The Iliad
BOOK XX
How Achilles made havoc among the men of Troy.
So by the beaked ships around thee, son of Peleus, hungry for war, the
Achaians armed; and over against them the men of Troy, upon the high
ground of the plain.
But Zeus bade Themis call the gods to council from many. folded
Olympus' brow; and she ranged all about and bade them to the house of
Zeus. There was no River came not up, save only Ocean, nor any nymph,
of all that haunt fair thickets and springs of rivers and grassy
water-meadows. And they came to the house of Zeus who gathereth the
clouds, and sat them down in the polished colonnades which Hephaistos
in the cunning of his heart had wrought for father Zeus.
Thus gathered they within the doors of Zeus; nor was the Earthshaker
heedless of the goddess' call, but from the salt sea came up after the
rest, and set him in the midst, and inquired concerning the purpose of
Zeus: "Wherefore, O Lord of the bright lightning, hast thou called the
gods again to council? Say, ponderest thou somewhat concerning the
Trojans and Achaians? for lo, the war and the fighting of them are
kindled very nigh."
And Zeus, who gathered the clouds, answered him, saying: "Thou knowest,
O Earthshaker, the purpose within my breast, wherefor I gathered you
hither; even in their perishing have I regard unto them. But for me I
will abide here, sitting within a fold of Olympus, where I will gladden
my heart with gazing; but go all ye forth that ye come among the
Trojans and Achaians and succour these or those, howsoever each of you
hath a mind. For if Achilles alone shall fight against the Trojans, not
even a little while shall they hold back the son of Peleus, the fleet
of foot. Nay, but even aforetime they trembled when they looked upon
him; now therefore that his wrath for his friend is waxen terrible I
fear me lest he overleap the bound of fate, and storm the wall."
Thus spake the son of Kronos, and roused unabating war. For on this
side and on that the gods went forth to war: to the company of the
ships went Hera, and Pallas Athene, and Poseidon, Earth-enfolder, and
the Helper Hermes, pro-eminent in subtle thoughts; and with these went
Hephaistos in the greatness of his strength, halting, but his shrunk
legs moved nimbly under him: but to the Trojans went Ares of the
glancing helm, and with him Phoebus of the unshorn hair, and archer
Artemis, and Leto and Xanthos and laughter-loving Aphrodite.
Now for so long as gods were afar from mortal men, so long waxed the
Achaians glorious, for that Achilles was come forth among them, and his
long ceasing from grim battle was at an end. And the Trojans were
smitten with sore trembling in the limbs of every one of them, in
terror when they beheld the son of Peleus, fleet of foot, blazing in
his arms, peer of man-slaying Ares. But when among the mellay of men
the Olympians were come down, then leapt up in her might Strife, rouser
of hosts, then sent forth Athene a cry, now standing by the hollowed
trench without the wall, and now on the echoing shores she shouted
aloud. And a shout uttered Ares against her, terrible as the blackness
of the storm, now from the height of the city to the Trojans calling
clear, or again along Simois shore over Kallikolon he sped.
So urged the blessed gods both hosts to battle, then themselves burst
into fierce war. And terribly thundered the father of gods and men from
heaven above; and from beneath Poseidon made the vast earth shake and
the steep mountain tops. Then trembled all the spurs of many-fountained
Ida, and all her crests, and the city of the Trojans, and the ships of
the Achaians. And the Lord of the Underworld, Aiedoneus, had terror in
hell, and leapt from his throne in that terror and cried aloud, lest
the world be cloven above him by Poseidon, Shaker of earth, and his
dwelling-place be laid bare to mortals and immortals--grim halls, and
vast, and lothly to the gods. So loud the roar rose of that battle of
gods. For against King Poseidon stood Phoebus Apollo with his winged
arrows, and against Enyalios stood Athene, bright-eyed goddess, and
against Hera she of the golden shafts and echoing chase, even archer
Artemis, sister of the Far-darter; and against Leto the strong Helper
Hermes, and against Hephaistos the great deep-eddying River, whom gods
call Xanthos and men Skamandros.
