Introduction:
All the fighting described in this, the eighth book of Homer's "Iliad", takes place in a single day, and it is thus the shortest battle in the War: hence the Book's ancient title, "Κόλος Μάχη", "the Shortened (or Unfinished) Battle". Because Zeus has promised Thetis that he will allow the Trojans to gain the upper hand in the war, until the Greeks, and their king, Agamemnon, are forced to beg Achilles to return to the fray on whatever terms he chooses to set, the Trojans, led by the forceful Hector of the shining helmet, succeed in driving them back to their ships. Indeed, by the end of the book it looks as though the Trojans are on the verge of victory and that the Greeks may be compelled to set sail for home. Before this the goddesses Hera and Athene, anxious about the position of the Greeks, have tried to intervene personally in the fighting, but are successfully warned off by Iris on Zeus' behalf, an incident which starkly demonstrates the extent to which Zeus dominates all the other gods. The book ends with the Trojans camping out on the plain for the first time since the siege began. The beautiful simile which encapsulates the sight of their fires (ll. 555-565) sets out an image of clarity and order, in sharp contrast to the atmosphere of panic and confusion afflicting the Greeks at the beginning of Book IX.
Ll. 1-52. Zeus warns the gods not to join in the battle.
Now, saffron-robed Dawn was spreading (herself) over the whole earth, and Zeus, who delights in thunder, arranged an assembly of the gods on the highest peak of many-ridged Olympus; then, he began to address them, and all the gods were listening to (him): "Hearken unto me, all (you) gods and goddesses, so that I can say what the heart in my breast bids me. Let not any female god, nor indeed any male (one), attempt to disobey this word of mine, but may you all alike assent (to it), so that I may bring this business to an end with all speed. And, (if) I should notice that anyone (of you), standing apart from the gods, is wishing to go and bring help either to the Trojans or to the Danaans, then he will return to Olympus, having been smitten in the most horrible manner (i.e. by a thunderbolt); or I shall seize him and hurl (him) far below into murky Tartarus, where there is the deepest pit beneath the earth, where the gate (is made) of iron and the threshold of bronze, (and it is) as far below Hades as the sky is above the earth; then, shall he know that I am by far the mightiest of all the gods. But come now, (you) gods, try (it), so that all of you may know: hang up a golden chain from heaven and cling (to it), all (you) gods and goddesses; but you could not pull Zeus, the most high counsellor, down from heaven to the ground, not even if you were to pull ever so hard. But, whenever I were minded to pull in earnest, I could haul (you) up, with the earth itself and with the sea itself; and then I could tie the chain around a peak of Olympus, and, in that case, everything would be left hanging in mid-air. By so much am I superior to gods and men."
So he spoke, and they all became hushed in silence, as they marvelled at his words; for he had addressed (them) with great forcefulness. Then, at length, the bright-eyed goddess Athene spoke out: "O our father, son of Cronos, greatest of (all) lords, now do we well know that your might is unyielding; but, all the same, we do feel sorry for the Danaan spearmen, who will fulfil their wretched fate and die. But we shall surely keep away from the fighting, as you command; but we shall suggest counsel to the Argives, from which they will get some benefit, so that they will not all perish due to your wrath."
Then, cloud-gathering Zeus smiled at her and said: "Take courage, Tritogeneia (i.e. sea-born); in no way am I speaking with a firm intention, and I do wish to be kind to you."
Ll. 41-77. The Trojans and the Greeks engage one another in battle; Zeus' scales of fate fall in favour of the former.
So speaking, he harnessed (a pair of) bronze-hooved horses to his chariot, swift-running (horses) decked with manes of golden hair, and he himself was clad in gold around his body, and he grasped his whip, well-wrought in gold, and he mounted the board of his chariot and cracked his whip to get (the horses) in motion; they flew eagerly onward midway between earth and starry heaven. He came to Ida, the many-fountained mother of wild beasts, (even) to Gargaron (i.e. the central peak of Mount Ida), and there was his sanctuary and his altar, fragrant with incense. There the father of men and gods stayed his horses, and loosed (them) from the chariot, and shed a thick mist over (them). He then sat down on the peak of the mountain, glorying in his splendour, (and) looking down upon the city of the Trojans and the ships of the Achaeans.
Meanwhile, the long-haired Achaeans took their meal in haste within their huts, and immediately after it they armed themselves. And on the other side, the Trojans, for their part, prepared for battle throughout the city, (though there were) fewer (of them); but, even so, they were eager to fight in combat through urgent necessity, on behalf of their children and wives. Then, the whole gate was thrown open, and the host streamed forth, both foot-soldiers and charioteers (alike), and a great din arose.
But, when they met together and came to one place, then they clashed their shields together, and their spears together, and (they displayed) the fury of men with bronze-breastplates; then shield-bosses met one another, and a great din arose. And then there were intermingled the wailing and crowing of men (who were) killing and being killed, and the ground ran with blood.
Now. as long as it was morning and the sacred day was waxing, so did the missiles of both sides well reach their targets, and men kept falling. But when the sun reached the centre of the sky (i.e. its zenith), then the Father opened up his golden pair of scales; and he placed within (them) two fated tokens of woeful death, (one) for the horse-taming Trojans and (another) for the bronze-clad Achaeans; then, he grasped (the scales) in the middle and lifted (them) up; and down sank the fateful day of the Achaeans. The Achaeans' fates settled upon the bountiful earth, and (those) of the Trojans were raised to the broad heavens; then he himself thundered loudly from Ida, and he sent a blazing flash (of lightning) among the host of the Achaeans; and, when they saw (it), they were astounded, and fear seized (them) all within its pale (grip).
Ll. 78-111. Nestor stands alone among the Greeks, until Diomedes come to his aid.
Then, neither Idomeneus nor Agamemnon dared to stand fast, nor did the two Aiantes, those companions of Ares, stand their ground: the Gerenian Nestor, warden of the Achaeans, alone remained (there), not at all willingly, but a horse (of his) had been wounded, (as) godlike Alexander (i.e. Paris), the husband of fair-haired Helen, had hit it with an arrow on the crown of its head, where horses' foremost hairs grow from the skull, and it is a particularly critical (spot). Sorely wounded, it gave a bound, as the arrow sank into its brain, and it threw the (other) horses into confusion as it writhed on account of the bronze (point) (i.e. it was not one of the two yoked horses, but a trace horse attached to the chariot by a rope). While the old man was lunging with his sword to sever the horse's traces, so the swift horses of Hector came on through the rout, bearing Hector, their bold driver; and now would the old man have then lost his life, if Diomedes, good at the war-cry, had not (so) quickly noticed (him); he gave Odysseus a fearful shout to urge (him) on: "Zeus-born son of Laërtes, (you man) of many wiles, whither are you fleeing, turning your back like a coward in a throng? But (take care,) lest someone should plant his spear in your back as you flee; nay, stand your ground, so that we may beat back this savage warrior from the old man."
So he spoke, but the much-enduring godlike Odysseus did not hear (him), but ran on past to the hollow ships of the Achaeans. But the son of Tydeus (i.e. Diomedes), alone though he was, tangled with the foremost fighters, and stood in front of the chariot of the old man, the son of Neleus (i.e. Nestor), and, as he spoke, he addressed him with these winged words: "O old man, to be sure these young warriors press you too hard; your strength is broken, and grim old age attends you; now your squire (is) weak, and your horses (are) slow. But come, mount my chariot, so you can see of what kind of (stock are) the horses of Tros (i.e. founder of Troy and Priam's great-grandfather), well versed, (as they are,) in speeding hither and thither across the plain, in pursuit or in flight; and I once took them from Aeneas, the agents of fear (that they are). Our squires can tend your (pair), while we can steer my (pair) against the horse-taming Trojans, so that Hector too shall know whether my spear rages in my hands also.
Ll. 112-150. Diomedes and Nestor come together to fight the Trojans, but the omens are against them.
