The Iliad
Book VII
With these words Hector passed through the gates, and his brother Alexandrus
with him, both eager for the fray. As when heaven sends a breeze to sailors
who have long looked for one in vain, and have laboured at their oars till
they are faint with toil, even so welcome was the sight of these two heroes
to the Trojans.
Thereon Alexandrus killed Menesthius the son of Areithous; he lived
in Ame, and was son of Areithous the Mace-man, and of Phylomedusa. Hector
threw a spear at Eioneus and struck him dead with a wound in the neck under
the bronze rim of his helmet. Glaucus, moreover, son of Hippolochus, captain
of the Lycians, in hard hand-to-hand fight smote Iphinous son of Dexius
on the shoulder, as he was springing on to his chariot behind his fleet
mares; so he fell to earth from the car, and there was no life left in
him.
When, therefore, Minerva saw these men making havoc of the Argives,
she darted down to Ilius from the summits of Olympus, and Apollo, who was
looking on from Pergamus, went out to meet her; for he wanted the Trojans
to be victorious. The pair met by the oak tree, and King Apollo son of
Jove was first to speak. "What would you have said he, "daughter of great
Jove, that your proud spirit has sent you hither from Olympus? Have you
no pity upon the Trojans, and would you incline the scales of victory in
favour of the Danaans? Let me persuade you- for it will be better thus-
stay the combat for to-day, but let them renew the fight hereafter till
they compass the doom of Ilius, since you goddesses have made up your minds
to destroy the city."
And Minerva answered, "So be it, Far-Darter; it was in this mind
that I came down from Olympus to the Trojans and Achaeans. Tell me, then,
how do you propose to end this present fighting?"
Apollo, son of Jove, replied, "Let us incite great Hector to challenge
some one of the Danaans in single combat; on this the Achaeans will be
shamed into finding a man who will fight him."
Minerva assented, and Helenus son of Priam divined the counsel
of the gods; he therefore went up to Hector and said, "Hector son of Priam,
peer of gods in counsel, I am your brother, let me then persuade you. Bid
the other Trojans and Achaeans all of them take their seats, and challenge
the best man among the Achaeans to meet you in single combat. I have heard
the voice of the ever-living gods, and the hour of your doom is not yet
come."
Hector was glad when he heard this saying, and went in among the
Trojans, grasping his spear by the middle to hold them back, and they all
sat down. Agamemnon also bade the Achaeans be seated. But Minerva and Apollo,
in the likeness of vultures, perched on father Jove′s high oak tree, proud
of their men; and the ranks sat close ranged together, bristling with shield
and helmet and spear. As when the rising west wind furs the face of the
sea and the waters grow dark beneath it, so sat the companies of Trojans
and Achaeans upon the plain. And Hector spoke thus:-
"Hear me, Trojans and Achaeans, that I may speak even as I am minded;
Jove on his high throne has brought our oaths and covenants to nothing,
and foreshadows ill for both of us, till you either take the towers of
Troy, or are yourselves vanquished at your ships. The princes of the Achaeans
are here present in the midst of you; let him, then, that will fight me
stand forward as your champion against Hector. Thus I say, and may Jove
be witness between us. If your champion slay me, let him strip me of my
armour and take it to your ships, but let him send my body home that the
Trojans and their wives may give me my dues of fire when I am dead. In
like manner, if Apollo vouchsafe me glory and I slay your champion, I will
strip him of his armour and take it to the city of Ilius, where I will
hang it in the temple of Apollo, but I will give up his body, that the
Achaeans may bury him at their ships, and the build him a mound by the
wide waters of the Hellespont. Then will one say hereafter as he sails
his ship over the sea, ′This is the monument of one who died long since
a champion who was slain by mighty Hector.′ Thus will one say, and my fame
shall not be lost."
Thus did he speak, but they all held their peace, ashamed to decline
the challenge, yet fearing to accept it, till at last Menelaus rose and
rebuked them, for he was angry. "Alas," he cried, "vain braggarts, women
forsooth not men, double-dyed indeed will be the stain upon us if no man
of the Danaans will now face Hector. May you be turned every man of you
into earth and water as you sit spiritless and inglorious in your places.
