Iliad 1 Translation Flashcards
μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
οὐλομένην, ἣ μυρίʼ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄλγεʼ ἔθηκε,
Sing, goddess, of the wrath of Achilles, son of Peleus, the destructive (wrath) which caused countless pains for the Achaeans,
πολλὰς δʼ ἰφθίμους ψυχὰς Ἄϊδι προΐαψεν
ἡρώων, αὐτοὺς δὲ ἑλώρια τεῦχε κύνεσσιν
οἰωνοῖσί τε πᾶσι, Διὸς δʼ ἐτελείετο βουλή,
and sent/hurled down to Hades many brave souls of warriors, and made their bodies carrion for the dogs, and for all the birds - and the plan of Zeus was being fulfilled;
ἐξ οὗ δὴ τὰ πρῶτα διαστήτην ἐρίσαντε
Ἀτρεΐδης τε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν καὶ δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.
from the time when they two first parted in strife, Atreides lord of men and god-like Achilles.
τίς τʼ ἄρ σφωε θεῶν ἔριδι ξυνέηκε μάχεσθαι;
Now which of the gods set those two together to fight in strife?
Λητοῦς καὶ Διὸς υἱός· ὃ γὰρ βασιλῆϊ χολωθεὶς
It was the son of Leto and Zeus, for he was angry with the king
νοῦσον ἀνὰ στρατὸν ὄρσε κακήν, ὀλέκοντο δὲ λαοί,
and stirred up an evil plague throughout the army, and the troops were perishing,
οὕνεκα τὸν Χρύσην ἠτίμασεν ἀρητῆρα Ἀτρεΐδης·
because the son of Atreus had dishonoured Chryses the priest
ὃ γὰρ ἦλθε θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν
λυσόμενός τε θύγατρα φέρων τʼ ἀπερείσιʼ ἄποινα,
For he had come to the swift ships of the Achaeans to ransom/redeem his daughter, bringing a boundless ransom,
στέμματʼ ἔχων ἐν χερσὶν ἑκηβόλου Ἀπόλλωνος
χρυσέῳ ἀνὰ σκήπτρῳ,
and having in his hands the ribbons of Apollo who shoots from afar (fixed) on his golden staff,
καὶ λίσσετο πάντας Ἀχαιούς,
and he besought all Achaeans,
Ἀτρεΐδα δὲ μάλιστα δύω, κοσμήτορε λαῶν·
and especially the two sons of Atreus, commanders/marshals of the troops,
“Ἀτρεΐδαι τε καὶ ἄλλοι ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί
‘You sons of Atreus and you other well-greaved Achaeans
ὑμῖν μὲν θεοὶ δοῖεν Ὀλύμπια δώματʼ ἔχοντες
ἐκπέρσαι Πριάμοιο πόλιν, εὖ δʼ οἴκαδʼ ἱκέσθαι·
may the gods who have their homes on Olympus grant you to sack the city of Priam and get safely home
παῖδα δʼ ἐμοὶ λύσαιτε φίλην, τὰ δʼ ἄποινα δέχεσθαι,
But release my dear daughter, and accept the ransom,
ἁζόμενοι Διὸς υἱὸν ἑκηβόλον Ἀπόλλωνα.”
showing reverence to the son of Zeus, Apollo who shoots from afar’
ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἐπευφήμησαν Ἀχαιοὶ
αἰδεῖσθαί θʼ ἱερῆα καὶ ἀγλαὰ δέχθαι ἄποινα·
Then all the rest of the Achaeans shouted their approval for respecting the priest and receiving the illustrious ransom.
ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ἀτρεΐδῃ Ἀγαμέμνονι ἥνδανε θυμῷ,
But it did not please Agamemnon the son of Atreus in his heart,
ἀλλὰ κακῶς ἀφίει, κρατερὸν δʼ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλε·
but he dismissed him injuriously and laid a strong command upon him:
“μή σε γέρον κοίλῃσιν ἐγὼ παρὰ νηυσὶ κιχείω
‘Let me not find you, old man, by the hollow ships
ἢ νῦν δηθύνοντʼ ἢ ὕστερον αὖτις ἰόντα,
either loitering now or coming again later,
μή νύ τοι οὐ χραίσμῃ σκῆπτρον καὶ στέμμα θεοῖο·
lest indeed the staff and ribbons of the god do you no good.