So he spoke, and the Gerenian horseman Nestor did not fail to comply. Then, their stout squires, Sthenelus and manly Eurymedon took charge of Nestor's mares. And the two of them mounted Diomedes' chariot: Nestor took the gleaming reins in his hands, and whipped on the horses; and they quickly came within range of Hector. Then, the son of Tydeus hurled a spear at him as he came straight at (them); him he missed, but he struck his charioteer and squire, Eniopeus, the son of great-hearted Thebaeus, in the chest beside the nipple, as he was holding the reins. And he fell from the chariot, and the swift-footed horses shied away from him; and life and limb were lost to him forthwith. Then, dreadful sorrow for his charioteer engulfed the heart of Hector; yet, he let him lie there, despite his grieving for his companion; nor yet did his horses lack a director for long: for he quickly found brave Archeptolemus, the son of Iphitus, whom he made mount the swift-footed horses then and there, and he put the reins in his hands.
Then, there would have been havoc, and deeds beyond remedy would have occurred, and they would now have been penned into Ilium like lambs, if the father of men and gods had not seen (it so) quickly. Then, thundering fearfully, he discharged a dazzling thunderbolt, and cast (it) down to the ground in front of Diomedes' horses; and there arose a terrible flame of burning sulphur, and, in their fear, the horses cowered beneath the chariot. Then, the gleaming reins slipped from the hands of Nestor, and he felt fear in his heart, and said to Diomedes: "Come, son of Tydeus, and steer your uncloven horses back in flight. Don't you see that success in battle is not coming to you from Zeus? For now Zeus, the son of Cronos, gives today's glory to yonder (man) (i.e. Hector); however, on another day he will also give (it) to us, if it shall be his will; but (there is) no way (in which) a man, not even the very strongest, may thwart the will of Zeus, since he is mightier by far."
Then, Diomedes, good at the war-cry, answered him: "Yes, all the (things) you say, old man, (are) true indeed; but this dread pain comes to my heart and soul: for some day Hector, as he speaks to an assembly of the Trojans, will say: 'Tydeus' son was put to flight and sent back to his ships by me.' So he may boast one day: then may the wide earth gape for me."
Ll. 151-197. Hector taunts the retreating Diomedes, and boasts of the victory that he envisages.
Then, the Gerenian horseman Nestor answered him: "Ah me, (you) son of that warrior Tydeus, what (a thing) to say! For, even if Hector calls you a coward and a weakling, yet the Trojans and the Dardanians will not believe (it), and (nor will) the wives of those great-hearted shield-bearing Trojans, whose sturdy husbands you have hurled in the dust."
So speaking, he turned his uncloven-hooved horses in flight back through the rout; and the Trojans and Hector showered grievous missiles upon (them) with a wondrous clamour. And great Hector of the shining helmet shouted after him in a loud voice: "Son of Tydeus, the Danaans with their swift steeds used to honour you particularly through your seat, and through your meats, and through your wine-cups being (always) filled; but now they will scorn you; so it's true you have been made into a woman. Get away with you, (you) cowardly girl, since you will not scale our walls through any weakness of mine, nor will you carry off our women in your ships; before that I shall deal you your destiny."
So he spoke, and the son of Tydeus was caught in two minds, whether to turn around his horses and fight (him) face to face, (or not). Three times he pondered deeply in his heart and soul, and three times Zeus the counsellor thundered from the peaks of Ida, giving the Trojans a sign of their side's victory in battle. Then, Hector called out to the Trojans with a loud shout: "Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting Dardanians, be you men, my friends, and be you mindful of your strength in battle. I can see that the son of Cronos has definitely promised victory and great glory to me, but woe to the Danaans. Poor fools, they have built this wall of theirs, a feeble (thing) of no account: it will not withstand my (mighty) strength; my horses will easily leap over the ditch (they have) dug. But, when I shall be there by their hollow ships, let there be some memory (among you) of consuming fire, so that I can set fire to their ships, and also cut down the Argives themselves beside their ships, (while they are) distraught with fear due to the smoke.
So saying, he called out to his horses and said: "Xanthus, and you, Podargus, and Aethon, and splendid Lampus, now you can repay me for your keep, that delicious wheat which Andromache, daughter of great-hearted Eëtion, has put in front of you in great abundance, and the wine she has mixed (for you) to drink, whenever the spirit bids (you), sooner than (she has) for me, who, I avow, am her most stalwart husband. But come with me then, and get you going, so that we can take Nestor's shield, the fame of which now reaches to the sky, as it is all gold, both its hand-grips and the (shield) itself, and then (take) from the shoulders of horse-taming Diomedes his skilfully wrought breast-plate, which Hephaestus worked hard to make. If we could take these two (prizes), I should think that the Achaeans will embark upon their ships this very night."
Ll. 198-244. Angered by the success of the Trojans, Hera induces Agamemnon to rally the Greeks.
So he spoke in a boastful voice, and queenly Hera was angry, and she rocked up and down on her throne and shook the heights of Olympus; and, then, she spoke to the great god Poseidon: "Shame on you, mighty Earthshaker, not even now does the heart in your breast feel any pity for the Danaans as they perish. Yet, they bring many pleasing gifts to Helice and Aegae in your honour (i.e. Achaean cities sacred to Poseidon); and you used to wish them victory. For, if we were to decide, all those of us who (are) helpful to the Danaans, to push back the Trojans, and to keep far-seeing Zeus in check, he would then have to sit there on (Mount) Ida alone."
Then, the lord Earthshaker, greatly vexed in spirit, said to her: "Hera, (ever) reckless in your speech, what words you have spoken! I would not wish the rest of us to fight with Zeus, the son of Cronos, for, assuredly, he is mightier (than us) by far."
So they spoke such (words) to each other. Then, all the (space) beyond the ships, which was enclosed by the wall and the ditch, was filled with the (Achaeans), horses and shield-bearing men penned in alike; and (it was) Hector, son of Priam, the peer of swift Ares, (who) was penning (them) in, seeing that Zeus had given him the glory. And now he would have set the well-balanced ships on fire with burning flame, if queenly Hera had not put (it) into the mind of Agamemnon to stir himself into action, and speedily to arouse the Achaeans. Then, he went his way by the huts and ships of the Achaeans, bearing his big purple cloak in his stout hand, and he stopped by Odysseus' huge black ship, which lay in the middle (of the line), so that a shout could be heard on both sides, both by the huts of Ajax, the son of Telamon, and by (those) of Achilles, for they had drawn up their well-balanced ships at the far ends, trusting in their prowess and the strength of their hands; then, he called aloud to the Danaans, shouting in a piercing voice: "(For) shame, (you) Argives, base reproaches (to your name that you are), admirable in appearance (only); where have (all) our boastful (statements) gone, when we said that we were the bravest (of men), (all) those vain-glorious (things) you said when (you were) in Lemnos (i.e. an island in the north-eastern Aegean), as you ate a great amount of meat from straight-horned cattle, and drank bowls brimming over with wine, (claiming) that each (man) would take his stand in battle against a hundred or two hundred Trojans? But now we are not even worthy (to face) one (of them), this Hector, who will soon set fire to our ships with blazing flame. Father Zeus, have you ever cursed any other great king with such a delusion and robbed him of his great reputation? But I can certainly say that I have never passed by any beautiful altar of yours while struggling (to get) here in my many-benched ship, but upon all (of them) I have burned the fat and the thighs of oxen in my eagerness to storm well-walled Troy. But Zeus, bring about this (one) desire of mine at least: just let us flee and escape, and not allow the Achaeans to be thus vanquished by the Trojans."
Ll. 245-291. Moved by Agamemnon's entreaty, Zeus sends the Greeks a favourable omen, and, encouraged by this, they begin to rally.
So he spoke, and the Father had pity on him as he was shedding tears, and he confirmed that his people should be safe and not destroyed. And, forthwith, he sent an eagle, the surest (omen) of (all) flying (creatures), holding in its talons a fawn, the offspring of a swift hind; it let the fawn fall beside the lovely altar of Zeus, (at the place) where the Achaeans used to make sacrifices to Zeus, the source of all omens. So, when they saw that the bird came from Zeus, they leapt upon the Trojans with more (vigour), and recalled the joys of battle. Then, not one of the Danaans, despite their being (so) numerous, could ever boast that he was ahead of the son of Tydeus in guiding his swift horses to cross over the ditch and to fight at close quarters. In fact, (he was) by far the first (to) slay an armed warrior of the Trojans, (namely) Agelaus, the son of Phradmon: he had turned his horses in flight, and, when he had turned around, he stuck his spear in his back between his shoulder-blades, and then drove (it) through his breast; then, he fell from his chariot and his armour clattered upon him.
