The Iliad of Homer

by Richmond Lattimore

  late will he bring it to pass, and they must pay a great penalty,

  with their own heads, and with their women, and with their children.

  For I know this thing well in my heart, and my mind knows it.

  There will come a day when sacred Ilion shall perish,

  165 and Priam, and the people of Priam of the strong ash spear,

  and Zeus son of Kronos who sits on high, the sky-dwelling,

  himself shall shake the gloom of his aegis over all of them

  in anger for this deception. All this shall not go unaccomplished.

  But I shall suffer a terrible grief for you, Menelaos,

  170 if you die and fill out the destiny of your lifetime.

  And I must return a thing of reproach to Argos the thirsty,

  for now at once the Achaians will remember the land of their fathers;

  and thus we would leave to Priam and to the Trojans Helen

  of Argos, to glory over, while the bones of you rot in the ploughland

  175 as you lie dead in Troy, on a venture that went unaccomplished.

  And thus shall some Trojan speak in the proud show of his manhood,

  leaping lightly as he speaks on the tomb of great Menelaos:

  ‘Might Agamemnon accomplish his anger thus against all his

  enemies, as now he led here in vain a host of Achaians

  180 and has gone home again to the beloved land of his fathers

  with ships empty, and leaving behind him brave Menelaos.’

  Thus shall a man speak: then let the wide earth open to take me.”

  Then in encouragement fair-haired Menelaos spoke to him:

  “Do not fear, nor yet make afraid the Achaian people.

  185 The sharp arrow is not stuck in a mortal place, but the shining

  war belt turned it aside from its course, and the flap beneath it

  with my guard of armor that bronze-smiths wrought carefully for me.”

  Then in answer again spoke powerful Agamemnon:

  “May it only be as you say, O Menelaos, dear brother!

  190 But the physician will handle the wound and apply over it

  healing salves, by which he can put an end to the black pains.”

  He spoke, and addressed Talthybios, his sacred herald:

  “Talthybios, with all speed go call hither Machaon,

  a man who is son of Asklepios and a blameless physician,

  195 so that he may look at Menelaos, the warlike son of

  Atreus, whom someone skilled in the bow’s use shot with an arrow,

  Trojan or Lykian: glory to him, but to us a sorrow.”

  He spoke, and the herald heard and did not disobey him,

  but went on his way among the host of bronze-armored Achaians

  200 looking about for the warrior Machaon; and saw him

  standing still, and about him the strong ranks of shield-bearing

  people, who had come with him from horse-pasturing Trikka.

  He came and stood close beside him and addressed him in winged words:

  “Rise up, son of Asklepios; powerful Agamemnon calls you,

  205 so that you may look at warlike Menelaos, the Achaians’

  leader, whom someone skilled in the bow’s use shot with an arrow,

  Trojan or Lykian: glory to him, but to us a sorrow.”

  So he spoke, and stirred up the spirit within Machaon.

  They went through the crowd along the widespread host of the Achaians.

  210 But when they had come to the place where fair-haired Menelaos

  had been hit, where all the great men were gathered about him

  in a circle, and he stood in the midst of them, a man godlike,

  straightway he pulled the arrow forth from the joining of the war belt,

  and as it was pulled out the sharp barbs were broken backward.

  215 He slipped open the war belt then and the flap beneath it

  with the guard of armor that bronze-smiths wrought carefully for him.

  But when he saw the wound where the bitter arrow was driven,

  he sucked the blood and in skill laid healing medicines on it

  that Cheiron in friendship long ago had given his father.

  220 While they were working over Menelaos of the great war cry

  all this time came on the ranks of the armored Trojans.

  The Achaians again put on their armor, and remembered their warcraft.

  Then you would not have seen brilliant Agamemnon asleep nor

  skulking aside, nor in any way a reluctant fighter,

  225 but driving eagerly toward the fighting where men win glory.

  He left aside his chariot gleaming with bronze, and his horses,

  and these, breathing hard, were held aside by a henchman,

  Eurymedon, born to Ptolemaios, the son of Peiraios.

  Agamemnon told him to keep them well in hand, till the time came

  230 when weariness might take hold of his limbs, through marshaling so many.

  Then he, on foot as he was, ranged through the ranks of his fighters.

  Those of the fast-mounted Danaäns he found eager, he would

  stand beside these and urge them harder on with words spoken:

  “Argives, do not let go now of this furious valor.

  235 Zeus the father shall not be one to give aid to liars,

  but these, who were the first to do violence over the oaths sworn,

  vultures shall feed upon the delicate skin of their bodies,

  while we lead away their beloved wives and innocent

  children, in our ships, after we have stormed their citadel.”

  240 Any he might see hanging back from the hateful conflict

  these in words of anger he would reproach very bitterly:

  “Argives, you arrow-fighters, have you no shame, you disgraces?

  Why are you simply standing there bewildered, like young deer

  who after they are tired from running through a great meadow

  245 stand there still, and there is no heart of courage within them?

