Episode 168: The Peculiar Trojan War – (2)
After a long voyage, the allied forces decided to first deal with Troy’s allies.
They invaded nearby smaller nations, seizing plenty of spoils of war: gold, silver, land, and even… beautiful women.
Achilles, the son of the hero Peleus and the goddess Thetis, grew up to surpass his father, just as the prophecy foretold.
When the allied forces invaded Troy’s allies, Achilles led the charge, achieving many feats.
“Agamemnon, I have obtained two beautiful women named Briseis and Chryseis. I’ll give Chryseis to you.”
“Oh, excellent. A true beauty…”
Among the women Achilles brought back from Troy’s allies, he gave Chryseis to Agamemnon, the commander-in-chief.
However, this sparked a problem.
Chryseis’ father, Chryses, a priest of Apollo, begged Agamemnon to return his daughter, only to be harshly dismissed.
Angered, Chryses prayed to Apollo to punish the Greek forces…
Already partial to Troy, Apollo wasted no time unleashing a plague upon the Greeks.
With soldiers dying from the divine punishment, Agamemnon was forced to return Chryseis to her father, along with much wealth.
But now, enraged, Agamemnon seized Briseis from Achilles.
“Agamemnon! Why are you taking Briseis from me?”
“Silence, Achilles! Didn’t you deliberately offer me the daughter of a priest devoted to Apollo? Besides, the best spoils of war rightfully belong to the commander-in-chief!”
“What? Utter nonsense! Fine, if that’s how you want it, I’ll fight no more!”
Furious, Achilles stormed back to his tent.
The other commanders, fully aware of Achilles’ unparalleled skills, tried to persuade Agamemnon.
The respected hero of the previous generation, Polideuces, spoke first.
“Hey, Nestor, why don’t you try convincing that angry young man? And Agamemnon, let’s have a talk.”
“Hmm?”
“Beautiful women are hardly worth more than honor, wouldn’t you agree? That young Achilles is far more exceptional than his father, Peleus, ever was in his youth. Would it not be unwise to antagonize someone so extraordinary during a war?”
“I agree with my brother. We can capture Troy and claim all the women we desire later.”
“Indeed. Let’s not quarrel over spoils,” another chimed in.
The other commanders supported Polideuces’ argument. They didn’t want the expedition, with its promises of glory and riches, to fail.
Eventually, Agamemnon gave in to their persuasion and promised to return Briseis.
Meanwhile, Nestor approached Achilles to mediate.
"Achilles, may I have a word with you."
"Nestor? What business do you have with me?"
"Your father, Peleus, was truly remarkable."
As a respected elder and hero admired by all, Nestor’s words made Achilles at least willing to listen.
"Do you know of the Theban training ground?"
“Is there anyone in Greece who doesn’t?”
“Jason, Heracles, and other great heroes came from there. But do you know that your father, Peleus, was not far behind them? At a hunting tournament hosted by the goddess Thetis, he claimed victory and went on to accomplish great feats, including slaying mighty sea monsters, eventually marry the a goddess."
Achilles knew well of his father’s heroic deeds—graduating from the Theban training ground, joining the Argonaut expedition, slaying the Calydonian boar, and finally triumphing in the goddess’s trials to marry an immortal.
Was it not because Achilles wished to be as great as his father that he joined the Trojan War?
“I heard you disguised yourself as a woman and hid, following the advice of your mother, the goddess Thetis. But when you were discovered, instead of running away, you came here to join us,” Nestor continued.
“That’s true. I came because I wanted to be a hero like my father,” Achilles admitted.
"Then why cling so desperately to a mere woman? Peleus achieved great deeds and won the favor of a goddess, but his son is blinded by a mortal woman and refuses to participate in the war."
“W-what nonsense! This isn’t about that! It’s Agamemnon—”
“Yes, Agamemnon was wrong. But he will soon realize his mistake and seek reconciliation. Do you not wish to make your name known? Set aside your personal grievances for now.”
Shortly after, an envoy from Agamemnon arrived, returning Briseis with abundant treasures. Achilles then headed to Agamemnon’s tent to make amends.
“Hm. I admit I acted small-mindedly. I wish to apologize. Will you accept it?” Agamemnon asked.
