Iliad Book III: The Oaths and the Duel

Lines 1–75

The Armies and Paris's Challenge

The armies advance, Paris challenges the Achaeans, and Hector rebukes him when he retreats from Menelaus.

1αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κόσμηθεν ἅμʼ ἡγεμόνεσσιν ἕκαστοι,When the companies were thus arrayed,

2Τρῶες μὲν κλαγγῇ τʼ ἐνοπῇ τʼ ἴσαν ὄρνιθες ὣς each under its own captain,

3ἠΰτε περ κλαγγὴ γεράνων πέλει οὐρανόθι πρό·

4αἵ τʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν χειμῶνα φύγον καὶ ἀθέσφατον ὄμβρον the Trojans advanced as a flight of wild-fowl or cranes that scream overhead when rain and winter drive them over the flowing waters of Oceanus to bring death and destruction on the Pygmies,

5κλαγγῇ ταί γε πέτονται ἐπʼ ὠκεανοῖο ῥοάων

6ἀνδράσι Πυγμαίοισι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φέρουσαι·

7ἠέριαι δʼ ἄρα ταί γε κακὴν ἔριδα προφέρονται. and they wrangle in the air as they fly;

8οἳ δʼ ἄρʼ ἴσαν σιγῇ μένεα πνείοντες Ἀχαιοὶ but the Achaeans marched silently, in high heart,

9ἐν θυμῷ μεμαῶτες ἀλεξέμεν ἀλλήλοισιν. and minded to stand by one another.

10εὖτʼ ὄρεος κορυφῇσι Νότος κατέχευεν ὀμίχληνAs when the south wind spreads a curtain of mist upon the mountain tops,

11ποιμέσιν οὔ τι φίλην, κλέπτῃ δέ τε νυκτὸς ἀμείνω, bad for shepherds but better than night for thieves,

12τόσσόν τίς τʼ ἐπιλεύσσει ὅσον τʼ ἐπὶ λᾶαν ἵησιν· and a man can see no further than he can throw a stone,

13ὣς ἄρα τῶν ὑπὸ ποσσὶ κονίσαλος ὄρνυτʼ ἀελλὴς

14ἐρχομένων· μάλα δʼ ὦκα διέπρησσον πεδίοιο. even so rose the dust from under their feet as they made all speed over the plain.

15οἳ δʼ ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦσαν ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισιν ἰόντες,When they were close up with one another,

16Τρωσὶν μὲν προμάχιζεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδὴς Alexandrus came forward as champion on the Trojan side.

17παρδαλέην ὤμοισιν ἔχων καὶ καμπύλα τόξα On his shoulders he bore the skin of a panther, his bow,

18καὶ ξίφος· αὐτὰρ δοῦρε δύω κεκορυθμένα χαλκῷ and his sword,

19πάλλων Ἀργείων προκαλίζετο πάντας ἀρίστους and he brandished two spears shod with bronze as a challenge to the bravest of the Achaeans to meet him in single fight.

20ἀντίβιον μαχέσασθαι ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι.

21τὸν δʼ ὡς οὖν ἐνόησεν ἀρηΐφιλος Μενέλαος Menelaus saw him thus stride out before the ranks,

22ἐρχόμενον προπάροιθεν ὁμίλου μακρὰ βιβάντα, and was glad as a hungry lion that lights on the carcase of some goat or horned stag,

23ὥς τε λέων ἐχάρη μεγάλῳ ἐπὶ σώματι κύρσας and devours it there and then,

24εὑρὼν ἢ ἔλαφον κεραὸν ἢ ἄγριον αἶγα though dogs and youths set upon him.

25πεινάων· μάλα γάρ τε κατεσθίει, εἴ περ ἂν αὐτὸν Even thus was Menelaus glad when his eyes caught sight of Alexandrus,

26σεύωνται ταχέες τε κύνες θαλεροί τʼ αἰζηοί· for he deemed that now he should be revenged.

27ὣς ἐχάρη Μενέλαος Ἀλέξανδρον θεοειδέα He sprang, therefore,

28ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδών· φάτο γὰρ τίσεσθαι ἀλείτην· from his chariot,

29αὐτίκα δʼ ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε. clad in his suit of armour.

30τὸν δʼ ὡς οὖν ἐνόησεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδὴςAlexandrus quailed as he saw Menelaus come forward,

31ἐν προμάχοισι φανέντα, κατεπλήγη φίλον ἦτορ, and shrank in fear of his life under cover of his men.

32ἂψ δʼ ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρʼ ἀλεείνων.

33ὡς δʼ ὅτε τίς τε δράκοντα ἰδὼν παλίνορσος ἀπέστη As one who starts back affrighted, trembling and pale,

34οὔρεος ἐν βήσσῃς, ὑπό τε τρόμος ἔλλαβε γυῖα, when he comes suddenly upon a serpent in some mountain glade,

35ἂψ δʼ ἀνεχώρησεν, ὦχρός τέ μιν εἷλε παρειάς,

36ὣς αὖτις καθʼ ὅμιλον ἔδυ Τρώων ἀγερώχων even so did Alexandrus plunge into the throng of Trojan warriors,

37δείσας Ἀτρέος υἱὸν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδής. terror-stricken at the sight of the son of Atreus.

38τὸν δʼ Ἕκτωρ νείκεσσεν ἰδὼν αἰσχροῖς ἐπέεσσιν·Then Hector upbraided him.

39Δύσπαρι εἶδος ἄριστε γυναιμανὲς ἠπεροπευτὰ “Paris,” said he,

40αἴθʼ ὄφελες ἄγονός τʼ ἔμεναι ἄγαμός τʼ ἀπολέσθαι· “evil-hearted Paris, fair to see, but woman-mad, and false of tongue,

41καί κε τὸ βουλοίμην, καί κεν πολὺ κέρδιον ἦεν would that you had never been born, or that you had died unwed.

42ἢ οὕτω λώβην τʼ ἔμεναι καὶ ὑπόψιον ἄλλων. Better so, than live to be disgraced and looked askance at.

43ἦ που καγχαλόωσι κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ Will not the Achaeans mock at us and say that we have sent one to champion us who is fair to see but who has neither wit nor courage?

44φάντες ἀριστῆα πρόμον ἔμμεναι, οὕνεκα καλὸν

45εἶδος ἔπʼ, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἔστι βίη φρεσὶν οὐδέ τις ἀλκή.

46ἦ τοιόσδε ἐὼν ἐν ποντοπόροισι νέεσσι Did you not, such as you are, get your following together and sail beyond the seas?

47πόντον ἐπιπλώσας, ἑτάρους ἐρίηρας ἀγείρας,

48μιχθεὶς ἀλλοδαποῖσι γυναῖκʼ εὐειδέʼ ἀνῆγες Did you not from your a far country carry off a lovely woman wedded among a people of warriors—

49ἐξ ἀπίης γαίης νυὸν ἀνδρῶν αἰχμητάωνto bring sorrow upon your father, your city,

50πατρί τε σῷ μέγα πῆμα πόληΐ τε παντί τε δήμῳ, and your whole country, but joy to your enemies,

51δυσμενέσιν μὲν χάρμα, κατηφείην δὲ σοὶ αὐτῷ; and hang-dog shamefacedness to yourself?

52οὐκ ἂν δὴ μείνειας ἀρηΐφιλον Μενέλαον; And now can you not dare face Menelaus and learn what manner of man he is whose wife you have stolen?

53γνοίης χʼ οἵου φωτὸς ἔχεις θαλερὴν παράκοιτιν· Where indeed would be your lyre and your love-tricks,

54οὐκ ἄν τοι χραίσμῃ κίθαρις τά τε δῶρʼ Ἀφροδίτης your comely locks and your fair favour,

55ἥ τε κόμη τό τε εἶδος ὅτʼ ἐν κονίῃσι μιγείης. when you were lying in the dust before him?

56ἀλλὰ μάλα Τρῶες δειδήμονες· ἦ τέ κεν ἤδη The Trojans are a weak-kneed people,

57λάϊνον ἕσσο χιτῶνα κακῶν ἕνεχʼ ὅσσα ἔοργας. or ere this you would have had a shirt of stones for the wrongs you have done them.”

58τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδής·And Alexandrus answered, “Hector,

59Ἕκτορ ἐπεί με κατʼ αἶσαν ἐνείκεσας οὐδʼ ὑπὲρ αἶσαν· your rebuke is just. You are hard as the axe which a shipwright wields at his work,

60αἰεί τοι κραδίη πέλεκυς ὥς ἐστιν ἀτειρὴς

61ὅς τʼ εἶσιν διὰ δουρὸς ὑπʼ ἀνέρος ὅς ῥά τε τέχνῃ and cleaves the timber to his liking. As the axe in his hand,

62νήϊον ἐκτάμνῃσιν, ὀφέλλει δʼ ἀνδρὸς ἐρωήν· so keen is the edge of your scorn. Still,

63ὣς σοὶ ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἀτάρβητος νόος ἐστί· taunt me not with the gifts that golden Venus has given me;

64μή μοι δῶρʼ ἐρατὰ πρόφερε χρυσέης Ἀφροδίτης· they are precious;

65οὔ τοι ἀπόβλητʼ ἐστὶ θεῶν ἐρικυδέα δῶρα let not a man disdain them,

66ὅσσά κεν αὐτοὶ δῶσιν, ἑκὼν δʼ οὐκ ἄν τις ἕλοιτο· for the gods give them where they are minded, and none can have them for the asking.

67νῦν αὖτʼ εἴ μʼ ἐθέλεις πολεμίζειν ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι, If you would have me do battle with Menelaus,

68ἄλλους μὲν κάθισον Τρῶας καὶ πάντας Ἀχαιούς, bid the Trojans and Achaeans take their seats,

69αὐτὰρ ἔμʼ ἐν μέσσῳ καὶ ἀρηΐφιλον Μενέλαον

70συμβάλετʼ ἀμφʼ Ἑλένῃ καὶ κτήμασι πᾶσι μάχεσθαι· while he and I fight in their midst for Helen and all her wealth.

71ὁππότερος δέ κε νικήσῃ κρείσσων τε γένηται, Let him who shall be victorious and prove to be the better man take the woman and all she has,

72κτήμαθʼ ἑλὼν εὖ πάντα γυναῖκά τε οἴκαδʼ ἀγέσθω· to bear them to his home,

73οἳ δʼ ἄλλοι φιλότητα καὶ ὅρκια πιστὰ ταμόντες but let the rest swear to a solemn covenant of peace whereby you Trojans shall stay here in Troy,

74ναίοιτε Τροίην ἐριβώλακα, τοὶ δὲ νεέσθων

75Ἄργος ἐς ἱππόβοτον καὶ Ἀχαιΐδα καλλιγύναικα. while the others go home to Argos and the land of the Achaeans.”

Lines 76–120

Terms of the Truce

Hector and Menelaus halt the armies and arrange an oath-bound single combat for Helen and her possessions.

76ὣς ἔφαθʼ, Ἕκτωρ δʼ αὖτʼ ἐχάρη μέγα μῦθον ἀκούσας,When Hector heard this he was glad,

77καί ῥʼ ἐς μέσσον ἰὼν Τρώων ἀνέεργε φάλαγγας and went about among the Trojan ranks holding his spear by the middle to keep them back,

78μέσσου δουρὸς ἑλών· τοὶ δʼ ἱδρύνθησαν ἅπαντες.

79τῷ δʼ ἐπετοξάζοντο κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ and they all sat down at his bidding:

80ἰοῖσίν τε τιτυσκόμενοι λάεσσί τʼ ἔβαλλον·

81αὐτὰρ ὃ μακρὸν ἄϋσεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων· but the Achaeans still aimed at him with stones and arrows,

82ἴσχεσθʼ Ἀργεῖοι, μὴ βάλλετε κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν· till Agamemnon shouted to them saying,

83στεῦται γάρ τι ἔπος ἐρέειν κορυθαίολος Ἕκτωρ. “Hold, Argives, shoot not,

84ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἔσχοντο μάχης ἄνεῴ τʼ ἐγένοντο sons of the Achaeans; Hector desires to speak.”

85ἐσσυμένως· Ἕκτωρ δὲ μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισιν ἔειπε·They ceased taking aim and were still, whereon Hector spoke.

86κέκλυτέ μευ Τρῶες καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶ “Hear from my mouth,” said he,

87μῦθον Ἀλεξάνδροιο, τοῦ εἵνεκα νεῖκος ὄρωρεν. “Trojans and Achaeans, the saying of Alexandrus,

88ἄλλους μὲν κέλεται Τρῶας καὶ πάντας Ἀχαιοὺς through whom this quarrel has come about.

89τεύχεα κάλʼ ἀποθέσθαι ἐπὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ, He bids the Trojans and Achaeans lay their armour upon the ground,

90αὐτὸν δʼ ἐν μέσσῳ καὶ ἀρηΐφιλον Μενέλαον while he and Menelaus fight in the midst of you for Helen and all her wealth.

91οἴους ἀμφʼ Ἑλένῃ καὶ κτήμασι πᾶσι μάχεσθαι.

92ὁππότερος δέ κε νικήσῃ κρείσσων τε γένηται Let him who shall be victorious and prove to be the better man take the woman and all she has,

93κτήμαθʼ ἑλὼν εὖ πάντα γυναῖκά τε οἴκαδʼ ἀγέσθω· to bear them to his own home,

94οἳ δʼ ἄλλοι φιλότητα καὶ ὅρκια πιστὰ τάμωμεν. but let the rest swear to a solemn covenant of peace.”

95ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ·Thus he spoke, and they all held their peace,

96τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος· till Menelaus of the loud battle-cry addressed them. “And now,

97κέκλυτε νῦν καὶ ἐμεῖο· μάλιστα γὰρ ἄλγος ἱκάνει” he said, “hear me too, for it is I who am the most aggrieved.

98θυμὸν ἐμόν, φρονέω δὲ διακρινθήμεναι ἤδη I deem that the parting of Achaeans and Trojans is at hand,

99Ἀργείους καὶ Τρῶας, ἐπεὶ κακὰ πολλὰ πέπασθε as well it may be,

100εἵνεκʼ ἐμῆς ἔριδος καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου ἕνεκʼ ἀρχῆς· seeing how much have suffered for my quarrel with Alexandrus and the wrong he did me.

101ἡμέων δʼ ὁπποτέρῳ θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα τέτυκται Let him who shall die, die,

102τεθναίη· ἄλλοι δὲ διακρινθεῖτε τάχιστα. and let the others fight no more. Bring, then, two lambs,

103οἴσετε ἄρνʼ, ἕτερον λευκόν, ἑτέρην δὲ μέλαιναν, a white ram and a black ewe, for Earth and Sun,

104Γῇ τε καὶ Ἠελίῳ· Διὶ δʼ ἡμεῖς οἴσομεν ἄλλον· and we will bring a third for Jove. Moreover,

105ἄξετε δὲ Πριάμοιο βίην, ὄφρʼ ὅρκια τάμνῃ you shall bid Priam come, that he may swear to the covenant himself;

106αὐτός, ἐπεί οἱ παῖδες ὑπερφίαλοι καὶ ἄπιστοι, for his sons are high-handed and ill to trust,

107μή τις ὑπερβασίῃ Διὸς ὅρκια δηλήσηται. and the oaths of Jove must not be transgressed or taken in vain.

108αἰεὶ δʼ ὁπλοτέρων ἀνδρῶν φρένες ἠερέθονται· Young men’s minds are light as air,

109οἷς δʼ ὁ γέρων μετέῃσιν ἅμα πρόσσω καὶ ὀπίσσω but when an old man comes he looks before and after,

110λεύσσει, ὅπως ὄχʼ ἄριστα μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισι γένηται. deeming that which shall be fairest upon both sides.”

111ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἐχάρησαν Ἀχαιοί τε Τρῶές τεThe Trojans and Achaeans were glad when they heard this,

112ἐλπόμενοι παύσασθαι ὀϊζυροῦ πολέμοιο. for they thought that they should now have rest.

113καί ῥʼ ἵππους μὲν ἔρυξαν ἐπὶ στίχας, ἐκ δʼ ἔβαν αὐτοί, They backed their chariots toward the ranks,

114τεύχεά τʼ ἐξεδύοντο· τὰ μὲν κατέθεντʼ ἐπὶ γαίῃ got out of them, and put off their armour,

115πλησίον ἀλλήλων, ὀλίγη δʼ ἦν ἀμφὶς ἄρουρα· laying it down upon the ground; and the hosts were near to one another with a little space between them.