  Thus are you standing still bewildered and are not fighting.

  Or are you waiting for the Trojans to come close, where the strong-sterned

  ships have been hauled up along the strand of the gray sea,

  so you may know if Kronos’ son will hold his hand over you?”

  250 Thus he ranged through the ranks of his men and set them in order.

  On his way through the thronging men he came to the Kretans

  who about valiant Idomeneus were arming for battle.

  Idomeneus, like a boar in his strength, stood among the champions

  while Meriones still urged along the last battalions.

  255 Agamemnon the lord of men was glad as he looked at them

  and in words of graciousness at once spoke to Idomeneus:

  “I honor you, Idomeneus, beyond the fast-mounted

  Danaäns whether in battle, or in any action whatever,

  whether it be at the feast, when the great men of the Argives

  260 blend in the mixing bowl the gleaming wine of the princes.

  Even though all the rest of the flowing-haired Achaians

  drink out their portion, still your cup stands filled forever

  even as mine, for you to drink when the pleasure takes you.

  Rise up then to battle, be such as you claimed in time past.”

  265 Then in turn Idomeneus lord of the Kretans answered him:

  “Son of Atreus, I will in truth be a staunch companion

  in arms, as first I promised you and bent my head to it.

  Rouse up rather the rest of the flowing-haired Achaians

  so that we may fight in all speed, since the Trojans have broken

  270 their oaths: a thing that shall be death and sorrow hereafter

  to them, since they were the first to do violence over the oaths sworn.”

  So he spoke, and Atreides, che
erful at heart, went onward.

  On his way through the thronging men he came to the Aiantes.

  These were armed, and about them went a cloud of foot-soldiers.

  275 As from his watching place a goatherd watches a cloud move

  on its way over the sea before the drive of the west wind;

  far away though he be he watches it, blacker than pitch is,

  moving across the sea and piling the storm before it,

  and as he sees it he shivers and drives his flocks to a cavern;

  280 so about the two Aiantes moved the battalions,

  close-compacted of strong and god-supported young fighters,

  black, and jagged with spear and shield, to the terror of battle.

  Agamemnon the lord of men was glad when he looked at them,

  and he spoke aloud to them and addressed them in winged words:

  285 “Aiantes, O leaders of the bronze-armored Argives,

  to you two I give no orders; it would not become me

  to speed you, now that yourselves drive your people on to fight strongly.

  Father Zeus, and Athene, and Apollo, if only

  such a spirit were in the hearts of all of my people.

  290 Then perhaps the city of lord Priam would be bent

  underneath our hands, captured and utterly taken.”

  So he spoke, and left them there, and went among others.

  There he came upon Nestor, the lucid speaker of Pylos,

  setting in order his own companions and urging them to battle,

  295 tall Pelagon with those about him, Alastor and Chromios,

  Haimon the powerful, and Bias, shepherd of the people.

  In front he ranged the mounted men with their horses and chariots,

  and stationed the brave and numerous foot-soldiers behind them

  to be the bastion of battle, and drove the cowards to the center

  300 so that a man might be forced to fight even though unwilling.

  First he gave orders to the drivers of horses, and warned them

  to hold their horses in check and not be fouled in the multitude:

  “Let no man in the pride of his horsemanship and his manhood

  dare to fight alone with the Trojans in front of the rest of us,

  305 neither let him give ground, since that way you will be weaker.

  When a man from his own car encounters the enemy chariots

  let him stab with his spear, since this is the stronger fighting.

  So the men before your time sacked tower and city,

  keeping a spirit like this in their hearts, and like this their purpose.”

  310 Thus the old man wise in fighting from of old encouraged them.

  Agamemnon the lord of men was glad when he looked at him

  and he spoke aloud to him and addressed him in winged words:

  “Aged sir, if only, as the spirit is in your bosom,

  so might your knees be also and the strength stay steady within you;

  315 but age weakens you which comes to all; if only some other

  of the fighters had your age and you were one of the young men!”

  Nestor the Gerenian horseman spoke and answered him:

  “Son of Atreus, so would I also wish to be that

  man I was, when I cut down brilliant Ereuthalion.

  320 But the gods give to mortals not everything at the same time;

  if I was a young man then, now in turn old age is upon me.

  Yet even so I shall be among the riders, and command them

  with word and counsel; such is the privilege of the old men.

  The young spearmen shall do the spear-fighting, those who are born

  325 of a generation later than mine, who trust in their own strength.”

  So he spoke, and Atreides, cheerful at heart, went onward.

  He came on the son of Peteos, Menestheus, driver of horses,

  standing still, and about him the Athenians, urgent for battle.

  Next to these resourceful Odysseus had taken position,

  330 and beside him the Kephallenian ranks, no weak ones,

  were standing, since the men had not heard the clamor of battle

  but even now fresh set in motion the battalions moved

  of Achaians and Trojans, breakers of horses; so these standing

  waited, until some other mass of Achaians advancing

  335 might crash against the Trojans, and the battle be opened.