I will myself go out against this man, but the upshot of the fight will
be from on high in the hands of the immortal gods."
With these words he put on his armour; and then, O Menelaus, your
life would have come to an end at the hands of hands of Hector, for he
was far better the man, had not the princes of the Achaeans sprung upon
you and checked you. King Agamemnon caught him by the right hand and said,
"Menelaus, you are mad; a truce to this folly. Be patient in spite of passion,
do not think of fighting a man so much stronger than yourself as Hector
son of Priam, who is feared by many another as well as you. Even Achilles,
who is far more doughty than you are, shrank from meeting him in battle.
Sit down your own people, and the Achaeans will send some other champion
to fight Hector; fearless and fond of battle though he be, I ween his knees
will bend gladly under him if he comes out alive from the hurly-burly of
this fight."
With these words of reasonable counsel he persuaded his brother,
whereon his squires gladly stripped the armour from off his shoulders.
Then Nestor rose and spoke, "Of a truth," said he, "the Achaean land is
fallen upon evil times. The old knight Peleus, counsellor and orator among
the Myrmidons, loved when I was in his house to question me concerning
the race and lineage of all the Argives. How would it not grieve him could
he hear of them as now quailing before Hector? Many a time would he lift
his hands in prayer that his soul might leave his body and go down within
the house of Hades. Would, by father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, that I
were still young and strong as when the Pylians and Arcadians were gathered
in fight by the rapid river Celadon under the walls of Pheia, and round
about the waters of the river Iardanus. The godlike hero Ereuthalion stood
forward as their champion, with the armour of King Areithous upon his shoulders-
Areithous whom men and women had surnamed ′the Mace-man,′ because he fought
neither with bow nor spear, but broke the battalions of the foe with his
iron mace. Lycurgus killed him, not in fair fight, but by entrapping him
in a narrow way where his mace served him in no stead; for Lycurgus was
too quick for him and speared him through the middle, so he fell to earth
on his back. Lycurgus then spoiled him of the armour which Mars had given
him, and bore it in battle thenceforward; but when he grew old and stayed
at home, he gave it to his faithful squire Ereuthalion, who in this same
armour challenged the foremost men among us. The others quaked and quailed,
but my high spirit bade me fight him though none other would venture; I
was the youngest man of them all; but when I fought him Minerva vouchsafed
me victory. He was the biggest and strongest man that ever I killed, and
covered much ground as he lay sprawling upon the earth. Would that I were
still young and strong as I then was, for the son of Priam would then soon
find one who would face him. But you, foremost among the whole host though
you be, have none of you any stomach for fighting Hector."
Thus did the old man rebuke them, and forthwith nine men started
to their feet. Foremost of all uprose King Agamemnon, and after him brave
Diomed the son of Tydeus. Next were the two Ajaxes, men clothed in valour
as with a garment, and then Idomeneus, and Meriones his brother in arms.
After these Eurypylus son of Euaemon, Thoas the son of Andraemon, and Ulysses
also rose. Then Nestor knight of Gerene again spoke, saying: "Cast lots
among you to see who shall be chosen. If he come alive out of this fight
he will have done good service alike to his own soul and to the
Achaeans."
Thus he spoke, and when each of them had marked his lot, and had
thrown it into the helmet of Agamemnon son of Atreus, the people lifted
their hands in prayer, and thus would one of them say as he looked into
the vault of heaven, "Father Jove, grant that the lot fall on Ajax, or
on the son of Tydeus, or upon the king of rich Mycene
himself."
As they were speaking, Nestor knight of Gerene shook the helmet,
and from it there fell the very lot which they wanted- the lot of Ajax.
The herald bore it about and showed it to all the chieftains of the Achaeans,
going from left to right; but they none of of them owned it. When, however,
in due course he reached the man who had written upon it and had put it
into the helmet, brave Ajax held out his hand, and the herald gave him
the lot. When Ajax saw him mark he knew it and was glad; he threw it to
the ground and said, "My friends, the lot is mine, and I rejoice, for I
shall vanquish Hector. I will put on my armour; meanwhile, pray to King
Jove in silence among yourselves that the Trojans may not hear you- or
aloud if you will, for we fear no man. None shall overcome me, neither
by force nor cunning, for I was born and bred in Salamis, and can hold
my own in all things."
