HOMER: "ILIAD": BOOK XII: THE ASSAULT ON THE ACHAEAN WALL.

HOMER: "ILIAD": BOOK XII: THE ASSAULT ON THE ACHAEAN WALL.

Introduction:

This book sees a continuation of the fighting on the third day of action, that long day, the events of which Homer goes on to describe until the end of Book XVIII. This book, although a relatively short one of only 471 lines, is mainly concerned with fighting and features the successes which are made by the Trojans while Achilles remains absent from the fighting, and three of their other main leaders, Agamemnon, Odysseus and Diomedes, are suffering from the wounds they received in Book XI. One particular point of interest in Book XII is the detailed description of the division of the Trojan army into five separate companies led by Hector, Paris, Helenus & Deïphobus, Aeneas, and Sarpedon respectively (viz. ll. 86-107). The focus for the fighting is the wall which the Achaeans had built to protect their ships during the long period of the siege, and which the Trojans are now seeking to break through. The sequence of the action is divided into four phases: attacks by the third Trojan division led by Asius (ll. 118-194); by Hector (ll. 195-289); by Sarpedon (ll. 290-429); and by Hector again, when he breaks through successfully (ll. 430-471). Although much of this book involves fighting, there is a longish interlude in the middle of the Book, when Polydamas, the co-leader of the elite first division of the Trojans, in the light of a disturbing omen involving an eagle and a snake, seeks to dissuade Hector from attacking the Achaean wall, and receives a withering and aggressive response from Hector himself (viz. ll. 200-250).  

Ll. 1-33. How, after the fall of Troy, the gods destroyed the Achaean wall. 

So, the valiant son of Menoetius (i.e. Patroclus) was tending the wounded Eurypylus in his hut; meanwhile, the Argives and the Trojans fought together in bands; nor were the ditch and the wide wall above (it) going to hold out for long, (that wall) which they had made round their ships and the trench they had drawn around (it) - yet they had not given any glorious hecatombs (i.e. the ritual sacrifice of a hundred oxen) to the gods - , so that it might keep their swift ships and their abundant spoil within (it), (and) protect (them); but it was built without the agreement of the immortal gods; and therefore it certainly could not last for any length of time. Now, as long as Hector was alive, and Achilles was cherishing his wrath, and the city of king Priam was unsacked, so also did the great wall of the Achaeans remain unshaken. But, when all the best of the Trojans had died, and many of the Argives, some of whom were slain, while others survived, and the city of Priam was sacked in the tenth year, and the Argives had gone back in their ships to their native-land, then indeed did Poseidon and Apollo plan to destroy the wall (by) bringing the might of the rivers against (it) (n.b. these two gods had built the great wall of Troy for Priam's father Laomedon, and feared that the Greek wall might come to rival it). These (rivers) flow forth from the slopes of Ida (i.e. a mountain and mountain range to the south-east of Troy) to the sea, the Rhesus, and the Heptaporus, and the Caresus, and the Rhodius, and the Granicus, and the Aesepus, and the divine Scamander, and the Simoïs, where many ox-hide shields and helmets, and a semi-divine race of men, had fallen in the dust; Phoebus Apollo turned the mouths of all of them (to join together) in one place, and he drove their current at the wall; and Zeus sent rain continuously, so that they might flood the wall even sooner. And the Earth-Shaker (i.e. Poseidon), holding his trident in his hands, was leading (it) himself, and he drove away all its foundations of wooden blocks and stones, that the Achaeans had laid with toil, and made (everything) flat along the strong-flowing Hellespont, and covered its long beach with sand again, after he had destroyed the wall; and he turned the rivers to flow in the courses, where previously their fair-streaming water had run. 

Ll. 34-79. The Trojans plan to cross the trench.

