12 Poseidon Joins the Battle

CHAPTER 12 Poseidon Joins the Battle The Achaeans knew that the Trojans were coming to attack their ships. So they quickly built a wall to protect the vessels, which were their only way home. It was a tall and strong wall. While the battle raged on, the Achaeans did their best to keep the Trojans from breaking through the wall and destroying their ships. Zeus had brought Hector and his Trojan army to the Achaeans' wall. With the strength of Zeus guiding them, the Trojans pushed past the wall. They climbed over it

and broke it down Some Achaeans continued to fight on the battlefield while others fought to defend the wall. When Zeus saw how close the Trojans were to the ships, he decided to leave the battle. Zeus left both armies to fight on their own. He had promised Thetis that he would help the Trojans only so that Agamemnon would regret losing Achilles. The damage to the Achaeans was now done. The Trojans were at the Achaean ships. Agamemnon now fully regretted his mistake. Zeus flew back to Mount Olympus. But Zeus still had a view of the whole world from his throne. Zeus was always aware of what was happening below. Poseidon could wait no more. He had listened to the Achaeans' prayers and cries for too long. He was sitting on Mount Olympus, watching the battle. His throne rested beneath the waves of the sea, but he

frequently joined the other gods on Mount Olympus for a better view. Poseidon was Zeus's brother and a mighty, earth-shaking god. He held a powerful staff called a trident. With three giant steps Poseidon reached his chariot and team of horses. He dove down swiftly from Mount Olympus. His horses' golden manes streamed behind them. The sea opened for him as he approached it. As the sea parted, Poseidon and his horses landed under the water. He fed his horses and chained them to the sea rock so they would stay put. Poseidon rose mightily from the sea to urge on the Achaeans.

该页暂无翻译

Poseidon called to Ajax, who was still fighting bravely on the battlefield. "Do not lose your strength!" he cried. He pointed his trident at Ajax and filled the warrior's heart with strength. Poseidon made Ajax's arms, legs, feet, and hands fill with energy and rage. Ajax felt an earthquake inside him. He ran through the crowds of his fellow soldiers and tried to encourage each man as he passed. But the soldiers were all tired. They felt defeated. Seeing the crowds of Trojans approaching their ships made them worry and weep. They wanted to give up once and for all. "If you lose faith now," he called, "we will surely be defeated! This is not the time for worrying. We need to take action. We need to be strong. Before this attack, the Trojans were easily frightened and easily pushed back. They did not attack us with such strength. Now they are at our ships. This is a

terrible thing. But we have won many battles before. We will have victory again! But we must not give up!" Ajax raced toward the shore, and many Achaeans followed. The soldiers stood tall beside Ajax. They formed a wall of men. The Achaeans raised their shields and prepared to meet the enemy face to face and shield to shield. The Trojans pounded down on them! They moved in tight groups led by Hector. He intended to push through the Achaean army in one charge. The Trojans meant to crush the Achaean soldiers and reach their ships. But the wall of Achaean men would not let them pass. This was a battle between gods as much as men. Poseidon had dared to get involved in the war even in the face of Zeus's warning. Zeus and Poseidon were now at odds. As Poseidon hovered above the armies, he