116Ἕκτωρ δὲ προτὶ ἄστυ δύω κήρυκας ἔπεμπε

117καρπαλίμως ἄρνάς τε φέρειν Πρίαμόν τε καλέσσαι· Hector sent two messengers to the city to bring the lambs and to bid Priam come,

118αὐτὰρ ὃ Ταλθύβιον προΐει κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

119νῆας ἔπι γλαφυρὰς ἰέναι, ἠδʼ ἄρνʼ ἐκέλευεν while Agamemnon told Talthybius to fetch the other lamb from the ships,

120οἰσέμεναι· ὃ δʼ ἄρʼ οὐκ ἀπίθησʼ Ἀγαμέμνονι δίῳ. and he did as Agamemnon had said.

Lines 121–244

Helen on the Wall

Iris summons Helen to the Scaean Gates, where she identifies leading Achaeans for Priam.

121Ἶρις δʼ αὖθʼ Ἑλένῃ λευκωλένῳ ἄγγελος ἦλθενMeanwhile Iris went to Helen in the form of her sister-in-law,

122εἰδομένη γαλόῳ Ἀντηνορίδαο δάμαρτι, wife of the son of Antenor,

123τὴν Ἀντηνορίδης εἶχε κρείων Ἑλικάων for Helicaon, son of Antenor,

124Λαοδίκην Πριάμοιο θυγατρῶν εἶδος ἀρίστην. had married Laodice, the fairest of Priam’s daughters.

125τὴν δʼ εὗρʼ ἐν μεγάρῳ· ἣ δὲ μέγαν ἱστὸν ὕφαινε She found her in her own room,

126δίπλακα πορφυρέην, πολέας δʼ ἐνέπασσεν ἀέθλους working at a great web of purple linen,

127Τρώων θʼ ἱπποδάμων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων, on which she was embroidering the battles between Trojans and Achaeans,

128οὕς ἑθεν εἵνεκʼ ἔπασχον ὑπʼ Ἄρηος παλαμάων· that Mars had made them fight for her sake.

129ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱσταμένη προσέφη πόδας ὠκέα Ἶρις· Iris then came close up to her and said,

130δεῦρʼ ἴθι νύμφα φίλη, ἵνα θέσκελα ἔργα ἴδηαι “Come hither, child,

131Τρώων θʼ ἱπποδάμων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων, and see the strange doings of the Trojans and Achaeans.

132οἳ πρὶν ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισι φέρον πολύδακρυν Ἄρηα Till now they have been warring upon the plain,

133ἐν πεδίῳ ὀλοοῖο λιλαιόμενοι πολέμοιο· mad with lust of battle, but now they have left off fighting,

134οἳ δὴ νῦν ἕαται σιγῇ, πόλεμος δὲ πέπαυται, and are leaning upon their shields,

135ἀσπίσι κεκλιμένοι, παρὰ δʼ ἔγχεα μακρὰ πέπηγεν. sitting still with their spears planted beside them.

136αὐτὰρ Ἀλέξανδρος καὶ ἀρηΐφιλος Μενέλαος Alexandrus and Menelaus are going to fight about yourself,

137μακρῇς ἐγχείῃσι μαχήσονται περὶ σεῖο·

138τῷ δέ κε νικήσαντι φίλη κεκλήσῃ ἄκοιτις. and you are to be the wife of him who is the victor.”

139ὣς εἰποῦσα θεὰ γλυκὺν ἵμερον ἔμβαλε θυμῷThus spoke the goddess,

140ἀνδρός τε προτέρου καὶ ἄστεος ἠδὲ τοκήων· and Helen’s heart yearned after her former husband, her city,

141αὐτίκα δʼ ἀργεννῇσι καλυψαμένη ὀθόνῃσιν and her parents. She threw a white mantle over her head,

142ὁρμᾶτʼ ἐκ θαλάμοιο τέρεν κατὰ δάκρυ χέουσα and hurried from her room, weeping as she went,

143οὐκ οἴη, ἅμα τῇ γε καὶ ἀμφίπολοι δύʼ ἕποντο, not alone, but attended by two of her handmaids,

144Αἴθρη Πιτθῆος θυγάτηρ, Κλυμένη τε βοῶπις· Aethrae, daughter of Pittheus, and Clymene.

145αἶψα δʼ ἔπειθʼ ἵκανον ὅθι Σκαιαὶ πύλαι ἦσαν. And straightway they were at the Scaean gates.

146οἳ δʼ ἀμφὶ Πρίαμον καὶ Πάνθοον ἠδὲ ΘυμοίτηνThe two sages, Ucalegon and Antenor,

147Λάμπόν τε Κλυτίον θʼ Ἱκετάονά τʼ ὄζον Ἄρηος elders of the people, were seated by the Scaean gates,

148Οὐκαλέγων τε καὶ Ἀντήνωρ πεπνυμένω ἄμφω with Priam, Panthous,

149ἥατο δημογέροντες ἐπὶ Σκαιῇσι πύλῃσι, Thymoetes, Lampus, Clytius,

150γήραϊ δὴ πολέμοιο πεπαυμένοι, ἀλλʼ ἀγορηταὶ and Hiketaon of the race of Mars.

151ἐσθλοί, τεττίγεσσιν ἐοικότες οἵ τε καθʼ ὕλην These were too old to fight, but they were fluent orators,

152δενδρέῳ ἐφεζόμενοι ὄπα λειριόεσσαν ἱεῖσι·

153τοῖοι ἄρα Τρώων ἡγήτορες ἧντʼ ἐπὶ πύργῳ. and sat on the tower like cicales that chirrup delicately from the boughs of some high tree in a wood.

154οἳ δʼ ὡς οὖν εἴδονθʼ Ἑλένην ἐπὶ πύργον ἰοῦσαν, When they saw Helen coming towards the tower,

155ἦκα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἔπεα πτερόεντʼ ἀγόρευον· they said softly to one another,

156οὐ νέμεσις Τρῶας καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιοὺς

157τοιῇδʼ ἀμφὶ γυναικὶ πολὺν χρόνον ἄλγεα πάσχειν· “Small wonder that Trojans and Achaeans should endure so much and so long,

158αἰνῶς ἀθανάτῃσι θεῇς εἰς ὦπα ἔοικεν· for the sake of a woman so marvellously and divinely lovely.

159ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς τοίη περ ἐοῦσʼ ἐν νηυσὶ νεέσθω, Still, fair though she be, let them take her and go,

160μηδʼ ἡμῖν τεκέεσσί τʼ ὀπίσσω πῆμα λίποιτο. or she will breed sorrow for us and for our children after us.”

161ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφαν, Πρίαμος δʼ Ἑλένην ἐκαλέσσατο φωνῇ·But Priam bade her draw nigh. “My child,” said he,

162δεῦρο πάροιθʼ ἐλθοῦσα φίλον τέκος ἵζευ ἐμεῖο, “take your seat in front of me that you may see your former husband,

163ὄφρα ἴδῃ πρότερόν τε πόσιν πηούς τε φίλους τε· your kinsmen and your friends.

164οὔ τί μοι αἰτίη ἐσσί, θεοί νύ μοι αἴτιοί εἰσιν I lay no blame upon you, it is the gods,

165οἵ μοι ἐφώρμησαν πόλεμον πολύδακρυν Ἀχαιῶν· not you who are to blame.

166ὥς μοι καὶ τόνδʼ ἄνδρα πελώριον ἐξονομήνῃς It is they that have brought about this terrible war with the Achaeans.

167ὅς τις ὅδʼ ἐστὶν Ἀχαιὸς ἀνὴρ ἠΰς τε μέγας τε. Tell me, then,

168ἤτοι μὲν κεφαλῇ καὶ μείζονες ἄλλοι ἔασι, who is yonder huge hero so great and goodly?

169καλὸν δʼ οὕτω ἐγὼν οὔ πω ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιν, I have seen men taller by a head, but none so comely and so royal.

170οὐδʼ οὕτω γεραρόν· βασιλῆϊ γὰρ ἀνδρὶ ἔοικε. Surely he must be a king.”