And after him (came) the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus, and after them the Aiantes, clothed in their fighting spirit, and after them Idomeneus and Idomeneus' comrade, Meriones, peer of manslaying Enyalius (i.e. Ares), and after them Eurypylus, Euaemon's splendid son; then came Teucer as the ninth (man), stretching his bent-back bow, and he took his stand beneath the shield of Ajax, son of Telamon; then Ajax would lift up his shield a little: and the hero would look searchingly around (him), and then shoot an arrow at a man in the throng and hit (him), and there the man would fall and lose his life, while he would go back again to Ajax, like a child keeps sinking into (the arms of) its mother; and he would cover him with his bright shield.
Then, which one of the Trojans did the noble Teucer kill first? Orsilochus first, and (then) Ormenus, and Ophelestes, and Daetor, and Chromius, and godlike Lycophontes, and Amopaon, son of Polyaemon, and Melanippus - all (of these) one after the other he brought down to the nourishing earth. And Agamemnon, king of men, rejoiced when he saw him destroying the ranks of the Trojans (with the arrows) from his mighty bow; and he came and stood beside him, and addressed these words to him: "Teucer, (you) dear person, son of Telamon, captain of the host, keep on shooting like this, and you shall become (a source of) deliverance to the Danaans and (a source of joy) to your father Telamon, who reared you when you were young, and provided for you in his own house, even though you were a bastard; bring credit to him (now), even though he is far away. And I shall declare (something) to you, as it will certainly be brought to pass; if Zeus, who holds the aegis, and Athene shall grant me the sacking of the well-built citadel of Ilium, I shall place a gift of honour in your hands immediately after my own - either a tripod, or two horses with their chariot, or a woman who shall go up with you into a shared bed.
Ll. 292-334. Hector wounds Teucer.
Then, the noble Teucer spoke to him in answer: "Most glorious son of Atreus, why do you spur me on, when I am eager enough already on my own account? Let me tell you, I have not stopped (working) in so far as the strength is in me, but from (the time) when we drove them towards Ilium, from that (time onward), I lie in wait and slay the men. I have already dispatched eight long-pointed arrows, and all (of them) are lodged in the flesh of warriors swift in battle; but this mad dog (i.e. Hector) I cannot hit."
So he said, and shot another arrow from his string straight at Hector, and he longed in his heart to hit (him); him he missed, but he did strike peerless Gorgythion, the valiant son of Priam, in the chest with his arrow, (he) whom a mother, a bride from Aesyme, had born, (namely) lovely Castianeira, in shape like unto a goddess. And he dropped his head to one side, like a poppy in a garden that (is) laden with fruit and (weighed down) by the dampness of spring; so his head sank to one side, depressed by (the weight of) his helmet.
Then, Teucer fired another arrow from his string straight at Hector, and he longed in his heart to strike him. But then he missed (him) again; for Apollo had caused (his arrow) to swerve; but he smote Archeptolemus, his brave charioteer, on the breast beside the nipple, as he was going eagerly into battle; he fell from the chariot, and the horses shied away from (him); and life and limb were lost to him forthwith. Then, dreadful sorrow for his charioteer engulfed the heart of Hector; but there he let him lie, despite his grieving for his companion, and he bade Cebriones, his brother, who was close at hand, take the horses' reins; and he heard (him) and did not disobey. And he, himself, leapt to the ground from his gleaming chariot and let out a terrible cry; and he took up a boulder in his hand, and went straight for Teucer, and his heart bade him strike (him). Now he had drawn a sharp arrow from his quiver, and laid it upon the string; but, even as he was pulling the bowstring past his (left) shoulder, Hector of the shining helmet struck him with the jagged stone (at the place) where the collar-bone separates the neck from the breast - it is an especially critical (spot) - just as he was aiming his (arrow) at him; then, his hand grew numb at the wrist, and he fell on his knees and stayed (in that position), and the bow fell from his hands. Now Ajax did not neglect his fallen brother, but ran around (him) and covered (him) with his shield. Then, two trusty comrades put him on their shoulders (lit. went beneath him), (namely) Mecisteus, son of Echius, and the godlike Alastor, and bore (him), groaning heavily, to the hollow ships.
Ll. 335-380. While Hector drives the Greeks back to their ships, an angry Athene tells Hera how she will join the fight on their behalf.
Then once again the Olympian (i.e. Zeus) aroused might in the (hearts of the) Trojans; and they drove the Achaeans straight towards the deep ditch; and Hector went among the foremost (of them), exulting in his strength. And, as when some hound pursues a wild boar or a lion with swift feet, and coming from behind it snatches at its flanks and buttocks, and watches closely as it wheels round (to attack), so Hector relentlessly pursued the long-haired Achaeans, constantly slaying the hindmost; and they fled in terror. But, when in their terror they had crossed both the stakes and the ditch, and many had been slain at the hands of the Trojans, then they halted beside their ships and (there) they stayed, and they called out to one another and each one held up his hands to all the gods and prayed aloud; and Hector wheeled his fair-maned horses to and fro, having eyes like those of the Gorgon or of Ares, bane of mortals.
Now, when she saw them, the white-armed goddess Hera felt pity (for them), and straightway spoke these winged words to Athene: "For shame, (you) child of Zeus who holds the aegis, are we no longer to be troubled in our minds that the Danaans are being killed, even at this late hour? Now they shall fulfil their fate and perish at the onslaught of a single man, (namely) Hector, the son of Priam, who is raging in a manner that is no longer tolerable, and already he has wreaked much havoc."
Then, the bright-eyed goddess Athene answered her: "If only he might lose his life and limb at the hands of the Argives and die in his native land; but my father, hard(-hearted as he is), rages on with his mind (fixed) on evil (things), a constant blight, the thwarter of my plans; and he has no memory at all of the very many occasions that I saved his son (i.e. Heracles), (when he was) exhausted by the challenges set by Eurystheus (i.e. the Twelve Labours). In truth, he kept crying out to heaven, (and) then Zeus sent me down from heaven to bring (him) succour. For, if I had known all this in the wisdom of my heart, when he sent him down to (the house of) Hades, the Warden of the Gate, to bring up from Erebus the dog of the loathsome Hades (i.e. Cerberus), he would not have escaped the rapid torrents of the waters of the Styx. But now he (i.e. Zeus) hates me, and has accomplished the designs of Thetis, who kissed his knees and clasped his chin in her hand, as she besought him to show honour to Achilles, sacker of cities. Verily, (the day) will come, when he shall call me his bright-eyed darling once again. But now do you harness our uncloven-hooved horses for us, while I shall enter the house of Zeus who holds the aegis and array myself in armour for battle, in order that I can see whether Priam's son, Hector of the shining helmet, will rejoice that we have appeared on the field of battle, or whether some Trojan too will glut the dogs and birds with his fat and flesh, when he has fallen by the ships of the Achaeans.
Ll. 381-424. Hera and Athene prepare to enter the field of battle, but Zeus sends Iris to warn them off.
So she spoke, and the white-armed goddess Hera did not fail to comply. Hera, the august goddess, daughter of great Cronos, went around and bedecked the horses in their golden fillets; meanwhile, Athene, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, let fall upon her father's floor her fine embroidered robe, which she herself had made and worked with her hands, and then she donned the tunic of cloud-gathering Zeus, and arrayed herself in her armour for tearful war. 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, which the Hours (i.e. the goddesses of the seasons) had in their keeping, creaked (upon their hinges) of their own accord, and to them are entrusted great heaven and Olympus, both to push aside the thick cloud or to impose (it). So, in this way, they steered their horses through (the gates).
But when father Zeus saw (them) from Ida, he became dreadfully angry, and exhorted the golden-winged Iris to take (them) a message: "Get up and go, swift Iris, turn (them) back, and do not let (them) come face to face (with me): for (it will) not (bode) well (for them if) we should clash in battle. For thus will I speak, and it shall certainly come to pass. I shall lame their swift horses beneath their chariot, and I shall hurl them from their car and break up their chariot; nor shall the wounds that a thunderbolt will deal (them) be healed in the space of ten revolving years; so may the bright-eyed (goddess) learn (what happens) when she fights with her own father. With Hera I am not so indignant or angry; for, whatever I may have said, she is always accustomed to defy me."
