The Iliad (Penguin Classics) Read online

  (180) ‘Father Zeus, let it be Ajax or Diomedes or Agamemnon himself, lord of golden Mycenae.’

  So they spoke, and Nestor the Gerenian charioteer shook the helmet and out leapt the lot they had hoped for – that of Ajax. A herald carried it round the circle from left to right, showing it to each of the Greek leaders, and each in turn disowned it when he failed to recognize his mark. At last, as he took the lot round the group, he came to the man who had marked it and put it in the helmet, glorious Ajax himself. Ajax reached out. The herald came up and put the lot in his hand. Ajax recognized (190) his mark and was thrilled. He threw it on the ground at his feet and said:

  ‘Friends! The lot is mine! And I am delighted, because I think I shall defeat godlike Hector. But, while I am arming for the fight, pray to lord Zeus son of Cronus, and pray in silence, so that the Trojans cannot overhear you. Or pray out loud! We are afraid of nobody whatever. No one is going to have his way with me and make me run, either by brute force or because I lack the skill: after all, I should be surprised to find I was born and bred a complete novice on Salamis.’

  (200) So he spoke, and they then prayed to lord Zeus son of Cronus. They looked up to the broad skies and said as one man:

  ‘Father Zeus, you that rule from Mount Ida, greatest and most glorious! Answer Ajax’s prayer and grant him a brilliant victory. But if you hold Hector dear too and wish him well, let neither man be beaten and the fight be drawn.’

  So they spoke, and Ajax armed himself in his dazzling bronze. When all his armour was on, he set out like awe-inspiring Ares, god of war, going to join battle among men brought together to (210) fight by Zeus, their hearts set on soul-destroying combat. So awe-inspiring Ajax, a tower of strength for the Greeks, rose and went into battle, smiling a grim smile, taking great strides as he went, brandishing his long-shadowed spear. The Greeks, when they saw him, were overjoyed, but there was not a Trojan whose knees did not tremble. Even Hector’s heart beat faster. But it was too late now for him to turn tail and slink back among his men, since it was his will to fight that had made him throw down the challenge.

  And now Ajax drew near, carrying a shield like a tower, (220) made of bronze and seven layers of oxhide. Tychius the master leather-worker, who lived at Hyle, had made this glittering shield for him with the hides of seven well-fattened bulls, which he overlaid with an eighth layer of bronze. Holding this shield in front of him, Ajax son of Telamon went right up to Hector and defied him:

  The duel

  ‘Hector, you’re now going to discover, in single combat, what sort of champions the Greeks have at their disposal, even when they can’t count on Achilles, lion-hearted breaker of men. At the moment he is lying by his (230) seafaring beaked ships, nursing his implacable anger against Agamemnon son of Atreus, shepherd of the people. But for all that, we have men who can stand up to you, and plenty of them. So take the first throw and start the duel.’

  Great Hector of the flashing helmet said:

  ‘Olympian-born Ajax, son of Telamon, leader of men, don’t try to scare me like a feeble child or a woman who knows nothing about warfare. I know all about fighting and killing. I know how to handle my toughened oxhide shield and swing it to right or left – the real skill of work with a shield. I know how (240) to charge in among the confusion of the chariots; and in a standing fight I know all the steps of the War-god’s deadly dance. But enough: seeing the man you are, I have no desire to steal a shot at you when you aren’t looking, but to throw openly, if I can hit you.’

  He spoke, balanced his long-shadowed spear and hurled it. It struck the formidable, sevenfold shield of Ajax on its metal sheath, the eighth and outermost layer. The untiring bronze tore through six layers, but was held up by the seventh hide. Then Olympian-born Ajax in turn hurled his long-shadowed spear. (250) It hit Hector’s round shield. The heavy weapon pierced the glittering shield, forced its way through the ornate body-armour and ripped right on through the side of Hector’s tunic. But Hector had swerved and so avoided dark death.