τὴν δʼ ἐγὼ οὐ λύσω·
Her, however, I will not free.
πρίν μιν καὶ γῆρας ἔπεισιν
Before that happens, old age shall come upon her
ἡμετέρῳ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ ἐν Ἄργεϊ τηλόθι πάτρης
in our house in Argos far from her homeland
ἱστὸν ἐποιχομένην καὶ ἐμὸν λέχος ἀντιόωσαν·
as she approachees the loom and services (shares) my bed.
ἀλλʼ ἴθι μή μʼ ἐρέθιζε σαώτερος ὥς κε νέηαι.”
But go, do not anger me, if you want to return on the safe side (more safely).’
ὣς ἔφατʼ, ἔδεισεν δʼ ὃ γέρων καὶ ἐπείθετο μύθῳ·
So he spoke, and the old man was afraid and obeyed the command.
βῆ δʼ ἀκέων παρὰ θῖνα πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης·
He went in silence by the shore of the ever-roaring sea
πολλὰ δʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀπάνευθε κιὼν ἠρᾶθʼ ὃ γεραιὸς
Ἀπόλλωνι ἄνακτι, τὸν ἠΰκομος τέκε Λητώ·
Then, going far away, the old man prayed much (fervently?) to lord Apollo. whom Leto of the lovely hair bore:
“κλῦθί μευ ἀργυρότοξʼ, ὃς Χρύσην ἀμφιβέβηκας
Κίλλαν τε ζαθέην Τενέδοιό τε ἶφι ἀνάσσεις,
‘Hear me, (god) of the silver bow, (you) who protect Chryses and holiest Cilla, and rule over Tenedos in might,
Σμινθεῦ εἴ ποτέ τοι χαρίεντʼ ἐπὶ νηὸν ἔρεψα,
Smintheus (Apollo): if I ever roofed over a beautiful temple for you,
ἢ εἰ δή ποτέ τοι κατὰ πίονα μηρίʼ ἔκηα
ταύρων ἠδʼ αἰγῶν,
or if ever I burnt up for you fat thighs of bulls and goats,
τὸ δέ μοι κρήηνον ἐέλδωρ·
fulfil this wish, I ask you:
τείσειαν Δαναοὶ ἐμὰ δάκρυα σοῖσι βέλεσσιν.”
may the Danaans pay for my tears by (means of) your arrows”
ὣς ἔφατʼ εὐχόμενος, τοῦ δʼ ἔκλυε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,
So he spoke in prayer, and Phoebus Apollo heard him,
βῆ δὲ κατʼ Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων χωόμενος κῆρ,
and went down from the peaks of Olympus with anger in his heart,
τόξʼ ὤμοισιν ἔχων ἀμφηρεφέα τε φαρέτρην·
with his bow on his shoulders and his quiver covered at both ends.
ἔκλαγξαν δʼ ἄρʼ ὀϊστοὶ ἐπʼ ὤμων χωομένοιο, αὐτοῦ κινηθέντος·
The arrows rattled on the shoulders of the angry god, as [Apollo] himself moved,
ὃ δʼ ἤϊε νυκτὶ ἐοικώς.
And he came like the night
ἕζετʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀπάνευθε νεῶν, μετὰ δʼ ἰὸν ἕηκε·
Then he sat down, at a distance from the ships, and let fly an arrow:
δεινὴ δὲ κλαγγὴ γένετʼ ἀργυρέοιο βιοῖο·
terrible was the twang of his silver bow.
οὐρῆας μὲν πρῶτον ἐπῴχετο καὶ κύνας ἀργούς,
First he attacked the asses and the swift dogs,
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτʼ αὐτοῖσι βέλος ἐχεπευκὲς ἐφιεὶς
βάλλʼ·
but then, shooting a piercing dart at the men themselves, he kept on shooting.
αἰεὶ δὲ πυραὶ νεκύων καίοντο θαμειαί.
And the pyres of the dead were always burning thickly/numerously
ἐννῆμαρ μὲν ἀνὰ στρατὸν ᾤχετο κῆλα θεοῖο,
For nine days the arrows of the god went throughout the army,
τῇ δεκάτῃ δʼ ἀγορὴνδὲ καλέσσατο λαὸν Ἀχιλλεύς·
But on the tenth (day) Achilles called the people to an assembly.
