BOOK VII.

ARGUMENT

THE SINGLE COMBAT OF HECTOR AND AJAX.

The battle renewing with double ardour upon the return of Hector, Minerva

is under apprehensions for the Greeks. Apollo, seeing her descend from

Olympus, joins her near the Scaean gate. They agree to put off the general

engagement for that day, and incite Hector to challenge the Greeks to a

single combat. Nine of the princes accepting the challenge, the lot is

cast and falls upon Ajax. These heroes, after several attacks, are parted

by the night. The Trojans calling a council, Antenor purposes the delivery

of Helen to the Greeks, to which Paris will not consent, but offers to

restore them her riches. Priam sends a herald to make this offer, and to

demand a truce for burning the dead, the last of which only is agreed to

by Agamemnon. When the funerals are performed, the Greeks, pursuant to the

advice of Nestor, erect a fortification to protect their fleet and camp,

flanked with towers, and defended by a ditch and palisades. Neptune

testifies his jealousy at this work, but is pacified by a promise from

Jupiter. Both armies pass the night in feasting but Jupiter disheartens

the Trojans with thunder, and other signs of his wrath.

The three and twentieth day ends with the duel of Hector and Ajax, the

next day the truce is agreed; another is taken up in the funeral rites of

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The Iliad of Homer