HOMER: ILIAD : BOOK V : THE VALOROUS DEEDS OF DIOMEDES

Introduction:

The fighting with which Book IV ends continues throughout Book V. The fighting is dominated by the Greek hero Diomedes, who, with the assistance of Athene, achieves great things. He kills Pandarus, who has just wounded Menelaus, and seriously wounds Aeneas. When the latter is rescued by his mother, the goddess Aphrodite, Diomedes stabs her in the hand, and then goes on to attack Apollo, who has stepped in to save Aeneas when the wounded Aphrodite drops him. Later on. towards the end of the Book Diomedes, at the instigation of Athene, attacks and wounds Ares, the God of War, who has intervened on the Trojans' behalf.

Although Book V is the first book in the "Iliad" fully devoted to fighting, and is a long one with over nine hundred lines, it has none of the tedium which some may find in books XIII-XV, which are also full of fighting. The virtues of Book V are brilliantly summed up by Martin Hammond in the introduction to his translation of the "Iliad" (Penguin, 1985): "The narrative structure of this long book of fighting is handled with sustained vigour and brilliance - there is constant variety of pace, scene, and circumstance, and an astonishing richness of visual detail and of poetic invention in vignettes and similes."

The text for this translation is taken from "Homer: Iliad I-XII", edited by M.M. Willcock, Bristol Classical Press (1978).

Ll. 1-83.  Diomedes leads the assault.

Next, Pallas Athene gave Tydeus' son, Diomedes, the strength and courage to stand out among all the Argives, and to win glorious renown. She made untiring fire blaze from his helmet and shield, like the late-summer star (i.e. Sirius, the Dog-Star), who, when he has bathed in the ocean, shines especially brightly. Such fire did she make to burn from his head and shoulders, and she thrust him into the midst (of the battle), (in the place) where (men) swarmed most thickly. 

Now, there was among the Trojans a certain Dares, a rich and blameless (man), (and) a priest of Hephaestus; he had two sons, Phegeus and Idaeus, skilled in all (kinds of) warfare. They detached themselves (from the ranks), and rushed eagerly at their opponent (i.e. Diomedes); they made their attack from a chariot, and he from the ground on foot. When they were at close range, they went for one another: Phegeus first let fly a spear with a long shaft; but the point of the spear passed over the son of Tydeus's left shoulder, and did not strike him; then, after him, the son of Tydeus rose up with his bronze (spear); nor did the missile fly from his hand without effect, but it struck (him in) the chest between his breasts, and knocked (him) from his chariot. Then, Idaeus leapt out and left the very fine chariot, nor could he bear to stand over the (body of) his slain brother; for he would not have escaped black fate himself, but Hephaestus shielded (him by) enfolding (him) in darkness, so that his aged (priest) might not be wholly overcome with grief. Then, the great-hearted son of Tydeus led away the chariot team, and gave them to his companions to take down to the hollow ships. Then, when the great-hearted Trojans saw one of Dares' two sons fleeing and the other slain beside his chariot, the spirits of (them) all were dismayed; but bright-eyed Athene took the impetuous Ares by the hand, and addressed (him) with these words: "Ares, Ares, (you) bane of men, (you) blood-thirsty stormer of walls, may we not (now) allow the Trojans and the Achaeans to fight it out, (to see) to which of the two sides father Zeus shall award the glory (of victory)? Let us withdraw, and keep far way from the wrath of Zeus."

So speaking, she led the impetuous Ares out of the battle. Then, she sat him down on a high bank of the Scamander (i.e. the main river of the Trojan plain, which flowed from Mount Ida into the Hellespont south of Troy; also known as the River Xanthus), while the Greeks turned back the Trojans; each commander killed his man. First, Agamemnon, king of men, toppled big Odius, leader of the Halizones, from his chariot; for, in the first place, as he turned to flee, he stuck a spear in his back between his shoulder(-blades) and drove (it) through his chest. And he fell with a crash, and his armour clattered around him.

Then, Idomeneus (i.e. the king of Crete) slew Phaestus, the son of the Maeonian Borus, who had come from very fertile Tarne (i.e. a region of Central Asia Minor, inhabited by the Maeonians); Idomeneus, the famous spearman, stabbed (him in) his right shoulder; and he fell from his chariot, and hateful darkness took him. Then, Idomeneus' companions despoiled (him) of his armour

Menelaus, son of Atreus, killed Strophius' son, Scamander, (a man) skilled in the chase, with his sharp spear, (despite him being) a fine huntsman; for Artemis, herself, had taught (him how) to shoot all the wild (creatures) that the forest rears in the mountains. But Artemis, who delights in arrows, did not then assist him, nor (did) his archery (skills), in which he had previously excelled; but Atreus' son, the famous spearman Menelaus, struck (him in) the back between his shoulder(-blades) with his spear, as he was fleeing before him, and drove (it) through his chest. And he fell on his face, and his armour clattered around him.

Then, Meriones (i.e. second in command of the Cretan contingent) slew Phereclus, son of Tecton, Harmon's son, who had the skill in his hands to make all (sorts of) cunningly wrought works; for Pallas Athene loved him especially; and (he it was) who had built for Alexander (i.e. Paris) the well-balanced ships that were the start of those ills which brought disaster on all of the Trojans and on himself, since he knew nothing of the oracles of the gods. When, after pursuing (him) hard, Meriones caught up with him, he struck (him) in the right buttock, and the (spear-)point went right on through under the bone into his bladder. He screamed and fell to his knees, and death enveloped him.

And Meges (i.e. the leader of the contingent from Dulichium and the Echinades) slew Pedaeus, Antenor's son, who was a bastard, but was reared by Theano with the same care (that she gave) to her own children, in order to please her husband. Phyleus' son, the famous spearman (i.e. Meges), came close behind (him) and struck him with his sharp spear on the back of his head; the bronze (point went) straight up through his teeth and cut away his tongue. And he fell in the dust, and the cold bronze took away his teeth.

Then, Eurypylus, Euaemon's son, (i.e. the leader of the Thessalian contingent from Ormenion), slew daring Dolopion's son, noble Hypsenor, who was a priest of Scamander, and honoured by the people just like a god. Chasing after him as he was fleeing before him, Eurypylus, Euaemon's splendid son, slashed at his shoulder and lunged at him with his sword, and sheared off his massive arm. And his arm fell, all bloody, at his feet; then, the darkness of death (came) over his eyes, and mighty fate took hold of him.

Ll. 84-165.  Pandarus wounds Diomedes.

So they toiled in the fury of the fighting; but you could not tell on which side the son of Tydeus was on, whether he was associating with the Trojans or with the Achaeans. For he swept over the plain like a river in full spate, which burst its dykes by the speed of its currents; its strongly-built dykes cannot hold it back, nor do the walls of its flourishing vineyards check (it), as it comes in a sudden (flood), when Zeus' rain falls heavily; and it demolishes beneath it much fine work of vigorous (men). So the close-packed battalions of the Trojans are driven back in confusion by the son of Tydeus, and, although there are very many (of them), they could not withstand him.

So, when Lycaon's splendid son (i.e. Pandarus) saw him sweeping across the plain, and driving back the battalions in confusion before him, he swiftly extended his curved bow in the direction of the son of Tydeus, and shot (him) as he was charging forwards, hitting (him in) the hollow of his breast-plate under his right shoulder; the sharp arrow flew right through (him), and kept straight on, and spattered his breast-plate with blood. At this, Lycaon's splendid son let out a loud shout: "Rouse yourselves, (you) great-hearted Trojans, (you) goaders of horses; for the best of the Achaeans has been hit, nor do I think that he will endure my mighty shaft for long, if, in truth, (it was) the lord son of Zeus (i.e. Apollo) (who) encouraged me to set out from Lycia."

So he spoke in such a boastful manner; but the swift arrow did not bring him down, but he went back and took up his position in front of his horses and his chariot, and addressed Sthenelus, Capaneus' son, (as follows): "Come, son of Capaneus, my friend, get down from the chariot, so you can pull that sharp arrow out of my shoulder." Thus he spoke, and Sthenelus leapt to the ground from from the chariot, and, standing beside (him), he drew the swift arrow right through his shoulder; and blood spurted out through the thread of his tunic. Then, Diomedes, good at the war-cry, prayed (aloud): "(O) tireless daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, if ever, being well-disposed to my father, you stood by (him) in the heat of battle, now, Athene, show your love for me in turn. Grant that I may kill this man and that he comes within range of my spear, (this man) who shot me before I (even) saw (him), and is (now) exulting, and is saying that I (do) not (have) long now to look upon the bright light of the sun."

So he spoke in prayer; and Pallas Athene heard him, and she made his limbs light, and his feet and his hands above (them); and she drew near (to him) and spoke these winged words: "Take courage, now, Diomedes, and fight against the Trojans; for I have put your father's strength in your breast, a fearless (spirit), such as that shield-bearing horse-driver Tydeus used to have; and again I have taken from your eyes that mist that covered (them) before, so that you can clearly recognise both god and man. So now, if a god should come here to try his strength, you must not fight in any way against any of the immortal gods; but, if Zeus's daughter, Aphrodite, should enter the battle, you should stab her with your sharp bronze."

Thus speaking, bright-eyed Athene departed, and the son of Tydeus went back again and joined the;  front ranks of the fighters; eager in his heart though he had been before to fight with the Trojans,  now three times that fury took hold of him, like a lion, whom a shepherd, tending his woolly sheep in the country, may slightly wound, as it jumps the (wall of) the sheep-fold, but he does not bring (it) down; but he rouses its strength, and then he cannot come to the (sheep's) aid, but (the lion) steals into their sheep-folds, and, left deserted, they run in panic; the close-packed (sheep) fall on one another in heaps, but the (lion), in its ardour, leaps back over the high (wall of) the sheep-fold; so did the strong Diomedes press eagerly forward as he met with the Trojans.

Then he killed Astynous and Hypeiron, shepherd of the host, hitting the one above the nipple with his bronze-tipped spear, and the other he struck on the collarbone beside the shoulder with his big sword, and he sheared his shoulder away from his neck and from his back. He let their (bodies) lie, and went after Abas and Polyïdus, the sons of Eurydamas, an elderly interpreter of dreams; the old man had not interpreted their dreams before they went away, but mighty Diomedes slew them (both). Then he went after Xanthus and Thoon, the sons of Phaenops, both late-born, but he was worn out by old age, and could beget no other son for the purpose of bequeathing his possessions. The he (i.e. Diomedes) kills them, and took away the dear life from both of them, and leaves lamentation and dismal sorrow to their father, since he could not welcome (them) back alive on their return from the battle, and relatives divided his possessions between (them).

Then, he seized two sons of Dardanian Priam, who were in one chariot, Echemmon and Chromius. As a lion springs among cows, and breaks the neck of a young heifer or a cow, as they graze in a thicket, so the son of Tydeus roughly forced them both from their chariot against their will, and then stripped (them) of their armour; and he gave his companions the chariot team to drive to the ships.

Ll. 166-238.  Aeneas joins Pandarus in attacking Diomedes. 

Then, Aeneas saw him (i.e. Diomedes) draining the ranks of warriors, and he went his way through the battle(-lines), and through a flurry of spears, in search of noble Pandarus, (to see) if he could find (him) somewhere; he found the peerless and valiant son of Lycaon, and stood before (him) and spoke these words to him face to face: "Where, Pandarus, (are) your bow and your feathered arrows, and your fame (as an archer)? In this (respect, there is) no man here (who) can rival you, nor (is there) any man in Lycia (who) can claim to be better than you. But come (now), lift up your hands to Zeus (in prayer), and let fly an arrow at this man, whoever (he is), who is on top (in the battle) and (who) has done (so) much damage to the Trojans, since he has loosed the knees of (so) many brave (men); unless, (of course,) he is some god, who bears a grudge against the Trojans, and is cherishing his wrath due to (the omission of) sacrifices; and the wrath of a god lies heavily (upon us mortals)."

Lycaon's splendid son spoke to him in reply: "(O) Aeneas, counsellor of the bronze-clad Trojans, I liken him in all (respects) to the valiant son of Tydeus, and I recognise him by his shield and by the tube on the crest of his helmet, and by looking at his team of horses; yet, I know not for sure that it is (not) a god. But, if he (is) the man that I think (he is), (namely) the valiant son of Tydeus, he does not rampage around in such a manner without (the aid of) a god, but one of the immortals stands beside (him), his shoulders wrapped in a cloud, and he turns aside my swift arrows just as they reach him. For I have already let fly an arrow at him, and I smote him on the right shoulder right through the hollow of his breast-plate; and I thought I should have sent him down to Hades, but still I did not knock (him) down; (surely) now, some god is angry. Now, horses and chariots, which I might mount, are not available (to me); but somewhere in Lycaon's halls (there are) eleven fine chariots, newly made and just fitted out: and cloths are spread all over them (i.e. to protect them from dust); and beside each (one) of them there are stationed a pair of yoked horses, feeding on white barley and wheat. In truth, as I was setting out, that old warrior Lycaon enjoined me constantly in our self-built house: he urged me to lead the Trojans into the thick of battle (while) mounted on horse and chariot. But I did not listen; in truth, it would have been far better (if I had). (But) I was cautious (about taking) the horses, lest, with my men crowded thickly together, they that were accustomed to eat their fill might lack fodder. So I left (them) behind, and I have come to Ilium on foot, relying on my bow; but it was not going to be of any use to me. For I have already shot (an arrow) at two chieftains, the son of Tydeus and the son of Atreus (i.e. Menelaus), (and), having hit (them), I certainly made their blood spout forth, but I (only) aroused (them) the more. So, (it was) under an ill fate (that) I took my curved bow from its peg on that day when I led my Trojans to lovely Ilium to undertake a service for godlike Hector. But, if I shall return and behold with my eyes my native land, and my wife, and our great high-roofed palace, then may some strange man cut my head straight from (my body), if I do not snap this bow with my own hands and cast (it) on the blazing fire: for it accompanies me (as something) worthless."