Such actions would Poseidon and Apollo undertake in the time to come; but then the battle cry blazed round the well-built wall, and the timbers of the ramparts rang as they were struck (by stones); and the Argives, overcome by the scourge of Zeus, and cooped up by their hollow ships, were held back by fear of Hector, the mighty deviser of rout. But he, as (he had done) formerly, fought like a whirlwind; and, as when among hounds and huntsmen, a wild boar or a lion twists and turns, exulting in his strength, and they form themselves in close array and stand against (him), and hurl a throng of spears from their hands; yet his valiant heart never feels any fear or alarm, and (it is) his courage (that) kills him; and often he whirls around and puts the ranks of men to the test, and, wherever he charges, there the ranks of men give way; thus did Hector twist and turn as he went through the throng, urging his comrades to cross the trench, but his swift-footed horses dared not cross (it) for him, but neighed loudly as they halted on its very brink, for the broad ditch alarmed (them), (as it was) easy neither to leap right over, nor to drive right across; for steep overhanging banks stood around all (of it) on both sides, and at the top it was fitted with sharp stakes that the sons of the Achaeans had fixed, close-packed and lengthy, (as) a defence against hostile warriors. A horse pulling a well-wheeled chariot could not easily get across there, but the footmen were eager (to see) if they could accomplish (it). 

Then, indeed, did Polydamas stand beside bold Hector and say (to him): "Hector and (you) other leaders of the Trojans and their allies, (it is) foolish for us to (seek to) drive our swift horses across the trench; hard indeed it is to drive across; for sharp stakes are fixed in it, and immediately beyond them (is) the wall of the Achaeans, (and) there (i.e. in the space between the ditch and the wall) it is in no way possible for (us) charioteers to dismount and fight; for (it is) a narrow (space), where I think we shall suffer casualties. For, if Zeus, who thunders on high, in his evil plans (for them), destroys them utterly, and is eager to assist the Trojans, I, for my part, would certainly wish that this might also come to pass forthwith, that the Achaeans should perish here namelessly (far) from Argos; but, if they turn back on (us) and there is a counter-attack from the ships, and we fall into the ditch they have dug, then I think that not even a (single) messenger shall get back to the city under (the attacks of) the Achaeans when they have rallied. But come, let us all do as I say; let the squires hold back the horses at the ditch, while we ourselves, (as) foot-soldiers dressed in our armour, all follow Hector in throngs; yet, the Achaeans will not withstand (us), if the snares of death are fastened upon them." 

Ll. 80-107. The Trojans form into five companies for their assault on the Achaean wall.  

So spoke Polydamas, and his prudent advice was pleasing to Hector, and at once he leapt to the ground from his chariot in (all) his armour. Nor did the other Trojans stay in formation in their chariots, but they all leapt out (of them), when they saw godlike Hector (do so). Then, each (man) told his own charioteer to keep his horses in good order there by the ditch; then, the (men) separated and organised themselves, and, forming up into five companies, they followed after their leaders.    

Some went with Hector and peerless Polydamas, (those) who were the most numerous and the best, and (who) were especially eager to break through the wall and fight by the hollow ships. And with them Cebriones followed (as) the third (man); for by his chariot Hector had left another weaker (man). Now, Paris (i.e. son of Priam and husband of Helen), and Alcathous, and Agenor led the second (company), and Helenus and godlike Deïphobus, two sons of Priam (led) the third (one); and a third (man) was (with them), the hero Asius, Asius, son of Hyrtacus, whom his great tawny horses had borne from Arisbe, from the river Selleïs. And Aeneas (i.e. the son of Aphrodite, and the commander of the Dardanians), the valiant son of Anchises, was the leader of the fourth (company), (and) with him (were) the two sons of Antenor (i.e. a Trojan elder and close counsellor of Priam), Archelochus and Acamas, well skilled in every (kind of) fighting. And Sarpedon (i.e. the son of Zeus, and the co-commander of the Lycians) led the highly renowned allies, and he chose Glaucus (i.e. son of Hippolochus and co-commander of the Lycians with Sarpedon) and the warlike Asteropaeus to join (him); for they seemed to him to be by far the best of (all) the others after himself; but he was outstanding, even among all (of them). And, when they had fitted closely to one another with their well-wrought ox-hide (shields), they went straight for the Danaans, striving eagerly, nor did they think that they could be held back any longer, but that they would fall upon the black ships.  

Ll. 108-153. The Trojans attack the Achaean wall.

