All's well...

The wrath of Achilles was finally ended. He could, alas, not escape fate. Hektor's brother Paris, the one who started this whole mess in the first place, sought revenge for the destruction of his city. With the aid of Apollo, Paris was able to slay the hero of the Greeks.

I'm just going to leave this here. --H.

Iliad 22-24

While the rest of the Trojans cower inside the walls of Troy, Hektor must face what the Fates have decreed for him. Though his parents beg him to run from the fight, Hektor's pride will not allow him to stand down from the great Achilles.

The battle begins, but Hektor's nerves get the better of him for a moment, and he races around the walls of his city. But one cannot outrun Fate, and eventually he must face Achilles. Finally, Zeus' scales settle, and Hektor's is lower. The fated time of his death has arrived.

Both men throw spears, but neither one hits its mark. Achilles straight flying spear is no match for his own, stolen armor, which cannot be pierced. Still, as talented as My son is, there is a flaw in his armor. Thus Achilles exploited the same flaw that lead the the death of his beloved Patroclus. His spear drove into the weak spot 'where the collar-bones hold the neck from the soldiers, the throat, where death of the soul comes most swiftly." (22:324-325) Hektor's dying words are a request for Achilles to allow him a proper burial, but Achilles wrath has not yet abated and he swears to let the dogs feast on his body. The desecration is witnessed by all of Troy, by his parents and by his wife.

The silly mortals have left out all references to Us, but Brad Pitt sure is pretty.

While the Trojans mourn their prince, the Achaians gather to mourn their losses. Achilles continues to refuse to eat, until the ghost of gentle Patroclus returns to beg for a proper funeral so that he might move on to the Elysian Fields. This visit finally breaks Achilles from his black mood, and he gifts Patroclus with a beautiful funeral, burning his body, burying his bones, and offering 12 captured Trojans as a sacrifice. The next day, the victorious Greeks hold day of games in his honor.

The wrath of Achilles has not fully abated, and he continues to taunt the Trojans with the broken body of Hektor. Poseidon, Athene and I delight in this, Paris deserves to witness the downfall of the greatest of his city. But the other Gods  have tired of Achilles mocking, and send Thetis to finally recover Hektor's body. Priam goes to the Greek camp with a wagon of treasure for ransom. Achilles still hesitates. Priam asks him to remember his father. This is the convincing that Achilles needs, and he returns the corpse of the prince of Troy to his father.

The wrath of Achilles has finally abated.

H.

Iliad 19-21

Thetis, mother of the great Achilles, brings him the armor made by my son, Hephaistos, and promises to watch over the body of gentle Patroclus while Achilles avenges the death of his friend. Achilles and Agamemnon reconcile, and Agamemnon gifts Achilles with the boons he promised earlier. He also returns the wife of Achilles, Briseis, to him.

Painter, Brygos. Briseis and Phoenix. ca. 490 BCE. Musee du Louvre, Paris.

Achilles is itching to go to battle to avenge his friend. Odysseus insists that the troops be allowed to rest and nourish themselves, but Achilles is too overwrought to eat. He instead continues to mourn gentle Patroclus. Zeus himself was struck by the sadness of Achilles, and entreated Athene to provide him with nourishment of the gods, ambrosia and nectar. As he arms for battle, I lent My voice to his great warhorse, Xanthos, and reminded him that "We shall still keep you safe for this time, O hard Achilleus. And yet the day of your death is near, but it is now We who are to blame but a great god and powerful Destiny". (19: 407-410)

Still Achilles was insistent on riding out against the Trojans. While previously Zeus had warned Us about interfering, now he was worried that the menis of Achilles would prove too great and bring the fall of Troy before its preordained time. We were again allowed to enter the fray; Athene, Poseidon, Hermes, My son Hephaistos, and I for the Greeks; Ares, Artemis, that ninny Aphrodite and Leto for the Trojans.

And so Gods fought Gods while Greeks fought Trojans. And fought well the mortals did, so much so that We decided to sit and watch the carnage and only involve ourselves if the other side interferes. 

Achilles and Aineias begin to fight, and Achilles is clearly winning the battle. Then Poseidon, the Earth Shaker, silly old cod feels sorry for the death of the clearly inferior Trojan and interferes, saving him. Seriously, I thought He was on Our side?