171τὸν δʼ Ἑλένη μύθοισιν ἀμείβετο δῖα γυναικῶν·“Sir,” answered Helen, “father of my husband,

172αἰδοῖός τέ μοί ἐσσι φίλε ἑκυρὲ δεινός τε· dear and reverend in my eyes,

173ὡς ὄφελεν θάνατός μοι ἁδεῖν κακὸς ὁππότε δεῦρο would that I had chosen death rather than to have come here with your son,

174υἱέϊ σῷ ἑπόμην θάλαμον γνωτούς τε λιποῦσα far from my bridal chamber, my friends,

175παῖδά τε τηλυγέτην καὶ ὁμηλικίην ἐρατεινήν. my darling daughter, and all the companions of my girlhood.

176ἀλλὰ τά γʼ οὐκ ἐγένοντο· τὸ καὶ κλαίουσα τέτηκα. But it was not to be, and my lot is one of tears and sorrow.

177τοῦτο δέ τοι ἐρέω ὅ μʼ ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς· As for your question,

178οὗτός γʼ Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων, the hero of whom you ask is Agamemnon, son of Atreus,

179ἀμφότερον βασιλεύς τʼ ἀγαθὸς κρατερός τʼ αἰχμητής· a good king and a brave soldier, brother-in-law as surely as that he lives,

180δαὴρ αὖτʼ ἐμὸς ἔσκε κυνώπιδος, εἴ ποτʼ ἔην γε. to my abhorred and miserable self.”

181ὣς φάτο, τὸν δʼ ὁ γέρων ἠγάσσατο φώνησέν τε·The old man marvelled at him and said,

182ὦ μάκαρ Ἀτρεΐδη μοιρηγενὲς ὀλβιόδαιμον, “Happy son of Atreus, child of good fortune.

183ἦ ῥά νύ τοι πολλοὶ δεδμήατο κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν. I see that the Achaeans are subject to you in great multitudes.

184ἤδη καὶ Φρυγίην εἰσήλυθον ἀμπελόεσσαν,

185ἔνθα ἴδον πλείστους Φρύγας ἀνέρας αἰολοπώλους When I was in Phrygia I saw much horsemen,

186λαοὺς Ὀτρῆος καὶ Μυγδόνος ἀντιθέοιο, the people of Otreus and of Mygdon,

187οἵ ῥα τότʼ ἐστρατόωντο παρʼ ὄχθας Σαγγαρίοιο· who were camping upon the banks of the river Sangarius;

188καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼν ἐπίκουρος ἐὼν μετὰ τοῖσιν ἐλέχθην I was their ally, and with them when the Amazons,

189ἤματι τῷ ὅτε τʼ ἦλθον Ἀμαζόνες ἀντιάνειραι· peers of men, came up against them,

190ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ οἳ τόσοι ἦσαν ὅσοι ἑλίκωπες Ἀχαιοί. but even they were not so many as the Achaeans.”

191δεύτερον αὖτʼ Ὀδυσῆα ἰδὼν ἐρέεινʼ ὁ γεραιός·The old man next looked upon Ulysses;

192εἴπʼ ἄγε μοι καὶ τόνδε φίλον τέκος ὅς τις ὅδʼ ἐστί· “Tell me,” he said, “who is that other,

193μείων μὲν κεφαλῇ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεΐδαο, shorter by a head than Agamemnon,

194εὐρύτερος δʼ ὤμοισιν ἰδὲ στέρνοισιν ἰδέσθαι. but broader across the chest and shoulders?

195τεύχεα μέν οἱ κεῖται ἐπὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ, His armour is laid upon the ground,

196αὐτὸς δὲ κτίλος ὣς ἐπιπωλεῖται στίχας ἀνδρῶν·

197ἀρνειῷ μιν ἔγωγε ἐΐσκω πηγεσιμάλλῳ, and he stalks in front of the ranks as it were some great woolly ram ordering his ewes.

198ὅς τʼ οἰῶν μέγα πῶϋ διέρχεται ἀργεννάων.”

199τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειθʼ Ἑλένη Διὸς ἐκγεγαυῖα·And Helen answered, “He is Ulysses,

200οὗτος δʼ αὖ Λαερτιάδης πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς, a man of great craft, son of Laertes.

201ὃς τράφη ἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης κραναῆς περ ἐούσης He was born in rugged Ithaca,

202εἰδὼς παντοίους τε δόλους καὶ μήδεα πυκνά. and excels in all manner of stratagems and subtle cunning.”

203τὴν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντήνωρ πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·On this Antenor said, “Madam, you have spoken truly.

204ὦ γύναι ἦ μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος νημερτὲς ἔειπες· Ulysses once came here as envoy about yourself,

205ἤδη γὰρ καὶ δεῦρό ποτʼ ἤλυθε δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς and Menelaus with him. I received them in my own house,

206σεῦ ἕνεκʼ ἀγγελίης σὺν ἀρηϊφίλῳ Μενελάῳ· and therefore know both of them by sight and conversation.

207τοὺς δʼ ἐγὼ ἐξείνισσα καὶ ἐν μεγάροισι φίλησα, When they stood up in presence of the assembled Trojans,

208ἀμφοτέρων δὲ φυὴν ἐδάην καὶ μήδεα πυκνά. Menelaus was the broader shouldered,

209ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ Τρώεσσιν ἐν ἀγρομένοισιν ἔμιχθεν but when both were seated Ulysses had the more royal presence.

210στάντων μὲν Μενέλαος ὑπείρεχεν εὐρέας ὤμους, After a time they delivered their message,

211ἄμφω δʼ ἑζομένω γεραρώτερος ἦεν Ὀδυσσεύς·

212ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ μύθους καὶ μήδεα πᾶσιν ὕφαινον and the speech of Menelaus ran trippingly on the tongue; he did not say much,

213ἤτοι μὲν Μενέλαος ἐπιτροχάδην ἀγόρευε, for he was a man of few words,

214παῦρα μὲν ἀλλὰ μάλα λιγέως, ἐπεὶ οὐ πολύμυθος but he spoke very clearly and to the point,

215οὐδʼ ἀφαμαρτοεπής· ἦ καὶ γένει ὕστερος ἦεν. though he was the younger man of the two; Ulysses, on the other hand,

216ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ πολύμητις ἀναΐξειεν Ὀδυσσεὺς when he rose to speak,

217στάσκεν, ὑπαὶ δὲ ἴδεσκε κατὰ χθονὸς ὄμματα πήξας, was at first silent and kept his eyes fixed upon the ground.

218σκῆπτρον δʼ οὔτʼ ὀπίσω οὔτε προπρηνὲς ἐνώμα, There was no play nor graceful movement of his sceptre;

219ἀλλʼ ἀστεμφὲς ἔχεσκεν ἀΐδρεϊ φωτὶ ἐοικώς· he kept it straight and stiff like a man unpractised in oratory—

220φαίης κε ζάκοτόν τέ τινʼ ἔμμεναι ἄφρονά τʼ αὔτως.one might have taken him for a mere churl or simpleton;

221ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ὄπα τε μεγάλην ἐκ στήθεος εἵη but when he raised his voice,

222καὶ ἔπεα νιφάδεσσιν ἐοικότα χειμερίῃσιν, and the words came driving from his deep chest like winter snow before the wind,

223οὐκ ἂν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆΐ γʼ ἐρίσσειε βροτὸς ἄλλος· then there was none to touch him,

224οὐ τότε γʼ ὧδʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἀγασσάμεθʼ εἶδος ἰδόντες. and no man thought further of what he looked like.”

225τὸ τρίτον αὖτʼ Αἴαντα ἰδὼν ἐρέεινʼ ὃ γεραιός·Priam then caught sight of Ajax and asked,

226τίς τὰρ ὅδʼ ἄλλος Ἀχαιὸς ἀνὴρ ἠΰς τε μέγας τε “Who is that great and goodly warrior whose head and broad shoulders tower above the rest of the Argives?

227ἔξοχος Ἀργείων κεφαλήν τε καὶ εὐρέας ὤμους;”

228τὸν δʼ Ἑλένη τανύπεπλος ἀμείβετο δῖα γυναικῶν·“That,” answered Helen, “is huge Ajax, bulwark of the Achaeans,

229οὗτος δʼ Αἴας ἐστὶ πελώριος ἕρκος Ἀχαιῶν· and on the other side of him,

230Ἰδομενεὺς δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἐνὶ Κρήτεσσι θεὸς ὣς among the Cretans, stands Idomeneus looking like a god,

231ἕστηκʼ, ἀμφὶ δέ μιν Κρητῶν ἀγοὶ ἠγερέθονται. and with the captains of the Cretans round him.