Then, the rest of the Trojans and their far-famed allies took the advice of the blameless Polydamas; but Hyrtacus' son Asius, leader of men, would not leave his horses there, or his comrade charioteer, but together with (all of) them he drew near to the swift ships, fool (that he was), nor was he going to escape the evil fates and go back from the ships to windy Ilium, glorying in his horses and his chariot; for, before (that could happen), hateful doom enfolded him with the spear of Idomeneus (i.e. the leader of the Cretan contingent), the illustrious son of Deucalion. For he went to the left of the ships, even (to the place) where the Achaeans used to return from the plain with their horses and chariots; there he drove his horses and chariot, nor did he find that the doors at the gates and the long cross-bar were closed, but men were holding (them) wide open, (to see) if they might save any of their comrades fleeing from battle in among the ships. He held his horses as he aimed straight for it, and his (men) followed after (him), making sharp piercing sounds; for they thought that the Achaeans would no longer (be able to) check (them), but that they would fall upon the black ships, fools (that they were), and (there) at the gates they met two of the bravest warriors, sons of great-hearted Lapith spearmen (n.b. the Lapiths were an ancient race of south-west Thessaly, renowned for their battle with the Centaurs), one (being) the mighty Polypoetes, son of Peirithous, and the other (was) Leonteus, peer of manslaying Ares (i.e. the God of War). So they stood before the gates, like when high-topped oak-trees in the mountains, that withstand wind and rain every day, (stand firm), fast-fixed (as they are) by their long unbroken roots. So, these two, trusting in the strength of their hands, withstood the sudden onrush of great Asius, and did not turn to flight. Holding up on high their dried ox-hide (shields), they went, with a loud war-cry, straight for the well-built wall around lord Asius, and Iamenus, and Orestes, and Asius' son, Adamas, and Thoön, and Oenomaus. And, in truth, they had for some time been urging the well-greaved Achaeans to come inside (the wall) and fight defensively around their ships; but, when they saw the Trojans attacking the wall, and a cry of fear came from the Danaans, then the two (of them) rushed out and fought in front of the gates like a pair of wild boars that are facing a rowdy rabble of men and dogs that come (against them) in the mountains, and, charging from side to side, they shatter the trees around them, cutting (them) by the roots, and from (them) there arises a clatter of tusks, until someone smites (them) and takes away their life; so, the shining bronze clattered on their breasts, as they were smitten from in front; for they fought on with great strength, trusting in their people up above and in (their own) strength.  

Ll. 154-194. The two Lapiths wreak havoc on the Trojan attackers.

For these (men) kept hurling stones from the well-built tower in defence of themselves and their huts and their swift-faring ships; and (these) fell to the ground like the snowflakes, which a stormy wind, stirring the shadowy clouds, drives in thick quantities over the much-nourishing earth; so flowed these missiles from the hands both of the Achaeans and of the Trojans alike; and their helmets and bossed shields rung all around (them) with hollow (sounds), as they were struck by large stones. Then, indeed, did Asius, son of Hyrtacus, cry out aloud, and he smote both his thighs and spoke these words in his wrath: "So it's true after all, father Zeus, that you were made an utter lover of lies: for I did not think that the Achaean warriors would withstand our might and our invincible hands. But they, like nimble-waisted wasps or bees, have made their nests on a rugged pathway, and do not leave their hollow home, but abide (there) and ward off huntsmen (i.e. those looking for honey) in defence of their offspring, so these (man) are not prepared to fall back from the gates, though there are but two (of them), until they either kill or are killed." 

So he spoke, but (by) speaking these (words) he did not move the mind of Zeus; for his heart wished to give the glory to Hector. 

Now, other (men) were engaged in battle around the other gates; and hard (it was for) me to tell of all these (things) as if (I were) a god; for everywhere around the wall of stone a wondrous fire had been aroused; now, the Argives, anguished though (they were), were forced to defend their ships; and all those gods who were helpers of the Danaans in battle were anxious at heart. And the Lapiths were joined together in war and the strife of battle. 

