Diomede slew Rhesus and twrelve of his companions, while Ulysses untied the king's steeds, and led them forth into the field. Then, hastening across the plain with their rich prize, they soon reached the Grecian camp, where Nestor and the other chiefs joyfully welcomed them. Their friends, rejoicing, flocked Around them, greeting them with grasp of hands And with glad words. BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book X. [Illustration] X. THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS--DEATH OF PATROCLUS. At dawn the Achaian leaders resolved to try again the fortunes of war. They were encouraged by the exploit of Ulysses and Diomede, and Jupiter sent down Eris, the goddess of strife, to incite them to ardor for battle. The goddess stood on the ship of Ulysses, which was in the center of the fleet, and shouted so loud that she was heard all over the Greek camp. Loud was the voice, and terrible, in which She shouted from her station to the Greeks, And into every heart it carried strength, And the resolve to combat manfully, And never yield. The battle now to them Seemed more to be desired than the return To their dear country in their roomy ships. BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XI. Then began the greatest battle of the siege. So numerous were the exploits of heroes in this mighty conflict that the account of it occupies nearly eight books of the Iliad. Agamemnon led the Grecian warriors during the earlier part of the day. He was arrayed in brilliant armor, his breastplate being of gold and bronze and tin. Ten were its bars of tawny bronze, and twelve Were gold, and twenty tin; and on each side Were three bronze serpents stretching toward the neck. BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XI. His sword, glittering with golden studs, hung from his shoulder in a silver sheath, and in his hands he bore two great spears, brass-tipped and sharp. As he went forth to meet the foe, Juno and Minerva made a sound as of thunder in the sky, "honoring the king of Mycenæ, rich in gold." Thus did the Argive chief enter the field at the head of his warriors. The Trojans were already on the ground, their great leader, Hector, clad in shining brazen armor, giving his commands, now in the front and now in the rear. Like wolves rushing to combat the two hosts sprang against each other, and soon the battle raged furiously, the heroes on both sides fighting with equal valor. They of Troy And they of Argos smote each other down, And neither thought of ignominious flight. BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XI. But about midday the Greeks prevailed against the Trojans, and drove them back to the city gates. Agamemnon slew with his sword two of King Priam's sons, Iʹsus and Anʹti-phus, and with his spear he struck down many of the Trojan heroes. [Illustration: IRIS. _Painting by Watts._]