Then, Aeneas, the leader of the Trojans spoke to him firmly in reply: "Do not speak in such a manner; (things) will not be any different until such time as the two of us go face to face with this man with our horses and chariot, and put (him) to the test with our weapons. But come, climb up on to my chariot, so that you can see the stock of the horses of Troy that know (so) well how to rush hither and thither across the plain, (both) in pursuit and in flight. So, this pair will bring (us) safely to the city, if Zeus should extend the glory (of victory) to Diomedes, the son of Tydeus, once more. But come now, take up the whip and the shining reins, and I shall dismount from the chariot in order to fight; or else do you face him, while the horses will be managed by me."

Then, the splendid son of Lycaon addressed him in reply: "Aeneas, do you keep the reins and your pair of horses yourself; they will draw the curved chariot better under their accustomed driver, if indeed we should again have to flee the son of Tydeus; may they not take fright and dither, and be minded not to carry (us) from the battlefield through missing the sound of your (voice), and then the son of great-hearted Tydeus could rush at us both and slay us and (then) drive away our single-hooved horses. But do you, yourself, drive your own chariot and your own horses, and I shall approach him and face (him) with my sharp spear."

Ll. 239-296.  The death of Pandarus.

So speaking, they mounted their ornate chariot, and, pressing eagerly forward, they bore their swift horses against the son of Tydeus. Then, Sthenelus, Capaneus' splendid son, saw them, and quickly spoke these winged words to the son of Tydeus: "Diomedes, son of Tydeus, (you who are) dear to my heart, I see (two) mighty warriors coming at you, eager to fight, (men) possessing boundless strength; one (is) the skilled bowman Pandarus, and, furthermore, he professes to be the son of Lycaon, and the other, Aeneas, professes (to be) the son of great-hearted Anchises (i.e. a prince of the royal house of Troy, and a great-grandson of Tros), and his mother is Aphrodite. But come, let us withdraw in our chariot, and please do not rush in this way through the front ranks of the fighters, lest by some means you may put an end to your life."

Then, mighty Diomedes, looking askance, addressed him (thus): "Do not speak at all about flight, since I do not think that you will (ever) persuade (me); for (it is) not a characteristic of mine to avoid battle, or to keep my head down; I certainly still have courage; I am reluctant to mount the chariot, but I shall go to meet them just as I am; Pallas Athene will not let me run in fear. Their swift horses will not bear both of them back from us again, even if one or other (of them) should escape. But I shall tell you something else, and do you keep (it) in your mind! If Athene, in her wisdom, should give me the glory of slaying (them) both, you must keep your swift horses in check here by tying their reins to the chariot-rail, and remember to dash out (and catch) Aeneas' horses, and drive (them) away from the Trojans' (lines) to (those of) the well-greaved Achaeans. For they (are) of that stock, from which far-seeing Zeus offered a gift to Tros (i.e. a king of Phrygia, from whom the city of Troy got its name) (as) recompense for his son Ganymede (n.b. he had been carried off to Olympus, because of his beauty, to act as Zeus' cup-bearer), because (they were) the best of all the horses that exist under the light of day and the sun. From that stock, Anchises, the king of men, stole some stallions, without the knowledge of Laomedon (i.e. father of Priam, and a king of Troy and grandson of Tros, from whom he had inherited the breed of horses), and held his mares underneath (them): from these, six foals were born to him (i.e. Anchises) in (the stables of) his palace. Four of them he kept (for) himself, but the other two he gave to Aeneas as agents of panic (i.e. as warhorses). If we could take these two, we should win great renown."

So he spoke, and, after brandishing aloft his spear with its long shaft, he dispatches (it), and it struck the shield of Tydeus' son; and the bronze point sped right through it and reached his breast-plate, and about him Lycaon's splendid son cried out loudly: "You have been hit right through to your belly, and I do not think you will last for long; but to me you have granted great glory."

Then, mighty Diomedes addressed him without fear: "You have missed, and not hit me, but I do not think that the two of you will stop until one or other (of you) shall have fallen and glutted Ares, the warrior with the bull's-hide shield (i.e. stout in battle), with his blood."

So he spoke, and hurled (his spear); and Athene guided the missile (on to) his nose beside the eye, and it shattered his white teeth. The unyielding bronze shored away his tongue at its root, and the point came out at the base of his chin; then, he fell from the chariot, and his armour, (all) glinting and glistening, clanged on top of him, and the swift-footed horses swerved aside in fear; and his spirit and strength were loosed 

Ll. 297-351.  Diomedes wounds Aphrodite.

Then, Aeneas leapt down (from his chariot) with his shield and his long spear, fearing that by some means the Achaeans might drag the corpse away from him. He strode around it like a lion, confident in its own strength, and he held before him his spear and his wholly round shield, eager to slay any man who might come to collect the (corpse), and emitting fearful war-cries. But the son of Tydeus took a bolder in his hand, a great feat, (as it was of a weight) which no two men, of such a kind as mortals now are, could (possibly) carry; yet, lightly did he wield it, even alone. With it he smote Aeneas on the hip, (at the point) where the thigh turns in the hip(-joint), and (men) call it the cup; and he crushed his cup-bone, and shattered both tendons as well; and the jagged stone tore away his skin; then, the warrior remained there, having fallen to his knees, and he rested his stout hand on the ground; then, black night covered both his eyes.

And now would Aeneas, king of men, have perished, had his mother Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus, who had borne him to Anchises, as he tended his cattle, not been (so) quick to notice; she flung her white arms over her dear son, and spread a fold of her shining robe over him, to be a shelter against missiles, lest any of the Danaans, with their swift horses, might hurl a bronze (spear) into his breast, and take away his life.

