Don’t lie, Atrides! You know the truth – say it!
We claim we are far, far greater than our fathers.
We are the ones who stormed the seven gates of Thebes,
heading a weaker force and facing stronger walls
but obeying the gods’ signs and backed by Zeus.
Our fathers? Fools. Their own bravado killed them.
Don’t tell me you rank our fathers with ourselves!
– Homer
The Iliad, Book 4, lines 470-476. When Agamemnon goads his troops including Achaean commander Diomedes for failing to live up to his ancestors’achievements, Sthenelus makes this retort. He says that his troops are far better militarily than their ancestors, citing their successful storming of Thebes when they were supported by god Zeus.