Book XIV

The book's summary is followed by Nestor's alarm at the increasing clamor of war.

Seeing the Greek army in flight, Nestor encounters the wounded kings Agamemnon, Ulysses, and Diomed.

Agamemnon despairs, blaming Jove for their losses, and proposes they prepare the ships to escape.

Ulysses furiously condemns Agamemnon's shameful proposal to flee, calling it a betrayal of the army.

Diomed advises the wounded leaders to show themselves near the battle to encourage the men.

Neptune, disguised as an old warrior, encourages Agamemnon and rallies the Greeks with a powerful war cry.

Seeing Jove on Mount Ida, Juno decides to deceive him and carefully adorns herself for seduction.

Juno tells Venus a false story to borrow her enchanted girdle, which holds the power of love.

Juno asks the god of Sleep to lull Jove, but he refuses, fearing Jove's wrath.

Juno successfully bribes Sleep by promising him the Grace Pasithaë, and they travel together to Mount Ida.

Jove is instantly overcome with lust upon seeing Juno and declares his passion surpasses all previous affairs.

After Juno's feigned protest, Jove creates a golden cloud to hide them, and he falls asleep after their embrace.

Alerted by Sleep, Neptune seizes the opportunity to rally the Greek forces while Jove is asleep.

The Greeks re-arm and advance, led by Neptune, who faces Hector as the two armies collide.

After Hector's spear fails, Ajax strikes him down with a huge stone, and the Greeks rush forward.

Hector is carried from the field, and in the renewed battle, Polydamas kills the Greek Prothoënor.

Ajax kills Archilochus in revenge, taunts the Trojans, and then Acamas kills Promachus for his brother.

Peneleus brutally kills Ilioneus, terrifying the Trojans into flight, and the book ends with a list of heroes slain.