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 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.

http://www.homerstrojantheater.org/interface/