0:08

H m

0:41

hi, Hello, welcome. This is let's

0:43

talk about myths baby, and

0:45

I am your host live and

0:48

something about recording this. I feel

0:50

like it's the first time that I've done it, and

0:53

I'm I'm back. I'm

0:55

I'm hoping that my current

0:58

ability to be back lasts because

1:01

it's been a time. It's been a time, but

1:03

I am here today with another

1:05

reading with returning to the

1:08

Fall of Troy. On

1:10

Tuesday, we're going to start Euripides'

1:13

play one of them. I'm not giving

1:15

it away justin Oh, I'm so excited. But

1:17

today today we're back with this

1:19

reading episode. It's been a little bit since

1:21

we visited the Fall of Troy,

1:23

what with the Bronze Age haven't taken up all of our

1:25

time, and so we're back. This

1:28

is the work from the Roman

1:30

period, written by a Greek. Actually,

1:32

I forget if I already corrected this. At some point

1:35

I said it was written by

1:37

a Roman or in Latin, and that's just straight

1:40

wrong. So just from the Roman period, and

1:42

the guy's name sounds really Roman, so

1:44

he threw me. In any case,

1:46

he was written in Greek, but it is

1:49

from this Roman period, so it is so much later

1:51

than Homer, and yet it is the

1:53

only surviving source that we have for

1:55

basically everything in the Trojan

1:57

War outside of what happens in the Iliad.

2:00

So we're talking Achilles is death and

2:03

the Trojan, the horse, and literally everything

2:05

that happens after Hector dies.

2:09

And so where we last left off in this reading,

2:12

Achilles had died. Finally,

2:15

Sorry that was mean to Achilles, but he had.

2:17

And so we are returning to

2:20

the story now while Troy

2:23

mourns their own dead. But

2:26

we're about to get to the very detailed

2:29

funeral games for Achilles.

2:32

A couple quick reminders because

2:34

of how this translation works, it is

2:36

little well, it's very old and stuffy. I'm making

2:39

changes in the moment as much as

2:41

I can to make it clearer, but I am

2:43

not a magician, And so we

2:45

have things like Achilles being

2:47

regularly called Polides. This is referring

2:49

to him being the son of Pelias, but it

2:51

becomes confusing. So anyway, Polides

2:54

is Achilles, and the

2:56

son of Tydeus is Diomedes.

2:59

Sometimes he's called Tidiedes just

3:02

to really just to really throw us all

3:04

in any case, the son of Tideas, that's Diomedes.

3:08

There are to Ajax's I'm

3:10

giving you all a break, and I'm not pronouncing

3:13

it as which is what it is

3:15

in this translation and more original Greek.

3:17

We're going with Ajax, And just

3:19

a reminder, there are two, the great and the Lesser.

3:21

They're not always clarified. We're

3:24

just gonna We're just gonna figure it all out as we go.

3:26

But and this is just if you care

3:29

to know while I am reading this, but

3:32

if someone is referred to as the son

3:34

of Oulius, that's Ajax

3:37

the lesser, the son of Telemon.

3:39

Is Ajax the greater or

3:42

the great? It's

3:44

all worth it in the end. This is just such

3:46

a fascinating text. It

3:48

really, you know, it is both attempting

3:52

and I think succeeding to evoke the

3:54

Homeric epics. But then it is also so

3:56

different in that it was you know, intentionally

3:59

written rather than you know, being

4:01

part of this oral tradition. So it's really interesting

4:03

to think about, you know, what that means, and like

4:05

why certain things

4:08

are include or like the similes, like

4:10

there are still some wild similes which obviously

4:12

don't serve the same function that they did in the oral

4:14

storytelling. You know, the purpose of those

4:17

tended to be like remembering things

4:19

because you were reciting it, or you know, reminding

4:22

people of something else for the same reasons.

4:24

All of that just really just really interesting.

4:26

And now I'm kind of rambling about it being interesting. But

4:29

the point is we are returning to this, and we

4:31

will be returning to reading

4:34

this Fall of Troy for the next few fridays,

4:37

just because I overloaded

4:39

with conversations and frankly haven't

4:41

had the time or mental capacity

4:44

to record enough. So

4:46

we're doing this reading because also it's incredibly fun

4:48

and we might as well not lose

4:51

our spot so easily and forget everything

4:53

that's happened before. So we're gonna be doing

4:55

three books of this over

4:57

the next three fridays.

5:00

As we get deeper into this work, too,

5:02

the books are becoming a little too

5:04

short for these episodes. I

5:07

always make sure that at least

5:09

as I record them. Now the Friday

5:12

episodes are over an hour, because I am required

5:14

to put two ads in

5:16

them, so I'm sorry

5:19

for that, and also that's why so

5:22

in any case, this episode is going to be all

5:24

of book four and then part of book

5:26

five, just so that we're nice long enough, and

5:28

we'll keep that up because I really

5:30

I promise, I try really hard not to overwhelm

5:33

you with ads. I am beholden

5:35

to needing to make

5:37

money off of this thing that I've devoted

5:40

my life to, and also what

5:42

the company requires me to do in order

5:44

to pay me that money.

6:11

This is the Fall of Troy

6:13

by Quintus Marnaius, Book

6:15

four and part of book five,

6:18

translated by A. S. Way.

6:23

Nor did the hapless Trojans leave

6:26

unwept The warrior king Hippolochus's

6:28

hero son but laid in front

6:30

of the Dardanian gate upon the pyre

6:33

that captain wore renowned, but

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him Apollo's self caught up swiftly

6:38

out of the blazing fire, and to the

6:40

winds gave him to bear away to Lycia,

6:43

and fast and far. They bore him

6:46

beneath the glens of high Telandras,

6:49

to a lovely glade, and for

6:51

a monument above his grave, upheaved

6:53

a granite rock. The nymphs

6:56

therefrom made gush the hallowed

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water of a stream forever flowing,

7:00

which the tribes of men still call

7:03

fair fleeting Glaucus. This

7:05

is the gods wrought for an honor to

7:07

the Lycean king but

7:10

for Achilles. Still the Argives

7:13

mourned beside the swift ships.

7:15

Heart sick were they all that, with

7:17

dolorous pain and grief,

7:20

each yearned for him, as for a

7:22

son. No eye in that wide host

7:24

was tearless. But the Trojans

7:26

with great joy exulted seeing

7:29

their sorrow from Afar, and the

7:31

great fire that spoke their foe

7:33

consumed. And thus a vaunting

7:36

voice amidst them cried, now

7:39

has Cronion from his heaven

7:41

vouchsafed a joy past hope

7:44

unto our longing eyes to see

7:46

Achilles fallen before Troy.

7:49

Now he is smitten. The glorious

7:51

hosts of Troy, I say, shall

7:54

win a breathing space from blood

7:56

of death and from the murderous fray.

7:59

Ever his heart devised, the Trojan's

8:01

bane in his hands maddened.

8:03

I the spear of doom with gore

8:06

besprent, and none of us that faced

8:08

him in the fight beheld another dawn.

