"The Iliad": Chapter 10- Spy Hard (Die Hard!)

Hello there. Today was fun. I probably wasted about 1 1/2 hours on Final Fantasy 13 earlier. But you don't want to hear about that. So, to spare you the details, here's Chapter 10.

I almost fell asleep reading the first 200 or so lines. Not the stuff of which great epics should be made. The most exciting thing that happened involved people being woken up. It's no wonder that they were throwing insults. It's probably not 2-3 hours after where the last chapter left off. LET ME SLEEP!! But I digress.

Now it gets interesting. You can infer from the title that there is spying and dying. (And a little rhyming) So Odysseus and Diomedes go to spy on the Trojans. They find a Trojan spy on the way. This guy really got under my skin. It might just be the fact that I was only reading and couldn't hear the inflection of his words but this guy just totally screwed over his country men. He told them everything. Can't say I'm sad that he died. (Cowardly traitor)

Odysseus and Diomedes sneak around, kill some men and steal some horses. And then run back to camp. I'm not clear if they really accomplished anything with this little adventure. Maybe I'll learn in the next chapter. This chapter was okay. Can't wait to see if Achilles will come back into the fight. For now, back to Final Fantasy 13. Bye.

"The Iliad": Chapter 9- Agamemnon's Desperate Plea

What to talk about..... Okay. Got it. This is has been a very uninspired day. But not bad. Just not the same pissaz that I've had on others. Homer is a very exhausting writer. And I'm trying to find a new approach to these posts. How should I go about this? Now don't answer too quickly. I'll try taking some of my Dad's advice for today. Yippee Kai Ay Homer.

To start out, this chapter was pretty boring. It had more than enough whining and begging. Poor Agamemnon even cried! Then he tries way too hard to win over Achilles. You can read the list of gifts yourselves if you want to.

As you can probably guess, Achilles just flat out refuses. He basically tells them where Agamemnon can stick his scepter. (It would be a shame to put such a good scepter to waste like that.) And I thought modern men had pride issues. Then all the poor men that Agamemnon sent to ask Achilles have to go back empty handed. But at least Agamemnon is too depressed to whip them....or whatever an old Greek king would do if you failed him. Well...That's about it. Hold on a sec. They go to bed. OK. Now we're done.

That wasn't too bad. Let's see how it goes tomorrow.

"The Iliad": Chapter 8- The Scales of Fate

Hey there. What is up my readers? Do you like the title? Homer never provided any, and my Dad recommended that I add in some titles for the chapters. I just hope that I can come up with good ones. This is my first chapter title, but I hope to go back through to give names to all my previous posts. If you see them with titles, then you know that I have. Onto to Chapter 8.

Dawn scatters herself over the face of the earth. Zeus assembles all the gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus. He informs them all of the horrific consequence should any god or goddess attempt to thwart his will concerning the battle. He makes his point very clear. "I shall take him and dash him down to the murk of Tartaros." (That's a very bad place. That's beneath Hades.) Then he heads off to Mount Ida with his chariot and horses. There he observes the Achaians and Trojans as they awake, feast and march to battle. He then weighs "fateful portions of death" for the Achaians and Trojans. The Trojans will apparently be having a much lighter stack of bodies. The Achaians' "portion" far outweighs the Trojans', whose scale is brought closer towards the heavens. In true form for a god of Zeus' status, he releases a massive "stroke" from Mount Ida. "[P]ale terror took hold of all of them." (The Achaians that is.)

None of the Achaian leaders stay their ground. Even Nestor wants to leave, but he can't. Alexandros fells one of his chariot's horses with an. (Finally! He does something useful.) Nestor is stuck. His horses panic and are being weighed down by the dead one. Nestor tries to cut the reins, but it proves pointless. Hektor is charging full force for the frightened old man. Just in time Diomedes shows up. He offers Nestor a ride. He takes it without hesitation. Nestor takes the reins and turns the chariot so as to give Diomedes the chance to fight Hektor. He throws his spear but misses Hektor hitting his driver. Hektor sorrows for his lost companion, but must continue the fight.

