The Iliad: Book 14 Summary & Analysis

In his tent, Nestor discusses the battle with the wounded Machaon. Nestor leaves his tent and immediately sees the carnage surrounding the Achaean camp. He meets the wounded captains Agamemnon, Odysseus, and Diomedes. Agamemnon, afraid that Hector’s forces will prevail, suggests again that the Achaeans should sail for home. Odysseus harshly criticizes Agamemnon, telling him to keep quiet for fear that the soldiers might hear and lose their courage. Diomedes, though the youngest, asserts his place among the captains and advises that although they are injured, they can still help rouse the men into battle.

Poseidon comes to Agamemnon’s side and reassures him that the Trojans will be turned back. On Olympus, Hera watches the actions of Poseidon and is pleased. She plots to help her brother by further diverting Zeus’ attention away from Troy. Hera decides to dress in all of her finery and enchant Zeus with her beauty. She bathes, perfumes her body, and puts on her best robes.

Hera goes to Aphrodite and asks her for a favor. Aphrodite agrees, and Hera tells her that she plans to reconcile two Titans who no longer make love. Deceived by Hera’s lie, Aphrodite lends her a magical breastband that will make any man feel love and longing for its wearer. Hera takes the breastband from Aphrodite.

Hera flies to the dwelling places of the god Sleep. She asks the god to put Zeus to sleep for her, and Sleep is initially resistant. He recalls that he once performed the same task for Hera, and that Zeus nearly punished him severely for it. However, Hera promises Sleep one of the Graces as a wife, a young goddess that Sleep has longed for. Sleep agrees to put Zeus to sleep.

Hera flies to Mount Ida, where Zeus is enthroned. Sleep hides nearby in the form of a bird, waiting to perform his task. As soon as Zeus sees Hera, he lusts after her. Hera tells him the same lie about reconciling the two Titans, and Zeus tells her not to hurry, suggesting that they make love instead. Hera puts up a token resistance, but Zeus wraps them in a cloud of gold while they make love. Afterward, Sleep causes Zeus to slumber.

Sleep sends word to Poseidon that Zeus is asleep and that he may do as he pleases. Poseidon orders the Achaeans to take up larger shields and move forward. The Trojans and Achaeans collide once again, and Hector and Great Ajax engage each other. Hector cannot pierce Ajax’s armor, but Ajax hurls an enormous boulder at Hector, bowling him over and nearly knocking him out. The Trojan captains surround Hector and drag him clear of the fighting. They splash water on his face and Hector vomits, overwhelmed by the blow.

The Aeantes continue their onslaught, and the two sides trade kills, taunting each other over the bodies that fall. Eventually, the strength of the Achaeans prevails, and the Trojans are routed back toward their city.