon echōn epi nēos ebainen

535askēthēs, outʼ ar beblēmenos oxei chalkōi

English · Butler

the prize wealth and went on board (such is the fortune of war) without a wound upon him, neither from a thrown spear nor in close combat,

Homeric Greek

οὔτʼ αὐτοσχεδίην οὐτασμένος, οἷά τε πολλὰ

γίγνεται ἐν πολέμῳ· ἐπιμὶξ δέ τε μαίνεται Ἄρης.

ὣς ἐφάμην, ψυχὴ δὲ ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαο

φοίτα μακρὰ βιβᾶσα κατʼ ἀσφοδελὸν λειμῶνα,

540γηθοσύνη ὅ οἱ υἱὸν ἔφην ἀριδείκετον εἶναι.

Transliteration

outʼ autoschediēn outasmenos, hoia te polla

gignetai en polemōi· epimix de te mainetai Arēs.

hōs ephamēn, psuchē de podōkeos Aiakidao

phoita makra bibasa katʼ asphodelon leimōna,

540gēthosunē ho hoi huion ephēn arideiketon einai.

English · Butler

for the rage of Ares is a matter of great chance.’ "When I had told him this, the ghost of Achilles strode off across a meadow full of asphodel, exulting over what I had said concerning the prowess of his son.

Homeric Greek

αἱ δʼ ἄλλαι ψυχαὶ νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων

ἕστασαν ἀχνύμεναι, εἴροντο δὲ κήδεʼ ἑκάστη.

οἴη δʼ Αἴαντος ψυχὴ Τελαμωνιάδαο

νόσφιν ἀφεστήκει, κεχολωμένη εἵνεκα νίκης,

545τήν μιν ἐγὼ νίκησα δικαζόμενος παρὰ νηυσὶ

Transliteration

hai dʼ allai psuchai nekuōn katatethnēōtōn

hestasan achnumenai, eironto de kēdeʼ hekastē.

oiē dʼ Aiantos psuchē Telamōniadao

nosphin aphestēkei, kecholōmenē heineka nikēs,

545tēn min egō nikēsa dikazomenos para nēusi

English · Butler

"The ghosts of other dead men stood near me and told me each his own melancholy tale; but the psukhê of Ajax son of Telamon alone held aloof - still angry with me for having won the cause in our dispute about the armor of Achilles. Thetis had offered it as a prize, but the Trojan prisoners and Athena were the judges. Would that I had never gained the day in such a contest,

Homeric Greek

τεύχεσιν ἀμφʼ Ἀχιλῆος· ἔθηκε δὲ πότνια μήτηρ.

παῖδες δὲ Τρώων δίκασαν καὶ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.

ὡς δὴ μὴ ὄφελον νικᾶν τοιῷδʼ ἐπʼ ἀέθλῳ·

τοίην γὰρ κεφαλὴν ἕνεκʼ αὐτῶν γαῖα κατέσχεν,

550Αἴανθʼ, ὃς πέρι μὲν εἶδος, πέρι δʼ ἔργα τέτυκτο

Transliteration

teuchesin amphʼ Achilēos· ethēke de potnia mētēr.

paides de Trōōn dikasan kai Pallas Athēnē.

hōs dē mē ophelon nikan toiōidʼ epʼ aethlōi·

toiēn gar kephalēn henekʼ autōn gaia kateschen,

550Aianthʼ, hos peri men eidos, peri dʼ erga tetukto

English · Butler

for it cost the life of Ajax, who was foremost of all the Danaans after the son of Peleus, alike

Homeric Greek

τῶν ἄλλων Δαναῶν μετʼ ἀμύμονα Πηλεΐωνα.

