The Trojan War: A New History

Glorious victory meant immortality, so Hector leads a charge at dawn. The Greeks meet them on the plain. Just after noon, the tide begins to turn in the Trojans’ favor. Zeus hurls a lightning bolt before Diomedes’ horse, sending the hero fleeing. Hector seizes the moment to slander Diomedes. The Greeks were now penned before their camp. Agamemnon, spurred by Hera, rallies his men. Greek archer Teucer kills a score of Trojans, before the Greeks fall back again. Night saves the Greeks; the Trojans pitch their tents on the plain. New Trojan recruits arrive from Thrace, and Hector orders every fire to be lit in the city, as well as on the plain. The decimated Greeks decide to call a council of war.

Nestor claims that without Achilles, they are ruined. Agamemnon agrees, and returns Breseis, along with the lion’s share of booty and an offering of marriage to one of Agamemnon’s daughters. Achilles rejects the appeal and tells the warlords that he intends sail home, unless Hector attacks his Myrmidons. Agamemnon and Menelaus send Odysseus and Diomedes on a scouting mission. They encounter the comical Dolon, a Trojan scout who tells the Greeks all they want to know, giving the Greeks the upper hand. They then execute Dolon. The Greek heroes head straight for the Thracians, killing them all.