τῷ γὰρ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη·
For the white-armed goddess Hera had put [it] into his mind;
κήδετο γὰρ Δαναῶν, ὅτι ῥα θνῄσκοντας ὁρᾶτο.
for she was concerned about the Danaans, because she was seeing them dying.
οἳ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τ’ ἐγένοντο,
When they were assembled and gathered together,
τοῖσι δʼ ἀνιστάμενος μετέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·
swift-footed Achilles, standing up, spoke before them:
“Ἀτρεΐδη, νῦν ἄμμε παλιμπλαγχθέντας ὀΐω
ἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν, εἴ κεν θάνατόν γε φύγοιμεν,
“Son of Atreus, I now rather think that we, having been driven back, will return home, supposing that we should escape death,
εἰ δὴ ὁμοῦ πόλεμός τε δαμᾷ καὶ λοιμὸς Ἀχαιούς·
if indeed war and plague together shall overcome the Achaeans.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε δή τινα μάντιν ἐρείομεν ἢ ἱερῆα
ἢ καὶ ὀνειροπόλον,
But come, let us ask some seer or a priest, or an interpreter of dreams,
καὶ γάρ τʼ ὄναρ ἐκ Διός ἐστιν,
- for a dream is also from Zeus,
ὅς κʼ εἴποι ὅ τι τόσσον ἐχώσατο Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,
who might tell us why Phoebus Apollo is so angry,
εἴτʼ ἄρʼ ὅ γʼ εὐχωλῆς ἐπιμέμφεται εἲθʼ ἑκατόμβης,
whether he finds fault with a vow or a hecatomb;
αἴ κέν πως ἀρνῶν κνίσης αἰγῶν τε τελείων
βούλεται ἀντιάσας ἡμῖν ἀπὸ λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι.’
in the hope that he may accept the odor of lambs and unblemished goats and be willing to ward off destruction from us.”
ἤτοι ὅ γʼ ὣς εἰπὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο·
Indeed having spoken thus he sat down:
τοῖσι δʼ ἀνέστη
Κάλχας Θεστορίδης οἰωνοπόλων ὄχʼ ἄριστος,
but in front of these men stood up Calchas, son of Thestor, by far the best of the interpreters of omens,
ὃς ᾔδη τά τʼ ἐόντα τά τʼ ἐσσόμενα πρό τʼ ἐόντα,
who knew what was, what was to be, and what had been before,
καὶ νήεσσʼ ἡγήσατʼ Ἀχαιῶν Ἴλιον εἴσω
ἣν διὰ μαντοσύνην,
and had led the ships of the Achaeans into Ilium through his prophecy,
τήν οἱ πόρε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων·
which Phoebus Apollo had given him.
ὅ σφιν ἐὺ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·
With wise intent, he addressed them and said:
“ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ κέλεαί με Διῒ φίλε μυθήσασθαι
μῆνιν Ἀπόλλωνος ἑκατηβελέταο ἄνακτος·
“Achilles, dear to Zeus, you bid me teach of the wrath of Apollo, the far-shooting lord.
τοὶγὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω·
So then I shall speak:
σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μοι ὄμοσσον
ἦ μέν μοι πρόφρων ἔπεσιν καὶ χερσὶν ἀρήξειν·
and you pay attention and swear to me that you will indeed readily help me with words or with [the strength of] your hands.
ἦ γὰρ ὀΐομαι ἄνδρα χολωσέμεν, ὃς μέγα πάντων
Ἀργείων κρατέει καί οἱ πείθονται Ἀχαιοί·
For indeed I think I shall anger a man, who mightily rules over all the Argives and the Acheaens obey him.
κρείσσων γὰρ βασιλεὺς ὅτε χώσεται ἀνδρὶ χέρηϊ·
For a king is stronger when he is angry with an inferior man.
εἴ περ γάρ τε χόλον γε καὶ αὐτῆμαρ καταπέψῃ,
For even if he swallows his anger on the same day,
ἀλλά τε καὶ μετόπισθεν ἔχει κότον, ὄφρα τελέσσῃ,
yet he nurses resentment afterwards in his heart, until he achieves his end.
ἐν στήθεσσιν ἑοῖσι· σὺ δὲ φράσαι εἴ με σαώσεις.”
But you, consider whether you will save me.”