8:11

But now I WoT Achaia's valorous

8:14

sons shall flee unto their

8:16

galleys, shapely proud, since

8:18

slain Achilles lies, and

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that the might of Hector still were here,

8:23

that he might slay the Argives. One

8:25

and all amidst their tents. So

8:28

in unbridled joy, a trojan

8:30

cried, But one more wise and

8:32

prudent answered him. You deem

8:35

that the murderous Danian host will straightway

8:38

go to their ships to flee over the

8:40

misty sea. No, still

8:42

their lust is hot for fight us, will

8:44

they know? Wise? Fear still

8:46

are their left strong battle eager

8:49

men as ajax as tideities

8:52

Atreus's sons though dead,

8:54

Achilles, be I still fear

8:57

these, Oh that Apollo

8:59

silver bow would end them. Then

9:01

in that day were given to our prayers a

9:03

breathing space from war and ghastly

9:06

death. In heaven

9:08

was among the immortal ones, even

9:10

all that helped the stalwart Danian's

9:13

cause. In clouds like mountains

9:15

piled, they veiled their heads for grief

9:18

of soul. But glad those others

9:20

were, who fain would speed Troy

9:22

to a happy goal. Then

9:24

unto Cronus's son great Hair, spoke

9:27

Zeus, lightning father. Wherefore

9:30

help you to Troy. All

9:32

forgetful of the fair haired bride,

9:34

whom once Pelias you did give

9:36

to wife. Amidst Pelion's glens,

9:39

you did bring to pass those spousals

9:42

of a Goddess. On that day all

9:44

we immortals feasted there and gave

9:46

gifts passing fair. All

9:49

this do you forget? And have

9:51

you devised for hellas heaviest

9:53

woe, So spoke

9:55

she, but Zeus answered not a word

9:58

for pondering. There he sat with burdened

10:00

breast, thinking how soon the Argives

10:03

should destroy the city of Priam, thinking

10:05

how himself would visit on the victor's

10:07

ruined in war and on the

10:10

great sea. Thunder voiced such

10:12

thoughts were his long to be

10:15

fulfilled. Now

10:17

sank the sun to ocean's fathomless

10:19

flood over the dim land, the

10:22

infinite darkness stole wherein

10:24

men gain a little rest from toil

10:27

ben by the ships, despite their sorrow

10:30

supped the Argives. For you can't

10:32

thrust aside hunger's importunate

10:34

craving when it comes upon the breast,

10:36

But straightway heavy and faint

10:38

lithe limbs become, nor

10:40

is their remedy until one satisfies

10:43

this clamorous guest. Therefore,

10:45

these eight the meat of even tide

10:48

and grief for Achilles, hard

10:50

necessity constrained them all, and

10:52

when they had broken bread, sweet sleep

10:55

came on them, loosening from their

10:57

frames, cares, heavy chain and

10:59

quickening strength a new But

11:02

when the starry bears had eastward,

11:04

turned their heads expectant of

11:06

the uprushing light of Helios, and

11:09

when woke the Queen of Dawn then

11:11

rose from sleep the stalwart

11:13

argive men proposing for the Trojan's

11:16

death and doom

11:18

stirred? Were they like the roughly ridging

11:21

sea akarian, or as sudden

11:23

rippling corn in a harvest field.

11:26

What time the rushing wings of the cloud

11:28

gathering west sweep over it? So

11:31

upon Hellespon's strand, the folk

11:33

were stirred, And to those eager

11:35

hearts, cried Tydeus's son.

11:38

If we be Battlebider's

11:40

friends, indeed more fiercely fight

11:42

we now the hated foe. Lest

11:45

they take heart because Achilles

11:47

lives no longer. Come

11:49

with armor, car and steed.

11:51

Let us beset them. Glory waits

11:54

our toil. But battle

11:56

eager ajax answering spoke,

11:59

brave are your words, and no wise idle

12:01

talk, kindling the dauntless argive

12:03

men, whose hearts before were battle

12:05

eager, to the fight against the trojan

12:07

men. Oh, t Ideus's son, But

12:10

we must needs abide amidst

12:12

the ships till Goddess Thedus

12:14

comes forth of the sea, for that her

12:16

heart is proposed to set here fair

12:19

athlete prizes for the funeral

12:21

games. This yesterday she told

12:23

me, before she plunged into sea

12:26

depths. Yes, spoke to me apart

12:28

from other Danians. And I

12:31

say by this her haste has brought her

12:33

nigh. Those Trojan men, though

12:35

Pelias's son has died, shall have

12:37

small heart for battle, while myself

12:40

am yet alive. And you, noble

12:42

Atreus's son the king, So

12:46

spoke the mighty son of Telamon,

12:48

but knew not that a dark and

12:50

bitter doom for him should follow

12:53

hard upon those games, by

12:55

fate's contrivance, answered

12:58

Tydeus's son, Oh, friend, If

13:00

Thedus comes indeed to this day with

13:02

goodly gifts for her son's funeral games,

13:05

then bide we buy the ships and keep

13:07

we here all others meat.

13:09

It is to do the will of the immortals,

13:12

Yes to Achilles. Two, though the immortals

13:14

willed it, not, ourselves must

13:16

render honor grateful to the dead.

13:31

So spoke the battle eager Taideus's

13:33

son, and lo the bride of Pelias,

13:36

gliding forth of the sea, like

13:38

the still breath of dawn, and

13:41

suddenly was with argive throng

13:43

where eager faced they waited,

13:45

some that looked soon to contend

13:47

in that great athlete strife, and

13:50

some to joy in seeing the mighty

13:52

strive. Amidst

13:54

that gathering, Thedus Sable stoled,

13:57

set down her prizes, and she summoned

13:59

forth Achaia's champions, at

14:01

her best they came. But

14:04

first amidst them all rose Nellius's

14:07

son, not as desiring in the

14:09

strife of fists to toil, nor

14:11

strain of wrestling. For his arms

14:14

and all his sinews were with grievous,

14:16

eyed at worn, but still

14:18

his heart and brain were strong. Of

14:21

all the Achaeans, none could match himself

14:23

against him in the Folkmote's war

14:25

of words. No, not even

14:28

Laertes's glorious sun to him

14:30

ever gave place when men for speech

14:32

were met, Nor he alone, But even

14:35

the kingliest of archives, Agamemnon,

14:37

lord of the spears, now

14:39

in their midst he sang. The gracious Queen

14:42

of Nereids sang, how

14:44

she in willsomeness of beauty

14:46

was of all the sea maid's chief well

14:49

pleased she hearkened. Yet again

14:51

he sang, singing of Pelias's bridle

14:54

of delight, which all the blessed

14:56

immortals brought to pass by Pelion's

14:59

crests. Sang of the ambrosial

15:01

feast, when the swift hours brought

15:03

in immortal hands meets

15:05

not of earth, and heaped in golden

15:08

masth, saying how

15:10

the silver tables were set forth in

15:12

haste by famous blithely laughing,

15:15

saying how breathed to Peistus,

15:17

purest flame of fire, Saying

15:20

how the nymphs in golden chalices

15:22

mingled Ambrosia, saying

15:24

the ravishing dance twined by

15:27

the Grace's feet, saying of

15:29

the chant the muses raised, and

15:31

how its spell enthralled all

15:33

mountains, rivers, all the forest

15:36

brood. How raptured was

15:38

the infinite firmament Chirn's

15:41

fair caverns. Yes, the very

15:43

gods such

15:46

noble strain, did Nelius's son

15:48

pour out into the argives eager

15:50

ears, and they hearkened with ravished

15:53

souls. Then in their

15:55

midst he sang once more the imperishable

15:58

deeds of princely Achilles. All

16:01

the mighty throng acclaimed him with delight.

