The Iliad · Chapter
Book IV: The Breaking of the Truce, and the First Battle explained
The gods convene on Olympus, and Zeus tests Hera and Athena by suggesting peace.
What happens
The gods convene on Olympus, and Zeus tests Hera and Athena by suggesting peace. Hera insists on Troy's destruction, and Zeus relents. Athena descends to the battlefield, disguised as Laodocus, and persuades Pandarus to break the truce by shooting Menelaus. Menelaus is wounded, but not fatally. Agamemnon grieves and rallies the Greeks, while Machaon tends to the wound. The truce collapses, and the first great battle of the war begins.
Themes in this chapter
The Role of the Gods
The gods actively intervene: Zeus tests the goddesses, Athena directly manipulates Pandarus to break the truce, and she deflects the arrow from killing Menelaus.
The Horrors of War
The truce is treacherously broken, leading to the resumption of battle and the first bloodshed, with vivid descriptions of Menelaus's wound and the ensuing chaos.
Wrath and Its Consequences
Hera's unyielding wrath against Troy drives the decision to continue the war, overriding Zeus's initial suggestion of peace.
Characters to notice
- Menelaus
Wounded by Pandarus's arrow; the wound is superficial, and he is treated by Machaon.
- Agamemnon
Horrified by his brother's wound; delivers a speech foretelling Troy's destruction and rallies the Greek forces.
- Machaon
Summoned by Talthybius to treat Menelaus's wound; skillfully removes the arrow and applies balsam.
- Pandarus
Persuaded by Athena (disguised as Laodocus) to shoot Menelaus, thus breaking the truce.
- Athena
Sent by Zeus to incite the Trojans to break the truce; disguises herself and convinces Pandarus to shoot Menelaus.
- Zeus
Presides over the divine council; tests Hera and Athena, then yields to Hera's wish for continued war.
- Hera
Argues passionately for Troy's destruction; persuades Zeus to allow the war to continue.
- Paris
Mentioned as the one who would reward Pandarus for killing Menelaus; protected by Aphrodite in earlier combat.
Key passages
“lies within her chamber, to become The ornament of some great monarch’s steed And make its rider proud—thy shapely thighs, Thy legs, and thy fair ankles thus were stained, O Menelaus! with thy purple blood.”
Menelaus's blood stains his legs and ankles like a precious ivory ornament meant for a king's horse.
Simile comparing the wound's appearance to a dyed ivory piece, emphasizing both beauty and injury.
“Dear brother, when I sent thee forth alone To combat with the Trojans for the Greeks, I ratified a treaty for thy death, since now the Trojans smite and under foot Trample the league.”
Agamemnon laments that by sending Menelaus to duel Paris, he unwittingly sealed a pact that led to his brother's wounding, as the Trojans have now broken the truce.
Agamemnon's grief and anger at the broken oath, foreshadowing divine punishment.
“Grasping the bowstring and the arrow’s notch, He drew them back, and forced the string to meet His breast, the arrow-head to meet the bow, Till the bow formed a circle. Then it twanged. The cord gave out a shrilly sound; the shaft Leaped forth in eager haste to reach the host.”
Pandarus draws his bow with great effort, forming a full circle, and releases the arrow, which flies eagerly toward the Greek army.
Detailed description of the archery technique, highlighting the tension and speed of the shot.
