Words Like Locusts Flew From Her Fingers

Blogging “The Iliad” – 15

Homer finishes listing all the people and ships participating in the fight between the Achaeans and the Trojans. Meanwhile, back at Achilles camp…

…but Achilles was now holding aloof at his ships by reason of his quarrel with Agamemnon, and his people passed their time upon the sea shore, throwing discs or aiming with spears at a mark, and in archery. Their horses stood each by his own chariot, champing lotus and wild celery. The chariots were housed under cover, but their owners, for lack of leadership, wandered hither and thither about the host and went not forth to fight.

Achilles men were out on the beach playing frisbee and drinking beer.

Jove sends the goddess Iris ahead of the Achaean army to warn the Trojans of their approach.