Achilleus' Uninvolvement

Battle resumes. After speaking with Apollo, we decide to halt the acceleration of death by arranging a contest. After encouragement from Nestor, nine Argives volunteer and Aias wins. During the spear completion with Hektor, I watch like a vulture. After progressing far into the night, the contest is halted on account of the nightfall. When the Trojans suggest a truce for the collection and burial of the fallen, the Greeks agree.  During immortal council, Zeus again references the ominous fate of the Greeks in the fall of their wall after their city has been overtaken.

            Zeus retreats to Mt. Ida, where he has a pleasing view of the battle, after his instruction to the immortal Gods to stay out of it. To my great displeasure, Zeus mentions that the Trojans are fated to win today’s battles. With this in mind the men rage on. In her disobeying of Zeus, Hera summons on Agamemnon the urge to spew words of encouragement to his soldiers in addition to prayer to Zeus. With a bird sign as an omen, the Greeks are instilled again with courage and regain valor. Teukros demonstrates his aristeia, killing many Trojans. He fails in his attempts to kill Hektor, however, and is instead slain by him with a stone. I finally can’t take it anymore and alongside Hera begin to approach the battle via chariot when Zeus catches wind and puts an abrupt stop to it. As night falls, battle ceases. The Trojans camp amongst the plain, intending to lead the attack in the morning. 

            Agamemnon proposes an end to the war through retreat, to much disagreement from Diomedes who shuts the idea down. Nestor recommends to Agamemnon that he ought to apologize to Achilleus, and he agrees. He begins to list all the many things he will give in gift to Achilleus, including Briseis. After feasting, three ambassadors make their speeches concerning Achilleus’ return to battle. Odysseus begins first, attesting to the imminent danger he and his comrades’ face without him. He also speaks in the voice of his father before third repeating Agamemnon’s list of gifts, followed by the rhetorical dangle of Hektor’s death before their eyes. Achilleus rejects this argument, having valid considerations in retort. He again threatens his return home. Phoinix tries next, arguing the dangers of Atê. Although his impassioned speech moves him, he does not comply. The third ambassador, Aias, says simply that he is too un-adherent to societal norms. Now defiantly not participant, Achilleus says he will not only refuse their suggestions to enter battle, but he will never participate until the Trojans have completely burned down the Achaeans ships. Achilles and the others agree to enter battle without him.

The paradox of a true hero is illustrated in Achilleus’ refusal to enter battle, torn between the promise of kλέος through battle or a long and happy life, but not both. For mortals can never have both. As James Statford from the University of Melborne articulated, "Whilst a necessary part of the mortal condition, conflict, suffering and deathare shown to hold within them the vital forces of change, and to reveal the nature of humanity itself,". Suffering and pain bring kλέος that other men sing of, but a man may never sing his own. Achilleus demonstrates good points in regards to his refusal to participate in battle, and even brings understanding to why he refuses the gifts of Agamemnon, a seemingly riskless attainment. Marrying his daughter would simply give Agamemnon an upper-hand on him with the new title of father-in-law, and the possession of his land would pose the same insignificances. In general, these gifts are not a gift at all but instead a debt to be repayed. Nothing is ever free, this I know as well.

http://www.academia.edu/624446/The_Voice_of_Achilles_Communication_Self_and_Spectacle_in_Homers_Iliad

"Goddess of Strategic Warfare"

Upon instruction from Zeus, son of Kronos, I found myself making way to the battlefield, in wear similar to that of a Trojan himself. But no trojan am I as I sneakily convince Pandarus to aim his arrow at Menelaus. Like the fool he is, Pandarus takes the bait and with his arrow (to which I simply swat aside) begins the pretext for attack. With no truce in sight, my day only segments into the jowls of another war where I remain active in fight to the aid of the Achaeans. When Diomedes becomes injured and prays for revenge, I grant his request and beset such incredible amounts of strength and power within him that it draws worry in the eyes of any opossing gods on the battlefield. Be not afraid of challenging the gods, I tell Diomedes. All but one: Aphrodite. Diomedes proves to be the true hero of this battle, sleighing Trojans left and right while others fall to their deaths. When he disobeys my command by attacking God Apollo, son of Zeus, he receives no reprimand other than the stiff finger from Apollo.

As the Trojans begin to takeover battle, Zeus finally decides to listen to my advice and allow myself and Hera to aid in favor of the Achaeans. I encourage Diomedes to take action opposite to my previous statement, and we both ride in a chariot aimed straight for Ares. Moldable like butter, Diomedes is persuaded effortlessly and unconvincingly. After Diomedes succeeds in injuring Ares, I watch his whimpering retreat to Mount Olympus then head home. There’s just something so satisfying about winning. 

