The war has become a game to the
Gods on Olympus. Some of the them support each other like Hera and Athena who
clearly favor the Greeks. Others
use the war as a way to call out one another’s shortcomings. For example, turns out Ares, the “war
god”, is really more of a watcher and when Diomedes wounds him, he runs back to
Olympus to tell on him. Aphrodite
basically does the same thing when wounded. And, while even Zeus points out Aphrodite’s courage at being
in the middle of things, supporting her team, she too runs back to her mother
once wounded. There is nothing more ridiculous to see, than immortals running
for their lives.
Zeus and Hera, ever the
bickering couple, have begun to use the war as a way to ruffle each other’s
feathers. While, gods as a rule
are not very good at marriage, you would think that since Hera is the goddess
of marriage, she’d have a better grasp on the concept. Hera is emotionally invested in this
war. For whatever reason, she has
a deep-seeded hatred for all that is Troy or Trojan. Zeus, who is playing it cool and not really taking sides, yet,
likes to play devils advocate.
Their most recent skirmish resulted in the likely destruction of three
cities whose citizens have nothing to do with this war. Why, you ask? Because, Hera is so obsessed with the destruction of Troy
that she offered up three of her other favorite cities for destruction at Zeus’
hand. I’m not really sure he would
do it; I think Zeus just wanted to see how far he could push Hera.
Achilles is still hanging back
at camp, which is probably why I am so calm in the mist of the calamity on Olympus. Diomedes had a rewarding day on the
battlefield. He killed and wounded
many Trojans and gods than any man, other than my Achilles, should have the stamina
manage. He will sleep the sleep of
the dead tonight, figuratively speaking.
To be fair, the Trojan prince, Hector,
unlike his brother Paris, is a great warrior as well. If Achilles decides to involve himself in the battle again,
it is Hector I will fear. Hector
and his wife, Andromache are good people.
I believe in my heart that had Agamemnon not attached Troy, Hector would
have been content to live out his days in peace. He is not one to walk away from battle, he is prideful, but
I do not think he would go in search of κλεος. I think he would like to watch his son,
Astyanax, grow into a man.
Andromache would be happy for Hector to put aside his pride and run away
with her and the baby. Hector,
whose αιδος has already been trampled on by the
actions of his brother, however, cannot bring himself to further shame his
people.
And, speaking of Paris, he has not been moved to show his face in
battle again. Knowing Helen, she
is probably talking to Paris like Hera talks to Zeus. The difference being, while Zeus clearly rules the roost on
Olympus, Paris is no match for Helen’s αιδος. He has shamed both Helen and Hector,
actually, the entire Trojan people.
To think, if Aphrodite had left well enough alone, Menelaos might simply
have killed Paris, taken back Helen and everyone could have gone home. Well, maybe, there is no limit to Agamemnon’s ambition.
Oh, I found this lying
around, not sure how accurate it is but, it is the layout of Troy and the Greek
camp during the war.
9.21.14
With dusk approaching,
Athene and Apollo decide it is time to call it a day. At Athene’s bidding, Hector challenges
any of the Achaians to a one-on-one.
None accept until Nestor, shames the younger warriors and nine step
forward. They draw lots and Aias,
who you may better know as Ajax, is the “winner”? At any rate, they volley back and forth for a while without
causing any real damage until Zeus discovers what is taking place and he stops
the battle because of darkness.
Both the Achaians and the Trojans want to collect the bodies
of those who fell in battle. Antenor,
Priam’s advisor suggests it might be best to return Helen and her treasures to
put an end to this war. Paris
agrees to return Helen’s treasures, but he will not give up Helen. A messenger is sent to Agamemnon with
news that they might cease battle to collect their dead and, that while Helen
will not be returned, Paris will give back the treasure and then some. Naturally, the treasure offer is
rejected but they agree to a truce to honor the dead.
Making use of time and resources, the Achaians build a wall
over the funeral pryes to gain protection from the Trojans. I knew this was trouble because
Poseidon doesn’t like anyone messing with his beaches, especially since the
Achaians did not even make a sacrifice to him. Poseidon went to Zeus with his complaint. Now, these two are strong-willed gods
and quite similarly matched. But,
where Poseidon is more a god of action, Zeus also, makes good use of his
vocabulary and can be pretty persuasive.
He plays on Poseidon’s pride, saying,
“What a thing to have said
earth-shaker of the wide strength.
Some other one of the
gods might fear such a thought, one who is a god far weaker
of his hands and in
anger than you are; but the fame of you shall last as long as
dawnlight is scattered.
Come then! After
once more the flowing-haired Achains are gone back with their
ships too the beloved land of their
fathers, break their wall to pieces and scatter it
into the salt sea and pile again
the beach deep under the sands and cover it; so let
the great wall of the Achaians go
down to destruction.”
When the battle resumes, Zeus decides to take matters into
his own hands, at least where immortals are concerned. He threatens, or maybe “promises” is a
better word, to send any immortal who shows up on the battleground, to
Tartaros. This is not a nice
place, it is so far below Hades, it is almost coming out on the other side. Using his scales he weighs the fates of
the Trojans and the Achaians and, when once again Hera an Athene try to get
involved, Zeus steps in and sends them back to Olympus.
Here is where my fear is rekindled. Just when I thought Agamemnon would
give up and go home, Diomedes, clearly high on his success, convinces Agamemnon
put aside his pride and ask my Achilles for help. Agamemnon agrees and complies a laundry list of all the
valuable things he plans to give to Achilles, including an unsullied
Briseis.
I nervously, waited for word of Achilles decision,
while Aias, Odysseus and Phoinx
delivered Agamemnon’s message. Apparently,
Phoinx even tried to same Achilles into returning, reminding him how Peleus was
like a father to him, and he, Phoinx, felt like a father to Achilles. Ultimately, Achilles would not be
swayed.
I hold out hope for Achilles return.