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·
In answer to him spoke swift-footed Achilles:
“θαρσήσας μάλα εἰπὲ θεοπρόπιον ὅ τι οἶσθα·
Take heart fully, and speak whatever oracle you know.
οὐ μὰ γὰρ Ἀπόλλωνα Διῒ φίλον, ᾧ τε σὺ Κάλχαν
εὐχόμενος Δαναοῖσι θεοπροπίας ἀναφαίνεις,
For, by Apollo, dear to Zeus, to whom you, Calchas, pray as you reveal oracles to the Danaans,
οὔ τις ἐμεῦ ζῶντος καὶ ἐπὶ χθονὶ δερκομένοιο
σοὶ κοίλῃς παρὰ νηυσί βαρείας χεῖρας ἐποίσει
συμπάντων Δαναῶν,
nobody, so long as I live and see the light of day on earth, shall lay his heavy hands upon you by the hollow ships, not one of the whole host of Danaans,
οὐδʼ ἢν Ἀγαμέμνονα εἴπῃς,
ὃς νῦν πολλὸν ἄριστος Ἀχαιῶν εὔχεται εἶναι.
not even if you mean Agamemnon, who now claims to be by far the best of the Achaeans.
καὶ τότε δὴ θάρσησε καὶ ηὔδα μάντις ἀμύμων·
Then the noble prophet took heart and spoke:
“οὔτʼ ἄρ’ ὅ γʼ εὐχωλῆς ἐπιμέμφεται οὐδʼ ἑκατόμβης,
“He finds fault neither with vow nor with hecatomb,
ἀλλʼ ἕνεκʼ ἀρητῆρος ὃν ἠτίμησʼ Ἀγαμέμνων,
but because of the priest whom Agamemnon dishonoured,
οὐδʼ ἀπέλυσε θύγατρα καὶ οὐκ ἀπεδέξατʼ ἄποινα,
and did not release his daughter nor accept the ransom;
τοὔνεκʼ ἄρʼ ἄλγεʼ ἔδωκεν ἑκηβόλος ἠδʼ ἔτι δώσει·
therefore the far-shooter has given (us) woes and shall give more still.
οὐδʼ ὅ γε πρὶν Δαναοῖσιν ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἀπώσει
πρίν γʼ ἀπὸ πατρὶ φίλῳ δόμεναι ἑλικώπιδα κούρην
ἀπριάτην ἀνάποινον,
For he shall not drive the shameful plague away from the Danaans until they give back the dark-eyed girl to her dear father without payment or ransom,
ἄγειν θʼ ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην
ἐς Χρύσην·
and take a sacred hecatomb to Chryse.
τότε κέν μιν ἱλασσάμενοι πεπίθοιμεν.”
Then, having appeased him, we may persuade him.”
ἤτοι ὅ γʼ ὣς εἰπὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο·
Indeed having spoken thus he sat down:
τοῖσι δʼ ἀνέστη
ἥρως Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
ἀχνύμενος·
and among them stood up the hero, son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon in anger.
μένεος δὲ μέγα φρένες ἀμφιμέλαιναι
πίμπλαντʼ, ὄσσε δέ οἱ πυρὶ λαμπετόωντι ἐΐκτην·
And his heart, black all-around, was greatly filled with rage, and his eyes were like gleaming fire.
Κάλχαντα πρώτιστα κάκʼ ὀσσόμενος προσέειπε·
Calchas he addressed first, with an evil look.
μάντι κακῶν οὐ πώ ποτέ μοι τὸ κρήγυον εἶπας·
“Prophet of evil, you have never yet told me anything good.
αἰεί τοι τὰ κάκʼ ἐστὶ φίλα φρεσὶ μαντεύεσθαι,
It is always dear to your heart to prophesy evil,
ἐσθλὸν δʼ οὔτέ τί πω εἶπας ἔπος οὔτʼ ἐτέλεσσας·
and you have never said a good word nor carried one out.
καὶ νῦν ἐν Δαναοῖσι θεοπροπέων ἀγορεύεις
ὡς δὴ τοῦδʼ ἕνεκά σφιν ἑκηβόλος ἄλγεα τεύχει,
And now among the Danaans you prophesy and speak out, saying that it is for this reason that the far-shooter brings woes upon them,
οὕνεκʼ ἐγὼ κούρης Χρυσηΐδος ἀγλάʼ ἄποινα
οὐκ ἔθελον δέξασθαι,
because the splendid ransom for the girl Chryseis I would not accept,
ἐπεὶ πολὺ βούλομαι αὐτὴν
οἴκοι ἔχειν·
since I very much want to keep her at home.