Thus gods with gods were matched. Meanwhile Achilles yearned above all
to meet Hector, son of Priam, in the fray; for with that blood
chiefliest his spirit bade him sate Ares, stubborn lord of war. But
straightway Apollo, rouser of hosts, moved Aineias to go to meet the
son of Peleus, and filled him with brave spirit: and he made his own
voice like the voice of Lykaon the son of Priam; in his semblance spake
Apollo, son of Zeus: "Aineias, counsellor of Trojans, where now are thy
threats wherewith thou didst boast to the Trojan lords over thy wine,
saying thou wouldest stand up in battle against Achilles, Peleus'
son?"
And to him Aineias answered and said: "Son of Priam, why biddest thou
me thus face the fierce son of Peleus in battle, though I be not fain
thereto? Not for the first time now shall I match me with Achilles,
fleet of foot; once before drave he me with his spear from Ida, when he
harried our kine and wasted Lyrnessos and Pedasos; but Zeus delivered
me out of his hand and put strength into my knees that they were swift.
Else had I fallen beneath the hands of Achilles, and of Athene who went
before and gave him light, and urged him to slay Leleges and Trojans
with his spear of bronze. Therefore it is impossible for man to face
Achilles in fight, for that ever some god is at his side to ward off
death. Ay, and at any time his spear flieth straight, neither ceaseth
till it have pierced through flesh of man. But if God once give us fair
field of battle, not lightly shall he overcome me, not though he boast
him made of bronze throughout."
And to him in answer spake Apollo son of Zeus: "Yea, hero, pray thou
too to the everliving gods; for thou too, men say, wast born of
Aphrodite daughter of Zeus, and Achilles' mother is of less degree
among the gods. For thy mother is child of Zeus, his but of the Ancient
One of the Sea. Come, bear up thy unwearying spear against him, let him
no wise turn thee back with revilings and bitter words."
He said, and breathed high spirit into the shepherd of the host, and he
went onward through the forefront of the fighting, harnessed in
flashing bronze. But white-armed Hera failed not to discern Anchises'
son as he went through the press of men to meet the son of Peleus, and
gathering the gods about her she spake among them thus: "Consider ye
twain, Poseidon and Athene, within your hearts, what shall come of
these things that are done. Here is Aineias gone forth harnessed in
flashing bronze, to meet the son of Peleus, and it is Phoebus Apollo
that hath sent him. Come then, be it ours to turn him back straightway;
or else let some one of us stand likewise beside Achilles and give him
mighty power, so that he fail not in his spirit, but know that they who
love him are the best of the Immortals, and that they who from of old
ward war and fighting from the Trojans are vain as wind. All we from
Olympus are come down to mingle in this fight that he take no hurt
among the Trojans on this day--afterward he shall suffer whatsoever
things Fate span for him with her thread, at his beginning, when his
mother bare him. If Achilles learn not this from voice divine, then
shall he be afraid when some god shall come against him in the battle;
for gods revealed are hard to look upon."
Then to her made answer Poseidon, Shaker of the earth: "Hera, be not
fierce beyond wisdom; it behoveth thee not. Not fain am I at least to
match gods with gods in strife. Let us go now into some high place
apart and seat us there to watch, and battle shall be left to men. Only
if Ares or Phoebus Apollo fall to fighting, or put constraint upon
Achilles and hinder him from fight, then straightway among us too shall
go up the battle-cry of strife; right soon, methinks, shall they hie
them from the issue of the fray back to Olympus to the company of the
gods, overcome by the force of our hands."
Thus spake the blue-haired god, and led the way to the mounded wall of
heaven-sprung Herakles, that lofty wall built him by the Trojans and
Pallas Athene, that he might escape the monster and be safe from him,
what time he should make his onset from the beach to the plain. There
sate them down Poseidon and the other gods, and clothed their shoulders
with impenetrable cloud. And they of the other part sat down on the
brows of Kallikolon around thee, Archer Phoebus, and Ares waster of
cities. Thus they on either side sat devising counsels, but shrank all
from falling to grievous war, and Zeus from his high seat commanded
them.