16:04

From that beginning, with fitly chosen

16:06

words. Did he extol the glorious

16:08

hero, How he voyaged and smote

16:10

twelve cities, How he marched

16:12

over leagues on leagues of land

16:15

and spoiled eleven. How he

16:17

slew Telephus and eteons might

16:19

renowned in thebes, How

16:22

his spear laid kieness low

16:24

Poseidon Sun and god

16:27

like Polydorus Troilus,

16:29

the goodly princely Astereepius.

16:32

And how he died with blood the river

16:34

streams of Xanthus, and

16:36

with countless corpses choked

16:39

his murmuring flow, when the

16:41

limbs he tore from Lyaichaon's life

16:43

beside the sounding river, And how he smote

16:45

down Hector, how he slew

16:48

Penthesilea, and the godlike son

16:50

of Splendor throned Dawn. All

16:54

this he sang to Argives, which already

16:56

knew the tale sang of his giant

16:58

Mold. And how no man's

17:00

strength in fight could stand against

17:03

him, nor in games where strong men

17:05

strive for mastery, where the swift

17:07

contend with flying feet or hurrying

17:10

wheels of chariots, nor

17:12

in combat Panoplead, And how

17:14

in goodly head he outshone

17:17

all danions, And how his bodily

17:20

might was measureless in a stormy

17:22

clash of war. Last,

17:25

he prayed heaven that he might

17:27

see a sun like that great sire.

17:29

From the seawashed Sciros

17:32

come that

18:03

noble song, acclaiming argives,

18:05

praised yes, silver footed

18:07

Fadus, and gave

18:09

the singer fleetfoot horses, given

18:12

of old beside Kaikus's mouth

18:14

by Telefus two Achilles, when

18:16

he healed the torturing wound with that same

18:19

spear, wherewith himself had pierced

18:21

Televius's thigh and thrust the

18:23

point clear through these

18:26

nestor Nelius's son to his comrades

18:29

gave, and glorying in their godlike

18:31

lord, they led the steeds onto

18:33

his ships. Then Thedus

18:36

said, amidst the athlete ring ten

18:38

kind to be her prizes for the

18:40

foot race, and by each ran

18:42

a fair suckling calf. These,

18:45

the bold mite of Pelias's tireless

18:47

son, had driven down from the slopes

18:49

of Ida, prizes of his spear

18:53

to strive for these rose up two

18:56

victory fane Teuker, the

18:58

first, the son of Telemon, and Ajax,

19:00

of the Locrian archer's chief. These

19:03

two, with swift hands girded them

19:05

about with loincloths, reverencing

19:08

the godess bride of Pelias and the

19:10

sea maids, who with her came to

19:12

behold the Argives athlete's

19:14

sport, and Atreus's son,

19:16

lord of all Argive men, showed

19:18

them the turning goal of that swift

19:20

course. Then these

19:22

the queen of rivalry, spurred

19:24

on as from the starting line,

19:27

like falcons, swift they sped away

19:29

long, doubtful was the race now?

19:32

Now as the Argives gazed,

19:34

would Ajax's friends shout? Now

19:37

rang out the answering cheer from

19:39

friends of Teucer. But when on

19:41

their eager speed close on the end

19:43

they were, then Chuker's feet

19:45

were trammeled by unearthly powers.

19:47

Some god or demon dashed his

19:49

foot against the stalk of a deep rooted

19:52

tamarisk. Sorely wrenched

19:54

was his left angle round the joint upswelled,

19:57

the veins high ridged. A great

19:59

shout rang from all that watched

20:01

the contest. Ajax darted

20:03

past, exultant, ran his Locrian

20:06

folk to hail their lord with

20:08

and joy in all their souls. Then

20:11

to his ships they drove the kind and

20:13

cast fodder before them, eager,

20:15

helpful friends led to ker halting

20:18

vents, the leeches drew blood from

20:20

his foot, Then over it they laid

20:22

soft, shredded linen ointment smeared

20:25

and swathed with smooth bands round

20:27

and charmed away the pain. Then

20:31

swiftly rose two mighty hearted

20:33

ones, eager to match their strength in wrestling,

20:35

strain the son of Titeus and the

20:37

great Ajax into the midst

20:39

They strode and marveling, gazed the argives

20:42

on men shaped like gods, then

20:45

trampled they like lions, famine

20:47

stung, fighting amidst the mountains over a

20:49

stag whose strength is even

20:52

balanced. No whit less is

20:54

one than the other is deadly rage.

20:56

So these long time in might were

20:59

they even matched till Ajax

21:01

locked his strong hands around the son

21:03

of Titeus, straining hard to

21:06

break his back. But he, with

21:08

wrestling craft and strength combined, shifted

21:11

his hip beneath Tellimon's sun and

21:13

heaved the giant up with a side twist.

21:15

Wrenched free from Ajax's ankle, walk

21:18

his thigh, and so with one huge

21:20

shoulder heave to earth. He

21:22

threw that mighty champion, and

21:25

himself came down astride him.

21:27

Then a mighty shout went up, but

21:30

the battle stormer Ajax, chafed

21:32

in mind, sprang up hot, eager

21:34

to assay again that grim encounter

21:37

from his terrible hands. He dashed

21:39

the dust and challenged furiously

21:42

with a great voice, tidy as

21:44

his son, not a whit. Then

21:46

other quailed, but rushed to close

21:49

with him, rolled

21:52

up the dust in clouds from beneath

21:54

their feet, hurtling, They met like

21:56

battling mountain bulls that clashed

21:59

to prove their dauntless strength,

22:02

and spurned the dust, while with their

22:04

roaring all the hills re echo

22:07

in their despot fury. These

22:09

dashed their strong heads together,

22:12

straining long against each other with

22:14

their massive strength, hard

22:16

panting in the fierce rage of their

22:18

strife, while from their mouths

22:21

drip foam flakes to the ground.

22:24

So strained the two with grapple

22:26

of brawny hands beneath

22:28

that hard grip, their backs and sinewy

22:31

necks cracked, even as when

22:33

in mountain glades the trees dashed,

22:35

storm tormented boughs together.