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼν ἐπέεσσι προσηύδων μειλιχίοισιν·

Αἶαν, παῖ Τελαμῶνος ἀμύμονος, οὐκ ἄρʼ ἔμελλες

οὐδὲ θανὼν λήσεσθαι ἐμοὶ χόλου εἵνεκα τευχέων

555οὐλομένων; τὰ δὲ πῆμα θεοὶ θέσαν Ἀργείοισι,

Transliteration

tōn allōn Danaōn metʼ amumona Pēleïōna.

ton men egōn epeessi prosēudōn meilichioisin·

Aian, pai Telamōnos amumonos, ouk arʼ emelles

oude thanōn lēsesthai emoi cholou heineka teucheōn

555oulomenōn; ta de pēma theoi thesan Argeioisi,

English · Butler

in stature and prowess. "When I saw him I tried to pacify him and said, ‘Ajax, will you not forget and forgive even in death, but must the judgment about that hateful armor still rankle with you? It cost us Argives dear enough to lose such a tower of strength as you were to us. We mourned you as much as we mourned Achilles son of Peleus

Homeric Greek

τοῖος γάρ σφιν πύργος ἀπώλεο· σεῖο δʼ Ἀχαιοὶ

ἶσον Ἀχιλλῆος κεφαλῇ Πηληϊάδαο

ἀχνύμεθα φθιμένοιο διαμπερές· οὐδέ τις ἄλλος

αἴτιος, ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς Δαναῶν στρατὸν αἰχμητάων

560ἐκπάγλως ἤχθηρε, τεῒν δʼ ἐπὶ μοῖραν ἔθηκεν.

Transliteration

toios gar sphin purgos apōleo· seio dʼ Achaioi

ison Achillēos kephalēi Pēlēïadao

achnumetha phthimenoio diamperes· oude tis allos

aitios, alla Zeus Danaōn straton aichmētaōn

560ekpaglōs ēchthēre, teïn dʼ epi moiran ethēken.

English · Butler

himself, nor can the blame be laid on anything but on the spite which Zeus bore against the Danaans, for it was this that made him counsel your destruction - come here, therefore,

Homeric Greek

ἀλλʼ ἄγε δεῦρο, ἄναξ, ἵνʼ ἔπος καὶ μῦθον ἀκούσῃς

ἡμέτερον· δάμασον δὲ μένος καὶ ἀγήνορα θυμόν.

ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ οὐδὲν ἀμείβετο, βῆ δὲ μετʼ ἄλλας

ψυχὰς εἰς Ἔρεβος νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων.

565ἔνθα χʼ ὅμως προσέφη κεχολωμένος, ἤ κεν ἐγὼ τόν·

Transliteration

allʼ age deuro, anax, hinʼ epos kai muthon akousēis

hēmeteron· damason de menos kai agēnora thumon.

hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ ouden ameibeto, bē de metʼ allas

psuchas eis Erebos nekuōn katatethnēōtōn.

565entha chʼ homōs prosephē kecholōmenos, ē ken egō ton·

English · Butler

bring your proud spirit into subjection, and hear what I can tell you.’ "He would not answer, but turned away to Erebus and to the other ghosts ; nevertheless, I should have made him talk to me in spite of his being so angry, or I should

Homeric Greek

ἀλλά μοι ἤθελε θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισι

τῶν ἄλλων ψυχὰς ἰδέειν κατατεθνηώτων.

ἔνθʼ ἦ τοι Μίνωα ἴδον, Διὸς ἀγλαὸν υἱόν,

χρύσεον σκῆπτρον ἔχοντα, θεμιστεύοντα νέκυσσιν,

570ἥμενον, οἱ δέ μιν ἀμφὶ δίκας εἴροντο ἄνακτα,

Transliteration

alla moi ēthele thumos eni stēthessi philoisi

tōn allōn psuchas ideein katatethnēōtōn.

enthʼ ē toi Minōa idon, Dios aglaon huion,

chruseon skēptron echonta, themisteuonta nekussin,

570hēmenon, hoi de min amphi dikas eironto anakta,

English · Butler

have gone talking to him, only that there were still others among the dead whom I desired to see. "Then I saw Minos son of Zeus with his golden scepter in his hand sitting in judgment on the dead, and the ghosts were gathered sitting and standing round him in

Homeric Greek

ἥμενοι ἑσταότες τε κατʼ εὐρυπυλὲς Ἄϊδος δῶ.

