Book 13 Summary - The Iliad 16y24

Book 13: Assault on the Ships 

Zeus turns his attention away from the war between the Trojans and Akhaians. - The Trojans were beating the Akhaians.  Poseidon notices this and intervenes with the war.  The Trojans were fighting with such power and blood lust that the thought of capturing the Akhaian ships occurred to them. - Poseidon fights against the Trojans; defending the Argives.  Kalkhas addressed the men named Aias to have not fear and protect the ships. - Poseidon struck both men with his staff; giving them more strength and power  Son of Oileus recognizes that Poseidon is helping them and informs Telamon of this. - Poseidon tells them to fight toward the ships.  At one point, the Akhaians were getting discouraged because it’s as if they have already lost.  Poseidon cries to them that it is shameful for men to be defeated; he also reminds them of the reason they are losing: the argument between Akhilleus and Agamemnon.  Hektor lead the Trojans like a “rolling boulder a river high with storm has torn away from a jutting bank by washing out what held it” but when he reached the line he stepped back, shaken. He saw that the Akhaians were fighting back more fiercely.  Telemonian Teukros drew first blood by killing Imbrios the pikeman. - Teukros tries to strip him but Hektor tries to strike him but misses, forcing Teukros to step back. - Hektor hits Amphimakhos in the chest.  Aias had a great anger towards Imbrios resulting into killing him.  Aias Oiliades had an anger for Amphimakhos so he lopped Imbrios’ head and bowled it through the melee until it tumbled in Hektor’s feet.  Poseidon didn’t like his own son, Amphimakhos: - Poseidon talked to Idomeneus through the voice of Thoas. - Idomeneus s the battle and meets with his friend, Meriones. - They thought of a good strategy and decides to fight where they are needed most instead of going to fight Hektor when there were already the two men named, Aias. - This causes the Akhaians to feel more inspired to fight.  Poseidon doesn’t realize that the reason Zeus allows the Trojans to have the upper hand in this fight is because of Zeus’ deal with Thetys.  By intervening with this war, it is a form of disrespect to the older brother.  Idomeneus kills Othryoneus and daunts him for his reason to combat: he was a guest of Troy and only participated so that he could have Kassandra, one of Priam’s daughters.

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Asios tries to fight over the body of Othryoneus but Idomeneus was quick and struck his throat. - Antilokhos then put a spear into the driver of Asios’ chariot. Deiphobos tries to kills Idomeneus but fails; he taunts the Akhaians  both sides were now taunting each other. Idomeneus still attacks the other Trojans until he meets Alkathoos, who Poseidon trapped so that Idomeneus could kill him. Both sides continue to taunt each other. Deiphobos now approaches Idomeneus once again and tries to fight him. - Idomeneus calls for his friends and allies to fight with him. - Deiphobos does the same. - Both sides fight once more. Meriones kills Deiphobos. Luckily for Deïphobos, his brother Polites drags him out of the fighting, sticks him on his chariot, and sends him back to Troy. Trojan Helenos kills the Akhaian Deipyros causing Menelaos to get revenge. Menelaos throws a spear at Helenos, the same time Helenos throws an arrow at Menelaos. - Menelaos dodges the arrow but the spear destroys Helenos’ house. Helenos retreats. Hektor calls for hault upon the Trojans. If it weren’t for Poulydamas’ strategy to urge Hektor to concentrate their forces at a certain safe location, so that they can decide their next move. However a problem occurs when they find out that most of chief men are dead or are back in Troy recovering. Hektor finds Paris and calls him a coward and a bad luck charm (similar to Book 3) - This causes a friction between the two brothers. Aias insults Hektor. An eagle flies by on the right – a good omen – and the Akhaians cheer. This causes Hektor to provoke the Akhaians even more, causing both sides to rush into battle once again.