22:38

Often Diomedes clutched at Ajax's

22:40

brawny thighs, but could not stir

22:43

his steadfast rooted feet. Often

22:45

Ajax hurled his whole weight on him,

22:48

bowed his shoulders backwards,

22:50

strove to press him down and to new

22:53

grips. Their hands were shifting all

22:55

around the gazing people shouted,

22:58

some cheering on glorious Tideus's

23:00

Sun, Diomedes, and some the

23:02

might of Ajax. Then

23:05

the giant swung the shoulders of his foe

23:07

to right to left, then gripped him

23:09

beneath the waist with one fierce

23:11

heave, and giant effort hurled him

23:14

like a stone to the earth. The

23:16

floor of ilion rang again

23:18

as fell. Diomedes shouted.

23:21

All the folk yet leapt

23:23

he up, all eager to contend with giant

23:25

Ajax for the third last fall.

23:28

But Nestor rose and spoke between

23:30

the two from grapple of wrestling,

23:33

noble sons, forbear for

23:35

all we know that you are the mightiest

23:37

of argives since the great Achilles

23:40

died. Then

23:43

these from toil refrained,

23:45

and from their brows wiped with their

23:47

hands the plenteous streaming sweat.

23:50

They kissed each other and forgot their strife.

23:53

Then Thedus, Queen of Goddesses,

23:55

gave to them four handmaids,

23:58

and those strong and allless ones

24:00

marveled beholding them, for these

24:02

surpassed all captive maids

24:05

in beauty and household skill,

24:07

save only lovely trest Bresaeus.

24:12

These achilles captive brought from

24:14

Lesbos's isle, and in their

24:16

service joyed. The first

24:19

was made stewardess of the feast and

24:21

lady of meats. The second to

24:23

the feasters, poured the wine, the third

24:25

shed water on their hands. Thereafter

24:28

the fourth bore all away the banquet.

24:30

Done, these Tideus's

24:33

son and giant Ajax shared

24:35

and parted two and two unto

24:37

their ships. Sent they those fair

24:39

and serviceable ones. Next

24:43

for the play of fists. Idominius

24:46

rose, For cunning was he in all

24:48

athlete lore, but none came

24:51

forth to meet him, Yielding all to

24:53

him. The elder born, with reverent

24:55

awe so in their midst

24:57

gave thetis unto him a

24:59

chariot and fleet steeds,

25:02

which theretofore mighty Patroclus,

25:04

from the ranks of Troy, drove when

25:07

he slew star beadond seed of

25:09

Zeus. These to his henchmen gave

25:12

Idominius to drive unto the ships.

25:15

Himself still remained sitting in

25:17

the glorious athlete ring. Then

25:20

Phoenix to the stalwart argives,

25:23

cried now to Idominius.

25:25

The gods have given a fair prize,

25:27

uncontested, free of toil,

25:29

of mighty arms and shoulders, honoring

25:32

the elder born with bloodless victory.

25:35

But lo, you, younger men, another prize

25:37

awaits the swift play of cunning

25:40

hands. Step forth, then, gladden,

25:42

great Polaides's soul. He

25:46

spoke. They heard, but each on each

25:48

other looked, and loth to essay

25:50

the contest. All sat still till

25:53

Nelius's son rebuked those

25:55

laggard souls. Friends,

25:57

it were shame that men should shun

25:59

the play of clenched hands, who,

26:02

in that noble sport have skill,

26:04

wherein young men delight which

26:06

links glory to toil. Ah

26:09

that my thews were strong, as when

26:11

we held King Pelias's funeral

26:13

feast, I and Acastas's

26:15

kinsman joining hands, when

26:18

I, with godlike polydeuces,

26:20

stood in gauntlet strife, in

26:23

even balanced fray, And

26:25

when Ancius in the wrestler's ring,

26:27

mightier than all beside, yet

26:29

feared and shrank from me, and

26:31

dared not strive with me that day.

26:34

For that ere, then amidst the

26:36

Epian men, no battle blenchers,

26:39

they I had vanquished him for

26:41

all his might, and dashed him to the dust

26:43

by dead Amaryncus's tomb,

26:46

and thousands round sat marveling,

26:48

and my prowess and my strength

26:51

therefore against me not a second time

26:53

raised he his hands, strong wrestler

26:56

though he was, And so I won

26:58

an uncontested prize. But

27:00

now old age is on me, and

27:02

many griefs. Therefore I bid you,

27:05

whom it well beseems, to

27:07

win the prize. For Laurie crowns

27:09

the youth who bears away the mead of

27:11

athlete strife,

27:14

stirred by his gallant chiding,

27:17

A brave man rose, son

27:19

of haughty godlike Panopeus,

27:22

the man who framed the horse the bane

27:25

of Troy. Not long thereafter none

27:28

dared meet him now in play of fists,

27:30

albeit in deadly craft of war, when

27:33

ares rushes through the field, he

27:35

was not cunning, but for strife

27:37

of hands. The fair prize, uncontested,

27:40

had been won by stout Epius.

27:43

Yes, he was at point to bear

27:45

it thence unto the Achaean ships.

27:47

But one strode forth to meet him. Theseus's

27:50

son, the spearman Achemus, the

27:53

mighty of heart, bearing already

27:55

on his swift hands girt the hard

27:58

hide gauntlets which Evanor's

28:00

son Agilius, on his prince's

28:02

hands, had drawn with courage, kindling

28:05

words the comrades then

28:08

of Panoa Opius's princely son for

28:10

Epius, raised a heartening cheer.

28:13

He like a lion, stood forth

28:15

in the midst his strong hands

28:17

gauntleted with bulls hide

28:19

hard as horn. Loud

28:22

rang the cheers from side to side

28:24

of that great throng to fire

28:27

the courage of the mighty ones to clash

28:29

hands in the glory play. Soon

28:32

little spur needed they for their eagerness

28:35

for fight. But here they closed.

28:37

They flashed out proving blows

28:39

to what if still as theretofore

28:42

their arms were limber and live, unclogged

28:45

by toil of war. Then

28:47

faced each other and upraised their hands,

28:50

with ever watching eyes and short

28:52

quick steps a tiptoe, and

28:54

with ever shifting feet, each still

28:56

eluding other's crushing might. Then

29:00

with a rush they closed, like thunder

29:02

clouds, hurled on each other by the tempest

29:04

blast, flashing forth lightnings,

29:07

while the wealth thrills as clash

29:10

the clouds and hollow roar the winds,

29:13

so beneath the hard hide gauntlets

29:15

clashed, their jaws down

29:18

streamed the blood, and from their brows

29:20

the sweat blood streaked made

29:22

on the flushed cheeks crimson

29:25

bars. Fierce without pause,

29:27

they fought, and never flagged. Epius

29:30

but threw all his stormy strength

29:32

into his on rush. Yet

29:35

did Theseus's son never lose heart,

29:38

but baffled the straight blows

29:40

of those strong hands, and by

29:42

his fighting craft, flinging them right

29:44

and left, leapt In brought

29:46

home a blow to his eyebrow, cutting

29:48

to the bone. Even

29:51

then, with counter stroke, Epius reached

29:53

Achamus's temple and hurled him

29:55

to the ground. Swift he sprang

29:57

up, and on his stalwart foe rushed,

30:00

smote his head, and rushed in again. The

30:02

other, slightly swerving, sent his left

30:05

clean to his brow, his right

30:07

with all his might behind it to his nose.