"And now there would have been fighting beyond control, and destruction, now they would have been driven and penned like sheep against Ilion, had not the father of gods and of men sharply perceived them." Zeus "thunders horribly" and strikes his mighty bolt right in front of Diomedes' horses, and the horses recoil back against the chariot. Nestor then advises Diomedes that Zeus is no longer with him. (It's time to turn back.) Nestor easily accepts the old man's words. They turn to make for the Achaian camp. But Hektor is in close pursuit. He hurls insults at Diomedes. Diomedes thrice considers turning back. And Zeus thrice reminds him to not.

Hektor begins boasting about how Zeus is honoring him and how he hopes to end the war and send the Achaians "packing" if he can retrieve Diomedes' shield and armor. Hera is none to happy to hear this. She grumbles to Poseidon while making plans to take action while Zeus is in solitude on Mount Ida. Poseidon doesn't care for Hera's plan in the least. Hera then stirs Agamemnon's heart to action. He laments to Zeus how he has faithfully served him. Zeus takes pity and sends him a good sign. An eagle with a fawn in his talons. The fawn is released beside Zeus' altar. This is a positive sign for all Achaians.

The Achaians remember their warcraft and charge. No man is as fast as Diomedes, owing his speed to the Trojan horses he took as spoils from Aineias. Now enter Teukros, a great archer. He takes down eight Trojans. But he cannot touch Hektor. He kills two more while attempting to take down Hektor before Hektor wounds him by bashing him something terrible with a jagged stone. His companions retrieve his limp, groaning body and carry him back to the ships. Hektor kills every Achaians he sees in a mad rage.

Hera complains to Athena concerning the Achaians plight. Athena elaborates on her troubled relationship with her father. She then asks Hera to set up the horses. "So shall I discover whether the son of Priam, Hektor of the shining helmet, will feel joy to see us on the outworks of battle[.]" (OOOOOOO! She's gonna get in trouble!)

Zeus sees them from Mount Ida and is immensely angered at them. He send the swift messenger Iris to warn them of the consequences if they attempt this foolish move. They're warned and fearfully turn back towards Olympus.

Zeus returns to Olympus himself and assembles the gods. He ask why Athena and Hera look so glum. They voice their irritation toward Zeus. He then informs them of their last chance to save the Achaians. They must bring the mighty Achilles back into the fight. Something about Achilles fighting "in the narrow place of necessity over fallen Patroklos." (It doesn't sound good for Patroklos.)

Now darkness descends against the Trojan's will. But it's good news for the trembling Achaians. Hektor gathers some men and forms his plan against the Achaians. Hektor is no longer content with having the Achaians retreat and sail home. He wants his defeat of the Achaians to make anyone else think twice before bringing war against Troy. He sends word to have all young men in the city keep watch at the bastions around the city while all the wives kindle fires to keep watch over the city on the chance of an attack while the soldiers are away. The Trojans are camping out to stir themselves early so that they may "waken the bitter war god" against the Achaians. Hektor plans to fell Diomedes early in the battle.

But for now the Trojans give sacrifice and take their feast. Tomorrow is a big day. Throughout the night, to keep watch on the Achaians, "[a] thousand fires [are] burning there in the plain, and beside each one [sits] fifty men in the flare of the blazing firelight."

"The Iliad": Chapter 7

Now we're back to the battle. The return of Hektor and Alexandros is as welcome as a wind to stranded sailors. (I like that metaphor.) The Trojans seem to have a renewed strength in them. This catches Athena's attention, and she makes haste toward the battle.

She runs into Apollo, who knows her desire to turn the tide in the Achaians favor. He instead suggests that they should call a duel between Hektor and a single Achaian. A final fight of the day.

Helenos knew of the god's plan, and informed Hektor immediately. Hektor put a stop to the fighting. Agamemnon put a halt on his troops. Then Hektor informed him of Apollo's plan. Everyone agrees. Hektor then calls for a challenger. No one moves. The Achaians are frightened of Hektor. Then Menelaos steps up for Hektor's challenge. Agamemnon knowing Hektor to be the better fighter praises Menelaos' bravery, but persuades him to not fight such a strong opponent. (Can Menelaos do anything without his brother? Just asking.)

Nestor then scolds the cowardly Achaians by informing them of his past glory. Sufficiently ashamed, nine challengers step forward. They draw lots to decide Hektor's challenger. The great Ais (aka: Ajax as some might know him) is chosen. This is awesome. By some form of luck, the Conan the Destroyer soundtrack just popped up on my iPod. Good mood music for the ensuing battle. Let's do this!