καὶ γάρ ῥα Κλυταιμνήστρης προβέβουλα
κουριδίης ἀλόχου,
And indeed I prefer her to Clytemnestra, my wedded wife,
ἐπεὶ οὔ ἑθέν ἐστι χερείων,
οὐ δέμας οὐδὲ φυήν, οὔτʼ ἂρ φρένας οὔτέ τι ἔργα.
since she is not inferior to her, in appearance, or in height, or in her wits or her work.
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἐθέλω δόμεναι πάλιν εἰ τό γʼ ἄμεινον·
Even so, I am willing to give her back, if that is best.
βούλομʼ ἐγὼ λαὸν σῶν ἔμμεναι ἢ ἀπολέσθαι·
I would rather the army were safe than be destroyed.
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ γέρας αὐτίχʼ ἑτοιμάσατʼ ὄφρα μὴ οἶος
Ἀργείων ἀγέραστος ἔω, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ ἔοικε·
But have another prize ready for me at once, lest I alone of the Achaeans be without a prize, since that is not at all fitting,
λεύσσετε γὰρ τό γε πάντες ὅ μοι γέρας ἔρχεται ἄλλῃ.”
For you all see this, that my prize is going elsewhere.’
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς·
Then swift-footed godlike Achilles answered him:
“Ἀτρεΐδη κύδιστε φιλοκτεανώτατε πάντων,
‘Most glorious son of Atreus, of all men you are the most glorious.
πῶς γάρ τοι δώσουσι γέρας μεγάθυμοι Ἀχαιοί;
For how can the great-hearted Achaeans give you a prize?
οὐδέ τί που ἴδμεν ξυνήϊα κείμενα πολλά·
We know of no large amounts of common property lying about anywhere.
ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν πολίων ἐξεπράθομεν, τὰ δέδασται,
What we plundered from cities, that has been divided up,
λαοὺς δʼ οὐκ ἐπέοικε παλίλλογα ταῦτʼ ἐπαγείρειν.
and it is not fitting to take this back from the troops.
ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν τήνδε θεῷ πρόες·
But come, give up this woman to the god.
αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ
τριπλῇ τετραπλῇ τʼ ἀποτείσομεν,
Moreover, we Achaeans shall recompense you three- and four-fold,
αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς
δῷσι πόλιν Τροίην εὐτείχεον ἐξαλαπάξαι.”
if only Zeus grant that we sack the well-walled city of Troy.’
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων·
In reply to him spoke mighty Agamemnon:
μὴ δʼ οὕτως ἀγαθός περ ἐὼν θεοείκελʼ Ἀχιλλεῦ
κλέπτε νόῳ,
‘Do not thus excellent though you be, godlike Achilles, [try to] deceive me with your mind,
ἐπεὶ οὐ παρελεύσεαι οὐδέ με πείσεις.
since you shall not outwit me nor shall you persuade me.
ἦ ἐθέλεις ὄφρʼ αὐτὸς ἔχῃς γέρας, αὐτὰρ ἔμʼ αὔτως
ἧσθαι δευόμενον, κέλεαι δέ με τήνδʼ ἀποδοῦναι;
It is your wish, so long as you yourself have a prize, that I however should sit here like this with nothing: and so you bid me give her back?
ἀλλʼ εἰ μὲν δώσουσι γέρας μεγάθυμοι Ἀχαιοὶ
But if the great-hearted Achaeans will give me a prize,
ἄρσαντες κατὰ θυμὸν ὅπως ἀντάξιον ἔσται·
that will be of equal value, suiting [it] to my wish/heart, [I will be satisfied].
εἰ δέ κε μὴ δώωσιν ἐγὼ δέ κεν αὐτὸς ἕλωμαι
But if they do not give me one, then I myself shall come and take one,
ἢ τεὸν ἢ Αἴαντος ἰὼν γέρας, ἢ Ὀδυσῆος
ἄξω ἑλών·
either yours, or that of Ajax, or that of Odysseus shall I take and lead away.
ὃ δέ κεν κεχολώσεται ὅν κεν ἵκωμαι.
And the man to whom I [will] come shall be angry.