  Seeing these the lord of men Agamemnon scolded them

  and spoke aloud to them and addressed them in winged words, saying:

  “Son of Peteos, the king supported by God: and you, too,

  you with your mind forever on profit and your ways of treachery,

  340 why do you stand here skulking aside, and wait for the others?

  For you two it is becoming to stand among the foremost

  fighters, and endure your share of the blaze of battle;

  since indeed you two are first to hear of the feasting

  whenever we Achaians make ready a feast of the princes.

  345 There it is your pleasure to eat the roast flesh, to drink

  as much as you please the cups of the wine that is sweet as honey.

  Now, though, you would be pleased to look on though ten battalions

  of Achaians were to fight with the pitiless bronze before you.”

  Then looking at him darkly resourceful Odysseus spoke to him:

  350 “What is this word that broke through the fence of your teeth, Atreides?

  How can you say that, when we Achaians waken the bitter

  war god on Trojans, breakers of horses, I hang back from

  fighting? Only watch, if you care to and if it concerns you,

  the very father of Telemachos locked with the champion

  355 Trojans, breakers of horses. Your talk is wind, and no meaning.”

  Powerful Agamemnon in turn answered him, laughing,

  seeing that he was angered and taking back the word spoken:

  “Son of Laërtes and seed of Zeus, resourceful Odysseus:

  I must not be niggling with you, nor yet give you orders,

  360 since I know how the spirit in your secret heart knows

  ideas of kindness only; for what you think is what I think.

  Come now, I will make it good hereafter, if anything evil

  has been said; let the gods make all this come to nothing.”

  So he spoke, and left him there, and went among others.

  365 He came on the son of Tydeus, high-spirited Diomedes,

  standing among the compacted chariots and by the horses,

  and Kapaneus’ son, Sthenelos, was standing beside him. At sight

  of Diomedes the lord of men Agamemnon scolded him

  and spoke aloud to him and addressed him in winged words, saying:

  370 “Ah me, son of Tydeus, that daring breaker of horses,

  why are you skulking and spying out the outworks of battle?

  Such was never Tydeus’ way, to lurk in the background,

  but to fight the enemy far ahead of his own companions.

  So they say who had seen him at work, since I never saw nor

  375 encountered him ever; but they say he surpassed all others.

  Once on a time he came, but not in war, to Mykenai

  with godlike Polyneikes, a guest and a friend, assembling

  people, since these were attacking the sacred bastions of Thebe,

  and much they entreated us to grant him renowned companions.

  380 And our men wished to give them and were assenting to what they asked for

  but Zeus turned them back, showing forth portents that crossed them.

  Now as these went forward and were well on their way, and came

  to the river Asopos, and the meadows of grass and the deep rushes,

  from there the Achaians sent Tydeus ahead with a message.

  385 He went then and came on the
Kadmeians in their numbers

  feasting all about the house of mighty Eteokles.

  There, stranger though he was, the driver of horses, Tydeus,

  was not frightened, alone among so many Kadmeians,

  but dared them to try their strength with him, and bested all of them

  390 easily, such might did Pallas Athene give him.

  The Kadmeians who lash their horses, in anger compacted

  an ambuscade of guile on his way home, assembling together

  fifty fighting men, and for these there were two leaders,

  Maion, Haimon’s son, in the likeness of the immortals,

  395 with the son of Autophonos, Polyphontes stubborn in battle.

  On these men Tydeus let loose a fate that was shameful.

  He killed them all, except that he let one man get home again,

  letting Maion go in obedience to the god’s signs.

  This was Tydeus, the Aitolian; yet he was father

  400 to a son worse than himself at fighting, better in conclave.”

  So he spoke, and strong Diomedes gave no answer

  in awe before the majesty of the king’s rebuking;

  but the son of Kapaneus the glorious answered him, saying:

  “Son of Atreus, do not lie when you know the plain truth.

  405 We two claim we are better men by far than our fathers.

  We did storm the seven-gated foundation of Thebe

  though we led fewer people beneath a wall that was stronger.

  We obeyed the signs of the gods and the help Zeus gave us,

  while those others died of their own headlong stupidity.

  410 Therefore, never liken our fathers to us in honor.”

  Then looking at him darkly strong Diomedes spoke to him:

  “Friend, stay quiet rather and do as I tell you; I will

  find no fault with Agamemnon, shepherd of the people,

  for stirring thus into battle the strong-greaved Achaians;

  415 this will be his glory to come, if ever the Achaians

  cut down the men of Troy and capture sacred Ilion.

  If the Achaians are slain, then his will be the great sorrow.

  Come, let you and me remember our fighting courage.”

  He spoke and leapt in all his gear to the ground from the chariot,

  420 and the bronze armor girt to the chest of the king clashed terribly

  as he sprang. Fear would have gripped even a man stout-hearted.

  As when along the thundering beach the surf of the sea strikes

  beat upon beat as the west wind drives it onward; far out

  cresting first on the open water, it drives thereafter