So he spoke, and storm-footed Iris was roused to deliver his message, and she went from the mountains of Ida to the heights of Olympus. And she met (them) at the outer gates of Olympus with its many valleys, and (there) she detained (them), and told them Zeus' words: "Where are you trying to go to? Why are your hearts pounding so madly in your breasts? The son of Cronos does not permit you to come to the aid of the Argives. For thus has the son of Cronos threatened, even as he will bring it about: (he says) he will lame your swift horses beneath your chariot, and you yourselves he will hurl from the car and then shatter your chariot into little pieces. And the wound that a thunderbolt will deal (you) will not be healed within the space of ten revolving years; so may you know, (you) of the flashing eyes, (what happens) when you do battle with your own father. With Hera, he is not so indignant or angry; for she is always accustomed to defy him, whatever he may have said; but you would indeed be dreadful (in your impudence), you shameless bitch, if you should really dare to raise your mighty spear against Zeus."
Ll. 425-468. The goddesses turn back, but their feelings of anger toward Zeus remain.
So speaking, swift-footed Iris departed, but Hera spoke these words to Athene: "O fie! daughter of Zeus who holds the aegis, I can no longer allow that we two should fight against Zeus for the sake of mortals; let one of them die and another live, as it may befall (them); and he can keep his own intentions in his heart and judge between the Trojans and the Danaans, as (it is) right."
Having spoken thus, she turned back their uncloven-hooved horses; then, the Hours unyoked their fair-maned horses, and tethered them to their ambrosial mangers, and lent the chariot against the radiant inner walls (of the courtyard); then they took their seats on golden chairs amid the other gods with pain in their hearts.
Then, father Zeus drove his well-wheeled chariot and horses from Ida to Olympus, and came to the concourse of the gods. And the renowned Earthshaker (i.e. Poseidon) unyoked his horses and set his chariot on its stand with a cloth covering (it); and the far-seeing Zeus himself sat on his golden throne, and great Olympus quaked beneath his feet. Only Athene and Hera sat apart from Zeus, and they said nothing to him, nor did they ask (him) any questions; but he understood (them) in his mind and addressed (them thus): "Why pray, Athena and Hera, are you so pained? Surely you did not exhaust yourselves in glorifying battle, so as to destroy the Trojans, against whom you nurse such a terrible grievance. At all events, such (is) my strength and the invincibility of my hands, that all those gods that are in Olympus could not turn me. But as for you, trembling took hold of your glistening limbs long ago, before you saw war and war's grim deeds. For this will I speak, and it would certainly have come to pass; having been struck by a thunderbolt, you would not have come back in your own chariot to Olympus, where is the abode of the immortals."
So he spoke, and Athene and Hera muttered at his words; they were sitting close together and plotting bad (things) for the Trojans. To be sure, Athene was silent and said nothing; (she was) furious with her father Zeus and savage anger gripped her; but Hera's breast could not contain her anger, and she addressed (him thus): "Dread son of Cronus, what kind of words are you saying? Now we know well enough that your strength cannot be resisted; but all the same we do feel sorry for the Danaan spearmen, who will fulfil their wretched fate and die. But we shall surely keep away from the fighting, as you command; but we shall suggest counsel to the Argives, from which they will get some benefit, so that they will not all perish due to your wrath."
Ll. 469-511. Zeus tells Hera and Athene that Trojan successes will continue until Achilles returns to the fray; Hector begins to address his troops.
Then, cloud-gathering Zeus spoke to her in answer: "In the morning, ox-eyed queenly Hera, you will see, if you are so minded, the son of Cronos, in all his exceedingly great power, destroying the numerous host of Argive spearmen; for mighty Hector will not ever cease from fighting until the swift-footed son of Peleus (i.e. Achilles) is roused to action beside his ships, on that day when they will fight by their sterns in the direst distress over (the body of) the dead Patroclus. For this is as fate decrees. But (as) for your anger I care not at all, not even if you should go to the lowest limits of earth and sea, where Iapetus (i.e. a Titan confined by Zeus, and the father of Prometheus) and Cronos sit, delighting neither in the beams of Hyperion Helios (i.e. the Sun) nor in any breezes, but deep Tartarus is all around (them); not even if you attain that spot in your wandering, am I in the least concerned by your anger, since (there is) nothing more shameless than you."
So he spoke, and white-armed Hera said nothing to him at all. Then, the bright light of the sun sank into the ocean, drawing black night over the fruitful corn-land. The daylight sinks against the will of the Trojans, but to the Achaeans dark night came upon them gladly welcomed three times over.
Then did glorious Hector arrange an assembly of the Trojans, leading (them) away from the ships on to an open space beside the swirling river (i.e. the Scamander), where the ground could be seen (to be) free of corpses. Stepping to the ground from their chariots, they listened to the words that Hector, beloved of Zeus, said (to them). In his hand he held a spear eleven cubits long; the bronze point of the spear gleamed before (him), and a golden band ran around (it). On it he leaned (as) he spoke these words to the Trojans: "Listen to me, (you) Trojans, and Dardanians, and allies; today I thought that I should go back to windy Ilium, having destroyed the Achaeans and all their ships. But before (that could happen) darkness came, (and it is that) that has now saved the Achaeans and their ships on the sea shore. So then for the present let us yield to black night and prepare our supper; so, free your fair-maned horses from your chariots, and throw down their fodder beside them; and bring oxen and sturdy sheep swiftly from the city, and take sweet wine and bread from your houses, and gather plenty of wood as well, so that all night long and until the early-born morning (comes), we may burn a host of fires, and their gleam may reach up to heaven, lest the long-haired Achaeans may perhaps try to escape over the sea's broad back.
Ll. 512-549. Hector's speech encourages the Trojans, who then prepare to eat.
"So, do not let them board their ships at their ease without a struggle, but let some of them nurse a wound at home, having been smitten either by an arrow or by a sharp-pointed spear as they leap on to their ship, so that any others may dread bringing tearful war against the horse-taming Trojans. And let heralds, beloved of Zeus, proclaim throughout the city that boys in the prime of their youth and grey-haired old men should gather on the god-built walls around the city; and let the women folk, each one in their houses, burn a great fire; and let there be a close watch, lest an armed band should enter the city in the absence of the host.
"So may it be, great-hearted Trojans, just as I say; let the words which I have spoken be good enough for the present, but I shall say some (more words) to (you) horse-taming Trojans in the morning. In my prayers to Zeus, and to the other gods I hope to drive away from here those doom-laden dogs, whom the fates have carried (here) in their black ships. But tonight we shall guard our own (positions), and early tomorrow morning, when arrayed in our armour, let us stir up sharp battle at the hollow ships. I shall know whether mighty Diomedes, the son of Tydeus, will drive (me) back from the ships to the wall, or whether I shall slay him with my bronze (spear) and carry off the gory spoils. Tomorrow he will demonstrate his valour, whether he can come and stand against my spear; but, when the sun rises tomorrow, I hope to see him lying wounded among the front ranks, and many of his comrades round about him. Would that I could be immortal and ageless for all time, and be honoured as Athene and Apollo are honoured; (if it were) so, this day would bring disaster to the Argives!"
So Hector addressed (the assembly), and the Trojans responded with applause.Then they released their sweating horses from the yoke, and tethered (them) with leather straps, each (man) beside his own chariot; and they brought oxen and sturdy sheep swiftly from the city, and they took sweet wine and bread from their houses, and gathered plenty of wood as well. [And to the immortals they offered hecatombs full in number,] and the winds carried the [sweet] savour (of the meat) up into the heavens; [but the blessed gods did not share any of it among themselves, nor did they wish to; for sacred Ilium, and Priam, and the people of Priam with his good ashen spear, were utterly hateful to them.]
Ll. 553-565. The Trojans spend the night encamped on the plain.
So they sat on the field of battle in high spirits all night long, and their numerous fires kept burning. And, as when the brilliant stars appear in the sky around the gleaming moon, and when the air becomes windless, so all the hill-tops, and sharp headlands and glens come into view, and clear (shafts of) light come bursting down from the sky, and all the stars are visible, and the shepherd is glad at heart. So did the many fires which the Trojans had lit between the ships and the streams of the Xanthus (i.e. the Scamander) appear before Ilium. So a thousand fires were burning in the plain, and beside each (one) there sat fifty (men) in the gleam of the blazing fire. And the horses stood beside their chariots, feeding on white barley and spelt, and awaiting the fair-throned dawn.