She was carrying her dear son from the battle-field; but the son of Capaneus (i.e. Sthenelus) did not forget those instructions which Diomedes, good at the war-cry, had laid upon (him), but he kept his own solid-footed horses far away from the tumult (by) tying their reins to the chariot-rail, and, rushing upon Aeneas' horses with their beautiful manes, he drove (them) from (the lines of) the Trojans to (those of) the well-greaved Achaeans. Then, he gave (them) to his dear comrade Deïpylus, whom he esteemed beyond all (others) of his own age, because he had thoughts (that were) congenial to his own mind, and he bade him drive (them) to the hollow ships: then, mounting his own chariot, the warrior took the gleaming reins, and he swiftly set his strong-hooved horses in eager pursuit of the son of Tydeus. But he (i.e. Diomedes) was in pursuit of Cypris (i.e. Aphrodite in her capacity as goddess of Cyprus) with his pitiless bronze (spear), knowing that she was a weakling goddess, and not one of those goddesses who lord it in the battle of warriors, no Athene nor an Enyo, sacker of cities. But, when he reached (her), after pursuing (her) through that great throng (of men), then the son of Tydeus sprang (at her) and lunging (at her) with his sharp spear, he stabbed the surface of her delicate hand; and, at once, the spear (went) through the immortal robe, which the Graces themselves had made, and pierced the flesh below the bottom of her palm (i.e her wrist). And forth flowed the immortal blood of the goddess, the ichor such as flows in (the veins of) the blessed gods; for they eat no bread, nor do they drink sparkling wine, and therefore they are bloodless and are called immortals. She then let out a loud shriek and let her son fall from her, and Phoebus Apollo took him in his arms (and concealed him) in a murky cloud, lest some swift-footed Danaan should cast a bronze (spear) into his chest, and (so) take his life from (him). Then, Diomedes, good at the war-cry, called out loudly to her: "Keep away, daughter of Zeus, from warfare and fighting! Is it not enough that you should ensnare feeble women? If you should begin to frequent the battle-field, then, indeed, I think that you would shudder at warfare, even if you see (it) from a distance."

Ll. 352-430.  Aphrodite returns to Olympus. 

So he spoke, and she went away distraught, and suffering terribly. Then, Iris, with feet as swift as the wind, took (her) and led (her) out of the tumult, afflicted with pain, (as she was,) and with her lovely skin turning black. Then, she found the impetuous Ares sitting on the left of the battle-field, and resting his spear and his swift chariot in the air; then she fell on her knees, and with a long entreaty, she begged her brother for his horses with the golden fillets: "(Please) rescue me, my dear brother, and give me your horses, so I can reach Olympus, where is the abode of the immortals. I am suffering greatly from a wound which a mortal man inflicted on me, (namely) the son of Tydeus, who, even now, would fight with our father Zeus."

So she spoke, and Ares gave her his horses with the golden fillets. Then, she mounted the chariot with anguish in her heart, and Iris climbed up beside her, and took up the reins in her hands, and she whipped (them) to drive (them) onwards, and the pair (of horses) sped eagerly (on their way). Then, they swiftly reached steep Olympus, the abode of the gods; there swift Iris, with her feet as quick as the wind, checked the horses and loosed (them) from the chariot, and threw down immortal fodder beside (them); then, divine Aphrodite threw herself into the lap of her mother Dione, and she took her daughter in her arms, and stroked her with her hand, and spoke these words (to her) and uttered (them) aloud: "Now, which of the heavenly beings did such a reckless thing to you, dear child, is if you had openly done something bad?"

Then, laughter-loving Aphrodite answered her (thus): "(It was) high-spirited Diomedes, the son of Tydeus, (who) wounded me, because I was carrying my dear son Aeneas from the battlefield, (he) who is to me by far the dearest of all (men). For no longer (is) the dread battle between the Trojans and the Achaeans, but now the Danaans are even at war with the immortals."

Then, Dione, the most divine of goddesses, answered her (thus): "Have patience, my child, and bear with all your troubles; for many (of us) who have our dwellings on Olympus have suffered at the hands of men, (while) bringing grievous pains upon one another. So did Ares suffer, when Otus and mighty Ephialtes, the sons of Aloeus, shut (him) up in a strong prison; and he was locked in a bronze jar for thirteen months; and then would Ares, insatiate for war, have perished, if their stepmother. the lovely Eëriboea, had not told Hermes (about it); then, he stole Ares away, when he was already at his wits' end, and his grievous bonds were overcoming him. And so did Hera suffer, when the mighty son of Amphitryon (i.e. Heracles) smote her on the right breast with a triple-barbed arrow; then, too, unbearable pain seized hold of her. So did monstrous Hades, among others, suffer a sharp arrow, when the same man, the son of aegis-bearing Zeus (i.e. Heracles), smote him in Pylos among the dead (men), and delivered (him) over to pain; but he made his way to the house of Zeus and to high Olympus, sore at heart and shot through with pain; for the arrow had been driven into his sturdy shoulder, and he was troubled in spirit. But Paeon (i.e. Apollo in his capacity as god of healing) sprinkled pain-killing medicines on the (wound), and healed (him): for he was in no way made (like) a mortal. (He (i.e. Heracles) was) a harsh and a violent (man), who was not concerned that he was doing evil deeds, and who was troubling the gods who hold Olympus with his arrows. And upon you has the goddess, bright-eyed Athene, sent this (man): fool (that he is), for the son of Tydeus has no thought in his mind that (he) who fights the immortals is not (to be) at all long-lived, nor do his sons prattle away around his knees at all, calling (him) father, when he returns from war and the dread battle-field. Therefore, Tydeus' son, even if he is so mighty, must now beware, lest someone better than you fights with him, (and) lest Aegialeia, Adrastus' most thoughtful daughter, frequently arouses her intimate household companions from their sleep by her lamentations, as she, the comely wife of horse-taming Diomedes, the best of the Achaeans, yearns for her wedded husband."

So she spoke, and, with both her hands, she wiped the ichor from her arms; her hand was healed and the grievous pains were allayed. But Athene and Hera, as they looked upon (her), sought to provoke Zeus, the son of Cronos, with their mocking words. And, among them, the goddess, bright-eyed Athene, was the first to speak: "Father Zeus, will you be at all angry with me at what I may say? Now Cypris (i.e. Aphrodite) has most certainly been urging one of the Achaean girls (i.e. Helen) to go with the Trojans, whom  now she so greatly loves (i.e. after the Judgment of Paris), and, (while) caressing one of these fair-robed Achaean women, she scratched her slender hand on a golden brooch."

So she spoke, but the father of both men and gods smiled, and, having called golden Aphrodite (to him), he said (to her): "The works of war have not been given to you, my child, but you should attend to the lovely works of marriage, and all those kind of things shall be the business of swift Ares and Athene."

Ll. 431-518.  Apollo intervenes on the battlefield.