ἀλλʼ ἤτοι μὲν ταῦτα μεταφρασόμεσθα καὶ αὖτις,
But we shall consider these things later,
νῦν δʼ ἄγε νῆα μέλαιναν ἐρύσσομεν εἰς ἅλα δῖαν,
but for now, come, let us drag a black ship into the shining sea,
ἐν δʼ ἐρέτας ἐπιτηδὲς ἀγείρομεν, ἐς δʼ ἑκατόμβην
θείομεν,
and assemble oarsmen in sufficient number, and place on board a hecatomb,
ἂν δʼ αὐτὴν Χρυσηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον
βήσομεν·
and the fair cheeked Chryseis herself let us put aboard.
εἷς δέ τις ἀρχὸς ἀνὴρ βουληφόρος ἔστω,
And let a single man who is a counsellor be master of the ship,
ἢ Αἴας ἢ Ἰδομενεὺς ἢ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
ἠὲ σὺ Πηλεΐδη πάντων ἐκπαγλότατʼ ἀνδρῶν,
either Ajax or Idomeneus or shining Odysseus, or you, son of Peleus, most terrible of all men,
ὄφρʼ ἥμιν ἑκάεργον ἱλάσσεαι ἱερὰ ῥέξας.”
so that you may make sacrifice and appease the Far-Worker for us.’
τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·
Looking from under, swift-footed Achilles spoke to him:
“ὤ μοι ἀναιδείην ἐπιειμένε κερδαλεόφρον,
‘Woe is me, you that are clothed in shamelessness, crafty minded,
πῶς τίς τοι πρόφρων ἔπεσιν πείθηται Ἀχαιῶν
ἢ ὁδὸν ἐλθέμεναι ἢ ἀνδράσιν ἶφι μάχεσθαι;
how could any of the Achaeans with forward mind obey your words either to go on a journey or fight men with force?
οὐ γὰρ ἐγὼ Τρώων ἕνεκʼ ἤλυθον αἰχμητάων
δεῦρο μαχησόμενος, ἐπεὶ οὔ τί μοι αἴτιοί εἰσιν·
For I did not come here to fight on account of Trojan spearmen, since they are guilty of no wrong in my eyes.
οὐ γὰρ πώποτʼ ἐμὰς βοῦς ἤλασαν οὐδὲ μὲν ἵππους,
For they never yet drove off my cows or my horses,
οὐδέ ποτʼ ἐν Φθίῃ ἐριβώλακι βωτιανείρῃ
καρπὸν ἐδηλήσαντʼ,
nor at any time in Phthia of the rich soil, nourishing of heroes, did they destroy my crops;
ἐπεὶ ἦ μάλα πολλὰ μεταξὺ
οὔρεά τε σκιόεντα θάλασσά τε ἠχήεσσα·
indeed full many things lie between here and there, overshadowing mountains and echoing sea.
ἀλλὰ σοὶ ὦ μέγʼ ἀναιδὲς ἅμʼ ἑσπόμεθʼ ὄφρα σὺ χαίρῃς,
But you, most shameless one, we followed you, so that you might be content,
τιμὴν ἀρνύμενοι Μενελάῳ σοί τε κυνῶπα
πρὸς Τρώων·
fighting to win honour for Menelaus and for you, dog-eyed one, at the hands of the Trojans.
τῶν οὔ τι μετατρέπῃ οὐδʼ ἀλεγίζεις·
But you consider nothing about these things nor care for them.
καὶ δή μοι γέρας αὐτὸς ἀφαιρήσεσθαι ἀπειλεῖς,
And now you yourself threaten to take my prize from me,
ᾧ ἔπι πολλὰ μόγησα, δόσαν δέ μοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν.
for which I toiled much, and the sons of the Achaeans gave it to me.
οὐ μὲν σοί ποτε ἶσον ἔχω γέρας ὁππότʼ Ἀχαιοὶ
Τρώων ἐκπέρσωσʼ εὖ ναιόμενον πτολίεθρον·
nor do I have a prize equal to yours whenever the Achaeans sack a well-inhabited city of Trojans.