All the fighting described in this, the eighth book of Homer's "Iliad", takes place in a single day, and it is thus the shortest battle in the War: hence the Book's ancient title, "Κόλος Μάχη", "the Shortened (or Unfinished) Battle". Because Zeus has promised Thetis that he will allow the Trojans to gain the upper hand in the war, until the Greeks, and their king, Agamemnon, are forced to beg Achilles to return to the fray on whatever terms he chooses to set, the Trojans, led by the forceful Hector of the shining helmet, succeed in driving them back to their ships. Indeed, by the end of the book it looks as though the Trojans are on the verge of victory and that the Greeks may be compelled to set sail for home. Before this the goddesses Hera and Athene, anxious about the position of the Greeks, have tried to intervene personally in the fighting, but are successfully warned off by Iris on Zeus' behalf, an incident which starkly demonstrates the extent to which Zeus dominates all the other gods. The book ends with the Trojans camping out on the plain for the first time since the siege began. The beautiful simile which encapsulates the sight of their fires (ll. 555-565) sets out an image of clarity and order, in sharp contrast to the atmosphere of panic and confusion afflicting the Greeks at the beginning of Book IX.
Ll. 1-52. Zeus warns the gods not to join in the battle.
Now, saffron-robed Dawn was spreading (herself) over the whole earth, and Zeus, who delights in thunder, arranged an assembly of the gods on the highest peak of many-ridged Olympus; then, he began to address them, and all the gods were listening to (him): "Hearken unto me, all (you) gods and goddesses, so that I can say what the heart in my breast bids me. Let not any female god, nor indeed any male (one), attempt to disobey this word of mine, but may you all alike assent (to it), so that I may bring this business to an end with all speed. And, (if) I should notice that anyone (of you), standing apart from the gods, is wishing to go and bring help either to the Trojans or to the Danaans, then he will return to Olympus, having been smitten in the most horrible manner (i.e. by a thunderbolt); or I shall seize him and hurl (him) far below into murky Tartarus, where there is the deepest pit beneath the earth, where the gate (is made) of iron and the threshold of bronze, (and it is) as far below Hades as the sky is above the earth; then, shall he know that I am by far the mightiest of all the gods. But come now, (you) gods, try (it), so that all of you may know: hang up a golden chain from heaven and cling (to it), all (you) gods and goddesses; but you could not pull Zeus, the most high counsellor, down from heaven to the ground, not even if you were to pull ever so hard. But, whenever I were minded to pull in earnest, I could haul (you) up, with the earth itself and with the sea itself; and then I could tie the chain around a peak of Olympus, and, in that case, everything would be left hanging in mid-air. By so much am I superior to gods and men."
So he spoke, and they all became hushed in silence, as they marvelled at his words; for he had addressed (them) with great forcefulness. Then, at length, the bright-eyed goddess Athene spoke out: "O our father, son of Cronos, greatest of (all) lords, now do we well know that your might is unyielding; but, all the same, we do feel sorry for the Danaan spearmen, who will fulfil their wretched fate and die. But we shall surely keep away from the fighting, as you command; but we shall suggest counsel to the Argives, from which they will get some benefit, so that they will not all perish due to your wrath."
Then, cloud-gathering Zeus smiled at her and said: "Take courage, Tritogeneia (i.e. sea-born); in no way am I speaking with a firm intention, and I do wish to be kind to you."
Ll. 41-77. The Trojans and the Greeks engage one another in battle; Zeus' scales of fate fall in favour of the former.
So speaking, he harnessed (a pair of) bronze-hooved horses to his chariot, swift-running (horses) decked with manes of golden hair, and he himself was clad in gold around his body, and he grasped his whip, well-wrought in gold, and he mounted the board of his chariot and cracked his whip to get (the horses) in motion; they flew eagerly onward midway between earth and starry heaven. He came to Ida, the many-fountained mother of wild beasts, (even) to Gargaron (i.e. the central peak of Mount Ida), and there was his sanctuary and his altar, fragrant with incense. There the father of men and gods stayed his horses, and loosed (them) from the chariot, and shed a thick mist over (them). He then sat down on the peak of the mountain, glorying in his splendour, (and) looking down upon the city of the Trojans and the ships of the Achaeans.
Meanwhile, the long-haired Achaeans took their meal in haste within their huts, and immediately after it they armed themselves. And on the other side, the Trojans, for their part, prepared for battle throughout the city, (though there were) fewer (of them); but, even so, they were eager to fight in combat through urgent necessity, on behalf of their children and wives. Then, the whole gate was thrown open, and the host streamed forth, both foot-soldiers and charioteers (alike), and a great din arose.
But, when they met together and came to one place, then they clashed their shields together, and their spears together, and (they displayed) the fury of men with bronze-breastplates; then shield-bosses met one another, and a great din arose. And then there were intermingled the wailing and crowing of men (who were) killing and being killed, and the ground ran with blood.
Now. as long as it was morning and the sacred day was waxing, so did the missiles of both sides well reach their targets, and men kept falling. But when the sun reached the centre of the sky (i.e. its zenith), then the Father opened up his golden pair of scales; and he placed within (them) two fated tokens of woeful death, (one) for the horse-taming Trojans and (another) for the bronze-clad Achaeans; then, he grasped (the scales) in the middle and lifted (them) up; and down sank the fateful day of the Achaeans. The Achaeans' fates settled upon the bountiful earth, and (those) of the Trojans were raised to the broad heavens; then he himself thundered loudly from Ida, and he sent a blazing flash (of lightning) among the host of the Achaeans; and, when they saw (it), they were astounded, and fear seized (them) all within its pale (grip).
Ll. 78-111. Nestor stands alone among the Greeks, until Diomedes come to his aid.
Then, neither Idomeneus nor Agamemnon dared to stand fast, nor did the two Aiantes, those companions of Ares, stand their ground: the Gerenian Nestor, warden of the Achaeans, alone remained (there), not at all willingly, but a horse (of his) had been wounded, (as) godlike Alexander (i.e. Paris), the husband of fair-haired Helen, had hit it with an arrow on the crown of its head, where horses' foremost hairs grow from the skull, and it is a particularly critical (spot). Sorely wounded, it gave a bound, as the arrow sank into its brain, and it threw the (other) horses into confusion as it writhed on account of the bronze (point) (i.e. it was not one of the two yoked horses, but a trace horse attached to the chariot by a rope). While the old man was lunging with his sword to sever the horse's traces, so the swift horses of Hector came on through the rout, bearing Hector, their bold driver; and now would the old man have then lost his life, if Diomedes, good at the war-cry, had not (so) quickly noticed (him); he gave Odysseus a fearful shout to urge (him) on: "Zeus-born son of Laërtes, (you man) of many wiles, whither are you fleeing, turning your back like a coward in a throng? But (take care,) lest someone should plant his spear in your back as you flee; nay, stand your ground, so that we may beat back this savage warrior from the old man."
So he spoke, but the much-enduring godlike Odysseus did not hear (him), but ran on past to the hollow ships of the Achaeans. But the son of Tydeus (i.e. Diomedes), alone though he was, tangled with the foremost fighters, and stood in front of the chariot of the old man, the son of Neleus (i.e. Nestor), and, as he spoke, he addressed him with these winged words: "O old man, to be sure these young warriors press you too hard; your strength is broken, and grim old age attends you; now your squire (is) weak, and your horses (are) slow. But come, mount my chariot, so you can see of what kind of (stock are) the horses of Tros (i.e. founder of Troy and Priam's great-grandfather), well versed, (as they are,) in speeding hither and thither across the plain, in pursuit or in flight; and I once took them from Aeneas, the agents of fear (that they are). Our squires can tend your (pair), while we can steer my (pair) against the horse-taming Trojans, so that Hector too shall know whether my spear rages in my hands also.
Ll. 112-150. Diomedes and Nestor come together to fight the Trojans, but the omens are against them.