30:10

Yet Akamas still warded and struck

30:12

with all the manifold shifts of fighting

30:14

craft. But now the Achaeans

30:16

all bade stop the fight, though

30:19

eager still were both to strive for coveted

30:21

victory. Then

30:24

came their henchmen, and the gory gauntlets

30:27

loosed in haste from those strong

30:29

hands now drew they breath

30:31

from that great labor. As they bathed

30:34

their brows with sponges. Myriad

30:36

poured comrades and friends

30:38

with pleading words, then drew them

30:41

face to face and prayed in

30:43

friendship straight forget your wrath.

30:46

So to their comrade's persuasion

30:48

hearkened they, for wise men

30:51

ever bear a placable mind. They

30:53

kissed each other, and their hearts forgot that

30:55

bitter strife. Then Fadus

30:58

sable stoled gave to their glad

31:00

hands two great silver bulls,

31:03

those which Unius Jason's

31:05

warrior son in sea washed

31:07

Lemnos to Achilles gave

31:10

to Ransom strong Lychaon from

31:12

his hands. These

31:14

had Hephastus fashioned for his gift

31:17

to glorious Dionysus, when

31:19

he brought his bride divine to Olympus,

31:22

Minos's child, far famous,

31:24

whom in sea washed DIA's

31:26

isle. Theseus unwitting left

31:29

the wine God brimmed with nectar

31:32

these and gave them to his son,

31:34

and Thoasid his death to Hypsipoly,

31:37

with great possessions, left them.

31:39

She bequeathed the bulls to her godlike

31:42

son, who gave them up unto Achilles

31:44

for Lychaeon's life. The

31:46

one, the son of lordly Theseus

31:49

took, and goodly Epius

31:51

sent to his ship with joy the other.

31:54

Then their bruises and their scars did

31:56

Podolarius tend with loving

31:59

care. First pressed

32:01

he out black humors. Then

32:03

his hands deftly knit up the gashes

32:05

salves he laid thereover given

32:08

him by his sire of old, such

32:10

as had virtue in one day, to heal

32:12

the deadliest hurts, yes, seeming

32:15

cureless wounds. Straight

32:18

was the smart assuaged and healed

32:20

the scars upon their brows and

32:22

beneath their clustering hair. Then

32:27

for the archery test, Eulius's

32:29

son stood forth with teucer they

32:32

which in the race erewhile contended

32:35

far away from these, Agamemnon,

32:37

lord of spears, set up a helm crested

32:40

with plumes, and spoke The

32:43

master shot is that which shears the

32:45

hair crest clean away. Then

32:48

straightway Ajax shot his arrow

32:50

first and smote the helm ridge

32:52

sharply rang the brass. Then

32:55

teucer second, with most earnest

32:57

heed, shot the swift shaft

32:59

hath shorn the plume away. Loud

33:02

shouted all the people as they gazed

33:04

and praised him without stint, for

33:06

still his foot halted, and yet

33:09

no wise marred his aim. When with

33:11

his hands he sped the flying shaft.

33:15

Then Pelias's bride gave unto

33:17

him the arms of godlike Troilus,

33:19

the goodliest of all fair sons, whom

33:22

Hecuba had borne in hallowed Troy.

33:25

Yet up his goodly head no joy,

33:27

she had the prowess and the spear

33:29

of fell Achilles reft his life

33:32

from him. As

33:34

when a gardener with new wetted

33:36

scythe mows down ere it may

33:39

seed a blade of corn or poppy

33:41

in a garden dewy, fresh and blossom

33:43

flushed, which by a water course

33:45

crowds its blooms, mose

33:47

it ear, it may reach its goal of

33:50

bringing offspring to the birth, and

33:52

with his scythe sweep makes it life

33:54

work, vain and barren of all issue,

33:57

never more to be fostered by the dews of

33:59

spring. So did Pelides

34:02

cut down Priam's son, the godlike

34:05

beautiful, the beardless, yet

34:07

and virgin of a bride almost

34:09

a child. Yet the destroyer

34:11

fate had lured him on to war

34:14

upon the threshold of glad youth,

34:17

when youth is bold, and the heart

34:19

feels no void.

34:22

Forthwith a bar of iron, massy

34:25

and long from the swift, speeding

34:27

hand did many a say to hurl,

34:30

But not an argive could prevail to

34:32

cast that ponderous mass. Ajax

34:36

alone sped it from his strong hand,

34:39

as in the time of harvest, might a

34:41

reaper fling from him a dry

34:43

oak bough, when all the fields

34:45

are parched, and all men

34:47

marveled to behold, how far

34:50

flew from his hand the bronze

34:52

which scarce two men, hard

34:54

straining, had uplifted from the ground.

34:57

Even this Antias's might was

34:59

wont to hurl erstwhile ere the

35:01

strong hands of Hercules overmastered

35:04

him. This with much spoil.

35:06

Beside, Hercules tup and

35:09

kept it to make sport for his invincible

35:11

hand, but afterward gave it

35:13

to valiant Pelias, who with him

35:16

had smitten fair towered Ilium's

35:18

burge renowned, and he two

35:21

Achilles gave it, whose swift

35:23

ships bore it to Troy, to

35:25

put him in the mind of his own

35:27

father, as with eager will

35:29

he fought with stalwart Trojans,

35:32

and to be a worthy test wherewith

35:34

to prove his strength even

35:37

this did Ajax from his brawny

35:39

hand, fling far so.

35:42

Then the Naiad gave to him the glorious

35:44

arms from godlike memnon

35:47

stripped marveling, the

35:49

argives gazed on them. They

35:52

were a giant's war gear,

35:55

laughing a glad laugh. That man

35:57

renowned received them. He

35:59

alone could wear them on his brawny

36:02

limbs. They seemed as they

36:04

had ever been molded to his frame.

36:07

The great bar thence he bore withal

36:10

to be his joy. When he was fain of

36:12

athlete, toil still

36:16

sped the contests on, and many

36:18

rose now for the leaping far

36:21

beyond the marks of all the rest.

36:23

Brave agapinor sprang

36:26

loud shouted all for that victorious

36:29

leap, and Thedus gave him

36:31

the fair battle gear of mighty Sickness.

36:34

Who had smitten first Partisileaus,

36:37

then had reft the life from many

36:39

more, till Pelias's son slew

36:41

him first of the chiefs of grief,

36:44

and shrouded Troy next

36:47

in the javelin cast Euryalus

36:50

hurled far beyond all rivals,

36:52

while the folk shouted aloud. No

36:55

archer, so they deemed, could speed a

36:57

winged shaft farther than his cast.