Then, the son of Peirithous, the mighty Polypoetes, struck Damasus with his spear, (and it went) through his bronze-cheeked helmet: now the bronze helmet did not keep out (the spear), but its bronze point smashed right through the bone, and all his brains were bespattered inside (it); and it brought him down, furious (though he was); and then he slew Pylon and Ormenus. And Leonteus, scion of Ares, smote Hippomachus, son of Antimachus, with his spear, striking (him) through the belt. Then next, he drew his sharp sword from its scabbard, and rushing at Antiphates through the throng, he first struck (him) at close quarters; and he lay on his back on the ground; and then Menon, and Iamenus, and Orestes, he brought all (of them) down one after another to the much-nourishing earth.    

Ll. 195-229. In the light of an omen involving an eagle and a snake, Polydamas seeks to persuade Hector to abandon the Trojans' attack on the Achaean ships. 

While they were stripping the gleaming armour from the (corpses), so the young men, who formed the largest and the bravest (of the companies) and were the most keen to break through the wall and set fire to the ships, followed Polydamas and Hector, yet they still hesitated as they stood by the trench. For a bird had come upon them, eager as they were to go across, a high-flying eagle skirting the army on its left (i.e. as it flew from left to right, or east to west across the front of the Trojans, who were facing north), bearing in its talons a monstrous blood-red snake, still alive (but) struggling, nor yet had it forgotten its zest for combat, for twisting backwards it struck the one who was holding it on the breast beside the neck; and the (eagle), stung with pain, let it fall from its (grasp) to the ground, and dropped (it), into the middle of the throng, and with a sharp cry it flew away itself on the blasts of the wind. And the Trojans shuddered when they saw the writhing serpent lying in their midst. So then, Polydamas came up to bold Hector and said (to him): "Hector, you always (manage to) rebuke me in some way when I give good advice in assemblies, since in any case it is not all fitting that (someone) who is a mere commoner should speak (his mind) independently, no, neither in council nor on the battlefield (n.b. Polydamas is speaking sarcastically), but he must uphold your authority; but now I will speak out as it seems to me to be best. Let us not go on and fight the Danaans for their ships. For this is what I think the result will be, if in truth this bird came upon the Trojans, as they were eager to cross, that high-flying eagle skirting the army on the left, bearing in ts talons a monstrous blood-red snake, (still) living; but at once it dropped (it) before it reached its own home, and it did not succeed in bringing (it back) to give to its children. So, even if we shall break through the gates and the wall of the Achaeans by our great might, and the Achaeans give way, we shall return from the ships by the same path in a state of disarray; for we shall leave behind many Trojans, whom the Achaeans will cut down with their swords in defence of their ships. This is the interpretation that a seer would give, (one) who had a sure knowledge of omens in his heart, and whose people believed in him." 

Ll. 230-276. Hector rejects Polydamas' advice and leads the attack.

Then, Hector of the shining helmet looked at him in askance and said: "Polydamas, these (things) you are saying (are) not at all pleasing to me, and you know (how) to devise a much better speech than this (one). But, if in truth you are saying this in earnest, then the gods themselves have utterly destroyed your wits, since you are urging (me) to ignore the counsels of loud-thundering Zeus, which he himself promised me and nodded his assent to; but you bid (me) show obedience to those long-winged birds, (creatures) which I have no regard for at all, nor worry about (in any way), whether they fly to the right towards the dawn and the sun, or to the left towards the murky darkness. But let us be obedient to the counsel of mighty Zeus, who rules over all mortals and immortals. One omen (is) best, to fight for your country. Why then do you fear war and battle? For, even if all the rest (of us) should be slain beside the ships of the Argives, yet there is no fear that you should be killed; for your heart (is) not staunch in battle or warlike. But, if you do keep away from the fighting, or persuade with your words anyone else to turn away from battle, you will at once be struck by my spear and lose your life." 

So speaking, he led the way, and they all followed after (him) with a wondrous noise; then, Zeus, who delights in thunder, stirred up a blast of wind from the mountains of Ida, and it bore dust straight at the ships; then, he spell-bound the minds of the Achaeans and bestowed glory on the Trojans and Hector. So now trusting in his portents and in their strength, they attempted to break through the great wall of the Achaeans. They sought to drag down the battlements of the fortifications, and to pull down the parapets, and they tried to prise up the projecting stones that the Achaeans had first set in the earth as buttresses for the fortifications These they tried to pull up, and they hoped to break the Achaeans' wall; but not even now did the Danaans give ground on the path, but they fenced in the parapets with ox-hide (shields), (and) from (there) they cast (missiles) at their adversaries as they came up from under the wall. 