So he spoke, and the Gerenian horseman Nestor did not fail to comply. Then, their stout squires, Sthenelus and manly Eurymedon took charge of Nestor's mares. And the two of them mounted Diomedes' chariot: Nestor took the gleaming reins in his hands, and whipped on the horses; and they quickly came within range of Hector. Then, the son of Tydeus hurled a spear at him as he came straight at (them); him he missed, but he struck his charioteer and squire, Eniopeus, the son of great-hearted Thebaeus, in the chest beside the nipple, as he was holding the reins. And he fell from the chariot, and the swift-footed horses shied away from him; and life and limb were lost to him forthwith. Then, dreadful sorrow for his charioteer engulfed the heart of Hector; yet, he let him lie there, despite his grieving for his companion; nor yet did his horses lack a director for long: for he quickly found brave Archeptolemus, the son of Iphitus, whom he made mount the swift-footed horses then and there, and he put the reins in his hands.
Then, there would have been havoc, and deeds beyond remedy would have occurred, and they would now have been penned into Ilium like lambs, if the father of men and gods had not seen (it so) quickly. Then, thundering fearfully, he discharged a dazzling thunderbolt, and cast (it) down to the ground in front of Diomedes' horses; and there arose a terrible flame of burning sulphur, and, in their fear, the horses cowered beneath the chariot. Then, the gleaming reins slipped from the hands of Nestor, and he felt fear in his heart, and said to Diomedes: "Come, son of Tydeus, and steer your uncloven horses back in flight. Don't you see that success in battle is not coming to you from Zeus? For now Zeus, the son of Cronos, gives today's glory to yonder (man) (i.e. Hector); however, on another day he will also give (it) to us, if it shall be his will; but (there is) no way (in which) a man, not even the very strongest, may thwart the will of Zeus, since he is mightier by far."
Then, Diomedes, good at the war-cry, answered him: "Yes, all the (things) you say, old man, (are) true indeed; but this dread pain comes to my heart and soul: for some day Hector, as he speaks to an assembly of the Trojans, will say: 'Tydeus' son was put to flight and sent back to his ships by me.' So he may boast one day: then may the wide earth gape for me."
Ll. 151-197. Hector taunts the retreating Diomedes, and boasts of the victory that he envisages.
Then, the Gerenian horseman Nestor answered him: "Ah me, (you) son of that warrior Tydeus, what (a thing) to say! For, even if Hector calls you a coward and a weakling, yet the Trojans and the Dardanians will not believe (it), and (nor will) the wives of those great-hearted shield-bearing Trojans, whose sturdy husbands you have hurled in the dust."
So speaking, he turned his uncloven-hooved horses in flight back through the rout; and the Trojans and Hector showered grievous missiles upon (them) with a wondrous clamour. And great Hector of the shining helmet shouted after him in a loud voice: "Son of Tydeus, the Danaans with their swift steeds used to honour you particularly through your seat, and through your meats, and through your wine-cups being (always) filled; but now they will scorn you; so it's true you have been made into a woman. Get away with you, (you) cowardly girl, since you will not scale our walls through any weakness of mine, nor will you carry off our women in your ships; before that I shall deal you your destiny."
So he spoke, and the son of Tydeus was caught in two minds, whether to turn around his horses and fight (him) face to face, (or not). Three times he pondered deeply in his heart and soul, and three times Zeus the counsellor thundered from the peaks of Ida, giving the Trojans a sign of their side's victory in battle. Then, Hector called out to the Trojans with a loud shout: "Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting Dardanians, be you men, my friends, and be you mindful of your strength in battle. I can see that the son of Cronos has definitely promised victory and great glory to me, but woe to the Danaans. Poor fools, they have built this wall of theirs, a feeble (thing) of no account: it will not withstand my (mighty) strength; my horses will easily leap over the ditch (they have) dug. But, when I shall be there by their hollow ships, let there be some memory (among you) of consuming fire, so that I can set fire to their ships, and also cut down the Argives themselves beside their ships, (while they are) distraught with fear due to the smoke.
So saying, he called out to his horses and said: "Xanthus, and you, Podargus, and Aethon, and splendid Lampus, now you can repay me for your keep, that delicious wheat which Andromache, daughter of great-hearted Eëtion, has put in front of you in great abundance, and the wine she has mixed (for you) to drink, whenever the spirit bids (you), sooner than (she has) for me, who, I avow, am her most stalwart husband. But come with me then, and get you going, so that we can take Nestor's shield, the fame of which now reaches to the sky, as it is all gold, both its hand-grips and the (shield) itself, and then (take) from the shoulders of horse-taming Diomedes his skilfully wrought breast-plate, which Hephaestus worked hard to make. If we could take these two (prizes), I should think that the Achaeans will embark upon their ships this very night."
Ll. 198-244. Angered by the success of the Trojans, Hera induces Agamemnon to rally the Greeks.
So he spoke in a boastful voice, and queenly Hera was angry, and she rocked up and down on her throne and shook the heights of Olympus; and, then, she spoke to the great god Poseidon: "Shame on you, mighty Earthshaker, not even now does the heart in your breast feel any pity for the Danaans as they perish. Yet, they bring many pleasing gifts to Helice and Aegae in your honour (i.e. Achaean cities sacred to Poseidon); and you used to wish them victory. For, if we were to decide, all those of us who (are) helpful to the Danaans, to push back the Trojans, and to keep far-seeing Zeus in check, he would then have to sit there on (Mount) Ida alone."
Then, the lord Earthshaker, greatly vexed in spirit, said to her: "Hera, (ever) reckless in your speech, what words you have spoken! I would not wish the rest of us to fight with Zeus, the son of Cronos, for, assuredly, he is mightier (than us) by far."
So they spoke such (words) to each other. Then, all the (space) beyond the ships, which was enclosed by the wall and the ditch, was filled with the (Achaeans), horses and shield-bearing men penned in alike; and (it was) Hector, son of Priam, the peer of swift Ares, (who) was penning (them) in, seeing that Zeus had given him the glory. And now he would have set the well-balanced ships on fire with burning flame, if queenly Hera had not put (it) into the mind of Agamemnon to stir himself into action, and speedily to arouse the Achaeans. Then, he went his way by the huts and ships of the Achaeans, bearing his big purple cloak in his stout hand, and he stopped by Odysseus' huge black ship, which lay in the middle (of the line), so that a shout could be heard on both sides, both by the huts of Ajax, the son of Telamon, and by (those) of Achilles, for they had drawn up their well-balanced ships at the far ends, trusting in their prowess and the strength of their hands; then, he called aloud to the Danaans, shouting in a piercing voice: "(For) shame, (you) Argives, base reproaches (to your name that you are), admirable in appearance (only); where have (all) our boastful (statements) gone, when we said that we were the bravest (of men), (all) those vain-glorious (things) you said when (you were) in Lemnos (i.e. an island in the north-eastern Aegean), as you ate a great amount of meat from straight-horned cattle, and drank bowls brimming over with wine, (claiming) that each (man) would take his stand in battle against a hundred or two hundred Trojans? But now we are not even worthy (to face) one (of them), this Hector, who will soon set fire to our ships with blazing flame. Father Zeus, have you ever cursed any other great king with such a delusion and robbed him of his great reputation? But I can certainly say that I have never passed by any beautiful altar of yours while struggling (to get) here in my many-benched ship, but upon all (of them) I have burned the fat and the thighs of oxen in my eagerness to storm well-walled Troy. But Zeus, bring about this (one) desire of mine at least: just let us flee and escape, and not allow the Achaeans to be thus vanquished by the Trojans."
Ll. 245-291. Moved by Agamemnon's entreaty, Zeus sends the Greeks a favourable omen, and, encouraged by this, they begin to rally.
So he spoke, and the Father had pity on him as he was shedding tears, and he confirmed that his people should be safe and not destroyed. And, forthwith, he sent an eagle, the surest (omen) of (all) flying (creatures), holding in its talons a fawn, the offspring of a swift hind; it let the fawn fall beside the lovely altar of Zeus, (at the place) where the Achaeans used to make sacrifices to Zeus, the source of all omens. So, when they saw that the bird came from Zeus, they leapt upon the Trojans with more (vigour), and recalled the joys of battle. Then, not one of the Danaans, despite their being (so) numerous, could ever boast that he was ahead of the son of Tydeus in guiding his swift horses to cross over the ditch and to fight at close quarters. In fact, (he was) by far the first (to) slay an armed warrior of the Trojans, (namely) Agelaus, the son of Phradmon: he had turned his horses in flight, and, when he had turned around, he stuck his spear in his back between his shoulder-blades, and then drove (it) through his breast; then, he fell from his chariot and his armour clattered upon him.