“No, I too was wrong for failing to present suitable spoils to the commander-in-chief,” Achilles replied.
Through the wisdom of seasoned heroes, the conflict within the allied forces was temporarily resolved.
* * *
Above the clouds, in the divine palace of Olympus,
the king of the gods, Zeus, summoned all the gods of Olympus.
“Those of you who are particularly interested in the mortal world are well aware that a great is unfolding.”
The gods, filled with curiosity, interest, and some with concern, turned their gaze toward him. Among them, Athena and a few others suspected that Zeus might be behind this war.
“The Trojans and the Greek coalition... Considering Gaia’s complaint that there are too many mortal heroes these days, this seems like the perfect opportunity to reduce their numbers. All of you may support whichever side you wish.”
“Aren’t you rather fond of Hector, the prince of Troy?”
Hera questioned with curiosity at Zeus’s declaration. If the king of the gods intervened in the mortal war, the support of opposing gods would become meaningless.
“Hmm. Hector is indeed an outstanding mortal, but I shall remain neutral. Do as you please.”
“Is that so? Then you wouldn’t mind if Troy were to be destroyed?”
“Of course not, Poseidon. Support Troy if that pleases you.”
Even as Poseidon, full of hatred for Troy, pressed him, Zeus casually brushed it off. While the death of Hector might be regrettable, he felt it was fine since many gods would likely side with Troy anyway.
Heh. I expect Hades, who’s always so dismal about wars, will probably support Troy.
Even Poseidon’s involvement wouldn’t upset the balance.
* * *
At last, the Greek allied forces set foot on Trojan soil.
For some reason, the Trojan forces had formed ranks before their walls, yet made no move to attack, even as the Greeks landed.
Though initially cautious of an ambush, the Greek allied forces quickly began their preparations.
They disembarked, established their camp, and observed the Trojan positions.
Sensing something amiss, Agamemnon approached Menelaus.
“Hector, Troy’s commander, isn’t some ignorant fool.”
“I’ve heard he is the greatest hero of Troy as well. Something seems off.”
“Hm… Still, since they allowed us to land without resistance, we should formally declare war.”
“That would be best. Fetch my spear and shield! I’ll have a word with that Paris and see his face for myself!”
Menelaus intended to remind the soldiers of their righteous cause—the abduction of his wife—and boost their morale.
At the same time, he sought to demoralize the Trojans and appeal to the gods for their support.
Clatter-clatter.
With spear in hand, Menelaus rode toward the Trojan lines.
Before him stood their grand city walls, their army arrayed in formation.
There, standing in front of the grand walls of Troy, a figure on horseback wearing a gleaming helmet caught his eye. He assumed this must be the Trojan commander.
“Hear me! I am Menelaus, king of Sparta! Where is Paris, the scoundrel who dared steal my wife?”
While Menelaus shouted his challenge, he did not expect Paris to actually appear.
After all, wars between nations and power struggles aren’t resolved through ideals alone.
Even if their prince had caused this war with his adultery, would the Trojans simply return Helen and admit defeat?
...What?
Menelaus, about to continue his taunts, froze on the spot.
Before him unfolded a scene too unexpected to believe.
The figure wearing the shining helmet spurred his horse forward and spoke.
Clop. Clop.
“You must be the famed Menelaus, king of Sparta. I am Hector, commander of the Trojan forces.”
Menelaus had anticipated that the man with the shining helmet might be Hector or another high-ranking officer.
But it was the two figures emerging behind him that truly shocked him.
“We acknowledge that the fault lies on our side. My father, King Priam, has ordered that Helen be returned to you at once.”
Hector’s words, spoken with a polite bow, barely registered in Menelaus’s ears.
All he could see were…
“……”
“…Ah.”
His nemesis, Paris, bruised black and blue as if thoroughly beaten, limped forward.
And beside him, his beloved wife, Helen, wept silently as she gazed at Menelaus.
The battered face of his nemesis Paris, one eye swollen shut as if he had been thoroughly beaten, limping beside him.
And the tear-streaked face of his beloved wife, Helen, who gazed at him with sorrowful eyes.
“Are you mocking me, Hector?”