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Book Eleven
does not conceal himself from Hektor at i5.243ff. On that occasion Hektor
remarked on the epiphany, and it is odd that he does not do so here, or make
any direct response to Iris. We may understand that on such occasions the
deity is visible, or audible, to the hero alone (as is stated explicitly at i .198),
and are therefore free to assume, if we wish, that the poet presents the hero's
decision in colourful theological language as the result of prompting from
without. Covering a retreat is a hazardous operation, as 31 off. show: Hektor
has decided to bide his time.
200-1 = 7.47. uie: the short scansion of the first syllable is frequent. Aii
UTJTIV drrocAavTe: the formula (see io.i37n.) is properly associated with
Odysseus (4X ), for whom it defines an important aspect of character: for
Hektor it is an ornamental compliment, and not especially appropriate in
view of his portrayal with increasing emphasis in books 11 — 18 as overconfident,
in contrast to the prudent Pouludamas. Verse 201 = Od. 4.829.
T6iv = col, only here in //. but 4X in Od.
202-9 = 187-94. I n accordance with the normal epic convention Iris
repeats her instructions to Hektor verbatim and neatly changes the 3rd
persons of Zeus's directive into the 2nd except in 204, where ccvaxcopsiTco
(199) is turned into CmroeiKE |J&xr|S.
210—15 The poet is not yet ready to shift his interest from Agamemnon,
but must note Hektor's response to Iris' instructions, and does so in an
abbreviated style with a few formular verses. Verse 210 is simply the resumptive
verse after direct speech; it is followed by a four-verse run (211 —14 =
5.494-7 and 6.103-6), and another formular verse (215 = 12.415).
214-16 The battle enters a new phase. After their rout the Trojans rally
(lAeAixOrio-ocv) and form a front (dpTUvOrj 8e lioxrO; f° r the tactic see 310-1 in.
A short passage of general description of the ora8ir| uauivri, cf. 15.312-17,
would be expected to follow, but the poet is sparing of such comments in
this Book and proceeds at once to the continuation of Agamemnon's aristeia.
216-84 Resumed aristeia of Agamemnon. He slays Iphidamas, a son of
Antenor, and a young man of great hopes. In revenge Koon, brother of
Iphidamas, wounds Agamemnon, who then slays him. His wound eventually
overcomes Agamemnon and he withdraws from the battle.
The appeal to the Muses at 218 (= 2.484, 14.508, 16.112), and especially
the use of TTpcoTos at 219, may seem to presage a feat of memory on the part
of the poet, as it does at 2.484 and 14.508, and therefore a lengthy list of
slayings by the King of Men. The Muse gives the singer authority and
certifies the accuracy of the list, see M. Finkelberg, AJP 111 (1990) 291-6).
At 16.112, however, the appeal to the Muses marks a crisis point (how
Hektor fired the ships). So here Agamemnon's irresistible march to the
Scaean gates is to be halted. As bT put it em TOTS ueyicrrois T&S Moucras
KaAeT cos epcov TI KoavoTepov ai yap TOICCOTOCI OKiaaioTspas TTOIOUCJI TOCS
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