It begins. Hektor heaves his spear first. It pierces through part of Ais' mighty shield. Ais takes his throw which goes all the way through Hektor's smaller shield. They both remove the opposing warrior's spear from their shields. Hektor thrusts only to have his spear bend at the tip. Now Ais takes his thrust through Hektor's shield drawing blood from his neck. Hektor tries throwing a stone at Ais with no effect. Ais then throws a greater stone so as to make Hektor buckle his knees given the force. Now they're using swords. Good close combat. Until the messengers of Zeus intervene.

Zeus wants the fight to cease for nightfall is upon them. They agree and part in friendship with gifts exchanged. That is for lack of a better word AWESOME! I can't imagine being in such a fight, and then parting on such friendly terms. It really makes you rethink respect and honor in the arena of war. Do we have such respect for our enemies in modern war? I tend to think not.

The Trojans and Achaians both in their respective fortresses feast and speak separately of a one day cease fire so as to give them opportunity to properly bury their dead. In Troy Antenor additionally speaks of giving Helen and her possessions back to Menelaos. Alexandros agrees to give back her possession with interest, but will not give up his bride. (I was just starting to gain some resemblance of respect for this idiot.)

Priam then sends messengers to discuss a cease fire so they can both bury their dead. The messenger also gives words of Alexandros' intention to return Helen's possession. Diomedes cries out that this is a sign of desperation on the Trojan's part. They refuse the possessions. But Agamemnon does agree to the cease fire regardless.

The next day both sides are busy about their business of burying their respective dead. The Achaians in addition to this build walls of fortification along the beach for protection.

Poseidon looks angrily upon these fortifications. Angry that there is no sacrifice given to the god. Zeus agrees to let Poseidon destroy these walls once the Achaians are gone from this land. Night falls and the Achaians prepare a feast. They drink wine. But Zeus threatens evil on all the Achaians. No man dares to drink without offering first to Zeus.

"The Iliad": Chapter 6

This is exciting. I have recently received a copy of Final Fantasy XIII for Xbox 360. This is going to be such a distraction. Let me not lose my focus. Back to reading.

Today is sooo much easier than the previous. I finally started to work out a plan for attacking these classical monsters. May I say that my Mom helped come up with the idea. There is an overflow of information out there on the internet. Why not use it. There are many greater minds before me who have already learned and condensed the information that I'm trying to assimilate. Thank God for SparkNotes. I just read the small summary of the chapter that I'm reading beforehand. That way I know what to look for. Makes it sooooo much easier. On to Chapter 6.

Chapter 6

It doesn't look good for the Trojans. Diomedes is still striking fear into the hearts of the Trojans. They're being forced back. Farther and Farther back they go. One highlight occurs when Menelaos happens upon Adrestos who had the grand misfortune of his horses breaking free of his chariot. Which unfortunatley leaves him stranded.

He pleads for his life. His family will pay a grand ransom for his return he says. Menelaos likes this plan. But here comes kind-hearted Agamemnon. He wants every Trojan to suffer and die regardless. Who do you think Menelaos will listen to? Bye bye Adrestos.

Back with the Trojans Helenos urges Hektor to return to Troy and have his mother and the other "women of honor" pray to the goddess Athena for aide. Hektor speeds towards the city with all haste.

Back on the battlefield, Diomedes comes fact-to-face with Glaukos. Uncertain of who this man is Diomedes inquires as to his name and lineage. Glaukos reveals his name and lineage. He is son of Hippolochos. And lo' and behold! In an odd twist of fate, Diomedes' and Glaukos' families are old friends. Out of respect for the bond between their families, right there on the battlefield they make a pact not to fight with each other. (There are plenty of other enemies to kill on either side. RIGHT?!) This is a very fascinating attribute of the ancient Greeks. The sense of honor and respect on the battlefield. Diomedes didn't want to kill this man until he knew who he was. And once he found out.... what does he do. HE CALLS A TRUCE! All because of some friendship their grandfathers held. I don't know if all Greeks were like this, but it is fascinating to hear of this circumstance in any form.

We now find prince Hektor in the Priam's palace. He delivers Helenos' message to his mother, Hecuba, who then assembles all other "women of honor." The women head straight to the temple and begin their prayers to Athena, who sadly will not listen to the earnest supplication of Troy's wives and maidens.

Hektor then makes haste to Alexandros' room to bring him back to the fight. Alexandros reveals that he hasn't returned to the fight so that he may give himself over to sorrow. Which is very understandable. How would you feel if your stupid mistake was costing thousands of your country men their lives? How would you feed if thousands of wives and children would never see their husbands and father again, except on a funeral pyre. (Because of you.) Hektor and Helen scold him with harsh words until he agrees to return to battle. Helen really lays into him. Something about how she would rather have been dashed on sea rocks upon her birth than to belong to cowardly Alexandros. Alexandros then prepares himself while Hektor seeks out his wife and child for a few brief moments together before his return to battle

He first goes to his house only to find her not there. She has instead gone to the bastion of Troy out of a anxious, sorrowful spirit for her husband's inevitable death at the hands of the every strengthening Achaians. His wife, Andromache, begs him not to return to battle. She then reveals that it was Achilles who killed her entire family. Thus leaving her to equate Hektor as her mother, father, brother, and husband. He is all she has. But, alas, the wheels of fate have already begun spinning. And he must return to the fight. He then goes to embrace his young son, only a baby. His son, Astyanax, recoils at the sight of his terrifying helmet. He promptly chuckles before placing his helmet on the ground, and takes his son into his arms. He asks the blessings of Zeus upon his son. Then places him back into his wife's arms.

Alexandros then arrives. He and his brother head off to battle.

"The Iliad": Chapter 5

Chapter 5 starts out in the midst of the battle we saw initiated in Chapter 4. But this is a very focused battle. Everything seems revolves around this one Danaan, Diomedes (aka: Son of Tydeus) He appears to be a god-like warrior. He tears through the Trojans. But suddenly he is hit in his right shoulder with an arrow by Pandaros. "Rise up Trojans[.] Now the best of the the Achaians is hit," Pandaros cries.

But wait just a minute. Diomedes prays for help from the goddess Athena, who grants him strength and endurance. Plus, Athena removes the mist- the veil, so to speak, that hides the divine from the mortals eyes- from Diomedes' eyes with permission to stab Aphrodite if he sees her interfering with the battle. Now Diomedes is like a hornet's nest that has just been kicked.

Pandaros and Aineias now charge him in a chariot. Pandaros releases his spear which only pierces Diomedes' shield. But Diomedes succeeds in throwing his spear through Pandaros' skull. Aineias jumps from to the chariot to protect Pandaros' body since it fell from the chariot. With Herculean strength, Diomedes picks up boulder and hurls it towards Aineias. The boulder tears up his right hip, and he lies wounded on the ground.

Until his mother, Aphrodite, intervenes to assist him. (This could be trouble) Diomedes runs up to the goddess and promptly wounds her. (Who would've thought that a mortal could wound a god. You know.... outside the game "God of War.") Now she's crumpled to the ground. Now it's Iris the messenger to the rescue. She takes Aphrodite to Ares where Aphrodite asks for help getting back to Olympus. He obliges.

Now we find the goddess Aphrodite being attended to by her mother, Dione. She comforts the wounded goddess before healing her wounds. Aphrodite is then instructed by Zeus to stay away from the affairs of war.

We're back on the battlefield now. Diomedes is still blood-drunk. Still wanted Aineias dead. But now the god Apollo is watching over Aineias. Diomedes strikes thrice but is thwarted by Apollo. Apollo then carries Aineias to one of his temples. There Artemis and Leto heal and care for Aineias.

Apollo returns to leave a body in the likeness of Aineias on the field to enrage the Trojans at the Achaians. Then requests that Ares fight against the Achaians. Ares loves a good fight. Ares wakes the hearts of the Trojans.

Suddenly, Apollo brings Aineias back to the battle. The Trojans have the advantage. Agamemnon, Odysseus, etc... all encourage their men to fight the newly emboldened Trojans.

Hera soon notices how the Trojans have gained the upper hand. She then asks to help the Achaians. Zeus agrees. Now we have the goddess Athena in full battle armor with a good intention to slaughter the Trojans. (Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I think I'm a little scared.)

Down on the battlefield Athena grabs up the battle wearied Diomedes to make a charge against Ares. The charge proves successful as Diomedes collects his second would on a divine being. We now find Ares back in Olympus complaining to Zeus, who shrugs if off as a necessary punishment for Ares. Hera and Athena then depart the battlefield and head back to Olympus.

"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.