Iliad - Public domain English translationThe next day, the goddess Eris stands among the Greek (NB: Homer refers to them mostly as Achaeans, and sometimes Argives or Danaans; Greek is our term) ships so she can be heard, on one side, by Achilles; on the other, by Ajax. Her mission is to impart courage. Agamemnon tells everyone to put on armor. Agamemnon's armor is described in detail, including the Medusa head shield and four plumes of horsehair on his helmet (details that can help identify artwork). The Greeks meet by the trench; on the Trojan side, warriors surround Hector. They fight all morning until, around noon, Agamemnon leads the Greeks through the Trojan line. As Agamemnon kills, he strips armor. Hector is drawn away with the dust, missiles, and noise, but most of the Trojans flee as the Greeks pursue them to the Scaean gates. Then Zeus sends Iris to Hector to tell him to keep aloof as long as Agamemnon is wreaking havoc, to wait until Agamemnon is wounded and taken out. Then Hector will be able to chase the Greeks back to the ships until sunset.
Hector spurs his followers to fight, so they turn around and face the foe. Iphidamas is the first to face Agamemnon. Agamemnon wins and takes his armor. Iphidamus' brother Coon wounds Agamemnon and tries to drag off his brother's body, but Agamemnon kills him. Agamemnon fights until the wound Coon had given him grows too painful. He climbs onto his chariot and sets off for the ships.
Then Hector seeing Agamemnon leave, calls to the Trojans and allies telling them that Jupiter has promised him triumph that day. Hector kills nine leaders and keeps going.
Odysseus calls to Diomedes to stand by him against Hector. The two of them wreak their own share of havoc among the Trojans. Hector notices the pair and rushes down on them. Diomedes throws his spear at Hector. It connects, but only with the bronze of his helmet. Hector jumps into a chariot as Diomedes rushes after his spear. While Diomedes removes the armor of the dead, Paris shoots an arrow at him. It transfixes his foot. Paris and Diomedes taunt each other. Odysseus comes to Diomedes' side allowing Diomedes time to draw out the arrow. Since he immediately suffers pain, he takes his chariot back to the ships, leaving Odysseus alone.
Odysseus decides to brave it out, attacking "like a wild boar." One of the Trojans, Socus, strikes Odysseus with a spear through the shield and into his side, but not fatally. Odysseus hurls a spear at Socus killing him, but then the Greeks notice Odysseus is bleeding and go help him. Ajax attacks Trojans, while Menelaus leads the wounded Odysseus away.
Hector is on the left of the battle by the river Scamander, Nestor, and Idomeneus, while Ajax is on the other side. Idomeneus sends Nestor back to the ships with the physician Machaon. Hector is apprised of the situation around Ajax, and so heads off, although he avoids Ajax himself. Zeus makes Ajax afraid for the ships of the Greeks, so he turns around to head back, fighting occasionally.
Meanwhile, Achilles notices the horses that appear to be carrying Nestor and Machaon away from battle. Curious, and thinking the Achaeans will soon be begging him to fight, he asks Patroclus to see if he is right about Machaon being injured.
Nestor says to Patroclus that Achilles doesn't care that Diomedes, Odysseus and others are injured. Nestor reminds Patroclus that his father Menoetius had told him to advise Achilles. Nestor wants Patroclus to ask Achilles for his armor and the Myrmidons so he can go into battle as Achilles and scare off the Trojans.
Patroclus leaves and encounters a wounded Thessalian king Eurypylus who tells him one of the Greek physicians is wounded and the other is fighting. Patroclus tells him he will keep his distress in mind and takes him to a servant to tend the wound.
Next: Major Characters in Iliad Book XI
For information on people and places mentioned in Book I of the Iliad, see Iliad Book I - Who? What? Where?
Read a public domain translation of Homer's Iliad Book XI.