232πολλάκι μιν ξείνισσεν ἀρηΐφιλος Μενέλαος Often did Menelaus receive him as a guest in our house when he came visiting us from Crete.

233οἴκῳ ἐν ἡμετέρῳ ὁπότε Κρήτηθεν ἵκοιτο.

234νῦν δʼ ἄλλους μὲν πάντας ὁρῶ ἑλίκωπας Ἀχαιούς, I see, moreover,

235οὕς κεν ἐῢ γνοίην καί τʼ οὔνομα μυθησαίμην· many other Achaeans whose names I could tell you,

236δοιὼ δʼ οὐ δύναμαι ἰδέειν κοσμήτορε λαῶν but there are two whom I can nowhere find, Castor,

237Κάστορά θʼ ἱππόδαμον καὶ πὺξ ἀγαθὸν Πολυδεύκεα breaker of horses, and Pollux the mighty boxer;

238αὐτοκασιγνήτω, τώ μοι μία γείνατο μήτηρ. they are children of my mother, and own brothers to myself.

239ἢ οὐχ ἑσπέσθην Λακεδαίμονος ἐξ ἐρατεινῆς, Either they have not left Lacedaemon,

240ἢ δεύρω μὲν ἕποντο νέεσσʼ ἔνι ποντοπόροισι, or else, though they have brought their ships,

241νῦν αὖτʼ οὐκ ἐθέλουσι μάχην καταδύμεναι ἀνδρῶν they will not show themselves in battle for the shame and disgrace that I have brought upon them.

242αἴσχεα δειδιότες καὶ ὀνείδεα πόλλʼ ἅ μοί ἐστιν.”

243ὣς φάτο, τοὺς δʼ ἤδη κάτεχεν φυσίζοος αἶαShe knew not that both these heroes were already lying under the earth in their own land of Lacedaemon.

244ἐν Λακεδαίμονι αὖθι φίλῃ ἐν πατρίδι γαίῃ.

Lines 245–301

The Oaths

Priam and the leaders meet between the armies, sacrifice the oath victims, and swear to the terms of the duel.

245κήρυκες δʼ ἀνὰ ἄστυ θεῶν φέρον ὅρκια πιστὰMeanwhile the heralds were bringing the holy oath-offerings through the city—

246ἄρνε δύω καὶ οἶνον ἐΰφρονα καρπὸν ἀρούρηςtwo lambs and a goatskin of wine, the gift of earth;

247ἀσκῷ ἐν αἰγείῳ· φέρε δὲ κρητῆρα φαεινὸν

248κῆρυξ Ἰδαῖος ἠδὲ χρύσεια κύπελλα· and Idaeus brought the mixing-bowl and the cups of gold.

249ὄτρυνεν δὲ γέροντα παριστάμενος ἐπέεσσιν· He went up to Priam and said,

250ὄρσεο Λαομεδοντιάδη, καλέουσιν ἄριστοι “Son of Laomedon,

251Τρώων θʼ ἱπποδάμων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων the princes of the Trojans and Achaeans bid you come down on to the plain and swear to a solemn covenant.

252ἐς πεδίον καταβῆναι ἵνʼ ὅρκια πιστὰ τάμητε·

253αὐτὰρ Ἀλέξανδρος καὶ ἀρηΐφιλος Μενέλαος Alexandrus and Menelaus are to fight for Helen in single combat,

254μακρῇς ἐγχείῃσι μαχήσοντʼ ἀμφὶ γυναικί·

255τῷ δέ κε νικήσαντι γυνὴ καὶ κτήμαθʼ ἕποιτο· that she and all her wealth may go with him who is the victor.

256οἳ δʼ ἄλλοι φιλότητα καὶ ὅρκια πιστὰ ταμόντες We are to swear to a solemn covenant of peace whereby we others shall dwell here in Troy,

257ναίοιμεν Τροίην ἐριβώλακα, τοὶ δὲ νέονται

258Ἄργος ἐς ἱππόβοτον καὶ Ἀχαιΐδα καλλιγύναικα. while the Achaeans return to Argos and the land of the Achaeans.”

259ὣς φάτο ῥίγησεν δʼ ὃ γέρων, ἐκέλευσε δʼ ἑταίρουςThe old man trembled as he heard, but bade his followers yoke the horses,

260ἵππους ζευγνύμεναι· τοὶ δʼ ὀτραλέως ἐπίθοντο. and they made all haste to do so.

261ἂν δʼ ἄρʼ ἔβη Πρίαμος, κατὰ δʼ ἡνία τεῖνεν ὀπίσσω· He mounted the chariot, gathered the reins in his hand,

262πὰρ δέ οἱ Ἀντήνωρ περικαλλέα βήσετο δίφρον· and Antenor took his seat beside him;

263τὼ δὲ διὰ Σκαιῶν πεδίον δʼ ἔχον ὠκέας ἵππους. they then drove through the Scaean gates on to the plain.

264ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἵκοντο μετὰ Τρῶας καὶ Ἀχαιούς, When they reached the ranks of the Trojans and Achaeans they left the chariot,

265ἐξ ἵππων ἀποβάντες ἐπὶ χθόνα πουλυβότειραν

266ἐς μέσσον Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν ἐστιχόωντο. and with measured pace advanced into the space between the hosts.

267ὄρνυτο δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων,Agamemnon and Ulysses both rose to meet them.

268ἂν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς πολύμητις· ἀτὰρ κήρυκες ἀγαυοὶ The attendants brought on the oath-offerings and mixed the wine in the mixing-bowls;

269ὅρκια πιστὰ θεῶν σύναγον, κρητῆρι δὲ οἶνον

270μίσγον, ἀτὰρ βασιλεῦσιν ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας ἔχευαν. they poured water over the hands of the chieftains,

271Ἀτρεΐδης δὲ ἐρυσσάμενος χείρεσσι μάχαιραν, and the son of Atreus drew the dagger that hung by his sword,

272ἥ οἱ πὰρ ξίφεος μέγα κουλεόν αἰὲν ἄωρτο, and cut wool from the lambs’ heads;

273ἀρνῶν ἐκ κεφαλέων τάμνε τρίχας· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα this the men-servants gave about among the Trojan and Achaean princes,

274κήρυκες Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν νεῖμαν ἀρίστοις. and the son of Atreus lifted up his hands in prayer.

275τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀτρεΐδης μεγάλʼ εὔχετο χεῖρας ἀνασχών· “Father Jove,” he cried, “that rulest in Ida,

276Ζεῦ πάτερ Ἴδηθεν μεδέων κύδιστε μέγιστε, most glorious in power, and thou oh Sun,

277Ἠέλιός θʼ, ὃς πάντʼ ἐφορᾷς καὶ πάντʼ ἐπακούεις, that seest and givest ear to all things, Earth and Rivers,

278καὶ ποταμοὶ καὶ γαῖα, καὶ οἳ ὑπένερθε καμόντας and ye who in the realms below chastise the soul of him that has broken his oath,

279ἀνθρώπους τίνυσθον ὅτις κʼ ἐπίορκον ὀμόσσῃ, witness these rites and guard them,

280ὑμεῖς μάρτυροι ἔστε, φυλάσσετε δʼ ὅρκια πιστά· that they be not vain. If Alexandrus kills Menelaus,

281εἰ μέν κεν Μενέλαον Ἀλέξανδρος καταπέφνῃ let him keep Helen and all her wealth,

282αὐτὸς ἔπειθʼ Ἑλένην ἐχέτω καὶ κτήματα πάντα, while we sail home with our ships;

283ἡμεῖς δʼ ἐν νήεσσι νεώμεθα ποντοπόροισιν· but if Menelaus kills Alexandrus,

284εἰ δέ κʼ Ἀλέξανδρον κτείνῃ ξανθὸς Μενέλαος, let the Trojans give back Helen and all that she has;

285Τρῶας ἔπειθʼ Ἑλένην καὶ κτήματα πάντʼ ἀποδοῦναι, let them moreover pay such fine to the Achaeans as shall be agreed upon,

286τιμὴν δʼ Ἀργείοις ἀποτινέμεν ἥν τινʼ ἔοικεν, in testimony among those that shall be born hereafter.

287ἥ τε καὶ ἐσσομένοισι μετʼ ἀνθρώποισι πέληται.