Meanwhile the whole plain was filled with men and horses and ablaze
with bronze; and the earth rang with the feet of them as they rushed
together in the fray. Two men far better than the rest were meeting in
the midst between the hosts, eager for battle, Aineias, Anchises' son,
and noble Achilles. First came on Aineias threateningly, tossing his
strong helm; his rapid shield he held before his breast, and brandished
his bronze spear. And on the other side the son of Peleus rushed to
meet him like a lion, a ravaging lion whom men desire to slay, a whole
tribe assembled: and first he goeth his way unheeding, but when some
warrior youth hath smitten him with a spear, the he gathereth himself
open-mouthed, and foam cometh forth about his teeth, and his stout
spirit groaneth in his heart, and with his tail he scourgeth either
side his ribs and flanks and goadeth himself on to fight, and glaring
is borne straight on them by his passion, to try whether he shall slay
some man of them, or whether himself shall perish in the forefront of
the throng: thus was Achilles driven of his passion and valiant spirit
to go forth to meet Aineias great of heart. And when they were come
near against each other, then first to Aineias spake fleet-footed noble
Achilles: "Aineias, wherefore hast thou so far come forward from the
crowd to stand against me: doth thy heart bid thee fight with me in
hope of holding Priam's honour and lordship among the horse-taming
Trojans? Nay, though thou slay me, not for that will Priam lay his
kingdom in thy hands, for he hath sons, and is sound and of unshaken
mind. Or have the Trojans allotted thee some lot of ground more choice
than all the rest, fair land of tilth and orchard, that thou mayest
dwell therein, if thou slay me? But methinks thou wilt find the slaying
hard; for once before, I ween, have I made thee flee before my spear.
Host thou forgotten the day when thou wert alone with the kine, and I
made thee run swift-footed down Ida's steeps in haste?--then didst thou
not look behind thee in thy flight. Thence fleddest thou to Lernessos,
but I wasted it, having fought against it with the help of Athene and
of father Zeus, and carried away women captive, bereaving them of their
day of freedom: only thee Zeus shielded, and other gods. But not this
time, methinks, shall they shield thee, as thou imaginest in thy heart:
therefore I bid thee go back into the throng and come not forth against
me, while as yet thou art unhurt--after the event even a fool is
wise."
Then to him in answer again Aineias spake: "Son of Peleus, think not
with words to affright me as a child, since I too well know myself how
to speak taunts and unjust speech. We know each other's race and
lineage in that we have heard the fame proclaimed by mortal men, but
never hast thou set eyes on my parents, or I on thine. Thou, they say,
art son of nobie Peleus, and of Thetis of the fair tresses, the
daughter of the sea: the sire I boast is Anchises great of heart, and
my mother is Aphrodite. Of these shall one pair or the other mourn
their dear son today; for verily not with idle words shall we two
satisfy our strife and depart out of the battle. But, if thou wilt,
learn also this, that thou mayest well know our lineage, known to full
many men: First Zeus the cloud-gatherer begat Dardanos, and he
stablished Dardania, for not yet was holy Ilios built upon the plain to
be a city of mortal men, but still they dwelt on slopes of
many-fountained Ida. Then Dardanos begat a son, king Erichthonios, who
became richest of mortal men. Three thousand mares had he that pastured
along the marsh meadow, rejoicing in their tender foals. Of them was
Boreas enamoured as they grazed, and in semblance of a dark-maned horse
he covered them: then they having conceived bare twelve fillies. These
when they bounded over Earth the grain-giver would run upon the topmost
ripened ears of corn and break them not; and when they bounded over the
broad backs of the sea they would run upon the crests of the breakers
of the hoary brine. Then Erichthonios begat Tros to be load over the
Trojans, and to Tros three noble sons were born, Ilos and Assarakos and
godlike Ganymedes, who became the most beautiful of mortal men. Him the
gods caught up to be cupbearer to Zeus, for sake of his beauty, that he
might dwell among immortals. Then Ilos again begat a son, noble
Laomedon, and Laomedon begat Tithonos and Priam and Lamppos and Klytios
and Hiketaon, of the stock of Ares. And Assarakos begat Kapys, and
Kapys Anchises, and Anchises me; but Priam begat the goodly Hector.
"Lo then of this blood and lineage declare I myself unto thee. But for
valour, Zeus increaseth it in men or minisheth it according as he will,
for he is lord of all. But come, let us talk thus together no longer
like children, standing in mid onset of war. For there are revilings in
plenty for both of us to utter--a hundred-thwarted ship would not
suffice for the load of them. Glib is the tongue of man, and many words
are therein of every kind, and wide is the range of his speech hither
and thither. Whatsoever word thou speak, such wilt thou hear in answer.