37:00

Therefore the ayacid hero's mother

37:02

gave to him a deep wide silver

37:05

oil flask taken by Achilles

37:07

in possession. When his spear slew

37:10

mynes and he spoiled their Nessus's

37:12

wealth. Then

37:43

fiery hearted Ajax eagerly

37:45

rose, challenging to the strife of hands

37:48

and feet, the mightiest hero

37:50

there. But marveling they marked

37:52

his mighty thews, and no man

37:55

dared confront him.

37:57

Chilling dread had pulsied all

37:59

their courage from their hearts. They

38:01

feared him lest his hands invincible

38:04

should all to break his adversary's

38:06

face, and nought but pain be

38:08

that man's mead. But

38:11

at the last all men made signs

38:13

to battle bider Euryalus, for

38:15

well they knew him skilled in fighting

38:18

craft. But he too feared

38:20

that giant, and he cried. Friends.

38:23

Any other a caaan whom you will

38:25

blithe, will I face, But mighty Ajax,

38:27

no far does he overmatch

38:30

me. He will rend my heart if

38:32

in the onset anger rise within

38:35

him from his hands invincible,

38:37

I trow I should not win to

38:39

the ships alive, loud

38:41

laughing, they all but glowed with

38:44

triumph joy the heart of ajax,

38:47

gleaming talents too of silver.

38:49

He from Thetus's hands, received

38:52

his uncontested prize. His

38:54

stately height called to her mind,

38:56

her dear son, and she sighed.

39:01

They which had skill in chariot

39:03

driving, then rose at the contest's

39:05

summons eagerly Menelaus

39:08

first, Eurypolis bold in fight,

39:10

Eumulus thoass gold

39:12

like polypedes, harnessed their

39:15

steeds and led them to the

39:17

cars, all panting for the joy

39:19

of victory. Then rode

39:21

they in a glittering chariot rank

39:23

out to one place, to a stretch

39:26

of sand, and stood ranged

39:28

at the starting line. The reins

39:30

they grasped in strong hands quickly,

39:33

while the chariot steeds shouldered

39:35

a shoulder, fretted, all afire

39:37

to take the lead. As starting pawed,

39:40

the sand pricked ears and over their

39:42

frontlets flung the foam with

39:45

sudden, stiffened sinews. Those

39:47

ear lords lashed with their whips

39:50

the tempest looted steeds, then,

39:53

swift as harpies sprang they forth.

39:55

They strained furiously at the harness,

39:58

onward, whirling the chariots

40:00

bounding. Ever from the earth, you

40:03

could not see a wheel track, no

40:05

nor print of hoof upon the sand. They

40:08

raily flew up from

40:10

the plaine, the dust clouds to the sky, soared

40:13

like the smoke of burning or

40:15

a mist, rolled round the mountain

40:17

forelands by the might of

40:20

the dark south wind, or the west

40:22

when wakes a tempest, when

40:24

the hillsides stream with rain burst

40:27

to the front. Eumulus's steeds behind

40:30

close pressed the team of godlike

40:32

thoas shouts still answered,

40:35

shouts that cheered each chariot.

40:37

While onward they swept across the wide

40:39

wighed plain from

40:43

hallowed Ellis. When he had achieved

40:45

a mighty triumph in that he outstripped

40:47

the swift ear of Enomaeus's evil

40:50

souled the ruthless layer of youths

40:52

who sought to wed his daughter Hippodamia,

40:55

passing wise. Yet even he, for

40:57

all his chariot lore, had no

41:00

such fleet foot steeds as Atreus's

41:02

son. Far slower the

41:05

wind is in the feet of these, So

41:08

spokey, giving glory to the might

41:11

of those good steeds and to

41:13

Atrides's self. And filled

41:15

with joy was Menelaus's soul.

41:18

Straightway his henchmen from the yoke band

41:20

loosed the panting team, and

41:23

all those chariot lords who in

41:25

the race had striven now unyoked

41:27

their tempest footed steeds. Put

41:30

Alyrius then hastened to spread

41:32

salves over the wounds of Thoas

41:35

and Eurypolus. Gashes scored

41:37

upon their frames when from the cars

41:39

they fell. But Menelaus, with exceeding

41:42

joy of victory, glowed when

41:44

Thedus, lovely trest gave

41:46

him a golden cup, the chief possession

41:49

once of Echion, the godlike before

41:51

Achilles spoiled the far famed

41:54

birde of Thebes. Then

41:58

horsemen riding upon horses

42:00

came down to the course. They

42:02

grasped in hand the whip, and bounding

42:04

from the earth, bestrode their steeds.

42:07

The while with phoneaming mouths,

42:09

the coursers champed the bits and pawed

42:11

the ground, and fretted eye to

42:14

dash into the course. Fourth

42:16

from the line. Swiftly they darted, eager

42:19

for the strife, wild as the blasts

42:21

of roaring, boreous or shouting.

42:24

Notice when the hurricane swoop

42:26

he leaves the wide sea high

42:29

when in the east uprises the disastrous

42:32

altar star, bringing calamity

42:34

to seafarers. So swift

42:36

they rushed spurning with flying

42:38

feet the deep dust on the plane.

42:42

The riders cried each to his steed,

42:44

and ever plied the lash and shook

42:46

the reins about the clashing bits

42:50

on strained the horses from

42:52

the people, rose a shouting, like

42:54

the roaring of a sea. On

42:57

on across the level plain they

42:59

flew. And now the flashing

43:02

footed, argive steed by sthenoless

43:05

bestrid and had won the race.

43:08

But from the course he swerved and

43:10

over the plane once and again rushed

43:12

wide. Nor Capanius's

43:15

son, good horseman, though he was, could

43:17

turn him back by rain or whip,

43:20

because that steed was strange

43:22

still to the race course. Yet

43:24

of lineage noble was he, for in

43:26

his veins the blood of swift Arion

43:29

ran the full begotten by

43:31

the loud piping west wind on a

43:34

harpy, the fleetest of all earth

43:36

born steeds, whose feet could race

43:38

against his father's swiftest blasts

43:41

him. Did the blessed to a drastis

43:44

give, and from him sprang the

43:46

steed of Sthenelus, which Tydeus's

43:48

son had given unto his friend in

43:51

hallowed Troy. Filled

43:53

with confidence in those swift

43:55

feet, his rider led him forth unto

43:57

the contest of the steeds that day,

44:00

Looking his horsemanship, surely

44:02

should one win renown. Yet

44:05

victory gladdened not his heart. In that

44:07

great struggle for Achilles' prizes,

44:10

no swift, albeit he was

44:13

the king of men by skill, outraced

44:15

him, shouted all the folk glory

44:17

to Agamemnon. Yet they

44:20

acclaimed the steed of Valiancethenalus

44:22

and his lord. For that, the fiery

44:24

flying of his feet still won him

44:26

second place, albeit often

44:29

wide of the course he swerved. Then

44:31

Thedus gave to Atreus's son, while

44:34

laughed his lips for joy. God

44:36

sprung Polydorus's breastplate,

44:39

silver rot to Sthenalus,

44:41

Asterepius's massy helm,

44:44

two lances and a tasselit strong,

44:46

she gave yes. And to all

44:49

the riders who that day came at Achilles's

44:51

funeral feast to strive, she

44:53

gave gifts. But the son of

44:55

the old war lord Laertes only

44:58

grieved to be withheld from

45:00

contests of the strong, how

45:03

fainsoever by that sore wound

45:05

which Alcon dealt to him

45:07

in the grim fight around dead

45:10

Iacchus's Sun. That

45:24

was book four, now Part

45:26

of book five. So

45:31

when all other contests had

45:33

an end, Fadus the goddess

45:35

laid down in the midst great souled

45:38

Achilles' arms divinely

45:40

wrought, and all around flashed

45:42

out the cunning work, wherewith the

45:45

fire God overchased the shield

45:47

fashioned for Eachus's sun, the

45:49

dauntless sould in

45:52

wrought upon that labor of a god.

