It would seem that mortal combat is not going well for Agamemnon his agreement to return to battle, Agamemnon and his brother Menelaos are not sleeping well.  They decide they want to find out what is going on in the Trojan camp so the send spies, Odysseus and Diomedes.  Hektor seems to be thinking the same thing, wonder if he is having trouble sleeping as well.   I’ve noticed a change in Hektor; he has become more aggressive.  It makes him less attractive, less …worthy. Ultimately, Hektor’s spy, Dolon, is captured, interrogated and killed as well as thirteen other Trojan soldiers.  I seriously doubt that this will ease Hektors aggression.

The fighting continues, it has become a bit monotonous; a Greek kills a Trojan, Hektor kills a Greek.  Diomedes and Odyessus are tag-teaming.  Even Paris has seen success with his bow.  He hits Diomedes in the foot and, wounds Machaon, the Greeks physician.  This is very upsetting for Agamemnon’s men.  Who will heal their wounds if Machaon is disabled? 

Achilles sees Nestor bring Machaon back to the ships and sends Patroklos to find out what has happened. I believe Patroklos has been at odds with Achilles determination to stay out of this war.  This makes Patroklos vulnerable when nosy Nestor plants an idea in his head.  Nestor suggests Patroklos rouse the Myrmidons to battle and wear Achilles armor to cause fear in the hearts of the Trojans.   

I’m worried for Patroklos.  He is a good fighter but he is no Achilles or Hektor.  I hope that Achilles will have these same thoughts and refuse to allow Patroklos to enter the battle.  Zeus has done as he promised in make the Trojans the overall victors.  As long as he is angry with Hera and as long is Hera is too angry to use her womanly ways to convince him otherwise, I believe Zeus will continue to hold to his promise.  However, if anything happens to Achilles men, I don’t know what could happen.

The Iliad of Homer, Trans. Richmond Lattimore. Chicago and London: The University of

Chicago Press, 1952. Print..