  And now the pair, when each had pulled the long spear out of his shield, fell on each other like flesh-eating lions, or wild boars whose strength is not to be despised. Hector thrust at the centre of Ajax’s shield with his spear, but it did not break (260) through and the tip was bent back. Then Ajax leapt in and stabbed at Hector’s shield. The spear passed clean through and stopped Hector in his tracks: it grazed his neck and the dark blood spurted out.

  Yet even so Hector of the flashing helmet did not give up the fight. He drew back and with his great hand picked up a large and jagged piece of black rock that was lying on the ground, hurled it at Ajax’s formidable sevenfold shield and struck it in the middle on the boss, making the bronze ring out. But Ajax then picked up an even bigger rock, which he swung and hurled (270) at Hector, putting his full weight into it. This millstone of a boulder crumpled his shield and swept him off his feet. There Hector lay, jammed in the shield, stretched on his back. But Apollo quickly had him up on his feet again.

  And now they would have closed and hacked at one another with their swords, if heralds, ambassadors of Zeus and men, had not intervened, Talthybius on the Greek side and Idaeus on the Trojan, both sensible men. They raised their sceptres between the combatants, and Idaeus, a herald rich in wisdom, spoke his mind:

  (280) ‘Dear sons, give up now and break off the fight. Cloud- gatherer Zeus holds you both dear, and you are both fine spearmen – we all of us know that. Also, it is nearly dark. It is sensible to take that into account.’

  The duel ends; gifts exchanged

  Ajax son of Telamon replied and said:

  ‘Idaeus, tell Hector to call it off. It was his will to fight that made him throw down the challenge to all our best men. Let him make the first move. I will do as he does.’

  Great Hector of the flashing helmet said:

  ‘Ajax, the god has given you size, strength and ability, and (290) you are the best spearman on your side. Let us bring today’s duel to an end. We can fight some other time, till the powers above decide between us, and one of us wins. Also, it is nearly dark. It is sensible to take that into account.

  ‘Then you will bring joy to the Greeks back at the ships, your friends and relatives above all; while I too shall get a warm welcome in lord Priam’s town from the Trojans and the Trojan ladies in their trailing gowns, who will enter the sacred assembly to offer up prayers in my name. But first let us both exchange (300) prestigious gifts, so that Trojans and Greeks alike can say:

  ‘‘These two fought each other in soul-destroying combat, but were reconciled and parted friends.’’’

  With these words he gave Ajax his silver-riveted sword, which he handed over with its scabbard and sword-belt; and at the same time Ajax gave Hector his brilliant purple belt.

  So the two parted. Ajax went back into the Greek lines, while Hector rejoined the Trojan forces. His men were delighted to see him return to them safe and sound from the fury of Ajax’s (310) invincible assault. They escorted him back to the town, hardly able to believe he was alive. Meanwhile, on the other side, the Greek men at arms conducted Ajax, elated by his victory, to godlike Agamemnon.

  When they reached his huts, Agamemnon lord of men offered a five-year-old bull on their behalf to almighty Zeus son of Cronus. They skinned and prepared it by cutting up the carcass. They deftly carved it into small pieces, pierced these with skewers, roasted them carefully and drew them all off. When their (320) work was done and the meal prepared, they feasted, and no one went without a fair share, though the warrior son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, honoured Ajax with the whole length of the back.

  Their hunger and thirst satisfied, a proposal was put to them by the old man Nestor, whose wisdom had often proved itself in the past. He had their interests at heart as he rose and addressed them:

  Nestor’s defensive wall

  ‘Agamemnon and you other Greek chieftains, the Greek army has suffered heavy losses. The cruel War-god has darkened the banks of Scamander
with (330) the blood of our dead, whose souls have gone down to Hades.

  ‘So at dawn you should announce a truce. Then let us all get to work together, bring the dead in here with oxen and mules and burn them not far from the ships, so that each of us can take the bones back home to their children when we return to the land of our fathers. Let us then make them one communal grave-mound over the pyre on the plain.

  ‘Then we should immediately construct high-towered walls against it to protect the ships and ourselves, with well-fitted (340) gates that leave room for chariots to drive through. And a little way outside the wall, we should dig a deep ditch parallel with the walls all round the camp to keep out enemy chariots and infantry, in case the proud Trojans start putting the pressure on us some day.’

