19 - Book the Nineteenth. The Iliad of Homer.

19 - Book the Nineteenth. The Iliad of Homer.  
"The Iliad is an epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer. Set in the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of Ilium, by a coalition of Greek States, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles. Although the story covers only a few weeks in the final year of the war, the Iliad mentions or alludes to many of the Greek legends about the siege".

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section nineteen book The nineteenth of the Iliad of Homer.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by
Stephen Carney. The Iliad of Homer by Homer, translated by
Theodore Alois Buckley, section nineteen book The nineteenth Argument. Thedus,

(00:20):
having brought Achilles his new armor and promised to preserve
the body of Patroclus from corruption, he is reconciled to Agamemnon,
and being miraculously invigorated by Minerva, goes forth to battle,
regardless of the prediction of his fate. By his horse,
Xanthus Saffron robed Morn was rising from the streams of ocean,
that she might bear light to immortals and mortals. But

(00:43):
Thedis came to the ships bearing the gifts from the God,
her dear son. She found lying upon Patroclus bitterly lamenting,
and his numerous companions were lamenting around him. But near
to him stood the divine of goddesses, and hung upon
his hand, and spoke and addressed him, my son, let
us suffer him now to lie grieved, although we be

(01:04):
since first he has been laid low by the counsel
of the gods. But do thou receive these distinguished arms
from Vulcan, very beautiful, such as no man has ever
worn upon his shoulders. Having thus spoken, the Goddess placed
the armor before Achilles, and they all curiously wrought, clashed aloud,
then tremor seized all the mermadans. Nor did any one

(01:25):
dare to look directly at them, but they fled in fear.
But when Achilles saw them, the more rage entered him,
and his eyes shone terribly beneath his eyelids, like a flame.
And he was delighted holding in his hands the splendid
gifts of the God. But after he had delighted his
mind beholding these artificial works, he immediately addressed to his mother,
winged words, Mother, mine, the God hath indeed given arms

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such as are fit to be works of immortals, nor
that a mortal man could make. Truly, Now will I
arm myself, but I very much fear lest. In the meantime,
the flies, having entered the gallant son of Menoetius by
his spear, inflicted wounds, create maggot and pollute the course,
for life in it is destroyed, and all the parts
of the body grow putrid. But him the silver footed goddess.

(02:12):
Thetis unanswered, my child, Let not these things be a
care to thy mind. I will endeavor to drive away
from him the fierce swarms, the flies which devour heroes
slain in battle, For although he lie in a entire year,
his body shall always be uncorrupted, or even better. But
do thou, having summoned the Grecian heroes to an assembly,
having renounced thy wrath towards Agamemnon at the shepherd of

(02:35):
the people, arm thyself quickly for war, and put on
thy might. Thus therefore, having spoken, she infused into him
the most daring courage, and then instilled into Patroclus through
the nostrils ambrosia and ruby nectar, that his body might
be uncorrupted. But noble Achilles went along the shore of
the sea, shouting fearfully, and aroused the Grecian heroes, so

(02:57):
that even those who used formerly to remain in the
assembly of the ships, both those who were pilots and
who held the rudders of the ships, and the pursuers
who were at the ship's dispensers of food, even these
men indeed went to the assembly because Achilles appeared, For
he had long abstained from the grievous battle, and two
servants of Mars, the warlike son of Tydeus and noble Ulysses,

(03:17):
went limping, leaning upon the spear, for they still had
painful wounds, and advancing they sat in the front seats.
But last came the king of Men Agamemnon, having a
wound for him also in the sharp battle won the
son of Ventnor had wounded with his raisen spear. Then,
when all the Greeks were assembled, swoot footed Achilles, rising
up amongst them, said, son of Atreus, this would surely

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have been somewhat better for both thee and me, when
we too grieved at heart, raged with sole devouring contention
for the sake of a girl, would that Diana had
slain her with an arrow in the ships on that day,
when wasting I took lear nessus. Then indeed, so many
Greeks had not seized the mighty ground in their teeth
under the hands of the enemy, I, being continued enraged, This, however,

(04:02):
was better for Hector and the Trojans. But I think
the Greeks will long remember the contention of you and me.
But let us leave these things as past. Although grieved
subduing from necessity the soul within our bosoms. And now
I terminate my wrath. Nor is it at all fit
that I always obstinately be enraged, but come quickly incite
the long haired Chaiens to battle, in order that still

