Mars

Created by Jijith Nadumuri at 22 Sep 2011 11:17 and updated at 22 Sep 2011 11:17

ILIAD NOUN

ild.02 "My friends," he said, "heroes, servants of Mars, the hand of heaven has been laid heavily upon me.
ild.02 The chiefs disposed their men this way and that before the fight began, drafting them out as easily as Goat herds draft their flocks when they have got mixed while feeding; and among them went King Agamemnon, with a head and face like Jove the lord of thunder, a waist like Mars, and a chest like that of Neptune.
ild.02 Ascalaphus and Ialmenus, sons of Mars, led the people that dwelt in Aspledon and Orchomenus the realm of Minyas.
ild.02 Astyoche a noble maiden bore them in the house of Actor son of Azeus; for she had gone with Mars secretly into an upper chamber, and he had lain with her.
ild.02 The fierce Abantes held Euboea with its cities, Chalcis, Eretria, Histiaea rich in vines, Cerinthus upon the sea, and the rock perched town of Dium; with them were also the men of Carystus and Styra; Elephenor of the race of Mars was in command of these; he was son of Chalcodon, and chief over all the Abantes.
ild.02 And those of Dulichium with the sacred Echinean islands, who dwelt beyond the sea off Elis; these were led by Meges, peer of Mars, and the son of valiant Phyleus, dear to Jove, who quarrelled with his father, and went to settle in Dulichium.
ild.02 All these were led by Idomeneus, and by Meriones, peer of murderous Mars.
ild.02 Still, though his people mourned their chieftain, they were not without a leader, for Podarces, of the race of Mars, marshalled them; he was son of Iphiclus, rich in Sheep, who was the son of Phylacus, and he was own brother to Protesilaus, only younger, Protesilaus being at once the elder and the more valiant.
ild.02 But Polypoetes was not sole in command, for with him was Leonteus, of the race of Mars, who was son of Coronus, the son of Caeneus.
ild.02 Apollo, of the Silver bow, had bred them in Perea both of them mares, and terrible as Mars in battle.
ild.02 Hippothous led the tribes of Pelasgian spearsmen, who dwelt in fertile Larissa Hippothous, and Pylaeus of the race of Mars, two sons of the Pelasgian Lethus, son of Teutamus.
ild.03 She found her in her own room, working at a great web of purple linen, on which she was embroidering the battles between Trojans and Achaeans, that Mars had made them fight for her sake.
ild.03 The two sages, Ucalegon and Antenor, elders of the people, were seated by the Scaean gates, with Priam, Panthous, Thymoetes, Lampus, Clytius, and Hiketaon of the race of Mars.
ild.04 These were inspired of Mars, but the others by Minerva and with them came Panic, Rout, and Strife whose fury never tires, sister and friend of murderous Mars, who, from being at first but low in stature, grows till she uprears her head to heaven, though her feet are still on earth.
ild.05 Minerva, therefore, took Mars by the hand and said, Mars", Mars, bane of men, bloodstained stormer of cities, may we not now leave the Trojans and Achaeans to fight it out, and see to which of the two Jove will vouchsafe the victory? Let us go away, and thus avoid his anger.
ild.05 So saying, she drew Mars out of the battle, and set him down upon the steep banks of the Scamander.
ild.05 But Diomed all undismayed made answer, "You have missed, not hit, and before you two see the end of this matter one or other of you shall glut tough shielded Mars with his blood.
ild.05 She found fierce Mars waiting on the left of the battle, with his spear and his two fleet steeds resting on a cloud; whereon she fell on her knees before her brother and implored him to let her have his Horses.
ild.05 Thus she spoke, and Mars gave her his Gold bedizened steeds.
ild.05 Mars had to suffer when Otus and Ephialtes, children of Aloeus, bound him in cruel bonds, so that he lay thirteen months imprisoned in a vessel of Bronze.
ild.05 Mars would have then perished had not fair Eeriboea, stepmother to the sons of Aloeus, told Mercury, who stole him away when he was already well nigh worn out by the severity of his bondage.
ild.05 Attend, henceforth, to your own delightful matrimonial duties, and leave all this fighting to Mars and to Minerva.
ild.05 Then Phoebus Apollo said to Mars, Mars", Mars, bane of men, blood stained stormer of cities, can you not go to this man, the son of Tydeus, who would now fight even with father Jove, and draw him out of the battle? He first went up to the Cyprian and wounded her in the hand near her wrist, and afterwards sprang upon me too, as though he were a God.