  So he spoke, and they all approved.

  Meanwhile, at the doors of Priam’s palace on the town heights of Ilium, the Trojans held a frightened and confused assembly. Sensible Antenor spoke first:

  ‘Trojans, Dardanians and allies, hear a proposal which I feel (350) compelled to make. Enough is enough: let us give Helen back to Agamemnon and Menelaus, along with all the property that came with her. By fighting on as we are doing, we have cheated on the oaths. No good that I can see will ever come of that, unless we act as I suggest.’

  Paris rejects return of Helen

  So Antenor spoke and sat down. Godlike Paris, husband of lovely-haired Helen, stood up and in reply spoke winged words:

  ‘Antenor, that was an unusually ill-disposed speech of yours. You know you could have thought of something (360) better. But if you really do mean what you say, then the gods themselves must have scrambled your brains.

  ‘I shall now tell you horse-taming Trojans my views and declare outright that I will not give up my wife. On the other hand, I am willing to return all the goods I brought home with me from Greece and to add something of my own.’

  So Paris spoke and sat down. Dardanian Priam, wise as the gods, stood up, and he had their interests at heart as he rose and addressed them:

  ‘Trojans, Dardanians and allies, listen to what I feel compelled (370) to say. For the moment, take your supper in the town as usual. Remember to mount guard and keep alert, every man of you. At dawn let Idaeus go to the hollow ships and convey to Agamemnon and Menelaus the offer we have heard from Paris, who started the quarrel. And Idaeus can make a further sensible suggestion: he can ask the Greeks whether they are willing to refrain from hostilities till we have burnt our dead. We can fight some other time, till the powers above decide between us and one of us wins.’

  (380) So he spoke, and the Trojans heard and agreed. They took their supper at their posts, and at dawn Idaeus went to the hollow ships where he found the Greeks, attendants of Ares, in conference by the stern of Agamemnon’s ship. The herald stood among them and spoke out clearly:

  [Day 23] Greeks refuse eace-terms

  ‘Agamemnon and you other leaders of Greeks, Priam and the other noble Trojans have instructed me to deliver an offer from the man who started our quarrel, Paris, if it meets with your approval. All the property Paris brought away with him to Troy in his hollow (390) ships – and would to God he had perished first – he is willing to return, with additions of his own. But he says he will not give up glorious Menelaus’ wife, though I can assure you the Trojans have urged him to do so. Furthermore, they instructed me to ask whether you are willing to refrain from hostilities while we burn the dead. We can fight some other time, till the powers above decide between us and one of us wins.’

  So he spoke and was received in complete silence by them all. Eventually Diomedes, master of the battle-cry, spoke up:

  (400) ‘At this stage let no one accept Paris’ offer of possessions or Helen either. Any fool can see the Trojans’ doom is sealed.’

  The Greeks to a man roared their approval, delighted at the words of horse-taming Diomedes. Lord Agamemnon then addressed Idaeus:

  ‘Idaeus, you have heard for yourself the Greek view. That is their answer and I am pleased to agree. The cremation of the bodies is another matter. To that I raise no objection. When (410) men are dead and gone, one cannot grudge their bodies swift propitiation by fire. A truce, then; and let loud-thundering Zeus, husband of Hera, witness it.’

  With these words he sealed the oath by lifting up his sceptre to all the gods. Idaeus then withdrew and made his way back once again to sacred Ilium, where the Trojans and Dardanians had gathered and were all seated in assembly, awaiting the herald’s return. When Idaeus reached them, he stood in the middle and reported his news.

  Then they prepared themselves at once for their double task, some to bring in the dead and others to fetch wood; while on the other side, parties of Greeks from their well-benched ships (420) hurried off on the same duties.

  The dead cremated

  The sun, climbing into the sky from the deep and peaceful Stream of Ocean, was already lighting up the fields with his first beams when the Trojan and Greek parties met. Even so, they found it difficult to recognize the individual dead bodies until they had washed away the congealed blood with water. Then, as they lifted them on to the waggons, the hot tears flowed. As for the Trojans, great Priam had forbidden his men to cry aloud. So with heavy hearts they piled up their dead on the pyre in silence and, when they had (430) cremated them, returned to sacred Ilium. So too, on their side, the Greek men-at-arms with heavy hearts piled up their dead on the pyre and, when they had cremated them, returned to their hollow ships.