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I may make trial of the Trojans going against them,
if they wish to pass the night at the ships.
But of them I think that any will very gladly
bend the knee whoever shall escape out of the destructive
fight from my spear. Thus he spoke, But the well
grieved Greeks rejoiced, the magnanimous son of Peleus renouncing his wrath.
But them the king of Men Agamemnon, also addressed out

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of the same place from his seat, nor advancing into
the midst o friends heroes of the Greek servants of Mars.
It is becoming, indeed, that ye should hearken to me
thus rising, Nor is it convenient that thou shouldst interrupt,
For it is difficult even for one being skilled. But
in a great uproar of men, how can anyone hear
or speak? But he is interrupted? Although being a clear

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toned orator, I indeed will direct myself to the son
of Peleus. But do ye the other Greeks understand and
carefully learn my meaning? Often already have the Greek spoken
this saying to me, and have rebuked me. But I
am not to blame but Jove and Fate and Erness
roaming amid the shades, who during the assembly cast into
my mind a sad injury on that day when I

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myself took away the reward of Achilles. But what could
I do, for the deity accomplishes all things pernicious At
the venerable daughter of Jove, who ignores all her feet
are tender, for she does not approach the ground, but
she walks over the heads of men, injuring mankind. And
one at least she fetters, For at one time she

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injured even Jove, who they say is the most powerful
of men and gods. But him Judo, being a female
deceived by her guide. On that day when Alabini was
about to bring forth mighty Hercules and well walled thebes,
he indeed, boasting, had said, among all the gods, hear me,
all ye gods and all ye goddesses, whilst I speak

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those things which the mind within my bosom urges. This
day Elithia, presiding over births, shall bring into the light
a certain man who shall be ruler over all his neighbors,
one of those men of the blood of my race.
But him the August Juno addressed, devising guile, thou shalt lie,
nor shalt thou insure accomplishment to thy speech, But come

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swear a firm oast to me O Olympian, that he
shall indeed be ruler over all his neighbors, who shall
this day fall between the feet of a woman, among
those men who are of the blood of thy family.
Thus she spoke, but Joe perceived not her crafty design.
But he swore the mighty oath, and afterwards was much befooled.

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Then Juno springing forth, quitted the top of Olympus, and
came speed lead to a key in Argus, where she
knew the noble spouse of Sythenolus, the son of Perseus.
And she indeed was pregnant of her beloved son. And
the seventh month was at hand, and she brought him
into light, being deficient the number of months, but kept
back the delivery of a lemone, and restrained the Elythia

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and herself bearing the message addressed Jove, the son of Saturn,
Father Jove, hurler of the red lightning. I will put
a certain matter in thy mind. A noble man is
now born who shall rule the archives, Eurystheus, the son
of Perseus, thy offspring. Nor is it unbecoming that he
should govern the archives. Thus she spoke, But sharp grief

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smote him in his deep mind, and immediately he seized
at by her head of shining curls, enraged in his mind,
and swore a powerful oath that aate who injures all
should never again return to Olympus and the starry heaven.
Thus saying, he cast her from the starry heaven, whirling
her round in his hand, But she quickly reached the

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works of men. On her account. He always groaned when
he beheld his beloved sons suffering unworthy toil under the
labors of Eurystheus. So I also, when the great crest
tossing Hector was thus destroying the Greeks at the sterns
of the ships, was not able to forget the wrong
which I had formally foolishly committed. But since I have
suffered harm and Jove has taken away my reason I

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am willing again to appease THEE and to give infinite presents.
But arise to the battle and incite the other people.
And I myself will pledge myself to furnish all the
presents as many as noble Ulysses yesterday going to THEE
promised in thy tents. Yet that thou wilt wait a little,
although hastening to battle, and my servants, taking the presence

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from my ship, shall bring them, that thou mayst see
that I will present THEE with appeasing offerings. But him
swift footed Achilles answering addressed, most glorious son of Atreus,
King of men Agamemnon. Whether thou wilt furnish gifts as
is meet, or keep them with me, will be seen.
But now let us very quickly be mindful of the contest,

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for it is not fitting to waste time in idle talk,
nor to delay, as a mighty work is yet undone.
But as some one may again behold Achilles among the
front ranks, destroying the phalanxies of the Trojans with his
brazen spear. So also let some one of you, keeping
this in mind, fight with his man. But him Ulysses
of many whiles answering addressed, not thus brave as thou art,

(09:27):
o godlike Achilles, urge on the sons of the Greeks,
fasting towards Ilium, about to fight with the Trojans, For
the conflict will not be for a short time. Only
when once the phalanxies of men shall mingle and the
god Breathe might into both. But command the Greeks to
be fed at the ships with food and wine, for
this is might and vigor. For a man unrefreshed by

