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Homer's Iliad

Condensation by PROF. WILLIAM FENWICK HARRIS THE elders of the Trojans from their seats upon the Scaean gate looked down upon the hosts of Greeks and Trojans marshaled in the plain. For nine long years the armies had contended. Why had Agamemnon brought the men of many cities to fight around the walls of Priam's Troy? What was it all about? Homer sings of the wrath of Achilles, but the beginning of all the trouble goes far back of that, to the tale of a princely shepherd on a night surprised as he watched his flocks upon Mount Ida. The goddesses Hera, Athene, and Aphrodite make him choose one of the world-old wishes; the judgment of Paris is for a fair face and love. To fulfil her promise Aphrodite leads him to King Menelaus's court in Sparta. Back to Troy Paris brings Queen Helen and great treasure. A hue and cry follow throughout Greece; Menelaus calls to his help the great overlord, his brother Agamemnon, Achilles the sacker of cities, wily Odysseus, venerable and genial Nestor, and all the chivalry of the land with men and ships to make war on Troy.