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.