As the Achaeans begin to overtake Trojan forces, Helenus urges Hector to return home so that he is able to ask a favor of his mother requesting for her and her command to pray for mercy at the temple of Athena. I know that Hecktor follows this request because I hear the prayers as I watch Hector and Paris return to battle. Poor Hector, too wrought with Team A to ever circumvent his career as soldier for the life of a family man. 

http://citehochelaga.tumblr.com/image/24648827359

Battlefield Etiquette

Today my day begins with the interception of a dream structured by my husband, Son of Kronos, fitted to encourage Agamemnon to engage in battle against Troy. Persuaded by my coercive husband, Agamemnon gathers his large army for attack but instead decides to test their true intentions and expresses that he has instead given up on the war and plans his journey home. When Agamemnon's troops appear too overjoyed in their retreat, it is then that I am alerted by goddess Hera to intervene. With my persuasive suggestion, I successfully convince Odysseus to call his troops back to battle. As the Trojan army marches to meet the Acheeans in battle, Paris challenges the Achaeans to combat their best warrior. As Menelaus dutifully steps forward, Paris cowardly retracts. Only after establishing that  the duel will beset the rightful suitor for Helen and end the war do Menelaus and Paris fight. Just as Menelaus is about to penetrate Paris with his sword, Aphrodite whisks Paris away from danger while both the Trojans and the Greeks are left to wonder where he disappeared to. But I know better, the pathetic pretty boy needed saving. 

The eagerness expressed by the Achaeans in their initial retreat from the battlefield is of no particular interest to me, but it is of Hera's motivation that I encourage Odysseus to gather his men for battle. This is an action for which I participate out of feigned interest and intention to assist a fellow God. Who knows: perhaps one day I may require a favor of my own. Curious to me is the understanding behind the retreat of the Achaeans for it symbolizes only their lack of motivation and inferior battlefield mindsets. 

Image from chronicle.com

The kλέος of Achilleus

Nine years following the beginning of the great Trojan war, I have found myself attentive to the happenings of the Achaeans following a capture of two beautiful and sought-after maidens by the names of Chryseis and Briseis. With a plague enacted by the wrath of Apollo via Chryses' request,  crippling the Achaean soldiers, I watch as Agamemnon becomes enraged by the ill will summoned by Apollo. Agamemnon negotiates reunification of Chryseis and her father under the condition that Briseis is surrendered as compensation. Achilleus agrees, but he will only do so following the sack of Troy. Unsatisfied with his  response, Agamemnon immaturely threatens to steal another woman as prize from the Greeks. Upon hearing this, Achilleus insults Agamemnon, spewing threats of withdraw from battle. As Agamemnon threatens this outcome once more, Achilleus stands to draw his weapon. With the encouragement from fellow goddess Hera I am prompted to intervene. Rich in wisdom and resolution, I advise Achilles to recount his anger and abstain from physical altercation, instead manifesting such attacks in a linguistic fashion. "Come then, do not take your sword in your hand, keep clear of fighting, though indeed with words you may abuse him, and it will be that way. And this also will I tell you and it will be a thing accomplished. Some day three times over such shining gifts shall be given to you by reason of this outrage. Hold your hand then, and obey us." Lattimore, R. (1951). Achilleus listens to my words and responses to Agamemnon will a pledge to abstain from battle with the intention that doing so will highlight his grandiose contribution and importance to the Achaean army.

After the exchange of the two maidens was laid, I watch as Achilleus and his mother, Thetis, converse, with Achilleus explaining the extend of his interpreted dishonor. He pleads with his mother to enact good fortune over the Trojans, prompting them to gain an upper hand in battle and thus illustrate Achilleus' importance. Zeus abides this request simply because he happens to owe Thetis a favor. How convenient. 

The μῆνις of Achilleus during these events is both stirring and impressive. It is so significant that it alone appears to be the subject of focus within the eyes of many Gods, who watch in bemusement contemplative of its consequences, for this μῆνις is a characteristic primarily reserved for us Gods. I see it fitting, however, that Achilleus possesses this godlike trait, for he is ἄριστος of the warriors. Being ἄριστος, however, has it's consequences. Although it is most important for mortals to be competitive in nature and ever-striving toward perfection, doing so creates many chances for pain and sorrow. This sorrow manifests in kλέος, and no mortal can ever get enough, for glory is the most fitting prize to a soldier. Eager to see the kλέος of Achilleus play out in battle, I stand positioned for aid on behalf of the Trojans. 

Who I Am

Although I am certain everyone knows of me, as I am a Goddess after all, allow me to introduce myself fully.  My name is Ἀθηναίη, goddess of wisdom, courage, strategic warfare, justice, civilization, inspiration, mathematics, arts, crafts, and skill. My expertise ebbs and flows through the various facets of prudent intelligence, wisdom and justice. Born from the head of Zeus, I seek to instill command over those who seek my wisdom in times of warfare and conflict. Always cognizant of divine truth, I seek to bestow courage, victory and skill to those whom recognize the necessity of justice and fight for its place in this mortal world. For those whom abide by these understandings, my assistance shall be seen. I wish good luck for those whom resist such practices, as my assistance in battle is devote and I have never been one to befall defeat. I am a preserver of my state and its social institutions for which reflect my beliefs of fairness and justice.  In this regard, I oversee the success of any institution that seeks to bring prosperity and strength to my home.

May we soon become acquainted via mutual interest and understanding, for you shall not wish to cross my path as the opposition.

~ Ἀθηναίη

The Combat of Mars and Minerva, by Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825)

Photography of Goddess Athena, via myth index.com