Original Text(~250 words)
ARGUMENT. THE FOURTH BATTLE CONTINUED, IN WHICH NEPTUNE ASSISTS THE GREEKS: THE ACTS OF IDOMENEUS. Neptune, concerned for the loss of the Grecians, upon seeing the fortification forced by Hector, (who had entered the gate near the station of the Ajaces,) assumes the shape of Calchas, and inspires those heroes to oppose him: then, in the form of one of the generals, encourages the other Greeks who had retired to their vessels. The Ajaces form their troops in a close phalanx, and put a stop to Hector and the Trojans. Several deeds of valour are performed; Meriones, losing his spear in the encounter, repairs to seek another at the tent of Idomeneus: this occasions a conversation between those two warriors, who return together to the battle. Idomeneus signalizes his courage above the rest; he kills Othryoneus, Asius, and Alcathous: Deiphobus and Æneas march against him, and at length Idomeneus retires. Menelaus wounds Helenus, and kills Pisander. The Trojans are repulsed on the left wing; Hector still keeps his ground against the Ajaces, till, being galled by the Locrian slingers and archers, Polydamas advises to call a council of war: Hector approves of his advice, but goes first to rally the Trojans; upbraids Paris, rejoins Polydamas, meets Ajax again, and renews the attack. The eight-and-twentieth day still continues. The scene is between the Grecian wall and the sea-shore. When now the Thunderer on the sea-beat coast Had fix’d great Hector and his conquering host, He left them to the fates, in...
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Summary
While Zeus looks away from the battlefield, Neptune secretly intervenes to help the struggling Greeks. Disguising himself as the prophet Calchas, he inspires the two Ajax warriors to rally their forces against Hector's advancing Trojans. The god's divine touch fills the Greek heroes with renewed strength and courage, turning the tide of battle. Meanwhile, Cretan king Idomeneus emerges as a formidable warrior, cutting down multiple Trojan champions including Othryoneus, who had boasted he would win Cassandra's hand through victory. The chapter showcases brutal individual combat as heroes like Meriones and Antilochus prove their worth through deadly skill with spear and sword. As bodies pile up on both sides, the Greeks begin pushing back against the Trojan assault on their ships. Hector, still fighting fiercely at the center, remains unaware that his forces are being repelled on the flanks. The wise Polydamas advises him to call a war council and reassess their strategy, recognizing that their initial success is slipping away. This chapter reveals how battles can shift dramatically through both divine intervention and human courage, while highlighting the importance of strategic thinking over blind aggression. It shows that even the mightiest warriors need support systems and wise counsel to succeed.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Divine intervention
When gods directly interfere in human affairs, often disguising themselves to influence events. In this chapter, Neptune secretly helps the Greeks by inspiring their warriors while Zeus isn't watching.
Modern Usage:
We see this pattern when powerful people work behind the scenes to influence outcomes - like when a CEO's friend quietly puts in a good word for someone's promotion.
Phalanx
A tight military formation where soldiers stand shoulder-to-shoulder with overlapping shields and spears. The Ajax warriors use this formation to stop Hector's advance.
Modern Usage:
Any coordinated group effort where people work closely together for protection or strength - like union workers standing together during negotiations.
War council
A strategic meeting where military leaders discuss tactics and reassess their battle plans. Polydamas suggests this when he sees their attack isn't working as planned.
Modern Usage:
Any time leaders step back to evaluate and adjust their approach - like a management team meeting when a project isn't going well.
Champion combat
Individual fights between the best warriors from each side, often determining the outcome of larger battles. Heroes like Idomeneus prove their worth through single combat.
Modern Usage:
When someone steps up to represent their group in a crucial moment - like the employee who volunteers to present to the difficult client.
Hubris
Dangerous overconfidence that leads to downfall. Othryoneus boasts he'll win Cassandra's hand through easy victory, then gets killed by Idomeneus.
Modern Usage:
When someone gets cocky and makes promises they can't keep - like bragging about landing a big account before the deal is actually closed.
Tactical retreat
Strategic withdrawal to regroup and fight more effectively later. Idomeneus pulls back when outnumbered, living to fight another day.
Modern Usage:
Knowing when to step back from a losing situation to preserve your resources - like leaving a toxic job before it destroys your career.
Characters in This Chapter
Neptune
Divine helper
Disguises himself to secretly inspire the Greek warriors when they're losing. Shows how powerful allies sometimes work behind the scenes to help us succeed.
Modern Equivalent:
The mentor who quietly opens doors for you
Ajax (both warriors)
Defensive leaders
Form the backbone of Greek resistance, organizing their troops into effective formation to stop Hector's advance. Demonstrate the power of solid teamwork and coordination.
Modern Equivalent:
The reliable coworkers who hold everything together during a crisis
Idomeneus
Veteran warrior
Proves that experience and skill matter more than youth, cutting down multiple Trojan champions. Shows wisdom in knowing when to advance and when to retreat.
Modern Equivalent:
The seasoned employee who gets results through smart work, not just hard work
Hector
Trojan champion
Continues fighting fiercely but remains unaware that his forces are being pushed back on the flanks. Shows how tunnel vision can blind leaders to the bigger picture.
Modern Equivalent:
The manager so focused on their own department they miss company-wide problems
Polydamas
Strategic advisor
Recognizes when their attack is failing and advises Hector to call a war council. Represents the voice of reason that every leader needs.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who tells you hard truths when everyone else just agrees with you
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify the quiet allies who actually shift outcomes while everyone focuses on the obvious power struggles.