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food would not be able to fight against the enemy
all day to the setting sun. For although he might
desire in his mind to fight, yet his limbs gradually
grow languid, and thirst and hunger come upon him, and
his knees fail him as he goes ose. The man,
on the other hand, who is satiated with wine and food,
fights all day with hostile men. The heart within his

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breast is daring, nor are his limbs at all fatigued.
Before that all retire from battle, and let the king
of Men, Agamemnon, bring the gifts into the midst of
the assembly, that all the Greeks may see them with
their eyes. And thou mayst be delighted in thy mind.
Let him moreover swear an oath to THEE standing up
among the Greeks, that he has never ascended her bed,

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nor has been mingled with her, as is accustomed, king
of men and wives. And to thee thyself. Also let
the soul with that thy breast be placid. Then let
him next conciliate thee by a rich banquet within his tents,
that thou mayst not have aught wanting of Redras. And
for the future, O son of Atreus, thou wilt be
more just towards another. For it is by no means

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unworthy that a king should appease a man when he
may first have given offense. But him, the king of
men Agamemnon in return addressed, I rejoice, so, son of Lairties,
having heard thy speech, For with propriety hast thou gone
through and enumerated all things. These things I am willing
to swear as my mind orders me in presence of
a god. Nor will I perjure myself. But let Achilles

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remain here at least for a little while, Thou hastening
to battle and do all ye others remain assembled until
they bring the gifts from my tents, and we strike
faithful leagues to thyself. However, all ulysses, I give this
charge and order thee selecting the principled youths of all
the Greeks to bear from my ship the gifts as
many as we yesterday promised that we should give to Achilles,

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and to lead hither the women. But let tell Phibius
also quickly prepare for me through the wide army of
the Greeks a bore to sacrifice to Jove and the
sun him answering swift footed. Achilles then addressed most glorious
son of Atrius, King of men Agamemnon. At some other time,
ought they rather to attend to these things, when any

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cessation of battle hereafter be and so much ardor be
not in mine bosom. But at present those lie mangled
whom Hector, son of Priam, subdued when Jove gave him
the glory, but he urged them to food. Now, indeed,
I should excite the sons of the Greeks to fight fasting,
but with the setting sun, to prepare a large supper
after we have revenged our disgrace. Before that, neither drink

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nor food shall pass down my throat, my companion being slain,
who lies in my tent, torn with a sharp brass,
turned towards the vestibule, whilst his comrades mourn around. These
things are not a care to my mind, but slaughter
and bloodshed, and the dreadful groans of heroes. But him
much scheming Ulysses, entering addressed o Achilles, son of Peleus,

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by far the bravest of the Greeks. Thou art superior
indeed to me, and not a little more valiant with
the spear. But I indeed excel THEE much in prudence,
because I was born before THEE, and no more. Wherefore
let thy mind be restrained by my words. Soon is
there a satiety of contest to the men a most
abundant crop of whom the brass upon the earth, but

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the harvest is very small. When Jove, who is the
umpire of the battle of men, inclines his scales. It
is by no means fit that the Greeks should lament
the dead with the stomach foreign great numbers, and one
upon the other are they every day falling. When therefore
could anyone respire from toil. But it is necessary to
bury him. Whosoever may die having a patient mind, weeping

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for a day, but as many as survive the hateful combat,
should be mindful of drinking and of food, in order
that we may, ever the more ceaselessly contend with our enemies,
clad as to our bodies in impenetrable brass. Nor let
any of the troops lie by awaiting another exhortation, For
evily will that exhortation come upon him, whoever may be
left at the ships of the Greeks, but advancing in

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a body, let us stir up the keen battle against
the horse breaking Trojans, he said, and chose as his
companions the son of glorious Nestor, that Meges, son of
Phileas Tholas, and marionis Ichomides, son of Creon, and Menilippus.
And they proceeded to go towards the tent of Agamemnon,
son of Atreus. Immediately after the word was spoken and

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the work was perfected, seven tripods they bore from the
tent which he had promised him, and twenty splendid goblets
and twelve steeds, and straightway led forth seven blameless women
skilled in works. But the eighth was fair cheeked persaeis,
but Ulysses, placing ten whole talents of gold, led the way,
and with him the other youths of the Greeks bore

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the presence and placed them in the midst of the assembly.
But Agamemnon rose up, and Alphibius, like unto a god
in his voice, stood beside the shepherd of the people,
holding a boar in his hands. Then the son of Atreus,
drawing the knife with his hands, which always hung by
the great scabbard of his sword, cutting off the forelock
of the boar, prayed, lifting up his hands to Jove.

