Book XII: The Battle at the Grecian Wall explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Heroism and Mortality

  Sarpedon's speech to Glaucus emphasizes that since death is inevitable, warriors must fight bravely to win glory for themselves or grant it to others.

• Pride and Reconciliation

  Asius' pride leads him to ignore Polydamas' wise counsel, charging the gates with his chariot and facing doom.

• The Horrors of War

  The brutal hand-to-hand combat at the wall, with stones and spears causing gruesome deaths, highlights the savagery of battle.

• The Role of the Gods

  The wall's eventual destruction is foretold as the work of Apollo and Poseidon, showing divine influence over human constructions.

Characters to notice

• Hector

  Leads the Trojan assault, dismounts on Polydamas' advice, and later breaks through the Greek gate with a stone.

• Polydamas

  Advises Hector to dismount the chariots and attack on foot in five columns.

• Sarpedon

  Leads the Lycian assault on the wall, delivers a speech on honor and mortality, and kills Alcmaon.

• Glaucus

  Follows Sarpedon's lead but is wounded by Teucer's arrow and retreats.

• Ajax

  Responds to Menestheus' call for aid, kills Epicles with a massive stone.

• Teucer

  Accompanies Ajax and wounds Glaucus with an arrow.

• Menestheus

  Commands the tower under attack by the Lycians and summons Ajax and Teucer for help.

• Asius

  Disobeys Polydamas' counsel, charges the gates with his chariot, and is repelled by Polypoetes and Leonteus.

Key passages

• “Why, Glaucus, are we honored, on the shores Of Lycia, with the highest seat at feasts, And with full cups? Why look men up to us As to the gods? And why do we possess Broad, beautiful enclosures, full of vines And wheat, beside the Xanthus? Then it well Becomes us, foremost in the Lycian ranks To stand against the foe, where'er the fight Is hottest; so our well-armed Lycian men Shall say, and truly: 'Not ingloriously Our kings bear rule in Lycia, where they feast On fatlings of the flock, and drink choice wine; For they excel in valor, and they fight Among our foremost.' O my friend, if we, Leaving this war, could flee from age and death, I should not here be fighting in the van, Nor would I send thee to the glorious war But now, since many are the modes of death Impending o'er us, which no man can hope To shun, let us press on and give renown To other men, or win it for ourselves!”

  Sarpedon asks Glaucus why they enjoy privileges and honors in Lycia if not to fight bravely in battle. Since death is unavoidable, they must fight to win glory or grant it to others.

  Sarpedon's speech encapsulates the heroic code: privilege demands valor, and mortality drives the pursuit of glory.

• “Heed, then, my words, and let the charioteers Stay with the coursers at the trench, while we, Armed, and on foot, and all in close array, Follow our Hector. For the Greeks in vain Will strive to stem our onset if, in truth, The hour of their destruction be at hand.”

  Polydamas advises Hector to leave the chariots behind and attack on foot in close formation, as the trench is too dangerous for horses.

  Polydamas' prudent counsel is accepted by Hector, showing strategic thinking amidst the chaos.

• “So in the camp Menoetius' valiant son Tended Eurypylus, and dressed his wounds; While yet in mingled throngs the warriors fought— Trojans and Greeks.”

  Patroclus is tending to the wounded Eurypylus in the camp while the battle rages on.

  Patroclus is absent from the main battle, caring for a wounded comrade.