The helmed Aeantes could no more frighten Hector, the proud son of Priam, back from Patroclus' corpse than shepherds out in the field can scare a tawny lion off his kill when the hunger drives the beast claw-mad.

The helmed Aeantes could no more frighten Hector,
the proud son of Priam, back from Patroclus’ corpse
than shepherds out in the field can scare a tawny lion
off his kill when the hunger drives the beast claw-mad.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 18, lines 188-191. Great Ajax and Little Ajax are no more able to drive Hector back from Sarpedon’s body than shepherds in the field can scare a hungrey lion off its kill, Homer tells us using an epic simile.

Homer Quotes