τὸν δὲ μετʼ Ὠρίωνα πελώριον εἰσενόησα

θῆρας ὁμοῦ εἰλεῦντα κατʼ ἀσφοδελὸν λειμῶνα,

τοὺς αὐτὸς κατέπεφνεν ἐν οἰοπόλοισιν ὄρεσσι

575χερσὶν ἔχων ῥόπαλον παγχάλκεον, αἰὲν ἀαγές.

Transliteration

hēmenoi hestaotes te katʼ eurupules Aïdos dō.

ton de metʼ Ōriōna pelōrion eisenoēsa

thēras homou eileunta katʼ asphodelon leimōna,

tous autos katepephnen en oiopoloisin oressi

575chersin echōn rhopalon panchalkeon, aien aages.

English · Butler

the spacious house of Hades, to learn his sentences upon them. "After him I saw huge Orion in a meadow full of asphodel driving the ghosts of the wild beasts that he had killed upon the mountains, and he had a great bronze club in his hand, unbreakable for ever and ever.

Homeric Greek

καὶ Τιτυὸν εἶδον, Γαίης ἐρικυδέος υἱόν,

κείμενον ἐν δαπέδῳ· ὁ δʼ ἐπʼ ἐννέα κεῖτο πέλεθρα,

γῦπε δέ μιν ἑκάτερθε παρημένω ἧπαρ ἔκειρον,

δέρτρον ἔσω δύνοντες, ὁ δʼ οὐκ ἀπαμύνετο χερσί·

580Λητὼ γὰρ ἕλκησε, Διὸς κυδρὴν παράκοιτιν,

Transliteration

kai Tituon eidon, Gaiēs erikudeos huion,

keimenon en dapedōi· ho dʼ epʼ ennea keito pelethra,

gupe de min hekaterthe parēmenō hēpar ekeiron,

dertron esō dunontes, ho dʼ ouk apamuneto chersi·

580Lētō gar helkēse, Dios kudrēn parakoitin,

English · Butler

"And I saw Tityus son of Gaia stretched upon the plain and covering some nine acres of ground. Two vultures on either side of him were digging their beaks into his liver, and he kept on trying to beat them off with his hands, but could not; for he had violated Zeus’ mistress Leto as she was going through

Homeric Greek

Πυθώδʼ ἐρχομένην διὰ καλλιχόρου Πανοπῆος.

καὶ μὴν Τάνταλον εἰσεῖδον κρατέρʼ ἄλγεʼ ἔχοντα

ἑστεῶτʼ ἐν λίμνῃ· ἡ δὲ προσέπλαζε γενείῳ·

στεῦτο δὲ διψάων, πιέειν δʼ οὐκ εἶχεν ἑλέσθαι·

585ὁσσάκι γὰρ κύψειʼ ὁ γέρων πιέειν μενεαίνων,

Transliteration

Puthōdʼ erchomenēn dia kallichorou Panopēos.

kai mēn Tantalon eiseidon kraterʼ algeʼ echonta

hesteōtʼ en limnēi· hē de proseplaze geneiōi·

steuto de dipsaōn, pieein dʼ ouk eichen helesthai·

585hossaki gar kupseiʼ ho gerōn pieein meneainōn,

English · Butler

Panopeus on her way to Pytho. "I saw also the dreadful fate of Tantalus, who stood in a lake that reached his chin; he was dying to quench his thirst, but could never reach the water, for whenever the poor creature stooped to drink, it dried up and vanished, so that there was nothing but dry ground - parched by a daimôn. There were tall trees, moreover, that shed their fruit over his head

Homeric Greek

τοσσάχʼ ὕδωρ ἀπολέσκετʼ ἀναβροχέν, ἀμφὶ δὲ ποσσὶ

γαῖα μέλαινα φάνεσκε, καταζήνασκε δὲ δαίμων.