With this they fell praying to King Jove the son of Saturn, and
thus would one of them say as he looked into the vault of heaven, "Father
Jove that rulest from Ida, most glorious in power, vouchsafe victory to
Ajax, and let him win great glory: but if you wish well to Hector also
and would protect him, grant to each of them equal fame and
prowess.
Thus they prayed, and Ajax armed himself in his suit of gleaming
bronze. When he was in full array he sprang forward as monstrous Mars when
he takes part among men whom Jove has set fighting with one another- even
so did huge Ajax, bulwark of the Achaeans, spring forward with a grim smile
on his face as he brandished his long spear and strode onward. The Argives
were elated as they beheld him, but the Trojans trembled in every limb,
and the heart even of Hector beat quickly, but he could not now retreat
and withdraw into the ranks behind him, for he had been the challenger.
Ajax came up bearing his shield in front of him like a wall- a shield of
bronze with seven folds of oxhide- the work of Tychius, who lived in Hyle
and was by far the best worker in leather. He had made it with the hides
of seven full-fed bulls, and over these he had set an eighth layer of bronze.
Holding this shield before him, Ajax son of Telamon came close up to Hector,
and menaced him saying, "Hector, you shall now learn, man to man, what
kind of champions the Danaans have among them even besides lion-hearted
Achilles cleaver of the ranks of men. He now abides at the ships in anger
with Agamemnon shepherd of his people, but there are many of us who are
well able to face you; therefore begin the fight."
And Hector answered, "Noble Ajax, son of Telamon, captain of the
host, treat me not as though I were some puny boy or woman that cannot
fight. I have been long used to the blood and butcheries of battle. I am
quick to turn my leathern shield either to right or left, for this I deem
the main thing in battle. I can charge among the chariots and horsemen,
and in hand to hand fighting can delight the heart of Mars; howbeit I would
not take such a man as you are off his guard- but I will smite you openly
if I can."
He poised his spear as he spoke, and hurled it from him. It struck
the sevenfold shield in its outermost layer- the eighth, which was of bronze-
and went through six of the layers but in the seventh hide it stayed. Then
Ajax threw in his turn, and struck the round shield of the son of Priam.
The terrible spear went through his gleaming shield, and pressed onward
through his cuirass of cunning workmanship; it pierced the shirt against
his side, but he swerved and thus saved his life. They then each of them
drew out the spear from his shield, and fell on one another like savage
lions or wild boars of great strength and endurance: the son of Priam struck
the middle of Ajax′s shield, but the bronze did not break, and the point
of his dart was turned. Ajax then sprang forward and pierced the shield
of Hector; the spear went through it and staggered him as he was springing
forward to attack; it gashed his neck and the blood came pouring from the
wound, but even so Hector did not cease fighting; he gave ground, and with
his brawny hand seized a stone, rugged and huge, that was lying upon the
plain; with this he struck the shield of Ajax on the boss that was in its
middle, so that the bronze rang again. But Ajax in turn caught up a far
larger stone, swung it aloft, and hurled it with prodigious force. This
millstone of a rock broke Hector′s shield inwards and threw him down on
his back with the shield crushing him under it, but Apollo raised him at
once. Thereon they would have hacked at one another in close combat with
their swords, had not heralds, messengers of gods and men, come forward,
one from the Trojans and the other from the Achaeans- Talthybius and Idaeus
both of them honourable men; these parted them with their staves, and the
good herald Idaeus said, "My sons, fight no longer, you are both of you
valiant, and both are dear to Jove; we know this; but night is now falling,
and the behests of night may not be well gainsaid."
Ajax son of Telamon answered, "Idaeus, bid Hector say so, for it
was he that challenged our princes. Let him speak first and I will accept
his saying."