And the two Aiantes (i.e. Ajax the Greater, the son of Telamon, and Ajax the Lesser, the son of Oïleus) went backwards and forwards in all directions along the battlements, urging (their colleagues) on and arousing the might of the Achaeans. They would chide one (man) with soft words and another with harsh (ones), whenever they saw him withdrawing wholly from the fight: "O our friends among the Argives, whoever (is) pre-eminent, whoever (is) of middle rank, whoever (is) of lesser (status), since in no way (are) all men equal in war, now is there work for (you) all; and doubtless you know this yourselves. Let no one turn back to the ship who has heard (someone) cheering (him) on, but keep pressing forward and urging one another on, (to see) if Zeus, the Olympian lord of lightning, may grant that we thrust our enemies back and send them fleeing to their city." 

Ll. 277-328. Sarpedon urges Glaucus on.

So, by their loud cries the two of them stirred up the fight in the Achaeans. Then, they (are) like flakes of snow (that) fall thickly on a wintry day, when Zeus the counsellor causes (it) to snow, (thus) revealing those shafts of his to mankind; and he lulls the wind and makes it snow continually until he has covered the peaks of the lofty mountains, and the furthest headlands, and the plains overgrown with lotus, and the rich tillage of men, and, yes, it is strewn over the harbours and promontories of the grey sea, but the tide, as it splashes against (it), keeps it off; but everything else is enfolded in what has come from above, when the snow-storm of Zeus weighs (it) down. So, on both sides, their stones flew thickly, some (of them) upon the Trojans, and some from the Trojans upon the Achaeans, as they threw (them) at each other; and over the whole (length of) the wall the din went up. 

Yet, not even then would the Trojans and glorious Hector have broken through the gates of the wall and its long cross-bar, if Zeus the counsellor had not set his own son Sarpedon at the Argives like a lion against cattle with crumpled horns. Forthwith, he held his shield in front of (him), well-balanced (it was) on every side, a fine (shield) of beaten bronze, which a coppersmith had hammered out (for him), and inside (it) he had stitched many (layers) of ox-hide, with threads of gold running continuously around the rim. This he held before (him), and, brandishing two spears, he went his way like a mountain-bred lion that has long been in need of meat, and whose heroic spirit bids him go into the close-knit sheepfold and make an attempt on the sheep; for, even if he were to find at that very spot herdsmen with dogs and spears keeping watch over the sheep, he is not inclined to be driven from the sheepfold without making an attempt, but either he rushes in and carries (one) off, or he himself is struck in the forefront (of the fighting) by a javelin from a swift hand; so then did his heart prompt godlike Sarpedon to rush at the wall and break through the battlements. And straightway did he speak to Glaucus, son of Hippolochus: "Glaucus, why (is it that) we two are are held in especial honour in Lycia, with regard to our seating, and our meat, and our cups (always) filled, and all (men) look at (us), like (we are) gods, and we enjoy a great domain by the banks of the Xanthos (i.e. not the river Xanthos in the Troad, also called the Scamander, but the Xanthos in Lycia to the far south of Asia Minor), a fair (tract) of orchard and wheat-bearing ploughland; therefore, as we are among the foremost of the Lycians, we must now take our stand and face the heat of battle, so that someone among the strongly-armoured Lycians may speak thus: "Those kings of ours (who) rule over Lycia, and consume our fat sheep and our choice honey-sweet wine, are not ignoble (men) indeed: but then (they have) stout strength too, since they fight in the front ranks of the Lycians. For if, O my friend, we were to escape from this battle and we were to become ageless and immortal, I should neither fight among the foremost myself, nor should I send you into battle, by which men win glory; but now, seeing that in any case the countless fates of death beset (us), and there is no mortal that can run from them or escape (them), let us (then) go, whether we shall give glory to another, or he to us."  