288εἰ δʼ ἂν ἐμοὶ τιμὴν Πρίαμος Πριάμοιό τε παῖδες And if Priam and his sons refuse such fine when Alexandrus has fallen,

289τίνειν οὐκ ἐθέλωσιν Ἀλεξάνδροιο πεσόντος,

290αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ καὶ ἔπειτα μαχήσομαι εἵνεκα ποινῆς then will I stay here and fight on till I have got satisfaction.

291αὖθι μένων, ἧός κε τέλος πολέμοιο κιχείω.”

292ἦ, καὶ ἀπὸ στομάχους ἀρνῶν τάμε νηλέϊ χαλκῷ·As he spoke he drew his knife across the throats of the victims,

293καὶ τοὺς μὲν κατέθηκεν ἐπὶ χθονὸς ἀσπαίροντας and laid them down gasping and dying upon the ground,

294θυμοῦ δευομένους· ἀπὸ γὰρ μένος εἵλετο χαλκός. for the knife had reft them of their strength.

295οἶνον δʼ ἐκ κρητῆρος ἀφυσσόμενοι δεπάεσσιν Then they poured wine from the mixing-bowl into the cups,

296ἔκχεον, ἠδʼ εὔχοντο θεοῖς αἰειγενέτῃσιν. and prayed to the everlasting gods, saying, Trojans and Achaeans among one another,

297ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν Ἀχαιῶν τε Τρώων τε· “Jove, most great and glorious,

298Ζεῦ κύδιστε μέγιστε καὶ ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι and ye other everlasting gods,

299ὁππότεροι πρότεροι ὑπὲρ ὅρκια πημήνειαν grant that the brains of them who shall first sin against their oaths—

300ὧδέ σφʼ ἐγκέφαλος χαμάδις ῥέοι ὡς ὅδε οἶνοςof them and their children—may be shed upon the ground even as this wine,

301αὐτῶν καὶ τεκέων, ἄλοχοι δʼ ἄλλοισι δαμεῖεν. and let their wives become the slaves of strangers.”

Lines 302–382

The Duel

Paris and Menelaus arm and fight until Aphrodite rescues Paris from the battlefield.

302ὣς ἔφαν, οὐδʼ ἄρα πώ σφιν ἐπεκραίαινε Κρονίων.Thus they prayed, but not as yet would Jove grant them their prayer.

303τοῖσι δὲ Δαρδανίδης Πρίαμος μετὰ μῦθον ἔειπε· Then Priam,

304κέκλυτέ μευ Τρῶες καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί· descendant of Dardanus, spoke, saying, “Hear me,

305ἤτοι ἐγὼν εἶμι προτὶ Ἴλιον ἠνεμόεσσαν Trojans and Achaeans,

306ἄψ, ἐπεὶ οὔ πω τλήσομʼ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρᾶσθαι I will now go back to the wind-beaten city of Ilius:

307μαρνάμενον φίλον υἱὸν ἀρηϊφίλῳ Μενελάῳ· I dare not with my own eyes witness this fight between my son and Menelaus,

308Ζεὺς μέν που τό γε οἶδε καὶ ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι

309ὁπποτέρῳ θανάτοιο τέλος πεπρωμένον ἐστίν. for Jove and the other immortals alone know which shall fall.”

310ἦ ῥα καὶ ἐς δίφρον ἄρνας θέτο ἰσόθεος φώς,On this he laid the two lambs on his chariot and took his seat.

311ἂν δʼ ἄρʼ ἔβαινʼ αὐτός, κατὰ δʼ ἡνία τεῖνεν ὀπίσσω· He gathered the reins in his hand,

312πὰρ δέ οἱ Ἀντήνωρ περικαλλέα βήσετο δίφρον. and Antenor sat beside him;

313τὼ μὲν ἄρʼ ἄψορροι προτὶ Ἴλιον ἀπονέοντο· the two then went back to Ilius.

314Ἕκτωρ δὲ Πριάμοιο πάϊς καὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς Hector and Ulysses measured the ground,

315χῶρον μὲν πρῶτον διεμέτρεον, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα and cast lots from a helmet of bronze to see which should take aim first.

316κλήρους ἐν κυνέῃ χαλκήρεϊ πάλλον ἑλόντες,

317ὁππότερος δὴ πρόσθεν ἀφείη χάλκεον ἔγχος.

318λαοὶ δʼ ἠρήσαντο, θεοῖσι δὲ χεῖρας ἀνέσχον, Meanwhile the two hosts lifted up their hands and prayed saying,

319ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν Ἀχαιῶν τε Τρώων τε·

320Ζεῦ πάτερ Ἴδηθεν μεδέων κύδιστε μέγιστε “Father Jove, that rulest from Ida, most glorious in power,

321ὁππότερος τάδε ἔργα μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισιν ἔθηκε, grant that he who first brought about this war between us may die,

322τὸν δὸς ἀποφθίμενον δῦναι δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω, and enter the house of Hades,

323ἡμῖν δʼ αὖ φιλότητα καὶ ὅρκια πιστὰ γενέσθαι. while we others remain at peace and abide by our oaths.”

324ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφαν, πάλλεν δὲ μέγας κορυθαίολος ἝκτωρGreat Hector now turned his head aside while he shook the helmet,

325ἂψ ὁρόων· Πάριος δὲ θοῶς ἐκ κλῆρος ὄρουσεν. and the lot of Paris flew out first.

326οἳ μὲν ἔπειθʼ ἵζοντο κατὰ στίχας, ἧχι ἑκάστῳ The others took their several stations,

327ἵπποι ἀερσίποδες καὶ ποικίλα τεύχεʼ ἔκειτο· each by his horses and the place where his arms were lying,

328αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισιν ἐδύσετο τεύχεα καλὰ while Alexandrus,

329δῖος Ἀλέξανδρος Ἑλένης πόσις ἠϋκόμοιο. husband of lovely Helen, put on his goodly armour.

330κνημῖδας μὲν πρῶτα περὶ κνήμῃσιν ἔθηκε

331καλάς, ἀργυρέοισιν ἐπισφυρίοις ἀραρυίας· First he greaved his legs with greaves of good make and fitted with ancle-clasps of silver;

332δεύτερον αὖ θώρηκα περὶ στήθεσσιν ἔδυνεν after this he donned the cuirass of his brother Lycaon,

333οἷο κασιγνήτοιο Λυκάονος· ἥρμοσε δʼ αὐτῷ. and fitted it to his own body;

334ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ὤμοισιν βάλετο ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον he hung his silver-studded sword of bronze about his shoulders,

335χάλκεον, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα σάκος μέγα τε στιβαρόν τε· and then his mighty shield. On his comely head he set his helmet,

336κρατὶ δʼ ἐπʼ ἰφθίμῳ κυνέην εὔτυκτον ἔθηκεν well wrought,

337ἵππουριν· δεινὸν δὲ λόφος καθύπερθεν ἔνευεν· with a crest of horse-hair that nodded menacingly above it,

338εἵλετο δʼ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ὅ οἱ παλάμηφιν ἀρήρει. and he grasped a redoubtable spear that suited his hands.

339ὣς δʼ αὔτως Μενέλαος ἀρήϊος ἔντεʼ ἔδυνεν. In like fashion Menelaus also put on his armour.

340οἳ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν ἑκάτερθεν ὁμίλου θωρήχθησαν,When they had thus armed, each amid his own people,

341ἐς μέσσον Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν ἐστιχόωντο they strode fierce of aspect into the open space,

342δεινὸν δερκόμενοι· θάμβος δʼ ἔχεν εἰσορόωντας

343Τρῶάς θʼ ἱπποδάμους καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς. and both Trojans and Achaeans were struck with awe as they beheld them.

344καί ῥʼ ἐγγὺς στήτην διαμετρητῷ ἐνὶ χώρῳ They stood near one another on the measured ground,

345σείοντʼ ἐγχείας ἀλλήλοισιν κοτέοντε. brandishing their spears, and each furious against the other.

346πρόσθε δʼ Ἀλέξανδρος προΐει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος, Alexandrus aimed first,

347καὶ βάλεν Ἀτρεΐδαο κατʼ ἀσπίδα πάντοσε ἴσην, and struck the round shield of the son of Atreus,

348οὐδʼ ἔρρηξεν χαλκός, ἀνεγνάμφθη δέ οἱ αἰχμὴ but the spear did not pierce it, for the shield turned its point.