Then Hector said, "Ajax, heaven has vouchsafed you stature and
strength, and judgement; and in wielding the spear you excel all others
of the Achaeans. Let us for this day cease fighting; hereafter we will
fight anew till heaven decide between us, and give victory to one or to
the other; night is now falling, and the behests of night may not be well
gainsaid. Gladden, then, the hearts of the Achaeans at your ships, and
more especially those of your own followers and clansmen, while I, in the
great city of King Priam, bring comfort to the Trojans and their women,
who vie with one another in their prayers on my behalf. Let us, moreover,
exchange presents that it may be said among the Achaeans and Trojans, ′They
fought with might and main, but were reconciled and parted in
friendship.′
On this he gave Ajax a silver-studded sword with its sheath and
leathern baldric, and in return Ajax gave him a girdle dyed with purple.
Thus they parted, the one going to the host of the Achaeans, and the other
to that of the Trojans, who rejoiced when they saw their hero come to them
safe and unharmed from the strong hands of mighty Ajax. They led him, therefore,
to the city as one that had been saved beyond their hopes. On the other
side the Achaeans brought Ajax elated with victory to
Agamemnon.
When they reached the quarters of the son of Atreus, Agamemnon
sacrificed for them a five-year-old bull in honour of Jove the son of Saturn.
They flayed the carcass, made it ready, and divided it into joints; these
they cut carefully up into smaller pieces, putting them on the spits, roasting
them sufficiently, and then drawing them off. When they had done all this
and had prepared the feast, they ate it, and every man had his full and
equal share, so that all were satisfied, and King Agamemnon gave Ajax some
slices cut lengthways down the loin, as a mark of special honour. As soon
as they had had enough to cat and drink, old Nestor whose counsel was ever
truest began to speak; with all sincerity and goodwill, therefore, he addressed
them thus:-
"Son of Atreus, and other chieftains, inasmuch as many of the Achaeans
are now dead, whose blood Mars has shed by the banks of the Scamander,
and their souls have gone down to the house of Hades, it will be well when
morning comes that we should cease fighting; we will then wheel our dead
together with oxen and mules and burn them not far from the ships, that
when we sail hence we may take the bones of our comrades home to their
children. Hard by the funeral pyre we will build a barrow that shall be
raised from the plain for all in common; near this let us set about building
a high wall, to shelter ourselves and our ships, and let it have well-made
gates that there may be a way through them for our chariots. Close outside
we will dig a deep trench all round it to keep off both horse and foot,
that the Trojan chieftains may not bear hard upon us."
Thus he spoke, and the princess shouted in applause. Meanwhile
the Trojans held a council, angry and full of discord, on the acropolis
by the gates of King Priam′s palace; and wise Antenor spoke. "Hear me he
said, "Trojans, Dardanians, and allies, that I may speak even as I am minded.
Let us give up Argive Helen and her wealth to the sons of Atreus, for we
are now fighting in violation of our solemn covenants, and shall not prosper
till we have done as I say."
He then sat down and Alexandrus husband of lovely Helen rose to
speak. "Antenor," said he, "your words are not to my liking; you can find
a better saying than this if you will; if, however, you have spoken in
good earnest, then indeed has heaven robbed you of your reason. I will
speak plainly, and hereby notify to the Trojans that I will not give up
the woman; but the wealth that I brought home with her from Argos I will
restore, and will add yet further of my own."
On this, when Paris had spoken and taken his seat, Priam of the
race of Dardanus, peer of gods in council, rose and with all sincerity
and goodwill addressed them thus: "Hear me, Trojans, Dardanians, and allies,
that I may speak even as I am minded. Get your suppers now as hitherto
throughout the city, but keep your watches and be wakeful. At daybreak
let Idaeus go to the ships, and tell Agamemnon and Menelaus sons of Atreus
the saying of Alexandrus through whom this quarrel has come about; and
let him also be instant with them that they now cease fighting till we
burn our dead; hereafter we will fight anew, till heaven decide between
us and give victory to one or to the other."
Thus did he speak, and they did even as he had said. They took
supper in their companies and at daybreak Idaeus went his wa to the ships.