ἀλλὰ τὸ μὲν πλεῖον πολυάϊκος πολέμοιο
χεῖρες ἐμαὶ διέπουσʼ·
But my hands manage the greater part of impetuous war,
ἀτὰρ ἤν ποτε δασμὸς ἵκηται,
but whenever a division of spoils may come,
σοὶ τὸ γέρας πολὺ μεῖζον,
your prize is by far the bigger,
ἐγὼ δʼ ὀλίγον τε φίλον τε
ἔρχομʼ ἔχων ἐπὶ νῆας,
whereas I with [a prize] only little, but dear to me, go back to my ships,
ἐπεί κε κάμω πολεμίζων.
whenever I grow tired from fighting.
νῦν δʼ εἶμι Φθίην δʼ,
But now I shall go to Phthia,
ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερόν ἐστιν
οἴκαδʼ ἴμεν σὺν νηυσὶ κορωνίσιν,
since it is surely far better
to go home with the beaked ships,
οὐδέ σʼ ὀΐω
ἐνθάδʼ ἄτιμος ἐὼν ἄφενος καὶ πλοῦτον ἀφύξειν.”
nor do I intend, being dishonoured, to draw up wealth and riches here for you.’
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων·
Then Agamemnon lord of men answered him:
“φεῦγε μάλʼ εἴ τοι θυμὸς ἐπέσσυται, οὐδέ σʼ ἔγωγε
λίσσομαι εἵνεκʼ ἐμεῖο μένειν·
‘By all means flee, if your heart urges you; I, at any rate, do not beg you to stay on my account.
πάρʼ ἔμοιγε καὶ ἄλλοι
οἵ κέ με τιμήσουσι,
And at any rate beside me [are] others who will honour me,
μάλιστα δὲ μητίετα Ζεύς.
especially Zeus the counsellor.
ἔχθιστος δέ μοί ἐσσι διοτρεφέων βασιλήων·
You are the most hateful to me of the Zeus-nurtured kings (the Greek leaders).
αἰεὶ γάρ τοι ἔρις τε φίλη πόλεμοί τε μάχαι τε·
For [both] strife and war and battles are always dear to you.
εἰ μάλα καρτερός ἐσσι, θεός που σοὶ τό γʼ ἔδωκεν·
If you are very strong, I suppose a god gave you this.
οἴκαδʼ ἰὼν σὺν νηυσί τε σῇς καὶ σοῖς ἑτάροισι
Μυρμιδόνεσσιν ἄνασσε,
Go home with your ships and your comrades and rule over the Myrmidons.
σέθεν δʼ ἐγὼ οὐκ ἀλεγίζω,
But I do not care about you,
οὐδʼ ὄθομαι κοτέοντος· ἀπειλήσω δέ τοι ὧδε·
nor do I care about you being angry. But I shall threaten you in this way.
ὡς ἔμʼ ἀφαιρεῖται Χρυσηΐδα Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,
τὴν μὲν ἐγὼ σὺν νηΐ τʼ ἐμῇ καὶ ἐμοῖς ἑτάροισι
πέμψω,
As Phoebus Apollo is taking Chryseis from me, I shall send her with my ship and my comrades,
ἐγὼ δέ κʼ ἄγω Βρισηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον
αὐτὸς ἰὼν κλισίην δὲ τὸ σὸν γέρας ὄφρʼ ἐῢ εἰδῇς
ὅσσον φέρτερός εἰμι σέθεν,
but I shall take Briseis of the fair cheeks, your prize, coming myself to your tent, so that you may know how much mightier I am than you,
στυγέῃ δὲ καὶ ἄλλος
ἶσον ἐμοὶ φάσθαι καὶ ὁμοιωθήμεναι ἄντην.”
and so that another man may hate to speak on equal terms with me and compare himself (to me) in front of me.”
ὣς φάτο· Πηλεΐωνι δʼ ἄχος γένετʼ,
So he spoke. And in the son of Peleus there arose grief,
ἐν δέ οἱ ἦτορ
στήθεσσιν λασίοισι διάνδιχα μερμήριξεν,
and his heart within his shaggy breast was torn between two courses,
ἢ ὅ γε φάσγανον ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ
τοὺς μὲν ἀναστήσειεν, ὃ δʼ Ἀτρεΐδην ἐναρίζοι,
whether to draw his sharp sword from by his thigh and put the others to flight but kill the son of Atreus,
ἦε χόλον παύσειεν ἐρητύσειέ τε θυμόν.
or whether to check his bile and restrain his [angry] heart.