Thus they said these things to one another, but Diomedes, good at the war-cry, leapt upon Aeneas, although he knew that Apollo, himself, was holding his arms over (him) in protection, but yet he did not stand in awe of the great god, but remained eager to slay Aeneas and to strip his glorious armour from (him). Three times then did he leap upon him, earnestly desiring to slay (him), and three times did Apollo beat back his shining shield; but, when he rushed at (him) like a god for the fourth time, then Apollo, the far-shooter, addressed (him) with this terrible cry: "Have a care, son of Tydeus, and give way, and do not wish to think yourself equal to the gods, since the stock of the immortal gods and (that) of the men who walk the earth (can) never (be) of a like kind."

So he spoke, and the son of Tydeus was forced to go back a little way, (thus) avoiding the wrath of the far-shooting Apollo. Then did Apollo set Aeneas far apart from the throng in sacred Pergamus (i.e. the citadel of Troy), where his temple was built. Now, in truth, Leto and the archer Artemis healed him in this great sanctuary, and did him honour. But Apollo of the silver bow created a phantom, resembling Aeneas himself, and like him in its armour, and the Trojans and the goodly Achaeans slashed at one another around this phantom, (and) at the round ox-hide shields and the fluttering bucklers (which they held) around their chests. Then, Phoebus Apollo addressed impetuous Ares (thus): "Ares, Ares, (you) bane of men, (you) blood-thirsty stormer of cities, will you not now go after this man and withdraw (him) from the fighting, the son of Tydeus (that is, he) who would even now fight with father Zeus? Firstly, he closed with Cypris, and stabbed her hand in the wrist, and then he flung himself at me, like (he was) a god."

So speaking, he (i.e. Apollo) sat himself down on the heights of Pergamus, and baneful Ares went out among the ranks of the Trojans, and, seeming (to be) swift Acamas, the leader of the Thracians, he spurred (them) on. Then, he called to the sons of Priam, (who were) cherished by Zeus: "(O you) sons of King Priam, ordained by Zeus, how much longer will you let your people be killed by the Achaeans? Will it be until such time as they are fighting around our well-wrought gates? A man is fallen, who we hold in equal honour to godlike Hector, (namely) Aeneas, son of great-hearted Anchises; but come, let us rescue our brave companion from the din of battle!" Thus speaking, he stirred the ardour and resolve of each (of them). Then also, Sarpedon firmly upbraided godlike Hector: "Hector, where has that strength of yours gone that you had before? You used to say that you would somehow hold this city, without (the help) of your people or your allies, (but) alone with your brothers-in-law and your brothers; I cannot now behold or perceive any of them, but they are cowering back like dogs round a lion; but we are fighting, we, your allies, who are right here among you. For I, who am your ally, am come from a great distance; for Lycia is far away by the swirling (River) Xanthus; there I have left behind my dear wife and my baby son, and much property, which (a man) who (is) in need will covet; but even so I spur on my Lycians, and I, myself, long to meet my man in battle; but yet, I (do) not (have) here any of the sort of possessions that the Achaeans might loot or carry off. But you (just) stand (there), and you give no orders to the rest of your people to stand their ground and fight to defend their wives; take care, lest you and they are caught like (fish) in the meshes of an all-taking line, and you become the spoil and booty of enemy warriors; and they will soon be sacking your well-peopled city, All this should be your concern (every) day and night, with you begging the leaders of your far-famed allies to hold fast unceasingly, and you should give (them) no cause for a stern rebuke." 

So spoke Sarpedon, and his words sting Hector's heart. Forthwith, he leapt to the ground with all his armour, and, brandishing a sharp spear he went all through the army, spurring (them) to fight and arousing the dread din of battle. And they wheeled around and stood facing the Achaeans; but the Argives stood their ground in full strength and showed no fear. As the wind carries chaff across the sacred threshing-floor, when men are winnowing (the corn), and when golden(-haired) Demeter separates the wheat and the chaff driven on by the wind; then the heaps of chaff grow white; so, the Achaeans then turned white in the cloud of dust from above, which the horses' hooves drove through their ranks up to the brazen(-coloured)  sky, as they clashed once again; and the drivers wheeled (their chariots) around. And they directed the strength of their hands straight towards (the enemy). Then, impetuous Ares, ranging around in all directions, shrouded the battlefield with (a veil of) night to help the Trojans; and he fulfilled the behest of Phoebus Apollo of the golden sword, who bade him rouse the spirits of the Trojans, when he saw Pallas Athene departing: for she was a helper of the Danaans. And he, himself (i.e. Apollo), sent forth Aeneas from the very rich sanctuary, and instilled courage in the breast of the shepherd of the host. And Aeneas took his place among his comrades; and they were overjoyed, when they saw that he was there, alive and whole, and that he was possessed of his valiant courage; yet, they did not question (him) at all. For toil of another kind did not permit (it), (that is the kind) which he of the silver bow (i.e. Apollo), and Ares, the bane of mortals, and Strife, who strives without ceasing, stirred up.

Ll. 519-589.  The Greeks prevail.

On the other side. the two Aiantes, and Odysseus, and Diomedes were urging the Danaans to fight; but they, themselves, did not shrink from the assaults and sallies of the Trojans, but stood their ground, like the clouds which the son of Cronos (i.e. Zeus) settles in still (weather) motionless on the tops of mountains, while the mighty north wind sleeps, as do the other raging winds, which, when they blow, scatter the shadowy clouds with their shrill blasts; just so did the Danaans firmly stand their ground against the Trojans, nor did they turn to flight. The son of Atreus (i.e. Agamemnon) went backwards and forwards through the throng of battle with many words of command: "O (my) friends, be men, and take courage to your hearts, and have regard for one another in the thick of battle; of men of pride, more are saved than are struck down; but of those who flee, no glory nor any (kind of) safety arises."

He spoke, and swiftly hurled his spear, and it smote a leading man, Deïcoön, son of Pergasus, (a man) whom the Trojans honoured like the sons of Priam, since he was quick to fight in the front ranks. Lord Agamemnon smote him with his spear upon his shield; but it did not check the spear, but the bronze (point) went right on through (it), and drove through his belt into his lower belly; and he fell with a crash, and his armour clattered around him.

