# Book VIII: The Second Battle explained — The Iliad > Chapter companion for The Iliad by Homer. ## What happens Hector, driven by Zeus, pushes the Greeks back to their ships. Agamemnon rallies the Greeks with a speech, and Zeus sends an eagle as a favorable omen. Diomedes and Teucer fight valiantly, but Zeus signals victory for the Trojans. Hera and Athena attempt to intervene but are stopped by Zeus's messenger Iris, and they submit to his will. ## Themes in this chapter ### The Role of the Gods Zeus actively controls the battle's outcome, sending omens and thunder, while Hera and Athena's attempt to intervene is thwarted by his authority. ### The Horrors of War The relentless Trojan assault, the deaths of multiple warriors by Teucer's arrows, and the Greeks' desperate retreat highlight war's brutality. ### Heroism and Mortality Diomedes and Teucer display heroism in battle, but their efforts are limited by Zeus's decree, emphasizing human mortality against divine will. ## Character check-ins ### Hector Leads the Trojan assault, driving the Greeks back to their ships with Zeus's favor. ### Agamemnon Rallies the Greek army after Hera moves him, climbing Ulysses' ship to exhort the troops. ### Diomedes Fights bravely, kills Agelaus, and struggles with the decision to face Hector, restrained by Zeus's thunder. ### Teucer Fights from behind Ajax's shield, killing many Trojans with his bow, and is praised by Agamemnon. ### Nestor Advises Diomedes to retreat, acknowledging Zeus's will, and helps turn the steeds rearward. ### Hera Attempts to aid the Greeks by moving Agamemnon and later tries to join battle with Athena, but is stopped by Zeus. ### Athena Prepares for war with Hera but is turned back by Iris's message from Zeus. ### Zeus Decrees glory for Hector, sends an eagle omen, thunders from Ida to signal Trojan victory, and forbids Hera and Athena from intervening. ## Key lines > O Greeks! Shame on ye! Cravens who excel In form alone! Where now are all the boasts Of your invincible valor⁠—the vain words Ye uttered pompously when at the feast In Lemnos sitting ye devoured the flesh Of hornèd beeves, and drank from bowls of wine, Flower-crowned, and bragged that each of you would be A match for fivescore Trojans, or for twice Fivescore? And now we all are not a match For Hector singly, who will give our fleet Soon to consuming flames. Agamemnon shames the Greeks, reminding them of their past boasts of valor at feasts in Lemnos, and contrasts it with their current inability to stand against Hector alone. _Agamemnon's rallying speech uses shame to motivate the Greek army._ > And now the Trojans and their leader gave A mighty cry, and poured on them a storm Of deadly darts, and crested Hector raised His thundering voice and shouted after them:⁠— 'O son of Tydeus! The swift-riding Greeks Have honored thee beyond all other men, At banquets, with high place and delicate meats And flowing cups. They will despise thee now, For thou art like a woman. Timorous girl! Take thyself hence, and never think that I Shall yield to thee, that thou mayst climb our towers And bear away our women in thy ships; For I shall give thee first the doom of death.' Hector taunts Diomedes as he retreats, calling him a cowardly woman and threatening him with death, mocking his honored status among the Greeks. _Hector's taunt aims to provoke Diomedes into a reckless attack._ > Then Hector to the Trojans called aloud:⁠— 'Trojans and Lycians all, and ye who close In deadly fight, the sons of Dardanus! Acquit yourselves like men, my friends; recall Your fiery valor now, for I perceive The son of Saturn doth award to me Victory and vast renown, and to the Greeks Destruction.' Hector rallies the Trojans and allies, declaring that Zeus has granted him victory and the Greeks' destruction. _Hector uses Zeus's favor to inspire his troops._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-viii-the-second-battle - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters