The Iliad Aeneas Quotes

Diomedes, loosing his war cry, charged Aeneas –
though what he saw was lord Apollo himself,
guarding, spreading his arms above the fighter,
but even before the mighty god he would not flinch.
Tydides reared and hurled himself again and again,
trying to kill Aeneas, strip his famous armor.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 5, lines 496-501. Here the fearless Diomedes heroically takes the gods and Aeneas – Apollo is protecting the Trojan fighter. Again and again Diomedes hurls himself at Aeneas, trying to kill him, unflinching before the mighty archer god.

he stood his ground like a wild mountain boar,
Trusting his strength, standing up to a rout of men
That scream and swoop against him off in a lonely copse,
The ridge of his back bristling, his eyes flashing fire,
He grinds his teeth, champing to beat back dogs and men.
So Idomeneus, famous spearman, stood his ground,
he never gave an inch with Aeneas charging in.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 13, lines 545-551. Idomeneus heroically stands his ground to face Trojan demi-god and warrior Aeneas, who charges at him. An epic simile likens him to a wild mountain boar standing up to a group of screaming men and dogs.

But across the lines Aeneas called his comrades,
glancing fast at Deiphobus, Paris, brave Agenor,
all the Trojan captains who backed Aeneas here,
and fighters followed close behind like flocks
that follow the lead ram, leaving the pastureland
to drink at springs, and the shepherd’s heart exults.
So now the heart of Aeneas leapt inside his chest
when he saw the flocks of fighters crowding in his wake.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 13, lines 567- 574. Aeneas is delighted and relieved when Trojan troops come to reinforce him. The image of a shepherd and his flocks following the lead ram is used to good effect in an epic simile.

but on they came, assaulting the rear, two in the lead,
Aeneas the son of Anchises flanking glorious Hector.
Flying before them now like clouds of crows or starlings
screaming murder, seeing a falcon dive in for the kill,
the hawk that wings grim death at smaller birds –
so pursued by Aeneas and Hector Argive fighters
raced, screaming death-cries, lust for battle lost
and masses of fine armor littered both sides of the trench
as the Argives fled in fear.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 17, lines 844-852. Aeneas and Hector lead the Trojan assault from the rear, as Menelaus and Meriones rescue Patroclus’s body from the battlefield. The scene is compared in an epic simile to a hawk diving in for the kill, and clouds of small birds flying off screaming murder.

But over against him came Achilles rearing like some lion
out on a rampage, and a whole town of men has geared
for the hunt to cut him down: but at first he lopes along,
all contempt, till one of the fast young hunters spears him –
then…crouched for attack, his jaws gaping, over his teeth
the foam breaks out, deep in his chest the brave heart groans,
he lashes his ribs, his flanks and hips with his tail,
he whips himself into fighting-fury, eyes glaring,
hurls himself head-on – kill one of the men or die,
go down himself at the first lethal charge!

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 20, lines 194-203. Homer uses an epic simile to convey the power of Achilles’s rampaging charge, driven by rage, as he moves out to confront Aeneas in battle. He is inbued with the fury and power of a lion being hunted.

Don’t think for a moment, Achilles, son of Peleus,
you can frighten me with words like a child, a fool –
I’m an old hand myself at trading taunts and insults.
We both know each other’s birth, each other’s parents,
we’ve heard their far-flung fame on the lips of mortal men,
though you have never set eyes on mine, or I on yours.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 20, lines 234-239. As they face each other on the battlefield, Aeneas tells Achilles that he cannot frighten him with his taunts and insults. Using a simile, he says Achilles is being like a child and a fool.

What do we need with wrangling, hurling insults?
Cursing each other here like a pair of nagging women
boiling over with petty, heartsick squabbles, blustering
into the streets to pelt themselves with slander
much of it true, much not. Anger stirs up lies.
I blaze for battle – your taunts can’t turn me back,
not until we’re fought it out with bronze. On with it –
taste the bite of each other’s brazen spears!

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 20, lines 291-298. As Aeneas and Achilles prepare to fight Achilles taunts his opponent, who makes this reply. Using an epic simile, Aeneas tells Achilles that they should stop trading insults like a pair of nagging women. He also lets the Greek hero know that he is eager for battle and Achilles’s taunts won’t turn him back.

he hurled a heavy lance at the great and awesome shield
and its massive surface clanged as it took the point.
Achilles had thrust it forth with his strong fist,
fearing staunch Aeneas’ spear with its long shadow
would drive its whole length lightly through his buckler –
groundless fears.
…So now not even seasoned Aeneas’ heavy shaft
could smash Achilles shield.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 20, lines 299-304, 307-308. Aeneas hurls a heavy lance at the shield of Achilles. But the mighty shield, crafted by the god of fire, stands up to the assault and the spear cannot pierce it.

Aeneas –
what god on high commands you to play the madman?
Fighting against Achilles’ overwhelming fury! –
both a better soldier and more loved by the gods.
Pull back at once, whenever you’re thrown against him –
or go down to the House of Death against the will of fate.
But once Achilles has met his death, his certain doom,
take courage then, go fight on the front lines then –
no other Achaean can bring you down in war.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 20, lines 378-386. Poseidon, god of earthquakes and the sea, intervenes to help Trojan warrior Aeneas, who is facing defeat and death in combat with Achilles. He warns Aeneas that if doesn’t retreat, he will go down to the House of Death against the will of fate. Poseidon temporarily covers Achilles’s eyes with a mist and lifts Aeneas away to safety.
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