Ll. 329-363. Menestheus asks Ajax the Greater to come to  the defence of his section of the wall. 

So he spoke, and Glaucus neither turned aside nor disobeyed (him); but the two of them went straight forward, leading the great host of the Lycians. And, seeing them, Menestheus, son of Poleos. shuddered (with fear); for (it was) to his (section of) the wall (that) they came, bearing ruin. And he peered along the wall of the Achaeans (to see) if he could see any of the leaders who could ward off destruction from his comrades; and he noticed the two Aiantes, gluttons for battle (that they were), standing (there), and Teucer (i.e. half-brother of Ajax the Greater, and son of Telamon also), who had just come from his hut, close by (them); but it was not possible for him to make his voice carry when he shouted; for so loud was the din, and the clamour went up to the sky of shields, and horse-crested helmets, and gates being struck; for they had all been kept shut, and their (foe) stood before them, and was seeking to break in and enter by force. Then, at once, he sent forth the herald Thoötes to Ajax: "Go, godlike Thoötes, run and call Ajax, or rather both of them; for that would be by far the best (thing) of all, seeing that utter ruin will shortly have been wrought (upon us) here. For so heavily are the leaders of the Lycians bearing down upon (us), (they) who in former times have ever appeared fighting furiously in mighty combat. But, if the toil and strife (of war) have arisen in their place too, at least let valiant Ajax, the son of Telamon come alone, and let Teucer  well-skilled with the bow, follow after him." 

So he spoke, and the herald heard him and did not fail to obey, and he went running along the wall of the bronze-clad Achaeans, and came and stood beside the Aiantes, and said at once: "(You) Aiantes, (you) two leaders of the bronze-clad Argives, the dear son of Peteos, nurtured by Zeus, bids (you) go thither, so that you may confront the toil of war, if only for a short space of time, (that is) both of you rather; for that would be by far the best (thing) of all, seeing that utter ruin will shortly have been wrought (upon us) here; for so heavily are the leaders of the Lycians bearing down upon (us), (they) who in former times have ever appeared fighting furiously in mighty combat. But, if war and strife have arisen here too, at least let valiant Ajax, the son of Telamon, come alone, and let Teucer, well-skilled with the bow, follow after him." 

Ll. 364-399. Ajax the Greater and Teucer rush to the defence of the wall; casualties occur on both sides.

So he spoke, and the huge Ajax, son of Telamon did not reject his request. At once he spoke these winged words to the son of Oïleus: "Ajax, do the two of you make a stand here, you and the strong Lycomedes, and urge on the Danaans to fight with all their force; now I shall go over there, and face the fighting; but I shall come back again quickly, when I have effectively come to their aid."

So, having spoken thus, Ajax, son of Telamon, departed, and Teucer went with him, his brother also by the same father; and Pandion (went) with them and carried Teucer's curved bow. When, as they came along the inside of the wall, they reached great-hearted Menestheus' section (of it), then they came upon men who were hard-pressed, as the mighty leaders and rulers of the Lycians were mounting the battlements like a dark storm-wind; and they clashed together in battle face-to-face, and the battle-cry went up. 

Then, Ajax, the son of Telamon, (was) the first (to) kill a man, (namely) the great-hearted Epicles, comrade of Sarpedon, as he smote (him) with a jagged rock, a huge (stone) that lay on the top (of a pile of rocks) inside the wall by the battlements; not easily could a man, such as mortals now are, hold it with both hands, not even a very young (one); but he lifted (it) on high and hurled (it) and crushed his four-horned helmet and, at the same time, dashed into pieces all the bones of his skull; and he fell like a diver from the top of the wall, and the spirit left his bones. And Teucer hit the mighty Glaucus, son of Hippolochus, with an arrow as he rushed at the high wall, where he saw his arm exposed, and put an end to his fighting. Back from the wall he sprung, escaping detection, so that none of the Achaeans might see that he was wounded and boast (of it) in words. But grief came upon Sarpedon at Glaucus' departure, as soon as he became aware (of it), yet even so he did not forget to fight, but he stabbed Alcmaon, son of Thestor, with a thrust of his spear, and pulled the spear out; and, following the spear, he fell headlong and round about him rang his armour inlaid with bronze, but Sarpedon caught hold of the battlements with his strong hands and heaved, and it all gave way entirely, and the wall was laid bare from above, and he made a passage for many. 