349ἀσπίδʼ ἐνὶ κρατερῇ· ὃ δὲ δεύτερον ὄρνυτο χαλκῷ Menelaus next took aim,

350Ἀτρεΐδης Μενέλαος ἐπευξάμενος Διὶ πατρί· praying to Father Jove as he did so.

351Ζεῦ ἄνα δὸς τίσασθαι ὅ με πρότερος κάκʼ ἔοργε “King Jove,” he said, “grant me revenge on Alexandrus who has wronged me;

352δῖον Ἀλέξανδρον, καὶ ἐμῇς ὑπὸ χερσὶ δάμασσον,

353ὄφρα τις ἐρρίγῃσι καὶ ὀψιγόνων ἀνθρώπων subdue him under my hand that in ages yet to come a man may shrink from doing ill deeds in the house of his host.

354ξεινοδόκον κακὰ ῥέξαι, ὅ κεν φιλότητα παράσχῃ.”

355ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμπεπαλὼν προΐει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,He poised his spear as he spoke,

356καὶ βάλε Πριαμίδαο κατʼ ἀσπίδα πάντοσε ἴσην· and hurled it at the shield of Alexandrus.

357διὰ μὲν ἀσπίδος ἦλθε φαεινῆς ὄβριμον ἔγχος, Through shield and cuirass it went,

358καὶ διὰ θώρηκος πολυδαιδάλου ἠρήρειστο· and tore the shirt by his flank, but Alexandrus swerved aside,

359ἀντικρὺ δὲ παραὶ λαπάρην διάμησε χιτῶνα and thus saved his life.

360ἔγχος· ὃ δʼ ἐκλίνθη καὶ ἀλεύατο κῆρα μέλαιναν.

361Ἀτρεΐδης δὲ ἐρυσσάμενος ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον Then the son of Atreus drew his sword, and drove at the projecting part of his helmet,

362πλῆξεν ἀνασχόμενος κόρυθος φάλον· ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτῷ

363τριχθά τε καὶ τετραχθὰ διατρυφὲν ἔκπεσε χειρός. but the sword fell shivered in three or four pieces from his hand,

364Ἀτρεΐδης δʼ ᾤμωξεν ἰδὼν εἰς οὐρανὸν εὐρύν· and he cried, looking towards Heaven,

365Ζεῦ πάτερ οὔ τις σεῖο θεῶν ὀλοώτερος ἄλλος· “Father Jove, of all gods thou art the most despiteful;

366ἦ τʼ ἐφάμην τίσασθαι Ἀλέξανδρον κακότητος· I made sure of my revenge,

367νῦν δέ μοι ἐν χείρεσσιν ἄγη ξίφος, ἐκ δέ μοι ἔγχος but the sword has broken in my hand, my spear has been hurled in vain,

368ἠΐχθη παλάμηφιν ἐτώσιον, οὐδʼ ἔβαλόν μιν. and I have not killed him.”

369ἦ καὶ ἐπαΐξας κόρυθος λάβεν ἱπποδασείης,With this he flew at Alexandrus,

370ἕλκε δʼ ἐπιστρέψας μετʼ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς· caught him by the horse-hair plume of his helmet,

371ἄγχε δέ μιν πολύκεστος ἱμὰς ἁπαλὴν ὑπὸ δειρήν, and began dragging him towards the Achaeans.

372ὅς οἱ ὑπʼ ἀνθερεῶνος ὀχεὺς τέτατο τρυφαλείης. The strap of the helmet that went under his chin was choking him,

373καί νύ κεν εἴρυσσέν τε καὶ ἄσπετον ἤρατο κῦδος,

374εἰ μὴ ἄρʼ ὀξὺ νόησε Διὸς θυγάτηρ Ἀφροδίτη, and Menelaus would have dragged him off to his own great glory had not Jove’s daughter Venus been quick to mark and to break the strap of ox-hide,

375ἥ οἱ ῥῆξεν ἱμάντα βοὸς ἶφι κταμένοιο·

376κεινὴ δὲ τρυφάλεια ἅμʼ ἕσπετο χειρὶ παχείῃ. so that the empty helmet came away in his hand.

377τὴν μὲν ἔπειθʼ ἥρως μετʼ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιοὺς This he flung to his comrades among the Achaeans,

378ῥῖψʼ ἐπιδινήσας, κόμισαν δʼ ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι·

379αὐτὰρ ὃ ἂψ ἐπόρουσε κατακτάμεναι μενεαίνων and was again springing upon Alexandrus to run him through with a spear,

380ἔγχεϊ χαλκείῳ· τὸν δʼ ἐξήρπαξʼ Ἀφροδίτη but Venus snatched him up in a moment (as a god can do),

381ῥεῖα μάλʼ ὥς τε θεός, ἐκάλυψε δʼ ἄρʼ ἠέρι πολλῇ, hid him under a cloud of darkness,

382κὰδ δʼ εἷσʼ ἐν θαλάμῳ εὐώδεϊ κηώεντι. and conveyed him to his own bedchamber.

Lines 383–461

Aphrodite and the Aftermath

Aphrodite compels Helen to return to Paris, while Menelaus searches for him and Agamemnon claims the victory.

383αὐτὴ δʼ αὖ Ἑλένην καλέουσʼ ἴε· τὴν δὲ κίχανεThen she went to call Helen,

384πύργῳ ἐφʼ ὑψηλῷ, περὶ δὲ Τρῳαὶ ἅλις ἦσαν· and found her on a high tower with the Trojan women crowding round her.

385χειρὶ δὲ νεκταρέου ἑανοῦ ἐτίναξε λαβοῦσα,

386γρηῒ δέ μιν ἐϊκυῖα παλαιγενέϊ προσέειπεν She took the form of an old woman who used to dress wool for her when she was still in Lacedaemon,

387εἰροκόμῳ, ἥ οἱ Λακεδαίμονι ναιετοώσῃ and of whom she was very fond.

388ἤσκειν εἴρια καλά, μάλιστα δέ μιν φιλέεσκε· Thus disguised she plucked her by perfumed robe and said,

389τῇ μιν ἐεισαμένη προσεφώνεε δῖʼ Ἀφροδίτη· “Come hither;

390δεῦρʼ ἴθʼ· Ἀλέξανδρός σε καλεῖ οἶκον δὲ νέεσθαι. Alexandrus says you are to go to the house; he is on his bed in his own room,

391κεῖνος ὅ γʼ ἐν θαλάμῳ καὶ δινωτοῖσι λέχεσσι radiant with beauty and dressed in gorgeous apparel.

392κάλλεΐ τε στίλβων καὶ εἵμασιν· οὐδέ κε φαίης No one would think he had just come from fighting,

393ἀνδρὶ μαχεσσάμενον τόν γʼ ἐλθεῖν, ἀλλὰ χορὸν δὲ but rather that he was going to a dance,

394ἔρχεσθʼ, ἠὲ χοροῖο νέον λήγοντα καθίζειν. or had done dancing and was sitting down.”

395ὣς φάτο, τῇ δʼ ἄρα θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινε·With these words she moved the heart of Helen to anger.

396καί ῥʼ ὡς οὖν ἐνόησε θεᾶς περικαλλέα δειρὴν When she marked the beautiful neck of the goddess,

397στήθεά θʼ ἱμερόεντα καὶ ὄμματα μαρμαίροντα, her lovely bosom,

398θάμβησέν τʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε· and sparkling eyes, she marvelled at her and said,

399δαιμονίη, τί με ταῦτα λιλαίεαι ἠπεροπεύειν; “Goddess, why do you thus beguile me?

400ἦ πῄ με προτέρω πολίων εὖ ναιομενάων

401ἄξεις, ἢ Φρυγίης ἢ Μῃονίης ἐρατεινῆς, Are you going to send me afield still further to some man whom you have taken up in Phrygia or fair Meonia?

402εἴ τίς τοι καὶ κεῖθι φίλος μερόπων ἀνθρώπων·

403οὕνεκα δὴ νῦν δῖον Ἀλέξανδρον Μενέλαος Menelaus has just vanquished Alexandrus,

404νικήσας ἐθέλει στυγερὴν ἐμὲ οἴκαδʼ ἄγεσθαι, and is to take my hateful self back with him.

405τοὔνεκα δὴ νῦν δεῦρο δολοφρονέουσα παρέστης; You are come here to betray me.