45:54

Were first high heaven and

45:56

cloud land, and beneath lay earth

45:58

and sea. The winds the

46:00

clouds were there, the Moon and the

46:03

Sun, each in its several place.

46:06

There too were all the stars that fixed

46:08

in heaven and borne in its eternal circlings.

46:11

Round, above and through all

46:14

was the infinite air, Where to and

46:16

fro flit birds of slender

46:19

beak you had said they lived

46:21

and floated on the breeze. Here

46:24

Tethys, all embracing arms

46:26

were wrought, and ocean's fathomless

46:28

flow, the outrushing flood

46:31

of rivers, crying to the echoing

46:33

hills all round to right

46:36

to left rolled over the land.

46:39

Round it rose league long mountain

46:42

ridges, haunts of terrible lions

46:44

and foul jackals. There

46:46

fierce bears and panthers prowled

46:49

with these were seen wild boars that

46:52

wetted, deadly, clashing tusks

46:54

in grimly frothing jaws.

46:57

There hunters sped after the hounds,

46:59

beats with stone and dart to

47:01

the life portrayed toiled

47:04

in the woodland sport, And

47:06

there were man devouring wars, and

47:08

all horrors of fight. Slain

47:10

men were falling down mid horse

47:13

hoofs, and the likeness of a plain,

47:15

blood drenched was on that shield.

47:18

Invincible panic

47:20

was there, and dread and ghastly enio

47:22

with limbs, all gore bespattered

47:25

hideously and deadly strife,

47:28

and the avenging spirits, fierce

47:30

hearted, she still goating

47:32

warriors on to the onset they

47:35

outbreathing breath of fire.

47:38

Around them hovered the relentless fates

47:40

beside them, battle incarnate

47:43

onward, press dwelling, and from

47:45

their limbs streamed blood and sweat.

47:48

There were the ruthless gorgons,

47:51

through their hair horribly serpents

47:53

coiled with flickering tongues. A

47:55

measureless marvel was that cunning

47:58

work of things that made men shudder

48:00

to behold, seeming as though they

48:03

verily lived and moved. And

48:06

while here all war's marvels

48:08

were portrayed yonder were

48:10

all the works of lovely peace. The

48:13

myriad tribes of much enduring

48:15

men dwelt in fair cities.

48:18

Justice washed over them all to

48:21

diverse toils they set their hands.

48:23

The fields were harvests laden earth.

48:26

Her increase bore most

48:29

steeply rose on that god labored

48:31

work. The rugged flanks of holy honors

48:34

mount, and thereupon a palm tree

48:36

thrown. She sat exulted,

48:39

and her hands reached up to Heaven. All

48:42

round her paths broken by many rocks,

48:44

thwarted the climber's feet by

48:46

those steep tracks. Daunted you saw

48:49

returning many folk, few

48:51

won by sweat of toil the sacred

48:53

height, and there

48:56

were reapers moving down long swaths,

48:58

swinging the wetted sickles beneath

49:01

their hands. The hot work sped to its

49:03

clothes hard. After these,

49:05

many sheaf binders followed, and

49:07

the work grew, passing great with

49:10

yoke bands on their necks. Oxen

49:12

were there whereof some drew the wains

49:15

heaped high with full eared sheaves,

49:17

And further on were others plowing,

49:20

and the glebe showed black behind

49:22

them. Youths where ever busy

49:24

goads followed a world

49:26

of toil was there portrayed, and

49:29

there were a banquet was with pipe and harp,

49:32

dances of maids and flashing feet of

49:34

boys, all in swift movement, like

49:36

to living souls hard

49:40

by the dance, in its sweet winsomeness.

49:42

Out of the sea was rising the lovely

49:44

crowned Kipris, foam blossoms

49:47

still upon her hair, and round

49:49

her hovered smiling witchingly

49:51

desire and danced the grace's

49:54

lovely trust. And there

49:56

were lordly Naius's daughters

49:58

shown leading their sister up from

50:00

the wide sea to her espousals

50:03

with the warrior king, and round

50:05

her all the immortals banqueted on

50:07

Pelion's ridge, far stretching all

50:10

about lush, dewy watermeads

50:13

there were bestarred with flowers,

50:15

innumerable grassy groves

50:18

and springs with clear, transparent

50:21

water. Bright. Their

50:23

ships with sighing sheets, swept

50:26

over the sea, some beating

50:28

up windward, some that sped

50:30

before a following wind, and round

50:32

them heaved The melancholy surge

50:36

seared. Shipmen rushed this way

50:38

and that a dread for tempest, gusts

50:41

hauling the white sails in to escape

50:44

the death. It all seemed real,

50:46

some tugging at the oars, while the dark

50:49

sea on either side the ship grew hoary.

50:51

Beneath the swiftly plashing blades

50:55

and their triumphant The earth

50:57

shaker rowed amid sea. Monsters,

51:00

stormy footed steeds drew

51:02

him, and seemed alive as

51:04

over the deep they raced, often

51:07

smitten by the golden wing. Around

51:10

their path of flight, the waves fell smooth,

51:12

and all before them was unrippled.

51:15

Calm dolphins

51:17

on either hand about their king, swarmed

51:20

in wild rapture of homage,

51:22

bowing backs, and seemed

51:25

like live things over

51:27

the hazy sea, swimming, albeit

51:29

all of silver rot marvels

51:34

of untold craft were

51:36

imaged. Thereby, cunning souled

51:38

Hephaistus's deathly hands

51:40

upon this shield, and ocean's

51:43

fathomless flood clasped

51:46

like a garland all the outer rim

51:48

and compassed all the strong shield's

51:51

curious work. And

51:53

there beside the massy helmet lay

51:56

Zeus, in his wrath, was set upon

51:59

the crest, throned on Heaven's dome.

52:02

The immortals all around, fierce

52:04

battling with the Titans, fought for Zeus.

52:07

Already were their foes

52:09

enwrapped with flame, for thick

52:12

and fast as snowflakes poured

52:14

from heaven the thunderbolts. The might

52:16

of Zeus was roused, and burning

52:18

giants seemed to breathe out flames.