Hektor approached, meaning to confront Achilles who is slaughtering Trojan troops. Apollo, knowing the strength of Achilles in his rage convinced Hektor to stand down awhile. However, when Hektor witnessed Polydoros slain at the hands of vengeful Achilles, he is unable to stay his fury and confronts him.  He throws his spear at Achilles, but Athene changes it flight and the spear drops harmlessly to the ground. Achilles charges, but Apollo changed Hektor to mist which Achilles spear passed harmlessly through. Trojans attacked, but Achilles thwarted all of their advances, thrusting his spear until the ground ran black with spilled blood. Achilles will have his revenge, will win the glory that is owed to him.

In his anger, he slaughters any Trojan that he comes across. He then throws their bodies into the river, upsetting the river god Skamandros, whose water cannot flow to the sea. Achilles agrees to stop tossing the bodies into the river, but not to cease his onslaught of the Trojans. This is not enough to abate the anger of the river god, and Hephaistos and I intervene. Hephaistos sets fire to the corpses that clog the river, and the fire spread to the trees and plants that grew along its banks. Skamandros called for a cease-fire, saying "Brilliant Achilles can capture the city of the Trojans, now, for me. What have I do with this quarrel?" (21:159-160)

But the anger of the rest of the gods is not as easily quenched as his. Ares confronts Athene, reminding Her of Her folly in aiding Diomedes against Him. He is no match for Pallas, the goddess of warfare and wisdom, and She defeats Him handily. Aphrodite leads him away, and I goad Athene into attacking Her, whose gift to Paris caused this mess in the first place. Of course the fertility goddess falls to Her quickly. Artemis the huntress runs Her mouth to me, then goes running off to Zeus to tattle. 

Still, though, the Trojans are on the retreat with Achilles closely at their heels. It is not until a duel between Achillies and the Trojan prince Agenor (with help from Apollo) distracts the mighty Greek that the Trojans are able to escape to their walled city.

Iliad 16-18

Sweet Patroclus knows the power behind symbols, and convinces Achilles to allow him to wear his armor, if Achilles still refuses to join the fray. Fearing the loss of the fleet, and therefore the war, Achilles agrees to lend Patroclus his armor long enough to save the ships. Fearing for the life of his friend, Achilles sends his best soldiers to accompany him, and prays to Zeus that his friend might live and his fleet be saved. Fickle Zeus will only grant one of these requests.

The appearance of Patroclus in Achilles armor serves as a rallying point for the Achaians. The Trojans retreat, and Patroclus cuts them down as they run. Zeus again tries to interfere, but could one blame a father for trying to save His own son? Still, we Immortals cannot be swayed by mortal family ties, and Zeus allows Patroclus to kill Sarpedon. Still, He does not let this insult stand, and maneuvers Hektor into place to take the life of poor Patroclus. However sad, he did go against the orders of his master Achilles and actively attack the Trojans rather than just defending the ships. With his dying words, Patroclus foretells the death of Hektor at the hands of Achilles, saying "You yourself are not one who shall live long, but not already death and powerful destiny are standing beside you, to go down under the hands of Aiakos' great son, Achilles." (16:52-54)

The death of poor Patroclus does not go unnoticed. They fight over his body, over the great armor that he wore. Hektor takes his armor and dons it as his own, but is unable to steal and desecrate his body. Upon donning Achilles shining armor and reentering the battle, Hektor promises great wealth to any man who can retrieve the body of blameless Patroclus.

Zeus again interferes, granting Hektor great power before his upcoming demise. What a soft old fool. Still even with His help the battle continues, the Trojans are forced to retreat, and Menelaus is able to retrieve the body of Patroclus thanks to interventions from Athene.

Nestor's son is the one to return the body to Achilles, who mourns the death of his closest friend. His mother heard his lamentations, who reminds him of the prophecy that his death will follow that of Hektor's. Still, Achilles is set on revenging the death of Patroclus. Resigned to the death of her son, and at My suggestion went to My Son, Hephaistos, who made Achilles a new set of glorious armor so that he may rejoin the fighting. The shield He makes bears images of of the earth, "and the sky, and the sea's water, and the tireless son, and the moon waxing into her fullness, and on it all the constellations that festoon the heavens [... and,] two cities of mortal men. And there were marriages in one, and festivals" and a market and a court, and images of war and families, and Gods. (18:483-605). This shield, unable to be beaten, displayed the beauty of the cosmos and of the mortal world.

My son has skills!

Monticelli, Angelo. An interpretation of the Shield of Achilles design described 
     in Book 18 of the Iliad, 1820. Le Costume Ancien ou Moderne. 

Homer., and Richmond Lattimore. The Iliad. Chicago: University of Chicago Press,      1951.  

