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The Change of Plan in the Doloneia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2009

D. M. Gaunt
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Extract

At the end of Iliad ix we see the Achaeans confined in their camp by the Trojans. Under cover of darkness they hold a council of war, at which Nestor suggests (x. 204 ff.) the need for a reconnaissance to discover the Trojan intentions: this idea had also occurred to Menelaus earlier (37–8). It may be done either by ‘cutting out’ some enemy on the edge of the sleeping army (the word used is ⋯σχατόωντα, 206), or by overhearing a conversation (φ⋯μις, 207) which may give information. There is no suggestion of any further exploit, for the Achaeans are hard-pressed and at this moment it is information which they chiefly need. Nestor suggests that the exploit will bring much glory; there will also be a substantial reward. Diomedes volunteers to undertake the task, and selects Odysseus as his companion: others also volunteer, but Diomedes feels that Odysseus' cunning makes him the most suitable choice. When they set off, Athene, well disposed as always towards her favourite, sends them a good omen (274). Both men offer prayers to her for success; Diomedes also promises a sacrifice if all goes well. Odysseus in his prayer expresses the hope that they will return ‘after accomplishing a fine deed’ (ῥέξαντας μέγα ἔργον, 282). This phrase may be significant, for the attentive reader will ask himself whether the exploit as planned does really merit such a description.

Type
Research Article
Information
Greece & Rome , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , October 1971 , pp. 191 - 198
Copyright
Copyright © The Classical Association 1971

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References

page 191 note 1 Line 224 is proof that Diomedes accepts this purely as a scouting mission, for his remark about ‘gain’ in 225 is surely quite general in sense: there will be a ‘gain’ in having two people, simply because their combined reactions are quicker and they are a support to one another.

page 191 note 2 We note that, although a reward has been promised (321 ff.), this is contingent upon a Trojan victory as a result of the information to be obtained. There is no suggestion that Dolon will obtain plunder by his efforts.

page 193 note 1 Hebrew Union College Annual xxvi (1955), 43 ff.Google Scholar (reprinted as a separate pamphlet, Ventnor, N.J., 1967).

page 193 note 2 Coll. Latomus lxxiii (1964).Google Scholar

page 193 note 3 TAPA lxviii (1937), 403 ff.Google Scholar

page 195 note 1 TAPA lxx (1949), 1 ff.Google Scholar

page 196 note 1 Cf. Scott, J. A., The Unity of Homer (Berkeley, 1921), 153.Google Scholar

page 196 note 2 Muir, Willa, Living with Ballads (London, 1965), 46.Google Scholar

page 197 note 1 Cf. Bassett, S. E., The Poetry of Homer (Berkeley, 1938), 134Google Scholar (the λύσις ⋯κ το⋯ ⋯κροατο⋯).

page 198 note 1 Cf. Od. vi. 66Google Scholar: αἴδετο γ⋯ρ θαλερ⋯ν γάμον ⋯ξονομ⋯ναι (‘she was ashamed to mention the possibility of marriage’), and Nausicaa's bashfulness about what the Phaeacians will say if Odysseus accompanies her into the city (Od. vi. 277).Google Scholar