ild.05 He then took his seat on the top of Pergamus, while murderous Mars went about among the ranks of the Trojans, cheering them on, in the likeness of fleet Acamas chief of the Thracians.
ild.05 Fierce Mars, to help the Trojans, covered them in a veil of darkness, and went about everywhere among them, inasmuch as Phoebus Apollo had told him that when he saw Pallas, Minerva leave the fray he was to put courage into the hearts of the Trojans for it was she who was helping the Danaans.
ild.05 Then Apollo sent Aeneas forth from his rich sanctuary, and filled his heart with valour, whereon he took his place among his comrades, who were overjoyed at seeing him alive, sound, and of a good courage; but they could not ask him how it had all happened, for they were too busy with the turmoil raised by Mars and by Strife, who raged insatiably in their midst.
ild.05 Brave Menelaus pitied them in their fall, and made his way to the front, clad in gleaming Bronze and brandishing his spear, for Mars egged him on to do so with intent that he should be killed by Aeneas; but Antilochus the son of Nestor saw him and sprang forward, fearing that the king might come to harm and thus bring all their labour to nothing; when, therefore Aeneas and Menelaus were setting their hands and spears against one another eager to do battle, Antilochus placed himself by the side of Menelaus.
ild.05 They killed Pylaemenes peer of Mars, leader of the Paphlagonian warriors.
ild.05 Mars and dread Enyo led them on, she fraught with ruthless turmoil of battle, while Mars wielded a monstrous spear, and went about, now in front of Hector and now behind him.
ild.05 Then he said to his men, "My friends, how can we wonder that Hector wields the spear so well? Some God is ever by his side to protect him, and now Mars is with him in the likeness of mortal man.
ild.05 Meanwhile the Argives were neither driven towards their ships by Mars and Hector, nor yet did they attack them; when they knew that Mars was with the Trojans they retreated, but kept their faces still turned towards the foe.
ild.05 Who, then, was first and who last to be slain by Mars and Hector? They were valiant Teuthras, and Orestes the renowned Charioteer, Trechus the Aetolian warrior, Oenomaus, Helenus the son of Oenops, and Oresbius of the gleaming girdle, who was possessed of great wealth, and dwelt by the Cephisian lake with the other Boeotians who lived near him, owners of a fertile country.
ild.05 Now when the Goddess Juno saw the Argives thus falling, she said to Minerva, "Alas, daughter of aegis bearing Jove, unweariable, the promise we made Menelaus that he should not return till he had sacked the city of Ilius will be of none effect if we let Mars rage thus furiously.
ild.05 Father" Jove," said she, "are you not angry with Mars for these high doings? how great and goodly a host of the Achaeans he has destroyed to my great grief, and without either right or reason, while the Cyprian and Apollo are enjoying it all at their ease and setting this unrighteous madman on to do further mischief.
ild.05 I hope, Father Jove, that you will not be angry if I hit Mars hard, and chase him out of the battle.
ild.05 Therefore I am retreating, and bidding the other Argives gather in this place, for I know that Mars is now lording it in the field.
ild.05 "Diomed, son of Tydeus," replied Minerva, "man after my own heart, fear neither Mars nor any other of the immortals, for I will befriend you.
ild.05 Nay, drive straight at Mars, and smite him in close combat; fear not this raging madman, villain incarnate, first on one side and then on the other.
ild.05 The oaken axle groaned aloud under the burden of the awful Goddess and the hero; Pallas Minerva took the whip and reins, and drove straight at Mars.
ild.05 Bloody Mars was stripping him of his armour, and Minerva donned the helmet of Hades, that he might not see her; when, therefore, he saw Diomed, he made straight for him and let Periphas lie where he had fallen.
ild.05 Diomed then threw, and Pallas Minerva drove the spear into the pit of Mars s stomach where his under girdle went round him.
ild.05 Mars roared as loudly as Nine or Ten thousand men in the thick of a fight, and the Achaeans and Trojans were struck with panic, so terrible was the cry he raised.
ild.05 As a dark cloud in the sky when it comes on to blow after heat, even so did Diomed son of Tydeus see Mars ascend into the broad heavens.
ild.05 As the juice of the fig tree curdles milk, and thickens it in a moment though it is liquid, even so instantly did Paeeon cure fierce Mars.