Then in turn, Aeneas slew (two) leading warriors of the Danaans, the sons of Diocles, Crethon and Orsilochus, whose father dwelt in well-built Phera (i.e. a city in the south-western Peloponnese, between Pylos and Sparta), (a man) rich in substance, and he was descended from (the god of) the River Alpheus, that flows in a broad (stream) through the land of the Pylians, who begot Ortilochus (to be) king over many men, and Ortilochus begot great-hearted Diocles, and of Diocles twin sons were born, Crethon and Orsilochus, (both) skilled in every (kind of) warfare. When these two reached their prime, they accompanied the Argives on their black ships to Ilium, that breeder of fine horses, seeking to win compensation for the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus: but there the doom of death enveloped the two of them. These two are like two lions raised by their mother on the peaks of a mountain in the thickets of a deep wood. They carry off cattle and fat sheep, and plunder men's farmsteads, until they are slain by a sharp bronze (spear) in the hands of men; these two were brought down by the hands of Aeneas, and were toppled like tall fir-trees. As they fell, Menelaus, dear to Ares, had pity on (them), and strode through the foremost fighters, furnished with a helmet of flaming bronze and brandishing his spear; and Ares instilled courage in him, planning it so that he should be slain at the hands of Aeneas. But Antilochus, son of great-hearted Nestor, saw him, and strode through the foremost fighters; for he was much afraid for the shepherd of the host (i.e. Menelaus), lest something should befall him, and greatly frustrate all their efforts. Now, the two of them (i.e. Aeneas and Menelaus) were grasping their sharp-pointed spears in their hands, as they faced each other in their eagerness to do battle; and Antilochus stood very close beside the shepherd of the host. Then, Aeneas did not stand his ground, ready fighter though he was, when he saw the two men standing beside each other. And so, when they had dragged the corpses (i.e. the bodies of Crethon and Orsilochus) back to the Achaean lines, they delivered the hapless pair into the hands of their comrades, and turned back themselves to fight among the foremost.

Then they killed Pylaemenes, peer of Ares, (and) the leader of the great-hearted Paphlagonians, armed with their shields. Menelaus, son of Atreus, famed for his spear, stabbed him with his spear as he was standing (there), hitting him on the collar-bone; And Antilochus smote his companion and his charioteer, Mydon, the fine son of Atymnius, as he was wheeling his solid-footed horses around; he hit (him) with a stone right on the elbow; and the reins, white with (pieces of) ivory, fell to the ground in the dust. Then Antilochus rushed (at him), and struck the side of his forehead with a sword; so, gasping, he fell head-foremost from his well-wrought chariot head and shoulders into the dust. He stood (there) for quite a long time - for he had landed in deep sand - until his horses, with their flailing (hooves), knocked (him) to the ground in the dust; (then) Antilochus whipped (them) up, and drove (them) towards the Achaeans' camp.

Ll. 590-702.  Sarpedon is wounded. 

But Hector espied them across the ranks, and rushed at them with a sharp cry; and the strong battalions of the Trojans followed (him); and Ares and queenly Enyo led them, she bringing with her the ruthless tumult of war, while Ares wielded a monstrous spear in his hands, and ranged around, now in front of Hector, and now behind (him).

At the sight of him, Diomedes, good at the war-cry, shuddered; as, when a man, crossing a great plain, halts at a loss opposite a swift-flowing stream, when he sees (it) flowing into the sea with seething foam, and he takes a step backwards, so now was the son of Tydeus forced back, and he spoke to the host (as follows): "O my friends, how we just used to marvel at godlike Hector as a spearman and a dauntless warrior; but one of the gods (is) ever at his side to ward off his destruction; and now that (is) Ares there beside him in the likeness of a mortal man. But, (while) always turning (your faces) towards the Trojans, keep going backwards, and do not seek to fight with gods in full force."

So he spoke, and the Trojans came very close to them. Then, Hector slew two men, well-skilled in the affairs of battle, Menesthes and Anchialus, both of them being in the one chariot. Then, after they had fallen, great Telamonian Ajax felt great pity for (them), and he came and stood very close (to their bodies), and let fly with his shining spear, and he smote Amphius, son of Selagus, who dwelt in Paesus (i.e. a town in the Troad), (a man) rich in property, who owned many cornfields; but fate led him to come to the aid of Priam and his sons. Telamonian Ajax struck him on his belt, and stuck his long-shafted spear into his lower belly, and he fell with a crash; then, glorious Ajax rushed forward to strip (him of) his armour. And the Trojans showered (him) with their spears, all sharp and shining. And his shield intercepted many (of them). Then, he planted his foot (on the body) and pulled put his bronze spear from the corpse; yet, he was not able to strip the rest of his fine armour from his shoulders: for he was (too) hard-pressed with missiles. And he feared the vigorous defence (of the body) by the valiant Trojans, of whom many brave (warriors) stood close by with their spears in their hands, and, though he was big, and strong, and illustrious, they thrust him from them; and, as he fell back, he trembled.

So they laboured in mighty combat; then, irresistible fate roused Tlepolemus, son of Heracles, (a man) both valiant and huge, against godlike Sarpedon. But when the son and grandson of cloud-gathering Zeus (i.e. Sarpedon and Tlepolemus), advancing against one another, were face to face, Tlepolemus (was) the first to address words to the other: "Sarpedon, counsellor of the Lycians, what is forcing you to cower here, since you are (a man) ignorant of warfare? They (who) say that you are the son of aegis-bearing Zeus are lying, since you fall far short of those warriors who were born of Zeus in the days of men of old; but they say that the mighty Heracles was of that other kind, (he who was) my father, bravely steadfast and lion-hearted. He once came here, on account of the mares of Laomedon, with only six ships and even fewer men, and he stormed the city of Ilium and laid waste her streets; but you have a cowardly heart and your people are perishing. And I do not think that, coming from Lycia, you will be any protection for the Trojans, nor (do I think,) be you ever so strong, but that you will be overcome by me and will pass through the gates of Hades."

Then, Sarpedon, the leader of the Lycians, said to him in reply: "That (father of yours), Tlepolemus, really did destroy sacred Ilium, through the folly of (one) man, the proud Laomedon, who upbraided with harsh words a man who had done him good service (i.e. Heracles for saving his daughter Hesione from a sea-monster), and refused to give him the mares, on account of which he had come from afar. But here I believe that in your case death and black fate will be achieved at my (hands), and that, vanquished beneath my spear, you will grant your pride to me, and your spirit to Hades, famous for horses." 

So spoke Sarpedon, and Tlepolemus lifted up his ashen spear; and the long spears sped from their hands at the same moment; Sarpedon smote (him) (i.e. Tlepolemus) right on the neck, and the grievous point went right through, and dark night enveloped his eyes. And Tlepolemus smote (him) (i.e. Sarpedon) on the left thigh with his long spear, and the quivering point sped through, almost reaching the bone, but his father (i.e. Zeus) still warded off his destruction.

Then, his noble companions bore godlike Sarpedon from the battlefield. The long spear oppressed him (sorely), as it dragged (at his side); in their haste, no man contrived to, or was minded to, pull the ashen spear out of his thigh, so that he could stand; for such toil did they have who were tending (him).