And after him (came) the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus, and after them the Aiantes, clothed in their fighting spirit, and after them Idomeneus and Idomeneus' comrade, Meriones, peer of manslaying Enyalius (i.e. Ares), and after them Eurypylus, Euaemon's splendid son; then came Teucer as the ninth (man), stretching his bent-back bow, and he took his stand beneath the shield of Ajax, son of Telamon; then Ajax would lift up his shield a little: and the hero would look searchingly around (him), and then shoot an arrow at a man in the throng and hit (him), and there the man would fall and lose his life, while he would go back again to Ajax, like a child keeps sinking into (the arms of) its mother; and he would cover him with his bright shield.
Then, which one of the Trojans did the noble Teucer kill first? Orsilochus first, and (then) Ormenus, and Ophelestes, and Daetor, and Chromius, and godlike Lycophontes, and Amopaon, son of Polyaemon, and Melanippus - all (of these) one after the other he brought down to the nourishing earth. And Agamemnon, king of men, rejoiced when he saw him destroying the ranks of the Trojans (with the arrows) from his mighty bow; and he came and stood beside him, and addressed these words to him: "Teucer, (you) dear person, son of Telamon, captain of the host, keep on shooting like this, and you shall become (a source of) deliverance to the Danaans and (a source of joy) to your father Telamon, who reared you when you were young, and provided for you in his own house, even though you were a bastard; bring credit to him (now), even though he is far away. And I shall declare (something) to you, as it will certainly be brought to pass; if Zeus, who holds the aegis, and Athene shall grant me the sacking of the well-built citadel of Ilium, I shall place a gift of honour in your hands immediately after my own - either a tripod, or two horses with their chariot, or a woman who shall go up with you into a shared bed.
Ll. 292-334. Hector wounds Teucer.
Then, the noble Teucer spoke to him in answer: "Most glorious son of Atreus, why do you spur me on, when I am eager enough already on my own account? Let me tell you, I have not stopped (working) in so far as the strength is in me, but from (the time) when we drove them towards Ilium, from that (time onward), I lie in wait and slay the men. I have already dispatched eight long-pointed arrows, and all (of them) are lodged in the flesh of warriors swift in battle; but this mad dog (i.e. Hector) I cannot hit."
So he said, and shot another arrow from his string straight at Hector, and he longed in his heart to hit (him); him he missed, but he did strike peerless Gorgythion, the valiant son of Priam, in the chest with his arrow, (he) whom a mother, a bride from Aesyme, had born, (namely) lovely Castianeira, in shape like unto a goddess. And he dropped his head to one side, like a poppy in a garden that (is) laden with fruit and (weighed down) by the dampness of spring; so his head sank to one side, depressed by (the weight of) his helmet.
Then, Teucer fired another arrow from his string straight at Hector, and he longed in his heart to strike him. But then he missed (him) again; for Apollo had caused (his arrow) to swerve; but he smote Archeptolemus, his brave charioteer, on the breast beside the nipple, as he was going eagerly into battle; he fell from the chariot, and the horses shied away from (him); and life and limb were lost to him forthwith. Then, dreadful sorrow for his charioteer engulfed the heart of Hector; but there he let him lie, despite his grieving for his companion, and he bade Cebriones, his brother, who was close at hand, take the horses' reins; and he heard (him) and did not disobey. And he, himself, leapt to the ground from his gleaming chariot and let out a terrible cry; and he took up a boulder in his hand, and went straight for Teucer, and his heart bade him strike (him). Now he had drawn a sharp arrow from his quiver, and laid it upon the string; but, even as he was pulling the bowstring past his (left) shoulder, Hector of the shining helmet struck him with the jagged stone (at the place) where the collar-bone separates the neck from the breast - it is an especially critical (spot) - just as he was aiming his (arrow) at him; then, his hand grew numb at the wrist, and he fell on his knees and stayed (in that position), and the bow fell from his hands. Now Ajax did not neglect his fallen brother, but ran around (him) and covered (him) with his shield. Then, two trusty comrades put him on their shoulders (lit. went beneath him), (namely) Mecisteus, son of Echius, and the godlike Alastor, and bore (him), groaning heavily, to the hollow ships.
Ll. 335-380. While Hector drives the Greeks back to their ships, an angry Athene tells Hera how she will join the fight on their behalf.
Then once again the Olympian (i.e. Zeus) aroused might in the (hearts of the) Trojans; and they drove the Achaeans straight towards the deep ditch; and Hector went among the foremost (of them), exulting in his strength. And, as when some hound pursues a wild boar or a lion with swift feet, and coming from behind it snatches at its flanks and buttocks, and watches closely as it wheels round (to attack), so Hector relentlessly pursued the long-haired Achaeans, constantly slaying the hindmost; and they fled in terror. But, when in their terror they had crossed both the stakes and the ditch, and many had been slain at the hands of the Trojans, then they halted beside their ships and (there) they stayed, and they called out to one another and each one held up his hands to all the gods and prayed aloud; and Hector wheeled his fair-maned horses to and fro, having eyes like those of the Gorgon or of Ares, bane of mortals.
Now, when she saw them, the white-armed goddess Hera felt pity (for them), and straightway spoke these winged words to Athene: "For shame, (you) child of Zeus who holds the aegis, are we no longer to be troubled in our minds that the Danaans are being killed, even at this late hour? Now they shall fulfil their fate and perish at the onslaught of a single man, (namely) Hector, the son of Priam, who is raging in a manner that is no longer tolerable, and already he has wreaked much havoc."
Then, the bright-eyed goddess Athene answered her: "If only he might lose his life and limb at the hands of the Argives and die in his native land; but my father, hard(-hearted as he is), rages on with his mind (fixed) on evil (things), a constant blight, the thwarter of my plans; and he has no memory at all of the very many occasions that I saved his son (i.e. Heracles), (when he was) exhausted by the challenges set by Eurystheus (i.e. the Twelve Labours). In truth, he kept crying out to heaven, (and) then Zeus sent me down from heaven to bring (him) succour. For, if I had known all this in the wisdom of my heart, when he sent him down to (the house of) Hades, the Warden of the Gate, to bring up from Erebus the dog of the loathsome Hades (i.e. Cerberus), he would not have escaped the rapid torrents of the waters of the Styx. But now he (i.e. Zeus) hates me, and has accomplished the designs of Thetis, who kissed his knees and clasped his chin in her hand, as she besought him to show honour to Achilles, sacker of cities. Verily, (the day) will come, when he shall call me his bright-eyed darling once again. But now do you harness our uncloven-hooved horses for us, while I shall enter the house of Zeus who holds the aegis and array myself in armour for battle, in order that I can see whether Priam's son, Hector of the shining helmet, will rejoice that we have appeared on the field of battle, or whether some Trojan too will glut the dogs and birds with his fat and flesh, when he has fallen by the ships of the Achaeans.
Ll. 381-424. Hera and Athene prepare to enter the field of battle, but Zeus sends Iris to warn them off.
So she spoke, and the white-armed goddess Hera did not fail to comply. Hera, the august goddess, daughter of great Cronos, went around and bedecked the horses in their golden fillets; meanwhile, Athene, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, let fall upon her father's floor her fine embroidered robe, which she herself had made and worked with her hands, and then she donned the tunic of cloud-gathering Zeus, and arrayed herself in her armour for tearful war. 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, which the Hours (i.e. the goddesses of the seasons) had in their keeping, creaked (upon their hinges) of their own accord, and to them are entrusted great heaven and Olympus, both to push aside the thick cloud or to impose (it). So, in this way, they steered their horses through (the gates).
But when father Zeus saw (them) from Ida, he became dreadfully angry, and exhorted the golden-winged Iris to take (them) a message: "Get up and go, swift Iris, turn (them) back, and do not let (them) come face to face (with me): for (it will) not (bode) well (for them if) we should clash in battle. For thus will I speak, and it shall certainly come to pass. I shall lame their swift horses beneath their chariot, and I shall hurl them from their car and break up their chariot; nor shall the wounds that a thunderbolt will deal (them) be healed in the space of ten revolving years; so may the bright-eyed (goddess) learn (what happens) when she fights with her own father. With Hera I am not so indignant or angry; for, whatever I may have said, she is always accustomed to defy me."
