Book XI: The Third Battle, and Exploits of Agamemnon explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• The Horrors of War

  The chapter vividly depicts the brutality of battle, with graphic descriptions of killing, mutilation, and the sorrow of widows, emphasizing war's devastating human cost.

• Heroism and Mortality

  Agamemnon's prowess and eventual wounding, along with the deaths of many warriors, highlight the fleeting nature of glory and the inevitability of death in combat.

• The Role of the Gods

  Zeus sends Strife to incite battle, Iris warns Hector, Apollo protects Hector from Diomed's spear, and the gods observe from Olympus, showing their direct influence on mortal affairs.

Characters to notice

• Agamemnon

  Leads the Greek assault, slays many Trojans including Bienor, Oileus, Isus, Antiphus, Pisander, and Hippolochus, but is eventually wounded and forced to withdraw.

• Hector

  Warned by Iris to avoid fighting until Agamemnon is wounded; after Agamemnon's retreat, he leads the Trojan counterattack and causes great havoc.

• Odysseus

  Rallies Diomed and the Greeks after Agamemnon's wounding, fights alongside Diomed, and slays Molion, Hippodamus, and Hypirochus.

• Diomedes

  Fights valiantly alongside Ulysses, wounds Hector (though the spear is turned by Apollo's gift), slays Thymbraeus and others, but is wounded in the foot by Paris.

• Ajax

  Rescues Diomed after he is wounded by Paris, helping to rally the Greeks.

• Paris

  Wounds Diomed with an arrow from ambush, boasting of his shot.

• Nestor

  Converses with Patroclus about the wounded Greeks and the dire state of the battle.

• Patroclus

  Engages in conversation with Nestor, learning of the Greek casualties and the need for aid.

Key passages

• “Now did the Morning from her couch beside Renowned Tithonus rise, that she might bring The light to gods and men, when Jupiter To the swift galleys of the Grecian host Sent baleful Strife, who bore in hand aloft War’s ensigns.”

  Dawn rose, and Zeus sent Strife to the Greek ships to stir up battle.

  Opening of the book, setting the scene for the day's combat.

• “The son of Saturn sent among their ranks Confusion, and dropped down upon the host Dews tinged with blood, in sign that he that day Would send to Hades many a valiant chief.”

  Zeus caused confusion and sent blood-red dew as an omen of the many deaths to come.

  Divine portent foreshadowing the heavy casualties of the battle.

• “First to his thighs He bound the beautiful greaves with silver clasps, Then fitted to his chest the breastplate given By Cinyras, a pledge of kind intent;”

  Agamemnon put on his greaves and the breastplate gifted by Cinyras of Cyprus.

  Detailed arming scene emphasizing Agamemnon's royal status and the value of diplomatic gifts.

• “Hector perceived his fall, as through the files He looked, and straightway hastened to the spot With shouts; and after him came rapidly The phalanxes of Trojans.”

  Hector saw Agastrophus fall and rushed to the attack, followed by Trojan ranks.

  Hector's response to the Greek advance, showing his leadership.

• “The son of Tydeus sprang To seize his spear, which now stood fixed in earth Among the foremost warriors. In that time Did Hector breathe again, and, having leaped Into his chariot, he avoided death, By mingling with the crowd;”

  Diomed went to retrieve his spear, giving Hector time to recover and escape in his chariot.

  Hector's narrow escape from Diomed's attack, saved by Apollo's gift.

• “The Trojan drew the bow’s elastic horn, And sent an arrow that not vainly flew, But, striking the right foot, pierced through, and reached The ground beneath.”

  Paris shot an arrow that struck Diomed in the right foot, pinning it to the ground.

  Paris wounds Diomed from ambush, a turning point in the battle.