Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
come to harm. If, indeed, great Jove is minded to help the Trojans,
and in his anger will utterly destroy the Achaeans, I would myself
gladly see them perish now and here far from Argos; but if they
should rally and we are driven back from the ships pell-mell into
the trench there will be not so much as a man get back to the city to
tell the tale. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say; let our squires
hold our horses by the trench, but let us follow Hector in a body on
foot, clad in full armour, and if the day of their doom is at hand the
Achaeans will not be able to withstand us.”
Thus spoke Polydamas and his saying pleased Hector, who sprang
in full armour to the ground, and all the other Trojans, when they
saw him do so, also left their chariots. Each man then gave his
horses over to his charioteer in charge to hold them ready for him
at the trench. Then they formed themselves into companies, made
themselves ready, and in five bodies followed their leaders. Those
that went with Hector and Polydamas were the bravest and most in
number, and the most determined to break through the wall and
fight at the ships. Cebriones was also joined with them as third in
command, for Hector had left his chariot in charge of a less valiant
soldier. The next company was led by Paris, Alcathous, and
Agenor; the third by Helenus and Deiphobus, two sons of Priam,
and with them was the hero Asius- Asius the son of Hyrtacus,
whose great black horses of the breed that comes from the river
Selleis had brought him from Arisbe. Aeneas the valiant son of
Anchises led the fourth; he and the two sons of Antenor,
Archelochus and Acamas, men well versed in all the arts of war.
Sarpedon was captain over the allies, and took with him Glaucus
and Asteropaeus whom he deemed most valiant after himself- for
he was far the best man of them all. These helped to array one
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