Book XIII
27 argumentative units
- 01Jove Averts His Gaze from Troy
Jove, having helped Hector, turns his eyes from Troy, leaving the battle to its fate.
- 02Neptune Rises to Aid the Greeks
Seeing Jove look away, an incensed Neptune descends from the mountains and prepares his chariot.
- 03Neptune Urges the Ajaces to Fight
Disguised as the seer Calchas, Neptune approaches the battle and exhorts the two Ajaces.
- 04The Ajaces Feel Divine Strength
Neptune imbues the Ajaces with divine strength, and they recognize the godly intervention.
- 05Neptune Rallies the Routed Greeks
Neptune finds the routed Greeks and delivers a fiery speech, shaming them into fighting again.
- 06The Greek Phalanx Meets Hector's Charge
The inspired Greeks form a dense phalanx to withstand the charge of Hector and the Trojans.
- 07Hector Repulsed, Combat Continues
Hector is halted by the Greek phalanx, while Merion's spear breaks and Teucer kills Imbrius.
- 08The Fight for the Fallen
Hector kills Amphimachus while trying to kill Teucer, leading to a fierce struggle over the bodies.
- 09Neptune Inspires Idomeneus
Neptune, disguised as Thoas, finds Idomeneus and urges him to return to the fight.
- 10Idomeneus and Meriones Meet
Idomeneus arms himself for battle and meets Meriones, offering him a replacement spear from his tent.
- 11Idomeneus Praises Meriones' Courage
Idomeneus praises Meriones' proven valor, describing the signs of a truly brave warrior in battle.
- 12The Cretan Leaders March to Battle
After Meriones takes a new spear, he and Idomeneus march to war and decide to fight on the left flank.
- 13The Battle and the Warring Gods
As the battle rages like a storm, the narrator explains the divine conflict between Jove and Neptune.
- 14Idomeneus Kills Othryoneus and Asius
Idomeneus begins his rampage by killing and taunting Othryoneus, then slays Asius who attacks him.
- 15Idomeneus Kills Alcathous
After Deiphobus kills Hypsenor, Idomeneus stands his ground and kills the Trojan hero Alcathous.
- 16Deiphobus Seeks Aeneas's Aid
Taunted by Idomeneus, Deiphobus decides not to fight alone and seeks help from Aeneas.
- 17Aeneas and Idomeneus Prepare to Duel
Aeneas is roused to fight Idomeneus, and both heroes call upon their comrades for support.
- 18Idomeneus Retreats, Ascalaphus Falls
Idomeneus kills Oenomas but retreats from Aeneas, and Deiphobus's spear kills Ascalaphus, son of Mars.
- 19Meriones Wounds Deiphobus, Slaughter Continues
Meriones wounds Deiphobus in the fight for Ascalaphus, while Aeneas, Antilochus, and Meriones kill more Trojans.
- 20Menelaus Wounds Helenus
After Helenus kills a Greek, he and Menelaus fight, ending with Menelaus wounding Helenus's hand.
- 21Menelaus Kills Pisander and Rages
Menelaus kills Pisander in close combat and then delivers a furious speech denouncing the Trojans' perfidy.
- 22A Chain of Vengeance and Death
Meriones kills Harpalion, whose death prompts Paris to shoot and kill the wealthy Euchenor.
- 23The Stalemate at the Center
Unaware of losses elsewhere, Hector remains fixed at the center, where the two Ajaces hold him in a stalemate.
- 24Polydamas Advises a Council of War
Seeing the battle is at a stalemate, the sage Polydamas advises Hector to halt and convene a council.
- 25Hector Rallies the Trojan Chiefs
Hector agrees to the council, goes to find the other chiefs, and angrily confronts Paris.
- 26Hector and Paris Renew the Attack
After Paris placates him, Hector rejoins the battle with him, leading the Trojan ranks forward.
- 27Ajax and Hector Confront Each Other
Ajax challenges Hector, an eagle appears as an omen, and Hector replies with a boast before the armies roar.