1 THE ILIAD II Paris and Helen eloped in the dead of night and headed for Troy! When Menelaus found his wife gone, he called upon all the kings of Greece to gather their armies and to join him in vengeance. They responded to his call, and soon a huge fleet was gathered - over a thousand ships - ready to set sail for Troy. Already, in that faraway kingdom, the people were dumbstruck by Helen s beauty. Even old King Priam, who knew she should go home, was so dazzled that he promised never to send her back, even if all the kings of Greece came calling. How little did he know. They were already on their way. Like creeping mist, a cloud of dust arose from the pounding of thousands of soldiers feet as the Greeks crossed the plain that lay between their camp and the walls of Troy. Outside the great city the Trojan forces had lined up to meet them, their leaders at the front of the ranks. In front of those leaders was Paris. 1
2 Menelaus spotted him from afar like a lion spots its prey. He jumped down from his chariot and moved swiftly through the ranks, appearing suddenly before his hated enemy to challenge him. Paris, when he saw rugged Menelaus standing there, hid in terror behind his men. His brother, the brave Hector, rebuked him harshly. Shame on you Paris, you coward! Better you were dead than humiliate us in this way. You steal a man s wife in the night, yet cannot face him by day. Go out there - see the strong warrior who held Helen before you. Your pretty looks won t help you when he rolls your head in the dirt. Paris looked around and saw the eyes of the Trojans upon him, full of contempt. He could not avoid the duel. So be it. He and I will fight. Silence fell, then came Menelaus answer. Hear me now, his deep voice boomed. Trojans and Greeks. Should you all suffer because of Paris? No. One of us two will die and the war will end here. How the men were relieved! From a tower high above Troy, old King Priam watched in agony as the two men made ready for the duel. Paris donned his silver breastplate, greaves with silver pins, and his helmet with its proud plume. Next he took up his sword, 2
3 bronze studded with silver, and then his huge shield and spear. Menelaus did the same. The ground was marked out; each took up his place, and the duel began. Paris threw his spear first. His aim was good, but not strong enough to penetrate Menelaus heavy shield. Then Menelaus threw, and his spear flew, far shadowing, to hit Paris with force. It pierced his shield, his breastplate, his robe beneath, and grazed his skin. Menelaus rushed forward and threw Paris to the ground, grabbed the plume of his helmet, and started to drag him towards the cheering Greeks. The helmet s tight chinstrap began to cut into Paris s soft throat, and he would have choked had not the goddess Aphrodite intervened and unclasped it. Then she hid him in a mist and spirited him away to safety, leaving Menelaus holding an empty helmet. Menelaus raged like a wild beast as he looked for his opponent, but Paris was gone as surely as if the ground had opened up and swallowed him. Agamemnon called out above the clamor: Trojans, it is clear that Menelaus is victor. Return Helen to us, and compensate us for our troubles in coming here. It seemed the war was over. But the gods, watching from above, were not satisfied. Zeus bade Athena fan the flames of hatred between the two 3
4 sides once more. She appeared to one of the Trojans in the ranks, and put it into his head that he could win great honor by killing Menelaus. The foolish man fired his bow, and Athena deftly changed the direction of the deadly arrow so that Menelaus was only wounded. When Agamemnon saw his brother bloodied, he let out a mighty cry: The Trojans have broken their word! To war! To war! As the surf of the waves crashes relentlessly against the rocks when the west wind blows, so the Greeks poured forth, column of men rushing upon the hapless Trojans. The sound of clashing swords rang out along the valley, mingled with shouts of victory and the cries of the wounded. And blood flowed in a river, soaking the thirsty soil. The Greek army counted many heroes among its men, but mighty Diomedes was one of the bravest. With Achilles still refusing to fight, this was Diomedes chance to shine. Many hundreds had already been slain by his hand, and his quarry now was Aeneas, son of Aphrodite. Diomedes would not rest until he claimed the armor, as was the custom, from his opponent s corpse. Diomedes, some distance from Aeneas, took a huge rock and hurled it at his man. The force of it was deadly, but 4