Practice This Today
This week, notice who handles the unglamorous work that keeps your workplace or family functioning—then thank them specifically for what they do.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The god's touch filled their hearts with strength and courage"
Context: When Neptune inspires the Ajax warriors to rally against Hector
Shows how the right encouragement at the right moment can completely change someone's performance. Sometimes we all need that boost of confidence to do what we're capable of.
In Today's Words:
Sometimes all it takes is someone believing in you to unlock your potential
"Better to take counsel than to rush blindly forward"
Context: Advising Hector to reassess their strategy when the attack stalls
Wisdom often means knowing when to pause and think rather than just pushing harder. Good advisors help leaders see when their approach isn't working.
In Today's Words:
Let's step back and figure out what's actually going wrong here
"Boasts are easily made, but victory must be earned"
Context: After killing Othryoneus, who had bragged about winning Cassandra
Experience teaches that talk is cheap - results are what matter. Overconfidence often leads to failure when it meets real skill and preparation.
In Today's Words:
Anyone can talk big, but can you actually deliver?
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Hidden Allies - When Support Systems Work Behind the Scenes
Critical support often comes from unexpected sources working behind the scenes when primary systems are overwhelmed or distracted.
Thematic Threads
Divine Intervention
In This Chapter
Neptune secretly helps the Greeks while Zeus is distracted, showing how help comes from unexpected sources
Development
Continues the theme of gods manipulating human affairs, but here shows positive intervention rather than just conflict
In Your Life:
You might find crucial help coming from unexpected people when you're most overwhelmed.
Leadership Under Pressure
In This Chapter
Hector fights fiercely but needs Polydamas's strategic counsel to see the bigger picture
Development
Builds on earlier themes of leadership burden, showing even great leaders need wise advisors
In Your Life:
You might need to seek outside perspective when you're too close to a problem to see solutions.
Battlefield Dynamics
In This Chapter
Battle shifts through combination of divine help and human courage, showing multiple forces at work
Development
Continues exploring how victory requires both supernatural luck and human effort
In Your Life:
You might succeed through a combination of your own effort and fortunate circumstances beyond your control.
Strategic Thinking
In This Chapter
Polydamas advises calling a war council when initial success starts slipping away
Development
Introduces the importance of adapting strategy when circumstances change
In Your Life:
You might need to reassess your approach when your initial plan isn't working as expected.
Individual Heroism
In This Chapter
Heroes like Idomeneus and Meriones prove themselves through skilled combat and brave actions
Development
Continues celebrating personal excellence while showing it works best within larger support systems
In Your Life:
You might find that your individual skills matter most when they contribute to a team effort.
Modern Adaptation
When the Backup Arrives
Following Achilles's story...
Achilles has been benched from the elite unit after his explosive confrontation with the commanding officer, watching from the sidelines as his team struggles in a critical operation overseas. The mission is falling apart—his brothers-in-arms are pinned down, taking heavy casualties, and the CO who sidelined him is nowhere to be found, pulled into emergency meetings at headquarters. That's when Staff Sergeant Martinez, the quiet logistics coordinator everyone respects but rarely notices, steps up. Without fanfare or authorization, Martinez redirects supply drops, repositions support units, and feeds crucial intel to the trapped soldiers. Suddenly, the tide turns. The pinned-down team finds ammunition where they need it, backup appearing from unexpected angles. Achilles watches through satellite feeds as his replacement squad leaders—guys he trained with, fought beside—rally with renewed confidence. They're pushing back, taking ground, saving lives. Martinez never takes credit, never announces his interventions over comms. He just works the system quietly while the brass is distracted, giving the fighters exactly what they need when they need it most.
The Road
The road Neptune walked in ancient Troy, Achilles walks today. The pattern is identical: when primary leadership is absent or overwhelmed, hidden allies step in to shift the entire dynamic through quiet, strategic support.
The Map
This chapter provides the navigation tool of recognizing invisible support systems. Achilles can learn to scan beyond obvious authority figures and identify the Martinez-types who actually move mountains.
Amplification
Before reading this, Achilles might have focused only on the commanding officers and visible power players, missing the crucial support network. Now he can NAME the hidden helpers, PREDICT when they'll emerge during crises, and NAVIGATE by both seeking and becoming that kind of behind-the-scenes ally.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
When the Greeks are getting crushed, Neptune steps in secretly while Zeus isn't looking. What specific actions does he take to help them?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think Neptune chooses to help secretly rather than openly challenging Zeus or announcing his intervention?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about times when you've been overwhelmed at work, school, or home. Can you identify moments when someone helped you behind the scenes without you fully realizing it at the time?
application • medium - 4
Polydamas advises Hector to step back and reassess strategy instead of just fighting harder. When you're in crisis mode, how do you force yourself to pause and look at the bigger picture?
application • deep - 5
This chapter shows how battles can shift when unexpected allies intervene at crucial moments. What does this reveal about the importance of building relationships before you need them?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Hidden Support Network
Think of a recent challenging situation you faced - a work crisis, family emergency, or personal struggle. Draw a simple diagram with you at the center and identify all the people who helped you, directly or indirectly. Include obvious helpers and hidden ones - the coworker who covered your shift, the neighbor who watched your kids, the friend who just listened. Mark which helpers you thanked and which you might have overlooked.
Consider:
- •Include people who helped without being asked
- •Notice helpers from unexpected places or relationships
- •Consider how timing made certain help especially valuable
Journaling Prompt
Write about someone who helped you when you didn't even realize you needed help. How did their quiet intervention change your situation? How can you be that kind of hidden ally for someone else?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 14: Juno's Seduction and Neptune's Intervention
Moving forward, we'll examine strategic deception can shift power dynamics in relationships and conflicts, and understand seizing opportunities when opponents are distracted or vulnerable. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.