Iliad - Public domain English translationThe Greeks (NB: Homer refers to them mostly as Achaeans, and sometimes Argives or Danaans; Greek is our term) had built a tench and wall to keep out the Trojans and to hold their booty, but they had failed to make proper offerings to the gods, so the fortifications would not last. Apollo and Poseidon have plans to dispose of the wall using nearby streams to wash it away, but this will happen after the war which now rages around the wall.
The Greeks are at their ships while Hector tries to rally his troops. The horses won't cross the Greek trench. Polydamas explains the problems, including the fact that should the Greeks rally and drive the Trojans back from the ships, they will fall into the trench. Better to go on foot in full armor. So the Trojans, in five groups, on foot and fully armed, charge the Greeks. However, one leader, Asius, takes his horses with him. He is met at the gate by two Greeks, sons of the fighting Lapithae, Polypoetes and Leonteus. Asius complains to Zeus about his evidently broken promise that the Greeks would not be a match for the Trojans. However, Zeus had given a promise to give glory to Hector, not all the Trojans, who were fighting all along the wall.
Homer interjects that since he is not a god, he can't be everywhere.
The Greeks continue to defend their ships while the Lapithae defends their gate, killing Trojans right and left, and stripping armor from the fallen warriors.
Those Trojans who had gone with Polydamas and Hector are uncertain what to do when they see a potent in the sky. Polydamas tells Hector that it bodes ill for them and that they should desist.
Hector retorts that there are other ways to read the omen and he has been given promises from Zeus. Hector rebukes Polydamas, saying he is not likely to be killed because he is a coward. The men cheer on Hector, and Zeus sends a dust cloud to the ships to calm the Greeks. The Trojans then smash the walls while the Greeks rain missiles down on them, and the two Ajaxes cheer them on.
On the other side, Sarpedon kills, too, and makes a breach in the Greek defenses. He calls to Glaucus to help him lead the Lycians, which he does. Menestheus is the Greek defending the part of the wall the Lycians attack. He looks about for help and sees the Ajaxes, but can't make them hear him through the din of the Trojans hammering at the wall, so he sends a a messenger to ask one or both of the Ajaxes and bow-wielding Teucer to come help. The Ajax son of Oileus stays in place, while Ajax and his half-brother Teucer go to help Menestheus. There they start killing the attacking Trojan allies. Teucer wounds Glaucus, who leaves. Sarpedon continues fighting and forces a hole in the Greek defenses through which Trojans may pass. Ajax and Teucer fall on Zeus' son Sarpedon, but the god saves him.
Sarpedon, looking for glory, calls to the Lycians to help him make a path to the ships.
The two sides press on without either side advancing until Zeus decides to give glory to Hector. Hector calls to the Trojans to break the wall and shower the Greek ships with fire. He picks up a giant stone and strikes the gate with it Having broken through, he summons the rest of the Trojans, carrying sharp spears, to come over the walls.
Next: Major Characters in Iliad Book XII
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 XII.
