Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
disposed. If Achilles fights the Trojans without hindrance they will
make no stand against him; they have ever trembled at the sight of
him, and now that he is roused to such fury about his comrade, he
will override fate itself and storm their city.”
Thus spoke Jove and gave the word for war, whereon the gods took
their several sides and went into battle. Juno, Pallas Minerva, earthencircling
Neptune, Mercury bringer of good luck and excellent in
all cunning- all these joined the host that came from the ships; with
them also came Vulcan in all his glory, limping, but yet with his
thin legs plying lustily under him. Mars of gleaming helmet joined
the Trojans, and with him Apollo of locks unshorn, and the archer
goddess Diana, Leto, Xanthus, and laughter-loving Venus.
So long as the gods held themselves aloof from mortal warriors the
Achaeans were triumphant, for Achilles who had long refused to
fight was now with them. There was not a Trojan but his limbs
failed him for fear as he beheld the fleet son of Peleus all glorious
in his armour, and looking like Mars himself. When, however, the
Olympians came to take their part among men, forthwith uprose
strong Strife, rouser of hosts, and Minerva raised her loud voice,
now standing by the deep trench that ran outside the wall, and now
shouting with all her might upon the shore of the sounding sea.
Mars also bellowed out upon the other side, dark as some black
thunder-cloud, and called on the Trojans at the top of his voice,
now from the acropolis, and now speeding up the side of the river
Simois till he came to the hill Callicolone.
Thus did the gods spur on both hosts to fight, and rouse fierce
contention also among themselves. The sire of gods and men
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