5 Aeneas goddess mother descended into the fray to shield her son with her immortal gown. Divine intervention did not worry Diomedes, however, and he went after Aphrodite too, catching her arm with his spear. With a yelp of pain, she dropped her son s body. The god Apollo sped to help them, wrapping Aeneas in a black cloud and preparing to carry him away. Goddess of love, cried Diomedes, the battlefield is not your realm - either leave or regret it! Aphrodite, surprised by the power of Diomedes voice and with ichor, the imperishable blood of the immortals, gushing from her wound and staining her lovely skin, fled the field. Diomedes continued his attack. Three times he advanced on Aeneas, and three times Apollo blocked him. Stop and think, Diomedes, Apollo the silver archer warned. Do not oppose the gods. Remember that mere men are not immortal! Apollo was much vexed by Diomedes, and as he carried Aeneas to safety he called upon Ares, the god of war, to descend to the battlefield and stop this man who dared attack the gods. Ever thirsty for blood, Ares leapt into the fray, brandishing his spear, and urging the Trojans on. Recognizing the divine forces ranged against them, the 5
6 Greeks began to withdraw. But they too had divine support. Seeing her beloved Greeks under threat, the goddess Hera harnessed her chariot and called Athena to join her. Together they descended, alighting on the plain in readiness to rally them against the Trojans. You need not fear Ares while I am by your side, whispered Athena in Diomedes ear. Invisible to all, she took the reins and drove Diomedes chariot herself, bearing down fast on the god of war. Seeing Diomedes before him, Ares threw his spear, but Athena deflected it. Now Diomedes attacked, and, with invisible Athena s help, thrust his spear into Ares just below the belt. There was an unearthly howl, as if thousands of men cried out together. The sound of it froze both Greeks and Trojans. As the air darkens before the break of the storm, and the thunderclouds move on the wind, so Ares, defeated, rose to the vaults of heaven. Thus it was that fearless Diomedes became the first mortal to wound two gods in one day. The war dragged on, neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. The balance of favor would tip one way as a particular god helped their favorite, but then the gods on the opposing side would ensure that the victory was not pressed home. Both on the battlefield and in the heavens, things had 6
7 reached an impasse. After nearly ten years of being besieged the fortress walls of Troy remained impregnable, but still the Greeks did not leave. One night, Agamemnon gathered his dejected men around him and asked them if they wanted to concede. Diomedes stood up and spoke: Zeus gave you kingly stature, Agamemnon, but you appear to have lost your kingly valor. If you miss your home, then you know the way back. But we shall stay here and fight. The men applauded. Then the wise old king Nestor spoke. Was it not time to apologize to Achilles for insulting him, he suggested, and beg the young hero to fight once more? Agamemnon saw that he must end their quarrel, and sent wily-tongued Odysseus to bring Achilles rich gifts and an apology. But proud Achilles refused, and for once Odysseus diplomacy failed. Meanwhile in the heavens, Zeus did not forget his promise to the Thetis. He now granted the Trojans the upper hand, so that the Greeks might suffer until they begged for the return of Achilles. The Trojans fought hard and won much ground, advancing right up to the Greek ships. Fighting on, they broke through the Greek defenses and set the first ship alight. 7
8 Achilles dear friend Patroclus saw how the battle had turned. If the rout of the Greeks leaves you cold, he admonished Achilles, at least let me go and fight. I shall wear your armor. Everyone will believe that it is you. The Greeks will take heart and the Trojans will take the flight. The clangor of the battle and the stench of the burning ship moved Achilles. Very well, go, he said to Patroclus, but as soon as the tide turns in our favor, be sure to return. Let the others take the fighting to the plain, lest some immortal such as Trojan-loving Apollo is lying in wait to crush you. So Patroclus donned Achilles shining armor and mounted his chariot. Then with a rallying cry, he wheeled into battle, the men following like a pack of hungry wolves. 8