406ἧσο παρʼ αὐτὸν ἰοῦσα, θεῶν δʼ ἀπόεικε κελεύθου, Go sit with Alexandrus yourself; henceforth be goddess no longer;

407μηδʼ ἔτι σοῖσι πόδεσσιν ὑποστρέψειας Ὄλυμπον, never let your feet carry you back to Olympus;

408ἀλλʼ αἰεὶ περὶ κεῖνον ὀΐζυε καί ἑ φύλασσε, worry about him and look after him till he make you his wife, or,

409εἰς ὅ κέ σʼ ἢ ἄλοχον ποιήσεται ἢ ὅ γε δούλην. for the matter of that, his slave—but me?

410κεῖσε δʼ ἐγὼν οὐκ εἶμι· νεμεσσητὸν δέ κεν εἴη· I shall not go; I can garnish his bed no longer;

411κείνου πορσανέουσα λέχος· Τρῳαὶ δέ μʼ ὀπίσσω

412πᾶσαι μωμήσονται· ἔχω δʼ ἄχεʼ ἄκριτα θυμῷ. I should be a by-word among all the women of Troy. Besides, I have trouble on my mind.

413τὴν δὲ χολωσαμένη προσεφώνεε δῖʼ Ἀφροδίτη·” Venus was very angry, and said,

414μή μʼ ἔρεθε σχετλίη, μὴ χωσαμένη σε μεθείω,“Bold hussy, do not provoke me;

415τὼς δέ σʼ ἀπεχθήρω ὡς νῦν ἔκπαγλʼ ἐφίλησα, if you do, I shall leave you to your fate and hate you as much as I have loved you.

416μέσσῳ δʼ ἀμφοτέρων μητίσομαι ἔχθεα λυγρὰ

417Τρώων καὶ Δαναῶν, σὺ δέ κεν κακὸν οἶτον ὄληαι. I will stir up fierce hatred between Trojans and Achaeans, and you shall come to a bad end.”

418ὣς ἔφατʼ, ἔδεισεν δʼ Ἑλένη Διὸς ἐκγεγαυῖα,At this Helen was frightened.

419βῆ δὲ κατασχομένη ἑανῷ ἀργῆτι φαεινῷ She wrapped her mantle about her and went in silence,

420σιγῇ, πάσας δὲ Τρῳὰς λάθεν· ἦρχε δὲ δαίμων. following the goddess and unnoticed by the Trojan women.

421αἳ δʼ ὅτʼ Ἀλεξάνδροιο δόμον περικαλλέʼ ἵκοντο,When they came to the house of Alexandrus the maid-servants set about their work,

422ἀμφίπολοι μὲν ἔπειτα θοῶς ἐπὶ ἔργα τράποντο,

423ἣ δʼ εἰς ὑψόροφον θάλαμον κίε δῖα γυναικῶν. but Helen went into her own room,

424τῇ δʼ ἄρα δίφρον ἑλοῦσα φιλομειδὴς Ἀφροδίτη and the laughter-loving goddess took a seat and set it for her facing Alexandrus.

425ἀντίʼ Ἀλεξάνδροιο θεὰ κατέθηκε φέρουσα·

426ἔνθα κάθιζʼ Ἑλένη κούρη Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο On this Helen, daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, sat down,

427ὄσσε πάλιν κλίνασα, πόσιν δʼ ἠνίπαπε μύθῳ· and with eyes askance began to upbraid her husband.

428ἤλυθες ἐκ πολέμου· ὡς ὤφελες αὐτόθʼ ὀλέσθαι“So you are come from the fight,” said she;

429ἀνδρὶ δαμεὶς κρατερῷ, ὃς ἐμὸς πρότερος πόσις ἦεν. “would that you had fallen rather by the hand of that brave man who was my husband.

430ἦ μὲν δὴ πρίν γʼ εὔχεʼ ἀρηϊφίλου Μενελάου

431σῇ τε βίῃ καὶ χερσὶ καὶ ἔγχεϊ φέρτερος εἶναι· You used to brag that you were a better man with hands and spear than Menelaus.

432ἀλλʼ ἴθι νῦν προκάλεσσαι ἀρηΐφιλον Μενέλαον Go, then, and challenge him again—

433ἐξαῦτις μαχέσασθαι ἐναντίον· ἀλλά σʼ ἔγωγεbut I should advise you not to do so,

434παύεσθαι κέλομαι, μηδὲ ξανθῷ Μενελάῳ for if you are foolish enough to meet him in single combat,

435ἀντίβιον πόλεμον πολεμίζειν ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι you will soon fall by his spear.”

436ἀφραδέως, μή πως τάχʼ ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ δουρὶ δαμήῃς.

437τὴν δὲ Πάρις μύθοισιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·And Paris answered, “Wife, do not vex me with your reproaches.

438μή με γύναι χαλεποῖσιν ὀνείδεσι θυμὸν ἔνιπτε·This time, with the help of Minerva, Menelaus has vanquished me; another time I may myself be victor,

439νῦν μὲν γὰρ Μενέλαος ἐνίκησεν σὺν Ἀθήνῃ, for I too have gods that will stand by me. Come,

440κεῖνον δʼ αὖτις ἐγώ· πάρα γὰρ θεοί εἰσι καὶ ἡμῖν. let us lie down together and make friends.

441ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ φιλότητι τραπείομεν εὐνηθέντε· Never yet was I so passionately enamoured of you as at this moment—

442οὐ γάρ πώ ποτέ μʼ ὧδέ γʼ ἔρως φρένας ἀμφεκάλυψεν,not even when I first carried you off from Lacedaemon and sailed away with you—

443οὐδʼ ὅτε σε πρῶτον Λακεδαίμονος ἐξ ἐρατεινῆς

444ἔπλεον ἁρπάξας ἐν ποντοπόροισι νέεσσι,not even when I had converse with you upon the couch of love in the island of Cranae was I so enthralled by desire of you as now.

445νήσῳ δʼ ἐν Κραναῇ ἐμίγην φιλότητι καὶ εὐνῇ,”

446ὥς σεο νῦν ἔραμαι καί με γλυκὺς ἵμερος αἱρεῖ.

447ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἄρχε λέχος δὲ κιών· ἅμα δʼ εἵπετʼ ἄκοιτις. On this he led her towards the bed, and his wife went with him.

448τὼ μὲν ἄρʼ ἐν τρητοῖσι κατεύνασθεν λεχέεσσιν,Thus they laid themselves on the bed together;

449Ἀτρεΐδης δʼ ἀνʼ ὅμιλον ἐφοίτα θηρὶ ἐοικὼς but the son of Atreus strode among the throng,

450εἴ που ἐσαθρήσειεν Ἀλέξανδρον θεοειδέα. looking everywhere for Alexandrus,

451ἀλλʼ οὔ τις δύνατο Τρώων κλειτῶν τʼ ἐπικούρων and no man, neither of the Trojans nor of the allies, could find him.

452δεῖξαι Ἀλέξανδρον τότʼ ἀρηϊφίλῳ Μενελάῳ·

453οὐ μὲν γὰρ φιλότητί γʼ ἐκεύθανον εἴ τις ἴδοιτο· If they had seen him they were in no mind to hide him,

454ἶσον γάρ σφιν πᾶσιν ἀπήχθετο κηρὶ μελαίνῃ. for they all of them hated him as they did death itself.

455τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων· Then Agamemnon, king of men,

456κέκλυτέ μευ Τρῶες καὶ Δάρδανοι ἠδʼ ἐπίκουροι· spoke, saying, “Hear me, Trojans, Dardanians,

457νίκη μὲν δὴ φαίνετʼ ἀρηϊφίλου Μενελάου, and allies. The victory has been with Menelaus;

458ὑμεῖς δʼ Ἀργείην Ἑλένην καὶ κτήμαθʼ ἅμʼ αὐτῇ therefore give back Helen with all her wealth,

459ἔκδοτε, καὶ τιμὴν ἀποτινέμεν ἥν τινʼ ἔοικεν, and pay such fine as shall be agreed upon,

460ἥ τε καὶ ἐσσομένοισι μετʼ ἀνθρώποισι πέληται. in testimony among them that shall be born hereafter.”

461ὣς ἔφατʼ Ἀτρεΐδης, ἐπὶ δʼ ᾔνεον ἄλλοι Ἀχαιοί.Thus spoke the son of Atreus, and the Achaeans shouted in applause.