Ll. 400-441. The battle on the Achaean wall continues.

Then, Ajax and Teucer attacked him (i.e. Sarpedon) at the same time, and the latter struck him with an arrow on the shining baldric of the covering shield across his chest; but Zeus warded off the fates from his son, lest he should be brought down at the sterns of the ships; and Ajax leapt upon (him) and struck his shield, but the (point of) his spear did not go right through (it), yet it pushed him hard in its onslaught. And so he gave way a little from the parapet; but he did not fall back entirely, since his spirit hoped to win him glory. Then, he turned around and called out to the godlike Lycians: "O Lycians, why is your fighting spirit slackening in this way? It is hard for me, strong though I am, to break through alone, and make a pathway to the ships. Come with me then; the more (men there are), the better (is) the work (that is done)."   

So he spoke, and they, abashed at their lord's rebuke, pressed more heavily around their king and counsellor. And, on the other side, the Argives strengthened their ranks within the wall, and a mighty task seemed (to confront) them; for the stout Lycians could not break through the Danaans' wall and open up a pathway to the ships, nor could the Danaan spearmen ever push the Lycians back from the wall, when once they had come near to (it). But as two men, holding measuring rods in their hands, quarrrel over the boundaries in a common field, and wrangle over their equal (share) in a narrow (piece of) land, so did the battlements keep them apart; and, on top of them, they hacked at one another, at the ox-hide (bucklers) around their chests, the well-rounded shields, and the fluttering targes. 

And many (of them) were wounded in the flesh by the pitiless bronze, both any of the fighters whose back was exposed when he turned, and many right through the shield itself. Now everywhere the walls and the battlements were spattered with the blood of men from both sides, from the Trojans and the Achaeans. But even so, they could not force the Achaeans to flee, but they held on, like the scales a careful spinning woman holds, (as) she draws up the weight and the wool on either side, (thus) making (them) equal, so she may earn a meagre wage for her children; so their war and battle was drawn tight on equal terms, until Zeus granted the greater glory to Hector, the son of Priam, who (was) the first (to) spring inside the wall of the Achaeans. Then, shouting to the Trojans in a piercing voice, he cried out: "Go on now, (you) horse-taming Trojans, break down the wall of the Argives and fling monstrous fire amid their ships."  

Ll. 442-471. Hector fights among the ships. 

So he spoke, urging (them) on, and they all heard with their ears, and charged all together at the wall; then, holding their sharp-edged spears (in their hands), they mounted the beams (of the battlements), and Hector grasped and carried forward a rock that lay in front of the gate, (which) was broad at the base but pointed at the top; not easily could two men, the strongest of the district - such as mortals now are - , have lifted it from the ground on to a cart; yet he wielded it with ease, even on his own. The son of Cronos, crooked of counsel (i.e. Zeus), made it light for him. As when a shepherd easily bears the fleece of a male sheep, lifting (it) with one hand, and little does its burden weigh him down, so Hector lifted the rock and carried (it) straight for the doors which held together the lofty double-gates, closely fitted and strong (as they were); and two cross-bars held (them) inside, and a single bolt fastened (them) together.Then he came and stood very close by, and, having taken a firm stance, he smote (them) in the midst, with his legs well apart, so that his cast might not be too weak, and he smashed off the hinges on either side; and the stone fell inside by its own weight, and the gates groaned loudly on both sides, and the bars did not hold and the doors were broken into fragments by the impact of the rock; then, glorious Hector leapt inside, his face like swift night; and he shone with the fearful bronze by which his body was covered, and in his hands he held two spears; no one that met (him) could hold him back save the gods, when once he leapt within the gates; and his eyes blazed with fire. And he spun around within the throng and called out to the Trojans to climb over the wall; and they responded to his urging. Immediately, some mounted the wall, and others poured in through the well-built gates themselves; and the Danaans were driven in flight towards their ships, and an incessant din was created.