Iliad 12-15

The Greeks strong hold is destined to fall. They were foolish to build it against the will of Zeus and other Gods. Still, though, I can ensure that while Hektor lives and Achilles' menis continues-- while the city of Troy still stands-- the walls will not fall. Poseidon and Phoebus can do what they like-- as soon as my Greeks take Troy, as the prophecy states will happen.

Now, though, the Trojans appear to have the upperhand. Hektor rages against the Greeks, and though the walls hold chariots clash and men fall. One Trojan, though, listens to the signs and warns Hektor of a bad omen-- a bird dropping a snake near the Trojan troops. Hektor refuses to listen to reason however, and urges his troops onward. Foolish mortal.

One god, however, is on the side of the Trojans. My fickle husband, Zeus again moves against the Greeks, sending His son (though not Mine) Sarpedon into battle. With his help, the Trojans are able to break down the walls of the Greek's stronghold.

Happy with the progress of the Trojans in the battle, Zeus takes his leave. Noticing his absence, Earth Shaker steps in, and comforts the pair of Aiases and gives them strength to continue the battle. He then rallies the rest of the Achaians in much the same fashion. With the revitalization, the fighting continued; the death of Poseidon's grandson led Him to stir the rest of the Greeks and lead them in the slaughter of the Trojans.

The loss of Zeus does not bode well for the Trojans. After sustaining heavy losses an eagle, generally the sign of Zeus, appears at the right hand of mighty, boastful Aias.

As the Greeks return to camp and survey their heavy losses, Agamemnon again proposes that the Greeks retreat and return to their homes. Proud Odysseus will hear nothing of it, however. He calls him a coward, while Diomedes urges the troops to return to the line. Even Poseidon, Earth-Shaker, supports Agamemnon, reminding him of the prophecy that Troy must fall. You go, big brother!

And I? What could I do, when My husband has forbidden Me from aiding the Greeks? What if I could find a way to distract Him, or cause Him to change His mind from His course against the Achaians? I got Myself all dolled up, bathed in ambrosia and wearing my best clothes. I trick foolish Aphrodite into lending Me Her girdle of Love, and promise a daughter to marriage if Sleep will lull the son of Kronos into his embrace.

Lookin' good!

Hera. Altes Museum, Berlin. Accessed 24 September 2013. 

http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/S4.3.html

So, I made my way to Mount Ida and "accidentally" run into Zeus. Of course He is tempted by Me. He'd be tempted by a bale of hay in a pretty toga. Though really, you'd think that He'd know better than to talk about all of the strumpets that He's cheated on Me with. He never was one for pillow talk. 

Well... I won't go into what happened next, but suffice it to say that He was desperately in need of a nap afterwards.

While My husband slumbers, We are free to continue to assist the mighty Greeks. Poseidon rallies Our troops, and they charge against the Trojans. Ajax injures Hektor, and many Trojans fall without their leader.

Aaaannnddd.... Then Zeus woke up, and caught Us in the act. Oops. Though I try and lay the blame on Poseidon (Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do). Zeus summons Isis and Apollo, to recall Poseidon and give strength to the Trojans. He does reassure Me, however, that he knows that Troy is still slated to fall. So WHY must he continue to work against Me? At least I have assurance that Hektor is slated to die, albeit upon the death of Patroclus, who is beloved by Achilles. 

With His help, the Trojans again gain the upper-hand in combat. 

Iliad 9-11

It breaks my heart to see the terror that grips my beloved Achaians. Agamemnon, son of Atreus is so distraught over their casualties that he is willing to give up the fight for his brothers honor. Zeus' treachery is to blame for this. Like Agamemnon said "[Zeus] who before this time promised me and consented that I might sack strong-walled Ilion and sail homeward. NOw he has devised an vile deception and bids me go back to Argos in dishonor having lost many of my people" (9:20-23). It is valiant Diomedes who convinces him to stay, along with wise words from Nestor. However, he is convinced that the war cannot be won without the help of that weenie Achilles. He sends his best men; Odysseus, Aias, and Phoenix to Achilles with his concessions, hoping to end their quarrel and have Achilles return to the battle. He offered women, wealth, and land, and a position beneath only him. These bribes were not enough to entice him back to the battle, however, though the great Greeks plead with him and stoked his ego. Still, his menis is too great, and his fear of the prophecy too strong, and he again refuses to join the battle. The embassy returned to camp unsuccessful.

After reconvening, the leaders of the Greek troops decided to send a reconnaissance party to the city of Troy. Of course, brave Diomedes and Odysseus volunteer for the task, and pray to Athene for guidance on their mission.

