"The Iliad": Chapter 4

Now we head back to Olympus to see the gods in council. Zeus, for some odd reason, wants to anger Hera. They exchange angry words with each other. Then Hera comes up with a form of compromise. Hera wants the Achaians to destroy the Trojans, but the Trojans and Achaians have a pact. There won't be any fighting unless the pact is dishonored. So Hera asks Zeus to send Athena to stir up the Trojans so that they would be first offenders. Thereby ending the pact and driving everyone into full-blown war. So Zeus sends Athena.

She decides to speak with a Trojan archer. She whispers sweet dreams of glory, honor, and gifts to this man. All this could be his if he would only take down Menelaos with one well-placed arrow. Then his "fool's heart" takes over as he launches an arrow straight for Menelaos.

One of Zeus' daughters then aids Menelaos, and brushes aside the arrow so that it doesn't mortally wound him. But enough damage has been done. Agamemnon is furious. We all know where it goes from here. First he check to make sure his brother isn't dying. Then sends for medical aid. Now to business.

The Achaians are armored and ready to go. Well, most of them are ready. Agamemnon makes his way through the ranks. Congratulating those eager to fight while scolding those who appear unwilling to march straight away. ATTACK!!

The Achaians march forward. They clash with the Trojans and leave the ground stained with blood. Apollo then calls out to the Trojans to not back down from this great force in front of them. "[O]n that day many men of the Achaians and Trojans lay sprawled in the dust face downward beside one another." That's chapter 4.