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But all the Greeks sat in silence in the same spot,
listening in a becoming manner to the king, but praying,
he spoke, looking towards the wide heaven. Now, first, let
Jove be witness, and the most supreme and best of gods,
and Earth and Sun, and ye furies who beneath the earth,
chastise men whoever may swear a falsehood. Never have I

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laid hands upon the maid bersaeis needing her for the
sake of the couch or any other purpose, But inviolate
has she remained in my tents. But if any of
these things be false. May the gods inflict on me
those very many distresses which they inflict when men sin
in swearing, He said, and cut the throat of the
boar with a ruthless brass, which Alphibius, whirling round, cast

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into the mighty water of the Hoary Sea as food
for fishes. But Achilles rising, said, among the war loving Greeks, O,
Father Jove, certainly thou givest great calamities to men, For
never could the treaties have so thoroughly aroused the indignation
in my bosob nor foolish led away the girl, I
being unwilling, But Jove, for some intent, wished death should

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happen to many Greeks. But now go to the repast,
that we may join battle. Thus then he spoke and
dissolved the assembly in haste. They indeed were separated, each
to his own ship. But the magnanimous Mermdons were occupied
about the gifts, and bearing them, went to the ship
of Godlike Achilles. These they laid up in the tents
and placed the women in seats. But the illustrious attendants

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drove the horses to the stud But afterwards Versais like
unto golden Venus. When she beheld Patroclus lacerated with a
sharp spear, throwing herself about him, wept aloud, and with
her hands tore her breast and tender neck and fair countenance.
Then the woman like unto the Goddess's weeping, said, oh, Patroclus,
most dear to my wretched soul. I left thee indeed alive,

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departing from my tent, But now returning I find THEE dead,
O chieftain of the people. How in my case evil
ever succeeds evil. The hero indeed to whom my father
and venerable mother had given me I saw pierced with
a sharp brass before the city, and three beloved brothers
whom the same mother had brought forth to me, all
drew on the destructive day. Nevertheless, now didst not suffer

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me to weep when swift Achilles slew my husband and
laid waste the city of divine minees. But thou, sayidst
thou wouldst render me the wedded wife of noble Achilles,
lead me in the ships to Phythia, and prepare the
nuptial feast amongst the myrmidons. Therefore do I insatiably lament
thee dead, being ever gentle. Thus she spoke weeping, and

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the women lamented for Patroclus as a pretext, but really
eat for her own ills. And around him Achilles recollected
the elders of the Greeks, entreating him to take refreshment,
but he, moaning, refused, I entreat you, if any of
my beloved companions would be obedient to me, bid me
not satiate my heart with food or drink, since heavy

(17:43):
grief hath invaded me. But I will wait entirely till
the setting sun, and will endure so, saying, he dismissed
the other kings. But two sons of Atreus remained, and
noble Ulysses Nestor Idominius and the aged knight Phoenix, constantly
endeavoring to delight him. Sorrowing, nor was he at all
delighted before he should enter the mouth of bloody war.

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But remembering Patoclus, he frequently heaved a sigh and said, surely,
once thou too, o unhappy, one, dearest of my companions,
wouldst thyself have set before me a plentiful feast within
my tent, speedily and diligently. When the Greeks hastened to
make tearful war upon the horse breaking Trojans. But now
thou liest mangled. But my heart is without drink and food,

(18:28):
though they are within from regret for thee. For I
could not suffer anything worse, nor even if I were
to hear of my father being dead, who now perhaps
sheds the tender tear and Pythia from the want of
such a son, while I, in a foreign people wage
war against the Trojans for the sake of detested Helen,
or him, my beloved son, who has nurtured for me
at Skyril's, if indeed he still lives, god like Neoptolemus.