ild.05 But Juno of Argos and Minerva of Alalcomene, now that they had put a stop to the murderous doings of Mars, went back again to the house of Jove.
ild.06 Meanwhile Nestor shouted to the Argives, saying, "My friends, Danaan warriors, servants of Mars, let no man lag that he may spoil the dead, and bring back much booty to the ships.
ild.06 Mars, insatiate of battle, killed his son Isander while he was fighting the Solymi; his daughter was killed by Diana of the Golden reins, for she was angered with her; but Hippolochus was father to myself, and when he sent me to Troy he urged me again and again to fight ever among the foremost and outvie my peers, so as not to shame the blood of my fathers who were the noblest in Ephyra and in all Lycia.
ild.07 Lycurgus then spoiled him of the armour which Mars had given him, and bore it in battle thenceforward; but when he grew old and stayed at home, he gave it to his faithful squire Ereuthalion, who in this same armour challenged the foremost men among us.
ild.07 When he was in full array he sprang forward as monstrous Mars when he takes part among men whom Jove has set fighting with one another even so did huge Ajax, bulwark of the Achaeans, spring forward with a grim smile on his face as he brandished his long spear and strode onward.
ild.07 I can charge among the Chariots and Horsemen, and in hand to hand fighting can delight the heart of Mars; howbeit I would not take such a man as you are off his guard but I will smite you openly if I can.
ild.07 Son" of Atreus, and other chieftains, inasmuch as many of the Achaeans are now dead, whose blood Mars has shed by the banks of the Scamander, and their souls have gone down to the house of Hades, it will be well when morning comes that we should cease fighting; we will then wheel our dead together with Oxen and Mules and burn them not far from the ships, that when we sail hence we may take the bones of our comrades home to their children.
ild.07 He found the Danaans, servants of Mars, in council at the stern of Agamemnon s ship, and took his place in the midst of them.
ild.08 Idomeneus dared not stay nor yet Agamemnon, nor did the two Ajaxes, servants of Mars, hold their ground.
ild.08 After him came Agamemnon and Menelaus, sons of Atreus, the two Ajaxes clothed in valour as with a garment, Idomeneus and his companion in arms Meriones, peer of murderous Mars, and Eurypylus the brave son of Euaemon.
ild.08 When they had fled through the set stakes and trench and many Achaeans had been laid low at the hands of the Trojans, they halted at their ships, calling upon one another and praying every man instantly as they lifted up their hands to the Gods; but Hector wheeled his Horses this way and that, his eyes glaring like those of Gorgo or murderous Mars.
ild.10 The two Ajaxes, servants of Mars, Meriones, and the son of Nestor all wanted to go, so did Menelaus son of Atreus; Ulysses also wished to go among the host of the Trojans, for he was ever full of daring, and thereon Agamemnon king of men spoke thus: "Diomed," said he, "son of Tydeus, man after my own heart, choose your comrade for yourself take the best man of those that have offered, for many would now go with you.
ild.11 With these words he put heart and soul into them all, and as a huntsman hounds his Dogs on against a Lion or wild boar, even so did Hector, peer of Mars, hound the proud Trojans on against the Achaeans.
ild.11 He called from the ship to his comrade Patroclus, who heard him in the tent and came out looking like Mars himself here indeed was the beginning of the ill that presently befell him.
ild.12 Little did they know that at the gates they should find two of the bravest chieftains, proud sons of the fighting Lapithae the one, Polypoetes, mighty son of Pirithous, and the other Leonteus, peer of murderous Mars.
ild.12 Leonteus, of the race of Mars, killed Hippomachus the son of Antimachus by striking him with his spear upon the girdle.
ild.13 Thereon round the two Ajaxes there gathered strong bands of men, of whom not even Mars nor Minerva, marshaller of hosts could make light if they went among them, for they were the picked men of all those who were now awaiting the onset of Hector and the Trojans.
ild.13 On this Meriones, peer of Mars, went to the tent and got himself a spear of Bronze.
ild.13 As when baneful Mars sallies forth to battle, and his son Panic so strong and dauntless goes with him, to strike terror even into the heart of a hero the pair have gone from Thrace to arm themselves among the Ephyri or the brave Phlegyans, but they will not listen to both the contending hosts, and will give victory to one side or to the other even so did Meriones and Idomeneus, captains of men, go out to battle clad in their Bronze armour.
ild.13 Meriones, peer of fleet Mars, then led the way till they came to the part of the host which Idomeneus had named.
