Page:The Iliad of Homer (Butler).djvu/51

BK. II.] Jove's daughter, Minerva, fostered him, and established him at Athens in her own rich sanctuary. There, year by year, the Athenian youths worship him with sacrifices of bulls and rams. These were commanded by Menestheus, son of Peteōs. No man living could equal him in the marshalling of chariots and foot soldiers. Nestor could alone rival him, for he was older. With him there came fifty ships.

Ajax brought twelve ships from Salamis, and stationed them alongside those of the Athenians.

The men of Argos, again, and those who held the walls of Tiryns, with Hermione, and Asine upon the gulf; Trœzene, Eïonæ, and the vineyard lands of Epidaurus; the Achæan youths, moreover, who came from Ægina and Mases; these were led by Diomed of the loud battle-cry, and Sthenelus son of famed Capaneus. With them in command was Euryalus, son of king Mecisteus, son of Talaus; but Diomed was chief over them all. With these there came eighty ships.

Those who held the strong city of Mycenæ, rich Corinth and Cleonæ; Orneæ, Aræthyrea, and Licyon, where Adrastus reigned of old; Hyperesia, high Gonoëssa, and Pellene; Ægium and all the coast-land round about Helice; these sent a hundred ships under the command of King Agamemnon, son of Atreus. His force was far both finest and most numerous, and in their midst was the king himself, all glorious in his armour of gleaming bronze—foremost among the heroes, for he was the greatest king, and had most men under him.

And those that dwelt in Lacedæmon, lying low among the hills, Pharis, Sparta, with Messe the haunt of doves; Bryseæ, Augeæ, Amyclæ, and Helos upon the sea; Laas, moreover, and Œtylus; these were led by Menelaus of the