δένδρεα δʼ ὑψιπέτηλα κατὰ κρῆθεν χέε καρπόν,

ὄγχναι καὶ ῥοιαὶ καὶ μηλέαι ἀγλαόκαρποι

590συκέαι τε γλυκεραὶ καὶ ἐλαῖαι τηλεθόωσαι·

Transliteration

tossachʼ hudōr apolesketʼ anabrochen, amphi de possi

gaia melaina phaneske, katazēnaske de daimōn.

dendrea dʼ hupsipetēla kata krēthen chee karpon,

onchnai kai rhoiai kai mēleai aglaokarpoi

590sukeai te glukerai kai elaiai tēlethoōsai·

English · Butler

- pears, pomegranates, apples, sweet figs and juicy olives, but whenever the poor creature stretched out his hand to take some, the

Homeric Greek

τῶν ὁπότʼ ἰθύσειʼ ὁ γέρων ἐπὶ χερσὶ μάσασθαι,

τὰς δʼ ἄνεμος ῥίπτασκε ποτὶ νέφεα σκιόεντα.

καὶ μὴν Σίσυφον εἰσεῖδον κρατέρʼ ἄλγεʼ ἔχοντα

λᾶαν βαστάζοντα πελώριον ἀμφοτέρῃσιν.

595ἦ τοι ὁ μὲν σκηριπτόμενος χερσίν τε ποσίν τε

Transliteration

tōn hopotʼ ithuseiʼ ho gerōn epi chersi masasthai,

tas dʼ anemos rhiptaske poti nephea skioenta.

kai mēn Sisuphon eiseidon kraterʼ algeʼ echonta

laan bastazonta pelōrion amphoterēisin.

595ē toi ho men skēriptomenos chersin te posin te

English · Butler

wind tossed the branches back again to the clouds. "And I saw Sisyphus at his endless task raising his prodigious stone with both his hands. With hands and feet he tried to roll it up to the top of the hill, but always, just before he

Homeric Greek

λᾶαν ἄνω ὤθεσκε ποτὶ λόφον· ἀλλʼ ὅτε μέλλοι

ἄκρον ὑπερβαλέειν, τότʼ ἀποστρέψασκε κραταιίς·

αὖτις ἔπειτα πέδονδε κυλίνδετο λᾶας ἀναιδής.

αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ ἂψ ὤσασκε τιταινόμενος, κατὰ δʼ ἱδρὼς

600ἔρρεεν ἐκ μελέων, κονίη δʼ ἐκ κρατὸς ὀρώρει.

Transliteration

laan anō ōtheske poti lophon· allʼ hote melloi

akron huperbaleein, totʼ apostrepsaske krataiis·

autis epeita pedonde kulindeto laas anaidēs.

autar ho gʼ aps ōsaske titainomenos, kata dʼ hidrōs

600erreen ek meleōn, koniē dʼ ek kratos orōrei.

English · Butler

could roll it over on to the other side, its weight would be too much for him, and the pitiless stone would come thundering down again on to the plain. Then he would begin trying to push it up hill again, and the sweat ran off him and the steam rose after him.

Homeric Greek

τὸν δὲ μετʼ εἰσενόησα βίην Ἡρακληείην,

εἴδωλον· αὐτὸς δὲ μετʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι

τέρπεται ἐν θαλίῃς καὶ ἔχει καλλίσφυρον Ἥβην,

παῖδα Διὸς μεγάλοιο καὶ Ἥρης χρυσοπεδίλου.

605ἀμφὶ δέ μιν κλαγγὴ νεκύων ἦν οἰωνῶν ὥς,

Transliteration

ton de metʼ eisenoēsa biēn Hēraklēeiēn,

eidōlon· autos de metʼ athanatoisi theoisi

terpetai en thaliēis kai echei kallisphuron Hēbēn,

paida Dios megaloio kai Hērēs chrusopedilou.