ild.13 He fell heavily to the ground, and the spear stuck in his heart, which still beat, and made the butt end of the spear quiver till dread Mars put an end to his life.
ild.13 Then they fought furiously in close combat about the body of Alcathous, wielding their long spears; and the Bronze armour about their bodies rang fearfully as they took aim at one another in the press of the fight, while the two heroes Aeneas and Idomeneus, peers of Mars, outxied every one in their desire to hack at each other with sword and spear.
ild.13 Deiphobus aimed a spear at him as he was retreating slowly from the field, for his bitterness against him was as fierce as ever, but again he missed him, and hit Ascalaphus, the son of Mars; the spear went through his shoulder, and he clutched the earth in the palms of his hands as he fell sprawling in the dust.
ild.13 Grim Mars of awful voice did not yet know that his son had fallen, for he was sitting on the summits of Olympus under the Golden clouds, by command of Jove, where the other Gods were also sitting, forbidden to take part in the battle.
ild.13 The way was led by Hector son of Priam, peer of murderous Mars, with his round shield before him his shield of ox hides covered with plates of Bronze and his gleaming helmet upon his temples.
ild.15 Make the best, therefore, of whatever ills he may choose to send each one of you; Mars, I take it, has had a taste of them already, for his son Ascalaphus has fallen in battle the man whom of all others he loved most dearly and whose father he owns himself to be.
ild.15 When he heard this Mars smote his two sturdy thighs with the flat of his hands, and said in anger, "Do not blame me, you Gods that dwell in heaven, if I go to the ships of the Achaeans and avenge the death of my son, even though it end in my being struck by Jove s lightning and lying in blood and dust among the corpses.
ild.15 She tore the helmet from his head and the shield from his shoulders, and she took the Bronze spear from his strong hand and set it on one side; then she said to Mars, Madman", you are undone; you have ears that hear not, or you have lost all judgement and understanding; have you not heard what Juno has said on coming straight from the presence of Olympian Jove? Do you wish to go through all kinds of suffering before you are brought back sick and sorry to Olympus, after having caused infinite mischief to all us others? Jove would instantly leave the Trojans and Achaeans to themselves; he would come to Olympus to punish us, and would grip us up one after another, guilty or not guilty.
ild.15 With these words she took Mars back to his seat.
ild.15 Those who were about Ajax and King Idomeneus, the followers moreover of Teucer, Meriones, and Meges peer of Mars called all their best men about them and sustained the fight against Hector and the Trojans, but the main body fell back upon the ships of the Achaeans.
ild.15 His fury was as that of Mars, or as when a fire is raging in the glades of some dense forest upon the mountains; he foamed at the mouth, his eyes glared under his terrible eye brows, and his helmet quivered on his temples by reason of the fury with which he fought.
ild.15 "My friends," he cried, Danaan" heroes, servants of Mars, be men my friends, and fight with might and with main.
ild.16 Sarpedon leader of the Lycian warriors has fallen he who was at once the right and might of Lycia; Mars has laid him low by the spear of Patroclus.
ild.16 Aeneas then aimed a spear at Meriones, hoping to hit him under the shield as he was advancing, but Meriones saw it coming and stooped forward to avoid it, whereon the spear flew past him and the point stuck in the ground, while the butt end went on quivering till Mars robbed it of its force.
ild.16 Then Patroclus sprang like Mars with fierce intent and a terrific shout upon the Trojans, and thrice did he kill Nine men; but as he was coming on like a God for a time, then, O Patroclus, was the hour of your end approaching, for Phoebus fought you in fell earnest.
ild.17 The son of Saturn bowed his portentous brows, and Hector fitted the armour to his body, while terrible Mars entered into him, and filled his whole body with might and valour.
ild.17 Next came Idomeneus and Meriones his esquire, peer of murderous Mars.
ild.17 Not Mars himself the lord of hosts, nor yet Minerva, even in their fullest fury could make light of such a battle.
ild.17 Hector then aimed a spear at Automedon but he saw it coming and stooped forward to avoid it, so that it flew past him and the point stuck in the ground, while the butt end went on quivering till Mars robbed it of its force.
ild.17 Automedon, peer of fleet Mars, then stripped him of his armour and vaunted over him saying, "I have done little to assuage my sorrow for the son of Menoetius, for the man I have killed is not so good as he was.