The Trojans too seek information about their enemies. They send Dolon, son of Eumedes, to spy upon the Greek camp. He did not escape the attention of Diomedes and Odysseus, however, and the two Greeks pursued that spying Trojan. Upon catching him, Dolon, like the scum that he is told the Greeks everything... positions of Trojan troops, and that of their allies, and gave away that they newly arrived Thracians were especially vulnerable to attack. After getting this information from him, Diomedes sends the Trojan to Hades. They then continued to the Thracian camp, where they quickly dispatch the newcomers and begin to loot their camp. Athene must intervene and remind them that other Gods may work against them if they continue to treat the Trojan dead with disrespect.

The next morning, Zeus again meddles in the battle. He sends a rain of blood down on my Greeks, allowing Hektor to cross into their camp. He is such a hypocrite! He constantly warns Us not to fight against the Fates, but fails to remember (or, more likely, choses to ignore) the fact that the Fates Themselves have decreed that Troy will fall.

The fight rages on with losses on both sides. Zeus saves Hektor from near certain death, but Agamemnon ravages Trojan troops like a lion attacking a herd of cattle. Zeus sends Isis to Hektor, telling him how to kill Agamemnon. With this knowledge and the glory of Zeus, Hektor plunges into battle, killing many of My Greeks.

After the battle, Nestor set out to find Achilles and convince him to return to battle. Achilles still refuses to go, but allows his "cousin" (yeah, right [1]) to don his armor and go in his stead. Perhaps even the appearance of support from Achilles will be a turning point in the war.


H.

The Relationship between Achilles and Patroclus according to Chariton of Aphrodisias

Manuel Sanz Morales and Gabriel Laguna Mariscal

The Classical Quarterly , New Series, Vol. 53, No. 1 (May, 2003), pp. 292-295

Iliad 6-8

The battle between the Greeks and the Trojans continues, and now each side must fight without Our help. My Achaians are winning, the Trojans are in full retreat! Menelaus showed a moment of weakness and considers accepting a ransom for a Trojan, but wise Agamemnon reminded him of the dishonor heaped upon him by the Trojans, and his heart was turned instead towards justice.

Then the foolish Hektor decides that a sacrifice to Athene, to tempt her to have pity of the honor less town of Troy, "and the Trojan wives, and their innocent children. So she might hold back form the son of Tydeus, what wild spear-fighter, the strong one who drives men to thoughts of terror" (6:95-98). With Achilles still mourning the unjust lost of his bride, they are indeed right to fear Diomedes. Still, do these fools not know that Athene fights on the side of the Greeks? Have they not been paying attention?

Hektor then tracked down shameful Paris, and rebuked him for his cowardice, hiding in "his" woman's rooms away from the fighting and the death. Even Helen, that fickle creature, chastised Alexandros for his cowardice, saying "I wish I had been the wife of a better man than this" (6:350). While she is at least acknowledging what a waste of skin Paris is, why does the strumpet not recognize the great Menelaus, her lawful husband?

On the battlefield, Hektor and Paris rejoin the fighting and the bloodshed continues. Apollo convinces Athena to end the battle for the day, by staging a duel between Hektor and the Achaians best fighter. Menelaus, seeking to regain his honor, volunteers. His honor and pride out strip his ability to fight against the younger Hektor, and the Greeks instead nominate the giant Aias to fight in his place. The fight commences, with each man trading spear tosses and then lance thrusts. My fickle husband interferes however, and sends heralds to stop the duel, and the two fighters exchanged kind words and shared a feast. Wise Antenor suggests an end to the fighting, and offers to give the fair-haired Helen back to the people with whom she belongs. Vain, proud, spiteful Paris refuses these terms, though he says that he will return the rest of the goods stolen from the Greeks. Sensing the desperation of the falling Trojans, the Greeks reject their proposal-- only the return of Helen will end this war.

Meanwhile, my husband has ordered the Immortals to stand down from the fighting, and threatened Us if we interfere. He, however, did not feel such an impediment and blaming the fates struck out in favor of the Trojans and sent thunderbolts to scare the Greeks.

Poseidon, the Earth-Shaker was the first to feel my wrath at this betrayal. Even he quakes in fear at the thought of facing my husbands wrath, however.

Greek Teukros did not falter in the face of adversity, and struck down many Trojans. We would even have killed Hektor, if Apollo had not turned his spear aside. Still, the Trojans were advancing and murdering many of My Greeks. Athene and I would not let this stand, and prepared to join the battle. He sends Isis to stay Our hands, threatening Athene and belittling Me.

Men. Ugh.
 






Homer., and Richmond Lattimore. The Iliad. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 
     1951.