On the other side, the well-greaved Achaeans were carrying Tlepolemus out of the fighting line; and noble Odysseus, possessor of a steadfast spirit, noticed (it), and his heart within him quivered with eagerness; then he pondered in his heart and mind whether he should pursue the son of loud-thundering Zeus any further, or rather take the lives of more Lycians. But it was not ordained by fate for great-hearted Odysseus to slay with his sharp bronze the valiant son of Zeus; so, Athene turned his mind towards the host of the Lycians. Then, he slew Coeranus, and Alastor, and Chromius, and Alcandrus, and Halius, and Noëmon, and Prytanis. Yet now noble Odysseus would have slain even more Lycians, had great Hector of the flashing helmet not seen (it so) quickly, and strode through the foremost fighters, donned in his helmet of flaming bronze, bringing terror to the Danaans; then Sarpedon, son of Zeus, was glad at his coming, and spoke these piteous words (to him): "Son of Priam, do not let me lie (here as) prey for the Danaans, but come to my aid; then, let me depart from this life in your city, since it seems I am not destined to return home to my native land and (so) gladden (the hearts of) my dear wife and baby son." 

So he spoke, and (yet) Hector of the flashing helmet gave him no answer at all, but rushed past (him), striving eagerly to push back the Argives with all speed, and to take the life from many (of them). Then, his noble companions sat godlike Sarpedon under a lovely oak-tree, sacred to aegis-bearing Zeus; and valiant Pelagon, who was his dear comrade, pulled the ashen spear out of his thigh. Then, his spirit left him, and a mist spread over his eyes; but he breathed again, and the gusts of the north wind blowing around (him) restored the breath for which he had been gasping with such difficulty.

But the Argives, (beset) by Ares and bronze-armoured Hector, neither turned in flight to their black ships, nor did they set themselves against (anyone) in battle, but they fell back constantly, when they heard that Ares was with the Trojans.

Ll. 703-766.  Hera and Athene join the battle. 

Whom first, then, and whom last did Priam's son, Hector, and brazen Ares slay? Godlike Teuthras, and in addition horse-driving Orestes, and Trechus, the Aetolian spearman, and Oenomaus, and Helenus, son of Oenops, and Oresbius with his glittering belt, who dwelt in Hyle (i.e. a city in Boeotia), on the shore of the Cephisian lake; and beside him there lived other Boeotians, who possessed exceedingly fertile land.

But, when the white-armed goddess, Hera, saw the Argives being destroyed in the fierce conflict, she forthwith addressed these winged words to Athene: "O the shame of it, Atryone (i.e. the Unwearied One), child of aegis-bearing Zeus, empty talk indeed was the promise we made to Menelaus that he would return after sacking the well-fortified (city of) Ilium, if we allow baneful Ares to rage like this. But come, let us two also be mindful of our fighting strength!"

So she spoke, and the bright-eyed goddess, Athene, did not fail to comply. Hera, the august goddess, daughter of great Cronos, went around and bedecked the horses in their golden fillets; and Hebe (i.e. daughter of Zeus and cup-bearer of the gods) quickly fitted curved wheels on both sides of the chariot (frame), eight-spoked (wheels) of bronze, on each end of the axle made of iron. Of these (wheels) the rim (is) truly of imperishable gold, and over (them) bronze tyres are fitted, wonderful to behold. And the revolving hubs on either side are of silver; and the chariot-platform is hung upon straps of gold and silver, and there are two rails that run around (it). And from the (platform) there extends a silver pole; and on its end she fastened a fine golden yoke, and cast on it some fair golden collars; then, Hera led her swift-footed horses beneath the yoke, eager (as she was) for strife and the cry of battle. 

Meanwhile, Athene, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, let fall on her father's floor her fine embroidered robe, which she herself had made and worked with her hands; then, she donned the tunic of cloud-gathering Zeus, and arrayed herself in her armour for tearful war. And about her shoulders she flung the fearful tasselled aegis, all around which Panic is set in a circle, and therein (is) Strife, and therein (is) Valour, and therein (is) blood-chilling Rout, and therein too (is) the head of that dreadful monster, the Gorgon, terrible and awful, and a portent of aegis-bearing Zeus. And upon her head, she placed a golden two-horned helmet with four bosses (and) decorated with (figures representing) the men-at-arms of a hundred cities; then she stepped into her fiery chariot, and grasped her heavy spear, huge and strong, with which she vanquishes the ranks of men, warriors against whom she, the daughter of a mighty father, bears a grudge. Then, Hera quickly flicked her horses with the whip; and the gates of heaven, which the Hours (i.e. the goddesses of the Seasons) had in their keeping, groaned (open) of their own accord, and to them are entrusted great heaven and Olympus, both to push aside the thick cloud and to impose (it). So, in this way, they steered their spurred horses through (the gates). Then, they found the son of Cronos (i.e. Zeus) sitting apart from the other gods on the highest peak of many-ridged Olympus; there, the white-armed Hera stayed the horses, and addressed Zeus, the most high son of Cronos, asking (him): "Father Zeus, do you not feel anger at Ares for these violent deeds, in that he has, to my sorrow, destroyed so great and so goodly a host of the Achaeans recklessly and in an unseemly manner, while Cypris and Apollo of the silver bow make merry at their ease, having let loose this madman, who has no notion of any law? Father Zeus, will you be at all angry with me, if I should smite Ares sorely and chase (him) from the battlefield?"

Then cloud-gathering Zeus addressed her (thus) in reply: "Come then, set Athene, driver of the spoil, against him, (she) who is especially wont to causing him inglorious anguish."

Ll. 767-845.  Athene fights alongside Diomedes.

So he spoke, and the white-armed goddess Hera did not disobey, but whipped up the horses; and, nothing loath, the pair flew on between earth and the starry heaven. As far as a man sees with his eyes into the misty distance, as he sits on a vantage point gazing on the wine-dark sea, so far do the gods' high-sounding horses spring at a bound. But when they reached (the land of) Troy with its two flowing rivers, (at the point) where the Simoïs and the Scamander join their streams together, there the white-armed goddess Hera stayed her horses, and, having loosed (them) from the chariot, she shed a thick mist around (them); and Simoïs made (a crop of) ambrosia to spring up for them to feed on. Then, they (i.e. Hera and Athene) went their way like timorous wood-pigeons in their steps, eager to bring aid to the Argive warriors; but, when they came (to the place) where most (of them) and the best (of them) were stationed around mighty Diomedes, packed together like ravening lions or wild boars whose strength (is) not easily exhausted, there stood the white-armed goddess Hera, and she shouted aloud, in the form of great-hearted Stentor of the brazen voice, who spoke with as much power as fifty other (men): "Shame (on you, you) Argives, sad wretches (that you are), (though) wonderful to look at; so long as godlike Achilles was ready to go into battle, The Trojans would never (even) venture in front of the Dardanian gates; for they were in dread of his mighty spear; but now they are fighting far from their city right by our hollow ships."