ἧος ὃ ταῦθʼ ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,
While he was turning these things over in his mind and heart,
ἕλκετο δʼ ἐκ κολεοῖο μέγα ξίφος, ἦλθε δʼ Ἀθήνη
οὐρανόθεν·
and was drawing his great sword from its scabbard, Athena came from the heavens.
πρὸ γὰρ ἧκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη
ἄμφω ὁμῶς θυμῷ φιλέουσά τε κηδομένη τε·
For the white-armed goddess Hera had sent her forth, for she loved them both equally in her heart and cared for them.
στῆ δʼ ὄπιθεν, ξανθῆς δὲ κόμης ἕλε Πηλεΐωνα
οἴῳ φαινομένη·
And she stood behind him, and took hold of the son of Peleus by his blond hair, appearing to him alone.
τῶν δʼ ἄλλων οὔ τις ὁρᾶτο·
None of the others saw her.
θάμβησεν δʼ Ἀχιλεύς, μετὰ δʼ ἐτράπετʼ, αὐτίκα δʼ ἔγνω
Παλλάδʼ Ἀθηναίην· δεινὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε φάανθεν·
But Achilles was amazed, and turned round, and immediately recognized Pallas Athena; for her eyes shone terribly.
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·
“τίπτʼ αὖτʼ αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς τέκος εἰλήλουθας;
and he spoke to her with winged words and said:
‘Why have you come again, child of aegis-bearing Zeus?
ἦ ἵνα ὕβριν ἴδῃ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεΐδαο;
Is it in order to see the arrogance of Agamemnon, son of Atreus?
ἀλλʼ ἔκ τοι ἐρέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τελέεσθαι ὀΐω·
ᾗς ὑπεροπλίῃσι τάχʼ ἄν ποτε θυμὸν ὀλέσσῃ.”
But I shall tell you, and I think this will be accomplished: He will soon lose his life because of his arrogant behaviour.’
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·
Again the owl-eyed goddess Athena addressed him:
“ἦλθον ἐγὼ παύσουσα τὸ σὸν μένος, αἴ κε πίθηαι,
οὐρανόθεν·
‘I came to stop your anger in the hope that you obey, from the heavens.
πρὸ δέ μʼ ἧκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη
ἄμφω ὁμῶς θυμῷ φιλέουσά τε κηδομένη τε·
The white-armed goddess Hera sent me forth, for she loves you both equally in her heart and cares for you.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε λῆγʼ ἔριδος, μηδὲ ξίφος ἕλκεο χειρί·
But come now, cease from strife, and do not draw your sword with your hand.
ἀλλʼ ἤτοι ἔπεσιν μὲν ὀνείδισον ὡς ἔσεταί περ·
But taunt/reproach him with words, [telling him] what the outcome will be.
ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται·
For thus I shall tell you, and it shall come to pass:
καί ποτέ τοι τρὶς τόσσα παρέσσεται ἀγλαὰ δῶρα
ὕβριος εἵνεκα τῆσδε·
One day you shall have three times as many splendid gifts because of this arrogance.
σὺ δʼ ἴσχεο, πείθεο δʼ ἡμῖν.”
But be restrained and obey us.’
τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·
In answer to her spoke swift-footed Achilles:
“χρὴ μὲν σφωΐτερόν γε θεὰ ἔπος εἰρύσσασθαι
καὶ μάλα περ θυμῷ κεχολωμένον·
‘One must observe, goddess, the word of you two, even if one is very angry at heart.
ὧς γὰρ ἄμεινον·
ὅς κε θεοῖς ἐπιπείθηται μάλα τʼ ἔκλυον αὐτοῦ.”
For thus it is better. He who obeys the gods, they indeed listen to [him].’
ἦ καὶ ἐπʼ ἀργυρέῃ κώπῃ σχέθε χεῖρα βαρεῖαν, ἂψ δʼ ἐς κουλεὸν ὦσε μέγα ξίφος,
He spoke, and placed his heavy hand on the silver hilt, and thrust the great sword back into its scabbard,
οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε
μύθῳ Ἀθηναίης·
and he did not disobey the word of Athena.
ἣ δʼ Οὔλυμπον δὲ βεβήκει
δώματʼ ἐς αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς μετὰ δαίμονας ἄλλους.
But she had gone back to Olympus to the house of Zeus who bears the aegis and to the other gods.