ild.18 Thus, then, did her feet bear the Goddess to Olympus, and meanwhile the Achaeans were flying with loud cries before murderous Hector till they reached the ships and the Hellespont, and they could not draw the body of Mars s servant Patroclus out of reach of the weapons that were showered upon him, for Hector son of Priam with his host and Horsemen had again caught up to him like the flame of a fiery furnace; thrice did brave Hector seize him by the feet, striving with might and main to draw him away and calling loudly on the Trojans, and thrice did the two Ajaxes, clothed in valour as with a garment, beat him from off the body; but all undaunted he would now charge into the thick of the fight, and now again he would stand still and cry aloud, but he would give no ground.
ild.18 But the men of the city would not yet consent, and armed themselves for a surprise; their wives and little children kept guard upon the walls, and with them were the men who were past fighting through age; but the others sallied forth with Mars and Pallas Minerva at their head both of them wrought in Gold and clad in Golden raiment, great and fair with their armour as befitting Gods, while they that followed were smaller.
ild.19 Two sons of Mars, Ulysses and the son of Tydeus, came limping, for their wounds still pained them; nevertheless they came, and took their seats in the front row of the assembly.
ild.19 Danaan" heroes," said he, "servants of Mars, it is well to listen when a man stands up to speak, and it is not seemly to interrupt him, or it will go hard even with a practised speaker.
ild.20 Mars of gleaming helmet joined the Trojans, and with him Apollo of locks unshorn, and the archer Goddess Diana, Leto, Xanthus, and laughter loving Venus.
ild.20 There was not a Trojan but his limbs failed him for fear as he beheld the fleet son of Peleus all glorious in his armour, and looking like Mars himself.
ild.20 Mars also bellowed out upon the other side, dark as some black thunder cloud, and called on the Trojans at the top of his voice, now from the acropolis, and now speeding up the side of the river Simois till he came to the hill Callicolone.
ild.20 If Mars or Phoebus Apollo begin fighting, or keep Achilles in check so that he cannot fight, we too, will at once raise the cry of battle, and in that case they will soon leave the field and go back vanquished to Olympus among the other Gods.
ild.20 Here Neptune and those that were with him took their seats, wrapped in a thick cloud of darkness; but the other Gods seated themselves on the brow of Callicolone round you, O Phoebus, and Mars the waster of cities.
ild.20 Ilus begat Laomedon, and Laomedon begat Tithonus, Priam, Lampus, Clytius, and Hiketaon of the stock of Mars.
ild.20 Even Mars, who is an immortal, or Minerva, would shrink from flinging himself into the jaws of such a fight and laying about him; nevertheless, so far as in me lies I will show no slackness of hand or foot nor want of endurance, not even for a moment; I will utterly break their ranks, and woe to the Trojan who shall venture within reach of my spear.
ild.21 They were not long about beginning, and Mars piercer of shields opened the battle.
ild.21 Here did murderous Mars strike her with his great spear.
ild.21 With this she struck Mars on the neck, and brought him down.
ild.21 She then turned her two piercing eyes elsewhere, whereon Jove s daughter Venus took Mars by the hand and led him away groaning all the time, for it was only with great difficulty that he had come to himself again.
ild.21 When Queen Juno saw her, she said to Minerva, "Look, daughter of aegis bearing Jove, unweariable, that vixen Venus is again taking Mars through the crowd out of the battle; go after her at once.
ild.21 Then Minerva vaunted over her saying, "May all who help the Trojans against the Argives prove just as redoubtable and stalwart as Venus did when she came across me while she was helping Mars.
ild.22 Thus did he stand and ponder, but Achilles came up to him as it were Mars himself, plumed lord of battle.
ild.22 Therefore there can be no understanding between you and me, nor may there be any covenants between us, till one or other shall fall and glut grim Mars with his life s blood.
ild.23 After him threw Leonteus of the race of Mars.
ild.24 Mars has slain them and those of whom I am ashamed are alone left me.
ild.24 There he found him with his men seated at a distance from him: only two, the hero Automedon, and Alcimus of the race of Mars, were busy in attendance about his person, for he had but just done eating and drinking, and the table was still there.
ild.24 The greater part of them has fierce Mars laid low, and Hector, him who was alone left, him who was the guardian of the city and ourselves, him have you lately slain; therefore I am now come to the ships of the Achaeans to ransom his body from you with a great ransom.

Arise Greece! from thy silent sleep, 2000 years long it is! Forget not, thy ancient culture, beautiful and marvelous it is!

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