Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
So spake swift-footed Iris and departed, but Hector with his harness
leaped from the chariot to the ground, and, shaking his sharp spears
went through all the host, stirring up his men to fight, and he roused
the dread din of battle. And they wheeled round, and stood and faced
the Achaians, while the Argives on the other side strengthened their
battalions. And battle was made ready, and they stood over against each
other, and Agamemnon first rushed in, being eager to fight far in front
of all.
Tell me now, ye Muses that inhabit mansions in Olympus, who was he that
first encountered Agamemnon, whether of the Trojans themselves, or of
their allies renowned? It was Iphidamas, son of Antenor, great and
mighty, who was nurtured in Thrace rich of soil, the mother of sheep,
and Kisses his mother’s father reared him in the halls, while he was
but a little child,—even the father of Theano fair of face. Then when
he came to the measure of glorious youth, he tried to keep him there,
and offered him his own daughter; but a bridegroom new wed, he went
from his bridal chamber after the tidings of the coming of the
Achaians, with twelve beaked ships that followed after him. These trim
ships he left in Perkote, but himself came by land to Ilios; he it was
that then encountered Agamemnon son of Atreus. And when they were come
near in onset against each other, Atreus’ son missed, and his spear was
turned aside, but Iphidamas smote him on the girdle, below the corslet,
and himself pressed on, trusting to his heavy hand, but pierced not the
gleaming girdle, for long ere that the point struck on the silver, and
was bent like lead. Then wide-ruling Agamemnon caught the spear with
his hand and drew it toward him furiously, like a lion, and snatched it
out of the hand of Iphidamas, and smote his neck with the sword, and
unstrung his limbs. So even there he fell, and slept a sleep of bronze
most piteously, far from his wedded wife, helping the folk of the
city,—far from his bride, of whom he had known no joy, and much had he
given for her: first a hundred kine he gave, and thereafter promised a
thousand, goats and sheep together, whereof he had herds unspeakable.
Then did Agamemnon son of Atreus strip him, and went bearing his goodly
harness into the throng of the Achaians.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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