But what need that we should bandy strife and wrangling each against
each. Not by speech shalt thou turn me from the battle that I desire,
until we have fought together, point to point: come then, and
straightway we will each try the other with bronze-headed spears."
He said, and against that other's dread and mighty shield hurled his
great spear, and the shield rang loud beneath the spear-point. And the
son of Peleus held away the shield from him with his stout hand, in
fear, for he thought that the far-shadowing spear of Aineias great of
heart would lightly pierce it through--fond man, and knew not in his
mind and heart that not lightly do the glorious gifts of gods yield to
force of mortal men. So did not the great spear of wise Aineias pierce
that shield, for the gold resisted it, even the gift of the god. Yet
through two folds he drave it, but three remained, for five folds had
the lame god welded, two bronze, and two inside of tin, and one of
gold; therein was stayed the ashen spear.
Then Achilles in his turn hurled his far-shadowing spear, and smote
upon the circle of the shield of Aineias, beneath the edge of the rim,
where the bronze ran thinnest round, and the bull-hide was thinnest
thereon; and right through sped the Pelian ashen spear, and the shield
cracked under it. And Aineias crouched and held up the shield away from
him in dread; and the spear flew over his back and fixed itself in the
earth, having divided asunder the two circles of the sheltering shield.
And having escaped the long spear he stood still, and a vast anguish
drowned his eyes, affrighted that the spear was planted by him so nigh.
But Achilles drew his sharp sword and furiously made at him, crying his
terrible cry: then Aineias grasped in his hand a stone (a mighty deed)
such as two men, as men now are, would not avail to lift, but he with
ease wielded it all alone. Then would Aineias have smitten him with the
stone as he charged, either on helm or shield, which had warded from
him bitter death, and then would the son of Peleus have closed and
slain him with his sword, had not Poseidon, Shaker of earth, marked it
with speed, and straightway spoken among the immortal gods: "Alas, woe
is me for Aineias great of heart, who quickly will go down to Hades
slain by the son of Peleus, for that he will obey the words of Apollo
the far-darter, fond man, but nowise shall the god help him from
grievous death. But wherefore now is he to suffer ill in his innocence,
causelessly for others' wickedness, yet welcome ever are his offerings
to the gods who inhabit the spacious heaven? Come, let us guide him out
of death's way, lest the son of Kronos be wroth, if Achilles slay him;
for it is appointed to him to escape, that the race of Dardanos perish
not without seed or sign, even Dardanos whom the son of Kronos loved
above all the children born to him from the daughters of men. For the
race of Priam hath Zeus already hated. But thus shall the might of
Aineias reign among the Trojans, and his children's children, who shall
be born in the aftertime."
And him then answered Hera the ox-eyed queen: "Shaker of earth, thyself
with thine own mind take counsel, whether thou wilt save Aineias, or
leave him [to be slain, brave though he be, by Achilles, Peleus' son].
For by many oaths among all the Immortals have we two sworn, even
Pallas Athene and I, never to help the Trojans from their evil day, not
even when all Troy shall burn in the burning of fierce fire, and they
that burn her shall be the warlike sons of the Achaians."
Now when Poseidon Shaker of earth heard that, he went up amid the
battle and the clash of spears, and came where Aineias and renowned
Achilles were. Then presently he shed mist over the eyes of Achilles,
Peleus' son, and drew the bronze-headed ashen spear from the shield of
Aineias great of heart, and set it before Achilles' feet, and lifted
Aineias and swung him high from off the earth. Over many ranks of
warriors, of horses many, sprang Aineias soaring in the hand of the
god, and lighted at the farthest verge of the battle of many onsets,
where the Kaukones were arraying them for the fight. Then hard beside
him came Poseidon, Shaker of earth, and spake aloud to him winged
words: "Aineias, what god is it that biddeth thee fight infatuate
against Peleus' vehement son, who is both a better man than thou and
dearer to Immortals? Rather withdraw thee whensoever thou fallest in
with him, lest even contrary to thy fate thou enter the house of Hades.
But when Achilles shall have met his death and doom, then be thou of
good courage to fight among the foremost, for there shall none other of
the Achaians slay thee."