So he spoke, and storm-footed Iris was roused to deliver his message, and she went from the mountains of Ida to the heights of Olympus. And she met (them) at the outer gates of Olympus with its many valleys, and (there) she detained (them), and told them Zeus' words: "Where are you trying to go to? Why are your hearts pounding so madly in your breasts? The son of Cronos does not permit you to come to the aid of the Argives. For thus has the son of Cronos threatened, even as he will bring it about: (he says) he will lame your swift horses beneath your chariot, and you yourselves he will hurl from the car and then shatter your chariot into little pieces. And the wound that a thunderbolt will deal (you) will not be healed within the space of ten revolving years; so may you know, (you) of the flashing eyes, (what happens) when you do battle with your own father. With Hera, he is not so indignant or angry; for she is always accustomed to defy him, whatever he may have said; but you would indeed be dreadful (in your impudence), you shameless bitch, if you should really dare to raise your mighty spear against Zeus."
Ll. 425-468. The goddesses turn back, but their feelings of anger toward Zeus remain.
So speaking, swift-footed Iris departed, but Hera spoke these words to Athene: "O fie! daughter of Zeus who holds the aegis, I can no longer allow that we two should fight against Zeus for the sake of mortals; let one of them die and another live, as it may befall (them); and he can keep his own intentions in his heart and judge between the Trojans and the Danaans, as (it is) right."
Having spoken thus, she turned back their uncloven-hooved horses; then, the Hours unyoked their fair-maned horses, and tethered them to their ambrosial mangers, and lent the chariot against the radiant inner walls (of the courtyard); then they took their seats on golden chairs amid the other gods with pain in their hearts.
Then, father Zeus drove his well-wheeled chariot and horses from Ida to Olympus, and came to the concourse of the gods. And the renowned Earthshaker (i.e. Poseidon) unyoked his horses and set his chariot on its stand with a cloth covering (it); and the far-seeing Zeus himself sat on his golden throne, and great Olympus quaked beneath his feet. Only Athene and Hera sat apart from Zeus, and they said nothing to him, nor did they ask (him) any questions; but he understood (them) in his mind and addressed (them thus): "Why pray, Athena and Hera, are you so pained? Surely you did not exhaust yourselves in glorifying battle, so as to destroy the Trojans, against whom you nurse such a terrible grievance. At all events, such (is) my strength and the invincibility of my hands, that all those gods that are in Olympus could not turn me. But as for you, trembling took hold of your glistening limbs long ago, before you saw war and war's grim deeds. For this will I speak, and it would certainly have come to pass; having been struck by a thunderbolt, you would not have come back in your own chariot to Olympus, where is the abode of the immortals."
So he spoke, and Athene and Hera muttered at his words; they were sitting close together and plotting bad (things) for the Trojans. To be sure, Athene was silent and said nothing; (she was) furious with her father Zeus and savage anger gripped her; but Hera's breast could not contain her anger, and she addressed (him thus): "Dread son of Cronus, what kind of words are you saying? Now we know well enough that your strength cannot be resisted; but all the same we do feel sorry for the Danaan spearmen, who will fulfil their wretched fate and die. But we shall surely keep away from the fighting, as you command; but we shall suggest counsel to the Argives, from which they will get some benefit, so that they will not all perish due to your wrath."
Ll. 469-511. Zeus tells Hera and Athene that Trojan successes will continue until Achilles returns to the fray; Hector begins to address his troops.
Then, cloud-gathering Zeus spoke to her in answer: "In the morning, ox-eyed queenly Hera, you will see, if you are so minded, the son of Cronos, in all his exceedingly great power, destroying the numerous host of Argive spearmen; for mighty Hector will not ever cease from fighting until the swift-footed son of Peleus (i.e. Achilles) is roused to action beside his ships, on that day when they will fight by their sterns in the direst distress over (the body of) the dead Patroclus. For this is as fate decrees. But (as) for your anger I care not at all, not even if you should go to the lowest limits of earth and sea, where Iapetus (i.e. a Titan confined by Zeus, and the father of Prometheus) and Cronos sit, delighting neither in the beams of Hyperion Helios (i.e. the Sun) nor in any breezes, but deep Tartarus is all around (them); not even if you attain that spot in your wandering, am I in the least concerned by your anger, since (there is) nothing more shameless than you."
So he spoke, and white-armed Hera said nothing to him at all. Then, the bright light of the sun sank into the ocean, drawing black night over the fruitful corn-land. The daylight sinks against the will of the Trojans, but to the Achaeans dark night came upon them gladly welcomed three times over.
Then did glorious Hector arrange an assembly of the Trojans, leading (them) away from the ships on to an open space beside the swirling river (i.e. the Scamander), where the ground could be seen (to be) free of corpses. Stepping to the ground from their chariots, they listened to the words that Hector, beloved of Zeus, said (to them). In his hand he held a spear eleven cubits long; the bronze point of the spear gleamed before (him), and a golden band ran around (it). On it he leaned (as) he spoke these words to the Trojans: "Listen to me, (you) Trojans, and Dardanians, and allies; today I thought that I should go back to windy Ilium, having destroyed the Achaeans and all their ships. But before (that could happen) darkness came, (and it is that) that has now saved the Achaeans and their ships on the sea shore. So then for the present let us yield to black night and prepare our supper; so, free your fair-maned horses from your chariots, and throw down their fodder beside them; and bring oxen and sturdy sheep swiftly from the city, and take sweet wine and bread from your houses, and gather plenty of wood as well, so that all night long and until the early-born morning (comes), we may burn a host of fires, and their gleam may reach up to heaven, lest the long-haired Achaeans may perhaps try to escape over the sea's broad back.
Ll. 512-549. Hector's speech encourages the Trojans, who then prepare to eat.
"So, do not let them board their ships at their ease without a struggle, but let some of them nurse a wound at home, having been smitten either by an arrow or by a sharp-pointed spear as they leap on to their ship, so that any others may dread bringing tearful war against the horse-taming Trojans. And let heralds, beloved of Zeus, proclaim throughout the city that boys in the prime of their youth and grey-haired old men should gather on the god-built walls around the city; and let the women folk, each one in their houses, burn a great fire; and let there be a close watch, lest an armed band should enter the city in the absence of the host.
"So may it be, great-hearted Trojans, just as I say; let the words which I have spoken be good enough for the present, but I shall say some (more words) to (you) horse-taming Trojans in the morning. In my prayers to Zeus, and to the other gods I hope to drive away from here those doom-laden dogs, whom the fates have carried (here) in their black ships. But tonight we shall guard our own (positions), and early tomorrow morning, when arrayed in our armour, let us stir up sharp battle at the hollow ships. I shall know whether mighty Diomedes, the son of Tydeus, will drive (me) back from the ships to the wall, or whether I shall slay him with my bronze (spear) and carry off the gory spoils. Tomorrow he will demonstrate his valour, whether he can come and stand against my spear; but, when the sun rises tomorrow, I hope to see him lying wounded among the front ranks, and many of his comrades round about him. Would that I could be immortal and ageless for all time, and be honoured as Athene and Apollo are honoured; (if it were) so, this day would bring disaster to the Argives!"
So Hector addressed (the assembly), and the Trojans responded with applause.Then they released their sweating horses from the yoke, and tethered (them) with leather straps, each (man) beside his own chariot; and they brought oxen and sturdy sheep swiftly from the city, and they took sweet wine and bread from their houses, and gathered plenty of wood as well. [And to the immortals they offered hecatombs full in number,] and the winds carried the [sweet] savour (of the meat) up into the heavens; [but the blessed gods did not share any of it among themselves, nor did they wish to; for sacred Ilium, and Priam, and the people of Priam with his good ashen spear, were utterly hateful to them.]
Ll. 553-565. The Trojans spend the night encamped on the plain.
So they sat on the field of battle in high spirits all night long, and their numerous fires kept burning. And, as when the brilliant stars appear in the sky around the gleaming moon, and when the air becomes windless, so all the hill-tops, and sharp headlands and glens come into view, and clear (shafts of) light come bursting down from the sky, and all the stars are visible, and the shepherd is glad at heart. So did the many fires which the Trojans had lit between the ships and the streams of the Xanthus (i.e. the Scamander) appear before Ilium. So a thousand fires were burning in the plain, and beside each (one) there sat fifty (men) in the gleam of the blazing fire. And the horses stood beside their chariots, feeding on white barley and spelt, and awaiting the fair-throned dawn.
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