He found the Danaans, servants of Mars, in council at the stern of Agamemnon′s
ship, and took his place in the midst of them. "Son of Atreus," he said,
"and princes of the Achaean host, Priam and the other noble Trojans have
sent me to tell you the saying of Alexandrus through whom this quarrel
has come about, if so be that you may find it acceptable. All the treasure
he took with him in his ships to Troy- would that he had sooner perished-
he will restore, and will add yet further of his own, but he will not give
up the wedded wife of Menelaus, though the Trojans would have him do so.
Priam bade me inquire further if you will cease fighting till we burn our
dead; hereafter we will fight anew, till heaven decide between us and give
victory to one or to the other."
They all held their peace, but presently Diomed of the loud war-cry
spoke, saying, "Let there be no taking, neither treasure, nor yet Helen,
for even a child may see that the doom of the Trojans is at
hand."
The sons of the Achaeans shouted applause at the words that Diomed
had spoken, and thereon King Agamemnon said to Idaeus, "Idaeus, you have
heard the answer the Achaeans make you-and I with them. But as concerning
the dead, I give you leave to burn them, for when men are once dead there
should be no grudging them the rites of fire. Let Jove the mighty husband
of Juno be witness to this covenant."
As he spoke he upheld his sceptre in the sight of all the gods,
and Idaeus went back to the strong city of Ilius. The Trojans and Dardanians
were gathered in council waiting his return; when he came, he stood in
their midst and delivered his message. As soon as they heard it they set
about their twofold labour, some to gather the corpses, and others to bring
in wood. The Argives on their part also hastened from their ships, some
to gather the corpses, and others to bring in wood.
The sun was beginning to beat upon the fields, fresh risen into
the vault of heaven from the slow still currents of deep Oceanus, when
the two armies met. They could hardly recognise their dead, but they washed
the clotted gore from off them, shed tears over them, and lifted them upon
their waggons. Priam had forbidden the Trojans to wail aloud, so they heaped
their dead sadly and silently upon the pyre, and having burned them went
back to the city of Ilius. The Achaeans in like manner heaped their dead
sadly and silently on the pyre, and having burned them went back to their
ships.
Now in the twilight when it was not yet dawn, chosen bands of the
Achaeans were gathered round the pyre and built one barrow that was raised
in common for all, and hard by this they built a high wall to shelter themselves
and their ships; they gave it strong gates that there might be a way through
them for their chariots, and close outside it they dug a trench deep and
wide, and they planted it within with stakes.
Thus did the Achaeans toil, and the gods, seated by the side of
Jove the lord of lightning, marvelled at their great work; but Neptune,
lord of the earthquake, spoke, saying, "Father Jove, what mortal in the
whole world will again take the gods into his counsel? See you not how
the Achaeans have built a wall about their ships and driven a trench all
round it, without offering hecatombs to the gods? The The fame of this
wall will reach as far as dawn itself, and men will no longer think anything
of the one which Phoebus Apollo and myself built with so much labour for
Laomedon."
Jove was displeased and answered, "What, O shaker of the earth,
are you talking about? A god less powerful than yourself might be alarmed
at what they are doing, but your fame reaches as far as dawn itself. Surely
when the Achaeans have gone home with their ships, you can shatter their
wall and Ring it into the sea; you can cover the beach with sand again,
and the great wall of the Achaeans will then be utterly
effaced."
Thus did they converse, and by sunset the work of the Achaeans
was completed; they then slaughtered oxen at their tents and got their
supper. Many ships had come with wine from Lemnos, sent by Euneus the son
of Jason, born to him by Hypsipyle. The son of Jason freighted them with
ten thousand measures of wine, which he sent specially to the sons of Atreus,
Agamemnon and Menelaus. From this supply the Achaeans bought their wine,
some with bronze, some with iron, some with hides, some with whole heifers,
and some again with captives. They spread a goodly banquet and feasted
the whole night through, as also did the Trojans and their allies in the
city. But all the time Jove boded them ill and roared with his portentous
thunder. Pale fear got hold upon them, and they spilled the wine from their
cups on to the ground, nor did any dare drink till he had made offerings
to the most mighty son of Saturn. Then they laid themselves down to rest
and enjoyed the boon of sleep.
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