52:23

And there beside the fair, strong corselet

52:25

lay unpierceable, which

52:27

clasped Polaides. Once there

52:30

were the Greaves close, lapping light

52:33

alone to Achilles. Massy of mold

52:35

and huge they were, and

52:38

hardby flashed the sword, whose

52:40

edge and point no male could turn,

52:43

with golden belt and sheath of silver,

52:45

and with haft of ivory, brightest

52:48

amid those wondrous arms it shone

52:51

stretched on the earth. Thereby was

52:54

that dread spear, long

52:56

as the tall tressed pines of Pelion,

52:58

still breathing out the reek of

53:01

Hector's blood. Then

53:05

amid the Argives, Fadus

53:07

stable stole in her deep

53:09

sorrow, for Achilles spoke, Now

53:12

all the athlete prizes have been won,

53:15

which I set forth in sorrow for my child.

53:18

Now let that mightiest of the Argives

53:21

come, who rescued from the foe my

53:23

dead, to him, these

53:26

glorious and immortal arms

53:28

I give, which even the blessed

53:31

deathless joyed to see

53:34

then rose in rivalry, each

53:37

claiming them Laertes, Seed,

53:39

Odysseus, and godlike Telemon's

53:42

son Ajax, the mightiest

53:44

far of Danning and men. He

53:47

seemed the star that in the glittering sky

53:49

outshines the host of heaven Hesperus,

53:52

so splendid by Polaides's

53:55

arms, he stood and

53:57

let these judge. He cried, Idominius

54:00

Nestor, and kingly counseled Agamemnon.

54:03

For these he weaned, with sureliest

54:05

know the truth of deeds wrought in that

54:08

glory battle. Toil to

54:10

these I also trust most utterly, Odysseus

54:13

said, for prudent of their wit be

54:15

these and princeliest of all Danny

54:18

and men. Well,

54:35

that seems as good a place as any to stop

54:37

Book five. That was,

54:40

like, I don't even I won't

54:43

guess how long. It was. But all that

54:46

really did the whole section I just

54:48

did of book five, All that really did was describe

54:51

Achilles's armor. Now,

54:53

remember, what this is doing is evoking

54:56

very similar moments in I

54:59

mean, I guess by the time of this writing, probably

55:01

the Iliad and the Eneid. I'm

55:04

not gonna double check that date. It could be not after

55:06

the endead, but I think that it is in

55:09

either case. We have such similar

55:12

scenes of Achilles' armor

55:14

being wrought in the

55:16

Iliad by Hephaistus, and

55:18

then it's being reimagined here again

55:21

now after his death, as these

55:23

two heroes quote unquote

55:25

heroes are about to

55:28

fight over it. And

55:30

I just want to take a minute and just

55:32

just have you all sit in the idea that

55:35

that was all just his armor, and

55:38

how much we are supposed to believe

55:41

is is being put

55:44

Like how many stories, how many

55:46

details are said to exist

55:49

in this armor, because it is not only

55:51

a way to tell the

55:53

story through something as

55:55

important as, you know, a

55:57

warrior's armor, but

56:00

it is also just evoking

56:02

and like really like drilling

56:04

in just how

56:07

incredible the work of the odds is. But particularly

56:09

hephaistis this god who can just

56:12

create literally the

56:14

most incredible works

56:16

of art in armor. And

56:20

I honestly don't know how to talk about something like this without pointing

56:22

out completely

56:24

militarized police of the States and also

56:27

a little bit Canada, but definitely broadly North America

56:29

and just generally cops, you know,

56:32

cops, the militarization of police

56:34

and modern quote unquote armor

56:36

that is really only used to

56:40

attack students

56:42

peacefully protesting their universities

56:45

funding a genocide. So you know, I

56:48

just think things

56:50

weren't good back then, but they

56:52

didn't have that. The

56:56

world is awful. Everyone should be fucking

56:58

angry. North America is descending into

57:00

complete fascism, and the

57:03

imperial of this colonial machine is

57:05

worse than ever, which is like really saying

57:07

something because it's been really bad

57:10

for like a really long time. That's

57:12

the understatement of a lifetime. I literally only

57:15

know how to make

57:17

this sound like I'm not losing my whole mind.

57:23

And next week this what

57:26

comes after this

57:29

Armor. I

57:31

don't know how much I you all remember but

57:33

when I covered these episodes, or even how much

57:35

I said, because it was six years ago,

57:39

but there is some pretty big drama

57:41

over Achilles's Armor,

57:44

pretty cheap big drama.

57:49

That's my lead up. So next week we will look at the rest

57:51

of book five that per pretty big drama,

57:54

and Book six. For now,

57:56

though, this is the first time I've

57:58

recorded in like three weeks, and my voice

58:01

is going and I plan to record

58:03

the next episode right away

58:05

that seems less likely. Thank

58:08

you all so much for listening. It's

58:12

been a while thank you all for being so patient with

58:14

me, I've also gotten like I'm

58:16

sure it's been fairly obvious. I'm not really great at

58:19

like hiding when I

58:21

feel like shit, but you know, just like life's

58:23

been really tough right now. And then also

58:25

the world is awful, and

58:27

I that's it. The world's awful.

58:30

But so I've just been I've been really really struggling

58:33

and medicating,

58:36

and I think that's why I'm getting better anyway,

58:39

So things are are looking up. I really

58:41

hope to have a bunch of great episodes coming

58:43

for you guys. I do have a

58:46

trip to Grease soon, so I'm preparing

58:48

a bunch in advance as I usually do. We're

58:50

gonna see how that goes. But also

58:52

to you listeners, who are some

58:54

of the lucky for you joining me for the first official group

58:57

trip to Grease, which was planned

58:59

before my life exploded, I'm

59:01

looking forward to it. It's

59:03

gonna be fun. Hopefully it works out so well,

59:05

and then I start holding more of those that's

59:08

happening soon. I mean, honestly, there's only ten of us

59:10

this time, but stay tuned because, again,

59:13

if it goes well, if we can make it affordable,

59:15

for people in a way that works

59:17

for everyone. I'm gonna be really happy

59:19

to do these more often. So fingers

59:22

crossed You ten are my

59:24

little test run. We're gonna have a time. Thank

59:27

you so much for listening. As always. Oh, I've also gotten

59:29

some incredible reviews lately. I'll

59:31

be reading them in regular episodes, but

59:34

also like, honestly thank you if you left a review

59:36

in the last month, well, I mean anytime,

59:38

but like the ones that I've been getting in my

59:40

email box in box recently

59:42

are truly like they made

59:44

me feel really good when I really needed it, so I appreciate

59:46

it very much. Let's talk about MIT's

59:48

Baby is written produced by me Live Albert

59:51

MICHAELA. Smith is the Hermes to my Olympians.

59:53

The assistant producer, Laura Smith

59:55

is the production assistant and audio engineer.

59:58

Select music in this episode was by Luke Chaos.

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