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For formerly the mind within my bosom hoped that I
alone should perish here in Troy, far from steed nourishing Argus,
and that thou should which to return to Pythia, that
thou mightest lead back my son in thy black ship
from Scyros, and mightest show him everything my property, my
servants at my great lofty domed abode. For now I
suppose that Pelias is either totally deceased or that he

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barely alive, suffers pain from hateful old age, and that
he is continually expecting bad news respecting me when he
shall hear of my being dead. Thus he spoke, weeping,
and the elders also groaned, remembering each of them the
things which they had left in their dwellings. But the
son of Saturn felt compassion seeing them weeping, and immediately
to Minerva, addressed winged words, O daughter, mine, thou entirely

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now desertest thy valiant hero. His Achilles then no longer
at all occurred to thee in thy mind. He himself
is sitting before his lofty beaked ships, bewailing his dear companion,
while the others have gone to a banquet. But he
is unrefreshed and unfed. Go therefore, and still into his
breast nectar and delightful ambrosia, that hunger may not come
upon him. So saying, he urged on Minerva, who was

(20:01):
before eager. But she, like unto a broad winged, shrill
voiced arpi, leaped down from the heavens through the air.
The Greeks, however, were then arming themselves throughout the camp.
When she instilled into the bosom of Achilles nectar and
delightful ambrosia that unpleasant hunger might not come upon his limbs.
Then she went to the solid mansion of her powerful sire,

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and they apart poured forth from the swift ships, And
as when thick snowflakes flied down from Jove beneath, the
force of the cold air clearing boreus. So from the
ships were borne out crowded helmets shining brightly, and bossed shields, strong,
cavitied corselets, and ashen spears. But the sheen reached to heaven,
and all the earth around smiled beneath the splendor of

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the brass, and the trampling of the feet of men
arose beneath in the midst noble. Achilles was armed, and
there was a gnashing of his teeth, and his eyes
shone like a blaze of fire. But intolerable grief entered
his heart within him, and then raged against the trojans.
He put on the gifts of the God, which Vulcan
tore Railing had fabricated for him. First, around his legs
he placed the beautiful greaves joined with silver clasps. Next

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he put on the corselet round his breast, and suspended
from his shoulders the brazen, silver studded sword. Then he
seized the shield, large and solid, the sheen of which
went to a great distance, as of the moon, and
as when from the sea the blaze of a burning
fire shines to mariners, which is lit aloft amongst the mountains,
in a solitary place, But the storm bears them against

(21:27):
their inclination, away from their friends over the fishy deep.
So from the shield of Achilles, beautiful and skillfully made,
the brightness reached the sky. But raising it he placed
a strong helmet upon his head, and the helmet, crested
with horse hair, shone like a star, and the golden
tufts which Vulcan had diffused thick around the cone, were shaken.
The noble Achilles tried himself in his arms if they

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would fit him, and if his fair limbs would move
freely in them. But they were like wings to him,
and lifted up the shepherd of the people. And from
its sheath he drew forth his paternal spear, heavy, great
and stout, which no other of the Greeks was able
to brandish. But Achilles alone knew how to hurl it.
A palaion ash which Tyron had cut for his father

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from the top of Pelion, to be a destruction to heroes.
But Automadon and Alchymis, harnessing the steeds, yoked them, and
beautiful collars were upon them. They put the bridles into
their jaws and drew back the reins towards the well
glued car. When Automadon, seizing the shining lash fitted to
his hand, leaped into the car. Achilles, armed for battle,

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mounted behind him, glittering in his armor like the shining sun.
And terribly he gave command to the horses of his
sire Janthus and Baldius, illustrious offspring of Podargus. Resolved now
in a different manner, to bring back your cheerioteer in
safety to the body of the Greeks, after we are
satiated with battle, nor leave him there dead like Patroclus.

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But from beneath the yoke, Xanthus, his swift footed steed,
addressed him and immediately hung down his head, and his
whole mane, drooping from the ring which was near the yoke,
reached the ground. But the white armed goddess Juno gave
him the power of speech. Now at least we will
bear thee safe, o, impetuous Achilles. But the fatal day
draws nigh to thee. Nor are we to blame but

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a mighty deity and violent destiny. For not by our
laziness or sloth have the Trojans stripped the armour from
the shoulders of Atroclus. But the bravest of the gods,
whom fair haired Latona brought forth, slew him among the
front ranks, and gave glory to Hector. And though we
can run even with the blast of Zephyrris, which they
say is the most fleet, yet to thyself it is

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fated that thou shouldst be violently subdued by a god
and a man of him. Having thus spoken, the furies
restrained the voice, but him sweat for the Achilles, greatly indignant,
addressed O Xanthus, why dost thou predict my death to me?
For it is not at all necessary for thee? Well
do I myself know that it is my fate to
perish here, far away from my dear father and mother. Nevertheless,

(24:00):
I will not cease before the Trojans are abundantly satiated
with war. He spoke and shouting amongst the front ranks,
directed on his solid hooved steeds. End of book. The
nineteenth read by Stephen Carney