So speaking, she (i.e. Hera) stirred the strength and spirit of each (of them). Then, the goddess, bright-eyed Athene, made quickly for the son of Tydeus; and she found the king beside his horses and chariot, airing the wound which Pandarus had dealt him with his arrow. For sweat was chafing him beneath the broad strap of his round shield; he was being irritated by this and his arm was tired, and he was lifting up the strap and wiping away the dark blood. Then, the goddess grasped the horses' yoke and spoke (thus): "To be sure, Tydeus begot a son who was little like him. Tydeus, let me tell you, was small in stature, but a fighter; even when I would not let him fight or rush madly into the fray, (for instance that time) when he went (as) a messenger to Thebes, a lone Achaean among a crowd of Cadmeians (i.e. Thebans); I had told him to feast quietly in their halls; yet, he, having a heart which (was) bold as of old, challenged the young men of the Cadmeians and won every (event); such a helper was I to him. But as for you, I am surely standing beside (you) and guarding (you), and I readily urge you to fight with the Trojans; but either weariness, caused by impetuous onsets, has entered into your limbs, or perhaps a spiritless terror is now holding you back; well then, you cannot be the offspring of Tydeus, son of warlike Oeneus."

Then, mighty Diomedes addressed her (thus) in reply: "I know you, goddess, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus; so I will readily tell you my thoughts and not hide (them from you). No spiritless terror, nor any cowardice, is holding me back in any way, but I am still mindful of those behests of yours which you laid upon (me). You would not let me fight against the other blessed gods; except that if Aphrodite, the daughter of Zeus, should enter the battle, then (I was) to stab her with my sharp bronze. For this reason, I am now falling back myself, and I have ordered all the other Argives to gather here; for I can see that Ares is lording it around the battlefield."

Then, the bright-eyed goddess Athene answered him (thus): "Diomedes, son of Tydeus, most pleasing to my heart, on this account have no fear of Ares or any other of the immortals, (for) such a helper am I to you; but come, steer your uncloven-hooved horses at Ares first, and smite him at close quarters, and do not stand in awe of impetuous Ares, this madman, this manufactured evil, this two-faced (monster), who just now spoke both to me and to Hera and promised to fight the Trojans and to bring help to the Argives, but now he is siding with the Trojans and is going back on those (promises)."

Thus speaking, she (i.e. Athene) dragged Sthenelus back with her hand and pushed him from the chariot to the ground, and he leapt down hastily; and, eager (for battle), the goddess mounted the chariot beside godlike Diomedes; and the oaken axle creaked loudly due to its weight; for it held the dread goddess and the best of warriors. And Pallas Athene took hold of the whip and the reins; forthwith she steered the uncloven-hooved horses straight at Ares first of all. In fact, he was stripping the enormous Periphas (of his armour), (he who was) the splendid son of Ochesius and by far the best of the Aetolians; the blood-stained Ares was stripping him; but Athene had donned the helmet of Hades (i.e. the cap of darkness), so that mighty Ares should not see her.

Ll. 846-909.  Diomedes wounds Ares.

Now, when Ares, bane of mortals, saw godlike Diomedes, he actually let (the body of) the huge Periphas lie on the very spot where he had first slain (him) and taken away his life, and he went straight towards horse-taming Diomedes. Now, when they were at close range, as they advanced on each other, Ares lunged forward with his bronze spear over the yoke and reins of the horses, eager to take his life from (him); but the bright-eyed goddess Athene caught it in her hand, and pushed (it) away from the chariot to dart around to no avail. Then again, Diomedes, good at the war-cry, rushed (at him) with his bronze spear; and Pallas Athene drove (it) into the bottom of his belly where he had girded himself with an apron; hitting (him) there, he wounded him and rent his fine flesh asunder, and he drew the spear out again; then, brazen Ares screamed as loud as nine thousand or ten thousand men shout aloud on the battlefield, when they come together in the strife of war. Then, trembling came upon both the Achaeans and the Trojans in their terror, so loud did Ares, the war-glutton, scream.

Like a black (column of) air which appears out of the clouds, as a result of the heat, while a violent wind arises, so did brazen Ares appear to Diomedes, son of Tydeus, as he went up to the broad heaven wrapped in clouds. Speedily he came to steep Olympus, the abode of the gods, and sat down beside Zeus, the son of Cronos, sick at heart, and he showed (him) the immortal blood flowing from his wound, and spoke these winged words in a plaintive voice: "Father Zeus, do you not feel any anger at the sight of these violent deeds? We gods always have to suffer most horribly from one another's actions, when we bring favours to men. We all hold you to blame; for you begat this witless girl, accursed (as she is), whose mind is ever fixed on wicked deeds. For all the other gods who are on Olympus obey you, and we are subject (to you), each one (of us); but you pay no attention to her, either in word or deed, but you let (her) go free, since you, yourself, fathered that ruinous child. Now. she has set Diomedes, the overbearing son of Tydeus, to vent his rage against the immortal gods. First, he stabbed Cypris (i.e. Aphrodite) at close range on the hand at the wrist, and then he rushed upon myself like a god. But my quick feet bore me away; otherwise I should have suffered woes there for a long time among the grim heaps of the dead, or else I should have lived in a feeble state, through the blows of his bronze (spear)."

Then, looking askance, cloud-gathering Zeus addressed him (thus): "(You) two-faced (creature), do not sit beside me and whine in any way! You are the most hateful to me of (all) the gods who occupy Olympus; for strife and wars and fighting are ever dear to you. You have the stubborn unyielding spirit of your mother Hera; I can scarcely control her by my words; so, I think that you are suffering these things at her instigation. But still I can no longer bear that you should have any pains; for you are a son of mine, and your mother bore you to me; but, if you had been born thus ruinous of any other god, you would, long ago, have been (placed) lower than the sons of Uranus (i.e. the Titans whom Zeus had incarcerated in Tartarus)."

So he spoke, and bade Paeon heal (his wounds). Then Paeon sprinkled pain-killing medicines on the (wound) and healed (him); for he was in no way made (like) a mortal. As when the juice (of the fig), although it is liquid, rapidly congeals the white milk, and it is coagulates very quickly with (someone) stirring (it), so speedily was impetuous Ares healed. Then, Hebe bathed him, and clad (him) in beautiful raiment; and he sat down at the side of Zeus, son of Cronos, exulting in his glory. 

Then, back to the palace went Hera of Argos and Athene of Alalcomenae (i.e. a small town in Boeotia which had a sanctaury dedicated to her), after they had put a stop to the slaughterings of Ares, bane of mortals.