He spoke, and left him there, when he had shown him all these things.
Then quickly from Achilles' eyes he purged the magic mist; and he
stared with wide eyes, and in trouble spake unto his proud soul: "Ha!
verily a great marvel behold I here with mine eyes. My spear lieth here
upon the ground, nor can I anywise see the man at whom I hurled it with
intent to slay him. Truly then is Aineias likewise dear to the immortal
gods, howbeit I deemed that his boosting thereof was altogether vanity.
Away with him! not again will he find heart to make trial of me, now
that once more he has escaped death to his joy. But come, I will call
on the warlike Danaans and go forth to make trial of some other Trojan
face to face."
He said, and leapt along the lines, and called upon each man: "No
longer stand afar from the men of Troy, noble Achaians, but come let
man match man and throw his soul into the fight. Hard is it for me,
though I be strong, to assail so vast a folk and fight them all: not
even Ares, though an immortal god, nor Athene, could plunge into the
jaws of such a fray and toil therein. But to my utmost power with hands
and feet and strength no whit, I say, will I be slack, nay, never so
little, but right through their line will I go forward, nor deem I that
any Trojan shall be glad who shall come nigh my spear."
Thus spake he urging them. But to the Trojans glorious Hector called
aloud, and proclaimed that he would go forth against Achilles:
"High-hearted Trojans, fear not Peleus' son. I too in words could fight
even Immortals, but with the spear it were hard, for they are stronger
far. Neither shall Achilles accomplish all his talk, but part thereof
he is to accomplish, and part to break asunder in the midst. And
against him will I go forth, though the hands of him be even as fire,
yea though his hands be as fire and his fierceness as the flaming
steel."
Thus spake he urging them, and the Trojans raised their spears for
battle; and their fierceness was mingled confusedly, and the battle-cry
arose. Then Phoebus Apollo stood by Hector and spake to him: "Hector,
no longer challenge Achilles at all before the lines, but in the throng
await him and from amid the roar of the battle, lest haply he spear
thee or come near and smite thee with his sword."
Thus spake he, and Hector again fell back into the crowd of men, for he
was amazed when he heard the sound of a god's voice.
But Achilles sprang in among the Trojans, his heart clothed with
strength, crying his terrible cry, and first he took Iphition,
Otrynteus' valiant son, a leader of much people, born of a Naiad nymph
to Otrynteus waster of cities, beneath snowy Tmolos, in Hyde's rich
domain. Him as he came right on did goodly Achilles smite with his
hurled spear, down through the midst of his head, and it was rent
asunder utterly. And he fell with a crash, and goodly Achilles exulted
over him; "here is thy death, thy birth was on the Gygaian lake, where
is thy sire's demesne, by Hyllos rich in fish and eddying Hermos."
Thus spake he exultant, but darkness fell upon the eyes of Iphition:
him the chariots of the Achaians clave with their tires asunder in the
forefront of the battle, and over him Achilles pierced in the temples,
through his bronze-cheeked helmet, Demoleon, brave stemmer of battle,
Antenor's son. No stop made the bronze helmet, but therethrough sped
the spear-head and clave the bone, and the brain within was all
scattered: that stroke made ending of his zeal. Then Hippodamas, as he
leapt from his chariot and fled before him, Achilles wounded in the
back with his spear: and he breathed forth his spirit with a roar, as
when a dragged bull roareth that the young men drag to the altar of the
Lord of Helike; for in such hath the Earthshaker his delight: thus
roared Hippodamas as from his bones fled forth his haughty spirit. But
Achilles with his spear went on after godlike Polydoros, Priam's son.
Him would his sire continually forbid to fight, for that among his
children he was youngest born and best beloved, and overcame all in
fleetness of foot. Just then in boyish folly, displaying the swiftness
of his feet, he was rushing through the forefighters, until he lost his
life. Him in the midst did fleet-footed noble Achilles smite with a
javelin, in his back as he darted by, where his belt's golden buckles
clasped, and the breast and back plates overlapped: and right through
beside the navel went the spear-head, and he fell on his knee with a
cry, and dark cloud covered him round about, and he clasped his bowels
to him with his hands as he sank.