605amphi de min klangē nekuōn ēn oiōnōn hōs,

English · Butler

"After him I saw mighty Herakles, but it was his phantom only, for he is feasting ever with the immortal gods, and has lovely Hebe to wife, who is daughter of Zeus and Hera. The ghosts were screaming round him like scared birds flying in all directions. He looked black as night with his bare bow in his hands and his arrow on the string, glaring around as though ever on the point of taking aim.

Homeric Greek

πάντοσʼ ἀτυζομένων· ὁ δʼ ἐρεμνῇ νυκτὶ ἐοικώς,

γυμνὸν τόξον ἔχων καὶ ἐπὶ νευρῆφιν ὀιστόν,

δεινὸν παπταίνων, αἰεὶ βαλέοντι ἐοικώς.

σμερδαλέος δέ οἱ ἀμφὶ περὶ στήθεσσιν ἀορτὴρ

610χρύσεος ἦν τελαμών, ἵνα θέσκελα ἔργα τέτυκτο,

Transliteration

pantosʼ atuzomenōn· ho dʼ eremnēi nukti eoikōs,

gumnon toxon echōn kai epi neurēphin oiston,

deinon paptainōn, aiei baleonti eoikōs.

smerdaleos de hoi amphi peri stēthessin aortēr

610chruseos ēn telamōn, hina theskela erga tetukto,

English · Butler

About his breast there was a wondrous golden belt adorned in the most marvelous fashion with bears, wild boars, and lions with gleaming eyes; there was also war, battle, and death. The man who made that belt, do what he might, would never be able to make another like it. Herakles knew me at once when he

Homeric Greek

ἄρκτοι τʼ ἀγρότεροί τε σύες χαροποί τε λέοντες,

ὑσμῖναί τε μάχαι τε φόνοι τʼ ἀνδροκτασίαι τε.

μὴ τεχνησάμενος μηδʼ ἄλλο τι τεχνήσαιτο,

ὃς κεῖνον τελαμῶνα ἑῇ ἐγκάτθετο τέχνῃ.

615ἔγνω δʼ αὖτʼ ἔμʼ ἐκεῖνος, ἐπεὶ ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν,

Transliteration

arktoi tʼ agroteroi te sues charopoi te leontes,

husminai te machai te phonoi tʼ androktasiai te.

mē technēsamenos mēdʼ allo ti technēsaito,

hos keinon telamōna heēi enkattheto technēi.

615egnō dʼ autʼ emʼ ekeinos, epei iden ophthalmoisin,

English · Butler

saw me, and spoke piteously, saying, ‘My poor Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, are you too leading the same sorry kind of life that I did when I was above ground? I was son of Zeus, but I went through an infinity of

Homeric Greek

καί μʼ ὀλοφυρόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

ἆ δείλʼ, ἦ τινὰ καὶ σὺ κακὸν μόρον ἡγηλάζεις,

ὅν περ ἐγὼν ὀχέεσκον ὑπʼ αὐγὰς ἠελίοιο.

620Ζηνὸς μὲν πάϊς ἦα Κρονίονος, αὐτὰρ ὀιζὺν

Transliteration

kai mʼ olophuromenos epea pteroenta prosēuda·

diogenes Laertiadē, polumēchanʼ Odusseu,

a deilʼ, ē tina kai su kakon moron hēgēlazeis,

hon per egōn ocheeskon hupʼ augas ēelioio.

620Zēnos men païs ēa Kronionos, autar oizun

English · Butler

suffering, for I became bondsman to one who was far beneath me - a lowly man who set me all manner of labors. He once sent me here to fetch the hell-hound - for he did not think

Homeric Greek

εἶχον ἀπειρεσίην· μάλα γὰρ πολὺ χείρονι φωτὶ

δεδμήμην, ὁ δέ μοι χαλεποὺς ἐπετέλλετʼ ἀέθλους.

