Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
Menelaus, the son of Atreus, slew with his sharp 199 spear Scamandrius,
son of Strophius, clever in the chase, an excellent huntsman; for Diana
herself taught him to shoot all kinds of beasts, which the wood in the
mountains nurtures. But then at least arrow-rejoicing Diana availed him
not, nor his skill in distant shooting, in which he had been formerly
instructed. But spear-renowned Menelaus, son of Atreus, wounded him,
flying before him, with a spear in the back, between the shoulders, and
drove [the spear] through his breast. Prone he fell, and his arms
resounded upon him.
Meriones slew Phereclus, son of the artist Harmon, who knew how to form
with his hands all ingenious things (for Pallas Minerva loved him
exceedingly): who also for Alexander had built the equal ships, source
of woes, which were a bane to all the Trojans and to himself, since he
did not understand the oracles of the gods. 200 Meriones, indeed, when
following he overtook him, struck him in the right hip; but the point
went right through beneath the bone, near the bladder; and on his knees
he fell lamenting, and death overshadowed him.
Footnote 199: (return) Apoll. Lex. Hom. p. 604, ed. Villois: ὀξυόεντι.
Ὸ μὲν Ἀπίων, όξεῖ ἔγχει, ὀξυόεντι δὲ, ὀξυΐνῳ. With Anthon, I prefer
Apion’s interpretation. Others explain it “beechen,” or “thorn-wood.”
Cf. Alberti on Hesych. p. 766.
Footnote 200: (return) A doubtful line, but probably referring to an
oracle by which the Trojans were recommended to avoid maritime affairs.
Cf. Procl. Chrestom. p. 472, ed. Gaisf.
But Meges next slew Pedæus, son of Antenor, who, indeed, was a spurious
son, yet noble Theano brought him up with care, equally with her own
dear children, gratifying her husband. Him the spear-famed son of
Phyleus, on his part, coming near, smote on the back of the head with
his sharp spear; the steel cut through his teeth under his tongue. In
the dust he fell, and caught the cold steel in his teeth.
But Eurypylus, son of Evæmon, slew noble Hypsenor, son of magnanimous
Dolopion, who was priest of Scamander, and was honoured as a god by the
people; him, as he was flying before him, Eurypylus, then, the
illustrious son of Evæmon, struck in the shoulder in his flight,
rushing on with his sword, and cut off his heavy hand: then the gory
hand fell in the field; but blood-red death and stern fate seized his
eyes.
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