Then when Hector saw his brother Polydoros clasping his bowels with his
hands, and sinking to the earth, a mist fell over his eyes, nor longer
might he endure to range so far apart, but he came up against Achilles
brandishing his sharp spear, and like flame of fire. And Achilles when
he saw him, sprang up, and spake exultingly: "Behold the man who hath
deepest stricken into my soul, who slew my dear-prized friend; not long
shall we now shrink from each other along the highways of the war."
He said, and looking grimly spake unto goodly Hector: "Come thou near,
that the sooner thou mayest arrive at the goal of death."
Then to him, unterrified, said Hector of the glancing helm: "Son of
Peleus, think not with words to affright me as a child, since I too
know myself how to speak taunts and unjust speech. And I know that thou
art a man of might, and a far better man than I. Yet doth this issue
lie in the lap of the gods, whether I though weaker shall take thy life
with my hurled spear, for mine too hath been found keen ere now."
He said, and poised his spear and hurled it, and Athene with a breath
turned it back from glorious Achilles, breathing very lightly; and it
came back to goodly Hector, and fell there before his feet. Then
Achilles set fiercely upon him, eager to slay him, crying his terrible
cry. But Apollo caught Hector up, very easily, as a god may, and hid
him in thick mist. Thrice then did fleet-footed noble Achilles make
onset with his spear of bronze, and thrice smote the thick mist. [But
when the fourth time he had come godlike on,] then with dread shout he
spake to him winged words: "Dog, thou art now again escaped from death;
yet came ill very nigh thee; but now hath Phoebus Apollo saved thee, to
whom thou must surely pray when thou goest forth amid the clash of
spears. Verily I will slay thee yet when I meet thee hereafter, if any
god is helper of me too. Now will I make after the rest, whomsoever I
may seize."
Thus speaking he pierced Dryops in the midst of his neck with his
spear, and he fell down before his feet. But he left him where he lay,
and hurled at Demuchos Philetor's son, a good man and a tall, and
stayed him with a stroke upon his knees; then smote him with his mighty
sword and reft him of life. Then springing on Laogonos and Dardanos,
sons of Bias, he thrust both from their chariot to the ground, one with
a spear-cast smiting and the other in close battle with his sword. Then
Tros, Alastor's son--he came and clasped his knees to pray him to spare
him, and let him fo alive, and slay him not, having compassion on his
like age, fond fool, and knew not that he might not gain his prayers;
for nowise soft of heart or tender was that man, but of fierce
mood--with his hands he touched Achilles' knees, eager to entreat him,
but he smote him in the liver with his sword, and his liver fell from
him, and black blood therefrom filled his bosom, and he swooned, and
darkness covered his eyes. Then Achilles came near and struck Mulios in
the ear, and right through the other ear went the bronze spear-head.
Then he smote Agenor's son Echeklos on the midst of the head with his
hilted sword, and all the sword grew hot thereat with blood; and dark
death seized his eyes, and forceful fate. Then next Deukalion, just
where the sinews of the elbow join, there pierced he him through the
forearm with his bronze spear-head; so abode he with his arm weighed
down, beholding death before him; and Achilles smiting the neck with
his sword swept far both head and helm, and the marrow rose out of the
backbone, and the corpse lay stretched upon the earth. Then went he
onward after Peires' noble son, Rhigmos, who had come from deep-soiled
Thrace: him in the midst he smote with his hurled javelin, and the
point fixed in his lung, and he fell forth of his chariot. And
Areithoos his squire, as he turned the horses round, he pierced in the
back with his sharp spear, and thrust him from the car, and the horse
ran wild with fear.
As through deep glens rageth fierce fire on some parched mountain-side,
and the deep forest burneth, and the wind driving it whirleth every way
the flame, so raged he every way with his spear, as it had been a god,
pressing hard on the men he slew; and the black earth ran with blood.
For even as when one yoketh wide-browed bulls to tread white barley in
a stablished threshing-floor, and quickly is it trodden out beneath the
feet of the loud-lowing bulls, thus beneath great-hearted Achilles his
whole-hooved horses trampled corpses and shields together; and with
blood all the axletree below was sprinkled and the rims that ran around
the car, for blood-drops from the horses' hooves splashed them, and
blood-drops from the tires of the wheels. But the son of Peleus pressed
on to win him glory, flecking with gore his irresistible hands.
