Illiad - Book III

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Book III of Homer's Illiad
General Introduction to Homer's Illiad:
The Illiad is one of the foremost achievements in Western Literature. The Iliad is an epic poem written in Homeric Greek around eighth century BC. The Illiad recounts the final weeks of the war between the Trojans and the Acheans, the fall of Achilles, the fall of Troy.
Short Summary of Book III:
The war is about to begin and the Acheans march in silence towards the Trojans who rush towards them screaming. The Trojan Army is led by Alexandrus also called Paris. He wears a skin of panther and he carries a bow, a sword and two spears made of bronze. He show off his spears in order to challenge the bravest of the Acheans to come forward and fight him. On seeing this, Menelaus comes out of his ranks relishing at the fact that he will be having his revenge soon enough.
Alexandrus, on seeing Menelaus is frightened and falls back upon his ranks. Hector on seeing his cowardice reprimands him and mocks at him saying that this war was caused by him and that he must come forward and fight for the honour of the Trojans and that he cannot just be a boy who plays love tricks only.
Paris on hearing this, agrees that Hector's rebuke is just and that he agrees to fight Menelaus in single combat. Hector agrees to this and proposes the idea to the Acheans. The winner of the combat will get Helen as his wife and all her wealth. Before the fight starts, a sacrifice is made to the Gods. Two lambs, a white ram, a black ewe and another lamb is brought to be sacrifice to Jove.
Priam is requested to be brought to the battlefield so that the agreement can be made for the combat. The two sages Ucalegon and Antenor, the elders of the people were seated at the Scaean gates to witness the combat. Helen is also present among the company and Priam enquires about the warriors present in the Greek army. Helen goes on to talk about Agamemnon, Ulysses, Ajax. Meanwhile the oath – offerings, two lambs and a goatskin of wine is brought for swearing the covenant.
Lots were cast and Paris was given the chance to strike first. Paris threw his spear at Menaelus, but it struck his shield and could not pierce it. Menealus with a prayer on his lips threw his spear at Paris. It pierced Paris' shield and tore his shirt. Menealus then came forward and grabbed the horse plume of Paris' helmet and started dragging him towards the Achean army. The ox hide strap started choking Paris and Aphrodite and broke the strap. When Menelaus was about to kill Paris with his spear he was taken away by Aphrodite in a cloud of darkness and transported to his bed chambers. Meanwhile Aphrodite in the guise of an old woman approaches Helen and asks her to go to Paris' bedchambers where he awaits her. If she refuses to do so, the goddess will abandon her and stir up strong hatred among the Trojans and the Achenas.
Helen mocks Paris for his cowardice, but her mocking seems to fall on deaf ears and he beckons her towards his end as he seems to be more enamoured by her at this moment than any other ever.

Meanwhile at the battlefield, Menelaus is not able to find the whereabouts of Paris and thus declares himself winner and demands the Trojans to give up Helen and all her wealth.

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