καί ποτέ μʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἔπεμψε κύνʼ ἄξοντʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἔτʼ ἄλλον

φράζετο τοῦδέ γέ μοι κρατερώτερον εἶναι ἄεθλον·

625τὸν μὲν ἐγὼν ἀνένεικα καὶ ἤγαγον ἐξ Ἀίδαο·

Transliteration

eichon apeiresiēn· mala gar polu cheironi phōti

dedmēmēn, ho de moi chalepous epetelletʼ aethlous.

kai pote mʼ enthadʼ epempse kunʼ axontʼ· ou gar etʼ allon

phrazeto toude ge moi kraterōteron einai aethlon·

625ton men egōn aneneika kai ēgagon ex Aidao·

English · Butler

he could find any athlos harder for me than this, but I got the hound out of Hades and brought him to him, for

Homeric Greek

Ἑρμείας δέ μʼ ἔπεμψεν ἰδὲ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.

ὣς εἰπὼν ὁ μὲν αὖτις ἔβη δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω,

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν αὐτοῦ μένον ἔμπεδον, εἴ τις ἔτʼ ἔλθοι

ἀνδρῶν ἡρώων, οἳ δὴ τὸ πρόσθεν ὄλοντο.

630καί νύ κʼ ἔτι προτέρους ἴδον ἀνέρας, οὓς ἔθελόν περ,

Transliteration

Hermeias de mʼ epempsen ide glaukōpis Athēnē.

hōs eipōn ho men autis ebē domon Aïdos eisō,

autar egōn autou menon empedon, ei tis etʼ elthoi

andrōn hērōōn, hoi dē to prosthen olonto.

630kai nu kʼ eti proterous idon aneras, hous ethelon per,

English · Butler

Hermes and Athena helped me.’ "On this Herakles went down again into the house of Hades, but I stayed where I was in case some other of the mighty dead should come to me. And I should have seen still other of them that are gone before, whom I would fain have seen - Theseus and Peirithoos glorious children of the

Homeric Greek

Θησέα Πειρίθοόν τε, θεῶν ἐρικυδέα τέκνα·

ἀλλὰ πρὶν ἐπὶ ἔθνεʼ ἀγείρετο μυρία νεκρῶν

ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ· ἐμὲ δὲ χλωρὸν δέος ᾕρει,

μή μοι Γοργείην κεφαλὴν δεινοῖο πελώρου

635ἐξ Ἀίδεω πέμψειεν ἀγαυὴ Περσεφόνεια.

Transliteration

Thēsea Peirithoon te, theōn erikudea tekna·

alla prin epi ethneʼ ageireto muria nekrōn

ēchēi thespesiēi· eme de chlōron deos hēirei,

mē moi Gorgeiēn kephalēn deinoio pelōrou

635ex Aideō pempseien agauē Persephoneia.

English · Butler

gods, but so many thousands of ghosts came round me and uttered such appalling cries, that I was panic stricken lest Persephone should send up from the house of Hades the head of that awful monster Gorgon. On this I hastened back to my ship and ordered my men to go on board at once and loose the hawsers;

Homeric Greek

αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ νῆα κιὼν ἐκέλευον ἑταίρους

αὐτούς τʼ ἀμβαίνειν ἀνά τε πρυμνήσια λῦσαι.

οἱ δʼ αἶψʼ εἴσβαινον καὶ ἐπὶ κληῖσι καθῖζον.

τὴν δὲ κατʼ Ὠκεανὸν ποταμὸν φέρε κῦμα ῥόοιο,

640πρῶτα μὲν εἰρεσίῃ, μετέπειτα δὲ κάλλιμος οὖρος.

Transliteration

autikʼ epeitʼ epi nēa kiōn ekeleuon hetairous

autous tʼ ambainein ana te prumnēsia lusai.

hoi dʼ aipsʼ eisbainon kai epi klēisi kathizon.

tēn de katʼ Ōkeanon potamon phere kuma rhooio,

640prōta men eiresiēi, metepeita de kallimos ouros.

English · Butler

so they embarked and took their places, whereon the ship went down the stream of the river Okeanos. We had to row at first, but presently a fair wind sprang up.