Homer ILIAD : Rhapsody 2

Page 28

Those who possessed Adrestae, and the city of Apaesus, and possessed Pityea, and the lofty mountain Tercia; these Adrastus and linen-mailed Amphius commanded, the two sons of Percosian Merops, who was skilled in prophecy above all others; nor was he willing to suffer his sons to go into the man-destroying fight. But they did not obey him, for the fates of sable death impelled them.

Those who dwelt around Percote and Practius, and possessed Sestos and Abydos, and divine Arisbe; these Asius, son of Hyrtacus, prince of heroes, commanded: Asius, son of Hyrtacus, whom large and fiery steeds bore from Arisbe, from the river Selleis.

Hippothoues led the tribes of the spear-skilled Pelasgians, of those who inhabited fertile Larissa; Hippothoues and Pylaeus of the line of Mars, the two sons of Pelasgian Lethus, son of Teutamus, commanded these.

But Acamus and the hero Piroues led the Thracians, all that the rapidly flowing Hellespont confines within.

Euphemus, son of heaven-descended Troezenus, son of Ceas, was commander of the warlike Cicones.

But Pyraechmes led the Paeonians, who use darts fastened by a thong, far from Amydon, from wide-flowing Axius, from Axius, whose stream is diffused the fairest over the earth.

But the sturdy heart of Pylaemenes from the Eneti, whence is the race of wild mules, led the Paphlagonians, those who possessed Cytorus, and dwelt around Sesamus, and inhabited the famous dwellings around the river Parthenius, and Cromna, AEgialus, and the lofty Erythine hills.

But Hodius and Epistrophus, far from Alybe, whence is a rich product of silver, commanded the Halizonians. Chromis and the augur Ennomus commanded the Mysians, but he avoided not sable death through his skill in augury, for he was laid low by the hands of Achilles in the river, where he made havoc of the other Trojans also.

Phorcys and godlike Ascanius far from Ascania, led the Phrygians, and they eagerly desired to engage in battle.

But Mesthles and Antiphus led the Maeonians, both sons of Talaemeneus, whom the lake Gygaea bore; these led the Maeonians, born beneath Mount Tmolus.

Nastes commanded the barbarous-voiced Carians, who possessed Miletus, and the leaf-topped mountain of Pethiri, and the streams of Maeander, and the lofty tops of Mycale. These indeed Amphimachus and Nastes commanded, Nastes and Amphimachus the famous sons of Nomion, who foolish went to battle decked with gold like a young girl[143]; nor did this by any means ward off bitter death; but he was laid low by the hands of the swift-footed son of AEacus at the river, and warlike Achilles took away the gold.

But Sarpedon and gallant Glaucus from Lycia afar, from the eddying Xanthus, led the Lycians.

[Footnote 143: It was customary for virgins to wear golden ornaments in great profusion. See Porson on Eur. Hec. 153.]

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