  [Day 24] The Greek wall built

  Before dawn on the next day, when the night had a hint of daylight, a working-party of Greek troops gathered by the pyre. Over the pyre they made one communal grave-mound in the plain, and constructed high-towered walls against it to protect the ships and themselves, with well-fitted gates which left room for chariots (440) to drive through. And a little way outside the wall, they dug a long ditch parallel with the walls, deep and broad, and planted a row of stakes along it.

  So the long-haired Greeks worked away. But the gods seated with Zeus, lord of the lightning flash, were watching the great work of the bronze-armoured Greeks in some amazement. Poseidon the earthshaker began and spoke his mind:

  POSEIDON complains (12.1–35)

  ‘Father Zeus, is there no mortal left in the whole wide world who will inform us gods of his plans? Can’t you see that the Greeks have thrown a wall round their ships and dug a ditch along it, without (450) offering impressive sacrifices to the gods? Its fame will spread as far as the dawn extends, and the wall that I and Phoebus Apollo built with such labour for the warrior Laomedon will be forgotten.’

  Angrily, Zeus who marshals the clouds replied:

  ‘Powerful earthshaker, what are you talking about? Leave it to other gods less determined and tenacious than yourself to be alarmed at this development; and rest assured it is your fame that will spread as far as the dawn extends. Besides, you can go (460) to work once the Greeks have sailed back to the land of their fathers – break down the wall, scatter the fragments in the sea, cover the long beach once more with sand and so obliterate this great wall.’

  While the gods were talking together in this way, the sun set and the Greeks finished their task. They slaughtered some oxen in their huts and took their supper.

  Greek supply ships come in

  A number of ships had put in from Lemnos with cargoes of wine. They came from Euneus, the son Hypsipyle had borne to Jason shepherd of the people, (470) and he had included a thousand measures of sweet wine as a special gift for Agamemnon and Menelaus. The long-haired Greeks now supplied themselves with wine from these ships, some in exchange for bronze, some for gleaming iron, others for hides or live cattle, others again for war-captives. It was a sumptuous meal they prepared. All night long the Greeks feasted themselves, while in the town the Trojans and their allies did the same.

  But all night long Zeus wise in counsel, brewing evil for them in his heart, kept thundering ominously. They turned pale (480) with fear and poured
wine on the ground from their cups. Not a man dared to drink before he had made a libation to the almighty son of Cronus. Then they lay down and took the gift of sleep.

  8

  HECTOR TRIUMPHANT

  1–52: [25th day: second day of combat] ZEUS warns the gods not to help either side, and departs for Mount Ida.

  53–197: The Greeks retreat; Diomedes saves Nestor, but ZEUS hurls a thunderbolt. Hector mocks Diomedes and urges on the Trojans.

  198–252: HERA fails to persuade POSEIDON to help the Greeks, but Agamemnon rallies them.

  253–349: After some Greek success, Hector wounds Teucer with a rock, and the Greeks run in panic back to their new defences round the ships.

  350–484: ZEUS sends IRIS to warn HERA and ATHENE not to help the Greeks. ZEUS returns from Mount Ida and foretells further success for Hector till Patroclus dies and Achilles returns to battle.

  485–565: Night falls, breaking off the fighting. Hector addresses the Trojans, full of confidence about the next day. The Trojans spend the night camped on the plain in front of the Greek defences.

  As saffron-robed Dawn spread over the world, Zeus who delights in thunder called the gods to an assembly on the highest of Olympus’ many peaks. He opened it himself, and everyone paid close attention:

  [Day 25, second combat day] ZEUS’ warning

  ‘Listen to me, all you gods and goddesses, so that I can tell you what I feel compelled to say. I am determined to bring this business to a speedy close, and with that end in view I give you my ruling, which no god or goddess must attempt to defy – you must accept it, every one of you.